Seven Tricks For Shopping Non-Maternity Clothes While Pregnant

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When I first found out I was pregnant with E, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't be one of those pregnant women who went crazy shopping for maternity styles, that I might never wear again. Plus, who wants to fall in love with a piece that they'll have to purge from their closet in a few months? And who really wants to accentuate that belly after baby, am I right? It just didn't make sense to me. So, I took the time to really build on the wardrobe I had, and purchase clothing that would last me not only the length of my pregnancy- but long after.

So far, I've only had to add maternity jeans and a ruched swimsuit to my my wardrobe to get me through this pregnancy. The rest has all been non-maternity wear that will carry through into motherhood with me!

Here's some guidelines that really seemed to help make it possible:

Look for length.

One of my favorite tricks to use while shopping for maternity friendly styles, is to shop the "Tall" Section. At 5'3 it's a section I'd NEVER even gotten close to before pregnancy. Now it's become my new favorite spot while expecting. Many times, the issue I've had the most in regard to my growing belly and the fit of my clothes, was that my old clothes don't provide the length I need. Even my cutest flowing dresses that have no problem sliding over my large tummy, lose length in the front, making them impossible to wear (unless I want to give someone a show.) By shopping in the tall section, I eliminate the problem and I'm not stuck with those awful scrunchy-sided maternity dresses!

Tunics never go out of style.

I'm a long-time lover of a good tunic! I've always been short and busty, which leaves my torso looking very short in comparison to the rest of my body. I've really found that tunics are a flattering style for me because they give the illusion of a longer torso! When I got pregnant, I realized tunics make the perfect maternity tops also! They're looser fitting, can be dressed up or down, and give enough length to not only cover that belly- but also flatter your baby bod!

When in doubt, size up.

I'm a strong believer that you can never have too many casually loose clothes in your wardrobe. The slouchy tee is a personal favorite of mine! When hunting for a non-maternity style top that will fit your bump, go up a size!

Stretchy clothes are life.

As a busy work-from-home parent, I feel like stretchy clothes were already a huge part of my closet. But even more so now!  Stretchy=Comfortable. And with this ever-growing and uncomfortable tummy- I'll take my comfort wherever I can get it. Some of my favorite new staples are American Apparel stretch knit dresses, crew necks, and t-shirt dresses form comfy layering! Plus, they show off a bump beautifully! I'm sure my future mom-self will be thankful for all of these new stretchy staples too!

Right now, you can even get $20 off your $100 purchase at American Apparel with the code: EVER20AA

Ask yourself, "Will I love this later?"

This should really be a question we're asking ourselves ALL THE TIME about EVERYTHING, but hey, I can be bad about it too. I'll try out a new trend, only to realize six months later that the trend is over and I don't dig it long term. I promised myself from the beginning that if it wasn't something I really would love even after pregnancy, or something that wasn't practical to wear afterwards- I wouldn't buy it. My husband is happy about the rule too because it means I'm not buying throw-away pieces.

Leggings are your best friend.

Leggings ARE pants. Especially when you're a mama-to-be. I found as soon as my second trimester hit, that my belly got really uncomfortable while wearing many types of pants. So, I quickly resorted to wearing leggings 90% of the time. They're breathable, comfy, and great for layering too. I love pairing them with tunics or long flowing tops, and booties!

Adjust for the seasons by layering.

Living in NoVa has been a real shock to my Florida bones! Five of my nine months pregnant have been during the winter. Now though, it's starting to really warm up just as my belly is getting its biggest! I knew this would happen, so instead of stocking up on big sweaters and long sleeve tops, I opted to buy cooler pieces I could layer! Now my closet is full of clothes I can wear year-round, with or without the bump! I've also added plenty of nursing-friendly tank tops for help layering now, but for functionality later when my E is here.

