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Fall Collection 2011
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Fall Collection 2011
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Pink Jeggings! Fall Collection 2011
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10
AugStop and smell the coffee.
As a working mom of two little kids I ask myself often…..How can I take in more moments where I am just focused on the “now” and really be “present” for my kids, my husband, friends and family.
My world is filled with multi tasking and I find myself going on “automatic” and tuning everyone and everything out as I make lists, mental notes, run errands and find ways to get more things done. When I am in this zone (which is pretty often), I cannot focus on the present moment and I can sense the frustration of the people around me because I am not really “there”. The other day my daughter must have said “Mommy” 5 times before I hear her…and I was sitting right next to her!
Most moms just like myself don’t live in the “now” because they’re so busy multitasking and rushing from one activity to the next. Sadly, I often catch myself missing the great moments that are staring me right in the face. And the times that I do take some much-needed time for myself, I am plagued with feelings of guilt, so those moments become few and far between.
Focusing on the future and doing things out of obligation only causes stress, anxiety and useless worry. I desperately don’t want to miss out on special memories and moments with my loved ones; So I have created a list of “ideas” that helps keep me grounded so that I can stop to smell the roses when I feel like I don’t have a second to breathe.
- Call off the search party. Stop looking for happiness and realize it’s already here. Look around you. Are you and your family healthy? Do you have the basic necessities of life? It’s not about how much you have but the quality of what you have. It’s ok to dream and work towards your goals as long as you don’t get too caught up in the results.
- Use your time wisely. When doing everyday duties like driving your kids to school, bath time or preparing dinner, take those moments to connect with your child or children. Ask them about their day and get them to help you out. Not only will it get the job done faster, but it’s a great way to bond and build their self-esteem.
- Just be. It’s more important to be present with your kids even if it’s just for an hour a day than to be physically with them for 8 hours while your mind is somewhere else. The next time you’re “playing” with your kids, put down your smart phone and get down on the floor with them. Kids just want you and your attention. So stop, look and really listen to them.
- Look at life through their eyes. Kids have an incredible ability to be amazed at the simplest things. A rock, a flower, how spaghetti feels in their hands. Follow their lead and find that sense of wonder again. Stop taking things for granted and learn to appreciate the small miracles that surround you every day.
- Start a new tradition or ritual. Find special ways to create memories your kids will never forget. Maybe it’s giving butterfly kisses before bed or making up a secret handshake that’s just between the two of you. These are the memorable moments that money can’t buy.
- Create your own rules. With all the choices we’re presented with in life, it’s hard to know what we do out of love or obligation. Are you making decisions based on what you want to do or what you think you “should” do? If you’re feeling stressed out, overwhelmed or full of dread, chances are you’re not living by your true values. When you do things that you really believe in your actions are sincere, authentic and in alignment with who you really are. These are the moments when you shine and feel your best.
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AugStay at Home Moms VS. Working Moms?
With motherhood comes one of the toughest decisions of a woman’s life: stay at home or pursue a career? The dilemma not only divides mothers into hostile, defensive camps but pits individual mothers against themselves.
Motherhood in America is filled with defensiveness, ignorance, and judgment about what’s best for kids, family, and women — a true catfight among women who’d be far better off if we accepted and supported each other’s mothering choices. Since I became a mom in 2006 to my beautiful daughter Mia I’ve been involved in a personal catfight over career and family balance. 5 years layer and with the addition of our youngest baby Olivia, I still struggle daily. Along the way, I’ve perplexedly observed working women transform into happy (and not so happy) stay-at-home moms, and seen others continue working, some happily and others with deepening resentment and anger over the drudgery and missed opportunities both at home and at work.
Nearly every week someone tells me how lucky I am — that I have the best of working and stay-at-home motherhood. As the founder of Mia Belle Baby, I’m a working mom but have the flexibility of being my own boss. Every Thursday I take a day off and spend it with Olivia. Being your own boss is very demanding because you are carrying your business on your shoulders and everything depends on YOU. But it also has other perk such as being able to make your own schedule and leave at a moments notice if your child needs you.
For me each day is filled with madness…mornings are tough getting a 5 year old and 1 year old ready and dropping them off to their daily activities, and at the end of the work (always running late) as I pull on my sweat suit and flip flops just in time to pick up Mia and rush home to spend the little amount that’s left of the day making dinner and spending precious time with my two munchkins. But the truth is I feel like a hybrid — neither working mom nor true stay-at-home mom.
