tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73569142547264232452024-02-20T11:00:21.644-08:00Blacktating ReviewsElitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-10192926827783576592011-07-20T08:56:00.000-07:002011-07-29T06:17:36.001-07:00*CLOSED* Bloomingdale's Welcomes Miki House Children's Clothing LineLast week I had the pleasure of attending a preview for children's clothing line Miki House at the Bloomingdale's in the Aventura Mall here in Miami. If, like me, you've never heard of Miki House, it is a 40-year-old high-end brand from Japan. The line consists of clothing and accessories for children age 6 months to 6 years and includes shoes, coats, backpacks, sippy cups, bibs, T-shirts, cotton leggings that look like jeans called "Spats" and much much more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKlxIc7Hlu-QdCmn2f76PIN3YuFKuYka0xAmwR2yDl6Acp3VpGAmYCF9CjrU-_mm6z3JfBqMjtuWrkoyy-phkvCWj6Kog8VALmGys6Kw-UQEcXUO4rZQ-q2cgW8yPuDb9ylOTT-KrHUM/s1600/Bear+Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKlxIc7Hlu-QdCmn2f76PIN3YuFKuYka0xAmwR2yDl6Acp3VpGAmYCF9CjrU-_mm6z3JfBqMjtuWrkoyy-phkvCWj6Kog8VALmGys6Kw-UQEcXUO4rZQ-q2cgW8yPuDb9ylOTT-KrHUM/s200/Bear+Shoes.jpg" width="133px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPo9Cl0poiIDZB5TeWCQaymFZ8FSzv1HFUuwQdVSa8qhoFauVq4l6hgBTcuYXJSHnYoRAugFMY9Y02EL4NW9P5tMdv5EBnd1ONBIO_L9-Vbk-w-3o8rH8lz21R21Q4xJdB06QOuhxzJI/s1600/Blue+sweatshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPo9Cl0poiIDZB5TeWCQaymFZ8FSzv1HFUuwQdVSa8qhoFauVq4l6hgBTcuYXJSHnYoRAugFMY9Y02EL4NW9P5tMdv5EBnd1ONBIO_L9-Vbk-w-3o8rH8lz21R21Q4xJdB06QOuhxzJI/s200/Blue+sweatshirt.jpg" t$="true" width="200px" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSVfLTAcICveTm_B1IyXgUWxTRI5iD3sL7kP_553FvsLb2VEQKn-1-xZMB9LFibSbaAFfGwOHnPIyuh_C0ij24jII4xjPdW2w6SvQJop1-wcb4UjbokuvwUPQBVzcisgKW2c5LKqv70I/s1600/Girl+model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSVfLTAcICveTm_B1IyXgUWxTRI5iD3sL7kP_553FvsLb2VEQKn-1-xZMB9LFibSbaAFfGwOHnPIyuh_C0ij24jII4xjPdW2w6SvQJop1-wcb4UjbokuvwUPQBVzcisgKW2c5LKqv70I/s200/Girl+model.jpg" t$="true" width="133px" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmaQiJIf7WeisXqwFhvg7TnQDEx58KT5lysl7VuVoz4Du_EXA0Iv6bSPiISP_M0YosWTjrRmNKXpnBmXcJCFONndbz9xzK_El2YXU506wzvfLPBz8uRUFnZz9p1dgla7siAKcXj6Xubo/s1600/MIKI+House+Spats+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmaQiJIf7WeisXqwFhvg7TnQDEx58KT5lysl7VuVoz4Du_EXA0Iv6bSPiISP_M0YosWTjrRmNKXpnBmXcJCFONndbz9xzK_El2YXU506wzvfLPBz8uRUFnZz9p1dgla7siAKcXj6Xubo/s200/MIKI+House+Spats+3.jpg" t$="true" width="200px" /></a><br />
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The clothing is extremely well made and durable (supima cotton, natch) and there is every attention to detail, including no itchy back stitching. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mikihouse.usa">Miki House</a> is really known for its quality design and fabrics, which is why it is so popular with moms and celebrities alike (Yoshi Takeda, President of Miki House, couldn't reveal who their celeb clients are, but he did let it slip that Brad Pitt has shopped in their Milan store.) This brand reflects the culture of Japan, where people prefer to dress their children "kawaii" or "cute," rather than as mini adults. Everything in the line is covered in bears and bunnies, is in bright pinks, yellows and blues and is obviously meant to allow your child to look sweet and innocent, not like he or she raided mom and dad's closet.<br />
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My favorite item of clothing from the Miki House line was, hands down, the kimono-style tops and one-piece outfits. Anyone who has ever tried to pull a onesie over a newborn baby's tiny head knows how fraught it can be, especially for a first-time parent. You are so nervous about and protective of their soft spot and the baby seems to be absolutely tortured by it too. I always tell moms-to-be to look out for kimono tops but they are incredibly difficult to find in the US. Most of the big name baby stores just don't carry that style. In addition to kimonos, Miki House also makes their regular onesies with super stretchy head/neck openings for just this reason.<br />
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If you're local, you should come out to the Back-to-School with Miki House event happening during "tax free" week on Saturday, August 13th from 2-5 at Bloomingdale's Aventura in Young World on Level 3 of the store. <br />
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In honor of Miki House coming to Bloomingdale's, I have a $20 giftcard to Bloomie's to give away to a reader. Simply tell me something you like on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mikihouse.usa">Miki House Facebook page</a>. You can get an additional entry by liking my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815">Blacktating Blog Facebook page</a>, please just leave a separate comment for each (two comments total). <br />
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<em>Giveaway is open to anyone in the US, winner be selected via random.org on Friday, July 29th. Entries must be complete by midnight on Thursday, July 28th. Winner will be notified by email. If I don't hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select another winner.</em><br />
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<strong><em>Congrats to #9, Danielle! Check your email!</em></strong>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-34285335706364846492010-05-31T13:28:00.000-07:002010-05-31T13:28:28.803-07:00Review: Hygeia Enjoye BreastpumpA few months ago I was contacted by <a href="http://hygeiababy.com/index.php">Hygeia</a> about reviewing their new double electric pump, the <a href="http://hygeiababy.com/product-details.php?pid=3">Enjoye. </a>As I am no longer pumping, I gave it to my friend Carrie of the <a href="http://huppiemama.blogspot.com/">Huppie Mama </a>blog to review it for me. Below are her thoughts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvJEVTZZR6-Fk6Cs9sSdKrZkmNCq2fkKndBHrwDluXahziYdhWLPEv3hIb9_DSBAvlgsj-nX0azENkOtuPkfCnNzJLYjrh6G4Quv5RaS3qlrBTQ0djfIiyGPdUjhbVnqvmc1WwMi-ht8/s1600/hygeiaenjoye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvJEVTZZR6-Fk6Cs9sSdKrZkmNCq2fkKndBHrwDluXahziYdhWLPEv3hIb9_DSBAvlgsj-nX0azENkOtuPkfCnNzJLYjrh6G4Quv5RaS3qlrBTQ0djfIiyGPdUjhbVnqvmc1WwMi-ht8/s320/hygeiaenjoye.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was fortunate enough to get to review the new Hygeia EnJoye™ Professional-Grade Breastpump. This is an amazing double-pump, especially for the working mother. My greatest fear was that when I returned to work full-time to fill in for a co-worker on maternity leave, my supply would diminish, and I would have to supplement with formula. The <a href="http://www.hygeiababy.com/">Hygeia</a> website actually recommends this particular pump for working mothers so that they can maintain their milk supply while away from their babies. I am away from my 8-month old daughter from about 9 am to 2 pm each day. I pump once at noon, and I get about 4 oz - just enough to give to her babysitter the next day. No formula for us!<br />
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This pump has some really great features:</div><ul style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li>The cups are hard, but still comfortable. They're also one size fits all, so you don't have to worry about purchasing the wrong cup size and having to exchange it or purchase a new one.</li>
<li>Unlike other breast pumps that I have tried, this pump allows you to adjust both speed and strength, which is especially great for new mommies who may need a more gentle pressure, and mommies like me who want to get the job done quickly!</li>
<li>This breast pump has an interesting recording feature. You can record your baby's cry and play it back to assist with quicker letdown. I do not use this feature, but I'm sure it would be helpful for some mommies.</li>
<li>It's a double pump, with the option to use it as a single pump. I generally use it as a single pump so that I can have one hand free to write or type. </li>
<li>It comes with two bottles, a large tote, and an insulated bottle storage bag.</li>
