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Instagram Roundup

I hope you are having a great weekend. We’ve been taking it easy over here taking Carlota to swim lessons, walks to the farmers market and the park. I love these simple weekends with my little family. Im just trying to soak in these moments as much as I can.

Here are a few of my looks this past week that didn’t make the blog.

Sorry for making this a short one….time to go play with my babe!!!

xox

Andrea

Moto Pants: Zara (Similar here and here) //

Sweater: Banana Republic (Similar here) //

Sneakers: New Balance (Similar here and here) //

Sunglasses: here //

Shirt: here (Dress version here) //

Jeans: J Brand (Similar here and here) //

Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles (Similar here, here and here) //

On Carlota

Onesie: Old Navy (Cute pineapple shirts here, here and here) //

Pants: Gap (I really hope they come back in the fall – similar here) //

Shoes: Here (Less expensive here) //

Dress: Here – Currently 40% off with code VROOM //

Sweatshirt: Here //

Jacket: Here – Currently 40% off with code VROOM //

Boots: Here (Less expensive version here and here) //

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to!!

Carlota’s first birthday party was a pink and white paradise. I’m so excited to finally share photos from that special day. It’s so cliche, but that first year goes by in a blink of an eye. My baby is now officially a toddler. I almost feel like as soon as she hit that 12 month mark, she transitioned almost over night. She’s a walking, talking babe and always in the fast lane. I knew I needed to make her first birthday memorable…and it sure was!

We held the celebration at her favorite park. She loves the outdoors, so we knew that would be a perfect location. We filled the space with flowers and balloons to make it a pink and white wonderland. I definitely went a little overboard with the balloons but it made our space magical. It was worth it. The best part was sharing the balloons with our guests and some of the kids at the park. Seeing their faces when we gave them a huge bouquet to take home was priceless.

Carlota was very excited for her party. She was running around playing and helping us set everything up. When the party started, she was ready for her photoshoot and welcomed all her friends. After about 30 minutes this baby was exhausted from all the excitement. The group photos of all the babies was pretty comical. Carlota was not having it at all. The theme song “it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to” kept playing in my head because that’s exactly how Carlota felt. It was a good try….but I was foolish to think we could place 8 babies and have them sit pretty all together for a picture.

Carlota had her own little cake for the cake smash and again she was a little camera shy. Not really feeling it she dabbled her fingers in the icing but that was about it. Thankfully we had some photos of a cake smash she did for her group birthday celebration with the babies from our Mommy & Me. Nothing is ever going to run exactly how you plan it and sometimes you just have to go with the flow. I’m slowly trying to learn that.

We were very thankful to have so many people celebrating this special day with us. Some of our loved ones were not able to make it but were there in spirit, and on FaceTime. You can see a few more photos of her birthday here and Carlota playing in the mud while mama is setting up here.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing these memories with our family.

With Love,

Andrea

Romper: Mint Julep Boutique //

Jacket: Here (Select colors on sale here) //

Boots: Here (Less Expensive here) //

On Carlota

Birthday Hats: Kutie Bow Tuties //

Dress: It was a gift (Similar here) //

Onesie: Etsy HoneyduClothing//

Shoes: here //

Coachella Style

Coachella this year was amazing . I haven’t had many nights out since Carlota was born. Having 3 nights of drinks and adult time felt like a blast from the past. It was great having 3 date nights in a row with the hubby and friends. I did miss the babe but we had our own #BABYCHELLA daily at home before we went to the festival. This year Carlota was all about denim and I was all about the romper. I’ll post her looks soon.

In festivals my number one priority is comfort. I always want to look cute, but I also need to make sure I’m not grumpy by the end of the night because my feet hurt or my outfit is uncomfortable. I know that Instagram photo is important, but I also don’t want to miss out on enjoying my time because I’m not dressed appropriately. You can still look cute while being comfortable all day. What are your festival essentials?? Here are my looks:

My Day 1 look

Black is always one of my go to colors, and I loved the scalloped details on this romper. Adding the bandana, belt and hat, gave this look a cowboy vibe.

