I don’t think a week has ever gone by so fast. I flew to Tampa from NYC on Saturday, blinked, and returned on Friday. Flights are always expensive, but especially so this time of year, so I had to fly late on Saturday and early on Friday so I feel like I got shortchanged a bit. Boo!)
Sometimes I feel a little left out because I live so far away. It was, of course, my choice to go to a school out of state and it is my choice to live in NYC, but I can’t help the family FOMO. My sister graduated college in May and moved into an awesome apartment a stone’s throw away from my parent’s house. Whenever I see snaps or Instagrams of my sister at “home” (aka my parent’s house), I feel very far away.
It was so nice being home and having dinner as a family of four like we always do. I definitely had a lot of fun, but it was really TEDDY who had a blast. It was the sweetest thing to see how much fun he had. Everyone was a little shocked to see his haircut (in case you’re wondering, we had to shave him because the cone he had to wear really matted his hair), but found out in about two seconds that he’s exactly the same dog!
Some a lot of highlights from the week:
On Saturday night, my whole family went out to dinner. I was kind of nervous about leaving Teddy in the big house alone because we have two cats and there’s a lot of trouble to get into. Lo and behold, we walk up to the front door and find him patiently waiting on the stairs. So, so cute.
Luckily, with four people in the house, there was ALWAYS someone to play with. The best part though? Being able to let him out in the morning without bundling up or even putting a leash on him. Just open the back door!!! I can’t tell you how luxurious that felt for me!
My mom brought doughnuts one morning and we would enjoy peppermint mochas every afternoon. More peppermint mochas than I could count actually…. so good! And even more cookies. One of the best/worst parts of having a mom who bakes a lot.
^^In case you’re wondering, we’re not driving here! Just in the parking lot of Starbucks enjoying our sippy-sue.
It’s a tradition to have tea the day before Thanksgiving. Normally we do a traditional tea room, but this year we wanted to do an actual lunch. We went to Oxford Exchange, which has to be the best part of Tampa right now. It’s amazing.
My mom and sister are too cute. Both will be making bigger appearances on my blog later this week… woo woo! I’m also excited because they’re coming to NYC this weekend!!!
Thanksgiving tickets are the best to use mileage on! This weekend I reunited with my high school friends, which was really nice since I'm a freshman in college. Omg those donuts look delicious! I had some of the best food I've eaten in awhile (blehh college dining hall food). Teddy's head looks so big and fluffy in that last photo–adorable! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
The photo of Teddy waiting on the stairs is too precious! That's awesome that your mom and sister can visit so soon after you went to see them. Can't wait to see photos of their trip 🙂
It looks like your trip was so lovely. I love your tradition of having tea the day before Thanksgiving. I love having high tea with the women in my family, it's the perfect girls day activity I think!
Your family is so stylish! The holidays are always my favorite time of year because we all come together and spend some quality time together. It's so great that you got to bring Teddy along too 🙂
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!
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 ☀️
Thanksgiving tickets are the best to use mileage on! This weekend I reunited with my high school friends, which was really nice since I'm a freshman in college. Omg those donuts look delicious! I had some of the best food I've eaten in awhile (blehh college dining hall food). Teddy's head looks so big and fluffy in that last photo–adorable! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Teddy seems like such a little gem! He must be so cold in New York without all his fur!
Good to see you had a great time with family!
Kayla
Your mother and sister are so cute! I can't wait to see what you three are up to later this week
Alyssa J Freitas
looks like a fun and happy trip home! 🙂
The photo of Teddy waiting on the stairs is too precious! That's awesome that your mom and sister can visit so soon after you went to see them. Can't wait to see photos of their trip 🙂
Sarah
Sweet Spontaneity
It looks like you had a wonderful trip home!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
It looks like your trip was so lovely. I love your tradition of having tea the day before Thanksgiving. I love having high tea with the women in my family, it's the perfect girls day activity I think!
Looks like you had a lot of fun!
Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
I was born in Tampa! Were you?
http://www.raybanstorodeos.com
Teddy is the cutest, no matter how much fur he has! Also, your whole family has such a great sense of style!
This!
oh no, why did Teddy have to wear a cone? He must've been in it for a long time if his fur became matted.
He got neutered… He only wore the cone a few days, but it was so dry out and the plastic made his hair SUPER staticky. It was a mess!
Your family is so stylish! The holidays are always my favorite time of year because we all come together and spend some quality time together. It's so great that you got to bring Teddy along too 🙂
XO, Chekara | shadesofchekara.com