Product Review: Old Navy Nursing Tanks

UPDATE: Well, after numerous wears and washes, I need to take back my mostly positive review of this tank top. At this point, by the end of the day, the scoop neck of this top stretches down to my stomach! I can't wear this shirt in public anymore, so it has been downgraded to weekend, lounge-around-the-house wear. Bah!

After buying maternity clothing, I really didn't want to spend money on a whole new breastfeeding wardrobe as well... but the fact is, I am finding it absolutely necessary to buy at least a few pieces! Contrary to what I had hoped, I have only so many button-down shirts that fit my new breastfeeding body (read: humongous boobs) and I'm getting tired of wearing tanks under shirts that need to be pulled up. So... off to OldNavy.com I went!

Old Navy's selection for nursing clothes is REALLY slim, but I did pick up two of their jersey nursing tanks, which I'm happy with. The pink color on the right is one of three colors offered at $12.50. I also picked up a muted blue color for $14.50.

The good: I feel like a human being in this shirt. Its long length covers and slims the parts of me I'm not so happy with post-baby and the layered top is stylish rather than screaming "I breastfeed!" I wear this tank with a hip-skimming jacket, a long necklace and sunglasses and feel like a celebrity mom... without the money, makeup artist and personal trainer of course!

The bad: Like all nursing tops, the tank gets stretched out as the day goes on. My current nursing bras (Leading Lady) are full coverage, so they peek out just a bit at the neckline if my shirt shifts late in the day. A quick readjustment, though--or a sexier nursing bra--and all is well.

The reviews on ON's website lament that the shirt is too long (I disagree) and sized too large (I agree), so go ahead and order a size smaller.

Happy shopping and happy spring!

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Product Review: Leading Lady Molded Stretch Pad Nursing Bra

A while back, I promised I'd review my Leading Lady nursing bras once I had given them a test drive. Well, test drive achieved--they are two of the only three bras that I can wear these days!



I ordered two Leading Lady molded stretch pad nursing bras from Amazon.com for $23.62 each, and, for that price, I am quite pleased. The bra is supportive, not hideous, and looks great under clothing (comparable to my $38 Victoria's Secret bras--ridiculous!). It is very easy to breastfeed in, allowing for one-handed clasping and un-clasping. And, despite some minor fraying around the cup connector clasps, they've help up very well in the dreaded laundromat washer and drier.

On the downside, the bra is full-coverage, which is great for support but not great for remaining hidden under low necklines, and only goes up to DD. Also, the stretchy fabric under the cup (which allows you to pull the molded cup down and still keep your bra on) gets pulled out of shape and tends to play peek-a-boo as well. I also have to re-clasp the cup very slowly so it doesn't make a loud SNAP! and wake my little light sleeper!

And, while the cups are indeed molded, I personally need to wear breast pads for nipple coverage--but I think most nursing mothers are wearing pads for leakage anyway, so this really isn't a negative in my opinion.

Overall, despite some negatives, this is the only type of bra that I wear out of the house. I feel really comfortable in it and I think most nursing mothers would too--just be sure to measure yourself before ordering as I ordered a size too small and need to use a bra-back extender (available cheap at any craft/fabric store.)

Now I just need to find a bra which is more low cut for my sexier outfits and I'll be set... wait, do I even have sexy outfits anymore?? :P

EDIT: I neglected to mention one of my favorite features of this bra: the bra straps are tightened and loosened from the front, rather than the back. Genius! I wish all bras were made this way!

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Product Review: Udder Covers Revisited & Promo Code

Before Andrew was born, I posted a review and some pictures of my Udder Covers nursing cover HERE. At that point, aside from a bit of shoddy sewing, I was pleased with the $8.95 cover. Now that I am actually breastfeeding, I am in LOVE with it!

I use the cover everywhere I have to nurse in public--friends' houses, coffee shops, you name it. The light cotton fabric keeps me and baby covered, while the stiff collar allows me to retain eye contact. Sometimes he does get too hot under there, though, so I uncover his legs and still retain my modesty. (Let's face it though, when you become a breastfeeding mother most modesty goes out the window.) Also, the cover washed great in my laundromat, which is no small feat!

