Victoria K L

Mutsy & Victoria

September 22, 2017

Montreal, Quebec

I think it’s safe to say that I love to find quality baby brands that provide wholesome quality products I can use now – and reuse from baby to baby. I am so excited to have partnered with Mutsy and share our adventures with you, as we travel with the Igo Pure Fog stroller. The moment I took this stroller out of the box, I instantly fell in love with the design, smooth glide, and most importantly the practicality of it. This stroller is safe and sturdy, and the ergonomic seat is perfectly designed for the sitting or sleeping baby. The smooth ride is due to shock absorbing tires, which makes it the perfect stroller for all seasons and all terrain.

The best part is the compact design and the one piece folding position. This makes it quick to load into the car and quick to set up. This stroller is great not only for everyday use, but also traveling!
Aside from using our Mutsy Igo daily, we took it on a trip to Montreal, Quebec recently, and I must add the ride on cobble stone roads was amazing, the push was easy, and overall comfortable.
I love that there are many accessories I can add on to customize the stroller to suit my lifestyle/needs. Mutsy strollers are also much more affordable to other leading stroller companies while still offering great design, comfort and practicality.
If you have any more questions about Mutsy click here, to read more about Mutsy and its history/craftsmenship click here.

Adventures in Soho

September 8, 2017

Every time we find ourselves in Soho, new adventures unfold. It’s easy to get lost and wander around as though you are walking through a small European city with beautiful architecture and cafes on every corner.
We have come to really love SoHo, especially since it is so easy to get around with stroller. Restaurants, cafes and shops are all walking distances from one another, and there are many great attractions to see.
Esmaé enjoys it each time too, but mainly because there are playgrounds scattered all around the city.

Thanks for stopping by,
xo, Victoria

Shop this look here:

Evening Strolls & Popcorn Knits

July 15, 2017

Happy Saturday loves!

I just wanted to stop by and share a few recent images.
One thing I love about cool summer nights is taking
a stroll downtown with my family. The aroma of steamy
hot coffee at hand, Esmae babbling in her stroller and
holding his hand is pretty much a perfect evening in my books.
Ever since our family expanded, our dates nights tend to
always have a third little wheel, but I wouldn’t have it
any other way!

Esmae and I are bundled these
amazing LuxeLim cozy sweaters.
These sweaters are handmade with the softest threads ever.
They come in merino wool or alpaca, which truly make them
perfect year round. I love hand knit goods and plan to pass
them on from child to child in the future.

Click here to shop yours.

Thanks for stoping by!
xo, V

Photography by Best Photo Design
Post sponsored by LuxeLim

our Sleep Training experience..

June 23, 2017

Baby room details here | Blanket by Hermes
Baby Monitor by Angel Care (Use Promo CODE: ATV25)
Giraffe here and here

Are you tired of sleepless nights? Comfort feeding? and difficulty putting your little one to bed? (Gosh, this sounds like one of those infomercials, haha!) Well, I hope this post can help you in some way. Keep reading to learn how our sleep training experience is going. Also sharing about our baby monitor system, read along for more..

As a new parent, you learn many things in that first year. For example, I didn’t know you have to teach babies how to fall asleep on their own. I always thought it was one of those things they just did. I had no issues putting Esmae to sleep (birth – 4 months), mainly because she was always nursed to sleep. Well, come to my surprise we hit a few hiccups around 4/5 months. It was getting harder and harder getting Esmae to fall asleep and most nights I didn’t know what to do. I had a relative recommend to me the Dana Obleman program. It worked for her, so she said it would work for me. I was very tired and desperate so I bought the program that night.

I read through the program and it seemed pretty simple. It does allow the baby to cry it out just a little in the beginning, but the end seemed promising. I wasn’t sure I could do that, I mean I always asked myself: “is this ok?”. Long story short, I decided I will let her cry it out, but I will stand next to her crib and let her know I’m there and that it’s ok. I figured how hard could it be, right?

Prior to us trying this, she slept in her bassinet by my bedside, so we decided to just go ahead and sleep train her in her crib across the hall. The program highlighted the importance of developing a “nighttime routine” and that it is vital to do this every single night. So we did just that, I would give her a bath, read her a book, nurse her for her last feeding, kiss her goodnight, and I placed her in her crib. Within a few minutes she began crying. Realizing that I’m not going to pick her up, she began to cry harder and harder. As the book said, I comforted her first with my voice, and then I stroked her back, face etc. This did nothing for us other than make her more upset. I think by touching her, it gave her hope that I’m going to pick her up now, and when I didn’t she only got more upset. Ultimately I just had to walk away and let her cry it out. It was the hardest thing to go through mentally and emotionally for me.

