Packing for the Hospital

With just a few weeks left to go, I'm in full prep mode, which includes packing the Hospital bag! 3 years ago, I was not prepared for Roswelle's arrival in Maine at 37 weeks, my brother-in-law had to go to our house and pick-up what little I had packed and bring it up to us. So this time around, baby's and my items are ready at 35weeks! I even have a list on the fridge for Paul with those last minute items included - chargers, tooth brush, etc.

I'd love to hear from you as well - what did you pack that you couldn't live without, and maybe what did you forget to pack?

For Myself

The first few days with Roswelle all I did was nurse or have her on my chest, so I focused on button down options for myself, allowing for style, comfort, and easy access. I'm not much a robe person, I decided instead to pack 2 versions of button-down pajamas, 1 short set and 1 long shirt. I'm also packing a very comfortable "going home" outfit. I've detailed the main items in the bag below, omitting the obvious items - tooth brush, important forms, and the not so photogenic undergarments. 

• Button down pajamas - both a short set from top shop (on sale!) and a soft sleepshirt (in case shorts/pants are annoying). In those first few days I hope to have her on my chest a lot and also will be nursing frequently - so the buttons will aide in easy access and easy coverage when visitors arrive. 
• 1 going home outfit - I plan to wear my favorite, stretchiest, maternity leggings and a long chambray button up shirt with flats. Simple and comfortable.
• nursing bra/tank
• Hair Brush/style spray/curling iron. I know myself and I feel best when I feel somewhat put together. Laugh all you want (I'll be sure to insta-story whether or not I used my curling iron - promise - I'll admit it if it's a waste), but I think it will do wonders for my energy, post-partum recovery, and attitude. I plan to take a shower, freshen up my hair, and even put on some bronzer on day 2.
• Speaking of bronzer - Make-up bag and toiletries. You can read a detail of my make-up here, I still wear the same thing everyday. I'll be wearing a minimal amount of makeup, but some mascara and color on my cheeks is almost as good as a cup of coffee for my energy.
• Not pictured: Camera/Laptop/iPhone/Chargers

click on any of the images below for direct links >>

For Baby

I know this list for a newborn may be over the top, but I'm a planner, a photographer, and a little crazy excited, so I love the idea of having a few special items for her.  I 100% intend to take pictures, assuming all is well and calm in the room. However, for the most part, I expect she will be naked on mine or Paul's chest.

I'm planning to bring all of my own baby blankets, onesies, socks, hats etc for her that I have pre-washed in a chemical-free, plant-based detergent. Additionally, I'll be bringing water wipes and honest newborn diapers. I don't plan to give her a bath for a while so no need for any baby toiletries.

All the items are detailed, with links, below!

• Her going home Layette. When Roswelle was born we had a beautiful "going home" dress for her but realized it made getting her into the carseat a little tricky. This time around I will have the baby in a footed onsie with a sweet sweater, bonnet and blanket. It will mostly likely be June, but that does NOT mean it will be warm here in Boston.
• Blankets - my own eyelet white&pink baby blankets made my grandmother, Mammie, and some simple white swaddling blankets.
• 2 extra outfits, if we decide to dress.
• Her monogrammed eyelet bonnet and bow blanket. My mom ordered these for her and I couldn't be more excited to photographer her in them.
• Knitted sweater and hat from her grandmother, Gigi.
• Plain white onesies and socks.

click on any of the images below for direct links >>

Babymooning - all by myself

In truth, Paul is with me on our babymoon. But it's actually a work conference so he has meetings, dinners, and tee-times to attend (don't feel too bad for him, he still managed to enjoy the pool, gym, and golf). But for the most part, I have been by myself. I ate by myself at the hotel restaurants, got ready by myself, sat at the pool solo, and even gave myself my own hour long yoga class - no teacher, no phone app - just me and the mat. I did very little talking and a lot more thinking. It's been incredibly restorative.

I think moms in general could use a solo vacation, almost more than a getaway with their partner. I had a girlfriend who, before her second baby was born, took a solo trip to the cape. She rented a tiny, cute airbnb space and had 3 full days of solitude. I found it incredibly inspiring and admired her for it. I've also read of couples who intentionally book 1 solo vacation a year, without their partner. The idea is intimidating at first but I think there is really something to it. You many think to yourself, "but what will I do??" You were a single person once, maybe forever ago, but she/he is still in there. Trust me you will find things to do...just for yourself, or maybe you don't do anything at all for a full 24 hours - can you imagine? 

