New Mama Favorites

Hi there! It's finally summer here in LA - and I'm recovering from some sort of weird 24 hour fever. I thought being sick and pregnant was bad, but being sick with a newborn wins hands down. Baby K is in her swing, and I'm posting and on the mend.

I finally made it to see "The Hangover" this weekend and it was hilarious! We were able to sneak out thanks to some kind babysitters for a matinee.

Baby K is getting so big and so alert - she's turning into a real little person now.

I used to love getting facials every few months, but I'm thinking I don't have time to do that anymore :). Here's my solution. Bliss Steep Clean mask is perfect. It is gentle enough so that you aren't red and raw after using, but gets deep enough to really get the glow and make you feel like you've had a pretty serious cleaning. With all the dirt in the air now that it's hot, I think a more thorough cleaning is in order and this fits the bill!

The Joe's socialite jean - my answer to skinny. I don't do skinny jeans (I have really big feet and I think they emphasize my size 10's :). These are pretty much straight - and so comfy and flattering. I'm thrilled that they fit me again! They are also fantastically soft and stretchy!

Japanese Weekend - so soft, so comfy, and so easy to nurse in. This top I have in blue, and it's perfect. I use a nursing apron too (I'm a huge prude), but these tops make it really easy for first time moms to discretely feed babies and then get dressed again.

Ahem - PSA about skin cancer and the sun. My obstetrician recommended going to the dermatologist after Baby K was born, because pregnancy can trigger changes in your skin which may be precancerous. (You should go to the dermatologist every year for a skin cancer evaluation anyway - Icing loves you and doesn't want you to get melanoma:). Here's what I'm wearing on my face and arms this summer. It's fantastic. So light, oil free and doesn't drip in your eyes even on a long walk. Please be sun safe and careful out there!

So now, it's almost time for the 4th of July. I'm thinking that Baby K and I may just need to go up to Malibu during this week for a little adventure at the beach before it gets too crowded. What are you all up to?

Things The Newly Non-Pregnant Like

Baby K has the lung capacity and volume of a full-grown hyena. (We also have hardwood floors through the house, which may explain why she's so resonant). However, even when she's shrieking like a banshee and flailing her tiny and adorable limbs, the swaddleme blanket keeps her wrapped down and cozy, so she can eventually fall asleep. Yes, it does look like a tiny strait jacket (Nana Icing kept calling it a strait jacket), but it works. I will be buying this as a practical baby present along with fun stuff for friends from here on out. (In fact, this post was brought to you courtesy of the swaddleme!)

Eclat du Jour is another favorite magical product. My makeup routine these days is sunscreen, tinted moisturizer and concealer with a little lipgloss and blush thrown in on the side. Some days though, that's a bit too much. So, that's where Eclat du Jour comes in. You pat a little dollop of this peachy cream on your face, and you are magically glowing and rosy, not haggard and shrew like. Plus, it has that nice "European" floral but not sweet smell (I can't describe it, but I LOVE it). I bought a bunch the last time I was in the duty free shop in the Paris airport, but I think it's wonderful enough to justify retail in the US too. BTW, it also works as a primer under foundation if you're more together than I am these days. :)

(Since I'm not pregnant anymore, I figured I needed to update the title of my likes and dislikes posts - it isn't quite as catchy as the previous version, but it is more accurate.)

Little Things

I had my 39 week check up today, and Baby Icing is doing quite well, while I'm apparently getting ready for the big arrival, so let's cross our fingers she decides to show up soon!

Then I went to the paradise that is the Westwood Trader Joe's at 10:00 in the morning. It has great parking, wide aisles, and a really great selection. I would think it is horrible on the weekends, but this morning was lovely. Why does TJ's always choose locations in LA with bad parking? The one in Woodland Hills was the only truly large parking lot that I've ever seen!

I had my last eyebrows and related waxing appointment today - my aesthetician had to help me up! At least my eyebrows are ready for some post baby photos. And, tomorrow is my belated cut and color - my hairdresser is making a house call for me! We've been together for 7 years now, and I adore her. My friend M also uses her, and she'll be coming too - which will be super fun. So, I most likely won't have roots in the post-baby photos!

I made N butterscotch pudding (I'll post the recipe and pictures later) that was just so delicious! Now I'm resting on the couch and enjoying the beautiful spring weather through the open windows. Happy Weekend!

