droolicious : pregnant

Editor Picks: Maternity - Liz Lange for Target

editors — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:03:00 GMT

Even in these “recessionista” times, buying designers who go mass market in order to save a few bucks can be hit or miss. Liz Lange for Target, however, is pretty consistent in the hit category. I just picked up this Liz Lange tie waist sweater at my local Targét and I have to say it looks even better than in this picture, where they cut that poor ladies head off. It also looks a heck of a lot more expensive in person than $24.99. Which is very important to someone struggling to look good while cursing the act of buying even more maternity shirts as the others grow too short to cover the belly. Argh. – April Peveteaux

Get it at Target.

L'ovedbaby Goes Big in the Boom Boom Room

Whit Honea — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:59:00 GMT

Chris Noth of "Sex and the City" and "Law and Order" fame attended the Boom Boom Room with his wife Tara and their baby Orion.

The couple received the 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl from L'ovedbaby which was such a big hit that Tara put it to use on the spot. Here's why:

    * The L'ovedbaby™ nursing shawl offers mom a way to discreetly nurse in public, while protecting the baby from distractions.
    * The shawl travels well and always stays fresh in its matching drawstring pouch.
    * The complete 6oz. package fits neatly in any purse or diaper bag.
    * Machine washable and dryer safe...nothing could be simpler.
    * Extremely lightweight, breathable, and super-soft to the touch and on baby's skin.
    * Roomy neckline for added style and increased visibility between mother and child.
    * Full coverage of mom...both front and back; no special nursing clothing required.
    * L'ovedbaby's™ custom-made fabric complements any outfit...from casual to business to elegant. And, because it's not cotton, it's less likely to harbor bacteria.

See? Those are good reasons, right?

She also used it while waiting in the valet line at the Century Plaza Hotel. It was a long line.

I self-parked.

The Boom Boom Room is an event featuring Hollywood’s most famous families - expecting parents, moms, dads, their offspring and me, Babble's own Whit Honea. It consists of a "gifting suite wonderland built by 83 sponsors. This event draws celebrity families together to support Los Angeles area Foster Children and the Jayneoni Moore Children’s Fund."

Baby stuff and a good cause. We like it.

More Boom Boom Room:

Tim Allen and Jane Hajduk in Little Girl Frillies

Ultimate Nesting Products - With Giveaway!

editors — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:33:00 GMT

I realize writing about home products for nesting pregnant women is unfair. With the constant feeling of, “If I only had that, I would have complete control of my home and most likely childbirth and therefore, the new baby,” it’s a dangerous time to peruse Amazon. So I apologize in advance to all of you who shop first and think later during this time of heightened organization. Still, here’s what’s been making me feel unrealistically in control as I head into my third trimester:

FLOR

Chris recently highlighted the kid-friendly FLOR tiles, but hey, a baby isn’t going to know from Disney for quite some time so right now pick out your favorite style that pulls your abode all together. When the baby spits up, poops or you just drop your TV tray due to extreme lack of sleep, you can pick the tiles up and wash them right off. They end up looking new much longer than your typical rug or wall-to-wall and your house looks straight out of Ready-Made.

Get it at Flor, tiles start at $6.99 each.

Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean

Every last food splatter and stray paint mark go away when you get hard core with these bad boys. Which of course, makes me wonder what the heck is in the Magic Eraser . . . and just might be going right into my blood stream? But apparently it doesn’t bother me enough to not use them on every surface in my home.

Get a six-pack at Amazon for $18.93.

The Dyson Ball

The pièce de rèsistance, the Dyson! We almost put one of these super suckers on our wedding registry I was so obsessed. But now I know without a baby in the house, I just would not have appreciated the ease and power of the Dyson. And the latest model, the Dyson Ball is more compact and easier to wheel about as well as store in your home - that’s about to get a lot more crowded. Here’s how you can justify getting this design masterpiece: “Did you know that air expelled from a Dyson has up to 150 times less bacteria and mold than the air we breathe? No? Well did you know we never have to buy a bag, belt or filter? It’s just magical like that.” If that doesn’t work, let the resistant party take this baby for a spin around the corners in your house; they’ll feel just like Jeff Gordon, but cleaner.

Get it at Amazon for $424.99.

Jeep Trek Easy-Travel Playard

Now, about taking care of that baby . . . If you aspire to keep it all together the Jeep Trek Easy-Travel Playard is absolutely the way to go in the first months. This playard with bassinet, changing table and cute soft toy entertainment bar allows your baby to sleep, have fun and clean up all in the same place. And if that need to stay obsessively organized follows you wherever you travel, you’re in luck as the Jeep is an all-in-one piece you can easily pack up and take along with you - for real! It folds into a rolling suitcase (see pic below) instead of the usual oblong awkward monster. But what’s hidden inside the Easy-Travel makes me dream of sleep-filled nights only awakening to the soft coos of my infant who is willing to take his time before latching on like a parasite. The side has spacious shelves capable of holding dipes, wipes, onesies, burp cloths and anything else you need to grab in the middle of the night. And then the whole thing zips up so it looks like you’re totally put together. We love this, and we want to give it to YOU. Send an email to babblecontest@gmail.com with the subject line Jeep Trek Easy-Travel and tell us why you need this organizational wonder. We’ll pick a winner and you’ll be ready to nest.

Lookee -

Get it at Amazon for $138.40.

So, what must-haves did you bring into your home while getting ready for baby? Let me know what I’m missing! – April Peveteaux

Editor Picks: Maternity - HOTMilk Maternity Bra

editors — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:06:00 GMT

Not too long ago our team of crack reporters on Droolicious tracked down numerous sexy maternity bras, but a lot of you had shout-outs for the previously unheard of, HOTMilk. Naturally, we had to find out if this bra was as fiery as its name.

