Vacation. Is that you?

Oh gosh, let me tell y'all. This vacation couldn't come at a better time in life. Things have gotten a bit stressful here at home and finding that balance as a mom is getting tougher and tougher as Tot grows up. Which is why this break couldn't be more perfect! This Mama needs a serious breather. I want to be playing "find Nemo" in the water already (Tot's favorite game right now).

As I mentioned in the last post, the Mr. is from St. Thomas USVI and his family still lives there so we try to visit as often as possible. Next week, we're headed back to the Rock which means it's almost time for Mama to think about packing.

Let's get real - I'm an over packer. I'm super OCD about Tot's food + diet, plus I like clothes. Did I mentions I really like clothes? So clearly a trip to the beach is the perfect opportunity to break out some summer outfits and fun traveling gadgets we use. All the items are linked and I'll also be showing you them in my Instagram stories so be sure to follow us on Instagram @bumblebeetot

Let's get packing!

Ruffle Butts

This great online store started as a wonderful small business featured on Shark Tank. We were gifted one of these suits when Tot was an infant and we've become obsessed. We're constantly at the pool during the summer so we collect quite a few of these because obviously, Tot can't wear the same suit every day. Most of their items can be monogrammed, which we typically do for a personal touch. First time shoppers receive a 20% discount code when you sign up and they constantly having Pop-Up sales.

Lilac Seersucker Fit and Flare Dress
$28.50

Seersucker Peplum One Piece

$26.50

UPF 50+ Sun Protection

Seersucker One Piece Rash Guard

$26.50

UPF 50+ Sun Protection

Guava Family

Lotus

As you've seen from our posts, we're BIG fans of the Guava Family Lotus Crib. It's perfect for travel with it's compact size, comes with a mosquito net, and is super easy to put together with a baby on your hip. We'll gate check this to bring to St. Thomas. We'll use it as our crib at night and at the beach during the day for an extra safety precaution because Tot seems to think she's 16 and can swim by herself. It's currently on sale (WHOA) and first time shoppers can sign up for a 15% discount. Can't recommend it enough. 

Uppababy 

Cruz

You know we're a big Uppababy family and my role is to convince every pregnant woman in my life to purchase one too. They always thank me later because the convenience is just to die for. We recently purchased the G Luxe and while I was originally planning on bringing that because it's so light, I think the extra long UPF 50+ sun shade and large undercarriage space is convincing me to bring the Cruz. A lot of time when we're in St. Thomas we're away from home for extended periods of time so I need something a bit bigger to carry the mass amount of things I'm most likely going to pack for day trips (my husband is cringing reading this). Plus, this is our first trip without the Uppababy Mesa on the plane so having something with some extra space at the airport will be much appreciated. Cruz it is! 

Pottery Barn

Striped Harper Diaper Tote

$49.95

We have two (2) versions of the the diaper bag that I've discussed before including the larger version of the Harper Diaper Tote (found here). For this trip, I'll pack the smaller Harper Tote we just purchased before Christmas as we don't need as many change of clothes etc. We'll still pack her lots of snacks, but the Harper Tote is so great because of all the extra storage pockets it has so most of our "must haves" can fit. Plus, you can monogram it and clearly we're big fans of all things monograms. New customers can sign up for email notices and receive an automatic 15% off and current email recipients should have a 20% code in their inbox. If not, message me and I can share mine!

Shein

So I mentioned recently on Instagram that I've started ordering from Shein. I know there are a lot of positive and negative reviews out there of the site, but I've yet to have a bad experience and I've been ordering for over a year. Reading the sizing reviews is key before you order and don't let the "size L" scare you. I'm a size 2 and I'm almost always ordering a M or even a L depending on reviews. Trust the ladies who take the time to provide an update on their experience and always be sure to sign up for an account so you can collect Shein points and utilize for free items. Here are a few things I recently picked up!

Triangle Beach Bikini

$7

Plunge Neckline Cross Back Bikini

$12

Calico One Piece Swimsuit

$13

Crisscross Tribal One Piece 

$13

Scalloped Trim One Shoulder High Waist Bikini

$13

Altar'd State

This store is filled with such wonderful little bohemian dresses and accessories. Plus, the sales are always over the top. Recently - they had their semi-annual sale where I picked up quite a few summer dresses and rompers. Right now, there is a Buy One Get One (BOGO) sale taking place with all dresses so hop on over and check them out! 

Beersheba Maxi Dress

$79.95

Dylan Walk Through Maxi Dress

$79.95

Welrose Dress

$39.95

Sunset Sky Romper

$39.99

Dolce Vita 

Smoke Straw Wedges

Full disclaimer - I did not pay full price for these. I recently purchased these on Poshmark for $30 and I highly recommend you check out Poshmark before you make any full price shoe purchase for you or your little one. Right now, there is quite a big selection on Poshmark and lots of discounted shipping rates for their Spring Sale. Be sure to head over and do a bit of research on Poshmark before you pay full price! Though, they are super cute and I highly support any purchase of these shoes. 

