buybuy BABY: Fall/Winter essentials for your baby

This post is in partnership with buybuy BABY. All opinions here are my own.

This is my first fall/winter with my new baby and I’ve done so much research to get both of us ready. Keyword: US. As adults, we can put on several layers of clothes and have the ability to take them off throughout the day (depending on how hot we get). Obviously, babies don’t have the same opportunity because they can’t regulate their own body. We constantly have to keep checking their heads, hands and arms for clues on how they’re feeling. Here are some tips and tricks that I have researched and learned to get your baby throughout the fall/winter season.

First Time Mom Must Haves- Second Month

I made it! I have a 8 week old baby girl. 

I'm so grateful that I was able to get EVERYTHING I needed for her before she arrived. 

There a few products that honestly have gotten me through the month. 

Truthfully- I don't know how I would have done it without these products!

Skin Care

When I was in hospital, it was really important for me to use my own skin care products on baby girl. Especially in the early days. I did a lot of research and ending up picking: Live Clean Baby! 

It’s vegan and super gentle on her skin. I have/tried almost everything from the line. I’d recommend trying their travel size kit. It was perfect for my hospital visit. My favourite product? The Non- Petroleum Jelly! I need a massive tub of that for Ava Rose!

UPDATE: She's here + Best advice for surviving your first month of motherhood

She’s here! I’m so excited! She’s absolutely beautiful! Everything I could’ve ever wanted and more. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to talk about my birth story. It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go. But there are more things to celebrate....Like a healthy happy and beautiful baby girl. One that smiles and kicks every morning. Ugh she’s so perfect!

One thing I will tell you if you are having your first child is that a STRONG support system is very important. In the delivery room, I was able to have my mom and my husband for moral support. ***I know some hospitals do not allow you to have more than one support person*... but if you can add people who will encourage and help you make decisions- I would do it. Now after it’s all said and done- it’s really important to lineup the proper AFTERCARE for at least a month. 

buybuy BABY: HALO Bassinest for Newborns

This post is in partnership with buybuy BABY. All opinions here are my own.

As a new mom, the decision of where your baby should sleep is one of the most important ones. There are a lot of options out there! 

• Do you want to put the baby in the crib?
• A bassinet?
• Or do you want to co-sleep?

Honestly researching all of them can make you go crazy! 

They all have their pros and cons.

When researching I had to think about what I wanted:

• I wanted her close to me.
• In her own space (but within fingers reach).
• Something mobile! Whatever it might be -to be able to move to the other side of the bed (In case I want to put my husband on baby duty).

Currently Obsessed: Maybelline New York TattooStudio™ Waterproof Eyebrow Gel

It’s been a while since I posted a currently obsessed product! During my pregnancy, I used very few products. Girl... but the ones that I used- I loved! I literally ran them into the ground. I need to stock up ASAP.

At the moment, I don’t really wear a lot of make up. Newborn life has taken over (there will be an update on that soon).... but one of the number one things that I need decent if I leave the house is my brows. 

A few Months ago Maybelline sent their New York TattooStudio™ Waterproof Eyebrow Gel over. Have you seen the commercials?

Pregnancy Skin: First and Second Trimester - How I battled it!

I’m not gonna lie, I was able to hide my pregnancy for so long because I hardly had any changes. I was one of the lucky ones in my first trimester and second trimester: Amazing skin. I truly did not start showing until I was about 6 months or so. At about 7 months is when the real skin changes started to occur. Some people are probably going to tell me that I’m overreacting but that’s when I started to get dark patches and occasional pimple flare up.... on odd parts of my face.

 Think about it... if you’re not used to something and then you wake up and it happens out of nowhere... it’s totally overwhelming. This is ALL hereditary.
If your mom had all those pregnancy issues its totally going to happen to you.

Three ways to get an affordable cute nursery

I’ve never thought that having a baby nursery was that big of a deal. Until I came on Instagram! There is so much inspiration. So many things that can make a space unique. At the moment baby girl will be spending her first few months with my husband and I. We have spare bedrooms but I feel like they’re a little bit too far away from both of us. Across the hall is TOO far! So my task was to change up one portion of our room so that it can be a little oasis just for her. Here’s the thing my husband and I probably will be moving within the next six months and I did not want to put in too much money into something that I’m probably going to have to disassemble and start over in the next few months.

Soooooo I had to find ways to do it all on a budget and make it effective! I posted a picture of it on Instagram and got really good response so I thought you know what this blog post might help someone.

