As a newly-pregnant mom, I spent a lot of time perusing online and in-store boutiques for fashionable maternity, nursing, and infant wear.  While I appreciate those companies that specialize in one area, it’s much easier when all of the items can be purchased at one location.

Due Maternity, who has partnered with The First Years, offers one of the largest selections of fashion-forward maternity clothes online and is now offering baby gear and accessories. Some of the essentials you’ll find on the site include 5-Star safety certified car seats, strollers, feeding accessories, safety gear, and more from reputable brands such as Storksak, Fleurville, JJ Cole, Petunia Pickle Bottom, and Lamaze.

Along with the addition of baby items, Due Maternity underwent a re-design to allow for effortless navigation through their mother and baby sections.  Some of the features added include 360^o view capability for all maternity fashions, video clips for select items, stylist videos featuring celebrity stylist Dani Stone and advanced site search to help ensure first-time-fit.

The newly designed site is very easy to navigate as the products are arranged by category.  I spent quite a bit of time on their baby section and eventually settled on a Pluto Kids Short Sleeve Little Sister Tee, a six-pack of adorable Trumpette Pixie Socks, and Cooling Diaper Rash Wipes by The First Years.  Unlike some boutiques that only carry a small selection of baby niceties, Due Maternity offers a nice selection of necessities including everything from feeding, diapering, and bathing to health, safety, sleep, and play.  While many of the items are moderately priced, the site has a large sale section and a smaller clearance section.

Here is my daughter sporting the adorable tee and Mary Jane socks:

Along with offering quality baby products and trendy maternity wear, Due Maternity offers personalized attentive shopping service.  For more information, just visit their website.

Win It! One of you will win a $50 gift certificate to Due Maternity. Simply leave me a comment with the name of another item you’d like (that was not mentioned in my review). Comments will close on February 20th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Items for review and giveaway were supplied by the company.

Shopping for a nursing bra was challenging for me when my son was first born.  Everything that “fit” properly was unattractive.  At a time when I was flooded with emotion due to hormonal changes and in shock over the state of my body, style was just as important as fit.  I knew nothing of companies like Cake Lingerie, “an Australian designer brand specializing in the creation of high-fashion maternity and nursing lingerie.”

From looking at their lingerie line, it’s hard to believe that every piece was designed with the new and expectant mother in mind. Their bras provide maximum support and comfort via a power mesh back band and drop-down clips that can be accessed with one hand for discreet nursing.  Their fabrics are soft and comfortable and their designs are feminine and glamorous.  Cake Lingerie features two collections…Let Them Eat Cake, a mix of stretch lace, quality fabrics and luxurious satin, and A Slice of Heaven which features playful colors, fine laces, silk satins, and decorative bows.

Typical nursing bras provide a lot of coverage…and sometimes it’s too much.  I prefer a bra that provides just the right amount of coverage without being visible (with say, a v-neck cut shirt).  Their bras include 6 eye/hook closures which allow for a lot of give with regards to sizing.  I like the soft, supportive fit of their nursing bras and the fact they can double as lingerie, considering the company offers matching undergarments. The only thing I’d like to see is a bit more presence in US stores.

So what do I look for when shopping for a nursing bra?

Fit is the most important criteria for a winning nursing bra.  I highly recommend getting fitted by a specialist to ensure you are wearing the correct bra size.

Comfort is as important as fit, considering a nursing bra is often worn all day and night.  I suggest avoiding underwire nursing bras, because they’re uncomfortable and can lead to plugged ducts or mastitis.

As I mentioned above, fashion  and versatility are very important.  I want a bra I can stylishly wear with both casual and formal attire.

So…how do you know if a bra fits properly?  Here are a few tips, courtesy of Cake Lingerie:

For more information about sizing and product availability in the US, just visit their site.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples were received to facilitate this review.

If you’re pregnant (or thinking about having a baby), you know at some point you’ll be wearing maternity clothes.  It wasn’t until my second pregnancy that I discovered fashionable options beyond the mall maternity store.  Pregnancy is a beautifully awkward time in a woman’s life.  Clothes don’t fit quite like you think they would.  One of my favorite maternity lines is now at Target stores!  And Target equals affordable.