Romper: Bloomingdales (Similar here and love this one) //

Belt: B-low the Belt //

Bandana: Target (Also Here ) //

Hat: Here //

Boots: Here (Less expensive version here) //

Day 2 look

A simple tee and shorts with added bling! I think I will be living in these shorts this summer. They are my new favorites.

Shirt: Chaser (Also here and similar here) //

Shorts: One Teaspoon //

Necklace: Mirina Collections // Use discount code withlove20 for 20% off

Day 3 look

This was my favorite look and I couldn’t wait to wear the white romper.

Romper: Spell by Gypsy (Tank version here) //

Purse: T J Maxx (Similar here and here) //

Bandana: Target (Also here) //

Motherhood….& what I’ve learned

It’s been just over a year since I’ve been a mother. Time sure does fly when your having fun. Watching Carlota change and grow right before my very eyes is such an amazing gift. The thing I never realized was that I would be changing and growing right along with her. Many things that used to matter to me before baby….just don’t anymore. My outlook on life has shifted, and I would sacrifice anything to give my daughter happiness.

Those first few months when Carlota was first born all seem like a blur to me now. (You can read her birth story here). Everything was so new and scary. I constantly worried I was doing something wrong. I’m the type of person who wants to do everything perfectly and lets be honest there is no such thing as a “perfect” mom. I needed to get out of the house but then would panic when the baby started to cry in public. I can still remember the anxiety I had when she cried on a walk, in a restaurant, in the car etc.. Would family, friends, or even strangers think I wasn’t a good mom? That I didn’t know what I was doing? These were constant thoughts in my head. It doesn’t help when everyone tries to tell you what YOUR baby needs when they are crying. “YES I know they are probably hungry”…. but as I’m paying for my groceries I can’t really stand here nursing my child!! (I quickly figured out how to nurse and run errands using my carrier and this erased a lot of my baby crying stress.)

The first few months are hard!! At this point I don’t know how you mothers do it with multiple children….you are superwomen for sure!! It does get easier…and at some point you will miss those early days. At about the 4 months mark is when I started to have my groove. I started to be more confident in my knowledge and how I was raising my child and let all the outside advice or comments roll off my back.

There are many theories and books telling you what you need to do in that first year of life. There is a lot of advice that can be contradictory and confusing. This is especially true when it comes to sleep! If there was only one right way to raise a child we would all be doing it. The truth is that every baby and family are different. What might work for one may not be the best option for another. I have learned that you just have to trust your gut. Do what you believe is best for you and your baby. Don’t worry if you’re not doing what is written in the textbook. There is no such thing as a perfect mom and you are bound to mess up at some point…..that’s OK!!!! As long as you are giving love and support to your child thats what really matters.

That one piece of advice I would give is to find a mommy support group. I was so fortunate to meet such wonderful mamas in a mommy and me group when Carlota was just 6 weeks old. These ladies will be friends for life. I don’t know how I would have survived the first year without them.

Looking back what advice would you give to someone starting this journey?

Today I’ve linked up with Alia from Little Mrs Priss and Sarah from Sew Sarah R. Its fun to collaborate and support other bloggers. To submit your post, use the button below to post a link back to this link-up, so everyone can come and visit.

An InLinkz Link-up

Leggings: Lululemon old (Similar and great price here and here) //

On Carlota

Sweater and Jumper: Bonds //

Sneakers: Munich //

Festival Florals

I can’t believe Festival season is here already and Coachella weekend 1 starts tomorrow. We will be heading down to Coachella Valley next weekend for the music festival and I couldn’t be more excited. This year will be a different experience than others in the past and I can’t wait.

I’m just not ready to leave my babe behind for the weekend, so Carlota will be joining us in Palm Desert. This means that late night festival afterparties will consist of baby snuggles and pajamas. I wouldn’t want it any other way…..at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Another exciting difference is that BCN will be serving in the VIP area. For those who don’t know BCN is my brother-in-law and husbands restaurant located in West Hollywood. It serves street fare from Barcelona and it’s delicious. If you are going to the festival be sure to stop by and say hi!!

