Silk Flowers and Sleepless Nights

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

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.

Wrap Me Up Pretty

Ok, so here's the reality: while I would love to look crisply attired and professionally styled at all times, that just ain't happening when trying to chase a toddler around.  What I need is simple outfits that I can put on quickly, but that still have some character and style to them. I need to look like I tried without having to actually try that hard.

That's what's so wonderful about scarves.  They are simple pieces that come in a vast variety of colors and patterns, and can instantly take the simplest outfit and add that element of style that pulls it all together.  Jeans and a T: comfy, practical, but boring.  Add a brightly colored scarf and you have instant detail and interest with no fuss.  And they're not just for cold weather anymore.  They come in a variety of light, airy fabrics that feel just as spring and summery as tanks and sundresses (both of which you can add a scarf to.)

Additionally, they're  a functional accessory, particularly good for air travel, when you encounter a variety of temperatures and can be hot one minute and cold another.  Light scarves can provide just the right extra layer to adjust to temperature changes.

And there are so many ways you can style them, its like 20 pieces in one.  And you can easily find so many styles at very affordable prices. So its a win all around.  And who doesn't like winning? :)
 

Click this image for instructions on these looks and to visit a website dedicated to how to tie scarves 

Click this image for instructions on these looks and to visit a website dedicated to how to tie scarves