Thred-UP: Like-New Affordable Clothes

Hey everyone! Great news for moms today...keep reading!

I have a new favorite shopping site called Thred-Up.  It's a company that offers "like-new" clothing from popular name brands we all love!  I discovered this site when Noah was around 7 months and it has been heaven-sent!  The reason I say this is because....every mom out there knows how pricey kids clothing can be.  Especially when they grow out of it SO QUICKLY!  & you have to buy again.

Thred-Up works for us because we can buy gently used clothing that no longer fit other children or were "never even worn" and buy them at a fraction of the cost! For example like the Toddler Polo by Ralph Lauren gray sweater highlighted below.... retails new for around $55, but at Thred-Up you'll be able to purchase a gently used version for only $13.99. Insanity no?  

Anyway, I can say from firsthand experience that I am HAPPY with the quality of the items I ordered for my son. Everything looked pretty new, no complaints!  For every item you are looking at, Thred-Up offers a description, measurements, material it's made from, along with the condition it is in. They also offer free returns for store credit + they're very generous and love offering their customers incentives to come back with discount codes!  If you're a mom & you're wondering what to do with the clothing you already bought your little one that doesn't fit, Thred-up actually allows you to sell your (gently used) clothing on their site. Not just kids clothing, but adults too!

Here's pretty much how it works:

You order a free Clean Out Kit. pack it full of styles you love & return it to Thred-Up for free. Keep in mind the clothing you send should be in excellent condition. No stains, holes, piling, or signs of wear will be accepted. Styles you send should be on-Trend and in season.  You'll find a variety of brands like J-Crew, DVF, Mini Boden , Theory, Ralph Lauren & more for women, men & children! For the entire list of brands they carry go here.

I love this company!  Thred-up is ideal for moms who are looking for nice, affordable baby clothes! So moms, take notes. Watch the video above & see for yourself how cool this is.



-post by jen ramos
-office images via Thred-Up

Kids: Joovy Spoon Walker

My mother has been mentioning the word "walker" ever since our son was born.  I admit, when I heard that word, I went into caution-mode.   I really believed walkers were dangerous & always thought "no one uses those anymore!"   I admit, I was against it.  But after consulting with several moms - it seemed most of them have used either a jumpers or a walkers for their own kids. Everyone had a good experience, but they did tell me to always watch the child & not leave them unattended. Well, mom was right. 

After deciding that I would get a walker - I figured  get something that has clean lines and looks modern and is also functional. Enter Joovy.  A friend of mine (also a mom)  introduced me to Joovy & recommended their Spoon Walker.  I looked it up & it was exactly what I had envisioned if I was EVER going to follow mom's advice about getting one.  So, the people over at Joovy sent one our way & its adorable!! We decided on the Charcoal Spoon Walker  & when we received it here are a few things I noticed:

• It combines two essential products into one (highchair & walker)
• It has a large tray which can be used for eating 
• The design blends perfectly into our home decor (yay!) 
• The tray has a removable insert for easy-cleaning or put in dishwasher
• It's big enough for child to play with their fave toys
• it's a bright high gloss, which cleans easily too.
• It has a wide base for great mobility & stability. 
• The seat pad is supportive & comfortable, machine washable. 
• The wide base ensures that little fingers wont get pinched on the side of the tray if your toddler bumps into a wall.
• It has a soft and padded high seat back.
• It has three height positions.
• It folds flat for easy storage and travel.
• It's entirely BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free

So to be fair, my son is 9 months old & is still getting used to it.  At first he was only moving backwards ha! But recently he finally started moving forward but VERY SLOWLY.  Looking forward to seeing him use it to it's full potential.  I highly recommend the Joovy Spoon Walker for your toddler.



-post by jen ramos
-in partnership with joovy

Experience A Cup Above

Coffee is my thing.

I used to be a coffee-shop fanatic, until I discovered Nespresso.  I realized how much money I was spending on coffee +  time wasted in-line waiting for my tall decaf soy latte with a splash of mocha on top! Oooh, long name!  Nothing wrong with name brand coffee shops but there's something magical about making your own cappuccino in the comfort of your own home.  After receiving my first machine, citiz & milk  as a gift from a friend,  I was HOOKED on Nespresso.  The ease & the taste of the coffee was way better than the coffee shops I had visited.  For the last few years I've been a loyal customer of this amazing brand.  So, Nespresso asked me to share my daily coffee routine & to try out the newest machine in the VertuoLine range, Evoluo.  The new machine launched last month and is featured in their new �Experience a cup above� campaign with George Clooney.

To those who don't know me, I work from home. Working from home is definitely an interesting & challenging experience. I tend to work on turbo-mode and then take a break during the daytime to spend time with my son for a few minutes.  I usually hang out with him while I make myself a (much-needed) cappuccino & pair it with Sprinkles cupcakes or a gluten-free bagel + pumpkin butter spread.  I eagerly look forward to these moments & feel relaxed & at ease being a work-at-home-mom.

