A Doula’s 5 Must Know Tips for Pregnancy and Postpartum

Lori Bregman, a celebrity go-to doula, shares what actually matters when it comes to supporting yourself through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

I’ve been working in the birth world for 26 years and have supported around 1,600 births in person, as well as coached thousands of mothers and parents to be around the world through my virtual doula and coaching programs. My philosophy is simple: there is no right or wrong way to do birth, pregnancy, or motherhood. No two people are the same, and what works beautifully for one may not work for another.

I work very closely with my clients throughout their pregnancies, taking the time to truly get to know them because the way you do life is the way you will give birth and, ultimately, the way you will show up as a mother. I ask my clients to let me educate them so they can make informed choices. I will always be their sounding board, but I will never make decisions for them. My role is to support them in the choices that feel right for their body, their baby, and their family.

One shift I’ve noticed recently is that more and more women are wanting to take back their power and have autonomy over their bodies and their choices when it comes to birth. With social media, podcasts, and more access to information, women are realizing there are other ways to do things. At the same time, the medical model of care has, in many ways, moved in the opposite direction.

This isn’t always the fault of doctors. Our healthcare system is broken, leaving many providers overworked, underpaid, and with little time for true support. I know incredible doctors who have chosen to go out of network, saying, “I can’t practice this way. It’s eating away at my soul, and this isn’t why I went into this work.”

Out of network care often offers longer appointments and deeper continuity, but it’s financially inaccessible for many families. Midwifery care, on the other hand, is inherently patient led, with more time spent keeping you healthy so you aren’t risked out of care. Many doctors see birth as something to be managed, while midwives allow it to unfold, stepping in only when necessary.

Some midwives attend hospital births, others work in birth centers or at home. While home birth isn’t right for everyone, it’s often misunderstood. I’ve witnessed extraordinary midwives welcome babies into the world with deep respect for both the baby and the parents. If more OB GYNs experienced home births during training, the way they practice would likely shift.

If you’re home birth curious, I always recommend scheduling a consultation with a midwife. Most are free, and you’ll walk away with valuable information, whether or not it ends up being your path.

Whatever your choices are, here are five things that will truly support you before, during, and after birth:

Know Your Intentions

Birth preparation isn’t something to leave until the final weeks of pregnancy. Start learning early and get curious about what matters most to you-how you would like to give birth, Where you feel safest giving birth, how you want to feel, who you want supporting you, and what kind of experience you’re hoping to create through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. From this place find your reason for wanting to do it this way or have this experience. It gives your intentions a foundation. Set intentions rather than rigid expectations, remembering that birth is fluid and not set in stone. Adaptability and flow is part of the process.

Choose Your Team Wisely

Explore all of your options—home birth, hospital birth, birth center, epidural, induction, unmedicated birth, cesarean and more. Notice whether you’re more holistically or medically minded, and let your birth intentions guide you as you build the right team around you. Ask lots of questions, and pay attention not only to the answers, but to how you feel in their presence. Do you leave feeling inspired, supported, and respected? Or do you walk away feeling fearful, unheard, or bulldozed like your choices don’t matter? Teamwork truly makes the dream work. These are the people who will be supporting you through one of the most transformational moments of your life, and they have the power to either empower you or disempower you. Meet with more than one provider if possible. Clarity comes when you understand your “why,” and when your team aligns with it.

Educate Yourself

I see people all the time investing enormous amounts of time, energy, and money into their wedding day—the photos, flowers, cake, venue, dress… Everything was carefully planned. And at the end of it, they’re left with beautiful memories. Yet when it comes to birth, many people simply go along with what others suggest, without doing much research or education of their own. Birth stays with you for the rest of your life, and it imprints your baby as well as it’s their very first impression of the world. The time you spend learning and educating yourself so you can make informed choices is truly your first step into parenthood. Your baby is completely dependent on you to advocate and decide on their behalf. Knowledge is power and if you don’t know your options you might not be given any. Go into your prenatal appointments with a list of questions so you can make the most of the limited time you have with your care provider. Consider taking a non-hospital , as hospital classes are often limited and focused on one particular approach. Read uplifting, inspiring books on birth and listen to podcasts that expand your understanding. Birth matters far more than most people realize.

Hire A Doula

Hiring a doula can be one of the most supportive choices you make during pregnancy and early parenthood. All doulas practice differently, and I truly believe there is a doula out there for everyone. Some support birth, others specialize in postpartum, and many do both. Doulas are non-medical care providers who support your mind, body, and spirit throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, working in tandem with doctors and midwives to create a more supported and informed experience. Research also shows that having a doula can make a real difference in outcomes, including lower rates of cesarean birth, shorter labors, reduced need for pain medication, and higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. The best way to find the right doula is to ask around -friends, care providers, and health practitioners often have great recommendations, and you may notice the same names coming up. Meet with a few, ask questions, and most importantly, check in with yourself about how you feel in their presence. Comfort, trust, and connection matter deeply when choosing who will walk beside you during such a transformative and important time.

Focus on yourself

No one else is birthing or raising your child. What worked for your sister, mother, best friend, or a random influencer might not be what is best for you or your family. The most important thing you can do is stay true to yourself.

Be mindful of who you spend time with, too. People often share their opinions without thinking, and their fears or doubts can plant seeds in your mind that don’t belong to you. These stories are often projections, not truths.

