My Pregnancy Uniform: Courtney Miller

Image of My Pregnancy Uniform - Courtney - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy

We spoke with super mom, Courtney Miller, about her self-care routine during pregnancy. Boy, are we so glad we did! Courtney is mom of two darling girls with a third little gal due any day now

What is your daily beauty routine? what products do you use?
With two kiddos and another on the way, I don’t have a lot of time to spend getting ready in the mornings, so I have a pretty laid-back beauty routine. But I do love to make sure my skin is taken care of and feeling fresh! So each morning I rinse my face with water, then I apply Beauty Counter’s Nourishing Day Cream with a few drops of their Lustro Face Oil No. 3 – this leaves my face feeling perfectly moisturized and balanced, and it’s not at all heavy. If I plan to leave the house, my must-have is concealer! I love Eye Duty Triple Remedy by First Aid Beauty – it’s the perfect consistency, and has a cool (literally cool!) metal applicator to help minimize puffiness. After that, it’s a little bronzer and I’m set!
I’m a night showerer, and my shampoo is my one totally non-natural non-organic splurge, but I love it. I use Clairol’s Shimmer Lights – it’s a super fun bright purple color and it helps keep the blonde parts of my hair from getting too brassy. I follow that with Morocco’s Argan Oil Conditioner, and for body wash, I use Method foam. I alternate between two face washes – Beauty Counter’s Nourishing Cream Cleaner for normal skin days, and their Charcoal Bar for days when I want that squeaky-clean feeling.
After my shower, I use Beauty Counter’s Citrus Rosemary Body Oil all over. I’ve found that you either get stretch marks or you don’t, and no specialty product is going to prevent them – but, you can help keep your stretching and itchy skin comfortable, and the Body Oil is perfect for that. Then I apply a light layer of Beauty Counter’s Nourishing Cleansing Balm all over my face and leave it on overnight for extra hydration.
Image of My Pregnancy Uniform - Courtney - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
Do you have any beauty rituals you adopted since becoming pregnant?
 For me, this third pregnancy has meant less time and energy, which has meant more of a simple routine – which I love! With each pregnancy I’ve learned to be more content with my body, with my time constraints, and to be kinder with my expectations of myself. That being said, the two rituals I’ve focused on this time around are working out and caring for my skin. I’ve found that if those two things are covered (even if my hair is in a top knot and I’m in workout clothes all day), I generally feel great!
What has been your go-to style during pregnancy? Describe your favorite outfit you’re wearing these days?
With my first pregnancy, I loved to wear skinny jeans and fitted tops, but my body has changed over the years and that just doesn’t feel comfortable to me anymore. These days, I love black Lularoe leggings (they feel like butter!) and a long, flowy tee or tank paired with sneakers or ankle booties. When I need a dressier look, a shift or fitted dress with my lightweight cargo vest, wedge booties, and a long necklace is my favorite! And of course – having my nails painted is always a must!
My Pregnancy Uniform - Courtney - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
Are there any particular food or drinks you love to keep you feel good and glowing?
During the first 16 weeks of this pregnancy, I was so sick and could eat nothing by crackers and dry toast, so I feel like I’ve been trying to make up for that ever since! Carbs are my very favorite, but I try to keep them limited to dinner and eat plenty of fruit and veggies during the day. I mix Amazing Grass Green SuperFood into a glass of water – it’s a fantastic way to make sure I’m getting my greens! I’ve also started taking a collagen supplement at night, and I love what it’s doing for my skin. And of course, coffee!
5) What wisdom do you hope to pass down to your little one?
We try to teach our daughters that their true beauty lies in who they are, not in what they look like. We always hope to lead by example in this way, so I never comment about my appearance in front of them. We give them complements on their beauty, but strive to combine those with complements on their hearts and minds as well. We try to remind them daily that loving God and loving people are the most important things we can do as humans – and I hope to pass all of these things along to our third daughter as well.
My Pregnancy Uniform - Courtney - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
What advice would you give to other pregnant moms about feeling like themselves and enjoying this time?
Keep it simple! We don’t have to lose our identity completely to pregnancy, but it’s so important to give yourself lots of grace to make adjustments as you go. Sometimes you’ll be too tired to work out, or feel too crummy to eat a salad, and that’s ok! Find the one or two things that help you feel like yourself – whether it’s blowdrying your hair, going for a walk, drinking a smoothie every morning, or throwing on concealer and mascara – and stick with those basics. Your baby will be here before you know it, and your whole world will change in the best way. In the meantime, enjoy your beautiful changing body and be kind to yourself!

