Category: Health & Beauty

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.

 

Work, Train, Strut: Victoria Beckham works out at work – so can you!

As a mother of four, business woman, fashion designer and international style icon, it’s fair to say that Victoria Beckham has a lot on her plate; and she, like the rest of us working mums, has to balance her time between work, family, fitness and fun. So it’s no surprise that on a recent trip to the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design in London, she jumped at the chance to try out their ingenious treadmill desk – and she wasn’t about to let her towering stilettos stop her!

Victoria Beckham working out at work

But for those of us who don’t happen to have access to a custom built treadmill workstation, here are our top 3 tips for improving your fitness throughout your working day:

 

Before work: Walk to work & take the stairs

Pregnant women walking in Seraphine maternity clothes

It may sound obvious, but starting your day with a brisk walk into work instead of battling with fellow commuters on the train or sitting for hours in traffic is a great way to sneak in a little exercise, and will provide a fabulous boost to your energy levels that can last all day! If you live far away and can’t walk all the way in, why not try getting off the bus a stop or two early, or parking your car a couple of streets away from the office.

Hint:  A pretty pair of ballet flats or loafers will be comfy enough for the walk and super stylish for your busy day at the office, and we’re offering 15% off ShoeTherapy right now!

Once you’re at the office, why not take the stairs instead of riding up in the lift – this is the perfect way to tone up your legs and bum! Of course if you work on the 72nd floor of the Shard we’re certainly not suggesting that you climb all of those stairs, but you could always climb up a couple of flights before calling the lift to take you the rest of the way.

 

At work: Simple stretches at your desk

 

Deskercise

If you spend your working day sitting at a desk, you could be forgiven for thinking there’s not much scope for exercise there. But that’s not necessarily the case; lots of little movements throughout the day all add up to improve your general fitness and well being. Why not try using a smaller glass for your water so that you can get up to refill it more often, or next time you need to talk to a colleague at the other end of the office, take a walk over there to see them in person instead of picking up the phone or sending an instant message.

A few simple stretches throughout the day will also work wonders, stopping you from getting stiff and keeping your body energised. Try these super stretches from Healthline.com that you can do at your desk, or if you’re worried about looking silly, simply practice your pregnancy pelvic floor exercises!

 

After work: Evening fitness classes

Pregnancy yoga and aqua aerobics

 

Most gyms offer career-friendly classes that you can go along to before or after work. Why not pick a class that you like the sound of, make sure it’s pregnancy safe, and commit to going once a week. This is a great way of making sure that you fit at least one solid fitness session into your schedule, and it’s a great opportunity to wear your super soft and stretch maternity leggings! At Seraphine we love our weekly office yoga session – it’s the perfect way to unwind and de-stress together at the end of a long Tuesday afternoon! If you’re wondering how’s the best way to stay active through your pregnancy, check out these great tips!

 

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Spring Bling: Our Stella & Dot Jewellery Wish List

Bright colours, bold shapes and big statements are the jewellery buzz words for this season, and the gorgeous designs down at Stella & Dot fit the bill perfectly! Their stunning boutique jewellery collection by exclusive New York designers is loved by Jennifer Aniston, Elle McPherson and Katherine Heigl to name but a few of their celebrity clientele, and is perfect for adding a flash of colour to any springtime ensemble.

Pregnancy is the perfect time to get creative with your accessories, and here at Seraphine we can’t get enough of the chunky colour-tastic pieces around at the moment. So why not treat yourself to a gorgeous new statement necklace for the new season – you deserve it!

Here are the pieces we’re coveting right now, and how we’d style them: 

 

The Norah Pendant

The art deco style Norah Pendant is perfect for adding a little extra zing to your outfit this spring. The chunky gold metal chain and shiny cut glass stones make the perfect setting for the little pings of neon yellow that make this piece unique. It looks stunning against navy blue, so we’d style it to work a colour block look with our Blue & Neon Maternity & Nursing Wrap Dress, or to jazz up our Navy Maternity Shift Dress with a matching neon clutch bag for a night out.

