I'm at 26 weeks going on 27 and I can feel the back pains already and my I'm beginning to lose my balance especially when I'm walking long distances or even if I'm just at the mall.
So on my way to Glorietta's Kids' and Teens' section, I saw HAB's stall and poked around to check out some pregnancy support bands.
The kind sales person told me that one of their best sellers would be THE MATERNITY BELT.
I wasn't immediately sold. It looked more RESTRICTING than COMFY but she persuaded me by trying it on. She placed it on top of my blouse as I told her I'm too lazy to go to the fitting room (or so I thought I was...)
I scanned the label. I'm not about to wear it and take a picture of my belly. I'm shy.
After walking for about 30 minutes before I came into the shop, as soon as I tried it on, I felt relieved and my it felt that a lot of weight has been lifted! Seriously.
It's made of white thick garters with Velcro to adjust at the back and at the front (both left and right).
They come in various sizes: S-XXL
I got the Medium size.
It's also reasonably priced at Php545 for all the comfort you'll feel when you're wearing it. It's so worth it.
http://www.emma-jane.com/
It looks sort of something like this (ooh! i wish I were this sexy and confident...haha!)
So as I was saying, I did go inside the fitting room because I just had to use the belt already.
They also have the BELLY BELT (I bought mine online) and so far, I'm not able to use my jeans because my thighs and hips got bigger. But it's a must have if you've got nice stretchy jeans, pants or skirt and don't want to store them just yet.
I believe this retails for about Php1,100 and has several attachments and extenders (if that's what they're called).
So if you're on your third trimester and feeling heavy, get the Maternity Belt. :) I swear by it!
When you're getting bigger by the day, you also get more uncomfortable with tight fitting clothes, even pants and some leggings.
I'm looking to get some Maxi dresses. Although I doubt I can use them at the office, it's nice to wear them when you're just out shopping or strolling or running quick errands. They're comfy and summer ready!
I have extra jersey (and stretchy) fabrics in various prints that I'm looking to transform into maxi dresses, hopefully I can make at least one that this coming weekend and be successful at it.
For the office, since I don't want REFUSE to buy maternity clothing especially for corporate clothes (I'm not expecting to have a third till my second is 3 or 4 years old). I'm looking at the following options (some I have already bought)
www.vivavintage.multiply.com
1. Cropped Jackets - since I can't close them anyway and longer jackets that aren't stretchy make me look bigger
http://www.mummyandlittleme.co.uk
2. Cardigans - knitted ones to be exact. I got a couple from The Landmark Dept. Store in Makati. Priced very reasonably from Php300+ to Php400+ (not bad at all!).
Tip: Fold knits, never hang
http://snagwiremedia.com
3. Leggings - lots and lots of black and some brown and gray ones. I don't like the cotton ones as they fray and scrunch up at the back of the knees. Best place to buy? Head on to any department store's hosiery section and ask for FOOTLESS TIGHTS. They're cheap, can stand more than 10 times of washing and use (please handwash) and the material is thicker than your regular stockings and much more flattering for your legs (especially if they're getting big because you're almost due in a few months!). Price ranges from Php150-180 dependent on the brand.
Tip: Ask the sales lady to show you all the options and compare materials check how tight or flexible the waist bands are
4. Tunics - Long cotton, stretchy tops and mini dresses I can wear over leggings. I love the choices at the 3rd (or is it 4th) floor of Glorietta (just above The Ramp). Go to GET LAUD! and look at they're selections. I initially went there to go the Having A Baby (I bought a fab support belt which I'll blog about later on) but I just didn't like the selections of maternity wear. So there. Price ranges are Php300+ to Php400+ and you can wear them after you give birth!
Tip: ask for all available colors. They don't display all the colors. The sales ladies will be more than happy to help and even suggest. They are quite nice. Then beside, check out the flat selections at SHOE BOX. I love that there are already so many affordable choices in the market for clothing and that the styles are quite flexible enough.
For a whopping $650, you can get this fab stroller from Bugaboo Bee(and unfortunately I can't afford it!).
It's almost Php35k! and there are lots of things you can buy with that. I've had my daughter's Chicco stroller for about 2 years now. She's 3 and a bit heavy and she can FORTUNATELY still use it. She gets tired easily while walking around the mall so we still bring it when we're out. What I'm trying to look for is a nice, affordable YET sturdy stroller that can transition from newborn to toddler. It's quite hard to push a stroller plus a toddler and if the stroller's quite heavy, it would be much more of a burden than a stroll.
My husband was saying that we get the twin type. I'm looking for one but I'm also still contemplating if it's worth it to get a separate one or the one he's suggesting.
I'm (definitely) still looking for more options and I'll post the ones I'll find soon.
