It’s worth repeating that a breastfeeding mother has a legal right in all 50 states to breastfeed in public. Breastfeeding is not only the healthiest thing for a new mother and her baby to engage in, it's also a beautiful act of bonding. For those moms who are breastfeeding in public, here are some more tips to help you look and feel good:
Wrap it up
A good wrap dress is versatile and can be worn for years to come. They look great on any size woman and provide easy access for a hungry little one. For moms on a budget, look no further than Target. Their Merona Wrap Dress is inexpensive and fits the bill. If you want to spend a bit more and look like you just stepped off the Eiffel Tower, you will adore this candy cane wrap dress. Take another step up the price ladder and you’ll find Isabella Oliver offers a lovely blue wrap dress. For the Manhattan mama who is willing to shell out for a timeless black dress, this silk wrap dress is for you.
When you are looking for a wrap dress, especially online, check the description to make sure it’s not a faux-wrap dress. You want the genuine article.
Now that you’re not pregnant though, dresses aren’t nearly as indispensable, and separates are making their way back into your life. Wrap shirts are an equally simple way to provide some coverage as you feed your baby. Finding a few beautiful wrap shirts that are affordable is not easy. However, this gorgeous wrap top is only $19. This Asian-style silk top in cinnamon is more expensive but quite beautiful. Spiegel sells some elegant wrap tops that are great for the office; this strapless one is a steal. This simple white one is a little bit pricey but a good item to have. As always, Target has an inexpensive solution.
Wraps, Shawls, and Scarves
Every woman should have a few over-sized scarves and wraps. These bring decadence to any outfit and are perfect for covering a nursing baby as well. If you don’t have one, Macy’s has an excellent selection. Wraps can get expensive but you will use a nice one for the next 20 years or so. Of course, this Pashmina wrap, red wrap and paisley wrap are all on sale for about $25. Target has a pretty, oversized scarf in aqua for a little over $12. If you want something earthier though, this wrap on Etsy for $39 is a good choice.
More style tips to come!
Source
Besides the fact that a woman has a legal right to breastfeed in public in all 50 states, she should be confident knowing that what she is doing is good for her baby and herself. Here are some ideas for looking great and discreet while breastfeeding:
Camisoles
Breastfeeding camis are a must-have for the breastfeeding mom. Layer them under another top or jacket or wear them as stand-alone tops. If you plan to breastfeed long-term, investing in some more expensive nursing tops might be in your best interest. Glamourmom has a collection that other moms swear by for comfort and convenience but they are about $40 a piece. However, if you are on a budget or only plan to breastfeed for a short period of time, check out Old Navy and Target. A good nursing tank doesn’t have to be used just while you are nursing though; you can use one for layering for years to come. Other camis to look at are this one at Fig Leaves, Milkdaze at Due Maternity, and Undercovermama’s $20 camis.
Motherhood Maternity has some good tops for reasonable prices too.
Long, Flowing Sweaters
This year’s trend is extra fabric added to the fronts of sweaters. It doesn’t make much practical sense to have all that extra fabric there normally, but for breastfeeding moms it’s perfect! Wrap all that extra fabric around your baby while you nurse. Here’s a nice one at Banana Republic. Sweaters aren’t the only items of clothing getting the extra fabric look, you can find vests carrying on the trend as well. Here’s a colorful one at Old Navy to try.
Another trend that’s worked in our favor is the extra-long cardigan. These are perfect to provide more coverage, and they are slimming and fashionable with almost any outfit. If you have extra cash, J.Jill has an excellent selection of these but you can find less expensive ones at Target and Modcloth.
More fashion tips to come!
Makeup? What's makeup? For moms on the go, makeup often becomes a thing of the past. The idea of putting on a face when you're busy taking care of kids can seem absurd to some. Nevertheless, a sleepless mom probably needs a little pick-me-up more than anyone. Here's how you can do it in one quick swoop:
Before you put anything on your skin, make sure the surface is clean, exfoliated and deeply moisturized.
Tinted moisturizers are great for the summer; they provide SPF and give sheer coverage, unlike a thick foundation, but still give you an even tone that glows. You can even make your own tinted moisturizer by blending a creamy moisturizer with a touch of foundation. Mineral makeup works the best, because it seems to dissolve in the moisturizer.
Next, use a spot concealer for dark circles and trouble areas. In general, just find a concealer that matches your skin tone. You can also use a green-tinted concealer for red spots, a salmon color for dark circles and use lavender to brighten up dull areas. Once you’ve targeted areas such as under the eyes, under the creases of the nose, and on the chin, blend gently until you have a flush surface.
