#tbt More Vintage Coach

November 16, 2013

Found more vintage Coach while antiquing here in Florida.  Really good shape for $40.  This might become a thing...

Five Months

Our little bear is changing so fast lately!  He surprises me everyday with new things he can do.  His personality is coming in strong.  I can't wait to see what the next months bring!

Here are the stats for five months:

- Eyes are blue in the sunlight, brown inside.  Since sun is the only true light, I'm saying his eyes are blue

- Rolling over all the time now and super proud of himself because of it.  Even slept on his tummy last night

- Slept the WHOLE night one night.  Now sure if this was a fluke...

- Trying out new sounds with his mouth.  The pic above is his new thing where he keeps his lips closed and makes noises

- He's such a flirt and ladies man.  He's won all the hearts at daycare

- He smiles with his whole face.  He's a really happy baby

- He likes to quietly observe things.  And you can tell he's thinking things out.

- Plays with his toys a lot now.  Reaches and shakes them.  Even tries to creep toward them

- Working on sitting up on his own

- Loves his Baby Einstein bouncer.  Cracks us up when he plays in it

- He hugs now.  Not sure if he understands what he's doing, but it melts my heart just the same

- He also "pets" everything now.  And he loves to pet his dogs.  Freeman is getting really good at sitting still so Gunnar can "pet" him (I'm not sure Freeman even feels aything at this point...)

- He reaches out for you to pick him up from his car seat

- Sucks on his toes

- Interested in EVERYTHING!  Especially his bag of diapers on the changing table, which makes it difficult (and funny) to change him

The Philosophy of Gunnar Bear

Gunnar Bear on life...

Cheers.

#tbt Vintage Coach

March 31, 2013

Snagged this vintage Coach purse for $30 at one of my favorite consignment stores. I thought about it for a couple weeks then finally pulled the trigger. I'm so glad it was still there!

Holla!

Mama Bear and Gunnar Bear

Cheers!

The Philosophy of Gunnar Bear

Gunnar Bear on dating...

Cheers.

#tbt Espadrilles

November 24, 2013

Espadrilles from Spain? Don't mind if I do!

Holla!

A 6 Euro find in Stiges, Spain

 

Pixie

I just fell in love with the Pixie pant at Old Navy.  I'm not really happy with my body lately because of pregnancy and these pants are one of the few things that have made me feel good about myself in my wardrobe.  I think it's because they are stretchy.  And they look expensive.  They're on sale right on.  Totally check them out.  I snagged a hot pink pair and a black/white plaid pair.

Cheers!

Love this blue color!  Old Navy, $25

The Perfect (Layering) Tank

I think every girl has a "uniform".  Mine has changed over the years.  In college it was my Michigan State hoodie, jeans and Uggs.  Now, it is some version of this (minus the scarf usually):

                                                        

I stick to the rule that leggings aren't pants.  So, if you are going to wear just leggings as your bottoms, then you need to have your butt and crotch covered.  To follow my own rule, I needed an extra long tank.  Old Navy sold them way back in the day and I have just one.  I needed more.  Imagine the layering possibilities?!  I ended up finding the perfect layering tank in the most surprising place: the maternity section!  Liz Lange for Target has the best tanks to pull of my uniform and other layering needs.  The tank is soft, long enough to cover my butt and it isn't ruched on the sides like most maternity tops.  You can't even tell it's for preggos!  And they're super cheap so you can stock up on all the colors.

You're welcome.

Cheers.

    

liz lange for Target, $13

                                        

Merry Christmas!

I know it's a little late.  We struggled to get our Christmas cards out on this year (we sent them after New Year's) and I didn't order enough (sorry if you didn't get one, I'll do better next year).  I remember my friend Lauren saying that she went MIA with cards the first year after Liam was born.  I thought to myself, how hard could it be to send out a card?  Well, a baby really has no concept of etiquette like that so they throw obstacles in your way so you can't even stamp an envelope, let alone a dozen.  And good luck getting to the store to buy the card, if you even remember that you need a card because you're so sleep deprived. 

Anyway.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Haus of Kendi!

Cheers!


Here is the picture we used on our cards this year:

Not the original pose I was going for, but that one didn't work out so well. It's still funny though...

And here's one that was almost our card, but I wanted to see if I could get a family pic:

 

2015 New Year's Resolutions

I'm hoping 2015 is another big year for the Kendi Haus.  We seem to do better in odd numbered years than even...

Here are my goals/ resolutions for 2015.  There are a lot, and I'm going to work really hard at all of them, but I'm giving myself the whole year to accomplish them.  I've found that if you expect to complete New Year's resolutions in January, you end up failing.  My list is pretty long and some things are easier than others.  But I'm going to really try hard at them this year.

So, wish me luck!  Cheers!


Mandi's Resolutions 2015


1.  Lose the baby weight

• I told myself when I got pregnant that I would give myself 12 months to work off the weight I gained.  That that time frame was a realistic goal.  It has been difficult to not beat myself up over my body since having Gunnar, even though my logical brain says give your body time.  Which brings me to my next resolution...

2.  Take the stairs whenever possible

3.  Become a runner:  Complete a Couch to 5K (C25K).  Run a 5k.

• I want to get a jogging stroller.  I'm hoping this is something Gunnar and I can do together.  We'll be bonding, I'll be getting in shape and showing him fitness can be fun.

4.  Cook more meals, eat out less (which will help with...)

5.  Financial fast for 3 months

• Not consecutively, but three months total in 2015.  Kevin and I decided that 2015 was the year to get all our fiances in order: draw up wills, work out a retirement plan, get a financial planner, come up with a budget and really stick with it.

6.  Find a career path that makes me happy

7.  Go someplace I've never been

8.  Find a balance between taking care of myself and taking care of my family (which brings us to...)

9.  Do a face mask or facial or pedicure or bath soak every Sunday

10.  Get my skin under control

• Find a face wash and lotion that really works for me.  Get in the habit of washing and moisturizing my face every night.

11.  Wear a piece of jewelry everyday

12.  Learn how to do more hairstyles for my hair

13.  Streamline my wardrobe

• Figure out the pieces that work best for me and make the most outfits.  Figure out the gaps in my wardrobe to make more outfits.  Hunt down higher quality pieces for good prices (cuz they last!)

14.  Downsize our possessions.  We have way too much stuff!

15.  Finish organized all my pictures and stay on top of Gunnar's monthly picture and baby books.

16.  Do my recommended Luminosity training and work up to training everyday.

17.  Blog more, Facebook less and eventually never again.

18.  Put my phone away and be more in the moment.  Especially the little moments with Gunnar and Kevin, cuz they go by so fast!  Plus, it's rude.

19.  Try not to let the bad things/ people/ events in the world take over.  As Mister Rogers said, "look for the helpers".

20.  Have more faith.  In God.  In myself.  In mankind.

Happy New Year!

What an amazing year 2014 was for the Kendi Haus!  I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store.  We are working on some plans so stay tuned and fingers crossed!

Cheers!

  

And this is how Gunnar Bear rang in his first new year.  Passed out in style.