Mommies With Style

Disney Family.com (formerly family.com) has added recently added a Self Section.  I recently attended the launch of this new section, which features beauty, diet & fitness, and relationships. It struck a chord with me, because with 2 children and a third one on the way, I don’t do much for myself anymore, beyond semi-regular haircuts. I haven’t gone clothes shopping in a while and I haven’t bought any new makeup (except my favorite lipstick, Paula Dorf’s Spunky, and my beloved Mac Studio Fix Powder) in years.  I’ll be going back to work in the fall and I’m going to need some help getting stylish!

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I’m entering the 2nd trimester of my third pregnancy. While this pregnancy was a surprise, this baby will be coming mid-August and I’m getting really excited. I did pregnancy product reviews for Mommies With Style in 2007, when I was pregnant with my now 2 year old, Allegra. This is me on the left (hint, I’m the shorter one). The amazing Nicole Felicano of Momtrends interviewed me recently for her Great Expectations Quiz Series — click here to read my answers!

These are some of the products that I loved during my last pregnancy & the first new product I’m enjoying.

Bella Bands: I’m still too small for maternity clothes, but my tummy is starting to stick out a little bit. I’ve turned to the fabulous Bella Bands – which I absolutely lived in during my second pregnancy.  I can throw them under a t-shirt and not have to worry about my tummy becoming uncovered. My favorite was the black lace Bella Band. Click here to read my original review: Bella Bands. They’ve also got some new products, part of their Essentials Collection – the Everyday Cami, a Ruched Tank, Belly Leggings, and an Everyday Pant, which our writer, Julie, reviewed during her pregnancy last year. Click here to read Julie’s review.
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So I have to start out by saying I think this coat is even cuter in person. I don’t think this photo does the coat justice.

The week before I headed off to Disney for the Social Media Moms Conference, I was walking down the aisle at Target when this coat called out to me.  It reminded me of a similar coat my grandmother used to have when I was a child (complete with the big, fun buttons) and I had to have it.  I figured, okay it’s Florida but it may rain, right?

Of course little did I know that it would be 40 degrees the entire week and that I’d be desperate for a winter parka.  Nonetheless, I was styling in my fabulous new coat from Target and I can’t wait until it gets a bit warmer here in Philly so I can wear it more regularly. 

It’s the Merona Deep Rose Trenchcoat – get it for $39.99 in store or online.

Accessories. They make the outfit. One of my favorites – the belt. Worn properly it finishes your outfit. It is a quick way to update or punch up an outfit. As an added bonus, the right one can really help hide that extra winter bulge. And there are so many options from style, to color, to material, to embellishments, to ways to wear one. 

There’s the wide belt, the skinny belt, the chunky colorful one, the one with the dazzling buckle…  The right belt can pull your whole look together. A belt can add flair to a ho-hum outfit or complete an already fabulous one. Belts have come out of the pants and are seen draped all over the

Anthropologie's Three Beat Belt

mid-body, anywhere from below the bustline to down low around the hips. There are many ways to wear them too. Over an open cardigan thrown over a shapless shirt, slung low on tunic, defining your waist with a skinny belt, adding a splash of color to a monochromatic outfit. Just make sure your chosen belt width suits your proportions. For instance if you are a little wider in the middle don’t opt for a super skinny belt.  Likewise, if you are very narrow through the middle you might want to stay away from that extra extra wide belt.

Anthropologie has some great belts this season. I am loving their Three Beat Belt for $48. It completes so many looks so nicely. Look how cute it is paired with a dress and an open cardigan.

Another Line’s Hammered Disc Chain Belt from Nordstrom for $38 would look terrific slung low around the hips over a great pair of jeans, it comes in both silver or gold.

Forever 21's Patent Skinny Belt

If you want to play around with belts and don’t want to do any damage to your wallet check out Forever 21’s selection. Their Patent Skinny Belt comes in great colors and are retailing for only $2.50. At that price you can get one every color. Since they are so narrow they are a great way to add bright colors to your look. And skinny belts are great for accentuating the waist.

So go on – sling it, cinch it, belt it and polish your outfit.

Pick up a few new belts and play – an easy, inexpensive way to change the look of your outfits.

Got a leaky straw cup? For a true spill-proof version, check out Tommee Tippee’s Truly Spill-Proof Straw Cup ($7.99 for a 2 pack). I reviewed several of Tommee Tippee’s products last month and loved them – click here to read my post.

