what to wear: family photos

We had Bella Life take our first family photos with baby Lawton a few weeks ago and I’m loving how they turned out!  Choosing coordinating outfits for pics is tough.  And it was especially challenging this time since I don’t yet fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes.  I thought I’d share some helpful “rules” that I follow when picking out group photo outfits.

1. Choose your outfit first.

Since you probably planned the photoshoot, you should feel happy about what you’re wearing!  In my case, I was feeling self-conscious about my post-baby body and nothing fit.  I found this charcoal midi dress at Zara used it as my starting point.

2. Limit patterns.

Stick to mostly solid color outfits.  Different textures are fine, but mixing multiple patterns can make the pics feel busy.  I fell in love with Denton’s sweater and so it became the one patterned piece.

3. Coordinating, not matchy-matchy.

The outfits should color-coordinate with each other, but not be matchy-matchy.  In this case, I used the colors from Denton’s sweater as the palate.  The rust color shows up in my shoes, Lawton’s blanket, and Pavel’s shoes and belt.  The cream is repeated in Lawton’s onesie, and the light-gray in Pavel’s sweater.

4. Weather and venue appropriate.

Consider your surroundings.  Don’t wear a sundress in the snow, or a ski outfit to the beach.  And similarly, don’t have one person in shorts and a t-shirt and another in a sweater and jeans.

5. Plan ahead.

A few days before the photoshoot, make sure the outfits are clean and set aside.  This will make sure they’re ready to go for picture day!  It sounds silly, but when trying to get everyone dressed and out the door on time, you’ll be glad you did.

And then enjoy your beautiful photos!

xoxo
-ash

tree farm 2018!

 

reindeer sweater  | hat  |  boots  | sweater onesie

Another year, another trip to Rancho Siempre Verde tree farm!  This was our third visit to RSV, and it never disappoints.  See past posts here(2017) and here(2016).  The weather wasn’t great, and the toddler and newborn presented new challenges; but we found our perfect tree and made some new memories.

That said, I learned some things and now have some tips for tree ranching with kids:

1.  TAKE GROUP PICS WHEN YOU ARRIVE

It was raining off and on, and mud was everywhere.  By the end of the visit our toddler wasn’t the only one looking a mess.  Take group pics when you arrive while you’re still looking somewhat fresh!

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2. BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES

I really thought I was on the ball packing a change of shoes for Denton (19 mos) and myself.  What I failed to realize is that toddlers don’t stay on their feet.  By the time we left the farm, Denton was so soaked with mud that he rode home wearing nothing but a clean diaper and a blanket.

3. WEAR A HAT

The hat was a happy accident for me.  It’s hard keeping your balance sliding around in mud while holding a newborn and chasing a toddler!  Add in the intermittent sun and misty rain and it’s a real challenge.  Having a hat to keep the sun, rain, and hair out of my face was YASSS!

4. PACK A PICNIC

We had planned to stop for a late lunch at one of our fave restaurants on our way back to the city.  However, by the time we left the farm, we were tired from toddler chasing and Denton had no clothes.  Next year we’ll pack a picnic so that we can sit and eat while the kids roll around in the mud.

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5. BRING PLASTIC BAGS

I brought spare shoes, but no bags to put the muddy ones in– let alone Denton’s soaked clothes.  Oops.

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6. NEVER RUN OUT OF OXICLEAN

Ever since Denton started trying to feed himself, I have had an OxiClean Gel Stick on the washer at the ready.  As soon as we got home from the farm, I used the oxiclean on his little jeans and they’re good as new.  It also works wonders on tomato sauce and chocolate.

***

Next year we’ll be more prepared!  And please let me know if you’ve got any pro-tips I’ve missed!

xoxo
-ash

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Memorial Day planning

A three day weekend is coming up — YAY!!  I loved long weekends before having a kiddo, and now that I’m a mom I look forward to them like you would not believe!!

We don’t have any firm plans yet, but I’m sure our weekend will be filled with at least some of the following:  BBQ, picnic in the park, zoo trip, wine country, swimming pool, shopping (MEMORIAL DAY SALES!!), brunch, urban hike, beach time… and we’ll squeeze in some work on the house because that is NEVER ENDING.

