Category: Guest Contributors

My Baba founder, Leonora Bamford on life, style and pregnancy

The gorgeous Leonora Bamford is the inspirational mum behind successful parenting site My Baba – a treasure trove of tips, tricks, advice and general life hacks for pregnancy and parenting. Leonora lives in London with her husband and two little ones, and took the time to chat to us about life, style and her experiences of pregnancy.

 

1) Can you describe your style in 3 words?

Easy, relaxed and wearable.

 

 

2) How did you adapt it when you were pregnant?

I wore pretty much the same styles as before, just bigger.  The one thing I invested in early on were pairs of pregnancy jeans with the nifty elasticated waistband.  I couldn’t have lived without them.

 

3) We love MYBABA – What inspired you to set up a parenting website?

My husband.  It was more of a blog in the beginning with little tips, but literally overnight it turned into something much more, with fun interviews and so many brilliant experts and bloggers coming on board.  I think I’ve been really lucky!

 

 

4) Finding the perfect work life balance can be tough – if you could have one super power what would it be & how would you use it?

Would it be boring to say, cloning?  I would love to split myself in two.  I’m totally neurotic and I never think anyone can do things as well as I can.  I know it’s not true but I feel calmer when I’m in control.  It drives everyone around me mad!

 

5) Life with two little ones must be a lot of fun – did they get up to any mischief this summer?

Too much to mention.  They’re very close in age and they’ve become best friends this summer.  Lots of whispering at night, making ‘secret agent’ plans, ones that don’t involve adults!

My Baba

6) We can’t get enough of the recipes section of MYBABA – what’s your favourite thing to cook with your kids?

I love cooking with the children and our most favourite family recipe has to be pancakes on the weekend.  Not crepe style, but big, soft, fluffy American style pancakes with lashings of maple syrup and homemade chocolate spread.  We love making Natasha Corrett’s Nutella – we keep jars of it in the fridge. I’ve just started a YouTube channel with lots of great child and family recipes and there will be a few pancake recipes cropping up.

 

7) We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?

Laura Mercier concealer, Tom Ford bronzer and Bamford lip balm.

 

 

8) Who are your heroes? Can you share your top 3 inspirational women?

This one often changes but for today, Arianna Huffington for making me realise that you can have a business and be a good mother, Coco Chanel for being the chicest woman on earth and my mother for writing her first book aged 62.

 

9) What was your favourite pregnancy outfit when you were expecting?

Bruce Oldfield made me the most beautiful black chiffon swing dress when I was about to pop.  Nothing fit and I had to go to a really smart party.  I remember I had my make up done for a treat and slipped into this gorgeous dress that made me feel beautiful. For everyday though, I had some great maternity clothes from Seraphine that i just lived in.

 

 

10) Do you have any advice for expectant mamas? What do you wish you’d known sooner?

Take help when it’s offered.  You don’t have to do everything and sleep is important.  If a friend comes over and offers to look after the baby, don’t feel you have to stay chatting. Go and have a bath and wash your hair, get into a clean nightie and catch a wink or two.  Look after yourself.  A happy mama leads to a happy home.

 

 

Fashion Mamas Love the Denim Swing Maternity Dress

Transitioning between late summer and early autumn can be a tricky business, but these stylish fashion mamas have found the answer… it’s the Denim Maternity Swing Dress!

 

 Kat Buccio denim maternity dress

 

 

Fabulous Miami-based fashion blogger Kat Buccio featured the dress on her style blog Freshly Squeezed Fashionista, styling the look with a pair of comfy leopard sneakers, a panama hat and an adorable dinosaur necklace. She couldn’t get enough of the comfy fit, raving:

“Seraphine Maternity makes the most picture-perfect denim dress that I will definitely keep using after I give birth. I love the flowy skirt and the empire cut. It’s comfortable and easy to wear, especially when you’re nine months pregnant!”

 

Sarah Sweeney Denim Maternity Dress

 

And she’s not the only one to fall for the transitional charms of this denim dress – Kansas City-based photographer and real fashion mama Sarah Sweeney rocked a retro 70’s inspired look on her blog Becoming Motherful, styling the dress with a cute tassel shoulder bag, shades and a pair of statement fringed heels. We are in love with this look and she is in love with the dress.

 

Chloe Delevingne

 

And it’s not just the fashion bloggers who are getting in on the denim action. High society beauty Chloe, the eldest of the fashionable Delevingne sisters, is expecting her second baby later this year. She rocked the Denim Swing Maternity Dress when she attended the launch party of our Kensington maternity store’s brand new location on Kensington High Street, keeping the look simple with long flowing hair, a simple necklace and shades.

 

 

A great denim maternity dress is a transitional must-have – it’s perfect right now while the sun is still out, and can be dressed up with tights, boots, hats and this season’s must-have sleeveless blazers once the weather turns colder! If you love the denim swing dress, try our Denim Polka Dot Maternity Dress or our Denim Dungaree Maternity Dress for a different take on the trend.

 

 

HELLO! Editor Rosie Nixon: Pregnancy, Celebrity Gossip & Beauty Tips

Rosie Nixon is the editor of Hello! Magazine, and one of the most glamorous women in the media today. With previous credits at Grazia, Glamour and Red Magazine to her name, it’s safe to say that she knows her stuff when it comes to fashion and lifestyle! Rosie lives in London with her husband and 18 month old son Heath, and is expecting her second baby (a little brother!) later this year.

 

1)     We love your style! Can you sum up your look in 3 words?

 Classic with an edge (4 words, sorry)

 

A photo posted by Rosie Nixon (@rosiejnixon) on


2)     As editor of Hello! You have a stylish image to maintain. How do you manage dressing your bump for work?

Seraphine has been my pregnancy style saviour for the second time, I honestly think you have all 3 trimesters covered better than any other maternity brand. During the early months I find more loose-fitting styles work better but once the bump ‘pops out’, figure-hugging dresses and tops are more flattering. I tend to wear mostly dresses at work as they look smarter, but at weekends I live in leggings with smock tops, vests and cozy sweaters or wraps.

 

3)     We’ve loved seeing you in Seraphine through both of your pregnancies. Do you have a favourite piece from our collection?

The Bump Kit London has been my wardrobe saviour throughout pregnancy. And I’ve totally fallen in love with the Graphic Floral Maternity and Nursing Dress – I love the slightly edgy print, clingy flattering style, and the fact I can wear it when I’m nursing too. I’m pretty sure I’ll wear it for as long as possible.

 

 

4)     There must be plenty of glamorous events to attend as part of your job – what’s the most exciting event you have coming up & what are you planning to wear?

I’ll be attending the GQ Awards soon and the following night am hosting a HELLO! table at the British Olympic Ball. I’ll be wearing Seraphine on both occasions – the claret lace dress for GQ and black lace detail wrap maternity gown for the ball. 

 

 

5)  You’ve interviewed a lot of famous people with Hello! what’s been the most exciting interview or celebrity home you’ve visited?

I’ve just returned from interviewing Jackie Collins in L.A. – she was fabulous personified and I can’t wait to invite you inside her Beverly Hills home in an upcoming issue. Other memorable interviewees include Robbie Williams on the eve of his wedding, and Sharon Osbourne is always a scream.

 

6)     We’ve heard a rumour you’ve written a book…

Yes, I’m very excited that my first novel, The Stylist, is going to be published by Harlequin (HarperCollins) in late January 2016. It’s a feast of red carpet fashion, celebrity meltdowns and features a big, exotic showbiz wedding. I REALLY hope you’ll enjoy reading it!

 

 

7)     With so much going on, finding the perfect work life balance must be tough – if you could have one super power what would it be & how would you use it?

To click my heels, Dorothy-style, and magic myself around town – especially at the end of the day when I can’t get home quick enough to put my little boy to bed.

 

8)     What’s your favourite restaurant for a romantic dinner, and which is your favourite for brunch with the girls?

I’m loving the new Soho House on Dean Street in London for mocktails, and I’m a fan of The Breakfast Club for their extensive brunch menu. I like to keep it local for romantic dinners and it’s always a treat to visit Trinity in Clapham, the food is exceptional.

 

 

9)     We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?

L’Occitane, Precious BB Cream SPF30 – it keeps skin moisturized, protected and is a fast, effective way to cover blemishes; Mac cream blusher and Bourgeois Ultra Curl Mascara. And I’ll beg you for my Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Wear Lipstick!

 

10)  We can’t get over your gorgeous shiny hair – what’s your secret?

Pregnancy. It is a miracle worker for hair.

 

 

Stylish Editor Victoria Newton Talks Maternity Clothes & Work Wear

Editor of The Sun on Sunday, Victoria Newton is an award winning journalist with years of experience breaking some of the hottest and most shocking celebrity scandals of the day. A career woman currently expecting her first baby, Victoria talks all about finding the perfect maternity clothes for the office.

 

 

From the exciting moment I discovered I was expecting a baby, I started to worry about finding stylish clothes to wear to work every day.