My two children, ages 4 and 2, use straw cups constantly. While we love one very popular brand, I am sick of seeing milk dribbled on my carpet. Tommee Tippee’s Truly Spill-Proof Straw Cup were truly spill-proof — nothing my children (or I) did made these cups leak! I turned them upside down, shook them and I was thrilled to see no leaks! The 9 oz cup is BPA-free and suitable for children ages 12 months and up. In fact, all Tommee Tippee’s products are BPA-free.
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Thinking about having a baby?  Know someone who is expecting?  Already pregnant?  Whether you’re shopping for a gift or just for yourself.  Here is my list of the top 7 items that have kept me happy (and sane) these past 8 months of pregnancy. 

Number 1: Maternity Pillows 

I can’t imagine these past few months (and the next one) without my Select Comfort Maternity Pillow.  About the middle of my second trimester I began to wake up with a sore back and realized that I needed some extra support.  I tried sleeping with a throw pillow between my knees, propping an extra pillow under my head and building a pillow blockade to keep me from rolling over onto my back.  None of these seemed to do the trick.  It wasn’t until I received Select Comfort’s pillow that I began to sleep soundly again.  The pillow is really two pillows in one.  A pillow to support your back and one to rest your ever-expanding belly are connected by an adjustable velcro pad in the middle.  It folds in half and has little cloth handles for travel.  And believe me, this pillow has gone with me anytime I was planning to sleep away from home.  The pillow is currently on sale for $29.99 on Select Comfort’s website, but hurry – the sale ends at the end of January!

Number 2: Leggings

I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it is to be pregnant at a time when leggings are in fashion!  To me, they are the most comfortable thing to put on besides sweatpants, and I’m even able to dress them up to wear them to work.  The best part is that you don’t even have to buy maternity leggings – since they’re stretchy you just have to go up a size. 

Number 3: Organic Body Products 

Even before becoming pregnant I dabbled in natural and organic body products.  But from the moment my pregnancy test turned positive, I tossed all the old face wash, lotions and body wash and replaced them with products that I knew were safe for both me and my baby.  I figure that I’m exposed to so many chemicals and pollutants from everyday life, that the least I should do is try to reduce any additional contaminants I put in my body when I actually have control of it.  Sweetsation Therapy has a wonderful line of organic body products.  Two that I’ve been using throughout my pregnancy are the Aqua*Tica Organic Botanical Night Cream and Q*Lumiere Organic Day Creme with Cucumber and Co Q10.  Both of these pregnancy-safe skin treatments not only prevent wrinkles, but also treat skin discoloration that often occurs during pregnancy.  The ingredients list on both of these products is full of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and plant extracts.  They smell fresh and they’ve certainly done a fine job of replacing all the face lotions I used pre-pregnancy.  Sweetsation Therapy has a wide range of organic and natural products on their site for everyday use, pregnancy and even for babies.  Use coupon code Mommies with Style at checkout to receive 20% off of your purchase.

Number 4: Water Bottle

For someone who’s never really thirsty, the amount of water you need to drink while pregnant is staggering.  I quickly learned that if it wasn’t in front of me at all times, I was definitely not drinking enough.  Very early in my pregnancy I purchased a 750ml, BPA-free water bottle that has been filled with water and hasn’t left my side since.  It’s kind of like a baby bottle for pregnant women, though it’s certainly kept me from getting in trouble with my doctor!

Number 5: Layering Tees 

Pregnancy and layers just go hand in hand.  I could be overheating and sweating while my husband’s teeth are chattering in the car.  It’s the complete opposite of my life for the past 30 years, but it’s something I’ve learned how to overcome…it’s called layers.  It’s not very often these days that I leave the house (or my room for that matter) without at least one or two layers of clothing that I’m able to take off througout the day.  Between my tank tops and long cardigans, I’m usually wearing a long-sleeved tee.  One of my favorites is one I received from Love My Belly.  They are an online maternity clothing shop specializing in tees, though they also sell dresses, bottoms, and baby clothes.  My double-sleeve tee is a short sleeved black t-shirt with longer, patterned sleeves sewn into it.  It’s perfect with a pair of jeans or leggings to be casual or paired with a long skirt and short-sleeved cardigan for work.  And it’s extremely comfortable.  Place an order on the Love My Belly site with coupon code MWS20 and receive 20% off.

Number 6: Yoga DVD 

Now I have to be completely honest – I haven’t used my Pregnancy Yoga DVD much.  However, just the knowledge that I have it and that it’s ready for me whenever I have the motivation to actually use it keeps me feeling pretty good.  Pre-pregnancy I was all about working out and going to the gym.  Staying active and fit was pretty important.  There’s just something about being pregnant that takes that drive out of you, but that’s where a good yoga DVD can come into play.  I received a Yoga 4 Pregnancy DVD led by Brenda Strong of Desperate Houswives.  It’s a great workout for all three trimesters.  She even gives some great labor techniques that you can do with your partner.  The exercises aren’t too challenging and I’m sure they will certainly help during labor.  So if you’re expecting or may be in the near future, it’s definitely something to have on hand….just in case!  You can purchase the DVD for $24.95 from the Yoga 4 Fertility website.

Number 7: Accessories, Accessories, Accessories! 

I’ve always loved adding accessories to any outfit, though since I’ve been pregnant I’ve learned the value of doing so.  All it takes is a coordinating scarf, a chunky bracelet, or some big earrings to take the focus off of an ever-expanding baby bump.  Plus, with all the stretchy cotton pieces you’re likely to wear while pregnant, some fun accessories can help to make any outfit a little bit more exciting.  Twister Silver has some stunning jewelry that will liven up any outfit.  Despite the name, they have more than just silver and the styles range from delicate to showstoppers and from classy to bohemian.  Their prices are extremely reasonable and the pieces are definitely unique to anything you’d see in a department store.  I have a pair of their Glacier Earrings with a Victorian design and dangling Swarovski crystals.  They’re definitely stunning.  Check out all Twisted Silver has to offer on their site.  Their jewelry makes a wonderful gift for any woman, expecting or not!

Samples of some of the above products were provided for review on MWS.

Caution: this post involves my boobs, make-up and my penchant for John Hughes films. Consider yourself warned. What does Virgin Mobile’s Rumor2 phone have to do with all this? Let me explain.

I should start by saying, I’m not giving up my iphone. Not a chance. I love that thing. I love it so much that I love it to DEATH. On a regular basis. I’ll be crafting a live story on Whrrl or using it for an emergency tarot card/horoscope reading when a bird poops on me. I’ll be competing against my 5yr playing Flick Fishing or taking pictures of stuff, like uh, you know, my own cleavage. And then poof. That battery goes from 10% to R.I.P. in six seconds flat. Right when I was supposed to do a conference call.

This is why I leapt at the chance to review an LG Rumor 2 phone from Virgin Mobile. Virgin’s model is pay and go and a good value at $50/month for unlimited calls without a contract. It’s a great phone with all the bells and whistles, at a great price. No contract needed. This is a good thing for a backup phone, or phone you give to your tween or teen part time, or to a sitter or grandparent while watching the kids. They sent me the phone, prepaid for a month. I had to swat away my teenaged daughter’s twitching texty fingers and find a safe place to secure my emergency back up.

I found that place. In my bra. Laugh if you will, but a bra is a great place to carry your cellphone in a pinch!

Virgin is currently running a Sexiest Mouth in America contest where you can take a picture of your smoocher and win cash and a free phone and a year of free calling. They’ve partnered with E.L.F. on this effort. Here is my segue way into the John Hughes thing. I was at an ELF Makeup at Home Party last night, talking about the phone in my bra thing, and trying on lipstick. I started to reminisce about Claire/Molly Ringwald from the Breakfast Club and attempted to recreate the lipstick application scene. The color was Trendsetter from the mineral line, by the way. Love that color & collection! Click the link above to see the party.

If only I could phone home AND apply lipstick from my cleavage. Then I could win this “Sexiest Mouth” contest for sure.

When not at work, my standard pregnancy attire has been based on sweatpants and long-sleeved tees.  There’s nothing wrong with this wardrobe.  In fact, I’ve probably never dressed more comfortably and my husband’s starting to get used to it.  But sometimes I feel like I could have tried a little harder while choosing an outfit.  The perfect solution would be sweatpants and long-sleeved tees that not only fit and look stylish, but are also extremely comfortable.  And wouldn’t you know…I found the exact solution!

