Rock Shic: Autumn with Babies

Autumn with Babies

11/21/2017

#842 Drip painting at the Jackson Pollock House — East Hampton

Well hello hello!!!

I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is now less than two days away... where has the time gone??

Mamma’s been super busy, as always... and sadly under the weather! Though good news!! Literally a week and a half ago, we FINALLY received our notice to close!!!!! That is huge, as it spells an end to this nomadic lifestyle we’ve been leading for the past year, which I do NOT recommend to anyone.

Barring all of this, I wanted to share some recent goodies that we’ve engaged in with the boys, particularly this gem of an experience at the Jackson Pollack house last weekend, organized by the Children’s Museum of the East End.

I don’t know who was more excited, myself or my little men (okay most definitely me). We got to visit and tour the house shared by Pollock and his wife Lee Krasner, then go to the famous “barn” where Pollock used as his studio (original drip paint still on the floor!!!!), and lastly, the kiddos got to create their own Pollock art work, how cool was that!

The tour and guide was given by fellow artist and children’s book author Joyce Raimondo, who was simply excellent and really knows her stuff. The little ones loved the art and I was really impressed with how well behaved they all were during the sit down part where we even watched original videos of Pollock painting (in black and white of course).

Even hubby was jealous! As he had to skip out on the barn experience as he had to take our little man for a walk (aka Nap). All in all, it was truly a unique and wonderful experience, and we cannot wait to go back!

The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center is located at 830 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton.

Related Features:

Jackson Pollock

Art Making in the Hamptons

Posted on 11/21/2017 at 07:31 PM in Art Classes , Autumn with Babies , City Baby, Hamptons Style | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/13/2017

#837 A is for Apple Picking 🍎

Hurrah for Friday and hurrah for Fall! Another week has gone by and I am none the wiser (except I’m secretly proud of myself for writing at least twice in one week, hah!). When I launched this blog more than five years ago (yeep!), I used to write, at a minimum, one article per day. Whatever happened?

Two kids, that’s what.

I digress, however. The truth is, I couldn’t be happier with my munchkins and more pleased to be back in the Hamptons again relishing yet another magical weekend with my family of crazies. This week has been intense, tough deadlines plus Mamma had to do her taxes (this year, for the first time ever, we elected to file for an extension, and I must say, it’s actually MORE stressful to do so as you almost get hit with thebnkgjtmare of the tax man not once but twice!!). Log that away to the “once and done” category.

Okay, digression yet again. What I really meant to say was.... I love Fall and I can’t imaging living through all of the gorgeous moments of autumn without my family! These days, we have been all about apples in this family — where they come from, the types of apples, apple seeds, the list goes on and on. Part of this is due to my older munchkin’s school, and part of it was because we recently went apple picking! Which is so, so sweet and fun. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves but suffice to say, we are going to have plenty of apples for the days to come... maybe next time we’ll focus on strawberries 🍓

Happy weekend you guys! I might log on again, but if I don’t — I hope you all have a great one!!!

Xxx,

Rockshic

Posted on 10/13/2017 at 08:43 PM in Autumn with Babies , City Baby, Hamptons Style | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/16/2016

#761 Scarecrows and Pumpkins

This was taken right at the front entrance of the Everett Children's Adventure Garden at the NYBG. He immediately took to climbing on top of that big pumpkin. #Rockshicbaby #threeyears

Happy Sunday! We spent the weekend canoodling as a family, making the most of this gorgeous weather. Hubs will be away next weekend on a business trip, so it was extra important that we make the most of our time together.

To be honest, I kind of feel like Fall just struck us out of nowhere! Do you guys feel the same way? One minute I remember I was still complaining about being hot all the time (doesn’t help that I’m carrying around a giant melon with me everywhere now that I'm well into my third trimester), and now suddenly we’re getting cool, crisp weather – busting out the scarfs, hats, boots and knits! Actually come to think of it, I am quite into all things Fall-fashion related. Bring it on!

Now that I’m a mom, Autumn holds a particularly special meaning, never before has apple-picking, pumpkin picking, and all of that jazz hold so much excitement. You start to see and explore everything around you via the lenses of your child, and it can be a truly magical experience.