 

 

Colourful Stella & Dot Necklaces

 

The Frida Necklace

The riot of colour that is the Frida Necklace combines flirty fuchsia pink with fresh coral, turquoise and navy blue in a dazzling pick n mix arrangement that’s guaranteed to brighten up any outfit. Pink is one of the hottest colours of the year, so this vibrant statement piece is just what you need to work the trend! We think it would look fabulous against a pattern or a solid colour  – style it with our Black & White Polka Dot Maternity Dress, or set off the pink colour block style of our Black & Pink Maternity & Nursing Wrap Dress.

 

The Linden Necklace

The gorgeous green Linden Necklace features custom blended stones in tonal shades of jade green, which are hand set in polished brass for a quintessential spring time look. The feminine tear drop shapes are a beautiful way to break up a neckline, and the soft green shades are a modern look that will tie any spring outfit together. We’d team it with our Navy Lace Maternity Dress for a smart occasion, or to jazz up a daytime casual look with our Coral Cropped Maternity Jeans and Soft Grey Cowl Neck Top.

 

 

Stella & Dot necklaces - Pegasus

 

The Pegasus Necklace

The stunning Pegasus Necklace is a bold bib of intricate silver feathers, hand sewn in India to a silk organza cascade. The style acts as a chic collar, and is the perfect way to add a touch of drama to your neckline. We think it’d look fierce with our Burgundy Maternity Shift Dress at the office, or to add a fashion edge to a casual style with our Grey Ruched Maternity T-Shirt and Black Summer Slouchy Maternity Trousers.

 

The Rory Necklace

Another art deco inspired piece, the Rory Necklace uses beautiful hand set stones in a geometric triangle design in the shifting ocean shades of turquoise, blue and green, hanging from a vintage style gold plated chain. This necklace makes a style statement, but is also understated and elegant – the perfect finishing touch to any springtime outfit. We’d love to style it with our Azure Blue Grecian Maternity Maxi Dress for the perfect look for a warm summer evening, or to create a stylish daytime look with our Sea Mist Cropped Maternity Jeans and our Grey Linen Layering Maternity Top.

 

Charms

 

Stella & Dot charm necklaces

If you’re looking for something a little more discreet, there is a fabulous selection of charm pendants to wear on delicate chains – perfect for creating an understated chic look. We love the You Are My Sunshine Necklace, which would make the perfect little treat to celebrate your impending new arrival! We’d team it with our Black Maternity Skater Dress, or for a more dressed down look, style it with our Black Crossover V Neck Vest and Tribal Print Slouchy Summer Maternity Pants.

 

 

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Postnatal Exercise: Keep fit, bond with baby & boost your mood!

A little gentle exercise can be a great way to boost your mood and shift that extra baby weight after baby is born. Once you’ve cleared it with your GP after the initial 6 to 8 weeks recovery time, you are good to go and can start to get active!

Why not join a specialised postnatal fitness class? This is a great way to get out and about and meet other new mums, and you can be sure that all the exercises are specially tailored to what your body needs. Many classes will even welcome your baby too, either to join in with the class or with a crèche service, so there’s no need to arrange for a babysitter! Postnatal yoga is a great way to stretch out and tone up your muscles in a relaxed environment – check out these simple poses to try at home. Or if you fancy a more active approach, why not go along to a Buggyfit class near you for a brisk walk with baby in the buggy and a safe workout routine with other new mums.

Of course you can also exercise at home, so slip on a pair of comfy maternity leggings and dig out your trainers – it’s time to get active! Check out Parenting.com’s list of fun exercises to try at home with baby, and this list from Good Housekeeping to try in the garden! Here are a few of our favourite fun exercises for mummy and baby to try together!

 

Kiss ups

 

Postnatal exercise with baby kiss ups

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, giving baby a kiss at the top of each one! Aim for 3 sets of 12.

 

Tickle Lunges

 

Postnatal exercise with baby and buggy

Tone up and make baby laugh!

