You’ve got a lot on your plate—dressing for your changing body shouldn’t add to the stress of it all. Our favorite solve? Jumpsuits, which are arguably the easiest and chicest way to get out the door looking and feeling good. And now with spring here (yayyyy), we’re rounding up our favorite transitional jumpsuits, the ones that will take you from spring showers to May flowers and beyond.
A little bit of new can go a really long way. As we step into spring we’re finding joy in the little things: a new dress, buds on the trees, the hope of a changing season. Our second spring collection is chock-full of light, airy, and easy mood-boosting pick-me-ups like super wearable pieces in textured gauze and linen and dresses and jumpsuits with subtle feminine details like soft shoulder ruffles, tiered hems and smocked bodices. And of course, two new fresh floaty florals, both designed in-house: a dreamy watercolor-y poppy floral and a hand-painted tea rose that’s as bright and cheerful as the season that inspired it.
It’s been a year of Covid and here we are, still firmly planted in the “new normal.” So while we may not be jetting off for a European family trip any time soon, we’re more than OK with keeping it domestic in the continental U.S. — and after this round-up of picturesque getaways on wheels, you will be too.
Just when you thought pregnancy symptoms couldn’t get anymore gnarly, there’s another. When you’re so used to going and flowing every morning after that cup of tea, you suddenly realize that desire to go is nowhere to be found. Yep, constipation is one of those rarely-discussed symptoms of pregnancy that affects just about everyone. It’s thought to be a result of hormones that relax the intestinal muscle and make food and waste move slower through the system, and by the pressure of a growing uterus on your intestines. Here are a few ways to reduce constipation:
The good news is that constipation will likely ahem, work itself out after the second trimester when your body begins to adjust to pregnancy. In the meantime, if things get super severe, contact your medical provider.
“In my first trimester, my gag reflex would go off while doing just about anything – even brushing my teeth. So I swapped out my toothbrush for a child toothbrush.
Given that we’ve celebrated ONE SOLID YEAR of Covid-19, you might think you’ve got this pregnancy-amidst-a-global-pandemic thing squared away. But tune into this video that breaks down everything you still need to know, from the hospital experience to postpartum, courtesy of Jada Shapiro, doula and founder of Birth Day Presence and Dr.
You probably recognize Megan from lighting up your social feed with her dance-meets-workout moves. Warm and high energy, this professional dancer turned fitness guru and founder of The Sculpt Society app is in her third trimester with her first.
Here, she talks staying active and accountable to her community throughout her pregnancy, deciding not to delay starting a family because of Covid, preparing for maternity leave when her job is body-reliant, and the launch of The Sculpt Society Mama, an in-depth pre and postnatal fitness program.
I’m just entering my third trimester and grateful to be feeling good after a difficult first. Thankfully, once I entered my second trimester, nausea subsided, my energy returned, and so did my appetite for healthy food! If I can maintain this level of feel-good throughout my third trimester, I’ll be golden.
This is such a delicate topic. With so many of our family members and friends who have struggled or are currently struggling to get pregnant, Morgan and I approached assumed this would be the case for us as well. Therefore, six months before we were actually ready, we started planning and gathering information—I got my blood tested, and he got all his stuff tested too, and luckily, everything came back normal.
Simultaneously we were planning our wedding, which initially was supposed to be in September; however, when the date kept changing due to COVID (at least 10 times!), we decided not to postpone starting a family. We figured that if we’re lucky enough to get pregnant quickly, then I’d be in my first trimester at our wedding, and if it took longer, then at least we weren’t delaying any further. So, with our levels checked and in hand, we started trying. Honestly, I feel guilty saying this, but it happened pretty swiftly for us. I’m sensitive to this because many women experience pregnancy loss and fertility issues, and I know it can be triggering to read that it was easy for someone. The truth is, there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t acknowledge and appreciate how fortunate we are that it happened as it did.
And finally in October, when we got married, I was six weeks pregnant at our wedding! At the reception, Morgan gave this beautiful speech and revealed we were expecting during dinner. There were lots of tears and champagne, and more tears.
I didn’t announce I was pregnant until I was five months along, which was really hard to do, given I go “live” on my app three to four times a week, and my community knows my body. Once I obviously started showing, I had to come out with the news. That said, I’m thankful for my community and for remaining accountable to them. If it hadn’t been for those weekly lives, I would have talked myself out of working out during the first trimester. The truth is, as hard as it was to motivate, anytime I moved my body, it was like therapy for me; I just felt better. As a result I haven’t stopped or slowed down.
