If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen this room a lot, but I wanted to officially share our updated bedroom with you and the pieces we have upgraded since moving to Georgia!
This room originally had no ceiling fixture. That would be fine by me, but Christian cannot sleep without a ceiling fan. So we had this Craftmade ceiling fan installed and I love how quiet it is. We softened the wood floors with this gorgeous Annie Selke rug, and I love the texture it brings to the room.
Our bedding was upgraded to this fresh set from Boll & Branch, and my mom made the antelope pillows for me from some fabric I found. We installed sconces to free up counter space of our bedside tables, and downsized from bedside dressers to these Port Eliot pieces. I love the masculine touch the cherry wood brings to the room, they were the perfect touch!
I snagged this gorgeous mirror on a Black Friday sale, and it really makes such a major first impression. A splurge, but overall a great investment.
After living in small spaces for so many years, I never thought I would have a breakfast room and a formal dining room. It is a luxury that I don’t take for granted, so now that we are a little more settled in Georgia I wanted to have some new friends over for dinner. I’ve never had that many people over for a seated dinner and happily accepted the challenge!
Many of you asked for the menu, tablescape details and so on. And I definitely learned a few things along the way I thought I would share. So much of this was a learning experience and now I’ve learned some things I’ll incorporate for next time, like purchasing a linen runner for the dining table, insisting guests take home extra dessert, etc. But let’s get into the top tips I found helpful –
1. When recipe planning, think of one pot dishes.
There are so many articles out there with outlined supper club recipes (like this and this), but I really wanted to try to find something that would be a one pot dish and delicious. I wanted to feel confident in what I was cooking and not have to keep my eye on several different dishes. I went with this penne with shrimp and herb cream sauce, a big salad and french bread.
It’s also thoughtful if you can ask the guests ahead to make sure you aren’t missing any allergies or dietary restrictions. In California we had friends who were gluten-free, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, kosher… it’s best to ask upfront so you are prepared!
2. Do a trial run.
The week before I made the main dish for Christian because I had never made it before and you do not want to try a new dish at a dinner party. Always do a trial run so you can know to add a little extra of this, a little less of that, etc.
3. Make your dessert (and anything else you can!) the day before.
I made pies for dessert because I knew I could make them the night before, including the whipping cream. One less thing to think about!
4. Write out your timeline.
This was a suggestion from my mom and a really great one. I wrote out a timeline for the day that went along the lines of:
12PM – peel the shrimp
3PM – chop herbs, chop salad toppings
5PM – work on cheeseboard and setting out appetizers, light candles, turn on all of the lights, preheat oven
You get the drift. Down to lighting the taper candles on the table, I wrote it all down on a small sheet of paper because when everyone is at your house and your chatting and having wine… it’s so easy to forget to light the votives or warm the bread, etc. You know how it goes!
5. Pull out all the fancies.
I have had our formal china sitting in my childhood closet for six years, I couldn’t wait to pull it out! These kinds of occasions are literally why you have all of your entertaining pieces. The platters, the salad bowls, the silver… use them and enjoy them!
I literally didn’t even mind doing the dishes while listening to podcasts because it meant I was using all of these beautiful pieces as they were intended to be used.
6. Label the trash can.
In the future, I will make or buy a pretty sign and temporarily put it on the drawer. For now I just put a very classy sticky note on the drawer that is the trash can and it worked like a charm.
7. Do you have an extra sink? It could double as an ice chest.
I didn’t have the time to photograph it, but I filled the bar sink below with ice and put the Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Topo Chico and beer in it. Easy and a little extra fun.
8. Check the water pitchers!
At the end of the night I noticed all three water pitchers were empty. It was so busy (in a great way) that I never thought to refill them with ice and water. Next time I’ll know to keep my eye on them and refill them more often.
dining room featured and linked here (including china) | bar to be included in den reveal coming soon!
One last element I haven’t yet perfected – figuring out how to move guests out of the kitchen. Our downstairs is basically a big, open circle between the foyer, dining room, powder room, breakfast room & kitchen, den and living room. Yet everyone still tends to naturally gather inside the kitchen. Perhaps because this is where the hosts typically are? I’m still trying to figure out how to set things up in a way that takes guests into the den and living room to sit and relax. I’d love any suggestions from those of you who are seasoned entertaining pros!
