Keeping Fit and Feeling Fab During Pregnancy

Hi I’m Amy from Absolute Amy.  I’m a wife and mum to a gorgeous 2 year old daughter with another baby on the way, living in sunny Perth, Western Australia.  I love coffee and cupcakes and I adore fashion and style.  I’m also passionate about health and well-being and today I’m talking about how to stay fit and feel fabulous during your pregnancy.  If you do have a baby on the way – congratulations! This is one of the most wonderful and beautiful times of your life and I hope this post helps you on your pregnancy journey.

 

 With my daughter Ava – 16 weeks pregnant

 17 weeks pregnant

 

 21 weeks pregnant with my daughter Ava

A health professional once told me that in an ideal world, you should be at your fittest when you fall pregnant as you are about to complete a baby growing marathon and after having my first child two years ago, I couldn’t agree more.

I’m not suggesting that in preparation to have a baby you should be spending hours in the gym or running 5 miles each day, but it is a good idea to be paying attention to your health and well-being in whatever form of exercise suits your lifestyle best – walking, yoga, Zumba, the gym, Pilates – some form of exercise is better than nothing!

For me, I’ve never been a massive fan of exercise, but in the middle of last year I discovered my kind of exercise – clinical Pilates. If you don’t know much about Pilates, it’s a controlled and precise form of exercise which involves a wide range of exercises and stretches, focusing on toning and sculpting your body while strengthening your core. It’s perfect for anyone who has an injury as clinical Pilates classes are run by an Exercise Physiologist who can ensure movements are being done correctly.

 Squats on the TRX at Pilates

 On the reformer at Pilates

 

 17 weeks pregnant on the trapeze at Pilates

I also enjoy walking and getting fresh air.  We live close to some local stores, and if I need to run errands I’ll put my daughter in the pram and we’ll go for a walk together.  This way we both get out of the house, get some fresh air and I get some gentle exercise. It’s only takes me about 30 minutes, and it’ a fantastic way to stay fit while getting a few jobs done.

It’s also really important to eat eat fresh and healthy food while you’re pregnant, after all – you’re nourishing a tiny person growing inside you and giving them the very best possible start in life!  Like many pregnant women, my appetite has increased dramatically during my pregnancy, and my cravings are for sweet, sugary things like cakes and cookies.  I try to limit this as much as possible by doing the following;

• If you don’t have it in the house, you can’t eat it! I intentionally don’t buy cookies and cakes because if they’re in the house, there’s a good chance I’ll eat them.  So leave them out of your shopping cart and fill it with fresh fruit, veggies, cereals, lean meats and low fat yogurt instead.

• Fill up a fruit bowl at the beginning of each week and have it on your kitchen counter or on your work desk.  You’re more likely to snack on food if you can see it, so put any naughty food out of sight and reach for a piece of fruit instead.  Apples, pears, bananas and berries are the best fruit to eat as they are high in vitamins and fiber and not too high in sugar

• Don’t skip breakfast! A lot of people make the mistake of not eating breakfast and as a result become so hungry by mid morning that they reach for the first thing they can get, which is often high in sugar.  Instead, opt for a low GI breakfast of porridge topped with blueberries or eggs on toast.

• Don’t drink your calories! Cut out all sugary drinks and drink water or green tea instead. If you prefer flavored water, fill up a jug with water and add orange or lemon slices, or even some cucumber and mint.  If you like fizzy drinks, stock your fridge with sparkling water, it’s so refreshing and it’s good for you!

• Carry snacks with you at all times. I get really hungry very quickly, so it’s best for me if I always have some snacks on hand. Bananas are a great option as they already have their very own packaging and I also carry muesli bars which are low in sugar, crackers and little packets of almonds with me.

• Everything in moderation – including moderation! If you enjoy chocolate or cookies or ice cream, then allow yourself one small slice or a few squares or a small bowl each evening.  This way you have a special treat to look forward to every day and don’t feel like you’re missing out, but you avoid overindulging.

I recently had a healthy eating series on my blog Absolute Amy, you can take a look at healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas, just click on the links.

And finally, it’s so important to have time for YOU when you’re pregnant.  This can be tricky if you already have other children, but it’s really important for your mental health to have some time out.  Whether that’s going for a quick 10 minute walk around the block to breathe and think, running a big bubble bath (but only with warm water – a hot bath isn’t advisable for pregnant woman) or catching up with friends for coffee or dinner, make sure you take time out for you.

