5 things

Hey, it’s Monday and I’m checking in with 5 things…

Hello Sunshine got a little update at the end of last week. I thought it would be fun to lighten things up. Now if only I took the time to work on my website. Womp womp.
The search for an awesome hoodie is over. Mission accomplished! I got this on sale and have worn it almost every day. And then last week for work, I got paid to spend a bit of time online researching New York Fashion week and what’s trending and it turns out hoodies are trending for Fall 2016 so I’m ahead of the game.
I’m about to be an auntie again… any day now… so I’m somewhat distracted and have deactivated my do not disturb feature on my phone. I also appreciate that the baby is arriving in July because, as a lover of patterns and good planning, it now means I will have niece or nephew born in JULY. Sam is August, Celeste is September, Joel is October, Margaret is November and Evan is December. Thanks family!
Marathon training has started and I’m following a legit program this time. Lets see how it goes… a lot more miles (eek). I also just realized we will be in NYC the weekend before the election and flying home on election day so depending on the outcome, there may be a mad dash to the airport.
100 days of Summer is well-underway and I am pleased to report that I have completed 30 items so far. Others are in progress and I am feeling pretty good. Let me know how your summer bucket lists are coming along?

That’s all five. I hear we are getting back the sun and heat tomorrow which is great because I’m not allowed to use the dryer this summer. Laundry is piling up and the indoor rack is maxed out.

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg

baby, baby, baby oooh

Posted by meghanrushton

Last weekend my sister Erin and I (+ mom) hosted a baby shower for our little sister, Jill.

Newsflash: Jill and Alex are having a baby and I am finally getting a local niece or nephew!!! Thanks guys.

As you may know, I love planning a party so I got to it early on… so early, that I may of leaked the big news to some of her friends accidentally. Busted.

* * *

First up, the invite: And because I truly believe in mailing out invites – I am including a sample of the envelope too. The invitees has custom address labels. Tip: I like to purchase somewhat-related stamps when sending invites!
Decor: I made a few banners for the party room and the front window. I bought some flowers and pulled out that springy table clothes. Easy! We also had some balloons and raindrop banners outside but again, I forgot to take a pictures. Tip: Buy a cute crib sheet (last photo) and use as a table covering – then give it to the mom when the party is over!Favours: This is when Pinterest makes you do things you don’t need to do… like favours for a baby shower. Simple but cute although Mike’s comment was that the popcorn has already popped and I should of filled the bags with kernels. Um, no – not pretty. Tip: Avoid Pinterest and ignore your husband. Games: Erin planned a few games – one being Trivia because Jill is a trivia nut. It’s a fun addition to a party and no one in my house was forced to smell diapers with random brown stuff in them. Tip: Have paper and pens ready to go so your games look legit.

Erin’s Ten Trivia Questions

Q: How many children did Queen Victoria have? Bonus point if you can name one.
A: Nine – Victoria, Edward, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold, Beatrice

Q: Name one of the top three baby girls name in 1916?
A: Mary, Helen, Dorothy

Q: Originally Pampers diapers used pins. In what decade was the pin replaced with Tape?
A: 1970s

Q: What percentage of babies are born on their due date?
A: 5%

Q: In 1928 the Gerber company introduced its first line of strained foods. Name one the first varieties.
A: peas, prunes, carrots, spinach and beef vegetable soup

Q: How much did the heaviest baby born on record weigh?
A: 22 pounds, 8 ounces (Italy, 1955) (Somebody sure carb loaded!)

Q: In what year did Uncle Jessie and Aunt Becky (from Full House) give birth to twins. Bonus points if you can name them.
A: 1991 – Nicky and Alex

Q: What is a baby owl called?
A: Owlet of Fledging

Q: What Michael Jackson song topped the charts the month Jill was born (May 1983)?
A: Beat It!

Q: Jill’s baby is due in July. What is the birthstone of this month?
A: Ruby

Food: We had 32 guests from the age of 7 months to 91 years-young! All female, except the dog. We served mimosas, perrier, tea and juice packs for drinks and all of the food was utensil-free. The spread included chocolate and carrot cupcakes made by mom, lemon poppy seed loaf, homemade sprinkle fortune cookies, cheese and charcuterie boards, traditional devilled eggs, beet-pickled devilled eggs, a cheese ball with maple syrup, guacamole, artichoke dip, veggies, a baguette and skewers (feta + watermelon + mint) (bocconcini + tomato + basil) (an idea I got from another baby shower I attended). Tip: If you decided to make homemade sprinkle fortune cookies, be sure to let your guests know you put fortunes in them! So that’s it. Another party over. I said I’d host 12 parties in 2016 and this is party #3. I have to step it up!

My apologies – I got so caught up in serving mimosas and catching up with all the lovely ladies that I didn’t take any pictures at the event BUT as a dedicated blogger / designer / party planner – I got lots of detail shots! Hah.

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg

boobielicious

Posted by meghanrushton

Is the title of the post going to get me in trouble? Sorry, I thought it was fitting following Tuesday’s post.

So, am I the last to hear about the movie Breastmilk coming out in August? It is by the same women who made The Business of Being Born, and it looks like it will be worth checking out.

Those of you who’ve been around since David was born will understand my love/hate relationship with breastfeeding. Yes, I wrote the words “hate” and “breastfeeding” in the same sentence. (Gasp). Let me clarify, I don’t hate breastfeeding rather, I hate that it didn’t work for me. Dammit, I tried. Since then, I have no problem seeing babies on the boob but it does make me a little sad. Still.

I hate breastfeeding because it did not go as planned. And me, being a planner, was not prepared for the derailment. I actually had a panic attack at the grocery store a few days after David was born when I had to purchase formula. The same girl who said just months before, “I will never give my baby formula!”

Long story short, my ~~paediatrician~~ psychiatrist told me to stop trying at five months for the health of me and my baby … it was the hardest decision I ever had to make. Harder than the five months of nursing / pumping / bottle feeding / formula top-up / nursing / pumping / bottle feeding / formula top-up cycle I got myself into.

Anyway, who knows why it didn’t work. I know some people believe every women can breastfeed and if you say you can’t – it’s just an excuse, not your body’s inability and to be honest, I kind of believe it. I can’t blame the hospital for their lack of support any more than I can blame myself and I certainly can not blame David. Sure, it would of been great to hear that there were lactation consultants sooner that 3 months after I quit. Sure, it would of been great to be more patient and calm but it is what it was and getting over it is the biggest hurdle. One step towards contentment will be watching this movie and to finally stop hating myself for hating that breastfeeding was such a terrible experience.

How about you? Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with breastfeeding? Are you going to watch this movie?

psst. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe and share. xomeg

fit for a queen (or king)

Posted by meghanrushton

July is here and at the top of my radar is the anticipating arrival of the royal baby. I can virtually see people rolling their eyes right now, but I don’t care, I love the royal family (regardless of their many faults). With this being said, here is my tribute to the royal baby.

A. London Olympics running tank / B. Burberry trench / C. Fancy pants / D. Fatface hoodie (it’s a british store) / E. An Ernest Race rocker / F. Jamie’s cookbook / G. Liberty London pillow / H. Docs / I. Tea time / J. Hobnobs with your tea / K. Charles Stephen / L. London print / M. Royal blue party dress / N. Pretty and pink bag

If I was a betting girl, I’d go with July 8, GIRL, Victoria Diana… is that too predictable?

Cheers! xo-meg