Paul and I have found that balancing alone time when we are "together" really keeps our relationship healthy. While on this trip, we had some time together at the pool and later in the afternoon he went to the gym for a few hours while I went back to the room, turned on Rachael Ray (I've started watching her show recently, and kinda love it??), had some time to pick up our room which instantly calms me, and took pictures for this post. I actually told him not to come back to the room until after 5pm - I wanted some quiet time.

The predictability during this trip has been comforting. I told Paul on Wednesday night that I couldn't wait for Thursday, because I was going to have the exact same day as I just had. Walk for a coffee, Today show while browsing blogs and drafting my own posts, breakfast at 8 by myself, yoga from 9-10 and then setting up poolside for the remainder of the day. And ending the night with ice-cream delivered to the room while watching Real Housewives. yes, yes, yes. 

The conference is at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale Arizona this year, which is quite luxurious and is just such a special treat. I have loved the dry heat during the day and crisp, cool mornings. I'm still trying to decide which cactus is my absolute favorite out of the thousands covering the grounds. I knew I would be spending 100% of my time on resort grounds so I packed very simply -  prioritizing comfort and simplicity. 

Below are details of items I used most on the trip - again very simple and thoughtfully chosen. I hope this inspires you to intentionally plan some time by yourself. Even if it's just a weekend in your own home while your husband takes the kids to his parents - you will be better for it I promise! 

While I love the sun and pool time, my skin pays for it. To avoid too much damage, I use babyganics mineral based sunscreen SPF50 with a large brim hat to protect my most vulnerable spots, my face and chest. I also end every day with a soak in the tub using Trader Joe's Lavendar Salt Scrub - the light exfoliant removes damaged skin from the day and the remaining oil on my skin is better than lotion.

With Paul at dinners most nights, I have plenty of time for self care in the hotel room - My favorite face masks, touching up my pedicure if needed, and Bravo TV.

I packed the most basic color palette for this trip - Navy, Black, and only two other colors - the pink and gray dresses pictured above. It makes getting dressed for dinner a mindless task, leaving me more time for an extra yoga class, a nap, or whatever I please really.

It's a baby moon and I know no one, so I wore a black two-piece with my bump on show and never looked back. Links for bathing suit and cover-up (I wore an XL in the coverup)

I intentionally didn't pack tennis shoes or any sort of heel. I decided a hike isn't for me this time (rattlesnakes!) so I wore my sandals (similar here) on my walks to the restaurants, spa, yoga room, and pool - and that's all I needed. 

Valentine's Prep for Yourself!

Over the weekend, we traveled to Paul's parents house to lock down some babysitting (so thankful GiGi & Pops are always willing to watch Roswelle) while Paul and I went out to dinner & a movie, for an early valentine's celebration.

This will be our 7th valentine's together, and while I'm not going to purchase a new dress or get a hair blowout for the date, I did want to do something special (and free) to make myself feel like I put in a little extra effort for my valentine. 

{I pulled out a heart locket from my childhood, I believe my parents gave me this when I was 10 or 11. The sweet sentiment and obvious shape felt appropriate.}

{I typically only wear chapstick or an understated lip color, but for Valentine's I think pink or red is always a good choice}

{Tonight, while watching the Bachelor, give yourself a manicure or pedicure. Make use of the two hour long show and take your time applying a pink or red hue to your nails, giving them plenty of time to dry}

{I didn't wear this slip dress on Saturday night, it was just too cold here in Boston, but I plan to wear this combo in the future. Adding a lace camisole so that it slightly shows under any garment, even a sweater, adds a special element to the outfit}

 {I'm usually not a fan of fragrance on my skin, but Saturday night I added the smallest amount on my wrists. It made the pizza and a movie seem like a very fancy occasion. I was recently gifted Tory Burch Love Relentlessly and have really enjoyed the light scent.}

Whether you are celebrating with your partner, heading out for a "Galentine's" dinner, or staying in with your pets, doing a little something for self-care is never a bad choice. And of course, more ideas such as false lashes, a spray tan, fancy stilettos, or lingerie would be valuable additions for celebrating Valentine's Day.

