Coffee & Chaos

Motherhood comes with a lot of beautiful things—tiny hugs, snack negotiations, and the ability to function on three hours of sleep like it’s totally normal. But it also comes with a massive, glitter-dusted pile of expectations that no one asked for. Somewhere along the way, society decided moms should be soft yet strong, patient yet productive, nurturing yet flawless… all while maintaining a spotless home and a personality. Spoiler: Impossible. And you’re not failing—you’re j

Let’s be real—I rarely put on makeup. But some days, especially when the weather is gloomy, I don’t want to give off full Adam Sandler vibes. So today I decided to try a very simple, beginner-friendly look with products I actually own. No pressure, just playing around and seeing what works. See my to go products: https://shorturl.at/Lad0s 1️⃣ Tarte Maracuja Tinted Moisturizer I started with this tinted moisturizer because I wanted something light and natural. I used a beauty

If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there, you’re not alone. But if you’re a mom, chances are those moments of forgetfulness feel like they happen a little more often. That’s what many of us lovingly call “mom brain.” What Exactly Is  Mom Brain? “Mom brain” is a colloquial term used to describe the cognitive changes—like forgetfulness, brain fog, and trouble concentrating—that some women experience during and after pregnancy. While it isn’t an officia

If there’s one thing motherhood has taught me, it’s this: the less I have to pack, the better my life becomes. Bringing a baby anywhere feels like preparing for a cross-country expedition. And going to the grandparents’ house? That used to mean mentally running through a never-ending checklist: Do we have diapers? Wipes? Toys? A safe place to nap? So we finally made the best decision ever — we created a set of “grandparents’ house essentials” that stay there permanently . No

There’s this tiny moment that happens over and over in motherhood — a moment most people never think twice about. It’s when I look around at my family, take a deep breath, and say those five little words: “Can you take a picture of us?” Every time I say it, something tightens in my chest.Not because I don’t want the picture — I do. I want it desperately.But because asking feels awkward. Vulnerable. Frustrating. In that split second before the words come out, my brain is alrea

Postpartum recovery can feel overwhelming, especially when the world keeps telling new moms to “bounce back.” That’s why the 5-5-5 Postpartum Rule is such a game-changer—it gives you permission to slow down, prioritize your healing, and actually recover. This method breaks your first 15 days into three gentle phases designed to support rest, recovery, and bonding with your baby. 5 Days In Bed Your first five days should be all about deep rest. Stay in bed as much as possible,

When I was pregnant, I had this beautiful, hopeful vision of myself breastfeeding. I wanted to do it all — nursing, pumping, bonding, providing every ounce of nutrition my baby needed. And even though I went into postpartum fully aware that the cards might be stacked against me, it still hit hard when the day came and things didn’t go the way I imagined. At seventeen, I had a breast reduction. A lot  of tissue was removed, which meant severed ducts, unpredictable nerve functi

Motherhood is a wild ride—full of love, laughter, chaos, and unexpected lessons. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you slow down, appreciate the little moments, and reflect on all the blessings in your life. Sometimes you need a prompt to get started, so I’ve put together 25 gratitude journal prompts for moms  to inspire reflection, laughter, and growth. 5 Sentimental Gratitude Prompts Write about a moment today when your child made your heart melt. Recall a tradition in y

Everyone loves to warn new moms with those ominous “Just wait…”  lines — “Just wait until the sleep regression,” “Just wait until they’re crawling,” “Just wait until the tantrums start.”Honestly? Enough. Because there’s another version of “just wait” that no one really talks about — the soft, magical, heart-expanding moments that make every hard day worth it. The ones you don’t see on the warning labels of motherhood, but they’re the ones that actually carry you through those

Planning my two-year-old’s birthday party felt a little bit like planning a mini music festival — minus the questionable port-a-potties and overpriced merch. Once I saw this theme, I knew  it was the  theme. Warped Tour was coming back this year, so it felt like the most logical, nostalgic, millennial-parent thing to do.Plus , when we did our maternity shoot, we used tiny baby Vans and my husband wore a Warped Tour shirt from one of the years we actually went. So honestly, it

