Non-Maternity Clothes for Pregnancy

You’ve found out that you are pregnant, and you can’t wait to show off your belly proudly. But, what to do when most of your clothes don’t fit anymore, and you wanted to wear them so much? Fashion for pregnant women has become very extensive, and that is the reason why it costs so much. However, there are some smart hacks you can use to be able to wear non-maternity clothes during pregnancy.

Pants for a casual day outfit

Your old jeans will probably become too tight and you won’t be able to wear them over your belly because they have zips and buttons. What you can wear are wide leg pants. They are super cozy, and will definitely be comfortable for your belly. You can wear them as a casual day outfit, or even as a work outfit if you are still working during some months of your pregnancy. When choosing high-waisted pants, make sure they go above your belly, so that you can wear shirts tucked in. If you choose low-rise pants, then opt for a loose shirt.

Another good idea of incorporating pants into your maternity clothes is to wear suspender jeans. In recent years they are no longer considered exclusively maternity clothes, and everyone wears them. You can use the trend of loose, mom jeans and wear them with a simple white shirt and white sneakers. You will look cute, while still being comfortable. You can even wear the jeans you already have, and if they don’t fit anymore, do a simple sewing repair and add a few inches of material on the sides.

Leggings for when you have errands to run 

The most comfortable item you can wear during pregnancy are leggings. They don't have to be a fitness outfit; instead, you can wear them when you have a doctor's appointment or some other errands to run. Today, numerous designs are available, so you don’t have to wear classic fitness ones. Basic, mono-colored and a simple loose T-shirt is all that you need. The good thing about leggings is that they can expand as your belly grows, so maybe you can even use the ones that you already have. Some casual day time leggings you can even wear with a tunic which goes down to your knees. Another interesting option to try is jeans leggings that you can style like any other regular jeans.

Dresses as formal wear during pregnancy

A lot of the times, you have a special occasion you need to attend during pregnancy. Whether it is an engagement, birthday, or a wedding, here are some tips on what to wear. There is no point, of course, in hiding your belly, which is why it is a good idea to do the exact opposite. Bodycon dresses made from a cotton-spandex blend or polyester are a perfect choice. For a wedding, you can wear a long bodycon dress that goes below your knees. You will look elegant, trendy and also be able to move since the material is stretchy.

A good idea to wear non-maternity clothes for pregnancy is to get empire waist dresses, either maxi or midi. They will not feel tight on your belly, instead, they will allow a lot of movement. If you have trouble finding the right style or you need ideas, great online clothes shops offer many cute designs, especially floral for summer. You can also choose a design to fit your style and order it online for those days when you don’t feel like going out. Straps or ruffles, just pick according to the occasion and you will look stunning.

Since maternity clothing can be quite expensive, look into some other options of wearing your regular clothes during pregnancy. Hopefully, these tips will give you an idea of what you can wear for different occasions so that you don't have to give up your favorite items of clothing.

The Top Six Apps & Resources For Home Schooled Students

We are in the final stretch of finishing of fifth grade, and our fourth year of virtual school. It has worked so well for us, and William feels ready for the next chapter: middle school. I am trying not to panic over the fact that the workload with be much heavier and harder. Fifth grade was a tough one. I am not ashamed to admit that I have to Google things all the time, because I simply do not always know the answers or solutions to problems, especially in math.

Over the last couple of years, I have found some life-saving extremely helpful apps and sites that have been a vital part on my side of things. Even if you don't home school or do virtual school, homework help is essential for all parents.

Here are some of my go-to sites for Math:

Hack Math is so good when you need to check over answers. I love that you can type in complicated math problems, and in most cases, find the solution.

Photomath is an app that you have to download on your smartphone. This app is especially helpful since they have a feature where you can use your camera to scan a math problem. The app solves the problem and gives step-by-step explanations. I tend to use Photomath so I can learn different ways to solve a problem. If you don't have this app on your phone, go get it now! Of course, it's free.

Math Antics is another great resource that offers videos for all levels of math. William has this one bookmarked on his computer and uses it frequently.

For Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies:

Quizlet has really been so good for all of the subjects outside of Math. If you Google a specific question and add the word Quizlet on the end, it will give you all the information you need. It works so well when you need a study guide for a specific unit, especially for Social Studies and Science.

Kiddle is a must-have for kids to do safe searches.

Khan Academy is one of our favorites for practicing and studying. The videos are a good way to have your student see a problem being done step-by-step. You can watch a video as many times as you need until you really understand.

Aside from the sites and apps listed above, we have found that Minecraft has been the secret weapon to help with improved keyboarding skills. It isn't always easy for elementary aged students to type out a paper in a short time. With Minecraft, we find that William is so engaged in the game that he doesn't realize how much typing he does.

