February Challenge- Week 4 (Overnight Oats)

Another victorious week over here.  A great way to end the month even if Week 2 was a total fail.  Well victorious might be a little bit too strong of a word because I had Tostada Cubana on Wednesday morning. Breakfast was at home but it was not exactly healthy. 

I attribute this week's victory to overnight oats.  Typically, I make overnight oats in the summertime when I want a cold but healthy breakfast.  This week, I decided that having my oats prepared the night before makes the morning a lot more goof proof.  If I want them warmed up I can put them in the microwave for less than a minute, but there's no mixing or stiring involved.  (This is not the lazyness talking but rather the tiredness.) I can also make a couple of servings because depending what type of liquid you use, it can last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. 

There are lots of recipes for overnight oats.  I usually just follow the liquid to oat ratio on the box and substitute juice or almond milk for water and then add fresh or dried fruit and sometimes nuts or seeds.  Then I combine the ingrediants and put them in a sealed container.  Voila, overnight oats!


Ordinarily I would just leave them overnight in a plastic container but the Mason Jar looks so much cuter.

Stocking In (The Image Search for the Pregnant Job-Seeker)

A relatable stock image from Getty Images

So I totally missed THIS story when it came out.  Thank you Cup of Jo for bringing it to my attention.

Sheryl Sandberg and Getty Images teamed up to create a collection of of thousands of stock images that portray women and girls in a more current and empowering light. We all know what stock images are even if we don't use that term to describe them. They are the images you use in your PowerPoint presentation or your low-budget website when you want to show things like coworkers sitting at a table or a confident business woman. Let's face it, most of these images are sterile and convey no sense of reality.

This collaboration is much more than a victory for all of us who have to sit through PowerPoint presentations.   It is a radical step because it is going to change the images we all use and view, images that show us how to be and how to live. 


Bookends (Decor for the Generations)

 

The End Bookend CB2/ Whale Bookend Jonathan Adler/ James the Bookend available at the Moma Store/ Menagerie Bookends by Serena and Lily/ Imm Living's Bookend

Just because you have children doesn't mean everything you buy for your home has to be baby-fied.  There are so many playful objects d'art out there that are fun and appeal to the aesthetics of both grownups and little ones alike. Take these bookends.  Some of them are designed with children in mind and others are not, but they are all playful.  Did you incorporate decor in your home that both you and your kids could enjoy?

Diaper Beach Bags (Baby's on a Boat)

Baggu Canvas Backpack/Sea Bags for JCrew

Good weather is on the approach.  Where I come from this means one of two things: you are at the beach or you are on a boat.  I'm not a proponent of having too many diaper bags but isn't it a fun idea to have one specifically for aquatic activities?  And how cute are these two nautical bags? 

Nursery Gris (Pinning)



Hemnes Dresser by Ikea/ Elephant Lamp by Alex Marshall/ Ubbi Diaper Pail/ Origami Paper Pendants by Serena and Lili/Meadow linens by Dwell Studio/ Mason Crib by Franklin and Ben/  Serpent Painting by Happy Menocal/ Pink Bin by H&M/ Baskets from Target/ Nesting Tables by Serena and Lily/ Star Egg nightlight from Giggle/ Glider by Serena and Lily/Parsons Day Bed by West Elm/Ivy Letter Pillow by Serena and Lily/ Bunny Pillow by Dwell Studio/ Bunny Rabbit by Jellycat/

Hemnes Dresser by Ikea/ Elephant Lamp by Alex Marshall/ Ubbi Diaper Pail/ Origami Paper Pendants by Serena and Lili/Meadow linens by Dwell Studio/ Mason Crib by Franklin and Ben/  Serpent Painting by Happy Menocal/ Pink Bin by H&M/ Baskets from Target/ Nesting Tables by Serena and Lily/ Star Egg nightlight from Giggle/ Glider by Serena and Lily/Parsons Day Bed by West Elm/Ivy Letter Pillow by Serena and Lily/ Bunny Pillow by Dwell Studio/ Bunny Rabbit by Jellycat/

When I was expecting Baby Cricket someone asked me if I decided on the nursery's "theme." I demurred. At that point, I was focused on making room for my baby in a space that was a study/closet/storage room. And since the room would continue to be a multipurpose space, I didn't want the decor to be too babyish.

