OH BABY!! OH BABY DOLL DRESS!!

Yup, officially into my 6th months of pregnancy, and the belly is still growing.  Tell you what, finding cute clothes to wear isn't easy!  Not only do I grow out of things too fast, there are just not a lot of choices out there.  

There is, however, one item that has been reliable so far for looking cute and fitting the growing baby - the baby doll dress.

I have always been a fan of this high-waisted fashion.  Now, it's even becoming functinoal - how lucky for me.  

Just because our bodies are housing a little someone doesn't mean we have to give up who we are - girlie girls who love looking good and feeling confident.  

Here are a few of my lovely baby doll dresses:

THE GREAT M.A.C 188

To apply liquid foundation, which I just love to wear, M.A.C has a wonderful brush that is light weight and made with soft micro fiber.

With small, circular motions, I can layer on the foundation with it and blend for a pretty, even look.

Because the brush is small enough, I get to those tough spots like the crevice of the nose.

Although the M.A.C 188 brush is pretty expensive ($37.00), if it's taken care of, it's life expectancy is...well, a life time.  All you need is to wash with gentle soap every 1-2 weeks.

To be honest I really love this brush so far.  The way my skin looks after application is both natural and covered - feels like it's the right tool to bring out the good in a liquid foundation.

THE GIRLIE BLOG RECOMMENDS: THE BLIND SIDE

When a well-to-do southern family suddenly adopts a big, black homeless teenager, eye brows are raised, especially in a conservative town like Memphis.  However, this unlikely thing of adoption is exactly what our heroine, Leigh Anne Tuohy, did.  

 Photo Credit: http://www.moviemobsters.com

For The Blind Side, Hollywood, for once, did not glamorize nor dramatize this true and touching story of kindness and acceptance.  This is why I love this movie.  Because it is what it is - an honest telling of a Hollywood ending.  And this time, it's all real.

Photo Credit: http://www.moviemobsters.com

When you get a chance, please rent The Blind Side, for the simple reason that it's really good.

Photo Credit: http://www.premiumhollywood.com

GIRLS' DAY OUT

Today I had the most fun time with a very special, little niece.  She came all the way from the East Coast to vi sit for a week.  And we decided that today we will spend a girls' day out together.

First we slept in and got up just in time for lunch at the local diner.

My little niece had a ham and cheese sandwich with potato and broccoli soup.  I had a Caesar salad.  And over our delicious food, we chatted about everything under the sun.

Next, we went to the nail salon down the street and treated ourselves to a relaxing pedicure.  This is her first time getting a pedi - uh oh!  Hope she is not addicted!

Her color was "river blue", and they painted a little flower on the big toe.  Mine was called "Coney Island Cotton Candy".  (Both by O.P.I) See?  Aren't they such pretty colors? 

 After a good time at the salon, we stopped by the cupcake shop and bought a strawberry cupcake with a scoop of chocolate ice-cream in a cone.

Mmmm.  I think my little niece really liked her treats!

To burn off the calories we just inhaled, we came back and did some exercises.

It's always a good day when I spend a Girls' Day Out with a very special girl.

FITNESS DURING PREGNANCY: THE UPRIGHT ROW

If you are unlucky like me, you will battle with difficult pregnancy symptoms like aching, bloating, extreme nausea and fatigue.  Even well into the second trimester, I am still feeling sick as ever.

However, after 3 months of idleness, my active self just couldn't take it anymore!  Though the intensity has been lowered, I picked up my weights anyway and started at-home exercises that anyone, even a pregnant girlie girl, can do.

Here is a great weight exercise for the shoulders:

Upright Row

Choose free weights that are not too heavy (I used 10 pounders)

Feet shoulder-width apart

Arms straight and hold weights steadily down

Slowly raise the dumb bells towards your shoulders, elbows bending to the sides

(You can pause a bit at the top if you like)

Lower back to the starting position

3-4 sets of 10-16 reps each should be sufficient

Remember to keep your back straight and don't exert yourself.

Have fun with this one guys!!

ANNA SUI SUPER MASCARA DX

A good friend of mine came back from Canada and generously brought me back a little something I'd appreciate: Anna Sui's Super Mascara Dx.  

I've used another type of Anna Sui mascara before and really liked it.  This one, I am also liking.  Its smooth formula glides on easily and did not clump.  After just 1 application, my lashes appeared super thick. 

As for lengthening effect, you can probably find better.  Besides that, Anna Sui's Super Mascara Dx really delivered.

Here's my before:

And here is my after: