My Maternity MVPs

Now that I am post-pregnancy, but before I forget what it was like, I thought I'd do a quick roundup of my most valuable purchases during maternity.
These are the items that I would definitely get again, and recommend to others as well.
If I have enough steam, I'll also do a 0-6 month MVPs post as well.

So, in retrospect, here is what I got the most use out of during the pregnancy:

1. Lamaze Sleep Bra

$20ish

This was necessary very soon into my pregnancy when my boobs hurt all the time. They took a break in the second trimester, then came back in the 3rd. I am still using this now that I am nursing and pumping and having blockage issues. It's by far the most comfortable bra I own.
Get it in 2 sizes- your regular and then 1 up- for when you are a swollen puffy mess and when you are more normal.

2. U Pillow

$100

This was great esp 5 months in and afterwards, when I was so physically uncomfortable and my hips were aching all the time. The U pillow is better than a one sided body pillow because you don't have to move it to change sides, it has another side right there. Sounds like a little thing but when turning yourself over and moving around is a big hassle, you don't want to have to move a WHOLE PILLOW too.
The last month you will be willing to pay any amount of money for better sleep so just buy this early and don't be upset about spending $100 on a temporary pillow.

3. Boot Jack

$13

Uggghhhh I am so happy I can bend over again! But when I couldn't, and when reaching down for shoes was such a hassle, I was really happy to use this.

4. Boat Shoes a full size up

$60

My feet got SO swollen that not even my flip flops would fit and it was still chilly out anyway, so I really just wanted a slip on shoe.
Not even my soft moccasins would fit because the part that went over my foot was too much material to fit.
 I went to DSW and tried on every goddamn shoe there and couldn't fit in to nearly any of them. It must have showed on my face because all these women gathered round and said "oooh I remember those days."
Trying on shoes and repeatedly bending over for them sucks bigtime when you are hugely pregnant, so just be smart ahead of time and get yourself a pair of boat shoes with a low vamp (the part that covers the toes).
If you never need them, good for you and you can return them, but they are great to have in your house ready to go so you don't end up crying in DSW.

5. Nexium

$10

Reflux is the WORST!
I tried all sorts of ways to quell it but my first tri was a mess and then from about 24 weeks til the end was horrible. Until Nexium! The second day I was on it and it kicked in and I didn't feel like puking, I would have named both of the girls Nexxium no questions asked. It was a ray of light from above. None of the other crap like keeping upright, tums, prevacid, or zantac worked at all. Screw those jokers and all hail Nexium.

6. Kind bars

$2 each

All of a sudden I was suddenly starving about ever 2 hours, but could hardly keep anything down. I OD-ed on Kind bars in the end but they were really crucial for getting protein and some healthy stuff in me.
I would always have at least 2 flavors in my purse and then when I would have to wait for an extra 40 min at the doctors office I wouldn't die from hunger (though I still told them I was going to).

7. Coconut water

$6 for the big one

After puking, you want something refreshing and something light but that has a little flavor and maybe some calories to replace what you just yakked up. Harmless Harvest was and is my jam. It's also really good for that immediate thirst that happens when I am pumping or nursing now.
PS- Don't be tricked by the chocolate or cinnamon coconut waters that Fresh Direct has, they are GROSS.

8. Milkshakes

$4-$8 depending on where you get it

The great thing about being insanely pregnant in the winter is that there is no line at DQ. And when there is no line, and when you are coming in every 3 days for the same milkshake, you become a recognized regular and they see you waddling in and can start making your shake before you belly up to the register.
So anyway, Mint oreo royal shake, no whip, extra cookies on top.
It's what the baby needs.
My doctor said it has calcium and protein and fat and that those are good things for the baby. She also said things like "watch your sugar" but whatever.

9. Maternity leggings

$26

HM or Old Navy will be good, normal leggings start to hurt at the waist. You would think that your normal ones are stretchy enough but you would be wrong and eventually they start digging at the waist and it makes you not want to go to your exercise class or whatever. Just get them.
Get 2 pairs of black because sooner or later it is all you will wear. I got too many real maternity pants or jeans and ended up wearing leggings most of the time anyway.
GET THE FULL PANEL NOT THE UNDERBELLY. They are more comfortable and they smooth out your belly button when it pops.

10. Maternity underwear

$15 for 3

Yes, it seems silly but it is worth it to get a few new pairs once you are getting large and in charge and everything is uncomfortable. Even if you are fitting into your old undies, you are probably stretching them and will be mad at yourself later. The regular hanky panky V cut underwear and the HM Mama underwear are great.

