Before we do so, here are a few photos taken of the little guy strutting his stuff in full nautical regalia at a Vineyard in Martinborough, during our recent trip to New Zealand. I recall that day fondly, how the vibrant & exuberant colors he donned matched our moods at the moment.
In truth, both hubs and I were absolutely exhausted (major time-zone changes can really wreak havoc on a little one’s schedule!), but our little Nuke’s sense of adventure & playfulness, on top of his oh-so-good nature, undeniably lifted our spirits.
That’s the thing about little kiddos, they really do bring out the best in you sometimes!!
Okay – so this is not exactly the final Project Nursery unveil… but it’s pretty darn close to the real thing! We were a bit late in the game (but the Nuke was also late in coming on his part!!). Like many first-time expectant mothers, I wanted everything JUST SO for my little peanut. In the end, I had to make numerous (okay, some) concessions, but overall I’m very pleased with the result!
A note to all you eager-beaver mummies and daddies out there, your little bun changes so much, even within those first few months! So things do evolve. We’ve already switched up our Stokke crib to accommodate his growing size, in addition to many other changes and updates. I also learned a tremendous amount along the way via our travels to Florida and New Zealand (e.g., what works, and what doesn’t), which I happily applied towards our current living situation.
Three key features of the nursery which we absolutely love and have gotten the most compliments on:
1) Baby nightlight: This is particularly useful during those first few months when munchkin needed several middle-of-the-night feedings. I started with this “I love you” night light from Etsy, but slowly gravitated towards the more sophisticated and high-tech Baby Projector from Duux. It's unobtrusive, offers just the right amount of dimness, and is SUPER CUTE!
2) Crib mobile: This piece I found to be an absolute gem! More recently, we’ve upgraded from our Ferm Living moble (which I still adore btw) to something a bit more interactive (currently coveting the Skip Hop Treetop Friends Crib Mobile – it plays music, a feature munchkin absolutel adores, and also serves to distract him when he wakes up in the morning. MONEY).
3) My diaper caddy (not pictured): The version I have is by Prince Lionheart (though there are many other varieties out there). This was something I discovered while we wintered in Florida – but it is THE BEST (you can separate the diaper depot in halves for usage in multiple rooms)!!! We have four sets now for various locations, but it is so, so key in handling all of your essentials and keeping everything nice and tidy. DO IT.
So there you have it my lovelies!!! The key thing to bear in mind is flexibility. Pretty soon, I’m going to have to DIY my way to a toddler’s room at the rate we’re going!
Rocking the <a href="http://www.crocodilebaby.com/p-3060-7-am-enfante-beepod.aspx" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.crocodilebaby.com/p-3060-7-am-enfante-beepod.aspx">7am Beepod</a>! We love our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/aden-anais-Bamboo-Swaddle-Blanket/dp/B0085DJ71M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=rocshisty-20&linkCode=w00&creativeASIN=B0085DJ71M" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/aden-anais-Bamboo-Swaddle-Blanket/dp/B0085DJ71M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=rocshisty-20&linkCode=w00&creativeASIN=B0085DJ71M">Bamboo swaddles</a> from A+A!
I write this post with mixed emotions – as it looks like Winter wants to stick around longer than I’d anticipated (much like an unwanted boyfriend). Yesterday was absolutely glorious, as we gallivanted around town and even checked out the flowers in bloom at the Union Square Greenmarket (highly recommend!). But today? Not so much… and it looks like there might be snow mid-week? Eeks!
But back to sunnier times, aka Saturday, when Mr. Snuggles napped for much of our outing (which was good considering we had a rather active lunch date, followed by some off-the-cuff playtime at the Scandinavian house (great place to take little tykes, and amped with sophisticated style & design for grown-ups as well). Along the way… our little sweet pea was tucked up nice and cozy in his 7am Beepod, which always, invariably, generates envious stares and compliments from the chic-mommy-set of New York.
