Baby
Frida Baby Mom Postpartum Essentials
Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor & Wall Mount
Trendy 2021 Summer Sandals
I heard this week that we were supposed to celebrate National Flip Flop day and I’ve been getting so many questions about the sandals and flip flops I’m wearing this summer! I’ve posted about a few pairs in recent blogs and on my stories, but I wanted to share my 2021 summer sandal roundup with you all in one place! Summer is my favorite time of year and going to the beach is my favorite escape. All of these sandals are beach friendly and ready to rock this summer. From chunky braided sandals to pearls and sparkles to simple nude flip flops — Here’s your one stop shop for all of the cutest summer sandals I’m loving this year.
The Dayna Lugsole Slide Sandal in Leather
The strappy vibes are so in this season and I love how simple, yet classic these look! The leather is so nice and of such amazing quality too!
I think this braided trend is honestly so cute! I love the added detail it brings to any look. I think these would look so cute with a simple bodycon dress.
CHLOÉ Woody logo-print canvas slides
You’ve definitely seen these all over IG and I’m here to share the hype too. These sandals are seriously so comfy and look good with any fit. I’m eyeing the blush pair!!
Okay I think I’m actually in love with these sandals. I mean come on! Pearls? Say less. Love these!
Universal Thread Square Toe Espadrille Slide Sandals
Espadrilles are such a fun trend that I’m hopping on again this summer. I love the look of the twine and I think it adds a fun touch to a beach outfit!
These are my go to flip flops! They’re so comfy, match everything, and are such an easy slip on shoe. Definitely living in these all summer long.
Jack’s sandals are everywhere and I feel like recently they haven’t been as appreciated as they should be. These sandals are actually SO cute and are great for dressing up an outfit!
The woven detailing in these have me ready for a beach trip. Chase and I just went to the beach and I’m so sad I didn’t have these! The perfect beach sandal.
Yet another braided sandal! These come in black and white/snake. I love them both and honestly can’t choose a favorite!
The chain detailing on this shoe is such a fun accent! I think these are such a perfect summer sandal and would look so good with any summer dress.
Is anyone else still into the lace up sandal look? I think it’s so cute with any dress. Mini, midi, short, maxi, slit. You name it, lace up looks amazing.
The Boardwalk Lace-Up Sandal in Leather
Closing it out with another lace up sandal! This pair laces up higher which I love as an option. Such a beautiful nude color too, which looks so good with a tan!
Which ones are your favorite?! Let me know of others in the comments or send me a DM! I’m always looking for new sandals!
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Guide
Toddler Proof Coffee Table Styling Inspo
Save:
Organic Teak Wood Decorative Bowl: Love this style of decorative bowl! It’s great for every season.
Moss Ball Decor: These are so in! I have seen them everywhere.
Scented Candles : Perfect for decoration and the H&M candles are so affordable and smell amazing!
Rattan Tray with Rattan Coaster: Media trays are great for holding all of your remotes, magazines, etc. This one also comes with matching coasters! So cute.
Wood Bead Garland with Tassels: These wooden garlands are great for decoration and wont break when little hands are around.
Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant in Cement Pot: Faux plants are low maintenance and look so nice around the house!
Pure Enrichment Aroma Diffuser: Essential oil diffusers will make your home smell great and they’re also an adorable addition to any space.
Splurge:
Extra Large Teak Bowl: It’s the perfect size for any coffee table knick-knack.
Natural Moss Balls: I love how natural these look, it will brighten up any space!
Citronella Wood Candle: Your home will smell amazing with this 7 wick candle, wish you could smell it through the screen!
Merida Rattan Trays: Great for storage and can also be used as a serving tray for your favorite snacks as well!
Natural Beauty Wooden Garland: The likeliness of the wooden garland breaking is next to nothing, it’s a great statement decor piece.
Snake Plant in Basket: Faux plants are also great because they will literally last FOREVER!
Sky Aromatherapy Diffuser : You’re bound to have good vibes with an essential oil diffuser near by.
What are your coffee table favorites?! Share in the comments!
