Want to look stylish and sexy while pregnant?

Nine Maternity is one of Houston's finest maternity shops. They carry top maternity lines including: Olian, Michael Stars, Citizens of Humanity, Japanese Weekend, Noppies, Paige Premium Denim and 2 Chix to name a few. They select maternity lines that will fit and flatter all body shapes and sizes ranging from XS-XXL. Being 20 weeks pregnant I know what many of you expectant mommies are going through when facing your current wardrobe! Nothing fits your ever changing body, and you still want to look stylish! I encourage you to visit Nine Maternity because they have it all! From jeans and cute tees to business attire to a sexy dress for a night out, you will find what you need at Nine Maternity.

Nine Maternity is located in Rice Village at 2518 Rice Blvd and in the Medical Center in the OGA Building at 7900 Fannin Ste. 1490 next to the Woman's Hospital of Texas. You can also shop online 24/7 at www.ninematernity.com.

MaterniTea Party at Kick Maternity

My Baby Concierge is thrilled to announce and be a part of Kick Maternity's 3rd Annual MaterniTea Party this Saturday, May 10! Kick Maternity features stylish maternity clothing and accessories from top designers including Chiarakruza, Juliet Dream, Maternal America, Noppies, Olian and many more. Stop by from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm for great shopping, tea party treats, and giveaways from Kick as well as local area vendors including My Baby Concierge, J. Patterson Photography, and Custom jewelry by Kay McIntyre. Check out huge markdowns on summer and spring merchandise from Kick. Don't forget, Kick will donate 10% of the day's sales to the Houston Area Women's Center.

Kick Maternity is located at 5709 Woodway Drive between Bering and Chimney Rock. Visit www.shopkickmaternity.com for more information.

Mommie-To-Be Day at Mommie Chic and Me!

My Baby Concierge is pleased to announce Mommie-To-Be Day at Mommie Chic and Me in League City! Stop by Saturday, May 10, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for door prizes, refreshments, and great shopping. Mommie Chic and Me carries maternity, baby, and children's clothing as well as accessories and unique baby gifts. All mommies-to-be will receive an additional 10% off all day! Also check out information on local area vendors including My Baby Concierge. Mommie Chic and Me is located in Historic League City in the Founder's Square Shopping Center at:

501 E. Main St. #5

League City 77573

281-557-0336

Houston's Green Baby Boutique

My Baby Concierge is excited to announce the Grand Opening Celebration of Bebe' Verde, a green baby boutique on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Join Bebe' Verde for refreshments from 12:00 to 4:00 and special discounts all day long!

Bebe' Verde specializes in safe, organic, eco-friendly baby products including clothing, diapers, skincare products, furniture and toys from many brands including Happygreenbee, Thinkbaby bottles, gdiapers, Nurseryworks, Natura, and Sweet Pea to name a few. Stop by the grand opening and register to win an organic crib set and Bebe' Verde gift certificate and find out more information about local baby related businesses including My Baby Concierge!

Bebe' Verde is located at 1741 West Alabama in between Woodhead and Dunlavy. Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Visit www.bebeverde.com for more information or call 713-522-7373.

Baby, Kids, and Maternity Boutique

My Baby Concierge strives to keep you up-to-date on where to shop for clothes and other items for both mommy and baby. We are delighted to present Mommie Chic and Me, a unique baby, kids and maternity boutique!

Mommie Chic and Me is located in historic League City in the Founder's Square Shopping Center. Store owner, Melissa McKinney spoke with My Baby Concierge about the boutique and tells us they carry the baby and children's brands we love including Feltman Bros, Petit Ami, Pediped, Robeez and more. Mommie Chic also specializes in unique baby gifts for all price ranges including Christening gowns as well as baby and children's clothing in girls size preemie-6X and boys size preemie-4. Let's not forget about expectant mothers, Mommie Chic and Me carries maternity clothing in petite and women's sizes with new selections arriving daily from brands including Zero to Nine, Sexy Belly Maternity, Olian, Tala Jeans, Bella Band and Belly Flirt T-shirts to name a few.

Expectant moms, be sure to register at Mommie Chic where your selections will be presented to family and friends along with favorite colors and baby's due date. Shoppers, gift wrapping is free and gift certificates are also available.

Visit Mommie Chic and Me during the month of April and receive an additional 15% off all green and red line clearance merchandise! Expectant Moms, don't miss out on Mommie-To-Be Day at Mommie Chic and Me on Saturday, May 10th! All mommies-to-be will receive 10% off all day! Stop by for refreshments, door prizes, great shopping, and information on local area vendors including My Baby Concierge!

501 E. Main Street #5
The Founders Square Shopping Center
In Historic League City 77573
281-557-0336
Mon-Sat 10-6pm
www.mommie-chic.com

Tips for Taking Great Family Photos

We here at My Baby Concierge were thrilled to announce our official launch on February, 29, 2008! We look forward to keeping Houston and surrounding areas informed of local baby and maternity boutiques, trends in gadgets, gear and all things baby-related!

With spring here and summer right around the corner, many families will plan vacations or will opt to just get out and enjoy the outdoors. Now is the time to preserve those memories with pictures! I recently spoke with local photographer, Layla Wolken of the Clear Lake area, and asked her what advice she had for taking great family photos. Here is what she had to say.

Composition

1. Get close and level- Moving in closer (zooming in) to your subject reduces the number of background distractions that can make an otherwise good photo appear busy. Moving closer allows you to better focus on their eyes, which adds a dramatic feel to the photo. Also, get down on their level for an overall better composed picture.
2. Get Creative- With willing participants, try taking photos from different angles-from above and below the subject, and even tilting the camera 45 degrees for an unusual effect.
3. Use the rule of thirds- When composing your picture, divide it into 3 imaginary sections. Doing so not only helps you center the subject in the photograph from top to bottom, but can also result in a well balanced off-center shot. When creating an off-center image, place the subject near the intersection of the section lines and see what creative results you get.

Lighting

1. Control your flash- By reading your camera manual you should be able to learn to better control your flash. By leaving it on automatic, you are limiting yourself to pictures with ordinary lighting, as well as improperly exposed images that would have been great had the right flash setting been used.
2. Use the flash outdoors- Don't be afraid to use your flash outdoors-especially in the shade. Even using the flash on a sunny day can improve the picture by eliminating the dark shadows under the eyes that shooting in bright sun can cause. Be sure to also use the flash when shooting with the sun behind the subject. Otherwise, you will get a silhouette images.
3. Turn the flash off indoors- If lighting is adequate from windows and lights, try turning the flash off for indoor pictures. Using ambient light from windows can create dramatically stunning images. Eliminating the flash indoors can also help avoid the unnatural skin tones that sometimes accompany using a flash indoors.

General

1. Embrace candid shots- Capturing your family in their natural state can produce a picture that is truly reflective of this stage of life. Encourage kids to loosen up by telling jokes or making funny noises.
2. Try unusual posing- Have the family get down on their tummies for a nice, relaxed picture. Doing so takes the pressure off of kids who are too stiff and don't know where to put their hands or how to hold their shoulders. Of course, you'll have to get on your tummy to get on their level, but the outcome can be fabulous!
3. Take more shots than you need- One of the most amazing aspects of digital photography is the ability to take multiple images, without paying for the individual images. Take advantage of this feature by taking more photos than you normally would-and in rapid succession.

Layla enjoys having children, babies, and expectant mothers as subjects, so book your session now! For more information on Layla Wolken's services visit www.laylawolkenphotography.net.

We here at My Baby Concierge thank Layla for sharing her tips with us and wish everyone a Happy Easter!