I was personally disappointed when I saw the frumpy, boxy frocks that Jennifer Lopez wore during her pregnancy. I always pictured her to show off her baby bump. Instead she wore dresses that could double as expensive potato sacks. I love it when women show off their bodies during pregnancy because it’s so beautiful. I am especially happy to see it when celebrities do it because it encourages women to feel proud and sexy during this time!

I discussed this with my friend and she forwarded me an unfortunate article from IHM.com. It was about how the era of celebrities showing off their bodies was coming to an end, and now they are hiding it away. I guess I can understand this because they probably are sick of paparazzi all up in their business, but I just personally feel that it’s sad that they have to hide what I personally think is the best accessory, a baby bump.

A recent issue of Vogue, however, covered different wardrobe items for different body types. One of the women was pregnant. She chose sexy items and heels. More power to you!

What’s hot to wear on those dainty fingers? Think big… no, bigger than that. Yep, that’s big enough. Pick a stone in a brilliant color, get it huge enough to clock somebody in the eye with, and you’ve got an awesome piece of jewelry. Right now, it’s not so much about little studs, or tiny stones made into a shape — it’s about a big, fat rock that does all the talking. Turquoise happens to be my favorite, but today I saw my friend Claire (Account Manager at Myspace) rockin’ (literally) a bauble the size of my eyeball. It was orange and awesome. While see through and glassy is alright… what’s even better are the opaque stones. They can be that finishing touch to a wardrobe.

Not a fan of rings? Then wear a long strand of colorful beads, or a pendant on a gold chain. White gold is pretty, but the bold and amazing colors of this season will set off yellow gold even better. It’s warm and inviting and it’s definitely the opposite of bling.

It shouldn’t be downplayed…  American society’s view of women after childbirth isn’t very attractive or alluring.

best friend is moving to NYC in a few hours. I’m going to miss her a lot. She is my partner in fashion and skin care. I really admire her and wish her the best, but I still feel a sting of envy because of the regret I feel from never moving there when I had many chances. Well, I guess we all know what “they” say is right. Hindsight is 20/20. Ain’t that a bitch.

We had some coffee together, and the barista was surprised when I gave him my co-op owner’s number. “Oh, you’re from around here?” I wasn’t sure what he meant. Usually, I just assume people automatically think I’m an immigrant by looking at me even though I was born and raised in the US. But later, when he invited us to a b-boy battle he hosts every Friday night, I realized he meant one of the best possible compliments you could ever pay me.

I don’t look like I’m from this boring-ass town.

I feel like it just snapped in my head one day. I hate Ann Arbor. I have lived here since I started college and I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of my life here. To its credit I have had lots of good times. 2003-2005 and early 2006 was a great social scene. My son was born here. But honestly, it gets old really fast. You can really wear this town out. I created the Ann Arbor hook up tree and it is the most incestuous thing ever.

So, me not looking like I’m from around here makes me incredibly happy, because I am not from here and I certainly don’t want to look I am from here.

What does looking like you’re from Ann Arbor mean? I’m not sure, but I think it has this midwest slop attached to it. I’m probably going to get hated on really hard for saying that, but whatever. Much love to the mid west, but as a whole we can’t dress that well.

Handbags are an obsession of mine. Having the perfect one slung on your arm can sometimes seriously feel a lot better than having a hot date. Good handbags are phenomenal and intricately styled with quality fabric and hardware. They don’t take on a boring “classic” look, but isn’t necessarily so trendy that it will only survive the current season.

Surprisingly, I don’t have as handbags in my collection as one would suspect. With a few vintage clutches here and there and a few designer keepsakes, I haven’t added to my arm accessories as much as I have attended to my shoe closet. That is because of how extremely picky I am. My favorite one is a vintage piece that I bought ten years ago. It has bamboo handles, a gold clasp closure, and looks like a giant gold and clear coin purse. It doesn’t see the light of day as much because now I am toting for two as a new mother! I’m not a big fan of diaper bags. They’re bulky. They have frumpy pockets. It’s ok to be critical because it’s me carrying the bag, after all, not my babe. While I know there are oodles of “designer diaper bags” out there, they still have that boxy diaper bag look — not very flattering or fashionable. Moms, I sincerely believe, still have the right to remain foxy!

