Always Glam

Mompreneur Spotlight: Shelley Suh of Loyal Hana

It’s no surprise that Gugu Guru is a huge fan of Loyal Hana, so we are thrilled that today’s Mompreneur spotlight is on Loyal Hana’s founder, Shelley Suh.

GG: How and why did you start Loyal Hana?

SS: Having worked in the fashion industry for over 18 years, I understand how having pieces in your wardrobe that look good and fit well can have the power to make women feel confident, capable and beautiful. It wasn’t until the birth of my children that I realized that this could be readily applied to solve an unmet need for tailored designs that flatter the bump and the boob.

When I had my daughter Cybelle in 2009, I returned to work and discovered a missing market in pregnancy and postpartum friendly clothing for women returning to their daily lives. About four or five months after my son Mason was born, I knew that I was not feeling like myself. I started getting the baby blues and on top of this, my father was diagnosed with his second cancer. I decided I needed to put all of my energy into something creative and with purpose.

I had the opportunity to introduce women to my collection in 2014 when Loyal Hana was born. More than just a collection of maternity and nursing garments, Loyal Hana is a reliable friend during a crucial time when the pressure is on to provide it all. The label represents a helping hand when circumstances make it difficult to be discreet; it’s a universal “thank you” and a way for new moms to feel confident and beautiful every day.

For me, Loyal Hana has been a success because it pulled me through a very hard time in my life and brought me back to serve a purpose by making things easier for other women out there.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

SS: Balancing work and life is a constant evolution each year. I am lucky to be the mother of two amazing children, Cybelle, who is seven and Mason, who is three.

I am fortunate to have support from my husband to create this line and co-parent the way we do, where we do. I think that when I started my family, I was challenged to redefine how to juggle my time between becoming a mother, being the best wife I can be, and maintaining my identity to have a career. With all this said, when you create something with purpose and passion you find balance and time to make it all exist. One precedes the next and without the birth of my kids, I would have never found my passion or personal challenge to start this collection. With every piece we make at Loyal Hana, I hope that it helps make the process easier for other women and makes them feel beautiful and confident.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

SS: Every mompreneur has a voice or platform to create something with purpose. Loyal Hana is my platform to share something, inspire someone, facilitate a process and simply to express who I am. This company has so much meaning to me because it pulled me through a very dark time in my life. This creative outlet inspired me to give back to the other moms that are having a similar struggle and want to return to their lives. The best part of starting this business is when I hear from another mom who loves my clothing and I hear it has helped her feel “beautiful.“

Rockabilly Mama: Risky Rae

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We’re so excited to introduce Risky Rae – she’s a Rockabilly Mama with awesome Pin-Up Girl style! Risky Rae is a member of the wonderfully fabulous Bay Area Luscious Ladies, a Pin-Up style group based out of California – so, she certainly knows her stuff when it comes to being both a mama and a Pin-Up style icon! She’s here today to share her favorite looks for mama and baby gear!

For Mama – get the ultimate mom pin-up look with these picks from Risky Rae!

1. Pinup Girl Clothing Corset Skirt – This is the skirt I am wearing in my shoot, it is so flattering due to the high cut of the waistband and also good for c-section mamas, as it sits high on the waist and won’t irritate an incision…plus it also has pockets (!) perfect for stashing that phone and pacifier. 2. Hell Bunny Vintage Style Black & White Dotted Tie Knit Cilla Top – This is the top I am wearing in my photos; the tie feature on the bust is so convenient and handy for nursing mamas to quickly expose a breast for feeding. 3. Pinup Couture Jenny Skirt in Mary Blair Grey Cat Print – This is the skirt I am wearing in my photos. It comes in a variety of colors/prints (some are SO adorable) and sits high on the waist, making it perfect for new moms and those who have had c-sections as the band will not irritate the incision. 4. Preggers Maternity Sleeveless Dress in Leopard Print – This ultra comfortable sleeveless maternity dress features a v-neck cross-over bust with gathers at the base and tops of the shoulders, as well a swing skirt with matching gathers. Risky Rae’s hair accessories care of Stardust Dames, and jewelry from Summer Blue Jewelry.

Risky Rae is a huge fan of babywearing and picked her top choices of carriers – both for comfort and staying true to Rockabilly/Pin-Up style!

1. Ergo Original Baby Carrier in Indigo Mint Dots; 2. Ergo Original Baby Carrier, Sailor; 3. Tula Baby Carrier, Slow Ride; 4. Tula Baby Carrier, Betty

When it comes to diaper bags, Risky Rae picked out bags which were able to hold all of baby’s gear, mama’s gear, and could double as an adorable Rockabilly bag for mom on her nights out without baby, too!

