During my pregnancy, I was all about keeping it cool and comfortable. While I did buy a lot of new pieces for this pregnancy, less than 10% of them were actually maternity pieces! I bought a ton of affordable basics and just sized up to make some room for the bump. I’m typically a size S, so by the middle of my pregnancy I was sizing up to a M and by the end I was sometimes sizing up to a L. As you are about to see, dresses became my best friend! If I could tell you to get any one staple it’s a bodycon dress. I loved the ones from Forever21 – they are super cheap but probably my most worn. I got a medium and it lasted my whole pregnancy because they are super stretchy! They are a miracle worker when it comes to maternity style. Keep scrolling for some maternity style inspo, from dressy to casual:

DRESSES

This first dress is show below at all trimesters of my pregnancy. The same dress 🙂

DETAILS: KNIT CARDIGAN (SIMILAR HERE) | NUDE DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | SNEAKERS | WHITE HAT | CROSSBODY | NECKLACES

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DETAILS: NUDE DRESS (SIMILAR HERE)

DETAILS: DENIM JACKET | NUDE DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | QUILTED BACKPACK (SIMILAR HERE) | SCARF | SUNGLASSES

DETAILS: KHAKI BUTTON UP JACKET | NUDE DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | WATCH

DETAILS: RED DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK STRAW TOTE (SIMILAR HERE) | WATCH | PHONE CASE

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*DETAILS: BLACK DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | DENIM JACKET (SIMILAR HERE) | BLUSH CROSSBODY (SIMILAR HERE) | WATCH

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DETAILS: WHITE BUTTON DOWN DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | DENIM JACKET (SIMILAR HERE) | WHITE SANDALS | GREEN HEADBAND (SIMILAR HERE) | WATCH

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DETAILS: WHITE BUTTON DOWN DRESS | LONG KNIT BLAZER | SNEAKERS | LEATHER BUCKET BAG

DETAILS: WHITE SUMMER DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | SNAKESKIN SLIDES | BLACK TOTE (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: WHITE MINI DRESS (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: GREEN RUFFLED DRESS | WHITE SNEAKERS | SUNGLASSES | CHANEL BAG

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DETAILS: GREY RIBBED KNIT DRESS (SIMILAR HERE)| BLUSH HAT | KNIT CARDIGAN (SIMILAR HERE) | OVERSIZED FAUX LEATHER TOTE (SIMILAR HERE) | SUEDE FLATS (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: GREY SWING DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | *PINK SWEATSHIRT (SIMILAR HERE) | WHITE SNEAKERS

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DETAILS: BUTTON UP DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | EMBELLISHED HEADBAND (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: SWEATER DRESS (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: CAMEL COAT (SIMILAR HERE UNDER $100) | WHITE DRESS (UNDER $100) | LEOPARD PUMP

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DETAILS: SWEATSHIRT DRESS  (WEARING SIZE 6) | LEOPARD OVERCOAT (WEARING SIZE S) | BLACK OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS | NUDE CROSSBODY | SUNGLASSES | TORTOISE EARRINGS

DETAILS: GREY BUTTON DOWN DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | CONVERSE | WATCH

DETAILS: CROPPED HOODIE (SIMILAR HERE) | GREY DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | CONVERSE | LEATHER BUCKET BAG

DETAILS: WHITE BUTTON DOWN DRESS | WATCH 

DETAILS: FLORAL MINI DRESS | QUILTED CHANEL | NUDE SANDALS

DETAILS: YELLOW SHOULDER DRESS (SIMILAR HERE)

SHORTS/PANTS:

DETAILS: MATERNITY DENIM | WHITE TOP (SIMILAR HERE) WHITE SANDALS | LEOPARD PRINT HEADBAND (SIMILAR HERE UNDER $10) | TORTOISE HOOPS (SIMILAR HERE) | LV TOTE

DETAILS: OVERSIZED BLAZER (BORROWED FROM CODY – LOVE THIS ONE | BIKER SHORTS |  NUDE SANDALS | TOTE (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: SILK TOP (SIMILAR HERE) | WHITE DENIM

DETAILS: BLACK SWEATER | CHECKED TROUSERS | BLACK EMBOSSED TOTE | NUDE SANDALS (UNDER $100) | TORTOISE EARRINGS

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DETAILS: WHITE BIKINI | WHITE BUTTON UP | BLACK BEACH PANTS | WHITE SANDALS | STRAW CROSSBODY

DETAILS: BLUSH BLAZER (UNDER $100) | GREY CAMI (UNDER $100) | DENIM | WHITE SLIDES | DIOR TOTE | SUNGLASSES

 | LAST SEEN HERE |

DETAILS: PLAID BLAZER (SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK CAMISOLE

DETAILS: OVERALL SHORTS (MORE SIZES HERE)| PLAID BLAZER (SIMILAR HERE)  | BLACK TANK | BROWN OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS | BLACK TOTE | SUNGLASSES (SIMILAR HERE)

| LAST SEEN HERE |

SKIRTS

DETAILS: BLUSH CAMISOLE | PINK SKIRT (SIMILAR HERE) | BLUSH CROSSBODY (SIMILAR HERE) | SANDALS

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Skirts can work just as well post-pregnancy as during – the key is finding a flowy skirt with a stretchy waist band! So easy to dress up or down to make work for any occasion.

DETAILS: PLAID BLAZER– UNDER $50 (SIMILAR HERE UNDER $35, AND  HERE UNDER $50) | PINK SATIN SKIRT (SIMILAR HERE)| WHITE SNEAKERS | CHANEL BAG | WATCH

DETAILS: LEOPARD CAMI (SIMILAR HERE) | PLEATED LEOPARD SKIRT | SANDALS (SIMILAR HERE) | CHANEL BAG | SUNGLASSES

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DETAILS: BLUE SWEATER (WEARING SIZE S) | TWEED SKIRT (WEARING SIZE 2) | NUDE SANDALS (UNDER $100)

DETAILS: SATIN CAMI (SIMILAR HERE) | SLIP SKIRT

DETAILS: SWEATER | MAXI SKIRT (SIMILAR HERE & HERE)| HAT (UNDER $100)

ROMPERS:

DETAILS: STRIPED ROMPER (SIMILAR HERE) | SANDALS (SIMILAR HERE) | STRAW BAG | LEOPARD PRINT HEADBAND (SIMILAR HERE UNDER $10)

Rompers are a great option for maternity wear! They usually have a little bit of give around the waist – just size up one and you can usually make it work well into your second trimester, and also you’ll be glad to have some cute romper options post-pregnancy.

DETAILS: ROMPER

SPORTSWEAR/LOUNGE:

DETAILS: CAMEL COAT (ON SALE UNDER $50 | SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK TEE | FAUX LEATHER BIKER SHORTS | WHITE CANVAS SNEAKERS | SUNGLASSES (SIMILAR HERE)| SUITCASE | DUFFEL (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: GREY BRALETTE (UNDER $15) | GREY BOTTOMS (UNDER $10) | DENIM JACKET (SIMILAR HERE)

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DETAILS: GREY LONG SLEEVE TEE | BLACK BIKER SHORTS | RED SNEAKERS | SUNGLASSES

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DETAILS: BLACK TANK | SHORTS (LOVE THESE) | NIKES (OLD – SIMILAR HERE) | QUILTED BACKPACK (SIMILAR HERE) | SUNGLASSES

DETAILS: SWEATER | LEGGINGS | SANDALS (UNDER $50)

DETAILS: BLACK TANK | SWEATS

DETAILS: POLO HAT | WHITE TANK | SHORTS | SANDALS (UNDER $50)

BABY SHOWER INSPO:

DETAILS: WHITE EMBELLISHED LACE DRESS

DETAILS: PINK SATIN DRESS (SIMILAR HERE) | STAR EARRINGS

DETAILS: PINK DRESS (2019 COLLECTION) | EARRINGS | CODY’S BLUE SUIT COAT & TROUSERS

DETAILS: GREY TULLE DRESS | WATCH

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DETAILS: SEQUIN MINI DRESS | GOLD HEELS | BLUSH UMBRELLA (SIMILAR HERE) | CHANEL BAG

Let me know which looks are your favorite! Below are some other pieces I love that would work for maternity style!

