If you've been around here for some time, you know I am always looking for better beauty products. The term "clean" is pretty elusive and can often be greenwashed. My goal, like all aspects of my life, is to find a middle ground. Some of my top non-toxic brands having amazing sales that I wanted to share with you all. It's a great time to try some new items and refill of staples...not to mention gifting!
Vitamin C Serum (this is what I've been regularly posting about for a year over on Instagram - my results are incredible - if you buy nothing else, try this! You can also grab it in this $29 gift set)
Glo-Pro (via Nordstrom {free shipping and no return window} // via Company Site) (definitely get a kit - I swear by the body roller as well as the scalp roller. It changed my postpartum hair regrowth process!)
GloFacial (via Nordstrom // via Company Site) (literal pore vacuum but doesn't majorly irritate)
If you've been following along for some time, you know we welcomed the sweetest (and spunkiest) baby girl in May of 2021. Having a baby in the middle of a global pandemic was a literal sh*tshow but we made it out the other side, but some days, I feel like my body didn't. It's a common feeling postpartum, as most new and seasoned moms will share.
Last summer, when we took our first family beach trip, I quickly realized that navigating postpartum swimwear was an absolute nightmare. This year, I am wiser and found some AMAZING swimsuits that not only flatter your glorious #mombod but won't break the bank either. You can effortlessly chase your active toddler without fear of your checks flashing the beach crowd!
All items are from Target or Aerie. Target is having a buy one, get one free on most swim as of the date of this post. Check out my recommendations below. Let me know if you have any questions via DM on Instagram (@TheSassySuburbs) or via email (lauren@thesassysuburbs.com). For reference, I took a Small in everything. I am currently about 117lbs and 4'11 in height.
My goodness, it's been SO long since I wrote a blog post. It feels great to be back at it! If you've been here awhile, you know I love Nordstrom. It's truly my go-to because of the quality of their products, price match, free shipping and free, timeless returns. The Anniversary Sale has changed significantly over the years, and not necessarily for the better, in my opinion. With each passing season, I find myself purchasing less and less, which is fine, especially when most of my days are spent chasing a toddler; however, there are tried and true staples that I always advise shoppers to purchase. This year, I wanted to do something a little bit different. I broke down my recommendations into budgetary categories. This way, you can consider your overall investment and how you'd like to allocate it.
Let's get into it!
$100 Budget
All items are under $100 each, starting at $11
SCROLL BELOW TO SEE MY TOP PICKS
I own most of the recommendations I've made, and have for years, so I can truly attest to their quality.
If you're looking for a A+ yet affordable gift, THIS BLANKET is the one to buy!
THESE LUG BOOTS were a staple for me last fall. They are ideal for a mom on-the-go because they're flats, stylish, comfortable and weather-resistant. I have them in taupe and black leather. They fit true to size.
The holy grail beauty product under $100 is the Charlotte Tilbury lip kit. I buy one annually, and it NEVER disappoints. The shade "Pillow Talk" looks incredible on all skin tones. It also makes a great gift.
These few days after Thanksgiving can be incredibly overwhelming, so much so that I almost skipped the "holiday rush" of deals all together. I wanted to put together a quick list of stores and items that I believe are worth shopping. Most are long-time favorites of mine and recommendations I've shared throughout the year, but now you can snag them for the deepest discount! Hope you find today's post helpful.
Abercrombie // 30% off site wide + an extra 15% with code "CYBERAF"
Beautycounter // 20% off site wide, free shipping @ $50+, 30% off @ $250+ {if you place an order of $100 or more through the bolded link, you'll get an additional free, full-size product! BE SURE TO CLICK WHERE IT SAYS BLACK FRIDAY SALE}
Branch Basics// Best non-toxic, all-purpose cleaning solution // 20% off site wide
Beauty Bio // 30% off site wide with code "GloParty30"
Recommendations: The scalp set I swear by! Saved my hair postpartum (read more about it HERE)
Erin Condren // The best paper planner out there - hand's down! My fellow Hilltoppers will rejoice (IYKYK). This year, I opted for the monthly layout // 30% off site wide
J.Crew Factory // 60% off site wide, free shipping @ $25+
Little Sleepies // 30% off site wide (only downside is purchases are final sale) with code "COZY"
Sizing Info: Sophia wears a 3T, and is about 30lbs. I take a x-small in both top and bottom. My husband takes a large in both as well.
Londontwon Nail Polish // Truly the only brand I use now - all my staples (sample manicures featured HERE & HERE) // 30% off site wide (code "Lauren25" gives you 25% all the time - FYI)
As I *finally* sit to write this post, I'm 3 months postpartum. It's hard to believe my pregnancy journey is over but what they say about the "fourth" trimester is so true. I feel like it's an extension of the prenatal experience, only now you have a little life that's completely dependent on you. You're utterly exhausted, but so in love. My plan was to separate these topics (e.g. third trimester then postpartum); however, I figured it would make more sense to simply include them in one place, since anyone reading about a third trimester would benefit from a postpartum discussion. So, let's get into it...
