Third trimester style: No tents allowed!
January 28, 2008
Dressing your growing bump without looking like you are wearing a tent can be a challenge as you go from trimester one to trimester three. As you near your due date, your flowing empire waist shirts and dresses can make you look a lot bigger than you are. How can you dress your bump when you are about to pop?
Take a tip from actress Halle Berry and look for dresses or shirts that tie or gather under your belly. To copy Halle’s look, check out the Bailey 44 Striped Dress from A Pea in the Pod. Isabella Oliver also features some beautiful tops and wrap dresses that you will love well beyond pregnancy.
Shirts that are form-fitting with shirring on the side will gently hug your bump without feeling too constricting. Why hide your beautiful curves wearing clothes that are too big when you will actually look slimmer in clothes that fit?
How to make your face look slimmer
January 28, 2008
As your tummy gets larger, many moms-to-be look in the mirror and find themselves starting back at what I call the “pregnancy face.” You still look gorgeous, but your face loses some of its slim contours (yes, that is a nice way of saying you look slightly bloated). Hey, it is nothing to be ashamed of because almost everyone (with the exception of Brooke Burke) will experience this.
Try some of these simple face slimming tips:
1. For a face-slimming illusion, brush a slightly darker shade of blush in the hollows of your cheeks, and a lighter shade on your cheek bone. Make sure you blend well for a natural effect.
2. Now is not the time to chop your hair off. Wear your hair long (shoulder length) with long layers that frame your face.
3. Try wearing long, dangly earrings for a slimming effect.
4. Avoid round necklines! A V-neckline will slim your face. Pictured is the Silk Baroque Wrap Top from Babystyle.
5. Wear sunglasses that are straight along the top or are rectangle instead of round frames.
Steal her look: Angela Kinsey at SAG Awards
January 27, 2008
The Office actress Angela Kinsey showed off her growing bump at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Kinsey is expecting her first child this spring with her husband, Warren Lieberstein.
Kinsey wore this Beaded Chiffon Dress ($239) from A Pea in the Pod. The double layer silk chiffon dress features beading at the bust making this dress simple, yet glamorous.
The mom-to-be accessorized her black dress with elegant pearls.
Cate Blanchett at SAG Awards
January 27, 2008
Mom-to-be Cate Blanchett dazzles at the 2008 SAG Awards. The talented actress is expecting her third child in April with her husband Andrew Upton. The new baby will join big brothers Dashiell, 5, and Roman, 3.
Blanchett is wearing a Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere draped bustier dress with silver embroidery paired with Roger Vivier sandals.
Copy Blanchett’s black and silver printed dress in this Black Beaded Dress ($168) from Mimi Maternity. This 100% silk charmeuse dress would be perfect for your baby shower or any other special event.
Lovely heart hoodies
January 26, 2008
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so what better time to wear your heart on your sleeve…or on your tummy?
Christina Aguilera, now mom to her newborn son Max, let her love show in this Burnout Printed Pullover Hoodie ($61.60 at Ron Herman). I like the hoodie, but can’t say the same for her Hysteric Glamour hat, black leggings and crazy Valentino Sunglasses. I would pair this hoodie with a hip pair of jeans.
Your baby will also feel loved in this Aqua Valentine’s Heart Time ($19.99 from Babiesnbellies.com). This shirt features pink and white hearts surrounding your growing bump.
Steal her look: Halle Berry
January 26, 2008
Mom-to-be Halle Berry looks radiant at the premiere of her movie, Things We Lost in the Fire. Berry, who plays a mother in the movie, told Oprah: “I think it validated that I was meant to be a mother because every day I dealt with the character as a mother and thinking as a mother. It let me know that I must be a mother.”
Berry is wearing a Calypso slip dress paired with a cableknit cashmere duster in off-white from Minnie Rose ($295 from Calypso Christiane Celle). This long sheer sweater is the perfect weight to keep you warm without overheating your pregnant body. You will be able to wear this sexy sweater long after baby is born.
