Check out the tips after the jump!

1. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!

Start your love affair with the empire waist. This genius silhouette (a Heidi Klum and Nicole Ritchie favourite) gathers under the breast and falls loosely to the hip, knee or floor covering bulging bellies and butts with cascading fabric. The empire waist also put the focus on the arms and shoulders, places where pregnancy weight does not manifest itself.

2. GET THAT GLOW A LA SANDRA BULLOCK BYE!

Exfoliating three times per week removes debris, maximises product penetration, encourages cellular turnover and pumps up luster factor.

3. HAVE A COCKTAIL!

You may not be knocking them back these days, but customising a “cocktail” (beauty parlance for layering a variety of gentle but active products on the face for increased efficacy) of products for the face and décolleté” is integral to great skin. Also, moisturising throughout the day (over makeup) keeps skin moist

4. GET THE JLO GLOW: SHIMMER+BRONZER+OIL

Radiant celebrities should all give a hearty thank you to shimmer powder in their Oscar acceptance speeches. Applying shimmer (it comes in a creamy blush, powder or lotion format) product to the apple of the cheeks, nose forehead and eyelids will give you that insta luminescence of red carpet luminaries. Bronzer is the eighth wonder of the world. The moment that you feel sallow and unattractive, apply bronzer to your face, décolleté and other exposed areas. The result, a sunkissed just- been- to- St Barth’s- glow, will lift your mood instantly. NOTE: Coating on too much foundation, powder and bronzer will leave you looking like a tragic 80’s Cake and Bake victim. For increased dewification, work face oil into the palm of hands and gently pat it into the skin. The oil softens lines and wrinkles and gives a subtle glow. This can be done at any point during the day, even over makeup, when you feel dry.

5. BYE BYE BAGS

Serious bags need serious camouflage. Whatever your ethnicity, combining colour corrector—a pink, peach, yellow or green hued cream—with concealer (should be slightly lighter than your skin tone) can reduce that purple/blue bruised look from under the eyes. For more precision, use a “concealer brush” to blend.  I am a fan of the “twofer” that packages both concealer and colour corrector together. This is a Nicole Ritchie regime routine.

6. BACK IN BLACK

There is a reason that, each season, editors declare that “black is the new black”. Black is mysterious (think Tina Fey and Mariska Hargitay) and chic. Black is basic enough to make a statement. Or not. Black is classic. Black is seasonless. Black matches with everything. Black can be dressed up or down. Most important?  Because it absorbs light, black hides imperfections and is, hands down, the most slimming colour on the planet. For a pregnant woman, black is the ultimate neutral and should be the foundation of the wardrobe.

7. ADD WOW FACTOR

Channel Mariah Carey and use accessories (as in WOW!!! Where did she get that insane Egyptian choker????) to amp up your sass factor. Whether you are conservative or a Gwen Stefani wannabe, work some drama—boas, lynx, Lucite cocktail ring, chandelier earrings—into your look. Don’t walk out of the house dolled up like Cher in Las Vegas. Simply make a statement. Layer on enough flash to bring your basics to life. And, when you consider whether or not you should buy that metallic handbag, remember that accessories always “work”.  Whether you are thick or thin, accessories are a mood amplifier which add a spring to your step and life to your look. Newsflash: statement jewelry does not have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, costume jewelry often gives you the biggest Gold accessories (real or faux) have an edge.

8. GET HIGH!

A heel visually lengthens your silhouette and, in turn balances out your tummy enhanced proportion.

9. WEAR A SHAPER: SPANX POWER MAMA MID THIGH SHAPER

(with a cut out belly for zero compression) allows you to exert that last ounce of control over your growing body. Layered under pants, capris, dresses and skirts, the shaper hides cellulite, prevents thighs from rubbing together, eliminates VPL and provides support to belly and lower back.

10. TEST DRIVE INNERWEAR AS RTW

Underpinnings give major look for minor dough. A bias cut slip layered with a belted cardigan and funky jewelry offers Desperately Seeking Susan meets Mrs. Robinson cache. How to get the look? Make a pit stop at some of your chic septuagenarian relatives homes and mine their lingerie drawers. Nab gauzy nightgowns, caftans, “bed jackets” and slips. Flea markets and vintage shops are nightgown nirvana. Roomy black satin slips make comfy chic dresses. Bias cut long nighties, especially those with interesting swirls of colour or prints, make glam cocktail frocks. Little Pucci-esque robes can be belted and worn with a heel.

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Cake Lingerie is an Australian designer brand which has grown from a humble mumprenuer start to a global brand, selling in 16 countries. We’ve long been a fan of their practical yet luxurious maternity lingerie that makes pregnant and breastfeeding mums look a bit special when they are not feeling their most glamorous.

And now Cake are on the hunt for 5 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers for a promotional video to promote their latest collection— ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ (pictured above). Their criteria is simple: ‘real’ women that are pregnant or nursing in all different shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicity. The search is open for 4 weeks.

Interested? Check out www.cakelingerie.com for more details.

