chanelmovingforward

f o u r y e a r s

September 6, 2015

Friday September 4 we celebrated our four year wedding anniversary. What a fun and wild ride it has been. We have definitely grown a lot and have experienced so much in this short time. The future looks good! I read this article about marriage and it is hilarious! We always go back to the Founders Hall in historic Roswell where we got married to take our annual picture. It’s so crazy that we now have 2 kids and they joined in the photo this year. We had lunch across the street at the Fickle Pickle which has the best sandwiches. (Side note, I recently was introduced to Snap Chat by a friend and have been obsessed with snap chatting my whole day. I know I’m super late to the party but it’s so much fun! You can follow along: chanel.m3)

For dinner we headed to JCT Kitchen down on the Westside. I had previously been there a few times but it was our first time together and it did not disappoint. Our waiter was amazing and the food was so delicious. The philosophy behind the restaurant is all farm to table to their menu changes daily and is always stamped at the top with the date. Our waiter gave us a menu to take home with us and even got it signed by the chef. Such a thoughtful touch and definitely something we will treasure! The chef sent out the incredible fried corn on the cobb with parmesan, chili and lime. It was hands down the best way I have ever had corn on the cobb. For entrees we each had the shrimp + grits (with asparagus tips, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and croutons) and split the mac + cheese with bacon and the garlic green beans.

My favorite cocktail was Peak Time: Chattanooga Whiskey, GA Peach Shrub, King’s Ginger Liquor & Mint

We finished out the evening with some strawberry prosecco + homemade health bar ice cream scoops. It was a wonderful day and the food was a sneak peak into our anniversary trip next week to California! I’m a total foodie and we definitely eat our weight when we go on vacation. Let me know your “must” restaurants in the LA/Santa Monica/Malibu area!

high tops

September 2, 2015

Henry has been rocking high tops since before he could walk. He wears sneakers or slip ons year round because finding cute sandals that don’t look feminine and are not super chunky is literally impossible. So high tops it is. I’ve always loved that look on boys and needless to say converse high tops are a staple in our shoe wardrobe. It can be so hard to find a stylish play shoe for boys (ones without Paw Patrol plastered everywhere and that do not light up in 100 colors). I usually try and steer clear of the character shoe isle in Target for as long as I can before Henry starts telling me what he will and won’t wear. I dread the day where I have to buy clunky character shoes but it’s inevitable.

My favorite site for shoes is Zappos. They have free, super fast shipping and free returns in case they don’t work. Their prices are the best and I always shop around for the best deal. Zulily, Gap and Carters usually have some high tops to choose from all year. I ordered the black leather converse below for Henry’s everyday shoe for fall/winter and the blue Old Navy (#7) are on sale now for $10.97. Such a steal! Happy Shopping 🙂

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 //

scenes from our weekend

August 31, 2015

This girl is a bona fide crawler and is always on the move. She pulls up on everything and wants to walk so badly. I do not think I am ready for two walkers. Baby proofing the house again is in full force.

We took pictures with Anna Little and I snuck in a few of my handsome boy before we got started. I cannot wait to get them back. Her style is so unique and she’s always able to get the best candid shots.

{shirt is Hatch for Kids}

A last minute trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s so this wild boy could run around and play. They have really good pizza. It’s trouble.

Do not go to Jo-Ann’s on a Saturday if you are looking to quickly get some fabric. You will be waiting in line for hours painfully listening to women ask the employees how to knit a hat for their dogs.

Despite some rain on Sunday, the weather was beautiful and feels like Fall which is what I wait all summer for. An early dinner at Bar Taco was so good and I am still craving their margaritas.

I had to unstrap this baby beast within 10 minutes because she was killing my back. I definitely missed those newborn Solly days where she weighed under 10 lbs and could snuggle up all cute to my chest. Can we go back 7 months?

Halloween Favorites

August 27, 2015

You know fall is right around the corner when Gap breaks out the Halloween pajamas. I almost screamed in excitement when I saw them on their site a few days ago. Then I started frantically searching other online shops to see if they had their Halloween clothing out yet and low and behold … they did! I am dying over these mummy PJs for Henry and this cat nightgown for Evelyn. We are suckers for anything cats (well mostly just me). I really need to start a petition to have Gap make adult Halloween pajamas.

This year is going to be extra special because I have a little sweet baby to experience this holiday with. It has been so fun in the past dressing Henry in themed gear for nearly 7 weeks (let’s face it, I start busting out the Halloween clothes mid September). But this year I get to play around with tutu’s and booties and bows … OH MY! I also finally decided on our family costumes and cannot wait to get started on decorating the house. I say this ever year, but fall is THE best time of the year for our family. We always have the best time and have loved creating little traditions together.

I am obsessed with the clothes and accessories I have seen this week and cannot wait to start hoarding for the kids. Since I cannot dress them in pajamas all month, I have chosen a few key pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. Enjoy!

Baby Girl: Onesie // Head Wrap // Tutu // Booties

Toddler Boy: Mask // Hoodie // Jeans // Shoes

Monday O.O.T.D.

August 24, 2015

It’s no secret that dressing a baby girl is probably more fun than dressing yourself. While I pretty much always have my hair in a top knot and leggings on, I try to make sure my kids are well dressed whenever we go out. Lately I have been trying to buy fewer pieces for the kids that are well made and can last us longer throughout the year. For Henry that means fun graphic tees that he can wear in summer or with a button up in fall and for Evelyn its rompers and leggings that are versatile for nearly any season with a little layering.

The playsuits from June & January are super lightweight and can easily transition from spring/summer into fall by adding a carding and leggings or tights. They are also extremely well made (in the USA!) and I love the material. The pilot caps from Hanna Anderson are a staple piece for us and we own them in just about every color. Perfect for the beach and fall breezes. Lastly, who can resist socks with cat faces? My husband always jokes that if we were not married I would be living in an apartment with a ton of cats. I actually do not take that as an insult since I am a proud cat lady 🙂

Playsuit: June & January // Pilot Cap: Hanna Anderson // Cat Socks: Gap Kids

Monday’s are hard for everyone, sweet Evie <3

our favorite boy tees

August 20, 2015

1. Prefresh/ 2. Hatch for Kids/ 3. Little Boogaweezin 4. Gap Kids 5. Hello Apparel/

6. Sugarboo & Co. 7. Crew Cuts/ 8. Hello Apparel/ 9. Tiny Whales

Finding hip toddler boy clothes can be a bit of a challenge because let’s face it, 2 and 3 year old boys really just wear shorts and t-shirts everyday. When Henry was born I swear the only baby clothing companies I knew of were baby Gap and Carters. My how times have changed. I feel like everyday I see a new shop pop up on Instagram with a fun new saying. I have always been a fan of slogan tees and there is no shortage of them out there. Something with a bit more appeal than just a plain shirt you can buy if you visit website for more designs made from A cotton fabric with a great handle. It has a tight weave which keeps heat in well, but is very lightweight and breathable, making it great for all-season baby clothes. Pima cotton is among the softest and most delicate kinds of cotton in the world because of its extra-large staple fiber that exceeds the size of average cotton fiber.

We’re big fans too of throwing a long sleeve button up over our outfit in fall and rolling up the sleeves, so that summer tees can be worn year round. If you follow me on Instagram (@chanelvanreenen), you can see more of my Henry’s boy style. Hashtag #henryvrootd and you can see the obsessive shopping addiction that I have succumbed to.

*sidenote, did anyone notice how many pictures I have of my son eating? boy loves his food*

exploring

August 11, 2015

The past 2 weekends we’ve started leaving the house once the kids are awake to explore new parts of Atlanta. We live and work in the suburbs and don’t get much time to head to the “big city” so we’re trying to make an effort to explore more Atlanta neighborhoods and their surroundings. Our first trip was to Historic Roswell, where my husband and I met, rented our first house together and got married. If we could choose somewhere in the north Atlanta area to live, Roswell would be it. Aside from all the memories we have there, it is up and coming with tons of new construction yet still keeping the historic elements. Henry loved ~~walking~~ running up and down the quaint streets and trying to open all the doors of every restaurant and shop we passed.

This past Sunday we headed about 20 miles south to the Inman Park area with a stop first at Paris on Ponce. They have the most beautiful painted brick walls which are like a work of art in themselves. I knew I had to get some pictures of the kids in front of them. Henry’s favorite part was waving to all the bikers and joggers on the Belt Line and yelling “good job!” as they ran past. We visited Krog Street Market for a cookie break and to sit in the AC for a bit. Even at 10am, Atlanta is hot and humid as hell. There are some amazing murals down the street done by artist Greg Mike, who I had never heard of but am now obsessed with his work. Henry kept referring to squiggly one as bath bubbles. (what). The big cat face was my favorite and I am wondering how I can convince my husband to have that recreated on our bedroom wall …

Already thinking of our next adventure!

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