
Baby Shower Gift Guide Day 5: For Momma
One thing that many of us tend to overlook when we are pregnant is ourselves-especially when there are other children running around. It is so crucial to make sure that we not only take care of our bodies, but take care of our minds as well. In addition to eating right, drinking lots of water and making sure to get in a little exercise, a large component in helping me feel good is wearing nice things. They don’t have to be expensive or frilly, they just need to be made well and fit right.
And, ok, it totally helps if they’re pretty. Even hospital gowns.
I actually discovered designer hospital gowns before Zoe was born. I wore that gown throughout the entire experience-I was induced with Zoe, so I had a LOT of time walking off contractions and exploring the halls of the hospital. It was nice to be wearing something new, clean, and PINK.
This time around was a wee bit different. Baby B was born about 20 minutes after we arrived at the hospital-the nurses barely had time to throw a gown over my shoulders. I was, however, thrilled to be able to change into this beautiful new gown-and this one has snaps on the shoulders for easy nursing and skin-to-skin contact.
Annie & Isabel was created by two lovely women that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know through this amazing world of social media. They are both nurses and mothers who not only named their company after their grandmothers, but also name each gown after women who inspired them. If you get a moment, you should check out their Feel Better Campaign, where they reach out and donate gowns to those in need. I couldn’t be more thrilled to know these women and support their company.
Gown Features:
Made of comfortable 100% high quality cotton and are trimmed with beautiful grosgrain ribbon.
The inverted pleat in the front adds style.
The inside side pocket will keep essentials handy….cell phone, lip gloss etc.
Gowns wrap abound and tie on the side for full back coverage.
Shoulder snaps provide easy access for IV lines and are convenient for nursing mothers.
Gowns fall to mid-calf length on most people, providing extra security and comfort.
Sizes available in XS,S,M,L,XL,XXL, and available in Pregnancy sizes too!
Gowns meet hospital standards.
Made in the U.S.A.
Just before and after baby is born, the only thing that matters to me is comfort. My body is in a shape that is temporary and awkward, and I just want to be able to move around and nurse afterwards with ease. Belabumbum has created a line of clothing that is perfect for these times-only with a bonus: They LOOK nice, too.
I’ll be completely honest when I say that in the past 6 days since having my son, I have worn three pieces-and they have all been Belabumbum. I’m comfortable, nursing has been a breeze and I don’t mind answering the door for pizza delivery in them.
Belabumbum’s founders started the company to support themselves, the people who work with them, and their customers. The vision? To create collections of fun, feminine styles that accompany women through the creative phases of their life. Belabumbum works with socially conscious manufacturers in South America to ensure excellent working conditions and job security. Belabumbum has also contributed to countless health and well-being related events and organizations.
Their Maternity Mom-and-Baby Sets are particularly adorable, and made of the softest cotton. It’s no wonder I haven’t taken it off!
You might not believe this, but I have never used a nursing bra until now. I tried one when I had my first baby, but I found it cumbersome and annoying so I tossed it to the back of my drawer, never to be seen again.
This third time around, I gave nursing bras and tanks another try with Bravado! Designs, and I couldn’t be more impressed. I’m sincerely grateful at the amount of ease and comfort these pieces have brought me.
The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
“We test-wear our products on literally hundreds of pregnant and nursing moms every year to make our bras perfect, right down to the finest detail. We use real moms as models because we don’t think we need models to make breastfeeding beautiful. We’re a green company, and we donate products in our own community—not because it’s the trendy thing to do but because it’s the right thing. Because we not only want to be the brand on your bra but also the company you’re proud to wear and tell your friends about.”
Bravado! Design’s commitment to quality, motherhood and bolstering the self-esteem of women is clear and resounding-I am their newest, biggest fan.
The last two babies I delivered, my hair was short and manageable with a hair clip or two-it made for quick, camera ready styles and fuss-free during the days and weeks after the babies were born. Since my hair is quite long now, I wanted to do something that would be fun and girly, and especially hassle free.
I was recently introduced to the Braid Bar at the John Barrett Salon at the tippy top of Bergdorf’s on 5th Avenue and knew that this was as special an occasion as any to have my hair braided. It just so happened that the day before I went into labor, I headed to the Braid Bar and treated myself.
Bring on the baby!
Undone braided pigtails, whimsical milkmaid braids, fishtail-braided side ponytails, small french-braided updos and more are available for recreation at Barrett’s Braid Bar.
Braided styles are perfect for a fun night out in the city, a beach day out in the Hamptons or a special occasion.
All braids – $45
Shampoo & Braid – $65
Shampoo, blow dry and braid starting at $120.
Whether it’s a braid or a blowout, I highly recommend heading to a salon. It was one of the best things I did for myself before B arrived.
