What I Wore : Comfortable Chic

This outfit was a staple in Europe where comfortable casual looks were key. 

A little pattern mixing and leopard always make things better. 

As do perfectly broken in boyfriend jeans. 

Things I Learned on Vacation : Part 1 {Croatia}

Aside from being back + beyond exhausted, it is also my birthday today. 

44. In case you were wondering. 

I still feel 27. In my head. 

Not sure when I plan on fully growing up but am hoping it's not anytime soon. 
I wouldn't mind it all going backwards from here. amen.

On Vacation : Destination Zagreb

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If all goes as planned, as you read this, Ava and I have arrived safely in Zagreb, Croatia. 

Homeland. 

Place of childhood memories.

And a city I still feel I know almost as well as I know my own.

Yes, I am sure it will have changed over the years {20 since I was last back!} but some things just always stay the same.

I am excited to see and share those with my Ava Grace.

And one day, I wish to share them with my husband and my other two babies.

But for now, I will live in the moment.

And, as I promised myself earlier this year, I will enjoy each one of them and be blessed knowing how lucky we are to have the chance to experience them.

"See" you in a couple of weeks!

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What I Wore : True Blue

Today's the BIG day!

We're off to Europe this evening.

Nervous. Excited.

Taking Pictures of Children : The Outtakes

Since Ava was born, she has been my muse and the inspiration for this blog.

Hence, the blog name.

I have been taking photographs of her for just as long and though some days, she is totally in the mood and a pleasure {those days, I get more photos than I know what to do with...and of course, I can't delete a single one!} on others, not so much.

The good thing about being a mama again later in life is that I find I have SO much more patience. 

With the others, I remember getting so frustrated. Just smile already!

Now, if she's not in the mood, I know there is no changing her mind and we come back to it another time or another day. 

That said, there are still a fair share of fun outtakes.

And yes, of course I save those. 

the pick your ear {the nose is quite popular also}

My baby boy turns Twelve

Here's very new here + had a plugged tear duct on his right eye. It eventually went away. I also notice that he has a tiny cut on his thumb. I did that accidentally when I was trimming his little fingernails. I think I cried more than he did.

  I got pregnant with Julian when Isabella, our oldest, was just over 2 and a half. 

I knew almost from the beginning that he would be a boy. 

Don't ask me how...I just knew. 

I remember a colleague telling me how different being a mama to a boy would be. 

I'm not sure I wholeheartedly believed her until Julian was born. 

And then, the pure craziness set in. 

To say I was in love was an understatement.

I loved that child with everything that I was. I remember having this feeling of being about to burst whenever I would look at him. 

I carried him around until he could walk.

I'm not kidding.

The neighbour's would always make fun of the fact that I always, always had him on my right hip. Regardless of whether I was taking out the garbage or just outside chatting.

Where I was, he was.

What Ava Wore : Day of Pink

In support of the international day of pink, ms. Ava wore her favourite colour yesterday.

We are wholeheartedly against everything that this day stands for as are many communities across the country, and across the world, united in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobic, transphobic and all forms of bullying. 

I wrote about my own experience with bullying here. Though nowhere near as significant as some of the news stories you hear today, it affected who I was and how I lived my life for a time. Never ok.

hat - H + M Kids {last season / we love this one}
top - Gymboree
leggings - H + M Kids {gifted} 
boots - c/o Paul Frank 

Did you wear pink where you live?
And also, know that we finally got rid of the Christmas decor that was STILL up {see Ava in front of our still decorated urn above} in the front and on the lawn. The ice storm and subsequent never-ending cold made it impossible to remove. Digging out the reindeer and sleigh was no fun but I am so glad they're finally gone!

Winner of The Shopping Channel gift card is Courtney Fudger. Congrats! I have emailed you. 

What I Wore: Biker Chic

If I had to wear one outfit everyday for the rest of my life, or at least during the long transition between seasons, a variation of this just might be it. 

Soft, distressed jeans. A perfect black sweater. Booties. Light scarf.

And a leather jacket as necessary.

I always feel current but not like I'm trying too hard. 

sweater - Joe Fresh {no longer available / love this one}

scarf - Chapter's/Indigo

jacket - Made in Italy {similiar}

jeans - Forever XXI

booties - Derek Lam 

sunglasses - Forever XXI

tote - Winner's {great option}

What's your go-to transitional outfit or the one your reach for most often?

