Being Bridget

Archives for July 2019

My 2019 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

The NSALE is here and today is open to all those with a Nordstrom card. I wasn’t as blown away by the sale this year as I have been in years past, but there are some good gems. I was lucky enough to be able to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yesterday and snagged a few pieces I’m really excited about. Mainly, the AG jeans, the Diptyque candle sets {$55 and make the best gifts!} and a restock on my fav eyelash serum from RevitaLash. Check out my other favs below, and let me know in the comments what you were able to snag. Can’t wait to hear! Also, if you don’t have a Nordstrom card, don’t fret! You can still shop, but not until July 19th.

JEANS

TOPS

OUTERWEAR

LINGERIE

SHOES

BEAUTY

ACTIVEWEAR/LOUNGEWEAR

MISC

 

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Let’s be real – the hospital bag is usually one of the last things to be crossed off your to-do list before baby arrives and by that point you just want to get it done.You’e so ready for baby to be here, but you also know how important it is to pack the right items because you want to feel as comfortable as possible during a not-so-comfortable experience, right? But for months leading up to giving birth, new moms are inundated with friendly {but often confusing and sometimes conflicting} pieces of advice. It can be hard to navigate which pieces of information to listen to – especially given that everyone’s birthing experience is so different. TBH – I felt a little overwhelmed by it all! But after talking with a few close friends and family, I think I finally narrowed down a list to what I will consider my ‘essentials’ when heading to the hospital to have our baby.
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Below is my version of a hospital packing guide that will make a thoughtful hospital stay in Labor & Delivery. Honestly, the main takeaway I received was that the hospital will provide you with a lot – so don’t stress too much. It’s really just deciding what you want to bring of your own, and what you want to rely on them for. It’s all up to you and your preference! And if you forget something, it’s not the end of the world – you will be well taken care of regardless! All that matters is a healthy and happy baby.
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For the Hospital:
  • Wallet {with ID/insurance card etc}
  • Birth plan {if you have one}
  • Cord blood banking kit {if you plan on doing that}
  • Pillow + pillow case in a pattern distinguishable from hospital white. More than one friend told me that the hospital pillows go through a lot and even though they are ‘cleaned’ it is recommended to bring your own. Say no more! I bought this silk pillowcase {less expensive version here} because a mom friend told me that it helped keep her cool, but also didn’t mess up her hair while pushing, leaving it nice looking for pictures immediately after baby was born {hey! why not, right?!}
  • Blanket – The blankets you get in the hospital are often thin. Bringing your own just guarantees a more comfortable {and warm!} stay for you and your partner.
  • Towel – same goes for towels! The hospital will probably provide a very small + thin one. I’m bringing this one from Weezie so I can have a nice, cozy shower after what I’m sure will be a very long, hard day of labor!
  • Rubber flip flops – to wear in hospital shower
  • Extra long charging cords – you never know where a plug in might be in relation to your bed and you don’t want to lose a charge while waiting {and waiting} for baby to come. Might also consider a portable charger and/or an extension cord.
  • A portable light – Often times hospital rooms only have super bright overhead lighting. I’ve heard a little clip on lamp goes a long way during the nighttime feedings. I bought this one!
  • Glasses or contacts if you wear them
  • Hair ties + bobby pins
  • Snacks – granola bars, or anything you or your husband want to snack on!
  • Chapstick {hospitals can be very dry!}
  • Socks – Hospitals can be freezing! A bunch of friends recommended the no-slip grip ones, but I don’t like those {plus I wouldn’t walk around in socks and then put those in the bed….} I will likely just wear a pair of my husband’s tall  socks
  • Laptop {or any diversion for a long labor – playing cards, book, iPad etc}
  • Baby book pages for handprints + footprints and anything other page you would want to fill out {I bought this book!}
  • Personal items: This includes anything that will make you feel human again after giving birth! Hairbrush, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, hair dryer/straightener, face products, + make up
  • Nursing bra + nursing pads
  • Nightgown + robe {also this one} – I am bringing a few nursing friendly nightgowns {also this} and pajama options.
  • Notebook + pen for writing down thank yous + reminders
  • Refillable water bottle – I love this one. Holds 40 oz which will be crucial for breastfeeding too! Hospital will most likely also provide one for you, but just in case you want your own!
  • Comfortable outfit to head home in {bring clothes in different sizes to make sure they fit!} I plan on wearing an all white or blue striped Mi Golondrina {similar to this one!
For baby:
  • I have a few Feltman Brothers options. Pro tip: pack a few preemie options just in case baby comes out smaller than you expected! Newborn clothing can often swallow the little ones.
  • Special baby blanket – I bought this one! Love the sweet scalloped edges.
  • Swaddle blanket
  • Hat with name – I ordered this one! But without the knot
For your significant other::

Being open to thousands of opinions on my social media platforms, I know the amount of ‘noise’ or information out there can be overwhelming. But it can also be incredible helpful and empowering! We have such an incredible community of mamas out there with important and relevant information so please feel free to add any thing I missed in the comments section below! I’m always curious to hear from seasoned mamas who know more than I do! 😉

What I Wore for My Family Photos

 Dress: Hatch Collection {a few years old!} // Earrings: Kendra Scott Malika Earrings // Shoes: Loeffler Randall Eveline Sandal {on sale!} // Bag: Old {similar here} // Sunglasses: Saint Laurent

I am back from spending a blissful week out at the lake with my family and it couldn’t have been more wonderful. It is so rare that all 5 of my siblings {and their kids!} are all together in one place with my parents, so we always try and hire a professional photographer to capture a few special moments. Being almost 37 weeks pregnant, I wanted to wear something flattering, comfortable, and tent-like {should surprise no one :P} so I wore a dress from Hatch I had purchased a few years ago on sale {many moons before my actual pregnancy!} and these gorgeous earrings from Kendra Scott that so many of you messaged me about! They are mother-of-pearl and beyond beautiful in real life. I love the funky, structured shape of them, and how light they are – I forgot I had them in my ears! I know they will be perfect for all summer long.

Kendra Scott and I go wayyyyy back to my days of working in the jewelry office at Neiman Marcus. I remember walking into those buying appointments and swooning over her brightly colored earrings {who remembers her classic ‘Danielle’ style that we all loved}. Since then, Kendra Scott has grown to include fine jewelry {I’m in love with these initial pieces}, new materials {this shell collection is insane!} and entire new designs and categories. If you haven’t looked at what’s new over there, I highly recommend it. So many pretty summer pieces.

Oh! And for everyone who wanted information on the VRBO listing where we stayed in Tyler, I am linking that for you here! It was an incredible house with the most insane views of Lake Palestine. We would all go back in a heartbeat!

Photos: The Retro Penguin

thank you to Kendra Scott for sponsoring this post!