LEIF has always been one of my favorite home goods shops online! Whenever I want to shop for something fun and unique, I can always count on them. These ceramic tea bowls came into my email this morning and I just had to share it with you first thing! It’s an exclusive collaboration LEIF has with artist Ben Fiess - he’s pretty cool himself! Love that these tea bowls are good for sipping tea or a single scoop of ice-cream (ok, maybe double!) 

And while you’re enjoying your cup of tea or ice-cream this weekend, don’t forget to check out my latest Playdate with another creative mom in the city – she’s got a little surprise in there for you! Oh, and I’m also giving my little cool mom advice here with some throwback photos of my preggo belly. So crazy that was just a couple of months ago!

Happy Friday, everyone! And thanks for reading this week!

Image via LEIF

I love the month of May. The weather is finally warmer and the days are brighter. It really gets me in the mood to get out and do things! Not to mention, summer is right around the corner so it’s the perfect time to start thinking of all the exciting things to do for the next few months, wouldn’t you say?

I certainly have a few things I’d like to fill up my calendar with… like planning a “much needed” family weekend getaway, starting that new yoga class I never got to in January, visiting more art museums and exhibitions, enjoying the great outdoors with scenic walks and picnics, and exploring newfound interests like floral arrangement! All of this requires me to be pretty active, and I cannot tell you how excited I am! After being cooped up most of the winter and post-pregnancy, I’m looking forward to getting out, having fun, and trying new things!

What I’ll be carrying along with me for sure is my Dove Go Sleeveless Deodorant. Who wouldn’t want to feel comfortable and confident when they’re out and about, right? In just five days, the formula works to provide softer and smoother underarms. It has vitamins E & F plus Dove 1/4 moisturizers and it helps provide the protection I need for 48 hours. I love that the new deodorants come in a variety of light fragrances, from a mix of citrus to delicate lily to a delightful note of jasmine and rose. For more info, visit Dove.com.

So I’m curious, what will you be doing this spring?

This post and products are kindly sponsored by Dove. All opinions shared here are my own. Special thanks to Kim Thomas for the lovely photography and Natalie of Natalie Bowen Designs for showing me how to make the most beautiful floral arrangement! 

Hi everyone, I’m so excited to introduce you to another cool mom today! For our second Playdate, I met up with gorgeous mama, Lauren Podoll and her handsome baby boy, Dashiell Quinn Podoll. He is currently 20 months and is as charming as can be!

I met Lauren a few months ago and was instantly smitten by her sensible style. She’s got so much grace, and little did I know, Lauren, and her husband, Josh, are the owners/designers of a very chic local clothing line, The Podolls. When I first saw this Refinery29 feature on their home and work studio, I knew I wanted to know Lauren better because she is so inspiring as a mom, as a wife, and as an entrepreneur. I’m so lucky to have met Lauren and have her share her insights with us today. I hope you have your coffee ready because this mama’s got some great tips for ya! And oh, there’s a little surprise for you at the end from her shop… I’m certainly going to take advantage of that myself. :) Enjoy!

1. Where is a favorite spot you like to go with Dashiell and why? I love introducing Dashiell to art and exposing him to the rich cultural diversity this city has to offer. The de Young Museum Sculpture Garden is fantastic because he can safely interact with the work and enjoy running and playing simultaneously. It’s also a lovely spot in the park to sit before sharing lunch in the museum café. Nice change of pace from sandboxes at the playground. I get my culture fix and he gets playtime—it works for both of us.

2. Has it been difficult to keep up with your fashion business and being a new mom? In other words, do you get the mother’s guilt? If so, how do you handle that? Whether your business is fashion or something else, it’s difficult for all parents to feel pulled in several directions at once and truly focus on the task at hand—I’m always grappling with this. When I’m with Dashiell, I try to give him my full attention and not be distracted with email or work calls (although there are some days when I have to multi-task more than others). Luckily, we have our extended families nearby and I feel secure knowing he is in good hands when he’s with Grandma and I’m working.

3. Where do you go for tips/advice for motherhood and parenting? I wish I could say I had lots of books to recommend, but the truth is I barely find time to read these days! I have good intentions but often fall asleep after a few paragraphs. I’m fortunate to have a strong network of fellow mamas and they have been invaluable for me since the early days of pregnancy. For the most part, I rely on intuition and believe that ‘mama really does know best’. The challenge is trusting that inner voice.