 

Maternity clothes were not something I had ever taken any notice of before, and I had no idea how poor most of the offerings on the high street were. I regularly moaned to friends about the vast oversized tent-like dresses on offer in most departments stores, which even my grandmother wouldn’t be seen dead in.

 

The Knot Front Dress

 

So I was delighted to finally discover Seraphine’s extensive range of classy looking maternity dresses for work – and more importantly their staple range of basics that every pregnant woman needs.

 

 

I’ve been living in a pair of smart black, over the bump maternity trousers that dress up really well for work with a smart shirt, or equally on a weekend with a t shirt. I don’t know what I’d do without them because they’re so comfortable, they really have been a life saver.

 

 

The various types of maternity jeans on offer also cater for every taste if you’re a skinny girl or a regular bootcut, and i tend to find unlike some others i bought from another store – they actually stay up rather than falling down over the bump all the time.

 

 

I’m now looking forward to trying out the range of nursing tops and lingerie the shop has to offer for the next stage of my journey.

 

 

Fashion Stylist Emma Bigger Shares Maternity Style Secrets

Emma Bigger is a fashion stylist who has worked in the fashion industry for over 15 years. She lives in North London with her husband, Simon and 20 month old son Ozzie. She is expecting her 2nd son in June this year.

 

 1) Describe your style in 3 words

 Relaxed, experimental and modern.

 

2) Where do you find fashion inspiration?

Everywhere! I am always looking for inspiration from films, magazines, street style, the catwalk and blogs. For work I have saved up years of magazines and references.

 

 3) Do you see yourself adapting your style for pregnancy?

Yes definitely. I have kept my core style but there has definitely been some adapting and some gorgeous new maternity clothes! There is not much experimenting now, I know what works for my bump and shape and so it’s best to stick to that formula for now.

 maternity trousers

 4) Do you plan on staying active through pregnancy or scaling back the exercise?

During my first pregnancy I was a bit of a gym junkie. This pregnancy has been a bit different – I now have a toddler to keep me busy, and as a freelance stylist I am always on the move. I try to do a few workouts a week – light jogging/cycling or yoga and Pilates.

 

5) We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?

 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, By Terry Rose Lip Balm and my Dior Iconic mascara.

 

6) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece & why?

I absolutely love the loose fitting maternity trousers, they are so comfortable which is essential! I recently got the mosaic print loose trousers, which are so great with a grey marl tee and trainers for a casual day look.

 

Black slouchy maternity trousers

 

7) What has been your favourite moment of pregnancy so far?

 Finally getting past the tired phase, which lasted a lot longer in this pregnancy! And seeing the baby at my 20 week scan.

 

 8) Any tips to share with other mums-to-be?

Look after yourself. I know it sounds boring but if you eat well, exercise and sleep well, you will feel much better in yourself. Also get your sleep in now and don’t feel guilty about having a lazy day – you will have very few lie-ins as a new mum!

 

9) Tell us your idea of happiness.

Weekend morning cuddles in bed with my husband and son Ozzie before the chaos starts!

 

Little London Awards

 

* If you love Seraphine, don’t forget to vote for us as the best maternity brand at the Little London Awards! *

 

 

The Business of Motherhood: When Cecile met Celia

By fashion stylist, journalist and pregnant mother-of-one, Charlotte Kewley

 

Celia Muñoz, mother-of-five, founder of La Coqueta and Cecile Reinaud, mother-of-two, founder of Seraphine are two of the most inspirational powerhouses of a working mother one could have the pleasure to have a cup of tea with. I was lucky enough to get that opportunity when they met for the first time at the Seraphine headquarters in London to chat business, life and motherhood …

 

I arrived with my dictaphone and question list at the ready but it turned out I mostly just let them talk and listened in… here’s how the conversation went.

 

It was great to chat with Celia Munoz from @lacoquetakids & mum-to-be journalist @charlottekewley this morning!

A photo posted by Cecile Reinaud (@cecilereinaud) on

 

How did you each get into fashion?

 

Cecile: I was working in advertising, then I started to notice pregnant women in my office complaining that they didn’t know how to get dressed. I realised that maternity fashion was a niche that was under-serviced. So being 30 and super enthusiastic, I wrote a business plan, started talking about it and off I went! That was 13 years ago.

Celia: That’s incredible. Obviously we’re a much younger business, only three years old. I worked as a head hunter for 8 years, then had my first child, Flavia, aged 30. I always had a love for children’s fashion – it’s part of a Spanish person’s DNA. I used to dress her in beautiful Spanish clothes, people would stop me and ask where they were from. At some point I thought actually there could be a business opportunity here. I did three years of research to build my business plan and find suppliers as I had no retail experience, no production experience…

Cecile: Same as me!

Celia: It took a really long time! But when I had my 5th child I decided that was the time. I really wanted to start my own childrenswear business. So I opened my shop and it all started.

Cecile: So we have quite a similar story… except that you had 5 children!

 

A photo posted by Celia Munoz (@lacoquetakids) on

 

Celia, how did you do that with five children? A lot of women struggle with one or two.

 

Celia: I think the secret is being extremely organised. I’m very routine focused. So we do everything the same every single day, we plan ahead. My husband and I cook for a month and freeze everything. We try to live a life that is fairly spontaneous within a very organised framework and it works. I’m not going to lie, I do have help at home. How do you make it work Cecile?

Cecile: The same I suppose. Being organised, having the right help and I always say there is no such thing as the perfect mum!

Celia: You can never get it right! If you’re at home all the time or not you’re always going to be judged!

Cecile: Yeah and at the end of the day I think I have a better relationship with my kids because I don’t worry about the small things. When I’m with them I’m much more chilled and relaxed.

 

 

Cecile, you founded Seraphine before you became pregnant. Once you were pregnant did anything change?

 

Cecile: It was only just before. A lot of our first pieces I designed for myself, I think that was part of the success of the brand. But then my baby was born, I had a big store with a big investment behind it and no help, no family close by. It was the most challenging time in my life. I nearly collapsed! Literally. It was too much

Celia: I can see how it must have been so hard. The first baby is just the hardest thing ever…

Cecile: So when people ask, I say don’t do it like me! Don’t start a business at the same time as a family. It’s too much stress.

 

A photo posted by Celia Munoz (@lacoquetakids) on


So what would be your advice to any new mothers or women starting their own business or just going back to work?

 

Cecile: I think to find yourself a network. Like anything in life, when you share problems you feel normal. When you’re lonely it’s hard!

 

Cecile, can we just talk about the Kate Middleton effect? How did the royal affiliation happen? It must have been a wow moment when she first stepped out in one of your dresses?

 

Cecile: I remember when it happened I was in the office, it was 5pm and my PR Assistant said ‘Cecile can you come here? I think she’s wearing our dress!’ I just couldn’t believe it! She chose our Fuchsia Knotted Maternity Dress for Prince George’s first official picture. So for her second pregnancy we offered to do bespoke pieces, it worked, they loved them, bought them and she wore them at official occasions and it’s been a fairy-tale!

 

 

And now you’ve launched The Diana Award baby collection?

 

Cecile: Yes, I was approached by the charity, obviously the idea was to raise money and awareness – we give 12% of sales from our baby wear collection to the charity, which is really satisfying. We also did the collaboration Love T-shirt with Tommy’s charity… it’s fun and for a good cause.

 

 

And Celia, you of course recently collaborated with House of Hackney?

 

Celia: Yes! Just like with Seraphine I love HOH and I could just see it working out. I think it’s nice to surprise your customer and keep coming up with new ideas….

 

What’s the most important message for your business? Why do your customers come to you?

 

Cecile: For us it’s simple. To make you feel amazing during your pregnancy and look beautiful! If we tick that box we’re happy.

Celia: For us the customer comes for anything that is handcrafted, all of our smocks are handmade and everything is beautifully finished.

 

 

And finally what are your must-buys from your own SS16 collections?

 

Cecile: The luxe dresses – we have a luxe collection of maternity evening wear – the gowns are amazing.

Celia: Our cotton sets for newborns, they’re very practical staples. And of course a handmade smock dress!

 

For more from these inspirational mothers in business, follow them on Instagram:

@cecilereinaud, @lacoquetakids, @charlottekewley

 

 

 

20 Minutes with Master Chocolatier Paul A Young

At a time when champagne and sushi are out, and even coffee is limited, chocolate remains one of the precious little luxuries still safe through pregnancy (thank goodness!) Paul A Young is a Master Chocolatier revolutionising London’s chocolate scene with his stunning range of fresh artisanal chocolates. We caught up with him for a chat about all things chocolate…

 

 

1) We can’t get enough of your chocolates! What’s your secret?

Thank you!

There’s no secret! We pride ourselves on using the finest quality ingredients at every stage of making the chocolates. We’re also one of the only chocolateries in the UK who make everything by hand. This attention to detail ensures our chocolates reach the highest standards. We also use fresh ingredients, which means our chocolates do have a short shelf life but they contain no artificial flavourings. I like to think our chocolates are a blend of science and art.