If you’ve ever been to Coachella you know the fashion is just as important as the music festival itself. It’s almost like a fashion show at the Empire Polo Club. There are Pinterest boards set up just for Coachella outfits. With motherhood getting in the way I haven’t had too much time to think about my looks. When I came across this floral romper by Mint Julep Boutique I knew it was going to be in the lineup. I love the fit and subdue sexiness it evokes. Pair it with a cute bra, a statement necklace, or a great belt and you are good to go. I knew the romper was a must have because it can be so versatile. You can give it an edgy look by adding a fedora, leather jacket and booties; or pair it with a dainty necklace, and sandals and wear it to the beach. I wore it here for Carlota’s first birthday and I can’t wait to post all about that experience next week.

Who’s headed to Coachella this year? Do you have a romper in your outfit line up?

With Love,

Andrea

Romper: Mint Julep Boutique //

Jacket: Here (Select colors on sale here) //

Boots: Here (Less Expensive here) //

Mirror mirror on the hall

The architecture of the Walt Disney concert hall is spectacular. Just look at these mirrored walls. Its a blogger and photographer’s paradise. (I think there were 5 different shoots along the building for the hour we were there). If only LA traffic wasn’t as grid lock all the time, we would be here more often. The less you have to drive, the better. Especially when you have a screaming baby in the back seat. Thankfully, as Carlota has gotten older she has started to tolerate car rides……most of the time. The problem has now become getting her fastened in her chair. This is now a 5 minute challenge that consists of screaming, arching her back and squirming. I’m sure you other mamas know exactly what I’m talking about.

Today’s outfit is one of my favorites. A silk shirt, skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots; definitely one of my go-to looks. I love the neck scarf and bow tie trend thats been getting a lot of popularity lately. It’s a perfect accessory to transform your casual white shirt and jeans. If you’ve been following my blog you will realize I’m all about having classic pieces in your closet that will last for years and adding “in trend” items to give a fresh outlook. I frankly don’t have the closet space or the finances to constantly be shopping for new clothes weekly. Instead I invest in pieces I know I will wear for years, and try to find the deals on items that I know may only last for a season.

What does your closet consist mostly of Trendy or Classic items? Hope you had a great weekend.

With love,

Andrea

Shirt: here (On sale here, similar here and love this) //

Bow: here (Similar here) //

Jeans: here (Similar here and here) //

Boots: here ( More affordable here) //

On Carlota

Dress: El Corte Ingles (Similar here and here) //

Carlota’s turning 1!!

How has it been a year since this beautiful being has entered our life? When I first got pregnant I was so excited, but scared at the same time. Would I be a good mother? Would I know what to do? How would my life change? And the list goes on. I had no idea what to expect. Carlota came into our lives and our world has forever changed. She is such a beautiful soul and I’m so proud to be her mother.

This year has been a whirlwind. Many firsts, sleepless nights, late night online research, play dates, tantrums, pump breaks, diaper changes, tears and smiles. It has been the best year of my life, but also one of the toughest. I’m sure all you mothers reading this understand exactly what I’m talking about.

I love experiencing the world through her inquisitive eyes. Everything is so exciting and new. She loves playing outside, especially at the park. If she could go up and down the slide all day she would be very content. She is miss independent at her daycare. She likes to explore her surroundings and is chatty Cathy. We have no idea what she’s saying but she loves to talk. I wonder where she gets that from.

Her best friend at the moment is our Boston Terrier, Pinxo. They are best buddies. She runs after his favorite toy and brings it to him to play. He loves it. Not to mention she likes to feed him all her leftovers. Of course he is her sidekick. She’s a smart lady.

This weekend we celebrate Carlota’s birthday. I’m getting all the final touches ready. As much as she won’t remember it I can’t wait to look back at the photos from this amazing year and tell her all the wonderful memories she has instilled in our minds forever.

I thought I would be the one who would be teaching her about life….but as it turns out, she’s the one teaching me. I see the world very differently now with her in my life and I am very thankful for my little angel.

