Fashion Friday: brassiere couture

We're starting a new segment around these parts.  Fashion Friday!  Every week you can get tips from the trendiest babe in NYC and check out all of her fashion forward choices.  And to kick it off - an idea Ellie came up with all on her own.

We call it brassiere couture.  Don't you just love it?

It's really quite comfortable if you can just figure out how to get the dang thing on.

Now, this is not a look everyone can pull off.

But Eleanor is daring YOU to give it a try!

Beardfest 2011

Believe it or not, I actually participate in a few activities that don't involve toddlers.  I know, it's a shocker.  So, what do we do on a night out with the girls?  Maybe we sneak down to Brooklyn, hit up a bar, and scope out some bearded cuties.  Don't judge.  Leslie's face says it all:

It was magical.

Beardfest 2011

bearded music

bearded wares

even bearded women

I want to be this cool.  I wish I wish I wish.

Of course the highlight of the evening is the beard and mustache competition.

I had no idea facial hair could compete in so many categories.

A few of the favorites for your viewing pleasure.

 To the man above: your beard is NOT the first the I notice.

To the man below:  I think my husband is the only man in the WORLD cuter than you.

There were a few heartbreaking face-offs. But in the end, a victor emerged.

That, my friends, is the face of triumph.

Here are the faces of my best bearded friends forever.  BBFF.

Erin channels her inner seductress.

Anna channels her inner french man.

Leslie channels her inner Wario.

Oh yes, thanks to Leslie's blog you can also enjoy this photo of yours truly

channeling her inner creep.

Beardfest 2011 - it's a lot like the Miss America pageant, minus the talent and swimsuits.

Ellie at 13 months

So, I blinked and my sweet girl grew up!  I am shocked at how much Ellie has changed lately.  She's actually 14 months old right now, but I realized that these are the only photos I have of her 13th month so I thought I'd share them.  Heaven knows she'll be completely different in another short month.

At 13 months old Ellie was a walking fool and super talkative.  Her hair grew at an astounding rate.  Every object was a phone to her.  She started experimenting with dress ups.  She clapped after commercials.  She charmed me every day.

Is that MY daughter posing for the camera?  I'm bursting with pride.

Work it Ellie!

**A note to other moms trying to photograph their children:  It's gotten extremely hard to photograph Eleanor lately.  Not only is she obsessed with grabbing the camera (and thus drops whatever she's doing the moment she sees it) but she's also very fast.  I finally discovered a way to turn her obsession to my advantage.  When I want photos of her I put her on one side of the room and I run to the other side and jump up on the couch.  As she runs toward me I aim the camera at her and fire away.  When she gets to me I run to the other side of the room and continue shooting.  Repeat, repeat, repeat until she loses interest and starts acting natural or I get enough frames I like.

That's a little tip for free - remember, you heard it here first.

Valentine's Weekend: a photo essay

love of food

love of self 

(Ellie embraces her new-found curves and luscious hair)

love of art

love of spouse

love of family

Could there be a better Valentine's celebration?  No, there could not.

Birthday Party Re-cap

Well, as you all remember we had a birthday party for Eleanor back in December.  I could say that I'm sharing these photos for the benefit of friends and family who were not able to attend.  But in the spirit of full disclosure I'm going to admit that I'm putting these photos up because I put a lot of work into this party and if I don't blog it, it just feels wasted.  Twisted?  I know.  So here are some details and action shots from the rocking-est first birthday ever!

Menu items:  Cupcakes, sausage pinwheels, pierogis, veggie platter, lemon water.  Classy food for a classy girl.  I am not a cupcake master and thus will be purchasing them in years to come.

The Lee twins came to celebrate and I appreciated not only their attendance, but also that Bethany dressed to match the theme of the party.

 After the cupcake consumption, Ellie required an outfit change.

Uncle Carl and Aunt Becca stole the show with  THE perfect gift.  Ellie wouldn't let go of it all day.  She had places to go and people to see.

Seriously, do not try to take the stroller, even for a "best friends photo."

And here we have photographic evidence that I actually did attend my daughter's first birthday party.  Thanks Debi!  I'm the one on the left, kneeling with the giant camera.  I wonder if that is how Ellie will remember me - the person who ruined all the fun moments of her childhood by saying, "OK, now look over here."  "Just one more."

Aaaahh, I am my mother's daughter.  At the end of the day I think to myself, "Well, at least I got the photo."