The first night is the hardest, and it took her about 1 hour and 50 minutes to fall asleep. It was rough, crying on and off, but we got there. That first night she fell asleep around 9 and she slept all night, did not wake once, sleeping in until 9/10am. Honestly I couldn’t believe it. That first night I was waking up every hour just to check on her. I couldn’t believe she was sleeping so long without waking up. After the first night, I was convinced this is for us. Night two was quicker, about half the time, 1 hour just about. Third night it took about 20 minutes, fourth about 10-15 minutes. And each night only got better and quicker. Once there was even a night where I just placed her in her crib, she just turned to get comfortable and shut her eyes and immediately fell asleep. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I remember checking to make sure she was breathing (first time mom syndrome, haha!). I loved to keep an eye on her using my AngelCare monitor.

This monitor made my life so much easier. I love that you can watch your little one rest from any room in the house. This monitor helps you maintain a healthy baby temperature in the room by letting you know what the current temperature is. The image is very clear on the screen, there is no latency, and the set up is very easy. It had been a lifesaver for when I need to get things done during nap times. I highly recommend it!

Overall, we had such a good outcome, and it only took about 5 days. What a small sacrifice you have to make for a lifetime of good sleep right? Well, it doesn’t end there. Around 5.5/6 months Esmae started teething and well, everything changed unfortunately. She teethed so well during the day, but at night she just kept waking to nurse about 5-6 times (yup, that’s just about every hour). Before she would wake 1-2 times max for night feedings, so this was a huge change. It was incredibly difficult, and I was literally not getting any sleep. So I let her sleep by me for one night, and one night turned into one week, and now it’s impossible to get her out (comment below if you are with me on this one). So here we are at 10 months with 6 teeth and she still wakes up 1-2 times for night feedings. I don’t mind her cuddling with us, but to be honest I never thought I would allow her to sleep with us. Prior to baby, and motherhood you have a lot of thoughts that changed very quickly! I am thinking to retrain her again. But now at 10 months she is hard to trick, so we will see how this will go.

I would love to hear about your sleep training tricks and methods, please comment below if you do something that really helps!

Thanks for reading this essay of a post!,

Xo, Victoria

Thank you AngelCare for partnering with me on this post!

I have the AngelCare AC510 Model, and I LOVE IT!
Read more about Angel Care here
Use Promo CODE: ATV25 for 25% off your mode
(Only valid on the AC 510 model)

Postpartum Skin Routine

May 13, 2017

Everyone talks about the postpartum body, but many don’t say a thing about postpartum skin. I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion
that I am possibly the only person to suffer from acne related to postpartum hormonal shifts. Below I describe what I have
been doing to manage, control and heal it..
So if you find yourself in the same boat as me, read along.

5-Step Evening Face Routine

1. First thing first, double cleansing. If you’re unfamiliar with this concept, let me explain it a bit. In the evening when I prepare to remove my make-up, I first take about 2 pumps of oil unto my hands and begin to massage it into my skin, including eyes and lips. The oil begins to break down the make-up, and melt it away. I then take a few cotton balls or cotton pads and wipe away all of the oil and make-up.

Any oil will work, but here is the one I use: Argan + Vitamin E (I found it at marshalls).

2. Next, I take a pump of cleanser and gently massage it into my face. I am currently trying this one. I don’t have any thoughts on it yet, as I have only been using it for about two weeks, but I like that it acts as a cleanser and a mask if you leave it on for a few minutes.

Shop cleanser here:

3. After a cleansed face, I then take a cotton ball and soak it in witch hazel. I pat the entire face with witch hazel, and focus on problematic areas of the face specifically.

Witch hazel can be bought in almost any health and food store. Shop one here:

4. This is my holy-grail skin product that I have repurchased over and over again. Im not going to lie, its kind of pricey, but it does last me a while. After toning, I apply this to areas that need healing and a little extra help. This treatment helps get rid of acne scars, prevent new ones from forming, and overall improves the complexion of your skin. This is my must -have product. I used to apply it every night, now I am applying it about every other night.

Shop it here:

5. This creme is amazing, and I had to include it in here. Used as a cleanser, make-up remover, mask, or daily face cream, French brand Embryolisse is a cult beauty brand favored by many. It’s also suitable for both men, women and even children. This is a must have! I mainly use this one in the mornings only, here’s how:

I cleanse my face with just my cleanser, pat my Vitamin E oil on my skin, then finish off with this creme. I then do my make up and run out the door.

