Mom Style

What Top Beauty Bloggers Want for Mother’s Day

By Beauty Editor Marina Klimasiewfski

This month I’ve interviewed top beauty bloggers, who also happen to be moms, on what they want for Mother’s Day. Many answers proved to be universal. Whether they have one child or six, boys or girls, newborns or teens, moms want a little bit of time for themselves, some time with their children, pampering, and above all else, SLEEP! I could certainly use all of the above.

“All I want for Mother’s Day is a NAP. j/k! (not really). For real though, I’d love to escape for a week to a spa retreat like Canyon Ranch and get all the spa treatments and just relax. I feel like as moms it’s important for us to take the time to just relax and chill out. We always have a million tabs open in our mind, so it would be nice to have a blank slate of a mind for a little while.” – Andrea Arterbery, freelance writer and blogger at www.theartofbery.com and mom to a boy toddler

“My daughter is an infant, and honestly, all I want is a long block of uninterrupted sleep. Six hours would be great; eight would be even better.” – Karen Monterichaud, creator of makeupandbeautyblog.com and mother to a new baby girl

“I’m a working mom of two little ones, and I miss them terribly when we’re apart. So for Mother’s Day, I would love to receive a “mom necklace” with their names – so that they can always be close to my heart. I’ve been browsing GracePersonalized, an Etsy shop with beautiful custom jewelry. Every piece they make is so lovely, it’s hard to choose just one!” – Daneen Baird, founder and writer of spoiledpretty.com and mom to a boy and girl

“I would like a nap without limits and a bowl of especially ripe strawberries that fits the same description.” – Bryce Gruber, editor of theluxuryspot.com with 3 children at home

“I’d like one of those cool wine-of-the-month memberships. I love wine, but feel I’m not being very adventurous lately. A wine of the month club would expand my horizons beyond my current $10-$12 rut. Oooh, I’d also like membership to a monthly lash extensions club. Is that a thing? I have zero patience (or time) for mascara these days. So yeah, monthly lash extensions would make me very happy this Mother’s Day.” – Felicia Walker Benson, creator of thisthatbeauty.com and mother to a girl toddler

“I’m a sucker for the decadent massages at the La Prairie spa. They take me from zero to Zen every time. A 50-minute Swedish melts my racing mind into a hazy, blissful stupor. I make an afternoon out of treatments, arriving early to sit around in the opulent waiting area. Nothing beats sitting in a dimly lit, tech-free shrine with a warm cup of chamomile tea, swaddled in a plush robe. ” – Polly Blitzer, founder of BeautyBlitz.com and mom to twin boys

“For Mother’s Day I asked my kids to go on a hike with me to the Hanakapiai Waterfall. It’s a somewhat strenuous 8 mile trek so of course they all said no! They want to have a beach day instead. As long as I have my favorite Elta MD sunblock and a good book it will be a good day. I’m dying to read The Age Fix by Anthony Youn, MD.” – Erika Valente, makeupbag.net and mother to three glamorous daughters living in Hawaii

“I would love a mani! I used to get them about twice a month, but since I had my second baby in January 2015, I’ve only had one! I can’t even do them at home. The times I’ve tried one of my kids will inevitably wake up early from a nap or need a diaper change. Not to mention, I could use a quiet hour of pampering!” – Anne Fritz Linval, Editor of Forever35.net and mom to a son and daughter

“Ethan is my 5th child, and I have a step-son too, which makes 6 kids…all boys even. I would love to say I want something solely for me. However, I actually just want the presence of mind to take in each moment fully with the boys. I never understood when people said it goes by in a blink of an eye, but having Ethan made me see it. Ethan is 8 months and my oldest son is 17. Suddenly you’re searching your memory to remember “moments” from the last 17 years. I just need that reminder each day to just take it all in and cherish it.” – Shannon Smyth creator of agirlsgottaspa.com and of a cruelty-free bath & body brand by the same name, as well as a mother to 6(!) boys

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.

Christina Vargas Registry Must Haves

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You may have seen our past post where we helped the ultimate fit mama and professional athlete, Christina Vargas, with her baby registry. If you’re one of those people who regularly uses the #fitfam hashtag on Instagram, you’re probably very familiar with this I.F.B.B. and two time Olympian figure and bikini pro. If not, you can get to know her on Instagram here and follow her postpartum fitness journey.

Christina had her beautiful baby girl, Isabella, earlier this year and is excited to share with us some of her favorite registry picks from Gugu Guru:

Animal Kingdom 3pc Bedding Set from Just Born for Baby
Christina made it clear from the start, she hates pink. She wanted something neutral and sophisticated for Bella’s nursery and selected the Animal Kingdom 3pc Bedding Set from Just Born for Baby.