What are you up to this holiday weekend?

Memorial Day Sales!!!

Net-A-Porter — Take 50% off select designers. Valid 5/22.

Nordstrom — The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale is almost here! Valid 5/23-6/3.

Macy’s  Take 20% off during the Memorial Day Sale with code MEMDAY. Valid 5/23-5/28.

ShopBop  Sale’s in bloom! Save up to 40% on thousands of new warm-weather styles. Plus, free shipping & returns!

Yoox  Up to 40% off. Valid 5/22.

Barneys — Receive up to 40% off. Valid 5/22.

Revolve — Take up to 50% off sale items. Valid 5/18.

Bloomingdales — Take an extra 40-50% off already-on-sale items, plus an additional 20-50% off select full-price items. Valid now through 5/28.

Nordstrom Rack — Clear the rack for deals up to 70% off. Valid 5/25-5/28.

IMG_2768ps.  This is what beach attire can look like in greater San Francisco this time of year.  Rumor has it this weekend will be HOT HOT HOT though!!  YASSS!

xoxo
-ash

in case you missed it…

THE MOST POPULAR POSTS AND PRODUCTS FROM OUR JANUARY BLOG ARE LINKED BELOW IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM THE FIRST GO-ROUND!

be a dreamer (and a doer)dreamer1

Seven years ago I completely shook up my life when I packed up and moved to San Francisco.  That first year was full of challenges, and incredible surprises.   Dream big and takes that first step to get you there.  Read more here.

 

2018 resolutions

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New year, new resolutions… or if you had some good ones last year- just recycle!  Need inspiration?  Read about Aj’s resolutions here.

 

rodan + fields

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We had some fun testing out a mini Rodan + Fields facial!  Find out more about the cleansing mask here.

 

top products

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be a dreamer pullover

 

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starry night dress

 

 

be a dreamer (and a doer)

dreamer1

Seven years ago I bought a one-way ticket to San Francisco, and with two suitcases filled to the brim I set out to change up my life.  I had a job lined up with my then law firm, so that was good, but no apartment, no savings, and lots of debt.

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In that first year I changed apartments 3 times (eek), took the California bar twice (oopsie), ran my second ever marathon (YAY!), landed an amazing in-house job at a huge tech company (woohooo!!), and met my now husband (awwww)…

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… oh… and I ate a ton of seafood and did much wine tasting 😉

ALL IN JUST ONE LITTLE YEAR!

So much awesome can happen if you just start the ball rolling.

The days are starting to get longer and spring is just around the corner.  It’s the perfect time of year to set intentions.  Be a dreamer! Visualize your goals – however fuzzy they may be at this point – then take that critical first baby step toward attaining them.   And then repeat… dreamer/doer/dreamer/doer/dream/do..

Need a cute reminder? … We got you covered 😉


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be a dreamer – blue

We could not resist adding the incredibly comfy and super adorable ‘Be a dreamer’ pullovers to the boutique when we saw them.  And of course one color was not enough!

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be a dreamer – pink 

xoxo
-ash

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

THE MOST POPULAR POSTS AND PRODUCTS FROM OUR NOVEMBER BLOG ARE LINKED BELOW IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM THE FIRST GO-ROUND!

new stuffs!!

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Lots of new items were added to the shop last month starting with the new stuffs!! And then also more good stuffs!! and of course the you need this.

 

back at square one

running

Aj found out that despite qualifying for Boston this year, she didn’t make the cut to actually run the race.  Boo.  Undeterred she put on her galaxy leggings, laced up her sneaks, and hit the trail.

tree farm!!

Ash and Pavi headed back to Rancho Siempre Verde tree farm again this year, and little baby Denton took it all in for the first time.  Love his big smiles 🙂

 

nursery essentials

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Filled with pics of Aj and her newest baby Rem, this post is a ‘how to’ for setting up an adorable nursery.

 

top products

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glitter heels

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the ‘allison’ faux fur jacket

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green kick flair midi dress