We recently took our first European vacation with both kids. Traveling with a baby and toddler is not for the faint of heart,  but it is most definitely doable. This topic was probably the most talked about during my travels; for every IG story that I uploaded I had a few moms reach out and ask for ideas for traveling with littles. Europe was our first 8+ hour flight, but we have traveled extensively with them (as soon as their vaccines allowed us). We got our routine and packing list down. It all comes down to planning ahead, packing smart and being patient. You’ll arrive to your destination before you know it. 

All products are linked and available to shop at the bottom of this post. 

Prep & Planning

• If you are traveling with a toddler who’s over two years old (they’ll need their own ticket and seat) make sure you secure seat numbers by paying ahead, you don’t want to end up getting separate seats from your children. If you are able to book a window seat for a toddler you’ll be ahead on the entertaining-while-flying game. 
•  If it’s a long flight and you are traveling with a baby under 12 months-old, I recommend you request a bassinet. They are free but there’s usually only a couple available per flight. They attach to the front wall/partition of the plane so you do have to book those seats first, then call and book the bassinet.
• Because my husband travels so much, and we stick to a single airline, we often get upgraded. Such upgrades often come with bedding and blankets, but I still always pack their Little Giraffe blankets. Eloise has the pink one and Nico has the blue one. They are the warmest most perfect stroller/travel blanket. 
• Bring all of the snacks. Pack a lot of variety and small portions. We usually swap activities and snacks to keep them busy. We usually have: yogurt (frozen sticks), cheerios, crackers, popcorn, cuties/oranges, bananas and M&M’s as a last resource (it’s the iPad of snacks HA!). I love these reusable containers. 

The Carry-On & Stroller 

• Bring a travel stroller. Prior to taking our first flight with Eloise we did extensive research on bringing our existing stroller or buying a travel one. Long story short, airlines often break strollers and they are not responsible for the damage or cost to replace. For this reason we decided to invest in a Silver Cross travel stroller that folds into a carry on. This is our most loved travel baby item, it deserves it’s own post (coming up soon!). It is on the pricier side but there are other good options like this one and this one. 
• Pack a lot of small activities. I have one of these Pehr bags for each of my kids and will typically fill it up with toys when we travel. Some of my favorites include:
• Small play-dough jars
• Stickers
• Gel Clings (Target dollar bin often has seasonal ones for $2 dollars)
• Coloring pad and markers
• Polly Pocket
• Jewelry making set
• Current favorite toy (it’s small Disney princesses for Eloise right now)
• For Nico is usually whatever baby toy he’s into, plus his grapple. This magical device that prevents his toys from falling to the floor.
• We typically use a backpack as a diaper bag when we travel (this Tory Burch has been my go-to since I got it, very roomy and easy to clean). I’ll pack one full extra outfit for each kid for every four hours of flight. So for Europe I had two outfits for each kid plus pajamas. 
• Because I packed more than usual for Europe, I used this carry-on bag. It was great because I could access all of my things easily. 
• For long flights I will pack slippers for my toddler. She usually likes to take her shoes off and slippers are much easier to slide in and out (particularly for bathroom breaks). 
• For Nico I will pack a diaper for every two hours I’ll be out. Never actually go through all of them but I like having enough. 
• Bring the iPad. It is out last resource for entertaining. We will use up all of out other activities before we bring it out. But it does always work. The Peppa Pig app is great and has features that work even if there is no WIFI available. 
• Bring hand sanitizer and wipes. Airplanes are yucky and it’s best to sanitize your space as much as you can before your littles take over the space. We bring Clorox wipes and my favorite sanitizer from Trader Joe’s. 

