Nordstrom Anniversary Style | Baby Favorites

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is my favorite time to stock up on items for my kids.  Fall is right around the corner, and this sale is the perfect opportunity to purchase coats and shoes for the upcoming season, as well as other great items, at prices much lower than they usually are.

There are same great deals to be found on brands such as North Face, Aden and Anais, Tea Collection, and more.

If you have a Nordstrom debit or credit card, you can take advantage of early access on these amazing prices, and if you don't yet have one, it's not too late to sign up. Early access runs through July 21st, and after that the sale is open to everyone.

I've rounded up a few of my favorite sale items for babies, and will be back with more favorites over the next few days.

Happy Shopping!

Theo's Three Month Update

I honestly cannot believe that today marks three months since Theo entered our world.  I totally sound like a broken record, but with every baby, the time just seems to pass faster and faster, and this time it's flying by at warp speed!

Trying to remember what life was life before Theo came along, is nearly impossible... it's as though he has always been here, and things have just permanently been this crazy!

We had a bit of a rough start with him in the sleep department, but things appear to be improving.  Lately he has been sleeping roughly 6-7 hours at night, only waking to nurse once (occasionally twice), and then going right back to sleep. 

This week we are going to attempt putting him in his crib at night for the first time.  We have been holding off on this, because he and Max will be sharing a room, and we were worried about him waking his big brother at night.  Hopefully this transition will go smoothly, and everyone will get into a good nighttime routine (fingers crossed!).

Otherwise, this kid's personality seems to really be developing.  He smiles a ton, and loves to be wherever the party is (serious FOMO issues!).  I think he is particularly fond of being outside, where he can stare up at the trees and watch the leaves move with the wind.

We have officially reached the point where he is trying to put EVERYTHING in his mouth, and drool flows on a constant, hence our love for bandana bibs.  I can't tell if he will be an early teether, or if it's just his way of checking things out.

He's not too fond of tummy time,  but thanks to some pretty strong head control, he really seems to enjoy sitting in the Bumbo seat and the highchair.

Theo nurses like a pro, and to this point, we're still pretty much on an "on demand" schedule.  It still shocks me sometimes that he will take a bottle and enjoys a pacifier, seeing as he is the first of our kids to take either.  It is amazing to watch him fall asleep with the paci in his mouth since both M&E almost always had to be nursed to sleep.

I have had a lot of fun using these Milestone Cards to document his growth over these last few months... I feel guilty admitting it, but these days it's tough for me to keep up with a baby book, so these cards have been an easy and sweet way to snap photos of his milestones along the way.

{c/o Milestone}

I know that there will be lots of BIG changes in the coming weeks and months, and I'm looking forward to using the milestone cards to capture those moments.

 In the meantime, I'll be searching for a way to slow down time, because this boy is growing much too fast for me!!!

xoxo,

*** This post was sponsored by Milestone Cards.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Swoon Worthy

Well, for a week that was supposed to be short and sweet, it sure turned out to be crazy and chaotic... not just in my own little bubble, but in the real world too.

I contemplated taking the week off from writing a "Swoon Worthy" post... it seemed a little silly to be writing about trvial material things with all that has happened in our country over the last few days, but the more I thought about it, I decided that I would indeed write this post.

"Swoon Worthy" posts are fun for me to write, I enjoy them, and many of you have written me to tell me that you look forward to them and enjoy them too... so even though they may be about maxi dresses and dessert recipes, among other random things, if these posts bring even a bit of joy to any of you, then I felt that it was my duty to "keep on keepin' on", and write one this Saturday, because if there's one thing we all need right now, it's to spread a little happiness.

Above and beyond this, I want to urge you all to spread some joy this weekend.  No matter how you choose to do it... even if it's something as small as paying someone a compliment, or purchasing someone's coffee, go out and bring a little happiness into someone else's day!

Okay, now onto the fun stuff!  Here's what I'm swooning over this week...

