When I was pregnant, I ended up buying a ton of clothes from Forever 21 because they were cheap, the empire-waist was the trend at the time, and I didn’t have to worry about spending a ton of money to get my clothes over my belly.

? This dress right here? Forever 21. 10 bucks. Wore it throughout my pregnancy and then after. (This picture was taken after. On my honeymoon. Six months after my daughter was born. I was still breastfeeding. Yeah, AWKWARD. I’ll have to write about that some other time.)

So I do understand how young women, who might not have the money to spend $70 on maternity jeans, might need more options when they get pregnant. 

Here comes Forever 21 with its maternity line, Love 21. When I tell you people are pissed, they are PISSED. They think a store that caters to teens should be ashamed of itself (can a business be ashamed?), that selling maternity clothes promotes teen pregnancy and makes it “normal.”

While I can see that point (Pregnant Teen and Non-Pregnant Teen can shop at the same store together! Yay!) , I don’t think it promotes teen pregnancy. Can clothes actually do that? Unless they’re selling shirts that say, “So glad I got knocked up!” on the front, I don’t understand the correlation.

Check out this post to see what I mean:

Forever 21 is glamorizing teenage pregnancy by normalizing it.  If you’re pregnant you can dress just like your friends!  You can be pregnant AND fashionable!  While it is obviously wrong to ostracize someone for becoming pregnant, it is even worse to actively encourage teenage pregnancy, and for Forever 21 to do so just to turn a profit is irresponsible.

What do you think? Is it wrong for Forever 21 to sell maternity clothes? Or do pregnant (young women, not just teens) need a place to buy affordable maternity clothes just like anyone else?

I do NOT, I repeat, do NOT want to be a frumpy mom. I just…won’t. 

I’ve declared this summer as the Summer of Sexy. Not “Cute,” not “Pretty,” but Sexy. I’m kicking the F.R.U.M.P to the curb.

How do you know if you’ve stuck (or headed toward) Frumpyville? Break it down:

F – Frustrating. When it’s frustrating to get dressed, it’s time to stop and take a breath.

R – Repeating outfits. When you’ve only got two or three “good” outfits and they are really, um, not that good, it’s time to reevaluate.

U – Ugly. Your clothes are ugly and you know it.

M – Messy. Are your clothes wrinkled? Is there a stain on your favorite shirt but you wear it anyway?

P – Personality. Do you not feel like “you” when you get dressed in the morning?

I know I’ve found myself in at least one of these patterns (particularly the last one) for the past couple of years. Fashion just wasn’t high on my priority list. Money was tight, and even if I have a couple of bucks left over, I usually end up buying something for the house or the kids. I spent a good chunk of the last three years raising kids and putting them first. 

But now my youngest is turning two and so I think it is the perfect time to step my game up. So how am I going to kick off my Summer of Sexy and how can you?

1. If you don’t feel sexy, fake it. No matter how frumpy the mom, there has got be ONE item in your closet that makes you feel hot. Find it and wear it as much as you can.  

2. Find another mom who is allergic to frump and make it a point to hang out with her. When you hang with a mom who knows how to keep everything moving and still make time for herself, it rubs off. It makes you want to do better, to look better.

3. Purge, purge, purge. Go through your wardrobe and toss everything that doesn’t fit right, is stained, has a hole, is too old, is cheap-looking and not in good condition, etc. Put it in a separate box. Get it out of your wardrobe. Only wear what REALLY works.

4. Be picky. If you’re like me, you probably like finding bargains. I like bargains too much, however, because if I find a cute shirt on sale for $4, I will buy it, no matter how ill-fitting it is. This.has.to.stop. Try on everything you buy and if it doesn’t fit don’t buy it. This means you’ll have to stop shopping online, unless you are EXTREMELY familiar with their sizing. Only buy clothes that make you feel fabulous, not just because you got it for a steal.

So these are my tips, ladies. What are yours? How do you keep it sexy while being a mom?

Every single day I get web hits from someone searching for “cute maternity clothes for young moms.” EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. Now, I’ve done a couple posts on it in the past, but nothing to make me the expert in maternity clothes options for the 20something (or younger) mama.

So I figured it’s time to revisit that topic (sexy maternity clothes) with an updated look around the ‘net to see what I can find. Journey with me, will you?