PIN NOW – SAVE FOR LATER:

XX, Christine

The post 50 Maternity Outfits At All Price Points appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Hi guys! After using the Snoo for the last few months,  to give a full review on our experience, pros and cons,  how it’s helped, what we learned along the way, and most importantly whether I think it’s worth the splurge. So keep reading to get my full review:

A rough start…

To be fully transparent, Ollie didn’t love the Snoo right off the bat. I had heard so many raving reviews, so I was surprised that he didn’t take to it immediately but after mentioning this on my stories, I got tons of DMs suggesting we swaddle Ollie before we put him in the sleeper sack, and that made all the difference! I had prior just been zipping him into the sleep sack and he had so much room to kick around, so once we swaddled him he loved being all cozy inside. He also has acid reflux and I found out that Snoo has risers that keep his head elevated to help with his reflux. Honestly those two changes were game changers and he loved it from then on!

My favorite features:

There are sooo many amazing features of the Snoo that you can read about here, but I just wanted to focus on a few that we used the most. It’s a smart sleeper, so it basically senses when your baby starts to cry and starts rocking. The more your baby fusses the faster it rocks and then once they settle down it weans them off the motion.  It’s seriously genius and helped soothe Ollie in his bassinet. It also has a built-in noise machine that automatically kicks in or adds more sounds when it senses the fussing.  It’s like having an extra set of hands – honestly so helpful! It can also track their sleep cycles with the app. We didn’t use the app but all my friends swear by it.

The biggest thing for me though was the safety. I don’t know if it’s the older I get I hear more sad stories about freak incidents, but I was extra on edge about SIDS or something happening. The Snoo is 1005 the safest sleeper on the market. It keeps your child on their back so they can’t roll and that brought me more sleep at night knowing I didn’t have to wake up and worry he had tolled over. (Also have to mention for my crappy half asleep nights of swaddling him, the velcro/zipper is a life saver to make up for my sloppy swaddles. ; It made it incredibly easy to get him cozy again without worrying about him wiggling out.)

The cons:

It’s not super portable. It’s pretty heavy – but we didn’t really need to move it from our room but it just prevented us from really moving it anywhere because of that and because it has to be plugged in so you need to stay close to an outlet.

We also had a little trouble connecting it to our phone – they sent us a WiFi extender but I honestly just never got around to connecting it which is laziness on my part and he was ok without having the app, so I just didn’t do it. A lot of my friends LOVE and swear by the app so maybe I’m missing out big time but I just got lazy.

Worth it?

The big question… is it worth the splurge? I work from home a lot of the time, and there were a number of times I was like wow, I’m able to do ____ because my hands are free while The Snoo rocks Ollie. Yes, that also left me feeling a little mom guilt sometimes too but it allowed me to get more done while at home which was huge for me.

The cost of the Snoo will obviously hit everyone’s budgets differently, so if you are in a position to splurge on something for baby, it’s a no brainer! (Especially if you are planning to have a few kids – it’s something you’ll use with every baby!) They also have a 30 day money back guarantee so if you try it and don’t love it you can ship it back at no cost to you! I think they know once you start using it you will instantly see the value in it like we did. They also have an amazing new option that you can rent the Snoo. Honestly I think it’s 100% worth the money whether you rent or buy. I will use it again if we have another and all my friends who have it love it too.

Have any of you guys used The Snoo before? I’m curious about your experience – whether your baby took to it immediately or you figured out what worked for your baby along the way. Let me know in the comments!

XX, Christine

The post The Snoo: Yay or Nay? appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Hey guys! I shared on my insta stories that we’ve been working with a sleep trainer to help with Ollie and I’ve already learned so much! I’ve shared a few tips on stories that she’s shared but I also wanted to put together a post with the products she recommended for sleep training so you can shop directly.

SIZE TWO BOTTLE NIPPLES

If you are bottle feeding, Around 3 months old, start transitioning to larger bottle nipples (size 2). I completely forgot this one since it’s been over 5 years since we did this with Beckam, but getting a bigger nipple size makes sure they are getting enough food during the day. The bigger nipple size has already made a huge difference in how much milk he is getting!

BABY MERLIN’S MAGIC SLEEPSUIT

This sleepsuit is supposed to be the best to help them transition out of the swaddle. Ollie is only 3 months old and rolling, so once they start rolling you need to Start transitioning out of the swaddle, but because he’s on the younger side he still has the Moro Reflex so this helps him that.

WHITE NOISE MACHINE (ON SALE)

Noise machines are a must but one thing I didn’t know was that you shouldn’t use the ocean or rain sleep settings – they actually stimulate the brain! This one has multiple other settings and is on sale right now, too!

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Our sleep trainer also recommended using lavender essential oil. Another option is lotion with lavender, or you can also mix lavender essential oil with your baby’s favorite lotion. Make sure and check with your pediatrician before using 🙂

NIGHTTIME DIAPERS

Not only should you be using overnight diapers, but when they start sleeping longer size up one size – you still want it to fit snug around the waist but there will be extra room/absorbency to get through the night.

PAPER BLACKOUT SHADES

One major thing I learned was to feed Ollie right after he wakes up. You should feed them in a dark, distraction-free space so Jess, our sleep trainer, recommended these if you don’t have curtains or black out shades. They aren’t high end looking but do the job for a good price point.

Let me know in the comments below if you guys have any more questions! I also shared a ton of tips on sleep training on my Instagram and  made a sleep training highlight that you can watch here. I shared the above on stories and it was so good I couldn’t help but post here too.

XX, Christine

The post 6 Products You Need For Seamless Sleep Training appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Happy Friday, mamas! Let’s talk nursing… whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or using formula, when it comes to feeding our babies I feel like people are really passionate one way or the other. I remember when I had Beckam, my milk dried up really fast and I felt like I was failing as a mom. I think a big part that was that breastfeeding in general was not as openly talked about as it is now. As a first time mom, I wasn’t as confident in my “mom skills” as I am the second time around. So I just wanted to start this post with whatever you are doing to feed your baby, that’s amazing! 

When we had Ollie this time around, I wanted to try breastfeeding again. He did really well at the beginning, but as time went on my milk supply started to lower. My milk wasn’t coming out as fast as the bottle so when it came time to feed, he would get really upset and wouldn’t latch. Sometimes if he was really tired, he would latch and I LOVE that time with him so much. There is no better connection, but most of the time after the first 6 weeks, it just didn’t work… Some days it’s still hard and I miss having that connection time breastfeeding him, but I’m also really thankful he can still get some of my milk other ways. And I’ll be honest, it’s not much some days, but I’ve learned to appreciate my body at this stage and to be thankful for everything it’s done – like carrying him through a healthy pregnancy. Whatever stage you’re at, appreciate your body! 