During the middle of my work day on my break, I'll  enjoy my coffee with a bagel.  It's one of my favorite things......but my son loves colors, so cupcakes get him EXCITED!  He then goes back to his sitter & I get back to work, checking email, posting photos on social media like instagram & painting.  Being an artist, my home studio can get a little messy.  Even still, I'm not afraid to bring my coffee into the mix... I'll even use it as a prop for photo shoots.  Of course, I'll drink it afterwards.   I love painting & sipping on my cappuccino, I feel like the two things go hand-in-hand.  Working at home has it's challenges & the one day my sitter isn'tt working, it's hard to leave the house & walk into a coffee-shop with a stroller etc. (even if I wanted to).  So having a high-end machine like the Evoluo, which brews espresso and large-cup coffee, is VERY helpful.

Below:  Infant Nuna ZAAZ convertible high chair in Pewter

In the last few days, I've really enjoyed my work breaks, because the new Evoluo machine has been wonderful. You see,  I love milk (soy milk) in my coffee, so I got the bundle with the Aeroccino (milk frother).  This machine is quieter & more beautiful than my previous one.  It also maintains the gorgeous crema, which is what you see in my glass cup in the photo.  Nespresso machines use Nespresso capsules and brew high quality coffee , they are easy-to-clean & offer some great varieties in their Grand Crus like the new Limited Edition Swiss Chocolate for the holidays, yum!!!   One thing I learned while trying the new Evoluo is that Nespresso only selects the top 1-2% of coffee from the finest coffee-producing regions for their Grand Crus! Nice.

I love my coffee at home & drinking an iced version on the weekends with my husband after dinner is like my dessert sometimes.  He'll even add a scoop of coconut milk ice cream on top!  I swear.  So now you know how I  "Experience A Cup Above."

Above: Infant Nuna ZAAZ convertible high chair

-post + photos by made by girl
-this post was created in partnership with nespresso - thanks!

REAL LIFE: OUR (TOO LONG) RV TRIP

Traveling with my family last week was not easy.  I'll be the first to tell you that being in such a small space with my husband (for too long) is not always a good idea.  I love him, but damn.... we can get on each others' nerves in such tight quarters!  I also discovered on this trip that RV'ing (as they call it) just isn't for me.  I guess I'm more of a city girl who likes to dress chic & sip on cappuccinos.... I ADMIT IT.

Nonetheless, I decided to go because I thought it would be a good idea to experience the back roads, farms, fruit markets and the beautiful animals we don't see in the city.  I guess you could say, I wanted to be rugged for a bit.  On this trip, I realized I'm too much of a city-girl to go rugged more than 4 days. Our trip went for 9 days. Tooo long.

In the meanwhile, we also traveled with our 7 1/2 month old son.  He wasn't a handful, he was ACTUALLY two.  We had to make stops every time he was to be fed & changed. To be fair, he has a good temperament and isn't a huge crybaby but he certainly got irritated being in the car seat too long.  Car seats are wonderful & horrible at the same time, right?  Because he's still under 2 yrs old,  he has to face towards the back of the vehicle, so he doesn't get to see much out the window. Like a friend told me recently, when you take kids with you, it's no longer a vacation but a trip.  Don't get me wrong, I thank God for the time off, but hoping for a vacation next time.

All in all, the sights I saw were as beautiful as any movie & the places we visited were SUPER fun. I learned a few things along the way, if you decide to  travel in an RV + baby, it will require a few things:

• patience
• a good amount of baby clothes
• if you're traveling in the cold, pack warm attire
• Organic baby food to-go like Ella's Kitchen or Happy Baby
• portable baby tub like Puj - that folds & hangs to dry easily
• a comfy car seat that is easy to remove like the nuna PIPA
•  Pre-fill bottles with water or pedialyte to carry around if you're child is thirsty
•  Do not plan too much, because trust me, most of the trip will be spontaneous and you may be disappointed. 
• have lots of possible destinations as back ups, in case plan A fails.
• download cartoons or kids learning videos on an ipad or whatever for your child to watch during his/her traveling time in the car seat. 
• always charge phones, iPad, etc. 
• With an RV it's better to opt for plastic dinnerware because renting the ceramic dishes etc. like we did, wasn't a good idea. Why? because with every bump all you could hear are dishes & I was fearing the cabinets opening. Although the dishes are in a safety box, still...it was annoying for the baby to hear as he slept.
• bring plenty of bottled water for everyone - which baby can also drink from. 
• Forget bringing your entire wardrobe. Almost all RV parks have laundry & while you are there you can do a quick load. 
• if it's cold, I'd suggest bringing a small portable heater. You never know when you may need it.
• stay organized, put things in specific places so you don't spend most of your trip wondering where you're shoes are etc. 
• Do not overeat. Not for anything but... being on the road too long with a baby you will be sitting around a lot. The kitchen should be used to cook meals. We used it almost every single night. 
• We decided to cover the cloth RV seats with towels we bought at a Walmart after i spilled some water on one section then sat down on it. Got up to discover i had a dark spot on my jeans from the dirt that collects on the RV cushions. Gross. So, cover those things up! This is perfect when you have to place some baby items on the seats. 
• Use the main RV bed as the baby changing station. But make sure to never leave your infant alone!