Interestingly, being pregnant has opened another side of Sculpt Society. While I have been pre and postnatal certified for years and offered that content on the app, it’s very different now. Teaching these courses while pregnant and experiencing these changes in my body and mind is a whole other level different from a prenatal video wherein the trainer is not pregnant.
For the longest time, women have complained to me that pre and post natal fitness classes are slow and tedious across the industry. The question I got was always: why can’t there be a safe, fun, effective, sweaty workout while pregnant? The moment I found out I was expecting, I knew I wanted to provide that kind of content for my mamas and began crafting a robust pre and postnatal program which we just launched called TSS Mama. Meant to take a woman from pregnancy to postpartum with a follow-along calendar plus offerings like pelvic floor exercises and breathing videos. Leading up to having the baby, I’m continuing to build this program and film content daily. To be honest, I’m almost working harder and more throughout pregnancy to get all the pre and postnatal content up and live.
When it comes to my business, I’m very forward-thinking and leading up to my pregnancy, I knew I needed to have enough non-pregnant Megan content to get me through pregnancy and maternity leave. Seeing as my body is my business, it was a little scary to get pregnant as I didn’t know how I would feel throughout the process. As a result, I went into beast mode to create enough content to set myself and my community up for success while I heal post-birth. I post a new non-pregnant workout video every week in addition to my pregnant content. Many women in my community aren’t going through this and still want regular training, and I needed to continue to provide that throughout my pregnancy and my postpartum journey. I want Sculpt Society to be a place for any woman at any stage of her life to come and feel she can get a proper workout and be part of a community that supports her.
As for maternity leave, I plan to give myself between 8 and 12 weeks to get back into motion. While I want to give my body time to recover, I also know that I will be anxious to get back to it. Hopefully, this level of preparation will allow me to take the time to heal and enjoy our new family.
From week 7 to 14, I was throwing up every other night, completely lost my sense of smell and taste and basically lived off fruit, yogurt, smoothies, and anything sweet. Usually I love eggs, avocado, and salads, but couldn’t even look at these things. Once I hit my second trimester, everything came back, taste and smell, plus my love of eating as well.
I fully plan to get an epidural and just hope that it goes smoothly from there. To all the women out there who can do it drug-free, I salute you, but I don’t think I can do it. Aside from that, there is no plan. When it comes to birthing, everyone has different experiences, and I’m not sure this is something that can be planned.
I’m absolutely going to try my best as long as my milk comes in and I’m able to do it. Obviously, everyone tells you how great it is for the baby, but I also believe fed is best. If it’s not happening or isn’t working, I am open to formula because I don’t want to torture myself.
There’s a lot of misconception around exercise and fitness for pregnant mamas out there. Keeping active and feeling good is the best thing you can do for your baby if you have that energy. Many women question what they can and can’t do during pregnancy when it comes to cardio. I think there’s a big misconception that you can’t jump or run all of a sudden, but as long as you’re cleared by your doctor to do cardio, and you were doing it before, then you still can. Most importantly, listen to your body during pregnancy and make modifications when you need them. Long story short, find a workout plan that feels fun and something you can stick to, but also be kind to yourself. If you’re not up for a complete workout, then take a 20-minute walk outside to get the blood moving. Do what works for you.
You know how – in theory – brands like Kenzo, Caramel and Burberry seem like great ideas for your little ones? That New Year’s pic? The special ’round the Christas tree ‘gram? That is, until you check the price and realize that when they’re not destroying their luxury duds, they’re busy growing out of them. Yes, luxury clothing for tots feels like a lose-lose proposition, but Kids o’Clock is seeking to change all of that by encouraging the circular economy movement into kids-wear.
Based in the UK, Kids o’Clock is a platform aimed at changing the way we see fashion for kids. Its mission? Taking a powerful, trustful community of families who are empowered to shift their habits and creating the consignor model with children’s clothing. After all, a kid will wear approximately 10 sizes in their first year, so the idea of buying new clothes at every turn isn’t just financially inane, but wasteful, too.
Kids o’Clock is compiling the best pre-loved looks for children from birth to their teens. Whether they love skateboarding or painting, or dancing or running. All styles, all ages – from one family to another. Becoming a parent doesn’t have to increase your footprint. Kids o’Clock is stylish, sustainable kids dressing, made easy.