Day Two

It's kind of sad what "overdoing it" is for me these days. (The picture above is Amandine - the delicious patisserie - hang tight as I search for tasty quiche recipes to try for you). I walked the two very flat, very gentle miles to the car dealership to pick up my car and part with several hundred dollars. Then I changed for my doctor's appointment. Baby Icing is right where she should be, and looking good.

You'll agree it was not a very taxing day. However, I'm simply too tired to go to the grocery store now, so I'm going tomorrow. In other frustrating news, I finally figured out the mystery of the missing rocking chair. Pottery Barn cancelled my original order for some reason, but since I paid with N's credit card, I didn't notice. So please, cross your fingers that the reordered rocker arrives in time. My mum was quick to note that Baby Icing will probably not notice the difference if her first few days are sans rocker.

It's crazy windy here, and quite nice and sunny. Big kitty and I are relaxing on the couch and watching "What Not To Wear." I'm pretty sure that I am one watermelon bellied "Don't" at this point, but I will try to redeem myself after Baby Icing arrives. In a traumatic new development, my hairstylist just left her salon, and I hope I can coordinate with her on a new location before Baby Icing arrives - otherwise we'll have to do some headless shots of me (mama don't do roots).

Happy Weekend!

Weekend Thank Goodness

I'm tired! So, after hitting up Ralph's for the groceries, I'm sitting on the couch with a cup of tea and a scone (see the recipe from this past weekend's post). Baby Icing is doing well per my latest appointment, and we have an ultrasound scheduled for my next check up to see her one last time. My doctor doesn't do lots of ultrasounds unless there is a need, so we haven't seen her in about 16 weeks! I can't imagine what she looks like, and I'm so curious to see if she has lots of hair (we all have black hair in my family)!

Here's my original little girl - isn't she sweet? She is the most gentle little cat ever. She doesn't play bite or scratch, and she is so clever at hiding that I have thought we've lost her several times. She likes strong foods, like hummus, yogurt and salmon, and weirdest of all, duck grease poured over her cat food. She also likes peanut butter, but I only give her a tiny bit because I'm pretty sure it's not good for cats. She likes to sleep in the pregnancy pillow during the day, and loves to snuggle on the couch. She is also half the size of our big kitty - but she's just as cute!


Since I had a little time to kill before my doctor's appointment (and I parked at the Beverly Center), I toddled down to Bloomingdales to pick up some pretty spring lipgloss - check out Bobbi Brown's "Tangerine." It is the perfect pinky peach - just right for spring and summer when you have a little bit of a tan. (BTW, I say "toddle", because I am starting to feel like a weeble - like I could just roll over at any time from the weight of this ginormous tummy!).

This weekend I'm cleaning, washing Baby's bedding in Dreft, and hopefully starting to work on stocking the freezer with some nice pasta sauce and soups to reheat after Baby Icing arrives. I can't believe she'll be here in around 6 weeks!

Things Pregnant People Like - Warm Weather Edition

This weekend I had a brief taste of being quite pregnant when it is warm out. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan. It was only about 75 here on the west side, but that's warm enough for me - when I am carrying around what looks like a watermelon!

I did manage to get out and go for a walk yesterday - and am pleased to report back on a super high powered sunscreen for us vampires who are paranoid about sun damage. I know that hats are the best protection, but sometimes you don't feel like one, and this Neutrogena sunscreen goes on with a dry touch, and gives great protection. I highly recommend. I'll need to throw some in the car for this summer!
I had brunch with two very dear friends here - Literati at the corner of Wilshire and Bundy. May I suggest the chocolate chip pancakes? They are enormous and delicious. I was healthy and chose the oatmeal - also because I didn't have Tums with me, but when I go back next time...chocolate chip pancakes all the way! They also make a mean breakfast burrito - again, when the heartburn goes away, I can't wait to go back. It's also a short walk from my house - so good eats!

How cute are these dresses for Mum and baby? They are Lilly (natch)! Since I'm very superstitious, my big shower by my friends will be held after she arrives (safely, God willing). I don't know if I'll be in shape to wear something like this, but Baby could certainly pull off the little number, don't you agree? Also, how cute would these be for a mum/grandmum/baby photo shoot on the beach this summer? I'm still looking for a good LA baby photog - suggestions greatly appreciated.

