Sandy a la Mode

Flavors To Follow – Jason Wu for Target

Sandy a la Mode — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:00:56 +0000

Sunday, February 5 at 8AM… you can find me at Target.

These pieces shall be mine!!

Are you going to shop the madness?

Austin: 1 Month

Sandy a la Mode — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:30:58 +0000

Last Saturday, Austin turned 1 month old! For the Chinese, reaching your 1 month birthday (man yue) is quite the big deal. But seriously, not only is it a celebration for him… but we survived the first month of parenting! I’ve got to say, raising a newborn is a real test of patience, arm muscles, mental, physical, and emotional boundaries. Our little man is so worth it though!
We had some family come to visit Austin for the first time and join us in a feast to celebrate.

Red-dyed eggs are made to symbolize happiness and the renewal of life.

And many babies get their heads shaved so that their new hair will grow in thicker. However, we were too chicken as parents to shave his head, so instead, we trimmed his mullet and cleaned up his long hairs. The hairs will actually be brought back to Taiwan to be made into two different calligraphy brushes. One bigger brush will have his birth information and Daddy’s name on it and a smaller brush will have his birth information and my name on it. These two brushes will be made of marble and are a keepsake for Austin to be given to him on his wedding day. How cool is that!? Aren’t traditions so fun?

Look at my cutie sporting all sorts of handmade goodness. Aviator hat c/o The Sunshine Stitch, Mr. Mustache Booties from Pleasantly Plump Knits, and handmade blanket from my coworker Lopa (thanks girl)!

Austin is saying “Look at me, I’m a big boy now!”

I can’t get enough of his little feet. Bare feet. Feet with booties. Whatever it is, it’s one of my fave body parts on him!

And here he is with his friend Mickey! They are about the same size… for now!

February Group Sponsor Giveaway

Sandy a la Mode — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:21 +0000

Do ya see my new sponsors over there on the right? All I can say about them is that they are some of the most talented friends, handmade shop owners, bloggers around. So do me a favor and pay them a visit, won’t ya? After all, they are helping me pay for Austin’s diapers and if I didn’t have those, me and the house and the baby and this blog would be a complete mess. Anyhow, a few of them are offering up some pretty sweet goodies this month – all for ONE Sandy a la Mode reader to WIN!

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To enter:

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, leave a comment telling me which you prefer: chocolate or flowers? (mandatory entry)

Extra entries (please leave a comment for each action)

- follow, like, or heart any of the above links and let me know which sponsor
- follow my blog via bloglovin’
- follow my blog via GFC
- follow my twitter
- follow me on pinterest
- blog/tweet/facebook about the giveaway

Feel free to use either of these tweets:

I just entered to win ad space, shop credit, and a gift card over on @sandyalamode’s FEBRUARY GROUP GIVEAWAY! http://bit.ly/wgtI3W

Win some sweet swag on @sandyalamode from @ragstostitches @puttingme2gther @glowkouture @bouffeebambini #GIVEAWAY http://bit.ly/wgtI3W

This giveaway closes on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12PM CST. Good luck! And thank you sponsors!

Austin’s Newborn Session by Sengerson Photography

Sandy a la Mode — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:00:23 +0000

I’m so excited to finally share with you the Newborn Session that Sengerson Photography did for Austin! People always say that the best time to shoot a newborn session is between 7-10 day old, so I was ecstatic that the timing worked out and we were able to capture these photos when he was 10 days old. Even better, Austin’s umbilical cord stump and plastibel from circumcision fell off RIGHT before the session so that’s one less thing that we had to worry about. I have to say, right after a feeding is absolutely the best time to take these photos, babies are sleepy, happy, and totally maneuverable! Although it also means that they are prone to pee and poo everywhere as well, and Austin was no exception. Anyhow, I’ll let the pictures do the talking…

I just can’t stop looking at these pictures on a daily basis. I love my little man, isn’t he adorable?! <3 Thanks again Seng!!

Back In The Saddle

Sandy a la Mode — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:05:22 +0000

I did it guys! You see those cropped pants there? Pre-pregnancy, these were my favorite pair of pants. And I am proud to say that my belly is back to the point where I can ~~squeeze~~ fit into them again, hooray! We still have 10 pounds to go until I get to pre-pregnancy weight and many inches around the waist to go before I get to pre-pregnancy size (I’m told this can take MANY months if it ever does fully go back to normal), but now that my one month of postpartum confinement is over, I’m able to be a bit more active and finally leave the house. Add to that the fact that the weather is still unseasonably warm outside for end of January/beginning of February. If you need to get a hold of me, I’ll probably be shopping at Target (and wearing these pants), since that’s probably as far as I’ll make it before needing to head home for the next feeding.

Dear Austin: Four Weeks

Sandy a la Mode — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:02:52 +0000

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

Flavors To Follow – Color Blocking

Sandy a la Mode — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:00:16 +0000

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?

My New Fave Chocolate Chip Cookie

Sandy a la Mode — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:00:04 +0000

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.

A Spring Trend by BonBon Rose Girls

Sandy a la Mode — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:30:41 +0000

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

Making a Statement

Sandy a la Mode — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:00:50 +0000

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.