In terms of other resources, I’ve found the internet can be a blessing and a curse. It seems like you can find articles or threads regarding any possible question or concern you have about your child.  Sometimes there’s valuable advice available online but often the sheer quantity of opinions and personal experiences really stresses me out, so I try to steer clear. I do subscribe to those age-appropriate Babycenter emails and skim them if they sound relevant. Otherwise I use the internet for kids recipe ideas, activities, music suggestions and cute ideas for homemade toys like play dough. The three parenting books sitting on my nightstand are: Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children by Sharifa Oppenheimer, If the Buddha had Kids: Raising Children to Create a More Peaceful World by Charlotte Kasl, and Postive Discipline: The First Three Years by Jane Nelsen, Cheryl Erwin and Roslyn Ann Duffy.

4. Do you own a diaper bag? If so, which one do you use or recommend? Instead of buying a bag specifically made for parents, I decided to use a regular tote and divide the contents with zippered pouches—one for baby stuff and one for me. It’s worked out pretty well so far and I’m glad I chose to use a lightweight canvas tote because these bags get heavy fast! When friends ask for my opinion on the topic, I encourage them to use something easy to clean without lots of hardware to minimize weight.

5. Your favorite baby gadget? I’m not really a gadget person and I’ve tried to be moderate about acquiring baby gear (easier said than done!) Most gadgets are only relevant for such a short time and then you either store them away or lend them. The items that have gotten the biggest workouts for us are the Ergo and the Uppa G-Luxe stroller. Dashiell is getting too big to carry in the Ergo but I loved it while it lasted. The G-Luxe stroller is lightweight, collapsible and easy to maneuver in tight spaces so I keep it in the car for errands. Both are perfect for toting baby all over the city and on our travels.

6. What is your favorite thing to do when you have some alone time? Yoga. I’ve practiced for years and used to teach before I had Dashiell. I stopped teaching at 32 weeks (during pregnancy) and right now I’m really enjoying my individual practice. At class I can settle in and not think while I rebalance myself. Motherhood is demanding, both emotionally and physically, and yoga helps me nurture myself and stay strong. Sometimes I feel like I just don’t have the time to fit in class, yet when I go, I find that the rest of the day flows more smoothly and I have more patience. It’s as if taking the time creates time. The saying ‘happy mama, happy baby’ is really true so it’s so important to take time for yourself as a mama.

7. Where do you find inspiration for your work and design? Everywhere. Seriously. Travel, nature, vintage textiles, people watching, old movies, my mom’s closet and the women I know.

8. Any advice on marriage or keeping the romance going after having a baby? I believe in setting aside time for dates- even if dates mean planning delicious adult meals at home after baby is in bed. We don’t really use baby sitters who aren’t family (yet) so we end up eating home most of the time. Luckily, I love cooking so I make us a nice dinner at least a few times a week and we sit down together with placemats, flowers and wine and try not to discuss our business. Parenthood is a wonderful stage of our relationship—we feel even closer now than before—but it can also be challenging to a marriage if you’re feeling sleep deprived. Respectful communication is critical and cutting your partner some slack goes a long way. I tend towards perfectionism and I’m the first to admit that there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. We’re both trying our very best on a daily basis and I try to remind myself of that when I’m feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. I feel so fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband and I try to never take that for granted.

9. How do you organize your day? Before becoming a mama I used to resist daily routines but now I completely respect schedules and stick to ours. It gives Dashiell a sense of security to feel the familiar rhythm of the day and know what’s happening next. I tend to think of the day in sections of three blocks of time: morning, nap, and pre-bedtime. On days when I’m with Dashiell all day we read and play with blocks after breakfast and then get out for an adventure by 9am to take advantage of his morning energy. If it’s a nice day we’ll head to the park or meet up with friends. He just takes one nap a day now, usually from 12:30-2:30pm, so we usually have lunch at home and then settle down for naptime. I try to take advantage of his naptime to get work done, clean up, cook or even rest a little myself. In the afternoon, we often do errands and/or take a walk and then prepare for dinner, bath and bedtime. He’s an early riser (6am) and early to bed (by 7pm) so Josh and I have several hours in the evening to relax and enjoy downtime (i.e. collapse on the couch!)

10. Has it been hard to keep in touch with friends who do not have kids? Most of my friends had babies the same year we did- it was crazy. I referred to 2011 as ‘The Year of the Baby.’ That’s fortunate because we can share our similar experiences but sometimes it’s hard to carve out adult only time with other parents. Ironically, it’s actually easier seeing our friends without kids because they can come over for dinner after we put Dashiell down for the night and we can enjoy uninterrupted time with them.

