2015 VMA Awards Red Carpet & Show Roundup

Posted on August 31, 2015

Tonight was another celeb-studded musical event at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Several of our Bellyitch Bumpwatch alums graced the red carpet before the event, took the stage and were nominated for quite a few awards.

Mega star Beyonce Knowles Carter was a no show even though she was nominated for 5 awards for her “7/11” Video (Best Female, Pop, Editing, Choreography, Video of the Year). She won only one for Best Editing.

Jennifer Hudson couldn’t make it either despite being up for the Best Video with a social message award for her song, “I Still Love You.”

On the red carpet, model Lily Aldridge stunned in a black Alexandre Vauthier couture gown with a plunging neckline, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Jen Meyer Jewelry earrings, Anita Ko bracelets, and an Edie Parker clutch.

Britney Spears showed mucho cleavage in a showgirls-esque gold sequined number with cutouts in the tummy.

Kim Kardashian West covered her bump in a long sleeve draped military style dress.

Her sis Kourtney Kardashian was giving up the sexy in a hot pink jumpsuit, fresh off of winning our 2015 Posh Mom Icon award.

Their family’s arch nemeses Amber Rose and Blac Chyna came dressed in matching nude outfits with cartoon caricture lettering featuring all the insulting names that people have called the duo who are headed for an MTV reality TV show this fall.

The show wasn’t without its dramatic moments, of course, including some toxic exchanges between show host Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj who won the Best Rap Video Award for video for “Anaconda“. It was the same video Minaj suggested was deserving for being up for the Video of the Year Award but was slighted because she felt the women featured in the video weren’t thin. Taylor Swift assumed it was a slam against her given all the women in her Bad Blood video were pretty much rail thin and the two had a brief Twitter beef which reeled their fans in on it and was more or less squashed until Cyrus added her two cents during a promo appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Cyrus said Minaj was “not nice”. The rest is history and can be seen on Twitter but since we’re about promoting positivity by and among women, we’ll leave it at that.

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Ciara showed off a new bob in a fringed black outfit and Law and Order‘s Mariska Hargitay made an appearance in all black while walking with the other members of “The #SwiftSquad” from Taylor Swift‘s “Video of the Year” winning video “Bad Blood.”

(Gigi Hadid, Martha Hunt, Hailee Steinfeld, Cara Delevingne, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Serayah, Mariska Hargitay, Lily Aldridge and Karlie Kloss)

My fave look for tonight came from singer Tori Kelly who looked stunning in a a laced long sleeved top tucked in a cute pair of high waisted shorts with a gold clutch and black bowed pumps, with tussled hair to complete the look. Her bronze sheer makeup was flawless. Yassss!

photos: Getty

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News

STUDY: Pregnant Women Still Fear Exercising

Posted on August 30, 2015

Bellyitch Rewind

Though exercise during pregnancy has proven benefits for healthy women, many still fear it, according to a new study.

“Despite what we have said over the last 10 years, pregnant women are still afraid exercise is going to hurt their child,” says researcher Melissa J. Hague, MD, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita.

In her study of 90 women, she found many regular exercisers stopped working out when they became pregnant. Some told her they did not think exercising, even walking, was safe during pregnancy.

“I was really surprised,” she tells WebMD.

Hague presented her findings this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in San Diego.

Exercise During Pregnancy: Expert Opinion

In 2002, ACOG issued an opinion about exercise during pregnancy. Recreational and competitive athletes without pregnancy complications can remain active with their doctor’s OK, it says. They should modify their workouts as medically indicated.

Inactive women should consult their doctors before starting a program, it says.

Moderate exercise for 30 minutes or more most or all days of the week appears safe for pregnant women without complications, it says. Activities with a high risk of falling, contact sports, and scuba diving should not be done

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Parenting

For the #VMA’s, Dove Reminds Women to #SpeakBeautiful About Other Women

Posted on August 29, 2015

Tomorrow is the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) and in an effort to combat all the negativity shared by and between young girls and women in social media, Dove wants to shift the dialogue from all the recent controversial headlines related to Miley vs. Nicki, Nicki vs. Taylor, Taylor vs. Katy, or any combination of the three.

They recognize that loads of real girls and even celebs like P!nk and Selena Gomez have recently been the victims of social media attacks based on their looks alone.

During the VMAs this weekend, Dove is encouraging women and girls to #SpeakBeautiful when posting comments about other women on Twitter. The #SpeakBeautiful campaign launched earlier this year on Oscar night and we’re taking it to the next big event, the VMAs, to help change the social media conversation that affects our self-esteem.

In fact, we know 8 out of 10 women encounter negativity on social media that is hurtful/destructive to their self-esteem and it’s time for a change.

Since it launched the campaign, Dove states it has seen 69% more positive Tweets pertaining to how women talk about their own appearance, versus the previous year.

Tomorrow, @Dove on Twitter plans to monitor the language said about women by other women.

Join in and Be Kind.

