Bumped in Brooklyn

Optimism

2012-01-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

It should never be underestimated how much we can learn from our children. Today I was reminded how wonderful optimism is.

I was about to leave the house with my 3 year old daughter and we were putting on rain boots, warm coats and hats. It was cold, wet and very gloomy. She then went to get her sunglasses.

"Marigold, it's raining." I said politely.

"But Mumma, the sun might come out." She replied.

I loved her optimism.

"Yes Marigold, you're right. It just might come out."

So we both left the house with our sunglasses, just in case. And you know, I swear I saw the tiniest bit of blue sky.

Bump

3

2011-12-15T13:40:00.000-08:00

Day 1

After my son was born I was in a hurry for him to get older and bigger. I was under the misapprehension that when he got older things would get easier. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but there is a good chance that I wanted to put as much distance as possible between me, his birth and what I perceived as my birthing and breast feeding failures.

With my daughter I knew that her infancy would be fleeting and that older certainly wouldn't mean easier. Every stage and every day has it's own challenges and it's own joys. Marigold and I didn't have the opportunity to lie in each others arms all day or welcome visitors anxious to meet the new arrival. There were school trips to make, dinners to cook, no generous maternity leave salary and there was a deep financial recession to contend with that managed to cast a shadow over everything.

But Marigold's happiness for life and unfailing optimism is what on many days kept us going. Her spirit is so effervescent, her smiles so infectious and her hugs so frequent that it's impossible to feel sad around her.

One day recently when I was feeling that my role within our family had become overly domesticated, my husband asked Marigold and Auden what they thought mum was good at. I was praying it wasn't going to be 'putting our clothes away' or 'making macaroni & cheese.' So when Marigold answered quite matter-of-factly, "snuggling" I could hardly stop smiling.

So on the eve of my Daughters 3rd birthday and feeling very nostalgic I am learning not to fast forward or rewind just enjoy each moment for what it is - precious.

Happy 3rd birthday Marigold. I will love you forever xo

Snow Angels

2011-12-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

This is my obsession at Bump at the moment:

Lukka Cape

And I'm torn over it. As a business owner I really want to sell it but as I woman obsessed I want to keep one for myself. The reason I'm obsessed with it is because of one of my favorite movies of all time, "Help". There is a scene in "Help" when they ski down a mountain and make snow angels while singing "Ticket to Ride." I love that scene and I love that movie. I will never have more love and affection for any other band ever than the Beatles. They remind me of my mum and lets face it, they will always be the best band in the world EVER.

Ticket to Ride

So if you have to buy a winter coat from Bump this season, please just don't buy the last one. Thanks!

Fashion - a dirty word?

2011-11-30T09:38:00.000-08:00

Personally I love fashion. I've always been drawn to it. It makes me feel good, especially when I'm feeling bad.

When I first moved to New York in 1998, I was having a particularly bad day. The company I had moved to America to work for was closing it's doors after I'd only been there for eight months, my room mates were pretty unpleasant people and my boyfriend dumped me. I wanted to cry and curl up into a little ball and return to Scotland with my tail between my legs but I decided to put on my favorite dress, spend a little extra time on my hair and make-up and walked out my front door with my head held high.

Clothes, with help from some lip gloss, enabled me to take back control when so much else was spiraling out of control. The effect might have been temporary, but it helped me put a spring back in my step.

I'm still in New York, the ex-boyfriend was just one of life's necessary diversions, I'm happily married with two sensation children, and funnily enough I've found personal and professional contentedness in the fashion industry. Do I owe it all to fashion? Absolutely not, but my wardrobe has helped me get through times when I felt like happiness was out of my reach.

Unfortunately the 'who' and 'what' you're wearing so often becomes more important than they 'why'. I don't know anyone who hasn't at some point felt unwelcome in a clothing store. Fashion is not necessarily inviting, which is why it often has so many bad connotations. Who doesn't love that scene in Pretty Woman when she walks back into the Rodeo Drive salon and gives her "big mistake" speech. If that ever happens about Bump we're doing our job wrong - very wrong. But fashion isn't a bad thing, it can be an expression of who you are, what you are feeling and it can make you feel good.

We all have those items in our wardrobes that make us feel great when we put them on. It might be a perfectly worn in pair of jeans, a dress that simply never goes out of style, a classic white shirt that fits just right, an almost thread bare t-shirt that hangs just beautifully or a jacket that was worn by your grandmother AND mother. It doesn't matter where you got it but rather than what you get out of it.

So pregnant or not forget the fashion hierarchy snobs, never spend money in a clothing store that doesn't make you feel welcome and enjoy the clothes that make you feel good.

Bump

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes...

2011-08-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

I love accessories, I really do. I have them scattered all over our house. I have an assortment of hats on shelves, scarves draped here, there and everywhere. I have earrings beside our bed, brooches on top of cupboards, head bands and hair pins under the sink, cuffs and bangles on shelves, rings in various little pots, bags hanging on door knobs, belts in drawers, and necklaces on mantle pieces. Don't even get me started on my shoes. At this point our house has been accessorized with my accessories - much to my husband's dismay.

What I love about accessories is that they can change an outfit completely, with relative ease and without having to make a huge investment. They can take a look from day to night, or from work to weekend. A splash of color can elevate a simple look and some well place jewelry can make something casual instantly classy. Most accessories are also timeless and don't fall victim to becoming obsolete overnight. They are also perfect for pregnancy. When so many of your other favorite pieces of clothing are forced into hibernation for 9 months or more, the familiarity of well loved and worn accessories can make you feel like yourself when so much is changing.

I am also incredibly sentimental so I love that so many of my accessories are heirlooms handed down from generation to generation. I have a beautiful Bakelite brooch shaped like a fox from a beloved aunt, a feather adorned hat from my grandmother-in-law, a gorgeous silk square from my great grandmother whom I never even met, strings of beautiful chunky beads from my grandmother and a wonderful pair of very 70's earrings from my mum. What is interesting about the earrings that had belonged to my mum was that they were clip on. When I was a teenager, thrilled with the new holes in my ears, I had the earrings changed for pierced ears. Who, after all, wore clips! But now I think that maybe my mum knew something that I didn't - the vice like grip of a baby!

So for about 6-12 months when both of my children were old enough to reach, grab, chew, pull mercilessly and drool over, I was forced to give up even my accessories. I feared for my earlobes and the future of my necklaces.

Then something miraculous - a baby proof accessory that is fun, functional, stylish and well priced - Chewbeads. They have been a revelation. Made from 100% silicone they are safe and designed for babies to chew on. Now there are of course many things that are designed to find safe refuge in a child's mouth but how many of them are actually designed to look great while you wear them? Very few. They are also so well priced starting at $12 of the Cornelia Bracelet, to $30 for the Jane Necklace with a top price of $36.50 for the Hudson Necklace it is hard to go wrong.