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s; pregnancy, birth, and motherhood are profoundly individual experiences. There is so much pressure to get it “right,” and I’m here to remind you there is no perfect way to birth, mother, or parent your child. You are perfectly imperfect and exactly what your baby needs.

Perfection is an unattainable goal. All you can do is your best, and your best is more than enough. Trust your instincts. For nine months, your baby was a part of you, as you were two souls under one skin. Even though the cord is cut at birth, there will always be an invisible, energetic cord that binds and connects you to your child forever.

Motherhood is not about performing; it’s about listening, feeling, responding, and trusting that everything you need is already within you.

About the author:

Lori Bregman is a doula, coach, advocate, and author of The Doula Deck, Mamaste, and The Mindful Mom-to-Be, with over 26 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and the profound transition into motherhood. Having attended more than 1,600 births, Lori’s work bridges ancient wisdom with modern day realities, helping women trust their bodies, reclaim their intuition, and feel deeply supported during one of life’s most transformative passages.

Through her comprehensive in person doula services and virtual offerings including The Transformational Journey Into Motherhood, a coaching experience that guides women through the emotional, physical, and spiritual metamorphosis of becoming a mother, as well as the Mindful Mom-to-Be Group Coaching Program and Doula Your Way, her signature 12 week virtual coaching and mentorship program for doulas, Lori uplifts, empowers, and deeply supports both mothers and birth professionals to show up authentically, confidently, and in alignment with who they truly are.

As an advocate for maternal choice and women’s wisdom, Lori’s mission is to change the way birth and motherhood are experienced, one woman and family at a time.

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A Better For You Vanilla Doughnut with Blue Magic Glaze

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a doughnut. The color, the glaze, the feeling of getting away with dessert before noon. But Sabrina Rudin doesn’t believe you need artificial dyes or a fryer full of oil to get that magic.

In her new cookbook Healthy with a Side of Happy, Sabrina reimagines the classic vanilla doughnut with a vibrant Blue Magic glaze made entirely from plant-based color. No petroleum-based dyes, no neon mystery ingredients. Just naturally sweetened, oven baked doughnuts with a soft, cake like crumb and a glaze tinted with spirulina and butterfly pea flower powder. The result is playful, eye catching, and completely Chalkboard approved.

Inspired by her long-standing stance against artificial food dyes and a colorful bakery moment that sparked the idea, these doughnuts became an instant hit with her boys. They’re proof that you can give kids the fun, bright treats they love while keeping the ingredients clean and intentional. A little nostalgic, a little modern, and entirely delicious.

Read our recent In The Kitchen With interview with Sabrina here. 

Recipe

Recipe reprinted with permission from Healthy with a Side of Happy by Sabrina Rudin © 2026. Published by Union Square & Co., an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Photography by Linda Pugliese.

Makes 12 donuts

1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour without xanthan gum, such as Bob’s Red Mill
1 cup almond flour
2/3 cup coconut sugar
2½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened oat milk
½ cup coconut oil, melted
2 large eggs
¾ cup powdered maple sugar
¼ teaspoon blue butterfly pea flower powder
Edible flowers, for garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, oat milk, coconut oil, and eggs until smooth and free of lumps.

Meanwhile, line a large serving platter with the butter lettuce.

Using a nonstick doughnut baking tray, spoon ¼ cup of the batter into each doughnut mold. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the doughnuts are dry, golden brown, and pull away from the sides of the pan. Allow them to cool slightly, then remove them from the pan and let cool completely, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the powdered maple sugar and 2 tablespoons water. In another small bowl, whisk together the blue butterfly pea flower powder and ½ teaspoon water. Add a few drops of the blue to the maple sugar and, using a spoon, gently swirl the two together to create the look of tie-dye. Do not overstir the icing unless you’d prefer a solid blue color.

To ice the doughnuts, dip the top into the icing, then let any excess icing drip off before flipping the doughnut over and placing it on a plate to set. Repeat for each doughnut.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Recipe reprinted with permission from Healthy with a Side of Happy by Sabrina Rudin © 2026. Published by Union Square & Co., an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Photography by Linda Pugliese.

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Are You Hydrated? 5 Myths About Water Intake You Need to Ignore

Hydration has somehow become the overachiever of the wellness world, complete with rules, numbers, and a surprising amount of pressure. We’ve all heard them. Eight glasses a day. More water for glowing skin. Skip coffee if you want to stay “properly” hydrated. It sounds convincing enough, until you realize how little of it is actually rooted in solid science. The truth is, hydration is far more nuanced and a lot more personal than the checklist approach we’ve been following. Before you refill your bottle again, it’s worth unpacking what’s real and what’s not. Ahead, five of the most common hydration myths, and what your body actually needs instead

Myth #1: You Have to Drink 8 Glasses of Water Daily

This is probably the most repeated hydration rule out there, and it does have a certain appeal. It’s simple, easy to remember, and feels like something you can check off by the end of the day. The only issue is, it was never meant to be a universal formula. Your actual fluid needs depend on many factors, including age, sex, activity level, climate and overall health. One-size-fits-all advice simply doesn't account for the vast differences in how your body uses and loses water throughout the day.

