Coca-Cola Museum

Another one of our stops while our friends were in town was the famous Coca-Cola Museum.

I have to say i really enjoyed this tour. It takes you through the different marketing signs and propaganda through the years. I loved seeing the vintage ads with pin up looking girls holding the old school coke bottles.

Image courtesy of http://www.picturestore.com/

You also walk through a mock factory of how the coke is bottled and shipped.

Wil's favorite part was the last part of the museum where you can taste over 60 different coca cola flavors from around the world. If i remember correctly, his favorite was from Chile.

So, I was hoping they would have the designer series that was done earlier this year. Several designers collaborated with Coca Cola for charity where they designed special edition covers. I especially wanted the Karl Lagerfeld one for Chanel. But to my disappointment, they didnt have this at the museum. Boo :(

But anyway, here are pics of some of the covers by some of the designers.

Manolo Blahnik

Fendi

Atlanta Aquarium

Last week we took our friends from MN to the Atlanta Aquarium. I didn't realize this but its the largest aquarium in the world!

It was awesome! i can't wait til Gabe is big enough to appreciate it. Its very interactive there, they had a large pool where you can pet hammerhead sharks and sting rays. There was also a mini pool were you can touch starfish, sea urchins and anemone. For now, Wil was the little kid. He enjoyed everything :)

My favorite part was the beluga whale section. They are just so graceful as they swim around their tank. They had soothing music in their section so Gabe slept like a baby in his stroller there. When he woke up, i let him look at the tank and his eyes just looked like they were in awe. It was the cutest site. I can't wait for Gabe to see the world.

Wil just HAD to buy Gabe a mini beluga whale :) So he always has it by his side in his carrier :)

I'm wearing:

H&M-cotton racerback summer dress

Target-white tank

Michael Kors - gold menswear watch

fashion ring from my sister from Turks and Caicos

Gabe's wearing:

I heart MPLS onesie from Parc Boutique in NE Minneapolis, MN (http://www.parcboutique.com/)

Stylish Mom

Kelly Ripa looks absolutely amazing. She's a mother of 3 kids and she looks fabulous!!!!!!!! I'll have to do 24 hours of Zumba to look like this!!!!! I kove her hair, simple yet stylish. She's always wearing chic clothing that never looks too dressed up. She has a great body. And she's married to a hottie.

Tuesday Shoesday

I decided to do a post on his and hers shoes since I came across 2 of the cutest pairs online this week. I love the neutral color of these Gucci shoes. They have the signature logo on them but in a subtle way.

Her Shoes:

Gucci

Grey Guccissima Paloma logo pump

Color: Grey

www.bluefly.com

retail: $525

sale: $378

His Shoes:

Gucci

Grey Guccissima suede bamboo detail loafers

Color: Grey

www.bluefly.com

retail: $435

Sale: $313.20

Love is When I See You Smile

Baby Gabriel is starting smile more and more!!!! That's one of the milestones of being older than 8 weeks old. And i absolutely melt when i see his grin.

image courtesy of weheartit.com

A Bib for Mommy

I found a GREAT accessory on chicintuition today. i LOOOOOOVE it. Its a bib for me. Gabe can keep his "spit happens" and "I was born cute" bibs. These stylish bibs are for me to update my wardrobe. These are an updated version of the felt bib styles we've been seeing these past few seasons. This style is PERFECT for me since i love a fabulous statement piece and plus i love scarves. I'm always using a scarf or pashmina to add layers and volume to my wardrobe. So, statement necklace plus scarf equals my new love: Roarke le charlot necklaces.

image courtesy of http://www.chicintuition.com/

These statement pieces are by Roarke NYC. http://www.roarkenyc.com/

They have different appliques and beadings as well as different prints and fabrics for you to choose from. I'm a pearl kind of girl so my eyes went straight to option number 1 above. But for me, since these are quite pricey, I'd want to get something that really makes it stand out so i'd probably purchase option number 3 pictured above. Plus the darker colors are perfect for fall!

This is called the Le Charlot-Pearl-Leopard. Its a beaded chiffon bib necklace with a covered snap closure. You can also extend the necklace for a different look. retail price for this specific style is $425.

That's what friends are for

I had an amazing weekend with my bestest friends from Minnesota. I've been looking forward to this trip for so long - and now its over :( My friends Ann, Shirley May, Richelle, and Ryan visited us here in Atlanta.







They were able to meet baby Gabe! We were also able to show them around. Wil and I were totally tourists too since we haven't had the chance to go around town since we moved. We went to different spots such as:









Avondale Estates




Flip Burger




Gladys Knight's and Ron's Chicken and Waffles




The Varsity




The Atlanta Aquarium




The Coca Cola Museum

I'll have to write different posts for each of these spots :)

Baby Gabe is 2 months!!

Happy 2 month to Gabe. My baby is already 2 months old - i can't believe how fast time is flying by. What better than to celebrate with Dunkin Donuts? :)

What we're wearing:

Gabe: Gerber onesies size 3-6 months - he's growing out of these quick!

me:

- Gap-basic blue button down

- Michael Kors gold menswear large face watch

- Designs by K Cayetano necklace

- Nars lip gloss in sweet charity

- Dior show mascara

For the Love of Art

It's my birthday!!! Woo-hoo!!!

