Self Love with The Baby Box Co.

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Baby Box Co. which provided samples to facilitate this post; all opinions expressed are my own. 

Baby Box Co. joins parenting education with awesome rewards!

One of my strongest memories in my early months of parenting was scrambling to find as much information as I could about certain subjects that were challenging for me from breastfeeding to exhaustion. Fast forward years later and those resources are readily at new parents' fingertips thanks to The Baby Box Co. available for new and expecting parents in the USA, Canada and UK. 

Introducing zulily's 4th Trimester Closet Concierge

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of zulily; all opinions expressed are my own.

Lately I've been having thoughts about my pre-baby body and while I'm extremely thankful for my two little people, I'm in awe that my body's gone through in the past 7 years! I've learned how to dress in a way that covers up my "most changed" areas and I've become pretty good at it but when zulily reached out to me about their new 4th Trimester Closet Concierge service I was excited to learn more. 

If You Think I'm Pregnant...

I'm not. 

There, does that make it easier? 

With my last baby (Lord willing!)

I've only made this mistake once and since then I NEVER in my mind would think to ask someone if they were pregnant unless they confirmed first, especially as a woman who's been pregnant before to another woman.

Just. Don't. Ask. 

Ever. 

It's not cool. 

I had a woman ask me less than a FREAKIN month after having Grayson, while holding him, if I was expecting. 

And this was an older woman who appeared to be in her right mind (or maybe she wasn't cause of her question) so I'd think perhaps she'd have had experience knowing what post-partum bodies are like, even if not her own, but apparently not.

It seems like there's widespread confusion over what post-partum bodies look like and not every woman's body reshapes into supermodel firmness sans stretch marks after having children. 

If yours does, that's awesome. I had amazing snapback the first go around, but guess what? Bodies change and conditions change. I aged 4 years by the time I had Grayson and when he ended up nursing for half the time that Nia did, weaning at about 11 months old, I didn't lose as much weight as I did after my first pregnancy.

I'm now within 5-6 lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight depending on the time of the month which I think is pretty darn awesome (shout out to Shakeology and PiYo for helping me out!), but my body just so happens to carry the extra fluff in my tummy. 

The comments and questions about it can stop. 

Oh and Jennifer Garner's clip on the topic is spot on:

And if you're still confused about what most normal, post-partum bodies look like check out the 4 Trimester Bodies Project. 

You're welcome.

 

What My Husband Said When I Cut My Hair

Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

It's been a long time since I've given an update on my natural hair journey and since a major chop happened over the weekend I wanted to share more details on what's been going on. . . 

Since weaning Grayson when I went away on my cruise with my mom back at the end of May, I noticed my hair has been falling out. Like A LOT. I have a history of borderline discoid lupus which manifests itself in hair loss (more on that here) and since it's triggered by stress and I've had a lot of it over the past few months coupled with hormonal changes, my hair just hasn't been thriving. 

I got a recommendation from a fellow Wellesley alum for Simply Erinn's in Cambridge, MA and went a few weeks ago in preparation for my 35th birthday quick jaunt away as well as another commercial I was filming and while there Erinn was very honest with me and told me I needed to do a clean cut and start over. I was also concerned about my grays in the front. Now I don't think anything is wrong with gray hair, but mine is so sporadic now that when it fully grows in I'll embrace it but for now it just looks messy. 

Pre-cut wash & go with these products

I went in on Saturday for my cut and color and made it clear that I didn't want my hair too orange or too red (I CAN'T STAND that orangutan orange that seems to be running rampant!). While I typically get jet black, a color my mom wrongly thinks is too harsh, I decided to go lighter this time around. Erinn and her team did an amazing job! They evened me out, and it feels so freeing to have those awful stringy ends gone. (And I think a bunch of you agree since I got overwhelming feedback when I posted this pic to Instagram and Facebook!).

To be honest, I was a bit nervous about how Uka would respond to my hair cut. Leading up to it I had been showing him pictures from natural hair accounts on Instagram of cuts that I like so when I showed up at home and he saw my hair and burst out into the theme song from A Different World I too laughed, but took it as a good sign. Mr. Lovebird is supportive of anything that helps me feel more confident! 

