Haute Mommies and Bella Babies - Houston Maternity Baby Store

Haute Mommies Night Out

Tags: baby boutique,Charity,event,Haute Mommies Night Out,hmandbb,houston baby,Local Event

Last week we had a Haute Mommies Night Out of fun, philanthropy and painting at The Paint Pub. Donations of diapers and formula were collected for Interfaith Caring Ministry, an amazing local organization that helps families and individuals in need. We had some awesome vendors come out to help make the night even better! Angie from Stella and Dot, Brittany from Rosehip Essentials and Afsheen from Tezarias High Couture Jewelry, all of these lovely ladies brought out some amazing items. Everyone was full on delicious food from Villa Capri and Mediterraneo Market & Cafe by the time the night was done! There were giveaway galore, silent auction items and swag bags so that no one went home empty handed. Silent auction items included a basket from League City Chiropractics and Sports Medicine, a blowout and mini makeover from Blow Dry Bar, One Month Unlimited to Me Body, and a three month membership to Anytime Fitness League City. The Giveaways included a certificate for an O2 lift facial from Belle Naturelle and items from Rosehip Essentials and Stella and Dot. The swag bag were loaded with all kinds of goodies from League City Chiropractics and Sports Medicine, BerryLicious, Angelica L Salon and Kendra Scott, and last but not least Clear Lake Dermatology. If you missed our event never fear, we will be collecting new and loose unused diapers and unopened formula in the store all week and when you bring in a donation you will be entered to win either a $50 gift card to yours truly or a gift basket of goodies that includes a $100 certificate to League City Chiropractics and Sports Medicine. We hope to see you in the store and a BIG thank you to everyone who attended and donated to our event!

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Maternity and Baby Flash Sales and Deep Discounts!!

New secret group! Afraid you’ve been missing some of our great deals because of the new Facebook filtering? Fear not, we’ve set up a new Facebook Group that will enable us to share ALL of our deals with ALL of our fans….be sure to join now!! Just click the link below and ask to join group and we’ll get you added right away !! XOXOXO Your Friends at Haute Mommies and Bella Babies – Maternity & Baby https://www.facebook.com/groups/257446164447412/

Haute Mommies Night Out!

Join us for a fun night out to benefit a wonderful charity, Interfaith Caring Ministries!

Thoughts on Labor and Delivery

Don’t worry, this post isn’t going to have any gory details about labor and delivery. I have come to conclude that unless you have been present for an actual birth, you have no idea what goes on in the labor and delivery room. I have also learned that unless you have actually had a baby, you have no idea what mamas go through.

I feel like it is human nature to think that we know it all once we have done something. We earn our merit badge and like to pass on our advice to those who come after us, especially when it comes to having babies. For some reason, though, women tend to pass on horror stories filled with pain and trauma with their advice when it comes to the labor and delivery department. I’m not really sure if this is a.) because their experiences were truly terrible, b.) because it is some rite of passage, or c.) some women enjoy torturing other women. For some reason, there is a lot of fear surrounding labor and delivery. I’m sure it has something to do with the whole watermelon analogy, but don’t let that scare you.

Know that nobody can tell you what labor and delivery is like. You can read books and go to the classes so that you feel prepared. You can never “know” so much and so little at the same time. Some people have a few hours of labor, and some people have days. Some people barely know that they are in labor, and some people experience pain that elicits blood-curdling screaming that fills the hall. People deliver babies anywhere from 24 to 42 weeks, and they do it sitting, laying, and standing under water, in cars, on hospital beds, and at home. There are so many choices from location and delivering doctor (to an extent), to methods and medications used during the process. None of these choices or details make anyone’s birth superior to anyone else’s.

Be confident in your decisions, but don’t be unyielding. I’m no advice columnist, but if I could offer two words of advice, they would be…be flexible. That’s right. It is great to have a birth plan and have ideas about what you want, but don’t get so fixated on the little things that you lose sight on the goal, a healthy mama and baby. In my mind, I was supposed to be induced at term, have at least 12 hours of labor, take a picture when leaving for the hospital (with hair done and makeup on my face), and my doctor was supposed to deliver a beautiful baby boy after a couple of pushes. Instead, I almost had my baby in the car a month early, took no pictures (because I had my hair in a messy pony tail and no makeup on my face), and had a different doctor help deliver my beautiful baby boy. Even though next to nothing went as planned, it was perfect, and he was beautiful! Don’t listen to the people who try to terrify you. Just because it’s unpredictable doesn’t mean that it is scary or terrible. It is all a part of the beautiful adventure of motherhood that awaits you.

