Things I love #9

{ Essie Lovie Dovie nail polish}

The arrival of our baby girl changed our lives completely – getting out of the house is a nearly impossible task and a good night sleep is a distant memory. So I’ve learnt that the best way to handle it is to take each day as it comes, worry less, try to stay positive and adapt to a life where you don’t care just for yourself. Oh, and keep things simple! I have found out that minor changes to my wardrobe (hello wardrobe staples) and my beauty / skincare routine (thanks Trilogy!) are life saving! With the summer coming, I plan to stick to easy (sun) dresses and bright nail polishes for an instant mood lift. 🙂

{ Polo Raph Lauren shirt dress *}

{ Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask & Trilogy Gentle Facial Exfoliant }

{ green lavender leaves in the back garden }

{ Dior sundress }

{ tiny feet }

{ a happy face 🙂 }

* for more inspiration (in Romanian this time) on how to wear a shirt dress, try here

x. RJ

Baby Jackson’s Nursery

After moving in our new home last year, we had a huge project on our hands, trying to create a perfect living space for our needs and preferences. But to be completely honest, the nursery has probably been the most wonderful project I had to tackle.

With so many options out there when it comes to decorating a nursery (bright and colourful, modern, country, shabby chic or traditional – to name a few), the task of buying for your little one’s room is definitely not an easy job. Even though you are designing the room with an infant in mind, it is important to set your priorities straight. For us, practicality was the main one. We both wanted a room that could grow with our daughter and it did not require a make-over every so often. A big wardrobe, a cot bed, a roomy set of drawers and a practical bookshelf were the items we felt comfortable to invest in (as she will be able to use them for years to come).

I wanted the room to fit in with the rest of the house, thus having a more modern and minimalist vibe to it. Mr J. wanted a room bright and colourful, full of toys and pops of colour, more suitable for a baby. In the end we managed to reach a compromise and combined the two. I have my simple blank canvas and he has his cheerful vibe to it, so we could not be happier about the final result.

I hope now that our little bundle of joy will enjoy it just as much as we do! 🙂

Shopping list:

Tutti Bambini wardrobe and cot bet

IKEA knob rack, stools with storage, coat-hangers, rocking chair (similar here), cushion, mirror

Olli Ella cot bed set 

Mimi Lou wall stickers

Angel Care baby monitor

Fisher Price Precious Planet projection mobile

Mamas and Papas contour changing mat

John Lewis easidream® Ewan the Dream Sheep, elephant curtains

x.RJ

Things I love #8

{ a pop of colours with wooden tulips from Amsterdam }

With spring just around the corner, it is wonderful to think again about bright colours, romantic dresses, delicate ballerinas and summer holidays. I am looking forward to our walks in the sun, coffees in the city centre and lazy afternoons in the back garden; and it’s so exciting to make holiday plans! For the four of us this time! 🙂

{ nude and black Chanel ballerinas }

{ bright pink manicure }

{ best chocolate chips cookies ever }

{ ready for spring and summer with this feminine white dress I absolutely adore! }

{ a postcard from Sydney. Just 2 years ago, Mr J and I were there; how time flies! }

x.RJ

Things I love #7

With the nursery nearly finished, with the hospital bags already at the door and with the baby lists all shopped for, there isn’t much left for me to do these days, but wait. So I try to keep myself busy in one way or another. Thankfully, the fashion weeks were in full swing, the fashion blogs were full to the brim with street style shots and I even gave baking a go with this recipe for some of the most delicious brownies! Oh, and catching up with my reading for when this little bundle of joy arrives. 🙂

{ the brilliant Dolce & Gabanna ready-to-wear AW16 collection }

{ feminine details on a tiny navy blue lace dress }

{ the most beautiful and colourful spring bouquet for the 8th March }

{ best skin serum I have tried so far. by ESPA }

{ pink pompoms and a tiny preview of the nursery }

{ her first summer dresses in colourful floral prints and delicate white poplin }

x.RJ

9

It is nearly time to meet this little bundle of joy who has been part of me for the past 36 weeks. Until then, I find myself both happy and lucky to still be able to dress my bump in a way that doesn’t really affect my style. I have to admit, it does get more and more difficult now to resist the urge of living in my sweatpants day in and day out, but with a bit of effort I can still manage to put on my non-maternity dresses or trousers. Even though I lived my pregnancy in a pair of Adidas trainers (best purchase for my pregnant self), I was still able to work a bit of heel in a date night.

You know what they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way. 🙂

Wearing: Stefanel dress (on sale here), Jaeger belt (similar here), Dior boots, Ted Baker coat (similar here)

x.RJ

PS: Happy International Women’s Day! 🙂 x

1 coat, 3 outfits

Maternity style is not a piece of cake as I once thought. Plenty of options out there, but very few to my liking. I love clothes that are generous and comfortable enough to grow with me throughout my pregnancy, since the idea of buying too many things that I can only wear for a short amount of time doesn’t sit right with me. So a stylish coat, a comfy pair of shoes and some stretchy or loose dresses and jumpsuits will fit the bill. Add to this some basic shades of grey, camel, black or white and I found my perfect wardrobe combo.