Finish off your sexy look in knee-high black boots and hoop earrings.
Gabby Reece talks breastfeeding and workouts
January 26, 2008
Pro volleyball player Gabrielle Reece and her husband Laird Hamilton are enjoying being parents to their second child. Brody Jo was born on New Year’s Day, and Gabby updates her blog on how she is doing as a new-mom of two. Her 4-year-old daughter, Reece, occasionally gets jealous, but is “transitioning well.”
As many new moms know, those first few weeks of breastfeeding can be challenging. Gabby writes: “I always say when you have a new baby it feels as if time is standing still and one does become a Dairy Queen open 24 hours a day. I’m not sure if it’s being a bit sleep deprived, but new babies create the dream effect. The comedy really begins because only the Mommy is in the dream, and the rest of the family is plodding along per usual. I catch Laird looking at me occasionally like huh???”
Reece says that she has started doing a low-impact exercise routine: “I had to have another C section with Brody so the first week is slow but by the 16th day I started VERY EASY WORKOUTS. Working light on the pilates and doing very basic moves with the dumbbells. I have been wearing a belt that goes around my tummy to help my uterus get back down and in; and have been dry brushing my skin (especially around my upper and inner thigh area) to help with swelling.”
I have never heard of dry brushing your skin to help with swelling—has anyone else tried it?
The new-mom has also been eating a healthy diet, mostly consisting of foods she can make with one hand. “I feel like I can’t get enough calories to feed this child. I start each morning with a protein shake made with Hemp milk (choc. or vanilla) a banana, protein powder, and a bit of peanut or almond butter. It’s quick and a good way to get something in my body while getting Reece set for breakfast, and I can do it one handed if I have Brody.”
Casual, colorful look that won’t break the bank
January 25, 2008
Are you looking for a casual-cool look that won’t break the bank? The colorful V-neck top. low-rise boot-cut pants and suede ballet flats will take you from the mall to your doctor’s appointment–all under $75 (tax excluded).
The Maternity Side-Shirred V-Neck Top ($19.50 from Old Navy) in Spiced Coral features a side drawstring which adjusts to your growing belly to avoid the dreaded “I’m wearing a tent” look.
If denim feels too restricting, check out these Low-Rise Stretch Twill Boot-Cut pants in Deep Sea Blue. For $32.50, they are a bargain that can be dressed up or down.
These Stretch Suede Ballet Flats (pictured in the color salt) are hip and comfortable. Pick up these flats for $19.50 to keep your hard-working feet happy.
Pick up this entire look at OldNavy.com.
Update your look: Opaque tights
January 25, 2008
Wearing boring nude hose is so 5 years ago! Update your look by wearing opaque tights in black or a colorful jewel tone. Here is what you need to know when wearing opaque tights.
“Match your tights to your dress for an elegant look, or contrast with bold tones for a more exuberant statement,” Catrinel Popa, vice president of design for Hue and No Nonsense tells InStyle magazine.
If a bold color is not your style, look for grey legwear. “Grey is the year’s color du jour,” Papa says.
Pictured is the Long Sleeve Dress from A Pea in the Pod (on sale for $29.99, originally $295!) paired with turquoise opaque tights.
Jennifer Lopez baby purchases
January 25, 2008
Mom-to-be Jennifer Lopez was doing some serious nesting at the Upper East Side baby boutique, Giggle. Lopez added more fuel to the fire that she is expecting twins by picking up two of everything.
Lopez picked up two Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seats ($170 each, car seat base ($60) not included).
To keep her bundles warm, she bought two CozyChic blankets ($60 each). These ultra-soft blankets are made of plush poly-microfiber and feature a satin patch with the words, “cuddle, laugh, play, dream.”
Lopez also picked up cardigans and hats, along with Mustela baby care products. I like the Mustela 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash ($9). This gentle formula won’t dry out baby’s skin or sting her eyes as it cleans her from head to toe.
