Category: Health and Beauty

Sleeping for Two: Seraphine PJs & a Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow

With all the excitement and anticipation that comes with pregnancy (not to mention the hormones involved), it’s little wonder that getting enough sleep can be a challenge when you’re expecting.

Sleep can be illusive at the best of times, but during pregnancy, your little bundle of joy will find all kinds of ways to keep you up at night – even before they are born! To begin with, there’s hormones & morning sickness to contend with. When you reach the second trimester, you may be suffering with heartburn or indigestion. And by the third trimester you could have baby pushing on your bladder every half hour, aches and pains all over and a huge bump to manoeuvre about!

So what’s an expectant mum to do? What’s the secret to a good night’s sleep?… Well we don’t have all the answers, but we do know 2 things that might just help:

 

 

Seraphine Pyjamas

With a growing bump, your usual PJs may not be cutting it any more – too hot, too tight, not soft enough etc – so the perfect pair of maternity pyjamas could make all the difference in your quest for a peaceful night. Look for styles made in soft natural fibres like cotton or bamboo, that won’t feel tight across your curves. One of our lacy nursing nighties could be a stylish option, or if you’re more of a PJs kinda girl, you’ll love our Bamboo Lounge Maternity Pyjamas, which are perfect for the colder season!

 


Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow

Once you’ve got your pregnancy pyjamas down, it’s time to turn your attention to your pillow. Many women find that with a growing bump, a regular pillow simply doesn’t provide the right kind of support. If this is the case, we’d like to introduce you to the Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow. This full body wrap around pillow provides the perfect support for your bump and back, and comes in a range of cute colours & patterns. It’s fully machine washable and made to last; retaining its original fluffiness through all of your pregnancies. Designed to relieve all the typical pregnancy aches and pains, a Bump Nest pregnancy pillow will help you to drift off naturally into a deep & peaceful sleep, leaving you refreshed and ready to face your day. Buy yours now on Nordstrom.

 

 

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Winter Skin: Protect Your Glow with Fabulous Natural Face Masks!

With the colder weather set to take hold, right now is the perfect time to treat your skin to a hydrating face mask! The colder temperatures, wind and rain will tend to dry out your skin, and those pesky pregnancy hormones will have your skin behaving in all kinds of strange and unexpected ways, so finding 15 minutes to lay back and relax with a face mask can be really beneficial!

 

DIY Masks to Make Yourself

Pampering yourself with a relaxing facial doesn’t have to cost the earth – in fact it doesn’t have to cost anything at all! You don’t even have to change out of your comfy maternity pyjamas, as you can make fantastic face masks out of things you probably already have in your kitchen. And the best part is: you made it yourself so you know that it’s all natural, with no nasty chemicals.

 

Avocado face mask

For Oily Blemish-Prone Skin

We love these do-it-yourself facials from Womansday.com – they have something for everyone and a recipe for every skin type! But our favourite for blemish-prone skin has got to be the Lift & Tighten mask, made with fresh lemon juice and plain yoghurt – simple, natural and incredibly effective!

 

For Dry Skin

As the weather turns colder, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your skin is well hydrated. This replenishing avocado and honey mask we found on About.com has only two ingredients, and looks to us like the perfect little hydrating pick-me-up!

 

For All Skin Types

The cooling cucumber mask from this list of natural recipes by Wellnessmama is designed to cool and calm your skin. Plug in your ipod, and lay back with this cooling mask to unwind at the end of a busy day.

 

Natural Masks to Buy

Natural face masks by Sephora and Lush

If you’d rather leave the messy bit to the professionals, there are plenty of places you can go to find all natural face masks that cut out the nasty additives and will be gentle on your skin. LUSH  is good for more than just bath bombs… they have a fantastic range of face masks which are all natural, organic and environmentally friendly.

 

For a really deep cleanse, we love the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask from the Body Shop. The naturally negatively charged ions in the clay act like a magnet to draw out all the impurities from your pores – a very clever cleanser!

 

And for a bit of fun, why not try a natural fibre face mask from Sephora. With no messy application, you simply place the fibre mask over your face, lay back and let it absorb!

