June 10, 2016

5 Rookie Mistakes of a New Mom (aka Me).

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, November 2009.



1. Carrying your baby in your arms or in a carrier ALL THE TIME.

I still do carry Anabela a lot but a lot less then during first 3 months cause now it hurts my back more because she is getting heavier. The result of my  'loving effort' are my super sore back, painful shoulders and a baby who refuses to be let out of my arms. Seriously, I even took her with me to the bathroom cause I felt bed to wake her up. 

Rest assured, your baby will not end up becoming a serial killer or psychotic animal torturer due to lack of love and skin to skin contact if you don't carry it in your arms 24/7. Plus, you will not walk  around with a hunchback like me after having a baby for only 4 months.

2. Spending to much time on mommy forums and Facebook groups.

In the first three months I spent most of my time in between nightly feedings googling random things my baby did to see if it's normal. During that time I google-diagnosed about 10 different conditions and illnesses instead of SLEEPING. 

After reading comments of (not always) Know It All Mom, Dr. Mom, Organic Everything Hippy Mom, Mrs.Perfect Mom, I'm Just Commenting to Brag About My Perfect Baby Mom ...... the only thing I became was a More and More Confused Mom. 

Most of the questions on the forums start with something like: "My baby is crying a lot and I am worried that something might be wrong" or "My baby has a fever/something on her skin"and then there are all of these comments bellow and I just wanna type "Call Your Damn Pediatrician Women!" I mean, the right answer could be anything from the baby pooped to a serious illness or physical condition.

I am all for supportive mommy communities and indeed there are many, but when it comes to your baby's health - DO NOT google it first. All least that's my opinion.

Never, ever do the lights go off with me thinking “I did it all, I have it all”…
can I ever? I don’t think so…this is the struggle of a career mom.

Susan Hang via  Zanita

3. Taking your baby out of the crib into your arms when it wakes up at night.

After a first two months I learned (the hard way) to help Anabela get back to sleep when she wakes up during the night (she sleeps in her crib but in my bedroom) without taking her in my arms and out of the crib. 

Anabela sleeps on her belly in the sleeping bag with a pacifier. She usually wakes up if she looses her pacifier, if her hands move or if she is to hot. I learned that if I take her out of the crib I completely wake her up and then it takes much more time for her to get back to sleep, while if I leave her in, give her back her pacifier, give her my finger to hold so she can feel my skin and gently shake cradle or tap her butt she falls back to sleep quicker. 

Of course, if she doesn't go back to sleep, she might be hungry and then you need to feed her. 
When I feed Anabela during the night I do it with very dimmed lights and without talking to her because I don't want to animate her. I feed her, burp her and put her back to the crib. I also do not change her during the night. 

4. Not trying the same thing to calm your baby more then once.

If you would like your baby to take a pacifier to calm down easier when fussy, be persistent. At first I tried different calming tools and techniques only once and said, she doesn't want it, she hates it and I just gave up on it. 

Later, I realized for Anabela no doesn't always mean no for good, it just means not now. I got several different pacifiers and realized she likes the soothing silicon one best when she is really fussy and crying a lot while she prefers normal pacifiers during night as it's easier for her to turn her head with them staying in her mouth.

Also, when I want Anabela to take a nap during the day, I tried to put her in the crib once and she started screaming so since then I always tried to cradle her to sleep in my arms and then place her in the crib when already asleep. This sometimes took hours. 

One day my boyfriend decided to try to take the crib into Anabela's room during the day. He closed the shades, turned on the white noise and put her into the crib on her stomach right after she yawned after burping and gave her his finger to hold until she falls asleep, it worked. Now she sleeps a bit longer during the day which she never did during first two months.

5. Thinking it will still somewhat be a business as usual.

I know, naively I thought and still mostly do think I could can do some work with a small baby at home since I am anyways working out of home office. The truth is, even if you have an equal partner in your fabulously helpful boyfriend like I do and if you get a babysitter here and there it's extremely hard to find time to work efficiently along with doing regular house chores and cooking. 

This kind of thinking results with what I call a double-face guilt. You feel guilty if you work and have someone stay with your baby for long hours and you feel guilty for not doing anything for your job (especially if you were a high tempo multitasker like me). 

