Posts Tagged ‘13’

What are the best boutiques in Brookline or Berkeley — specifically, one with great sales and appropriate pregnancy jeans?

Shopping site Store Adore simplifies your search, with listings and reviews for recommended shops in cities like NY, LA and SF, as well as exclusive online deals. The pre-screened selection (broken down into categories like good customer service and hard-to-find brands) does the pointing and clicking for you: A quick search for maternity gear yielded sexy mom-to-be bras, baby shower supplies and organic gifts.

J’adore.

Visit storeadore.com.

Your pre-preggo days may have been eco-friendly, but now that baby’s on the way it’s all about no-VOC nursery paint, BPA-free bottles and hypoallergenic belly balm. Even with swollen feet, you want to minimize your carbon footprint.

German baby line Hessnatur recently introduced its organic maternity collection to the States. The 30-year-old brand based on all-natural fibers now includes casual-chic clothing like cargo pants, pj’s, turtlenecks, tees and tights that actually fit your bump (designer Miguel Adrover oversees a portion of the women’s wear). With even more winter ahead, especially appropriate is a cozy poncho sweater, made of Turkish cotton and Australian wool — the over-the-head design lets you move freely without struggling to toggle a trench coat over your tummy.

Now that’s friendly.

Available at hess-natur.com.

Maternity yoga pants are perfect for weekends, and 7 for all Mankind’s Secret Belly jeans would be great if you worked in a creative field. But when it’s time to get down to big business, your mom-to-be wardrobe is shouting out for a Monday-to-Friday makeover.

Isabella Oliver’s new Corporate Pregnancy Kit helps your bump fit in with the boardroom. A sleek grey pinstripe jacket, pencil skirt, pants and classic white button-down help you mix-and-match your way through presentations and client meetings with pre-baby panache.

It’s not a bad deal for a little peace of mind — and maybe a promotion.

Available at isabellaoliver.com.

What to wear to prenatal yoga? A muumuu just isn’t appropriate, but that’s about the only thing that fits your ever-expanding belly.

Workout wear from Zobha (Sanskrit for “grace”) has expanded into maternity, with a new mommy-to-be collection of Supplex and Lycra tops and bottoms that move and stretch with you. And luckily, the halters and racerback tanks (in fall shades of plum, chocolate and coral) are cute enough to wear outside the gym.

Say om.

Available at zobha.com.

You burned all photographic evidence back in the ’90s, but you did actually go through a Goth phase. Black nail polish was your thing — and you’ve never completely recovered.

Give a shout out to your inner punk with MamaSan Maternity. The rocker-inspired collection features black skirts, strapless tops and dresses, highlighted with embroidery of skull and crossbones, pin-up girls and cherries. It’s just edgy enough to wear over a baby bump.

Rock on.

Available at mamasanmaternity.com.

You’re a Spanx girl — the more sucked in, the better. But after giving birth, there are only so many sit-ups a new mom can do. You need an extra push to pull in that tummy.

The Belly Bandit is an abdominal compression binder to help flatten the belly and redefine the waistline post-baby (moms around the globe have been doing this for centuries). The wrap also helps decrease bloating caused by water retention, give support to legs and back, improve posture and reduce back and shoulder pain associated with breastfeeding. It’s OK for use after a C-section, and can be worn all day (even while sleeping).

That will help you rest easier.

Available at bellybandit.com.

As a superwoman, you want to do it all — which includes exercising while pregnant. But even if you loathe the gym, you may want to lace up those old sneakers: The American Pregnancy Association encourages fitness for a healthy pregnancy (talk to your doctor first and check out these guidelines).

Katalin Rodriguez-Ogren, creator of fitness DVD Can’t Stop the Mamma geared toward moms-to-be, offers these tips on working out while preggo:

1. Dedicate at least 20 minutes in your schedule to moving and exercising your body each day. Exercise will reduce constipation, swelling and help you sleep more soundly. Not to mention, it will help keep your body healthier and stronger.

2. Incorporate some form of strength or resistance training in your 20 to 30-minute daily workout. Strength training will help your body adjust to the unavoidable weight gain. You will also be able to maintain a healthier body composition when gaining the extra pounds. You are better off gaining muscle. Easy examples of this are: step ups, leg lifts, dips, push-up plank holds, lunges and squats.

3. Stay ahead of hunger and nausea. Eat every 3 hours or so, even if it is just a few almonds, a piece of cheese or a half of a banana. This will also curb binge eating.

4. If are not already, try to get to sleep earlier. Because the quality of sleep changes so much while pregnant you need to allocate more time for your body to sleep. You will feel so much better taking on all your other responsibilities.

5. Keep a schedule and stick to it.

You’ve turned green with eco-friendliness when it comes to anything for your newborn. But what about your skin?

Honeydew’s maternity skincare is paraben and preservative-free, and full of natural ingredients like calendula, evening primrose and oats that will get you through those precious months. Try the clean-smelling belly balm that glides on deodorant-style, or the soothing leg and foot lotion scented with a hint of mint.

It’ll suit you.

Available at honeydewskincare.com.

“More sleep!” your body is saying. But that ever-growing belly keeps you tossing and turning at night.

A lack of shuteye is why a mom inventor came up with the Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow that helps you find a comfy resting positing. The cubic design opens to two triangles that support your belly and back while keeping your body positioned to one side. It’s all connected by fabric (choose the pattern you prefer) that stretches as you grow.

Whew. Get some rest.

Available at utterlyyours.com.