What a wonderful trip to Tampa! I try to get down there as much as I can and this trip was extra special since it overlapped with our family friend’s trip. The only downside was that the weather was a little iffy (rainy and then cold) almost the whole time. It truly didn’t feel like Tampa, which may have made it feel even more like a vacation.
There is nothing quite like Bayshore Boulevard. It’s the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. Even on a grey day, it’s still beautiful.
I met up with my friend Brittney for lunch at Bartaco. It’s one of my favorite restaurants here in Connecticut and I love that they opened up in Hyde Park recently. It’s been pretty cool to see Hyde Park go through a revitalization. So many more shops (vineyard vines! kendra scott! sprinkles cupcakes!) are on the way too.
It was pouring rain while we ate and the skies cleared for a few minutes thankfully as we were walking back to our cars. Braids are necessary when the humidity is 100%!
I hadn’t had a pedicure in months and popped into Crave for a quick manicure/pedicure and decided to get my hair blown out too. It’s amazing in there. So relaxing and comfortable.
Our family friends the Driscolls came in later in the afternoon and after taking family photos, we went out for dinner. (And met up with Stacy’s boyfriend hehe!)
And then Monday we literally shopped. all. day. long. It was so much fun and we lost track of time completely.
The bougainvillea was in full bloom all around town. Couldn’t get enough.
Stacy took the day off of work and that made it even more fun. She’s basically killing it at work but I don’t get to see her nearly enough!
The Driscolls left for Marco Island on Tuesday and I was heading back on Wednesday. My mom and I squeezed in as much time together as we could. A few more trips to Oxford Exchange and lunches!
Comfortably eating outside in Tampa is a rarity. The weather was cool enough to enjoy lunch outside and it felt so amazing!
Must be so nice to have time to spend with family! I live pretty far away from mine as well, and I can't wait to get out of this weather and go down to Georgia to see them! It looks like you had a lovely time.
I had a chance to visit only a small portion of tampa for a collage visit trip and came across the Oxford Exchange! By far one of the cutest "one-stop-shop" i've been to!
I have been calling myself a Chill Mom™️ since having Jack and now I’m realizing that I’m even chiller with Rory. (Like is birth order really less about sibling order and more about the version of mom you’re born to?) I’ve been just rolling with Rory’s infancy and I’m so much happier. Maybe it’s just that I’m more tired with a toddler too, or know that it’s going to go by so fast, or just have more confidence… probably a combination. I feel less obsessive and less stressed out by the details. I’m “making it” without having to fake it. As an example, today I noticed I hadn’t tracked a single nap- just watching sleepy cues and trying to get to a “good enough” pattern as Rory’s naps consolidate. Is he following a ~perfect~ nap schedule? No. Are we thriving? Frankly, yes!
(If you want to read my original Chill Mom post, comment “chill mom” and l’ll send it to you via DM!)
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
I'm in love with the pom pom top! I had already seen it on your IG and now I'm pretty much obsessed with it 😉
http://memoriesofthepacific.blogspot.com.es/
I ate at Bartaco on Monday myself in Nashville! Absolutely love that place and wishing there was one closer to home. So cute and so delicious!
Sounds like such a fun trip! I love the dress you bought at Lilly!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Love your shirtdress. Amazing outfit.
Maria
http://skincareof.com/
Must be so nice to have time to spend with family! I live pretty far away from mine as well, and I can't wait to get out of this weather and go down to Georgia to see them! It looks like you had a lovely time.
xo, Rowan | rowanmorrissy.com
Such cute photos!
Her Heartland Soul
herheartlandsoul.com
I had a chance to visit only a small portion of tampa for a collage visit trip and came across the Oxford Exchange! By far one of the cutest "one-stop-shop" i've been to!
-Jillian
http://www.fabulouslyfloridian.blogspot.com