 "Recent studies, conducted by Harvard Business School and the Wharton School, conclude that working women today are neither leaning in nor leaning out. 
Instead, they’re choosing to lean sideways."

Patricia Garcia for  Vogue.com


I still don't have this completely figured out and can't honestly say I am fully in peace with balance I currently gave but I am trying hard to find a healthy balance in between the two with main focus being on and majority of time being dedicated to Anabela. 

The reality is, these days I am lucky if I have time to shower and wash my hair for longer then 5min or eat seated with my boyfriend.

The way I see it. There is time for everything in your life. You are indeed more peaceful if you yourself plan it. I had some time to build my carrier and focus on it 100% and now it's time to turn my complete focus on Anabela while maintaining what I build so far until she gets on her feet and starts going to kinder garden. 


What do you say? Anything to add to my ever growing list?
Do share!


XoXo


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June 8, 2016

New star on Croatian fashion design scene - Loreta Gudelj.


Loré   is meant to be a fable about beauty and uniqueness of Hispanic America with its vibrant colors, rustic textiles and rich heritage. We believe in tradition combined with modern cuts showing that a crossover can have amazing effects in textile design. Loré collections are limited one piece designs using ethnic motives in a way as innovative as any contemporary pattern, creating creative and vivid textures.

Designer Loreta Gudelj behind the brand Loré launched her Spring/Summer 2016 titled "Beyond nature".



The campaign for this collection is work of photographer Franjom Matkovićem and painter slikaricom Matejom Babić, The collection is inspired by locations in Bolivia like: Salar de Uyuni, Laguna Colorada and Desierto de Siloli. The collection pieces are inspired by motifs of nature while color pallet and handmade needlework is reminiscence of Bolivan traditional attire.  

UNIQUE FABRICATIONS


Fabrics used are linen, silk and lace while a part of collection is made using handmade venetian, lepoglavian and idrilian lace which makes each piece one of a kind. Fabrics for this Loré collection is made by award winning weaver Ivna Matičec. Each collection piece is made very precisely as it took several weeks to create specific stitching used. 







ACCESSORY

Jewelry for Loré collection is made in collaboration with artist Marina Marinski. While styling was completed with  Loré clutches made out of handmade fabrics and leather. 





These handmade, unique pieces do not come at small price, a lace dress price is from 600 Euro.


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May 29, 2016

Using 5 S's to Cure Colics + More Tips to Calm the Baby.


Today Anabela is three months and 13 days. Although I had a really quick delivery first two months were quite hard for all three of us, as we were trying to figure each other out and see how to help Anabela get eat, sleep and poop well. :)

Anabela was breastfed with addition of formula milk for first two months and now she is fully formula fed (she takes Almiron Advance Digest) which probably increased the likelihood of cramps and colic which she had. Our pediatrician and our duola helped us tremendously with various methods, organic medication and treatments to sooth colic and help Anabela feel calmer and sleep better. In this post I am sharing all we learned. 

1. SWADDLING.


Swaddling imitates baby's position in the womb thus it calms baby down. Wrap keeps arms straight to the side (usually a baby wakes up when her hands move) but lets the hips to be loose. Make sure you use a large square blanket, but don’t overheat, don't cover your baby’s head or allow loose blankets which can end up in baby's mouth. 




2. SLEEPING ON A SIDE OR ON STOMACH.


Sleeping on the back is the only safe position for sleeping for a baby but it’s the worst position for calming fussiness. Instead of having your baby sleep on it's back try putting your baby on her side, on her stomach or over your shoulder until it falls asleep.
 

3. SHUSHING.


In the womb the sound of the blood flow is a shush louder than a vacuum cleaner. The best way to imitate these magic sounds is with a white noise CD (because it's portable so you can use it in your car or on the round while traveling). 

We are using Fisher Price cod mobile with 3 different melodies and white noise, it also contains night light which projects stars to the ceiling. To calm baby's crying play the white noise as loud as your baby cries. To help baby fall a sleep -play it as loud as a shower.

When she is really upset I walk around carrying Anabela and I gently press her head sideways on my chest, I give her soothing pacifier and make shushing sound with my mouth while walking through the apartment with dim lights and I gently cradle her. 

