My Nursing Essentials

Nursing my second baby has been a completely different experience as nursing my first. There is a certain confidence that comes with nursing your second baby, I think. I'm much more comfortable nursing in public, or anywhere really, in front of anyone. A lot of that comfort comes from having the right "gear".

Since I know lots of mamas about to have their second or who just had their second and are exclusively nursing, I thought this post may be of use to a few of them. Here are my favorite nursing essentials this time around:

1) Bamboobies

I could say this over and over - these nursing pads are THE best. I leaked A LOT with LW and Mo in the beginning. Here and there I still get a little sore from some distracted nursing so I still take these out and use them with a little ointment, even now. They're definitely a must have from day one.

2) Gilligan & O'Malley Nursing Tanks

It takes a few weeks for your supply to regulate, which means early nursing breasts are just too big for fitted bras. Nursing tanks come into play and I basically lived in them for....a few months. Now my supply has regulated and I can wear bras I feel good in (stay tuned for that item). I still wear these tanks to bed every night - having proper nursing attire makes nursing even more enjoyable. I didn't have any for LW other than bras and wow is my experience more pleasant this time having clothes meant for nursing in. For whatever reason I prefer the Henley version of this tank top specifically. They just feel nicer than the standard version, to me.

3) Soma Nursing Bra

I'm not sure if Soma had the Full Coverage Contour Nursing Bra when I nursed LW but when I needed new nursing bras for Mo I bought one and I LOVE it. It feels like a "real" bra - full coverage and support - but you can nurse in it in a snap. It's wonderful. I also have a few of their Full Coverage Unlined Nursing Bras and I really like the feel of them, I just prefer the Contour model.

4) Undercover Mama Nursing Tank

They call this tank the "basic essentials" and that is the perfect name for it. When paired with your favorite nursing bra, this top is a slam dunk. It's fitted and slimming, nice and long and works with any clip style nursing bra. LOVE love love this tank. I only have one of them, but I could wear it every day.

5) Latched Mama Hoodie

This one I told you yesterday that Hubs got me for our 4 year anniversary. I had been following Latched Mama on Facebook for a while, always heard good things and even bought one as a gift, but never opened it to inspect before I wrapped it. W-O-W is this hoodie nice. Living in Chicago, the weather gets really dang cold and calls for loads of layers. This hoodie is pure perfection. It's fleece lined and crazy, ridiculous levels of soft and snuggly. I will be wearing it A LOT this winter and I think it looks sporty enough that I can keep wearing it beyond this winter, when I'm no longer nursing a babe.

Hopefully that helps some nursing or soon-to-be nursing mamas fill in their list for Santa ;-)

Did I miss anything? Tell me your essential nursing items in the comments on Facebook.

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GIVEAWAY 3: Blueberry Circus

The awesome thing about this giveaway is a few weeks ago, I would have laughed if you told me it were true. Sara was a good friend of mine from my family's summer home in Cheboygan, Michigan and I haven't talked to her in TWELVE YEARS! She just found me on Facebook in the last few weeks and I'm thrilled she's able to join us this month with an awesome giveaway of her fun products! 

Hi Everyone! ☺My name is Sara and I am the owner/designer of an accessory line I’ve named Blueberry Circus. It’s comprised of a fun assortment of hair ties, hair pins, rings, and earrings created out of buttons I cover with fabric. I try to incorporate a variety of fun and funky fabric styles to match any personality. 

I started making accessories as an outlet for my creativity. The 9-5 grind was getting a little dull and I wanted, well I should say needed, to start doing something that I enjoyed. I have always loved creating jewelry for myself, but I struggled to find something that I felt that I could market and sell as a product. I discovered the idea to make fabric button earrings while browsing Pinterest and I got the supplies to make a few pairs for myself and friends. They were a hit!  Since then I’ve expanded to making hair ties, hair pins, and rings. My accessories are so much fun to create and I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do. ☺ 

For my giveaway you will win a large button hair tie with a flower pattern and a set of leopard print earrings. 

Blog: Blueberrycircus.wordpress.com 

E-Mail: blueberrycircusaccessories@gmail.com 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Guest Post: Transitioning Your Closet for Fall

The blog world is a beautiful world of constant friendship-building, which some call just "networking". I have "met" so many incredible bloggers, I've decided to begin asking a few to guest blog! I want to share how amazing they are with you so we can all build our networks! 

