Séraphine has just had a website makeover – shopping maternity clothes online has never been so stylish!
Our tech stylists have been hard at work behind the scenes, making beautiful things happen online, and we can’t wait to show you our new look. We’ve revamped our site with fabulous new shopping features, easy-to-use navigation, & a sparkly new look from top to toe. It’s all designed to perfectly showcase our gorgeous maternity fashion collections. And the best part is – whether you’re shopping maternity clothes online from your laptop, tablet or mobile, the Séraphine site will look just as chic, whatever size your screen!
Don’t be fooled – this is much more than just a fresh coat of nail polish! Take a look around our new site and you’ll discover entirely new ways to shop maternity clothes online. Now you can filter your view by size, by price, by colour and even by celebrities, to find the perfect new additions to your maternity fashion collection…. You’re welcome!
And speaking of getting a whole new look… it’s not just our website that deserves a brand new style! While you’re exploring our beautiful new site, don’t forget to check out our new season maternity wear collections to find your own gorgeous new look for autumn! Order your free copy of our AW16 brochure today and be the first to shop the hottest new styles.
We are in love with our new look – now it’s your turn!
By now, everyone from your doctor to your mother will be telling you that the most important thing for you and your baby is to keep calm while expecting.
So as it turns out, a relaxing babymoon is practically prescribed!
Take a look at our top 5 babymoon ideas for a romantic trip for two before baby makes three…
Timing is everything! Be sure to slot in your babymoon some time through your second trimester. Morning sickness should be a distant memory, and you’ll have plenty of energy to travel.
Not to mention that this is the time when your pregnancy curves are at their cutest and will look adorable in a stylish maternity bikini!
Choose your destination carefully. Pick a place you’ve always wanted to go, but maybe save the serious sight-seeing for another time – if there was ever an excuse to lie on the beach for a week, this is it!
Think carefully about your travel times as anything over 4 hours may be a struggle, and it’s also smart to steer clear of any potential for tropical diseases or deli belly. This could be the perfect opportunity to spend that beautiful week on the French Riviera.
Indulge in a luxury hotel! This is your last big blow out before baby takes over for a while, so make sure to take full advantage.
A huge comfy bed, en-suite, 24-hour room service and a spa are all prerequisites. It’s also a great idea to call ahead & let them know you are babymoon-ing… you never know who might offer an upgrade!
Above all, your babymoon is the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to reconnect and strengthen your bond before this major life transition.
Now is the time to go out for a romantic meal, indulge in couples’ spa treatments and generally enjoy each other’s company. Because let’s face it, once your little addition arrives he or she is bound to steal the limelight for a while.
Allow me to introduce you to my little style secret… The Seraphine Ballet Pumps!
Yes, they’re gorgeous, but that’s just the beginning…
Meet the Best Maternity Shoes!
While pregnant with my youngest, Florian, I suffered with terrible back pain and was advised to try orthopaedic shoes. When I saw the sorry selection on offer, I knew that I had to do something.
I designed the iconic Seraphine ballet pumps to be a stylish alternative with real health benefits. They support your body’s natural alignment and massage your feet as you walk, helping to boost circulation and relieve aches and pains. And of course it goes without saying that they pair beautifully with our range of stylish maternity clothes – perfect for pregnancy!
The Science Behind the Shoes
The patented technology features a hot pink insole with raised elements, designed by a leading orthopedic surgeon. It supports & massages your feet as you walk, optimising balance and posture, and minimising muscle strain, while the ergonomic integrated wedge heel provides fantastic bounce and support.
Basically, these shoes will help to ease aches & pains, boost circulation, improve your posture and can even help to tone your legs & minimise cellulite!
And of course you don’t have to be pregnant to enjoy the amazing posture correcting comfort of Seraphine ballet flats – they’re perfect for days on-the-go running around after the little ones. Team them with one of our stylish designer changing bags for an easy everyday look.
