Dressing Your Post Baby Body

photo via Kelsey Erin | [jacket] ancient Zara [sweater] H&M only 20 bucks! [jeans] Paige Premium [booties] Cole Haan on MAJOR sale! [on Rocco] Gap

Congratulations. You've made, housed, and birthed a child. You are amazing. Take a second to mentally pat yourself on the pack, or hell, actually pat yourself on the back… Better yet, have someone give you a pat on the back followed by a serious back massage because your back aches all. the. time. amIright!?!?! Let's be honest. Having a kid totally wrecks your body. Like come on… Apart from all the crazy stuff that happens whilst exiting a person from your lady palace, you are left with this completely foreign body. I mean for me, my hips were/ still are extra wide, my tummy was/still is just pudgy and loose, and the nursing boobs… oh the massive boobs…  It's hard to not compare yourself to your pre-baby bod or friends and celebrities who seem to shrink back down to a tiny miniature version of themselves, walking out of the hospital in their skinniest skinny jeans. Betches!! Remember, you are a magical goddess who CREATED a life inside your body, try to cut yourself some slack. Plus, I guarantee those skinny-minnies have post baby insecurities just like the rest of us. So while I figure out this new body of mine I'm going to report back my findings to you! Today we start with absolute must have for dressing your pbb!!!

[Basics Felicity Slimming Nursing Cami]  Slimming nursing tanks have become my best friend, my favorite is from good ol' Target. It's 25 bucks and makes my mid-section happy. We all know that I am anti-nursing bra [still not a fan] and thus far, I have yet to purchase one but I looooove these slimming tanks.  They are perfect for layering under baggy shirts, sweaters, and dresses. I wear them under errything and they make the tatas super accessible and make me feel much less muffin-toppy. The easy access is clutch because let's be awesome your boobs are really the star of the show if you choose to nurse. [Side note: Breastfeeding Musts] I had some trouble nursing in the first 3 weeks and even had a scare with mastitis. I ended up pumping a lot so I had to run out to get milk storage bags. Yeah, didn't know that was a thing.  And because the ladies hurt so badly I used these awesome boob pads to help with clogged ducts and engorgement. UGH, what a gross word… And for the nips, The Honest Company nipple balm was a lifesaver early on! I would lather that stuff up and because it's food safe there's no need to wipe it off before feeding the munchkin.

We have much fun to discuss, so stay tuned for more of my tricks to dressing that post baby body!!! Here are a few of the tips you can look forward to in the upcoming months. [loose dresses that don't look like a sack] [rocking high waisted yoga pants] [a new pair of skinny jeans] [the art of the baggy tee] [mom shoes] [leather leggings for the cool mom] [the "i only got 4 hours of sleep, but want to look alive" 5 minute face]

2014: A Year in Pictures

[Favorite baby shower outfit]

[Favorite hiding baby bump/I ate a large burrito look]

[Favorite preggo look for buying real estate]

[Favorite pattern]

[Best accessories]

[Favorite Picture]

[Most worn outfit]

[My usual. Ate this the day I went into labor]

[Most craved meal during Pregnancy]

[Most frequently made meal]

[Favorite healthy, yet seemingly naughty, meal]

[Currently Craving]

[Favorite Products]

[Best News… I peed on those]

[New favorite room in the house]

[Gave birth to the sweetest nugget]

[Best. Day. EVER.]

[My heart melted into a puddle]

[Dreams Came True. See you in 2015]

**All non-food pictures Kelsey Erin Photography**

Happy Holidays

via

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

xoxo- Lo & the Blissful Happenings Team

[And His name will be the hope of all the world." Matthew 12:21]

I'm still pregnant…

Photo via Tatum Kathleen

Yes, the post title is meant to be sung to the tune of I'm so Fancy… So I've seen a few bloggers do BumpDates every month which are super cute and so much fun to read. My favorite has been my hilarious friend Kristen. Her little boy Everett is just precious!!! Well, I thought that I should finish this pregnancy off with a little BumpDate round up of myself. I mean, I love talking about myself sooooo it's surprising I haven't been doing it all along!

I want to thank Tatum Kathleen Photography for my awesome maternity shots!! Also, a huge thanks  to Kelsey Erin Photography for keeping Blissful Happenings looking good and taking our brilliant food comparison pics!!! I love my boos!!

Photo via Kelsey Erin | Yes, I've been informed that I selected the smallest watermelon possible… I was going by weight…

[How many weeks?] 39 weeks on Thursday

[Gender?] Boy

[Name?] Rocco

[Weight Gain?] I hate you! How rude!?