1. Trophy Queen Diaper Bag; 2. Femme Fatale, Lady Luck Mama Set; 3. Sourpuss Smile Now Diaper Bag

You can follow Risky Rae on Instagram and Facebook.

PS. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on Rockabilly Baby Style!

Product Discovery: NuRoo Nursing Scarf

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In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we’re sharing a nursing must-have item which we love: the NüRoo Nursing Scarf!

NüRoo designed this discrete Nursing Scarf to be your favorite accessory, so it’s on you when you need it. Snaps along the width of the Nursing Scarf let you customize your coverage: wrapped or draped, front and back, over the shoulder or around your neck. The signature NüRoo fabric is super soft, breathable, wrinkle free, and not distracting for baby. As an added bonus, you’ll love this fashionable scarf long after your breastfeeding days!

There are 8 different ways to wear the NüRoo Nursing Scarf – this versatile scarf comes in 8 different colors – not only can you choose your favorite color, but you can change the scarf’s look and coverage depending on what you (and your baby) need. And of course, most importantly, the scarf is machine washable and dryer safe, so you don’t have to worry about spit-up or food ruining your most loved fashion accessory!

Chic and On the Go: Roundup!

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Are you a family who loves to travel together? You’ll want to add these functional and very stylish travel items to your baby registry! Know a new mama who is ready to take on the globe with her baby? Any one of these on-the-go items makes a wonderful baby shower gift, too!

Sponsored Post

BabyHearts Car Seat Cover: This beautiful car seat cover was designed with delicate babies in mind. It features a front panel that opens and closes with velcro tabs so you can sneak a peek at your baby whenever you want. It is fully elasticized on the bottom so it won’t flap up from the wind. The fabric is ultra lightweight, yet highly breathable, and most importantly – UPF-50 coated for sun protection! This ensures your baby is protected from the sun, bugs, wind, light rain and prying eyes at all times. This cover is perfect for travel, as it comes with a travel mesh bag for storage when not in use that fits easily in your diaper bag, pocket book or shopping bag.

guzzie+Guss Perch Chair: Perfect for families on the go, the guzzie + Guss Perch Hanging Chair is the ultimate travel companion. The Perch chair, which hangs onto any table, is wonderful because it allows for the baby to have a special place at the table with the family! This easy to clean chair attaches to most tables and folds for easy storage. A handy travel bag is included, which you’ll be able to store under the seat when not in use. It comes in a variety of colors, too!

Babymoov The Style Bag: For the chic mom who likes to make a style statement, the Babymoov Style Bag is the answer to both function and glam! The bag comes in bold patterns and bright colors, while still maintaining its practicality thanks to many storage areas, pockets and its large opening. With six different patterns which meet a variety of styles, every mama is sure to find her perfect fit.

Babymoov Glober Bag: The Babymoov Glober bag is a large backpack back with tons of storage – perfect for holding all of baby’s gear as well as your own! With two ways to carry this bag, both mom and dad will be able to travel easily with baby, whether to music class, or around the globe. It features include changing pad, insulated section, and transparent pocket, stroller harness, pacifier pocket, and more. The bag is available in three colors: black, grey, or cherry. If you’re the type of parent who loves to adventure with your little one – whether strolling in the city or hiking mountains – this bag is perfect for you!

Klen Review

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Beauty editor and new mom, Marina Klimasiewfski, shares her experience of using the new Klen line…

In my recent Oilogic review I shared how ingredient conscious I’ve become since the birth of my son. I try to buy personal care products for him with a concise and identifiable ingredient list. In recent months this practice of label-checking has expanded from just those items concerning the baby to everything around the baby – I’m now googling ingredients in the store before buying household and personal care products. Suddenly I’m recommending natural deodorants to friends, and side-stepping my fancily packaged beauty products for a simpler regimen. Becoming a mom is a strange and powerful thing.

The founders of Klen know my struggle – they created their brand after seeing their toddlers grabbing at their lip glosses and lotions, and dousing themselves in chemicals in the process. They wanted something that was effective for moms, but safe for anyone in the family to use. The line started with lip balms and glosses, but now includes candles, bath scrubs and salts, face wash, lotions, and even bug and lice repellents.

Klen has won me over because a) their products come in simple, but not hideous packaging b) their lip balms and lotions work better than fancy counterparts, and c) they know how to make a perfect citrus scent (their pink grapefruit and vanilla orange are just the right mix of tart and sweet).