Since launching in 2011, these shoes have had rave reviews from fashion editors, bloggers, mums & medical professionals alike. These stylish ballet flats & loafers offer a comfy option with real health benefits – perfect for before, during & after pregnancy.
Give the Seraphine ballet pumps a try & I promise they’ll put a spring in your step!
What could be better than a delicious fruity smoothie on a hot summer’s day?… How about a delicious fruity smoothie that’s good for you AND your baby! During pregnancy it’s more important than ever to get those vital vitamins and nutrients. And a refreshing summer smoothie is a simple & tasty way to sneak a little more fresh fruit into your diet. We’ve gathered some of our favourite pregnancy-friendly smoothie recipes, and selected the perfect maternity dresses to match!
For mum: This tropical smoothie recipe mixes up sweet mango & pineapple with creamy banana, orange juice & a dash of Greek yoghurt. It’s a deliciously creamy concoction that tastes like summer in a glass.
For baby: This gives a giant hit of vitamin C with an added boost of potassium – all vital for developing baby’s healthy immune system.
To wear: Channel the creamy colour scheme in our White Lace Maternity Dress, and add a pop of colour with a chic belt.
For mum: Simple and delicious; this one combines fresh orange juice with a medley of mixed berries and a generous dollop of vanilla yoghurt. It’s the perfect way to start your day.
For baby: This one provides plenty of vitamin C, and all those gorgeous berries are a fantastic source of antioxidants. This smoothie recipe will help you to create a safe and healthy environment for baby to grow – free of nasty toxins.
To wear: Match the vibrant pink in your drink to an equally fabulous shade in your dress – the Fuchsia Pink Knot Front Maternity Dress is the perfect choice!
For mum: Combining the fresh zing of pineapple, ginger, and lemon, with creamy avocado and banana, and some parsley for balance; this smoothie is super fresh. It’s also a stomach-settling superstar – one of the best recipes we’ve found for fighting morning sickness.
For baby: This super green smoothie will bring a mega dose of vitamin C, fibre and folate to keep baby growing healthily.
To wear: Dress your bump in our stunning Emerald Green Maternity Maxi Dress to look as cool as you feel as you sip on this settling green smoothie.
Make everyday a good hair day with these easy hairstyles for working mums!
It’s no secret that time and energy run at a premium for busy working mums. With a family to look after, a home to organise and a career to progress, it’s often the little me-time luxuries – like styling your hair – that fall by the wayside. But not anymore!
We don’t know anything that works to lift your mood, helping you to feel more professional and productive like a great hair day (aside from maybe a few flattering maternity dresses), so finding 5 minutes in the morning to dedicate to your do is a challenge worth accepting.
Here are some of our favourite easy hairstyles for a polished professional look that’s quick and easy to achieve!
Here at the Seraphine office, we are a little bit in love with YetAnotherBeautySite.com, where we discovered many of the styles featured on this post. The site offers easy to follow step by step tutorials to achieve really impressive looks in next to no time at all! Click on the image to see the tutorial!
The classic chignon is the perfect Parisian chic style for the office and it’s nowhere near as tricky to master as it looks.
Ulrika at Yet Another Beauty Site explains how to create the perfect chignon in seconds:
1. Make a low ponytail.
2. Twist it inside out: Create a little opening just above the hair tie, then flip the ponytail upside down and feed it through the gap.
3. Now take the ponytail and roll it up and secure with bobbypins.
4. Arrange it to look neat and nice!
For quick hair fixes that are simple & stylish, there are some ingenious products on the market. The fabulous Hairagami is a simple snap band designed to fix and hold your hair in the perfect bun all day long. And to protect your tresses the Invisibobble is a great new way of securing your hair back without damaging it. The smooth surface avoids breaking and scaring your hair, the coiled shape distributes pressure better than a regular band, preventing tension headaches, and it’s water resistant – perfect for sports and swimming! You can find the Invisibobble at Boots, and at only 3.75 it’s a bargain buy!
