Building Confidence In Our Littles

Confidence is a big part of how and who our children grow to be. I love that we have a fairly confident child, but not every child is and sometimes, I wonder how we can build up or continue an already growing confidence. I'm sharing 5 of the ways we choose to build confidence with a little in our home.

Surround them with positivity.

It's kind of common sense that anyone, of any age, thrives when surrounded by positivity versus negativity. Minis should be in and around people or places that are positive. Think people that tell them "yes" or "you can do it" and places that encourage them to exercise their growing independence.

Praise both efforts and successes.

Efforts need praising just as much as successes do. Of course, children need to know how they can do something better or that they've not quite got it yet but it's crucial they feel they're "getting close" or that they've "almost" got it. Constructive praise is just as effective, while building up the confidence that they are at least making progress.

Let them help.

Letting children help you, is far more powerful than we often give thought to. Being allowed to help screams "you can do it/they think I can do it," without even having to say it. For minis that are still really small (like our guy) helping with things such as; bringing items down the hallway, putting toys in the bath, throwing clothes in the laundry, or grabbing things out of the fridge are easy and fairly risk-free.

Encourage them to try.

We can all remember a time where we really didn't want to try something, maybe out of fear or nerves, and our parents pushing or "forcing" us too. ENCOURAGING children to do something in a softer manner can really make them feel brave and confident enough to give it a go. Often, once tried, they will feel confident in themselves to do it again without being prompted.

Monkey see.

Much of what our children are willing to do for themselves, are things they've witnessed us do. This applies to both things we want them to do, as well as otherwise. R's newest obsession is trying to plug iPhone chargers into everything from the fridge to his teddy bear. Safety plug have been installed generously. But when we want him to build up confidence in doing something, especially something he might be a little resistant to at first, I try to remember that if he sees me doing it or I offer to do it by his side, he soon grows the confidence to do it himself.

Details (mama): boots (similar) | ankle skinnies | blouse | kimono blazer | denim jacket.

(babe): sneakers | khaki skinnies | chambray tee | infinity scarf.

As much as we need to work on telling ourselves, "actually - I can," on a regular basis, we need to instil it in our children as well.

"To raise a child who is comfortable enough to leave you, means you've done your job. They are not ours to keep, but ours to teach how to soar on their own."

XO, Olivia Murray.

Friday Five: Ways You're Wrecking Your Skin

We all want to "love the skin we're in," but more often than not we don't even realize that we're actively doing things that work against putting our best face forwards. While the list is somewhat endless, of things you can do to damage your skin, today I've compiled my list of most commonly made no-no's when it comes to unseen habits behind ruining that selling feature.

1. Nighttime Neglect. Probably of the most frequently made mistakes but also one of the most damaging ones, is going to bed wearing your daytime cosmetics. Makeup sits on your face and collects dirt all day long. Why prolong it's removal for another 6-12 hours? Take it off as soon as your day's over. A quick task with long term benefits. Makeup clogs your pores, preventing them from being able to breathe which in turn maximizes them and can eventually age you. Regardless of what your pre-bedtime routine consists of, it's the accumulation of what your skin consists of that repeatedly touches your pillow that's an issue. Even a freshly washed face each night, is bound to give off some oil or sweat while sleeping, which is why pillow cases need to be washed every 1-2 weeks (at longest) to avoid unconsciously clogging your pores.

2. Embracing The Heat. Too hot of showers and too many rays. We all love the heat. But that doesn't necessarily mean your skin does too! Showers and sunshine are two of the most commonly forgotten source of damage to the skin. There is a misconception that hot showers are pore opening and cleansing. However, a shower/bath that's too hot can actually work in reverse - eliminating the healthy, moisturizing components of your skin such as your body's natural oils which help it from drying out. And then there's sunscreen. Relatively self-explanatory. Sun burns. Sun spots. Wrinkles. You name it, it's not nice - especially when it's every bit preventable. Opt for makeup containing an SPF or if it's not too much to ask? Just go the distance and apply actual sunscreen. Liberally.