This article was written by Birth Stories in Color (BSiC), a podcast where Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino and Multiracial individuals can share their birthing experiences. It’s a space that specifically celebrates, mourns with and supports them and their transformation through birth. BSiC also emphasizes the role of storytelling as a way to equip future parents. Listening to real birth stories is one way to discover the expected and unexpected parts of the journey. While there are birth stories not being heard, BSiC’s hope is that all who share and listen find this platform to be a community and an invaluable resource for those navigating their own journey.“
As wives, mothers, birth workers and the hosts for Birth Stories in Color, a podcast for Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino and Multiracial individuals to share their birthing experiences – we have walked as individuals and with families through the transformation of birth and parenthood. We are the authors and the audience and our bodies deserve rest and rejuvenation.
Self-care has been a buzz word over the past few years that has become a top priority in theory for women. It is even more prevalent in motherhood circles, but most women don’t know where to start. We have found that what is missing from this trend is self-love, yet it should be at its core. Self-love is the regard for one’s well-being and happiness. As motherhood begins through pregnancy and beyond, our self-love can shift drastically. Both mental and physical changes are unearthed as we learn new parts of ourselves. Our inner voice becomes a guiding force for seeing ourselves and allowing others to share space with us.
We carry this love as we watch our bodies expand and grow a new life. We are charged with advocating for the best care that we deserve to maintain our health and wellness, as it can mark the beginning of loving our new selves. This can be further complicated for BIPOC mothers, as healthcare is far too often not a safe space due to racist practices and biases. We have to build the birth team that honors how we envision and dream of what our children entering this world would feel and look like – maintaining the sacredness of the birth space by being mindful of others’ energy and its ability to shift the atmosphere.
Postpartum care and village building can help support you in continuing that empowered feeling. It is essential to accept the help so as not to lose yourself. The village care shared in many BIPOC families makes way for the mother to be given respite from her usual duties as she is fed, bathed, and given space to rest as her body heals. Family members and close friends prepare nutrient dense meals for the mother or birthing person that will provide nourishment for the whole family.
There are special traditions regarding bathing after birth, including the use of healing herbs and soothing oils that aid in purifying the womb. Rest is an essential component to healing and is facilitated by having someone else contribute to caregiving for the newborn baby. This hands-on support of the village not only helps with physical healing but it allows the mind to reset and prepare for this next stage of motherhood. The village brings the celebration of joy that the family has continued to grow and they acknowledge the work of the mother through pregnancy and labor. Partners or other support persons often have the unique insight into our needs but are better advocates when those needs are expressed.
Asking for help is a radical act of self-love. It is a space of vulnerability and self-preservation. We release our minds from unrealistic expectations and honor our ancestors’ knowledge as the village is ready and expectant of being called upon. You do not have to hold it all. And when the village opens up for you to take the lead, this is where you find yourself discovering what practices empower your self-love.
Self-love is changing the narrative in pregnancy, motherhood, and womanhood for BIPOC, especially Black women who have been blamed for their health challenges in their motherhood journey and mislabeled as being strong no matter what the circumstances are. Our strength is not a scapegoat for lack of empathy and care. Be soft, be open, be gentle with yourself; sip on your favorite herbal tea, clear your space with sage, pray, dance or call in and upon your ancestors. Center yourself in ceremony as you are deserving of love.
To our BIPOC mothers, as you move along this journey, we call you to reflect on the time before you were told that your experience would be anything other than you imagined – begin from that point and let that be the start of defining your self-love.
As we look forward to a fresh new season ahead, visions of flowers blooming, the sun shining, and birds chirping come to mind. However, lest we not forget, there are plenty of breezy, cloudy, crispy days too—hello yo-yo weather that is spring. Therefore, to accommodate fluctuating conditions, we’re wearing sweaters that ARE dresses, layering chunky knits with floral frocks, and styling slimmer silhouettes over-the-shoulder—and it feels so right.
As the weather shifts, so begins our desire to lighten up, with sweaters on the top and lightweight styles on the bottoms. Think a chunky mock neck pullover paired over easy-breezy neutral prints in every silhouette, from baby-doll mini dresses to floral midi skirts and maxi slip dresses that recall ’90s grunge.
Nothing says chic like a matching tonal sweater dress worn with an oversized cardigan à la Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in Great Expectations. This combo is high on the list of faves to go from second to the third trimester (aka winter to spring) in style and warmth—and that, mamas, is what they call a “two-fer.”
For a quick-cute spring getup wear a lightweight sweater over your shoulders. This styling go-to adds a touch of warmth and an instant cool-factor that’s ideal for cloudy-ish days which are neither hot nor cold—and we’re here for it.
When it’s still just a little too chill for a dress, reach for a thinner knit on top and jeans on the bottom for a spring-perfect off-duty look.
