6 weeks ago, we met the most divine little creature.
Her name is Elliott Mae and she is a joy.
She also makes me a mother of 2 under 2 (eek! HTF did that happen haha).
Life is busy, it’s hard and it flashes by in the blink of an eye. I feel like I’m winning on the days I actually get to shower (washing my hair is next level and I haven’t picked up the hair dryer since Elliott was born).
And I know there are a lot of you out there feeling the same (whether your kids are 5 weeks, or 5 years old!) so I wanted to put together a list of things that I’m loving right now, and that are helping me add a little style to my crazy, spew-stained days right now.
Here are just few things I’m loving right now.
1. Decjuba Riley pull on jeans $119.95
I had a pair before I got pregnant and I liked them. Now, post pregnancy I’m living in them and LOVING them! I prefer the biker-style with the detailing on the legs (they feel less like leggings) and I’m wearing my normal size because of the huge amount of stretch in them!
The genius in these pants in the flat panel across your tummy, it not only holds everything in, it also comes up high enough to keep everything in.
A god-send when all I want to do is wear normal clothes again.
2. BabyMel “Robyn” Baby Bag $144.95^
Lucky I had another girl because pink was my only choice for this gorgeous baby bag.
There are so many great bags on the market, but I love this one because (well duh, it’s pink), you can wear it as a backpack, shoulder bag, cross body or hand held with the convertible strap.
The back-pack style is perfect when I’m trying to wrangle the two little ones, but I can just grab the top handle when I’m running out the door.
I also love the easy-to-access wipe dispenser on the side which means I don’t have to rumble around IN the bag to find wipes when Emmie has made a mess with her fluffy (like every. single. time)
WANT TO WIN ONE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW YOUR BEST NEW-MUM STYLE TIP (more info at the end of the post)
3. Sassind Merino Wrap $199.00 (AUD)^
I ain’t got time to think about things like arm-holes haha! This gorgeous merino wrap from luxury Melbourne label, Sassind has been my go-to throw on warmth. It’s perfect for snuggling at home on the couch, rushing into daycare from drop-offs and also is great for breast-feeding.
It’s lightweight, and can be wrapped around your body in heaps of different ways. I can throw it in the baby bag and just pull it out when I need it.
This soft, sublime wrap would be the perfect baby-shower present for an expecting friend, or just a great everyday piece even if your aren’t a new mum or mum-to-be!
4. Minx Shoe “Willott” Boots $199
These are a staple in the NZ “mum uniform” but I can totally understand why! They are ridiculously comfortable, yet slightly more elegant than a basic trainer.
I’ve got a pair from about 2 seasons ago and I LOVE them! They are especially easy for a new mum (or a heavily pregnant mum-to-be) because you simply ‘Slip and zip” – no annoying laces that take time and effort to do up haha.
I’ve been rocking mine with dresses and pants alike, now the only questions is, which colour will you choose!
WANT TO WIN A BABYMEL BABY BAG?
Simply tell me in the comments below your most useful new-mum style tip that made (or would make) your life that little bit easier.
My favourite tip will WIN!
So these are some of the things that are keeping me sane right now. They are both useful and stylish (my favourite combo). But my most stylish accessory is my wee little Lottie…. ♥
Until Next Time, In Love & Style Always,
COMPETITION Ts & Cs:
This is a game of skill. All entries will be judged on their creativity by me.
The giveaway is open to New Zealand residents over 18 years of age. It commences on Monday June 18th 2018 and closes on Thursday June 28th, 2018. The winner will be decided on Friday June 29th, 2018 and then contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours to our email, another winner will be chosen. By entering this competition, entrants accept that I will email the winner with the email provided and publish their name on this blog post and that your email will be added to the Chasing Cait mailing list.