When we were at the hospital they kept telling me I could get a nice pump covered by insurance. I went to multiple pharmacies to ask, but got blank stares each time. I almost gave up but then I heard about Aeroflow Breastpumps. The company specializes in helping women get a breast pump through their insurance. They also offer pregnancy and postpartum support garments, like maternity support bands, compression socks, etc. As well as essentials like milk storage bags and nursing pads, cleaning supplies, and hands-free pumping bras – and you can even use your FSA/HSA funds to purchase these items! They take care of the entire process for you, filing the claim and getting documents from your doctor – all you do is fill out this form and Aeroflow Breastpumps will check to see if you qualify for a pump through insurance and do the rest. They also have a ton of breast pumps to choose from. The Lansinoh Smartpump is amazing – you can track/monitor your pumping schedule from your phone and it actually mimics baby’s natural feeding patterns, so it’s really efficient. This pump is covered through most insurance plans, too! Breast pumps can really add up but if your insurance covers it, it’s a great way to snag a nice one. Plus you can save money to splurge on something else – like a car seat or stroller.  

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Aeroflow. 

The post Nursing Diaries appeared first on Hello Fashion.

One of the questions I get the most is about which baby products I recommend. These last two months we have tried a ton of baby products – some tried and true that I used  with Beckam and some that I am newly converted to! There is so much information out there on the internet, but I wanted to put together some of my baby products that I think are 100% worth the hype. Here’s my list!

1. Snuggle Me Organic

The Snuggle Me Organic is one of our most-used baby products so far. It is super convenient to be able to lay him down anywhere and just move him around to any room, depending on where we are hanging out. They also have interchangeable covers so you can pick a pattern to match your aesthetic. So glad we went with the Snuggle Me Organic – we love it!

2. Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottles

The tradition continues with these Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottles. Beckam did so well with them and now Ollie is following suit. He doesn’t like the ones with the wide neck nipples, but these standard sized nipples like shown above work great.

3. Doona Car Seat/Stroller

I had a few different strollers with B, but we never tried the Doona so I was really excited to get one for Ollie after everything I’ve heard about it. We travel so much and I loved the idea of a convertible stroller that folds into a car seat in just a few quick steps. We have yet to take our first big trip with Ollie, but we already love it so much! It’s so lightweight and so easy to use – this is an amazing stroller! My only issue is that it doesn’t have a storage compartment underneath, so I just bought a handbag strap so I can hang my diaper bag on it.

4. The Snoo

I was on the fence about The Snoo at first. My friends raved about it but when I first put Ollie in it, he wasn’t convinced. I shared my honest feedback that Ollie wasn’t loving it on Insta stories, and then a bunch of you suggested we swaddle him before we put him in the ‘sleep sack’ and that did the trick! He also has reflux, so they have little risers for purchase so you can elevate two of the legs of the Snoo so it would sit at a slight angle. Now he loves it!

5. The BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss

The BabyBjorn bouncer has been our favorite. Not only is it super sleek and easy on the eyes, it also works really well! Ollie is a big fan.

6. Angelcare Bath Support

It took us a few tries before we finally found the right baby bath accessory, but I swear by this one now. It keeps him propped up really well and it’s also easy to wash. I really can’t recommend it enough – it has completely changed bath time for us!

7. nuna PIPA Lite LX Car Seat 

The nuna car seat deserves all the hype they get, too. I asked you guys on stories for light carseats and this one won by a landslide and now I totally get why. It’s sooo super lightweight – I couldn’t believe how much lighter it was than the one I had the first time around with Beckam. I also love the color options they have available and the leather strap is super chic. And Ollie loves it!

8. nuna Mixx Stroller

This is the other stroller we have – it definitely weighs more than the Doona but it has more storage and also has options for forward or rear facing so it can grow with your baby.

9. JJ Cole BundleMe

Ollie loves this bunting bag! It’s perfect for winter, so you can just zip it around the car seat or use it for bunting when he’s in the stroller out for walks or running errands. It’s so convenient and a great substitute for blankets that always end up falling off at the worst places!

10. Fridababy Windi

Now onto the less dreamy but equally necessary products… the Fridababy Windi is amazing. I’ll spare you guys details on how it works, but it is a must for baby gas. Trust me on this one!

11. Fridababy SnotSucker

And one that same note, the SnotSucker Saline Kit is perfect for dealing with congestion and stuffy baby noses. I didn’t totally understand how it worked and I thought the snot could potentially end up in your mouth, but it doesn’t haha. There’s a filter that stops it! Another one you don’t think about, but it’s an absolute lifesaver!

Would love to hear what some of your must-have baby products are that are worth their weight in gold! Leave a comment below with what I need to try.

XX, Christine

The post 11 Baby Products Worth The Hype appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Ollie LOVES the bath. I can’t handle that face! And how is he getting so big already!!

He is so, so observant, when he’s awake he just stares into your eyes. I love the way he just looks up at me or Cody.

These have been my favorite baby bath products, I used the aveeno and noodle and boo on Beckam when he was little and  love them. Hello Bello is a newer line but their stuff is plant based and has worked good on my kids sensitive skin.

Ollie has SO MUCH hair, I LOVE IT! It’s so dark too, I’m always curious if it will stay dark or turn light like Beckam’s. He’s started to loose some of his baby hair already though – makes me sad 🙁

I love this picture because I don’t have any of Beckam with his cute little newborn cry and I love all their little expressions happy and “hangry” 😉

DETAILS: SHEA BUTTER BABY WIPES | BABY OIL | LAMB BABY TOWEL | COZY BABY SOCKS | BABY BATH| BUBBLE BATH

First blog post with Baby Ollie!! Ollie loves the bath now and I love that time with him. I can’t believe how big he is already getting! Beckam always loved playing in the bath  – it was genuinely one of his favorite activities and he used to ask if he could take a bath in the middle of the day so he could play with his bath toys. But now that we are back in that newborn phase with Ollie, I’m relearning and re-remembering things that worked and didn’t work the first time around- so I wanted to share a few hacks and tips I’ve learned:

1. Think ahead. To make it as seamless as possible, prep everything ahead of time! Baths require undivided attention, so you want to avoid having to leave the room for anything! Make sure you have all your bath products, towels, and diaper ready to go ahead of time. I love hooded towels for little ones because their head is really what controls so much of how “cold” they are so if you can wrap them up quick and keep their head warm it helps a lot! Love all the cute animal hooded towels!
2. Make bath time as comfortable as possible. I bought the flower thing for the sink before Ollie was born and it made bath time really hard honestly. He HATED bath time. It fits well in the sink and maybe when he’s older and can sit in it, it will make more sense (It’s really plush and comfortable) but he would scream whenever we used it, so I got this one  where he can be propped up more at an angle and he LOVES  IT.  He never cries during bath time anymore except when we pull him out sometimes. Its NIGHT AND DAY difference. I can’t suggest that tub enough its completely changed our bath time and it’s under $20!  Another hack is to fill it up with water first and test the water temperature with your elbow to make sure it’s not too hot or cold once you add your little one.
3. Emergency wipes. Chaos always seems to strike when you are least prepared (especially with boys pee can spray everywhere when they get out of the tub), so I’ve learned to have wipes within arms reach at all times if possible. 😂 I just got these shea butter wipes and love how moisturizing they are! They are from Walmart’s exclusive brand, Parents Choice, which has dermatologically tested products that are free from bleach, perfumes, etc. and it’s all great quality and at amazing price points.
4. (On that same note…) Pay attention to your products. I have always had super sensitive skin and realized while Beckam was a baby that my babies would have the same issues, so I’m super picky about baby hygiene products I use. Luckily baby products are usually safer and they use more natural ingredients. I just got this Hello Bello baby oil for an extra dose of moisture (winters in Utah are brutally dry!). It’s extra sensitive and also plant-based (Also love their diapers!).  Noodle and Boo is another baby brand that works really well for sensitive skin snd their stuff smells so good!
5. Stay put. Of course this one is a given, but it cannot be said enough, don’t leave your baby unattended under any circumstances. Nothing it worth the risk of getting distracted of giving your attention anywhere else!

