Jaclyn Day

I’m not at all anxious for summer to appear (after last year’s 4 months of furnace-like heat and humidity), but I am looking forward to wearing bright, pretty sandals like this.

Madden Girl “Anzwer” Sandals, $40

Here are a few I’ve spotted for under $100:

I love how clean and minimal this is.

Nixon Oversized Time Teller Watch, $100 

Fun and bright with an easy-to-read white face.

Anne Klein Leather Strap Watch, $55

Completely impractical, but I like it anyway.

Vestal Alpha White Bravo Watch, $65

Can’t beat the price!

American Eagle Sparkle Chrono Watch, $29.50

It’s pink, but not overly girly.

ASOS Pink Boyfriend Watch, $54

Maybe my favorite of the bunch.

La Mer Oversized Vintage Watch, $85

Which is your favorite?

I rarely post items over $100, but I had to make an exception for this leather-trim and wool dress. I’d wear it with black tights, wedge booties and a bright scarf—maybe pink?

Madewell Leather Trim Attache Dress, $158

In today’s edition of Valentine’s Day-appropriate jewelry that doesn’t suck, I present this pretty necklace. (See previous editions here and here.)

rossmore Hand Wire Heart Necklace, $46 (from $92)

You can buy Isobel’s elephant hat online now!

babyGap Knit Elephant Hat, $20 

Wearing a red outfit on Valentine’s Day might be a little obvious. How about carrying a red clutch instead?

American Apparel Suede Clutch, $83

I can’t believe it’s been a month since this happened. Where does time go?

I took this photo earlier today at Isobel’s doctor’s appointment, where I found she’s gained another pound and grown another whole inch in the past two weeks. While I’m happy (and lucky!) that she’s not having any problems gaining weight, I get a little sad every time I hear the numbers ticking higher away from her birth weight and height. The term newborn will only apply to her for so long now. We’ve already got her in some of the smaller 3-month old size clothes we have. No one told me that watching your child grow would be so incredibly bittersweet.

Anyway, enough mushy talk! To celebrate the one-month mark, here are a few of my favorite baby-related things right now:

I downloaded this book on my Kindle after Isobel started doing some witching hour nonsense last week. She’s a really quiet, fuss-free baby—except for 3-4 hours of the day. From about 6-9 pm (or sometimes even 6-11 pm), she’d go through what felt like an endless cycle of fussiness and nursing, culminating in some gnarly gas (Isobel) and frustration (me). She’d work herself into a state where she’d be hungry AND overtired/overstimulated and it was difficult for me to get her calm again.

This book suggests a solution for fussiness/crying using a five-step process called the 5 “S’s.” (Swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shushing, swinging and sucking.) I’ve had great success with it so far. Some of Dr. Karp’s suggestions are helping other areas of our routine too. For example, she’s often sleeping 4-5 hours at a stretch during the night now, as opposed to 2-3 hour intervals.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp, $12

I think it’s the raging perfectionist in me, but I wanted to be able to log Isobel’s feedings, growth, etc., and the Baby Connect app was a great solution for that. It’s so comprehensive and I like that I can access it both from the app on my iPhone and from an Internet browser. I’m sure I won’t use it forever, but, for now, it helps my sleep-deprived brain keep track of how many wet diapers she’s had, etc.

Baby Connect, $4.99 

If I’m dressing Isobel in a onesie, I often worry that her legs will get cold. Infant leg warmers are a good solution and look pretty cute too. (You can also find tons of infant leg warmer options on Etsy.)

BabyLegs Leg Warmers, $8

Is there anything else I should be looking into? What are some other must-have baby items?

I hate how stores put up holiday decorations so far in advance of the actual holiday, but seeing the bright Easter colors today was actually kind of nice. Here’s an Easter-inspired outfit (and a bonus look for a little bunny).

MOM

• Topshop Skinny Zip Pocket Trousers, $76
• Fossil “Saxon” Flats, $69
• Old Navy Chambray Shirt, $27
• BDG Drop Stitch Classic Cardigan, $39

BABY

• Mini Boden Babydoll Cardigan, $38
• Ralph Lauren Gingham Shirtdress, $45
• Giggle Mira Shoes, $34

This is also an acceptable stand-in for abominable heart jewelry.

BaubleBar Gold Love Pendant, $62

The ideal tee for a weekend brunch or shopping trip. Dress it down with a slouchy cardigan and oversized scarf. Wear it to work with a blazer and black straight leg trousers.

Sabine Sequin Zigzag Top, $40 (from $89)

Things I’m loving (or wishing I had) right now:

I love PostalPix! I should note that I haven’t received my first order of prints yet, so I’m recommending this based on using the app to place an order. If you’re an Instagram user, you can order 4x4 prints of your favorite Instagram snaps for less than 30 cents per print. I’m hoping to do something crafty with the 50+ prints I ordered yesterday (for only $23!).

Here’s one of the prints I ordered:

I’m loving these two shoes from Target! I have no idea where I’d wear red wedge booties, but I love the idea of wearing red wedge booties. The sparkly flats would spice up a plain jeans-and-tee look.

Target Hailey Jeans Co Wedge Bootie, $30

Target Xhilaration Rhinestone Flat, $20

I’m wearing a lot of buttondown shirts at home right now, and I like the colors on this American Eagle version.

AE Plaid Camp Shirt, $40

I’ve been wearing smudging this dark purple eyeliner along my lashline (with a neutral brown eyeshadow) to change things up from black or brown eyeliner. I like the subtle color—and bonus! Apparently purple enhances blue eyes.

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in Purple Passion, $3.19

It’s taking every bit of willpower I have not to buy this lululemon anorak. I have this vision in my head of me looking exactly like this stylish woman pictured above, but I know the reality would be me looking a hot mess and covered in sweat. But at least I’d feel cool in my spiff anorak, so whatever.

lululemon Apres Practice Anorak, $158

What are your favorites right now?

It’s a universal truth that most men love to buy heart jewelry for Valentine’s Day. Sample thought process: It’s a heart! It’s Valentine’s Day! A heart ON Valentine’s Day! This makes perfect sense, right?

Wrong. Because after the dust settles, you’re stuck trying to figure out how to wear this beauty:

Here’s a little PSA: heart jewelry can be nice, but you’ll have to do some creative searching and (don’t forget this) avoid Zales at all costs.

Take, for example, the little gold studs at the top of this post. Discreet and minimal, they look more sweet than tacky. (And they’re under $100, so think of the money you’d save if you’d be planning on going for this number instead.)

If earrings aren’t your thing, try this gold ring instead:

(You can’t lose going with Kate Spade + 12k gold.)

Good luck and Godspeed!

• Arena CPH Heart Studs, $80
• Kate Spade Mini Heart Ring, $48

It’s so warm today and I decided to wear these peep-toe shoes. Why not?

1. H&M Scarf (Similar by Paula Bianco)
2. H&M Blouse (Similar from Forever21)
3. Urban Outfitters Tortoiseshell Watch
4. Old Navy Skinny Cargo Pants (Similar from Target)
5. Target Slingback Heeled Mules (Similar from Kensie Girl) 

What I’ve Read: How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm And Other Adventures in Parenting by Mei-Ling Hopgood*

When I first brought Isobel home, I was Googling or researching the answers to tons of questions I had. From the mundane to the POTENTIALLY LIFE-ALTERING, I was fearful that one wrong move would forever ruin my child in some way. Why was I so panicked? Other than the obvious (it’s natural and I think most women go through some anxiety at first), there has never been more scrutiny on parenthood—and mothers in particular—than there is right now. Part of the reason for this is that more women are making their decisions and their child-rearing very public. You may know more about a stranger’s views on parenting and child-rearing than the views of a best friend…or even those of a significant other. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter and blogs, there are more opportunities for parents to communicate and encourage one another, but there are just as many opportunities for judgment and peer pressure.

