Maternity Monday: 3 Ways to Maintain Balance Before & After Baby

I have been very lucky during my pregnancy. I haven't really experienced any of the typical, awful  symptoms (knock on wood!) that many women go through, making an already hard 9 months, even harder to manage. A few of my cousins are due with their babies within a few weeks of me and have both been continuously nauseous, sometimes all day long, so I will have to thank my tiny handsome guy upon his arrival for sparing me ;) However, I have not been NOT lucky enough to escape endless bouts of the flu/sinus infections, nor have I gotten this far without significant moments of feeling overwhelmed (holy mood swings -- sorry Family!) and out of balance. I know that's pretty common among expecting Mom's, so I wanted to share a few of the things that are not only helping me feel more balanced now but those which I plan on utilizing after the baby arrives.

1. WORKOUT WITH SUPPORT

I was shopping at the mall recently (shopping in person? I know, weird) and I saw a sign for a "Stroller Strides" class, aka a stroller-based fitness program designed for Mom's to get a full-body workout with their babies in tow. I know it sounds cheesy but in reality, the idea is kind of genius. Before getting pregnant, my work outs were such a staple of my routine (running and yoga, specifically) and helping me stay grounded so it's really important to me to find a way to fit it in after the baby comes. A fellow blogger recently said that it's been helpful to her as a new Mom to prioritize 1 thing you did before babies which I thought was smart and reasonable. I can think of nothing else (other than traveling with my husband) other than regular work outs that would help keep me sane ;)

The stroller class is hosted by FIT4MOM, an organization that provides classes and support during every stage of Motherhood and gives women an opportunity to have a workout and support that is flexible around the schedule (or non-schedule) of having children. I love the idea that their workouts are specially designed around new Mom's because not only is that what the body needs to transition back into your normal exercise routine but you're working out alongside other women who are going through the same things you are so it's a great way to meet some new people in your area. Read about all of their programs here.

2. DE-STRESS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

I started to introduce some essential oils into my routine about a year ago. When my girlfriend was hosting yoga for us in my backyard, she would always bring a few different scents to diffuse during our class and I noticed what a big impact it had on my stress levels. My intrigue only increased when I started going to Yoga by Degrees on a regular basis where they end class with a cold lavender-peppermint scented towel. I kid you not, it's the best part of the hour session and every time I would think, I should just make these at home...totally possible now that I have a significant collection of my own.

I have also found oils to be a great complement to being pregnant (as long as you're using them correctly & safely!). Some essential oil benefits include improving immunity, speeding illness recovery, balancing hormones and natural air cleansing. I was looking to combat all of these so I spoke to a friend who works for Doterra about which scents she would recommend and she was very helpful because TBH, I didn't know where to start. I have been using the balance and lavender scents in my diffuser regularly and sometimes, I can almost notice an immediate shift in my mood. If you're not sure which ones do what, here are some of her tips:

• For sinuses, I would recommend Breathe.  It's a great way to open your airway and clear some of the pressure. Many people also help it to keep airways clear during allergy season.

• I started using oils for stress and anxiety so I am a firm believer in the Balance scent and it is  amazing in the diffuser (even guys like it!).  Other options for stress are Frankincense and Peace.  Frank and Peace come in 10 ml roller bottles which are diluted with coconut oil and come with a roller bottle top. Easy application!

• For relaxation, there is nothing better than Serenity blend.  It has lavender, cedarwood, ho wood, vetiver, roman chamomile and a few other oils. 

• Anything citrus is good to lift your mood, including Elevation (Joyful blend), Citrus Bliss or Cheer.  I am in love with Cheer.  Layering Cheer and Peace is like heaven!

• I would mention DigestZen for anyone. It is a great blend with strong scents of Anise, but just a few drops applied topically to the stomach area is perfect for indigestion, nausea or gas. It really helps with that discomfort!  

3. WRITE IT ALL DOWN

In general, I have always found if you write down one thing down every day, it can be a cathartic and a healthy healing process. For me, it's always been nice to look back on my journal, even just a few months later to read how I was feeling, because you won't always remember the little things. 

I think this idea is especially important during pregnancy...not only will documenting the experience allow you to capture fleeting observations during the 9 months, but preparing for motherhood is such an emotional roller coaster so expressing your feelings can ease stress, and in turn boost your physical resilience. My husband and I have been keeping notes of some of the significant moments in this journal about our relationship pre-baby, vital moments during pregnancy and we're ready to fill the blank pages for when he arrives. I will be proud to pass it on to him when he's older and for now, it's a beneficial process for us. 

Expecting/Current Mom's...

What are your tips for maintaining balance through all of the chaos?

Xo,

Maternity Monday: 5 Places to Shop during Pregnancy

Now that I am 5 months into my pregnancy, I have learned a few things about navigating the world of maternity clothes. I was able to get away with my regular jeans for quite a while, then a few more weeks because I started using a rubber band to keep them closed. Eventually, that was no longer an option either and I had to invest in a few pairs of maternity jeans which I was not looking forward to. Those panels could not be comfortable or flattering, right? And full disclosure, I STILL feel that way about them...some women love them but wearing a panel all the way up to bra has definitely taken some getting used to! BUT...My advice would be not to resist before you try- I have found a few pairs that work for me and to be honest, before I became pregnant, I always thought the tight shirts with the ruching on the sides were out of date and way too "basic" for my taste. Then, out of pure curiosity, I tried one on at Old Navy and guys --  It was SO comfortable and kind of flattering so while I sat there eating my words, I invested in a few more colors and plan on enjoying them all the way to my due date. We are lucky with how far maternity clothes have come over the past few decades and there are many ways to keep feeling confident and chic through the 9 months. Here are a few shops that have helped me feel stylish through my pregnancy so far:
1. Pink Blush 
I read about Pink Blush long before I was pregnant when I saw other future Mama's wearing styling their dresses and I remember thinking how much maternity clothes have changed over the years (for the better). I made a mental note of the brand so I could re-visit when I was pregnant and now that I own a few items, I can officially say, the clothes feel just as wonderful as they look. There are so many soft, feminine styles that not only dress your growing bump, but effortlessly adjust to motherhood and beyond. 

Wearing: Maxi Dress
2. Destination Maternity
My Mom and I recently made our first trip here, as I had been complaining about my normal tops not fitting (holy boobs, guys!), so she insisted that I actually invest in a few maternity tops and promised we would make a fun day of it. I resisted at first, giving into the visions in my head of ill-fitting matronly tops, forcing me to succumb to the stereotype of "Mom Jeans" way too early.  Turns out, it was just the opposite and I could have spent all day there...actually, we almost did and finally forced ourselves to leave after 2.5 hours, only due to another obligation. The store's selection is just as on-trend with any other of my favorite stores, making it easy to find things that aligned with my personal style and better yet, giving me confidence that I would be able to feel (as much) like myself as possible during the next few months.

Wearing: Black Ruched Dress

Wearing: White Jeans // Top  P.S. I also bought this top and I LOVE IT! It's so comfortable and such a fun saying.
3. H&M
When I first started needing maternity jeans, I borrowed a pair from my co-worker that she had saved and they are black, skinny jeans from H&M which have become my absolute favorite pair. They fit perfectly and feel the most like normal jeans. I love their overalls and basics, plus you can't beat the prices.
4. LOFT
I love LOFT year round! I started shopping here when I got my first "real" job at an insurance company and I couldn't get by with my Forever 21 wardrobe anymore and since then, it has been a go-to for well made, classic pieces I can wear year after year. I started my maternity jeans hunt here because I had some good reviews online and I have a few regular pairs from here that I really like so I waited for a sale (which is never too long) and ordered a pair of dark wash jeans with a panel. They are a skinny style and actually fit like a glove, so besides the obligatory stretchy material that goes over my belly, they look and feel like my regular jeans.
5. Old Navy
As an avid shopper here already, it was easy to make the transition to their maternity line which I consider great for your basics. In store (at least my location), there isn't a huge selection...in fact, the first time I went in, I couldn't even find it because it was all the way in back and SO small (I think I actually said out loud, "this is it?"). BUT, the good news is they have a decent selection online and you guys know there is always a sale. I like shopping for staples like the aforementioned tight, ruched shirts that are great for layering and solid/striped dresses for Summer that will be perfect under a light cardigan or jacket. 

Wearing: Striped Dress
As for a few of my other favorite shopping resources?
ASOS Maternity - So many trendy styles at decent prices! Isabella & Oliver - Nice for a few investment pieces SHOP MY FAVORITE SPRING MATERNITY LOOKS:

Other Mom's or Mama's to be...

What are your favorite maternity sources?

Maternity Monday: How to Make Preggatini's

"By my second trimester, I started dreaming about my delivery. In the dream, I popped the baby out effortlessly and, immediately, the nurse handed me a big ol' margarita on the rocks, no salt. Turns out, that dream never came true. But I do remember my first post-pregnancy martini with my girlfriends at our local bar. It's the best drink I ever had." - Brett Paesel, Author
Mom's to be: I think it's safe to say we all experience this feeling at some point. As I turned another corner and my baby bump grew from an avocado to a pomegranate in our 17 week mark, I must admit: The craving for a cocktail has grown. In the first trimester, I didn't think about it much because I was too busy adjusting to how tired I was (and that nasty metal taste in my mouth -- any other Preggo ladies have that problem?). 
So, the fact that my favorite red wine was missing from our dinner table wasn't so obvious during that phase. But as time goes on, and Mexican meals/nights out with friends continue to be planned, I do feel a little envious I can't partake. 