Traveling with toddlers: Tips to make your Disney World trip easier
I’ve always dreamt of bringing Chase to Disney World one day, and that dream finally came true! At the end of April, our family traveled to Disney and I have to say, it was truly magical. While I definitely didn’t get as many photos as I’d hoped, we really did enjoy this time together, away, as a family. We ate way too much food (mickey shaped, of course!), rode tons of rides, laughed harder than we’ve laughed in a long time, and took the time to focus solely on Chase. I knew I wanted to take him to my favorite place before baby sister comes, and I’m honestly SO glad we did it. Traveling anywhere with toddlers can be a challenge, but Disney World is one place that can be incredibly daunting with little ones. From my recent experience with Chase, here are my tips for tackling Disney World with your toddler!
Travel Tips
Snacks, snacks, snacks: You can never pack too many snacks!
Don’t forget the must-haves: I am so glad that I brought my toddler travel necessities like my stroller organizer, suction go bowl, and Kindle Fire tablet! It made the trip so much easier for Chase. Read more about my toddler travel necessities here!
If possible, fly first-class: Flying first-class can be so helpful. That extra space helped Chase be a little more comfortable, which is a huge deal for a toddler while flying!
Travel during your toddler’s nap time: This is one of my biggest tips—traveling during your toddler’s nap time can make getting from place to place so much easier, and helps them to be awake for the more exciting parts of your trip!
Disney World Tips
Stay in a hotel with easy transportation to the park you want to spend the most time at: We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge because it was a short boat ride to Magic Kingdom! But if your kiddo is a big fan of one of the other parks, definitely look to see which hotels are close by and available.
Try to keep your kid’s schedule if you can: We did the parks early, then came back and did the pool before dinner to break up the day and to let Chase nap and relax. We didn’t buy park hoppers for this trip because with COVID you can only park hop at a certain time and it didn’t really work for Chase’s schedule.
Book early dinner reservations: Some sit-down dinners can be a little longer, so book your reservations earlier than you’d usually eat so you can get your little one to bed on time!
Plan your rides accordingly with crowds: Right now, there are no fast passes with COVID restrictions, so wait times for the more popular lines can get a little long. Before your trip, make a list of the rides you definitely want to go on, and plan accordingly around them!
Don’t try to do it all: Disney trips have a much slower pace with kids, so trying to fit in everything may be near impossible. Make sure to hit all of your kid’s favorite stops, and save the rest for a future trip.
Let your little ones dictate the trip: Chase loved being able to help choose which ride to go on or what to eat as a snack! Letting your kids dictate the trip makes them feel independent and important, and helps them be excited about what you’re doing next!
Plan character breakfasts: Character breakfasts look a little different right now because of COVID, but I have to say, I really enjoyed the change! Characters don’t walk up to your table like they used to, but I felt like this allowed us to enjoy our meal a little more without having to stop eating every couple minutes to interact with a character that walked up to us. And yes, Chase adored Pooh!
Be prepared to fold up your stroller to get on boats and busses: This was a pain but luckily we were prepared and kept an extra empty tote to dump all the things in the bottom of my stroller into.
Pay attention to the music in the park: When music plays, that means a character or parade is coming. Keep an eye out and have your camera ready!
Have some groceries delivered to your hotel room beforehand: Having your family’s essentials in your hotel room can be so helpful. Think things like water, milk, cereal, snacks, alcohol etc.
Bring lots of changes of clothes for your little one: This may be a given, but for Disney especially, you want to make sure you are bringing a change of clothes for your little one with you into parks as well! You may need more than you think, so I’d recommend being over prepared.
Beware of the hotel rollaway crib: It was very uncomfortable, and I would consider shipping my pack and play next time.
Know the mask requirements for your trip dates: The mask restriction was just lifted recently, but when we were just there, you had to wear a mask at all times. Currently you do not have to wear a mask outdoors, but for indoor rides and lines, masks are still required. Do your research and make sure you are prepared for your trip!
Mobile order quick service meals as much as possible: I found that with COVID, there are much longer lines for food and drinks than usual. Plan ahead to get to your quick service restaurants early, and use mobile ordering in the Disney app whenever possible. It makes the process so much quicker!
Hopefully these tips will help you better prepare for your Disney trip with your toddler! Let me know if you have any other recommendations as well for next time!