As far as the actual style goes, the Erin Jumpsuit features a fully ruched bodice, wide easy fit trousers, built in shelf bra for soft support, adjustable straps, self tie belt and it’s full length. It comes in two colour options too – black or blue. The price is pretty high because it retails for $US299. The again, if you buy it when you start showing and wear it for the rest of the pregnancy, you just might get your money’s worth. Find it at Isabella Oliver for $US299.

What do you think? If the price wasn’t a factor, would this outfit make you look fashion-forward or like a frump in a jumpsuit?

What’s in the hatch? Commemorate the final season of Lost with this cute Dharma initiative maternity tee.

Created by fans of the show on Cafepress, it’s available in white or pink for $33.00

If you’re a super-fan of Jack and his fellow castaways, you may want to buy the matching infant romper.

Whether you’ve got large breasts or small, want to cover the tummy or show off the shoulders, the boom in maternity lingerie means there’s a style out there for you.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, has there ever been a better time to spoil yourself or the one you love? Here are our top picks.

Most romantic

The Strawberry Shortcake nursing bra by Cake Lingerie is an adorably feminine, soft pink bra with polka dot print and on-trend ruffle. Available with matching pretty french knickers or frilly briefs, it’s $AU44.95 at Mamawear.

Best for low-cut tops

The very sexy Cassandra Lace Cup Maternity Bra by Contessa is a 3/4 cup, which means it won’t stick out from under your top, while lifting and separating to avoid the uniboob look. It has coloured pearl snaps for an attractive and discreet front nursing access and is available in seven colours from Zodee for $41.97.

Best for strapless dresses

Convertible maternity bras are few and far between. The new ‘Smoking Hot’ bra by Bling Angels, however, is made from gorgeous soft satin and features removable straps, just perfect to wear under summer dresses. You can pick one up at Zodee for $75.95.

Best for large busts

Freya are known for their fashionable lingerie in sizes that go up to 18 in an H cup. Dress your large breasts with pride with the pretty black and peach Dotty nursing bra. It’s made from a soft handle simplex fabric and is $99.95 at Brava.
Best for small busts

Elle Macpherson Intimates is synonymous with quality and one of Australia’s favoutite underwear brands. This lace ‘A frame’ bra is a classic design for women who don’t require a large amount of breast support and comes in cream and black. Order it from Bambini Pronto for $59.95.

Best tummy-concealer

Many women are self-conscious of their post-baby body. The Ruffle My Feathers camisole by HotMilk brings sexy back with its concealing black lace bodice. Finished with satin bows and stretch lace trim it’s feminine but practical, and comes with matching microfibre briefs. Joys Maternity have the set on sale now for $54.95

Maternity bras can be so fashion-limiting. There’s the bulky straps, the high profile cups and the daggy colours that do little to make you feel pretty or sexy.

The new ‘Smoking Hot’ bra by Bling Angels, however, is made from gorgeous soft satin and features removable straps, just perfect to wear under summer dresses.

You can pick one up at Zodee for $79.95.

Expectant mummy Rebecca Gayheart was spotted running errands the other day. And she was looking pretty leggy in her skin tight black leggings. You can steal her look with these form fitting black leggings with slightly ruched ankles from Pea in the Pod. These comfy No Belly Jersey Knit Slim Leg Maternity Leggings are from Nicole Richie’s line for the maternity superstore. You can pick up a pair here – on sale – for $US39.99 (regularly $US58).

Available in black, cherry red and light grey as well as this gorgeous brown, Ramalama’s flip skirt can easily be teamed with tank tops or t-shirts to make it look like you’re wearing a very flattering, bump-friendly dress – and it’s just $70!

Ramalama is a company specialising in organic cotton products for both you and your baby – and we love it.

Click on the link above and check them out – you’ll be glad you did.

Shabby Apple is an American online dress boutique.  The dresses are made from lovely and amazing fabrics.  The Mama Apple line, released today, is a gorgeous line of maternity dresses that looks stylish while remaining perfect for pregnancy.  In the words of Shabby Apple’s owner Emily McCormick  the line is, ” feminine, flattering and easy-to-wear; essential for pregnancy.”  The line features 7 dresses that average around $US80.  They are all machine washable and line-dry for easy wear.

Click on Shabby Apple to check them out. More lovely dresses after the jump

Emily McCormick sums the Shabby Apple Mama Apple line up best with this,  “The dresses have simple cuts and are made of comfortable fabrics, so there is no tugging and pulling trying to make something work. They’re designed in such a way that they are flattering from when you’re barely showing, up until the last day of your pregnancy.”

Heidi Klum has totally figured out what she likes to don when she’s knocked up: a skin tight black dress. Although she has made claims she doesn’t wear maternity clothing, she was spotted the other day wearing an Isabella Oliver Black Ruched Dress. It’s tight, sexy and since it’s a maternity dress, somewhat sensible (hey, it comes with a built-in bra). This dress is available directly from Isabella Oliver here for $209.