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Merry Christmas! Pinkblush

Written by Stephany Bowman / Children, Christmas, Family, Motherhood, PinkBlush, Postpartum, Toddler, Winter 2015 / December 26, 2015

Merry Christmas Everyone!! Family fun on this special day!! Waking up early with the children and hanging out in pajamas all morning is what it’s all about!! We love our Pink Christmas tree too! Adding ornaments that are fun characters that the kids recognize and enjoy makes it extra fun. Our favorites this year are these adorable cartoon Cat Woman and Batman ones! Collecting different and unexpected decorations from all over the world makes for wonderful memories and allows us to revisit some of our favorite moments from the past.

The best part about Christmas is of course-SANTA! -Just kidding! The best part about Christmas is spending it with family. As cheesy as that may sound, it’s the togetherness that makes the magic. I feel so blessed that my wonderful family came from so far away to share this important milestone with us, Angelina’s first Christmas.

Thank you Dad, Kevin, Annabelle, Alexander and Angelina for making this holiday so beautiful. A special thank you to my mother a tremendous help and partner who not only makes it more fun but also makes it look so easy. Love you all.

This year I decided to dress all the kids up in Holiday fun pajamas! They looked so cute in their Christmas inspired little outfits. My lovely plaid flannel tunic from Pinkblush is just the cutest thing! It’s simply adorable for the season, and feels casual and comfy too. The length keeps it versitile. Here i’m wearing it as a dress with my chunky over the knee socks but as soon as it gets chillier outside ill slip it over my denimn skinny jeans. It also comes in a different darker shade of red, and is currently on sale today!! woohoo!!♥

Stephany’s Choice: Plaid Flannel Tunic : Pinkblush // Socks: Topshop // Headband: Claire’s Accessories// Cuff: Chanel

Annabelle’s Choice: Pajamas : Carter’s // Hair bows : Target

Angelina’s Choice : Onesie :First Impressions // Crown : The Blueberry Hill// Red Bow : Claire’s Accessories

Alexander’s Choice: Pajamas : Carter’s

Christmas Tree Ornaments: Cartoon Characters: Target// Princesses : Disney// Silver Letters : Pottery Barn Kids

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! With PinkBlush

Written by Stephany Bowman / Autumn 2015, Nursing, PinkBlush / December 10, 2015

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! Everywhere you go!! Feeling oh so festive this holiday season!! I suppose I have so much to feel Thankful for! I actually feel like I’ve already unwrapped my Christmas gift! Yes, for me I truly feel as though Christmas has arrived early this year!! Things on the home front are just so busy!! I am so behind on my Christmas shopping. So many people that I want to spoil this year, but this year I think it’s going to be a matter of quality over quantity. Do little kids like quality over quantity? I think so. Last year we bought Alexander one huge toy car to drive around and to this day it is one of his favorite toys. All the others totally disappeared. Even though of course children love to open gifts, sometime I wonder if too many brings confusion and diminishing returns. Santa Please help!! 🙂

Breastfeeding is coming along so smoothly. I adore this cherry Red Long Sleeve Nursing Top . It’s very cute, flattering and form forgiving. It has easy nursing access in the front, long sleeves which is essential for the weather and the time of year and the color is so vibrant and festive. The fabric is also light and airy. It’s on Sale right now and also comes in three additional colors. I would even advise to pick out a few colors. It can also double as a maternity dress/tunic. I love it!!♥

Stephany’s Choice:Top: PinkBlush Maternity ; Red Long Sleeve Nursing Top//Scarf:Burberry // Shorts: Mango// Shoes: BCBG// Vest: Anthropology

Angelina’s Choice: Blanket: Carter’s// Onesie: Carter’s// Ribbons: Target// Hat: Carter’s

Festive fashions for the whole Family!

