Tag: Style

Pregnancy Style Tips from Absolutely Magazine Editor Helen Baron

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

 

1) Describe your style

Classic with an art-school twist.

2) What is your go-to outfit?

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

Loose Knitted Maternity Dresses

 

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

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

4) Which celebrity style do you admire and why?

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

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

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

Maternity jeans

 

6) What have you enjoyed most during pregnancy?

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

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

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

 

For more from Helen, follow her on Twitter @Absolutelyedhel

 

 

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Seraphine Presents: Heritage French Toy Brand Moulin Roty!

Seraphine is proud to present Moulin Roty; A French brand who have created a world of colour and tenderness for little ones with their adorable plush characters, comforters, and toys for over 40 years.

 

The adventure began back in 1972 when a group of friends moved into a village mill called Moulin Roty with a common project, to live and work together. In 1975, a small car made of wood, foam and fabric launched Moulin Roty as a top destination for children’s toys.

 

 

Designed in France, using only the finest quality fabrics and materials, Moulin Roty’s beautiful toys capture the charm of bygone eras while remaining fresh and inspiring with their unique fusion of heritage and avant garde designs.

 

New Toy Collections

 

Moulin Roty

 

The Papoum are three wild animals (a lion, a hippo and an elephant) who will take your little one on a trip to the heart of the savannah. Chic, elegant, in warm and spicy tones, this collection offers characters that are crying out for a hug, activity toys ready for action and accessories to decorate baby’s bedroom.

 

Moulin Roty

 

The Tartempois are colourful gangly acrobats that spread happiness and good humour wherever they go! This collection offers comforters, baby slippers, soft activity toys and supple creatures with long arms and even longer legs that baby can easily grab and hold.

 

Moulin Roty toys are available across the UK. You can find a wonderful selection at My Small World; a beautiful toy boutique in Bath, or you can browse the full range at jeujouet.com. And while you’re perusing Christmas gifts for your little ones, why not check out The Diana Collection, our brand new range of designer baby clothes – 12% of all proceeds go to charity!

 

The Diana Collection - baby clothes

 

Happy Christmas Shopping Mamas!

 

 

Seraphine’s Mummy & Me Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is always a magical time of year, but if you’re celebrating with a brand new addition to the family, then this year is sure to be extra special.

Browse The Diana Collection, a beautiful new range of designer baby clothes, available exclusively at Seraphine, to discover the perfect gifts for your new little one. Then check out the stunning maternity clothes on offer at Seraphine.com to find a few special treats for yourself – go ahead, you deserve it!

 

For Baby

 

Treat your little lady to a beautiful new baby dress for the Christmas season, and make sure that she’s party ready with all the matching accessories; the bonnet, the head band, the fleece-lined booties and an ultra-soft cashmere cardigan!

 

 

Your little man will look adorable all dressed up in a Navy Velvet Quilted Baby Jacket with the matching Fleece-Lined Booties and Bonnet. It’s the perfect ensemble for keeping cosy on chilly Winter outings.

 

 

And if you’re expecting a little Christmas miracle, put together the perfect gift set for a newborn with an ultra-soft baby blanket with the matching hat and booties in natural cotton with 5% cashmere.

 

12% of the price of all the pieces in the Diana Collection goes to the Diana Award – a charity set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

 

For Mummy

 

Match your little one’s pastel colour scheme with our Natasha Cashmere Blend Maternity Coat in soft powder blue, or our Lace Maternity Cocktail Dress in gorgeous blush pink.

Our Cable Knit Nursing Shawl is a must-have accessory for a new mum. Or why not opt for our gorgeous charity tee the Love T-Shirt – All profits from this super cute grey marl tee go directly to Tommy’s the baby charity – helping them to build the UK’s first medical research centre dedicated to the prevention of early miscarriage – a great gift that benefits a great cause!

 

Happy Christmas shopping Mamas!

 

 

What’s on Your Black Friday Wish List? – 20% off all weekend!

It’s that time again mamas; the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday shopping weekend is back!

Kicking off the Christmas shopping chaos, this year promises bigger discounts and better deals than ever – this is the day to shop like you mean it!

We all remember the crazy scenes from last year, and with so many of us out battling for a bargain, the streets and shopping centres (let alone the car parking possibilities) can seem like an unappealing prospect. But there is a way to avoid the shopping frenzy, skip the queues, and still get all the best bargains…

 

Avoid the chaos and shop online!

 

Here at Seraphine, we’re offering some amazing deals that you don’t have to stand in line for, and the fun lasts all weekend!

You have from now until midnight on Cyber Monday to enter the code Black20 at the checkout, and shop our maternity collection at 20% off!*

Here’s our Black Friday fashion wish list… What’s on yours?

