working mom

Fashion Must-Have Gabri Isle for Busy Moms

Let’s face it, one of the most fun parts of parenting is picking out all of the adorable clothing. However, any busy working mom knows there’s simply not enough time in the day to peruse online shops to find unique and cute clothes for your littles. Luckily, Gabri Isle is here to help. We’re huge fans of this mom-owned business for so many reasons, but we have to say, their commitment to supporting other women’s brands is top of our list, as Gabri Isle brings original baby clothes from female-driven brands across Europe to the US. The online boutique makes buying unique, high-quality European designer clothes a reality.

So, what does this mean for you? It means you have a one-stop-shop of unique and gorgeous European baby and kid clothes in one place! No more worrying about browsing endless websites looking for the perfect baby clothes, as Gabri Isle curates the best-of-the-best baby clothes from women-owned brands. There are just so many adorable pieces of clothing we can’t pick a favorite, but this MIMIKIDS Double Gauze Pastel Green Romper is surely up there on the list!

This Pastel Green Romper is made of 100% double gauze fabric, making it super comfy for baby and easy to play, toddle, and crawl in. It can easily be dressed up for a special occasion, or worn around the house on a sunny day. We’d also layer a long-sleeved t-shirt and tights underneath to wear the romper in chillier weather, too. The romper has button closure with two buttons on each strap to grow with baby and makes diaper changes easy. Whether it’s for your little one, a gift for a new baby, or doing holiday shopping, we love Gabri Isle for busy working mamas to make your life a little easier!

Thank you to Gabri Isle 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.

Working Mother Must-Have Backpack Diaper Bag from JuJuBe

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

When it comes to working moms, it’s so important to choose a diaper bag that fits your busy lifestyle. We’re huge fans of diaper bags that double as backpacks, so when we saw the JuJuBe “Be Right Back” bag, we were excited to share it in our Working Mother Registry. We love diaper bag backpacks because they are ideal for busy parents who need both hands free – and also work well for babywearing! The Be Right Back diaper bag backpack from JuJuBe has so many beneficial features for working moms and is a must-have item for any parent.

This whimsically designed backpack has easy-to-use zippers for quick open and close, and is ideal for short trips to down or long days out. The back panel is constructed from padded, breathable mesh to keep you cool and comfortable all day long, and the memory foam changing pad in the back pocket provides added cushioning for your back. In fact, this backpack has a ton of storage and room for everything you will need. It features 1 mesh pocket and 1 zippered pocket in main compartment, 2 bottle pockets with Thinsulate by 3M for daycare drop off or long days out, as well as a quick-access top storage pocket, cell phone pocket, and most importantly, the mommy pocket for your keys, lip gloss and wallet.

The Be Right Back backpack also includes a memory foam changing pad, and for the working mama on-the-go, the backpack can even accommodate tablets or small laptops. It comes in 5 designs, so you are sure to find one which fits your personal style. And, most importantly, it is machine washable…and has a limited lifetime warranty. The JuJuBe Be Right Back diaper bag backpack will not only keep everything organized and in place, but will help you feel chic on-the-go as a busy working mama.

Thank you to JuJuBe for making this sponsored post possible!

The Ultimate Work at Home Mom Office

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

by Naomi Alon

Working from home can be a challenge in its own right, but working at home AND taking care of a baby can be a daunting task. With so many moms opting to work from home these days, designing the home office is a conversation worth having. Here are my top tips for creating a workspace at home and managing childcare at the same time.

