the babymamas

A Mama's Day Inspiration

2009-05-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

Every morning I begin my day with a little Internet-style Daily Inspiration sent a la business owner and career coach Sharon Rich that gets me off and running in the right direction. Friday's words I found to be particularly moving and wanted to share it with the Mamas today...

"Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to

'jump at de sun.'

We might not land on the sun, but at least we

would

get off the ground."

-Zora Neale Hurston

As one of the 20th Century's most renowned and prolific African American writers, Zora Neale Hurston's work lands her on the sun in my book. More on this extraordary woman, click here.

Diaper Bag for the Discreet Mama

2009-05-07T22:32:00.000-07:00

This, my dear friends. IS. A. Diaper Bag.

I know. I know....... I, too, would have thought it a clutch...but it IS indeed made for a mama on the 'style-go'. And I have to say, I couldn't have dreamed of a prettier gadget myself. I thought you might enjoy looking at it with me. Practical. Maybe not. But very, very pretty nonetheless.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Clutch Glazed Parisian Pansy at Layla Grayce

Everything Bins for the Everymama

2009-05-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

Serena and Lily's - Everything Bins

BABYMAMA MUST-HAVE

As a professional organizer, the sight of any container or bin has been known to elicit a warm and fuzzy feeling or two as I immediately catapult into daydream mode: What could I possibly find a home for in there? Diapers? Blankets? Onsies? Oscar (my cat)? Today, while on my nightly babymama must-have hunt, I stumbled upon these glorious one-of-a-kinders on my favorite new mama site, Serena and Lily. Just do a little tango to the homepage and you will know what I mean. Doesn't it just make you want to run into the grass? Or at least take a nap? (Both completely acceptable activities for a Bumpamama).

Okay, well either way, you are going to want to house your baby's goodies when it comes to keeping the nest in line, and I have to say, these are some of the neatest I've seen. Part vintage, part mod, they come in plenty of shapes, sizes, and patterns to provide the perfect 'mini-nest' for whatever is collecting in your nursery.

Serena and Lily's - Nursery Style Book
NESTAMA INSPIRATION

Speaking of nurseries, if you are needing a little jumpstart inspiration to spruce up your nest-in-the-making, this book is sure to give you the boost you need. I will absolutely, a hundred percent, be blogging more on the nursery, later.......

A Baby Shoe One Hit Wonder

2009-05-04T22:02:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I admit it. If it's miniature, cute and for baby, I'm gonna fall for it. And then I'm gonna post it. For you, mamas. Somewhat like a compulsion....

TODAY'S ONE HIT WONDER: HIPBABY ALERT!

click here!

Baby Wit's Wanna Rock Pink Infant Shoe

A New Way of Doing Business

2009-05-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

I get very excited when I find out new information, and even more excited when it's good. Now that I'm learning about an entire section of life that had previously been off limits (that of being a mother) I can hardly contain myself with all that I'm uncovering. It's so exciting! I'm like a kid in a type-A candy store - how can I best organize all this information AND make it pretty? So that is my intention with my blog, to organize information so that other mamas can get the exciting "goods" with me - and enjoy it!

Speaking of new finds, I am very enthused about the product and service options available for mamas these days. As I sift through the many resources dealing with motherhood, I will provide lists for your navigating pleasure that will include at least five options of whatever category I am researching. Today, I found myself researching an array of eco-friendly products for baby created by socially and environmentally conscious companies. It is undeniable that we are a consumerist culture; our quote, unquote national worth is determined quarterly and annually by our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Until they come up with some other social or environmental barometer, we will always be measured this way. That's Capitalism. But, that doesn't have to be a bad thing. It just means the more choices the better.

And, I have to say that I'm glad we have the multitude of products available that we do and I covet that we have the independence of deciding which consumer choices are best for us as indivuals. I'm a big proponent of freedom of choice, but given all the information available and our limited time frame for research, how can we expect to make good personal consumer choices? Solution. Babymamas. Or at least A solution. As an information junkie, I'd like to help in whatever way I can to assist others in making informed choices by providing the options I've found that are available. From there it's up to you.

Stay tuned......the next blog: FIVE GREAT ECO-FRIENDLY BABY RETAILERS!

(And one of them sells these 100% organic, cotton and safe chewables pictured for newborns!)

Office Depot "CEO of the Home" Survey - Organization a Necessity for Today's Working Mom

2009-05-02T17:34:00.001-07:00

I wasn’t surprised with the results of a 2009 Office Depot survey in which it was concluded that in today's economy organization is no longer nice to have, but a need to have for working moms. According to Office Depot's "CEO of the Home" survey, 87% of the working moms polled said they wanted to be more organized this year, 65% said that being well-organized is very important to helping their families save money (which 84% are trying to do), 58% said that they’ve forgotten to pay a bill on time and half cited that they have lost important information or an important document at home. And my favorite: 82% of working moms fail to take enough time for themselves and 62% lose touch with friends or family. HOWEVER, four in ten women have trouble keeping organized. This doesn’t sound like very much fun to me – especially now that I’m on the brink of becoming a working mom. Then I realize, thank God I’m an organizer. I can do this. It may involve a lot of lists, but I can do this. (Speaking of, I will soon post some adorable mom list pads that are both functional and stylish from my favorite organizational retailer.)
This got me thinking. No wonder our home life is suffering at the hands of the working world. Organization is not something we learn at home, home economics is no longer viewed as an adequate nor necessary course in school, and yet there has never been a time when these skills could be more useful. Our energy is expended in so many directions as our responsibilities outside of the house expand and oftentimes we get more caught up in what we ‘should’ be doing rather than what we are actually doing. And I’m just talking about being a working woman without a child. As an expectant single mom, the fact of adding another being to the equation has made me truly appreciate and understand how essential it is to be organized if I want to enjoy this process at all. There are so many components involved in motherhood as I am learning, and I am literally awestruck at how some families have five and six and in the case of my grandmother eight children and manage with a smile. For the most part.

