Maternity Monday - Olian Favorites Perfect for Fall

I love this super cute stripe hoodie from Olian! I think this is the one time in your life that you don't worry weather or not you should wear stripes.

But this is only one of the few things from Olian we have for fall - come check out our great snappy casual outfits perfect for 9 to 5.

Maternity Monday - The Perfect Pant

The Perfect Pant. Yes! That is the actual name...and for a reason...it is the perfect black pant. Just like everyone needs that perfect little black dress, everyone needs the perfect pair black pants. The Perfect Maternity Pant is made of super soft stretchy fabric that feels like a comfy yoga pant which will have you reaching in your closet to wear it over and over again. But it wears like a wide-leg snappy casual pant perfect for work or going out. With a high stretchy waistband, its once again perfect for after the baby while you're trying to work off those extra baby pounds. I would suggest to try on a size larger than your pre-pregancy size to give you more room in your hips & thighs to grow - which unfortunately happens. So stop in at the store to try a pair on!

Maternity Monday - Kegels...Yes They Do Matter!

Every doctor will tell you to do them. We all know that we should. But do we really? And if not, why? They don't hurt. They're easy. Its not "real" exercise. Well take it from a mom of two...do your kegels!!! Here are some tips & facts on kegel exercises.

Did you know? The kegel is named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise.

What is it really? These muscles are attached to the pelvic bone and act like a hammock, holding in your pelvic organs.

Am I doing it right? To try and isolate these muscles - its the stopping and starting the flow of urine - but that is not the time you should do them. Once you have located the muscles simply tighten and relax the mucsle over and over, about 200 times a day.

Have fun!

Maternity Monday - Enjoy a Mommy Mocktail

There are 2 great reasons to mix up a mommy mocktail, besides that they're yummy non-alcoholic drinks - not to mention great for kids parties too!

During the first few months when you're still trying to "hide" the fact that your pregnant, you're bound to be put into a situation where you would normally have a cocktail...girls' night out, holiday party, working dinner...but now you can't. For many, including myself, this was the big tip-off that hmmm, something is going on here. So, ya gotta fake it! Go for a mocktail! Here are a couple tips.
- my favorite drink was tonic (or sprite) with a splash of cranberry & a lime. looks just like a cranberry & vodka.
- ask the bartender to put ginger ale in the same style glass they would serve beer...without ice.
- have a glass of "white wine" or tonic in a wine glass.

Once everyone knows your pregnant, I got very tired drinking water while my friends were enjoying a cocktail...it seemed very boring to me. This is when trying one of the many mocktail recipes out there are both fun & yummy! Check out this great book, "Preggatinis, Mixology for the Mom-To-Be" by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen. The book goes far beyond a virgin daiquiri, its full of nonalcoholic versions of real drinks, such as the Cosmom (with orange juice and orange syrup instead of vodka and triple sec to mix with the cranberry juice). She also suggests how to "De-Virginize for Dad," adding back the gin, vodka or tequila to certain drinks.

Here's a refreshing summer mommy mocktail to try, the POM Julep (the yummy drink shown above)

Ingredients:

1 ounce POM Pomegranate Juice

1-1/2 ounce grapefruit juice

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup (mix equal parts hot water and sugar; stir to dissolve, cool)

2 mint sprigs

How to mix it:

1. Bruise 1 mint sprig in bar mixing glass with honey syrup.

2. Add remaining ingredients and shake over ice.

3. Strain over ice into a chilled rocks glass.

4. Garnish with the remaining mint.

Maternity Monday - "When shoudl I start wearing maternity clothes?"

