LES FEMME MODA the BELLY STYLE

jacket :grey antics via gilt ( similar style here or here ). jeans : jbrand also love these with zips! . tee dress : marc jacobs via gilt (love this similar one). bag: latico ( old - similar hobo here) . shoes : ivanka trump ( old and not that comfortable, as it turned out by the state of "pretty" blisters. better similar here and absolute favorite for comfort and quality here). bracelets : personalized love cuff via lmpd c/o,  personalized pandora. 

Belly pops more each day and it calls for some looooong tees and really stretchy jeans. In my experience, I have not been able to find any maternity jeans that do not sag on the bottom ( sooo "flattering", especially "boosts" your confidence when you are pregnant...) , so some stretchy jeans size up with a "rubber band trick" have been my life-savers. I'm contemplating about the belly band, but not sure if it is worth trying - have any of you tried it? Does it really work? Did you like it if so?

All around, this got to be my favorite time - the belly is big enough that it is visible to be a "legit" preggers belly, not just extra dinner, but not SO big that you can't do anything. The baby kicks are much more visible and I know already that I am going to miss this like crazy. Any of you first time moms out there - ENJOY this time. It will pass before you know it, and - anxious as we all are to meet the new little one, this near the end time is always missed. 

The weather is beautiful outside and , fingers crossed it stays that way, I am hoping on taking everyone and all to spend a lot of time in the canyon and mountains this weekend. The blooming trees are in their perfect state right now and we need some "nature connection" time too.

Wishing you a great weekend!

Also, the giveaway winner announced here.

IT'S HERE! DVF for GAP KIDS

Just a little quick stop by to let you know - DFV for GAP KIDS is up and ready!  

Here are some of my favorites ( although, can you really choose a favorite there? i love it all! ) and you can see those and more HERE! 

If this is something you like, I say RUN - DON'T - WALK! Last year the collection sold out within HOURS in NYC and in a few days in stores and online.

And if you are on the market for some new things for yourself but not really wanting to pay the "ticket" , GILT has several DVF collections ( from shoes, bags and accessories to clothes and such) on SALE at 50%+ off! This bag is my favorite, these and these shoes, and one of about 100 tops ( i think it's perfect for every day! )  Note about GILT - if something you love is sold out, ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITLIST! As items become available again, you will be the first to know it, even though the sale closes by then ( typically) . I wish I knew about it early on.
 You are welcome and happy shopping!

Do you have a favorite?

ONE FINE DAY... AND CHOCOLATE

Going in accordance with the saying " A chocolate in the mouth is worth two on the plate", we decided to make a stop by a local chocolaterie on the way from school. After all, the weather was nice, there was a lot to talk about (two school trips in one day - an old fort camp for a boy, and a flower festival for a girl. need I say more?), so the hot chocolate stop for kids sounded just about right, especially, since it's been forever since we've done any sort of a special treat. 

^^ they 'eyed' those marshmallows for about 10 minutes. but we have a "1 thing at a time" rule, and hot chocolate was voted my the majority ( because mom's vote counts as two, right?)  ^^

^^ so patiently waiting and observing. i was impressed.^^

^^ the line and placing an order YOURSELF is the best thing ever when you are 4^^

^^ 'whas zis?' is the new addition to her vocabulary, and i am blown away. we also answer about 200 of 'was zis'-s a day. ^^

^^ a lesson: do not let the 1 1/2 year old choose the color of the chocolates. she'll take them ALL. ^^

^^ she is too small for her own, but we shared a little too. turns out she is not a fan after all ^^

 

 

   Rainy, sunny, warm or cold,  stop by a chocolaterie or a coffee shop with a friend , book or just by yourself. It is so nice to have a little break to talk, think and enjoy the moment, even if it is just 15 minutes. 

WISHING YOU A FABULOUS DAY, 

and remember to enter a giveaway - ends tomorrow! 

ps: for those asking: this stroller is a Stokke Xplory in black melange with a life-saver footmuff and an equally loved blanket.

ONE AWESOME FRIDAY GIVEAWAY!

jewelry pieces : Little Miss Pepper Designs

I am very happy to share a beautiful giveaway with you today, just perfectly in time for Mother's Day celebration! 

I've introduced Little Miss Pepper Designs to you here, and if you haven't looked at them yet, I highly recommend you do.

 Little Miss Pepper Designs is based in the sentiment of expression. Stacey Bradshaw wanted to create designs that express our love for our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, husbands, dads, and friends. Her customized, hand- stamped jewelry gives you the opportunity to show the world the joy that love has given you. Wear your love every day! 

You can customize the pieces as you wish, adding your own words or letting Stacey do her magic for you. I went with the later option, and , since receiving my bracelet on Monday, it has not left my wrist.  There is something so very heartwarming about looking down and seeing those words engraved with love. Every piece from LMPD is done with such love and care - you can feel it too. I will be coming back for more. 

bracelet c/o : little miss pepper designs ( LOVE it!) 

Today, Little Miss Pepper Designs is generously offering a giveaway of $150 gift certificate to LMPD shop. 

You can enter a giveaway by "liking" Little Miss Pepper Designs on FB ( required to enter) and boosting your chances by following through other options. 

 This giveaway will run for a week and the winner will be announced next Friday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALSO,  Little Miss Pepper Designs is offering a $300 Gift Certificate giveaway for their FB followers, so waste no time and go enter! There is so much to choose from! 

