05.17.12 … BITS n BOBS
Recipes for Nursing Moms
It’s an amazing thing that we woman can 1.) have human beings OUT OF OUR BODIES! . . . and, as an added bonus, we can 2.) supply them with food i.e. MILK!
I have yet to experience breastfeeding but have sat in on many late night/afternoon tea conversations about milk, nipples, biting, tiredness, to-breastfeed-or-not-to-breastfeed. I’ve heard numerous stories about bonding with your child in this sweet experience to “when can I have my boobs back!” I’m sure as you are reading this you are recalling similar situations. I decided to do a little research myself and came across a few natural beauty remedies that will help in the nursing process.
MY CUP OVERFLOWETH milk-boosting drink
1. Steep 1oz fennel seeds in a cup of boiling water
2. Leave to infuse for ten minutes, strain and then drink while still warm.
3. Take up to 3 times a day
OUCH, MY NIPS! calendula salve
250 ml (8fl. oz) calendula oil
50 g (2oz) beeswax
A few drops of rose essential oil
1. Melt the beeswax in a glass bowl over a pan of hot water
2. Add the calendula oil and rose essential oil.
3. Mix thoroughly and pour into a dark glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
Storing in the refrigerator and apply to sore nipples to help them heal.
{ recipes from Natural Remedies by Melissa Corkhill }
Have you tried any of these before? Do you have any nursing tips or tricks you can share?
No Comments »05.16.12 … INSPIRATION
Nursing Moms
tips for NURSING MOMS
by Emery Jo from Moms are For Everyone
When I chose to breastfeed my first child, I didn’t realize how much forethought and planning would be required of me in order for me to be successful at it for any length of time. I wanted SO badly to get right back to my pre-pregnancy style and hit the ground running, but I quickly learned that, for a time, I needed to think about function before fashion. It all felt very limiting to me… until I figured out a few tricks to help me along the way!
No. 1 PLAN AHEAD THEN SIMPLIFY
It was really important for me, after the births of each of my three boys, to get back into the swing of a routine quickly. I knew it would ultimately be healthiest for me (and my baby) to get out of the house and be with friends and do the things I love to do as soon as possible, but it required planning and courage! A lot of my “learning how to breastfeed while still living my life” was trial and error. At first it was uncomfortable. But sticking with it was so worth it! New babies need to eat every two or three hours, and when you are their only source of food, you’ve got to get creative. There are so many gadgets and knick-knacks out there to buy if you are a breastfeeding mama, but I have found that the more I have with me, the harder things get. There are really only a couple of things you need (I will talk more about that in a minute), and the less burdened down you feel with stuff, the easier it will be for you to get out and easily feed your baby! Simplify!
No. 2 WHAT TO WEAR?
Once again, today’s fashion trends are excellently tailored for the nursing mother. Long, dark slouchy tops paired with skinnies, flats, some sharp wayfarers, and a fun cardigan were my uniform while I was breastfeeding. The loose, flowy tops that are everywhere are wonderful for nursing because you can easily tuck your baby underneath all that fabric and not even have to feel exposed at all! (I always preferred wearing dark colors in those first couple of months just in case I had any leaking issues while I was out and about.) Another favorite of mine was wearing some of my husband’s old button up or pearl snap plaid shirts with a structured jean jacket or a cardigan. The buttons allow easy access, the plaid print is very forgiving, and the jacket pulls everything together so it doesn’t feel sloppy. Shop his closet!
No. 3 TOOLS OF THE TRADE
For all three of my boys I have used the same scarf from Forever21 as a nursing cover with two of the corners tied together. It is lightweight and can be folded up then easily thrown in my purse. This way, you can buy multiple scarves for a few bucks each and have plenty of cute, fresh, trendy patterns to choose from for your nursing outfits! Most of the time, I would just wear the scarf to accessorize an outfit, and then all I had to do was put the loop over my head and spread out the fabric for when my baby was hungry. Easy breezy! Another helpful tool was my ring sling. I wore my babes in a sling whenever we were out so that I wouldn’t have to lug around a big stroller. When I needed to nurse, I could also use the sling as a cover-up. The ring sling that I have (a maya wrap) has a big pocket in it, so whenever we went on any adventures, I would just bring a diaper, some wipes, a little onesie in case baby needed a wardrobe change, my keys, and a small wallet with my cards in it, and we would be able to explore without any bulky diaper bags or strollers holding us back! When my baby needed a diaper change, I just used the scarf or the sling to lay him down on and changed him wherever there was a flat surface. If I knew I was going to be out for longer, I put everything I would need for the day (snacks, water, etc.) in a cute little backpack that I could throw on my back while still wearing the sling. A diaper bag can be awkward to carry when you’re wearing your baby and trying to travel light! The less weighed down you are, the easier and more graceful your outings can be.
No. 4 KNOW WHERE TO GO
When you’re out and about, and your baby gets hungry, it helps to have some options in your mind of places you can go and get comfy. Here are some places that have always been very accommodating to me and my babes:
• Fitting Rooms in clothing stores — They are clean, bright, and some have comfy chairs or couches.
• Corner booths in restaurants — Order an iced tea and relax!
• Backseat of the car — Avoid the hungry, crying infant in the car seat by planning to feed your babe before and/or after a grocery run. Keep a good book tucked in the backseat pocket. Kick off your shoes and get in a few pages while feeding.
• Office buildings & churches — I’ve asked to use a church’s nursing mothers room and I’ve even nursed in an empty conference room before. If you’re out walking and find that you’re near a church or office building, stop in and ask! You’ll find that most people are more than willing to give a mama a comfy, private place to sit.
No. 5 FIGHT FOR THE THINGS YOU LOVE
Without a doubt, the most beautiful mamas in the world are the ones with big bright smiles on their faces. I try to encourage all of my new mama friends to fight for the things that bring them happiness and life. If going on adventures with your husband or being with friends or enjoying nature are things that bring you joy, fight for them! It will be awkward at first. It won’t be as easy as it once was. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on all of those things, just because you’ve got a tiny bundle of joy in tow! Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zones when it comes to learning how to feed your baby out in public. Pursue the things you love and forget about what other people may think or feel about you. A happy and relaxed mama makes for a happy and relaxed baby, and that is always worth fighting and planning ahead for!
Read more from Emery Jo on the SB Blog: Moms for May and Postpartum Fashion.
No Comments »05.15.12 … HAIR
Pixie Pretty + Short Hair Accessories
{ a / b / c / d }
For the woman on the go, accessories can be such a time saver in the morning. They also make a boring, old outfit come alive with little effort. Here are some of my favorite accessories for spring plus a new video featuring five Pixie Pretty looks from the lovely fairy-haired model Emi. Enjoy!
The featured music is inspiring, too!
One Comment »05.10.12 … GIVEAWAYS
Mother’s Day Giveaway {updated}
I loved last year’s amazing stories about your moms and have found myself going back and reading some of them over the last year. Here are a few . . . .
“WHEN I THINK about my mom’s beauty advice for me, there is one thing that sticks out most in my mind. she was always telling me that who i was – the way i acted, the way i treated others, was the mark of true beauty. that no matter what i wore, how i did my hair (oh lord, my hair sometimes) or how much makeup i put on, if my attitudes and actions weren’t right, that would mar any outer beauty i tried on. another thing she always did was tell me how pretty i looked, really no matter what i had on or what i did with my hair in those horribly awkward teenage years. when i asked her later why she never told me how bad my fashion choices were, her response was, “the world around us does a good enough job tearing everyone down. my purpose was to build you up enough that you could handle it without breaking” i love my amazing mother so much, and hope that i can do the same thing for my own daughter; remember to be her #1 fan, no matter what.”
