Beatrice Valenzuela Clogs. “Beatrice makes comfortable and chic clogs that makes me feel a bit more put together, even in sweatpants. It’s hard to pick a color from her collections, but this buttery tan color is my favorite.” Cajeta Clog, $372, Beatrice Valenzuela. 

Wonder Valley Hinoki Body Oil. “Our body oil has seen me through the whole metamorphosis of pregnancy and now postpartum. It’s helped keep my skin soft and supple through all the stretching and shrinking and the natural scent always calms me.” Hinoki Body Oil, $85, Wonder Valley.

Hey Gang. “The whole family wears Hey Gang! Their cuts of painter’s pants and jeans are perfect and extremely well made and the custom embroidery options for the kids line are really special.” The Kids Painter Pant, $39, Hey Gang.

Flameless Candles. “We bought a set of these for my daughter’s birth, which was perfect since she came at night during a lightning storm and the glow from the candles was much softer than fluorescent hospital lighting. But! They now live by our bedside, by the crib, by the changing table…so I just point the remote and turn it on while half asleep. The glow is so soft and allows us all to stay in a dreamy state for middle of the night feedings.” Enido Flameless Candles 12-Pack, $28.99, Amazon.

Studio Ford. “The baby quilt of all baby quilts! I really love everything Josie Ford creates, her patterns and color choices feel timeless and original. The quilts she made for Commune Design are particularly beautiful (and also an amazing background to take tons of baby photos on).” Studio Forde for Commune Baby Quilt, $300, Commune.

Wonder Valley Sunray Robe. “This has been my pregnancy and postpartum uniform. I used it as a beach coverup during the summer when I was 8 months pregnant, and it’s a very easy garment to breastfeed in. Taking a shower or long bath is coveted ‘me time,’ and I love to draw out the feeling with this robe. The fabric is really lightweight and it’s such a happy pattern!” Sunray Robe, $165, Wonder Valley.

Girlfriends. “It has been the warmest welcome into the Motherhood Club, I had no idea. I’m hearing from old friends, childhood pals, work colleagues, and other mama-business owners all with the kindest wishes and most helpful advice. It’s truly been overwhelming. Having phone calls and visits with my sister and closest girlfriends are the things that most fills up my cup.”

Agnes Baddoo Tote. “Agnes designed this tote for hauling produce from the farmer’s market, but the compartments work perfectly for a diaper bag.” Market Sac, $305, Agnes Baddoo.

Soba Cha. “I’m resigning to the fact that my tea is often over-steeped and lukewarm by the time I get to it, but I still love the routine of a pot of tea in the morning. I’m still not having much caffeine and the sobo cha has that toasted and earthy quality I love in certain Japanese teas, not too fruity or floral, which non-caffeinated tea options tend to be.” Soba Cha Tea Bags (12-Pack), $18, Onggi.

To Be Magnetic. “A gift I want to give my daughter is working on myself. That’s taken a lot of forms over the past few years, and will never really be ‘done,’ but I love the ease of To Be Magnetic, since it’s at my pace and I can do it any place or time of day. It’s a wonderful program for manifestation work, but it’s also helped me heal old wounds and move around some stagnant energy.” ToBeMagnetic.com.

Wintering Book. “A good friend gifted me this book, which centers around the themes of going inward and the power of rest. This really resonated with me during this tender time of new motherhood, which for me has been a time of cocooning and both feeling a bit of longing for the world, but also pure contentment with staying still, relearning how to rest while being present, and learning from this tiny new teacher.” Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, $12.54, Amazon and Bookshop.

Bath Time. “I’m an evening bather, always have been. It helps me transition to sleep and I love the unhurried peaceful pace. This has never been more true when having a newborn. My husband Jay will watch the baby or tuck her in so I can have this uninterrupted ‘me time.’ There hasn’t been a lot of routine to the days or consistency with all the other self-care tools in my belt, but a long, hot shower or bath and some self-massage with my body and face oils is the most grounding practice.”

Madre Linen Bedding. “If I’m going to spend so much time in bed, the bedding better be great. Madre Linen fits the bill, with their new bedding line made slowly with care, by hand in Oregon. I’m partial to their Tamarindo color.” Duvet Cover, $350, Madre.

OZMA Sweater. “This has been a season of soft clothes, and I’m okay with that. I’ve made it through my pregnancy by dipping into my husband Jay’s closet, but now that Calley is here, I want the softest fabrics and easy access cardigans—this OZMA sweater has been a favorite.” Dad Cardi, $208, OZMA.

Journaling. “We started a journal when I found out I was pregnant, writing notes and wanting to share who we are, how we felt, how we lived before her and with her. I really love this practice and it’s been a moment to pause and realize how good we got it.”

Spotify Playlists. “Our daughter Calley Bo really is expressing preferences in music and it’s fun to make playlists and see what soothes and delights her. No one, and I mean no one, wants to hear me sing except for this sweet baby.”

Check out more Postpartum Essentials here, and for more Mother Essentials, peep our recent features on author Tiffany Rose Smith, Heidi Baker of OZMA, Phoebe Sung of Cold Picnic, Sach Paneer founder Jasleen Kaur, Essential Labor author Angela Garbes, The Mamas author Helena Andrews-Dyer, Olivia J founder Shae Jones, author Brynne Barnes, Tisha Thompson of LYS Beauty, Blueland’s Sarah Paiji Yoo, Heirloom’s Sri Bodanapu, Lady Falcon Coffee Club founder Buffy Maguire, the mama-duo behind Spring & Mulberry chocolate, and Dear Bella Creamery co-founder Alice Cherng.

The post Mother Essentials: Alison Carroll of Wonder Valley appeared first on MOTHER.

Need more gifting ideas? Check out these Gifts For Guys, The Hostess, The Homebody, The Food-Lover, New & Expecting Mamas, Tweens & Teens, “Big” Kids, and Babies & Toddlers!

Peep over 50 amazing self-care gifts in our slideshow!

The post 50+ Gifts That Encourage Self-Care appeared first on MOTHER.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that all three of the elixirs figure into her own day-to-day routine. “With little down time during the week, finding small moments to unwind throughout the day has been key to keeping stress at bay, energy levels high, and positivity flowing,” she explains. Below, the earthy mama shares her 15 Mother Essentials that support her in the hustle-bustle of busy mom life with her 2 1/2-year-old son.

A Bit of Funk in My Wardrobe. “I need color and character in my wardrobe as a creative outlet, and to ’embrace my strange.’ I like to find a few signature staples and then mix them with more low-key everyday essentials. I have a lightweight red Stan Ray coat, Charlotte Stone sandals, Everlane’s sustainably sourced sweaters, and such. To top it off, I add in specially chosen vintage pieces, mostly with some ’60s/’70s flair.” Gloria Sandals, $204, Charlotte Stone. The Oversized Stroopwafel Turtleneck in ReCashmere, $195, Everlane.

Hanna Andersson Jammies. “Just as I love some color in my wardrobe, I adore this company’s patterns for their kids’ pajamas. And they use 100% organic cotton.” Organic Cotton PJs, $38.40, Hanna Andersson.

Weekly Farmer’s Market Outings. “We live in San Francisco and have a superb farmer’s market in walking distance on Saturday mornings. It’s become a nice little tradition of getting out of the house together, finding fresh local surprises, and then using that produce to inspire our dinner that evening. I made stuffed ricotta squash blossoms the other day and it was truly divine!” Peep an S.F. Farmer’s Market List.

Super Natural Simple Cookbook. “This was gifted to me this past Christmas and my household leans on it multiple times a week. The flavors in here are THE BEST and the meals are fast and easy. It’s a great way to churn out a veggie-forward meal at the end of a long work day. Even my discerning 2 1/2-year-old loves it.” Super Natural Simple: Whole-Food, Vegetarian Recipes for Real Life, by Heidi Swanson, $19, Amazon and Bookshop.

Little Witch Hazel. “I discovered this gem of a book at our local library and decided it needed to be a permanent addition to our son’s book collection. It’s a wonderful journey through the forest, its seasons, and the creatures that live there.” Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest, by Phoebe Wahl, $18, Amazon and Bookshop.

Wooden & Ceramic Bowls of All Sizes. “We cook multiple times a day at home and as such, spend a good amount of time with the items in our kitchen. It’s become a little tradition of ours that when we are traveling, we buy a small bowl or two. We have a mix of bowls from all the places we have traveled and it’s a lovely day-to-day remembrance of all our worldly adventures every time we step into our kitchen.” Solid Wood Nesting Bowl, $299, Rejuvenation. Tiny Bowls, $25, Our Place.

Good Day & Good Night Duo. “The products that started my entrepreneurship journey. Prismatic Plant’s yin yang adaptogenic hemp elixirs work for balancing my stress, boosting my mood, helping with mental clarity, and deepening my Zzz’s. I keep these tinctures on hand wherever I go. I’m 4 years into this competitive industry and these products are still the best I have found.” Day & Night Set, $125, Prismatic Plants.

