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Best Products for the 1st Trimester

November 7, 2011 By 11 Comments

As you know, my 1st trimester was…rough.

Needless to say, I didn’t use many products in the first trimester – but these four did help me make it through.

comforpedic harmony plush simmons Best Products for the 1st TrimesterComforPedic Harmony Plush mattress by Simmons. It’s a well-known fact that pregnant women often have trouble sleeping – even in the 1st trimester. I am no exception. The one thing that helped me in that department was my mattress. The memory foam technology in the ComforPedic line “displaces heat and responds to movement.” Unbelievably comfortable. Instead of buying a whole bunch of baby gear, invest in a new mattress. Your back, bottom, and entire body will thank you.

hartley sandals flojos Best Products for the 1st TrimesterHartley Sandals by Flojos. Never underestimate the power of a good pair of shoes during pregnancy. It’s especially awesome if your shoes are comfy AND don’t require bending over. All flip-flops are not alike…and these ones stand-out for their squishy and supportive base. I highly recommend this brand – whether you’re carrying a baby or not.

bband maternity target Best Products for the 1st TrimesterBellabands. These stretchy bands of fabric allow expecting women to wear their pre-pregnancy pants…without zipping them up! Brilliant. I’m still using these at 18weeks, but I’ve been searching eBay for a pair of Chip & Pepper maternity jeans in my size. I can’t stand most brands of maternity denim, but C&P gets it right. (Note: I have also used the more affordable BeBand brand by Target with success).

gymgirl skirtsports Best Products for the 1st TrimesterGymSkirt by SkirtSports. Something about the flexible, cool material of my favorite running skirt made it an ideal pick for the 1st trimester. It didn’t put pressure on my tummy and allowed for a great range of movement (not to mention it’s pretty cute). Not that I was thinking about that in my state of perpetual nausea.

I wish I could say that a particular morning sickness remedy worked magic for me, but – no dice.  

I am happy to report that I made it without meds or hospitilization (yay). It feels good to be in the second trimester and almost “human” again. Go ahead: cue the “Beauty & the Beast” soundtrack [track #8] and sing along with me…

What products did you use in your 1st trimester? What is your favorite brand of maternity jeans/clothing?

Filed Under: Babies, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , ,

Summer Fashion: Cake Lingerie

July 7, 2010 By 91 Comments

There used to be a day when nursing bras were boring. Beige and white were the only color options available. If you were lucky, you *might* find a black bra at a specialty boutique. The sizes were wonky, the fits were all wrong, and they certainly weren’t alluring.

cake lingerie logo Summer Fashion: Cake LingerieFortunately, we live in a brave new world. Designers have stepped up and created beautiful lingerie options for new mums.

Case-in-point: Cake Lingerie. The Sydney-based company was established in 2008 by a new mother who found herself disenchanted by the underwear options for nursing mothers.

If you’re a pregnant or nursing mom, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the options: frills, lace, polka dots, pink, red, blue, black, cream, more.

Beside bras and panties, you’ll find gowns, robes, and camisoles. Prices for all pieces start at $29.90 on up.

Screen shot 2010 07 06 at 10.44.41 PM Summer Fashion: Cake Lingerie

If you would like to stay connected w/ the brand, I suggest that you:

Like Cake Lingerie on Facebook or Follow Cake Lingerie on Twitter.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Plum Pudding Set ($87.80; pictured above). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Cake Lingerie sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 lingerie set for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #61 The Jacobsen Family. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Breastfeeding, Giveaways, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

1st Bday: Anytime Nursing Gown by Bella Materna

March 1, 2010 By 108 Comments

1st birthday cupcake 1st Bday: Anytime Nursing Gown by Bella MaternaWhen my first daughter turned one [see left], I began to feel pressure…to stop breastfeeding.

It was mostly subtle. People would ask how much longer I planned to continue. They would say things like, “Oh! I can’t imagine breastfeeding a baby with teeth! Doesn’t it hurt?” and “Once a baby can walk/talk…it’s weird.”

But…it wasn’t weird for us. Nor is it weird for parents across the globe. On the contrary, nursing a toddler is a beautiful thing – a gift of health, comfort, and closeness.

Now that my second baby is almost one, I don’t feel that same pressure. Perhaps some of it was self-imposed. If people make comments like the ones listed above, I feel confident enough to humbly and truthfully share our experience…or to just smile and bypass the controversy. Every mother – every family – makes different decisions for different reasons. I choose to nurse my babies longer than the “American norm”…and I gently, assuredly stand by that choice.