-post by jen ramos

Real Life: Dark Circles & Exhaustion

Being a mom is great. But being a mom also means putting myself second.

I've always known that placing myself second would be pretty challenging since I love taking care of myself.  There's nothing wrong with doing things for me, but nowadays I rarely do. YES, I miss it. 

Ever since Noah came into our lives - we've been learning many things about him & ourselves.  For one, I was never a patient person. With baby, I find myself practicing patience even when I DON'T want to!  

The most challenging days are the ones where I just don't know why he's crying.  He isn't much of a crier to begin with,  unless he's tired or hungry. Go figure.  Other than that, he's pretty relaxed. When he's not hungry or tired & he cries, I get the most anxious.  I find myself trying "everything" I've learned to get him to stop, and the few times it doesn't ....I feel LOST.  I'm sure I'm NOT the only MOM to feel this way.... so, this is why I'm writing this today.  Real life has an interesting way of surprising us & making us face our our biggest fears.  Every single day I realize I'm facing new challenges & new fears while raising our son, and I can't stress enough... the importance of patience.  I'll be honest, I'm still trying to master the patience 'mode' myself.  

As I write this, another thought is running through my mind..... BUSINESS + BABY.  Believe it or not, I am still trying to manage my business while raising our son.  Yes, I have some p/t help with a nanny & family members, but I find myself letting go of one thing or the other.  Don't get me wrong, I love what I do,  but I also know that Noah will need more of my time at some point.  In my heart, I've always wanted to be a mom...but not an 'absent- mom' where work becomes more important than my family.  So many thoughts keep coming to mind about just quitting my work & focusing more on him for a few years.  Although he drains most of my energy, I love being around him & his BIG smile. He is such a blessing.

I'll be blunt, the thought of being a stay-at-home mom SCARES the heck out of me.  Why? Well, I always imagined it would be boring & lack the amount of creative outlet I'm used to.  I honestly would love to know if any moms out there quit their jobs to tend to their kids at home?  Would that be a life that would drive me crazy? OR would I embrace it?  How many moms out there are doing both??? Working & caring for their kids? or How many moms left work altogether to care for their children? -  I've been wondering about this.

-post by jen ramos
-please excuse my punctuation, I am obviously not an English major.

GAP BABY: MY PICKS

Baby Gap is one of my go-to places to shop when I'm looking for cute & whimsical baby clothing. Since Noah was born, I've shopped there & I love their selection!  They have the cutest illustrations on their jumpsuits and onesies. 

I find that a lot of baby clothing stores can be a bit tacky...meaning too bright & colorful. Not at Baby Gap, they're kids clothing are simple, yet still fashionable & fun!  These are my FAVE picks for both boys & girls this Summer. 

 

-Post by jen ramos

Giggle Baby Wishlist

As many of you know, when a new baby comes into the picture.... things change. 

Especially our living spaces. We fight it & it still seems like baby items are running things. Ok, so then why not get the cutest things you can find right? ...... like stuff from Giggle.  It's one of my fave baby shops right now. We currently still have Noah in a bassinet & now at 4 months, he is starting to look like he needs a crib. REAL BAD. Time flies.

We prefer compact items that are sleek & modern, and also fit in with our current decor....I mean why not? - Of course, it should be functional too.  I gathered Noah's wishlist, (well, really mine for him) & as you see the Bloom Alma mini-crib is included. Would love to add this small crib to his little space.  

Do you have this crib? What do you think of it? .... Have you shopped at Giggle?

You can also shop all these items at Giggle.

-post by jen ramos

NUNA USA GIVEAWAY

Giveaway now closed, stay tuned in a few minutes for THE WINNER!!! 

Being a parent can be challenging and physically exhausting at times - so having baby gear that makes things easier is essential.  A good stroller makes a huge difference.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to the NUNA MIXX Stroller.....  And, we are giving (1) away to one LUCKY winner!!!!!!

THE PRIZE: 

One gorgeous NUNA MIXX STROLLER in Basil worth over $500. This color is exclusive to Giggle.

HOW TO ENTER:

It's EASY.  Just leave a comment letting me know why you'd like this stroller...along with your email below. If winner does not respond within (1) day of being selected - we have the right to choose another winner at random.
 

