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Memorial Day Sales!

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Happy Memorial Day! Does this mean it’s summertime now? We rounded up some of our favorite Memorial Day sales for you all! Let us know what you end up buying…

Use code TWENTY for 20% off Isabella Oliver maternity dresses – good through June 4th, 2017.

30% off your NappieSack order with code Sun17 – good until May 31st.

40% off Little Me summer styles for baby and toddler.

15% off your Mitz order with code MEMORIAL15 and free shipping on orders of $25+.

20% sitewide at Bebe au Lait and all swaddle 2-packs are an additional 20% off – this weekend only.

25% off sitewide at Pink Blush Maternity with code HOT4SUMMER.

Other awesome sales:

Getting Raw with Christina Vargas

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Pregnancy is a blessing but sometimes it felt like a curse and I feel so guilty…

Now that my baby is a year old I feel like I can talk about this topic. I always get asked this question from moms who struggle during pregnancy because we as new moms feel so guilty. I am so in love with my daughter but my pregnancy was so horrible. If I were to even think about another baby I would want to wait a few years before I even decide whether to have another one. When I was pregnant I threw up multiple times a day, and during each trimester it increased. I was sick and nauseous all day long but I hated lying around all day and doing nothing more then being sick so I gathered my strength and always made it to the gym.

In my first trimester I went to the gym 5-6 times a week. In my second trimester 4-5 times a week and in my 3rd trimester I still worked out 4-5 times a week but some of my workouts where from home. I stopped working out around 8 ½ months because I was throwing up so much that I broke my tailbone while doing so.

Pregnancy is not always glorious even though we are carrying a blessing inside of us. I was very negative about my pregnancy, and you know what? It is OK. I wanted my baby; I was just unhappy I was so sick – but being so sick actually made me a better mom. I appreciated not feeling sick and when I was able to fully be myself again I seized the moment and strived to reach my goals once again.

Even though my pregnancy was horrible, I would do it all over again for my little mini. She is the best gift I could ever ask for. Moms who are struggling with their pregnancy and start getting depressed I suggest trying to have some healthy shakes full of nutrients and make your way to the gym (unless going to the gym is against your doctor’s advice.) If you’re cleared by your OBGYN to go to the gym, do some light cardio and get your blood flowing, and just leave the house! Being cooped up all day will make you even more depressed. If it is nice out, don’t even go to the gym – go for a walk.

Be active because the benefits of being active while you are pregnant will increase your chances of an easier labor and help your baby grow inside of you healthy and strong.

Don’t forget it is natural to be upset and you are doing great – just try to be positive each day by getting your mind off your thoughts. Also, remember you don’t know how amazing you will feel when you become a mom. If you want me to talk about something else leave your comments below.

xo Christina Vargas

Follow along and get fit with Christina Vargas on her website, Facebook and Instagram.

The Ultimate Travel Registry for Flying With an Infant

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Hey there, I’m Stephanie, blogger, wife and mama to a wild toddler boy and a little girl babe on the way. Our family loves to travel, whether it be for a new adventure or to visit family and friends, so we managed to rack up quite a few frequent flyer miles for our first born well before his first trip around the sun was complete. Considering his passport was stamped for the very first time at just 4 months old, I’ve managed to learn quite a few lessons about flying with an infant (and sadly, many of them were learned the hard way) and I can’t wait to share them with you. All of the recs and tidbits below are tried and tested by yours truly, so buckle up! You can follow our current adventures on my blog, Olive and Tate, and on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

 

Gear
I always, always recommend that mamas plan to wear their babies on travel days. The benefits are endless: you can wear baby through security, your hands are free and baby is soothed by being snuggled up to mama. I’ve tried managing travel days in wraps and a classic Ergo but, without a doubt, the Ergo 360 is the way to go. It’s provides back support in a way that most other carriers don’t and I learned after a 3 hour flight spent in the aisle rocking a heavy baby that back support is key.

 

I’m a little embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realize that we needed to protect our car seat when flying. We always gate check our car seat (with the exception of one single time and our car seat was lost -as a heads up, if the airline loses your car seat, they lend you one they keep on hand…trust me, you want to gate check your car seat).  Anyway, when you gate check your car seat it will be subjected to the elements, the extremely dirty luggage hold and a luggage convener belt known to rip fabric. If you travel infrequently, I highly suggest the $13 dollar bag but if you are a family that flies regularly, I would invest in this Car Seat Padded Bag.