So if you are pregnant, nursing, entertaining a young child or just love a good accessory I think you'll find that Chewbeads fit the bill nicely.

Bump Brooklyn

Nursing Woes

2011-04-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

Bella Maternal Adjustable Bra

Without doubt breast feeding your baby is one of those incredible experiences in your life that can forever change you.

Our bodies are miraculous, they really are. Not only are they able to give life, they are able to sustain new life with the most absolutely perfect nutrition a baby could need - breast milk. While sharing this milk with our babies we get to experience a bonding that is absolutely profound.

It never crossed my mind that I would do anything other than breast feed my children. I had after-all grown up surrounded by lactating mammals on a dairy farm and had a mother who was an adamant and sometimes defiant breast feeder during the 70's when nursing in public wasn't considered appropriate.

I didn't expect that something so incredibly natural wouldn't come naturally to me or my son. We tried very hard. At the hospital, rather than the skin to skin contact I longed for with my baby, I was quite literally strapped to an industrial pump to get milk that was then finger fed to him. (If you don't know what finger feeding is, I hope you never have to go through it. If you have gone through finger feeding, we might want to start a support group for survivors of it!)

When we were discharged from the hospital I left armed with a list of lactation consultants. I made an appointment with the first one who answered the phone. She arrived in a whirlwind of glamor and efficiency when what I really needed though was nurturing and support. If this had happened in my pre-parent life I would have confidently told the woman she wasn't a good match and found someone else. But in my new life as an amateur and vulnerable new mother I was quietly submissive. I tried for another few days to get my son to latch on but in the end I simply couldn't take him arching his back and screaming every time he got near my engorged breasts so I gave up. I continued to pump, my son continued to grow, and life moved on.

To be perfectly honest though it wasn't something I will ever be able to fully move on from. Not being able to breast feed my son was, and still is, one of my biggest regrets. It is something I still haven't 'forgiven' myself for. I know I did the best I could in a difficult situation, but I wish we could have had a different outcome.

When I was pregnant for the second time I did everything I could to avoid it from happening again. I read the breast feeding sections in all my old baby books. The one that resonated the most was from "The New Basics" by Michel Cohen M.D. (I should add that I often find this book frustratingly blasé especially as an anxious new parent, however it is also often completely spot on). Dr. Cohen suggests that rather than hiring a lactation consultant you spend time with a close family member or friend who has nursing experience.

I think there is a lot of value in that advice, but there are a lot of women like me who aren't fortunately enough to have that person, so did some research (thank you once again A Child Grows in Brooklyn) and contacted the wonderful lactation consultant Katherine Lilleskov prior to delivering.

The first thing she recommended was that I read "The Nursing Mother's Companion" by Kathleen Huggins. Then, in a wonderfully kind moment, she told not to worry so much about it because every baby is different as is our experience with them. She was right. After my daughter was born she came out ready to suck. She latched on immediately and moments after giving birth she lay on my skin and nursed.

I would never go as far as to say it was easy. Even with a child who breast fed instinctively, there was cracked nipples, duct infections and production issues to deal with, but I was able to finally have a mothering experience I have learned never to take for granted.

So pep talk aside, the one thing I will say that is good about bottle feeding your baby, as long as you can tolerate the judgmental looks of some when you pull our a bottle rather than your boobs, is that you can avoid nursing clothes. In my opinion it is much easier to dress around a pregnant body than it is a nursing body. However since opened Bump almost 4 years ago there have been enormous improvements in nursing fashion. I have often loved maternity pieces so much that I've happily worn them while not pregnant, and now for the first time we have nursing pieces that I would happily wear not nursing.

Split Shoulder Dre

We recently added a beautiful collection at Bump by Australian designer Stephanie Schell. Very few designers have been able to fuse fashion, comfort and nursing access together so seamlessly. I read once that Donna Karan said the only part of a woman's body that didn't gain weight is her shoulders, so I particularly appreciate this detail in the dress. Nursing access for all of her pieces is through an invisible zipper under the arm.

Dote Harlow Dress

How to create nursing access in a body flattering shape is definitely a design challenge. Until recently a lot of styles went for horizontal access. Personally I think that it isn't always the best approach. What I love about the nursing line Dote is that they have incorporated vertical nursing access which flows much more coherently with the drape of the fabric. It also allows for items to be made from fabrics that are softer and more flattering.

I am really excited to see how nursing designs continue to improve. Our tag line for Bump is give up wine, coffee, sushi - not fashion. Now the goal is to find fashion when wine, coffee and sushi have once again been reintroduced.

Bump

Five

2011-02-04T09:56:00.000-08:00


2


5

I will never forget coming home from St. Vincents Hospital on February 6th, 2006. I was incredibly sore from an unexpected c-section, exhausted from our 4 story walk-up, my boobs were painfully engorged, I was having no luck breast feeding, and I realized they had just allowed us to bring this tiny 5 lb 8oz child home with us and I had absolutely no idea how to take care of him.

I was more scared and overwhelmed than I had ever been in my life before. At that moment one of my dearest friends Olivia called. She cheerfully and enthusiastically said, "Isn't this the best thing in the world ever." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. As the mother of an amazing daughter she was talking from experience. I paused, took a deep breath then sobbed, "No!"

Olivia was of course right. Motherhood is without a doubt the best and most important thing I will ever do in the world. It is also the most draining, challenging and exhausting thing I've ever done. Would I have it any other way? Absolutely not.

Thank you Auden for the most amazing 5 years of my life - the first 5 years of yours. I will love you until the end of time.

Bump Brooklyn

Don't get left out in the cold.

2011-01-21T13:36:00.000-08:00

Personally I hate the winter. It almost makes me dislike the joys of fall because I know it means winter is right behind it. Sometimes I even resent spring because it never gets here quick enough. Yes I know that summer brings mosquitoes, sunburn, upper lip perspiration, swamp crotch and fuzzy hair, but I will always prefer being warm to cold. I hate being cold. We're in the depths of January and my 5 day weather forecast isn't giving me much cause for optimism. I have been forced to give up my imaginary spring wardrobe planning for the immediate necessity of warm and water proof footwear. As much as I love Brooklyn, I am always almost seduced by living in different hemisphere this time of year.

The origins of this avid seasonal dislike might come from my Scottish childhood. We lived in a beautiful old farm house without upstairs heating or modern windows. It was not unusual to see your breath in the morning when you woke up. Actually there was one radiator. You would find my sisters, brother and I huddled around it every morning getting dressed. We would very carefully divide up the radiator into equal sized sections, place our clothes on top to take the chill off and quickly get dressed. I probably do my childhood a huge disservice telling that story. It makes it sound like I had a frigid and bleak childhood - it was nothing of the sort. It was an unbelievably rich, happy, almost idyllic one, but it was certainly cold.

Putting on a brave face with my daughter.

I was my own worst enemy though. Mini skirts and skimpy blouses didn't really cut it. It took moving to New York in my 20's to teach me how warm weather dressing is done. New York women just know how to do it every season, every year.

So how do you do it when you are pregnant? There are some perks to being pregnant in the winter - your body normally runs much warmer with all the extra blood flowing around you body. The winter of 2006 and 2008 were definitely the warmest I've ever spent that is for sure.

There is sadly a distinct lack of good down coats out there that will accommodate a bump or a baby, but here are some current options that we love.

Menonove Puff Coat

Harvest Open Cardigan by Line


Ian Cardigan by Line

Even if Kennedy and subsequent male politicians have found hats a challenge to their masculinity, if masculinity isn't something that concerns you, be grateful that a hat is just another wonderful self expression opportunity, and a warm one! I was told once that you loose up to 50% of your heat from your head. It is not a statistic I have any way of proving, but I do know hats have improved my winter comfort enormously. They also almost always make me feel happier because they can be glorious, absolutely glorious.

My friend Lisa Battaglia is an amazing milliner. Her hats shouldn't be worn if you are feeling particularly shy because you will be inundated with compliments if you wear one of her creations. Her incredible collection has actually made me almost look forward to feeling a chill in the air.

"Swinger" by Lisa Battaglia

"Brooklyn" by Lisa Battaglia

Fashion serves as a pick-me-up in my life. If you are like me it might be time to invest in something that raises your spirits while you wait - patiently - for the temperatures to go up.

The Argument for Maternity Clothes

2011-01-20T15:13:00.000-08:00

It will come as no surprise that as one of the owners of a maternity boutique I would write a blog post touting the benefits of maternity clothes. In my defense though if I didn't believe in the value of maternity clothes, I would never have set out to make a living selling them - it would be like a vegan opening up a steak house. I will endeavor not to make this post a shameless plug for Bump, but the reality is it will probably be about as 'fair and balanced' as Fox News.

I wasn't fortunate enough to have Bump during my first pregnancy, over 5 years ago. I made a lot of mistakes, many of which definitely influenced my decision to open Bump. Like a lot of other women who fought buying maternity clothes I found myself 8 1/2 months pregnant and utterly miserable because nothing fit, I had completely lost my identity in how I dressed, and everything made me feel uncomfortable.

So based on my experience as woman with 2 pregnancies under (and over) her belt and 3 years as the co-proprietress of a maternity boutique, here is my argument for maternity clothes.

"Nothing fits any more. Maybe I should just buy clothes that are a couple of sizes bigger than I normally wear."

Yes you could buy clothes that are a couple of sizes too big or to even start shopping in the men's department (really, please don't) but there are a couple of problems with this solution. First of all, the waist is probably the only place they will fit. Secondly you aren't saving money. If you are going to buy something new, at least buy something that will fit your entire body and flatter your shape.

"Why spend money when it is just for 9 months?"

Most of us have an official or unofficial seasonal budget for new clothes. New seasons roll around and whether it's through wear and tear, new trends, or the simple pleasure of retail therapy, we add in a new pair of jeans, a summer dress, a winter coat, a great little cardigan or a cute new accessory. It is rare that any of us will let 6 months pass without buying anything new. So treat your pregnancy like a new season and allocate yourself the same budget you would to any other season.

Secondly the reality is, it's not just 9 months. It would be nice to go straight back to our former bodies and favorite old pieces of clothing after we give birth but isn't normal or natural. While our bodies are adjusting enlarged boobs and readjusting to no longer housing our babies we need clothing that is kind to our bodies.

"I'll just find something cheap/on-sale/consignment that will do, after-all it is only 9 months*."

This was my initial reaction 5 years ago so I went out and bought a pair of black maternity from the pants from The Gap on sale. I forgot years of standing in fitting rooms trying on pair upon pair of Gap jeans and pants only to finally accept that their pants just don't fit me very well. But they were $40 so I would make them work. But they didn't work, I didn't return them and wore them once. $40 for 1 day - not a good equation. Now if I had just bought the pair of amazing jeans I wanted for $180 I would have worn them at least 40 times at much better rate of $4.50 at a day.

Of course if you can find items you love cheap/on-sale/consignment then cha-ching! But really, don't sell yourself short on something that "will do" when you can find something that you'll love and works for your sense of style and body shape.

*See above.

"I have lots of things in my wardrobe that work already."

This one is actually not something I would disagree with. With the addition of a bella band and a muffin top stopper for your pants & skirts, a lot of your pre-pregnancy wardrobe will grow with you happily throughout your pregnancy and prevent you from having to re-invent your wardrobe.

It might sound incredibly superficial, but I really do believe in the power of fashion. It's a way of expressing ourselves. It shouldn't be all that defines us, but it is one piece of a unique and varied puzzle that we create for ourselves. When you are pregnant you should absolutely not abandon that, and you certainly don't have to. Pregnancy and parenthood is such a pivotal time in our lives that it's good to feel grounded in anyway we can. Clothes are part of that grounding. So even when you are giving up wine, caffeinated coffee, sushi, unpasteurized cheese, hot dogs (not necessarily a huge sacrifice unless you go to Bark) and 8 hours of sleep, you don't have to give up fashion...or comfort.

www.bumpbrooklyn.com

Resolving not to make any resolutions.

2010-12-31T05:36:00.000-08:00

As 2010 draws to an end, I am resolving not to make any resolutions. I have spent too many years setting myself up to fail before the first 24 hours of the new year have even begun.

I will not pay for a gym membership I will almost certainly never have the time to use. I will not buy a journal that will remained unopened. I will not cancel my cable subscription. I will continue to spend too much time on Facebook, and I will not step on a set of scales unless a doctor asks me to. (I would however appreciate it if my daughter would resolve to sleep through the night - I'm pretty tired).

What I will be doing is reflecting on the year that has just past. I will marvel at the twinkle in my son's gorgeous brown eyes, his inquisitive spirit and eagerness to learn. I will reflect on my daughter's first steps, her rapidly expanding vocabulary and joyful exuberance. I will smile at the memory of all the hugs, kisses and hands held.

I will also be grateful for one more year of Bump. Often when people find out that I am a small business owner they ask me tentatively, "how is it going?" It is not news to anyone that the past 2 years have been hard on everyone. It has effected us all. We've all eaten more meals at home, we've returned to the art of family camping vacations, taken the subway more and cabs less, reconsidered the necessity of certain skin or hair care products, brought lunch to work in a brown bag rather than ordering in, and I'm certain that we have all felt a little more grateful for what we have.

We have all also got a little more creative with our wardrobe. We have combed sales racks and sample sales, repaired and resoled, rediscovered items long forgotten in storage, accessorized with passion, and we have all considered each purchase much more carefully before we make it.

We never expected 2010 to be a huge year for Bump. We expected our customers to delve through the wardrobes of recently pregnant friends and family. We also expected our customers to stretch their previous wardrobes as far as possible. So we have been even more grateful than ever for every customer who has walked through our doors. We know there are maternity alternatives, some less expensive and more convenient, so that people have chosen to come to Bump makes us feel very fortunate.