This was also the first “Fall excursion” we made as a family for 2016... not to mention the fact that we haven’t been back to the New York Botanical Garden since the Holiday train show last December. Suffice to say, we had a total blast! The Everett Children’s Adventures Garden inside the New York Botanical Gardens was chalk full of magical creations by the artist Ray Villafane, master carver of pumpkins and repeat winner of Food Network’s “Challenge: Outrageous Pumpkins.” Small trivia, he even won the Guinness World Record for the largest pumpkin sculpture ever made! Circa 2011.

Apart from the pumpkins scattered throughout the garden, Villafane also created a series of scarecrows along the Mitsubishi Wetland Trail… which our munchkin also marveled at.

It was the perfect trip, and quite possibly our last one to the New York botanical gardens for the year, if I were to be realistic (somehow I just don’t see us venturing out there in December after the arrival of munckin #2, but you never know).

For me, it was an absolutely joyful family outing, and I highly recommend going if you have the chance! This very special "Scarecrows and Pumpkin" exhibit ends October 30, 2016.

For more info see here under NYBG Exhibition & Events.

Related:

Pumpkin Patches and Hello to Fall

'Tis the Season for Pumpkin Picking

Mad about BOOB

Post Baby Chic -- Week 6 -- Fall Colors

Posted on 10/16/2016 at 09:01 PM in Autumn with Babies , City Baby | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/26/2015

#702 Pumpkin Patches and Hello to Fall

These days, at close to 40 pounds, picking up the munckin is no joke! #momlife

Mamma's wearing Calypso St. Barth head to toe, and munchkin is wearing Nununu and Ollie Jones. See below for outfit details and also check out Rockshicbaby on Instagram! #ootd #pumpkinpicking

Hello hello! It’s certainly been a while (as per usual…), and we’ve been full on these days with… well with just about everything. Mamma’s job is ramping up, so I’ve been busier overall, but perhaps more importantly – we’re still working on settling into the daily grind of settling into a preschool routine for munchkin, not to mention other developments on the home front (more on this later!).

Speaking of mega changes, how about this weather! It’s insane to think that just earlier this month (Labor Day Weekend, see here) it was insanely hot & humid, and now… well let’s just say that you can definitely feel the drop in temperature descending upon us.

Don’t get me wrong, I quite like Fall. More precisely, I’m a big fan of all things Fall fashion-related and the liberties one can take on with different accessories (something that you can’t quite do for the Summer because the mantra is usually “less is more”). That said, Fall usually spells the onslaught of winter, and winter I am not a fan of (reason #101 why I try to avoid Winter as much as possible by being a snowbird, see here).

Anyhow, this is all just a very, very long interlude to say – welcome Fall!!

In true valiant fashion, we traipsed out to the East End of the Hamptons last weekend and went pumpkin picking (same place in Watermill). Little man was soooooo much more active and engaged compared to last year (go figure). It’s remarkable to see all of the changes a year can make! (Although he’s definitely less keen on wearing sunglasses these days, in contrast to last year. Ah well… small potatoes).

Oh, and yours truly brought back dozens and dozens of apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts – so hard to resist!

Related:

'Tis the Season for Pumpkin Picking

Autumn transformations

Scarecrows and Pumpkins

Munchkin's pumpkin patch outfit! A little touch of Batman, a little touch of Nununu (last featured here), pants by Ollie Jones -- and we're ready to go!

For more cute styling outfits check out Rockshicbaby on Instagram for daily #ootd updates!

He's not quite tall enough to ride these by himself... so for now mamma's happy to help out! Pretty soon though, I have a feeling that my little man will be all grown up before I know it! #slowdownplease

Posted on 09/26/2015 at 08:24 PM in Autumn with Babies , City Baby, Hamptons Style | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/02/2014

#576 ‘Tis the Season for Pumpkin Picking

Well hello there! This busy mamma is quite literally typing, as we speak, in a moving vehicle… on my way home to a sleeping set of husby and munchkin.

It's been a long week of work, social engagements, and preschool visits (and it ain’t even Friday!). That said, even in my sleep-deprived daze, I can still stop to appreciate what a lucky girl I am. These photos were taken just last week, when we drove out to Southampton with munchkin for his very first pumpkin picking excursion. Now that the little monkey has learned to walk, the world is completely his for the taking!

Although be warned… pumpkin vines in the fields can be a bit tricky on those pudgy (not to mention massively shaky) little feet.

We went to Hank’s Pumpkintown, situated right on Montauk Highway (right across from Duckwalk Vineyards!) – though make sure you go to the address listed for Watermill and *not* Westhampton, like I did. Silly rabbit.