Bella Band

I’ve been hearing about the Bella Band for years now and even though I never had the chance to use it, I’d be willing to bet it works wonders. Has anyone used it? Let me know if I’m wrong. But basically, the Bella Band allows you to wear your pre-pregnancy clothes when they refuse to button any longer. Heck of a lot smarter than the ol’ rubber band-around-the-button-on-your-jeans-to-keep-’em-closed, right? (Yeah, I did that for a couple of weeks.) PLUS you can wear your maternity pants even if you don’t fit them yet. It runs around $30, and is even available in organic cotton for all you eco-friendly mamas.

Target

How much do I love this store? I love it, love it, love it! I’ve noticed their maternity section was on point in 2009. Figures that I’m not pregnant now and couldn’t enjoy it. (Would y’all judge me if I wore maternity clothes while, um, not expecting? Please say no.) I’m a big fan of tight maternity shirts. Not so tight that you look uncomfortable but tight enough to hug your big ol’ belly. It’s cold now in most of the country – try this cowl neck sweater on for size.

Gap/Old Navy

In my totally unscientific polling of my friends and Young Mommy Life readers (and really, they’re one in the same), almost everyone mentioned buying clothes from Old Navy. I threw Gap in there, because they’re almost the same store. Affordable, basic maternity clothes. And they almost always have a sale. The only downside is that the selection in stores is nonexistent, unless you live in a big city. Otherwise, you’re stuck shopping online, which is difficult to do when your gut is growing too rapidly for you to guess at your new size. So what will you find? Cute dresses like this ($15, people!!!):

CLEARANCE

No, there’s no store called Clearance, but you better get real familiar. Love the clothes at the big name maternity stores but hate the prices? Hold that chin up and walk right to the back to the clearance items. Not “sale” items, which only may be marked down 20% or so, but the “clearance” racks, where you can score savings of 50-60%. No need to feel bad for trying to save a buck – you’ve got a baby to think about. I went to Motherhood Maternity and got a pair of jeans for $20, when they can normally go for $60 and up.

So what do you think? What advice would you give those searching for good, affordable maternity clothes? Give your tips in the comments.

You think “Victoria’s Secret” and you think “lingerie,” right? (Well, if you’re like me, you probably think, “Why can’t they get more realistic-looking mannequinns?” Am I right, ladies?)

But dang it if I didn’t realize what a cute shoe collection they have! I was watching Wendy Williams (I know – why on Earth did I do that?) and she mentioned that her beyond fab-u-lous five inch pumps were by Colin Stuart. “Very affordable,” she added.

“Colin Stuart, hmmm?” I think to myself. “I’ve heard that name before. Let me see…”

So I Google. And I realize Colin Stuart is with Victoria’s Secret. Sweet! Look at some of my favorites:

Oooh!!! Four inchers are my favorites. And red? Peep toe? Platform? WHERE’S MY DEBIT CARD? These babies run for $69. Totally inappropriate for my day-to-day life, but I’d be happy if I could just stare at these lovelies in my closet every day.

I just started wearing wedges last summer and these babies are FIVE inchers. Oooh, wee! Can you just imagine the curve of your leg in this shoe? Super sexy. Only $65. Can’t beat it. Think I’d be able to wear these, chasing after my toddlers this summer?

Okay, so every pair of shoes I buy can’t be four inches or more. I need some flats. I love metallic sandals because they are great at adding a bit of “Pow!” to an outfit.  Heck, I bought a cute pair of gold Kenneth Cole thong sandals when I was pregnant with my son simply because I thought the gemstones on them would detract from my swollen ankles! These metallic flats would be perfect for me. For you, too, right?

Let me know where you’ve seen some cute shoes lately. We could all use a new pair, right?

I always talk about how “stuck” I am being a young mom with regard to friendships, but I’m stuck with the fashion too. Like, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO WEAR?

I’m 23 but I have babies. And a husband. And a mortgage. And childcare bills. I’m don’t have oodles of cash to throw at the nearest clothing store.

I don’t have disposable income. My income gets disposed paying bills.

I admit, I’m not a real frumpy mom. Since my last post about the childless chicks upstaging me, I’ve made the effort to do better.

I’ve traded in my dusty flats for cute brown wedges and jeweled sandals. I wear dresses or skirts most days of the week. My pretty metallic/shiny brown bag sometimes doubles as my diaper bag. I’ve even kept my toenails painted!

But I’m still slacking, y’all. When I get up in the morning to figure out what to wear to work, it’s like my closet is laughing at me. “Hahaha! You have no clothes!! You’re gonna go to work NAAAAAAAAAAKED!”