Would love to know any other tips or hacks you have for newborn or baby bath time!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

The post 5 Hacks for Stress-Free Baby Bath Time appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: WHITE MAXI DRESS (WEARING SIZE 8) | ALSO ORDERED THIS ONE AND THIS ONE

So excited to share some of the pics from my baby shower last month! It was such a special night, it really couldn’t have turned out better, and I just left feeling SO grateful for the amazing people in my life I get to call my friends and family!!

If you missed my posts on social, we turned my baby shower into a charity event to raise money for people in need of clean water. Earlier this summer when I heard the founder of charity:water speak, I knew I wanted to do something to support their cause. I watched this video which, although long, will completely change the way you think about water and charities.  There are still so many people in the world who don’t have access to one of the most basic thing we take for granted: clean water. In the video thousands of people donate their birthdays (instead of getting gifts from friends and family, they ask you to donate the money they would spend on a gift to charity). I loved the idea, but my birthday seemed so far away I decided to donate my baby shower! We set a goal to raise $15k for charity:water and a stretch goal of $20k! I am so excited to say we hit the 15k!! And are SOOO CLOSE to hitting the 20k! You can see more on the fundraiser here and you can still donate if you’re interested 🙂 100% of your donation goes to bringing families clean water.

For the shower we wanted to do a color palette of rich shades of blue (shifting a little from the typical baby blue) to symbolize our sweet baby boy and fresh water. This is the first time I’ve done an event from scratch so it was a learning process 😉 I didn’t realize you could rent everything, which made it so much easier having everything come from one spot instead of ordering things from a bunch of different places. I worked with Alpine Events Co. and Kristin Elizabeth Events who helped bring together the most beautiful setup and design! Kristin was amazing in giving so much of her time and experience ( If you are looking for an event coordinator in SLC or Utah area, highly recommend Kristin!)  – it wouldn’t have come together without her and my good friend Whitney on my team!

The event came up so quick, I forgot to get an outfit for the shower until like 2 days before and rushed this dress last minute. It’s actually not even a maternity dress I just sized up to an 8 and it worked great!

These beautiful blue goblets were one of my favorite accessories for the table (we rented them from Alpine Events with

Lol I have no idea what Beckam is doing haha – and we are missing Wes, he was at his Mom’s 🙂

You guys know how obsessed with flowers I am, and my go-to florist Rachel completely transformed the space with her insane arrangements! I’m honestly so blown away by what she can do with flowers. 😍

The baby sign! This was a DIY project. I had seen these huge life size letters on Pinterest that said baby boy and I called a few places about making them and it was like 2k dollars I was shocked! I found these letters on clearance at a home decor store here in Utah on accident (I wasn’t even looking) and then my Dad strung them together with fishing wire and we hung them from this gold clothing rack. Rachel added the beautiful flowers and ta-da!

Megan Faulkner Brown, always making the most beautiful AND delicious treats! I use her for all our kids birthdays and events! How gorgeous is this cake and her cupcakes? Still dreaming about that yummy mint leaf with the chocolate cupcakes. Sooooo good!

At the end of the night, I shared some clips from the original charity:water video that had touched me so much. It was so hard to narrow it down to my favorite parts (thanks to MacVid for putting everything together so quickly!) but by the end of the night, I think everyone was able to feel what a need there is to help.  (Here’s the full version for anyone who can take a moment to watch it – I promise you won’t regret it. ❤️)

Part of my family and Cody’s family 🙂 It was just a girls event, but my Dad, Cody and B were all helping set up and get things ready 🙂

We did a cute Polaroid string light station that doubled as a guest book where friends and fam could write their guess for when the baby would be born. Love being able to keep all those polaroids with some of my closest friends and family to remember the night!

One of my favorite pics from the event ❤️ Mara is so excited about the baby – she really is the best big sister!

Some of my favorite skincare and beauty brands came together to put together some of my favorite products for party favors. I knew I wanted something water related to remind people about charity: water each time they went to use them, so we included my favorite Lancome sheet mask (I’ve used it for years and swear by it – so moisturizing!),  the Lanolips Lip Water (a must try if you haven’t yet – especially for winter!) all their lip products are amazing though!, and  Vichy (another skincare brand that I use all the time)  Mineral89 which is their hyaluronic face moisturizer with 89% of their Thermal Water – so good!

I was dilated to a 3 when we had the baby shower and I thought I would for sure go into labor with in days, but it was almost 2 weeks later before Ollie decided to come to the world! Can’t wait to share our birth story soon, and some pics from the last couple weeks at home with him. More to come soon!

We are still running the Charity Water campaign through the end of this month. Any donation big or small would mean so much! You guys have already helped raise over $17k so far, by donating, spreading the word, or both! We are $2,500 from reaching our goal of $20k and I know we can do it by working together.  Even if just by giving up your $5 Starbucks run today, every contribution counts – you can donate and read more about it here. Love you guys!

SOURCES FROM OUR EVENT AND BIG BIG THANKS TO DONORS:

Event Coordinator: Kristin Elizabeth Events

Furniture Rental: Alpine Events Co.

Event Space: Ember

Florals: Rachel Osguthorpe

Cake and Treats: Megan Faulkner Brown

Photographer: Jordy B Photo

Videographer: MacVid

Makeup: Marisa @marisarosemph

Brands: Lancome, Vichy, LanoLips, Beauty Lab and Laser, Grand America, Albion Fit

Below are some similar dress styles that are perfect for a baby shower or your next event that calls for a white dress!

XX, Christine

The post My Baby Shower Charity Event with Charity Water appeared first on Hello Fashion.

After living in sneakers and flats the last couple months (pregnancy life 🙂 I am getting so excited for the day when I can wear heels regularly again! There is just something that makes you feel more confident and beautiful in a pair of your favorite shoes! Here are the three Tamara Mellon heels to heat up your fall outfits this season:

The perfect nude sandal heel!

NUDE SANDAL:

Nude sandals are 100% a year round thing. As much as I wear my nude pumps, I think I wear my nude sandals even more! They are so versatile. I just got the nude version of these Tamara Mellon Frontline sandals. You have seen me wear them in Platino for years and wear them so much that I wanted another color. – I love the look of the 3 straps (They also come in this shorter heel option and flats as well.)

The calf hair leopard though 😍

LEOPARD PUMP:

Leopard is arguably the ‘it’ print this season, so a classic leopard pump is the perfect way to add some timeless animal print to your shoe rotation. There are so many leopard prints out there, but with shoes I feel like it can be hit or miss. I LOVE this one and the calf hair material reads even more beautifully in person! They also have a little detail by the point of the toe too. They are so beautiful! You can wear them as a neutral print by mixing with stripes, plaid, or other classic patterns, or break up a neutral outfit with a pop of animal print and texture.

KNEE-HIGH BOOT:

Last but not least, a dress boot! I realized when I caught sight of this pair, that I don’t have many (if any!) stiletto style boots so these are next on my Tamara Mellon wishlist. The Icon come in a few different colors and materials (love the moss suede!) and they also come in both a 75 mm or 105 mm heel height option.  This bootie comes in a pretty black velvet and a calf hair leopard style.

Tamara Mellon was actually the co-founder of Jimmy Choo, so all her shoes are really high quality, luxury shoes. For me, the pumps ran true to size but the sandals fit a little small, so I sized up 1/2 size, but there’s an online Fit Quiz here where you can plug in your size in other brands you wear to find out your Tamara Mellon size. Everything is guaranteed for repairs for up to two years and in addition to free shipping and returns, there’s no limit to when you can return!

Below are some other great styles to update your fall shoe game:

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Tamara Mellon.

The post 3 Heels That Will Heat Up Your Fall Outfits appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Cody and I kept thinking we would go on a babymoon before the baby arrived, but time slipped away from us and all of a sudden I was past the point that I could fly anymore! With all the chaos going on at home with them ripping out and reinstalling the floors, we thought it would be nice to get away for the weekend so we stayed at the Grand America for a little babymoon staycation. Here were some of the highlights and a few reasons to visit the grand America next time you are in Salt Lake!

1. The Room Service! First and foremost, the Grand America had the best room service I’ve ever had! You know how honestly a lot of times the room service food isn’t as good by the time it gets to your room. I always order room service since the convenience usually outweighs the fact that the food is usually just average, but the Grand America was the first hotel where the room service was actually just as good as eating in the restaurant! We had both breakfast and dinner and it was so yummy! (Side note: Also make sure to try their  chicken noodle soup with their rolls at the cafe on Sunday – so good!)

2. The Grand Spa. Cody and I broke away for a trip to the spa and it was the perfect touch for our babymoon staycation. They have tons of facial and beauty services, but one of my favorite parts was the 17-head shower before the couple massage, So relaxing! If you do it turn the side sprayers on cold and the overhead ones on hot, it feels so good! They also had the yummiest creme brûlée when you come into the couple massage – I’m not sure if its the pregnancy in me, but I’m realizing all my highlights are revolving around food haha.

3. Location. Whatever brings you to SLC, downtown is definitely the place to be. The Grand America has super easy access to downtown so it’s really convenient. We used to live downtown, so it was nostalgic to be back! We walked to dinner, rented city scooters to get around, and loved soaking up more time downtown.

DETAILS: DRESS (UNDER $10 – NOT MATERNITY – WEARING SIZE SMALL) | SNEAKERS

4. Tea Time! One of my favorite parts of the Grand America is their Afternoon Tea! It’s the perfect excuse to get dressed up with friends for a really unique event. It’s available almost every day (excluding holidays) and the finger sandwiches and tea pastries are all amazing. I also found out they can host private tea times for larger events – it would be so cute for a bridal shower/birthday party/etc.!

5. Something for the kids. They have a big candy shop and toy store inside the hotel and it’s the perfect attraction for kids! They gave Beckam a cute wood token when we checked in for a stuffed animal.

DETAILS: MATERNITY SWIM (I JUST PULLED DOWN BOTTOMS FROM OVER MY BELLY TO GET MY TAN ON 😉

6. The Grounds: The pool was a highlight 100%. We’ve actually stayed at the Grand America a couple times but I have only been to the indoor pool. This was my first time at the outdoor pool and it was so nice! It has a pretty view of the hotel from the pool, and they have a kiddy area, regular pool, and jacuzzi, so its the best of everything. Also have to mention how beautiful all their gardens are grounds are in general, major inspo! All of the grounds are just  so beautiful!

I love all the marble in the interior – so pretty, feels like an escape to Paris 🙂

7. The Staff: Last but not least, everyone on the staff was soooo nice and accommodating! It’s one of the biggest factors that make and break whether I will be back to a hotel or property, and the staff was definitely one that made me excited to come back. Also don’t forget to get the free yummy chocolate chip cookies when you check in!!

Have you guys been to the Grand America? What are some of your favorite parts?

XX, Christine

* Special thanks to the Grand America for hosting our family! We can’t wait to go back!

The post Babymoon at the Grand America appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Some of the cutest baby essentials!

It feels crazy to think that this baby could be arriving any day now! These last 9 months have flown by! When I was pregnant with Beckam, I was prepping and buying things throughout the entire pregnancy but this time around I’ve ended up procrastinating so now I’m trying to knock everything out at once! So I did a giant haul last week and knocked it out all at once!

MAMAROO: I used the Mamaroo with Beckam and he loved it! It rocks and sways plus has built-in toys and can pair via bluetooth to play music so if you are tied up cleaning or you work from home, it’s like having an extra set of hands around to help!

OWLET:  Baby monitors are an obvious must, but I’ve had so many friends swear by the Owlet Smart Sock! It tracks the baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels and notifies you if it senses something isn’t right. These literally lifesaving products are so amazing and I’m so grateful for technology advances like this! So cool!

BATH: This is my all time favorite baby shampoo/conditioner it smells AMAZING!! Also one think you don’t think about is trimming babies’ nails, but they grow so fast! I always worry about accidentally hurting them, but this little nail set is perfect for their tiny little fingers and toes. It also comes with a compact travel case which is really convenient.

BABY BLANKET: My sister-in-law made a fleece blanket for Beckam when he was born and he wouldn’t let that blanket leave his side for years! I grabbed this one at buybuy BABY and it was so soft, I couldn’t say no!

CLOTHES: This is an obvious one, but my staple clothes items are neutral onesies (you can never have too many – who knows how many you will go through in one day even? haha) and soft mittens and socks so they can’t scratch themselves. I had no idea about mittens on my first, and Beckam scratched his face the first night and I was so sad, feeling soooo bad and then found out little mits. It was just something I never knew about until I had kids (maybe everyone else knows haha) but I love these organic ones in neutral colors. Also I found this 3-pack of chenille booties that look so cozy!

SWADDLES: It used to be all about the tricks for swaddling with blankets, but the buybuy BABY in-store specialist said this one gets amazing reviews and my best friend swears by it!  It’s under $30 and so worth avoiding the headache/confusion of memorizing all the latest swaddling techniques.

ON-THE-GO ESSENTIALS: I had a baby stroller donated by a brand, but buybuy BABY had what seemed like 100 different strollers and you could test everything in store! If you don’t know which one you want, you can set them all side by side to compare, or test putting them up and taking them down. Out of everywhere I’ve been, they definitely had the most selection – same with car seats! This is the stroller we got and I’ve heard AMAZING things about it!! A lot of my friends swear by it.

BOTTLES: Another obvious one, but I wanted to share some of my favorites. I bought this bundle and love all the cleaning and drying accessories. Also the Dr. Brown bottles were Beckam’s favorites so I stocked up again for the new baby.

CARRIER: I had tons of friends recommend the Babybjorn carrier – it gets amazing reviews and it’s so pretty in person. Can’t wait to use it!

I also grabbed a few more baby toys, muslin blankets, etc. while I was in store. The whole process of prepping for baby is so much easier when you can go into a one-stop-shop and get it all at once, especially when you are down to crunch time! I loved that they had so much variety in brands and products so you can see it and compare everything in person. The in-store staff was super helpful since they could tell me the main differences between products and they also tell you which are their best sellers or the new cutting-edge products on the market. One thing they said was really popular is this nursing pump that fits right into your bra! My milk dried up pretty fast last time so I wasn’t able to breastfeed for long, so I’m not pulling the trigger on it right away but if I can nurse longer then this is a must. If there is a buybuy BABY in your area I definitely recommend it! Super helpful, wether you are creating a registry or just going on a haul for yourself 🙂

Below are a few more baby essentials I picked up from buybuy BABY:

xx, Christine

The post My Crunch Time Baby Essentials appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Popcorn in bed! Some of my favorite mom moments are the simplest moments like these!

These shorts are so soft and love the ruching detail (they also come in this sweats version too). I also got this retro bralette and bottoms set. Their cotton bra and underwear are some of my favorites!

