Mom Style

DIY Chambray Maternity Refashion

See Kate Sew is back again today with another maternity refashion!

I’m over at Gugu Guru again to day with a 3rd installment in a little maternity refashion series! I’ve had a lot of fun with this series so I hope you have too! All three of these posts have taken an oversized men’s shirt or sweatshirt turned it into a maternity top with a few quick cuts and stitches.

We partnered with Ryla Pack for this post! The Ryla pack diaper bag is a new backpack style diaper bag with all the right pockets! I love this bag and super love the bag’s attention to detail. There is a purpose for every single pocket! A pocket for bottles, diapers, wipes, a cellphone and more. It’s a nice and sleek bag that fits all! You can use my code SEEKATESEW to save 20% on your own Ryla Pack! Hop over to See Kate Sew to read my review of the pack!

This refashion is very simple! I purchased an oversized short-sleeve men’s top and just took in the side seam from the sleeve down to the hem in one fell swoop! It has a swingy shape to it which is flattering and easy to wear, especially over maternity leggings or even jeans. An extra feature of this refashion is the addition of a necktie. I used a black and gold polka dot for the tie, which just adds a little class and a little color to the outfit. You can even make a few ties and switch them out to change up the look of the same top!

Materials:

-oversided chambray SHORT sleeve men’s shirt

-1/4 yard quilting cotton for tie

Instructions:

Try the shirt on, pinch under the armpit where you want to bring the shirt in and mark it with a pin or disappearing ink pen. Do the same on the sleeve and note how many inches from the side seam you have pinched.

Take it off and turn inside out. Sew from the sleeve to the hem, following your marks.

It’s really that easy!

To make the tie, cut 2 strips of fabric 44″ by 4″. 44″ is the width of a standard bolt of quilting cotton, so you can just cut it right from the edge of your length of fabric without measuring.

Fold strip in half with wrong sides together and press. Sew the long edge.

Turn the tube right side out and press. Turn the short edges under and topstitch.

Find the middle of the tie and fold it over. Stitch about 10″ (5″ on either side of middle point). This will help the tie fit around the collar and stay flat.

Tie it up and you’re done!

This is also really cute without a belly! And since it’s button-up, it’s great for nursing!

Must Have Essentials: Makeup for New Moms

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Often when the baby comes along, the mama totally forgets about herself – and we are huge fans of self care here at Gugu Guru, even if it just means throwing on some makeup really fast! We asked our baby planners, plus some special friends, what their must have essentials are for makeup when it comes to new motherhood – and some handy tips!

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant –

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: When my twins were little and deep exhaustion had set in, there was always one thing that made me feel better; mascara! In 5 seconds, I could easily offer my eyes the little pick-me-up they so desperately needed. My current favorite is the Phyto-Pigments Mascara by Juice Beauty, which is a natural plant-based mascara that offers all the smudge-proof, flake-free feathery lashes a new mama needs!

Check out Abby’s must have essential pick for baby basics.

Lindsay Neely, Greenville, SC, of Your Milk Shoppe –

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: I could get Bobbi Brown foundation on in 2 secs and with one hand. Highly recommend it and remember specifically asking the BB counter person if all I had to do is quickly put it on….zero additional steps! ???? and there’s a mirror in the compact too!

Ginny Lawler, Atlanta, GA, of Your Milk Shoppe –

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: All new moms need under eye concealer or anti-puffer. Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff eye roller or whatever may be your favorite. A little concealer under the eyes can make you look refreshed and like you actually slept through the night. Sing to your baby while getting ready, distract them all you can while you put makeup on.

Check out Ginny’s pick for newborn lockdown must have essential.

Sarah Slazyk, Columbia, SC, of Your Milk Shoppe –

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: My suggestion would be to invest in a good BB or CC cream! For all of those tired days when you have to run a few errands or want to look like there is still some life left in you around visiting friends– Taking less than 30 seconds to apply, BB creams can make all the difference by adding a little color to brighten up that sleepy smile! (Doesn’t have to be $$ either. Most make-up brands have it and it’s a great Target add on for around $12)

Check out Sarah’s one baby registry must have essential item.