Things I'm Lovin' - Personal Style

Over the next three weeks I'll be writing a series "Things I'm Lovin'" covering three areas: personal style, food, and home. These are items I use almost every day. The last thing I want to do is give you 

more

 things to buy right after Christmas, however my guess is that 1-2 items from each list will interest you.

Now for the first list! When I'm in the house with a toddler, I prefer to dress in a way that I can be ready to go out and about anytime of the day. I have used or worn these items almost everyday so far in 2017. And I love that a couple of these items allow me to transition seamlessly from a yoga/spin class to a brunch with girlfriends or Paul (an ideal weekend morning, however for me, leaving the house is typically a trip to Trader Joe's with Roswelle in tow!). 

Promoting activity, versatility, and self-love...these items literally keep me going.

Links and explanations of products are listed below:

1. 

Convertible Cozy Fleece Pullover ($132)

: I received a similar convertible cape for Christmas from Paul's mother (from Lulu, but no longer available) and it is something I wear almost everyday. I'm basically wearing a chic blanket. Long enough to pair with leggings or yoga pants, this versatile piece can be dressed up or down. It's my favorite item of clothing at the moment!

2. 

Love Your Melon Pom Beanie ($45)

: I couldn't write it better myself, so I took this beanie's story directly from the website: "

On a mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer since October 22nd, 2012, Love Your Melon began with the simple idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America. 

After achieving the original goal of donating 45,000 hats— one for every child battling cancer in America — Love Your Melon set a new goal of donating one million dollars to pediatric cancer research and providing immediate support to children and their families. 

Fifty percent (50%) of profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to Love Your Melon’s 

nonprofit partners

 in the fight against pediatric cancer." 

3. 

S'well bottle ($45)

: In an effort to declutter my life, I'm now using one bottle for water. The S'well bottle is mostly used for water (hot or cold) but has also worked as my fruit smoothie bottle! I love the clean, fresh look of the white (thank you, Emily, for gifting me this!)

4. 

Sakroots Charging Wristlet ($38)

: Sure, I carry way more than a wristlet during the day (picture: human camel) but with all the things I have to remember, it is nice to have only one thing to grab for myself which carries my keys, phone, cards, and will even charge my phone. I live in a state of "less than 20% battery charged" most days so this little gadget is handy for me. And it's cute to boot!

5. 

ghd Classic Curl Iron ($160):

 I feel my best when I take just 15 minutes in the morning to get ready for the day, that includes adding a few curls to my hair. Definitely an investment compared to my old Conair curling iron, but this iron heats up in less than 20 seconds and the curls last ALL DAY, if not 2 days, due to it's special heat technology. Recently, my hair hadn't been holding any curl, so this new iron is a game-changer for me.

6. 

Gold Stacking Rings ($14)

: Simple, inexpensive, and shows I gave myself a little extra thought in the morning. It's all in the details, sometimes. 

7. 

S.W. Basics Lip Cream ($12)

: In the middle of winter, nothing takes a beating more than my lips and skin. I drink plenty of water but it isn't enough to combat the below freezing temps and dry air in Boston. I received this lip balm in a 

Petit Vour

 box last January and I'm still using it!

8. 

Tieks ballet flats ($175):

 These flats LAST. I can tear through some flats but my pair of Tieks have lasted me 4 seasons of city-living with little wear or tear. Staying with the theme of decluttering my life, these are my chosen flats for everyday life.  Yes, they are very expensive, but arguably worth the money.  

9. 

Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay ($26)

: My girlfriend told me she liked the results of the Origins Rose Clay mask, so I gave it a try and it's now my favorite. It evens out my skin tone and the act of putting on a mask at night makes me feel like I'm giving myself some love, which probably has the most to do with the good results. I use the mask maximizer spray and drink-up mask (pictured above) on a regular basis as well.

10. 

Honest Organic Body Oil ($10)

: I used this body oil over the weekend at my girlfriend's and immediately ordered it when I got home. I'm not a fan of lotion, mostly because of typical ingredients, but a bottle of organic oils fits the bill. Feels great going on, preferably after a shower, and lasts all day. I highly suggest!!