DETAILS: PAJAMA BOTTOMS (UNDER $20 – WEARING SIZE S) | WHITE CROPPED TEE (UNDER $15 – WEARING SIZE M) | GREY BRALETTE (UNDER $15) | GREY BOTTOMS (UNDER $10)

CODY: BRIEF BOTTOMS | WHITE CREW NECK TEES (3 PACK – UNDER $20) | BLACK BRIEF BOTTOMS (3 PACK – UNDER $20)

BECKAM: COTTON STRETCH BOXER BRIEFS (3 PACK) | WHITE TEES (3 PACK) 

MARA: BRALETTE AND BOTTOM SET

WES: BRIEF BOTTOMS (3 PACK) | WHITE TEES (3 PACK) 

Adding another one to the family, there’s always a fear of not being good enough or falling short in some way, wondering how Beckam will adjust not being the baby anymore, and about a million other thoughts! But I think one thing I’ve learned is that most of the time I create these things in my head and worry about things that often never happen haha. Anyone else? Being a mom, a good mom, was something I’ve looked forward to since I was a little girl. And I know there are days I nail it and I can tell my kids feel so loved, and other days I know I’m falling short, but the biggest thing I’ve realized is how much my attitude as a mom can affect the whole family! So I wanted to share 10 habits I’ve found help me to be a better, happier mom:

Expressing gratitude.

It’s so important to be mindful of everything you have to be grateful for! Whether it’s expressing gratitude to your kids, your spouse, or even just consciously acknowledging or writing out everything you have to be thankful for, it will help you focus more on the positive versus the negative.

Being open-minded.

There is no perfect way to be pregnant or to be a perfect mom. What works for your neighbor may not work for you, and that’s ok! Be open-minded to other people’s perspectives and way of doing things. and be okay if things aren’t always perfectly put together. Putting unrealistic expectations on yourself for what needs to be done, or how your kids should act or what they should be achieving just sets you up for stress.

Not comparing yourself.

In that same vein, they say comparison is the death of joy and it couldn’t be truer about motherhood! There will always be moms who might be more organized than you, a better cook, etc. Instead of comparing yourself to see how you stack up, focus on yourself and your goals. You are your own benchmark! Praise yourself for the things you’re good at, whether it’s just mentally or actually saying it out loud.

Exercising.

The more pregnant I get, the harder it’s been to stick to a regular exercise routine, but staying active is just as important for the body as it is for the mind! Find some type of exercise you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine. Right now, swimming laps is my favorite form of exercise – not only is it a great way to beat the heat, it’s also a lifesaver in alleviating the restless leg syndrome I’ve had this pregnancy.

Focusing on the positive.

During another sleepless night last week, I listened to a motivational speaker and loved what they said about focusing on positive, empowering thoughts. It’s all about confirmation bias – your mind will automatically search for information or experiences that reinforce your beliefs. So if you tell yourself your are failing as a bad mom, your mind will always pick out those experiences to reinforce that belief and disregard anything that disproves it. This applies to everyone, in every stage of life. It’s so important to focus on the positive and things that can empower you as a person! Reflect on your thoughts… are you choosing ones that empower you?

Knowing when to ask for help.

There are always going to be days that are stressful and overwhelming – don’t be afraid to ask for help! You’ll start to identify triggers or signs that you are running out of steam, so before you feel completely drained, enlist help. Have your kids go to the neighbor’s house to play for an hour or get someone to help you come tackle a cleaning day. And get creative! It doesn’t always have to involve spending money. You can trade off with neighborhood moms or find creative ways to get an hour to ‘refill your cup’ without hiring a babysitter.

Being open with other moms.

I was talking to my friend the other day who I look to as a great mom. She’s a stay at home mom and always does a great job planning stuff for her kids. She was saying that sometimes she feels she doesn’t have the creativity to sit and play pretend dolls for long periods of time, and after 5-10 minutes she catches her mind thinking about other things. I have that same problem, and hearing someone I look to as a great mom say the same made me feel better. I thought it was just me! Being open with other moms about your struggles or on the flip side, fun things you do with your kids, will create a space for advice and learning – and you can only improve from learning from others!

Making time for yourself.

Obviously you love your kids, but make sure you are getting time away to nurture yourself too. I love going out to get a mani/pedi, going to dinner with a friend after the kids go to bed, or just going shopping. Target is always my happy place – I could wander the aisles forever! Or for some ‘you’ time at home, get the kids riled up for a wrestling match with dad to get some of their energy out. It’s literally Wes and B’s favorite thing to do! Whatever it is, just make sure you are regularly carving out some time for yourself to do something you love so that you don’t lose yourself in your role of ‘mom’.

Encouraging others.

One of my best friends is so good at sending me notes reminding me I’m a great mom, and honestly they MAKE MY DAY. Take a moment to lift other moms up around you and let them know something you appreciate or admire about them. Have you ever noticed that the more you focus on helping or encouraging other, the more joy it brings to your life in general? Not that that’s the reason you should do it 😉 but you know what I’m say. 🙂

Knowing that you are an amazing mom.

There will be days you have mom guilt or feel burnt out, but it’s important to remember how much you do and focus on the ways you are succeeding. Especially when they are young, kids look up to you like their hero and all they want to do is hang out with you. So cut yourself some slack and realize you are doing a GREAT job!

Do you guys have any other habits of happy moms you’ve learned? Let me know below in comments! You can also see more of my posts on motherhood and life of moms here.

XX, Christine

The post 10 Habits of Happy Moms appeared first on Hello Fashion.

With that, here’s some suggestions and tips I got that I’m going to start doing:

Avoid heat

First of all, a few of you mentioned that anything heat related can make the hyperpigmentation worse which actually makes sense because after I had a Hydrafacial the other day (which involves hot steam) Cody said my hyperpigmentation spots were more noticeable, so if you are dealing with pregnancy mask, of course try to avoid the sun, but try to avoid heat and warm steam too.

Use SPF 50

A dermatologist told me that I need to be using at least SPF 50 on my face. A lot of times I just rely on the SPF in my tinted moisturizer, but tons of you recommended this one and it’s been working really well since I started trying it. I have super sensitive skin and no break outs so far!

Vitamin C

This is another product that helps to brighten and even out skin tone, and a lot of you have said it will help with hyperpigmentation too. Tons of you recommended this one. I have actually used it off and on for a couple years (in general I test so many products out, but this one always comes back in rotation). Here’s a more budget friendly Vitamin C serum that works well too. I’ve used both of these and they are both great.

Misc Serums

I started using this serum recently and it’s helped with evening my skin tone. I was posting about how much I liked their serum and became friends with the Algenist team, and asked if they could help recommend anything for pregnancy mask –  this one (use on clean skin) along with their vitamin C serum followed by a moisturizer. I just got it in the mail – so I will keep you posted on my how they work 🙂

Give it time

A lot of you also said that pregnancy mask is something that just goes away with time (3-6 months post pregnancy) and other said that you can’t really start using effective treatment until after the pregnancy and after you are done breastfeeding, like microneedling, AHA/BHAs, (can’t wait to be able to use this one again!) a retinol (another Sunday Riley favorite), etc. So if you are first time mama, or first time getting pregnancy mask – it may just go away with time!

Proper Nutrients

Apparently low levels of folic acid in your diet can also lead to pregnancy mask, so eating things like oranges, whole grain bread, and leafy greens can help too. You can also take vitamin supplements to increase your folic acid levels (but always consult a doctor first :).