I'm always on the look out for either organic or natural products. Given this age and time and considering how weird the weather gets each year, not to mention all the illnesses that come and go, It's better to be safe than sorry.
I've recently blogged about BY NATURE (website - CLICK HERE!)and I'm still using their products (I love it!) but it's nice to have a couple of options here and there depending on your mood for the day.
So I'm quite happy to have stumbled upon LEYENDE's website since I've been a little bit lazy to go out. I have known Neva (I love her and how she has been so successful in making and marketing her wonderful products, not to mention her humanitarian activities!) since the time I started joining the bazaar circuit courtesy of Sandy of The Reading Room (one of my life's biggest influences). But I've only recently tried Leyende and I'm glad I finally did.
PLACE IN THE SUN FACE SUNBLOCK SPF30
50ML
*paraben-free
*recommended for: all skin types (even sensitive skin)
*no white cast; no greasiness
*tinosorb: effective, natural-based sunblock agent against UVA/UVB rays
*vitamin c and vitamin b3
*organic aloe vera infusion: soothes sun-exposed skin; humectant
*virgin coconut oil: cleansing properties; high lauric acid content
(skin nutrient and conditioner)
*organic calendula extract: soothes sensitive skin
deionized aqua, infusion of rosemary and calendula (marigold), organic shea butter, organic sweet almond oil, virgin coconut oil, tinosorb, vit. E, vit. C, vit. B3, organic calendula & aloe extract, grapeseed extract,
PHP 400 / $ 15.00
*I love this because there is no heavy sunblock smell plus it's quite light and doesn't give you that icky, sticky feeling you get from normal sunblocks
*I love this because it's not heavy and sticky as well. It feels light on the skin, the cocoa scent is not heavy, it's rather YUMMY and leaves your skin moisturized. Since I have a growing belly, it also eliminates the "itchies" thus preventing more stretchmarks (oh yes, I still have some since my first pregnancy and I am now on the look out for a remedy without having to get a tummy tuck!)
LEYENDE HAND-CRAFTED SOAP BARS
(Bringing up baby variant)
approximately 110g
*paraben-free
*recommended for: all skin types (except for Clouds in My Coffee)
*creamy and lathery
*non-drying
*organic sweet almond oil base
*cold-processed and properly cured for one month
*natural plant coloring: alkanet root, spirulina, orris root
organic sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, virgin coconut oil, palm wax, deionized water, sodium hydroxide, calendula ext, vit e, natural plant extracts added during the trace stage (e.g. wild honey, tearose, etc.)
variants:
-Once Bitten chocolate soap: raw organic Brazilian chocolate (cacao) -Mild World chlorine-cleansing bar : jojoba oil and coconut extract (temporarily out of stock variant) -Bringing Up Baby mild infant soap: tearose and organic calendula extract
-O’Hara lavender soap: true lavender extract and organic coconut oil
-Clouds in My Coffee exfoliating soap: barako coffee granules and organic sweet almond oil
PHP 185.00 / $6.00
*I got the Bringing up baby variant as I love using baby soaps instead of beauty soaps. I like that it doesn't dry up the skin and even moisturizes it. It has this fresh, natural scent that I like. It doesn't leave you with that regular soap scent but I like it because I find that my lotion or cologne of choice's scent sticks to my skin better and longer.
I'm looking forward to try more of Leyende's Products. I also really like how they offer meet-ups in several locations in Makati and that they have a good number of locations. When you order online, they respond very promptly.
I don't like seeing babies, especially the ones who seem to be just a few months (or days old!) outside (usually in a mall) without socks or booties.
It just feels...so bare!
Plus those little cold feet...poor little cute feet feeling the cold air-conditioned mall atmosphere with tons of germs flying around.
I know I may sound over-acting but I just don't like it. period.
Since baby items are part of my internet "window" shopping tour, I've stumbled across really cute products from local and international retailers:
Funky Feet
from the http://proudmamastore.multiply.com
Php499 for a set of 5 pairs (not bad! plus they're cute and there are designs for boys too!)
Pictures from their site
Heelarious
So cute right?! Since babies 0-6 months of age don't walk yet, these are perfect!
I think I saw these in Rustan's Shang (but I have to verify)
$30 (a little bit expensive for booties but if you're all for making you little one a diva, then go for it!)
They even have cowboy boots!
also at $30
The heel itself is soft so no pressure can be put on it (as per the site)
http://www.heelarious.com/ Pictures from their site
My recent project, baby loafers, which I'm supposed to be making for my little one but made some for friends and now I'm selling (ehem..plug) at my site: http://goohwables.multiply.com
These I made for Madee (my bestfriend's niece)
And these I'm selling online a kept a special pair for my son Peyton so he can have something handmade to wear when he arrives (between May-June...I'm so excited!)
Which reminds me, I still have a lot of stuff to do and new designs to finish.
