Snow Day

Posted on by barbara solomon

Okay winter. Calm down.
The weather in Toronto over the next few days is filled with snow to blanket the city and slow down what is suppose to be a busy week.

We leave on our first family vacation in one week and I cannot wait to escape. I typically can handle the cold temperatures fairly well (1, 2, 3,) and feel confident driving in the snow (I’ve always invested in the best winter tires) but now, with Sterling, it’s harder to prioritize leaving the house when conditions are bad. Meaning we’ve been home bound for a while over the last few weeks. So I’m looking forward to spending time outside while showing my son one of my favourite cities and spending time with my grandparents.

But first, there are a lot of planning to do for this vacation, and my number one plan for success is giving myself the most amount of time to do every task, especially on travel days.

Sterling and I traveled to Miami last year, when he was a few weeks old around the same time, but he was a newborn and only the essentials were necessary to bring along. This time he has a pretty good, yet flexible, routine. Lately, he’s become more picky with food, but he definitely has his favourites so I can plan and make sure I’m prepared.

I’ve already started pack, like 3 weeks out. I started with Sterling, checking out this spring wardrobe I’ve been building for a while now. I picked up a few shorts, bathing suits and new shoes which will give us more than enough for him, plus I’m sure I’ll be hitting up a Target upon arrival.

I also began trying on my summer stuff and didn’t love most of what I have. It’s been about a year and a half since I’ve bought non-pregnancy clothes and the few pieces I did buy this summer are probably the ones coming. So I also picked up a few things that I’m excited to wear and show you.

So, until next week when #theNegins escape to Miami, I’ll be hibernating, making lists and packing while trying to get over this cold.

Puffer: Lacoste, Sweater: Zara, Pants: from my grandmother, Boots: Uggs (old but similar), Glasses: C/O Clearly

Sterling Turns One

Posted on by barbara solomon

It was a few days before Christmas (and I was so sick), when it dawned on me, that I had to get moving on planning my son’s first birthday. Sterling was born a few days after the start of the new year, so over the next few days I would need to arrange everything, rather quickly, as businesses would be closed during the holidays and New Years.

I decided to keep it intimate affair, inviting only our families and a few friends to celebrating this milestone in our home. With that in mind, I also worked with Sterling’s nap-time schedule to ensure a happy baby during the party.

I designed the invitations, elegant and shark themed, inspired by his favourite song, Baby Shark.  And although I’ve heard Baby Shark thousands of times, I love how excited he gets when he hears it, so I’m all about it.

I served brunch and included all of our favourites: bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon, egg salad, tuna salad, a giant charcuterie board filled with meats, soft and hard cheeses, olives and assorted crackers and breads.

We ordered custom cookies (which were as delicious as they were beautiful) from Little Rose Cookie Co, who was so amazing to work with. She created the Baby Shark cookies and Sterling couldn’t stop smiling when he saw them.

Sterling had two cakes, a decadent hazelnut chocolate from the bakery Sweet Olenkas that we served to our guests and a naked smash cake that I made using the Betty Crocker’s Rainbow Chip and layered with frosting and sprinkles.

The smash cake was a big success. At first Sterling didn’t understand what he should do,  but with some encouragement he loved destroying and exploring the cake, tasting it a bit before dropping every last piece onto the floor (which we lined with a plastic table-cloth for an easy clean up).

I still can’t believe that I have a one year old, but I’m falling more in love with the sweet boy he’s becoming. He’s funny, creative, loves to read, obsessed with both Monkey and Taco and I can’t wait to see all of the milestones we will reach together this year.

 

2018: Year in review

Posted on by barbara solomon

I knew that going into 2018, it was going to be a very different year. I was 38 weeks pregnant as we started the year and were just finalizing the final details and meetings before #babyNegin was to join the party, and then Sterling decided to come early. He was born January 4th, and I’ll be working on a post discussing what I’ve learned in my first year of motherhood, but first I wanted to flash back on some of my blog highlights this year.

My Birth Story

Most blog posts and my social media content involved Sterling, I mean how could it not. I’ve fallen completely in love with this sweet and funny boy.

Our Son Sterling
(Photography by Scarlet O’Neill)

But it was a very different year of blogging for me, doing product reviews and sharing what I learned and what worked for this growing boy.

Infant Top 10 List

Good Enough to Eat

Feeding My Baby

When I did shoot, I tried my best and feel confident, but it wasn’t a year where I felt my best. I struggled with my health; recovering from both pregnancy and injury, back-to-back. So when my confidence was at its lowest, I pushed myself to face fears. This year I shot basically naked and allowed others to take control of my image. I quickly realized that shooting my own content for the past 6 years, meant I’ve always had the final say of which pictures were release or shared. Giving up that up wasn’t easy, but I’m learning to enjoy the process of releasing that control.

2018 easy. campaign shoot
(Photography by Jacqueline Ashton)

Junior Foxes SS18 Campaign
(Photography by Nicole Lewis)

Junior Foxes FW18 Campaign
(Photography by Nicole Lewis)

I also continued to decorate the house (#NeginNest) and shared my favourite room yet.

Sterling’s Nursery

Another post I have coming up is one about my goals for 2019. It will be another year of changes and transitions and I’m excited to get started on this exciting chapter. Leave a comment and let me know if there is anything you’d like to see on the blog, as I change things up.