Hottest Bags For Spring with Gigi New York

 This past weekend was really nice and relaxing for a change – Saturday night we stayed in playing board games and legos and I took a break from cooking and we ordered my favorite Falafel sandwich (extra spicy) from my neighborhood fave Pita BBQ. Adam turns 5 years old tomorrow – a fact that still boggles my mind – and we had a special moment yesterday that had me getting all sappy and teary eyed. I always call him ‘my sweet baby’, like for example when I ask him what he wants to eat I’ll say (in my baby voice) ‘what can I get you my sweet baby?’ then I’ll repeat ‘my sweet baby’ like a hundred times while hugging or kissing or squeezing his cheeks. Lately he’s been telling me that he’s not a baby, he’s a big boy, so I corrected myself the last time I said it. I said ‘Oops! I’m sorry, your not my sweet baby, your my sweet Big Boy’. I expected him to smile and feel content, but instead he responded with the cutest sheepish grin – ‘you can still call me baby, if you want‘. Insert heart eye, heart break, and angel emojis. I call that a Sunday well spent, and I’m ready for my week of content…

Starting off this week with the second of our Spring Blogger Nation series featuring Gigi New York. For Spring the general tendency is to go for pastels – this year the Pantone colors of the year are even ‘rose quartz’ and ‘serenity’ which are essentially baby pink and baby blue. But maybe its the rebel in me but, for me this Spring I’m really excited about getting some really timeless pieces in black. (Full disclosure: I do happen to already have this in a beautiful poppy color so I’ve got the bright Spring bag too.) But getting back to black, I’ve already invested in these loafer mules this season, that I know will get a ton of wear. Even though black handbag can seem a little boring or simple, if you go for high quality, the beauty of the design actually stands out more so than the color. This tote, for example, has a luxurious python embossing that gives it texture and depth. The bag itself is structured so when you set it down it holds shape and doesn’t collapse. Of course with all Gigi New York accessories, you can get this personalized with up to three initials! Also – the personalized lip tin promotion is still running until the end of the week, so if you spend $100 or more at Gigi New York, you will get a free leather personalized lip tin holder, and your own personalized Vaseline Lip tin to put in it.

As always, click the link under the blogger to get details on each look!

gigi-new-york-tote-baggigi-new-york-black-tote gigi-tote-floral-blouseTote Bag: Thanks to Gigi New York | Blouse: Thanks to J.Jill | Pants: Zara | Shoes: Zara – Similar Style (almost exactly!) | Necklace: Tiffany & Co. | Watch: Thanks to: Shore Watches | Bracelet: Thanks to Folli Follie 

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Last week we took a quick trip to escape the snow for some sunshine in Key Largo, Florida☀️ We spent every moment possible outside, Tom and Adam got their Scuba Diver PADI certification (yay!) while Sophia and I spent our days either swimming or drawing marine life and landscapes. This was my first trip after my sister passed last November, and even though I look so happy here, there were so many moments I felt the grief and sadness, as if it happened just yesterday. I am still figuring out how I want to show up in this space, as I have changed so much as a person since the loss. I just don’t feel called to post some of the things I shared before. Maybe that will change someday, or maybe it will just naturally evolve into something new. I think I will take this year to just process it all. (Even the idea of taking an entire year to think through something is a huge shift for my usually hyperactive type A personality) My focus at the moment is just living in the moment with my family and friends, spending time doing things that make me happy and healthy. I hope to share some of that journey here with you ~ thanks for following along ❤️
I had planned to shoot this outfit in collaboration with @lenacoutureofficial right before my dear sister passed away. Saba, the designer, was more than understanding if I didn’t want to anymore - but after thinking on it for a while I decided I wanted to - in my sister’s honor 💗 She was always my biggest hype woman. When i would feel like I’m not good enough or that I should quit (which was often) she would tell me I was unique and great and to keep it up. When I think of my sister, beauty and love is all that she embodied in her being. She expressed that on the outside also - as she loved to wear everything glam, bright & colorful, and full of bling. Hair done, nails done, everything did - that was Nusrat. For this shoot I took the time to get glam after a long hiatus - and makeup and hair took so long because I think I forgot how to do it, but afterwards I was surprised how I felt transformed. When I wore this gorgeous outfit that I know was designed with such love and incredible attention to detail by @lenacoutureofficial, I felt all of that beauty - like a walking piece of art, and very much at peace. Thank you so much to @divmophoto for capturing the feeling so well 💕
Ski weekend with my favorites ❄️❄️ So proud of Sophia for skiing on her own for the first time!
There are some trees with seeds that only grow after a fire. Their seeds are completely sealed with a resin that have to be physically melted off by a great fire in order to propagate. So to do we as humans, gain wisdom only after great pain and suffering.*
A month ago (and one day) I lost my sister and best friend to cancer. I am still completely gutted and broken. But, I’m also so so grateful to have had felt the love that now brings me so much heartbreak. ❤️ I am so inspired by her - and I will forever live my life to honor her memory. Miss you sis ❤️
Classic outfit combo: oversized blazer + denim 🖤fendi mules @shoeslutz
Just a mom who loves mums 🌸 🪴
Cozy for a coffee date ☕️
French. Toast. Egg. Bake. Save this recipe for a weekend or holiday brunch - it’s SO good and fool-proof! I’m not even a sweet person and I love it. The pecans are a non-negotiable IMO - I get honey bourbon vanilla pecans for this and it is just heavenly. Enjoy!