Christmas Gift Guide: For Her (+ a Giveaway with Papermoss!)

1. "Love is Strong as Death" Hand-Lettered Print by Jenny Highsmith // 2. Mercury Glass Volcano Candle by Capri Blue // 3. Watercolor Postcard Calendar by Papermoss (see below for giveaway opportunity!) // 4. Golden Peach Moonstone Ring by Sundance // 5. Staub Coq Au Vin in Basil// 6. Cava Linear Post Earrings by Anthropologie // 7. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella // 8. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond the Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert // 9. Roses de Chloe

It's that special time of year again! Gift shopping is one of my all-time favorite things to do, and this year has been no exception. It's just so much fun finding the perfect gift for the perfect person. I've compiled a few things I'm currently favoring for that special gal in your life - be it your mom, sister or best friend - I know there is something here that she would LOVE.

Because - PRESENTS!
Okay friends, I want you to take a good long look at this gorgeous watercolor calendar, a collaboration of genius from Papermoss and Nantucket v. Hamptons. When trimmed, each month's artwork becomes a lovely post card. I love the cheeky, summery New England charm of each month's art. This could not make a sweeter hostess gift or Christmas gift (hint hint, Stevie), so make sure to snatch one up before they are gone! P.S. - you can also have the added benefit of bragging about your "small business shopping", which is not only all the rage, it's really how you find the most unique gifts.

Printed on luxe 130lb paper with an eggshell finish, each 5x6.5” month features a one-of-a-kind watercolor that when trimmed turns into a 3.5x5" postcard. Mini magnet included to display each month.

I've teamed up with Emily at Papermoss (the most luxurious paper products you ever did see) to give away one of these 2016 "Lovers of Summer" Postcard Calendars to one of you! All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter below. Follow all the prompts to enter, and the winner will be contacted one week from today. Good luck, and happy gifting!

The Very, Very Best Dress. (+ a Sonnet James Giveaway!)

I want to talk to you about Sonnet James. The dreamiest brand ever.

I stumbled upon this delightful brand because one of my favorite bloggers was the model for the look book a few years back. I was mesmerized by the dresses, all the striking colors and the careful, chic, and yet very playful tailoring, and I thought, “Hmm, I’ll remember that brand one day when I have a baby.”

That day came a bit sooner than I had planned.

Upon ordering and receiving two of these dresses in the mail, I was seriously hooked. And since I am an extrovert and I am obsessed with sharing my favorite things, I just HAVE to shout it from the rooftops – these dresses are my favorite dresses! I want every lady I know to experience the wonder of wearing an SJ dress!

Fabric. Fit. Feel.

Let’s talk about the fabric, the fit, and the feel. You know, the bread and butter.

Soft. Like, luxuriously soft. Fitted in all the right places. Loose and comfy in all the right places. It’s like I finally found a brand that understands my body type! I am short, petite and curvy. It’s really hard to fit into standard sizing when you’re a short gal with a booty that likes to hang around while the rest of me has already walked away. And yet! These dresses are just perrrrfect. I also really love the length. Keep scrolling, you will be able to see how it hits just above the ankle. Which is very very great, because most normal dresses and skirts tend to be way too long on me. Not these dresses!

Another wonderful element of this particular style is the fact that it is breastfeeding-friendly. I was a little wary of that fact when I bought the dress, but let me just tell you that the neckline bounces back from all the stretching and pulling that it has endured. And after every wash, it still looks brand new! Insert little praise emojis.

I also want to mention that although this brand was created under the premise of "playful dresses for playful moms", you most certainly DON'T have to be a mama to fall hard for these casual gowns. Because seriously, get a load of the tailoring. The styles are so adorable, I almost feel like you can sense the humor and a little wink of the eye in each dress.

Travel Buddy.

I am especially ecstatic to report that these dresses are THE JAM for traveling in. I wore them all over Madrid and Rome last month, and they were easier and more comfortable than anything I’ve ever worn on a plane. The length of the sleeves adds a bit of extra coverage and temperature-control for those chilly planes, and the soft material was a dream to sit in for hours on end. I paired these dresses with my trusty Keds, which really completed the “I’ve-died-and-arrived-in-comfort-Heaven” outfit for me.