Sure its still a bit strange that they are perpetually sending out offer codes through which you can get the cover for just s&h ($8.95) and a gift set of cover, breastfeeding bracelet, and washable bra pads for $5 plus s&h, but, since I've come to love the cover, I have come to not question a deal that lets me get one for cheap, cheap, cheap!

I actually kind of wish they had more colors to choose from... if they did, I'd definitely buy another one.

If you're interested in buying from Udder Covers with a promotional code, type in PLANNING for the nursing cover and BABIES for the gift set deal.

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Extra 20% Off of Sale Items at Gap.com through March 27

Just passing along a coupon code for an extra 20% sale items at the Gap online this weekend! I'm using this as an opportunity to get out of my maternity clothes and into some nice new nursing tops. And, there's great baby and kids gear on sale too.

Enter L1CMBXQ7VQG1 at checkout and you're good to go!

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The Best Meat Deal Ever!! N & V Meat Market in Glendale

My husband and I get frustrated by the "big" grocery stores near our apartment in Glendale, Queens. They are expensive, crowded, and don't have the selection of meat that we are looking for... and there's nothing that ruins your day/week more than a hectic grocery shopping experience where you don't get all the things you need!

Thank God, then, that a neighborhood friend just introduced me to N & V Meat Market! This butcher shop and specialty Italian food store at 66-03 Myrtle Avenue (the sign outside reads "Vinny's") offers special meat freezer orders that have blown our mind.

For just $29.95 you can get:

• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
• 4 pork chops (bone-in)
  
• 1 whole chicken (cut to your specifications)
  
• 4 chopped sirloin patties (hamburgers)
• 1 1/2 lbs thin-sliced chicken cutlets
  
• 1 lb stew beef
• FREE dozen eggs!

I calculated the savings using my local Stop & Shop and it looks like we saved about $15 at N&V. Equally important, we saved ourselves the stress of wading through the crowded, poorly-stocked aisles of the grocery store and can pat ourselves on the back for supporting a small local business.

You can order the freezer meat specials ahead of time so that you won't have to park your car or you can just walk in (which is what we do--its totally fine.) The meat is super fresh and you can also make substitutions if you like. We substituted 6 fat Italian link sausages for the whole chicken and made amazing sausage and peppers sandwiches. Yum!

Other freezer deals at N & V:

$46.95

• 1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
  
• 2 1/2 lbs eye round
  
• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
  
• 5 pork chops
  
• 1 whole chicken
  
• 1 lb milk-fed veal cutlets
  
• 1 dozen eggs
• FREE lb bacon
  

$59.95

• 2 lbs London broil
  
• 1 lb milk-fed veal cutlets
• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
• 3 lbs eye round
• 1 whole chicken
  
• 1 lb sausage (any combination of sweet/spicy)
• 1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
  
• 1 1/2 lbs stew beef
• FREE dozen eggs
  

$76.95

• 1 lb stew beef
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 1/2 lbs thin sausages
  
• 1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
  
• 3 lbs eye round
• 6 pork chops
• 2 whole chickens
• 1 1/2 lbs London broil
  
• 1 lb Board Head franks
• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
  
• 1 lb milk-fed veal cutlets
• FREE lb bacon
  

Go ahead and give this butcher a try... the deals are so good that my mom is even thinking of driving down from upstate to take advantage of them! But don't tell too many people or we'll all be standing in line! :)

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Product Review: Udder Covers

Last Monday I posted a promo code which allowed the purchase of an Udder Cover nursing cover for just the cost of shipping and handling ($8.95). My cover arrived exactly a week later and I am happy to provide you with the product review I promised:

The cover I received is actually not terrible given the speculation that the entire Udder Cover enterprise was a scam. The fabric is cute and I love the stiff collar that allows mom to maintain eye-contact with their baby while feeding without feeling exposed. Of course, if someone is standing right over you, staring down your shirt, they'll see baby on your breast, which is true with all nursing covers that allow eye-contact.

The fabric is thin, but not see-through and, while pretty substantial in size, it can be folded up really tiny to fit into your diaper bag. The sewing is a little shoddy, though, which bothers me. (Couldn't the Udder Cover folks stop their frantic sewing just for an instance to fix a simple stitch?) That said, I'm pretty sure that the cover will hold up... unless I'm doing some wild, acrobatic breastfeeding!