I can’t wait to share her first birthday with you. Thank you for being a part of our journey with us.

With love,

Andrea

Sun hat: here, and here //

Top: Zara (Similar here , here and here) //

Leggings: here (Other fun ones here and here) //

Cat flats: Old Navy (Similar here and here) //

No longer a baby!?!

In just over a week my little angel is going to be one!!! ONE!! I still don’t think I can wrap my head around this. Today was graduation day. How have I already experienced a graduation with her. lol. She graduated from our Mommy & me class and it was such a bitter sweet experience. I am proud of the little lady she’s becoming and so sad that my tiny baby isn’t so tiny any more. This class and the mama’s I’ve met have been such a support system for me. For any first time moms, I couldn’t recommend joining a group like this enough. Having friends and a support system of people going through the exact same things as you is amazing. Especially that first year of sleepless nights, new emotions and many firsts.

Lately Carlota has been keeping my hands full. There are just not enough hours in the day and unfortunately I haven’t had as much time to focus on my blog. I don’t know how all the mama bloggers do it out there.

Normally you will see the both of us in jeans and a T-shirt but today we got dolled up. This shift dress is perfect for any occasion. I could dress it down or pair it with these boots and hat for a hip night out. Maybe I need to start planning some more of those soon so that I can wear it more often!! This clutch is handmade by J c & e and I just love the details. Its perfect for sprucing a simple monochromatic look.

Thanks for stopping by.

With Love,

Andrea

Dress: COS (Similar here summer version here) //

Hat: J crew (Similar here and here) //

Clutch: J c & e (Similar here and here) //

Boots: YSL (Similar here, here and here) //

On Carlota:

Dress: Gap (Similar here, here and here) //

Moccs: Freshly picked //

A Spring in my step

As much as I’m missing the cooler weather, Spring is another fun season for fashion. It’s that time of year where you can start to layer your summer clothing with your winter staples. You get to mix and match. Today’s post is all about that. I’ve paired a summer silk dress with and oversized winter sweater to create a perfect spring look.

This is so simple and it’s a way to create a new dress with two pieces from your closet. Living in LA I have a few summer dresses that are perfect for days at the beach. Adding an oversized sweater, vest or chic jacket can transform a beach look into a stylish chic outfit.

Carlota is wearing a Rag to Raches romper. I’m a sucker for getting Carlota clothing from small online boutiques. This brand has the hippest rompers for your little ones. They were recently seen on Shark Tank so I’m sure big things will be happening for this company.

I’ve been looking on Instagram and Etsy for the perfect party favors for Carlota’s first birthday. I can’t believe she will be 1 at the end of this month. So much to plan and not enough time. If any of you have any recommendations please let me know.

With love,

Andrea

Sweater: COS (Similar here and here) //

Dress: Anine Bing (Similar here, here and here) //

Purse: Henri Bendel (New Style here and here) //

Sandals: Celine (Similar here, here and here) //

On Carlota

Romper: Rags to Raches //

Sweater weather??

It’s still winter in most areas of the world but certainly not in LA. It almost feels like summer is right around the corner. I can probably pack up my oversized sweaters for next year, but I just can’t help myself. I keep them for those off days where the weather drops below 70. If you are on the lookout for a great oversized sweater, now is the time to purchase. Many shops are having their end of season sales and I will link some great ones at the end of this post.

I kept todays look simple and sporty with sneakers. I’ve been a big fan of sneakers lately. I think it’s the combination of LA casual and mom life. Who wants to be running after a baby in pumps?!? Any mom that can do that daily I give major props to. I know I can barely keep up in my sneakers. I remember when converse and Adidas originals were the “it” shoes when I was in grade school. I love how the cycle has come full circle and I’m re-living my childhood with both.

Carlota is wearing her…. or shall I say my favorite “Wondersuits”. These zipper onesies come in the cutest patterns and are super handy and easy for multiple diaper changes. I’m slowly learning that the more convenient the better.

To you mama’s reading my blog…what are your favorite baby clothes or items that make life more convenient?

With love,

Andrea