Products I love:

Klen Balm – is their basic lip balm, available in 7 flavors (pink grapefruit, champagne, vanilla orange, lemon lavender, strawberry mint, lemonade, mint). The pink grapefruit is addictive — except not. The line holds the unnecessary alcohol which is what gives most lip balms their drying/addictive property. While the scent has me reaching for more, my lips actually stay hydrated and never become excessively dry, after use. $2.99 (a steal!)

Klen Gloss – is the dressed up version of the balm, available in the same 7 scents. It manages to be high shine, while not at all sticky or drying. $6.99

Klen Gator Balm – all their products are designed to be safe if kids get their hands on them, but this is the balm meant for kids The formula contains only 4 ingredients, all of which are safe if eaten. Available in 6 childhood friendly flavors (bubble gum, cherry lemonade, strawberry, cherry, candy cane and vanilla). $2.99

Klen Ouch Away – before my son I had no idea that balms to make cuts and scrapes heal faster were “a thing”. Now that I’ve tried a few versions it’s a thing i can’t get enough of! While I’m never totally sure wounds actually heal any quicker with their use, it sometimes feels good to just be doing something about a boo-boo. This particular version has a soft, melts-into-skin, texture. $12.99

Klen Twist – is their twist-up lotion bar. It looks almost like a stick deodorant (product not pictured because I fell so in love with it that I started using it obsessively as soon as it arrived, so by the time I took the picture it had seen better days). I am not exaggerating when I say this is the best lotion I’ve ever used. It hydrates well, goes on easily, and smells amazing (I have honey orange). $9.99

This line is so good and unique it left me wanting to buy and try more, which says a lot coming from a beauty editor. My mailbox is a sea of new products to test weekly, but I’m looking forward to trying some more from Klen Shop. Available through their online store klenshop.com.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Morgan Hutchinson of Shop BURU ( + giveaway!)

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We are thrilled to be featuring Morgan Hutchinson for the Mompreneur spotlight today! Morgan is the founder and owner of Shop BURU, which designs chic, glamorous and totally functional attire for nursing and post-pregnancy moms. Morgan’s aim is to help new (and seasoned) moms feel and look their best, during breastfeeding, baby, and beyond!

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Shop BURU.

MH: When my baby girl was just a few days old, it became blatantly obvious to me that the bulk of my wardrobe wasn’t going to work— for nursing, for my post baby body changes or for (countless) spit-up catastrophes! My husband and I had just moved back to the US from an almost 4 years stint in Beijing. We landed in my tiny hometown in Kentucky to be with family for the birth of our daughter. While it was fantastic to be near those we love most at this special time, it was quite challenging to go from a city of 25 million (with shopping galore) to a city of 25,000 with extremely limited options.

With a background in fashion—from designing lingerie to styling photo shoots in China, I couldn’t accept the fact that my style should change just because I became a mom. I also couldn’t accept the fact that most nursing clothes were sold exclusively within maternity stores—destinations that I did not look forward to revisiting for a while.

With the help and support of my husband, I began scouring the racks of department stores (a 2-hour drive away I might add) to find tops and dresses with easy access to nurse and silhouettes to accommodate my new shape (aka my out of control nursing boobs). It was time consuming and frustrating (plus it was so easy to be distracted and tempted by all the amazing styles that wouldn’t work for my new phase of life).

Brett saw and appreciated the challenges I faced and together we began to brainstorm about a solution. 8 weeks after Olive was born we traveled to NYC to a wholesale market to hunt for brands and styles that would work. With freshly printed business cards emblazoned with BURU (the mandarin word for breastfeed), a dose of “ignorance is bliss” and absolutely NO working website—we took to the streets and turned my pipe dream into a reality.

SHOPBURU—the online destination for elevated and functional #momstyle will turn 3 this September!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

MH: Ha ha! What’s balance? Honestly, aren’t we all just winging it every day. The truth is that it’s my family that keeps me balanced—my husband’s arms, my daughter’s giggles…they ground me. I am not me without them, yet I also not me without my goals, my hopes, my dreams. Balance for me is the big picture. Perhaps everyday is not a perfect legal scale measurement, but if I get to tuck my happy little Olive in at night with songs and stories and then fall asleep in Brett’s arms, then I am good—no matter how bad, chaotic or insane the day was.

GG: What’s the best part of being an mompreneur?

