Coupon codes, reviews and more at Capitol Moms Original Blog

Coming this week on Capitol Moms, there are goodies to be found.

* a referral code for $5 off and free shipping at Diapers.com
* momAgenda's on sale
* CM picks for Spring fashion pick-me-ups
* CM picks for Bringing Home Preemie

and more at Capitol Moms, the blog, http://capitolmoms.blogspot.com

What I'm loving now: LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit

It's cold here, really, really cold... and coming from north Texas where it is usually warm anyway, this 11 and 17 degrees weirdness, is just that, weird, but I can remind myself of the warm and steamy days of summer with LaVanilla's Vanilla Grapefruit Body Cream and Fragrance Rollerball.

It was a late night, my little one was up and reminding me that young babies have awkward sleeping routines and I was watching HSN, yes, the Home Shopping Network. Did you know that Sephora has a regular boutique with great products at even better prices? I found that I can shop for fabulous products from the comfort of my own couch, ohh and addictive combination.

I was a little nervous about buying perfume online without trying it first, but I loved the idea of a healthy fragrance and with a bump sometimes you want just the very best. I wanted products with active botanicals, pure essential oils, and antioxidants to wrap your skin in healthy, nurturing goodness -- Lavanila delivered. I was pleasantly surprised and rewarded with compliment, after unsolicited compliment.

Vanilla Grapefruit is a warm, musky vanilla, with a bright note of sunny grapefruit. It's not the syrupy, nauseating ickiness that is so often called vanilla and that cream is just that a long lasting cream that I used in the hospital to soothe the rough spots and remind me after a difficult delivery that I am beautiful and this body is an awesome, powerful, graceful machine.

You can find the LaVanila line of products at Sephora stores nationwide, www.sephora.com or like I did at www.hsn.com

Visit Pinks and Blues for your chance at celebrating in the Virtual Baby Shower

Pinks and Blues, a rockin' site for those of the maternal mindset with an eye for hip trends, fabulous baby goodies, mama giveaways and celeb spotting, is having their first Virtual Baby Shower for NBC's The Office's Angela Kinsey and are treating one lucky mama to the same baby booty that she receives.

How cool is that? To enter, visit the site and share the story of one special mama-to-be from now until Valentine's Day. Readers will vote on the their favorite story and one lucky mama will receive a baby goodie pack filled with gifts from some really cool sponsors.

For more information, visit Pinks and Blues at www.pinksandblues.com

CM2B Picks from Juicy Couture Mama

Lately in my randomly timed web travels, I find myself looking for things that catch my eye, make me smile or bring a bit of luxury to my increasingly busy days.

Here are my picks from the new Juicy Couture maternity line.

The Jacquard Diaper Bag with matching "Couture Baby" changing pad and bib. I love the look of this bag with its gold toned hardware and leather accents and handles. Nothing perks up an outfit or your everyday mom uniform of jeans and a great T like a great bag.

And the Haute Mama tank, what can I say, it's fun, easy dressing and comes in great basic colors, black, pink and white with coordinating lettering.

Pictures and both available at Due Maternity

The Girls are Growing... Nursing Bras with Oomph

One perk of being a new, nursing motherhood is that my breasts are fabulous. Yes, I said it; and, they are, but a side effect of my new glorious cleavage is finding bras that fit, feel nice and survive my washing.

Here are my favorites.

1) Bravado's Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra: "Designed to Melt into Your Body" (Ivory above)

This bra is my everyday favorite. It is soft, comfy and gives a beautiful, smooth shape under t-shirts with no nursing pad or nipple show-through. There is also a removable liner that I find useful for preventing leak-through. It comes in three basic colors, black, butterscotch and ivory. $45


2) Bella Materna's Adjustable Anytime Bralet (Slate Bra above)

The fabric that this bra is made of is amazing. It feels luxurious, silky smooth against the skin and gives great support without underwires. I have worn this bra, nursing or not, pregnant or not and it looks great everytime. What I also love about this bra is that I can just rinse it out in the sink and let it dry, and it does, quickly and beautifully. This one also comes in the basics, plus a lovely slate blue and a pinky blush. I recommend this bra to friends, regardlesss of their maternal status. $55

Pictures: Bravado and Bella Materna.

Looking for Mom-to-be Reviewers and Posters

As my pregnancy has now ended and I have been blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Capitol Moms will be looking for new mom-to-be reviewers to help supplement the content of this blog.

We are looking for moms in various stages of pregnancy with an eye for new products, services and goodies that will rock and make the road more fun and easier for other moms, that are willing to share their knowledge, create two posts a week and can meet a deadline.

If this sounds like something that you would be interested in, send me an email to teia(AT)capitolmoms.org with "Maternity Edition Reviewer" in the subject line.

Welcome into 2008 - Desire List Challenge

Each year, we make half-hearted resolutions and plans for things that sometimes never see the light of day again. This year, I challenge you to complete an exercise that I have found to be useful and worth the time it takes.

It is called Crafting a Desire List. Basically, it is a thoughtfully drafted list of adventures, things and dreams that you want to have, experience or partake in. I spend about a week, thinking, envisioning and writing, but nothing goes on the list that I cannot see clearly in my head. I figure, if I can't envision it, then on to the next thing. I remind myself that anything is possible (I could give you a long list of impossibles and "seriously unlikelies" that have come to pass in my life.) and get to writing. When you complete your list, post it in a safe, visible place to remind you and keep you focused on the prize.

I will offer one word of caution, remember that a woman's desire is a powerful thing and when you put this kind of energy into anything, something is bound to happen -- so be mindful of the process.

Many blessings to you and yours,
Teia