“MY MOM TAUGHT me the value of Vaseline! She used to coat her hands in it and wear gloves to bed. She had extremely dry skin and used it on her face at night too, though I think she eventually found something more suitable. I still use Vaseline for all sorts of things and I especially love the new cocoa butter version! Apparently, so does my two year old ,as she coated her own face and hair with it yesterday. I guess the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree, eh? :)”
“MY STORY, ironically, was the terrible hairstyle my mom insisted on giving me. For some reason, she thought perming my bangs- and ONLY my bangs- would give my hair volume. She liked to give me a nice blowout (which was really nice of her!) before I went to elementary school, giving my ends a nice curl and she made sure to straighten the bangs as to match the curly poodle poof of permed hair to the rest of my actually straight hair. However, she didn’t take into account 4th grade gym class, so at the end of the class, after a little sweat, my permed bangs would sprout back into little curly permed strands. Needless to say, it was embarrassing, but kudos to my classmates for not teasing me- they probably just thought my hair grew out weird like that!”
Beauty . . . adventures . . . special memories . . . what’s your favorite mom story? One lucky winner will receive beauty treasure from Laura Mercier . . . the newest makeup in their lovely spring colors! Comment below to be entered. (Winner will be selected at random and announced on May 14, 2012. Check back at this post for an update.)
Update: Congratulations, Sarah Morgan! Your #4 comment made you a winner. A thank you to everyone for sharing your mom love stories. xo
Good luck and happy mother’s day!
6 Comments »05.07.12 … INSPIRATION
Postpartum Fashion
five POSTPARTUM FASHION tips
The name of the game for the postpartum months is grace. Grace for yourself and for your body, which has just created a human life and may be feeling a bit… shall we say… floopsy in spots? Will your jeans fit again right away? No! And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, don’t trust them as far as you can throw them! Heh.
This grace towards yourself will, more than any other tip or trick out there, bring beauty and poise to the months following your pregnancy. Even these tips I am providing here for the postpartum period will be no good unless the grace and patience with yourself are in place first. So… be kind to yourself! Think positively, talk positively, and remember what beautiful thing has created this change in you! Cuddle your tiny baby, smell her precious head, and know that even the seasons of floopsiness are all worth it in the end!
No. 1 WEAR YOUR BABY
I am a big fan of wearing new babies in a ring sling like the Maya Wrap – around the house or while you’re out and about. Not only will this help to cover up your postpartum tummy, but you will also be bonding with your baby while burning calories by carrying her extra pounds around! On top of all of that, the slings being made today are beautiful and can be fashion statements in themselves. Every time I wear my sling out, I get compliments on it, which just makes me feel good! We can all use little boosts like that in these postpartum months. It’s a win-win-win-win situation!
No. 2 KEEP IT LOOSE, KEEP IT TIGHT
It is a wonderful time to be a postpartum mama because of all the awesome slouchy tops and sweaters that are in fashion these days! What luck! These tops are perfect for hiding your middle area while still looking totally stylish. Stock up on longer slouchy tees and sweater tunics and pair them with tight dark stretchy bottoms. American Apparel or Urban Outfitters make great leggings with a high waist that will help you feel completely covered and contained. You can also pair shorter, flowy dresses with dark opaque tights for another loose/tight look.
No. 3 UNTUCK YO’SELF
One of the most flattering things I found when I was in my postpartum stages was to blouson a shirt out at my natural waist. T-shirt dresses are great for this. (You may even have some on hand from your pregnancy!) Take a long shirt, wrap a belt around your waistline and then pull some of the dress out and over the belt. Another way to create a similar look is to wear a high-waist skirt, tuck a longer t-shirt into it, and then blouson the shirt out a bit. This works great with high-waisted A-line skirts, which are forgiving on the hips, and it will accentuate your waistline as well as give you some extra fabric to cover up your midsection.
No. 4 CARDIGAN – AGAIN AND AGAIN
Long cardigans cover a multitude of sins and can soften the lines of your postpartum body in one fell swoop! Make sure your cardigan is not too heavy or bulky – something light and flowy will do the trick without adding too much extra fabric to your frame. Make sure your cardigan hits at the thigh and that it doesn’t stop across your hips, which can make them appear wider and boxier. Light trench coats can also be very flattering and can be cinched at the waist if you desire more shape and structure!