I have about three good outfits. You know the ones where you wear them and everyone in the office stops you: “Oh, you look so pretty today.” Emphasis on today, like every other day I strolled into work I looked like hell. Since I work in the office four days a week, this is a problem.

I even went out and bought some pretty jewel toned shirts and belts to spice things up, but there they sit, in my dresser drawer because I have no confidence to pull it off.

Part of my confidence issues stem from the fact that my body is radically different than it was three years ago. Weight has shifted in ways that I frown upon. (You hear that, Fat? I frown upon you!)

Every time I go to try on a new piece of clothing I stand in front of the mirror and run through the same questions starting from the top down:

How do my boobs look? Crap, do I need a new bra? Maybe if I had on the black bra, this would look better….

Then moving to the belly/hip area:

Oooh, man, I need to lose ten pounds. What IS this? Fat? Loose skin? Ugh. Maybe if I get a larger size, this would look better…..

It’s insanity, ladies! I talk myself out of buying things that are cute and funky and keep going for the ol’ reliable. Why would I want to spend $70 on jeans when a) I haven’t lost all the baby weight yet, b) I’ve got bills to pay and c) they will be covered with sticky fingerprints within minutes.

Tell me: does motherhood get in the way of fashion? How can I do better? How do you stay stylish?

Update: I just bought these shoes. They make me feel like Beyonce. In fact, I bought them, came home and did the Single Ladies dance in them. Oh, yes, I did.

Update again: I wore them to work yesterday and now my left knee is tore up. Like, I’m limping. Baby steps, I guess…

I love dresses. Just found out how cute and simple and feminine and just downright perfect dresses are for a lazy mom like myself who just wants to look cute without a whole lot of effort. Check out some of my faves this summer. Can you tell I’m on the whole natural/safari/bohemian kick?  

From left to right:

Old Navy striped dress, $15. Comes in a crapload of other colors too, in case you’re not quite so in love with the treehugger colors.

Victoria’s Secret cargo shirtdress, $79.  Been looking all over for a shirtdress like this one that doesn’t bunch at the hips or bust. Hope this one is foolproof.

Nine West Empire Waist Ring Strap dress, $134. I just like the print – cute without being too fussy. You are definitely allowed to disagree.

Victoria’s Secret printed dress, $59. I find myself gravitating toward this silhouette – fitted top, flowy bottom – I think because it emphasizes the girls while covering up the belly I’m not too proud of yet.

What say you? Are dresses a summertime staple for you? Where do you buy your summer clothes?

I was lucky in that when I was pregnant, I mostly gained weight in my boobs, belly and ankles. Nowhere else. But when I had the baby, the places where I gained weight became, well, saggy. (How do you have saggy ankles? I don’t really know, but it’s true. I feel like they’re saggy.)

Anyway.

So I’ve been struggled to fit this new body type – you know, a “mommy body.” Now, please don’t get mad and say that not everyone has a “mommy body” and if you work out the fat will melt away and you’ll look better than ever because that’s just bull. Straight up bull.

You CAN look better than ever, but it will take a hell of a lot of work to get there and quite frankly, I love me some Oreos. So there.

I think I’ve gotten a little bit better at picking the clothes to suit my new body. So I’ll share with you and you share your tips. See how this works? Okay, let’s begin….

There's nothing wrong with this sweater...except for the fact that it's butt ugly and they have the nerve to charge $40 for it.

So we cling to the last little bit of our young, hot, sexy days and try to fit clothes that simply weren’t made for us. But it IS possible to find cute clothes outside the juniors department. So go to your closet, take out all the clothes with odd sizes (dead giveaway for juniors clothes) and pack them in a box to give your young, childess cousin in high school, mkay?

2. Go up a size. Let me tell you a little secret. Come here, come close…no one knows what size you wear unless you tell them. Got it? So if you grab a size 6 off the rack and they don’t fit, guess what? Try on an 8! Why it took me so long to do this, I don’t know. But when you wear ill-fitting clothes, it doesn’t make you look better. This isn’t sexy:

3. Wrap it up. Can I tell you how much I ADORE clothing items that wrap around you? It’s the same principle as wearing a belt over your clothes, but BONUS – you don’t have to find a belt that goes with everything. It’s already built in! A dress like this….

…is goregous and see how it makes her waist look smaller in porportion to everything else? That’s the look I’m going for. Plus, in that print, it’s easy to hide a “I’d rather sleep than exercise” belly.