 

A stroller with one hand fold, backpack straps and a weight of just 14lbs? This stroller was designed for travel and after a trip or two with another brand, I will never travel with any other stroller brand than Baby Jogger. This little baby will fit through the security x-ray when folded and will be easy enough for a parent traveling alone to fold at the gate for gate checking.

 

Not only will the Dockatot give your baby a cozy spot to snuggle on planes and trains–  once you reach your destination the Dockatot is a safe place for your babe to snuggle, lounge and get in some tummy time.

 

For Mama
First, let me say that the list of must haves for mama is small – make sure your phone is charged, your chargers are packed and you aren’t wearing anything that will set off the security alarms. Chewbeads are great option as they are plastic and baby can play and gnaw on them during the flight.

 

An absolute must for a travel day with a baby on board is a diaper bag with both a cross body and backpack strap option (if you prefer canvas, this is a great option). The last thing you need is to be wrangling a purse on your shoulder all day so throw a well made bag full of pockets on your back and keep your hands free.

 

 A soft fabric car seat cover that can double as a nursing cover, scarf of blanket will serve you oh so well. Use it to nurse on the plane, shield a sleeping babe’s eyes from the sun or as a blanket for you and baby.

 

There cannot be a more disgusting place than an airport or airplane so plan to pack paci wipes. If your babe has an arm like mine did, you’ll be fishing pacis from underneath seats no matter how many extra you have on hand.

 

 

For Baby
White noise is a baby win, no matter where you are, so keep it on hand to drown out flight attendant announcements and chatty seat mates.

 

I prefer Wubbanubs for travel days simply because they are easy to find in my diaper bag! When digging around blind in the bottom of my bag, snagging that stuffed animal is like hitting the jackpot.

 

Thin, light weight blankets like those from aden + anais that can be folded or rolled in your diaper bag will serve oh so many purposes on travel day – wiping spit up, creating a place to play on a layover and fending off cold air vents. I usually pack two – one that is only used once in the airport for playtime on a layover and one that is saved for emergencies.

 

Teething babes will love having a Sophie to slobber on and the squeeky sound will be drowned out by the plan so you won’t have to worry about your seat mates. I always suggest bringing along toys that can be machine washed and that you and baby are not attached to, just in case it gets lost in the shuffle of travel day. Plus, a new toy captivates even the littlest traveler’s interest.

 

This is a no brainer for me – I really don’t love using my changing pad on an airport bathroom changing table and then rolling it back up and sticking it in my bag. Disposable is the way to go – just stick a few in your bag (they are super flat and light) and be glad you aren’t carrying around a dirty changing pad.

 

Altitude can affect baby’s tummy so be prepared with a back up outfit or two.

 

If you’re a formula mom like me, Mixie bottles will save your sanity. I keep them in my bag, locked and loaded with formula and water (added after security), ready to help with baby’s ears or for a meal mid-flight where I don’t have room to whip up a bottle.

 

You can read more of my infant travel advice, including my step by step guide on a solo travel day, on my blog!

Mompreneur Spotlight: FAB Mom Jill Simonian

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Affectionately known on-air and online as ‘The FAB Mom,’ Jill Simonian is the Parenting Lifestyle Expert for CBS Los Angeles news and author of The FAB Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby — a personal, practical and motivating guide with celebrity stories and expert lifestyle tips to boost first-time moms’ mind/body/spirit confidence and capability for that ‘bumpy’ year of new motherhood (F-A-B = Focused After Baby). Jill is a contributor for NBC’s TODAY Show’s Parenting Team and Mom.me and has often appeared on TODAY Show, Hallmark Channel, HLN, KTLA Morning News Los Angeles and more.

Connect with Jill on TheFABMom.com,  Facebook,  Twitter and Instagram.

Gugu Guru: How and why did you start FAB MOM? Where did you come up with the name?

