Silk Flowers and Sleepless Nights

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So I know we were really lucky with our son and his newborn to toddler sleep habits.  While he didn't sleep through the night right away (what newborn does), he never had any trouble discerning day from night, and did give us his longest stretches of sleep during night hours.  And when he did wake, it was to eat, then back to sleep. No midnight play sessions.

Then as he got older and outgrew his bassinet and it was time for him to sleep in his crib in is room, he made the transition pretty smoothly, until finally he was just sleeping through the night.  And putting him down had always been easy too: nurse or bottle, lay him down, turn on twinkly star lights, leave the room, he goes to sleep.

Fast forward to him now at 22 months, after over a year of quick, easy bedtimes and solid sleeping nights, he must be in a phase where he is becoming consciously aware of being alone, and not really liking it.  Bedtime routine has not changed, but now he needs someone to sit in the room with him in the dark until he falls asleep.  

And the sleeping through the night is more infrequent than not.  I am awakened once, sometimes twice, by "mommy! mommy!" coming through the monitor.  First we were going in his room, all he wanted was someone to cuddle him while he fell back asleep.  But we really don't want to encourage a needy habit. So now he calls out and I go to the door of his room on the outside, so he can't see me, but I respond, "Mommy is here. You're ok. Lie down and go night night." And he does.  I hear a little thump and he's back down on his mattress curled up with his blankie.  So, it could be worse, I know.  But I'm ready for this phase to pass.

 
 

No, your eyes aren't blurry, it's the photo, I'm so sorry. We tried new lense and it was a bust, but the dress was just so pretty I still wanted to share. So I apologize, and thanks for bearing with me.  

The dress is silk, and loose and flowy, and the print is gorgeous.  It's currently significantly on sale.

 
 
 
 
 
 

White After Labor Day

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I don't even know where the 'rule' no white after Labor Day came from.  It's silly, and I don't know anyone who follows it anymore.  Especially when the weather before and after Labor Day is like full summer, with unusually high heat and humidity.  And technically 'fall' doesn't start until next week, so I'm going keep dressing for the weather, and not for the calendar (though I am very ready for a cool down.)

 
 

I've been in love with both this top and the jean since I got them (the denim is so soft, and the top so light and airy) and I was excited to pair them together.  With temps in the 90s this past weekend, the flowy top and loose boyfriend were a more stylish option to just shorts and a tank top (no offense to shorts and tank tops, LOL.)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(And we were trying out a new camera lense, that didn't have quite the desired effect on the photos, so apologies on the slight fuzz to some of the images. You live, you learn.)

Shop my look below: Top is less than $23, jeans and shoes are sold out, but found similar look for you.

Thakoon for Kohl's DesigNation

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New York Fashion week is in full swing, so I think that's been getting most of the fashion press coverage in the past few days.  But I had my calendar marked for today's release: available today is the most recent affordable designer line by Thakoon for Kohl's DesigNation line.  Definitely fall pieces, with a subtle color palate of grays, blacks, blues, and burgundy, there are some great versatile, very wearable pieces that would make a good addition to any closet.

Thakoon's designs have been described as "timelessly feminine" and "as romantic and sensual as they are modern and innovative."  He has done affordable lines in the past for the GAP and Target.  

Some of my favorites:

You can view/shop the full collection below:

Classy Cut-Outs

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Hope everyone had a fun/relaxing/productive/peaceful/whatever-you-needed-it-to-be Labor Day holiday.  We did extended family time on Sunday (BBQ at the grandparent's with my sister and her family), then Monday was just our little family.  We got up early, because with a toddler there is no such thing as sleeping in, and drove to Long Beach for breakfast, then to Huntington Beach Dog beach with the vision of letting the dog off the leash and the toddler splash in water.  But we learned that even just the flow of a crashed wave up the sand is a horrifying thing, and even mommy and daddy shouldn't let the wave water get them.  Even if they're are laughing and having fun. It is not a fun thing to witness, it is very upsetting.

So the dog beach was a bit of a bust, though the dog had some fun. The little guy fell asleep shortly after departing the beach, and took a nice long nap.  Then we were able to salvage the water experience of the day by going to the pool, which little dude loves, and he and daddy splashed there til dinner time.

For the beach I just wore my swimsuit and denim cut-offs.  But after cleaning up, I was loving this new top I got (under $20!)  It is minimalist and modern, with cut outs that reveal a little skin without revealing too much. You can wear a normal bra with it, and it is so easy to dress up or down.  Here, I dressed it up with some wide leg slacks and leopard print heels, keeping accessories to a minimum, to keep with the mono-chromatic minimalist vibe.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If you're on Snapchat, find me there at edstilettos, and you can follow my little family adventures.