i say must-haves for life and/or pregnancy because these don’t all apply to pregnancy. i refuse to bore you non-pregnant friends of mine, plus, some of these i seriously enjoyed before getting pregnant and have just come to appreciate them even more now that i am pregnant. so there.
1. jason lavender shampoo & conditioner. i am not really a hair care snob. in fact, pantene might be my fave smelling stuff there is but upon finding out i was growing a little human, i switched to the sulfate-free stuff and this was my choice when perusing the aisles of whole foods. i like it. it smells nice and i feel good about it. doesn’t get as sudsy as the standard stuff but so what?
2. coconut oil. you all know i already use this as my face lotion, but now it can be belly and boob lotion! for all the stretching skin that is going to be taut and itchy as the months go. woowee! and it’s good for you and your skin.
3. ingrid & isabel rouched tank. i bought this before i was even pregnant because they’re so long and comfy and it fit totally fine. and now i can continue wearing it because all the rouching along the side allows for a lot of belly stretching. and seriously, so long, and so comfy.
4. life factory glass bottle. i go nowhere without this. big enough for lemon slices, for a sponge, can go in the dishwasher… this is my favorite bottle of all time. and if you break the glass, keep the rubber coat because you can buy an insert for $8!
5. kicky pants onesie. the first thing i bought for babe a few weeks ago. it’s bamboo so it’s seriously soft and it’s just really precious. he’ll probably wear it like twice before growing out of it but i did it anyway.
6. a body pillow. my sister lent me hers from target and i love her for it. it’s soooooo cozy and soft and it fits all along my body from head to toe. steve tries to steal it sometimes (seriously) but then i tell him who’s boss.
also, i was asked to do a maternity-fashion post and i plan on it, but to be quite honest, i don’t know much because i am just getting to the point of seriously not fitting my normal clothes (unless they’re drawstring pants or super long shirts or… maxi dresses… my new love). so, i am looking for any tips YOU ladies have on what worked for you while you were pregnant. and links would be lovely too 🙂 i don’t plan on spending much money on maternity clothes at all but rather get by with what i have and a few choice items from other places (i find that when it’s called “maternity” the price tag automatically doubles!).
I just started using burts bees shampoo and conditioner, grapefruit and sugarbeet and it lathers really nicely 🙂 I hear great things about Jasons too. Especially their deodorant….but I just stopped wearing deodorant while being prego. (don't worry I really don't smell)
Also as far as maternity clothes go, you will have to buy your pants in the maternity section eventually – BUT I highly recommend Forever 21 for tops. You pick through the club clothes and find some really cheap, really fun shirts and dresses that compliment the belly and don't look like the same 3 shirts they sell at every maternity store everywhere. Drew and I went this weekend and I got 2 shirts and a dress that I wouldn't have found in any boring pregnant section anywhere…and when you get really big you just want to look cute ya know?
OKay, longest comment I've ever made, ever.
Ahh, I love your choices.. that Jasons shampoo is wonderful stuff! Glad everything is going well with the pregnancy, what an exciting time! xxxxxx
alwaysxbeing.blogspot.com
GAH I wish I used something for my stretch marks!! and I also wish I had a body pillow. I had to use just regular pillows and i feel like the body one would have made things so much more comfy! ha
I second the Forever 21 suggestion. I hated most maternity clothes so I just bought cheap, trendy stuff. I did a lot of legging/tunic combos.
Husbands who steal pillows from pregnant wives seriously have a death wish. Growing a person from scratch is hard work, give a girl some beauty rest.
Two words: Gap Maternity. Why? Because I work there, sometimes exclusively in that department, and the clothes are cute, comfy AND our Give and Get weekend is this weekend. So I will send on over some love to your inbox in just a few short minutes 🙂
@ladylee, i am prob going to LIVE in skirts and dresses this summer so i dont have to do the whole expensive jeans thing- i have a hard enough time finding jeans to fit me when im not pregnant!
@alexandria- well thank you girl!
Good tips- thanks! I want to know more about this Coconut Oil stuff as face lotion? What kind, and what benefits have you had- is it greasy?
I've been using L'occitane body butter to prevent stretch marks and I've really like that so far too (although I'm betting the coconut oil is cheaper, so that's appealing).
