Hooray! Summer is here and you are ready for the beach. At this point it is nearly impossible to ignore the urge to cool off in the cold water, and really, there is no reason to resist. This year you’re sensitive to the heat more than ever, since you have the body temperature produced by two.

This season, the gods of fashion have heard your prayers and decided – bikinis rule! More so, they have allowed you to purchase the two pieces separate from each other according to your body’s need for different sizes. Furthermore, you can gather great information about the colors, prints, and of course taking into account the new changing proportions of your body. It is time to show off your curves and leave your shyness at home!

It is true, hardly any companies design maternity bathing suites; and those that do rarely have an eye for style and chic attire. You can find yourself walking around for hours, looking for a piece of 5” fabric that is not designed to hide it all and costs and arm and a leg.

Alas, that does not mean you have to hide indoors. On the contrary – you should show off your curves and join the many other pregnant women at the beach wearing well made and well priced bikinis.  Start looking and feeling fabulous!

The best fit

Regardless of whether or not you are pregnant you should select a bathing suit shape according to your body type in order to accentuate your body with a slimmer look.

The first step on the way to finding the prefect fit is to take a look at your whole body in the mirror. I suggest doing this at home rather than in the florescent lighting at the department stores.

What I have found is the cut of the bathing suit top will have a major impact on the shaping of your hips. The top piece should emphasize a wider shoulder area in order to “shrink” the look of your hips.

A halter top or a strapless design enlarges the appearance of the hips. A string bikini top or a tank top shape puts emphasis on the shoulders and makes the hip area look smaller in relation to the rest of the body.

If you are a woman of beautiful contour and your hips seem to bother you, try a top that brings the eye to the top half of you. Trust me it Works!

Long legs: you can shorten the length of your leg and emphasize the calf by wearing shorts with low pockets.

Fuller hips: do not be fooled to believe that covering your hips with a sarong will make the hips look slimmer. The contrary is true. Instead, wear a loose skirt or an A shaped design.

Colors: when you’re pregnant, you may have pigment spots on your skin, and those are usually yellow and brownish in tone. Avoid a bikini in these colors. Blue, green & pink will complement you more. If your skin is prone to burning, avoid purchasing red colored swimwear.

Black is a great classic color. It wears and washes well. However, in a full piece design black is no longer slimming, better to opt for a two piece. Patterns: Mix it up! Use inspirations from the 50’s & 70’s with a symmetric prints, polka dots, flowers and stripes. Black & white prints, geometric shapes, and throwing caution to the wind, is the way to be, happy and free.

Make your bikini last longer:

First, try to find bikini bottoms that are adjustable with strings, so you can adjust its size as you grow. There is a good chance you will use it through your entire pregnancy. Same goes for the top part – with string around your back and neck. There are plenty tops with thick strings – those give better support for your changing chest.

Buy a one piece? Yes or no?

One of the disadvantages of the one piece bathing suites is that they are limited in their ability to expand. For this reason, the one piece suit will not flatter you at any point in your pregnancy. Therefore, avoid spending the money on a one piece.

Final tips

• You can wash your swim suit in the machine, using the delicate cycle. Do not dry
• Sun tan oil will stain and destroy the swim suit. Use sun tan lotion instead.
• Vinegar can help rid of stains, but could change the to the suites’ color.

And lastly, remember – it is only a bathing suit. All of our imperfections are just that.  A bathing suit will not eliminate them entirely so, embrace it all. Love your body and enjoy your new look.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness months! This is a good time to consider your options once you meet your little one.

Have you taken the time to research how long your maternity leave will be? If you are planning on breastfeeding you will want to know this information so you can plan ahead.  There are no national standards for maternity leave. Check your state’s guidelines and familiarize yourself with your rights and privileges. After you have this information, and you know better when or if you will return to the work place, you can get ready accordingly. If you ARE going back to work, you should start looking at pumps and decide if expressing milk is for you.

Regardless of your return to work, you want to learn the basics of breastfeeding and be ready BEFORE you deliver. Yes, your baby is born very intuitive, but it never hurts to help her by knowing a thing or two yourself. There are many breastfeeding classes you can choose from (check with your hospital if they offer any), or you can speak to a lactation consultant for information as well. Knowing how the recognize your baby latching on properly will save you from cracked nipples, helpful tips about relieving engorgement will eliminate unnecessary pain, etc. Another resource is learning from other mothers’ experience how to get started or use the internet. Choose your method and get yourself familiarized with what’s to come and how to deal with possible hard times. Having the number for your local La Leche League or a lactation consultant may be helpful when in need.

Remember, knowledge is power!

Welcome!

We are very excited about our new blog!

We now have the means to communicate our thoughts about, well, anything (…) on paper. Well, not exactly paper… but the screen will do.

This is a wonderful time to be pregnant! The fashion world has so much to offer & you get a wide selection to choose from in color, style, pattern, even budget.

It used to be easiest to go into hubby’s side of the closet & find something to hide your growing belly with. But let’s face it: 1. their side of the closet is small(er than yours!) & doesn’t have the variety you’d like to be able to choose from. 2. Who do you think you are fooling? Other women will know what trick you are trying to pull!

This summer is the time to take advantage of all worlds & enjoy a celebration of maternity fashion! It’s here, and you are not pregnant every day, enjoy it!

Happy pregnancy! Happy shopping!