All in all, it was a fruitful and happy day for the family. We even scooted to Babies R’ Us in Union Square for some fantastic learning toys for munchkin (now that he’s older and far more alert, I’m ramping up on interactive gadgets, more on this later!). A tip for the discerning consumer: if you see something you like, always whip out your smart-phone and check for it on-line. Chances are you can buy it at a cheaper rate, plus get fast, easy, and free delivery (yours truly is absolutely addicted to Amazon Prime). Bonus: it also means that you won’t need to schlep your stuff around town! As hubby notes: “it’s nice to see things up close,” but it’s certainly much nicer if you don’t have to carry it yourself.
Ah – the conveniences of modern living! What’s inconvenient, at the moment at least, is the rather delayed advent of Spring. Here’s hoping for a repeat of Saturday sometime soon!!
Little nuke with his <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=32177106&cp=2255956.2273442.2639789&parentPage=search" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=32177106&cp=2255956.2273442.2639789&parentPage=search">Peek & Fun Activity Roller</a> #newtoys
Fun at the <a href="http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/">Scandinavia House</a>! (58 Park Avenue, NY NY)
Munchkin and his new <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/buy/musical-instruments/babies-r-us-little-rock-star-guitar-5f5fb68-13264913" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.toysrus.com/buy/musical-instruments/babies-r-us-little-rock-star-guitar-5f5fb68-13264913">rockstar guitar</a> (I think he digs it!) :)
Bedazzled by bubbles! These days, our little bunny seem to dig his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Walk-A-Bout-Walker-Cute/dp/B003VTZKOI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=rocshisty-20&linkCode=w00&creativeASIN=B003VTZKOI" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Walk-A-Bout-Walker-Cute/dp/B003VTZKOI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=rocshisty-20&linkCode=w00&creativeASIN=B003VTZKOI">Bright Starts walker</a>. #walkabout
Swimsuit by Ralph Lauren, Hat from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.jcrew.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="J.Crew" data-mce-href="http://www.jcrew.com/">J. Crew</a>. For post-partum chicas, cut-outs are the most flattering, but also quite possibly the laziest fall-back (plus they leave awkward tan-lines). #tradeoffs
First day of 2014 -- munchkin and I saw our first rainbow together! ♥♥♥
Time flies when you’re having fun! Personally, I felt like I was at the top of my game, health-wise and fitness-wise, during the month-plus period we spent in Gulfcoast Florida. I swam, I practiced yoga, I even packed in some cardio & discovered the fantastic world of jogging strollers. As a previous blogterview mamma said, you can always try and "drink yourself skinny!"
Weight-wise, I was actually at a higher point then (19 weeks post-partum pictured) than I had been at 12 weeks, a fact I only discovered when I returned to NYC, as I didn’t actually own a scale in Florida (probably for the better). Likely I built up bulk rather than focusing on “long and lean,” but I felt fantastic! My trainer back home even gave me a set of water aerobics exercises to do in the pool, which were fun.
Point being? Well, I’m still 15-20 pounds away from my ideal weight (possibly even more, as I unfortunately gained weight amidst our whirlwind trip to New Zealand). Ideally, I’d be very, very happy with 120 pounds (54 kilos). Heck, I’d even take 125 pounds! I also need to be realistic, however, and recognize that my body probably will retain a layer of fat so long as I continue to nurse and maintain my milk supply (currently around 35-38oz per day)… plus who can deny this little cutie? #heartmelt
So – with that said, I shall continue my “post-partum” look-book until I reach my ideal weight (not going to lie, I was rather ambivalent about maintaining this series after a certain point, but now I’ve found a new motivation!!!).
Eyes on the prize, my friend.
Look at this little bunny! Found these eyes staring at me the morning of Jan 1, 2014. How can I deny him anything?
Post swim selfie.