 

Promise Phan Reveals the South Asian Secret to Radiant Skin – Turmeric!

 

 

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Seraphine & Celebs Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This October is breast cancer awareness month, and everyone is thinking pink to raise awareness and funds for this fantastic cause. Here at Seraphine, we are donating £2 from every sale of our pretty in pink maternity & nursing nightie to help fight Breast Cancer.

According to statistics, 1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. As a maternity brand, the health, happiness & well being of women is at the centre of everything we do. That is why we have chosen to support Breast Cancer Care, a wonderful charity which raises awareness of the disease, and provides much needed help and support to mothers, daughters, sisters and friends suffering with breast cancer.

 

And we’re not the only ones…

 

Breast Cancer Awareness

 

Fashion and beauty brands, designers and celebrities around the world are joining the fight against breast cancer. There are a whole host of promotional pink fashion & beauty products you can get your hands on, and a percentage of the profits will be donated! Why not try legendary designer Stella McCartney’s special edition charity lingerie, as modeled above by the original it-girl Kate Moss? Or you could emulate Hollywood mother-daughter-duo Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn, who have both streaked their hair pink to raise awareness!

 

A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on

Or you could get involved by treating yourself to our little pink nursing nightie! All this month, Seraphine are supporting Breast Cancer Care by donating £2 from every sale of our Pink Maternity & Nursing Nightie. Shop the style now and join the fight against breast cancer!

 

Think Pink - Buy the Seraphine charity nightie

 

Made in ultra soft stretch viscose, this stylish little nursing nightie is designed to bring relief to sensitive skin, ensuring a truly better night’s sleep. The soft, blush pink and feminine fluted hemline with black ribbon detailing will have you feeling pretty in pink, and the stylish crossover v neckline features a simple double layer opening system for easy access nursing. Treat yourself to this lovely little maternity & nursing nightie now, and help us support this fantastic cause!

 

 

Autumn Makeover: Master the hottest seasonal makeup trends

The days are getting shorter, and the ankle boots are quickly replacing those summery sandles – there’s no denying it now: we are in autumn! And with the changing seasons comes a whole host of new beauty trends to explore and experiment with. Pregnancy is the perfect time to get creative with your makeup, so check out our list of key styles for this season, and see which looks take your fancy!

 

Precious Metallics

metallic makeup trend

 

From Rodarte’s high shine bronzed lips to Donna Karan’s sultry silver eye shadow, the models strutting down the AW14 catwalks were bedazzled with sparkling metallics. This season try vamping up the classic smokey eyes look with a dusting of shimmering gold or silver eye shadow. Work this look with a chic black outfit, and match your jewellery with your metallic makeup!

Wear it with:

Charcoal Woven Back Nursing Jumper
Tailored Black Cropped Maternity Trousers

 

Crazy Colour

Colourful makeup trend

 

Don’t wave goodbye to your bright summer shades just yet; vibrant neon colours applied in bold painterly strokes are set to take the colder seasons by storm this year! Dior’s sparkling blue eye shadow was a sight to be seen on the runway, and Chanel’s sweeping eyeliner styles in neon pink, teal and lime green stole the show. Dare to be different this autumn and accent your eyes with strong sweeping colours!

Wear it with:

Evergreen & Navy Nursing Wrap Dress

 

Retro 60’s Style

Retro makeup trends

 

Every new season draws inspiration from fashion decades gone by, and this autumn is all about the swinging 60’s! The wide-eyed lash-tastic looks at Versace, Rochas and Gucci were created by building up the model’s lashes with multiple coats of mascara and several sets of falsies. Rock a 60’s inspired look this season with doll-like long lashes, a bold liquid eyeliner flick and a striped maternity tunic!

Wear it with:

Blue & Black Striped Cowl Neck Tunic
Faux Leather Detail Maternity Treggings

 

Off Duty Ballerina

Soft pink makeup trend

Inspired by the Ballet Russe; the hair at Diane von Furstenberg was tied back in classic ballet buns, and the soft makeup in pastel shades of lilac, pink and nude created an ultra feminine look. This style is perfect for softening an androgynous trouser suit at the office, and will look fantastic paired with those iconic pink coats (which by the way, are stylish as ever this season!)