Mom paired the gender neutral gray and white palette of the set with a lilac paint color and finished the whole look off with the mobile.

TWELVElittle Unisex Courage Tote
Christina is always on the move to or from the gym. She wanted a sleek diaper bag that didn’t look like a diaper bag and was roomie enough to carry some of mom’s essentials. Gugu Guru recommended the TWELVElittle Unisex Courage Tote to keep Christina looking stylish and feeling organized for her on-the-go lifestyle. There’s an interior large padded tech sleeve for all gadget protection. The bag has a waterproof lining and lots of pockets for storage. It fits an iPad, which is a perk when Christina is creating her postpartum work-out program for moms. The hidden zipper pocket on bottom of back side for dirty item quick storage is especially useful for both mom and Bella.

Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump
As for a pump, Gugu Guru suggested something small but powerful – just like Christina – and that is the Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump. This pump is really amazing for the cost and is absolutely ideal for a mom on the move due to its compact size and light weight. First time pumpers seems to be especially thrilled with how gentle the Lansinoh pump is on the breasts, compared to other products in the market. It also boasts easy to assemble and clean parts, three customizable pumping styles and eight adjustable suction levels.

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

Must Haves: Spring 2016

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1. Easter Floral Bonnet ($30) available from TopKnot Girl. Our Easter Floral Bonnet is a beautiful piece to add to your bebe’s essential wardrobe. A soft, classic floral fabric in an easter blue is teamed with a coordinating binding, creating a classic and stylish piece.

2. Tie Tank in Peach Haze ($36) available from Ultra Violet Kids. Ultra Violet Kids Tie Tank This tank top features functional ties at both shoulders and is a perfect addition to every girl’s wardrobe. This tank pairs perfectly with everything. 97% Rayon and 3% Spandex jersey Made in the USA and Ethically Manufactured

3. Freshly Picked Moccasins in Salt Water Taffy ($60) This playful purple Spring moccasin is a fan favorite, brought back due to popular demand! Don’t miss out on this limited edition moccasin for your little lady!

4. Padded Vest ($24.99) available from H&M. Padded vest with lined, detachable hood with padded ear appliqués. Zip at front and flounce at hem. Lined.

5. Vintage Bunny Teether ($15) available from Oli & Carol. Original designs from the sixties in soft natural tones, these charming and nostalgic animals will soon become baby’s favorite. Size: 10-14 cm. Made from 100% natural latex from Hevea trees with safe natural dyes. Ecologic and biodegradable hand made products. Easy to wash. Designed in Barcelona. Made in Morocco.

6. Gap Bunny Face Sweatshirt ($24.95) available at Gap. Soft sueded jersey. Long sleeves with banded cuffs, hem. Crewneck, stitched V at center. Textural applique at front.

7. Oh Joy!® Backpack Diaper Bag ($39.99) available at Target. Features: 2 Exterior Side Pockets, 2 Interior Pockets, Back Pocket, Backpack strap, Handle, Stroller strap, Zip Closure

8. SAILBOAT LONGALL W/ HAT ($57.95) available at Feltman Brothers. We cannot get over this stunning cotton longall with a white hand stitched sailboat on the yolk. Not only that but check out the two color stripes on the sleeves,little pockets and macthing hat. The round collar has mother of pearl buttons coming down on both sides of the longall. Your baby is sure to win the hearts of everyone who see him in this set.

Mama & Mini Style

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1. MAMA: Sanara Denim Dress by Holding Horses ($148) available from Anthropologie.

2. MINI: Gap 1969 Flutter Bow Chambray Dress ($34.95) available from Gap.

PacaPod Spring Collection

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PacaPod, founded and designed by a mompreneur, is a revolutionary twist on the modern diaper bag. PacaPod is cleverly designed so that a parent doesn’t have to rifle around their bag to find what they need, but has everything neatly organized in a simple three part system. The outer bag, designed with a stylish parent in mind, has the ability to hold your phone, pens, keys, clip on to your stroller, and be worn on the shoulder or cross-body. Within the bag is an insulated feeder pod, designed to hold bottles, breast milk, or food, and can be easily accessed either within the main compartment, or taken out and clipped onto your stroller independently.

Every PacaPod also comes with a changing pod, complete with room for diapers, creams, and a changing pad; because all of the diaper necessities are within their own pod, it keeps the rest of the bad clean and free of germs. No more struggling to find the diaper cream, baby socks, or tiny hats on the bottom of your diaper bag! Pack everything efficiently and neatly into your PacaPod and you’re ready to take on the world with your little ones. PacaPod offers handsome styles for dads, chic styles for moms, and travel bags as well.

