Ridiculously Cute...

When I first saw the commercials for those Huggie's Little Movers Denim Diapers--I admit that I thought they were a a bit pretentious and silly. But as we near potty training and hopefully say goodbye to diapers for Olivia soon (by the end of summer to be exact)---I decided to give them a shot last week. It helped that they were on sale for 40% off with a coupon.  I got to see them on Olivia in person...

Holy cutenesss! They are so adorable! I had to try to them out on Lucas too. So I squeezed his little size 2 butt in Olivia's size 5's and guess what...

The cuteness factor skyrocketed off the charts!! This is a good shot of his cute little birthmark too.

I just had to share them---go get them and gush over your babies (as if you needed a reason)!! I could just eat mine up.

No Brainer

I happened upon a fantastic fashion blog this week and feel compelled to share all of its splendor with you.

Glamorous Newlywed

Love it. LOVE it. ALL of it. I like both her interactive Q&A concept and most of all the end result.  She takes reader inquiries and helps them dress for random life events (pool party at the in-laws? she's gotcha covered!) and occasions and even pack for trips so that you are prepared, comfortable, and appropriate. The end result is an affordable, stylish ensemble right down to the bag. When I say affordable, I mean $12 shoes people.

Best of all she has great taste and is quite gifted with Polyvore. I'm banking on never having to think about an outfit ever again--as styling IS not my strong suit. I never see the possibilities in clothing and accessories that true fashionistas do.

She also recently launched Glambina for her newborn baby. I am looking forward to her posts on motherhood and hopefully baby styling as we certainly have issues in that department too.

Check her out. You'll be glad you did.

Mini Scarf & Hat Set

After combing through stores for a toddler-sized hat and scarf set for Olivia, I went to back to good ole trusty Etsy for an excellent selection of affordable handknit crafts.

In less than 3 days this little set arrived at my door.

And of course, I made Olivia model.

Oh and see the naked Christmas tree? Charm City Daddy surprised me by putting it up before I got home from work. Made my day.

Halloween Costume Update

After much internet searching (and let's face it my search stops there, I am not one to go shopping all over town), we have settled upon a Halloween costume for Olivia. She's is going to be what she calls a "Bzzzzzz" Bumble bee!

Thanks to Old Navy, this warm, cozy, and well-made outfit has arrived and only costs $10! See how easy that decision was to abandon the cheap banana and the lion costume? TEN BUCKS! We're all lined up for the neighborhood kiddie costume parade too. Should be fun.

First Halloween costume? Check! Now how do I deal with candy?

New Obsession: Baby Gap

Mamas of the world,when it comes to dressing your little one--do you feel styling-impaired? I do. I always feel like I'm dressing poor Olivia so basic and sometimes a tad boyish.

I was so relieved when I heard Katherine Heigl mention in a TV interview last week that she struggled with styling her daughter in cute outfits and how she heavily relies on babyGap.com which puts the looks together for you. And THAT, my friends, is how I landed at babyGap on Saturday.

babyGap: Bleecker Collection "SoHo Style"

babyGap: Sun Valley "Warm & Fuzzy"

Who knew baby Gap was so cute? I didn't.  LOVE that Bleecker Collection.

I set foot in there exactly once when Olivia was 2 months old with a gift card  and nearly died from sticker shock. I couldn't see past $30 for a hooded romper! As Chris Rock used to say "Good Lawd!"

Armed with another babyGap gift card, this time the entire family Daddy, baby, and I went to babyGap this weekend to grab a few much needed cool weather essentials for Olivia.  Whoah, it was a zoo in there! There was a big sale going on--everything was on sale--and with coupons too.

I couldn't even benefit from having the baby with me to size things on her b/c Daddy had to keep her happy and busy moving around the store, while I shopped in hurried frenzy. Can we talk about that for a second? I'm so terrible at shopping with others, because I always feel like I'm holding them up and I can't concentrate on what I am supposed to be focused on.  That was the case on Saturday too. I was mess. I had picked out some cute stuff online but couldn't find it and was second guessing my selections and the sizing and couldn't picture the outfits the way they were perfectly styled online. UGH, the pressure! But we survived. And I managed some cute outfits for Olivia. She still needs shoes! Maybe these homegrown shoes which come highly recommended by our pediatrician.

