In Praise of Meghan, Harry and the Royal Baby

Royal Baby Royal BabyToday is a big day for us commoners, friends!! As Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrate one week since welcoming their first child, the ever-adorable Archie, it’s also been one week since we got our first glimpse of the royal baby in the form of those first photos!

Along with the rest of the world, my heart melted when I saw those photos. The little cap on Archie’s little head! His little nose! Everything…was…just…so…adorable. But perhaps more than the sheer adorableness of it all, I love how these photos signal a change for the Royal Family. Ever since Meghan and Harry got married, they haven’t been shy about letting the world know that they’re going to do things their way, so it’s no surprise that these first photos of the royal baby seem to tell us one thing: It’s a new era for the royals!

Yes, a new era, indeed! One that skirts tradition in favor of being more modern — like how they chose to skip the traditional hospital photos in favor of some quiet family time in the hours following Archie’s birth.

Royal Baby Plus, I can’t be the only one who is in love with the fact that it’s Harry, not Meghan, who is holding Archie in those first photos. With royal births, we’re so used to seeing the mother holding the baby while a smiling husband is standing at her side. Yet, in keeping with doing things their way, here we have Harry holding Archie! It’s a wonderful message and sentiment for 2019 — one that shows men that it’s OK to challenge those masculine stereotypes and be vulnerable.

They’re setting an example for the next generation, and, as you can imagine, I’m here for it! So much! As The Daily Beast put it…

“Though Markle stroked Archie’s head while she spoke in a low, measured voice to reporters, she silently broke another royal tradition. In the past while leaving the hospital, Kate Middleton has held her children with Prince Williams standing at her side. Diana cradled her sons, too. But Harry held his baby with confidence, two days in and now a smooth professional.”

Aren’t these photos sweet, friends?? What do you think of the name Archie? Even that sounds modern, if you ask me!! Here’s to a future with a more modern monarchy… xoxo

P.S. My Open Letter to Prince George back in 2013…

[Photos by Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty Images]

Sponsor Spotlight: IDoBliss

They say that presentation is key, and that’s never been more true than when it comes to invitations. Gone are the days of boring, plain and simple invitations. It’s time to say hello to a new generation of ones that pop, fun and unbelievably eye-catching. Perhaps no one knows that better than Laura from IDoBliss, an Etsy shop full of all sorts of invitations for every occasion — everything from weddings to bridal showers to baby showers to save-the-dates; there are also a variety of gorgeous stationery sets to choose from! All the invitations are handmade, and Laura describes her shop as a place “where creativity with paper prevails!” Read on for the scoop on what led Laura to open her shop, her love of stationery and her tips for the perfect invitation! xoxo

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Tell me about IDoBliss. What’s the inspiration behind its launch?
I have always been a creative person and especially in regards to paper, crafts and scrapbooking. I began creating designs for many family and friends’ events and special occasions even as a teen. I worked as a microbiologist for a medical device company for many years, but was looking for a change. My goal switched to a career in forensics, so I began seeking out a new career path. In 2005, I chose to strike out on my own and start a custom design business, and at the same time, my dream forensics job came calling. I became a wife, a forensic scientist, an entrepreneur and a mom all within a few years. I have since then mastered juggling all these exciting facets of my life. I am still solving crimes with fingerprint analysis, and creating invitations for brides around the world.

When did you become interested in stationery and design, particularly in wedding stationery?
In 2003, I decided to create my own wedding invitations and the obsession began. I really enjoy using different papers, ribbons and embellishments to create something unique and unlike any other type of card available to brides. My handmade pieces are truly pieces of art, and each item is hand assembled by my hands — and so I take great pride in my items and work.

Why do you think the perfect piece of stationery/invitation is so important?
Setting the tone for your wedding is crucial. I believe that people still enjoy receiving mail in general, and when a wedding invitation shows up, in between the ads and bills, there is a level of excitement that still exists. With all the technology in today’s world, receiving an actual physical invitation is still important and necessary. I don’t think we should give this up quite yet for the ease of simplicity or cost. Especially when we are celebrating one of the most special events in a lifetime, a wedding invitation should capture the romance, love and anticipation of the upcoming day — and emanate that to their loved ones.

What are you top 3 tips for the perfect invite?
1. Have a budget and a specific color palate
2. Use a variety of textures and paper sheens
3. Adding embellishments such as ribbons, shells, crystals or feathers will help the invitation stand out from the rest

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?
I have a lot of favorites, but right now, my favorite piece is the Gatsby wedding invitation. I just adore the bright color combination of blues and purples, and it literally makes my brain want to get up and start swing dancing! This invitation has a touch of glitter gold, which is a new color through my supplier, Envelopments. The peacock feather adds that touch of class, and I like the fonts and layout as they are not ordinary.

