GD Weekly Faves

This week I've been reading: Lunch in Paris, I picked a copy up a couple of months ago and finally had the chance to open it.

We all know of my love for all things French.

 Listening to Rachael Yamagata's album, Chesapeake.

Wearing a "Grid Lock" tee.

Watching, Coco Before Chanel. 

Wanting this scarf. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that it is finally cold and rainy in Orange County.

What are you favorites this week?

xoxo

A Cup of Thankful

This week I'm thankful for:

South Pasadena day trip to visit a friend and even though my GPS got me lost, I was pretty into the drive.

 (Speaking of South Pasadena) Finding my new favorite clothing store!

Finding new moms and babies for Reese and I to hang out with.

Season two of Hart of Dixie, I'm catching up ;)

Drumstick Dreyer's ice cream. Holy cow!

Our silly dog flipping out when we come home and making me and Reese laugh for 10 minutes straight.

What are you thankful for this week?

xoxo

Nicole's Reading List

1.{Travels with Charley In Search of America, John Steinbeck}

2. {The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald}

3. {The Diary of Anais Nin, Anais Nin}

4. {Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch, Henry Miller}

5. {Mosquitoes, Faulkner}

6. {Bonjour Tristesse, Francoise Sagan}

7. {Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury}

8. {On the Road, Jack Karouac} 

9. {Running in Heels, Anna Maxted}

10. {Factotum, Charles Bukowski}

11. {Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov}

12. {The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck}

13. {Tropic of Cancer & Capricorn, Henry Miller}

14. {The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand}

15. {Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy} 

I was recently asked by a sweet reader to put a list of my favorite books together just as I did for Reese' reading list.

These are the books that I have read numerous times and consider favorites.

With that said, I would like to mention that Lolita has an extremely awful plot, but is beautifully written which is why it made the list.

I actually am embarrassed to read it in public.. haha

 

My favorite author is and has always been, John Steinbeck.

 I've read every book that has been published.

The way he describes the smallest details makes me always feel like I'm actually there.. weird as it sounds.

 I love that I literally get lost in his words. 

Who is your favorite author/ what is your favorite book?

xoxo

Back In Black

{one} {two} {three} {four} {five} {six} {seven} {eight} {nine} {ten} {eleven}

Black and I have had a love affair since as long as I can remember.

The song, Back in Black will always remind me of the early stages of Kye and my relationship seven whole years ago.

Do you have a song that will for ever remind you of your relationship?

xoxo

Our BF Story

{Reese at four months old after nursing}

I recently received a question from a lovely reader regarding whether or not I breastfeed my son and to share our story.

I do breastfeed Reese, I started the second the nurse cleaned him up and put him in my arms.

I originally went into the hospital not knowing what I would do (I did absolutely zero research.. I won't lie!) I figured that what would happen would happen and I would be prepared for anything. 

I've always lived this way.

I've never been one to look down on formula feeding or breast feeding, there is absolutely nothing wrong with either! 

(It really upsets me when mother's make such a big deal of putting down other mother's for doing the opposite of what they are...)

Anyhow, the first days in the hospital were great, with the exception of the pain (breastfeeding is no walk in the park for the first couple of weeks!)

Everything changed when we got home.

My perfect angel son no longer wanted to latch on... he screamed in frustration and hunger.

I also was not able to nurse from my left side... due to an introverted nipple that apparently is pretty common (and is one of the many reasons that mother's do not nurse...)

I can't even tell you the amount of tears I shed trying to get him to eat...

I wanted to give up, crawl under the covers and sleep for ever.

Kye went out and picked up baby supplies the day after we were released and came home with a Medela Pump in Style.

He was extremely supportive and wanted to make sure that our son was able to nurse.

So I pumped.

I was attached to that thing for the first 2 months of Reese's life all day everyday.

I was also working from home 9 hours everyday on top of taking care of a newborn alone while Kye went to work.

It was rough.

I cried so much, maybe more than necessary...

And then, one day after trying for two whole months (almost three) to get the boy to latch on, he did!

Since then, I've tried to give him formula once while I was in downtown LA working. 

He spit it out and screamed at me until I ran out to my car to feed him.

We've been exclusively breastfeeding for 10 months straight and plan on doing so until a little after his first birthday.

I am so grateful that we were able to experience the breastfeeding journey!

I can't even begin to describe to you all the feeling that you get when you snuggle up to your baby and feed them.

