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What I Packed: Swimming




 

High waisted bottoms are key to feeling a little more confident but not old lady like! ha!! And I found that a triangle top gave me a little bit of a sexier look with loads of support. A few bottoms and quite a few tops to just mix n match are the perfect way to go.

 

Swim Bottoms

- this pair with very flattering detail, (Large)

-this one with mesh for a sexier look and (Large)

-these striped ones too (Large)

-this buttercream bottom and this matching top has some support for us that need it! (b: L t:XL)

- I am adding this tummy control one to my collection of black bottoms for our next trip! (Large)

-Really want the lemon print one to match the girls!

 

Swim Tops

-this floral one I am on the hunt for a great white bottoms to pair with it next time! (XL)

-this black one with mesh (in an XL)

-this scalloped one (in a Large)

-this gingham one as a top with these high-waisted shorts and for swimming off of the boat! (XL)

-I have this strapless one in royal blue, great support!! Great for not getting tan lines.

-Love the simple triangle top in white, would pair so well with so many bottoms!

-love the style of this tribal print one, great support, and it's reversible!

 

I have 2 of these one-pieces and they are the only ones I will buy. Amazing support, great for swim lessons, community pool or chasing babies. (Large and it's now big on me but not quite a Medium with my nursing boobies)

 

Shoes

Bought these super affordable slides (under $20!) and end up being the only I wore the most, I traveled in these espadrilles (mine are black from last year) and almost stole these flip flops for the beach from my sister.

This white anorak jacket (ordered a large so I could layer!) was perfect for traveling and morning walks on the beach ! Best part is that I will be using it all spring/summer long (for years! I love me a timeless piece!) And this beach bag may not be the cutest but proved to be the best buy (under $10) and carried everything for girls, hubby and I.

 

Let's not forget my mama skin musts for the beach.

This sunscreen was soooo easy to rub in on the girls (even on the squirmiest mornings) the sun stick was also really awesome for reapplication on walks, or strolling the town and will be great to keep in my diaper bag for park dates (if spring decides to show up around here!).

 

Few shots from our vacation!













So this is it for now! I plan on maybeeeeee having a glass of vino and trying on a bunch of these on some Instagram videos next week, if you'd like that let me know or if you are looking for something specific, shoot me a DM/email or comment on my IG post and I'll happily send you some suggestions.

Happy Thursday!!

xoxo

Natalie

It Takes a Village

Updated: Jun 23, 2019



(these incredible photos below are from my shoot with WILDBIRD ring sling, which was a dream come true.)

 

Hey hey mamas, another weekend gone too too too fast.

I was suppose to keep these posts to Mama Mondays but gosh the day just got away. This week we have a big appointment with Amani (which I am sure is why I am not sleeping well) and hoping to get good news on blood work or at least a plan (more on that, when I can get my thoughts together on the last 4 months). Just need to keep her healthy one more week and pray she doesn't have a fever the day of the appointment. You guys this little angel baby cannot catch a break!!!! But mama is staying positive and praying like no ones business.

 

One thing I have learned in the last 4 years ( but especially since the baby was born) about this whole motherhood thing is WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE. Can't be done you guys. It truly takes a village.




Having baby number two magnified this point in a way I could never ever explain. The meals, the hugs, the encouraging texts and calls, the playdates, pouring the glass of wine and taking me out for the first time after baby. From mamas in my Instagram village, to family and friends I've met at mama classes. These women near and far have made it possible for me to get through the toughest days and were a part of the happiest ones too.

I have been that weird mama at Target smiling at a fellow mama in the aisle ( you know the one with me with similar aged babies) and hoped that she'd start up a conversation... which I'd of course follow with do you live around here, do you stay at home??? Wanna be friends? Crazy, yes. Necessary, hell yes. Moving to the burbs was HARD and needing the connection of mamas near me with like me was hard to start over from scratch. In comes my favorite app!!