It was kind of like wearing sweatpants. Except that I looked cute and felt even cuter. So, you know, it was better than wearing the sweatpants.

I'm wearing the Sonnet James Florence Dress. Hat is Urban Outfitters (similar here), shoes are Seychelles for Anthropologie from last year, bracelets are a random assortment, including the Keani Manta Mystique Found You Cuff, Ring is Pandora. Everett is wearing Baby Gap Onesie and Pants. His shoes are Freshly Picked in Goldenrod. 

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Now For A Giveaway!

I wasn’t asked to promote this brand. SJ doesn’t need my promotion. I hunted them down and smothered them with my adoration. I truly love the brand and I am thrilled out of my mind to have the opportunity to partner with SJ to give away a dress to one lucky Oy!  reader!

How can you win? Enter using the Rafflecopter below! And gooooooooood luck to you, friends!

Our Current Reads + a Book Giveaway!

Our Current Reads + a Book Giveaway!

Ah, the joy of opening up a new book.

I am not even going to pretend that I am reading a whole lot these days. I wish I were. I was given Bread and Wine for Christmas, which is excellent thus far, and I've been reading Bringing Up Bebe since before Everett was even born, but honestly? I'll read perhaps two pages a week of something. That sounds incredibly illiterate of me, but that's the truth. This just ain't the season for in-depth reading! I miss it. I miss diving into a great novel, having my mind opened and illuminated to a fresh story, a transformative world. I will live to really read again, but for now, I am enjoying the nightly storytime sessions in the children's book section of our home, AKA, Everett's nursery.

I will often read board books to Everett during the daytime, but when bedtime rolls around, we pull out the lengthier storybooks. Stevie and I take turns doing "voices" for the different characters and I think we might enjoy each other's goofiness more than our child even comprehends. But he laughs (sometimes) and we are all having a good time with it, so you know, there's that.

We love the classics. We have read through the obvious Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss standbys, but lately we've been reading some oldie-but-goodies, like the Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit Collections. We got both of these story sets for Christmas and have been taking our time to get through them because, like I said, we are having so much fun. My "Eeyore" voice is the worst. Stevie's "Rabbit" voice is really the worst. And Everett doesn't always cooperate (he prefers eating the books over reading them). But we pretend that means he has a great appetite for knowledge and adventure and we just keep going.

A Few of our Current Favorite Reads:

- The Jesus Storybook Bible

- Pooh's Library: The Winnie the Pooh Complete Set

- Make Way for Ducklings

- Oh, The Places You'll Go!

- The Complete Peter Rabbit Library

- You Are My Baby: Ocean

If you're anything like us, you enjoy reading these stories to your kiddos, but often get bored reading the same stories over and over again. It's always good to have a new book to dive into! I was recently asked to review the story Homer the Little Stray Cat, written by Pam Laskin, and I am excited to be able to offer two copies of the book as a giveaway!

My take on Homer the Little Stray Cat:

This book makes me really happy because it seems to be set in New York's Upper West Side, a former home of mine. The story follows Homer, a darling adventurous cat who likes to roam the city streets, never looking to settle down in one place. Homer is much like the millennials who are reading the book out loud to their little ones - his heart is ever divided between the joys of wanderlust and the comforts of home. Who can't relate to that? As he simultaneously longs for both, he discovers a love he wasn't sure he was looking for - in the eyes (and arms!) of a sweet boy who needs him, too. Homer is a poignant tale that teaches our littles it's okay to draw strength from the love and support of others. It's the very fuel that propels the discovery of big dreams with wide open hearts!

If you'd like to win a copy of this book, enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter below. The winners will be randomly selected and emailed a week from today, on March 30. Many thanks to Lisa Vanterpool (check out her online magazine Flat8!) for making this giveaway possible :)

Also, a quick reminder that the Lucky Palm Tree $50 gift card giveaway is still going on until the 24th at midnight - if you haven't entered yet, you can do so here! And you can get 20% off "new arrival" items online using the code OYKRISTEN at checkout.

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Good luck, sweet readers!

Baby Registry Picks: Sleeping + a Giveaway with Lucky Palm Tree!

