our favorite things {for the new mama}

New moms have to adjust to 9 months of their body changing and growing, and once their child is born, their lives are turned upside down {in a good way} with diapers, sleepless nights, milk and baby talk…and the endless joy and unconditional love that miraculous babies bring.

All moms ~ pregnant and post-birth, moms of one, two or three or more children and moms of children of every age ~ DESERVE to be pampered. They dedicate their lives to their families and deserve to be given a little something special this holiday season…and always.

We put together a list of sweet gifts for the pregnant mom and new mom that is sure to bring a smile to their face…and their tiny tots too.

All products have been given my highest stamp of approval because I received these items as a new mom and absolutely LOVED them all!

1. Hanky Panky Lace Thong, Nordstrom, prices vary but range from $18-23 per pair: Comfortable, pretty, no pesky underwear lines and wearable even with 50lbs of baby weight because it’s one size fits all. Gotta love it…I know I do, whether I’m preggo or not.
2. Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth, Jenny McCarthy, Amazon.com, $10.98: This book will make her laugh and give her an honest and hilarious insight into the changes a preggo mama goes through. Read an excerpt here.
3.  Mama Mio Tummy Rub, Amazon.com, $35: She will love to massage this on her belly to try to prevent stretch marks as her belly grows, but will come to love the routine of massaging and rubbing her sweet baby bump daily.
4. My Very Own Name, I See Me Personalized Children’s Books, $29.95: Animals bring letters one by one to spell out your child’s name in rhyme. This is a gift that will keep on giving. You can personalize the mom to be’s child when he/she is born or personalize for a big brother or big sister. I LOVE this book and so do my kids!  
5. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag, Petunia Pickle Bottom, prices vary: The new mom will stay fashionable with her designer diaper bag that fits all her new baby needs.  
Check back here tomorrow for our wonderful giveaway and how to enter. It’s a good one you won’t want to miss.

{images via Nordstrom, I See Me, Amazon and Petunia Pickle Bottom}

totally totes

If you have guests traveling to your wedding, it’s a nice gesture to surprise them with a “welcome bag” upon arrival to their hotel. You can get creative with these and make them unique to you and your fiance, the city where you live or the place your going to say “I do.”

We have some fabulous ideas below with adorable totes {that would work for any city you’re getting married in} that I want to buy for myself!

If you’re from NYC, treat your guests to a copy of The New York times, along with black and white cookies from the Black and White Cookie Company and don’t forget a sugary snack from Dylan’s Candy Bar. This To Have and To Hold Tote, from Melangerie Inc. is the perfect bag to hold your items.

If you have roots in Chicago, fill this Custom Map Tote from Map Tote with samples of the famous Garrett’s Popcorn, travel-size Frango mints and a match box from your favorite Chicago-area restaurant.

P.S. All of us Colorado folk have to wait for our state to be represented…until then, this west coast tote will do just fine.  

And, if you’re from the Rocky Mountains {or getting married in the mountains}, pack your welcome bag with goodies like Mountain Man’s Purple Mountain Majesty nut and fruit mix, bags of Boulder Chips, Coors or Fat Tire beer, Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea and all the essentials needed for the “morning after” a big party {and the high altitude} – a custom-made water bottle filled with Advil and Emergen-C.  

The PERFECT bag for all these local favorites…a tote from The Wedding Chicks with the phrase Love…at a Mile High. My BFF Shannon and her hubby Bryan came up with this idea for their guests attending their Denver wedding…and I love it. Here’s Shannon sporting the tote on her honeymoon. Looks good on you girl!

Another cute idea for a Rocky Mountain wedding is to fill straw cowboy hats with custom gifts. Guests at Katie and Chips wedding, in Beaver Creek, Colorado, enjoyed “ear snacks,” which were the couple’s favorite songs saved to a USB drive, water and snacks, along with a welcome letter and activity guide. Guests wore their hats for the rehearsal – so cute!

{images via Melangerie Inc., Map Tote, The Wedding Chicks and Liz Banfield}

another anniversary to note

I’ve been celebrating another anniversary this past week…a special one that comes once a year…the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Next season on sale NOW. Gotta love that, especially at a place like Nordstrom where the word “sale” does not often appear.

I’m a total Nordy’s girl, so I’ve been scoping out the sale online and in the stores. Here’s the {reasonable} things I’ve been eyeing. The {unreasonable…or in other words, way out of my budget} items is a whole different post, but believe me, I have some noted.

If you haven’t already been, make yourself a hot date at Nordy’s and go NOW. You deserve it. Items will go back to their original prices August 1.

Happy shopping.

Steve Madden Miidori Buckles Boot, $129.90

Vince Camuto Jerrell Bootie, $89.90

Vince Camuto Zisson Sandal, $89.90

Cara Wide Chevron Bracelet, $57.90

Halogen Back Button Drape Sweater, $45.90

Jolt Black Wash Pull on Skinny Jeans, $29.90

Caslon Button Front Hooded Poncho, $58.90

Julie Dillon Ruffle Bodice Georgette Dress, $118.90

Halogen Military Satchel, $164

{images via Nordstrom}

googoo gaga balenciaga

Fashion Fridays! Check our blog every Friday for fabulous fashionista tips …

After shopping in New York recently, I fell in love with gorgeous leather Balenciaga bags at all the fabulous NY stores – so sheek, so colorful, so fresh, and so under-appreciated. I never see anyone carry Balenciaga bags around town – they are very rare amongst the sea of many other designer handbags I see on our shoulders and arms every day. These bags can be classic and understated to complement your outfit, or stand out as your outfit’s pop of color. They are comfortable to wear on your shoulder or stylishly on your forearm. I love that they are simple, yet eye-catching, and don’t have a dominant brand logo anywhere. I think the gold plated spokes are just fabulous too!

You can purchase oringinal Balenciaga bags at select retailers around the country, but I suggest Balenciaga directly on their website or Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan. Of course I love the original from the designer (shown as the top 2 bags) which start at around $1800, but if that is not in your budget, you can find a perfect look-a-like at Fleur de Lis (shown as the bottom 3 bags) for $62.

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{images via Fleur de lis, balenciaga.com, shoppingandinfo.com, pursepage.com}