Days with a baby fly by at warp speed. There is also much more to do within the same 24 hours, and it all seems harder when you’re running on limited sleep. Regain lost time with these simple ways to add anywhere from 5 minutes to 5 hours back to your day. Yes, really!

photo: iStock

Track Items with Apps
If the average person spends 15 minutes a day searching for misplaced items like their keys, shoes or wallet, according to a recent survey, we’re pretty sure those suffering from mom brain spend at least twice that. There are simple life hacks to avoid these daily pitfalls, like keeping a spare set of keys pinned to your diaper bag, but a more modern approach uses clever tracking devices like Tile, TrackR or Chipolo. Attach Bluetooth-enabled devices to sneakers, keys, wallets and more so your phone can help you find them.

photo: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr

Put Down Your Cell Phone
The internet is like a bag of chips…a box of cookies…and a tub of ice cream. We consume it in small chunks, most of us not realizing how many little bites we’ve taken until we’ve lost hours of our day, according to a Nielsen study. In fact, studies show that most of us now spend more time on the internet than we spend watching TV. While the average American is on their mobile device about 4 hours every day, a small study suggests that new parents spend considerably more time than the average person on social media. If you’re spending your child’s nap time posting baby pics to Instagram and Facebook, you may want to consider a social media break so you can use baby’s nap time for your own naps! More on why sleep is important below.

photo: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr

Catch Some Zzz’s
If you feel like simple tasks take twice as long since you had a baby, you’re probably not wrong. Fatigue causes brain function to slow down, which means you are thinking and acting slower. The first three months postpartum are the toughest: Studies show you’ll get less sleep during this period than at any other point in your life. And a new, small study demonstrated that sleep deprivation can last up to six years post-birth. The old adage “Sleep when the baby sleeps” seems impossible, but if you carve out time for a nap, it not only helps you stay rested but will help you tackle your daily must-do list with efficiency.

photo: iStock

Become a Better Jetsetter
Pre-bambino, getting out of the house meant grabbing your keys, wallet and possibly a pair of shades. Now, a trip to the grocery store means packing a pint-size suitcase with diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks, a back-up outfit for blowouts and more. If you’ve gone from being punctual to perpetually late, try pre-packing your car (or stroller or diaper bag) with baby essentials. Turn your car into a mobile nursery unit by stocking multiple-compartment trunk organizers. Think beyond the diaper bag: Fill your organizer with the same must-have products you keep on hand in the house.

photo: iStock

Go Capsule with Your Clothing
Seventeen minutes. That’s how long it takes the average woman to pick out an outfit. Take the guesswork out of your morning routine by adopting a mom uniform and reclaim over a quarter of an hour every single day. A capsule wardrobe—first made popular in the 1970s—is a curated collection of clothing staples that work for your everyday life. These could be pieces that mix and match well or a collection of the same types of clothes you like to wear (think go-to t-shirts, yoga pants and sneakers). Everything goes together, so there’s less thinking or planning. Create your collection with these 10 capsule wardrobe ideas for a new mom.

photo: iStock

Smarten Up Your House
Life is filled with interruptions. If you’re preparing dinner, the baby will inevitably cry for you. Feeding your little loves? Yup, someone is going to knock on the door. The problem with all of these daily little hiccups is that it’s hard to get back to the task you were originally focused on. And the worst interrupter in your day is not your recent family addition, it’s you! A recent study found that we “self-interrupt” every three minutes. Most of us call this multitasking, but switching from activity to activity while we are still, um, mid-activity can cause us to lose minutes or even hours each day. You can remove some of these distractions by putting them on autopilot through the magic of technology! Let the door answer itself with a video doorbell; get a robot vacuum to handle the dust and dirt; and invest in a programmable coffee maker or formula maker that lets you schedule when your next cup or bottle is ready.

Cut Haircare in Half
The average woman spends around 15 minutes blowdrying her hair. For a full wash, dry and style, it’s a whopping 40 minutes. Save almost an hour by skipping the shower and spraying on dry shampoo. If “dirty hair, don’t care” isn’t your thing, choose a hair dryer marketed as ionic or ceramic and invest in a blow dry accelerator spray, like AVEDA speed Of Light, both of which reduce the amount of time it takes to dry your mane.

Meghan Meyers

featured image: iStock

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Looking for an amazing location for your family photo session? We’ve got you covered with 20 location ideas from iconic San Francisco locations to the most gorgeous nature around. Pick the color-coordinated outfits and check out our favorite places for holiday photos in San Francisco and beyond.

San Francisco

Huntington Park, San Francisco

Alpana Aras at Story Box Art

Why it's Great: A quintessential San Francisco setting in the middle of the hubbub of the city. This quaint little park is surrounded by the historic Huntington Hotel and Grace Cathedral. If you're looking for old-world city vibes, this location is for you. 

Corona Heights Park, San Francisco

Alpana Aras at Story Box Art

Why it's Great: For the more adventurous families, this is perfect spot for you. Corona Heights Park is a unique setting in San Francisco that showcases expanses views of the city for as far as the eye can see. It is a somewhat steep hike to get to the peak of the hill but the payoff is worth it! Pack a backpack with water and snacks and make an adventure out of your family photo session here. 