Baby Registry Picks: Sleeping by oykristen // 1. Summer Infant Clear Sight Digital Color Video Monitor // 2. HoMedics SS-2000E Sound Machine // 3. Aden & Anais Crib Sheet // 4. Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets // 5. Lucky Palm Tree Sleepwear // 6. Halo Sleep Sack // 7. Serena & Lily Sausalito Moses Basket //

Registry Picks: Sleeping

Ah, the continuation of baby gear continues. If you are without a child, you must be thinking, "wait, another one of these roundup things? Hasn't she mentioned enough baby stuff already??" I will go ahead and answer your unsaid question: NO. No I haven't mentioned enough baby gear (you can see my "Feeding" gear here and my "Out and About" gear here.) I haven't mentioned enough because babies require a LOT of stuff and I don't care how "minimalist" you think you are - you need the stuff. I have lived in teeeeeeeensy tiny places in my life (Boston and NYC), and I am totally into living minimally. I really am. But my baby? He is NOT. He needs the stuff to be awesome and content. And I need the stuff to be awesome and sane. So... yeah.

Shall we talk about baby sleep? Lets. I have opinions. Here is a good snapshot of products we have come to love since our experimentation with this fragile thing we call infant sleep.

1. Summer Infant Clear Sight Digital Color Video Monitor

I am so grateful to have a video monitor. My child is a maverick when it comes to wailing. I mean it. He often sounds like he's writhing in pain while he's "going to sleep", which sounds awful to you, I know. It sounds awful to me, too. But when I've done everything that I know to do, sometimes you just have to "wait it out" for a bit and let the child take his own journey into dream land. Having a video monitor reeeeeally helps that process. I can watch him, eat some popcorn and see that he's totally fine and just needs some alone time to find his rhythm. Rem cycle. Whatnot. Video monitors allow you to spy. Moving on.  

2. HoMedics SS-2000E Sound Machine

So, we got this device for a baby shower and sort of forgot to use it. But by the time we transitioned our little man into his own room (around 10 weeks), he was in the heavy throws of his colic-ness and I was reminded of this nifty white noise machine. It definitely helped with his sleep, though I will admit that it didn't "cure" the colic. But this is a fantastic machine because it has several different soothing sounds. I sort of want to steal it out of his room so that I can fall asleep to the murmur of the ocean or the jungle or "mother's heartbeat" (which also sounds a little bit like Darth Vader breathing). But I'm kind of too afraid to take it out of his room. For fear of his middle-of-the-night reawakenings. I can't go back to that, people. Can't even. CAN'T.

3. Aden & Anais Crib Sheet 

My baby has nicer sheets than me. I will leave it at that.

4. Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets

Aw, I miss swaddling my little guy. I loved wrapping him up like a little Chipotle burrito in these blankets. These are the best because the muslin really wrapped him tightly in a way that he had some trouble unraveling. He managed to unravel other swaddle blankets, but these? They stumped him. SUCCESS WAS MINE. I ended up purchasing some more of these when he was about 3 weeks old, just because we were going through so many of them. These are so worth the investment! Also, it seemed worthwhile to get the larger size. The ones sold at Target are a tad bit smaller, measuring 44" x 44", whereas most of the versions sold on Amazon are 47" x 47" - and those few inches really make a difference!

5. Lucky Palm Tree Sleepwear

I was recently introduced to Lucky Palm Tree clothing and I am so hooked. This handmade baby wear is all created out of 100% GOTS organic certified cotton and is printed with non-toxic ink. And the whole organic baby clothing is becoming a big thing, especially for a sleeping baby, because (I had no idea!) how many brands use flame retardants on infant sleepwear! Ew. I can't dress my baby in all-organic all the time (I'm sorry Jessica Alba, I really am), but when he's sleeping, it's nice to know that he isn't breathing in all those gross toxins. And not only is Lucky Palm Tree sleepwear super safe and natural, it is GORGEOUS. Like seriously, seriously a work of babylicious art. The material is thick and supple and the prints are outrageously cute. And guess what - there's a giveaway below! Scroll to the bottom for more pics and details :)

6. Halo Sleep Sack 

We started using this sleep sack the day we stopped swaddling my son. As soon as he learned how to roll over, we couldn't stop him from doing it in his crib. And if I tried to roll him onto his back (because all the pediatricians practically beat you over the head with the "back is best!" jargon), he would wake up and scream. Great job mom. Way to wake a sleeping baby. So we had to stop swaddling him (and stop rolling him onto his back when he preferred sleeping on his belly), and we chose to wrap him in these sleep sacks. They keep him warm and snuggly in a safe way. Of course, now that spring is underway, he probably won't need to sleep in these as much. He's a bit hot-natured. His sweat is cute.