Every year around the holidays, I tell myself I’m going to stay on top of everything — get gifts early, stay organized, and actually enjoy the season. I start out strong with a list, a plan, and maybe even a little bit of optimism. And then real life happens. The shopping, the budgeting, the endless “I’ll just grab one more thing” trips — it all adds up fast. Between keeping up with daily life and trying to make things special, I always end up wondering when the holidays star

I’ve taken two trips without my husband and son since becoming a mom — and both were exactly what my mental health needed. But this most recent girls’ trip felt different . It wasn’t longer than my other trips, but the energy was. A big group of friends came together, and something about being surrounded by laughter, stories, and zero responsibilities hit me differently this time. To be honest, since pregnancy and postpartum, I’ve felt pieces of myself fade into the backgroun

Newborn life is… well, it’s a fog. Groundhog Day every day. You wake up, feed, soothe, nap, repeat—and somehow, you’re still trying to remember your own name. But here’s the thing that saved us: a routine. And before you roll your eyes thinking “ugh, routines,” hear me out. This isn’t about scheduling your newborn like a CEO. It’s about knowing what’s next, just enough to ease the anxiety without feeling like a prison sentence. For us, the routine was a lifeline. I had diffic

Every year, we make resolutions that sound good on paper — drink more water, get organized, finally figure out a dinner plan that doesn’t include chicken nuggets three nights a week. But as moms, we often forget one big thing: ourselves. This year, let’s change that.Let’s make resolutions that actually fill our cup — not just our to-do list. 1. Turn Off “Work Mode” at Home Easier said than done, right? Whether you work inside or outside the home, it’s hard to flip that mental

There’s something magical about a solo mom outing — no diaper bag, no schedule, no list. Just me, aimlessly wandering the store aisles like it’s a mini vacation. (Seriously, if you know, you know. ) That’s when it happened — I spotted it. A tiny Flying Monkey  costume. I wasn’t even looking for Halloween stuff yet, but the second I saw those little wings, I knew my toddler had  to be it. Originally, I was thinking about doing a cute little DIY “Trash Truck” costume — because

Two nights before Halloween, I was crying on the floor — not just from the pain of my ankle, but from the realization of everything I was about to miss. I had pictured walking the neighborhood loop with my little boy, hearing him yell “trick or treat!” in that sweet, excited voice, watching him pick out candy, and soaking in all those tiny moments up close. Instead, I sat there, heartbroken, realizing I wouldn’t be walking anywhere anytime soon. Thankfully, my neighbor had on

When it came to planning my baby shower, I knew I couldn’t pick just one theme. I’ve never been the “matchy-matchy” type anyway — I like a little chaos with a side of color. So instead of sticking to a single theme, I went with a green-and-blue color scheme  I loved and decided to make each table unique, interactive, and full of memories . Honestly, my friends probably thought I was a little extra—but isn’t that part of the fun? Each table represented a week of my pregnancy ,

Let’s be real: those middle-of-the-night wake-ups are no joke. Whether it’s feeding, diaper changes, or just comforting a fussy baby, having the right items within arm’s reach can save your sanity. If your nightstand is on the smaller side, I highly  recommend a wheely cart—it keeps everything organized and mobile, which is a game-changer when you’re half asleep. Here’s my roundup of must-have items  for your postpartum nightstand: For Every Parent Water bottle  – Hydration i

Starting solids can feel like such a milestone — and also a little nerve-wracking when you hit the big  ones: allergens. When we began introducing allergens around 6 months, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The good news? With a slow and steady approach, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here’s what worked for us and the tips I wish I’d heard sooner 👇 🍼 Our Allergen Journey We started testing allergens right at 6 months , beginning with egg  and then

Let’s be real—being in a car all day with a toddler and four adults sounds… chaotic . The snacks, the potty breaks, the “are we there yets”—it’s a lot. But as a Type A planner , I can’t help myself. If I’m going to survive four total days of driving (two there, two back), you better believe I’m going in with a game plan  that covers every category possible. You might read this and think, “Wow, that’s actually genius". Or maybe, “She’s a little looney tunes”. Either way—if it