Our business is not only a small one, but it is a family business and a business that is very personal to us. We bump (forgive the pun) into our customers on the subway, on the street, in the play ground, in restaurants and at our children's schools. We feel unbelievably privileged to be part of an incredible, life changing journey. We have got to know our customers children, partners, mothers, fathers, grandparents and friends. We have given tissues for tears, pads for leaking boobs, a bathroom for bladders under pressure, curtains for a game of peek-a-boo, a comfortable chair for nursing, and space for diaper changes.

We love what we do and are so happy that we can continue doing it. So wether you make resolutions or not, we wish everyone all the love, kisses and hugs 2011 can muster up, and thank you for your support, friendship and exceptional company.

Bump

The Sex Shop Next Door

2010-09-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Before last weekends incredibly successful Bergen Street Lot Party (from which I am still exhausted), the most action we normally see on Bergen Street comes courtesy of our illustrious neighbors at Babeland. I came to work recently and was excited to see what appeared to be a line of women waiting to get into Bump. On closer inspection I realized that they were waiting to get into Babeland who was having their annual vibrator sale. My hopes were dashed.

When Babeland first opened just over 2 years ago there was a media frenzy. We had to alternate who was going to be interviewed when yet another TV crew came to Bump to ask us what we thought. I for one was surprised that it was such big news that women wanted to have orgasms.

I first met Claire, one of the owners of Babeland, at a mummy & baby yoga class in 2006. Our sons are about the same age. We exchanged homemade pureed baby food and tales of the trials of motherhood. I liked and admired her instantly, especially when I discovered what she did and what an incredible female pioneer she was. She was one of the women who inspired me to pursue my Bump dream.

I would bump into Claire on and off for the next 2 years when our sons were having haircuts at Lulu's, at the Botanic Gardens, and then one day fortuitously on the sidewalk when she mentioned that she was looking for a location for a Brooklyn store. I immediately suggested she talked to our landlord who had been incredibly supportive of our business when we first opened.

The rest I suppose is history. I feel enormously fortunate to have Babeland as my neighbor. There are often times when we accept delivery for a package for Babeland and we're more than a little tempted to keep it and deny all knowledge of receiving it. I often pop in there, for professional reasons only, and am happy to report that I am cured completely of my blushing thanks to the wonderful women who work there.

We are really happy to be hosting a wonderful workshop with Babeland this Saturday, September 18th from 10-11am. The workshop is about Sex During Pregnancy and it's completely free. Their sex educators will lead a discussion about tips and techniques for how to enjoy your sexuality during pregnancy. They'll cover ways to communicate with your partner about your changing desires, positions that accommodate your changing body, and toys that can help create even more intimacy and pleasure. Everyone who attends will receive a 10% at Babeland & Bump following the workshop. Need further incentive? Well we'll be serving Blue Sky Bakery mini muffins!

If you can't make the workshop I highly recommend checking out their great site Moms in Babeland.

Bump Brooklyn

The Bergen Lot Party

2010-09-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Bergen Street

Throughout our lives we are trained to listen to our instincts when it comes to finding "the one." When I met my husband I knew that he was "the one". When we first walked into our home we knew it was "the one". When I was trying on wedding dresses I knew straight away when it was "the one." So when we were looking for locations for our business and we chanced upon 464 Bergen Street we knew that it was "the one" too.

When we first opened up the street was a little bare. There were a handful of businesses but it certainly didn't thrive with the kind of energy it has today. Our wonderful block now has the most amazing array of wonderful businesses and we couldn't be luckier to have the kind of business community we do. Where else in Brooklyn can you find hardware, sex toys, maternity clothing, vintage couture, men’s apparel, bikes, snowboards, fine dining, yoga and athletic wear, comics, and vegan food, all on one block?

Last year we all worked together to have a collective Stoop Sale. This year we wanted to do something bigger and better - The Bergen Lot Party.

If you're free on September 10th or 11th, please come by our block - you wont be disappointed!

Friday, September 10th

The Bergen Lot Party will kick off with individual boutiques staying open until 11 pm, hosting in-store events in conjunction with Vogue Fashion’s Night Out and by occupying the empty lot between 450 & 448 Bergen Street for a Lot Party from 8-11pm. The Lot Party will feature local DJ’s and hip-hop artists (DJ Derek Beres & Fresh Daily), wall projections, food, cocktails & beer will be available from Melt, Bark and Sun in Bloom. Babeland will be testing sex smarts at their Trivia Table and there will be rewards for correct answers and Private Stock will be hand rolling cigars.

Trudy Miller Layers

To celebrate their involvement with Vogue Fashion’s Night Out Bump is thrilled to be collaborating with Trudy Miller Layers whose architecturally influenced collection celebrates the joy of having it all in one package. Her collection contains flexible silhouettes that are customizable for individual body type, lifestyle needs, and the constant fluctuations that occur in a woman’s cycle over time, including pregnancy, and weight loss or gain. Trudy will be in-store hosting trunk sale and a wonderful “Tummy Tamer Workshop” with tummy camouflaging and showcasing techniques. Everyone attending the workshop will also receive a complimentary Muffin Top Stopper and enjoy a 20% discount on non-sale purchases from 6-11pm as well as all day Saturday.

September 11th at The Lot

10-11am - lululemon athletica hosts an open level yoga class to kick off your Saturday morning. Get a good sweat in the September sun with local teacher Derek Beres... and expect to flow with some great tunes!

11:15am-12pm - bring the little ones out for a Kids Class with Lauren Maples of Bija Kids Yoga.

11:30-2:30 – Face painting with CoCreative Faces. $5 suggested donation.

11:30-7:30pm – The Bergen Feast featuring the very best of the block cuisine.

12:30-2 Bergen Idol – Brooklyn’s best and most outrageous sing their hearts out for a chance at becoming the next Bergen Idol.

12-3pm – Photographer Orrie King will be shooting family portraits. $25 for 15 minutes and 2 instant prints.

3-4pm – Family concert with City Stomp co-sponsored by A Child Grows in Brooklyn and Bump Brooklyn.

4-6pm - Skate and bike related competitions for cool Ride Brooklyn merchandise.

6-7:30 pm – Eponymy will hold an extravagantly wardrobed game of “Malcontent Croquet” on the Bergen Lot lawn.

4-7:30pm - Private Stock's 1st Annual Custom Motorcycle Show & Pin-Up Girl Contest.

7:30-8pm – Winners Announced.

About The Bergen Lot Party

The Bergen Lot Party will raise money for The Center for Anti-Violence Education with the sale of raffle tickets. Prizes to include $50 gift certificates to all participating businesses. CAE’s programs are designed to develop participants’ skills, knowledge, and awareness to enable them to heal from, prevent, and counter violence to actively create a peaceful, just, and equitable world.