<li>It can be used plugged in or cordless (when the battery has already been charged). This would be great for use in the car, while out to lunch, or any other place that does not have direct electrical access. My desk at work has so many other cords plugged in, that I love just being able to charge it in a different outlet over night and using it comfortably while sitting at my desk for several days without having to recharge it.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Now what really sets this pump apart from others? It's green! Because of the pump's ability to be shared with others, it is both economically and ecologically beneficial. This pump was designed and registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be a multi-user pump, similar to the larger, more expensive pumps used in hospitals. What does this mean for you as the consumer? After you are done breastfeeding, you can pass it along to other friends and family members so they can use it. Much better than single-user pumps that end up useless to others and in a landfill! All a mother needs is her own accessory set, and she is ready to go! The pump features a filtration system that blocks cross-contamination, the spreading of bacteria and viruses from one user to the next. The pump also has a great three-year warranty, so if anything goes wrong during that time, just contact the company directly. If you are done using it and do not have any friends to share it with, just sent it back to the company for recycling!<br />
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</div>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-11213287766397506702010-05-15T18:29:00.000-07:002010-05-15T18:29:08.874-07:00Suave Naturals Mango Mandarin Body Wash Giveaway!Last year I was invited to host a Shower Yourself Beautiful party sponsored by Suave. I was sent several different body washes from their new <a href="http://www.suave.com/#/naturals/body-wash">"Naturals" collection</a> and instantly fell in love with the <i>Ocean Breeze </i>scent. I am a huge fan of body washes, perfumes, lotions, candles and room sprays that smell "clean." I'm just not into heavy scents, I like my fragrance to be light.<br />
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So I was happy to try out the latest edition to the Naturals collection, <a href="http://www.suave.com/#/Naturals-Body-Wash/MangoMandarin">Mango Mandarin,</a> when I was contacted by Suave. This body wash is fabulous! You know how some body washes and lotions that are scented with oranges just end up smelling like medicine? This is not like that. The fragrance is refreshing and the mango is a perfect match for the mandarin orange scent. As with all the Suave body washes I've tried so far, a little goes a long way and it foams up really nicely. It left my skin lightly scented and moisturized. My husband, who has extremely sensitive and dry skin, was also able to use this body wash without any problems. The scent is neutral enough that he was able to use it too (and I'm not sure if that's a good thing!)<br />
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Suave has been generous enough to offer one of my readers their own bottle of the Mango Mandarin Body Wash to try out yourself. <b>If you'd like to enter this giveaway, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite Suave product!</b> The giveaway will end next Saturday, May 22 at 11:59 PM. Open to residents of the US 18 and older. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Good luck!Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-78703676370676326152010-04-28T15:36:00.000-07:002010-04-28T15:38:16.527-07:00Mother's Day Giveaway: Escada Marine GrooveLast month we had the pleasure of attending a party thrown by Escada on the Venetian Lady yacht. It was an intimate crowd of about 50 and the guest of honor was singer Mya. No, our lives are typically not this exciting, but thanks to my friend <a href="http://thetinyjewelbox.blogspot.com/">Jewel</a> we had the opportunity to rub elbows with the rich and fabulous for three hours on the Bay in Miami.<br />
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The party was in honor of Escada's latest fragrance, Marine Groove. Mya is the face of the fragrance and joined us on the yacht for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Yes, she's super pretty in person, but more importantly, really nice. After the yacht ride, we were each given a goody bag with a bottle of Escada Marine Groove inside.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBIUb_XZTmpvUt1ntS3UYVRHJfUlx9V287StrsAiVGAwu8HIXDVjf0TCd5RHsfnGdMPrTbw3wOBht0CAUUBWuYVc3qKQEIhgz9CGZFXY1WXMntsHeKG36SDTEvhsE8qzRCRCey8o2BvE/s1600/escadamarinegroove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBIUb_XZTmpvUt1ntS3UYVRHJfUlx9V287StrsAiVGAwu8HIXDVjf0TCd5RHsfnGdMPrTbw3wOBht0CAUUBWuYVc3qKQEIhgz9CGZFXY1WXMntsHeKG36SDTEvhsE8qzRCRCey8o2BvE/s320/escadamarinegroove.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBIUb_XZTmpvUt1ntS3UYVRHJfUlx9V287StrsAiVGAwu8HIXDVjf0TCd5RHsfnGdMPrTbw3wOBht0CAUUBWuYVc3qKQEIhgz9CGZFXY1WXMntsHeKG36SDTEvhsE8qzRCRCey8o2BvE/s1600/escadamarinegroove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I really like this fragrance! I've been wearing it ever since and I love the jasmine in it. It's citrusy, too. A very sensual fragrance, perfect for hot nights in Miami (or for when you're wishing you were here!)<br />
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Since I have the extra bottle, I figured I'd pass it along to one of you and you can either keep it for yourself or gift it to the Mom in your life. The contest will end on Sunday, May 2nd at 8 PM EST so I can ship it out on Monday and you'll have it by Mother's Day.<br />
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To enter, simply tell me who the perfume will be for. <b>Want some extra entries?</b><br />
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"Like" <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815?ref=ts">The Blacktating Blog on Facebook</a><br />
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Follow me on Twitter- <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating">@Blacktating</a><br />
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Tweet about this giveaway. You can copy the following text directly into your Tweet:<br />
<b>Enter @Blacktating's Mother's Day Escada Marine Groove #giveaway! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b>http://tinyurl.com/2bx7hde <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><b>Ends 5/3</b></span></b></span></b><br />
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Please leave a <b>separate comment</b> for each of your entries. This contest is open to all US residents age 18 and over. Winner will be notified by email and will have 2 days to respond or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-16951539552391406852010-03-01T18:22:00.000-08:002010-03-10T15:07:31.440-08:00Simplisse Manual Pump Review & GiveawayI was recently contacted by a representative from <a href="http://www.simplisse.com/">Simplisse Breastfeeding Products</a> to review their new manual breast pump, called the Simplisse Breastfeeding Companion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cQchnivIDDsE05evjQhlQddMwcKaUPM_x5BxuuIjTGgmRg1j0sAf7lf-W880A8tEKLnrGG16fcviTyoKxOGREpw6ZPaDLDluTgv5vcDMceW6xTJ6oV8uMGcvlkXEbNPybqx9tw7BUlY/s1600-h/SimplisseBreastfeedingCompanion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cQchnivIDDsE05evjQhlQddMwcKaUPM_x5BxuuIjTGgmRg1j0sAf7lf-W880A8tEKLnrGG16fcviTyoKxOGREpw6ZPaDLDluTgv5vcDMceW6xTJ6oV8uMGcvlkXEbNPybqx9tw7BUlY/s320/SimplisseBreastfeedingCompanion.jpg" width="312" /></a><br />
I was intrigued by this pump because it was created by lactation consultants to more closely mimic breastfeeding than traditional breast pumps on the market now. Did you know that the original breast pump was created by an engineer and based on the machines used to milk cows? Yikes! Simplisse wants to make pumping more comfortable and easier for moms. Since I am no longer pumping, I decided to pass this pump along to my friend Carrie and allow her to put it to the test. I knew Carrie would be perfect to review the pump because she works from home and only has to pump on occasion. Carrie was pumping with a good, single electric pump so she had something to compare the Simplisse to. <br />
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Here are Carrie's thoughts on the pump:<br />
<blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">I tested the Simplisse Manual Breastfeeding Companion. Prior to actually trying it, I noticed how soft the breast cup is. It has a skin-like texture that is extremely flexible, conforming to the shape of your breast. The opening for the nipple seems somewhat small, but it worked well for me. It took a few minutes to begin expressing milk. I’d probably suggest manually expressing some prior to pumping just to get it flowing better. I found that it worked well if I pumped quickly at first, but then slowed down to increase the quantity of milk expressed with each pump. As the packaging states, it feels like a baby nursing. In fact, it’s more like a newborn nursing – very gentle. My electric pump often makes my nipples a bit sore, but this was very comfortable. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One thing I noticed after pumping for a few minutes was that the valve (piece between the bottle and the pump itself) would invert itself and would have to be fixed in order for the milk to drip into the bottle. Another difficulty was that although the pictures show a woman pumping with one hand, I found this to be awkward. I had to use one hand to hold the pump close to my breast and one to actually pump. Also, because it is so comfortable and does not create the same seal around your breast that an electric pump creates, some of the milk leaked as I was pumping, so make sure you have a wet wipe nearby.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One thing I am known for doing is accidentally spilling the milk after pumping. It’s such a horrible waste!! This pump comes with a small stand to place the bottle after pumping before you are able to get the cap on – Perfect!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This breast pump would be really handy for traveling. I could imagine using it as a passenger in a car on a long road trip (as long as you use the milk immediately or have a cooler in the car with you). Just make sure that you bring along the instruction booklet since the assembly is a bit complex. This is a great inexpensive pump that is compact, comfortable, and convenient! </div></blockquote><br />
Carrie really liked this new pump and was thrilled with how comfortable it was. Simplisse also has a full line of breastfeeding products in addition to this new manual pump (the double electric will be coming soon). These include disposable breast pads which are ultra thin for comfort, an all-natural lanolin & paraben-free nipple cream, lactation supplements and breast milk storage bags that zip seal and stand upright for convenience and piece of mind.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzStRST7_r8KYITYQEXP7qm3TwEwVi9pE8xL5S9jEBXC5cRcIF3cM6iLFZSb4tXvntIyl_-M2weZDVik4qMSGHBBZoVpd27QiQirNX3hfk6OakJUFvjZJdS4m-F0HXAKpAuJev7O_B6ok/s1600-h/SimplisseDisposablePad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzStRST7_r8KYITYQEXP7qm3TwEwVi9pE8xL5S9jEBXC5cRcIF3cM6iLFZSb4tXvntIyl_-M2weZDVik4qMSGHBBZoVpd27QiQirNX3hfk6OakJUFvjZJdS4m-F0HXAKpAuJev7O_B6ok/s320/SimplisseDisposablePad.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgAl7xh292haonAagoSvOVYOOFJjItRCEu_etfu4XeQs6i9gkg2PS6HytwFjsDTgLwyQLRprBzYbXhjBUJKCvgxZMvoTmRy70NMFkHXSTeMCM_XSMqpGctAKs8zDRZoQugYfkPkbUcG4/s1600-h/SimplisseLactationSupp_bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgAl7xh292haonAagoSvOVYOOFJjItRCEu_etfu4XeQs6i9gkg2PS6HytwFjsDTgLwyQLRprBzYbXhjBUJKCvgxZMvoTmRy70NMFkHXSTeMCM_XSMqpGctAKs8zDRZoQugYfkPkbUcG4/s320/SimplisseLactationSupp_bottles.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgb_gYwZJO2Jl24yH2WOgQ86M7vK3R-d911CMMX6Bh6mllyitDUuT-j2OW61VbF2MXKKdX3MxAOsZLSqSbgEOzUODd-EufvNIX5nxQrQv74E0l9fCNkg7-GvkhLt-FINHtiKTjV9x2co/s1600-h/SimplisseNippleCream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgb_gYwZJO2Jl24yH2WOgQ86M7vK3R-d911CMMX6Bh6mllyitDUuT-j2OW61VbF2MXKKdX3MxAOsZLSqSbgEOzUODd-EufvNIX5nxQrQv74E0l9fCNkg7-GvkhLt-FINHtiKTjV9x2co/s320/SimplisseNippleCream.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACvBHXAUJGGWsQ8LEtipKp35OSV1p81vvNxNKFyjPUg6qwQn1V7PTEVzUbzhhk8iSQinzXFpuGTJMFzri26VyTKJIJ44CWLxBs2RzXfYdmSxkvrA-8VTMheTM4BoyyGRHOZ1meXszFDU/s1600-h/SimplisseBreastmilkStorgBgs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACvBHXAUJGGWsQ8LEtipKp35OSV1p81vvNxNKFyjPUg6qwQn1V7PTEVzUbzhhk8iSQinzXFpuGTJMFzri26VyTKJIJ44CWLxBs2RzXfYdmSxkvrA-8VTMheTM4BoyyGRHOZ1meXszFDU/s320/SimplisseBreastmilkStorgBgs.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I love the packaging, too! Want to win your own Simplisse Manual Breast Pump? Simplisse has been kind enough to offer one of my readers not only their own manual breast pump, but a goody box that includes the breast pads, lactation supplements, milk storage bags and nipple cream!<br />
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Want to win? Just leave me a comment letting me know why you'd like to try the Simplisse pump! Since this is such a great giveaway, you can get some extra entries by<br />
<ul><li>Following me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating">Twitter </a> </li>
<li>Becoming a fan of Blacktating on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815?ref=ts">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Tweeting about the giveaway (leave a link to your status update by right clicking on the time stamp and copying the URL)</li>
</ul>That's a total of FOUR entries per person. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure your email address is in your public profile or leave it in your comment. This giveaway is open to US residents 18 and older and ends at 11:59 PM on Monday, March 8th. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Good luck!<br />
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*CLOSED* Congratulations, SocMama!Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-62292532025912472792010-02-01T04:36:00.000-08:002010-02-06T03:53:02.644-08:00See's Candies Valentine's Day Giveaway!I have the most amazing husband. He cooks for me, takes great care of our son, is handsome, kind and someone I have a great time with. He's sturdy, a man's man. He's reliable, honorable, and practical. What he's not is a romantic.The way he expresses his love for me is by always taking out the trash without having to be asked, fixing things around the house, washing my car, etc.<br />
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So imagine my surprise when, while working away in my office last year, my co-workers told me I had a package at the front desk. When I opened the package, inside it was a beautiful box of strawberries covered in a variety of different flavors of chocolate, along with several mini cheesecakes! I was floored, not only because the gift was so fantastic, but because it was something he had pre-planned and was a fabulous surprise. Since I don't expect him to display his love in ways like this, it was totally unexpected. Also, let's face it, women eat stuff like this up. And the fact that my co-workers were green with envy was just the icing on the cake! That sweet gesture made my day, and is something I'll remember for a long time.<br />
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Do you have a Valentine's Day or romantic story to share? <a href="http://www.sees.com/Cat.cfm/valentines_day_gifts">See's Candies</a>* is running a contest this week titled "Share Your Sweetest Story." Leave a comment on this post with your sweetest love story and you'll be entered to win a See's Candies Red Signature Box, a whopping 2 pounds of chocolatey goodness.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJTR8zf_7TuZWLNAVSzJmfDrmrPtIhdq_YbL008yWdfortQE1dV-1RLeVbqgR98iJ8ywDiRzIzquK5BK3ms6CN4FKn2wOrBstobl_C8RtzsDPOQrH4K-e983Rtu7M4bLhRzbDtbrZoAU/s1600-h/sees-candies-red-signature-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJTR8zf_7TuZWLNAVSzJmfDrmrPtIhdq_YbL008yWdfortQE1dV-1RLeVbqgR98iJ8ywDiRzIzquK5BK3ms6CN4FKn2wOrBstobl_C8RtzsDPOQrH4K-e983Rtu7M4bLhRzbDtbrZoAU/s320/sees-candies-red-signature-box.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Do you really, really want to win? Here are some opportunities for extra entries, in addition to your comment with your Sweetest Love Story. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.<br />
