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It's no secret--becoming a Mama has been the absolute best thing that has happened to me. I have learned to finally love life again not because my life was bad, but because if I'm being real, I wasn't truly living my best life. I mean, for heaven's sake, my motto for my blog is "Stay classy, stay positive, and love the life you live. The world is at your fingertips, darling." How in the heck can I say that is my own motto if I'm not truly living it?!
Remember my last blog post from a couple of weeks ago? Where I gave a little Mama inspo?!
If you missed it, go read it: A DAY AT THE PARK + MAMA INSPO
Long story short, I shared a little bit about how I've been feeling lately on my motherhood journey. This year is a scary, but scary in a good way type of year for me. I'm finally jumping off the deep end and following my career dream. I've been in retail for just shy of eight years and I've been a retail manager for most of that career, and it's time for me to embark on a new journey...more on that to come!! BUT, I'm living what I am telling you. At this very moment, as I sit on my porch and write, I am finally living what I've been hoping, praying, and dreaming of. Your time is coming, Mama. It really is.
I thought today would be fun to share some of my favorite stylish "Mama" pieces that I have and love and then a couple are on my wishlist & in my shopping carts now! Everything from tees, necklaces, mugs, and more! These would all also make the cutest gifts for the new Mamas in your life.
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I'm actually wearing this tee right now and I'm obsessed. It's seriously so cute and I love the green & pink color palette. Who doesn't love a cute, casual tee that you can throw on with a pair of denim or shorts and call it an outfit?!
Okay, this one is currently in my shopping cart and I need it ASAP. K thanks. I can just hear Bentley now. haha!
This was one of my first Mama items actually and I love, love it. My bestie got it for me, and I'm constantly throwing it on with denim or leggings. It's my Target run outfit, for sure.
If you're looking for something stylish and subtle, this is it. I wear my Mama necklace pretty much every day. Unfortunately, the small boutique that I originally purchased mine from no longer sells it, so I found another online boutique with affordable pricing and great reviews!
This was in my Mother's Day gift basket, and I'm obsessed. We all know that coffee needs to be covered and concealed with a running toddler, so Chris bought me another cute mug to help hide my coffee and try to avoid spills. I mean, let's be real, spills are inevitable, but I should at least have a cute travel coffee mug, right?!
I know this one doesn't necessarily say Mama on it, but I felt it was necessary to add. I've shared this mug on Instagram, and so many of you have loved it, too. I put this in a gift basket for one of my friends in my neighborhood that is a new Mama and she bought it for another new Mama, and there are a few more new Mamas in the neighborhood that I want to grab it for.
We could all use this little reminder because no matter how the day is going, you're doing great.
I was never a huge baseball hat wearer, but ever since Bentley came along, there's something about throwing a hat over your day five hair that hits just right. Plus, the bottom of your hair usually still looks good, so might as well keep rockin' it. haha!
Obviously, we all need this hat 'cause we're the cool mom.
I shared this bracelet when Bentley was first born--they are just the cutest. I actually ended up making some myself because a few years ago I used to have a jewelry business, so these were easy peasy to make. I made some for friends and family that were pregnant at the same time as me, too! If you're not crafty, Nordstrom sells a few different varieties for an affordable price!
This is another one on my wish list. It's such a cute keychain and the Mama version is leopard print--my favorite!
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If you've followed along since I started blogging, you've seen me go on a lot of adventures and change for the better. You've been with me as I've planned my wedding, got married and shared my experience to help you plan yours, you've been there through countless DIY projects (that will be never-ending!), you were there through my pregnancy, and now you're here as I embark on the journey of motherhood. When I started blogging I was a completely different person than I am now, and thank God for the changes I have gone through and for the journey (although, sometimes a crazy journey) that I have been on.
I've been reflecting a lot on life, looking at Bentley's baby photos, and just simply thinking about what I really want to get out of life. What do I want to be known for, who do I want to be, and how can I take my experience and my life and inspire those who read my blog and see my posts on social media.
Motherhood is a journey like no other that I've been on. I am learning and growing each day right alongside Bentley. When you become a Mom, no one really prepares you for what you're about to go through. The sleepless nights, the sickening exhaustion, the gut-wrenching feeling you feel when you leave for work each day, the guilt for leaving your baby but still wanting to have a career, and feeling the guilt all over again. I mean, the list goes on and on. No one prepares you for the love that you will feel, the frustration, oh gosh, the frustration that you'll feel, but when you look at your little love at the end of the day, it seems that all of the hard things we go through as Moms don't really matter. We'd sacrifice anything for our children because there is no love like it.