Their Spring/Summer collection has just been released and we’re so excited to show you four new PacaPod styles:

Prescott: The Prescott Bag is perfect for both moms and dads, with its rugged cotton and canvas design, this sturdy and large bag is helpful for a parent who doesn’t always have time to switch to a work bag every morning. Sleek and handsome, the Prescott features a hidden padded laptop section, so you can drop the kids off with their feeder and changing pods in the morning, and head straight to work!

Richmond: A classic tote bag, in neutral tones with vegan leather trim, makes this bag a perfect accessory for any mom-on-the-go. With a handle made of thick webbing, this bag can be comfortably worn over the shoulder, or easily strapped onto your stroller. This stylish bag can also become your chic purse on those rare moments you leave the house without your baby!

Lewis: As a backpack and messenger bag rolled into one, this bag is the perfect parent travel companion, as it has multiple ways of being worn on your body. With a sleek silhouette and vegan leather trim, the Lewis also features front pockets with magnetic closure, making it easy for mom or dad to quickly access their necessities, as well as baby’s.

Hastings: Heading out for a long day of travel? The popular Hastings bag is now available for Spring/Summer in bold blue or sand stripe. Hastings is part of PacaPod’s collection of lightweight bags, and features their flat-pack-pods, which easily flatten when not in use. The Hastings is both a backpack and messenger bag and can be quickly switched from one style to the other, depending on what the parent needs.

Nursing Mama Travel Must-Haves

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When you’re a breastfeeding mama, traveling can often cause lots of stress! You worry about your milk supply, when to pump, where to pump, or, if the baby is with you, finding a comfortable place to feed the baby. However, there are now a lot of products on the market designed to help just those situations. Here’s a round up of some of our latest and greatest nursing mama travel must haves:

Lansinoh recently released their Ultimate Protection Nursing Pads; you never have to worry about leaking through your shirts again. These nursing pads are the only nursing pads designed with the blue InvisiLock™ Core; this special feature instantly collects all moisture and disperses it away from the center of the pad. No more clumping, bunching, or soaked nursing pads! The pad stays thin, dry, and smooth – no one will even know you’re wearing one. Running through an airport? No worry, these pads stay in place with two adhesive strips. One of these super soft pads can absorb up to 20x its weight and still remain entirely discreet. You could travel for hours and still feel confident (and dry!) in your attire.

When traveling with a nursing baby, sometimes it seems there is so much extra stuff to carry with you – including a nursing pillow! However, nursing pillows can be bulky and not airplane or travel friendly. The Nurgo Pillow is a one-of-a-king travel nursing pillow. Created out of necessity by a mother, the Nurgo pillow hopes to ease the stress of traveling with a nursing baby. The Nurgo Pillow is made from a 100% non-toxic foam pad (odor free, no flame retardants, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic), which compacts into a small size, in its very own pouch. The pillow features a wedge design, which helps babies with reflux or a latching position better able to feed; there are two loops on the sides which can help secure a nursing cover, and even a side pocket and water bottle holder. A perfect travel companion for any mama and baby!

Speaking of nursing covers, we’re loving the multipurpose covers from Covered Goods! These stylish covers, invented by a mother of four, are handcrafted in Los Angeles, and cover a mom in all the right places so she feels confident feeding her baby anywhere! These handy covers can be scrunched up small and fit in any travel or diaper bag. With their 360-degree coverage, flexible neck, and easy on and off (no rings, straps, snaps, or buckles!), they are the ideal nursing cover for travel. When not nursing, Covered Goods can be used as a chic and super soft scarf, a carseat cover, or even as a shopping cart seat cover for babies and toddlers. You never have to worry about feeling exposed again with Covered Goods!

Often when breastfeeding mamas are traveling away from their babies or if they’re with baby but plan to bottle-feed out of convenience, they worry about their milk supply. Now, there’s a delicious snack which can help. Created by a nurse and lactation consultant, Boobie Bars, are a convenient and healthy snack and a wonderful alternative to taking pills and special teas to help your milk supply! Made of a proprietary blend of herbs, coconut oil, oatmeal, and fenugreek, these bars are offered in blueberry coconut, oatmeal chocolate chip, and gluten-free peanut butter! Eating just one Boobie Bar a day fulfills a daily dose of milk-boosting herbs that a breastfeeding mama needs. Throw these bars in your purse, diaper bag, or pocket so you can deliciously keep your supply up while traveling.