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1) Visit the See's homepage (<a href="http://www.sees.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sees.com/</a>) and sign up for the newsletter<br />
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2) Tweet about this contest using the #seescandy tag (you can Tweet daily and post the link in the comments below!)<br />
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3) Blog about why you want to win the Share Your Sweetest Love Story with links back to this post, as well as to the See's homepage (<a href="http://www.sees.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sees.com/</a>) and post the link to it in the comments below.<br />
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Enter Now!<br />
Deadline for entries is midnight, PST, Friday, February 5th and winner will be notified by email.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*This post has been sponsored by the Clever Girls Collective and See's Candies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>CLOSED- Congrats, LeeAnn! </b></div>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-68801604952918470462010-01-19T06:53:00.000-08:002010-01-19T06:53:46.408-08:00Review: Bravado's Allure Underwire Nursing Bra<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOzJ8ttI5EfPx9MV2Jhohr69E_d5jpmfgXxGZFSL_6PEYGH25lV7NYXWQIoUNK0BUoRcjJ1MaQf_TtGqLPOWTXFxCZajnHGtdqx_ODD8QE6k1I2iCrSmqF00TWnhyn1Q9fkKV2Dt8sUE/s1600-h/Allure-Ivory-170x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOzJ8ttI5EfPx9MV2Jhohr69E_d5jpmfgXxGZFSL_6PEYGH25lV7NYXWQIoUNK0BUoRcjJ1MaQf_TtGqLPOWTXFxCZajnHGtdqx_ODD8QE6k1I2iCrSmqF00TWnhyn1Q9fkKV2Dt8sUE/s320/Allure-Ivory-170x200.jpg" /></a>A few months ago, Bravado! was kind enough to contact me to see if I wanted to review one of their two new bras, The Allure or the Sublime. I agreed and was sent the<a href="http://www.bravadodesigns.com/product.asp?ID=1054&area=CA"> Allure Underwire Nursing Bra </a>in ivory to try out.<br />
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Now, you've probably heard me say in the past that you should avoid underwire nursing bras until your milk supply is well-established and that remains true for this bra. It's for moms who are already at least 6 weeks into their nursing relationship. Otherwise an underwire can cause plugged ducts which can lead to mastitis and no one wants that!<br />
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So what makes this bra different from other Bravados I own? First, the cups are more molded and firm. This is definitely the kind of bra you want to wear to work under your professional clothing because it provides a lot of shaping and lifting. It's also a sexier bra than my other Bravados, and I love the detailing, like the little ribbon in the center and the embroidered straps. This bra also looks and feels more like lingerie than my other Bravados. <br />
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What hasn't changed? You're still getting the same things you've come to love and expect from Bravado: a great, comfortable fit, light and breathable fabric, and cups that fully drop when you unhook the bra. I did notice after a few months of wearing and washing that the wire had shifted a bit, but I find this to be common with underwire bras and I was able to easily push it back into place.<br />
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Overall this is another hit for Bravado and a bra I'd highly recommend!<br />
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Cost of this bra to me: Free<br />
Cost of this bra to you: $59.50Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-89308024003658994602010-01-14T07:23:00.000-08:002010-08-05T17:40:51.136-07:00Review & Giveaway: Simply Breastfeeding & Breast Pumps & BriefcasesIn March of last year I reviewed a how-to breastfeeding DVD called<a href="http://www.blacktating.com/2009/03/review-simply-breastfeeding-dvd.html"> Simply Breastfeeding</a>. The DVD was created by Shari Criso, a certified nurse midwife and lactation consultant. Although I really loved the DVD, I had a few dislikes. They were namely that the information was separated into two DVDs and that there was a serious lack of diversity in the women and couples represented.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhEs2kKoBPFOMlRU9oCi8oZ3X1bjl8QGgWB08SHR7iWq1TZGptKuPEImeBF25hxJqd7ZRQtD7uxP_AxjW3GJkYiidKcPFt_YH62xBuHVq0T9UFn7PVpaGGRIS0JeJNLfgcJ9u8MaB_Ow/s1600-h/simplybreastfeeding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhEs2kKoBPFOMlRU9oCi8oZ3X1bjl8QGgWB08SHR7iWq1TZGptKuPEImeBF25hxJqd7ZRQtD7uxP_AxjW3GJkYiidKcPFt_YH62xBuHVq0T9UFn7PVpaGGRIS0JeJNLfgcJ9u8MaB_Ow/s320/simplybreastfeeding.png" /></a></div><br />
So Shari and her husband, Joe, recreated the DVD and made some improvements and sent it to me to review again. First, all of the information is now on one DVD. No need to get up and change out DVDs and the chapters are labeled and include things like "What are your breastfeeding goals?," "Breastfeeding benefits," "Breastfeeding techniques," and "Is my baby getting enough milk?" There are also images at the start of the DVD of families from all backgrounds, and if my eyes didn't deceive me, one lesbian couple.<br />
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What hasn't changed about the DVD is Shari's warm, compassionate manner. She really has a knack for spreading knowledge and dispelling breastfeeding myths in a way that doesn't come off as pushy.<br />
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So what makes this DVD different from any other breastfeeding book or video you may see? Well, there is definitely a "Criso" method and part of it is very controversial. Shari advises preventing sore nipples by limiting feedings in the hospital before your mature milk comes in and offering a pacifier from day one to satisfy baby's intense need to suck. I'm not an IBCLC, but I know that advice runs counter to what you'll hear in the hospital from the lactation consultant and in other experts' books. I also personally wouldn't offer a pacifier in the beginning (I'm not a fan of them anyway) because I would be concerned about nipple confusion and nipple preference.<br />
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Shari has also very specific instructions on how she thinks it is best to latch your baby on, which nipple creams to use, what kind of nursing bras and pillows to buy and more. I like that she explicitly spells out her technique and shows real moms nursing and employing them with their newborns. The DVD also features bonus material, including a segment on cord blood banking (Shari's a big proponent), and a message from <a href="http://www.bestforbabes.org/">Best for Babes</a> co-founder Bettina Forbes (a portion of DVD sales are donated to Best for Babes).<br />
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I also had the opportunity to review Shari's CD, "Breast Pumps and Briefcases," for working mothers. Pumping at work caused me more problems than I ever had breastfeeding so I wish I'd had this CD back then! Shari talks about how she made breastfeeding and working work for her, including pumping and having her husband bring her the baby to nurse on breaks. Again, Shari has some controversial recommendations, including offering small bottles from week one. Typically it is advised that no artificial nipples be offered until at least 6 weeks. But she does also offer her expertise on which bottles, pumps and nipples to use (I happened to agree with all of her recommendations on the CD). She explains how to bottle feed the breastfed baby, how to maximize your output, how to store milk, how to talk to your day care provider about breast milk and more. <br />
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Now for the good part....your chance to win both the Simply Breastfeeding DVD and Breast Pumps & Briefcases CD! Shari was kind enough to offer one lucky reader a copy of each.<br />
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For a chance to win, simply leave a comment with why you want to win this set.<br />
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You can get extra entries by doing the following (please leave a SEPARATE comment for each):<br />