Put baby in his buggy and face him, with your left foot back about three feet and your hands on your waist. Then bend both legs until your right thigh is parallel to the ceiling, making sure your right knee stays in line with your ankle. When you reach the bottom of the lunge, tickle baby and make him laugh, then slowly return to a standing position, pushing through your right heel. Aim for three sets of 12 on each side.

 

Alphabet Abs

Postnatal exercise - alphabet abs

 

 

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.
Then recite the alphabet slowly to baby, drawing each letter in the air with your toes. Keep the moves slow and be sure to keep your belly button pulled in toward the floor. Aim to make it through the entire alphabet!

 

Mummy & Baby Yoga Routine

 

 

For more info on safe postnatal exercise, check out this article from the Guild of Pregnancy & Postnatal Exercise Instructors

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Now is the time to spring clean your style – beauty, hair, fashion & all

March has arrived this week, and here in London we have seen the sun for the first time in what feels like at least 6 months! Yes, it seems like spring has finally sprung: The sun is out, the birds are singing and flowers are starting to bloom all over! Here at Seraphine, we think that now is the perfect time for a good spring clean – and no, we’re not talking about dusting the top shelves and turning the mattresses! Now is the time to spruce up your style and start incorporating a few of the new season trends into your beauty regimes, hair styles and fashion choices!

To give you a sneaky head start on the latest looks, we’ve put together our ultimate guide to all things spring style:

 

Spring Beauty

 

Spring makeup trends for pregnancy

Skin

Good news expectant mamas, this season is all about the glow! If you’re lucky, this may be coming naturally at the moment, but if not, it’s easy enough to fake with a touch of tinted moisturiser and a little illuminator across your brow bones, cheek bones, the bow of your lips and anywhere else that you want a little boost of light.

We love the Vapour Organic Beauty Trick Stick Illuminator which is all natural, organic, not tested on animals AND gives a lovely natural looking glow.

 

Eyes

Our favourite new season eye make-up trend is all about lightening and brightening white eye shadow and liner. Not only is this look fresh and on trend, but it is also a great trick for opening up your eyes and making them seem wider. For a day when you need a little extra oomph, why not try a pop of acid green or cobalt blue across your lids just above your lashes.

We love Lily Lolo’s range of pure mineral vegan eye shadows which are completely free of harsh chemicals! Try their ‘Angelic’ shade for a shimmering white finish.

 

Lips

This season is all about soft berry shades on the lips for a natural feminine look. The aim here is to achieve the perfect balance – not too glossy and not too matte – in a beautiful believable berry shade.

100% Pure lip and cheek tints are all natural and coloured with real fruit!

 

 

Spring Hair

 

Maternity cocktail dresses for special occasions front and back view

Whether your hair is long, short or somewhere in between, it’s all about loose relaxed styling with a high-shine glossy finish this season. Wear long hair in loose natural mermaid style waves, or tie it back in a romantic messy plait. For mid-length and shorter hair, a relaxed lived in look is the way forward – effortless and ever so chic. Whatever your length, why not try an extreme side parting for a fresh new look!

We love the Shiny Clean Shampoo and Conditioner from Balance Me, made in the UK with 97.5% natural ingredients and giving a naturally clean and glossy finish.

 

 

Spring Fashion

 

Pink and white maternity dresses by Seraphine

Floral

Nothing screams spring style like fashionable florals and this season has it all! Ranging from the delicately dainty to the bright, bold and brassy, the trick is to find the floral style that suits your mood!

Blue Floral Maternity Maxi Dress

Cherry Blossom Silk Chiffon Maternity Dress

 

Pink

Pink has been a massive colour trend this winter, and it looks like we’ll all be in the pink a little while longer, as the trend is set to continue into the spring! The muted tones of winter are being brightened up for the new season, so look out for lively shades in candyfloss and coral!

Coral Maternity Cropped Jeans

Peach Linen Maternity & Nursing Top

 

Sheer

The biggest trend we’ve spotted for this season is peek-a-boo sheer panels and floaty see-through layers. But don’t panic, this doesn’t have to be as risqué as it sounds – why not try a sheer blouse over a cute maternity camisole!