No. 5 MAKE A STATEMENT
A bold, colorful accessory or two can take any postpartum outfit to the next level and draw the eye up and away from your trouble areas. Think fiercely cool wayfarers or a large bold cuff. Put a fun and flirty bow in your hair or a light and long scarf that can also help cover up your tummy. You don’t want to over-do it on the accessories, but I think a postpartum outfit just isn’t complete without that one thing that draws the eye and makes people say, “WOW!” Wear the things you get lots of compliments on – the extra little boosts of esteem will do any postpartum mama good!
Just remember: Grace first, tips & tricks second! A woman can be dressed in all the latest and greatest fashion, but if she’s constantly talking about how awful her body is, beauty will be far from her! Next up, I am going to show you nursing moms some really great and super practical tips for making life easier with a breastfeeding infant in-tow.
Stay tuned!
4 Comments »05.05.12 … HAIR
Fairy Hair + Six Short Hair Styles
I love Emery Jo’s hair. She is so on trend this these celebrities (Michelle Williams, Emma Watson, Gennifer Goodwin, Carrie Mulligan) who also have adorable fairy-like haircuts. Here is the Six Short Hair Styles video shot with Emi from Click LA. You’ll see there are so many options even with short hair! Wondering if this look is for you? First, learn about your face shape and how to find the right hairdresser.
Who’s gonna chop-chop?!
One Comment »05.01.12 … FACE
Pregnant Pretty
MOISTURIZE
Why? Because your body is going through a big change and you may experience it in your skin, too. Keep your favorite moisturizer nearby (with an SPF!) and hydrate away. Here are some more tips (here + here) on how to have flawless skin.
♥ Elizabeth Arden 8 hr with SPF
CONCEAL
Fight those dark patches and circles. Learn more about finding the right concealer for you.
♥ Laura Mercier two-in-one concealer
BLUSH
Never underestimate the power of blush! It’s the quickest way to make you look fresh and feel pretty.
♥ Smashbox blush in radiance or heartbreak
BRIGHT EYED
You might find yourself feeling a bit more tired because your body is making a baby! I’ve got a favorite trick for giving the eyes an “awake” look. Line the lower lash line with white or cream colored pencil. Instant pickup!
♥ Smashbox double beam eye brightener duo
PREVENT
Stretch Marks, that is. There are so many suggestions online about how to prevent or get rid of stretch marks – like this.
I’m curious what you have tried or heard works. Will you share in the comments below?
3 Comments »04.30.12 … INSPIRATION
Moms for May
Meet my lovely, longtime friend Emery Jo from Moms are for Everyone. When we first met I immediately fell in love with her fashion sense and contagious creativity. We soon became roommates = late night chats in the bathroom, borrowing clothes (we share the same shoe size, too!) and random hilarious adventures. I’m holding back here on posting some ridiculous pictures!
She now lives many miles away in Oklahoma. So I follow her adventures through her beautiful writing. (Her blog posts can bring me to tears.) She’s also a singer-songwriter, adorable outfitter and mom of 3 stunning boys! Emery is May’s guest blogger and I’m really excited to share her with you, current moms and moms-to-be.
· · · • · · ·
five TIPS for a STYLISH PREGNANCY
All three of my pregnancies have gone a little something like this:
1. Discover two pink lines on the pregnancy test.
2. Sweat profusely.
3. Run around in circles while making happy squealing noises.
4. Promptly begin stressing out about what I am going to wear for the next 9+ months of my life.
It can feel a bit overwhelming when you realize that your body is going to change so dramatically while your clothes are going to be staying the exact same size. I know! I have been there. Three whole times! But before you start the debate in your head about whether you should revamp your entire wardrobe or resign yourself to a year of yoga pants and mu-mu’s, consider these pointers I’ve picked up along the way:
No. 1 USE WHAT YOU HAVE GOT
You’ve got to look at your closet with a whole new set of eyes. Forget what you knew about your clothes, and get creative! Grab that stretchy skirt and picture it as a strapless tunic instead- belted just above your adorable growing bump. And don’t put those favorite jeans up on the shelf just yet! Loop a thick hairband through the button hole, feed it back through itself and stretch it over to the button, and voila! Your jeans will stretch with your waistline for those months no problemo! Throw on a long tank or a tunic and you can hit the ground running.