So I searched for a crib, because it seemed like the logical place to start even if she wasn't going to be sleeping in there for a while. After extensive pinning and researching, I found a safe, American-made, grey crib and cute sheets (see above). And voila, there was my theme: grey with pink and white. No animals or fairy tales just colors that looked nice together.

Grey is trendy especially for a nursery, and I can see why. It mixes well with almost any color so it can be girlish or boyish or androgynous. It's also very calming.

P.S. Don't you just love the snake picture? I love the idea of having skulls and snakes around so baby girl won't fear them as she gets older.  (Wishful thinking, I know.) 

P.P.S. I didn't purchase most of the things above. In fact, I outfitted most of our nursery from Craigslist and hand-me-downs. More on that later. But looking around sure is fun!

February Challenge: Week 3 (A Cold Weather Shake)

This week was so much better!  Order was restored to our lives (well as much order as you can expect with a 7 month old).  And I met my breakfast goal each day (even on President's Day).

This week I tried a warm Chai Gingerbread shake that I found on Goop.  Now I know there are a lot of Goop critics out there.  Yes some of the ideas that come out of there are unattainable but I don't think attainability is what Goop is about.  How many of us are tall, thin, and blond movie stars married to hot rock stars and shuttle between London, L.A., and East Hampton?  If that was me I would probably consider a $300 a day meal plan and give my friends $500 dollar pajamas.

But I digress.  Here is the recipe.  I will definitely drink this a few times a week until the weather calls for a colder food.

Goop's Chai Gingerbread Shake

Ingredients (Makes 1 Serving)

• 1 cup warm brewed rooibos chai tea (Note: I could not find this so I purchased regular Chai Spiced Tea)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice (I did not have allspice on hand so I sprinkled in some nutmeg)
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 cup almond or coconut milk (I used almond milk)
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• Coconut nectar, raw honey or stevia to taste (I used vanilla instead)
• Optional: 1 scoop protein powder of your choice (I used this powder)

Scandal Babies

Scandal is one of my favorite shows. Lately I've been thinking about what kinds of babies these out control adults once were. Below are some wardrobe ideas should Shonda Rhimes ever decide to do a prequal.

Baby Olivia

Baby CZ Cashmere Layette in Cream/ Juicy Tracksuit/ D&G Christening Coat/ Tartine et Chocolat Pleated Bow Dress/ Marie Chantal Dress 

Some babies were born with silver spoons in their mouths; Liv was born with a stylist on speed dial. And while her mother and father might be some of the most morally ambiguous parents out there, one thing is certain, they loved their daughter very much and spared no expense in providing for her.

Baby Liv most certainly wore white with hints of grey and other complementary colors. Nobody lounges around better than Liv and Baby Liv would also be dressed impeccably for her playdates and bottle time. And if any baby was going to rock an $1,800 D&G coat that baby would be Liv!

Baby Fitz

Kissy Kissy Airplane Footie/ Skylar Luna Star Sleepset/ JCrew Baby Anchor Cashmere Sweater/Baby Gap Navy Pull-On Khakis/ Florence Eiseman Eton Suit/ White Sailor Suit

The future leader of the free world was once a boy with a simple dream of flying. Not even a cruel and overbearing father would keep this baby boy from achieving his dreams.  Baby Fitz would be all about wearing clothes with  planes, boats, an anchors on them. Given his pedigree he would have an Eton suit on hand for more formal occasions and of course his very own sailor suit.

Baby Mellie

Royal Baby Layette/ Kissy Kissy Footie and Jacket Set/ Florence Eiseman Dresses available at Bergdorfs/  Kissy Kissy Gown and Bonnet/ Ralph Lauren Smocked Taffeta Dress

Baby Mellie was a baby born with purpose.  Her "take me home" outfit would have been a full set with a matching jacket or sweater.  I'm sure her mother took nothing to chance where her little Alpha baby was concerned.  For playdates and casual time Baby Mellie was always in a dress, and by dress I mean a Florence Eiseman shift.  On dressier occasions, Baby Mellie was all about bonnets, bows, and smocking.  

Finally, Fourth of July wear would be the cornerstone of Miss Mellie's wardrobe.