Spring Home Decor Refresh
It’s officially spring, which means it’s time for my annual home decor refresh! Spring is my favorite time to liven up the house by incorporating more light and bright colors, giving it a fresh new feel for the new season. Spring home decor is my all time favorite since it incorporates the pastel colors and styles I already love (duh)!
Going into this new season, I’m keeping the same modern and fresh vibe, but adding in some more “springy” touches. My first step is always to scroll through Pinterest. I love falling down that deep dark Pinterest black hole when I’m needing some new inspo! I love looking at my what’s new, what’s trending, and always make sure to throw in some tried and true spring pieces. I love greenery and florals, pops of gold, as well as bright whites and pastel colors as you all know. I always like to brighten up the spaces in our home and add those subtle spring touches wherever I can.
After my date with Pinterest, I always go to the sites I know and love for home decor. As a frequent CB2, Reformation, Target and Amazon shopper, I know I’ll always find some inspiration from their new arrivals and best sellers. I’m really loving Amazon’s options for hobnail-textured decor and Target’s gold accent pieces—I’ll definitely be incorporating those into my decor this season!
Spring Home Decor Inspiration
Tritan Hobnail Texture Footed Iced Tea Glasses– Mama loves a good mocktail, and these glasses are so cute!
Glass Soap Dispenser– I really love the look of clear glass with the hobnail texture. This soap dispenser would be so cute at our kitchen or bathroom sink!
Dolly Table Lamp– This bright white lamp is so classic and will definitely brighten up any living space.
Agate Coaster– I love the gold accent on these coasters! Imagine how adorable these would be sitting on your coffee table.
Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Classic Candle– Nest candles are my FAVORITE, and this new wild mint and eucalyptus scent is so light and fresh—perfect for spring!
White Pedestal Bowl– This bowl would be perfect for a floral arrangement, centerpiece, or even just to leave on its own. It’s another classic piece for any home.
Knotted Fringe Throw Blanket White– Everyone needs a good throw blanket, and this one is a great choice.
Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant– I love this faux fiddle leaf fig, and love the gold accent pot even more! This is exactly what I was looking for.
Project 62 Gold Scissors with Stand– These gold scissors are perfect for adding a little pop of gold into your office space.
Threshold Gold Metal Bowl– Here’s another perfect gold accent piece. This bowl would look great on a coffee table or shelf.
Creative Co-Op White Hobnail Rectangle Ceramic Planter– I love adding planters into my space each spring for floral arrangements!
White Ceramic Vintage Style Hobnail Patterned Planter Pots– These planters are slightly smaller than the last one, but have a similar style to stay consistent throughout the house.
Creative Co-op Ceramic Hobnail Style Honey Jar with Lid & Wood Dipper– A honey jar is such a cute touch for spring!
Biltmore Acacia Wood Club Chairs– I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the woven teak style, and these chairs would be perfect for a patio refresh!
Threshold Artificial Moss Wood Plant Arrangement– I love this faux moss arrangement. It adds the perfect amount of greenery to any space.
What things do you like to incorporate into your spring decor? Where do you shop for spring decor?
Babymoon Packing List
Ryan and I took a babymoon trip before Chase was born and decided we needed to do it again before baby girl. Mama needed some time away! Don’t get me wrong, I love being home with my little guy, but a beach trip never hurt anybody… right?! Plus, Ryan and I haven’t had a trip away just the two of us in literally forever, so it was overdue. We were so excited to stay at The Breakers in Palm Springs and seriously had the most amazing time together. We were able to focus on ourselves and really just enjoy time with each other before the craziness of two kids takes over. I was thrilled to go away because that meant I got to shop for some new bump friendly clothing items! You all know how much I absolutely LOVE styling my bump when I’m pregnant, so I knew I had to share these finds for PB! Happy shopping ladies!
Dresses:
Chiara Dress: Literally obsessed with how bright and fun this dress is!
Ashley Halter Mini Dress: This dress is SO comfy and the cloud blue color is so pretty.
Printed Tiered Midi Dress: I love how sweet this dress is.
Tiers For You Maxi Dress: The most flowy, beautiful dress I’ve ever worn. LOVE the orange!!
Chloe Seamless Longline Bralette: I got this for under the orange Free People dress. Such a good option.
Baby Racerback: Another good option for under the Free People orange dress.