MH: I love this question! I am often asked what the worst part is, but it is SO much better to focus on the good. And the good for me is huge. Let’s start with my favorite—I get to take Olive to ballet class, I get to pick her up from school, I get to volunteer in her class and I don’t have to ask anyone for permission! I may not get to do it every time, but it’s my choice, my decision and I am so grateful. This doesn’t mean there are not times when work/BURU gets in the way—of course it does, but at least the only guilt I feel is self-inflicted. It doesn’t also come from a BOSS!

Like what you see here? Enter below to win $250 to Shop BURU!

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C is for Chloasma

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Continuing our series on pregnancy struggles, we turn our focus to the letter “C”. Sunscreen is important for everyone at any age or stage but is especially important for expecting moms. Sun exposure can result in unsightly discoloration and uneven skin tone – called Chloasma. Here Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, mom of three, a family physician, and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth talks about the #PregnancyProblem of Chloasma – also known as “Mask of Pregnancy”.

Have you heard of “pregnancy mask?” Many women haven’t. During my pregnancy, I’ll never forget how horrified I was when I first noticed a brown discoloration on my upper lip. I thought I was growing a mustache! On closer inspection, I realized that it wasn’t facial hair, but rather a change in skin pigment.

Three-quarters of pregnant women develop dark, blotchy areas of skin, called chloasma, melasma, or pregnancy mask. The blotches often appear on the upper lip, cheekbones, and brow. They usually arise around the 10th week of pregnancy.

photo credit: A Little Londoner

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to prevent chloasma. It’s caused by increased levels of a pigment called melanin. That’s the same hormone that causes your skin to darken in the sun. So it won’t surprise you to know that the one thing you can do to minimize it is stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen.

However, some sunscreens contain oxybenzone and nanoparticles and those ingredients should be avoided during pregnancy. Physical barriers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are safe and effective when you’re expecting. It is best to stick with a sunscreen that is teratology-screened. Teratology screening is the process of reviewing scientific research and avoiding ingredients with links to birth defects or miscarriage.

Similar to when you get a tan or sunburn, there’s nothing you can do to get rid of chloasma. All you can do is take a tincture of time for it to fade. Once you have pregnancy mask, the only thing you can do about it is to, well, mask it. I found mine was pretty easy to disguise with makeup. Fortunately, it went away a few months after my baby was born.

To help prevent Chloasma, the team at Gugu Guru loves the Belli Pure Radiance Facial Sunscreen. Pure Radiance Facial Sunscreen is a teratology-screened broad spectrum, physical barrier, mineral SPF 25 with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Oil-free and lightly tinted to blend with most skin types, it may be worn alone for sheer coverage or under makeup.

Want to promote healthy, glowing skin during pregnancy? Enter to win a Healthy Glow Skin Perfecting Kit, Fresh Start Pre-Treatment Scrub, Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator, Pure Radiance Facial Sunscreen and Eye Brightening Cream – a value of $119.00!

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About the author: Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, is a mom of three sons, a family physician, and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, in Lexington, KY.

Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Casetify by Happily Eva After

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We are just going to admit it. We have a mom crush going on over here and our crush is on the gorgeous and witty Eva Amurri Martino of Happily Eva After. A couple weeks ago, she announced her latest collaboration with Casetify and we happened to be on the hunt for some cool gift ideas so we thought we’d share. (Update: since we wrote this post, Eva also announced her pregnancy #2 so congratulations to her and her family!)

If you didn’t know, Casetify is the world’s first social design platform that turns your Instagram, Facebook and personal photos into custom cases for mobile phones and tablets. It’s the simplest way to capture and take your favorite moments with you, everywhere you go.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, here are some fun designs from this collection as created by Eva herself. (She hopes they make you HAPPY and we do too!)

Starting with our favorite – Lipstick Mafia. “Are you like me where a swipe of perfect lipstick transforms your attitude from Blah to BOOYAH? Are you a strong empowered woman who isn’t afraid to be smart, savvy AND gorge? Are you and your girlfriends a pack of fierce and fabulous women who stick together no matter what? Then the Lipstick Mafia case is for you!!”

Mama, Lady, Lover, Friend – which is truly perfect for a Mother’s Day gift. “[My] Happily Eva After mission statement, my goal in life and in Motherhood. I wanted to create a case that represented and honored all sides of ourselves as Mothers. That reminded us that while we love our children completely and wholly, that we are also vibrant Women who have so much to offer everyone in our lives. If you feel this way, or need a little reminder from time to time, then the Mama Lady Lover Friend case is for you. I LOVE this one, for everything it reminds me to be.”

