Maxi Dress Flashback

Dress, Ali Ro (similar--and on sale cheeeeap!--here); sunnies, Mezzmer; necklace, Pamela Love; clutch, Clare Vivier; rings, Mark (similar here); shoes, Christian Louboutin (similar here and here)

 Nail strips, OPI (similar here); clutch, Clare Vivier; rings, Mark (similar here). Photos by Brad Kolsky

I recently found these pictures lurking in iPhoto. They were actually taken at the end of last summer, but I totally forgot to post them. (D'oh.) It's funny to look back on them now. I'm actually about five weeks pregnant here, but no one except for my husband knew yet. Little Nate was just our little secret back then. 

It's also a reminder of just how much I love a good maxi dress. With my pre-preggo jeans still not happening thanks to some definite lingering baby weight (ugh), maxis--and their oh-so-forgiving waistlines--are fast becoming my summer uniform. I just ordered a few this week (I bought this one, this one, and this one) and plan to basically live in them for the next two or three months. Or at least until those jeans fit.

Are you a maxi lover too? Or do you have a different summer uniform? Do tell!

Awww...

Greg and two-day-old Nate

Just a quick post to say a belated "Happy Father's Day" to my husband, Greg. As we are still getting used to two kids (and Greg had to leave last night on a less-than-24 hours business trip to Dublin), Father's Day was low-key this year. Daddy enjoyed a private BBQ with his daughter on the back porch, a cake-mix cake (complete with Sadie's specialty: a handful of sprinkles dumped in the center), and a glorious 30 minutes to himself to watch Veep while I toted both kids to the grocery store. Oh, and of course a homemade card covered in crayon scribble and Princess stickers. What could be better?

Happy Father's Day, Greg. We love you!
(...and Sadie and Nate!)

Sparkly Reads

via Pinterest

Are you guys up to anything fun this weekend? I'm having a pre-move garage sale with my friend and neighbor Amy! (Got any tips for me?? I have no idea how to price anything--eek!) And wish me luck with the weather. It looks like it's going to be sunny and nice on Sunday, so my fingers are crossed for a good turnout. Today though? Not so much. Right now, we're dealing with some not-so-lovely rain, so stay inside, snuggle up with a latte, and check out a few things I've read (and loved) lately.

• These two sisters have a seriously amazing, next-level knack for layering necklaces. I'm in awe.

• DIY. Gold. Cat. Magnets. 'Nuff said.

• How gorgeous is this Lulu Frost for J.Crew necklace? Want, want, WANT.

• This past weekend, I had my first caipirinha (a Brazilian cocktail made with muddled lime, sugar, and cachaca). It was a Strawberry Basil version and it was INSANELY delicious. Here's a recipe. (QUESTION: Would anyone be into seeing a DIY for making these caipirinhas here on the blog?)

• As you may have heard, there's currently a Cronut (croissant/donut hybrid) craze in NYC. My friend Dawn skipped the lines and made a DIY Cronut that looks pretty great. 

• This photo of Cara Delevingne is utter perfection. OMG. 

• And in case you missed these recent posts, I shared some ways to look gorgeous this summer without splurging...and introduced Baby Nate!

Look Gorgeous This Summer Without Splurging

From left: Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in  Marquee Moon, MAC Nail Lacquer in Originality, Nars Nail Polish in Space Odyssey, OPI Nail Lacquer in Goldeneye

I love shopping. And new stuff. And (duh!) beauty products. But with a few recent major expenses, I've had to tighten the ol' Hermes belt a bit. (But who hasn't had to, right?) Luckily, looking good this summer, doesn't always have to cost a thing. For this post, I've partnered with State Farm to bring you a few summer savings tips. Read on for five of my favorite little tricks for giving new life to the beauty products you already own, so you can look gorg--without spending a penny.

1. Fix a chipped manicure in seconds. Is there anything worse than spending $10 on a manicure only to chip it an hour later while digging for your keys? My go-to tip for quickly hiding the flaw: I grab a favorite glitter polish (any will do) and paint a quick, sloppy coat right on top of my current color. (No need to be slow and exact--glitter polish by nature has an imperfect finish.) Not only will this look cool and sparkly, but the glitter coat will instantly camouflage any damage you've done.

2. Fake a new fragrance. I'm the kind of person who tends to stick to the same few scents for years, but still, I always get seduced by the siren song of new releases. If that's you, try appeasing that craving by layering two perfumes you already own. Mally Roncal, one of my very favorite makeup artists--and people!--recently Instagrammed about her own beloved mix: Two spritzes of Bobbi Brown Beach plus one of Kai Eau de Parfum. (Sounds sexy, tropical, and pretty darn amazing to me!)