Wear it with:

Blush Pink Wool & Cashmere Luxe Maternity Coat
Tailored White Cropped Maternity Trousers

 

Expert Advice on Eye shadow Application

All cosmetics featured in this post can be found at Maccosmetics.com

 

 

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Cupcake Love: Indulge Those Pregnancy Cravings with Cake!

Who can resist a fresh batch of home-made cupcakes? The delicious smell of baking wafting through the house is guaranteed to bring the whole family flocking to the kitchen, and a pretty row of matching mini cakes will always go down a treat!

Whether you’re a master baker lovingly crafting a perfect row of identical confectionery creations, a relaxed home baker getting stuck in with the kids and hoping that something good comes out of the mess you’re making, or somewhere in between the two, we think you’ll love these gorgeous cupcake recipes we’ve collected from around the blogosphere. We’ve even put together the perfect maternity outfits to match each cake!

 

Chocolate cupcakes to satisfy pregnancy cravings 

 

Get the recipe

These heavenly chocolate hazelnut cupcakes from Great British Bake Off 2011 finalist Holly, posted on her blog RecipesFromANormalMum, are topped off with a glamorous swirl of decadent nutella icing – the ultimate indulgence!

To wear: Opt for style by chocolate in our Chocolate Roll Neck Knitted Maternity Dress with black tights and boots.

 

 

Lemon cupcakes to satisfy pregnancy cravings

Get the recipe

These zingy lemon meringue cupcakes from Rachel at the SundayBaking blog are mouthwateringly moist, filled with creamy lemon curd and topped with a crunchy meringue! A classic combination presented in a novel new way – we love it!

To wear: Channel the lemony vibes in our Citrus Flutter Sleeve Maternity Top.

 

 

Vanilla cupcakes to satisfy pregnancy cravings

Get the recipe

Sweet, simple and beautifully creamy, these heavenly vanilla cupcakes posted by the illusive Miss Love at the LemonyLovesBaking blog have got to be the sweetest way to satisfy those pregnancy cravings. Utterly delicious in the simplest way possible, these cakes feel just like home!

To wear: Cuddle up in our creamy Cable Knit Detail Nursing Jumper in Almond and team with your favourite comfy jeans.

 

 

Savoury cupcakes to satisfy pregnancy cravings

Get the recipe

If you’re not the sweet tooth type, why not try your hand at savoury cupcakes? We can’t get enough of these savoury salmon and dill cupcakes Baking Mad. These deliciously fishy cupcakes would make great appetizers for a dinner party, or a cheeky midnight snack for mum!

To wear: Just because your cake is savoury, doesn’t mean you can’t look sweet! Try teaming our Coral Pleated Maternity Cardigan with a pair of white maternity jeans.

 

 

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Breastfeeding Just Got Glamorous: Celeb Mums are Proud to Nurse in Public

Next week is World Breastfeeding Week and we are starting celebrations early!

There are few things more natural and beautiful than a mother breastfeeding her baby. It’s healthy for both mum and babe, it’s environmentally friendly, cost effective and convenient, and yet for some, the subject is still considered taboo. This week we’re celebrating the brave celebrity mamas breaking those taboos!

 

Get Eva Amurri Martino’s Look: Striped Nursing Top 

 

Here at Seraphine we support your right to breastfeed whenever and wherever baby decides is best. But unfortunately there are still some strange social stigmas surrounding the process, which leave some mothers reluctant to leave the house without a breastfeeding cover. But World Breastfeeding Week, which kicks off on Tuesday, provides the perfect opportunity  for women around the world to unite to change the negative perceptions and break those misplaced taboos!

 

Watch the Video: Celebs Talk about Breastfeeding

 

In recent years, breastfeeding has gained a glamorous new status as more and more mums in the public eye, like the stylish celebs in the video above, open up about their experience. Some of the world’s most stylish celebrity mums including Gwen Stefani, Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bundchen, Eva Amurri Martino and Natalia Vodianova  to name but a few, have taken to social media to share their own stunning breastfeeding pictures, adding their voices to the rolling wave of positive energy surrounding your right to breastfeed.

