Shopping is the new daycare

"Look, there is another one here! It could almost be a daycare!" giggles the shopping assistant peeking into my dressing room.

I step outside, and indeed there they are, two other thirty-something moms like me with their under ten months babies. One of them is perusing the racks while talking to her son, who is contently chewing on a piece of bread. "Isn't this more fun than staying at home?"

Being there myself with my baby boy I could not agree more. All of a sudden, I remembered those dreadful days six years ago when my older son had just been born, by myself in our apartment while my husband was at work. It was so depressing. Being a first-time mom I had not yet discovered the liberating, empowering feeling of going outside. For one, the fresh air is good for babies (I have at least two friends whose babies will sleep only if they are outside). Second, a nice stroll will break the blur of feedings, diaper changes, and crying meltdowns that, let's be honest, can be unbearable at times.

When my older son was a baby, I limited my outings to the park or a big mall. I was feeling uncomfortable to go into stores for the fear he would start crying or I would have had to feed him under the watchful eyes of the other childless customers and the sales associates. Second-time motherhood has given me more confidence, so this time I started going into regular stores when my baby was quite small. I discovered that dressing rooms are the easiest and most comfortable place for nursing and changing. When your baby is not yet mobile, a blanket put on the floor of the dressing room will also be ideal for some kicking and leg-stretching, like my baby boy happily did this morning.

Perhaps I was most impressed because I was at Holt Renfrew, Montreal's high-end (and somewhat snobbish) department store. I would have never imagined that there I would have gotten the warmest welcome with my baby. Beware of GAP Baby downtown -- there you are lucky if you get a stroller accessible spot.

Searching for the perfect, baby-appropriate, crossbody bag

Hello everyone! What was your go-to, everyday bag when your kids were small?

When my older son was born, I alternated between two shoulder bags that left my hands free. One of them has hit consignment long ago, the other one I lent to my mom and I am looking forward to retrieve during the summer. Before then, I decided to invest in a small, durable crossbody bag, which can hold my wallet, keys, phone and lipstick (while all baby essentials are stowed in the diaper bag).

Here are my thoughts on a few options I considered in the search for the perfect, baby-appropriate, crossbody bag.

Stella McCartney's Falabella bag (an all-time favorite of mine) is too floppy.

Alexander Wang's original Rocco bag (which I own), as well as the new Rockie bag, are too heavy.

The flaps on Longchamp's Balzane cross body bag stick out in a funny and unflattering way.

Lanvin's slouchy Amalia bag, which just sold out on Bluefly, or this sequined Valentino bag that I have been lusting over since it hit the Outnet, are just too big.

The mini bags I love are too small (sorry mini-Muse).

Mulberry's much awaited and newly released Willow tote is too boxy and way overpriced.

In the end, Phillip Lim came to the rescue, with a bag whose every stitch I love: the Vendetta bag. I purchased the black version on sale at Shopbop, but there is also a black & white version (pictured above) that is a perfect match for Spring and early Fall's obsession with black and white. Do you like it?


Photo: SASYA fashion & style blog. 

Tick Tock

Hello everyone and happy Memorial Day!

On our side of the border, it is an ordinary Monday. For me, it is slightly less ordinary just because I have asked my housekeeper to come a couple of extra days this week. Last week we all came down with the flu and I hit a sort of tiredness ceiling -- hence the request. I am hoping to catch up on some sleep, blogging, and work. I feel a little spoiled already since this morning I could leave my baby with her and step out to get a mani-pedi. The clock is ticking though (the baby will get hungry soon), so let me get back, I got to hurry and relax. :)


Photo: Deviant Art.

The Spring Fashion Edit | Black, white, and beyond

Hello everyone! Are you ready for summer?

Just kidding. Most people I know (including us) have barely and painfully gotten into spring, a circumstance that plays in my favour because I am somewhat late with this editorial :)

The reason is that I am a bit uninspired this year. I am not back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and looking at clothes I cannot fit it makes me a bit depressed (my bank account, on the other hand, is super-happy).

Since shape is not my strong point (this season's crop top is totally out for me), I decided to concentrate on colour.  It is easy, because SS13 is all about it. First and foremost, there is black and white, which I have already talked about in this post. Black is slimming and white is the summer color. The rest are brights and metallics, which were done magnificently by Burberry Prorsum.

Accessories will be my other key focus. If only those Louboutins would go on sale...

SS13 trends | In the buff

                

Hello everyone! Do you like sheer clothing?

