Layering 101

I've always been a big fan of layering. Even more so when I started breastfeeding. There's just something so flexible and less matronly about mixing up textures, colors, proportions and items that appeals to this fashion-loving but now fashion-challenged new mom.

Finding myself in new territory where function HAD to take centerstage to fashion, I was at my wit's end trying to find outfits, particularly tops, that would function well for nursing, be comfy enough to wear on "baby duty", had a prolonged shelf-life (no maternity/nursing outfits please), and STILL be stylish.

Solution, layering.

I discovered that I got a lot of use out of several basic spaghetti strap tops in different colors with detachable straps by pairing them with regular (non-maternity, take note) wraparound and deep cowl-neck  (draped neckline) tops/dresses. The result was easy nursing access, belly coverage and a variety of color options and styles to play around with.

WHY THIS WORKS:
1. Wraparound top/dress
The loose top is both flattering to post-baby bulges and practical for quick breastfeeding situations. Plus this looks great over white shorts, capris, leggings or on its own--very versatile.

2. Camisole with detachable straps
The strappy camisole underneath gives extra security and coverage, I prefer to wear the ones with the built-in bra for easy dressing and comfort. (My strapless brassieres almost ALWAYS gave me painful clogged ducts at the end of the day. Ouch!) You can also switch up colors and come up with a whole new look--try a yellow camisole underneath matched with white shorts and strappy sandals.

3. Slim Bottoms
The trick to avoid looking too boxy with this outfit is to balance proportions--loose top, slim bottoms. Whether you choose to pair this with jeans or shorts, the key is to go for tight styles--you'll look leaner and more with-it.

4. Roomy bag
No diaper bags here! Just choose a regular handbag big enough to accommodate the baby's things and voila! hip practical style made easy. Just buy those diaper bag converters/organizers I've been seeing in baby stores for bottles etc.

5. Flats
A must for any mom, comfortable shoes that look great! Ballet flats, gladiator sandals and strappy thongs are great alternatives.

6. Kid-friendly Accessories
I am obsessed with accessories and love mixing and matching them to create different looks. With the onset of mommyhood, I had to give up some of my fave pieces to keep myself from bodily harm--dangling earrings and long necklaces begone! With this neckpiece and bangle, you get just the right balance of style and baby-friendly material (in this case, colorful resin is great) and the solid bangle is devoid of small pieces the baby can accidentally swallow. Plus they double as toys-on-the-go too!

*I also love pairing halter dresses with tie-neck strings and little cardigans. I found that feeding the baby in public places became less stressful when I wore these combos.

If you like this blog, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Thanks!

That Elusive Perfect Stroller

Once happily content with my older sister's 10-year-old Aprica Classic with its full-reclining seat, double direction handle and easy-to-get-to basket, I found myself hankering for one of those Graco travel systems with the carseat/stroller tandems. I imagined a cartrip where all I had to do was unbuckle my little cutie's carseat and easily plop it on the matching stroller and voila! two seconds later I'm trolling the malls. And all this with her STILL snoozing soundly!

I was a mom on a mission, and not necessarily the budget, for such a luxury.

My requirements were simple. Comfortable, long-lasting in both sturdiness and baby years, easily portable and, of course, stylish.

After vetoing the Quinny Buzz (below). Are you kidding? Thirty thousand pesos for a stroller (approximately $650)? I admit the baby looked comfy in it plus looks pretty sturdy, super cool-looking and can last her until she's four years old but those humongous back wheels and crazy price tag just makes this an easy no-no.

Then there's the Graco Travel System (the Graco Quattro in Townsend at left), my once dreamed of possession. Checking locally, the price of one of these carseat/stroller combos is approximately P22,000 (around $450). Granted, you get two for the price, with a little research it turns out that it's pretty bulky to travel with. With future plans to give our baby a few stamps in her passport, I figured an umbrella stroller would be a better option for a major purchase like this. Goodbye Graco.