3. DIY a summer foundation. I always hear about these mythical people changing up their foundations with the seasons. But to be honest, I pretty much always use the same stuff year round. I mean, once I find one I like (and one that matches my skin!), I hate to switch. That said, there are some days (like if it's crazy hot out or if miracles happen and I'm having a good skin day) when I want something sheerer and more lightweight. So I make my own. I take my regular foundation and mix it with a few squirts of my daily SPF 50 moisturizer. It's your own foundation--summer-fied, and it couldn't be easier. 

4. Use eyeshadow as liner. I'm an eyeliner addict, but here's a secret: Eyeshadow does the job, too. If you want to try a new liner color (or have worn your pencil down to the nub) and don't want to spring for a new one, try using a small angled brush to trace on a similar shade of shadow that you already have. (I bet you have tons of colors lurking in gift-with-purchase palettes that you never use...) Applied dry it gives a soft, smoky effect; wetting the brush first intensifies the look.

5. Reinvent your jewelry. I love, love, love jewelry. (This Baublebar necklace is next on my shopping list. How amazing and utterly Lulu-Frost-esque is it?!) But for those moments you just can't splurge, transform one of your old rhinestone necklaces (or a cheapie eBay- or junk store find) with nail polish. Here's how.

OK, now it's your turn: What are some of your favorite ways to get more out of the beauty products you already own and to save $$? I'd love to get a list going in the comments below. Please share!

There to help you. That's getting to a better state.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.

It's a Boy!

Well, heeee's here! Meet Nate (or as we can't help calling him: "Naters")--my sweet baby boy who was born just three weeks ago. I was lucky in that the birth was easy (yes, easy) and that my little guy is just perfect. Since you all were along with me for the entire ride, I wanted to be sure to share a few photos of my new love. I'll be posting more here periodically, but for the full baby-pic experience, definitely follow me on Instagram. 

So, what do you think of this little guy? I know I'm biased, but he's pretty darn precious, no?! 

5 Great Maxi Dresses for Day

From left: Gap (on major sale!), Rachel Pally (on sale!), Splendid, Calvin Klein,  Heather

Now that it's getting warmer (and I'm days away from dropping about 30 pounds!), I've finally started thinking about new clothes. Specifically maxi dresses. I love, love, love living in a maxi in the spring/summer, but here's the thing: Honestly, a lot of them make me feel a bit self-conscious during the day when in the city. I mean, if I'm walking around running errands in a long, floral-patterned, strapless or spaghetti-strapped dress, I always feel a bit like I should be on an island beach, not a sidewalk. (Am I in the minority here??) 

But this can all be solved easily. Add a little width to the straps so that they become tanks--or even short sleeves--and stick to solid colors (or something classic like stripes) and now you've got a perfectly daytime-appropriate maxi that works for brunch, shopping, or lazy summer days whether you're in the concrete-jungle...or a tropical one.

Check out a few of my favorite day- and city-ready maxis above. Only one is (slightly!) over $150--two are even under $100! I already own the grey Gap one (SUCH a deal) and I've got my eye on the short-sleeved Heather number or versatile navy Splendid tank dress next. Okay, who am I kidding? I'm totally getting both. (Or all five maybe? Eek!)

Which maxi above is your favorite? And what are your best tips for making a long dress daytime-appropriate? Tell me below!

Can You Love Baby #2 As Much as Your First?

Sadie, 2010 (just one day old!)

As I inch closer to baby number two's arrival, it's hard not to think back to where my mind was just over three years ago before the birth of baby number one. I was nervous, excited, and scared all rolled into one. This time around, I feel similar emotions--but for entirely different reasons. This time I'm less apprehensive about the actual birth (I mean, last time I was seriously freaked out about that, yo), and more wary of the baby's actual arrival. I'm not so much worried about the basics--feeding, changing, soothing, and so on (although I think I've blocked out just how much serious sleep deprivation I'm about to experience...). Instead, I'm secretly wondering if I can possibly love this baby as much as my first. After all, my first, Sadie, is the most amazing person I have ever met and I've loved her times a million since the first second I saw her. 

Now, do I logically know that I'll love the second baby a ton, too? Of course. But it's hard to fathom that it might actually be possible to love something else just as much. Is there enough room in my heart? And is it possible to love a second baby without "stealing" love from your first? We'll find out. He's coming any day now. :)

So, what do you think? Is it possible to love a second baby as much as your first? Tell me below!