Nuka Maternity offers contemporary materinty clothing that’s both fashionable and comfortable (two of my favorite “-able” words!).  They sent me a pair of french terry Leisure Pants and a Netalie Burnout thermal tee to review – both of which have become new staples of my wardrobe.  The terry pants are as soft as sweatpants, but have added front pockets and a form-fitting cut that makes them much more flattering than sweats.  The Burnout thermal tee is a beautiful orchid color and has a sexy (yet not too sexy) neckline.  All of Nuka Maternity’s clothing is made of ultra-soft premium fabrics, so they wash and wear well.  They’re created so you can “love what you wear and wear what you love all through your pregnancy and fourth trimester”. 

Their versatile maternity collections can be found in boutiques across the country and can also be purchased directly from their site.  However, as a special offer for our readers, if you email your order directly to craig@nuka-la.com, you’ll receive 30% off when you mention Mommies with Style.

As my pregnant body continues to grow, it’s become increasingly difficult to spend a full day in heels.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m not tossing all of my finest footwear into the back of my closet just yet, but most mornings I’ve been sliding on a pair of flats for comfort.    The newest pair to make it into my shoe rotation is a pair of Ariat Strathmore clogs.      

Normally when I think of clogs I picture nurses walking the corridors of a hospital…not anymore.  Ariat has managed to take the comfort and support of a clog and add some style and flair.  What results is a great everyday shoe that can be appreciated by all women who need to take a break from their heels.  The greatest thing is that they still have a bit of a heel allowing me to wear longer pants without tripping all over myself…something that’s much easier to do now that I’m 5 months pregnant.

Ariat’s co-founders set out to make the world’s most innovative performance riding boot.  Since their first pair of boots shipped in 1993, they’ve expanded their focus to include riding boots, work boots, and casual footwear.  All of their shoes are designed with the highest quality materials to dramatically reduce fatigue and stress to feet, legs and the lower back; a pregnant woman’s dream shoe!

They even have kids’ shoes! 

Zareen, a Mommies with Style writer, was able to share a pair of Ariat’s children’s boots with her daughter:

Mia’s been kickin’ it in a pair of Ariat boots this fall.  She loves them because they are 1. pink and 2. “cowgirl boots”.  Very important criteria in her little world.  I love them because they are 1. adorable 2. durable 3. functional in any kind of weather and 4. she very willingly puts them on in the morning.

Mia’s been wearing the Ariat ProBaby boot in distressed brown/pink camo.  They are cute and well made.  They have an 8″ height and come with Ariat’s “Booster Bed” that provides extra wiggle room for growing feet.  Comfort, style, durability – what else could you ask for in a child’s boot?

The ProBaby boots retail from $71.99 and can be found at 6pm.com.  Ariat’s full line of footwear can be found at retailers such as Zappos, OnlineShoes, The Walking Company, Amazon, and Shoes.com.

Samples of Ariat’s shoes were kindly provided for this review.

I’ve long been a fan of shoes like MBT Trainers which I reviewed for Mommies With Style a while ago. These shoes made a believer out of me as they lived up to their claim of improving my bottom line and reducing cellulite with regular use. I’ve owned and enjoyed my MBTs for a few seasons but I’m ready to move on to the new Shape Ups shoe in town from Sketchers.

Why am I abandoning my MBTs? For starters, Shape Ups are cheaper and Shape Ups come in a variety of cute styles including boots for those of you in colder climates. They are lighter weight than the MBT’s and softer and more flexible. As great as the MBT’s worked, I stopped wearing them regularly when I found it difficult to stand in one place for very long while wearing them. I don’t have this issue with the Shape Ups. I am able to wear them all day long and stand in line at the grocery store or while doing dishes etc, without any discomfort.

What I love best about shoes like these is how easy, passive really,  they make it to  to get fitness results. I don’t have time always for a toning workout, but I am always walking around. Why not make the most of it? Wearing a shoe like this is a small tweal that gets remarkable results. All you have to do is remember to wear the shoes.

If you’ve never worn shoes like Shape Ups you will definitely “feel” it at the end of a day walking around in them. Go for a walk around the neighborhood and you’ll burn more calories and work more muscles, without really trying. Shape Ups also improve your balance, work your core and reduce cellulite. Walking in them the squishy heel upon impact gives you a walking on sand sensation. Your foot then rolls forward, propelling you comfortably. The Shape Ups are lighter weight than other similar shoes I have tried and a little more flexible which makes them more comfy to me.

One side note: If you are a pronator like me and need to wear orthotics in your shoes, you will be happy to know they fit in great in Shape Ups. Not all sport shoes accommodate mine, so I was glad to know this was not a problem.

Check out my photo slideshow review of Sketcher’s Shape Ups on Whrrl