mom style

Making Life Easier for Moms: Kindred Bravely

Things can get busy with a newborn and there is no doubt moms already have their hands full. From their own postpartum care to baby’s care and maintaining some semblance of balance within their home, the last thing any mom needs is something else that’s going to require them to be hands-on. Now imagine if they could pump breastmilk completely hands-free or nurse with ease?

Kindred Bravely created their Hands-Free Pumping Bras with the busy mom in mind. Their all-in-one bra offers multiple layers of comfort with its soft nylon, polyester, and spandex blend that is gentle on both mom’s and the baby’s skin. The innovative EasyClip system has one clip for the pumping layer of the bra and another for the nursing layer, allowing moms to unclip each layer separately so they can breastfeed and pump at the same time without issue.

The Kindred Bravely Hands-Free Bras are designed to fit all standard breast pump flanges, such as Medela, Evenflo, Philips Avent, Lansinoh, Motif, Hygeia, Freemie, Willow, and Spectra, so there’s no need to remove the bra while pumping. Best of all? The bra fits snuggly over the flanges to prevent spilling milk. Moms can pump while going about their tasks with peace of mind. The bra is fitted with a thin layer of padding to ensure there is no restriction to the flow of breastmilk when pumping and this padding can be removed if needed.

Comfort is a top priority for the Kindred brand and they delivered in this design. In addition to the extremely soft fabric, the stretchy material of the Kindred Bra fits your postpartum body and is ideal for all-day wear. The straps are fully adjustable making it easy for you to find the right fit for your comfort. The Hook-and-Eye closure makes it easy to put on or take off, giving busy moms one less thing to struggle with throughout the day. They offer a wide range of sizes from S – XXL, with busty options, fitting sizes 30B-44I, and all sizes come with a bra extender so moms can adjust to their body’s changes during pregnancy and postpartum.

Kindred Bravely bras can be hand-washed with a gentle detergent or washed in a lingerie bag on a delicate cycle in the washing machine then line dried. Lucky for moms, there’s no underwire to be concerned about when machine-washing. They do advise wearing breast pads in order to avoid stains, especially when using ointments or lanolin products. For moms who are concerned about leaking, Kindred Bravely also offers Ultra Absorbent Reusable Nursing Pads that can be worn with their bras.

There’s so much to adjust to with a newborn – from coping with this great change to navigating breastfeeding and keeping on top of your daily tasks. With Kindred Bravely Hands-Free Pumping Bra, multitasking like a mother can be done in comfort! As a bonus, moms get 20% off their first purchase with the coupon code – GUGUGURU20.

Thank you to Kindred Bravely for making this sponsored post possible.

Get Some Precious Mommy Me-Time with Kindred Bravely

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

One of the biggest challenges for any mom is finding the time to kick back and relax. Whether you’re preparing for a new arrival or juggling the daily duties of motherhood, that precious window of “me time” gets narrower by the day. Even finding a few moments of respite feels like a pipedream. That’s why we love @KindredBravely, a company that truly understands the struggle of work-life-baby balance. Take it from CEO and co-founder, Deeanne Akerson, who created the Kindred Bravely brand for two reasons: one, to support new and expectant moms with comfortable, stylish, and practical maternity wear; and two, to build a supportive community of moms who help encourage and empower each other along stressful every step of the way. Here are some of our favorite Kindred Bravely products that make the journey of motherhood easier, from the bump to the breast and beyond!

Sublime Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra: When it comes to nursing, efficiency and comfort are key, because Mother Nature waits for no one. Why make breastfeeding more difficult than it has to be? That’s why Kindred Bravely developed the Sublime Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra, a gamechanger for any postpartum mama. Forget about fumbling with bra hooks and uncomfortable wiring; with Kindred Bravely’s patented unique Easyclip™ design, moms can wear the same bra day and night, moving from pumping to nursing without skipping a beat—no cumbersome wardrobe changes necessary. Made with removable padding and ultra-soft fabric, this double pumping bra fits comfortably and securely. Plus, it’s compatible with all standard pump flanges, including Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Ameda, Hygeia, Philips Avent, Motif, and Evenflo.