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Screen shot 2010 03 01 at 8.23.26 PM 150x32 1st Bday: Anytime Nursing Gown by Bella MaternaOne thing that makes nursing easier (no matter how long you choose to nurse) is being able to slip into pretty, soft, and feminine pajamas at the end of the day.

Bella Materna is a Seattle-based, mom-owned company that offers beautiful nursing and maternity bras, camisoles, sleepwear, loungewear, and lingerie. I particularly like the French Lace collection (so sophisticated).

43 150x150 1st Bday: Anytime Nursing Gown by Bella MaternaI have the Anytime Nursing Gown [pictured left] and it is luxuriously soft and silky. The gown gives me enough support that I don’t have to wear a bra (hallelujah!), but it’s also refreshingly free of underwire (not a nursing mama’s best friend). I’m not currently pregnant, but I can definitely see how it could expand gracefully over a burgeoning belly.

Up next for the company? I’m *hoping* for sleepwear in brighter and deeper colors and an above-the-knee robe for those first few postpartum days/weeks.

WIN IT! One winner will receive an Anytime Nursing Gown ($98) by Bella Materna. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, March 9th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #74  jennifer. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Breastfeeding, Giveaways, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Something Colorful: HOTmilk Lingerie

February 22, 2010 By 81 Comments

350 sc.jpg 138x150 Something Colorful: HOTmilk LingerieA Note to Nursing Bra Designers.

I think I speak for all breastfeeding moms when I say:

We want color. We want “punch.” We want pretty. We want pizazz. Oh – and we definitely want comfort too.

We don’t want nude and black and blah.

At least one brand out there has heard our voice…

HOTmilk Lingerie is a New Zealand company that specializes in camisoles, nightwear, and lingerie for pregnant and nursing moms.

The company offers colorful, sultry pieces and sets that have intricate details – an excellent combination of glamour and practicality.

I received the Her Desire Was Dangerous set and it is lovely. The deep red and black combination is sophisticated and the sparkles are subtle and attractive. I especially appreciate that the bra is supportive – WITHOUT underwire (am I the only nursing mama who doesn’t care for wires?).

If you’re looking for pretty nursing bras, stop over at HOTmilk Lingerie. If you’re on Twitter, you can find them @HOTmilkLingerie.

YOUR TURN: If you could design the perfect nursing bra, what would it be like?

Screen shot 2010 02 22 at 8.36.53 PM 150x65 Something Colorful: HOTmilk LingerieWIN IT! One winner will receive a Slip Into Seduction nightie (~$89) by HOTmilk Lingerie. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, March 2nd at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #17 Tarah. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Breastfeeding, Giveaways, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330}

October 20, 2009 By 121 Comments

Some people feel all glamorous and glowing when they are pregnant. I never did.

On the contrary, I felt plump and pooped and predictable.

When I look back at myself, however, I realize that I looked kinda cute. Hindsight is always 20/20, right?

From Left to Right: 16 weeks, 22 weeks, 9 days before I delivered my baby

16 weeks pregnant Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330} 22 weeks pregnant Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330} 9 days before baby arrives Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330}

So two pieces of advice:

  1. Take a lot of pictures…even if you feel ugly. You can always delete them later if you despise them. That’s the beauty of digital photography.
  2. Buy a few high-quality maternity pieces. If you can only buy one nice thing, buy designer jeans. It may seem a bit ridiculous to pay $100+ for an item that you can only wear 9 months, but I think it’s worth it for a little self-esteem booster during pregnancy. I had a pair of Mamasita jeans from Chip & Pepper that made me feel great every time I slipped them on – even on the day I went into labor!

Speaking of maternity clothes that will make you feel fabulous…

One mama-to-be will win this fantastic fall maternity wardrobe from Moody Mamas (click to enlarge each item and/or to see more details):

F09DLV75BR Full 200x300 Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330} F09TBP76W Full 200x300 Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330} SKU10002 1 200x300 Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330} SKU10037 1 200x300 Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330} SKU10039 1 200x300 Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330}

From Left to Right:

  • Long Sleeve V-Neck Dress ($75)
  • Box Pleat Shirt ($66)
  • Captivating Cap Sleeve Dress ($68)
  • Blissful Box Pleat Shirt ($55 – sorry, it doesn’t come with that adorable hat)
  • Cute Cowl Neck Dress ($65)

The Moody Mamas collection is available online and at Nordstrom.

***If you’re a bargainista, you’ll particularly appreciate the “Steals & Deals” section of the Moody Mamas website.

header logo mm 150x39 Win A Maternity Wardrobe {valued at over $330}WIN IT! One winner will receive all five of the items pictured above from Moody Mamas (package valued at over $330!). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Wednesday, October 28th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #31 Sara. Congratulations!

Filed Under: fashion, Giveaways, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want

May 11, 2009 By 43 Comments

pregnant 9 months 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably WantWhen I was pregnant, I tried very hard not to spend money on pregnancy-specific products. After all, I reasoned, why should I spend money on items that I would only use for 9 months?

I was fortunate to have friends pass on maternity clothes to me (I always pass my maternity clothes on to others too, by the way…even in between babies…I figure…why keep a bunch of unused clothes around for one or more years when a friend could be using them?).

And I’m not big into pregnancy gadgets and gizmos either.

That said, these 6 products are ones that I think are worth buying:

dsc00894 150x100 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want1. Fabulous designer maternity jeans :: I had this AMAZING pair of maternity jeans from Chip & Pepper for my last pregnancy. I wore them all of the time because they were the only article of clothing that I owned that made me feel beautiful and small, even during my 3rd trimester (that’s me in my 3rd trimester over there to the left…). $100 or $200 is a small price to pay for that feeling. Especially toward the end when you just feel frumpy and clumsy and humongous.

aaaaagjtod0aaaaaanud6w 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want2. Oversized bath towels or beach towels :: It’s totally not a good feeling to get out of the shower and have a towel that won’t wrap around your bum or your belly. Having a few oversized bath towels on-hand is very nice. I actually still prefer them…and I’m not even pregnant anymore.

on211582 00p01v01 113x150 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want3. Maternity underwear :: No, I’m not talking about those huge granny-style maternity undies (although I bet those are super comfy…). I’m talking about bikini-style maternity underwear from anywear…or underwear that’s one size up. It’s totally wonderful to have a little stretch and extra room for your bottom. I wish I could say that your bottom doesn’t expand when you’re pregnant, but – unfortunately – I can’t…

picture 11 129x150 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want4. at least one BellaBand :: BellaBands are great for:

  • your first and second trimesters when you’re starting to bulge, but still want to wear your pre-pregnancy clothes.
  • your third trimester when your pants start to fall down and you need something to hold them up.
  • the post-partum period when you can *almost* squeeze into your pre-pregnancy pants, but would prefer a little extra “breathing room.”

I suggest that you start by purchasing a black one (but you’ll probably want to buy a few other colors as well; BellaBands are incredibly useful). I know there are “knock-off” versions of these available, but I have only tried the “real thing” so I can’t tell you if other brands are equally soft and stretchy.

step2 sm 104x150 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want5. Utterly Yours pregnancy pillow :: With my first pregnancy, I stubbornly refused to buy a pregnancy pillow – even though my husband offered. I just felt like I could “tough it out” for those last uncomfortable months. But, with my second pregnancy, I was soooo glad to have the Utterly Yours pregnancy pillow. It was such a relief on my back and tummy…and the pillow is brilliantly engineered. It’s compact and portable, yet it provides plenty of support. I highly recommend it.

9838091swd 114x150 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably Want6. Nursing Nightgown :: I always ended up reaching for my pink polka-dotted gown in that last month or so. It just felt comforting to have something that was relaxed around my tummy and “floating” around my legs. Actually, that nightgown ended up being my “coming home” outfit. It wasn’t the most flattering nightgown I could have bought, but it was only $25 and it provided easy access for nursing and there was plenty of room for my I-just-had-a-baby tummy too.

YOUR TURN: What products did you LOVE during your pregnancy?

***This post was sponsored by Three Lollies. If you’re experiencing morning sickness, you may want to try out Three Lollies’ newest product – Preggie Pop Drops Organic, “delicious sour fruit drops that are an all natural remedy for morning sickness.”

ppd organic 150x150 6 Pregnancy Products You Probably WantWIN IT! One winner will receive three boxes of Preggie Pop Drops Organic. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, May 19 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #15 Dan. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Giveaways, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

FOR THE NURSING MAMA: Peek-a-boo

April 28, 2009 By 74 Comments

nothing to wear 300x225 FOR THE NURSING MAMA: Peek a booLately, I have nothing to wear.