I don’t understand moms who find happiness staying home all the time, without work and their own incomes (however large or small). I can’t fathom why some working moms stay stuck in too-demanding jobs or careers that they openly resent because of the quality (and quantity) time they miss with their kids. But what I know for certain, because I see it almost every day from each side of the battlefield, is that the two groups misunderstand and envy each other in the corrosive, fake-smiling way we women have perfected.
Three observations during childhood convinced me early on to combine work and motherhood:
- I loved children madly and knew I wanted several of my own as soon as possible
- My father, an entrepreneur, was immeasurably rewarded for his work and called all the shots in our family. My mom, a very smart, loving and gentle woman was a stay at home mom for me and my 16 years younger sister (so she was basically a stay at home mom for 30 years).
- In my world the feminine Holy Grail was combined with admiration for my father whom I observed successfully run a business that he created from nothing after my family immigrated from Ukraine in 1990. I found him fascinating and developed the urge to start my own business one day. I craved economic independence. I simply did not want to be my mother (who in my eyes seemed like she had the most hectic and unappreciated job in America). My father supported my drive but always told me that no matter a woman’s IQ or accomplishments, the art of being “feminine and attractive” was not any less important.
At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to own your decision and be happy with the life path you’ve chosen. This is not easy for me. Every day I feel overwhelmed with what I’ve taken on and wonder if I have the right kind of balance and if the choices that I am making today I will regret later in life. I do know for a fact that I have 2 happy and well adjusted little women in my household who light up my world with their smiles. They are my every day inspiration and one day I hope to teach them through example that they can do and be anything that they want. My hope is that they will grow up to unique and accomplished women who are independent, assertive and are able to make their own independent decision and not rely on anybody else for anything (unless they want to).
Tell us about your motherhood stories… dilemmas, silly moments, and opinions. We’d love to hear from you on our facebook page!
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JanThis spring and summer is all about ruffles, flowers, and lace!
Some things change and some things always stay the same; like the sky is blue, the grass is green, pink is always in, and so are ruffles, flowers, and lace.
Classic fashion styles are the looks that last through the ages and appear flattering on almost anyone. They go beyond trends and are a triumph of art and fabric architecture. Despite the era, figures, or fashion, classic styles are always a demonstration of truly refined taste. This is no different for children’s fashion. Each season celebrities try to reinvent the wheel with crazy funky fashion and the ones that come out on top are the ones that stick with the classic (color and silhouette).
Classic fashion always starts with the simplest of ideas. Silhouettes are sleek and concepts are untainted. It is this clean thinking that allows a timeless fashion style to seamlessly coexist among any current style theme. The biggest benefit with classic styles is that they’re never trendy. Trendy styles are meant to push the boundaries and draw attention to the garment. A trendy look is meant to make a bold statement and never slips gracefully into the fashion parade.
This year the Golden Globes proved to be no different. The colors and garments that were the most feminine won over the critics and so did the classic styles. Headlining the timeless fashion A-list were Natalie Portman who donned a gorgeous pink Viktor & Rolf gown with perfect red appliqué flowers, Scarlett Johansson in a pink lacey Elie Saab frock, and Sandra Bullock in a whimsical nude Jenny Packham dress replete with ruffles and diamond beading.
“Feminine” is always in style and little girls everywhere are sure to appreciate the wearable, comfortable, and classic styles we have in store for them in the spring. So here is a toast to never having enough ruffles, lace, and flowers for little fashionistas that always get the best reviews on and off the red carpet!
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JanBath time blues?
Bath time is the perfect opportunity for parents and children to really get to know each other and spend quality time together.
How you view “bath time” is up to you. Many parents choose to treat it as a chore and dread the evenings – as do their children. Bath time can be as boring and tedious as household chores. You, however, can choose to turn bath time into something special. Something both you and your child will look forward to each day. For a child, bath time should be a transition between the noisy and busy world of day and the peaceful, cozy world of bed. With very little effort on your part you can make it a magic time for both of you.
How do you inject some magic into bath time? By prioritizing it. Set a time for baths that works around meals, cooking, welcoming home your spouse, making telephone calls and relaxing. Establish that time for both you and your child as a daily ritual. If the phone rings……don’t pick it up. Try to do a quick clean up of toys (and adult stuff) with your child before bath time, so that you aren’t faced with a horrible mess afterwards. This will initiate the transition between day and evening. Make sure that you set aside enough time so that you aren’t rushing and nagging your child to hurry.
Now, to make bath time fun! Here are some suggestions for adding magic.
Bubbles: Have an assortment of bubble baths suitable for your child. As long as you don’t choose anything too harsh, you don’t have to stick to children’s products, which can have very unnatural scents and colors. Include basic baby bubble bath and some therapeutic bath salts if you’d like. Display your different bottles and make a show of choosing which bubbles you will use each night. Perhaps if your child has been good with clean up that day, you can let them choose.
Music and story tapes: Bath time is a good opportunity to introduce music of all kinds or to listen to a special story on tape or CD.
Colorful baths: A few drops of food coloring will transform the bath into something exotic! Try orange or green at Halloween, red or green at Christmas, red for Valentine’s Day and so on. Keep the bottle well out of children’s reach!
Cozy Luxuries: Such as Plush Towels and Bathrobes: Especially in the winter months, children love to get out of the bath into a warmed towel and bathrobe! Little touches make all the difference. The lack of these cozy bath luxuries in stores is what inspired the Mia Belle Baby Royal Bath Collection. NO baby or child wants to get out of the bath into a flimsy cold small towel or a plain frumpy robe!
Finally, remember that in a few short years the whole ritual of bath time will be long gone and your children will be old enough to shower or bathe on their own ! Have you noticed how eagerly a grandparent runs bath time for much longer than necessary? If you asked them why……they would tell you to make the most of bath time while you can. Whatever you do now to make bath times magic will be repaid a thousand times in memories for you and your children in the future! And don’t forget the cozy essentials are right at your fingertips!
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Jan
If you follow us on Twitter then you already know we’ve added new accessories from the Mia Belle Baby Spring 2011 collection to our Online Shop! Here’s one of our favorite pieces in pink, our Hand Crochet Baby Headband and Crochet Shoes Gift Set. Enjoy :)
Love,
Lina
p.s. Click the pic and get one for your favorite princess today!
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3
JanMoms stickK to it!
Every new year brings renewed hopes, dreams, and aspirations to every busy and overworked mom. It’s the time of year when we wipe the slate clean, set new goals for ourselves, and create New Year’s resolutions. Our enthusiasm is above average for the first month or so and then slowly but surely we find ourselves getting lost in the daily grind and pushing aside our goals so that we can just get through the day.
I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s make this the year that we set realistic goals and actually achieve them! Yes we work or take care of the house, yes we have demanding husbands, yes we have kids that need our attention 24/7 along with shopping lists and many other demands that I dare not mention…but if there is a will then there is a way. There has to be a way to set and achieve goals without wavering when we are faced with everyday challenges and distractions.
For example: Let’s begin with one of the most FAMOUS resolutions of all. LOSING WEGHT! I think with the exception of the most genetically blessed (you know who you are) we all have this on our resolution list every single year. We all want to look good, feel good, and fit in our skinny jeans. I’ve gained and lost over 50 pounds twice but I still have those 8+ pounds plaguing me.
I was on the Internet doing a search on Google trying to find some “healthy” diet pills (quite unsuccessfully) when I discovered a website called Stickk.com. Ladies, this might just be the thing that brings us all closer to conquering those resolutions together, pain (and pill) free! As I was going through the site it seemed as if someone had read my mind and created a way to help me with my predicament of falling off the proverbial New Year’s resolution wagon. It’s actually quite brilliant. A team of Yale birds got together and decided that the world was ready for a socially interactive website that would force people to follow through with their life goals. The concept is based on two well-known principles of behavioral economics:
1.People don’t always do what they claim they want to do, and
2.Incentives get people to do things
Most of us can admit to being susceptible to one or both of those principles at some point in our lives, right? Right.
So how does it work? You sign up for stickK.com with a simple profile describing what your goal is, then draft your own Commitment Contract stipulating what you’d like to achieve and within what time frame. As an added incentive, you determine what you are willing to wage to make it happen. You can take your claims public, putting at stake your reputation; or better yet, gamble your way to success by placing wagers in US dollars towards the achievement of your goal. Who better to bet on than you? It gets better. You can then assign a “referee” who would be charged with monitoring and attesting to the truth of your stickK progress reports. Choose your ref wisely. It should be someone that loves you and wants to see you kick your resolution’s butt, yet also someone you know would verify that you’re telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you 8 pounds! Last, but not least, you choose your cheerleading squad. Supporters can be added to your team and are asked to send you words of encouragement as they are updated of your campaign and your progress. Naturally, these supporters should be made up of people that know just what to say to keep you going. Sprinkle in some of those naysayers that you just can’t wait to prove wrong for an added dose of satisfaction!
We can achieve our resolutions, our goals, even our wildest dreams, all we have to do is raise the stakes.
I don’t know about you, but I am definitely in the mood to gamble!
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