Good luck on your pregnancy journey lovely ladies.  Relax and enjoy this truly incredible time in your life.

 

Amy xxxx

 

You can follow Amy’s pregnancy journey on her blog Absolute Amy, say hi to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

** DON’T FORGET to enter our Isabella Oliver Giveaway for a chance to win one of their most popular items, the Ruched Maternity T-shirt Dress!

5 Ways to Style Your Favorite Summer Maternity Dress

I am so excited to be collaborating with the gorgeous blogger, Shannon Bird of Bird A La Mode, to show off 5 Different ways to dress up your bump! Mother of one (with another on the way),  Shannon always looks so put together and has a great eye for fashion. Did I mention that she is a former Utah Jazz NBA cheerleader? Talk about super woman!! Here are her 5 tips on how to style your favorite summer maternity dress. 

Dress: Felicity & Cocoa (similar here + here ), Shoes: Classiques Entier,(similar here) Necklace: Tiffany’s , Lips: YSL,

Top: JCrew Factory

Crop top, similar here

Cream Cardigan, similar here

Peach Blazer, similar Here

 Denim Jacket: on sale!!

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Post Pregnancy Fitness Journey & Wellness Tips

My Pregnancy

During the long and lovely 9 months of pregnancy I somehow managed to gain almost 70 pounds!!!  I’m only 5”1 so for someone my size, that is A LOT! In addition to almost being 2 weeks over due, I found out I had Pre-eclampsia right after delivery.  That did not help with the weight because you gain water weight like a whale!!! I was forced to have an emergency c-section which also puts a damper on quick weight loss after baby.

I was always a petite girl and so naturally EVERYONE and their mom told me the lies of advice that I wish I had never heard, “you will be back to your skinny self in no time… you will be one of those girls who can wear her skinny jeans home from the hospital… I bet you won’t gain any baby weight at all!”  Never say that to anyone!  I had it in my mind that I would have no problem shedding the weight.  Towards the end of my pregnancy I was starting to worry about how much weight I was putting on.  The doctors said it was normal, but I could not for the life of me stay full! (I swear that my baby was going to be a sumo wrestler or 20lbs, although he was over 9 pounds!!!) If I could go back I would definitely start an exercise routine from the beginning and be more aware of the food I was putting in my body. I have learned a lot more now about what foods are healthy AND keep you full.

Now to the diet….

I knew how to eat healthy, but I wanted something extreme to kick start my body.  After a few weeks of not losing much and getting discouraged, I went and stayed with my sister-in-law while our husbands were away for work.  She knows a lot about health and has done many juice fasts and raw eating.  We cut out sugar, dairy, and gluten for 5 weeks.  I’m not going to lie, it was hard for the first few days to be off sugar.  I didn’t realize how much of it I ate until I couldn’t! Every morning we would start with a green drink.  (A blended drink with fruit and spinach, my baby loves them too!) There are lots of recipes you can try, but we would just throw together whatever fruit we had.  If you are scared of spinach, just start with a few pieces and add more each drink!   We ate a lot of drive thru salads, bananas with peanut butter, and scrambled egg mixtures.  I ended up losing about 15 pounds in those 5 weeks!  During that time I felt so good!  My body felt very clean and like it was running at my best! There are so many people eating healthy right now that it is easy to get recipes and ideas from other people, you just have to look!

I definitely lost the most weight between 5-7 months post baby.  I think a lot of it had to do with being more active and nursing!  My 22 pound baby was eating and eating, which helped me burn more calories.  I committed to go on more walks outside or even around malls or grocery stores.  I wanted to be moving more than sitting!  It hasn’t been the easiest to stick to that strict diet.  On most days I still try to cut out sugar and gluten, and fill my meals with lean meats and vegetables.  If I do eat bad, I try to just stay positive and do my very best.  Nobody is perfect!  You have to find what works for you and what makes YOU feel good. After the weight slowed down I started going to the gym to lose those last 10 pounds!  My favorite for cardio is the stair stepper or the bike.  If I had my choice, I would attend a Yoga class every day.  It definitely makes me feel so relaxed and ready to take on a new day! Bottom line… GET MOVING!