From here on out I just plan on growing it and having it trimmed and colored regularly. This is definitely the shortest I've gone; prior to this cut this was the shortest (I LOVED that cut via Reggie at The Hair Lounge in NYC!). I'm taking care of my hair by adjusting my nutrition (thanks Shakeology!), continuing with PiYo at my local Y and have been consistently taking my vitamins. Since college I've taken a mix of a multi-vitamin plus something for my hair, skin and nails. I read a blurb in InStyle about models swearing by biotin and silica and the importance of taking each separately instead of rolled into a supplement so you can get the appropriate levels. While the silica brand I preferred has been discontinued I kept up with biotin although I took a break when pregnant and nursing. 

I recently gave a quick hint at another biotin supplement I was taking and since I just finished the bottle I wanted to share a bit more about it! It's Ultimate Hair, Skin & Nails by Seabuck Wonders and has omega-7 as well as biotin (5000 mcg). What attracted me to it was that it's  USDA certified organic and vegan and while I'm not vegan, the extra precaution I know that goes into the product made me trusting of it as a supplement. Just because I stopped nursing doesn't mean I'm not careful about what I put into my body! Since it has sea buckthorn oil in it, there's also the bonus of the properties that it provides:

• The berries found in the Tibetan mountain region are known for their Omega fatty acids, including the rare Omega-7 which promotes healthy and moisturized skin, hair and nails at a cellular level
• While the oil is in the capsules, it can also be purchased and applied topically, but internally it supports a healthy gastrointestinal and digestive system
• It supports proper inflammation response throughout the body and supports the body's natural lubrication system

I was provided with a 30 day supply of 60 capsules (2 per day) and while consistency is so important, I haven't noticed a visual surge of hair growth (hey I just cut it!), plus I know from my regular biotin experience that it takes about 3 months to start seeing improvement after consistent use. If I'm going to take biotin anyway, then Seabuck Wonders is an easy choice for me to make!

To learn more about Seabuck Wonders visit their website as well as follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Have you ever done a drastic style? What did your spouse say to you?

 

Breastfeeding Support with Fairhaven Health

Disclosure: I was provided with samples to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own.

With Grayson's 1st birthday fast approaching there are so many developmental topics I've wanted to share which pass through my mind while I'm busy during other things and then I look up and another month has passed and we've moved onto something else. One area that I really want to follow-up on is mine and Grayson's breastfeeding relationship. It is amazing how different a nurser Grayson is. While digging through Nia's medical records for Kindergarten registration I came across her growth chart and found that it was similar to Grayson's. Specifically, they were both 17lbs at 10 months old. Grayson's current pediatrician is alarmed however, and has suggested we give him soy formula. I've been hearing this "alarm" for a while and in the midst of the constant barrage of blog posts coming forth about moms and breastfeeding/formula guilt, I decided that when Grayson recently dropped several ounces, something Nia never did, I would follow the pediatrician's advice and try soy formula. 

Grayson nursing on our recent cruise (bra by Bravado)

Well, little man is NOT having it! With my supply waning and my upcoming cruise with my mom I think this may be a natural time to wean (remember when I went away to wean Nia?). I will be pumping while on the trip and Fairhaven Health recently a supplied me with their Breastfeeding Essentials Bundle (retail price: $66.95) to support my breastfeeding efforts. 

Fairhaven Health's mission is to develop products designed to safely and naturally promote fertility, pregnancy wellness, and breastfeeding success. They are based in Bellingham, Washington and have been providing support to parents and parents-to-be for years, helping them reach their goals from fertility to breastfeeding. 

The Breastfeeding Essentials Bundle includes:

1. Milkies Nipple Nurture Balm - Help soothe, protect, and heal sore cracked nipples with this 100% organic lanolin-free balm. Recommended by lactation professionals all over the country.

2. Milkies Nursing Time Tea & Tea Ball - This all-natural tea helps nursing moms increase milk production and soothe digestion in mom and baby. The loose leaves ensure freshness and nutritional support. Brew it up nice and hot using the Tea Ball provided.  

