Play it Again!

My husband has been dying to get a camcorder before the baby comes. But I just could not imagine adding to the things we will be lugging around after the baby comes...not to mention the things I will be forgetting I am sure. So when my brother-in-law came over with the new handy dandy FLIP VIDEO I was sold. There are various versions but with a starting price of $149 and its lovable pocket or clutch size *dream music start* Like I will be able to carry a clutch any time in the next 10 years and get away with such little stuff * dream music end* what is not to love. So with my FLIP ULtra the USB hook up swings out from the side and it goes right into my computer. Better yet the FLIP and my computer started talking right away and I did not have to do a thing.
Also I am a fan of the 120 minutes of video time between each download because let's face it this can easily get out of hand.
I picked one up at Best Buy. And since my husband and I have our roles laid out pretty well where I am the "forgetter" and he is the "dropper of all expensive small techonology" I got Best Buy's 2 year warrenty for an extra $44 buck which covers everything but theft.

Cuter than the Baby? Great Items to check out!

Alright I love, love, love this label TOOBYDOO. I just want some great simple outfits that don't have bunnies, birds and ducks. TOOBYDOO heard my prayer or my endless google searches and delivered it right to me. My favorite item is the Chelsea Jumpsuit ($32). I have comp. shopped and these are well priced and the greatest ones I have seen but I'll be honest they had me in the description: reminiscent of sailors at Chelsea Piers. And since some of are not finding out what we are having I greatly appreciate the gender neutral options!


The blankets are also a must ($69). I have the navy and white one, love it and wish they made grown-up sizes! You know what I love the quality and the price how often does that happen?


Check it out and tell them Philadelphia Mama sent you!

Modern Baby Shower

I decided from the very beginning that I was going to throw my own baby shower. Well my husband calls me a control freak and I just think I am a good planner and organizer of really cool events. I am so not the only one that gets shower invites in the mail and automatically thinks of how they can get out of them. It is true I wanted full control of the theme (cocktail party), decor (modern) and games (oh there are so no games at my shower).

So my shower is two Saturday's from now and here is what I came up with. Now I love a deal and I get sticker shock all the time so I will be the first one to tell you that the plan is still evolving but I think I am in good shape.
#1 Guest List: I am inviting all my friends, guys and gals.
#2 Theme: Oh Baby Cocktail Party
#3 Invites: www.Evite.com= totally free and a great way to keep track of RSVP's
#4 Location: The toughest one on the list. I thought in this market I could find a model Loft space that was not being used at night and rent it for cheap. I posted on Craig's List, I call Real Estate Companies, I call Condo buildings but no luck. Then I tried intimate event locations but they really only have wedding prices and you have to use their caterer. Finally the light bulb went on and I realized that all the new fancy Condo spots have "Party Rooms" their residents can rent. I called a good friend living in one of Rittenhouses poshes buildings and she said no problem and $25.00 later- oh yeah I said it $25- I have a hip little location for my party.
#5 Food: Ah what a smack in the face the pricing for this was. I reminded myself this was not a wedding this was a party with 60 of our closest friends and decided light fare and philly favorites were the right way to go. I am going to scoot down to the restaurant supply place in Old City and pick up some giant trays to create one smashing veggie tray (produce from Reading Terminal Market), one killer cheese and fruit tray (Cheese DiBruno, Fruit Reading Terminal) and some other supplies I will need. I am blessed with a brother-in-law that loves to bake so cupcakes for everyone! He is for hire if you need him!
And a to die for tray of Primo Hoagies (husbands addition) to round out everyone's night. I am sure I will add to it but for now that is where we are.

#6 Cocktails: How Could I forget the all important mixer and elixirs for my guest. I already have a large, glass, fancy drink holder (forget the professional name) and I am going to get a couple gallons of the Mojito Mix that comes with everything you need. Toss in a few cut limes and some muddled mint and we are in business. Then some classic bar staples gin, tonic, scotch, mixers- etc. And a few cases of Corona should do it. Oh and I am going to Delaware to get everything- no tax and cheaper.

***Bonus: We asked our friends to skip the hassle of getting a babysitter and bringing their kids- Which it looks like everyone is so I will be picking up a little kids table at IKEA and some coloring books and other fun and shiny things and creating a little go to space for them. Which means I will be adding juice boxes to my drink list.

