Gugu Guru

Comfort Is King

Week 1: we are celebrating a look inspired by the “Comfort Is King” approach to style. Before we get into the DNA of this style, we want to explain that we firmly believe that no mom has any one approach to style. Sometimes we’re all about the comfy things in life and other times we like to glam it up. There’s a time and a place for different types of fashion – especially when you become a mom.

If there’s a style spectrum, ranging from super practical to glamour above anything else (including comfort), Comfort Is King is all the way to the left. Guided by practicality and features like coziness, ease of washing and relaxed fit, just because this style is easy breezy, does not mean it’s sloppy. You can be comfortable and still look stylish and polished.

Mommy model Jonessa and her beautiful baby daughter Jade (wearing Appaman) are rocking the Comfort Is King look here.

Key elements of this look include a super easy pony tail, comfy t-shirt, relaxed distressed jeans and a flat sandal.

For this approach to style, we love the Baby K’Tan (seen here in stretch denim). It’s 100 percent breathable cotton and available in a gender neutral t-shirt color palette. As a carrier, we love that there are six positions to choose from, there’s no (sometimes confusing) wrapping needed to be done and there’s also no hardware – making it easier to style than some other carriers. Not to mention it’s completely machine washable and dryer safe.

Photo credits: Sinnerman Photography
Styling: Carly Horen Walko of Thirty Something Fashion
Hair & Makeup: Elisabeth Kaiser

5 Must Have Beauty Products for New Moms

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It’s time to face your new reality. Your me-time has all but disappeared into thin air. For a good reason, of course. Snuggling up with your yummy little munchkin beats a Pilates sesh any day of the week (well, most days anyway). But you still want to look and feel like woman–not just a milk delivery service. Thankfully, there are some tried and true beauty essentials that can make every new mom feel pretty. Sometimes all it takes is the perfect lip color to make you feel whole again. Here, our picks for the 5 must-have beauty products for new moms.

1. Miracle Skin Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face
There’s a little bit of magic sprinkled into the formulation of this heavy duty concealer. The secret sauce contains dimethicone, which gives it an amazing slip, allowing it to seamlessly smooth onto wrinkles and crinkles without getting stuck in the cracks. We love dabbing a couple pin-prick sized dots into the corners and under the eyes until our dark circles magically disappear.

2. L’Oreal EverCreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System Cleansing Conditioner
Washing your hair when you’re a new mom becomes a speed test. Skipping the conditioning step gives you some precious extra minutes to shave or even just breath. This sulfate-free two-in-one cleansing conditioner gets hair soft and shiny without any nasty ingredients.

3. Liquid Palisade by Kiesque
Good luck finding time for weekly manicures and pedicures when you’re a new mom! But don’t let the lack of time keep you from still having perfectly painted nails. With this genius product, you can paint a removable barrier on your cuticles and it keeps polish exactly where it should be–on your nails, not your cuticles.

4. NARS The Multiple in Orgasm
This universally flattering shimmery peach shade makes every skin tone look like it has a naturally beautiful glow. The creamy formulation eases onto skin and can be applied on eyes, cheeks and lips. Toss it in your diaper bag for on-the-go gorgeous.

5. MD Solar Sciences Mineral Tinted Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays should still be priority number one in your skincare routine. This mineral-based SPF smooths on evenly and thanks to the lovely tint that matches almost all skin tones means you can easily apply it in lieu of foundation.

5 Stylish Diaper Bags That Don’t Even Look Like Diaper Bags

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When you’ve got diapers, you need a diaper bag. Unless you’re willing to subject your designer bag to bottle drips and wet wipes, you’ll need to invest in a diaper bag. Personally, we’re not huge fans of the term “diaper bag,” not only is it kind of yucky to say, but it also holds a heck of a lot more than just diapers. Moms schlep around an alarming number of essentials on a daily basis–we’re talking snacks, pacifiers, changes of clothes, 3 day old PB & J sandwiches (whoops) and a whole host of other things that collectively weigh more than the baby does.

Once baby is born, you’ll want to save the sleek little Celine number for non-kid outings and find a stain-proof, ergonomic, multi-pocket, carry-all bag that you can take with you everywhere. Here, our picks for chic diaper bags that you could actually feel pretty good about wearing out for cocktails, too.

Skip Hop Forma Pack & Go Diaper Tote ($70)
We love the stylish quilting and gorgeous berry shade of this water-resistant bag. We also love how lightweight it is, a heavy diaper bag is like adding insult to injury. With 11 pockets and two enclosed packing cubes, you have no excuses for not being able to fit everything but the kitchen sink into this baby.

Ju-Ju-Be Hobo Be Messenger Diaper Bag ($115)
No one would ever guess you’re packing diapers in your bag with this chic black and white striped messenger bag. It may look like a runway item from the outside, but the inside is a mommy’s paradise: Scrunchy key clip, gusseted pockets, lipstick loops, sunglasses pocket, memory foam changing pad, anti-microbial lining and even a crumb drain!

