Saturday, April 25, 2015

How to Make Your Own Breast Pump Bra

When I decided to begin pumping milk for my son, as opposed to breast feeding, I quickly realized a breast pumping bra was a necessity.

For those who don't know, to use a breast pump, you must hold a type of suction cup to your breasts. Attached to the cups are bottle to catch the milk. The entire device has a tubing that leads from the bottles to the pump.



Pumping breast milk can take anywhere from a few minutes to forty-five minutes or so, differing from woman to woman.

The bottles get surprisingly heavy, especially since the cups must be held firmly and straight against your breasts. This may not sound hard, but it is. Keep in mind, you have a newborn who isn't sleeping, in turn, you are not sleeping. Your body is recovering from the effort and the trauma of childbirth and possibly surgery.

More than once I fell asleep while pumping and woke up only because my lap was wet from spilt milk. What a waste of milk, time and effort.

I finally broke down and bought a breast pumping bra. After it arrived, I realized I could have made one myself. If you do choose to do this project, do it before your baby comes, so you can take your time and have it all ready to go when needed.

Supplies needed are: Sewing thread to match the bra you use, a needle with a good size eye, maybe even a small tapestry needle, since it will have to get through thick cotton and spandex, a thimble, if you need it, sharp scissors and a sports bra.




You should get a bra that fits well, but not too snuggly. When your milk comes in your breasts will get much bigger than they already are.

Your best bet for suction cups are the kind that separate, so you don't have to shove the entire cup through the bra. You will need to make holes in the bra where your nipples sit. The holes should be roughly the size of a fifty cent piece. You can even use one as a template for tracing. Pinch the fabric in the center of the circle and snip it. This will give you a place to put your scissors and cut of the circle.

Use your needle and thread to sew the rim of the hole you created. This will prevent the fabric from fraying. Lock each stitch as you sew. Keep the stitches tight and as close together as possible. This will take time and make the project take longer, but it will ensure each stitch is secure.

Work your way around the circle and repeat for the other side. Insert the tube of your cups and attack the bottle, and pump away.

Note: I would recommend hand washing your bra and allow it to line dry to ensure longevity.

How to Choose a Bra that Fits Your Body and Breasts

Bras, whether you like them or not, are a fact of life for most women. However, most women do not know how to choose a bra that fits their body. A poorly fitting bra can cause headaches, backaches, and other health problems. The following guide will help you choose a bra that will be both supportive and comfortable.



1. The shoulder straps should fit comfortably. If they are slipping off your shoulder or cutting angry red lines into your skin, than it's not the bra for you. The straps should sit on your shoulders firm enough that they do not slip, but loose enough that it does not cause any pain or discomfort. Ideally, the shoulder straps should be positioned such that they pull your shoulders forward, this will help you stand up straighter which will improve your posture.

2. The band should fit comfortably. If the band rides up in the back than it is too loose. If it leaves red marks across your back than it is too tight. The band should fit straight across your back without slipping, but should not be so tight as to cause discomfort.

3. Breasts should fit inside the cups. If your breasts feel smashed or protrude from the top of your bra, than the cup size is too small. If the cup has dimples in it or your shirt hangs off your bra and not off your breasts, the cup size is too big. Your breasts should touch the fabric of the cup, but not be crammed inside of it.

4. The front of your bra strap should lie across the breast bone. This will ensure proper height of the breasts to avoid pulling them up too high or allowing them to fall down too low. You should be able to slip a finger under the front strap of your bra without difficulty.

These steps will help you choose a bra that fits your body and breast size. The right bra creates attractive curves and a comfortable fit. Both are important factors for something you wear on your body every day.

How to Come Up with Your Own Tattoo Design

If you are thinking about getting a new tattoo, but you want something different then what's offered in the magazines and flash sheets, you can come up with a very unique tattoo design on your own. My husband is a tattoo artist and I have seen people come in for a tattoo that they have got from some pretty out there places, but the pieces are original and creative. If you want a tattoo that is all yours, here are some tips for coming up with a great tattoo design:



One woman brought her purse in with her. She wanted the exact same Tinkerbell that was on the purse. It turned out really good and she ended up coming back for another one on her other shoulder a few months later. I always find myself looking at some of the designs on clothing and thinking what a cool tattoo they would make. So, if you have an article of clothing that has a design you love on it, this may be a great idea for your new tattoo. Remember, the tattoo artist can use this design as a jumping off point and draw something up for you using the design as a part of the piece.

