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Alivia Simone Bristol Wool Dress :: A Darling Look for the Dreary Weather #Review #Giveaway

November 19, 2015 By Deb B. 37 Comments

Living on an island, the weather is all over the place. Yesterday, it was remarkably sunny and beautiful. The day before, there was a 90% chance of drizzle, with a 10% chance of everything else. Today – it’s just cold. But not quite cold enough to throw on our puffy jackets. Darn it. We love our puffy jackets.

In any event, Little Mama and I decided to spend some good ol’ fashioned one-on-one time together. Unlike most days of rushing around doing drop offs and pick ups, appointments here and playdates there – today, was one of those rare occasions where we had the flexibility to sit back, hold hands, and enjoy a good sesh of people watching over a cup of yummy hot chocolate. Side note: Big Mama likes to throw in a couple counting and alphabet exercises in between hot cocoa sips – but it’s so brilliantly subtle, she doesn’t even notice she’s actually learning something.

Back to my date with my mini-me. Days like this, we both agree, it’s best to put on our ladies-who-lunch winter wear. It’s not cute to be shivering in the corner of a quaint cafe, sporting a short sleeve with capris, wishing we brought our blankets and ear muffs. But it sure is faboosh to throw on our most luxurious plaid wool dress, and some fun accessories to match.

And faboosh, are we.

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

We love to stay warm and cozy, even at the risk of the sun peeking out (that’s what layers are for, right?). Big Mama always has an extra set of play clothes in the car, so we’re prepared for any extreme weather shift. But today, we knew it was going to be a special day. We made a firm decision to take a break from our typical itinerary of finger painting and jumping in mud puddles, essentially committing to a luxurious day of cozy wool and all around fabulousness.

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

We are in love with the Bristol Wool Dress from our friends at Alivia Simone. Like all of their designs, this piece boasts of a contemporary silhouette made only of the best quality wool mix, splashed with a warm and inviting color palette – keeping in trend, flirting with classic sophistication, but ultimately saturated with youthful play.

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

We are especially thrilled that it comes with front welt pockets, where Little Mama can hide some of her most beloved treasures. This comes in handy as she reveals the rocks she discovered along the way from the car to the cafe, which she conveniently stores in her super cool pockets. It also keeps her little hands warm as we brave the crisp weather, bearing a striking resemblance to Big Daddy (who coincidentally, cannot live without pockets).

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

And how chic are these faux leather accents? We patted our backs with the flawless pairing of pleather accent tuxedo leggings. It was a match made in microfashion heaven.

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

The USA manufactured Bristol Wool Dress is made comfortable and functional. We love the texture and overall feel of this design – lightweight and soft to the touch. With a little lady who is extra sensitive to virtually anything that touches her skin, comfort and a delicate lining is very important to us. But aside from how practical and comfortable it is – let’s face it… this dress is beautiful.

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

Alivia Simone‘s mission is simple, “create beautiful clothes for beautiful souls.” And nothing is more beautiful than witnessing your little one owning the moment, and feeling every bit themselves in something so lovely, just as they would feel in their jammies curled up to one of their favorite bed time books.

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

Why does your little one need a luxury piece like the Bristol Wool dress for the winter? 4 reasons:

  1. It feels warm, but looks oh so cool – Like I said – the alternative is a puffy jacket. But as much as we love being swaddled by a soft layer of goose feathers, we can’t be sporting the Michelin Man look all day while sitting in a quaint cafe sipping on steamed milk, can we?
  2. For spontaneous mommy (daddy) and me dates – I think it’s safe to assume, that most of our kiddos have drawers filled with everyday play wear. They need at least one piece that sticks out of the cottons. Occasions like a special date with their favorite grown up calls for a versatile piece that makes them feel comfy and fab.
  3. In some places, they will get at least half a year’s worth of wear out of it – Sure, this isn’t something Little Mama would be breaking out in the scorching heat we suffer through enjoy throughout the summer months, but I am almost 100% certain we can find 8 different ways to wear this dress for 8 different winter events (a later post on that coming soon), and…
  4. It’s ridiculously adorable – I mean – seriously…

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

So what are your thoughts on us sharing some of this love with you?! “I WOOLY think so”, says Little Mama!

Together, with our friends at Alivia Simone, we are offering one of our lucky readers a chance to win their very own Bristol Wool Dress for the little lady in their lives!

:: GIVEAWAY TIME ::

Enter to win a gorgeous Alivia Simone Bristol Wool Dress from the Fall/Winter 2015 Collection! Simply fill out the form below. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

Contest closes Friday, December 4th  – at 11:59PM PST! The winner will be revealed Monday, December 7th , 2015! If you have an Instagram account, check us out at @babystylista for more ways to enter (Bonus points!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hurry and enter before the doors close in time for the holidays!    

Alivia Simone FW 2015 Bristol Wool Dress www.BABYSTYLISTA.com

Accessories :: Joe Fresh Felt Floppy hat (similar OLD ENGLAND Brown Wool Hat here)  |  Tortoise oversized sunglasses (similar Crazy 8 Tortoise Sunglasses here)  |  H&M Fringe Purse (similar Ralph Lauren Fringed Leather Cross-Body Bag here)  |  Dress :: Alivia Simone Bristol Wool Dress  |  Top :: Hot Chillys Kids Peachskin Turtleneck  |  Bottom :: Girls’ Faux Leather Tuxedo Stripe Leggings  |  Footwear :: Eddie Marc Black Boots (similar GEOX Ankle boots here)

THE LOOK:: WANT IT? GET IT!  

What are your little one’s fall/winter essentials that keep them warm and feeling fab?

