Lululemon Align Pants
Bump photo is quite outdated at this point : )
With fall here, I needed another pair of maternity leggings. I have one pair (these from Target that I love) but since I live in leggings, I knew I needed a second pair to wear around the house. But since I’m nearing the end, I really didn’t want to buy any more maternity clothing. I’ve been hearing people rave about the Lulu Align leggings for months, so I went to our store to try them on. First off, they really do feel like butter. That is the #1 reason everyone should own a pair! I’ve never felt a material quite so comfy. The saleswoman assured me that I would not stretch them out too much in pregnancy and that they will shrink back to normal and I can wear them for years to come. There are three cons to them:
1) She told me not to put them in the dryer = high maintenance. I do not believe in high maintenance clothing so I will be washing as normal and I will let you know how they do!)
2) She also told me not to do cycle or run in them because they will pill. So they have been delegated as my “casual wear” maternity leggings, while my maternity ones are my “gym” leggings.
3) Because the fabric is sooooo comfortable, they do not have that much support. I am used to running tights that have compression that sucks everything in! These are not compression at all (which is why they are so comfortable) so I am a little more self conscious wearing them without a long shirt/tunic.
But given those cons, like I said they are SO comfortable and stretchy and I knew I had to have them the moment I put them on! They’ve already gotten tons of use.
Pill Boxes
I am pretty lax about supplements when I’m not pregnant. I take multivitamins, probiotics, and vitamin D when I feel like it. With a good diet they are really just extra insurance. But when I am pregnant, I think that getting proper nutrition is super important, so I’ve spent the past year of my life (if you count the prenatal time) religiously taking supplements. (Prenatals, probiotics, vitamin D, omega-3, and choline.) First off, I have gotten SO MUCH BETTER at swallowing pills! I used to gag and struggle with each one, but now I can practically take the whole bunch all at once! Mazen takes a handful of gummy supplements too (two multi gummies, probiotics, omega-3) and I was getting so tired of opening up 8 jars every time we took them. So I bought a couple of these weekly pill packs that organizes your pills for the week. You only have to fill them once a week and then each day is super easy! These will also be a game changer when I finish rearranging our pantry/supplements cabinet for shelf and height reasons, so I can’t recommend them enough.
Country Strong
I haven’t seen this movie yet, but my friend Erin turned me on to the song. Go listen. Also: Leighton Meester!!
Brew Dr. Kombucha
I recently found these kombucha cans at Whole Foods and love them! The flavors are creative and delicious, and there’s something extra fun about bucha in a can. They’re also a little (tiny) bit cheaper than the kombucha that comes in the bottles, so that’s a plus.
Baby Paper
My cousin sent me a sweet baby gift in the mail that included baby paper! I had never heard of this, but it has a soft, cloth outer material and a crinkle textured interior that babies like to play with. It’s really fun for an adult to crinkle too!
I Love You Like…
Blog reader Anne from Pittsburg reached out to me about her husband’s children’s book, I Love You Like…. Anne’s husband Scott lost his battle with Stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer on Dec 13, 2018. Two years prior when Scott was diagnosed, Scott and his best friend Alec decided to co-author a children’s book and dedicate it to Anne and Scott’s son (also named Alec). Scott worked on this book for years and it’s available on Amazon. The story is about a father and son grasshopper pair. After a young grasshopper asks his Dad just how much he loves him, the Dad takes his son on an adventure to show him just how much. There aren’t too many children’s books about dads, so this one is perfect for the men in your life. Mazen has enjoyed the story at bedtime several times. Read more about Scott’s story here.
The World’s Tiniest Bluetooth
You guys know I geek out with my bluetooth headsets. I prefer them to headphones because I am usually listening to a podcast and like to be able to hear out of my other ear when I bump into friends at the gym or need to hear a biker behind me on the greenway. (Also I hate all kinds of wires, even if they just go behind your head.) I sent my Plantronics headset through the laundry twice, and it finally bit the dust. I considered options from $10-200 for a new one. I decided to try this tiny ear bud for $17 before going to something more expensive, given my laundry habits. Turns out it’s GREAT! I love the tiny size, the rose gold, that I don’t have a nerdy mic coming down my face, and of course the price. I can jump and run and it doesn’t budge. The sound quality is super impressive for the price. But if you mostly listen to music, go ahead and get the Apple AirPods. I tested Thomas’s AirPods against my $17 bud and his were noticeably better for music. But for podcasts, audiobooks, phone calls, and minor music listening, I highly recommend this guy!