Sublime Nursing Sports Bra: Don’t let nursing throw a wrench into your workout plans. Active moms can now make Saturday morning yoga class without ever having to compromise baby’s feeding schedule. With the Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Sports Bra, new mothers have the best of both worlds. Made with breathable, moisture-wicking fabric to keep new moms comfortable during low-impact activity, this bra features convenient clip-down cups for easy breastfeeding access. When baby’s hunger strikes, simply pullover for a quick, convenient pump. Plus, we aren’t the only ones who love this bra. It’s a National Parenting Product Awards winner, too.

Relaxed Mama Athleisure Nursing & Maternity Top: Nothing feels better than cuddling up on the couch in your coziest sweats and comfiest tee. But for new moms, it’s tough finding the time to luxuriate. Kindred Bravely gets it. That’s why they made the Relaxed Mama Athleisure Nursing & Maternity Top. Its buttery-soft, moisture-wicking fabric skims the body, giving moms the perfect amount of coverage for extra comfort. It also features a hidden underlayer for easy and discreet breastfeeding. Go ahead, put it on and relax!

Clea Bamboo Short Sleeve Classic Pajama Set: Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you have to forgo fashion for comfort. With the Clea Bamboo Short Sleeve Classic Pajama Set, now you can have both! This classic sleepwear style features sleek piping detail, button-down nursing access, and an elastic waistband to accommodate moms’ changing bodies from pregnancy to postpartum. Its breathable bamboo fabric also helps keep you cool, so you can look and feel good all throughout the night.

Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Support Leggings: We’re living in the golden era of athleisure, so we couldn’t be more thrilled for Kindred Bravely’s Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Support Leggings. Sleek, stylish, and versatile, these leggings are perfect for any woman, especially those needing extra support for a growing belly. Its premium fabric molds perfectly to the body and never loses shape, no matter how many times it goes through the wash. Plus, its ultra-high waist panel creates a flattering silhouette for every shape and size. Dressed up or down, these leggings are so comfortable, you’ll never want to take them off.

Eleanora Bamboo Maternity & Nursing Lounge Dress: Designed to wear before, during, and after your pregnancy, this airy lounge dress is made of super-soft, premium bamboo fabric. Lightweight and breathable with a relaxed fit, it’s perfect for warmer weather (or hot flashes!). The fabric stretches with you throughout your pregnancy, and the nursing panel makes it easy to feed your little one at home or on the go. And, yes, it has pockets. Pockets! You might love it so much, you’ll never want to take it off — and since this two-in-one dress doubles as a nightgown, you won’t have to!

Head on over to KindredBravely.com and check out more of our favorite maternity and nursing must-haves. And make sure to use the code GUGUGURU20 for an extra 20% off your first purchase!

Thank you to Kindred Bravely for making this sponsored post possible.

ORiANE Favorite: The Sara Turtleneck Tunic

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

When it is time to shop for a birthday, holiday or pregnancy gift for expectant mothers, you must consider the Sara Turtleneck Tunic from ORiANE. Mothers will love all the Sara Turtleneck Tunic has to offer.

For the nursing and postpartum months, it is important for moms to wear something comfortable. The Sara tunic is made of a very soft material so moms will feel cozy and beautiful in this tunic.

The Sara Turtleneck Tunic is stylish with leggings or skinny jeans. It reaches the mid-thigh to create a piece that looks like an oversized shirt, rather than a maternity shirt. If mom is on the petite side, they can wear this tunic as a fashionable dress.

From the comfortable material to the versatile design, mothers can wear this tunic anywhere, from relaxing at home to making a grocery store run, to a stylish top or dress for date night. Whether working inside or outside the home, this gorgeous piece is a great addition to any working mom’s attire too.

