mom blogger

Merry Christmas my friends

This holiday season flew by. I can’t believe it’s already over. This Christmas we decided to celebrate in Los Angeles. In the past I’ve always gone home to Canada or to Spain to visit our family. This year we finally ended up having Christmas at our home in LA. My parents flew in and we celebrated with my Brother and Sister in Law and niece. Celebrating with children really brings back the magic of the holidays.

Carlota was so excited opening her presents, listening to christmas carols, and eating all the delicious food. I’m so lucky to have a husband who loves to cook…and is really good at it. He made such a feast of Classic Catalan Christmas dishes , after lunch, we watched Home Alone and most of us passed out. Later in the evening we did the Caga tio (a Catalan tradition of hitting a log and then finding little gifts if you’ve been nice). Carlota got really excited as we each took our turns and somehow ended up helping each of us. We ended the night sitting around the kitchen table having coffee and slovak cookies and just enjoying eachothers company. What more can you ask for?

As I sit here thinking about the momentous day, I can’t help but get excited about some new traditions we will incorporate to our future Christmases.

My heart is so full as I’m able to share these holidays with my loved ones. This really is the meaning of the holidays and that was on full effect for me this year. What did you do yesterday? What is one of your family’s traditions?

With Love,

Andrea

Dress: Maje old (Very Similar here) //

Heels: Schutz (Similar here and here) //

On Carlota

Dress: Little people rocx (Love this, this and this) //

Pom: June & January (get $10 off your first purchase with this link) //

Boots: Zara (Love these and these) //

The slouchy tunic for the win!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I can’t believe Holiday season is already upon us!! It’s that time of year where I’m typing this blog post sitting with Carlota in our matching Christmas PJs. I wish it was Holiday season all year round. I’m so excited it’s Thanksgiving and can’t wait for Carlota to have her first Turkey dinner. This time around Carlota is so much more aware and engaged I can’t wait to show her all our traditions and make some new family memories with her.

While everyone is getting ready for Black Friday and Holiday shopping I wanted to share a great tunic from Mint Julep boutique. It’s a comfy staple item that every girl needs in their closet. It’s perfect to dress up and wear out and about or keep casual lounging around at home. They come in many different colors and are solid or baseball jersey style like the one I’m wearing. Using the links provided you can get them for 50% off and under $25. Perfect for your Black Friday shopping list!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m so thankful for all of your support.

With Love,

Andrea

Shirt: Mint Julep Boutique (On sale with this link) //

Pants: J Brand //

Sandals: Madewell (Similar here and here) //

Hat: (Similar here and here) //

Sunglasses: Karen Walker //

My Instagram looks!

When I started my blog 3 months pregnant, I received many comments stating this will be difficult to keep up once baby gets here. In my head I thought to myself….I’ve survived many sleepless nights studying for dental school exams, I’ve got this. Here I am almost 2 years later struggling to find time to get weekly posts in. Not to mention we only have one child!! Motherhood is tough. It’s time consuming, exhausting, but also the best thing thats ever happened to me. Carlota is changing and growing daily and I don’t want to miss a second of it. If that means sporadic blog posts….so be it.

We are currently in Spain and just got back to Barcelona from the the Costa Brava. With no wifi where we were staying I had to take a mandatory break from this post. I can’t wait to write all about our vacation. So far Carlota has been having a blast and enjoying the beach, water and being completely spoiled by her grandparents.

There have been a few looks on Instagram that didn’t make the blog. I wanted to link some of those items for you here!

Necklace: SheIn (also here and similar here) //

Top: Here (On sale but different shades here and here) //

Purse: Here (More affordable here and on major sale here) //

Necklace: SheIn (also here and similar here) //

Tank: On sale Here //

Shorts: Here (These are also similar) //

Tank: Here (on sale) //

Skirt: Here (on sale) //

On Carlota:

Tee: Gap (New version here) //

Tutu: Etsy shop (Similar here and here) //

Blouse: Equipment (Similar and on sale here and here) //

Jeans: Zara (Similar here and here) //

Wedges: Here (More affordable version here) //

On Trend

I definitely wouldn’t consider my style as “trendy”. As you can see from my posts, I tend to stick with items that are classic and casual. I have emphasized this even more since becoming a mother. It must be something in those pregnancy hormones that changes you. I just can’t justify spending a lot of money on something I will only wear a handful of times. Finding the online retailer SheIn has been a game changer. I’ve found many trendy and classic pieces for a fraction of the cost.

This off the shoulder blouse was one of my recent finds. I love the knot detailing on the sleeves. It will look perfect when the weather decides to cool down and I can pair it with some distressed skinny jeans. The best part is that its currently on sale and under $20. I’ve linked a few of my favorite pieces from their site below.

Carlota on the other hand is always on trend with the latest baby fashion….at least I like to think she is. Finding cute outfits for her has become one of my obsessions. I wish they made half the things I find for her in my size…..mind you it probably wouldn’t look quite as good on me. This romper was a recent find and on major sale. Everything I find for her is always on sale!! (At least thats what I tell my husband).

