Five Favorites on Friday

Since last week's favorites post all revolved around the home and decor, I decided this week I'd do another theme... fashion!  Here are a few items that I have been drooling over!

1. Being the mother of a one year old doesn't exactly leave me with much time to get ready, let alone spend lots of time picking out an outfit!  I like to keep it simple and quick.. especially in the summer!  This jumpsuit is so cute and can be easily transitioned into fall with a jacket or cardigan making it a win, win!
2. Slide sandals have been on trend all season long and I'm a bit obsessed with these gold ones by Tory Burch.
3. I have a thing for lace and this black off the shoulder top is so pretty!  It would look great with some shorts or skinny jeans!
4. I've heard nothing but good when it comes to swimwear by Albion Fit!  How pretty is this one piece?
5. If you're into shoes that make a statement, these beauties are the epitome of business in the front, party in the back!  Love!

Happy Friday everybody!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Sweet Summertime Sleep Styles

I'm a total sucker for a cute and comfortable pajama set.  As I get older, I'm learning to appreciate nice sleepwear - rather than just an over sized T shirt and leggings.  These summertime styles below are my favorites!  They're not only stylish, but lightweight and practical for the warm months!

1. This set from J. Crew is such a super seller!  Almost every time I go to their site to purchase it, it's sold out!  Well, they just restocked it in a few sizes (mine is finally available) so run fast!  I just love the floral print and the billowy top is forgiving on many levels!
2. I recently came across this peplum tank and short set from Kate Spade and couldn't help but think it was almost too pretty to wear to bed!  Peplum tops are very much on trend right now and this is a first I've seen with sleepwear but I don't think it will be the last! 
3. This white eyelet set is easy breezy for the blazing hot summer months!  I love the cute cutouts!  
4. This gingham top and short from J. Crew is such a pretty pink color and a classic sleep style!

The Registry Series: Nursery and Bedding

When it comes to registering for your nursery, you can keep it simple or go big!  When I mean by "go big" is registering for basically everything - from furniture down to decor.  For our registry, we kept it relatively simple and down to a few basics.  I had purchased most items for Chase's nursery throughout my pregnancy, and my parents generously bought his furniture, so (thankfully) we didn't really need much.

These are the nursery items we registered for and all but one we still use daily with our little man:

1. Motorola Baby Monitor: There are tons of different baby monitors out there and I had one stipulation when it came to narrowing ours down.  I really wanted a monitor that had wifi capabilities.  I chose this monitor by Motorola and it's been wonderful.
2. Sound Machine:  Every single night and during each nap, we use my iPad mini as a sound machine for Chase.  We had originally purchased this one, but it turns out he's a big fan of Elvis and would rather listen to him instead 😉
3. Humidifier:  This is one of those items where you might not use it every single day, but you are super thankful you have it when you need it!  Since Chase has bouts with Asthma, we need this a bit more than we probably would have and this one by Crane is a great size and super cute!  Plus, they come in tons of different colors!
4. Wipe Warmer: We learned the hard way with this one in particular.  There is absolutely nothing worse than an ice cold wipe in the middle of the night when your little one wakes up!  A wipe warmer is a God send - trust me on this!!
5. Sleep Sack: The Halo sleep sack is a favorite for moms all over!  This makes night time less worrisome because it is suggested that you don't put blankets on your baby until they are over a year old.  This also keeps them swaddled which is super soothing to most babies and helps them (and you!) get a more restful night's sleep!

As for bedding, there is one brand in particular that I love and would highly recommend to everyone and that is Aden + Anais!  We use their products all over Chase's nursery and LOVE them all!  Currently, we use the Aden + Anais crib sheet covers on top of a waterproof mattress protector.  He sleeps comfortably at night with his dream blanket that is a perfect weight and super soft (it gets softer with each wash!).

We also used nothing but the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets when he was a baby.  Once I tried them,  all the others I purchased when right back to the store!  I appreciate the breathable fabric so much and their softness!

And finally, we use and love the changing pad covers as well.  He's just a month shy of a year and a half old and I've been using these since day #1!

Next up is some baby gear I think you will all love!

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Five Favorites on Friday

What a week!  These summer days just go by faster and faster!

I have put together a list of home favorites this week.  Towards the end of the summer (and yes, I know we still have over a full month left), I always think about revamping a bit of our home for the fall and upcoming holiday season.  Something about it just makes me very excited and keeps the house feeling cozy!

These are some items I've recently purchased, and others that are on my home shopping wishlist. If you're interested, I actually have a Home Shopping List Pinterest board where I keep a lot of these goodies and more!

1. I've had this large Jamie Oliver wood cutting board on my shopping list for a while now and last week it was on super sale for over 40% off!  I came two days after ordering (gotta love Amazon!) and I just love it!  I love how these larger wood cutting boards can also be used as serving boards too - I can't wait to put a festive charcuterie display on here for Christmas! 
2. This gold planter was also on my list for quite some time and I finally grabbed one last week.  Our living room has lots of golden accents and I have a small Christmas cactus plant that will soon call this little beauty home. 
3. I'm an avid iced coffee drinker but I also enjoy hot coffee from time to time.  I've been very intrigued by the whole French press coffee process and would love to try it out.  I think this pot, scoop, and creamer/sugar set are such a pretty way to start!
4. We recently ditched our clunky dish drain for more counter space and ever since, I seem to be using my dish towels much more frequently.  Anthropolige has the prettiest ones - almost too pretty to use!  This rose all day one and this vibrant floral print are faves!
5. Lastly, the Emma dinnerware from Pottery Barn is so simple yet elegant at the same time.  Very much on my home shopping wishlist.

Those are a few of my home favorites at the moment.  I hope you like them and have a wonderful weekend!

Chase's First Aquarium Visit

Two weeks ago, we took a trip down to our local boardwalk and paid a visit to the small aquarium nestled on the end.  It's a quaint little aquarium that consists of two floors but it holds quite a number of aquatic animals.

A group of eight of us went and prior to our aquarium visit, we had the most delicious brunch where Chase polished off an entire hot dog and several french fries.

Once we got onto the boardwalk, we walked straight towards the aquarium building.  When we finally got inside, we all had our hands stamped and made our way to our first sight.  First up was a large shark tank that Chase and my nephew Myles were fascinated by.  Then came a sunken ship turtle exhibit (my favorite), followed by a few other tanks with lots of different species of fish and shellfish.

After we finished off the tanks, it was onto the penguins!  Most of them were right up against the glass, which was so great because we got to see so much up close!  After we finished downstairs, we took the boys upstairs to a small touch tank and to the seal exhibit.

This was the first trip to an aquarium for both of the boys and they just loved it!  I'm so glad they are close in age and get to experience fun like this together!  We can't wait to go again!

After our aquarium visit, we walked the boardwalk and got some goodies (ice cream and fried Oreos).  Chase also tested out his brand new walking abilities with Dad close behind!

We had such a great day and I can't believe I can cross yet another "first" off of Chase's list!

**I apologize for the grainy and somewhat dark photos.  We forgot to bring our camera so we used my iPhone which has such a delay lately!

Five Favorites on Friday

It's been a minute since I've complied a favorites list... but I have a few items together for this week that I hope you will all enjoy!

1. I've been reading some really great reviews on The Magic of Motherhood and I'm going to grab myself a copy this weekend!
2. I'm obsessed with this romper by Free People!  I love lace detailing and this is just too good to pass by!
3. Speaking of lace, I just got this sweet top that I can't wait to wear!  I purchased the pink and it's so pretty on and very flattering (more so if you have a bit of a tan - but I'm lacking in that department!). 
4. I'm thinking of refreshing our bedding this fall and I usually stick to white because it's easier for me to keep clean (hello one year old and two dogs).  This duvet by Anthropologie is a contender. 
5. Finally, I'm always looking for new recipes to try out (the easier the better at the moment) and this scallop pasta dish is on the menu next week!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  We are going to see Luke Bryan and Chase is staying at his grandmother's house - it's our first date night since he's been born!!  Needless to say, we are really looking forward to it!

Happy Friday friends! XO

Let's Update This!

Hey everybody!  Long time and no post!

I apologize for the lack in posting over the last two months.  A lot has been going on and I just haven't had much time to spend here.  I plan on getting back into my usual posting routine, starting with a Five Favorites on Friday tomorrow.

A few little life updates that have happened over the last few weeks:

1. Chase is now a one year old and a WALKER!  
2. We had to postpone his birthday party because he spent over 5 days in the ICU with respiratory distress.. more to come on that later
3. He has finally decided to sleep through the night for us and it is the most wonderful thing ever!
4. We took our first aquarium trip and little man just loved it!  I will be doing a post on this next week.
5. Chase spent his first night away from home at his first sleepover!  (Thanks to B for keeping him overnight for us!)
6. We finally did have his first birthday party in early June and he had a blast!

Those are just a few of the recent happenings going on over here.  Currently, we are just taking it easy and trying to enjoy doing some fun things together as a family before summer flies past us!  I'm going to try and get a few posts together each week from here on out!  Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read a bit on our family!