Third Trimester Recap
The first month of the third trimester was quite nice, actually. It still felt like the "honeymoon" phase of pregnancy, then the second month hit and, holy hell, let me tell you, I was growing exponentially. All the first trimester symptoms of sciatica and general discomfort returned. Sleeping became much more difficult due to my size. I was hungry every minute of every day, which was terrible for my nonexistent waist and wallet. All I craved was Chick-fil-A, so I thank God for DoorDash!
As I entered "baby month," I was cautiously optimistic/concerned that Sophia was coming early. I experienced Braxton Hicks contractions around Easter, and they continued with varying intensity for over three weeks. Although I was terrified of delivery, most moms will tell you that there's a threshold you pass where you're so ready for your baby to come, that those thoughts no longer matter. It's the absolute truth. I would describe it as wanting to unzip yourself out the your own skin. Everything is stretched so tightly that you could scream. You can't bend, can't sit, can't get comfortable. Thankfully, there were some products that helped me handle all the trials and tribulations. Hopefully you find them just as useful! Check them out below.
In hindsight, I wish I would've rested more and soaked in those moments because there truly is always time to clean the house, nest and organize...maybe not for the next 18 years, but life will never be the same again, in the absolute best way possible.
P.S. I'll be sharing Sophia's birth story over on Instagram stories sometime this week, so be sure to give the blog a follow over there, if you haven't already. Just click HERE!
Third Trimester Products I Couldn't Live Without!
Postpartum Recommendations
For reference, I had an epidural and had a vaginal deliervy. Unfortunately, I did sustain two 2nd degree tears. My OB said they were in normal range; however, the Frida Mama witch hazel foam should not be used for postpartum care with tears. That's just my experience. These other items were lifesavers in so many ways.
Preparing for labor and delivery may be the most overwhelming aspect of pregnancy, at least for me. Not only do I have the physical act of birth on my mind, but the thought of being at the hospital for any extended period of time puts me right into a tizzy. To be frank, I'm not a great patient. I'm terrified of needles, have a low pain tolerance and generally do whatever I can (even the unreasonable) to avoid medical treatment. Having a baby during a pandemic has pushed me to limits I never knew existed, but I guess that's also motherhood in the nutshell, right?
In an effort to try and calm my nerves, I've spent a lot of time figuring out how to curate the best hospital bag I can. My goal was to be inclusive, but not excessive, and I think I've struck a solid balance. I scoured the internet to find useful recommendations from my favorite bloggers and influencers. I'd say I took something away from each of them; however, I found myself at a loss because none were really comprehensive. So, I decided to try to fill that void. You can save/download my checklist HERE for current use or future reference. Please consider pinning to Pinterest to help share this post, as well, especially if you're not yet a mama. I sincerely hope you find it helpful! I won't go through my reasons for every item, but below you'll find some key points I felt were worth highlighting. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me on Instagram (@thesassysuburbs) or via email (Lauren@thesassysuburbs.com).
Baby
- Shusher/Portal Sound Machine: I've heard nothing but good things about bringing either a baby shusher or portable sound machine to the hospital to soothe the baby during his or her first days. With COVID protocols, most babies are cared for bedside, as opposed to a nursery, so having the extra "help" given the low cost of entry seemed like a no-brainer to me! These are also great stroller accessories and would be ideal for travel (day trips, overnights or longer vacays).
- Electric Nail File: The thought of having to clip the baby's nails with a standard metal clipper really gave me anxiety for some reason. We registered for THIS electric file, and I knew as soon as we received it, that it would be making its way into our hospital bag. It's pain-free for baby and super easy-to-use. Just make sure you take the right grit file for a newborn (instructions will tell you).
- Going Home Outfits: Yes, you read that correctly - outfits - as in plural. Needless to say, my mom convinced me that we needed several options in multiple sizes, just in case baby was smaller or bigger than expected. I cannot recommend either Beaufort Bonnet Company or THIS Etsy shop enough. Just make sure to read the sizing descriptions and reviews before ordering, especially with custom options.
Mom
- Beekman 1802 Wipes: You've heard me sing the praises of these wipes on many occasions (they were first featured in my January 2020 Must-Haves), and I still can't get enough. The Beekman wipes are pregnancy/nursing safe and can be used on both face and body. As I noted above, I, thankfully, have no idea what a hospital stay is really like, so I'm not sure I'll ultimately shower there; however, I want to be able to freshen myself up effortlessly. For me, these are a must.
- Dry Shampoo: BUT, not just any dry shampoo...I'll be taking my tried-and-true Living Proof travel size because it literally cleans my hair. Again, I have no idea what's coming but I'd anticipate a lot of sweating during labor and delivery, and if I'm not inclined to shower, at least my hair can get a refresh.