White Chiffon Maternity Top

Graphite Grey Sheer Pintuck Maternity Blouse

 

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Mother knows best – Natural beauty treats from your kitchen cupboard!

We all know that mums are a very special group of women who are simply never wrong about anything  – well perhaps that’s not 100% true, but when it comes to natural beauty enhancing tips, we’ve found that our own mums can be a veritable goldmine of handy hints, tips and tricks.

During pregnancy, your hormones can tend to go a little haywire, and this can affect your hair and skin in all sorts of different ways, and you may also find that you are more sensitive to the harsh chemicals in your usual beauty products than before. At this point you could console yourself with some gorgeous new maternity clothes, but it’s also worth bearing in mind that natural home made beauty treatments can be a great way to give your hair and skin a little bit of much needed TLC without the nasty chemicals or the hefty price tag!

Here at Seraphine, we decided to ask our own mums for their top natural, chemical-free and pregnancy friendly beauty enhancing tips, and we were inundated with wonderful pearls of wisdom, based on generations of experience and cultural heritage! Here are a few of our favourites, along with some all natural recipes to help you try them out for yourselves.

 

Honey Face Mask

 

Face masks

Our PR girl’s mum Homa grew up in Iran and believes that a honey face mask is the secret to perfect skin.

Honey is a natural health and beauty hero which brings all sorts of benefits to your skin:

  • Natural antibacterial properties – great for treating spots
  • Antioxidants – to hold back the aging process
  • Soothing and moisturising – boosts your complexion
  • Opens up pores – clears and unclogs your skin

Visit The Nourished Life blog to find the perfect honey face mask recipe to suit your skin type.

 

Olive Oil Hair Mask

 

 

Our web manager’s mum Dannie is from the South of France, and attributes her soft and shiny locks to weekly olive oil hair masks.

Using an olive oil hair mask moisturises your hair to the max, helping to make it softer, shinier and healthier in general. Not only this, but it can also help to prevent dandruff, tame frizz and flyaways, and make styling a lot easier. A weekly olive oil treat for your hair really can work wonders.

The Chalk Board have posted a great recipe that mixes olive oil with honey, combining the moisturizing effects of both to create a super hair mask. Find the recipe here.

 

Sea Salt Scrub Exfoliators

 

 

Our copywriter’s mum, Caroline grew up on the South Coast of England, and swears by homemade sea salt exfoliating scrubs.

There are hundreds of manufactured exfoliating products on the market these days, and the prices range dramatically. At a spa you could easily pay a small fortune for a specialist exfoliating treatment, and while many of these will be very beneficial, it is so easy to create your own sweet smelling multi-purpose body scrubs using things that you can find in your kitchen cupboard!

Why not try one of these great salt scrub recipe ideas from Mother Nature Network.

 

So here’s to all mums – wherever in the world they may be – thank you for passing on your sage-like beauty wisdom!

 

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3 Healthy Pregnancy Smoothie Recipes to Try This January

How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up mamas? Healthy pregnancy smoothies are a fantastic way to make sure you’re getting plenty of fresh fruit & veg in your diet. These smoothie recipes are quick, convenient, utterly delicious and packed full of those all-important vitamins and minerals.

We’ve chosen 3 of our favourite pregnancy-friendly smoothie recipes from around the web, and matched them up with the perfect cosy maternity jumpers to wear while you enjoy them!

 

Berry Smoothie Recipe

berry smoothie recipe for pregnancy

Click to see the full recipe on Mom365

This delicious berry smoothie is the ideal choice for breakfast & is packed full of calcium and protein, found in the milk & yogurt.

Calcium helps to build strong bones for your little one, and amino acids from protein are the building blocks for your baby’s cells, so it’s vital to get plenty through pregnancy – especially in your second and third trimesters.

