lifestyle Archives - Page 8 of 29

it’s ok

June 1, 2016 5 Comments

if you follow me on instagram, then you may have already seen a few glimpses of edie and adam’s shared nursery/toddler room. but what you may not know is that her crib is largely ornamental. we didn’t buy a new one, it’s the same crib that we got for adam when he was born. but back at that time, we didn’t know that we’d ultimately end up co-sleeping. so much for buying a crib! but a nursery doesn’t really seem complete without a crib in it, so i don’t mind having it around for show. and we do get a bit of use for it, usually during daytime naps or tummy time. it’s a convertible style, so adam used it as his toddler bed for a short time before we transitioned him to a montessori-inspired floor bed a few months back.

anyway, all of this is to say that the more “functional” set up can actually be found hidden in our bedroom. a simple moses basket placed in a rocking stand so we can remove the basket and carry it with us to any other part of the house. it’s really nothing fancy, but i still wanted to spruce it up a little bit so she could have a pleasant spot to hang out. and as per usual, i always fall the most in love with the little spaces that i set up for my babies.

if you love that “it’s ok” banner as much as i do, make sure you enter my instagram giveaway because one lucky winner will be getting one at the end of the week!

natalie joy house plant mobile, “it’s ok” banner by secret holiday co., tadpoles moses basket, moses basket rocking stand from dada boutique, kosas home kilim rug from overstock, fog linen baby blanket. and those are my favorite solid state custom slides hiding out in the back!

my style, food

summer groceries

May 27, 2016 18 Comments

this post was sponsored by ALDI as part of influencer activation for influence central.

it’s been quite a while since i’ve shared a recipe, or even written about food, but i certainly haven’t stopped cooking! in fact, in more recent months, i’ve been making a very concerted effort to cook most of my meals at home. it’s almost too easy to order takeout, especially with a rambunctious toddler and a newborn to take care of. but those two growing babies are exactly the reason it’s so important to cook healthful meals at home. and while it certainly is a time commitment, we’ve found a lot of value in getting adam involved in the kitchen while we prepare our food, and we all feel really good about what we’re eating. the only catch is that it’s surprisingly expensive to buy fresh, high quality and organic food. so when ALDI got in touch and asked us if we’d like to visit one of their 25 new southern california locations, i jumped at the opportunity.

i have to admit that i wasn’t entirely familiar with ALDI before they got in touch. they’re new to southern california, so this was my first visit to one of their 25 newly opened locations. i had a vague idea that they sold products at an affordable price, so i wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. but as i started to browse through the aisles, i was really surprised to see that they had lots of fresh produce, and a really great selection of organic products. it’s memorial day this weekend, so i focused on some of my summer favorites: ingredients for ground beef tacos, chicken tortas, lots of guacamole, and a big pitcher of white wine sangria filled to the brim with fresh fruit.

one of the ways that they’re able to offer such affordable prices is with their own ALDI-exclusive brands like SimplyNature, which includes usda certified organic and non-gmo verified items, liveGfree gluten-free products, and NeverAny! products that are free from added antibiotics, hormones and animal by-products. and since they forgo the typical flashy marketing of other grocery stores, the savings are passed on to customers. seems like a pretty smart business model to me!

so i thought i’d share a little peek at my ALDI haul. i went in with $100 and despite filling up my cart, i still didn’t manage to spend the whole thing. everything you see in the photographs totaled $60, that includes the extra produce that didn’t fit into the photos, a bottle of organic wine, organic meats and cheeses, tons of produce, and a few name brand items as well. so i guess this means i’ll be heading back for more soon!

lifestyle, kids

tiny moments with aveeno baby

May 25, 2016 2 Comments

about a week after edith was born, i was surprised to discover that her precious baby skin started to peel! my only experience was with adam, and this never happened when he was born. it was a little disconcerting to see so much of her skin start to flake and peel off, but i talked to her pediatrician who reassured me that it’s completely normal for most babies. she recommended that we take care not to bathe her too frequently, and that we could apply a very gentle lotion to help keep her skin moisturized. so when we got home, i decided to incorporate a daily moisturizer into her routine.

when babies are so tiny, their skin is sensitive, so i was thankful when Aveeno got in touch and asked if i’d like to try their Baby Wash & Shampoo and Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. i especially love the moisturizer because it’s a hypoallergenic formula that is free of fragrance, harsh chemicals and allergens. i’ve been using their products since i was a kid, so i felt more than comfortable using it on edie, and i’m so pleased with the results. her skin is baby soft, just the way it should be.