Another woman brought in a dried up bouquet and wanted my husband to tattoo it on her. He drew up the pattern and tattooed it on her back. It turned out beautiful. This just goes to show that anything that means something to you can be used as a tattoo design for your new tattoo. So, no matter what it is that you cherish, you can have it used as your design, or at least incorporated into your new tattoo. It can be a piece of jewelry, the cover of a book, a portrait, a sea shell your spouse gave you at the beach, your first car, or anything. These make some of the best tattoos because they are so unique. I prefer when someone gets a tattoo like this, I love to look at them after they are done. It's a nice change of pace from all of the Jay Birds and hearts with ribbons.

The truth is, to get a great tattoo that is unique to you; all you really need is half of an idea. If you like dolphins, tell the artist that you like dolphins and want something customized for you. You can also mention some of your other passions and he will be able to come up with something for you. This person is going to be marking you for life, put a little trust in them.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Regular or Decaf?

Sometimes you like it both ways – take it easy with a decaf coffee done K-Cup® style when you need a late afternoon break or jump start your day with a Starbucks® K-Cup. You can have it any way you’d like it when you invest in an on demand or single serve coffee maker, especially one that accepts the K-Cup® coffee inserts. Since Keuring® practically invented the on demand coffee maker market they offer the widest selection of coffee flavors, roast and blends – take a look online or at retail and you can see for yourself.



The great thing about a single serve coffee maker is the freedom of choice – it’s easy to enjoy regular or decaffeinated coffee along with tea, chai and even hot chocolate whenever you want and there’s no waste and no hassle. Waste is eliminated because the coffee comes in individually sealed personal packets plus it is always fresh since the packets are sealed until the moment of brewing and then you brew only exactly what you need.

There’s no hassle because everything is easy with an on demand coffee maker – you brew the hot beverage directly into your cup so there is no pot or carafe to clean; the coffee is hot because it is fresh-brewed. The coffee simply can’t get scorched or bitter because there is no warmer to worry about. All you need is an electrical outlet and a water source – with the push of a button you can enjoy a custom made hot drink in under a minute. Regular or decaffeinated is no longer an issue since everyone can make just what they want; even tea drinkers can have it their way.

FitFlop - A Combination of Style And Comfort

Footwear is considered to be an important fashion accessory in today’s world. The reason behind this is that footwear does not only provide comfort to a person who wears it, but also improves the look and style of a person. You can find sandals, shoes, sneakers, flip flops and other kinds of footwear in any marketplace. Some of the people take hours to select particular footwear and spend a lot of money on them. One of the categories of footwear that have become extremely popular among all age groups is surely the FitFlop.



This footwear made its first appearance in the year 2007. More than 44 countries have been using them and have become famous for a lot of reason. Some of these reasons are:

Working out has become easier for those people who do not get time to do regular exercises. Wear this footwear and expect a thorough exercise of your thighs and legs. The wobbleboard incorporated in the sole of the footwear challenges the muscles of your lower body to work more. This way your lower body gets toned up.

Leg Diseases Caused By Unsuitable Footwear

If you are suffering from any leg diseases or any kind of pain, then one of the reasons behind it can be the footwear you usually wear. Avoid wearing them and wear this footwear which is comfortable yet trendy. Wear them regularly and for sure your muscles will work competently. This mean the fitness of your whole body will be handled by them.

The pressure on your feet and the soles will be reduced tremendously by wearing this footwear. If you are very active and always running from one place to another for some work, then these are the best footwear for you. Wear them and forget about the strain on your soles, legs, hips or back.

Since this footwear is in demand, many footwear retailers have been selling these and are making tremendous profits in their business. One such independent retailer is Shoetique (Hale). They have been trading in footwear since the last 30 years. You can buy the best and high quality FitFlop at Shoetique at very reasonable prices.