I think the jealously increased a bit these past few days with the surprise return of Spring -- We spent the whole weekend outdoors and even dined al fresco a few times and I couldn't help but thinking how perfect a mimosa in the sun would have been. That said, I haven't missed the negative aspects of drinking at all...I feel fantastic every Saturday and Sunday morning and look forward to starting the day early, instead of feeling sluggish from a drink or two the night before (yes, that's pretty much all it takes these days. I'm a cheap date!). There are no "empty calories" to regret (though, those kind of come in the form of ice cream these days) and our restaurant bills are certainly much lower. 
But with all that said, I don't see why there's any reason Mom's to be should have to feel completely left out in during moments of celebration...you just have to find a way to modify, much like most things during the 9 months. My husband was so sweet and bought me a "Preggatini" recipe book for Christmas. forecasting that I may start to miss our wine and pasta nights, he figured this would be a good way for us to have some fun with mocktails. He figured right!
Because it was in the 60's this weekend, I decided to make two of the Spring-Summer-ish recipes to keep the good vibes going. Hope these temps are here to stay!
1) Coconut Key Lime Momtini 
4 ounces limeade (lime juice and simple syrup) 2 ounces coconut milk 2-3 drops vanilla extract 1 teaspoon coconut flakes

Shake all ingredients with ice.  Strain into a martini glass and sprinkle with coconut flakes on surface of drink.

2) The Mama Sunrise
Orange or Mango Juice (I used mango) 2 dashes Grenadine 1 lime
SO EASY!

Take a highball glass and fill it with cracked ice. Add the juice to the top of glass and then carefully pour the grenadine onto the surface of the drink. The grenadine will slowly sink to the bottom for the beautiful sunrise effect.

Cheers!
Mom's & Mom's to be -- Do you have any fun mocktail recipes?  I'd love to hear!

Maternity Monday: A Tiny Blessing

To say 2017 is a new adventure is a bit of an understatement. This past holiday season, my husband and I received the ultimate gift...something that didn't quite fit under the tree: We are having our first baby! We found out in early December so we decided to keep it a secret from our Families until Christmas Day, when they would open up a very special ornament with our first ultrasound. It's funny because I had actually been imagining that exact situation for a few months - In early Fall, I told Lisa how wonderful it would be to watch both sets of parents "unwrap our news" for Christmas but of course, I knew planning doesn't always work the way you want it to. In our case, we are very blessed that things fell into place perfectly and it made for such a magical holiday. My husband and I are very excited about this new journey. We are due in July, a few days after our 4th wedding anniversary. I am so happy with our decision to wait a few years...from the beginning of our engagement, we were both on the same page when it came to having some time to ourselves before we expanded our Family. We were also in agreement that we wanted a puppy as soon as possible...we share a genuine love for dogs and knew we wanted to be responsible for a four-legged friend first. Fitz is truly such a sweet-natured dog so we feel good about making him a "big brother," knowing that he will be protective and loving of our tiny peanut.  In terms of the blog, Lisa and I are so excited for the baby/Family content we have in store. We are starting a new, combined series to document some of the most important parts of motherhood. If it's me writing, you can look forward to "Maternity Monday" or if it's Lisa doing the post, you can count on "Mom Monday," centered around her two wonderful children. You can still expect to see all of the lifestyle content we already focus on with the expansion of a little more Family-related stories, tips & tricks. Stay tuned!

 

Making things even more exciting, is the fact that I'm sharing this time with two of my best friends. All THREE of us are due within a few weeks of each other, as WELL as two of my close cousins. I always imagined how great it would be to experience this roller coaster alongside some of your closest friends but you never know if you will be at the same place at the same time. Luckily, we are able to share all of our emotions, questions, feelings, and plans with each other, making the whole process a little more comforting.

On a semi-related note, can we talk about this dress? If all maternity clothes are going to be feel this good, I think I'm going to make it after all. I love that it's a maternity/nursing dress but I could and WOULD wear this anytime, as it will be just as flattering post-baby. It is important to me to feel as much like myself as possible throughout my pregnancy and this includes staying close to my personal style. Just because a lot of things are changing, doesn't mean my fashion sense has to...or at least, that's my plan. Even though leggings are already really comfortable at this point, I'm hoping to avoid the "leggings & hoodie" combo, at least on an everyday basis. 

I read about PinkBlush long before I was pregnant when I saw other future Mama's wearing styling their dresses and I remember thinking how much maternity clothes have changed (for the better).  I made a mental note of the brand so I could re-visit when I was pregnant and now that I own a few items, I can officially say, the clothes feel just as wonderful as they look. There are so many soft, feminine styles that not only dress your growing bump, but effortlessly adjust to motherhood and beyond. I will definitely be shopping their maternity dresses for my shower! 

Attention Fellow expecting Mama's! (& non-preggo fashionable ladies, this applies to you too!) 

I am so excited to announce our PinkBlush giveaway! Enter below to win $75 to add a gorgeous maternity (or non-maternity) piece to your closet for the Spring. There are so many beautiful pieces to choose from, I guarantee you could spend hours scouring this site.  There are a few easy ways to win and the giveaway ends 2/3 so don't wait to enter! P.S. If you have already won a PinkBlush giveaway within the last 6 months, you will not be eligible to win again. Winners must wait 3 months before they are eligible to enter to win again. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! Xo

Wearing: 

Dress: c/o PinkBlush

Purse: c/o Sole Society

Shoes: Just Fab

Hair Jewelry: Gift from Lisa - (similar under $15)