For our city break to Amsterdam this weekend, I had to pack light in just one small hand luggage. A challenging task at fist sight, but with the right coat and shoes, it was a lot easier than I thought. For this trip I wore a coat, specially designed and customised by my beautiful friend, Crina Bulprich. Roomy, comfortable, stylish and so warm! Can’t praise it enough! The Stan Smith trainers were a wise choice for a few days packed with sight seeing and walking along the canals.

Crina Bulprich dress and coat, Adidas by Stan Smith trainers

Zara wool dress and cashmere scarf, Crina Bulprich coat, Adidas by Stan Smith trainers, Tiffany’s necklace, Fat face hat, MAC lipstick

Stefanel cashmere jumpsuit, Crina Bulprich dress, Gap tee, Tiffany’s necklace, Adidas by Stan Smith trainers, NARS lipstick

My perfect accessory for a city break – Daria Mulberry shoulder bag

My favourite souvenir from Amsterdam – a captain’s hat in a gorgeous rich navy blue colour. Fell in love with it when I read this post. I found it in Amsterdam at de9heren.

x.RJ

The grey dress

Crina Bulprich dress, Zara leather jacket, Prada sandals, Tiffany’s necklace and bracelet, MAC Rebel lipstick

For a crisp fall morning, there’s nothing cozier than a warm, wool maxi dress to wrap you in style with minimal effort. I paired mine, this time, with a wardrobe staple, the biker jacket, and a pop of colour: bright red for both the shoes and the lips. Chunky accessories optional. x.RJ

VB for Vogue UK

This is one of the most adorable and refreshing cover shoots I’ve ever had the pleasure to see. Vogue UK’s brand new cover star, Victoria Beckham like you have never seen her before! A big baggy jumper, a floppy hat and, of course, wellies in an enchanting English garden in autumn. Aaaaw, and those pretty cotton pyjamas. Lovely! Yet again, British inspiration at its best.

And yes, this edition is definitely worth the TWO covers.

[Pictures by Patrick Demarchelier]

x.RB

4-Day Itinerary in New York City

Since we had our wedding in Seychelles and spent (just over) a week in paradise, Mr. J and I decided to go for a more adventurous honeymoon, rather than a chill out in a tropical destination. We couldn’t decide on a destination so we split 8 nights between New York City and Las Vegas.

After much research on Google maps, guidebooks, forums, and Tripadvisor, I managed to put together a relaxed 4-day itinerary for New York. We visited most of the touristic sights, but I did not make that our main aim. We also enjoyed some of the best restaurants, a Starbuck’s coffee and brownie in Times Square, a show on Broadway and even a shopping session (I couldn’t leave New York without a pair of Manolo Blahnik!).

[We landed and left sometime in the afternoon and stayed at Casablanca Hotel 147 W 43rd St, right bang in the centre of the Big Apple.]

For the first (half of it really) day, we took things easily: Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock (amazing views of New York! If you happen to be there even later in the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to see a New York sunset as well), then a walk on Broadway and Times Square at night. Tony’s di Napoli for dinner (lovely Italian restaurants, family portions and delicious meals)

The 2nd day started with breakfast at Evergreen Diner on 145 West 47th Street, a proper American diner. We then visited Grand Central Station, Chrysler Building, and Empire State Building (again, stunning views of New York from the top!) for the first part for the day. Head to the trendy Meatpacking District and stop for lunch in the Chelsea Market. Industrial chic interiors, a variety of restaurants and places to grab a bite on the go. A short walk from the Chelsea Market, you’ll find The High Line, a 1-mile New York City linear park built on a section of the elevated former New York Central Railroad spur. A breath of fresh air (literally) in the middle of Manhattan. A stop in Victoria’s Secret on 34th St. Herald Square could only make the day even more enjoyable 🙂 Basso 56 was my choice of restaurant for the second night, a great Italian restaurant, with wonderful dishes and delicious wine.

The 3rd day started with breakfast at Evergreen Diner, the continued with a 2-hour morning tour with a personal photographer. The tour included Times Square, Central Park, City Hall Park, The Plaza, Upper East Side, Brooklyn Bridge and Bloomingdale’s. Stop for a sweet treat at Rice to Riches for the best rice pudding ever! Pre-theatre lunch at Tony’s di Napoli and then a show on Broadway: The Lion King (the most amazing show I have ever had the chance, the joy and the privilege to go to! A must see!). For dinner we visited the Meatpacking District again and had a lovely meal at this trendy, stylish restaurant called Colicchio & Sons. A fine dining experience indeed!

The 4th day started with a 2-hour morning cruise to see The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Wall Street is in walking distance from Battery Park (where you board the cruise). So is the Trade Center on Church Street, 9/11 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge. We spent the afternoon shopping in Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue and had a walk in Bryant Park (a breath of fresh air in midtown, definitely worth a visit!). A steakhouse is a must in a New York dining experience. We went to Club A Steakhouse and the meal wowed us.

We spent the last half a day visiting the MOMA Museum of Modern Art, doing some souvenir shopping and enjoying a lunch on the street, before heading for Las Vegas.

For the outfits that went with the daily activities and evenings out, check my previous post here.

x.RB

Die Mannschaft & Hugo Boss

The best dressed football team at the moment? It has to be Die Mannschaft as Hugo Boss outfits the German National football team for World Cup 2014. Sporting dark blue three-piece bespoke suits by BOSS Made to Measure they exemplify the pursuit of perfection, attention to detail and exquisite style in the Mannschaft’s gameplay. Amazing!

Pics via

x.RB