Yoga Pants – 2nd Trimester Savior!!

Victoria Secret Yoga Pants - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Around your third to forth month your jeans might start getting just a little bit too tight. Your in that awkward stage where your normal every day clothes are uncomfortable to squeeze into but your too small for maternity jeans. Well Yoga pants might just be your answer!

Yoga pants has became a trend setter for a lot of women, especially pregnant. These are complete stretch pants so you don’t have to worry about sucking in your stomach just to button your pants. There are actually different styles of yoga pants such as capri cut, fold overs and long wear. They are usually available in different colors as well to match whatever shirt or shoes you chose to wear with. This has become one of my favorite pieces of clothing in my second trimester because of the comfort and I don’t look too dressed down still.

I recommend looking at Victoria Secret because their selection is so wide in colors, fits and styles. They go for anywhere around $19-$49. This might save your second trimester wardrobe!!

Juicy Couture – latest trend for baby and mom

The contemporary clothing line Juicy Couture has became very popular with their velour tracksuits. The high end sweat apparel has become a fashion trend within the last couple years. Juicy Couture has come out with a baby clothing line where you can find similar styles as well. Check out the Sweet Pea Juicy Couture sweat suit for baby that is available in sizes 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months. The Sweet Pea collection is very popular because there is the same style sweat suit for women as well. These are perfect for your every day walking attire or just to run your errands with your little one. Juicy Couture is very popular for their designs and slogans on their tracksuits. Below is a picture of the baby Juicy Couture Sweet Pea Tracksuit. These are both available at Juicy Couture.

Metallic Ballet Shoes

It’s time to put away those three inch heels and give your self a break! Flat shoes are not only a huge shoe trend right now but also very comfortable through out your nine months. You can dress them up with your summer maternity dresses or dress them down with a pair of jeans. Either way, you are comfortable. Here are a few must have ballet style slippers that chic with styles for every budget.

Delman Metallic Ballerina Fkat

This flat heel shoe comes in gold or silver metallic. This is made with an elastic back for comfort (just incase your feet end up growing or swelling during your pregnancy)

Price: $195 – Available at Neiman Marcus

Delman Metallic Ballerina Flat - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Or get the look for less at Nordstroms with the Ruby & Bloom Grace Ballerina Flat for $69.95

Ruby & Bloom - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Tory Burch Dulcie Flat

This cushioned flat is made out of metallic leather with stone embellishments to give it a little more character. Perfect with a pair of black slacks or a little black dress.

Price: $325 – Available at Tory Burch

Tory Burch Dulcie Flat - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Jessica Simpson “Leve” Flat

This square toed flat is perfect for jeans and a baby doll top.

Price: $59 – Available at Macy’s

Jessica Simpson "Leve" Flat - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Burberry “Armor Plate” Buckle Flat

Price: $395 – Available at Nordstroms

Burberry Armor Plate Flat - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Designer Diaper Bags

If you are looking to splurge on an accessory for you and your baby, you must have a designer diaper bag. Here are some of the most chic bags for baby and you.

Juicy Couture

Velour Baby Tote

Colors Available: Pink, Brown and Black

Price $295.00

Juicy Couture Velour Baby Tote - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Reese Li ‘Lexington Diaper Bag

Colors Available: Black Genie

Price: $150

Burberry

Exploded Check Diaper Tote with black patent leather trim

Colors Available: Nova Beige

Price: $545

Burberry Exploded Check Diaper Tote - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Love Burberry but $545 is too much?

Check out their Burberry Diaper Bag in Cotton

Colors Available: Multi Colors

Price: $295

Burberry Daiper Bag - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Gucci Messenger Diaper Bag

Colors Available: Beige/Ebony, Black

Price: $845

Gucci Messenger Diaper Bag - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Gucci Messenger Diaper Bag in Leather

Colors Available: Pink, Blue

Price: $995

Gucci Messenger Diaper Bag in Leather - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Nest Whipstitch Leather Diaper Bag

Colors Available: Platinum

Price: $324

Nest Whipstitch Leather Diaper Bag - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Mia Bossi Diaper Bag

Colors Available: Tangerine

Price: $400

Mia Bossi Diaper Bag - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Bumble Bags – Jessica Messenger Bag

Colors Available: Emerald Palace, Midnight Garden, Blue Latte, Buttercup Bliss, Lemon Lime Dot, Pink Paisley

Price: $128

Bumble Bags - Jessica Messenger Bag in Buttercup Bliss - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Belly Bands

Remember those favorite jeans you have been waiting to fit back into? Yes the Rock and Republic’s that are somewhere in the bottom of your drawers with all your other pre-pregnancy clothes. A little thing called “waistband expanders” is a maternity must have accessory that you can actually wear with your old favorite jeans even if you are 7 months along.  This is a stretchy material that goes along the waist of your jeans, usually like a belt, to expand the waist size of your jeans to fit how ever much you have grown. Most brands will offer different colors and styles to go with what ever top you are wearing too. Some will have an extra piece of material that you actually put in between your zippers to hide the space it is expanding. A few different brands to look into is Ingrid and Isabel and Baby Be Mine.

Bella Band by Ingrid and Isabel - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Isabella Oliver – Duo Collection

For a lot of women, finding clothes to fit your new body that actually makes you feel good is hard to find. You want to look just as trendy, stylish and confident as you did when you were 6 sizes smaller. Isabella Oliver might have just saved the day! They are a designer clothing line for chic women and now are very well known for their maternity wear. You don’t want to spend hundreds on one outfit you are probably going to grow out of in the next month or two. Isabella Oliver has came out with a Duo Collection that is highly fashionable but also REVERSIBLE! When you really like a certain tank top or dress that just fits you really good, usually you would want to buy it in more than one color. With the Duo Collection, you have two different selections for colors. You will not only save twice the amount of money but you will still be wearing designer clothing that shows your off your baby bump too! The Isabella Oliver Duo Collection can start anywhere from $130-$225. My favorite piece of clothing is the Duo Swing Dress that comes in a light pink on one side and dark pink on another. I think this would be perfect for the baby shower!

Isabella Oliver Maternity Duo Collection Swing Dress - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Isabella Oliver Maternity Duo Collection Swing Dress - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Food Groups and Servings

Food Group: Whole grains and Bread

Recommended Servings per day: 6-11

What is one serving?: 1 slice of bread or 1 cup of dry cereal

Whole grains and Bread - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Food Group: Vegetables

Recommended Servings per day: 3-5

What is one serving?: 1 cup of vegetables (raw or cooked)

Vegetables - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Food Group: Fruits

Recommended Servings per day: 2-4

What is one serving?: 1 orange, 1 banana, 1 cup of 100% Juice (just watch out for sugars)

Fruits - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Food Group: Milk and Dairy

Recommended Servings per day: 4-6

What is one serving?: 1 cup of milk

Milk and Dairy - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Food Group: Protein

Recommended Servings per day: 3-4

What is one serving?: 1 ounce of meat

Protein - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Food Group: Fats and Sweets

Recommended Servings per day: Eat sparingly. These contain very high in sugar and also high calorie intake.

Water is also very important in a pregnant woman’s diet. Try and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day!

Avoid Accutane during Pregnancy!!!!

The most popular treatment for severe acne is known as Accutane. It is a medication that is taken orally to improve blemishes and major break outs. Most dermatologists will make you take a pregnancy test even before prescribing you this medication because of the high risks for birth defects. The scariest part of it all is the most birth defects are caused in the early weeks of pregnancy when most women haven’t even missed their period, let alone know that they are pregnant. Just a small dosage as short as a couple days taken it highly increase your risks of birth defects while pregnant. There is a new program called “IPLEDGE”, this is basically a contract saying you will not get pregnant while you are on this medication which helps their liability because the risks are so severe. The doctors will make you agree to take two different forms of birth control, which is usually the pill or ring, and condoms. Okay, so you have been taking Accutane and just found out your pregnant? Contact your doctor as soon as possible so they can further assist you with going over the risks and take further tests to be clear from those risks. Bottem line – AVOID ACCUTANE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR PLAN ON BEING PREGNANT IN THE NEAR FUTURE!

Avoid Accutane during Pregnancy - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

Clarisonic – Skin Care System

I never had much skin problems, everything was pretty manageable that was until I became pregnant. In my first trimester of pregnancy my face broke out completely. Not to mention, I was also getting married within the same month! Both of my cheeks not only broke out but it was also very red. Being pregnant, you are really limited on what types of skin care you use and how to cure acne. I first bought a whole new Clinique set (which was approved by my doctor first), it didn’t hurt my face any but it definitely didn’t have the effect I needed to feel confident again. My girlfriend, who was pregnant as well, is a skin specialist. She told me her girlfriend bought her a tool called “Clarisonic” that just rejuvenated her face. She described it as a big tooth brush made for your face (it is made by the same company as Sonicare, and if you use Sonicare for your toothbrush you know that they make awesome products). Clarisonic is a little spendy, it usually retails for about $195. At first there was no way I was going to spend that much money on a “skin toothbrush”. I gave it a week or two and came to realize how unpretty I felt with my situation and I was willing to go the drastic measure on spending that $195. I went to Sephora, purchased it, went home and charged it that night. The next morning I used it for the first time and my face felt SO SOFT! I was impressed but of course didn’t see any miracles after my first wash. I constantly used it twice a day for about a week and noticed I didn’t have one single new break out since I started using it. Then a few days after that, my spots actually started clearing up. I have been using it for about two months now and proud to say I have no more breakouts, all that’s left is my scarring (I picked…oops!).

Even if you don’t have blemish problems I would recommend giving it a try, they have a 30 day trial I believe, so if you end up not liking it you can always send it back. Lately I have been going for facial treatments at a few different spas to help my scarring, and every single one uses Clarisonic during their professional facial. The only thing I would avoid is using the cleansers that come with it. I have never tried it but I have heard the cleansers are not as helpful.

Clarisonic Skin Care System

• 6 times more makeup removal
• Leaves skin feeling and looking younger and smoother
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle enough for twice daily use
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Clarisonic Skin Care System - Stilettos2Strollers.Com

The best maternity pillow- Boppy- “Total Body Pillow”

A lot of pregnant women, especially in their third trimester have a really hard getting comfortable when they are trying to sleep. Some people tend to think they have lack of sleep because how anxious they are waiting for baby to come, or some because their over stretched stomach can’t seem to find a place to fit on a flat bed. With this pregnancy pillow it is made for full support for you and your baby. No more moving around, rolling side to side, waking up your husband in the middle of the night. This pillow is designed for two different things. To go to sleep, resting your head and in between your legs. OR propped up or reclined for reading and relaxing. Every woman I have talked to, who either was pregnant or is currently pregnant states that the pillow was their best investment through out their whole pregnancy. A co-worker of mine referred it to me. Her daughter bought it over a year and a half ago for her second pregnancy and she still sleeps with it every night. The best place to buy this at is Costco.

Boppy Total Comfort Bundle - Stilletos2Strollers.com