I Followed My Heart And It Led Me To Wine
It’s been a long 9 months y’all! But I am ready to sip (slowly) some vino again. I put my Winc Wine Club membership on hold for the duration of my pregnancy, but with just weeks to go I figured I’d start it back up! I had a few extra credits from sharing last year, so I have a case ready for sipping (slowly…please don’t think I’m going to be chugging wine when the baby is here!) My link always gets you $20 off – that’s like 1.5 free bottles! It’s a very low maintenance wine club – you can skip months or cancel anytime. They always have cute and creative bottle designs that are great to bring to parties. (The #TBT red and white blends are favorites of mine.)
Qwirkle
Matt, Mazen, Thomas, and I went out for pizza after Mazen’s back-to-school night (yes, we are that cool with each other 🙂 ) Matt brought this new game that he bought to play with Mazen. It’s really fun for adults and kids alike. I’d say Mazen is juuuust old enough to play. (You do need a good scorekeeper who can do math, so maybe not ideal for two younger kids to play one another.) BUT it’s also a great way to teach math to a school-aged child! It’s kind of like dominos meets rummy.
That’s a wrap!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Lululemon pants are the best! I wish they were more affordable because I’d love to have more than one precious pair myself! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Heather says
I wash my align pants with my regular clothes – so far so good! I’ve had them almost a year : )
Sarah says
Qwirkle is great… and an alternative to make it easier for little kids (mine are 7 and just barely 5) is to just not keep score. Keeping score would be good math practice, but the 5 year old is not quite up to the challenge yet, so no scoring keeps it low pressure and easy to play. Making patterns and getting to shout “qwirkle!” occasionally is motivation enough for my two for now.
KathEats says
Good idea
Laura says
For the price you really should consider hanging the Align pants to dry! They’ll last a lot longer and keep that buttery-soft feeling that way.
Belinda says
Country Strong is one of my favorite movies! It came out 7 or 8 years ago and I watched it multiple times. Definitely check it out!
Bridget Black says
LOVE reading your posts… thanks for the time you put into each one! I’m fallowing behind you — 29 weeks pregnant with our first and its so fun to see a preview into the next couple months. You are looking FANTASTIC. Eager to “meet” your baby boy!
Curious which brand of choline you’re taking? Looked to see if I could find it on babykerf from Mazen but no go. Thanks so much!
KathEats says
Congrats!! I had a basic target brand actually.
Elizabeth says
if you insist in drying them, at least put your pants in a lingerie bag for the wash and dryer. and thanks for the bluetooth earbuds rec, those look ideal!
Pauline says
Countrystrong is a great movie!!
melanie says
which target maternity leggings do you love? I haven’t yet found a pair of workout pants that feel good! (so I’ve been wearing my one pair of pre-maternity Lululemons :))
KathEats says
They are these!
Elizabeth says
I think its great that you and Matt get along! Very mature and responsible!
Anna Weiser says
Unsolicited advice about your leggings! I am BIG allign fan. I wore them all through pregnancy #3…and I am still wearing them a year after his birth (right now). I suggest them to everyone, especially pregnant friends. I wear them – truly – ever day (I have multiple pairs). I took my regular size and they DO NOT stretch, I still love them. Just as much as day 1, when I was pregnant. BUT – let me caution you. If you like your leggings to be lint-free and look nice/ hold their lycra stretch and dark color – follow their suggestions. I own 7 pairs in black (5 regular length and then 2 in the 28 inch full length that is usually on-line only so I promise I have spent time on this probem). I leaned through much trial and error that these pants are a) the most amazing leggings of all time (better than any wunderunder from them I have ever had over 10 years of being a customer) but b) they are HIGH NEEDS. If you just wash with other items and dry them, they will dissapoint you. I have decided I am ok with giving them TLC bc they are worth it. I keep a nice straight-standing bag in my closet to act as a mini hamper where I put them (and only them) when they are dirty (an old Athleta bag, ironically). Once I have enough in there, I was them alone (only with other allign pants) and on cold. I hang them to dry. Trust me, it pains me to be so crazy with pants. I have 3 small boys and do not even buy t-shirts that require hanging to dry, I just can’t deal with that. I wash and dry everything. But for these, the extra TLC is worth it. The pilling gets substantial even with regular wear (not cycling or high impact) and the strict regimen (omg, lol) is really a game changer for how these fare. They deserve it!