3. Milkies Milk-Saver - Make sure to never waste a single drop of “liquid gold” with this ingenious invention that collects breast milk leaked from the non-nursing side during the breastfeeding session, and store it for later!

4. Happy Bottom Baby Balm - This ultra-moisturizing balm contains a blend of colloidal oatmeal, cocoa and shea butter, and organic oils that soothe baby’s bottom naturally.   

The Milkies Milk-Saver is my favorite item in the bundle. While I use nursing pads to prevent leaking through my clothing, I've always wondered if there was a way to keep that milk instead of wasting it. This invention solves that issue! Simply slide it into the non-nursing side and collect milk in a special BPA-free reservoir. I use it with Grayson then simply put it in a bottle that I'll add to later when I pump or milk baggie to freeze it. It even has a stand that it can rest on to prevent it from tipping over! 

I've also found the loose tea a tasty and soothing way to relax and boost my supply. It contains fennel seed and blessed thistle, known for increasing milk production - I like to add a bit of honey in mine! Grayson also has 8 teeth which he uses to bite me (he's even drawn blood) so the Milkies Nurture Balm has been a lifesaver for my sore nipples. For Grayson, he's always scratching his bottom during diaper changes so applying the Happy Bottom Baby Balm has given him relief for his dry skin. Thankfully the eczema he experienced so badly before hasn't come back, but this has been great to use since then. 

There are so many other well-researched and curated product offerings to help you or the mother in your life including a Pregnancy Bundle as well. Be sure to visit Fairhaven Health's online store here and like on Facebook and Twitter for latest product news. 

How did you find support in your breastfeeding relationship with your baby?

Belli Celebrates Moms with an AMAZING Giveaway!

Happy May! A few weeks ago I shared my review of Belli Skin Care and now that it's officially May with Mother's Day fast approaching I'm excited to share a HUGE giveaway for moms that Belli is hosting:

Starting today through May 31 visit www.belliskincare.com for a daily giveaway from Belli's featured brand partners. Then on May 31 you can enter to win the grand prize: a prize from each brand valued at $1,500! In addition to this contest there is also one running on Belli's Facebook page where you can win a matching $1,500 prize by uploading pictures or video of you and your mom. The one with the most likes will win all 29 prizes!

Here's a few of the amazing brands giving away daily prizes:

• Belly Bandit
• Preggers
• BabyBjorn
• For Two Fitness
• bebe au lait

Definitely follow along on Facebook and visit Belli's website to enter today! Good luck mamas!

Lovebirds' First Family Cruise: Beauty Prep with Belli & CapriClear

Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Post-partum skin and a tropical vacation emerging from the dead of one of the most awful New England winters ever is a tricky mix! It's incredibly dry here in New Hampshire and thanks to Belli Skin Care and CapriClear Moisturizing Spray I've been using the product lines the past few weeks as I prepare my skin for warmer temperatures.  My skin has lost its glow that I had during pregnancy, but I still very much feel postpartum due to hormonal adjustments I'm going through - I have a few breakouts popping up lately.

Thankfully Belli has a few amazing products in their arsenal that are helping and are also gentle, free of harmful parabens, sulfates, dyes and artificial fragrances. Lately, the Revitalize Eye Brightening Cream (MSRP $39 for 0.5oz) is what I need the most as Grayson has been in a wakeful period going on nearly two months. I'm also a contact lens wearer and am especially cautious about what goes around my eye area. The cream is light going on and while my bags and circles haven't completely dissipated, it works even as a moisturizer, soothing and refreshing this delicate area.

The Pure & Pampered Body Wash (SRP $13 for 6.5oz) is turning my two-minute showers into a mini-spa experience during this cherished and very brief time. Made with cucumber, green tea, lavender and chamomile, it has a gentle scent that I find calming. Having kids has also made me read labels carefully, and when I saw Ammonium Laureth Sulfate in the ingredients list, knowing that it's a low risk sulfate, I appreciated Belli's response when I asked if they'd ever consider removing it: 

The Cosmetic ingredient Review (CIR) has fully assessed this ingredient and found it to be safe.  And, it passes our teratology and LactMed screening processes which means it does not have a known link to birth defect or miscarriage and is not harmful if passed through breastmilk.

