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I have 12 weeks off to be with my baby before I return to work and I’ve found myself gravitating towards the same products and the same outfits for the last seven weeks so I thought I’d share some of my favorites with y’all.
Sally Hanson Salon Care Roller Clips
I use these clips to secure my velcro rollers when I wash and style my hair once a week (I used to do it twice but now that I’m at home there’s no point and my hair doesn’t really get greasy, thankfully). The other use for these clips is for making a topknot. I wear my hair piled on top of my head all day because it makes nursing and pumping easier and these clips are a fantastic alternative to hair elastics. I just twist my hair into the shape I want and then secure it with one of these clips and it stays in and is very comfortable. In fact, I even sleep with my hair in a topknot using one of these clips.
Seche Vite Topcoat
It wasn’t until Harper was five weeks old that I painted my nails for the first time. It’s the longest I’ve ever gone without painting them, but I figured they needed a break anyway. I didn’t use this topcoat during pregnancy because it is advised not to, but now that I am no longer pregnant, it’s the only product that dries nails in literally five minutes. It’s a must-have for every woman, not just moms!
Lululemon Run Speed Short
I’ve owned these shorts for quite a long time and I’ve been loving wearing them at home with Harper. The soft, stretchy waistband makes them totally comfortable postpartum and the fabric is perfect for lounging around the house or taking the baby outside in her stroller. They are also easy to wipe down if the baby spits up on them…speaking from experience!
GAP Racerback Bra
I’ve sung the praises of this bra for many posts and I even wore them during pregnancy—but I absolutely love them. You can get similar styles at Forever 21 or Target too. These are a must-have if you are nursing or pumping. I just flip it up if I need to nurse and I also use it to keep the flanges in places as I pump, hands-free! I have so many bras like this now (from GAP and other stores) because I also wear them to bed every night.
Mother’s Milk Organic Tea
I don’t know if it’s psychological or if it actually works…but I drink two cups a day and I’m pumping over 4 ounces per session…so I’m going to go ahead and recommend this to help with supply. It also tastes like black licorice which is right up my alley!
Hari Mari Flip Flops
I’m totally obsessed with these—comfortable and so stylish. I have a review coming up on my blog this week! Stay tuned…
Kiehl’s Self Tanner
I am obsessed with this self tanner. Dare I say it, I may even like it better than the Clarins SPF 6 tanning milk (though I still love that too). Once a week or so, I will apply the Kiehl’s self tanner to my entire face and neck (and a little bit onto my chest) because it gives me a little color and evens out my skin. Since I don’t wear makeup everyday, it’s nice to have a little color, especially in the summer. Also—it doesn’t smell bad and it’s a watery lotion consistency so it doesn’t feel any different than using a moisturizer before bed.
AE Boyfriend Shorts
These shorts are another win. I love wearing these when I leave the house to run errands. They are comfortable and perfect for summer.
J.Crew Shorts
I’m a little obessed with shorts right now (can you tell?!) because the 90 plus degree temperatures pretty much negate that you wear shorts or a dress. I love that these come in all kinds of bright and candy colors.
J.Crew Vintage V-Neck Tee
I’ve sung the praises of these tees a thousand times. I live in them. They’re perfect for wearing around the house but look chic and simple when you need to leave the house, too.
What were your essential items when you were at home with your baby? Share in the comments below!
Britt @ The Magnolia Pair says
I'm purchasing that mother's milk herbal tea right now!! just found out today that my supply is low again and i am going to have to supplement a bit more 🙁
I just stuffed my face with oatmeal, so I'm definitely needing to try anything and everything at this point!
Thanks so much for sharing!!
[email protected] says
I think you will really like the tea—I think it has fenugreek in it.
How did you know your supply was getting low? I am mostly pumping now but I also BF her a couple of times a day.
Nicole says
Hi Britt, have you tried Fenugreek capsules? They work well for many mama's too! Also Goat's Rue, Blessed Thistle, and lactation cookies can help… good luck!
Alex Gens says
I recently discovered the Seche Vite top coat and love it! I'm also obsessed with the J Crew tees and chino shorts. I will have to try the Kiehl's self tanner.
XO Alex
https://www.bronzedsundaze.com
[email protected] says
You will LOVE that self tanner! 🙂
jadem says
you look great! I'll have to try the mother's milk tea. Can I ask how long it took you to get to pumping 4oz per pumping session?
[email protected] says
I started pumping that much right as I was about to have my D&C surgery, so at about 5 weeks postpartum. The Lactation Consultant told me she was surprised I was even producing that much milk because usually any amount of retained placenta prevents that.
Sandra says
Love Seche Vite….Sally Hansen also has a nail polish that dries in 60 seconds…just bought it to try it!
Also, what do you use to keep acne at bay during breastfeeding…I bought the Mario Bandescu spot treatment because I read salicylic acid is ok topically while breastfeeding…I also really like this Neutrogena concealer with treatment in it…any other recs would be welcome!
[email protected] says
I am using:
1. Effaclar AI Targeted Breakout Corrector (La Roche Posay)
2. Proactiv Refining Mask
3. Mario Badescu Healing Lotion (for treating after the pimple has popped)
Lola says
Hi Veronika I just wanted to say I love reading your blog! This is totally off topic but I was wondering how long you were on the Minocycline for? I tried looking for it on your post but couldn't not find it. I was just prescribed it and it is making me feel so sick.