I definitely recommend breastfeeding if you are able to. 

If you are a mother, what's your story?

xoxo

Over the weekend

{Stripes and Boots}

  

 

{People watching}

{Farrell's chocolate shake}

{Loving water fountains}

{Our favorite store to explore, World Market}

{Oh Christmas Tree}

How was your weekend?

We spent all of our time trying to avoid stores, with the exception of World Market on Sunday.

I just couldn't help myself.. we needed coffee and new sweets.

xoxo

SALE, SALE, SALE!

You can get your one of a kind jewelry shopping fix here!

What type of items would you like to see in my shop?

xoxo

What to Wear {Scout Rose Calcite}

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{five} {six} {seven} {eight}

What would you wear with the Scout Rose Calcite necklace?

xoxo

GD Weekly Faves

This week I am reading 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy.. It is a very long book but as I mentioned before, so worth the read!

Listening to Funeral by Arcade Fire.

Wearing this peplum blouse.

Wanting this adorable pom pom beanie... too bad everyone in Orange County is still wearing tank tops. It's just not cold enough!

Watching Last Night, Kye caught me bawling while watching this and laughed at me for days haha.

What are you faves this week?

xoxo

A Cup of Thankful

This week I'm thankful for:

Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to lots of food with family.

Long walks downtown with Reese.

Grocery shopping early in the morning, the grocery stores are empty at 7am! 

Revlon lip butter, I keep talking about these because they are great.

Shopping for my back to work wardrobe.

 What are you thankful for this week?

xoxo

Around Here

               {Walk through downtown Fullerton}                                        {Grumpy Baby}

Lately, life has been a little overwhelming with trying to find the perfect daycare for Reese.

I've been trying to stay sane and keep him calm with the transition but it's getting pretty tough for me now that it's getting closer to go time.

            {Apples, cheese and grapes on the go}                                       {Nails for the week}

The nails are pretty simple to do, I just cut the point off of a tooth pick, dabbed the flattened end in nail polish and stamped it on my finger nail.

                      {Pumpkin streusel muffin}                                                    {Reese' BFF}

What have you been up to lately?

xoxo

Gilded Ages

{mirror} {earrings} {blouse}

{decanter} {dress} {heels}

Gold has been my go to for jewelry and most accessories for years now.

I think it adds a nice pop to most boring outfits and home decor while complimenting all colors nicely.

Which metallic do you prefer?

xoxo

Weekend Favorites

{one} {two} {three} {four} 

{five} {six} {seven} {eight}

I'm really loving lip butters by Revlon, they are so moisturizing and leave the perfect amount of coloring.

I'm loving this scarf and sweater weather we are having! The beginning of Fall was so hot it made summer seem never ending.

I'm also looking for new clothing for Reese because he is going through a growth spurt and I'm trying to dress him more like a little boy and less like a baby. 

Trouble is, he won't keep his accessories on, he thinks socks, hats and shoes are for biting purposes and nothing more.

 

What are your weekend favorites?

xoxo

What to Wear {Vintage Bib Necklace}

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What would you wear with the Vintage Pearl Bib Necklace?

xoxo

GD Faves

This week I am reading The Ellements of Personal Style by Joe Zee. I posted this on my want section last week and finally picked up a copy yesterday for $7 at Barnes and Noble.

Listening to Moon Pix by Cat Power, all songs on this album are amazing.

Wearing a VS Bustier Bra. Now that I'm at the final two months of exclusively breast feeding I can wear cute stuff again with out worrying about going up a size.

Wanting, Revlon Bellini lip gloss. 

Watching, An Education.

What's on your favorites list this week?

xoxo

Jewelry Wishlist

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A Cup of Thankful

This week I am thankful for:

Lunch with family, it's so good seeing them after so long.

Updating my Ipad, I haven't done it since I first received it.

Dancing around to 20's music with Reese and hearing him giggle uncontrollably.

Earth's Best waffles for breakfast, Reese loves these.

Looking forward to going to 85 degree bakery with my brother Friday! (sea salt coffee and cream cheese rolls mmm)

Getting back into the routine of eating healthy (I gained 6 pounds from eating crap! ehm Friday will be an exception)

Finally having a second to do my nails!

What are you thankful for this week?

xoxo

Around Here- With Reese

{More Organic Carrots from the farmer's Market, Reese' Beef Stew}

Every Tuesday is the farmer's market downtown, we went last week and picked up some organic carrots which we loved so I went down and picked up more.

