“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!

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.

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.

The maternity version of these tees are simply a little longer and a bit wider to allow coverage for growing bumps.  And let me tell you they will cover your bump until the bitter end.   As a bonus they look just as cute on your new post baby bod (you know that one you want to trade in for your pre baby bod) as they do on your 8 month bump.  We have no idea how they fit so well, wash so well and wear so well, but then again that is what makes them a must have.

The only drawback we have found so far…it is impossible to buy just one. 

This week we are giving one away!  All you have to do is vote for us by clicking on the Top Baby blogs link and then leave a comment telling us what you want to see more of on our blog.  Winner will be announced next Friday, November 6!

Oh yeah, and did we mention these babies stretch, but never stretch out and lose their shape, so they are sure to fit and flatter you from beginning of pregnancy to the dreadful end.  With that said, hurry out for a pair and indulge yourself with a cupcake while you’re at it, these stretchy, comfy, miracle thing called leggings will still fit.

WHEN:  Thursday, October 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.

WHERE:  Xpecting Maternity – 369 East 17th Street, Costa Mesa, CA

RSVP to steph@xpectingmaternity.com

What I do love are all the amazing clothes.  Maternity is no exception to great new styles and it’s even more important that you are dressing in comfort.  Here is a preview of some of my favs from Juicy Maternity Jeans to LA Made maternity sweats and great thermals and sweaters to keep your bump covered.  Happy Fall!

 Belabumbum makes the most adorable maternity/nursing bras with matching panties to boot!  They are supportive, easy to clip and unclip and comfortable.  Basically they do their job while looking pretty, feminine and altogether unassuming. 

p.s. These also make a fabulou baby shower gift.

Anyway, let’s get focused here because my real problem is hubs, not you or your jaw that hit the floor.  Husband was not thrilled, you already knew that, but I had still been grasping to a small strand of hope.  Picturing a scenario where I tell him I blew a grand and he says model all your new clothes and I will tell you how pretty you look.  Then I remembered my husband is a straight man.  Instead it was more like we have a budget, we have goals, the long term, yadda yadda, he lost me somewhere between car seats and college.  I let him finish, then I asked if he knew what it was like to grow out of 90% of your clothes in 20 weeks.  Silence.  This is when I really got going.

On a side note, I don’t believe in keeping score in a marriage.  We’re a team, he does a little, I do a little and  it’s all for the greater good.  Pregnancy just is not one of those times where the team philosophy works.  It’s more like I do the work and we both reap the benefits. 

He had to get me pregnant.  I’m not going to spell it out for you, let’s just say I don’t call that giving it up for the greater good, more like just giving it up more often than he has since that first year of dating (or maybe since college, but that was before me and before me doesn’t exist).  When the test struck positive he gained a designated driver.  That is where his list ends and mine begins.

So far I have gained 16 pounds, an aversion to chicken, a close relationship with the toilet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., slightly swollen ankles, acne on my back, an absurdly frequent urge to pee, thighs that touch and rub together when I walk, hot flashes, cellulite, stretch marks, porn star boobs (Pam Anderson can keep them as far as I am concerned), midnight cravings for pancakes with chocolate ice cream and heartburn.

So far I have lost the ability to run for more than thirty minutes, sleep on my stomach (the way that I have for 30 years), the enjoyment that was that first cup of coffee every morning (I don’t bother with decaf), wine, blue cheese and guilt free turkey sandwiches (BTW, that lunch meat thing was news to me), my waistline and pretty much my body as I knew it, and the freedom to take an aspirin when I have a headache.

By the end of my rant hubs had programmed Jessica’s phone number into his blackberry; handy for the next time he is crazy enough to question the Pregnant Girl.