Peels/Treatments

I had hyperpigmentation spots a few years ago (2015) from a different treatment that went bad (more to come on that in a later post!) I got hyperpigmentation spots all over after and looked everywhere to find a good doctor to get rid of it. I found Dr. Taylor at Gateway Laser, he is amazing, I  did the pico laser that specializes in hyperpigmentation. It’s definitely more of an investment, its expensive (around $500 per treatment), so I would say try the other stuff first. I had AMAZING results so I wanted to share for those of you who might not be able to get rid of the symptoms with these other recommendations. A lot of you said not to try lasers after pregnancy mask because it will make it worse, but the doctor that I went to to for my hyperpigmentation told me there’s so many different types of  lasers, and the one he used is specifically for hyperpigmentation and it completely fixed it so I plan on going back for my pregnancy mask. This is definitely one of those times you want to make sure you don’t skimp on a dermatologist or just get the cheapest one you can find – lasers can do a LOT OF GOOD but also a LOT OF DAMAGE. Please please please make sure you are going to someone who knows what they are doing, ask around, read reviews and make sure they are a reputable company! I went to Gateway Laser – and saw Dr. Taylor. He specializes in lasers and has been doing it for like 20-30 years. He trains people around the world on lasers and I always appreciate how conservative he is – I’ve asked him about having other things done and he will tell me you don’t need it, or it wouldn’t help with that. He’s so smart and educated in what he does I won’t go to anyone else for laser treatment on my face. When I did my hyper pigmentation treatment 4 years ago I paid for it, so this isn’t sponsored, but I reached out to them about offering a discount when I talk about it on my blog and they said you can get 20% off your first treatment if you mention my blog (Hello Fashion) which will save you like $100. I’ll post more when I get mine done for my pregnancy mask 🙂

Here’s a quick snapshot of all the products I mentioned above – a couple are post pregnancy so make sure you reference below and above before using 🙂

DETAILS: 1. SKINCEUTICALS SPF 50 | 2. SUNDAY RILEY BABYFACIAL (POST PREGNANCY) | 3. SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC ACID | 4. SUNDAY RILEY RETINOL OIL (POST PREGNANCY) | 5. ALGENIST LIQUID COLLAGEN | 6. ALGENIST VITAMIN C SERUM | 7. VICHY VITAMIN C SKIN CORRECTOR | 8. ALGENIST BARRIER SERUM | 9. FOLIC ACID VITAMINS.

If any of you guys have suffered with hyperpigmentation or any of these fixes have worked for you, let me know below in the comments!

XX, Christine

The post 7 Tips To Dealing With Pregnancy Mask appeared first on Hello Fashion.

1. OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO | 2. ABC BOOK | 3. LLAMA LLAMA BOOK SET | 4. LITTLE BROTHER SET | 5. ONESIE SET | 6. GREY UNISEX ONESIE PACK | 7. BALL SENSORY SET | 8. BLOCK SET | 9. STUFFED WHALE (ON SALE) | 10. SHAPE  MAGNET SET | 11. PATTERNED PLUSH THROW | 12. SWADDLE SET (ON SALE UNDER $25)| 13. MUSLIN BLANKET SET

Last night I finally sat down and started ordering stuff for the baby and it started to sink it! My due date was moved up a few weeks, so I feel like I need to get everything settled and in order as soon as possible so I’m not having to worry about the details once the baby comes (especially if he makes an early debut!)

I shared a few of my tried & true products from my first pregnancy along with some new products I’m excited to try in this post, but today I wanted to share some staple items for your baby registry and right now everything is under $25!

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! We just lost a ton of our baby/kid books when our basement flooded – they were all contaminated so we had to throw them out and even though insurance reimbursed us, it’s a little daunting to begin recollecting baby and kids books, but these are a few of our favorites:

1. OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO – Even though baby might take a few years to catch onto it, the messaging in this book is one of my favorites, even as an adult! It’s never too early to start on this Dr. Seuss classic.

2. ABC BOOK – Start with the basics with this ABC board book. This was one we lost in the flood that I knew I would be replacing.

3. LLAMA LLAMA BOOK SET : Board books are a must have with infants! I feel like they are unexpected double duty because somehow they always turn into teething toys too. Love this one!

CLOSET STAPLES. Does anyone else get just as excited about getting kids clothes as pieces for your own wardrobe? Below are a few great basics:

4. LITTLE BROTHER SET – These little brother pieces are getting me right in the feels and this set is under $10.

5. ONESIE SET – Subtle prints in the best neutrals will make the perfect pieces to mix and match.

6. GREY UNISEX ONESIE PACK – And of course a multi-pack of simple, grey onesies. If you read my last post, you know how much I swore by these with Beckam!

TOYS & SENSORY SETS. What’s a nursery without a few toy additions? Love these for once they start to get to an age where they enjoy toys:

7. BALL SENSORY SET – A cute ball set is a great way to stimulate imagination and sensory development.

8. BLOCK SET – I can already picture Beckam playing blocks with his baby brother! Love the color of these and they are under $10.

9. STUFFED WHALE  – Also you can’t say no to a stuffed animal. How cute is this one (on sale under $20)

10. WOODEN SHAPE  MAGNET SET – This set comes with wooden shapes and magnets – another great development tool once they hit that age.

BLANKETS & SWADDLES: These are as much a comfort for babies as it is a necessity for mom! Here are my top picks for the baby registry.

11. PATTERNED PLUSH THROW– Beckam got a fleece blanket when he was a baby and he would not part with it for years! He could not leave the house without it. It’s crazy how attached kids can get to a blanket – love this neutral, unisex option on sale under $10.

12. SWADDLE SET – These are moms best friend! Love the colors in this set.

13. MUSLIN BLANKET SET – Mom tip: can never have too many muslin blankets. This is a great item to add to the registry.

Walmart has endless baby products so it’s a great destination to use for your baby registry, not only for affordable finds like these staples under $25, but also for the big ticket items. (Like the Snoo! I’ve heard amazing things!) Below are a few more great pieces at multiple price points that would be perfect for your baby registry.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

The post 12+ Baby Buys Under $25 appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Love this bra! So comfortable and the perfect mix between bra and bralette.

Also these boxers – so soft and I love the color!

DETAILS: WHITE FOREVER F’IT BRA (ALSO GOT THIS ONE) | HOODED CARDIGAN | BLUE BOXER SHORTS (ON SALE UNDER $10) | ALSO GOT THESE GREY JOGGERS (ON SALE UNDER $20!)

It’s been a while since I’ve done a 5 things post, so here we go. ❤️

1. I’m officially in my third trimester! 💫The first trimester was rough, second trimester honestly just felt really up and down – I was emotional and not myself. The end of the second trimester and beginning of my third, I have been loving! I definitely feel very pregnant, but I love feeling the baby kick. I kind of know what to expect when I’m going to get heartburn and when my back will start hurting, but I’ve just felt connected these last couple weeks, more so than the rest of my pregnancy. I’m loving this stage right now!
2. I watched season 3 of Stranger Things and fell asleep in almost every other episode. I loooved the first two seasons but felt like this season they had too many things going on and it felt more depressing. 🤷🏼‍♀️
3. I’m in a major nesting phase. I really love being home right now!
4. As I get ready for baby to come, I’ve been wanting to stock up on comfy clothes Especially because I’m due in the fall, I know we will be hibernating more. A lot of my old loungewear and bras are too small so I ordered a few new bras from Jockey (I have like 3 off their sports bras and love them!) They are so comfortable. They are from the Jockey Forever Fit Collection and all of the pieces in the collection have the support of a bra but all the comfort of a bralette. They all have a stretchy infinity underband and are wire-free like bralettes, but they also have the hook and eye closure like a standard bra so you can get the perfect fit. I got this one in white and also love this teal option. Also have to mention these grey sweats I got too because they are the softest, comfiest thing every. Probably going to be living in those.
5. I keep waking up in the middle of the night craving pancakes. Especially McDonald’s pancakes 🥞but I haven’t had any weird pregnancy cravings, like random things paired together like they talk about in movies – I haven’t experienced this with either of my pregnancies actually. Did you guys?

Below are a few more of my favorite loungewear pieces from Jockey that have been getting me through my 3rd trimester:

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Jockey.

The post 3rd Trimester! 5 Things Update appeared first on Hello Fashion.