this time around, when it comes to bath time, my trick is to wait until her belly is full and she’s been napping for a few minutes before i gently pick her up and very slowly dip her into a luke-warm bath with the water running. with the temperature just right and the white noise of the water, it’s such a soothing experience that she actually stays asleep or just flutters her eyes a little bit during the entire bath! she stays completely calm and relaxed, even as i gently remove her from the water and quickly wrap her in a warm towel. then it’s the perfect opportunity to moisturize her skin with some lotion while i give her a baby massage. it’s great because i can tend her delicate skin and enjoy some special bonding time with my baby while i rub her little fingers and toes. it’s tiny moments just like this that i know i will cherish forever.

share your #TinyMoments and tag @AveenoUS to show off your #AveenoBaby.

i partnered with Aveeno® on this post. all opinions are 100% my own.

lifestyle, kids

finding the perfect diaper bag

May 24, 2016 7 Comments

i may have had my maternity style all figured out, but even after two years with adam, i never quite figured out the most important of all baby accessories: the diaper bag. i’ve used a few different bags and backpacks, but i’ve never actually settled on anything i love. somehow, my diaper bags has always been more of an afterthought, even though it’s such a crucial item to have with me when i leave the house! so now that i have two kids to contend with, i’m thinking i might finally need to up by game and ditch that canvas tote for something a bit more grownup. granted, only one of my top picks was actually designed as a diaper bag, but i really don’t want anything that screams baby. i’m not one for puffy-sided totes or juvenile prints, and i really want something that can also be used for years to come, even after my kids are potty trained.

the julien backpack diaper bag by leader bag co. this is the only pack on my list that was truly designed as an actual diaper bag. it’s got all of the bells and whistles: it’s very chic and comes in a variety of neutral colorways, it has detachable stroller straps so you can keep it handy while walking baby, and you can buy it in a bundle with a matching change pouch and mat, so you can keep all of your diapering essentials right at hand. and it’s handmade in nyc.

the harvest backpack by kika ny. while not designed solely for the purpose of carrying baby things, the sleek and simple all-leather design of this backpack makes me swoon. it’s essentially a leather tote with a zipper top, but instead of shoulder straps, it’s got backpack straps. it does come with a divider and large pocket on the inside, as well as a small zipper pocket on the outside. the leather is vegetable-tanned and water resistant, and i love that it will come in handy long after the toddler years as a regular backpack. it’s also hand-made in nyc.

the mini bike to beach bag by alite designs. this simple canvas and leather bag is both a tote and a backpack. i like the minimal design and easy-access to all of the things inside. the straps across the front of the bag can actually be adjusted so you can secure a rolled up a blanket or jacket, so it’s got a bit of sneaky extra storage. and it’s made in san francisco.

the clare v.messenger tote and flat clutch. i actually already own this classic design from one of my favorite handbag designers, but i was recently thinking that it might be a great contender. as you can tell, i definitely prefer backpacks, but this messenger tote can be comfortably worn cross-body so you don’t have to worry about dropping it off your shoulder while trying to manage a newborn and a toddler. simply add some zippered pouches to keep everything compartmentalized, and you’re ready to go.

so what do you think? do you have any favorites? any seasoned mamas have a few words of wisdom to impart?

lifestyle, giveaways

enter to win big with olly kids’ wellness boosts!

May 24, 2016 No Comments

i can still vividly remember taking vitamins when i was a kid. my dad was a pretty big health nut, so he insisted that we swallow these terrible, uncoated, yellow speckled horse pills every morning. every time he would call us over to take our vitamins, there would be lots of moaning before we took them. and no matter how hard i tried, i would always get that bitter taste in my mouth before i was able to force it down. sure, it was good for us to supplement our diets since kids can be picky eaters and vitamins are important for growing bodies, but taking those nasty pills bordered on traumatic, haha. so when my friends at olly asked me if i’d like to try their new kids’ wellness boosts, i was totally on board. i’m a fully grown adult and i still can’t force myself to take anything but their women’s vitamins, so i knew that their new kids’ formulas would be a huge hit with adam.

the best part is that each formula has a different color, flavor, and purpose. every day, as part of our routine, adam gets to pick between four options: happy tummy is bright yellow with probiotics, prebiotics, and peppermint. super brainy is aqua blue with omega-3s, blueberry, and choline. growing bones is pretty in pink with calcium, vitamin d, and sea minerals. mighty immunity is dark orange with cherry, elderberry, and zinc. he gets to pick his favorite (lately he really likes the pink!) after dinner and before our bedtime routine. the best part is that he comes running from wherever he is in the house and happily takes his vitamin every single time. in fact, as you might expect, we have to hide all of the bottles or else he asks to take them all the time!

to celebrate the new kids’ boost launch, olly vitamins is giving away a huge prize package! click here to enter their up, up and away giveaway for a chance to win:

a year supply of your choice of two OLLY Kids Wellness Boosts
$250 gift card to tea collection to keep them suited up in style.
$500 gift card to target for all the gadgets and gear needed to keep their day action-packed.
$100 gift card to starbucks so you can keep up as their trusty sidekick.
and a year supply of method cleaning products so you can transform their super world back into your home.

my style, lifestyle, kids

getting out of the house with munchkin latch

May 17, 2016 2 Comments

believe it or not, adam never took a bottle his entire life. shortly after he was born, i made the decision to work from home, and i was all in. i didn’t know it or plan it beforehand, but i ended up being a total crunchy mama. i was all about attachment parenting, baby-wearing, breastfeeding on demand, co-sleeping, night-nursing. sure, there were a few times when i tried to get him to take a bottle or a pacifier, but in the end, i was never away from him long enough to even warrant the need. i have no regrets with how i chose to do things with him, but in hindsight, my dedication came at a cost. i often wore myself thin and pushed myself to the limits. i didn’t take as much “me time” as i should have, and i probably made it harder on myself than it had to be.

now that my little edith is here, i still intend to parent the same way, but i am definitely feeling more comfortable letting go and giving myself a break more often. in fact, this time around, i’ve already gone on a date with brendan, and she only turned three weeks today! i don’t even think i had left the house at this point after adam was born. not kidding. and over the weekend, our entire little family packed up our bags for a picnic in the park, and i didn’t sweat it at all. i pumped a few ounces of breast milk, and took it as an opportunity to get some fresh air and to let brendan and adam get in some much-needed bonding time with the tiny new addition to our family. and it just felt so good to get outside.

obviously, i want the best for both of my children, but i think that this time around, i’m learning to strike a better balance around taking care of myself so that i can truly take the best care of my baby (and toddler). so of course, it was really great to have the opportunity to team up with my friends at munchkin to try out the munchkin latch bottle. the idea behind the design is to help baby transition from breast to bottle and back again. the accordion-style nipple stretches and bends like the breast, allowing baby to latch on correctly. and it has an anti-colic valve to keep air from traveling through your milk. and i’m happy to report that edie took the bottle on her very first try and had zero issues going straight back to breastfeeding after we got home. it went so well, that later that evening, grandma was on duty while brendan and i went out on our date!

this post was sponsored by munchkin latch.

home, kids

mother’s day

May 3, 2016 1 Comment

it’s kinda fun that mother’s day is so close to edie’s birthday. i couldn’t think of a better mother’s day present than to see these two together for the very first time. before she was born, i was pretty anxious about what it would be like for adam to meet her. he’s only two, so we tried our best to talk to him about her arrival without confusing or scaring him. it’s a fine line to walk with little ones. but of course, the moment they met, all of my anxiety melted away. adam actually walked right past me and made a beeline to his new baby sister. he smiled and cooed and hugged her and kissed her, and everything was well in the world. now edith is one week old, and while adjusting to a new family member is not without it’s challenges, i’m just completely focused on the love that i’m feeling right now.

right before she was born, enrou reached out and asked me to answer the question, “what do you love about being a mother?” at the time, i was heavily pregnant and feeling pretty grumpy, but in hindsight, it was all worth it. i still remember the day that adam was born over two years ago. i’d been in labor for over 24 hours, but my progress had stalled. i was exhausted, i was shaking, and i was crying because i was terrified of having a c-section. by the time we reached the operating room, i had to ask brendan to hold down my arms because i was shaking so violently. but the moment that i laid my eyes on him, my entire body relaxed. i took in a deep breath and felt warm tears fill my eyes. i was instantly in love, and none of the fear or trauma could change that. i will never ever forget that moment. and since then, my love has only grown. he’s taught me so much these last couple of years about what it means to love so unconditionally. he’s taught me patience. he’s taught me how to slow down and live in the moment. he’s changed my life forever in a way that i never thought was possible. and now i have two! before edith was born, people warned me that it would be twice as hard. but you know what else? my heart has grown to love twice as much. and i am so excited for what she has in store for me.

this month, enrou has launched a made for moms, by moms mother’s day collection, including this beautiful handwoven chiapas throw, made by a mayan artisan and mother of 10 in southern mexico. i couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate mothers than to support the fair trade of goods to help women like elena to put food on the table and send her kids to school. not only that, but 10% of the proceeds go towards supporting artisan education, youth academic scholarships, and community health initiatives for the artisans of aid to artisans. this is not a sponsored post, it’s just something that i truly support, and i’m honored to have the opportunity to help spread the word.

use code ‘calivintage10‘ to get 10% off your orders for mother’s day!

kids

welcome edith!

May 2, 2016 14 Comments

if you follow me on instagram or facebook, then you may have already heard the good news… my little baby girl was born on april 26 at 10:10am. her name is edith, and i am in love. the birth went so well that i was able to go home after two days, even with a c section. and i’ve just being doing my best to rest and recover while our little family adjusts to our new addition. so far, adam is insanely excited about her. he asks to hold her in his lap, and still doesn’t quite understand why she sleeps all the time and doesn’t know how to talk haha. we are all so excited and i can’t wait to share more photos and talk more about my experience as a now mother of two!

cycle chic

riding around town with columbia

April 11, 2016 6 Comments

as you may already know, when it comes to bikes, i’m a bit of a fanatic. i’ve toured the california coast on a sporty touring bike, i’ve commuted to work on a cute little road bike. and i may have a bit of a habit of collecting vintage bikes…. so you know i was super excited to add a new columbia bike to my collection! if you’re not familiar with the brand, they’re basically the mother of american cycling companies. columbia has a long history, starting in 1877 when they were founded by alexander pope (who served as a mentor to henry ford himself). they invented the tandem bike, and i’m sure you’ve seen some of their classic styles from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, including those spectacular vintage cruisers decked out with banana seats and wild colors. i tend to be a little bit less flashy in my styling, so i went for the men’s westfield vintage city bike. i love the vintage styling, complete with a cute little led headlight and fender taillight. and the sturdy steel frame with internal 3 speed hub is just right for a smooth, easy ride around town.

and lately, a leisurely ride around town is exactly my speed. i don’t commute to work or race on the weekends, i just like to hop on my city bike to get some fresh air and to clear my head. for me, it’s a luxury to get a few hours to myself so i can grab a market bag, swing by the farmers market to pick up some fresh fruits and veggies, and stop by the park for some relaxation. and i’m really excited to continue riding this bike around town in the months ahead.

the columbia westfield is available at dicks sporting goods. be sure to check out toys r us, target, amazon, and walmart where additional columbia bike models are sold.

this post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with pollinate media group® and columbia bicycles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ridecolumbia http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

lifestyle, home

a bedroom sneak peek with framebridge + paper jam press

April 4, 2016 3 Comments

hard to believe it, but we’re actually coming up on the one year anniversary living in our little 1920s home. even though our house isn’t huge, it’s still been a long process pulling everything together from scratch. and while we still have a long way to go until we can say it’s “complete,” we’ve been making some good progress on all of the rooms. today i’m excited to finally share a little glimpse at how things are shaping up in our bedroom!

i have never, ever decorated my bedroom as an adult. it has always just literally been a bed, a closet, a pile of laundry. i don’t think i’ve ever even had matching linens! so even imagining what i might do with this room was a daunting task, make infinitely easier with the help of my friends at framebridge and paper jam press. i teamed up with them and a few other instagrammers on for a cute feature called art we love 5 ways: paper jam press. it’s really fun to see all of the different ways we styled our prints. and as a bonus, paper jam press is offering 20% off your next order with code “FRAME20” through may 15, 2016.

but now back to my bedroom! it’s still not 100% complete, but it feels so much better now that i have a little gallery wall around this cool mid century modern vanity that i scored on craigslist last year. from the left, the artwork is: fine little day eye eye poster in blue in the sonoma frame, secret holiday co. it’s ok banner, margins imprint live by the sun/love by the moon print in the marin frame, and paper jam press today was a good day print in the irvine frame. oh, and a special shoutout to my sacrificial chair from thing industries.

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