Peanut is like a tinder app for mama friends!!! Ha hilarious description but seriously. The best little app in meeting mamas with like-minded interests that are local to you. GAME CHANGED. I am sharing this app because I've used it and LOVE it. Sort of kicking myself for not thinking this one up myself guys... lol

 

15 Ways to Meet Mamas

1. Peanut App! the easiest way to meet mamas from the comfort of your own home!

2.Your local Library Story Time

3. Go to your local Yoga class, our favorite local one is here.

4. Too cold for your local playground? Find an indoor playground! We love Imajine That!

5. Check your church for mom groups!

6. Sign up for a class, (this doesn't have to be baby related, a cooking one, a book club, a running club!!) Or start one.

7. Social Media! Search for your local mom Facebook page, Instagram (seriously, so many moms have the opportunity to meet mamas near and far that make up a strong village".

8. Prenatal Yoga (for those lucky enough to get away and take classes, this was HUGE for me.

9. Le Leche Meetings for those of us who are or plan to breast feed!

10. Developmental baby classes, we had this place called Mama & Me in Jamaica Plain (when we lived in the city) and it was INSTRUMENTAL in surviving that first winter.

11. Stroller Strides, or any local mama workout group. This is huge, make mama friends andddd get a little or big workout in!

12. Barnes & Nobles free story and craft hour on Wednesdays and Saturdays!

13. Free birthing and parenting classes offered by your local hospital!

14. Dance classes for your littles, ours (Center of Performance Arts NA) has a baby class that we are looking forward to trying!

15. Coffee shop. head to your local coffee shop, smoothie or juice place (if you are lucky!) or even that Chipotle, always a treat to get out of the house but I am promising that if you head out in between nap times you'll bump into a few other mamas doing the same.

*** And remember, start up the conversation. A 'how old is that cutie' is a great start and then maybe a we should set up a play date, here find me on Facebook takes the awkwardness away! I can almost guarantee that that mama is thinking a way to link up too

 

Cheers to 2018 being the year to have more mama friends in your life! Oh and forward on this link to Peanut to friend or post on Facebook! The more mamas on this incredible app the more chances you have of making some (important to survival) mama companions because IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

xoxo

Natalie

Five Friday Favorites



Hey Hey,

I had big plans to share a yummy soup recipe but 80 degree weather and an insane week took front seat.

I promise to get my posts up when Ami decides to sleep in past 4am...

For now here I am sharing Five Friday Favorites, you know because I am alll so original. lol All about shopping this week because the season are changing and mama needs a refresh,

1. I had the honor of representing #realwomen in the Vetta Capsule photo shoot this week and goodness the clothes are just so dang good. Guys I want it all and also am currently cleaning out my closet so I can convince my hubby I NEED it all. The culottes in olive and this two piece jumpsuit are EVERYTHING.

2. If you only get a few things for your Fall wardrobe then these Nina Leggings from Peach are a MUST HAVE. They stretch like no other faux leather leggings I've tried (and I embarrassingly have a few) and go from drop off under a tunic to yoga with a sports bra and then date night with an off the shoulder sweater. Can you tell how happy I am about them.

3. Two Target finds that have made it on me all week: this skirt (paired with slides now because it's 80 and booties in cooler weather), this destructed comfy black sweatshirt paired with my fav joggers were perfect for Ami's first swim lessons. Check out the rest of my buys here on my Shopping Cart page.

4. I just ordered these jeans in a few sizes because I heard they run small and my technique is going to be to try them on without looking a the size....

5. I've ordered this fisherman cap to add to my hat collection, I don't know how I will feel about it on me but my style icon said we all need one...

We are wishing farewell to my step daughter/daughter/friend Kay tomorrow (she is off to start a grownup life post college). And maybe work on that wall collage a little more... I wish we would have had the energy for an Ikea trip but two babes at that wonderous place... ehhh no gracias.

Next week is another crazy week but my hope is prep some great posts for you and to squeeze in some fun with my girls on a "work trip" to the Cape later in the week.

Tell me what are you up to?

xo

Natalie

Also, I know a ton of you are always asking about places to make new mama friends, well this free app called Peanut is the place. Guys it's like a tinder for mamas to find new mama friends!! I am going to also write up a post next week on other ideas, but seriously download it now and thank me later. :)

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