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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Mom Style Inspiration

Well you wouldn't know it by looking at me right now because I am in bedroom slippers, leggings and an oversized turtleneck...but I love fashion.

Since I've had Billy I feel I get too stuck in the same jeans and tee rut or leggings and sweater if I'm staying in. To help when I get dressed now, I've started this Pinterest board full of outfits made of items I own or plan to acquire.

Here are some of my faves!

My dear friend over at Feeling Good Style has inspired me to take another look at printed and colored pants. Maybe this spring I will acquire a pair like this for my wardrobe:

Ripped jeans are back? I love the trend, but you won't catch me dropping $100 at Hollister for them the way I did as a teen. I just picked up a sweet pair of well-loved looking jean crops at Gap this weekend for $29. Maybe I can wear them while recreating a lovely ensemble like this: 

I love using hot, trendy items with timeless classics. For church on Sunday I paired my classic riding-style cognac boots and denim jacket with mint jeans and a flowy blouse from Kohl's (my new favorite store). I felt pretty fresh and fabulous in this outfit!

A chambray oxford is part of my closet, but I struggle to find outfits to pair it with. Something like this is right up my alley. Comfortable with a splash of trend.

It's hard for me to plan for spring style when it just isn't getting any warmer here in Chicagoland but know that I have a whole line of new tops just itching to bust out of my closet when the sun decides to shine! Meanwhile, I may snuggle into my bedroom slippers a little longer.

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New Glasses!

I have been wearing the same glasses for four years now. I loved them! My prescription wasn’t changing enough to warrant new frames and lenses, so I just kept wearing my same old champs. 

Well, with my new mom wardrobe I decided it is time to buy glasses. A new, fun style for my new, fun chapter in life!

I’ve been in love with the “nerdy” trend for a while but wasn’t brave enough to take the plunge with thick tortoise framed glasses until now. Can I just say? I’m obsessed with my new glasses. OB.SESSED. 

I ordered them from GlassesUSA.com and couldn't believe how easy the whole process was. I'd heard of ordering prescription glasses online before, but it made me nervous. I've ordered pet medication online before and it was way more trouble than the savings was worth. 

Ordering from GlassesUSA.com was SO EASY! The order form was written exactly how my doctor wrote out the prescription for my eyeglasses, so there was no guess work. I simply selected the frames, entered my prescription information, checked which lenses I wanted and I was on my way. Awesome!

AND I found the pair of cognac boots I've been searching for!!! I'm not sure about you, but to me it seems like everything's coming up Jess ;-)

But back to glasses: my awesome readers can receive 10% off any GlassesUSA.com order! Simply use the code Blog10. They also have a Facebook page and Twitter feed with exclusive discounts for fans and followers!

Also, you can try the glasses on virtually before you buy! Now get over and find some sexy new specs!

*I was contacted to write this review and received a spending allowance for my purchase at GlassesUSA.com. I spent my own money on the remainder of the purchase and this did not influence my review whatsoever. All opinions and experiences are my own.*

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What I Want...Thursday

I have a new personal goal to blog a few times a week and get things going over here again. I love blogging because it is dedicated ME time, and I need a little of that now and then!!

Speaking of things I love....here is a dose of what I've found around the internet lately that I want:

I am crazy for the print on print trend in fashion right now. My dear bloggy friend Michaela inspired me with her gold pineapple top and blue striped skirt. I can't wait for more of my pre-pregnancy clothes to fit so I can create some fun outfits!

via

Billy is in this awesome (read: horrible) stage of no longer sleeping all night...so I spend a lot of time in the glider on my iPhone trying to settle him back to sleep in the wee hours of the morning...which gives me time to think and plan. I want to paint the hobby room! I'm thinking a tiffany blue color like this:

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If you remember, the desk in the hobby room was meant to be that delightful lipstick pink but is flirting on the side of red...either way I think that friendly blue or a green with similar value would be a great backdrop.

We have several brand new neighbors on our street and I want to make them each a welcome gift. Since I have boxes of vintage mason jars I think something like this filled with cookies and a cute recipe card is just what I want to make for them:

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More than anything....right now I just want sleep*. I'm going to take a nap right.now.

*I wrote this entire post and titled it "What I Want Wednesday", then realized that it is Thursday. Oye. Cheers to motherhood!

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Must-Know Monday: Free Stuff (Round 2)

With all the positive feedback I received from the Freecycle Must-Know Monday, Hubs thought another "Freebie" post would be good, and I agree!!

I've hit a string of awesome luck lately on Craigslist, Facebook and through blogs. There are so many ways to save money and get things for free, I had no idea!! Now that I am participating in them I just keep finding more opportunities to save/win and I feel like you should all hear about them so you can get free/discounted things too!

While it wasn't free, I did score pretty huge on Craigslist when I found this Graco Giraffe Swing for $45. The seller said his son sat in it a few times and hated it, so he was willing to unload it very affordably.

Not only is it basically brand-spanking new, it makes like a thousand (okay, 30 something) sounds AND has an iPod dock! Thank you, Joe from Craigslist. You made this mama so happy...and hopefully Billy too!

Another great string of luck happened on Facebook just in the last week. Pick Your Plum is one of my favorite discount craft retailers, and sometimes they have apparel or accessories at such awesome prices you just have to snap them up.

Last week on their Facebook page they posted a simple question along the lines of "What's your favorite Plum you've picked?" (something like that) and I commented that I bought an awesome maxi skirt once - had I known how fantastic it was going to be I would have ordered one in every color because it's one of the few bottoms I have left that fit me in these final weeks of pregnancy.