My favorite healthy snacks

• Carrots with individual packs of hummus (from Costco)
• Greek yogurt with healthy granola
• Apples with organic peanut butter or cheese stick
• Avacado with ANYTHING
• Trail mix, and throw out the M&M’s if you are brave J

My favorite things to make a healthy meal

• Quinoa (there are so many good recipes, I add it to all my salads too)
• Pesto tilapia
• Plain oatmeal with cinnamon, vanilla, and fresh peaches- or any fruit
• Asparagus baked in the oven with olive oil (soooo good)
• Fruit salad and chicken (any fruit and veggies you have, mix chicken in some plain greek yogurt, salt –pepper, then lettuce and yum!)

As far as weight goes… it took me about 7-8 months to get back to my pre-baby weight and lose almost 60 pounds.  My body is still not where I want it to be, I’m quite sure it never will be.  I just keep reminding myself that I had a baby, a giant one at that.   It is definitely embarrassing to post pictures of my lovely baby body for lots of people to see, but I hope that it can give at least one person motivation!

In today’s world it is very hard for women to have any self esteem.  There is such a large shoe to fill for moms to be so skinny and perfect after a baby.  I got very discouraged and self conscience for a long time, thinking that I would just be a chubby mom forever.  I wish that I had someone’s story to read and tell me that it is normal to look the way I did, and that not everyone has such an easy time losing the weight.  I know that some people take even longer than me to lose it! Don’t ever quit trying!!! If you eat a donut and feel like giving up, just eat it with a smile and start fresh in the morning. Babies are a blessing and our bodies go through so many miracles and changes to make them!  It’s a reminder to me each day that my body made a human being.

My wish is that if you are reading this, love your babies and your body!  You are wonder woman and can do anything you set your mind to!

– XOXO Megan Crane

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Motherhood by Sharstin Miller

My Thoughts on Mommyhood ….

Becoming a mom is like no other. Even when I was young I was excited to be a mom someday, and would talk about favorite baby names and how fun it would be to have a baby.  When I did become a mom for the first time, it changed me forever.  Of course it is a huge adjustment in a life where you are just used to taking care of yourself–a little overwhelming–but the best thing in the world.  I never knew so much love as I feel for my littles. The love and bond that you have with this little human being that you carried for 9 months, and all ready feel like you know. My kiddos have made me a better person, more patient, more aware, and they teach me everyday.

What I love most on a day to day basis are those little moments–when they wake up with the crazy bed head  and want loves, when we are riding in the car and they are asking me a million questions about everything and anything, and when I get to have one on one time with them.  I love to watch the kiddos experience new things–the everyday happenings can be something so amazing and exciting to little kids–it makes you want to really stop and enjoy those small things in life that we rush through.

Is being a mom tough? ummm…yeah! hardest thing there is! Some days i don’t know how i will get through the day in one piece–but boy is it worth it! I am a huge believer that you need to have time for yourself and have those hobbies and passions outside of your roles at home–if I didn’t, I know I would be a crazy person.

I truly believe being a mom is the best job in the world–I feel so blessed that I have these babies in my life.

What are some things you’ve found helpful in helping your older children connect with your unborn child?

• What we have done is just try to involve them as much as possible. They always get to hear the names we are thinking of, and like to add their input. They love to help get things ready in the nursery, and come to the appointments and see the baby. They constantly ask when the baby is gong to be here and if he is sleeping in my belly or awake. With our littlest Nora who is 2, we just talk to her about the baby and how much fun it will be to have him in our family. 

What have you been craving during this pregnancy? 

• I love anything lemon all the time, but especially when i am pregnant! it is my favorite thing. I try to eat healthy–but on a friday night when i feel like a butterfinger ice cream shake, you better believe i am going to have one.

How do you stay so fit while pregnant? Did you lucked out with great genes? 😉

• I wish i had those amazing genes! and was one of those incredibly cute pregos! ha!  I am an avid runner and love to exercise, so i really try and keep that up as long as i possibly can while i am pregnant. As i get farther along, it gets a little tough to do everything i want to do, but i will just modify and not go as hard. I think the key is to listen to your body.

From past experience, how did you wean your children from breastfeeding?

