Life Lately
April 2025 - A little brain dump of what I've been up to!
Hi friends! This newsletter started as a monthly-ish round-up of life things - what I'm enjoying, reading, learning, buying, doing, thinking about, and more. Sometimes I share about one specific topic, like advice for helping babies who hate the car seat or go-to beach and pool gear or bra and underwear recommendations. But today, I’m doing one of those original 'Andi Lately’ with a brain dump of what’s been happening in our little corner of the world lately. 💛
LIFE LATELY
We went to Aruba over spring break in mid-March and it was such a dream! This was Daisy’s first country to visit and it’s always so fun to have dedicated family time like this - especially in a warm, sunny place. I shared a detailed travel guide all about the trip here!
Daisy has started eating real food! It’s been really cute and fun - she LOVES food! We’re not really following any specific programs and doing a mix of baby-led weaning (BLW) and purees/baby food. I did download the Solid Starts app (free version) which is an amazing resource. You can search foods and quickly learn how to introduce it to your child, how to serve it based on their age, etc. Their @solidstarts IG is a great follow too!
My sister is getting married in early May so we’re gearing up for that! I’ll be a bridesmaid, Lucy and Winnie are flower girls, and… the wedding is our backyard! We’ve had a few micro-weddings at our greenhouse before, but this one will be a lot more special (to us) and also a lot more work (all hands-on deck for family events round here!). I know it’ll be such a special day/weekend and we can’t wait to celebrate Kerry and Taylor!
REFLECTIONS (a few things I’ve shared on my blog and/or Instagram lately)
A little poem about motherhood and life lately
An a-ha moment about choosing to be present and abandoning my to-do list to enjoy a (chaotic, messy) morning baking cookies with Winnie
THINGS I LIKE / RECENTLY PURCHASED
I used to buy/wear Glossier products pretty regularly, but haven’t thought of the brand for several years. I was recently looking for some chapstick-type lip balm with some color and bought their Balm Dotcom - I’ve loved it! I used the old version for years, but love that the current version has a much better applicator tip. I have the Black Cherry and Wild Fig colors.
I’m on a braided/mesh ballet flat kick! H&M has so much good stuff right now, and I have these nude braided flats and these fun red mesh flats - both so cute!
I honestly never really have loved hard pants and that’s even more true when postpartum. My friend Christine turned me on to these high-waisted barrel pants and I now have two pairs! They are affordable, comfortable, versatile (I’ve worn with sneakers, flats, heels), and just EASY. They are also perfect for travel days - I’ve worn them on the last three flights I’ve been on! I have the navy and the plum colors!
How cute is this ribbed cami set for bb Daisy? Can’t wait to dress her in all the cute spring and summer clothes!
Y’all… Farm Rio dresses are my weakness. I had this stunning dress *new with tags* in my Nuuly box last month and ended up buying it (with a small Nuuly discount). I would usually wait for a sale or deeper discount, but lots of friends told me it was well worth it. Here’s a video wearing it! I’ve already worn it twice and feel pretty and confident in it! 🌸🥹
Does anyone else remember DEVOURING American Girl books as a tween? Lucy’s on the younger side of these books, but I recently bought her this A Smart Girl's Guide: Liking Herself: Even on the Bad Days book. We’ve been reading it together and talking about self-esteem and confidence - it’s led to a lot of good conversations!
READING / WATCHING
I recently read this article (The Invisible & Emotional (& Deeply Sentimental) Labor of Kids Clothes) and felt VERY seen. I just organized, sorted, and set aside Daisy’s 0-6M clothing and need to do the same for Winnie and Lucy, who seem to be growing at exponential speeds and outgrow their clothes/shoes every six months. 🫠
I feel like I go through waves of reading a TON or barely reading at all. I’m definitely in a slower reading phase (probably because the second I get into bed I’m ready to fall asleep lately) but my favorite recent read was The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. It stuck with me and I spent a good hour on a book Reddit thread afterward dissecting the entire thing.
We recently finished watching Adolescence on Netflix and… wow. It was really beautifully done with incredible acting and really hard to watch at the same time, especially as a parent. It also led to more conversations - as a couple/parents and with friends with kids - about cell phone and social media usage for kids. (Wait Until 8th is a fantastic resource!)
FROM MY CAMERA ROLL
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Such a sweet roundup! Thank you for sharing ☺️
Sorry if I missed this but I can't find where that absolutely beautiful rug is from - did you not link it, or am I going bananas?