A more realistic approach is to pay attention to your body’s signals. Thirst, energy levels, and even urine color tend to be far more reliable than a fixed number. Keeping water within reach and sipping throughout the day often does more than trying to hit a quota all at once.

Myth #2: More Water Is the Secret to Flawless Skin

The beauty industry loves promoting water as a skin care miracle, but the reality is far more nuanced. And while staying hydrated does support overall health, the idea that simply drinking more water will transform your skin isn’t quite accurate.

Dermatology experts consistently point out that there’s no strong evidence linking increased water intake directly to clearer or acne-free skin. Hydration plays a role, but it’s just one piece of a much bigger picture that includes sleep, stress, diet, and topical care.

While the benefits for skin might be debated, the risks of poor hydration to your overall health are well-documented. Studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, which can lead to serious issues like reduced cognitive function and physical discomfort. Lifestyle factors such as diet, stress management and sleep significantly influence skin hydration and overall wellness. Using the right moisturizer for your skin type matters just as much as what you drink.

Myth #3: If You Don't Feel Thirsty, You're Not Dehydrated

Thirst feels like an obvious cue, but it’s actually one of the later signals your body sends. By the time you feel noticeably thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated, which can show up as fatigue, brain fog, or a subtle dip in focus. Your body needs consistent fluid intake throughout the day to function optimally.

What’s more helpful is learning to recognize the quieter signs that come earlier. Watch for fatigue, slight headaches and dark-colored urine, all of which indicate your body needs more fluids. These signs often show up hours before you register actual thirst, giving you an earlier window to address hydration needs. Setting a recurring alarm on your phone can serve as a helpful reminder to sip water regularly throughout the day, especially during busy periods when hydration easily slips your mind.

Myth #4: Hydration Only Comes From Water

Pure water isn't your only hydration option. Water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumber, watermelon, celery, strawberries, oranges and leafy greens can help meet your hydration needs while delivering valuable vitamins, minerals and electrolytes that plain water doesn’t provide. Soups, broths and smoothies also help you stay hydrated.

Make water-rich foods part of your daily routine for effortless hydration. Starting your morning with a fruit-infused smoothie or enjoying chilled cucumber slices as an afternoon snack are simple ways to boost fluid intake. When you build meals around vegetable-forward soups or fresh salads loaded with crisp greens, staying hydrated will become a habit.

Myth #5: Coffee and Tea Don't Count Toward Your Daily Intake

The old belief that caffeinated beverages dehydrate you has been thoroughly debunked. While caffeine does have a mild diuretic effect, the volume of water in coffee or tea more than offsets it, resulting in a net hydrating effect. Your morning latte or afternoon green tea absolutely contributes to your daily fluid intake. However, it’s important to know your limits, especially if you have health issues, such as acid reflux, sleep disorders or irregular heart rhythms.

Enjoy your daily coffee or tea ritual without guilt, but balance it with other fluids throughout the day. Herbal teas, sparkling water and coconut water offer variety while keeping you hydrated. Rotating among different beverages makes hydrating more enjoyable and ensures you're getting a range of nutrients with your fluids.

What Really Works for Staying Hydrated

When you strip away the noise, hydration becomes a lot simpler. It’s less about hitting exact numbers and more about paying attention. Your body already has a built-in system for signaling what it needs, it just requires a bit of awareness.

Drinking water regularly, incorporating water-rich foods, and enjoying a mix of beverages you actually like tends to be far more sustainable than following rigid rules. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s exactly the point.

The goal isn’t to perfect your hydration. It’s to make it feel easy, intuitive, and supportive of how you move through your day.

About the Author

Lola Mark is a freelance writer specializing in women’s health and wellness. She is also the Senior Editor of Body+Mind Magazine, where she focuses on helping women live more mindfully and purposefully. Outside of writing, she enjoys nature walks and exploring local farmers markets.

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5 Things We Learned From Rewire Your Anxious Brain That Actually Changed How We Handle Anxiety

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, I know I’m fine, so why do I feel like this, you’ve already felt the disconnect this book is trying to explain. That gap between what you understand and what your body is doing is where anxiety becomes frustrating.

Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Catherine M. Pittman, PhD, and Elizabeth M. Karle takes a more practical, science-based approach to that experience. Instead of framing anxiety as something you should be able to control with better thinking, it looks at how fear responses are actually wired in the brain and why they don’t always respond to logic. The focus is less on quick fixes and more on understanding patterns, how they form, and how they shift over time.

These are the takeaways that stayed with us and genuinely changed how we approach anxiety day to day.

+ Not All Anxiety Is Coming From Your Thoughts

One of the most helpful shifts is realizing that anxiety doesn’t come from one place. The book breaks it down into two systems: the amygdala and the cortex.

The amygdala is responsible for fast, automatic reactions. It’s what drives the physical side of anxiety, the racing heart, the tension, the sense that something feels off. The cortex is where your thoughts live, including the overthinking, the replaying, and the constant “what if” scenarios.

Sometimes anxiety starts with your thoughts and builds from there. Other times, your body reacts first and your thoughts try to catch up after. Once you can tell the difference, it becomes easier to respond in a way that actually makes sense for what’s happening.

+ You Can Know You’re Safe and Still Feel Anxious

This is the part that tends to throw people off the most. You can understand a situation logically, walk yourself through it, and still feel anxious anyway.