Melissa & Doug 

While I'll be sharing a lot more travel activities and fun things we do at airports and restaurants while traveling that isn't iPad related (I can't take anymore Moana - I feel like those songs haunt me in my sleep) - here are a few things I've picked up for Tot and the trip. We're going to be breaking it up over two days on the way to St. Thomas. Because flights haven't full picked up yet post-hurricane, the connection options aren't great so we'll be flying DC to Atlanta Tuesday night and then Atlanta to STT mid-morning on Wednesday. With that, means multiple waits at the airport so we'll be utilizing our SkyClub membership and lots of lots of activities to keep Tot entertained like these below. 

Travel Bingo

$19.99 

Water Reveal Pad

$4.99

Over the next couple of days, I'll be sharing a few tips and tricks for airport layovers, travel hacks, and fun things to entertain little ones without access to all the fun things at home. And, be sure to tune into my Instagram stories for live reviews of some of the items I'm packing above as well as a few additional ones. 

Can't wait to share in our travels with you. Up up & AWAY!

15 FACTS ABOUT ME

Hello, Darlings!

With so many new followers recently, I thought it was time to do a quick re-introduction of Tot and I. Fifteen random facts about us. Want to learn more? We're cultivating a great Instagram community of Mama's, Mom's to Be, Mom's in Waiting and just down right awesome babes so check us out and DM me any questions. I'd love to hear from you. Without further adieu - all about us!

1. I was born and raised in Toronto. Moved to the US for law school and will celebrate 9 years in the great USA this August. I'm not a US citizen, but Tot is. We've traveled back home to Canada twice since Tot was born, but now that we're on the east coast - we hope to make it home much much more. 

2. While Tot is 1/2 Canadian, the other 1/2 is island baby. The Mr. is from St. Thomas, USVI and Tot's grandparents still reside there. We try to head back at least a couple times a year and we're actually heading back in a few weeks for a visit.

3. I'm a Mom in Tech and have been working in technology for over 7 years. It's not always an easy balance working in technology and being a Mom, but I'm finding new ways each and every day to make it work. 

4. I've used Peanut! Yep - it's a real app not just one on RHOBH. Through that, I've met an amazing Mama in the area that I consider a really close friend. Haven't been back on since I met my "match". It's one of the things I'm most thankful for with this move. 

5. While this blog started in NorCal, recently our family made a cross-country move back to the east coast and we're now in the DC area. It's a little bit colder here, but we're settling in nicely and most important - Tot is loving every second of being closer to her family. 

6. Tot was born in the great city of San Francisco. I really love that about her and always joke about her little California babe traits. She's such a California girl and I can't wait for her to get a bit older so we can go back and explore all the fun things we did with her when she was a babe in the city. Lemonade is waiting for us, little one! 

7. Those travel hacks I mention all the time? We really do use them as we're such an on the go family! With one of us being Canadian and the other from the US Virgin Islands, it seems we're always on a plane, train, or automobile. Literally, as I'm typing this I'm getting us ready for a trip to Maryland for the next few nights. Always on the move. 

I'd guess that we've taken Tot on 30 flights or so in less than 2 years. Maybe more? Tot really does sleep through almost every flight and has seen every travel obstacle thrown her way. Her first redeye at 7 weeks old was delayed during our layover and I was stuck alone with her at LAX at 1AM. But, we survived! We have lots more travel hacks to share with you and may even let the Mr. take over the blog for a day to share all his travel planning wisdom with you (i.e. best travel credit cards, miles vs. $, hotel perks, etc.). He's our travel guru and Tot and I would probably still be stuck alone at an airport somewhere if it weren't for him. 

8. I have long-distance relationships with all my best friends. Only one lives in DC, but the commute to where we live is sometimes a pain so we're basically in a long-distance relationship too. From the great state of Texas to Florida to Boston - we're all scattered and I wouldn't have it any other way. Being so far from each other can really be an asset as it really forces you to take the time to connect every day and check in. I value my friendship with them above all other things and last year, we all took a trip together to Magnolia Market. It was magical. I'm ready for round two. 

9. Food allergies are our life most days. Tot is allergic to dairy, any type of milk-proteins, whey proteins, and soy and soy proteins. I feel like I'm always hyper-sensitive about snacks and things people offer Tot. Even with family, I'm always on high-alert and I really don't mean to be. I just know the consequences of her eating something and while we're one of the lucky families that at this point don't need an epi pen (fingers crossed) it still does get a bit scary when she breaks out into hives and gets so sick from something as silly as a goldfish snack she stole from a friend.

When we travel, I tend to overpack with snacks and safe-foods I know I can always feed her if we're stuck in a situation where there are limited items she can eat. Oddly enough, one of the most convenient places I've visited for kids with her type of allergy? Disney World! 

10. I'm the oldest in my family. I have a sister who is 18 months apart from me and lives in Alberta, and a younger brother who is 23 and lives in TBD. He's currently moving and headed back east towards our parents. My sister is Tot's biggest ally and I swear they have secret conversations through FaceTime making fun of me. Their relationship really tugs at my heartstrings and I know Tot will always grow up with such a special bond with her Aunt. 

11. The Mr. and I met on Match! Yes, people - Match was all the rage before Tinder hit the scene and boy am I glad I snagged him before he discovered that app. We were married in the US Virgin Islands at the beautiful Caneel Bay. Our wedding was my first attempt at designing a large-scale event on a budget by myself and I give myself an A+. 

Read more about our big day HERE:

Lovely Bride

Lea-Ann Belter

12. Tot really is a fashionista. It's so funny because I remember being pregnant and just incredibly hyper-sensitive to the typical girl traditional colors etc. I really didn't want pink and if my mom showed me anything frilly I immediately turned it down. I was such a tomboy growing up and I wanted Tot to grow up just like me. Her newborn outfit from the hospital was black and white because that's what I wear. But, I swear that girl came out wearing a tutu and ballet slippers. She is very opinionated about what she wears, but we're learning to channel that creativity into being a great little helper with packing etc. Even now, I find her sense of style creeping into mine and it's opening me to wearing more colors and even floral patterns. Who am I? 

When we go out shopping together, it may in fact be one of my favorite activities. She almost convinced my father to purchase her this cobalt blue Tory Burch purse the other week because of how adamant she was that she needed it for school. "Mama, I need that. I need that, Mama." He almost fell for her act until I swooped in. Thank goodness. That can wait until she's like 5 (kidding). From her shoes to her shirt - we've mastered the morning dressing routine with some fun hacks in the room and the bow board so she can pick out her full outfit. It really does make me smile seeing her little girly personality creep into my life. Who'd a thunk I'd be a ballet mom?

13. Spending a few years in Texas really cultivated my love of baking. One of my best friends is a southern queen in the kitchen and she taught me everything I know. As Tot is getting older, baking has become such a fun activity for the two of us. The southern love is alive and well in our household and while the dishes aren't always healthy (read: most of the time), it is one of my absolute favorite places to be on the weekend. I'm beginning to collect the recipes I use and hoping to start a little recipe journal for Tot to share with her family one day. I consider myself an amateur baker and in my dream life, I'd open my own bakery that served healthy yummy goodness. 

14. My mom tribe is kick-ass. We welcome anyone and everyone and it is pretty awesome. From other island wives (our husbands are one-of-a-kind so we need a support group) to local mama's - I don't know what I would do without their love and support. I can rely on them any time of day and the support we give each other is so so important. They say it takes a village to raise a babe and it really does. I've cultivated quite the little group and I can't wait to share them with you all. 

15. I'm learning to really love make-up and hair products. As I'm sure you've seen on the blog, since having Tot - I'm really trying to dive in and change up my look in a positive way. I have naturally very curly hair and have been doing a ton of research into what nourishes my hair the most and what allows me to knock out my look efficiently and quick. I'm actually really really really (did I mention really?) self-conscious about my hair especially with it becoming so thin since I was diagnosed with adenomyosis, but I'm trying to turn that into an uplifting moment. Yes, it's curly and thinning and refuses to grow past the mullet stage - but, I'm determined to see it glass half full for Tot so she doesn't ever learn to hate anything about herself. So keep an eye on the blog for more fun tips & tricks I'm learning along the way! 

And now, a few fun facts to share with you:

- We were convinced Tot was a boy and her name was going to be Charlie. Even after they told us it was a girl, it took a couple more sonograms for me to really believe them

- I'm obsessed with all things Bravo. It's my guilty pleasure

- I eat the same thing for lunch almost every day. It's an egg, ham, and cheese sandwich I make on this low-carb flatbread and I normally add avocado

- We purchased a Peloton bike in September and I'm obsessed with all of the workouts. I try to workout with both the spin and off the bike rides at least 4x a week

- I recently gave up all types of soda. I was obsessed with Diet Dr. Pepper and was consuming close to 6 cans a day. All water all the time now! 

- I'm a simple girl when it comes to food. Applebee's, Chili's, Ruby Tuesday are some of my favorites

- If I could live in Lululemon I would. Because I work in tech, I'm completely guilty of wearing Lululemon almost all week

- My husband and I bond over college football. You'll often see Tot in various SEC gear because he is a die-hard Florida Gator fan and I'm obsessed with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Battle of the SEC East vs. West in our home

Hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little better. Share a fun fact about yourself in the comments!