If you have any useful resources that help with homework, feel free to leave a comment. Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Our New College Graduate, Briahnna - Go Gamecocks!

This past Saturday, our younger daughter Briahnna graduated from the University of South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Leadership Distinction in Diversity and Social Advocacy, and minors in Spanish and General Education. It feels like her four years in college went by super fast! 

Her graduation ceremony was one of the best we ever attended. Despite the packed venue, things ran smoothly and was over in just 2 hours. It was neat seeing her photo pop up on the big screen! There was even a special moment honoring Phylicia Rashad becoming a Doctor of Fine Arts. She is even more beautiful in person!  

We are one proud family! Briahnna will continue her graduate studies at the University of South Carolina. Go Gamecocks!

California Design Den Luxury Sheet Set Mother's Day Giveaway

**CLOSED** 

If you took a poll and asked moms what they really want for Mother's Day, they would likely say sleep or to have peace and quiet. Let's face it, many moms are sleep-deprived and crave what some lucky people call sleeping in. Having time to yourself to be able to lounge in bed to catch up on your favorite show, or finish the book you've had sitting on the dresser seems like a dream.

Having the right bedding truly makes for a more restful night's slumber. You can count on a luxury sheet set from California Design Den to help make your bedtime extra comfy at a great value. I am definitely a fan of practical gifts, and luxury bed sheets would make me so happy! What makes a sheet set luxurious? I feel like when you slip into bed you should feel your sheets wrapping you up in comfort and luxury. Hard-working moms certainly deserve it.

If you are still unsure of what to give Mom for Mother's Day, I urge you to check out the highest quality luxury sheet selection from California Design Den. They offer the luxury and durability of hotel bed sheets and the look of crisp pillowcases with a 400-thread-count. They're made with 100% long staple cotton fiber and a gorgeous sateen weave. Their eco-friendly sheets retain softness for a lifetime and resist fading. You can even score a 10% off discount if you use the code: MOMCDD10 They have so many colors to choose from, and you can count of a durable yet soft sheet set to last wash after wash.

I'm thrilled to host a giveaway courtesy of California Design Den team for one lucky reader to win a luxury sheet set ($40 value) of your choice.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only until May 9, 2019. Winner will be notified via email. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Give The Gift Of Gourmet Food & Wine This Mother's Day

We are already heading into the end of April, which means Mother's Day is rapidly approaching. It seems like year after year we spend a lot of time, and perhaps even stress out a bit over what to get the important moms in our life as a gift. Every year I tell my family that you can't ever go wrong with food. When that food is paired with wine, that makes it even better!

Gourmet Gift Baskets is here to make your gift-giving effortless. The hardest part will be choosing from their huge selection. Regardless of what Mom's taste is, you are sure to find the perfect gift.

I was thrilled to receive the Mother's Day Indulgence Gift Crate. This amazing crate includes an array exquisite treats including a bottle of Chardonnay, red wine, Summer sausage, savory cheeses, tasty crackers, and some sweet treats. The presentation of how it is packaged was quite impressive. I was all smiles and filled with excitement to tear into this tasty gift.

Disclosure: I received a product sample at no charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% mine as always.

This gift came expertly packaged to prevent any damage to the contents. It even came with a Mother's Day card which takes another thing off the list that you don't have to buy.

I am a wine drinker, so this gift was quite fitting. It is nice having both white and red wine to choose from. Having both sweet and savory treats were the perfect addition to make this the perfect gift. The crate that it came in is super cute and works as a serving tray.

Gourmet Gift Baskets does not skimp on quality at all. Every food item is scrumptious! The summer sausage with the spicy cheddar cheese on top of the cracked pepper water crackers was EVERYTHING! The perfect snack to go with a glass of red wine. I enjoyed the chocolate dipped pretzels on the side for a sweet finish. I'm hanging on to the milk chocolate cherries for the weekend. I have had them before and they are crazy good. I will NOT be sharing either! 

If your mom or a special mom in your life enjoys gourmet food and wine, this one is a winner. If she doesn't drink alcohol, no worries, there are dozens of other options to choose from. There's a spa day themed gift basket, snack towers, orchard fresh fruits, tea & coffee, cookies, and more. Show mom how much you appreciate her this Mother's Day with a lovely gift from Gourmet Gift Baskets. She will love it, and you will take the guesswork out of what to give. Just grab your credit card and head over to gourmetgiftbaskets.com. You can count on quick shipping once you place your order.

Be sure to follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on their social channels for product updates and promotions: Facebook Instagram Twitter

 Thank you for stopping by today!