B and Blogging

Benj is happily napping on me after nursing...and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Boy, have my days changed since becoming a mother. What's one thing that I will forever be impressed by now? Single parents! I couldn't give B the attention he deserves without all the work that James does for us. I am a very lucky woman. I am also proud to still be breastfeeding. It's a truly wonderful feeling.

Next step? I've been amassing design / crafts / art ideas that I really want to accomplish (and blog about)...so I need to work on more B naps in his crib and more me time in the studio. When I get something done for my personal future on top of being a stay-at-home-mom, I feel like Superwoman! We just went to England and Lake Sunapee, NH to visit family and friends and I actually got some art time in! So I'll be posting those photos today, hopefully. (I've also learned that plans may change and often...and that is okay! I am loving my more spontaneous and giggle-filled days.) My other current goal is to meet other parents with children B's age in my area. I'm doing a "Boot Camp" workout on an upcoming Tuesday at one Mama's house and I recently bought a pass for "Mommy and Me" Yoga on Wednesdays in Montclair, NJ. I'd also love to get back in to horseback riding, book a few appointments (hair for a much-needed cut, dermatologist for a suspect mole, eye Doctor for my blurry left eye as of late, and maybe lactation consultant to check B's latch before teething starts...which I'm a little nervous for, OH!, and paddle-boarding and surfing lessons), and start swimming lessons with B! He absolutely loved "swimming" in Lake Sunapee and I loved paddle boarding again...new inspiration, that's for sure.

 (I painted this tortoise-shell onesie for Benji in NH this past week. I was totally inspired whilst wandering the annual League of N.H. Craftsmen's Fair...)

Life should be filled with the things you love. B has certainly helped me realize my priorities: family, friends, art (sewing and sketching), outdoor activities, slow food, and globetrotting.

Cheers to laughter, love, and splashing in the lake.

(Camp Carter Porch View, Great Island, Lake Sunapee, NH, USA)

<3 alex

Benjamin William PHOTO BOMB

This is why I haven't posted in a month...good reason, right?!  I'm so in love!  But, I'm also back and ready to post, create, sew, and sell.  Here goes!

xoxo, Alex

Thanks Brahmin and Vogue!

I love my surprise gift! This bag is beautiful, yet again! Thank you so much Vogue and Brahmin. I have a Brahmin bag for nearly every occasion now! Although, one can never have too many amazing bags!

<3 Ale

Neighborhood Walk

Yay! First time out walking with Benjamin!

<3 Ale

Studio : BurdaStyle, Indygo Junction, Ikea

Ikea fabric is so fun! This is for the sleeves, pockets, and belt for the BurdaStyle & Indygo Junction Vintage-Inspired Modern Design Challenge.  Third entry, wish me luck!

<3 Alex

PS: I'm "MarthaHaskins" on BurdaStyle!

Messy Studio

So many fun projects!

<3 Alex

Salt Flats, Utah

Leaving Nevada

Hot August Nights - Reno, NV

Beading in my Vibrams - Chicago Midway Airport

Ironic that we will be driving back here in 8 days...

<3 A.

Nutella Meringues First Attempt!

Recipe is here!

<3 A.

PS: Don't you love that my dinner was Wetabix + Coconut Milk + Raspberries + Blueberries, then Nutella Meringues and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine?!  You only live once.

Necktie Necklaces on Etsy

So...those ties I've been playing with?  Here's two!!  I'm still in love.

Muted Floral Necktie Necklace

Blue & Yellow Graphic Print Necktie Necklace

<3 A.

Working on a Lucky & Michaels collaboration! ;) Happy girl here...

Yay!!!

Leaving here with 3 new pairs of Converse...oh yeah!

 

Reg, Me, Shane...Broadway in Soho.

Leo stole Tanks basket! That's a first!

Saturday morning fashion illustrations... #ecofashion

Colored pencil on Recycled 70 lb. rough paper - great for texture!

Day 14 - Kenpo X - DID IT!

HAHA - okay, I'm a mess this early in the morning, but I am SO proud of myself!  I just did EVERY MOVE in Kenpo X...so now it's my favorite of the set.  Unfortunately, I missed a day this week, so I'm a bit off, but I'm just going to keep powering through and forget about that day (and that nasty headache!).  I'm reading The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor right now and having just read the section on willpower last night, I though I just have to do today and keep going.  Otherwise, I will do what I have done in the past at the two weeks mark - give up.  I'm not prepared to give up this time.  Thank you Shawn!  (And Tony!)

Happy goal day!

Yours truly,

Ale X                ;)

P90X Day 2 - Plyometrics

In the art of full disclosure (eeeep!  Here goes!)...this is me after this morning's workout (notice how I'm making it as small as possible - it looks much better this way!):

(Please ignore the bedding and ski gear!)  Thankfully, P90X teaches you how to pose to make your body look pretty bada$$, and admittedly I took this after Plyometrics when I'm feeling much more confident.  

I am also lucky that with Parsons I get a workout just carrying my stuff to and from school and sometimes even doing homework, depending on what it is, so my upper-body is in "okay" shape.  But my goal is to truly tone my arms so I look strong and ready to take on the world.  However, it's really my legs and glutes that I'm working on.  Continuing at this rate means I'll finish just before graduation in May.  I'm hoping that by walking myself through the process openly on Gypsy Theories will mean that I'll graduate P90X this time.  (Because I have started it twice before and lasted about two weeks each time.  Blah-blah-blah...)  Let's get me over the hump, nomads!

Happy BeachBody!

Yours truly,

Alex

Sweet & Spicy:

(Lindsey Vonn)

&

(Dhalma Bean, both: Google Images.)

Two women who led me to this journey and are going to get me through it - thank you!

I Need YOUR Help!

Good Afternoon Nomads!

A fellow Lucky Alpha Shopper entered the fabulous Sunglass Hut Blogger Competition that I missed when James was in the hospital (it wasn't mean to be!) - and since I loved her very personable video, I used my one vote for hers!  Please vote for Charity HERE!  And her blog: What is Charity Wearing?.  Thanks in advance, Nomads!

Here's todays post for the Lucky Alpha Shoppers Blog and where I also need your styling help...  (See original HERE.)

[Hmph!  I will not be wearing those tights again - what a weird thing they do to my legs!]

Dress: "Keyhole Dress" made-up of 90% Organic Pima Cotton blended with 10% Lycra® and is from http://www.restoreclothing.com (Full Disclosure: I work for RESTORE™Clothing and exchanged hours worked for this dress)...it was COMPLETELY worth it...really comfortable and socially responsible.

Socks: Happy Socks - so much fun and just the right pop of color for an otherwise dark outfit.

Shoes: Timberland (after Lucky and Timberland sent us [Alpha Shoppers] the first pair, I went to the NYC Soho event and purchased these beauties!  The color is much more versatile than I realized.  I'm totally impressed with Timberland's new direction!

Any styling suggestions?  I'm a Fashion Design Student, but as you can tell, my styling isn't where I want it to be yet.  I love to have fun with clothes and color, but I don't think I know my own body well enough yet, thoughts?

~ End of Lucky Post ~

Here's another idea: head wrap when you oversleep?

I'm sure this isn't a new idea!  But, it was the first time I've ever done it.  Ironically, I got more compliments the day I wore this "panicked-I-can't-be-late-for-class-what-happened-to-my-darn-alarm?!" look than I ever have while at school.  And I have to admit, it feels good to get a compliment from Fashion Design and Marketing students at Parsons!  Thanks peers!

Happy Friday!

Yours truly,

Alex

Sump pump FAIL!

Ha! Rain boots in the house today!

Yours truly,
Alex

Happy drying!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry