What’s In My Bag

We’re in the home stretch! I’m officially at 38 weeks and baby could come at any time. My bags are packed for the hospital in preparation for our overnight stay. Although not all of you are in the same boat {as in heading to the hospital to welcome a bundle of joy 😉 }, I thought I would share what I’m toting along for those mamas-to-be. For those of you NOT preparing for labor, many of the items in my bag are ones that I ALWAYS carry with me when I travel… including my quick make-up routine necessities! As always, I have linked these items for you so you can shop my favorites.

| MAKEUP & HAIR ESSENTIALS |

The Wet Brush – This brush goes EVERYWHERE with me. I have pretty fine hair but a lot of it so it tends to tangle easily. This is by far the best brush I have every used.

Makeup Eraser – I got this as a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law and it’s unreal what this thing can do. It is perfect for traveling because you can wipe of anything {and I really do mean anything… even waterproof eye makeup} off of your face. I love the concept because I tend to be allergic to makeup wipes AND it’s reusable!

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm – This is especially important for a hospital bag as your lips can get really dry during labor but just in general I rarely leave the house without at least one of these bad boys.

Hair Clip & Hair Ties – Another necessity when it comes to your hospital stay. I love these clips because I can twist my hair into it and it will hold curl pretty well. These hair ties are my absolute favorite because they are gentle on your hair AND look cute on your wrist when they’re not holding a ponytail. 😉

Dry Shampoo – I can go a good four to five days without washing my hair {yes this took a lot of ‘training’ but SO worth it!} but around day three or four I am in need of some dry shampoo. This one by Rusk is my favorite that I have tried. It doesn’t make your hair feel powder-y and it truly is invisible. When I had my first baby I had not gone through the ‘hair training’ process and washed my hair almost everyday. Now that I don’t wash it very often, I know this spray will be perfect for keeping my hair fresh while in the hospital.

Mascara & Eye Liner – I honestly did not wear any makeup when I was in the hospital with Carsten. It’s very possible I will be too tired to put any effort in during this hospital stay as well but I have a pretty quick makeup routine {comes with the mom territory I suppose} that I think will help me feel a little more awake even after the labor process. This Lorac mascara followed by the Too Faced mascara are must-haves for any lady. This Stila liquid eye liner is quick, easy and lasting. Even with these steps alone, I will feel so much better and more like myself.

Mac Fast Response Eye Cream – This is amazing-ness in a tube. I dab this on before my makeup routine and it helps to reduce under-eye puffiness, bags, and dark circles. Anything to make me feel like less of a zombie after labor is welcome.

Nars Concealer – I use this specifically under my eyes to make me feel more awake. It’s my favorite concealer because it doesn’t crease and it covers dark circles really well. I use this sponge to apply it evenly. I finish it off by applying just a little of the Elf under-eye setting powder to help avoid creasing and so it lasts all day long.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue tinted moisturizer – I have tried a ton of different products when it comes to overall coverage and I love this stuff. It’s really light so if you have problem areas {I tend to have a lot of redness} then pairing it with a concealer is key. But it’s so gentle on your face and it’s easily applied with this brush.

Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Setting Powder – This stuff is amazing and helps set everything. I know it seems like one more step but I just quickly put some on this brush and swipe it all over my face so that everything lasts throughout the day.

Face wipes, deodorant & Lanolin cream – These face wipes are the ONLY kind I have been able to use without breaking out. I rarely wash my face without warm water and a wash cloth but when I’m not at home this is the best alternative. Deodorant because… priorities. 😉 I will MAKE TIME to shower but deodorant is always a good idea. This Lanolin cream is a MUST for breastfeeding moms. I bring it everywhere for the first month or so.

| COMFORTABLE CLOTHING |

I packed the most comfortable maternity items I own knowing that I would be in bed or nursing the majority of the time. The key to postpartum clothing, especially the first few days after labor, is nursing friendly, soft, breathable, and loose pieces. My plain white tee, black yoga pants, and springy tunic are all from Great Expectation Maternity. I also threw in the Great Expectations black leggings to go with this tunic for my ‘going home’ outfit. These items are SO soft (& stay soft after multiple washes!) and are crazy affordable. I have this tunic in this gorgeous mint and the also in the black & white polka dot… they’re under $15 each!  My yoga pants are under $11 and this tee is under $9! I have been wearing these staples non-stop in my final weeks of the third trimester and they will work perfectly for after labor comfort.

| OTHER NECESSITIES |

Thank you notes – You will have hospital visitors and they will likely bring thoughtful gifts. The reason I bring the ‘thank you’ notes TO the hospital is because by the time you get home {with twice as many belongings as you went there with… including another human being 😉 } you have forgotten everything. You will forget who gave you what and what your own name is. SO to avoid the ‘oh crap I never sent a thank you’ a month later… I’m bringing them with me to fill out while nursing.

Reading material – I have been beyond terrible about reading lately but I know I will get back into it once I’m spending half my day nursing this little peanut. This is the one I’m currently half way through so I hope to have it finished… before I forget what the first half was about. 😉

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