It’s amazing how much your mindset can affect your birthing experience. Good luck mamas-to-be! We can’t wait to meet all of your new additions at the store. Also, check out our mommy and me pajama sets so that you can get some great pictures in the hospital after the baby is here! Also don’t forget to tag your munchkins in their hmandbb attire at #bellababystyle on Instagram so that we can watch them grow!

Sweet Summertime

The start of summer is right around the corner. Memorial Day is here, and I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait to hit the pool. Granted, hitting the pool with a little one in tow is a lot more work than it has been in summers past, but it is worth the extra time and effort. There are definitely some things to think about before you dive in. Let’s start packing!

1. Sunscreen: Remember that your little ones have sensitive skin, and you need to put sunscreen on them frequently when outside, especially when they are swimming. There are so many great options these days from lotions to sprays, so lather it on, and don’t forget those itty-bitty noses and ears!

2. Swim suits: Here, we can help you out! We have some trendy trunks for boys, and some super-cute suits for girls! We carry several styles and colors to make sure that you have the cutest babe on the beach!

Check out these super cute swim trunks from Hatley!

Also, we didn’t forget about you mamas! We have some super cute maternity suits so that you can show off those baby bumps; one-pieces, two pieces, solids, and stripes! Don’t forget to spoil yourself a little this summer. You deserve it! Check out this awesome (and might I add, perfect for Memorial Day and Independence Day) suit from Maternal America that we just got in! It definitely won’t last long.

This is so cute and perfect for all those summer pool parties and BBQ get-togethers!

This is so perfect for all those summer pool parties and BBQ get-togethers!

3. Shades: Just like their skin, babies’ eyes are sensitive too. Make sure you protect their eyes from the harsh summer sun… or just get some of those sweet baby aviators because they are the perfect accessory for that really cute outfit you just bought!

4. Hats: Cute and functional, summer hats help to protect those sweet scalps from sunburn and are often a perfect compliment to their summer duds! We have several styles and colors to choose from for your littlest boys and girls. Check out this adorable set from Le Top and see what I mean: SO ADORABLE!

5. Sandals: Now that the heat has set in, ditch the socks and let the toes show! Sandals are a must-have for summers (and maybe even year-round for some of us) in Texas. Another plus side to sandals is that you can usually get a little extra wear out of them, since the toe is not closed in. We have super cute styles for the little divas out there and some great casual styles for our little guys. Our sandals are equipped with squeakers that can help you keep tabs on your little explorers, but can also be removed in seconds if you need some quiet time (or something close enough to quiet time).

Make sure you are prepared with all of the other essentials too: towels, floats, bug spray, toys (pretty much everything but the kitchen sink)! Getting out with your little one might seem like a hassle at times, but it is so worth it. Get out there and make some great memories this summer — oh, and don’t forget the camera!

Here are a few pictures of my munchkin in his Mayoral swim suit that I scooped up last summer from the store while I was pregnant. Make sure to share pictures of your #bellababystyle as your kiddos sport their summer duds that you picked up in the store with us on Instagram or at kristin@hmandbb.com. We would love to see them!

Baby Food 101 for Real Moms

So now that my sweet baby boy is 9 months old, I am taking maternity leave. It just wasn’t in the cards right away when he was born. His first months on earth were hectic. I finished school and have a job lined up, but I have a few months to enjoy with him before I start. Therefore, during this time, I am doing my best to make up for my Christmas tree being up until April. Like many twenty-something females, this usually entails spending way too much time on Pinterest, searching for all of the great things that I should be doing to earn a gold star in the mommy department. In case some of you haven’t jumped on that train, motherhood on Pinterest entails being a semi-professional photographer, an arts a craft guru, a design expert, and your own personal trainer, all while looking like a supermodel every day. It all looks pretty, but in reality, I feel like I deserve a medal for showering on a daily basis.