Kimmie Johnson of Your Milke Shoppe –

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: BeautyCounter sells a kit with makeup essentials called Flawless in Five. Concealer (every mom’s best friend!), tinted moisturizer, brow pencil, mascara, lip gloss, and blush/bronzer for the extra frisky days. Voila! Mama is fresh-faced and ready to rock in 5 minutes or less.

We also asked our friend (and mom of 3), celebrity makeup artist, Jamie Makeup for some advice:

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: I think when you’re pregnant it’s all about taking care of your skin. So I would invest in some sort of botanical oil for your face. Two of my favorites are Vintner’s Daughter and True Botanicals. These oils are super hydrating, calming, and safe for pregnancy. Once your face is feeling good it’s easier to get makeup to sit naturally on your face. I would make your life easier and choose a tinted moisturizer with spf. Juice Beauty and Suntegrity are my favorite. Lastly find the perfect lip shade for you! I loved wearing clean skin and bold lip. I was rocking Charlotte Tilbury in Lost Cherry for months. And I’d use it on my cheeks too, to make my life easier.

Check out Jamie’s LA Baby Must Have Essentials.

Jordan Reid, mom of two and the writer behind Ramshackle Glam, adds:

Must Have New Mom Makeup Essential: Self-tanning face moisturizer. Moisturizer for obvious reasons, but I like a formula with just a hint of self-tanner because it makes you look like you haven’t spent several days or weeks (or months) hiding in a dark hole, utterly deprived of all sleep and (non-tiny) human interaction. If you choose a super-quick-drying brand – because obviously you’re going to forget you put it on immediately after you do – it makes you look instantly glowy(er) and awake(r).

Check out our baby registry picks over on Ramshackle Glam, and Jordan’s Mompreneur Spotlight, too.

Need more makeup help?

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Everyday Must Have: Golden Child Diaper Bag Organizers

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It’s no secret that once baby comes along, there is just so…much…stuff! It can be overwhelming to find a diaper bag which not only fits all of baby’s gear, but also fits your personal style. Worry no longer, mamas – Golden Child is here to solve all of your problems! Golden Child are structured modular inserts which turn any bag (seriously, any handbag of yours) into a well-organized diaper bag. Combine the 3 modular pieces to fit any bag shape – from a small zip tote, to a large shopping bag, to a backpack. So easy to swap in and out! Read on to learn more plus enter to win one of your own!

Founded by two sisters with a background in design and product development, they wanted to solve the major problem moms have – even though you may have a bag or diaper bag you love, it has to evolve with the baby, and with your lifestyle – due to the modular, clip on, structure of Golden Child, you can create the diaper bag of your dreams.

We wanted to test it out, so we turned to an uber-stylish mama, Cristina of Cristina V. Jewelry; Cristina has an adorable 1 year old daughter and works from home, so she’s always on the go go go. Here’s what she had to say about the Golden Child inserts:

I love that I can now see everything in my diaper bag and that it had more than enough compartments for both Paige’s things and mine. In less than 10 minutes, I went from not knowing what was in my bag to seeing where everything was. It sounds silly, but I also feel better knowing I will not be scrambling the next time Paige needs a snack or I need to find my wallet.

Like what you see? Enter to win a Sunny Diaper Bag Insert for yourself in our giveaway:

Golden Child Giveaway

You can find Golden Child LA on their website, Instagram, and Facebook

Looking for more diaper bag help?

Pregnancy Hacks: DIY Maternity Shirt

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See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? A DIY maternity hack using a men’s flannel shirt. Want to check out more DIY projects from Kate? Click over to see the full list – lots of fun weekend DIY ideas!

I’m thrilled to be back at Gugu Guru sharing another DIY maternity hack as a part of a little series. Each of the three projects uses a simple men’s clothing style that you can find at most thrift stores. With a few little chops and a bit of sewing you can make your own maternity wear! See post #1 here.

This is the second post in the series and uses a flannel men’s button-up as a base. I used a large size that would have plenty of fabric for a belly.

We partnered with Newlie to style up this outfit! Newlie’s diaper bags are super classy inside and out! I love the Lily Tote Diaper Bag, it has tons of pockets, a changing pad, 2 strap options and a gorgeous faux leather exterior. It comes in a few colors, but black went best with this outfit 😉 I also love the Sophia bag, the black and white stripes are really cute! I love a diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag and Newlie’s fit the bill while still being holding all of a diaper bag’s functions!