[What foods have you been craving?] All. The. Food. I have had an enormous appetite pretty much since the second trimester. Who are we kidding!? I have always had an enormous appetite, but it's been out of control. I started off craving biscuits and gravy and frozen Van's waffles. I crave avocado rolls and veggie tempura from Lil' Tokyo pretty much every single day. They know me pretty well there…

[How has your sleep been?] Meh. It's been okay. I would say I get up to pee 3-6 times a night which isn't awesome, but luckily I'm able to fall back asleep. Nature's way of preparing me for Rocco's many feedings!?

[How are your emotions?] Ummmm they are definitely heightened. I cry a lot, it doesn't take much at all.  I am incredibly needy these days and I miss The Captain. I spend a lot of time hugging my dogs and watching Gossip Girl.

[Have you been nesting?] Definitely. I just want everything cleaned and disinfected… This has been a terribly inconvenient time for my house to spring a leak and have a massive hole cut into my ceiling. Sigh. I can't wait for it to be finished so I can mop and dust.

[What's on my nightstand?] I've been reading HypnoBirthing, HappyBaby, Dad is Fat, and Bringing Up Bébé. I can't quite focus enough to read much, but I've been trying.

[What am I super over!?] This heat. I can't take it. It's been absolutely miserable. This ridiculously un-San Diegan 95-100 degree weather is killing me. Crotch sweat is an awful thing…

[Any guesses when you will go into labor?] I wish I could say tomorrow, but I have a feeling I'm going to be pretty close to my due date. I think October 4 is the day… but what do I know!?!

[What I'm looking forward to?] I absolutely cannot wait to meet this nugget!! I am so excited for labor, which I know sounds crazy, but I can't wait to feel a contraction and know that sometime soon I'm gonna meet my son!! I can't wait to see if he's going to look like The Captain!! I just imagine his mini-me and that makes me happier than I can tell you!!!

Photo via Tatum Kathleen

My New Favorite Foundation

photo via Kelsey Erin Photography | bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation | bareSkin Perfecting Face Brush

I'm a huge makeup person. I own more than any one person should own. Sometimes I do make up for people, so that's my justification. I may have only had 3 makeup jobs this year… Shhhhh don't tell The Captain. When I cleansed my life of toxins and whatnot, my makeup drawers remained untouched. I'm still working to find natural brands that I like… It's a slow process, but I saw a post on bareSkin foundation via Refinery29 before it was out in stores and how it was formulated with out oil, silicone, fragrance, and parabens, I was determined to try it. When my local exchange had the whole rainbow of colors and only 1 of the patent pending magic brush left, I decided it was time for a new foundation. I was matched easily and loved the sheer application and buildable coverage.  I decided to jump in and buy the brush even though I was skeptical. Well let me say, since purchasing I've fallen even more in love with both the foundation and the brush. You need a shockingly small amount of foundation to cover your entire face. After you shake the foundation you place 1-3 drops of foundation in the well of the brush and then buff it into the skin. I don't find that I need more than that, but if I'm going out-out I might do another 2 drops over trouble spots or any extra preggo redness. I've applied it with a Real Techniques foundation brush which blends it well, but doesn't quite spread the foundation like the bareSkin brush. I really don't like fingers to apply this foundation, I think you loose the ability to spread it well. It soaks into your fingers and I think you end up needing more product.

Bottom line: LOVE IT. This stuff is pretty marvelous. It goes on light and easy, with a nice sheer coverage that can easily be built up to a medium coverage. It gives your skin a lovely airbrushed look and softens the look of blemishes and fine lines. Go buy it already!!!!

Taking a Fan-Freakin-tastic Picture

Photo via Kelsey Erin Photography

Here's the thing. I'm not a model. Not even close. For many, many years I fancied myself an actress and I think that's probably what helps me with ease in front of the camera, but the good news is ERRYONE can take a great picture and this is my advice as to how.

1. Don't take yourself too seriously. This is the best advice that I can give. As soon as you start to think you have to be Gisele you are gonna look a hot mess… Comparing yourself to anyone, especially a supermodel, is not going to get you a pretty picture. Also, don't be to harsh on yourself. I get so sad when people are like "well, we can just airbrush that or photoshop this…" True, we love some well placed airbrushing, but come on, you want the pictures to look like you!!! So realize that out of 100 pictures there might only be 3 or 4 that are truly magical. 3-4 are really all you need.

