We are a family on a one income budget, so shopping at a maternity boutique was not something that I thought was in our budget. Even though this is baby number three for me, I had no clue what to expect when I walked in the doors of our sponsor NINE Maternity, and let me just start off by saying that my assumption about maternity boutiques was way off. Here’s why…
Misconception No.1 :: Everything would cost about a gazillion dollars.
I don’t spend a lot on clothes to begin with. So when it comes to maternity clothes, I try to be really frugal with my spending because the window of opportunity to wear them is so slim. I just assumed that shopping at a maternity boutique like NINE Maternity would be WAY outside of my desired range. Not at all true. For three reasons ::
1. Awesome clearance selections that are super marked down.
{Note :: This is just one of the clearance racks.}
2. You can get a heads up on upcoming sales and clearance selections through social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even an email subscriber list.
3. Other non-clearance items that are very budget friendly too! I’ll be honest, I have a tendency of walking straight to the clearance rack and assuming nothing else is in my budget. Thankfully, my hubs was went on this shopping excursion with me and was looking around too. Even him, who I call Dave Ramsey Jr. {aka Budget Man}, found MANY options of things that I wanted to try on that weren’t marked down.
Misconception No.2 :: Maternity clothes only last a few months.
When buying maternity clothes, I love to find things that will work for an extended length of time – beyond just those 9 months. What was so fantastic about this store is these items were specifically selected for that exact reason! The owners at NINE Maternity know what us mamas need because they are moms too. I loved that most of what I tried on would work right now {second trimester} and well into my third trimester, but would also be something I could still use when covering up the pizza dough post-baby belly and as a great option for nursing gear too.
Also, it should be noted that they have many selections that help you show off your belly! I love a good belly bump and hate sticking to just versatile items. Embrace those bumps, preggy mamas!
Misconception No.3 :: Boutique clothes are too froofy {is that a word?} and not really my style.
I don’t even exactly know what my style is, so not quite sure what I’m trying to say. Other than, I’m a mom. I want to look cute, but I also still need to be comfortable and wear my dozen different hats. I thought anything I’d purchase at a boutique would be too nice to actually be pregnant in and have toddler around me. Ha. So wrong.
I loved this sign they have hanging in their Rice Village store, “Stylish. Sexy. Pregnant.” We can still be all those things and be a mom. Being in that store helped me find items I was comfortable in but also felt stylish and sexy while being pregnant {the miracle of miracles}.
Misconception No.4 :: I’m a third time mom, I know all I need to know about maternity clothes.
Because the owners are moms and have had this business for over 14 years now, they know what us moms need. I was introduced to several new products, but one I can’t wait to try out once the baby is born is the Belly Bandit BFF. Everyone in the store was full of insider tips for all of the products they sell, and while I love shopping online – this is something you only get when you actually go into a store. True customer service.
Misconception No.5 :: Maternity boutiques only carry maternity items.
NINE Maternity is a great place to go if you need to buy an item for an expectant mom — or any mom! The store is full of so many, non-clothes items. Chewbeads, Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags, and more.
And just for fun, I thought I’d share a few extra things you might want to know about Nine Maternity too…
They have a great selection of nursing gear.
Lounge wear, sleep wear, nursing bras, nursing shirts, and every accessory you could imagine.
They carry brands you can trust and {probably already} love.
Seraphine {one of Duchess Kate’s favorites!}, Maternal America, Rosie Pope {the new mommy guru on Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels series}, Lilac and Olian, and Timi & Leslie diaper bags. And of course, they have even more than that…but those are a few crowd favorites.
They have two convenient locations.
NINE Maternity has one location in Rice Village {with parking in front of the store and in back} as well as one in the Medical Center Building of Women’s Hospital. Which is mighty convenient for me as I pass by it every time I go see my OB. Now I’ll actually stop in with all of these misconceptions busted too!
Please Note :: While this may be a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions about NINE Maternity are my own.
