#FrumpyFighter: making spaces baby & adult friendly

So... I'm digging my new work & play space in mad ways. Ratherthan cover my living room floor with a primary color ABC foam puzzle for L to "tummy time" on, I scored a thick area rug. (I was inspired by one of my BFF's, Heather, to do this).

Next up, I found myself on the prowl for a low-lying cocktail table type piece that was round or oval, with no sharp edges anywhere (this was inspired by my dear mom, I miss you, mom). Table found! By another BFF, Byrdie, at a thrift shop for a mere $10!!! She and I redid it in a boy-friendly, yet living room friendly design and voila! L's play table was born. Ideal for pulling up on, and once he IS up, playing on, drawing on, etc. (note: For now, it works fabulously for my laptop, as he mills about on the floor, I can check emails and such.)

Toss in a few fun pillows (note: must add more! love, the Middle Eastern feel this table surrounded by pillows on a magic carpet creates) and I'll be over-the-moon smitten with this new area in which I currently spend loads of time.

Small baskets of fun baby toys exist throughout the entire space, fret not. We (or let's be real, I) sing the "clean up" song we learned at kindermusik after each play session as we put said toys away in their baskets and bins.

the table, post tons of love & magic in my garage, thank you Byrdie!

#frumpyfighter: fix your jacked manicure on a walk

those with wee ones know doing your own nails is the biggest joke.

impossible.

i am not one for manicures, pedi's yes. but i used to find giving myself a manicure creative therapy. no more. no time. get nails painted and L effs them up in seconds.

so... i actually went and GOT a manicure.

one and half weeks later, washing my hands every three seconds = nails looked like shite.

chipped & jacked indeed.

color: OPI's romeo & juliet.

then it dawned on me. L will sit in his stroller for a good while if i take him for a walk! so i brought two polishes on said walk with me. layered over romeo & juliet, OPI's turquoise crackle + OPI's servin' up sparkle. end result: dry nails post-walk that totally delight baby AND mommy. FUN FUN FUN. frumpy fighter!

frumpy fighter: not your mommy's nursing wear

dear breastfeeding mommies,

nursing fashion is mostly ugly, blah & over priced.

my goals are:

1. easy, FAST access

2. be comfy

3. not look like a frumpy, bland, sad girl

sooo... i tell you from 5-months' experience, i live in FUN leggings and fabulous flowy tops.

re: leggings. classic black slims no doubt. but to break away from the monotony of this almost uniform, i add pattern, texture, SURPRISE! i.e. the orange leopard print ones you can glimpse above. yeah, they look like something out of a van halen vid, but watch me make them work...

re: tops—screw all the covert contraption nursing tops. they're an ugly, boring hassle for the most part. i'm always about ones i can easily lift up, yet still conceal skin from the masses, tops that are fashiony, but also soft and tactile for baby L while he eats. sequins tend to be scratchy which ='s ugh. but i'll survive. i found the above tunic tank, which is soft AND sparkly, with a fly away back which makes it even easier to lift up at forever 21.

my advice is, don't totally throw in the fashion towel as you realize how hard it can be to dress for your baby's ability to eat. get creative. experiment. and worry not about investing in an entire wardrobe of stuff you'd never buy if you weren't breastfeeding. love ya, trust me.

#SAHM frumpy fighter

ribbon bows on the nursing bra strap or nursing tank top strap... tie one on!

1. it's cute, these tanks and bras are freaking boring. adding a little ribbon bow on just one side is cute & quirky. you can tie it in a posh bow or just knot it as shown below.

2. be honest—where's your brain amidst late night feedings and 24-hour mommyhood? i've flat out LOST mine. tying a reminder bow to the side L will feed from next is a chic little no-brainer. literally. switch up the side of your bow after each feeding.

3. as baby develops his/her various motor skills, he/she will love grasping on to your ribbon and playing around with it while feeding. lately if i don't tie a ribbon on, he's tying my hair in knots or scratching me. so loveys, the ribbon is win-win-win.

p.s. my secret lover, hautelook.com is now an affiliate of mine. about half of the goods i sneak in the house for L & myself come from hautelook, check 'em out!