The Mama Necklace by Tali Gillette
Finally, the push prize of all. Tali Gillette’s Mama Necklace has been on my list for at least two years since I was introduced to them. These are the most beautiful yet simple pieces that I have found to perfectly commemorate motherhood.
The Mama Collection is made of 18K White Gold and 14K Yellow or Rose Gold with G VS Diamonds on 16″ chains. Custom orders are available.
NOTE: The Mama Necklace is NOT a part of the giveaway. I do think it would make a perfect holiday gift, though! It’s definitely on my wish list (as seen on Lil Sugar).
WIN IT!
I’m thrilled to be able to give away some products from each of these fabulous brands:
*One Annie & Isabel Hospital Gown
*One Belabumbum Before & After Cami & Pant from their Belly, Boudoir & Beyond collection
*One of each of the Bravado! Design Bras and one Tank that I highlighted
*One gift card to the John Barrett Braid Bar
To Enter:
Leave one comment telling me how you plan to spoil yourself or someone you love during pregnancy.
Extra Entries:
Follow Momma’s Gone City on Twitter
Friend Momma’s Gone City on Facebook
Subscribe to my RSS Feed
Leave ONE comment per each entry telling me that you did, or already do!
Tweet the following:
I’m entered to win items from @bravadodesigns @annieandisabel @belabumbum & @johnbarrettnyc @MommasGoneCity http://t.co/AzEUwPUg
Leave one comment with the Tweet url. You may tweet once per day and leave a single comment each day until the contest is over.
Sweepstakes run from Monday, December 5th until Friday, December 16th at midnight, PST. Thank you for celebrating with me!
UPDATE: WINNER CHOSEN!
Congratulations to Joslyn Burke! Winner was chosen randomly via “And The Winner Is”, a WordPress plugin. Thank you to everyone who entered, tweeted, and followed. I hope your holidays are beautiful!
I was not compensated for this post. I did receive product from Annie & Isabel, Bravado Designs, Belabumbum and John Barrett for purposes of review, coverage, and giveaway. I hand picked each brand and all opinions are absolutely my own.
Just had my little princess and I’m an ortho resident at NYUCD so I could use some pampering 🙂
I’ve already planned on splurging on myself with a pair of lulumon lounge pants when this whole experience is over.
BRING.IT.ON.
follow you on twiter
follow you on FB.
tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/designhermomma/status/146692556930031618
Massages are always the best way to be spoiled!
I Follow Momma’s Gone City on Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/brookelynmu/status/146693693808705536
With frequent trips to the salon and spa for prenatal massage when needed
I spoiled myself during pregnancy with pedicures and elastic waist pants!
Follow you on twitter
I’m a fan on FB
I subscribe to your RSS
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/JoslynDehner/status/146696918582566913
Following Momma’s Gone City on Facebook
Following Momma’s Gone City on Twitter
I think the best thing both before, after, and during labor is a nice warm bath.
Following Momma’s Gone City on RSS feed via email.
My friend is TTC and I already have a stash of baby things to give her when she tells me she is pregnant! She had a miscarriage last month and was so devastated. She is such a wonderful person and is so good to my girls that I cannot wait to shower her in baby gifts!
Follow Momma’s Gone City on Twitter as catholicfanatic.
Following Momma’s Gone City on Facebook.
I plan to spoil myself by getting massages! As much as I have always loved a good massage, I know it will feel even better when my back is sore and my feet are swollen!
Following via RSS Google Reader.
https://twitter.com/#!/catholicfanatic/status/146703665053437952
Tweeted 🙂
I have two little girls (ages 2 and 5)…plus a third on-the-way! My husband has been awesome this pregnancy about cooking, cleaning, and letting me take naps as necessary.
Thanks for the chance to win these fun products. I know I’d wear that belabumbum set frequently after baby’s delivery in April.
Thanks for the link designhermomma!
I’m spoiling myself by letting my mom take the boys for a few nights here and there… sleeping in is amazing when you’re pregnant (minus the leg cramps though). 🙂
Just followed you on twitter. @marriedlife
I spoil myself with lots and lots of pedicures! Especially at this point in my pregnancy where I can’t reach my toes anymore!! 🙂
lacey@thesouthernmommychronicles.com
I “like” Momma’s Gone City on Facebook.
Facebook name: Lacey Roberts-Money
lacey@thesouthernmommychronicles.com
I follow you on twitter 🙂
@laceyann2008
lacey@thesouthernmommychronicles.com
I subscribed to your RSS feed!
lacey@thesouthernmommychronicles.com
I liked you on Facebook!
I am looking for some great hospital comfies and plan to spoil myself with a little stay at home babymoon!
