We moms have schlepped, cooked and organized the minutia of multiple lives all year. Now it is time for the family to show their devotion. A homemade card is sweet. But, proving your love in the form of a material item will get you far more mommy mileage. Remember, no hint, no get. Simply print this gift guide out and place it in top of your husband’s pillow.
6. PREGGO PAMPERING KIT
I curated a limited-edition luxury pampering kit for moms-to-be packed with my favorite things: My book, Bump it Up, Foot Petals insoles, Josie Maran argan lip gloss, Mama Mio Tummy Rub, Psi bands, Vosges chocolate, Zoe Organics face wash PLUS special offers from Spanx, Blanqi, Bashful Bump and Viacord: Citrus Lane Pampered Pregnancy Box $65
With the spate of maternity and new mom gear on the market, it is easy to get overwhelmed. So, I took a swan dive through the marketplace and selected a few must have products to help you-and your new baby-look and feel your best. Believe me, the smallest details make the world of difference.
13. HEDGE ON THE WEDGE: Get out of the preggo dumps in these sustainably sourced kitten heel wedges that come with seven ribbons to transform your look Mohop Shoes Mid Cherry Peep toe $164
The baby shower is a curious event. It is often at this moment that moms- to- be are subtly notified that they-the stars of this infant making production-take back seats to their child . Each and every gift- onesies, feeding utensils, booties and receiving blankets are for the baby. And, mamma (this bizarre put –on- the- back- burner feeling is a precursor to life as a mom) is ignored. So, if you really want to make a mom-to-be happy, offer up something that will make her feel beautiful, sexy and pampered.
“Pish posh mommy carry alls are a must-have for Type-A women who crave organization tout le temps. Versatile and chicm these printed carryalls–complete with a pull string pouch, a diaper clutch, a fold up diaper pad, a ‘wet bag’ for bathing suits or soiled clothes–can be dropped into my pures, my beach bag ot just plopped in the car”
Wearing a compression garment like The Belly Bandit for 6-8 weeks after childbirth helps reduce uterine swelling and bloating. Celebs like Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and Halle Berry rave about this modern day girdle (www.bellybandit.com) which comes in 5 sizes and three styles (I love zebra!).
Get radiant with BELLI SKINCARE’s (free of chemicals, parabens and dyes) genius complexion duo which exfoliates, moisturizes, protects and evens out skin tone. A mama-to-be must have!
Coming home from the hospital after giving birth is painful. Literally. Belly Button Boutique’s MOMS FIRST DAY kit has all of the essentials –cooling breast soothers, nursing pads, hipster panties, Feme pads-to keep a new mom (relatively) comfortable
Mama Mio’s Pregnancy specific skincare products go that extra mile to ensure that products are free from synthetic colors, parabens, sulfate detergents, petrochemicals and a host of known irritants. Developed by a triumverate of British supermamas, Mama Mio has put a playful spin on the woes of maternity with “Boob Tube” Bust Cream, “Tummy Rub” stretch Mark butter and “Lucky Legs”. And, the kit comes with a copy of my book!
The Bump it Up Style Solutions Tour landed in Chicago last weekend to collaborate with Bump Club Chicago at the fabulous Peggy Notebaert Museum in Lincoln Park
Mamas, Papas, Preggos & kids waiting for the festivities to begin
Women tuning in to my styling sessions with ISABELLA OLIVER clothing and talking pregnancy beauty with BELLI SKINCARE’s major duumo Annette Rubin.
I show a woman how a form fitting ruched t-shirt + long necklace + leggings = bump it up perfection. All clothing is Isabella Oliver
Channeling a distinct Parisienne vibe with fab Isabella Oliver Breton boyfriend cardigan
A pop of color in the shape of a drapey scarf is a Bump it Up staple!
(As worn by Natalie Portman, Selma Blair, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani, Sophie Dahl, Naomi Watts, Minnie Driver and Jennifer Lopez)
EYE CANDY: Awesome accessories +fabulous cupcakes supplied by MORE
Founder of Belli Skincare- Annette Rubin – offers custom skin consultations and explains how critical it is to avoid “contra-indicated” ingredients during pregnancy.
Belli Skincare is the only skincare in the world that is teratology screened–which rules out any ingredients that are remotely linked to birth defects or any other developmental problems that might occur during pregnancy.
Mommy must have? I adore PishPosh Mommy print carry-alls, wet bags and diaper clutches to keep mom organized and chic
Years of early morning TV appearances have taught me tried and true tricks to reduce under eye luggage. Whether you have allergies, poor circulation or are plain exhausted, Samsonite luggage sized under eye bags are often a concern for busy women. First step?? treat the puffiness and dark circles with an anti-inflammatory agent like ice. Then, in the same way a cup of Joe gets you going in the morning, soak the eye with a green tea bag compress. The caffeine boost circulation and draws out excessive fluid which causes swelling and dark circles. Witch hazel soaked cotton pads also reduce swelling and irritation. Follow with cold spoons to decrease swelling. Sounds gross but a thin layer of Preparation H hemorrhoid cream under the eyes will shrink swelling within five minutes. Then, apply an eye cream or serum with ingredients like elastin, oxygen, collagen and vitamin E to hydrate and reduce swelling. Of course, reducing the amount of salt intake will dramatically reduce puffiness around the eyes.