I love DIY refashions and this one is a super quick sew! All we’re doing is taking in the waist so the fabric drapes over the belly! I did this on a dress form, but if you don’t have a dress form you can try it on yourself to get the placement right.

Materials//

-1 Men’s button-up in 2XL or 3XL

-1/2″ elastic, measure below your bust in the front to figure out how much elastic you need. If your measurement is 18″, cut an 18″ piece of fabric

-basic sewing supplies

Instructions//

To take in the back of the shirt, create pleats following the checks on the fabric. Pleats are pretty easy to make when you have 1″ squares to use as your guide.

Create 4 pleats facing into the center on each side of the shirt. My pleasts start about 5″ below the yoke and I sewed the whole square down from the top of the pleat to the bottom to make a nice clean finish. Backstitch at each end. Taking in the back a few inches makes the shirt look fitted instead of baggy.

After you’ve sewn all the pleats down, backstitching at each end, clip all the threads to clean it up!

The front requires basic stretchy elastic. We’ll sew this to the inside of the shirt. Pick a row at the bottom of the pocket that hits right under the bust. If your shirt is different than mine, try it on and find a spot below the bust. Draw a line on the inside of the shirt with a dissappearing ink fabric pen. Stretch the elastic to fit across the line you drew. Pin it as you stretch. Then sew across the middle of the elastic using a zig zag stitch.

Roll up the sleeves for a cozy look and you’re done!

Great Gift Ideas: Coffee Loving Mom Friends

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It seems that coffee is a staple in the parent world – so why not gift your best mom friend a coffee loving gift? Coffee shops are a great place to bring a new baby and meet up with your mom friends for a cup of (decaf or regular) coffee – especially appreciated after a night of 2 hours of sleep.

Check out some more gift ideas for coffee loving parents, too.

Every coffee-loving mom needs some cute t-shirts to show their coffee love – and these are some of our favorites:

Fueled by Caffeine and Chaos Shirt, Mom Life Must Haves

Coffee Mountain Adventure Tank Top, Darling Designz

Every new mama needs a great mug to drink her coffee out of – both at home and on the go – here are three of our favorites:

Fueled by Caffeine and Chaos Mug, Mom Life Must Haves

Raise Good Humans Mug, Weestructed

Minivan Mafia Travel Mug, Page261

We’re also digging the But First Coffee decorations from Party at Your Door – did you know you can order a full bundle of party decorations delivered right to your door? We love all of their party themes and you can even get custom confetti!

And, when it comes to the coffee itself, we are huge fans of Cafe Bustelo! They have so many options for coffee types – but, we’re big fans of their instant coffee because…it’s so good and quick to make! Have a mama friend coming over last minute? Don’t worry, just heat up some water and you’re good to go. They also make K-Cup versions of their coffee! And, in case you’re out for the day with the baby or traveling, they make 2 ounce bags of coffee you can throw in the diaper bag and save a little money later on by making your own coffee on the go. Café Bustelo is a fantastic way for new moms to bond over a delicious cup of both hot or iced coffee – from premium and espresso-style blends, to cold brew and instant varieties, coffee drinkers choose Café Bustelo because they love the rich, bold taste.

Cover photo via Extra on Top

New Mom Gifts – Buying Guide

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When it comes to buying a new mom gifts, you want to get her something special, but also something useful, as everything in those early days needs to serve some sort of purpose – whether the purpose is to make their life easier, taste good, or provide self-care. We rounded up some great gift ideas for new moms – some of these would make awesome stocking stuffers, too.

Boobie Bars: Nursing moms can get really hungry – and when they reach for a snack, not only do they want it to be delicious, but healthy and promote milk supply, too! This is why we are fans of Boobie Bars; they check all of the boxes for new moms. Plus, they’re a perfect stocking stuffer or wrap a few flavors up for your new mom gifts under the tree! Created by a nurse and lactation consultant, Boobie Bars, are a wonderful alternative to taking pills and special teas to help your milk supply. Made of a proprietary blend of herbs, coconut oil, oatmeal, and Moringa, these bars are offered in blueberry coconut, oatmeal chocolate chip, and gluten-free peanut butter. Did you know that eating just one Boobie Bar a day fulfills a daily dose of milk-boosting herbs that a breastfeeding mama needs? That’s pretty awesome. Plus, these make a great snack for a working mama or mom-on-the-go. Use code GGHOLIDAY15 to save 15% off your entire order thru 12/31.

