Happy Monday!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend! So, we are in the midst of "Hollywood's award season" and we have to admit, the awards shows are getting a little boring because they are all pretty much the same. We mean, Natalie Portman was amaaazing in the Black Swan and totally deserves to win every award that that she receives, but that is not why we are continuing to watch the award shows! We watch because we want to gab about what the stars were wearing and who the best dressed peeps were, duh! That being said, did anyone catch the SAG awards last night?We thought that Natalie Portman and Jana Krakowski both looked fab and demonstrated to pregnant ladies how to flaunt it when you are preggers! Yay for them and yay for Natalie winning a Best Actress award, again! Thankfully, there were no repeats when it came to red carpet dresses, so here were some our favorite looks and trends from last night:

Trends like florals and bright colors were seen on the red carpet again via stars like Mila Kunis who wore a gorgeous rose inspired gown by Alexander McQueen and Sofia Vergara who lit up the carpet in an electric blue gown. However, unlike the Golden Globes where green seemed to be the "hot trend of the night", a lot of stars chose to look demure in pale and delicate colors for the SAG awards. Another popular look? Lace! From edgy one shouldered dresses to romantic and frilly, lace seems to be making a come-back this award show season.

With so many stars and so many fabulous dresses, it was difficult for us to choose our favorite trends from last night, but here are a few:

*Goes without saying but Natalie Portman and Jane Krakowski both looked stunning. Strapless and one shoulder dresses make pregnant women look ethereal!

* Dare to bare- for those who can take the risk or want to look especially sassy (perhaps in the boudoir) we loved the deep plunging looks that Lea Michelle and Sofia Vergara wore. Though they have very different sized boobage, they both looked great big and small!

* Sparkles! We loved the sequin encrusted dress that Hillary Swank wore as well as the glitzy number that Jane K. wore as well.

*Sexy red! Not only was she a winner in the best actress in the t.v. category but Juliana Margulies was definitely in our "best dressed" category last night with her gorgeous Yves St Laurent sweetheart dress. We love this look because this flowy gown would also look fabulous on a pregnant silhouette.

Have a fabulous day. If you live in the Mid-West, stay safe from that terrible storm that is heading your way!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

TGIF!

Happy Friday! We hope that everyone has some fun plans this weekend! For all those people who were planning on watching us on Access Hollywood (we hope at least one person) , we are just filming today and going to air our segment on another date T.B.D. We will be sure to update you when we know the actual air date! So, you might not be out dancing in clubs right now, but there is no reason you should not be playing some good jams for your baby! Interesting enough, playing music for your baby when it is in utero is actual a great thing. Soothing songs, like talking to your baby are all ways to connect with your baby before it is born. While there has not been proof that playing music like Mozart or opera will make your future baby a lover of the arts, your baby is capable of hearing when it is in utero. Here are some of our favorite ways to connect with your future child with the use of sound and your voice:

* Set aside some time to read to your baby, perhaps a nursery rhyme or a children's book

* Come up with a "pet name" for your child as a way to start the vocal bond that you will eventually have when the baby is born

* Bring in the other parent for "family time" though it might seem a little strange, talking to the little tyke as a family is a nice way to establish "family time" from the beginning.

* Play some of your favorite tunes for your baby. Of course, the baby will not come out singing the songs word for word, but it can be soothing to the baby.

Do you have any other favorite ways of bonding with your baby when it is in utero? If so, share them with us! We love hearing from you!

Have a fantastic weekend!! Enjoy the cold/hot weather wherever you are and of course make time for family:)

xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Set your DVRs!!

Happy almost Friday! We are getting pumped about going on Access Hollywood tomorrow. To those of you who are snowed in, you now have no excuse to not watch us! :) In honor of the East Coasters who can't leave their houses, we have come up with a favorite our favorite snowed in activities! Have any others that you want to share? Let us know!

* A yummy treat! We love to create this odd sounding but delicious snack whenever there is fresh snow but all you have to do to make this "fresh snow cone" is go outside, get some newly fallen snow (we prefer a good amount of clean snow, eating dirt is not delish) and add some maple syrup. Mix it up and eat! If you have any grenadine or other flavorings in the house feel free to use those instead. Weird but trust us, yummy in your tummy.

*Make a delcious "glamorous" hot cocoa. Everyone can make regular hot cocoa but have you tried s'mores hot chocolate - just add crushed grahm crackers and of course marshmallows with a few extra pieces of chocolate, if you have an oven where you can "roast your marshmallows" with a fork even better. Play with it...after all, what else do you have to do today?

*Work on your pregnancy glow- sure you should have one naturally if you are pregnant, but you might see it fade because it is freeeeeezing outside! We recomend spending a little time on your "epidermis" and slough off some of the dead skin with an exfoliant then hydrate with a fresh home-made mask. We like this easy-tomake- great result "oatmeal yogurt mask". All it requires is a few household staples which are yogurt, oatmeal and honey. The ingredients are 1 Tbsp of oatmeal (preferable finely grounded), 1 Tbsp of yogurt (plain is best) and a few drops of honey. Put in a bowl, mix it around and apply to your face. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes then remove with a warm wash cloth. Voila!

* Re-watch some of your favorite movies. You might not be able to venture out, but a good movie has the power to warm your heart. If you don't have a movie collection, look out for re-runs of your favorite shows. How could you forget about "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" or "90210"? Feels so good to watch and laugh about how you used to have the biggest crush on Dylan!