 

Celebrity breastfeeding pictures

 

Back in 2014 Actress Olivia Wilde took the internet by storm with her stunning breastfeeding photo shoot for Glamour Magazine. The shoot was set in a retro style diner, and showed the new mum looking gorgeous in a designer dress as she proudly breastfed her baby son Otis.

 


The images portray Olivia as a multifaceted woman in her new role as a mother. She told Glamour: “Breastfeeding is the most natural thing…. You can be someone who is at once maternal and professional and sexy and self-possessed. [But] I mean, I certainly don’t really look like that when I’m [typically] breast-feeding. And there’s usually a diaper involved.”

 

celebrity mums breastfeed their babies

 

The fashion industry has always loved to push the boundaries and break taboos, and with this wave of glamorous breastfeeding imagery in the media, it’s fantastic to see them leading the way towards normalising this most natural of mother child bonds.

 

Watch the video for a little nursing style inspiration.

 

Here at Seraphine we are passionate believers that breastfeeding should not hold you back! And that is why we have created our beautiful range of fashion forward nursing clothes, to help you feel like your regular stylish self while feeding your baby. All of our nursing styles are designed with discreet opening systems such as poppers, zips, secret layers and integrated covers to help make nursing quick, simple and discreet, but that’s just the starting point as far as we’re concerned. Our gorgeous range of nursing bras are made in pretty lacy styles to help you feel feminine and sexy, and our stylish nursing tops, jumpers and dresses offer fabulous outfit options for any occasion.

 

But of course bottle-feeding is great too!

This funny video breaks breast vs bottle taboos left, right & center 

 

In the end it all comes down to what feels right for you and your baby. We hope that you feel inspired by these beautiful breastfeeding images, and feel happy and confident to feed your baby in style this summer!

 

Pep Up your Pregnancy Diet & Indulge in Delicious Summer Smoothies

What could be better than a refreshing fruity smoothie on a hot summer’s day? …. How about a refreshing fruity smoothie that’s good for you AND your baby on a hot summer’s day!

During your pregnancy it’s more important than ever that you eat well and try to get as many good vitamins and nutrients into your diet as possible; so a healthy fruity smoothie is a great snack to help you get in a few of your 5 a day!

Smoothies are also fantastic if you’re suffering from any pregnancy queasiness, as liquids are much easier on your tummy.

We’ve chosen 3 of our favourite pregnancy-friendly smoothies from Fit Pregnancy, and have put together the perfect maternity outfits for you to wear while you sip on these brilliantly blended beauties!

 

Ginger Peach Passion

 

Peach pregnancy smoothie

Get the recipe now

For mummy: Blending peaches, low fat frozen vanilla yoghurt and a zing of fresh ginger, this creamy concoction tastes heavenly and can help to ease an unsettled stomach.

For baby: With plenty of calcium, folate, and vitamin C, this will help baby develop strong bones and stay healthy.

To wear: Channel the peaches and cream colour scheme in a pair of our Coral Cropped Maternity Jeans with our White Flutter Sleeve Maternity Blouse.

 

Cucumber Cantaloupe Cooler

 

melon pregnancy smoothie

Get the recipe now

For mummy: This marvellously refreshing minty mix will keep you cool as a cucumber…or should that be cool as a cucumber cantaloupe cooler!… even through the very hottest of heat waves!

For baby: This minty green creation offers a mega dose of vitamin C to keep baby growing healthily.

To wear: Team our Light Blue Maternity Maxi Skirt with the White Secret Support Maternity Vest to look cool and keep cool in the hot summer sun.

 

Banana Berry Delight

 

Berry pregnancy smoothie

Get the recipe now

For mummy: Combining banana with frozen mixed berries, vanilla yoghurt and soy milk, this berry-tastic blend is smooth, creamy and indulgent.

For baby: Bananas are a great source of potassium and all those berries contain plenty of antioxidants, helping you to create a safe and healthy environment for your baby, with no nasty toxins.

