My Hospital Bag Checklist

Its a strange time to have a baby with the Corona Virus being all anyone can talk about and hospitals changing all of their policies on visitors etc. for women who just gave birth. Regardless of the circumstances, I am working hard mentally to stay positive, look at the silver lining all around, and focus on the good that can come out of these changes and slower times.

One thing that has been helping me during this time is getting as organized and taking care of the few things that are in my power to control. Getting my hospital bag together has been one of those things (I packed at 38 weeks, kinda late for a first timer but with sisters who have kids, I knew the chances were that I would be overdue for my first.)

I think it’s really important to ask for suggestions on what to pack only from someone that you relate to and knows you well, because a lot of people will tell you what you need or don’t need, My sister in law helped me as well as my friend who recently had a baby. The lists were very similar so it felt good to be on the same page and have a clear idea of what I needed.

My one piece of advice in this process would be to not overthink this. Essentially you’re packing for a 48-72 hour period where you’ll want to be cozy and have what makes you feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable.

See below for my hospital bag checklist!

-Roller suitcase to neatly pack items in one common place vs. multiple totes overflowing with stuff.

For Mom:

-Robe

-Zip Up hoodie

-Button Down boyfriend shirt or pajama set with loose pants (in dark colors in case you bleed through the pad/diapers the hospital provides)

-Comfy sweatsuit or tracksuit / shoes to wear home

-Nursing Bra

-Dark, comfy, and loose boy short undies (hospital provides disposable undies/pads)

-Nursing Pillow

-Nipple Cream

-Nursing Pads

-Socks

-Slippers or comfy slides

-Chapstick (apparently lips get chapped during labor from all the heavy breathing!)

-Travel size toiletries, Skin care products, hair brush, blow dryer and the like if you plan on getting dolled up after things have settled down

-Tooth Brush, tooth paste

-Minimal makeup if you want to wear any at all

-Aromatherapy

-Playlists downloaded

-Movies downloaded

-Birthing Ball if you want to use one

-Disposable undies, pads, witch hazel pads, peri bottle (our hospital provides so not necessary for us but just in case your hospital doesn’t provide)

For Baby:

-Swaddles (don’t need but if you wanted your own)

-Baby blanket

-Mitts so baby doesn’t scratch themselves

-Socks/fleece booties (baby is mostly swaddled in diaper and kimono provided by hospital but in case you wanted to have baby out at all with feet covered)

-1-2 baby outfits (including one to go home in)

-Car seat

-Baby wash/shampoo if you want the hospital to use your preferred brand when they bathe baby

For Dad:

-Toiletries

-2 changes of comfy clothes (I packed Chay’s Adidas tracksuit, two soft tees, undies, one pair of comfy pants, 3 pairs of socks, and a hoodie)

Mom and Dad Misc. Items:

-Easily packable blanket (s)

-Pillow

-Computer and charger

-Headphones

-Books

-Snacks, bars, etc

-Camera

Personal Documentation:

-Insurance Cards

-Medical Records (provided by Dr. to bring with you)

-License/ID

-Birth Plan

I found it so useful when my sister in law and friend sent their list to me to edit down and customize it more to my own needs. I hope you guys find this helpful and I hope that it takes some of the potential stress that can come with the unknown. Please feel free to add anything you might recommend as well in the comments section below.

xo, Kim

Stretch Mark Prevention

I am officially 33 weeks pregnant! It’s crazy to me that 8+ months have already gone by and soon I’ll be welcoming our daughter into this world.

Up until this point, I have gained around 23 or so pounds, and my belly has definitely started to stick out, but not nearly as much as I assumed it would by this point. I’m almost 6 feet tall, so it’s going to take longer for that pronounced bump to show up. Either way, my skin has been itching a bit and I have been diligent with putting on creams and oils at least once daily to relieve the itchiness and hopefully keep stretch marks at bay.

