:: wordless wednesday ::

:: spring fashion for the new mama ::

I was tickled pink to see my article published on The Yummy Mummy Club yesterday! If you are not a subscriber over there, I am re-posting it here for all of you - and avec pictures of the things I actually bought recently to add some colour to my wardrobe for spring. Click on the clothes collage to head over to Polyvore for the full info on each piece.

I love Spring. As soon as the bright colours start blossoming in the window displays I start dreaming of warm walks, skirts, sunny patio coffees with girlfriends, dresses, and playfully splashing in puddles in my chic new rainboots and umbrella.

Then I look outside and get my reality check: I live in Canada. In my city, Spring often does not truly start until well into May or even June. Last year we had snowstorms in May – kinda cramps the sandals and skirts style.

And so, I have always struggled with my Spring Fever - which hits in February and is not totally satisfied until we have had at least a couple of weeks of sunny weather – which is usually in June.

This year I have foe to contend with other than the weather. These breastfeeding boobies that have cut out most of the spring wear in my (former) wardrobe. Where I once had my pick of airy camisoles, bright cardigans and splashy skirts, hang some sorry excuses for clothes – ah, but they're easy to breastfeed in! This winter, I lived in leggings, nice boots and cozy long cardigans which got me through the post-partum cold months feeling as though I still had a bit of my old fashion sense.

Now that Spring is here, I have a couple things on my “must buy” list to freshen (and brighten) up my sorry little wardrobe....and I'll start wearing them now too....even if it's still borderline freezing outside!

A Bright Trench Coat - they have some great affordable ones at Joe and heck....you could even throw it on over your yoga pants and look stylish.

Button Down Bohemian Tops – paired over leggings and some bright flats, this would be such a fresh outfit – and easy to breastfeed in too!

A chunky lucite necklace – it will add style to the simplest of tops and the little monster man can pull on it all he likes.

Embellished sandals – I am seeing all sorts of beautiful metallics, flowers and jewels on sandals from thongs to full on gladiators. Hooray for no more socks!

A floral dress – nothing says spring more loudly than florals. And loud florals are in! Tube top dresses will be great for spring and summer nursing mamas.

Happy Spring Shopping!

:: beautiful baby girl ::

Congratulations to Mommy Eden on the arrival of beautiful Emmerson. You can see photos of her maternity shoot (gorgeous!) and her sweet little bundle on Tickled Pink Photography's Blog. I also happen to know that she designed an ah-mazing nursery for her little princess.....perhaps you'll see it featured on the blog soon!

:: diy birdie mobile ::

Photo via Artmind Blog

I am loving this tutorial from Mitsy at Artmind that I found on PoppyTalk. Wouldn't these birdies make a cute mobile? I am so obsessed with birds.

:: helllooo? who is out there ? ::

Just a quick note asking my lovely readers to answer the poll I just posted in the right sidebar. I am trying to figure out my audience, just out of sheer curiosity! The blog has definitely evolved as I went from expectant mommy to new mommy and I am sure it will keep changing as Hunter gets older.

I am wondering if my readers are at similar places in mommyhood or if I have a wider audience of mommies and other women?

Thanks in advance :)

- Morgan

:: monday morning deals ::

You all know my love for daily deals websites since I posted them here a couple of weeks ago. I log in every morning and take a quick look at each website to see what goodies are on sale that day. I don't often buy stuff online (contrary to the way I post about schtuff on here), but when it is a great deal, I just can't help myself. Mostly, I fill up my cart with stuff and then close the window. All the fun with none of the cost, ha! Anyone else torture themselves like this?

I am suuuuper excited about the London Fog handbags on Beyond the Rack starting tomorrow. I have been eyeing them at Winners lately and they are gorgeous bags. Just my style with all the buckles and pockets. I love this fresh green colour too.....

I think I've decided that I am just not going to be a big diaper bag person. I love changing the look and colour of my purses too much! I am getting lots of use out of my larger shoulder and cross body bags and I am finding it just as convenient as my diaper bag used to be.

If you are not already a member of Beyond the Rack - click here to join. They often have special deals for Canadians only too! They are based out of Montreal.

Also, Joe's Jeans are going to be on Haute Look on Thursday! And not Joe as in Superstore Joe, but designer Joe's Jeans. Le Woot!

:: coffee + etsy browsing = perfect morning ::

Images from DolceVitaMia's etsy shop

My search for newborn clips for my little peach of a neice this morning brought me to this gorgeous headband from DolceVitaMia on Etsy. And this is why I would be broke if I had a baby girl.....too many cute things! I just love this, and I am usually not a fan of headbands on babes.

Aaaaand.....I just noticed you can order it in adult size. Nice.