Written by Stephany Bowman / Alexander, Angelina, Annabelle, Children, Christmas, Family, Fashion, Kids, Matching, Mom Life, Motherhood, Season, Winter / December 13, 2017

Stephany Bowman in a Target holiday outfit, Claire's headband, Alexander Bowman in a Santa pajama from Carter's, Santa hat from Hanna Andersson, Nike sneakers from Nordstrom, Annabelle and Angelina Bowman in matching Christmas tree dresses from H&M

Festive fashion is not something that exactly happens deliberately around here. But Matching the whole family in a festive theme sure is pretty fun!

As much as the girls loved their dresses, I’m not sure that Alexander realized how cool it was to be Santa!

Lucky to share that everyone still BELIEVES and isn’t that a relief with being at school all day, and probably around friends that have older siblings. I guess the Christmas magic is hard to shake off, and I’m not complaining!

Let’s be honest though, for me the festive season can be a little overwhelming.

I’ve put together a list of 4 non-negotioables for this festive Chirstmas holiday

Christmas music

Christmas sugar cookies

includes making, cutting, baking, icing, decorating + EATING!

Cozy pajama parties

I mean with huge bowls of popcorns and old school holiday classics (ideally Home Alone, Elf, and A Charlie Brown Christmas)

A Christmas mass

perhaps one of the most lovely traditions I can remember as a child when I used to go visit my Auntie Jean in England for Christmas and on Christmas Eve, we would go to a large Church and sing Christmas Carols- just peaceful and beautiful

This year Angelina is old enough to understand Santa, ” LOOK mommy ANTA!!” Can’t believe it was just 2 years ago when she was just a tiny nugget under the tree 🙂 Read here for more about when Angelina was little and we celebrated her first Christmas as a family of 5!!

Now, wrapping up the Christmas shopping- and next up-WRAPPING!

Looking forward to mom and dad coming in just a few days, after all, what is Christmas without the ones you love?

What are some of your non-negotiables this year? Any favorite traditions new or old you look forward to this time of the year?!

Write to me in the comments below xx

Stephany

8 years!! Happy together forever to US!!

Written by Stephany Bowman / Family, Fashion, Winter / December 05, 2017

Stephany Bowman, Editor of Stephany's Choice wearing a silver metallic ZARA dress from the Fall/ Winter 2017 collection, TopShop silver heels. Michael Bowman wearing black suit , tie, white shirt and shoes from Nordstrom

EIGHT years ago I became a wife!!

I thought I would put a list of 8 things I love about our marriage

friends first

Probably the solid foundation of this whole relationship. That I always could connect with him as a friend first. We hang out like buddies, and that makes a relaxed and fun environment to be a part of.

a common vision and goal for our family

We put our family first. Value experiences and travel. Work hard to build a solid/fruitful future for our children and ourselves

I learn a lot from his reactions and way of looking at the world

Michael is 7 years older than me. I value his maturity in a lot of situations that I may be a lot less patient in. He is calm and fair. I admire that, and think thats a pretty good moral compass if you are leaning on someone’s point of view for guidance.

I love that I can be completey and totally myself

I’ve seen relationships in the past where either the husband or wife in the marriage is “performing” in front of their spouse and trying to show them a certain side of themselves to fulfill a goal. I luckily never have to perform in front of Michael. I am always completely honest with him, and that for me feels like a vacation.

we get to share all the good moments together

The best part.

At the end of the day, we meet up on the couch after the kids are bathed and in bed. I get to share with him the funny things that one of the kids said that day, or what we were so proud of them for. We laugh about the little things that are quirky or unique. Alexadner’s lisp and how cute it is when he says ” Christmas Decorations” or Angelina when he says, “Angel!!” and then she says,”Daddy!!” right after. We are proud of Annabelle’s passion and gift for art.

we get to share all the scary moments together

This oddly may be my favorite thing in the world. I always felt like I had to face every scary situation all by myself. Take a deep breath and tackle to issue-hope for the best. Now I can lean on Michael. This helps to shift the burden and makes me feel like everything will be ok with him by my side.

the longevity of our relationship

We have built up so much history together. I love teasing him about his old bachelor days, when we were dating in Chicago, our favorite date spots, and memories. Read more about our 7 year anniversary right here!!!

he is always on my team

When you go into the world, you face circumstances and situations that may be unprecedented, unpredictable or unhappy. Having Michael to share my struggles with is comforting and I know that he has nothing but my best interest at heart.

Matching pajamas for everyone?

Written by Stephany Bowman / Alexander, Angelina, Annabelle, Children, Family, Kids, Matching, Mom Life, Motherhood / October 29, 2017

Stephany Bowman Editor of Stephany's Choice and all three of her kids wearing matching Hanna Anderson Yellow striped pjs

I found the cutest matching pajamas, and you know that we love a good family coordinated look!! Hanna Anderson has these adorable pjs, and they come in a rainbow of colors, with some really fun ones for the holidays.

I bought these yellow ones at the beginning of the summer so that my kids could match when we were traveling to France. They loved them, very soft, and unisex.

There are many benefits to having matching pajamas

no one’s pajamas are better than anyone else’s

pajamas that match are unisex and can be handed down from an older sibling to a younger one

convent when traveling so that they are easy to spot when they are part of a “group”

effortlessly coordinated when capturing family pictures (birthdays, Christmas, vistiors,etcs..)

The kids also get a kick when Michael and I match them too-feels like we are all on the same “team” or something! Like a fun treat.

In fact, today was unusually chilly for Dallas in October. So, we were all pretty happy to have a sleepy afternoon at home… Once we put on these matching pjs, everyone wanted to pick out a family movie and indulge in some good old fashion popcorn!!

It was a date!! After a jump on mommy’s bed must, we watched Angry Birds- Alexander’s pick ( it was surprisingly funny, I found myself laughing out loud at times!) .

After a busy and hectic week, sometimes the best things are simple little pleasures like a family pajama party. Matching is an easy way to feel festive. A chilly day is the perfect excuse to say close to home and cozy up with my favorite little people.

Last year in October we were getting ready to celebrate Halloween, read here to see what we dressed up as!!

XO,

Stephany

All RED everything ❤️

Written by Stephany Bowman / Angelina, Autumn, Children, Fashion, Kids, Season / October 19, 2017

Stephany Bowman Editor of Stephany's Choice in Red red, blazer and suede high heels. Angelina Bowman in Red Minnie Mouse dress and hat from Disney, socks and shoes from GAP

All red everything! There is only one color that matters this fall season and it is RED! I bought this entire outfit from a shop in San Remo, Italy this summer with my mom. We noticed that everything in all the stores was this bright red color, and we loved it.

I wore this look to a friend’s birthday a few weeks ago and this girl came up to me and said, “wow I love how the whole outfit is one color including the shoes, I never would have thought to match EVERYTHING”

That was a big compliment, and I was really flattered that someone noticed the detail of having everything coordinated. But you don’t have to fly all the way to Europe to get this style!

All you need are these basic pieces

Blazer

Dress

High heels

That’s it, super easy. Now you have a full look that you can wear throughout the season and into the holidays. I loved wearing red on Christmas Day last year with this cute outfit here! If you want to pop, and make a statement choose a fun color like red, cobalt blue, or even bright white!

If you want to appear more classic and prefer to choose something that you can wear repetitively without making as much of a statement choose black, navy, cream or even a deep green.

This is a fool proof look you can wear to meetings, dinners, or even running errands.

I love to wear my high heels when I’m not with the kids, but I have a pair of red ballet flats I can trade my high heels in for, when I’m hanging with my little ones.

My little Minnie, Angelina, hasn’t miss a beat either! She rocked her red look with her little ruby Mary Janes and would have loved to have worn red lipstick too!

Now she takes a little purse with her everywhere she goes! Trying to be just like mama!!

Shop the look here

❤️

XO,

Stephany

Merry + Bright, ColoredOrganics

Written by Stephany Bowman / Alexander, Annabelle, Brand Collaborations, Children, Colored Organics, Family, Kids, Matching, Shop, Toddler / December 30, 2016

Annabelle’s Choice: Loungewear set: COLORED ORGANICS \\ Bow: LIBBY LOU BOWTIQUE

Alexander’s Choice: Loungewear set: COLORED ORGANICS

And just like that Christmas is over. Typically I would be having Christmas withdrawals but this time I think I’m ready to celebrate the new year.

Now that Annabelle and Alexander are getting older it’s a lot more pressure to try to find them gifts that they will love. More importantly we try to keep things fair for the two of them.

Alexander got a big, huge, police car (his dream come true). All he wanted this year was a police car with,”lots of buttons, two seats, a siren, and it can go forward and backward”.. Annabelle is super into dolls this year and just wanted an American Girl doll. We ordered one that looked like her with blonde hair and green eyes which she promptly named, “Antoinette”.

I was freaking out on Christmas eve because Michael and my dad assembled the police car and it was totally massive. It took up my whole kitchen floor. When I looked over at the doll it seemed so small in comparison. So, we started to wrap tons of other gifts for Annabelle to try to make up for her “smaller” sized pile.

Two years ago we bought Alexander the perfect gift, one of those non battery operated cars and he loved it. I don’t think he even knew what else was under the tree. He spent the whole day jumping in and out of his car.We expected the same thing this year. All he would want to do was get in and get out.

To our surprise, all he wanted to do was unwrap gifts. In the end we put him in charge of unwrapping gifts for everyone. He opened all of Angelina’s 2 presents (haha) and all of mine. I’m not sure he was all that worried about what was in them. I think the thrill and surprise factor was what was he enjoyed.

Annabelle loved everything she got. She seemed really happy. All random and small gifts went into the stockings. DVDs, coloring books, fresh socks, some sweets, etc… It was a first for stockings and a huge hit.

The best part of the whole day was when my Grandparents arrived at noon for lunch. It made our day complete. The kids were so excited to show them what Santa got them.

My mom brought the kids metallic sneakers that lit up into flashing colored lights. Annabelle and Alexander put on a dance performance with their neon shoes. Watching them move so freely and so happily made eveything worth it.It wasn’t what they recieved or how much they received that made their day special. It was the feeling that they were heard, they were important, and that Santa thought they were very “good” this year. It was having their Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Uncles, Mom and Dad with them all morning and afternoon. We admired them, listened to them and cheered on their performances.

In the end, cliche or not, it was these moments, that made our day special. They are the most important things in the world and they are my gift, everyday of the year.

Thank you so much to Colored Organics for these super soft and cozy matching loungewear sets. Use the discount code: STEPHANY25 and receive 25% off your purchase!!

Merry Christmas from our little family to yours.

Photography: Ashley Kay Photography

Winter Days, ColoredOrganics

Written by Stephany Bowman / Alexander, Angelina, Annabelle, Baby, Brand Collaborations, Children, Colored Organics, Family, Fashion, Kids, Toddler / December 23, 2016

Stephany’s Choice: Dress: NORDSTROM \\ Shoes: SIMILAR HERE

Annabelle’s Choice: Top: COLORED ORGANICS \\ Skirt: COLORED ORGANICS

Alexander’s Choice: Top: COLORED ORGANICS \\ Vest: COLORED ORGANICS \\ Pants: SIMILAR HERE

Angelina’s Choice: Dress: BABY GAP \\ Tights: BABY GAP \\ Shoes: BABY GAP

Just a couple more days till Christmas and I’m starting to panic slightly because 90% of my gifts this year were purchased online. Only a handful of those items have arrived. I guess I had a late start ordering my gifts. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I was even sure about who the final guest list would include.

The reason the gifts are taking so long is because each one is custom made. When ever I order something that is personalized like this it takes me forever to create it. I chose every single detail and want it to be just perfect.

There have been so many wonderful memories and moments shared that I wanted to bring my favorites to light. One gift that I have ready and under the tree (thankfully) is a huge piece of fabric that I ordered for my mom with a photograph of a beautiful building in San Remo that my father took.

She is very crafty and I can’t wait to see what she does with the fabric. If she loves it I will go ahead and order more items with the same image. Hope she loves it!

I ordered Michael a large picture of Angelina for his office because he doesn’t have a picture of her there yet(third child problems). He only has one of Annabelle and Alexander. Angelina just turned one, so I think he will be appreciative to have the missing image!

For my Grandparent’s I ordered them each a personalized coffee mug with their names and a picture of a red bird on them. They love to have a cup of coffee in the morning and my Grandfather is an expert bird watcher so I hope they feel like I put a lot of thought into their gifts.

My only regret this year is that I wasn’t able to personalize the Christmas stockings in time for the holidays so we may have to skip out on that tradition this year.

All I want for Christmas is a cozy morning in my pajamas with Christmas music playing in the background. A huge cup of boiling hot chocolate and all of my gifts wrapped under the tree. I want to make sure the kids are totally surprised and excited about the presents. I’m a little worried that Annabelle’s gift isn’t as “big” as Alexander’s and that she will be upset about this. There has been so much pressure mounting for Christmas. Every time they want something from target or a new toy my excuse has always been,” you have to wait for Santa”.haha. If they have been acting naughty I say,” Santa’s watching!” This is probably not your best parenting technique but until I find something more effective I’m going with it! -at least for two more days…

Thank you so much Colored Organics for the softest outfits!!

Thank you for reading along, what are you excited to give under the tree this year?!

Photography: Ashley Kay Photography

Barefoot + Breastfed, ColoredOrganics

Written by Stephany Bowman / Angelina, Baby, Brand Collaborations, Children, Colored Organics, Family, Fashion, Kids, Matching, Motherhood, Nursing / December 19, 2016

Stephany’s Choice: Dress: ZARA ( sold out- similar here) \\ Cape: ZARA \\ Socks: FREE PEOPLE (sold out-Similar here) \\ Shoes: SIMILAR HERE \\ Hat: TARGET

Angelina’s Choice: Onesie: COLORED ORGANICS \\ Beanie: COLORED ORGANICS

I can’t believe we are less than two weeks away from Christmas?! I don’t think I’m even half way through my shopping list and I feel like I’m really being stretched pretty thin right now. This week Michael was traveling for work and I was home alone with all the kiddies. Let me add, I was battling a cold and home alone with all three kiddies!

Yikes. I guess all those holiday parities really caught up with me. Buzzing around all day and all night is something that I cannot continuously pull off.

Not to forget that I still haven’t had one uninterrupted night of sleep in almost two years. Yes, that is my way of implying that the reason I look so tiered, am so forgetful, continuously overwhelmed and frazzled is because I am up all night breastfeeding.

Every time I am pregnant I set “realistic” nursing goals for myself. When pregnant with Annabelle, for example, I wanted to make sure I breastfed exclusively for at least 6 months. I managed to achieve this target with a lot of struggle and a ton of hit and miss guesses.

With Alexander, I set a lower goal for myself because I remembered how difficult breastfeeding was with Annabelle and so I thought that breastfeeding a second baby with a toddler was going to be virtually impossible.

Instead, the opposite happened! It was all smooth sailing (pretty much) . I had learned so much from breastfeeding Annabelle that breastfeeding Alexander was less painful and I was way more experienced. I knew what I was doing this time. I was also a lot more confidant, and less shy about breastfeeding. I actually really enjoyed the bonding and loved being so close to my baby. So I surprised myself and breastfed him for almost a year.

I stopped only because Michael and I were going on an anniversary trip to The Bahamas and so I had to have Alexander weaned before we left him with my sister-in-law.

When I came back from holidays I missed nursing him and knew that if I had the opportunity again, I wouldn’t rush it along.

Well here we are, a few years later, and you can certainly say that I kept true to my promise.

Angelina will be 14 months old on January 1st and we are still breastfeeding. I have tried to introduce the bottle to her but she hasn’t taken to it. When Michael gives her the bottle he has better luck. I wonder if it’s because she knows that that might be the best she’s going to get from him. haha.

She still wakes up in the night for a feed-or several. I’m torn between enjoying it and dreading it. One on side I dread it, for obvious sleep deprived reasons. On the other side, it’s the sweetest most cozy spot in the world.

Tummy to tummy. Her little feet still fit in my hand. I stroke her peach fuzz, soft, little head. Hold her little warm body close to mine. She’s like my very own hot water bottle. My little doll.

Last night we moved her crib out of our room (deep breath). I think this is the next big step. Our big move. Let’s see how the week goes. Maybe 2017 will be the year of sleep? ♥

Thank you Colored Organics for this super soft onesie and hat. Use the code: STEPHANY25 and receive 25% off your purchase!!

Photography: Ashley Kay Photography

Rocking Reindeers, with PinkBlush

Written by Stephany Bowman / Beauty, Brand Collaborations, Fashion, Logan + Lenora, PinkBlush, Shop / December 12, 2016

Stephany’s Choice: Sweater Dress: PINK BLUSH || Boots: STEVE MADDEN || Diaper bag: LOGAN + LENORA || Lipstick: NORDSTROM

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! Breaking out all my favorite holiday decorations and clothes. I think we were a little late this year. Everything seems to be catching up to us so quickly. I can’t believe we are exactly 2 weeks away already.

I finally ordered Annabelle’s American Girl doll. She was between 2 dolls, a Samantha doll and a “just like me” doll. In the end I put on a little pressure on her to make a decision and choose one. She went with the look-a-like doll. I ordered one with long blonde hair, bangs, fair skin and green eyes. Yay! What a relief. So many items on the site had already sold out. I guess I can’t fully exhale until it arrives in the mail.

Michael ordered an electric car from Amazon for Alexander. A police car I think. I hope he loves it! It’s pretty much going to be the only thing he gets for Christmas. Rolling the dice here…

Angelina is getting nothing. I think this is probably the last year we can get away with that. Maybe some ice cream?

Let’s talk lipstick!! I’m so obsessed with bright holiday reds!! Wow! I never really did a red lip before but something about putting on red lips makes you feel so dressy and makes me want to stand up a lot straighter all of a sudden. Also, white teeth. I feel like my teeth look so much brighter instantly when I apply a darker or brighter shade.

When I put on the red, I tone down all my other features so I don’t end up looking like a clown.

Today, I’ve also done something a little different with my hair. I’ve parted it in a zig-zag to cover up my roots. I used to go for highlight touchups once every three months but find myself going a lot more often these days. Probably about once every 2 months.

This is exactly what I ask for: Mini partial + Baby Blonde

That’s it. I don’t even let them blow dry my hair, brush or cut it. I bring in my own detangle spray and my favorite brush. I find that if I’m not the one brushing my own hair a lot of it gets broken off.

I also want to discuss this too cute diaper bag from Logan + Lenora. They are producing the cutest waterproof bags for moms. This one is the perfect size, easy to clean and is so cute to take around. I even slipped in my lipstick inside.

5 Basic items in my Logan + Lenora Diaper bag:

Diapers

Wet wipes

Disposable Changing pad

Tissue

Lipstick

Yes lipstick because, we’re in the bathroom any way right? Haha. I never used to include items for myself. I’ve come along way. I still try to keep things as simple as possible. That’s probably going to be my motto for the new year, keep things simple. I think this has helped me a lot in general. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with my daily to dos and run arounds and then I just have to take a deep breath.

I guess I have one week left, because kids are out of school on Friday! Ekkk, This Santa needs to kick things into high gear. At least I can look festive in this cute holiday sweater right?!!!

Photography: Ashley Kay Photography