Archive for January, 2008

by Julia Beck, of Forty Weeks

Mom-to-be Jessica Alba had her glow on this week for an appearance at MTV’s Total Request Live in New York. Her look was both feminine and soft, and the end result was pure pre-natal perfection! Jessica wisely focuses on her natural assets as her biggest, boldest accessory -– her skin and hair are simply rich and radiant. And the stunning results speak for themselves! The sophisticated hue of her dress -– a deep chocolate brown, is finished off with opaque legs and a few, well chosen jewels (love that bangle). Brown is a great choice, as it’s both bold and sophisticated and offers a world of daytime and evening options.

Here is what to keep in mind when stealing Jessica Alba’s “Craving Chocolate” look Forty Weeks Style:
*Chocolate is not the only shade of brown. Explore the full spectrum of solid browns including metallic (think bronze), as well as patterns that build on brown as a base.
*The cut of the dress is as important as the hue. Determine your best neckline first and choose from there. Focus first on fit!
*Dressing may call for layering. Keep camis, second skins and form-fitting tanks on hand to avoid too much exposure.
*Make sure your dress choice is able to accommodate your changing body and your new assets! And, make sure you have a bra that really fits (get professionally fit) to avoid too much “roll over,” or worse!
*Dresses are not special occasion only. Dress up with shoes, accessories, and make-up. Dress-down with boots, layers and a fresh face. Never let a great dress stay on the hanger too long –- get the maximum wear out of this comfortable, versatile choice.
*Keep it going -– dresses will work well into your fourth trimester — buy and budget with this longer life-span in mind.

Steal That Look Forty Weeks Style – Chocolate Cravings!
Feed your cravings for chocolate with these just-right dresses that will quickly become a staple of your Forty Weeks! Keep an arsenal of accessories on hand to shift the look in subtle or stunning ways. Here we share some finds that are sure to hit your sweet spot!

A relative newbie to the maternity fashion world, Lauren Kiyomi continues to impress! Due Maternity has an exclusive on her knee-length Strapless Dress (right, $114) in chocolate brown. The dress is simplicity defined, with a golden silk sash that ties in the back. This one also features a built in shelf bra (though you need to make sure this is enough support). (CBB Deal: Save 15% with code CBB) 

Here is a dress that can go on and on! Flats, heels, crop jacket, boho accessories –- seriously do with this sweet little chocolate dress what you will! Gap’s Empire Waist Tank Dress (left, $50) is stylish and easy to wear and care for (machine washable!). The hue of this “earth brown” has undertones of red and will work well with denims, ivories and even pink! The wide tank straps and empire waist are sure to flatter almost any bump.

Babystyle calls the Cadeau Sleeveless Side-Shirred Dress (right, $128) a “pull-on-and-go stunner” and we agree. This versatile dress is made of Cadueau’s signature, super soft cotton that has enough memory to take you well through your pregnancy and beyond! Shirring is one of our absolute favorite tools for creating a well dressed bump. This dress frames and flatters to perfection!

Also from Babystyle, Cadeau’s Modern Print Dress (left, $89 on sale) is a totally mod-take on brown. This well cut dress can take you from day to night in flattering style. This jersey dress also comes in a black print on sale and is only available in limited quantities. 

Pickles and Ice Cream’sRipe Short Satin Bronze Dress (right, $159) is brown with some sexy shimmer. This stretch satin dress features an empire waist and bow tie back. Dressier than the others, this is a real statement dress that is cut to flow and flatter.

Isabella Oliver’s Wrap Dress (left, $124 on sale) is yummy soft and extra sexy (consider a layering piece here). The cut is snug yet slimming. And as always, Isabella Oliver’s clothes make the grade for quality and cut. This classic wrap will quickly make it to your faves list. And, we love the sale price!

And for the real deal? We are now, and forever will be huge fans of Belly Bar’s Baby Needs Chocolate ($26.99 for a box of 12 ). They disappear very quickly in our showroom and likely, you will become a major fan too! Seriously good stuff.

Update: Julianna’s parents confirm to People and Us Weekly that the couple welcomed a son, named Kieran Lindsay Lieberthal. The Star Ledger reports that he arrived on Thursday, January 17th. Her dad reveals,

Obviously I’m utterly delighted to be a grandfather. I have to say, he is cuter than any other baby I’ve seen. He’s brought a lot of joy to the family. He has some of Keith’s features and some of Julianna’s features and they’re changing everyday.

On the topic of having more children, Paul Margulies replied,

I have noidea. At one point she didn’t think she was going to have any children,and that’s why this one they’re overjoyed with.

Julianna’s mother, however, was coy when asked, saying,

I better not open my mouth. I don’t want to get in trouble with my daughter.

Despite this, her voicemail message announces,

A beautiful baby boy has been born to us. All is well. His name is Kieran Lindsay Lieberthal. Is that poetry? Do a little dance. Love this day! All is well. God bless! Can’t wait to hear from you.

CBB Exclusive originally posted 3 pm: Actress Julianna Margulies, 41, and her husband Keith Lieberthal are new parents after welcoming their baby, Julianna’s rep confirms first to CBB. The sex of the child and birth details are not being released at this time.

