droolicious : pregnancy

Pregnancy Faves and Raves: Spoiled Mama Skincare

elizabeth leach — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Spoiled Mama's organic and natural skincare for pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding and babies offers an extensive collection of skincare products for all the stages of pregnancy and beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed spoiling myself with a few of their pregnancy products!

My favorite was the Massaging Aloe Leg Gel which is perfect for us pregnant women in the summer. Spearmint leaves and Peppermint oil help with circulation of swollen, aching legs and feet. Keep it in the refrigerator for a refreshing treat. Let your husband massage your legs and enjoy one of the few perks of pregnancy!

The Cocoa and Shea Tummy Butter smells like chocolate and feels luxuriously rich and wonderful on the skin. The Lavender Sugar Scrub helps with circulation, deep cleans and brightens tired skin. It also smells delicious. Beautiful packages are available for gifts. Everyone deserves to be spoiled. Shop Spoiled Mama.

Maternity Faves and Raves: The Perfect Maternity Tank Top

elizabeth leach — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:30:00 GMT

What makes this the perfect maternity tank top (for me) is the price (only $12.50), the colors and the great fit. I bought a few and I want to wear them every day. They are so comfortable and drape perfectly over my seven-month pregnant belly. Available in orange crush, watermelon, Cayman pink, sassafras, juniper and black.

Get the perfect summer tank at Old Navy.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Boob Maternity and Nursing Wear

elizabeth leach — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Boob Maternity and Nursing Wear was designed in Sweden with the idea of creating maternity and nursing apparel that is fresh, contemporary and comfortable. These are maternity clothes you are excited to wear and feel good wearing. Made from high quality fabrics and designed to flatter your growing curves, every piece feels soft and luxurious. I love the bright colors and sophisticated color combinations. Everything about Boob is modern. And don't you just love the name? More photos after the jump...

The above Boob Kangaroo Sundress is adorable! I'm not a big sundress gal, but I love this dress. It's so casual you can wear it to the playground or dress it up with cute shoes and wear it out to dinner. Available in poppy (above photo), black and safari.

The below tank top is one of my favorites. The Under Belly Singlet is available in black, poppy stripe and grass stripe.

The below Boob Nursing Top Short Sleeve/Striped has their genius overlapping layer at the top, so you can nurse in public discreetly and easily. Available in grass/pearl, barque/pearl and poppy/pearl.

Visit Boob to see many more styles and to find out where you can purchase Boob at a store near you. You can also purchase Boob Maternity and Nursing Wear here.

Maternity Faves and Raves: vedaMAMA Skincare

elizabeth leach — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:01:00 GMT

VedaPURE is a skincare line consisting of three collections: vedaBABY, vedaMAMA and vedaDUDE. Created by Natalie Geary, one of Manhattan's top pediatricians, vedaPURE combines herbal remedies with modern medicine. VedaPure's ingredients are so natural that the products are actually safe enough to eat and the vedaMAMA collection is the only maternity skincare line formulated for "hormonally challenged" skin.

Smooth Body Polish, one of my favorites from vedaMAMA, is a luscious body polish made from sea leaves. This gentle scrub leaves your skin so soft you don't need to moisturize when you get out of the shower. The Supple Stretch Mark Cream is rich with natural antioxidants and the avocado oil actually strengthens skin that already has stretch marks. Nurture Nipple Cream has no chemicals or lanolin, so it's safe for your infant to ingest. These are only a few of the products in the vedaMAMA collection. Every product comes in cute white and hot pink pots (above photo). Find out more and purchase these goodies at vedaPure.

Maternity Raves and Faves: Isabella Oliver Sale

elizabeth leach — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Isabella Oliver is having a mid-season sale and there are some great deals on dresses, pants, shorts and shirts. Most of the clothes are on the dressy side, so this is your store if you need a maternity dress! There are also some gorgeous pieces for every day like the above shorts.

The above Soft Denim Shorts are 20% off. They were $110 and now are $88. Shop the sale here.

Maternity Raves and Faves: Here Comes Summer in a Shirt

elizabeth leach — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:00:00 GMT

This maternity shirt just screams summer. I picture myself wearing it while walking barefoot on a beach somewhere and drinking a virgin frozen daiquiri. (I wish! At least I can wear the shirt!) Available with a white background or light green.

Find the Maternity Printed Cross-Front Top at Old Navy for $29.50.

Maternity Faves and Raves: BellaBand Organic

elizabeth leach — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In honor of Earth Day, take a look at Ingrid & Isabel's BellaBand Organic. BellaBand is made from organic cotton and packaged in recycled materials. Maybe one day, all packaging will be made from recycled materials!