So, is the Udder Cover worth the $8.95 ? For me, I think so. I definitely could have sewn a similar cover myself for less money, but I'm SO not in the mood these days to head out to the craft store for all the fabric and hardware. Also, all of the comparable nursing covers I have seen begin at $20 and up, so I'm pretty happy to have paid half price, shoddy sewing and all.

I guess my biggest problem is, however, that Udder Covers offers these "special" codes in perpetuity. (I just received another code in an email today.) I'm certain the "pay S&H only" deal is a great marketing ploy they read about in a book and is indeed bringing them a lot of business--I mean, we all jump on buying something that is "free"--but I think the company would garner more goodwill if they would just sell the darn thing for $6 with $2.95 S&H.

As it stands, we all jump on the deal, realize after the fact that it isn't really special at all, and start suspecting that something fishy is up with the company. Udder Covers, we'd respect you and your product more if you'd just give it to us straight!

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More about Udder Covers

So, after that promo code for Udder Covers went around yesterday (I received news of a code in an email from Planning Family), folks got to talking on The Bump about a possible Udder Covers scam. View the conversation HERE.

If you Google "Udder Covers scam" you'll see that lots of folks have been happy with their product, but others claim that their credit card numbers have been stolen from the Udder Covers website. I can't attest to the truth of any of this yet, but I'll be sure to keep you updated regarding the quality of the product once I receive it and any credit card tomfoolery. Just to be safe though, mamas, I would order this product using PayPal or a credit card with good fraud protection services (not your ATM card). We must always be careful when internet shopping... even when it is a great deal!

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Udder Covers Nursing Cover Discount Code

Udder Covers is once again offering their $32 nursing covers for just $8.95 (the cost of shipping and handling.) Just pop on over to UdderCovers.com, select the design that you like (I picked the very elegant Jones design shown above), enter the code PLANNING in the promo code box at checkout and, voila, almost free nursing cover. The code is also good for $32 off their gift sets.

Udder Cover discount codes tend to fly around The Bump message boards a lot and the reigning opinion is that they are worth the $8.95. I guess it makes sense since comparable covers range from $20 to $40 at Babies R Us. I also like that Udder Covers are 100% cotton and have a rigid top so that you can maintain eye contact with your breastfeeding baby.

I don't have a nursing cover yet, so I'm thinking that I can't go wrong with this deal. I'll be sure to update you as soon as it arrives!

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NYC Sample Sale: Mylo Dweck Maternity

I know, why don't we have any awesome sample sales in Queens?! It looks like this one will be worth a trip to the city, though. Check it out!

From LazarShopping.com:

Mylo Dweck Maternity Sample Sale
November 10-11
T 8-7 W 8-6
720 Fifth Avenue
(Entrance on 56 Street) 10 Floor
917.402.7847

Attention all pregnant girls. Mylo Dweck Maternity, the trendy maternity hot spot, is having their 2 day Fall & Winter clearance and sample sale with prices up to 70% off. Designers featured here include Michael Stars, Velvet, Seven & Paige Jeans, Olian, Maternal America and so many more. Find great sweaters for $40, coats from $70, dresses for $50 and more! You’ll want to get there early. This sale is always a sell out.

American Express, Mastercard, Visa and cash accepted.

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Website Review: Kids.Woot

Wow, sorry for the hiatus in posting! I got hit with a nasty cold that knocked me on my (huge) pregnant ass until now. While I was resting, however, I heard of another great bargain site for kids that I must pass your way!

Kids.Woot is very similar to another favorite site of mine, MamaBargains.com. Every day at 12am, a new discounted children's product goes on sale until it sells out. Today they're offering a Lamaze baby gym for only $29.99 + $5 shipping. So, go ahead, add this website to your daily site-stalking list!

By the way, there are other Woot discount sites that might be up your alley:

• The original Woot offers daily electronics deals
• Wine.Woot offers wine deals
• Shirt.Woot offers--you guessed it--shirt deals
  

Happy shopping!

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Website Review: MamaBargains.com

Have you heard about mamabargains.com? A couple times a day the site posts various, really hip, baby/children's products at deep (50%-80%) discounts. I love it!

You have to be sure to check the site a few times a day as quantities are limited, but that makes the shopping all the more fun! Continuously updated bars on the side of the page let you know when a product is running low. Check it out!

Update: Follow Mama Bargains on Twitter HERE and you'll be updated when new products go on sale. :)

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