#SpeakBeautiful

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Celebrity

National Dog Day: 22 Celebrity Parents and their Dogs

Posted on August 26, 2015

We are rounding off the end to a National Dog Day but we wanted to make sure we highlight some of our fave Bellyitch Bumpwatch alums and other celeb features from the past, pictured with their fuzzy four-legged pawed friends.

They include above, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Hayden Panettiere, Kim Kardahsian, Jessica Simpson, Mariah Carey and Victoria Beckham with their doggy pals.

Olivia Wilde and Paco, P!nk and Elvis and Sienna Miller and Bess.

Dog Owners Dennis Richards, Halle Berry, Bethenny Frankel with Cookie and Nicole Richie.

Dog Fans Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Biel, Hoda and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Selma Blair with rescue dog Bess and Lady Gaga with Miss Asia.

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Celebrity

Report: Jessa Duggar is upset Blemish to The Duggars Brand is Diminishing her Celeb Status

Posted on August 25, 2015

The Daily Mail suggests in a recent story that the sunset and downward spiral of the Duggars brand amid controversies involving Josh Duggar’s child abuse and infidelity admissions is causing frustration by currently pregnant Jessa Duggar.

The popular UK site claims that Jessa has launched a website and is very active on several social media platforms yet is upset that no media outlet has contacted her for stories about her pregnancy.

Before the scandal, when her sister Jill was pregnant, Jill was featured often and was even awarded a special on TLC about her baby’s birth.

Interesting, if true, as we’ve blogged in the past that celebrities can and have used a pregnancy to ignite or re-invigorate interest in their lives and provide them relevancy again among the consuming public.

Celeb women and reality TV stars whose shows have long been canceled have been able to land covers with their babies and thus many are aware that our culture’s newfound obsession with the pregnant celebrity is indeed good for business and a career.

Interesting indeed.

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News

National Zoo’s Mei Xiang Gives birth to Her 3rd Cub

Posted on August 22, 2015

The National Zoo in Washington says there’s one more panda in the world after its female giant panda gave birth to a cub on Saturday.

Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson confirmed in an email that Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) gave birth to the cub at 5:35 p.m. If the cub survives, it would be the 17-year-old panda’s third surviving offspring.

She gave birth to that cub’s twin around 10:35 at night.

Mei Xiang’s first cub, Tai Shan, was born in 2005. Her second cub, Bao Bao, turns 2-years-old on Sunday.

Update: she gave birth to a 4th cub, the fist cub’s twin around 10:35 pm Saturday night.

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Twin Gives Birth to Sister’s Son

Posted on August 20, 2015

After cancer took away her twin sister’s ability to carry a second baby, Dawn Policastro jumped in to help and became sister Allison’s surrogate.

Recently, Dawn gave birth to her nephew this August 5th.

Professional photographer Allison Rose‘s photos of the sisters during Dawn’s pregnancy went viral this week.

“How can we begin to thank you for the tremendous generosity and sacrifice you have so willingly bestowed these last few months?” Allison wrote on her Facebook page.

Click for more from Patch.com.

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Parenting

Guy hilariously trolls opponents to Target’s gender-neutral toy signage policy

Posted on August 13, 2015

Recently, Target buckled under pressure from parents over its gender-based signage for toys and announced it will get rid of them.

The decision irritated many who thought the move was made solely to accommodate the few children who may have gender identity issues or associations. Some said it was evidence of Target “giving in to the LGBT community” or to liberal agendas.

Some didn’t seem to realize that the policy only applied to signs in the toy section, and they felt it extended to all departments and to the clothing department as well.

Rather, the decision seemed to have more to do with responding to many parents who don’t want their girls to be told by a corporate entity that trucks or building blocks (which simulate logic and analytical skills which are crucial for math and science reasoning in school) are just for boys. And they aren’t keen on a toy store stifling a boy’s interest in cooking and playing with a toy oven.

It isn’t about transsexual kids, per se, (though some of them may benefit from the move) yet the company’s social media accounts were flooded with comments from those who are confused about the impetus of the change and/or simply oppose Target’s move for various reasons, some political and some religious-based.

Dad and Facebook user Mike Melgaard used the opportunity to to create a fake Target customer service profile and troll Target’s social media accounts leaving hilarious replies and retorts to complainers of the new policy.

He managed to get in about 50 posts in for 16 hours of trolling before Facebook shut down the satirical account!

I don’t want to offend anyone who dislike the gender-neutral signage but these are my fave:

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Fashion

50 Low Cost Summer Concert, Carnival and Festival Outfits

Posted on August 9, 2015

Late Summer is peak music and food festival season. Here are my picks for how to dress for outdoor events that will entail dancing, feteing, standing on your feet for long periods of time or jamming to a music truck or band, moving down the road or on stage at a multi-artists venue or event:

The Romper: A romper is timeless and a simple choice. You can get them in a variety of designs, colors, patterns, materials and styles, from strapless, to full-sleeved, to cap or spaghetti sleeve. They flatter many body types so long as you are comfortable showing leg. The only downside is when you have to go to the bathroom in a port-a-potty at an outdoor event, but other than that, they’re a good bet.

You don’t have to break the bank either to get a nice cute romper. Stores like Forever 21, Asos, and H&M sell them and now that Summer is shortly coming to a close, there are tons of End-of-Summer sales in the malls and in online stores and boutiques.

My Picks:

Shorts and T-Shirts – You can never go wrong with some denim shorts and a graphic tank or t-shirt. The shirt should be a very light and loose material so in the heat, it doesn’t stick to your skin as you sweat. This is a safe bet also because they are easy to pack and can be rolled up into an overnight back and easily mixed and matched. If you get a graphic tee with a funky print or saying on it, you’ve got an instant conversation piece that also photographs well.

Stores like Old Navy, American Apparel and online boutiques sell these for super low prices.

My Picks:

Here is a Close Up of my Picks

The Sundress –The classic sundress is also a great pick for watching a summer concert or parade. Get one in a very light material, that also isn’t too clingy. Go for an A-line or Sheath material for maximum breezability. Don’t forget to wear shorts underneath not just in case you find yourself on someone’s shoulders during a concert, but also to avoid chafing between your legs as you walk and sweat.

Pair the sundress with wedges, espadrilles, very low heeled sandals, gladiators or strappy sandals. Do NOT wear slip on shoes because you will risk injury jumping up in them or chasing a music truck. You need something that will secure your shoe to your foot at all times.

My Picks:

Off the Shoulder top and Cropped Distressed Denims – I love an off the shoulder loose T-shirt. It’s sexy, simple and perfect for outdoor events or concerts. A pair of distressed cropped denim pants cuffed at the bottom are the perfect pairing for this look.

Peplum and Mini Skirt or Shorts –While peplum tops are making their way out of fashion, I still think they are a great option for giving you a cinched waist and masking rolls in the tummy. Pair these with a sexy mini skirt, skort or shorts in a sateen, lace or leather material for a really cute night event or fete.

Close Up

Cropped Bandage Top and Pencil Skirt- Admittedly, not everyone can pull off the cropped top because it would require you to have a somewhat trim midsection, but yet, you can still do it if you wear it with a high-waisted pencil skirt or bandage skirt. The bandage material compresses the tummy area. It’s not the outfit you wear to a “jump up” and wild and wassy fete, but the one you wear with your man, at a breakfast fete, or that event when you’ll just be styling and profiling in a VIP box or suite or something.

Close up

Tee and Denim: The loose Graphic T-Shirt with denim shorts is just a great look that works with most folks. It’s not too stoosh but cool for going down the road following a band at a carnival or watching an outdoor summer concert.

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Parenting

Back to School: Dad Creates Awesome Product for Homesick First Year College Coeds

Posted on August 6, 2015

Continuing in our trend of highlighting parent inventors and creators, we’re showcasing another innovator :

James Oliver, Jr, the dad Blogger from trepLifeDad, spends some of his times balancing family life with his wife and brand new twins and catapulting a StartUp venture to the next level.

The Brooklyn native’s company WeMontage is the homesickness cure for your first year college kid who needs vibrant reminders of home and family to keep spirits lifted during long spans of time away from the comforts of home and close family.

Oliver put his accounting degree from Morehouse College and MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill to good use after becoming inspired by a HGTV episode that featured an interior designer decorating a wall with photos using a DIY method.

He graduated from a prestigious tech accelerator program, gener8tor, and from there raised capital to launch and fund the company.

Currently, WeMontage is the only website that allows users to upload their favorite photos, create a custom photo collage, and print them out onto large, removable wallpaper with adhesive backing.

And considering that universities and landlords usually do not allow college dorm rooms or rental apartment units to have too many holes in the walls, WeMontage’s removable adhesives are perfect!

Besides curing ills of that homesick Freshmen, the decorative walls are also a very unique way to decorate one wall of your new baby’s nursery or even an older child’s play room.

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Recreate nostalgic memories from your wedding, graduation or other precious life moment in an office den, man cave or other work or play room; or in a campus locker room, gym or other area.

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And there are various options to cover smaller areas as well. Very cool.

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To create beautiful wall montages, all you need is a straight edge. Oliver recommends having a friend help with installation for larger spaces, but guarantees that the entire process would take under 15 minutes.

Simply, determine what space you want the enlarged images to go, while taking into consideration other colors and decorative elements of the room. The final product is delivered to your door on a canvas-like paper with a matte finish can be attached and removed from flat walls and textured surfaces without causing damage.

And there is social consciousness to Oliver’s company as well. WeMontage recently donated 100 photo montages to college freshmen to fight homesickness.

Nice!

Oliver is working on raising more awareness of his fabulous product and utilizes a team of two part time developers and a publicist to help him get the word out. He was recently featured as Dad of the Week on The Mom’s radio show on Sirius/XM and is about to launch a project with BlogHer and SheKnows following his very moving reading of his Voices of the Year article about his son during this year’s BlogHer conference.

Good stuff.

If you’d like to give it a try for free, head on over to WeMontage and sign up and if you eventually purchase, you get 30% off the product thru next Thursday, August 13th if you use our code “bellyitch30”!

Please send us a photo to see your project once up to contact (at)bellyitchblog.com! Thanks!

photos: courtesy WeMontage

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