Date Night

Sorry for the recent back to back vanity posts but I have been sick for a week now as well as taking care of a sick baby so there's nothing much I have been doing other than praying for more patience, digging  deep for inner strength along with never ending nose suctions and boogie wipes.  I was really bummed out that Lukas already missed his first official gym class but neither him or I were in any condition to be seen in public as we were riddled with some type of cold virus.  After 4 days of being with a sick baby and completely indoors I was starting to feel a little stir crazy.  I knew I needed a little sunlight and fresh air.  This friday, I finally was able to be semi decent and go out with my hubby for a date night but we didn't have a baby sitter so Lukas was with us.  I kind of threw this outfit on and I have to say it kind of made me feel better and less disease carrying hot mess, pre-reclusive woman, hey I even put on some heels which is very rare these days.  

 I bought these Dolce Vita gladiator heels 2 years ago.  I love wearing shoes that I haven't worn in awhile.  It's like having a new pair!

I had a normal salmon and salad type of thing and Mark ordered what it seems to me like a calzone   cooked for giants.  It was bigger than Lukas! 

Fav. Beauty Products

Being a stay at home mom I don't have time to go on a full on make up everyday and facials is just not part of our budget but I do have these awesome products that I use that helps my skin out and make me feel better about myself.

For everyday cleansing I invested on the clarisonic brush that works so well in buffing the dead skin and also major pore clean up.  This product is an investment but its worth it.  I had a pregnancy mask during my pregnancy and ever since I started to use Kate Somerville products and it's helped so much and I just kept using this facial cleanser.

I cannot tell you enough how miraculous both of these products are.  The Boscia black mask and micro delivery exfoliating soap is perfect if you want to DIY facial.  I only use this product twice a month so it lasts me a long time. 

Clarins SPF 40 is a must have especially during summer.  You only need about a dime size and it goes a long way.  The Ultra Repair Cream is a recent discovery because I suffer of eczema during hot weather season and helped my skin so much.  I use it also at night time so it's worth the 12 bucks I shelled out.

This is my everyday make up.  Simple, clean, fast, and easy! I have been an avid user of the La Mer tinted moisturizer for many years now and it add that extra SPF 18 with the coverage I need.  Add some Laura Mercier translucent powder to take some shine out and a little YSL mascara and I'm good to go!!

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I got most of the products at Sephora except for the La Mer which is available at Saks or Neiman.  A little tip; go to your preferred make up store and ask for a sample of whatever you buy before committing into spending. I don't have time to go back and forth returning products I regretted buying or if it didn't work out so the samples give you time to see if the product works for you or if it's even worth spending the money.  REMEMBER! Expensive doesn't always means it's good!  BUT if you find something that is perfect go for it and just stick with the basics. 

Mommy friendly nails

I never used to have any problem growing my nails before but ever since the baby I have been washing my hands so much that my nails started to peel off and became very brittle.  Nail polishes didn't last long because my nails would just chip so I didn't bother with a manicure - didn't have time for that anyway.  But the week before Vegas I really wanted to have pretty nails so I went to a nail salon and asked for Acrylic fake nails (which I haven't done since I was 17 so I was pretty scared) While I waited for the nail lady another customer told me that she gets this process Shellac and it's amazing.  It's basically a gel overlay that protects your own nails and the coating lasts about 14 days with no polish chipping.  I thought this was a great idea and did it and boy was I amazed by the result!  My nails didn't break and the polish stayed in tact until I got a fresh one applied again few days ago (My nail lady wanted me to be more fun for summer so she applied this transparent glittery polish, which I love!).  The Gel removal was easy too and there is no drying time so you are in and out your nail salon pretty quick.   Now I can enjoy nice nails and still cook and wash my hands as much as I want and needed.  Try it!

Father's Day Weekend

 To make my hubby feel special I started to celebrate Father's Day on Friday and make and do nothing but what he likes.  No girlie food allowed!!

 Made peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies

Then we relaxed and just enjoyed the beautiful weather

The big event was to watch the Green Lantern movie that Mark has been waiting for.  Dada and baby wore matching shirts...

Happy Father's Day!!!

Father's Day Card from Lianna Vitello on Vimeo.

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband!!

County Fair

Going to our annual county fair has been our tradition since Mark and I started dating.  We usually go to see some washed up 80's band and for funnel cakes.  But I am especially nostalgic for the rides and what it represents to me.  To me it reminds me of the simple days (the golden years is my favorite time to look back on) when going to a carnival (now county fair) is a big deal.  It's so nice to bring Lukas this time around.  He loved the animals and the street band that played.

Photos: By L. Vitello

Mommy Outfit

Jeans from American Eagle 29.99

Top: F21 19.99

Jacket: Aqua 80.00

Sunglasses: F21 5.99

Practicality is a MUST when running around errands with the baby but I try to keep myself in the mix even though I am on my "mommy" uniform and black is just the friendliest color when you have a little one.  Not only it hides your post baby bod but the visibility of throw up, spit, and food being tossed to you is very minimal.