2. Practice makes perfect. Okay, this sounds cray, but seriously, if you don't know your face and what looks normal or what looks forced, then you won't be able to get the most from your shoot. So take a page out of the Tyra Banks school of modeling and practice your smeyes… Yes, I said smeyes. To smile with your eyes. It's a great face to learn and  practicing it will make you epically more comfy in the camera. You will feel ridiculous, but I refer back to point 1. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Photo via amPhotography

3. Have fun. Photo shoots are so much fun!! Documenting a point and time and your life is such a beautiful and important thing. People often comment on the amount of photos I have in my home and it's because I love being surrounded by memories and reminders of something or someone I love. Photo shoots are a blast, so go into the process with an open mind and expecting to have a good time. Being nervous or a negative Nancy is completely counterproductive. Also, don't drink. A sip of champagne or so, before a boudoir or couple shoot won't hurt, but as one of my fave photographer says, droopy eye looks good on no one.

4. Find a photographer that gets it. A great photographer makes all the difference in the world and I am beyond blessed to have some brilliant photography friends!!! There's a reason that those groupon photog pics turned out less then stellar and it might have something to do with the old adage "you get what you pay for." Not to say that all discount sites offer subpar work, but a true photographer is able to help guide you as much or as little as you need. They understand what's flattering and what's not. They are able to tell you move your head an inch to the right and bring your nose down a smidge and boom instant fabulousness.

photo via Krista Little Photography

5. Like your look. Make sure you like what your wearing. Feel confident in your look. If you are fidgety and feel uncomfortable then that is going to read all over your face. Now the only exception is boudoir. Ladies, you just might feel awkward at first, but if you are in something that makes you feel sexy, no matter how strange it feels in front of the camera, it might take a few shots, but worry not you look fierce. Also, if you follow the previous rules you are good to go.

So this was just meant to be a little encouragement for those who don't think they can take a great pic! Pish posh!! You absolutely can!! Note: I love every single photographer I posted, so if you are in San Diego, Virginia Beach, Minneapolis, or Chapel Hill one of these brilliant ladies is near by!!!

Photo via Tatum Kathleen Photography

My Must Have Preggo Products

photos via Kelsey Erin Photography

I love products. You know this, I know this. I love them. We also know I've been on this whole non-toxic shenanigans kick. Now that I know how much crap they put in our skincare I can't go back, or at least I personally couldn't go back. I've actually decided that people that take the attitude of ignorance is bliss probably aren't best suited to be my friends… I get it, everything can kill ya, everything causes cancer blah, blah, blah… but come on, what we put in and on our bodies[our skin is our largest organ, for real] is serious. Those are my two bugaboos these days and that's not to say you have to toss everything and be scared of every product, but just start making more educated purchases. It doesn't have to be done in one day!!! And to help narrow down the selection, I have found quite the impressive list of preggo safe/people safe products that will have you saying peace out to your toxic junk. Enjoy!!!!!!

This was given to me by a preggo bestie and now that she has her 5th kid and is still an all around major style/product maven, I gladly accepted and became instantly obsessed. It smells like heaven and melts into your skin. You can find Goe Oil online, warning, this is probably my most expensive Must Have, but damn it's so worth it!!! I use it sparingly and trust me a little goes a very long way because it's super concentrated. It's great for growing belly or makes your legs look amazing if you are wearing shorts or a skirt. It's brilliant. Young Living Oils… hmmmmm we are gonna have a really long talk about those really soon because I have some majorly exciting news about my pretty much non-existent acne and my favorite new tension headache remedy, that totes works, but for now I tell you about lemon oil. So long hormonal acne. Seriously. It's magic. It's made from like 300 lemons or something crazy and it's literally straight lemon oil. I slather all over my face at night and watch acne disappear. For crazy sensitive skin you should mix it with a high quality unrefined, raw coconut oil, but I apply it neat and watch my skin glow. When using this stuff you MUST use sunscreen because it will create brown spots if it's exposed to sun. But hot damn for less that 15 dollars a bottle I think I've found my miracle cure and, of course, Preggo Safe!!!! My belly saver, Almond Glow. As you grow your tummy gets a touch itchy now and again, even without the presence of stretch marks and this definitely prevents itchy belly. There are rumors that oiling up has nothing to do with actually preventing stretch marks, but I ain't chancing it. I slather my tummy with this oil after every shower and before bed every night. It's not super quick to absorb, so I don't apply if I'm going from shower directly out into the heat, but it is magic. My skin has never felt so soft or smelled so yummy.I've written about The Holistic Science Co before and this cocoa butter has been amazing!!! I slather it on after my Almond Glow and just let my skin soak up the moisture. It's thick, but doesn't feel heavy when it's applied. I'm desperately low, so I will definitely be restocking soon! It's sold locally at framers markets in San Diego or via their website. The owner and her crew are seriously cool people. This is a great company to support! I use this on my tummy, ta-tas, elbows and knees! I use the Burt's Bees Richly Replenishing lotion or Honest Co Lotion on my legs and arms. When I apply lotion at night, I literally apply a thick coat all over and don't even rub it in… Sounds awful, but I wake up so moisturized that it's worth the lil bit of sticky. Now my Josie Maran additions, Cleansing Oil and Infinity Oil. These were highly recommended by 2 preggo buddies. I've purchased Josie's Argan Oil before only to find my skin highly moisturized and highly broken out. When Mama of 5 told me she also couldn't use the oil but could use both of these products without a breakout I was intrigued. Then another good friend was swearing by the same products… So I went to Sephora and got a few samples and lo and behold, no breakouts. Just glowy skin!!! Who knew!?!? 10, even 5 years ago I would laugh in your face if you told me to buy oil for my acne prone skin. Now it's literally the only thing I apply to my face and body!!! I went and got a facial 2 weeks ago and my aesthetician, Ann, the queen of skincare told me my skin looked great and that this kid wasn't doing a number on me I swear my first thought was, it's all the oil!!!!

