Posts Tagged ‘nine naturals’

The Un-Shower

un-shower

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Why not throw a baby shower your friends actually want to come to?

Fact: Every time any person under 70 gets an invitation to a baby shower, she rolls her eyes and tries to think of ways to get out of it. Yes, every time. And she will for yours too. Between the wishing well, those embarrassing shower games, and the sitting around for 2 hours while the mama-to-be opens each and every last gift from each and every last co-worker’s cousin’s daughter, you can’t blame her for wanting to jump out of her skin.

But wait! You don’t have to have one of those showers! For this last big hoorah before baby arrives, why not throw a party that everyone — including you — will want to attend? Here’s a few ideas for a great “Un-Shower” that will have all the girls you know praying for an invitation:

Terrarium-Making: Flower workshops are sooo last year. For a new twist on the classic, bring your group to Twig Terrariums where you can all create customized little green worlds filled with the hilarious miniature figurines the Gowanus shop is known for. $150/person for two-hour private workshops. Groups larger than 20 get discounted rates.

Makeup Workshop: The first night out after baby comes is worth putting on your “going out” face, so perfect your “hot mama” look now with a group of friends at a Jessa Blades makeup workshop. The Brooklyn-based makeup artist, natural beauty expert and herbalist offers regular workshops around the country, but will also put together an event for a small group.

DIY Spa Products: For a celebration centered around that beautiful body of yours, a DIY spa product party in your living room (or someone else’s) may be the way to go. The Good Home Company founder and CEO Christine Dimmick will help you create body lotion, massage oil, foot scrub, bubble bath or shower gel, all from natural ingredients that you can feel “Good” about. Prices start at $1,200. Email [email protected] for more info.

Tie-Dye Party: There’s no better baby onesie than a tie-dyed baby onesie. Unless that baby onesie is tie-dyed by YOU! We’re lucky enough to have tie-dye guru Shabd Simon-Alexander in our own great city, so take advantage, ladies! For a private workshop safe for pregnancy, Shabd can pre-mix dyes, then come teach you and your friends some cool tying techniques and guide you through some dipping and dripping. For those afraid of messes, she’ll keep the buckets at home and finish off your creations herself. Email [email protected] for group pricing.

Cooking Class: If you’re a domestic at heart, or just love to eat, a cooking class could be the un-shower of your dreams. Michelle Marinis, founder of Petit Organics and healthy-eating website Silver Spoon (coming soon!), offers private in-home cooking lessons for groups. For a mama-to-be, she can focus on nutritional prenatal recipes, but your non-pregnant friends shouldn’t fret — for a little extra, she’ll bring over a case of wine to really get that party started. Prices start at $800 for 2 hours. Email [email protected] for details.

Crafting Workshop: Whether you want to learn to sew, feel an urge to knit using your arms, or have another creative endeavor in mind, the Brooklyn Craft Company can come up with the DIY party of your dreams. Private events at this Greenpoint studio are suitable for any skill level, and can also include food and beverages. If WE were planning an un-shower, we’d choose the Catlady Craft Night (cat nail art, anyone?) but maybe that’s just us.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Things We’ve Read: Week of June 23rd

Pregnancy News Nine Naturals Things We've Read

Shorter time between pregnancies linked to earlier delivery (Reuters): According to a new study, women who become pregnant again within 18 months after having a baby are more likely to deliver early.

What The New York Times Got Right and Wrong About Maternal Mental Health (HuffPost): The New York Times highlighted important information about maternal mood disorders, but they missed an opportunity to go further in depth about what these disorders look like and how to differentiate them.

BPA May Make Breast Cancer Cells Resistant To Treatment (WUNC): A study recently taken out at Duke University reveals that BPA, a chemical found in many plastics, can make breast cancer cells resistant to treatment.

White House Moves to Overhaul Policies for Working Parents (HuffPost): The White House is aiming to change policies to benefit working parents for a more family friendly work environment, including paid leave and accommodations for pregnant women.

