We all need a little help (from our shapewear)

A friend wrote the other day looking for new shapewear to help her with her post-baby problem areas. She complained about her tummy and muffin top, and said that she needs shapewear that's long enough and has thick straps to cover a bra. I was of course more than happy to help with a few (or excessive) suggestions.


the Yummie Tummie shaping nursing tank -

I like Yummie Tummie in general because they look like regular tanks on the top and bottom in case they peek out, but in the middle they are shapewear to smooth everything out. It's such a great idea!

If you don't need nursing but would prefer a thicker strap that covers a bra strap (as opposed to their more common spaghetti strap that you can also find through the link) -

This is the spanx version -

This Sassybax shaping top has underwire, so you don't have to wear a bra underneath it -

And this Yummie Tummie slip looks like it would be amazing to wear under dresses -

There are a million more options if you didn't see something that appeals to you -

Finally Nice Nursing Tops

Always looking for nursing top options, most are so sad - they are clearly maternity shirts and so bad on a postpartum body. And then Milkstars was born! A line of nursing tops designed by a friend of a friend, the idea is to make tops as nice as the Splendid or Michael Stars type tees, but with nursing access. This v-neck looks great -

 
It comes in several colors, and you can get 15% off using this code - Junesale15. As usual, click on the photo of the shirt to see more at Figure 8. They have free shipping and easy returns.

A New Bottle for Mom

I get a lot of emails from PR people offering me articles, photos, even stuff. I almost always immediately delete them, but over the last few weeks I got a couple of emails I actually answered because they were offering products that sounded interesting to me, and thus I figured might be interesting to you. The first is what I'm writing about today (the second will come in a few days after I've tried it out a few more times). The Bobble water bottle - 

Why bother with a new water you might ask? I asked the same thing, but then I opened the box and found this really light bottle has it's own charcoal filter, like a portable britta. I love that because when I'm out shopping with clients I don't want to buy bottled water, it's so wasteful both in terms of the plastic and the cash. This way I could fill the bottle at a sink and it filters as you squeeze it out into your mouth. I'm a little nervous it will spill in a bag, but I threw it in my purse this morning for my early morning coffee run with the baby, and it was fine.

The big thing is that I really have found it nice for nursing. The "bottle" type thing I was using to drink from until now was the large cup with a top, handle and straw attachment that I got in the hospital. Everyone who gives birth in that hospital has it, so it's funny to go to people's homes and see it. We all use it for months, but I have no idea if its BPA free (which now might not mean so much unfortunately but still...) and I don't feel like it gets quite clean enough. If I don't use that I use a glass which has gotten dicey as Nate is stronger and flails his top arm when he nurses, he has at times knocked the glass into my teeth which isn't good. So, back to the bobble. It's not perfect. The water doesn't come out as quickly as it does a regular bottle, I generally don't choose to use the squeeze top part if there is an alternative but with this one you are stuck with that, and occasionally if I pull too hard on the cap the spout (which is attached to the filter) might come off too, but all in all it's a nice option to have.

They say the filter lasts for 2 months, and a replacement is $7. You can buy the bottle and replacement filters all over the place (which surprised me as I've never noticed them before), including Amazon -

Tunics

I was never so interested in tunics. I thought they looked cute on other people but for a petite woman, they can be overwhelming. But I have changed my tune. I was looking through a little boutique here in Berkeley and decided to try on a couple. I thought they would be easy to wear now if they button down the front for nursing access, and I can wear them with slim leg jeans, skinny jeans or yes - the legging I was so against for so long. For the record, I still think leggings aren't pants, but under an appropriately long top, they do the job.

Anyway, the boutique had a few versions, one in a thick cotton with lovely embroidery, and a gorgeous red version of this one made by Velvet -

The cotton in the tunic by Velvet was thin and soft and draped much better than the other, it was also a slimmer cut which was much more flattering. The other one overwhelmed my frame. I ended up getting the red one - it's also machine washable which is a deal breaker these days considering how much of my time is spent with a now 4 month old(4 months already!). You can find the white and black versions at Revolve -

I also really like this one from Boden -

I love the color and embroidery, that would be fun to wear with slim white capris.

Figure 8 Maternity and Nursing

I'm still looking for good nursing tops, and Figure 8 is a fantastic site to use as a resource (for maternity clothes too!) like this Japanese Weekend top -

And they are always offering discounts and free shipping and free returns, too good to pass up!