The ingredient serves a couple of purposes. It is an anionic surfactant and thus lowers the surface tension of water, making the water spread more easily.  It also serves as a detergent.

We have two main requirements for an ingredient at Belli.  1) That it’s safe and 2) That it adds to the effectiveness of the product. We believe ammonium laureth sulfate meets those requirements.

My skin is parched this winter and while regular lotion doesn't quite cut it, Belli's All Day Moisture Body Lotion (SRP $17) is a keeper! How do I know this? At the end of the day if my legs are ashy under my pants I know the lotion was too thin. The All Day Mositure Body Lotion feels rich and indeed keeps me moisturized all day. The citrus scent is stronger than the Body Wash, but I like it as the final "wake-up" step before heading out for the day. 

I keep it simple when I wash my face, but I am careful to moisturize daily. Part of this is sun-safe practice and part of it is because my foundation is blended into my moisturizer giving me and SPF protection. While the Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator lacks SPF, the impressive ingredient list helps me feel like I'm nourishing my skin: grapeseed oil and vitamin C. It's good stuff that's not too heavy, but feels so lush! 

In addition to my face and body, I hone in on the most prominent challenging area that I have postpartum: my belly. In the first few weeks of pregnancy I wrapped my belly to help the puffiness go down, but am amazed by how slowly it's taking the second time around despite me being active. My body is really holding onto extra calories for baby!

Enter CapriClear Spray-On Moisturizer (SRP $19.99 for 5.2 fl oz; $10.99 for 1.9 oz ). It's 100% fractionated coconut oil meaning that it's extra pure, free of preservatives, additives, fragrances, parabens sulfates, PABA and other items. I'm stickler for a good spray bottle that mists evenly and CapriClear does so perfectly. As it's touted for stretch marks I find myself spraying all over right out of the shower as well as in my hair on wash day. I even use it before I wear my waist trainer and it helps with the tone of my tummy. 

You can find Belli products at your local buybuyBaby as well as online at www.BelliSkincare.com while CapriClear is available at Ulta, Harmons, Bed Bath & Beyond.

What's your troublesome post-partum skin concern? I'm so glad to be getting back on track!

Grayson's Birth Story

Patience.

Thank you to my readers for having it!

At long last I'm sharing Grayson's birth story . . .

(I shared a truncated version of my birth story soon after giving birth with my acupuncturist, and I'm so thankful that I have an email record of it when everything was so fresh and it's what I referred to when writing this post.)

Grayson's due date was June 16, 2014, but I was prepared for it to come and go just like the first time around, and sure enough it did. My 5th wedding anniversary was June 26, 2014 and earlier that day I attended a blogging event in the city. Everyone was stunned that I was still waddling around, but I figured the activity would be good to get labor going. It was also Nia's last day of school so I made it back to Jersey City in time to pick her up and head home. The activity must've worked because I lost my mucus plug and started contracting strong enough to call Uka at work to tell him he might want to come home soon. This was around 5p.m. and as a precaution we let our awesome neighbors know Nia might be coming over that night so they were on standby. I also called my midwives who advised me not to use my arsenal of products to jump start labor and instead soak in the tub and let things progress naturally. 

After dinner Nia went to the neighbors and we got settled in bed then around 10p.m. contractions started coming 7 minutes apart. Because we were about 30 minutes from the hospital our midwife warned us not to wait too long to start heading to the hospital, especially because of how quickly labor tends to go with subsequent pregnancies. However, I really wanted to labor as long as possible at home. 

Now a quick pause to talk about the support of midwives . . .

The first go around I didn't have the option of a midwife, and while yes, a healthy baby is the obvious outcome most mothers want for their birth experience, this time around I also wanted to experience an unmedicated birth. I was genuinely curious about what my body was capable of on its own and based on my experience of a medicated birth the first time around, I honestly wanted to know the difference as well as have the ability to ambulate, which I hardly did when I had Nia. I believe having midwives would be the best way to achieve this desired outcome.

So I was laboring at home as long as possible and we finally made our way to the car close to 11:30p.m. Side note: while we had considered using Uber, we had only purchased a car a couple weeks before Grayson was born and I'm so glad we did! Unlike my first birth which was just a public transit ride to the hospital during which I wasn't in labor, this time in the car, the 30 minute ride seemed to double and I every bump and application of the brakes seemed amplified. It was such a welcome relief to get into the hospital doors, but I had to keep stopping during the walk to registration due to contractions. 

When my midwife checked I was already 6 cm dilated! I was so excited and thankful that I didn't have to experience the wretched contractions that Pitocin caused during my first labor. I had read natural contractions weren't nearly as strong as those caused by Pitocin, and I found that to be absolutely true. 

In addition to being able to ambulate, I wanted to have time in the birthing tub. I wasn't aiming for a water birth, but I knew for some women it provided a soothing experience. Not for me! I got into the birthing pool around 1a.m. and I was quite uncomfortable and became more of a "collapser" laboring in the water. Maybe I just needed to do more strength training, but similar to the first time around I had what felt like sea legs made of jelly. I remember my midwife telling me I could stand up and I adamantly told her I could not. Thankfully Uka was there to support me. I was also overheating during the time in the birthing tub and the cold compresses he applied to my forehead made me want to kiss him. I vividly remember thinking, "This is the best thing in life. EVER!" (The compresses, NOT labor!)

Once back in the bed we got to a bit of a stand still when I stopped progressing at 9 cm due to my "persistent cervix." I was also losing steam so my midwife gave me a mild sedative so I could rest. She later told me it was the equivalent of a child's dose of Tylenol PM or something, but it completely wiped me out! When I woke up I felt so refreshed and looked around the room asking how much time had past thinking it was only 20 or 30 minutes when it was more like 2 hours. They were so surprised that it had that effect on me!

I had no sense of time but before I knew it I was pushing under the guidance of my midwife who knew I had a 4th degree tear the first time around. The fear of tearing was holding me back and I was so thankful for not having to be on a clock - my body was able to progress naturally and my midwife even helped manually with my persistent cervix which made me writhe in pain, but I much preferred that to tearing. So much of labor is mental and I remember telling myself that I shouldn't let my fear keep me from meeting Grayson. I pushed with all my might (I have no idea how many times!), and at 5:51a.m. on June 27 he was born (this is also my BFF's birthday, and he came all the way from Manhattan to meet Grayson!). 

I was still a bit groggy from the sleep aid, but I remember when he was lifted up I couldn't get over how brown he was already! Nia took a while for her melanin to kick in, but Grayson had a reddish-brown tone and a full head of hair. Uka cut the cord and I was able to have skin-to-skin contact for over an hour, just like I had with Nia. Grayson took right to nursing and Uka and I joked that he looked like a little marsupial! 

My parents drove up from Maryland and met Grayson that night, retrieved Nia from the neighbors then brought her to meet Grayson the following day; we captured Grayson and Nia meeting in this video:

Lord willing, our family is now complete. 

Thank you to my husband and homeyloverfriend Uka - he was the most supportive, present and loving birth coach! Also thank you to my fantastic team at Midwives of New Jersey as well as Morristown Medical Center for their care (the post-labor massage was icing on the cake!) and for taking the pictures in this post.



P.S. Getting my pictures off the CD the midwives provided took me a while so thank you again readers for bearing with me! None of our laptops have a CD drive so I finally ordered an external one and transferred the pics to my MacBook.

Join Me Tuesday, 10/7 at the Biggest Baby Shower Ever in Boston!

We're settling into life in Portsmouth, NH (lots of pics on IG!), and while I have so much to share I'm excited to announce I'll be attending the Biggest Baby Shower Ever in Boston - my old stomping grounds!

  
Taking place Tuesday, October 7 the Biggest Baby Shower Ever Boston presented by Big City Moms from 6-9:30p.m. at the Back Bay Events Center is the must-attend event for expectant and new parents. This will be my first time attending (I missed it in NYC when I was pregnant with Gray), and I'm excited to check out the amazing brands such as:

• Halo
• Joovy
• Belkin Family Lookout Farm (I use to go there every season to pick apples!)
• Magic Beans
• Orbit Baby
• Summer

Along with the brands there are yummy bites, seminars and awesome gift bags. It'll definitely be a fun night and I look forward to meeting fellow New England moms especially since I'm returning to the area after 7 years!