4. Accesorize any outfit. Even if you just throw on a t-shirt and jeans, dress it up. Put on some metallic flats or some big dangly earrings. Good shoes can always make up for a lack of cute in the rest of the outfit.

Ready to finish up the list? Go here for numbers 1-5.

6. A great pair of fitted jeans. I just crossed this one off my list this past weekend. Went shopping at Old Navy, saw a pair of jeans that looked like they might fit, slipped them on in the dressing room and hot damn! They fit! This is more miraculous than it sounds, folks. I’ve got an odd body type. Big boobs, big hips, no butt, thick thighs, thicker-than-I’d-like belly, skinny calves. And I’m under five feet tall. As a result, I usually stick with wide leg jeans in dark colors to make myself look taller/slimmer. But these “Sweetheart” jeans? Heaven without even trying.

7. A great bra. I just wrote about this one and you all could feel the pain on this. Finding a great, supportive bra is pretty much like trying to find a black person who DIDN’T vote for Obama. They’re out there, but few and far in between.

8. Sexy pajamas. I usually wear one of my Obama shirts to bed and some lounge pants. BOR-ing. And not hot. I’ve never been one of those chicks who can look sexy in her man’s clothes (I just look like a little girl playing dress-up in her daddy’s closet…).

9. A decent planner. I know most of these are fashion-related, but every young mommy has got to be aware of how she spends her days and nights. Gotta know what’s next so you can be ready. I just picked up a wonderful Franklin Covey planner that has been saving my tail lately.

10. One accessory that’s uniquely you. I like big earrings. That’s my thing. If I had the money, I’d buy up every hoop earring from here to Chicago. Love ‘em.  

So let me know: What’d I miss? What would you add to the list?

Here in Young Mommy Land, I’m all about budgets. I shop on Sundays after the weeklong sales have been announced and I never buy something if I think it might be marked down sometime in the near future.

But as I have embarked on my first job, I realize that this “if it costs less, all the better” approach isn’t cutting it for me anymore. Since I no longer have the “I’m a broke college student” excuse to fall back on, I have to actually look like I am a proud owner of a college diploma. (Damn.) I’m also just trying to look cuter on the weekends. I’m not talking heels and a wrap sweater at the grocery store but some sexy flats and a fitted tee wouldn’t kill me.

It’s not easy, especially because I’m working with a body that’s seen two kids in two years and nary a workout in between. But by stocking my wardrobe with affordable classic, quality pieces little by little (goodbye Wet Seal, hello Macy’s) I’ll be able to fake it til I make it!

Read on for the first installment of 10 items I think every fab young mom should have in her closet and add your own in the comments:

Oooh, one day, I'll have this on my arm. Just you wait...

 1) A Fabulous Tote: In preparation for my college graduation, my grandma took me shopping for a briefcase or a large purse to wear to work. We settled on a cute Liz Claiborne design but couldn’t decide between the black, red, or tan color. I bought the red one, if only to give my outfit some “pop” and make people take notice. Try this wine-colored Alfani “Hudson” tote:

2) Killer black pumps: I like to wear brown shoes, just a way to be different, but every gal should have a pair (or two or three) of shoes that just make you feel an increase in your swagger. Nine West is my go-to brand for now, if only because there’s no way I’m on the Charles David level just yet. These Nine West Mary Janes would be hot and are always in style. Nine West, $79.99

3) Classic black pant: Maybe it’s the journalist in me, but I love Express’ Editor Pant. It seems like one day I was minding my business, then the next day – boom! – I discovered that Express pants fit me perfectly. I’ve been a true believer ever since. These pants just scream, “Promotion!”

4) White button-down shirts that have one unique detail. There’s nothing I love more than a crisp white shirt. It’s just so damn sexy – on men and women. The only thing I hate about it is that lack of originality. Every other white shirt seems to look just like yours. So I began the search for white business shirts that kept that professional edge, but didn’t make me feel as if I was a clone. Lo and behold, I found some at Target, of all places. Check ‘em out and let me know what you think.

5) A Signature Fragrance: Okay, okay, you’ve got me on this one. I confess, I don’t actually have a signature fragrance yet. But I’m working on it. Right now, it’s between Chanel’s Allure or Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy. I’m leaning toward Chanel, although it definitely screams “I have two kids and a husband and a house in the burbs!” But I love when people find just the right perfume for themselves and you begin to associate that scent with the person. That’s one of the most powerful statements you can make.

Tune in tomorrow for part 2: Items 6-10.

So spill it: What’s on your list? What did I miss? What do you think will be #6-10?