And last but by far not least, if you are like me and do not want to wait ( or want more!) , 

Little Miss Pepper Designs is offering a 20% discount for our readers with code LIVINGNOTES.

Now, tell me this does not make for one awesome Friday! A HUGE "thank you" to Little Miss Pepper Designs for such generosity!

My favorites are in the collage above ( plus the bracelet!) 

TELL ME YOUR FAVORITES!

 

update: congratulations to the winner! you have 3 days to claim your prize, please, email me for more information.

MOVE LOVE AND BEAUTY

My heart goes out to those affected by the Boston tragedy. The world can be a cruel and difficult place to live in, and today, more then ever before, we need more love and beauty in the world. In today's world lives ( and childhood)  of many are filled with video games, modern special effect movies or "cartoons" where someone blows someone up, super technological gadgets that make communication easy, electronic, and human-less , I think, there is a need for LIFE. A real need to step back and look at gorgeous - and unfortunately under-appreciated today - art, beautiful blooming nature and LOVE and relationships that we have in our lives. It is my belief that art is a key to a beautiful soul, and while it is my belief only and I am not in any way claiming it to be "the truth", I will dedicate next several posts and more posting throughout to all things beautiful and inspiring. I know you'll enjoy it too.

Marina Abramovic and Ulay started an intense love story in the 70s, performing art out of the van they lived in. When they felt the relationship had run its course, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting for one last big hug in the middle and never seeing each other again.
At her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, where she shared a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her. Ulay arrived without her knowing and this is what happened.

This video touches the inner strings of the heart. I've followed the lives of these artists for a while, was at that exhibit,  and seen this short clip many times since. While no technology will ever be able to portray the incredible atmosphere that was created in those short moments in real life, every time I come back to re-watch this, it never fails to find it's way to the deepest part of my heart. Because it is so honest. Enjoy.

Make sure to come back tomorrow! I have a wonderful surprise that could not be more fitting, and you will all love!  

WISHING YOU A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

LITTLE MISS PEPPER DESIGNS

 

 

 I would like to introduce our newest sponsor to you - 

Little Miss Pepper designs.

Growing older each day, I treasure my jewelry pieces not only for the beauty of it, but for the meaning behind it.  I loved the modern and meaningful Stacey's artwork from the first sight, and I think you will too. Whether holiday, birthday or "just because", these pieces make a beautiful gift for the loved one or self.

Apart from adding beauty to the world, Little Miss Pepper designs helps the little ones by donating 5% of all proceeds to supporting Children’s Cancer Research - and I admire them for doing it.

Some of my favorite pieces are above, but it's just a drop in the ocean - head on over and see for yourself.

Here is more about Little Miss Pepper designs :

  

Little Miss Pepper Designs is based in the sentiment of expression. Stacey Bradshaw wanted to create designs that express our love for our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, husbands, dads, and friends. Her customized, hand- stamped jewelry gives you the opportunity to show the world the joy that love has given you. Wear your love every day!

 

Stacey has been creating jewelry for over fifteen years and her designs have evolved with time. Her first pieces started with custom bridal jewelry for all of her friends weddings…how time flies! Now she designs pieces based around her growing family for her mom, her friends, and daughters and has added gifts that her husband can enjoy – key chains, collar stays and cufflinks.

All her pieces use only the finest quality Sterling Silver, 14k Gold-Filled, Semi-Precious Stones and Freshwater Pearls. From engagements to weddings, birth to graduation  you can find an expression of love to honor your precious ones in every season of life.

As always, her unique handmade jewelry is near and dear to those who wear it. Her desire is to create something that you love to wear.

Cherish, Treasure, Love.

Did you know?

In honor of Mattie’s godfather, Jason, as well as Max, Mattie and Pepper’s grandfather, Stephen, who missed Pepper’s birth by just a few months, and both lost their battle to cancer, 5% of all proceeds from Little Miss Pepper Designs go to supporting Children’s Cancer Research.

SENDING YOU LOTS OF LOVE TODAY!

One Stripe-y Birthday Afternoon...

 As we were enjoying a fabulous sunny afternoon on Nadya's 7th Birthday, I couldn't help but laugh and snatch the camera : apparently, STRIPES was something that EVERYONE wanted to wear that day. Not intentional, but accidentally matched even to our stroller blanket. 

Does this classify as tuned-in on style vibes? 

ps: for those that asked : stroller is stokke crusi in single mode , blanket is stokke ( it SNAPS onto a stroller! you will never loose it! how clever is that? ) , nadya's shoes are salt waters ( if you are on the market - most durable shoe i found. we are not going back to any other sandals)

LES FEMME MODA: Rainy Weather the Belly Style

 jacket : jcrew ( old. this season colors here) top: french connection ( way old... similar look here, or same french connection  style here). jeans: emersonfry ( my absolute favorite - must try)  . boots: hunter ( old season, but love this color and get 20% off with code { FANDF }! or similar pink color from target). bag: steve madden. scarf: nordstrom. lips: mac newest "mineralize". not pictured - target best umbrella.

It's been raining on and off last few days, so we ( as in me and the belly ) have been sporting the rain apparel 24/7. The spring weather here changes like no other and I am looking to the stable summer warmth and t-shirts - it is becoming more and more complicated to accommodate the 3rd trimester belly into my regular jackets, and I do refuse to buy a new one just for the sake of a month or so. Why, right?

WISHING YOU A FANTASTIC DAY, RAIN OR SHINE!