A touch of blush on the cheeks goes a long way towards making you look fresh. Smile as you apply a light dusting of regular blush or use small dabs of lipstick and blend. Always keep in mind the old makeup adage: less is more.
Lastly, use a good tinted lip balm. One that has SPF and a moisturizing agent is preferable. You can apply it throughout the day just like you would a typical lip balm.
The great thing about this makeup routine besides enhancing your appearance is the practical effects it has on your skin. Moisturizing and protecting your skin and lips from the sun are both important investments into your face. Plus, even a 5-minute makeup routine will make you feel like a million bucks.
Time for a Quickie [Momologie]
Basic Concealer Tutorial [YouTube]
Nina Garcia, fashion director for Marie Claire and judge on Project Runway, is pregnant with her second child (due in December) and, although she admits to NYMag that she has "babies on the brain," fashion surely is a close second. She has just released her fashion how-to guide called: Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion. Over the course of 300 pages, the book gives advice for common wardrobe dilemmas such as what to wear to a wedding, job interviews, first dates, an office Halloween party, and much more. She told NYMagazine lots of details on what makes her fashion clock tick:
Trickiest events to dress for:
Unfortunately, the trickier situations are always the more personal ones: when you have a date with a guy you really like or you have an interview for a job you really want. You get emotional and your judgment gets impaired. My nightmare of nightmares is being overdressed for a casual event — I've done it! You have to have a real sense of what you want to communicate.
Shopping on a budget:
Invest in a couple of really good things — a great, classic coat; a good pair of shoes; and a timeless bag — then fill in the gaps with lower-priced pieces. I don't know why anybody would spend $300 on jeans.
Where she “fills in the gaps”:
I love J.Crew. Also, Gap, H&M, and Target.
One item every woman should have:
A little black dress. It's effortlessly simple, but it can be mysterious and super-sophisticated.
Her first designer item:
When I was older and I first started working, I was obsessed with buying my first Chanel jacket. I saved up my hard-earned money, went to Barneys, and bought a little black Chanel jacket. It saw many, many job interviews and many, many events. I’m not fitting into it lately, but I still have it.
Shopping in NY:
I love the new Isabel Marant and Lanvin stores; also, Patricia von Musulin for jewelry. I shop a lot at CrewCuts for my son.
Trends she’s digging:
All this minimalism, like Celine and Calvin Klein. I'm so happy we're moving toward a cleaner look.
Her maternity fashion must-have:
Since I'm pregnant at the moment, I can't leave home without Alexander Wang drapey tees. They're easy, cool, and they make me feel a little less obviously pregnant. I wear them with Current/Elliott cargo pants.
Nina Garcia Wants to Be Your ‘Stylist Fairy Godmother’ [NYMag]
Tops:
Light Sweaters:
Pants:
Skirts:
Dresses:
Swimsuits:
Happy Shopping!
Heroes star Ali Larter just became our hero of maternity fashion in this sleek black ensemble. Here are some inexpensive substitutes that will help you pull off this versatile look:
Asos Maternity Long Sleeve Body Con Dress - $33.69
Donna Karan Women’s Assouel Sandal - $71.81
Sterling Silver Square Pendant Necklace - $44.99
Gold Mesh Elastic Bangle - $22.99
Journee Collection Black Women’s Sunglasses - $17.99
Scrapbooking is a tradition that has for centuries provided a way for mothers to log their child’s milestones and memories of happy family occasions. While scrapbooking has had a huge resurgence in recent years, many mothers do not have the time, ability or desire to put these beautiful keepsakes together. Thankfully, there are people who will do it for you.
Hello Baby Books was started by new parents, Silvina & Jake, who found that their talents in photography, graphic design and writing made a great combination for putting together memory books. They made their first one after welcoming their first child together and are now offering other expectant parents the fruits of their talents. The team is based in London, but works internationally.
To get started, the team provides consultation on what you want out of the book through phone, Skype or email. They expect the process to take about a month from start to finish. You provide them with any materials you want to include in your book such as old love letters, ticket stubs, hospital scans, song lyrics or any other keepsakes that you cherish. The more ideas you have for them, the more customized your album will be. The albums are available in a variety of sizes, and in soft cover, hard cover or in an online format. Printing is not completed until you approve the final project. The costs range from about $230-$480, depending on the size of the album.
For a beautiful reminder of your pregnancy and birth to pass on to your children and share with friends and family, look no further than Hello Baby Books.