Btw, I hardly ever go to the mall. Ever.  I hate the crowds and it's a full time job to keep up with all of the coupons. I realized this little factoid about babyGap though----things were on sale in the store that weren't marked down or on sale online. Gasp! They almost GOT me.

Yet Another Nanny Creation...

It's been awhile since we've had one of these worthy of a pic and post.

This one put a smile on my face and I had to share.

 

Blue sundress, pink striped legwarmers, and pink sandals! I would totally look into the closet and pair these items together.

Lovely Ladies

Today was just lovely.  To celebrate the 70-degree weather, I wore one of my new Liberty of London dresses from Target.

Yes, I fell for the marketing scheme and now I own two of those floral patterned frocks that also match candles, flower pots, bicycles, pillows throughout the store. And no I had never heard of L.o.L. before the Target campaign. It is quite obnoxious as you walk around the store actually--but at the same time somehow magnetizing and a bit hypnotic.

At any rate, I got lots of compliments on the ensemble (which I paired with a cardigan and pearls) which according to Charm City Daddy made me look like a Stepford Wife (he was joking with love of course--and I had to agree). 

The best part of my day, however was when I arrived home and my little Olivia had on her own cute Target dress (size 18mos!) that I had bought for her before she was born. Here we are in our dresses...

 Of course if I had my way, she would also have a little Liberty of London in her collection but I couldn't find anything in her size! Her dress is bunched up on the bottom in this pic, so you can't see the cute little pockets, but you get the idea. I could just eat her up!

Your baby might be a porker if...

...the waistline of a jumper must be improvised and shifted upward to become an "empire waistline" to accommodate her belly.

Exhibit A: (notice the long suspenders just dangling and serving no purpose at all)

 

Yes, the outfit is a bit crazy today. I did that. I wanted her to wear this corduroy  jumper for the first time (purchased for $4 at Old Navy while pregnant), but then I didn't want her to wear just a plain white shirt, and THEN I realized it was too cold for her not to wear tights! So you have stripes, corduroy trimmed in plaid, and hearts! 

 Hey, while you're here want to see something funny scary? Our little horror film star in the making...

I Call This Look...

...an homage to the exquisite Kimora Lee Simmons

Headband+ Kimono style top + NO bottoms! + Pastry Sneakers = Yet Another Nanny Creation.

This was what I came home to on Monday....and it gave me PURE. JOY.

Fashion. Drama. Fabulous.

"Fashion, Fashion, Fashion. Dram-er, Dram-er, Dram-er. Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous."  -Dwight from the Real Housewives of Atlanta

I have had so much fun with Olivia's outfits during this little winter break!

I bought her some little pink fur boots the other day at Sassanova and couldn't wait to pair them with everything in her wardrobe. Then it snowed again and it helped make my case to Charm City Daddy of why she NEEDED these boots!

They were perfect for her juicy jumpsuit--which was a hit at New Year's Eve noon service at church.

And today she was a real ghetto bunny. I mean ready to break dance and '"pop n' lock" at any moment--complete with Pastry's. Too cute.

 

Hey she's happy--"do you boo boo." lol.

July in Christmas?

IMG_2082, originally uploaded by Charm City Mama.

I had a late meeting at work tonight and arrived home to see this cute little fat snoring baby in my bed (Daddy was hanging out with her too).

That's right. It's another nanny creation.

Folks, you are looking at a colorful sundress (minus diaper cover hence the cloth diaper peeking through) complimented by trumpette socks.

Yes, it was 40 degrees today and my baby was wearing a sundress that is way too big by the way.

Nonetheless I'm beginning to understand Julia's approach. She changes Olivia 2 to 3 times a day in any number of outfits just so the baby gets a chance to wear the cloths. Its not about whether it fits or if the outfit is in season. Apparently it is also not about matching either. It is about getting through the clothes. I get that. And boy is it funny to watch. It makes me look forward to coming home.