Thank you so much for reading! And if you have any dishes that have worked well for a large dinner party, I’d definitely love to hear. XO –
Happy (almost) weekend!! I’ve felt a little out of sorts this week as Hudson got sick last week and now passed his small but mighty cold onto me. Truthfully, this is the most sick I’ve felt in a long time. Being sick takes on a new meaning when you have a little baby to take care of… so the entire situation has been a learning experience.
I think after a week of this cold I finally might be on the upswing (crossing my fingers). My mom is coming into town to catch up and hang out in this rainy weather. She hasn’t seen Hudson since Christmas, and when babies are this little two months brings a lot of growth and development! So I’m excited for her to get some Hudson time. He’s pretty delicious. I hope that I will continue to get better so we can have fun around town and not be trapped inside!
Can we take a small moment to acknowledge the RHONJ reunion? I mean… these ladies came out of the gates swinging! Being sick in bed, watching that first reunion was most definitely the highlight of the day. I actually then took a nap and dreamt that I was on a reunion which was maybe the best dream of all time.
I’m going to try to take it easy this weekend in hopes to kick this cold for good. This is probably the first month I’ve felt fully back in the work swing of things, so this sickness is setting me back a little bit… but I hope this rain will finally let up and we can move forward with a little less flu/coronavirus/cold season! Lord, I’m praying!
Speaking of coronavirus… I have so much hand sanitizer already from having a winter baby, but is anyone else a little freaked over this? I feel like we wake up every day with some crazy count of everywhere it’s spreading. We’re trying not to think about it too much but with so much chatter about it, it’s hard.
Thanks so much for reading – hope you have a fabulous weekend – XO –
Shopbop is having a major sale right now where you can get up to 25% off with the code SPRING. There is a discount tier and you can get 15% off orders $200+, 20% off orders $500+ and 25% off orders $800+. The sale goes through 3/8 so there is plenty of time to scout your favorite pieces!
A few things I have my eye on below – just click the item to shop or find the correlating number below.
I’m so excited to carry on with the room reveals and share our kitchen and breakfast room with you guys!
I’ll never forget walking into this kitchen for the first time. I truly could not imagine myself living in a home with this much storage, these kinds of appliances, a big farmhouse sink, could it actually be my life? After so many apartments and temporary living situations, I honestly stopped dreaming about homes like this because I didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment.
But after my mom and I walked through this home when I was only a few months pregnant, it was hard to compare anything else to it. It was so much more than I had dreamt of. I could envision Christian and I chasing our children through these rooms, cooking dinner while listening to the crackle of the fireplace… it was everything and more.
I love this kitchen. I love this home. And I am so, so grateful that the previous owner had such wonderful taste and we didn’t have to remodel it ourselves!
breakfast room: rug c/o Annie Selke, love this one | table and wooden chairs – custom, similar here and here | slipcovered dining chairs – old and no longer available, similar style here | pendant light c/o Craftmade, also love this one and this one | pet portraits – Karen Williams and Streater Spencer | framed chalkboard – custom | platter and dome – wedding gift, love this one and this one | plant stand – antique, love this one and this one
The breakfast room table is especially important to me because my mom had it made when we lived in Nashville. I grew up eating every single dinner with my family at this table. Then my sister had it in her home for her family. When she decided to get a bigger table, she offered it to me and I knew it would be perfect for this room. It has secret napkin drawers and I know we will create so many moments at this table that already holds so many memories.
The kitchen was completely remodeled by the previous owner. She has excellent taste and a great eye, so I am beyond appreciative and grateful that we can benefit from that. Because of this, I don’t have the details on the specifics of the countertops, backsplash, etc., but I’ve listed what I do know above. Anything that is available online is linked! If it’s not listed, it’s only because the item was a gift, it’s very old or was not purchased online.
You can see more home content and room reveals, including our living room, Hudson’s nursery and my office, in the “Home” category of this site. And our bedroom is up next!
Happy Friday! I am still reeling from all of the incredibly moving feedback in Monday’s post. Truth be told, it was something that I had intended to keep private. But now that I’ve shared it, I know I was led to share it for a reason. I’ve now read over 500 personal experiences and stories on the topic, and what’s wild is that they’re all unique. The one thing they have in common is that mothers know what works best for their children and themselves. And that is always a wonderful reminder.
I made this recipe earlier this week and it was really good. It also heats up well! I didn’t get dibs since Christian ate most of it in two days… but when he eats all the leftovers that fast I consider it a compliment to the chef!