So tell me, what are your must have preggo products!!!!

My Preggo Truths.

Baby Pics via Kelsey Erin Photography

So I told you that I would be back sometime to blog… This is that time! Today is SOMETIME!!! I will be 30 weeks this very Thursday, yes the picture is a few days premature, but I'm like a freaking cow right now… I get to post it if I want. I've been really loving pregnancy and all the crazy shenanigans that go on. It's this wonderful and super weird experience and the 3rd trimester brings forth many, many fun new… adventures…

1. You pee yourself, a little bit. I thought this was a post baby phenomena… Nope, turns out the kid pushing on your pelvic muscles can cause pressure on your bladder which in turn can cause you to loose control, say when you sneeze… I cried the first time it happened. Like legit tears. Like what the shit is happening? No amount of kegels will keep you safe. I'm doing them now… Useless.

2. You are equally gassy and horny. I would say this is pretty self explanatory. It's absolutely ridiculous. I have never felt more disgustingly gassy, but alas, it doesn't deter my monster sex drive. Awesome. Thanks for that baby!

3. You seriously think about peeing yourself when you finally get comfy in bed and suddenly feel the urge. Again, I think you get it. Once you find yourself a comfortable position it's inevitable that you will have to pee. It's hard enough to get up off of a couch or chair, but hoisting your massive body up to go pee once you have finally found a super comfy position is so annoying that you seriously contemplate just letting it go, but of course you must maintain some shred of dignity so you get up every 30 minutes to go to the bathroom.

4. It gets really, really difficult to, ahem, groom yourself. So dude, why didn't someone tell me this!?! You literally stop being able to see your vagina. Like OH. MY. GAWD. I'm still mourning the loss. Basically, you better book your waxing appointment otherwise things are gonna get… hairy… Sorry, uncalled for, but true. Very, very true.

5. You simultaneously feel like a wildebeest and a freaking goddess. It's insane that your body can feel so unbelievably foreign to you yet you feel beautiful and strong and all that is woman, blah, blah, blah. Seriously though, getting used to your changing body is wayyyy difficult, but at the same time I have chosen to embrace my big ol' belly and I really think wearing stylish clothes that show off the bump really help you feel beautiful! And hey non-preggos, if your friend is knocked up and looks good. TELL HER! It is seriously enough to reduce me to happy tears when someone tells me that I'm glowing or that I look beautiful.

6. Your balance is soooo not what it used to be. What's up with this? I'm still rocking my wedges, but I'll be honest, a skinny stiletto heel? HELL NO. It ain't gonna happen. Dude, it's hard enough to wear tennis shoes and not fall over. Like literally fall over. That's definitely a weird one for me… My standing tree pose isn't what it used to be.

7. You need naps after your naps. So the tired thing comes back with a vengeance in the 3rd trimester. I've heard people joke that it's nature's way of giving you some sleep before you never sleep ever again in your entire life, or so I've been told a few hundred times. I seriously woke up one day drove to breakfast and came home around 10… Fell asleep on the couch for 2 hours. Then went upstairs to put clean sheets on the bed and fell asleep for another hour… WHAT the WHAAA?! And ya know when you take a nap and then you have a harder time falling asleep that night?? Yeah, not a problem. By 8:30 out like a light.

