We made it! To say this pregnancy flew by it's an understatement. I can't believe how quickly time goes by when you are excited about an arrival. I am both grateful to my body and relieved to soon give birth and not experience the aches that have taken over these last few weeks. We cannot wait to welcome our darling boy who's coming to complete our family.
Hope to share the happy news with you soon. Until then, stay safe and have a wonderful end to your week.
As a Type A person, planning ahead is my absolute jam. I've had my hospital bag packed since week 32 of this pregnancy. No sign of delivery any time soon {I have a scheduled C-Section} but I still wanted to be prepared just in case.
This is my second time around packing this bag so I learned a few things I need to leave behind and others to make sure I bring to the hospital with me. My packing list is divided into four different sections:
Mama - Items I will need to make my recovery easier.
Room - Making our stay more comfortable by adding a few things to my bag.
Baby - They need very little, but it's all so important.
Extras - Not necessary but we are including this time around.
My weekender bag is from Minnow Swim and super roomy.
Mama
Cotton Robe - One that is not too thick {I remember sweating and being super hot for days after my first baby was born} but needing a robe all day to make it easier to breastfeed. Bringing my new LAKE Pajamas stripe robe that is super soft.
Slip-On Slippers - Easiest shoe to wear during your hospital stay. You'll need it to walk those hallways to help you speed your recovery.
Plastic Flip Flops - You'll want to shower and preferably NOT touch that floor.
Nursing Bra - I packed one for each day. I prefer the sleeping ones for hospital stays. Feels like you're not wearing anything.
Pajamas -After the fresh shower I mentioned above there is nothing like soft clean pajamas you brought from home.
Comfy Underwear - Packing my biggest cotton panties since I'll be swollen and looking pregnant during my stay {and a few days after}.
Toiletries - I bring everything with me, from shampoo, conditioner and body wash to skin care. I will also bring a bit of make up and hair ties; and the usual toothbrush, deodorant, chapstick, etc.
Going Home Outfit - This this around I am packing maternity clothes still {learned my lesson last time}. Comfortable joggers, a tank top and soft cardigan.
Reusable Nursing Pads - Perfect for keeping me dry.
Room
IPad and Charger - Need it to update insurance claims, check email, social media, entertainment etc. It also doubles as a sound machine at night.
IPhone and Long Charger - Always keep this on my bedside table, the long charging cable is a MUST since you'll be in bed most of the time.
Snacks - We did a Trader Joe's run this morning. Hospitals do have cafeterias and vending machines but there's nothing like having your favorites available in the room. We are bringing popcorn, chips, pretzels, trail mix, granola bars, chocolate, cookies and dried fruit.
Large Yeti Cup- I remember drinking SO MUCH WATER during my stay and being really annoyed that it would warm up quickly. This time I am bringing my trusted Yeti cup to ensure it stays cool as long as possible.
Baby
Carseat - Number one thing on the list. Base should be installed in your car and ready to go.
Going Home Outfit - Bring something weather appropriate. I packed two different beanies this time, one small and one that is a bit bigger.
Blanket - We are having a winter baby and need to make sure he's warm on his way home.
Baby Book - Bringing a baby book to get a set of hand and footprints done in the delivery room.
Extras
Big Sister Basket - We created a little basket for Eloise that will be given to her from the baby. Can't wait to see her little face!
Breast Pump - Bringing it to the hospital to make sure we learn how to use the new model I got this time around.
And that is pretty much all we packed. Hoping for a short hospital stay so I can come home and enjoy my babies in my cozy home.
Between putting our Christmas decorations away and saying goodbye to the last guests I had very little time to blog and shoot content the first few weeks of the year. As we are entering the 2nd month of 2021 I feel more at ease, organized and ready to take on the new weeks ahead of me. There is always a great deal of excitement for me in staring something new...whether it's a jar of new anti-wrinkle cream, a planner or a new year.
This time around I look ahead and I see a bit of a challenge, quarantine exhaustion is a real thing and I am feeling increasingly anxious about being home most of the time. These feelings prompted me to make a plan to get motivated during this pandemic and actually reach my daily goals. And here I share a few items helping me to stay on track on 2021.
I take pride on being very organized and running a daily To Do list. Having a place to jot down ideas and look at my calendar is very helpful. I had initially purchased this planner but decided to upgrade to a bigger one. I had this one last year and the space was perfect so I ended up with another large one. I love the plastic cover and how light it is.
Proud to report I have been sticking to my running and weight training routine for the past 3 weeks now! I am starting to see a difference in my body. Cute workout clothes help A LOT. I wear a workout outfit during the morning 5 out of the 7 days of the week. This forces me to exercise since I am already dressed for it.
