maternity

All about the bust

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Inspired by easy access to the boobs, these are the outfits that are in rotation right now – as a newly-nursing mama. 

First up, ASOS; they have an amazing selection of basics, as well as nursing/maternity dresses and tops, so cute that they don’t even look like nursing specific garments.

ASOS DESIGN Maternity Nursing Cami With Clips 2 Pack SAVE
C$52.60



ASOS DESIGN Maternity Nursing eco wrap jumper in ripple stitch
C$63.12



ASOS DESIGN Maternity nursing midi tea dress with godets in floral print
C$79.95  

Zara is a treasure trove of items that aren’t nursing specific, but sure do fit the bill. 

I can’t wait to wear this in Mexico when we head off with our little one in tow. 


Zara checked dress
Draped checked blouse, riding the plaid trend from fall into winter.
Zara dress
Oversized patchwork shirt – Zara
Bird satin tunic – Zara



The basics already in your closet can also find their way into nursing-friendly outfits. 

I made a point of sectioning off my closet, moving conducive items to the front of drawers (I fold Marie Kondo style, like library books in my drawers, spine up), and in the closets I have a section just for items that ‘fit’ as nursing wear. 

The penchant for sleepleisure is perfect for moms (or anyone, really). A cool relaxed pant and pajama-style top are easy, breezy, with full front access. 
This screams chic, while maintaining the comfort needed to plunk down on the floor, change a quick diaper or feed a writing child. 
Chicnico is on to something with this mustard-hued sweater. Wear anytime, anywhere. Almost. https://www.chicnico.com/collections/cardigans/products/chicnico-stylish-open-collar-oversize-casual-solid-color-cardigan-3?lshst=collection

From a site that boasts ‘sexy but modest’ clothing… this is definitely a wear-on-repeat idea. I have a Halston Heritage-inspired vintage silk dress, handed down from my mother, that looks pleasingly similar to this one! https://www.sexymodest.com/products/brigitte-button-down-maxi-dress

More great cardigans from Lauren McBride. Versatile and cozy. https://www.laurenmcbrideblog.com/2018/08/feel-nice-with-qvc/

Rounding out the on-trend items on deck, we have a jumpsuit, onesie, or romper. I have a gorgeous crush velvet version in navy blue from Aerie/American Eagle. It’s surprisingly easy to wear and layered over a cropped t-shirt it actually functions like a nursing outfit, but also looks amazing and feels like a playsuit. Velvet is in demand this season, but has staying power since it keeps cropping up when the temperatures drop. https://www.stitchfix.com/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pinterestschedule

An easy, ‘yes.’ Who doesn’t have a patterned longline blazer or cardigan? Wear it over lingerie or a bedroom inspired tank. Double yes. https://www.chicnico.com/collections/cardigans?utm_source=zucardiganpin-3&utm_medium=zucardiganpin-3&utm_campaign=zucardiganpin-3&pp=0&epik=v%3D1%26u%3DvG1DZXtTbiXVFlycJY74k91QGpu-nsuv%26n%3DdfRx8Pk_e0HpPQERQArRtw%3D%3D

Basic, in the best possible way; buttons, waffle knit, loose and versatile. This even has snaps instead of buttons. I couldn’t ask for more. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwgFpDHN6V/

What I like best about all these pieces is that many are items I already own. Others, I will be able to keep wearing them long after my little one has graduated to solids… which is, I think, a solid investment. 

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A Few Good Picks

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Here is my fall line-up of nursing-approved, affordable fall-into-winter items. I mostly haven’t purchased anything new (either for maternity or breast-feeding), but here are the five items I’ve added to my rotation.

Not really a fan of uniform dressing, but this tunic/dress is going to save my life. I made the mistake of going out for lunch at a nice place, once already, in a dress that required a whole half top/sleeve removal to allow feeding access. This Old Navy Swing Dress is cheap and cheerful (about $40 but with a bonus 40% off and free shipping).

 

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I got it in three colours. Layered over pants, open over another top, or with leggings and over the knee boots, this is going to be a go-to piece for all my nursing days when I’m out of the house.

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Next up, also from Old Navy, and also on sale (!) the Chambray utility onesie…

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With summery shoes this will be perfect in Mexico when we head for a winter getaway, but also for fall with rolled cuffs, a slubby scarf and some lace up combat boots. Open to the waist with a tank, or with a contrasting, or embellished belt – this piece is pretty versatile. Today I wore it with a half-up topknot and this teddy bear coat from Chance and Fate. So comfy. Paired it with pineapple embroidered velvet slides… No big deal.

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My goal is to buy as little ‘new’ stuff as possible – this might be it. As my sister-in-law (also breast feeding) said: “oh, yay… (not) another cross front top.” When maternity options are underwhelming, I’m going to try to be inspired by what’s already in my closet. Challenge accepted.

39 weeks

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OOTD – while the due date approaches,… it has been a tough few days. I’ve been having some anxiety. Bad dreams. But pushing through.

I’m dressing like Phoebe from the 90s. Vintage patterned dress, oversized cardigan and knee high socks. Black silky top with bold silver statement necklace from Shannon Passero. Throw on a muppet-inspired navy faux fur coat from Zara for the eve of legalization party at The Drake. Spend a cozy day in a classic sweater dress in camel and navy stripes.

Week 38 Bump OOTD

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Still rolling along with little one on slow cook. Fall temperatures have brought some relief, but Summer seems to be making a comeback with some warm and sunny weather. This far along, dresses are my best friend.

Lots of dresses in my life, from top left, Anthropologie navy with white dots, Winners red and black mod flowers, psychedelic silky tunic from a clothing swap, and an oversized black and white spotted Zara dress shirt with peplum. All worn with some variation of black leggings and boots or jeans and boots. Never skip a chance to wear your res lipstick (if you’re into that sort of thing).

Food Prep For New Moms

Foodie

I was inspired by a friend who went on a marathon food-prepping session – following a plan from StockpilingMoms.com

I picked the most appealing plan and hit the grocery store with the pre-made list from the site. This, after two weeks of trying to eat up other leftovers and clear out one whole drawer of the freezer. With a total bill of $300 (including some leftovers like olive oil, lemon juice, etc), I will have twenty meals of four servings each – stored flat in the freezer and ready to simply throw in the slow cooker/crockpot. Ready and delicious with just a side or two to prepare.

It did take a while, but the cat seemed to find it more exhausting than I did. I prepped and labelled the Ziploc bags yesterday, and then went ahead filling the bags, starting with one type of meat, and moving through the rest. I kept my compost out and my recycling bin handy, and really only used a few knives and several cutting boards. I am beyond thrilled with my stockpile of food. Although my wife is eating vegetarian, and on most days I do as well, some of these meals have meat and will be great while I’m replenishing my iron stores post birth with a high dose of protein.

My pictures don’t look very different from the ones on the StockpilingMoms website!

Check out the site for some handy and well-organized meal and grocery plans to suit anyone, from full vegetarian to Paleo.

Perhaps this is the ‘nesting’ everyone talks about. Let me know if you have other tips and hacks for new moms!

Baby Shower in Town

Indulge

Maternity leave has started, leaving time for a bit more writing and… waiting. So here come the throw-backs.  Allia and I were so blessed to have two gorgeous baby showers thrown in honour of our pending arrival. The first was summertime barbecue, with beautiful weather, beautiful friends and family. The second was at a friend’s stunning farmhouse Country Showers Bring Sweet … Horses!

We are so lucky to have a warm, wild and fiercely loving group of family and friends-who-are-like-family to help celebrate and guide us as we get ready to be mamas. This was shower number one of two and we already feel so spoiled… all smiles, all day. #thankyou!!! #lesbianmoms #babyshower #rainbowfamily

A backyard bbq, swimming pool and games for the kiddos was a hoot. The weather was cooperative and the decor was handmade by yours truly and my friend Lindsay.

My friends and family are a colourful bunch. My mom, in yellow, is over the moon about the upcoming arrival.

Whether poolside, or the country equivalent, being surrounded by loved ones helps the anticipation build and shows you what an incredible community is waiting to love your little one and support you on that journey.

