GIVEAWAY GOODNESS: {Razi Wilson Photography}

{This giveaway is now closed}

You knew it was coming, so here it is... the oh-so talented photographer Razi, of Razi Wilson Photography (featured on last week's guest blog interview) is generously offering Milk-Friendly readers a special giveaway!!

WOOHOO!

This is the perfect opportunity to have some professional photos taken, some gorgeous photos that will last for-ev-er.

And with Father's Day just around the corner (June 19th), there is no better way to honor that Daddy, than with some lovely photos of the kiddies.

Get dad in on the photos, or surprise him with portraits of his little lovebugs. Razi is amazing with kids. She has a special way of getting the best out of them while also having a heck of a good time.

Pregnant or just have the baby? Razi also adores taking photos of pregnant bellies and yummy newborns.

So grab the gang...

and let Razi capture some radiant photos for all to cherish!

 

*****GIVEAWAY RULES******

 

PRIZE

A "mini" photo shoot with Razi!
~30 minute photo session
~Approx. 10-20 images uploaded to web gallery for viewing
~Session images on CD for internet/web use
~Free 8x10 Custom Print

This prize is valued at $150+ (holy moly!)

 TO ENTER

Comment on this post with the words: I HEART RAZI PHOTOS!
If you feel so inclined, you can also share your plans for Father's Day :).

Please note: Razi Photography is located in Los Angeles, specifically Sherman Oaks. (She will travel within the Valley. Any travel outside more than 5 miles will have a 25% travel fee of the regular session cost.) If you do not live in Los Angeles, but would like to win for someone who does, you may enter for them. The giveaway prize expires November 30, 2011. Be sure to leave your email address if it's not visible on your profile, especially if you're posting anonymously :).

 ADDITIONAL ENTRIES

7 MORE WAYS TO ENTER:

1. Follow Razi on her Tumblr blog.

2. Join Milk-Friendly's followers (up on the right.)

3. Become a fan of Milk-Friendly (this can be done here on this page by clicking the 'like' button on the right hand side)

4. Become a fan of Razi Photography on Facebook.

5. Then, share this post (You can use the "Share it" gadget at top left hand side of this site).

6. Follow @milkfriendly on Twitter.

7. Follow @raziphoto on Twitter.

***Be sure to leave separate comments on this post for each of the additional entries you've done and make sure to include your email address if it is not easily visible on your profile***

 

ENDS SUNDAY JUNE 3RD

@ 5 PM PST

Winner will be chosen by random and will have 24 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. The lucky winner will be announced the following Monday.

GOOD LUCK!

P.S. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

Guest Blog Interview: Razi Wilson Photography

It's always refreshing to find and connect with other hip nursing moms. It makes me oh-so happy to think that we all share a special little bond with one another. This being said, I am on a mission to find and bring to you, other fabulous, breastfeedin' and bloggin'-mamas.

So here we go. Next up is the beautiful talent behind Razi Wilson Photography.

Gorgeous, right?

Razi learned her craft when she trained at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. She has been in the business of editorial and photojournalism for over a decade and showcases her stunning work on her blog.

With a creative vision and a sweet disposition, Razi captures pretty much any genuine moment you would like...

Can't get more Milk-Friendly than that!

Razi is a down-to-earth, homebirthing, breastfeeding mama (my kind of lady) and she now lives in Los Angeles with her two adorable boys, Bodhi and Jaia (3 & 6) and her husband Keith.

A bit more about Razi in her own words, "I decided a long time ago that I wanted to get married young and have kids pretty quickly after getting married. (I am so blessed to have my children, but I probably wouldn't give that advise!). When I went to college for Photography in NYC, I happened to meet a man who was my age and wanted the same thing. So we decided to get married and have babies.....So needless to say my career was put on hold. Now that my little one is in pre-school, I can get back to my second love... taking pictures of people."

{LOVE HER}

So now let's figure out a little more about this stylish, "milk-friendly" mama.

What were the top 2 reasons you decided to breastfeed?

I decided to breastfeed because I wanted to give my babies the best (free) way to help them grow their bodies and brains.
Also, I was way into "Attachment Parenting" and it was recommended as the best way to bond with your baby and make them feel loved.

What's your breastfeeding "must-have" item?

I had to have my hand pump, I got a lot of clogged ducts and the hand pump saved me so many times!
My other must have was comfy cotton tank tops I could pull down easily and wear under my shirt, so my muffin top wouldn't flop out on for all to oogle.

Have you found yourself sacrificing style in order to be able to dress "milk-friendly"?

Sort of, I couldn't wear any shirt I wanted, it needed to have easy access.  I never covered up, okay not "never" but rarely, so I always wore cute T's with the tank-top under so I could whip it out.'

Have you had any wardrobe malfunctions? If so, I'm sure there's a story, do tell!

Kinda. Once I was hanging out with a friend who I hadn't seen in a while.  I was nursing, and my baby was around that age where any little noise or sound distracts them and they look around. So... during nursing, my milk came in and simultaneously my baby took his mouth off the nipple and sprayed my friend in the face!!! I felt so bad.... that would have been a good time to have a cover up!

 How funny is that milk squirting story!!! I crack up every time I read it. Thank you so very much Razi :)! 

Be sure to check out more of her work here and stay tuned this Monday for more from her, {hint hint to those Los Angeles readers!}

Nursing Clothes: God Bless Stretch Pants

 Yes, spandex and leggings have been around for a while, (um hello 1980's) but in the recent years, the fashion gods have used that wonderfully elastic material in new and improved ways. Leggings are starting to look like "real pants" and I like it.

These olive beauties have a faux fly. I like saying that, faux flyyyy. Pretty good pick-up line, "Hey girl, those spandies make you look fauux fly" Corny, I know. I'll stop.

Cuff Crop Leggings, $32

Pockets on leggings? Ummm, yes please! Pretty much the best feeling to be able to be ready for a formal business meeting and downward dog all in one perfect pant.

Cargo Leggings with Pockets, $38

Capri Leggings, $30

And if there's one fashion invention I am most thankful for (especially in lieu of bearing children) it would have to be the creation of the "jegging." The magical combo of stretch denim and a legging-style waistband can sometimes bring this mama to tears.

Joe's Zip Jegging, $29.97

Fancy Pants

Denim Chap Leggings, $52

Normally, I would pair some leggings with a long tunic or mini dress, mostly to cover the rear. But with my go-to Glamourmom nursing tank (which is long), you can literally layer any length top you'd like.

TUNIC $78. JEGGINGS (with a faux fly!)$19.90. NURSING TANK $44. FEDORA $34. CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK $54. WOVEN SANDALS $158.

Did you see that convertible backpack? Go check it out here! You can wear it as a backpack or it opens as a regular purse. So cute, and functional!

SO WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SPANDEX, LEGGINGS, JEGGINGS AND THE LIKE? FAN OR NOT A FAN?

Nursing Clothes: Lounge Around in Style

Last post I highlighted the comfy qualities of breastfeeding in a robe. And as much as I'd like to spend the entire day luxuriously loungin' in that robe, a lady's also gotta get out and get things done.

That's why I wanted to find some pieces that are high on the lounge meter and still stylishly milk-friendly. This will make it easy to hang around on the rug with the kids one minute, and jump in the car for a playdate the next.

{"Easy-Up" Layering Tops}

Pocket of Gold Top, $38

Batwing Top, $78

Floral Top, $17.80

I like to keep a Glamourmom nursing tank on, then when I'm ready to go run out the door, I throw on an "easy-up" top (like the ones above) and a fun jewelry piece to bring extra interest.

Long Nursing Tank, $44

Pebble Necklace, $48

Here's the 'Loungin' Around' styleboard, complete with those amazingly comfy pants and Diane von Furstenberg's kelly green espadrilles.

COMFY PANTS $48. NECKLACE $34. NURSING TANK $44. CITRINE TOP $38. ESPADRILLE FLATS $57.90. STRIPED CARDI $48.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO GET OUT THE DOOR IN STYLE?

Nursing Clothes: The Most Comfortable Way to Breastfeed

If there was one item that I could wear post labor and delivery, it would be a nice, comfy, and cute robe.

Robes are an excellent way to give baby easy-access for their frequent feedings, while staying comfortable and chic. They also give you and your sweet bundle, plenty of opportunities to have your skin-to-skin time with one another.

Don't just take it from me, Victoria's Secret Supermodel and au naturel mommy, Miranda Kerr, pretty much takes the robe to the next, next level.

She calls this, "Another day in the office."

Breastfeeding Baby Flynn

Pretty sweet, huh?

Looking for a good robe? I am an Anthropolgie sleep & lounge LOVER. The touch and feel of their loungerwear is always the softest and this section of the store is often overlooked. Here are some more of their yummy robes.

First Blush Robe, $39.95

Drifting Down Robe, $98

Discrete Geometry Robe, $168

Since sporting the robe is oh-so simple, I thought I should point out a few other postpartum must-haves from the styleboard.

We've got the robe and the comfy Bravado Designs original nursing bra, but check out those nursing pads. They are from a company called bamboobies, who uses a combo of organic bamboo, cotton velour and hemp to make a leak-proof pad. The heart-shape is supposed to help by 'cupping' with fewer lines! Pretty interesante and kind of a cute shower gift, no?

Next was my ultimate life-saver, the Total Baby App. I did not download this gift from above until baby number two. What a difference it made! It keeps track of everything, nap times, diaper changes which boob you nursed from last, how long, etc. Comes in very, very handy when you've basically lost your mind from being sleep-deprived!

The other postpartum must-have is some great boy cut shorts and feminine pads doused in witch hazel and frozen freezer. Yes, you heard me right! They are seriously the best soother's for the sore under side, if ya know what I mean ;)

NURSING BRA $35. ROBE $39.95. WITCH HAZEL $10.06. TOTAL BABY APP $4.99. NURSING PADS $29. BOY SHORTS $30. NATRACARE PADS $29.03.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT BOMBSHELL MIRANDA? THE ROBES? AND WHAT WERE YOUR MUST-HAVE POSTPARTUM ITEMS?