7. Serena & Lily Sausalito Moses Basket 

I really lucked out here. My big sis lent me this Moses basket and it was so so perfect for those first few months that Everett was a tiny tot. We could move it around the house when he was a newborn, so he had a napping spot anywhere that we were. And it's a bigger-sized Moses basket, so we were able to keep him in it for a while, which was a big blessing. A lot of the Moses baskets I checked out were pretty tiny and wouldn't have accommodated him for very long. This one is strong and safe, and as you can see, really really beautiful. Almost like a keepsake AND a baby bed.

And now for that giveaway!

Giveaway!

I am honored to be partnering with Lucky Palm Tree to give away a $50 gift card to their online store! This is such a luxurious, quality baby brand that offers parents the gift of clothing their children in organic, American-made works of art. I mean, take a look at these photos of my little man in this gear. He's drooling and I am a little, too.

Everett is wearing the organic Mustache Bodysuit & Hat, C/O Lucky Palm Tree

Enter Below!

I am stoked to gift one of my lucky-duck readers with the opportunity to dress up their child in these super fancy threads! Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter below. And for the next week (until March 25th)

Lucky Palm Tree is offering a 20% discount on all "New Arrivals" items to Oy! readers using the code OYKRISTEN

. So make sure to visit the Lucky Palm Tree online store and perhaps treat yourself (and your mini-me) to a cheeky little item :)

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Many thanks to Lucky Palm Tree for sponsoring this giveaway for Oy! readers :)

Baby Registry Picks: Out & About + a Giveaway with Baya Collections! (CLOSED)

Baby Registry Picks: Out & About by oykristen // 1. Baby Bjorn Carrier // 2. Uppababy Vista Convertible Stroller // 3. Chicco Keyfit 30 Carseat // 4. Booginhead Pacifier Clip // 5. Gumdrop Pacifier  // 6. Baby K'Tan Wrap Carrier  // 7. Baya Diaper Clutch // 8. Bob Revolution SE Jogging Stroller // 9. Ergobaby Carrier // 

Baby Registry Picks: Out & About  

This is the second installment in my Baby Registry Picks series (see my feeding picks), and I am so excited to share these products with you! We are an active family, and this roundup of gear has made our adventures so manageable and fun. Many of these were recommended to me by friends and family, and it has been a really joyous process seeing what works well for our own little family. I own every single item on this list and stand by them! Also, I am hosting an awesome giveaway to win this diaper clutch (see #7 below!), so make sure to scroll to the bottom to see more pics and to enter the giveaway!

1. Baby Bjorn Carrier 

This is a great carrier for the 3-5 month stage, especially when going out and about. And it's great for husbands to wear, too! I could get away with wearing the sling (see #6 below) for a long time, but Stevie could never fit my sling around him. This structured carrier was the perfect "in-between" from the sling to the Ergo Carrier.

2. Uppababy Vista Convertible Stroller 

I can't say enough great things about this stroller. It's perfect. It's honestly the perfect option for city life, because it sort of becomes your car. It wheels so smoothly, it practically drives itself. It travels flawlessly, comes with a bassinet (which we sincerely loved having for those first 3-4 months) along with the toddler seat, has an enormous amount of storage space, folds up easily, has a reversible seat... I could go on and on. One of the big selling points is that it has the ability to "add on" and can carry up to three children at a time. For a full-sized stroller, this one is the jam. 

3. Chicco Keyfit 30 Carseat 

I kind of hate carseats in general (so big! so heavy!), but this one is tolerable. It's compatible with a ton of different strollers (including the two we own), and most importantly, is super duper safe. And if you're into looks, this one comes in a zillion color options.

