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MOPA

MODERN PARENT LIVING

MoPaPa’s Day: Carl Beckman


MoPa is about celebrating the parents and families that make our world go. This Father’s Day, we’re hanging out with Carl Beckman talking fatherhood and family. 

 

Carl, congrats to you and Tracy on the recent birth of your son Charlie. What would you say has been the highlight since bringing him home? 

 

Thanks, I would say the highlight of having Charlie home is seeing the interaction between him and his sister Zoe. My favorite moments are when Charlie smiles at the sound of Zoe’s voice. Then Zoe realizes that he is laughing at her and the two go back and forth. 

 

 

Your daughter, Zoe is almost 3. What has been her reaction to having a baby brother? 

 

Zoe loves having a little brother. She has shown maternal instincts that I would have never expected. She is always letting us know “Charlie is crying” or “Charlie is awake.” She has been a fantastic big sister. 

 

 

How do you typically spend Father’s Day? Any traditions so far? 

 

Father’s Day is normally low key. We may have a cookout or barbecue, and try to get my father out for a round of golf. We don’t have any set traditions yet, but this is only our third Father’s Day so maybe Tracy has something planned. 

 

 

What are three words you would use to describe your family?

 

Loving – Obligatory but true, without a loving family I don’t know how you would get through the trying times that all parents go through. 

 

Amazing – I am in constant wonder of how Tracy can handle two kids all day, of how quickly Zoe is growing up, and, of course everything babies do is amazing. 

 

Funny – Luckily Zoe has a great sense of humor and we spend most of our time laughing with, and at, each other.

 

 

 

big + little {owl edition}


 

big & little {owl edition}

 

This collection plays off of a popular motif for baby… the owl.

Here, we opt for sophisticated versions with clean lines and simple detail. 

Each piece is totally swoon {hoot} worthy.

 

 

mom swimwear 

baby bunting

baby teething toy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Glowing with Larissa McLaughlin


Larrisa McLaughlin has been making faces beautiful for years. As a professional make-up artist on the local scene, she’s perfected the “glow” for so many, at almost every kind of occassion and event. 

 

One thing you’ll notice right away when you meet Larissa – her “glow.” She’s stunning, and one would think it’s due to her amazing make-up talents, and we’re sure they play into it, but we also suspect it has a little something to do with her two beautiful children, Sean and Sydney. So cute!

 

Every mom is looking for the inside track on what it takes to maintain beautiful, healthy skin… Larissa gives us some of her personal tips. 

 

 

What are some of the key things you recommend to moms (and women) on how to care for their skin? 

I always recommend that women wash their face once in the morning and once at night (even if they don’t wear makeup) and to always apply a moisturizer and sunscreen.  

 

My favorite cleanser is Cor.  It is a patented silver science facial bar that makes your face glow after one wash.  Made with all natural ingredients it’s silver properties act as a natural antibacterial that helps heal skin, stop blemishes in it’s tracks, and leave your skin feeling clean.  

 

My favorite moisturizer is Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream).  This moisturizer looks wonderful under makeup, great to use as a makeup remover, hydrates without feeling too heavy and even works great to reduce redness after shaving.  What’s better is that it doesn’t cost a fortune.  You can find it at http://www.embryolisseusa.com/products.

 

Always use a daily SPF 30.  

 

It’s summer and everyone wants that “glow” – even if they are not expecting… What regimen and product would you recommend to achieve that summer glow? 

Again, the key to achieving that summer glow is to take care of your skin with cleansing and moisturizing.  Just because it is summer it doesn’t mean that you should toss your makeup to the side.  Instead of using a heavy foundation try using a tinted moisturizer and a little bit of concealer for areas that need color correction such as under the eyes and any blemishes.  My favorite concealer and highlighter is Touche Eclat by Yves St. Laurent and my go to tinted moisturizer is Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20.

 

Using a peach or pink color on the apples of the cheeks lends to a youthful glow.  

 

Follow that up with tinted lipgloss and mascara and you are good to go for a simple, glowing summer look.

 

 

What should every mom include in her beauty routine no matter how busy or tired? 

I think that if you can swing applying a concealer, a light blush, lipgloss, and mascara then you are good to go!

 

Can you give us an industry tip on how our busy moms can easily take their look from the playground to dinner with friends? 

Quick adjustments can take your look from day to night in a snap. During the day, skip eyeliner then apply a thin line to the top of your lids or both top and bottom for a more dramatic look. Working a darker shade of eyeshadow to the outer corner, crease or lash line of the eyelid adds a more nighttime look to your day wear.  Even something as simple as replacing that clear gloss for a bolder lip color (like M.A.C. Red) from MAC or a brighter pink would look great to amp up the look.  Keep in mind that if you go darker on the eyes, keep the lips simple and if you decide a bolder choice on the lip keep the eyes lighter.

 

What SPF and skincare lotion are your top picks? 

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) and my favorite sunscreen is the Pomegranate Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30.  

 

What’s is one beauty product every mom should stash in her diaper bag? 

That’s tough because I love so many… I would have to say Rosie Jane’s Lip Dew, or Armour Lip Gloss in any color.

 

You’re favorite beauty of the moment beauty trend? 

Go bright and bold. I love a bright lip, but if you don’t feel like being that bold a pop of nail color is a great alternative, and a hot trend for the summer. 

 

 

 

 

Alex and Ani Winners


 

So…Who Won? 

 

We love a good Arm Party… and know you do too! 

We had such a great response to this giveaway…

a big thanks to our sponsor, and partner, Hannoush Jewelers in Dartmouth.

 

 

Our winners:

 

Ashley, who posted, “I love Alex and Ani! It’s an awesome giveaway!”

 

Colleen, who posted, “So cool! Love Alex and Ani and didn’t know I could buy them at Hannoush!”

 

 

Please email info@mopaliving.com with your shipping

details so we can get this great set of bangles in the mail.  

 

 

Congrats, and thanks again for all the MoPa love!

 

{xo} MoPa

 

Our Guide to a Happy Weekend


 

MoPa’s Guide to a Happy Weekend begins right here:

Mix & Mingle your way through our hit list, and above all else,

have a smashing weekend! 


 

Shop This: Based on our poll this morning on Facebook,

moms want to SHOP these classic Ray Bans.

 

 

 

Grab This: {and the kids} & hit the beach with this

sepia-tone meets color-blocked, must have beach towel.

 

 

 

Do This: The Buttonwood Park Zoo has a Family Twilight Tour!

June 9th, enjoy an exciting evening at the Zoo rain or shine

This 3 hour program includes a pizza dinner, a program about animals at the Zoo,

an evening tour of the Zoo and a campfire with s’mores. 

Learn more here.

 

 

 

 

Eat This: Go fresh {and healthy} at this amazing little downtown gem, the Spicy Lime

Trust us, this will be on your “what’s delicious” rotation list in no time. 

 

 

 

 

Wear This: This week I was told that green looked good on me {it may have been Celtic fever}…

I have a feeling it will look just as good on you.

 

{xo} MoPa Mom, Denny French