September 11, 2015

Real Talk with Real Moms: Feeding

September 11, 2015/ Alexandra Evjen

Feeding your child should be the simplest thing a mother can do, but breastfeeding, specifically, was the hardest part of early motherhood for me. Labor was a cakewalk compared to the feeding challenges that lied ahead when Elle was born. As I write this blog post, I'm feeling contractions on and off and waiting for baby number two to arrive. You would think I would be nervous about the labor that lies ahead, but sleep deprivation and labor are things I know I can get through. Being able to breastfeed, as I learned, isn't something that I am promised no matter how hard you work for it.

You see, breastfeeding was actually the thing that I looked most forward to and I'm still looking forward to with this little guy. It's such an incredible bonding experience. But knowing how hard I tried and how bad I wanted it with Elle, doesn't bring me much comfort the second time around because I now know breastfeeding is a dance between you and your baby.

With Elle, I saw three lactation consultants in the hospital, three visited my home, I tried fenugreek and Domperidone, I pumped after every feeding, I laid in bed skin to skin for days, and in the end I still had to supplement with formula. I just wasn't producing enough. Unfortunately, for Elle she was allergic to dairy, soy and even had a hard time digesting corn products. We even tried goats milk and flaxseed when she was older. I not only couldn't make enough breastmilk, but I couldn't even offer her formula because she was so sensitive to it. I was brought to tears with the reality that I couldn't feed my precious child. I felt SO helpless, scared and like such a failure.

Then a miracle happened...No, I didn't start producing more milk, BUT a community of moms I knew in my church began donating their breastmilk to Elle. I know this idea might be a controversial, but it was my only hope in the early weeks when her digestive system was still maturing, and her pediatrician was well aware of what was going on. I breastfed and pumped what I could, and then supplemented with donated breastmilk from trusted women. It was really my village of moms that helped feed Elle, and because of this I was able to give her breastmilk until she was six months old. It was a miracle! By that time we were able to switch to a very hypoallergenic, corn-based formula that she could process because frankly the moms that were helping us couldn't keep up the pace of feeding two babies for a year. It was super expensive, but we made it work.

This challenge of feeding taught me so much. One mistake I do plan on correcting the second time around is starting to pump right when my milk comes in. I cannot trust my baby's latch will be a good one no matter how many LC's I see. Right when your milk comes in is such a crucial time in establishing your supply because it's based on demand. So, this time around I plan on pumping after each feeding to ensure I'm emptying all of the breastmilk out of my breasts, so that my body can learn how much to make. I'd rather end up over producing then under producing given that this little guy could very well have the same sensitivities to dairy, soy and corn.

I'm sharing this story to encourage any other moms that have experienced this feeling of "feeding failure" to remind them that motherhood is not about being able to do everything perfectly and right, but simply to love your children fiercely. If that's feeding formula, great! If that's breast feeding, great! If that's driving around the city picking up donated breastmilk, great! You are an amazing mother because you love and care for your children not because you can breastfeed and not because you have the most perfect nursery. I also share this to remind moms not to judge one another, but instead support each other. I don't know where I would have been without those amazing moms that donated their liquid gold to my child.

If you want to read more honest stories about feeding, check out these other amazing, creative moms below. You can also read our stories about sleep challenges by clicking here.

A Daily Something Apartment 34

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Photos by Mike Olbinski

September 07, 2015

Under the Radar Pinners to Follow

September 07, 2015/ Alexandra Evjen

People always ask me where I find my pins for Pinterest, and I always tell them that 95% of what I share on Pinterest is a repin from someone else. Rarely do I pin items from websites to Pinterest or self-promote my content compared to the volume of pins I re-share from the community. Now that you know that you must have deduced that it really matters who you follow on Pinterest and what kind of content they curate. I spend quite a lot of time finding new people to follow on Pinterest, and I thought I'd share some of my favorite Pinterest feeds from unknown pinners. When you follow new people and new interests you'll notice your home feed start to shift. So, if you have been dissatisfied with your feed as of late, try following new people or at least repinning from new people whose style you enjoy.

https://www.pinterest.com/scstylist/ A stylist with an editorial eye

https://www.pinterest.com/thecuratedhouse/ An interior designer from Toronto with a knack for details

https://www.pinterest.com/melaniekasey A buyer for Urban Outfitters that has great taste

https://www.pinterest.com/morinjacinthe/ A photographer with a great eye

https://www.pinterest.com/laceykaym/ She has a brilliant artist perspective

https://www.pinterest.com/valentinahortus/ She shares beautiful food that is vegan and vegetarian

https://www.pinterest.com/genesislauu/ A visual storyteller with great style

https://www.pinterest.com/finderofbeauty/ Only three boards with complete devotion to all things beauty

https://www.pinterest.com/thetessafrench/ A stylish bohemian perspective

https://www.pinterest.com/richelesydney/ Two gals with a knack for finding unique things

Looking for more Pinterest advice? Make sure to check out my latest article sharing my thoughts on shared boards and how businesses can leverage them to grow a following.