Side Note: Do you see that pregnancy pillow she's snuggled up in? I bet you're wondering why that THING is still hanging around. Ah yes. That is a whole different post. Coming soon....

Another Nanny Creation

I came home today and couldn't stop laughing.

1. Rockawear Onesie +

1. Old Navy Heart Tights (worn on top of onesie)

= Happy, but Fashion-Confused Baby.

If Olivia were on the the red carpet, I'd ask her "Where are you going?"

She might reply, "To a Jay-Z concert as an 80's dancer, on Valentine's Day."

Bump Update and More...

By request, here's an updated bump pic...

(yes the face is tired. It was early).

And also promised, a peek inside the nursery just for the love of tiny baby clothes...

See? I'm not the only one that loves shopping for a girl. Charm City Baby is spoiled well in advance of her arrival thanks to friends and family.

After all of the issues with the topper, I still like this changing table for its storage and hidden drawers. I keep wipes and diaper creams in the shallow hidden drawer, diapers in the larger outer drawer, and bath and hygiene products and first aid in the bottom drawer.

Coincidentally, the bottom of the dresser drawers (IKEA), match the ceiling.

The drawer dedicated to spit-up protection--bibs, and burp cloths.

Let's not kid ourselves. This drawer will not retain this level of organization.

The cutest, tiniest little jean skirt I have ever seen!

Okay...that's enough..it's getting silly now isn't it? Blame it on the 36 week hormones.

Divine Intervention...

JUST in time (and hot off the press), some advice on cloth diapers from the Pregtastic podcast.

Disposable or Cloth Diapers?

Can somebody help me, please?

In my frenzy to quickly register for the baby shower which has been moved up to June 13th (because of bachelor parties, weddings, travel, and life) I am having a hard time making what should be fairly simply decisions.

Just when I thought I had a good handle on what we need, I get to the "potty" category of the registry and lose it.

I like the cost-effectiveness and earth-friendliness of cloth diapers, but also like the convenience of disposable diapers--particularly when traveling. I suppose I could use them both, but if I were to choose cloth diapers--which brand is the best?

I like this hybrid starter set from Bambino Mio, but I haven't heard much about it, and I'm not sure who has considering it's "new."

And then you have these gDiapers, which are all cloth, require covers.
Then you have Bumkins Bamboo diapers, cloth require covers. Then you have all-in-one diapers like these and it goes on and on and on.

What in the world am I supposed to pick?! No wonder pregnant moms have emotional breakdowns in the middle of stores. Geez.

I'm taking advice or just your vote if you've got no experience. What should I pick?

Finally Comfortable!

Friday night, I picked up some maternity clothes from a friend who just had her second and final baby.

How lucky am I? I hit the jackpot!

She showered me with bags of cute pants, shorts, tops and sundresses from H&M Mama, Gap and Mimi Maternity. Who knew H&M had maternity? I am THERE!


CCD and I are all about consignment and thrifting it when it makes sense. Annually, the Women's Board at Johns Hopkins hosts the Best Dressed Sale event and has managed to get Baltimore's best dressed to donate their threads, accessories, houseware to this sale every year. Every designer is represented, it's organized like a department store, and it is so EASY to shop! I can't wait to go this year to get CCB some cute stuff.

Meanwhile, I am sitting comfortably in my stretch black maternity pants (sigh), and planning how I will dress up my new duds for work this week.

The baby bump is starting to make its appearance--pics to come this week.

Baby Clothes...

Hear ye! Hear ye! Charm City Daddy has officially purchased more baby clothes than me.


When I knew we were TTC, I bought this onesie to present to CCD to either tell him we were pregnant or congratulate him. Since we found out around Christmas time, I made it a Christmas gift.



He loved it.

But that was it! That is the only clothing I have purchased.

CCD likes sporting college gear of the various institutions of higher learning he has attended and since knowing about the baby--he has begun a onesie and bib frenzy.

First our black lab and now the baby. Poor baby.

But it will be cute to see the baby in a little Yale outfit--and even better if baby is sooooo bright it pays its own way through school.

Speaking of schools....that's another post.