We choose   a music to teach her when it's time to go to sleep. So each night we play this same music at the same time as we change her to pajamas and feed her last time before going to sleep.


4. SWINGING THE BABY.


Usually slow rocking is ok to keep baby calm, but to soothe crying baby your motion needs to be fast and tiny, kind of jiggly. Always support the head of the baby and keep your motions small but never, never, never shake your baby in anger or frustration. This is why it's important you have a helping hand during first 3 months of your baby's life. 

It's easy to get frustrated when sleep deprived for days and when the baby is attached to you 24/7. Whenever you feel tired, helpless, sleepy hand the baby to your partner or whoever is helping you and take time alone to calm down. Baby can definitely feel your frustration and this will not help to calm it and make it fall asleep. 

5. SUCKING.


Many fussy babies relax into a deep tranquility when they suck. If you are breastfeeding you can try to offer baby your breast when fussy or a pacifier. For Anabela Avent soothing silicon pacifiers do the trick, my friend with a baby three months older then Anabela also recommends Mam pacifiers. 

Shop products recommended in this post:





GASSY BABY



When feeding your baby make sure baby's head is in higher position then it's stomach. We also used Dr.Brown bottles which reduce colics. If you see your baby is struggling with gas and cramps (bringing her knees towards her stomach, stomach is hard and/or baby has issues pooping, clenching her fists etc.) make sure you burp her/him during feeding and after feeding. Either way, you should always burp your baby to prevent reflux, digestion problems and stomach pains.

Football Hold
If your baby is gassy, try to hold him/her as a football (american football) by placing baby's stomach on your forearm and baby's head in the palm of your hand sideways or in your elbow (depending what feels more comfortable for you and your baby). 



Across the Lap Hold
If this doesn't work try to place the baby across your lap belly down. This position is also good to help baby burp.

'I Love You' Belly Massage
Belly massage has proved really good for us with Anabela. Our duola (post birth support) taught Ante and I how to massage Anabela's belly to help her poop and get the air our of her bowls, thus soften her stomach and reduce cramping. I will do the video on this topic soon but it;s super simple. We did this massage twice a day after changing the baby right there on changing table. Try to do it when your baby is relaxed and fed. 



Your baby should poop once or ideally twice a day. If your baby has issues with bowl movement and constipation you can also try rectal glycerin inserts in the morning and evening after feeding to stimulate and help your baby poop.

Gripe Water / Colimil Drops
One of the things which worked best for colics (the same day we used it) was   Gripe Water which we ordered from Amazon, we use 5ml 5-6x per day, we just add it to the milk bottle. 

If you are breastfeeding you can use a syringe you get with the drops and give your baby drop her drop on the side from the inner side of the cheak and then just offer a pacifier right after so she swallows it and continue until your baby takes recommended dose.

 It's a herbal remedy for colics many doctor's recommend usually used in UK. If you don't shop online, you can try Colimil drops which you can find in most European pharmacies. They are also herbal. 

Osteopath 
Since she was born Anabela is very observant, she keeps looking around with her big eyes and she catches each stimuli from the environment and reacts to it: light, sounds and scents. This makes it hard for her to fall a sleep during the day. We also noticed that she gets irritated very quickly and starts crying if we don't figure out right away what she wants (food, change her diaper, needs to fart etc.). 

Our pediatrician recommended a very successful osteopath, even though I was skeptical and scared she would crack her back or something, I was pleasantly surprised. We went to two treatments where she just gently touches and presses certain spots on Anabela's back, neck, stomach and hips with her fingers and holds. 

Few days after each treatment we noticed Anabela managed to sleep longer periods during the day and she sleeps all through night and only wakes up once for feeding and falls right back to sleep.


I hope this post helps at least one baby and one new mum sleep better! :)
Do let me know if you have any more useful tips on this topic bellow in comment!

XoXo


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May 27, 2016

Greek Style Salmon with Polenta.



This recipe as most of the recipes I recommend is super easy and healthy. My boyfriend asked me to make it again and again after I first time made this polenta, salmon combination with light cucumber and carrot salad. You can make all of this with a steak or different meat if you are not a salmon fan.

INGREDIENTS


Cucumber yogurt sauce:
0.5 cup greek yogurt (I used Fage)
1 garlic clove 
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cucumber
salt & pepper

Carrot salad:
1/2 tea spoon of cumin seeds 
1/4 tea spoon of ground turmeric 
1 large carrot
1.5 tbsp of fresh chopped cilantro 
1 tbsp of olive oil
1 tbsp of lemon juice

Salmon:
2 salmon fillets (1 per person)
1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
sea salt & pepper

Polenta:
1.5 cup polenta
3 cups water

DIRECTIONS


Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

1. First prepare cucumber yogurt sauce as it requires 10-20 minutes of chill time in the fridge. 
2. Combine thin sliced (peeled or well washed) cucumber, greek yogurt, grated garlic clove, lemon zest and lemon juice in a medium size bowl and gently steer with a spoon. 
3. Season with salt & pepper per taste. This sauce keeps well in fridge for 1-3 days (without cucumber added) if you want to prepare it ahead.

Carrot Salad 

1. Toast cumin seeds for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, add ground turmeric for the last 20 seconds of these 2 minutes. 
2. Add thin sliced carrot (I use vegetable peeler to peel it and then to slice it so slices end up paper thin and look preety on the plate), olive oil, cilantro and lemon juice. 
3. Add sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste.  

I usually just mix it all well right there in the pan over medium heat for 1 minute and then place it in a medium bowl, chill and serve. 

Salmon

1. Season salmon fillets with sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste. 
2. Heat olive or coconut oil over medium heat and grill salmon 3-4 minutes on each side until it gets nice color depending on thickness. 
3. Bring 3 cups of water to boil and add 1.5 cup instant polenta. It's done in 1 minute! :)

I promise you if you love salmon you will adore this recipe! :)

XoXo


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May 23, 2016

Boudoir's Sweet Fifteen.


This year one of the most popular and definitely most dreamy and most glamorous Croatian fashion brand   Boudoir celebrates their 15th birthday. Two beautiful sisters Morana Saracevic and Martina Cicko are artistic and business forces behind the brand which has became a go to brand for not only Croatian but also regional fashionistas and celebrities. 

Boudoir sisters celebrated their brand's sweet fifteen with a couture collection featuring print's taken from their multiple times sold out pret-a-porter collection Fiskultura and their recognizable gothic couture signature. 



Sweet Fifteen is a collection of romantic dresses made out of layered tulle, sprinkled with handmade rose petals and silk applications. 







"In our celebratory collection we tried to combine all of the creative elements ever created under Boudoir label. All of the dresses are rich with details, our though process was 'when it's to much, it's not enough',  while final result is very well though through and each detail purposefully placed on each dress and created in true spirit of Boudoir brand." 


Morana Saracevic and Martina Cicko




Photo: Mladen Šarić | Make up artist: Sasa Jokovic | Hair stylist: Milena Maršić (Salon Glamour)
Syling: Ivana Pavić  | Models: taliamodel.com Ivona, Goga, Tia

Happy Birtday ladies! 
Wish you many many more! 

XoXo


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May 21, 2016

Chicken Breasts in Orange Sauce.


If you want to try only one quick and easy recipe from my blog, let it me this one! 

This chicken breasts recipe in orange sauce with brown rice is great for all of those who like a bit of sweetness in their dish (healthy sweetness) and for all of you who like to eat healthy but delicious food which will fill you up but you won't feel sleepy and heavy after having a generous portion.

As I mentioned on my    Facebook page post I have started going to the gym daily after having Anabela three months ago now and I am testing some quick, healthy and delicious recipes to help me loose weight without feeling hungry and miserable :)

This recipe is super easy to make, there are a few ingredients which are mandatory, others are just healthier and tastier additions. I made this meal for my boyfriend who usually doesn't like sweet meat and brown rice or pasta, he had it two days in a row and loved it! It's even better next day so make a full portion from recipe to have some leftovers for next day.

INGREDIENTS


2 oranges
5 pcs skinless and boneless chicken breasts
150 ml (5 oz) orange juice (squeezed)
1 orange zest of 1 whole orange 
20g (0.7 oz) brown sugar
2 soup spoons of olive oil or 2 tea spoons of coconut oil
1 tbs honey dion mustard 
salt & pepper to taste

Optional: 
Croatian spice mix Vegeta
2 tea spoons of flour mixed into a little bit of warm water

DIRECTIONS


1. If you got a thicker chicken breasts slide them on thinner pieces before seasoning. Marinate chicken breasts on both sides with salt & paper or optionally with Croatian spice mix. Vegeta. Set a side for 10 minutes. Coat chicken breasts with mustard with a brush on both sides. 

Prepare a side dish: steamed vegetables (broccoli or green beans seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper) or brown rice. I love this recipe with brown rice. 1.5 coffee cup of brown rice is cooked in 3 coffee cups of water and ready in 20 minutes. 

Extra tip! 
The secret of preparing rice well is to use wide sauce pan so rice can cook evenly, make sure you add some sea salt to water and mix well. 

2. In a bigger sauce pan heat the coconut oil (or oil of your choice) on medium high (I used setting 7/10).  Grill chicken breasts on medium heat for 8 minutes total (3-4 minutes each side depending on thickness). 

3. Meanwhile, squeeze 150ml (5 oz) orange juice and prepare orange zest from 1 orange and weigh brown sugar. Wash and dry one whole orange and cut 3-4 thin slices to add to sauce later on.

4. Once chicken is done, set it aside on a warm plate. Keep the remaining oil in warm sauce pan and add orange juice, orange zest and brown sugar and boil on medium heat for 3-4 minutes. If it appears to thick add a bit more orange juice.

5. Optionally, add a mixture of a bit of warm water and 2 tea spoons of white flour if you would like the sauce to be thicker.  Add 3-4 thin slices of well washed orange.

6.  Add chicken to orange sauce and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.


Let me know how you like it once you try it and if you made any tweaks to make it even better! Would love to hear about it!

XoXo

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May 10, 2016

6 Fabulous 90's Trends.


I must say that 90's are not my favorite decade in fashion but there are some trends I like and can always find a way to incorporate in my personal styling. These pieces are most definitely those which can be considered as classic pieces which with a modern twist can be made into fabulous Spring/Summer outfits both for day and night looks. 

1. CHOKER NECKLACE.


During Summer I love wearing open back dresses and bodysuits while chocker necklace along with off shoulder top, curled hair, shorts and flats makes a romantic evening outfit.





Shop trend:


2. ROUND FRAME SUNGLASSES.


So called Lennon sunglasses  are not really the best for my face shape but I found less expensive dark round frame sunglasses with thin gold lines which I wear with a couple of strands of hair hanging loose around my face.


Shop trend:


3. DENIM JACKET.


If well constructed, cropped denim jacket can be very flattering on both tall and short ladies. I like distressed light wash jacket and have recently found a brand which customizes both leather and denim jackets which ads some personality to the piece. If this option is to expensive you can always purchase a set of badges in one of the fast fashion stores and customize the jacket as you wish.  


Shop trend:


4. SLIP DRESSES.


Last season I got beautiful maxi marsala color slip maxi dress which I wore over white t-shirt and espadrilles and a thin wool hat. For this Summer I am thinking about purchasing midi slip dress with some lace trimming to remind more of a lingerie. 


Photo: Lachlan Bailey

Shop trend:


5. BANDANA.


Few months back I purchased super cute red bandana from Nasty Gal which I wear with black wrap dress around my neck for evening look or with white T-shirt, high rise jeans, round glasses and red lipstick for more casual daily look.




Shop trend:


6. BODYSUIT


I really love bodysuits if they are made well around the butt area :) My favorite one was always Soel by Sonja Lamut open back  bodysuit with bow tied on the bottom of the back. I got it in red and grey. 

Ribbed Grey Bodysuite

Ribbed Lace Up Bodysuit

Black Ribbed Bodysuite

For this Summer I am looking at Nasty Gal,  Free People and Missguided bodysuits. You can wear them with jeans, shorts and skirts looking like a tucked in top without hems coming out from the pants.

Shop trend:



What is your favorite 90's trend to rock? :)


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