The tunic is realistically priced to fit most budgets, so shoppers do not have to worry about breaking the bank on a great gift idea. At a reasonable price, shoppers can order the new-mama more than one, or even grab one for themselves!

Regardless of the occasion, you can’t go wrong with the Sara Turtleneck Tunic from ORiANE. Cozy, stylish and versatile, this is a great gift idea for mothers who are looking to feel comfortable and amazing.

And as a special bonus, you’ll receive 20% off, applied automatically at checkout, for ORiANE’s Bye Bye 2020 sale through 12/20.

Thank you to ORiANE for making this sponsored post possible.

Must-Have Diaper Bag for Modern Moms: Lily Jade

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

One of the most important essentials for any mom is her diaper bag. Diaper bags become your home away from home, and they are the most important transitional piece that will take you from day out with baby to business meetings and more. We’re huge fans of the Lily Jade Caroline Diaper Bag for so many reasons. Read on to see why the Lily Jade Diaper Bag-Backpack is a must-have for any parent.

The Lily Jade Caroline bag is a luxurious and lightweight diaper bag created with enhanced durability and sustainability, letting you feel fashionable with a lot of function! The Lily Jade Caroline bag is made with vegan leather, which helps keep the bag sustainable and lightweight for every day use. The custom formulated faux leather makes for a soft feel with enhanced durability. The vertical shape and wide exterior side pockets make for the chicest designed and most user-friendly faux leather bag available.

Lily Jade’s Caroline Diaper Bag has room for everything you need – and more! Designed to help you effortlessly transition from babies to boardroom, you’ll stay organized with all of the pockets and features. The Caroline Bag features 1 large exterior slip pocket, 2 side bottle pockets, 2 exterior zippered pockets, 1 large interior zipper pocket, 2 interior side elastic pockets, and 2 interior pockets. Additionally, it features an adjustable, detachable extra long strap for messenger carry and a gorgeous tassel with Jade color beads and LJ circle logo. Lily Jade makes it easy for busy moms to carry everything they need – even with a baby and toddler in tow!

Caroline’s ergonomic, permanently anchored, padded vegan leather back straps disappear completely, zipped up in the back and tucked in at the bottom. Coming in 6 modern colors, these vegan friendly Lily Jade bags would make an ideal baby shower gift as well as a gift for yourself! Even better, use code CAROLINE10 for 10% off the Caroline bag!

Thank you to Lily Jade for making this sponsored post possible!

Must-Have Pajamas for Moms: Soma

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Any busy mom knows that it often feels like we put all of our energy into making sure our baby has all the essentials, but when it comes to taking care of ourselves? We’re not so great at that! Soma believes that when you’re well-rested, you can better tackle each day’s activities! Soma’s breathable and lightweight Cool Nights® pajamas are cool to the touch and extremely soft for a comfortable sleep to leave you feeling refreshed. Read on to see some of our favorite styles!

Soma’s customer-favorite Cool Nights® collection launched in 2007 and has since sold over 11 million units – and we can see why! The Cool Nights® Notch Collar Pajama Top is the ideal sleepwear must-have for keeping cool, comfy and cute at bedtime. Soma’s signature fabric is comprised of rayon and spandex, and is known for its softness, stretch and drape, so you always feel your best. It’s specifically designed to be cool to the touch and keep the fabric from sticking to your body, keeping you cool all night long. The Cool Nights® Notch Collar Pajama Top is perfect for breastfeeding or pumping and can be worn for skin-to-skin time too. Many moms even bring this top to the hospital to deliver! Coming in a ton of colors, and easily washable, we know you will love this pajama top.

The Soma Cool Nights® Pajama Pants are perfect for women in all stages of their life. These pajama pants are unique in that Cool Nights® breathable fabric keeps you cool and dry and retains its shape and silky drape, even after countless washings. Plus, they have pockets! What’s better than pockets in pajamas? Ideal for pacifiers, your phone, or a scrunchie, these pants will make you feel cute, even covered in baby spit-up!