And the super fun YASSSS Cream. “We all scream, “YASSSSS Cream!“. This one is just silly– if you think that an outta control love of soft-serve is SILLY (How dare you). But seriously, I just couldn’t resist a little ice cream cone and a lot of sprinkles. Could you? Let me serve it up to you cold– Yasss, Queen!”

The Art of Short Form Pampering

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Photo credit: courtesy of Gisele Bunchen…
Beauty editor and new mom, Marina Klimasiewfski, shares with us some quick tips on how to feel pampered in just 5 minutes…

Before becoming a mom I would have told you that I had a pretty busy schedule with minimal downtime. A constant cycle of office and beauty industry events! Friends to visit and dishes to clean! Yet, built into my hectic routine was actually a ton of self care. Regular exercise, plus manicures and pedicures, seasonal massages, facials and haircuts were all de rigueur.

Now that I have a newborn at home the idea of having time for any one of those activities, let alone a schedule full of them, is truly laughable. The hour plus required for these tasks starts to look like a complex math problem (if A can watch the baby then I can go, subtract time for pumping while out, and add milk to fridge before leaving!). The logistical hurdles alone negate the soothing intent of any “long-form pampering”.

Just because any elaborate appointments are out, doesn’t and shouldn’t mean a total moratorium on self care. It means being a little more creative, and quick. Really the key to any quality pampering is sensory. A combination of calming and invigorating the five senses – sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. Some of these tips take a full five minutes, some take literally seconds, but all feel decadent after hours of having your hair pulled and being treated as a spit-up receptacle.

1. Sheet Masques – the mom’s version of a facial. They are infinitely easier to apply than a regular masque. Literally, tear open the packet and slap on face. Most are quite hydrating, which is a plus for weary overtired skin. Bonus, baby may think this new face is a funny game. Huge variety (to the point where it somewhat overwhelming) at inexpensive prices on beautique.com.

2. At-home Spa Water – rather than reaching for cup of coffee #gazillion (which I so do), try making spa water. It’s shockingly easy – just add orange, lemon, or cucumber slices to regular water and it becomes that much more drinkable. To make it an even more instagram-worthy experience try adding fresh herbs like a sprig of mint, basil or rosemary, or even a chunk of peeled ginger.

3. Face Brushing – spending an extra 2-3 minutes in the shower is one the easiest ways to sneak in “me-time”. Massaging the face feels soothing, removes dead skin cells and if the neck is included can help with lymphatic drainage. The traditional Clarisonic brush is great, but many budget versions provide a similar experience.

4. Lip Exfoliation – lips are full of nerve endings, so they are particularly sensitive to touch. A sugar scrub feels and tastes great, and leaves lips softer and more kissable. Clinique’s new sweet pots have a sugar scrub on one side and a lip balm on the other, making for a portable experience. It’s also easy to DIY this one – just mix large grain sugar (ie: sugar in raw) with enough olive oil to make a paste, rub on lips and rinse.

5. Scent Swap – empty the diaper garbage bin, even if the smell isn’t detectable, open a window, and light a candle in a scent similar to those recommended for spa water. Go with something citrus or herbal, not floral or fruity – for a noticeably invigorating experience.

No matter what the phone has to spend these five minutes in a different room. Mindfulness is the buzzword of 2016 with good reason. Unplugging and being present is a form of pampering in and of itself. Remember, good self care is essential to taking good care of someone else!

About Marina Klimasiewfski

Marina Klimasiewfski has been writing about beauty online for the past decade. She is the founder and author of MakeupLovesMe.com. She has been quoted as an expert source in various outlets and has served as brand ambassador for Aveeno and Nivea in the past. This fall she became a mom, and since then has been working on the art of applying eyeliner one-handed.

Always Glam

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We have now reached the very far right of our style spectrum with Always Glam. The Always Glam mom never sacrifices style for practicality. Who wants to worry about what’s comfortable or machine washable when you look this good?

This style is always polished and put together. Here, mommy model Lisa dons a pair of oversized glamourous shades, a side bun and of course a rich shade of red lipstick to complete her look. The Always Glam mom is fearless in the face of fashion – rocking pieces like {gasp} dry-clean only knits – because it is all about presentation here and she isn’t going to compromise a thing.

Baby model Sofia Sky is barely three weeks old but the jewel encrusted headband is a clear indication that we have an Always Glam baby in training here.

Our pick for the Always Glam mom? The classic Baby Bjorn carrier seen here in black. It’s a classic, trusted brand and integrates well with any style.

Still questioning if a baby carrier can be really be “glam”? Check out Beyonce and Blue Ivy here and remove all doubt:

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

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