Cotton Candy

Outfit Details:

F21 Cardigan (similar)

F21 Skinny Jeans

Loft Long Pink Necklace

Loft Pink Gem Earrings

Loft Tank Top

Aldo Embellished Flats 

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful

Every year, I buy a winter coat--that seems to always stay in my car or closet. I never liked wearing a coat because it always hid my outfit! Granted it didn't effect me greatly since I was in California. But now, staying warm throughout these cold months is especially important to me, as keeping baby and I away from sickness is critical to my sanity. Here are 10 chic ways to keep warm this season.

I don't think I need to say this but fur is the best way to stay warm--every winter. But as an animal lover, I prefer to go the faux fur route. Imposter provides a practical example of how to build the humane economy-- where business ventures are married with animal protection values and great style. I love these earmuffs!

Infinity scarves are the season's savior! A good knit infinity scarf can take a girl very far in frigid temps.

Not having a long cardigan in your wardrobe would be Scandal-ous this season. Soon to be mommy, Kerry Washington, keeps snug in an Olivia Pope-approved white long cardigan.
Side note: I can't wait for the season to return this February.

Angora and cashmere sweaters are essentials pieces to keep you warm this season. Not only are they cozy--they look luxurious. A bright color for some reason always tricks my mind into thinking it's a tad warmer out.

Perfect for cold weather, these winter boots have textured rubber outsoles for great traction and shearling insoles to keep your little piggies toasty.

A puffy vest can be a warm alternative to a heavy jacket. 

Sheltering your head and ears are the best ways to keep from catching a nasty cold--and a great way to vamp up your ootd. A knitted turban adds a recommended dose of chic to any winter look.

Kim and Lala look FAB in different lengthed leather motorcycle jackets. 

These Chipahko Wool Sorel boots make me want to book an Aspen trip and I don't even ski!

How else can you stay warm this winter? Cuddle up with your dog. Makes me think about my dog--Precious (R.I.P. pooh bear).
Do you have any suggestions or additional ways to keep fabulously warm? Do tell.

Raising an All Natural Baby

When I found out I was pregnant, my brain went into overload. Thoughts ran through my mind at what felt like 1000mph. Ideations of baby names, outfits, nurseries, showers--you know the superficial stuff. As I drew closer to my delivery date, I began to peruse the more important questions. I read up on parenting skills, baby sign language, baby safety and LOTS of product reviews. Somewhere in between baby coos and stroller reviews, I decided I wanted to use all-natural products on my LO. Then an even more extensive research began. A slew of acronyms (DEA, MEA, TEA) and scientific words were adopted into my vocabulary. Here are a few products I swear by--that are safe for your most precious cargo.

Rainbow products, Baby Oh Baby Body Wash

The scent leaves you wanting to eat your baby even more than you do now. It's 

made with nature's finest ingredients-Borage Oil, Shea Butter, Organically grown herbs, Vitamins, and Essential Oils.Animal Free, NO Colors, Dyes, Petroleum or Mineral Oil. I also use it for my diy baby wipes.

Earth Mama Baby Angel

The nipple cream and mama bottom spray (I had an epitome) were my first purchases from this line. I loved that the nipple cream didn't leave my nipples with a "clogged/blocked feeling for lack of a better word (as oppose to the Lansinoh the hospital gave me). I also loved that the mama bottom spray could be used as a toner as well (score). So I had to go back and purchase the baby bottom balm. The Earth Mama, Angel Baby line is:100% Organically Preserved, Clinically tested, Hypoallergenic, No Artificial, Fragrances or Dyes, Cruelty-Free, Toxin-Free, Certified Vegan.

Weleda Baby
My first all natural baby product purchase was a travel size baby kit from Weleda . I immediately fell in love with the calendula oil. The scent was amazing and the oil hydrated my little man's skin nicely. The diaper cream goes on fine and I like that it's not too thick so it can be used with cloth diapers. I use it as a rash preventative at bedtime so I don't know if it gets rid of existing rashes well. When I looked over the list of ingredients I didn't find one unpronounceable synthetic compound or one toxic chemical. Just flowers and herbs, fruit extracts. Clays, roots and minerals.

Spectrum Unrefined Coconut Oil

I wrote about the ways I personally use coconut oil in a previous post. Coconut oil has many benefits for your baby. I use it as:

•  an everyday lotion
•  infant massage oil
• cradle cap treatment
• to soothe irritated nipples (before I discovered Earth Mama)
• During the first few newborn diaper changes to help remove the sticky meconium 
• to increase my milk supply

Corn Starch

My doctor forbade me from using any of the numerous bottles of baby powder I received at the baby shower. And after learning about the dangers of talc inhalation for babies I concurred. On my search of the perfect diaper care product I learned corn starch was the best substitute. I dumped out the baby powder from a travel size container and refilled it with corn starch and viola!

Tot Bots Cloth Diaper

I am a huge fan of cloth diapers! But have to be honest and say I also use disposable ones as well (from The Honest Company-they're just so cute!). Cloth diapers require more work than the comparative disposable diapers but they are a lot safer. Disposable diapers contain lots of chemicals that have proven to be carcinogenic. Besides them being healthier for baby and the environment, cloth diapers are waaay cheaper than disposables. I mainly bought the Tot Bots cloth diaper (pictured above) because  the fabric was soft and fluffy and cuter than other cloth diapers. 

Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack

I primarily breast feed but have tote loads of bottles courtesy of my mother. I began to give them away but then decided to keep a few to bottle train him so my family members can feed him. The Boon Grass Drying Rack is just a cool way to present the bottles and pacifiers that are all over your countertop. 

I got a lot of his toys second hand from a semi-annual rummage sale in town. I struck GOLD! I bought brand new Baby Einstein and Lamaze toys and DVDs as well as stuffed animals. Being that they were second hand, I didn't know how they were previously handled, so cleaning them was crucial to me. I machine washed the stuffed animals with Dreft (smelled so good I had to talk myself out of sleeping with them). The hard toys I washed with a vinegar and water mixture. 

Maty's All Natural Baby Chest Rub

I haven't had to use this yet (fingers crossed) but read many great reviews. It's list of all natural ingredients work as a great combat to congestion. Put a dollip of Maty's All Natural Baby Chest Rub on baby's chest and feet and after one night his/her congestion will seem sooo much better. It has a milder, but still effective, scent that isn't overwhelming.

Product Review: Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub

In this post I share my product review of Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub. I never heard of the line but love a good body scrub, and I bought it on a whim at T. J. Maxx for $5. Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub removes the surface of dry skin cells and leaves skin feeling supple and revitalized. The scent is deliciously cozy! In fact, I smell it right now as I'm writing this post. The scrub is not too abrasive (as oppose to salt scrubs) which is best for my sensitive skin.  I like to exfoliate at least once a week, targeting my knees, elbows, legs, heels and my bum. It leaves me as smooth as a baby's bottom-no pun intended lol. 

Why Is Exfoliation Important?

Exfoliation is considered one of the most important techniques that you can perform on your skin to resolve certain skin problems as well as to achieve healthy and glowing skin.

How Do I Know If I Need To Exfoliate?

A simple test you can do at home to see if you have surface dry skin cells on your skin is to take a piece of clear tape and apply it to the forehead. Rub it gently and remove. Look at the tape, and if there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you need to exfoliate!

What Skin Care Problems Does Exfoliation Resolve?

Blemished skin

Post Breakout Red/Dark Marks

Clogged Pores

Hyperpigmentation

Dry Skin

Those who desire smoother skin

Those concerned with anti-aging

Any Given Chambray

My son and I attended a high school basketball game yesterday and I was amazed at how entertained he was. He sat on my lap and watched the game intently (as much as a 2 month old can lol). I played the sport on a collegiate level and his father was a high school phenom, so maybe--just maybe, it will be something that he's not only interested in--but great at. I love wondering what he will be like as a human being. What his likes and dislikes will be. What will matter to him most in his lifetime? What will bring him the sweetest joy (which is undeniably me at this point lol). We had fun and he enjoyed being passed around to the beautiful women in the bleachers and all the compliments his little outfit brought our way. 

Outfit Details:

Forever21 Boyfriend Cardigan

Love The Classic Tank Top (sold out)

7 For All Mankind Jeans (similar)

Michael Kors Rose-Gold Tone Watch, 43mm

Baby:

Baby Gap Lined Chambray Shirt

Baby Gap Knit Waist Corduroy Pants

Spend the Holidays in Ralph Lauren-Pint Sized Edition

Ralph Lauren has done it again! With rich textures such as  velvet, his infamous plaid and different hues of red, there's lots to choose from when putting together a look for your little one this holiday. 

I had to end with the dogs! They are just as adorable as RL's kiddie models. And the whole family needs to get dressed up for holiday dinners right?