Tatyanna Wright's Haute Mama

Pottery Barn Comes To Australia

This might not be exciting news to you, but, as an expat American-Australia (I'm a dual citizen and have lived equal amounts in the US and Australia), I am particularly thrilled that one my favourite home stores is arriving in Sydney this March. 

This past Christmas was the first holiday season spent out of the US in twelve years. I missed my annual pop into Pottery Barn to buy a Christmas ornament. I also missed Thanksgiving, another time of the year when Pottery Barn offer fabulous holiday entertaining decorations. Its not just the holiday decorations I miss, its the ease of being able to go into Pottery Barn, West Elm (my local was DUMBO), or Williams-Sonoma and get new organic cotton sheets, a bowl, a vase, seasonal throw cushion covers, or a different sized All-Clad piece for a new recipe I'm sure I'll be making over and over.

There's nothing like it in Australia. My two comparisons are Country Road Home; though the small selection offers a nice range of basic dishes, dish towels, cushions, picture frames and some other basic essentials. And Coco Republic. For those Australian's who've lived in the US a very long time, and the American's who've moved to Australia - you'll notice an uncanny resemblence to two major stores: New York City's ABC Carpet & Home and Restoration Hardware. Coco Republic has styled its entire showroom with a US esthetic, showcasing Ralph Lauren Home, the quintessential NYC loft look and a strong influence from Soho House.

But they're not Pottery Barn and they're not trying to be. Both Coco Republic and Country Road Home may target a similar clientele, but are still very specialized offering either just homewares or interiors. My point: There's definitely room for this premiere specialty home furnishings retailer in Australia. Pottery Barn have looks for every taste from contemporary to ethnic, and offer a wide range of items from candles, blankets, slipcovers, pillows, wall decor, finials, upholstery, strorage, home accents, outdoor furniture to styling ideas for baby through to teen rooms and vintage inspired finds and fair trade items. And lets not forget the wonderful cookware at Williams-Sonoma, named after founder Charles Williams, of Sonoma, California in 1956. 

I look forward to popping into Pottery Barn for a seasonal refresher and knowing I can easily buy my favourite items without having to go online and ship them to Sydney. I just hope they keep to their esthetic, there's something about stepping into the store that makes you feel like you're home. 

Pottery Barn opens its first Australian store in Bondi Junctions' Exchange Building in March. 

Stroke Awareness: How Much Do You Know?

Who can have a stroke? Anyone.

It's not just smokers and drinkers and the stereotyped unhealthy folks. Seemingly completely healthy individuals can collapse from a stroke leaving them unable to care for themselves, altering their lives forever.

If you are healthy and considered low risk, or are someone with a non typical stroke profile, (a typical profile, according to The American Stroke Association, is: smoking, diabeties, high cholesterol, and obesity to name a few), then how would you ever know you might collapse on a flight, while driving, running, babysitting your grandkids or on your way to work if you don't fit this profile? You don't. 

Would you ever think to google stroke symptoms if you ran 5 miles everyday, skied 78 days in the Colorado season and hiked up mountains, never smoked a cigarette a day in your life and rarely drank, had low cholesterol, never took heart medicine, and had the six pack of a 25 year old at 65? What if you complained about poor vision but were already at an age were your vision was dissipating? Perhaps you thought it was just getting worse from "old age".

What if you experience headaches and dizziness but you were already stressed from work or finances, had just landed from an international flight or flew all the time for work, lived at a higher altitude, or thought you were only dehydrated? These basic and very general almost everyday like symptoms, and I use the word "everyday" here because these are no out of the ordinary symptoms. They're the kinds of symptoms millions of people experience from exhaustion, dehydration, stress and yes, aging so its easy to over look them. You can also experience these symptons if you skip lunch, and stand up to quickly. Many mothers with young children are light headed because we skip meals and are constanly on the go with our kids, then leaping up quickly to answer the phone from kneeling to bath our kids. A mother at my sons school had a mini stroke last week, she collapsed during a half marathon, while hospitalized she couldn't recognize her kids for two days.  

This post was inspired by the need to make people aware of stroke symptoms so you can prevent yourself and your parents from experiencing a truly life altering experience. I'm speaking first hand here. 

My Father had an ischemic stroke on an airplane from Vancouver to Shanghai for business on May 15th 2012. The flight performed an emergency landing in Narita, Japan. His condition is bad. He suffered aphasia as a result so cannot speak, though thankfully, he can understand what I am saying. He cannot read or write. His right side of his body is paralyzed but he's trying with all his might to move his right leg. He has feeling in his right foot which is great. His left side is incredibly strong, rating a 3 out of 5 in strenth. He can use his torso, pelvis and chest.