  I don't consider myself as a purse person I have very few what I do is I like to invest on a good one and wear it for years.  Some women have lots of different styles of handbags but I stick with the classics, something that will grow old with me.  This is a recent gift from my husband. 

Flats has been my recent obsession these days.  It's my current go to shoe style for running around. 

Sandals:  40.00 from Aldo

There's no place like Home

After the Boston and Vegas trip I am finally happy to be home and not travel for a bit.  It's nice to get back into the norm and to relax a bit.  Going away with a baby is fun but it can be exhausting so it's nice to just chill.  After being away and sleeping in hotel beds I am very thankful that we invested on a tempurpedic bed and that my mom gave me a 1000 count bed sheets...Nothing beats it even The Four Seasons!  Anyhow, being back means cooking again and getting back to a normal diet and shed the few extra lbs I gained when I'm away.

Cheese Ravioli with simple red sauce

Caprese Salad

Viva La Baby

It's kind of refreshing to know that there's more life to Vegas other than gambling and partying which I have to say what I did when I was younger.  Now that I have Lukas it was really surprising to me how many parents bring little ones with them and how accommodating everyone else is to a baby.  I am starting to realize that you can travel with a child so as long as you submit to all the changes and be super cautious on your surroundings.  For me no matter what Lukas gets the same amount of meals and naps and that his down time is a MUST! It puts me at ease to know when his needs are met and when I'm at ease I enjoy.  Having said that, I also had to learn to let go of things a little and make certain adjustments so I could have fun as well.   This trip we took advantage of the awesome restaurants, shows, and shopping Vegas offers.

Oeuf and Boudin Blanc - This was so yummy 

At CUT by Wolfgang Puck 

Here are a few tips I want to share when traveling to Vegas with a Baby

• Don't hang out at the Casino because of the smokers and well - it's just not a good look!
• Bring a higher SPF cause of the heat and avoid strolling in the strip during the highest point of heat (for me it's 10:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• Bring a carrier if you can - it's sometimes easier to navigate through the strip w/o having to use an elevator
• Be prepared to cut all of your sight seeing short for freak outs.  To Lukas this means he's had enough so a down time is a must.  Vegas has lots of Family bathrooms or Companion Bathrooms, take advantage of it if you are far from your room.
• Bring your own baby food and formula.  These items are usually super expensive over there.
• Buy a big water jug keep it in your room and just refill your water bottle to go.  It'll save you tons of money!

Hope this helps!

Let It Be

I finally cashed in my mother's day gift and went to Vegas with Mark and Lukas, my sister and brother in law who I'm so thankful for when they agreed to baby sit Lukas while we went to see Paul McCartney.  I have to admit that I was very hesitant to taking Lukas to Vegas but I was really surprised on how many babies that were around.  I instantly felt very at ease knowing that there are other parents here with their little ones. I've been to the sin city many many times so I wasn't really gonna party.  Our main reason to be there was to really see my life long music God Paul McCartney.  I have been a fan of the Beatles as far as I can remember and each song of theirs has a true deep meaning to me because The Beatles is our family thing, so many memories attached to each tune they have.  When Paul McCartney finally came out to the stage I cried like a teenage girl from the 60's hoping to not pass out!! Yes it's only the 2nd time I cried because my heart can't contain the happiness (the first one was Lukas' birth).  The whole experience was surreal and unbelievable and to add to this amazing experience, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Dhani and Olivia Harrison was in the crowd.  So! I can now say that I sang Give Peace a chance with John Lennon's wife and son - totally life changing experience!!! I don't think I can put into writing how amazing the entire show was.  I will never forget it!

To make it all better

It's been gloomy around here this past few days which made me feel icky, so icky there's not enough snicker bar in the world that would lift my spirits up.  Luckily few little purchases have arrived that I bought from the memorial day sale.

Mommy Day Off

I don't get a whole lot of mommy day off, which most of the time I don't mind.  But after the Boston trip and being with Mark and Lukas 24/7 and more, I realized that I haven't been myself lately and I have to make a real effort to do something for ME.  No baby, No hubby just a stack of fashion magazine and some wine, put my feet up and relax.

Luckily my friend invited me to do just exactly that.  We went to a park in San Francisco and drank some Pinot Grigio and read up some magazines that have piled up in my living room.  Afterwards, we walked to mission street to window shop and saw lots of cool new things especially at this vintage shop.

I have to get used to being away from my boys a bit.  I know that it's the right thing to do because I can't give myself fully to them if I have nothing more of me to give.  I've realized this past few days that although I can never be the person before Lukas it is still important to reacquaint myself to that person and remind myself that although my life has changed that person is still here (it is easy to give everything you have for people you love).  I need to learn the lesson I've been teaching Lukas lately about things that although gone it still continues to exist and apply that lesson to me so I am able to reemerge my old self and not feel that I have to apologize for it.