Lucy Paris Floral Smocked Sleeveless Dress: Smocked and florals? Say less!
Bathing Suits:
AQUA Swim Smocked Bikini: Living for this smocked bikini moment. So cute!
Nancy One Piece: OMG this one shoulder moment was so much fun for PB.
Scoop Neck Bralette Bikini Top: This purple color is one of my favorites for this summer. I love the scoop neck!
Jordan Tab Side Hipster Bikini Bottom: These details are too cute. I love the cut outs!
The Mara Sunset One Piece: This suit came in with the most compliments ever. It’s definitely my new summer staple!
Color Block Bandeau Bikini Top: I love anything pink so this bikini was a must for the trip.
Accessories:
Tory Burch Miller Flat Leather Logo Slide Sandals: I’m sure you’ve seen this show everywhere. I love them!
TKEE’S Nudes: Love these sandals. So simple, yet so chic. I love that they match anything and are perfect for the beach!
Quay JEZABELL RIMLESS: These are my go to sunnies! If you’re ever wondering what I’m wearing, it’s likely these!
X REVOLVE Midi Handbag: Love a straw handbag moment! This one fits all of the essentials so it’s perfect for a day or night out.
Tory Burch Ella Straw Basket Tote: I also wanted to get a straw bag for the beach. When I saw this tote I was sold! SO cute!
Woven Packable Visor: I couldn’t find a link to my visor, but this Anthropology is such a close dupe! I love a visor for the summer.
Bridget Braided Straw Visor: Another adorable visor option! Love this summer trend!
Portable Charger: This charger always been my best friend for vacations and traveling. This guy is the best!
What would you pack to go to Palm Beach?! Let me know what item was your favorite!
Necessities For Traveling With Toddlers
We just got home from the happiest place on earth and I couldn’t be more sad, but so thankful for the few days we got to spend together as a family. I’ve been dreaming of bringing Chase to Disney World since the day I found out I was pregnant with him. He was definitely overwhelmed, but was loving every minute of our time away. I’ll do a rundown post about our experience, but until then I wanted to share my necessities for traveling with toddlers. Let me tell you, it was quite the adventure, but I wouldn’t change any part of it. Luckily, we had all of these items with us to make this trip easier, smoother, and happier for my little guy. Keep reading for my must haves for traveling with a toddler!
Baby Bum Hand Sanitizer Spray: I swear by this hand sanitizer. I love the travel size because it’s so compact, smells amazing, and it’s baby safe so Chase can use it too!
Suction Go Bowl: I talked about this in my Diaper Bag blog, but needed to include it here too. This travel bowl was amazing and made feeding Chase so easy while we were away.
Bibsters: These are such a game changer and make cleanup way less time consuming.
Table Topper: Another item I’ve raved about in my diaper bag! These table mats are so nice for quick snacks and meal cleanup.
Baby Utensils: Chase has become very independent and loves to feed himself. These training utensils have been so great and they even come in a travel case!
WiHoo Mini Handheld Stroller Fan: I love the idea of these stroller fans and knew we needed to have one for our Disney trip. Chase absolutely loved this!
Stroller Organizer: This was a must have for our Disney trip, but is something I use all the time. It holds so much and doesn’t get in the way at all.
Stroller Rain Cover: Rain filled strollers are a no from me. I got this rain cover to make sure that no matter what, my baby would be happy at Disney. Rain or shine!
Munchkin Cool Cat Cup: Like I mentioned before, Chase loves his independence. He uses these cups all the time and loves holding onto the handles!
Portable Charger: Mama needs a charged phone at all times! Taking pictures and videos drains my battery like no other, so this was definitely a must have. I also love that all the cords are part of the device so you don’t need to worry about lugging them!
Packing Cubes: These are AMAZING for packing luggage and carry on bags. I like to be as organized as possible with my packing and these are the best!
Stoney Clover Lane Large Pouch: I talked about this in my Diaper Bag post! Love these pouches and love the easy clean. On most days, I brought this instead of my diaper bag since it fits so much.
Nuna Mixx Stroller: A lot of people have been asking me about our stroller! We absolutely love the Nuna Mixx Stroller and loved having it on vacation with us. Its compact and comfortable for Chase and I really love that it lies completely flat for nap time and can switch from front facing to facing you! Having a stroller face both ways during covid was important to me especially in crowds.