To wear: Think pink for this brilliant berry blend, and opt for our vibrant Fuchsia Knot Front Maternity Dress.

 

So go on, make friends with your blender this summer, and whip up a few batches of pregnancy friendly smoothies to sip in the sun!

 

 

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Glow Like a Goddess – Radiant Skin, Glossy Hair and a Gleaming Smile

Glow like a goddess through your pregnancy with these simple hints and tips for radiant skin, glossy hair and gleaming white teeth!

We’ve all heard of that radiant glow that appears during the early stages of pregnancy – the one that will have friends and family commenting on how well you look, while you and your partner exchange sneaky glances because you have a secret that nobody else in the world knows!

Well why not give your natural glow a little boost with these simple pregnancy-safe tips:

 

Radiant Skin

pregnancy glow tips

There are no shock revelations or secret shortcuts here (well maybe just one, but we’ll get to that soon enough)! The main way to ensure radiant skin fit for a goddess, is to lead an equally saintly healthy lifestyle. That means drinking plenty of water and eating good anti-oxidant rich foods like grapefruit, watermelon and broccoli to flush out toxins. Ideally you should also be getting plenty of exercise to boost oxygen flow, and sleeping at least 7 hours a night to banish dark circles around your eyes.

When it comes to your skincare routine, every goddess is different, so all we can really advise here is that you find a regime that works for you and your skin and then stick to it – though of course through the summer it’s always important to protect your skin with a good quality SPF30 sun cream with both UVA and UVB protection. You may find that your skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to steer clear of heavy duty products, opting for the gentler ones instead.

 

Sneaky Fix

And here is that secret shortcut we mentioned earlier: If you’re in need of an instant boost – before posing for the camera at a special event or heading into an important meeting – try sucking on an ice cube! This will chill all of the cells in your cheeks and lips, boosting circulation to your face and providing a plumper, rosier complexion! Works like a charm!

 

Glossy Hair

For glossy, goddess-worthy locks, there are just a few simple changes you can make to your hair care routine, which will make a world of difference. First of all, it’s no news that heat is damaging to your hair, but you may not know how easy it is to counteract the effects: Finish your shower with a quick cool rinse, then make sure to use the cool shot setting on your hair dryer while blow drying and you’ll be left with smooth and shiny hair! Another easy change to make is to switch your nylon hairbrush for natural bristles – these are gentler and less likely to cause split ends, and they work to distribute the good natural oils through your hair.

 

Top Tip

Did you know that different hair colours behave differently? Lighter hair is more porous, and will be more prone to build-up, so blondes are at their glossiest when their hair is freshly washed. Whereas those with darker hair are at their best with well-conditioned second-day hair! Learn how your hair behaves and you’ll be able to wash wisely for your next big event.

 

Gleaming Smile

Aside from the obvious (brush twice a day and don’t forget to floss), the main message when it comes to keeping your teeth pearly white is to eat plenty of crunchy fruit and veg like cucumber, celery, broccoli and carrots – sounds like some crunchy crudités and hummus is in order! In fact some fruits like apples are particularly good tooth whiteners, as they are crunchy and are known to contain malic acid – a chemical actually used in commercial teeth whitening products to dissolve stains!

 

Natural Whitening

Strawberries are another great source of that miraculous whitening agent malic acid, and can actually be used to make a fantastic organic home whitening treatment!

  • Mash 1 strawberry together with ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
  • Apply the mix to your teeth with a soft toothbrush
  • Leave to work for 5 minutes
  • Brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the berry mix
  • Rinse
  • Repeat up to once a week for a permanent pearly gleam

 

Fashion

Of course once you’ve achieved your goddess-like glow, there’s no better way to show it off than in a striking maternity maxi dress! Then complete the look with jewelled sandals and our Shimmering Platinum Waterfall Maternity Cardigan for a truly iridescent look!

