Motherhood with Olivia Capone Myers

These motherhood interviews have been an amazing source of tips, words of assurance, and good daily reminders for me and all of the other new mamas out there! Olivia immediately came to mind when selecting women to interview- she is the Style Director over at Destination Maternity, and I’ve gotten to know her through this blog and the Glitter Guide. She is also the woman behind Destination Maternity’s blog- Cravings. I had a feeling that Olivia would have great insight into how to find balance as a working mother, and I was totally right! Read the interview below to hear from a woman who knows how to have a successful career both in the office as a Style Director, and at home as a mom. 

Do you have any tips, tricks or advice that helped get you through your pregnancy?

I truly believe that wearing clothing designed especially for your growing body is crucial during pregnancy. The best part of my pregnancy was getting to style my bump and wearing clothing that fit me well and was comfortable made me feel a lot better! I recommend shopping for maternity clothing early in your 2nd trimester since you’ll be able to wear the clothing longer. Designer jeans, layering tees, dresses and bras can all be worn throughout your pregnancy. I also recommend taking tons of photos to document your pregnancy and getting lots of rest before baby arrives!

What were your favorite products to use while pregnant? 

I started using Basq Skincare body oils and Mega Moisture Cream during my pregnancy and still do today. I was also a huge fan of Mama Mio’s Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter and Boob Tube and can say I have no stretch marks! When I was pregnant, I became super sensitive to what I was putting on and in my body, so I tweaked my beauty routine and tried to ditch the harsh formulas. I still use many of the same products now.

What websites, blogs, books or apps do you like to read/use about motherhood or kid/baby? 

As Editor-in-Chief of Destination Maternity’s Cravings Blog and social media, I am constantly online! Some of my favorites sites for moms-to-be (besides our blog of course!) are Cricket Circle, Baby Center (hello, the Track Your Baby’s Development emails are awesome!) The Hive and Mother. I am also a huge fan of Chriselle Lim’s blog, The Chriselle Factor, for her gorgeous take on fashion, beauty, travel and motherhood.

Favorite places to shop for kid & baby? 

Tea Collection, Mini X Style and Vans Kids have been my go-to for my son Greyson. I found the greatest rompers for Grey when he was an infant in amazing colors and prints at Tea Collection! Mini X Style is another sweet online destination for cool graphic tees. But Vans has the ultimate cool-kid sneakers!

How do you find balance in your day now that you’re a mom? 

I try for as much balance as possible but honestly, I have yet to find the perfect equilibrium and I’m not sure it’s even really possible. As a working mom, my day to day tasking is constantly changing. I have found that sticking to a daily routine works best for me. I think that in striving for balance, a mom must know herself and what works best for her. For instance, I am a morning person; at the end of the day, my brain is mush, so I try to get most of my work, scheduling and errands completed early on. It affords me some free time on nights and weekends to relax and recharge, or for anything unexpected that may arise like last minute packing for a business trip, car troubles or an impromptu pediatrician appointment.

What aspect of motherhood made you most nervous? 

My son was fussy as a newborn and I worried that I wasn’t doing the little things right like changing his diaper or rocking him to sleep. When I couldn’t soothe him immediately, I would think, “What am I doing wrong?” Now I know that it was just a phase and not to be so hard on myself.

How has being a mom changed your personal style and beauty routine?

My personal style hasn’t really changed; I still opt for a modern look that balances hard and soft. I do, however, wear a lot more casual clothing on nights and weekends when I’m with my son. I live in easy tees, menswear inspired button-ups and boyfriend jeans. As far as my beauty routine, I am more conscious of the harsh chemicals that turn up in products and opt for natural products when I can. I love The Honest Company, especially the sunscreen stick spf 30, which is convenient for keeping on hand all throughout summer.

How do you treat yourself and relax? 

Manicures, massages and brunch with my girlfriends! Sometimes my schedule is so hectic, it’s hard to schedule in me time let alone girlfriend time. But, I always feel so recharged after an hour at the spa or after lunch with my friends. I believe it’s crucial to step away from daily responsibilities for some personal time. Sometimes I even steal away for twenty minutes at home just to read a book or soak in the bath.

What’s the best piece of advice you can think of for a new mother? 

It is ok to NOT feel fabulous every second of every day with your newborn! It’s just NOT realistic. There is this stigma to savor every moment, as if every moment is amazing, when in reality, sometimes being a new mom is so hard, and that’s ok! Don’t feel badly for having a bad day.