Are you a new Mom? Check out buybuy BABY

This post is in partnership with buybuy BABY. All opinions here are my own.

As a new mom, I won’t lie preparing for the first baby is overwhelming. I can only imagine if I was having multiples! I’m a natural born planner. I’m basically the type of person that wants to be prepared for everything. I am currently 8 months into my journey and I can tell you babies require a lot and sometimes the smallest things can be overlooked. That’s why it’s always good to have a knowledgeable support system around you.

When it came to picking products for “Baby A-R”... I’m not going to lie - I didn’t know where to start. It’s almost like every day something new comes out and you debate … “Do I need that instead”. After speaking to my sister-in-law I found out about buybuy BABY.
This is all before getting the opportunity to work with them.

buybuy Baby in Canada.

Maybelline Super Stay 24H Foundation + SWATCHES

A few questions:

- How do you feel about all these new foundations that are now coming out for darker woman of colour?
 - Do you feel like it’s too late?
- Do you feel like this is the perfect time? 

For me, I’m just happy to be included. I know that sounds super corny but I’m happy that I can branch out try other brands and also help you save a bit of money in the process. 

*********

This is such a overdue post. I started writing it with three foundations but stopped. Mostly because I got my hands on a fourth Maybelline foundation. Which you know always changes everything! If you’re looking for a drugstore option try Maybelline Superstay Full Coverage foundation ($14.99 CAN).

Five Babymoon Essentials

I’m not gonna lie when you’re pregnant you kinda have your own system going on. You know what you can eat, you know what smells you can tolerate and  what products you need to get you through the day. Without one... a meltdown can occur! Trust me.. I can attest to it!

If you follow me on Instagram you will see that I went on a babymoon to Viamede Resorts (located in North Kawartha). It was the perfect getaway from my busy life! More on that soon (a lot of pictures). I want to share with you all products that got me through my extended stay.

Hydrate your Skin + Palmer's Coconut Oil Giveaway

Spring is here! 

I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this! 

Seeing sunlight past 6:30pm! It's the small things :)

Although this wasn't the worst Canadian winter. It was still quite draining.... AND I feel like it's going to take a while to snap out of it.

This is definitely where self-care has to come in and boost my morale.

First place I'm starting is with my skin!

Palmer’s sent over their new Coconut Oil Formula products back in the beginning of the year. I don't know about you but the brand has been a staple in my house for years. The old formula was great but this new one is a total upgrade. Really what your skin needs! 

Change is coming! Guess What!?!

This Blog has been around in some of the best and worst times of my life. The best times of course being that I started it when I just finished college ad needed something to occupy me. I had a great boyfriend at the time (my husband). Also I also got my first REAL job (that I still have now).

This was all at the end of 2008/beginning of 2009- Fast forward to now where does this blog has seen me be a fiancé and get married. And now on the way to becoming a mommy.... YES! You heard me!

A BABY will be here soon!

There are many people who have literally followed me along each milestone and I am always going to be extremely grateful. THIS is just as a heads up because I will be posting quite a bit of baby content on my blog as well. 

NEW Make Up For Ever Products 2018

Guys! Make Up For Ever is at it again! I can’t keep up with all these great products that are coming out this year. I was lucky to get my hands on three of them!! Look at them in their glory and let me know which one is your favourite in the comments section!

First up:

The Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadows ($22.00 CAN)

There are 121 vivid shades and five different finishes.

You get pigmented eye shadows that you can mix and match. Plus 12 hour wear.

Five Ways to Get a Wardrobe on a Budget from buy/sell groups online

Let me start off my stating that I'm not employed by any social media platform like Facebook BUT if there is a deal online.. be sure that I'll find it! *TWO SNAPS*

The rise of Facebook groups.

Did you know that your next outfit might be on facebook? Hear me out! 

Have you ever checked out the Marketplace or a FB clothing group? 

Introducing Nude by Nature in Canada- Swatches on DARK skin

I love discovering new brands. Especially when they’re going to be in places that I frequent. Shopper’s Drug Mart just got an exclusive new brand called Nude by Nature.
They’re Australia's #1 Mineral Makeup brand.

Top Ten Island Honeymoon Essentials

I was asked by one of my good friends what would be my top ten Island honeymoon essentials for an island vacation. I had a LONG list of items that you would usually forget or overlook when packing. I thought this would be perfect for the blog since I haven’t done a honeymoon essential post since 2015. 

If you’re prepping for your honeymoon and stumbled on this post - get a piece of paper out and let’s go. Or just screenshot. Haha! Whatever works.