Sabina’s big, (formerly) pregnant belly in desperate need of support from a bodystyler

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Sabina’s big, (formerly) pregnant belly in desperate need of support from a bodystyler

Ever wish someone could just hold your baby bump for you, if only for a second so you could catch your breath?  I definitely did when I was pregnant, when, let’s be honest, I had a HUGE belly!! – Not a day went by without having to hear “awww, you’re having twins!” Though only one in the oven, the weight of my belly might have rivaled that of a twin belly, and I can’t even begin to tell you have badly I needed support.  It was very heavy!   I researched and tried everything out there from belly bands to maternity support belts, but nothing did the trick.   As we grow throughout our pregnancies,  strain is placed on the back, the abdominal muscles, the bladder and the pelvic floor.   Uncomfortable weight gain and carrying that very heavy belly  definitely puts a damper on it.  In comes the BLANQI bodystyler!   It’s that extra hand, that extra support to help you carry your baby bump around.  The bodystyler is revolutionary in that it lifts and provides that much-needed support, eases pain and discomfort, decreases pressure on the pelvic floor, and reduces back and abdominal pain, all the while fashionably comfortable.  When you take it off, your belly literally drops – it’s pretty amazing!  I will post shortly how the bodystyler supports your baby bump.  This is me, Sabina, at 32 weeks, looking VERY pregnant!!! :)

❤ Sabina

BLANQI attending Pre Golden Globes Celebrity mom & baby event, The Boom Boom Room!

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BLANQI attending Pre Golden Globes Celebrity mom & baby event, The Boom Boom Room!

Pregnant NINA GARCIA loves her BLANQI!

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Pregnant NINA GARCIA loves her BLANQI!

Nina Garcia, über-notable fashion director of marie claire magazine and judge of Lifetime’s Project Runway, loves her BLANQI bodystylers (yeay!)  We met her in New York City during Fashion’s Night Out – she is absolutely lovely!  So sweet and kind, and a pregnancy glow like no other!  She is a gorgeous mama and mama-to-be who makes pregnancy oh-so-fashionable.  We wish her all the very best!

She sent us the handwritten note below – hope our bodystyler makes her pregnancy a little easier ;)

BLANQI featured in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine

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BLANQI featured in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine

BLANQI’s pregnancy bodystyler is featured in the November issue of  Pregnancy and  Newborn magazine!!!  “If your bun isn’t quite done yet, this body styler will support your  pregnant belly and smooth uninvited bulges.”

BLANQI ❤ Cynthia Rowley

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BLANQI ❤ Cynthia Rowley

Met the amazing and lovely Cynthia Rowley after her show at Fashion Week.

Cynthia’s S/S 2011 Collection

VISIT CYNTHIA ROWLEY.COM

We gifted Heidi Klum & Nina Garcia!

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We gifted Heidi Klum & Nina Garcia!

We are beyond thrilled and ecstatic that Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia now each own a BLANQI bodystyler! A former Victorias Secret model and host of Project Runway, Heidi isn’t pregnant, but we thought that she, having experienced multiple pregnancies, would appreciate it nonetheless :)
Nina Garcia is the Fashion director at Marie Claire magazine and is also a judge on Project Runway, and she IS pregnant! Yeay Nina! I met her outside the Pea in the Pod Fashion’s Night Out event in New York, and she was absolutely lovely! So sweet, and so beautiful! She is teeny with a tiny bump! We wish Nina all the very best and hope that our bodystyler will help make the remaining months of her pregnancy a little more comfortable ;)

Sabina gifting Heidi

A glowing Nina :)

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

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Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Lincoln Center, Sabina inside @ Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2011.

Fashion Week Sightings

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Fashion Week Sightings

Kim Kardashian looking lovely!

Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szhor

Models outside Jill Stuart

Fashion’s Night Out – Bergdorf Goodman

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Fashion’s Night Out – Bergdorf Goodman

The line to get in to Bergdorf Goodman literally wrapped around the builiding!  It was madness – they did, however, have some amazing window displays to occupy the very, very long wait time:

Fashion Week . Part 1

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Fashion Week . Part 1

Wade and I arrived in New York on Friday, September 10, and the rest is like a blur ( no, not that kind of blur :)  A fashion blur.)  We ate, slept, and breathed Fashion Week.  It was go, go, go the whole time!

We started our trip by  attending the Pea in the Pod event hosted by Heidi Klum (amazing to sell our BLANQI BodyStyler in the same store as her.) She just launched her fall line, and showcased it along with a “history of maternity clothes” exhibit. Lots of yummy food and drinks.  Loved it!