And of course there’s nothing like a hair donut to add a little extra oomph to your style. Simply feed your ponytail through the middle, spread it out and fan it over the donut, then pin in place!
When you know you’re hair looks good, nothing can bring you down! Have fun trying out these quick and easy hairstyles, and discover the perfect maternity dresses to wear them with in our stylish maternity workwear collection!
The empire waist is a miracle silhouette for the third trimester. Cinching you in at your slimmest point, an empire style brings fantastic definition to your shape.
Get the look with one of our super stylish empire maternity dresses with discreet lift-up nursing access, or simply add a chic maternity belt to complete your look.
Comfort is key at this stage of pregnancy. And with extra sensitive skin right now, it’s a great idea to look for styles made in the softest natural fabrics like pure cotton, bamboo or cashmere.
The third trimester is also the perfect time to pack your hospital bag & invest in the pieces you’ll need once baby arrives. If you plan to breastfeed, then a good collection of nursing clothes is a must.
And why not treat yourself to one of our signature skin to skin tops – perfect for the early days with your little one.
But of course the most important thing at this stage is to relax & enjoy. Wishing you all the best for your final months of pregnancy mama!
There’s no avoiding it – getting your figure back after pregnancy takes time. But there are a few clever tips and tricks you can use to speed things along! Here are our top 10 post pregnancy belly fat blasting foods to fight the bloat and slim your silhouette:
1) Camomile Tea – As well as having a stellar calming influence, camomile tea will work wonders when it comes to blitzing that post pregnancy belly bloat.
Try it – A cup before bed each evening will help you to drift off, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be fitting back into those skinny jeans before you know it.
2)Spinach – A great source of vitamins & minerals with virtually no calories: spinach is also packed with fibre, which will flush out any nasty toxins and whittle down your waistline.
3)Salmon – Not only is it delicious, this oily fish is high in protein and rich in essential fatty acids like Omega 3s which will help your body to burn off fat.
Try it – Nothing beats an indulgent Sunday morning breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs!
4)Pineapple – Containing the essential enzyme Bromelain, pineapple aids the break-down of proteins in the gut to help you combat bloating and slim your figure.
5)Fennel Seeds – With a sweet liquorice flavour and a whole host of bloat banishing properties, fennel seeds are a must-have digestion aiding ingredient for your kitchen cupboard.
Try it – Munch on a handful after meals to freshen your breath and aid digestion.
6)Avocado – This super tasty superfood is having a Vogue moment right now – and rightly so! Its good fats will fill you up for hours, and its high potassium levels will reduce water retention and bloating.
7) Ginger – Aiding digestion and easing gas, this spicy root is the first thing many of us reach for when feeling bloated. And as an added bonus it acts as an anti-inflammatory, expanding the blood vessels, increasing your body heat and helping you to burn off fat.
Try it – Add hot water to sliced ginger and lemon for a refreshing detox drink.
8) Almonds – A handful of these clever little nuts make a great low calorie yet highly satisfying snack. Replace those mid-morning biscuits with almonds to satisfy your sweet tooth & keep you full until lunch.
9)Apple cider vinegar – Top model and mum of one Miranda Kerr swears by apple cider vinegar for a detoxing, belly fat blasting health boost. It introduces healthy bacteria into your gut, which aids digestion and eases post pregnancy belly bloating.
Try it – Add a teaspoonful to boiled water and allow it to cool for the ultimate detox drink.
10) Watermelon – Offering high water content and plenty of potassium, a delicious slice of watermelon after a meal will help to beat the bloat.
Remember: Stick to your plan and be patient – slimming doesn’t happen overnight. And of course in the meantime great maternity and nursing clothes, along with a tummy-controlling pair of our Post Maternity Shaping Leggings, will give you that extra boost of confidence to strut your stuff in style. And with all the running around you’ll soon be doing with a baby over one shoulder and a stylish changing bag slung over the other, it won’t be long before you’re bouncing back.