Every year, my sisters, my husband, etc ask me what i want for my birthday. And every year I draw a blank. Of course when its not my birthday i can come up with a list of 101 things that i want or could use - but guaranteed, when its birthday time, i don't have a clue of what to ask for.

This holds true for this year as well. Of course today, after my birthday presents have been purchased and wrapped, i decided on something that i want. I guess i'll have to wait for it next year :) - if I'm that lucky!

I heart the Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) arty rings.

I especially love the gold ring with the blue stone. Dark blue stones against gold metals look so dramatic!

YVES SAINT LAURENT

Arty Metal Ring

http://www.net-a-porter.com/

retail: $195

Yves Saint Laurent's textured gold-tone metal ring

with large blue oval enamel stone is a striking adornment.

Wear it to add a dose of statement glamour to simple workwear separates

But i love them all:

Here they are in action:

My best friend

While I was pregnant, my best friend was my snoogle. Now that I have my baby, my best friend is the Dirt Devil hand held vacuum. That sound does wonders for comforting a baby. So if all of your swaying, shushing, rocking, singing doesn't work to calm your baby down, try using the sound of the vacuum.

My best friend

Dirt Devil Hand Held Vacuum

Sleeping Baby

Equals a happy mommy

Tuesday Shoesday

Fendi is fast becoming my go to designer! I've been eyeing these heels that Kelly Ripa wears pretty frequently on her show. I couldn't figure out who made them and where she got them from. I was on a shoe website and what do you know, I came across the shoe and they're by Fendi!! I heart them so much. Seriously....I know i like a lot of shoes, but these ones i really would make the investment. But surprise, surprise, I can't find them in my size anywhere. Yes, after i got pregnant, i was so happy that my shoe size went up from a 5 to 6 b/c this meant more shoe options. But, i still can't find them in a 6. boo!! But in any case, here they are:

Fendi suede ruched sandals

Color: taupe

4 1/2" heel with 1/2" platform

suede upper with zipper closure in the back

can be found on http://www.bluefly.com/

retail: $995

sale price: $716.40

Don't they just make you happy looking at them??

PS - Kelly Ripa is one of those hot mama's i love. I'll have to do a separate post on her one day

He's a swinger!

I've been putting Gabe in a swing these past few days - i don't want him to get used to it, but he sleeps so much longer in the swing than he does in his crib during the day. He could sleep for hours in my arms, but i can't get anything around the house done. So I've given in to the swing. He's just so darn cute in this contraption.

Honestly, when i registered for it, it was purely because of the smart marketing at Babies R Us. I wasn't even going to get a swing. But, conveniently placed at the end of the aisle for the world to see was the cutest swing, shaped like a little lamb. The plush cover was so soft to the touch. The little felt lambs, moon, and stars that hung from the mobile sealed the deal. I took my gun and zapped the item-and there it went on my registry.

I'm so happy i got it, but i'm still a bit nervous about spoiling him and letting him sleep in it too much. What if he gets used to the motion? i can't swing him ALL the time.

Here's an article i came across with mixed reactions about the subject.

http://www.mamapedia.com/article/can-a-baby-be-in-a-swing-too-much

Tummy time!

I'm really making it a point to do more tummy time with Gabe. The pediatrician commented that his head was getting a little flat in the back so she recommended more tummy time. Plus I want to work out his neck and arm muscles. Its so cute watching him.

Quote from www.weheartit.com

Baby Bible

I just heard about the 5 s's from a fellow new mother (thanks Cheryl b). I'm sure the 5's are common sense but it was nice to hear it in structured format. the 5 s's are guidelines or methods to try to calm your crying/fussy baby. I like to refer to them as the baby bible. I know this is true for every mother, but it just breaks my heart whenever i see Gabe cry. And i feel horrible when i can't console him!! This was especially true yesterday when Gabe went to the pediatrician for his 8 week checkup.

Gabe at the Pediatrician for his 8 week checkup

weight: 10 lbs 6 ozs

length: 22 in

This meant it was time for vaccinations!! He didn't get 1 shot, but 5 shots!!!!!!!!! I swear it hurt me more than him! He cried his heart out and stared at me as if saying, "why are you doing this to me, mommy??" i literally cried. (maybe i need the 5s for myself!)

I used the 5s method to calm Gabe after the appointment. They are:

1) swaddling

2) side/stomach position - hold baby close to your breast on his side, this puts pressure on his tummy and helps with digestion

3) shushing sounds - mimicks the sounds in the womb. Let me tell you, my new retreat is the bathroom. I just put the fan on and Gabe calms down!! its amazing. I even vacuumed today and he fell asleep right away

4) swinging - babies are used to always being in motion from being in our tummies

5) sucking - whether its a baby bottle/pacifier/etc, this helps soothe the baby.

you can read more details at:

http://www.babyslumber.com/happiestbaby.html

Tuesday Shoes Day

These fab shoes are a wallet's (and husband's) worst nightmare. But i can still dream right?

Jimmy Choo - Ghillie Tie Pump

Textured snakeskin encircles the midnight-blue satin

that shapes a chic, laced-front ghillie pump

with a bold exposed zipper at the heel

4" heel

Available at Nordstrom.com

price: $1095.00