When I’m around the house, I’m okay. I can relax in my yoga pants with oversized tees or “indecent” camisoles.

But when I have to leave the house, I stand in my closet and hem & haw over my choices. Some of my pre-pregnancy jeans and pants fit now, but I have to squeeeeeeze into them (and who wants to be squeezed…?). Usually, I opt for one of the two pairs of jeans that I have that fit comfortably.

My tops fit, but they’re not exactly nursing friendly, so that’s where I usually get “stuck.”

Thank goodness for companies that design clothing that is friendly for nursing mothers…whether they intend to or not.

logo1 150x38 FOR THE NURSING MAMA: Peek a booToday I’m pleased to introduce you to one such company…Peek-a-boo.

The Peek-a-boo nursing collection “enables the mother to breastfeed without exposing herself, keeping mother-baby eye contact while still looking stylish.” The collection currently includes 13 items: 9 tops, 3 dresses, and 1 pair of pants.

The pieces are “simple” and stylish in solid coloring and soft fabrics. The items are refreshingly pattern-free and quite “neutral,” which is a positive trait for new moms who probably don’t want to draw unnecessary attention to their postpartum bodies.

picture 15 96x150 FOR THE NURSING MAMA: Peek a booI received the lacy top (pictured right) for review and I appreciate the feminine detailing, the dark colors, and the “functionality” (I can nurse my baby…no problem!). That said, I think the top would be better suited for smaller-breasted woman (A-C cup). I am a modest woman and the top is just low-cut enough for me to feel uncomfortable about wearing it around town.

That said, I think peek-a-boo is “on to something.” I like their pieces and their philosophy.

Here’s what I’d like to see them design next:

  • Deep V-neck tops : As in really *deep* V-necks. So deep that I could wear a nursing camisole underneath and just pull the boob out without lifting my shirt. I’m thinking a 3/4 length sleeve would be quite flattering, but short-sleeve or long-sleeve options could be offered as well.
  • Button-up tops : One of the best options for a nursing mama is a button-up top with a camisole underneath. But I’d like to see a nursing company design fashionable button-up shirts with the new mama in mind. That translates into: (a) a little more “room” around the tummy, (b) styles that compliment larger-breasted women, and (c) figure flattering colors/patterns (black, dark jewel tones, vertical stripes, etc.).
  • Zip-up tops : I wonder why I’ve never seen a nursing top with a zipper down the front. It seems like that could be stylish…and easy…don’t you think?
  • Slouchy tops : Sometimes a mama just wants to wear a slouchy tee that can be pulled up easily. I’d like to see “baggy” tops & tees that are WAY more fashionable than just buying a t-shirt one or two sizes too big. Maybe something along the lines of what Anthropologie offers.
  • Nursing Camisoles with higher necklines : I LOVE the idea of nursing camisoles, but somebody’s gotta design one for well-endowed women. The ones that I own are nice, but the amount of skin that is revealed is beyond my comfort zone. Cleavage is a good thing in the bedroom…not so much at the park with my kids.
  • More nursing dresses : I applaud peek-a-boo for offering three dresses. That’s a fantastic start – especially considering that their current collection only has a total of 13 pieces. I’d like to see even more dresses that are nursing-friendly. I will be nursing for awhile and it would be nice to wear a dress from time-to-time…

I’ll eagerly look forward to the day when more companies design clothes with nursing mamas in mind. Until then, I’ll have to be creative with my wardrobe. Either that or I could just wear this t-shirt:

i have nothing to wear t shirt 11071 1234373086 11 150x150 FOR THE NURSING MAMA: Peek a boo

YOUR TURN: If you are a nursing mom, what kind of tops do you wear most often? What would you like to see nursing companies design next?

WIN IT! One winner will receive her choice of ANY one item from the Peek-a-boo collection {contingent upon availability}. To enter, look through the peek-a-boo collection and leave a comment on this post stating what item you would choose prior to Wednesday, May 6 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.). ***This contest is open to readers from all over the world.***

*UPDATE* The winner is #70 Jennifer Jozwiak. Congratulations!

Filed Under: fashion, Giveaways, maternity clothing Tagged With: , , , , , ,