As a first time mom, I'm admittedly a little bit obsessed with cleanliness. If I could strap a bottle of hand sanitizer to my baby with a sign that says "please use before touching", I probably would. (Hmm, note to self: business idea.) I've tried numerous types of saniziter lately, and unfortunately, my constant use  has caused some extra dried out hands (and an  eye-rolling husband). I was excited to try BabyGanics the Germinator because many hand sanitizers have chemicals that make  you wonder if germs are better for your baby than the stuff you're putting on your hands to prevent them!

BabyGanics was created by  two dads who wanted a "green option" for their growing families. All BabyGanics products are all-natural, and safe to use around babies. The Germinator kills germs naturally, and without drying alcohol. What I immediately liked about the Germinator  was that my hands didn't feel like dried out corn husks after using it. I loved that there wasn't any chemcial smelling fragrance to the product. The foamy consistency was a nice change from liquids and gels, plus I could use less product and get the same amount of effectiveness. BabyGanics is definitely a brand I'll continue to use; I plan to keep a bottle of this stuff in the diaper bag, car, and by the changing table. I'm glad I can continue to indulge in my new mom germ obsession by keeping around a sanitizer that people will actually enjoy using!

As a new mom with an infant that's up all hours, showering has become a luxury rather than a given right! That's why I'm loving dry shampoo these days. You can use it multiple times between washings and still have great looking hair. In the past dry shampoos that I tried either left behind a white powder, or the color matching formulas left brown powder all over my bathroom and clothes.  But  Salon Grafix new Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo leaves hair feeling clean and refreshed without the residue. Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo goes on clean and clear, with no visible powder left behind. Simply spray in and brush out. What mom doesn't have time for that?

Win a free sample of Salon Grafix new Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo! Experience it for yourself! Simply leave a comment below and follow Nine Months of Style on Google friend connect for the chance to win the gift of great hair. Contest closes this Saturday at 12am EST.

I've made my first foray into compiling nursing attire...sexy, right? From what I've heard from friends, nursing tanks are a must-have for sleeping, out and about, and at home. I've already tried on a bunch of different brands, and here's what I've discovered:

Target:
Affordable (under 20 bucks) and versatile, with a cute selection of styles for day or sleep. The only problem? The fit is off for girls like myself who are busty but have a smaller torso (even with a baby in said stomach). The small fit my 9 month bump, but not my 9 month boobs. The tanks are better for girls who need less support- perhaps up to a c or d cup.

Walmart:
Even cheaper than Target, with decent basic styles. However, there's little support in their basic styles. They are a great option for plus-size moms though because they have the largest selection of 1x - 3x and XL sizes of any place I went.

Old Navy:
You can get nursing tanks online for about 8 bucks, but the current crop have no support- not even a shelf bra. Which is a problem if you need to put  nursing pads somewhere. Best for small busts, I think, or busts that want to be free, so to speak.

Motherhood Maternity:
Again, each tank is around the 20 dollar mark, but I'm not crazy about the shelf shelf style bra in most of them. I did like the one below, with it's belly-hiding style and two layer top. It's not supportive enough to go out in, but great for sleep time and I may get more.

Pea in the Pod:
My all around favorite so far. They have a nice long length that will go with leggings, have a lot of support so they function as a bra on their own (with most of the others, you have to wear a  bra underneath) and they are padded, so additional pads won't show through. They also give a  flattering shape. The small fit me and my larger size chest well. The downside? Each tank is $40, an expensive investment. I got 3, but  I'll keep on my mission until I can find something flattering, fitting, and inexepensive!

Check out my guest post on I Heart Maternity, a fun blog filled with all sort of mom favorites, musings, and more! Here's a snippet of it: As a blogger and soon- to-be mom who normally writes about maternity fashion, I’ve tried to make an effort during my first pregnancy to keep my sense of self and style during this time of major change with my body and life. It’s been fun dressing for a bun in the oven! For months, I’ve carefully spent time contemplating ruffled tops, accessorizing with draped scarves, and studying where to get discounted skinny maternity jeans (Gilt Group!). I’ve found great organic skincare (loving Physician’s Formula OrganicWear) and makeup choices, picked a few fab going out dresses from Destination Maternity, and generally been enjoying the transformation to hot mama!

But now, in the last few days of my pregnancy, fashion is the last thing I can think about! I wear the same 2 shirts over and over because they are the only ones that fit over my bump, and the same 2 pairs of pants, and I’m okay with that. (I’m not really going too many places these last days anyway- it’s pretty hard to get around when you waddle instead of walk!) I guess that means I’m truly becoming a mom already, because all I can think about is him! When is he coming out? Does he have enough room in there? What did that twinge mean, am I about to go into labor? And most importantly, who is this person inside me going to be and how can I be there for him?

I love that as the weather changes from summer to fall, my life also changes: Welcoming a new life for the new season. It feels fitting that my new path in life begins as we usher in the time of year of beginnings: new school year, holidays, and well, even new television premieres (I’ll be needing those shows to get me through late night feedings!)

As I look out the window, and watch the leaves start to fall, I realize I’m shedding the old me too—to gear up for my own special new season.

Check it out here:
Star Maternity Style Secrets
http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20185823_20285286_20634459,00.html

Another Old Navy hit! This adorable matching mommy/baby nursing set is just the thing for the hospital when visitors are swinging by and when you are taking a plethora of pictures. I'm not normally a person who wants to match anyone, but I had to indulge just this once. Luckily at only $32, it's an indulgence that's affordable. I suspect it'll be my new favorite lounge outfit at home, and baby boy will stay warm and comfy. Plus, with Old Navy's constant great deals, I got it at 25% off! Also in pink and gray for little baby girls.

I've fallen for Juliet- Juliet Dream that is. My dear friend gave me a lovely, flattering top that manages to be sexy, sweet, forgiving, and cooling all at the same time. It's great for the heat of August, and I just might be able to wear it afterwords too, always a bonus! Find it in blue at Due Maternity.

I just quickly had to share that I'm obsessed with a maternity skirt I recently got at Old Navy. It is sooo comfortable for your 3rd trimester. I just can't squeeze myself into jeans in mid summer heat anymore, so it was nice to get a bottom that goes with all my tops and feels like you're in your pj's. It's also extremely slimming on the hips. Pic to come. Read reviews at OldNavy.com.

I've always had an interest in all-natural and organic skin and beauty care, but during my pregnancy, it's been stepped up a notch or 100. After years of department store brands, it was time to make an effort to try to use products without parabens, pthalates, and sulfates. So I've been gradually switching most of the products I use on my body and hair to organic, "healthier" brands. (Well, except  for my beloved Lancome concealer. Hey, nobody's perfect!)

I really love Nature's Baby Organics products because they are filled with organic ingredients, and contain nothing fake or chemical. They can be used by me now, and on the baby later. I'm particularly crazy about the Face and Body moisturizer (70% organic), because it  means you have to use one fewer separate product on yourself. It's packed with good stuff like aloe vera and olive oil, and sinks in right away, leaving me smooth and soft head to toe. It also has no scent, which is better for my sensitive nose and baby's sensitive skin.

The organic baby oil is another favorite. I'm very allergic to fragranced products, but this causes no issues. The subtle scent of mandarin and coconut has turned my "staycation summer" into a tropical getaway. (All I need is this, the dress below, and a flower tucked behind my ear and I might as well be reliving my Hawaiian honeymoon...)

You can order Nature's Baby Organics online at Ecobabiesonline.com, a great site that offers organic skincare, toys, clothes, and more. The site even offers a cloth diaper service! It's truly a mecca for all things organic and natural.

It's in the 90s here on the East Coast, and looking cool and together while nearly 8 months pregnant is not the easiest thing. That's why I was thrilled to come across this Old Navy maternity sundress. It's made of very lightweight cotton, and is easy and breezy, even on 97 degree days. I wear it to work with a cropped jacket, and on its own everywhere else. I could wear this dress everyday this summer; wish it came in more color combos!