September 02, 2015

Pumpkin Tea Latte

September 02, 2015/ Alexandra Evjen

Raise your hand if you wait every year for "pumpkin spice latte" season...(BOTH HANDS RAISED HIGH). I love the flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg together. What if I told you that you could make that yummy-goodness in the comfort of your home and save a ton of money this fall? What if I told you I know how to make it taste even better without a ton of caffeine? Well, thanks to Allison DeVane, creator of Teaspressa, I can! Allison is a genius and a passionate tea lover that started her revolutionary business, Teaspressa, only about six months ago. Before then she would only make tea lattes for her family. Now, she has her own loose leaf tea blends, a tea shop in downtown Phoenix at DeSoto Central Market and will be launching a line of scented candles. Man, I have been in business for five years, and I'm blown away at how motivated and talented Allison is.

Well, without further delay, here is a yummy recipe for you to try at home.

PUMPKIN PEARL TEA LATTE 3 Servings

Ingredients:

- 1.5 cup of

Cape Town Teaspressa shots

- .5 TSP Pumpkin Pie Spice

- 2 TSP Pumpkin Puree

- 1.5 TBS White Chocolate Chips

- 1.5 cup of milk

Optional Ingredients:

- Whipped Cream

- Cinnamon for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make Cape Town Teaspressa shot using a

moka pot

. You can easily find one at

Target for only $16

. (You're basically going to make a concentrated shot of tea verses brewing tea like normal. If using a 6 cup pot you'll want to load your pot with 2 TBSP of Capetown Signature Blend Tea. For first time users of the moka pots,

here are more detailed instructions to help)

. Fill the bottom portion of your moka pot with water, assemble the moka pot, heat on the stove over high heat until liquids are boiling and steam is piping. Remove the moka pot from the stove and evenly pour shots over 3 coffee cups.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to a low simmer. Slowly whisk in milk.

3. While the mixture is heating up, microwave the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 20 second at medium microwave power (a.k.a. 50 percent power) to avoid overheating and stir.

4. Slowly whisk white chocolate into milk mixture and bring to a low simmer. Then remove from heat.

5. Transfer milk mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse several times until mixture is foamy and frothy.

6. Pour hot milk mixture over tea in each cup. Garnish with whipped cream and/or cinnamon!

7. Enjoy with a scrumptious cardamon and sugar donut from

Welcome Chicken and Donuts.

Photos by

Gina Meola

and Styled by Alex Evjen,

AVE Styles

September 01, 2015

Fall Entertaining

September 01, 2015/ Alexandra Evjen

Happy September!!! Today is a special day because it's Elle's 3rd birthday, and the day I always find myself getting into the fall spirit. So what if we're supposed to wait until September 21st to official say it's fall? So what if it's still above 100 degrees in Phoenix? That can't stop me from making my home look like fall, my taste buds enjoying fall treats and making plans for fall gatherings around chili and cornbread.

Today, I'm sharing with you a collaboration with Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market - a biannual event in Arizona that brings vendors that sell unique, vintage pieces. Many of their vendors carry unique serving-wear and dinner-wear, and with fall approaching, Coley and Lindsey decided to choose "gather" as their theme for this September's market.

To get everyone in the gather spirit for the upcoming event (September 19-20), we came together to create some inspirational place-settings for your future fall and holiday gatherings. All of the pieces that we used are items that the vendors are currently selling at this fall's market, so if you see something you like be sure to get your ticket to the event and snatch it! Also, be sure to follow Junk in the Trunk on Instagram because they will be sharing more details on how you can win tickets and buy the items featured in the shoot.

Desert inspired Fall Setting - We don't really have leaves that change color and fall off of the trees here in Phoenix. If that does happen to the occasional tree it's during the months of December and January. Instead, we have cool nights perfect for bonfires and backyard gatherings. We loved this idea of using cacti and decor trends of brass and deep blues to create an inviting table-scape that made you feel at home.

Kid-friendly Entertaining - You might be at the stage in your life when your friends have little ones that they bring to your dinners. A way to make them feel special all while using plastic dinnerwear is to place a piece of candy along with a name tag, so they know that they were thought of. Also, line your table with craft paper as your table cloth so that they can draw while they wait for their food. We took the liberty and drew in utensils for fun. You can also place a vintage toy for them to play with like a pin wheel or a truck for more character.