- Frida Mom Peri Bottle: I personally have the entire postpartum kit by Frida Mom and I think it was worth it. I opted to register for the set (peri bottle only comes in the large, hospital postpartum kit; all items are available for separate purchase), but if you buy nothing else, get the peri bottle. It's truly ergonomic, compared to the squirt bottle the hospital apparently gives you, which makes recovery that much easier.
- Peanut Ball: Your hospital may have peanut balls available to you but I was not going to use a ball that was between someone else's legs. I'm sorry, I know it's sanitized and/or has a plastic over it, but there's no way in hell I was going to do that. For those of you who have no idea what a peanut ball is, it's supposed to be an incredible labor aid, particularly with opening the pelvis to ease the baby out. I've read this can be a game-changer for those who have an epidural and cannot completely feel what's happening. I purchased a child's version, given my height, and will be packing it deflated with the pump.
Dad
- Pediatrician Information: Our pediatrician's office told me that we were unable to pre-register for our first appointment, so we have to call to schedule it after the baby is born. Since I'm not sure what state I'm going to be in, my husband may have to deal with all that. I wrote out all information on an index card that he can easily keep in his wallet, and did the same for myself. That way there are no burdensome questions if I'm having a difficult recovery, but it can still get done as seamlessly as possible.
- Bathing suit: The nurse who hosted our 2-day virtual birthing class highly recommended packing a bathing suit for your husband, and I found this rather surprising, but once she explained that some moms need extra help in the shower, it made perfect sense. If I can have my husband assist me, in addition to or in lieu of a nurse, that would always be my preference. Having a bathing suit on hand will keep him comfortable and covered, and able to help without a second thought.
- Non-Perishable Snacks & Water: Since our world is overrun with COVID protocols, my husband won't be able to leave the room for any reason. How's the guy supposed to eat, especially with limited cafeteria hours? I snagged a ton of snacks from Costco that were pre-portioned and pre-packaged. Some items included Pringles, pretzels, mini oreos, protein bars and such. I also got a huge crate of bottled waters (for like $4, mind you - got to love Costco), so we'll be taking 10+ bottles with us to stay hydrated without much additional hospital staff interaction.
The new norm in advertising is no longer magazine ads, but rather social media marketing. You see a variety of products making their rounds on Instagram, Facebook and such daily, never really knowing if they are worth your time and money. Although I dream of turning this little corner of the internet into a full fledged business, which would involve more sponsored posts, I pride myself on being honest and upfront with my thoughts on the things I share. That would never change, even if I had the opportunity to grow.
Given my passion for the space, I follow a lot of other bloggers and influencers (hate that word, by the way), many of which participate in similar brand campaigns on any given day. I've been suckered in on more than one occasion, but that thankfully hasn't been my experience with Tula. I originally discovered Tula through Katey McFarlan over at Chronicles of Frivolity, who although is someone I consider a "big blogger," I trust her opinions. That was probably 2 or 3 years ago at that point, and I've come to really love Tula's products...at least for the most part.
If you've been around for a while, you've heard me talk about these products over on Instagram constantly (if you're not following, be sure to do so HERE - we have our own little girl gang, especially on stories!) in great detail. For one reason or another, my thoughts hadn't officially made their way to a blog post until now, so here's the scoop:
FAVES
Face Filter Primer- I use this almost every day as my foundation, but its primary purpose is to prime, blur and perfect the skin for makeup application. It has just enough color (no selection necessary - it does the work for you) to even out my complexion to where I feel comfortable without anything else. It's been especially amazing during the pandemic, since there's no mask transfer! I personally own the supersized version because it's an incredible deal and the bottle lasts forever, even with daily use.
Triple Vitamin C Serum- This product has been a game changer for me. When I got pregnant, I had to say goodbye to so many beloved products (shop my go-to night cream HERE) that kept my skin issues as bay, while brightening and toning. This serum isn't exactly the same but has worked wonders at taming hormonal acne and evening out texture. What I love most is how quickly it absorbs, which can be difficult with a serum. It also isn't sticky at all!
Rose Glow & Get It Eye Balm- It seems like Tula put the whole eye balm thing on the map, and boy, am I happy they did. Perhaps a balm for under the eye seems unnecessary because you can apply a traditional cream or just use a color corrector, but I find myself reaching for this every morning and multiple times throughout the day, if I'm not wearing makeup, although you can apply on top of concealer as well. There's a few variations available, which I'll discuss further below, but the Rose Glow balm is really the one I can't live without because of it's active ingredients, color and cooling nature. NOTE: if you have sensitive skin, this may not work for you. I've read that some people had adverse reactions to the rose hip oil.