HOW TO PACK YOUR BAGS:
TEA BAGS The tannins in cool tea bags—especially green tea—compressed on the eyes for five minutes stimulates circulation and de-puffs the eyes.
COLD SOUP SPOONS I always keep two soup spoons in the freezer to press on my morning eyes for two minutes before putting on makeup.
CUCUMBER A homemade Crushed cucumber eye pack (grind ¼ cucumber, roll it into a compress between two pieces of paper towel) also soothes and reduces swelling around the eye area.
PREPARATION H Shrinks swelling!
EYE CREAM Another product created by a bold faced dermatologist isDr. Murad’s Lighten and Brighten Treatment. A 1.5% hydroquinone lightens the under eye pigment and peptides which mimic human collagen helps to kick start circulation and reduce puffiness.
Sonya Dakar–dubbed Hollywood’s fairy skin mother has many a product to battle bags. Oxygen eye cream delivers oxygen, pro vitamin B and soy proteins to tired eyes which plumps the skin and improves elasticity.
Speaking On behalf of groovy moms everywhere—we have worked hard all year and now it is time for family members to prove your devotion to us. No hint—no get…
I teamed up with Chicago’s most famous chocolatier Katrina Markoff to create Mama’s Chocolat Gift Tower, a chocolate kit based on pregnancy cravings: spicy, fruity, savory.cheesy—it has it all. Style advice and a stash of the perfect chocolates
Cupcakes? For breakfast? Deconstruction is the name of foodie Patty Rothman’s game and she is a master at profiling intense flavors and Willy-Wonkifying them into savory cupcakes that skew more entrée than dessert. For Mom’s day she offers Breakfast in Bed squeezed into a delicious cupcake: Bacon/Maple, Cappuccino, Cinnamon roll, Passion. National delivery available!
Peek at magazines and shops and it is easy to see that tis the season of the accessory. What’s hot? Attention grabbing cuffs that add a dash of flash to basic ensembles.
There is an inimitable dread every mom feels about swimsuit shopping. Take the anxiety out of mom’s summer by proffering her a stylish suit designed with slimming and shaping technology to make her look 10 pounds thinner!
The nautical sweater is the knit du jour for spring/summer. The length of this Isabella Oliver version makes it supremely versatile and perfect for leggings, shorts, jeans or a dress
Isabella Oliver Breton Boyfriend Cardigan, $139
Creating the illusion of a radiant I’ve Just Been To The Caribbean glow without scalding your skin is true cosmetic genius. I turned to makeup master ANDREW SOTOMAYOR to get his take on how to score that golden glow without leaving your bathroom. Sotomayor, who works tends to the faces of Kerry Washington, Alicia Silverstone, Nina Garcia & Natasha Bedingfield is known for his natural touch and ability to luminize the most sallow complexion. His clients have appeared on Project Runway, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Live with Regis & Kelly, The CBS Early Show, Good Day New York, The Rachael Ray Show, CNN, and The Tony Awards. Says Sotomayor, “There are many ways to get a sun-kissed glow without hitting the beach. Here are my favorite products to inject radiance to your face and body! “
1. Sunless Tanner – Sunless tanner is still the best way to look that summer glow without making making you look older faster. New products offer a better color and a smoother application. Dry patches of skin absorb more product so tan right after a shower and prepare skin with a bit of lotion on the knees, elbows, feet, and hands. After that rub tanner all over and wait to dress until it’s dry. For the body, try Flash Bronzer body gel face, and for the face try Flash Bronzer Anti-Age, both by Lancome.
2. Body Bronzer – If you like the look of a sunless tan, but are afraid to commit, try Sublime Bronze One Day Tinted Gel by Loreal. Not a sunless tanner, this is a liquid body bronzer that we actually used behind the scenes at Project Runway. Massage the bronze tinted gel all over till it’s dry. The color washes off completely in the shower.
3. Sultry Shimmer – For a sizzling body shimmer, I recommend Red Carpet Kolour. It’s a total celeb favorite and WON’T rub off on clothes. Use it alone to highlight collar bones and make legs look longer. You can even mix it with an oil-free liquid foundation to for super smooth legs, truly worthy of an awards show.