The Bergen Lot Party is made of up of the following businesses:

Melt - simple yet sophisticated food and a carefully selected beer and wine list chosen to pair well with the food so that everyday becomes a special occasion.

Private Stock – Brooklyn's premiere gentleman's shop with a mix of sophisticated street wear, contemporary men's apparel, shoes and unique designer accessories.

Sun in Bloom - an organic kitchen, recently opened in Park Slope, where they offer an organic gluten free menu in a clean, quiet escape from the city streets.

Babeland - a smart, women-friendly sex shop that strives to help people find answers to their questions about sex and to encourage exploration! Our mission is to promote and celebrate sexual vitality for all.

Bump - a boutique designed for the urban woman who is not willing to give up her sense of style while pregnant or nursing. Give up wine, sushi, coffee — not fashion.

Eponymy – a one-of-a-kind cleverly-curated boutique–part clothing store, part gallery, part antique shop–that has quickly demanded the attention of fashion-forward New Yorkers.

Ride Brooklyn - your source for all things Bike, Skateboard and Snowboard related. We have everything you need to keep you rolling through Brooklyn as well as bikes and accessories for people of all ages and abilities.

Bergen Street Comics - is inspired by the brilliant comics being created today and is part of a new wave of contemporary comic book retailers, focusing on comics, graphic novels, original art, customer service, and the best possible in-store experience.

lululemon athletica - a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company that creates components for people to live longer, healthier, and more fun lives. Enjoy an extended schedule of community classes and events, an assortment of our tried and true technical product, and the time and attention to find that perfect fit for all your athletic adventures!

Bark Hot Dogs - an artisan's approach to fast food based on local and sustainable products.

The Case of the Missing Waist

2010-08-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

The first thing to go when you're pregnant is your waist. Unlike your tonsils or appendix, when you're waist goes you actually miss it. It is the natural dividing point of your body. It's where separates separate.

During the first trimester you may feel, well...lumpy and downright undefined. I know I longed for the days when I would actually look pregnant so I wouldn't have to endure those questioning looks wondering if I'd just been putting on weight in unusual places.

Here are some tips to stay ahead of the curve at every stage.

FIND SHAPE ELSEWHERE

Just because your waist has developed a mind of its own, it doesn't mean that you can't find shape elsewhere and create a waist alternative.

Empire waisted blouses and dresses are a great option. Cut just under the bust it elongates the body and draws attention away from your actual waist.

If you find that your blousy loose fitting clothes are leaving you feeling like a tent rather than enveloping your body, you can create an empire waist with a scarf or belt. Go for muted or blocks of color if you are wearing prints, or enliven a simple dress with a splash of color.

T Bags V-neck Blouse


Bec & Em Brush Print Dress

Japanese Weekend Retro Print Dress

Woo Mable Blouse

If you're wary of your bust and drawing attention to it try styles that tie under your bump or on your hip like this beautiful style from Woo.

GO WITH THE CURVES

Olian Dania Dress

Once you feel sufficiently comfortable with your new curvy form it is well worth investing in at least one piece that highlights your pregnancy. This beautiful dress from Olian is a great example of using a print to accentuate your bump. They have incorporated a gorgeous print to a simple black dress that wraps itself around your body highlighting your pregnant curves.

DISTRACT

Show off your pregnancy glow with a dusting of bronzer and a vibrant lip color and always leave room for accessories! Raid your jewelry boxes, explore a local flea market and throw on chunky bangles, layer chains, add bold beads, tie a fabulous scarf, pull your hair back and put on your favorite earrings. They never go out of style, shouldn't add any costs to your wardrobe, and will delight your inquisitive child after you've given birth - the earrings especially!

Bump Brooklyn

Circulation Support

2010-08-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have a family history of varicose veins and more seriously deep vein thrombosis, so I know a lot about compression leg wear and how important it is. When I was pregnant it was just one more thing to add to my never ending laundry list of what to worry about.

During my second pregnancy, my 2 year old meant that any periods of non-activity were severely limited, but I worried about air travel and being on my feet a lot at work. Any pain in my legs had my on the phone to my OB instantly with clotting concerns.

I certainly don't want to add any new or unwarranted concerns to anyone's pregnancy, but if you are worried about varicose veins, DVT, swelling and spider veins we have just added in a line that I we'd had sooner.

Solidea, an Italian company that produces support wear, would have enabled me to check one worry off my list. Products like Spanx are great for slimming, but they don't provide circulation support. Solidea however has graduated compression which hugs the ankle boosting blood flow back up the leg then, the compression lessens towards the thigh maximizing comfort. This is particularly important for air travel and if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Wonder Maman Opaque Support Tights

Knee High Support

They also incorporate micromassage which expands and contracts as you move, massaging your skin and improving circulation. The overall effect is pretty incredible. I tried on a pair recently and it felt like my legs were lighter. If it wasn't 90 degrees and humid I would have wanted to wear them all the time.

So if you're looking for compression, support and varicose vein prevention, I highly recommend this line.

Bump Brooklyn

What to bring when giving birth.

2010-07-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

St. Vincents (big sigh)

With the benefit of hindsight, there are 2 things I wished I had brought to the hospital with me when I gave birth to my first child 4 years ago - make-up and an open mind.

Name tag (just in-case I forgot who I was)

I left the first behind because for some reason I thought that make-up wasn't maternal or necessary when you are basking the glow of new motherhood. That is probably because my maternal role model, my incredible mum, never wore a scrap of it. She gave birth to 4 children in an 8 year span, ran our family farm, breastfed effortlessly and parented exceptionally, all without facial enhancements. I'm sure her reality wasn't as simple or easy as it was in my mind, but she is still worthy of the pedestal I have put her on.

My little bundle.

But as I left the hospital feeling unbelievably fragile when absolutely everything in my life seemed to have changed overnight, I wish I had put on a little lip gloss or blush as it would have made me feel more like, well...me.

Me and my little bundle.

When my second child was born during a cold December I knew I needed a warm robe. It was my mission and when I found the perfect one, I felt so much more prepared to give birth. Honestly I think I might have worn it twice, but it more than served it's purpose putting my mind at ease on the eve of her birth. In addition to my robe I brought with me menus for local restaurants (honestly, there really is no need to eat hospital food), warms socks, the phone numbers of several lactation consultants and a well stocked make-up bag.

Me and my new bundle and my now big first bundle.

The second I left behind because I never considered that I could have a c-section and certainly never read that chapter in my assorted pregnancy and birthing books. If I had read about them I would have understood why they are necessary and accepted that as the method of my son's arrival.

Going home to Brooklyn.

So in closing I am not necessarily advocating make-up or chapter reading, but I am encouraging that you give yourself what you need to take care of yourself when you meet your baby for the first time. Bring with you what brings you comfort and makes you feel like you. I lost sight of who I was as I searched for the new mother in me. When I reclaimed myself, motherhood felt so much more natural.