Packing

• We do one large luggage for both kids and separate their clothes in color coded packing cubes. This helps us find stuff quick as I have a cube for outfits, one for pajamas and one for socks and undies. 
• I pack an outfit per day, plus an extra outfit for every 3 days (which I typically have in my diaper bag). One pajama set per night plus two extra per kid. 
• Both kids have their own monogrammed toiletry bag. That’s where I put Eloise’s bows and accessories as well.
• I pack this drying rack plus my own small detergent. Makes bottle washing at a hotel so much easier.  
• This bottle warmer works like a charm. 
• We travel with our Hatch. Both kids are used to it and we use it to signal it’s time for bed. 
• We always travel with our baby first-aid kit, this bag makes it super easy to spot what we need right away. We typically have:
• Band Aids (Peppa Pig of course)
• Neosporin
• Arnica
• Baby Tylenol
• Baby Motrin
• Fever Patches
• Thermomether
• Nose Frida
• Medi-Frida Pacifier
• Elastic Bandage Wrap
• Dramamine
• Lollipops (works wonders when they are on tears)
• Use a travel wallet to keep track of all your passports and tickets. I have this Smythson one and love all the room and tabs to keep all my things organized. Amazon has this one and this one available at a lower price point too. 

Hope my tips are helpful to you. Traveling with children is different, but seeing your kids enjoying the destination makes it all worth it. 

Until next time, 

Nicole 

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Must-Haves For Baby Number Two

Stroller // Blanket // Bunny // Bottles // Dock-A-Tot

Bath Caddy // Shampoo // Pacifiers // Muslin Blankets 

One of the many joys of having a second baby is being far more relaxed while making preparations. We were so lucky to get everything we needed for Eloise before she was born so we didn't have to buy much this time around. I did make a few purchases because I wanted some updated items for our baby. While there is nothing wrong with boys wearing/using pink, I was really looking forward to getting lots of blue in since it's one of my favorite colors. So here's some of the things we purchased:

1. Uppa Baby Vista 2 Double Stroller in Declan {Oatmeal Color}

This was one of the first purchases we made. I wanted a double stroller that was somewhat light. When Eloise was born I bought the Bugaboo Donkey {which is beautiful by the way} but could not handle the weight so I ended up getting rid of it. This time around I did a lot of research and decided on the Uppa Baby. So far it has been great! Love the height of the stroller and all the storage space. Looking forward to using it as a double once baby arrives. 

2. Little Giraffe Luxe Baby Blanket
Found this brand at Nordstrom while shopping for a travel blanket for Eloise. The size and weight are PERFECT. They are so warm and soft and I feel like they get better with each wash. We got the dusty pink color for Eloise and the Cornflower Blue for baby. Would make a great holiday gift too!

4. Avent Natural Baby Bottle Blue

We used Avent for Eloise and loved them. So easy to clean and store and loved the different sizes and nipples they had available. We added some blue bottles to our stash just for fun. 

5. Dock-A-Tot Cover
This was easily one of our most used baby items. We had Eloise in it until she could no longer fit. It was her favorite spot to nap. I wanted an updated cover and found this gorgeous blue floral from their collaboration with Morris & Co. I loved every print they had and wish I could get them all.

6. Nursery Caddy Tote
We will be doing sink baths for the foreseeable future so this caddy is very handy in keeping things organized and accessible.

 
7. Noodle & Boo Newborn Hair & Body Wash
Love the smell of Noodle & Boo, it's probably my favorite shampoo brand. Could not help myself and had to get a couple bottles for baby.

8. Bibs Baby Pacifier
This brand has the best colors and sizes for pacifiers. Eloise was not a huge fan so I am hoping baby boy will actually like them so I can get all of the colors {mom nerd-alert, I know haha}.

9. Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets
We love swaddle blankets! Added a few to our collections with these adorable animal prints that are both masculine and sweet at the same time.

Aside from boy clothing this is pretty much all we have gotten for the baby. I can't believe we are only a couple weeks away!

Stay tuned for a few more blog posts before I go away for a few weeks to attend to my newborn.

All the best,
N. 

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The Nines by HATCH at Target

Top // Pants // Sneakers // Sunglasses

Hatch Collection has been on my radar since before I got pregnant with Eloise. I actually collaborated with them back in 2018 {seen here} and got this navy jumpsuit that I wore all the time, including my first pregnancy {here}. I invested in a few pieces during my first pregnancy because I love the timeless style so much. I was VERY excited when I learned they would be doing a line with Target and have purchased a few items since. Their Fall 2021 Collection is just LOVELY and I was able to partner up with them again to showcase a couple looks. 