I am so excited that Bombshell is finally available for rent, I’ve been wanting to see it for months! I also recently started The Outsider on HBO per my parents recommendation and whoa. It stays with you. VERY spooky. And someone on Instagram told me that it was filmed thirty miles away from where I live, so we’ll see if I get any sleep this weekend. Why would I do this to myself!? SPOOKY.
I can’t go without mentioning The Real Housewives of NJ finale. I was glued to the TV, speechless. It felt like such a monumental moment after watching these families for so many years. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers if you haven’t seen it yet, but if you have – I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
I get a lot of questions about my skin and skincare (thank you for the compliment!). I always share that I genuinely think skin is heavily genetic… my mom has great skin and I am lucky that I feel she passed that onto me.
BUT I do take care of it. I have always been militant with washing my face, no matter how many martinis my night may or may not have involved! I love a heavy night cream and starting using serums and facial oils as soon as I heard of them.
It’s my job to try new products, and because of that I don’t necessarily have a solid “five products” I always use. I am always trying new things, but I wanted to break down the typesof products I always have in my cabinet along with some of my favorite brands in each category. There are a few different options for different price points.
And of course you’ll find many additional skincare posts in the “beauty” category of this site! To shop these items simply click on the image below or click on its correlating number below.
I reach for a lighter weight moisturizer in the mornings and save my thicker soft creams for evenings.
I wear Tula most often, sometimes with a drop or two of a face oil.
5 | PM Moisturizer
I’m all about a thick night cream while sleeping. I will sometimes mix a few drops of my facial oil into my moisturizer in the evenings as well (or this gradual self-tanner).
I am ALL ABOUT using facial oils, body oils, all the oils. I will sometimes skip my AM moisturizer and just use 4-5 drops of facial oil. Other times I will add 1-2 drops into my moisturizer.
I try to use a face mask on Sundays, but sometimes it ends up being every other week.
I love Tula’s Exfoliating Mask and Sulwhasoo sheet masks. It’s nice to have an exfoliant but it’s much faster to just throw on a sheet mask and then massage that serum into your skin without the messy washing off process.
Extras
For blemishes, I always trust Mario Badescu. If I catch a blemish before it’s full-force, this will usually nip it before it really comes to surface.
I hope that isn’t too overwhelming! And it should be a reminder that skincare doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. I heard a rumor recently that La Mer and Nivea Creme had a lot of similar ingredients. Like… say what now!? Don’t forget you can get 15% off ALL Tula products with the code KATHLEENBARNES.
A few weeks ago I briefly shared on Instagram Stories that I had stopped breastfeeding. I have been surprised at how many people I don’t personally know have asked me daily if I’m still breastfeeding… it’s such a personal topic and one that I wouldn’t consider asking someone unless I knew them well. It’s on par with asking someone how much weight they’ve gained during pregnancy (which I finally answered here, available if you search “weight gain” on this site). Maybe this is just me, but I don’t think we should ask anyone we don’t personally know about their weight or breasts.
Some questions we can ask: How are you? How can I help? Or even a statement like: You’re doing a great job. Your baby is precious. How amazing it must be that you are everything he knows. Moving on!
To be honest, it wasn’t a topic I planned on discussing because I would prefer to keep my opinions to myself because it isso personal. However, I don’t think the questions will stop until I address it, so here we are! Let’s just put it all out on the table.
I was hesitant to share I had stopped breastfeeding because I wasn’t willing to take on the potential judgement and opinions. Every mother puts their child’s best interests before their own. It’s our instinct. But you can’t take care of someone else if you’re not taking care of yourself. And I feel it’s my job to share the struggle I had with breastfeeding because the friends who were supportive of me and sounding boards during this process literally got me through those first months. And it’s my job as a woman to pay it forward as they did for me.
I breastfed Hudson for two months and the first six or so weeks were exclusively until I had to begin supplementing because my production wasn’t keeping up. I tried lactation cookies, supplements, drinking tons of water, eating plenty of calories, I cut all dairy from my own diet for over a month, I tried the HaaKaa pump, my own breast pump, talking to my lactation consultant many times, all the things.
The truth? I loathed every second of it.
