Max's snow day

Even though it's nearly 60 degree weather today as I write this, I just had to post these cute pics of Max on his first snow day in Maryland just last week. He couldn't stop giggling in delight and waddling around like a baby penguin in the white stuff. He had so much fun! (Despite being stuffed into a way-too-small Size 3-6 month snowsuit from a year ago––look how big it was then!––and face-planting into the snow.)

Fifteen degrees

It was fifteen degrees for much of last week despite the bright sunshine you see here! That calls for lots of thin layers like Uniqlo's Heattech tops and oversized husband sweaters. Not to mention fleece scarfs, mink fur hats from Russia, stay-puft winter coats and a new pair of furry boots that I got in Amsterdam in 2010 and have yet to wear once until now! Fifteen degrees sounds like the perfect occasion for them, agree? I have to laugh, because wearing these remind me of that new commercial for Temptations treats for cats.

Entourage

So Max has one. And entourage.

After my dad left Maryland, my mom, aunt and sister followed suit and came to entertain me Mister Max. (Who am I kidding, people only come to visit these days because of a certain cute baby!) We walked around all weekend looking like Max's very Asian posse, having tea and cupcakes in Georgetown in D.C., lunching in Bethesda, strolling around my neighborhood . . . I kinda half expected him to break out the Gangnam style moves. By the way, did I tell you he dances now? And by dancing, I mean that he bounces his little tushy and "gets low, gets low" like a little hip-hopper.

GongGong: Grandpa or Bodyguard?

Whoosh! And he's off! At 15 months, now that Max has figured out the whole walking running thing, he's always leaving us in his dust. Which makes at least one of us always looking like a bodyguard, two steps behind and keeping tabs on the little bugger, and the other one staying two steps ahead like a paparazzi to take all these cute photos. GongGong (a.k.a Grandpa) was in town visiting not too long ago. Max enjoyed taking GongGong on long strolls to the park, "reading" his Chinese newspaper, and showing how he high chair-dances to rock music while eating bourbon-glazed chicken wings and corn on the cob at Freddy's Lobster + Clams. One in each hand, of course. #Messy

Mini street style: Inauguration of Maxwell

This is Max on Capitol Hill. Future Senator in the making, perhaps?

On our trip into the district over inaugural weekend, Max donned his most patriotic outfit, a slightly too large RL chambray shirt layered over a red plaid shirt, striped suspenders and skinny Levis. A sweet slice of Americana, I think I may have to eat him up . . .

Inauguration day: red, white and blue

No, we're not crazy enough to head into the district on actual Inauguration Day; I insisted we go over the weekend ahead of the masses! (That's why they pay me the big bucks.) We took the Metro into Union Station, which we did not know would be so grand and historic looking. It was! We walked over to the hill and around the National Mall, just like the tourists we kinda are. It felt electric in D.C. this weekend. The district was plastered with presidential paraphernalia, along with rows and rows of Port-o-Potties lining the streets for the Inauguration. Momma thought about using one, but they were all zip-tie closed until the big day! (That's why they pay those congressmen the big bucks.) Even if your candidate didn't win the presidency, I think we can all agree to hope for a better four years for America, looking forward. Happy Inauguration Day! 

Red coat

When we moved, I took the opportunity to edit my wardrobe and begin building a closet strongly based on neutrals and timeless pieces, like this amazing red trench that was my mom's. It's a German label called Neulberg she purchased in Hong Kong over 35 years ago! In my opinion, there's nothing better than a classic silhouette in a bold pop of color. (She also got Max this adorable red plaid jacket!!!) I wanted to take my family, who was visiting, to our favorite seafood place, but we discovered it was closed that day. So, we ended up at Rockit Bar & Grill, which reminded me of good times back in Chicago. Thank you, Mom!

The best lamb loin chops you'll ever have

If you've been searching for that signature dinner party dish that will WOW your guests, look no further. These lamb loin chops will be the best you've ever tasted, and they're easy-peasy to make! It is my go-to recipe for hosting guests and it never fails to impress no matter how you plate it.

Winter neutrals

Being a Miami girl, it's inherently hard for me to turn away color and prints. These will always hold a spot in my heart and closet, but lately (as in the last few years), I've been finding sartorial comfort in neutrals, which I find to be age-appropriate and easy to wear because of the endless ways to mix them up without much thought and still look put together. For winter, I'm loving a classic cream coat (similar here) and other neutrals like black, gray and white.

Farmers market

We stumbled upon a charming little farmers market in downtown Bethesda last weekend. A white clapboard building houses the Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market, which I learned has been in existence since the depression. Small, yet super cute, with just the right amount of charm, and best of all, has the best chocolate lava cake around!

Black on black on black

A couple weeks ago I won this awesome sweatshirt from Chicago designer, Anna Hovet. It was through a Twitter contest (you know how I love me my social media contests and giveaways!!) run by a newly launched website/mobile app called Purely Fashion. I can't remember the last time I wore a sweatshirt––quite possibly, not since I was 12 and old wise enough to refuse those logo'd sweats we'd pick up on family vacas! This Anna Hovet sweatshirt is nothing like those... it is perfectly slouchy, has extra-long sleeves and is reversible. The perfect sartorial tribeca, in my opinion, and just the right cold day outfit to go for a hot bowl of ramen noodle soup. Speaking of noodles, I'm excited for my family to come visit this week!

On motherhood

One of the most important things to me as a mother is exposing Max to enriching and varied environments and activities. I don't want to be one of those parents who plop their kid in front of the tv/iPad for hours, or she herself have her eyes glued to the iPad and not interacting with my baby. Being home all this time has given me an amazing opportunity to see my little boy pick up a new skill literally each day, the rate of which seemed to increase exponentially since he turned one! (Max's latest party trick is this one, which he saw a playmate do just one time, a week ago!)

Cozy casual in 2013

People around here dress so casual. (Not sure if I'm emphasizing that in a good way, i.e. are sweats and hoodies all the time ever a good thing?) In 2013, I'll be looking for ways to dress down to fit in more with the relaxed environment, without sacrificing too much of my personal style. I recently wore this faux fur vest belted over skinny jeans on a fun outing to a charming park. You could say I take my style cues from Max. Don't you just love his rolled up jeans and booties, too?