*Nap. Pregnant ladies need to rest and since you can't get out, get back in bed and catch up on your zzz's!!

* Re-enact "Top Chef". Perhaps your fridge is not stocked with all the necessary ingredients to make a specific meal, but wouldn't it be kind of fun to create something new using whatever ingredients you have in your house?If you fail, so what? The snow will end soon and you can order in pizza!


Stay warm and enjoy the snowfall. Pretty soon, spring will be here!
xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Wear it Wednesday!

Happy "hump" day! To all of those on the East Coast stuck in the snow, AGAIN, we hope that you are enjoying some hot cocoa while reading this. To all of our friends on the West Coast, you lucky peeps are enjoying the sun and warm weather! How dare you! So, we have some pretty exciting news which is that we are going to be Access Hollywood this Friday! On the show we will be showing viewers how to get some of Tinseltown's hottest looks for less using our fabulous Target.com and Moody Mamas collections. Hooray! In honor of our upcoming television appearance, this "wear it Wednesday" will focus on this theme and share our MM picks for under $50.

Winter Florals

You will be seeing floral prints everywhere in the spring, but they are also super trendy now. Michelle Williams even recently wore a floral gown to the Golden Globe awards. You might not be on the "award show circuit" but you can still achieve this romantic, feminine look. One of our favorite picks is our floral shirt from Target.com. Long sleeved and casual, this shirt can be worn with a cute pair of jeans for a great day look. Dress it up at night with some leggings and a pair of (low) heels. We also did this print in a fabulous dress, both of which you can check out here for under $4o. A steal!

Bold Colors

In Hollywood, your birth announcement is news-worthy, so when celebs are expecting, they usually show off their bumps loud and proud- with bold colors. We love bold colors on pregnant ladies because color adds "fun" to the outfit. One of our favorite dresses from our Target.com collection is this sassy, red v-neck dress. It can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion and sells for $29.99.

Animal Prints

Roar....nothing says "sexy" like an animal print. If you are feeling feisty for a night out or are looking a way to add something special to your maternity wardrobe, we recommend that you check out this adorable tank available on www.nordstrom.com for $48. Make it more casual for work by pairing it with a pair of jeans and a cardigan or add some leggings and flats for a dinner with friends. When you are pregnant, you have sensual curves that need to be shown off. Flaunt it!

Have a lovely day indoors and out!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Start Spreading the News...

Happy Tuesday! Since everyone in Hollywood seems to be bitten by the bug, we are wondering if any of you just got the news that you are pregnant. At first, many women like to keep this a secret from friends and family perhaps for supersitious reasons like Mariah Carey, but once you are ready to share, are you looking for fun, creative ways to do it? We asked some of our favorite moms how they made this announcement memorable and here are some of favorites:

* Wrap a picture frame (to later be used with an image of the newborn) with your due date

*If you have relatives that live far away, send them a package with baby booties, or baby clothes, then when they receive the gift, share the news!

*Already have children? Buy them an "I'm going to be a big brother/big sister shirt" to get them excited about their future sibling while still making them feel special.

* Rent baby-themed movies like "Knocked Up" or "9 months" for your date night- see if your loved one catches on, if not serve pickles and ice cream instead of popcorn...

* Give them a sweet suprise! Bring some tasty cupcakes into work and frost half of them pink and other half blue or make them for dessert at a family function

* Invite your friends and/or family for dinner, but instead of serving "adult food" serve "baby food" as an appetizer

* Haven't told your loved one yet? Save it for Valentine's Day- you can put the pregnancy test inside of a Valentine's Day card with a message saying "you'll soon have one more person to love"


*Make a scavenger hunt at home that starts at your wedding picture then goes to the fridge where there are pickles then end at the bathroom where there is a pregnancy test

* Decorate your spare room with streamers and balloons with a sign that says, "future baby's room"

* Send out "Save the date cards" to friends and family and put the date that the baby is due on them

* Go all out with a "special date night" that includes dinner and a night at a hotel. Ask the hotel to decorate the room with pink and blue flowers as well as a crib.


Have any additional ones to add to the list? Share them with us! Who did you tell first and at what week/month? There are advantages to sharing early in the game and waiting, so we want to know what you think! Have a fabulous day!

xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Happy Monday!

Mondays can be so gloomy! Just knowing that the fabulous weekend is over is a buzz kill in itself. We want to cheer you up, so we scoured the web for something silly and sure enough we found something that got us giggling-ridiculous baby shower gifts! Think about adding these to your list of must-haves…or on second thought, maybe not.

*Baby Tattoo

http://store.pacifieronline.com/blutfb.html

We have heard about parents getting tattoos in honor of their babies, but now you baby can have your baby get a tattoo in honor of you! Check out this site for FDA and mom approved baby tattoos. Unlike the real kind, these are temporary and of course wash off. These will definitely bring laughs if you are planning on introducing your baby to family or friends for the first time!



*Baby Cleaning Mop

Feeling a little lazy? Put your baby to work! No need to slave away cleaning your floor when you just have the kiddo do it. This onesie with bristles will do the trick. We kid, but it is a great gag gift to get a bestie who hates to clean!


*Parent Apology cards

http://www.bestbabyshower.com/newpaapca.html

Ever been to a nice restaurant and see a family with a kid running around the tables clearly on a sugar high? Well, this could be you someday! Here is a funny gift to help you get through the numerous apologies that come along with raising a child who just wants to have fun! Parent apology cards have some pretty hilarious lines you could use the next time your son our daughter runs through your neighbors flower bed or tracks mud through your friends house.