The reason comes back to how the amygdala works. It doesn’t rely on logic or reasoning. It relies on patterns and past associations. If something has been linked to stress or discomfort before, your brain can flag it again automatically, even when there’s no real threat in the moment.

That’s why anxiety can feel out of proportion. It’s not always reacting to what’s happening right now, it’s reacting to what your brain has learned to expect. Once you see it that way, it feels less like you’re doing something wrong and more like you’re dealing with a pattern that hasn’t updated yet.

+ Overthinking Keeps the Cycle Going

When anxiety is more thought-driven, it usually doesn’t stay contained. It turns into a loop.

You replay a situation, try to figure it out, look at it from a different angle, then circle back again. It can feel like you’re being productive, like you’re trying to solve something, but most of the time it just keeps the anxiety active.

The cortex is built to analyze and problem-solve, but it doesn’t always recognize when there isn’t a clear answer to find. In those moments, continuing to think it through doesn’t bring resolution, it just extends the cycle.

Learning to step out of that loop, even briefly, can interrupt the momentum in a way that overanalyzing never does.

+ Anxiety Is Something You Retrain, Not Fix Instantly

A lot of people approach anxiety like something that should be shut down quickly if you just find the right approach. This book reframes that idea completely.

Anxiety is something the brain learns over time, which means it also changes over time. For anxiety that’s more physical, the process usually involves gradual exposure. Letting your brain experience the situation without the outcome it expects, and repeating that enough times that the association starts to shift.

For anxiety that’s more thought-based, the work is in how you engage with those thoughts. Not every concern needs to be followed all the way through, especially when it’s not leading anywhere useful.

It’s not about fixing everything in one moment. It’s about changing how you respond, consistently enough that the pattern starts to shift.

+ One Strategy Doesn’t Work for Every Kind of Anxiety

It’s easy to look for a single solution, something you can rely on no matter what. The book makes it clear that this approach usually falls short.

If your body is reacting, trying to reason your way out of it might not do much. If your mind is spiraling, sitting in those thoughts can make them stronger. The response has to match what’s actually happening.

That shift sounds simple, but it changes how you handle anxiety in real time. Instead of defaulting to the same approach every time, you start paying attention to whether you’re dealing with a physical response or a mental loop and adjusting from there.

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Full Moon in Scorpio: What Each Sign Needs to Let Go Of Right Now

Not everything ends during a full moon. Some things become undeniable.

The recent full moon in Scorpio is less about what happened in the moment and more about what’s lingering now—what feels unresolved, what feels heavier than usual, what’s quietly asking to be released.

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the planet of transformation, and traditionally by Mars, which governs action and instinct. Together, they create a tension between control and surrender—between what you want to hold onto and what you know you need to release.

This is where the real work begins.

Aries

Let go of control disguised as urgency.

This full moon activates your deeper emotional terrain, shared energy, trust, and vulnerability. You may notice a tendency to push for clarity or resolution quickly, but that impulse is often a way of avoiding discomfort.

What’s really happening: You’re being asked to sit with uncertainty instead of solving it.

Advice: Pause before reacting. If something feels intense, give it 24 hours before acting on it. Regulate your body first with movement, breathwork, or stepping away from stimulation. The clarity you want comes after the reaction passes.

Taurus

Let go of staying where it feels safe but no longer aligned.

Opposite this full moon, you’re being pulled into a deeper awareness of your relationships. Something may feel “off,” even if nothing obvious has changed.

What’s really happening: You’re outgrowing dynamics that once felt stable.

Advice: Pay attention to how your body feels around people. Grounding isn’t just routine, it’s discernment. If something consistently feels heavy or draining, trust that signal. Stability should feel supportive, not restrictive.

Gemini

Let go of overstimulation and avoidance through busyness.

This full moon highlights your daily habits and nervous system. You may realize that staying constantly occupied has been a way to avoid deeper emotional processing.

What’s really happening: Your body is asking for recalibration.

Advice: Simplify your routine. Prioritize sleep, hydration, and consistent rhythms. Even reducing screen time at night can shift your entire baseline. Clarity doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from creating space.

Cancer

Let go of emotional over investment.

You naturally give deeply, but this lunation is showing you where that energy isn’t being reciprocated.

What’s really happening: You’re learning the difference between empathy and self-abandonment.

Advice: Notice where you feel depleted after interactions. That’s your cue to pull back. Redirect that energy into something that nourishes you like creative expression, rest, or time alone. You don’t have to earn connection by giving more.

Leo

Let go of needing external validation to feel secure.

This full moon touches your sense of home, identity, and inner stability. You may be reevaluating what actually makes you feel grounded.

What’s really happening: Your foundation is shifting from external to internal.

Advice: Create private rituals that are just for you- morning routines, journaling, or even time without your phone. The less you rely on outside feedback, the clearer your own direction becomes.

Virgo

Let go of overanalyzing what you already know.

You’ve likely had a recent realization that you keep revisiting, trying to make it make perfect sense.

What’s really happening: Your intuition has already landed. Your mind is catching up.

Advice: Write it down once, clearly. Then stop reworking it. Channel that energy into action, even if it’s small. Progress will give you more clarity than overthinking ever will.

Libra

Let go of tying your worth to output or approval.

