Getting ready for a baby?...

Having a child is hands down the biggest life changing experience a person can have.  You read about it, hear about it, talk about it...but until you have your first child is when you will know, what and how it effects your life.  

Good thing there are ways to prepare and one of the ways of doing that is by  attending the New York Baby Show.  A family friendly event for new and expectant parents. It's one of the best ways to see what's new, find the top products, check out services for maternity, babies & toddlers and learn what's really helpful in a new time of your life.

I attended the New York Baby Show with my little girl Ava Rose who is 2 1/2 years old (going on 20!) 

Ava Rose

My beautiful niece Samantha, with her equally beautiful daughter Mia Rose... 

Samantha & Mia Rose @ the Mother's Lounge

And her step-sister Julyssa, looking hot for being 7 months pregnant!

Julyssa

The biggest surprise for me about the show is how quickly things change in the Baby World. It can be overwhelming because there's so much to choose from now.  Like the stroller, I remember the challenge it was for me to pick the right one. They make it a bit easier, by providing a stroller track, to test out different stroller on the market. 

But this was my favorite...I love how thought out this design is for the traveling Mom.  

Orbit Baby Stroller

Mother's must have designed this stroller.  It has all the necessary and brilliant features to make your travels easier, my favorite feature is the side kick board stroller for the older child who get's tired of walking...Genius! 

Another awesome serivice was the free stroller tune-ups, checking the brakes, wheels and handles, you could even get it steam cleaned!

The show was for Daddy too! The incredible dads from the NYC Dads Group shared information and support from experts on issues like work-life balance, the evolving role of fathers and adjusting to being a new father.

Along with expert and keynote speaker Dr. Harvey Karp, America’s #1 Pediatrician, and Creator of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block DVDs and books. Which I'm going to have to purchase immediately if not sooner! 

Another highlight for me was this line of products by aden + anais

aden + anais line of products 

My Favorite is the Serenity Star that features: 

• A feeding diary that help busy parents keep track of feedings
• Sound machine helps baby fall asleep by playing a selection of 4 soothing sounds including 2 lullabies, white noise and heart beat
• Room temperature indicator
• A nightlight and clock

I wish I had that around when Ava was born! 

Snacks were everywhere,Ella Kitchen http://www.ellaskitchen.com/Ava's favorite (and mine) gave out samples.  I love carrying these in my bag.  I feel good giving her veggies and fruits on the go and these yummy crackers are also good healthy treats to get the daily recommended serving of 3 fruits & vegetables in a day.  Had one cup and I was hooked...so I had two! 

Bitsy's Brainfood 

Delicious! Made Organic, loaded with Omega-3 DHA, Vitamin A, B12, D3 and Folic Acid, a good source of iron along with soluble fiber from real bits of oats.  During my pregnancy with Ava and while I nursed her, I loaded up on all of these ingreidients and believe that's one of the reasons she's so smart : )

I signed up for a bunch raffles which is not something I usually do, so when I got a text from Drugstore.com that I WON!!!...it was like hitting the lotto! 

My Prize! 

Lovely Ladies @ Drugstore.com who gave me the winning goodies : ) 

I also picked up the magazine NEW YORK FAMILY with actress & mother of 2 girls Jessica Alba on the cover. 

In the featured article I read about her latest undertaking as the Founder of The Honest Compay-an eco-friendly diaper, skin, bath and household cleaning products provider. http://www.honest.com/ 

I absolutely love the diaper designs. 

Honest Diaper are plant based & bio-degradeable

Services include monthly subscription delivery service.  Which I now do with Amazon's Mom subscribe & save program for Ava's pull up diapers.  A good friend and Mother turned me on to Amazon's Mom-saving program which I'm so grateful, because I do save, get more diapers and have them delivered to my door, rather than going out to stores, spending more and getting less. 


You will definitely find and learn about all the essentials you'll need for your baby's first year. It was super informative and you'll receive lot of goodies to go home with.  Way too much to cover in one blog! So to all the Parents and Moms-To-Be out there, check out this site http://newyorkbabyshow.com/and make sure to mark your calendars and attend it next year!

And Samantha, just in case I don't say it enough...your doing an amazing job! I see pure joy and love when you look at your daughter.  I'm so proud and happy for you.  And congrats to Julyssa I know you are going to be an awesome mother too. Get ready for the ride of your life : )  

Love & Light 

Lily 

NY Life Insurance Photo Shoot- CRAZY COOL CREW

As soon as I arrived at the Starbucks on 23rd St & 7th Avenue for pick up to the NY Life Insurance photo shoot set. I saw Kristin who I have never meet before but knew the second I saw her she was part of the crew. She has a kick ass presence with a big heart! After introducing ourselves and I got my much need Skinny Carmel Macchiato,  we went over to the van where she would be driving the crew & talent to the set location in Westport Connecticut.  Turns out, she was the Production Coordinator. As I'm talking, I saw these gorgeous pair of sunglasses coming our way and I knew he was approaching the Van and also part of the crew.   Herve` the amazing hairstylist on the set who turned me OUT! 

Herve & his gorgeous Assistant Lizzy

I could not stop laughing with him. He was so much fun and made me consider for a moment dating French men. LOL!  His assistant Lizzy has the best boss ever! 

Super passionate and talented Herve worked his magic on me that day and many celebrities, (which he'd rather keep their names private...I like that)  between New York and LA working countless of national commercials and advertise/fashion print work.   He was fun, energetic (if ya can't tell) & real, saying Celebrtiies are cool but much rather work on real life everyday people to enjoy. 