3. Touching your face. Hands off! No seriously. It might not cross your mind but every time you pick at, scratch, rub, touch, or rest your hands on your face you're passing of (bad) oils, dirt, bacteria, and other face damaging nastiness as well as risking scarring, inflamed skin, irritation/reaction, or flaring a breakout. Don't touch and if you have to? Try to remember to clean your hands before doing so.

4. Lack of Essentials. Hydration. Produce. Sleep. Without all of the above, you're asking for skin that's dried out, glow free, and colourless. Fluid intake as well as a good moisturizing agent will help your skin shine and maintain it's elasticity (no lines). When it comes to food, produce (fruits and vegetables) are jam packed with antioxidants, natural sugars, and a ton of vitamins that promote a healthy colour with or without makeup. After a day of remembering those agents, you need enough sleep. Inadequate rest can deprive you of your skin's dewiness and replace it with dreaded dark spots.

5. Sticking To One Product. I fall in love and rave about products just as much as the next girl does but one product will no suffice. There is no one product that can take you through every day, each season, every weather. Some occasions call for more moisturizing, some a toner, and some days you just need something light and airy when your skin needs a break. Over using one product can be really aggressive on your cells, so choose a variety of products with different components (find a line you love and see if they offer an array of options for numerous needs). 

If it seems like a lot to remember, fear not. Practice implementing one thing at a time. It will soon become habit and before you know it, you'll be subconsciously living a dermo-friendly lifestyle.

Happy Weekend!

XO, Olivia Murray.

Friday Five: Acne Fighting Foods

Let's be real, there's fewer things more annoying than facial flaws and stocking your bathroom like a pharmacy of products, only to receive minimal results. It's not so cliche when said that "beauty is from within." On a completely literal level, it's actually all too true. What's inside our bodies generally comes out one way or another. Whether you have glowing skin genes or are less fortunate there are some tried and true consumables that don't require a trip to that hole in the wall Asian market or overpriced naturopath's.

• • •

Watermelon.

A high consumption of watermelon is an easy, summery way to achieving dewy, glowing, and radiant skin. It only makes sense that such a fruit, composed primarily of water, would leave skin more hydrated but that's not all. Watermelon (in full fruit or juice form) is proven to aid acne - including but not limited to pimples/whiteheads/blackheads, as well as prevent or limit skin issues such as acne scaring, red blotches, dark circles and even wrinkles. A childhood favourite but full of Vitamin A, B, and C, mineral water, and two skin friendly compounds "Lycopene" and "Citrulline" that your adult skin will adore.

Avocado.

Not just a California favourite or growing trend on restaurant menus. Avocado is commonly known for it's "good fats" which already increases it's female fan base but it's also very rich in both Vitamins C and E - reducing skin inflammation, increasing skin's vitality and acting as a natural moisturizer.

Brown Rice.

A super simple swap when cooking your favourite rice incorporated meal at home and a growing option if asked for at your favourite oriental take-out spot. It's widely known that choosing anything whole grain over "bleached" or white is the smarter choice but you can feel even better about your meal knowing that brown rice is a source of protein, magnesium,  antioxidants, and best of all? Vitamin B, which acts as a stress reliever and regulating the accompanying hormones that come along with such life dilemmas. 

Berries.

The perfect fix to replace a sweet or sugary craving. Berries are absolutely full of flavour and crammed with acne fighting, skin repairing, toxin preventing antioxidants. Although any berry consumption is a step in the right direction, the full benefits come from those that are fresh not frozen or preserved.

Chocolate.

That's right! Go loco for cocoa. Okay. Well it might not be that simple! Dark chocolate and (high flavanol) cocoa powder however, will give you the luxury of having a guilt free pleasure that your skin can "thank you" for at the same time. Both are full of natural plant compounds with heavy antioxidant properties, which promote circulation and skin hydration. Problems with rough, dry, or scaly skin? Find moderation in consumption, given that each piece of solid chocolate comes with calorie intake but treat yourself - and your skin.

"The only beauty I know is health."
( – Heinrich Heine)

Happy weekend-ing.
XO, V.