WORTH A TRY
Original Glow & Get It Eye Balm- If you're new to Tula and want to give one product a try, this would be it! It's personal how I got hooked. I still reach for it, and its cooling effects are amazing.
Glow Hour Eye Balm- With dark hereditary undereye circles, I jumped for joy when this version came out because it was specifically formulated for that. I love the smaller size of the stick and how the orange color really brightens. It's almost like a color corrector and balm in one, so I find myself using it on those days where I wear concealer.
So Poreless Blackhead Scrub- Consistency is key with any skincare routine, and I've found with continued use, this scrub does in fact reduce pore size. It also smells incredible! I like to leave it in my shower to increase the efficacy, since my skin is exposed to the steam for a while before washing my face with it.
NOT A FAN
Purifying Face Cleanser- I wanted to love this, but just couldn't. It burned my eyes and just didn't remove makeup and debris the way I'd hoped. I'm honestly not sure why it's such a cult favorite, but that's just me. The only cleanser I'll ever use is, and will always be, Purity by Philosophy. If you haven't tried it, you're missing out.
Balanced Beauty Hair, Skin & Nail Vitamins- Although not pictured, since I used them all up, these just didn't seem to do anything for me. The flavor was way too sweet and I did not see any results. I'll be sticking to Mary Ruth Organics for the foreseeable future.
*All products, other than the scrub, are considered pregnancy-safe from my research; however, as always, please consult with your doctor to ensure it's safe for you!
SHOP AT TULA.com {Get 20% off your first order HERE}
Although our financial guy won't be thrilled, I'm back with another list of my top Amazon buys - Haha! You can check out my post from the summer HERE.
{1} Yeti Mug- Like many other brands, I never want to believe the hype surrounding them. Well, here I am again falling on the sword because I am obsessed with these mugs! The larger 20oz tumbler is a fave for water, and the 14oz handle mug (SNAG IT NOW FOR $18-22, depending on color) is ideal for tea or coffee. Both have become essentials with pregnancy brain being a very real thing, but anyone would love them. For that reason, they truly make amazing gifts.
{2} Rug Grips- You know you're an adult when something like this brings you joy. We've struggled to keep our kitchen runner in place for MONTHS, but these $12 miracle workers changed that in a matter of minutes. Neither my husband's heavy step nor my crazy dog's zoomies have moved it, and that's saying something. Highly, highly recommend! We'll for sure be ordering more. You can get either a 4-pack or 8-pack, but in hindsight, the 8-pack is a much better value.
{3} Water Bottle Cabinet Organizer- I'm a sucker for clear, acrylic organizers, but stopped myself from buying these water bottle organizers time and time again. I really don't know what took me so long, but I was just hesitant. Did we really need them? Would they make a substantial difference for us? Answer: YES and YES. I wish I took before and after pictures because I was honestly floored. Now, these may not fit perfectly in every cabinet, so I recommend measuring before ordering. I initially got the 4-pack, and have now ordered an additional 2-pack to complete the system. Maybe it's my nesting phase kicking into high gear, but I think we can all find great peace in an organized space.
{4} Faux Leather Placemats- Talk about a dupe! William-Sonoma sells nearly identical placemats for $25 a piece. I love the look of these placemats, but more importantly, how easy they are to clean. For a while, we were using round placemats and I just felt like they weren't cutting it with the crumbs. They were basically too small for our plates, resulting in a constant state of countertop mess. I'm actually thinking of ordering the white set next for a lighter, brighter look for Spring.
{5} Essence Mascara- To round out my picks, I'm changing categories and switching to beauty. I'll be honest, I rarely, if ever, recommend cosmetics from Amazon because there are so many counterfeit products out there. Essence is a drugstore brand that sells directly through Amazon, so I feel more comfortable purchasing, which is why I'm sharing it with to you. So, this mascara is $5! Yes, you read that correctly. It's amazing for the price. It's not an exact dupe for my beloved iTCosmetics Superhero mascara, but it's pretty damn close. My only compliant is that it transfers when I apply it to my lower lashes; otherwise, it's my go-to work-from-home mascara.
Bonus buys for all my soon-to-be mamas! I personally cannot live without these products, and I know I'll love them just as much once the baby comes. For more pregnancy content, click HERE and HERE.
ALSO, if you're on Instagram, be sure to give me a follow (@thesassysuburbs) and check out today's post to win $150 Amazon gift card!
It still amazes me how quickly time is flying, especially when the world feels like it's standing still, but here we are. I'm nearing my third trimester and this sweet little babe is going to make her debut before we know it. Since so many of you requested that I share our registry picks and my most loved items during this stage of pregnancy, I wanted to get this post up sooner rather than later. There are lots of babies coming in Spring/Summer 2021 apparently!