• I was only able to breastfeed one of my babes– so I don’t know that i am to skilled in this area–but starting out, i tried to introduce the bottle early, just giving her one every few days or so. That way I felt like if I was out, or needed to gone for a while there wouldn’t be an issue of trying to have her take a bottle. I breast fed for 8 months, and since she was all ready used to getting a bottle every now and then the transition was really easy.

 Diaper Bag Essentials

• Timi and Leslie convertible diaper bag. I love that it just looks like a purse instead of a huge diaper bag.

• Stretch island fruit leather–for me and the kiddos. A delish lil snack–and little teething babies love them too.

• I always like to have an extra swaddling blanket-Marquisette swaddler in grey is a perfect lightweight one for the summer and i also love this little striped number {here}

• i always have a few of the board books- a favorite is the very hungry caterpillar The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

• Lipstick – A favorite cheap go-to is Maybelline Coral Crush – It’s just a subtle coral and just adds that bit of color you want  on a day to day without being too bold. It is a lot like MAC Impassioned but only $5 at the drugstore.

• Always carry an extra onesie for those blowout moments – that happen more than we like to admit.

• Diapers and wipes, of course! We go for the Kirkland brand – Why? Because getting in bulk at Costco is always a bonus.

• I always carry an extra pair on sunnies in my diaper bag – usually just a cheap pair from Forever21.

• Hand sanitizer is a must-have! I like the Bath & Body Works.

 

Find this gorgeous mama and talented photographer at Me & Mine

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Motherhood by Robin Harward

Thoughts on Motherhood …

• Becoming a mother was the most exquisite and natural transition I have ever made. It is my most favorite thing in the whole world. I had expected my new life to be so foreign and strange but instead it is wonderful and exactly as it should be.  Everything felt familiar and I felt as if I’d known this little person my whole life and I knew exactly what to do to take care of him. He had just joined our family and yet I felt I knew the contents of his soul. I couldn’t get over the fact that I had this perfect little human that was half of myself and half of my sweet husband and he was all ours. It hasn’t even been a year since Henry joined our family, and I can’t seem to recall what a day in my life was like before that glorious day of his arrival and I don’t want to. Our lives were forever changed and forever made so much better. As I have been blessed to watch him grow over the last 11 months, my patience and sanity have been tried as every sleep-deprived new mother knows. It’s been a sacrifice so exhausting and exhilarating. It may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done however I am happier than I’ve ever been and even more than I thought I ever could be. I can’t think of any other way I would choose to spend all my days, than with my sweet, little Henry man.

What has been the best breastfeeding advice you’ve received?

• Probably the best advice I’ve been given wasn’t necessarily delivered as advice but I took the most from it. My mom and I were on vacation in Las Vegas and we were sitting in a crowded restaurant. The baby was getting pretty fussy and so I asked my mom if we could leave so I could feed him. She gave me a look and told me that nobody was paying attention or even cared and that I should just do it at the table. The thought made me really uncomfortable even though I knew I could be really discreet with a loose fitting top and a nursing cover. She then told me that just outside of that restaurant were thousands of women exposing a lot more of their body’s than I would be and that I shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about feeding my child in a public place. It’s a natural, beautiful ability that we’ve been given as women, we shouldn’t let other people make us feel weird about it. From this experience, I have tried to always keep this in mind and just be concerned with what is best for my baby.

What helped you the most with dealing with discomforts and worries of pregnancy?

• My husband. He was so sweet to me and so mindful of my every need. I had a preterm labor scare at 33 weeks and he slept next to me in the hospital on what had to be the smallest, firmest and most uncomfortable couch in the world. He calmed my imagination when I would paint him horror story pictures of labor and was by my side at every birthing class. He gave me massages on the daily, followed me around so I didn’t have to struggle to bend over to pick things up or get out of chairs. He really was (and still is!) a dream.

 

What advice would you give to first time mothers that you wished you would’ve received?

• I would say that labor and delivery are not scary. I was so scared and lost a lot of sleep thinking about it and stressing over whether I was prepared enough. It is definitely difficult, especially if you decide to do it naturally like I did, but the moment the doctor hands you your baby for the first time, you forget all about it. It will be the most wonderful and beautiful moment of your life. I look back on that day, as difficult as it was, as the most perfect day of my life. I would go through the labor and delivery again and again, just to relive that breathtaking moment.