Bump Brooklyn

Summer Nursing

2010-06-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Something I hear all the time at Bump is "I would totally wear that if I wasn't pregnant." It is everything we set out to achieve - clothes to wear while pregnant that don't make you feel like you are giving up your sense of style.

Nursing is a whole other issue.

Dressing for nursing is tough. Even though you no longer house your baby, you still share your body, and your post pregnancy body adjustment can be fraught. Even when you tell yourself "Nine months on, nine months off" your once perky C cups are pushing E and leaking.

We've always worked really hard at finding nursing clothes that were as fashionable and practical as possible but the pickings have been slim - until now.

Helene Jumpsuit by Dote

I know it's wrong to have favorites, but I do love this piece by Dote and wish we'd had it last summer when I was scrambling to nurse my infant daughter, play with my 3 year old son, stay cool and avoid jeans. We have a great assortment of nursing pieces from Dote, a wonderful company who doesn't just 'make' nursing clothes, they actually 'design' nursing clothes. Her designs are always classic, beautifully constructed and flattering to the nursing body.

Madison Maxi Dress by Miravos

Founded, designed and operated by mother of three, Miravos is another line that has set the bar very high for nursing fashion. Her designs never scream "I'm nursing, look at my big boobs". She has created such elegant, understated clothing with invisible nursing access. Made from dreamy soft bamboo, every piece drapes but doesn't cling.

The Joan by Milk Stars

Milk Stars is another wonderful nursing line that has kept things simple but certainly not unfashionable. This particular style has nursing access through the arm hole which is absolutely ingenious. I just adore the gorgeous emerald green.

So if you find yourself in a fashionable nursing predicament - don't despair, there is hope out there.

Bump Brooklyn

Under(be)ware

2010-06-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

My underwear has seen better days. Most of my wardrobe (underwear included) dates back to pre-2005 and pre-parenthood. 5 years old in underwear years is practically pre-historic!

Thankfully that all changed on Tuesday when we happily received our first shipment of Hanky Panky underwear.

Hanky Panky is truly a really great underwear line. They have managed to make a low rise thong that is so remarkably comfortable you wont find yourself feeling like you have a wedgie all day.

The low rise thong we have isn't technically maternity but they are low enough that they sit comfortably below your bump. At $21 each they wont break the bank and they are in such fun colors that it gives you the opportunity to be delightfully impractical when your footwear and playground appropriate clothing dictates a more sensible approach.

If you are looking for a little more rear coverage we do also have the Hanky Panky maternity bikini. Made from wonderfully soft and breathable cotton modal they are pretty and practical.

Now if only we could find a way to incorporate waxing into what we offer at Bump I'd be all set!

Bump Brooklyn

3 Years of Bump

2010-06-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

Bump really should be called Bump & Sons & Daughter & Husbands, as it truly a family business. Walls constructed, curtains sewn, furniture assembled, walls painted (and repainted) all by our family and friends.

I will never completely understand how she did it, but SaSaDi was in her first trimester with her second son when we spent many long days and nights putting everything together. Quite in character, she never complained.

Bump has also literally become a home away from home for our children. My daughter Marigold spent almost 4 months at Bump when she was an infant playing, feeding, sleeping and re-merchandising our sales bins. When SaSaDi's son Zachary was barely 1 month old he assisted in our first ever inventory overview.

Our oldest sons (and BFFs), who first toddled around the store when they were only 18 months old, are now getting ready for pre-k. Time really does fly.

When we first moved into Bergen Street our only neighbor was a book store that has since moved to another location. Now Bergen Street has an array of businesses that is hard to rival - gourmet hot dogs, sex toys, vegan delicacies, men and women's wear emporiums, comic books, culinary delights, yoga attire, boarding and biking gear, and to round it all off a hardware store. Our wonderful block has most definitely become a destination.

One of my fondest memories from our opening day was when our very first customer was treated to an unexpected game of peek-a-boo from our sons when she was in our fitting room. There have been many more games of peek-a-boo played over the past 3 years, and I suspect there will be many more. Curtains are after all irresistible when you are little.

What is most gratifying for me about Bump is who I get to spend my days with. Not only do I have the most exceptionally smart, dedicated and down right lovely business partner, but I have been lucky enough to have worked with incredibly talented, kind and considerate women.

And then there are our customers. Oh where to begin! We quite literally wouldn't and couldn't have done it without you. Your support of our business has picked us up when we most needed it. I can quite honestly say that I never ever tire of hearing about your pregnancies or learning about the birth of your children. I marvel at your strength, I admire your mothering and I learn from you every single day. It truly feels like an honor to be invited into your lives at such a profoundly transformative time. There is not one mother who has walked into Bump that hasn't left an impact on my life.

Thank you. Truly.

How to stretch your wardrobe into pregnancy.

2010-05-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

While we are in the business of selling clothes to pregnant women, I also know all too well how hard it is to give up your carefully curated wardrobe when you face expansion.

So how do you stretch your wardrobe when you're pregnant?

For my first pregnancy I thought a hair elastic would do the trick and extend the life of my jeans. I was wrong. Not only did it not hold my un-bottoned waistband together, the strands of hair still cascading from aforementioned elastic was rather unsightly.

Then I discovered the Bella Band - my very first maternity purchase and it was a revelation! I could comfortably wear my old jeans, pants and skirts with its help. If you're not familiar with a Bella Band, its a wonderful and simple stretchy tube that you step into and wear over your waistband. Its snug fit holds everything up. I've started to use mine again recently as a boob tube, and used it while nursing to cover my stomach. Who knows what use I'll discover next.

The other wonderful option is the Muffin Top Stopper. Perfectly named, this super handy waist band expander adds at least a size to your pants or skirts. Hand made in New York from re-cycled denim, the muffin stop stopper has a button hole and button, just like your jeans. Insert your jeans button in the MTS hole and the MTS button into your jeans button hole - easy! Cover with a belt or a long shirt and no one will be the wiser. Along with dental floss for stray spinach, a mini first-aid kit for my accident prone children, I'm considering adding a Muffin Top Stopper to my bag for when I eat just a little bit too much!

Gratitude

2010-05-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

(The Bump Boys)

I probably shouldn't start to write about all the wonderful things that have happened as a result of opening Bump as it would make for a very, very long blog entry, but I can't let the weekend pass without expressing our gratitude.

First of all, I have to thank Blue Marble Ice Cream for providing us with their exceptional ice cream. For some reason there was initially some hesitancy to stop for free ice cream (I know!), but a lot of people turned in their tracks when they heard it was Blue Marble Ice Cream we were giving away!

I would also like to thank Women In Need, Inc. for being there for women and their children when they have no where else to turn. We are so glad that we were able to support your amazing work.

And to our customers, a huge thank you. You are so incredibly supportive of our store. Many of you came out of your way to support us on Saturday when your need of our services have long passed. There are many ups and downs to small business ownership, but it is your continued support and enthusiasm that keep us going.

Finally, and personally, I have to thank my children, for making me a mother. It is the most important thing I will ever do with my life, and I will spend every day I have being the best mother I possibly can to you.

A Mothers Day Challenge

2010-05-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

I'm a NPR junkie. I suppose after all the years of resisting, somehow we do all turn into our parents!

Serendipitously about a year ago I happened to listen to "This I Believe". It was about a woman who had suddenly lost her mother and wished she had known her better. I was so struck by the piece because I too had lost my mother suddenly when I was a child and I have spent the past 25 years wishing I could ask her questions about her life.

There are many things I can ask my Dad, my Grandfather, or Aunts and Uncles about, but it was the little things I wanted to know - the smaller pieces that when put together make a more complete picture. I didn't know who she first voted for when she turned 18, what her first impressions were of my father, how she took her coffee (if she even drank it), and where she longed to travel.

So last year I sat down with a pen and began to write down some things about me that might be forgotten over time. It's wasn't a journal - I absolutely don't have the self discipline for that - but it was a collection of some of my little jigsaw puzzle pieces. I voted Labour in 1996, thought my husband was far too handsome to be a nice person (thankfully I couldn't have been more wrong), milk with 1 sugar, and I have a hankering to take a trip on the Trans Siberian Railway. It's a work in progress.

I hope, of course, that I will share a long, healthy and happy life with my treasured children, a life that will be filled with all sorts of questions and answers. But if for some reason I can't, this little notebook will hopefully help them know me a little better, and answer some of the questions they might have, or provide answers to questions they didn't even know they wanted to ask.

So my challenge is to think about what stories you have that you would like your children to know about you, and to write them down. And if you're really lucky and you still can, ask your mum those questions you've always wanted to, because I also believe that we should truly know our mothers.

Bump Brooklyn

The Dreaded C

2010-03-26T10:46:00.001-07:00

Like the vast majority of mothers who have had a c section, it was not at all how I ever imagined giving birth. I didn't even read that chapter in my otherwise well read pregnancy book. I was going to follow in the footsteps of all noble women in my family before me - I was going to push my children out. I tried pushing. I really did, but 2 hours into it we hit a problem and my son needed to come out quickly. As I was wheeled sobbing into the ER my doctor assured me that my scar wouldn't be big. Big?! A scar was the least of my worries. I suddenly felt the first intense wave of maternal love - was my son going to be ok?

My son was fine. After a couple of hours in the NICU, which felt like an eternity, we were reunited. But having a c-section left it's mark on me - literally and figuratively. I think that I almost certainly had a touch of post traumatic stress but the most ensuring scar was that I had failed at the first act of motherhood - giving birth.

I sometimes find myself a little resentful of the natural birth movement and of movies like "The Business of Being Born" not because I think there is anything wrong with their message which is empowering women to be aware of their choices in child birth, to regain control of their bodies and their babies journey into the world. I am resentful because it makes me feel that I have failed, that I made wrong decisions, or that I need to defend how my children were born. At some point in the birth of our children we do have to put our lives and those of our children in the hands of a medical team we trust will make the best decisions on our behalf. There is no failure in giving birth, and like every conception and child are unique, so is every birth.

Although this blog is designed to share thoughts on pregnancy and motherhood with fashion in mind, the greatest fashion statement is the one we make with confidence and self assurance. That confidence and self assurance only came for me when I accepted and embraced how my children were born was 100% natural...for me.

Bump Brooklyn

Webshop now open

2010-03-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

We're excited to have re-launched our website complete with our webshop - yeah!

www.bumpbrooklyn.com

Shoes

2010-03-11T06:37:00.000-08:00

I love shoes. It hasn't always been the case. Growing up on a farm it was function above fashion, although I will say I was wearing Hunter wellies 20 years before they were chic. I was once caught hacking away at the toes of very practical pair of laces ups with a handsaw having been told that I could get a new pair when the current ones 'wore out'. I improvised.

My affection for footwear began when I moved to New York 12 years ago and I would find myself foot gazing on the subway longing for the confidence and budget to wear some of the exquisite styles I saw. My confidence and budget have come and gone in waves over the years, but I rest well at night knowing that I have some divine pairs waiting safe and sound in their dust bags for the right moment to make an appearance.

My footwear needs have changed with motherhood and I'm always looking for a comfortable yet stylish pair of shoes. A lot of customers have asked us about great shoes for pregnancy, so when a line of shoes by Sue London was suggested to us we were hopeful that we might have found the perfect match for Bump.

When we visited their Meatpacking store on Wednesday we went in wearing ballet flats and left wishing we were wearing Sue London ballet flats! They are quite simply the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever put on - definitely no need to break them in. Made from the softest leather, with a wonderfully cushioned sole and just the perfect amount of toe-cleavage. We were sold as soon as we put them on.

So starting tomorrow, we're really excited to be Brooklyn's only destination to buy these wonderful ballet flats. We'll be carrying them initially black, silver, gold and a really rich mauve. While they are definitely not inexpensive at $168, we really hope that the comfort, style and longevity of the shoes will win everyone over the same way they did us. I for one will certainly have a much more stylish spring in my step as I walk to work (or the playground) this spring!

Spring Fever

2010-03-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

If I was the athletic type, I probably would have done cartwheels down the sidewalk yesterday in what felt like the first real day of spring.

New York winters can feel long, especially with 2 young children at home who seem to have inherited my dislike for the cold weather. Now I have to show some restraint and not start packing up my winter clothes, sprucing up my toes with a pedicure for open toed shoes, and leaving the house without a coat. I know I'll regret it (except maybe the pedicure). I do however plan to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts but I know that weather can be flighty and can dampen my enthusiasm quicker than I reach for a cup of coffee each morning.

Spring also brings with it the challenge of transitional season dressing. We recently photographed some of our favorite styles for our website and this outfit is a great option. The jeans are a straight leg option from J Brand ($187). The denim is super soft and light weight, so you wont feel restricted when the temperatures really start to soar. The blouse is by Yumi Kim, a contemporary designer we adore whose vintage inspired silk prints drape beautifully while pregnant or not.

So here's to keeping the windows open, playing with my children outside and planning a pedicure in the not so distant future!

Fashion Week - mother of 2 style

2010-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

It never quite makes sense to me that I can be awake at 6am yet still struggling to get out the door by 9am. I should be washed, groomed, dressed, caffeinated and fed, with time to spare to read the newspaper. You'd think.

So if getting out the house on any given morning can be a challenge, getting ready to attend the New York fashion trade shows is quite another story. They are attended by some of the most stylish, elegant and well put together women you'll ever meet. A daunting crowd to spend a Sunday with.

Standards have to be set.

