Shoes of the Week

Last Tuesday I ventured uptown to go pick out my shoes that I won courtesy of Leigh-Ellen's blog and Rowena's boutique. The unique thing about Rowena's is that they only have one size of each item. I also love how affordable their items are! If you haven't checked them out yet you should.

There were many lovely shoes, however since I am a size 9 there were only a few to choose from. I fell in love with the Steve Madden heels that Leigh-Ellen had posted on her blog and ultimately ended up going with those. Thanks to Leigh-Ellen and Rowena's for the amazing prize!

Belly Beautiful Maternity Inc.

When I was pregnant maternity clothes were very hard to shop for here at home.  I planned my shopping in Vegas last summer so I could hit some maternity stores, knowing that I wouldn't get any shopping in Saint John.  I had hoped that I would be able to get everything I needed in that trip.  I also ordered a few things on-line however, sizing can be hard when doing that.  Once I went back to work in the fall, I realized I didn't have any maternity tights or panty hose, so I had to make a trip to Bangor, Maine to get some of those.  Taking all these trips can get very expensive, but the pregnant women of Saint John have to travel no more!  Belly Beautiful Maternity has opened on Prince William street in uptown Saint John.  I had the priviledge of stopping by to purchase a nursing bra and check out her cute little shop.  If we have any more kids I will be going there to shop for some afordable and stylish maternity clothes!

  I had the chance to talk to the lovely Amanda, owner of Belly Beautiful Maternity Inc :

1.  What made you want to open a maternity store in Saint John?

  I have a three year old son, and when I was pregnant - there was nowhere to shop locally for maternity clothes. I ended up traveling to Bangor for a weekend to pick-up some clothes (which obviously adds significant cost), purchased a few things online - however was never satisfied as you really need to try clothes on...ESPECIALLY when pregnant, and I bought some second hand items. I remember alot of days where I just woke up feeling not so great - and would have LOVED to be able to go out and pick up a new shirt or outfit to lift my spirits.

So, after leaving IBM (whom I was with for 12 years) last year, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. My sister mentioned opening a maternity store in Saint John as she had just had her baby a couple of months before that. That was all it took! I started working on my business plan and connected with a fantastic manufacturer who makes my clothes for me - and this allows me to keep everything at a very reasonable price!

 Saint John is a very vibrant city - Prince William street almost feels like a little New York now, and as many of the moms-to-be who have been into the store have said "It's about time we had a maternity store in this city"!  Uptown Saint John is in my opinion, the best place to have a business in the city. Everyone is so supportive of each other, and John Law Corporation who owns the building I am in made it so easy to put it all together!

2.  How did you come up with the name Belly Beautiful Maternity Inc?

 I just started writing! I started writing words that I positively associated with pregnancy and after a short time came up with the name. I loved it instantly and was very happy when I learned that the name was not owned by someone else! I think it invokes all of the right images and feelings about pregnancy when you hear it and especially when you see the logo. I had the logo pictured in my head almost instantly after I decided on the name.

3.  What are some the maternity essentials that your store carries?

I personally think a good pair of jeans and a few tops that you love are so essential. You can dress them up, or dress them down and I know I found that jeans just made me feel 'normal'. I have a large selection of tops, dress pants and casual pants, and jeans that are all priced very reasonably. I think it is so important to have a few key pieces that make you feel good - when you feel good you look good, and we all want to look good, especially when our bodies are changing almost daily during pregnancy. We also carry belly bands in black and white, and nursing bras - including the YOU! Signature Lingerie collection which will be arriving soon!

One of my favorites from the shop

4.  In your opinion, what is the one essential item that every pregnant woman/new mom should have?

If I had to pick just one, I will veer towards the 'new mom' and say that they should all have a nursing pillow if they intend to breast feed. It really makes it SO much easier, and anything to make those first few weeks easier is a must (and you will love it so much you will use it for the entire time you are nursing). We have the 'My Brest Friend' style nursing pillows in stock. Why not put it on a registry for your baby shower?!

5.  Can you give us some details about your grand opening on Jan 28th?

 On January 28th from 10-4pm, we will be holding our Grand Opening! We will have some refreshments, including cupcakes from Piece O'Cake Custom Creations, some in store contests - including a chance to win a Belly Beautiful Maternity Inc gift certificate! And perhaps most importantly, 10% of all sales during our Grand Opening will be donated to the First Steps Housing Project Inc. I believe this is such an important cause in our community, and am hopeful to give them a big cheque that day!

