fashion

Mom Style | Love Winnie James

July 08, 2016 in baby threads, favorite products, style

Love Winnie James is an online boutique carrying women and children's apparel. They carry the cutest and trendiest styles, including this amazing floral dress. When I saw this dress it reminded me of gloomy beach days, so naturally we had to take some photos on the beach. I love the floral pattern, the low neck for easy nursing, and that it's so flow and flattering. It's also easy to dress up or dress down. I also got Ever these little oxfords, and they're our new favorite shoes.

Imperishable Clothing Co.

June 12, 2016 in family, favorite products

First of all, we had so much fun with this shoot. Who would have thought that a grocery store would be such a great setting? Evvie didn't quite understand what was happening but she seemed to have fun nonetheless.

Imperishable Clothing Co. is a faith based company that carries t-shirts for all ages, with a wide range of sayings. Their mission is to start conversations with their shirts, so that the gospel is spread throughout the world.

Baby Threads | Leia Roux

June 09, 2016 in baby threads, favorite products

Introducing....

Leia Roux! Oh my goodness, the things she makes are so beyond gorgeous. I got Ever this lavender stripe romper and we are in love! The fabric is stretchy, but it doesn't lose its form after a day of wear.

LA Arts District | a daycation

June 03, 2016 in tavel/adventures, family

A mutual day off for all of us, including our friend Angel, aka Uncle Angel, and what do we do? Go to LA of course.

We love LA. It's only an hour drive from Orange County (where we live), and there's so much to explore. You'll literally never see it all.

This time we decided to explore the Arts District. There's a cool new "museum" that we saw the last time we were here, but didn't have time to check it out.

Of course, picturesque walls galore. What I didn't take any pictures off however, were alllll the walls with super cool abstract murals. But, you can never go wrong with a white brick wall.

Jesse's shirt is from Jean and June, and was a limited Father's Day style, but check out their amazing other styles!

Ever's outfit: top + tights + bloomers (changed later) + headband + shoes.

My outfit: chambray top + tee + sunglasses.

Uncle Angel:

Second stop: The Line Hotel. This hotel is home to The Comissary restaurant (you've probably seen it on Instagram. The restaurant that looks like a green house). We've eaten here before so thought we would go again because we loved it. But, we were a little early for dinner, and decided nothing on the dinner menu looked good so we took pictures and walked (because we thought we wouldn't be able to find parking but when we got there the restaurant had its own parking. Whoops.) 15 minutes to Beer Belly. Definitely a good choice.

Stay tuned for a video of our daycation on the VLOG!

Mom Style | Pink Blush

May 22, 2016 in favorite products, home, motherhood, style

Saturday morning loungin' with some watermelon water that tasted of summer (that Ever desperately wanted to try).

Another thing that has me so ready for summer is this dress from Pink Blush. Pink Blush is an online women's boutique. They're known for their maternity wear, but they have non maternity items too, and this dress happens to double as both. It's also nursing friendly, despite the high neck, because the arm holes are stretchy enough to pull open for easy access.

Ever was so fascinated by all the plant life.

Bring on the summer!

mom style | Minted Em Boutique

April 22, 2016 in favorite products, style

I'm constantly on the hunt for shirts that are nursing friendly, and I definitely scored with this one!

Minted Em Boutique is the cutest little online boutique with a ton of options for a nursing mama, and at an amazing price!

This top is the Oatmeal Babydoll. The fabric is so light and flowy I feel like I could fly, but also lay down and sleep because it's so comfortable.

The fit is obviously loose, but not frumpy looking, the way it lays is very flattering. And I'm even thinking, "maternity shirt for baby #2??"

Literally the perfect shirt. Comfortable ✔️

Flowy ✔️

Afforable ✔️

and nursing friendly ✔️

Laughing because she literally almost spit up into my mouth. But I dodged it.

And, of course, I can't have a post without the spotlight on Ever at some point 💁🏼. So, here she is.

Minted Em is offering my readers 20% off with code MORGANFAITH until Sunday April 24th at midnight!

Ever's outfit:

June Park shirt and leggings

Hadley Girl bow

Wild Explorer shoes

Laguna Beach | a daycation

April 17, 2016 in tavel/adventures, family

That one time we took too long to get ready, drove a few minutes down the PCH to Laguna, walked around for about an hour, got wayyy too hot and tired, and decided to go home and nap.

Searched way too long for a coffee shop to eventually just decide to go to Whole Foods where their espresso machine was cenveniently broken.

So Evvie helped me pick out a cold brew instead.

