Author: sweetestmami

I’m a romantic at heart, married to a foodie who shares my love of new wave music and different cultures. I'm a sweet mama to twin girls and a silly boy, who light up my life and keep me on my toes! I love brunches and spa days with my besties and jet-setting around the world - my fave travel spots are Paris and Italy! I love making things pretty while keeping it simple, and finding excuses to gather and entertain at home. I love to share inspiration for a beautiful life and support other sweet mamas and bosses struggling to do it all while maintaining their identity and sanity. xoxo Haydee (iDay, like Friday!)

{what i wore} trendy or not?

September 25, 2012
Bird Print Dress by Old Navy $30

Last week, I caught a fashion feature on one of my favorite morning shows, that was all about animal prints — not animal prints, per se, but ‘prints of animals’, as they were so quick to point out.  Wow!  What a new twist on an old concept, right?

Well, imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a very affordable version of this trend while shopping for the kiddos this past weekend at Old Navy.  Even if I had not seen the feature, I think I would have loved it anyway.  I love its proportion and the subtlety of the print, especially since I’m one of those who doesn’t do trends OR prints on a regular basis.  Having said that, I do notice an increase in polka dots in my wardrobe these past few months…perhaps that’s another trend going on, that I followed without even trying…

So, what do you think, am I ‘on trend’ or late to the party?  What recent trends have you gotten sucked into? Which do you love, which ones have you had enough of?  Would love to hear your comments!

{Stay Stylish}

xo

~the sweetest mami~

p.s. Here are some other great items falling under this trend..

Anthropologie BlueBird Mini Dress $158
Jessica Alba in Carolina Herrera Rabbit Print Shirt Dress
Anthropologie Here & There Tee $48
Zara Dog Animal Print $59.90

{my happiness project} *just checking in*

September 24, 2012

I’m {happy} to share that I’ve made some progress already on some of the areas I decided to focus on.  Here’s what I’ve accomplished, so far:

  • Donated clothes and household items to benefit families affected by Breast Cancer
  • Finished three out of the six pillowcases for the mini-makeover for our Living Room
  • Prepared meat sauce to set up and freeze stuffed pasta shells
  • Replenished many of our groceries and household items on bulk and on sale
  • BONUS:  Worked on our tax return for 2011 (which is due October 31st, thanks to an extension we filed)

I feel so productive.  Not to say I no longer feel overwhelmed, because it will be some time before I truly feel caught up with everything, but it’s nice that I have a ‘list’ I can actually focus on, rather than a laundry list of small tasks that don’t really contribute to a greater goal.

In the meantime, I am enjoying time with my sweet family and am happy we got to take some time out for an early celebration of Victor’s birthday last week.  We went out for a family dinner and surprised him with chocolate cake for dessert.  I had told Eva & Zoe we were taking papa out for his birthday and had a big surprise for him, and it was all I could do to stop them from talking about birthdays and surprises.  {Thankfully, Victor never noticed; he was so distracted by his martini and happy hour beers…not to mention, rocking baby Lucas to sleep.}

 

 

Life is good.  I continue to feel blessed each day.

May you find your own path to happiness, one day at a time.

{Stay happy.}

xoxo

~sweetest mami~

{Celebrity Nursery Design}

September 20, 2012

I created this chic nursery design, based on powder pink and rock star platinum, as a small tribute to the announcement of Shakira’s pregnancy today.  I was *tickled pink* with the news and genuinely inspired to create an ultra feminine look for what I’m sure will be one very spoiled, and deeply loved, baby.

 

I’m secretly wishing for a baby girl, too. Can you tell?  Congratulations to Shakira and wishing her a very happy and healthy pregnancy as she prepares for the next big chapter of her life.  {Shakira, if you’re reading this and you are interested in my services, now you know where to find me.}  ;-D

Shopping Guide:  Furniture and Chandelier from Restoration Hardware; Lamps, Rug and Vanity Set from Z Gallerie; Pillow Shams from Petit Tresor; Art Prints from Etsy – Breeding Fancy, Niko and Lily, My Sweet Swirls – and Society6; Diamond Bear Pendant from Tous

{Sweet dreams}

xo

~the sweetest mami~

{my happiness project}

September 18, 2012

Has anyone else read the Happiness Project?  It is a great book, written by Gretchen Rubin, about her year in tackling happiness through months dedicated to small changes in her life, that led her to happier days.  I loved this book and its main principles have remained with me long after I finished it.

Lately, though, I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Welcoming our third child was a blessing, and spending time with the girls and the baby is always the highlight of my days, but face it, my free time has been shrinking with every new responsibility.

A few weeks ago, I reflected on what I could do to make my days happier and more stress-free.  I noticed that there were a few common themes nagging away at my happiness and peace of mind.  These revolved mainly around clutter, unfinished projects, and meal planning.  My days were consumed with these themes, more often than not.  It was like a light bulb went off as I wrote down another list of to-do items.  A definite theme was present, and if I broke it down it was something I could definitely manage in small goals.

So, I want to hold myself accountable, and thought I’d share my plans on my blog, so I could share the sense of accomplishment as I tackle each area, but also so I could help others create and take on their own happiness projects.

Here are my plans to achieve happiness by focusing on the three main areas that bug me the most:

Clutter

  • Spend fifteen minutes each day clearing clutter and putting things where they belong.
  • Get rid of things I no longer use, love, or need.  Somebody else may need it more than I do.
  • Find a home for everything that is worthy of being kept.
  • Be creative in finding new ways to store the growing number of children’s toys and items.
  • In with the new, out with the old.  Replace items as you buy new ones.  Don’t keep the old!

Unfinished Projects

  • Finish making the mobile for the nursery.
  • Frame the photos for the nursery.
  • Finish making new pillow cases to update our living room.
  • Frame the beautiful original artwork by Fabio Napoleoni to display in our dining room.
  • Document the child’s memories and milestones in their baby books.

Meal Planning

  • Try new recipes that are quick and easy.
  • Stick to our weekly meal structure so that it’s easier to plan meals {Meaty Monday, Taco Tuesday, White Meat Wednesday, Spaghetti Thursday, Happy Hour Friday, Seafood Saturday, Sunday Roast}
  • Save money buy buying items in bulk and on sale.
  • Spend one or two days a month preparing go-to meals in advance {Meatballs, Pizza Dough, Casseroles}

These are not new ideas or goals, but I’m hoping that putting them down in writing will help me stick to them a little bit easier.

Just yesterday, I found made the time to start on the new pillowcases for our living room.  It didn’t take as long as I thought it would, so I’m motivated to finish them all very soon.

What will YOU make time for this week, that will result in a happier YOU?

{Stay Sweet. Be Happy}

xo

~the sweetest mami~

I Will Never Forget {9/11//01}

September 11, 2012

I tried to write a blog post about my experience of witnessing 9/11, but it is still too hard for me. Suffice it to say that my heart goes out to all those affected and that all the heroes who so selflessly gave of themselves that day and the days that followed will live on in my heart forever.

{Never forgotten}

xo