Must-haves for mama-to-be

Pregnancy is an exciting and beautiful time in any woman's life but it's also fraught with dressing a burgeoning bump and figuring out what skin care products are safe to use. Now that I am pregnant for the third time, I thought I would share my pregnancy must-have essentials with all the other expecting mamas-to-be.

xo,

Ashley

1. Cross-body bags 

As a pregnant mommy on the go, cross-body bags are the perfect lightweight, hands free handbag for any expectant mommy. As your belly grows, a big heavy handbag is just not ideal.

On sale now! Foley + Corinna Vesta Tassel, Foley + Corinna Sunburst Mini

2. Cute Flats and Sneakers

As soon as your belly starts to grow, your balance seems to become somewhat questionable and flats become a crucial part of any pregnant mommy's attire. Lately, I am really loving the cool sneaker look mixed with a striped bodycon as my daily go-to! It's a fun pulled together look that is really hip and comfortable.

Top Photo: JCrew Sloan d'Orsay flat, Bottom Photo: JCrew  New Balance

3. Flowy dresses

Since it sometimes takes well into the second trimester for a belly bump to pop, flowy dresses help hide the belly bulge and also happen to be really pretty. I was over 2 months pregnant with the twins and still not ready to announce my pregnancy during this photo session with my boys. Instead, I opted for this mermaid-style flowy dress to help keep my bundle of joy under wraps.

Free People Bird Bird Dress, Free People New Romantics Carina dress

4. BodyCon Dresses

Once your belly has offically popped, a bodycon dress is the perfect choice. This style really shows off the bump and curves without adding extra weight to your growing body! Look for frocks with thin stripes or side ruching to keep your silhouette extra slim. I especially love Isabella Oliver's soft stretch fabrics that grow with you.

Isabella Oliver Tank Dress , Isabella Oliver Black Lace Dress

5. Maternity Jeans

I usually don't like to invest into too many maternity pieces that won't get the long term wear. But when none of your jeans fit, investing in high quality denim is certainly a must in my book. AG denim makes it easy, since you just order your regular jean size and it fits with an elastic waistband.

AG Jeans  Legging Denim, AG Jeans Legging Denim

6. Maternity Tank Tops

The foundation for your pregnancy style, the maternity tank is a wardrobe essential. I practically live in my maternity tank tops and they are also perfect for layering. Be sure to check out Target's affordable tanks by Liz Lange.

Isabella Oliver Maternity Tank

7. Pregnancy Pillow

Sleeping can be challenging when pregnant. These days the only thing helping me get my beauty rest is the pregnancy pillow. It's ridiculously big but a good night's sleep is totally worth it. Although the pillow from Bump Nest is a little more pricey than others, it's quality makes sleeping a dream. Plus, it's pillow patterns would complement any decor. For a less expensive option, simple white is available here

Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow

8. H2O

As a mom-to-be it's also essential to be doubly sure that you're drinking enough water. Water helps your body absorb essential nutrients into your blood cells, which transports ultimately to your baby. With how much water I drink, I definitely have my eye on the cucumber infuser water bottle below.

UncommonGoods Cucumber Infuser Bottle

9.Tummy Rub

Mama Mio's "Tummy Rub" is by far the gold standard when it comes to fighting stretch marks. It helps your skin adjust to pregnancy and also helps you recover afterwards. 

10.Skincare

I often hear that my skin is glowing, but in reality the extra hormones sometimes create havoc on my skin. My skin frequently experiences dryness with occasional breakouts during pregnancy. Since there aren't  many products that are deemed safe to use, I love using Lush's all natural Cosmetic Warrior mask for my occasional breakouts. The cleansing garlic and tea tree oil freshen up my tired mama complexion.