style blogger | BARBARA ANN STYLE BLOG

What’s your super power?

Posted on September 20, 2018 by barbara solomon

I make milk. What’s your super power?

Dress: Ingrid & Isabel Double Layer Midi Dress + Nursing in True Navy

Being a style blogger for the past 6 years, I didn’t realize how much of my closet would change when becoming a mother. There were the obvious changes, like size, and for me it’s been harder than expected to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight as I’ve been suffering from patellar tendonitis on my left knee and for the last 10 weeks a broken right foot, but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. Though, I think the biggest change was that I’ve needed my clothing to do more.

Shirt: Ingrid & Isabel Double Layer Woven Top + Nursing in Bright White

As a mom, who has exclusively nursed her son for the past 8 months, finding clothing that is nursing-friendly has been a struggle, especially being well-endowed. Many new moms can still adorn their button-up blouses, or many of their pre-baby clothing that allows for easy nursing while on-the-go, but for me this has been impossible.

Shirt: Ingrid & Isabel Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress in Blush

Luckily, I’ve partnered with the amazing maternity brand Ingrid & Isabel, and have a few key items that have been on serious rotation over the last few months that have allowed for me to discreetly feed my son. Specializing in trendy clothing to take you from your first trimester into your fourth (after baby is born), I became obsessed with their line of dresses and tops and this amazing jumpsuit that make nursing a breeze.

I must be honest, breastfeeding has been one of my favourite and least favourite parts of the last 8 months. I can feel the special time coming to an end as Sterling becomes more dependent on food and he approaches his first birthday. Which makes me feel excited to take back ownership of my body, but also saddens me as I’ll miss the cuddles and closeness that breastfeeding provides.

Sterling is wearing: Romper: Smash & Tess, Outfit: Target Cloud Island (pants, shirt), Hat: Hillcrest Mall
I’m wearing: Visor: Kate Spade New York (old), Hat & shorts: Target (old), Frames: c/o Clearly (black) (pink)
Personalized backpack & duffle: c/o Ketzel Baby

Babywearing Mama

Posted on September 7, 2018 by barbara solomon

As soon as Sterling was born, it became clear to me that I loved baby wearing. The first time I wore Sterling for an extended period of time (more than just being cozy with him at home) was during our flights to and from Miami when he was 7 weeks old. He snuggled into me so closely for those three hours, and since then we’ve both been hooked.

As much as I loved wearing Sterling, it became a necessity for me as the task of taking our puppy, Taco, out for walks fell solely on me. We live in a stacked town home, meaning a lot of stairs, so babywearing became the only way to get a newborn and puppy safely up and down those stairs.

Like most of the essentials for babies, there are so many options, but after buying and trying three different kinds, I’ve ended up using my ring sling by Canadian brand Junior Foxes the most. It was the quickest and easiest method to put him in when he was fussy and allowed me to get things done around the house.

I also fell in love with the fun and fashionable prints on these linen slings and found it nearly impossible to choose one for Sterling, but ended up picking up The Palms from their Classics Collection. The entire collection is based around their owner’s favourite tropical places to travel to.

One of the lessons I hope to teach my son is to shop local and support small businesses. I love that the owner, Milli Fox (follow her on IG for mom-entrepreneur content), a doula by trade, started this company out of her need when she had her adorable son and believes in producing locally and employs home-sewing mamas to carefully craft the Junior Foxes slings.

Do you babywear? If so which is your favourite way?

Healthy Baby & Me

Posted on May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 by barbara solomon

Brought to you by Jamieson and TheCo.

With Sterling almost 4 months old it’s hard to believe how much has changed. He’s doubled in weight, he’s sleeping through the night (most nights) and he’s smiling all time. With that being said, it’s hard to believe how much hasn’t. I’m still hungry and tired all the time and my main concern is still to keep this sweet little boy happy and healthy.

During pregnancy, most will do everything in their power to ensure a healthy baby. We eliminate some of our favourite foods (bye sushi), we get lots of sleep and take prenatal vitamins which help to ensure that you and your baby are getting the essential nutrients like iron, iodine and folic acid to help with development and overall health. I’ve partnered with Jamieson Vitamins to discuss what I took during my pregnancy and have continued to take since Sterling’s birth. Although this post is sponsored by Jamieson Vitamins all opinions are 100% my own.

I was advised that as soon as I began trying to get pregnant I should be taking a prenatal vitamin, so early last year I headed to the pharmacy and picked up a bottle of Jamieson 100% Complete Prenatal Multivitamin with DHA. With many options to choose from I selected this one because it had 150 mg of omega-3 DHA, which helps develop the baby’s brain, and only required me to take one soft-gel per day. I reviewed it with my doctor, who reassured me that it had the right amount of folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects with the baby and had all of the vitamins and nutrients I would need to have a healthy pregnancy.

Now that Sterling is here and I’m exclusively nursing him, I’ve continued to take my prenatal vitamins and began giving him Jamieson Baby-D droplets and Probiotic droplets once a day. Vitamin D is crucial for building healthy bones and teeth and to help him develop a strong immune system. The Probiotic drop is for supporting gastrointestinal health in infants. Both flavourless drops can be added to milk or formula, applied onto a pacifier or directly onto his tongue.

The early days of motherhood isn’t always easy, but Jamieson Vitamins makes it easy to ensure that I’m doing everything in my power to provide Sterling and I the vitamins and nutrients we need.

If you are interested in working together in please contact Krista at Shine Influencers (krista@shineinfluencers.com).