How to Dress Your Bump: Smart Parenting December 2014

Mia Fausto Cruz and Sche Perez of Smart Parenting asked me for some pregnancy style tips on how to dress a baby bump over the holidays, and while the holidays have passed, and we are now onto the latest thing, the arrival of Pope Francis over this long weekend, thought I'd still share this with you.

These are timeless looks that I think, any woman, pregnant or not, can refer to when you are stumped on what to wear.

You may still download the December 2014 issue via buqo on your iPad or iPhone!

Pregnancy Style on Live Love Lolz

Whenever Tita K runs out of guests for Live Love Lolz, I am her resident panakip butas. Ahihihi.

I would like to think interesting naman ako, and I have something worth sharing, and in this episode, we talk JONTIS STYLE!

I share my pegs for pregnancy dressing, items I personally like to wear when pregnant, Tita K reminisces about her pregnancy style, and we talk about where to shop for pregnancy clothes for real people and more.

Basically, we just want to say, don't be afraid to dress that bump! If you are planning to get pregnant, infanticipating, or know anyone who is either of both, this is for you.

Watch in YouTube or here na, now na!

I've Got a Secret, and I'm Gonna Tell

Like all juicy secrets, this has got to be passed on. But before I spill it all out, let me first tell you how I found out.

Last week, some of us SoMoms were invited to an event at The Wine Museum in Manila. I thought it was just a launch event, but I was surprised to see a shoot going on at the lobby, with a gorgeous girl at the center of it all.

Before I could figure out who she was, I was led to the second floor where I saw tables laden with wine glasses. And I mean laden. Like 6 wine glasses to a person.

As it turns out, the gorgeous girl was beauty queen/actress/new mommy Lara Quigaman-Alcazar who joined us for an evening of wine tasting, Lebanese appetizers, Spanish paella & callos, crispy toro and conversation centered on mommy concerns, getting that pre-pregnancy body back, children's milestones, and of course, the unveiling of the "secret product" she was endorsing, which was the point of it all. 

 

I think I ate half this plate of baba ghanoush, it was so good!

This tabbouleh was refreshingly tangy and tasty too

No it was not the missing hummus in these pictures. The secret product would come in later, until after we learned how to smell, swirl, smell and sort of slurp the wines to get their full effect. Oh, and also, we learned to watch wine legs go down...

watching wine legs go down. Did you know the heavier and thicker the legs, the higher the alcohol content?

 

By the time we all got a bit lightheaded, and extra happy from the wines, came the BIG REVEAL: 

 

Oooooh, Bio-Oil! Which made us a lot more happier, given how most of us would buy our Bio-Oil stash from abroad pa! 

I've actually been a user for years, ever since I first learned of this product from my sister-in-law Lorraine. I have been using it primarily to lighten scars and moisturize rough spots and I have always loved how light it is, how fast it is absorbed by the skin, how good it smells, and how it leaves no greasy after feel. My sister Nicole even uses it on her face as a moisturizer!

Jo-ann Ravela, Marketing Manager for Consumer Healthcare, Aspen Philippines shared that Bio‑Oil is a specialist skincare oil that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. It is also effective for aging and dehydrated skin.

Bio‑Oil has won 135 skincare awards and has become the No.1 selling scar and stretch mark product in 16 countries since its global launch in 2002.

In case you want to know how long a bottle of this wonder product lasts, Lara shares that her bottle of Bio-Oil lasts her approximately two months, which is not bad considering that her husband also uses it to apply on his face at night and she uses a generous amount to apply on her stretch marks.

And now for the FAQs:

What makes Bio‑Oil special from most beauty oils in the market? 

The Bio-Oil formulation is a combination of plant extracts and vitamins suspended in an oil base. It contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™, which changes the formulation’s overall consistency, making it light and non-greasy. This ensures that the goodness contained in the vitamins and plant extracts is easily absorbed. 

Where is Bio-Oil available? 

Available starting this week at drugstores such as Mercury Drug and Watsons and  leading supermarkets nationwide

How much is it?

SRP Php 495.00

Bio-Oil is a product of ASPEN Corporation. 

For more on Bio-Oil, email laraslittleskinsecret@yahoo.com.ph, visit the website, Like the Facebook page, Follow @BioOilPH on Twitter and watch out for webisodes on YouTube.

MFO's Verdict On: ioECO Monotheme Artichoke Shower Gel

The Product: ioECO Monotheme Artichoke Shower Gel

The Promise: ioECO Monotheme is an innovative line characterized by active ingredients that are  more than 98% vegetable in origin. It is the result of an in-depth scientific research  that has produced a complete line of body care products that are naturally based and respectful of nature due to the low impact level on the environment of their production cycle.

- No SLES/SLS
- No Parabens
- No Artificial colourings
- No petroleum derivatives
- Dermatologically tested

Put to the Test: First thing I noticed about the ioECO Artichoke shower gel (for oily skin) is that it leaves a silky feel to the touch. After you towel off, skin definitely feels moisturized. While it does not smell as good as most shower gels, it has a pleasant scent that my husband likes. I guess that's the trade off given that the product is said to be 98% made from vegetables - yes, NO fruits or flowers. Tell me, is there a vegetable that smells good? Oh my gulay! If you don't like harsh or strong scents, this is the product for you.