With love,

ANDREA

Blouse: SheIn (Similar here and here) //

Shorts: Club Monaco old (Similar here, here and here) //

Hat: Gap (Also here and here) //

Sandals: Celine (Exact duplicates here and here) //

Carlota:

Hat: Gap (in stores) (Similar here) //

Romper: Little minis //

Sandals: Salt Water ( Also here) //

4th of July Inspo

One of America’s biggest holidays is coming up and Carlota and I were in the festive mood with this fun shoot. I’m not sure what we are going to do for 4th of July but I do hope it involves a pool, BBQ and some cocktails! Our weekend will be one big celebration because Canada’s day is on July 1st. Unfortunately we didn’t have a Canadian flag to take pictures with or you know we would have a Canada’s day themed post as well. Ohhh well something to plan for next year.

I definitely have a love affair with jumpsuits and rompers. I think they are super flattering and chic. I love that you can dress them down or up depending on the occasion. I usually veer towards black jumpsuits but decided to get out of my comfort zone when finding this red number. I was a little nervous with the cut out back, but as soon as I put it on I fell in love. It’s high waisted so it exposes all the right places. (Post-baby love handles are no joke!!) I have a few birthday’s and showers coming up and this outfit will most likely make an appearance.

What are your plans for 4th of July??

Laura Goutcher Photography

Jumpsuit: BCBG (I also loved this one on Sale here) //

Clutch: Clare Vivier last season (Similar and both festive here and here) //

Wedges: Here (Less expensive and look identical here, also love these) //

On Carlota:

Denim Jacket: Here on sale (Also on sale here) //

Top: Here on sale (Similar here) //

Leggings: Here (In love with these and these) //

Moccs: Here //

Twins for life

These photos were taken when Carlota turned 1. She’s already almost 15 months…..I think time is on fast forward. Carlota is advancing and changing daily, I feel like I can barely keep up. She is signing when she’s hungry, talking up a storm, and running all over the place. I totally get it now when moms would say it gets harder when they start walking. When she was first born I didn’t believe it for a second. How can it be harder than this?? My time is already 100% consumed. Well it does!! You will look back at that first year and think boy if only I was more relaxed. Don’t get me wrong though we totally have so much fun together now. We get to interact in different ways and I love the way she looks at me and runs around the house calling for her Mami!!

If I could match Carlota every day…I think I would. I love twinning with her. Why don’t they make adult versions of all toddler clothes? hehe. I know most things would probably not look as cute on me as they do her, but hey its worth a shot. When I found this little shop on Instagram and I saw they made an adult version of this sweatsuit I knew it was my chance to match my babe. I’m taking advantage of this now, while I’m still her most favorite person and she lets me dress her however I want. Let’s hope she will love matching her mama for years to come. I’m keeping my fingers crossed even though I know its a long shot.

What are some of your favorite mommy and me matching outfits or brands? I would love to find some more!!

With Love,

Andrea

Sweatsuits: Lulu and Roo //

Shoes: Here (Great first walking shoes…and on sale) //

Freshly picked on Sale

I have been obsessed with these moccs even before Carlota was born. For 24 hours only Freshly Picked is having a 25% off sale. They rarely go on sale and this is always the time I stock up on my mocc stash…or shall I say Carlota’s mocc stash.

My favorites are the metallic and blush colors but really you can’t go wrong with any options. Get yours quick before the ones you want are Sold out!!

Which is your favorite??

xox

Andrea

Floral Crown: Target //

Romper: Old Navy (Similar here and on sale) //

Moccs: Freshly Picked //

Romper: Tea Collection (Other styles here and here) //

Jacket: Here //

Moccs: Freshly picked //

Dress: Gap (New version here) //

Moccs: Freshly Picked //

Shirt: On sale here //

Leggings: On sale here //

Moccs: Freshly Picked //

Sweater: Childhoods (Similar and on sale here) //

Pants: Similar here //

Moccs: Freshly Picked //

Pants: On sale here //

Moccs: Freshly Picked //

Mom uniform

My colors of choice are always white, black and grey. Are they even considered colors? As much as I try to incorporate color into my wardrobe I always go back to the basics. I guess you just have to stick with what you feel comfortable wearing. With that being said…here I am in a T-shirt and jeans. This has been my staple “mom uniform”.

Before Carlota, I envisioned myself as a mom prancing around in my heels, crop tops and whatever else was in season. A year later, I find myself rummaging amongst my T-shirts daily deciding if I should wear the striped one, black or white. I’ve come to terms that this is the new me. Wearing pumps running after a toddler in the park is just not my reality, and I’m ok with that. Some days I’m super casual and just throw on a pair of sneakers, and others I find ways to dress up my look with my accessories. The best part about a T-shirt and jeans is that you look cool and chic without making it seem like you’re trying to hard….because let’s face it you probably aren’t!!

Cardigan: On Sale Here and here //

Tee: On Sale here //

Jeans: Here (Similar non destructed here) //

Hat: Anthropologie old(Similar here, here and here) //

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

Bag: Here //

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