12. Any beauty product(s) you swear by to help you get ready? My Shu Uemura eyelash curler! Even if I’m just running out the door in sweats I use it—helps me feel more bright and awake (even if I don’t feel that way!)  Besides that, I try to be consistent about skin care. I love the Arcona line—natural and effective. I use Cranberry Toner and White Magic Moisturizer everyday. And 100% Pure makes a great coffee bean eye cream that works wonders to reduce puffiness after a sleepless night. In terms of makeup, I like the beauty balm by Andalou Naturals and I swear by Cle de Peau concealer. If I want to take it up a notch, I love a bright lip and Julie Hewett makes the best vibrant, long lasting reds.

13. What’s your favorite trait of Dashiell? It’s hard to pick just one (spoken like the proud Mama I am!) I love his exuberance and unabashed zest for life. He’s so full of love and glee and has the most contagious giggle. He makes friends wherever we go and loves socializing, so we tend to meet lots of interesting people. I also admire his determination, sense of humor and keen observer’s eye.

14. What’s next on your agenda – work wise? kids wise? We just launched our online shop on thepodolls.com. It’s been on our minds for a long time and we finally made it happen. I’m excited about promoting it, expanding it and having a more direct relationship with our fans. Actually, this is the perfect opportunity to mention that we would like to offer Shop Sweet Things readers a 25% discount on purchases from our site through the end of May. Use code “SST25″ and find something fun for yourself! (SST: I got my eye on this, this, and this!) 

Thank you so much to Lauren and Dashiell for spending a lovely day with us! I’m so excited to have discovered the Sculpture Garden at the de Young and now got another cool spot to bring my girls. Be sure to follow The Podolls on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for their latest collection, news, and an irresistible dose of Dashiell! 

Many thanks for the wonderful photography by Eva Kolenko. 

Here’s a super duper easy, cost efficient DIY idea that will make your Mother’s Day bouquet extra special! All it takes is some pretty paper, twine and a nice gift tag… and really, that’s it, you’re set.  Check out here for the full tutorial!

I want to wish all my mommy friends here a Happy Mother’s Day weekend! (It’s the one day you get to milk your husband like crazy!:)) And to those spending time with your mothers, have a lovely time! I’m looking forward to seeing you back next week. I got my second Playdate series coming up and you don’t want to miss it! Oh, and this giveaway, you don’t want to miss it too – ends tomorrow and winner will be announced on the blog on Sunday! Ok, one last thing, if you’re in S.F. and are always looking for things to do with your kiddos, here is an amazing list from Refinery29 on the Best Kid-Tested, Mother Approved Spots in the Bay… and yours truly is on Slide #5. :)

Have a good one! xo Jeanne

Image and DIY via Piece of Cake / Piece of Mind. 

Hello ladies! Today I got an awesome giveaway for you from Restorsea – just in time for Mother’s Day! Of course, you don’t need to be a mother to enter but you know how I’m all about celebrating motherhood. ;)

I’ve been using Restorsea for the past 6 months and I cannot tell you how happy I am with their products. I’ve never been the one to spend too much on beauty products, especially facial creams. I mostly resort to drugstore brands and would rather invest my money on another pair of shoes. But lately, especially after having kids, indulging myself on the best skin products seems to be the more wise investment for me.

I still don’t go crazy buying every expensive skin products out there, but I am happy to keep Restorsea part of my beauty routine because it really has improved so much of my skin. It’s not that I had really bad skin to start out with but I have more of a dry/combination skin and those wrinkles around my eyes are really creeping up. And ever since I started using Restorsea, my skin never felt so nourished. It absorbs into my skin so well without appearing or feeling a bit oily. It also even-toned the overall appearance of my face and it allowed me to skip make-up here and there and it’s totally fine. I even got a compliment from a lady the other day telling me that I have very nice skin – and I had absolutely no makeup on! Yup, she totally made my day. If you’re wondering what sets Restorsea apart, here is their story and a little bit about the lady Patti Pao who discovered the secret ingredient behind such great products!

Well, we certainly can talk about beauty and skin all day long… cause seriously, nothing is more important than taking care of your skin once you get into your 30s (not even the latest Celine bag… ok, maybe…just maybe.) But really, having that beautiful skin is such a savior these days!

I’m so happy that I’m able to send a set of the Restoring Night Cream and Renormalizing Serum (valued $370) to one of my lucky readers. Trust me, it really is a treat. To enter to win, just follow one of the below (you may follow all three to get 3 entries):

Like Restorsea on Facebook | Follow Restorsea on Twitter | Follow Restorsea on Instagram

Please comment separately below which one(s) you followed and don’t forget to leave your email in the ‘email box’ when you’re commenting. It’s a way for me to contact you if you win. This giveaway starts today May 9th and will end May 11th, 11:59p.m PST, and it is open to international readers. Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be announced on Mother’s Day, May 12th. Good luck!!!

