Wantful

Valentines Day means two things to me this year.

1.  Making sure my daughter doesn't show up to preschool with the epic fail of class Valentines like she did last year.  (Seriously- these kids are handing out full blown goody bags and I sent mine to school with little paper Elmo cards...but I digress)

2.  Having to come up with something- anything- that shows my honey how much I love him.  And being about to deliver a baby, my fall back of new lingerie and an overnight baby-sitter isn't the likely winner.


Enter Wantful

You log in to their site, answer some question about the gift recipient and give them a price range.  VIOLA! They send you this lovely little printed book- a catalog really, and your loved one picks what they want.

Like a very personal gift card.  Love it!

Spring Dress Round-up

They're here!  They're here!  It's Spring dress time and even though Winter just hit Northern California- I am so ready.  True, I am still an incubator, but with any luck (and a little help from the Stork and the Spanx Fairy) I'll be wearing some of these by Easter!

This year, with the new baby and the time off etc. budget for a Spring wardrobe is extra tight, so I'm forgoing Anthropologie *sniff* and sticking with some more economical options.  Frankly- Old Navy and Target have really stepped it up the last few seasons... and I already sang the praises of the Jason Wu for Target collection.

So, without further ado- some of my fave Spring dresses.  Chic, easy to wear, (ahem) slimming and under $40

Navy striped dress with lemon yellow belt: $24.99 at Target

 
Navy Surpliced Linen Dress: $29.80  Forever 21

Navy (seeing a trend?) Flower Printed Tie Waist Dress: $34.94 Old Navy

Ruffle Front Jersey Dress: $19.50 on sale now at Old Navy

Kimono Style Chiffon Dress: $34.95 from H&M

So much to love!

OP-I Think I Changed My Polish

I make no secret about the fact that I am a nail polish snooze fest.  I am addicted to OPI's I'm Not Really A Waitress, and it is all I wear... until now.

As you know, I am on a mission to spice my self up- I need to spice things up a bit before my early thirties turn in to my early forties.  And more importantly before I become defined as a mommy.  (Seriously, what happens to these fun, sexy women when thy have kids?  Suddenly its ok to wear a matching velour sweatsuit?  NEWSFLASH: it's NEVER ok, even if it's a designer sweatsuit!)  Sorry... I digress...

Anyhow- I am breaking the mold and trying some new polishes... here are my two current faves:

Meet Me on The Star Ferry: Part of the OPI Hong Kong Collection from a few years ago.  This is a warm flattering purple that seems like it would work on anyone.  Light enough to qualify as low maintenance and with just a touch of glitter.

The other is Black Cherry Chutney: dark violet with a touch of red.  This is a very bold choice for me, but the hint of red flatters my skin in the same way that the deep red of I'm Not Really A Waitress does

Next step for me is is a gray.  I'm thinking gun-metal... any suggestions?

Jason Wu at Target this Spring!

Do you know why the Super Bowl starts at 3?  So you have plenty of time to shop the Jason Wu collection at Target!!  Available nation wide on February 5^th (yep- Super Bowl Sunday) each piece of Jason Wu’s collection of modern classics is available for $59.99 or less.  And if you haven’t seen them yet- they are amazing!  Check out a few of my favs:

This trench makes April Showers look appealing!

Cream dress with black petticoat- so Audrey!

Spring-tastic shoulder bag with a great Mod shape

 And subtle color blocking in red, white & blue

 











I might take my giant bump down to Target and buy my self some baby weight loss inspiration!

Post-Partum Compression

Ok- I'm T-2 months and really, really ready for my old clothes (and a nice cold beer!) But, this is the most treacherous part of pregnancy- at least it is for my waist line.  I'm supposed to gain a pound a week- that's 8 pounds if you are counting- and I know all too well I could gain 2 pounds a week- and leave the hospital with a beautiful little girl and a body that still looks 8 months pregnant.
So I've been doing a lot of research on how to manage weight gain over these last few weeks )diets are forbidden and the baby does need me to gain some weight- but I'd like to keep it under control) and how to jump start weight loss after baby.  This is how I discovered post-partum compression lingerie.  Apparently, I was completely oblivious after my first baby, because this is all new to me.  It seems everyone from Angelina Jolie to the mom reviewers on Amazon know about this and most swear by it!  It sounds like the trick is to start wearing it hours after birth- I didn't even know that was allowed...

So, here is what I have discovered- there are hundreds of styles- panties, wraps, girdles, tanks ranging from under $20 to well over $100 here are a couple I have discovered:

 Japanese Weekend Nursing Body Shaper $66

 Underworks post delivery girdle $16.99

Yummie Tummie Nursing Tank $86










I'm leaning towards the nursing tank style.  Really, just because it solves two problems as once.  And I've worn Yummie Tummie shapewear for a while and love it, but the nursing tanks get so-so reviews.

So here's the question- have you tried post-partum compression clothing?  And if so to what degree of success, and what kind?  My jelly belly and my skinny jeans thank you!