The Moody Mamas spring line of fashionable and stylish maternity clothes hits the virtual racks this week at Target.   Hollywood moms like Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Tori Spelling and Bethenny Frankel have been spotted wearing Moody Mamas.  This spring, they’ve created a created a fabulous, colorful spring capsule collection for expectant moms who want to look beautifully chic this season.  Each piece is inspired by the runway, and includes easy maxi dresses  and adorable chiffon trim knit dresses. The collection boasts soft, lightweight fabrics, giving each piece the feel of relaxing loungewear.  I have one of their nursing pajama sets and I love how soft and comfortable it is.

The collection is limited in quantity, so be sure to visit your local Target store (or go to their website) for Moody Mamas new spring line.  With prices that range from $39.99 – $49.99, you can get several maternity pieces that will last the duration of your pregnancy.

If you’d like to do some shopping on their main site, you can use the coupon MMDiscount for 30% off (one coupon per customer) which is a really great deal!

Win It! One of you will win a $50 gift card for Moody Mamas. Simple leave me a comment with the name of two pieces you’d love to have.  Comments will close on May 18, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow Moody Mamas on Twitter

Like Moody Mamas on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  This giveaway was sponsored by Moody Mamas.

If you read my blog, then you know how passionate I am about the companies you see here. Shabby Apple is no exception.  I will attempt to describe for you, the chic, fashion-forward dresses you’ll find on the site.  But you truly must go visit to see all they have to offer.  While I’m not a shop-a-holic, I definitely love to shop and do it well (just ask my husband!).  When I was single, my mom and I went out every month (and sometimes more than that) to buy a new outfit.  That was what she did when she was  a single, working woman and it was something we did together too.  Even today, I’d rather go shopping with her than anyone else.  I think it’s her NYC upbringing that makes her particularly savvy when it comes to finding trendy clothes that look good and fit appropriately.

I showed my mother Shabby Apple’s website, and she agreed…the company truly offers unique, trendy dresses for women of all shapes and sizes.  Originally, I was to review the dress 90 Words Per Minute.  However, I’m pregnant and although this dress is a. beautiful and b. perfectly suited for me it would not be a review unless I could try it on, see how it fits, and most importantly, show you how it fits.  Fortunately, the company also offers maternity dresses.

Some women look absolutely stunning their entire pregnancy.  You can see how their face just glows and their eyes shine.  For other women (like me), looking and feeling beautiful can be a struggle.  My body feels big and awkward (especially now).  I had an opportunity to review Green With Envy.  I only wish I had the boots shown in the picture on their site to truly complete the look.

The dress is made from a cotton/spandex blend and does give a bit.  It’s actually very flattering, in part due to the sash that ties right above my bump.  It’s a light, airy dress but the color is perfect for the holidays (and for Southern California weather).  The site states that it doesn’t have to be ironed, however, I wasn’t sure about that when I took the dress out of the package.  So I hung it up in our bathroom before wearing it for the first time and the steam helped iron out some of the wrinkles.  This is actually important to me because I don’t iron anything.  We have a brand new iron sitting in our closet, given to us on our wedding day, 4 1/2 years ago.

As far as sizing goes, I usually wear a medium (in both regular and maternity clothing).  I checked their sizing chart, determined I was a medium, and ordered the dress.  What do you think?

There are so. many. dresses. I want to purchase from the site…both for myself (after our baby girl is born) and for our baby girl. Here is what I’d choose for her:

And this is the dress I want after I lose the baby weight:

The site has an incredibly helpful tool to help you find a dress that fits your body shape.  Check out Fit to Flatter (you only have to answer 3 questions).

Right now Shabby Apple is offering you 15% off of everything with the code “holidaysale15off.”  (good through December 2, 2009).

For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I did receive a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

I find myself googling baby products more and more these days (I can’t imagine why).  To be honest, we have a lot of the necessities (car seat, co-sleeper, etc.) from when my son was born.  And I’m not above putting our little girl in a blue swing or a green onesie (those things just aren’t that important to me).  But in the two years since my son was born, things have changed.  For example, the only BPA-free bottles on the market at that time were made by Born Free and Medela.  These days, I don’t think you’ll find a bottle with BPA in it.  And the number of companies that have developed bottles for all kinds of situations has increased (i.e. Adiri).

