Ain't No Mom Jeans

The Five Gorgeous Pajama Sets I Can't Stop Thinking About...

Mamas, this post is dedicated to my husband.  And by dedicated, I mean you-want-me-to-wear-sexier-pjs-then-get-out-your-wallet-this-will-cost-you-punk.  

The other night as I was getting ready for bed, Mike informed me that he was sick of my 'ol favorite bedtime standbys.  Not his words, of course.  His words were actually something like, "Babe.  Those?  Again?"  And my words were something along the lines of "Are you kidding me?  I am the mother of your children, I have had two c-sections - TWO - I am STILL nursing blahblahblah, rant rant rant etc etc etc." 

Besides, I thought they were cute.  Aren't they?

And once upon a time, he did like them.  But....well....that was four years ago.  And after four years of near-constant wash & wear you can barely see the hysterical "Believe in this" that was written across the bum of one particular pair.  (Still cracks me up though, four years later).  So I guess we've had a good run.  And I still think they are a post-partum lifesaver.

Anywho.  So he wants we want to find sexier pajamas.  But that's tricky, right?  I mean, we're looking for a daily upgrade...something that can actually be worn to bed on a regular basis.  Which means, if I'm being perfectly honest, that lace is out.  Anything itchy is out.  

My first thought, then, was to look for cute little boxers.  Something a little flirtier than my...uh...post-c-section-panties.  (Wow - how's that for a sexy name?) 

There are tons out there, but I'm loving Maison Scotch's take:

Sexy, without being cutesy.  (The rear view is hubby-approved.)

The problem?  They are currently on sale and will only cost him $19.  So let's keep looking, shall we?

 

Four Perfect, Pooch-Hiding, Nursing-Friendly Outfits For Fall (Including Date Night!)

Poochy mamas, rejoice!  This season has a ton of adorable, pooch-hiding tops in store...and the best news?  Not an empire-waist in sight!  

Outfit 1 - Playing at the Park

I tried on the BB Dakota top.  It's like a strange, but sophisticated hoodie that is crazy-comfortable and totally pooch-hiding.  So comfy, in fact, it could easily double as loungewear with these.  Nursing girls, this top easily pulls down for nursing access.

 

 

Post-Partum, Nursing Park Outfit by aintnomomjeans featuring a floppy felt hat

Jack BB Dakota lightweight hoodie
$60 - modcloth.com

 

AG Adriano Goldschmied high waisted skinny jeans
$164 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Socks
$10 - topshop.com

 

Minnetonka boots
$90 - piperlime.gap.com

 

Old Navy floppy felt hat
$20 - oldnavy.gap.com

 

 

Yoga Pants with a Belly Control Panel? Ummm...Yes, Please. (Sponsored Post)

Champion recently contacted us to see if we wanted to partner for a series of sponsored posts about their new shaping line.  After reading through the description, it took me all of .2 seconds to agree that YES.  YES I would like to demo a perfectly cute pair yoga pants  that contain special panels to "streamline your hips, thighs, and tummy."

In addition to yoga style pants, Champion's shaper line also has a capri running tight and a tank - both with the built-in shaping panels.

So.  How well do the shaping panels work?  Let's take a look, shall we?  And because I know you never tire of gazing at my post-partum pooch....

Is This The Cutest Swimsuit for Boys? Yes. Yes, It Is.

R was complaining about his old swimsuit.  Apparently, being three, it bugged him when wet.  He didn't like it flapping around his legs.  He solved this problem, however, by simply taking it off.  Which...OK...no biggie, but still.  So when I found MiniBoden's Swim Trunks.....oh, baby.  So. Stinkin. Cute.

And currently on sale for $15.  

Yup.  Love 'em.  In addition to R's stripes, they also come in stars.  Voila....

Stars & stripes.  Which reminds me...Happy Fourth of July, Mamas!

xo,

S
 
 

Reader Question: How To Do Strapless Dresses and Tops While Nursing

 

Reader Question:

I'm about to have my second son and am very excited for summer outings with the boys. I love strapless dresses and tops with cute empire waists (to hide the baby pudge and stay cool), but I have no idea how to do the whole "nursing bra with a strapless top/dress" thing. Do they make strapless nursing bras? Do I just use a regular strapless bra and flip it down? We also have a few weddings to attend, so a strapless bra is going to be a pretty major staple in my summer wardrobe.

Love your ideas and insight. And I, too, am a Denver girl, so I feel your pain, longing for spring and summer! I'm over the winter maternity blahs!

Thanks,

Jen

Answer:

Hi Jen!  Thanks for writing in!  Yes - they do make strapless nursing bras.  They look like this:

The above bra is La Leche League's Strapless Nursing Bra.  Attractive?  No.  Supportive?  Nope.  Can you nurse in it?  Not...really.  I actually reviewed this little number a couple of years ago, in the Best Nursing Bras For Summer article.

Mom Street Style: Esther's Crazy-Hot Post-Partum Swimsuit Pic

Are you ready for this one?  This is a pic of gorgeous Esther from last summer.  Merely weeks after her fourth kiddo was born.

Did you catch that?  Her fourth.  Just weeks after.

