I do better with fashion tips and there will be a day that I come back to blogging to offer my personal favorite maternity fashions, tips and tricks.  Of course I hope this will be sooner rather than later.

Until then, I’m still not sure if this will be our month, but if not I just know 2010 will be our year.  I wish you a wonderful new year filled with new beginnings!

xo, S

One size fits most is a really safe bet (are you listening husbands?) because if you buy your wife, who wears a size medium, a size large you will be sleeping on the couch.  Important to note I said one size fits “most” not “all” as the first two gift ideas work great for 2-10 pre-pregnancy sizes. 

The Due In tanks and tees are awesome for two completely irrelevant reasons.  One, they offer pervy men a total excuse to stare at, I mean read, the fine print across Pregnant Girl’s new knockers .  Two, they save those “foot in mouth” types from asking the 6 month Pregnant Girl if she is due next week thus provoking hysteria.  $36 – $52

Michael Stars maternity tops –  AKA magic shirts that cover every bump from beginning to end and turn out perfect even after 200 washes.  Somehow a man (I am so pissed it was him and not me) figured out a way to make one size fashionable tees and then expand them to the maternity market.  $50-$68

For more of a splurge gift choose a fabulous Storksak diaper bag, if she is a handbag kind of girl she will love a diaper bag that looks (almost) as stylish as the Prada bag she will surely need when she is done with the diaper stage of life.  This is total function meets fashion.  $176 – $245

Husbands, gifts that are as much for you as for her include BelaBumBum nursing bras, panties and pjs.  Your wife will feel feminine and you get to enjoy the view, wink.  $24 – $80

If you’re looking for a gift for both mom and dad to enjoy (and you don’t want to conjure up the images from aforementioned lingerie) a more appropriate choice is the Beco baby carrier.  The Beco promotes bonding, is adjustable for kids from 7-45 lbs. and adjusts to fit a petite mama and tall daddy (or vice versa) in a matter of seconds.  They come in many fun prints or organic solids. $139 – $189

Happy Holidays!

xo, S

Now that I am back in the swing of things over here it is time to continue with so many people’s favorite posts…fashion tips for moms to be.  All of these tips are things I would use and buy and as many of you know I am a huge lover of the Uppa Baby Vista stroller.  This is a system that does it all from birth to the time that your child would just look silly accepting a ride in even the coolest of strollers.

If you wonder why this is a fashion tip I suggest you to think accessories ladies.  Your stroller must be functional, but like a great bag, if you are going to be pushing it around daily for the next 3+ years it might as well look as good as it handles.  Plus, Uppa is a green company and saving the environment for our next generation is one trend that canoot be overdone.

The Vista comes with an organic lined bassinet that has a flat bottom and is as functional in your home as it is on the slick alloy frame.  Sold seperately is an easy to use carseat adapter and a MUST for any modern mom.  The baby/toddler seat rides high and provides a comfy place for your little one to watch the world go by or to recline for an afternoon snooze.  Right now Uppa is phasing out of their 2009 model and coming out with the Vista 2010.  The changes are minor and include; a new zero position allowing for a more upright seat on the baby/toddler seat, a toddler seat that has more cushion and is longer for taller children, a better sunshade extension on the bassinet, a foot break that is now push on and off (instead of lifting up with your toes to release),  and a smoother wheel.

The changes are great, but are they $100 worth of great?  If not, you can take advantage of discounted 2009 Vistas marked down to $579.99 (2010 will premier in February with a price point of $679.99).  As one hopeful mom to be I know how the spending can add up fast, so why not have the very best stroller at the very best price… after all, true fashionistas know when to spot a good deal.

“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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

Recently, my son was in a stage of throwing everything out of his stroller. Depending on his mood such sacrificial items would include his bottle or my wallet; he had little bias for ownership or value.  One afternoon, as we were walking around Fashion Island, my son decided to toss his pacifier for the second time, I told him one more toss and that pacifier was mine.  Well sure enough, the G-man wanted to test the boundaries of our relationship and tossed that pacifier on the ground.  My husband, apparently assigned referee of this match shouted “oh dude you are in trouble now, mom is really pissed.”  The ladies at the cosmetic counters turned, lipsticks drew a line across collagen filled mouths and I could hear the slight chortle of laughter coming from moms everywhere. 

So when did it become my responsibility to be pissed?  Shouldn’t he be upset also? Shouldn’t we being putting our heads together to discuss these behavioral issues?  These are major decisions, major choices in life where Disneyland Dad has to do more than decide between the hot dog and the cheeseburger.  But no, I glimpsed into the future – the first speeding ticket, the parties in which obscure pieces of clothing are found months later – and the words “oh boy, your mother is really going to be upset with you this time” rings timeless.

So once I discovered that I was “la jefe of la familia”, or at least where discipline was concerned, it became quite visible who was in favor and out of favor (and there is no comeback tour – sorry Britney).  I know now that when Disneyland Dad returns from work, I become completely invisible.  Although my ego may be bruised, I remember that my husbands’ ego swells, and he has a buddy, often referred to as the Tiny Terrorist.  However, when that same Tiny Terrorist stands on the couch and throws his tiny Matchbox cars in anger because he just does not want his diaper changed right now, La Jefe will return, as unpopular as she may be, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Anyway, I’m back and really I’m here to bitch about that beer belly thing that is currently hanging over my pants creating massive muffin top.  Oh yeah and to top off that muffin I have boobs so out of proportion that the sales lady told me, and I quote, “they just don’t make that cup size to go with a 34 around.”  Effing great!  The only people who don’t notice my muffin top are pervy old men who cannot get past the Dolly Parton boobs that have taken up residence on my chest long enough to notice my pants no longer button because of the spare tire sitting on top of my hips.

Here I am 11 weeks, still one LONG week away from telling the world I’m pregnant NOT fat (or pregnant AND fat, but whatever) and every morning I wake up to see if my belly actually popped so the beer belly gut can take a hike, but nope.  Instead I have one more roll and my belly is beginning to resemble a shar pei.   The most awesome part of this is that my husband keeps asking if we are ever going to have sex again and all I can think is sure I have a beer gut, the constant urge to vomit and swear that if allowed I could sleep for at least 30 hours straight, but please honey tell me more about your needs.

Hang in there ladies, I hear that the belly pops soon enough and then all we will have to worry about are hemorrhoids.