Hmmmm...I get this question almost daily from first time mom-to-be. And since we're getting into our busy maternity season. How do we have a "busy season"? Most babies are born in the fall, this is because most babies are conceived during the holiday season...blame the cocktails at the holiday parties, so right about now those mom-to-be are just getting to the point that their jeans are getting a bit snug. THIS is the time to start wearing maternity clothes! For some reason many...many...women put off buying their first pair of maternity pants. I'm not sure why. You're uncomfortable...using that silly rubber-band "trick". When you're only putting of the inevitable...you're going to have to buy and wear maternity pants some day, so why not do it now and get the most wear you possibly can out of them. I'm talking specifically about pants here because that's what we grow out of first...we can cheat with our tops for a few months longer. We also have a few options for "transition" pants at the store. Remember, anything you buy now you will be wearing after the baby is born. I know you're thinking "I will loose my baby weight fast, I'm breastfeeding." But its truly not always that easy! My personal rule is, put the maternity jeans away when your baby is 6 months old - that gives me one more month!! Because believe me, if you think buying maternity pants is depressing due to your growing body, its nothing compared to the feeling of buying "big girl" pants because you can't fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes.

So, toss out the rubber band & stop into the store for some real comfy pants! See all you September and October moms soon!!

Maternity Monday - The Boobie Tubie from Olian

Ok. I know it sounds like something you would order online & receive in a plain brown paper package. But its not! Its also such a great idea that you don't need to be pregnant to wear it.

SO what is the "Boobie Tubie"? Give me a sec here & I'll explain.

Ok, for some reason, all our favorite maternity designers (we love you all, but...) love to design tops with low plunging v-necks! If you're one of those pregnant girls who went from a modest B cup to a double D, you're probably trying to figure out how to dress "the girls". Or, if you work in a very conservative work environment with many men - like the automotive world for example - a low-cut anything with your brand new "girls" is so not appropriate for the work place. But you love the top...if only...

So this is where the Boobie Tubie comes in. It is a "tube" of fabric that is worn over your bra - it is not to give you support - but to give you coverage. Worn under a v-neck top, the fabric of the tube "fills-in" the V, covering any cleavage. Worn in a coordinating color of your top, it appears to be a part of your shirt...and no one would be the wiser.

HullaBaloo carries them in the ever popular & versitile black or chocolate brown; they are available in sizes S-XL. Not local? No problem, call the store & we will ship one out to you; mention you read about it on our blog & we'll ship if for free!

Maternity Monday - The Scoop on the Bella Band

Welcome to my first "Maternity Monday"! I thought if I gave myself some "categories" I would do a better job at keeping up with my blogging! My goal is (every) monday to blog specifically for the wonderful mom-to-be!

The BellaBand...another great mom-preneur must have! The inspiration came to Ingrid, the "inventer" of the BellaBand, one morning while pregnant with her first child, Isabel. Getting dressed for work she realized she had "popped" over night & her clothes no longer fit comfortably. To get through the day she put a tube top around her waist to hide the fact that her pants were unbuttoned; untucked her shirt & went off to work (if you've been pregnant, I'm sure you've been there). And the rest is history.

I love the BellaBand for many reason. We all know the basics, not wanting to give up our favorite non-maternity jeans or you're in that "awkard stage" where regular clothes don't fit but neither do maternity. But here are a few more reasons the BellaBand can stick around in your closet a bit longer.

Its great to smooth out the panel of your maternity pants under a tight top, or to diminish that little belly button that's popping out.

After that sweet bundle of joy comes, you will once again find yourself in that "akward stage" where nothing fits - and believe me nothing is more depressing than buying a pair of pants a size or two bigger than you're used to!! Also, if you're breastfeeding, the band can conceal your belly as you lift the corner of your shirt to nurse.

I believe in the BellaBand from Ingrid & Isabel...but not all belly bands are created equal...I have many moms that will agree to that!!

Maternity Monday - Our "Due In" Rhinestone Tees from Time Out Mom

How many times a day do you actually get asked this question? I'm sure you've lost count! We all know its everyone's way - even strangers - of showing their love and concern for your ever growing belly. But being there first hand...twice...I know it gets old answering that same question over & over again.

Our "Due In" and "Bump" shirts let you tell everyone before they ask! Black fitted maternity tees embellished with clear rhinestones in the month that you're due are available in either short-sleeve or long-sleeve depending on the month. A great gift for your wife, sister or girlfriend or a fun way to share the news with everyone!

These shirts are handcrafted from mom-owned business Time Out Mom. Check out her site at timeoutmom.com for more great info from everything to the correct steps in giving your toddler a time out to the importance of giving yourself a mommy "time out."