Let’s play a word-association game. What words come to mind when you think of summer? Of course there are the obvious- beach, pool, sun, tans, flip flops, bikinis and… sunglasses.

No longer can one get away with a pair of shades casually picked up at the local pharmacy, unless you’re totally into the cheap metal or thick plastic look. No, sunglasses have been raised to important-accessory status and choosing a good pair can take a little effort.
When choosing sunglasses, make sure they offer UV protection. Obviously you want to look stylish while wearing your shades, but consider this: you could look stylish AND prevent wrinkles at the same time! Oh you multi-tasker, you. Always knowing how to kill two birds with one stone.

Now, in order to be the ultimate fashionista, you’ve got to be up-to-date on what the celebs are wearing. Jessica Simpson saves her peepers from burns and wrinkles with round, oversized Thakoon shades while MK Olsen favors Wayfarers from Ray-Ban. LiLo likes to jazz things up a tad with crystal-trimmed shades from Prada and Fergie has been spotted in oversized metal bow frames by Betsey Johnson. For those who are hardcore about the whole bug-eyed look (hey, relax. There’s no bug-eye bashing here- I like them as much as the next person. They just have their own place and time), check out Victoria Beckham’s Dior “Glossy” sunglasses. Not only do they keep out the sun and any UV rays, they’ll protect your identity too by covering half your face. Another two-birds-with-one-stone moment. For some eye-popping color (hmm, not sure eye-popping should be used when talking about sunglasses), look up Paris Hilton’s Vintage Designer shades in classic Wayfarer.

Trust me, I know those shades from CVS or some boardwalk shop can look mighty tempting but make the investment. A well-made pair of sunglasses that are fashionable and offer good UV protection will prove themselves with flattering you in the long run.

Sorry ladies. There is absolutely no rule written anywhere that allows you, once preggers, to get away with wearing sweats and your husband’s button-down flannel shirts 24/7… for 9 months. You don’t lie on the couch all day, swollen feet propped up, flipping through inStyle magazine and ogling celebs showing off their baby-bumps in such a manner. And since you get all your fashion tips from the glossies (don’t lie, everyone does), you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a stitch of flannel, right? Right.

So then, just what are the celebs out in mommywood in to? How do they get to look so chic and put together while you’re waddling around, fighting morning sickness and craving ice-cream topped with pickles? Well, to get the obvious out of the way, they have stylists. But there’s good news for all us common-folk out there who aren’t quite as fortunate. The same stuff they buy, we can buy! Oh, the joys of online shopping.

Mimicking the celebs is possible at whatever stage you’re in- whether it’s the can’t-see-my-feet stage or the it’s-your-turn-to-feed-her stage. Let’s say you’re still preggers and have sworn never to leave your house again for fear of dying from a brutal mauling from the fashion police. Try checking out the line Childish Maternity Clothes, worn by Britney Spears and Courtney Cox. Not interested in looking like a teenie-bopper gone haywire (sorry Brit, we really do love you)? Don’t worry; Brit’s still got a classier side. She and Jennifer Garner also like to rock Chiarakruza Maternity Clothes. If it isn’t obvious yet that Garner’s got a light-hearted sense of humor, her other choice of maternity duds will make it clear. Garner, Heidi Klum, and Holly Hunter like to sport MollyAnna’s witty maternity shirts with phrases like, “Sex symbol” and “Birth control is for sissies” plastered across their fronts.

I know you’re reading this and wondering how I could have so casually left out only the most resplendent celebrity mom out there? Don’t worry, Jolie-stalkers. She’s on the list. Jolie (hyphen Pitt?) has been spotted wearing the Boob maternity line (as well as Jessica Alba, Tori Spelling, and Minnie Driver). Just to give her a little more face time, we’ll let Angelina move us on the post-pregnancy stage. Her kids, which ones we aren’t sure, have been drooling, spilling food on, and dirtying clothes from Cribrock Couture (Mary had a little L.A.M.B? Who knew Gwyn Stefani got her start in nursery rhymes?) and Appaman Baby Clothes. Taking a quick loop back to Britney, she fancies dressing her boys in duds from Mighty Politey and Glamajama. Witty tee’s, round 2, make a comeback on baby with James Denton (not a girl, yes we know… fathers can pick out clothes too, sometimes) choosing shirts from Angelic Genius and Julia Roberts and Klum buying Fortune Tees.

We’ve covered clothes for you and for baby. What about the 18 million accessories that comes with touting around the little one? Let’s see how many times we can name Gwyn Stefani (two) in this blog and just mention that she likes to use a Rockin’ Baby Swing when going out (along with Naomi Watts). One last quick thing (and another Gwyn name drop…three), diaper bags. Take a second to recover that piece of gum you just inhaled. Diaper bags are not the end of the world. They’ve actually come a long way believe it or not. Gwyn, Brooke Shields, and Jennifer Connely all hide their baby… supplies, baby supplies in a Fleurville diaper bag. They’re so stylish you might just continue using it… even when your kid is sixteen (but we hope not).

Now, all you out there who have a bun in the oven or one that is currently letting you know it’s hungry, there is no reason why you shouldn’t look like you just stepped off one of those glossy pages either. Give your husband back his shirt and sweats (for goodness sake), and give him a reason to start this cycle all over again.