 

 

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Jessica Ennis Hill Talks Pregnancy, Training and Living for Sport

Inspirational athlete and mum-to-be Jessica Ennis-Hill appeared on Sky Sports this week, talking about pregnancy, training and her plans for a come back at the 2016 Rio Olympics! Jessica, her husband Andy and their chocolate Labrador Myla are expecting a new addition to their family very soon!

 

The Olympic Heptathlon champion has kept up her training throughout her pregnancy, though she admits she’s easing it off now that she’s into the later stages – opting for regular gentle swimming, cycling and running sessions. Some women are wary of doing too much exercise during pregnancy, but if like Jessica, you are used to an active lifestyle, carrying on with your regular routine won’t hurt you or your baby. Just as long as you are sensible and listen to your body’s signals, it can actually be incredibly beneficial.

Staying active certainly doesn’t seem to have done Jessica any harm! She looked fantastic on screen, showing off her radiant pregnancy glow in our Black Knot Front Maternity Top, which she accessorised with a chunky statement necklace.

 

Jessica Ennis Hill pregnant wearing a Seraphine maternity top

 

She was there as a judge for Sky Sports’ Living for Sport Awards. Jessica and her fellow sports stars David Beckham, world champion boxer Katie Taylor and Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell are acting as ambassadors for the programme, which is working with schools to encourage teenagers to try new sports. Campbell explains the programme’s aim:

“We’re using sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people.

Sport helps people think, helps people listen, helps people to speak up and helps people work together.  Different sports inspire different people but one thing is true: there’s a sport for everyone and it can change your life.”

 

Jessica Ennis Hill pregnancy yoga

 

This seems like good advice for all of us – not just kids in school!

If you are planning to get active during your pregnancy, make sure you have a few good pairs of maternity leggings. International super model and mum-to-be Doutzen Kroes chose our  Bamboo Maternity Leggings for her pre-natal ballet classes – they are made in an ultra soft fabric designed to support your new curves and keep you cool, wicking away sweat. And why not hit the pool for a few laps or a fun aqua-aerobics class in our Black Racer Back Swimsuit!

 

So don’t be afraid to get outside and get active – a good workout is guaranteed to raise your energy levels and boost your mood!

 

Watch Jessica’s Interview Now

 

 

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Pregnancy Superfood – Healthy meals for breakfast, lunch & dinner

Here at Seraphine we like to focus on the positives. When you’re pregnant it can seem like people only ever want to tell you about things you can’t do: no sushi, no alcohol etc. etc.

Well we like to tell you about the things you can do. We’ve put together a quick top ten of the fabulous foods that will work wonders for you and your growing baby. These are the pregnancy superfoods – packed with vitamins, minerals and rich in folate:

 

  • Avocado – folic acid, potassium, vitamin C & B6
  • Nuts – copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium, calcium & vitamin E
  • Yoghurt – calcium, protein & folic acid
  • Wild Salmon – Omega 3, potassium, selenium, vitamin B12
  • Fortified cereals – folic acid & fibre
  • Cooked lentils – folic acid, protein, vitamin B6 & iron
  • Spinach – folic acid, iron, vitamin A & calcium
  • Broccoli – folic acid, vitamin A, C & calcium
  • Asparagus – fibre, folic acid, vitamin A, C & E
  • Eggs – low calorie, high protein & omega 3

 

We know this list might look a little bit scary with greens and minerals all over the place, but believe us, with a little creativity in the kitchen you won’t know what you were worried about!

We’ve put together a few simple meal suggestions which are quick, easy and oh so tasty:

 

Breakfast

 

Whether you’re lounging in maternity pyjamas, or up, dressed and busy already, beginning with a hearty breakfast is a great way to start the day with plenty of whole grains, vitamins and protein.

Avocado & hardboiled egg on toast

Spread half a mashed avocado on a thick slice of wholegrain toast and top it off with slices of hardboiled egg and a sprinkling of salt & pepper. This tasty breakfast treat is quick and easy to make, packed with flavour, and will keep you going all morning.

Cereal with fruit and yoghurt

Or you could add a sweeter dimension to your morning with a bowl of fortified cereal, fruit and yoghurt. Fortified cereal is full of whole grains, vitamins and folic acid, and yoghurt is another nutritional over-achiever with all the calcium of milk plus added protein and folate! Add to this one or two of your five a day and you’ve got yourself a bowl full of goodness!

 

Lunch

 

Salads are great for a light lunch in the middle of the day, and can be the perfect way to introduce some of the more unusual ingredients like lentils and nuts into your diet. Whether you’re rocking your maternity blazer at work or chilling at home in maternity jeans and a tunic, these healthy options are quick, delicious and nutritious!

Give Ricardo Cuisine’s spinach, lentil and asparagus salad a try. This bowl is simply packed with flavour and has a mega helping of those all important pregnancy superfoods!

Or why not try this warming salad from Mel’s Kitchen Café with spinach, bacon, apple, feta and sweet and spicy nuts – completely delicious at any time of the day!

 

Dinner

 

In the evening you may be looking for something a little heartier. Lean meats like chicken or pork are great, and if you’re a salmon fan you’ll be pleased to know that this particular fish is safe to eat and full of fabulous Omega 3s to help your baby’s brain develop! Why not slip into one of your favourite maternity dresses and give these folate-filled recipes a try.

This spring chicken dish from the BBC is packed with fresh spring greens, broccoli and pesto. It tastes fantastic and is a great source of vitamins, minerals and that all important folate.

Or for a fish option, have a go at this baked salmon recipe with garlic and Dijon mustard from Natasha’s Kitchen.

 

Happy cooking, and bon appétit!

 

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Rockabye Mummy – Top 5 Tips for Better Sleep Through Pregnancy

With all the excitement and anticipation of pregnancy (not to mention the hormones involved) is it really any wonder that sleep can be a little illusive when you’re expecting?

And if you’re having trouble sleeping, you can rest assured that it is not all in your head – In the first trimester there are the hundreds of hormones rushing around your system and the morning sickness to contend with, moving on to the second trimester and you may be suffering with heartburn or indigestion, and in the third trimester you’ll have baby pushing on your bladder, aches and pains and a huge bump to manoeuvre about!

When you do finally manage to drift off, you may even find that you start to dream more often and more vividly than usual! This is completely normal – just another one of those weird pregnancy side effects. But if you’re interested, check out this article from baby centre on how to interpret your pregnancy dreams!

 

 

Here are our top 5 tips for getting a better night’s sleep during pregnancy:

 

1)      Prepare

This is all about doing everything you can during the day to make sure that you are relaxed and ready to sleep when bed time rolls around. It’s ok to nap during the day (and sometimes it’s necessary) but try to keep it short and sweet – the optimum time is between 20 and 30 minutes, which is just enough to feel refreshed without reaching the deep sleep phase. Try to drink lots of water in the morning and ease off towards the evening to prevent nature calling in the middle of the night. You should also try to avoid caffeine, and exercise in the evenings as these are likely to keep you buzzing into the night.

 

2)       Relax

Just as you would for a child who doesn’t like bedtime, think about establishing a relaxing bedtime routine for yourself. If you can, try to go to bed around the same time every night so that your body clock gets used to the idea, and think about establishing a few bedtime rituals to ease yourself into sleep. You could try a warm bath, or massaging your bump with pregnancy products like Mama Mio. Or you could read a few pages of a book (a nice one – keep work far away from your bed).

 

 

3)       Get Comfy

Finding a comfy sleeping position can be tricky in the final few months of pregnancy. But it’s been proven that sleeping on your left side is best, as it allows nutrients to flow easily to baby, while putting the least possible strain on your organs. You could also try a full body pregnancy pillow to keep you raised and supported in all the right places.

Of course the real key to a comfy night’s sleep is finding the right maternity nightwear for you. We have a fabulous range of maternity pyjamas and nighties, all made in the softest, most stretchy fabrics. You can choose from flirty lacey slips, relaxed button down nighties, matching maternity pj sets and ultra soft bamboo fibre separates! And you’re in luck, because right now we’re offering a fantastic 20% off across our entire maternity nightwear range, so shop now and prepare for a peaceful night’s sleep!