We’re also not afraid to be a little bit different. I like to experiment, taking what inspires me and coming up with something that surprises and delights.

 

Paul A Young chocolates

 

2) Master chocolatier has got to be pretty high up there on our list of dream job titles. Tell us how you got into chocolate.

Throughout my childhood, I always had a natural interest in food. I loved baking and cooking with my mum and grandma, so it was no surprise when I began studying at a catering college.

During my time as a pastry chef, I worked my way up through the ranks with Marco Pierre White and his team until I became Head Pastry Chef at Quo Vadis in Soho. It was a great learning environment for me and I gained so much experience from my time there. I also fell in love with chocolate.

I was introduced to Chantal Coady, founder of Rococo Chocolates after using her chocolate in my chef demonstrations at food shows. She asked me to design two fresh handmade chocolates for the first Chocolate Week and that helped seal my career plan for the coming years… I then decided to specialise and teach myself everything I could and create a style of fresh chocolates that wasn’t available in London 10 years ago.

 

 

3) Indulging in chocolate through pregnancy is scientifically proven to be beneficial for both mum and baby! With this in mind, which of your chocolates would you recommend for a mum-to-be?

There is a huge misconception about chocolate being unhealthy. In fact, high quality chocolate, whether milk or dark, can be very beneficial as well as satisfying (especially if you have a craving for it whilst pregnant). In terms of my recommendations, I would suggest my 72% Venezuelan Dark Chocolate Bar which is robust but it’s full of flavour with a light acidity and being dark chocolate, a square or two will be nutritious as well as satisfying any sweet tooth. We also use a 72% Venezuelan chocolate in my classic water ganache truffle, which has just a touch of unrefined golden caster sugar. It’s a really popular chocolate as it has such purity in taste as well as ingredients.

 

 

4) Pregnancy is well known for inducing odd cravings, and you are known for your flair for interesting flavours – what are some of your weirdest combos to date?

Chocolate is such a versatile ingredient and I never tire of finding new ways to reinvent what people expect from a truffle or a ganache. Exploring new chocolate pairings is one of the most exciting parts of my job; I can spend hours in my kitchen developing new recipes. In the past, I’ve explored flavours such as black pudding, Stilton, Absinthe and a citrus fruit called Kalamansi but perhaps it is my Marmite Truffle that is most famous. The journalist Lydia Slater dared me to create it and she swore it would be impossible. After much trial and error, I was able to create a delicious dark chocolate filling laced with Marmite. It remains one of our bestsellers to this day.

Some combinations can take more time than others, but I persevere until I get it right. For the most part, it’s about not limiting yourself and not thinking that you can’t do it.

 

 

5) So where can we buy your wonderful creations?

I opened up my first shop in Camden Passage in 2006; I’ve now expanded to my flagship shop on Wardour Street in Soho and opened another at the Royal Exchange in Bank. They each have their own personalities – our Royal Exchange store used to be an old apothecary!

 

6) Quick fire chocolate round

Childhood favourite: Cadbury’s Swirl

Guilty pleasure: Kit Kat

Cheap & Cheerful: Mini Eggs at Easter

Ultimate indulgence: My sea-salted caramel – I have at least one a day. I have to! Just to make sure they are up to my exacting standards, of course…

 

Learn to Make Paul’s Real Hot Chocolate…

 

7) What’s next for you? Any exciting plans you can share?

My latest book, published in October, has 60 chocolate recipes from celebrity friends and myself. All the profits will go to The Children’s Air Ambulance – I’m one of their Ambassadors.

It’s also the 10 year anniversary of my first shop opening this year so we’ll definitely be celebrating! I’m also launching my own Youtube channel so I’ll finally be able to share all my tips, tricks and recipes all in one place.

 

To find out more, visit Paul’s website: www.paulayoung.co.uk

 

 

Photo Creds

First Picture of Paul: Maxine Kirsty Sapsford

Brownies: Olympia

Second Picture of Paul: Tom Moggach

Billionaire’s Shortbread: Olympia

Helen Skelton on Seraphine Maternity Clothes – “It’s a Whole New World!”

Helen Skelton is a TV presenter, best known for her work on Country File, Holiday Hit Squad, and for her stint as a Blue Peter presenter. She lives in Cheshire with her rugby player husband Richie Myler & their dog Barney (also a former Blue Peter star), and the couple are expecting their first baby in June. Helen shares how discovering Seraphine drastically altered her ideas on maternity clothes.

