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2015 SAG Awards Red Carpet rocked by Celeb Moms

Posted on January 26, 2015
The stars came out at the 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards tonight, January 25  at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. And as usual many of the past and currently expecting celebrity mothers we cover and have covered looked their best on the red carpet before the show. A few were also nominated for the coveted awards that many say are the predictors for who will take home the Academy Awards later in the year. 

Camila Alves McConaughey look tonight was one of my faves in this gorgeous deep eggplant colored aubergine Donna Karan dress. The simple make up played up her natural beauty and she worked the draping and train like only a professional Brazilian supermodel could. 

Another fave was the custom white one shoulder Giorgio Armani dress Reese Witherspoon wore to a fitted T. The award nominee for her stand-out role in Wild put the A in A-list as she was dripping  in pearl drop earrings, a cocktail ring and elegant bangles from Tiffany & Co and Harry Winston.

The dress that The Good Wife star Juliana Margulies wore looked a hot mess on the runway this past fall, but some inventive tailor managed to cinch that Giambattista Valli dress at the waist and make it her own. She was fabu in this number which she polished off with a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch, Jimmy Choo “Lucille” sandals and Fred Leighton jewels.
Didn’t hear much positive thing about Lupita N’yongo‘s chosen dress, a deep v neckline  Pre fall 2015 multi-colored Elie Saab gown, worn with Fred Leighton earrings. I loved it and thought it was a complex yet still simple and elegant complete stand out look. And as a fan, wearer and advocate for braids, I was uber psyched to see the 2014 Best Actress Academy Award winner in cornrows and a braided bun. The Twelve Years a Slave star’s  make up was everything.  Nice!
Maggie Gyllenhaal was uber glam in Thakoon accessorized with a box clutch and jewels from Bvlgari and Fred Leighton. I’m digging the red lip and the pixie cut. Work it mama. So classy, as per usual.

Amy Poehler did her thing in a black shimmery Jenny Packham gown. I love the Parks and Recreation actress’ hair the best in this look. The soft loose ringlets to one side is the money ball and very feminine.  Yass. Go ahead Miss funny lady. 

Claire Danes guzzied it up in a deep green Marc Jacobs Spring 2015 dress which was bold though a bit overly designed with too many elements. I’m thinking lose the belt or the halter or the side embellishments or all three. She looked comfortable and happy so that’s what matters most, right? Make up was boss though, especially the smoky eyes and matte nude lip.  

Past feature adoption mom Viola Davis was stunning in a fitted white Max Mara dress. I love how the halter makes her defined shoulders stand out. I don’t care for the shape of the bracelet but the natural parted afro rocks! Congrats on winning the award for Best TV drama actress for her role in How to Get Away with Murder.

Mom-to-be and nominee for her role in The Imitation Game Keira Knightley wore a purple jewel-tone lace Erdem dress. It was so Keira but also so fluffy and foofy and meh.

Can’t believe Togetherness  actress Amanda Peet just gave birth six weeks ago and looked this va va voom in this pink with black accents chiffon J. Mendel dress. I do not love the hair at all. I think it should have been let down for max effect.

The Big Bang Theory‘s Mayim Bialik finally went big and glam in Christian Siriano tonight. She usually looks frumpy in whatever she wears but tonight was a stand out. Bravo! More of this. Yes?

Equally gorg was Paula Patton in Kimberly McDonald. The jeweled embellishments really popped and set off this look as did the beaded accents. We could have done something more fab with the hair, but still, overall a good look.



Julia Roberts  never disappoints in a classic black Givenchy  tuxedo jumper with a box clutch and accent cuff on the wrist. She could’ve really taken this look to another level had she gone with some different colored shoes and in a strappy sandal. She’s been keeping it 100 for the gingers for over several decades now. 

We saw Veep‘s Anna Chlumsky looking nice in a unique silver and burnt sienna-colored  Escada gown. I really loved her smoky eye with a tinge or orange and pale pink matte lip. It’s such a refreshing departure for her that I can’t help but love it. 

Though not a mom and not previously featured on this blog, my absolute fave look tonight was won by The Big Bang Theory‘s Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting. This crimson Romona Kevelza belted dress was perfectly tailored to her body and the silver tube clutch and cuffs really made the sultry look stand out. I loved the hair too. Perfect!





photos: Getty





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The Problem with Baby Swag blogs and Instagram sites