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

Tarah Photography

Why it’s Great: The Palace of Fine Arts is a unique place to snap your holiday photos with it's interesting architecture and rich San Francisco history. Arrive early to avoid the crowds because it's a popular destination to visit and picnic at.  

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Tarah Photography

Why it’s Great: Baker Beach is the perfect San Francisco iconic backdrop for natives and tourists alike for holiday photos. The Golden Gate Bridge towers in the background surrounded by the ocean and clean sand. Also, there’s a few dirt trails to explore on your walk down to the beach. Bonus, after taking photos you can spend the rest of the day getting your feet wet in the freezing cold water.

Crissy Field, San Francisco

Tarah Photography

Why it’s Great: Stretches of green grass with a few coves of sand and surf with the Golden Gate Bridge looming in the background make up this oceanfront stretch. The fog rolls in and out of Crissy Fields as much as the tide changes but if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to capture some holiday photos before the bridge disappears in the thick mist.

East Bay

Markham Arboretum, Concord

Sweetness and Light Photography

Why it’s Great: This park offers so much for photos that families are sure to snap the perfect holiday photo. “Minutes from downtown Concord, this centrally located park is a treasure trove of backdrops for a family photo-session. From manicured walkways and rugged trails and fences to a bridge and plenty of shade it’s a photographer’s playground!” said photographer Nicole diGiorgio.

Jewel Lake at Tilden Park, Berkeley

Becky Matsubara via flickr

Why it's Great: This spot not only offers lots of lush backgrounds for photos but there's plenty of nearby parking and you can reward nice smiles with a visit to the Little Farm when you are done. 

Borges Ranch, Walnut Creek

Tarah Beaven

Why it’s Great: For nature photos that have a mountain range that goes as far as the eye can see, Borges Ranch is the perfect place for holiday photos. Don't forget to stop by and say hi to the farm animals adjacent to the parking lot. The kids can even walk in their pastures! 

Crow Canyon Gardens, San Ramon

Niki Stefanelli

Why it’s Great: Photographer Niki Stefanelli said, “This is a fun little local garden on the border of Danville and San Ramon. I love it because something is always in bloom, and there are lovely little fences, benches and gates set up in the gardens providing perfect photo backdrops. There is also an open field with great trees for climbing at the end of a family session. And, for the more adventurous crowd, there is a path leading down to a stream which runs in the rainy season.”

Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland

vikramham via flickr

Why it's Great: Just off Highway 13 in the Oakland Hills is this lovely park where you can get just the right amount of shade so that you won't have squinting in your photos. It's also super green which is great for holiday color coordination. 

Peninsula

Elizabeth Gamble Garden, Palo Alto

Maryam Salassi

Why it’s Great: The gardens are beautiful all year long and since it's in a compact area, it's perfect for small kiddos who tire easily, as well as for generational sessions with older family members who need to sit down. There is no permit required for this lovely location, but donations are accepted (and encouraged)!

Windy Hill Preserve, Portola Valley

Tarah Beaven

Why it’s Great: With the spaced out trees in a dirt field with leaves that turn from green to yellow, Portola Valley is as close to capturing the autumn vibes as the Bay Area gets. It can get pretty crowded during the holiday season with families seeking the fall colors so sharpen your elbows and get ready to say cheese! 

Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton

Keri Vaca

Why it’s Great: It is only a few minutes off of 101 but it feels really secluded. The leaves on the trees are so beautiful at this time of year and make for gorgeous backdrops for family photos. Also, there are so many different areas to shoot in for variety. It can look like you went to several parks in just one location! There is even a playground for the kids.

San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica

Tarah Photography

Why it’s Great: If you have a large family with kids on the younger side this is the park for you! Walk the Weiler Ranch Trail for about 5 minutes and you’ll come to a huge clearing with a meadow. The meadow creates a natural boundary enclosure for the kids to run and play making photo taking a snap. There are also fun wood bridges and dirt trails to explore so bring extra clothes to play in afterwards.

South Bay

Stanford University Campus, Stanford

Ania Gajda

Why it’s Great: If you love leading lines and a throwback to your college days, then photographer Ania Gajda says Stanford is the place for you: “This location offers many different architectural features as well as a little park nearby. It's the best early in the morning before it gets crowded.”

Vasona Park, San Jose

Tarah Photography

Why it’s Great: The park is huge and is filled with nooks and crannies that are photo worthy. Some highlights include a large red drawbridge that goes over the pond; multiple piers that jet out onto the lake; and lastly, the beautiful nature that fills every single place of this park. Photos are best super early in the morning to beat the crowds. Just beware of the speed walkers and runners passing by so you don’t end up with a file of photo-bombers.

Hakone Estate and Garden, Saratoga

Hakone Estate and Gardens

Why It's Great: This spot in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains will make you feel like you are worlds away. The gardens are gorgeous any time of the year and there are tons of spots for seated photos. Gather over one of the bridges and distract the kids with the koi fish and turtles in the ponds. 