Jill Simonian: I wish I could say I was so creative to come up with “The FAB Mom” on my own, but it was literally the ONLY URL that was available for purchase when I first started blogging back in 2010! I remember typing in every possible blog name I could think of and “taken” kept coming up. I finally thought of ‘fab’ (because it was such a buzzword back then) and it turned out to be available… so I took it. I initially thought I’d write about fashion and entertaining after becoming a mom — you know ‘fabulous’ things — but soon found that most of what I was writing about had to do with me trying to stay motivated, creative and focused after having a baby. Turns out, the URL that found me was right on — FAB really does mean ‘focused after babies,’ which is what my new book for first-time moms The FAB Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby is all about. Staying focused and committed to bouncing back from bad days, confused parenting moments and the every day chaos of mom-life is something that we all must cope with and conquer.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

JS: Still trying to figure this one out (lol). Here’s one rule that I’ve learned the hard way this last year: Do not try to be a stay-at-home mom and working-mom at the same time! It sounds crazy, but that’s what I tried to do when I first got my job at CBS Los Angeles news in February 2016. I’d been a work-at-home mom (blogger/brand-ambassador) for years, but failed to realize that starting a new job on television and writing a book at the same time added up to full-time working hours. Sure, the time I could do my work was fairly flexible, but the responsibilities took time away from me being able to volunteer at my girls’ schools, cook dinner every night and organize the house like I used to. Whenever your time gets filled with something, you must account for the time you’ve lost in other areas — we cannot do it all at the same time (that’s not sexist, it’s just common sense). I also learned to do one thing at a time — multi-tasking does NOT work.

GG: What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

JS:I do love the flexibility. Being more available for my kids is also very important to me. I’m a big believer in moms continuing to work after having kids (we need goals and accomplishments too!) but I’m also unwavering in my belief that the mom should be the kids’ primary caregiver. Don’t get me wrong — dads and sitters and grandparents are loved and needed and incredible, but no one can do what ‘mom’ can do when it comes to raising kids and giving them the security, guidance and discipline they need to grow into capable adults.

 

Fun Baby Shower Gift Roundup!

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The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and it’s…baby shower season! Want to wow the mama-to-be at her shower? We rounded up some of our favorite baby shower gifts that are sure to make any expectant mama smile.
Smockingbird Children’s Clothing: If you’re looking for adorable Spring and Summer clothes for babies and kids, there’s no where else to turn to than Smockingbird Clothing. With their bright and fun colors and whimsical designs, their clothing is ideal for running around in summertime and all the adorable photos we know you’ll take of your little one. Smockingbird’s aim is to sell beautiful and classic children’s clothing for an affordable price. Smockingbird has a unique selling style in that they use a pre-order style of selling which allows them to keep costs low. They also utilize social media to sell, and have daily sales on Facebook and Instagram. Instagram sales are daily at 11:00AM ET, 1:30PM ET and 8:30PM ET, and Facebook sales are weekly Tuesday 8:30PM ET and Saturday 7:00AM ET. Every month Smockingbird chooses a different charity to donate to; for May, they are donating to Be the Match.
Crane USA, Violet the Hippo, Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier: Sometimes the best baby shower gifts are the most practical – but what happens when you also want to give an adorable gift, too? Enter the Crane USA Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers! Get relief from Cold and Flu Symptoms and bring Wellness to your entire Family with a Crane Adorable Humidifier. Featuring an award winning, child friendly animal designs and top rated performance, Crane’s Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers provide up to 24 hours of soothing moisture to help relieve the effects of dryness and congestion, helping you and your Family to breathe easy and sleep through the night peacefully.
Softsie Clothing:  People love to give baby clothing for baby shower gifts, but why give the same old onesies and hats when you can upgrade to Softsie? Softsie creates unique, well-designed, high-quality apparel and accessories – organically infused to gently and safely comfort and care for the skin of all infants and toddlers, while also bringing ease and style to every family. Infused into the Softsie Footie are Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, and Vitamin E. These ingredients are infused into our fabric through a capsulation process. These Footies are butter soft and soothing on even the most sensitive of baby skins. Plus, they come in modern patterns and colors, so they’ll be super adorable for all the photos we know the new parents will take. Softsie also has swaddle blankets and hats, so make a little bundle of Softsie gifts for your next shower!
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: Did you know that there’s an easy way to transition baby from the swaddle? It’s called Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit and plenty of parents can tell you, it is a lifesaver – whether it is warm or cold outside! The Magic Sleepsuit is designed for babies who are ready to transition from the swaddle, yet still need that cozy and contained feeling to aid in their sleep. Made with soft, comforting materials, the Magic Sleepsuit will give your baby the sense of security and warmth they need to sleep well through the night. This is a wonderful piece of baby gear for traveling during the Spring and summer because it keeps baby feeling secure wherever they are sleeping. Baby can wear a simple onesie underneath during the warmer months and they will happily and comfortably sleep well!
Snuza Pico Monitor: If you’re gifting a new parent with a baby monitor, you’re absolutely going to want to pick up the Snuza Pico Monitor. The Snuza Pico Movement Monitor is unlike anything else on the market; while some baby movement monitors are fitted beneath the baby’s mattress, Snuza monitors attach directly to a baby’s diaper and alarms if no abdominal movement is detected. This early detection provided by Snuza monitors offers a solution to help bring peace of mind to parents. The App, which is Apple and Android compatible, also monitors a baby’s abdominal movement, skin temperature, sleeping position (side, face-down, face up) and fall detector. It also features an on/off button and alerts parents if they become out of range. The Pico unit can be accessed by multiple smartphones so that parents and/or caregivers can monitor multiple Pico units from one or more smartphones. Snuza wearable movement monitors are made with hypo-allergenic, medical grade plastics and do not send or receive radio frequency signals. There are NO wires, cords, cables or sensor pads that could potentially harm baby. Weighing only 1oz, these monitors are the lightest of their kind on the market today.

Baby K’tan Swaddle Blankets: Any new parent can tell you that there’s nothing as important as a good swaddle blanket; swaddling makes the baby feel safe, secure, and sleep better (we hope!). Baby K’tan, a leader in the baby wearing world, has released their newborn swaddle and toddler blankets, and we think these make a perfect baby shower gift. Made of an innovative breathable stretch fabric, the Baby K’tan Newborn Swaddle & Toddler blanket  provides continuous airflow so that baby doesn’t overheat while sleeping. As your little one grows, your swaddle can be used as the perfect sized toddler blanket, nursing cover and so much more. Plus, they are gender neutral colors, so they make wonderful gifts for baby showers when the gender is still unknown. Most importantly, they are machine washable, so baby can spit up over and over again!

 

Thank you to Baby K’tan, Snuza, Smockingbird, Crane USA, Softsie, and Baby Merlin for making this sponsored post possible. 

Filed Under: Baby Showers, Gift Ideas, Newborns Tagged With:

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Cause Driven Pajamas: Sammy + Nat

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Whenever we come across an adorable pajama company, we have to share it with all of you because…a baby can’t have too many pajamas, are we right or what? Plus, it’s even better when the company gives back to someone in need! Sammy + Nat is a classically lovely pajama company who is giving back to a family in need and we are thrilled to be introducing you to them today.

Sammy + Nat, founded by two sisters, sets out to create staple pieces in the softest, safest fabrics for the little ones in your life. Their hand-sourced pima cotton adjusts to your baby’s temperature, keeping them dry, comfortable and smiling. Classic silhouettes in soft hues and clean lines mean it’s easy to mix, match and head out the door. Their cotton is naturally hypo-allergenic, ideal for babies who are sensitive to allergies and prone to skin irritation.

Plus, their adorable clothing is eco-friendly, as they use pima cotton, which is from the earth. Its seeds are harvested by hand and cultivated in excellent growing conditions, found only in the coastal valleys of Peru. Seed by seed, this artisanal process results in smooth, silky-soft fabrics that stand the test of time. With every wash, the softness only gets softer, lasting 3x as long as any other cottons. You can also monogram Sammy + Nat pajamas, making them a perfect baby shower gift!

In honor of Mother’s Day, we wanted to share the story of Sammy + Nat, as the founder, Samantha, lost her mother to breast cancer at a very young age; when she heard about Mary’s Mom’s story, she knew she had to find a way to help, and we are sharing her story today. Mary is the rosy-cheeked, blond-haired 25-month-old baby girl of Lisa and Eric. She has an older brother, 16-year-old Dean, Eric’s son from a previous relationship. Lisa and Eric lead a simple, but happy life, making the best of limited resources. Last summer, Lisa’s life changed in a day. What was supposed to be a routine visit to the doctor for what she assumed was a swollen neck gland led to a series of tests that confirmed it as a lymph node, a classic symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma – Lisa was in Stage Three. The revelation was a blow, testing everything they knew and hoped for.

Besides the obvious emotional struggles and fear that surround cancer, there are so many additional drains that are not always as apparent to the outside world. How does the family keep going? How does dad do his job and look after the kids? What happens when you’re alone, with no support? What about lost income? And bills? The biggest stress for Lisa’s family is financial. In order to help Lisa and Mary’s family, Sammy + Nat is donating 20% of all proceeds on SammyAndNat.com to their GoFundMe page, Mary’s Mom. If there were ever a time to splurge on some new pajamas, this is it!