Posted on January 26, 2015
Bellyitch Rewind 
With the advent of blogging and social media, one would expect that there would be websites and other platforms set up where families can post and share adorable images of their children dressed up in super cute and fashionable clothes.
The trend started on Tumblr blogs like Swag Babies, Well Dressed Babies and Children with Swag, among many others. It has since catapulted to image sharing social media sites like Instagram. Many of the photos from these sites have landed on Pinterest (where we got all of ours featured in this piece from).
Many are to die for and very cute!
The schtick is sharing of young children, many wearing designer or high-priced clothes, and styled or outfitted to look like miniature adults. The kids in the photos usually are photographed giving off certain air of confidence (or pompousness, depending on your perspective) and attitude. Some, I’d say, are pictured in sexually suggestive poses. Didn’t we all get on some brands for something like that a little while ago?
However, I’ve witnessed from viewing the comments under photos how the baby swag trend can go wrong. There are parents insulting other people’s kids, calling them names or ugly and competing ferociously to get their submitted photos of their kids on the blogs or IG pages. Some will comment on how their kid has more swag. Then, you’ll have some parents complain or feel bad when their child’s photo doesn’t get sufficient “likes” or comments to their pleasing, when compared to other kids’ photos. 
There are popular kids whose parents set up their own pages and who have thousands of followers. Some have become social media superstars in their own right.  When I looked at some of the photos from the Baby_Swagg instagram account, I was surprised to see some of the behavior from adult men and women on there.  Most of it is harmless,  some not so much. 
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Seemingly harmless, but when you step back there is also something damaging about it especially when the parents share the photos with their children and they start counting the likes. It’s understandable once in a while but when it becomes excessive, it’s time to worry.
Besides the focus on brand names, the practice also sort of teaches kids to value approval from others based on their outward appearance and clothes.  Usually, pre-teens and teens have self-esteem issues based on things they see in the media, their own perception of self, and their interactions with family and peers. That’s a whole lot. 
Then imagine we now have parents setting up their children from very toddlerhood to early childhood on a pedestal to be judged on the superficial. It’s sort of like pageant moms but on steroids because instead of an audience and judges, they’re throwing their kids on sites to be scrutinized and picked apart by the public and deemed worthy or not of a “like” or comment based on something that has nothing to do with their true value.  
There is just something not right about that. Or is it just me? 
Sound off with your thoughts!
UMI Children's Shoes

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Trend Alert: Swap parties let moms get new wardrobe for FREE!

Posted on January 25, 2015
Bellyitch Rewind
A few years ago, during the early stages of the worldwide downturn in the global economy, a new trend emerged where women of various age ranges and demographics would get together and exchange clothes, accessories, shoes, coats and more. Swap parties were all the rage because they were a very easy way to get a new wardrobe of gently worn clothes for FREE! It’s a great place to get transition clothes too for new moms working on getting back down to their pre-pregnancy size.
I attended my second swap party this weekend after scoring BIG during my first one this past spring.  Before attending, I went through my drawer, closets and storage containers and assembled a barrel of clothes and accessories I don’t wear any longer, don’t think will fit me or I haven’t been able to make work in my wardrobe fashion-wise. About a dozen of  us met at a mutual friend’s home. We arranged clothes by season, style and garment.  There was a pile of work pants, a pile of party tops, a clothes rack for dresses and coats, a section for shoes and handbags etc. Some items came with the price tags still attached. You know how women tend to purchase items and then never wear them ever and they just hang out in their closet for months or years?

It was great that all the women made sure to bring their top designer or high quality clothes and items that they managed to maintain in tip top condition. I saw Christian Dior saddle bags, Cole Haan boots, and a variety of other fab pieces I had my eye on and prayed would fit me and still be around during my turn to pick.
The way it works is we drew numbers and took turns going around the room and selected several pieces to try on and got to keep one item until the next round when we could get two items. The final rounds were a free for all.  It was better than shopping at a consignment shop or a thrift store because even at those places you have to pay something, even if it is a steeply discounted something.
It made me happy to see others delight in my beloved garments. I didn’t but could’ve brought along all of my fab expensive maternity designer clothes that I purchased for my pregnancies for one particular mom-to-be who was nice enough to send all of her exquisite Kate Spades, Jimmy Choos and Nine West boots that she could no longer fit and decided would not wear after her feet got swollen during her last two pregnancies.  Too bad no one could fit in her tiny size 5 1/2 -6 feet.  
Boy did I clean up. I got:

  • A tweed cropped jacket by Zara
  • A suede trenchcoat by Guess
  • A corduroy faux fur collar and cuff lined coatjacket by Zara
  • A grey corduroy blazer by Tulle
  • A black wool coat by Banana Republic
  • A cream-colored pashmina
  • A pair of purple fishnets
  • A pair of mauve patent leather ballet shoes by MeToo
  • A low back black and gold patterened peasant top by Guess
  • A patterened minidress by BCBG Maxazria
  • A pair of boot cut denim jeans by GAP
  • Black running pants by Nike
  • Brown pinstripe slacks by Banana Republic
  • Plum colored cappe sleeve turtleneck by French Connection
  • A silk blend brown and tan striped turtleneck by Banana Republic
  • A handcrafted cloth hobo resort bag with wooden handle and accents
  • A tomato colored button down chunky cardigan by Tulle
All for FREE!