 

A post shared by Helen Skelton (@helenskelton) on

 

I swore off maternity wear until I found Seraphine. “Beautiful” and “Natural” pregnancy may well be, but sexy it is not. When I found out I was pregnant, with my hips, boobs and bump expanding by the day and constantly needing a wee I told my husband I would NOT be wearing any maternity gear! “Why?” I asked him “would I want to wear granny bras and huge rib tickling trousers when I feel this unattractive already! That’s only going to make me feel worse!?”

 

Then I caught sight of myself in a shop mirror, my baby bump spilling over the top of my unfastened jeans, my boobs bursting out of my ill fitting bra and my blouse straining over my bust. Not only does this look awful, I felt awful. I spend hours in a car or on a train most days and when you constantly need a wee, tight fitting waistbands aren’t the best.

 

I buckled. I gave into my husband’s nagging and my mum’s “I know best” tone and ordered one pair of Seraphine “over the bump light wash skinny maternity jeans.” I can honestly say it’s a whole new world! They are comfy, they look like normal jeans, I can show off my bump by pairing them with a tight stretchy tee shirt without feeling disproportionately huge. Since then I’ve bought three more pairs in different colours and fabrics. I’ve gone for over the bump each time.

 

Admittedly tops and jumpers are still a bit trial and error, I like things that are fitted enough to show my bump but not too tight to look spray on. My favourite Seraphine jumper is the oatmeal woven back nursing jumper. My friends literally gawped when I said that was a “nursing” jumper. They expected me to say it was from “Sandro” or some other designer store. I joked for about twenty minutes that it came with a breast pump. (It doesn’t).

Helen Skelton in Seraphine

 

Of course I was convinced at first I could pour my curves into stretchy evening gowns for do’s and weddings! However I spent an entire evening recently re adjusting my bra to keep my chest in check. There just simply isn’t enough material in a normal evening gown to cover my “double ee” chest at the minute. So I tried on Seraphine’s “lace detail wrap maternity gown” for an awards do recently and I honestly felt amazing. Proud of my bump, confident I wasn’t going to burst out of it and glam.

 

As I have told my husband so many times, for me, clothes aren’t about looking good to other people, they’re about feeling good. Now I have abandoned my prejudice against maternity clothes I am actually comfortable and therefore confident. Priceless when you’re pregnant.

 

Helen

X

 

 

Tatler Editor Kate Reardon’s top tips for pregnancy & style

Tatler Editor Kate Reardon has had a glittering journalism career spanning Vogue US, Tatler, Vanity Fair, launching her own website, 2 best-selling books – Top Tips for Girls & Top Tips for Life, contributing to most of the UK’s national papers as well as a regular column in The Times and a slot on GMTV, before coming back to Tatler as Editor in 2010.

Kate and her husband are expecting their first babies – twins! – together later this year, and she spoke to Seraphine to share some of her own insights and top tips in pregnancy and maternity fashion.

 

1) Describe your style in 3 words.

Camouflage. Comfort. And more Camouflage.

 

2)  Have you stayed true to your style during pregnancy?

Who on earth can? I suppose if you are one of those women who gains no weight whatsoever and just develops a cute, Big Mac-sized bump then it might be possible. I am not one of those women.

Tatler editor

 

3) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece and why?

I love the Black Over-Bump Bamboo Active Maternity Leggings – perfect for my increasingly lame forays to the gym and deliciously comfortable.

 

4) Do you have any top tips to share with pregnant mums?

Babylist – it’s the most extraordinarily brilliant company. Hysterical and increasingly bewildered and confused about what on earth a baby needs and terrified of standing sweatily in a department store just chucking money at the problem, several friends took me to one side and told me the Babylist secret. You go and see them in their calm and reassuring showroom, they bring you cups of tea, tell you exactly what you need (and what you don’t), don’t charge you a penny more for it than anyone else, deliver everything, assemble it all AND take away all the packaging.

 

5) What has been your favourite moment during pregnancy?

The moment I saw two pink lines on the pee stick. And the day (at the end of month 5) that I stopped feeling sick.

 

Photo credit: Dan Burn-Forti

 

 

Julia Bradbury tackles TV shoots, press, premiers & pregnancy!

TV presenter Julia Bradbury is best known for co-presenting BBC’s Country File with Matt Baker. She lives in West London with her partner Gerard and their 3 year old son Zephyr, and she is expecting twins later this year. She reveals her secret to finding stylish maternity clothes while dealing with a full on schedule!

Julia Bradbury silk maternity gown

 

Julia wearing our Mulberry Silk Maternity Evening Gown at the National Television Awards

When you’re pregnant you’re meant to avoid high pressure/stressful situations aren’t you? So finishing up a new television series, doing lots of press interviews and moving house are probably not what the Gyn ordered. To add to the story, I have a 3year old little boy, I’m 44 and pregnant with twins. It’s been a full-on few months and this pregnancy has affected me differently; swollen ankles, fatigue and nausea have all decided to come to the party this time round, after a near dreamy first pregnancy. Perhaps it’s my age, perhaps it’s because this bundle is a twin engine; whatever the reasons, I’ve been taking naps when I can, doing lots of breathing exercises and walking (I can’t bend over so yoga is out). My FitBit wrist band really helps keep track of my steps because I genuinely don’t feel like pushing myself, but it’s good to know I’ve passed the 5,000 (approx. 2.5 miles) step mark without too much trouble, although I’d normally aim for at least 10,000 steps a day.

Julia Bradbury pregnancy style

Julia wearing our Midnight Multiway Maternity Maxi Dress at the Kate Piper Foundation fundraiser

My new series is called the Wonder of Britain and kicked off on ITV1 at 9pm on Tuesday 6th January 2015. It’s a celebration of the elements that make Britain stand out as an iconic island, from magnificent landscapes to incredible buildings. I explore the country on boats, planes and zip wires digging out all the good stories along the way, travelling from the Isle of Skye in Scotland all the way down to the White Cliffs of Dover. Luckily we’d done all the super-active bits of filming (like abseiling down a 500ft inland cliff at Cheddar Gorge) before I fell pregnant but we did have to scrap a helicopter sequence where I got air-lifted off a rock face right at the end of the series and that was probably for the best!

Julia Bradbury in Seraphine

The last month has involved doing lots of press and photo shoots for the show and all I can say is thank Obi-Wan-Kenobi for Serpahine maternity clothes! It’s not easy styling multiple shoots one after the other when you’re packing a bump of this size! On top of that, I’ve had a lot of formal and black tie events to go to… Seraphine saved the day at the Katie Piper Foundation Fund Raiser in December where I spent the evening with the handsome duo Jake Humphreys and Gethin Jones. It was a great night and thanks to the support and attendance of Simon Cowell with all the X-Factor judges (including beautiful Cheryl and striking Mel B) the event raised nearly £250k to help people live with burns and scars. My Seraphine maternity maxi gown was such a success that I cheated and wore it again to the Royal Albert Hall 2 weeks later for the TV Times Christmas with The Stars night, raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. I introduced a carol with the delightful Deborah Meaden from Dragon’s Den – I did try and crouch down for a photo (she’s 5’1, I’m 5’ 9”) but I just looked a bit hunched!

Julia Bradbury pregnancy in the press

 

At the opening night of ONCE, Ronan Keating made his West End stage debut and despite appearing to be a little bit nervous he really smashed it. I remember interviewing BoyZone when they first formed, so it was good to see them again and marvel at Shane Lynch’s enormous beard!  The next day I was up to the top of the Leadenhall Building in the City for more photos for a couple of newspapers. The top floor of one of London’s tallest skyscrapers in mid-winter is not somewhere I’d recommend you hang about but the London skyline looked incredible twinkling away that evening. The building is featured in the first episode of the Wonder of Britain so it was the perfect location to wrap things up for Christmas.  Next up, moving house….

For more from Julia, follow her on Instagram @therealjuliabradbury.

 

 

Other Articles You May Like:

A year of maternity style: Celebrities in Seraphine 2014
Seraphine maternity dresses: a smash hit on the small screen
Claire Sweeney steals the show in Seraphine on the red carpet

Pregnancy Style Tips from Absolutely Magazine Editor Helen Baron

Helen Baron is a lifestyle journalist, and editor at Absolutely – London’s local glossy fashion and lifestyle magazine. She and her husband live in Hackney with their miniature schnauzer Django, and are expecting their first baby – a little girl later this year. Helen shares her pregnancy best bits, and how she has fared with styling her bump so far.

 

1) Describe your style

Classic with an art-school twist.

2) What is your go-to outfit?

Depends on the season. Pre-pregnancy I was quite enjoying wearing skater skirts in different textures with a luxe knit. During pregnancy, I’m thankful for dungarees and loose knit maternity dresses (as it’s winter).

Loose Knitted Maternity Dresses

 

3) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece and why?

Loving the Seraphine bump kit right now – basic staples which can be mixed and matched and are (importantly) made of comfortable stretch fabrics.

4) Which celebrity style do you admire and why?

I love Binki Shapiro – cool, cute, band-girl style. She always looks relaxed but effortlessly stylish.

5) Do you have any top tips to share with other pregnant mums?

Invest in a Swiss ball so you can continue with core exercises while your back is supported – it will also come in handy for sitting on and encouraging baby into a good position during your third trimester. Style-wise, invest in a well-fitted pair of maternity jeans – they’re invaluable for smart or casual wear; just make sure to get a similar cut to your usual jeans.

Maternity jeans

 

6) What have you enjoyed most during pregnancy?

Being able to indulge in so many (pregnancy-safe) homeopathic remedies and massages! Pampering is one thing you needn’t abstain from while pregnant.

7) What’s the best advice you’ve received so far?

To look at natural birth options – I always assumed I’d want a ward birth with as many drugs available to me as possible! I’ve since come to see labour as a natural process – and am far less fearful as a result.

 

For more from Helen, follow her on Twitter @Absolutelyedhel

 

 

Other Articles You May Like:

New Year’s resolutions: Keep fit, eat well, dress to impress & be happy
Scent-sational: Sniffing out the perfect perfume
Fashion blogger – The Style Gallivanter’s tips for new mums

Fashion Blogger The Style Gallivanter’s Tips for New Mums

Melbourne based blogger and style consultant Miranda is the glamour mama behind one of Australia’s hottest fashion blogs The Style Gallivanter. She is a self confessed fashion addict with a soft spot for bold colours and big hair, and concedes that her extensive collection of international fashion magazines is slowly taking over her house. Miranda is a firm believer that style is the best form of self-expression without having to say a word, and we love her personal mantra: “Go Forth and be Fabulous!”

 

Style Gallivanter

 

1) Describe your style in 3 words

Tomboy chic, glam.

 

2) What is your go-to outfit?

That would have to be a pair of black tights or (stylish) yoga pants with an over-sized shirt and a cropped jacket. It is a comfortable but edgy ensemble, and the girls are easily accessible if you are a breastfeeding mum. The latter of course is always the determining factor now! And accessories too – they have the power to make any outfit come alive.

 

3) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece and why?

I’d have to say the bodycon dresses. They make one feel very sexy in pregnancy, and are great post-partum. Not only that, but they can easily be teamed up with a great jacket  or top (after baby arrives) to create the illusion of a pencil skirt. How about that for a versatile piece of clothing!

 

4) Any tips for Holiday Dressing?

Ponchos and capes can effortlessly be dressed up or down, depending on where you are going. Not only that, Seraphine.com has all those gorgeous coats that can be thrown over anything to dress it up in an instant, such as the Seraphine Marina Maternity Coat (which was recently spotted on the Duchess of Cambridge). These are not only great choices in pregnancy, but for breastfeeding mums too. They can hide a whole lot, in terms of all those extra pounds of loveliness we gain in pregnancy.

 

 

Style Gallivanter wears Seraphine

 

5) Which celebrity style do you admire and why?

I love Victoria Beckham’s personal style. She always looks so well put together. I just adore well-constructed clothes with a lot of structure because they make everything look ‘in order’.  They usually have a timeless appeal about them too.

 

6) Do you have any top tips to share with other pregnant moms?

If you are going to do any maternity shopping, ensure that you buy items that are wearable after you have your baby. Other than that, make a decision to enjoy your pregnancy from day 1. During pregnancy, I told myself that it was going to be one of the best times of my life. And in most cases, the body always follows what the mind declares. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures too – you’ll be glad you did, in the future.

 

7) What has been your favourite moment during pregnancy so far?

So many favourite moments! But I’d have to say when my baby started kicking and moving around. There is nothing as magical as feeling life from deep within you. And hearing that heartbeat for the first time… man! It changed my outlook on life forever, plus it’s just awesome to walk around with 2 heartbeats in your body – made me feel like a superhero!

 

8) What’s the best advice your mother gave you?

“Trust the process, especially with things beyond your control”. This came in very handy when I was pregnant because as mothers-to-be, we tend to worry about a lot of things. So, whatever stage of life you may be in, try not to sweat the small stuff – because eventually, all things will work out for your good.

 

For more from Miranda check out her blog Style Gallivanter or follow her on Instagram at Sakhino.

 

 

Other Articles You May Like:

New mama & Victoria’s Secret angel Doutzen’s slimming secret
Thank heavens for good maternity clothes – by Rebecca Wilcox
Woman & Home fashion editor Lynda Bell’s maternity fashion tip

Translate »