Lassig Green Label Diaper Bag ($190)
Eco-chic moms will love this chic and edgy bag, which is made entirely from recycled PET plastics. Stroller straps make it super easy to attach it to any buggy and a wet pocket is great for protecting your stuff from any damp offenders.

Timi & Leslie Dawn Diaper Bag ($105)
When this bag steps into the right light, it looks just like a Balenciaga motorcycle bag. But you won’t find an insulated bottle bag, stroller straps, changing pad and multiple pockets in one of those. The taupe color matches everything in your wardrobe–including milk-stained t-shirts.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby Diaper Bag ($298)
Attention all downtown moms: This is the diaper bag for you! It’s hip and tough while still pretty and modern–just like the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection itself. With a bevy of interior pockets plus a changing pad and a cross-body strap, this stylish diaper bag is a home run for moms who are not willing to give up their love for designer labels.

5 Favorite Board Books For Your Registry

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Talk is super important for a baby’s brain development. The team at Gugu Guru recommends reading to baby from birth. As your baby grows, story time evolves to one of the best parts of the day. We’ve rounded up some of our most beloved sturdy board books for your registry. Here, five of our all time favorites:

Julius! Only in Dreams by Paul Frank

Journey through Julius’ dream with your little one. Our favorite part is picking out which cupcake we would eat when paddling down the strawberry milk river.

Sandra Boynton’s Greatest Hits

Always love laughing and sometimes singing and even dancing to Sandra Boynton’s classic books.

Karen Katz Where is Baby’s Belly Button?

We love any of her pop up books but when baby can start playing peek-a-boo and really interacting, these books will provide so much fun for baby.

Eric Carle Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

You can’t go wrong with any of Eric Carle’s books but we love making the voices for all of the different animals in this one.

Hug by Jez Alborough

A book of few words but a powerful message.

On The Go Style

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One thing is certain about motherhood, you will need to leave the house eventually and, when you do, you will need to carry things… LOTS of things… for baby. You’ll be toting diapers, bottles, an outfit change (maybe two!) and more. Having a baby, especially a newborn, makes it a challenge to use a compact or small bag. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – as your baby grows and needs less stuff, your “on the go” style can evolve.

We love the Fiona mini cross-body diaper bag from Baby Cargo (seen here in poppin’ Cool Aqua) — especially for moms of tots who still need to haul around things but not quite as much.

The genius thing about this bag is that you can expand it and use the grommets to slide over your stroller handles OR snap on to your deluxe stroller handle bar using the strap snaps.

Of course wearing black is a smart move because it’s oh so genius at hiding the “hiccups” (literally and figuratively) that can happen in a day in the life of a typical mom but a graphic accessory, like this houndstooth infinity scarf can take your all black attire from potentially drab to certainly fab. (These scarves are also great for in-between seasons.)

Taking Mommy Casual Up A Notch

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There will be many times when you’re on an outing with baby that you’ll need to be stylish but agile. Hitting the local playground with your little one is a great example. It’s best to be traveling as light as possible so that you can enjoy the experience with baby, especially when he or she starts to get mobile.

A diaper backpack like the Fisher-Price Deluxe Sporty Diaper Backpack is a great, cute option for situations like this. Throw it on your back and be free to enjoy adventures with baby to the fullest.

By the way: we especially love the wipes holder feature of this bag – genius point for Fisher-Price!

On outings like this, it’s just not practical to wear heels while pushing a swing. Don’t get us wrong, we’ve seen moms pull it off but it’s not an easy feat…or should we say “feet”. A stylish shoe can do a new momma a whole lot of good. We love these Vans Classic Slip-On Unisex Casual Sneakers in a leopard print – they jazz up even the most casual of outfits and are good for most any season.

Mommy Playdate Style

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As a new mom, it may seem hard to motivate to get out of the house but once you get more into your routine, socializing is a must. Mommy Playdates might include light shopping or a lunch at a cafe with a friend with baby in tow. You’ll want to look put together and stylish since you’ll be out in public, with some degree of practicality since you’re a new mom.

Here, our Chic & On The Go picks styled around the Skip Hop Duo Special Edition in Herringbone:

A chic tote that is versatile enough to go with most outfits, while also offering the functionality that new moms need.

Vince Camuto Women’s Harlen in Bronze Wash

Love these bluish bronzy booties that turn any outfit up a notch. Not too much of a heel gives you a lift without making them impractical for pushing a stroller.

DL1961 Women’s Florence Insta Sculpt Jeans

Two words: Insta Sculpt. ‘Nuff said.

VINCE Women’s Coastal Blue Rack Stitch V-Neck Sweater

We are utterly convinced that every woman needs a VINCE sweater in her wardrobe.

Ready, Set, Mommy Playdate.

Loving On Original Sprout

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This is my Fiona, 2 years old and enjoying her bath as usual.

Although it’s not the “cutest” topic to blog about, Fiona periodically suffers from seborrheic dermatitis. (Or you may know the more common term “Cradle Cap”.)

When I took Fiona to get her first haircut, her stylist, Vincenza, asked me what I was doing to treat the cradle cap. I looked at her with a blank stare; I wasn’t doing much to treat it because I wasn’t sure what else I could do aside from using a comb to tease it out.