I don't do sheer. In fact, I avoid it like the plague. There is something about showing my underwear or my skin underneath that just does not agree with me. (This has made the search for the perfect white tee similar to the quest for the Holy Graal, but that's another story).

Transparent accessories such as handbags (which are very much in fashion this season) are also not my thing. However, if there is one thing I do hope or rather obsess about, it is that either pair of these Louboutin flats will be included in Net-a-porter upcoming summer sale on May 28. Please, pretty please.

Apps in review | iHealth Trax

Hello everyone! Do you use apps to monitor your kids' health?

This morning I rushed to the paediatrician because I had the impression that my baby boy was a bit sick. No big sign -- just a slightly higher temperature (but no fever, using the cutoff of 38.5C, so confusing with babies), a few signs of gastro, a bit more fussiness than usual. I could read in my husband's facial expression that he thought I was exaggerating, as usual (yes, I do have this tendency, I admit it, but this time was different...)

Anyway, it turns out my gut feeling was right and my baby as an ear infection and needs to take antibiotics for 10 days. First dose, first entry into his newly-created profile in iHealth Trax. It is one of my favorite apps, for all those (numerous) moments where sleep deprivation and busy lives come between me and remembering when I administered the last Tylenol or for how long I have already given antibiotics. If you do not have this app, give it a try! You will not regret it.

P.S. I do not review apps often, but if you are looking for the perfect note-taking one, check out this post.
P.P.S. iHealth Trax is one of Babble's top 50 apps for moms.

Photo: Winkpass Creations.

On my mind, Mother's Day edition

Hello everyone! Are you having a good weekend?

I am still high after following Alt for Everyone in the past couple of days. Plus, we have a long weekend (Monday is Canada Day) and the weather is supposed to be beautiful!

Taking advantage of this hiatus, I am catching up with this post, which I had intended for last week. I had a reflective Mother's Day more than a fashion-oriented one. Pardon me if all that has been on my mind has thus to do with parenting and the meaning of motherhood...

Francis and I (Zumba Beach, California, 2012), by photographer Claudia Lucia. 

She told Real Simple Magazine that "I took this photograph using a tripod when my son 

was three months old. I was so overwhelmed. My life had changed drastically and I wondered 

when it would slowdown. In this image, the ocean is motherhood-vas, engulfing, beyond my 

control. Looking out at it, I am struck by both the challenge and the beauty of parenting. 

Holding my son, taking in his view, I know that everything will be ok."

Another beautiful picture about the bond between mother and child: The Mother's Hand, 

by Antanak Sutkus (1966). I discovered it, and its story, through Swiss Lark, one of the

participants to Alt for Everyone.

What have you learned from your mom (via A Cup of Jo). This post prompted a lot of thinking 

on my part (I told you, I had a reflective Mother's Day, probably the hormones...). My mom and 

I are very, very different people, and with a great deal of sadness I realized that the way I am has 

been defined by not wanting to be like her. As I am writing this I actually realized the most valuable thing I learned from my mom: how to be my own person. Better, I would say how to 

struggle to be my own person, because our differences still are source of endless discussions 

between us, way more often than I'd like.

Great with Child (discovered via A Cup of Jo). It has gone straight on top my reading list.

The idea of a Momtract makes me uncomfortable on a number of levels 

(see above blabbering about me and my mother).

Alt for Everyone: first impressions

Hello everyone! Did you attend Alt for Everyone?

Last month, I posted about my enthusiasm for being able to attend Alt from the comfort of my own home, and that's what has kept me busy in the past couple of days. Literally. As it always happens, this week we have all come down with the flu... I have missed a couple of sessions, but was able to attend the whole Graphic Design for Bloggers series by Laurie Smithwick and the Keynote speech by Joy Cho.

Overall, it was inspiring, and the ultimate multitasking experience. On the inspiration part, many more posts will follow. Let me spend a few words on the latter. Conferences are the bread and butter of academics, and I have attended a fair share. This was my first online conference, and I was blown away. You obviously miss the mingling and connecting part -- my husband, who is also an academic, is  not in favor of online conferences exactly for this reason. For me, right now, with a three-months old baby who is still nursing every few hours and a house to run, this platform was perfect. Boy did I multitask. Today I attended my last session while nursing, then taking care of the baby and cooking lunch!


I am not sure I will make it to Alt NYC, SL or SF (this year they are all sold out already anyway), so I am making a mental note next time I attend Alt for Everyone (because I totally will) to download Silverback rather than just taking screenshots with command+shift+3. :)

P.S. Along the way, I finally discovered where to download this awesome screensaver.