It’s cool to stay warm… 

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DISCLOSURE: BABYSTYLISTA WAS PROVIDED WITH THIS PRODUCT AS A GIFT FOR LITTLE MAMA AND FOR REVIEW. ALL OPINIONS ARE OUR OWN. THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS.

Filed Under: posh play, threads for tots Tagged With: Alivia Simone, Baby, bristol wool, children's wear, fashionista, kidswear, luxury, microfashion, preschooler, Toddler, wool dress

About Deb B.

Deb Balino is the voice behind Sass & Smalls, host of the newly launched Podcast - Sass & Small Talk, and a mom of two - an artistic and quirky 11-year-old, and an outspoken, homewrecking, retro music loving, 4-year-old. A décor and style enthusiast, as well as a home systems hack creator, with a mildly concerning obsession of all things "bin-worthy", Deb enjoys sharing products, experiences, progressive ideas, and simple shifts in mindset that has helped her family navigate the beautiful chaos of parenting. Deb is also a homeschool teacher, partially by choice, partially pandemic-inspired, while advocating and caring for her parents as an active member of the Sandwich Generation. With vulnerability, and a dash of humour - she shares the reality of her world, all while keeping things as sassy as they once were before the drool, meltdowns, and potty mishaps entered the picture.

Her creative ideas, lengthy storytelling, and everyday musings have been featured on Huffington Post, Yahoo Style, BBC News, and YMC.CA

Comments

  1. Anne Taylor says

    November 19, 2015 at 9:23 am

    One of my granddaughters has a super soft and cushy scarf and glove set that she just loves
    Reply
  2. manda says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    Comfy jacket.
    Reply
  3. Little Miss Kate says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    I love the pockets on the dress, it is just too cute!
    My DS is all about the hoodies this fall.
    Little Miss Kate recently posted…Learning More About The People Who Spend More Time With Our Kids Then We DoMy Profile
    Reply
  4. Brandee H says

    November 19, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    My little one loves hats!! And is way too picky about his shoes!
    Reply
  5. Shoshana says

    November 19, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    My daughters love their cozy hats and mittins!
    Reply
  6. Suzanne G says

    November 19, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    My granddaughter has cute boots and a great parka that help keep her warm and looking styling in the winter.
    Reply
  7. Lindsay says

    November 19, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    My daughter is only 4 months old, so she’s in pajamas and PADRAIGS! Padraig slippers are her wardrobe staple.
    Reply
  8. Bailey Dexter says

    November 19, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Well if you asked her she would say it’s her purse! But I know she loves the plaid dress coat.
    Reply
  9. Merry120 says

    November 19, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    Do they make this in big sizes? Because I think I would ROCK it. She is so cute (just like her mama).
    Merry120 recently posted…How to Keep Holiday Gift Giving From Turning You Into a GrinchMy Profile
    Reply
  10. Ladena says

    November 19, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    That dress is GORGEOUS! Wow. I want one in my size! Your little mama wears it well. I love the big hat and sunglasses. It really completes the look!
    Ladena recently posted…Dream Big with Flipsies Playsets by Vtech #MBSGiftGuideMy Profile
    Reply
  11. Caroline M. says

    November 19, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    My daughter has beautiful lined jeans that keep her warm & cute.
    Reply
  12. Aeryn Lynne says

    November 20, 2015 at 8:54 am

    LOVING Little Mama’s fashion sense, that dress is gorgeous WOW!

    For my nephew, right now all I can think are gloves for an essential, since he somehow left his behind for school, doh. *facepalm* Thinking on it, he definitely needs a new pair of killer boots as well, lol.
    Aeryn Lynne recently posted…15 of the Best Geek Gifts and Stocking Stuffers for 2015My Profile

    Reply
  13. Randa @ TBK says

    November 20, 2015 at 9:11 am

    I love this look! Perfect for winter 🙂 Such a stylist icon 🙂
    Randa @ TBK recently posted…10 Reasons Why The Dyson V6 Absolute Rocks My SocksMy Profile
    Reply
  14. Elizabeth L says

    November 20, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    Both my girls are definitely into their cute hat and mitten sets! LOVE this dress, it’s amazing!
    Elizabeth L recently posted…Kid Friendly Slow Cooker WassailMy Profile
    Reply
  15. Doris H says

    November 21, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    Scarf, hat, gloves
    Reply
  16. Holly MacRitchie says

    November 21, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    My niece loves to wear leg warmers!
    Reply
  17. Melanie Morin says

    November 21, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Since we live in so cal just a warm jacket is usually enough in the winter
    Reply
  18. Elizabeth Matthiesen says

    November 22, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    here the most important thing is warm winter boots, mitts, scarf, hat and jacket!
    Reply
  19. Laurie P says

    November 22, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    Some warm stylish boots are a must! My girl is fascinated with footwear!
    Reply
  20. Cheryl says

    November 22, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    For our girls they just love scarves and short boots!! 🙂
    Reply
  21. Crystal Porter says

    November 22, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Scarf, hat and mittens. A nice sweater is great too.
    Reply
  22. Tammy says

    November 23, 2015 at 8:49 am

    a pair of fleece lined Tights!
    Tammy recently posted…Farmers Branch Aquatics Center – #FBh2oMy Profile
    Reply
  23. Jenny Major says

    November 26, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Scarf, hat and mittens.
    Reply
  24. ivy pluchinsky says

    November 26, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    my niece stays warm with warm boots and sweaters
    Reply
  25. Viv Sluys says

    November 27, 2015 at 5:54 am

    Lately my 3 year old has been all about her pink velour sweatpants and her pink long sleeve turtle neck (the turtle neck is pretty low as far as they go). My 5 year old is all about layering tights/leggings with shorts. My 7 year old tends to layer her tops more than the bottoms but she is more about comfort than style in these cold months!
    Reply
  26. nicolthepickle says

    November 27, 2015 at 11:18 am

    My kids wear lots of leggings with “dancy” dresses over top.

    I love her style. It’s perfect.

    Reply
  27. Gillian Morgan says

    November 27, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    Sophie has got to have a nice hat and a scarf and mittens that match. She also has to have her UGGs and her pink coat.
    Reply
    • Bonnie Way says

      November 28, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      What an adorable dress! Right now my girls are all about their hats. 🙂
      Reply
  28. Tricia Hope says

    November 28, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    Last Christmas I came arms loaded with gifts and books for my grand daughter.I also got her a few cute outfits for which she abandoned her toys to try on.I got her the cutest pink fuzzy vest that her Mom curses me for I’m sure everyday.It is all she ever wants to wear.
    Reply
  29. Deborah Mullan says

    December 3, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Annabelle needs this dress!
    Reply
  30. Jennifer Estaris says

    December 3, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Gorgeous wool dress! We have a pretty Oilily coat that’s themed to Alice in Wonderland that I cannot wait for my 2 year old to use when it gets colder.
    Reply
  31. Melanie says

    December 3, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    My little one loves her patent leather boots for Fall/Winter. Sorels for this girl? No way!
    Reply
  32. Jacqueline Ngo says

    December 3, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    My lil one loves to keep warm with my infinity scarfs and tall boots and white knitted gloves! She likes scarves because she wants to be like her mommy and thinks it’s hilarious so I always am happy to share my stuff with her! She also always have to have her sunglasses too because it’s “sunny outside!” Haha. She’s so practical!
    Reply
  33. Katie says

    December 4, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Socks and boots are a must to keep my little ones toes warm. But this dress! I must win! 👍😄 thank u
    Reply
  34. Kitty says

    December 4, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    A cute sweater with a matching pair of gloves and a hat!
    Reply
  35. Megan says

    December 4, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    My girls live in their Peekaboo beans “frozen” jackets with faux fur , knit headbands and emu boots & no name rubber boots with hunter boot socks when not playing in the snow 🙂
    Reply
  36. Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo says

    December 7, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Your beautiful girl is growing up so quickly! Time flies when you’re having fun. Thinking of you.

    Besos, Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo
    Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo recently posted…Discover all that the Outaouais Region Has to Offer You and Your Family #travelMy Profile

    Reply

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🎙 Podcast Host
TELUS TV STORYHIVE/Community Advocate for the overwhelmed parent, the invisible load they carry, & helping them get their ‘sass’ back.

It takes a village. … to bring a vision, a song, It takes a village. 

… to bring a vision, a song, a rebrand to life. 

Everyone celebrates the finished product

But I wanted to celebrate the people who helped create it.

This music video may have my face & voice on it, but it belongs to so many incredible people who gave their time, talent, encouragement and 💗.

From @jakerfilms, who completed 2 seasons of Sass & Small Talk with a bang, producing the most epic rebrand catapulting this whole thing - the very thing I never knew I needed.

To @eric.thebald who shared my vision & skyrocketed it to the next level.
 
To @erinbradleyartist giving my hair & face the ultimate retro beat down, reminiscent of the original Sass 👸🏻 in my life, to my fave @lindakyaw_m who challenged me out of my comfies & into my sass atw from LA 💃

to my leading ladies @rahannavu and @iamharpsra making sure I didn’t walk into a close-up with lipstick on my teeth and a shine on my nose - & hand slapping me if I so much as picked up a prop other than my mic, risking a broken nail or wasting a single breath.

@dn.gib capturing every single moment behind the scenes, so I have something to look back at when I need to remind myself how far we’ve come… 

To @rajinthehouse who proudly clapped the Film Slate like a pro / and looking darn sharp while doing so. 

An entire crew and a small and mighty team showed up simply because they believed in me.

Much more than I believed in myself. 

The laughs.

The nerves.

The tiny moments no one usually sees.

These behind-the-scenes moments are some of my favourite memories because they’re a reminder that none of us create something meaningful alone.

I’ve always said:

It takes a village to raise a child… and a community to raise a parent.

Today I’d add one more thing…

It takes a village to help someone find their sass again.

✨ Part 1

➡️ Come back for PT2 where I’ll show you how the magic came together.

🎵 Full music video available on my YouTube:
@sassandsmalls

#Sassandsmalls #bts #MusicVideo  FindYourSass CreatorLife VictoriaBC

Filmed, produced, & edited at @haus.of.owl - special TY to @remy.is.remy for having faith in what started off as a ‘crazy Deb I
Can moms chase big dreams without losing themselve Can moms chase big dreams without losing themselves… or the moments that matter most?

This conversation with the incredibly talented Nina Sinclair of @of.ocean.and.earth.photo challenged me in the best way.

We talked about motherhood, ADHD, entrepreneurship, asking for help, and redefining what success actually looks like.

Maybe “having it all” isn’t about DOING it all.

Both Nina and I learned that the hard way… and we’re sharing how, in this episode - “Modern Motherhood: Can Moms Chase Their Dreams too?”

🎧 Full episode now on YouTube. (link on stories & bio)

#WorkingMom #Mompreneur #ADHDWomen #Motherhood #WomenInBusiness ParentingPodcast VictoriaBC SassAndSmallTalk StoryHive
It’s RAW Deb again 😵‍💫😵‍💫 - sharing her early mor It’s RAW Deb again 😵‍💫😵‍💫 - sharing  her early morning ☀️POV from the trenches… 

I don’t think I’ve ever admitted this out loud…

For years, I convinced myself - I was just “busy.” And that I would be immune to consequences of my questionable habits.

But somewhere along the way…

late-night emotional eating became normal.

Four hours of sleep became normal.

Brain fog became normal.

Running on adrenaline became normal.

I wasn’t thriving.

I was surviving.

So instead of chasing another quick fix…

I decided, “Deb - enough’s enough”… 

With Jac-Lyn from @rewildfunctionalhealth, my hubby @gjavier5, my entire village of mamas and friends - at the sidelines, cheering me on and holding me accountable, It’s time to investigate: 
• My gut.
• My minerals.
• My nervous system.
• My habits.
• My faith.
• My mornings.
• The truth.

I’m not pretending to have the answers.

I’m simply inviting you to watch me find them.

Maybe you’re trying to get your ✨spark back too (@mama_brykin 😉) 

If so…

welcome.

The investigation begins.

☀️

#GettingMySassBack #MentalLoad #GutHealth #ADHDMom #MomLife Healing Journey Morning Routine Brain Fog Functional Health Victoria BC

For “Don’t Think Straight” the 📔 book, follow @jakerfilms. lotsa goodies in there…
I carried so much guilt this past year. June hit I carried so much guilt this past year.

June hit hard. Work. Caregiving. Mental load to the nth degree. End-of-school-year chaos. Health stuff. Heavy news. Financial stress. And loads of the dreaded Mama Guilt - of not being able to celebrate my son’s birthday for the 3rd year in a row due to unforeseen circumstances…

Then another mama, also tired, also busy, also carrying her own invisible load in the realm of business and caregiving, invited my son to join in for her already-planned birthday celebration for HER son…

And even if he was surrounded by new faces in a higher grade - it ended up being everything my son would’ve wanted: laughter, friends - new and old, Nerf battles, a waterslide bouncy castle of his dreams, a killer last minute donut cake tower from @pacificplatterscharcuterie (Thank you to another Mama that gets it!), and memories to last a lifetime…

It reminded me of something I think many of us need to hear:

Leaning on your village doesn’t mean you failed your child.

It means you SHARED a load you were never meant to carry alone.

There is something powerful about mothers who see each other’s invisible load… and quietly decide to help carry it.

The village I needed wasn’t made up of people with more time or more energy.

Sometimes our village looks like another mom simply saying,

“Don’t worry - I gotchu. Let’s do this together.”

And that is more than enough. ❤️

Bless your big, beautiful, busy heart my friend @sarjo08 and @jasonhemz for inviting us and filling my little man’s cup at a time we weren’t as equipped to. He had a blast and absolutely loved celebrating with him and all his friends … ❤️❤️❤️
For years, I honestly thought this was just mother For years, I honestly thought this was just motherhood.

Being exhausted.
Forgetting everything.
Feeling overwhelmed.
Running on caffeine and adrenaline.
Wondering why I never quite felt like me.

A while ago I started working on my gut 🥤health, and for the first time in a long time I noticed little shifts.

• More mental clarity.
• Less brain fog.
• More creativity.
• Better stress resilience.

It made me ask a question I couldn’t stop thinking about…

What if these weren’t just personality flaws or “mom life”?

What if my body had been trying to tell me something all along?

So I’ve decided to stop guessing.

I’m working with @jac-lyn from @rewildfunctionalhealth , a functional health practitioner, to dig deeper, explore root causes, and document the entire process: the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between.

I’m calling this series “Getting My Sass Back” because that’s exactly what it feels like I’m searching for.

Not perfection.

Just me.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been living in survival mode, I hope you’ll join me.

❤️ The investigation has already begun, and continues - so be sure to subscribe on YouTube (sass and smalls). Some pretty 👀 opening stuff… 

So grateful to you @i_am_miss_jen for the impeccable matchmaking. My health thanks you… 

#GettingMySassBack #FunctionalHealth #HealthJourney GutHealth BrainFog MomLife MentalLoad HealingJourney Women’sHealth HTMATesting VictoriaBC
It happened on Autism Pride Day. — For years, we It happened on Autism Pride Day.

—

For years, we spent so much energy trying to help our daughter fit into a world that wasn’t built for her.

We chased therapies.
We chased milestones.
We chased the idea of what we thought her future was supposed to look like.

Sometimes, if I’m being completely honest, we were trying to fix things we didn’t yet understand.

We heard heartbreaking predictions.

Some professionals told us she would likely never progress beyond the abilities of a five- year-old child.

We were told to prepare for limitations.

We were told to lower our expectations.

What no one told us was that the goal was never to make her more like everyone else.

The goal was to help her find her way to HERSELF.

That shift changed everything.

Over the years, we homeschooled when it was the right fit, even when others questioned it. We searched for programs that understood her. We listened to support workers who saw her strengths. We found camps, social groups, sports programs, and communities where she wasn’t expected to fit into someone else’s mold.

And little by little, she began to thrive.

She found her voice.

She found confidence.

She found belonging.

Most importantly, she found herself.

This year, after finding a school program that truly supports her learning style and focuses on life skills, she said something I will never forget:

“I finally feel like myself, Mommy.”

Those words healed parts of my heart I didn’t even know were still holding their breath.

Because the truth is, I wasn’t waiting for her to become someone different.

I was waiting to know she would be okay.

And she is.

Autism Pride isn’t about pretending there aren’t challenges.

It’s about recognizing that autistic people don’t need to become less autistic to deserve joy, friendship, opportunity, acceptance, or love.

It’s about taking pride in who they are and embracing the community where they belong.

Today, I celebrate my daughter exactly as she is.

She has taught me more about courage, authenticity, resilience, and unconditional love than I could ever teach her.

I am so proud of her.

And if I’m honest, she’s been my teacher all along.
Nine parents. Nine very different stories. (Mine, Nine parents.

Nine very different stories.
(Mine, included).

Military/Naval families. Solo parents. Single parents. Neurodivergent & Profound Needs families. Blended families. Adoptive families. Families navigating loss, burnout, caregiving, infertility, generational trauma, and everything in between.

What surprised me most wasn’t how different we were and how different our journeys were to get here.

It was how much we SHARED in common.

❤️

Season 2 of Sass & Small Talk reminded me that behind every smile, every school drop-off, every achievement, and every family photo, there is often a story no one else can see.

And yet, somehow, we keep showing up.

So take that moment to pause, and pat yourself on the back. Better yet, hug a parent in your life, who may be carrying that invisible load too.

It’s a game changer.

@jenny_p1987 
@caarly.xo 
@westislanddesigns 
@drawnpublications 
@nikkye_music 
@of.ocean.and.earth.photo 
@mama_brykin 
@spoletinigiuseppe 
@gjavier5 

Grateful for the platform you provided for us to share our stories @telus @storyhive  @haus.of.owl
FUN FACT: making a video podcast takes slightly mo FUN FACT: making a video podcast takes slightly more than one burntout mom with a microphone and a dream. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Meet the incredible CREW behind Season 2 of @sassandsmalltalkpodcast … the people who made me LOOK good, SOUND good, stay on SCHEDULE, and reminded me to sip on my HAPPY J 🥤. 

Huge thanks to my KILLER 🔥 CREW: @jakerfilms (editor & Sass 🎵 Man/Deb whisperer), @nikkye_music (set designer & Epi 4 Guest that made me 😭), @remy.is.remy (A/V Tech/ Production/ Lifesaver), @eric.thebald (A/V Tech/ Audio Mixer/Dreammaker), @hoelune (Production Assistant/Admin/Best support evah), @gjavier5 (Production Assist/ Moral Support/Lovah ❤️), @esther.driver (Production Assist/ Keep me in check/Mama support), and @telus @storyhive for making this vision into reality.

Special thank you to, Geoff @themurdles 4 keeping this chaos👸🏻 in line, and my 2 Smallies who inspired all of this. 👶🏻👧🏻 Love u 2 the 🌓 and back ♾️.

The GUESTS are AMAZING.
The STORIES are POWERFUL.
The SET is GORG (@haus.of.owl).
And all the episodes will be ONLINE and ready to binge TOMORROW - JUNE 16, 2026 on YOUTUBE!

It takes a VILLAGE to raise a child AND a PODCAST. 🎙️

Thanks my #BTS CREW, for being mine…

Ima go and cry myself to sleep now. I’m the luckiest & most exhausted 😴 Pod-Mom Host in the 🌎. Love you all too much. 

#humbled #letsgooooo
Behind every Momfluencer… It’s still the month of Behind every Momfluencer…

It’s still the month of May, the month moms get their Hallmark spotlight - So in honour of that, I wanted to share a little story.

When I first moved from LA to Victoria as a new mom and began building my brand online from home, I struggled with finding a true sense of belonging. I never felt like I fully belonged in the “mom world”, especially in a new community, not fully in the creative world, and definitely not in the often viral-chasing digital world I could never seem to keep up with.

Ironically, I was a “part” of everything but belonged to nothing.

…or so I thought.

As I opened myself up to the many communities WITHIN my community, I realized something:

The moment I stopped trying to “fit in” and leaned into who I actually am… that’s when everything changed.

And that’s what I love most about this group of women featured by @islandparent Magazine — in all the ways we are different, we are also one and the same.

Different voices. Different lives. Different ways of showing up for the world.

But all rooted in connection, creativity, community, and a deep love for our families.

Beyond being “mamas of influence,” these women use their platforms while opening their hearts and homes.

Some share family life tips, recipes, wellness journeys, sandwich gen truths, and initiate mental health conversations.
Some inspire through faith, fashion, creativity, gardening, travel, and outdoor adventures.
Some advocate fiercely for neurodivergent children while navigating neurodivergence themselves.

Some use storytelling, humour, or podcasts 😉 to help other parents feel seen and less alone.

And somehow, in between school pickups, medical appointments, assessment forms, homemaking, caregiving, and late nights searching for a little silence and brain clarity after long days of “othering” — we are building businesses, brands, and meaningful lives for our families.

We cheer each other on. 
We lift each other up.

And in finding my place within this realm of motherhood… I found home.

“It takes a village to raise a child… and a community to raise the parent.” 

#MomsSupportingMoms #VancouverIslan
POV: You’re SUPPOSED to be working on your podcast POV: You’re SUPPOSED to be working on your podcast FULL TILT… but your ADHD brain 🧠 chimed in:

“might as well just release a whole song while we’re at it” 🤷🏻‍♀️

So now my Auntie Norma 🇵🇭 can stream me on Spotify while she washes dishes 😂 #winwin (but still… #whatjusthappened)

Meanwhile:
🏠 messy house
🎥 unfinished podcast clips
🧺 laundry mountain thriving in the background

BUT ANYWAYYYY—

🎧 “I Need My Sass Back” is now streaming on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music & everywhere you listen to music 

Your fault, @jakerfilms for writing the darn thing in the first place… 🤣 #dontthinkstraight

Full video link is in my bio if you want the whole vibe 🎬
Apparently a lot of you are confused about where/h Apparently a lot of you are confused about where/how to actually WATCH this podcast I keep talking about… 😂