 

4)  Visualise

Once you’re tucked up in bed, relaxed and comfortable, it can be frustrating if sleep doesn’t seem to be forthcoming. But there are things you can do to help the situation. We’ve all heard of counting sheep, but you may be interested to know that there are all kinds of other tricks that may help. Next time you’re lying awake, why not try imagining yourself a brand new dream house and decorating the rooms. Or you could try muscle relaxation – simply tense and relax all your muscles in order, starting with your face and working your way down your body to your toes and then back up again.

 

 

5) Don’t Fret

And finally, if you’ve followed all the tips, done everything right and baby is still not letting you sleep, don’t lie awake fretting. Simply get up, go into another room and do something relaxing (or boring) until you feel drowsy again. A good midnight laundry folding session is surely enough to put anyone back to sleep!

 

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Haribos? Hot sauce? Dirt? Celebrity mums and their pregnancy cravings

Pregnancy Cravings: Celebrity Mamas & Their Weird Food Wishes

Craving something strange? You’re not alone! Apparently, around 2/3 of mums-to-be will experience strong pregnancy cravings throughout their 9 months. These cravings can be so strange that they make others feel unwell and so strong that you’d be willing to go to great lengths to satisfy them – waking up your other half in the middle of the night to make you a mayonnaise and vinegar sandwich is nothing!

We recently came across this great list on Sheknows.com of the top 10 most commonly reported pregnancy cravings, and it got us wondering about what our favourite celebrities craved when they were pregnant…

 

Jessica Alba

Jessica loves our Grey Luxe Skinny Maternity Jeans

Currently expecting baby number 3, Jessica had a thing for watermelon during her second pregnancy. She explained to Latina: “Sometimes you can’t get a food out of your mind. I could always eat watermelon. With Honor, I loved fruit, too. It’s a decent craving… You still eat cheeseburgers and pickles — you just want watermelon really bad. I don’t deprive myself of anything. I eat whatever.”

 

Whitney Port

Get Whitney’s Look: Under Bump Distressed Maternity Jeans

New mama Whitney welcomed her first baby in July, but before she did, she shared a few of her top pregnancy cravings on her blog:  ‘So, I haven’t really had those TYPICAL cravings like needing to dip pickles in ice cream. But there are a few things that got me through my first trimester and are continuing to be staples in my second.’ She listed all her must-haves, including tangerine Juice, chocolate milk, black olives, and roasted and salted pumpkin seeds among other things.

 

Mila Kunis talks pregnancy cravings – watch the video

Now a mum of 2, Mila shared her pregnancy cravings with Ellen back when she was expecting her daughter Wyatt. Mila was all about vinegar-based foods like pickles and sauerkraut – husband Ashton Kutcher even put together a special ‘cravings fridge’ for her, filled with the stuff!

 

The Duchess of Cambridge

Get the Duchess’ look:  Fuchsia Knot Front Jolene Dress & the Blossom Knot Front Maternity Dress

The Duchess of Cambridge managed to keep most of the details of her pregnancies away from the public eye. But as well as a penchant for Seraphine maternity dresses, she was reported to be craving Haribo sweets and a very specific spicy vegetarian curry from a shop in her home town Bucklebury.

 

Binky Felstead

Get Binky’s look: Grey Marl Roll Neck Maternity & Nursing Jumper

Made in Chelsea star Binky recently welcomed her first baby – a daughter India Elizabeth. While she was expecting she craved all sorts of naughty things. She revealed to OK! Magazine that she’d been craving ‘Lots of carbs! I can’t get enough of pizza, burgers, fish and chips – anything naughty!’

 

Gwen Stefani

Get Gwen’s Look: Faux Leather Panel Maternity Leggings & Black Maternity Shift Dress

Mama of 3 and Seraphine maternity clothes fan Gwen Stefani apparently craved fiery foods like chillies, and even carried a little bottle of Tabasco sauce around in her hand bag just in case!

 

If you’re having strange pregnancy cravings, don’t forget to check if it’s safe to eat during pregnancy – check out The Babble Out’s list of the top foods to enjoy & to avoid when you’re expecting.

 

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