[email protected] says
I believe I was on it for a couple of months. Are you taking it with food? A lot of people are sensitive to antibiotics. Try them topically instead of orally 🙂
Sara says
Love this clips too!
You are so lucky you can go a week without washing your hair! My hair would look absolutely terrible!
Glad to see you got your supply back on track since giving birth 🙂
Love your blog!
Sara
Life with Baby Sophia
[email protected] says
Thank you! 🙂
I definitely had to train my hair to get to that point!
Sarah says
Veronica,
Be careful with the seche vite top coat- there is a warning label on the box that the chemicals in it cause birth defects and it is banned in CA. Unless they reformulated recently you may want to be careful with it around the baby.
[email protected] says
I looked into it and it's required to have that label like a lot of things in California because of some proposition they have there. I only use it once every few weeks and I'm no longer pregnant so I'm not too worried. If I was using it daily or excessively I might think twice 🙂 thanks for the warning though! It's the exact reason I wouldn't use it whilst pregnant.
E Hayes says
I still wear shorts daily and I'm way past my "maternity leave", though I guess SAHM is permanent mat leave right? And I love the Shimera bras at nordstrom, like the gap one you posted. They are the best material and really cheap. I wore them and bra top tanks exclusively for the entire 13months I nursed… big big fan!
[email protected] says
I have never heard of shimera I'll be sure to check them out next time I go' 🙂
Lynn says
Hi Veronica! Loving your blog. Very excited to see you get back to fashion. Miss you on YT. Harper is adorable!
[email protected] says
Hi Lynn! I hope to resume outfit photos when I go back to work!
Nini says
How is the sizing with the AE shorts? They are super cute!
[email protected] says
I believe they fit TTS 🙂
Ashleigh says
Love this list of stuff, I need to look into those running shorts! also kind of random but I was to thank you because you were my inspiration behind the paint colors I chose for my new house. I think it is so hard to find the perfect color you vision and I knew I loved the way your house looked in pictures so I just went with it and used the same colors and I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out, I have never been so happy with paint colors before 🙂
[email protected] says
I'm so glad you love the colors! I plan to use them in subsequent homes as well 🙂 Revere Pewter
is just perfect!
Schnelle says
Great list! I live in those jcrew tees, similar clips & shorts too. I bought the Gillian & Omalley nursing bras (sports bra with vneck) to wear to bed. Their regular nursing bras are great too, they're holding up really well.
[email protected] says
I have tried to get the G&O ones at Target but they are always sold out of sizes 🙁
Kenz2410 says
What a great list! I'm due in October so I'll definitely keep all of this in mind. Just curious though, who advised you not to use the Seche Vite topcoat? Your doctor?
[email protected] says
It says right on the bottle that it can cause birth defects. I knew that before I got pregnant so I stopped using it immediately.
Melanie says
I am inlove with all the colored shorts at J Crew too. I also have those hair clips from Sally's and they are amazing!
pretty little things says
I'll have to check out those hair clips! hope you're enjoying mommyhood! xo
https://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
Caroline says
Definitely as far away from maternity leave and motherhood as I can be at this moment, but I love lots of these products anyway! I recently discovered 100% linen shirts at J.Crew and am even more in love with them than the vintage cotton ones now – they are so light and breathable for the summer!
Jenn P says
I've been looking for a good self tanner…I'll have to give this a try, thanks! Also, I saw above that you use Proactiv. A friend of mine just started selling a new line-rodan and fields-by the makers of Proactiv. Don't know if you've tried it/heard of it, but I bought the scrub and cleanser and I LOVE it! Just wanted to pass that along. I could probably get you some samples if it's something you're interested in trying. ~Jenn
http://www.twobytwomom.com
It's A Love Story says
Great tips! Hope your feeling better!
https://theelegantlifeofe.blogspot.com/
Luba Lovely says
I love J Crew tops too! Wear them at home with leggings. And I also drank the mothers tea while nursing. Love these kind of posts!
Zach and Mere says
From a mom that is due in two weeks (little boy named Calvin), thank you for all of your posts! It's been so helpful to read your recommendations and experiences. While I'm not breastfeeding yet, I wanted to second your rec on the Forever21 bra/panty sets that you mentioned in this post as well as JCrew vintage tees. These have saved me these last few hot pregnancy weeks!
Jessica M says
How come you only have 12 weeks off?!? In Canada you can have a whole year!
[email protected] says
Yes you are very lucky. We do not have those kinds of maternity leave benefits in the United States.
Sara says
Can you post a picture of how you clip up your "topknot" with the clips in this post? I love the idea of not using elastics in my hair at night!
[email protected] says
I will try to remember to snap a shot for an upcoming post. You literally twist your hair into the topknot shape you want and then use the clip at the back of your hair to kind of hoist it up and keep it in place 🙂 it's trial and error. I have to re-adjust mine sometimes until it looks and holds how I want it to.
MartaZ says
Hi Veronika- Love your blog! Where did you find those hair clips? Would love to try this "at-home" style even though I'm not a mom but can't seem to find them. Sending lots of love from the T.O.!
Marta
[email protected] says
Hi there! Click the number 1 in the post they are linked 🙂