Did you ever think that your child's own stem cells could help if he or she had a freak accident in a pool? Sparrow Morris was just shy of two years old when she was trying to fill a watering can from the family pool. The weight of the water in the can pulled her in and she nearly drowned. Thankfully, rescue workers were able to revive her after administering CPR for about 45 minutes. Unfortunately, Sparrow had damaged brain tissue due to the severe lack of oxygen and doctors did not expect her to survive. But two years later, after an infusion of her own cord blood stem cells, physical therapy and tutoring, she is an active four-year-old. Sparrow's mother, Tonya, said "We saw the value in cord blood and realized someday our child might be able to use it when the research is there." Tonya never expected to use it so soon in Sparrow's life.Read more about this story at The Stem Cell Source.Get educated on how Cord Blood Stem Cells can benefit your family.Source Technorati Tags:pregnancy | maternity | maternity clothes | fashion | style | maternity style | baby | cord blood stem cells | cord blood registry
With record heat indexes around the country, planning an outdoor baby shower just got trickier. Here are a few tips to make any outdoor festivities more comfortable.
1. Consider a swimming party. Why not have a baby shower poolside or at the beach? If you know someone who has a pool or have a convenient place to hold a swimming party, it's an excellent way to keep everyone cool and still be outdoors.
2. Set up sprinklers. If a pool party isn't an option, set up some sprinklers for the kids and any willing adults. If the heat is really topping out, a run through a sprinkler is a dream come true.
3. Give fans to each guest. As your guests are sitting and watching the mom-to-be open gifts, make sure they have something to use as a fan. With all the guests fanning, it will make a huge difference in airflow. Chinese folding fans are a chic choice, but little electric fans will please many. You could even make your own folding fans with colored paper.
4. Set up sun umbrellas or canopies. Put umbrellas on tables or use canopy tents to shield guests from the sun.
5. Bring on the cocktails and frozen drinks. Get creative with the drinks, especially the non-alcoholic ones for the mom-to-be. If you can set up a blender and have a plentiful supply of ice, you can turn fruit and mixers into summer delights. No matter what, make sure you have more ice that you think you will need. Use our Pregnancy Bartending Guide for drink ideas.
6. Keep the menu cold. You can have an entire buffet made up of salads that will please every type of person. Here are a few suggestions: Artichoke-lemon-olive, Edamame Radish, Grilled Balsamic Chicken, Cucumber Dill, Chicken Pasta, Classic Potato, Taboulli, Fattoush, Tomato-Watermelon, Spicy Citrus Shrimp and Asian Beef.
7. Citronella candles are a must. As the afternoon dwindles into evening, light up citronella candles on all the tables to keep the bugs away from guests. Candles will contribute to the ambiance as well.
8. Provide icy desserts. Ice cream cake, make-your-own sundaes or shaved ice will please all the guests. Use coolers and chilled containers to hold the ingredients until serving up. You can set up a table with all the possible sundae ingredients or have shaved ice with a choice of flavors for the guests to make their own delicious treat.
If you’re in charge of throwing a baby shower, make sure you have an ample amount of help from others. Check the weather right before the event and make changes as necessary. Don’t sweat it if things don’t go as planned and be ready to shift gears if anything goes awry. Make sure you have everything prepared and ready to go before the event, so that you are able to relax and enjoy yourself as the event proceeds.
Do you have any tips or recipes for a hot, summer baby shower?
Rumors are swirling on the internet and in print that Victoria Secret model Miranda Kerr is pregnant. The rumor began with speculation that Miranda’s sudden marriage to Orlando Bloom was a “shotgun” wedding. US magazine claims a source witnessed Miranda telling friends the good news. Now fellow model at Victoria Secret, Jessica White, has stepped forward to “confirm” Miranda’s pregnancy to OK Magazine. There are also reports that Orlando Bloom told an employee at a hotel the couple stayed in during their honeymoon to excuse his wife’s moodiness due to her pregnancy.
Is Miranda pregnant? There’s no telling from pictures, so if she is, she isn’t very far along. Only time will tell if the newlywed will join the ranks of new mothers within the Victoria Secret franchise: Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Karolina Kurkova, Doutzen Kroes and veteran mother, Heidi Klum. No official confirmation has been made by Miranda or Orlando, but this rumor seems more and more likely to be true.
Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr Expecting Their First Child [US Magazine]
Model Jessica White Says Miranda’s Baby Will Be “Crazy Hot” [OK Magazine]