Make the office a place that you want to be. Whether you have a dedicated office space, or are just using a corner of your bedroom or living room, make that space fell great! Choose a desk and decor that make you feel happy, a comfortable chair you can sit in for longer periods of time, and plenty of plants and natural light to help you avoid feeling stir-crazy.
Make room for baby. If your baby is still small and you need to keep a close eye on them while you work, a portable mini crib or bassinet is a great option. The one that’s drawn in the design board has casters on the feet so it can be rolled around. This is great if you tend to work in different areas of your home, like moving from the desk to the sofa to the dining table, etc. A portable changing caddy can help in this situation.
Add some conveniences. Depending on the location of your room and the age of your baby, getting a little mini fridge can be super convenient to keep water, milk or little snacks nearby. This can be helpful if you live in a 2-story home, or if you need to work in the office quietly while baby sleeps.
Make space for yourself. If you have childcare or another stay/work at home parent, consider getting a white noise machine or noise canceling headphones. That way, if someone is in the other room playing with the baby, you can focus on your work.
Get serious about storage. Try to keep your office space as organized as possible, and teach your child from a young age that it is a hands-off space. If you’re prone to clutter, consider getting a secretary desk that closes up, or a cabinet you can hide things in when needed.

About the Author:

Naomi Alon is the owner of Little Crown Interiors, a design studio in Southern California offering local and nationwide e-design services just for nurseries and children’s spaces.

As a special promotion for Gugu Guru readers, Little Crown Interiors is offering 10% off nursery design services when you mention “Gugu Guru”, and 10% off anything in the online shop with code GUGUGURU (exclusions may apply).

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.

Video: 10 Minute Dinner Recipe Shenae Grimes Beech

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that we love mama Shenae Grimes Beech. In this video, she shares a day in the life, along with her favorite time-saving 10 minute dinner recipe (find full recipe below video).

All of a sudden my baby is crawling FAST and pulling herself up on EVERYTHING! Thanks to VeeTee for sponsoring this video because this work from home/mom life thing is getting crazier by the minute! Their rice is genuinely so clutch in giving me and my husband more quality time together after long days running after Bowie! VeeTee is featured in the 10 minute dinner recipe below.

VeeTee is a line of gourmet & delicious rice ready in just 2 minutes in your microwave. Available in seven delectable varieties, VeeTee rice is gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, certified free of GMO and free from any artificial flavors or colors.

10 MINUTE DINNER RECIPE:
1 lb fresh peeled and deveined shrimp
olive oil, enough to coat
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 heaping tablespoon of minced garlic
1 tbsp butter or butter alternative
salt, pepper, dried parsley flakes

1 package of sliced mushrooms
olive oil, enough to coat
salt, pepper, dried parsley flakes

1 package VeeTee rice

PRODUCTS SEEN IN THIS VIDEO:
Nespresso Vertuo Machine
Baby Brezza Formula Maker
Baby Brezza Bottle Sterilizer
Wander & Roam Play Mat
Qdos Baby Gate
4MOMS High Chair

If you’re a fellow mama or mom-to-be, become a part of Shenae’s growing #MOMLIFE community! Click here to sign up and you’ll receive an invite for our private, judgement-free, funny, super helpful and supportive #MOMLIFE FB group: https://lostinlala.com/momlife

Meal Planning for Working Moms (and Other Hacks!)

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

This week we’re sharing the art of meal planning for working moms and some other great hacks. Any working parents knows what chaos mealtime can be, so we asked some of our favorite moms for their go-to mealtime time saving hacks to make meals for the family a less harried experience!