The New Zealand company has been keeping Kiwis expanding bosoms comfy and, well, hot for some time and have arrived in the US of A . We were able to get our hands on a saucy Silhouette of a Secret bra and undie set in black lace with a ballet pink lining. The cotton lining is super soft so you never feel like you’re sporting a hot lacy number under your tees or silk tops. Comfort and sex appeal are rare bedfellows during the journey to new baby town, so we applaud the HOTMilk people in making a gal feel both at the same time while offering an easy snap-off for the nursing that is surely in our future.

An online UK store sells the Silhouette of a Secret bra for £33, which is what $500 US? We kid, but before spending even a small amount on a new bra we highly recommend you get a professional to measure you for a good fit. There's craziness with the boob and rib cage expansion and you want to keep the gals comfortable and supported for better living. - April Peveteaux

Find out where to get it at HOTMilk.

Editor Picks: Maternity - BornFit

editors — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:37:00 GMT

Some people like to maintain their intense athletic lifestyle during pregnancy, and some of us just pray we won't get sweaty butt in our pre-natal yoga class. Whether you’re on either end of the fitness spectrum, BornFit athletic wear has lots to offer style-wise (they have skorts!) while wicking away moisture from your already overheated bod.

The two Colorado moms who created BornFit also understand that not every body part is swelling up, and the Sunlight Tee I tried was very flattering. I cannot say the same of my pelvic tilts.

Ten percent of Born Fit’s profits go to women’s causes so you can feel good when purchasing your active wear; even if your gym garb stays in the closet as you enjoy your “sit on your butt and eat Cheetos” pregnancy. Yummm…Cheetos. - April Peveteaux

Get the Sunlight Tee for $39 from BornFit.

Editor Picks: Maternity – American Apparel

editors — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:07:00 GMT

Sure American Apparel seems to be made for the sultry and skinny legged non-breeders in the crowd, but their comfortable knits in bold mix-and-match colors have become a staple in my current maternity wardrobe.

About half of the women’s shirts at AA are designed to hang well below the waist, so you can go home with a load of stylin’ tees in one or two sizes larger than the norm. But pick wisely in this store that tempts you to feel thinner (and younger) than you are in your current state. While I might choose to avoid the t-back thong during this sensitive time, the stripe pocket frock (pictured above) is the perfect way to cover the navy blue band that comes standard with maternity jeans.

In addition to being made in America (hence, the name) paying fair wages and all that goodness - American Apparel garb is, for the most part, affordable. So after stretching the $36 long sleeve henley dress over my belly for the better part of nine months I won’t feel bad about never, ever, ever wearing it again. - April Peveteaux

Get the stripe pocket frock for $41 from American Apparel.

The Babble Review: Boy or Girl Giveaway!

editors — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:47:00 GMT

IntelliGender: How Do It Know?

There are many non-scientific methods of determining your baby’s gender but the people behind IntelliGender, a home gender test, have created some real science that gives you a heads up only ten weeks into your pregnancy. And it’s 82 - 90% accurate (real world vs. lab) so that seems to be as good or better than the standard “I’m throwing up like it’s prom night, so it must a be a girl” guess. Right?

We put the IntelliGender to the test with a 17-week pregnant lady - okay, me - and while that’s a good seven weeks after the early detection it’s still pre-20 week scan day. How did it do?

It says it’s a boy. The tech and my OB also said they thought they were seeing boy parts at 16 weeks. I’m waiting to toss out my daughter’s especially frilly hand-me-downs until I get the final word at the anatomy scan, but that’s two for two!

Are you in the early stages? Want to give this thing a whirl? We’ve got them to give away so send us an email at babblecontest@gmail.com with “Pregnant!” in the subject line and we’ll send them out to our first responders. Then you’ve got to let us know if it worked for you. - April Peveteaux

Get yours at IntelliGender for $34.95.

Editor Picks: Maternity - Mutha Crafter!

editors — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:46:00 GMT

It’s a difficult task dressing yourself for the gestation period without breaking the bank, being wildly uncomfortable, or as my friend who endured the last decade of maternity wear says, “looking like a virgin.”

Luckily the fashion people have stepped it up and we can all benefit from their attention to detail and desire to make cranky preggo women happy. Being the knocked up member of the Babble editorial team; I’m here to provide you with the latest and greatest with my weekly maternity pick. Hooray!

First up – sportswear.

A nice cotton tee is a staple in the pregnant woman’s nine-month wardrobe and the people at Mutha Crafter decided why not say something hi-lar-ious while making you comfy? This “I’m so crafty I make people” tee is perfect for your weekend visits to your neighborhood hipster flea market or brunching with your friends who make their own placemats. It also has the benefit of fitting nicely around that upper part of the body that isn’t growing at such a rapid pace. This is the time one tends to dress up the leg and neck area of the body, yes? Yes. – April Peveteaux

Get your short or long sleeve tee at the Mutha Crafter Etsy shop for $32.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Ritmo Prenatal Audio Belt

Chris Ford — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:27:00 GMT

This one is way outside the "normal" baby products at ABC, but that's what makes it fun. The quickest way I can describe it is the Ritmo are headphones for your baby, while your baby is still in utero.

The RItmo is a belt with four small speakers (that pop out for easy belt cleaning) that you put around your pregnant belly. The speakers are placed in the four places your baby (in theory) should be. There's also a small amplifier that you plug your iPod or other personal music device into. Then the music you're listening to can be the same music your baby is listening to. I've seen other "womb sound" music devices before, but never one so elaborate.

The Ritmo should be available January of 2009 and will cost around $99. Check it out at nuvo-group.com.