I truly believe that stretch marks have a lot to do with someones size and how much they grow during pregnancy, genetics, and efforts to moisturize regularly. I don’t think its just one of these items but rather a combination of things. However, I would have to assume like so many other things in pregnancy, that genetics plays a large role in whether or not one gets stretch marks or pronounced stretch marks. Either way, the discomfort from itchy dry skin is reason enough for me to find the most moisturizing oils and body butters I can find. Below are a few I have tried and really loved.

1: Matana Oil. I was gifted this oil in order to try and see how I liked it. I have been gifted a lot of items, and often times will never mention them because I didn’t really care for them or felt strongly enough about the product to recommend to my friends. I really liked this body oil though and the ingredients are quality which makes me feel good when putting it on. The oil is moisturizing but not too slick or wet to where it’ll stain or absorb into my clothes, which is key. It’s dewy and makes my skin feel so hydrated but it’s not physically cold to put on, so I use this when I’m not wanting that shock of cold after a shower.

2. Jose Maran Argan Body Butter- My girlfriend Stella uses this and highly recommended it and she is in her second pregnancy. She loves it, and I trust her recommendations so I also got it. It truly feels so good in the skin and is cooling and soooo moisturizing. I got a four pack of different scents and I have to say, I ran out so fast because I used it all over all the time. It’s a great product and your skin feels ultra soft from using it.

3. Mutha Body Butter- My friend Mandy, who is a skin EXPERT, recommended this body butter to me and it’s SO MOISTURIZING. The only down side would be that it’s pricey, but it does come in a large tub and lasts a long time. It also is super clean and smells amazing. I absolutely love it.

At the end of the day, stretch marks can happen to the best of us who are diligent about our daily routines, but I know that if they were going to happen, at least they will be minimized by using quality products that are highly nourishing throughout my pregnancy. After all we don’t know for sure if they are preventable for sure or are genetic, but I like to always do my part!

I believe in doing the best you can do with what you have and what you know. After that, we gotta roll with the punches! If I was genetically predisposed to stretch marks, regardless of my size, hydrating routine, and healthy eating, then I’ll have peace of mind knowing I did my part and my belly will look better than if I didn’t do those other things. Stretch marks are not the end of the world, in fact I have a bunch on my inner thighs and sides my booty from growing six inches in junior high in one summer. However, I always believe in doing my best for the results I want, and then go from there.

I really enjoyed these three products and linked them plus a couple others that came highly recommended by trusted friends. Check them out below and as always, you can shop the post.

Stretch Mark Moisturizers

Mutha Body Butter • Butter Shoes • $95
Josie Maran 6-Piece 4-oz Argan Whipped Body Butter Set • Butter Shoes • $66
Belly Butter by Earth Mama Organics (8oz Butter) • Butter Shoes • $19.95
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Complete Stretch Mark Care 4 Piece Gift Set • Palmers • $20.99
Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter • Burt's Bees • $12.99

Let me know if you have tried any of these and which one you love!

xo, Kim

5 Tips on How to Organize and Design Your Dream Closet

Happy Friday friends!

Today I want to share the top 5 tips that helped me organize my thoughts when it came to designing my dream closet (with the space we had to work with of course....it could always be bigger!) so that I could organize my clothes in order to have the most efficiency when it comes to getting dressed and ready to go every day!

It's super important (whether you have a tiny NYC apartment or a huge walk-in) to be able to see the things that you have and love in a clear way so that pieces don't get lost in the mix, and therefore invisible and gone forever! You know it's true. If you can't see it, it basically doesn't exist. 

When we moved into our home, there was no real closet in the master bedroom, just some Home Depot metal shelving that was clearly put up for  men's clothes plus it was ugly and not set up for women's clothing i.e. dresses, robes, kimonos, shoes, etc. I contacted California Closets (not sponsored) because I had heard great things, and was able to map out the entire space we were working with and give my designer an exact inventory of all my clothes and accessories that needed space in the new closet. That way, there would be no surprises. Everything was accounted for. I also knew I wanted my shoes to be visible, front and center, and covered from dust, so we decided on gorgeous white wood frames with glass fronts and I chose vintage hardware for the handles. Check out more photos below and learn what my top 5 tips are for organizing your dream closet!

A shoe cabinet keeps the dust away!