First of all, it was painful. When my supply came in I was in more pain than my contractions. Christian jokes that I didn’t break a sweat when I gave birth. I shared Hudson’s birth story here, but I was dilated 8cm when I checked into the hospital and truly enjoyed the experience. Based on this fact alone, I like to think my pain tolerance is pretty high.
I had alarms set for when it was time to feed Hudson (every 2-3 hours), and I would have this pit in my stomach every time it went off. I felt the dreaded hours I spent feeding every day were actually keeping me from fully bonding with my baby rather than make me feel closer to him. I couldn’t help but resent him for this physical pain and continued hormonal imbalance that made me feel so frustrated and in pain. He had a great latch and I still struggled to enjoy it.
It must be mentioned that Hudson also had colic for weeks 2-11 and we tried everything. Nothing worked except time and patience. I think this topic deserves its own post once I feel we are totally in the clear, but wow. I mean, wow. That was a journey on its own, and I do think it was a big contributor to not enjoying the additional struggle of breastfeeding. Trying to learn how to best soothe him was exhausting enough, on top of the breastfeeding struggles and always having my laptop in front of me. Oh yeah, and also taking care of postpartum self… which always naturally came last.
While breastfeeding, I felt trapped in my house and lonely being the only one who could feed my baby. While Christian slept soundly each night, I was awake, topless and tired in a dark room breastfeeding our son. I know for some, breastfeeding is so much easier. No bottles to pack, you can just whip it out and voila! But for others it is so much harder than that. I was never comfortable breastfeeding in public and would just sit in my car or even worse, not leave the house at all. I had such a short window I could get anything done before my chest began to ache or he began to fuss and I would just think, “how can we live our lives like this?”
My goal for six months of breastfeeding quickly dissipated to three. But once I had to start supplementing I was doing double the work. Breastfeeding for hours a day while also feeding him bottles, finding time to pump and then to the sink to wash all the bottles, tubes and parts… all while still trying to maintain somewhat of a workflow with emails and deadlines. I would be feeding Hudson while calculating the hours I was spending breastfeeding in my head. And the answer is around three hours a day which is over 20 hours a week… which is a part-time job. On top of a full-time job.
It was much harder to remember to eat enough calories and drink enough water because I was spending so much time breastfeeding. The irony is that I had so much more time once I stopped breastfeeding to get those calories in!
With a medical professional as a spouse, it was important to Christian that Hudson be breastfed and I wanted to honor that. We were both breastfed for eight months or more. After all, isn’t this what is best for our baby?
I went to my six week follow-up with my OB and I had to fill out a postpartum survey. She sat down with me and told me that while I didn’t fall in the postpartum depression category, she still wanted to discuss some of my responses to the survey. While chatting with her, it was quickly determined that breastfeeding was making me dread the day and that time spent with Hudson. She simply said, “so why not stop?”
Why not stop? Why continue something that was clearly making me miserable and not even working for us?
So I went home and declared to Christian I would breastfeed until two months and then I was stopping. It wasn’t a discussion, it was a statement. He didn’t love my attitude, but I didn’t care. This was something I was doing for Hudson and even more importantly, for myself.
And I stopped breastfeeding at eight weeks. I also stopped crying every day. I stopped dreading feeding my baby. In fact, Christian and I often jokingly fight over who gets to feed Hudson at night! Which is a complete 180! I stopped dreading getting dressed every day, as I apparently had little to no breastfeeding-convenient clothes. I got to wear loose dresses and clothing that actually fits my postpartum body rather than what works for breastfeeding. I also stopped complaining incessantly to Christian. I was happier all around, and he could see that. Now we both realize that it wasn’t working and letting it go was absolutely the right choice for us.
I am so much happier. Hudson is happier because he’s fed more food which means he focuses while eating instead of shaking his head out of frustration. When we leave the house, I just toss a bottle of water and formula in my bag and we can go do anything, anywhere because I feel confident bottle feeding in public. And anyone can help me feed him if I am busy working or need a break. Which means a few nights a week Christian takes monitor duty at night and I get to sleep without worry.
It works best for us and I feel clearheaded emotionally and mentally which helps me be a more present mother to my son.
I also want to share that my sisters, mom and several friends have breastfed without any of this heartache and struggle. They also took more time away from work or fully focused on their baby rather than returning to their prior career. For some it is a beautiful experience that only deepens the bond between mother and baby. And if you are one of those women, I love that for you! How great that must be.