4. Skin Tints - Summer months are the best time to show some skin, and that includes your face. Choose sheer products that give you color with less coverage, like tinted lip balms and tinted moisturizers. Tarte Lip Pencils now come offer color, shine and shimmer in bright colors for on the go, and Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizers offer skincare and a glowing complexion in one step. For added dewy finish, dab all over with a wet foundation sponge.
5. Jewel Toned Eye Shadows - To beat the summer heat casual looks are always in, but to dress down with out looking drab, you’ve got to accessorize. Jewel toned eye colors are your best accessories for looking fab. Jewel tones shadows like rich copper, turquoise, or bright purple look bright but sophisticated as accent in the inner or outer corners of the eyes, or as a smudged eyeliner. Try the Bronze Azure summer color collection by Lancome.
“Politicians, mobsters, sports greats, literary scions and the glamour of Prohibition-era intrigue are the stuff of Chicago legend. But these days, from the tony Gold Coast to the gritty South Side, the Windy City has a newfound luster, born of the collision between tradition and innovation. Redefining American classics with imagination and humor, culinary daredevils have turned this meat-and-potato-loving town into a gastronomic destination. Haute retailers have set up in dramatic spaces that reference classicism within a 21st-century context. But history buffs, fear not. In this City of Big Shoulders, visionaries have always coexisted with a storied past. Capone-era jazz clubs and other historic nooks are always just an L stop away.”
Amy talking style, fashion and beauty with Lauren from A Mommy in the city at Getting Gorgeous
I had such a blast on the first leg of my BUMP IT UP STYLE SOLUTIONS tour! At GETTING GORGEOUS, my BUMP IT UP STYLE LOUNGE featuring BELLI SKINCARE, ISABELLA OLIVER, TIDE FREE & GENTLE and PISH POSH MOMMY was a huge hit!. A style expert, j’adore helping women to look and feel their best within the time constraints of a parents’ chaotic lifestyle. Not only did I get to “bump up” countless preggos, but I also had the opportunity to show busy mom bloggers my “five minute fixes” to looking longer and leaner. The trick? Some sartorial sleight of hand; creating a “uniform” of flattering basics and using strategically placed accessories to emphasize the features that you like. And, camouflage what you are not so fond of.
Here are some fab highlights and tweets from the premier BUMP IT UP STYLE LOUNGE
Amy styling Sierra Rix–a five-time mom to be
“One super fun highlight (did I really just say “super fun?”) was getting styled by Amy Tara Koch the brains behind Bump It Up – a guide to maternity fashion. Oh Amy, where were you 4 pregnancies ago?”
-Sierra, Actual Mom
Georgetown cupcakes and Belli samples
“There was no question what to pair with the mimosa…a Georgetown Cupcake, of course! I may or may not have had more than one. I’ll just say that they are like potato chips, and that is all I will say about that!”
-Sheila, Pieces of a Mom
Amy and Karla
“Amy Tara Koch, stylist and author of “Bump It Up” was in the house! She was transforming the countless “bumps” and “non-bumps” into fashionistas. She basically took my black button down, unbuttoned it to show some more skin, added a cardi and a skinny belt. Now why didn’t I think of that?”
-Karla Trotman, Bellybuttonboutique.com
Amy showing ladies how to look their best
“There was an awesome booth for Isabella Oliver Clothing. There was an amazing black sequin jacket that I drooled over while chatting it up with Amy Tara Koch. She has amazing style and even has a book but more importantly she keeps it real. She had an impromtu fashion 101 session with one of the invites as she walked by. I loved it!”
“My favorite experience of Getting Gorgeous was when I got to meet Amy Tara Koch who I interviewed on MomTrends in an article entitled “Winter Traveling Made Easy” a few months ago. Her fun and interactive display took components from her fabulous book Bump It Up and allowed Bloggers to sample cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake, test out products from Belli ( reviews on their line soon), learn more the cutest diaper bags ever by Pishposh Mommy and get styled by Koch herself!…Koch also spoke to me about how maternity clothing doesn’t have to be all about wearing your typical spandex and gigantic shirts. It’s about finding pieces that aren’t too trendy and those that are diverse enough to be worn after the baby as well as to add fun jewelry – especially towards the end, as you get bigger. I loved her fun and energetic attitude that defiantly inspired me to kick it up a notch in the maternity wear department.”
“I spent most of my time in the Bump It Up lounge with Amy Tara Koch, author and stylist, who gave me her personal style tips for looking and feeling sexy while being pregnant. She showed me some great pieces from Isabella Oliver and Lia Sophia Jewelry. She also showed me some great (and stylish) diaper bag inserts from Pishposh Mommy, while I dined on the most amazing cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake.”
“@AmyTaraKoch Thanks for teaching this plain jane mama to “Bump It Up” @GetGorgEvents Can’t wait to get some scarves and necklaces!”
-Melissa, @simpleagain
Pregnant in sequins? Of course! Here, Isabella Oliver’s glam blazer
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