Quarantine granted me the time to take care of my skin like I never had before. I started doing more masks and started the year by adding two different ones to my weekly routine. I can see a HUGE difference in my skin already. This is perfect for cleansing without over drying and this is perfect for glow. I look forward to my night hot showers followed by a mask.
We don't have many choices for things to do outside of the house, so a visit to the park happens a couple times a week for us. Wearing comfortable clothing with sneakers is a must. I am big fan of the dress + sneaker combo so I just added these pink ones and these white ones to my collection.
I try to change out of my workout clothes every day. More often than not I'll take a hot shower and get into a comfortable sweat pants and matching sweatshirt. These are perfect for walking around the neighborhood in the evening. I am not fully dressed but also not in my pajamas.
We own a Nespresso and used it daily. Until we rented an Airbnb back in December and they had a drip coffee machine. I found this delicious coffee and looked forward to every morning. I decided to get a drip coffee machine was soon as we got back to Texas. This was my choice, programmable and simple. Love coming downstairs in the morning to a house smelling like vanilla coffee.
We were spending way too much time on our phones and tablets. I want Eloise to become a great reader so we must lead by example. I committed to a book a month and so far it's been great. Currently reading Becoming by Michelle Obama. Love her so much!
Springtime is one of my favorite times to spruce up my decorating. Since January and February are strange {typically dark and cold} months I like to start adding lighter tones to my home. This year I opted for a couple new tablecloths from Amanda Lindroth and new table mats from Target. The prints make me so happy!
It's that time of the year again! Christmas is just around the corner and my holiday prep is in full swing. Just placed an order this morning for our new Christmas tree {finally a big one!} garlands and wreaths. Cannot wait to start decorating!
Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I love both getting them and sending them. To me, they represent the wrap up of another fabulous year. I always spend a lot of time deciding on the perfect design. For our first year I sent a wedding themed card since we were newlyweds, on year two the theme was our new home which we purchased last March, and this year I can pick just about anything! With so many options, I was thrilled to see Basic Invites actually sends you personalized samples, the best way to experiment with different textures, colors and designs. They have over 500 options tocreate Christmas cards!
Aside from the wonderful selection in Holiday picture cards, here are some of my favorite features of Basic Invite:
Color Customization - Their service allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options, so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail.
Colored Envelopes - You choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to envelopes so that they can make your card stand out even before it is opened. Envelopes are peel and seal {such a time saver!}. Free Address Printing- They offer this amazing address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process, best of all, address printing is free!
If you are a business, they also offer a selection of Business Christmas cardsas well. And right now you can get 30% off any Christmas card order with the code holi30
My plan is to get my Christmas cards ordered, get all my gift wrap needs done and knock 8 gifts on my list before the month ends. There is no better feeling than crossing things off my Christmas to do list.
xx,
N.
*Thank you Basic Invite for partnering up with me for this post.
Yesterday was the last day of week # 3 on Whole30…and I FEEL GREAT! The amount of energy I have in the morning is somewhat shocking considering I am not drinking coffee anymore {I have been on the weekends when I have more time to grab a cup at my favorite coffee shop}. From time to time I will reach for a chai tea at the office, mainly because I love drinking something warm in the morning. Here are a few benefits that kicked in this week:
*So.Much.Energy
*Sleep better
*Back rash is gone
*Skin is clear
*Better mood
*Not bloated
*No PMS at all {this is usually a big issue for me}
To say that I am a total believer in this detox regimen would be an understatement. For the first week I was daydreaming about a piece of chocolate cake or a red velvet cupcake. I am no longer craving sugar the way I used to, I still want a little bit of sweetness sometimes but now I can satisfy the craving by eating 2-3 dates and calling it a day. I am also at a point where I am not sure a cupcake is worth losing all this energy and benefits of eating clean.
It does get easier as you go along. Once I started seeing the changes in my mood, body and skin it became easier and easier to stick to a clean diet since I love the results. I still have not weight myself but did try on some old clothes that I have not fit in years and they now fit like a glove. I’m so eager to see how much weight I have lost!
What To Eat
Day 1 Mushroom egg scramble with avocado on top Water
Sweet potato hash with fried egg on top 3 small dates
Snack: Banana
Flank Steak Guacamole Grilled Bulb Onions
Day 2 Fried Eggs with Trader Joes Sausage on the side Almond milk
Spinach, Tomato, Avocado Salad Olive Oil, Lemon, Salt & Pepper dressing Sparkly Water
Snack: Apple with Tajin
Peppered Pork Chops Garlic Brocolini
Day 3
Banana dipped in Almond Butter
Hardboiled Egg
Tea
Rosemary Lemon Chicken
Cauliflower Rice
Snack: Sliced Mango with a pinch of salt
Crock pot short ribs
Roasted Carrots & RosemaryPotatoes
Restaurant pick of the week:
MODERN KITCHEN
They have an amazingly healthy menu. I go for the plates, usually chicken or steak with a side of roasted vegetable and a side of sweet potato mash. Yum!
That is it for this week, can't wait to tell you all about it next Thursday when I am FULLY done with Whole 30.
Happy Friday! I wanted to introduce a new weekly series of my favorite things I found on the internet and around town during the week. From articles to items for your closet and home. Hope you enjoy!
1. JCrew Vacation Shop is open!
Earlier this week I got an email blast from JCrew announcing their vacation shop was open. I can't help but get excited for the warmer months ahead. We already booked our summer vacation in June and we are looking at a little Spring Break getaway sometime in April. Cannot wait!
Image via JCrew Website.
2. Office Decor post from Glitter Guide {one of my favorite blogs!}
We are about the start the decorating process for our home-office, this post gives some amazing tips. We are heading over to CB2 this weekend to purchase the first piece of the pie...ahhh! So obsessed with home decor.
New years resolution was to do a strengthening workout {I usually only run}. So I decided to go back to yoga after 10 years. This little studio tucked on Austin's East Side is so perfect! Very clean, great instructors and lovely people.
I got a new {and quite inexpensive!} camera lens for my DSLR. I wanted to try something different to shoot blog content so I got the Nikon - AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G from Best Buy. It's a little over $200 dollars and the images look great! I shot this picture of Mr. Chimi on Monday night in my room with really bad lighting, can't wait to try it out on Saturday!
My first week on Whole30 has been…interesting. I decided to take on the challenge with my husband to cleanse ourselves from all the excess of December {we ate SO much}. I would normally never commit to such restrictions but he did Whole30 last October and lost 27 pounds in ONE MONTH. Yes, you read that right! While I most definitely don’t need to lose 27 pounds, I could lose a couple to get me ready for spring and summer adventures.
If you’re interested in learning Whole30, you have come to the right place! Let me share the tiny bit of knowledge I have gathered this past week.
What is Whole 30?
It is not exactly a diet as much as it is a cleanse. It is designed to reset your body from all of the bad things we are used to eating: sugar, carbs, processed foods, empty calories, etc. It is not meant to be a long term plan but rather a starting point to learning how to eat healthy and make better food choices in the future.
What do I need to start?
The Whole 30 book! You can purchase it here. It is such an easy read and thoughtfully explains every detail you need to know. From how to start on your grocery list…to the change on moods you will experience week after week {they are real!}.
How does it work?
You’ll be eating tons of fresh food; nothing processed. No carbs, sugars, alcohol, legumes, soy, dairy, preservatives or any kind of junk food for 30 days. Most importantly: YOU CANNOT STEP ON A SCALE THROUGH THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.
What To Eat
Here’s a sample menu of what we ate for 3 days this past week. We repeat a lot of the proteins and just mix and match the vegetables:
Day 1
Eggs and Prosciutto
Black Coffee with Almond Milk
Day 2
Vegetable Frittata with fresh
avocado on top {we LOVE avocado}
Black Coffee with Almond Milk
Sweet Potato Hash Bowl with
Chilli Pepper Chicken on top
Snack: RX Peanut Butter Bar
Citrus Salmon with
Ghee Buttered Asparagus
Day 3
Scrambled Eggs with mushrooms
And Trader Joes Chicken Sausage {Tons of approved Whole30 items!}
Green Tea
Sliced Russet Potatoes
Salt and Pepper Salmon
Sliced Avocado
Snack: Fresh Raspberries
Sweet Potato Ribbons {faux pasta}
Lime Shrimp on top
Tomato and Avocado salad
As you can see, we don’t go hungry on this regimen. Eating out can be a bit of a challenge but it’s doable {but I do miss Torchy’s Tacos!}. We just have to be careful about marinades and dressings. I’ll share a weekly restaurant recommendation {for Austin} every week.
This weeks’ pick:
FRESAS
Love this place! Had dinner with a friend last Saturday and here’s what we ate:
Achiote & Citrus Chicken, say no to the rice, beans, and tortilla sides. Heartbreaking, I know.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes, no dressing.
Grilled Beets, no cheese.
Plain water
How do you feel?