Registry
For ease of reference, here's the direct link to our registry: https://www.babylist.com/Lauren_Will_Rivera. I opted to utilize Babylist to consolidate our selections because it seemed like the most straightforward. Unlike a wedding registry, there are a ton of sites and stores to gather items from, so this worked best for us. I also loved how you could add notes for your friends and family, and there were multiple store options automatically listed, to ensure no one overpays for anything.
In terms of big ticket items, we decided on the following:
Nuna Pipa Lite Car Seat & Triv Stroller: When it came to the whole car seat/stroller system thing, I won't lie, I was incredibly overwhelmed. I watched a ton of YouTube reviews from a variety of different sources, and ultimately found that the Nuna brand offered the best options for a petite mom. Believe it or not, that is something to consider when you're buying baby gear. The Pipa Lite car seat and Triv stroller are the lightest on the market today; therefore, making both easily transferable from the backseat and trunk, respectively. I should note that although light, safety was in no way compromised. That was incredibly important to us, for obvious reasons.
While the Triv stroller doesn't allow for a second seat, should we have another baby in the near future, it does come with a conversion ring that allows the car seat to snap right into the base, which will be perfect for those early months. The main stroller seat is also suitable from newborn to 40+ pounds, so the system should serve us well for the foreseeable future. If and when we have another baby, we'll deal with the double stroller/mutli-kid transportation conundrum. Another plus, the Nuna line is beautiful, in my opinion, with aesthetically pleasing color variations that would fit any family's needs. We opted for the Birch car seat and Frost stroller to keep things gender neutral yet chic.
Owlet Sleep Sock & Monitor (not included on registry because we got it on deep discount via Costco.com): We were undecided on whether to go with the Owlet or Nanit for a few weeks, but ultimately chose the Owlet because the (i) camera did not require a stationary stick above the crib and (ii) the sock seemed like the easiest and most flexible way to monitor the baby. The Nanit also required additional bands/sleep sacks to track the baby's sleep and stats, and honestly, the Costco bundle was so incredibly priced for all it came with, we couldn't pass it up.
Peg Perego Siesta High Chair:This high chair was actually a popular recommendation by all of you! Our overall goal with most of our selections were to invest in quality items that could be used for years to come and, if possible, were usable throughout the different baby stages. The Siesta looks a bit more like a traditional high chair than I wanted, because of the multitude of ways it can be adapted in height and recline, it really does grows with baby from infancy to toddlerhood. To make floor cleanup easy, I also registered for a Gathre mat.
Snoo Bassinet (not included on registry because my mom graciously gifted it to us): Next to the car seat/stroller situation, this was our most hotly debated topic. There are extreme options about the Snoo - either you love it or you hate it. We arrived at our decision after I listened to the "Happiest Baby on the Block" audiobook, written by the inventor of the Snoo. Personally, before you even consider this bassinet, I think you need to see if you and your partner align with Dr. Karp's principles. My husband and I were agreeable to most of his positions, so we pulled the trigger, because candidly, sleep (not cash) is king when it comes to surviving life with a newborn. Also, my husband is a frontline worker and cannot be performing procedures on patients if he's only had 2 hours of sleep. We needed to set ourselves up for as much success as possible. Yes, it's expensive, but you can always rent it, if you're on the fence. We didn't feel comfortable doing this during COVID, and wanted to have this for future children, so that's why we wanted to buy it.
Second Trimester Recap & Recommendations
As I'm sure you've heard, the second trimester is deemed the "honeymoon phase" of pregnancy because MOST women feel great. This trimester just brought new symptoms, like leg cramps, back pain and insomnia, while nausea and vomiting did subside. On a positive note, I've been feeling well enough to exercise a few days a week, which really has made all the difference for me mentally. Although not many will say this, it is difficult as a woman to watch your body drastically change over a few short months. Those changes are for an incredible purpose, and are clearly outside of one's control, but can be a challenge to handle nonetheless. If you're struggling, my advice is to start moving, no matter what it is - a walk, prenatal yoga, etc. - just move when you can.
In terms of routines, not much has changed from my first trimester (you can read all about my recap and top recommendations HERE) because those products have proven to be amazing throughout this part of pregnancy as well; however, I have added a few new items with second trimester-related body changes and hormonal shifts.
Maternity/Nursing PJs: Here's a fun fact - By your second trimester, nothing feels comfortable because your all pre-pregnancy stuff just too tight - Enter these amazing maternity/nursing PJs from Amazon. I absolutely love these because they're sleek enough to wear working from home throughout the day, but are soft and cool enough to sleep all night in.
Maternity Tank Tops: My daily OOTD these days consist of either yoga pants or joggers, a tank top and a Barefoot Dreams cardigan (pictured above!). The biggest challenge, however, was finding tanks I could wear all day long with an ever-growing belly. Thankfully, Target knows what's up when it comes to inexpensive, but amazing, maternity clothes. These are 2 for $18 ($9.99 each) and wash beautifully. Be sure to order your pre-pregnancy size. When the tank arrives, it may look smaller than you expect, but I've found them to be like magic tops and they'll adjust effortlessly to your appropriate size.
