lilSugar -- Mommy's little helper.

Baby Bump: Keeping the Bump Cozy

babysugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:00:15 -0700

While Summer affords pregnant bellies the luxuries of swimming and breathable cottons, I found that sporting a large bump in the Fall and Winter months is quite a treat. I have the benefit of cuddling up in a bulky sweater with a pair of plush corduroys.

Old Navy has some bargain sale prices while Pea in the Pod has some swanky styles. Although I only have a month (or maybe less) left of pregnancy, I am taking advantage of these fabulous fashions as the chilly weather begins to settle in around here.

Celebmommy Style: Naomi Watts

babysugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Naomi Watts knows how to keep her stylish wits about her while toting around a toddler and packing a baby bump. Her Summer boho chic style of belting longer tunics paired with sandals was fabulous, but I'm thinking her Fall wardrobe will be just as impressive.

Soaking up the chilly Autumn weather in NYC, the blonde Aussie sported a wine hued knit dress, chocolate colored tights, a cozy gray sweater and a practical yet stylish pair of caramel suede boots.

Flynet

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Dressing For Second Pregnancy

lilsugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:00:46 -0700

My first pregnancy was all about mini dresses and skirts, but the second go-around — not so much. Aside from the fact that I still carried around five pounds of previous baby weight, as the rest of it packed on, I was constantly on the move. There was no time to style my hair or pair shoes with purses. Short apparel doesn't work when you are hoisting a 2-and-a-half-year-old up onto a play structure or sweeping her off her feet. Dry clean-only outfits weren't options anymore — unless I wanted them permanently marked with Cheerio crumbs or sticky hand prints. Pregnancy fashion is similar to everything else in motherhood, you learn as you go. I had to laugh when I caught this Cool Mom clip. Did you dress differently for subsequent pregnancies?

babysugar Diaries: Isabella Oliver Maxi Cardi

babysugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:52 -0700

Known for outfitting some of Hollywood's "A-list" celebmamas like Minnie Driver, Gillian Anderson, and Jessica Alba, Isabella Oliver is one maternity line that keeps mommies-to-be dressed to the nines even through month nine.

The folks at Isabella Oliver graciously sent me the Maxi Cardi to test drive. Knitted with 90 percent lambswool and 10 percent cashmere, the fluffy sweater is a luxury for chilly days. After a long day at the office or running errands on my cankles, I look forward to coming home and putting on the cuddly sweater that looks a bit more like a robe than outerwear. Long and boxy, it's not so divine on my 5'4" stature complete with bursting belly, but I can imagine it would be more flattering on taller ladies. Perfect for plane rides or lounging around, the comfort is unbeatable.

However, for $230, I think Isabella Oliver has more to offer a stylish expecting lady. Below, check out some of my favorite pieces from their collection.

Little Black Dresses (the Slightly Larger, Maternity Options)

babysugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:00:17 -0700

Any woman will tell you the LBD is a critical wardrobe piece for work and play. You don't have to let go of your favorite always fashionable crutch just because your belly is growing and you're not-so-lil any more — plenty of designers have pretty and chic maternity LBDs.

One of my favorites right now is the abs one shoulder dress (on sale for $150) because it has the same feel of the flowing Maxi dresses Gwen Stefani and Angelina Jolie wore while pregnant with their now infants.

Of course, there are always options with sleeves, shorter hemlines and intricate designs that add a lil flare to the staple.

Lil Find: Maternity Tights That Ride High, Not Low

babysugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:00:52 -0700

Tights can be downright uncomfortable even when you aren't pregnant, but a growing belly only exacerbates the slip and slide tight action around your middle. I've found Italian low rise tights are more comfy than regular hosiery, but plenty of designers make maternity tights.

I like these full length Mama Spanx ($28) because they have a pregnancy panel with underbelly support and can be pulled up above your belly instead of sitting under it like most maternity pants.

Check out some other tights designed especially for maternity wear in the widget below.

Baby Bump: Rachel Zoe Tells How to Dress a Bump

babysugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:00:35 -0700

The rich and the famous know her well, and soon you may too. Rachel Zoe is legendary for styling Tinseltown's elite. The teeny blonde has been known to outfit stars like Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Hudson, and other celebs. As her show The Rachel Zoe Project premiered on Bravo last night, she is sure to capture a wider fan base and maybe even some expectant moms.

The petite stylist recently sat down with reporters to dish on her new series. As I'm pregnant, I was curious to hear what the fashion expert had to say about styling a belly bump. To see what she said about dressing mamas-to-be like Jennifer Garner,

ShopStyle Is Expecting, They Added Maternity!

babysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:00:30 -0700

When I need to find a fab belly friendly frock fast, I scope out ShopStyle. The Sugar Inc. owned search engine recently made things extra easy for mamas-to-be by adding a lot more maternity brands to their incredible lineup of women's apparel. There's no longer a need for pregnant women to brave shopping malls with swollen ankles. This convenient online feature allows women to kick back and click away from the comfort of their home or office.