Melt Tension Serum. “This is my latest creation: Reinventing body care with our tension serum. It’s a creamy aloe base full of pain-relieving plants like Hemp, Arnica, St. John’s Wort, and Wild Plai. The nano-emulsion of active ingredients means it penetrates deeper into the dermis and muscle tissue than your standard pain-relieving cream. I like to use it first thing in the morning with a Gua Sha on my neck and shoulders to help combat endless days of computer time. It naturally stimulates blood flow, detoxification, and energy.” Melt Tension Serum, $85, Prismatic Plants.

Matchaful’s Kiwami Single Origin Matcha. “While I love the aroma and smell of coffee, my nervous system simply can’t hang. I look at food as medicine and so have become a matcha convert due to all the amazing health benefits of this green powdered tea. On my quest for the perfect cup, I fell in love with Matchaful’s Kiwami matcha. It’s single origin and meticulously sourced to be free of pesticides. Not to mention super fresh.” Kiwami Single Cultivar Matcha, $39, Matchaful.

Dry Farm Wines. “I thought that wines just didn’t work for me, but then entered natural wines. After discovering that the additives to expedite wine-making were the things that left me feeling lousy after a glass of wine, I found Dry Farm Wines. I’ve been a happy member of their wine club for a couple of years now.” DryFarmWines.com.

Kyte Baby Sleep Bags. “An absolute game changer for little one’s sleep. Made of the softest bamboo fabric, it keeps your wee ones warm if cold, and cool if hot. I kinda wish they made them in adult sizes!” Bamboo Sleep Bag, $50, Kyte Baby.

Infrared Sauna Time. “I try to find time to sauna 1-2x week. I find aside from the healing benefits, it’s a great way to carve out some much needed ‘me’ time and meditate.”

Wim Hof Breathing. “So powerful. I’m amazed at this breathing technique’s ability to reset the nervous system and tap into your body’s deep healing potential.” WimHofMethod.com.

Huberman Labs Podcast. “These episodes are lengthy, but so incredibly insightful and engaging. Dr. Huberman is a neuroscientist who runs a lab at Stanford and breaks down all the trends in health through data and his deep understanding of how the brain works.” HubermanLab.com.

Immersing In Nature. “This is the single best activity for helping with work-life balance IMO. Wandering through nature’s magnificence is the perfect way to step outside of your head and remind yourself of the grandeur of this planet and our connection to it.”

The post Mother Essentials: Sarah Polansky of Prismatic Plants appeared first on MOTHER.

LYS Concealer. “On most days, I try to stick to a natural, no-makeup makeup look and this concealer really hides any blemishes, darkness, or signs of exhaustion. A little bit goes a long way and it does a great job of making me appear like I have it all together.” Triple Fix Full Coverage Brightening Concealer, $18, LYS Beauty.

LYS Cream Blush. “Speaking of exhaustion, blush is literally the best pick-me-up for the complexion, so I always keep Higher Standard in the daily rotation. If I’m going for a full makeup look, I like to mix and match our shades for a custom pigment.” Higher Standard Satin Matte Blush, $16, LYS Beauty.

LYS Powder Bronzer. “I love a matte bronzer in the summer since I add radiance and dewiness with other products. When I’m in the sun, I always cover my face and neck with SPF and hats, so I like a deep bronzer to warm up my face and add dimension.” No Limits Matte Bronzer, $18, LYS Beauty.

Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo. “Sulfates are a no-no in my home, so I love turning to this sulfate-free detangling shampoo to really deep cleanse my hair in-between protective styles. It does a great job at breaking down product build-up without over drying my hair.” Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo, $12.99, Mielle Organics.

Raw Sugar Kids 2-in-1 Bubble Bath & Body Wash. “We are obsessed with Raw Sugar in our household! These natural bodycare products are great for my sweaty, active boys, and the scent is incredible. I’m a stickler about clean formulas and love the extra attention they put into their products with plant-derived, organic ingredients.” Raw Sugar Kids Bubble Bath + Body Wash, $4.99, Target.

Keep it Kind Fresh Kidz Natural Roll-On Deodorant. “Since my boys are getting older, I needed to find a safe deodorant that can really keep up with them. With all their sports activities, this formula keeps them smelling nice and it doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients that I like to avoid.” Keep it Kind Fresh Kidz Natural Roll-On Deodorant 24-Hour Protection for Kids, $6.99, Target.

Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphone. “Trust me…we’re raising kids in a tech era, so having bluetooth headphones around will be a lifesaver for you.” Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, $131.39, Amazon.

Ninja Air Fryer. “As a busy mom, I don’t have a lot of time to prepare meals and my air fryer often swoops in to save the day. Not only is it a healthier alternative to frying food, but it frees up my time in the evenings to power through extra admin work, or unplug with my husband. My kids love chicken and fries and this saves me from turning to fast food options out of convenience…we’ve all been there!” Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer, $129.99, Amazon.

