Kid and Baby Favorites

Today I wanted to share a few favorite Kid and Baby products that we love and use often.  I always love recommendations from friends and hearing about new baby and kid lines and these are a few of our favorites.  Would love to hear your favorites as well!

|| Babiator Sunglasses

These are the best baby glasses around.  They fit their little heads perfectly and come in a variety of colors.  They even offer an polarized version.  For the next week if you use code Designerbags you can get 20% off your purchase.  We use ours all the time but they are especially great on the boat and beach.  They come in infant and junior sizes.

Shop all the glasses HERE

Babiators also just came out with these swim goggles that I have to say are awesome.   They don't let any water seep in at all.  They are on the pricey side but worth it to me, Sterling will actually put his face under water with these on.  So many cheap goggles I bought him leak and these don't.  You can use the 20% off on these as well:)  Shop Here

|| Swim Goggles

|| Boon Products

I am a huge fan of Boon products.  I use all the ones pictured below on a daily basis.  The drying rack is awesome I have two for all our bottle parts and sippy cups and I also have three of the flowers to hang pacifiers and bottle accessories on.  The bath toys are great, they are the perfect size for Frances Moon to pick up and hold and Sterling loves them too.  If you have a baby the feeding spoon is a must I always have mine in my purse for easy feeding on the go.   I also use the feeding bowl for Frances, I love that it has suction underneath so it sticks to her high chair and the ledge helps catch spilled food.

 I use the sippy cups for Sterling, they don't leak and I like the look of them.   All Boon products are well made you won't be disappointed with any of these.

Grass Drying Rack | Bath Toys | Flower Stem | Feeding  Spoon | No Drip Bowl | Sippy Cup

|| Little Lux 
I am just smitten with this adorable line of kids jewelry made by a Father and Daughter duo.  Riley is 5 and the mastermind behind the whole line- probably why so many kids love the necklaces!   They were sweet enough to send Sterling and Frances Moon necklaces and they are beyond adorable.  I love that they make boy necklaces too- Sterling loves his Indian chief.  Shop the whole site HERE

|| Peter Brown Books

These books have become a favorite around here.  We own all his books and love them.  Such cute, quirky kids books.

|| Native Shoes + Puma Shoes
These are the only two pairs of shoes that Sterling wears for the most part.  The Natives are great year round.   I love that they are plastic and can be washed but are way cuter than crocs.  I just love the look of Pumas plus they are Velcro so he can easily put them on himself.

 and for the girls I love these Minnetonka Mocs.  They are a great price at only $20 and come in so many cute colors.
|| Minnetonka Mocs

|| Honest Company Detergent
I use and love most of the Honest Company products but the diapers and this detergent are my favorite.  Both of my kids had bad eczema as babies and other detergents even baby ones irritated their skin.  This one never does and it actually cleans clothes really well too.

 || 4 Moms Pack and Play
This Pack and Play is by the same company that created our beloved Mamaroo Swing.  My sister bought one and turned me on to how awesome it is.  It is so simple to put together and take down, literally one pull and it collapses. Frances is at the age where a pack and play works great, I can sit her in it with toys and she is contained.  It is great for traveling as well.

|| Zebi Baby
This is a line I was not familar with when Sterling was born but I just love it for Frances.  They make the cutest patterns and everything is organic and so soft.  I was gifted several of their items when I had Frances and we still use and love them!  They would make a great baby gift for any new mom!

Blanket | Burp Cloth Girl Set | Bib | Burp Cloth Boy Set | Whale Onesie | Fox Onesie | Leggings

What are your favorite kid and baby items?
Sterling wanted a picture with all his favorites:)

Scenes From Our Weekend

This weekend was one for the books.  Let's start with how it ended on Sunday.