(this skirt)

Friday evening I checked the mail and found a big, puffy package in the mailbox from PYP. In it was a maxi skirt, in my size, with a hand written note that said they loved my story and had one last maxi left!!! UNEXPECTED FREE SKIRT JUST FOR COMMENTING!?! Best. Customer. Service. Ever.

There were no directions that stated they were giving anything away, I just participated in the conversation and they rewarded me in a huge way. Now I have something else to wear while I waddle around these last few weeks!!!! I couldn't be happier.

The blog community also loves its giveaways, so I try to participate in them frequently in hopes of winning...and I've won TWO in the last few weeks!

First, I entered a giveaway over at Michaela Noelle Designs for a super cute gold ring and won it, in perfect time!

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My wedding rings no longer fit (*tear*) but this adorable little gem is currently living on my left ring finger instead! How adorable!!

Another blog I love is Zephyr Hill Blog and just for commenting one Tuesday I won a $5 Starbucks card. Thanks, Anne!! What a fun reward!

Mmmmm. Caramel Frapp. #weakness

So, as you can see there are tons of opportunities to win things if you simply enter, or jump into a conversation!

If you have an item you need but can't afford to pay full price, check Freecycle, resale shops and Craigslist before counting your pennies and buying new. You never know when you'll find the next big bargain or if you'll be chosen to win a very awesome prize!!

Have you won any giveaways, saved big or experienced awesome customer rewards lately? 

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Spring Fashion

While I am approximately the size of a whale, I can't help but stare at old "thin" photos of myself and wistfully think, "Someday I'll be thin again."

*sigh* I remember when that belt fit around my waist...

NOT that I'm complaining, because bringing a brand new baby boy into the world is going to be absolutely epic and I already love him more than everything in the entire world with whipped cream AND cherries on top.

But, just because I can't WEAR spring fashion this year doesn't mean I can't LOVE what I am seeing out in the blogosphere!

Here are a few of my favorite fashion finds...

Not only is this look ADORABLE with that necklace and flats, it's repurposed! Read all about how she transformed a thrift store find to a precious peplum top right here.

Via MerricksArt.com

This is a junior swimsuit, but I found it on Pinterest today and since I don't plan on wearing any bikinis anytime soon, I'm allowed to love them, junior or not. Sequins?! Neon?! C'mon. Love.

Via Target

Obviously, my heart misses yellow because all of these pieces are yellow....but how could I leave Cori out of the mix here?! She's always stylish and cute as can be, PLUS has a three-something-MONTH old daughter (and three other littles) so her post-baby bod gives me enormous inspiration.

Via la vie petite

Oh and, uhm, Easter is this weekend, so how could I not include some dainty little floral frocks? Thanks to Alissa for putting all of these together on her blog Feeling Good Style...they are sensational (as is she). I can't pick just one to love! Thankfully, I don't need to choose – my Easter dress was purchased weeks ago (in size "Elephant") and I promised Alissa I'd share photos, so stay tuned next week :)

via Feeling Good Style

Last but not least, I have to mention how much I love Michaela's "Go-To" black and white striped dress. I also happened to win the gold stackable ring giveaway in her blog – so I will be sporting something new and fun for spring after all!!

Via Michaela Noelle Designs

What styles are you swooning over this spring? 

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Current Crushes

We made it to Friday!! HOORAY!!! Here are my current crushes of the week:

A friend of mine sent me this yesterday with the pretext of "This is totally a Jess quote". Couldn't agree more, x10!!

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 Uhm, how tasty and delicious do THESE darling doughnuts look!? They have been pinned.

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I LOVE reading Along Abbey Road - her son is absolutely ADORABLE with a capital A and she does great, simple DIY projects! I am crushing on these DIY Printed Leggings in a big way. Billy will be getting some!!

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 As I mentioned yesterday, I spied a potential diaper storage solution in the IKEA online catalog. How cute would this look in Billy's nursery, especially since we have the matching stuffed Broccoli?! (and his friends, Carrot & Strawberry).

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Wishing everyone a super weekend – spend some time RELAXING! I know I will :) 

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IKEA Spring Catalog Inspiration

You guys...this morning when I got the email from IKEA with their spring catalog I almost flipped.

EVERYTHING IS SO COLORFUL! Clicking through the online catalog just made me want to play hooky and spend a day aimlessly wandering through the aisles of IKEA.

I can't even begin to explain how excited I am for this spring/summer (HELLO 10 WEEKS UNTIL BILLY IS HERE) and these bright colors are the breath of fresh air this Chicago girl needs!!

Two words: Craft. Closet. How brilliant are these ideas?! I think I'll incorporate some of these stupendous storage ideas into my hobby room!

 This spread gave me a wave of butterflies. In the (hopefully not too distant) future, our kitchen will be GREEN!

 It's time to start planting seeds!!! Our garden plan has been made, now it's time to get started!!! I love the thought of having an outdoor space dedicated to garden tools. 

 With a shiny, new deck we are in need of outdoor furniture!! I hope to find something on Craigslist or Freecycle, but there is no harm in using spreads like this to inspire my accent choices!

 I am always looking for organization tips for Billy's room, and the TORVA organizer on the far wall is speaking to me....I'm thinking I might have found a fun diaper storage solution!

 I have a pillow obsession, so naturally this spread spoke volumes to me. I could go crazy buying all of these right now.

 Take a good look at this final photo and breathe the spring inspiration in. Can't you just close your eyes and see yourself holding an iced latte and wearing flip flops? Alright, maybe it's just me...

Are you ready to decorate for spring or is the winter keeping you cozy? 

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