DIY, Events, Family, Home, Life, Style

My Sister’s Bridal Shower

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My sister and I are only 13 months apart. She’s been my best friend for as long as I remember. When the kids were born it took our relationship to a completely different level. Not only did I see her as my sister and best friend, but I also got to see the side of her that is so nurturing and supportive to my children. She’s there when I need her and more importantly there for my kids when they need her. She’s stood in the background for so long watching me at my wedding and have babies, that come this February, it’s finally her time to shine. And I can’t wait for it.

Danielle and Chris (Chips as we like to call him) have been together for eleven years and are finally getting married early next year. As her matron of honor, it was my duty to throw her a bridal shower. Now that we live in the suburbs, I took full advantage of our house and backyard. I wanted it to be simple and elegant and something that really showed my sister’s personality.

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We could not have picked out a better day. The weather was cool, the sun was out, and the setting was perfect.

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I was really set on gold flatware as my inspiration for this brunch. I looked everywhere for it and couldn’t find it at a reasonable price. One day I mentioned it to my grandmother (who used to sell antique glass) and she mentioned she had a set for 12. She immediately shipped it to me from Florida along with these gorgeous pink glassware. Although she couldn’t be there for the shower, it was nice knowing that a piece of her was there. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that. Thanks, Granny.

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I’ve been big on succulents lately and love the soft, natural colors. These centerpieces were done by a local florist and I loved the way they turned out. They are still sitting on my dining room table so I am able to enjoy them even now.

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The cake was definitely a test. Danielle wanted a naked cake, as it’s called, for the wedding, but both Chips and I vetoed that idea. I told her that if she wanted one that bad that I’d have it for her at her shower. I tried to make one from scratch the night before and it was a total disaster. I bought cake mix just in case something bad happened and thank goodness I did because we ended up using it. Thanks to my sister and my cousin for saving the day. The cake turned out perfectly.

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I saw this dress on Rent the Runway and knew that my sister had to have it for the shower. It fit my vision of the day perfectly. She looked stunning. Definitely the star of the day.

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We were so thankful my mom could come up for the shower. We loved having her here.

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Chips made an appearance at the end of the shower. Can’t wait until these two get married!

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So thankful for everyone that came, near and far, to shower my sister with love!

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And of course the kids couldn’t go without showing the love for their Aunt Danni. They thought she looked like a Disney Princess, so even more of an excuse for them to get a photo with her.

Dan, Thanks for being the best sister and aunt to my kids that I could ever ask for. I can’t wait for the special day for you and Chips. I love you.

 

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Motherhood, Reviews

When Do You Transition to a Sippy Cup?

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Macks just recently started to hold his own bottle. Although he doesn’t get them often, it’s a big milestone when they can start to feed themselves. Now that his coordination is improving and he’s getting older, I’ve started to get prepared to transition him from bottles to sippy cups. I had both of the girls off of a bottle and onto the cup by 12 months (for no particular reason,) so it’s something that I’ve just stuck with.

I’ve always wondered when the “perfect” time was to start Macks on a cup. I feel like we just got him used to and loving a bottle and now it’s time to get him ready to transition him to a sippy cup. It will be a couple of months before I make the full transition, but my goal is to have him weaned off of a bottle by the time that he is one.

To help him prepare to make the switch, there are a couple of things I am doing to get him used to a sippy cup. We’ve had a lot of alone time lately with the girls in school, so it’s the perfect time to teach him how to use it. I’ll sit on the floor with him and show him how the cup goes to our mouth by lifting it up and pretending to drink it. I’ll then hand it to him to let him to try to mimic. He doesn’t do it right away, but he loves to sit on the ground and play with it. The more that I introduce him to the cup, the more likely he is to get used to it to be able to use it in a couple of months.

Playtex Baby recently sent us their PlayTime Cups. Macks is still a bit young for these, but I still like to get him used to something, so I let him play with them and he immediately brought them to his mouth. He has an obsession with straws and loved to try to sip out of the straw cup. Avery, on the other hand, is still using sippy cups while we are in the car, so the straw cup is perfect for her.

I love the PlayTime Cups because they are leak-proof. It’s almost guaranteed that Avery will drop the cup at least once in the car and it’s never once spilled. The cups feature the Twist ‘N Click™ Technology which makes a clicking sound letting you know that it’s secure.

The deigns are bright and playful and I love being able to point out all of the animals to Macks while we are playing together. It will definitely be exciting when I see him using these cups as he gets older.

When did you transition to a sippy cup?

Great news! Playtex and Crayola have teamed up to give you a chance to win a trip to the Crayola Experience. From now through December 2014, when you purchase Playtex Baby’s PlayTime and TravelTime cups, you will receive coupons on My First Crayola and Color Wonder products. Also visit www.crayola.com/Playtex to enter to win a family trip to Crayola Experience.

 {Disclosure: I am working with Playtex as a proud member of the Playtex Baby Mom Trust program, a virtual network where moms can find common ground and support each other through sharing stories, tips, product reviews, insights and unique experiences of motherhood. As always, all opinions are my own.}

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Family, Life

Fall Mini Sessions with Lindsey Belle

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The first fall that we moved to the city we started a tradition of taking family photos for our yearly Christmas card. It’s so fun to watch how our family has grown throughout the years and it’s a special way that we can capture special family memories. I’m so used to being behind the camera that it’s nice to be in front of the camera sometimes with those that I love the most.

Last fall Lindsey of Lindsey Belle Photography took photos of our family on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. It not only served as our annual “fall family photo shoot” (as I like to call it,) but it was also a maternity session of my little Macks bump. I cherish these photos that Lindsey took of our family so much. They are candid moments of our then family of four that I look back on and just smile.

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I am so grateful for Lindsey for capturing these moments. She was personable, made the girls feel super comfortable, and was such a fun person to talk to in-between shots (she has a little girl, Stella, that is Avery’s age.)

We loved her (and her work so much) that we had her come over to the apartment to take newborn photos of Macks and our new family-of-five!

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Lindsey is now booking mini sessions for fall! These are perfect for holiday cards. I’ve already booked ours for october and cannot wait to go back into the city to continue our annual fall family photo shoot!

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To book your session, email lindsey@lindseybelle.com.

{Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, I just love Lindsey’s work!}

 

 

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