Mealtime Time Saving Hacks

Meal Planning for Working Moms: You will hear time and again that meal planning for working moms can help save time during the week, and it may seem counterproductive, but it’s true! We’re not talking about planning elaborate meals, we just mean mapping out a basic meal plan for your family so you’re not rushing to the market after school pick-up. For some incredible meal planning resources and downloads, check out Percolate Kitchen. Percolate Kitchen offers helpful guides like How to Create a 5 Minute Meal Plan and a quiz to help you know What’s Your Meal Plan Type? and you know how much we love us a good quiz here at Gugu Guru!
Meal Prep: We know, we know, who has time for meal prep? But, hear us out! Meal prep can be super simple if you pick the right meals in your meal plan. For example, if you pick a protein and frozen veggie, you can pair with VeeTee Rice for a super simple and very quick meal. Roast a bunch of veggies on a Sunday, or make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot, and pair with VeeTee Rice for a balanced meal. We love VeeTee Rice because it is gluten-free and vegan so every member of the family can enjoy. Still a little intimidated? Check out one of our favorite sites for meal prep, Work Week Lunch.
Taco Tuesday: When it comes to meal planning for working moms, who doesn’t love tacos? Taco Tuesday is an easy way every member of the family can enjoy a delicious meal. Taco protein of your choice – be it meat or beans, taco shells, cheese, lettuce, salsa and VeeTee Rice make a super quick, filling and very yummy meal. Plus, the littlest members of the family will love customizing and building their own tacos. Delicious meal + entertainment for the kiddos? Well, this sounds like a win/win to us! (Are you more of a bowl fan? No problem! Check out these delicious Easy Chicken Taco Bowls from New South Charm or Mexican Rice Bowls from A Million Moments.)
Stir-fry Friday: Friday nights are most definitely not the night you want to be cooking, so we’re here to introduce you to Stir-fry Fridays! Simply put, take all the leftover veggies from the week, and stir fry them up with your favorite VeeTee Rice and eggs for a budget friendly, easy-to-make and delicious meal. Rice is a wonderful food for baby-led weaning, so even your babies and toddlers can enjoy! You can find some stir fry inspiration here.

We love VeeTee Rice because it is the ultimate time-saver for any busy family, and so delicious! Simply pop the tray of VeeTee in the microwave for 2 minutes and you’ll get steamy, fresh rice that’s also chemical and preservative free. Available in 7 different varieties, everyone in your family is sure to find one they love. Make your weeknights just a little easier with VeeTee Rice and leave yourself more time for Netflix and sleep! Ready to stock up on VeeTee? Use code GUGUGURU for 20% off order, or head to this link for the discount automatically applied.

Like what you see here? Check out this video and 10 minute meal by celeb working mama, Shenae Grimes-Beech.

What are your favorite mealtime time saving hacks? Comment below and let us know!

Thank you to VeeTee Rice for making this sponsored post possible!

Photos are by Terry Farms Photography

Top Working Mother Tips from Mom-Focused Companies

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to real-life tips for working moms, who better to ask than the women who run mom-focused companies? Here are some super-helpful top tips from some of our favorite companies for moms:

Your Milk Shoppe: Your Milk Shoppe is a group of Maternity Consultants & Moms on a Mission to support & encourage women during the transition to Motherhood. They are also the Creators of The Peace of Mind Initiative, a program that supports corporations in attracting and retaining female talents once they become mothers.

Top Tip: Embrace the power of “NO.” Learn to be completely ok with not being everything to everyone, and give yourself the space to prioritize yourself and your precious time. ❤️

Soutiens: Soutiens is on a mission to help parents – and parents-to-be – feel confident and successful in their careers and at home. They know that working parents face a unique set of challenges: navigating parental leave and benefits, the stress of returning to work before they are ready, balancing family needs with work needs, guilt, and so much more. With The Return Plan, expectant parents are guided step-by-step in planning for parental leave so that returning to work after baby is a little easier. Soutiens also helps businesses create and implement programs to support working parents. We provide classes for expectant employees, community building activities for all parents, and interactive workshops for managers.

Top Tip: Use the small, in-between moments of your daily like to create quality time. No grand gestures needed.

FemCity: FemCity is your new favorite place to thrive, grow, learn, and get inspired both online and in person. They come from all walks of life and bring our collective experience to the table. They believe in lifting one another up, reaching out for help, and walking away from every interaction more empowered and excited than before.