**This contest is now closed. The winner for this giveaway is Amy Rose! Thank you all for participating! 

Image by Shop Sweet Things. Giveaway and products are kindly sponsored by Restorsea. All opinions shared here are my own.

I finally made it to B. Patisserie over the weekend. There’s been a lot of buzz about this place lately… you can’t really blame it since it’s opened by Belinda Leong who’s been a veteran pastry chef at places like the Gary Danko and Manresa and has been trained in Paris with famed French pastry chef Pierre Hermé. That’s quite impressive, alright. She also partners with San Francisco Baking Institute founder Michel Suas on this venture. So honestly, you can’t go wrong walking in a place like this!

This shop is so cute and sweet. It’s like the perfect spot for dessert dates with just about anyone. I can see myself coming here with Hayden and Hadley, with my sisters, with my mom, with my girlfriends, with my husband, and anyone who appreciates a good dessert. The prices are a little higher than normal, but I believe in paying for quality and this place is oh-so-worth it! I picked up a few of their earl grey macarons, chocolate hazelnut cake, and the grand macaron for dessert at Erin‘s house for dinner (a good place to go if you want to impress the hostess) … and we were so pleased with how delicious everything tasted!

I don’t have one single complaint about this place, except why isn’t this place down the street from my house?!

B. Patisserie 2821 California Street, SF, Lower Pacific Heights

Images via Shop Sweet Things iPhone. 

It is so cute to see my little miss Hayden on the front page of Cuyana! They came over to our house last week and shot some photos for a Mother’s Day campaign for their beautiful collections of leather goods. I was so flattered when the founders thought of us for this. We had so much fun shooting!

Have you checked out Cuyana yet? They travel the world to find the best quality of materials and make the finest leather goods and accessories. Their styles are always timeless, chic and well-made. I’ve been using their leather tote almost everyday now and love how sturdy it is! I literally have everything in there from my big fat wallet to baby wipes to sunglasses to stuffed animals. And the style is so versatile that I wear it with almost anything. I can seriously have a few more of these and wouldn’t mind it at all. If you’re still looking for a nice Mother’s Day gift that will last, Cuyana will probably be one of your best bets!

Did you get your Mother’s Day gift yet? Check out here for more!

If you ask me where I tend to find the best stuff, I would tell you it’s stumbling upon your Instagram feed. I love discovering what you’re discovering and I honestly feed off of your finds and inspirations ~ IRL. Just like this cutest little outfit on Pirates And Peonies‘ Instagram feed. I’ve been following Shaynah for a month or two now. She’s a super cool mom from Minnieapolis with the coolest little boys and I’m always stalking their mini styles… you’ll be addicted too if you love kids, seriously! When I saw this super cute set I just thought I had to let you know where she got it from… I mean, who doesn’t love me some stripes and orange juice, right?

Orange Juice Onesie | Baby Panty Cover

By the way, Shaynah thinks that all moms have superhero power and I think that’s kinda awesome! Just sayin’ :)

Do you ever feel out of focus? The feeling of having too many ideas in your head, too many things you want to accomplish (yet so little time…), then all of a sudden you get overwhelmed and feel completely lost. That’s kind of me right now.

I want to continue to better this blog and contribute quality content that both you and I enjoy. So I guess this is where I come to you for help… is it cool if I ask you for a little favor? Basically, I would like to know…

1. What would you like to see more of on this blog? (for example, more fashion, more interiors, more kids fashion, more diys, more guest posts, more giveaways, more cool mom stuff, etc.)

2. Is there something you want to know more about me? Or something you want to learn from me? (for example, blogging/social media advice & trends, shopping advice, new parenting advice?) 

I would really, really appreciate any ideas/feedbacks from you. Please feel free to comment below, on facebook, tweet back or simply email me at jeanne@shopsweetthings.com. And if you ever need a favor, I am happy to return one, just ask! :)

Thank you all in advance and happy May Day! xo Jeanne

Pretty image via Studio Sweet Studio. 

This may or may not be my wish list for Mother’s Day, not that I’m expecting or anything…. :) Either way, I can’t seem to get enough of black + white lately, especially with a little pop of color or some bling. It is très chic!

1. leather coin purse 2. sheepskin rug (love the mix, so unique!!) 3. kohl slippers 4. sage & zinc hydrating facial cream 5. slim notebook 6. number one sunglasses (these finally came in black!) 7. ultimate detox soap set 8. fox ink blot mug (ink blot – another one of my crazes as of late!) 

I’m out shooting another Playdate series today with this cool lady! Can’t wait to share with you another awesome mom and her tot in the city! Happy Wednesday, everyone! xo  Jeanne