This full moon is bringing attention to money, value, and self-worth. You may be noticing where you’re overextending to maintain balance or validation.

What’s really happening: You’re redefining what “enough” means.

Advice: Set one non-negotiable boundary this week, whether it’s your time, your pricing, or your energy. Let discomfort be part of the process. That’s how your value resets.

Scorpio

Let go of the identity you’ve outgrown.

This is your full moon, and it’s deeply personal. There’s a shedding happening around how you see yourself and how you show up.

What’s really happening: You’re in a transformation cycle, whether you’ve fully named it or not.

Advice: Stop trying to maintain an old version of yourself for the sake of consistency. Let your actions reflect who you are becoming, not who you’ve been. This is about embodiment, not explanation.

Sagittarius

Let go of avoiding what’s beneath the surface.

You’re used to looking forward, but this moment is asking you to pause and reflect inward.

What’s really happening: Unprocessed emotions are asking for your attention.

Advice: Carve out intentional quiet time. Even 20 minutes without distraction can surface what needs to be seen. Journaling or breathwork can help you move through it without overthinking.

Capricorn

Let go of carrying everything on your own.

This full moon highlights your connection to others—friendships, community, support systems.

What’s really happening: You’re recognizing where independence has turned into isolation.

Advice: Reach out, even if it feels unfamiliar. Delegating, sharing, or simply being honest about where you’re at can shift more than pushing through alone ever will.

Aquarius

Let go of rigid expectations around your path.

Something around your career or direction may not be unfolding the way you planned.

What’s really happening: You’re being redirected, not set back.

Advice: Zoom out. Ask yourself what actually feels aligned now, not what you committed to before. Flexibility is your advantage here.

Pisces

Let go of limiting beliefs about what’s possible.

There’s expansion available to you, but it requires releasing the quiet doubts that keep you playing small.

What’s really happening: You’re being asked to trust your vision before you have proof.

Advice: Take one action that aligns with where you want to go, not where you’ve been. Momentum builds confidence faster than waiting for certainty.

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The Mother’s Day Gift Guide That Actually Feels Thoughtful

Some of the links in this story are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose to purchase—helping us continue to share mindful, inspiring content.

Mother’s Day gifts can easily fall into two categories: something she already has… or something she’ll never use. The sweet spot is finding that thing she didn’t think to buy for herself, but ends up using all the time.

That’s what we kept in mind here. Everything below feels considered, useful, and just elevated enough to feel like a treat.

Soft Services Theraplush Mother of Pearl Gift Set

If she’s always reapplying hand cream, this is a real step up and one of those products that quietly took off for a reason.

It’s designed as an overnight treatment, which is when skin does most of its repair. You’ve got retinol to help smooth texture and that crepey look on the hands, colloidal oatmeal to calm any irritation, and panthenol to keep the skin barrier hydrated and strong. It’s the difference between hands that feel moisturized and hands that actually look better.

The pearl case is beautiful, but it’s the kind of formula people try once and then keep coming back to. SHOP HERE. 

Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote

This is one of those bags that just makes daily life easier.

It’s made from lightweight Italian leather, so it feels elevated but not heavy, and it actually fits everything. Laptop, book, gym clothes, all of it without feeling overstuffed. The hidden zipper is what really makes it. You can throw everything in and not think twice, especially for travel or long days out.

You can also add inserts or a strap if she likes a little more structure or organization, but even on its own, it just works. SHOP HERE

Bonjout Beauty La Cream

One of the most exciting launches in beauty lately. 

It’s built around NAD+ boosters, peptides, and plant cell technology, all focused on supporting skin at a deeper level that translates to better repair, improved elasticity, and overall stronger skin over time. The texture is designed to absorb well, so you’re actually getting the benefit of what’s inside.

It replaces multiple steps, without feeling like a compromise. SHOP HERE

LYMA LYMA Laser PRO

We know this is an investment, but this is one of the few devices that actually justifies it.

It’s backed by real science and consistently comes up in conversations with top dermatologists and beauty experts for a reason. Unlike most at-home devices, this uses medical-grade cold laser technology that penetrates deeper into the skin to support cellular repair and stimulate collagen production.

That’s what helps improve things like fine lines, pigmentation, skin firmness, and overall texture over time. Not instantly, but in a way that builds and lasts.

There’s no heat, no damage, and no downtime, and you only need a few minutes a day. It’s designed to work with your skin, not irritate it.

It’s one of the most talked about skincare devices for years, but more importantly, it’s one people actually stick with because they see the difference.

SHOP HERE

Maison Louis Marie Liane de Tomate Candle

We’ve gone through a lot of tomato candles lately, and most of them blur together. This one doesn’t.

It smells like a tomato vine in the sun, fresh, green, a little herbaceous, with that clean sharpness that makes a space feel instantly better. Not sweet, not overly perfumed. Just bright and alive. You get that hit of tomato leaf, balanced with softer notes like verbena, linden blossom, and a touch of lavender, then it settles into something a little more grounded with vetiver and patchouli.

It’s layered without being complicated, which is why it works.

Also worth noting, it’s made from a soy wax blend and free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, so it burns clean. It’s one of those candles you can light during the day and not get tired of.

SHOP HERE

Flamingo Estate The Garden Tour

One of our favorite brands, and always a crowd pleaser.

