Pink Flamingos

I love flamingos. They are so decadently pink and strangely beautiful that they look like something out of a storybook and don't seem like they should actually exist in real life. 

Here's a Pink Flamingo inspired outfit 

 

Clutch  / Dress  / Peeptoes / Earrings / Ring

and a cocktail of the same name.

The Pink Flamingo

Mix 1.5 ounces of Vodka, 1.5 ounces of Cointreau, and Orange Juice with a dash of Sloe Gin. Shake it all up and pour into an iced filled glass garnished with a long lime twist.

Then stand on one foot like a flamingo and sip it in the sun.

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Take It or Leave It

Here are three pieces of advice to new moms based on the not-so-expert opinion of this new mom.

1. If someone wants to help you, let them. I am so grateful to my wonderful Mom who took care of Lucy and me while I recovered from my c-section and I am not sure what Patton, Lucy and I would have done without her, especially in those first couple weeks. Because of her round the clock love and care, I got plenty of sleep which I am sure speeded up my recovery considerably.

2. Don't let anyone bully you into breastfeeding or not breastfeeding. Do what works for you and keeps your baby happy and healthy, and if that means you supplement with formula, or exclusively breast feed, or do a combo of pumping, nursing and formula then that is your business and no one else should pressure you one way or another. For some mothers and babies, breastfeeding is difficult for a variety of reasons and you aren't a bad mom if you choose to go the formula route. I do a combo of breastfeeding, pumping/bottle feeding, and supplementing with formula and Lucy has been a very healthy, content, easy going baby girl who gets plenty of sleep (which means I get plenty of sleep!!!). Also, incorporating bottle feeding lets Patton share in the fun. We have a nice Saturday morning tradition where I wake up and pump for a few minutes, hand Patton Lucy and the bottle and I go back to sleep for a few hours. So wonderful.

3. It's okay to take some time for yourself. I LOVE holding Lucy almost constantly, but every couple of days it's nice to take a few minutes or a couple hours to do something on my own. I love Lucy's swing almost as much as she does. I set it up in the bathroom and she coos happily in it while I enjoy a nice long shower and can see her safely swinging just outside the shower door. Plus the model we have has a fantastic set of songs. I also am so lucky that my Mom comes and stays with us midweek (and my fantastic Dad often drives her down from West Chester so he can get a little Lucy time himself) so I can go into the office a couple of mornings. And Patton is wonderful about making sure I get a chance to head to yoga class or run out for a little bit of shopping on the weekends. At the end of each of these little moments for myself I am always so ready to come back and snuggle my baby girl.

And these are the products that have become absolute-can't-live-without'em-essentials:

Baby sling / breast pump / swing / rocking cradle / bibs / musical seahorse / swaddle blanket / carter sets / swaddlers / wipes / Flower clips and hairbands

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Loaded

Love, love, LOVE making these for dinner.

Loaded Baked Potato

Slather olive oil onto and rub sea salt into an extra large jacket potato and bake on 425 until you can easily puncture the potato with a fork. Remove from the oven and let the fun begin.

I like to load up my baked potatoes with all sorts of yummy things... chicken, veggies, cheeses, various sauces ... but this version is favorite. Here is the list of what  I jammed into these potatoes.

Smoked Salmon drizzled in Lemon Juice

Butter

Creme Fraiche

Chopped Raw Green Beans

Shredded Baby Spinach

Chives

Chopped Grape Tomatoes

Crumbled Bacon

This is a very easy to make, very hearty meal. Patton is a huge fan and I think it is something kids would enjoy (and an easy way to hide veggies amid the kid friendly things like butter, cheese, and potatoes).

Get Loaded!

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Seriously Sweet

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G and Some Small Shoes

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Nothing but Blue Skies...

photo

The perfect outfit for a clear blue sky day.....

 

 Clutch  $29/ Dress $44 / Heels $29 / Cocktail Ring $20 / Hair Clip $36  

... and the perfect cocktail to match.

Horizon Blue Sky

1 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. triple sec

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass

Nothing but blue skies from now on.

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American Way - Part Three - Sunset Yoga

Photo from Woman Around Town

Okay, so National Harbor's FREE Sunset Yoga sessions actually take place on the Pier Pavilion, not American Way, but close enough. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 - 8 pm, Sun & Moon Yoga sends over one of their wonderful instructors to give a free class, friendly to all level yogis. I've taken my fair share of yoga classes but found the session I took last Thursday to be both challenging and relaxing (and it made me realize how much flexibility in my abs and back I lost a a result of my c-section.. I have LOTS of work to do to get in shape an will definitely be trying to attend as many of these classes as I can).

Surrounded by some of my National Harbor neighbors, yoga enthusiasts  of all ages (includng 2 truly adorable and very talented little girls who were practicing in front of me) from Maryland, Virginia  and the District, and lots of tourists visiting the Harbor, we were led through some guided meditations, a fair number of sitting and standing sun salutations with variations offered for more and less experienced class members.

I was very grateful to my sweet husband who rushed home from work so I could go to this class and do some much needed stretching in such a beautiful setting. It was a hot evening but we had a fabulous breeze for the entire hour and it was nice to take a class outside of a studio and enjoy the scenery.  

Pier

During the final meditation, I found my thoughts continually drifting to Lucy's adorable little face. She is turning into such a great smiler and by the end of the hour I was relaxed, feeling limber and so ready to get back up to my condo to kiss my hubby and baby girl.

I'd love to take a Mommy & Baby yoga class... anyone know of a good one in Old Town Alexandria or the surrounding area?

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Insta-Lucy.... at Two Months

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