To purchase your tickets be sure to visit the Biggest Baby Shower Ever's registration page. The early entrance Ultra and Super Passes are sold out, but there are still Standard Passes available including an overflowing gift bag, but they're going fast!

Will I see you there? Be sure to tweet me @HarlemLovebirds and follow the Big City Moms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  
 

Taking Care of Mama & Baby's Skin With Mustela

Disclosure: I received samples from Mustela to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you everyone for your kind comments on yesterday's post! We're excited about our new chapter. In the midst of all the change, I'm trying to hold on to a bit of routine and that includes taking care of myself. Now that I'm post-partum I'm dealing with skin issues not only for myself but with Baby Gray as well. If you remember from my pregnancy updates, I was itchy early on in my pregnancy and it really intensified at the end. Cocoa butter sticks just didn't cut it, and I was desperately in search of relief. I wasn't as concerned about getting stretch marks especially because as I learned from the first time around they're unavoidable (and anyone who tells you differently is lying!), but I wasn't averse to minimizing them and their appearance. 

I had come across Mustela even before having kids and always liked the pleasant scent of their products, but only thought that they made baby care products. When I met the Mustela team at a local event I was surprised to see their Stretch Marks Oil Care in the gift bag and immediately broke into it because I was super itchy. It smelled amazing, giving me instant relief and I quickly reached out to them to learn more!

The Mustela team sent over their best-selling Stretch Marks Double Action, Stretch Marks Care Oil for me and PhysiObebe, no rinse cleansing fluid, and Facial Cleansing Cloths for Gray. While I'm dealing with getting my tummy skin back to normal (as much as possible!) Gray's currently dealing with dry skin and had a bit of heat rash earlier this summer. He also spits up after nearly every feeding - something I didn't experience with Nia. He gets pretty messy and sour-smelling, but rather than bathe him daily, which isn't recommended, I've been using PhysiObebe in the mornings on his body including his diaper area, which it's safe for, then touching him up as needed with the Facial Cleansing Cloths. Nia even helps stepping up on her step-stool to wipe his face and neck. The cloths are eye tolerant as well so I'm able to get all the crusties out without tears. He coos and kicks his legs during his morning routine! It's so cute and after he smells fresh. I also like how I can toss the cloths in my diaper bag to keep Gray clean on the go. We go through so many bibs and giving him a quick swipe with a cloth is super easy - I even use them for my 4 year old in a pinch!

For me, while I put the Stretch Marks Care Oil on immediately after showering, it's a product that I know I would've loved throughout my pregnancy. I actually don't mind scented products and Mustela's scents are all very gentle and pleasant. If I shower at night and put on the oil I find it helps me sleep - Mr. Lovebird's even remarked about how good it smells. It's not too slippery or sticky - my skin soaks it right up! Throughout the day I like the option of the Stretch Marks Double Action since it's a cream; it's considered double action because it helps prevent and reduce the appearance of new and recent stretch marks. I may be a bit late for double action, but it couldn't hurt to use it! Since using both the texture of my tummy is improving and now I just really need to work on my fitness to tighten up. 

A high-quality brand, I also appreciate Mustela's commitment to natural ingredients. Their packaging indicates that they are given priority and and are free of parabens, phtalates and phenoxyethanol. 

If you'd like to give their products a try be sure to visit Mustela and check out their gift sets as well - even for yourself it's a great way to try several of their best-sellers at once!
 

Getting Gorgeous 2014 (Just in Time to Have My Baby!)

Disclosure: I was invited to Getting Gorgeous and given a gift bag; this post was not required and all opinions expressed are my own. 

Last year I attended Getting Gorgeous with Nia and this year I (kinda) attended with Grayson - that is if in utero counts!

Audrey and Vera threw another outstanding event and the size of it along with the brands represented was definitely my speed. And somehow, just like last year it was a beautiful day! I slowly waddled my way into the city, stayed just long enough to make a few rounds, say hi to my blogger friends then headed back to get Nia from school. It was the perfect day - take a look . . .