Amanda also carries a lovely selection of jewellery, hair accessories and scarfs in her store, so this really is one stop shopping!  Get an outfit complete with accessories.  Not expecting a bundle of joy?  Stop by and check out her gorgeous accessories and maybe pick up a little something for that friend/famaily member that is pregnant. 

These gorgeous flower hair clips caught my eye

Now for some exciting news:  Belly Beautiful Maternity if offering a gorgeous bangle set to one of my lucky readers!  (Note: You do not have to be pregnant to enter)

Want to enter?  Here's how:

1. Like Belly Beautiful Maternity on facebook and leave them some love while you are there.  Then come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you did this.  It is as simple as that!

Here are a couple of options for extra entries

1. You can follow Sigh...Gush....Gasp via Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect (be sure to let me know if you do in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries).

2. Follow me on twitter (@dancermelissa) and Belly Beautiful Maternity (@BellyBeautiful_)(be sure to let me know if you tweet this in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries).

3.  Like Sigh Gush Gasp on facebook.  (be sure to let me know if you did this in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries)

4.  Share this giveaway on any form of social media (facebook, twitter, etc) and be sure to leave me the link.  (be sure to let me know you did this in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries.)

This giveaway is open to local readers (Saint John and area - if you can get to Belly Beautiful Maternity uptown you can enter!) and will run until 11:00 PM (AST) on February 1st and the randomly chosen winner will be announced on February 2nd. Good luck!

Shoes of the Week

My winter boots finally bit the dust. So I decided to head uptown in search of a new pair. The boots had to be faux fur lined, as my last ones were and I loved the warmth they provided. That was the only specific thing I was looking for in my new boots. I found exactly what I wanted at Urban Shoe Myth in these Mou boots. They are so cozy and warm! Bring on winter!

Shabby Apple Sale!

Shabby apple is a site I have fallen in love with.  They have some very cute clothing pieces, especially their dresses.  The thing I love most about their dresses is that they are appropriate for the office, a family function or going out to a party!  As well as that each dress is unique and they also carry many stylish maternity dresses.  From now until the end of January they are having a sale, get 20% off anything on the site when you use the code NEWYEAR.  What a great way to add a new piece to your wardrobe, or get a fabulous outfit just in time for Valentine's day!  Be sure to check them out here!

Christmas Shoes

I love shoes.  There is no denying it.  I certainly have a lot of shoes in my closet and now I have added a new pair thanks to my sister Carla.  I saw these shoes at a Holiday party hosted by Je Suis Prest and Urban Shoe myth back in November and instantly fell in love!  My sister Carla was there with me and shares my love of shoes as well.  So she knows how much I love these shoes and got them for me for Christmas, thanks Carla.  I can't wait to wear these fabulous heels complete with glitter and feathers!  Have a great Thursday!

Shoes - Enzo Angiolini Torrez (Urban Shoe Myth)

New Year Giveaway!

A new year brings new beginnings and what a better way to start the new year with a giveaway!  I have 2 items up for grabs, so there will be 2 winners!  The first item I am going to giveaway is perfect for the cold Canadian winters (that we are starting to experience now); a new Joe Fresh scarf.

The second item up for grabs is a headband made by me.  I am a bit crafty, like to dabble in scrapbooking and have recently started making headbands.  The winner may choose one from the photos below or choose to have their headband customized with the colour flower that they want.  (Please note: not all of my flowers are the same and I do not have all colours, but the winner will be e-mailed regarding flower colour and choice before the headband is sent to them).

Want to enter?  Here's how:

1. Leave a comment here telling me how you would style the scarf and what colour flower you would choose for your headband if you win.
2. Leave me your email (if it isn't available via your blog), so I can contact you if you win.

It is as simple as that!

Here are a couple of options for extra entries

1. You can follow Sigh...Gush....Gasp via Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect (be sure to let me know if you do in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries).

2. Follow me on twitter (@dancermelissa) and tweet about the giveaway!  " Check out the New Year Giveaway on @dancermelissa 's blog! http://sigh-gush-gasp.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-year-giveaway.html?spref=tw "
(be sure to let me know if you tweet this in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries).

3.  Like Sigh Gush Gasp on facebook.  (be sure to let me know if you did this in a separate comment so I can add your extra entries)

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until 11:00 PM (AST) on January 31st and the randomly chosen winner will be announced on February 1st. Good luck!