First up is this lovely raspberry leopard set, the minute I saw it I knew I would be wearing it non-stop. On these last few weeks of pregnancy all I want is comfort. The terry fabric is great because it's not heavy and hot {which is my constant state during third trimester}. I plan on wearing this on a road trip I have coming up and post-partum as well. The color and print is trendy without being overwhelming and the fit is great! Not too loose that it would make me look bigger and not so tight where I would feel constricted. I am wearing a size Small and would say runs TTS. 

Paired it with my super comfortable Gola Glitter Sneakers and Ray Bans for an easy weekend look. 

*The sweatshirt is not available on the Target website yet but I will update the link as soon as is up. 

xx, 

Nicole

Thank you HATCH The Nines for partnering up for this post. 

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Staying Motivated On 2021

Hello February! We got here so fast.

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.

1. Large Planner 

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. 

2. New Workout Outfit

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. 

3. New {To You} Skincare

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. 

4. Fresh Sneakers For Playing Outside

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. 

5. Lounge Outfit 

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. 

6. New Coffee Maker

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. 

7. New Healthy Habit...Mine Is Reading!

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!

8. Small Home Décor Refresh

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! 

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My Happy Fall Dress

Dress // Shoes // Lipstick // Bag

Moody florals for fall is a trend that comes back every year; but I had never seen bright pink prints for autumn done so well. I'm obsessed with this casual dress!  It is technically listed as 'brown' on the website and it does have some of these earthy tones, but the pink hues it's what really stands out on this adorable piece. Fits true to size and it's very comfortable. The waist does sit a bit higher but it is not quite an empire style cut. I also purchased this top and seen here, can't help myself with all these gorgeous prints! Since Austin is still quite warm for November I paired it here with my Castaner flats, one of the most comfortable shoes I own. Do size up on this one as they run small. Finished my look with an old favorite, my Chloe Drew bag. I have owned this for years and love the soft rose color for every season. 

Hope your Thanksgiving prep is going well! We will be doing something super small to make sure we continue to socially distance and do our part during this pandemic. 

Talk to you soon!

N. 

                    

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Spring Home Decor Updates

Art // Glasses // Ottoman // Frame // Pillow 

Tablecloth // Basket // Beads // Pillows

What a time we are living in; never in a million years would I imagine we would be living through a pandemic...let alone one that extends globally. This week marks the 6th week of self-isolation for our little family. Now more than ever I am grateful for our health and home. But I must admit spending so much time inside is making me a little crazy {bet I'm not the only one!}. To keep myself entertained I decided to take on a little project to refresh our downstairs. Make a couple changes to update the overall feel; I am still very much into blue but want to tone it down to a softer shade and add on some pattern and fresh accessories.

Floral and block prints are at the very top of my list; love the summery look it brings inside. While searching for inspiration I fell in love with seagrass and rattan. They are everywhere these days! While I normally don't follow trends I do love the natural touch so I went for some glassware and picture frames in these textured materials. I will not be buying any large pieces but I do want a new slipcover for my ottoman coffee table. I am thinking sea glass color linen with a 1/2 inch flange. Can't wait to show you the final result. How are you keeping yourself busy during these Coronavirus days? 

Must admit I have not been feeling too inspired to blog, but my juju  it's coming back to me slowly. Maybe I'll go wild and do another post this week. HA!

Until then, stay inside and safe. Hope you and your family and doing well.

xx, 

N. 

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Favorite Baby Products // Newborn to Six Months

SNOO // Baby Gym // Sound Machine // MediFrida 

Diaper Bag // High Chair // Bouncer // Stroller 

 Dock A Tot // NoseFrida // Bath Cushion

Eloise is officially seven months old, we have been out of the ‘newborn’ phase for a while now. While some things get much easier to handle {sleep} others get more complicated {mobility}. In Eloise’s first six months we have come across several products that quickly became favorites. Here’s a few of our must-haves from newborn to six months. There are some favorite travel products that have also made life on the road easier, but I will do a separate post for those. Hope this list is helpful for those of you who are working on your registries!