That's it! My closet is full (my husband can attest to this) and my future mama self is happy, because I will not be packing away a million maternity pieces that I may never wear again! Hallelujah! Tell me how you put together your maternity wardrobe! Or better yet leave me some pics of you and your cute bump, or tag me on instagram @motherwayfarer

Quick & Casual Half-Up Hairstyles for the Busy Mom

Since becoming this like, full-time parent/worn out pregnant lady (while working full-time) I've realized how little time I have to devote to myself anymore. I wake up in the morning, groggy from tossing and turning all night. I rush Ry off to school and then bam, I'm starting my workday. I have deadlines to meet, and marketing tasks to complete. The list goes on and on. Then, I pick Ry back up from school, get home, make dinner, get him into bed, and the cycle restarts itself. I really love my work and being a mom, but sometimes it feels good to do a little something extra with myself. Even if it's as simple as giving myself a quick little hairstyle. And lately, that's just what I've been doing. I thought I'd share with you three of my favorite casual half-up hairstyles, for when you really wanna be feeling' yourself, but you just don't have that much time.

The Double Tie & Twist

This one looks even prettier with lightly curled hair. But, for sake of authenticity- I did it on four day post shampoo, hasn't been cut in months, air-dried hair. Cuz you know, that's how us moms roll. Really though, it's super easy and will give the illusion to those carpool line moms that you have it way more together than they do.

To get this look:

Brush hair for the first time in days, section it off according to how you'd normally part, and take a section from each side. Meet the two side sections at the back of the head to form a mini pony, and gather them in a clear elastic. Then, turn that pony in on itself to form a "twist." For the second "tie," bring one more equal section from both sides as if to complete a "half-up" look, and thread each side under and through the hole you just created with your first section. Join these two ends together with another elastic and then do one more final "twist" by turning the second pony you just created in on itself. And there you have it! I like to pull and fluff the twists too, to give it a more messy look!

The Half-Up Hanging Braid

Even easier than the first, this fun half-up hanging braid is one of my go-to styles. Looks great on pretty much whatever texture your hair is, and texture can be added with a little back-combing and hairspray.

To get this look:

Gather half of your hair up, starting at front by the ears, and work your way back to the crown of your head. Secure in a clear elastic. Pull away any front pieces that you'd like to leave out. Lightly mist your now pony with hairspray and give it a scrunch to add some texture. Then, section the pony into thirds and braid it, leaving a nice size tail at the end. Secure the braid with another clear elastic. Lightly tug at the rounds of your braid to loosen them and give it a fuller, messier appearance. And done!

The Braided Top-Knot

Still simple like a traditional top-knot, but prettier and more put-together! Best paired with a loose maxi, sunglasses, and sneakers! This is by far my favorite way to wear my hair when I want a look that's casual, yet polished!

To get this look:

Use the exact same steps as the "Half-Up Hanging Braid" but after pulling apart your braid to give it a more disheveled look, twist the braid around it's base and secure it into a bun using a few hair pins. Literally so easy!

So, yeah! That's all it takes! A few minutes for each one, and that's it! Hope one of these looks can ignite your inner hot-mama or impress your husband with a look that's not the same ponytail you've been rocking for a week straight! If you have more quick styles you'd like to share, drop me a comment below! Or snap a pic the next time you give one of these quickies a go, and tag me on Instagram!

Instagram:

@motherwayfarer

I can't wait to see what you put together!

Six Secrets to Shampooing Less

I swear no one ever believes me when I say this; but I only wash my hair once a week. Now, before you cringe or turn up your nose in disgust, let me be clear: I don't have dreads, I don't stink, I'm not a grease ball, and NOBODY can tell the difference. 

The old hair me, used to be a hot mess. My color treated hair was dry, and super fried from the constant passes of my blow-dryer. My scalp was dry, flakey, and uncomfortable. And the Florida humidity hit me extra hard! I spent the big bucks on every deep conditioning or protein treatment I could find- and they worked too! For a whole day! I hated my hair and I had no idea how to fix the problem.

Then I stopped shampooing.