As Samantha, from Sammy + Nat says, “I’m moved by Lisa’s story, not just because she’s a neighbor and a friend, a woman struggling with adversity on multiple fronts, always with optimism and a smile on her face; or because she happens to be going through what I watched my own mother go through twenty years ago, and feel it viscerally; or because it just doesn’t seem fair that this should happen to a young mother with so much to give and so many plans to realize. I’m moved because I empathize—and because I think I can do something about it. It doesn’t take much to make a difference to someone in need, by easing the pressures as they struggle to make it to the other side of the challenge life has thrown them.”

Mama Wellness: Nursery Wellness

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In honor of Mother’s Day coming up, Gugu Guru has partnered with Twiniversity to celebrate Mama Wellness – in all aspects. This week we are focusing on sleep, health, nutrition, getting out of the house, and new mama style. Today we’re highlighting products which make your baby’s nursery a healthy and peaceful space. Read on to learn more and enter at the bottom of the post to win an Ubbi Diaper Pail and Hawk + Sloane Stinky Spray, a Caden Lane crib sheet, board books for baby from Little Bee Books, a B.Box Caddy, an Angelcare Movement Monitor, and Pure Grace Soaps’ dryer balls for healthy cleaning. 

Ubbi Diaper Pail: If you’re looking for serenity in the nursery (ha), the last thing you’re going to want is the smell of dirty diapers wafting through the room. Luckily, Ubbi has designed a diaper pail which not only hides the smell, but is a gorgeous piece of nursery decor. The Ubbi Diaper Pail is made of powder-coated steel to achieve maximum odor control. It is equipped with rubber seals that are strategically designed to lock in odors as well as a sliding lid that minimizes air disruption, keeping the smell inside the pail. To meet the needs of today’s eco-conscious parents, this award-winning nursery essential offers the convenience and value of utilizing any standard trash bag or reusable cloth liner. This feature makes it the easiest disposal system to load, use, empty and clean. Offering a modern and sophisticated twist to a once very industrial product, the sleek Ubbi diaper pail includes a child-proof lock and is available in an array of 13 colors and 5 patterns. All the style and none of the smell — a promising solution for every nursery.

You can follow Ubbi on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Hawk + Sloane Stinky Spray: A must have for every house with a baby – a spray which reduces the smell of dirty diapers! This would make a wonderful baby shower gift. Stinky Spray works to eliminate that foul odor coming from the diaper or the diaper pail itself with its pleasing citrus fragrance. After each diaper change, spray the soiled diaper before disposing of it.

You can find Hawk + Sloane on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Caden Lane Crib Bedding: What can we say about Caden Lane? We’re such fans of the delightful designs – they are truly a piece of art in your nursery! With a ton of styles to chose from, we know you’ll find something wonderful which jives with your nursery design. These sheets are 100% cotton and super soft for your baby’s skin. PS. They’re having a huge sale right now – so stock up!

You can find Caden Lane on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Little Bee Books, board books: One of the best ways to wind down with baby, even from day one, is to read with baby. Babies thrive from hearing words read out-loud to them, and it’s important to have books around the nursery for baby to touch, play with, and eventually read with you. Little Bee Books specializes in finding up-and-coming authors, exquisite illustrators, and book topics which will impress even the most squirmy of babes. Little Bee Books is a children’s book publisher founded in 2014, dedicated to making creative and fun books for busy little bees ages 0-12. Based in New York City with a small team of publishing veterans, they love creating a children’s list for today’s young readers.

You can find Little Bee Books on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Pure Grace Soap’s Dryer Balls: Pure GRACE Soap makes handmade, all natural, small batch products for your bath, body, laundry and more. Their bath and body products include Bath Bombs, Bubble Bars, Bath Truffles, Sugar Scrubs, Lotion Sticks and Lip Chaps. Each product is made using a custom blend of skin loving oils and the highest quality ingredients. Wool Dryer Balls are used to replace the need for dryer sheets and fabric softener. In addition to no longer needing dryer sheets and fabric softener, the wooldryer balls eliminate static and help to reduce the amount of time the laundry is in the dryer therefore saving you time and money on your electricity bill. Cloth diaper mamas, we’re looking at you! This is a safe and effective way to get your baby’s clothing clean, without harsh chemicals or additives. These balls work in both HE and regular dryers and they last for years. This is a wonderful way to clean baby’s diapers, blankies, and clothing without worrying about allergens or chemicals.