If you’re more of a nightgown gal, check out Soma’s Cool Nights® chemises – which come in so many fun designs! So cool, so comfortable and so chic, many of Soma’s Cool Nights® chemises are trimmed in luxurious lace for an airy touch of romance. With easy to pull down straps and a built-in shelf bra for soft support, this chemise is perfect for breastfeeding moms, too. It’s machine washable and we guarantee it will make you feel great, even when you are running on little sleep!

Soma also offers a plethora of gorgeous robes, which you can wear anytime of the day as a cool and comfortable coverup! The Cool Nights® Short Robe is designed to match Soma’s sleepwear, and the short robe adds a layer of comfort and fashion to your loungewear. This makes a perfect gift for a new mom, too! Soma is here to help you feel confident, cool, and comfortable, whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, a new mom, or just want to feel and look great. You can see all the styles on Soma’s website.

Thank you to Soma for making this sponsored post possible.

Working Mom Must-Haves: Kindred Bravely Brands

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

When it comes to working from home, one thing is of utmost importance: comfortable clothes that will also make you feel put-together! This is especially true if you’re working from home and pumping or breastfeeding. We’ve rounded up some of our must-haves for working from home from Kindred Bravely and Davy Piper. Read on to see why these are essential items for feeling empowered, even when you’re working on the floor of your baby’s nursery.

A Hands Free Pumping Bra is a must-have for any mama working from home and we’re digging the Kindred Bravely Hands Free Pumping Bra for so many reasons. The Kindred Bravely Hands Free Pumping Bra is a game-changer for any postpartum mama, this all-in-one bra combines the best features of your favorite nursing and hands-free pumping bras. Kindred Bravely’s patented design features their unique Easyclip™ so you can wear the same bra all day (or all night) long for pumping, nursing, or both at the same time! Plus, we love that you don’t need to change clothes from breastmilk leaks all day; the bra is incredibly comfortable, as it’s underwire-free with removable padding and ultra-soft fabric. Most importantly, Kindred Bravely’s double pumping bra securely fits all standard pump flanges, including Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Ameda, Hygeia, Philips Avent, Motif, and Evenflo, as well as wearable pumps like Willow, Elvie, and Freemie. They make it easy to go from Zoom meeting to pumping in no time flat!

So, what do you wear over that Hand’s Free Pumping Bra to make nursing even easier? The Kindred Bravely Everyday Nursing and Maternity Shirt, of course. With a roomy-but-flattering cut and side access for nursing and pumping, this scoop neck T-shirt can be worn from pregnancy through nursing and beyond, which makes it a perfect investment piece of clothing during your pregnancy. It features a hidden under layer that allows for easy, discreet breastfeeding, plus the two-layer construction creates a great drape and extra coverage! And, Kindred Bravely thought of everything, as the pocket adds to the style and function — an ideal place to store your hair ties, breast pads, or pacifier. We love how soft and comfortable the Kindred Bravely Everyday Nursing and Maternity Shirt; you will feel ready to take on work with a baby in your lap!

At it’s heart, the Kindred Bravely brands are about inspiring and empowering women. They believe when you feel comfortable and good, you will feel strong and ready to take on the world! They also want moms to continue to enjoy the same comfort from their clothing after their breastfeeding journey is complete. For this reason they created the brand Davy Piper to continue to provide comfortable and beautiful apparel to women in every stage of life. The Davy Piper Diana Sports Bra is ideal for lower-impact activities like yoga and hiking, this sleek sports bra is made of breathable, moisture-wicking material that will keep you dry and comfortable throughout your workout. Made with active women in mind, this pullover sports bra ensures you’re ready no matter what the day throws your way.