I want to pass along the recipe below. It's for red lentil soup with lemon from the New York Times. It is beyond fantastic and incredibly easy. Please give it a shot- nutritious, easy and delicious!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/dining/091arex.html

In baby news, our prenatal class took a tour of the labor and delivery ward, as well as the postpartum recovery and the nursery. It really eases your mind just knowing where to go...not to mention we got to see some cute little ones in the nursery (they look like little burritos when they are all bundled up!)

Look for a post on potential shower hostess gifts coming soon - I've got to start working on those!

Bzzzzz

When I was little, my mum would sing a song about baby bumblebees. I've always had a soft spot for bees, what with honey being one of my favorite sweets and a pretty nice smell too. So, in my efforts to keep the poor Icing belly kind of happy as I come into the home stretch, I'm recommending Tummy Honey. It's a tidy little stick of solid honey moisturizer that is really nice and thick, but your hands stay clean. Plus, the smell is honey, but it's very light. So, you can wear it during the day without offending your whole office.

You're Glowing!

Some people apparently "glow" naturally when they are pregnant. I suspect that these are the same people who have painless natural labors and find that breastfeeding is really easy. I have a nice greenish tint, and am dry and flaky. So, here's what I'm using to get my fake "glow."

Stila cream blush, because sometimes your skin really is too dry for powder! Plus, it gets rid of the weird greenish tint I've had for the last few months. Will my skin stay green forever?

Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer (I don't think the oil free part matters that much, but I bought it over the summer)! It goes on so smoothly and offers really light coverage, some extra sun protection and a little bit of moisture.

The primer is great - it keeps everything on and smooth all day. Plus, it feels like it protects my skin from the nasty and dirty LA air. It really is gross. In the summer, we can't see the mountains! That's why I don't feel bad about keeping my color up during pregnancy, I'm breathing the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes on a bad air day here!

The concealer is great. It blends really well, and is very light. Finish up with some clear lipgloss and mascara, and you're good to go. I don't think I'll be able to keep up all of this once Baby Icing arrives, but I'm thinking the tinted moisturizer is sunscreen, moisturizer and color in one, so I can at least do that and lipgloss/mascara, right? How are you glowing these days? Anything I should try?

Pregnant People Like!

My pregnancy pillow! You can order them anywhere (and like a bad girl, I cut off the tag the first day), but I ordered mine from Amazon. I like this one, because it is easy to turn over in the middle of the night without moving your pillow around (and waking up your husband, pets, whoever else is sharing your bed). Right now, we count the pillow as an extra person, throw in me, Baby Icing, Mr. Icing and at least one cat, it's a very good thing we have a king sized bed! It really has helped with my back pain and knee pain!

The Jacqua pumpkin papaya masque. It's a gentle exfoliating mask that works really well on my dry and flaky pregnant skin. It's gentle enough to use 2-3 times per week, and it leaves me soft and glowing.

My pretty coffee cups. They fit in your hand just perfectly thanks to the curved handle, and I just adore them! They are Villeroy and Boch new wave caffe. They aren't the biggest, but I shouldn't be drinking big cups of coffee anyway these days.

Tomorrow starts week 28. Do you have any recommendations for home stretch necessities?

Nice Scents

It's cold and gloomy in LA, and I'm snuggled up on the couch dreaming of warmer days. Here are some things that make me feel sunny and warm, even if it's freezing outside.

1. Votivo Red Currant Candle - soooo good. It's my go to housewarming present. I've never met anyone who didn't like it!

2. Basq stretch mark oil - I have no idea if this works. I can only tell you that it smells delicious enough for me to use it every day, and it really moisturizes for the entire day. I'd use it even if I weren't pregnant.

3. Fresh Sugar Lychee - any permutation of this is wonderful. It's tangy and not too sweet, so perfect for your morning shower. The lotion is also great and very light - more for summer than winter.

4. Ole Henriksen On the Go Cleanser - it smells like Tang. It's not too drying on my pregnant skin, and it gets your face so soft and clean.

5. Hiris by Hermes - the most delicious perfume ever. I've been wearing it since I discovered it in Paris in 1999. It's not too sweet or heavy, it's just the most delicious shadow of iris ever. Being that they are my favorite flower, I love that their root smells so good. Plus, I love the pretty blue bottle.

Any other summery, happy pampering products that I should know about? I have some vacation time coming up and could use some at home pampering!