Embracing the Last Weeks of Pregnancy

Shot on film by my dear husband in our backyard.

On Living Slowly and More Sustainably

Buy less, buy better.

Fast fashion is a business model that produces inexpensive trendy clothing multiple times a year. Faster and cheaper is the name of the game, which has huge environmental and societal costs. Factories often use synthetic materials that perpetually shed microfibers (tiny pieces of plastic) and use toxic textile dyes that pollute clean water. Even cotton has a negative impact at this scale. Cotton requires an immense amount of water and pesticides, which stresses the environment and communities in developing countries. The rate of production in order to keep up with trends has resulted in literally tons of excess inventory and waste. And consumers don’t help, as they perpetuate a throw-away culture based on what’s hot now. Making matters worse, employees who fabricate the clothing are often underpaid, work in dangerous conditions, and are not provided with basic human rights. For example, research by Global Labor Justice found that female workers in H&M and GAP supplier factories have been abused, given low wages, forced into overtime, and work in poor conditions. One way to help is to discover your style and curate your wardrobe/home with special pieces that have longevity. Find and choose transparent brands that prioritize sustainable and ethical production. No brand is perfect but investing in good brands helps move us toward a greener future.

Support independent artisans and local small business. 

In the United States, small business accounts for 99.9% of all businesses and generates approximately 1.5 million jobs annually, making their success vital to a healthy economy. Shopping at small businesses enables the payment of employees, utilities, rent, and other goods and services—money which is then recirculated into the local economy. To put it in perspective, for every $100 spent at a local small business, $43 goes back into the community versus $13 from a large corporation. Buying from small business is an investment in the future of your community and provides opportunities for those who need them. Numbers aside, independent artisans and small business owners work hard to create and curate unique products and spaces. And there’s something special about a handcrafted item made one-of-a-kind for you.

Ditch plastic and choose natural.

Plastic is everywhere. Its is used in everything from cheap single-use products like ketchup-packets and water bottles to clothing and household goods. This once-considered revolutionary material is devastating as it doesn't break down completely but rather becomes bits of micro-plastic. Plastic is so pervasive that “about 8 million metric tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans every year,” which creates a cycle that affects marine life and food we eat. While plastic holds a valuable place in human-life (IE computer parts, accessible goods, advancements in modern medicine, etc.), it’s important that we continue to innovate, create better solutions, and make better choices. Scientists are creating bio-plastic from plant crops and making them truly biodegradable. As a consumer, look for more sustainable options whenever you’re able. For example rather than purchasing plastic Tupperware, make the investment in more eco-friendly options like Stasher Bags or glass and bamboo storage jars. Also look for natural fibers as they are more absorbent, durable, insulated, hypoallergenic, and generally have a smaller environmental impact.

Bring your own bag.

Cutting out single-use plastic bags is one of the easiest changes you can make right now. Worldwide “more than 500 billion plastic bags are used each year” and only about 1% are returned for recycling. Even if the recycle rate was 100%, the issue of micro-plastics poses a large threat. By bringing your own bag you help decrease plastic pollution, lessen the demand for bags thus reducing production, and fewer animals will be affected; creating a healthier environment for everyone. Start today by getting in the habit of bringing your own reusable bags. The best produce bags are created by The Sunshine Series. And if you forget to bring bags? Opt to carry by hand or ask for a paper bag.

Plant native plants.

Native plants found naturally in a specific region are crucial for a healthy environment and community. Gardens that don’t have native plants become “an ecological desert for pollinating insects that are essential to our survival.” They provide “nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals.” This symbiotic relationship creates the most sustainable landscape as native plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases, require less maintenance, need less water, and reduce air pollution. To discover native plants for your region you can visit the Native Plant Finder by the National Wildlife Federation.

Opt for organic whenever possible.

Food choice is one of the most important decisions you can make for your body and planet. Not only does it shape your health, it affects everything from the environment to the animals and farmers that inhabit the land. Choosing organic food ensures that no artificial fertilizers are used, healthier soil (that holds more carbon), higher animal welfare, no GMOs, and more resilient farms. Conventional agriculture often produces crops covered in toxic chemicals and can cause soil erosion, chemical runoff into water systems, and resistance to herbicides and pesticides. Studies also show that organic foods are more nutrient and antioxidant dense and have higher amounts of phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin C. While it may not always be possible to go entirely organic, you can make the swap on some of the items you purchase. Many supermarkets have weekly deals on organic products that can be taken advantage of.

Compost and Grow your own food.