Esther wrote:

"A FAVORITE past-time of my family's is to go swimming. Faced with the prospect of a post baby body with a good month of summer left, I felt pressure to be game for the pool and for the lake at a moment's notice.  So I took my eight month pregnant self to the less than appealing local mall to check out the Sears Land's End swimsuits.  Land's End??  I was dubious.  In fact, I never would have taken a second look if it hadn't been for your blog.  Ever.  But as I walked through the swimsuit section I was seriously impressed with the quality of their suits.  I could tell right away that these wouldn't shift around or need constant adjusting.  I found a style that I could easily nurse in and was happy to see that aside from being easy to untie and provide modest access, it also offered a fully lined and padded bust section which would be forgiving in case of nursing mishaps.   What types of mishaps?? I don't really know.  It just seems better to have more than one thin layer between the girls and the pool going public just in case.  I liked the color straight away, so I guessed at a size and brought the suit home.  Since having Hollis it has really served me well.  I haven't been a bummer and squelched our pool/lake outings on account of feeling miserable in a swimsuit, and that has made my WHOLE family really happy!"

LOVE this.  Esther (aka Chinny Chin Chin) is such a rock star.  Her whole attitude is great.  And when in doubt?  Add big sunglasses and glam earrings.  Rock on, baby.

xo,

S

 

Cover Up In Style - Six Ways to Look Great at the Pool or Beach

Looking good sometimes starts to feel like a New Year's resolution - especially come summer.  I mean, I know what I SHOULD do (*cough* apply self-tanner *cough*), but that doesn't mean I feel like slathering that stinky stuff on after the whole bathing, reading, lotioning, taking back to bed, nursing, crying, taking back to bed, rocking, taking back to bed, repeat 8 more times...craziness we call bedtime.

The point here is that while I'm a firm believer in swimsuit confidence...we all have those days.  And I know I feel a lot more confident (regardless of the state of my white pasty thighs and pooch) when I look good.  Having a go-to pool/beach outfit (yup, I said outfit) is like fake tan...but without the mess or smell.

So before we're in the throes of actual summer, put a little thought into your cover-up & beach bag.  The best pool outfits can go from the beach/pool out to the ice cream shop or around town running errands.

For some inspiration, I had a whole mess of fun putting together six outfits I'm now trying to convince Mike that I need.  (Despite the fact that he bought me this gorgeous one from Calypso last year.  Hmmm...one for everyday of the week? Yes? No.)

Anyway, check it (most everything is under $100...except the sunnies):

The "Skinny" on Post-Partum Swimwear - 10 Tips To Hide the Pooch

Here on Ain't No Mom Jeans, there is much talk about ways to cover our poochy stomach while clothed.  We've flattened it with shaper camis, distracted the eye with deep v-necks and fun swingy tops...but baring it all in a swimsuit requires actual...baring.  {shudder}

Stomach flab is one thing.  But a post-partum stomach?  It's something else altogether.  It's no ordinary flab.  It's formidable. 

Here are ten tips, purely subjective, but based on endless rounds of trial and error...

 

We Have Swimsuit Confidence! (It's a thing.)

Ok, Mamas!!  Get ready....it's Swimsuit Confidence Week!  We've teamed up with Lands End and the CurvyGirl's Guide, as well as 20 other bloggers to all loudly proclaim: 

WE HAVE SWIMSUIT CONFIDENCE!

(as I use my cute baby to strategically hide the pooch)

Swimsuit Confidence week was started to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes, and inspire them to have fun this summer! 

So Mamas, let's stop agonizing over bikini season.  Let's stop obsessing over cellulite (unless it's your baby's).  Cankles?  Bring 'em.  Back fat?  Just don't look.  Stomach pooch?  Well...we've earned it.  Let's put our focus this summer in a happier place...and just have fun.  Life is so. crazy. short. and goes by in a blink.  I don't want to waste one more minute looking at the dimples on my bum when I could be kissing the dimples on Pax's. 

With that said, here are my swimsuit confidence pics (and info on how you can win a Lands End swimsuit of your very own).....

Reader Question - Vacation Style Tips for Postpartum & Nursing Moms

Reader Question:

We're traveling to Mexico in May with my in-laws and I'm already stressed about what to wear.  My post-2nd-kid body is not where I'm happy and the thought of a week on the beach with active kids 3-1/2 and 18 months when we go) is just killing me...its all going to be hanging out!  What should I start looking for?  Oh, and I'm still nursing, too!

ps- I need everything- swimwear, cover-ups, dresses, shorts (skirts/skorts?) tanks- the gambit.

Thanks!
Ann

 

Answer:

There are few things I've dreaded more than showing up at the beach or the pool after having my two beloved babies.  Love them as we do, they tend to wreak havoc on the bod, from the first 9 long months on through the first few years, while it's extremely difficult to fit regular workouts into super busy mom (or is that busy super mom?) schedules.  So Ann, please believe me when I say, I truly feel for you here, and I did double time looking for the best postpartum body flattering vacation items I could find.

I also paired everything here with only two, very flat pairs of shoes.  I'd love anything here with espadrilles, strappy sandals or cork wedges, but going easy on footwear, especially when going somewhere as laid back as a Mexican resort, is the easiest way to pack light for the rigours of traveling with two kids.  If you've already traveled with both your children, you know why this is so crucial, given the monumental task of transporting the belongings of four people (plus car seats) with only two adults to carry them.

Let's get down to the nitty gritty, because your well-deserved vacay is coming up fast: