Posts tagged: In Real Life

Necessity is the mother of invention. So what’s a dirty pacifier got to do with it? Everything, according to Doddle & Co CEO and founder, Nicki Radzely. Doddle & Co. created the Pop, a clever pacifier that folds into itself when dropped. How many times have you watched in horror as the paci hits the sidewalk/bathroom floor/subway platform? With the Pop, the nipple stays clean — leaving us busy mamas with one less headache. We asked the forward-thinking problem solver how else she makes life a little bit easier, both...

Meet the swaddle. Every new parent’s best friend/nemesis depending on the day. Just know this, you aren’t doing it right if you haven’t asked any or all of these questions: How do you swaddle? What’s the best wrapping technique? What’s the best swaddle blanket? Should I swaddle my baby during naps? How long should I keep my baby in a swaddle at night? Read on to hear the best swaddling advice curated from our very own community of moms. And take note: they’ve got some great tips. *As always, please...

We were so excited when we heard Bridget O'Connor, Co-Founder DIY Playbook, was expecting and even more excited when she let us know she decided to build her layette with Monica + Andy! As an expert on all things beautiful (and affordable) decor, we couldn’t wait to hear about what she has in store for her nursery. Read on for some major design inspo and watch her M+A Layette reveal below.On finding out you were pregnant: My husband and I felt incredibly blessed when we found out we were expecting....

Dear Sophie and Madden,They said it would be much crazier. They said that two is just so different from one. They said you will somehow expand your heart once again. They were right.The chaos of current life is just that. Chaos. We shuffle quickly from work and school to play dates and music class. From grocery stores to checkups to playgrounds. And once in a while, we get to take a minute to slow down and breathe. And those are the best moments, because just being with our family of...

I had my daughter in the middle of a very cold Chicago winter. Which meant we spent the first few months bundled up inside our home. And while I loved being with her, I felt lonely and isolated. I didn’t have mom friends to turn to for support or even just have an adult conversation. That’s why when I started Monica + Andy, I committed to making it more of a community than just a company.Last month I had the pleasure of catching up with my newly-expecting (yay!) friend Danielle,...

After months of doting on your little VIP, the mere thought of going back to the office can make you wanna cry. Know that you’re not alone. Our latest working mama is Kate Wolfson, the insanely talented Deputy Editor at Gwyneth Paltrow-helmed goop and mom to 11-month-old Sonny. At goop, Kate has her hands in every aspect of editorial, including its covetable gift guides. Even though she loves her job (it’s as cool as we thought it would be!), she confides that there’s a lot of guilt for women who...

As the blogger behind Elizabeth Street Post and the Co-Founder of The Everygirl (the ultimate blog for career-driven women with more than 1 million unique visitors each month), we’d say Alaina Kaczmarski’s got this whole #Girlboss thing down pat. So when she let us know she was adding a new title to her resume—M-O-M—we were over the moon. We teamed up with Alaina for her Gender Reveal (watch the video below), so we got to see her selections for both baby boys and girls. Plus, she shares the ins and...

Not all baby music is created equal. In fact, most of it is downright annoying. Don’t despair, we did some searching to find the best baby music that you and your little one will both enjoy. Not possible? Just wait until you find yourself alone in the car singing along to one of these gems. Our Best Baby Music Playlist Rockabye Baby! takes your favorite pop + rock songs and turns them into sweet lullabies. Think Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” by way of xylophone and bells. Twinkle Twinkle Little...

Wait, there's more to life than milk?! Most babies are ready for real food between 4-6 months. Key clues that they’re ready is when they’re sitting well with little support, have good head control, and can't keep their eyes off what you're eating! We asked Dr. Payal Adhikari, a board-certified pediatrician and expectant parents teacher at Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, to tell provide us with her favorite first baby foods (Note to your mother: it’s not rice cereal!) as well as the info we actually need to know before...

Much like babes, we go gaga for pretty, shiny things. And so it was when we laid eyes on The Last Line from jewelry designer Shelley Sanders. We’re talking gorg investment pieces (minus the standard industry markup) that are both sophisticated and fun. Though Sanders loves designing a good arm candy (see: perfect rainbow tennis bracelets), she says she’s “first and forever, a mama.” Find out how the busy mom of three has successfully added a fourth child (her business!) into the mix. Your age: 36Your kids: Arrow (5), Howl...