This set feels generous without being excessive. You get their hand soap, body wash, candle, honey, and olive oil, all rooted in ingredients grown on the estate. The formulas use nourishing oils like babassu, olive, and jojoba, so they actually perform, not just sit pretty on the counter.

And we have to mention the olive oil. We loved it so much we literally called it “liquid gold” in a previous review, it’s that good. Fresh, vibrant, slightly peppery, and something she’ll reach for daily.

It’s the kind of gift that people end up asking about. SHOP HERE

Coyuchi Women’s Isla Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Pajama Set

This is the kind of set she’ll reach for every night without thinking.

It’s made from organic cotton poplin, so it’s lightweight, breathable, and soft in that clean, crisp way that gets even better over time. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, which makes it a good option if her skin tends to be sensitive.

The fit is relaxed but still pulled together. Button-down top with two pockets, easy pants with an elastic waistband that sits comfortably without digging in. SHOP HERE

Henry Rose Ripe Eau de Parfum

This is for the mom who loves fragrance but doesn’t want anything predictable.

Ripe leans juicy, but not in a sugary way. You get that hit of lychee and watermelon right away, balanced with green notes and a little spice from cardamom and black pepper, so it feels fresh, not overly sweet. As it settles, it softens into florals like jasmine and peony, then dries down into something warmer with musk, sandalwood, and soft woods.

It ends up sitting really close to the skin in a way that feels clean and a little addictive. The kind of scent she’ll wear daily and still get asked about. SHOP HERE

T3 Aire 360

This is one of those tools that quietly replaces everything else.

It uses air, not extreme heat, to dry and style at the same time, which makes a real difference in how your hair looks and feels over time. Less damage, more shine. The ceramic attachments help smooth the cuticle, so you get that glossy, blown-out finish without overworking your hair.

You’ve got different attachments depending on what you want, soft curls, volume at the root, or a smooth, straight finish, so it’s actually versatile, not just a one-look tool.

It’s also lighter, easier to travel with, and the dual voltage makes it practical if she’s on the go.

It’s the kind of upgrade that makes getting ready feel easier and a lot less damaging.

SHOP HERE

Rabbit Air MinusA2 Air Purifier

Ok, you might be thinking… an air purifier for Mother’s Day?

But we’re all about gifts she’ll actually use, and this is one of those things that quietly makes a difference every single day not just for her, but for everyone at home.

The MinusA2 uses a multi-stage filtration system, including a true HEPA filter that captures things like dust, allergens, pet dander, and even mold spores. So if anyone in the house deals with allergies, sensitive skin, or just wants cleaner air, this is where it starts.

It also adjusts on its own based on what’s in the air, so she doesn’t have to think about it. And it’s genuinely quiet, which matters if it’s running in a bedroom at night.

Design-wise, it doesn’t feel like something you have to hide. You can even mount it on the wall, which makes it feel more like part of the space. 

It’s not the most obvious gift, but it’s one she’ll feel every day and so will everyone else. SHOP HERE

Arey The Sleep Ritual Set

We’re into this one because it doesn’t ask her to change anything about her routine.

The serum goes on before bed and just works in the background overnight. It’s designed around the idea that hair health starts at the scalp, supporting melanin which plays a role in hair color, and helping keep hair in its growth phase longer so it comes in a little fuller over time. It also takes into account how stress shows up physically. Cortisol is part of that, and it’s one of the reasons greys and thinning can happen earlier than expected.

The brush helps more than you’d think. It boosts circulation in the scalp, which helps nutrients actually reach the follicle, and it makes the serum absorb better instead of just sitting on top.

And the sleep mask is from Lunya, which is why it’s good. It’s real silk, so it’s gentler on both skin and hair, and it blocks out light well enough to support deeper sleep. That matters, because most of the body’s repair happens at night. SHOP HERE

Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream

If she likes skincare that delivers, this is a solid one.

It uses stabilized vitamin C to brighten and even tone, along with ingredients like reishi and MSM that support skin resilience and collagen. It absorbs quickly but still feels nourishing, so you get that balance of immediate glow and longer-term improvement.

You start to notice a difference fairly quickly. SHOP HERE

Lululemon Define Jacket Nulu

This is one of those pieces that ends up in constant rotation.

The Nulu fabric is what makes it. It’s incredibly soft and lightweight, but still has enough structure to hold its shape, so it feels polished without trying. It’s breathable, sweat-wicking, and has four-way stretch, which means it moves with you whether she’s heading to Pilates, traveling, or just running around all day.

The fit is what people come back for. Slightly contoured, hits at the right place, and layers easily without feeling bulky. It’s easy, flattering, and one of those things she’ll throw on without thinking and still look put together. PS. You might want to get one for yourself.

SHOP HERE

Vitruvi Home Sanctuary Set

If she cares about how her space feels, this lands.

The diffuser uses ultrasonic technology to disperse essential oils evenly, and the blend leans fresh and calming with notes like bergamot and eucalyptus. The throw adds that physical comfort piece, soft, cozy, something she’ll actually use.

It’s an easy way to make a space feel more relaxed. SHOP HERE

The post The Mother’s Day Gift Guide That Actually Feels Thoughtful appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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Living Well with Julie Chung, Founder of T3, on Asian Representation, Hair Health, and Building for Women First

Some people build careers in one lane. Dr. Julie Chung has always moved between two and made them feel like the same conversation.