Contents of my messy diaper bag… 🙂

• I use the Marc Jacobs ‘Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby Diaper Bag. It’s awesome because it is so neutral, it doesn’t scream “DIAPER BAG!” I get a ridiculous amount of compliments on it and you can just wipe it to keep it looking nice.

• I have been using a hobo wallet for the past few years and it is fantastic. These little wallets can hold so much stuff. It has been so nice when I have to leave the baby, I can just pass over my whole diaper bag and take my wallet with me. It can hold a checkbook, lipstick, it has a space to connect my keys to it, it even comes with a little mirror! I am always good to go.

• YSL lipstick – I always keep a good red with me such as Rose Paris.

• Burts Bees Natural Hand Sanitizing Spray – for obvious reasons 🙂

• Baby Touch and Feel Book “Animals” 

• “WayMax Sunnies” from Cotton On – Seriously cute pair of sunglasses and I got em for $5!

• Peek! Little Peanut baby beanie from Nordstrom in brown, similar style here – I always have a beanie with me because of this crazy Utah weather

• “Thank You” card – I try to keep at least one with me at all times because I love giving cards and acknowledging sweet little everyday things people do for me. I usually just find any cute ones at Target but right now I’m really loving Rifle Paper Co.

• Freeze dried fruit for the baby. Henry really likes bananas and peaches. 🙂 You can buy these in bulk a lot of places, but I have been getting little packs at Target.

 A special thanks to my darling friend, Robinett for sharing with us her thoughts on motherhood and new mom advice!

And if you can’t get enough of baby Henry’s pictures here is our favorite one!  We dare you not to smile!! #GangnamStyle

What a little stud!

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Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

Oh how I’ve missed you my wonderful readers! 2012 was an amazing year for me and my family. I started blogging at the end of the summer and have learned so many things along the way. We blew past 100k views and met countless people along the way through guest-posts, emails, meetups and even randomly running into each other in person. I feel so lucky that so many of the people I met and worked with were willing to help, talk style and become good friends. I look forward to much much more of that during my first full year of blogging.

During my “Oh-my-goodness-I’m-sooooo-9-months-pregnant” break I enjoyed the beautiful blessing of the birth of my second daughter Camila (pictures coming soon!), spent wonderful time with much of our family, hosted every Holiday possible in our home and worked with outstanding people to plan for an amazing year for the blog. I hope you each enjoyed this wonderful time of year and are ready to make 2013 the best year yet!

To kick off the new year I want to share with you some of the exciting things that will be happening with the blog. Drumroll please …

First off, thank you so much for all the many notes and well wishes I received! As I read through them, many of you asked about the process of getting back in shape after having a baby. Spending 9 months (and more if you’re breastfeeding) with your body not entirely your own can be overwhelming. But it’s so important to take some time for yourself and get back into healthy shape. It’s good for your body, your energy level and your overall mood and well-being. I want to share my experience with you for all those who need an extra push to get out there and take care of yourself … because I haven’t been super consistent in the past, but am committed to keeping my booty in the gym this time! haha

I’ll also be spending some time talking about transitioning from maternity fashion as I slim down to my regular size. The world of fashion and beauty is a fast changing place so I’ll be here to share my thoughts, advice and style with you the whole way. Hope you like it!

Also, this year I will be lucky enough to have my best friend and sister Jessica’s help on the blog. She is my inspiration in so many ways and I can’t wait to work with her to share more style, beauty, and fitness tips and tricks with you.

I hope you’re looking forward to 2013 as much as I am. Let’s make this year the best year ever!

{Outfit details coming soon so stay tuned!}

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Guest Chic Bump: Shannon

http://stylewithshannon.com/

My name is Shannon and I’m 29 years old. I have two little boys ages 3 and 5. I’ve been married for almost 8 years to the most wonderful man ever! I was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to Utah about 10 years ago.

My roommate had a crush on his roommate. We went over to their apartment to chat and I met my hubby. Funny thing is we DID NOT liked each other at first. I thought he was full of himself and he thought I was a stuck up. A few months later we went on our first date. We dated for two years before we got married.

My life is so much more fulfilling with children. Everything I do has a purpose. It is also harder. Children humble you.

One of my favorite things about being a mom is living life through my kids’ eyes. I love new experiences and the holidays. Everything is so magical to them!