*‘Daddy Diaper Duty’ survival kit

http://www.partypail.com/dirty-diaper-duty-survival-kit-new-daddy-device.html

A fabulous silly gift to get a daddy-to-be! This survival kit comes with a nose plug, rubber gloves, protective goggles, and “biohazard buster’s wonder wipes”.Now he will never have an excuse not to change the diaper!







*Two front teeth pacifier

http://www.prankplace.com/product.aspx?p=1450&c=118

Is your baby teething but still has a way to go before he/she produces her own? Check out this ridiculous pacifier! Bring your baby to the grocery store with this pacifier and you will definitely get some double takes and giggles from shoppers.


Hope these brighten your day!

XOXO,

The Moody Mamas

Pregnancy and Beauty

Most of us know that it is best to minimize your exposure to harsh chemicals when you are pregnant. However, when it comes to beauty, hair and skin care, you might be endangering the health of you or your baby without knowing it. For the sake of vanity and sanity, you should keep up with your regular "beauty maintenance" but make a few amendments if you think something could be potentially harmful.

Pregnancy is often a catalyst for "going green" because many women suddenly realize that a lifestyle change is necessary in order to protect their future child's health while in utero. We think that choosing to be a "green parent" is an admirable choice, but we also know that this lifestyle can be a challenge to maintain if you have not always been holistic. Therefore, here are some tips to help you choose wisely when tackling which beauty products to ditch when you are preggers:

Dying for a new hair color? Interestingly enough,contrary to popular belief, hair dye is not thought to pose harm to a developing baby because only a small amount of dye will penetrate the skin. If you are concerned that your hair about the use of hair dye, contact your health care provider to see what he or she suggests. However, if you decide to dye your hair take these precautions into consideration from the Food and Drug Administration:

*Wear gloves when applying hair dye

*Apply hair dye as quickly as possible

*Rinse your scalp thoroughly after using hair dye


Yearning for a tan? Depend on your pregnancy "glow" instead. An elevated body temperature can be dangerous to your unborn baby so tanning beds are not a great option. Unfortunately, while spray tanning is a safer option as far as skin cancer is concerned, it is not known if the chemicals used can pose a risk to your developing fetus. Want to look bronze? Get a great bronzer to give your face that "fresh off the beach" look.


Got a blemish? Don't use prescription acne medication. Your doctor probably warned you about this already, however, just in case you did not know that these drugs were dangerous, stay away. Birth defects have been related to the use of Accutane and though less information is known about Retin-A, it is similar in its molecular structure so beware. Having zits is no fun, but neither is potentially harming your baby.Look out for other skin clearing treatments like tea tree oil which has wonderful anit-microbial properties and will get your skin squeeky clean.


Love manicures/pedicures ? Go bare. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi but stay away from color. Many nail products contain ingredients that have raised concerns about reproductive toxicity. Though getting your nails done has not been proven to be harmful, there is an inadequate amount of evidence to prove that it is safe. Our thoughts? Indulge in color if you really want to but make it a special occasion not every week. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.


Have a lovely weekend!!
xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Thinking about your upcoming baby shower, and have no idea where to begin to start planning it? Well don’t you worry! We at Moody Mamas would love to talk about some festive party ideas that have been shared with us over time. Planning a baby shower should be something fun and exciting, not a pain in the butt!

Now, we all know that food and get-togethers come hand in hand. So it is a good idea to have a lot of little finger foods for guests to pick and chose from. Fruits and veggies with special dips can be super scrumptious (and also healthy). Mini treats like pigs in a blanket, or tiny sandwiches are also a yummy starting plate. For those of you who would like to have a main course, one good idea could be to cater from a favorite local restaurant, which would save time and cleanup.

For a funky dessert, rice crispy rattles can really wow a crowd. All you need to do is make large rice crispy balls, and coat them in a sugar frosting of your choice. Then take some Popsicle holders and insert one side of the stick into each ball. Tie some ribbon at the base where the ball and the Popsicle stick meet, and voila! Baby rattle galore! If you are the creative type, you can even paint the Popsicle holder with little designs.

Another cute baby theme that is starting to get actually quite popular is “baby diaper cakes”. This could make a very cute centerpiece, and mommy to be can save them for when the baby is born! These “cakes” are very simple to make. Instructions are very easy to find on many baby shower websites.

Need a party favor idea? Go to the dollar store and pick up some little baby booties. You can fill them up with baby shower candies to give away to your guests when they are leaving. You can also use baby booties as decorative pieces as well. Put tiny candle holders inside the booties and use them as centerpieces around the house.

GAME TIME!

This is where the real fun happens, what is a baby shower without the games? Some real cute and interesting games we have come across may make your baby shower stand out from others!

Never say “baby” game

- When each guest arrives at the baby shower location, give each guest a necklace with a couple of baby safety pins attached to it. Each guest will start off with one safety pin. Throughout the day, whenever someone uses the word “baby”, someone ELSE will need to call it out, and whoever said “baby” in the first place gives their pin to the guest who called it out. Whoever ends up with the most baby pins at the end of the day wins a prize!

Bottle Chug

- Fill up some baby bottles with milk or a beverage of your choice, and have two guests compete against each other to see who can drink the most of the beverage from the bottle in a certain short period of time. This game usually gets a lot of laughs from guests, you don’t see adults sucking a bottle too much in ones life!

Baby Bingo

- All you will need for this game is Pre-Printed Bingo cards, and pens. Before the mom to be opens her presents, number each gift with a little card. For example, if you know that 20 people are attending your shower, pre-print or make bingo cards with numbers 1 through 20 and randomly put them on 20 cards on each gift. When the expecting mother opens her presents, she grabs the present she wants to open and calls out the number that she sees on the card. As soon as someone gets a bingo, they win the game and a special prize! This is a nice game to play during the opening of presents, because we all know how sometimes present opening can take a VERY long time. It is nice for guests to be more involved in that process as well!

Who’s That Baby?

- Have each guest bring in a picture of themselves as a baby. Put all of the pictures up on a bulletin board and have other guests try to decide who is who. Give out pens and paper to each guest and give them all ten minutes to match the baby pictures to the guests. Whoever has the most correct answers is the winner! This is a great icebreaker for guests who don’t know one another.

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Baby Shower Time!

Thinking about your upcoming baby shower, and have no idea where to begin to start planning it? Well don’t worry! We, at Moody Mamas would love to help you with some festive party ideas that have been shared with us over time. Planning a baby shower should be something fun and exciting, not a pain in the butt!

Now, we all know that food and get-togethers come hand in hand- so it is a good idea to have a lot of little finger foods for guests to pick and chose from. Fruits and veggies with special dips can be super scrumptious (and also healthy). Mini treats like pigs in a blanket, or tiny sandwiches are also a yummy starting plate. For those of you who would like to have a main course, one good idea could be to cater from a favorite local restaurant, which would save time and cleanup.

For a funky dessert, rice crispy rattles can really wow a crowd. All you need to do is make large rice crispy balls, and coat them in a sugar frosting of your choice. Then take some Popsicle holders and insert one side of the stick into each ball. Tie some ribbon at the base where the ball and the Popsicle stick meet, and voila! Baby rattle galore! If you are the creative type, you can even paint the Popsicle holder with little designs.Another cute baby theme that is starting to get actually quite popular is “baby diaper cakes”. This could make a very cute centerpiece, and mommy to be can save them for when the baby is born! These “cakes” are very simple to make. Instructions are very easy to find on many baby shower websites.

Need a party favor idea? Go to the dollar store and pick up some little baby booties. You can fill them up with baby shower candies to give away to your guests when they are leaving. You can also use baby booties as decorative pieces as well. Put tiny candle holders inside the booties and use them as centerpieces around the house.

GAME TIME!

This is where the real fun happens, what is a baby shower without the games? Some real cute and interesting games we have come across may make your baby shower stand out from others!

Never say “baby” game

* When each guest arrives at the baby shower location, give each guest a necklace with a couple of baby safety pins attached to it. Each guest will start off with one safety pin. Throughout the day, whenevers omeone uses the word “baby”, someone ELSE will need to call it out, and whoever said “baby” in the first place gives their pin to the guest who called it out. Whoever ends up with the most baby pins at the end ofthe day wins a prize!

Bottle Chug

* Fill up some baby bottles with milk or a beverage of your choice, and have two guests compete against each other to see who can drink the most of the beverage from the bottle in a certain short period of time. This game usually gets a lot of laughs from guests, you don’t see adults sucking a bottle too much in ones life!

Baby Bingo

* All you will need for this game is Pre-Printed Bingo cards, and pens. Before the mom to be opens her presents, number each gift with a little card. For example, if you know that 20 people are attending your shower, pre-print or make bingo cards with numbers 1 through 20 and randomly put them on 20 cards on each gift. When the expecting mother opens her presents, she grabs the present she wants to open and calls out the number that she sees on the card. As soon as someone gets a bingo, they win the game and a special prize! This is a nice game to play during the opening of presents, because we all know how sometimes present opening can take a VERY long time. It is nice for guests to be more involved in that process as well!

Who’s That Baby?

* Have each guest bring in a picture of themselves as a baby. Put all of the pictures up on a bulletin board and have other guests try to decide who is who. Give out pens and paper to each guest and give them and ten minutes to match the baby pictures to the guests. Whoever has the most correct answers is the winner! This is a great icebreaker for guests who don’t know one another.

XOXO,
The Moody Mamas

Wear it Wednesday!

One of our favorite pregnant celebs was recently seen wearing an MM dress that we will be sold in the spring and we are thrilled! In honor of Ms. Christina Applegate, who is due this month, we are going to highlight some of our favorite maternity looks worn by Christina during her 9 months o' fun!

* Our ultimate favorite look was the sleek, black dress that Christina wore to debut her baby bump. Classic and MM, we think that Christina debuted her belly in style. Great news! This dress is on sale now at www.target.com for $13.98!

* Right on the trend and wearing MM, Christina was recently seen wearing an MM dress that will be available this spring! Florals are going to be hot when the weather gets warm, so be sure to nab this fabulous dress when it comes out this March.

* Ms. Applegate has been loving color throughout the duration of her pregnancy. Though this particular dress is not MM, we do love fuchsia and have a few options in our collections that are similar to this dress. Check them out on www.moodymamas.com!

Have a fabulous fashionable day!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Tips Tuesday!

With so many celebs announcing their pregnancies, it's easy to look at the hot trends and find ways to incorporate them into a maternity style- after all, these celebs are proving that you can still look "red carpet" ready when you're preggers.