<ul><li>Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=my+baby+experts&init=quick#/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815?ref=ts">Blacktating </a>on Facebook</li>
<li>Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating" target="blank">@blacktating</a> on Twitter</li>
<li>Twitter about this giveaway (leave a link to your tweet)</li>
<li>Blog about this giveaway (leave a link to your blog post)</li>
</ul>That is 5 possible entries per person! This giveaway is open to residents of the US age 18 and over only. The contest will run until Wednesday, January 28th at 11:59 PM. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Good luck!<br />
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*CLOSED* Congratulations to Vanessa!Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-5568711090618129912009-12-16T12:51:00.000-08:002009-12-16T12:55:09.787-08:00GMC Terrain Miami EventA few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being invited to an event to learn more about child safety, particularly car safety, and the new GMC cross-over vehicle, the Terrain. I was interested in attending because I am very passionate about car safety. I live in South Florida, where we really have a car culture. Mass transit is unreliable and runs on a limited schedule and most people have long commutes to work, riding solo in the car. In addition to that, because of our climate, we have some extra concerns when it comes to keeping our kids safe. We have to worry about pool (and ocean, canal, etc) safety all year round. And the number of kids who die every year in Florida because they’ve been left in the car is mind boggling.<br /><br />That’s why I was so pleased to learn more about how to keep my toddler safe in the car. The representatives from <a href="http://www.usa.safekids.org/">Safe Kids USA</a> gave us so much information on what kind of car seat to buy (expensive is not better; they all meet the same federal guidelines and standards), how tight the straps should be (forget two fingers worth of space, you shouldn’t be able to get a finger in) and how long you should keep your child rear-facing (as long as possible, people! Up to the max height/weight of your car seat).<br /><br />We also talked about toy safety, which is timely with the holidays coming up. We learned a neat trick to test whether or not a toy will be a choking hazard for your toddler. If the toy fits through the hole of an empty toilet paper roll, it’s a choking hazard and shouldn’t be given to a child under the age of 3.<br /><br />As a strong believer in attachment parenting, I was grateful that the Safe Kids reps stressed that you should never use your car seat as a baby-sitter or bed for your baby. Your baby should spend 60 minutes per day, MAX, in the car seat. Of course there are times when you won’t be able to meet that ideal standard, say on road trips, but your baby shouldn’t be left in the car seat for extended periods of time. Babies need to be held and they also need time on the floor to crawl and explore.<br /><br />After the information session, the ladies from SafeKids checked our car seat, and like most of the population, ours was installed incorrectly. Oops! Thankfully they walked us through proper installation and now our car seat is at one with the car.<br /><br />We also had the chance to test drive the new GMC Terrain. It’s a nice little cross-over that comes with lots of cool features, like a rear vision camera, standard. It has a ton of room in the back and comes fully loaded for $30,000, including double TV/DVD players built into the headrests. Since we only have one kid, it’s probably more car than we need right now, but would make a great vehicle for a family of four, especially once the kids are older and need to be shuttled off to soccer practice, ballet, etc. The hugest selling point for me, though, was that the car gets 32 MPG. That rivals my compact car! My mom was so impressed she is thinking of leasing one of her own when her current lease is up. Yes, GMC has brought back leasing programs, too!<br /><br />I had a great time at this event and learned a lot and shared a lot of it with you via my tweets that day. You can search for the Twitter hash tag <a href="http://twitter.com/home#search?q=%23GMCTerrainMiami">#GMCTerrainMiami </a>for more information.<br /><br />Full disclosure: I was not paid to attend this event or to write about it, but I did receive a Sony Webbie as a free gift. Thanks, Sony!Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-78769354054248893302009-12-01T17:11:00.000-08:002009-12-12T13:51:05.029-08:00Baby Star Nursing Blanket Review/GiveawayIf you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know how I've felt about nursing covers. For a very long time, I was very against the use of nursing covers. I didn't like the message they sent and I felt like in order to normalize breastfeeding, moms needed to ditch the covers. However, I do understand that many moms are more modest than I am and for some, nursing in public would not be possible without some sort of cover up. I want moms to be comfortable and I want them to breastfeed, so if you need a cover to do that, by all means cover up! Whatever it takes to get moms and babies nursing, I'm all for it!<br /><br />I'll be honest, though, I still find those apron-like nursing covers to be hideous. I considered using a blanket to cover up while latching my son on, but living in South Florida, I never wanted to be under a blanket, let alone put my baby under one! That's why when <a href="http://www.babystar.com/" target="blank">Baby Star</a> sent me their <a href="http://shop.babystar.com/products/category/872.0.1.1.41931.0.0.0.0" target="blank">Star Nursing Blanket</a> to review, I was thrilled at how lightweight it was.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprzzx1MZvVEVkyvjltPyVtMlLGxuGLfzz9u7Pl6YRdjAhHbFHGgqj4d1AlkwmNc29aqWP4pbpG9sVPwtWiDIlSAWaiCWkfG2S9LLTP9wEYgpZq93VcJ5zcXFMiV-eopNwftxx2P1kRQ8/s1600-h/nursingblanket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprzzx1MZvVEVkyvjltPyVtMlLGxuGLfzz9u7Pl6YRdjAhHbFHGgqj4d1AlkwmNc29aqWP4pbpG9sVPwtWiDIlSAWaiCWkfG2S9LLTP9wEYgpZq93VcJ5zcXFMiV-eopNwftxx2P1kRQ8/s320/nursingblanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410824854717987794" border="0" /></a><br />The blanket is 27.5" x 27.5" so it's quite large, perfect for post-partum moms or those who are plus size. The outer shell is 100% cotton and the fuzzy lining is soft polyester. That star up in the corner helps to weight the blanket. Throw it over your shoulder and it helps anchor the blanket in place. This comes in handy with the baby who likes to pull at the blanket and will do his or her best to expose mom while breastfeeding(like my son did)! The star could also be given to the baby to chew on or play with.<br /><br />Even if you're not breastfeeding, it's always nice to have a lightweight blanket that you can throw over a car seat to block out the sun, use as a changing pad for impromptu diaper changes, cover baby in a cold restaurant, etc. This blanket folds up easily into a compact little square that can be tossed in a diaper bag and not take up much room. I think this blanket is an ideal solution for the modest nursing mom who prefers to be covered when breastfeeding in public. I love that it's machine washable and comes in a variety of patterns and colors to fit every taste. I really like this blanket and think it would make a great gift this holiday season for the new mom or mom-to-be in your life.<br /><br />Want to buy one for yourself? Use code <span style="font-weight: bold;">20twinkle09 </span><span>to save 30% off any purchase at <a href="http://www.babystar.com/" target="blank">Baby Star</a> until 12/31/09.<br /><br />Want to win one? Baby Star was kind enough to offer a nursing blanket to one of my readers, in the fabric of your choice. For a chance to win, simply visit <a href="http://www.babystar.com/" target="blank">Baby Star</a> and leave a comment with your favorite Baby Star item.