Yaay Summer is here which means bare skin, dresses, shorts and bikinis.  Unfortunatly since I’m 39 weeks pregnant I won’t be baring too much, but for everyone else, it’s time to get in shape and get your skin looking fabulous.  A lot of products on the market promise you beautiful gorgeous skin but not all deliver.  I took the Dare To Bare Challenge with Nivea by replacing my usual moisturizers, ( I tend to rotate them) with the Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Lotion Q10 Plus.

A little back story, I have excema along with extremely sensitive skin. My daughter does as well so we only use products that don’t irritate or disrupt.  And even then sometimes I mess up and put something with too many added dyes and chemicals on me and break out in a horrible rash.  I was a little wary to use the Nivea lotion since it was something new, but I was really happy with my results. I applied it twice a day even to my problem areas for 2 weeks. After 3 or 4 days I noticed a drastic change in the moisture on my arms and legs. It’s not oily or greasy either. It blends well right into your trouble spots. I also get flaky dry patches on my arms as a result of my excema, and the Nivea really helped with hydration.

When you’re extremely pregnant, (which I am) your skin goes through so many stages. The good and the bad.  When I’m pregnant my issues are red blotchy spots on my arms and legs and of course the dryness. I noticed the Nivea Q10 even helped me with the red spots I’ve been getting on my legs which can be somewhat embarrassing when going out in public. For the first time since I was 12 weeks pregnant, I feel comfortable wearing a cute dress or even shorts! Many women “embrace” being pregnant and feel more beautiful, not me! I feel gross fat and irritable.  The Nivea gave me a bit of relief, I even rubbed it over my tummy and got no irritation whatsoever.  My husband even told me my skin felt so much softer and not as rough. I’m honestly surprised at how quickly the turnaround time is for Nivea Q10 Repair. It really repaired everything, and by the end of the 1st week, I was on my way to beautiful skin again!

Yep I’m 39 weeks and having a baby TOMORROW!  So glad I took the #DARETOBARE challenge from Nivea, this stuff is literally like silk on your skin. Preggo or not, your skin will love it. Each week in May, Nivea is picking two fans who tweet #DARETOBARE hash tag to receive free product. How cool is that?

And what’s better? One lucky winner is going to win $150 Shop Bop Gift card to purchase something they can bare their skin in!  Winner will also win a bottle of Nivea Skin Firming Q10 Lotion. What a prize right?  Good luck all! And don’t forget #DARETOBARE all through May with Nivea. Open to the US only ends 6/10/2013.

First I want to say Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mothers out there! You’re probably wondering where I’ve been this last month,  so let me tell you real quick about my little daughter Mila. She has been in the hospital for the last month and a half with sepsis. Somehow a strep throat infection got into her blood and she almost died. I’m also 37 weeks pregnant so needless to say this last month has been rough.

So enough about my story, today is Mother’s Day and although it’s late late is better then never so today we are going to do a Novica Giveaway! woo hoo! to celebrate one of my favorite holidays and to tell you about an amazing company.  This is my 2nd Mother’s Day being a mom and it’s been an amazing experience, and I hold it close to my heart. Often I know it’s hard to find a gift for that special mom in your life, so I’m here to help you out.

Novica carries a huge selection of hundreds probably thousands of items from all around the world.  From jewelry to handbags, Novica has anything you’re looking for from tons of different countries.

“NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. We work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. We have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts, accessories, jewelry and home decor items on our website.”

Although Mother’s Day is almost over, I know some of you are late gift givers so if you’re looking for Mother’s Day Necklaces,  Mother’s Day Earrings or Mother’s Day Handbags, Novica is for you.  Here’s a quick peek of some of my  favs:

Gorgeous Cinnamon Beaded Feast

Easter is here!  Treat Street offers adorable jelly bean bunny rabbits, and I was excited to include this in Mila’s Easter basket.  These adorable little rabbits are available for $4.49 at these retailers.

The Easter Bunny is an iconic symbol of spring – the season of rebirth and renewal. And Funny Bunny® from Treat Street® is the light-hearted and humorous twist on this classic image. The spring-activated wind-up Funny Bunny has pooped its way into the hearts and hands of candy lovers young and old – selling more than five million bunnies since first being introduced in 2006.

Here’s a peek at Mila’s Easter Basket: Happy Easter!

I See Me! is my absolute favorite book company for my little Mila for several different reasons. The first reason is that I See Me! books are personalized for your loved one, and not just the title or first page, but almost every page contains something personalized, which makes the book such a keepsake.  Mila has her 1st bday book from I See Me! and we read it at least once a week. She loves that the book contains her name, so she really pays attention each time we read it.