Not hungry, I’ll tell you that. I do miss carbs and sugar SO much. But I am also well aware that the way I was eating was causing a lot of bloating and inflammation. Will I eat them again? Sure thing. But not on a daily basis as I was doing before. I feel good, deflated and somewhat energized. I stopped drinking coffee and switched to green tea instead. I could not do the black coffee thing. I need my Starbucks sugar-free vanilla sweetener back in my life. I’ve had a couple days where my moods are just CRAZY, to the point where I actually stop myself and wonder what is going on with me. I’m talking fire spitting violently from my pupils and ears for the most random minimal thing. These are the sugar withdrawals and I’m hoping those moods don’t come back again because I hate feeling that way. Overall I would say I feel good, and curious. Very curious for my body transformation in the next couple weeks.
Stay tuned as I will blog weekly updates with menu samples and restaurants recommendations.
It is no secret that Target has THE BEST home decor at the most reasonable prices. This week they released Project 62, a new home brand focused on modern minimal furniture and accessories. I was perusing the website and found a few items I want along with some classics I've kept my eye on for a while. I love printed sheets and this mint and white set it's so precious. They are made out of organic cotton, got them last week and they are the softest set I own now. Gold flatware was on my radar for a while, so when I saw these for $2.00 a piece you know I put it in my cart immediately! Plastic plants are always a safe bet {for me anyways} and I can't live without scented candles. The rest of the items surely belong in my home, I just have to convince my husband haha.
Happy Wednesday! {It's actually my Friday, helloooo long weekend!}
Target is BY FAR my absolute favorite discount store. I could spend hours in there sipping my latte and putting things in my car I most likely don't need. On my last two Target runs I noticed a lot of beautiful pieces from Spring with white and blush tones; I love that combo! I'm currently shopping for a new look for our guest bedroom so aside from the pillows I posted in Instagram today, these are a few of my favorite things:
1. Printed Mules - I'm still not sure of this trend will work for me but these mules are making me one to try it. I love beautiful prints and the colors would go with just about every piece of clothing I own. Waiting on my online package to be delivered as I type this :)
2. Wishbone Accent Chair - I am so very beyond obsessed with wishbone chairs. This one with the faux fur provides just the right amount of coziness.
3. Marble Cheese Knives Set - Marble, gold and cheese make my heart happy. This would make such an adorable hostess gift.
4. Artificial Plant in White Pot - Great news is you can't kill this one! {I somehow always do}. And the white pot would look great just about anywhere.
5. Modern Globe Desk Lamp - Modern and sleek lamp for the side table on my guest bedroom? I think so.
6. Dipped Seagrass Basket - These are so useful, I keep one in my living room with all of our throw blankets. The sweet blush tone would bring so much warmth to any room.
7. Kristin Ess Moisture Mask - If you're going to get anything from this list, make it this hair mask! I'm obsessed with her hair products. Aside from the beautiful minimal packaging, this mask leaves my hair super soft and healthy and it smells like I just got my hair done at a salon. I also love her serum and shampoo.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you! I did not work today so I'm heading for the spa this morning {after my run} and some shopping. So excited!
Today is our first wedding anniversary. I can't belive it's been a year already! We have the best memories from that wonderful weekend in San Miguel de Allende. Carlos is traveling today so we celebrated last night with a nice dinner; we were talking about how much things have changed in a year and how many things we have accomplished in so little time.
We often lay in bed in our fat pants {aka sweats} watching TV or reading and I love those moments so so much. I feel inmensly happy and grateful that I picked the right person as my life partner. Carlos, I know you don't read my blog because you don't understand this 'crazy blogging world' but if you ever come accross this post, I wanted to let you know that I couldn't have picked better. You are one of the finest men I've ever met. I love you nugget.
Are your heading to the beach for a few days? If so, this post is for you. These are the items I always pack when I'm heading on vacation. Hope these suggestions help!
1. Eliza Gran Beach Bag- I know this is kind of a no brainier but I have traveled with girls before who don't bring a proper roomy bag to the beach and they struggle carrying everything they need. Make sure it fits all of your daily essentials. If it's straw, I recommend you carry it as your purse on the plane. Don't fold or smash that baby up inside your luggage! Budget friendly options here and here.
2. The Lip Slip Lipbalm - I slather this on at night, not just when I'm at the beach but at home. This makes my slips soooo soft and moisturizes them so nicely. Of course, you should be wearing a lip balm with SPF during the day, but this is the perfect cherry on top to finish off your night-time skincare routine.
3. Benefit High Beam Highlighter - You're on vacation, so keep your make up simple. My favorite way to update my make up for the beach is by using highlighter and keeping the rest of my face light. This one from Benefit is one of my favorite ones. If you like a powder one I recommend this palette.