<br /><br />You can get extra entries by doing the following (please leave a SEPARATE comment for each):<br /><br /></span><ul><li>Sign up for the Baby Star newsletter (leave your email address in the comment)</li><li>Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/babystars" target="blank">@babystars</a> on Twitter</li><li>Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating" target="blank">@blacktating</a> on Twitter<br /></li><li>Join the<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25191706968" target="blank"> Baby Star fan club</a> on Facebook</li><li>Twitter about this giveaway (leave a link to your tweet)</li><li>Blog about this giveaway (leave a link to your blog post)</li></ul>That is 7 possible entries per person! This giveaway is open to residents of the US age 18 and over only. The contest will run until Friday, December 11th at 11:59 PM. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Good luck!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CLOSED- Congratulations, Xenia!</span></span>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-86184395853843856762009-11-11T17:32:00.001-08:002009-11-19T14:12:29.182-08:00Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIJaQCmHs9qcRJ74yrO7FLiSIB_46VoThTAquzbJlDmZzon6bMhzuX3bxmSyR5B2mNSmzvcUjHVLRQs39nOXk86D-Lzzsvm-d-H1Y1R-9iEKnEC02z2chTE-uYyVE6UIQD79J9HmULw/s1600-h/doespregnancymakefat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIJaQCmHs9qcRJ74yrO7FLiSIB_46VoThTAquzbJlDmZzon6bMhzuX3bxmSyR5B2mNSmzvcUjHVLRQs39nOXk86D-Lzzsvm-d-H1Y1R-9iEKnEC02z2chTE-uYyVE6UIQD79J9HmULw/s320/doespregnancymakefat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403022007462978114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">*CLOSED*</span><br /><br />How did you feel when you were pregnant? Did you have "the glow" and feel sexy and powerful and more womanly than ever? Or did you feel like you were huge, a fat, unattractive blob, a whale, a submarine, etc? I had a very easy pregnancy and for the most part, I enjoyed being pregnant. The first time I went into my closet and didn't fit into any of my clothes, I had a mini breakdown and crumbled to the floor crying. I knew I would gain weight and I thought I was mentally prepared, but to no longer be able to wear anything in my wardrobe WEEKS before the books said this would happen was demoralizing. I felt like I was a pig and already "letting myself go" before the baby even got here. As the weeks went on and I got bigger and bigger, I did embrace my pregnant body....until I got stretch marks at week 39. I was so disappointed in myself. I had managed to get through almost the entire pregnancy without them and now I was scarred for life. And since my pregnancy went to 42 weeks plus, they only got worse as the days went by.<br /><br />Of course my experience and the range of emotions that came with it are not unique to me. Pregnant women the world over (and particularly in the US, I'm sure) experience body & self-esteem issues. These don't end with the pregnancy, when women are then expected to drop the baby weight quickly and look like they never were pregnant at all. There's so much unrealistic pressure on women to always look good and be thin and it seems to get even worse after pregnancy.<br /><br />That's why I loved the new book <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Does-This-Pregnancy-Make-Look/dp/0757307922">Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?</a> </span>by Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei (full disclosure: I was interviewed by Claire and my quotes appear in the book and my blog, Blacktating, is listed as a resource for breastfeeding information). Claire, a beauty activist, and Magali, a former model and ED sufferer) interviewed over 400 women and men about the effects of pregnancy and motherhood on a woman's body and self-esteem. The book aims to show:<br /><br />- How you can learn to trust your changing body, appreciate it, and yes…even work it!<br />- Why you should be wary of the Hollywood "bump watch" and post-baby weight loss stories– and how to take the focus <em>off</em> the scale<br />- How to deal with your raging hormones—in the bedroom and beyond<br />- How to recognize when your body issues get extreme—and how to get help<br /><br />I was sent an Advanced Readers Copy to review and I really enjoyed the book. I saw myself in so much of the anecdotes in the book, particularly with regard to weight gain. I'm still working on losing the baby weight and my self-esteem and this book was a welcome reality check for me.<br /><br />I'm pleased to offer a copy of the book to one of my readers. Simply leave me a comment telling me why you'd like the book. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />I'll draw a winner using Random.org next Wednesday, November 18th at 11:59 PM EST. Contest is open to residents of US & Canada. The winner will be emailed and posted here and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you.</span><br /><br /><br />Never want to miss an update of the Blacktating Blog? Subscribe <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Blacktating">here</a>.<br />Twitter me- <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating">I'm blacktating</a><br /><br /><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ekalma/elita.jpg" align="right" />Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-63237262928586349402009-10-27T06:49:00.001-07:002009-11-04T08:17:46.404-08:00Yummie Tummie Review/ $100 GC Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMj6RfALoPGqvsyZTZ4yAgugWt5LC8-olh4GtwCOD0F3jFBn37CVsTPm_rwN8wg0saUoLpPba6RzRQ4juqLVm7yD-_N6qta-atsi2ZqlTndLl-9XHmgqS9D0VK-nJnPg0ieDxiL95v0A/s1600-h/yummietummie_girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMj6RfALoPGqvsyZTZ4yAgugWt5LC8-olh4GtwCOD0F3jFBn37CVsTPm_rwN8wg0saUoLpPba6RzRQ4juqLVm7yD-_N6qta-atsi2ZqlTndLl-9XHmgqS9D0VK-nJnPg0ieDxiL95v0A/s320/yummietummie_girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397276745818402386" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CLOSED</span>
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Celitak%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back in July, I was watching the #blogher09 Twitter stream with a mix of interest and jealousy. I was kicking myself for not getting it together in time to attend BlogHer, the blogging conference for women. I noticed that tons of bloggers were raving about a brand of shapewear called <a href="http://www.yummietummie.com/">Yummie Tummie</a>. I had heard of the brand before and had actually entered a giveaway to win one. I really wanted to try it out, but I’m a bit leery of buying shapewear. Since giving birth to my son in ’07, I’ve tried tons of brands of girdles and body shapers and all of them were so uncomfortable. I’ve never managed to make it more than a couple of hours in one and so saved them for occasions when I wanted to look pulled in and was willing to suffer. However, all of the women bloggers were saying Yummie Tummie isn’t like that, it’s actually comfortable! I was dubious, but then when they tweeted a coupon code good for 50% off any purchase, I knew I needed to jump on that deal, so I ordered two <a href="http://www.yummietummie.com/strappy-regular.html">strappy </a>tanks, in black and brown leopard. (Full disclosure: Although I bought two Yummie Tummies with my own money, I did receive one for free at Blogalicious).</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am thrilled to report that the Yummie Tummie really does hold you in, give you a nice smooth silhouette and it’s NOT PAINFUL. I ordered a size L and a size M and both are comfortable, although the M is a bit more snug and I have to work a little harder to shimmy into it. I wear my Yummie Tummies every day to work and sometimes I’ll even run errands in my tank and a pair of jeans. The Yummie Tummie comes in plus size and long length. Although I’m short, I like the longer length because it goes down over my butt and the tank can be tucked into my pants. That way, I don’t have to worry about the Yummie Tummie creeping up.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am so excited to be able to offer my readers a $100 gift card to Yummie Tummie to spend on whatever you’d like! Yummie Tummie does offer a tank specifically designed for post-partum <a href="http://www.yummietummie.com/blog/get-ready-for-a-yummie-mothers-day/">nursing moms</a>. This tank features a top that wicks away moisture to keep you dry and snaps down for easy access. While I’ve never tried the nursing tank, I have been assured that Heather Thomson designed this top specifically to be supportive, comfortable and appropriate for nursing moms. That means a soft cotton bra top, no underwire, and snap down bra panels designed for comfort and modesty. The nursing tank was designed to be used immediately post-partum. It's up to every woman to decide what feels comfortable, but my guess would be you may want to order a size up if you’re between sizes so the top is not too constricting across your breasts.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now here are the giveaway rules: To enter, please leave a comment telling me why you’d like to win the Yummie Tummie. Since this is a biggie, I’m going to offer FOUR extra entries. You get an extra entry for</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">*Following me on Twitter (I’m <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating">@blacktating</a>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">*Tweeting about the giveaway</p> <p class="MsoNormal">*Blogging about the giveaway</p> <p class="MsoNormal">*Becoming a fan of Blacktating on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815?ref=ts">Facebook</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815?ref=ts">