Shop it here:

Face Masks I Love

I have been using these two masks I splurged on during the Sephora sale this year. Not only do they smell heavenly, but I see results from both! After a hot steamy shower, I love to apply the pink one “Pores Away” to my t-zone area and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. I see a difference after I wash it away. Especially if Im applying make up right after. And at bedtime, I like to apply the “Extra Plump” peach one overnight to wake up to plumpy hydrated skin. I’ve incorporated both of these into my skin care routine, and try to use them about 2-3x per week. I plan to pick up the other two by Dior soon!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope this is helpful! If you have any tips of your own, please share them below!

XX, Victoria

*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and all products mentioned have been purchased by me, for me. These products may or may not work for you, this post is based on my results, thoughts and opinions.

Traveling with Stokke

April 14, 2017

Stokke Stroller

We visited Washington DC recently, and oh how we fell in love with that beautiful city. The blossoming cherry trees took you into a beautiful water-colored painting of pink and blush tones.

We took our new all-black Stokke Xplory for strolls around the city and what an ease it was to get around. I love the modern and sleek design of the new all-black Xplory, but also how functional and practical it is. I feel like Stokke is the modern day classic stroller and accessory company that cater to many needs. This sleek design is a must have for parents looking for something stylish, practical and different. We must of received compliments every hour on this stroller. My favorite part is the cute parasol that helps block the sun.

Stokke is the only stroller that gives an amazing range for seat adjustability. This is such an amazing bonus for taller parents. My husband and I are both so tall, and we needed something that is comfortable for baby and us. Stokke delivers at every point and we cant wait to use it more and more.

For more information, click here.
This stroller comes in a variety of colors with plenty of accessories, click here for more information.

Thanks for stopping by,

Xo, Victoria

The Best Lactation Cookie

March 31, 2017

Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies

This is my go-to lactation cookie recipe for days when I feel like I just need a boost. This recipe was found on Pinterest and is definitely a keeper! Over the course of 7.5 months, I’ve made these cookies about 5-6 times, and each time had great results. Also remember to increase your water intake because with lactation, hydration is key! I also like to enjoy these cookies with Organic Milkmaid Tea by Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics.

Yield: 34 cookies

Ingredients

2 Tbsp flaxseed meal
¼ cup of water
2 cups whole wheat flour or unbleached flour
¼ cup of brewer’s yeast (this is the main ingredient for milk production)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
9 fenugreek capsules (empty capsules and discard)
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup coconut oil, softened
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups of old fashioned oats
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

(Note: I doubled the brewers yeast, and only used about 2.5c oats)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix flaxseed meal and water; set aside.
Stir together the flour, brewer’s yeast, salt, baking soda and fenugreek, set aside.
Blend butter, coconut oil, and sugars well. Blend in eggs. Stir in flaxseed mixture and vanilla; mix well.
Add dry mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
Scoop 2 Tbsp of dough, 1 to 2 inches apart, onto a silicone lined baking sheet. (About 8 cookies per tray.)
Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until matte on the top.

Once cooled, individually wrap cookies in plastic wrap and place them in a container the freezer. Eat at least 2 cookies the first day, and one each day afterwards. unwrap it and nuke it in the microwave for 30 seconds.) Enjoy!

WARNING: Consult your doctor before making this recipe. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Disclaimer: This recipe was found via Pinterest and located on the blog DessertNowDinnerLater. Here is the link:

Lactation Cookies (+ Video)

Morning Routine with E

March 6, 2017

Oscar et Valentine

This sweet little face has made me a mama for 6 months already! And, I cannot believe it!
Now that I’ve been a mum for half a year, I finally feel like I know what Im doing! LOL We have a little routine down and life has been more organized.

Esmae tends to wake up at 7am on the dot every morning, so once she wakes,
I go and get her and we cuddle and play in bed for about a good 45 minutes.
We do a quick diaper change, and go into her room to choose an outfit for the day.
We then like to get up and make my coffee together. I don’t know why, but she gets SO EXCITED to see the espresso machine go on, it’s the cutest thing.

Around 8am I begin to make Esmae her breakfast, which is usually baby oatmeal with fruit (mashed banana, strawberries, or a fruit combo). I love the Holle baby oatmeal ! (Find it here).

After a good feeding, I play with her a little more and attempt to finish my coffee while she plays by herself. I usually see her begin to rub her eyes around 8:45am, and at that point its time to get ready for her morning nap.

I pick her up, cuddle her and make sure not to stimulate her to keep her sleepy. I sing to her and nurse her for a few minutes, and she either falls asleep, or gets even sleepier. I then either place her in her crib or if she is fighting her sleep, I will place her in her swing to help her fall asleep more soundly. She’s usually always sleeping by 9/9:15am.