With that being said, I decided to start doing some simple things for my little boy that are good for him and that I enjoy. This week, I took the leap into making my own baby food. It isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds. I even unwrapped the pouch filling station that my mom got me for Christmas and started filling the freezer with my creations. Before you get started, there are a few things that you need to have on hand. First of all, a good blender is essential. I have a Ninja, but any high quality blender will do. Secondly, think about storage (unless you want to do all of this every few hours instead of catching up on that sleep that you lost when your sweet angel was up crying every two hours during the night). There are tons of options that can be kept in either the fridge or freezer with various carrying capacities. I chose to use a pouch system. The foods can be kept in the refrigerator up to 48 hours or in the freezer up to 2 months. Currently, I am using disposable pouches, but I may convert to a reusable line when we run out of these and take a more eco-friendly approach (I promise to recycle until then).

Here is my spread before starting the process. most fruits can be thrown in raw, but others like apples and fresh pears should be cooked in a crock pot to soften them. Most veggies will need to be steamed or boiled.

Now, for the best part, I am not going to give you any recipes. Look in your refrigerator and see what you have. What do you have on your counter top? Do you have a straggler fruit cocktail in the pantry? Taste it as you go, and if it isn’t good, add something that makes it taste better to you! I try to make things that I would eat myself.

Ingredients are thrown in the blender and ready to go. This won’t look as pretty when mixed, but it looks pretty before!

For my first batch I used a lone banana from my fruit bowl, a few chunks of the fresh pineapple that I just finished cutting, a couple of fresh blueberries, and a couple handfuls of spinach. I happened to have all of these things in my refrigerator and literally just threw them in the blender and left it on for five minutes while I vacuumed the living room. Next, I did 2 sweet potatoes, a can of pear halves that had been in my pantry for months, and a few spoonfuls of unsweetened applesauce so that I could get rid of the jar cluttering the bottom shelf of my fridge. This was slightly more complicated, since the sweet potato had to be peeled, chopped, and boiled in water for about 15 minutes. Once that was soft, it went into the blender with the pears and applesauce and was left on for about five minutes while I unloaded the dishwasher. I loaded my mixtures into pouches, labeled and dated them, and stashed them in the freezer. After 30-45 minutes (including clean-up time, vacuuming, and dish duty) and a couple bucks worth of ingredients, I have a baker’s dozen of fresh fruit and veggie pouches, a strong desire to purge my freezer and see what I can come up with next, and approval that looks like this:

Here are my finished pouches, ready to freeze or eat!

I may not have that bikini-ready body yet that I could get by following those five simple moves that I saw on Pinterest this morning, but I did make some yummy meals for my little man. Don’t let others’ experiences intimidate you. If I can do it, so can you. Even if you didn’t start making your own food from the beginning, you can start now! Put on some re-runs, get in there, and let the creative juices (and purees) flow. Good luck mamas!

P.S. Check out our Ju-Ju-Be reversible bibs with magnetic closures and pockets for catching any messes or mishaps! They are very cute and functional (plus they come in a great carrying pouch, which is perfect for the diaper bag!)

Kids Bath Bombs

Tags: all natural,bath bomb,cool craft for kids,homemade,homemade bath bomb,rainy day activity

Now here is a super cute craft you can do with your little one that BONUS will have them begging for bathtime!! Not to mention it’s always reassuring to know the products we use with our little ones are 100% all natural and what better way to guarantee that then to make them ourselves!

Skill level required: Medium

Fun Level: Off the charts (the girls giggled the whole time and were so excited to be making something that would normally be bought at the store!)

Age range (2+) I could actually see this being a fun craft to offer at a spa sleepover party with bigger girls too!

Supplies

Corn Starch
Baking Soda
Citric Acid
Essential Oil
Food Coloring
Two Medium Bowls
One Small Bowl
Measuring Cups
Whisk
Squirt Bottle
Small Water Proof Toys
Cookie Sheet

Steps

1. Measure out 1 3/4 cups of baking soda into one of the medium sized bowls.

2. Add 1 cup of citric acid to bowl

3. Add 2 cups of corn starch

4. Whisk ingredients together

5. Divide mixture evenly into the 2 bowls.

6. Add a few drops of essential oil to each bowl.

7. Put a few drops of food coloring in the bottom of your squirt bottle and fill with water.

8. Spray the colored water into one of the bowls. Whisk the mix while spraying the water. (if you add to much water or let the water sit for too long it will start to fizz – think back to those ubiquitous middle school volcano science projects.)

9. Add water until the mixture becomes the consistency of moist sand and sticks together easily

10. Take one of the small toys and place it into the mixture and press it firmly into the bowl.

11. Cover the toy with more of the mixture and press it firmly into the bowl.

12. Flip the bath bomb out of the bowl and onto a clean cookie sheet.

13. Repeat steps 9-12 until all of the mixture is gone.

14. Repeat steps 6-13 with remaining powder mixture using a different color if you would like.

15. Allow bath bombs to dry for several hours on a cookie sheet

16. Toss into bath and enjoy!!

No doubt, your kids will love this craft and you’ll love how easy it is to get them to take a bath :)! Enjoy!

Check out one of super cute full sized hooded towels to dry them off after their bath!

Rice Krispie Treat Dessert Sushi

Today is my eldest daughter’s 6th Birthday (Happy Birthday Elise)! As a working mom, I always feel a little guilty that I don’t have the opportunity to participate in as many of the school functions as some of the other Moms and that we don’t always have the time to sit down and do crafts together. So, I figured a Birthday is the perfect excuse to sneak out of work a little early and plan a Birthday treat project that we can all have fun with. My daughter absolutely adores all things pastry related, this girl’s Hero is Chef Ron of Sweet Genius so I knew I had to bring some serious game. I started racking my brain a few weeks ago, trying to come up with something unique but doable (I’m not exactly Martha Stewart especially when it comes to things kitchen related). And then it dawned on me, when we went to Disney a few months back, the girls ordered dessert sushi at California Grill, they absolutely had a blast with the whole experience, squealing with delight when the trays arrived, using their chopsticks to pick the “rolls” up and dipping the “sushi” in the chocolate “soy sauce.” California Grill used fun stuff like gummy fish and other pieces of candy to create the sushi effect. Based on what I had seen at the California Grill, I figured I could handle this one. I googled dessert sushi and came up with some more ideas too. Due to time and resource constraints I wasn’t able to fully recreate the California Grill experience but we definitely got close enough and the girls had so much fun.

Here’s what you’ll need:

6 Cups of Rice Krispie Cereal

1 bag of marshmallows

4 Table Spoons or a 1/2 stick of butter

Fruit Roll-Ups

Optional items to use as “fish”

Gummy Fish

Swedish Fish

Jelly Beans (pushed into rolls these give the effect of Roe)

Tootsie Rolls (for the more adventurous these can be rolled out and formed into fish)

Mixing Bowl

Pot (at least 4 inches deep)

Wax Paper or Cooking Sheet

Gloves or extra butter to use while forming the sushi

Sharp knife or kitchen scissors

Directions:

1. Measure out the Rice cereal into a bowl

2. Begin heating the butter up over low/medium in a pot

3. Once the butter is melted add the marshmallows (you don’t want the Marshmallows to get too hot otherwise your treats will be rock hard so make sure you leave the temperature at low/medium and stir continuously, it only takes a few minutes for the marshmallows to melt).

4. When the marshmallows are almost completely melted pull the mixture off the stove (it may still appear a little lumpy that’s okay as long as the mix is 90% melted).

5. Add the Rice Krispies to the pot and stir

6. Once the treats are mixed and still a little warm you can start forming the “Sushi” I warmed a little tray of butter and applied the butter like hand lotion in between each “roll” to keep the treats from sticking to my hand. You could also use latex gloves but I found the butter worked great.

7. Form the treats into a quenelle (oblong shape kind of like a football shape) for the sashimi and round squat shape for the sushi rolls.

8. Once the treats are formed and cooling then prep your sushi

9. Begin cutting the fruit roll-ups into 3 long strips, these will be used to tie the sashimi and serve as the nori on the rolls and prepare your sushi (we placed all the goodies in cupcake wrappers so the girls could access them easily and things stayed relatively tidy ;)!)

