For the past few years we have made it a family tradition to drive up to New Paltz on Memorial Day weekend. It’s a much needed escape from NYC and something I truly look forward to. Last year Lillie was just a few months old but this trip she was able to run and chase after Lucas. They both ended up with scraped knees and well I’m chalking it up to a sign of kids having fun. We always stop by the craft fair – Ivan makes fun of me because I never buy anything EXCEPT for pickles and balsamic vinegar. I kind of wait all year for these pickles – they are that good.
This trip always makes me excited for Summer which I can’t believe is right around the corner. Three weeks left of school and we are free to adventure. One of my Summer goals is renting a cabin near or around New Paltz (something with a lake and lots of outdoor space – a tire swing would be amazing!). Catching fireflies in the evening sun..that sort of thing. Here’s to putting things out into the universe and making it happen!
When Lucas was a baby, I became obsessed with reading blogs. I’d immerse myself in the photos, words, essays, and it made me feel connected to these mothers in a way that let me know we were all in this together. I remember finding The Glow and becoming completely enamored with the featured mothers and how beautifully the site portrayed motherhood. The interviews were raw, honest, and magical. So when Violet Gaynor, co-founder and mama to the beautiful Plum, asked me if I’d like to collaborate with them and NYDJ, my heart did a little dance. I don’t really know how else to describe how I felt except honored. So very honored.
You can see all the photos and read my interview here. I am so incredibly thankful for these images of my babies and to have been given the chance to talk about motherhood so candidly and straight from my heart.
Photography by Kelly Stuart, Co-Founder of The Glow All denim by NYDJ
We headed to Florida for Lucas’s spring break and we came back exhausted and happy. I celebrated countless Easter holidays with family in Clearwater as a child and this was the first time the babies and I spent Easter together in the Sunshine State and it felt amazing to continue this tradition with them. Ivan was able to leave work for a few days and join us for part of the trip (including Easter) and both the kids and I were over the moon. We spent our days playing in the backyard (I got to enjoy my morning coffee on the deck and man that was amazingggg), spending time on the beach, and overall just taking it easy. Lucas colored, Lillie destroyed things, we explored local parks…pretty much the perfect little getaway. After leaving not so Spring like temps in NYC it was wonderful to come home to lovely weather. Anywho, these are a few of my favorite snaps from our vacation. More memories made with my loves..there is nothing better!
Currently life with my two babies is full of love, chaos, laughter, joy, meltdowns, and endless kisses.
Lillie Sol is a few days shy of 19 months and I can’t wrap my head around the fact that she is closer to two then one. She keeps us on our toes with her adventurous spirit and fearless attitude. She has been sporting four little teeth for what seems like forever and she finally has two more coming in (at the same time..fun!). Her lack of teeth does NOT stop her from eating everything in sight. Our adorable bottomless pit! Not much has changed in her attachment to mama but she is seriously holding her own in the playground and loves to run and kick it with the big kids. The slide is her favorite and it’s pretty adorable to watch her amuse herself by going up and down over and over and over. She is repeating everything and picks up new words daily. A few gems are ank you (thank you), peaseeee (please), all done, a bite, and were still loving happy birthday.
Lucas is half way through kindergarten and OMG my little baby. First grade in the Fall! On our recent trip to Florida I got to have a few solo dates with my boy and it was truly the best. We visited a park called Weekie Wachie and he flipped out over the mermaids. He kept asking me how they breathe underwater and to see him so smitten and believing they were real was heartwarming. He still loves Ninja Turtles but his current true love is Pokemon which he is constantly schooling me in. I adore our conversations and his endless questions about animals, how things work, and life in general (yes I have in-deth life conversations with my five year old). He is compassionate and sensitive with a fiery soul and is deeply in touch with his feelings.
Real life you guys. Most nights I can’t wait for bedtime and peace and quiet but I am so thankful I get to do life with these beautiful, amazing babes.
After 8 days in Florida it was SO nice to finally be reunited with my love. Florida was amazing and a much needed break from city life but I truly missed my other half something fierce. On Saturday we headed to Brooklyn and the weather was insanely beautiful. The kids ran around, we took in the beautiful views, and Lucas requested a ride on the Dumbo carrousel. Lillie passed out on the cab ride home and I rested my head on Ivan’s shoulder and listened to boys discuss Pokemon. As Lucas likes to say “sweet home, sweet home”.
Ivan’s backpack (formerly mine 😉 is from State Bags. We both alternate wearing it and it is the perfect everyday/diaper bag. You can shop it here. Added bonus, for every Luxe Lorimer purchased, a bag filled with essentials is sent to a child in need. #givebackpack
On the first official day of 2017 we headed out to Central Park for a family day. We also got to test drive our new Bugaboo Donkey Weekender. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining and the park was full of New Yorker’s excited to welcome the new year.