We’re all about layers, especially when the seasons change, so we’re huge fans of the Davy Piper Joanna 2 in 1 Neckline Tank. This reversible layering tank top feels like a second skin, providing smooth coverage under any shirt. We absolutely love how it can be worn as either a V-neck or a scoop neck, as a layering piece or on its own, Joanna is designed for you to make it your own. With so many styling options and neutral colors that go with everything, Joanna is your new everyday essential. Kindred Bravely and Davy Piper are here to make you feel your best! Now, go shopping for YOU!

Thank you to Kindred Bravely for making this sponsored post possible.

Maternity Clothes for Working Moms: 5 Must-Have Pieces

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

While a bump is the best accessory ever, sometimes it’s hard to dress. Getting ready for work can become a massive undertaking, one that could require some help. We scoped out the maternity clothes scene and found five pieces that can take you through various stages and seasons with ease.

Must-Have Piece #1: A go-to top

A top you love is always essential.

Gugu Guru loves: This classic flutter-sleeve top that mixes a feminine vibe with timeless style. Featuring vintage-inspired polka dots, it effortlessly keeps you feeling fashionable without compromising comfort. Easy to pair with a simple necklace (like one from Tiny Tags) or a great work-friendly backpack. Finish it with black pants, boots and a blazer for the office, or keep it casual with a denim jacket and easy flats for the weekend.

Must-Have Piece #2: A versatile dress

It’s helpful to have a dress that’s a stylish option for every occasion.

Gugu Guru loves: This sophisticated dress that’s elevated with a wear-everywhere vibe. Not only does it look and feel really good, it can dress you through all three trimesters—and beyond. With patterns galore to choose from, you can find one for meetings, weekend outings, your baby shower and more.

Must-Have Piece #3: Cozy, stylish pants

Find a pair that are effortless to make mornings ultra-easy.

Gugu Guru loves: These skinny ankle pants. Smooth, stretchy, versatile and flattering, we can’t get enough of them. Available in colors for every mood, this insanely popular pair will get more use than you can ever imagine. They’re stylish without effort and oh-so cozy—you cannot go wrong with at least one pair of these perfect pants.

Must-Have Piece #4: A chic, multi-functional diaper bag

You might want to save the big, bulky backpack for an all-day outing, and opt for something more chic-mama-friendly for days you want to feel like…you.

Gugu Guru loves: This desk-to-dinner-to-brunch-to-endless-kiddo-destinations cross-body diaper bag by Anjie+Ash. It’s sleek, vegan leather finish organizes all essentials while lending your looks a fashionable finish.

Must-Have Piece #5: A snug-as-a-hug sweater

And lastly, since it’s fall, we thought we’d round out our list with a beautiful, cooler-weather essential.

Gugu Guru loves: This beautiful and cozy v-neck shaker stitch sweater. From your couch to the corner office, we have no doubt will come in handy. Pair with Ilado’s beautiful maternity necklace as an effortless accessory. Hope this list helps, mama. Keep calm, dress on.

Thanks to Destination Maternity for making this sponsored post possible.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

Skin & Makeup techniques for working mothers are important to master because, well, mornings are an…adventure. Since we never know how long we actually have in front of the mirror, we need to think fast. And act faster. So, how do we figure out the simplest makeup routine? By starting with our skin.

Pretend you’re about to paint a picture. You have your paints lined up, your brushes ready to go. And then you take a look at your canvas. If it’s clean and smooth, you want to paint it. It’s simple. On the other hand, when there are bumps and specs of dirt that add unwanted textures, it gets a bit more complicated.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #1: A reliable cleanser

So, first, let’s master the cleansing and caring for our skin.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Anti-Blemish Facial Wash, an award-winning cleanser. It leaves skin clear while fighting blemishes and signs of aging—without over drying. Plus, it uses all-natural ingredients, making it ultra-safe for prenatal and postnatal women.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #2: On-the-spot acne treatment

Life could be stressful (the juggle is real!), and sometimes we see it come out on our face. It’s best to be prepared with a way to combat these breakouts.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Acne Control Spot Treatment. It reduces redness and provides some extra love to problem areas. And, bonus, it’s a non-greasy, non-drying blemish fighter.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers #3: A spa-like moisturizer

If you’re after that gorgeous glow (who isn’t?), you might want to find a moisturizer that leaves you looking and feeling like you just enjoyed an in-spa facial.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator. The super-hydrating moisturizer provides anti-aging, skin-firming effects that can be seen and felt instantly. Once you look and feel good without makeup, you can get ready for work in minutes.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #4: Easy eye makeup

Start with an eyeliner that doesn’t require a ton of touch-ups. Then, reach for your go-to mascara and give those lashes some love.

