Friday Can’t Live Without It Link Up

I love my family more than coffee… but please don’t make me prove it. Yes, my can’t live without it this week is coffee.

How’s that for a big new-parent cliche? I can’t live without coffee.

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But honestly. Sometimes it makes me smile at 4:35am thinking that yes, I just fed the baby and have to wake up in 25 minutes to get ready for work but ahhh, there will be coffee. And it will be hot. And it will have more creamer than I care to admit. And it will be f’ing fabulous.

So that’s my Can’t Live Without It for the week. Short and sweet. Be sure to check out Olive & Tate, Home Sweet Ruby, and Happily Ever Parker for their Can’t Live Withouts. Have a fantastic caffeine-filled weekend everyone!

Cant live without



Let’s Get Local | Adriana’s Pastry & Cafe

Is there anything better than a local coffee shop? Now throw in that it’s beautiful, the food and coffee is organic, it has a view of the ocean, and it’s 2 blocks from your house. Uh, yeah- we struck coffee shop gold this week when Adriana’s Pastry & Cafe opened in Winthrop.

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Please forgive the iphone photos but I wasn’t prepared to love this place so much that I had to write a blog post ASAP.

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We had a possible plan for my first Mother’s Day but when little man barely slept Saturday night because of congestion (a.k.a. we didn’t sleep either) and woke up really droopy and just not himself- we decided to keep it simple and just walk to Adriana’s for the strongest coffee they had and pastry or three.

One glance of “Cold Brewed Coffee” on the chalkboard menu and Jared was in love. We promptly ordered up two- mine with room for milk, his giant with no room for anything but a straw. I had my eye on a chocolate croissant and a cinnamon roll and Jared couldn’t live without a fluffy looking layered cake. So yeah, we got everything.

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In a mixup, Jared’s coffee was just iced rather than cold brew. John the owner must have overheard and let us know he would bring a cold brew right over. We told John how great the place looked and how wonderful it was to have such a lovely shop in Winthrop. He was proud of the look but prouder of the fact that everything was sustainable. The floors bamboo. The tables recycled steel. Even his cups were Greenware, a company which makes its products entirely from plants- not petroleum.

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He went on to talk about the fact that everything was organic and kosher. He motioned to Eli (sound asleep in his stroller) and said that it was all so great for kids and he was excited to soon offer “those cake pop things.” Eli’s only just dipping a toe in the solid foods pond so slow down there John but yes, my Momma-mind did immediately envision a toddler Eli and me in line at Adriana’s- “two cake pops please!”

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There was no denying that John knew what he was doing. The tables might have been empty in these photos but there was a steady stream of people the entire time we were there.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know by now my love of all things rustic chic and the decor at Adriana’s is just that.

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The walls were covered in reclaimed wood from floor to ceiling. The fireplace was framed by a narrow row of chopped logs and its seating area anchored by an old push cart with iron wheels.

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Each table had these little mason jars filled with coffee beans and battery powered tea lights that made me want to stick around until dark when I’m sure this gorgeous sparkling ocean view will flicker with the lights from the Boston skyline.

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On our way out, I snapped this mosaic on the floor.

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I know this will not be the last time my Converse will pass over this mug. Thanks John for this amazing new gem Winthrop gets to add to our treasure box of local eateries. If you haven’t tried it yet, stop by Adriana’s Pastry and Cafe at 19 Main Street in Winthrop, MA. You will probably see me there. I’ll be the Momma with bags under her eyes downing a cold brew and dreaming of my growing boy and cake pops.


I Like Big Bags & I Can Not Lie

So obviously you know how much I love big bags from my Can’t Live Without It post last Friday but my love for big bags doesn’t just end at totes. Oh no, I’m madly in love with my diaper bag.

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We’re only just starting to venture out on trips with the little man. A harsh winter combined with an infant during cold and flu season makes for a long hibernation. But now that spring has sprung, we’re making some short day trips with Eli.

So what’s in my diaper bag you ask? Well let me show you…

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It’s a lot but as we’ve found- entirely necessary. I’m sure things will change as he grows but since I love other bloggers “What’s in my bag” posts, I thought I’d let you all be nosey and check out mine.

First of all, this bag was a gift from my cousin and his wife and I absolutely love it. I bought an organizer with different sized pockets from Amazon since I need compartments and not a bottomless pit kind of bag.

I store everything with four categories in mind- diapering, feeding, comfort, and mommy musts.

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Diapering is pretty basic- changing pad, diapers, wipes, creams, dirty diaper bags, and a change of clothes in case, well, you know. I also bring a couple washcloths and wet bags that could be used for a variety of things.

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Feeding is sure to evolve (it already has since we’ve stopped breastfeeding) but for now it includes a bottle or two, my formula dispenser (I talked about this handy gadget here), extra formula on-the-go packets, burp cloths, and a bottle of water just in case we’re stuck somewhere where I can’t find clean water.

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Comfort is fun and changes depending on where we are going but typically it consists of a swaddle blanket, a toy, and a book. Hats, gloves, jackets, and sunhats get thrown in this category too but obviously change according to the season. Although lately it seems we start our day bundled and end it sweating with sun hat and sock-less piggy toes.

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Now for Mommy Musts. These get swapped in and out too but typically I bring a mini first aid kit (these are the perfect eyeglass case sized), sunblock, chapstick, wisp toothbrushes, my wallet, phone, and a change of clothes in case, well, you know.

So that’s my bag. I keep a couple of emergency items in my car as well like a mini changing kit, paper towels and wipes, and a big blanket. My girl scout motto of Always be Prepared kicked into overdrive upon becoming a Momma and it’s already come in handy.


Friday Can’t Live Without It Link Up

What can’t I live without this week? Big bags.

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I’ve always been one to either have a small clutch with just my phone, license, and a credit card or a big ol’ tote stocked with all the things for every possible senario that day.

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I’m in love with this new reversable tote from Old Navy (sold out but similar here). It’s perfect for the office. I can fit my wallet, every day essentials, wipes and hand sanitizer (because everything is disgusting) and my calendar, notebook, and work papers.

I’m also a firm believer in firm bags. That is, ones that don’t flop over like a limp noodle. This tote stands up tall like an adorable pink soldier ready to provide me with whatever I need. Lip gloss? Check! Pens? Check! Corkscrew? Hey, it’s come in handy more times than you’d think!

tote 3So that’s my Can’t Live Without It for the week. Be sure to check out Newlyweds:North (soon to have a brand new name!), Home Sweet Ruby, and Happily Ever Parker.

Can't Live Without