I now realize that I should have taken more of a break from work. My job is unique in that sharing my life is my business. Because of that, to disconnect for three months would be particularly challenging. I wasn’t sure how exactly to step back for that long (and I still don’t know how I would do this). Therefore I was trying to be on email, answer reader questions every day, take calls and maintain somewhat of a work flow and that just doesn’t work when you’re breastfeeding a colicky newborn (and trying to find some time to take care of yourself postpartum). Perhaps if I had found a way to take an “official” two or three month maternity leave (paid or unpaid, it’s a gift!) I could have focused more on keeping my supply up and the experience would have been less stressful. Or perhaps not? During the hard days, going to my office and shutting the door was my escape and rejuvenated me. And on many days, I really needed that.
For our next child, I am going to try to figure out how to take more time off and will try breastfeeding again. But you don’t know what you haven’t experienced! I also didn’t know Hudson would have colic and cry all day. I was told newborns slept all day. Thankfully he has been an amazing nighttime sleeper from the jump and loves his crib (his nursery and crib are shared here), but that boy has some pipes! I regularly thank God we live in a house and not our previous city apartment as I would genuinely worry we would get evicted due to noise complaints.
I wanted to share my story to other women out there who have felt this way. You’re not alone. You’re never alone in your thoughts or feelings. Another mother has felt that exact same way. And you will find what works best for your family. Hudson is now a happy, formula-fed baby and his parents are happy too… except when they argue over who gets to feed him. What a prince!
I’m here for you. We are all here for you! Just as those women were there for me. You got this, mama.
Thanks so much for reading – I would love to hear your experience if you tried breastfeeding and are open to sharing. But if not, that’s ok too. I get it – it’s personal!! XO –
Happy Friday! This week was a short one since Monday was a holiday and Hudson and I spent the day together. It’s funny how you prioritize your time once you have a baby. It’s a change in pace that I welcome in this new phase of life.
I want to dig a little deeper on that. When Australia first began having intense bushfires, it really got me thinking about our life on earth and how quickly things can change. If your life was to change in an instant, would you look back on the past few years of your life and be pleased with how you spent your time? Would you be pleased with your attitude and the time you spent at home on your sofa vs. with your community? Would you be glad you stared at your phone all night instead of playing with your kids on the floor?
I am trying to implement this attitude into more of my daily life. Saying yes to plans with friends even if my email gets backed up. Reading books to Hudson instead of listening to a podcast while rocking him. Eating dinner while looking at my husband instead of the TV. With just a few small changes you can live your life with more intention day-to-day. I would challenge you to change three things in your daily life and assess your heart at the end of the week. It’s worth it, I promise.
In other news, we finally watched Parasite last weekend after it won Best Picture at the Oscars and WOW. It was such an interesting concept for a movie, and it stayed with me for days. Absolutely worth the watch!
I cooked this shrimp penne pasta when we hosted our first supper club and it was a hit! I did a trial run with the recipe over the weekend and it was so good. Christian said it tasted like it came from a restaurant, so it was approved. I would definitely recommend trying it out.
That’s a wrap for this week, come back and visit on Monday when we’re taking a deep dive into breastfeeding and how long I lasted before throwing in the towel (and why!). Thanks so much for reading – XO –
How to become financially stable while living in an expensive city?
LOVE this question. Such a great question and so hard to do when you’re starting out!
I have always saved a percentage of my income since my first job out of college. I still do. No matter how much you make, you can start by saving 10%. Once you earn more, try to save more.
From there, try to limit those small expenses that are unnecessary. For example: I don’t want to give up my manicures. Ever. I typically get one a month, and that $40 (including tip) each month brings me joy all month long. So that’s an expense that is worth it. BUT, I don’t go to the coffee shop. I make my own lattes at home (y’all know I love my Nespresso!). So that is money I save every month.
Be intentional with your routine expenses. Make sure you are purchasing versatile clothing and accessories rather than tons of trendy items. If you want something beautiful for your home? Save 15% rather than 10% until you can purchase it. It will mean so much more when you see it knowing that you saved for months to splurge. It will also confirm you really love it if 6-8 months later, you’re still saving for it.
For the Nespresso machines I use, simply search “Nespresso” and this post comes up with them linked. There’s also tips for saving money in this same post!
Will you get a new cat any time soon?
I got this question quite a bit. I am still pretty tender about losing Lula. To be honest, I’ve never been a big cat person and she just came into my life by happenstance.
If I were to have another cat, it would be the same scenario – I would find a stray, start feeding one that showed up at my house or take in an elderly person’s cat after they passed. I welcome any that come into my life on their own!
How’s Intermittent Fasting going?
I think it’s going pretty well! My window of eating is 12:30PM – 8:30PM and I will often take off on Saturday or Sunday so Christian and I can make breakfast together.
I lost a few pounds initially, but haven’t weighed myself in a week or so. If anything, it keeps me from mindless snacking. I try to eat with intention.
It does take a week or two for your body to adjust to the eating window. Then it gets much easier!
If you were getting married this year, what would you register for?
If you search “registry” or “register” on this blog you’ll find this post which addresses exactly that.
Would you choose the name “Carrie Bradshaw Lied” again today?
Great question. I’ve thought about this before and while I might choose something a little more professional and polished if I were to start my blog today, I still love the name. It’s fun, lighthearted and sassy… and I think that remains on brand for the tone of this blog.
What did you do before being an influencer/blogger?
I worked in PR/marketing for Southern Living magazine. Then I started my blog on the side. I had a short five month stint at a marketing firm that was the only job I’ve ever disliked, so I left it to work in PR/marketing for a bank’s corporate headquarters. Everyone assumes this job wasn’t fun because it was at a bank, but I actually loved it! The team was wonderful and the bank raised millions for the local children’s hospital through galas and events. I was honored to be a part of that and had my first mentor there.
Then I was in event planning and social media for Urban Decay Cosmetics corporate headquarters, which was as awesome as it sounds. I left this job to run CBL full-time but it was such a hard decision because that company is epic.
Don’t settle for mediocre day jobs – there are AWESOME workplaces out there, you just have to focus on finding them!
Do you have a team and how many people?
Yes and no. I have a management team so that entails a business manager and her assistant. I take both photos myself and hire a photographer on an as-need basis. I have a virtual assistant who helps me with a few digital tasks each month. And I have a video editor who edits all video content for me.
Other than those wonderful gals, it’s just me. I’ve considered hiring an assistant and/or publicist, but considering my business in still myself and my personal life, I’m not sure that hiring someone else helps me that much. I kind of take this month by month!
Does the rampant consumerism of your job ever stress you out (asking genuinely)?
This is a great question, and no – because that’s not how I run my business. I am always preaching to you guys about versatility and making multiple outfits out of the same piece. I wear vintage and have pieces that are 10+ years old. I frequently say no to companies offering to send me things. If I don’t need it or it’s not my style, I don’t want to waste their inventory when they could gift it to someone else who might love it.
There are bloggers who buy the same shirt in 10 colors and do try-on sessions every week… but you know that’s not me. And that’s ok! There’s space for everyone to do their thing.
Best concealer for under eyes?
I LOVE this one. I first tried it about two years ago and haven’t looked back. I wear both medium-light (winter) and medium (summer).
Longest you’ve ever been without Instagram?
Probably a few days other than my honeymoon when I locked my phone and computer in the safe for the entire week! I’m still so happy I did that and would recommend it to any brides out there. I still used my camera to take photos, but everything can wait a week, you know?
Do you have hair styling tips?
Yes! Just search “hair” on this blog or check out this post for styling short hair.
How do you schedule your time to get everything done and on schedule?
This is a great question! I wake up and spend about an hour and a half with Hudson. Feeding him, getting him ready for the day, engaging with him. Around 8:30AM right before his first nap, he is in the loving hands of someone else so I can get to my office.
I used to play the TV and/or music while I worked. Not anymore. I try to completely focus on my job and completing any necessarily house errands/chores before 4-5PM when it’s back to Hudson time. We play, bathe, eat, do some tummy time and he’s in the bed by 7:30PM.
Then it’s dinner with Christian, time together before being in bed by 11PM. I’d love to be in bed by 10PM but I often get sucked back into email or answering direct messages and it keeps me up later. I’m trying to get better about this by limiting my screen time, but screen time is also my job so it’s complicated!
I will ask this of you – before you send an influencer or blogger a direct message or email, try finding the answer to your question yourself. Either google your question if it doesn’t pertain to their content or use the search bar on their blog. If you cannot find it, of course feel free to send them a message! You’re already reading this blog, so thank you, truly. I spend many hours a week putting information here so that it’s accessible to you guys, so take advantage of that!
We live in a world where we tend to ask others before even trying to find the answer on our own. I speak on behalf of every influencer/blogger that it means the world to us when you first try to find the answer on your own before asking. I don’t answer all of the questions in my Instagram Direct Messages simply because I can’t. That would legitimately be a part-time job, and the majority of the questions have already been answered on this blog. I do however answer every email I receive from you guys, even if it takes me a week! Even if you can’t find it, knowing that you at least tried is meaningful.
When did you know you were ready for a baby?
When I turned 30 I felt way more interested in babies than I was in my 20’s. I loved my family and friends kids but never saw them and thought, “I want one.”
Once I entered my 30’s I felt much more eager to get started on our family. We did genetic testing to make sure things looked good and waited to be in a more stable home setting. I didn’t want to have a baby until Christian was done with his training. I was hoping to leave that last fellowship year pregnant and was lucky enough to move to Georgia around 18 weeks pregnant with Hudson.
Now that we are in our own home, I know I would have really struggled if I’d had a baby in San Francisco. It wasn’t the time for us. We have so much more space now for all of his swings, bottles, toys, clothes and strollers. More privacy when he’s having meltdowns and we need to tap out for 15 minutes. It could have been done, but I’m really, really thankful we waited.
Everyone says you’ll know when you are ready. And I think this is true. You’ll know, don’t stress about it. You have your whole life to be a parent but you’re only in your twenties once! Enjoy it.
How do you get ready every day with a newborn? New mama over here.
I put him in this Baby Bjorn bouncer and either let him watch Baby Einstein or Sesame Street in the bedroom while I get ready and make the bed. Even if he’s fussy, he can wait 15 minutes.
So many people talk about not finding the time to shower with a newborn… I don’t get that. I never went a day without a shower. My pediatrician says, “if he’s crying, he’s not dying.” A baby can cry for 10-15 minutes while you get dressed. They will survive and it’s important that you do that for yourself!
Now I’m not saying I’m putting on makeup or doing my hair everyday, but I’m getting dressed and making the bed. And look!! Hudson is almost 13 weeks old and alive and well!
How has your relationship changed since having the baby?
Love this question! There is definitely less time with your partner when you have children, that’s simply a fact.
We aim to put Hudson down at 7:30PM every night, whether he likes it or not. It’s good for him to have consistency and it’s good for us. We both try to implement cell phone-free dinners and while we often eat in front of the TV, I’m trying to reduce this to weekends only. It’s important to connect every day, even if it’s just over a meal.
Lately I’ve noticed all of our dinner conversations are about Hudson. I think that’s natural, but I want to be better at this. On occasion, I’m trying to say “no chat about the baby.” We can talk about our careers, our home, plans, news, life, etc. I’m not perfect at this, but it’s a goal!
How is Hudson’s sleep going? Where does he sleep – the crib or bassinet?
Please don’t hate me… but he’s always slept so well at night. Don’t get me wrong, we have other struggles but sleep isn’t one. He sleeps at least 9 hours at night and sometimes up to 11-12. But I’m aware the next child could be totally opposite. Babies are wild cards!
We had Hudson in our bedroom for 2-3 weeks before we moved him to his room. It seemed SO early, but our night nurse (more on that here) thought he was ready and he was already napping so well in his nursery crib. It was the best move for him. He sleeps so well in his crib and we sleep better not waking up at his every little squeak. Babies can legitimately cry, moan and grunt while they’re sleeping… and they never even wake up!
He does occasionally nap in the bassinet in our room. Once he’s rolling, we’ll move it to the attic until the next baby.
Do you have any plans to fly with the baby?
Not currently. I’d love for him to be a little older before flying just so we can all have more understanding of each other. Honestly if I were to fly somewhere I would prefer to have either set of grandparents keep Hudson… is that bad?
I don’t know that vacationing with him would be the best investment, and I think he would be a happier baby following his usual schedule/routine rather than it being out of whack while traveling.
Thank you so much for submitting your wonderful questions!! You can catch this Q&A series every month and simply search “Q&A” to see at least eight other posts dedicated to reader questions. Appreciate you guys and thank you for reading – XO –
I shared some of my newborn essentials in this post not too long ago. Honestly, everyone’s “essentials” looks a little bit different. As they all say, you’ll find what works best for you pretty quickly!