Nursing Tops

So I'm at the point where I'm just a little sick of always wearing nursing tanks and cardigans, although I've just gotten some great cardigans I need to post about. But I'm thinking it's time I get some actual nursing tops because as much as I enjoy wearing my regular tops again (what a nice feeling) baring my stomach when I nurse is not fun.  Even with my nursing cover something shows, it just can't cover all of me. So I'm looking around for my options, and I was thinking these are cute -

Favorite Nursing Tank and Bra

While I've only been nursing for less than 6 weeks, I feel like a pro already (as well as a dairy cow!) Before going into labor (almost 3 weeks early) I had bought some nursing tanks. I planned to get bras as well but little Nathaniel had other plans. I bought three different kinds of tanks, 2 of the expensive brands that everyone talks about (Glamourmom and Bravado) and one from Target. After a very short time, I had a definite clear favorite -

This Bravado tank is so supportive, actually attractive and flattering, and comfortable. It puts the other ones to shame. The glamourmom tank just has a weird shape that doesn't flatter, and the target one is such crap after one wash the straps were stretched out and the seams on the neckline were coming out. This Bravado one holds up so well and is so great, I've already bought more of them AND this nursing bra by them as well -

 

This company is making nursing a little easier for me, and allowing me to get back into regular clothes! The tanks are great under looser tops and cardigans, and the bra works under anything. It makes a big difference to a new mom to like what we see in the mirror so I'm extolling the virtues of these products.

Cyber Monday Deals For You AND the Kids!

I am not into getting up early and facing crowds for black Friday shopping, particularly this year with my late pregnancy back pain(argh!). So I love this relatively new cyber Monday sale phenomenon - we can take advantage of these amazing sales from the comfort of our home or office computers!

If you are looking for clothes for yourself or your little one, Boden is a great site to visit. Mini Boden clothes are adorable!
Boden Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale - 30% off Plus Free Shipping through Cyber Monday!

Looking for shoes for your little ones? Endless has tons of options both you and your little guy or fashionista will love -
Cyber Monday Sale: Save $30 off orders of $100 or more, $60 off $200, or $100 off $300 at endless.com

If you are looking for maternity clothes, there are deals at Motherhood -
Free Shipping on purchases over $75 at Motherhood Maternity November 29 ONLY! Use code: THANKS.

and at Pea in the Pod -
Free Shipping on purchases over $150 A Pea in the Pod November 29 ONLY! Use code: THANKS2.

And Isabella Oliver, my favorite maternity brand, is offering 20% off everything through midnight -
Celebrate Thanksgiving with 20% off Maternity Clothes. Enter THANKS20 at checkout before midnight 30 November 2010.

Babies R' Us also has Cyber Monday deals -
Cyber Monday Savings! Save up to 70% on clearance items at Babiesrus.com. Offer good 11.29.10 only.

And perhaps you need some new lingerie...
CyberMonday Sale At BareNecessities.com $10 Off $75! Exclusions Apply. Ends 11.30.10




For even more deals, check out my other blog, Shopping Made Simple.

Happy Shopping!

Nursing PJ's and Robes

As my pregnancy progresses, I realize it might be time to start thinking more about nursing clothes than maternity clothes and I've focused on nursing pj's thinking those are what I will wear most the first couple of weeks. It will be raining here and cold - apartments here are not well heated or insulated so it gets cold even though it doesn't actually often go below 50 degrees.

Anyway...

Japanese Weekend makes some nice looking nursing pj's, like these -

A lot of the other ones I've seen are short sleeved or sleevless, so if we go that route, how about a comfy new robe? For some reason that really sounds like a lovely thing to buy myself -

So then middle of the night feedings, or morning or afternoon feedings for that matter, a little more comfortable. Who needs to change when you can throw a comfy new and cute robe on over the pj's and  then it's ok if there are tons of people around also. I wouldn't recommend staying in Pj's for too long, but for a couple of weeks...it's bound to happen.

Flash Sales at Isabella Oliver

One of my favorite maternity clothes sources is having what they are calling a flash sale this week. Each day offering a diminishing percentage discount. Today (Friday) it's 35% off, tomorrow it's 32% and Sunday it's 29%. Any of those make these gorgeous clothes a very good deal. I LOVE my purchases and I'm still coveting this top -

There are also nursing tops I will want when it's time (not so far away anymore!!!) -

and -

Now is a great time to shop for these amazing pieces!

Multi-Brand Maternity and Nursing Sale at Gilt

There is a big maternity and nursing sale at Gilt Groupe today. Brands include Paige Premium denim, Nom, Belabumbum, Maternal America and a few others.

The last time they had maternity clothes I got a few things that have turned into my favorites, like this NOM top -

I wore it so much over the last couple of weeks on our trip in fact, I got a second one!  Now I'm thinking about getting some nursing PJ's, any opinions on whether they are worth it? They certainly sound like a great idea.

Click here for the invitation link.