 

 

*Offer excludes coats, the bump kit, winter sun and outlet; available from 27/11 until 1/12

 

 

Other Articles You May Like:

“Thank heavens for good maternity clothes!” by Rebecca Wilcox
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Thank Heavens For Good Maternity Clothes! – by Rebecca Wilcox

Rebecca is a regular reporter on BBC 1’s Watchdog and a well-known consumer journalist who has worked on many and varied programmes ranging from Your Money Their Tricks, to a regular spot on This Morning, and presenting the beauty segment on Gok Wan’s How to Look Good Naked! She lives in London with her husband Jim and their toddler Benji, and the family are expecting a new addition in March.

 

I am lying on the kitchen floor with my two year old throwing pasta at my head and jumping around in fits of giggles with a ball up his t-shirt shouting that he too has a baby in his tummy. Every time I attempt to move from my prone and vulnerable position as a food target on the floor he rushes over with a mock serious expression, “No Mummy,” he says, “You need to sleep, you’re growing a baby. Lie. Down.” And I thought telling him I was pregnant with his younger sibling would make life easier. Ha! Later whilst picking the toddler tea from my hair I started to think on how my first pregnancy was so different. First time around I was a Princess. I positively floated everywhere on a cloud of happy hormones with my yoga toned perfect bump dressed in a variety of silky dry-clean-only clothes. After that initial first trimester of inevitable nausea and back-ne (who knew being pregnant would give you teenage skin on your back??) I had felt invincible and powerful, a vessel of future life to be admired everywhere she went.

Fabulous maternity wrap dresses

This time around pregnancy has been very different, with a two year old in tow there’s no easy relaxed afternoons with a possible nap and a full night’s sleep to look forward to. I am now a little irritated by first pregnancy me, “Wake up!” I want to shout, “Won’t be like this next time around!” There’ll be no yoga to soothe the mind and smooth the bump, no silky stainable fabrics to waft around in, no compliments on that pregnancy glow – for who could possibly find my ‘glow’ under the layers of sallow sleep-deprived skin that I no longer have the time to hide with make-up. First time around my gym-honed stomach kept its shape for ages, I had been desperate to show a little round tummy that would proclaim to the world: “I’m pregnant, hooray! Now spoil me rotten.” Well I got my wish this time around as I ballooned to a 6 month sized bump by week 5! Seemingly in an instant my normal clothes were no longer an option, a fact that became all too clear when my skinny jeans gave up and popped a button violently and loudly during a work meeting. “Too many wheat grass shots?” smirked my producer. No, just a teeny, tiny foetus and, of course, A LOT of cheese.

Comfy maternity style

So for my second I’ve gone ‘maternity’ early in every sense of the word, not only am I showing early but all my nine months of symptoms from the first time started within weeks of seeing that familiar blue line on my test. Back-ache, exhaustion, spots, my hips expanding – some of these things waited for labour last time but now they’re joining me for the full 40 week gamut. Thank heavens for good maternity clothes – the fabulous Seraphine wrap dresses, their ridiculously comfortable stretchy maternity jeans and Seraphine’s flattering maternity jumpers have got me through those times when I feel more lumpen than luscious. In my mum’s day it was all tent dresses and hiding your growing form beneath layers of bows and fabric so I feel really lucky to see that clothing designers now want to stylishly celebrate our burgeoning bumps not conceal them. My son even commented on one outfit saying “Pretty mummy” before launching himself at me with the inevitable yoghurty fingers – future note: always wear washable fabrics. And I certainly find some comfort in knowing I can still look like myself whilst pregnant, even if there’s a little more to me this time around.

For more from Rebecca follow her on Twitter @soverybecca

 

 

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Seraphine Opens its Flagship New York Store!

That’s right – Seraphine is crossing the Atlantic and setting up a brand new flagship store in NYC!

We are taking our European-chic maternity fashion across the pond to the yummy mummies of New York – they fell in love with our stylish maternity clothes on line, and now it’s time to shop in store!

 

We are setting up our first ever US boutique on 464 West Broadway, in the ultra fashionable SoHo district – a celebrity hotspot, and one of the most stylish shopping hubs in the city. With its vibrant commercial culture and creative legacy, this neighborhood is the perfect place for a Seraphine boutique.

Right now, we are working on getting our beautiful new store ready for its grand opening on the 21st of November. So if you’re thinking of planning a New York city break over the holiday season, make sure the flagship Seraphine store is on your must-visit hit list!

Seraphine's flagship New York store

 

Read Seraphine founder Cecile’s story, and all about her plans for expansion in America: Womanthology.co.uk

 

With our Parisian design heritage and London home, there was only ever one option for our flagship US Seraphine store: It had to be New York!

 

 

Other Articles You May Like:

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Former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt Talks Morning Sickness on TV

Former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt is a fan of Seraphine maternity clothes, and this week she appeared on Lorraine rocking a pair of our chic maternity shorts!