Natalie Portman and Jane Krakowski looked fabulous as they showed off their bumps at the Golden Globes this past weekend. Ms. Portman looked stunning in a sweetheart neck dress gown and Ms.Krakowski wore a one-shoulder, floor length gown that made her look like a goddess. Now, we realize that both of these ladies were most likely wearing custom-made dresses, but you can look just as put together by using their style as an example. Lesson learned? You do not need to cover your arms just because you are pregnant. Of course, if you are not feeling totally confident about particular appendages, then by all means conceal them. However, if you are feeling up to showing a little skin, your arms and your decollete are great ways to make you look va va voom! Here are few more tips to make your pregnant style soar instead of sink:

* Take advantage of your fabulous hair! Generally speaking, pregnancy hormones prevent your hair from shedding, so you might find that your hair is abnormally voluminous and shiny at this time. Show if off! If you don't feel up to dressing to the nines, accessorize your gorgeous mane with headbands or fun barrette.

* Don't hide your bump in a tent. You might notice that most celebs will accentuate their new bumps on the red carpet by wearing clothing that separates the boobs from the belly. Though you might not feel like wearing a tight dress, you can still achieve a figure flattering look by utilizing this concept when getting dressed. Contrary to what you might think, shapeless sacks and tent-like pieces will make you actually look bigger so if you are going for comfort try wearing a dress with a tie that you can loosen and tighten, or a top with shirring on the sides to show off your curves.

* Have fun! Why post-pone trying a new trend until after you have the baby? It is still important to maintain your sense of style because to some degree, your style is part of who you are and why do you want to lose that just because your are expecting? We understand that things might fit you differently now, but that is no reason to forgo being fashionable altogether! For example, maybe now is not the time to try high-waisted pants, but florals are certainly a trend you can apply. Love the stripes you have been seeing? Wear them! Stripes look fabulous on pregnant ladies. Point is, you never know until you try, so dare to play with your style just like you did before.

Have a fabulous day!!
xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Happy Friday!

What a great way to start the weekend! Looks like Alicia Silverstone and Selma Blair announced that they too, are pregnant!

We at Moody Mamas are more than ready for Spring to grace us with its presence, and we bet you are too. Some of us are absolutely ready to retire our bulky sweaters and welcome some spring essentials. Some upcoming trends to try out, you ask? Well here you go!

Pastels, and bright, lively colors:

-Winter is a time for dark washes such as grays, navy blues, and winter greens, but now it is time to start thinking about a new color palette for the upcoming seasons. Start incorporating some egg shell blues, and pastel pinks into your wardrobe. These nice, calming colors can lift your spirits and also make you feel fabulous! Throw in some intense colors as well. Intense oranges and reds will make your outfit pop. Going to work? Put on a cherry red blazer. Red is a color of power. Not only will it make you feel fierce, but it will show your coworkers that you mean business!

Lace, lace, and more lace!

-Lace is once again making a comeback, but the key to this style is, less is more. Look for pieces that have a lace neckline, and something unique with and antique twist. Try to veer away from the “lingerie”; playing it safe is better than going out looking like you forgot to change out of your undergarments!

Feminine Dresses

-Spring is the best time to rock some soft dresses that have feminine details. Flowing fabrics are great for comfort, and will not cling to your body; try finding one with a flower print to add a nice spring touch. Flowing, airy dresses are a great way to express how you feel, since often times, pregnancy makes some women feel extra girly!

Rocker chic meets military

-If the girly-girl vibe is not your style, go for something like pairing a military jacket with some torn jeans and a funky shirt. Remember, even though you are pregnant, it does not mean you cannot express you inner style during your pregnancy!

Enjoy your weekend!

Xoxo, Moody Mamas.

Is it written in the stars?

First of all, thank you to all our new and old followers for making magic happen!!! We have reached our goal of 100 followers and are now going to be able to offer a brand new giveaway. We love you guys! Woo hoo!

So, some interesting news came out recently for those who have a fascination with astrology and horoscopes. According to the Minnesota Planetarium Society, if you were predicting that your baby was going to fall under a particular sign, you could be using the wrong "sun sign" on the Zodiac chart. To make matters worse, you could have been reading your own horoscope incorrectly for years. How is this possible? Well, the signs of the Zodiac were originally created by the ancient Babylonians, over 3,000 years ago. At that time, it was believed that your sign was determined by what constellation the sun was in on the day you were born. Throughout the years however, the Earth has shifted in its alignment to the sun, making the designated periods for each sign shift as well. Think you are an Aries? Turns out you actually might be a Pisces because this slight shift in alignment has created a one month change in the stars' alignment. Additionally, there may be a new zodiac sign, called Ophiuchus a 13th sign that falls between Scorpio and Sagittarius (Nov.29-Dec.17) because the Babylonians discarded this sign because they wanted 12 signs per year rather than 13. Does this all mean that we are all going to now suffer from an identity crisis as a result of this latest development? Thankfully, no. Only some of us.


Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus:* Nov. 29-Dec. 17.
Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

What do you think for those of you who now have a new sign? Do you feel like your entire worldview has changed or do you like your new sign better? Hopefully, you do not have your old sign tattooed on your body, or like an ex-boyfriend, you might want to remove it...

On a happy note, we are going to begin our give-away in honor of reaching our goal of 100 followers! We will be offering a $35 gift certificate good to use on www.moodymamas.com, where due to the incredible sale going on right now, the $35 will actually buy you something special. How to enter? Check out our winter collection on www.moodymamas.com and tell us which 2 pieces you love and why on this blog via "comments". That's it!

