When you manufacture gifts and gear for new parents like I do, you’re exposed to a lot of maternity clothing ads. Most show incredibly pregnant women whooping it up at fancy social gatherings or posing confidently in maternity swimwear by the pool. Somehow…ads

never seem to show women with morning sickness running for bathrooms, or tugging on their spanx before meetings. Finally, the maternity line More of Me takes a major step forward by introducing something completely different. Shown above:

a) Favorite Shirtdress: This is the unmistakable look which translates to, “What are you looking at dirt bag?” Pregnant women find it useful to ward-off leering men, or just about anyone who looks like they might come-up and touch a total stranger’s belly. On that note, don’t touch strangers…pregnant or otherwise.

b) Take it to the Maxi Dress: Swollen ankles are unavoidable side effects of pregnancy, and according to the ad copy the ‘Take it to the Maxi Dress’ was designed to hide them. Strangely enough, the model’s ankles don’t appear to be swollen at all which might explain why she’s showing them off in such an odd pose. On that note, I’m starting to wonder if this model is actually pregnant.

c) Color Block Kimono Dress: Here we see the model finally come to the end of her rope in a hormonal rage. Something tells me there could be a toddler involved…perhaps up in a tree above.

d) Cupcake Tanks: Made from eco-friendly Tencel, cupcake tanks are advertised as perfect for layering or wearing alone. It certainly looks comfortable, but I’d go with layering if you plan to leave the house. By “layering” I mean, put on a pair of pants…or something.

To learn more about the designs above visit MoreOfMeMaternity.com or follow them on twitter @moreofme.

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

It’s been ages since I’ve hosted a giveaway here at the baby blog, but I’m happy to announce that I’m getting back into the giving mood later this month! Until then, I recommend visiting a few of favorite stores and baby blogs for a great collection of prizes:

• Due Maternity: and Tea Collection are partnering to offer an incredible $1,000 Baby and Me  wardrobe giveaway with $200 (2nd place ) and $100 (3rd place) prizes!

• “Deal”ectible Mommies: is giving away a complete BPA-free feeding set by SproutBaby.

• Mommy PR:  is hosting a Beibi Shoes review and giveaway ending on November 13th.

• Tiny Prints: is on the lookout for America’s cutest families to become the face of Tiny Prints in 2010. The winners will receive a trip to California, a professional photo shoot, free personalized Tiny Prints stationary, and $1,000!

• All Because Two People Fell In Love: has a Yo Gabba Gabba CD giveaway ending on November 12.

Many giveaway hosts are offering multiple ways to win, so visit the links above to learn more.

Good luck!
Dr.MOZ

I’ve seen quite a few maternity dresses in my line of work, but “SKIN” by Marisol Rodríguez could be the first design I’ve run across that actually grows with the baby! The SKIN concept in the designer’s words:

“Each dress transforms itself as it follows the natural process of pregnancy. The exploration of traditional Asian techniques (origami) and simple methods of cutting and folding resulted in a design that expresses versatility, elegance, and extended lifetime.“

If you are a fan of the design, here’s the good news… SKIN is currently in production in a small home-based business called the Bogota Factory in Columbia. Now for the bad news, the line is only available directly from the Bogota Factory in Columbia. If you happen to in the area, the line comes in three different two-tone styles (each made of organic cotton) in vertical or horizontal pleating.

What do you think moms? Would you wear a SKIN maternity dress if available in your area? Click the comment bubble to open the text box below.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Dr.MOZ

> thanks to the Design Observer Group

If the standard maternity apparel is a little too…umm precious for the rockin’ mama on your gift list, I think you might want to head over to MamaSan Maternity right away. You’ll find edgy strapless tops, antique maternity dresses with silver skull buttons, and let’s not forget about their comfortable skirts with incredible embroidery! Everything at MamaSan Maternity

is made in the USA and available at MamaSanMaternity.com.

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

If you’re in the market for fun baby shower gifts, parenting gear, or maternity wear, you’ll love what your favorite moose M.D. has in store for you below:

• Belly Elan: has all the major maternity brands on sale including Japanese Weekend, Maternal America, Noppies, Zero 2 Nine, and  J & Co Beverly Cross Maternity Jeans selling for 50% off!
• Danna Bananas: always has a fun collection of gift ideas like the  the “I am Boob Man” onesie and the strange and interesting PottyMate.
• DoulaShop.com: is offering free shipping on orders over $75 (details) and free Tummy to Toes Feed and Leg Revitalizer worth $19 on order over $50 (details).
• Dr.MOZ: wants in on the fun too, so we’re offering our popular Stork Tools daddy diaper bags with MP3 pockets, double bottle holders, adjustable straps, and beefy handles for only $44.95. This offer ends Saturday the 11th, so visit soon while we still have all three daddy-friendly color combos available!

