My Latest Snag: The Best Postpartum Leggings.
*Photo above from Styled Snapshots. Click over there to see how good she looks in her pair!
A propos of my post yesterday, I have needed some new workout gear for my “slow and good” fitness campaign. These Lululemon Align leggings (I got them in the 21″ crop in the olive green, exact color seen above) are THE BEST. Super stretchy and non-constrictive and yet they still kind of suck you in? I don’t get the technology, but they work. I’ve even heard they work during pregnancy — and of course, if you’re not pregnant at all! I bought them after realizing that all of my pre-maternity leggings were uncomfortable to squeeze into, especially around my incision, which is still kind of sore. These are buttery and stretchy and I love the 21″ leg length.
I have it on good authority from a trusted friend who gave birth to her son via c-section almost exactly a month before I did that this $24 pair is a solid (ultra-comfortable) dupe. I’m also drawn to this $18 tank by the same brand, which looks very Lululemon-esque, although these days, I’m usually wearing one of my Cake Maternity nursing camis (I didn’t like these as much last time, but they’ve been super handy this go around) underneath a simple men’s long-sleeved tee (I own this in gray and white). This way, when I need to feed micro, I just slip off the tee. Meanwhile, the tee provides ample coverage — I’m just not in a place where I want to be frolicking around in body-hugging tanks yet.
You’re Sooooo Popular: The Tunic Dress.
The most popular items on the blog this week:
+This darling printed tunic dress.
+These striped bow slides (such a good deal!)
+A stunning Saloni, on serious sale.
+This chic floral statement blouse (on sale!)
+The $30 SZ Blockprints dupe I’ve been wearing all over the place.
+Inexpensive but cute (and well-made!) diaper covers / training underwear for little girls.
+Such a cute dress for such a good price.
#Turbothot: 1/24.
Hitha recently posted an interesting thought in her Instastories — I wish I’d screenshotted it! — that said something along the lines of trying to claim just one hour of every day for self-care–be it meditation, writing, exercising, reading, etc. The post made the point that one hour out of 24 is only about 5% of your day — and can’t you afford 5% of your day to nurture yourself?! Of course, the stat overlooks the fact that you’re sleeping for a good portion of 24 hours, which is in its own way a kind of self care, but still. The provocation stands. It made me feel better about the hour I spend sitting on the couch in front of the TV with a glass of wine, chatting with Mr. Magpie, most nights of the week. Mini is asleep, dinner is done, and micro has just had his last feed before his longest stretch of nightly sleep, between 9 pm and 1 am. And so from 9-10, when I should be sleeping or handling things around the house or tidying the kitchen or folding laundry or writing, we sit and be adults together — not parents, not employees, not daughters and sons, not siblings. Just two adults, enjoying one another’s company. We watch something mindless or serious, depending on our moods. We speak idly about our days. We almost always swap observations about the children. But mainly we sit there and return to ourselves. My body is freed of small limbs, hands, and mouths. I feel the onus of active parenting dissolve into the back of my mind, no longer on high alert for dangers that need averting and missteps that need correcting. It took me until Hitha’s post to realize that this hour is my own kind of self-care. It may not sound healthy — wine and TV are involved! — but it is deeply relaxing to just sit and just be with my other half.
What’s your 1/24?
Post-Scripts: Detanglers for Little Ones.
+Ordered mini two new detanglers: this one for after-sun (she spends a lot of time in the water / running through Central Park / etc) and this one for after bath. I also really like this one for refreshing her hair in the morning when I’m tying it back.
+Little luxuries for even the smallest of homes.
+Just ordered a new day planner — why do they run from July-June? — and I really like this style, where I can jot down all my to-dos against a calendar. There’s even a little line where I can write down our dinner plans for the day, which is helpful because — we meal plan like pros over here.
+These colored goblets are so cute for a summer tablescape. Love them in the green or pink.
+The best sources for affordable stationery.
+I am IN LOVE with this pretty dress.
I’ve had the Lulu Align leggings on my radar for a bit but your review is making me want to take the plunge! Love that they come in a 21″ length. Most of my yoga leggings are by Outdoor Voices but I have found that I really only like the Tech Sweat + Free Form fabrics (the original compression fabric is OK but I have to size UP for them to be comfortable), and they come in a more limited inseam range. Adding these to my list for when I need a new pair!
Oof, it’s crazy to think that an hour of self-care is only 5% of one’s day. I’d have to say that mine usually involves reading or making collages from magazines when I’m home, or alternatively, if the weather is nice, taking long neighborhood walks with my boyfriend. 🙂 xx
Collages from magazines!! I loved doing this in high school — sounds very therapeutic, even now 🙂
GO for the Align leggings. Easily the best thing I’ve bought in the last few weeks. Birks included 🙂
xxx
Yes to align! I have about 6 pairs and my pre-pregnancy size is still going strong at 37 weeks. Looking forward to wearing them PP too!
WOAH. Wish I’d known about these during pregnancy — that’s incredible / maybe you are just incredible 🙂 . xx
Align leggings are always great. I had my same pair before, during, and after pregnancy, and they just popped back. A bit pilled now, but really great for pregnancy.
!! Wish I’d known this during pregnancy!!
I haven’t tried the Align leggings, but I just bought these and they are AMAZING. The phone pocket is so great and the price cannot be beat!
Colorfulkoala Women’s High… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G5517Z2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
!! Thanks for the tip! Did not know about these!