Have a fantastically cosmic day!
xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Baby it's cold outside!

First of all, there MUST be something in the water in Hollywood because there is a baby boom going on right now. We named a few celebs who recently announced their pregnancies at the start of the new year, but add to that Tia Mowry from "Sister, Sister" and Kate Hudson who expecting her second child. Wow! We will have a lot of ladies to dress and how shall we do it? Which trends have you been seeing and loving lately? Here are some of our favorite ways to look cute despite the fact that it is currently snowing in 49 states! Say what?

1. Dress in layers. Sure, you might need to wear a snow suit when you are outside but underneath you can still wear something stylish. Wearing several lightweight layers of clothing rather than one thick heavy layer is better for insulation purposes because the extra air will get trapped between the layers and will ultimately help you stay warmer.We like layering techniques such as wearing tights under leggings or wearing a drapey top underneath a warm sweater. That way, if you are freezing your patootie off you will stay warm, but if you find yourself heating up you can unravel.

2. Faux fur vests. You might be thinking, "wear a vest when pregnant"? Yesiree. However, you can enjoy them as long as you keep the vest longer, open and perhaps go up a size so you can feel more comfy. We like to wear this look with a long sleeve henley top, some leggings, and comfy boots- voila, you are a snow bunny!

3. Furry boots. We love Uggs just as much as the next person, but we also love the furry boots that we have been seeing like the fab furry boots by Tory Burch pictured at the top of the page. Don't worry, you can find lots of look a-likes at more affordable prices, if you are feeling thrifty. We love warm boots because not only do they look chic, but they keep your feet toasty.

4. Don a sweater dress. Date night and you really want to wear a dress? Go for a sweater dress. Cozy, comfy, and cute, we love sweater dresses because they are simple and chic. We love to pair sweater dresses with a chunky necklace for an evening out or with a vibrant scarf for a casual day look.


5.Sip a cup of hot cocoa and smile. Let's face it, dressing well in the winter is a challenge, but being happy and wearing a smile on your face will make you look effortlessly chic in an instant!


Have a wonderful Wednesday lovelies!

xoxo,
The Moody Mamas

Tips Tuesday

Often times a woman is overcome with joy and emotion upon finding out that she is pregnant. A new way of life is about to begin and a new person is going to be born in just a few months. All the anticipation of becoming a mom can bring moments of joy and excitement, however being pregnant can also cause feelings of emotional stress and frustration that seemingly come out of nowhere. How is it possible to feel ecstatic about life one minute, and then want to cry the next? You could be suffering from hormonal mood swings. No, they are not a cliché of pregnancy…they are the real deal.

Mood swings can start to occur at week six of pregnancy, and can last for a month or more. We know that these abominable emotional changes can severely annihilate your relationships and make you feel teary-eyed for no reason at all, so in hopes to “take you to your happy place”, here are some tips on how to be prevent those darn mood swings from taking over your life!

*Zone out and take a prenatal yoga class

- There is an abundant amount of benefits that you can be obtained from practicing prenatal yoga. Prenatal yoga improves your circulation (which helps with the swelling of your feet), and flexibility of the hips. This form of yoga also helps with insomnia, discomfort of the back and legs, and of course, stress. We recommend brining a friend along and going for a yummy treat after class!

*Nap it out

- Stress during pregnancy can cause constant fatigue, so taking a nap for at least 25 minutes to an hour a day is a great idea if you can make time for it. Also, make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night, because lack of sleep can cause extra crankiness and stress.

*Exercise!

- Another way to get some energy is to get moving! Take a stroll with your hubby, or go for a speed walk with a girlfriend. As little as 30 minutes of walking a day can greatly increase your energy, and your mood. Just be sure to take breaks when needed and bring along some H20 to stay hydrated.

*Try something new.

- Take up a new class that you have never tried before. A cooking class for an exotic cuisine can lift your spirits if you love to cook, but make sure you call ahead to see what the menu will entail to be sure that none of the smells or ingredients will cause you nausea! If you are artsy, try a free art class at the local art museum.

*Bond with those you care about.

- Here at Moody Mamas, we know that just a little bit of girl talk can brighten our day, so lift your spirit in just a few minutes. Call up a friend who makes you laugh, or schedule an extra long lunch break with a group of girlfriends so you can chat about some juicy gossip. Of course, don’t forget about your loved ones! Make time for a yummy get together or a movie night to brighten your mood.

*Pamper yourself

- Put YOURSELF at the top of your to do list! Go get a prenatal massage from a spa close to home, or indulge in a pedicure and make sure the nail esthetician lingers longer than usual on the foot rub. Remember that not everything has to be checked off your to do list before the baby is born. Making time for you is crucial, so don’t feel guilty when you cater to yourself by spending a day at the spa.

Just remember that it is absolutely normal to experience mood swings throughout your pregnancy, but don’t be afraid in sharing your emotions. Seek comfort in your family, friends, and your community to help you along the way.

Happy Monday!

Being pregnant is "oh so hot" right now! If you are expecting, you are not alone! So many celebrity moms have been announcing their pregnancies recently. New to the growing list? Natalie Portman, 3o Rock's Jane Krakowski and Victoria Beckham. We love seeing pregnant celebs, because they usually have great style and show the world that you can still look hot when you are pregnant. Though all of these ladies are newly pregnant, we have taken a look at their general fashion choices and have come MM pieces we think that they should start thinking about adding to their wardrobes.