On the beach, hanging with my favorite sidekick #rockshicbaby
Normally – these two words don’t exactly go hand in hand, at least not for me. Alas, this ladybird had to drive to Miami (begrudgingly I might add) for business over the holidays (yes yes, we’re dating ourselves as this happened while I was still living in Southwest Florida).
To quote Dickens – It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. While I begrudged the notion of having to drive all the way to Miami from Naples for a work meeting I was rather ambivalent about (let’s be honest we’ve all been there), I made the best of it by popping over for a swim at the Standard Hotel Miami.
I promise… not all of my memories have to do with the Standard, it just seems that way! (For now at least).
Do I regret the extra two plus hours I sat in traffic for my detour? Absolutely not! Was I slightly concerned about losing my laptop and getting a ticket from the Miami traffic police for my dubious parking decisions – you betcha.
If two words could sum up my afternoon experience sunning at the old stomping ground, it would be the following: perfectly imperfect. After all, isn’t that what the world of shabby chic is all about?
Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of getting together with my favorite fashion mamma (last featured here!), Dream Sequins, at the Tribeca Grand (also featued here). We talked about everything from start-up strategies to baby nap-regimes to… trending jewelry! She introduced me to this great new line of modern, luminous baubles by the globetrotting designer Sandy Leong (bio here). These individually crafted and insanely wearable puppies are hard to put-down, and quite classic in design. I like them as they ooze a sort of sleek and organic aesthetic that I believe is the way of the future. Oh, and let’s not kid ourselves people, big rings are completely bad-ass and making a total comeback!
Speaking of the future, I was just reading Time’s “Ideas Issue” today (totally genius!), and came across this particular blend of jewelry & medicine (e.g., chic-looking jewelry used to monitor your vital stats). I'd say, best merger of beauty & health yet.
If you’re ever in this neck of the woods, which we happened to be Saturday morning for munchkin’s music class at TLB, then I’d highly recommend popping by the Mark Jean-Georges for brunch! I’d also endorse it for dinner (though Foursquare reminded me that I haven’t been here for dinner since November 2012, when I had my Met/Matisse date… so, well, there you go).
The space itself received a serious makeover nearly half a decade ago thanks to the French interior designer Jacques Grange, with an injection of funk and whimsy, something I find quite impressive for the Upper East Side. I personally dig the lobby with its clean, sleek, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” meets Miami vibe.
The food? Well, Jean-Georges Vongerichten hardly ever disappoints, and the beauty of brunch is that it is inevitably less formal than its dinner counterpart (that’s a good thing!). The price point tends to be higher (then again, when in Rome…), but the cuisine overall is definitely solid! I heard that the truffle pizza was to die, but I couldn’t resist going for the Russ & Daughter version (with wasabi paste!!!). Just call it the ideal merging of LES and UES. Although I suppose if you're aiming for low-key, you can always head down to Gramercy and chill at ABC Cocina, sibling to Mr. Vongerichten's ABC Kitchen.
The great part is, this place is totally chic and completely baby-friendly (only thing lacking is a changing table, so if you want to shave some points off there I don’t blame you). Service was great, and we were able to make a mini-meal for the Nuke while chowing down on some oysters and mimosas (let’s not forget the lox)… my idea of a great start to the day!
Mini-fact: if you want to roll completely casual, I suggest just grabbing a latte and a slice of pastry and hang at the bar area next door rather than sitting in the full-on dining room. The gilded zebra motif is super fun, and you get to lounge on couches instead of sitting in formal chairs!! (Something we did the following day at the Tribeca Grand – totally dig). If the weather’s kind and there’s appetite… why not attempt to burn off some calories in Central Park immediately following? Let the magic of your environs immerse you, there’s a reason why those trend-setting prettykins all flocked uptown to the Mark, with Ms. Wintour herself blazing the trail, in the aftermath of Sandy.
The fantastic thing about having a little munchkin is the ability to experience all of the “firsts.” First Halloween, first Thanksgiving, first Christmas… the list goes on and on and each no less special than the last and so, so fun!
Normally, this is a day is where hubs and I scurry past drunken mayhem in the Lower East Side (okay okay, so we may have had a pint of Guinness ourselves… or two). However, this year, we embrace St. Patty’s with open arms, and quite in a different fashion! Call it the magic of parenthood, where everything is viewed through the lens of your child and becomes interesting again!!!
Note to self – I was super impressed with Ms. Merians’ skills. Case in point, I thought I looked like a hot mess because we barely had enough time to get out the door (what else is new), and yet she managed to make all of us look happy and rosy. Score! Although, given her nearly three decades of experience, it’s abundantly clear that Sarah Merians knows what she’s doing!
I’m a fan.
Rocking out with his buddy! I senese trouble ahead ;) #totes #adorbs
In honor of today – I’m sharing some photos from one of our pre-baby escapades (feels like a life-time ago)… to Ireland! Hubs took me there for my birthday, what a guy!
We based ourselves at the Powerscourt Hotel in County Wicklow (formerly a Ritz Carlton property), before making our way west to Connemara.
Two words – mind-bogglingly beautiful!!! (Or is that three words?).
These photos were taken at the Cliffs of Moher (of County Clare), where the Irish coastline meets the Atlantic Ocean. The majesty and breathtaking nature of this beauty left an absolute indelible imprint in my mind. It was definitely a trek (especially considering our condensed timeline), but you’ll have no regrets once you arrive!
Believe me – there’s a reason why these cliffs are listed as one of the seven wonders of nature. I could have happily spent an entire day there (would have killed to seen sunset).
If memory serves, we drove from the Cliffs that day straight to Dublin – logging a bunch of mileage on the way (not to mention cheap road-side Chinese food where they serve Kung Pao chicken on fries, or “chips,” but I digress).
At the end of the day – as I said earlier – the expedition was well worth our efforts and I’d happily oblige again, even with munchkin in tow!!!
Happy Saturday! It’s the weekend at last, which also means some good ol’ family fun with Rockshic Baby.
Today, we ventured uptown to attend a baby music class offered by TLB Music (located on 266 East 78th street). The great thing about living in Manhattan is the accessibility to music and the arts, and this is no less true for little kiddos. Case in point, my son is still six months old and already he’s jamming to Bizet’s “Carmen!” Which – by the way, is one of mommy’s favorite operas of all time (I’m partial to the Plácido Domingo version but I loved our college production just the same!).
… who said that boring nursery rhymes are the only way to go?
What I loved most about our TLB Music session was the intimacy and personalized style of the class – your child gets direct attention due to the small size, and also get customized tunes & face time! How cool is that!! I was equally impressed with the fastidiously well-kept nature of the classrooms. This is the kind of environment where I don’t mind little Nukie picking up something and putting it in his mouth because I know that it’s been properly sanitized, which is certainly not something one takes for granted in this city!
If you have time, I also highly recommend checking out the downstairs TLB playroom, which is MASSIVE (at least via the lens of this city gal). Hubs and I thought that we’d only swing by for 15 minutes tops and wound up playing for an hour! It was well stocked with goodies and toys, and had the added benefit of being extremely chill and relaxed (a major plus in my book!). They even had the Decemberists playing in the background, which is definitely not something one observes everyday for a playdate.
One thing is for sure – we’ll definitely be back. This go around, both mommy and daddy worked out quite the appetite, which was subsequently sated at the Mark on nearby 78th street and Madison after class. Next time, we’ll definitely have to squeeze in some additional cultural time at the Whitney Museum just down the road! It just goes to show – it’s never too early to introduce your little bon-bons to the arts!
Based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Rock Shic is an excerpt taken from my personal lookbook of real people around the world. It is a combination of aesthetics, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I also offer personalized Lookbook Consulting and Styling upon request. Please contact me at rockshic (at) gmail (dot) com. Services include: Wardrobe Analysis, Closet Organization, and Personal Shopping.
