Q&A | Part 1

Hi Friends! Happy Monday! I’m trying out something totally new and I had so much fun with it. A few weeks back on Instagram I asked you guys if you’d like for me to do a Q+A post because I’d been getting random questions here and there and I thought that it might be fun to have them all in one place. Once you gave it the thumbs up, I compiled most of the questions and put them all into this Q+A blog post. They are in completely random order and have to do with beauty, fashion and baby…which I thought was a fun mix! I hope that you guys enjoy reading this because I sure had fun writing it!

Favorite Manicure Colors?

OPI “Mod About You“ is my Summer go to for sure! I also like OPI “What’s the Double Scoop” and “Funny Bunny“

How are you transitioning from one to two?

Well, not gracefully that’s for sure…ha! I talked a little about the transition in THIS post, but otherwise I truly am taking it one day at a time. My husband has stepped it up big time and I am so appreciative. I literally haven’t done the dishes since Lawson was born and have been able to shower daily with his help…he’s also helped Landry a ton. I feel like you have to be super vocal to your partner and your support system and tell them what you need and how they can help. The hardest part of the transition has been conforming back to such a strict schedule. Which brings me to the next question…

How do you nurse in public?

So, in order for me to feel human, I cannot be cooped up in my house all day everyday. I have to be out and about and somewhat socially active. Obviously this comes along with feeling comfortable nursing in public since I am still feeding Lawson every 2-3 hours. It didn’t take me long with Landry to not give a damn what people thought about nursing in public and that same feeling came right away with Lawson as well. I am feeding a child and if people can’t get over that, it’s truly their problem, IMO. I always have a good nursing cover on hand (I typically use THIS one or one of THESE lightweight blankets)

How do you stay awake at night while nursing?

This one is tricky and it’s NOT easy. Lawson is still nursing for 45 minutes total, which is too long for me to really halfway wake up. The first thing I do when she wakes up is get up and change her diaper. This wakes us both us. If I plan to stay in my bed and nurse I make sure to sit straight up and wear my nursing pillow (both help me to stay awake better). I also turn my iphone flashlight on and either catch up on emails on my phone OR fully open my computer and work on blog posts. Funny enough, that’s actually how the blog was born…it’s something that I would work on when I was up late nursing Landry.

Best baby shower gift?

Ok, if budget was no option…I think that every mom (new or seasoned) wants one of THESE. They really are amazing and might be a good gift to go in with a few friends on because it’s sure to be the shower favorite!

On a more budget friendly note, I think that this gift set is the most practical and useful little bundle for new parents. The Nose Frida saved my life many times with Landry and for this baby I went ahead and got the whole bundle of lifesaving devices.

Best new product for baby?

(If you’re not nursing or have no interest in nursing, skip this one because it’s a little TMI, lol) Hands down…without a question…this contraption! It’s a simple silicone bulb that suctions to your breast (the one that you’re not nursing on) and it catches the excess let downs. I’m able to get 2-3 ounces each feeding and it really alleviates any need for the pump, which is amazing. I’ve built up quite a little frozen supply this way and it makes me so happy. Trust me, buy one. Now.

Where did Lawson’s name come from?

It was my grandfather’s middle name. I’ve always loved the name and without being too Kardashian I really like the way Landry and Lawson sound together.

Any postpartum recovery tips?

Self care. Self Care. Self Care. Seriously remember to take time to remember what YOU need and don’t be afraid to voice those needs and ask for help. Take the shower, get the manicure, find some clothes that you feel are flattering on your transitioning body, take a nap, take a walk, and throw the guilt out of the window. This time I feel like I’ve made it really clear to my husband that the sooner that  I can feel like *myself*, the sooner our family will get back into a groove. He’s been super accommodative in finding ways for me to sneak out of the house for some alone time or a good workout.

Starbucks order?

haha I loved this one. My order varies by season. In the Winter its a grande coconut milk latte or the “medicine ball” which is off the menu. In the Summer it’s a tall coconut milk carmel frapp no whip or a venti acai refresher…always followed by a petite vanilla scone. Whoops.

What stroller are you using for both?

This one has been amazing! I’m going to do a full post about it, so I won’t spill all of the details…but I do love it.