The playgrounds at Hank’s, particularly ones built just for littles, were absolutely adorable and a must-do (we felt no need to pay extra for the maize fields, as Nuke baby was too young to appreciate those anyhow). Of course, everybody’s bellies went home fully satisfied, between the freshly grilled corn, pumpkin-flavored coffee, plus donuts and pies for the taking! My personal favorites were the pumpkin spice donuts!!! They’re delicious and evil -- an absolute non-negotiable in my book!

Posted on 10/02/2014 at 10:28 PM in Autumn with Babies , City Baby, Hamptons Style | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/26/2013

#441 Post Baby Chic – Week 6 – Fall Colors

Stroller, foliage, dress and bag combo... makes for one autumn-happy color palette!

Dress: Haute Hippie | Leather Jacket: BCBG Max Azria | Boots: Brian James Charcoal-Leather c/o | Bag: Louis Vuitton

Baby Stroller: Bugaboo Cameleon 3 & Tailored Fabric (Beige) | Stroller Blanket: Stokke Xplory Blanket

Happy weekend!

I’m a bit behind on my post-partum styles. Though my sentiment remains the same… I’ve only lost 3 kilos since my last fashion post (hubby insists on setting our scale in kilos, which drives me to google the equivalent in pounds). For the record, 3 kilos is roughly 6 pounds – which is not terribly significant.

But I digress.

The point is, my body is still very much a work in progress and I’m fine with that. The key is knowing how to dress your ever-changing post-baby body – and finding the right pieces, cut, colors, patterns, & silhouette that best compliment your shape.

These photos were taken while we were upstate recently, living it up at the Castle. I wore this outfit to another friend’s wedding, held at the lovely Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison. Nowadays, not only do I need to dress myself… I also need to style my little munchkin! (A job which I relish, by the way). Oh and that leather jacket? Totally a must have stable. You’ve seen me wear it a couple of times here and here throughout my pregnancy (plus more recently here while we were staying at the Castle Hotel & Spa), but it really has been my go-to of late. Nothing speaks cool quite like leather! These days, between nappies and spit-ups, I could really use a little “cool factor” here and there.

Speaking of the post-baby weight, this momma is planning on attending a three-series workshop at Exhale Soho, geared towards women who have given birth – time to rebuild that core!!!

Our family stroll on the beautiful grounds of the Boscobel house.

Morning of, hanging with munchkin at the Castle Hotel and Spa. See here for the full feature of our weekend getaway.

Early morning breakfast at the Hudson Hil's Cafe, which serves up some scrumptious biscuits & gravy! See recent coverage in the New York Times.

Laying out Nukie's outfit for the wedding at Boscobel House! #gardenchic

With the gorgeous bride!

Photo-op during the ceremony :)

Posted on 10/26/2013 at 09:32 PM in Autumn with Babies , Postpartum Style | Permalink | Comments (2)

10/16/2013

#436 Mad about BOOB

Baby Stroller: Bugaboo Cameleon 3 and Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Andy Warhol Flower Tailored Fabric Set | Organic Stroller Blanket: Petunia Pickle Bottom

I’m the first one to admit that it’s hard to nurse in public. So far, I’ve been keeping munchkin well-fed between a combination of on-the-boob and pumped milk-in-a-bottle meals. (We’ve been really lucky that our little man has been open and flexible to both, fingers crossed!!!).

Apart from lounging in my Larrivo designs – I’ve also recently taken to Boob Design, with its chic, comfortable, and wrinkle-free threads, perfect for that coveted "nurse anywhere" style I seek... and also suitable for the expectant & postpartum mommy.

Designed by Mia Seipel, who hails from Stockholm, it’s evident that it takes one to know one – since Mia is a mother herself, she knows a thing or two about what works for us on-the-go nursing fashionistas! Plus, the Swedes just get it right when it comes to style, don't they?

Here, I’m wearing my Olivia dress in black and grey by BOOB Design. I love it for its simplicity, versatility, and function. This garb works well for both pregnancy and nursing (and believe me I rocked it to the max in both circumstances!).

Also, the current weather in the city makes this dress the ideal piece-du-jour, as I pair it up with some of my favorite “downtown” pieces for that utilitarian hipster vibe!

Lunching with my bundle of yumminess at Brinkely's! (I didn't realize until we left the house that I'd dressed Nuke up like a little pumpkin!) #happyaccidents