Not all together! As crunchy as I can be, you'll never see me hop on the no-pooing trend! I love that feel good, clean hair feeling. I stopped shampooing every other day, and began shampooing only when I couldn't stand it anymore. And it was the best decision ever! Gradually my hair became silkier, healthier, and more tamable. And it makes sense too! Shampooing less, meant I was doing less damage. I was no longer stripping out the important sebum my glands produced for my hair. My colored hair wasn't fading as quickly now with fewer washes- which meant I didn't have to refresh my color as often! My hair wasn't being fried by the heat of my blow dryer every-other-day. My scalp felt great, and the humidity stopped hitting me as hard because water can't penetrate the hair shaft as easily if more oil is present. I loved my hair again! I looked and felt great.

I cut down my shampoos and never looked back. If spreading out your shampoos farther than every other day is something you struggle with, here's a few tips to get you off the ground:

Ease yourself into it.

Maybe you don't have a crap ton of hair like I do, so the sebum your glands produce doesn't distribute out as far. That's okay! You might not be able to stretch your shampoos to once weekly like I can, but that doesn't mean you can't get a good four or five days in-between! Start slow. The cool thing about our bodies is that their reactions are so heavily influenced by outside factors! Get this- our bodies produce oil based on how much they think we need it. Ever try REALLY hard to get that amazing clear skin? You wash, wash, wash your face, only to find yourself really oily instead of flawless? That's because every time you wash your face, you're depleting your skin of the natural oil it produces to keep your skin moisturized. When you strip away that oil, your receptors send a message to your body that says, "Need more oil!" Same goes for your hair. The more frequently you wash your hair, the quicker your scalp becomes oilier. It's simple. Gradually ease yourself into washing your hair less and less. You'll notice a huge difference in how oily your hair feels, and pretty soon you won't have to worry about over-production. It's science.

Mix your styles up.

No joke, I have a routine with my hair. For starters, I have a hair washing day. I know, it sounds like one of those funny excuses to not hang out with someone- but it's real life. Every Saturday, I wash my hair. After washing, I let my hair almost completely air dry if possible, and then give myself a good blowout. I round brush my hair smooth and for two days I wear it like that! On day three and four, I typically style it into a fun top knot, braids, or some kind of easy casual updo. The next two days, I rock the natural waves I created, or curl it! Then it's hair washing day! By mixing your styles up each day, you help distribute the oil your scalp produces throughout the rest of the lengths of your hair. In turn, that helps you go a little longer between shampoos!

Learn to give yourself a good blowout, or go see your stylist for one.

A good blowout can last for days! That means you aren't fiddling with your hair as often to over compensate for its lack of style, which means, cleaner hair! 

Dry Shampoo.

Dry shampoo is my secret tool to make it past day three hair. I don't typically need it until then, but some might. The trick is to focus on the roots, and pay special attention to the portions of your hair that may attract more oil than the rest; the front hairline and along the part, your crown, and anywhere below the occipital/the nape of the neck. These are all areas that attract more sweat and see more of your hands than other portions. I love a dry shampoo with a great fragrance, that doesn't seem to cake up. That's where my Perk Up Dry Shampoo by Amika comes in. It absorbs excess oil so well, smells fantastic, and doesn't break the bank. Spray directly onto the roots, and let it sit for three to five minutes. Afterwards, brush your hair out thoroughly and style as usual. It's a lifesaver.

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

Hands away!

For the same reasons you shouldn't be touching your face, stop touching your hair! Hands are gross. When you have your hands in your hair all the time, your hair then becomes gross. Moral of the story... don't be gross.

Keep Products to a minimum.

I'm not telling you to skip your heat protectant! That's a no no! I mean all those cream/oil based hair products you're applying to your hair day after day; chill out with them. Because my hair is color-treated, my ends are thirsty. They need a little extra TLC every once in a while. That doesn't mean I go slapping product all over my hair, greasing myself up. If I do feel like I need some more moisture towards my ends, I first give my hair a good brushing to distribute all of the oil in my hair evenly. If that didn't seem to be enough, I then go in with a non-greasy shine product on my ends. This one from Kevin Murphy is my all-time-fave:

Kevin Murphy Shimmer Shine

Taking care of your hair is tough work sometimes, but there's no reason to make the job even harder than it has to be. Cutting down on my shampoos has made one more aspect of my life easier and has left my hair looking better than ever before. Try it. Pretty soon you'll be bragging like me next time you get a compliment on your hair! "Thanks! It's day five hair!"