To wear: Berry Nursing & Maternity Tunic

 

Green Smoothie Recipe

healthy green smoothie for pregnancy

Click to see the full recipe on the Super Healthy Kids blog

The ultimate fresh-tasting folate-filled recipe, this one provides the perfect vitamin boost for pregnancy.

Vitamin A and C from the mango & orange juice will boost your immune system and help you to absorb as much iron as possible from your food. During pregnancy you need more iron than usual, as you’ll have up to 50% more blood pumping around your body.

And that’s where the spinach comes in! Spinach provides iron and plenty of folate, which is essential for your baby’s developing brain and spinal cord.

To wear: White Cable Knit Maternity & Nursing Jumper

 

Vegan Chocolate Smoothie Recipe

healthy vegan chocolate smoothie recipe for pregnancy

See the full recipe on Detoxinista

And for something a little more indulgent, try this delicious vegan variation on the classic chocolate milkshake!

It may sound too good to be true, but this chocolatey delight is loaded with protein, potassium & fibre. Nuts are rich in protein and fibre, so peanut butter and almond milk will help with your baby’s healthy development, as well as aiding your own digestive system.

And of course bananas are a fantastic source of potassium, which you need to maintain the balance of electrolytes within your body.

To wear: Camel Cable Knit Breastfeeding Cover

 

So what are you waiting for mama? Give your body & your baby a boost with these healthy pregnancy smoothies!

Perfect your pregnancy nails to match your maternity outfit!

When you’re pregnant, it’s always nice to feel pampered every now and then – after all, you deserve it!

We don’t know about you, but in our experience, along with ordering a new maternity dress and getting complemented on your flattering new maternity jeans, having freshly manicured finger nails is one of those little luxuries during pregnancy that practically guarantee that it will be a good day. It’s also a great way to relax and de-stress!

But what kind of manicure do you go for? Do you go to the salon or do them yourself? Straight colour or nail art? And what exactly is Shellac? There are plenty of options out there, so we thought we’d round them up and take a look to help you decide what’s right for you.

Traditional French Manicure

Understated and ever chic, the traditional French manicure never goes out of style!  It consists of a sheer pink base and bright white tips, and the over all effect is clean and natural. Perfect for any occasion, this is a great style to wear with your maternity work wear for a professional look at the office.

Single Colour Salon Manicure

A single colour salon manicure is a great, inexpensive way to freshen up your look! Simply choose your favourite shade, then sit back, relax and feel pampered – what a nice way to spend half an hour! Why not match your nail shade with one of our flattering Knot Front Maternity Dresses in blue, red, black, purple or fuchsia!

Nail Art and Gems

Nail art, gems and glitter are perfect for the party season! Go into your salon and check out their display boards to get a taste of the options available – they really can do almost anything these days! Why not treat yourself to sparkles for Christmas and match your nails to a glittering black and gold maternity cardigan!

Gel Manicure

A gel manicure involves painting a layer of gel on top of your natural nails, which then dry to form a rock hard layer of colour. Gel manicures are designed to last longer than regular manicures, and are good for disguising nails that are in a poor condition. The down side, is that removing them involves using abrasive chemicals which you may not be happy with when you are pregnant. Though they are great for an active mum on the go!

Shellac Manicure

A Shellac manicure is somewhere between a regular nail polish manicure and a set of gel nails. The Shellac polish is painted on to your natural nails just like regular polish, but will last chip-free for as long as you like! Perfect for a busy mum who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, these nails are designed to last, the only down side is, that you have to go back to the Salon to have them taken off when your nails start to grow out!

Paint Them Yourself at Home

If you don’t have time for a trip to the salon, painting your nails at home is a cheap and easy way of bringing a little colour into your day. It’s also a great chance to catch up on a bit of me time. Close the door, slip into a comfy pair of maternity pyjamas, put on some relaxing music and pamper yourself!

 

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Keeping fit and fabulous during pregnancy – by Lisa Sidgwick

Whether writing about school playground politics, maternity fashion or the day to day chaos of family life, Lisa is passionate about all things family.  Writing for Babyworld and Glam Family is the perfect job for this mum of three, gathering information and drawing on personal experience to help, advise and support all the mums, dads, grannies and granddads out there!