Maternity Underwear: I never thought I'd discuss underwear so publicly, but believe me when I say, THESE ARE LIFE CHANGING. They cover the bum, sit at the perfect spot below the belly, stay in place (yes, that's a problem with other maternity undies) and don't shrink in the wash. Just order them and give them a try for yourself. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
8Sheep Organics Magnesium Lotion: As I noted, this trimester brought all sorts of pains, in addition to an unexpected, immense lack of sleep. My pregnancy pillow is still an amazing addition to our bed, but I was desperate after several weeks of waking 7-10 times a night. This brand of lotion kept popping up in my Facebook and Instagram ads, so I was super skeptical, BUT I've been happily surprised with my results so far. The primary ingredient that helps reduce pain and induce sleep is magnesium, so I would recommend checking with your doctor before ordering. From my own research and doctor confirmation, it's perfectly safe since its a low dose, topical application. I like to rub this on my feet, lower back and calves before bed, and have been able to reduce waking to 2-4 times a night. Woo hoo!!!
Beyond Yoga Joggers: If you've been following along since my pregnancy started, you know the only pants I'll wear are by Beyond Yoga because of how incredibly soft yet supportive they are. Again, I love a multi-purpose product. The maternity line is named "Beyond the Bump" since the products are meant to also be worn postpartum, which helps justify the price, in my mind. When I saw they came out with maternity joggers, you know I had to click "add to cart" ASAP. I've worn these almost every day since they arrived mid-December, if you need any more of a testimonial...and yes, I've washed them multiple times already and they've held up great, haha! NOTE: All my yoga/loungewear clothes have a tendency to pill because my thighs rub together. It does not change my opinion of the quality and I simply use a fabric shaver after washing to bring any rough spots back to life. THIS is my fave shaver from Amazon (around $12).
Beekman 1802 Deodorant: I've been using this natural deodorant since the start of the pandemic. Don't ask me why I switched at that particular time, but Native just wasn't cutting anymore it at that point. Maybe the stress sweat was too intense given the global crisis? Needless to say, this is the only one I'll ever use, and with a ton of hormonal changes, I've found myself still smelling fresh as a daisy. My husband even uses it now. It's that effective, yet safe!
Laniege Vanilla Lip Mask: Although another oldie but goodie, pregnancy makes you incredibly dehydrated. Even after consuming almost 100oz of water a day, my lips were still chapped by the end of the night. I put this on before bed and like to reapply throughout the day. The original berry and vanilla are pregnancy-safe, but I can only speak to those. If neither of them float your boat, you'll have to do a bit more digging to confirm acceptability.
Maternity/Nursing Bra: I've tried a TON of bras at all price points over the last few weeks (Amazon, Nordstrom, etc.) and this is the only one I've liked! Again, Target just seems to know something about maternity that the other stores don't. This one also has the versatility of being meant for nursing, so it's versatile and can be worn postpartum. I took a small, but may try a medium next time, since I'm already on the last hook. In my opinion, this bra is one of the only ones that offers both comfort and support.
Beb Organic Soothing Serum: Safe for mom and baby, this serum has helped to reduce my hormonal acne when my face is inflamed. It doesn't cause clogged pores and has only clean ingredients. I've been using it sparingly, so they'll be product left for our sweet girl, but it's quickly become a staple in my maternity skincare routine. You can check out this Instagram post for more information and a promo code!
I hope you enjoyed today's post. I know it was a long one, but my goal was to be as comprehensive and helpful as possible. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, and be sure to follow me on Instagram (@thesassysuburbs) for your daily dose of sass!
Leave it to 2020 to keep throwing curveballs. Like many of you, life as we knew it changed drastically in a few short months. After finding out that we were pregnant, we quickly realized that we had a major purchase on the horizon as well...a new car. My lease was slated to expire in the midst of a global pandemic, and we had to decide what was going to be the right fit for our growing family. Always exciting, right? I personally hate all things car-related...Enter my car-loving husband. This post is in collaboration with him because the topic is truly outside of my wheelhouse, but so many of you wanted to know more about our experience. I hope you find these tips helpful!
So, here's a bit of background for context.
We had leased a 2017 Volkswagon Tiguan Limited about 6 months before our wedding, when my Honda Accord's lease was up. I've always leased my vehicles, so the thought of buying for the first time worried me. Leasing always made cars more affordable and required minimum maintenance. I know, financially, the experts say buying is better, but leasing just always fit my lifestyle and financial restraints. Prior to my VW, I only ever drove Hondas. I think Hondas are amazing cars, by the way, if you are in the market. Once I drove a VW vehicle, however I fell in love with how German cars drove. I knew going forward, I really only wanted to explore German brands.