8. There's sweat ERRYWHERE. Oh Lordy. I am sweating all the time. [Side note: If anyone ever tells you that you don't need AC in San Diego, they are full of shit. LOTS and LOTS of shit. It's hawt. If I didn't have air conditioning I would've moved to Antarctica during my pregnancy. There are penguins there right?!?] So back to the sweat… You sweat in places you didn't know you could sweat! Back sweat, boob sweat, thigh sweat, so on and so forth. It's nasty. I shower at least twice a day. I'm literally squealing with excitement for Fall and Winter. Praise The Lord for seasons.

9. You loose patience for just about everybody. It's just crazy what hormones do to you. I have unfollowed about 30 people on Facebook because I just can't deal with people's opinions and whining. Friends and family seem to always be doing things that drive me bonkers and then sometimes for no reason I just want to start punching people in the face. I may or may not have told a customer service agent [who was a serious asshole and a liar] that I was going to have to punch him in the face. He was on the phone and didn't like my threats. Pansy. Elizabeth Banks knows what I'm talking about, see here. [Sidenote: This movie is infinitely less awful if you have been pregnant. Still, it's pretty terrible.]

10. Feeling your baby move NEVER gets old. I can't tell you how excited I get every single time Rocco moves. I mean, I like want to run out and tell everyone. I'm loving it. It's so wild! I seriously want to call someone every time I feel him move. I've taken about 200 videos of my tummy dancing. Totally hoping he's a lil' Filipino dance machine… Maybe he's a future member of the Jabbawockeez!! OMG. Dreams coming true.

Happy Monday everyone!!! I'd love to know your preggo truths because let's be honest, they're hilarious! xoxo

Honestly…

all images via

So I’m a hippie... Ehhhh sorta. It was once pointed out by a friend’s husband that while I have an affinity for the natural and eat a plant based diet that does not a hippie make... He has a point, yet even with all of my decidedly non-hippie luxuries most of my friends and family would label me a hippie. Moving on.

Last May when The Captain returned from the high seas we decided it was the right time in our lives to make a baby. I’d been a vegan for nearly 5 years at the time, exercised regularly, rarely took even over-the-counter meds, and would consider myself a pretty healthy individual. We thought getting pregnant was going to be a breeze... Not so much, now we in no way had long term struggle, but at nearly 8 months, it was much longer than expected. During this time I read everything I could possibly find about fertility and pregnancy all under the guise of wanting to learn how to “natural family plan.” Ha! I also started reading about how many of the toxic products we ingest and apply topically have a very real and serious affect on so much of our health, including fertility.

I had stopped using my beloved Retin-A and just about all other acne products in my arsenal, but still decided to check out Jessica Alba’s book. I had heard her story on Ellen or something and really was digging what she was selling. She, being concerned for her daughter, wanted answers about what is in the products we buy, especially those for our children!!! Like come on, it’s absolutely our right and I hate to break it to you... People be effing shady!!!! The business culture of today is just sell, sell, sell by any means necessary and we are all suffering. The toxic chemicals that are allowed in the products we buy is absolutely appalling and I refuse to be blissfully ignorant anymore.

I loved her book and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to kick the toxic crap out of their lives! I got rid of every single soap, lotion, sunscreen, body wash, or cleaning product that had any questionable ingredients. I’m still working on cleaning up my makeup drawer, but I got rid of my foundation and started testing non-toxic options and finally have one I love. More on that another time. Now, I'm not saying that by tossing my Jergens lotion I was magically able to get pregnant, but I will say that I am healthier and better for it! Now being very much pregnant, I'm grateful for the knowledge and so happy to be able to grow Rocco without all that added toxic junk!!

I’m so excited to start receiving The Honest Co Essentials bundle in the next week or so!! Be sure to check out The Honest Co's website for a free trial of their most popular items!!!  And you guys, they are starting to sell Honest products at Target!! Praise The Lord! So far, I am a huge fan of their shampoo/body wash which smells like Heaven, literally just like Heaven. Their healing balm has been keeping my lips silky smooth and will definitely be a must have when lil’ Rocco arrives for pesky diaper rash! I’m also loving their all-purpose cleaner, it smells like delicious grapefruit, which I then wanted to eat. The Captain assured me while it was non-toxic it was probably best to just use it to clean counters. I can’t wait to get my first shipment of goodies and I’ll keep you posted on the products I just can’t live without!!!