As far as maternity clothes- my go to pieces have been Old Navy's skinny jeans. I'm still using the elastic around the pant button trick, but soon enough I'll be breaking out the old navy maternity pants.
Also… love, love, love the Shade maternity line.
http://www.shadeclothing.com/. The maternity t's are super soft and extra long. As well as the cami's- I use them to layer under everything else of mine that isn't maternity and now too short. It's so easy to just layer with a long tank, and then I don't have to buy a bunch of expensive maternity tops. Also, Shade just came out with some new, cute & affordable striped tops that I plan on getting.
I usually can get by with some layering pieces from Shade, Old Navy, and Target pieces. It's not worth spending a lot of money on maternity.
Good luck- can't wait to see what you find and post about!! I would love to find some cute wide leg trouser maternity jeans that are affordable. If you find some on your search pass the link on:)
I love coconut oil:) Such a great list, sweetie
Kisses
Ps: I’m hosting a cool Loop GIVEAWAY today! Hope you’ll join in:)
This list is great. 🙂 I am going to have to look into that water jug/bottle cute and safe = perfect in my book. And I can't wait to see your maternity fashion posts!
Body pillows…yesssss.
You already know how I feel about maternity clothes, but I was just reading on some other preggo's blog that Francesca's Collection is very belly friendly and their stuff is darn cute. I had a few dresses from them in my closet, tried them on, and yup, they still fit. Plus the prices are good.
http://www.francescascollections.com/
Oh the body pillow, that was my saving grace when I was pregnant with both boys! I still use it form time to time!
And the coconut oil, humm, interesting, I usually just use it for roasting bananas!
So you've probably seen this, but Ryan & Cole have the cutest maternity series/info about her pregnancy (http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20belly%20pictures%20series). She used a lot of long skirts as dresses (belted) and just generally tried to make use out of what she had.
<3
That bottle looks great! I love a good water bottle.
technically you don't WANT your shampoo to lather because it's the sulfates that make it happen. nasty stuff…
i love the tank top. 🙂 i lived in loooong shirts and dresses when i was preggers.
I'll have to try that shampoo! I've been meaning to try 'sulfate-free' shampoos and conditioners, but I'm worried about how it'd be for my hair. But if it works good…
I love coconut oil! I've been using it as a face lotion, at night, for awhile now. My skin can still be a little dry in the morning though, but I still like it.
I liked the maternity clothes at H&M…not too pricey and pretty cute I thought!
OK, so I've heard others (mainly Hayley Smith) talk about this coconut oil on your face thing that you do. I must know more about this. Because I have a hard time understanding how something that tastes good isn't going to clog my pores…
k i lent my friend my body pillow a year ago. a year! and she still hasn't returned it. and she's not even pregnant.
i pretty much cried. now i guess i just have to get pregnant so i have an excuse to buy a new one.
wait…that's not right..
i still sleep with my body pillow. don't judge me.
I second the pillow. My Husband bought me a snoogle and I love it! As for clothes I have bought a few solid pieces, some really long tanks that i wear almost daily and a couple pairs of maternity leggings. I caved and bought Jbrand skinny maternity jeans and love them. Yes they are expensive but I will wear them multiple times a week and then can sell them on ebay post baby.
I was a scrooge when it came to maternity. I would say though it's totally worth it to get one pair of nice maternity jeans. GAP is affordable and they last a few pregnancies! Other than that the Target ribbed tanks for juniors are only $5 a piece and you can get them in every color. And the large or xl will fit your huge boobs and belly in the last few months just fine without looking awkward even though you are probably usually a much smaller size. Happy shopping! Fun times!
@madeline and others, coconut oil seriously just doesn't clog my pores! try it. and google more info on it – they'll prob say why it doesnt clog pores. i dont know the science behind it!
@calmly chaotic- i should check on ebay for a pair!
thanks for the links everyone!
I am going to add all that to my list :)!
Coconut lotion sounds so yummy. Ha!
I hear body pillows are amazing when you're pregnant. Turns 7 pillows into one!