We test drove a ton of car options, safety, of course in the early to mid-Fall months. We had a decent laundry list of items, namely a high-quality, mid-sized SUV that was all-wheel drive with safety features, a roomy interior and great trunk space. For years, we discussed a BMW, if the opportunity ever presented itself for the build, design and craftsmanship, particularly since we were going to buy this time around. My personal reason for agreeing to buy, as my husband recommended, was to alleviate the stress of constantly watching the odometer. Once COVID is behind us and baby girl is here, I anticipate traveling to New York at least monthly and taking many family trips state-side, since I do not see us getting on a plane any time soon. We also live in a state where places we like to shop and areas we enjoy frequenting are several miles away. Those things really add up. While the new car was technically mine, it was really going to be a family vehicle, since my husband drives stick and I literally can barely turn his car on...haha! After months of research and test-drives, we ultimately purchased a 2020 BMW x3 in white with mocha interior that had 7k miles on it. It was truly an amazing deal and I feel so fortunate because we did not settle.
With all that in mind, here are our tips:
1) Shop towards the end of the year, if possible, since the dealerships are much more willing to negotiate, or during economic downturns, like COVID, in our case.
2) Know you numbers. When buying, you always want to put at least 20% down and do not go beyond a 5-year loan agreement. Should you be unable to do that financially, look for a different car within your budget. You'll be underwater otherwise, especially with the accelerated depreciation on vehicles.
3) Look for vehicles that were part of the dealership's loaner program. This is really the crux of how we got our deal. A loaner car is owned and used by the dealership when a customer comes in for service and requires a vehicle to use for a few days. They generally have very low mileage and are newer, so they're still under warranty; however, it should be noted that it may not qualify as a certified pre-owned. These are very rare to come by, so you might have to sacrifice some "wants" for the sake of the deal. We, thankfully, were able to find exactly what we were looking for. We just had to travel to Maryland to get it.
4) Do not pay for any excess fees. There are only a handful of items you are legally required to pay. This is state-specific, so you'll have to do a bit of googling to figure that out. Remember: the finance office always houses the best negotiator in the building. That's where they'll corner you. DO NOT let them up sell you on extra warranties, document fees and such.
5) Make sure any discounts are off of the MSRP, not the bottom line. This is how dealerships manipulate the transaction to make you think you're getting a bargain. Be sure to check out cars.com, edmonds.com, autotrader.com, etc. to determine what's fair and learn competitors' pricing.
6) Play hardball, even if you really do need a car that day. The sales guy, while very nice, doesn't need to know your every detail of your personal history and current circumstances. Be as direct as possible, and do not show extreme emotions. Once they know they have you, you're done for. For example, when we were at the BMW dealership, we acted like we were more interested in the Q5 and vice versa. Also, do not share any specifics about your finances early on. They'll use that to manipulate the numbers against you (see tip #2 and #5).
With that, we are thrilled with our purchase. Honestly, it was both an exhausting and rewarding process, like any car-related transaction. Ultimately, do your best not to settle and remember that you're (pun intended) in the driver's seat.
It's hard to believe that I'm even typing this blog post because some days I still pinch myself...I can't believe that I'm going to be a mommy! It's something I've always wanted because I have the best mama around, and if I'm half the woman she is, my baby will be a lucky little peanut. Not to mention that I always pictured starting a family with my husband. Since we first started dating, even though we were so young, we always talked about the future and what our life would look like. I honestly can't wait to see him as a dad...He's going to be amazing. To anyone praying for a baby right now, please know my heart is with you and I have no doubt that your time is coming.
Before we get into all the fun stuff, many of you did reach out and ask what we did to conceive. First and foremost, I recommend talking to your doctor about your family plans and getting off of hormonal birth control ASAP. Once you've done that, BUY THIS BOOK. I don't know how else to put it, but it's truly life changing. It's how I got my body ready for baby, and more importantly, learned the ins-and-outs of my cycle.
First Trimester Recap
Where do I begin? Can you say rollercoaster? We found out I was pregnant on August 22, 2020. I was 4 weeks along. It was a Saturday, and I just got back from getting my hair done. It had been months due to the pandemic, so I felt like a new woman...literally, I guess, in hindsight. My period was only a day late, but because of how in-tune I was, both my husband and I knew it was probably a good idea to take a test, even if it was early. About a week before, I did experience slight nausea and fatigue; however, that's not totally uncommon for me because I suffer with heredity autoimmune issues.
Fast forward to week 5, and holy cow, the symptoms came in with a vengeance. I had extreme fatigue and nausea. I mean all day...the only time I felt relief was when I was sleeping. Basically running the day-to-day business of a corporate in-house legal department does not lend itself well to early stages of pregnancy, but I was incredibly thankful to be working from home. I'd work a few hours then lay down/take a cat nap, as needed.
