2009 November | My Hormones Made Me Do It

Archive for November 2009

Nov

2009

And the Winner Is…

I asked Julia Noik from Nuka to choose the lucky winner of this most amazing giveaway and this is what she wrote:

“We could not pick a name, cause all the comments were great, so we did a random drawing of 17 numbers in a box and picked number 5 who happens to be Julie.”

I have to agree, with so many wonderful readers taking the time to comment how can we choose one winner. That is why in addition to Julie (lucky you!) winning, every person who posted a comment can purchase this sweatsuit for 30% off. All you need to do is call Nuka direct at 310.828.4141 and they will process your order (they apologize, but their website does not allow them to offer this discount online). And for Julie, just call them up or email us at info@myhormonesmademe.com and claim your sassy new sweats!

Fashion Tip Fridays, Giveaways, What to Wear 2

Nov

2009

The Kuker

Guest post from RACS RANTS…could this be breastfeeding advice that works?!?!

When the G-man was born, I was intent on breastfeeding. I performed and did my duty through months of anxiety always believing I would never have enough. My sob story mirrors many mothers’ agonizing moments of pumping, which I fondly referred to as the “booty call” because I swear this is the sound that the Medela breast pump makes at 2 am. After 5 months of dutiful booty calls (and yet not much action), it was finally time to go to my first post-pregnancy trip to Vegas, and the boobs called it quits.

Through this experience, the best breastfeeding advice came from the Guatemalan mafia (a fond nickname we’ve created for the housekeeper and nanny). She of course told me “the milk of the breast is best.” In her country, formula is not quite as available as here in the good old USA. She then added you must eat the “Kuker”. Now not knowing what this “Kuker” was, she explained that it’s a special drink that we also “eat” here. I immediately assumed it was an herb that I had to get my hands on. She explained it would provide me with so much milk flow that I would have a surplus of breast milk that would fill my garage freezer to such an extent I would actually have to remove the vodka I also store there (for emergency cases only).

I scoured the internet and my baby books for something, anything, that could provide me more info on this wonder herb known as “Kuker”. I asked the other mommies, my mother, even called the lovely lactation specialists that fondle a breast likes it’s a piece of machinery. No one could offer me any answers. After a few days of searching, I realized that something was lost in translation. I implored again for more information from the Guatemalan mafia and she finally described the old man with a mustache and funny hat on the front of the package. I realized immediately then, the secret to breastfeeding, it was a clear as daylight, you must drink the Quaker.

Much of my experience as a mother has been like this, making motherhood more complicated then it really is, not enjoying the small things and finally realizing so much communication is lost in translation between a child and his mother. Then of course saying at the end of the day, you don’t have to be great, just good enough.

Breastfeeding, Guest Blogger, Milk It, More Advice 1

Nov

2009

Fashion Tip Friday Means a Fab Giveaway

You know how smarter, calmer people are always giving great insight like enjoy the little things in life. I have been working on that and getting better about picking out those seconds in the day when I perk up. One of my favorite “little things” is that first moment of putting on my most comfy sweats after a long day at work. I am lucky that I get to wear jeans and flats everyday to my job, but there is still nothing like throwing on something cozy, it draws the line at end of another day and beginning of the evening when things start to slow down around my house. I am actually so guilty of wearing my coordinated sweats, much like a uniform, that there was a time my husband swore I invented Juicy Sweats, when I said “yeah so where are our millions” he stared perplexed, unable to believe other women feel wildly colored sweat bottoms and tops are the best invention since designer denim. Men.

All this talk about cozy sweats and you are probably wondering how I can spin this into a fashion tip, but you have to know that even sweats are important. You cannot go running around in some ratty old things circa 1990 or worse yet, you Pregnant Girls know who you are, wearing your husband’s sweats as yours get a little tighter in places you would prefer to deny.

Not to worry, I have a solution for my fashionable pregnant friends. Nuka maternity’s Julie Noik is the new it designerfor comfortable and cozy maternity essentials. She designed a v-neck short sleeve hoodie (pictured) that is a complete life saver. You can layer it over a long sleeve tee for extra warmth or wear alone and pair with your favorite maternity denim. The options are endless and every piece in her collection is this fabulous and versatile. Best of all, the extra soft fabrics will hug your belly for a most flattering fit. Her pieces are all hand dyed so each item looks special and brings that much more style to her comfortable and easy to wear designs. So much multi-tasking from one amazing designer. Of course she is a woman, who else could pull all that off and still have time to be mom.

This week we are giving away a NukaPullover Hoodie and Loop Terry Pants. That way you can have your own set of stylish sweats to wear day and night. The giveaway includes the look pictured in the first image and seen on Nuka’s website. Each piece is made from super soft modal and can be machine washed.

I know you are just itching to win and it is so easy, we just want to get to know our readers. Are you pregnant, trying, how did you find us and what can we do on Hormones to keep you coming back? Please leave a comment and forward our blog to just one friend who might enjoy it as much as you do (that one is on the honor system). Winner announced next Thursday, November 19.