1. Get rid of anything and everything you're not crazy about- If you don't love it, you won't wear it. I understand sentimental value, but realistically, if you haven't worn it for a year, you probably don't LOVE it. Of course, I don't mean classic pieces that age well or seasonal pieces, but items you look at and think "eh"... get rid of it. It's just taking up valuable real estate and ain't nobody got time for that!

2. Color Coordinate- Color coordinating your clothes allows you to know where pieces are more quickly and allows you to dress for how you feel. During the winter, I don't wear that many bright colors so it's nice that all my black and darker colors are in the same area. I go from white to pink, to red, and down the line of the rainbow from there with my black towards the back since I don't have a ton of black. 

3. Hang according to sleeve length- I like to hang my tops from tank/strapless styles at the front to long sleeve toward the back of that particular color. That way I know exactly where specific pieces are that I am looking for. Looking for that pink tank? There it is!

4. Create space for hanging bottoms- I used to fold and stack my pants/shorts/skirts because there just wasn't enough space to hang my bottoms. I was so used to folding and storing bottoms in a dresser, that I didn't even think to ask to have a space to hang them. Thank goodness my closet designer suggested it because now I see exactly what I have and don't forget about that cute A.P.C skirt that I love so much! I love seeing what I have to work with laid out right in front of me!

5. Create some space for accessories (purses, luggage, belts, hats)- I always thought of these items as an afterthought, but as I have gotten older, I have a couple nice bags I need to store when not being worn, luggage that needs to be stored when I am not traveling, and belts that should be hung, not crumpled up in a drawer somewhere. We made sure to include shelving that was taller than the tallest purse and big enough for my hats, belt hooks on rolling tracks that come in and out, and space at the very top of my closet to fit my suitcases neatly. It makes me so happy to know that everything has a place! Without planning these details, my closet would look like a bomb went off with purses and hats thrown about, squeezing into blank spaces.

Do you guys have any tips that you feel are musts for your closet? Share in the comments below! And for more on this topic, visit my IGTV for a tour/ explanation of how I organized everything and why I love it!! See that on my Instagram here!

xo, Kim

15 Dining Chair Options that Look Designer

Hi all!

I just got back from a whirlwind 5 day trip to NYC and saw so many pieces for the home that I fell in love with and wish I could have brought back with me. We went to a ton of shops and got inspiration for our homes and new and fresh ways to put them together! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE NYC?! It is my favorite city in the world with its contagious energy and on the go lifestyle. 

Today though we're looking at dining chairs! l I have had quite a few friends over time ask me to help them piece together their homes and one thing they always get a little stuck on is which dining chair to choose. I get it. It's hard to buy 6 of one thing because no matter how much of a deal you got, its still multiplied by  4, 6, or 8 + and that's $$! Dining chairs are definitely one item you need to plan on spending at least a bit on.

Not only that but many people who are asking for my help, generally like my style (to a certain degree!), which is a mixture of vintage pieces redone, big box pieces that look like they could be from another time or possibly designer, and some bohemian (I'm not crazy about the overuse of the word bohemian) textiles and fun patterns to spice things up. My friends or clients want something similar to what I might have in my home, but there is a catch...

1. You either have to be comfortable spending hours and maybe months searching for a deal consignment shopping to find the perfect piece (s) for less (GUILTY),  (hint: Craigslist is a great resource for vintage and retro design for cheap, but be prepared to have the vision to bring it back to life!)

2. Or you have to buy designer (which most can't afford, it's insane!),

3. Or you have to be comfortable with going to "big box stores" and knowing what looks designer and what looks big box. Hint: many things look big box if they are from big box stores so you really have to pay attention to the details, which ones you buy from, and if you are seeking help, you need to take the advice of the person helping you.

Okay! So as much as I do love consignment and vintage shopping for my home, it's not feasible for most clients on a time crunch because it takes timmmme. 

So, I rounded up my favorite current "big box" dining chairs in a range of prices that will help you get the look you want without spending thousands on the designer one you really want. Below are some of my favorites! Check them out and let me know which ones you love!

15 Dining Chair Options