Our ceiling literally fell out.  So the weird thing is Matt and I were watching TV Saturday night and I said that's weird, what is that line in the ceiling?  He said oh its been there no big deal.  We get up Sunday morning and Sterling goes Mom the ceiling is about to fall.  I walk in and it looks worse than the night before,  still had no idea it would bust through.  Matt got up and looks at and said we need to move the couch Stat and put a sheet down.  Literally 5 seconds after everyone gets off the couch and we move it the ceiling collapses.  You don't understand how lucky we are that no one got hurt and was underneath when it collapsed.  God was watching over us and I am so thankful.  The stuff that fell out was disgusting, not fun to clean up.  We think the AC unit had maybe been leaking- something had been causing water to build up and the ceiling was just saturated.  So today I call Homeowners Insurance and pray they cover it! 

 

Friday, I decided to invite a few friends to the Yacht Club for Happy Hour and let the kids play, it was a great idea.  We got to watch a beautiful storm roll in.

Sterling practiced his prom pose with a younger lady, if this isn't foreshadowing I don't know what is.

I adore this picture it is so cute.

Wore this gorgeous Mara Hoffman Dress from Mosaic Clothing twice since Wednesday.  Such a great maxi and so comfy- it would be a great maternity dress because it is so loose.  I will be wearing this thru fall, I can't wait to pair it with my Vince Leather jacket once it cools off.

|| Mara Hoffman Snake Maxi

I made a big batch of Gwyneth Paltrow's Carrot Ginger Dressing from her cookbook It's All Good.  If you have her cookbook you must make this it was delicious.  I made up my own chopped salad to serve it with.  You can also find the dressing recipe Here

Saturday night we did a boat ride before bed and it was lovely.  We saw like 6 dolphins, Sterling was so excited.

 

We saw the most beautiful sunset.  It reminded me of how good God is.

Enjoyed some time in my new Plum Pretty Sugar Robe trying to tackle all my September magazines.  Why do they make the September issues so thick???  Either way I love reading for all the Fall inspiration.

|| Plum Pretty Sugar Robe

If you need a new robe, I just adore mine.  They are the softest most comfortable robes.  Also in a long version Here

Snapped this precious picture while Frances Moon was supposed to be napping was dancing instead.  She is such a doll.  I ordered the Blabla pillow over the Labor Day sale and we just love it.

Word to this quote

Saturdays Steals and Splurges

I am back with a fun weekend roundup of some great deals.

Gap is running their big Baby + Kids Sale.  Almost everything is 40% off.

Shop the sale HERE and use code EXTRA to get an additional 20% off.   This makes things dirt cheap!!

A few things I snagged for Frances this Fall.

Flutter Dress | Chambray Top | Chambray Dress | Bow Flats | Floral Leggings | Swing Coat

And for my little man, love all the Camo!

Chambray Top | Stripe Sweater | Camo Tee | Camo Shorts | Jeans | Aviators | High Tops


The Nordstrom Clearance sale is still going on. 
A bunch of Zella stuff just got marked down  and added to the sale.  I own a few pairs of the Zella Leggings and love them, I would love to add that hoodie to my collection.  All three are a steal at 40% off.
Live in Triple Block Leggings | Hoodie | Floral Leggings
 

There some great home selections included in the sale as well.  I own several wood serving pieces and love them.  I feel like they really make your food stand out.  This would be beautiful with a salad in it or used as a fruit bowl.
|| Acacia Bowl

This tie dye blanket is pretty awesome.  I am thinking about it for the foot of Sterling's bed.
|| Tie Dye Blanket

JCREW is offering 25% off Fall Must haves, use code SHOPTIME
The perfect time to buy the swing sweater.  I added the Mustard yellow to my collection.
|| Swing Sweater

I also really like this mixed Media Sweater.  I love the cut up sides and the stripe back.
|| Mixed Media Sweater

Pottery Barn Kids is running a big Summer Sale.  Shop the sale HERE
I am pretty sure Sterling would flip if I bought this Shark Sprinkler- how cool is it?

I also think these stuffed animals are the most adorable things.  A great baby or birthday gift.  I really want the flamingo for Frances Moon but love the octopus too!
|| Plush Animals

Shopbop just marked down these JBrand Jeans.  I love the midrise ones and both of these colors are perfect for Fall.
|| JBrand Midrise Skinnies

Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole + On My Mind

Just in time for your weekend, I have a kick ass potato casserole recipe.  Its like a stuffed loaded baked potato but in a casserole form. Its amazing quite simply put.  We served ours with Filets and it was a perfect meal.  Enjoy.

|| L O A D E D   B A K E D  P O T A T O  C A S S E R O L E ||

- 5-6 russet or baking potatoes

- 4oz cream cheese

- 3 tablespoons milk

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 8 oz sour cream

- sliced green onions

- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (white and yellow)

- Crumbled Pancetta or Bacon

Peel and slice potatoes into circles.  Fill a large pot with water and place the potatoes and some salt in to boil.  Let the potatoes boil about 25 minutes until fork tender.  Drain off all water and leave potatoes in pot.  Add in cream cheese cubed, butter, and milk.  Use a hand held mixer to whip potatoes.  Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, you also may want to add more butter or milk.   Spread the whipped potatoes in a baking dish and spread the sour cream over top.  Then cover with shredded cheese.  Bake about 20-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly.  Remove from oven and sprinkle the top with green onions and crispy pancetta.

....................................................................................

I am so sad about Joan Rivers passing away.   I know she lived a long life, but its still sad.  My heart breaks for her daughter because I know how close they were.  She was a pretty hilarious lady, I hope she is living it up in heaven now.

I am really loving these flat Madewell boots.  I always think Madewell makes great shoes. 

|| The Otis Boot

I just started reading Big Little Lies and I am loving it!!  I loved the Husband's Secret so much I can tell this is going to be another great read.

 

Sterling started school this week, his first day of 4k.  I just want to freeze time.  Between school for him and Frances Moon's first birthday rapidly approaching I feel like time is flying by the blink of an eye.

I always have a hard time styling my square coffee table.  I love how this one is styled.  Plus I really love that antelope rug underneath!

Charleston friends, Mosaic one of my favorite online shops (the actual store is in Lake City, SC) is a having a trunk show here!!  Check out her website too, she is running some great end of Summer Sales.

Happy Friday!!

Let's Talk About Foundation

Foundation.  It's tricky.  It can either make your skin look flawless and perfect or make your face look darker or lighter than the rest of your body.  Lets be real we have all seen women with super pale or tan faces as a result of their foundation. It is a bad look.  I do most of my make-up shopping at Nordstrom, they offer free shipping and returns and just make my life easy.  Plus they carry all the lines I love like Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Chanel, and Dior.

Personally, I like a combo of a liquid tint plus a powder for an even coverage.  For years I have used Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.  It works great, goes on smoothly and I love that it has SPF in it. It works fine but I have the itch to try something new. 

I did a little research and asked around and these came up as top foundation recommendations:

 I always love Bobbi Brown make-up and heard this duo is awesome.

I like that the powder provides full coverage and for me I find powders help cover my blemishes and lines better than a liquid.  I like that you can then apply the foundation stick as needed.  

Right now at Nordstrom if you spend $50 on Bobbi Brown cosmetics you get a free mini foundation stick- so a great time to try it out!

Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder | Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

 

The other three foundations I have heard amazing things about are:

DiorSkin Star Foundation | Nars Sheer Glow | Laura Mercier Smooth Finish

I read in Allure that a lot of make-up artists to the stars swear by the Dior foundation.   It is supposed to be super light feeling with great coverage, plus it has SPF which is necessary in my opinion for daily wear.

I am never disappointed with Nars, I swear by their Laguna Bronzer, and Lipstick in Dolce Vita and Gypsy. So I have a feeling the foundation would be great plus their colors matches are pretty extensive.

The Laura Mercier Smooth Finish seems to have more pigment than the tinted moisturizer.

On a side note if you have not checked out the Nars nail polish collaboration with 3.1 Phillip Lim, you must!  The colors are gorgeous, I want them all.

\\ 3.1 Phillip Lim for Nars Nail Polish

What foundation do you swear by?  I would love to hear thoughts if you use any of the above that I am considering.

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.  All thoughts and opinions are my own always.