Sporty Casual Mommy & Me Looks
Calling all active moms and their minis. We’ve put together some super cute looks that you can wear on the go.
If you’re new here, you may not know us well enough yet to know one fact that will likely (hopefully!) never change: we are an active, dynamic little mom and daughter duo. More often than not, we’re out and about, walking, jogging, or exploring. So I put together some cute, comfy sporty looks for all those active moms, and minis, out there.
Mom & Daughter Valentine’s Dates: LA Edition
Planning a date with your mini this Valentine’s Day? Here are some mommy and daughter VDay ideas for fun, creative activities.
My little is only 10 months right now, but she’s growing up so fast. I’m already daydreaming about the traditions I can create with her, and one of them is planning mommy and me dates for Valentine’s Day…or really any day you want some quality time with her! I rounded up some fun, creative options in the Los Angeles area for all you SoCal mommas.
Tea for Two at the Huntington Library Rose Garden Tea Room
This one is a little nostalgic for me because my mom often took my sister and me to the Rose Garden Tea Room. I have loved the Huntington Library my entire life. The grounds are gorgeous so be sure you leave time to explore post-tea. Reservations highly recommended.
Location: Pasadena, CA
Cost:
Adults tickets for library entrance are $25 ($29 in peak season), children are free under 4 and $13 up to 11 years
Traditional tea at the Rose Garden is $65 per person
2. Floral Arranging Class at Viola Floral
Let me count the ways…I love flower arranging. Once my daughter is old enough, you can bet we’ll be doing a mommy and me floral arranging class just like this one.
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Cost: $250 for two
3. Organic Mani Pedis at Color Me Green Nail Spa
If you follow me enough, you know I have a very strong preference for non-toxic, organic products so I was so pleased to find a nail spa that offers manicures and pedicures for moms and their minis that are organic and use safe, non-toxic products.
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Cost: $40 for kids mani and pedi / up to $150 for mom depending on service selected
Jogging Stroller Round Up, and Why I Picked My Thule
My favorite jogging stroller as a two time marathon runner and former cross country athlete.
Mama, I know that pelvic floor is hurting postpartum, but hear me out: jogging (combined with daily pelvic floor strengthening exercises) is one of the best ways to get back into shape after baby.
Full disclosure, I’ve been a runner since I was about 14. In high school, I joined the Cross Country team, barely able to run a complete mile. Next thing I knew, I was the youngest varsity runner and one of the fastest girls on the team. Since that time, I’ve run two marathons and kept up with my almost daily running habit. As an abuse survivor, I find it helps my mental and emotional health as much as my physical health.
As Evy approached 6 months when most babies are able to support their neck and heads enough to sit in a jogging stroller*, I started researching options. Thule, Graco, Bob Gear, and UppaBaby often make the cut of round up lists on the internet. I was familiar with UppaBaby and Graco but wanted to do a deeper dive on Thule.
*Disclaimer: I am not a physician. Please consult with your pediatrician and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines before placing your child in a jogging stroller.
My Jogging Stroller Requirements
When I say I run almost daily, I mean it. There’s nothing I enjoy more than putting on my Hokas or APLs and hitting the road with Evy, and she enjoys it too. I knew I needed a jogging stroller that could keep up with my speed, handle some wear and tear, and, since I plan to start doing Southern California road trips with her when she reaches a year old, a stroller that could do double duty if I needed it. I have a “mini” SUV so, while jogging strollers tend to be a bit bulkier than standard strollers, it still needed to fit in the cargo hold. I note these requirements because, as with many things, you need to pick the option that best fits your lifestyle and how you intend to use your stroller.
Thule Urban Glide 2 Single All Terrain Stroller Bundle, $610
Overall: This was the winner for me. With a “lockable” front wheel, this one can transition seamlessly from a walking and shopping stroller to a high speed run when you lock the wheel in place. When the wheel is locked, I find the ride to be incredibly smooth, and the wheels absorb the impact of bumpy terrain well. The position of her seat also reclines just enough so she can see everything (which is very important to her), but is also comfortable enough for napping. This makes for a smoother ride for baby, which is important to me. When Evy is happy, mom is happy.
