September Q&A
I put a question box on insta and wanted to share the answers here!
1) How do you depuff? You never look tired! (another question: Best tips for getting inflammation down?)
Wow, thank you! I felt awkward writing out that second sentence in the first question but wanted to share the questions exactly as they came in lol. For me, the foundation of everything I do comes down to SLEEP, EATING WELL, and MOVING MY BODY. Without these three things I would be a wreck mentally and physically. I prioritize sleep so much that I rarely make plans at night and even when I do, I hope to be in bed by 9. I take Magnesium every night to help with sleep. When it comes to eating well and hydration, my ebook is a great place to start. I try to avoid gluten, dairy and sugar and find that helps fight inflammation. I drink 2-3 L of water a day (I found this water bottle after scouring the internet for months for an insulated 1 L water bottle with a straw). I also aim to move 30 minutes every single morning (mostly pilates). I also love to gua sha every morning for bonus points!
2) Where is your beautiful leopard mask from?
It was a gift with purchase from Artipoppe (my fave baby carrier brand) but I found some dupes here, here and a disposable version here.
3) Do you have a place that you’ve shared what products (skincare) you used during pregnancy?
Yes! This was my exact routine. Also, my shop page has all pregnancy safe skincare.
4) How are you doing overall?
Thank you so much for asking! I am feeling really good. This year was probably the hardest year I’ve ever had because of what we went through with Charlie (much of which I am still processing and will share when it is right) but I am so grateful that we are on the other side with two healthy boys. I am incredibly lucky and grateful for my life. And I’m stoked it’s fall. Already counting down to a glass of red tonight ❤️
5) How to wake up so early
Go to sleep early! I actually get this question so much. I’m lucky that my kids go to bed early but basically the minute they are in bed I am winding down. The lights go off, I put my blue light glasses on, make tea, straighten the house and head into my room to read until I fall asleep. I get into bed around 8/8:30 on nights that I don’t go out. I struggled with postpartum insomnia after Liam and I am so grateful to be able to get a good night’s sleep that I truly relish going to bed. Also, it never gets easier. You just gotta set your alarm and get up! Another tip I have is that right when my alarm goes off I think of three things I’m grateful for. It wakes my brain up without having to move my body and I am almost always thanking myself for giving myself some care before the house wakes up…and so I go do that!
6) How do you get Liam to stay in his bed/room? Struggling with my toddler!
Ugh! I am so sorry to hear that. Luckily that is not a struggle for us, but we do use these bumpers, this white noise, and this clock. Sometimes we have to go in and remind him but on the times he stays put/sleeps, we make a HUGE deal about how he’s such a good boy.
7) Wines you’re currently loving?
One of my besties and her husband are partners in Spade & Sparrows and they’ve built such an incredible community that I highly recommend checking them out. They’re easy drinking table wines! I also was recently introduced to Valley Commons, and I fell in love with their gorgeous labels and passionate approach. A few weeks ago, I had a Rosso di Montalcino at dinner and was reminded about how much I love big Italian wines. In California, I tried the all natural wine company Dry Farm Wines and now I’m trying to convince my friend Vanessa to start a natural wine subscription service in BC! When in doubt, I order a Chablis or a Pinot Noir.
8) What are you looking forward to for fall?
Fashion, heading to Maui, celebrating (Canadian AND American) Thanksgiving, reading, routine. I love all things fall!
9) Does Charlie have a sleep routine?
Yes! We took a baby sleep course with Liam and implemented the same tactics with Charlie. It is based on Babywise. This is his daily routine as of 5.5 months (I’m not a doctor):
7AM: Wake & first 8oz. bottle. Play. Some purees.
8:45-9AM: Down for first nap (~2 hrs)
11AM: Wake & second 8oz. bottle. Play. Some purees.
12:45-1PM: Down for second nap (~2 hrs)
3PM: Wake & third 8oz. bottle. Play. Some purees.
sometimes a catnap between 4-5 depending on how naps have gone
5PM: Slowly drinks last 8 oz. bottle of the day.
6PM: Bath, songs, finish bottle, bed.
10) Favorite stores to shop at
Other than One Wednesday 😆, I love Veronica Beard, Frame and Net-A-Porter. Locally, I love Rebecca Bree. For fun activewear, I like Free People. I share more faves on my Shop page and my LTK.
11) Tips for traveling with a formula fed baby?
Back when I had Li, I shared this post on travelling with a baby and this post on my baby essentials. My main tips specifically related to formula fed babies are:
Preboil and portion water into bottles and seal them so that they are ready to mix with formula once the water has cooled. Bring extra water in case you spill. Use bottled water in a pinch (I’m not a doctor!) We use these bottles because they’re glass and I don’t mind them being hot when the water is just boiled (hot plastic is a no no). Obviously I wait until the water has cooled to make the formula!
Feed on take off and landing for their ears (but if timing doesn’t work, it’ll be ok I promise…a soother works too!)
Wear a carrier, bring a change of clothes.