I love being part of the Bugaboo family. You can see our previous collaborations here and here. Lillie has been riding in her Bugaboo since birth and I am a life long Bugaboo mama. I was beyond excited when we received the Donkey Weekender. It is a real dream come true. The stroller comes with a detachable side luggage bag which can hold up to 20 pounds and the under seat basket is incredibly roomy. We carry a ton (A TON) of stuff when we head out for the day with both kiddos – snacks, more snacks, ninja turtles, pokemon, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, etc. etc. – so I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing it is to have ample room to store all of our things. Often times we make additional stops at the grocery store/market/florist, and having everything fit into our stroller is essential especially since we walk everywhere (New Yorkers here!).
Ivan is not a stroller man by any means. In fact he is pretty indifferent as I’m the one who primarily uses our stroller on a daily basis. When he put the Weekender together (which was incredibly easy btw!) the first thing he said was “wow, this is a good looking stroller”. Then as we were strolling through the park he turned to me and said “this thing rides like a dream”. He also made a few comments on how beautifully the wheels turned! I can’t make this stuff up haha! This means a lot coming from a man who has no real opinion on baby gear as long as I like it and the kids are happy. Bugaboo, you are winning big time over here in the Vargas house!
If I’m being honest, I was a bit nervous about the size of the stroller and how it would fit in our little apartment. BUT. It’s only .4″ wider than the Bugaboo Cameleon and fits perfectly in our small hallway. I’m in love with the colors of the stroller (the handle bars are a cognac faux leather and they are absolutely beautifulllll). The side bag can also be used solo for travel which I think is awesome and perfect for quick overnight family trips. Another great perk is that eventually the stroller can be converted into a side-by-side duo or twin stroller. It’s a classic, gorgeous stroller that can be used for years and years to come. It’s incredibly important to me that my kids ride in a well made, durable stroller. It doesn’t hurt that all of bugaboo’s strollers are also aesthetically beautiful. We take out our stroller everyday and use it for daily errands, school picks ups, and adventures. It also needs to ride well in all weather conditions (rain or snow, NYC schools really ever close!) and get Lillie and I to school pick up. Bugaboo checks all these requirements for my family and I can’t imagine ever choosing another stroller.
You can check out the Weekender here for more details and purchasing info. Happy New Year!
I’m so excited to have partnered with Dove Hair – one of my long time favorite beauty brands – for their #SkipAWash challenge. As a busy mama of two, their new dry shampoo has been the ultimate lifesaver. On a typical day I have about 5 minutes or less to make myself presentable and get out of the house with both kids. Most days my hair isn’t washed and I tend to throw it up in a top knot (mom bun!) or pony tail. With just a few spritzes of the dry shampoo my hair feels clean and bouncy – it’s such an amazing feeling because when my hair is done I truly feel so much better! So here ya go..3 simple steps on how to use this magic stuff:
+ shake can and apply to the roots (where your hair is most oily)
+ massage it through and make sure it is applied evenly
+ brush through and voila!
It’s perfect for the holidays, too and available at many retailers such as Target and CVS at only $3.99. Seriously this will change your entire beauty routine!
I hope you all had a happy and beautiful holiday with the ones you love. We did exactly as planned and although mom and dad were so very tired, our hearts were so full. Lucas woke up at 7:30 and started screaming “he came! Santa came!” so we all got up, rubbed our sleepy eyes, and started tearing through gifts. Lillie was pretty stoked about her baby dolls and carriage and Lucas’s pokemon/nintendo dreams came true. So I’d say it was a pretty perfect morning.
The holidays are just so amazing with kiddos and I’m looking forward to creating more magical memories and traditions with them. So much love to you all.
It must be noted that Miss Sol is wearing a holiday dress that my mother (thank you mom!) saved from my childhood. There’s something so special and sweet about seeing my daughter wearing my old clothes. That generation to generation thing is really amazing.
I’m going to be really honest here. I took these photos because yes, I wanted some adorable photos of my kids but really they were for my mom. To print in Costco. Because she’s been harassing me about photos to send to family. So voila! An impromptu shoot of the kids wearing their holiday outfits. I love the photos and now my mom has prints that she can stuff into envelopes with a note bragging about her grand babies. Everybody wins. Except Lucas. Because 5 minutes into our “shoot” this is what I got:
We will be spending Christmas Eve in Brooklyn all dressed up and drinking wine (apple cider for the kids ;), eating delicious food, and exchanging gifts with family. The letter Lucas wrote to Santa and the plate of cookies and carrots will already be left out before we leave for the evening. We’ll take a late cab home and the kids will be passed out in the pajamas I pack for them to change into and we will slide them right into bed the moment we get home. Ivan and I will finish wrapping gifts and place them under the tree. Our plans for Christmas day include breakfast, gifts, naps, nobody changing out of their pjs, and lots of snuggles. Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas weekend!
Lucas’s sweater from Baby Shop