Toddler Crayons: I’ve definitely got a little artist on my hands. Chase loves to color, plus this is great for keeping kids entertained at dinner and on the plane
Kindle Fire Tablet: This tablet is another entertainment must have for travel. Amazing for flying with a toddler and getting through long, hot ride lines. Plus it’s super hard to break!
Kids Altec Lansing Headphones: We opted to also bring headphones for Chase and his tablet just in case. He loves wearing them so it made the most sense anyways! They can be used with bluetooth or a cord.
Let me know your traveling must haves with toddlers! Love getting recommendations from other parents going through this season of life as well.
What’s In My Diaper Bag
Ever since announcing my second pregnancy, I’ve been getting so many messages a day asking about my baby must haves, what’s in my Lily Jade diaper bag, and any advice I’d offer to new moms. When I was figuring out life with a newborn baby, I remember feeling like I needed to have everything and anything in order to have a successful first year with Chase. This time around, I’m feeling much more prepared and confident in what I’m keeping in the house, the car, my diaper bag, etc. Plus, with two kids, there’s no way I can fit double of everything, so it’s all about consolidating and fitting the necessities in the right spaces. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen me talk about my favorite diaper bag from Lily Jade. I got the Caroline Bag and additionally purchased the Khaki & Camel Striped Crossbody Strap. I absolutely love this bag because it doesn’t look like your typical diaper bag, it’s seriously the cutest thing ever. I even use the bag as a purse sometimes since it literally matches everything! Anyways, back to the inside of the bag — Keep reading to see my diaper bag must haves!
Water Wipes – These are heaven sent! You’ve definitely heard me talk about water wipes before. They’re the reason Chase never had diaper rashes and have helped so much with his sensitive skin. I keep them in my diaper bag for basically everything – messes, wiping faces, diaper changes – you name it we use them for it!
Triple Paste – the best diaper cream
Baby Bum Brush – literally a MUST!!! No matter what diaper cream you end up using, it’s going to be super thick and sticky. I hated getting it all over my hands so when my cousin told me about this, I never looked back. I have a travel version for my diaper bag as well as the full size. I use it EVERY diaper change.
Baby Shusher The Baby Miracle – This thing is a miracle worker! It mimics the “shush” sound you make and puts the baby instantly at ease. I keep it in my diaper bag on the go or if baby gets fussy.
Bibs Pacifiers – THE BEST PACIS! Get these in every color… you’ll thank me later.
Accmor Pacifier Case: I always put Chase’s pacis in these to keep them safe and protected, especially during these times. Super convenient for travel too!
Stoney Clover Large Pouch – Great pouch to throw ALL your things in! It’s also easy to clean.
Dr. Brown’s Sanitizing Wipes – Love using these to clean off bottles and Chase’s Bibs Pacis when they fall.
Burp Cloths – I always keep at least two of these with me at all times. Never know when you’ll need to clean up on aisle baby!
Munchkin Disposable Bags – These are great to keep in your diaper bag for dirty diapers. They help conceal the smell!
Babyganics Hand Sanitizer – I swear I never leave the house without Babyganics hand sanitizer, especially lately. It’s overall a great product that makes me feel safe, clean, and sanitized when out and about.
Deft Pen – For when your baby stains those adorable clothes.
LYSOL Disinfectant Spray To Go – Self explanatory, but I love having things like this handy in travel sizes during the pandemic.
Snack Containers – My on the go mama trick is to always keep snacks in my diaper bag. Better to be on the go with a happy baby than a hungry one!
Munchkin Formula Dispenser – I exclusively used formula, so I always had this with me filled with formula and an empty bottle.
Portable Changing Pad – AMAZING for at home & travel changing.
Bibsters by Neat Solutions Large Disposable Bibs – LOVE these! I keep them in my diaper bag for when we go out to dinner or when Chase was a baby and I didn’t want him to dirty his nice bibs.
Suction Go Bowl – Love how compact this suction bowl set is! Great for on the go meals and always in my diaper bag for when we go out to eat.
Mickey Sticky Disposable Placemats – I like to put these down under the Suction Go Bowls to catch any mess Chase makes. They even work perfectly if you don’t carry kids suction bowls or plates and just put their food directly on their mats. Plus I love that they stick to pretty much any table surface! I got a fresh pack for our Disney trip.
