Dear Austin,
During this past week, lots and lots of things have happened! First, Aunt Nicole and Aunt Alison came to visit you and you were a good sport throughout the whole visit. You even let Aunt Nicole hold you without any problem! Your Lao Lao had to go back home this week and we all truly do miss her, her help was invaluable. Mommy and Daddy got to spend another weekend alone with you and it was filled with tummy time. You are able to hold your head up for about 3 seconds now, yay, go Austin! 
And at the end of this week, your Ah Ma and Ah Gong flew in and met you for the very first time. It took you no time to warm up to them and give them smiles, I’m guessing receiving red envelopes probably helped. 
You also got in some cuddle time with the bunny lovey that kdaviscreates handmade for you as well as your big brother monkey, Jojo. They are huge fans of yours.
I can’t believe how fast time has flown. Today is actually your one month birthday (YAY HAPPY ONE MONTH!!), which is a big deal in Chinese culture, so we have a nice celebration planned for you with some more family coming to visit and good food! Funny thing is, technically if you were born in Taiwan, you’d be considered 2 years old, since they count being in the womb as 1 year and the Chinese New Year as another year grown as well. People say that before I know it, you’ll be off to college, so let’s stick to saying your one month old!
Love,
Mommy
Hi friends! I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve been a Flavors To Follow but don’t worry, I didn’t forget about it. In my two year blogiversary feedback, many of you said that you loved these posts so I felt like it was about time I owed you one. This week’s current obsession is color blocking. This trend has been around for a couple months now but I’ve finally just got around to embracing it. It’s basically where you pair a few bold colors and wear them together, or the colors can appear in a single item. There’s so much you can do with this as the color combinations are endless! Some of my faves are turquoise + aqua, black + white + coral, cobalt + turquoise, neons + neutrals and green + yellow! Here’s a few items I have found and love!
1 These DSW black pumps with a touch of red (and blue) hot!
2 Loving the yellow and green pairing of this Nine West satchel. I think it’s about time I buy a new bag, don’t ya think? Who’s with me?
3 This Ayca knit scarf is quite the beauty and sure to keep you warm too in these cold winter days.
4 What a gorgeous pairing of coral with black and white in this LaPetitPaillette necklace, what a great contrast!
5 Go bold with color blocking in this Asos skirt.
6 Or be a little more subtle and sweet with this Shopkempt dress!
7 Be comfy casual chic in this flowy Forever 21 top.
P.S. The winner of the Fresh Tangerine earring giveaway is Kait from Pretty Things! Congrats girl! Please email me at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and we’ll get the earrings sent out to ya!
What are your favorite colors to color block together?
You can never go wrong with bringing a basic chocolate chip cookie to party. Everyone loves those babies and they get gobbled up in minutes. But I’m always looking for new ways to spice up basic recipes and I may have met my match with these Toasted Coconut and Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies seen on Doughmesstic. What takes these cookies to the next level are the:
1) browned butter (must must must brown the butter, don’t get lazy and think you don’t need to brown it)
2) coconut (takes me back to paradise)
3) sea salt (don’t think I can express enough in words how much I love a sweet and salty contrast)
4) chopped chocolate bars (I didn’t have Scharffen-Berger but wish I had. I’ve actually been on the Scharffen-Berger chocolate factory tour in San Francisco before, so fun and yummy!)
I made these over the holidays, hence I couldn’t bring them into work, sorry team, I’ll make another batch when I return at the end of March. Me, Marvin and my parents finished these off in no time, they went with breakfast, lunch and dinner. I promise you that these cookies (and you) will be the talk of any event if you make them, the more gourmet the chocolate, the more of a hit you’ll (err the cookies) will be.
Hi there, Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls here. I’m elated to be guest posting on Sandy’s lovely blog while she’s enjoying the bliss that comes with being a new mama!
I thought I would share with you a trend that I’m really looking forward to rockin’ this spring. I know…I know…Most of you are firmly entrenched in frigid winter weather and can’t even think about what you’re going to wear come spring. Think of this post as a mini vacay. Forget about the snow outside and imagine yourself in warmer weather…And if you’re really adventurous, consider sporting this spring trend NOW! Which spring trend am I talking about? Pastels of course!
I just love a beautifully feminine sorbet hue, especially when we’re talking about footwear. This pair of Steve Maddens comes in a fabulous array of pastels. Whether coral, mint or lavender is your poison, the Steve Madden Dynamite Sandel has you covered!
So, which color would you go for lovelies?
- Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls
Nursing Tank: Target | Poncho: Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s | Jeggings: TJMaxx | Boots: Famous Footwear | Necklace: Francesca’s
If you are nursing and want to be stylish at the same time, then ponchos paired with a nursing tank is the way to go, I tell ya. Ponchos are the perfect nursing cover and better yet, they hide post partum bellies, score. Add in a statement necklace and instant glam! But don’t be fooled guys, I don’t dress up every day… only when we have visitors or are going out to the doctor’s office, which is like twice a week. Every other day of the week I live in sweats, PJ pants, button downs, zip up hoodies, and robes, but I’ll spare you the outfit pictures on those.
Just wanted to drop in and wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year! Our little family of three celebrated by venturing out to a friend’s house for a celebratory FEAST! I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
We seriously had like 4 courses, ate for hours and stuffed ourselves silly.
Yay! Family photo!
Uncle Sam starting his lessons already. Lessons on what? Not sure…
Austin received two red envelopes – lucky guy!
Ladies posing.
Baby Austin meets Baby Wesley for the first time! And 1 year old Audrey is super confused on which one is actually her brother haha!
These two are sure to be buddies. What we learned from the outing… Austin can sleep through all sorts of noises, positions and different people holding him~!
