christine and ili take on the world

diy tutorial roundup: burp cloths

burp cloths are definitely on my diy list for #4. 

top row: cloth diaper makeover (not a tutorial but great inspiration), terry burp cloths

bottom row: super duper easy burp cloths, contoured burp cloths

bought this week (and last week): mod cloth leggings magnesium stretch oil

these past two weeks were all about me. for all my trash talking about maternity clothes, i have to admit that old navy maternity leggings complete me.

top row: mod cloth north end dress in ristorante, old navy maternity leggings

bottom row: now calcium magnesium supplement (refill for leg cramps), earth mama angel baby natural stretch oil (itchy belly!)

looking for more information on magnesium and pregnancy leg cramps? click here or here the research isn't consistent but it's been working for me. i'm also researching magnesium and after birth pain.

did you miss mod cloth's 70% off cabin fever sale? make sure to follow me on twitter where i like to gush about the sales i find.

diy tutorial roundup: owl upcycled vintage chenille knit scalloped baby blankets

blogcation (blog-ca-tion) : an extended period of recreation, esp. one spent away from blogging.

who has 2 thumbs and has been offline for the past two weeks?? this girl and im pretty confident #4 is insisting on a homemade blanket.

top row: swaddling blanket, upcycled sweater baby blanket, wavy cashmere knit blanket (this is a pattern, not a tutorial but i'm definitely planning on making it and had to share.)

bottom row: heirloom cut chenille baby blanket (chevron version), knit baby blanket, scalloped edge baby blanket

diy tutorial roundup: balloon photo boat cloud mobiles

something tells me that baby #4 really wants a handmade mobile. 

top row: hot air balloon mobile, photo globe mobile

bottom row: paper mache boat, cloud mobile

pregnancy: valentine's day maternity lingerie

being sexy and pregnant on valentine's day seems easy when hotmilk apparently has pregnancy hotness down to a science and what is this...do i spy a sale??!

top row: ruffle my feathers camisole (on sale!), ruffle my feathers bikini (on sale!)

bottom row: slip into seduction nightie (on sale!) , harmony in chaos nightie

 

bought this week (in my dreams): gittabags eli monster orbit mamaroo

still window shopping this week. lets take a look at what i shopped for in my dreams (and added to my baby registry).

top row: gittabags diaper bag, the eli monster newborn fitted

bottom row: orbit baby g2 stroller, mamaroo

did you miss the fab.com 60% off gittabags sale? make sure to follow me on twitter where i like to gush about the sales i find.

diy tutorial roundup: maternity frock skirt dress top

top row: maternity or not frock, reversible paper bag maternity skirt

bottom row: big buttons dress, wrap around maternity top

spotlight: Mary Apple, founder of Pretty Pushers

the spotlight features parent entrepreneurs who have found their niche in the world of baby or mama gear. today let's chat with Mary Apple, founder of Pretty Pushers delivery gowns and meet the mom behind the successful brand.

Mary Apple was born on Maryland's Eastern Shore, but relocated permanently to New York City after attending Pratt Institute's undergraduate fine art program at the age of 17. She also briefly attended the Fashion Institute of Technology for textiles and weaving before starting her first entrepreneurial venture in Fashion...a custom swimwear company under the name Barely Mary. The Barely Mary label was worn by celebrities such as Dita Von Teese, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson, and appeared in publications such as Vibe, Maxim, and Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition. Her current work with Pretty Pushers reflects her shift into wife and mother of two. Pretty Pushers gown design was created in 2006 while Mary was expecting her daughter. By the time she had her son in 2010, Mary was able to wear all of the Pretty Pushers gowns throughout her delivery and the days after. Mary focuses on fashion forward offerings that function, while staying true to her pursuit of creating quality products within American mills and manufacturing houses.

 

about Pretty Pushers: Pretty Pushers is a delivery and postpartum fashion company providing women with alternatives to hospital gowns and traditional nursing wear. Rather than being at the mercy of a public unisex hospital gown, a growing number of women are turning to their own choices in labor ward fashion. Pretty Pushers has created fashionable and functional products specific to delivery day. the disposable labor gowns are one-size-fits-most, composed of 100% cotton stretch jersey with a slip-on halter neck and diagonal cut garment with openings in the right places to allow for fetal monitors, IV and epidural access. the combination of comfort and style make it easy for us to hold onto our confidence, femininity, and personal comfort during our child's birth. Pretty Pushers gowns are made with no trim, unfinished edges, and as few seams as possible to aid in the disposability factor. However, the high-quality cotton knit can still withstand moderate machine washing and these gowns have been re-worn by many happy customers.

 

i'm a huge fan of the thought of arriving at the labor ward prepared with my own cute hospital gown. i am just girly enough that my appearance greatly influences my mindset, and lord help me, my mindset can be a deal breaker in the labor room. i'm hoping Pretty Pushers will be my secret weapon while i'm giving birth to baby #4 and at such a reasonable cost, i've already added the super cute original solid  delivery gown to my baby registry. back to Mary, i asked Mary to be the first to answer the same 6 questions i'll ask all featured parent spotlighted guests and i think she broke the questions in pretty well.

 

THE SAME SIX QUESTIONS:

1. What is the most played song on your iTunes?
Mary: iTunes is brand new to us...I am literally in the middle of burning our 400+ cds onto it...and we have just gotten our first ipod with a SMALL speaker!  Is that neolithic?! Although I'm not sure of the favorite tune, right now I am playing Lennon's 'Mother'...the live version...
2. What is your current TV guilty pleasure?
Mary: TV...guilty pleasure...anything cooking-related!  Nigella Lawson was always my favorite, but when I can't find her, I am happy to watch Paula, Ina, or Giatta.
3. Timberlake or Beiber?
Mary:Being that Justin Timberlake is closer to my decade in age, I will have to choose him!
4. You're trapped in an elevator, what 3 things do you wish you had with you?
Mary:There was recently a horrible story of a woman who died in an elevator here in midtown Manhattan...she was a young ad executive whos promising career and life was ended prematurely...so I take this question seriously. If I were actually trapped, I'd be thinking "#$@% I wish I'd remembered my rope, wire clippers, and wrench today".
5. What is the weirdest thing i'd find currently in your pocket or purse?
Mary: My youngest child is only 22 months of age...so you may even find a freshly soiled diaper...
6. You discover a planet, what do you name it?
Mary:New planet?! Well if that means that I've discovered the next neighboring solar system, then it had damn well be named Mary Apple.

for more information about Pretty Pushers click here. To purchase click here.