I remember always being so excited for back to school shopping – new spiral notebooks, pencils, a fresh backpack, a first day of class outfit, new threads – it was such a highlight for me. H&M has always been a go-to for myself and the kids and this upcoming season is no exception. I love that I can always find staples (basic tees, denim, versatile sneakers) to mix and match with fun prints and pieces that I know the kids will love. When dressing Lucas for school I always look for a comfortable but well-fitting bottom and tops I can layer. This is key for Lucas because even as the temperature drops he usually peels off his tops during the school day. This means tees, button downs, hoodies, and light jackets. The same goes for Lillie when we are out and about in the city.
I’m also obsessed with the classical silhouettes and color selection for women. I recently did a huge closet purge and I am slowly adding in pieces to my wardrobe that I feel are timeless. My goal is to be able to reach for anything (with the exception of more formal wear) and feel good about what I’m wearing without too much fuss. This white sweater is one of my absolute favorite new pieces. It can literally be thrown on with jeans, trousers (such as these red ones which I am also head over heels for), or even layered over a dress.
I wanted to tell you about two amazing ways to save on clothes for your family with H&M:
+ H&M Garment Recycling Program: All year round you can receive 15% your entire purchase when you bring in clothing from any brand, in any condition, to be recycled (this means literally any piece of clothing you have in the back of your closet waiting to be donated). From 8/3 – 8/20 you’ll get TWO 15% off vouchers! This program is incredible and was created to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry by decreasing the amount of waste ending up in landfills (95% of the clothes and textiles that wind up in landfills can actually be re-used).
+ Receive 20% off your entire kids purchase of $60 or more 7/31 – 8/13 (in stores) and 7/31 – 8/6 (online)
We’re still here relishing in the last few weeks of summer but I’m thankful we got a head start to back to school shopping with H&M!
Spring in NYC. Pretty much the best (after Fall of course ;). As soon as that warm breeze hits the air, I am itching to be out of the house every day. My very favorite place to go with the kids is Central Park. The Conservatory in particular is absolutely stunning with it’s fountains, gardens, and maze-like pathways which Lucas loves to run through. I got to have a play date there last week with H&M, Heymama, and one of my very best friends in the world (since we were 11 you guys!). Pretty sweet! Viviana, the babies, and I all wore H&M and just walked around the park. It was perfect. I’m obsessed with this seasons selects at H&M (that red dress is my absolute fave and it was only $20. I mean…) and they have always been my go-to for staples for the entire family.
The best part of the afternoon was watching our little girls kiss and interact and of course seeing all the beautiful blossoms popping up. There is nothing better than beautiful, pink covered trees. Trust me on this!
Heymama asked Viviana and I to take a little friendship quiz and it was so much fun. You can read our answers below:
Nicole
+ What do you love most about your friend?
She’s incredibly loyal and the most amazing mother to her three girls.
+ What do you think she appreciates most about you?
Our ability to get together at any point and pick up right where we left off.
+ Her favorite thing about you is?
My honesty and our trust in each other.
+ Best memory of you and your kids together?
The day she came with her daughters to visit me the day Lucas was born. To see her children hold my baby was a surreal, perfect moment.
+ How are your parenting styles different?
I actually think we are pretty similar in that we both have similar approaches and are pretty traditional. I think she might have the disciplining thing down to a science and I’m still learning!
+ Best piece of parenting advice she’s ever given you?
Patience and how to discipline with love.
+ How would she describe herself in three words?
Funny, strong, loving
+ How does she react to her kids tantrums?
Viviana has the patience of a saint and is able to be firm yet remain incredibly calm.
+ Name her favorite tv show? Favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
Sex and the City. Any of the Housewives.
+ Funniest thing she’s ever done?
We have so many hilarious moments that we’ve shared. We’ve been friends for 20 years (crazy!) so we have been through it all together.
+ If you spend a date together with your kids, what would she want to do most?
Take the kids out to explore NYC. We’d go to the Central Park Zoo and then eat authentic Chinese food.
+ If your friend could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Fiji!
+ Most perfect day for your friend “sans kids”?
A day at the spa then out for dinner, dancing, and drink with her girlfriends. A mama can dream!
+ What’s a guilty pleasure she wouldn’t want to admit?
Lots of wine!
+ Who is your friends style icon?
Kate Moss
+ If she could be anyone for a day who would it be?
Sofia Vergara
Viviana
+ What do you love most about your friend?
Her ability to stop and take a second to capture all the beautiful moments life has to offer, because lets face it how many of us value the little details of every day life.
+ What do you think she appreciates most about you?
The fact that I am always honest with her, no matter how big or small the situation is, I will always give her an honest response.
+ Her favorite thing about you is?
Being able to text me at any time for an on the spot recipe!!
+ Best memory of you and your kids together?
The best memory of the kids together has to be when we surprised Lucas and picked him up from school one day. He was so happy to see us and the girls were so excited they were able to visit his school.
+ How are you parenting styles different?
It all sums up to city life vs the suburbs.
+ Best piece of parenting advice she’s given you?
Telling me not to give up on breastfeeding and encouraging me to keep going even when I felt i couldn’t continue.
+ How would she describe herself in three words?
Funny, Classy, Trendy
+ How does she react to her kids tantrums?
Even if she wanted to scream her head off you would never know, she is always super calm with them and some how seems to talk them into realizing they made a wrong choice.
+ Name her favorite tv show? Favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
Sex and the City. Love and Hip Hop.
+ Funniest thing she’s ever done?
We were at one of the saddest get togethers imaginable but you can always count on your bestie for a good laugh. Nicole was pumping and her milk was spilling out everywhere. She peeked out of the bedroom desperately looking for the first female in the room to come help her. She was soaked!
+ If you spend a date together with your kids, what would she want to do most?
Have a picnic in Central Park.
+ If your friend could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Dubai
+ Most perfect day for your friend “sans kids”?
Sleep in, wake up to fresh iced coffee in bed, followed by a lunch date with her closest girlfriends. Return home, take a nap, wake up and get ready for a low key dinner date with the hubs.
+ What’s a guilty pleasure that she wouldn’t want to admit?
One word: chocolate! Hahaha!
+ If your friend could have one wish what would it be?
To one day own a brownstone on the upper east side.
+ Who is your friend’s style icon?
Audrey Hepburn
+ If she could be anyone for a day who would it be?
When H&M contacted me and asked if I would like to style Lucas in some pieces from their Summer collection it was a no brainer. I love H&M for classic staples in simple styles – no fuss, adorable, and they transition from season to season so well.
These looks were so easy to put together and were just wins all around. Lucas looked adorable, he was comfy, and we were ready for whatever the day had in store. Playground? Check! Play date? Check! A nice dinner with daddy? Check! A big thank you to H&M for thinking of us and collaborating!