4. Booginhead Pacifier Clip

I can't tell you what a HUGE difference this tiny little device has made. Once we finally got Everett to start taking a pacifier, it was a game changer. The sucking motion really calmed him down. Using this clip to connect his pacifier to his clothes was a lifesaver, because we never lost pacifiers and they didn't get dirty from constantly falling on the ground. If you're okay with giving your child a paci, go ahead and throw a few of these clips on your registry. You will be so relieved to have a few on hand! 

5. Gumdrop Pacifier

There are so many different pacifiers on the market, and each child gravitates towards different kinds. However, this is the one that worked for Everett, so we have stuck with it. He is completely at ease with this type of pacifier, and while we don't really use them at home, I always make sure to have one when we're out and about. Especially when we're traveling!  

6. Baby K'Tan Wrap Carrier

This was the first carrier that I put Everett in, when he was just a wee little one. I only used this for a few months because he grew at such a rapid pace, but I really loved wearing him so close to me. This wrap is unstructured, so the baby is able to snuggle extra close to you. For those beginning months when my son was so colicky, this was the only way I could get him to nap. I think it made him feel like he was still in my tummy. I really loved this wrap and was super sad when he outgrew it. 

7. Baya Diaper Clutch

I have used a few different diaper changing stations, but when Baya sent me this one I was floored by how quickly it became my favorite. It's super small and portable (big bonus points for that) and has an interchangeable wristlet/purse strap that allows you to carry it a few different ways. On those errand days when I'm running around town and don't need to take my enormous diaper bag everywhere with me, this diaper clutch is the perfect option. It's obviously cute (no dorky mom product here!) but it's also super functional. There are two compartments that I can easily tuck a few diapers and packs of travel wipes into, along with a separate zippable pocket that I toss my phone and keys into, and voila, we are ready for an hour or two out and about! I have really loved having this for quick diaper changes in the car (especially on my recent road trip) and in public places. See below for more pics of this handy little tool "in action" and for a giveaway to win one for yourself! 

8. Bob Revolution SE Jogging Stroller

I stand by this stroller as the single reason why I am able to get some exercise as a new mama. It's nearly impossible to carve out a ton of time for yourself as a new mom. However, exercise is a huge priority to me, as I'm sure it is for a lot of you. Being able to take my baby along with me as I spend time outdoors and try to get back in shape, well, that's honestly been a lifesaver for me. Not only physically, but mentally and spiritually, too. And Everett LOVES being outside, so putting him in his Bob stroller has become our daily ritual. A little secret: the 4:00 pm hour has become nicknamed "the witching hour" in our household, because it's the time of day where exhaustion hits (for me) and whining hits (for him.) That's usually the time we take to the Bob and get outdoors. So you if you ever want to know what we're doing from about 4-5:30pm on any given day, we are probably out, Bob-bing around. Pun intended :) 

9. Ergobaby Carrier 

This is the carrier of all carriers. The Ergo is structured perfectly for both the mom and the dad to wear the baby, so we often switch off! My experience with a lot of other carriers is that they seem to favor the body type of one gender more than the other. This carrier is super soft but still structured, has all the bells and whistles (head cover, extra safety clips, etc.) and just seems to work so naturally for our family. It goes with us everywhere!

And now for a giveaway!

Giveaway with Baya Collections!

I am really excited to partner with Baya Collections to give away this Diaper Clutch in any of the three colors in stock. Like I mentioned above, this has become my go-to diaper clutch when I don't want to lug around an entire diaper bag. This is great to toss into the bottom of the stroller, to unfold in the airplane, or even lay on the ground in the park to perform a quick diaper change. It's one of those items you don't realize you need until you're in that panic moment of "I have to change my baby's diaper NOW and I'm in the middle of Target and there's no changing table and I can't bear the thought of laying my baby's head on the dirty ground!" Baya Clutch to the rescue. 

Enter Now!

You can enter this giveaway using the Rafflecopter below. You just have to sign up on the Baya site and you may additionally enter the giveaway by following Baya Collections on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. And score! Baya is offering my readers a 15% discount on all products from now until March 21st using the code OYKRISTEN. Make sure to browse the site and utilize this great discount while you can! Good luck!

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