A huge plus, given that I have sensitive skin is that I never had a reaction with this product. I use this in conjunction with a hypoallergenic shampoo and I do like the fact that I've never had bouts with zits on my back at all (I am prone to getting zits on my back when I use products not compatible to my skin).

Passing the Verdict: While there are many shower gels out there, there are limited choices when it comes to products that are made solely from vegetable ingredients and do not contain parabens, SLES/SLS and artificial colourings. If you are extra picky with the products you use and are on the lookout for something that is more natural than most, this is a safe bet.

Practical Tip: The ioECO Monotheme line comes in three vegetable variants

- Carrot: ideal for dry skin and hair, with nourishing vitamins

- Cucumber: ideal for sensitive skin, purifying and refreshing

- Artichoke: ideal for oily skin and hair, purifying and antioxidant action.

Because the line is natural and vegetable based, I would think these products are especially great not only for those who are into the green/eco-chic movement but also for pregnant women who want to take extra care in minimizing their exposure to harmful chemicals. 

Price: Prices range from Php325 for the Cucumber facial cleansing gel to Php395 for the full range of shampoos and shower gels. The most expensive product tops at Php445 for the Cucumber body lotion.

Point of Sale: Rustan's Beauty Source

Snippets of Pregnancy Outfits

It has been so hectic the past few weeks that I haven't been able to really take photos of how I've been dressing my belly as Xavi grows. So here are snippets instead, just to document my old reliables, i.e. the comfortable but still (hopefully) stylish clothes and shoes that still make me feel good, even as I get bigger throughout this pregnancy, hehe :)

Boyfriend denims from Current/Elliott, Boyfriend shirt from Equipment France, Lanvin flats

Denim boyfriend shirt from Old Navy, cut-off shorts from Current/Elliott, Gray TOMS

H&M dress

Red flats with snakeskin cap toe detail from Lupe Saenz

Mango tank, Lauren Conrad blush blazer, J Brand jeans, Lanvin flats

Men's striped shirt from A.P.C., Current/Elliott cut-offs, Play x CDG Converse sneakers

A.P.C. dress, Lanvin flats

Dada's old button down shirt, Topshop leggings, Repetto BBs

Yup, I am about to turn 36 weeks this week, and for those like me who don't want to spend on maternity clothes, it can be done. You can survive without shopping! I just use loose tops, dresses, leggings and boyfriend jeans and wear a lot of flats. 

But I have to admit, the story would be different if you work in a corporate setting. In that case, just wear wrap-around dresses, as well as blazers over maternity tops/tanks with trousers. Maybe best to wear kitten heel pumps. And don't forget to accessorize! 

Mommy Potions, Lotions and Creams

When I was pregnant with Berry, my friend Mary Anne gave me a whole year's supply of Palmer's to prevent stretch marks. It could be that, or it could be genetics, but I swear, with Palmer's I never got stretch marks, even just one tiny bit at all. Take note that I started moisturizing as soon as I got pregnant, before my belly even protruded, just to prep my skin for the months of stretching ahead.

This time around, when Denise R. of Rustan's Beauty Source found out I was pregnant, she thoughtfully sent me this whole range of Palmer's and if I wanted to moisturize my entire body, and my whole family, I could! Super thanks for this Denise! I really love Palmer's, I swear by it!

I also have Mustela's 9 Months range of pregnancy creams, and I switch these with Palmer's for this pregnancy. I have creams all over our room, and all over our bath as well, so I never forget to moisturize. Yes, it's a bit indulgent, but when you are pregnant in your 30s, you just cannot afford to be lax with skincare. Ain't as elastic as it used to be, hehe. Tammy T. of Mustela highly recommended the Instant Comfort Cream for Legs, and I find that when I massage my legs with this at night, I don't wake up with painful leg cramps. I also love how it has this cooling effect. Even if you are not pregnant, if you've been up or walking around all day, this is a great thing to massage your legs with before you sleep at night.

Another indulgence and one of the perks of living in Manila, is affordable pampering services. My friend Nina told me about the prenatal massage treatment at Clarins in Rustan's Makati and I always look forward to my twice a month sessions. I just feel so relaxed and refreshed after.

They gave me a sample sized stretch mark cream and treatment oil for toning, but I only opted to buy the toning gel shower cleanser since I could seriously start a mini oil spill with the number of lubricants I have in our bath.

What I like about the pre-natal massage treatment at Clarins is that they really have special procedures for pregnant women in the second trimester, and the third trimester. Every procedure is targeted for a pregnant woman's concerns - ie  2nd Trimester is for exfoliating & toning the body so as to prevent bloating, while 3rd Trimester treatments are meant to combat puffiness on the face, as well as dealing with pregnancy aches and pains.

I have a treatment scheduled at Clarins tomorrow, and as usual, I look forward to it! I cannot wait! =)