Once she’s asleep I make my self breakfast and get cleaned up for the day,
clean up the kitchen a bit and other areas. And before you know it 2-3 hours fly by and I hear little giggles and baby talk. I love how happy she is after her naps, I pick her up and kiss her for a solid 10 minutes. Hehe! Usually after her nap is when we take a few photos for the blog/instagram or some to send to daddy and grandparents!

From 12-1:30 We play all over, I make her lunch (blended veggies or fruits mixed in with a little baby oatmeal to thicken) and we do another nursing session. She usually fights this nap a lot more. But by 2-2:30pm she falls asleep and sleeps for a good 1-2.5 hours..

From 4ish-7:30 she is awake and I try to keep her up so that she sleeps soundly at night.
Every other day we give her a bath around 6:30pm, which she loves like crazy!

Hope you enjoyed reading our little routine. If you like for us to write about our night time routine (which is completely a different story) comment below!

Thanks for stopping by,

xx,
Victoria

Outfit, bear and blanket by Oscar et Valentine

[*Disclaimer: Everyday is different, this post is based on an average day. Also, mom life sounds so easy from this post, but I assure you its the toughest job. Some days are filled with giggles and fun, others are filled with endless crying and fussiness. So for young moms out there, hang in there, we all go though the same things.]

Shop products we use Everyday

Pillow feet, cashmere & Oscar et Valentine

March 3, 2017

Oscar et Valentine

About everyday or so I get questions where I shop for Esmae, or what my favorite baby clothing stores are.
So for those asking, here is your answer. Oscar et Valentine is on top of my list. I believe in investing
into a few key pieces that you can reuse from baby to baby.

Since I had Esmae, I really started paying close attention to higher quality fabrics, classic designs and good craftsmanship. I found all of these qualities in Oscar et Valentine baby clothing. Oscar et Valentine is based in France, and their designs are timeless. I love their classical pieces that will be in fashion for many years to come. The pieces we own will not only get great wear now, but with future babies as well.

The cashmere used by Oscar et Valentine is delicate but durable, warm, cozy and soft. My favorite pieces include the pom pom socks, the Anselme coverall, the Henriette cardigan (which I have in almost every color) and all of the blankets! By the way, have you seen the adorable teddy bears? Pretty much everything is amazing!

I hope you enjoyed this post, stay tuned for more baby posts coming soon!

xo,

Victoria

To shop the full collection, Please visit: Oscaretvalentine.com

or Shop Oscar et Valentine via Melijoe below

Revitalize 3-4 Day hair

February 28, 2017

Dress | Boots | Esmae’s hat | Esmae’s outfit | Hair tools

How sweet is this little sugar puff in my arms.

Being a mom is the best job in the world, but as most moms know,

its also very demanding. Time is something that becomes very important,

mainly because you have very little of it (I don’t know how mamas with more

babies and jobs do it all). Something that is important to me is taking care of

myself so that I can be a better mama to her. I don’t always look all put together and

dressed up but one thing I try to take care of is my hair. After pregnancy your hair,

skin and body changes, so it is important to take care of yourself. Prior to baby, my hair care

routine from wash-to-styled would take me about 1 hour. Now, everything changed and my hair is

completely different. I cannot get away with washing

my hair every 4-5 days so I’ve come up with a new hair routine to relativize

3-4 day hair into looking fresh and styled.

*Note: The only vitamins I take are prenatal vitamins. The shampoo I use now is Living proof (Linked below)

1. On the day I wash my hair, after blow drying, I spray a little bit of Batiste dry shampoo into the roots and rub it in. That’s right, on clean hair! This allows the dry shampoo to absorb the oil as it forms on day 2 and 3.

2. With 3 or 4 day hair, I use the same dry shampoo, spray it into the roots and make sure to really brush it out. I have been using this T3 drier to quickly run through my hair and help get the dry shampoo in all the areas, and dissolve the rest. This also gives you more volume.

This blow drier is one of the best blow driers I have ever used. The price is an investment, but its so worth it to pay for quality and have it forever.

3. Using the T3 flat iron, I section my hair into 4 parts and run the iron about 3-4 inches from the ends, flipping the ends into soft waves. I then take my front bangs and a few pieces from each side from the top and run the iron with a twisting action to create more waves all around. I love how soft and shiny my hair is after using this iron.

4. I then take a small amount of hair oil(linked below) in my palms (about a drop or two) and run the ends of my hair with it. This softens the hair, makes it shiny, and keeps it hydrated. Keep oil away from roots though.

5. For extra volume and waves I flip my hair upside down, and lightly hair spray it while gently shaking the head for continuous movement. I then flip my hair back, and spray a little more, while fixing the pieces in place.

This process takes me a total of 8-10 minutes, and my hair looks and feels fresher and styled.