My biggest tip is do not buy everything ahead of time. Your baby might love motion, they might hate it. They might love pacifiers or not at all. You don’t want to have all these things you cannot use before you’ve even met your bambino.
Today we’re going to take a little bit of a different approach. It’s true what most say – you really don’t need that much. But there are some extra chic things that I’ve felt were definitely worth the splurge simply from an enjoyment factor.
And today, we’re gonna dish on those.
Bugaboo Fox Stroller | This is the most beautiful stroller I’ve ever seen. We have the bassinet and carseat attachment and use both. Truth be told, we probably only need the carseat. But how precious is this bassinet? I’ve found that Hudson loves being able to see the world, so I usually have the canopy collapsed so he can check things out. But wow – it is so gorgeous and glides so smoothly.
When he outgrows the bassinet part… I might cry. It is just so chic! When I’m strolling him I feel like a London lady with her little bitty baby. It’s just the sweetest.
Anything Cashmere | I know what you’re thinking, “cashmere!? For a baby? But they’ll outgrow it!” Hudson was born 11/22 which means he is so tiny for these winter months. I wanted him to not only stay warm, but also to look delicious. We all get to benefit from snuggling a little baby in the softest cashmere, right?
I bought him one set in Paris and one set from H&M (pictured above). He wears them together or as separates.
Sometimes we even just layer the cashmere pants on top of a onesie. I bought them in neutral colors so if we have another winter baby, any gender could wear them. Honestly the happiness it’s brought me to love on a cashmere clad baby has been worth every penny and then some.
Pottery Barn Kids Glider + Ottoman | I featured this glider and ottoman in Hudson’s nursery reveal, but I continue to love it. There’s no telling how many hours we have spent rocking this little boy in this chair, and I know I’ll be in this same chair for all of our future children.
We also have two rocker/gliders in our living room and I’m often found rocking H in them as well. Having a rocker upstairs and downstairs has been an unexpected treat!
Tote Savvy | I realize backpacks are the most handy diaper bag… but I’m not there just yet. For just one baby, I’m still trying to limit how much stuff I schlep around, so I use this insert in my Louis Vuitton Neverfull. It helps me feel a little bit less like a “new mom” and little bit more like Kathleen. Which makes me feel good.
Aristot Bassinet | This tufted leather bassinet is honestly on another level. It is so gorgeous, so aesthetically pleasing, the opposite of a bassinet eyesore in your bedroom. The pieces are mix and match, so you can customize a bassinet to your decor. See more options here!
And there you have it. My top 5 most chic, most loved baby items. They make those tired days a little more glamorous, which makes this mama smile even on the most exhausted newborn days!
– which means Hudson’s first experience with snow! –
– the prettiest orchid –
– constantly tinkering with different setups on tables and shelves –
Whew! We made it, guys! I thought this week was going to be a little more quiet and chill. Then it picked up like it always seems to do. 2020 was supposed to be my year of slowing down, and so far I wouldn’t say I’ve done a great job… but it’s a goal I’m consistently working toward!
Earlier this week I had my brows microbladed for the second time. The first time was in California in 2016. This time I had them done in Atlanta and am tending to them like little pets until they fully heal. I am one of those gals with one wonky brow and it drives me nuts. Last time my brows stayed full for almost two years, so it felt worth the investment! You can read more about what exactly microblading is here.
I had so much fun watching the Oscars on Sunday, followed by podcast breakdowns. I always make time to watch a few of the nominated films each year and it makes watching awards shows so fun. I wasn’t able to catch the SAG Awards or Golden Globes, so I made sure to catch the Oscars! The films, the red carpet, the speeches – something about it just always feels so exciting. Now we have Parasite at the top of our list to watch, along with Bombshell, Judy and Little Women. Did you see any nominated films that stood out this year?
This weekend I have a little bit of work to do but will make sure to get in some big Hudson time. Now that we are in more of a flow with work, I inevitably spend a little less time with him during the weekdays. It feels good to have some moments that feel like “Kathleen business woman special,” but it really makes that morning, evening and weekend time so, so precious.
Lastly, I cannot thank you enough for your incredible comments and touching words on last week’s Friday’s Five, centered around the loss our Lula. She was such a special pet, and while it’s still hard to talk about, I am so thankful for so many of your beautiful hearts. Honestly… I don’t even know what to say. Thank you.
Hope all of you have a beautiful weekend! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