Top Tip: Create a “co-op pod,” for those working mothers who are in the nanny-free zone and running solo, here is their top tip for working mothers: For those times when you receive that dreaded call a child is sick, the random day off from school, the summer season shuffle and the off-chance moments where you need childcare help, they hear you. They have been there and done that and here is their secret to managing it all. They created “Mommy Co-Op Pods” with each of their kids and it saved their working life, added some fun for their kids and gave their friends some time off too. The concept is to create a circle of 3-5 moms that either live in your neighborhood, work in your space or have children in the same school. This group is your agreed upon, mutually beneficial, army of moms for when emergencies happen. You can use the Co-op Pod for emergencies and for those holidays. Each mom takes part in stepping in on a rotation so that days off, long summer seasons and unexpected sick days don’t impact each working mother in the Co-Op Pod. This can take forms as a rotating playdate for summer or holiday breaks to the singular moments of a sick child in alignment with an important business meeting. We all take turns stepping in so that each working mother can flourish and the kids are flourishing along the way too with an extended community of mommy love.

Slay Like A Mother: Trying to hold it together as a human, woman and mother is an endless parade of struggles— and let’s be honest, none of us knows what the @!*# we’re doing. Sure, we may deploy some self-deprecating humor every now and then— just Google: “my book club reads wine labels”— but it’s high time you owned up to a deeper truth. That a dragon of self-doubt lies deep inside of you. A gnarly and vicious beast that may lurk out of sight, but never out of mind, as it inhales everything you do wrong, nothing you do right, and blows it back in your face. Yeah, that beast. And it’s time to slay it. Right now, you have a choice. You can do it the hard way, on your own. It’s totally possible because you’re a warrior (but of course you don’t believe that, yet.) Or, you can take the easy way. With friends. And snacks. We’re a resource for slaying what’s in front of you, one small step at a time. You’re invited to beg, borrow and steal as many “Damn, how’d she think of that?” moments as you’d like. There’s no trolling here. No “You should’ve tried X.” We’re here to confront our challenges, not each other. We’re here to say that as women we’re strong AF and if anyone can figure out how to destroy what’s holding them back so they can live the life they want, it’s an ever-lovin’ mother.

Top Tip: Decide who will be getting up in the middle of the night BEFORE going to sleep. Clear expectations make the world go round, especially with a new baby in the house.

Check out must-have newborn items from real working moms, and toddler/kid must-haves, too!

Feeding Must-Haves for the Modern Parent from nanobébé

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to feeding your baby, it’s super important to plan in advance for going back to work. When we were compiling our must-haves for the Working Mother Registry, we knew we had to include nanobébé, which are on the forefront of bottle design for so many reasons, and have thought of everything a working mama may need to make her transition back to work as seamless as possible when it comes to feeding baby. We rounded up our favorite nanobébé must-haves, including their innovative bottle system; if you’re a working mom, you’re going to want to add all of these to your registry!

It’s not surprise that nanobébé’s bottle feature an award-winning design for so many reasons. In fact, the nanobébé bottle made the TIME Magazine’s 50 best inventions of the year list and was named “the smartest baby bottle ever made” by Business Insider. The nanobébé bottle is the first and only bottle for your little one specially designed to preserve essential breastmilk nutrients. Many moms worry about ensuring their babies will take their breast milk while they are at work, and the nanobébé bottles are designed to not only help ease the transition from nipple to bottle, but they are literally the only bottle that also helps your breastmilk work at full capacity. The breast-like shape of the bottle helps prevent nipple confusion, and more easily allows for others to feed the baby. Furthermore, the concave shape prevents harmful bacterial growth with quick cooling and quick warming (2x faster than standard bottles). We know how busy you can be prepping for work and parenting, which is why we love that the bottles are stackable enabling you to save space in the fridge or freezer. But the best part of the nanobébé bottle? It’s an all-in-one game changer bottle that you can pump, store, warm, and feed from! No wonder it’s award-winning, right?