Available in white, black and sand. Find out more about the BellaBand at Ingrid & Isabel.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Bathing Suits from Liz Lange for Target

elizabeth leach — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Why are most maternity bathing suits so expensive? I want a bathing suit that's comfortable, covers my stomach, doesn't make me look like a beached whale and isn't pricey because I don't know how many times I'll actually wear it. Liz Lange for Target's maternity bathing suits are surprisingly chic without the hefty price tag.

The tops and bottoms are sold separately. I personally like the swim skirt, but there are also bikini bottoms and boy shorts available. Bottoms are $19.99 each. Tankinis are from $21.99 to $34.99.

Shop Liz Lange for Target's Maternity Bathing Suits.

Someone Spoil Me (at 10-20% Off!)

elizabeth leach — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Who doesn't want to be spoiled? Someone Spoil Me is a website dedicated to finding the perfect gift for any occasion. With an excellent selection of gifts at different price points, you can find luxury gifts, practical gifts, unique gifts, humorous gifts and thoughtful gifts. Starting today, until May 5, shop the section of the website called "Exclusively for Babble Readers" and receive 10-20% off gifts for new parents, babies and pregnancy!

Mamo Mio's skincare products are fantastic gifts for your pregnant friends. The Tummy Rub Butter and Tummy Rub Oil smell delicious and have Omega 3, 6 and 9 to protect against stretch marks. Both products focus on increasing skin elasticity and aiding your skin as it grows and grows and then shrinks again.

One of my favorite baby gifts is a pair of personalized soft sole shoes. Build-a-Booties, from Uncommonly Cute, lets you pick the color of the shoe, the font, font color and the type of soft sole shoe. They are fun to design and even more fun to receive! I love displaying my baby's name!

Visit Someone Spoil Me's "Exclusively for Babble Readers" and happy spoiling!

Maternity Faves and Raves: Belli Elasticity Oil

elizabeth leach — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Worried that your stretch mark cream isn't working? The ingredients in Belli's Elasticity Oil have been medically researched to protect against stretch marks, so if this belly oil doesn't work we might as well buy some spray tan and call it a day!

The main ingredients are Gotu Kola Extract, Vitamin E and Collagen Hydrolysates which decrease the risk of stretch marks by 39%. The oil also smells like lavender and feels fabulously luxurious as you spray it on. (Yes, this oil sprays on. Another plus.)

Belli offers three lines of skincare: Belli Maternity, Belli Motherhood and Belli Baby. Belli Skincare has been meticulously researched to provide the safest skincare possible. Incorporating aromatherapy and massage therapy with their research, Belli creates skincare products that protect, soothe and pamper.

Shop Belli Skincare.

The Belly Gets the Attention, But the Feet Need the Love

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:26:00 GMT

Wouldn’t it be nice if all those belly-touching strangers would give foot rubs instead? Belli Pregnancy Foot Relief Cream offers a pampering experience with peppermint, tea tree oil and shea butter to soothe and cool those probably swollen tootsies. If momma’s become a nervous nelly, Belli Pregnancy products are “teratology screened,” which means the company searched medical research articles to exclude ingredients with links to birth defects or other problems with pregnancy. Now just put those feet up and relax.

Available in 6.7 ounce tubes for $18.

Set Me Free, Medela!

elizabeth leach — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Babble has reviewed Medela's newest breast pump, the Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump, before (read Nicole's review here and Gwynne's review here), but since I'm getting close to my due date (and obsessed with all the things that drove me crazy with my first pregnancy), I had to share this amazing invention that promises to make a new mom's life a little easier.

With my first baby, I didn't know how much I would end up pumping, so I bought a single side electric pump. I remember sitting on the couch with my laptop on my knees trying to pump, type and eat a sandwich. My dear husband ran upstairs, found one of my bras and cut two holes to fit the pump shields, so I could pump hands-free. Let's just say, it didn't work and my bra was ruined for nothing. (Unless you like that sort of thing.)

The Freestyle is Medela's first hands-free, double electric pump. Using rechargeable batteries, you loop the breast shields around your bra, attach the lightweight motor to your pants and away you go! Freedom!

Find out more at Medela. Purchase your Freestyle Pump here.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Target's New Organic Clothing

elizabeth leach — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Liz Lange for Target has a new Organic Collection that is trendy and wonderfully priced. Choose from cool t-shirts, soft hoodies and comfortable, pull on-pants. My favorites are the t-shirts with butterflies (above) and flowers (photo after the jump) made from cotton and spandex, so they fit really well and are super soft.

Above shirts are $19.99 each. Shop Liz Lange for Target Organic Collection.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Hip Tees from Bump Style

elizabeth leach — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

My ongoing quest for cool maternity t-shirts continues and the tees at Bump Style are very hip and flattering. Designed to fit snugly, these are sexy, not baggy shirts to hide behind. Bump Style wants us to celebrate our growing shape!