Ever's outfit:

june park shirt

h&m tights

mon petite shoes

kait and kids flower crown

baby threads | Jean & June

April 17, 2016 in favorite products, style

I'm probablyyyy a little too obsessed with Jean & June. The witty sayings, the minimalist design, the fact that I can twin my baby, it's just too much goodness.

My shirt says "stay golden" and Ever's onesie says "golden child". So cute and clever!

LA | a daycation

April 05, 2016 in tavel/adventures, family

Jesse's day off again, and we planned to go to Santa Barbara. But halfway there decided we'd rather go somewhere closer so stopped in LA for some good eats, museum hopping, and good old traffic jams.

We both really hope Ever has an adventurous spirit like the two of us. So we've gotta teach her young, right? The older she gets, the better she is with all day outings. She was a champ this time around going in and out of her car seat. And we even managed to get her naps and feeding right on schedule. She's like super baby. And I'm like super mom (kidding).

LA always reminds me of when Jesse and I were first dating. Our first date was to Hollywood and around that area. And we've always loved daycationing to tried and true but also new places.

don't mind the bathrooms in the background...

Ate: The Commisary, Salt and Straw, and some pizza place.

Saw: LACMA, the tar pits, the ghetto, and Griffith Observatory.

Ever's outfit: Old Navy overalls, June Park tee, Mon Petite shoes, Little Prickly Pear headband

mama + me sweat sesh

March 23, 2016 in favorite products, fitness

It's no surprise that new moms have a hard time getting to the gym. You have to find a babysitter, have enough stored milk if you're nursing, be struck by anxiety every second you're gone, etc etc etc. So I put my thinking cap on and came up with a few workout you can do at home using your baby. The good news: the bigger your baby, the better your workout! 12 pounds gets real heavy real fast. As always, listen to your body. If something hurts, don't do it, or check your form.

10 minute mama + me sweat sesh

1. Plank to Down Dog

Starting from a plank position, kiss your babe on the forehead, then draw your hips up into a downward dog and kiss your babe on the belly. Reapeat 15X, tightening the core the entire time.

2. V-Ups

Sitting on your sacrum, the spot between the sit bones and tailbone, lean back far enough to feel gravity forcing your abs to engage, toes on the floor. Then, lift the toes and torso at the same time. Repeat 20X.

For stronger babies, you can hold their hands to give yourself a bigger range of motion.

3. The Russian Twist

Staying on the sacrum, abs engaged, twist left and tap your baby's toes on the floor, then do the same to the right. Right and left is one rep, do 20 reps total.

For an extra challenge, try lifting your toes off the floor and balancing.

4. Plie Squat

Starting in a wide second position, heels in toes out, lower into a squat, keeping your knees tracking over your toes, tailbone tucked, chest high, and hips right between your knees.

Then, straighten and raise your babe above your head.

5. Standing Twists

Staying in a nice low plie, core engaged, twist your baby to the right and left.

6. Inner Thigh Lifts

Laying down on your side, one leg extended, the other crossed in front. Flex the extended leg's foot then lift and lower.

Hold at the highest point the pulse up. Repeat each step 20X.

7. Tabletop Glutes

Starting on your hands and knees, toes pointed, lift and lower the leg straight to the back. Here you can experiment with pulses, tiny circle, extending and bending while flexing the hamstring, and so on. Also try bringing a bent knee directly to the side (think dog peeing on a fire hydrant) and repeating the same exercise.

8. The Pushup: Tricep version

On your knees or on your toes, make sure you're keeping the correct pushup form. Lower, keeping the biceps close into your sides, elbows going straight back, kiss your baby, and lift.

9. Stretch it out

Whatever feels good, make sure to stretch out the muscles you worked to avoid a bulky look (unless that's what you're going for).

My outfit: Beyond Yoga

Ever's outfit: June Park

mom style // Eva Jo Rompers

March 21, 2016 in favorite products, style

This post is the first of a series I'm super excited about! I'll be highlighting different pieces from different brands that I've found that are perfect for a nursing mama.

After I had Ever, it didn't take long to realize that over half of my wardrobe wouldn't work for nursing, and every day I'm frustrated because I have nothing to wear. Of course, you can pull any shirt up, but that's just annoying because it falls back down as you're trying to feed. I much prefer something I can pull down, with easy and quick access.

So, today I'm highlighting this amazing romper, The Sylvie by Eva Jo Rompers

First of all, have you even seen this gorgeous color before?? I'm in love. And all the other color choices they have are gorgeous too!

Second, it feels like I'm wearing pjs. The fabric is heaven. So so soft and comfortable. I definitely see myself wearing this every week, if not multiple times a week. If not everyday...