*Natalie Portman: A girl with great style, Natalie looks great in soft romantic ruffles and clean lines. Often dressed in black, Natalie is a chic dresser who is not afraid fashion risks. We think that the Elle Dress (pictured above), available on www.moodymamas.com is a great choice for Natalie when she starts showing.

* Jane Krakowski: We love this comedienne and her style. Jane loves color but likes to keep her style classic, simple and modern. Fortunately for Jane, we have just the thing!

With her blue eyes and blonde hair, we think that this blue tone will make her shine on the red carpet. This dress is currently available on www.nordstrom.com

* Victoria Beckham: She is referred to as "Posh Spice" for a reason. Victoria is a fashion icon and is one to constantly changing her appearance and her outfits to keep ahead of times. Though Victoria's style cannot be defined by a few words, she often chooses clothing that can be called "sleek and chic".

Because Victoria likes to look sexy, we think that this adorable leopard print tank paired with a skinny jean and some heals would suit Victoria's style well. www.nordstrom.com.

What do you think? Have any style ideas for these newly pregnant celebs? Share them with us!

Have a great Monday!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Finally Friday!

Hip hip hooray! Friday is finally here and the weekend is about to begin! Did this week seem especially long for you as well? If so, you could be suffering from what is commonly referred to as "the post- holiday blues". Cold weather, taking down decorations, having to go back to work can all be considered a "let down" after feeling the rush and anticipation of the holiday season. Sure while we are in the thick of it, we complain about the holidays, but now instead of gorging in treats and holiday cheer, we have to stick to our New Year's resolutions and embrace the winter. Yuck. If you are thinking, "what am I going to look forward to now?" like we are, perhaps it is time to start filling up that calendar and create fun goals for yourself. Here are some ideas in case your mind is drawing a blank on anything "fun":

* Does your home feel bare without the decorations? Re-decorate! This does not need to be a costly venture, but making a few changes to create a cozy, warm environment for yourself might make all the difference.

*Make hot cocoa, eat a treat (Gasp! Are we only allowed to eat them in certain months?) and watch one of your favorite flicks? Feeling like you want to "get away" but can't afford the plane ticket? Make a virgin pina colada and take in a movie that takes place somewhere warm- not a vacation, we know, but at least you will have a "mental" trip for a few hours.

* Plan a winter party! Big shin-dig or small get-together, dress up and celebrate the chill. For a fun, quieter evening whip up some yummy appetizer and play some silly board games. If you are looking to have a bigger fiesta ask friends to bring something so you don't have to worry about catering everything.

* Create a fun goal for yourself like learning a new language or saving enough money to take a trip somewhere special.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Healthy and Yummy? It is possible!

With New Year's resolutions underway, most people are starting their annual "I will lose 2o pounds" diets. However, when you are preggers, dieting is not a smart choice because right now you need to nourish your body and your baby. On other hand, eating healthy is a fabulous resolution to uphold pregnant or not. Your baby will appreciate the extra nutrients it is getting as will you body. When you eat foods that are filling and provide energy, you might just find that you are not as lethargic as you were when you lived on french fries and ice cream. The only drawbacks? When you are pregnant, you can't always control your cravings and can have strong reactions to foods in ways you never experienced before. Knowing all of this, we have come up with a few delicious recipes and snack ideas for you try to satisfy your cravings and help you stay on the right track.

* Craving something salty?

-Opt for a 100 Calorie pack of popcorn. Popcorn is low in fat in and calories plus it contains fiber and protein. It's a filling treat and if you are still starved you can still make 2 more bags and not feel guilty.

-Make home-made chips and salsa. All you have to do is spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray, add a layer of tortillas that have been cut into triangles, spray the tops of the tortillas, lightly add salt, and cook at 350 until brown. Add salsa to dip.

-Craving french fries? Make your own! Pre-heat the oven to 450.Slice a potato in wedges and lightly drizzle the potato with olive oil. Sprinkle over some salt and any seasoning you like on top of of your fries (ex. cajun spice) and then bake until the potatoes are crisp. Yum!

* Craving something sweet?

-Grab a jello cup or 1oo calorie chocolate mousse cup and dress it up with some yummy whipped cream.

- make a fruit cup for yourself and add 2 tbsp of cream cheese frosting to serve as a dip

- microwave 1-2tbsps of chocolate chips until melted and dip in strawberries for a quick chocolate fondue

Have any favorite recipes to share? Let us know!!

Have a fabulous and delicious day!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Wear it Wednesday!

Have you been shopping lately and noticed that stores are selling a lot of shorts, tanks and mini skirts? It all seems completely inappropriate due to the fact that we are in the dead of winter. However, we in fashion, call it "weather optimism" a.k.a "Resort" season. Originally, this season was created to give those who were wealthy and had the ability to get out of the cold and vacation somewhere hot, something new to wear. Nowadays "resort" can be considered more of a "pre-spring" season because we are just coming out of the recession so even the rich might being staying at home this winter . Point is- aren't you bored of buying turtlenecks and long johns anyway? Like it or not, you'll be seeing lots of new spring-like clothing in stores now so gear up and pray for warm weather!