No. 2 STOCK UP ON BASICS
As you feel your shirts begin to shrink, head to the nearest store where you can stock up on long tees or tanks without breaking the bank. “Maternity tees” can cost an arm & a leg, but if you can find some basic long tunic tops and tees at a regular store, you’ll pay a fraction of the price for the same belly coverage. I’m a thrift store junkie, so I usually go and find all of my basic long tops there. Look for pieces that have some stretch and that highlight your neck and shoulder area, which will naturally elongate the torso.
No. 3 SPLURGE ON BOTTOMS
As your belly grows, so will your frustration with all things PANTS. There is just no easy way to keep pants where you want them when your middle has a mind of its own (well, except for overalls maybe, but… just… no!) Splurge on a nice pair of dark colored maternity jeans or trousers that will carry you comfortably through the larger months. Black leggings or skinny jeans paired with flats will elongate your leg, which is a very good thing as you become more and more top heavy. You will be wearing these pants a LOT, so quality is important here. They need to be able to take a beating and still look good.
Another thing I discovered during my third pregnancy after being so frustrated with having to wear pants every day over my basketball belly in the dead of winter was the beauty of the stretchy maxi skirt! I had a black maxi skirt with a soft fold-over waist that I was able to wear through my whole pregnancy- even in the cold winter months. I layered up underneath it with thick leggings, socks and boots, staying warm and cozy while getting a break from the confines of jeans. Glorious! This would also work with maxi dresses or the cute palazzo pants that are everywhere this season.
Just remember, if you go tight on bottom, go loose on top. And if you go loose on bottom, keep it structured and tight on top! Proportions are key!
No. 4 ACCESSORIZE, WITH GUSTO
Wrap a colorful scarf or a plush faux fur stole around your neck or shoulders. This will soften the lines of your figure and add a little glam to any outfit! And pregnancy should be nothing if not glamorous, am I right? Throw on a bold, slouchy beanie or a cute vintage hat. Mix, match, have fun! Wear bright lipstick and be fabulous! Top everything off with a funky cardigan, which will soften your silhouette without covering up your cute baby bump. In short, be you! Don’t feel like pregnancy has to be bland or boring.
No. 5 GLOW!
You will hear the phrase regularly throughout your pregnancy. “You are glowing!” And you are! Embrace this amazing thing that is happening inside of you and really try to enjoy the season. Even in the discomfort, there is wonderful purpose… there is life! The more you enjoy this time, the more beautiful it will be. Laugh long, smile wide, and do the things you love to do! Dress in a way that feels comfortable, confident and authentic. These things are guaranteed to help you glow- during pregnancy and far beyond!
Which tip did you find most helpful? Do you have any tips you could share?
4 Comments »
04.25.12 … BITS n BOBS
Pop Nails
I pulled out every color I have that falls under “bright, sorbet and neon” to create this polish station. Then grabbed my tools — tape, toothpicks, remover — and started experimenting. After a few missteps, I settled on three clean, fun looks … all using a pop (or two) of color.
Neon Moons is a modern twist on a vintage technique. I happened to learn about “not painting your moons” from my Gram; she would yell it every time I gave her a manicure. I’m not sure she would like my bright yellow + camel combination, but I sure do! I did these freehand but you can use hole reinforcement stickers (think office supplies) to make the perfect arch.
Cute Confetti was made with the help of a tiny wooden stick. Apply your colorful base then add dots of polish with the end of a toothpick. (Use a new one for each color.) I picked my ring finger but you can certainly adorn all five.
Sweet Stripe is the easiest of them all. Just a simple line, slightly off center, down the nail. Monochromatic works for me on this one but you do whatever you fancy. Again, I did this freehand but I hear those nail paint pens are worth it!
contributed by Janean of duedesigndaily.com
2 Comments »04.24.12 … FACE
Penny-Pinching Pop
The warm weather brings more color into our lives, which usually means buying new, colorful pieces for the season. But instead of spending all your hard earned cash a whole new wardrobe, try adding some pops to your beauty wardrobe. Brights, sorbets and neon colors are everywhere . . . on lids, on lashes, as liners and lipsticks!