Third, it's nursing friendly, of course, without being intended for nursing. There's a snap in the front for easy access to those milk makers. Mama's happy because she's not fussing trying to pull a t shirt up or a collar down and baby's happy because she doesn't have to wait very long to get what she wants!

And fourth, it's super versatile. I'm wearing sandals in these pictures, but it can so easily be dressed up with a pair of cute heels, or dressed down with some converse or birks.

Not a mama? Fret not. They have plenty of other rompers to choose from that are just as cute, comfy, and versatile. Support small business and shop small!

If you're a small business and think your products would be perfect for this series, contact me at letterstoeverjoy@gmail.com, I'd love to collab with you!

Baby Wearing Barre with Wildbird+Albion Fit

March 14, 2016

In preparation for teaching a baby-wearing barre class at my studio, I was on the hunt for a secure, but also cute, baby carrier that would be perfect for working out in. I connected with Tayler of Wildbird and we decided to make a video of barre exercises that you can do while wearing your baby in her slings.

We had so much fun during this shoot! Applause to my oh-so-talented and creative #instagramhusband.

If you're local to Orange County, we will be officially launching our Rock A Barre Baby class at Meraki Barre in Costa Mesa, CA on April 6. The class will be on Wednesday and Saturday at 12pm. It's going to be so much fun! Not only will you get an amazing workout that you get to bring your baby to, but its also going to be a great way to meet other moms in our community! More details are coming very very soon, but for more info now check out our IG @rockabarrebaby, and website merakibarre.com

ALSO. I will be teaching a FREE preview class at the Nike store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on April 2 at 2:00pm. Come! And also tell all your mama friends!

But, if you're not local and happen to be super duper motivated to do these exercises by yourself without an instructor yelling at you, you can do them at home!

As always, when trying these exercises yourself, listen to your body. If something hurts, either don't do it, or check your form to make sure it's correct. I'll outline each exercise in as much detail as I can.

First, grab a chair, counter top, or anything sturdy that stands about waist level.

1. The arabesque

This is one of my favorite moves for back + butt. There's a ton of different things you can do here.

Setup: start in first position (heels together, toes out), both knees bent in a plié (making sure knees track straight over the toes, tailbone tucked, and chest lifted). Extend one leg behind, keeping it straight and turned out. In this position you can (8-10 reps each):

tap and lift: lower leg all the way down and then lift as high as you can, keeping the chest lifted and standing leg bent.
Pulse up: lifting the leg at your highest point, pulse it up in tiny movements, activating the glutes even more.
Circles: keeping the leg as high as you can, tiny circles out, then tiny circles in. It's important to keep these movements as small as possible.
Hold. As high as you can for as long as you can. Shoot for at least 30 seconds. Then straighten your standing leg and let go of your support and try to balance.

2. The plié in 1st and 2nd

Set up: 1st position, heels together, toes out. For safety, as you plie, keep your knees tracking straight over your toes, tailbone tucked.

2nd position: legs wide, toes out, heels in.

Plié and lift. Pulse. Wing your hips. Tuck your tailbone forward and back. Pulse the knees back.

2nd position. Repeat above in second position.

3. The battement

Starting from either 1st or 5th position, battement (kick) your leg to the front as high as you can without kicking your baby. Repeat to the side and to the back. Focus on keeping your chest high, back straight, abs engaged, and legs straight. This exercise is purposed to get your heart rate going, while also lengthening and strengthening your quadriceps and hip flexors.

After repeating this series a few times, try extend in the leg to the side adding some pulses upward, tiny circle forward and back, passé and extend.

4. The leaning tower of Pisa (couldn't think of another name)

This exercise engages your core as well as the quads.

Setup: toes touching and knees a little wider than your hips, keeping a tucked tailbone and plank-like position of the torso.

Slowly lower your torso toward your feet and lift back up. You can also pulse here, lowering to your lowest point then pulsing.

Twists. Keeping the correct form, twist and reach to your foot. Alternate sides.

6. Passé series

Starting from a simple first position, plie, then draw the toes up to the knee in a passé, and come back down to a plie then repeat.

In this position you can lower the heel and lift it, activating the calf muscle. Also try pulsing your heel for an intense burn.

Pretty simple, right? I mean, nothing beats a barre class where you can't give up in the middle of an exercise because you don't want to look stupid (especially as the instructor), but if you're short on time and a babysitter, these are some great simple workouts you can do anytime to boost up your energy and get rid of that mom butt (not that you have one).

And now for the pictures.

Studio: Meraki Barre

My Outift: Albion Fit

Sling: Wildbird