M+A Edit

Designer, tastemaker, blogger, mom—Wit & Delight founder Kate Arends has had a transformative few years nurturing her St. Paul-based studio and global social following, not to mention two (very adorable) tots at home. We chatted with Arends about everything from designing with cozy corners in mind (she's a fan of Interior Define x Monica + Andy's new line of high-quality kids furniture) to her status as an 'accidental' influencer, and how you can find confidence in your work.How has your design aesthetic evolved now that you have two toddlers running...

Photo credit: Ali Stone for Nurturelife 29-weeks pregnant with lucky #3 (a boy!), Monica + Andy's Director of Events and Brand Experiences Sam Berngard is the perfect mama to kick off our new series on bump style. (She's had a minute to practice!) Sam's maternity formula: a mix of distressed jeans, fun prints, cozy jumpers, and a silk headband to tie it all together—plus a hot pink mani. Check out her week of style inspo (whether you're bumping or not!) ahead. 'Nothing I have on in this pic is maternity,...

We teach our littles how to clap their hands, hold a spoon, and roll a ball—but is there a lesson more monumental than the art of kindness? Sensitivity and empathy can be learned from an early age through actions both big and small, says Barbara Grant, a developmental specialist and Founder of Nudge and Cradle in Washington DC. 'What's most helpful is to be intentional as you talk about, teach, and model these ideas.' (Research shows infants as young as eight-months-old can display precursors to empathy, like showing concern if...

Postpartum doulas—caregivers trained to ‘mother the mother’ after birth— are becoming a popular solution to those frenzied first few weeks with a newborn. Wondering if they’re worth the investment? Read on. Postpartum traditions around the globe tend to be remarkably more mom-friendly than they are in the US—new moms in Latin American culture, for example, spend the first 40 days after birth healing and resting while her female family members feed and bathe her, clean the house, and take care of the child. In the US, moms often feel the...

From its preppy boutiques to vibrant row houses and study-friendly cafes, Georgetown gives off a sophisticated vibe, but this historic neighborhood happens to be super kid friendly—so long as you know the right places to look! We tapped M+A friends Crystal Bowyer, President and CEO of the National Children's Museum, and Hilary Eldridge, Partner at Achilles PR, to show us around their favorite kid-friendly spots.Crystal's PicksCrystal Bowyer and her son Preston, 4-years-old @crystalbowyerPizza Paradiso This place is our son's favorite family fun night. The pizza is great—even to my Chicagoan...

“I tell women that whole ‘you can have it all’ — mmm, nope. Not at the same time — that’s a lie. It’s not always enough to lean in, because that s--- doesn’t work.” Michelle Obama’s super candid take on the work/life struggle during her recent book tour resonated deep with employed mamas across the country—perfect balance is, womp womp, a pipe dream. But as more and more high-achieving women search for mom/job harmony, flexible work schedules seem to be a step in the right direction. Whether it’s the option...

Moms and coffee are a pretty perfect pair (cue the “may your coffee be stronger than your toddler” memes)—especially because java contains chemical compounds that research suggests can lower your risk of certain diseases. But there’s a buzzy (literally), supercharged version of coffee called mushroom coffee (stick with us here) that’s supposed to boost your focus and energy, thanks to the inclusion of nontoxic healing herbs called adaptogens. Foods like ginseng, rhodiola rosea (golden root) and certain mushrooms all fall under the adaptogen umbrella, and fans believe they boost your...

Welcome to The Delivery Room Dish—a place for new moms to spill on the highs, lows, and nitty gritty of giving birth. What you'll learn: there's no one 'right' way to have a baby, the delivery room is full of choices (even when labor doesn't go as planned), and every mom's got a birth story worth sharing. Up next: Kate Levinson, Founder of Levinson Locations in Chicago, who gave birth to her daughter Minette in January. I realized labor was starting when: The bed felt wet about midnight. I was...

Read about what our blog editor—and other mamas who've struggled with colicky babies—wish they would have known at the time. It was our second week home from the hospital when it started—the incessant, purple-faced, sweaty wails coming from our newborn. He’d switch off between sleeping and fussing (like all new babies) during the day, but once 5 p.m. hit, he let it rip at the top of his lungs straight through midnight before finally passing out from exhaustion. This happened every. single. night.Colic nearly broke me—and if you’ve had a...

Welcome to The Delivery Room Dish—a place for new moms to spill on the highs, lows, and nitty gritty of giving birth. What you'll learn: there's no one 'right' way to have a baby, the delivery room is full of choices (even when labor doesn't go as planned), and every mom's got a birth story worth sharing. Up next: The Everygirl and The Everymom co-founder Danielle Moss, who gave birth to her daughter Margot in July.I realized labor was starting when: I was actually induced on my due date, so...