Starbucks Pink Drink. “This is my favorite summertime treat. It’s so refreshing and it doesn’t hurt that it’s aesthetically pleasing. If you haven’t guessed, pink is my favorite color.” Starbucks.com.

Wine. “Wine is my guilty pleasure and one of my favorite ways to hit the reset button in the evenings and unwind. Right now, I’m loving Chardonnay and this one is by a Black-owned brand that I have been really enjoying.” McBride Sisters Chardonnay Central Coast, $16.99, Total Wine.

Kids Stainless Steel Cups. “These are a lifesaver for kids who are constantly spilling drinks and dirtying dishes. They are fun and get our children in the habit of eliminating single-use plastic.” Kids Stainless Steel Cups with Silicone Lids, Sleeves, and Straws (5-Pack), $21.99, Amazon.

Microban Sanitizing Spray. “I can admit—I’m a major germaphobe, so this is an everyday must-have essential. I am constantly cleaning and sanitizing everything throughout the day.” Microban 24 Hour Disinfectant Sanitizing Spray, $6.79, Target.

Nike Air Max 270’s. “I’m constantly on-the-go and these are my go-to sneakers. I have so many pairs and they are so comfortable for walks and running around.” Nike Air Max 270, $160, Nike.

Nude Barre Bralette. “These are the perfect skin-tone undergarments for women of color like me, and the comfort is next-level.” Bralette, $25, Nude Barre.

Target. “The ultimate one-stop-shop for mommies. I go at least 2-3 times a week, so it’s a bit of an obsession.” Target.com.

Sports Mom Status. “I have boys who are extremely active all year round, so I am always at a field or sitting courtside. They play baseball in the spring and summer, football in the fall, and basketball in the winter.”

Working. “I have the privilege and joy of truly loving what I do, so it never feels like ‘work’ to me. And that’s something I will never take for granted.”

Content Creation + Product Development. “These are both creative releases for me.”

Dinner + Brunch. “I’m a major foodie and trying new restaurants is one of my favorite ways to experience Atlanta and what all it has to offer. There’s always a new hot spot popping up that gets me out of the house or office.”

Traveling. “There’s just nothing like exploring new areas and making memories with your loved ones.”

The post Mother Essentials: Tisha Thompson of LYS Beauty appeared first on MOTHER.

After two decades as a hairstylist and owner of Tailored, a top salon in S.F., Nicole became acutely aware of the water and plastic waste in hair products, so she created a solution: Conscia. The brainchild of Nicole and her longtime client Victoria Heldt, Conscia shampoo and conditioner stones are not only absolutely gorgeous, they are made without water and plastic packaging and harness the power of natural, high-performance ingredients.

Want to know more about the brand and the mother behind it? Read our interview with Nicole Brown—who is also mom to 7-year-old Maureen (Reeny)—below!

What was the moment that you knew you needed to create Conscia?
“When I opened Tailored Salon in San Francisco, sustainability was at the forefront of my mind. With the ongoing drought in California and an ocean full of plastic, I wanted to be part of the solution. When I couldn’t find any products that met my standard of sustainability, I decided to make my own.”

What was the 3-year process like to bring it to market? 
“Creating a product from scratch was definitely not an easy process, especially since there isn’t a product like our Conscia stones on the market. I tried to be intentional with every choice we made—the ingredients, packaging, sourcing. It took a lot of R&D to find the right ingredients that would provide the efficacy of a salon-grade product while also being all natural and sustainable.”

“I started by taking a natural formulation course online, which helped me to understand the composition of shampoos and conditioners from a formula perspective. I probably made 50 versions of the initial formula to get the ratios right. We needed the stones to be dense enough to withstand sitting on the shower shelf, but also able to easily dispense product onto the hair and scalp. I would send each iteration of the product home with my clients at the salon for testing and gather their feedback. I played with clay and Play-Doh to determine the best shape—one that was both aesthetically pleasing as well as ergonomic that would fit easily in the hand. My best friend is a chef and helped structure the production process, as making the stones is a lot like baking.”

“Once the process was finalized, I approached many manufacturing facilities, but had no luck. It was the start of the pandemic and most facilities had transitioned to producing hand sanitizer. After 9 months of searching, I decided to manufacture the stones in house. They are all hand-made by our team. In many ways, this was a blessing in disguise as it allows us to have complete control over the quality of our products.”