We love dreamy summer days by the sea! It’s all about sun-kissed skin, tousled hair and perfectly pedicured toes peeping out of pretty summer sandals. But all that sun, sea and sand can be tough on your natural glow. Read on for our best summer holiday beauty tips to fight the frizz, soothe the skin and get back your glow!
1) First thing’s first: Sun cream, sun cream, sun cream! You know the drill by now; opt for a high SPF with UVA & UVB protection & reapply at every opportunity. A great way to remember, is to reapply every time you have a drink – If you feel thirsty, your skin probably does too.
2) Once you’re home (or back at the hotel!) after a day in the sun, make sure to exfoliateandmoisturise well. This is the best way to ensure an even, long lasting tan to compliment your stunning summer maternity dresses.
3) And because sometimes even the most diligent SPF patrollers will miss a bit, keep a stash of home-made cooling after sun in the freezer. Simply freeze aloe in an ice tray & pop out a cube or two to soothe sun burn when needed.
4) From dried out frizzy sun damage to colour stripping chlorine, summer can be hard on your hair. One great way to minimize chlorine damage is to wet your hair before you take the plunge. If it’s already saturated with water or a hydrating product, your hair won’t take on as much of the chemicals and chlorine from the pool – this is one of our favourite summer beauty tips!
5) The sooner you can wash your hair afterwards, the better – use a clarifying shampoo asap to banish the build-up of salt, sand and chemicals.
6) A deep conditioning treatment will give you back your natural gleam. Try mixing your favourite conditioner with equal parts of pure jojoba oil and olive oil for the ultimate re-hydrating treatment; leave it on for 20 minutes then rinse well to reveal beautiful, shiny, healthy hair.
7) We all know the havoc that summer can wreak on our feet; fight dry cracked heels and rough skin with a home-made Listerine foot soak! It may sound strange, but it really can help soften up your skin. Mix 1 part Listerine mouth wash, 1 part apple cider vinegar and 2 parts warm water in a shallow bowl and soak your feet for 20 minutes.
8) After a foot soak, exfoliate and remove dead skin using a sea salt scrub. Shop bought ones are great, but home-made can be just as good; we love this sea salt and coconut oil scrub from Nicole posted on her blog Wonky Wonderful.
9) A glossy coat of your favourite summer nail varnish will put the perfect finishing touch on your home pedicure. For easy application and the ultimate smooth finish, chill your nail varnish in the fridge before you want to use it – sounds weird but it really works!
10) Once you’ve restored your natural glow, show it off with the perfect summer maternity clothes! Browse our collections & discover cute day dresses, gorgeous maternity swimwear & the stunning evening wear styles for pregnancy.
So you’ve had your baby & are now raring to get back into your groove with some gentle postnatal exercises. It’s important to take your time with this – listen to your body and wait at least 6 weeks before you start in earnest. But once you feel ready, a little gentle exercise is a fantastic way to tone up, boost your mood and even bond with baby!
P.S. If you’re still expecting, scroll to the bottom to find a fabulous 25 minute pregnancy yoga video to follow at home…
This is just about the sweetest way we can think of to start toning your tum!
Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet placed firmly on the floor in a position ready to do sit ups. Sit baby half way up the slope of your thighs, holding him in place around his middle. Then simply do a set of regular sit ups, kissing baby at the top of each one! Aim for 3 sets of 12.
Who needs weights when you have a little bundle of joy to lift!
Strap baby into his front carrier, stand with your feet just over a shoulder width apart and complete a set of regular squats. Bend your knees to lower your body into an imaginary chair, keeping your weight over your heels. Aim for 3 sets of 12.
Tone up and make baby laugh!
Put baby in the buggy facing you, then complete a set of regular lunges, stopping at the bottom to pull a funny face and make baby laugh, before slowly returning to your neutral position. This is great for toning your legs and baby will love this fun new game!
Teach baby his ABCs and tighten up your abs while you’re at it!
Lying flat on your back with baby next to you, place your arms at your sides and extend your legs straight up toward the ceiling, feet together. Recite the alphabet slowly to baby, drawing each letter in the air with your toes. Keep the moves slow and controlled, and be sure to keep your belly button pulled in toward the floor. Aim to make it through the entire alphabet.
Lie baby down on your mat and position your hands either side of her for a set of regular press ups. This is perfect for toning up your arms, and baby will find it completely hilarious. If those delighted giggles don’t motivate you to finish the set, we don’t know what will!
Keeping Fit Through Pregnancy
If you still have a while to wait before you meet your little bundle of joy, why not try some gentle pregnancy yoga! Yoga is a fantastic way to stay active through your nine months – It’s perfect for relieving tension both physically and mentally, and can even help you to prepare for labour and speed up your recovery time. With regular practice, you’ll feel energised and more connected to both your body and your baby.
Gorgeous Voga Mamas love our Seamless Over Bump Maternity Leggings
Our stunning model Danielle is much more than just a pretty face! She is an experienced yogi, and runs her own wellness and clean living blog Natually Dee, complete with healthy recipes, yoga routines and reflections on pregnancy and impending motherhood. Check out her 25 minute calming yoga routine, made in collaboration with YouTube wellness sensation Wild Dish…
When it comes to pregnancy workouts and postnatal exercises, the most important thing is to listen to your body, and only do as much as you feel comfortable with.
Gorgeous Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham became a stunning second time mama last week, welcoming a beautiful baby girl named Willow Mirela – a little sister for 17 month old son Wilf.
Natalie has been a fan of Seraphine maternity clothes throughout both of her pregnancies, and this month, she looked stunning in one of our luxe maternity evening gowns to attend a glamorous charity gala. The event, held at London’s infamous Abbey Road studio and boasting a VIP guest list including Princess Eugenie, Mike Tindall and brother and sister Sam and Holly Branson, raised over £600,000 for Hope and Homes – a charity dedicated to ending the institutionalisation of children around the world.
3) How did you manage styling your bump on live TV?
I felt proud to be pregnant, so quite enjoyed having a bump on telly! One of my favourite TV outfits was the Seraphine Striped Maternity Tunic – it was so comfy & looked great on screen.
4) What’s the best bit of pregnancy advice your received and who was it from?
My mum – the journey is an incredible one, enjoy every minute – even the tough bits, because you will never be pregnant for the first time again!
5) We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?
Don’t do it! Please?! Ok… I choose bronzer, mascara and gloss. Done. Happy.
6) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece & why?
I love so many pieces from Seraphine, but probably my most useful was the black maternity swimming costume that i took away on holiday.
Wilf ❤️ A photo posted by Natalie Pinkham (@natalie_pinkham) on
7) Any tips to share with breastfeeding mums?
Try and keep your baby on your boob until it is completely empty, as the best milk is at the back – the hind milk… It’s full of nutrients, antibodies and all round goodness. : ) Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t breast feed. It’s luck of the draw and doesn’t make you less of a mum, or in any way a failure if you can’t do it.
My idea of happiness has been redefined since becoming a mum. He is the centre of my world; I feel very lucky to have him – so every minute with Wilf is pure happiness!
Last summer gorgeous fashion blogger Courtney of the Cocofashionista blog chose Seraphine maternity clothes to stay trendy throughout her pregnancy. Her top pick was our New York Bump kit, including comfortable and stylish pieces that go with just about everything. Check out what she had to say about it along with some great styling tips on her blog…
The stunning pregnant blogger created a summery daytime look with the Maternity Pencil Skirt. She wore the skirt over her bump with a tropical print crop top and sneakers for a fresh and sexy look. She accessorised with a silver neckband and a matching chunky bracelet, while original graphic sunglasses completed the glamorous maternity fashion ensemble.