<br /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So that is up to FIVE entries per person. Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each of your entries and a link when applicable. Also, please be sure to leave me a valid email address in your comment if it’s not public on your Google profile. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to pick a second winner because I had no way to contact the first person.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Giveaway ends on November 3 at 11:59 PM eastern time. Winner will be contacted via email and posted on the blog and will have 48 hours to respond before forfeiting the prize to another winner. Good luck!</i></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Congratulations, Dee! You won the $100 gift card to Yummie Tummie!</span></span>
<br /><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></p> Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-1632817042522638872009-10-14T17:44:00.000-07:002009-10-23T21:39:35.061-07:00Giveaway: $25 giftcard to Tiny Prints<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tp-images-cache.tp-global.net/product/6665/panel/1/color/01/width/420/height/420.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 420px;" src="http://tp-images-cache.tp-global.net/product/6665/panel/1/color/01/width/420/height/420.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CLOSED</span><br />As you may know, I recently attended Blogalicious, the first conference for women of color bloggers. I had an amazing time and met some great women and received some great gifts. I got more swag than I could ever make use of myself, so I am pleased to be able to give away some fun stuff to my wonderful readers. First up is a $25 gift card to <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/" target="blank">TinyPrints</a>, the company that creates those adorable birth announcements, chic invitations for all occasions and now business cards, courtesy of the Clever Girls Collective! No matter what you're celebrating (a wedding, graduation, new baby, engagement, anniversary, Bar Mitzvah, etc) Tiny Prints has a card or invitation that is perfect for the occasion.<br /><br />To win the gift certificate, simply leave me a comment here with the type of card you'd order with the $25 if you win. Want some extra entries? Follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating" target="blank">Twitter</a>, tweet about this contest, or become a fan of the Blacktating Blog on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blacktating-Blog/53503707815?ref=ts" target="blank">Facebook.</a> That's a total of 4 entries per person, so please be sure to leave a separate comment for each of your entries.<br /><br />Contest is open to residents of the US & Canada, 18 and older. Contest ends on Friday, October 23rd at midnight EST. Winner will be contacted via email and posted on the blog and will have 48 hours to respond before forfeiting the prize to another winner. Good luck!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AXjYR5YLkkqhwe5zTRhh3oLEsv2t2EMdpIfM9WBSUoBZ-NCpoUg7JAEwxNGOS-H_lRe3flsOQYbVSnXKvCajEyzV-KWryd1NMT0-isC10v6mNEcKiqFy7Vo2iaZs6kYibnLIfFSgMC4/s1600-h/tinyprintswinner.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AXjYR5YLkkqhwe5zTRhh3oLEsv2t2EMdpIfM9WBSUoBZ-NCpoUg7JAEwxNGOS-H_lRe3flsOQYbVSnXKvCajEyzV-KWryd1NMT0-isC10v6mNEcKiqFy7Vo2iaZs6kYibnLIfFSgMC4/s320/tinyprintswinner.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396021419792597858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Congratulations to entry #25, Xenia! You are the winner of the gift card!</span>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-51239579096307199882009-10-14T17:35:00.001-07:002009-10-14T17:35:52.880-07:00Review: Tummy TankzI was recently sent a <a href="http://www.tummytankz.com/">Tummy Tank</a> maternity belly band to review on the blog. No, I don't have anything to tell you guys. I'm not expecting. But that's what makes this company and this product so unique: it's a belly band that can be used by pregnant women, nursing moms and those confident enough to rock a tube top. It's just a small bit of fabric, but it's so versatile. It's a nylon, spandex blend so it feels silky and stretches by 75% of its original size.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV7WBXfHrjBswP64Gm44UWooEdkbzNLs-zxgEtQFFs9Q0zRMTeXm_mmF4UHzLo4ZODh52sl27Md4MHtms05hjMZuPQbRQjSnhqstpbJlMQHrgjST9U0TuPHEAVd9II_eegorzWrQwTA/s1600-h/TummyTankz-570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjV7WBXfHrjBswP64Gm44UWooEdkbzNLs-zxgEtQFFs9Q0zRMTeXm_mmF4UHzLo4ZODh52sl27Md4MHtms05hjMZuPQbRQjSnhqstpbJlMQHrgjST9U0TuPHEAVd9II_eegorzWrQwTA/s320/TummyTankz-570.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389657258793310962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo by Lynn Dao<br /></span></div><br /><br />So how many different ways can you use Tummy Tankz? While pregnant, you can wear it at the hips to hide your unbuttoned pants or use for layering with tops. It's great for nursing. Wear it under your breasts and you can lift your shirt up, latch your baby on, and your tummy will be covered by the Tummy Tank while your baby covers your breast. Voila, no need for a silly nursing cover! And if you're bold enough, you can wear it as a tube top for a sexy look, or under a blazer with jeans. I personally wouldn't go around exposing my belly, but if you're a hot mama with the confidence, go for it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I Liked About The Product</span><br />First, this is a product created by a mom, for moms, and I love supporting women who've started their own businesses. I also love that the product can be used for years for many purposes, and that it can help women feel more confident nursing in public. The fact that this product is marketed as an alternative to impersonal nursing covers makes me giddy. AND it comes in plus sizes, so it can work for moms of all shapes and sizes. And you really can't beat the price: for $16.95 you're getting 3 products in one!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I Didn't Like</span><br />There's not much to dislike about the Tummy Tank. Although I'm not pregnant, my Tummy Tank stretched nicely when I put it on, so I imagine it would grow with you during pregnancy. It was WAY too sexy for me to wear as a top alone, but I have pretty conservative taste in clothing. The size chart was accurate and I was pleased with the fit. The only thing I wasn't crazy about were the patterns available. I'd probably choose a neutral color like white or black, but I was sent the "patchwork" and wasn't crazy about the way the fabric looked when it arrived. I'd stick to the plain colors.<br /><br />Want your own Tummy Tank? Order one <a href="http://www.tummytankz.com/index.php?main_page=products_all">here </a>today for $16.95. Look out for deals on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/tummytankz">Tummy Tankz</a> by following them on Twitter.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Never want to miss an update of the Blacktating Blog? Subscribe <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Blacktating">here</a>.