Always Close to My Heart: The Best Baby Carriers

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Baby K’Tan Breeze
The new Breeze from Baby K’Tan is a baby carrier that goes on as easy a t-shirt and finally takes the guesswork out of baby wearing. Baby K’Tan knows that one size rarely fits all, so they sized Breeze like clothing (it comes in XS -XL). Parents love the Breeze for its versatility and comfort. Half of the carrier is mesh, while the other half is a solid cotton. Depending on the season, you can switch it around for baby to be warm in the winter or cooler in the warmer months. The double loop design helps evenly distribute weight across the back and shoulders. Amateur baby wearers will love the usability of this carrier.

Wild Bird
The hipster mom’s choice of baby sling, these hand crafted linen and chambray slings perfectly meld fashion with function. Made for newborns through toddlers, these wallet-friendly slings look just right with a pair of vintage-y jeans and a perfectly worn in t-shirt.

Hotslings
These feminine slings are for moms who like to keep it simple. Hotslings offer an adjustable pouch that lets you wear baby three different ways. The straps and buckles on the shoulder allow you to adjust the fit according to your size, when loosened enough, these slings even fit over a winter coat. Without any heavy duty buckles or rings, you can easily store your Hotsling in a diaper bag when not in use.

Sakura Bloom – Cashmere
It doesn’t get more luxurious than swathing your baby in a veil of sumptuously soft Italian cashmere. This limited edition sling is woven to the ideal density for optimal snuggling with your little one. This single layer sling has built in temperature control and was made to insulate your little one in the winter and cool them down in the spring. Thanks to the chic gold aluminum rings, this sling is easy on/easy off. The best part?It gets better with every use.

Pregnancy Fitness Must-Haves + Giveaway

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Working out – even lightly – on a regular basis is key to having a healthy pregnancy. Whether it’s taking a stroll down your block, yoga, or jogging, there are many ways to stay fit and feel good while pregnant. Here, some of our favorite products for mamas-to-be that are working up a sweat:

Bao Bei Maternity
Some pregnant mamas feel overwhelmed with a new belly while they are working out, which is why we love the Belly Sport Band from Bao Bei Maternity. Created by a Women’s Health Physical Therapist and pilates instructor, these bands are made to feel like a “sports bra for the belly”. Slip one of these soft, but structured, bands on and you will instantly feel pulled together, as the band takes pressure off the lower back; helping your posture and ab muscles. The Belly Sport Band is perfect for under fitness wear, or anytime you need that extra belly support.

For Two Fitness
But, what to wear over your Belly Band? We like the stylish and functional clothing from For Two Fitness Apparel. Just as its name implies, For Two Fitness Apparel caters to active pregnant mamas. A family owned business, For Two Fitness focuses on making women feel beautiful and comfortable during all stages of their pregnancy and beyond. Made in the USA, For Two Fitness offers a huge selection of adorable tank tops, t-shirts, and long-sleeved tops, perfect for running, cycling, yoga, dance, and more. With side-ruching, these tops will stay in place while you work out, so you don’t have to think twice about how you look. With a wide selection of capris, yoga pants, and running shorts, you’ll be fully covered from head to toe in cute and comfortable fitness apparel.

Baby Bump Ball
Looking for a great way to work out at home? Check out the Baby Bump Ball, which is a revolutionary way to exercise, pre-natal and post-natal with baby in arms. The Baby Bump Ball‘s unique feature is its legs; making it stable and secure for a pre-natal workout, as well as to bounce a crying baby on. By using the Baby Bump Ball during pregnancy, it can help prepare your body for labor, as well as strengthen your abdominal muscles and legs. Suffering from lower back pain towards the end of pregnancy? Baby Bump is good for exercising the deep, supportive muscles in the lower back and surrounding spine so you’ll have better posture and be less prone to backache and sciatica. These colorful bouncy balls are “burst proof, recyclable, Latex-BPA-Phlalate-FREE and environmentally friendly,” and a great investment, as you can use prenatal and postpartum.

basq Cooling Body Bliss
Pregnancy can cause swelling and achy muscles in general and working out can exacerbate this. So how does a pregnant mama soothe those pains away? We love the Cooling Body Bliss from basq; a light textured gel packed with antioxidants perfect for the pregnant body. With a wonderful aroma, reminiscent of green tea, cucumbers, and eucalyptus, this cooling gel instantly soothes the body upon application. Ideal for reducing swelling in the feet and legs, which is common in pregnancy, this cooling gel will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and refreshed. Whether it’s a neck ache, tight back muscles, foot ache from walking all day, or a swollen ankle from running, slather on some Cooling Body Bliss and your pregnant body will instantly feel revitalized and nourished.

Ready to break a sweat with these products? Enter to win a Belly Sport Band from Bao Bei Maternity, a top and bottom from For Two Fitness, a Baby Bump Ball and basq Cooling Body Bliss here:

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