But why stop at just one look? The Seraphine Bump Kit gives you 4 maternity fashion essentials to mix, match and accessorise, allowing you to create literally hundreds of outfit combinations – whether you wear it for work, play or even working out!
Courtney spent a relaxed weekend with her family rocking our over the bump leggings and our Secret Support Maternity Vest, which she styled with a cute pink sweater, matching trainers & cool shades. She said:
“Comfy doesn’t quite describe how awesome this outfit was!”
And for her last Bump Kit look, Courtney styled the little black dress with a pair of fun mirrored sunnies, a cute neon bag and a gorgeous pair of tropical print loafers. Shop the style on her blog: CocoFashionista.
And she is not the only beautiful pregnant mama to fall in love with the Seraphine Bump Kit: It’s a must have!
Tara Lee has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has been teaching for 12. She began teaching pregnancy yoga while pregnant with her first child 10 years ago and has developed her own dynamic fluid style. Now a mum of 2, she is also a trained Doula and Shiatsu practitioner, and has taught thousands of pregnant women including celebrities such as Cat Deeley and Rosamund Pike, guiding them through their pregnancies and births.
The exercises below are taken from her new DVD ‘Pregnancy Yoga with Tara Lee’.
1) Child’s Pose
Relieves tension in the neck and lower back, and helps to ease anxiety.
This classic pose is a masterful one to use during pregnancy. It eases the pressure of the baby on your pelvis and back, stretches the muscles along your spine and releases tension in the neck and shoulders – thereby helping to relieve tension headaches. As one of the few forward bends that feels comfortable and safe in pregnancy, it can be modified to suit most women. The intention here is to feel the broadening through the hips and lower back, gently stretching out and bringing relief to the muscles in your back.
From all fours with your knees as wide as you need to accommodate your baby, take the hips back to your heels and either reach the arms forward or make a pillow with the hands to rest the forehead on. Notice how this makes your back and hips feel. Notice the calming and soothing effect that being in this position has on your mind. Keep allowing the body to surrender towards the earth. Rest here for a few minutes, breathing deeply and slowly and imagine your body softening into the floor, releasing any tension.
You can come into child’s pose any time you are feeling stressed, anxious or if you have a tension headache. Use this position during labour if it feels comfortable when you need to rest. It will also be helpful for allowing your baby space to move into a good position.
2) Legs up the Wall
Relieves heavy legs and swollen ankles, and helps with insomnia or stress. *Only do this exercise if you are under 28 weeks pregnant and still comfortable lying on your back*
Sit to the side of the wall (use a cushion or bolster under your hips if it’s easier) and swing your legs carefully up the wall while lying on your back. Stay for a few minutes or for as long as feels comfortable. To lower back down, hug the knees towards you (wide enough to make space for your baby) and slowly roll over to your side. Stay here for 5-10 breaths and then come up from your side.
If you get pins and needles in your feet, come out of the pose and rest to one side for a while before coming back up. If you feel nauseous, also come out of the pose.
3) Downward Dog Alternative
Relieves back ache and stretches the hamstrings.
Towards the end of your pregnancy when Downward Dog feels too much, using the wall can be an excellent alternative. This pose is also great preparation for labour. It’s a great pose for if you’ve been sitting at a desk for too long and want to have a feeling of taking the weight of your baby off of your back. It can also be helpful for stretching out tight hamstrings.
Place your hands on a wall, shoulder width apart and walk back until you feel a comfortable stretch (making an upside down L shape with your body). Allow the body to soften as you feel the stretch through your back and down your hamstrings. Stay for 5 – 10 breaths. When you are ready, keep the knees bent as you walk back towards the wall slowly.
You can bend the knees and lengthen the tail bone back. Try swaying the hips from side to side to release tension in the pelvis.
If it feels uncomfortable place your hands a little higher up for a gentler stretch, and be sure to keep a bend in the knees.