Last week I attended a posh baby show in Los Angeles called Plan A Baby.  I have to admit that some of the trendiest products and designers were showcased at the event…and I was eying a TON of them!  And I was given the opportunity to try out some products from some of the companies featured at the event, so look for those reviews coming soon!  Here are some pictures from some of my favorites (the lighting wasn’t the best so some of the pictures came out a bit darker than I would have liked):

Aden + Anais:  I purchased some Muslin Wraps for my son when he was born 2 years ago because I knew he liked to be swaddled, but he was born late June in southern California (which equates to sweltering!). I always worry just a bit about swaddling babies (particularly when they start to get mobile) but those first few weeks it’s a lifesaver for calming and soothing babies.  What’s great about these wraps is that they’re large (so babies can’t unwrap them or get out of them) and the fabric is light and breathable.  The company recently introduced their Muslin Sleeping Bags which are great for babies who no longer want or need to be swaddled.  They’re made from the same cotton muslin as the Wraps.  Also just released are their Burpy Bibs which double as a bip and burp cloth in one.

oeuf:  It means egg in French and the company is truly a front runner when it comes to modern baby design.  I like them because they’re also eco-friendly.  The company offers furniture, baby gear, clothing, and more.

Bonpoint:  Speaking of the French, they have an eye for style and fashion.  I have yet to see a line of children-swear so adorably posh.  If you can believe it, the company has been around for over 30 years!  This is a high end line…one that I’d probably only be able to consider for special occasions (as opposed to outfitting my children’s entire wardrobe).

Prince Lionheart:  This family-owned business offers unique and innovative baby products including feeding, safety, travel, play, and nursery gear.  The COOLEST bathtub I’ve ever seen is made by this company.  It’s a washPOD that actually allows a baby to sit upright while bathing (I’m reviewing this so stay tuned!).  The other product I was fascinated with was their squishy Silicone Bottles.  They’re free from BPA, phthalates, lead, PVC, and Latex…now….will our little girl take to them?  Stay tuned!

Cloud B:  Every parent wants their baby, toddler, or child to sleep (through the night would be even better!).  My son still wakes up most nights, ending up in our bed.  Because he had such a difficult time sleeping as a baby, I bought him a few Sleep Sheep Friends from Cloud B (designed to help your child sleep at night via lights and sounds).  The company has expanded their line to include wraps, sleeping bags, burp cloths and more.  Stay tuned for my review of Dozy Dolphin On The Go.

Sprout Baby Food:  Two years ago I was one of the first in my circle of friends to “go green.”  Organic baby food, chlorine-free diapers, BPA-Free bottles, Paraben/Phthalate free bath and body products…  Friends and family thought I was crazy (seriously!).  And it was a struggle to find products that fit the bill.  It’s been almost 2 1/2 years and the number of companies offering moms like me choices is phenomenal.  Chef Tyler Florence co-founded this organic line of gourmet baby food!  Only the best for my little girl.  Stay tuned for my review.

Your Baby Can Read:  I met Dr. Titzer (who developed this program) a few months ago in Orange County at another event.  After having him demonstrate a bit of the program with my son and learning how negatively television affects babies and toddlers, I was convinced I wanted to try this out with my son and our soon-to-be born little girl.  Stay tuned for my review.  I’ll let you know if my baby really can read!  (For some reason I didn’t get a picture of their display!)

Tasty Baby:  Speaking of gourmet baby food, my son LOVED this frozen organic line.  New out are their Organic Fruit Snacks (which my son wants to eat every day) and their Organic Infant Cereals (which we’ll try with our baby girl).  And their baby food is as fresh as if I made it myself (except they do a much better job!).  Stay tuned for my review!

Think Baby:  Parents can rest assured that all of the company’s products are free from BPA, PVC, Lead, Phthalates, and other toxic chemicals.  I personally like the look of their Complete Feeding Set!

Here are some more highlights from the event…

Runway Maternity Fashion:

Rosie Pope Maternity

Strollers With a European Flair:

Orbit Baby

teutonia

Eco-Friendly Toys!

Plan Toys

Picasso for the Nursery!

Joo Joo Baby

Modern Nursery Decor and Design

MiGistyle

Baby Shower Planning:

Tiny Prints

I must not forget dessert!

]]> http://rockinmama.net/2009/10/spotlight-on-plan-a-baby-event/feed/ 4