You can find Pure Grace Soap on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

B.Box Diaper Caddy: This light and portable change station ensures you have everything you need for diaper changing wherever you are around the home. Great space saver for apartment living and ideal for two-story homes. Also makes a great art caddy or home organizer once your little one is toilet trained. Just pop a tissue box where the wipes box goes. BPA, Phthalates and PVC free. This is a great gift idea for a new mama, as often she is recovering from childbirth and can’t always make it to the nursery for changes – keep the Caddy around communal areas in the house for quick changes!

You can find B.Box on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Angelcare’s AC517 Baby Movement Monitor: The worldwide leader in movement monitoring, Angelcare gives parents 24/7 peace of mind while helping their children thrive with a range of products that employ advanced technology and innovative, research-based design. Movement monitoring and activity tracking reports give concerned parents the ultimate peace of mind. Angelcare’s AC517 touchscreen movement, video and audio monitor offers the only wireless movement sensor pad in the market and features activity tracking which reports on baby’s movement levels. Rest assured knowing that you will be alerted if no movement is detected after 20 seconds. Ideal for a newborn infant or a young baby who is starting to reach and explore. Use without the sensor pad for those early toddler years. The AC517 baby monitor is there when you need it. With Angelcare, you’re not alone in this new adventure of parenthood. You can buy the AC517 on Amazon, BuyBuy Baby stores and online, and Babies ‘R’ Us stores and online.

You can find Angelcare on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Gugu Concierge: Top Self-Care Picks

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Practicing self-care isn’t always easy – especially for first time moms – but it’s absolutely essential. We asked our team of Gugu Concierge Baby Planners and Maternity Consultants to share their Top Self-Care Picks.

Valerie Trumbower, Nurturing Doula, Bucks County, PA
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Island Wrap: It’s super comfy to cuddle your new baby but nice enough to wear out and about in the world.  It looks great over yoga pants or jeans. . . and it’s machine washable! You can dress it up or wear it everyday like a bathrobe.


Julie McCaffrey, BabyNav Baby Planners, NY, NY
“Mama, You Got This” Journal: Every mom should have a beautiful journal to chronicle her journey.

Kimmie Johnson, Chicago, IL
Amber Michels, Greenville, SC
Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender Hand Balm and Lavender Aromatherapy Candle Really all things natural lavender are our favorites, but we love these two. We also love the HB Botanicals Candles!

Tina Morton, Cloud Nine Birth Services, Chicago, IL
Pure Grace Perfume by Philosophy: This line is top-notch quality, with a soft and clean scent that I just never get tired of. It makes me feel a little pampered every time I use it! Make sure to check out their other body products, too!

Victoria Zimmerman, Dallas, TX
Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil: It’s luxurious and our absolute favorite self-care pick for new mamas. It’s a bit of a splurge, but we promise it’s worth every penny! We also love this Hair Tie Bracelet. It makes you feel beautiful even when you’re pulling your spit-up laden hair up after three days without a shower…and it keeps that hair tie close by without cutting off your circulation! 😉

Jessica Zablan, Boise, ID sums it up:
“You can’t pour from an empty cup! So take time for self care. My favorite self-care for moms is taking a hour to do nothing. If could be going to the spa, sitting at a coffee shop or even sitting in their car alone on their phone. I always feel like I am a better mom when I can shut my brain off and do something mindless for an hour.”

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Gugu Concierge

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Mama-to-Be Must-Haves

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With Mother’s Day around the bend (bump?), we didn’t want to forget all of our expectant mamas this week. 

The Big Fat Activity Book For Pregnant People, by Jordan Reid and Erin Williams: We’re long-time fans of Ms. Jordan Reid, so when we heard she was writing an activity book for pregnant mamas with her business partner, the brilliant Erin Williams, we knew we had to not only get our hands on the book, but share it with all of you. The Big Fat Activity Book is the must-have book for pregnant millennial moms. It’s a fantastic mix of hilarious puzzles, coloring book pages, and snarky word searches, but also chock full of poignant, moving, and sweet essays. You’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry, and you’ll probably pee a little, but we highly recommend gifting The Big Fat Activity Book to any pregnant mamas you know. [Head to the bottom of the post to win a copy for you AND your BFF!]

