ASTR Lace Midi Dress

ASTR Dress (Here’s the original dress. Similar here, here, here and here) / Sam Edelman Sandals (Steve Madden makes a similar version. Also love them in jute and navy denim.) / Silver Cross Wave Stroller c/o / Vera Bradley Baby Bag and Ditty Bag c/o — Part of the new collection, available this Thursday, April 6th!

I have so many things to tell you!

This dress

Guys, I adore this dress. (As far as I can tell, it’s a copy of this one, which is SO nice considering the price tag!) I wore it a while back during that wonderfully weird 79-degree day, and I can’t tell you how many compliments I got on it. I don’t usually do short dresses during spring in Chicago, and if you read this recent post, you know how I feel about short dresses in general these days. This little number, though, is a “short dress fake-out.” Yes, it’s technically above the knee… but the lace comes down pretty far, making me feel so much more confident.

In terms of sizing, I found that the dress ran a bit on the smaller side, so I went one size up from my normal size and felt that it fit perfectly. In case it’s out of stock right now, keep checking back. It sells out quickly, but it’s restocked pretty frequently, too. :) If you’re looking for something similar right now, here’s the original dress, and you can see a few of my other favorite white lace dresses here, here, here and here. More above!

Our new stroller

One of my favorite parts of blogging this year has been trying out new baby gear. Before becoming a mom, I never thought I’d ever feel this way. ;) But I’ve learned that good baby gear can often be the difference between a good or bad day, and I’ve been astounded by how great gear can make life with Baby easier and more enjoyable.

Silver Cross, a British stroller company, recently sent the Larkin Family the new Wave travel system stroller, and we’ve been testing it out for the last month. First of all, I think it’s the prettiest stroller I’ve ever seen. Just look at those leather handlebars and that chambray! I mean, it’s stunning, right?! Secondly, I can’t get over how well made it is. While a lot of baby gear often feels junky, the Wave is sturdy and rides incredibly smoothly. Not once has it malfunctioned or gotten stuck, and every little detail has been thought out. Finally, it’s versatile. It offers 16 stroller, bassinet and car seat configurations so that it grows with your family. While we’re not planning on expanding this year, we are hoping to do so in the future. So we love the fact that the Wave doesn’t require purchasing another stroller if and when Baby #2 arrives!

Some other functions that we love about the Wave:

It’s compatible with a bunch of popular car seats, like Maxi Cosi–what we are using right now.
It comes in four color combinations. We have the chambray blue, but it also comes in “Sable,” “Granite,” and “Claret.”
The tires are rugged and puncture-proof.
The storage basket is waterproof. It also holds up to 33 pounds.
The frame folds up easily and you can quickly remove the wheels.
The handlebar adjusts, which is great for Mitch and me, since Mitch is tall and I am shortish.
The sun visor offers SPF 50 protection for Emma. She has my skin, so this is great!
It’s beautiful. Yes, I mentioned that before. But I spend a LOT of time with my stroller, and I have to admit that strolling Emma around in the Wave makes me pretty happy!

To be completely transparent, this post is not sponsored, but Silver Cross did send us the Wave to try out and review. :)

My weekend

I know. I keep talking about my weekend with my brother, Patrick, and my sister-in-law, Kim. But it was really, really wonderful nice to have them in Chicago. Patrick actually went to Notre Dame, and most of his friends live here… so he might actually know more about the Windy City than I do. ;) But I loved simply wandering around the hood together, catching up. The weather couldn’t have been better, and Emma loved every second with her aunt and uncle! Feeling very lucky to be part of the Sheehan family. <3

My shoes

I can’t tell you how much wear I’ve been getting out of these sandals. Of course, I’ve only been able to wear them when temps hit the 60s, but seriously: every time that happens, I break ’em out. Because of the block heel, they’re super comfy! I love them in jute and navy denim, and Steve Madden also makes a similar version. You can see other options above!

This week

I have a busy week ahead, only because we leave for California on Saturday. I won’t lie: I’m a little stressed. I have a few projects I need to wrap up as well as a few social functions to attend before we depart, and this will be our first time flying with Emma. I just want everything to go well, but I keep picturing our little girl screaming her little head off for the entirety of the flight. Any tips from some more seasoned mothers for flying with an eight-month-old baby?! This new mom is already freaking out! ;)

Hope you have a great start to your week!