I'm not prego, but I LOVE coconut oil for everything. Hubby and I buy big jars and split them up, one for lotion and one for cooking. It adds just a nice flavor to chinese food (frozen stuff from Trader Joe's usually) and I've never had more soft skin!
Thanks for the tip on that bottle. I'd love a glass bottle and the rubberized holder seems like it would help protect it! Thanks and Happy Wednesday!
People Tree have lovely organic fairtrade cotton and bamboo clothes, not specifically pregnancy clothes but quite floaty!
love these! coconut oil on your face? youre a lucky lady!
you probably know all of my tips already, especially considering you have already looked through my old maternity clothes. but i will re-cap:
–urban outfitters always has amazing sales and i bought a few dresses that were cotton, so soft, and empire wasted so that they grew with me.
–target and old navy also have a ton of super cheap options in the regular department (not really into the maternity department as much) and their skirts and dresses were comfy in the hot summer and were totally forgiving as i grew.
–forever 21 has super cheap jeans (and a million other things) so i bought a few pairs of skinny jeans with a good stretch in different sizes. they actually had a pair that have the elastic waistband so they were perfect.
–leggings are my best friend. grab a couple pairs, wear your ingrid and isabel tank and a sweater that is open and long in the back (you know the ones that don't zip, button, snap). with a pair of knee-high boots and a great long necklace, your outfit is made and super comfy.
–lastly, i went to thrift stores and consignment shops to get my must-have sevens jeans in a larger size and to get some fabulous dresses that again were not maternity but that worked in pregnancy and didn't break the bank. i will take you to some of my faves next time you are down here.
love you sister!
oh…and as for the body pillow…i actually wrote it into my birth plan. it may have been mentioned before my husband even…have to go back and check.
good to know…thanks for sharing!!
Unrelated to this post (which I loved, by the way) but Brad and Em already called it quits. 🙁
Got it from the St. Pete Times which is a reputable source: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/juice/content/bachelor-brad-womack-and-emily-maynard-have-broken-good
GAP maternity has great sales. I found their stuff doesn't fade and stretch out as much and it was worth it to me to pay a tiny bit more for a few key items. (I'm tall too and buying pants in a 'long' was key). I mostly just bough long tops one size up from my regular size and for the most part (except for the very bitter end) they worked great. Thread for Thought has super soft cozy t-shirts that I lived in. It's also REALLY nice to have non-maternity clothes after baby comes in those few weeks/months of transition as your body slims back down.
Can't wait to try that shampoo!! Also, I want to run and buy that coconut oil right now. I had no idea you could use it as a lotion for pretty much anything : )
Totally agree on the coconut oil! I use it as lotion and it's great!!
i think i need a body pillow just for life in general
Bridget! I honestly used EVERY ONE of these things when I was pregnant! No joke, every single one! I LOVE Pantene but when I was pregnant with my first, I went TOTALLY all natural and sulfate-free and all that stuff! And used this exact same shampoo.
Moving on to #2. Not only do I religiously cook with this coconut oil but I spread it everywhere when I was pregnant! And the people who said "oh, don't even bother with that stuff, it's genetics anyway", well I would compare it to "think of a rubber band. If you moisten it and keep it lubricated, it will stretch back and forth into place, but if you don't do anything and it's dry, the rubber band will crack and not go back into place properly." I totally believe in moisterizing!!
#3.I bought 4 of the Ingrid and Isabel tanks and they were my favorites BY FAR. you can wear them alone and you can layer and both are fantastic!
#4. Didn't know about that one 🙂
#5. bought both my kids these in numbers. LOVE.
#6. I slept religiously with a body pillow and was PISSED OFF at my husband when he would steal it from me in the middle of the night.
LOVE LOVE your pregnancy posts!!
check out fover 21 maternity, h&M maternity, target etc.. I also got a lot at gap that I loved.
my hubby actually named my body pillow omar for some reason. he's handling his jealousy of the fact that i'm entwined around omar each night much better with this second baby. 🙂 i think my ferocious love of/need for omar with my first pregnancy left an impression.
Check it out. Francesca's Collection did a photo shoot on how their pieces can be used for bumps too–
http://dearbabyblog.com/post/4004888509/francescas-collections-pretty-fashionable-for-baby
Now write that fashion post!