Snoo
With its $1295 price tag it is definitely an investment, but QUITE helpful. We had Eloise in it a lot when she was a newborn. It’s like a robot mom that rocks your baby while you do other things like shower or eat. She outgrew the length before we hit the max weight {we have a tall girl!} but we loved it. It is beautiful and loved the clean look in our bedroom. It is now safely tucked in a closet waiting for baby # 2 (someday).

Tiny Love Magical Tales Gymini
We own two of these, we keep one downstairs and one upstairs. One of the easiest ways to keep her entertained. She has been laying in these ever since she was a newborn. Loves all the hanging toys, and now that she rolls over she plays with the ribbons sewn into the mat for her entertainment. She often hangs on it while we drink our morning coffee and read the news. 

HATCH
We still use this every night. Eloise’s bedroom faces the front of our house so it can get quite noisy. Has different light colors and sounds to choose from and it’s very light. You can use the app or manually turn it on/off and change the settings.

MediFrida
We discovered this $12 dollar device at Target during a trip to Arizona. Eloise had a cold and we were having the hardest time giving her medicine because she would spit it up. Bough this on a whim and it’s magical! She has allergies and takes syrup medicine every day, this little device make it an easy step during our busy mornings.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag
Wanted a simple sleek diaper back that would be roomy enough for everything but not too bulky. This black one is perfect because Carlos is able to use it as well. It has a diaper change pad that rolls out and makes everything very accessible. Love the leather tabs and nylon fabric that’s easy to wipe down. One of our most used items for sure. We don’t use this bag for daycare. We have this Baggu tote bag that fits all of her daily needs.

Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair
We had initially registered for a high chair at Target. We had no idea what to look for and we picked on a whim. After a few months {and visits} I discovered this lovely little chair at Nordstrom. I loved the clean look and the different color options. Everything is sold separately {cusions, tray, chair} but it is so worth it. We decided to go for it since it is an item that would be sitting in our dining room for years to come. It is very sturdy, safe and comfortable. Worth every penny. 

BabyBjorn Bouncer
Still use this, though it’s becoming more difficult as she is more interested in sitting up rather than resting. This little device went all over the house with us the first few months: on the porch during summer while we had our morning coffee, on the kitchen island while we cooked dinner, on the bathroom floor while I was home alone taking a shower and even in the laundry room while I was folding clothes. She took naps in it and hung out while we did stuff around the house. The fabric slip is easily washable. Such great item for your registry. 

Maxi Cosi Zelia Max Stroller
This was a gift from Maxi Cosi and it was heaven sent, We had initially purchased the Bugaboo Donkey {knowing we wanted two babies eventually} but it turned out to be incredibly heavy and bulky for my relatively small SUV {I drive a Volvo XC60}. When Eloise was two months Maxi Cosi reached out about a partnership and I got this stroller. It’s amazing! It’s a two piece stroller, comes with a super comfortable ergonomic car seat {Eloise HATED her prior Chicco car seat} and has so much space for all the stuff we carry. We use it every weekend and can’t say enough great things about it. The price is great considering you are getting a bundle of stroller and car seat; and it’s a great looking stroller. Very clean and modern. One of our most loved items for sure. 

Dock A Tot
We registered for this not knowing much about it. I did some research and everyone seemed to love it so I added it to my list. Yes, it is just a cushion and yes it is $200 dollars. I figured we could use the registry discount at the end if we really wanted it; to my surprise my co-workers {who are AWESOME} got it for me. Such a great gift. We used it every day up until Eloise was about 5 months old. It literally ‘docks’ the baby in place so we can move around. She would take naps on it, drink her bottle, hang out {always supervised} while comfortably hanging in there. I have the white one, we would toss a blanket over it to keep it clean longer.

NoseFrida
I was the first one to scream horrified once I realized what this product was…”suck snot with my mouth!? I DON’T THINK SO!” Little did I know it would become one of our most used products. Works wonderfully when cleaning up baby’s nose. And no, the snot does not make it to your mouth, it doesn’t even reach further than the tip of the pen-like device. It is a life saver, there is nothing more frustrating and scary than seeing your baby struggling to breath because of a cold.