Guilty Pleasures?

Wayyyy too many to name, but here are a few: Anything on Bravo but specifically Vanderpump Rules, Southern Charm and RHOBH. Mexican food. Expensive bath bombs. Celebrity gossip. Fresh flowers. Watermelon sourpatch. Rap music.

Skincare routine?

I can do a full post on this if you guys want…but here are the cliff notes:

Exfoliate using THIS brush + this gentle cleanser. I use  THIS drugstore cream for at night and THIS one for daytime and I’m loving the eye brightener from the same brand. I splurged on a few masks that I really like and alternate between the two. THIS one is really expensive but super luxe and really does the job and THIS one is great at cleaning pores! Lastly, one of my silly obsessions when it comes to skincare and makeup application are these terrycloth spa headbands. I wear them when I have a mask on, when I’m cleansing my face and even when I’m in the shower and don’t want my hair to get wet.

Favorite beauty product?

Well this is hard…but if I HAD to choose it would be THIS mascara. I’ve been using it since college and truly there’s nothing that compares. It’s the very best, hands down.

Best investment bag?

This is hard, too! Practically, I’d say a Louis Vuitton Neverfull is a great place to start! It’s so versatile, so durable and really can be worn with anything. I’ve had mine for 8 years now and it shows very little wear.

I still have dreams of a Black Chanel Caviar Quilted Jumbo Bag but honestly don’t know when I could ever pull the trigger on something that expensive. Someone else would have to buy it for me and even then I would feel so guilty.

Where are you from?

I’m from a very very small town in south central Louisiana. I graduated high school with only 52 people in my class!

Tips for new moms?

See postpaturm recovery tips but also AMAZON PRIME. Prime has really saved my life and been one of the best investments that we’ve made all year!
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You talk about work…is blogging your job?

Yep! I work on the blog (more than) full-time and in turn it produces a full time income. I’m so blessed by the flexibility and creative outlet that it offers and truly love working on it! If you guys have more specific questions (I know that so many people are curious), I’m happy to do a more detailed post about how it all works.

How do you do it? What’s your schedule?

Re: How I do it? I DON’T. I’m running on coffee, too much self tanner and a prayer.

Oh man another doozy and another topic that I’m happy to do a full post on. Here’s a rough draft of a typical day in our house:

6am: Feed Lawson, put her back down by 6:45

7am: Landry wakes. Head downstairs for breakfast + coffee. Pack lunch.

8am: Back upstairs to get Landry ready

8:15-8:45: I shower and get ready (Landry gets to watch Tv, Lawson in rock-n-play)

8:45: LK to school

9:oo: Back home, feed Lawson and get to work

9:00-12:30: Work on the next days blog post.

12:30: Lunch for me and Lawson…always interesting

1:00: Pick up Landry

1:00-2:00: I normally use this hour to run any quick errands or to pick up anything that I’m missing for dinner.

2:00-4:00: Landry nap + I catch up on emails, wrap up post

4:00-5:30: Outside playtime…we normally go on a walk, blow bubbles, etc

5:30: Start on dinner (usually something quick or I would also have thrown a crockpot on before leaving for school pick-up)

6:00-8:00: Phones down. Dinner time, bath time, story time, bedtime for Landry.

8:00-11:00: Watch junk TV and work on upcoming blog posts.

Lawson also wakes up at 12 + 3 to feed.

* I haven’t quote figured out where working out will fit in for me yet, but I’m thinking that I will have to go back to 5am workouts, which will happen once Lawson drops a night feeding.

Thoughts on push presents?

Um my thought is that they are a real good idea. I like to go big or go home (because after all I just pushed a baby out of my va-hina), BUT they don’t necessarily have to be super elaborate. I think that it’s important for your partner to recognize you for such an amazing act of selflessness, but it doesn’t always have to be with diamonds. There are tons of darling personalized ideas on Etsy that won’t break the bank and will still make you feel special and appreciated. I love the idea of these coordinate bangles engraved with the coordinates of where the baby was born + name and birthdate on the inside.

So what did you guys think? Learn anything new about me? If you have any other questions, I’m happy to do another post similar to this…email me or leave them in the comments! I hope that you guys have a great week! xo