Next up, the Maclaren XT and XLR. Okay, based on feedback from family, friends and seeing quite a number of these pricey prams cruising around in malls, the Maclaren brand seemed to answer all my requirements. Umbrella-type, check. Sturdy, check. Grows with baby, (depending on style) check. Stylish, check. Budget-friendly, un-check. But, hey, if this was going to last me through 2 more future kids, I was willing to bite the bullet.

Now, the Maclaren XT (shown at left in Damask) seemed to be the top pick, hitting all of my needs/wants but the XLR (below) doubles as a travel system! With a carseat adapter, this little umbrella stroller transforms into this mommy's dream! So hands down, this was my pick. But at approximately P21,000 (around $450) locally (without the carseat!), this was way beyond our budget.

Not to mention that the local stores, specifically Rustans, Mothercare, SM Department Store, have XLRs but do NOT carry the carseat adapter! (It's on Maclaren's online catalogue so where is it? I asked around and found out that it's only available in the US and some parts of the UK.)

So after checking the internet, I was able to find a brand-new XLR (with the carseat adapter) for a deal at P14,500 (at around $300, shown at right in Coffee/Marsh with the separate Recaro carseat which was not included). Thank God for generous relatives as well! (They shipped it to us as a gift.)
 
Anyway, the Maclaren XLR is a dream to maneuver through Manila's malls and feels pretty reliable off-road but I do have to say when the XLR was created it did not have petite 5'1" mommies on their minds. I love the full cover/visor perfect for those midday naps but dislike the fact that the little window available to peer into the cutie is too far down the canopy to really benefit a small Asian woman like me. I STILL have to scoot over to the front of the stroller to peek and see if she's finally sleeping. (The canopy pictured above has a zipper that further extends its coverage but makes it a stretch to peer into from pusher's standpoint).

The basket underneath also leaves much to be desired. Although pretty roomy for an umbrella type, it's impossible to get to when the seat is fully reclined forcing one to pull out bits and pieces through the side which my small hands still find challenging.

At this point, I'm thankful we have a really comfortable stroller my daughter loves to sleep in and steers like a dream in crowded malls but big consideration next time would be the height of the stroller, weight (this one weighs a hefty 21lbs with the attached hood and basket) and a tray for drinks and snacks. I had to buy the separate Maclaren Universal Organizer which is a neoprene mesh organizer with two cupholders and a deep mesh bag for baby's things when I realized it didn't have one--it was an additional $20.

Right now, I really want to check out the Japanese-made Combi strollers for a potential future purchase for my future kids. I tested a few of their styles at the mall and love its lightweight size (it's only around 11lbs.), smooth open/close feature, price (online this retails at only $89!) and low height--especially made for short and small-boned Asian mommies like myself (check out the Combi Flare in Edamame shown above). But I'm just not sure about its sturdiness, the cheaper models seemed really flimsy that the backs of the seats felt they only had cardboard as support. The higher end ones seemed more substantial though. We shall see.

*Check out the Marc Jacobs "Love Marc" limited edition Bugaboo stroller that Gwen Stefani uses for baby Zuma. Fierce! But just a wee bit too masculine for my little girly-girl.

*Tip: Shopping online is always GREAT! Amazon.com or Ebay have amazing deals--all their strollers were almost certainly 50% off of local prices.

If you like this blog, please leave me a comment so I'll know which ones to do more of. Thanks!

My First 5K

Sorry for being a sporadic blogger, hehe, life got in the way. Ran (or is it walked) my first 5k in months and I am regrettably paying for it. Never knew I had muscles in places that still ache now. Remind me never to shock my body this way again. Had to resort to 4 strips of salon pas (medicated muscle ache tape) for EACH of my legs! I actually looked like I came from an accident. Funny. Wish I took pictures.

Anyway, I DID take pictures with the hubby at the finish line (thanks Anson Yu) and believe me, I'm glad we have proof! Proof that it doesn't pay to NOT exercise! We woke up at 4:30 am on a Saturday morning and crept out of our still dark room (careful not wake up the baby) to drive to the Fort for Race for Life '09.