Herve's favorites hair products

! 

Oh! Those gorgeous shades that caught my attention were Moscot Originals, a vintage eye wear shop on 14th Street & 6th Avenue NYC where you can design your own vintage pair of eye wear made of all original hardware, glass and tints. 

Also located in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn NY

RockSTAR  Moment! 

Another expert on the set was Makeup Artist Suzy Gerstein.  I asked her what she thought was the most important part about the makeup process and she quickly answered, "SKIN CARE!!!!  The healthier your skin is the easier it is to apply makeup, needing less of it".  Check out her Facebook page Suzy Gerstein Makeup for more tips.  It was nice to be in the chair getting my makeup done and chatting about our favorite products.  

Check out the top brand products she used to get your perfect day time look.  She started by prepping my skin with Clarin's Primer... 

Next she use Shiseido Silk Dual finish.  We both agreed how much we love Shiseido products and how sad it is to see less of the line available in stores.  A lot of Sephora stores are no longer carrying the line. Boo! Another cosmetic line we agreed was great that is only available online because customers insisted is...Prescriptive! Check out this video, these women KNOW what they WANT : ) http://www.prescriptives.com/talk/index.tmpl

She blended it with Bobbi Brown stick foundation in Honey and...

Concealer by Laura Mercier in Secret camouflage... 

Givency Under eye concealer Mister Light #6 and blended with damp beauty sponge. I'm buying this tomorrow! loved it...

 And the all time classic can't live without...

MAC eyeliner in Teddy.  Blending it giving me a soft look.  

She then topped it with Stilla eyeshadow in TWIG. 

Suzy used Shiseido Accentuating Blush Color Stick in Rosy Flush on my cheeks, which I have to say feels smoother in texture than the one I'm currently using now so,  I'm gonna have to buy this one next after mine is done. 

For long staying power Suzy topped off the cream color stick with Chanel Blush in Rose Bronze.  Using a cream blush stick then sealing it with blush powder is a great tip for events like weddings so you don't have to touch up as much.  Just a side note, I noticed lately while walking the streets of NYC that I don't see many women wearing blush as much and I don't understand why not...???... it gives your face a natural youthful looking glow. COMMENT PLEASE! Let me know what's up! 

Suzy worked my lips with Clinique's Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey.  She described this product as using training wheels for anyone who doesn't want to use a lipstick : ) It's a very pretty sheer natural color...

and mixed it with Chanel Rouge CoCo Shine in Fetiche...love it!  

Almost done filling in my eyebrows by mixing MAC eye shadows in Carbon and Brun

Brun 

Carbon

And lastly but least Suzy used an eyelash curler first then applied Clinique curling mascara... 

She completed my look by applying a setting loose powder by Shiseido

And Bang!...I'm Ready to shoot... LOVE IT!! 

This was my adorable daughter for the day Sophia, who was so well behaved and a pleasure to work with.  I think when a cute kid hears they're "so adorable or so cute" a lot it makes them a bit unbearable and if the parents doesn't keep them grounded they can end up being real diva's.  As a mother of a 2 year old daughter, I know it's definitely a work in progress.  My daughter is my biggest teacher keeping me present and aware of even my own behavior.  I hope to instill good manners with her as well.  Certainly working on it : ) 

Sophia! 

The Casting department did a great job in creating a real life family. Omar played my Husband for the shoot and he totally looks like he could be! A gorgeous actress/model Carol was my Mother, (who I unfortunately did not take a picture of) was incredibly wise about health and nutrition.    Addiction to SUGAR was a big topic for everyone.   It clearly is a challenge for everyone I know. But I got a good tip from Hailey the Production Assistant about an eating lifestyle called the Dukan Diet, check out the site for more info http://www.dukandiet.com.  

It helped her change her eating habits and she lost 45lbs pounds over a year ago and kept the weight off, most importantly kicking the sugar addiction.   The bottom line is you have to be ready mentally and spiritually or wait until the unfortunate happens like having diabetes to make a drastic change.  I'm slowly getting myself ready for the change, I know it will make the difference in my existence. 

Omar My Husband for the shoot

It was evident on set is that everyone loved what they were doing.  Tara the photographer was fun, sweet and clearly loved her work.  As a matter of fact everyone on the set had that energy.  The wardrobe stylists, prop coordinator Olga, everyone!  It was an awesome experience to be surrounded by creative passionate individuals who love what they do! 

Photographer Tara setting up the next shoot

I was fueled creatively and inspired by everyone.  What a crazy cool crew! Thank You guys! 

Love & Light! 

Photos Source: Moscot http://www.moscot.com/vintage-eyewear.html Sephora, Chanel

http://www.prescriptives.com/talk/index.tmpl

Be Sexy In Your City

Here are just some of my favorite looks to be sexy in your city...

Photos source by Goop and InStyle 

MY 1ST JULEP MAVEN BOX HAS ARRIVED!!!!

And I only paid a PENNY!!! (plus $3.00 for shipping and handling for the intro month) Enter the CODE:  PENNY  Hopefully it still works.  Take the quick style quiz and once you get your style results, the intro box is on the way to your door.  You can skip a month subscription, cancel or have it shipped to your girlfriend for a month instead.  I love it! Check out my vlog for more info...

Love to receive treats in the mail!

Love these colors...the gold is called Oscar & red is called Natasha