1.  Yes, just yes, to these frozen treats!

2.  If you know me at all, you know that coffee rules my world, which is why I love this T!

3.  Speaking of coffee... after trying the infamous Starbucks "Pink Drink", and instantly becoming obsessed, I'm totally dying to try every drink in the rainbow!

4.  These bathing suits are a current obsession... I love the high waisted bottoms and the swing top styles!

5.  If a salad has bacon and avocado in it, I'm totally in!

6.  This top... swooning so hard!

7.  With hair like mine and Ella's, a good brush is key.... this one is a current favorite!

8.  Teeny tiny boat shoes will always make me swoon.

9. I adore a good set of dainty stacking rings.

10.  And lastly, this... because it just seems fitting at the moment.

xoxo,

*** This post contains affiliate links.  By clicking on them I may earn a small commission.  Your continued support of this blog is always appreciated.

Summer Dresses | For Little Ladies

Despite the fact that I'm becoming a bit of a boy mom, now that I have 2 little guys around the house, I still go crazy over little girl's styles, dresses in particular.

I have so much fun dressing Ella up, and more often than not, I find myself wishing that her stuff came in my size, because the stuff that is in stores is just that cute.  Mini maxis and halter styles have me swooning, and naturally, anything with a pom pom trim is a must have.

There are so many adorable summer dresses out there right now, that can be found at great (and on sale) prices, that I decided to do a little round up of some of our favorites.

xoxo,

Our (Long) Holiday Weekend

{Bracelet c/o Bela Bracelets, use the code: kozyandco for 20% off}

I had every intention of posting about our Fourth of July yesterday, but coming off of such an amazing long weekend required a full day of recovery, and even today, I'm still struggling to find the motivation.

This week holds other big milestones though... Max's 4th birthday is tomorrow, so there's no time for moping around.  On a total side note, HOW is my "baby" going to be four??? (more about all of this to come, of course).

{bow, Free Babes}

Our fourth weekend was amazing in every way possible.  We kicked it off Friday with some good old fashioned strawberry picking, which went so much better this year than last year, when Max refused to pick berries because he was disappointed to find that we didn't take him to an actual farm.  This year, both he and Ella were great helpers and totally into it.

We picked a ton of berries, and then had to beeline it out of there when the rain started to fall.  We drove home in crazy thunder storm, that cleared up just in time to grill for dinner.

On Saturday, we lounged in our yard, and the neighbors... in our kiddie pool, and their much cooler in-ground pool.  They have 2 boys who are about the same age as Max and Ella, so it's always a good time when we hang with them.

After all of the kids got in a good nap we enjoyed a collaborative dinner together... we provided the smoked brisket and pasta salad, and they made the burgers and strawberry shortcake.

Sunday was full of more sunshine, swimming, food and fun.

On Monday, we headed into town for a parade and a barbecue fest... which turned out to be too difficult to navigate with a double stroller, so we hit up one spot, sampled the food and enjoyed a couple of cold beers, and then we headed home just in time for naps.

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but we were so exhausted by Monday evening that we didn't even make it out for fireworks.  I know that sounds so lame, but the kids crashed hard, and Mike and I weren't far behind.  It was one of those great summer weekends, where we swam, sunned, and ate to the point of exhaustion.

Now it's time to dive head first into planning for Max's birthday... I always feel so guilty that because we are currently living out of state, my kids are going a couple of years without big birthday parties, but we have some really fun stuff planned, and I can't wait to share more.

Hope you are all having a good week... If you are on Instagram, I have teamed up with a bunch of my friends to give away a $50 gift card to Target and $50 to Starbucks, so be sure to enter!

xoxo,

Swoon Worthy

We kicked off this Fourth of July Weekend with some good old fashioned Strawberry picking!  I have been dying to go, and even though we waited until almost the last possible minute, we still made out like bandits!

Max took the reigns and managed carrying the big box for us, while Ella sampled the merchandise and ate her weight in berries.  Theo, as always, snoozed through the whole adventure in the Solly.