As an ophthalmologist, her work is about precision and restoring sight. But what’s always stayed with her is what happens after. Once patients can see clearly, they look at themselves. Their hair, their skin, the small shifts over time. That moment, where physical wellbeing turns into how you feel in your own skin, is something she’s never separated.

It’s the same thinking behind T3. What started as a personal frustration with tools that felt damaging and not designed with women in mind became a brand built on performance first. Now, as she steps back into a more active role, there’s a renewed clarity around what T3 stands for.

We sat down with Dr. Chung to talk about the overlap between medicine and beauty, building something with staying power, and what living well actually looks like when work isn’t the only thing that defines you.

If you’re curious to hear more of her perspective through a clinical lens, read our piece with her on 6 Everyday Habits That Are Quietly Damaging Your Eyes.

Living Well with Dr. Julie Chung

You have lived in two very different worlds for most of your career, one grounded in medicine and precision, the other in beauty and creativity. When you step back now, do those worlds feel separate to you or are they actually solving the same human need in different ways? These two worlds align perfectly because they serve one thing: wellness. In medicine, I restore sight and cure disease — that's physical wellbeing. But what's so telling is that my patients, once they can see clearly again, almost immediately turn to the mirror. They notice the gray hair, the skin changes. It's the second concern for so many women, and I find that profound. When physical wellbeing takes shape and what I call aesthetic wellbeing follows, confidence is achieved — and confidence is what allows someone to show up fully in the world.

T3 gives me the same opportunity in a different language. Science and precision, creativity and beauty — all in service of tools that deliver real results without compromising hair health. I'm fortunate to exercise both sides of my brain. And even more fortunate to realize that healing and beauty, at their core, have always been chasing the same thing.

Work becomes overwhelming when it becomes your be-all and end-all — when it alone defines you. That's the real trap. So my reset isn't a wellness routine or a meditation app. It's a reminder that I am more than my work.

I'm a mom, so I come back to my children. I'm a friend, so I make time for the dinners that fill me up. I'm a wife — my relationship with my husband is the most important thing in my life, not just our partnership at T3. And I'm a woman of faith — that's always been a quiet but constant part of who I am. When everything feels like too much, I step back and let the other parts of me do the restoring.

You were the muse for the very first T3 product, the Featherweight hair dryer. When you think back to that moment, what was the specific problem you were trying to solve that didn’t exist in the market at the time? I was a medical student with thick, coarse hair that took forever to tame — and I was frustrated. I had my skincare, my makeup, my clothes all figured out, but my hair was a daily battlefield. The tools on the market were unwieldy, damaging, and simply not made with women genuinely in mind.

So I set out to fill that gap. When the Featherweight cut my drying time in half and left my hair moisturized and soft, I knew. That single moment became T3's north star — that every woman deserves tools that solve real styling challenges without ever compromising the health of her hair.

You’ve spoken about representing the AAPI community through your work. How has your upbringing shaped the way you approach ambition and leadership? Growing up in the Korean immigrant community taught me two things that have never left me. First, that we rise together — ambition was never meant to be kept for yourself. Whatever you build, whatever you achieve, it carries a responsibility to bring others with you.

And second, what real leadership looks like. My parents didn't talk about it — they showed it. Leading by serving. Setting an example through humble, quiet action. That stayed with me more than anything I learned in a classroom or a boardroom.

Those two lessons are the invisible architecture behind everything I do — at the operating table, and at T3.

Many beauty brands today place their founders front and center, but T3 built its reputation largely around the products rather than a founder personality. Was that a conscious decision in the early days? Honestly, twenty years ago 'founder story' wasn't really part of the marketing playbook — and asking an Asian American woman to be the face of a brand? That may have even been considered a liability at the time. It's painful to say, but it's true. Thankfully our society has evolved, and today we see a plethora of female founders proudly building and leading their brands. That's a real achievement worth celebrating.

But here's what I've come to appreciate: not being the face forced the product to speak for itself. I've always believed product is king. Without something truly outstanding, no founder story or branding will save you. So for twenty years we quietly, thoughtfully, and with real conviction built what we believe is the absolute best in the category.

Maybe that was the gift in disguise. The product earned the trust — and now the story gets to follow.

You returned to T3 in a more active role in 2023 after being there at the very beginning. What made this moment feel like the right time to step back into the brand’s next chapter? There's a certain irony in all of this. In 2004, I pulled hair tools out of the home appliance category — I believed they belonged in beauty, full stop. And now my biggest competitors are billion-dollar home appliance companies. The category has come full circle in the most unexpected way.

But that's exactly why this moment felt so urgent. Women deserve to know the difference between a brand whose sole commitment is to their beauty and health, and a company for whom hair tools are just another SKU. That distinction matters deeply to me.

So I stepped forward to reclaim the narrative. To humanize T3 — to show the founders, the people, the mission behind every product. Because at its core, T3 exists for one reason: to make women feel beautiful and confident every single day. Effortlessly. Without intimidation, without tools that work against them.

And there are so many women who still don't know T3 exists. Who are settling for a commodity tool when they deserve a true beauty device — one built with their hair health and their life in mind. Reaching those women, and showing them the difference, is what drives me now more than ever.

