I tried.

Spoiler alert: I did not write every day in June. I did not even complete a full week. I fully intended to and then last night I fell asleep sometime during hour three of Poppy’s endless bedtime shenanigans and now here I am. Starting over on June 7th. 

I’m refusing to consider this a failure, though. One of my first thoughts when I woke up this morning was “I have to blog!” and I haven’t felt that way in a long time. It didn’t feel like an obligation, it felt like a spark. I’m stretching my writing muscles and it feels good.  

Stay tuned for more riveting content where I commit to something, mess it up, and then refuse to feel any shame. I’m going back to my personal blogging roots of a decade ago and it feels good. 

And so it goes

Last month, I participated in the Workout to Conquer Cancer supporting the BC Cancer Foundation. I committed to moving my body every day in May. And I did it. 

Some days were better than others. On those days I would strap myself into the rowing machine and work hard for thirty minutes. I’d finish, sweaty and out of breath, and walk away on jelly legs feeling like a badass. 

And then there were the days when all I could manage was fifteen minutes of light yoga, or a leisurely walk around the park with the dog. Those days didn’t feel like a win in the moment, but looking back on the month I can see: those days were important days. Those were the days that I kept going, even when I was tired. Those were the days I listened to my body and didn’t force a workout. Those were the days I met myself where I was, instead of trying to make myself something I wasn’t. 

Last week when the opportunity to join a June writing challenge came up, I jumped at the chance to participate. I’m committing to blog every day in June. This is a big deal to me. I haven’t blogged regularly in a really long time and I miss it. I want to stretch my writing muscles and see if I can get back into the habit of maintaining this space I once loved. I’m putting it out here for accountability. I will see you tomorrow. 

Hottest Tot Products #HTP2016Van

The baby gear world is a loud and overwhelming one. There are products for literally every hypothetical situation you could encounter with your little one. I find it difficult to filter through the gimmicks and find what really works, what's really necessary, and what can make my life easier vs what exists solely to drain my wallet and fill my closets.

This is why I'm excited to attend the Modern Mama Hottest Tot Products Vancouver Event. I want to see these gadgets in action. I want to watch the demonstrations and familiarize myself with some amazing products. I want the chance to win some sweet prizes! Mostly I want someone to tell me what I need to buy to make my child sleep at night (that's a thing, right? A miracle products exists that I just haven't found yet? Lie to me if you must.).

So far, Poppy's only Christmas present is a jumbo-sized box of diapers. I have no idea what to buy a six-month-old for Christmas. I wouldn't actually worry about it except that Grady believes in Santa wholeheartedly and will be devastated if Poppy doesn't get any presents. I'm looking forward to checking out the hottest tot products and crossing Poppy of my Christmas gift list. Are you buying for a baby this Christmas? Join me for a night of great products, artisan pizza, and wonderful people.

The Details:

Monday, December 5th
7pm - 9pm
Rocky Mountain Flatbread (4186 Main Street, Vancouver)

Tickets available here. More information can be found on the Facebook event page.

Moms will be treated to delicious artisan pizzas while they are introduced to some amazing products. At the end of the night, moms will have the opportunity to take home prizes valued between $50-$500 and a swag bag. All attendees will also receive a complimentary casual portrait session at the event.

Modern Mama:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Will I see you there?

How to Seamlessly Switch Between Multiple Instagram Accounts

One of the main annoyances I had with Instagram was the inability to switch between multiple accounts the way I could with Twitter. I have my own Instagram account but I also maintain one for someone else. Whenever I wanted to switch between accounts I had to completely log out of mine and then enter the full username and password of the other. It was the very definition of a first world problem but still annoying.

Until now.

I had heard rumblings of Instagram rolling out a new feature that allowed seamless switching within accounts but heard it was being tested on Android so as an iPhone user I would have a bit of a wait. Annoying but doable.

Yesterday came the news that with the latest Instagram update (7.15 for iOS), both Apple and Android users would be given this long-awaited feature.

Cue my happy dance.

Except when I followed the instructions, I didn't have the option to add an account. I thought I was going crazy until someone who had the feature took a screenshot of their phone to show me where the option should be. I wasn't going crazy, I just didn't have the feature yet. Cue hand-wringing and Facebook moaning.

It turns out my angst was unnecessary (as it so often is) and just a few hours later, the option was added to my account. I've added additional accounts to my account and now I can seamlessly switch between them without logging off and entering the new account information every time.

Happy Days!

No option to Add Account. Sad Face.

Add Account magically appears! And all is well with the world.