:: fashion friday - zip front clothing for nursing mamas ::

zip front dress by Rachel Taylor - available at Revolve Clothing

I am seeing zip front tops and dresses all over the place lately and I am LOVING it! Nothing makes nursing easier than a zipper! I am loving this bright and sassy dress for weddings this summer. Found using ShopStyle, one of my favourite online destinations to search multiple shopping websites that ship to Canada.

:: keep all that artwork and do this ::

What a beautiful way to showcase up to 112 of your favourite pieces of children's artwork! I am loving this Jan Eleni creation.

:: wordless wednesday ::

:: nutella latte ::

picture shamelessly stolen from Dinner with Julie's blog

Thanks to one of my favourite Calgary bloggers and foodie personalities - Julie van Rosendaal - I discovered the Nutella Latte at deVille coffee today. ZOMG - perfection! If you are looking for a great place to meet a girlfriend for coffee - you have to visit this ultra modern coffee shop. Delicious pastries and lunch fare and the most perfect coffees. Le yum.

And if you love food blogs, you should read Julie's blog Dinner with Julie. She is so inspiring!

:: enjoying the small things ::

image via enjoying the small things - kelle hampton

If you have not yet heard of Kelle Hampton, you will soon. Her beautiful blog and photography are inspiring me (and millions of other people around the world.....check her out on CNN.) lately and I wanted to share her blog and her story with you.

I found her via her birth story - one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever come across. You can read about the birth of her beautiful daughter - Nella Cordelia - here.

I continue to be inspired reading about her love for her girls and by her amazing photography which captures that love.

Enjoy the small things along with her.

:: spotted on poppytalk - hindsvik letters ::

Hindsvik custom vintage letter

Image via Poppytalk

I love the PoppyTalk blog - it is chock full of fabulous design inspiration, and, it is Canadian!

I was inspired by the large vintage lettering by Hindsvik featured today. Wouldn't this look awesome in a nursery? I love the look of the wood.....it would look fab in our stairway as well....hmmmmm.

Check out their Etsy shop's kids section for some lovely vintage pieces too.

:: wordless wednesday - kiss me, i'm irish! ::

:: crafty mama - menswear stuffed bunny from martha stewart ::

Martha Stewart always has the best ideas. Even a non-sewer like myself could make this sweet little bunny! With different fabrics, the possibilities are endless! Check out the template and full instructions here. Off to raid the husband's closet!

:: DIY photo thank you cards ::

Sorry about the lack of posts this weekend, dear reader. I was busy cuddling my new niece :)

Just wanted to share my DIY photo thank you cards. They are super easy and very cute, and a fraction of the cost of custom cards.

I bought striped thank you cards at Wal-Mart ($7 for 20 cards and envelopes) and then edited a cute picture of my little man in Picasa and added some text. I thought of "Thank Goo" all by myself and think it's pretty clever, albeit very cheesy!

I printed 3x5 prints of the photos and mounted them with glue dots. Le voila!

:: michelle wells photography giveaway winner ::

A beautiful newborn photo from the amazing Michelle Wells - this baby was the winner of our newborn photo shoot giveaway back in September. Congratulations! You can see more pictures on Michelle's blog.

:: sling safety ::

The recalled Infantino Sling Rider

The news world is abuzz with sling recalls and safety warnings this week. I was sent a great blog post by Undercover Mother outlining how to wear slings safely and I wanted to share some safety tips that she gave here for my readers. Please, if you are going to wear a sling, learn how to wear it safely. If you live in a city with a Baby Carrier store, go take a class. Babes in Arms here in Calgary has great ones. Don't be put off using a sling because of a couple poorly designed ones.... there are great ones out there that are safely designed.

I love Gorgeous Baby slings - they are one of our sponsors on the sidebar! They have some great pouch sling wearing instructions and videos on their website too.

Baby should be close enough to kiss.
Baby should never have his chin resting on his chest.
Baby's head should be above the rest of her body.
Baby's knees should be higher than his butt.
Baby's face shouldn't be covered by fabric.
Baby's head should be supported.

:: wordless wednesday ::

:: pi'lo mobile ::

Another great Canadian company to love ♥

Toronto-based company Pi'lo makes the most delightful mobiles, and I am in love with this birds and nest for a gender neutral nursery.

:: momzelle ::

If you are a fan of the show Dragon's Den, you might have seen the beautiful Christine Poirier pitching her Momzelle nursing tops to the Dragons last week.

Didn't she do an amazing job? (If you missed it you can watch here). It is so fantastic to see a fashion forward young entrepreneur making stylish nursing tops for Moms! I know that one of my biggest frustrations as a new mama was the lack of nursing tops that remotely resembled anything I would normally wear.

I have made do for a while with layering shirts, but I am finally taking the plunge and ordering the organic long tank in black. I'll wear it with jeans, leggings, skirts, shorts and layer cardigans over top until it gets warm enough out!

I have known about Momzelle for a while, but I have been putting off placing an order because I thought I could make do with the clothes I have. After seeing Christine on the show, I just really want to support her business. Canadian, ethically made nursing tops.....it is pretty much everything my blog stands for :)

Look for a review soon!

:: sunday ::

I've got nothing today....too busy dressing baby up in his tie, making brunch and enjoying the sunshine.

:: seriously? baby luxe has gone to far ::

Like, OMG! Armani now makes baby bottles! You can get this brand-emblazoned bottle on at Sak's Fifth Avenue for a mere $45USD! What a steal! Your chic little baby will be the envy off all the other babies with his designer bottle.

Wait.

I seriously cannot believe this. Baby luxe has officially gone too far. I can kind of understand the designers making baby clothes. I mean, somebody has to make Suri's 3.5 million dollar wardrobe, right? People with money to burn need to be able to buy hundred dollar onesies that will be poop explosioned or spit up on, right?

But, bottles? Seriously? Mr. Armani is now going to splash his brand on a bottle (probably made in China with some sort of toxic ingredient in it) and charge $45?

Le grand sigh.

:: 3 months ::

Today you are 3 months old. Your smile is infectious. You can't stop rolling over! You have recently discovered your hands and you love to look at them and grasp on to things (especially Mommy's hair!). We enjoy and love you more and more each day and think you are the best baby ever!

:: ocena baby sleeping bags ::

Love these Canadian made sleeping/cuddle bags by Ocena. For use in your carseat or stroller? Adorable, non? See the full line here.

:: the everyday philanthropist and toy society ::

Started my day with some BT and saw a great interview with author of How to be an Everyday Philanthropist, Nicole Bouchard Boles. I love the concept of the book and can't wait to pick it up at the library. Who knew there were 330 ways to make a difference in the world at little to no cost to you?

A little more information from Amazon.ca, and a link to her blog.

Have an old pair of sneakers lying around the house? Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program will recycle them into safe playground surfaces. Getting rid of that old cell phone? Call to Protect will refurbish it as an emergency lifeline for abused women. Racking up frequent- flier miles? Donate them to an ill child so they can travel and get the care they need. Like to knit? Knit hats for cancer patients.

Start a petition, sign a petition, send out an awareness e-mail, and network with like-minded givers and doers at Care2.com. There are ideas for giving things you might never have thought of--your hair, old prom dress, breast milk for African AIDS orphans. Ideas for using your hobbies, talents, time, trash, technology, and more. Each suggestion can be accomplished in the course of a day, most within an hour.

Use your Belongings: You're not just giving away stuff: You're keeping an abandoned animal warm, helping a woman land a job, making a sick child's dream come true.

Use your Body: Give with your body. Use your legs to run for a cause. Use your arms to snuggle a hospitalized baby. Give of your body. Donate hair to create mats that clean oil spills. Donate umbilical cord blood to save lives. Donate breast milk for premature or critically ill babies in need.

Use your Family: Give new meaning to quality time: Adopt a puppy; become a frog watcher; be a host family for the Fresh Air Fund; deposit change in a Giving Jar; sign up for National Family Volunteer Day.

Use your Talents: Match your skills with a cause: Are you a whiz at Web design, accounting, writing? Help a school in Guatemala design a brochure; organize the books in your community center; write a grant proposal for a local homeless shelter.

Use your Computer: Give back without leaving your desk: Use a search engine that donates money to charities each time you click; be a virtual mentor to an orphaned teen; shop at charity malls.

In tough times it's more important than ever that people and communities pull together-- How To Be An Everyday Philanthropist makes it easier than ever before.

And then..... on a related note..... I found Toy Society - which is a blog to bring together people who want to bring joy and handmade toys to a child in a whimsical and magical way. I LOVE this idea and it will give me an excuse to make one of the cute crafts I have been drooling over on www.craftgawker.com. Check out some of the toy "drops" in the pictures below. Wouldn't it be so neat for your child to find one of these while out on a walk? I just LOVE it!

:: the office baby - so ridiculously excited ::

How am I going to wait two more days to see Jim & Pam finally welcome their little one on my favourite show - The Office???

What do you think? Boy or Girl? Will Michael find some way to be in the delivery room? Will Dwight try and give some breastfeeding advice? I can't WAIT!

:: obleek diaper clutch winner ::

p.s If you are ready for a new pair of jeans, Rock & Republic jeans are on sale at Haute Look today! I just bought a pair for more than 50% less than I can get them here in Calgary. So excited to have an option other than leggings (I gave up on ever fitting into my pre-preggo jeans again - boo!)

If you are not already a HauteLook member - you need to join! Click here.