TESSA RAYANNE: April 2014

What We Wear: Florals With Edge

Ladies I am loving florals this season and this flowly crop top bell sleeve is perfection. You can pair it with a high waisted skirt, shorts or some levis. I love a good casual top that is comfortable but is still dressy and makes me feel like im out of my "mom clothes" of sweats or yoga pants. This top is sheer and a chiffon breezy material perfect for Spring and Summer. I'll be doing a separate post on this adorable personalized bar necklace Ryder Smith Jewelry sent me within the next week or so, so be sure to check out their shop as well! Being a mom makes it that much more difficult to get dolled up, do my hair, put on some makeup, and especially throw on some fancy heels, but it really does feel good to get dressed up at least once or twice a week and feel like yourself again. I've talked with a couple of you ladies about how to take care of yourself after having a baby: how to lift your spirits and feel like you've still got it.. questioning if you've turned into a blob of "hair in a bun, spit up on your shirt and down your neck, baby food on your shoulder, and microwavable dinners at best". I think the secret is self care. Make sure to take moments to yourself each day, and a date with yourself, your man, or your ladies each week. DO something independet from babies, as hard as it is to leave them, TRUST ME, Its hard, but its worth it in the long run for that much needed "me" time. It helps you keep your identity and not get swallowed up in being selfless 24/7 thinking about everyone else in your family but yourself. Sometimes its good to just go pamper yourself with a little lipstick and some starbucks, even if you just go for an hour and read a book or go for a walk. Sounds silly but it works.

*photography by: Kelsey Steindler

What are your favorite Spring trends? I would love to hear about them!

Floral Bell Sleeve Crop Top c/o Mad Glam Boutique

Bar Necklace c/o Ryder Smith Jewelry here & here)

Purse Vintage (old, similar below)

Black high waisted Skinny Levis (bel0w)

David Yurman Pendant Necklace

Suede stiletto heel (similar below)

Levi's Teen Girls' Denim · Levi's Skinny Denim · Belle & Clive Satchels

Our Baby Boy is 9 Months Old!


My sweet boy, you are 9 months!! How does this happen?! I blink and you are a month older. The number scares me more so than seeing you grow. Seeing you change and transform into a mobile, light hearted, silly, bright little baby is the best reward each day. I think I need to get over this whole idea that each month that number goes up that all of the sudden you won't be my sweet little baby anymore. I mean, you just get better and better.nit literally kills me when You smile at me when you spot me from across the room. I melt into a puddle when you crawl into my lap, you want me, your mama & you make that so clear all throughout the day as you lean out of whoevers arms are holding you into mine. I love how much you love mama. I know it's selfish, but Im okay being selfish when it comes to you. Daddy & I play tug-a-war with each other & playfully argue over who gets to go swoop you up out of your crib after a nap. We take turns holding you when we go on family adventure dates. We each want to be the one who makes you smile and laugh until you squirm. You are the best part of us, I can't believe together we made you. 




A lot has changed this past month. You are mobile in every sense of the word! You can sit yourself up from a laying down position (& that has been your favorite thing to do when mommy lays you down for a nap..sigh), you love to try to pull yourself up onto your knees and try to stand, we hold your hands and you do pretty well at standing with a little support, you army crawl all day long quicker than mama can chase you, you are so busy and into everything (especially wires, ropes, strings, anything hanging & dangerous..lol), you get on all fours and go a couple feet to get something in front of you but then to go the distance you go back to crawling on your tummy, you point your little finger at everything so we are starting to teach you what things are called (this week we are learning "leaf", "flower", "bird", & body parts like "tummy" & "nose" , not sure how much you're picking up quite yet), you are eating table foods like corn and peas and noodles along with puréed foods, breast milk Is still your favorite and I'm okay with that because it's our boding time & oh so healthy for you, you have learned so many social ques it's as though I'm hanging with a little dude all day and not just a baby, you have taken interacting to a whole new level of fun! 



We love you sweet boy. You are the most special tiny human & life is so beautiful with you in it.