We were asking ourselves what possessed us to wake up at the crack of dawn to "run" 5 kilometers WITHOUT having the back-up of weeks of preparation and good running shoes. BIG mistake. But nevertheless knew it was going to be a milestone day for us as soon as we got there.

The miles-long queue of parked cars on the side of the road that morning and the buzz of excitement and activity of literally thousands of people were enough motivation. We were PSYCHED. Plus the fact that underprivileged kids would benefit from it made it an even more fulfilling day for us.

Organized by Every Nation Ministries, Race for Life aimed to give local scholars a chance to have the education they deserve and the support they sorely need. There were approximately 4,000 runners, walkers, dog-walkers, stroller-pushers and gaspers. I was part of the gaspers. (Here we are after the grueling "walk").

Glad I did it though, I think it was a wake-up call for my husband and I to start getting back into shape...

Wean-Wean Situation

To wean or not to wean, that is the question.

Being mom to a now toothy 14-month-old, you'd think that I'd be doing the dance of joy to finally be done with the clogged ducts, stained blouses, throbbing boobs, limited "gimmick" time and the occasional bib malfunction in malls (never thought I'd be a flasher...gasp), but now that my self-imposed weaning deadline of one year has come and gone, I find myself strangely, intentionally prolonging the end.

Sigh. I love the feeling of her warm little body against mine, her soft hand playfully slapping my chest, pinching my lips and stroking my face (yes, she's one active kid). I also love seeing her slip into sweet sleepy bliss every time I tuck her relaxed and limp body down in her crib. There's nothing like it. (God really knew what He was doing when He created women to do this!)

Not to mention the fact that the famous tagline of one of those milk commercials, "Breastmilk is still best for babies up to two years," rings in my ears everytime I think tonight's the night to finally wean her off her last remaining feeding.

I'm so torn. I know that I can prolong this as long as I want, some determined moms have even nursed to 5 years! But talk about heroic. No superhero intentions here though. My opinion is, if the baby is big enough to go to preschool, it's time to let go.

Which brings me to today, I'm itching to get back into freelance styling soon and physically and mentally need to be present to do the job, so the faster I can transition my sweetie the better it is.

I never thought it would be so hard.

If you like this blog, please leave me a comment so I'll know which ones to do more of. Thanks! 

The Perfect Cover-Up

Always on the lookout for cool, practical and stylish pieces for the baby, I stumbled across this little must-have that I've been using on her since she was 6 months old--the cape hoodie from Enfant.

We have jackets and cardigans in her wardrobe but this little cotton cape with its attached hood has been a lifesaver especially when a wriggling, screaming toddler is in my hands. With one swoop of the cape behind the back and a quick button at the neck, little cutie is suddenly covered up without the fuss of having to shoot small resistant, moving arms into narrow sleeves. I'm also glad it comes with a hood since my baby is as bald now as when she was born.

It's a little pricey at P659.75 but since I got her a one-year-old size, when she was six months, I've already gotten a lot of mileage from it. She's now 13 months and STILL uses it! Also factor in that it doesn't have sleeves, this little cape will still be in use well into her 2nd and 3rd birthdays!

Their colors range from white, beige, yellow, pink, orange, blue green, blue, lavender and apple green and are available at any department store.

*I got her the white one so it's easier to match with her outfits.


If you like this blog, please leave me a comment so I'll know which ones to do more of. Thanks!

My Anti-Stretchmark Secret

One of the things I actually was not looking forward to getting when I was pregnant was the "badge" that stamped the majority of preggy gals everywhere--stretchmarks.

Coming from a line of stretchmark-prone women--my grandmother, mom, older sister and actually myself (specifically my thighs from my adolescent years) all bear the mark of the unsightly, whitish irremoveable streaks--I was resigned to the fact that all things bikini would have to be banished forever (check out my gigantic 8 month belly at left).

I'd made peace with this fact and was reveling in my newfound state of finally being pregnant when I came across an article in a magazine that would change the fate of my yet unmarked tummy forever.