KathEats says
Haha I love your dedication! I will consider it 🙂
Lauren says
Just popping in to say that you really shouldn’t put the
Align leggings in the dryer. Wash on delicate and hang to dry. I know it is an extra consideration – but it really is worth the extra effort, especially since they’re not cheap! xo
Courtney says
I”m 6 months pregnant and LOVE my Lulu Align leggings. I wash/dry and run in mine and have had no issues!
lee says
Qwirkle is such a fun game! A girlfriend and I play occasionally, and I always enjoy it.
Mary says
Kath those pants will *not* do well in the dryer lol. That fabric is so delicate, I don’t even trust it to stand up to yoga classes, I think they’re good for an hour of weight lifting (squats. where your thighs never touch each other.) and that’s about it. Call me crazy but I don’t think a $100 pair of leggings should come with three caveats, I would have been like “umm, okay, well, I don’t think these are for me”. Athleta and Outdoor Voices are where it’s at. Aaaaaaanyway, please follow up with your own review, maybe you’ll change my mind!
KathEats says
That’s partly why I’m putting them through the ringer! I want to see.
Mary says
I love it. For science!!!!
Amanda - Life at Cloverhill says
The Lululemon align pants are the best!! I’ve worn them throughout this whole pregnancy (38 weeks as so today!) and I just bought another pair in the sage green. My friends swear by them for those post-partum newborn days as well. When you want something soft and comfortable that still looks pulled together with a long cardigan/tunic.
KathEats says
So many of us are due the same week!
Sally says
My favorite pair of leggings I own are the Lululemon Fast & Free’s. They are amazing – so buttery, and even though they don’t feel as tight as some other compression leggings, they stay put through ANY kind of workout (running, cycle, weight lifting, HIIT, etc). I put mine in the dryer on low heat, and they’re fine. I’ve had them for over a year now, and wear / wash them at least once, if not twice, a week and they are still in great shape. They haven’t lost any of their elasticity, haven’t pilled, the color hasn’t faded. Not sure if the Align material is different, but I think you should be okay.
I’m saving up for a second pair, I love them that much. And they’re so flattering!
KathEats says
Great to know!!
Shari says
I am so glad to read that all of the adults in Mazen’s life are “that cool”. My parents divorced when I was three, but they always got along with each other as well as with the new spouses. Their maturity and dedication to my well being enriched my life greatly. Mazen will reap the benefits. Kudos to you all!
Tracy says
Don’t dry the Align pants! If you take the few seconds to pull them out and hang them instead of putting them in the dryer they will stay like new for years. No pilling. No stretching out. They dry super fast, too! They’re so pricey. I’d hate to see you disappointed in the wear if you dry them. Just my personal experience and advice!
Nicole says
I know it’s a little more work but do hang dry your Align pants – they really don’t handle the dryer well and they are too pricey to replace – but they are FANTASTIC!
Jill says
What did you do for sizing on the aligns for pregnancy? Did you stick to your normal lulu size, or size up? I want to invest in a pair for pregnancy and beyond. Any advice appreciated!
KathEats says
I got a size up – they just felt better!
Heather Warner says
The entire country strong soundtrack is awesome! Give into me is my wedding song 🙂
Kay says
We adore those halo sleepsack swaddles (can’t remember if you used that brand with Mazen), they are the best! And we are also big quirkle fans! Such a fun game and its nice that my husband and I have a two-person game we can play when we put our baby to bed.
Bethany says
Kudos to you, Matt and Thomas for all being so cool. Very responsible and amazing!
Ttrockwood says
I’m a fashion designer myself, and disregarding the care instructions for the Lululemon leggings just means they won’t last as long as they should and you will need to replace them sooner, which is kind of selfdefeating but certainly your decision. The high heat damages the finishing on the self fabric and breaks down the “memory” of the elastic fibers (so eventually they will stretch out and not fit well) as well as the handfeel which gives it that soft texture.
There’s extensive garment testing before creating care labels, so it’s not taken lightly
KathEats says
I totally believe you. If you told me that is all going to happen in two months of washing I would not do it, but if I can get a good three years out of these instead of 4-5 then I am fine to replace them for the convenience factor of drying. I’ve never had a problem drying anything – bras, bathing suits, other yoga pants – so that’s why am doing the test.
Betsey says
We ended up with some baby paper through a baby gift and my 7 month old LOVES it!!! I just wonder every time why I didn’t invent it – so simple but so entertaining to a baby!
I keep checking your blog to see if you’ve had the baby and then get caught up reading it instead of working!! Eek! So excited for you!