Baby shower basics: What to wear
January 31, 2009
You have invited all your friends, registered for baby and decided on the food — but are you still trying to decide on that perfect baby shower outfit? Here are some tips to help you narrow it down.
Color: Save your little black dress for a cocktail party and celebrate this festive occasion by wearing a colorful dress. Whether it is blue, green or pink (you can even coordinate with the sex of your baby), choose a color that flatters your skin tone and will look great in pictures.
Prints: A printed dress can be a beautiful choice for a baby shower outfit, as long as your choose the right pick. Steer clear of horizontal stripes or loud prints that draw attention to your bottom half and look for an all-over floral print, for example
Dress length: You will probably be sitting with all the attention on you — so the last thing you want is a too-short skirt that you are squirming in all night. Look for a dress that hits at or below knee length. A long maxi dress is also a great choice.
Dress or pants: Either one is a good choice! I love the look of black pants and a winter white bump-hugging top. If opting for pants, look for a more boot-cut version for a slimming effect.
Pictured is the Chiarakruza Maternity ‘Milan’ Leather Trim Knit Dress from Nordstrom.
Read More: How to find trendy maternity clothes for your baby shower
What beauty products are safe during pregnancy?
January 31, 2009
Now that you are pregnant, you want to ensure you stay as healthy as possible — and that includes avoiding putting extra chemicals on your skin that may be harmful to baby. Find out what beauty products are safe and which ones you should avoid during pregnancy.
Teeth whitener: There have not been any tests showing if the bleach used in many teeth whiteners is safe during pregnancy, so my advice would be to stear clear until you have given birth.
Read More: Whiten your teeth naturally
Can you dye or bleach your hair while pregnant? The ACOG said they believe most hair dyes are “likley safe to use during pregnancy since very little is absorbed through the skin.” One word of caution: Pregnancy hormones may make your hair turn a slightly different color than you are used to. Also, you may want to wait to color your hair until you are out of your first trimester.
Are sunless tanners safe during pregnancy? This is another product that has not been tested for use during pregnancy. My advice would be to embrace your natural color and steer clear until you have given birth. Use a bronzer on your face, shoulders and chest to give you a little extra glow in the meantime.
What is the best way to remove hair from your body when pregnant? Find out here which methods are the most effective and safest during pregnancy.
Splurge vs. save: Maternity work tops
January 31, 2009
A classic white poplin top is a great basic addition to your work maternity wardrobe. Here are two stylish options, depending on if you are splurging or saving.
If you can splurge on this maternity essential, you will love the princess seams and woven details on the front and back of the Liz Lange Maternity Stretch Poplin Shirt ($118) from Nordstrom.com. This poplin shirt, pictured, has the right amount of stretch to make this a perfect fit thoughout pregnancy.
If you want to look stylish while saving some money, the maternity poplin wrap top from OldNavy.com is a great deal. For $29.50, this white top features a stylish wrap design that also contains the right amount of bump-hugging stretch to ensure a perfect fit. This top is available in white, black and tan.
Read More: Winter work maternity essentials
Kimora Lee Simmon’s mini maternity dress
January 31, 2009
Baby Phat head honcho Kimora Lee Simmons shows a baby bump and plenty of leg at the California premiere of Push. Find out how you can copy her sexy look.
Kimora Lee Simmons, who is expecting her third child (her first with boyfriend Djimon Hounsou), looked radiant in a short tan empire-waist dress.
To copy her flirty look, check out the Sche Maternity ‘Jetline’ Silk Dress (on sale for $43)in almond from Nordstrom.com. This silk charmeuse dress includes an empire waist design with an eye-catching scooped neckline. The dress is short enough (hits above knee) to let you show a little leg without making you feel overexposed.
Pregnancy Fashion tip: Make your legs stand out smoothing on a creamy lotion to give your legs a little shine. Metallic strappy sandals will give you a leg-lengthening look.
Read More: Kimora Lee Simmons fab maternity style: Baby Phat to baby bump
Liz Lange reveals top maternity essentials
January 30, 2009
Maternity clothes guru Liz Lange recently revealed what she believes are the essential items pregnant women should invest in when shopping on a budget.
We are all watching our money more carefully, which is why it is important to know what maternity clothes you should buy and which ones are not worth your money.
Liz Lange recently spoke with lilsugar.com and revealed her 8 key maternity pieces:
1. Jeans — versatile dark wash
2. Little Black dress – you can dress it up or down
3. Pencil Skirt
4. Fitted Tee
5. Black Pants
6. Suit Jacket – especially if you are a working mom-to-be
7. Sweater or cardigan (depending on the season)
8. “Stretch” pieces that will adjust to your changing body.
One last bit of advice: “Just remember when you’re shopping don’t look at it as just the nine months, it’s longer than that unfortunately. There’s definitely a whole fourth trimester and that is a completely open-ended trimester. For some lucky women, like Hollywood moms, that seems to be like two weeks long, but for us mere mortals that can be up to a year.”
What would you consider your maternity essentials?
Read More: Find maternity clothes that fit YOUR style
Maternity bra basics
January 30, 2009
Many women find that the first sign of pregnancy is noticeably sore breasts, followed by an increase in size — which often stabilizes by the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. Find out what you need to know before you go shopping for a maternity bra.
Every woman’s body is different, however most women find that their pre-pregnancy bras become too tight and do not provide enough coverage as their pregnancy progresses. Find out what kind of bra you should buy and if you really even need a maternity bra: Do you need a maternity bra?
What size of bra should you buy? Find out here: Maternity bras: How to measure for the proper fit
Have you noticed an increase of veins on your breast and tummy since becoming pregnant? Find out what they mean here.
How can you dress to flatter your new pregnancy cleavage, without feeling overexposed? Find out how to dress feminine, sexy and classy: Dress to flatter your pregnancy cleavage
How can you ensure your bra will fit throughout your pregnancy? Find out: How to buy a maternity bra
Pictured is the Bravado Lifestyle Nursing Bra
Kimora Lee Simmons fab maternity style: Baby Phat to baby bump
January 29, 2009
Baby Phat head honcho Kimora Lee Simmons shows off her baby bump for the first time as she strolls through a mall in Mexico City her boyfriend, actor Djimon Hounsou.
Kimora looks fabulous in this off-the-shoulder printed top, gathered under the belly to show off her bump, She pairs this top with fitted jeans, gold hoops and that new-mama glow.
Pregnancy Fashion tip: A drop-waist top is a flattering look for pregnant women because the fabric gently hugs your belly, preventing the dreaded tent look.
If you love Kimora’s animal print look, check out the Notice Lopard Print Maternity Dress from Due Maternity. This hip dress features a scoop neck and black sash that ensures a perfect fit throughout pregnancy.
Read More:
Find out where you can get actress Holly Palmer’s drop-waist dress
Get Gwen Stefani’s leopard print stretch silk dress/tunic
How to look pregnant, not pudgy
Get a maternity dress like Alyson Hannigan
January 29, 2009
Actress Alyson Hannigan looked beautiful in a long, colorful dress at the Academy of Televison Arts & Sciences event in Hollywood. Find out where you can get her feminine look.
The How I Met Your Mother actress and her husband, actor Alexis Denisof, are expecting their first child this spring. “I basically went from being a vegan to…now it’s meat and cheese — and ginger ale!” she recently told Usmagazine.com.
Hannigan looks lovely in this long, flowing dress with multiple shades of blue. The Julie Brown Silk Maxi Dress from Nordstrom.com features beautiful shades of blue, green and pink and will perfectly hug your pregnancy curves. For a dress with a similar halter tie front as Hannigan’s, you will love the casual feel of the Tommy Bahama ‘Fez Palm’ Maxi Dress from Nordstrom.com.
Read More:
Early pregnancy style: Alyson Hannigan
Get Alyson Hannigan’s winter white coat
Maternity fashion basics to add to your wardrobe
Soothing dry, itchy pregnancy skin
January 28, 2009
Between hormone fluctuations and your ever-expanding body, many women find their skin becomes dry and itchy — especially around their belly, breasts, hips and thighs. How can you stop the itch?
Hydrate from the inside: Staying hydrated and drinking water is not only great for your growing baby, but it also helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside.
Keep hot showers to a minimum: I am not suggesting you take a cold shower, but taking a long, hot shower is drying to your skin. Take a long, warm shower or minimize the time you spend in a hot shower.
Moisturize, moisturize: As soon as you get out of the shower and again before bedtime, smooth on a layer of rich, creamy lotion onto those dry areas.
Humidifier: Sleeping with a humidifier adds moisture to the air.
Read More:
Find out how Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis soothes itchy pregnancy skin
How to look great in pregnancy pictures
January 27, 2009
Pregnancy pictures or portraits are a perfect way to immortalize this special time in your life. Whether you go to a professional studio or have a friend take them, follow these tips to look great in your pregnancy pictures.
What should you wear to your photos? Many women have found that a solid white or black top makes for an elegant photo, while others prefer a colorful top. You will also want photos of your bare belly, so don’t be shy — show off your beautiful curves! You can use beautiful fabric to wrap around you to expose your belly.
Read More: Pregnancy Photos – What to wear
How should you style to hair for your photos? Look for a hair style that will flatter your face. Hair styles that have some volume at the crown and that contain layers that gently frame the face are a great way to disguise a round face.
Read More: Pregnancy hair styles- Hiding a round face
How can you make you skin look flawless during pregnancy? Brush some bronzer across you cheeks and forehead to give you that sun-kissed glow. A rosy lipgloss and mascara is the perfect way to make your features pop. Diguse pregnancy acne and discoloration with concealer. Why not try false eyelashes to give your eyes that extra “Wow” factor.
Read More: Pregnancy Skin Help