The culture (whether it’s overt or not) of there being a “better way” or a “worse way” when it comes to parenting decisions is exhausting to try and navigate. Disposable or cloth diapers? Breast-feeding or formula? Attachment parenting or not? Crib or bassinet or co-sleeper? The options—and the opportunities for judgment and peer pressure—are endless.

That’s why this book is so refreshing and wonderful. Hopgood, an American living in Argentina, begins to notice the cultural differences between bedtime/rest for Argentinian infants and American infants. From there, she explores several other cultures and their views on infant-rearing and everything in between. There’s very little “preachiness” happening and Hopgood doesn’t necessarily draw any conclusions that would break the majority-rules status quo of infant-rearing protocol here in the United States, but she does make a few inferences that I found interesting. First, she indirectly hints that many other countries hold their children to higher expectations than American infants or toddlers, and also suggests that several developmental milestones (potty training, for example) are delayed in the U.S. because we simply don’t expect that children are capable of potty training until a certain age. It’s an interesting point of view.

But, other than those view subtle items of note, Hopgood mostly keeps to an informative, light tone that ultimately helps to show that there is no one, perfect way to raise a child. Additionally, Hopgood doesn’t just do sideline research: she tests several of the tactics on her own daughter, meeting with equal parts success and failure. (She notes that she learns a great deal no matter the outcome each time.) I appreciated that Hopgood was willing to put her findings to the test, and she was honest when things didn’t work and when she felt that her way was better for daughter. There’s a lot of intuition and trial-and-error involved!

*Book provided for review.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

You know you’re in trouble when even models look goofy in trapper hats. Unfortunately, they’re also the warmest hat you’ll find…and that might be good, considering this month is supposed to be colder than the last.

1. Betsey Johnson Hat, $16 (from $50)
2. David & Young Hat, $17 (from $35)
3. Arden B Hat, $39
4. Topshop SNO Cable Trapper Hat, $36
5. Juicy Couture Trapper Hat, $82 (from $120)
6. Charlotte Russe Owl Trapper & Mittens, $9 (from $20)
7. Laundry by Shelli Segal Metallic Trapper, $42 (from $55)

Now that I’m not confined to the maternity sections of stores, I have my eye on a few things for spring…especially some great new pants in fun colors.

Cheap Monday Tight Jean in Orange, $65

Blue Essence Stretch Twill Pants, $43 (from $88)

Old Navy Colored Rock Star Jeggings, $35

Vince Camuto Skinny Pants in Poppy, $89

• Nobody tells you that hospital births can be rewarding and wonderful.
• Nobody tells you that your baby will only sleep when you have visitors.
• Nobody tells you that your first week at home, you might be so exhausted that you end up crying in bed at 3 am.
• Nobody tells you that getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight and your pre-pregnancy body are two very different things. 
• Nobody tells you that breast-feeding absolutely does not come naturally. Everything about it is a learning curve. (But it’s worth it…so worth it!) 
• Nobody tells you how hard it is to change your baby’s clothing the first few times. Will she break?! I THINK SHE MIGHT.
• Nobody tells you how you’ll never sleep soundly again as half your brain actively listens for every little noise and gurgle. 

But then there’s this stuff too:

• Nobody tells you how fun this is.
• Nobody tells you how cozy it is to snuggle on the couch, and how warm a little 9-pound being feels sleeping on your chest.
• Nobody tells you how it feels to creep into a room and see her sleeping with her arms spread like a football goal post.
• Nobody tells you how utterly changed your old routines will be, but know that you will barely remember them (or care about them) anyway.
• Nobody tells you how great it is to see a smile on her face. Even if it’s just gas bubbles or a daydream for now—I’ll pretend it was meant for me. 

What did nobody tell you?

It hasn’t felt much like winter the past couple months, but according to a Washington Post article I read this morning, we may be getting colder, snowier weather in February. These boots are winter-weather friendly with a rubber sole, but I like that they also have a modest wedge, making it a good shoe for transitioning between commuting and the office.

Aldo “Kolber” Boot, $49 (from $90)