Your Name Today

Ever wonder what your name would be if you were born today? Well, I may or may not have gotten a bit obsessed with this neat popular name generator that compares the popularity of your name today with its status the year you were born. For example, just take a look at my findings for my family…

*Melissa (5th most popular girl’s name in 1981): My name today would be Ava


*Sharon (13th most popular girl’s name in 1956): My mom’s name today would be Avery


*Janelle (188th most popular girl’s name in 1985): My sister’s name today would be Harmony


*Brian (74th most popular boy’s name in 1951): My father’s name today would be Jason

How cool is that? What year were you born and how popular was your name? Also, what would your name be today? Does it suit you? Why or why not? And just for fun, what is your all-time favorite name? xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

4 Things All Mothers Should Know

I started thinking about this post last week to coincide with Mother’s Day, and although the holiday has come and gone, I’d like to think there’s no expiration date on these four little nuggets. After all, words from the heart are always welcome and appreciated, right? As daughters, we look to our mothers as both a role model and a friend. We listen (or at least try to…) to every pearl of wisdom, each piece of advice and all those important warnings about life. We try to take everything in as best as we can, and as we get older, it’s important to thank our moms. To offer them a little reassurance for all those years of reassurance that they gave us. So, listen up, Moms of the World! Here are four things we want you to know…

1. We think you’re pretty darn cool: With our terrible teen years behind us, we’ve realized that you never actually stopped being cool. We just became goth and moody. Sorry about that.

2. We’re still listening: I know it may seem like we don’t need your advice anymore, but I can guarantee we do. In fact, I think we’ll always need it. And chances are, you’ll also always be that little voice we hear in the back of our heads. That’s OK. We actually wouldn’t have it any other way.

3. We still want to make you proud: The older I get (I’ll be 34 in August!), the more I’m realizing that wanting your parents’ approval is something you never really outgrow. You always want to “do right” by them, whether you’re 6 or 66.

4. We’ll always love you: You’ve protected us as only a mama bear could and made sure we knew just how loved we were, so I hope you know that we’ll always do the same for you.

A BIG thanks to Moms everywhere! We certainly wouldn’t be who we are without you! You did a pretty darn good job! xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

10 Answers From My Mother

On Tuesday, I posed these 10 questions to my mother in an effort to get to know her better. Her hopes. Her dreams. Her advice to my generation. And in typical Ms. Bear fashion, she wasn’t shy about unleashing her thoughts. Take a look at her answers…

1. What’s your fondest memory from childhood?
My fondest memory from childhood has to be going on a two-week vacation every summer to Pentwater, Michigan. My dad cooked pancakes every single morning! We swam until we could swim no more. There were 72 steps leading from our cabin to the beach and we were up and down them all day.

2. How has your mother influenced your life?
My mother influenced my life in every single way. She was both a role model and a friend to me. I miss her every day and I still, to this day, ask myself, “What would my mother do?”

3. Did you always want to be a mom? Why?
I wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I had Melissa’s name picked out when I was still a kid myself.

4. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about my past it would have to be that I would slow down and appreciate every little minute of every day. I would have put that newspaper down in the mornings when I was visiting my parents and really listened to what they had to say!

5. What is one thing you’d like to say to today’s generation?
To today’s generation…..It’s not all about you!!!

6. What’s the biggest lesson marriage taught you?
The biggest lesson marriage taught me is you have to compromise!!!

7. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Was it worth it?
The most adventurous thing I ever did was survive after Brian died. I never thought I could do it and I did! It was totally worth it, to reclaim my own life and carry on.

8. If you could go back to any stage of motherhood, where would you go and why?
If I could go back to any stage of motherhood (and believe me, I wouldn’t!) it would be when Melissa was 10 and Janelle 6. Wonderful family times!

9. What was your #1 fear as a new mother? Your #1 joy?
My number one fear as a new mom was that I would do something wrong. My number one joy was holding the girls as they slept.

10. What is one thing you’d like to ask your daughters?
One thing I would like to ask my daughters is, “Are you ok? Was I a good mom?“

**Response from Melissa: Ms. Bear, you are THE BEST MOM EVER!!! Don’t ever forget that. I am grateful for you each and every day! xoxo