First of all, I’m so sorry to hear that. I know how hard it is to struggle with infertility. You can read about what I did here. What worked for me might not work for you, but I hope it gives you a good starting point.
When did you stop breastfeeding?
At 4.5 months with Amalia. I wrote about how I weaned her and why here.
Why are you gluten free?
I’m not always gluten free but I was for a long time while I tried to get pregnant and felt so amazing that I try to stay away from gluten when possible. I don’t have an allergy or anything that I know of.
About Julia
How did you and Anel meet?
We worked together! I ran the sales team at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and he was in sales there so technically I was his boss… Nothing’s changed! JK.
Did you grow up in Connecticut?
No, I grew up in New Hampshire, went to high school in Italy, college in LA, then lived in New York City for eight years before moving to Stamford, CT in 2015.
What supplements do you take?
I currently take an iron-fortified multi, vitamin D (5,000 IU/day), DHA (fish oil), and probiotics.
Why are you gluten free?
I’m not always gluten free but I was for a long time while I tried to get pregnant and felt so amazing that I try to stay away from gluten when possible. I don’t have an allergy or anything that I know of.
Motherhood & baby
What high chair do you have?
We have the OXO Sprout Tot and love it so far. I’ve heard that it can get mold if you submerge the tray in water so I just wipe it clean and haven’t had any issues. We have it in white and navy but it comes in a ton of colors!
How did you get your baby to sleep through the night so early?
I think it was part luck and part the hard work we put in. You can read about how we did it here.
I’m expecting. What do I need on my baby registry?
First of all, I’m so sorry to hear that. I know how hard it is to struggle with infertility. You can read about what I did here. What worked for me might not work for you, but I hope it gives you a good starting point.
Where do you send Amalia to daycare?
Anel and I have decided to keep this information private, I hope you understand! You just never know who’s asking.
What supplements did you take when trying to conceive?
I took cod liver oil, probiotics, beef liver pills (gross, I know), vitamin D, and a prenatal vitamin. They’re all listed in more detail here.
When did you stop breastfeeding?
At 4.5 months with Amalia. I wrote about how I weaned her and why here.
It was partly genetics, partly that I didn’t gain very much (I was so sick during my pregnancy I couldn’t eat too much food or I would throw up!), and partly hard work.
On blogging
What kind of camera do you use?
I have a professional photographer take most of the photos of me but for photos of the baby or at home, Anel and I use a Canon 5D Mark II with a 50mm lens.
I just started a blog, how do I start making money from it?
My advice is to start by reaching out to brands for product trade partnerships. Create really beautiful content from those trades and as you grow your following, you’ll be able to send those examples to brands when they reach out to you and ask what your rates are. Create a media kit with all of your stats and examples of those partnerships and you’ll look incredibly prepared and professional!
How do you come up with fresh content every week?
Honestly I have no idea, it just comes to me. I write about topics that are on my mind, share recipes that I’m eating at the moment, and outfits that I’m wearing that week. I find that if I try to hard to come up with content that I think someone else wants, it flops. The key is writing about what I’m doing and feeling in the moment.
How do I reach out to brands for partnerships?
As I mentioned in above, I recommend reaching out for product trade only at first. I would never reach out to a brand and ask for compensation. If the product trade goes well, though, the brand might come back to you for a paid post next.
How did you grow your following?
When I started blogging in 2010, things were very different. It was easier to authentically grow social followings because Instagram was so new. For my blog, I just kept writing and promoting and partnering and networking hard for five straight years. At the five year mark I started seeing significant growth. The point is: It took a lot of work and a lot of time!
9 times out of 10, I wear Essie Ballet Slippers. It’s the perfect shade of light pink, and my go-to all year long.
Where do you color your hair?
Sharon Dorram comes to Greenwich every other Monday and is the best at blonde, hands down. To book an appointment, call her NYC salon.
What do you use to make your skin so clear?
Night routine: I wash my face with Desert Essence tea tree oil face wash (with a Clarisonic), followed by Thayers Witch Hazel Toner. I then apply Beauty Rx The Progressive Peel followed by their Vitamin C serum which I roll on with a jade roller. I end with goop perfecting eye cream and ACURE Incredibly Clear Moisturizer.
In the morning I just start with the toner and apply the creams.
About Julia