It's in the moments of motherhood that we learn who we really are and what our new priorities become. We learn what's really important in life and that's where I'm at today. I'm learning what those things are and it's come to a point where I'm re-thinking everything I've worked for, because my priorities have changed, and let me say this: it's okay. It's okay for your priorities to change and to change who you are and who you will become. Let me say that again. It's okay for your priorities to change. If we went through our whole lives never changing or growing, that would be a little weird, right?
Think about those things that really matter in life and run with them. Could it mean making sure you're home every night to tuck your little one in bed, or have dinner as a family, walks in the park, being truly present, and I think the scariest for me--a career change. It's not a secret that your career is a true foundation for our happiness. If you're not happy in those 40+ hours, the rest of your life seems so much harder.
As Bentley is getting older, I'm realizing how many huge moments, (and little moments, too) I'm missing out on because of it, and then I think about how much harder it would be for us to have another little one living the same life. I don't want to miss out on these things anymore, and I really shouldn't have to. Though these changes can't be immediate, and I'm working on a more permanent solution, I've learned how to say my new favorite word: "no". Saying no to the extra things that would hinder my time with Bentley has been huge. I want Bentley to know me as the Mama who works hard and goes after her dreams but is also there for him for his big (and little moments), too.
Whatever your new priorities may be, let's go after them and jump off the deep end together. May this year be filled with more laughter, more love, and more time spend with those that truly matter.
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OH! P.S. Mama!
Here's to warmer weather and more cute mama outfits, cause we've gotta be cute and functional!
Bentley love, loves bath time, and we thought what better way to make it even more fun for him than to give it a little refresh just for him! It all started out with getting him new LEGO bath toys, and then I found the rug & shower curtain, and we went from there. Everything was from Target, so I'll call that a mom-win.
My favorite part as Bentley and I were walking around Target was that he was helping me pick things out. I would grab two items and he'd choose which one he liked! Who knows if he actually knew what he was doing, but I loved that he felt included in the process. After all, it is all for his bathroom! He was so excited to help me hold things in the cart, too. He clung to his new soap dispenser for a little while, and then he was obsessed with his new toothbrush set. It's the little things that keep a toddler occupied and happy in Target while Mama shops.
When we got home, I washed all of his new towels and got ready to set up all of his new decor. Which, by the way, the whole reason I had to get all new towels was that his baby towels are all too small (cue the tears!) so he got all new ones just for him.
Having such a bright bathroom was never part of my home decor master plan, but as time goes by and I grow into my role as a boy mama, I've started to change my style--both personally and in the home, and I'm loving it!
Related Reading // DIY MODERN FARMHOUSE BATHROOM WITH TILE WALL & DARK GROUT
I hope this inspires a space in your home for your little one.
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Figuring out a gift for a new Mama can be somewhat challenging. What does she really need? Does she have it already? Will someone else get this for her? Well, today, I'm sharing twelve go-to gifts for new Mamas that are perfect no matter what. They were things that I loved and appreciated during my first few months postpartum and still use now a little over a year later.
I thought that it would be so cute to put together a little gift tote for a new Mama using the ToteSavvy Deluxe removable insert as the perfect gift starter. It has the perfect amount of pockets to add all of the other goodies!
I also had a little helper for today's post, too. He's the cutest, but I'm a little biased. 😊
I love, love my ToteSavvy Deluxe bag organizer. It's the perfect way for Mamas to continue using the tote or handbag they love without sacrificing functionality and organization. The ToteSavvy Deluxe is perfect for the Mama on-the-go that always has their laptop with them. It has a protective laptop sleeve, a built-in cooler large enough to fit two bottles, 10 pockets for everything from diapers, an extra change of clothes, toys, and don't forget the snacks, and it is made from wipeable nylon, so messes clean off easy. Mom win!
ToteSavvy also has other size options like the ToteSavvy Original and the ToteSavvy
Mini. If you or the Mama-to-be that you're shopping for who doesn't need their laptop with them on a daily basis, the Original or the Mini could be the perfect option!
Every new Mama needs a book to document the joys of each month of the baby's first year and then the years following. This book is set up in a cute, modern way, and can be filled out any way chosen. There are prompts to answer to help remember the big moments, and space to write in the tiny details, too.
There are blank pages to allow extra photos, but the thing I love the most is that there are spaces for firsts. Whether it's the first holidays, first steps, first tooth, etc. It's a cute, styled book that can be left out as part of home decor, too!
Get your girl a Starbucks gift card. Chris would randomly bring me Starbucks and it would be such a treat. She'll appreciate it more than you think.
Two coats of mascara are all that stand in the way of feeling human again. The first weeks and months aren't the easiest, and every new Mama loves to take a few minutes for herself. Mascara is the quickest and easiest way to add a little glam with minimal effort.
A cute headband goes a long way when it comes to feeling cute postpartum. I remember sitting on the couch, hair all a mess, no makeup except mascara, and these headbands made me feel so much better. A little boost is all that's needed during those days.
Let's be real. New Mamas don't always have the chance or the energy to wash and style their hair. I remember washing my hair and curling it for the first time and it was such a magical thing. Well, what do new Mamas need in between washes?! Amazing hair products to help her look and feel her best. Dry Shampoo works wonders and is heaven-sent, and Dry Volume Blast gives that extra boost new Mamas need--especially on days that visitors are coming over to see the new little addition.
Lip Balm is such a simple gift addition, but it's truly one of the best. If a new Mama has on her mascara, a little lip balm, and just sprayed a little dry shampoo in her hair, she is unstoppable.
Our Polaroid camera was one of my favorite things I bought during my pregnancy and used throughout for bump photos, taking photos in the hospital, and taking photos for Bentley's First Years book. There's something about having a photo printed that instant to cherish forever that feels so special. I have nothing but huge smiles on my face when I see the Polaroid photos we took in the hospital. I especially love the Polaroids we took of Bentley with everyone at his first birthday party. Give the gift of cherished memories!
I love my new title as Mama and this necklace has brought up so many sweet conversations with other Mamas. It's a "we're all in this together" necklace. It's also a dainty style and goes with anything--whether casual or dressy.
New Mamas do lots of baby snuggling on the couch, so soft and cozy blankets are a necessity. Be sure to splurge on a cozy blanket for her and her new baby. In fact, Bentley loves to cuddle under ours and he'll carry it over to me to bundle us up in.
No matter what brand you go with, grab an aromatherapy lotion. Sometimes when you're stressed out, especially during the first few weeks after the baby is born, a relaxing bath and lotion afterward can be just what the new Mama needs.
I hope this helps you put together a darling gift for a first-time mama in your life.
What else would you add or love to receive?!
In every home, I feel like the owner's bedroom is always the most neglected because let's face it, no one really sees that room except you. BUT, hello, we see it literally every day, so shouldn't we love our own space?! Exactly one year after I finished tiling our kitchen and our hall bathroom, I decided I needed to do just one last tiling project in our home--our bathroom!
Check out my past tiling projects below //
I know there have been talks that subway tile is on its way out, but newsflash, it's classic, and it will never go out. It has been a classic style for over 100 years. Besides, it matches the rest of my house, so I went with a similar style that we did in our hall bathroom, and toned it down a bit in order to make it more spa-like for our own personal retreat. I was able to save a little money on this room's refresh because I pulled a lot of the same decor from our hall bathroom into our bathroom. We couldn't find anything else that we liked to represent our personal style better than we already achieved in the hall bath, so much so that we bought the same exact shower curtain. haha! That was our sign to move everything into our bathroom and give the hall bathroom a refresh just for Bentley!
For this project, we went with the same grout color as our kitchen. We love, love the dark grout in our hall bathroom, but oh my gosh is it the absolute worst to work with, and it is far less forgiving when you're not a professional tiler. Except, I've tiled three rooms so far, so y'all think I can be a pro-tiler now?! Whose house am I going to first?! haha!
Okay, I've made you wait long enough...here's the BEFORE.
I seriously can't believe we were okay with our bathroom looking like this for the past two years. Get ready for the tiling process. I'll share a few tips & tricks throughout the process, too!
For the first time in my DIY career, our vanity countertop was level. Because it was level, I based my tiled wall off of the countertop backsplash that's attached. I tiled 4 tiles up just like I did in the hall bathroom to keep them cohesive. As you're doing the last row of tiles on the top, you'll want to finish it off with a tile edging trim. I opted for black so that it would match our fixtures and match the hall bathroom.
Pro Tip: When tiling behind the toilet, be sure to apply your tile adhesive to each tile vs the wall.
The easiest way to tile behind the toilet is to remove the tank. There's minimal mess and it's super easy to reattach. This is also where one of two tricky tile cuts came into play. I had to use my wet saw to cut out a notch in one of the tiles in order for it to fit in line with the vanity backsplash and fit under it as well. Once I got that one cut out of the way, it was smooth sailing on down behind the toilet. At the base of the toilet, there is a slight gap between the bottom tile and the baseboard, but I'd rather have a slight gap that I paint white than cutting tiny slivers of tile. I did tiny slivers of tile in the hall bathroom, and it was so much work for not a lot of reward. Plus, it's down so low behind the toilet and trash can that literally no one ever sees it.