The key is to get women in varying sizes with similar style aesthetic as you and from different social circles together. Keep it intimate so you’re not there forever waiting to go around. You’re bound to come home with a big bag of great new clothes and your husband won’t cringe over your shopping bill because there won’t be one!
I highly recommend swap parties to circles of friends who want a new wardrobe for 100% off!  Guests can bring wine, desserts and drinks for the host and a good time can be had by all. You never can go wrong with free! 

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Value of 10 old Toys THEN and NOW (INFOGRAPHIC)

Posted on January 25, 2015

The month of January is often reserved by families to clean house, including dumping old toys their kids no longer play with and make room for new toys they got for Christmas or Winter holidays.

Be careful as you chuck old dolls, you may be throwing away a collectors item. I recently purchased a collector’s edition Barbie Irish doll for $3 at my kids’ school holiday bazaar and when I looked up its value today, it’s $69!

Check out Two Little Fleas’ infographic sharing 10 toys that have increased or decreased in monetary value compared to the price at the year of purchase:



Play Interactive Version (via Two Little Fleas Bingo).



   

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Bump Watch Round Up: CaCee, Haylie, Beverly & Carrie

Posted on January 25, 2015

What’s new with some of the moms-to-be and recent moms we’ve followed in recent years? Check out these links:

Second-time mom-to-be CaCee Cobb and Donald Faison on a walk. (Celebrity Baby Scoop)





Moms-to-be Haylie Duff and Beverley Mitchell snap a photo on Mitchell’s birthday.(Instagram)

Carrie Underwood uses her bump for a bowl stand. (Twitter)

Kerry Washington gives a tribute at the Daily Front Row Fashion Awards in LA on January 22 to wearing Christian Louboutin while pregnant (Yahoo!)

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Yes, Sexy Nursing Bras do exist…presenting Leading Lady (PHOTOS)

Posted on January 25, 2015
One of our bloggers works with new young mothers and she heard from one that she is struggling to find sexy nursing bras out there. 
I was reminded of a photo shoot I personally shot with my iPhone a few years back featuring my baby sister who is also a part time model, Hawa Jay.
In the photos (above and below), Hawa is wearing a celebrity favorite line of intimate apparel called Leading Lady. The line makes comfortable, functional but still stylish and affordable easy-to-wear bras, camis and sleepware. 
(note: we were provided all the bras for free for the review and we eventually gifted all unused ones to a charity for teen moms)
The family-owned business that makes the intimate wear has been expertly tailoring nursing bras and sultry bras for full-figured gals for over 70 years at retailers across North America.
They sell stretch, lace, wirefree and underwire bras that are supportive including seamless sport and yoga bras and cozy sleep and leisure bras.
Buy them directly at Leading Lady.com 



 

 

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Jaime King is latest celebrity to launch children’s clothing line

Posted on January 24, 2015

If you’ve followed this blog, you’d know that I have a slight healthy obsession with model-turned actress Jaime King.

So with that, I was quite excited to learn that she is going to join the long line of celebrities with children’s clothing labels with her newJaime King for Sapling Child  collection of organic, non-toxic, vegetable-dyed clothing for children.

Sapling Child is an organic clothing company.

I found out about this day late to share as our occasional “Eco-Friday” post but I couldn’t wait until next week to share! Woot!

I admit, I am one of those off-again-on again vegan, all-the time pescetarean, organic, non-GMO, gluten free, holistic, juicing, whole-foods eating, detoxing, yoga-doing, feng shui types of persons who geek out for news like this. *sigh*

Tee hee!

photo: Justin Campbell Photography

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Editor’s Winter Weekend Picks

Posted on January 24, 2015

Just because the temperature has dipped and there may be snow on the ground doesn’t mean you need to be stuck indoors this weekend. If you plan to venture out to go shopping, run errands, catch a movie or simply schlep your children to activities, you can still do it in style, mamas and mamas-to-be.
Here are my picks for weekend outings:
You do not want to be all stifled and confined to a heavy coat. So, instead, layer, layer, layer. Start with a long sleeve jersey top (or maternity top), layer a second one over that or add a thick but not so chunky sweater. 
Loop an infinity sweater around your neck like J. Crew‘s Cashmere infinty scarf in a neutral tone. ($208)
Then, skip the wool coat and instead top it with a vest like Tart Maternity “Aislin” vest ($119).
To stay chic and current, carry a tote for all your stuff in black but with a whimsical or fun image emblazoned on it. I love Juicy Couture‘s Lion Scream Tote ($128). 
Keep your heat inside your body and on your head by topping your dome with a fashionable wool hat like the Leith Knit Slouch beanie ($28).
Accessorize your look with edgy bangles. Ashley Pittman‘s new set of 5 Shaba Bangles in Dark horn ($545) are rocking my world right now. Loves!
There you have it. Have a fab weekend, mamas!

Juicy Couture, J.Crew, Leith, Ashley Pittman

And the individual looks:

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Another model’s post-partum selfie sends women into a frenzy

Posted on January 23, 2015

Another brand new mom is catching heat for showing off her super thin bounced back body weeks after delivering. 
In a caption to the above photo that Australian model Erin McNaught shared on her Instagram account, she wrote, “4 weeks PP [post partum] and I’m starting to get my stomach back!”…adding that “aside from lots of walking and eating healthy, I’ve been doing loads of pelvic floor and transverse abdominus exercises. Still no traditional ab work which is driving me crazy! #bodyafterbaby”.
The comments from mainly women were not so supportive, especially from those who say McNaught was pushing a false and unrealistic standard on average women who 1. don’t have the genes she was blessed with that enable her to be naturally thin; and 2. neither can afford an army of personal chefs, nannies, trainers and other help to get them looking like her after baby. 
To be fair, McNaught did share with The Fix that she had a very fit pregnancy.
“I’m doing a little bit of yoga but mostly more high-intesity stuff,” she told the magazine while on the red carpet to the PEOPLE‘s Sexiest People issue reveal last October. “I still do Body Attack and Nike training and all of that!”
Check her out during pregnancy and it becomes apparent why and how she was able to look like that. 
This is not the first time a celebrity woman has caught flak for sharing an unreal post-baby body weeks after delivery.
Silvana Philippoussis, the model wife of tennis star Mark Philippoussis caught heat last September when she too posted her post baby body on Instagram commenting, ” Finally found the courage to post this…Me. 2 wks after giving birth! Ladies, I know every body’s different but trust me when I say: – Don’t forget to suck in your postpartum tummy’s!” 
She added, “It’s the fastest most natural way to get your tummy back into shape:) I gave myself a few days to recover after birth then started sucking in a little everyday to ge my stomach muscles working again – every little bit counts! #iamoldfashioned #iforgetthewaistband #youcandoit #justdoit.”
Um…yeah….

And in 2013, fitness blogger Caroline Berg Eriksen also got some of it when she posted this above photo just 4 days after giving birth! DAYS! 
It caused me too personally to backlash against gossip media which celebrate and put on their covers these post-baby bodies of these celebrities which serve to denigrate regular woman who cannot achieve such rapid loss and pump up arrogant men who love to shame women for not getting skinny after baby. 
It all contributes to pregorexia where women intentionally withhold food and nutrients from themselves and their babies in order to avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy. 

There needs to be a balance between being a bully of other moms, as fitness pro Maria Kang was accused of being when she asked, “what’s your excuse” for not looking as good as her after having a baby…and being motivational.

Cause really, no one who has had a tough time losing weight would ever ask another woman, why they too couldn’t do it.

Just my thoughts. Chime in below:

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A non-vaccinated kid at Disney responsible for recent measles outbreak

Posted on January 23, 2015
Officials are blaming the recent measles outbreak at Disneyland parks on a kid of “anti-vaxxers”, parents who refuse to immunize their children from deadly diseases, 
Apparently, as the theory goes, somebody’s non- vaccinated kid caught the measles while traveling abroad then went to one of the Disney Parks in California and sneezed.  It was the little action needed for all the other anti-vaxxer kids at that park to be exposed and come down with the deadly disease. 
Sheesh! 
A total of 64 children since December in California have contracted the highly contagious disease, a likely impact of the anti-immunization movement, the Washington Post reports. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that measles is so contagious that if “one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.”
And there you have it. We knew it was coming.
The outbreak has gotten so bad, California officials issued a warning telling anyone under 12 who is not vaccinated to avoid Disney, the Los Angeles Times reported. 
Disney has told its employees in contact with measles-sickened co-workers to stay home until they can prove they’ve been vaccinated and undergo a blood test. 
It’s a case of too much education, a new study says, finding that anti-vaxxers are affluent, educated and cluster in certain communities and infect each others’ thinking on the issue.
It’s unfortunate. As I’ve blogged before, I could have died from catching German Measles while a small child living in my native Sierra Leone, West Africa decades ago. Vaccinations were a premium and privilege that all kids did not get back when I was growing up.
My best friend and I contracted the disease at the same time and he died. 
It is for this reason, I am always baffled by those who decide against vaccinating their kids, and to take their chances, believing they are protecting their kids, and not putting them as risk for early death. A report in 2011, found that the study that catapulted the modern anti-vaxx movement was a big fraud. 
Baffles the mind!
Sound off in the comments. Risk worth taking or reckless option to not vaccinate?

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