I would say that as a rule of thumb, if you can't remember when the last time was you washed your hair - it's time to wash it. Washing, however, is the easy part. What to wear is the big question. When in doubt, I always reach for black. My black skinny pants however are lying beside the bed, where I left them 2 days ago, and our grey & white cat is sleeping on them. A lint brush would be nice but packing tape will have to do. My black cardigan is still smeared in my daughter's dinner. My glasses, which take much frantic searching to locate, have fared just about as well as everything else and are covered in little sticky finger prints.

Yet somehow at 9:10 I am out the door. I turn back to see my blueberry pancake covered children have their faces pressed against the sitting room window, still in their pajamas, waving goodbye frantically and blowing kisses. It makes up for the fact that the brown boots, patchy black pants, shirt and navy blue coat aren't really the outfit I was hoping for.

I always get excited by New York Fashion Week. An occupational hazard I suppose. We always look at the non-maternity styles first for Bump. At the very beginning when we were envisioning Bump we always planned on fusing non-mater nity fashion with maternity styles. During our first pregnancies (pre-Bump) we both wore a lot of contemporary fas hions and believe that our customers would appreciate buying styles from us that cad a wardrobe life that would extend after pregnancy. For us it has become a fundamental component for store.

We saw some absolutely beautiful styles that we're excited to bring in for fall and winter. Exquisite fabrics that drape beautifully - pregnant or not. Soft grey, camel, blue and purple tones. Less bold prints than we've seen this year with the exception of Daughter of the Revolution, a fabulous line from California that we adore (pictured).

Next we will be looking at maternity styles. We will continue to hand pick styles that stay true to next seasons trends while offering the best maternity fit. Our goal, as it has always been is for our customers to be able to give up wine, coffee, sushi - not fashion.

www.bumpbrooklyn.com

Stretch mark creams - are they worth it?

2010-02-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

We sell 3 kinds of stretch mark creams at Bump. The million dollar question is do they work?

This is purely unscientific, but I've used all brands we carry and I never got stretch marks during both my pregnancies. The cream? Genetics? Poor eye sight? I can't say, but what I do know is that moisture can never be bad for your body, pregnant or not.

Our first stretch mark cream is by Barmon. I used this during my first pregnancy, and in the spirit of full disclosure, it's my brother-in-laws company so I'm a little partial. His father bought the company when his wife was pregnant with their first child. It has a mild kiwi scent and it is wonderfully rich.

Our second stretch mark cream is the oh baby! belly butter by Mambino organics. This is a super rich, lush body butter. I love the mango scent - delicious. The Mambino line was created LA's top Aesthetician, Maki Maodus, who used to work with Ole Henricksen. All ingredients are organically grown.

The last stretch mark cream we carry is from Basq, a wonderful skin care company founded by 2 New York mothers who felt there was a need for a truly great skin care line specifically for pregnant women. The cream is very luxurious and has a really delicate aroma.

All the creams are priced around $30 so it really comes down to what scent works best for you and how much your hormones are reeking havoc on your senses!

In Good Company

2010-02-18T09:04:00.001-08:00

I've always found incredible comrade with women - never more so than as a mother. I've heard it said that there is a great divide between mothers who work and mothers who stay at home. I have never found that. What I have found is that what unites us is much more important than what separates us.

Pregnancy, child birth and motherhood is beyond transformative. There may be subtle differences in dreams, fears, anxieties, joy, exhaustion, triumphs, challenges and laughter but the love is universal. At Bump we really feel incredibly fortunate to be a small part in a woman's journey into motherhood.

As mothers and small business owners, we face a lot similar retail and entrepreneurial challenges as our small business comrades do. We have almost been in business for 3 years and are at another point when we need to make another professional leap of faith - that of growth.

We sat down yesterday with Amy and Adelaide who are the founders of In Good Company a truly wonderful resource for women business owners. They have the most beautiful space on 23rd Street that is a physical space for women to meet, work, share ideas and grow.

For an hour and a half they encouraged and inspired us, provided valuable insight and acumen, and provided not only a valuable third party point of view but gave us the confidence to move forward.

So after 1 unfortunate false start and a lot of reflection, yesterday we got our call to action and will be launching phase one of our e-commerce site soon. Stay tuned!

Bump Brooklyn

Bump Appeal

2010-02-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I miss being pregnant. I miss it because when I'm pregnant I feel like I have permission to be curvy.

I've been sucking in my tummy for at least 20 years. Every since puberty impacted my body gave me a DD cup, I got the kind of attention I thought I wanted then wished I didn't have. I slouched my shoulders and tried to slink away into the background.

Then at 33 years old with a burgeoning bump housing my first child, I suddenly found myself liberated. No more sucking my tummy in. No more slouching. I found myself walking taller (especially before the final month when I was robbed of my ability to walk city blocks in stilettos), and figure hugging clothes became my new BFF. It was a revelation.

I wish I could say it was because maternal instincts were kicking in, but the reality is it was vanity induced. When you're pregnant people look at your curves with admiration and affection. My bump made me approachable and friendly. My ogle worthy DD cup was now nurturing. By sharing my body with my baby I slowly took ownership of my body and it became something to celebrate.

Post pregnancy everything shifted from nurturing to providing nutrition and there were yet more issues to wrap my head around, but I have noticed a shift in how I feel about my body. I certainly don't wake up every day celebrating it as I did when I was pregnant but it has more character than ever before. I miss wearing figure hugging clothes with abandon and I and exert a lot of energy again sucking in my tummy - but not always.

I will always be grateful for how pregnancy opened up my mind to how I perceive my body. I doubt my tummy sucking in/slouching ways will every be cured forever, but my bump appeal has been replaced by my children appeal, and I have the great fortune to spend my days with unbelievably beautiful bumps at work.

So if you are pregnant, embrace your curves. Throw caution to the wind and learn to celebrate your body. It's liberating.

"Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat" By Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei
Bump Brooklyn

The great jean debate

2010-02-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Skinny, straight, boot cut, boyfriend or wide? With jeans dominating our wardrobe as much as they do, picking the right pair when pregnant is a daunting task. It is also often also one of the most expensive purchases. Factor in the weather for 9 months and an unpredictable expansion of your waist (not to mention thighs and rear end) and you might want to skip denim all together.

The general rule of thumb with jeans - as with all maternity clothing - is don't dress out of character and don't lose sight of your own personal style. It will help you feel grounded when so much else is changing in your life.

Ok, so pep talk aside, the current trend is definitely on the skinny side. Some pregnant women will look at us with a distinct look of horror when we suggest trying on a skinny jean. We understand. But here's the skinny on the skinny - when you balance a skinny leg with an abundance of curves elsewhere the effect is a knock out.

Our best selling jean by far currently is the Maternal America skinny jean (pictured). If you're on the fence about getting a skinny jean, we have found that this jean is a great option. The fit (not skin tight), comfort (stretch and super soft underbelly waist band) and price ($104) make for a great combination.

Not convinced. Don't worry - we've got straight, boot cut, boyfriend and wide leg too!

Bump Brooklyn