* This annotates an affiliate link, which means I make a small commission if you swipe your credit card as a result of seeing it on my blog. and these items (^) have been kindly gifted. But rest assured, all my recommendations are from the heart and products that I believe in. x
In the week before I gave birth, I practised a 1-2 minute make-up routine, managing to squeeze in BB cream, concealer, blusher, mascara and tinted lip gloss. Once baby arrived, I could make myself look and feel so much better in only 2 minutes! Also scarves were a godsend – but they have to printed to hide any marks on them! Great to use as a blanket in the park, to wipe up all the stuff you need to with a baby, protect your clothes from stains, use when breastfeeding, and then just chuck in the washer at the end of the day!
Flattering patterns on clothes also are wonderful for hiding milk leaks and endless baby spit ups that happen the moment you leave the house!
Definitely a lovely wrap! I was lucky enough to be given a gorgeous woolen wrap before I had my daughter. It looked fab, and was easy to wear at the end of my pregnancy, and then has hardly been off me since having her, doubles as a breastfeeding cover, baby blanket, perfect to keep us both warm when I’m wearing her, and has saved me a number of times, covering up spills and goodness knows what else on my clothes underneath. Definitely my top tip! Invest mummas!!
How good are wraps! I took my Sassind one on the plane last week and it was a god-send 🙂
I just had my second little girl (3 weeks old) I find getting my toddler involved with nappy changes and passing me the feeding pillow really helps. Plus BB cream makes me feel like I’ve put in a little effort and makes me feel good
Congrats! How good and quick is BB cream! its my saviour haha
Cut all your hair off! I used the excuse of becoming a first time mum to finally do something I’d wanted to do for ages- get a pixie cut! It’s made the return to work so much easier not having to worry about blow drying and straightening and also get myself and the little one out the door on time each morning!
go you! that is super-fun haha!
I’m about to go back to the lob for that exact reason too
I’m just about to be a mommy, and love wearing clothes that show off my bump. I also feel a bright scarf and earrings help to pull off my go to black outfit xx
I heard you just BECAME a new mummy!! and how good are brights to add a pop to black x
I love my merino poncho and loose knit sweaters to throw over a breastfeeding singlet. I throw on some colourful beads or a scarf, some super stretchy skinny jeans, white trainers and i feel chic, modern and best of all comfy! My other tip is to wash hair at night and throw in to a bun or plait for nice wavy beach hair the next morning. No time or effort required 👌
pretty much my standard go-to look right now haha!
great hair tip too!
Cardies are a must have, warm in winter and makes breastfeeding easy. An amazing baby bag also makes life so much easier when out and about.
Top tip – leather jacket over anything and red lippie always makes me feel less ‘mumsy’!
LOVE it!
I have no magic tip. But, remember to ask for what you need or take people up on their offers of support, that way you can still fit in a nice shower or time to do your make up and get ready.
that is so important to remember isn’t it Jess! we never take enough time for ourselves in those first few months (years hah)
Slip on shoes! And newest favourite is Gorman oversized raincoat which fits both me and baby in stretchy wrap underneath, love the black with rose gold print too!
Getting a fringe cut, less hair to style and looks like you are making an effort.
I’ll be a mum for the first time in just a few weeks. I plan on always having a pretty scarf or wrap in reach for privacy while feeding – and I’ve booked in for a lash tint prior to my due date.
I’m loving all these ideas! I love button up/shirt dresses for easy breastfeeding and coordination – no having to find a bottom and top that both fit and go together.
For a 2 minute beauty tip… when in a hurry use a tiny bit of moisteriser under bottom eyelashes to wipe off
any overnight residue makeup and then rub on foundation and eyebrow pencil and tossle hair/spray or use a cap
if need to exit the house asap!