My Father's stroke was a complete shock to everyone that knows him. He was the absolute picture of health. He did infact live exactly as aforementioned at the beginning of this post...Skiied 78 days in Aspen, ran 5miles a day, never smoked a cigarette a day in his life, ate and lived well, had no history of heart disease or high cholestertol. He should not have had a stroke, but he did. The mother at my sons school should not have had a stroke at 43, but she did. So I ask you, would you know what the symptoms of an imminent stroke are?

Many people don't even know what the FAST method of identifying a stroke is. I'd certainly never heard of it until my Father had a stroke and I started looking into stroke awareness. 

Some additional background on my Father. He was a running back for the University of Nebraska, he attended The New Mexico Military Institute, and was recently inducted into their Hall of Fame. He attended Harvard Business School, he is a member of YPO/WPO.

Why am I mentioning his accomplishments? To let you know that he traveled in circles where information about stroke awareness should be shared but isn't. He's exposed to information, he's exposed to platforms where leaders and captains of industry make breakthroughs. So why wasn't stroke awareness on his radar? I'm not suggesting if your vision is getting bad you should ask your doctor about blood clots. I'm suggesting that in an age where we can spread amazing awareness about breast cancer and heart disease, why aren't we doing it for strokes? 

It's time we share more information, spread what you know from experiences (like Dr. Jill Taylor, who had an out there experience, but she's sharing amazing information as a result), and get the word out there to prevent more people from having strokes, because I sure don't recognize The Stroke Awareness Foundations logo - do you? It's great that less deaths occur as a result of stroke, but more people are having them, and that's bad. The more information out there, the less people will suffer. Please spread the word, get yourself checked out properly if you're already taking heart preventative measures by having your carotid arteries looked at, have a look at Livstrong.com for better stroke information than most of the stroke sites and share this post. Thank you. 

Brasserie Bread Goodness

It was a year ago this week when I was in Australia, that I stumbled across the Double Bay Farmers Market in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. My taste buds were in for a treat that day when I tasted a wonderful loaf from the award winning Brasserie Bread, reminding me of my favourite artisanal bakery in New York City. I tweeted about how fabulous the bread was, and how much my son loved their medley of moorish delights that we returned each week for more and I continued to tweet about each item we sampled.

Such is the power of Twitter that I was sent a direct message from Brasserie Bread inviting my son to attend one of their children’s baking classes. We accepted and discovered a fantastic baking facility complete with café and store.

My son absolutely loved it! He learned about where the organic flour derived and basic baking concepts, but he especially loved making his own pizza with locally sourced ingredients, and a chocolate brioche. Both were delicious, I know, I helped him eat them!

Baking classes are also open to adults. Kids classes are free and book out almost six months in advance, so bookings are absolutely essential. Adults pay $150 per person. I’ve just been told there are a hand-full of adult spaces still available in April.  

If you can’t make it to a Brasserie Bread baking class or their wonderful café, try to check them out this week at any one of the local Sydney farmers markets so you can grab their special Easter hot cross buns (shown below), also available in dark chocolate and sour cherry. My favourites are their quinoa bread, New York rye and their signature garlic bread, its truly amazing. 

For more information on Brasserie Bread, click here. 

The Mum Show

Introducing, "The Mum Show" -  A new program airing on one of Australia's major broadcasters this Fall. The Mum Show focuses on specific topics and trends that affect every female (and male parent) regardless of age. 

The Mum Show is hosted by a maternity lifestyle expert/author, breastfeeding/parenting expert/author and a well known Australian presenter/TV personality. 

We're looking for:
Female same sex parents
Super stay home dads

Women struggling with ferlitity 

Full time care giver Grandparents

If you're in the Sydney metropolitan area or know someone that is, and are interested in being featured on our show, please email Natalie at the below address. Shooting commences second week of February. 

Email: [email protected]  
Or respond on this blog. 

 

Pregnancy & Newborn magazine's review of our book.

Pregnancy & Newborn magazine reviewed my book - Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How - in its January issue calling it a "A helpful breastfeeding aid and a must-have for moms new to nursing."

You can buy our e-book online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and iBooks.

Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How

The number one breastfeeding book in Australia comes to the US next month - And, even more exciting, it’s co-authored by me!

The internationally best selling book "Breastfeeding: Real Mums Tell You How" - in its first year sales were compared to that of “What To Expect When You Are Expecting” a book that to date has sold over 15 million copies - Has been adapted and revised for the US market with additional sections and August 1st will be available as an e-book with enhanced features like videos and the ability to purchase products right from the page.