Gugu Guru loves: Maybelline’s Eyestudio ColorTattoo. It’s smooth, soft and creamy, and lasts for up to 24 hours.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #5: Alternative to foundation

You might want to skip the heavy foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer. It lets your skin breathe, while evening out the tone. And it feels really good.

Gugu Guru loves: The best-selling Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. It hydrates and is infused with SPF 30 sunscreen. Lather it on, enjoy its lightweight feel, and top it off with a bronzer for a sun-kissed effect.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working MothersTip #6: A lovely lipstick

Choose a fall-perfect hue for your lips (nude to brown and every peach in between).

Gugu Guru loves: Dior Addict Lacquer Stick Lipstick. This high-shine, moisturizing lipstick comes in an array of rich shades to give you a smooch-worthy finish.

Health & Wellness Giveaway

Thanks to Belli Skincare for making this sponsored post possible.

Kindness Counts: Amazing Mama Brands with Huge Hearts

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

A mama’s to-do list scrolls. And scrolls. And scrolls. Sometimes, it’s seemingly impossible to take on one more thing.

We’ve been there, but we know just how amazing it feels when we open up our hearts and give back. To make it as easy as possible for you, we scoped out the mama-brand-scene and found our favorite companies with huge hearts. We’re excited to share philanthropic brands that contribute to our local communities, mamas and more.

If you haven’t heard of KIDBOX yet, its heart and generous hand can be felt across the globe. A subscription-with-styling-service clothing box (think Stitch Fix, but for kids), KIDBOX donates new clothing to the charity of your choice when you keep your box. This cutting-edge company donated over $12.5 million in new clothing to date, and seems to want to do more. Their passionate community is ever-growing, and their pioneering, change-making strategy is one that deserves the spotlight.

Plus, just when you think it can’t get any better, you shop the site! KIDBOX partners with major global brands you’d want to shop anyway: Adidas, Splendid, 7 for all Mankind, Disney, Sketchers and many more. Doing good is rarely this much fun.

While you’re clicking and tapping away, you might want to check out these other brands too: Abby & Finn is an affordable, eco-friendly diaper-and-wipe subscription service. As seen in PopSugar and Red Tricycle, Abby & Finn donates 30 diapers to families in need for each monthly box purchased.

For an ultra-stylish and versatile diaper bag that donates to an amazing cause, visit Momkindness. For each bag purchased, Momkindness donates a portion of the proceeds to Every Mother Counts, an organization that helps “bring safe and respectful maternity care to mothers everywhere.”

Another company to note: Mommy Matters. Their innovative, portable pillow features a hot/cold insert to heal aches and pains. Named one of the top 10 pregnancy pillows in 2019 by Verywell Family, Mommy Matters donates proceeds to Saving Mothers, “a global non-profit working to reduce maternal mortality and help mothers thrive around the world.”

Lastly, if you’re in search of a chic, office-friendly breast pump bag, check out JL Childress. For every Jay Elle Pump Bag sold, $1 is donated to a non-profit organization to support breastfeeding.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to give back during this beautiful time (when you also have no time). Wishing you fun and fulfilling shopping moments, Mama.

Self-Care for You with Matrescence Skin

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to finding time for self-care as moms, it seems as there is not one free second in the day. This is why we highly recommend investing the time into a skincare routine, which is safe and luxurious for your skin. It’s no secret we’re huge fans of Matrescence Skin, for so many reasons, as it is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding and made with high-quality ingredients to help your skin stay smooth, clear, and bright. Check out some self-care routines and tips from real moms who love Matrescence below. You can learn more about Matrescence in our self-care gift guide, black-owned business gift picks, and baby shower gift guide.