Today Alissa from Feeling Good is talking about how to squeeze as much wear as you can out of those summer frocks. Grab a cup of tea & enjoy! 

If you're interested in guest blogging for Sparkles & Crafts, please feel free to email me. 

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Hi S&C readers, Alissa here! Today, I’m showing you all how to switch your closet from summer to fall and saving some items that will make the transition. Perhaps the best part of this: I’m keeping it budget-friendly! Frugal does not have to mean you have to sacrifice fashion and Feeling Good.

I’m all about re-working items in your closet for the change of seasons. In this case, I’m going to show you how a black maxi dress and green military cargo vest will transition into the chilly months. It’s as simple as adding and switching items.

1. The Maxi Dress 

I’m sure by now every woman has discovered this wonderful invention. Short or tall, everyone can wear maxi dresses. I’ve gotten so much use out of my black maxi (that I bought several years ago at a boutique for very cheap) over the summer. The oh-so-good news: you can keep that maxi out way past summer!

To transition the maxi, add a sweater or belted cardigan that is fall/winter appropriate to keep you warm. Switch the sandals for booties (bonus: you can even wear socks underneath for more warmth).

2. The Military Cargo Vest

It’s no secret this is already a big hit in the blogging world (I sure had a hard time getting my hands on one but it was worth it). I’ve already worn it many times in warm weather!

Luckily, when the leaves start to fall, it will still be a big wardrobe staple. The color and style goes with anything making it a great layering piece. I love the idea of a striped shirt underneath with jeans and flats. So weekend chic! You can also dress it up with a faux leather skirt and some leopard booties or pumps. Fabulous! The possibilities are endless.

I hope I have helped you to think outside the box and more about transitioning these three pieces (and others) into your fall wardrobe. I’m definitely going to try to do it more this year – and I hope you will too! And of course, a big thanks to Jess for having me today! You can always find me over at Feeling Good! :)

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Honey Face Mask

My skin has always worked with me. It's really been a champ - all through my teen years I rarely had more than one pimple at a time and my complexion has always been very even-toned.

When our wedding photographer took our engagement photos she commented something similar to, "What do you use on your face? Your skin is so clear I don't have to brush it up at all in your photos!"

I've always been a Mary Kay girl - since the time I was old enough to start washing my face I've only ever used Mary Kay.

Since I have moved out of my parents house and the entire collection of Mary Kay is no longer just a quick trip to the basement, I've adjusted my skin routines a bit. Not by any fault of my mom or Mary Kay, I just never seem to remember to take anything when I'm visiting my parents and I ALWAYS forget to ask my mom to bring me what I'm running low on when she visits me.

Before the wedding my skin broke out something fierce and it cleared up a few times since but lately it's really been a mess. Random breakouts, oily patches, dry patches. Just...yuck.

I started researching some natural home-remedies for skin cleansers and masks and realized that a lot of basic home essentials are good for skin too!

Last night I did a honey and baking soda face mask. Basically, I poured a dollop of honey in my palm and added baking soda until it became more of a paste than a 'gel'. I spread it all over my nasty face and fought Princess from licking it off as long as I could (for a few minutes) before I rinsed it off. It got a little tingly, so I could feel it doing its thing.

The honey is naturally a cleanser (and helps allergies!) while the baking soda cleansed and exfoliated (rubbing on/rubbing off) and the honey came in at the end as sticky as it is to pull all of that dead, exfoliated skin off! What a powerful tag-team of skin cleansing super powers!!!!

Immediately after rinsing the mask off my face I felt the difference in my skin. I had guests coming over for dinner and chose not to put on makeup, because I felt so good about my skin (normally I only wear concealer/blush/eyeliner anyway). It was silky smooth and INSTANTLY more clear.

This morning when I got out of the shower I inspected my pesky break-out-prone forehead and noticed it was even more clear than after the mask last night.

I've tried lots of exfoliates before but none did the trick like this mask did - and it was free! I keep honey AND baking soda in the house all the time, so I love that I was able to utilize both for a great cause: my skin!

What home remedies have you discovered lately?

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