Converting Normal Tanks to Nursing Tanks

I don't know about you all, but I have spent a ton of money on nursing tanks.  This was the case after both of my children.  One tank top alone doesn't seem too bad when looking at the price.  But, to get several colors that will work under all of your outfits starts to add up quickly!  This second time around, I only bought two nursing tank tops.  But, I only had a black and a grey.  I wanted more colors, however, didn't want to buy anymore!  I refuse to keep throwing money out the window like that when I can spend a fraction of the money and get multiples!

I kept seeing pins on Pinterest about converting your regular spaghetti strapped tank tops into nursing tank tops.  You can do this with any of them, but I prefer the kind without the shelf bra built in.  Too many layers on the ladies while nursing gets uncomfortable (for me!).

You start by taking your regular tank top and cutting off the strap at the base in the back.  Then, leave a couple of inches in the front.  I should have taken photos of this, but please forgive me.  You will make a VERY TINY loop of the remaining couple inches of strap.  Go smaller than you might think.  You only need enough to fit over the clasp on your nursing bra.  Sew this down and VOILA!  You've converted your tank into a nursing tank!

See the small loop?  It should be tiny otherwise it will slip down your bra.

This is the loop slipped over the clasp on my nursing bra.

This is the nursing tank on, attached to the nursing bra.  I wear these under other wide strapped tanks, tshirts, etc.   But, it makes it nice when I am out and need to nurse.  I can slip up the over-shirt without exposing my belly and easily unclasp my bra (taking that side of the tank with it) and nurse my little one.  This way, nothing is exposed.

I'm so thrilled with the results.  I've made several already!  I have a lavender, a black & white stripped, a black, a grey, a cream/white, and a tan.  I'm thinking about getting more colorful ones since all (but the lavender) are neutral colors. 

OH!  And I should mention...  you can obviously convert any tanks that you already own.  This would be the most cost effective.  However, I didn't have a lot to work with, so I bought my tanks from Forever21.  They were $1.88!  That's WAY cheaper than any nursing tank top that you'll find in the stores.   Also check places like Platos Closet, or any second hand retail store.  The lavender tank I got from a resale store for $1.00.

DIY Floral Headbands

Long time no chat!  I haven't been doing much in the way of nails or reviews.  However, on one of my slightly more energetic evenings I decided I was going to try my hand at making some baby headbands.  There are several different styles that I would like to make, but this was the first to check off my list.  I cannot recall who I first saw these from, but I know I came by it on Pinterest.  I think the one I most closely followed was The Penny Parlor.

These are so incredibly simple to make and the variations are endless!  This is just my first batch.  I'd like to expand the type and color of flowers as well as the center piece in them. 

I selected some gerber daisy style of flowers and pulled them apart.  This means popping the flower off of the stem, removing the plastic underside of the flower, and pulling apart each layer.  Some people keep the plastic middles of the flowers, but I didn't want any plastic left on the flowers.  I wanted to just work with the fabric layers.   

I hot glued each layer back together and then a white button (for most) into the middle. For the clip portion, I bought some pre-wrapped alligator clips.  You can get these at the craft store (which will cost you more), at a hair supply place (Sally's would work fine), Walmart, or even the dollar store at times.   If you buy the naked version (aka: not wrapped in ribbon already) you can either leave them as is or buy a thin ribbon and glue that around them yourself.   I lazily selected the pre-wrapped kind to cut out an extra step on my first batch.  I glued those down to the backside of the flowers.  I like the idea of being able to change out the flowers on the headbands, which is why I took the route of clips and not sewing down the flowers. 

Tada!  Cute flowers that you can clip to any fabric headband!  Above and below are the same flower, just on a different band.

Quick Update!

Hi, everyone!

I wanted to put up a quick post just to let you know that I realize I haven't been active on my blogs for the last month.  I am at the tail end of my pregnancy and have run into some small issues that have made it difficult for me to keep up at the moment.  I haven't disappeared or abandoned either of my blogs.  I just want to comfortably and safely make it through this last portion of my pregnancy, likely need a bit of recovery time, find a new balance with an addition to the family, and I will get back to my usual postings.

I do have a couple of posts that have been photographed already, but not typed up.  If I get some time and energy, I may post those.

Please understand, though, that I am quite drained at the moment and have my hands extremely full with general life and being a mother and wife already....  there are day to day things I am also managing. I will start posting again, however, before you know it!  :-)