Tell us more about the ingredients in each stone.
“It was important to me that every single ingredient found in the stones serves a purpose. There are no filler ingredients. I chose active botanical powder extracts for each of our three key formulas—Hydrate, Heal, and Fortify—based on their functional and healing properties for the hair and scalp. It just so happened that the combination of ingredients created beautiful and complimentary colors throughout the product range. Similarly, I chose a different cocktail of essential oils for each formula based on their aromatherapy benefits and they created really unique scent profiles for each formula. Hydrate is a little bit citrus, Heal is floral, and Fortify is more earthy and woodsy.”

In addition to your “baby” Conscia, you are raising a 7-year-old daughter. How do you teach her to live in an Earth-friendly way? 
“I try to lead by example in all of our daily habits. We compost, use glass or aluminum containers, powder toothpaste tablets, cloth napkins, and drive an electric car. When we go to the beach, we pick up trash. My daughter uses Conscia stones, and I have explained to her why I created the brand and what’s at stake for the planet. She attends a Waldorf school, which helps reinforce those principles as well.”

What have been the keys to juggling business ownership and motherhood? 
“Something I’ve been focused on is making sure that I remain present. With my schedule now I have less time to spend with my daughter, so I want to make sure that I’m really engaged when we’re together. I definitely have workaholic tendencies, but I do try to listen to my body. When I feel overwhelmed or anxious, I try to take a few minutes for myself. Her dad is very helpful and takes on all parental duties when I’m in San Francisco. I’ve learned over the years that I need reliable partners (both personal and professional) to keep everything moving forward.”

How do you carve out time to be creative?
“I probably don’t carve out as much time as I should, however I try to use my work as a creative outlet—cutting hair, formulating products, brand ideation. Conscia is really an extension of my business partner (Victoria) and I, so we channel our creativity through it. If we’re not inspired by something we’re working on for the brand, we question it. If it doesn’t look like a piece of art, it’s not part of the brand. I also spend a lot of creative time with my daughter—she’s always working on something. I use those moments to really connect with her and her passions. When I feel creatively or energetically stuck, I listen to my intuition and spend time in nature. I love walking new routes, getting lost in the trees, staring at the waves, and listening to the ocean. I also really enjoy sound baths. The Sound Bath app has a huge selection to choose from and it really helps me reset my energy.”

For readers looking to live a more plastic-free lifestyle (during July and beyond)—what advice would you give them?
“Start small. At Conscia we truly believe that making small changes in your everyday routines has a ripple effect to the world at large. As you run out of your daily household items like dish soap or hair care, replace them with no-waste (i.e. plastic-free) alternatives. Be conscious about all of your purchases—ask yourself what is this made of? What is the life cycle? Where will it end up when I’m finished with it? Just the awareness alone can make a huge impact.”

Okay, speed-round! Early bird or night owl?
“I was a night owl until I had my daughter. Now I’m an early bird and get up before she does.”

Caffeine routine?
“I take one cup of Pu-erh tea every morning. If I need a boost mid-afternoon, I’ll make matcha green tea.”

Favorite local places in PDX to go solo or take your daughter?
“My favorite restaurants in Portland are Shalom Y’all, Farmhouse Thai, Harlow, and Montelupo Market. My favorite spots to spend time outside or doing activities are Forest Park, Tryon Creek, Westmoreland Park, The Circuit, and Mt. Tabor. My favorite cultural spots are Powell’s bookstore, Portland Art Museum, White Space, and Blackfish Gallery.”

Favorite or current books you’re reading?
“I tend to gravitate towards books that I can grow from, ones that help me better understand myself and others. I’m currently reading The Way of Integrity and Happy Days. One of my favorite books is Women Who Run With Wolves.”

Best piece of business advice?
“Listen to your gut and do what’s best for the business even if it’s a tough decision.”

Best piece of motherhood advice?
“Be present and really see your child for who they are, not who we want them to be.”

Your go-to, busy-mom recipe?
“Quinoa bowls and rice and beans mixed with different ingredients.”

What excites you most about motherhood?
“Seeing life through her lens and having your heart be so full.”

What makes you most nervous?
“So much about the state of the world: the climate crisis, women’s rights, and the divisiveness that has taken over the culture. For the sake of my daughter’s generation, I wish that we could all start seeing each other as brothers and sisters and not as enemies.”

Head over to Conscia.life to learn more about Conscia. PLUS: all July-long, Conscia is giving away a summer-friendly petite set of stones when you buy a full set of shampoo/conditioner. Just use the code PLASTICFREE at checkout. You can also score 15% off of your purchase with the code MOTHERMAG15.

The post Meet Conscia: Water + Plastic-Free Shampoo + Conditioner Stones appeared first on MOTHER.

Need more great ideas for Mothers Day gifts? Check out our guides to gifts for the homebody mom and ideas for “new” and expecting mamas.

The post 50+ Mother’s Day Gifts That Inspire Self-Care appeared first on MOTHER.

Lovevery Subscription. “The Lovevery Play Gym was a gift from one of my investors and I immediately signed up for the Play Kit subscription, too. It’s been great to have toys and suggestions that meet my son at each milestone without having to do research every month, and he loves them!” Play Kit Subscription, $80 to $120 per box, Lovevery. The Play Gym, $140, Lovevery.

BABYBJÖRN Carrier Mini. “My Design Director, Dana, gifted us the BJÖRN carrier mini and it was perfect for my little one, who was only 5 lbs 10 oz. at birth. It was the only carrier that fit and he still loves it!” BABYBJÖRN Carrier Mini, $99.99, BABYBJÖRN.

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. “My CEO coach gifted us one of his favorite books, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. She must have known I’m a kid at heart—I think Noa loves it because I laugh everytime. Spoiler alert, it’s tough to get rid of a mouse that you give a cookie to, but at least he’s helpful.” If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, $16.55, Bookshop and Amazon.

Gathre Play Mat. “Our friends Aaron and Dominique gifted us the Gathre play mat and we love it! So easy to use anywhere, especially outdoors, and easy to pack up.” Gathre Midi Play Mat, $85, Gathre.

Lansinoh Breastwarmers. “The Lansinoh breastwarmers were essential to helping letdown and frankly just a yummy feeling when your breasts are a source of food, batting practice, and chew toy all in one.” Lansinoh TheraPearl Breast Therapy 2-Pack, $9.84, Amazon.

CHEAT SHEET Body Serum. “I take what I’ve called the Luxury Short Shower. I use the most delightful hand-milled soaps from a trip to France, followed by CHEAT SHEET, and then slather myself in oil. My body has been carrying, nursing, and rocking for almost two years and it has been nice to pick up a ritual all for myself again.” CHEAT SHEET Resurfacing Body Serum, $38, OUI The People.

Tripp Trapp. “We love the Tripp Trapp high chair for its function and beauty. I take the tray off and just pull him up to whatever I’m doing and he gets such a thrill from being included.” Tripp Trapp, $249, Stokke.

Snuggle Me Lounger. “The Snuggle Me was a must-have during the early stages when you could put them anywhere and they couldn’t move. If I’d only known, I would have taken longer baths.” Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger, $109, Snuggle Me.

BABYBJÖRN Bouncer. “This bouncer got us through some tough times from birth to 9 months, right when he realized he didn’t need to be trapped and had options. I recall one particularly harrowing day when I bounced him with one foot til he fell asleep, while responding to emails. Fun times.” Bouncer Balance Soft, $199, BABYBJÖRN. 

Electric Nail Clipper. “An electric baby nail trimmer was almost laughable, until I learned my son was the equivalent of a tiger cub. Cute, sharp, and hard to pin down. Get it.” FANSIDI Electric Baby Nail File, $20.99, Amazon.

BEABA Baby Bath. “Every bathtub I tried was way too big to feel comfortable bathing Noa in when he was tiny. The Beaba Shnuggle was perfect to bathe him safely and being surrounded by the bathwater actually seems to make him feel very soothed—understandably. It’s a big win on thoughtful design for me.” BEABA x Shnuggle Newborn Baby Bath Tub, $49.95, Pottery Barn Kids.

My Mom Crew. “A community of moms has been essential to my sanity. What a gift to have a group of women who just get it, and on top of that are generous with their time and advice. I honestly couldn’t get by without them.”

For more Mother Essentials, peep our recent past columns with author-illustrator Grace Lin, the co-founders of ODDOBODY, Happy Family Organics’ CEO Anne Laraway, YA author J.Elle, kid-lit authors Karen Chan and Suzanne Greenlaw, the founders of EADEM, Minimalista author Shira Gill, Domino’s Chief Content Officer Kate Berry, the two-mom duo behind Morrow Soft Goods, mega-influencer Nabela Noor, Angela O’Brien of Cleobella, Nikki Osei-Barrett of District Motherhued, Blair Paysinger of Post 21, Idia Lanlokun of Ola & Mide, Karam Kim of Bluecut aprons, children’s authors Evan Sargent and Joanna Ho, Eli Yonas of Toki Mats, Shaina Kerrigan of Molly J., Jenna Levine of LINNÉ botanicals, Eunice Byun of Material, and Sandra Lin of Kiwi Co.

The post Mother Essentials: Karen Young Of Oui The People appeared first on MOTHER.

Need more ideas beyond self care gifts? Peep our Gift Guides for Big Kids, Babies & Toddlers, Tweens & Teens, New & Expecting Mamas, The Homebody, and Gifts For Guys. Plus, Must-Haves For The Kitchen, The Best Magazines for Kids and 30 Subscription Boxes We Love!

