Finally the rumors are true! Singer/actress, Beyoncé and rapper/husband, Jay Z  are finally expecting their first child together.  Beyoncé hit the VMA’s black carpet and showed the world her baby bump (I’m guessing she’s about 3 0r 4 months preggers).

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpFde5rgmw[/youtube]

I grew up NOT loving my curly thick locks.  My mom would take forever to detangle  it and forget about hair clips or hair-ties, my coarse hair texture would just break the cutesy tiny hair accessory into pieces.   My mom also thought that by shellacking my hair with gel or oil would tame the mane, but that just left me with stained clothes and bed sheets – ha, remember the “So Glo” commercial from Coming to America ?

So as I entered college, chemical treatments and straightening products seem to be an easy fix for my untamed locks. But the smell and burning scalp made this process less to be desired, so I soon stopped – quickly.

So now, being a mom and running after my active toddler, leaves me with no time for an extensive beauty treatment, so usually by adding a conditioner to my wet hair and let air dry has allowed me to love my hair. What I am love mostly about my hair is its versatility, I can keep it curly or blow dry straight..whatever I’m in the mood for. Granted I get a few color treatments (ok alot, still can’t come to grips with my grey strains) but for the most part I try to keep my hair au natural and that’s ME!

This post was inspired by watching Sesame Street’s “I Love My Hair” this morning.  It gives the perfect message to young girls. Words of encouragement and acceptance is what we need to teach our children. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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Yay! Congrats! Welcome to motherhood…but let’s get real, no one told you how the YOU that you once were – the party you, the one that liked lazy Sundays and even the polish you – would be buried underneath frazzled hair, stained t-shirts from baby spit-up, sweats and a body that feels that it was invaded by the body snatchers.

Trust me, you are not alone.  Once you and baby are on a schedule – things will soon fall into place.  But first things first, throw away that oversized tee, get your hubby to babysit, put on a glossy lipstick and go SHOPPING!

You may feel self conscious about the changes to your  body, yet different doesn’t have to mean bad. The trick is learning how to flatter and flaunt the new version of you.

Related Post: The Illusion of Looking Skinny

Here are a few looks and tips that are sure to make you feel and look comfortable yet stylish.

  • Avoid: A Flimsy jersey, cotton or silk, it will highlight every bump.
  • Look For: An empire waist maxi dress draws attention to your neckline away from the stomach.
  • “A spray tan and spanx works wonders”
  • Look For: Dark colors, they hide the midsection.  A black wrap dress works like magic.  It accentuates your new curves, especially your every growing decolletage.
  • Look For: A tunic top and leggings are the perfect pieces for a comfy and stylish look.

In case you need more style inspirations, take a look at these MOMMY POSH celebs:

Gwen Stefani

Jennifer Lopez

Halle Berry

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Actress and Reality Star, Tia Mowry (Sister, Sister) and husband/Actor Cory Hardrict welcomed their first child Cree Taylor Hardrict on June 28 — and they introduce their pride and joy exclusively in the new US Weekly, out now.

Photos: Celebrity Baby Bumps

“He’s smiling, laughing and trying to talk,” Mowry, 33, gushes about her 8lb. baby boy.

After giving birth to Cree via C-section she and Hardrict, 31 have quickly discovered the joys of parenthood.

“At night, [Cree] takes a bath with me, and we bond. But I also love it when Cory sings to him. He makes up his own songs,” says Mowry.

Adds proud, hands-on papa Hardrict: “It’s teamwork!”

Mowry’s twin sister Tamera is also getting in on the act with her adorable nephew. “I’ll be breast feeding, and she will take him from me!” Tia says, laughing. “She has ‘auntie and me’ time when she sits in the glider and puts him to sleep.”

For more on Tia & Tamera check out their reality show which airs on the Style Network on Mondays at 9/8c. 

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As a parent raising a toddler, my fondest memory is of when my son first heard the “Clean Up” song (you know the one by Barney that goes “clean up clean up everybody everywhere, clean up clean up everybody do your share”) it was like he was brainwashed the moment he heard it.  Once I started singing this very simple song to him, he would immediately start putting his toys away…with no fuss.  Geez, perhaps they have a song like that for adults.  As I need motivation to do laundry, cooking, you name it…ok,ok I digress.

But now that my son is getting older and perhaps wiser to my parental trickery, the song is getting played out and I’ve noticed that my little boy is no longer immune to the songs of Barney and Friends.

So, I’ve asked my seasoned parent friends, what has worked for them when asking their kids to help out around the house and here’s what they have to say:

  • Pump Up The Volume: Blasting fun music to get everyone revved up is key. Some favorites: “The Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor and “You’re The Best Around” by Joe Esposito (Karate Kid theme).  If you have a good time, packing away toys and folding laundry can seem fun.
  • Sock Matching Match. Put all the family’s clean socks that came from the laundry and let your kids race to see who can match them up the fastest. Afterwards they can be folded together as they match and any ones that have no match can be given away. They can use the unmatched socks as dusting mitts.
  • Create Kid Friendly Storage: Place removable picture labels on drawers and bins to help kids learn where everything goes. Have your child either draw or cut out of magazines pictures of specific items (blocks, puzzles, games) that go into each one. Under the picture, write the name of the item (great word recognition for pre-readers).
  • Make It A Game: Set the kitchen timer for 10 minutes and challenge your preschooler to “Beat the Clock.”
  • Reward: Keep a chart in the kitchen or other prominent place in the house. As soon as your preschooler finishes his task, give him a sticker to put on the chart. And don’t forget hugs and kisses, that always work!

Do you struggle with getting your kids to help out around the house? Or do you have some great tips to share? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

If you are a new parent or a parent who needs reminding on how the infamous “Clean Up” song goes, then check out the video after the jump…

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