ShopStyle's maternity items are now all available in the women's clothing section. Broken down into categories like dresses, intimates, jackets, jeans, skirts, tops and sweaters, you can quickly browse through select categories. ShopStyle also gives you the ability to refine your search by color, designer, store and price. Check out some of my favorite finds below!

Babysugar Diaries: Boob Maternity Fall Fashions

babysugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:00:49 -0700

I've been searching for the perfect jacket to take me through the last few months of pregnancy and found one by Boob Maternity and Nursing Wear that fits my fancy. While I don't much like shopping with a bursting belly, the Swedish born company sent me a package full of samples that I was more than willing to test drive. Check out my slideshow to see the jacket I adore and some other fab pieces of mama apparel.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Short Shirts

babysugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:00:03 -0700

One of the perks of maternity clothes, especially shirts, is that they actually cover your belly. When my belly got too big to hide, I stowed my tops away for future seasons. As the postnatal months passed by, I eagerly waited to pull on my forgotten threads. Down 10 pounds from my pre-pregnancy body weight, I was leaner and more confident that my old wardrobe would be ready for wear.

My jeans fit fine, if not a tad loose, and my bras definitely had room to spare. The shirts, on the other hand, were a tad too short! I never sported a midriff and I rarely wore tight clothes so why, oh why, were my tees rising so high? Had my torso lengthened during my pregnancy, or did my shirts magically shrink in their plastic bins? Perplexed by this issue and bummed to be donating such fab tops, I consulted my mommy friends. They declared the same thing — their pre-pregnancy shirts seemed shorter without reasonable explanation.

Did you experience the shirt-shortening phenomenon?
Source

Babysugar Diaries: Christian Siriano Designs Pour Moi?

babysugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

People are always saying that maternity clothes are so much better than they were 10 or 50 years ago. And to their point, they are. However, there are some days when a billowing dress and a heaping sweater don't do much for an expectant lady's self esteem — even if it is the most glorious time in her life.

Christian Siriano, the spunky little designer from Project Runway who showed Heidi Klum and her crew just how fiercely talented he was during his Bravo days, is on a mission to clothe burgeoning bellies as he rolls out a maternity line, Fierce for Moody Mamas by Christian Siriano. Slated for Spring 2009, my current bump will miss out on his frocks, but if I'm lucky, perhaps I'll be able to take advantage of his sleek baby doll designs that he has sketched to perfection my next go around. I love that his models sport the same one-sided hairdo that he so fabulously flaunts.

To see more of his designs,

Babysugar Diaries: Paige Maternity Jeans

babysugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:00:34 -0700

Many mamas-to-be find denim too restricting, but jeans suit most occasions so pregnant women get a lot of bang for their buck when they invest in a pair. Paige sent me a pair of Laurel Canyon maternity jeans ($185) to review and since I am a fan of their regular jeans, I was excited to give them a go.

After washing and hemming them to my liking, I slipped on the swanky dungarees. A perfect fit on the tush and legs, I was thrilled to look hip in (gasp!) maternity jeans! Constructed with 98 percent cotton and the remaining percent spandex, the black stretchy belly band starts where a normal button and belt loops would be and rises to just below the belly button leaving no room to bare your burgeoning belly or bottom.

While some maternity jeans pull all the way up to the bra line and look unsightly on the hanger, they do keep the belly from looking pinched in half. When wearing tight shirts with my Paige jeans, I can see the line where the band stops. For slim mamas–to–be that's not a problem, but for mothers who are more cushioned, the split may be a tad too much. The seam didn't bother me too much though because I went out and purchased another pair in white and between the two, I hardly wear anything else.

Lil Find: Pregnant Paper Dolls

babysugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:01 -0700

At some point during your pregnancy, you have to take a step back and laugh at the whole situation. Your ankles are swollen and you're wearing clothes you said you would never put on your body. You can't remember the last time you saw your toes — where is the 40 week glow?

Remember your sense of pre-pregnancy humor with Pregnant Paper Dolls ($12), a set of cut-out paper dolls and maternity wear for each trimester. The set includes clothing and accessories for four paper dolls with varying belly sizes to represent different stages of fetal development, as well as the postpartum period. And for the mamas-to-be who want marriage before carriage, a pregnant wedding gown is included.

Guess the Expectant Mama

babysugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:38:05 -0700

The weeks between finding out you are pregnant and announcing the news is a tricky time, especially if you start to show. Take a look at the methods some of our favorite celebmamas have used to hide their burgeoning bumps before they have confirmed that they are expecting.

Question 1

1 of 7

Just a few weeks ago the rumors started that this mama was expecting baby #2. It looked like she used her first child to cover her belly.