BlueSmart mia: For the technie new mama in your life, we highly recommend checking out the BlueSmart mia as a new mom gifts idea. Not only do we think BlueSmart mia is awesome as a tech baby product, but it brings a peace of mind to new parents, too. How does it do that? BlueSmart mia is a smart bottle feeding system that tracks and analyzes your baby’s intake and consumption patterns. The smart safe and colorful silicone sleeve is placed on the bottom of most baby bottles, and with the help of Wi-Fi, will transmit information regarding a baby’s feeding data including feeding amount, temperature, duration, and angle to be analyzed in the accompanying free app. That information is then able to be shared – you can even export it to your pediatrician! BlueSmart mia also has indicators on the silicone smart sleeve that guide each feeding, such as temperature alerts for whether the milk is too hot or cold, angle alerts for optimal feeding, feeding reminders, expiration warnings for if you’ve left the breastmilk or formula out too long, and more. Very high-tech and a super cool gift for a new mom (or dad).

Waverly Baby by Trend Lab Panama Wave Adobe Carryall Diaper Bag: Who doesn’t love a new bag under the Christmas tree? We’re smitten for this Waverly Baby Carryall Diaper Bag! The Waverly Baby Panama Wave Carryall features authentic Waverly durable upholstery fabric; this fabric is also stain resistant and the bag features protective feet to give you confidence to set your bag down safely anywhere. The Waverly Carryall Diaper Bag has multiple compartments and useful accessories keeps all you need organized and within reach. This Carryall Diaper Bag includes a memory foam changing pad, zip-closure clear messy bag, stroller straps, and a matching wallet. Plus, it includes a leash and fob attachments for handy availability when you’re holding baby in one arm and need to find your keys! We love how stylish this bag looks – no one will even have a clue that it’s a diaper bag. We’re sure if you gift this to a new mom this holiday season, she will fall in love with it immediately. Use code WAVBAG15 for 15% off on all Waverly Baby by Trend Lab Diaper Bags on www.tlcbabies.com only. Promo code expiration date: December 31, 2017.

Belabumbum Pajama Set: Give your new mom gifts of comfort this holiday season with amazing pajamas from Belabumbum! Belabumbum has a huge variety of pajama sets for both pregnant moms, and nursing mothers. Their Lounge Chic Classic PJs (pictured) are a perfect gift for the pregnant or new mom in your life; these classically styled maternity and nursing pajamas in soft jersey with contrast piping are so comfortable you’ll want to stay in them all day long. They feature a gathered elastic back waist which creates a flattering A-line for during pregnancy and after baby. The super soft top has button down nursing access (yes!), classic piping detail at collar and sleeve, and a gathered elastic back empire waist detail. The incredibly comfy bottoms are a full length pant with piping on the hem, and feature a comfy flat waistband which won’t roll up – and, the waist adjusts with your changing figure. Sounds like the perfect pajamas to us! Give a gift of self-care and comfort this holiday season with these pajamas and don’t forget to use the code GUGUGURU for 10% OFF plus FREE SHIPPING!

Love Comma, 2X1 Rib Tank Bump + Feed Dress: Give the gift of style this holiday season with a classic little black dress from Love Comma. Love Comma is known for their gorgeous nursing friendly clothing, and this Rib Tank Bump + Feed Dress is no exception. The 2X1 Rib Tank Dress is an extension of Love Comma’s best-selling 2×1 Rib Tank top. The fabric features 8% fine spandex, so it offers maximum recovery at the neckline and a flattering stretch across the belly, during pregnancy and postpartum. The built-in breastfeeding mechanism has an extremely easy nursing access with no hardware to fumble with. We love that this gift is an investment in style – a pregnant mama can wear it postpartum, and a new mom can nurse in style, and wear in a future pregnancy, as well. Because you can easily pull down to breastfeed and pump, this is an ideal dress for a working mama; simply pair with a blazer or denim jacket and you’re good to go; stylish nursing clothes for the win!

Earth Mama Organics Gift Sets: If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer, we love the new mom gifts and sets from Earth Mama Organics. Earth Mama Organics offers three different gift sets; the mini-deodorant pack features all four flavors in one fun-filled box! Refreshing ginger-lime GingerAid Deodorant, tangerine-y Bright Citrus Deodorant, naturally unscented Natural Non-Scents Deodorant, and fresh, soothing Calming Lavender Deodorant. All of the deodorants are super safe for breastfeeding and sensitive skin. If you’re stuffing the stocking of a pregnant mama, check out their A Little Something for Mama-to-Be pack; A Little Something for Mama-To-Be is a pocket full of pampering packed with herbal pregnancy essentials: luxurious Earth Mama Body Butter and Natural Stretch Oil to help comfort dry skin and emerging stretch marks, Organic Morning Wellness Tea to help ease pregnancy nausea any time of day, and exhilarating Ginger Grapefruit Happy Mama Body Wash and Morning Wellness Spray. And, you can even stick their A Little Something for Baby kit in baby’s first stocking this year! A Little Something for Baby includes easy to pack on-the-go sized versions of Earth Mama’s natural and organic herbal baby essentials: naturally gentle castile Angel Baby Body Wash & Shampoo, best selling Angel Baby Bottom Balm diaper cream, soothing vanilla orange Angel Baby Lotion and virtually scent-free Angel Baby Oil for dry skin and infant massage. A Little Something for Baby is an all-natural welcome for perfect little newbie!

Boobie Bars photo via Extra on Top

Caregiver Holiday Gift Idea: Tiny Tags

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Looking for a caregiver holiday gift idea for the mom, grandma, sister, babysitter or friend in your life? You’ve come to the right place. We are loving Tiny Tags jewelry for the ultimate holiday gift! Coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and price points – this personalized jewelry is a loving way to show someone that you appreciate them this holiday season.

Tiny Tags, founded by a mom (of course!), creates gorgeous and stylish jewelry for women which are also incredibly meaningful. Whether it is the date you first laid eyes on your partner or child, or all of your children’s names, or the time your baby was born, Tiny Tags turns memories into heirloom jewelry pieces. With a ton of styles to choose from, as well as gold or silver, you’re sure to find a unique gift for the women in your life this holiday season. We rounded up some of our favorite pieces from Tiny Tags to add to your holiday wish list and shopping list. Any of these would make the ultimate caregiver holiday gift idea.

Check out our top picks under $100:

Top left: Gold Heart Necklace ($95); Top right: Silver Bar Name Necklace ($85); Bottom left: 1 Name Necklace Silver ($65); Bottom right: Gold Lower Case Initial Necklace ($95)

We love that each Tiny Tags necklace tells a story – it may just be a piece of gorgeous jewelry, but there is such sentiment and history behind every piece. And, since the holiday season is really about giving back, we love that founder Melissa says, “As a mother of three healthy boys, I am deeply aware of life’s blessings, and I am passionate about giving back. Every month, Tiny Tags donates to Save the Children, Plan USA, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and our goal is to keep on giving.” Tiny Tags are also made in America! We also love that you can buy a new mom or grandmother a Tiny Tags necklace and add charms as more babies come into the family. Tiny Tags makes a perfect push present for a holiday baby, too.

Check out some of our top holiday gift picks below – which one would you buy for yourself?

Top left: Gold Family Necklace ($170); Top right: 3 Name Silver Circle Pendant ($105); Bottom left: Gold Skinny Bar Necklace ($125); Bottom right: 4 Name Silver Necklace ($200)

Thank you to Tiny Tags for making this sponsored post possible.

Gugu Guest Post: Wine Pairings for Children’s TV Shows

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In honor of Giving Tuesday, Gugu Guru has teamed up with First Candle to raise awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), including spearheading research, education for parents, and bringing comfort to grieving families. First Candle is committed to the elimination of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and preventable Stillbirths through education and research while providing support for grieving families who have suffered a loss. First Candle is hosting a series of events this Giving Tuesday on pregnancy, parenting, and more – we are thrilled to be partnering with them for this event – check us out at 10AM EST discussing self-care and baby registries – as well as blog posts on our blog today, too!

This Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to learn more about First Candle and support their research and support for families in need. You can learn more about First Candle on their website – and donate to their cause as well.

Also check out our other Guest Post for Giving Tuesday: Baby Photos 101

Our resident urban mama, and sommelier, Megan is back today with a fun post: wine pairings for watching TV with your children! You can find Megan on her website and Instagram. Check out more posts from Megan: Must Have NYC Mom Essentials, Babywearing in an Urban Environment, and Must Haves for Breastfeeding On-the-Go!

My favorite part about Nick Jr is the blurb in the very beginning of the episode. I love that they tell me how this TV program is good for my kid. You know, “watching this episode will teach social skills, teamwork and problem solving.” It’s the little bit of cold comfort I need to not feel guilty for letting my kids watch TV so I can do normal human things like shower, cook dinner, write this article or maybe even vacuum the curtains. (okay, maybe I need better hobbies). As much as I love these “healthy” viewing options for my children, sometimes I end up joining them for all the drama and poorly developed character’s escapades. It’s important to share something with them they enjoy while simultaneously making sure these programs live up to their lofty billing. Now that I’ve solidified my rational for watching cartoons as an adult, I’d like to advocate you enhance your tolerance for the insipid with a glass of wine or two.

Below I’ve laid out a somewhat fanciful pairing guide for the shows I’ve come to not hate:

1. Peppa Pig – Sparkling Rosé: I think Sparkling Rose is the perfect choice here. It’s pink and prissy just like the impetuous title character. If I thought it wouldn’t scar my kids for life, I’d make a suckling pig for Christmas and call her Peppa. If it wasn’t for the cute British accent she’d be along the lines of Calliou. She’s whiney, she’s bossy, and she constantly fat shames Daddy Pig. Poor Daddy Pig, I swear he’s going to snap one day. Thanks to Peppa my kid hasn’t missed a muddy puddle in his short three years of life “but mummy I’m wearing my boots” go on then child. So drink some Rose while your kids watch Peppa be a brat and you look up baked ham recipes.

2. Calliou – Petite Sirah California: Petite Sirah is known for having some of the highest Alcohol by Volume and trust me you’re going to need it with this show. This kid is awful. I blame his parents. I’m not normally a mom shamer but seriously who names their kid that and doesn’t expect them to be a brat? I’ve watched this show once and banned it from our house. If this is your kids favorite show, I’m so sorry but I did find you a wine that’s known for being full bodied to help numb the pain and your ear lobes.

3. Paw Patrol – Pinot Grigio: Truth be told, I like Paw Patrol. A few more female pups wouldn’t hurt but the show isn’t terrible. Consider Mayor Goodway for a minute. She is a total hot mess. She must be a lush right? Do you know any sober person who keeps a “purse chicken”? If I had to guess, I’d say she chugs Pinot Grigio like water when the pups aren’t watching. Join her and laugh along with the absurdity that she must be doing something right to secure the funding for multiple doggie jetpacks and flying and floating vehicles galore.

4. Daniel Tiger – Chardonnay: Every time Daniel talks about his feelings take a sip of Chardonnay. I’m just kidding don’t do this, you’ll die; but Chardonnay of any kind is a great way to hide your emotions. Nothing too sweet the show is saccharin enough already. Do however drink enough so those damn catchy tunes won’t stick in your head for years to come. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to the bathroom in the last two years and I’ve sang “If you have to go potty, stop and go right away. Flush and Wash and be on your way.” Then there is my husband, when I ask him for any sort of help that I can do anyway he belts out “try to solve the problem yourself and you’ll feel proud.” Good advice for your children but poor communication in the marriage. Just sip enough so your brain won’t commit those catchy tunes to long term memory.

5. Mickey Mouse Club House –Lambrusco: I can’t be the only mom who wants a hot dog every time this show is on? How exactly did Mickey start singing about hot dogs in the first place? Pair your non-fancy dinner with this unique libation. A classic oddity of the wine world, this rich Italian red with bubbles exemplifies an absurdity perfectly matched by Goofy’s antics. Both are pleasant reminders of the joy derived from little quirks in life.

DIY Maternity Refashion with See Kate Sew

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See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? A DIY maternity refashion tutorial. Want to check out more DIY projects from Kate? Click over to see this list!

I am so excited to share this DIY maternity refashion tutorial. If you’ve wanted to try sewing for yourself, the maternity months are a great time to try it! Not only will you find yourself needing new clothing, no one will notice crooked sewing lines with a cute belly to focus on! Making your own maternity clothes is simple when you start from existing garments!

We partnered with TWELVElittle for this DIY maternity refashion post, this is my second TWELVElittle bag and I love it. I wanted a diaper bag that was a bit high fashion and this leopard print does it for me! It’s a perfect pop of pattern for an otherwise basic outfit and has all the nooks and crannies you need for mom life!

This sweatshirt refashion is pretty quick and I love the result – a dropped sleeve tunic with extra long sleeves and ruffles that look like bells! I started with a size 3X mens sweatshirt (and a second one for extra fabric!). You can find them at the thrift store or a cheap rack at Walmart. Pair it with maternity leggings and you’ll be set and cozy for all 9 months!

It’s just right to hug your belly and also perfect for loose postpartum wear during the new baby stage.

Let’s get sewing!

Materials//

-2 Oversized Sweatshirts

-Coordinating thread

–bell ruffle pattern

Instructions//

First up, cut off those sleeves! Follow the armhole seams and just cut the whole sleeve off. Do the same with the waistband.

Try on your sweatshirt and pinch under the arm where you want the sleeve to stop. Trying it on will insure that your sleeve isn’t too tight when eyeballing it. Stick a pin where you want to sew and take off the sweatshirt. Cut from the armhole down the side seam, taking in just a few inches under the arm and an inch or two on the sides. Taper to the bottom of the sweatshirt. You want to keep some fullness to allow belly space, but also contour it so you don’t look like you’re wearing oversized clothing.

Use the second sweatshirt’s sleeve to cut out the bell ruffle. Use the top of the sleeve crease as your fold.

Use the other sleeve for a second ruffle. Sew the raw edges together using a baste stitch, 1/2″ from the raw edges. Repeat 1/4″ from raw edges so you have two lines of basting stitches.

Open up the sweatshirt over the shoulder seam and flatter out on a table. Pull the baste stitches on the ruffle until they match up with the shoulder edge. Pin the ruffle to the shoulder on the right side with raw edges together. Baste to keep in place.

Turn what you have of the sleeve inside out. Trim from 1/2″ above the cuff up to the top of the sleeve. You want the top edge of the sleeve to match up with the shoulder edge since they are going together!

Sandwich the top of the sleeve over the ruffle and sew it on. The right side will be DOWN.

To finish the top, we just need to sew the side seams and then attach the waistband.

Lay the sweatshirt wrong sides out and match up the side seams. Sew from hem to cuff. Turn right side out.

Trim cuff so it isn’t as wide and sew the short edges together. Wrap waistband around the bottom hem with raw edges matching. Sew and press.

Done!

Great Gift Ideas: Foodie Mom Friends

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It can be hard to make new mom friends, and often we’ve found that it is easier to bond over something you both like…and who doesn’t like food? We rounded up some great gift ideas for your foodie loving mama friends – and also asked our baby planners where some great places to meet new mom friends are – plus their picks for gifts for foodie moms!

What does a foodie mama need, and where can you find foodie mama friends?

Being a new mom can be super lonely; spending all day with a newborn gets long, real quick – so, we always tell our new moms to get the diaper bag ready and head out into the world. If you’re a foodie fan, there are lots of places to go meet other new moms. We asked our Baby Planners where foodie moms can find new friends, and also what their one must have item for foodie mamas is:

Gugu Guru’s Founder, Monica: When I ask seasoned mamas, especially those who work outside of the home, to share their tips for a work/life balance – “food prep” seems to always come up. In my house, we cannot live without our VeeTee rice. VeeTee tastes like delicious, gourmet rice but it’s ready in just 2 minutes in your microwave. And even though it has no artificial flavors or preservatives, it lasts a whole year in your pantry so you can always have it on-hand.

Jessica Zablan of The Birth and Baby Company: Our must have foodie item is a good Mason Jar. They can be used for food storage, you can drink from them, and it’s easy to take them with you. Join your local Co-Op to meet other parents that love food. Most Co-Ops support local farmers and small businesses.

Kimmie Johnson, Maternity Consultant, Co-Founder at Your Milk Shoppe, Chicago, IL: Every Foodie mama needs a go-to blog for inspo and recipes. Mine are, Skinny Taste, Iowa Girl Eats, and Frugal Foodie Mama. [The Gugu Guru team also loves our friend Ali over at Inspiralized!]