 

 

For her TV appearance, she teamed our Woven Printed Maternity Shorts with a chic coral top and white jacket, dressing the style up with a pair of statement heels. On the show, Kimberly opened up to Lorraine about her struggle with morning sickness.

 

A post shared by Kimberly Wyatt (@kimberlywyatt) on


Watch the Video Now

Kimberly and her husband welcomed their gorgeous daughter Willow back in 2014, and are expecting their second baby – another little girl – later this year. The star was a fan of Seraphine throughout her first pregnancy too, and has visited our London stores on several occasions.

 

 

The Seraphine Bump Kit is a particular favourite, and she liked our classic Black Maternity Shift Dress  so much that she decided to wear it home from the store!

 

 

One of our favourite looks has to be when she paired one of our stylish breastfeeding covers with our Faux-Leather Panel Maternity Leggings, finishing the look with a chic pair of leopard print boots. She rocked the look on the red carpet at a glamorous West End theatre premier, rubbing shoulders with legendary rockers Ringo Star, Iggy Pop and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page!

 

 

We are thrilled that she’s a fan – Shop Kimberly’s look online!

 

Twins & Celebrity Babies: Double the trouble, triple the fun!

We want to talk about Twins. The arrival of a new baby in the family is always an incredibly special time, so just imagine what it’s like to have two, three or even more at once – we’re thinking double the trouble, triple the fun!

 

 

With one in every 65 pregnancies resulting in a multiple birth, twins and triplets are on the rise right now, and the celebs – as always – are on top of the trend! Both Beyoncé & Jay Z and Amal & George Clooney are getting set to welcome twins this year, joining the already glamorous list of celebrity parents with twins including Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie to name but a few…

 

Twins celebrity babies

 

And of course a fair few of these stylish celebrity twin mamas have rocked Seraphine maternity clothes! ‘Devious Maids’ star Dania Ramirez chose one of our silk maternity dresses for her baby shower back when she was expecting her non-identical twins John and Gaia.

 

A post shared by Dania Ramirez (@daniajramirez) on

 

Stunning Spanish actress Elsa Pataky was a big fan of Seraphine knitwear while she was expecting her fraternal twin boys Tristan and Sacha. We love this picture of her husband, Thor actor Chris Hemsworth playing super heroes with his boys!

 

 

Holly Branson, the daughter of entrepreneur extraordinaire Richard Branson, is mama to twins Etta and Artie. She wore plenty of Seraphine maternity clothes throughout her pregnancy, and loved our Faux Leather Panel Maternity Leggings so much that she continued wearing them after the babies were born.

 

A post shared by Holly Branson (@holly_branson) on

 

If you are a mama expecting multiples, you may find that your bump begins to show earlier than your friends expecting singletons – sometimes as early as 10 weeks, so finding maternity clothes quickly becomes a priority! Shopping for maternity clothes online is an ideal option if you’re still suffering with first trimester queasiness, and here at Seraphine we offer free returns on all UK orders!

 

Check out more adorable multiples on Pinterest

 

One thing that all mamas of multiples agree on is that though twins mean a double work load, they also mean double the fun. There’s nothing like watching your twins’ bond strengthen as they grow. They’ll learn to play together, enjoying each other’s company, sharing toys, and even working together to get around mummy & daddy!

 

You also get to be a part of hilarious moments like this!

 

To all the expectant multiple mums out there, we salute you, and wish you the best of luck for your coming adventures!

 

Getting into Maternity Wear – By Ana Santi, Deputy Editor at Drapers

Ana Santi is the deputy editor of Drapers magazine and has worked in the fashion industry for over eight years. She is currently expecting her first child and plans to look fabulous whilst pregnant. All the images used are of Ana wearing our Dove Grey Multiway Maternity Dress at her sister’s wedding.

 

Ana Santi - Seraphine maternity

 

It was the water cooler that did it. Whilst refilling my glass, a fellow officer worker did a strange double-take at my stomach: an expression somewhere between surprise and embarrassment. “That was one hearty bowl of pasta she must have scoffed down at lunch” were probably her thoughts.

In fact, I was 21 weeks pregnant and, jeans aside, I was still wearing my normal clothes. But I knew then that it wouldn’t be long before I needed to buy new stuff, and the thought scared me.

I’m a fashion journalist, so what I wear matters. I also like tailored clothes. Two factors that, when combined, don’t make for easy, carefree maternity dressing.

So I decided to consult my pregnant friends and those who already had children. They told me: Invest in skinny jeans. Avoid skinny jeans. Buy normal clothes a few sizes bigger. Don’t buy normal clothes a few sizes bigger. Buy cheap maternitywear – you’ll be sick of the sight of it after the birth. Invest in quality.

At first, the mixed messages were overwhelming, but I soon realised that they made perfect sense. These are friends with their own, individual styles. They dress to suit their tastes and body shapes. They like to – and do – look good, and did so whilst pregnant, but without altering their pre-pregnancy style.