11. Maternity hoodie

$40

I got a workout hoodie from the Gap and I wore it all the time, even normal hoodies didn't hold my bump and this was more flattering than wearing a giant boxy thing of my husband's.
Its a good substitute for a light jacket too.

12. Maternity tanks

$6

These are longer than normal tanks and stretchier.
I liked the maternity Tamis from Old Navy.
If you have a tank like this you can wear a normal cardigan or blazer open over it so you don't need all new clothes.There is almost always a sale.

The most useful maternity purchase I've made

I've bought a lot of things so far during this pregnancy, including maternity clothes, new bras for my expanding ribcage, and most recently new shoes for my puffy 3rd trimester feet.

Hands down the one I am most grateful for is my boot jack.
If you haven't heard of these (and I hadn't until someone in my prenatal yoga class told me to get one), they are devices that sit on your floor near your door, and have a prong on one end that you put your heel in. You step on the other side and it helps you take your boots off.

If you are pregnant now or plan to be pregnant, especially during the winter months, GET ONE!!

There are tons of different varieties and looks that are all variations on the basic theme of "crotch to stick your heel in" so I chose to go with a cute one shaped like a cricket instead of a forked piece of plastic or wood.

$22 Minuteman Cricket Bootjack

This cast iron guy is just over $20 but you can get a boring wooden one for under $10.

Bending over my belly to reach my feet is increasingly impossible, and I am so glad to use this instead.
It is much nicer to your boots and shoes than stepping on the back of your own heel and wiggling out, and it requires a lot less balance.

Even now that boot season is hopefully ending, I am still using this to get out of my boat shoes. And since it's a cute little bug, I think I will be keeping it around near the front door post-pregnancy as well.

The perfect gift for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, show them you care with a cockroach. Or a scorpion. Or if you really want, something furry and cute like an emperor tamarin monkey.

You can "adopt" animals (in name only, you don't get to keep it in your house) through the San Francisco zoo.

$25 Hissing Cockroach adoption

Seems like a good basic option

$50 Scorpion adoption

I don't know why, but it is good to know that you can get 2 cockroaches for a scorpion. This must be the economy somewhere.

$50 Emperor Tamarin adoption

In what world is a basic adoption of this guy the same as a scorpion??

Awesome gifts from the MOMA store

I really loved my tumblers from the MOMA store, and while continuing my endless quest to find them again, I sometimes look at the store and see other cool things.

Here are some items I think would make great holiday gifts if you are still shopping:

For the kid/college student who has everything:

$28 Giant NYC Coloring Poster
It's almost 6 feet wide! That is so cool. Make sure to give them colored pencils or crayons with it so they don't use markers and then they bleed through to the wall or something.

For the young person with a new apartment:

$40 Rainbow tumbler set
These are not the regular ikea glasses that everyone has, and will make someone feel fancy and special to have them. Plus they make rainbows in your water, so that is an incentive to drink it, right?

For the person you don't know too well but have to buy something for at work, or your distant aunt:

$17 Unimug tea infuser
Everyone likes tea, or knows someone they can re-gift a tea thing to. This comes in under that $20 office party limit and looks really classy. And it's from the MOMA so that's impressive. I think the blue is the most neutral and sophisticated of the colors they offer.

For your design-loving brother:

$16 Spilt milk bowl
It's cool and it is a way fancier way to eat Cap'n Crunch. And it's a special one-off so you don't need to get a set or anything.

For your favorite woman (could be yourself):

$55 Glass bubble earrings
I like the idea of these glass earrings replacing more fussy dangly earrings or even pearls. They are simple and elegant but really pretty.

Sheet set for <$25

I am sure everyone has Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons sitting around in their house or at least in their junk email like me.
Now might be a time to dig one out.

There are these Wamsutta 400 thread count sheet sets on sale and you can get a queen set for $29.99 and with a coupon that comes down to $24.
Not bad!

$24 Wamsutta® 400 Thread Count Barrato Hem Sheet Set (queen)

I like the double bar decoration. I think I'd get these in the gray or black. Actually, all of the colors are good and would go well with most colors I can think of.

I'm debating to myself whether I need another sheet set (the answer is probably not) since this looks like such a good deal.

Solar system lollipops

These look so cool.
I know I don't like lollipops but I am so tempted:

$22 Solar system lollipop set

There are 10 in the set,

"Go on a voyage through our sweet solar system which tastes surprisingly delicious. This 10-piece lollipop set is completely edible and includes the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (Yes, Pluto. Take that Mike Brown!)."

They come in guava, blackberry, cherry, cotton candy (YUCKKKK) or strawberry.
It's too bad that the different planets aren't different flavors, you have to order all of them in 1 flavor.
I'd prob get strawberry or blackberry.

The new plant I am obsessed with: Aeonium "zwartkop" aka Black Rose

As many of you know, I've become totally into succulents recently.
I've been propagating my own from leaves, and buying them at little plant stores at an alarming rate.
Our dining room table is almost fully covered with plant experiments of mine.

BUT! I am not done. I want another!
When I first saw the aeonium arboreum zwartkop in person, I thought it must be dyed because it was so dark.
Also the stem is so thick and the roots are so tiny and dinky that I still don't understand how it lives.

It has really dark purple, almost black leaves on a thick woody stem. The leaves form rosettes that look like flowers but they aren't! In effect, it looks like it is always blooming weird dark flowers on bare stems. Very goth.
There are yellow flowers that do appear and make the plant look even more bizarre to me.

I can't seem to find one in my local plant stores, though I am sure if I went back to the flower district on 28th st and 6th ave I could find one.
So I took to the internet and it seems like Etsy and Ebay are the places to buy. Unfortunately, there really isn't much selection on Amazon which sucks because I love Amazon and I get to shop free there with my AmEx points.

Here are some listings I have been looking at:

 

$5 + $6 shipping

Etsy option that looks more purple than black but it seems healthy. You get a rooted plant.

$7 +$6 Shipping

A blacker, more rose-like version that I really like. It might be my favorite. You get a rooted cutting.

$29 + $10 Shipping

This guy on Etsy has a bunch of plants and can customize your order, it seems. I am tempted by these larger plants with well established roots.

 

$2.50 + $6 shipping from FL

This one is from Ebay and looks like the pot comes with a 3" plant. I am not sure if that means it is a cutting or if it is rooted.

$9 + $7 shipping from San Diego

Another Ebay option, and you get a 6" stem cutting from this plant that is not rooted.

 

$14 + $12 Shipping

Finally, this group from Amazon includes 4 plants in little pots. Cute!

Separately, I also love this weirdo plant:

$8.50 + $6 Shipping

These look like little birds in a nest opening their mouths, don't they?

Word to the Wise: Sample sales in NYC this week

 

$250 Astro jumper

$115 Crater leggings

Surface to Air 
Deal: Up to 80% off women's and men's clothing and accessories from the winter and summer collections. The women's XX Trench is $190 (from $690), the women's Cropped Only Jacket is $90 (from $270), and the Jivan Wedges in black are $140 (from $460). The men's Edmonton Bomber is $220 (from $760).

When/Where: Tuesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 16. Tues—Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 10am—1pm. 225 Fifth Avenue between 26th and 27th Sts (212-725-5400)
 

 

$295 Coral fan necklace from Dinosaur Designs

Dinosaur Designs  
Deal: Up to 80% off jewelry and home goods. The sale will include handcrafted resin and sterling silver items.

When/Where: Friday, March 7 through Monday, March 10. Daily 10am—5pm. 211 Elizabeth Street at Prince St (212-680-3523)

 

$575 Bellagio 27" Spinner trunk

Bric's Milano 
Deal: Up to 80% off retail prices on luxury luggage and bags.

When/Where: Monday, March 10 through Saturday, March 16. Mon—Sat 10am—7pm, Sun 10am—4pm. 260 Fifth Ave between 28th and 29th Sts (212-725-5400)

 

$138 Glitter sandal

Jack Rogers Sample Sale 
Deal:You will find an assortment of beautiful products from winter to spring in styles that will stay in your wardrobe for years to come. Dresses, sweaters, blouses, handbags, accessories and, of course, shoes!! The Jack Rogers Sample Sale offers a unique mix of hard-to-find vendors who embody classic resort dressing with a colorful twist as well as our iconic footwear.
Apparel – up to 80% off
Accessories (Bags, scarves and hats) – up to 80% off
Footwear (including vintage Navajo styles) – up to 70% off
Where/When: At Jack Rogers Showroom, 155 Fifth Avenue, 6th floor: March 12-14; Wed-Thurs (8:30am-6:30pm), Fri (8:30am-5pm).

$48 Heather Trio

QUINN & Kendra Phillip Trunk Show

Deal:Join us for wine Wednesday. Shop N’ Sip and meet the jewelry designer, Kendra Phillip.
Where/When: Quinn New York, 181 Orchard St, NY, NY; 10002; March 12 (6-8pm).