Our plans for the rest of the weekend?  To eat, swim, play, and eat some more!

I hope you all have a wonderful (and safe) time celebrating our great country!  Here's what I'm swooning over at the moment...

1.  You can't have a barbecue without a great side salad, and this one is right up my ally.

2.  I picked up the most comfortable summer dress the other day... lucky for you guys, it's 50% off this weekend.

3.  The best way to spend a summer day is floating around in the pool on a super cute float.

4.  Rosé gummy bears?  Sign me up!

5.  Subscription boxes are all the rage right now, and Max couldn't have been more excited when he received his monthly selection of toys from ToyBox Delivered!

6.  How pretty is this bowl from Oh Joy's latest collection for Target?

7.  I think I finally found the perfect red lipstick, and the name of the color speaks for itself... "wine with everything".

8.  I adore a good pair of sleep shorts in the summertime.  If they have a pom pom trim and they're under $10, I'm sold!

9.  This is an adult beverage trend that I can totally get on board with.

10.  I can only dream that my handwriting will ever be as good as @chalkfulloflove so her book is high on my current wishlist.

Happy Fourth!

xoxo,

Beach Essentials | How to Survive the Beach with Kids

Going to the beach used to be so easy.  I could throw a towel, some sunscreen, and the latest issue of People into a small tote bag, and be out the door.

These days it requires a minivan packed to the brim full of stuff, and it has become an endless charade of sunblock reapplications, and repetitions of the phrases: "stop putting sand in your mouth", and "please stop feeding the seagulls"!

Gone are the days of peacefully snoozing, while listening to the soothing sounds of waves crashing nearby.

I used to get really stressed out about bringing my kids to the lake or the beach, actually, if I'm being honest, I dreaded it... but I have found that with a few essential items, my sanity has been restored (somewhat).  I think it will be awhile before a day spent by the water will be 100% stress-free, but I have learned, through experience, some ways to make it enjoyable again... not just for my kids, but for me and my husband too!

First and foremost, the most important items to have on hand when spending a day at the beach with your kids, are the ones that protect them from the sun.  A good sunblock is key, and this one, by Babyganics, has long been a favorite of ours.

My oldest also likes to wear sunglasses.  Partly because he says the sun gets in his eyes, and partly because they make him feel pretty cool.  We love Babiators, because they are nearly impossible to break, and they come with a one year warranty... as in no matter what you do to them, even if you lose them, they will replace them in the first year.

One of the biggest necessities for us has become some form of shade.  This pop up tent has quickly become my favorite place to get out of the sun.  I love it because it's small and easy to pack, but also because it literally just "pops up".  There is no need to make yourself crazy dealing with stakes and whatnot when you have kids in tow.

A good beach blanket is a great thing to have, particularly to lay in your beach tent to provide a soft spot for tiny babes to snooze.

When you have little ones who aren't yet potty trained, swim diapers are a must.  We love these disposable ones because they slide on like underwear, but also open on the sides like diapers.

Naturally, toys are an absolute necessity to keep your kids entertained, but it's a huge bonus if they come in their own easy-to-carry tote.

We've become really big fans of Keen shoes this summer.  My kids wear them almost everywhere, and I'm a huge fan of the fact that they can get wet and be washed easily.

A couple of my favorite beach hacks are bringing a small inflatable pool along to the beach and packing a bottle of baby powder.  The pool serves either as a way to contain a not-yet-walking, but on-the-move baby, or it can be filled with water for your kids to play in close to where you have set up camp!  The baby powder is the best for sprinkling on sandy feet before piling back into the car.  it makes that sticky sand just fall right off.

Lastly, and maybe even most importantly, don't forget to pack a small cooler full of snacks and drinks to stay hydrated.

You might not get the chance to read a magazine in peace, but I promise, these things will make your life easier, and the beach will be enjoyable again.

xoxo,