A stylish & budget conscious table-setting - Maybe you're throwing a "friendsgiving" this year, and you really don't have much to spend for decorations. Try using a bundles of wheat, rosemary and apples to make your table design feel like fall. We also used old flour sacks for placemats. Scraps of burlap from a fabric store would work just as well rather than spending $8.00 a pop on a placemat. It doesn't need to be elaborate to look pin-worthy.

Red & green can look cool - I'm a fan of white minimalist holiday decor because the combination of red and green really bothers me. I know that's a bit silly, but seriously, those colors not only don't mesh well with one another, but they clash with the color pallet of my home. However, if you throw in black, white and gold we found that red and green can actually look cool.

For more ideas on entertaining, make sure to follow my "Entertaining in Style" board on Pinterest.

Photos by Gina Meola Styling by Coley & Lindsey of Junk in the Trunk and Alex Evjen of AVE Styles

August 31, 2015

Summer Styles to Keep for Fall

August 31, 2015/ Leah Tsonsis

Pumpkin-spice lattes are appearing on menus, the aisles of Target are filled with Back-To-School supplies, and Halloween recipes are starting to pop up on my Pinterest feed. This can only mean one thing: Fall is coming. Living in AZ, this is quite exciting as it's been a long, scorching summer. For others, the cooler temps and falling leaves might evoke a sense of dread as a precursor to the imminent winter ahead. Whether you're ready to jump into fall feet-first but can't because it's still 100 degrees outside, or are determined to cling to the last notes of summer, we've got good news. You don't need to pack up your summer threads just yet. In fact, you can keep wearing them all throughout fall. Here's a helpful list of summer items that can easily transition into your fall wardrobe and where to buy them!

Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans are like are like an old friend, you can always count on them despite any tattered rips or frayed edges that may have occurred along the way. Lazy day with your hair in a baseball cap and sneaks on your feet? Boyfriend jeans. What to wear with your new strappy heels to happy hour? Boyfriend jeans. Trying to dress down that new blouse? You guessed it, boyfriend jeans. You can get just as much wear out of these this fall as you did this summer. Throw them on with suede booties and lots of bold jewelry for a boho-glam vibe, or use them to contrast the polished sophistication of your longline vest.

Button Front Denim Skirt

If you haven't noticed, the 70's are back in a major way. From high-fashion houses like Chloe and Jill Stuart to fast-fashion outlets like Zara and H&M, there's fringe, suede, fur, and flares in abundance. While not all of this is super wearable day-to-day, the a-line denim skirt is an exception. Button-front skirts started popping up all over the place this summer, most often seen paired with a bib-style crop top and booties. All this outfit is missing for fall is some layers for warmth. Cue the turtle necks, bell sleeves, and chunky knits.

Birkenstocks

Whether you're a fan or not, there's no denying that Birkenstocks are having a BIG moment in fashion. While they were great paired with an easy, breezy oversized tee and shorts for summer months, they'll transition into your fall wardrobe quite smoothly. Pair them with boyfriend jeans, a shift dress, or cozy leggings to take you into the cooler months. And when it gets chilly, don't be afraid to throw on some slouchy knit socks with them, too!

Overalls

Overalls are great because they can work for virtually any season. Finding the right pair may be tricky but it's worth the hunt because it's a piece you can keep forever, and these bad boys have great potential for fall. Layer a turtle neck or striped tee underneath, tie a flannel around your waist, or throw on a chunky sweater and booties like Ashley, from Twenties Girl Style did above. Boom, effortless it-girl chic.

Longline Vest

Longline vests (also referred to as sleeveless blazers) are fairly new on the fashion radar, but are a great staple to have in your wardrobe. These aren't the frumpy, short vests of the 90's, but instead have a longer, sleeker, more modern appearance. Great for a professional look with a tailored ankle-length trouser, or throw it on with ballet flats (like these from Topshop) to dress up a graphic tee and shorts. Either way, long live the longline vest.

White Denim

The great thing about fashion these days is that there are no rules. "No white after labor day" is truly a thing of the past. Also, no styling tips needed because they go with just about everything! So go ahead, rebel against this fashion faux pas and keep the white denim in your fall line-up to keep things fresh. You rebellious spirit, you.

Summer Sundress

Don't pack away your summer dresses quite yet. Instead, challenge yourself to get creative and play around with layering. Put a white tee underneath, throw on a trench, or cover up the entire top of the dress with a sweater and pretend you have yourself a new skirt. The possibilities are endless.

Chunky Platform Sandals

Platform heels are great for a few different reasons. First of all, they are SO comfortable. Platforms give you the height of a stiletto or pump, minus the pain. They were a huge hit this summer, especially when paired with flirty dresses and skirts. To make them even more fun, carry them into your fall wardrobe and wear them with socks. This look would be ideal with a flowy midi dress, allowing you to show off your funky footwear situation.

Don't have some of these versatile items in your closet yet? No worries! Here's where to find them: