And lucky for me, classes begin today.
And since it is my twenty first, I’m including a link for my Lilly Pulitzer shot glasses tutorial.
xoxox
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!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
#haverhillpartner
We got a mama-approved family photo of the four of us 👏🏻 I wasn’t really paying attention to our calendar while in the end of pregnancy/newborn bubble and realized quite late that Jack had some time off from daycare and preschool this week. Mike and I quickly decided to book a last minute trip to Florida to visit my family and enjoy the warm weather ☀️
Happy Birthday! My 21st is Sunday(Sept. 5)! I will drink a shot to you Miss Prepster! 🙂
Happy Birthday!!! What a bummer to fall the day before classes start! Have fun anyway!!!
Happy birthday, Carly! I love your blog and am always excited when you have posted something new! Thank you for this California girl that I can dress preppy even if my friends don't approve or "get it". You seem like an extremely kind, bubbly, smart, and classy person. I'm still in high school and all my friends dress in a let's say trashy manner. I am the only one at school dressed preppy but I am confident now that I look fantastic thanks to your blog which has taught me to be confident and to not let the "haters" bother me. Thank you so much for being a positive influence even though I have never met. Happy 21st! 🙂
Typo…should say "Thank you for showing this California girl…."
Happy 21st Birthday!! I hope it is a great one! And from someone who has had a few birthdays after the big 2-1, know that it most definitely isn't the last fun birthday.
Happy birthday! I LOVED my 21st- celebrated with my Bestie and we had the best time. Live it up in Georgetown! And while it is not the last fun birthday, it is absolutely the MOST fun birthday. Cheers!
oh girl… yesterday was my 25th birthday…. it's still fun!
jordan
http://www.queenofla.blogspot.com
Dear Carly, i'm italian girl and i descover your blog few days ago. this is my favourite blog, it's so classy…I like very much your kindness and you are very pretty! Congratulations for your blog and I say to you happy birthday in italian
Tantissimi auguri di buon compleanno!!!
Valentina
[email protected]
A very happy birthday to you!!! Hope you get to do something fun and special. Good luck for a great semester on the hilltop! I can't wait to hit up some Gtown shopping. Enjoy your day and I am sending wishes for many more bdays to come.
Michele (Jason's mom)
Wish his room would look like yours!!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Now you can say you are "a twentysomething"… how posh 😉
Happy Birthday Carly!!! I hope you have a great day!!!!!
Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day and a great first day of classes! 🙂
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaappy!
kHm
Happy Biirthday! 🙂
happy birthday, mine is on saturday!
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!! I have just found your blog, and what a surprise!! Of course, I follow you, your blog its so cute!
Happy Birthday, honey! In our family, the girls received a pearl necklace from my parents on our 21st birthday. Wishing you a WONDERFUL day filled with love, friends, cake, champagne, and presents. My b-day is 4 days before Christmas and I recall that I had a final and then drove home (6 hours) for the holidays and celebrated with champagne once I got there.
@Cam, good for you for remaining true to your own sense of style. My prep school motto was "Dare to be true," so you may want to adopt it as your own.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy birthday! Best of luck with all of your new classes as well. 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL! Hope it is AMAZING! xoxo
Happy Birthday! I hope it is absolutely FABULOUS!
P.S. I love the shot glasses! Good luck with your classes today!
happy birthday!
Happy, Happy Birthday Carly!!!
Betsy
Happy birthday girl, be sure to save something fun for after classes!
Happy Birthday! I absolutely love your blog. I am originally from Fairfax, VA but I love the Georgetown area, such a great school.
Happy, happy, happy birthday to a sweetheart!
Happy Birthday! 21 is a big milestone, for reasons other than being able to purchase and consume alcohol legally! Have fun…and don't worry I'm 27 and I've had many "fun" birthday's post the 21st! Fun times do exist after 21!
Happy Birthday! I'm sure you will have a blast celebrating and good luck on your first day of classes! xoxox
Happy birthday, Sweetie! Have a great day. And trust me, you'll have a LOT more fun birthdays after this one!
Happy happy birthday to you! Enjoy every minute!!
Happy Birthday! Have a great day!
Happy Birthday, College Prep!
Happy 21!! I hit that mark in 7 days! Woot!
Happy Birthday Carly! I hope you have a great day! And although I'm younger than you, I bet you'll have plenty more "fun" birthdays! After all, it seems like you have a pretty fun life, so that would just fit! Again, happy birthday! Love your blog! OoXx The Sailor in Pink
Happy Birthday Carly!
You are in a wonderful place to celebrate your 21. I remember mine took 5 nights to celebrate – starting in Adams Morgan and then ending in Georgetown.
Hope you're doing something fun!
I just turned 30 and I think it was my best bday yet! Went on a trip with 2 of my college friends and they threw me a surprise party! You have many fun days to come! Happy Bday!
happy birthday!!! love your blog
I am SOOOOO SAD I missed your 21st! Happy Birthday! I may not "know" you, but I LOVE your blog, and feel like I do….
And it is JUST the beginning…I celebrated my 25th not that long ago…
Happu birthday sooorrry just a little belated but better late than never right…..
Just found your adorable blog today. Happy late birthday!