We can debate whether Pluto is a planet this year, or we can all agree that these tees are adorable.  These tees by Pluto…the littlest planet lets your child proudly display that indeed, they are the Big Brother or the Big Sister.  This makes a great gift for the sibling, giving them a glorious title with all the new changes that are happening. Also, the new babe can make a statement with either the Little Brother or Little Sister Tee. 

I am thrilled to announce my latest venture, Bliss Baby Planners.  A baby planner is a consultant that assists new and expectant parents with all things maternity and baby.  The way that a wedding planner helps you plan for a wedding, a baby planner helps you prepare for baby.  This is a new industry, that started in England and then onto the West Coast.  With the celebrity baby boom, it hit Hollywood.  We are happy to be the first to offer this service in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area.

My partner, Tiffanie Hoover, and I believe this is a needed service in the Triangle area.  This is a great service to expectant parents who both work, expectant moms on bedrest, parents adopting, and so on.  We have the knowledge, experience, and have done the research.  We will take on your stress so that you can relax.

The average expectant parent will spend up to 250 hours researching baby products.  Ask your girlfriends what was their favorite baby bottle, and you will probably get different answers frome each one.  There are to many options, and too many conflicting answers.  You start to research on the web, and the next thing you know you have been online for 3 hours and you still do not know what baby carrier you want or what stroller is best.

Some of our services:  Baby Registering 101 (we know how overwhelming it can be to enter the mega baby stores), Nursery Design and Preparation, Essential Baby Gear Pick and Demonstration, Green Planning for Baby, and so on.  We can also do the initial nanny interviews, scope out daycares and pediatricians, and find a great muralist for baby’s nursery.

For more information, visit us at www.blissbabyplanners.com

Of course, I will still offer free advice for those shopping in my store!

First of all, just going in and buying a larger size is a blow to your self-esteem.  You will feel “fat”, even though there really is a good reason why you are gaining weight.  Buying a larger size, may fit where your bump is, but I bet the shoulders will be too big, and there will be extra material where you really don’t need it.   Once you start to wear maternity clothes, you will mentally feel pregnant.  Now, some of you are in denial.  I understand.  You are not ready for the unknown.  Mainly the physical unknown.  It will get better, and when you are mentally ready,  you are ready to shop!!  Remember, good maternity clothes will look like your non-pregnancy wardrobe, but cleverly designed to grow with your expanding waistline and bust!

My advice would be for you to go into an independent maternity store in your area, and get that one-on-one customer service.  Honestly, you will feel like you are with a personal shopper, because you will usually get the owner or an employee who is knowledgable and sensitive to your needs.  They are familiar with the fit, the style, and will look at your body type to know what will be most flattering. 

When you walk into an independent maternity store, you will usually get asked a bunch of questions.  Trust me, I am not trying to be nosy, I am just being helpful.  I ask how far along are you?  Have you started wearing maternity clothes.  If the answer is yes, then we jump into what you need type of questions. If it is the first time you have stepped into a maternity store, then I will educate you about all your different maternity options.  It can be overhelming, and so I want to make the shopping experience stress free.  If you work, I will ask about your work environment, and do you have a dress code?  What colors do you like to wear?  Are you a pants person or dress/skirt person?  What is your go to outfit for an evening out?  Do you live in jeans?  Do you have any special events coming up?  What size did you wear pre-pregnancy?

Whew….I know, a lot of questions.  But really, I am just trying to find out your style, getting to know you, and your needs.  Once the background is established, then I will pick out some “investment” pieces, or if you are looking for something specific I will point out some options.  Investment items that you will wear over and over and over again.  If you find a great pair of black pants, see if there are other colors as well. I usually stock khaki and chocolate brown, as well as black in my best selling pants.  There is a good reason why it is a best seller! 

As for tops, I always put in the dressing room a couple of tops that you normally would not pick for yourself.  This usually has to do with the pattern.  Do not be afraid of pattern.  Some patterned tops just feel so sexy and sassy to wear.  Why not draw attention to yourself.  I loved wearing pattern when I was pregnant.  Though now, I would not wear it.  Yes, I love wearing black, but when you are pregnant you can take more chances and have fun with your wardrobe.  Also, wearing a fitted maternity top will accent your blossoming belly, and make you feel sexy with your new curves. 

To show those curves, a Michael Stars tee is awesome.  If you have not tried a maternity Michael Stars tee, you have to try these tops!  They are one size fits most.  They are stretchy. They have shine if you choose.  You can put them in the dryer and they will not shrink. And Michael Stars tees are the perfect tee to wear after your baby has arrived.  They are just long enough to cover your post baby belly (just in case your girlfriend did not tell you, you will look about 5-6 months pregnant after you leave the hospital), yet they look and feel like a normal top.  You will be one hip mama!