Isn’t it adorable? Mila’s Snuggle Bunny comes with the softest little bunny rabbit you could imagine, along with the Easter book making the perfect Easter gift for any little girl. Here’s a sneek peek at Mila’s Easter basket I already started. Right now with coupon code HOP you can get $5 off any book purchase as long as the minimum is $19.95 Purchase the easter book along with the soft fluffy bunny here for $44.95

I See Me! also carries book for other holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. and even fun coloring books! I can’t wait for the next holiday to see what I See Me!  personalized children’s books comes up with next. I plan on collection the books so that Mila will always have something to remember Mommy by!

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How your baby’s growing:

Your baby’s growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he’s almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he’ll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Visiting my friend’s beautiful new baby at the hospital, what can I say? everyone is baby crazy!

Most exciting part? I’m still in a size zero jean! I’ve gained almost 10 pounds but I’m all belly which I can’t believe since  my major cravings are cheeseburgers, french fries and tuna fish!

Here are the changes found: Per baby center!

• Thicker, more lustrous hair You’re not actually growing more hair, just losing less than normal. During pregnancy, your body sheds hair much more slowly than it did before. What to do: If thicker hair is a boon for you, enjoy it. If it’s making your mane more unruly than ever, ask your stylist to do some thinning at your next cut. These changes won’t last forever. After your baby’s born, you’ll start to lose this excess hair, sometimes in clumps.
• Increased body hair Sex hormones known as androgens can cause new hair to sprout on your chin, upper lip, jaw, and cheeks. Stray hairs can also pop up on your belly, arms, legs, and back. What to do: Tweezing, waxing, and shaving are all safe ways to manage these temporary changes.
• Faster-growing fingernails Your fingernails may grow more quickly than usual, and you may notice changes in texture. Some women’s nails get harder, while others’ get softer or more brittle. What to do: Protect your nails by wearing rubber gloves when you’re cleaning, and using moisturizer on them if they’re brittle.
• Skin changes Some pregnant women report that their skin has never looked better. If that’s you, enjoy the proverbial “glow.” Others find the hormones of pregnancy aggravate skin conditions such as acne. What to do: Wash twice a day with a gentle soap or cleanser, and make sure that any moisturizer or makeup you use is oil-free.
• Stretch marks As your belly expands to accommodate your growing baby, you may get tiny tears in the supportive tissue that lies just beneath your skin, resulting in striations of varying color. These marks will begin to fade and become considerably less noticeable about six to 12 months after you give birth. There’s not much you can do besides trying not to gain more than the recommended amount of weight. Heredity is responsible for the natural elasticity of your skin and plays a role in determining who will end up with stretch marks.
• Skin discolorations Increased melanin can cause splotchy patches of darkened skin on your face. These pigment changes may become intensified if you spend time in the sun. What to do: Protect your face by using a sunblock that offers both UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing a hat with a brim, and avoiding the sun during peak hours of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
• Larger and darker nipples and areolas You may find that your nipples and the pigmented area around them (the areolas) are getting bigger and darker. The little bumps on your areolas, known as Montgomery’s tubercles, may also be more pronounced. These bumps are oil-producing glands that help fight off bacteria and lubricate the skin. Some women also notice more pronounced veins in their breasts. What to do: Nothing!
• Larger feet Your feet may go up half a shoe size or more. Lax ligaments may make your feet spread a bit — permanently. Swelling can make your shoes feel tight as well, although it will go away after delivery.

eShakti is an online clothing company that believes all women should be able to wear affordable fashion, (which I also agree with) I’ve bought several tops from their shop, mostly because of their unique look. The products they sell you won’t find in  your local retail shop.

• Built-in customization tools guide women through their simple 3-step design and fit page where they can increase the size of a bust, shorten the length of a skirt and modify sleeves or a neckline!
• By keeping up with technology as it is advancing, they are able to provide customization at a modest cost and offer it to all women.
• They do not stock any sizes. Since each style–whether standard sized, custom styled or custom sized–is cut to order, they do not have to warehouse our merchandise. Therefore, every style requires a height measurement–whether customizing or not. This ensures a “truer” fit.

Here are some of my favorites from their new collection:

Maritime Tee

Swan Duck Blouse

Chevron Knit

Being pregnant, my options were limited for what I could wear, but I thought the Military Style Knit Cardigan would suit me well since I’m currently 5 months along.  It was a bit snug, but was still fitting ( I did get a XS so I could wear it next year as well) It sells for $89.95 on their website and my pictures just don’t do it justice, because the knitting and embelishments are perfectly sewn together. I love that it came with extra buttons too in case one pops off.