A socialite with 5 kids was recounting how she too had accepted the fact that stretchmarks would be her destiny when her Chinese mother-in-law taught her the magic combo of rubbing both lotion and oil on her growing belly--thus leaving her without a single stretchy streak even after FIVE kids!

She, however, failed to mention the brand OR kind of oil she used, unfortunately, but that didn't stop me from diving into this little nugget of wisdom and finding the best (or at least the most ideal for me) lotion and oil in the market.

(I'd heard of cocoa butter but decided to skip it when my sis told me it didn't work for her.)

Haha! I felt like I'd stumbled on the best-kept secret ever! After much research--testing on my own, getting feedback from friends and checking out my oh-so-particular Lola's stash--I decided on committing to Aveeno's 24-hour Moisturizing Lotion and Mr. Coconut Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

I chose the first because even my frugal Lola didn't think twice about the price and used it religiously on her chronically dry skin and the latter because it was what I had in the house.

After every bath, I faithfully slathered on a generous amount of lotion on my entire belly, thighs and back and followed it with a palmful of oil. I did this EVERYDAY until I gave birth. 

Anyway, to make a long story short, I am living proof that it works! Not a single stretchmark has dared make an appearance on my stomach! I have a few strays on my upper thighs but that's it. Eureka! Anyway, I hope this gives you preggy gals out there a fighting chance to keep your tummies stretchmark-free.

*I also want to say that I drink water like a camel preparing for a drought so I'm sure the extra fluids did it's lubricating job as well.

If you like this blog, please leave me a comment so I'll know which ones to do more of. Thanks! 

What The Heck Is "Usog"?

I love being a first-time mom. Most of the time, that is. One of those times I wish I had an arsenal of veteran mommy defenses and wisdom was when I came face-to-face with a Filipino old wives tale of the dreaded "usog"--the one commonly uttered with concern from one individual to a potential usog-er with "wag kang lumapit baka mausog yung baby". (Don't go near the baby or else she'll be moved/affected/tainted).

I had my 4 month-old baby in a nail salon and was in the middle of having a long-awaited foot spa when a salon attendant put a little spit on her finger and swiped it on my baby's leg "para hindi mausog". Wha?! Did you just spit on my baby lady?!!!! Totally taken by surprise and paralyzed by both disgust and utter disbelief, I was left with my mouth open and a baby with a stranger's saliva on her. Stunned I couldn't even come up with anything to say, much less do.

What do you say in such a situation? Ah, thanks for making sure my baby doesn't get usog. Or, would you like a taste of your own medicine and I swipe some of my own saliva on you just so you'll know how disgusting and just plain WRONG it is? Or do I just nod politely and acknowledge her good intentions? I, of course, being stunned, innately polite and caught up in a shockingly unfamiliar situation, did the latter.

Ugh. I felt like kicking myself a few minutes later when I was finally out of the salon and guiltily wiping my baby's leg with a baby wipe and some sanitizer. What would possess a completely sane individual to intentionally spit on an infant?

Did a little research and found this on Wikipedia.  

"Usog" or balis is a topic in psycho-medicine (attributed to Filipino superstition in Western Psychology) where an affliction or psychological disorder is attributed to a greeting by a stranger, or an evil eye hex. It usually affects an unsuspecting child, usually an infant or toddler, who has been greeted by a visitor or a stranger. 

Please. If there's anything I fear more, coming from any stranger, it's a mouthful of bacteria and a bad case of misdirected good intentions.

At least now I know when a stranger coos and and gets all friendly with the baby, I make sure to move the stroller to arm-swatting distance and to keep an ear out for the dreaded usog word coming out of said stranger's mouth. With appearance of spit, I now know to take off running. Never again.

*The sign in the picture above is from www.mytinyhands.com, created by a mom who has had one too many unwashed strangers touch her little cutie. Now if she only made a sign that said, "Please Do Not Spit on Baby."

If you like this blog, please leave me a comment so I'll know which ones to do more of. Thanks!