1.  Apply lip gloss.  All the time.
2.  Wear big jewelery, especially statement necklaces.
3.  Breathe.  Wrinkles will disappear and you’ll get grounded.
4.  Floss.  Good oral care is crucial during pregnancy and beyond.
5.  Lose the stilettos during pregnancy and while you’re slinging your new baby.  Treat yourself to a great pair of flat boots.
6.  Do some writing.  Expressing your feelings gives you a glow.  Share it with us in our mommy stories.
7.  Bathe with rose petals and fresh lavender.
8.  Look deeply into people’s eyes.  They have experience to share.
9.  Plant a seed and watch it grow.
10.  Pair bright colours with lots of black.
11.  Shawls and flowing sweaters add a touch of romance.
12.  You might not feel like having the same sex you used to.  Grab a Cosmo magazine and learn a few new tricks.
13.  Pedicures.  Often.
14.  If clean hair seems like a time-suck when you have a baby to care for, throw on a hat or wrap an Hermes scarf around your head.
15.  Read.  Just one quick poem a day could make you feel more connected.
16.  Get in control of your body.  Or at least strengthen the muscles you can.
17.  Ask for what you need.  If you can’t ask, then text.

So throw on a pair of huge sunglasses, slide into a tight black dress and be proud of your expanding back and retained water.  For tips on dressing for pregnancy and transition, see our stylist.  Or check out the sexiest Celebrity Moms Alive, as according to CafeMom.

Photo: Courtesy of German Vogue, May 2009.  Heidi Klum.

Photo: Diane von Furstenberg’s Samara Wrap and a less expensive option from Stylestoop

After a gorgeous luncheon last week with Lisa Tant, Editor-in-Chief of Flare Magazine, it was time to transfer inspiration into a revamp of the closet.  Hosted at Vancouver’s Wear Else, I was in a mecca of fashion, and all I wanted to do was hit the changing rooms.  The first fall season while I haven’t been pregnant or attempting to drop baby weight, and, as luck would have it, it’s a particularly stellar year for pregnancy and postpartum dressing.  Gone are the gladiator sandals, the cut-off tights and the butt/thigh-hugging shirts (thank you very much).

Welcome to shoulder pads, leggings, 80′s-inspired suits and bright coats.  Pardon?  Did you not say that it was a good season?  As my mouth hung open at the sleek photos of Paris Fashion Week, I realized that we have, indeed, come a long way.  As individuals, we strive to grow and develop on a daily basis, and our fashion – while always reminiscent of another era – is also fresh, creative and new.  How, then, do we make shoulder pads current and flattering?  Tant suggested a defined shoulder, or even an applique.  As for the 80′s trends, why not pair a bright neon coat with a sleek black body-hugger underneath (particularly great for late maternity – you can be comfy in long black leggings and be in style too).  Again appropriate for pregnancy or transition, fall’s statement necklaces and accessories are perfect.  Drawing attention away from the lower half, they help you to express yourself at a time when it is hard to maintain your usual vibrant personality.  Expression is not reserved for the neck, however, and detailed panty hose and patterned tights abound.  (But be careful of horizontal stripes and larger patterns if your dainty ankles have expanded as much as your cup size.)

Perhaps our two favourite trends for the season are over-the-knee boots (and with a flat heel – another coup), and 1940′s style.  Anytime women can look ladylike and chic, with red lips and a great easy-dressing suit, we’re happy.  Tant’s passion for design and appreciation for style became infectious quite quickly, and in speaking to her later, it was clear that she relishes the thought of women looking their best at every stage of life.  Her thorough fashion review certainly made me want to analyze my existing wardrobe and then stock up on some well-considered additions.

As we head out of the recession, we have all had a few sleepless nights.  (Or was that just me?) It seems that designers have become a bit wiser as well.  Clever spending is our new reality, and fashion is no exception.  Price points at the big design houses are down, and care is being taken by consumers in choosing perfect statement and heirloom pieces.  Versatility is also popular – a reversible coat, detachable boot lengths, and optional sweater cuffs can transform an entire look.   Is it not every woman’s dream – a flattering fashion piece that will last for years, make her feel special, and adapt to different body shapes?  Once again, perfect for pregnancy.  Perhaps it’s a good time to have an oyster.  Excuse me.  Back later.

- Jill Amery is the CEO of UrbanMommies Online Resources, the mother of two boys, and has a soft spot for fashion.

1.  A fabulous chapeau—beret, big floppy, skullcap, paperboy, this season’s fedora—and no, the baseball hat doesn’t count

2.  an oversized pair of sunglasses

3.  an easy swipe of a light coloured lip gloss.

Put these three together with any basic black ensemble and you are perfectly polished for the morning walk or drive to school.
Mae West knows best, “Look champagne, feel champagne.”

- Alyssa Schottland-Bauman arrived in Vancouver fresh from Manhattan six years ago. Her work covers art, fashion, beauty and spa destinations, travel and fitness trends. As a Vancouver-based freelancer, her articles have appeared in InStyle, Fitness, Organic Style, Coastal Living, Spa, Elite Traveler, Fit Pregnancy, NUVO and Seattle magazines.

Beret and photo courtesy of Lowie.

American Apparel, Oversized Scoop Back Fringe Mini: $66 Sears.ca, Wooden Necklace: $28 Forever 21, F1144 Sunglasses: $6.80

Sarah Jessica Parker Photo By PR Photos

At Scarlett Lounge, moms can get the hottest deals, get the latest on fashion and beauty from top industry experts; find green living tips and celebrity looks for less. Especially for moms-to-be, our We’re Pregnant section has deals for every trimester of pregnancy and even a splurge to treat yourself. Scarlett Lounge

A – Breasts change drastically during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post pregnancy. Increased breast size can be as frustrating as not getting back into your jeans. But don't hide it! Flaunt it, but first embrace it. Start by getting a proper fit. Believe it or not, the majority of all women aren't wearing the proper bra for their breast. Wearing the right size bra is essential for proper support. Bulky knit sweaters and extra layers are definitely not what you want to be wearing. Instead opt for smooth silk button downs, smooth Tee shirts and printed wrap dresses.