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON: 

June 3rd, this evening!!  We will choose a winner using random.org.  I'll post the WINNER'S name on my blog & on my instagram, so come back to see if that's YOU!!!

Just so you know.....my husband & I had been on the hunt for a new stroller & we came across Nuna. The brand is amazing and the design of their strollers are just lovely. The new Nuna MIXX Stroller is one of those strollers that creates a more peaceful & magical walk when strolling around with your baby.  This particular stroller in Basil is sleek & versatile. It faces forward (so your baby can see you) or backward (so your baby can see the world).

One of my favorite features of the MIXX stroller is that my baby can lie flat with the flat sleeper seat. This is really important to me, because I hate long walks where my little guy is sleeping while sitting up.  He looks uncomfortable....I'm sure you know what I mean.   


Ok, now check out the cool features:

• flat sleeper seat 
• 5 position recline 
• quick-release wheels 
• smooth ride
• 11" foam-filled airless tires that handles all terrian
• over-sized, extendable fully enclosed canopy
• removable flip-out eye shade 
• can use the MIXX Nuna Pipa Car seat
• under stroller spacious storage

Feel free to enter the Nuna Mixx Stroller Giveaway now. Good Luck!! 

 ....to the winner, we will email you!



-post by jen ramos

Cool Mom. Cool Diaper Bag.

Ok, so now that I'm a mom, I'm on the hunt for a diaper bag.

Yes, it's a bit late...why? Well, you see....I've been using one of my bigger handbags as a diaper bag. I'm quickly discovering there aren't enough compartments to put everything in!  Very annoying when you're out with your baby on a long stroll & find yourself digging around your BIG handbag for a small pacifier etc.

Now after searching and searching online I've come across some great options that are not only stylish but functional. Let's face it, there are some UGLY diaper bags out there.  I just can't see myself holding a bag that feels like I'm hauling around a clown outfit.  No offense but...."Dear designers, please make nicer diaper bags."  In the meanwhile I've got a few I'd recommend - some not-so-affordable and some are.

As of right now I'm looking at #2 , a black quilted diaper bag by StorkSak. This bag is pretty cool....has all the necessary pockets & then some.

Moms, take note...this is def a cool bag!

1. gucci 2. storksak 3. storsak 4. louis vuitton 5. marc jacobs 6. storksak 

 see more at storksak

-post by jen ramos

Cool Clothes for BOYS

It's been a little over a month since we've had our son.  I have to admit, little girls seem to have a lot more FASHIONABLE options than little boys. So, I've been doing research on some cool baby clothes for boys.  It's been a long process of looking around - but, I finally found a few shops that I LOVE.  

Noah doesn't know much about fashion yet, so in the meanwhile.... it's my job to dress him. Below are some items on my wishlist for his wardrobe.

What are your favorite places to shop for kids clothes?

1. hello pullover via hello apparel 2. i like you a lot via kid & kind 3.  star pants via nununu 4. overalls via h & m 5. KID tee via hello apparel 6. star onesie via nununu 7. le be'be' onesie via hugo loves tiki 8. jumper via nununu 9. house tee via kid & kind 10. skull tee via nununu 11. au chocolat onesie via hugo loves tiki 12. garcon sweater via hugo loves tiki 13. paint splatter pants via nununu 14. washed out denim via h & m 15. cross baggy pants via nununu 16. 'i'm not tired' onesie  via hello apparel

below: my little guy

P.S.  ------> If you're a baby brand & want to introduce me to your product/apparel, please email me.  We love to work with fun & interesting brands! We can dress Noah up & post the pics on my instagram.  Just another way to display your brand to a new audience!

-bottom image by jen ramos

My Top 5 Picks for Strollers

Ok, so as many of you already know from following my instagram, we adopted a baby boy.  He was a new born when we met him & he is now 1 month old.  This journey has been a long one with several ups & downs.....but we couldn't be happier with the end result!  Thank you to all of you who helped us through this, whether through donations or emotional support, we are truly grateful. 

With that said, we are now in the market for a NEW stroller. 

We had purchased one when we got our baby but we were not completely happy with it. I have done research and have narrowed it down to these 5 modern rides for kids. I prefer an all-black stroller ...in fact, the less color, the better. 

 I really like the idea of having a fully equipped stroller in Manhattan, since I am always on the go.  

It's also nice to have a carry cot like the NUNA stroller has, in case I'm out & need to do a quick diaper change....plus, baby can sleep in a comfy position while strolling down the city streets.  I'm positive my little guy would love this feature since he's a sleeper!  The Stokke Xplory also has a cool feature which caught my eye, it has seat-height adjustability which brings baby closer promoting interaction + it's super compact, ideal for walking thru crowded areas.  

Do you own any of these strollers?  I'd love to know your thoughts!

1. nuna IVVI   2. stokke xplory   3. bugaboo   4.  britax   5. uppa baby

-post by jen ramos