For someone new to the brand, which T3 tools would you recommend they start with and why? Honestly? The Aire 360 with the Airebrush attachment is what I reach for every single morning. It's part of my routine the way skincare is — non-negotiable. The Soft Air Technology is gentle enough that my hair feels moisturized and healthy, and I can do a proper blowout one-handed while I'm already thinking about my first patient of the day. It's that effortless. And when I want curls, I just switch to one of the barrels. The Aire 360 really is a complete system — it does everything.

But if all you want is a beautiful blowout, the Airebrush is its own standalone device and it's the perfect place to start. Simple, intuitive, and it will change your morning routine from day one.

Air styling tools have become incredibly popular in the last few years. From your perspective, what makes a good one actually work well for people at home? It starts with materials — and this is where most air stylers fall short. The majority of what's on the market, including the leading competitors, are made of plastic. That matters more than most people realize.

At T3, we've spent twenty years carefully honing and evolving a special ceramic blend — CeraGloss — developed in Korea, which has long been the epicenter of beauty and hair innovation. Korea was far ahead of the rest of the world in understanding the relationship between technology, materials, and hair health, and we planted ourselves right at the heart of that. CeraGloss is the foundation of every hot tool we make, and it didn't happen overnight. It's the result of two decades of obsessive refinement.

Ceramic distributes heat evenly and gently — which is why styles hold and hair stays healthy, shiny, and moisturized rather than depleted. That's the real test of a great air styler: does the style last through your day? Does your hair feel better after, not worse? With CeraGloss, the answer is always yes.

Many people assume a hair dryer is just hot air, but there’s clearly much more engineering behind it. What are some of the details most consumers never realize go into making a truly great hair tool? Most people assume a hair dryer is just hot air and that assumption is exactly what leads to damaged, depleted hair. At the wrong temperature and the wrong velocity, hot air is genuinely harmful. Understanding that was the foundation of everything we built.

When we developed the Featherweight, we went deep into the physics of fluid dynamics, how air moves, how heat behaves, how hair dries without being stripped of its moisture. That thinking became Soft Aire, our core technology. It dries hair gently from the inside out, keeping it supple and healthy while still working incredibly quickly. No other dryer does what ours does because no other dryer was engineered this way.

A truly great hair tool comes from a company that obsesses over every detail most consumers will never see, the airflow, the materials, the temperature calibration. It also helps, I think, that T3 is led by a female founder whose instincts are rooted in science and medicine. I'm not just designing a tool. I'm thinking about what happens to your hair at a cellular level. That changes everything.

You’re launching an upgraded version of the Aire 360. What were the biggest things you wanted to improve when you revisited this product? When women love a tool this much, they don't want to leave it behind and that was the single loudest piece of feedback we heard for nearly two years: 'Why can't I take this with me everywhere?' That question drove everything about this upgrade.

The new Aire 360 is dual voltage. Wherever you are in the world, it comes with you. Full stop.

But we didn't stop there. We also made it shorter, lighter, and more ergonomic — and I want to be clear about what that actually means: it's almost fifty percent lighter than the leading competitor's air styler. That is not a minor achievement. Nobody wants a workout when they're doing their hair. As a woman who is constantly on the go, portability and ergonomics aren't nice-to-haves,  they're everything. This upgrade was about making sure the Aire 360 fits as seamlessly into your life abroad as it does in your bathroom at home.

Are there any wellness practices you’ve stuck with over the years that have truly made a difference for you? Two things have truly stayed with me. The first is walking outside, alone, in nature. It sounds simple, but it has genuinely saved me on my hardest days. There's something about stepping outside, away from screens and schedules and noise, that resets everything. I protect that time fiercely.

The second is something rooted in my childhood. Every year I have a special blend of Korean herbal medicine prepared for me called Hanyak. The blend is customized based on my specific health concerns that year, and I drink it every single day for two weeks. I did this throughout my entire childhood, and I've never stopped. There's a deep comfort in returning to something that has been part of who you are for as long as you can remember  and I genuinely believe in what it does for my body and my health.

Are there any founders, brands, or companies right now that you think are doing particularly interesting or thoughtful things? Someone who has really captured my attention is Dr. Felice Chan. I had the chance to meet her last year and was immediately drawn to what she and her twin sister, Heather Chan, are building with Moonbow, a beauty line rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and ancient traditions. It's thoughtful, it's purposeful, and the products are incredible.

What advice would you give someone who’s trying to build something meaningful while also maintaining a healthy life outside of work? Draw boundaries and protect them like you protect your business. When you're building something meaningful it will consume you if you let it. So you have to actively, intentionally carve out time for the other things that matter. Your family. Your friends. Your hobbies. The parts of you that have nothing to do with what you're building.

In the beginning it feels impossible. I won't pretend otherwise. But start small. Even the smallest boundary honored consistently becomes a discipline. And as your company grows, so can the time you give back to yourself and the people you love.

The goal was never to build something great at the expense of everything else. The goal is to build something great and still have a life worth living while you do it.

With such a full professional life, what does “living well” actually look like for you on an ordinary day? Living well means making people happy and helping anyone I possibly can. Every single day. It's that simple and honestly, it's enough.

The post Living Well with Julie Chung, Founder of T3, on Asian Representation, Hair Health, and Building for Women First appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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