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.

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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.

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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...