❤ Sabina

2D, 3D…4D?  Which ultrasound

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2D, 3D…4D? Which ultrasound

Choices, choices!  I had 2D and several 3D ultrasounds during both my pregnancies as they were high-risk.  I have a whole photo album full of cuteness!  Studies show that women who get these ultrasounds develop a stronger pre-birth bonding, and are more likely to take care of themselves and their unborn baby.

So what’s the difference?  2D is flat, 3D is round, and 4D moves…kind of…so, for a more scientific explanation :) , read this article:

ULTRASOUNDS

Here is a photo of Valerie’s 3D ultrasound – pretty amazing!!

❤ Sabina

Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney welcome son Axel Lee!

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Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney welcome son Axel Lee!

CONGRATULATIONS to Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney on the birth of their son Axel Lee!  He is no doubt the most handsome boy on the block!  And with his parents’ genes, no doubt the greatest comedian-to-be!!  Congratulations again – we wish you all the best!

❤ Sabina  XOXO Valerie

To tattoo or not to?

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To tattoo or not to?

I want one, but I can’t commit…it needs to be done like Valerie’s – all or nothing!

❤ Sabina

Obsessions of the week

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Obsessions of the week

I (Sabina :) ) am in looove with the following beauties!

This is probably my obsession for the rest of the year – I will not rest until they lie in my hands!

ALEXANDER WANG Devon Open Toe Bootie

buy at shopbop.com

FILIPPA K Jacket and Sweater

check for nearest retailer

MAYFOURTEENTH Sunglasses

mayfourteenth.com

❤ Sabina


Pregnant Angel

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Pregnant Angel

Doutzen Kroes is the next Victorias Secret Angel growing a perfect little baby belly!

These girls are scorned for being too skinny, setting unrealistic standards, and increasing the pressure on “regular” pregnant women to look the same.  In their defense, however, it is their job to look good.  They, if anyone, are under insane pressure to be “perfect.”  It’s probably not fair to be angry with them :(

On a lighter note, I wish Doutzen an amazing pregnancy and that she enjoys every second of it!

Doutzen’s wearing the Very Sexy Push-up Wireless bra ( perfect for a little pregnancy va-va-voom ;) )

Victorias Secret Very Sexy

❤ Sabina

Get it while you can!

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Get it while you can!

I’m in love with this jacket/vest by Seventy Two Changes.  Wear it layered or separate.  Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.  Just add a bodystyler ;)  Available on NORDSTROM.com (anniversary sale – get it now!)

Click to buy

Obsessions of the week – All Saints kids’ boots, Polarn o Pyret, and Tea Collection

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Obsessions of the week – All Saints kids’ boots, Polarn o Pyret, and Tea Collection

I HAVE to have these for Kai.  I know they’re a splurge, but I am completely in love.  Pair them with some rolled up cargos and a plaid button up.  Cute!

All Saints – click to buy

AND, if I was pregnant, I would pick up one of these ( maybe I will for Valerie )  Polarn o Pyret sripe tunic.  Just add our BLANQI bodystyler to shape that little bump, and you are one sexy mama ;)

Polarn o Pyret – click to buy

This beautiful dress by Tea Collection.  So cute with some leggings ;)

Tea Collection – click to buy


Scott and Jaclyn Stapp welcome baby boy!

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Scott and Jaclyn Stapp welcome baby boy!

Congratulations to Scott and Jaclyn on their new addition!  Judging from genes, we are sure he will be one handsome gentleman ;) We wish you all the best!

❤ Sabina  xoxo Valerie

Dr. Greene.com BLANQI product review

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Dr. Greene.com BLANQI product review

Check out the product review of our BLANQI bodystyler on drgreene.com!  We met Dr. Greene in Los Angeles when attending the fashion show at the Pregnancy Awareness Month event.  He is absolutely lovely!

http://www.drgreene.com/parentpicks/2010/07/08/blanqi-maternity-under-bust-bodystyler-shaping-tank

Dr. Greene is one of the leading experts in pediatrics and organic living.  We love  his book “Feeding Baby Green”, which gives you all the tricks and know-how on feeding your baby the best and most nutritious food and teaching your children to enjoy it.  Dr. Greene teaches at Stanford University School of Medicine.

❤ Sabina     xoxo Valerie

On my wish list are…

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On my wish list are…

These INCREDIBLE booties by the AMAZING Camilla Skovgaard.  I have been chasing her shoes forever!!  Latest run-in was at Opening Ceremony in L.A. where I drooled over a pair for about an hour ;)

on shopbop.com

http://www.shopbop.com/heart-cut-out-ankle-bootie/vp/v=1/845524441872092.htm?folderID=2534374302085331&fm=browse-brand-shopbysize-viewall

Winter Kate silk cardigan, on nordstrom.com.  Perfect for summer.  love.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3091062?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=winter+kate&origin=searchresults

Butter London nail polish in La Moss.  Delicious.  AND, is free of phthalates, toluene, and formaldehyde….hence the name “3 free” – will blog about this later ;)

http://www.butterlondon.ca/drupal/lacquers/choose

♥ Sabina

Is it a boy blanqi bump? or a girl blanqi bump?!

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Is it a boy blanqi bump? or a girl blanqi bump?!

It seems these days everyone finds out if they are having a girl or a boy as soon as they can, right around 20 weeks…

…except me! With my first pregnancy with my son Jude, my husband Will liked the element of surprise, so we waited. As much as I fought it, I have to admit it ended up being fun to find out right after giving birth. It really added to the excitement of the moment we had waited 38 long weeks for! So now this time we are waiting again, but I am even more anxious than ever! Since this pregnancy is a bit different than my first, I have googled every wives tale to see what I may be having this time and belly photos of mommies-to-be either having a boy or a girl! Intuition says boy, Blanqi bump says boy, cravings say girl…October 6 can’t come soon enough! My beautiful sister Natalie happens to be pregnant as well- a bit further ahead and due August 10 with her second also. She always finds out what she is having. Here is a photo of her a couple weeks ago…what does that bump say? …boy or girl?  Scroll down to see…

(I pulled it off her blog www.thebusybudgetingmama.blogspot.com..sister’s can do that!

Fot those of you that find out if you are having a boy or girl before the big birth day, I suggest that you do what Natalie did and plan a…..ULTRASOUND REVEAL PARTY!! HOW CUTE IS THIS?!? Us Blanqi girl’s LOVE parties..and love ANY excuse to have one!!  http://thebusybudgetingmama.blogspot.com/2010/03/ultrasound-reveal-party-boy-or-girl.html

I am not nearly as domesticated as my sister. But since the launch of Blanqi I am at UPS nearly every day making it easier to get care packages in the mail. So of course I had to send a present for the party….again taken from her blog! LOL

It has been so fun to be pregnant simultaneously with my sister while launching BLANQI!! Everyone keeps asking me does the pregnancy bodystyler do everything Sabina and I hoped it would when we designed it…and  I respond with IT EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!!! I am carrying rather low, which seems to be typical for second pregnancies. So the support and lift of my belly bump is amazing. It really replaces all the bulky belts and other bands out there that are not nearly as comfortable, fashionable or versatile as ours. Of all my emotional meltdowns, none have been over not having anything to wear! So I will just have to keep flaunting my unknown Blanqi baby bump, but my sister’s Blanqi bump………..

We are on CNN’s ireport ;)

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We are on CNN’s ireport ;)

Ok, this is our first home video, so don’t hold it against us!   We are working on our tv presence and hope to improve with each embarrassing attempt ;)  and yes, we had a very obvious cheat-sheet!

click link below

DOC-456284

Gift for Georgina Chapman

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Gift for Georgina Chapman

Just sent a sample for Georgina Chapman – she is absolutely gorgeous, and we cannot wait to see her dress that baby bump of hers in Marchesa- she is undoubtedly the most fashionable mama-to-be!

Father’s day – late but great gifts

So I know that father’s day is right around the corner, and had I been a good planner, I would have bought something weeks ago, but I’m not, and since my husband usually buys me gifts the day of, to be delivered 3 days later, I think its okay for me to get something for him last minute  (he’s actually usually really good about it, just trying to justify my lateness ;) )  These are just a few super great daddy-day gifts that I (Sabina) am loving:

Every guy needs a plaid shirt this summer and fall.  My husband Rob loves his button-up by Life/After/Denim that he is wearing in the picture and is available to purchase on Nordstrom.com

http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6024387/0~2376777~2374612~6024387?origin=productBrandLink

Sunglasses by Mosley Tribes.  He will be the coolest shaded dad at the beach.

http://www.mosleytribes.com/shop/enforcer.html

Just in case their is any man out there who has not watched this -pretty amazing!  Band of Brothers Blue-Ray DVD on HBO.com

http://store.hbo.com/detail.php?p=263400&v=hbo_shows_band-of-brothers

Last but not least…P90X…I know what you are thinking, but trust me, he has watched the infomercial and secretly wants to be Tony Horton.

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/p90x.do

Jacqui

A couple of more shots of our model Jacqui Maxwell –  she is wearing the black, long, sized large bodystyler, with Valerie’s husband’s jeans – add some flip flops and it is pretty much what I lived in when I was pregnant (with my husband’s jeans, of course ;) )

♥ Sabina

BLANQI available on barenecessities.com!

Yeay!  You can now buy a BLANQI maternity shaper on barenecessities.com, the most incredible intimate retail giant online!  They have a huge selection of maternity intimates, and we are so proud and excited to be a part of it  :)

Click on the link to take a peek!