North Bay/Marin

Fort Baker, Sausalito

Tarah Photography

Why It’s Great: Nestled right on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge is Fort Baker, home to the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Cavallo Point. This hidden gem features some of the best views of the Golden Gate. Venture towards the water and you have an unparalleled view of the bridge and the ocean beyond as well as the Marin headlands. On clear days you can see the city. Plus, there’s free parking and places to picnic. Need we say more?

China Camp State Park, San Rafael

Mark Gunn via flickr

Why It's Great: We love this spot because it offers loads of different backdrops from beachy spots to the eucalyptus grove. Pose the family on one of the old fences that date back to the 1800s when China Camp was a fishing village. 

Olompali State Historic Park, Novato

David S. via yelp

Why It's Great: If you are looking for an old barn to use as a neutral backdrop, this is the spot. There are lots of paths if you are looking for some walking shots or stone fences for staggered sitting. Check the park hours before you head over. 

Need wardrobe ideas for the kids? Check out this list of our favorite local clothing brands.

—Tarah Beaven & Erin Lem

 

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Omg—you’re pregnant. Congratulations, mama, you’re in for the ride of a lifetime. Like most rides, there are sure to be bumps to navigate along the way. The first, and most obvious, is the one you’ll need to dress for the next nine months! But, don’t despair, we’ve got you (and your growing baby bump) covered. Use these 10 fashion tips and you’ll sail through your pregnancy feeling stylish and comfortable.

photo: HATCH

1. Save money by opting for less expensive leggings and tank tops.
Instead of breaking the bank on expensive maternity pieces that you’ll outgrow and never wear again after pregnancy, opt for cheap maternity leggings and tank tops that can be worn on the regular for the next nine months. To dress up these staples, splurge on items you can continue wearing once baby arrives, like a nice cardigan or button-down top.

2. Buy nothing for as long as possible.
Resist the urge to shop online for maternity clothes as soon as you hear the news you’re expecting. Instead, take a solid inventory of what is in your closet already that you can continue wearing. Although you’ll start to feel changes happening in your body right away, the reality is that your current wardrobe will fit for some time, so hold off as long as you can and save your pennies for a few core pieces you’ll need down the road.

3. Don’t buy pieces much larger than your current size.
It’s easy to want to anticipate what will be happening to your body down the road, but the truth is you don’t know what’s in store and your bump will grow at its own pace. So, it’s better to buy pieces that will grow with you. The Eloise Dress from HATCH (shown above) is a splurge-worthy option you can wear throughout your pregnancy that will make you feel stylish and comfortable at every stage.

4. Wear your favorite jeans longer.
The Everyday Maternity BellaBand (shown above) by Ingrid & Isabel is a fan favorite and for good reason. The expandable band gives you the ability to wear your favorite jeans throughout your pregnancy. It’ll help make you feel more “you” at a time when you’re navigating a lot of changes.

5. Get creative with what you have!
Motherhood is a crash course in resourcefulness, so you may as well start tapping into that side of yourself before your baby arrives. Try wearing skirts higher up on your waist, or belt a dress to give yourself a waist again. See pieces you’ve owned forever in a new light, and you may not need as many “maternity” pieces as you think.

6. Rent special-occasion outfits.
It’s more than likely you’ll have a few special-occasion events to attend at some point in your pregnancy. For those occasions, try renting an outfit. It gives you the option of finding a piece you truly love without forking over a substantial amount of money for something you will probably only wear once. Rent the Runway has a slew of amazing options for moms-to-be who want to the perfect show-stopping outfit.

photo: KathrinPie via Pixabay

7. Try a maternity subscription service.
It seems there’s a subscription box for just about everything, and maternity wear is no exception. And, if anyone deserves an easier way to shop, it’s an expectant mom. Here are a few of our favorite subscription box services to check out today.

8. Splurge on pieces you’ll still want to wear after baby arrives.
Embrace the next nine months as much as possible and let yourself splurge on a few pieces you know you’ll want to wear after your baby arrives. Perhaps it’s the most cozy pajamas that will help you relax after a long day or a trench coat you love and makes you feel stylish as soon as you throw it on. Treating yourself to a few special pieces may just get you through the more stressful days.

9. Invest in what’s underneath!
They’re the easiest thing to overlook, but we promise you that investing in a good maternity bra and set of undies is worth it. Check out maternity fold-over panties, like these from Motherhood Maternity, and HATCH’s the bra — they’re must-haves for staying comfortable during pregnancy.

10. Consider a capsule wardrobe.
We’ve sung the praises of a capsule wardrobe before, and we believe it’s definitely worth considering for maternity wear. Especially if you think you’ll be pregnant again. Opt for pieces you can wear both while pregnant and nursing, in neutrals you can mix and match. Think, the perfect t-shirt dress and a pair of killer sneakers.

Psst, did you know Tinybeans is a free modern family album app that gives parents a happy space to enjoy their children’s life stories with family. Effortlessly organize pics, videos & milestones, print cute keepsakes, and share with family in one safe space off social media.

 

—Aimee Della Bitta

 

featured image: iStockphoto

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