From week 6 to 8, things were steady in terms of exhaustion and nausea. All I ate were bagels. Nothing else seemed appealing, but that was okay according to my doctor. It was really in the second trimester that I needed to mind what I was eating and significantly increase my protein. Frankly, the thought of anything healthy at that time felt repulsive, but I did love learning about the nutritional building blocks that baby needs in the Real Food for Pregnancy book, listed below. It just wasn't high priority at that time, given how crappy I felt.
From week 9 to 12, I threw up a handful of times. That was probably the worst part because I was starting to feel a bit better in terms of fatigue and nausea, which resulted in me eating larger meals. That was not a good idea. I should've just stuck with the bagels...haha...Needless to say, other symptoms started to crop up, as my doctor had warned. I hadn't had sciatica (it's like a pinched nerve sensation down your rear-end and leg) since college, so when it started up again, I was not a happy camper. I sat on a heating pad most of the day, but ultimately, the only thing that helped was rest (i.e. laying horizontal on the couch watching TV).
As I share this, I'm now 14 weeks and almost have a new lease on life. I'll give you the inside scoop next go-around, but for those of you who are pregnant, things do improve. The only caveat to that is each stage brings other victories and struggles. I should also note that I was virtually unable to workout at all, and apparently that's not uncommon. It was just a bit of a bummer for me because I had done really well with my Beachbody Barre Blend program during quarantine, and now I look like Humpty Dumpty...but it's all for a good cause. I hope to start up again this week with their prenatal program, sciatica and lower back pain permitting, because that's still lingering.
When you're pregnant, you basically have to avoid all retinol and most acids, even plant-based ones like my holy grail night cream from Ole Henrikson. That was difficult to part with, I won't lie. I realized I didn't note above that I experienced quite a bit of hormonal acne, which I never had before. Honestly, my skin has been really good the last 5+ years with the routine I had (you can check out my pre-pregnancy routine on the sidebar of my main blog page), so this was fairly uncharted territory for me. Add feeling bloated and like an alien took over your body, and I was nearly in tears looking at my pizza-face in the mirror. I also found that there were very few online resources for pregnancy-safe makeup and skincare information, but I eventually discovered 15 Minute Beauty. The creator is a doctor and offers comprehensive, brand-specific guides to what she recommends for pregnancy and nursing moms. Now, I spoke with my doctor about a few things I wasn't completely able or willing to give up, such as my EVER organic self-tanning drops, which I would only use sparingly for photos, and got his blessing, so be sure to do your own research and, of course, be your own advocate.
My New Morning Routine
My New Nighttime Routine
Miscellaneous Things I Did/Would Recommend
These are items that I swapped out in favor of less toxic or completely non-toxic alternatives in my home and beauty regime, but may not be dealbreakers for everyone. This is just my personal preference and experience.
First, I stopped doing dip powder nails. Even though I hadn't been at a salon since February, even my at-home kit (you can read all about my DIY experience HERE) contained acrylic within the powder, and I didn't want to risk it. I searched far and wide for the best, long-wear, 9 or 13-free nail polish. My top contenders include Ella + Mila (available at Target), Deborah Lippmann and Lakur by Londontown. I'd also only recommend any their removers, since conventional acetone can be harmful to baby. I did opt to continue to use this nail polish base/strengthener because it just works so damn well, and is still relatively non-toxic.
Second, I stopped using traditional household cleaners, such as bleach. If needed, I wore a mask while using such products but I really didn't want to continue with them. Enter Branch Basics - I stumbled upon their page with scrolling Instagram one night when I couldn't sleep. The upfront cost is about $50-60, but you get a bunch a products made from a single concentrate, so they should last a while. Plus, it was much cheaper and more conventional than pursuing the whole Young Living/essential oils thing. So far, I love the array of products. What I'm most impressed with so far? Their laundry detergent! It works incredibly well. I'm also really loving the bathroom cleaner. You can save on your first order HERE. All other discount codes, including 20% off Tula skincare can be found HERE.
Third, I limited my use of Bath and Bodyworks candles. I know, I know...I just committed a sin, but as you'll learn in the fertility book I recommended above, those things are packed with artificial fragrance and petroleum. Not something you or your baby should be breathing in. Now, I do burn them every once in a while, but I recently got a Pura, which is basically a fancy, but super safe plug-in. It connects to an app and all their fragrances are made of high-end essential oils, boast brand names we already know and love, and are completely pet and child safe. Total win-win. You can save 15% on your order with code "THESASSYSUBURBS". I'm about to snag some holiday scents, but right now I have Vanilla Chiffon and White Gilded Pumpkin. I really like them both. I'll share more on Instagram stories in the coming weeks, so be sure to give me a follow on there if you haven't already (@thesassysuburbs).
So that's pretty much all I have to share so far. I'm generally an open book, so please, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any specific questions. My goal is to be a real resource to you. Thank you again for your sweet congratulations and for following along!