skinnytees: If you’re looking for clothing which will easily transition from maternity-wear to everyday wardrobe staples, look no further than skinnytees. Their butter soft shirts are one-size-fits-all (even pregnant mamas!) and are so super stretchy that they will fit your pregnant body, post-partum body and beyond. Their tank tops are perfect for summertime and layering all year round, and their t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts feel like a soft second skin on your new mama body. Plus, they’re ideal for breastfeeding since they can be pulled every which way and not change shape. skinnytees has partnered with Upward Bound House, whose mission is to eliminate homelessness among families with children in Los Angeles by providing housing, support, and advocacy; this Mother’s Day, skinnytees is giving away one skinnytee to a mother in need for every one item purchased from their website until May 9th. They will be hand delivering the skinnytees to the mamas in need for Mother’s Day. [Head to the bottom of the post to win $50 to skinnytees!]

Pearhead Belly Casting Kit: Cherish your special pregnancy journey with Pearhead’s belly casting kit. This non-toxic, 100% baby safe kit includes everything you need to make a mold of your adorable baby bump. This would make such a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for a pregnant mama; have everyone at the baby shower sign the bump! It is 100% baby safe and such a sweet memento of a special time in your life. It may seem as though you’ll be pregnant forever, but trust us, you won’t be, so check out this belly casting kit and cast some memories. [Head to the bottom of the post to win a Peahead Belly Casting Kit!]

Parasol Diapers: One of the most desired baby gifts, which we never give, is always diapers! It’s not really fun to give diapers as a gift, we get it. However, when you’re giving an expectant mom Parasol Diapers, you’re not giving diapers, you’re gifting artwork. The artwork will eventually be shown on your baby’s bottom, but nevertheless, they are gorgeous diapers. These ultra-soft diapers can be ordered in a subscription (now there’s a gift!) so you never have to think twice about heading out for diapers. Parasol Diapers are fragrance free, chlorine free, lotion free, latex free, and hypoallergenic. Furthermore, with the Nordic Swan Eco-label, it certifies that Parasol diapers have fulfilled the most stringent environmental, climate and health criteria available in the industry. [Head to the bottom of the post to win a pack of Parasol Diapers!]

NappieSack: As a pregnant mama, you’re not quite sure what essentials you’re going to need (or not need) when you leave the house with the baby. Luckily, there’s NappieSack! NappieSack is an organizational insert which efficiently transforms any regular handbag into an organized diaper bag. It has 15 pockets, so it holds everything for baby and more. Plus, it’s lightweight and chic, so you could easily use it on its own, too. It’s a great gift for any mom because it lasts long after baby needs diapers; organize your own life with the NappieSack and you’ll never lose your keys again! [Head to the bottom of the post to win a NappieSack!]

Cristina V. Jewelry, Silver Chain Layer Bracelet: It’s not a Mother’s Day gift guide if it doesn’t include some jewelry, and we’re big fans of Cristina V. Cristina, a new mama herself, creates jewelry from the heart; she hand picks every bead, stone, clasp and wire, and creates modern jewelry which is destined to become heirloom pieces. The Silver Chain Layer Bracelet is her most popular one; each bracelet is made up of 2 inches of faceted stones, surrounded on either side by a new signature chain. Bracelets are a wonderful gift for a mom-to-be because she doesn’t have to remove them due to swelling! [Head to the bottom of the post to enter to win a set of 3 chain layer bracelets!]

Bath Bombs, Three Sweet Petites: Three Sweet Petites creates all natural bath and body products. They are created from food-based ingredients- baking soda, citric acid, oils, herbs, flowers, salts, and pure, therapeutic grade essential oils, which means they are safe for everyone. They even offer a New Mama Care Package which consists of one classic Postpartum Bath Bomb and one unbleached, Muslin tea bag filled with our Postpartum Healing Bath Tea. Each item is labeled with the ingredients below as well as instructions for use. The Restore Postpartum Bath Bomb and Tea are a healing herbal blend of Lavender Flower, Red Raspberry Leaf, Plantain Leaf, Yarrow Flower, Calendula Flower, Uva Ursi Leaf, Shepherd’s Purse, and Epsom Salt: ideal for women who have just given birth- vaginally or via cesarean. It may also provide relief from hemorrhoids and other vaginal irritations. This herbal blend is organic and free of dyes and fragrances. What a fantastic gift idea! [Head to the bottom of the post to enter to win a Bath Bomb set!]

Thank you to NappieSack, Pearhead and Three Sweet Petites for making this Sponsored Post possible.

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