What Nobody Tells You About the First 3 Months of Motherhood (HuffPost): Being a mother of a newborn is hard and tiring, but for this mom, it’s totally worth it.

Just how important are midwives for a healthy pregnancy? (Voxxi): When it comes to pregnancy, much emphasis is placed on the mother-doctor relationship, but the midwives should definitely not be ignored either.

Nine Naturals Style Guide: Fourth of July Maternity Fashion

We know dressing for a hot summer day isn’t easy, especially while pregnant and being out and about during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Fourth of July fashion is all about showing off your patriotic pride and dressing up in red, white and blue. Even though you have a limited color pallet to work with, the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re attending a BBQ, headed to the beach, or enjoying brunch with friends and family, we have just the right looks to keep you cool, comfortable and stylish.

BBQ Ready: Headed to a summer BBQ this Fourth of July? Time to pull out our favorite summer staple – the maxi dress. This blue and white striped maxi is Fourth of July perfect, especially when paired with a vibrant statement necklace. Grab a jean jacket in case it gets chilly and dress it up with a pair of wedges to give you added height. Complete the outfit with festive red nails for a subtle nod to the red, white and blue.

BBQ

Spaghetti Strap Empire Waist Maternity Maxi (Jessica Simpson), Vintage denim jacket (J. Crew), Pledge Leather Espadrille Wedge Sandals (Jimmy Choo), Give It A Swirl Triple Strand Necklace (Kate Spade), American Beauty 5 Free Nail Polish (Priti NYC)

Beachy Style: Just because you have a growing bump doesn’t mean you can’t flaunt it at the beach this summer! Show off your bump with a solid blue one-piece bathing suit that features ruffles along the neckline for a touch of added flair. Go bare or cover it up with a simple white tunic. A classic wide-brimmed straw hat and your favorite pair of shades will protect your face from the beaming sun. Don’t forget to throw in Mott 50’s sun protective scarf and Nine Naturals Natural SPF Sunscreen 32 in your nautical beach tote!

Fourth of July Maternity Fashion

Pleated Maternity Swim Cover-up (A Pea in the Pod), Dot Bow Straw Hat (Ann Taylor), Ruffled Maternity One Piece Swimsuit (A Pea in the Pod), Classic Square Sunglasses (Ralph Lauren), Nautical Striped Tote (Daily Look), Sun Protective Shawl for Birchbox (Mott 50), Patent Thora 2 Sandal (Tory Burch)

Daytime Brunch: Fourth of July weekend is a time for family and friends, but don’t forget about the food! If you’re heading into town for a delicious meal, think casual yet sophisticated. Throw on a comfortable pair of white maternity jeans to show off that summer style, topped off with a loose fitting patriotic red blouse and a navy blazer for a classy, yet chic touch. Finish the outfit with a leather sandal so you’re ready to walk around town for a little shopping after brunch!

Maternity Fourth of July Fashion

Maternity Skinny Jeans in White (LOFT), Blue Depths ‘Abree’ Open Front Blazer (BCBG), Convertible Sleeve Button Front Blouse (MISOKA), Donddi Sandal (Steve Madden), Jeweled Quill Earrings (J. Crew), Lydia Tote (Tory Burch)

Fill er up!

water bottles

Article Courtesy of Well Rounded NY

From the moment I got pregnant with Oliver, a thirst hit me like no other. Already an avid hydrator, I found myself revisiting the water cooler for more than just the office gossip. Drinking water for two is crucial for pregnancy. “Not only is it healthy for you and your baby, but you’re more likely to contract and go into pre-term labor when you’re dehydrated,” says New York City OB-GYN Meredith Halpern of Cityscape OB/GYN. Reason enough to stay hydrated.