Cheers! We are officially past-due.

Dua Lipa

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We had the absolute pleasure of seeing Dua Lipa play for the second time, with a fabulous show at Echo Beach. She was gracious, charming and sounded like heaven.

One of the highlights, after a glorious show, was when Whitney Houston’s “I wanna dance with somebody” came on, causing an impromptu dance party on the beach sand.

From dinner before the show at Chubby’s Jamaican restaurant to the aftermath of the concert, things get progressively more sloppy; always the sign of a successful evening. Also: proof that you don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Mwah!

Money-saving Mama

DIY

I’m a big fan of shopping, but I’m an even bigger fan of recycling and reducing. Especially when there’s a great deal to be found! So, as an expecting mom, how do I save money while preparing for our little one, and making sure we have all the essentials?

I’m anticipating the strain on our budget when I move from a full salary to EI; I’m sure that I’ll find more great ways to save, but for now, here are my top tips:

Reuse! I googled the maternity and baby stores in my area that buy and sell gently used items, and found that right around the corner for me was a great place: Once Upon A Child. I sold five or six items and they paid me cash. In turn, I browsed the racks and racks of adorable baby items, everything from clothes arranged by size and type, to mobiles and baby gates. For less than $30 I got:

Three sleep sacks, swaddles for $3-$5 each

Then, mixing and matching sizes, I grabbed 5 items for ten bucks from the ‘sleep’ section and ten for $10 clearance items; supplementing the wonderful gifts from our shower with these great finds will have our little babe well outfitted. Definitely see what is happening in your local area.

Next, check out Facebook Marketplace and online ‘Mommy Groups’. I got a lead on our stroller AND car seat, which my parents ended up offering to get us as our shower gift, still in the box, never used and with all the warranties and manufacture boxes checked for a cool $200, retailing online for $450. I’ve also been able to locate items from our registry at great prices, so if you happen to have your eye on a particular item, like I do on the Halo bassinet, scouring the Internet and checking reviews on the seller might lend you the item you’re looking for at way less than store price.

Amazon Prime. Save tons of money on your shipping, search for and save items to your wish list and get notifications when the prices go down, and when you create a registry you can get a 15% off completion discount if you decide to purchase items from your registry.

BUNZ it. What is BUNZ, you ask? It started as a local swap site in Toronto, but has expanded to many other major cities and suburbs. The motto is no cash, all trades. Sounds suspect? I have traded lamps I no longer wanted for laundry soap; pants that no longer fit for handbags; a cactus and succulent for picture frames. Now I have my sights set on trading items that of been cluttering up my basement for things like baby wipes. One person’s trash, as they say. Now BUNZ even has an app.

Sign up for store email lists, you can Always unsubscribe later! By registering at Thyme Maternity And Snugglebugz I received a whole bag full of samples:

Use gift cards, trade gift cards, enter raffles. If you have a gift certificate for The Keg, but you’re a vegetarian, why not trade it for one to Babies R Us?

Borrow from friends and accept hand-me-downs! This is especially great if you have parents or in-laws who might need to have items that they use in frequently, like car seats and play pens. Some very generous friends have given us items to keep at my moms house so that when we travel we won’t half to take an extra car seat for Nana to cart our little dude around.

One neat thing about our shower is that people know us really well, and knowing how much we love supporting local, we were gifted a store credit to use at an Etsy store where the owners make handmade baby accessories. So, I picked out three reversible bibs and a teething toy that is also a soother clip. Perfect! Shout out to Urban Rustic Baby Co.

Last but not least, see if your place of employ has a buy and sell for its members. As a teacher we have our own version of Kijiji. Here, from someone I assume it’s not a total creep as they work in the teaching profession, I was able to get a crib mattress, mattress cover and she threw in two sets of sheets … for $125. No kidding. She still had all the assembly instructions and because I picked it up at her house, I was able to see the immaculate place where the crib used to live and feel confident that it had a nice life prior to coming home with me.

That’s my two cents about saving a ton of money. If you have tips please post them in the comments. I am eager to learn!