My Top Five Food/ Drink for Milk Supply

 

So, as everyone may or may not know, I am a big supporter of breastfeeding. The benefits are what gets most of us. Breastfed children tend to be very intelligent, healthy and immune to certain sickness.

 

Now, as a mother who has breastfed and still is breastfeeding, I know how challenging it can be. There have been times where I have wanted to give up and just stick to formula alone. This is because at first I didn't know that there are certain things that need to be done while breastfeeding. The number one thing is to monitor what you are eating and drinking.

 

When you are breastfeeding, whatever you eat/ drink goes into your milk stream. You eat something sweet, your milk will taste sweeter. You eat something spicy (which isn't recommended while nursing), your milk will have a slight spice. So, I have gathered a list of things that I personally nourish myself with to keep my supply going and provide the best milk:

 

 

Almonds are super good for your milk. I like to eat them in a smoothie for a crunch or alone for my morning snack. I do eat them lightly salted (the blue diamond brand). If you don't like almonds you can try almond milk (sweetened or unsweetened).

 

Believe it or not, Gatorade helps your flow. If you are experiencing a rough patch with pumping, I highly recommend drinking one bottle and watch the magic happen. I usually drink it while I'm pumping, but that's because I'm inpatient.

 

This is probably THE most important on the list. Your body takes the water you drink and produces your milk with it. So, if you're not drinking water, your body CAN produce milk, but not a lot. DRINK WATER. I prefer the giant jug with the spout attached. I just don't like having a bunch of water bottles to dispose of. So I use a cup or my 32 oz bottle. By the way, alkaline water is best OR the Evian brand.

 

Oatmeal is probably my favorite thing to eat for breakfast. It's very high in vitamins and nutrients and is very good for getting your supply up. You can do oatmeal raisin cookies, oatmeal bars, etc. If you want to find different recipes for oatmeal, check out heyfranhey.com  

 

Malt and beer. Now I personally do not drink beer so I do malt alone. I know people who have done one or the other and both. They have gotten the same results: it does increase your supply tremendously. I hate the taste of malt drinks but for the sake of my milk, I drink it anyways.

 

Flax seeds are just great for your body, period. I like to put a table spoon of them in my oats and other foods like pasta, soup, etc. Flax seeds have a nutty taste but it's not overwhelming.

 

 

My FAVE! Mother's milk tea is part of my everyday nourishment. I have a mug twice a day. A lot of people do not like the taste. I am one of those people. The taste is one of a black licorice kind of. Idk. It's hard to explain but I pair mine with my favorite tea. It masks the taste but still lets the Mother's Milk do its job.

 

Please keep in mind that everyone's body is different. So, what works for one woman may not work for the next.

 

Please leave questions and comments in the comment section.

 

xoxo

 

New Show Alert!!

 

As I'm sitting here scrolling through things to watch on television (because I'm all caught up on Queen Sugar- let's discuss this season so far in the comments) and I run across a show called Released. It is a show that follows the lives of a group of individuals and their families as and after they are let out of prison.

 

These people have left behind children, jobs, friends and it's so interesting to watch them get back into the world and have to repair all of that. With watching this show, I can't help but to think of someone I know who's in prison... my father.

 

My father has been absent most my life. Yes, I know what he looks like. Yes, I know his name. But I do not know him. With him being released soon, from what I've been hearing, I can't help but to wonder how he will deal with adjusting to the real world once again.

 

Anyway, while watching this show, I accumulated a few thoughts and opinions which I will not share for various reasons. But please do not hesitate to share your thoughts and opinions on this show and also the situation of readjusting in the comment section

 

xoxo

MAC x Puma

 

 

YESSSS!! Ya'll know I'm super excited about this one. I have been waiting for a collab with a sports line from MAC for some time now. I would have thought that Nike would jump at the opportunity or even Adidas, but no. It's... PUMA.

 

This is perfect. While Puma is a fitness line (so this will be such an interesting collab), it is also very fashion forward. Both brands have worked with a slew of celebrities including Rihanna who has Puma x Fenty and had two fast selling MAC collabs that launched in 2013. In 2014, Rih Rih became the creative director at Puma for women's collections.

 

My predictions for this collab are that there will be a MAC collection that Puma will contribute to and a clothing collection that MAC will contribute to. In the makeup collection, I'm calling a sweat proof foundation/ concealer (I mean, they are collabing with a fitness brand). This would be ground breaking. Now we can all be cute af at the gym and go hard. Ouuu and there's going to be such sleek packaging. Both brands are known for black and white signature combos as far as packaging but I don't think they'll stick to the usual this time around.

 

Just get your savings ready now because there's also talk about an Aaliyah collection. Geez.

 

xoxo

 

 

NOVA IS HERE !!

The time has come! And passed! On October 2, 2017, I gave birth to my second baby boy, Nova. He was born at 1:23am via c-section weighing in at 7 lbs. 

I went into labor on October 1 at about 6 or 7 pm. Earlier that day, everything was normal. I fed Nur, and although I was having a bit of pain, it was tolerable. I was chatting with my mother via FaceTime and I told her about my pains once they started to become more intense. Because of my terrible case of Braxton Hicks, she was over me and my false alarms.

So I called Shannon and she came right over. Nur stayed with my mom, who was still convinced that I was being dramatic. We went to the hospital and it turns out that I was 5 centimeters!!!! Half way through ...ok.

So I called Sadao once I was admitted, called my mother and everyone else. Long story short, I ended up having a c section... HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE (I'm still recovering). While on my way to the recovery room, Sadao asks "so since it's not a girl what do you want as a name? I like Yuri." Yuri is too close Nuri... so I immediately thought of how I would binge watch Queen Sugar once this was all over. The name Nova then somehow seemed so perfect. So we named him just that❤️

To see most of my experience in the hospital, click here ➡️ https://youtu.be/A6y4ztrz51E

Fenty Beauty Is Here !

I know!! I always say "don't kill me" but y'all can this time. I've been SUPER busy with preparing for EJ's arrival that I totally neglected the blog! Oops! 

But I promise to make it up to you all with this post right here. 

So a few weeks ago, Bad Gal RiRi took the beauty world by storm when she debuted her makeup line Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. We all went bananas for it was being carried by Sephora, reasonable in price AND included 40 Fu*king Shades of Foundation!! 40! 

Of course I had to grab something. I mean, after all, I am a huge fan and a makeup lover so t was only right I spent my life savings on the collection. Right? Wrong. I went on Sephora's site, grabbed what I could because almost everything was completely sold out (my shade of foundation still is). 

It has been recently reported by Forbes that Rihanna's beauty line is set to make more than KKW Beauty and Kylie Cosmetics. WOW! Go Robin! 

A lot of things excited me about the line but I think where Rihanna became an innovator is when she blessed us with forty shades of foundation ranging from porcelain to the deepest of melanin... on her first try! Most times, makeup companies tend to have a wide range of shades but they fail to cater to brown girls who are the deepest of ebonies. But Rihanna and her team did a great job of targeting shade range and also multiple undertones (which is SUPER important).

So let's get into all the products... 

Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation $34.00

Ok so this foundation is meant to feel like skin. It is very light weight and thin. It was inspired by Rihanna's makeup go to look which is soft and natural. It's supposed to give you a "nothing there" sort of feel. So if you're looking for cake, this isn't it. I will say that is foundation dries very quickly so you must work fast when using it. Nonetheless, it is a must have! 

Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter $34.00

BITCH! 6 ones to choose from! 4 which are duos! 2 which are singles! 1 which will change your life!! 

Ok so if you know me you know I love a good glow!! I attended the launch party at sephora and when I say I fell in love with all six of these!!! Each and everyone one has its own umph to it and if you're a MUA, I highly suggest having all of the duos in your kit. TROPHY WIFE. Trophy wife is like putting 24k melted gold on your face!! It's life changing and if you want a versatile highlighter, these are for you! You can use them as an eyeshadow, cheek highlight, on your collarbone, where ever! 

Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer $18.00

This is where I got a bit disappointed. Because like.. there's only 1?? But I had to remember what was the inspiration and goal behind putting this line together... a no makeup makeup look. So when I purchased and received my gloss bomb and put it on, I felt exactly where RiRi was coming from. This shade of gloss literally looks good on anyone. It's perfect as a topper for a pinky nude lipstick such as velvet teddy by MAC. It's just a s beautiful on its own though too. I feel like you can't just buy one of these... you need at least one in your purse at all times and a back up to keep at home... and it smells Soooooo goooood and sweet OMG! I love the gloss because it's really smooth and not sticky like other glosses and has a really settle shimmer to it. Perf. 

Match Stix Trio $54.00

I have it and I love it!! Ok so this is basically an essential I'm the collection. 3 sticks: conceal, contour, highlight. Genius! I love the creamy feel of all of them although a few bloggers have complained about how it feels against the foundation. You just have to know how to work with it. The trios come in different sets: lights, mediums, darks. The combo I purchased was the deep set: suede (concealer), expresso (contour), and sinamon (highlight). It's a must buy, but if you don't want to purchase all three, or one of the stix doesn't quite match you too well, you might want to invest in the...

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick $25.00

This product is a fighter which comes in ten colors (golds, rose golds, orange, purple, red orange). I kind of want them all. 

Match Stix Matte Skinstick $25.00

This product is a concealer. It comes in 20 shades. I want them all for my kit. 

Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer $32.00

I didn't really see the point in purchasing this item because I have my go to primer that I swear by. But for the hell of it, I tested it at the launch party and it feels really nice actually. It's very moisturizing so I wouldn't suggest using a moisturizer before applying this... it moisturizes and primes. It is in fact not a silicone primer and had a pinkish color to it. 

Invisimatte Blotting Powder $32.00

I haven't heard too much about this powder. Again I have a powder that is my holy grail so I wasn't too pressed to try this. What I will say is that it's very soft and velvety and I will accept it as a gift but as far as purchasing it myself, I'm in no rush. 

Full Bodies Foundation Brush 110 $34.00

This is probably the only brush I want to purchase out of the collection. It is amazing from what I got to test at the party. It is very soft and rounded and sort of dense which is good for buffing. Every review that I've watched says that this is the only brush they would use with the foundation. But a duo fiber brush would also work good with the foundation in my opinion. 

Cheek Hugging Highlight Brush 120 $32.00

Also known as the "shark tooth brush", this brush is used for the highlighters in the collection. It's shape is literally meant to hug your cheek and get that product blended into your skin. 

Portable Contour and Concelar Brush 150

Portable Highlighter Brush 140

Portable Touch Up Brush 130

All portable brushes are $24.00

I wouldn't suggest really buying these unless you're always on the go. The Contour and concealer brush is the only one I would aim for because it's rounded shape allows for use of multiple products especially touch up powder. 

Precision Makeup Sponge 100 $16.00

Ladies and gentlemen.. we have a beauty blender! Playing around with this, I need it and here's why: the flat part. 

Although I blend my concealer out with a flat tapered foundation brush. I wouldn't mind using this sponge to blend. Word on the street is that the flat part blends like a dream and the rounded part can be used for foundation application. You could also use the flat part to bake. 

Invisimatte Blotting papers $16.00

I'm not going to lie. I want to try these. For some reason I prefer sheets over powder because it's less product being packed on my face. I love the color of the case too which is a plus. One thing that doesn't benefit me (but to each its own) is that there's a rumor that these are meant to double as rolling papers for marijuana. We all know Riri blows it down, so it wouldn't be too hard to believe. Lol 

If you have any questions or comments about this post or any of the products, please feel free to comment below 

Xoxo 

Confessions of an Addict

Me: Hi my name is a Tali.

You all: hello Tali. 

Me: I'm addicted to ASMR.

So for the past few days I've been dodging my usual beauty videos and YouTube talk shows for a different kind entertainment... ASMR. 

ASMR is an acronym for autonomous sensory meridian response. It's an experience characterized by a static like or tingling sensation on the skin that usually starts on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. The purpose is to relax people/ to help trigger sleep.

I first found out about these videos when Trisha Paytas tried making them. In my opinion, hers weren't that great. A few days ago, I came across "ASMR Darling" on YouTube and I've been hooked ever since. 

Taylor, better known as ASMR Darling is well known for her whispering, nail tapping, brushing noises and a few other triggers that are popular in the ASMR world. 

I've also been watching "Brittany ASMR" and "Gibi ASMR"... they're all addicting. For the nights I can't sleep, they are my heroes lol. 

If you all know me, you all know my friend Nicolle. She is also into the ASMR videos and I suggested that she actually start recording her own. I hope she does. 

Here's a little guide to help you all better understand ASMR and hopefully you'll watch. 

My Dreams Are Coming True!

Don't you all dare try me!! LOL I know I've been gone for a bit and you all have been blowing up my inbox on Google Plus asking for more posts. I sincerely apologize. I've been "adulting" lately. I've been making dreams come to life and I apologize but not for what I've been doing.

So first thing's first. I am officially a certified eyelash tech AND microblade artist!!!!! Let me tell you all something. You all have bee asking about how much coin I put out to do both... it was not at all cheap. I have done so much research on pricing for these classes. There's no way around paying the cost to be the boss! All in all I want to say I dished out over $1200.00 USD. That is a little steep seeing it in writing but trust me when I say that both classes were the best investments I've made career wise. I have made that 1200 back and then some. So, if you're interested in lash extension and or microblading courses, please shoot me an e-mail.

Next, I now work out of a suite. Like a legit, upscale, intimate and sterile work place. The studio is gorgeous! The entire thing is different hues of purple with touches of crystal accents and silver perfections. It literally looks like girl heaven.

Here's a sneak peek. 

The best news of all! I'm 24 years old and I got my own house! Yesssssss. We moved on July 1st and we love it! Sadao and I are so happy to be in our own space and create a lovely environment for our children. It's literally the best feeling ever. We will be sure to give you all a house tour when we are finished furnishing.