The tees have modern silhouettes of dandelions, birds, ginkgo, lilies and blossoms on super soft cotton tees that have just the right amount of stretch. Shirts are on the long side so they work great with leggings or jeans. Shirts are available in cap sleeves, wide 3/4 sleeves, tanks and long sleeved tees and in soft, modern colors that will work with your entire wardrobe. The above photo is the dandelion shirt with cap sleeves for $65.

Shop Bump Style.

Maternity Raves and Faves: What's Your Fortune?

elizabeth leach — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT

I'm always on the look out for cool maternity t-shirts since all I ever wear are t-shirts and most maternity t-shirts are far from cool. Rock Star Moms has a huge selection of t-shirts that scream "cool".

The above shirt is long enough to cover your butt (if you're into that) and looks great with a long sleeved t-shirt underneath. The fortune reads, "Bundle of Joy". Available as a tank, short sleeved t-shirt, long sleeved t-shirt and cami with built in bra. Shirt comes in a plastic Chinese food take-out container and with a real live fortune cookie, so it makes a really cute gift. Find it at Rock Star Moms.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Bao Bei Active and Lounge Clothes

elizabeth leach — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Bao Bei Maternity clothes are all about delicious comfort and easy style. Specializing in clothing for an active and casual lifestyle, these are clothes you can live in, without sacrificing looking and feeling great. There’s no need to be a slave to those comfy sweatpants (like I was in my first pregnancy) when you can be this comfortable in clothes that are flattering and effortlessly cool.

My favorite Bao Bei item is their Crop It Pants. (above photo) They feel like silk on the body, the band around the belly is nice and loose and they are cropped, so they’re perfect for warmer days. These capris look good with everything and are just as comfortable as my frumpy sweatpants. ($62)

I’m also really impressed with their Mother Hoody. (below photo) This isn’t just another hoodie. Rouching on the sides give it just enough shape. The soft nylon blend feels luxurious and clings in all the right places. Perfect with leggings or jeans. ($70)

Shop Bao Bei Maternity.

Maternity Raves and Faves: Bun in the Oven Belly Butter

elizabeth leach — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT

More than just clever packaging, Honeydew's maternity skin care collection is made from the finest all natural ingredients, free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic colors and dyes. Every ingredient is chosen for a specific purpose. See more from Honeydew after the jump, like Balmy Mommy itch-relief belly balm! (It's good to laugh about this stuff. It really helps!)

Bun in the Oven belly butter is rich with calendula, evening primrose, jojoba and shea butter to soothe and moisturize. The light scent was formulated to not upset sensitive pregnant noses! This body butter feels amazingly rich and creamy.

Balmy Mommy itch-relief belly balm looks like a deodorant stick and is meant to be taken on the go. Whip this sucker out whenever you start to feel tight and itchy. With calendula, evening primrose, oats and cocoa butter to soothe and reduce redness and itching.

A Leg Up foot and leg lotion is my favorite because... well, who doesn't love a foot massage? Even more importantly, it cools swollen feet while reducing swelling and stimulating circulation with cucumber, aloe leaf extract, macadamia seed oil and horsetail extract. (I'm not at the kankle stage yet, but I had it bad with my last pregnancy. I'm buying a tube of A Leg Up for when I really need it.)

Shop Honeydew for your "nine month stretch"!

Maternity Faves and Raves: The Everywhere Pant and Belly Leggings

elizabeth leach — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:30:00 GMT

I love wearing leggings when I'm pregnant. Maybe it's because they make me kind of look thin... even if I'm not! What better company than Ingrid & Isabel (creators of the Bella Band) to design leggings that fit and feel great. Not only does Ingrid & Isabel make incredible leggings (called Belly Leggings), but they also make the Everywear Pant (above photo) and the name says it all.

The Everywear Pant has a boot cut, so they look fantastic with all types of shoes and can be dressed up as well as worn every day. The waist band can be worn over the belly, under the belly for extra support or pulled down to do a skirt over your pants look (which works great if your shirt isn't long enough).

The Belly Leggings (above photo) also have a waist band that can be worn three ways. Both pants are made from soft, stretchy material that hugs your body in a gentle way.

Shop Ingrid & Isabel's Belly Leggings ($52) and Everywear Pant ($88).

Maternity Faves and Raves: Isabella Oliver Outlet Sale

elizabeth leach — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Starting today, Isabella Oliver is having an outlet sale with up to 60 - 70% off discontinued merchandise. The above Crinkle Dress was $185 and is now $55.50. Stock up on some fun summer clothes while they last!

Shop the sale here.

Maternity Faves and Raves: My Maternity Staple

elizabeth leach — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Bella Band is no stranger to Droolicious. Cathy wrote about the "Maternity Miracle" here, but I would be remiss not to include it in my "faves and raves". The Bella Band is a maternity staple. It's lightweight and comfortable and enables pregnant women to continue to wear their pre-pregnancy wardrobe.

