If you don’t feel cute in your workout clothes, you’re that much less likely to go to the gym. That’s especially true if you’re pregnant and feeling like an overgrown pear, and yet studies show that exercise during pregnancy can lead to a quicker labor and delivery, and an easier time shedding those postpartum pounds.

That’s why we’re loving Zobha’s maternity line of yoga tops and pants. The well-designed tops show off shoulders and provide extra support with a built-in shelf bra. And the bottoms – fortified with lots of stretch and support – sit below the belly, making them a good bet for postpartum workouts too (nothing screams maternity pants like a big ‘ol belly panel). One note: this line tends to run small, so buy up a size.

$64 to $78, available at zobha.com.

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This pregnancy, I am trying to spend as little as possible on maternity clothes -- difficult since everything from last time around, 4 years ago, seems hopelessly out of date. If I splurge on something new, it has to be super versatile.

My fave, biggest-bang-for-my-buck piece? My Ingrid & Isabel Belly Leggings ($52), made by the folks who created the Bella Band (also love!). You can sport them stretched up over the belly Ed Grimley-style, or if it’s more comfortable, folded down over the hips. Thick -- none of this tights-as-pants business -- stretchy, and supportive, I wear them beneath dresses, under long sweaters, to prenatal yoga, even to bed. I swear they do get washed -- occasionally!

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Once you put a puppet on your hand, it's an extension of you -- literally! So make sure you've got ones that are as cute as your kid (and his mom). This wild bunch from Dwell Studio should do the trick. There are five animals in all, crafted from hip, soft, and colorful fabrics. (Full-size puppets, $14 each or five for $68; finger puppets, $32 for a set of five; designpublic.com)

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My friend Julie used to rock dangly chandelier earrings and hot door knocker hoops -- you know, the kind so big that they brush your shoulders. Now that she's got two little kids, though, she's always on the lookout for stud earrings that make a statement, but aren't long enough for little hands to grab and tug.

What's left? Grandma's pearl studs? BO-ring. Cutesy fruit-shaped or plastic animal earrings? Let's face it, you don't want to be caught wearing the same earrings as the toddler in your kid's playgroup. Here's Etsy to the rescue with some seriously sexy studs. At these prices, you might even be able to give a gift to yourself this year.

Remember, lots of Etsy items are one-of-a-kind, so if the piece you like goes out-of-stock, click on the seller's name to find similar cool stuff in their shop.

I totally covet Etsy seller AmaliaVersaci's clever blue zipper pull earrings ($12.00). They're punk rock, without being as Avril-cliché as skulls would be.

I have a thing for different-but-related earring pairs, and Etsy seller Joannarutter's Bird and Branch Silver Hoop Studs ($60.00) fit the bill. The hammered silver edges add just the right amount of sparkle.

I've been obsessed with finding the perfect vintage cabochon flower stud earrings since I saw some on silent film femme fatale Anna May Wong. Etsy sellers dangsworld and BijouxByAllison have two perfect pairs in these vintage Japanese cabochon yellow mums ($9.00) and gorgeous cream rose studs ($9.00). (I've already snatched up some of dangsworld's white mums for myself.)

Want something festive but not Santa-Claus-sweater-loud for the holidays? Try these delicate North Star earrings ($26.00) from Etsy seller ANORIGINAL JEWELRY. They'll be fun to wear year round, and the shape reminds me of those dainty 60s Bewitched graphics. (What girl couldn't use a little Samantha the Witch magic in her life?)

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You know those new Volkswagen commercials where Brooke Shields acts like people are having babies just to get their hands on a minivan with German engineering? Silly, yet oddly compelling. Well, I’ve found a couple of companies that would do even better with the have-a-baby-so-you-can-buy-our-product concept. They make diaper bags.

I know there have been a lot of cute diaper bags released in recent years: No one has to walk around with quilted pastel gingham anymore. But these just go beyond:




This one's from a company called Babymel, and though it won't be available in the U.S. until early 2009, it'll cost under $100. Love it! I don’t technically need the changing pad inside, but it might be awfully useful when I want to sit on a sort-of wet park bench…

The other bag I love is from Timi & Leslie, and costs $170:



Come on, that’s fabulous, no?

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