TWO YEARS AGO. How is that possible?
Sterling is 16 months now, taking about 10-15 steps on his own and ready to explore new things each day. He and I spend our days together and are currently exploring options of childcare, but in the meantime, Trevor and I have prioritized him having a growing library of books, toys, tools and crafts to engage and stimulate his developing mind.
So when buybuy BABY reached out to share their amazing assortment of indoor, outdoor, creative, and educational (STEM) toys and activities from our favourite brands (at every budget) I jumped at the opportunity to spoil Sterling. Although this post is sponsored by buybuy BABY all opinions are 100% my own.
Having Sterling born so early in the year (January 4th), I find his developmental stages change with the season. As we approach spring, he’s all about moving and being outside, which is convenient because I am as well. The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Sports Car has definitely been a winner as the weather has been warming up. We’ve gone cruising around our neighbourhood thanks to the push handle allowing me to have full control. Sterling absolutely loves playing with this stylish car in our home too, and practices getting in and out. I love that this toy can also grow with him as there is a removable floor to give him control once he’s ready.
We also picked up the Happy Trails Walk and Ride-On Giraffe to encourage movement around our home. I love to watch Sterling’s development, coordination and balance while pushing and scooting on this adorable wooden toy. Sterling is currently mastering backing up and navigating around Taco.
As a designer myself, sparking Sterling’s interests in the different types of art is one of my favourite parts of parenting. He’s been drawn to music since day one, probably because I walked around singing every day of his life and my entire pregnancy.
The Hey! Play! Acoustic Toy Guitar has been fun for the whole family to play with, Trevor “tuned” it and I’ve been walking around playing everything from The Beatles to Baby Shark. Sterling likes to pick the cords while hitting the base to a beat. Instruments as toys, introduced at an early age will hopefully ignite a life-long passion for music and the preforming arts.
As Trevor and I are photographers, our collection of cameras is pretty big and growing. Knowing that Sterling will grow up around cameras, we started his collection of toy versions pretty early. Again, hoping to spark interest.
I love the nostalgic feeling of this Fisher Price Classics Changeable Disc Camera, that is an updated version of the 1968 original. So far Sterling has only figured out the pressing of the button, and has yet to discover the adorable pictures that can be seen through the viewfinder. The camera comes with three discs, which are filled with images from animals to nursery rhymes to stories.
TSkirt: Bébé Fête 
We also picked up the Hey! Play! Montessori Wooden Math Game, which teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) basics. With wooden pegs and colour tiles and stacking rings, the game teaches children to count, sort and stack. This is another toy that will continue to grow with Sterling and so far, he’s at the stage where he’s arbitrarily stacking the rings and sorting them across the pegs.
Probably Sterling’s favourite and most used item we picked up from buybuy BABY was his new Sweet Seats Shark Chair. His face lit up the first time he sat down in it. He can usually be found lounging in it while flipping through his books, cuddling with a stuffed animal or snacking on Cheerios. I think he really likes having a spot just him.
Over these next few months as we move into the warmer weather of spring and summer, I can’t wait to see how much more Sterling learns and develops. These toys and activities from buybuy BABY should ignite his interests, creativity and thirst for discovery. Each day as he takes his tiny steps forward, it feels like leaps and bounds as he discovers the world around him.
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.
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.
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.
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I never thought I’d say this, but I’m exhausted from shopping. Over the last 5 years since my blogging career started, and truthfully long before that, I’ve accumulated and discarded so much clothing that I can’t even begin to understand my purchasing decisions that I’ve been making. I’ve always tried to rationalize this bad habit, by distributing my old clothing to my friends and family, who were always happy to accept my barely worn pieces.
But recently something has changed for me. I’ve found myself no longer drawn to the world of fast fashion, but to higher end pieces, that at the rate I shop would bankrupt me quickly. So I’ve slowed down my shopping, and instead of getting the fast fashion version of a piece, I’ve saved a bit longer and really thought about the purchase before investing in the designer’s collection. I’m not saying that I won’t shop at accessible stores, but my frequency of shopping will be limited to allow for smarter decisions to be made.
How have your shopping habits changed recently? Let me know if you’ve also seen a switch to shop smarter and invest in higher quality pieces.
Halter: Diane Von Furstenberg, Pants: Fabiana Filippi, Shoes: Pierre Hardy, Frames: C/O Main & Central (by Clearly.ca)
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Now that we are in mid-June I can finally feel those summer vibes that I’ve been craving all year. There is something to be said about what changes when the city heats up, from the sudden urge for gelato to the increased traffic basically going anywhere, Toronto becomes alive in the summertime. I personally, can’t help but feel the heat and want to get out and explore our beautiful city, from Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market to exploring what’s changed on Queen Street. Summer in the city is without question my favourite.
My go-to look for exploring in the city are flowy dresses that can take me from day tonight – because you never know where you’ll end up. When I found this stunning dress (now on sale) I knew it would be the ideal item to that I could hit Sugar Beach in, walk to some shopping, then out for dinner. As soon as I put it on (back in early spring when it was still snowing) I got all the summer vibes and it was true love.
Dress: Ganni, Frames: Michelle Lane, Earrings: by the fab Emily Valentine, Sandals: Dune London (old)
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Life gets chaotic, busy and at times overwhelming.
As you can see if you follow me on Instagram, I’ve been around, just a lot less, and I haven’t been keeping this blog up-to-date over the last couple months (sorry). But I’m currently taking a moment to reflect, regrow and recharge (self-care will be a topic I focus on in the future). Now I can get back to the things that I love. Lately, I’ve been practicing yoga and meditation, reading, painting and naturally Netflix binging.