Thank you, Courtney! We can’t wait to meet baby #3!

My Pregnancy Uniform: Laurel Linton

Laurel - My Pregnancy Beauty Uniform - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy

For our second My Beauty Routine installment (missed the first one? you can read it right here) we knew we had to talk with Laurel. Laurel is a speech therapist who lives and loves in Brooklyn. She and her husband are expecting their first child this winter and we just know they’re going to be the most incredible parents.

Continue reading as she tells us how she takes care of herself during these nine months and what she does to feel the most like herself.

*all photography by Bethany Michaela Jones*


What is your daily beauty routine? What products do you use?
I’m sort of a minimalist on the daily routines. I’m pretty blessed with easy skin so I try not to put a lot on my face. I use a natural face wash by neutrogena and great moisturizers by Laura Mercier. One for for day and one for night. Lately I tend to throw on a little makeup as I’m rushing out the door but nothing fancy!
Laurel - My Pregnancy Beauty Uniform - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
Do you have any beauty rituals you adopted since becoming pregnant?
My most favorite has been a home made coconut sugar scrub infused with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. I use on it my belly and hips every time I shower. It keeps my skin so smooth and moisturized and so far I haven’t had any stretch marks! Here’s hoping it stays that way 😉
What has been your go-to style during pregnancy? Describe your favorite outfit you’re wearing these days?
I’ll be honest, the transition of style during pregnancy hasn’t been easy at every stage. There’s the weird phase where none of your normal clothes fit, but you’re not quite big enough to be full on “maternity” bump zone. I ended up wearing lots of yoga pants and cute flowy tops during that time. Now that I’m into the 3rd trimester, it’s fun to get dressed and show off my bump. The hard part is bending over and getting my socks and shoes on, haha! My favorite are tunics or dresses with a belt over my tummy and maternity tights or leggings. I’ve also fully embraced the cozy fall sweater and am pretty much living in one that feels like a warm blanket.
Laurel - My Pregnancy Beauty Uniform - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
Are there any particular food or drinks you love to keep you feel good and glowing?
I drink coconut water almost daily. It’s great for keeping hydrated and getting those electrolytes. I put slices of cucumber and fresh mint in my water bottle to get a fresh twist on the constant need to hydrate.
Laurel - My Pregnancy Beauty Uniform - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
What wisdom do you hope to pass down to your little one?
When it comes to being a woman, I hope she learns from me that true beauty comes from the inside, and who we are deep down, not just from how we look or what clothes we wear. I also hope she learns to appreciate and love her body and not feel ashamed of it, to accept and care for her body and not idolize a false standard of beauty. I know this is something many women, including myself, struggle with, and I know it will be an ongoing challenge for me to model those ideals I hope to pass on to my daughter.
Laurel - My Pregnancy Beauty Uniform - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
What advice would you give to other pregnant moms about feeling like themselves and enjoying this time?
There is a lot of pressure, about what you should be doing or shouldn’t be doing, how active you should be, how much rest you should get, what things are essential to buy for baby… it can be really overwhelming. And its easy to compare yourself to other pregnant women, which is a mistake. I think the best advice is to remember that every mama and every pregnancy are unique, and you need to go at your own pace and remain true to yourself. Trust yourself and your body, and shake of those haters (or well-meaning advice givers).
Laurel - My Pregnancy Beauty Uniform - Mama Bird Box - Gifts for Pregnancy
Thank you, Laurel, for sharing your routine with us!
For more from Laurel, follow her on Instagram right here!

Save Big on Safe Skincare with Mama Bird Box!

beauty counter by noelle - Mama bird box - safe skincare - gifts for pregnant momWe know what it’s like to hunt and hunt for safe skincare products – especially products that are also safe for baby. That’s why we’re pleased to partner with BeautyCounter to offer safe skincare samples in select Mama Bird Boxes. Keep an eye out for these goodies in your box over the next month.

Now, through October 25th you can enjoy $10 OFF any order of $50 or more.

PLUS: Spend $150+ and also receive a FREE BeautyCounter Lip Sheer (a $30 value)!

Shop via this link and save.

P.S. did you know they have a fantastic baby line? We encourage you to check that out as well!

Not a Mama Bird Box subscriber? You can subscribe for yourself or treat a friend to the gift that keeps giving!