10. Place the fish on the sashimi and tie in place with a strip of fruit roll up (this is surprisingly easy to do my now 6 year old was actually able to do this herself.) For the rolls just wrap the fruit roll up around and add any fish you would like.

11. For an extra wow factor you might consider either saving up take out sushi trays (or ask your local sushi place to let you buy some), add some formed Tootsie Roll ginger & wasabi (pink and green rolled/formed Tootsie Rolls) you can also use chocolate sauce for a dipping soy sauce (we didn’t have the time for which I’m sure my daughter’s teacher is grateful) and of course the kiddos will have a ball if you include chop sticks.

Overall the girls and I had a blast pulling this project together, they turned out super cute, maybe not California Grill fancy but still really adorable. I would rate this project a medium to low skill level with a very high fun and wow factor. My daughter’s teacher thought they were so cool she was running around showing them off this morning :)! A great reminder that even though I might not be able to be there for all of the mini-memories we can still make some pretty awesome memories with the time we do have!!

Do you have a great idea for a craft, please share below or let us know if you have any questions!!

Amazing Baby Must-Haves

I’m sure when you walk through a baby store, you think to yourself at least once, “Do I really need this?” It seems like they have thought of everything, yet there are constantly new and amazing things on the market. There are several no-brainers, like a good, safe carseat, a stroller, and a crib, but there is so much more out there. How do you decide what you need, and what you don’t. Several of us here at the store are parents, so we are outlining a few of our favorite must-have picks.

1. Pacifier Accessories: While this might sound ridiculous, these inventions are quite ingenious! Our Nookums attaches to most name brand pacifiers. It is a stuffed animal attached to your little angel’s pacifier, which not only makes it super cute, but also makes it easier to find, easier to catch when you throw it across the room to your significant other, and easier for baby to maneuver back into his or her mouth so that you can get some much needed shut eye. If your little one is already mobile, a pacifier clip might be more your style. We carry several styles of these clips from Mudpie and Bella Tunno. Whether you have a little cowboy, a princess, or an athlete, we have you covered! These connect the pacifier to your baby’s outfit, reducing the amount of time mom spends looking under furniture and increasing time for snuggling.

2. Kickee Pants Pajamas: Babies come out sleeping from up to 16 hours a day. Obviously, they should have the softest and most comfortable pajamas on the planet, and we carry them here! This line offers lightweight, stretchy, super soft pajamas made from their very own bamboo and spandex blend with super fun colors and patterns from stripes and other geometric patterns to fun motifs like mopeds and sailboats. The lightweight feature is perfect for hot Houston weathers, and the stretch ensures that your little ones get the most wear possible out of these great garments. If that doesn’t sound good enough, they also have mittens built into the sleeves of their kimono sets, newborn gowns, and footed pajamas!

3. Squeaky Shoes: Another brilliant invention, these shoes have many wonderful aspects. First of all, they are adorable! They have tons of great styles from sandals and penny loafers to boat shoes and boots. Secondly, babies love to make noise. They are so pleased with themselves when they make a new sound, and these shoes encourage them to take steps by making fun squeaking noises when they do. After they learn to walk, babies are into everything. The squeaks can help mom keep track of her busy baby while out in public or in the house. The skeptics out there are thinking to themselves that this squeaking sounds really annoying, but I can address that too! The squeaker can be removed from the side of the sole and can be reinserted easily should you need a break from the noise. Told you they were brilliant.

4. Chewbeads: These silicone bead necklaces are made for mom to wear and baby to chew on. Brilliant! Made from the same substance as a pacifier nipple, these super cute accessories entertain baby and help jazz up mom’s outfits. They come in neutral colors as well as vibrant shades in your favorite colors! Worried about them getting yucky from all the drool? Throw them in the dishwasher to sanitize them. How easy is that? Oh, and if necklaces aren’t your thing, they also make bracelets and adorable rattles. While it is so fun to shop for babies, remember that the mamas out there need some love, too!

All Natural No Mosquito Zone! Your Guide to Mosquito Repellent Plants.

Tags: mosquito repellent,mosquito repellent plants,natural mosquito repellent

The days are getting longer, the mercury’s creeping up, school children are counting down the days until school is out, all of the welcome signs of summer are here and unfortunately one of the most despised creatures of summer are waking up, the mosquitoes are back! The official start of summer is Mid-June however, our friends the mosquitoes like to get a jump start on the season and here in Houston, the age old battle of woman vs skeeter is already in full swing.