1. WHITE ROCKER | 2. GIRAFFE TEETHER | 3. MOSES BASKET | 4. MUSLIN BLANKET | 5. MOBILE | 6. CRIB | 7. UNICORN RATTLE | 8. NOODLE & BOO CARE KIT | 9. CHANGING TABLE | 10. DOCK-A-TOT | 11. OWLET BABY MONITOR | 12. HIGH CHAIR | 13. BABY SWING | 14. PLUSH LION | 15. WOODEN TEETHING RING | 16. STROLLER | 17. ONESIES

I’ve been out of the game for 5 years, so I feel like I’m starting all over when it comes to knowing the must-haves for a newborn! My best friend just had her baby this year and I got this for her from her registry – I hadn’t heard of it but moms and dads swear by it, so it’s definitely one on my list! Have you guys tried it? These Moses Baskets are another one of my favorite baby trends we are seeing right now. I love the idea of having a perfect nap-spot that you can move in and out of different rooms around the house depending on what your day has in store. We don’t have any of Beckam’s old nursery furniture (after 3 moves, I’m surprised we have anything from 5 years ago 😂) so we are starting from scratch again! I know I want a good rocker and I love this one! Another must, must-have that all my friends have recommended is the Owlet Sock. It’s a wearable baby monitor that you put on your baby’s foot that tracks your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep and alerts you to anything out of the ordinary through the app. There’s definitely a fine line between paranoia and standard parental concern, and this baby monitor makes all the difference!

Then there are those tried and true products that I was obsessed with last time around with Beckam and will definitely be using with this little guy. You long time followers will remember how much I loved the Noodle & Boo line – so gentle and I love the scent! Their shampoo and conditioner are my absolute favorite.  The Mamaroo was another item that we used for Beckam and he absolutely loved it. It’s a baby swing that lets you choose from different swinging motions and speeds and you can even pair your own music to the swing with Bluetooth. And last but not least, white baby onesies! As much as I love cute baby clothes, I buy these in bulk in just neutrals or solids. There are always explosions, spit up, and all kinds of incidents that result in multiple wardrobe changes a day, haha so I always have solid onesies on hand for a quick outfit change when needed! You’ll always be grateful you can throw them in something fresh and clean.

Walmart just launched a new, personalized baby registry this year so they are a great destination if you are registering for yourself or looking for inspo for other soon-to-be mamas. They have everything from nursery decor to the must-haves like car seats and strollers and brands at all different price points, so it’s a great place to register if you are on the hunt!

Do you guys have any other suggestions on must-have newborn products I’m missing? Now that I’m approaching my third trimester I feel like it’s crunch time, so let me know in comments below what I need!

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

The post What’s On My Baby Registry: Tried & True Vs. What’s New appeared first on Hello Fashion.

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DETAILS: WHITE BUTTON DOWN DRESS (UNDER $50) | DENIM JACKET (OLD FROM MY SHOP SOLD OUT – SIMILAR HERE) | WHITE SANDALS | GREEN HEAD (SIMILAR HERE AND LOVE THIS ONE) | WATCH

Such a proud mom moment last week at Beckam’s preschool graduation! I can’t believe he is starting K next year. I swear I just picture him at this toddler stage and I don’t want to admit he is growing up! But I love this age so much, he is such a FUNNY kid. If you guys caught the Instagram video I shared, Beckam said his favorite thing to do it hang out with mom and dad 😭😭😭  He was the only kid that said that (the other kids had super cute answers!!) and I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones but it definitely got me tearing up. He is so excited now to be able to go to school like Mara and Wes and have recess “like the cool kids!”

Here is the outfit I wore to the graduation. The dress is from my friend Aspyn’s shop she has super cute stuff and this dress is under $50! I love the length and fit!

XX, Christine

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How cute is Mio!? You can tell he knows what’s going on and he keeps rubbing his head on my belly. He’s excited to be a big brother again!

DETAILS: KNIT CARDIGAN (SIMILAR HERE) | RIBBED DRESS (UNDER $20) | SNEAKERS | WHITE HAT | CROSSBODY | NECKLACES

Hi guys! Now that I am officially in my second trimester I am pretty much giving up on  jeans, haha. I find myself either wearing flowy pieces or bodycon pieces – both are so comfortable! I’ve gotten a ton of these fitted knit dresses (you’ve also seen my multiple times in this one under $20!) that are actually non-maternity, but I just size up 1-2 sizes (depending on the dress) so they fit (wearing a medium in this one). I love having comfy dresses that have some stretch to them so they accommodate the bump! You can wear them to the office under a blazer, to the grocery store with sneakers, or to date night with some pretty sandal heels. Love the detail on this one (under $25), and how pretty is this one? I also got this striped option that comes in 3 colors (under $20).

Here are a few more non-maternity pieces that I love with or without the bump!

The post My Favorite Non-Maternity [Turned Maternity] Dresses Under $50 appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with these pants! I have them in a couple colors they are my go to all time favorites!! The seamless ankle makes them really comfortable. 

DETAILS: WHITE MESH TANK (COMES IN 5 COLORS) | WHITE SPORTS BRA | SAGE LEGGINGS (ALSO GOT THESE IN BLACK)

Now that I finally have some more energy, I’ve been a lot better about regular exercise. I’m the type that’s overly cautious and I’ve researched what kind of exercise is ok during pregnancy and what to stay away from, so running has become one of my go to pregnancy workouts. Now my version of running while pregnant is probably about half the speed of normal runners 😉 and I value a pretty scenic route to make running more enjoyable!

I just got some new lululemon pieces from their running collection. You guys know how much I love my Fast and Frees – I wear the black ones a minimum of 3 times a week, for errands, working out, whatever. They have side pockets for your phone which I love and a seamless ankle which makes them really comfortable. I seriously swear by these pants!!  I was excited to get them in another color (these are grey sage – so pretty!) Also got this cropped version here which comes in 10 colors. A few other things I added: this mesh tank (comes in 5 colors and I might need them all!) and this sports bra (insanely comfortable – so supportive! I have it in another color and loved the white!)

There are so many benefits of running so I wanted to share 10 reasons to run!

1. Cardio: Running is obviously one of the best forms of cardio – it burns calories, strengthens your core, and seriously helps your heart health.
2. The Runner’s High: Running releases dopamine, the chemical that’s known as the ‘feel good hormone’, so it really can make you happy.
3. Alone time: Honestly, even if you are running with a friend, running is always a time to clear your head and gives you time to think through and process things that may have been on the back-burner for a while.
4. Friend time: And of course on the flip side, if you prefer working out with a friend, your runs will be a great way to spend time together that you might not be able to fit in elsewhere during the day.
5. Something to be proud of: There’s nothing more rewarding than the feeling of pushing yourself and eventually reaching your goals, whether that’s pushing yourself to go farther, faster, or just being consistent in your runs.
6. Fresh air: Running outdoors can be an experience in and of itself, whether you like the thrill of running through a busy city or the peace of a quiet trail run. lululemon actually has a global running club (the Strava App) that lets you find local run routes if you’re not sure where to start (also priceless when you are traveling and not familiar with the area!). It also lets you connect with other runners and helps you track your progress – such a great tool!
7. Helps flush your emotions: You guys have heard me talk about my foot zoner, and one really interesting thing she told me was how important exercise is for our emotional health. Getting your blood pumping for 30 minutes a day will help you flush out all kinds of emotions that your body has already processed and doesn’t want to hold on to anymore. 
8. Easier, Faster Labors: Throwing this one in for those fellow pregnant mamas, but exercising during pregnancy makes a huge impact on your deliveries and postpartum! (Note to add, if you’re not much of a runner before you get pregnant, you might want to build strength in other ways. 🙂

Below are a few more lululemon pieces that are perfect for running:

XX, Christine
*In collaboration with lululemon and ShopStyle.

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