So here’s how to find @sassandsmalltalkpodcast Seasons 1 & 2 on TELUS Optik TV + Stream+ Ch.9 

And yes… I said TV. 📺 
(“Mom! Look! I’m on tv!” And yes… I did that too… 🤣🤣)

**Thnx to TELUS @storyhive  for making it possible!!

And until June… it will ONLY be available to those who have @telus as their provider or have access to Stream+ & OptikTV, then it will be out in the interwebs for all to see. 👀

My little podcast-that-could is up and running, alive & streaming. Just search within the app on your TELUS TV, “StoryHive Sass”

Season 2 of Sass & Small Talk features raw, meaningful conversations with the many faces of parenthood in our beautiful city, here on Vancouver Island (and beyond), caregivers, creatives, and changemakers carrying the mental load, navigating real life parenting, with honesty and heart. I promise you won’t be disappointed…

Featuring guests including @spoletinigiuseppe, @nikkye_music, @of.ocean.and.earth.photo, and more beautiful humans this season. 

MEET MY VILLAGE… 

Be sure to watch our Music vid tribute on YouTube to all of my guests from THEIR kids and I. Find, like, & Subscribe on YouTube.com/@sassandsmalls ALSO NOW AVAILABLE On Spotify and Apple Music/Itunes! 

#ParentingPodcast #CanadianPodcast #TELUSStoryhive #NeurodivergentParenting #mentalloadofparenting
MY SURPRISE PROJECT for my Podcast Guests - with a MY SURPRISE PROJECT for my Podcast Guests - with a little help from THEIR kids.. 

I didn’t expect this to actually work…

⸻

For the past few weeks, I’ve been working quietly on something really special — a surprise for every guest who’s ever been part of @sassandsmalltalkpodcast… from my Zoom OGs - circa 2022, to my TELUS @storyhive ⁠seasons on the tube 📺, to my crew/village/emotional support squad.

What started as a gift — a piece of music from my out-of-the-box-thinker & editor @jakerfilms, turned into something SO. MUCH. MORE. MEANINGFUL.

With the help of my incredible creative village at @haus.of.owl @remy.is.remy, led by the big beautiful brain 🧠 of Eric Hinch @eric.thebald, my Director 👏🏼🎬 Hinchalot Films (www.filmnow.ca), and the talented Dan @dn.gib & @erinbradleyartist 💄, we brought it to life!

… but the part that gets me right in the gut??

THE SMALLIES…. THESE KIDS….

The very kids who made all of us parents in the first place — including mine, who aren’t normally THIS comfortable “performing” in front of a camera.

Kids who have felt burnout.
Kids who have felt misunderstood.
Neurodivergent kiddos that hold a special place in my ❤️.

Kids who showed up anyway — with courage, joy, and love — to help me create something meaningful for their parents.

And somewhere in all of this…

I found my way back to me.

Back to music.
Back to creativity.
Back to MY SASS.
‘cuz isn’t this what Sass & Small Talk is all about?

⸻

This video is for my village.
For the parents.
For the kids.
For anyone who’s ever felt like they lost a part of themselves along the way.

⸻

👉 The full video is now on YouTube at https://m.youtube.com/@sassandsmalls
(Link in bio)

** Watch and feel COMMUNITY IN ACTION. Gosh - I love you guys!

Ps… If this resonates - keep up with new episodes already streaming on TELUS STORYHIVE - by liking & Subscribing!

“Cuz it Takes a village to raise a child. 

And a community, to raise their parent”

⸻

#SassAndSmallTalk #ParenthoodUnfiltered #MentalLoad MomLife FindYourselfAgain CreativeMom Storytelling VillageSupport TELUSStoryHive @hoelune @rahannavu @iamharpsra @rajinthehouse @lindakyaw_m @nengineermom @i_am_miss_jen @esther.driver
JENN. Meet my village… There are episodes… and th JENN. Meet my village…

There are episodes…
and then there are stories that change your life forever.

This one is both.

She’s not just my guest.
She’s the woman who offered a piece of herself… when our world was falling apart.

Because of her, we have our son.
Because of her, our family feels whole. 

And watching this back—seeing her complete her family too…
full circle doesn’t even begin to cover it.

I wasn’t planning to share this moment.
But this is what this season is about.

The real stories.
The unseen moments of a mama sitting in her living room after the kids are asleep. 
The love that carries families through the unimaginable.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like behind the scenes of motherhood, loss, and rebuilding…

This episode is for you. 🤍

🎧 Episode 1 is out now. 

TELUS OptikTV StoryHive gave me the platform to share these meaningful stories. 

Because it takes a Village to Raise a child. And a community to raise their parent. 
#eggdonor #chosenfamily #infertility #ittakesavillage #mentalload
Meet My Village 🤍 IT’s LAUNCH DAY!!! Season 2 of Meet My Village 🤍

IT’s LAUNCH DAY!!!

Season 2 of Sass & Small Talk, filmed at @haus.of.owl studios, on @StoryHive, Sponsored by TELUS, IS HERE 

… and these are the faces behind the real, raw, and beautiful stories of the mental load of parenting.

From Victoria, and beyond, each guest shares how they carry it all… and keep showing up.

Featuring a very special first episode close to my heart… and a full-circle finale with a dear childhood friend now gracing the stages of NYC - you won’t want to miss.

🎬 Watch now on TELUS Optik TV (Channel 9 On Demand) + Stream+

Let’s support local stories, local voices, and the village that holds us all.

Because it takes a village to raise a child… and a community to raise their parent.

#SassAndSmallTalk #StoryHive #MeetMyVillage
Easter used to feel like pressure: The perfect m Easter used to feel like pressure: 

The perfect meal. 
The perfect table. 
The kids sitting through the meal and actually eating it. 
The food not burning.

And somehow… still ending the day exhausted, touched out, and a little resentful… 

This year, I let go. I had no choice… with the launch of the new season on the pod, I had to choose my battles…

My 7-year-old — my busy, high-energy, “maybe not spaghetti” kid — decided he was making “superrrrr spaghetti.”
His way. 
His ideas. 
His “special ingredients.”

Was it messy? Yep.
Was it chaotic? Absolutely.
Was it perfect? Not even close.

But something shifted.

He took ownership.
He created.
He plated dinner like a little chef with a vision (volcano spaghetti and all 🌋🍝).

And he was SO proud.
And me?
I rested. I watched. I let go of control — and the mental load that usually comes with it.

THIS is what I’m learning:
• The more we try to control everything, the heavier it gets for us… and the less space our kids have to rise.

• When we let them lead (in age-appropriate ways), they don’t just help… they LEAD.

More pride.
More participation.
More appreciation.
More connection.
Less perfection. 
More magic.
** BONUS: and less craving for screen time #winwin

This wasn’t the Easter dinner I would’ve planned…but it’s the one we’ll actually remember ❤️

Taking a page outta your book @anna_skates ❤️❤️
Parenting Hack: Meet your child’s 🧠 exactly where Parenting Hack: Meet your child’s 🧠 exactly where they’re at. Embrace the chaos, the messy experiments, the unrelenting curiosity. Let their 🧠 do its thing and step aside to see the magic.

Took me an entire lifetime to figure it out:
• Spent all of my childhood trying to “fit in”
• Struggled to mask but did it anyway 
• Met a boy. Also a creative and professional masker.
• Took a “creative” path less travelled as young adult on a one way flight to LA
• Loved life. 
• Received negative feedback from well-intentioned naysayers and loved ones
• Felt shame for not hitting the markers 
• Became a mom. 
• Read ALLLL the parenting books. 
• Spent over a decade fighting against my  first born’s “artist” brain and finding ways to “fix” what was not even broken
• Hated conforming and made some pivots while wearing metaphorical headphones to block out opinions/outside noise
• Loved Life 
• Had my youngest little man - came out of womb loud, intentional, & unapologetic 
• Threw out all parenting books and accepted the beautiful neurodivergent 🧠s taking over our entire household
• Gave both kids creative freedoms and stepped aside (mostly not intentionally. they’re too fast and I’m too old) 
• Learned how to celebrate the curious, comical, and weirdly wired brains that is our family. 
• Let my kids teach ME to have courage, think differently, and not just take the road less travelled - but actually #owningit
• Jumped into creating my own #podcast headfirst and never looked back

“Don’t Think Straight”, by Jacob Insley, is definitely one of our go-tos I’ll be keeping on my bookshelf for years to come. 

@jakerfilms you killed it with all these nuggets and takeaways! We’re all fighting for a turn to read - look at you causing ruckus in our home!?! 🤣 PS - My little guy requests to be in your 2nd book. 🤣🤣

#bebold #getmysassback #create
Happy #LOVE Day Weekend…. It’s been a bitter swe Happy #LOVE Day Weekend…. 

It’s been a bitter sweet one this year. But we are working through Grief that will never go away. Especially on milestone days like this. 

Not only is it Dad Felix’s first Heavenly Birthday (Valentine’s Day), it’s also a day we lost our 6th pregnancy before we finally had our little guy. I truly believe Dad is as much present with our babies in heaven, as he is with his 4 Grandkids on earth. 

There’s healing in loving family. Thank you for your constant reminders of this Dad/Grandpa Felix. We miss you so much. 

#sandwichgeneration #caregiving #family #multigenerational
It’s giving dramatic dad/uncle vibes. When our f It’s giving dramatic dad/uncle vibes. 

When our first family friendly white 🥼 party turns into a full blown midlife crisis.🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

(And no… he is NOT okay)… 🤣🤣

#thisis50
#dadlife  #unclelife
#GenXLife
#ParentingMoments 
#TheyGrowUpFast 
#RealLifeParents
#riuwhiteparty
#mexico
#dinerenblanc
He turned 50. Shouting it from the rooftops was no He turned 50.
Shouting it from the rooftops was not an option, so naturally - we had it announced at 40,000 feet ✈️🎂

For context:
This man avoids attention like it’s turbulence.

This??
Actual NIGHTMARE. 😂🤣🤣

But after a rough year of loss, change, and having to step up in so many facets, he deserved a little LOUD love. 📣🎉🥳

Happy 50th to the man I’ve loved for more than half his life.
You chose me, chaos and all… so really, this one’s on you. 😉😉

Thanks @flairairlines for this unforgettable #birthday moment.

If you’ve got a second, send this sweet, shy 50-year-old young man some love… he’ll be back to low-key status in about 72 hours. ⏰💛

@gjavier5 💙💜

#ThisIs50
#50thBirthday 
#MarriageHumor 
#RealLifeMoments 
#PlaneAnnouncement 
#MilestoneBirthday 
#LoveInTheMiddle 
#LifeLately 
#ImperfectAndReal 
#FamilyLife 
#Grief
#caregiving
#GenX
#sandwichgeneration 
#ReelsThatMakeYouSmile
Holiday burnout hits moms and caregivers hard — an Holiday burnout hits moms and caregivers hard — and the guilt of not being able to do it all as planned can be heavy. 