The perfect handbag would be large and roomy, but not awkward when you put a lot of stuff in it. The designer who got the style down is Miss Rebecca Minkoff. Rebecca Minkoff is a young designer with a fresh look in her line that’s not only stylish but funky. Check out her “Morning After Bag” if you want a hot alternative to a diaper bag sans the elephants marching all over it (granted, elephants are super-cute, but maybe not so much after your infant has graduated to wearing Superman undies and can carry his own sippy cup). The leather Morning After Bag comes in different shades of leather. Try pewter to go with the Spring 2008 dulled metallic trend, or the vibrant tangerine for a brand new twist on the retro color. Rebecca Minkoff’s bags also have a lot of personality. They come with a play calling card (if you call the number on it, you’ll even get to hear the answering machine of a sexy voice!). Her lines also tell a story, the mark of a very creative and playful designer. She’s won the hearts of Rachel Bilson, Hilary Duff, Bijou Phillips, and lil ol’ me.

I knew that the designer diaper bags weren’t going to cut it when I walked into Kate Spade to eye the coveted momma purses. I was left unimpressed. They still looked like diaper bags! In fact, I found myself preferring the quilted Baby’s R Us tote that my brother got me with the parade of zoo animals marching on its pocket. At least it wasn’t trying to pretend it was something it wasn’t. When my mother got me a roomy creme and black canvas tote, I realized that I can arm myself with baby goods (cloth diapers, diaper covers, booty wipes, cocoa butter, a back up baby ribbed tank top in case the breast milk comes up) and do it in a handbag I love anyway.

Elizabeth and James (are not behind this label)

A few pieces from the Elizabeth and James line caught my eye. “Who are Elizabeth and James?!” I wondered, curious if it was an uber-chic wife and husband team who pushed their stroller together through Brooklyn parks. Upon investigation, I realized it is the line created by the Olsen twins! I am very impressed with a few of their items and how wearable they are for the fashion forward woman who knows how to eye a unique item at a thrift store. The girl who is not afraid to do something quirky with her wardrobe while retaining the sexy would love this line. I imagine Carrie Bradshaw, but when she was 19.

I’ve never been one to fall into the “I’m too old for this look” trap. If you look good in it, flaunt it, girl. Curious? Don’t immediately type elizabethandjames.com into your browser. Instead, you’ll find the former site of a couple of parents with kids named Elizabeth and James who posted random pictures of their cuties up so relatives could keep up with the times. The real website address is elizabethandjames.us. It has the feel of a vintage fashion magazine re-done for today.

The other day I asked my best friend in fashion, Sarah, “Is it ok to wear tights with open toe shoes?” I’ve been stressing on what to wear to this party I helped do the PR for. In my head I’ve been daydreaming of colorful tights and the kitten heels I’ve been eyeing in a boutique window. We both decided tentatively that yes, it was perfectly alright, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it was just me going overboard when I couldn’t compromise.

Imagine my delight when I see a pair of hot heels paired with blue tights — and looking fabulous, I must say — on Elizabeth and James. They perfectly puncuate the hot black pencil skirt and white detailed waistline. These girls nailed a look I love in a way I don’t have to articulate. Loves it! I do feel slightly embarrassed saying that since I watched them launch a perfume line I saw at the grocery store and thumbed briefly through serial paperback books with their toothy grins smiling from the cover. Their line also includes pieces that are very trendy… however they look great for the moment, and I’m sold for right now.

Screenshot from elizabethandjames.us.

My boyfriend and I are taking baby swimming classes with our son. It was an exciting prospect for us because we saw a video on youtube about a class parents were taking where they throw their babies around the pool and they can speed off swimming like little Olympic pros, I kid you not. Ambitious as we are, we signed up for class at the local YMCA and armed our babe with these awesome bright orange swim briefs a couple sizes too small for him so that the poop doesn’t escape from his drawers during swim time.

I’m not one to really adhere to any sort of fashion climate in the family pool. I actually have the black version of the swimsuit that’s on the new Moby album cover. That’s what I wear. Or I wear a halter bikini top and high waisted boy shorts. Very chic. I used to be really self-conscious about my body, but whatever, kiddie pool time isn’t the swimsuit competition. It’s about getting your kid to be able to breath underwater and float on his back.

Or is it? When we asked our instructor when we’d be able to let our son go in the pool, she looked at us in horror. Um, whoops. Dude, but if that’s the case, isn’t “swim class” a misnomer? I’ve read all about babies, and I’m pretty sure they’ve got the swim instinct in them up until a certain age. Give me the instructor who knows how to teach me about self-rescue and floating up!!! Seriously, watch that video.