Up next: Tiling above the shower surround. I went back and forth between tiling above the surround or leaving it the drywall. In the end, I am so glad that I decided to tile it. I never realized how wet the wall was getting from the shower and steam, so tiling the wall has not only made the space beautiful, it is serving as a wall protectant as well.
Pro Tip: Find the center of the wall and draw a line going up the wall. You'll be able to line the edges of the tile to the line or mark the center of the tile with a permanent marker and line that up to your wall line.
One thing above the shower surround that I did not get so lucky with was the leveling. It was off by almost half an inch in some places. The left side dipped lower, so I placed the right side tiles first so that I could create a level line. I started the right side tiles in the exact center of the wall because I wanted a full tile to be at the bottom center and tile from there.
I found it best to have a slight gap between the bottom tile and the shower surround in order to create a level line and a less noticeable gap going across. I checked the level of the tiles every couple of tiles so that the tile adhesive would still be movable in case it was off for some reason. As I made my way to the right side of the shower, I was able to maintain a level line with minimal gaps. Once I got to the far side, it was time for a piece of tile edging. I used a white bullnose for the sides of the shower in our bathroom--mainly because I had them on hand from our last tiling project, so it kept us below budget!
Pro Tip: Use painter's tape to help keep the tile edging in place until the tile adhesive fully dries.
The only annoying cuts I had to make above the shower surround was a rounded cut so that the tile could fit perfectly around the showerhead, and then the bottom left row. All of the bottom left row needed to be trimmed ever-so-slightly to keep the tiles level going around. Keep in mind that trimming a tile 1/4 to a 1/2 inch won't be noticeable, but uneven grout lines will. Always, always keep your grout lines level.
I kept checking the level as I went across again, and this is when I noticed I was going to have about a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch gap at the top as well since the bottom was so unlevel. I recently discovered a foam backer rod that I was able to cut to size to help fill in that gap. This allowed me to be able to caulk right over it, and boom, problem solved, and no one will ever know...except all of you reading this. So, shh! Don't tell anyone else my secret. In the photo above, you can see the gap before it was filled in. It's totally noticeable when you can see the gray paint above, but once it's filled in white, you can't even tell.
Once all of the tiles have had a couple of hours to dry in place, it's time to grout! Chris helped me tape off the ceiling since I was just ever-so-slightly too short to reach, and then I was on my crazy merry way. There's something so intense about grouting. Do you ever need an adrenaline rush? Grout some tile. You have to get grout into every bit of the tile grout lines, attempt to not make a complete mess, and grout the wall (and in my case, walls!) all before the grout seizes and is completely useless.
Chris came in to help me with the sponging process since it's such a meticulous part of the process. I wanted to make sure both of us were keeping an eye on perfecting the grout lines, filling in any missing grout gaps, and he also helped get the top rows sponged for me since I could barely reach them. Thankfully my parents were in town while we did this project, so Bentley was downstairs with them while we grouted!
Pro Tip: Purchase the matching grout caulk so you can fix any gaps or perfect a grout line. This came in handy to caulk between the top of the shower surround and bottom tile, in the gap between the tile edging, and in fixing bubble holes after the grout had dried.
I also wanted to mention one other DIY expert call out. I'm not a tiling expert by any means, but I know when a wall is unlevel and there's no way that I'll be able to fix something. As I was tiling down the vanity cabinet, I knew that creating a perfect line was going to be impossible for one reason only. The freakin' wall is crooked.
If I wanted to fill in the tiny gap of tiles, I would have had to trim a tile to less than 1/4 inch, and quite frankly, that's just not safe on a wet saw nor did I want to go through all of that trouble. I picked up a white primed and painted trim piece from our local hardware store and secured it in place with humidity-resistant Gorilla Glue and bam, gap is gone and the side of the cabinet looks perfectly finished.
The last part of any DIY project is caulking seams. I caulked along the sides of the tile edging to close the gap between the wall and of course at the ceiling. I didn't get a picture of the foam that I put in the gap at the top, but that is what the gray line is that I'm caulking. Also, remember caulk is flexible, so as the caulk fully dries, it may shrink a bit. For me, I have to go back once more to recaulk the top line in a few weeks. This also happened in our kitchen, and with one last simple swipe of caulk, it's perfect again. Homes shift, materials shrink and expand, and I think that's not talked about enough. If you see gaps in between caulk lines or woodwork, it's not always due to poor workmanship...it's just a part of being a homeowner.
Now that I've shown you my third tiling process...it's time for the reveal!
Drum roll, please...
What do you think?!
Not too shabby for a two-day project and we are obsessed with our new bathroom. This just goes to show that you can make a huge impact on your space with a weekend and around $200!
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