P.S. The winner of my two year blogiversary giveaway for a February Feature Sponsor spot on my blog is Alison of aPearantly sew! Congrats girl! Please send me an email at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!
Hope you all have a prosperous and healthy Year of the Dragon!
Happy Sunday! I’m taking part in this fun blog hop for today! Enjoy!
This baby outfit is TOO stinking cute! Hoping to find something similar for my little one someday!
Loving the neutral paired with neon in this Clare Vivier clutch! I’ll take one in every color please.
Love this mini cork and terrarium decorating idea.
A Beautiful Mess shows us how to make DIY mittens out of an old sweater, too cool!
One of my favorite dishes, lasgana, made petite by Can You Stay For Dinner? Must try this soon.
Absolutely adore this look found on Fashion Is Politics.
Need a Valentine’s Day gift idea? In Honor of Design makes a rad Message In a Bottle!
All images can also be found on my Pinterest boards.
What pretty things have you found lately?
8 lbs. 7 oz.
Dear Austin,
I can’t believe how fast you are growing, this week you gained a WHOLE POUND! Mommy even keeps worrying that you are gaining too much weight now, but the nurse said you are right on track. In terms of feedings, things are getting better daily. Mommy is producing more milk each day which means we get to supplement with less formula each day as well. Once or twice a day your Grandma or your Daddy will even bottle feed you! We recently bought the Dr. Brown bottles hoping that it will help reduce the amount of air you gulp, but you still seem to be gulping a ton and then getting frustrated because you need to burp before being able to drink more. I realized that when you are calmer and drink more slowly, you don’t seem to have that issue though, and hopefully you’ll realize that soon too!
This week Aunt Rena and Uncle Alex came to visit you and you only had a minor meltdown in front of them. We’ve started to do some more tummy time with you which you actually don’t mind! But I’m sad to say that this was the last full week with Grandma (your Lao Lao) in town and I know you will both miss each other dearly until she comes back in March. You just love cuddling with her in her arms. However, next week you will finally get to meet your other set of Grandparents (Ah Ma and Ah Gong)! Until then… be good!
Love,
Mommy
my beautiful sister and me (rocking out the sequined, glitter!) on New Year’s Day
Hello, dear friends of Sandy! My name is Ilene, the voice over at Much Love, illy blog and the artist behind the Much Love, illy shop. Sandy has been one of my dearest blog and real life friends since the summer of 2010 when we had a meet-up back in Chicago. We have kept in constant contact (check our history via text messaging, tweets, and emails!) and have had the chance to co-host the annual Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap. Knowing Sandy has been nothing but awesomeness – I love you, girl!
So of course, I was in absolute glee when she called me up to tell me the fantastic news that she was preggo! And of course even more ecstatic when Baby Austin made he’s appearance into the world. With a brand new year and brand new babies and brand new everything, it totally puts me into a party mood! And what party isn’t a party without glitter?! glitter has been an obsession of mine since the holiday kicked off and my obsession over it continues into this new year. here are some of my top favorites!
1. glitter shoes DIY via Beautiful Mess – I am completely obsessed with this DIY that I discovered over at the talented Elsie’s blog. Once i find myself a low-key weekend, this is one DIY I totally want to try. Then maybe head off to a party with these new kicks – or McDonalds, whichever comes first.
2. Emella Sequined Skirt via Shopkempt – This baby has been on my wishlist for quite some time now. Pair it with a collared white shirt or with a sheer top. I think the shade of copper is fantastic, and the shape oh so flattering!
3. Pink Women’s Glitter shoes via TOMS – These are TOMS. Need I say more? Comfort and sophistication in one pair of shoes – and for a good cause (for every pair or TOMS shoes, a child of need will receive a new pair of shoes!), even better!
4. glitter half moon manicure via Pinterest and Lyndar the merciless – As a mad lover of nailpolish, this manicure totally rang in my new year! I love the elegance of the glitter and the black, but I can see this working with bold, striking colors for the spring season!
What about you? Yay or nay on the glitter obsession?
If so, what are your favorites when it comes to all things glitter?
Like I said, I’m obsessed so I wanna know!
***
Thanks for having me, Sandy!
Love you and your beautiful family so stinkin’ much, it’s ridiculous!
much love, ilene (aka illy)
I loved that my first pregnancy coincided with having this blog. It’s been a pleasure sharing my bump outfit pictures with you as well as what’s been going on with my body through the 40+ weeks carrying my Baby #1 (not sure how many more will follow at this point, but will keep you posted, HA). Even cooler are those charts out there where you can track your bumps’ size by fruits and veggies, the one I used was from The Bump. You guys have always been so encouraging, sweet, and helpful with your kind comments throughout it all. I can honestly say that I kind of miss my bump already, especially since my belly is like a slab of dough with stretch marks all over it… but having my baby on the outside is truly amazing.
And because I love lists… here are some things I am excited to be able to eat/drink again:
- raw salmon sashimi (or any raw sushi for that matter)
- crackers with brie cheese, goat cheese, feta cheese… all of the cheeses i couldn’t have
- sangria (and other mixed drinks)
- Quizno’s sandwiches (since some had deli meat)
- medium rare steak
- cookie dough (made with eggs)
- sunny side up eggs (where the eggs are runny)
- diet wild cherry Pepsi
P.S. Remember when I had you guys Guess My Due Date and I said I’d send a prize to those who guess the correct date? Well, Jenni Austria Germany was the only one who guessed it right (Dec 28)! So girl, send me an email at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll mail you a little something when I get the chance!
P.P.S. The winner of the Salvaged Strawberry $25 credit giveaway is Kayla from Love Sparkle Pretty! Congrats girl! Send me an email at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!
Which weeks bump outfit is your fave?
What foods did you miss the most when you were pregnant?