Reese loves stews, when I was pregnant sometimes all I wanted for days was stew or any type of beef and potato meals so I knew he would acquire a certain taste for these types of foods.

I've been making big batches beef and chicken stew specifically to freeze for him for lunches or dinners, he devours these and tries to lick his feeding bowls clean.

{Snow globes and new toys}

Last week I mentioned that Reese loves snow globes, he can stare at them for ever (This particular one is from Target).

I also mentioned in Reese's Wishlist last week that I couldn't help giving Reese one of his Christmas gifts early, he loves it so much, he is constantly playing with it. I do however had to sit near him when he does play with it as the boy learned to climb up on everything and I sometimes catch him trying to stand ON this toy... It's a recipe for a hurt baby and I hate my baby hurt.

{Park bench baby, GD Vintage hand tag}

One of Reese's many favorite things is going to the park to feed the ducks. 

We made a trip yesterday because sleepy head didn't want to wake up in time for his class at Gymboree, I like to make sure that he isn't cooped up all day long inside.

I want to make sure he sees everything just like my parents made sure I did (more on this in a later post)

I also was playing around with hand tag designs for my GD jewelry and vintage shops.

This particular hand tag went out with an order I received from a lovely customer in New Zealand.

What have your days looked like recently?

xoxo

Better with a Sweater

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Wearing thick sweaters and boots are the best things about fall.

Do you have a favorite sweater?

xoxo

Babies and Beauty.

I have been playing around with new beauty products these past couple of months.

I think it has to do with the fact that right after Reese was born I sort of "lost" myself for 6 months.

I was so consumed with being a new mom that I didn't know how to take care of myself and my new baby at the same time.

Eye Shadow:

Covergirl Eye Enhancers: Shimmery Onyx & Taupe (Taupe is my favorite, I use it every day now)

MAC-Pollinator 

 I've actually never been a fan of eyeshadow, but lately I've been really loving it!

Lipstick:

Shiseido- Nuance Rose

Besame Cosmetics- Exotic Pink (It comes in a velvet bag)

Skin Care:

 Garnier-Ultra Lift Anti-wrinkle Eye roller (being a mom gives you wrinkles!)

 Neautrogena- Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser (My favorite, it's hard to find now)

The only items that I'm not liking thus far are the eye shadow in Shimmery Onyx (It's too dark for me) and Besame Lipstick (too bright pink for my complexion)

What new beauty products have you tried recently?

xoxo

Nicole's Christmas Wishlist

{one}-{two}-{three}-{four}-{five}-{six}

{seven}-{eight}-{nine}-{ten}-{eleven}

I'm a pretty simple girl to please. 

The last two years Kye has surprised me with the most amazing gifts, a back massager from Brookstone that puts other machines to shame, a black diamond and white gold necklace, Chanel perfume etc.

He knows my taste like the back of his hand.

This year most of the items I want are from Target, I can't help myself they have the cutest things ever.

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

xoxo

GD Weekly Faves

This week I have been reading 'Orbiting the Giant Hairball' by Gordon Mackenzie.This book somehow got stuck in my giant pile of to buys while at a used bookstore, I think it may have been a sign because I have never, seen, heard or read of this book before but so far it's turning out to be great!

You all should look into this if you are feeling like your creativity is being put on the back burner in order to mold into corporate standards.

Reese also loves when I read bits and pieces to him because he can sit on my lap and look at the pictures.

Listening to Fisherman's Woman, by Emiliana Torrinni. (Today has been ok, Heartstopper and Sunny Road are my favorite songs.)

Wearing this amazing striped shirt! (PS. it's on sale! You're welcome!)

Wanting, 'The Ellements of Personal Style' I flipped through it briefly today while running out of Barnes and Noble with a screaming baby.

Watching Hart of Dixie, I thought it was awful at first but now I'm hooked...

What are your favorites this week?

xoxo

What to Wear {Reese Jasper Bracelet}

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What would you wear with the Reese Bracelet?

xoxo

Baby Reading List

1.{The Cat In The Hat}
2.{On The Night You Were Born}
3.{Green Eggs and Ham}
 4.{The Very Hungry Caterpillar}
5.{Corduroy}
 6.{First Alphabet}
 7.{Little Mouse and the Big Red Apple}
8.{Goodnight Moon}
9.{Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?}
10.{The Tale Of Peter Rabbit}
11.{Where is Baby's Christmas Present}
12.{ABC}
 13.{First Words}
14.{Cars and Trucks and Things That Go}
15.{Where the Wild Things Are}

Reese loves books.