 

$7 Dauville Nesting bowl

Canvas

Deal:Get up to 90% off retail on SELECT merchandise at the Canvas. Deals include Furniture Floor Samples, Vintage Furniture, Table Top, Pillows, Throws, Bedding, Discontinued Items.
Where/When: Canvas, 123 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011; (212) 372-7706. March 13-17.

A few of my favorite things: Discontinued MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Scant

I am always on the hunt for a great almost-bare share of lipstick, and my current favorite for the last 6 months has been MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Scant.

It's a narrow tube, and it goes on very smoothly and easily and feels slick and oily (but in a good way). Despite this, the tube actually lasts a long time and doesn't get worn down as quickly as a lip butter or tinted gloss stick.

Scant seems to be a little bit darker than my natural lip color but not very different, and I think it makes me look polished and put together but not super makeup-y.
I was introduced to it by my friend Becca who is a makeup artist and owns a makeup salon downtown called Rouge (check it out!).We were figuring out looks for my wedding and I liked a lot of the lipsticks we tried, but we decided that for the natural but rosy effect we were going for that Scant was the winner.
It's described as a light berry mauve pink.

And I've been wearing it a lot ever since!

It is shiny and smooth but not glossy or sticky.

Now I just went to the MAC website to get a pic and pricing, and it looks like they don't make it anymore.
BOOOOOOooooooo

But I think the line of Slimshine lipsticks became Sheen Supreme lipstick and I think the Fashion City or Impressive colors look  closest.

$17 MAC Sheen Supreme lipstick in Fashion City
Here is what they say about it:
"Combining the colour impact of a Lipstick with the shine sheen of a Lipglass, Sheen Supreme creates the perfect hybrid - with no compromise. Lightweight, non-sticky, slick to apply and comfortable to wear. This is a must-have for all those who have craved this kind of fusion."


This review says the Sheen Supremes have more pigment than the Slimshines so maybe they aren't going to be a dupe.

Looks like I can get a tube of discontinued Scant here for $13.50 and I might, just to have another for when mine runs out.

6 Pleather Jackets that will be 50% off starting Friday

 For Black Friday, Urban Outfitters is doing half off the already reduced sale items.

I found a few cute things but I was very impressed at all the pleather jackets that will be super cheap once they are an additional 50% off.
If you are looking for one or if you like the style of the leather arm jackets but don't want to commit to the cost of a real one, these are great options.

My picks:

Members Only hooded bomber (originally $99, will be $25)
This has a pleather body and cloth sleeves.

Silence and Noise hooded bomber (originally $99, will be $25)
Brown pleather all over.

byCorpus Plaid moto jacket (originally $89, will be $25)

Silence and Noise quilted bomber (originally $99, will be $25)
I like the diamond quilted pattern.

 

Urban Renewal Motocross jacket (originally $89, will be $15)

The cheapest one! 

Members Only Fabric Mix moto (originally $99, will be $25)
I like the light green with the black and zippers.

Which Revlon Lip Butters DO and Don't Have Shimmer

I like the Revlon colorburst lip butters that I bought, but I vastly prefer the texture and look of the one that does not have shimmer.

I've done some research to keep from buying the wrong shade in the future and thought it might help you too:

No Shimmer BUY:
-Sugar Plum (neutral darker pink)
-Sweet Tart (medium pink)
-Candy Apple (sheer bright red)
-Creamsicle (sheer orange)
-Fig jam (warm brown)
-Wild Watermelon (hot pink)
-Tutti Frutti (sheer coral)
-Sorbet (orangey red pink)
-Pink Truffle (brownish pink)
-Juicy Papaya (orangey pink)


No Shimmer not for me (DON'T BUY unless looking for lipstick):
-Raspberry Pie (magenta)
-Red Velvet (rich red)
-Strawberry Shortcake (barbie light pink)
-pPink Lemonade (light milky pink)


Shimmer (DON'T BUY):
-Sugar Frosting
-Creme Brulee
-Lollipop
-Cotton Candy
-Peach Parfait
-Cupcake
-Berry Smoothie
-Gumdrop (lilac)
-Macaroon

Candles by the hour

I saw these candles on Fab.com that I thought were cool.
They are coiled and you expose some of the candle at a time and then it automatically goes out when it burns down to the metal part so you don't set your house on fire by forgetting it.


$18   40 Hour Candle with box

Not bad, right?

If you like it, then you might want to go whole hog and get the big one:


$40   144 Hour Candle with box

The stands and whole apparatus come with it, and you can buy a replacement coil candle later if you need one.

Perfect present for your favorite steampunk or wanna-be writer friend to light up and pretend they are romantically doing something creative by candlelight.