While some online reviews have noted the brake is a little weak, I haven’t had an issue with the brakes although we do not live in a particularly hilly area.
Extras: The storage below the stroller is so nice when we’re out and about for longer periods. I can throw shopping bags down there, or hide my water bottle. Up top, there is a deep coffee cup holder that perfectly holds my travel mug. In fact, when I seal the top of the travel mug, I can actually run with my coffee in the cup holder without worry of it spilling or falling out. This is wonderful because, on our runs, Evy eventually falls asleep for a little nap. At that point, I slow to a brisk walk, and I like to enjoy a little coffee.
Runners Up
Maybe you’re not a serious runner or you want something a little less “intense.” The Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 is a great, budget-friendly jogging stroller for any mom who wants to get out a couple times a week but isn’t committed to the running lifestyle. It has less shock absorption for baby, but if you’re not putting tons of miles in, it likely won’t be a big deal.
For all of you serious runners who aren’t living in Southern California where the weather is gorgeous 98% of the time, you might want to splurge for the Thule Chariot Cross Multisport Trailer & Stroller. Priced at nearly $1,200, it’s not my pick for first-time runners, and there’s no way it would fit in the cargo hold of my tiny SUV. But if you live in the Northeast and want to run in different weather, this might be the way to go.
Happy running, mamas!
Caraa Baby Bag Large Backpack Review
After 10 months, I still love my Caraa Baby Bag. Here’s why.
In the last month of my pregnancy, I was huge and therefore not particularly mobile. I spent a lot of time watching nursery reveals and diaper bag reviews on YouTube so I consider myself an armchair expert at this point.
Now, I have two disclosures before I get into my diaper bag post: the first is that, at this point, I am not running any affiliate links with the exception of one for a color consultation with Heather Riggs (more on that later) and am not sponsored by any brand. However, the second is that I am a Caraa fan girl so this post may be a bit biased. When I lived in NYC, I invested in the Caraa Studio Bag, and I was obsessed with how it easily fit my work life and after work life (aka, working out). I did a lot of travel for work as well, and it was perfect.
So when I started researching diaper bags, Caraa was immediately on the list. I didn’t want to rule out some of the other usual suspects like Lululemon’s New Parent Backpack or the Happ diaper bags. Eventually, after hours of videos, I came right back to the Caraa Baby Bag (in blush in the largest size, no less), and here’s why.
It is incredibly lightweight.
Caraa describes the material as a “cloud-like waterproof nylon.” It is indeed like a cloud - soft, lightweight, almost fluffy. I find that the material reduces the overall weight of the bag, which helps when I need to carry it on my back while also holding a rapidly growing infant. As a bonus, the material was incredibly washable: I threw it in the machine on a hand wash cycle with baby detergent and hung it to dry. I’ve only needed to do this twice in the 10 months I’ve owned the bag, and it looks good as new after the wash.
It has lots of interior organization.
While I love to keep things neat and organized, I find my best intentions as a mom are often thwarted by the realities of mom life. I knew I needed a bag with lots of interior organization to make it easy to find what I need, in a hurry, on the go. With front and side pouches lined in a soft, lux insulation, packing bottles and snacks is easy breezy. On the inside, a pull out diaper caddy makes changing on the go incredibly smooth. I never have trouble finding wipes or baggies to pack the poopie diapers. And the main compartment is lined with clear organizers so you can see all the little items you’ve stored. I use these for socks, burp cloths, and other odds and ends.
It fits my working, on-the-go mom life.
This bag has more compartments than any other bag or backpack I’ve ever owned, and it also has a ton of space. I can fit my cell phone, keys, credit card holder, and even an iPad or laptop in addition to everything my girl needs for a day out and about.