Wear the Bella Band over your unbuttoned, pre-pregnancy jeans and pants or wear them over your pregnancy clothes that have gotten too small or are still too big. The same band works for your entire pregnancy and postpartum when your maternity clothes are feeling roomy, but you're not ready for your pre-pregnancy clothes yet.

Bella Band is made by Ingrid & Isabel. Visit their website to learn about the different colors and styles available. Purchase Bella Band here for $26 and free shipping.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Childish Maternity

elizabeth leach — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:00:00 GMT

I am determined not to feel like a frump with this pregnancy! These dip-dyed shirts by Childish Maternity make me feel super stylish, plus they're on sale! Perfect with jeans or leggings. I can't wait to wear mine with sandals!

Shirts are made from their exclusive blend of organic bamboo and Lycra (which happens to be very flattering). Available as a long sleeve raglan hoodie, mock turtle neck with ruched sleeves and as a boat neck blouse with 3/4 sleeves. Colors are mulberry, slate, navy and elm. Hoodie was $75 and is now $40, mock turtle neck was $84 and is now $50, boat neck blouse was $88 and is now $50.

Since 2003, Childish Clothing has designed trendy and cool clothing for babies, kids and maternity. Created by Skye Hoppus, a former MTV executive who is married to Mark Hoppus of Blink 182, Childish Clothing embodies, what I like to imagine as, rock star cool with a little laid back California thrown in. I don't know about you, but I could use a little of both of those vibes in my life!

Shop Childish.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Missing Your Favorite Shirt?

elizabeth leach — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Wear the Scrunchbump under your non maternity shirts, over your non maternity jeans and pants and under your maternity shirts that no longer fit. Stretch your wardrobe and save money! Scrunchbump also gives your growing tummy support which is especially nice in those last few months (when I find myself constantly holding my belly).

Created by a Priscilla Hubbard, when she was pregnant and frustrated by the lack of maternity clothes that she wanted to wear. I'm happy to be able to wear my non maternity clothes and remember my non pregnant self!

Scrunchbunch is available in tanks, camis and capped sleeved tops. In white, natural and black. Prices range from $32.99 - $36.99. Shop Scrunchbunch here.

Maternity Faves and Raves: Erbaviva Bath Products

elizabeth leach — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Every pregnant woman deserves to sooth and pamper her kankles, sore back, itchy skin and swollen legs. It's a time in our lives when a simple foot massage can mean the world. Erbaviva makes luxurious products from the finest organic ingredients. I have a hot date tonight with their Mommy-to-Be Milk Bath.

The Mommy-to-Be Milk Bath is made from organic milk powders to sooth the skin and essential oils of lavender and citrus to sooth the senses. Erbaviva's Refreshing Organic Foot Balm is another must have for us Mommas. Have your Hubby massage this therapeutic balm into your tired toes and legs and you'll feel like yourself again. And don't forget Erbabiva's Stretch Mark Cream to elevate your morning and evening routine to the divine. Shop Erbaviva's Mommy-to-Be products here.

Expecting? Don't Skimp on Sleepwear

Cathy Hale — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:00:00 GMT

When you're preparing for a new baby, it seems like there are tons of things to buy. Sometimes in an effort to save some dough, new moms skimp on things for themselves, like sleepwear. Take it from a mom who knows, if there's anything that brings your life some extra comfort during those last weeks of pregnancy and first weeks of motherhood (and nursing), it's nice sleepwear.

This beautiful Black Lotus Nursing Chemise by Belabumbum is sexy, functional and comfortable. The small lace details are just enough to make you feel feminine, yet not too frilly for your lifestyle. The straps are adjustable and there are nursing clips above each bra cup. Treat yourself. You deserve it! Retails at Tummy Style for $59.

BellaBand: A Maternity Miracle

Cathy Hale — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:30:00 GMT

The BellaBand™ is a solution to all of the fashion-related twists and turns you'll encounter during your pregnancy. Oh, how I wish these had been around when I was expecting! Too big for your normal clothes, yet too small for maternity clothes? Read on...

It's a seamless-knit, ultra-soft, thick, stretchy band of fabric. The top hem is wide and flat to reduce lines under your favorite shirts. The bottom hem is double-sewn to prevent riding up. It actually grips your pants, skirts and shorts. (Ingrid Carney is one clever mommy!)

Why so great? Because you can wear your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans unbuttoned, pull the BellaBand over them with your favorite shirt and - Voila! A perfectly cute outfit. You'll probably start using it around 18 weeks or so. Towards the end of your pregnancy you'll love it, because all of your elastic waistbands will start to get pushed down by your big belly. The BellaBand will keep you covered. See how it works! Now available at Nordstrom in a variety of styles. A wonderful baby shower gift!