Growing up, my mom and I always watched “our shows” together. From American’s Next Top Model to Law and Order SVU, every genre was hit and this was the time we often talked about school and everything going on, in both of our busy lives. When we heard that Netflix was bringing back Gilmore Girls, the two of us began planning for our girls night to watch the series, as mother-daughter opportunities don’t come often enough.
As November 25 got closer, our date-night plans became larger-than-life when Netflix sent us everything we needed for the perfect Netflix and Mom date night to watch the highly anticipated revival of Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life (thanks Netflix). In the kit was everything to get us in the Gilmore mood, from the girl’s favourite snacks Pop-Tarts, Red Vines and buttery popcorn, to trivia games, a Dragonfly Inn scented candle and of course, a giant mug for all of the coffee we’d consume binging the series, plus so much more.
My mom and I spent last Friday night cuddled-up on the couch watching Winter, the first episode of the four-part revival, that had just started streaming on Netflix. Exhausted, we promised to wait to watch the next three parts together, over the course of the next few weeks to ensure we make the most out of this mother and daughter bonding-time.
Have you watched the revival yet? If so, no spoilers!
This post is in partnership with Netflix.
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Each September, probably due to back-to-school anxiety, I can’t help but feel the need to reflect on new resolutions while checking in on where I am for my 2016 goals. This year, I’ve been pretty good with my overall goals; I’ve been getting back into the groove of working out (since my knee surgery) and doing my yoga practice; I’ve made smarter decisions around food, while never feeling neglected; and I’ve made my clothes last longer by taking better care, and thus spending less on new fast fashion.
I hope to continue these good practices, but moving into fall means I’m moving into my busiest time for both my work and personal life. So my new “school year” resolutions are going to be to spend more time. More time with family, more time doing yoga, more time exploring. I’m going ensure that my time for the rest of the year is well-spent, spending each moment being meaningful.
Ok, back to fall fashion. We’ve had a hot end of summer/early fall season so far, but believe it or not, I’ve already swapped most of my summer clothes out to make room for my fall wardrobe. I’m ready for layers, boots and sweaters, but since we’re not quite there yet, it’s the perfect time to layer those dreamy fall fashions. I picked up this dress back at the end of summer with the thought to layer it with a sweater and tights for fall, but paired with cute platform sneakers, my Daniel Wellington watch and dainty jewellery, it was the perfect early transitional piece (and kinda screams back-to-school for me).
ICYMI on my instagram – You can/should shop for this classically beautiful watch with 15% off at danielwellington.com until September 30th, using the code BARBARAANN, as it’s the perfect fall accessory.
Dress: WhoWhatWear X Target, Sneakers: Superga, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington, Glasses: Xavier Garcia from The Eyeglass Factory, Necklace: Catbird
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Tis the season, and I guess, the age, where every weekend, there are weddings and/or babies to celebrate. It’s a great and exciting time for my family and friends, and you have to love all the time you get to spend dressing up and eating cupcakes and champagne.
I find it important to stock up on easy and effortless dresses that allow you to move and can stand the summer temperatures. Basically, if you can keep them somewhat trend-neutral and classic you’ll be able to style them differently for many future occasions, as spring now truly means Shower Season.
Some other perfect daytime party outfits are:
- Anything off the shoulder
- Pastel and floral
- Gingham is always a good idea
- A neutral body-con
- The sexy slip
Dress: Nicole Miller Artelier, Shoes: Dune London (on sale rn!), Frames: Clearly.ca, earrings: Hortense Jewellery
Photography by 2Boo Studio
As we end the month of May, temperatures are feeling like July, and I’m loving it. From the sunshine in the morning, to the warm breeze during my evening walks, these last few days have been beautiful.
A very common question I get asked each spring is about shorts and how to make them work for different settings. I most often wear my shorts, when I’m by the pool or camping up north, like I styled last summer. But today I wanted to show you how to style shorts for more fashionable affairs and settings (parties, drinks, shopping) by wearing a light weight cropped sweater, and contrasting printed shorts. I added chunky suede mules, that I’m completely obsessed with, so be prepared to see plenty of them this summer.
Sweater: A.L.C, Shorts: J.Crew, Mules: Zara, Broach &Collar: vintage, Frames: Clearly.ca
Photography: 2Boo Studio
Spring time has got me very confused. There is no real consistency in the weather or when it comes to preparing for spring outfits and outings, the only way to survive is to be ready for everything. On cooler days, like last week when Trevor and I were running around downtown, the temperatures were bouncing around 10 degrees (50 fahrenheit) and depending on where you were and if you were in the sun or not, it was freezing and windy. Armed with a warm drink, and an extra layer, we were ready for anything.
I typically lean towards leather jackets during this season, but since this year’s biggest fabric trend is clearly denim, especially raw and embroidered, I’ve been loving the attention to the versatile staple. My perfect denim coat for 2016 is all about embellishments, and Marc Jacobs nailed it with studs, stars and even a sequins cherry patch. Paired with the must-have cut for denim pants, flares, I was warm until we approached a terribly windy section of Queen St. where we grabbed another coffee to warm up.
Read the part 1, 2 & 3 of my Coat Confession series.
Coat: Marc Jacobs, Turtleneck: Picadilly, Jeans: Madewell, Platforms: Vagabond, Watch: Movado, Glasses: Derek Cardigans, Phone case: Face
Photography by Trevor Negin
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Fashion Magazine asked their style panel to talk about their hat collections, and how to style this winter accessory, while still looking cute. This is what I said.
Sweaters: Halogen Cashmere (pink turtle neck) & Lafayette 148 New York (white)
Hats: Roots (Toronto Maple Leafs), Urban Outfitters (bear), H&M (wide-brim), vintage (trapper)
Glasses: Kam Dhillon (clear cat-eyes) Derek Cardigans all from Clearly.ca
Photography by Trevor Negin
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