Yes you can see my baby bump but isn’t it a cute cardigan?

Details of the top:

Soft sweater knit fashions our open-front cardigan that offers plenty of military-inspired styling details.

• No closure.
• Draped front with domed metal buttons.
• Shoulder epaulets.
• Three-quarter length sleeves, button-tab cuffs.
• Front patch pockets.
• Back sash waist.
• High-low hem, below hip length at back.
• Polyester/wool, sweater knit, light stretch, midweight.
• Dry clean.

Top is available at eShakti.com Also find them on Facebook & Twitter.

Disclosure: A press sample was sent to me for consideration from PR for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

I’m 18 weeks pregnant and still going strong.. Like I mentioned in my previous post I’m extremely sick and I’ve only gained 3 pounds so far because of my horrible nausea. I can’t keep much down. Here’s what’s going on at 18 weeks:  (Taken from what to expect)

Your Baby in Week of 18 of Pregnancy

Your pregnancy back pain may have you tied up in knots (see below), but your baby’s getting ready to bust a move. At five and a half inches long and five ounces in weight, he now may be large enough for you to feel him twisting, rolling, kicking, and punching his way around the womb. Plus, he’s developing yawning and hiccupping skills (you may feel those soon, too!) and his own unique set of toe and fingerprints.

Learn more about your baby in week 18 and the fetal nervous system.

Your Body in Week 18 of Pregnancy

Oh, my aching back! If you’ve uttered those words more than once this week, here’s why: Your uterus, now about the size of a cantaloupe, is causing your body’s center of gravity to shift, pulling the lower back forward and pushing the abdomen out (so now everyone can see that you’re pregnant!). On top of all that, joint-loosening pregnancy hormones are wreaking havoc on your muscles and ligaments, adding up to one big ouch!

Learn more about your body in week 18 and your shifting posture.

Week 18 Pregnancy Tip: Heartburn

Forget the chili burrito with extra jalapeños — sometimes even a bite of toast will set your gut on fire these days. That’s the heartbreak of heartburn — an all-too-common symptom that can persist throughout your pregnancy. An ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of Tums (though you might want to keep the pound of Tums handy too — especially because they’ll banish the burn while boosting your calcium intake). For starters, eat slowly and chew thoroughly (no eating lunch on the run or gobbling your dinner standing up), eat smaller meals and snacks rather than five-alarm gut bombs, sit upright for a few hours after eating (or as long as you can last without collapsing into bed), and sleep with your head elevated (it helps with the snoring anyway). And do skip anything on the menu with a picture of a flame next to it!

Learn more about eating well in the second trimester.

Week 18 Pregnancy Symptoms

Fetal movement: If you’ve noticed an unusual rumbling in your tummy these days, you may be starting to feel your baby’s movements in the womb! But don’t worry if you haven’t felt anything out of the ordinary — it may take a few more weeks for you to pinpoint those first kicks.

Flatulence: Finding it hard to contain the gas bubbles? Try to relax — tension can cause you to swallow air and add to the problem.

Varicose veins: If the varicose veins in your legs are starting to itch or ache, consider wearing support hose, which applies pressure to the legs and give blood a little upward push toward your heart. Put them on before you get out of bed in the morning to prevent the blood from pooling.

Leg cramps: As if it weren’t enough that your precious sleep is interrupted by trips to the bathroom to pee, now you may find yourself suddenly woken up during the night by shooting spasms in your calves. Experts aren’t entirely sure what causes them, but you can help fend them off by doing calf stretches before hitting the sack.

Bleeding gums: Those pesky pregnancy hormones cause mucous membranes in your body (including those in your mouth) to swell, which can mean inflamed, irritated, and bleeding gums. Continue to floss and brush regularly, but try not to be too aggressive in your technique since this can further aggravate sensitive gums.

Stretch marks: If the appearance of a new stretch mark has got you feeling down, here’s an activity that may cheer you up — get your partner to rub moisturizing lotion over your belly. And maybe even get him to give you a massage while he’s at it!

Mild swelling of ankles and feet: As your body tissues accumulate fluid (your pregnant body requires extra fluid to support you and your baby), you may notice swelling in your ankles and feet (fluid tends to pool there thanks to the law of gravity). Reduce water retention in your feet by avoiding standing or sitting for long periods — and try to keep your legs elevated when you can.

Skin, hair, and nail changes: While you may have been hoping for a pregnancy “glow,” you may have gotten eczema, redness, or acne instead. These skin conditions are perfectly normal during pregnancy (blame those hormones again), but if you choose to see a dermatologist, be sure to mention that you’re expecting. Some skin medications like Accutane and Retin-A are not safe during pregnancy.