Celebrity maternity style for less
November 30, 2008
Do you love the hip maternity clothes celebrities like Jessica Alba, Naomi Watts, Angelina Jolie and Rebecca Romijn wear? Find out how you can get their stylish looks — for less!
Celebrities can afford to spend $200 on a pair of maternity jeans, but many of us are not able to or not willing to spend that much on clothes we can only wear for a short period of time. Lucky for us, hip maternity jeans can be found at a discount price at places like Old Navy, Gap maternity and even Target.
Another place to find designer maternity clothes at a discount price is through eBay. Bid on everything from Seven for Mankind maternity jeans to a Chiarakruza maternity top and you will often pay a fraction of the price of buying it off the rack at a maternity boutique.
Don’t count out consignment shops! You can find some gently used designer maternity duds at secondhand shops for a great price. If you are willing to put in a little sweat equity, look for garments that are missing a button or slightly too big and take them to a tailor to be adjusted or fixed.
Why not do a clothes swap with another stylish friend who is also your same size? Find a friend who is willing to go in on some designer maternity duds and you instantly get half off!
Click here to find out how you can get Jennifer Garner’s look for under $60.
What is your best tip for looking stylish on a dime?
Trimester guide for winter maternity basics
November 30, 2008
Stock up on these winter maternity basics to help you get through the cold months in style. Find out what you need in your 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
If you are in your first trimester, look for sweaters that are long enough to accommodate for your growing belly. Jeans and pants with an underbelly fit and a stretchy waistband will fit you now and will continue to fit you as your belly grows. Sweater jackets and cardigans are both good choices for outerwear. Pictured is the Tapered Wrap Cardigan from Gap.com.
If you are in your second trimester, stock up on colorful maternity sweaters and bump-hugging wrap tops. If you have not done so already, now is the perfect time to buy a pair of maternity jeans or pants. As far as outerwear, a cardigan, cropped jacket or maternity pea coat are all great choices.
If you are in your third trimester and dreading the thought of spending more money on maternity clothes, consider layering your long cami’s under your too-short sweaters to give your more coverage and get more leverage out of your clothes. You can also pair leggings and a cardigan over dresses for a hip cool-weather look. As far as jackets, consider buying non-maternity cable knit sweaters or button-front jackets that can accommodate for your belly now and will continue to fit postpartum.
Click here to find out how to winterize your summer dress.
Find out how to transition your fall maternity clothes to winter.
How to prevent stretch marks
November 28, 2008
What can you do to prevent or minimize stretch marks while pregnant? Most experts agree that the degree you will get stretch marks is mostly determined by genetics, but many women have found that using a cream on their belly, especially during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, does seen to help.
Actress Rebecca Romijn, who is expecting twins in January, recently told InStyle magazine her trick for preventing stretch marks: “I’ve been using organic coconut oil on my body to alleviate stretch marks.”
It is best to use all-natural/organic or creams made specifically for pregnant women to ensure that you are not using and products potentially harmful for your growing baby. Many skincare lines do cater to pregnant women and offer a variety of stretch mark creams that may help in minimizing the lines and will definitely help with dry, itchy skin. Motherlove organic pregnant belly stretch mark prevention oil ($19.95) is one great product, however you can also find great creams at the drugstore (Curel and Palmer’s both make stretch mark creams for around $9).
Click here to find out how you can make your own all-natural stretch mark remedy.
What did Christina Aguilera use to prevent stretch marks? Click here to find out.
What have you found has helped minimize your stretch marks?
How to wear winter white
November 28, 2008
Actress Vera Farmiga shows the right way to wear winter white when you are expecting. Farmiga, 35, and her boyfriend Renn Hawkey are expecting their first child this winter.
The Departed actress looks fabulous showing off her new curves in a white shirred bump-hugging top paired with black pants, a black clutch and red lips. Farmiga is wearing the Isabella Oliver Bracelet Portrait Top in Pure White.
Thought wearing white after Labor Day was taboo? Not true — as long as you are not wearing white linen pants or white shoes. Pairing white and black, as Farmiga did, is a hip winter look whereas wearing all white, on the other hand, is best saved for summer.
As a basic rule, choose one white piece — such as a white sweater, white coat or white bag — and pair them with jeans or dark pants for a season-appropriate look.
Want to see more of Vera Farmiga’s maternity style? Click here to see her in a beautiful Grecian-inspired dress.
Winter work maternity essentials
November 26, 2008
You had your work wardrobe down pat before you were pregnant, but now that you are expecting do you feel like every day is a fashion nightmare? Stock up now on these must-have maternity winter essentials.
Start with a couple of pairs of maternity pants — gray and/or black and brown. You can easily mix and match these pants with everything from solid tops to printed tops with ease. The Gap maternity Roll pahel straight leg tweed pants have a look to them, and at $49.99 are budget-friendly.