From then on, I actually started to get quite excited about a maternity wardrobe and showing off my bump in a proper pregnant way. Whether I’ll regret it later on, I’ve decided to go for quality (I may have a second child later on) and buy several key pieces for each season. Any excuse to buy new clothes…

 

Ana Santi wears a Seraphine maternity dress

 

 

But the first thing I did was go through my existing wardrobe. I counted two short, loose dresses that I can wear with tights right from winter through to summer. I found, right at the bottom of a drawer, another short black dress that I haven’t worn for years (don’t ask me why, it’s still pretty) with a sort of empire line (but without being billowy; silhouettes that are too loose-fitting can actually make you look much bigger than you are) that will be perfect for smart work occasions. My legs are probably my best feature, so I realised that shorter lengths on skirts and dresses and skinny jeans would be good investments.

Still in my wardrobe, I saw that a floral print skirt with an elasticated waistband would be perfect for spring, as will several loose fitting tops for summer. One friend pointed out the brilliance of blazers – they maintain a fitted silhouette and you can still fit into them. I have a couple of those in my wardrobe.

I then made a list of clothes to buy. I’ve invested in three pairs of skinny jeans: black for winter, grey for all seasons and cropped white for spring and summer. I’m considering buying just normal blue jeans too…

I also bought a smart white shirt and a short grey skirt, which is really versatile and can be worn with or without tights. That’s it so far (underwear aside, of course).

Also on the list but not yet purchased (buy in stages as you don’t know how big you’ll get how quickly) are stretch jersey or cotton tops. I’ll be buying these as soon as the weather allows me to put away my jumpers and the bump gets too big for existing tops. Figure-hugging maxi dresses and a pair of shorts are also part of the summer spree.

Finally, don’t just think about clothes. Flat shoes are on-trend right now and will be next season too, so invest in those. Several of my friends swore by great pedicures during pregnancy. And experiment with make-up and jewellery.

But the most important thing is to be yourself. If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you care enough about how you look during your pregnancy, so have fun with it. My bump won’t flatter a jumpsuit this summer, so I’m considering some dungarees instead. Every cloud…

 

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Real fashion mums styling it out in Seraphine
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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.

 

Say it on Your Shirt: Seraphine’s Top 5 Slogan Tees

A celebrity favourite and a street style must-have, stylish slogan tees make a bold statement so you don’t have to!

Not so much a trend as a lifestyle choice… like red lipstick or high heels… the slogan tee is always a sassy option, and spring is the perfect time to rock the look.

Browse our stylish maternity tops & check out our top 5 slogan tees…

 

 

Nautical vibes, a touch of French chic and an ultra-laid back message, this cooler-than-cool t-shirt is a must-have for those dressed down days. Made in the softest stretch viscose with easy nursing access, the C’est La Vie tee says it all!

 

 

Never forget the golden rules and always say yes to chocolate! This ultra-soft and stretchy maternity top will make sure you never have to politely decline a mistakenly offered glass of bubbly again.

 

 

Ta-da! Show off your new curves in our most feminine maternity & nursing slogan tee. Perfect for before, during and after pregnancy with easy nursing access, team it with leggings, heels & a leather jacket et voila… instant glam!

 

 

Not all the slogans are saved up for the daytime; put a rock and roll spin on your bedtime routine with our Sweet Love Maternity Pyjamas! The soft cotton top is the perfect rock chic loungewear option, and can even be teamed with skinny jeans for a dressed down day.

 

 

And our personal favourite – The Love Tee! This soft grey marl charity tee is perfect before, during and after pregnancy. Modelled by the lovely Sophie Ellis Bextor, 100% of the profits from this t-shirt go directly to Tommy’s the baby charity, helping them to fund the UK’s first medical research centre specialising in early miscarriage. AND we’ll donate an extra £1 for every picture uploaded to our online gallery.

 

For more maternity fashion inspiration, check out the rest of our stylish maternity tops online!

 

 

Pregnant paralympic gold medalist Dame Sarah Storey shops in Seraphine

Pregnant paralympic gold medalist Dame Sarah Storey visited our Kensington store recently for a little bit of maternity shopping with Cecile. Wearing our ¾ sleeved maternity knot front dress, she had a browse of our SS13 collection, on the hunt for some more stylish maternity wear.  Wearing Seraphine to the Sports Industry Awards, she looked absolutely beautiful in our multi-way blue silk gown which she matched with a stand out pair of heels.

 

An inspirational woman and athlete, Dame Sarah has balanced pregnancy and her training effortlessly, and is already planning her next challenge! Find out more in her interview with the Guardian

 

Sarah Storey shopping for maternity clothes

 

Follow Dame Sarah Storey’s twitter and keep up to date with her journey through pregnancy.

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