• Due Maternity: recently launched a new Premium Outlet with maternity dresses for $46 and a variety of maternity tops for $25 and up, so check it out!
• FlyingPeas.com: has a fun collection in their sale section including 30% Baby Start crib bedding sets, great deals gifts sets from Kee-Ka, and summer clothes like bucket hats and flip flops for toddlers.
• Lil-Tots.com: is offering huge discounts on their Buttermilk Farm boxed gift sets and Sozo Survival Kits. Better whip up your Whizz Kid, Wee Wee Man, Lil Ladies Man, Jock Baby Boy, and Captain Blast Off gift packs while you can because they won’t last long at $19.95!
• Purple Caterpillar Creations: has an impressive sale on your favorite brands including Bumkins, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Sckoon and more!

Happy bargain shopping everyone!

Dr.MOZ

If you’re a Hello Kitty fan, you’ll be happy to know that the world’s first Hello Kitty themed maternity ward recently opened in Taiwan. By “Hello Kitty themed“, I mean absolutely everything in the 30-bed hospital is draped in Hello Kitty including the

rooms, elevators, walls, maternity staff, even the birth certificates!

I think it’s fair to say that Hello Kitty has one-upped the Disney crew, but something tells me that Mickey has a trick hidden in those strange white gloves of his. You know, like a Disney maternity cruise ship. What do you think folks, if you were forced at gunpoint to choose a kid-related theme for a hospital…what would it be?

Have fun and stay healthy,

Dr.MOZ

> first spotted at Gizmodiva

Some of my favorite maternity stores have huge online sales in progress this weekend, so I thought I’d pass along the links for a little screen shopping. Check out the deals!

• Due Maternity (USA): There are always great deals to be found at Due but they won’t last! A few steals include: Olian Cord Maternity Skirt, Due Cotton Maternity Turtleneck $18, Boob Maternity Blouse Dress $35, and more!

• BellaBlu Maternity (USA): You’ll find dresses, jeans, and everything in between with hot finds like White Fringe Dress $188, Serena Maternity Charlotte Maternity Jean Dk Denim $35, Matilde Maternity Skirt in Light Blue $59 and more!

• Figure 8 Maternity (USA): Save 15% on everything nursing in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week at Figure 8 with code “NURSINGWEEK2008″. A few of the hot finds include: Japanese Weekend During and After Shirred Shouder T $58, Bravado’s Nursing Tank Shrug $21.25, Blissfulbabes Corsierre3 in 1 Nursing Bra-Cami-Corset $44.20, and more!

• Blossom Mother and Child (UK): Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about my friends in the UK! BLOSSOM has a huge sale including harrison linen trousers £87.50, dixie classic shirt with 3/4 length sleeves £40, and elvira wool jersey dress £130 just to name a few!

Let me know if I missed an online sale at one of your favorite maternity stores by clicking on the comments bubble.

Happy shopping!

Dr.MOZ

Ann Taylor LOFT has extended their line to include the look and feel of favorite LOFT styles and redesigning them to make maternity wear that is functional and stylish. Jodi will be receiving the outfit shown from their new maternity line consisting of:

1. Maternity Geometric Print Faux Wrap Top, $49.00 retail value (sizes: XXS Maternity – XXL Maternity) and,
2. Maternity Chino Roll Panel Pants, $54.00 retail value (sizes: 00 Maternity – 18 Maternity)

Thanks again for entering the giveaway everyone, and don’t forget to come back soon for the next one!

Yours,

Dr.MOZ

I’m excited to announce that this week’s giveaway is a maternity outfit worth $103 from Ann Taylor LOFT’s new maternity line! Ann Taylor LOFT has extended their line to include the look and feel of favorite LOFT styles and redesigning them to make maternity wear that is functional and stylish. The winner receives the outfit shown from Ann Taylor LOFT’s new maternity line consisting of:

• Maternity Geometric Print Faux Wrap Top, $49.00 retail value (sizes: XXS Maternity – XXL Maternity)
• Maternity Chino Roll Panel Pants, $54.00 retail value (sizes: 00 Maternity – 18 Maternity)

Enter to win by clicking on the comment bubble above and leaving a comment before Monday, March 10th at Noon PST. This week’s giveaway is open to those with a shipping address in the 50 US states and Puerto Rico. Remember bloggers, your chances of winning double if you link to this giveaway in your blog or website! (additional details in “contests” section)

Dear Dr.MOZ is moderated throughout the day, so don’t worry if your entry isn’t instantly viewable. Special thanks to this week’s sponsor Ann Taylor LOFT and our blog contest friends at Prizey!

Good luck everyone,

Dr.MOZ