Fashion Tip Fridays, Giveaways, Pregnant Girl, What to Wear 19

Nov

2009

Shades of Grey

As soon as I became Pregnant Girl I started wishing that people would mind their own business or, at the very least, use a filter. Has anyone else noticed that the day you announce you are growing a human being is the day everyone and their brother has a little advice for you. Foreshadowing for this annoying gesture actually starts long before we are pregnant. For me it started with the intrusive “do you want a family” followed by the rude “how old are you” and finished with “if you want my advice don’t wait too long.”

Once a lady actually said do you want my opinion to which I said no thank you and you know she went right on and told me why I should start trying to have kids today. She was adamant I should have 3 kids spaced 2 years apart each and on and on her opinions went. I am sure she even chose my non-existent child’s college, but by that time I had swallowed an entire glass of wine in one gulp and was off to flag down the cocktail waitress.

Five years later and against all odds my 30-something year old eggs did the unthinkable and I am part of some kind of new club where moms welcome me with a different degree of acceptance. Like instead of playing for the I put kids on hold for my career team I now play for being a mom is the only reason to live team and that means all kinds of moms like me. This is actually great because to be honest this first trimester has me too damn tired to root for any team. Apparently exhaustion has made me somewhat of a people pleaser. So I’m in this club where the membership is free and like the mafia this is a once you’re in you can’t ever get out kind of organization. I was just starting to enjoy my new status when the biggest unsolicited advice hit me like a mack truck.

In casual conversation I mentioned that I had enjoyed a leisurely jog that morning and all of the sudden I got a look, daggers and all, that would have a person thinking I pulled a gun and robbed a bank while I was on my jog that very morning and was now a Pregnant Girl on the run. But no, all I said was I am a Pregnant Girl who runs. If I could have been kicked out of the mom’s club by this one woman who I happen to call mom then that would have been it. The advice started flowing and it sure didn’t matter that I had read articles and talked to my doctor. For every article I had she had one back. For every reason I gave she gave one back. We have been circling this way for the past two weeks and I just want to call it a grey area and move on.

The thing about grey areas is that they are always there, add in pregnancy and suddenly life is grey. It starts in the morning with a cup of coffee then continues to lunch with the deli meat decision and ends with your roots growing wildly because some member of the club told you highlights are off limits. If only we could grab a glass of wine and forget about the day of grey, but that wouldn’t be allowed either…or would it?

A Great Debate, Moms and MILs, Pregnant Girl 4

Nov

2009

Fashion Tip Friday – It’s in the Water + Giveaway Winner

All I can say is if you know me, don’t drink the water, or maybe do drink the water depending on if you want to get pregnant or not. Suddenly I am surrounded by the most amazing pregnant ladies. I say most amazing because they are some of my closest friends, even family members and sure I’m 100% biased, but so what.

I’m always surrounded by pregos, that is pretty much the point of owning a maternity store, but for the first time ever I can actually help my girls out in the wardrobe department. This got me thinking about you, my online friends. Why shouldn’t you be able to enjoy a few perks (can we say discounts) and get more of the same advice I offer my real world friends.

The basics:

First things first, buy a bra that fits. Do this for you and everyone else who has to gets to looks at those boobies. We love Bella Materna; also nursing friendly, but if you aren’t ready to go that route choose your favorite bra in a size or two up. Don’t forget to size up in the rib cage, since lucky Pregnant Girl that you are, this area will also grow. Consider one of everything from Ingrid & Isabel, I have said it before and will say it over and over on this site, these camis and bottoms will save you from many wardrobe malfunctions and allow you to wear some non-maternity clothes a little longer saving you money in the long run.

For work (business casual attire):

Olian basic panel pants in black, brown or charcoal & the Juliet Dream jersey skirt in black or charcoal are easy and understated so they can be worn frequently. Once you have two to three basic bottoms accessorize with scarves and jewelry and any/every top that works to cover your bump. If you are newly pregnant you can most likely get away with non-maternity tops for a little longer. We all know that buying work clothes is the least fun so choose items that can mix and match, which brings us to fun/weekend wear. Grab that Juliet Dream skirt because it works as great for running errands on Saturday as it does at the office!

For fun:

Pair that JD skirt we talked about above or your favorite denim (you NEED one good pair of jeans ladies, this is as important as food and water as far as I am concerned) with basic cotton LA Made or 2 Chix tees. If you stay at home or work in a super casual environment you are extra lucky because you can spend more on your fun wardrobe since you got to skip the work wardrobe. Comfort is key so grab Maternal America’s knit pant, they are a true lounge pant, but the dark colors mean you can fudge them a little and pair with cute flats, a basic tee and scarf or necklace for a dinner date.

Since I am so adamant about denim I will tell you that all of my best pregnant friends have LOVED the Paige Westbourne jean because it does not have a panel. This meant nobody knew they were wearing maternity jeans making them perfect from day one of pregnancy until long after the baby arrives, genius right. You, my online friends, can order them for 15% off, just enter coupon code: hormones.

Visit every Friday for more fashion tips and fashion giveaways (there is a really great giveaway coming next week, we are talking an entire outfit from Nuka maternity!).

p.s. Autumn, you are our Michael Stars give away winner; please email us at info@myhormonesmademe.com with your shipping information.

Fashion Tip Fridays, Giveaways, Pregnant Girl, What to Wear 3