Unfortunately for those who are preggers, some of the hot trends that we are seeing for spring are not the most wearable- ie. high-waisted pants and pantsuits. Fret not though because there are some great trends that you will be able to wear and look fab in. Here are some wearable trends that will look great on your curvy bod:

* 70's revival. For those of you who were not alive at the time of the "hippies" but want to embrace the flower child within, you are in luck! Chanel's resort season showed flowy caftans and crocheted dresses that will make you feel free and breezy. Of course, Chanel might not be within your budget but be on the look out for similar looks to be on trend.

*Bright colors in sorbet tones! Feeling hungry? Wear something deliciously bright this upcoming season. Runway collections were showcasing sorbet pinks and vibrant reds as the "pop colors" for their color palettes and we think that they look yummy! These bold colors will look great on the pregnant body so don't be afraid to wear a bright hue.

* Romantic florals. Feminine and sweet, many of the high-end designers incorporated botanical elements into their collections. Whether printed or embroidered, donned with lace or paired with something sheer, adding florals to your wardrobe will help you look effortlessly chic this upcoming spring season.

* Want to laugh? The "belt purse" otherwise known as the "fanny pack" is making a comeback in the accessory world. Made from luxurious materials and looking more like a "belt with a small purse" than what you would think of when you think of fanny pack, this trend will leave your hands free to hold your baby or give your shoulder a break. Yea...we're not so sure about this trend but don't be surprised if we cave- our shoulders do at times feel like they are falling off!

Have a fabulously stylish day!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Tips Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday, we ran off some new year's resolutions that we thought perhaps you could abide by this year but we realize we left off an important one- to get more SLEEP! When you are pregnant, catching some good zzz's always seems nearly impossible. We understand that these tips might not alleviate all of your problems, but hopefully they will offer a few remedies for you:

* You have probably been informed that sleeping on your side is best- particularly your left side because it might improve the blood flow to your baby. Sleeping on your back can add pressure to your back, intestines and major blood vessels because the weight of your uterus will be on your spine and these particular parts of your body. This can lead to you to waking up achey and perhaps dizzy due to a drop in blood pressure. Therefore, if you are uncomfortable when sleeping on your side, try to use a thin pillow and place it between your legs and under your belly so that you do not feel like you are directly sleeping on your side. Other options are to use a big pregnancy or body pillow (if there is enough space in the bed of course) and place it under under your knees and lie on the side, or try propping yourself up so that your back is elevated but you allowing you to still somewhat sleep on your back.

* If you are prone to having the urge to pee throughout the night, hydrate plenty during the day but try to cut down later in the evening so that you can avoid the middle of the night "pee pang".

*Some women get nauseous when in bed or have horrible heartburn when they lie down especially during their second trimester. The horrible heartburn occurs because the diaphragm is restricted at this time due to the growth of the uterus. In order to help combat this issue, try to avoid spicy, fatty or fried foods and keep saltines by the bed to consume when nausea strikes.

* So, you finally are starting to get some good sleep when all of sudden your leg cramps? Try straightening your leg and flex your foot upwards. Do this several times. Additionally, in order to prohibit this from continuously occurring, try to stretch your legs before you get into bed, and avoid sodas and other carbonated drinks as they can cause cramping.

*Try to get into bed earlier than you want to go to sleep so that you can get in a comfortable sleeping position and relax. If you find that you can't fall asleep despite desperately trying, get up and do something else like watch a mellow t.v. show or read a soothing story- sometimes you just need to "quiet your brain" in order to feel sleepy.

Have a great day and get a good night's sleep tonight!!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! We hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays. It's a new year and a new decade- so, what does that mean for you? It's a new chapter of life! Whether you are currently expecting, just had a baby, or you're planning on having children in the future, one thing can be certain- having kids changes your life and plummets you into a whole new lifestyle. As wonderful as that sounds, many women can lose themselves in the process of having children, so we at Moody Mamas want to make sure you maintain this "New Year's Resolution": to remember to keep yourself a priority! Additionally, we have come up with a few additional resolutions in case your list is sparse:

* I will not wear "mom jeans". Ever see the Saturday Night Live skit called "Mom Jeans"? If so, you can understand why this made the cut this year. We get it, sometimes it is tough to keep up with the trends when you are busy at home with the kiddies. However, you can still look put together without being on the front lines of fashion. Some of our picks for a quick fix? Opt for a casual dress or a pair of leggings and a cute top. We have faith in you, but if you are reading this and tuning out, check out this clip- maybe it will provide you with much needed inspiration!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10333/saturday-night-live-mom-jeans

* I will find time to have a "date night" with my loved one at least once a month. Whether you watch t.v. together after you put the baby to sleep, or get a sitter and go out to the movies, try to find some time to connect with your partner. It is extremely common for people to put their love lives on the back burner when there is a new baby in the house but it is important to keep the love alive. Lack of funds, time, and energy are just some of the reasons why it is tough to maintain this particular resolution. However, finding balance in your life will make the family bond that much stronger and will remind you of what life was like pre-baby.

* I will be forgiving of myself if the baby weight doesn't come off as quickly as I expected. It took nine months to put on the weight, so why do we expect that it will come off in just a few weeks? Um, US Weekly for starters? Perhaps eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's for dessert each night post- baby is not the best way to lose the excess weight, but if you are eating healthy and getting in some exercise, you are off to a good start. Just remember that patience is a virtue and if you demonstrate persistence, the weight will come off. Eventually...

What are some of the resolutions you are making this year? As a company, we are striving to make 2011 our best year yet, so if you have any resolutions you can recommend to us, we will try to make them happen. We love feedback, so share!

Have a wonderful day!!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas