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Mother’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. Of course partly because I’m a mom and I love having my kids to celebrate with, but I also just think it’s important to thank and recognize the women in our lives who helped mold us into who we are. One of the ways I like to share this love with my own mom is by sending flowers. Flowers just do something to the heart that few other gifts can.
This year I decided to try 1-800 Flowers and I was shocked at the flower quality and selection for every price point. I live far away from my mom, so it’s important that I can send her some flowers to let her know I’m thankful for all she’s done for me—everything I appreciate now that I’m a mom.
That said, if you’re looking for a way to send flowers across the country or even just across town, I highly recommend checking out 1-800 Flowers. No matter what your budget is, I guarantee you’ll be able to find something your mom loves!

Click here and enter promo code 25MOM at checkout, to receive 25% off from 5/8-5/10.

Happy Mother’s Day to those who have moms, are mom’s and future mom’s, I celebrate you <3

Thank you 1-800 Flowers.com for sponsoring this post!

 

I don’t know if you saw my Instagram announcement yesterday, but I’m pregnant with our 5th! We always talked about having a 5th even shortly after we had #4, but the timing was off since we decided to move from the midwest to the west coast for new jobs, better weather, etc. I took a break to build the blog and get our bearings here in LA. Meanwhile, I had a tug for another baby and finally convinced hubby.

Three months ago, I took an at-home pregnancy test and all was immediately confirmed with ongoing sickness. Mine was night sickness and I couldn’t keep food down past 3 pm or so. It was ROUGH. And it was hard to keep a secret. Fast forward to now, I’m 14 weeks, holding food down, and feeling much better! While I’m nervous about the 5 year age gap, I’m also thankful my youngest can dress himself and my oldest can make food like fry an egg, set the table, etc. That makes life easier right?

We broke the news to the kids during our daughter’s birthday. We wrapped a baby bottle, she opened it, and we announced they will have a new brother or sister! They were shocked and for the last couple weeks have been “preparing” by strolling their baby dolls around the block in their strollers. It’s the cutest thing seeing them tenderly swaddle their dolls.

It hasn’t been all fun and games though, as this pregnancy has been a little more rocky. I had some hemorrhaging last week and went to urgent care for blood tests and an emergency ultrasound. While it was super scary, I was told this is pretty common and to take it easy. The silver lining was, we accidentally found out what we’re having while getting the emergency ultrasound—wanna know?

So without further adieu . . .

IT’S A . . .

. . .

. . .

B O Y

While I will not be buying all those cute turbans baby girls wear on Instagram, I will gladly swap it out for bunny ear hats and oh-so-cozy knits. While he is not here yet, prayers are still needed. My heart goes out to the mothers who have had worse conditions and thank you to those who have already shared their stories on Instagram. You are my hero! Now, since we left our crib in Chicago, and gave everything else away, please comment with all your favorite baby gear and baby gear brands! I need your help because it has been 5 whole years since being out of baby mode.

Thanks for sharing this journey with us!

See some of my thoughts on motherhood HERE

XX Shalice

It’s been hard getting back into the saddle of my week since getting back from Chicago, school variety shows, homework and everything in between is taking up my time. One of my favorite style savers lately is a silky trench! I’m obsessed. It works out great with the chilly weather we’ve been having. Happy cloudy Wednesday from SoCal! I also talk about trenches in the Mother’s Day guide if you missed it.

xx

5 Silky Trenches:


trench Allen Schwartz // similar trench // denim heels  // corset top //

3 Things I’ve learned as a Mom:

1. Not everything will be perfect. Plan for the worst. In which case, my mom bag is stocked with lollipops, trail mix, almonds for me and hubby and Fig bars for the kids from Costco. I’ve learned these items make anything from traffic delays to waiting at the doctor’s office, MUCH smoother.

2. Enjoy the moments. This is harder than it reads. And to do this successfully you will have to say NO to what is good for what is BEST. Lots of discernment is needed to decide. Sometimes I give up potential brand partnerships and events, to spend quality time with my kids.

3. Don’t judge. Every mom and child is at a different place – I used to look at parenting so differently as a single – now I get it and give every mom some grace. Especially during that 4 pm, grocery store line when they’re grabbing for candy and chocolate. Been there. If you’re a mom, what have you learned, please share in the comments. Read more of my mother’s day commentary here.

 

silk polka dot shirt BODEN :: olive jacket BODEN :: skirt ASOS  :: my boots HUNTERS in matte black

his pants BODEN :: his sweater BODEN :: his sneakers BODEN 

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Motherhood can be likened to bringing home macaroons from your breakfast meeting in your kids favorite colors- sounds perfect right? Until they run out of the house at first sight of the car in the driveway. And apparently, when one grabs your knees and the other dips the box, they eventually fall on the porch. Now you know. Sometimes your best intentions are met with the reality of life with kids. 

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While I learned my lesson after that day, I haven’t stopped bringing them little gifts. You learn, you grow, you change. No two seasons of life are the same, is that bad? No, it just demands for flexibility and letting go of always being in control. When I accept the spilled milk, the tattling, the interruption, the macaroons on the porch and compare them in light of the rewards of motherhood – a higher calling Gods entrusted to me and a humbling for my growth, it changes my attitude. I start to be thankful for those four lives God gave me. It’s not glamorous or easy. Its a daily choice I make everyday. After all, attitude is like a good photo editing filter. It can take a somewhat mundane scene from drab to crisp and beautiful.  Happy Mother’s Day to mothers, daughters, and mothers to be. What are some of your favorite memories of your mom? I’d love to hear.

there’s no was to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one – jill churchill

dress ZARA SIMILAR / sandals REBECCA MINKOFF

Laura Breneman, who formally worked fashion at Ralph Lauren for 10 years, and I orginally met up in NYC, and the rest is history. She’s one of the most creative people I know, and does amazing things with leather. Read on.

Q. Why Bu-kin? 
Laura: BU-KIN comes from my maiden name Buchen. A lot of what I do and make comes from what I learned when I was young from my Mother and Grandmothers as well as where I grew up. I grew up in Lancaster County, where things are simple and pure. So this is an ode to my family and my past! 


Q. What inspires you? 
LB: Oh, EVERYTHING! its is hard to say what exactly, I used to dream ideas in my sleep. I find inspiration all around me everyday. Sometimes its the most random things , like the color pink of an invoice slip against a striped fabric swatch, or markings on tiles in the subway station. I try to be open to what I feel when I am inspired, and not let media determine if I think it is right or not. 

Q. What has been your proudest moment thus far? 
LB: This is funny question because I have always been making and sewing my whole life and when I finally figure something out after hours of trial and error ( and if I am alone…) I sometimes dance around the room to celebrate “I made it, i finally made it!”Well, like I said, I have always been making things and I have tried to sell all sorts of things over the years but never seriously. After about two years of having my baby shoes be a hobby and making them all by hand, I think my ” I-made-it-moment” was when I went to pick up my first order of shoes produced for me by the Amish. It was the realization that my business was real and that it moved from hobby to business. Also I would say along with that because of the Amish, being able to start wholesaling in February.  
Q. Where do you see Bu-kin in 5 years? 
LB: I really want to move on to having a full children’s accessory brand. I feel that there are so many amazing children’s brands out there with really fun prints and colors, but it is hard to find simple classic basics that go back to these items. So, I would love to offer classic items for all ages of children not just babies and not just shoes! I am working on several items right now with the Amish that I am very excited about that are along these lines. 


Q. How has having a studio space affected you, the biz? 
LB: So much! I used to work out of 4 foot space in the middle of our small apartment in Brooklyn. I would have to spend each morning pulling everything out to work and then put it all back at night! When I would have larger orders come in the space would just be filled with boxes and it was so hard to work. I would end up just working on the floor most of the time because my desk space was so small and we would constantly be finding leather scrapes all over the apartment. I was so, so happy to move into my studio space. I now have a place for everything and space to work and the best part is I don’t have to pack it all up every night! I share my space with two other artists a Doll maker and a Florist so it is really nice to have the community as well, working alone gets well…lonely ha! 
Q. There seems to be a Renaissance of sorts in Brooklyn with so many aspiring designers, creators? Your thoughts? 
LB: Brooklyn is an amazing place to be if you are a maker. When I first moved here I was in to making perfumes and I would buy all my supplies online, then one day I was walking down the street and I found two essence shops, selling oils! Now, with my shoe business there is shoe making supply store a bike ride away. 
Everything you need is here and more. There is a large community around it as well which I think helps. There is always a fair or market happening to expose local artists. You are so close to the hype of the city and you can be inspired by it, but then you can find your happy place in Brooklyn and be able to focus on your work. 
Q. What music is streaming in the studio these days? 
LB: I wish I had something more exciting to say but I am a Pandora girl. My regular stations are Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s, Mazzy Star, Francoise Hardy , Sam Cooke and an occasional Beethoven when I am being really dramatic, haha! 

Q. Where can we get our hands on Bu-kin?

LB:  The Best place to buy them is my website! www.BU-KIN.com. I feature different one of a kind colors that you may not see in stores. I also sometimes feature giveaways, special sales and one-of-a-kind leather on my Instagram @bukinbooties along with behind the scenes photos of the process and of course tons of pictures of cute baby shoes! If you would like to purchase In store, my shoes are now available at the following NY locations:



(both locations in Brooklyn)  

 Stay tuned to see how I style some gorgeous Bu-kin leather bags …
Thanks, Laura, for inviting us into your studio.

xx



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