The post 60+ Gifts For Your Beauty, Wellness, & Self-Care Routine appeared first on MOTHER.

The made-for-women, by-women brand was founded by Dawn Fable, a mother of two who used CBD as a remedy for her own anxiety. “For over 10 years, I suffered from generalized anxiety disorder and I recognized it was starting to take away from being present,” she explains. “I started incorporating a daily CBD regimen into my life and immediately noticed a difference.”

Soon after experiencing the life-enhancing effects of CBD, Fable started to craft her own line of wellness goodies, which eventually became Press Pause’s full line of CBD-infused tinctures and capsules, teas, balms and creams, bath bombs, and intimacy sprays.

Encouraging women to “press pause” on life and the importance of self-care, the brand also hopes to educate customers on the positive correlations between CBD use and stress reduction, better sleep, PMS relief, menopause support, sexuality, heart health, joint health, and much more.

Bonus points: Press Pause works with farmers who have organic practices, use natural ingredients, and are committed to delivering the highest quality product on the market. The brand also believes in transparency and displaying all of its active ingredients and third party lab tests for customers to see for themselves.

Check out three of our favorite Press Pause CBD products—the Pause CBD Tea, Pause CBD Bath Bomb, and Pause Full Spectrum CBD Tincture—in action in our slideshow below!

Plus, as a little holiday treat, you can enter to win a FREE Press Pause CBD Tincture and you’ll score 20% off site-wide when you use the code MOTHER20.

This post is brought to you by Mother + Press Pause.

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The two are also devoted mothers. San Francisco-based Alice is mama to Ando, 1; and Brooklyn-based Marie is mother to Ysée, 3, and Romy, 19 months. The duo is additionally hoping to build a movement beyond beauty, with their thought-provoking digital journal, Codeswitch, highlighting the experiences of women of color.

Check out the current products and practices that are getting them through their busy days below!

Marie’s Picks

DIY Matcha. “Making my own matcha every morning is an essential. I have never drank coffee, so orange juice was my thing, until I fell in love with matcha. The process of making it really helps me start the day in a good mood; it clears my head. It usually happens after Ysée has left for school and Romy is out and about with our nanny.”

Keyboard For The Office. “I like a clean work station. I try to make it as clean and cute as possible. After all, that’s where I spend a lot of my time.” RK Royal Kludge Mechanical Keyboard,  $49.99, Amazon.

Leather Booties. “These cute Derbies by Le Petit Nord are a good balance between a classic style and something Ysée will gladly put on every morning before going to school.” Petit Nord All Over X Uniqua Capsule Embroidered Boots Lavender, $132, Smallable.

EADEM Milk Marvel. “Our cult favorite serum. It’s unique in the sense that it’s one of the few dark spot and hyperpigmentation serums you can use while pregnant or breastfeeding. We formulated it while we were both pregnant!” Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum, $68, EADEM.

Downtime: Deliciousness at Home. “This cookbook is by Nadine Redzepi Levy, the wife of Rene Redzepi of Noma. It is full of simple yet delicious recipes to cook for the family. I’ve had it for many years now. It’s a favorite in our home.” Downtime: Deliciousness at Home: A Cookbook, written by Nadine Levy Redzepi, $32.20, Bookshop and Amazon.

Mustela Liniment. “This is a French mom secret—every home in France has it! We use it for diaper changes as an ointment on baby’s bottom to keep the redness away. The trick is to dry the skin with a paper towel before applying. It’s made with extra-virgin olive oil, and it’s natural and very nourishing for the skin.” Mustela Liniment No-Rinse Baby Cleanser for Diaper Change, $15, Amazon.

Mustela Stelatopia. “It’s a bathing oil for baby’s delicate skin. I love that it’s a multi-texture product. It’s a staple in our home; we all use it. It has a soft foam, and it cleanses really well.” Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Baby Cream, $26.99, Amazon.

Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle. “Between work and my family, it’s sometimes hard to have 10 minutes for myself during the day. This is the one thing that really makes me feel like myself.” Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Perfume, $270, Neiman Marcus.

Massage Candle. “I am obsessed with this candle from Maude.” Burn No. 1, $25, Maude.

Go-To Jumpsuit. “This romper saved me on the days I don’t want to dress up. My office is a few blocks away from our home, so I just jump in my jumpsuit and get going.” Washable Silk Elastic Strap Jumpsuit, $268, Lunya.

Sleeper Socks. “I also love these chunky wool sleeper socks from Lunya. They’re very comfortable and come with a dust bag that you put in the freezer to keep them germ free.” Chunky Wool Slipper Sock, $98, The Yes.