So mamas and friends, my interest in writing this blog is to impart any tips, suggestions, advice, and inspirations I have learned or will uncover during my journey that can help you, too, to simplify or enhance your life. To me, organization is all about choices. The less time we have to spend on the mundane and necessary aspects of life, i.e. the paying bills, running errands, buying soap, doing laundry, the more time we have for that which matters to us. I call that Choice Time. Minimize the mundane, maximize the joy. I believe the clearer we get on what we allow into our home, the clearer we become on how we want to live our lives.

So......if this concept resonates with you, my first suggestion before baby arrives is to begin the decluttering process. Ideally, you can do this in your second, and from what I've heard 'golden', trimester, since during the first you're most likely feeling nauseous, exhausted and grumpy. You can follow my guidelines, if you'd like, as they are simple and clear. The first question I pose to my clients while sorting through their belongings is: do you love it, do you use it, and if you knew where it was, would you use it or love it? If the answer is no, you probably don’t need it in your home.

TIP # 1 – Start small.

1. Give yourself fifteen minutes using a timer and a drawer.
2. Ask yourself the three questions.
3. Then toss, donate or recycle what you don’t use or love.
4. Organize that which is left -- by category.
5. Say Adios for the day! Reward yourself. Take a walk. Take a bath. Indulge in a craving --- Treat yourself!

To Sling Or Not To Sling

2009-05-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

...that is NOT the question. The question is which sling to choose. I have always admired the cute look of mama and baby 'slinged' up and now that I am actually thinking about using one (I have heard that it does and doesn't work for some moms and babies) I am finding there is an enormous and varied selection of these Kangaroo-resembling pouches on the market. Do I want one with a ring, do I want one that wraps, do I want a patterned or solid, do I even want one?....the options are endless.

The good thing is that from what I've gathered, the price is relatively equal across brands and variations, so the real question is which are the easiest and most comfortable for mama and baby to use and which do you find the most aesthetically pleasing.

Personally, as I get very excited about any baby item that can function as a fashion or design statement, I have picked my two favorites below, both available from http://www.giggle.com/.

MY FAVORITE PICKS

1. The Kyoto - mixed-patterned cotton sateen version for babies 8-35 pounds

2. The Mark et Sling - an eco-friendly hand-embroidered brushed organic cotton version

If you are interested in sifting through the world of slings, I found some great online websites that have unique selections.

MY FAVORITE BABY SLING WEBSITES

1. Giggle

2. The Sprout Pouch

3. Target

4. Sleepy Wrap

5. Rockin Baby

6. Hot Slings

Martha Stewart Baby Shower Special Follow-Up -- 2009 Baby Must-Haves

2009-05-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

Martha and her resident mom experts revealed this year's top picks for babies in yesterday's Baby Shower Special as listed below. I am curious if anyone has actually used these and would love to know how they rate. For more information or if you interested in trying one of these out yourself, click the link and a brief description will follow.
Personally, I like the streamlined and modern look of the BEABA Babycook, not to mention the idea of making healthy babyfood that can last for days at a time. My mother was one of those super-moms who handmade all of our babyfood, which left me thinking in this day and age 'yeah right'...BUT, this seems to be a way I could pull that off without putting in the sweat equity she did. I am always looking for ways to simplify life and to me this would be healthy infant meal-planning at its simplest.

MY MOM'S TRICK #1 - Once the the vegetables prepared are pureed, pour into an ice tray and freeze. At feeding time, pop out a 'veggie' ice cube and defrost. WOWIE!

MARTHA STEWART'S 2009 BABY MUST-HAVES

1. BornFree Baby Bottles
2. California Baby Products
3. Sophie la Girafe
4. My Brest Friend Pillow
5. Beaba Babycook
6. UPPA Baby Stroller

Modern Striped Baby Rug - Add Some Pizazz to your Nursery

2009-04-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

As a Professional Organizer and design fanatic, becoming pregnant has only opened the door to new and exciting possibilities in my (and my baby's) decor life. Okay, so maybe he or she won't appreciate the carefully selected designs as I much as I will, but there is something very soothing and satisfying about walking into a fresh, springy pastel-colored baby area. Plus, if I'm going to be up during the wee hours of the night, I might as well get to enjoy the jaunt over to the baby if I can. I have a thing for stripes, especially these happy colored pink and blue stripes, and I wanted to post this rug as a fun-have for any mama who also loves happy colored stripes. If it's a boy, mmm, maybe not so much, but if it's a girl, that's what I'm talkin' about. It'll be sure to add that extra punch of color and modern twist to your nest. You can find this and other fun finds at Room Service Home.

** Disclaimer - Any product, service, or idea I post about or review is my personal opinion. I will never and have never been paid or compensated to review any item.

Martha Stewart Baby Shower Special

2009-04-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Check out The Martha Stewart Show, tomorrow, April 30th, 2009 in which expectant moms will gather for a program entirely dedicated to Moms-To-Be! Ideas and inspirations for modern day Baby Showers will be revealed, including adorable onesie cookie recipes and whimsical bird mobiles as well as other baby must-haves. Tune in - looks like a good one! Guests include: Liz Lange of Liz Lange Maternity, "Full of Life" author Nancy O'Dell of Access Hollywood and in-house stylist Dani Fiori. ...Nothing like Martha when it comes to style!