Blooming Bath Lotus
When I was pregnant bath time for a newborn seemed like the most terrifying experience for me. I thought a small wet squirmy baby was an accident waiting to happen, I made Carlos and mom do all her baths the first few times. Then I realize how helpful this flower was. You lay it on your sink and the baby comfortably rests while you do the rest. Used it every night for the first five months, until she got too big for the sink and uses a regular tub now.

Hope this list was helpful! Can’t wait to fill you in on my favorite travel items for baby; writing these posts is so much fun!

Everyhting is linked below the picture or under the SHOP tab.

xx,
N.

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9 Things I Packed For Japan

As you know Travel is my favorite hobby. I had a prior post about my travel must-haves here {it's one of my most popular posts} and now I'm adding a few extra things I purchased for this trip and I'm loving:

1. Mophie Charger
Life saver! It's a bit heavier than the one I owned before {a tiny credit-card-size one from Anthropologie} but it does charge my phone back up to a full charge faster. While the Mophie does take a couple hours to charge, it is long lasting power. I was able to use it 3 days in a  row without re-charging.

2. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm
This lip balm is by far my favorite thing, I own it in every color but Rose is my go-to. I dare to say it's more moisturizing and softer than the FRESH Lip Balm -and at a fraction of the price!-. Perfect for a No Make-Up look I like to do when I fly.

3. Floral Pajamas
Wanted  new lightweight jammies, and these ones are adorable. Perfect for humid summer nights in Japan {their AC is not as strong as our AC, had to work with that}.

4. Packing Cubes
These were a gift from my brother for Christmas; I had done a couple trips earlier this year, but this was the first time I used the entire kit. LOVED THEM. They keep my stuff organized and easy to reach without having to move and unfold everything in my suitcase

5. Coola Sun Silk Drops
Love summer, hate shiny sunblock on my face {but I still wear it}. I have fallen in love with this Coola product because it is non-greasy and very lightweight, SPF 30. It dries matte and does not interfere with my make up at all. If you're going to try one beauty product this summer, this should be it.

6. Truffle Clear Clutch
My BFF gave me these bags as a gift. I started using the large one on my carry on to gather my chargers, cable, battery and headphones. Once I arrived in Tokyo it was easy to toss it in my leather tote I was using daily. The large clutch is large enough to fit everything but slim enough to slide easily inside my bag.

7. FRESH Rose Mask
Been using this twice a week for about two months now. I usually pack a mask when I travel because I find myself with a bit more time while getting ready. This mask refreshes my skin and moisturizes it at the same time. A great multi-tasker!

8. Longchamp Leather Tote
Birthday gift from my husband. Bought it in Lisbon during our spring vacation. I love this type of leather because it is not easily scratched. The size is great for everyday use {it's been my go-to for the office} and perfect for travel. I own the taupe color with baby blue interior, seen here, color choices are endless.

9. Athleta Chelsea Cargo Pants
Like these so much I bought them twice in black and navy. It is the perfect travel pant for 10+ hour flights. Does not wrinkle, lightweight, comfortable and fit. I've worn mine with my loose gray linen sweater, navy sweatshirt, chambray button up, cashmere etc. They pack really small and dry quickly. I only wish I had bought them sooner.

That's it for this travel essential update, hope some of these items make your packing easier.

Talk to you soon!
xx,
N. 

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Target Home Wishlist

Sheets // Flatware // Succulent // Candle

Rug // Decanter // Canister // Side Table 

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!}

xx, Nicole 

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Yellow Floral Maxi

Dress // Bag // Earrings // Sandals 

Happy Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend :) I just got back from Seattle form a girl's weekend with my BFF and we had the best time! {can't wait to share more pictures}. I woke up today feeling very refreshed and happy and ready to take on the week. This post also puts me in a great mood because I love the soft yellow color and flowers of this dress. It has been a while since I saw a maxi dress I loved so when I saw this pretty print at Target I immediately went for it. I wore it to dinner on our last night in Barcelona and again during the day in Dallas two weekends ago; it's such an easy light piece!. Clutch it's from Kelly Wynne, love the rose gold color. Goes with everything!

Talk to you later!
xx, Nicole

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