I plan to spoil my friend with food! Food is the key to anyone’s heart! Especially if it is home cooked!
I follow on Twitter
I follow on Facebook
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/loomslidslayers
I subscribed to RSS feed
I took a lot of long hot baths and just relished the quiet for a moment while someone else took care of my older one.
Thanks for the chance!
follow on twitter
follow on facebook
RSS feed subscriber
massage, facial, bring on a spa day!
follow you on FB
follow you on twitter
tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/TheNewModernMom/status/146743494663352320
I’m going to spoil myself with a mani/pedi just before my due date, so I can look cute in the hospital.
I follow your RSS.
Back and/or foot rubs! They were much appreciated by me and will be paid forward to my friends and family!
I usually try to save money by not eating out too much, but towards the end of pregnancy (and after the baby came) we got a lot of take out : )
I will be buying a fancy nursing shawl! I can’t wait to get (and use) it!
I would love to win this for a dear friend that is pregnant with her 2nd. She really deserves it after a really tough 1st pregnancy! nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
Following on Twitter @nat5732
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
Like on FB – nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
Email subscriber – nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/nat5732/status/146799824082182144
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
I’d love to win this for my Stroller Strides instructor/friend who is expecting her 2nd baby.
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/brookelynmu/status/146915424225857537
by getting a pedicure and a prenatal massage
I follow u on twitter. 1amypugmire
fb fan of yours. amy bolda pugmire
i subscribe to your rss feed via google
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/1amypugmire/status/146951603088396288
https://twitter.com/#!/catholicfanatic/status/146957415483576320
Tweet 🙂
Tweeted – http://twitter.com/#!/nat5732/status/146958372783140864
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
I am currently 33 weeks pregnant with twin boys.. The only thing that helps pamper me right now is a hot bath… It is amazing how much better I feel after taking one… I have no idea what I will do when they arrive as I will have 2 babies to take care of!!!
next time i’m prego, i’m getting regular massages!
thepryfamily@gmail.com
@annatiffany2 follows you on twitter, thepryfamily@gmail.com
Anna Pry is a facebook follower. thepryfamily@gmail.com
rss subscriber, thepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/annatiffany2/status/146999893125369856
thepryfamily@gmail.com
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THE NECKLACE 😉
Buying one of those fab gowns, or the lounge wear would be a great way to spoil myself. Its all about comfort during this pregnancy!
I have spoiled myself by getting manicures and pedicures… after, I would love to spoil myself with a gorgeous mama necklace.
It’s not easy to spoil yourself when money is tight and you’re chasing after a 2.5 year old around the city streets (as I am sure you understand) but since winning my iPad 2 from Red Rover I am loving curling up in bed at the end of the day with my iPad and hot chocolate and reading a book or playing scrabble since I know these quiet moments are going taken up by breast feeding soon! I LOVE the hospital gowns and the bravado nursing tanks were my favorite the first time around. I’ve also already asked for some Belabumbum nursing nightgowns for Christmas presents from my family since they’re so expensive but so worth it! I hope you’re doing well and enjoying Beau!
I subscribe to your RSS Feed 🙂
For my pregnancy, I spoil myself by having a peaceful yummy breakfast every morning by myself after hubby and first son has left for work/school. Will def miss it after baby comes.
Follow you on twitter!! @Masooma20
Like your page on facebook!!
Subscribed to your RSS Feed!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Masooma20/status/147031143169007616
Prenatal Massages, Trips to the salon to get hair done, Mani’s & Pedis.
sweetpeonies07 at gmail
Follow you on Twitter @SweetInSAHMnity
sweetpeonies07 at gmail
Follow you on FB
sweetpeonies07 at gmail
I would absolutely love a prenatal massage! I am 31 weeks pregnant and the backaches and pain have started. It really isn’t in the budget at the moment though…
I follow you on Twitter (tiptoepreggo).
I have liked you on Facebook. 🙂
https://twitter.com/#!/catholicfanatic/status/147317878281093121
Tweet 🙂
So far, all I’ve done is throw up! LOL. But I’m 13 weeks now so hopefully this part will pass soon! And then I’m planning on taking a day and going to the salon with my 6 year old. I’m going to get a much needed, overdue haircut and style and then I want to do mother/daughter pedicures!
Following Momma’s Gone City on Twitter! (4649miranda)
Like Momma’s Gone City on Facebook!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/4649miranda/status/147327370901209088
My husband is going to take a week off in late April just before the baby comes so that we can just spend some quiet time together, the two of us, before the baby arrives. We want to make sure and savor the last bit of time as a family of two so that we can start this new phase of our lives as relaxed and together as possible. I’m hoping foot massages will be involved.
I follow you on twitter!