Next, buy a couple of solid tops with interesting details, such as a solid cowl neck top, as well as some printed tops to add variety to your wardrobe.
A wrap dress is a work must-have for its versatility. Pair it with opaque tights for the perfect look, or add some flirty accessories and strappy heels for a sexy look for a date night with your hubby.
A cozy cardigan with a side tie will keep you warm in the chilly office, without it being too bulky.
Pictured is a wrap dress from Gap.com in true black.
Get a maternity jacket like Naomi Watts
November 26, 2008
Actress Noami Watts dazzles at the New York premiere of the movie Australia. Find out where you can get Naomi’s hip buttoned-up black coat.
Watts, an Australian native herself, wears a shiny silver metallic mini-dress paired with black opaque hose, black ankle boots and the black Button Front Maternity Jacket (on sale for $229) from APeainthePod.com. This cotton blend jacket is the perfct weight and cut to make this your go-to jacket this winter. I also love the fact that you can easily dress this jacket up with a dress or just as easily wear it with jeans.
If the price tag of Naomi’s jacket seems a bit to steep, save $100 on the black Button Front Maternity Jacket for $119 from MimiMaternity.com.
Pregnancy Fashion tip: Maternity jackets are cut to allow a perfect fit as your stomach grows, however if you are on a budget you don’t have to buy a maternity jacket. Trench coats, stretchy sweater jackets and wraps can all be purchased “non-maternity” and worn throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
Check out more of Naomi Watt’s maternity style here.
Great gift: Not Rational diaper bag
November 24, 2008
The new Not Rational diaper bags are made for the hip mom who wants to look like she’s not carrying a diaper bag.
This designer tote features plenty of bling — from the gold leather trim to the gold metallic straps. It is offset nicely from the chocolate brown canvas exterior and the seersucker tan and cream interior.
What about the practical use of this bag? From the outside pockets with magnetic snap closures to the 3 interior pockets you will have plenty of room to keep you and baby organized. The strap is detachable so you can wear it over your shoulder as a tote or messenger style.
Pick up the Not Rational Ruby Diaper Bag in chocolate at BabyStyle.com for $195. This would make the perfect holiday gift!
Click here to find out what diaper bag Christina Aguilera carries.
How Poppy Montgomery lost the baby weight
November 24, 2008
How did actress Poppy Montgomery lose the 70 pounds of baby weight she put on while pregnant in only 10 months?
The Without a Trace actress told People that she had fun eating for two while pregnant with her son, Jackson. “I loved every second of putting on the weight and I don’t regret it. But wearing that bikini again felt great!”
The actress reportedly lost the weight by working out six days a week to a home DVD, P9OX. “It took a lot of work,” she says. Working out a home is a great way to get in shape and lose the baby weight. You can squeeze in workouts while the baby is napping.
Like many celebrities, she also used the meal-delivery service Sunfare. This would definitely be the easy way to ensure you were eating healthy food, but you could also fix healthy meals and control your portions. Another great option to control portions and lose the baby weight is through a Weight
Watchers program.
Are you looking for the perfect postpartum party dress? Click here to find it.
Click here to check out postpartum fall essentials.
3rd trimester party dress tips
November 23, 2008
Finding a flattering dress while you are in your 3rd trimester may feel like a chore, but it doesn’t have to if you know what to look for to keep you feeling and looking good.
Forgo the stiff, puffy dresses (they will only accentuate your round shape) and look for soft, flowing fabrics that will gently hug your growing bump. You can get away with wearing a more form-fitting dress in your 2nd trimester, but you may feel uncomfortable wearing this in your third trimester.
A strapless or halter dress provide interesting details that will draw the eye up to your face and add length to your body. An empire-waist dress or side-ties will give your body some form to avoid the dreaded “tent” look.
A long maxi dress with beading or other embellishments is the perfect choice for moms-to-be in their third trimester. Forget about wearing heels — wear stylish flats that coordinate with your outfit.
Pictured is the Strapless Beaded Detail Maternity Dress from A Pea in the Pod.
Click here to check out 2nd trimester party dress tips.
2nd trimester party dress tips
November 23, 2008
Dressing your new curves in your 2nd trimester has never been more fun — or more stylish! Find out how to make the most of your baby bump when dressing up for that holiday party.
Forget about hiding your baby bump — show it off in dresses that highlight your best accessory. Look for fabrics that will gently hug your bump, such as a soft silk or jersey. Accents such as side-ties and drop waists will be flattering to your fabulous figure.
Feel free to show off your pregnancy cleavage, but make sure you are not spilling out of your dress. Look for a supportive bra that will keep you lifted and contained.
If you are still feeling good enough for heels, you may want to consider buying them 1/2 size larger than your pre-pregnant size to allow for the inevitable swelling. It also wouldn’t hurt to bring an extra pair of shoes just in case!
Pictured is the Isabella Oliver Drop Waist Dress in cranberry.
What’s your maternity sweater style? Click here to find out.