Ah, pregnancy… the perfect excuse to eat for two and put your feet up – yes?  NO!!!! Keeping fit during pregnancy will help your body to stay toned, increase your stamina during labour and means you’re more likely to keep the pounds off after the birth.

Not only does exercise help to prepare your body for the marathon that may be your birth, but it also improves your health in many ways, even reliving many pregnancy-related problems, including varicose veins, piles, constipation and backache! A brisk walk will help to improve circulation, which helps to prevent constipation, reduce swelling of the ankles and leg cramps. Gentle regular exercise will also help to strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system, therefore making it easier to accomplish tasks with less effort. Exercise has also been shown to improve moods, reducing depression both prenatally and postnatally.

What exercise should I be doing?

Aim for 30 minutes, 3-5 times a week. Consider brisk walking and walking uphill; gym machines such as the cross trainer and bike; home exercise DVDs; weight training, ante-natal yoga and Pilates classes; swimming and aquanatal classes.

Here are three good exercises you can safely do throughout your pregnancy in the comfort of your own home:

This is an abdominal exercise that keeps your core strong, that’s safe to do throughout the whole nine months. It will help to keep muscles strong for delivery, and will help prevent lower back and pelvic pain: from a standing position, place fingers on hip bones and trace them inward. Then, breathing deeply, imagine you’re wearing a belt or a tight pair of trousers and pull your tummy button back towards your spine. Don’t hold your breath – just pull in that lower part of your tum. Hold this pulling-in movement for 10 seconds, relax and repeat. Do 5-10 of these at a time throughout the day.

The Wall Push-Up. This is an effective, safe way to work the upper body to strengthen arms, chest and upper back muscles. Start by standing a couple of feet away from a wall, feet hip width apart, and then lean forward and rest hands against the wall shoulder-width apart. Bend your elbows and lower chest until your forehead reaches the wall keeping back straight. Then straighten elbows and push back to your starting position. Start with 12 repetitions, and slowly increase to 20.

Pelvic Floor Lifts. Important for everything from the delivery to preventing stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises are often overlooked but you can so easily incorporate these into your day. The first pelvic floor exercise is to lift your pelvic floor muscles (as if you were trying to halt your urine flow) to a count of ten. Hold this contraction for 10 seconds (if you can’t hold for 10 seconds, hold for as long as possible and slowly build up to 10 seconds). Relax and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 5-10 times. The second version is to lift pelvic floor muscles quickly and hold for just one second before relaxing and resting for one second. Repeat this total of 10 times. Do all the above several times a day at least.

Keep up some regular exercise throughout your pregnancy, and you may even find that you start sleeping better at night, as you’ll be getting out all of your excess energy and wearing your body out  during the day! Why not invest in a pair of Seraphine’s luxuriously soft Black Bamboo Active Maternity Leggings, and their Black Secret Support Vest which would make the perfect maternity outfit for some gentle exercise at home. And after all that exercising, why not treat yourself to a brand new maternity dress to show off your blossoming pregnancy curves!

 

 

There’s a whole host of information, support and advice available to help you throughout your pregnancy and beyond on babyworld.co.uk.  From online communities of other mums to be, to antenatal clubs, they even have their own midwife to answer your questions!  Why not take a look, with their new epoints scheme you can even earn money off baby products while you browse!!

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Our top tips for a better night’s sleep during pregnancy

It is a well known fact that sleep can be pretty elusive when there’s a newborn in the house – it is supposed to happen and you are likely to feel mentally prepared for it. However, many women are frustrated to find that getting enough quality shut-eye during their pregnancy can be almost as much of a challenge!

Russian photographer, Jana Romanova has produced a fascinating project called ‘Waiting’, capturing intimate images of expectant couples (40 to represent the 40 weeks of pregnancy) as they sleep in the early hours of the morning. These images clearly show that there is no right or wrong way of getting comfortable when pregnant – it’s all about what works best for you.