<br />Twitter me- <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating">I'm blacktating</a>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-19062913953555387532009-08-11T09:49:00.000-07:002009-08-12T19:12:49.674-07:00Review: Capri Nursing PJs<a href="http://www.twitter.com/mommynews" target="blank">Judy</a> from <a href="http://www.mothersboutique.com/" target="blank">A Mother's Boutique</a> was kind enough to send me a pair of capri pant <a href="http://www.mothersboutique.com/capripjset.html" target="blank">nursing PJs</a> to review on the blog. The pajamas are made by Annee Matthew and retail for $65 at A Mother's Boutique.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxldqqw7IQZ0wMyrn284Tx5bSy5-0Gt2LY2qo1fKX-fhNe4awRqb-5tXfbjxP2GTnHu_HtVEEZjgZbZ3XxeaQzHkazn3jI2s7qthZE3lek9sxWKMUUStmhAmc_bBGvQCqOQi3R1raRhyc/s1600-h/Fresh+dressed+like+a+milllion+bucks....JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxldqqw7IQZ0wMyrn284Tx5bSy5-0Gt2LY2qo1fKX-fhNe4awRqb-5tXfbjxP2GTnHu_HtVEEZjgZbZ3XxeaQzHkazn3jI2s7qthZE3lek9sxWKMUUStmhAmc_bBGvQCqOQi3R1raRhyc/s320/Fresh+dressed+like+a+milllion+bucks....JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369265379106539586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As you can see, the pajamas come with a tank style top that has adjustable bra-like straps and a clasp that unhooks like a regular nursing bra. There is no underwire, but there is an elastic built-in shelf that provides some support. The bottoms are capri-length pants with an elastic waistband. When I looked at the sizing of the PJs, I wasn't sure what to order. I wear a size 12 so I was torn between ordering a Medium and a Large. I decided to go with the Large because I figured since these are pajamas (and knowing me, they would end up doubling as lounge wear), I'd rather have them be roomy than snug. When the pajamas arrived and I slipped them on, I found the top was a bit too big. Although I am at DD status due to nursing, there was still plenty of room for extra boobage, although it fit fine across my ample tummy. I adjusted the straps to as tight as they would go and I still had room. However, the pants fit well. I am curvy so I have wider hips and a big behind, so I think a Medium would have been tight on my tush and squished my stomach. No one wants a waistband that's so tight it leaves marks on your skin, particularly post-partum when your stomach is still mushy or you have a sensitive C-section scar.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I Liked</span><br /><ul><li>These PJs are super comfy! The cotton spandex blend was very soft against my skin and had plenty of stretch to move with me.</li><li>Stylish. These pajamas easily double as lounge wear so mom won't feel like a total schlub if she lives in them for a couple of days while caring for a new baby.</li><li>Thickness. These PJs are nice and thick and not see-thru. I find a lot of times pajamas are so thin you feel indecent wearing them in front of other people. New moms get a lot of visitors, sometimes unannounced and unexpected. You wouldn't feel too exposed in these PJs.</li><li>Easy to open clasp on the straps! I was able to unhook one-handed and while half-asleep.<br /></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I Didn't Like<br /></span><ul><li>Sizing. There was no size chart available to give me a hint as to what size to order and since these are two separate pieces, it would've been nice to be able to order them mix & match. I probably could've used a Medium in the top and definitely needed a Large in the bottoms. </li><li>These are only available in black and navy. It would be nice if they were available in some other colors and prints.<br /></li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Verdict</span><br /><br />At $65 the pajamas are pricey, but if you wear them through pregnancy and while nursing and use them for more than one baby, they are well worth the price. They are extremely comfortable and soft and I felt they were flattering. I wore them several times and they came out of the wash even softer. I am finding myself reaching for these pajamas every single night. Although my son now sleeps through the night, I wear these to nurse him before bed and in the morning.Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7356914254726423245.post-73494289784962871552009-07-07T07:32:00.000-07:002009-07-07T07:34:00.480-07:00Review & Sweepstakes: Bravado Nursing BraCan I be honest with you guys and let you in on a secret? Sometimes I am a really big cheapskate. Now, I think I'm a generous person and I like to splurge from time to time, but I find it hard to justify spending a lot on certain items, like shoes, purses, bras, manicures. I will drop $100 on a sushi dinner without batting an eyelash, but never invested in quality nursing bras. I know, it makes no sense, and maybe if I'd known how long I'd be nursing or just how much time I'd be spending in nursing bras, I wouldn't have been so cheap about it.<br /><br />Luckily for me,<a href="http://www.bravadodesigns.com/" target="blank"> Bravado Designs </a>offered to send me a nursing bra to review on the blog. When I told them that I'd love to because I STILL live in my nursing bras 19 months after having my son, they suggested I try out their <a href="http://www.bravadodesigns.com/product.asp?ID=109&area=US" target="blank">Body Silk Seamless</a> nursing bra.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQT-WBbm7FpptOCMZ5yvA_AE_AhsB6i6dWVhYuEUvoq0gdQbMZLJbiCyX4eq75JYsnNrLn89L5kG58MBJfhl09US3imG1_QhZC0jnuBdOdV8tRyijmkT-RVxyf9LQIspF0rxMSqOFxw/s1600-h/bravado.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQT-WBbm7FpptOCMZ5yvA_AE_AhsB6i6dWVhYuEUvoq0gdQbMZLJbiCyX4eq75JYsnNrLn89L5kG58MBJfhl09US3imG1_QhZC0jnuBdOdV8tRyijmkT-RVxyf9LQIspF0rxMSqOFxw/s200/bravado.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352169464026003266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />What can I say about this bra? I put it on and was immediately in heaven. I think it is no exaggeration to say that this bra is life changing. It's silky, smooth and soft. It's the most comfortable bra I've ever worn, period. It offers support and shaping, without digging. There is no hard, painful under wire, yet the bra lifts your breasts perfectly back to their pre-pregnancy location. I wore it to sleep and it didn't even feel like I had a bra on at all. I strutted around the house with it on and kept admiring myself in the mirror so much that my husband was laughing at me! It's just that my breasts have never looked so good in a bra and it totally changed my silhouette in my clothes as well. I ordered a size Large and it fits perfectly, yet there is enough room that I know that when I have Baby No. 2 and my breasts are once again engorged and much fuller with milk, that the bra will still fit great. The bra also came with two foam cups that can be used to hide your breast pads, but that are removable for when you no longer need them.<br /><br />I am kicking myself in the butt for not getting a Bravado bra from day one. If you are pregnant or nursing, treat yourself to one NOW. You deserve and need this bra. If you have a girlfriend who is pregnant, this bra would make a wonderful shower gift (the sizing method makes it really easy to guess what size she'd need).<br /><br />For a limited time, use coupon code <span style="font-weight: bold;">CSR-155</span> for 20% off your order at Bravado. Bravado has also set up a Sweepstakes for my readers! Enter <a href="http://www.bravadodesigns.com/page.asp?ID=5791">here</a> for the opportunity to win an entire wardrobe by Bravado Designs (my Canada peeps should click <a href="http://www.bravadodesigns.com/page.asp?ID=5785">here</a>). The Sweepstakes bounty includes an Original Nursing Bra, a Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra, a Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra and an Essential Nursing Bra Tank, a $160 value, yours for free!<br /><br />OK, this cheapskate is off to order more bras! Whoulda thunk it?<br /><br /><br /><br />Never want to miss an update of the Blacktating Blog? Subscribe <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Blacktating">here</a>.<br />Twitter me- <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blacktating">I'm blacktating</a>Elitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294923997458681675noreply@blogger.com3