Always think about the big picture. For me, pregnancy was hard. I gained a lot of weight with my first. This made it hard with postpartum after I gave birth. When I had my second I watch my weight more and planed a triathlon three months after I had him. The exercise helped me a lot and I didn’t get postpartum the second time around.

A cotton dress with embellished sandals and a statement necklace.

It’s hard. I had a colicky baby that didn’t sleep through the night till he we over a year old. I felt like I wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be.

Snuggling!!! There is nothing better then holding your own baby! The fresh baby smell is also amazing!

Seeing other blogs and needing an outlet. I’ve always been involved with fashion but the blog was an outlet for me to do when I have young children. 

I think my style is classic with a L.A. edge.

Gwen Stefani! I love that her style is original. She is so amazing! 

My fake eyelashes and tinted moisturizer.

My J.crew black heals! They go with everything and they have some edge.

I love to shop at

 ASOS

Zara

J Crew

H&M

Target

I try to balance it all but sometimes I feel like my life is chaos  If I’m feeling overwhelmed I try to block everything out of my mind and live in the moment!

Making new friends! I’ve loved all the wonderful people I’ve met blogging!

 You can find me at http://www.stylewithshannon.com

A very special thanks to my friend Shannon for sharing her pregnancy and style tips with us!

If you or someone you know would like to be featured as a Guest Chic Bump of the week, send me an email.

** Click here to see if you won our Mommy & Me Matching Bracelets Giveaway!!

Thanks to all who entered! **

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Guest Chic Bump: Morgan

http://www.thedimediary.com/

I’m mommy to my sweet (almost) 1 year old daughter Ava. I am also married to the most wonderful man in the world. I am a full time mommy and a part time Sales Director for Elase Medical Spa.

I met in a singles ward in Colorado. We got married exactly 1 year after we started dating!

Ava has changed everything for me. Before having her, everything I did was for myself. I did what I wanted and when I wanted to do it. Now Ava always comes first, and that’s a good thing! She is the biggest blessing I could have ever hoped for, and I’m so glad she is mine.

It is amazing to see someone unconditionally love and need you. I never thought I could love someone so much until she was born. I love coming home to her after a day at work and seeing her light up with excitement to see me. Best feeling ever.

Maxi dresses and skirts! It was big and prego during the entire summer with her, so I was dying from the heat! I loved being able to slip on a stretchy and comfy maxi dress, and throw a cardigan over it.

Probably that is ok to ask for help once she was born. Sometimes I get prideful and feel like I can do everything on my own, so it was a huge reality check to realize that I could ask and needed to ask for help whenever I needed it!  Also even though it isn’t always fun for everyone, the first month especially, try to enjoy it as much as possible. It can be hard for some, but cherish it because they grow WAY too fast and you will look back at 1 year old and want that little newborn back!

How much work it would be! I knew it was going to be life changing, but I didn’t really anticipate how everyday life changes so much! I wish I was more prepared for life after baby.

I will never forget the first time Ava smiled at me! Those little changes they make over the first year are really fun to go back and look at later and see how much they have changed!

Well I started out with a family blog, but then I felt like I just do such a great job finding inexpensive clothing that I wanted to share it with other girls like me and maybe help them. It has been really fun!

I don’t know if I could call it anything really, I will wear anything from preppy, trendy, boho, and everything in between. I love to try different things here and there, but for the most part I would say it’s pretty classic.

I pull inspiration for everywhere! Here in Utah all the girls have awesome fashion sense, so I get some from people all around me.

I love love love Jennifer Anistons’ style and I think that Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars is gorgeous!

I have a few! Chapstick and mascara are a MUST, and then I think fresh bright skin makes any outfit.

Probably my Chambray shirt and my black leggings. I wear them with everything!

Forever 21, H&M, J.Crew, LOFT, and TJ Maxx

Sometimes it really hard! Especially with a job in the mix, getting everything done is madness! I wouldn’t be able to balance it all without my incredible husband Scott though, he is always willing to help me and does anything he can to make my life easier.

I love getting e-mails from people who love my blog and I have helped! I love knowing that my blog not only makes me happy as a hobby, but also serves others as well.

 www.thedimediary.com

A very special thanks to my friend Morgan for sharing her pregnancy and style tips with us!