If you are losing out on sleep because of your pregnancy, don’t worry, as there are things you can try to help yourself achieve a little more shut-eye.

1. Think about your position

You could invest in a specifically designed pillow to take the weight off of your back, or simply wedge a few ordinary cushions between your legs and in the hollow of your back for a little extra support. Also, keeping yourself upright during pregnancy can be a good idea if you are suffering with heartburn or morning sickness that threatens to disturb your sleep.

2. Don’t stress, just relax

If you are having trouble sleeping, the worst thing you can do is to lie awake worrying about it, and you certainly don’t want to find yourself slipping into bad sleeping patterns. Instead, get up and make a warm drink (caffeine-free of course), or try some other relaxation techniques like reading a book or trying a little meditation or yoga. When you feel more relaxed, you can go back to bed and drift off again.

Screen shot 2013-10-01 at 18.02.053. Invest in some quality maternity nightwear

The right maternity nightwear could revolutionise your quality of sleep. Invest in a pair of our incredibly comfortable Bamboo Fibre Maternity Pyjamas and you will be amazed at the difference they can make. Super soft, with temperature regulating qualities, these innovative pyjamas come in classic black or soft taupe and can keep you cool and comfortable to prevent tossing and turning late at night. Or why not try our stylish Button Down Maternity Nightie in soft stretch jersey which feels silky soft and allows plenty of airflow to keep you from getting too heated during your pregnancy. As an added bonus, all of our chic and comfortable maternity nightwear pieces make a seamless transition into your nursing wardrobe once your little one has arrived to help you sleep when all the odds are against you.

Screen shot 2013-10-01 at 18.13.204. Sleep where you can, when you can

Finally, don’t feel as though you can only sleep in bed between the hours of ten and seven. If you need a nap when you get home from work, have one – and if the only place you can get comfy enough to rest properly in those last few months is the living room recliner, then take up residence there, by all means.

After all, cat-napping and catching up on rest during pregnancy will be good practice for when the baby arrives and sleep is even harder to come by…

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Versatility is Key when Choosing Maternity Dresses

Fabulous fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger Amy Antoinette recently wrote a lovely piece about our LUXE multi-way dress.
The ingenious front tie style of this beautiful cornflower blue maternity dress enables you to create many different looks from just one dress, and Amy has included some truly stunning pictures illustrating just a few of the myriad ways this dress can be worn.
This is a dress that you truly can wear again and again and yet never wear the same look twice – the ultimate versatile maternity dress !

This post got us thinking about what is important when putting together your capsule maternity wardrobe and the conclusion that we came up with, is that versatility is key – especially when it comes to maternity dresses. The aim is to find pieces that help you to look and feel sensational, that you can wear again and again without anybody noticing that you’re in the same dress. This may sound like a tall order, but here at Seraphine we have some truly excellent versatile maternity dresses for you to browse and try.

If it’s high octane glamour you’re looking for, you will be pleased to know that the multi-way maternity dress which Amy Antoinette reviewed is also available in a full length version which comes in an opulent royal blue. This red carpet worthy style is perfect for making a statement at the most glittering of evening affairs.

 

Multi way dressA classic versatile style, why not opt for one of our stylish little black maternity dresses?

The LBD is a notoriously versatile style – In the words of the great Karl Lagerfeld “One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress” and we couldn’t agree more! There are simply so many ways of wearing it, and it can be truly astonishing how different one little dress can be made to look, simply by styling it with different accessories.

If you are looking for something a little more colourful, check out our signature knot front dress in vibrant orchid purple.

The flowing fabric and clever cut of this fabulous maternity dress makes it incredibly flattering on the female form before, during and after pregnancy, and the simple design and stylish jewel colour mean that it will look equally magnificent whether you are off to a glamorous evening party, a day in the office, or just picking up the kids from school!

So there you have it, with just a few fantastic looking, well made maternity dresses, you can get through your entire nine months in comfort and style, knowing that you will have a fresh new look for every occasion that comes your way!

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