Bringing Sexy Back: Hanky Panky

babysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:00:25 -0700

Nothing makes a pregnant woman feel sexier than a good old worn out pair of cotton granny panties, right? Wrong. While comfort is key for the nine months and beyond, sacrificing your derrière’s appearance is no excuse. The creators of the fabulously popular Hanky Pankies have made their way into maternity wear.

Much like their original undies, these stretchy lace skivvies suit most any body type to perfection. Leave the spare tire at home and forget about muffin top issues when you sport a pair of the maternity Hanky Pankies ($28) from Pea in the Pod. Fitting just below the expanding belly, the panties lay flat on your midsection and leave the tush looking perfectly seamless. Available in flirty colors, your other half will find these a welcome change from your Hanes Her Way bloomers.

Guess Who's Behind the Maternity Gear

babysugar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0700

All bumpalicious celebs have to keep their stylish wits about them as they enter the Hollywood maternity spotlight. Guess who wore a lil black dress, workout wear, and long maxi dresses during their pregnancies?

Question 1

1 of 7

This mother managed to stay lean for the entire duration of her beautiful pregnancy.

Baby Bump: Pouch Dress

babysugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

For many pregnant ladies, a dress is the next best thing to comfortable pajamas. While the mama–to–be enjoys a feminine look, frocks also allow belly freedom.

The Pouch maternity dress ($150) offers expectant mothers over half a dozen different ways to wear a single garment. Wrapped around the neck, tied at the waist or knotted over one shoulder, the magical fabric can carry you through an entire weekend of festive engagements. Crafted from a polyester/spandex blend, the machine washable garment can make ends meet from the beginning bump phases through the lovely postpartum puffy stages, too.

Pumas Put Pep in a Busy Mama's Step

lilsugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:18 -0700

For mums on the run who put in hours at the office before they shuttle kids to soccer practice, Puma offers a collection of comfortable shoes that lighten their load. I keep a pair of their cushy Ginza Sneakers ($70) in the trunk of my car so I can kick off my heels and slip into shoes that are fit for carting my tots around the mall or lugging groceries once I'm off work. Sold in fashionable colors, the sleek sneakers look more like sporty flats than athletic shoes. Expectant women find them easy on the eyes and soft on the feet.

Baby Bump: B Buckle Keeps You in Your Jeans

babysugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:11:00 -0700

Not quite ready to relinquish your favorite pair of jeans for some stretchy maternity jeans? B Buckles offers mothers pushing the boundaries a solution with a stretchy fabric band that fits across the front of jeans. Curious to know how it works, I tried it out myself.

The band has several snaps across the back of it allowing you to pick the desired length. You snap one end around a belt loop. Then based on your size and comfort, you snap the other end around the symmetric belt loop thereby hiding your secret — unbuttoned jeans! Sold in plain denim, the $20 accessory is also made in black with embroidered designs.

Baby Bump: Niki Biki Tank Top

babysugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:47 -0700

When I became bountifully pregnant, it seemed that all of my shirts were mimicking those of Britney Spears in her "Hit Me Baby One More Time" days.

When the tummy grows, the shirts rise leaving maximum exposure to belly buttons and unsightly elastic waistbands. Keep your underbelly hidden with a lengthy tank top from Niki Biki ($17).

The camisole is made from a nylon/spandex blend giving it a weightless velvety soft feel and enough stretch to keep a prego (or tall) lady covered.

Babysugar Diaries: A Wrinkled Dress You Need Not Press

babysugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

There are many reasons why I'm not thrilled about carting a bevy of sun dresses across the country for back–to–back weddings that I'm attending. Aside from carrying my daughter around airports, heavy loads aren't recommended for pregnant ladies. And even though maternity dresses have improved in recent years, I still don't love to spend loads of money on dresses that only last me a few months.

That's why I ADORE the Julia dress ($195) from Calypso. The non–maternity silk dupioni wrap dress has been worth every single penny I paid for it. (Tip, some colors are on sale for $135 right now!) The flirtatious frock can be worn in various ways; as the original wrap dress or tied up in the more popular prego–friendly fashion pictured above. This garment worked wonders for my nursing postpartum figure, my slimmed down stressorexic physique and my current expectant state.

The dress requires minimal upkeep. After wearing, you can just toss it in the washer and hang it to dry with wrinkled creases and all. For vacations, you can throw it in your suitcase for safe keeping. The crinkled silk look reflects the shine and beauty of the colorful fabric.

Don't forget to sign up for Mamas in Waiting to dish on pregnancy and read up on the Babysugar Diaries.

Lil Tip: Rubberband

babysugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:00:17 -0700

If you dread shopping for maternity clothes as much as I do, I've got a cheap fix to get you through the early months. Stretching your regular clothes to their maximum capacity is a challenge, but with one easy trick, you can make your pre–pregnancy jeans last longer with a sturdy rubberband.

Put your elastic band halfway through the buttonhole of your jeans. Put one end of the elastic through the other end's loop hole and pull tight. When you're ready to "fasten" your jeans, simply slip the rubber band loop over to the button. Voilà! Your waist is now probably one to two inches relieved — allowing you and baby to breathe easier.

Isabella Oliver New Summer Styles

babysugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:14 -0700

Here in San Francisco, sun dresses and sandals are scarce. But, today just happens to be one of the hottest on record and it's making me dream of strappy, sleeveless frocks intended for sultry days. Mothers–to–be, Isabella Oliver has got you covered with a slew of fresh summertime designs.

To get a peek at the flirtatious threads,

Baby Bump: Bargain Maternity Clothes

babysugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:00:44 -0700

Not interested in spending a wad of money on maternity clothes that will only fit you for a few months?

Smarty pants are turning to Belly Bundles to pick out a few bumpalicious items to carry them through those "bigger" months. The on–line consignment boutique offers dresses, jeans, tops and swimsuits that are in good condition.

If you don't have a friend who can get some wear and tear out of your stretchy jeans and you just can't stomach to look at them again, try to make a buck with Belly Bundles by shipping them your goodies. When they sell, you'll get 50 percent of the sale price!

Family Ties: Recycling With a Twist

babysugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:00:55 -0700

Happy Earth Day!

Growing up, my mom and aunts used to trade kiddie clothing to make the best of the tiny threads. Little did they know they were saving Mother Earth one tee at a time.

To hear another easy way we work towards this,

Get Jessica Alba's Maternity Look

babysugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:00:39 -0700

Jessica Alba was all dolled up for her baby shower at Ever After Teahouse in LA. And, it seems pregnancy agrees with the mama–to–be since she was glowing. To find out how you can steal her pregolicious look,

Haute Mama Nicole Richie's Maternity Line

lilsugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:00:57 -0700

As a reality show star turned designer, new mom Nicole Richie's life is anything but simple. The woman who strutted around in heels until she was nine months pregnant with lil Harlow wants other expectant ladies to feel just as great in what will be a comprehensive maternity line. To learn about the designs,

Baby Bump: Bargain Tunic Dress

babysugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:09 -0700

When I was pregnant, I held off buying maternity clothes until the buttons on my jeans nearly popped off.

Not a fan of pricey tent–like oxford shirts or capri pants to show off cankles, I opted to buy bigger sizes of my regular clothes, which lasted me quite a while.

Since the fashion world is pushing loose and flowy garb, it's pretty easy to stay within those bounds at a very reasonable price. This fab tunic dress from Forever 21 screams Nicole Richie. For details,

Baby Bump: Get Angie and Gwen's Prego Look

babysugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0700

One of our groovy Sugar babes is expecting and came in the office looking absolutely darling.

Stylish in her own right, she channeled Angelina Jolie and Gwen Stefani with a long green dress. Both celebmamas like to rock the long frocks, but we can tell you how to get their look for less.

To see how you can mimic the pregolicious babes,

Baby Bump: Maternity Tops for Pregolicious Mamas

babysugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:01:45 -0800

It's warm today and it got me thinking about Spring clothing. Many pregnant ladies like to hide behind chunky sweaters and sweatpants but I think burgeoning bellies should be showcased and celebrated. And with the temperatures on the rise (thank goodness), there may be no other choice.

For the chic Spring mammas, there are some sprightly floral prints and soft hues to ease your way back into the sun. To round out the selection, I included a few pieces to keep in your closet for a night out the town, the work place, or that shower your BFF is throwing you.

Loose and Flowy or Tight and Showy Maternity Clothes?

babysugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:00:40 -0800

Everyone has her own taste when it comes to maternity outfits. Some expectant mothers follow Jennifer Lopez's flowy frock wearing example while others are more tuned in to a Halle Berry belly hugging style. Which look do you prefer? Source and Source

Loose and Flowy or Tight and Showy Maternity Clothes?

Loose and flowy.

Tight and showy.

A little bit of both.

Other – Comment below.

Baby Bump: Bella Band

babysugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:15:28 -0800

Maternity clothes, shmaternity clothes. Your belly is growing, but you're not quite ready to give up those fabulous designer jeans you just bought. The solution? The Bella Band ($26–$30) from Ingrid and Isabel.

It will keep you rockin' the divalicious denim and velvet pants for parties. The seamless knit band can go over any piece of clothing that fits around your hips, so you can hide your unbuttoned pants or hold up those maternity jeans that are still a bit big.

The bands come in seven colors and two different styles. It will help you through the pregnancy and into motherhood so you won't have to worry about taking off the extra pounds right away!