Blanqi-Wear-Your-Own-Bra-Shaping-Maternity-Tank-Top_product_Blanqi101P_,search,.htm

BLANQI on CBS news

Our first ever news coverage!  Thank you so much Kim (Kim Fettig, CBS Atlanta anchor) for your kindness and support!

Click to watch :)

watch?v=WzRRXQ1UzYY

detail.html

CBS Atlanta tonight at 11:00!

Our interview with Kim Fettig of CBS airing tonight!  I don’t know if we are more excited or scared…scared, I think!!  We haven’t seen it, and based on the madness that went on prior to filming, I am guessing that we probably don’t look too cool! :)  Tune in and let us know what you think!

BLANQI available in Bel Bambini!

We are super excited to announce that BLANQI is officially available in Bel Bambini in Beverly Hills!

It is an AMAZING boutique, with the most beautiful baby clothes and products.  Not only do we think so, but so do the following celebrities:

Halle Berry

Jessica Alba

Christina Aguilera

Hank Baskett and Kendra Wilkinson

Rebecca Gayheart

Kourtney Kardashian

and Salma Hayek, Britney Spears, Sheryl Crow, Tori Spelling, Kimora Lee, and many more.  Yeay!!!!!

Heidi Klum at A Pea in the Pod where BLANQI can be found!!

Heidi Klum launched her new collection at the Pea in the Pod collection store in Beverly Hills.  Our BLANQI bodystyler hangs a few feet away…we are in good company ;)

All Saints – obsession of the week

Having heard of All Saints, but never actually seen it in person, I (Sabina) was super excited when our L.A. publicist Wade Parkins and life/after/denim’s Jason Shelby took us to the boutique on North Robertson.  I have to admit that I’ve been kind of obsessed since – the images on the website do not do the clothing justice!  Speaking of website, I can’t get on it without wanting to buy everything! They also have an amazing children’s section, and for you pregnant girls, plenty of bump-friendly tops.  A few of my favorites:

LOVE BIG earrings!!!

And for your little princess

Ritz cracker crime scene

“Stop looking at me like that, Ritz cracker”

I am not sure when it started…I think with the goldfish.  I don’t even like goldfish, but would somehow find myself inhaling the orange dust after my son was done with them.  Then came the wheat thins, and the ritz crackers, and the triscuits, and, oh, the flavor blasted goldfish!  I grab that giant box ( you know the one, like a super-sized school milk carton?), sit down in front of the computer, and when I look back up, I find that I have possibly just eaten my carbohydrate allowance for one week, plus my family’s.  So tonight it was the Ritz crackers.  I opened one, cylindrical package, devoured it, then opened a second, telling myself that I would only eat a couple – What is it with us “telling ourselves” that we will only have one?  Who are we talking to anyways when we do that?  It’s like we’re asking permission from some hard-ass, drill-sergeant  version of ourselves who, should I eat more than a couple, would bust out, drop-kick me and put a choke-hold on me until I spit out that mushy cracker.  Having said that, I could probably have used the drill sergeant tonight…3/4 of a box later, and I am swimming in a sea of salt and bloat.

Sound familiar? :)

love,

Sabina

Jacqui Maxwell, looking gorgeous in her bodystyler!

Jacqui Maxwell, model and actress, has starred in movies like The Dukes of Hazzard, and tv shows such as 24, CSI, Gilmore Girls, and Charmed.  We had the pleasure of working with her at the Expecting Models fashion show in L.A., where she modeled our BLANQI bodystyler.  She is super sweet, and looked amazing on the runway.  These are some snapshots that I took of her outside of the tent – no special lighting, no retouching…natural beauty :) .  Thank you so much Jacqui!  It is lovely to have met you!

Jacqui is wearing the long, pale nude, size large bodystyler.  We paired it with denim leggings and L.A.M.B. wedge sandals.

This shot from the back shows the x-shape that wraps around the front underneath the belly and supports the baby bump!

What is she wearing?

We’ve decided to document Valerie’s pregnancy style journey :) and so will post weekly updates – what she was wearing that day, and how to combine it with our bodystyler.

Today she was wearing a long, pale nude,  size small  bodystyler, with a cropped wrap and sweatpants.  Super cute! :)

Kerri Walsh welcomes son!

Congratulations, Kerri, on your baby boy, Sundance Thomas!  It was lovely meeting you – hope you enjoyed our bodystyler in your last weeks, and that it made life a little easier ;)  We wish you all the best!

Who says you can’t wear horizontal stripes?

Horizontal stripes are generally not the most flattering look, but I think that Valerie looks adorable in hers :)