Megan, mom of 3: Self-Care! I always thought I was horrible at it. Then I started watching my daily routine. I get up at 5:45am to shower alone and open a nice bottle of wine at 8pm. ? Not everyday, but this time in my life these are the things I do to take care of myself. One day I’ll add a manicure, facial, can you imagine a massage, etc. to the list. For now just getting to wash my face or showering without a kid standing beside me is HUGE. I’ve been using Matrescence since last fall. When I’m pregnant/nursing it’s so important for me to use a product that is safe for my skin and my baby. Unfortunately I feel like some products labeled as natural don’t work as well but Matrescence is safe and makes my skin really glow.

Sophie, mom of 2: As a mother, self care should be as vital as the coffee you crave first thing. Loving + nurturing yourself is a chain reaction. I’ve learned to put very little time but much effort forth into carving out tiny routines to get it in! Happy full mother equals loving patient parent, wife, daughter, sister… after a very unsuccessful first postpartum experience, I lost myself giving every ounce I had to my baby. I was left years later depleted, exhausted and with a weak immune system. I didn’t have anything to give to anyone else I cared for and definitely not myself. This time round I was well aware of how dark it got and I prepared myself on how to deal with the lack of sleep, the insanity of two kids and trying to work. I make it a priority no matter how hard to find those tiny moments throughout the day to self care; five minutes of uninterrupted me time. This is in the form of my skin care routines, quick meditations in the car, sipping tea looking at the hawks nest in the tree, taking the dog around the block, making rice bowls with homemade dressings, soaking in the bath with candles and listening to podcasts. Once a month I pamper with a massage or facial or manicure. It’s just about pausing and taking a break from life to be present with yourself and listen to what your body needs.

Jean, pregnant with first child: Almost half way there! Let’s talk about self care during pregnancy, or even motherhood. My second trimester has been smooth sailing so far, so my self care routine hasn’t changed much from before pregnancy (epsom salt baths, journaling, meditation, yoga). BUT. There is one thing I need to be way more mindful of throughout this journey to reduce my stress and not go insane. And that is blocking out all the outside noise and looking inward. For some reason, this is the time when people love to give unsolicited advice, and on top of that, there’s so much conflicting information out there about what’s good for the baby and not. Pregnancy is such a different experience for EVERY woman, so this is the time it’s become more important than ever for me to really listen to my body’s needs, and consult the midwives I’m working with who really know my health history and what I’m going through. And that means eating high quality runny yolks, and smoked salmon (because dang, this baby loves them), drinking my matcha every morning, and massaging myself with CBD oil every now and then to reduce my back pain.

Shelly, mama to one with one on the way: Self-care is always a work in progress for me. As a physician, and a mother, I tend to put others needs first. I really struggled with this right after having Mason but have been more and more intentional about it. Sometimes, I forget that it doesn’t take much effort to sneak a little self-care in – and how helpful this tiny slice of time can be for my mood. Some of my favorite ways to practice self-care are: Take a walk outside, read a book, meditate for 10 minutes, take a bath, pamper my skin, turn on some music, declutter (yes – this is self-care for me!), write in a gratitude journal, light a scented candle, watch a sunrise/sunset, get a quick workout in, open all the windows and let the breeze blow through the house.

Rachael, mom to 3: My office is my haven. It is the place I go for a little me time. It is fully stocked with scented candles, essential oils, and chocolate. The walls are covered in inspirational quotes, and family pictures. And this couch is the perfect finishing touch, so sometimes while I am working I may sneak in a nap… I deserve it. My office is my sanctuary.

Thank you to Matrescence for making this sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

« Previous Page

mom style

Footer

Follow Us:

COME AND GET IT!