Linking up with:

Because Shanna Said So

The Pleated Poppy

Get Your Pretty On

What to Wear : Europe in the Spring

When I was turning 16, my older brother surprised me with a trip to N.Y.C. for the day. 

We flew out early morning, ate bagels in a deli for breakfast, shopped all day and flew back late that night. 

I'll never forget my then grade 10 english teacher writing back to me in my journal..."there is nothing like N.Y.C. in the Spring".

It resonated with me because she was so right. 

Not just New York, but any travel in the Spring brings an incredible newness. 

A feeling of starting over. 

This year, in less than 10 days actually, my little Ava and I will experience Croatia in the Spring. 

I look forward to feeling that same feeling of newness. Of excitement.

And here is what I plan to be wearing. 

I mean, it is Europe after all. 

What I Wore : Neutral Territory + a Jord Watch Giveaway

There are days that call for colour. 

Today wasn't one of those days.

A mostly monochrome look including a fun new watch by Jord and an oldie but a goodie by Canada's own Danier Leather.  

Introducing Kidoodle.TV

If your family is like mine, you own more than a few gadgets including {but not limited to} 2 iPhones, 1 blackberry, 2 Microsoft Surface units, 1 iPad and more television sets than I care to count.
I know I am guilty of allowing my three more time on electronics than I probably should. Particularly when I need to get something done. 

Managing what the younger kids are watching and for how long, has been a constant struggle in our home. {I wrote about it here}. 
Enter Kidoodle.TV

A programming schedule that is just for them with tons of fun content including many retro {who remembers Inspector Gadget?!} shows that were too good not to share with our little ones now.
You choose a selection of programs that are age appropriate and set up viewing time limits based on your preferences. 
Even the background colour is fully customizable. 
Please note the pink I chose for Ms. Ava. 
Unlimited streaming on up to 5 devices with 5 different child profiles available to you, ad free + just $4.99/month. 

What I Wore : Dressed Up Denim

 Still feeling under the weather but I have to say, the moment you actually "get dressed" vs say, lounging in sweats all day, you momentarily feel better.

This bright pink also helped. 

Randomness

Know that this post comes on the legs of not one, not two, not even three but FOUR of us getting a knock-out flu this past week.

Achy, stuffy, can't stop coughing, I have the chills, no wait I'm hot kinda awful.

My poor Izzy got the worst of it and has been home from school since last Wednesday. 

Ava hasn't stopped coughing in what feels like weeks. And for extra fun, it gets way worse at night while she is sleeping beside her mama who is sick too but who can't get any rest because, well, I am mom.

My husband is off to Austin for a couple of days so thankfully, he is pretty much recovered.

He's excited to explore the city and check out a few of the restaurants this fine gal recommended.

When he left last night he must have said goodbye 5 different times.

It's funny how things change when you have children.

We talked about how carefree we were in our younger days, how fearless. 

And how now, we worry about everything. Especially when you're travelling.

Most especially when you're travelling without your family. 

I swear I was never afraid of a single thing until I had babies. 

And now? I'm afraid of pretty much everything. 

In the midst of this flu, I for some unknown reason, decided to check our passports and make sure everything was in order. 

I noticed that Ava's passport was set to expire at the end of May. 

While this shouldn't be a big deal as we are travelling well before that time; apparently it is. 

In many foreign countries, including Croatia, your passport has to be valid somewhere between 3 and 6 months past your expected date of return. 

Needless to say, this mama spent yesterday at the passport office getting that taken care of.

Can you imagine? Totally something that would happen to me. 

Speaking of travel, Ava has been packing and unpacking for the last few weeks.
Apparently, she is set to do Europe with just 1 Elsa doll, 1 stuffed football and a fairy wand.
This kid packs light.
She doesn't get that from me. 

It's birthday mania around these parts.
Ready?
Ava on the 22nd of March, my mom on the 28th.
April 6th is my dad, 11th my hubby, 12th Julian and the 29th, moi. 
I like to pretend the very last one isn't happening. 
I figure there are so many to celebrate already, that last one isn't really necessary. 

And on the subject of birthday's, I included a few more photographs of Miss. Ava on her big day.
And also, yes, she is wearing blue eye shadow. 
I do not know why.
Apparently, it's icy.

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