What kinds of things do you keep in your diaper bag? Always looking for suggestions from other mamas!
My Go-To Apps During Pregnancy
Now that I’m over halfway through my pregnancy, I wanted to share some of my favorite apps that I use throughout my pregnancy. Since I was a first time mom last time, I definitely used way too many apps, but this time around, I’ve been keeping it concise and using the apps I swore by during my pregnancy with Chase and some new ones of course. You all know that talking shop when it comes to pregnancy is literally one of my favorite conversations. I absolutely love discovering new products and brands, while also comparing with other mamas to learn more about what’s best for mama and baby. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite pregnancy apps that I honestly use daily and thought this could definitely help some of you who are going through this season of life as well.
Ovia Pregnancy
I use this app for all of baby girl’s scheduling! The app helps to plan how many weeks pregnant I am and how big baby girl is. The app has an amazing calendar function that I use for scheduling appointments and to look at my pregnancy in an overview setting.
The Bump
Okay if you take one app away from this post it should be this. I use The Bump THE MOST!!! I open this app daily for so many of its functions. They offer daily articles of certain points in your pregnancy (how big is baby, symptoms to expect, and what’s happening to your body) and the articles actually coincide with where you’re at in your pregnancy! The Bump gives you daily facts about your baby rather than a weekly overview. I was 22 weeks last week and my app told me that baby girl was the size of a coconut!
What To Expect
I also use this app daily like The Bump! I love that it tells me what to expect in terms of upcoming tests and screenings. I think one of the coolest features is that this app tells you what’s coming up medically and also shares stats about the baby from the founder (love these videos!!).
Baby Story
Baby Story is more of a photo editing app, but I absolutely love that you take (or add) a picture and place stickers onto the photo! Stickers include the amount of weeks and even specific pregnancy milestones.
Countdown+
I literally use this for all of the upcoming events in our lives, but specifically throughout pregnancy. I have it tracking to baby girl’s due date, our babymoon, trip to Disney, and other big events in our lives! I love watching the app countdown to these exciting moments.
Aetna Health
This app is amazing for keeping all of your cards in one place. All my mamas know the amount of documents you have to bring to each appointment and this app allows you to upload your important cards so you never have to carry your cards on you again! A serious game changer.
Hatch Sleep
If you’ve been following me for a bit now, you’d know how much I adore the Hatch sound machine! I plan to get one for baby girl because of how amazing it’s been with Chase. I absolutely love that this product links to an app that controls the machine. Such a mama must have!
Contractions
I really like this app for tracking contractions. I obviously won’t be needing this any time soon, but I know it’s there for when I do! One of the features I absolutely love is that while timing your contractions, the app will also send alerts that are amazing for first time moms. Some of the alerts include when you should call your doctor and when you should get ready/pack your bags.
Baby WebMD
The Baby WebMD app is an amazing hub for medically approved articles and information to set your mind at ease throughout pregnancy. The Baby 101 feature is my go to for current news and tips from experts and physicians. You can also use this app to record your baby’s growth and development!
Baby Connect
I didn’t pump with Chase, but I’m planning to try with baby girl. I wanted to share an app that I’m excited to try called Baby Connect. For all my pumping mamas, this app seems to really do it all. Baby Connect tracks feedings and allows for log entries and timers to track pumping sessions. It keeps track of what side you nursed last so you can plan accordingly for next time. I love the graphs and trend charts they provide as well. Let me know if you use any other feeding/nursing apps in the comments!
MyRegistry
MyRegistryis such a helpful tool if you’re planning to build a registry before baby arrives! I did baby girl’s registry on here. It’s great because it allows you to pull from multiple sites to make one big registry, rather than only picking one store.
MOC Scheduler
I’d definitely suggest using this app if you’re following Moms On Call. If you’re like me and didn’t follow this exactly, it’s great to see what they recommend for kid’s ages. I took these tips into account with Chase and plan to do the same this time around as well. I didn’t do sleep training with Chase, but I found it super helpful to read up on these kinds of statistics like napping and feeding.
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments section about other apps that have helped you! I always like hearing other recommendations!