Must Have Fragrances for a Sentimental Summer

Oh, summer is nearly upon us. Well, here in Florida it actually started in February, but for the rest of you, its just nearly approaching! I love summer not for the heat waves and tangled hair, but for the sense of nostalgia it brings to me every time I take a walk along the salty beach, or catch a whiff of tanning lotion. Certain scents can really bring you back to another time or place. And that's part of the reason I've become so into fragrances as I've aged.

My love for a good fragrance didn't come until I really reached adulthood. Actually my little sister was perfume obsessed (and I'm pretty sure she still is) and that's kind of where my desire to even use perfume started. I've graduated in the fragrance department from my early Bath & Body Works body spray days, and while I'm no collector or connoisseur, I do love a good fragrance! I'm a big fan of a lot of different scents, but today I thought I'd share with you guys some scents I really love rocking during the summer time. These fragrances are light and breezy, with light floral and earthy notes perfect for summer! Hopefully you can find one you like, that will leave you feeling extra scentimental this season..

1. Raw Spirit Eau de Parfum, Wild Fire

This is probably my number one go-to perfume. Originally picked this little guy up at Anthropologie, but now I save myself a trip and/or shipping by ordering through Amazon Prime. This scent is so natural and nearly impossible to overdo. It's such a simple yet pretty fragrance, and is a big hit for jasmine and ylang ylang lovers. I wear this one nearly everyday and it never disappoints.

2. Maison Martin Margiela 'Replica' Beach Walk

My date night scent, or just when I'm feeling a little bit fancier than usual. I love this perfume mainly because I feel it expands on some of my favorite notes and includes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Ylang Ylang, Lemon, Coconut Milk, Heliotrope, Musk, Cedarwood, and Benzoin. It's such a fresh and freeing scent, and truly does replicate your favorite beach scent. It reminds me of the many sun kissed walks I've taken down the beautiful beaches of Grand Cayman.

3. Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs Eau De Toilette Spray

Writing this is so hard because not too long ago I called this the 'Basic A** B****' perfume because it seemed like every girl on the planet was wearing it. Well, slap some on my wrist one time and next thing you know, I'm a 'B.A.B' too. I'll wear the title proud because this perfume has really become one of my regular staples, and it's also my man's favorite of the bunch. Now excuse me while I go put my foot in my mouth. Ha!

4. Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia Perfume

Seriously guys, this perfume smells soooo good and is soooo inexpensive! This is my favorite when I want to go more floral and less earthy with my scent. Plus it's vegan and cruelty-free, so heyyyy.

5. Holland Park - Royal Apothic Mini Eau de Parfum

I picked up a bottle of this a few years ago in Asheville and have been hooked ever since. Another really pretty floral scent with notes of Lemon, Magnolia, and Peach, middle notes of Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Lily of the Valley, over a base of powdery White Musk. I get compliments every single time I'm wearing this one!

6. Kate Spade Live Colorfully Eau de Parfum

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a Kate Spade junkie. Michael can attest to this as he's been suckered into purchasing me many the Kate Spade watch. I love this Live Colorfully fragrance because it smells so sweet! It has a coconut water base (perfect for summer) and has the prettiest combination of Mandarin, Pink Water Lily, Star Anise, Golden Gardenia, Tiaré Flower, Sheer Amber, Musk, and Tahitian Vanilla notes.

To top it all off, these scents have all seemed to pass my skin's pesky test. As someone who suffers from extremely sensitive skin, it's very rare that I can find scents and skincare products that don't cause me irritation. These ones though, I'm keeping around!

To shop each scent you can click on each representing photo for a link!

I'd love to know what some of your favorite fragrances are! Leave a comment below and give me some new ideas, or tell me your thoughts on some of these scents! I can't wait to hear from you! 

Happy Summer friends!