Old Navy is having a spring sale, with maternity styles up to 40% off.  Sign up for e-mail updates and get $10 off your $50 order. If I was still pregnant, I’d go for this cute blue-tiered skirt to rock with a fitted white T-shirt and killer flats once the weather warms up. Sexy sexy!

where you find some of the cutest maternity clothes picks on the web each Monday

This week we’ve talking about the fourth trimester, that icky, sticky, achy, wonderful time when you’re recovering from childbirth, struggling with hormone changes, and adjusting to a new life in your world. Basically, you’re just a walking, talking pile of dynamite. Any little thing can set you off, and the last thing you need is a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, looking like you’re still pregnant.

Sigh.

So I’ve rounded up a few looks for you, styles that I’ve discovered won’t make you look like Heidi Klum, but it will make you look like you’ve lost most of the baby weight.

But first! Whatever you do – DO NOT SHOP IN THE JUNIORS SECTION! I don’t care if you bought all your clothes there before you had your baby. Do not enter. Don’t do it. If you do, you might just jump off the roof because you’re so discouraged that absolutely nothing fits. Juniors’ clothing is generally made for young chicks with no hips and lumps and bumps that motherhood creates.

1) The Chunky (But Streamlined) Sweater – Wrap this sucker around your belly and say bye-bye to the pooch!

2) The A-Line Anything – Shirts, skirts, dresses – it all works. This A-line top from Charlotte Russe is the perfect example. Look at all those ruffles. Plenty of camoflauge for the belly.

3) Bright colored loungewear – I bought tons of orange and hot pinks to wear around the house after I had my son. I found that I felt less like a slob and more like a stylish (although home-bound) mommy.

4) The Scarf (or any other distraction you can find, like a wonderful necklace or earrings).

 What did your fourth trimester wardrobe look like? Or were you one of the lucky ones who lost all the baby weight naturally and were able to slip into your regular jeans three weeks later? (If that’s you, just know that I hate you. That’s all.)

Somewhere between the shock of the first trimester and the plain ol’ crankiness of the last trimester, there’s a few days where you are actually happy to be pregnant (or was that just me?). You want something to make you feel special and pretty. And yes, you might be willing to drop a couple of dollars to do it.

Today we’re featuring some designs from the LaLaBaby Boutique.  They’re got some really cute T-shirts for moms to be – here are two of my faves:

1) All He Needs is Love, $39.95. Normally more than I suggest spending on a maternity shirt, but it’s just oh so true. All they need is love! 

2) Kick, $48. My kids better be some soccer players as much as they kicked me in the womb. From morning til night, my belly jiggled like Jell-O. My son started kicking around 14 weeks and made me intensely miserable until right before the C-section. I can totally relate to this shirt.

Christian Siriano, whose “fierce” fashions made him the winner of Project Runway’s season four, has announced that he will be taking the maternity world by storm, creating a line for hip mamas who don’t want to shelve their personal style for nine months. His line, Fierce for Moody Mamas, will debut in spring 2009. Check out this item in New York mag to see some of the sketches.

Folks are always searching for cute maternity clothes. Every day several people find my site after typing in phrases like “maternity clothes that won’t make me look old” or “pregnant woman desires cute clothes.” Now that I’m nearing the end of my second pregnancy, I’m looking forward to parting with my maternity clothes, but that doesn’t mean I won’t still have an eye out for cute maternity outfits for my readers. I enjoy finding cute maternity clothes to recommend. Anything to make pregnancy easier is all right with me!

First up is this oh-so-cute green floral top from Old Navy. I like Old Navy because its affordable and its everywhere, so if you buy a top online (’cause its hard to find a maternity clothes in the actual stores) you can easily return it the next time you’re at the mall. This shirt is only $16, leaving you plenty of cash in your pocket to buy….

This sexy black top from iMaternity. At only $15, you can’t beat the price. A simple yet sexy top that will help you feel and look your best even when you’re not quite feeling up to it.

I’m introducing a new feature this week – hot maternity picks. I found that my most popular post has been the one on maternity clothes. People are dying to find cute clothes that don’t make you look so matronly. I know it’s been a struggle for me so I’m happy to provide this service! Each week I’ll scour the web and the malls for cute clothes that will help young mommies keep their style!

This week, I’m picking a top from the tried-and-true Motherhood Maternity. I typically don’t like their stores only because it’s overwhelming! Too many choices! But this shirt is cute without making you age 10 years and at $15, it’s worth it.