HOT TIPS : RALPH MARLIN CREATES TIE-IN WITH `ALLY MCBEAL' APPEAL.

Byline: Barbara De Witt

Ally McBeal, the cutesy go-getter lawyer on the Fox TV series, has gotten a lot of attention for her short skirts last season (we're still waiting to see what her fall wardrobe will look like), but that dancing baby - the Ooga-Chaka kid often seen on the show - now has his own line of ties by Ralph Marlin, the company that launched its career with the fish tie. There are two styles to choose from, and the microfiber neckwear can be purchased at major department stores such as J.C. Penney, for $20.

More baby details: Women expecting their own dancing baby, who don't want to show the world every little bulge as several actresses are doing this year, have fashion options. Miz Hot Tips learned that there's a new company called Belly Basics that has all the really trendy items you're looking for, including classic twin sets, designed with a little extra room over your protruding belly. They're $96, come in black, khaki and pastels, and can be ordered by calling [phone]. For more details check out the Belly Basics Web site at http://www.nystyle.com/bellyb.

Now, once you've got the baby in your arms, you might want to do some hands-on parenting. Miz Hot Tips is talking about massaging to increase motor skills (so she'll be a better dancer) and parental bonding. To learn the proper technique, Kisses From Heaven has an infant massage kit that includes a videocassette, an instruction guide, almond oil and a specially designed infant neck rest. It's $39.95 at baby stores, including the Juvenile Shop in Sherman Oaks.

Ticking off the stars: Forget New York. In L.A., most folks copy what the stars wear, and by now you know they're fickle. So, the watch of the moment, or at least the summer, is Pulsar's new Spoon watch. Yep, it's silver with a digital dial and shaped like a spoon. Originally designed for extreme board sports, it's now a fave with Jack Nicholson, the Hansons, Tori Spelling, Patricia Arquette, Billy Zane and Vivica Fox. Spoons are priced $99.50 to $125 and you can find them at Swell in Los Angeles and Barneys in Beverly Hills.

Although no stars have been sighted with them yet, Timex has a new Humvee watch inspired by the ultimate all-terrain vehicle that's a natural for Arnold Schwarzenegger to wear in his Hummer.

The watch (Arnold, too) has a chiseled, cubic design. And it's ultra-shock resistant, has a 100-hour chronograph, 99-lap counter and 100-hour countdown timer, plus an Indiglo night light. Price is $42.95 at mass merchandising and department stores.

No hugging allowed: Most teddy bears were designed for cuddling, but at $100,000, the one-of-a-kind Gund teddy bear should be kept in a glass case. The special bear will be part of an exhibit of antique toys from Gund's archives going on display at the Los Angeles Children's Museum on Aug. 15.

But it could be yours, as it's going to be auctioned at the end of the year to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Shopper's alert: The Prada men's store has opened at 348 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, and Barnes & Noble book stores are now selling their own line of bath and body products called Editions.

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Photo: Ralph Marlin has adopted the dancing baby for two new microfiber ties, priced at about $20 apiece.