Growing and maintaining your own fruits and vegetables is not only satisfying and good for the planet but also saves money, reduces food contamination, keeps you active, increases vitamin D, and is more nutritious. Gardens can be big or small, and if you’re low on space or don’t have a yard, you can plant herbs in small pots or re-grow veggies from cuttings. When done cooking, the food scraps can be recycled back into the earth through composting. Food scraps are an important resource as they contain valuable vitamins and minerals that can be repurposed. When sent to the landfill, they are broken down without oxygen thus producing greenhouse gases. Composting “mimics nature’s method of decomposition, allowing organic material to break down aerobically,” which reduces landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The end-result is a nutrient-rich soil that will increase soil stability, improve plant growth, reduce the demand for chemicals, improve drainage, and help retain moisture. 

 

 

Shooting on Location with Urth

This is a paid partnership and this post contains affiliate links.

I take my camera everywhere, so to have a camera bag that is both functional and stylish is a big deal. My new Urth Arkose Camera Backpack Set has 16 storage zones, a removable camera insert, and is made of weatherproof 100% recycled and durable nylon. I am a consistent over-packer, so the spacious interior and organizational features are really exciting.

I took the Arkose out for a beach day and found it so comfortable and easy to use. It’s going to be the perfect bag for international travel and long shoot days out and about. 

My Top 7 Pregnancy Must-Have

This post contains gifts and affiliate links at no additional cost to you. 

I. THE WOOLSHIRE PILLOW

Since we spend about 8 hrs sleeping on chemically derived pillows, I was concerned about what I was breathing in at night that could affect our baby. I did some research and came across the Woolshire pillow and promptly purchased the medium. It’s no exaggeration when I say that I have received the best sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed.

II. OSEA MALIBU SALTS OF THE EARTH BODY SCRUB

A little luxury that has become an evening shower ritual. The mineral rich salts and gigartina seaweed nourishes the skin and helps to prevent stretch marks - something I am really trying to avoid.

III. WONDER VALLEY HINOKI BODY OIL

This pregnancy-safe body oil not only hydrates my skin but will help to improve the tone and elasticity. The light scent of Japanese hinoki, cedarwood, and Siberian fir is a plus. 

IV. OZMA OF CALIFORNIA ALL DAY PANT

The All Day Pant has been a game changer for my wardrobe and a must-have on repeat. The elastic waist, added drawstring, and roomy balloon leg has ensured that they can be worn not only throughout my pregnancy but postpartum as well. 

V. THORNE BASIC PRENATAL AND PRENATAL DHA SUPPLEMENTS

Thorne makes pharmaceutical grade supplements which means that you are paying for and ingesting exactly what’s listed on the label. Supplements are an unregulated industry so many popular drug-store brands stuff unnecessary (and sometimes) harmful ingredients into their capsules. 

VI. LINNÉ BOTANICALS SMOOTH BODY BALM

A little luxury that I enjoy every night before bed. Linné’s Smooth Body Balm contains ingredients known to maintain healthy skin pH, supply antioxidants, calm any irritations, promote natural collagen production, and improve the skin’s texture. 

VII. FILTERED WATER

I’ve been extremely careful about what I eat and drink during my pregnancy. Clean drinking water is so important and I don’t trust what comes out of the tap. It contains a number of contaminents that are extremely concerning including, but not limited to, chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. That’s why I purchased a Berkey Water Filter for home use and a Life Straw Go Bottle when I am out and about. 

 

Summer Swim Favorites

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I love summer on the west coast. The dry heat, warm sun, cool dips in the pool, and crisp nights. I have a lovely little swim collection that I have accumulated throughout the years. Mostly Matteau and mostly black so that I can mix-n-match without being tied to one look. In Palm Springs, I am wearing the Matteau Wrap Triangle Bikini Top and Matteau High Waisted Brief. Here are a few more of my favorites along with new styles that I have been eyeing.

I. Matteau Petite Triangle Bikini Top and Matteau High-Waisted Brief

I was an early adopter of Matteau when they launched many years ago and this combination was my first purchase. A good black matte swim set is * chef’s kiss * and this set is still my primary go-to.

 II. Hunza G Square Neck Swimsuit

When I was pregnant, I refused to purchase traditional maternity wear. Hunza G’s signature crinkle allows me to grow and shrink so that I don’t have to donate all of my swimwear at the end of pregnancy. I chose the chocolate color. 

III. Any Maillot from Matteau

I love any maillot from Matteau. Each style is great and would pair well with high-waisted trousers or shorts to easily go from beach to dinner. 

IV. Marysia Swim Antibes Bikini Top and Marysia Swim Santa Monica Bikini Briefs

Marysia’s signature scallop swimwear is so flattering - since the scallops don’t seem to "dig into the skin,” it tends to look great on every body.

Meadows Book Club: 2024 Reading List

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)

“My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.”

Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien (1954)

“Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the Land of Mordor where the Shadows Lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, one Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them in the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.”

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (1818)

“It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of a man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire... Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. No man will admire her the more, no woman will like her the better for it. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former, and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter.”

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (1975)

“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. Often at night there is lightning, but it quivers all alone. There is no thunder, no relieving rain. These are strange and breathless days, the dog days, when people are led to do things they are sure to be sorry for after.”

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

“All things considered it looks as though Utopia were far closer to us than anyone, only fifteen years ago, could have imagined. Then, I projected it six hundred years into the future. Today it seems quite possible that the horror may be upon us within a single century. That is, if we refrain from blowing ourselves to smithereens in the interval. Indeed, unless we choose to decentralize and to use applied science, not as the end to which human beings are to be made the means, but as the means to producing a race of free individuals, we have only two alternatives to choose from: either a number of national, militarized totalitarianisms, having as their root the terror of the atomic bomb and as their consequence the destruction of civilization (or, if the warfare is limited, the perpetuation of militarism); or else one supranational totalitarianism, called into existence by the social chaos resulting from rapid technological progress in general and the atomic revolution in particular, and developing, under the need for efficiency and stability, into the welfare-tyranny of Utopia. You pays your money and you takes your choice.”

 

Summer Travel Necessities

This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you. 

 

I. MONOS LUGGAGE

I have had this carry on for a few years and I absolutely love it. The outer shell feels sturdy and high-quality while the inside is roomy enough to fit everything I need. 

II. WONDER VALLEY LITTLE WONDERS TRAVEL SET

My favorite skincare available in TSA-approved travel sizes. 

 

III. LIGHT SWEATSHIRT FOR TRAVEL DAYS

A must for travel days. Something easy to wash and wear but doesn’t look “frumpy.” My go-to travel 

IV. LEATHER PASSPORT HOLDER 

A few years ago, I forgot my passport while on my way to Portugal. After that experience, I decided to make a leather passport holder that would be impossible to forget. It’s available at Kristiina Taylor - my namesake label. 

V. A GOOD CLASSIC BOOK

For the plane ride and evenings poolside, a good classic book is a must-have. Currently I am reading Atlas Shrugged and you can discover my must-read lists over at Meadows Book Club. 

VI. TRAVEL WATER BOTTLE

Reduce your plastic usage by choosing to bring a travel water bottle. I drink a ton of water and love Yeti and Life Straw. 

 

 

Wish You Were Here

A Holistic Approach to Skincare

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Holistic skincare is the practice of nourishing the skin from the inside out. What you eat and do has an impact on how you look and feel. Making good daily choices can approve your overall health and skin. The following are my best practices for healthy, glowing skin –


 

Eat the rainbow.

A well-balanced diet of foods packed with protein, fiber, healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals will do wonders for the body and mind. An imbalanced digestive system can reduce liver functionality and lead to inflammation. If the liver is unable to effectively work, the body can experience a myriad of skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. A good rule of thumb is to eat the rainbow of vegetables and enjoy all else in moderation. If you don’t know where to start, reduce or eliminate the intake of processed foods and choose organic whenever possible.

Drink more water.

Getting enough water throughout the day will help skin cells hold onto the moisture keeping them plump, firm, and wrinkle free. Many don’t get as much water as they should. Listen to your body and if your skin is dry, you likely need to up your intake. If drinking tap, make sure to research your municipalities water content. Not all tap waters are clean and toxins can be present in the water supply. 

 

Wearing Matteau Swimwear

Exercise.

Physical activity is an important component of holistic health. Exercise reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and stimulates endorphines (the happiness hormone). By lowering cortisol, the body is able to reduce skin related issues such as oily skin, acne, eczema, etc. Regular exercise also improves blood circulation which, through sweat, releases toxins, supplies the skin cells with oxygen and nutrients, and improves the complexion.

Get good sleep.

While asleep, the body repairs and restores. This recovery mode allows the body to rejuvenate itself and heal from any stressors, sicknesses, and ailments. This of course includes keeping the largest organ, the skin, healthy. Sleep also aids in collagen production, which is essential as it’s one of the main building blocks for bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Sleep will also boost blood flow, preventing dull and puffy skin.

Choose clean skincare.

Clean skincare means that every ingredient is natural and free from harsh chemicals, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetics. Some chemicals used in skincare products have been shown to cause health problems such as cancer and endocrine disruption. Endocrine disruptors overwhelm your body’s natural detox pathways, such as the liver, and causes toxins to erupt from the skin. Look at ingredients and choose organic whenever possible.


My favorite clean skincare brands include: Linné Botanicals, Wonder Valley, and Osea Malibu.

Happy Easter