I was excited to learn that Jersey City is getting a huge Stop & Shop hub for grocery delivery! Our current grocery options are pretty bare

I stopped by the amazing-smelling Vitabath booth and took a quiz to find my signature scent - turns out it's Original Spring Green

Handing in my scent quiz {Image credit: bellamyblue.com}

I last remember Calgon from the 80s - well they've changed! The brand's updated and so refreshing. I look forward to indulging in their newest scents I took home

Summer Infant's innovative baby monitors were on display (hello wifi capability!) as was something I've been seeing get quite a bit of buzz lately...

The Pop 'n Play Portable Playard is EVERYTHING!

Pausing for a quick selfie with blogger buddy Nichol of Five Little Words

Of course I had to stop by the Pampers booth! We planned/are using Swaddlers starting out with Grayson until transitioning to cloth:

{Image credit: bellamyblue.com}

Pampers offered hand and foot massages too! Just what I needed to relax

Title sponsor V05 offered on-site salon hair styling and product sampling! I had nostalgic memories of the hot oil treatment my mom used to give me as a kid, and it's so exciting to see how the product line's evolved - stay tuned for a fun giveaway! {Image credit: bellamyblue.com}

This was just a sample of the swag bag - I took home lots more including these amazing Passion Roses which lasted FOREVER! {Image credit: bellamyblue.com}

Thank you Audrey, Vera and all the fab sponsors for a wonderful time - it was the perfect daytime getaway for this pregnant mama!

{Image credit: bellamyblue.com}

What's your trick or tip for feeling gorgeous? For me right now in newborn stage it's attempting getting a daily shower! Ha!
 


P.S. Curious about Getting Gorgeous 2013? Click here!

Ready to Get Fit with My Victoria's Secret Sport Bra #VSSportTester

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Victoria's Secret Sport Bra and Socks via Influenster to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I got pregnant with Grayson I had been in the midst of running regularly - I honestly think getting back on my fitness helped me get pregnant very quickly once Mr. Lovebird and I decided we were ready to try for #2 (more on that in my full birth story to come...). About the time it started cooling down here in metro-NYC a new gym opened in my neighborhood and I signed up immediately. Once I found out I was pregnant I was excited about carrying on with my fitness plan at the gym, however it kept stalling its opening. While it was originally supposed to open in January it just opened last month! I still managed to keep up a bit of fitness with hour daily walks and sometimes longer depending on what I had going on in the city. I definitely think it helped me keep to a healthy weight during my pregnancy!

The same day my gym opened I received my Victoria's Secret Sport Bra via Influenster. A sign? Perhaps! I honestly had forgotten it was coming so it was a pleasant surprise and although I was well at the end of my pregnancy I decided to don the sports bra and head to the gym. I didn't do a real workout but just took a tour and tested out a few machines:

Once I got past my due date I decided to get to walking a bit more and shot this video giving my Studio sport bra a try - there are 9 styles of Victoria's Secret Sport Bras to try for mid to high impact exercise:

What I Loved

The color - someone at VS must've known how much I love bright colors and sent me a bright melon colored sport bra! I loved how it popped from under my shirt - I get excited by bright colors and they help motivate me to work out (it's the little things!)

The fit - At first I was surprised I had received a size large bra as I don't think of myself as large-chested, but then I thought perhaps I had picked that size accounting for nursing. Regardless, I tried it on and with my pregnancy breasts and all it was a great fit! I felt comfortable yet well supported. I even found myself putting the bra on instead of my regular nursing bras I had started wearing at the end of my pregnancy

I also received VS Sport Socks (you can see them peeking out in the first picture above), and I really like their colorful, low-cut style and how they are specially designed to wick away moisture. I would've loved grippers on the bottom though as I now like to wear them around the house but am afraid of slipping on my wood floors!

Overall, I have to say I'm quite impressed with VS Sport - I wasn't aware of it previously and will now consider the line when I add to my fitness wardrobe just as soon as I get my clearance to hit the gym post-baby (I can't wait!).