I am so happy that he's a bookworm like his mother.

Sometimes we snuggle in bed with a book and he turns the pages for me. 

I think those will be one of the many favorite memories I'll always have.

Items that didn't make the list:
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Falling Up (This was the first book I ever read to him when he was three days old)
A Series of Unfortunate Events (we have them all and love them.)

If you have children, what is on their reading list?
 
xoxo

A Cup of Thankful

This week I am thankful for:

Getting to sleep in one day while Kye woke up at 6am to play with Reese.

Making more home made pumpkin puree for numerous recipes.

Eye wrinkly cream ;) yes, even though I am only 24 I want to make sure that I do not get any, ever. ha

Wandering around Target for 2 hours while sipping a gingerbread latte from Starbucks. (It's the simple things people)

Snow globes, Reese loves them!

Slobbery kisses from my stinky baby.

Christmas shopping for gifts and decorations.

What are you thankful for this week?

xoxo

Today has been ok.

Reese woke me up at 6am yesterday morning. Ever since the time change he is going to bed early (5pm!) and waking up at 5 or 6am. 

Don't mind my chipped nail polish and non- made up face it was too early and I haven't had time to do my nails.

When the boy goes down for a nap I get to unwind with yoga and sit on the couch eating popcorn like a chubber.

After Reese woke up we had lunch, I had an english muffin with chicken breast, spinach, avocado and extra sharp cheddar cheese.

Reese had a spinach, pea and pear puree and not pictured, chicken breast chunks.

(The boy was hungry and did not appreciate me taking pictures of his food.)

Later that evening we took a walk to the downtown farmer's market with Kye.

They were putting up the Christmas decorations! Everything looked amazing.

We were so hungry after the farmer's market we went down to Ferrell's where we had amazing burgers and ice cream nachos ;)

(Look at the cute face!!) 

We didn't pick up much at the farmer's market, this time around we grabbed organic carrots (how cute are they!) for a stew I will be making tomorrow, bun cakes (sooooo good! I get these every time) and honey.

How did you spend your Tuesday?

xoxo

Reese' Wishlist

{one}-{two}-{three}-{four}-{five}

{six}-{seven}-{eight}-{nine}-{ten}

It's going to be Reese' first Christmas (aka Crispmas) and I want to make sure that he gets everything and more.

Even if he won't remember a thing, all the details need to be amazing for my sweet little boy.

The problem is, I have a tendency to go out and buy these things (item number two for example) and give them to him instead of saving them for the big day.

I just can't resist seeing his excited curious face!

What is on your Christmas wishlist??

xoxo

Polka Dot City

1.{Blouse} 2.{Heel} 3.{Sweater} 4.{Vase} 5.{Tights} 6.{Dress}

I love polka dots almost as much as I love stripes.. almost...

xoxo

Weekend Favorites

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{five} six {seven} eight

This weekend was extremely uneventful, we spend both days sleeping in and doing regular every day things like grocery shopping, shopping, cooking and watching movies.

I think we really needed a couple of days to be lazy and spending time with our son. 

Not to mention we spent every meal at the dinner table, which I really love and I know Reese does too (when he isn't flinging food at us).

I'm really enjoying these last couple of months of being able to see Reese all day everyday before January rolls around and I have to spend 11 hours a day away from him :(

..........

I pulled together some items that I fell in love with while at the mall (how could I resist... it's right across the street from the grocery store..)

The hair brush is my new fave!  I really recommed it to you all! I have the most ridiculous hair that can't ever decide between curly or straight so most times its a frizz ball and this brush makes it smooth and wavy as I'm sure it may have been intended to be.

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

GD Faves

This week I've been reading, 'Big Sur and the Oranges of Heironymus Bosch' by Henry Miller.
Listening to Wheat's album Hope and Adams,
Wearing fancy pony tail holders that Reese likes to yank out of my hair when I'm not looking.
Wanting black studded boot.
Watching Easy Virtue.

What are you faves this week?

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Around Here

Florescent gummy bears from here

Sitting like a pile of lazy bones in the backseat on the long drive home from the valley.

Halloween table set up

What every room now looks like around here...

xoxo

What to Wear {Three Quartz Gypsy Necklace}

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{five} {six} {seven} {eight}

xoxo