Let’s all take a minute to mourn how difficult it is to look cute (and feel cute) when pregnant. The continual, perpetual and never-ending weight gain plays a huge role for me. Luckily for me, I discovered Babes with Babies, based out of London, and was able to review one of their dresses. I know I’ve got you giggling a little at the name of this company, but let me tell you, I felt like a babe in my Avalicious dress. It’s positively delicious!

I love the simple, clean lines of my Avalicious dress. It’s form-fitting which helped me to embraced my curved figure and feel beautiful. The dress is very well made from a medium-weight knit and it washed beautifully.

Yes, the price feels a tad high for something you may only wear a few times, however, for me, the most attractive I’ve felt in this pregnancy is when I’ve been wearing that dress and for me, that makes it worth the dollars!

Babes with Babies also carries dresses that work throughout pregnancy and then allows for breastfeeding access post-pardum. A definite investment piece. We all know how hard it is to find an attractive dress that is breastfeeding accessible. I think this summer frock is absolutely darling (don’t you agree?) and it looks as though it drapes in just the right way, concealing any softness post-pardum.

I like that Babes with Babies carries very fashion-forward dresses – what else would you expect from Europeans? None of their dresses look frumpy or like something your Mom wore when she was pregnant with you. I want to do my best to embrace my body and the miracle that’s occurring and Babes with Babies definitely makes that happen! They don’t just carry dresses though. They carry all sorts of maternity clothing, baby gifts, gorgeous diaper bags, things for new Mums…. lots and lots of great fashion! -Katie

When pregnant, it can be difficult to look cute, never mind sexy. Let’s face it, the rising numbers on the scale, albeit healthy, don’t help. Being 28 weeks pregnant now, I was super excited to test out JBrand’s Mama J jeans – the straight leg style in indigo 3405. And I gotta say, my pregnant bod totally rocks these jeans. Or it’s more like these jeans rocking me. They are super flattering and may I even branch out to say sexy? My husband loves it when I slide into these bad boys. The back pockets are perfect, the wash is extraordinary… they’re great! The jeans ran true to size too. And JBrand has an excellent selection of maternity jeans.

It took me a little bit of time before I realized that the front pockets are show only, not actual pockets. And because the jeans have only triangular elastic cut-outs at the front and sit below the belly, I have to be careful when bending. I do like that the jeans have a proper waist band though.

To me, these weren’t early maternity jeans. I find that these have worked best as my belly has expanded because the waist is a bit bigger. Having a bigger belly helps keep them up and fitting right.

I think my favorite thing about these jeans is that the legs and hips don’t stretch out as I wear them. They don’t grow a size on me. I know they’ll fit the same at the end of the day as they did at the beginning. So when you’re buying a pair of Mama J’s for youself, buy the pair that fits the best in the fitting room cuz, hunny, they aren’t going to loosen up! But don’t worry, they fit true to size. I know these jeans are a little on the expensive side, but after owning, wearing, and loving them, I’ve become a believer in investing more in my jeans, especially since that’s what I wear the most! – Katie

I don’t own many dresses. I have a hard time finding ones that cover what I want covered and yet are still chic and stylish (and fun and flirty and sexy…). A good dress is often hard to find, and one that costs under $100 even harder. Thank heavens two women had the same dress-finding problem or we might never have the fabulous fashion- and figure-friendly dresses from Shabby Apple!

After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it. They visited trade shows, marketplaces and designer studios only to discover the problem was not that department stores weren’t buying the right dresses, but that designers weren’t designing them.

Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else. A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything…no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

Sometimes the site simply says it best! But even that “about us” doesn’t do Shabby Apple justice. The collection features dress for every occasion, from Easter brunch to Saturday-night soiree, and for every body. “Every woman deserves to feel beautiful in a dress, but not all of us look like runway models. [Hear, hear!] Shabby Apple celebrates the short legs, curvy hips, straight waists and flat chests in all of us.” They even have an online fit guide to help you find the styles that “emphasize your assets.”

I received the Daisy dress, which can be found under Flirty. (Sounds like my kind of dress!) This crisp, white, hail-the-sunshine eyelet dress has one of my favorite features of all time: puff sleeves. And for my shorter torso the dress’ empire waist and A-line skirt is perfect! As pleasant a surprise as the puff sleeves is its length—it actually hits my knees! (What I lose in torso I make up for in inseam…) The Daisy is fully lined so no impromptu—and embarrassing—bra sightings, plus its rayon/cotton blend fabric means it travels well. The yellow grosgrain ribbon isn’t attached so you can change up the dress simply by changing the ribbon! Traveling well is a really, really good thing since I have yet to wear this dress outside our home so I’ll be making up for lost time by packing it for our cruise in September. (It’s almost May and we’re still experiencing 30-degree weather at night and the rare 60-degree day. Are you kidding me?)

Others can vouch for Shabby Apple’s drool-worthy design. I know for a fact Daria is all over the Lois Lane and envisions herself wearing it at the BlogHer conference in July. I’m debating whether to don A Sunday Afternoon or Tender is the Night. Perhaps I should get both just to be safe!

In true Shabby Apple style you can’t forget the accessories, the little fashionista or the mama-to-be. Along with the delectable dresses you’ll find scrumptious jewelry, handbags and shoes for you, the sweetest dresses for little girls and belly-flattering maternity dresses. Shabby Apple leaves nothing to chance, especially style!—Emily

* Promotion! Shabby Apple is offering Daily Dish readers 15% off their purchase! Simply enter code SABoutique when checking out. Offer expires May 28th, 2009. (Think of it as a Mother’s Day present to yourself—you totally deserve it!)

At baby&momma you can “shop ‘til you pop” and then some! The company has some really fun tees for pregnant bellies and babies. Their maternity tees are a cotton/spandex blend so they are really soft and have great stretch. I was able to check out their “Who’s Your Mommy?” maternity tee, and though it’s about 10 months too late for me to actually wear this cute t-shirt, the fabric and cut made it easy to believe it when baby&momma claims their tees “can stretch over even the largest of pregnant bellies.”

baby&momma’s maternity line has some really great sayings like “I’m with my Inner Child” and “Our future lies within.” And let’s not forget their cute onesies for newborns. Though sized 0-3 months, the company says they’re sized large and can fit most babies 3-6 months (100% cotton—no spandex in these babies so they will shrink slightly when washed). My faves from their onesie line are “Are you really my relatives?” and “Notify the press: I have arrived.”

If you’re looking to add a fun, new tee to your maternity wardrobe or a fun baby shower gift for a friend, visit baby&momma’s website. You’re sure to find something cute and comfy!—Emily

** Giveaway! baby&momma is giving away one of their “clone” infant onesies! Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: May 28th (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Tara R., the winner of our baby&momma giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

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