To give yourself TIME to be stylish only cook 2-3 times/week… say 1 giant tray of roast veges and baked chicken peices and perhaps some favourite or fancy sausage=1 set of dishes and on the other nights very little time spent on dinner,bagged coleslaw amazeballs too and can substitute your own dressing…Also saving some of the previous nights family friendly food to feed the toddler as early as required the next night
So cliche, but for me it was the Mum bob!! (Which I upgraded to from the Mum bun)
Having an instant doo, that was also pretty on trend, made me feel like I had my sh*t together. Just add some oversized karen walker sunnies, and boom, catwalk (footpath with buggy) ready 👌🏼
Have your eyebrows and lashes coloured just before baby is due- makes you feel a bit better when you Have no time to freshen up in the morning
Spending as much time as possible with those bundles of joy and sleeping when you can, housework can wait! I think if we manage to have a second (currently doing IVF) I will ask for parents/in laws to gift a cleaner for a couple of months.
A breastfeeding singlet under my normal tees – means I can still dress in my old clothes and feel like ‘me’! And its always a good excuse to wear a fun scarf to help making breastfeeding a little more private.
I swear by wearing colour to make me feel & look more awake than I actually am!
Call your best friend and ask if you can have a shower at her/his place whilst she/he looks after the baby… I still remember the bath I had at my friends place when my girl was a tiny baby… and the fact that I used a hair dryer… bliss!! xx
It sounds so basic but for me it is shoes! Picking a nice pair of shoes completely changes my outfit from frump to seemingly making an effort. Pretty trainers are my go to! With four kids, the youngest being 4 months, I think even the smallest detail helps!
I’ve got 3 kiddies to chase after and have been looking for a cute backpack for a while. This looks like it’ll be perfect for when we’re at the park, zoo, shops etc! I also think there is nothing like a bright coloured nail polish to make you feel normal again.
I’m halfway on my way to becoming a mum and just starting to explore what preggy style is. I’d love this gorgeous bag to help me with my mum style in another 20 weeks.
My new mum style tip is to get some concealer under eyes to hide any bags from being up for all hours (or if you’re only going to be outside grab some sunnies).
A bright scarf is my go-to which helps me feel like I’ve made a bit of an effort on myself as a new Mum.
It’s easy to throw on just as you leave the house (just after the dressing gown comes off – which helps keep your outfit baby spill proof until the last minute), and can double as a wind breaker / wrap for bubs if you get caught dodging showers out and about.
Cardies! Luckily warm snuggly long ones are in this winter so there are heaps to choose from. I am about to have number 3 and found cardies so useful for breastfeeding in winter as you can wear a maternity singlet underneath and it makes it really easy. I have just bought another new one.
My new mum style tip is to dress your baby beautifully when you leave the house, fingers crossed it stays clean before you get out the door, and as long as you’re dressed decently everyone will be checking out your baby! I always get comments on her hand knitted cardigans.
I got eyelash extensions the day before I was due so I didn’t have to worry about makeup for the first 6 weeks 👌
About to be a mum of two 2 and under. Dry shampoo was my savior last time with a newborn. A backpack nappy bag would be amazing to keep hands free for toddler/baby wrangling
BB cream is the best, takes no time at all to look presentable, also when you can treat yourself to a gel mani – you feel glam and look great without having to do anything.
that bag is beautiful! i need a new one when my new one comes in a few months as i dont have enough hands! i always made sure my toes were painted, it made me feel like a million bucks even if it was just me that would see them twinkling!
Aargh kids definitely make getting out of the house looking stylish challenging. I’d often go out and realise I had a bit of sick or food on my shoulder so would switch my bag to the other side to cover it or use a scarf as a kimono/cape. Lipstick always helps one look glam too (or distract from the greasy hair)💋
Its so funny how your priorities change, im happy to just whip on some mascara now and hopefully ive had time for a shower!! Cocoon style wraps or kimonos are my go to for any day i actually make it out of the house and at this time of the year they are perfect for the added warmth.
Even when time is ridiculously rushed I try and find time to straighten my fringe and chuck on some concealer and mascara. It makes me feel more human and I don’t feel so rubbish when visitors turn up (which is all the time with an almost 3 week old!) it’s the little things 🙂
Its the small thungs that helped make me feel more ‘normal’… so when venturing to the outside world with a newborn I put on mascara and applied my eyebrow pencil only and it made me feel great.