This year, after months and months of overstimulation, busy-ness, grief, worries, transitions, and may many many sleepless nights, we chose quiet. Simple. Unplanned. And a lot of it had to do with my own exhaustion and not being able to do all the things - like I used to in the past.

And in letting go, my kids not only enjoyed the simplicity, pressure-free, they loved the spontaneity, the lack of rushing from one thing to another, keeping old traditions while creating new memories. 

They even offered to be a part of the planning and the doing. 

It never had to be perfect. 
It never had to just fall on my shoulders. 
And it never was about a tree surrounded with every item on their wishlist. 

They just wanted me to play with them, wrap gifts with them, eat with them, and let them do some of the caregiving as well. 

Maybe that was the magic after all.
For the last 3 Christmas seasons, my girls and I s For the last 3 Christmas seasons, my girls and I switched things up.  We were finding we were already maxed out with our own households - the lists, the gifts, the prep, the mess. Omg… the mess.

It was time to take a break from@the stress, and to find joy through this busy season, while putting our “cute” on again. 

… and so, the birth of “Annual High Tea with the ladies” came to be: 

We ditched the gifts. 
Kept the girlfriends. 
Elevated the carbs.
… and the heels.

And yes - the tea just got a little sweeter.

Got a holiday ritual that fills your cup (literally or figuratively)?
Me: We’re getting too old for this. Also Me: 🎥📹🔦 Me: We’re getting too old for this. 

Also Me: 🎥📹🔦💡💄💋

********************

Check out our #Behindthescenes done in our living room. (Grateful for the space @ginandneature 🤣🤣)

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
It’s been ✨14✨ YEARS of doing this as a family, I get asked every year how we pull this off. Esp with limited time, budget, and busy kids??

Easy: 
• Cue theme music (“Alexa, get us in #kpopdemonhunters mode”)
• Beat our faces down with a little @amoresarte_arteesamor  from our bestie Uncle @andrewvelazquez_ ‘s killer 💋 palette #onlythebest
• dust off my podcast studio lights, most likely incorrectly. (I am NO @remy.is.remy, @nikkye_music , @eric.thebald , @jakerfilms, @brianbobila, or @hoelune)
• clear my phone cuz it’s always full • throw on some DIY outfits we happen to have in our dress up trunk (OR Grammy’s closet!)
• grab last minute wigs (and in my case - clip on BANGS) that don’t exactly match the OG characters, but who cares… it’s our spin anyway…)
• George @gjavier5, our in-house Jinu, just got ready for the day as normal 😂😂😂😂😂😂
- Start bribing the kids AND George (but guess what - they LOVE our #familytradition too!! EVEN Jenny, my kiddo’s beloved (and often creepy doll who participates in most of our #FamilyHalloween themes. Gotta love Jenny!🪆

It’s 10000% chaotic, always a mess, but it’s how the Balinos do #Famoween (and Christmas… lazy greetings here we come), and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

#BTS
The BALINO FAM is ready for our Comeback of 2025. The BALINO FAM is ready for our Comeback of 2025. 

Just call us the “B POP Fam-O-Ween Hunters” 🎤

Plot twist of 2025? Our demons to fight — grief and loss, overwhelm, caregiving challenges, new school, intolerance, advocacy, no sleep, basically… life-ing. 

But guess what?

We didn’t break — we TRANSFORMED. (As my kids would say - we SLAYED 2025). 

We stopped trying to fit into places that weren’t made for us. Just like these characters on #KpopDemonHunters

• We are choosing to show up for one another and our parents. Fully.
• We are choosing our battles 
• We no longer apologize for simply being us. In all our messy, chaotic #neurospicy, busy, loud, glittery, imperfect ways. 

And when we let our special big little girl be exactly who SHE is — not who the world told her to be — everything shifted. For HER and for our ENTIRE family. 

Peace came. Joy came. She shined.
Heck - she even spearheaded this year’s #famoween theme with the help of her “Baby” bro. It’s been 14 years of finding her place in the world and facing heartache and struggle along the way. We had a BREAKTHROUGH this year.

But it started with working on us as a family. 

So here we are.

Tired.
Ready.
Golden.

✨The B POPS✨
• George as “G-NEW” (Jinu) - the brooding lead of Saja Boys🔥charming and charismatic but struggling on the inside ✅

• My girl as MIRA” - tough and spicy but sensitive on the inside ✅

• My Baby boy as “Baby” who relies on his cuteness to get things done ✅ 👀

• Me as “Zoey”, just a big kid trying to figure out where she belongs. Always learning. ✅ ✅✅✅

(Also… yes. The 5th main character, Rumi (my daughter’s beloved doll who often makes a cameo in our fam-o-ween posts. Can you spot her our lead? 👀💜)

Watch out world. We may be getting old, but we’re ✨ #Golden. ✨

Pls leave a comment👇🏻and let my creative fam (so lucky to have you, @gjavier5 and my crazy kiddos) know whatcha think of our theme this year!
👻👻👻🎃🎃🎃🎃 Rainy day at @galey_farms with the fam an 👻👻👻🎃🎃🎃🎃

Rainy day at @galey_farms with the fam and it was exactly what we needed. So much fun, and great for a good scare cuz I’m just a big 🐓. 

And those donuts…. #nextlevel. As was that #cornmaze🌽 

Thanks @ingirlsclub for organizing a core memory for my girl and all the girls and their/our families! It’s hard to organize things with my little family while #caregiving, and often we have to decline, but we are so glad this worked out. This group activity made it so much more feasible for us. #sandwichgen #sandwichgenlife #elderlycare

#Halloween #fall #family #YYJ #pumpkins #pumpkinpatch #trainride #familyfun
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