I try to take a girlfriend approach when I help you.  That is my personality.  If you like it great.  If you don’t, well I will sit back while you do your own shopping and be there if you need a personal opinion.  And yes, I do give honest opinions.  But after 4 years running a maternity boutique, I think I am doing something right.

If I can help you in anyway, you can always call the store 919-484-0333 or email me at tina@bellyblossom.com

Cheers to your blossoming belly!

Beautiful fall dresses arriving from Maternal America and Olian.  My favorite of the week is this dress from Maternal America.  It is their signature front tie dress, though you can tie it in the back if you like.   It comes in a fabulous ruby color.  It will take you from work to night out.  Perfect for all those events you will be invited to this season! 

It has elbow length sleeves, and a simple keyhole detail in the back. The pretty cross over vee design in the front will flatter all sizes! 

Trust me…this dress is going to fly out of the store! 

Decorate your growing belly this Halloween with ProudBody’s Belly Painting Kit (retails for $24.99)! Cool design ideas included in the kit! Turn your belly into a Halloween PUMPKIN work of art and join in the Halloween festivities. ProudBody’s paint kits double as face paint for the kiddies Halloween costumes or face painting at Autumn Festivals — FDA approved, non allergenic and safe for sensitive skin.

The belly paints apply easily with water and remove easily with mild soap and water. The possibilities are endless. Have fun and don’t forget to take pictures of your uniquely decorated belly! Kit will easily paint 20 pictures covering mom’s entire belly. Any unused paints can be stored for future use, such as for children’s face painting projects.

You can order from www.proudbody.com

-M.D. (Cary, NC)

These hoodies by 2 chix says it all. You’ll love this yummy long sleeved pregnancy hoodie made of 100% cotton. It’s super soft and is pre-shrunk to fit most bellies!  It is available in one-size-fits-most (Fits pre-pregnancy sizes 2-14!!!)  These hoodies also make great gifts.

Our BRAND NEW maternity hoodies will keep your little “bump” warm and toasty all season long! 

Our Price: $49

Also, other sayings/colors available: here i grow again (poweder blue), knocked up (black), let it show (midnight), with bump, not plump (olive), what’s kickin’ (white)

Happy Blossoming!

These books make great gifts for baby showers, graduations, birthdays, or any other special occassion.  Also, available “Hello Blue Devil!”, “Hello Ramses”, “Hello Mr. Wuf!”.  Check out www.mascotbooks.com for a listing of 150+ different team books.  Also, availabe at www.bellyblossom.com.

Yes, you can temporarily help your non-maternity clothes fit a bit longer by putting on a bellaband.  A bellaband is great.  You can unbutton your pants and unzip your pants, and no one will know.  It will look like you have a tank top layered under that too short of a shirt that you are still wearing. 

This is probaby our number one selling accessory in the store.  You can buy one bellaband, or some will buy three bellabands.  You will probably wear the bella band after you have the baby, as you lose that baby weight and try to get back in your non-maternity clothes.  For some reason your friends will forget to tell you that you will still look about 5-6 months pregnant when you leave the hospital.

Now there are other bands out there.  I do not think that the quality is as good as the original bellaband.  I know this because my customers come in saying that they bought one from one of the chains (I do not need to mention any of the three since you know what I am talking about).  They also say that the band loses its elasticity and does not hold their bottoms up.  They come in and walk out with the bellaband. 

I would love to hear what you think about the bellaband, or any of the other bands out there. 

Happy Blossoming!

Stretch marks are hereditary.  So ask your mum or sister if she got them.  But with daily dedication to using the right stretch mark cream or oil you may be able to get through your pregnancy without any stretch marks.  The key is to use an oil or cream that will fight against the stretch marks, in particular with elasticity enhancing products.  If you keep rubbing in moisture, especially products that promote elasticity you may be one of the lucky ones to be rewarded with pre-stretched skin.  Isn’t that fabulous?

Our favorite skin care for fighting stretch marks is the Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil and/or Butter by Mama Mio.  It is up to you to decide if you want to use a butter or oil, but all I know is these products have what you need to help prevent stretch marks.  To be effective use it once a day in the beginning of pregnancy, and later in pregancy use it twice a day—once in the morning and once at night.

What makes their skincare so unique is that the products are rich in Omegas 3, 6, and 9 which are the most important elements to give your skin strength and elasticity.  It also contains a fragrance called Gravida, which is made up of 10 pregnancy specific and pregnancy sfe essential oils.  It also smells really, really good!  And lastly, their products pride themselves with the NO NASTIES!  What does that mean?  It means it is totally free of all parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, sodium laureth sulfate and dyes.  This makes it safe for pregnant women, nursing women (and their babies) and any other women who is truly concerned about what they are putting on their skin, and most importantly what is absorbed into their skin.

You might be one of the lucky ones not to get stretch marks without even trying to prevent it.  Do you want to take that chance? 

Good luck!