I’m not a fan of buying overpriced and anything-but-green water bottles, so I started using reusable water bottles a few years ago. And unlike my reusable grocery bags, these get actual use. But not all water bottles are created equal. Just like the baby gear you’re currently stocking up on, you want to make sure the water you ingest on a daily basis is free of BPA and anything else you can’t pronounce. Glass is the safe choice…and the pretty one. Which we think is important if it’s going to be one of your accessories for the next few months and beyond. Because the hydrating does not stop once baby is here. One of the best nursing tips from my birth instructor was to set up a nursing station (or a few) in your home that always has a water bottle filled. So yes, you’ll continue pee’ing a lot for a little while longer, but you’ll also ensure both you and your baby stay hydrated.

Here are 5 glass water bottles to keep your thirst at bay.

  1. bkr: bkr’s philosophy is all about clean living. Which is exactly what you want from your drinking water, right? The founders of bkr thought out every detail in this usable piece of art. Each bkr bottle is dressed in a removable silicone sleeve, available in various gorgeous colors, and has an easy-to-drink-from mouth. Oh, and doesn’t bkr’s About Us page make you want to be a part of their club? $30
  2. Lifefactor: The first glass bottle I ever sipped from, Lifefactory remains a modern classic. Lifefactory’s bottles are always BPA/BPS-free and dishwasher safe, and the company is constantly revamping their colors and styles. Also, the wide mouth allows easy access for ice cubes and fresh fruit. The new Straw Cap style is designed for one-hand operation and upright, spillproof sipping (no tipping needed) making it perfect for hydrating on the go or while nursing. $26.99
  3. Bamboo: While most glass bottles ensure safe and clean drinking at all temperatures, Bamboo bottles add an extra level of strength and style. Offering three different styles of tops — classic, flip and hot tops — this bottle company strives to maintain a green earth by utilizing one of the renewable materials available: bamboo. So go ahead and fill’er up with cold or hot beverages — the bamboo can withstand the heat. $25
  4. Takeya: With its passion for beverages and drinkware, Takeya creates water bottles to carry both water and one of the delicious iced teas for which the company has become so known. Made with durable glass and covered in a silicone jacket, Takeya’s see-through window for checking fluid levels really makes this bottle unique. $17.99
  5. Aquasana: These Aquasana bottles leave you with the purest taste of water like only glass can. Aquasana, which can be purchased in a bundle of six, is a no-frills option that makes it easy for each family member to take a bottle on the go without having to worry about a few dirty ones in the sink. $31.11

This article is by Kaity Velez courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Things We’ve Read: Week of June 16th

Pregnancy News Nine Naturals Things We've Read

Best Parenting Tweets: What Moms and Dads Said on Twitter This Week (HuffPost): A collection of the most hilarious 140-character tweets from parents about what their kids are saying these days.
Pregnancy Researchers Unlock Key to Triggering Labour (Hunter Medical Research Institute): A potassium channel in the uterine muscle functions as a electrical switch - when turned off, it allows labor contractions to occur. However, this switch tends to stay on in overweight women, leading to difficult labors.
The Agony and the Ecstasy of Raising a Toddler (HuffPost): Life after having a child explained by comics.
Tiny robotic arm could operate on babies in the womb (CNN): Scientists are developing a tiny robotic arm to perform surgeries on babies in the womb to correct complications and conditions, such as spina bifida, before the babies are born.
EU Court Supports Rights of Pregnant Workers (Courthouse News Service): The EU High Court has rules that pregnant women who stop working during the late stages of pregnancy can receive public benefits as long as they return to work soon after giving birth.
Airport Screening Machines During Pregnancy: Is It Safe? (CafeStir): Airport screening machines are low risks for dangerous radiation exposure, but there are alternatives, such as the traditional metal-scanner or a pat-down, for women who want to stay safe.
These Popular Plastic Bottles May Be Messing With Your Hormones (Mother Jones): A study tested BPA-free plastic containers and found that these products leaked hormone-altering chemicals after being exposed to heat.
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