Despite what most people think, breastfeeding does not come naturally, it has to be learnt and most women are starved for information and support. “Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How” is based on the premise of encouraging and supporting women, not just giving them a whole bunch of information to read in the hope it all works out for them. Written by a ‘Breastfeeding Champion’ and a ‘Bottle Babe’ together they give their tips and words of wisdom from one mother to another.

Co-Authors Melissa Macdonald and Tatyanna Wright interviewed thousands of women to hear their baby feeding stories gathering advice that only mothers can offer and share with other mothers. This is a no-guilt, zero pressure approach to a growing dilemma new mothers face: breastfeeding. 

It’s very difficult to get breastfeeding right and it can be extremely painful during the first couple of weeks post birth. This combined sends many women running. It’s also difficult to understand how your baby should latch on without having actually had a baby. It’s a learned technique. With kind permission from Dr. Jack Newman and lactation consultant Edith Kernerman of the International Breastfeeding Clinic, “Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How” offers videos of actual nursing mothers and babies to show you correct latching and other important elements of breastfeeding that can be difficult to envision or learn when you’ve never had a baby.

“Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How” has been featured in leading Australian pregnancy magazines, including Cosmopolitan Pregnancy (10 page spread), Practical Parenting, Pregnancy and Birth, Child Magazine (syndicated nationally) and a string of websites including, BubHub.com.au and the top baby blogs including Babble.com.au. The book was featured on The TODAY SHOW (Nine Network, Australia) to a phenomenal response with sales sky rocketing after the author’s appearance.

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week “Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How” is out August 1 through Diversion Books on all e-readers (Kindle, iBooks, Sony Reader, Droid, Iphone, Nook, etc).

A Mother's Day Dedication

This Mother's Day, to celebrate a special mother in your life, add a leaf to our partners mothers2mothers "Tree of Hope" dedication tree.

mothers2mothers is an NGO that helps to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

mothers2mothers is aiming to reach 500 leaves. Every dedication helps their tree grow larger, bringing more hope and strength to mothers in Africa living with HIV. You can make as many dedications as you wish - for free. Your special mom will receive notification of your dedication. You can also donate to mother2mothers. 

To dedicate a special leaf now, click here. Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

 

Mother's Day Gift Idea's From Elk

I just happen to be in Sydney, Australia right now and stumbled upon local designer Elk’s gorgeous wooden jewelry pieces at Orson & Blake in Woollahra. And might I say, right in time for Mother’s Day! 

If you think the necklaces look great in photos (pictured below from their latest collection in wood and resin), you won’t be disappointed when you wear the real thing – they’re stunning, beautifully hand crafted and incredibly well priced. And Elk ships internationally from their website. I particularly like their wooden necklaces, but anything from Elk quite frankly would make for the perfect Mother’s Day gift. I've also got my eye on their mercerized cotton tees.

Id’ have to say Elk are my new favourite designer. Based in Melbourne, Australia and designed by partners Adam and Marnie, Elk offers original contemporary jewelry, textiles and knitted apparel handmade from natural materials like wool, cashmere, wood and leather. 

Elk is aware of creating an environmental footprint and thus committed to working with small artesans whose traditional skills and techniques guarantee authentic and high quality production. Their wood collection is made from coconut or mango wood offset by a tree buy-back scheme. Elk strive to incorporate vegetable dyes and use vegetable tanning for their leather goods. For more information and to buy online, please visit: elkaccessories.com.au

Recycle Your Plastic Toys For Earth Week

What will you do to help celebrate Earth Week this year? Second Chance Toys is having its annual Earth Week recycle your plastic toys drive in the Tri-state area. It's an excellent opportunity to share your previously loved toys with children in need. Second Chance Toys accepts plastic toys in good condition: meaning, toys must be a complete set, clean, and unbroken - think Little Tikes and Fischer Price as a starting point and you'll be surprised what you begin to dig out from toys baskets. 

For a list of drop off locations click here. 

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Many of you probably don't realize this, but today, March 10th is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The New York City Department of Heath and Mental Hygiene and more specifically their NYC Knows program put together an infographic in an attempt to show the landscape of HIV/AIDS among women and girls in New York City.

As mothers/parents/sisters and friends of teenage girls we know discussing the birds and the bees can be hard enough to talk about especially when its on the topic of STI's. The purpose of creating the below infographic is to help break the ice. The hope is that this disease is met head on and that can be done by destimatizing it.

Please help get the word out about this cause. Its sensitive but it doesn’t have to be and this is just one more way you can help in the fight to make the world AIDS free. For more information or to become active in the initiatives, visit: Facebook/NYKnows.com or nyc.gov

NYC Knows is a public initiative carried out by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  The program aims to increase HIV and AIDS awareness by promoting free testing facilities, treatment centers and prevention education. The ultimate goal of the NYC Knows program is to have every citizen of New York City knowing his or her HIV status.