I’ve had this baby bag for nearly 10 months now, and I still love it.
Want to see more? Be sure to watch my review on Youtube.
We Tried Little Spoon Biteables, and Here’s What We Thought
We tried Little Spoon’s Biteables, and here are our honest thoughts.
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I can remember a time only a month ago where Evy wasn’t interested in solid foods. I would offer her a small morsel, and she would quickly push it out of her mouth, a grimace on her face. Then, almost overnight, she decided she wanted to eat what the adults around her were eating and began to reach for my food. At that point, she was willing to try everything, but I found myself having difficulty keeping up with her changing dietary demands.
I had seen ads for Little Spoon and had joined their private Facebook group back when I first had Evy so I could ask all my burning questions about feeding baby. I was worried that their meal options wouldn’t be quite right for Evy’s developmental stage, but it turns out they launched a product called Biteables. Oh, and I should note: this post was not sponsored, and I don’t have any affiliate links on this page (although I’ll certainly edit this post if Little Spoon decides to hit me up with the opportunity).
Biteables is designed especially for babies in Evy’s age group who are making the transition from formula and soft baby food to food they need to chew. They deliver healthy meals cut in bite-sized chunks. Knowing I could cancel at any time, I decided to give it a whirl.
How much does it cost?
The pricing varies depending on how many meals you choose and what discount you’re lucky enough to snag. I’m paying approximately $44 for 9 meals. If it hadn’t been for Evy flipping her first meal over, I am confident it would have been enough for two meals. So, each meal costs approximately $2.50. When you consider that one packet of baby food costs $2, I don’t think this is too bad, especially consider Evy’s reaction to these meals.
Update: Once my pricing increased to the full, normal cost, the meals cost approximately $5 - $9 each. While it was a helpful solution in the shortterm, it doesn’t make sense as Evy continues to grow and her teeth come in. Plus, she’s not a picky eater so I like exposing her to the same things I eat (minus any sushi or raw items!) to expand her palette.
Can you customize the meal selections?
Yes! And I was grateful for this option because it allowed me to pick some safer meals to start. As Evy gets used to Biteables, we can expand our palette and introduce new foods. Depending on your delivery schedule, you’ll have a set date by which you need to customize your selections for the upcoming delivery, which is similar to many meal plan options.
Is it healthy & appetizing?
These are frozen meals that offer healthy, kid-friendly options. While I’m not a dietician, I took a bite, and it did not taste salty or processed. In fact, it tasted home-cooked to me.
Importantly, Evy loved everything on her plate. We started with the Mini Cheesy Pasta. Since I’m a fan of Mac N’ Cheese, I thought she might be too. She also loved the bite-sized carrots and even the broccoli bites.
Would I recommend?
I’ve canceled a lot of meal delivery services in my time because I was dissatisfied with their offering, but this one is a keeper in my book. The meals were delivered on time and packed extremely well in the cutest little trays. Evy enjoyed eating it, and I felt good knowing I was giving her a healthy meal.
But the best part? The ease of preparing the meal - and her enjoyment of it - allowed me to enjoy what I find to be special bonding time with my baby girl. I love feeding her, and Biteables made the experience that much more special. So yes, if it’s in the budget, I highly recommend Biteables.
Resort Looks for Mommy & Mini
Resort ready? Not without these mommy & mini looks for jetsetting, pool time, and more.
Even after moving back to Southern California where the weather is mild by Northeast standards, I still find that January has me longing for warm beaches and sunshine. It’s about this time of year, after the familial warmth and charm of the holidays starts to fade, that I begin to plan my getaway. And this year, I have the cutest little travel sidekick ever. Here’s what we’re packing and wearing for resort season 2024.