P.P.S. I cannot wait to get my goodie bag! If you are also still waiting for yours, you can get a sneak preview on at least few sites, but my favorite is the one beautifully documented by Diana Elizabeth.

The "when I lose 2 kilos" pants

Hello everyone! Have you ever bought something that did not fit you anticipating a weight loss?

I never did, it just seemed such a waste of money. Post-pregnancy style is challenging all my fashion principles (remember buying the exact same item in different colors?), and this has been the next one to go. I admit it, letting go was easy because it costed me only 50$ -- for a pair of Incotex (read: Brunello Cucinelli) pants I could not resist to. Now I need to either wait to lose a couple of kilos, or try a girdle. Just sayin'.

Lost in transition

Hello everyone! Are you having a good week?

After enjoying summer-like temperatures for almost two weeks,  in the past few days we have been back in the grip of winter. Our puffer jackets are enjoying a revival, at least for leaving the house in the morning. (Which is something I personally have not done in two days, due to a cold that has made my baby boy extra-fussy and me extra-tired).

The show of travel, summer, and swimwear issues goes on unabated though. How best to forget the freezing temperature than lusting over a new bikini? Thank goodness for the disconnect between fashion marketing and the Canadian weather.


Photo: Lenny Niemeyer one-piece bathing suit via Real Simple.

Memories from Mother's Day

Hello everyone! Did you have a good Mother's Day celebration?

I had a wonderful, relaxing day filled with love and laughter. I was celebrated with flowers and my first bike (soooo pretty! It makes me want to go for the biking style à la Jane Aldrige, or at least for Loeffer Randall's Rider bag -- if only it would not be sold out in mint, which would match my bike's lemon yellow color and achieve one of my favorite color combination for spring). We braved the chilly weather outside just to go for brunch at our nearby favorite place (but I wore sandals because it is still spring, right?). In the afternoon we had room for homemade gelato nonetheless (more details on this one tomorrow). I had big reading plans, and I am sure you know how it went: I read T Magazine this morning and the book is still unopened. :)

Thoughts on a Sunday evening

Hello everyone! Do you like Sunday evenings?

Generally I hate them. The weekend is over. I am stressed about making sure that everything is ready for the week to come, beginning with school uniforms. I am particularly cranky when my housekeeper texts me that she will come on Tuesday, rather than on Monday, morning, because then I have to clean the kitchen and tidy up the weekend mess myself.

Not tonight though. I am sitting under our lilac tree with my baby boy asleep in my arms. My older son has discovered April Fool's stickers in his favorite magazine and is having a blast sticking them everywhere. I have some quiet time to revisit the weekend, which was a pretty good one. On Saturday morning I successfully kept my first beauty appointment since my baby's birth, and got my hair colored, cut and coiffed. Later in the day, after my son's soccer game, we had our first picnic followed by a relaxing afternoon and dinner with friends on our patio. I had a terrible night, but this morning I caught an almost two hours nap while my baby boy was asleep and my son was watching a movie. I caught up with all. my. favorite. blogs. (A first in the three months since my baby's birth). I wrote new posts and scheduled a few for the coming week. I got my sandals out of storage.

Who cares about the pile of dirty dishes, or the fact that tomorrow I need to start hunting for summer clothes that fit me. This is a pretty perfect moment.

P.S. This photo by Peachy Peonies totally inspired me to put lights on our lilac tree. Stay tuned for pictures!

From 0 to 25 in a week

Hello everyone! Is it spring already where you live?

In every year's most typical fashion, the temperature in Montreal went from 0 to 25 degrees Celsius in a week time. Last Saturday morning I was glad I had worn my puffer jacket to take my son to soccer practice, and at yesterday's game I was sweating in my cotton t-shirt. Plus: I do not have to worry anymore about shoes that fit me -- all my summer shoes are fitting just fine. Minus: I wish I could just wear a summer dress in this heat, bur sadly dresses are still not breastfeeding-friendly...

The secret tuck

Hello everyone! Do you wear belts?

Even though I hate falling off jeans (and in spite of my husband's reminders), I have come to the conclusion that I am just not a belt person because I do not like the bulge it creates.

The solution I discovered to this aversion? Having my jeans tucked at the waist. (I will never advocate enough for the importance of tailoring). It is a fast, cheap intervention that saves me from the to-belt-or-not-to-belt dilemma, and keeps me perfectly tailored. If you do not like belts either, you should totally try it!


Photo: The Sartorialist.