Cradle Cap Creme. “At 18 months, Romy still gets cradle cap from time to time, so I use this cream by Ducray. I leave it on for 15 minutes at bath time and it just washes away with shampoo.” Ducray Kelual Cradle Cap Emulsion, $22.41, Pharmacy Club.

FaceTime With Our Parents. “We do this twice every weekend, it’s a family ritual. Since both our families are overseas in France, we really make sure the girls have a great relationship with their grandparents, uncles, and cousins. It’s also a break for us, their parents.”

Planting Herbs. “This is a big thing in our home. We have a small plot of land on the roof, but during the winter we plant them inside. It’s a fun thing for the kids to watch how things actually grow. We were watching a farming show together and Ysée once asked me: ‘Wow, there are also avocados on the trees?'”

Alice’s Picks

Organic Hojicha Powder. “For my caffeine fix, I prefer hojicha over matcha or coffee.” Organic Hojicha Powder, $20, Tea People.

Binu Binu Soap. “As a new mom and an entrepreneur, there’s not as much time for self-care like I used to have. Taking baths and creating a calming bathroom environment has become a new luxury routine for me. Binu Binu soaps are beautiful, and I love the soap dishes as well.” Boricha Tea Soap, $22, Binu Binu Soap House.

Pretty Blocks. “My son likes to play with this (putting it in his mouth and banging it on tables!), but I also appreciate how it looks and the creative ways in which it can be stacked.” Raduga Grez Wooden Waterfall Blocks, $33, Smallable.

Gentle Baby Shampoo. “Baby and I both have eczema, so fragrance-free and gentle are super important to both his skin and mine.” Babo Botanicals Sensitive 2-in-1 Fragrance Free Baby Shampoo & Wash, $16.99, Target.  

Morning Walks. “I used to be an active person, but with constraints on my time and energy between running a company and being a parent, I choose to start and end my days with a walk. It helps that I have a 90-pound fluffy Samoyed-Husky who keeps me honest on this!” 

Baby Carrier. “Since walks are my main source of exercise and I live in an extremely hilly neighborhood, this carrier is my go-to way to walk with baby. I tried many carriers and this one is the easiest and has taken baby from newborn to 20 pounds (and can go further).” Beco Gemini Carrier, $80, Amazon.

EADEM Milk Marvel. “I can’t talk about my daily essentials without talking about skincare! I grew up having, and continue to have, ‘difficult’ skin (acne, eczema, I’ve seen it all). So this is an important step for me. Having bad skin can really take a toll on my mental health (it sounds dramatic, but ask anyone who’s suffered!).” Mik Marvel Dark Spot Serum, $68, EADEM.

Fancy Earrings. “In COVID times I’ve gotten lax about my makeup and daily outfits. Nothing quite makes me feel as easily ‘dressed up’ as a good pair of statement earrings.” Earrings, $285 and up, Alchemilla.

Lounge Set. “I wore these daily while pregnant and not pregnant! As separates, I like they could also be styled separately and worn outside.” The 03 Set, $249, Deiji Studios.

Nesting Bowls. “I really love a good home-cooked meal. My friend works at this local ceramics shop and turned me on to the beauty of having adult plates that match. And I have to say it does elevate every meal at home a little bit more.” Nesting Bowls, $200, Earthen.

Ottolenghi Simple. “My husband and I have been taking turns cooking from this book. I used to spend hours making meals and, sadly, I don’t have that luxury anymore, but this books makes each meal just as special.” Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook, by Yotam Ottolenghi, $32.20, Bookshop and Amazon.

Bath Soak. “I started taking baths as a postpartum healing ritual, but that has now extended into a quiet moment of relaxation. I love these bath salts as a part of the ritual.” Bath Salt Soak Coastal Cedar, $9.75, Soap Cauldron.

Baby Bath Time. “I’m not a morning person, so my partner usually takes the lead on the morning daycare drop-offs and preparation. Evenings are our time together. My son loves bath time and the water, so it’s a daily ritual that he and I do together.”

The Farmer’s Market. “The beauty of living in Northern California is the amazing produce and farmer’s markets! I’ve gotten a new appreciation for it as my son transitions to solids and I try to make sure he tries to eat a diversity of in-season fruits and vegetables.”

West Perro Sun Hat. “Living in California, I keep this hat permanently in my car. For any sunny walks or excursions, it has been a must in my weekend wardrobe.” Desert Dome Hat, $125, West Perro.

Used Kids’ Clothing. “In a quest to buy less but better, I’ve been trying to thrift more items. For baby stuff especially, because they grow out of things so quickly. Seesaw is one of my favorites for all things baby.” SeeSaw4Kids.com.

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