Subscribe to This:

Some top sites that will deliver sales right to your inbox are:

www.shopittome.com :
All you have to do is fill out a profile of what size you want and what apparel brands you love and Shop it to Me finds where these items are on sale.

www.bluefly.com head here for some upscale goodies and there are plenty of normal clothes for preggers.

www.dailycandy.com: Can't keep up with everything that is going on in the world outside the jungle gym- you don't have to Daily Candy delivers it right to your e-mail. Select your favorite cities and everyday they will give you a cool little tidbit on a great spot to check out, cool thing to pick up or just some painfully hip information. If you are traveling to another city check out he DC archives for the the latest and greatest before you get there. Also why don't you take on the DC KIDS version too...Those other mom have nothing on you...nothing.

www.UrbanDaddy.com: Name is decieving b/c it is not "cool stuff for cool dads." This is where my husband gets his fix on what is the latest and greatest in the top cities. Comes in handy when we are traveling.

www.cozi.com: I do a lot of stuff you know and I have yet to figure out how me an my husband can best keep track of each others events...until now. Check out the family calendar at COZI.COM. Extra bonus I have set it up to e-mail or text him 30 minutes before he is supposed to be somewhere...you know like meeting me for a Dr.'s appointment. Also I have my shopping list right there too and he can add to it if he wants...I am sure I will have to edit his request but hey it is a start.

What to Wear!

One of my biggest and first states of confusion was in finding attractive clothing for my growing and changing shape. The first day you reach for your favorite pair of jeans and realize that you have reached the point of no return and it is just not going to happen it is fair to declare a State of Emergency.  Especially for the working Preggers you must keep it together fashion wise. Many of us wait as long as possible to tell our employers and need to work as hard as possible to maintain a sense of normalcy in our physical appearance. 

Step 1. Have a Come to Jesus with Your Closet!

-weed out all items that will not fit you for the next 9-10 months. You still love them they just need to go away for now. The first things to go for me were my pants and fitted skirt - which I still totally miss. 

*reason: Every time you go to your closet and drawers you need to give your self hope and access to only items that you can wear. 

Step 2. Build a Good Wardrobe not a Maternity Wardrobe

- ah I wanted to cry when I tried on jeans a Mimi Maternity and Pea in the Pod and I did not even get past touching the ones at GAP. I have no clue what crappy material those were made of but there is no way they were going to be flattering.  I crammed in my pre-preggers clothing until it was just to painful to go on. 

The Best Maternity Jeans

I knew this would be the one maternity thing I would be spening money on and wear to death. My favorite pair are the IO Jeans from IsabellaOliver.com which also come in white. These jeans clock in at $180 / pair and fit like a dream. * trust me order to your pre-preggs size and unless you are short make sure you get them in long. 

Leggings - How I love Thee!

American Apparel is the first place I hit up for black leggings for $26/ pair but honestly  Old Navy's "work out" leggings  are just as good and cheaper...and they always end up on sale. 

Tops to Invest in

www.IsabellaOliver.com for special easy pieces. These are great quality pieces that emphasize the belly rather than hide it so when you have told all your friends and your employer these are your go to pieces. I purchased the Bandeau Wrap Top ($115) and I love it. I actually got this one on sale so make sure you keep checking the site. 

 

Department Stores On-line: click right over to the sale section and you will find a lot more than what the actual store has.  Shop the items that are one size up from where you are now and don't be afraid to shop out of season -always be thinking ahead. You can pick up some great blousy tops, tunics and anything in jersey. They make everything you can think of out of the jersey/ spandex material. 

 

T-shirts / Knock About 

For causal knock about shirts you need a garment that has a mix of cotton and spandex. Gap has really well prices long and short sleeve shirts in basics and in a mix of colors. Keep in mind that added spandex is super important and you will regret it if you buy a t-shirt without it. This is why I steer clear of American Apparel T-shirts because they are 100% cotton and after one wash it they fade and lose their shape making them a waste of time. 

 

DON'T:

I know GAP maternity is easy but outside of the T-shirts with cotton/ spandex it is useless. GAP makes Preggers look like tents and almost all their shirts meet moo-moo standards. You do not have to wear that stuff and those shapeless garments that are made from basic cotton sheeting (that is right no better then your sheets)  do not look good on you. Trust me. Please know I am trying to help you here and I know the price is right but the look is all wrong even if you think you look good I am being a real friend and telling you there. That goes for Old Navy Maternity too.