Amber Michels, Maternity Consultant, Founder at Your Milk Shoppe, Greenville, SC: My one must-have would be easy go-to recipes to have on hand for those days that seem to run on forever and also any kind of wine and/or meal delivery service! Just because us moms don’t have time to cook and drink all things amazing doesn’t mean we can’t pay for a service to bring the yummy goodness to our homes. Not to mention, the whole household is extra happy and fed! I suggest juice shops to meet other foodie moms. As far as juice shops, I love Southern Pressed Juicery. There is nothing like their energy bowl, The Green Monstah. Every one of us moms would kill for something that tastes good, is healthy and gives us a boost of energy!

Some of our favorite Foodie Finds:

Junkless Bars: As a new mom, you’ll find that you always need to bring a snack for yourself in the diaper bag. Sometimes you get stuck under a sleeping baby, or strolling a baby to sleep…for a long time, and you get hungry! We’re huge fans of Junkless Bars for many reasons – they come in four delicious flavors, cinnamon roll, strawberry, peanut butter chocolate chip, and chocolate-chip. Why are they called Junkless? Each granola bar is made with just eight or fewer basic, real ingredients – ingredients that are pronounceable and commonly found in most kitchen pantries; plus they are non-GMO. These are also a great snack for toddlers!

Partake Cookies: If you’re breastfeeding, you’re going to probably need to pack some snacks for yourself because you’ll be hungry throughout the day. However, some moms need to steer clear of dairy or gluten when it comes to breastfeeding, which is why we’re loving Partake Cookies. These delicious (totally addictive!) cookies are certified Gluten Free, certified Vegan, OU Kosher, and Non GMO Project Verified! Furthermore, they are also free of the Top 8 Allergens: no peanuts, no tree nuts, no egg, no soy, no milk, no wheat, no fish, no shellfish, no corn, no sesame, no sulfites. If you’re heading to meet a new mom for the first time and unsure if she, or her little one, is allergic, Partake is a great snack choice to bring along; safe for all – and really yummy.

BizyBelle Snack Bags: Need something to pack all of those snacks in and throw in the diaper bag? We’re fans of reusable snack bags, especially the adorable designs from BizyBelle (ahem, these make really cute little gifts for mom friends!). These handy bags are cotton with a velcro closure and easily washable (phew!).

Dert Bags: It seems as though farmer’s market shopping is a very popular past-time for mom friends, so make sure you’re prepared with Dert Bags. Why are we obsessed with Dert? These eco-friendly bags are sturdy and easy to clean…and fold up into adorable little animals! Stuff the bag back into the holder and it forms an animal shape – super easy to throw into your stroller or diaper bag.

Little Teether: Foodie fun can be had with babies too, especially when it comes to cute teething items. Little Teether is your one-stop-shop for teething toys and necklaces. Check out how adorable those donut teething rings are! They are 100% silicone and BPA free; feel free to freeze them, too. They’re easily washable and lightweight for little hands.

Party at Your Door: It may be a Monday afternoon, but you and your mom friends should celebrate being awesome with Party at Your Door. This adorable shop creates everything you’d need to throw a fun bash, including custom confetti – how cool is that!

Little Spoon: Little Spoon’s motto is, “it’s fresh, baby,” and they mean it – Little Spoon creates baby food which is not only super fresh and shipped to your door, but chock full of healthy ingredients and enticing flavors. With their signature baby spoons built into their packaging, their BabyBlends take your little one through the process of trying new foods, with flavors such as Beet Tahini Chickpea Apple Brown Rice Cardamom, Blueberry Chickpea Spinach Pear Rosemary, and Quinoa Raspberry Pear Coconut Milk Vanilla Date Wheat Germ Oil. Let’s be honest, you and your mama friends will most likely dig in before baby gets a chance, but as long as you share, we’re okay with it!

Little Nugget Co.: We’ve written about why we’re fans of Little Nugget before, and when it comes to food time for baby, you want to make sure the Little Nugget app is downloaded on your phone. Little Nugget uses artwork overlays to perfectly mark your baby’s exciting milestones and sweet moments! Select from beautiful fonts to add your little one’s name, measurements and memories you never want to forget. Easily edit your baby photo with a selection of over 15 beautiful photo filters. And, when you’re done, have the photos sent to your for the baby book or share with family and friends.

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Cover image via Extra On Top

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