And on FB!
And I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/overflowinbrain/statuses/147336086438428673
12/15 tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/nat5732/status/147339473917710336
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
tweet on 12/15
https://twitter.com/#!/1amypugmire/status/147340705768030208
I love to spoil myself with a pedicure after the feet are done swelling!
Follow you on facebook.
Follow you on twitter.
I’m hoping to indulge in a much needed mani/pedi and haircut over the holidays!
I follow you on Twitter @MacaroniKidNYC
I “like” you on FB
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/MacaroniKidNYC/status/147369853420974080
I had a pedicure at 38 weeks with my son & I am convinced that’s what sent me into labor! I’ll be doing the same thing this time around as we await our baby girl in February. What a fabulous giveaway!
I’m also a fan on Facebook.
And a follower on Twitter.
Annnnd I subscribe to your RSS feed. (Why do I feel like such a stalker, four comments into this?) 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
https://twitter.com/#!/brookelynmu/status/147394722640576512
https://twitter.com/#!/annatiffany2/status/147422388143915009
thepryfamily@gmail.com
What an amazingly beautiful necklace from Tali Gillette! We just shared this giveaway on our Facebook page – these are lovely ideas for the mom-to-be or new mom. Glad to connect with you on Twitter, too!
I just got done pampering my sister-in-law with little surprise care packages throughout her pregnancy and fully intend to indulge myself a little. I’m planning on getting a pedicure to celebrate making it to the third trimester!!!
Tweeted again today: https://twitter.com/#!/Masooma20/status/147433047560687616
Following Momma’s Gone City on Twitter (@Rachelhooey)
I “like” you on Facebook (Rachel Pugh)
I subscribe via RSS
i subscribe to your rss
pedicures and naps!
I hope to be able to take a little trip with the hubby before the baby arrives!!
oh, the gowns are so pretty! i want i want! with naomi i “spoiled” myself by finally investing in a good bravado nursing bra- so glad i did. this time around i think i’m going to get some beautiful, comfy clothes like the ones you shared!
you look amazing btw!
follow you on twitter. 🙂
i follow on fb, of course!
I spoiled myself during pregnancy by getting manicures/pedicures & eyebrow threading! = )
https://twitter.com/#!/catholicfanatic/status/147561793169010688
Tweet 🙂
tweet on 11/16
https://twitter.com/#!/1amypugmire/status/147663156662116352
I try to give myself a little more me time when pregnant. What great giveaways you have!
I follow you on twitter.
I follow you on facebook.
Tweeted today 12/16:
https://twitter.com/#!/Masooma20/status/147721805589786625
Last day tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/nat5732/status/147730807186927616
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
During my next pregnancy, I plan on spoiling myself with a few pre-natal massages! I also have a few pregnant friends and I plan on spoiling them with some goodies from Earth Mama Angel Baby!
keltner021403 at yahoo dot com
I follow you on Twitter!
keltner021403 at yahoo dot com
I follow you on Facebook!
keltner021403 at yahoo dot com
Daily Tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/ChicMommaToni/status/147747385785856000
keltner021403 at yahoo dot com
I subscribe to your RSS Feed!
keltner021403 at yahoo dot com
I’ve been spoiling myself throughout my pregnancy by allowing my husband to do most of the cleaning! He’s the best!
I’m already following Momma’s Gone City on twitter! (KSPatti628)
I already like Momma’s Gone City on facebook!
I tweeted about the giveaway:
http://twitter.com/#!/KSPatti628/status/147787703763742720
I tweeted the news http://twitter.com/#!/sleepgh/status/147790038086848513
I follow you Twitter @sleepgh
I like you on FB
I’m due in early May, and would love to use all of these things! Last time I wore a pink velour jogging suit. Comfy, but not so cute..
Like you on Facebook 🙂
Follow you on twitter (maple_kiwi)
tweeted (maple_kiwi)
Well I am currently pregnant and I am trying to ‘spoil’ my toddler with as much attention as I can while he still gets 100% of me. I know it will be a big adjustment for him to have to share me and will be for me too so I am trying to make the most of these last weeks that we have where he doesn’t have to share me yet 🙂
I tweeted about the giveaway today- https://twitter.com/#!/tiptoepreggo/status/147809197482971136
I’m going to get more massages this pregnancy!
Tweet https://twitter.com/#!/4649miranda/status/147832722109378560
i plan to spoil myself with a prenatal massage
i am a facebook fan
i am following on twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/annatiffany2/status/147874553274695681
thepryfamily@gmail.com
I am recently not-pregnant, and I’m still looking for my “splurge, you did it” gift for myself. Unforch, a full night’s sleep isn’t an option, or that’s what I’d pick.