Vincenza walked over to the product shelf and grabbed a bottle of Original Sprout Hair & Body Babywash and our lives have been forever changed. When the brand promises that you can kiss Cradle Cap goodbye, they keep to their word. We absolutely love this self-described “worry free” shampoo.

Original Sprout creates safe, non-toxic, high-performance Vegan hair & skin care for families. It is free and clear of all the “bad stuff”. From the website: “Parents trust Original Sprouts superior performance & worry-free ingredients. Cancer & early puberty can be linked to hormone disruption, hence no natural or synthetic hormone disrupters such as soy, yam, tea tree, lavender, parabens, titanium dioxide, formaldehyde or nano-particles are used in our formulas. In addition products are free of insect attracting honey or soda fragrances.”

After scrubbing her scalp with Original Sprout, I use the MediChoice Baby Comb that we received in the hospital when she was born. Still works like a charm.

Absolutely 100% addicted to this line and cannot recommend it enough. Find Organic Sprout Babywash on Amazon here.

The 6 Best Pregnancy Beauty Essentials

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Pampering yourself while preggers is a non-negotiable. If there was ever a time to treat yourself to some beauty indulgences, it’s definitely during that hormonal roller coaster called pregnancy. Acquiring the elusive pregnancy glow is easier with a little help from some beauty essentials–all safe and luxurious, of course. Here, our pick for the 6 top pregnancy beauty essentials.

1. Butter London Nail Lacquer in Yummy Mummy ($15)
Regular manicures during pregnancy are a must. When you head to the salon, bring this universally flattering taupe-y shade from fashion forward nail brand Butter London. It has the power to make nails look effortlessly chic against every skin tone look. Mums-to-be will love the name as well as the consciously made 3-free formula.

2. Solano Supersolano 3500 Lite Professional Hair Dryer ($190)
It’s amazing how much better you can feel after a good blow-out. While we highly recommend treating yourself to as many salon blowouts as possible, we know realistically that getting out of the house becomes harder and harder when you’re with child. Invest in this cult favorite, pro-loved hair dryer in a new lightweight model and doing your own ‘do will be easier than ever.

3. Juice Beauty Lash Defining Mascara ($19)
The trick to looking wide awake even when every muscle in your body wants to go back to sleep, is applying mascara to the base of the lashes. It’s a little trick our makeup artist friends taught us when we had our first child. As with all of your beauty choices, make sure the formulas are clean with no scary chemicals. All products from Juice Beauty contain worry-free, organic ingredients.

4. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil ($38)
Your belly does some serious stretching during those nine months. Give it some relief by gently rubbing this heaven-sent elixir of nourishing oils to stave off the itchies as well as help keep stretch marks at bay.

5. Aden + Anais Mum and Bub Skin Care Extra Gentle Lotion ($15.95)
Who wants dry, cracked skin during pregnancy? Not us. Be smart and use a product that is free of phytoestrogens, parabens and any other potentially icky ingredient. This ultra-gentle lotion from cult favorite baby brand Aden + Anais is a gorgeous essential to any bathroom.

6. EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Blueberry Acai ($6.49)
There’s so much to love about these cool looking orbs of lip balm. The scent is subtle yet yummy and you’ll never lose it at the bottom of your purse. The ingredients are all-natural–no petroleum here!

Get the Look: Rock Star Baby

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If the sight of ballet slipper pink and cornflower blue makes you want to scream, it’s totally acceptable to go to the dark side for your baby’s style. Pick rock star cool baby clothing and accessories for your edgy little bundle. Set the tone for rebellion, but don’t be surprised when your tot starts expressing some ‘tude. Here, our favorite rocker baby gear and goods.

Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of Metallica
Yes Metallica can actually soothe your baby to sleep. Buy the CD or download the MP3 of this strangely soothing instrumental renditions of Metallica’s greatest hits. Other Rockabye Baby albums include Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam and Bob Marley.

French Bull Kids Rock Stars Plates
Made from shatter-proof melamine, these cool dishwasher-safe plates will see your kids through toddlerhood and beyond. Sold as a set of four, making meal time fun for your little one and their friends.

My Dad Rocks Onesie
Let daddy get a little cred with this adorable unisex onesie, which makes for an awesome Father’s Day gift. It’s 100% cotton and ready for some action. Let dad really prove he rocks and ask him to change all diapers when baby is wearing this.

Bibsters Rock Star Bib
It’s easy on/easy off with this easy clean bib, made of waterproof fabric. Mealtime has never looked so cool!

Nununu Unisex Stars Baggy Pants
Your kid will be the star of Little Maestros class with these way cool baggy pants from streetwear brand Nununu. You’ll look instantly like the coolest mom on the block for putting your baby in these unisex harem pants reminiscent of MC Hammer. Can’t touch this!

Kiditude Beatles Onesie
All you need is love and this vintage-inspired Beatles onesie to pull off the coolest baby on the block look. Don’t be surprised if your little one grows up with an affinity for Paul McCartney.

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