The pregnancy was announced in August. The former ER and Sopranos star tied the knot with Keith in November.

Thanks to CBB reader Kitty for the birthdate.

Update: Sarah’s note: I apologize, this should not have been posted. Indiana Rose has not been confirmed by either of the stars reps, and is a rumor that has been circulating for weeks, which her representative denied to me back in December. If they officially release their daughter’s name, we will be sure to post it.

Click below for the original post.

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As he continues touring with the cast of Dancing With The Stars, performing in a different city every night, Joey Lawrence knows a thing or two about change.  But with the birth of his daughter Charli, 21-months, Joey underwent the biggest and best change of all — fatherhood!  Says Joey,

It changes every facet of your life in every possible way you can imagine.  It’s an incredible blessing and privilege. It’s a lot of change, it’s different, but it’s all good.

Charli is the first child for Joey and his wife Chandie, who married in 2005. 

Source:  OK!

Although she’s just four months pregnant with their first baby together, actress Nicole Kidman says she and husband Keith Urban would "really love to have a big family."  First things first, though!  Says Nicole,

I just want to have this child safely and happily, and then we will see…I’m so happy at the moment, I couldn’t ask for anything more really.

Nicole added that she’s looking forward to one of the many perks of pregnancy — a bigger bust size!

Being pregnant, I’ll have bigger boobs. That’s one of the many good things I can think of that will come of it!

Nicole and Keith, both 40, expect their baby in July. 

Source:  Herald Sun

Update: The winners are: Kim from Lynchburg, VA, Rebecca from Calgary, Alberta, Kate from Cherry Hill, NJ, Katie from Chicago, IL, Dawn from Bloomingdale, NJ, Faith from Chicago, IL, Cher from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Jennifer from Johnson City, TN.

Cool Names for Babies is the latest book by baby name mavens Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, authors of The Baby Name Bible and Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana. 

This is a brand new update, hot off the press, of the hippest baby name book out there, pointing out the latest trends, such as "Thunderbolt Names" such as Colt, Chance, Cash and Cade,  "Little Caesars" like Atticus and "Bad Girl/Good Girl" names–eg. Venus vs. Violet.  The only name book ever published that includes neither John nor Mary, it helps parents navigate the range of coolness, from safe(Sophia and Sam) to as wild as you want to go (Andromeda, Alza, orAnswer, anyone?), picks out the coolest recent celebrity baby names(Eden, Orson, Sullivan) and identifies the hottest new trends.

If you’re seeking a cool name for your child, this is definitely the book for you.

Win one of 10 copies of Cool Names for Babies! For details, click Continue Reading.

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Grey’s Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Kali Rocha announced on Tuesday that she is three months pregnant.  The 36-year-old laughingly said,

I keep hearing this theory that if you look very rounded in the face and you [get sick] a lot, it’s a girl. I have a round face all the time, but I didn’t [get sick] once. The theory also says that if you are feeling good and have a square jaw, it’s a boy. So I have no idea. Maybe I have a hermaphrodite.

The baby will be the first child for Kali and husband Michael Krikorian.

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.

Source: TV Guide

Thanks to CBB reader Karin.

How can you not be obsessed with a baby bootie that is as soft, fluffy, puffy and luxurious as Yo My Booties? There may be plenty of cute booty stops on the baby booty train, but Yo My Booties are the final destination. The end all, be all of cute baby footwear. Yo My Booties are not for the average baby. They are for the baby that has arrived!

Celebs love Yo My Booties, too — Jenna Elfman was recently photographed with Story Elias Elfman wearing his pair, as was Samantha Harris and Josselyn Sydney Hess. Other celebrity parent owners include Will Ferrell, Ben Affleck and Jen Garner, Jessica and Jerry Seinfeld.

Click here to continue reading Ciaran’s entire Yo My Booties review.

Pampers’ marketing firm approached us to test and review their Pampers Stages line of diapers and wipes. We recruited CBB staff and readers to test out the various stages and sizes.

To accompany what Pampers identified in 2002 as the fourstages of a baby’s development, the company designed diapers to offerspecific benefits for each stage of that development, from Swaddlers, that provide comfort and protection from the  first days of infancy, to Cruisers for babies on the move, to Easy Ups,for toddlers starting to learn to do things by themselves and  Feel n’ Learn, training pants and bathroom tools created for the potty training stage.Taking these findings one step further, Pampers broadened their STAGESline-up to include a corresponding wipe for every stage of a baby’sdevelopment.

Click Continue Reading for very detailed reviews of this line!

After you read, please feel free to post YOUR review of the Pampers Stages line!

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How can you not be obsessed with a baby bootie that is as soft, fluffy, puffy and luxurious as Yo My Booties? There may be plenty of cute booty stops on the baby booty train, but Yo My Booties are the final destination. The end all, be all of cute baby footwear. Yo My Booties are not for the average baby. They are for the baby that has arrived!

I was interested to see how the booties were made, because I was frankly concerned about whether they would stay on a real baby’s feet. I am happy to report that these puffballs have elastic in the cuff so you do have a prayer of not losing them. I’m not too worried about my pair as I am sure I will be obsessively petting my baby’s feet, every five moments, while he has them on.

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