New Balance Sneakers
New Balance Sneakers for Baby
Superfood Sundays: Flaxseed
As part of
Great as a source of fiber, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, flaxseeds deserve a place in our Superfood Sunday series. These nutty seeds have been touted for their health benefits - they might help lower risk of some cancers, maintain healthy weight, and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
I’ve often loved adding them to my morning smoothies. In my humble opinion, they add a richness and texture that takes each smoothie up a notch.
But there’s another wonderful use case for flaxseed: homemade granola. If you like cereal for breakfast or enjoy adding granola to a healthy bowl of Greek yogurt, you should be all ears. The beauty of homemade granola is its low sugar content - much lower, n fact, than store bought granola - and using honey (might we even suggest Ikarian honey?) makes it all the healthier. This might also be the easiest recipe for a homemade alternative ever.
Homemade Granola Recipe
Rolled Oats (such as Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Rolled Oats)
For every cup of oats, add:
1/4 cup of slivered almonds
1/4 cup of flaxseed (whole flaxseed)
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of honey (add more if you need a little extra sugar…we’re not judging)
Lay parchment paper on a cookie sheet, spread granola mixture on it, and bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Once done, let cool and store in airtight container. You’ve just made enough to last for a few servings.
We recommend serving over Greek yogurt with blueberries and a drizzle of honey, but it’s your granola. Enjoy it how you’d like.
Classic Books for Every Age
Some of my fondest memories growing up revolve around books, and I want the same for my daughter.
Not only did my parents read to me nightly growing up, but they also made a point to gift me with beautiful hardcover copies of classic books that have become cherished keepsakes. I want my daughter to grow up with the same tradition. Here’s my roundup of the best classics to gift and read for every age.
For Baby (0 - 12 months)
There’s a reason it’s the number one book for babies. This classic board book follows a hungry young caterpillar as he eats his way into becoming a beautiful butterfly. Huh, sounds kinda like my little Evy.
For Toddlers (1 - 3 years)
One of the first dreams I had for my daughter when she was still growing inside me was that she would be brave, kind, and clever - regardless of what she decided to do with her life. This book perfectly captures that sentiment.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin, $10
For Preschoolers (3 - 5 years)
I want to teach my daughter the gift of giving and of giving back to community, and this classic is a great start.
For Early Grade Schoolers (6 - 9 years)
This is a beautiful story of love and friendship that will join the ranks of classics on Evy’s bookshelves.
For Late Grade Schoolers (9 - 12 years)
This book captured my imagination and is one I absolutely want to share with my daughter.
Cutest Casual Mommy & Me Looks
We love a good mommy & me look, but make it casual.
In my humble opinion, the best mommy and me looks transcend any matching set you can buy on the internet and focus instead of coordinating key pieces for a more modern look. What do I mean by this?
While the frou frou matching dress sets pictured might have their place in formal family photos, I’d argue there’s a better way. I’ve shown two mommy and me looks that nailed casual mommy and mini aesthetic as well as a few combos we put together for inspiration.
A few things to keep in mind when building mommy and me looks:
Kids grow out of clothes so fast - always opt for interchangeable basics so you get lots of wear.
Matching color tones, textures, and silhouettes is the key to an adorable mommy and me outfit. Notice how the examples below match beige fleece jackets, light wash denim, and clean white tanks.
You don’t have to buy mommy and me outfits from a single brand. Have a vision and search for the pieces that fit the look you’re trying to achieve.
Accessories add something extra, but again, don’t have to be identical. What’s important is matching colors and textures for a cohesive look.
For casual looks, choose jeans, leggings, or sweatsuits that are comfy for running errands or dropping in on that mommy and me class.
Image courtesy of vibeywithvsco
Image courtesy of Jessakae
Image courtesy of Julia Berolzheimer
Superfood Sundays: Ikarian Honey
As part of our new year, new mom series, we’re sharing our favorite healthy foods for Superfood Sundays. The first food? Ikarian honey.
After having a baby, my body just wasn’t quite the same: I didn’t digest food the same way. I didn’t have the same level of energy I previously had. Before baby, it didn’t matter so much what I put in my body because I was a well-oiled machine.
Now, I was the 1986 model that had been taken on one-too-many long distance road trips and needed a good tune up. While I don’t think any one diet or lifestyle is the silver bullet to a longer, happier life - and I am certainly not an ideal candidate for an aggressive detox - I believe little tweaks can pay dividends in how we feel on a daily basis. So, drawing on Blue Zone research and a back-to-basics approach to healthy eating, I’m going to bring you a weekly series that explores foods I’m integrating into my diet in 2024 and how I’m doing it.
The Greek island of Ikaria has some of the longest living people in the world, many of whom reached 100 or older with few physical or cognitive impairments. This island produces our first superfood, Ikarian honey.
What makes Ikarian honey so special? If you ask me, it’s the rich flavor. I can eat spoonfuls of the stuff straight out of the jar.
But it’s more than a sweet face: its natural proteins and antibacterial enzymes support gut health and promote healing while antioxidants boost immunity and reduce inflammation. It also happens to be unheated, unprocessed, and unpasteurized, which some believe allows it to retain more vitamins and minerals than honey produced in the U.S.
Where to buy Ikarian honey
There are many online purveyors of Ikarian honey, but I tried (and loved) Klio’s single origin honey.
Herbal Tea for Holistic Health
One of my favorite ways to wind down in the evening is with a cup of herbal tea and a great book. I love this small Etsy shop for its hand-made, delicious blends - and I always add honey to my tea.
Best Nonalcoholic Bubbly for Holiday Celebrations
Have a celebration coming up and want to offer a nonalcoholic version that’s not cringe? Read on.
Dom Pérignon, anyone?
Is it just us, or is alcohol becoming more and more passé? Maybe it’s a function of aging, but lately, I find myself gravitating towards nonalcoholic bubbly when I want to celebrate…minus the hangover. Here’s our roundup of the best nonalcoholic bubbly to enjoy this holiday season.
(P.S. - Read to the end for a holiday mocktail recipe.)
Produced in Northern Italy from a blend of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc & Gewürztraminer, this is my top pick for its sophisticated, subtle palette. An easy and relatively affordable go-to for holiday entertaining, it’s a well-balanced crowd pleaser: not too sweet, not too acidic.
We love this beautiful blend of delacoholized organic French Chardonnay wine - it opens with a minerality and accents of pear, the signature of French Bloom.
A dry sparkling, this classic has notes of summer berries, green apples and citrus, a byproduct of its blend of Syrah and Chardonnay.
If you love bubbles, this sparkling nonalcoholic wine is the closest to champagne I’ve had. Paired with oysters or a creamy risotto, it’s perfection.
How to Make a “Champagne” Cocktail
I call this one Mrs. Claus’ Night Off. Here’s an easy mocktail recipe for the holiday season. Throw the ingredients in a shaker, mix, and enjoy.
4 fluid oz of Prima Pavé Grand Cuvee
1 1/2 fluid oz of agave nectar
1 jigger of raspberry syrup
Top Products to Combat Postpartum Hair Loss
When you’re blessed with more hair than you know how to handle, you tend to take it for granted. I never thought I would be worried about hair loss, but about 4 months after I gave birth, I began to shed. And shed. And shed some more. First, I panicked. Then, I went into action researching my options. Here are the top products that worked for me.
(P.S. - Nothing in this post is sponsored. But everything has been personally tested by yours truly.)
Unlike some of its more chemical-based counterparts, this hair loss shampoo and conditioner system has a proprietary blend (read: black magic because it works!) of nutraceutical ingredients. I noticed a difference in less than a week.
These supplements pack a mean punch. You’ll notice a difference within a few weeks of regular use.
I spot treat areas of my scalp that need some hair growth love with this hero product from Kevin Murphy, a natural haircaire line out of Australia. Made from the same technology as eyelash growth serums, this spray also gives a boost to your blow out.