Blurred Reality

This is for all the ladies out there (including myself) that have a really hard time believing that all those selfies being taken are really a true perception of what someone may actually look like. We all have flaws, even the plastic faced darlings of celebrity instagram. And you say that they may just be taking a quick pic, adding a filter, and sending them out into the world so that women everywhere want the name of their dermatologist, it must be how they actually look. There is no time for photoshop. 

And maybe that is true. But let me show you an example of how you can take any picture from no make-up reality to a much more perfect version of so in about 30 seconds.  

A few swipes of your finger and every line is gone, teeth are whiter, under eye circles gone, skin tone is even, and eyes are crystal clear. And while I am really tempted to use this app all the time, I won't because it is gross, really. 

So next time there is a headline about a celebs flawless morning glow without make up, think twice about feeling mediocre. Because more often than not, they had at least a little bit of help. #nofilter is BS. 

And your beauty is real. 

The flawed, starting to wrinkle, needs a pluck, has something in their teeth, trying to cover up that zit on your chin, face of someone that doesn't need to blur the reality of the happy moments of your life is who we all want to see anyway. It is more beautiful that way. 

xo

Erin 

Hukkster

In another episode of, "why did I not think of that?" let me introduce you to Hukkster.  This company is making your online shopping even more amazing. 

They cover hundreds of retailers and will notify you when something you want goes on sale. Almost all the stores that I usually am shopping on have it available. You can use it on your computer, like above. Or download the app to your phone/tablet. 

On your phone it works a bit like Tinder (not that I am on it, but so I have heard. ha) by giving you the option of swiping through retail options and seeing if you want to "Hukk" it or not. Which means that if you do Hukk it, then you will get a notification that your item goes on sale the minute it does. You can also search through your favorite sites right from the website or app and then "Hukk" it  from there. So let's say you are looking for a dress for a wedding, while you online shop for it you can Hukk the ones you like and be notified via email or a push notification if any of them go on sale. 

Kind of genius, right? It is a little hard to explain, so I would encourage you to download the free app and start playing. It is kind of addictive. As if online shopping could be any more so. 

xo

Erin 

Not on the Registry

Even though it has only been six months since the babe came, it might as well be a lifetime. Those first few weeks and months of having a newborn have slid from my memory quickly. Not the great parts, like first baths, tiny finger grips, and locking eyes for what seemed like hours, but the hard parts like the complete and utter exhaustion, the hardships of nursing, and the baby blues. When you are in it for the first time, it can feel like your life will never resemble what it was before baby. Then as the weeks go on and the baby grows with you as a new mom, you start to get it. Each week, just a little more. We are still adjusting, but it sort of feels like life has settled into our new normal. 

With so many friends in the trenches of newborn-dom or about to embark on them, I wanted to share what resources seemed to help me the most through those first couple months. The internet is a deep dark place filled with crazy people, but somehow during that 3am feeding you will listen to any one's advice or story. Funny since they could be living in scowler and misrepresenting their entire experience. 

A few things that I found the most helpful are not registry items or keepsakes that are jammed in your house right now. They are simple resources to help you through and keep you sane. 

The Similac Strong Moms iPhone app was my favorite tool right from the start. You can keep track of everything. Diaper changes, nursing (length, side, amount, etc.) sleeping, bottle feedings, and growth. Once you start entering, it then helps to predict your baby's schedule. I tend to like data, so it was nice to see patterns emerge a bit (even if they were that your baby only sleeps during the day) and it gave me something to reference each day. 

I mentioned this book in my registry post, but I can not stress enough how helpful Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Weissbluth has been. He started out with no more than two hours of sleep at a time. I followed the book exactly (even CIO) and he started sleeping twelve hours a night at about three months. Some of that is biological, but a lot of it was following the science behind sleeping and this book is a great guide. 

The Babycenter site and apps were so helpful during pregnancy. You can also download their My Baby app to follow along with tips and information based on the birth date. You can also join the Birth Club for that month on the app and follow along with other moms who are right there with you. This can be another breeding ground for crazy, but I liked seeing posts from other new moms with the same questions and problems. Just knowing that someone out there was going through the same things was a relief. 

Other new moms was by far my favorite resource and outlet. No one is as great as someone who is going through the same life experiences that you are. I was lucky enough to have three friends with newborns at the same time. I also connected with old friends from college through Facebook who I might not have gotten close with again otherwise. 

If you are in newborn-land right now or about to be, know that it is a crazy amazing time. You will struggle with some it and at the same time relish in it. Those sweet moments of your tiny baby getting used to the world does not last long. Enjoy, reach out, and know that life will settle into something "normal" once again. 

xo
Erin