Not only are mosquitoes a major nuisance, their bites carry health risks from minor inconveniences like a localized allergic reaction to life threatening diseases like West Nile and encephalitis. Interesting fact, according to the Illinois Department of Health, “Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creature on earth. Mosquitoes and the diseases they spread have been responsible for killing more people than all the wars in history. Even today, mosquitoes transmitting malaria kill 2 million to 3 million people and infect another 200 million or more every year. Tens of millions more are killed and debilitated by a host of other mosquito-borne diseases, including filariasis, yellow fever, dengue and encephalitis.” Fortunately, for those of us in the US we don’t have too much to worry with regards to Malaria or Yellow Fever but the other diseases mosquitoes can carry pose a very real risk.

So how do we keep ourselves and our little ones safe? Bug Spray is always an option but what if you’re looking for a natural alternative or supplement to drug store bug sprays? Good news, Mother Nature’s got your back. There are a variety of plants with natural mosquito repellent properties that even those of us with a not so green thumb can easily maintain. And great news, many of these mosquito repellent plants also happen to be popular herbs used in cooking so planting a few outside your back door has the additional benefit of not only keeping the little vampires at bay but also provides you and your family with some awesome fresh cooking ingredients.

A list of Mosquito Repellent Plants and a little insight on how readily available I found these plants to be.

Citronella – Great news, every nursery we visited in Houston had Citronella.

Horse Mint or Mentha Longifolia - We didn’t have luck finding wild mint at the nursery however, they did have a variety of mint plants which are suggested to have similar repellent characteristics.
Marigolds – Probably the most readily available of the plants on the list, Marigolds are in a variety of shades (sometimes you can even find them at your grocery store in the summer months.) Added bonus, Marigolds are great way to add a pop of color to your yard while keeping not only mosquitoes but many other garden nuisance insect and animals away.

(source: http://rugs-passingglimpse.blogspot.com/2011/08/luscious.html)

Ageratum or White Weed – I didn’t have luck tracking this one down. It apparently is a rather aggressive plant that is prone to becoming a rampant weed if not contained (no thanks!)
Catnip – Good news for all those cat lovers out there plant a treat for your furry friend and reap the benefits.
Basil – Good old Basil, a staple in Italian cooking this is a great one to plant and harvest as needed.
Lemon Grass Cymbopogon (Lemongrass, Citronella Grass or Fever Grass) – Another cooking staple, Lemon Grass is used heavily in Asian cooking. This hearty plant is great in a large pot by your front and back doors to keep the mosquitoes away. I didn’t have luck finding this at the nursery because I was looking for Lemon Grass and didn’t know its scientific name or the other common names however, we did find seeds and are in the process of germinating those now.

Lemon Thyme – Notice a trend here, another hand kitchen herb makes the list. Lemon Thyme is readily available all over.
Lavender – By far my daughters and I’s favorite, we picked up two large Lavender plants to place on our patio furniture and we’re really enjoying the plants, lavender is beautiful and so fragrant. This is another plant we didn’t have any trouble finding.

Painted Daisy Chrysanthemum coccineum - Another fun way to incorporate color into an anti-mosquito garden. We’re in the process of germinating seeds now (a great way to quickly germinate seeds is to place them in a sealed ziplock bag with a wet paper towel.)

As you can see there are lots of great options for keeping the mosquitoes at bay and upgrading your landscaping a bit. Have you heard of more or had great success with any of these? Let us know in the comments below.

We’ll keep you updated throughout the summer as to how these are working.

Also, if you’re in need of an all natural bug spray that’s safe for infants, pregnant and nursing moms check out this 100% organic insect repellent from Zoe Organics.

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Haute Mommies Night Out

Maternity and Baby Flash Sales and Deep Discounts!!

Haute Mommies Night Out!

Thoughts on Labor and Delivery

Sweet Summertime

Baby Food 101 for Real Moms

Kids Bath Bombs

Rice Krispie Treat Dessert Sushi

Amazing Baby Must-Haves

All Natural No Mosquito Zone! Your Guide to Mosquito Repellent Plants.

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