I will be doing a separate post on my favorite make up products to bring to the beach soon :)
4. Moroccan Oil - I love this stuff! I put a little bit in my hair after I shower and before I put my hair up in a bun. It smells so good and makes my hair soft and shiny.
5. Wide Tooth Comb - Keep it in your beach bag. It will help you detangle your pretty hair after a dip in the ocean.
6. Love Binetti Cross-body Bag - This one is very important ladies! You don't wanna be stuck with your gigantic beach bag or hand held clutch on a night out. I always pack a cross-body bag whenever I go on vacation {in addition to other options}. You want to have free hands to eat, dance and hold hands with that special someone. How adorable is this rose gold one from ShopBop?
7. Cocoa Butter Body Lotion - The best way to keep your skin healthy and extend your tan is to make sure you are always moisturized. Slather on this lotion after you shower and your skin will feel ridiculously soft. Warning: the chocolate smell is addictive! You might be craving it after a while.
8. Aussie Deep Conditioner Treatment - This is by far the one thing YOU MUST pack. A deep conditioning treatment for your hair that your will use every day you are at the beach. The sun, sand and salty water really dry out your strands. Put this on after your rinse and shampoo your hair and let it sit while you finish your shower...your hair will thank you. It will be so soft you'll want to keep doing it even after vacation is over. I also love this option {a bit pricier} from Kerastase.
9. Karen Walker Sunglasses - Protect your eyes from UV rays and wrinkles while your look fab! I'm obviously biased to this style since I just got them, but I also love this and this.
10. Nordstrom Sun Hat - This is just as important as the beach bag yet girls still forget it. I'm all about getting some sun, just not on my face. I have a couple hats I always pack but a big large one is a must have for me, it protects shoulders and face.
This past weekend was my first interactive experience with SXSW and it was SO MUCH FUN! I've never been much of a festival girl {I hate crowds and public restrooms} so I didn't know what to expect. Luckily my experience was beyond amazing; I ended my weekend feeling very inspired and ready to move forward with my plans. As a bonus, I met many amazing women along the way!
Although I've been working on Nicole Sometimes for a few months, I officially launched my blog last Friday and was very excited to see so much traffic coming my way {thank you SO much!}. I've gotten a few messages from girls -newbie bloggers like myself and readers- asking how they can get involved and participate in SXSW events. I am no expert by any means but this is how it happened for me:
Follow: I follow my favorite brands on Instagram, in this case Laurel & Wolf and Create + Cultivate. I saw C+C did a post on having a pop-up conference during SXSW and immediately went to their website to find out more and RSVP. I also like to interact with the C+C girls on social media, they are very friendly and responsive. Not that this made a difference in getting into the conference, but it did make me feel like I knew them before I even walked into the boutique that hosted the event.
Interact: During the conference, Laurel & Wolf mentioned they had some events happening during the weekend, including a flower crown making workshop with Margo Blair Floral {who I also been following on IG for a while because she is AH-MAZE-ING}. They had me at fresh flowers so I asked about attending and the super friendly girls from L&W told me to just show up. So I did.
Carly's flower selections ready to be turned into pretty crowns at Laurel & Wolf Camp.
RSVP: Keep in mind that a lot of events at SXSW are RSVP or invite only. But there are plenty of free gatherings for everyone! Do find out if your favorite brands/influencers will be in town during the festival and what you could do to participate and meet them. And get there early! Venues fill up quickly.
Network: Talk to everyone! Networking is HUGE if you are trying to start a business. In my case, the blogging world is very new to me so I want to learn and absorb as much as I can from anyone who is willing to share their experience. I met so many amazing women but didn't get to talk to everyone, luckily I'm not the only one who feels that way so I had the lovely Erin Bradley from Of The People Agency reach out to me to invite me to their party. I did my RSVP and showed up on Sunday with my husband and a couple friends. We had the best time!
There are still so many places I wanted to stop by but didn't have time. If only our SXSW days were twice as long!
Wear: The first day at SXSW I wore heels since I knew I would be sitting down most of the day at the Create + Cultivate conference, but I did pack a pair of sandals in my bag to change into after happy hour. We ended up grabbing dinner at La Condesa {great Mexican food!} and then walking a couple miles to see a show. The second day I wore sandals and brought my big leather Madewell tote bag since I had my DSLR and other goodies. Plan your outfits accordingly, in my opinion, the right shoes can make or break your day.
From Left to Right: Leura Fine - Founder & CEO of Laurel & Wolf, Olivia Wetterau - L&W Special Events Coordinator, Stephanie Yates - Stylist at Stitch Fix, Carly Blair - Owner of Margo Blair Floral.