Speaking of pumping, often moms get overwhelmed with the organization of all the breastmilk, but nanobébé is here to help with their nanobébé Breastmilk Storage System. If you’re looking for a sleek and easy way to store your breastmilk, this is it. The leak-free bags feature an innovative design that holds milk in a shallow layer so it can cool quickly and thaw evenly to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. The bags have serious leak-protection with a double zipper that seals securely, so you can pump and save your milk without worrying. The breastmilk organizer helps keep the flat bags stacked, helping you stay organized and easing your mind about heading to work or out for the night, as you can rest easy your milk will be organized and there when needed.

Life as a working mama means you are on the run a lot, so you need a quick and easy way to transport your breastmilk and bottles, which is why we love the nanobébé Travel Cooler! This machine washable travel cooler is designed with your baby’s needs in mind; whether the travel cooler is for storing your breastmilk at daycare with your little one or for family travel, you can be sure that precious breastmilk nutrients are being protected with three layers of insulation. Designed with the modern parent in mind, its sleek style is also convenient, as you can quickly store and go thanks to the stackable shape of nanobébé’s breastmilk bottles! You can pack up to three bottles in this cooler and the included compact ice pack keeps your breastmilk cold for several hours. It also fits extra feeding necessities, like nipples, pacifiers, pump parts, and more.

If you like everything you read about here, don’t forget to check out the nanobébé Newborn Gift Set, which includes even more! If you are registering for your own baby, or perhaps you are giving a baby shower gift, we suggest checking out the the nanobébé Newborn Gift Set. This gift set includes the most innovative infant feeding products that provide everything a breastfeeding new mom needs heading back to work: the award-winning nanobébé Breastmilk Bottles, a non-electric Smart Warming Bowl for quick and even warming of breastmilk, a Microwave Steam Sterilizer (which quickly eliminates household bacteria in under 4 minutes), and a space-saving slim Drying Rack for all of your feeding/pump parts (stores at just a 1/2 inch with removable, adjustable pegs that can be tucked away in the breathable, germ-free base). The set also features essential accessories such as medium flow and slow flow nipples, breast pump adaptors, and extra soft Flexy Pacifiers designed to stay in place and fit perfectly to baby’s face. Everything you will need to get a great head-start on feeding your little one while heading back to work!

Thank you to nanobébé for making this sponsored post possible!

Need a Hand? Ask the mamaRoo®4

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

If you haven’t heard of the miraculous mamaRoo4, we are beyond excited to introduce you two. This cutting-edge infant seat offers five unique calming motions to create an experience that turns wahs into wins. At the touch of a button.

The ultimate baby soother comforts babe by mimicking moves that are part of their everyday. It bounces up and down and sways from side to side, just like parents and caretakers. Smiles and giggles often turn into independent playtime, and suddenly, your hands are free! And, you can do things like shower (woo-hoo!), work, cook dinner, fold laundry—the list goes on.

The innovative and thoughtful design captures the needs of parents with the comfort of little ones at its core. If babe wants to sit up and play, or relax, its easily adjustable seat makes it simple for you to match every mood. Some littles ones even enjoy sipping on bottles while admiring the interactive balls above them. Soft with adorable, eye-catching patterns, the reversible toy balls provide endless entertainment at every stage.

The mamaRoo4 features four built-in soothing sounds while also offering a plug-in for you to play songs for babe from your phone. It’s also Bluetooth enabled, so you can control the motions and sounds via the 4moms app from your smart device. Since little ones often spend a great deal of time in this epic coddling machine, the removable seat fabric is super helpful. With a quick zip, you can easily clean the machine-washable fabric.

The mamaRoo4’s popularity spans from homes to hospitals, as its calming effects are ground-breaking. While some swings are good, the 25 different combinations of motions and speeds give parents and babes an experience unlike anything else on the market. It’s truly revolutionary and we—and many of our mamas—love this infant seat. If you’re looking for something life-changing, while keeping baby safe and happy, check this out. We’re pretty certain you and babe are going to become instant fans. Wishing you the most productive days!

Thank you to 4moms for making this sponsored post possible!

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