If you or someone you know would like to be featured as a Guest Chic Bump of the week, send me an email.

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Guest Chic Bump: Cara

Lifestyle/fashion blogger, adoring wife and mama to the cutest little stud!

http://caraloren.blogspot.com/

I am a momma to a 1 year old handsome little man and wife to my dream man.  I am inspired by so many things but fashion is up on the top of the list.

Yes, it is very cliche but I danced on my college dance team while he played basketball.  He instantly caught my eye and I knew he was the one.

My Hanes is the world to me and has changed my life in the best way I could have ever imagined.  I never thought I could care about someone as much as I do.  He makes me want to be better everyday so he is proud to called me mommy.  I wake up in the morning thinking about him and fall asleep praying about him.

My favorite thing about being a mom is being able to call Hanes my son.  I am the luckiest mom in the world.

Without a doubt my answer would be maxi skirts!! They are heavenly on that tummy and the best invention for preggo gals ever!

I would have to say that the best advice I received and made sure i kept close to my heart was to be grateful to be pregnant because not everyone has that blessing.  It may seem rough sometimes but it is the most important and amazing thing you will ever do and you are lucky to be able to do it.

I wish I would have known that it is ok to not bounce back in a day haha! It may take a little more time than you think to feel back to normal.

The best are the firsts! Like first smile, first giggle, first time saying mama, first tooth and what I’m looking forward to in a couple days first birthday!

I have been asked this a lot and my answers is always that I needed something for me again and I am so passionate about fashion!  What you wear is how you feel!

This is really tough because I don’t think I stick with one style. I love trying new things and being unique

Great hair and shoes are a must!!!

That perfect white tee that you can wear with just about everything.

Urban Outfitters

H&M

Forever21

Zara

Steve Madden

Hanes always comes first no matter what! Blog can wait!

The sweet emails saying I inspire them!  They will never get old and it is so important for me to continue inspiring girls!

www.caraloren.blogspot.com

A very special thanks to my girl Cara for sharing her thoughts on pregnancy, style and motherhood.

If you or someone you know would like to be featured as a Guest Chic Bump of the week, send me an email.

Follow MyChicBump on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and now on Instagram(@karenzaro)

Guest Chic Bump: Emily

http://www.emandtayjackson.com/

My husband played basketball for BYU and saw me from across the court at one of the games. He came over to me after the game and got my number.  He was the nicest, sweetest guy I had ever met.  The rest is history!

My life has changed dramatically since having Capri.  I used to do exactly what I wanted when I wanted and now everything I do I think of Capri first. She is a wonderful baby and she has made our lives so happy.

I love spending every second with Capri. She has the sweetest personality, I love everything about her and being a mom and I could not imagine my life without her.

I was VERY pregnant in the summer so I always wore dresses. I found that they kept me the coolest. I loved Maxi dresses and wrap dresses. My favorite maternity dress was from Isabella Oliver.  It fit perfect and was super comfy.

The best advice I received was to take care of myself, workout, eat right, and get ready even when I didn’t want to.  I got less sleep due to these things, but it made me feel better about myself overall.  It made me really think that taking those steps everyday helped me feel good about my changing body and appearance.

Babies change so fast. Everyday they are learning and doing something new. Watching them explore and discover their world is a miracle.  Everyday is a new adventure. That is the most fun part of having a baby.

I have always loved classy, simple yet functional pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

 

My Mom and sisters

 Olivia Palermo, and my sister, Rachel Parcell from The Pink Peonies

My Jbrand Jeans

Jcrew, Kate Spade, Nordstrom, and Zara 

I blog when Capri is napping or after she goes to sleep at night.  She’s my best little friend and loves to be in pictures with me. Especially if it includes doing something outdoors!

I have loved blogging because it allows me to share fun parts of my life with others. Also, I think as moms we often get so caught up in errands and checklists that we forget we need to have an outlet where we can just do what we love.  For me, my outlets are my blog and running!

At http://emandtayjackson.com

Thanks so much for having me!!

(All maternity photographs were taken by the incredibly talented Heather Telford)

A very special thanks to my friend Emily for sharing her style and motherhood tips with us!

If you or someone you know would like to be featured as a Guest Chic Bump of the week, leave me a comment.

Follow MyChicBump on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and now on Instagram(@karenzaro)