We could all use a little more kindness in our lives these days. So this week on the blog, we’re thinking about the little things we can do to brighten someone’s day.
Receiving something exciting in the mail is such a simple thing, and yet it has the power to make someone’s day… Just think how happy you were to see the delivery person with your latest online order!
Why not send a little something to let someone know you’re thinking of them… whether it’s a hand-written letter, a bunch of flowers or a thoughtful gift for a fellow mama-to-be.
The people you live with, neighbours you pass on the street, the person who serves your take-out coffee… you never know who could use a friendly smile.
Chelsey Oliver is the Creative & Brand Director at Seraphine. A mama of 2, stepmother of 1 and now expecting her third baby later this year, Chelsey has over 15 years’ experience designing maternity clothes.
When it comes to bumps, babies & the journey into motherhood, it’s safe to say that Chelsey knows a thing or two…. We sat down with her to talk pregnancy, motherhood & designing clothes to make life easier for mamas.
First – congratulations on your pregnancy! How are you feeling?
Thank you! I’m currently 32 weeks along and my little ones are 18 months & 3 years old, so as you can probably imagine, it’s a little more tiring this time around! However, I absolutely love being pregnant, especially as I get to come to work feeling so inspired every day!
As the mastermind behind many of our most innovative products, can you tell us where your inspiration comes from?
I’m a firm believer that the right wardrobe can play a big part in a woman’s smooth journey into motherhood. And what better source of inspiration could I ask for than being on this path myself? I can honestly say I’ve never felt so inspired as I am in my own motherhood journey.
I came up with the idea for our skin to skin tops thanks to my first pregnancy. After welcoming my daughter I started making notes about what I wanted, and by the time my son arrived a year and a half later, the top I’d dreamed up was ready to use.
The same thing happened with my son – as I breastfed him, I was thinking about all the ways I could improve the nursing bras that I had. All those ideas went into making our new Baby Sensory Bra, which features a full-coverage modesty panel with a high-contrast print to keep baby focussed, as well as wide supportive straps to encourage good posture & prevent back ache. I can’t wait to try it out once my new little one arrives!
Being in the motherhood space and listening to other mums around me is also a massive bonus. I absorb everything I can regarding the hurdles we face as mothers and I am always on the lookout for a solution we can offer at Seraphine!
Do you think your own pregnancies & experience of motherhood have affected your approach to design?
I’ve been designing maternity clothing since the start of my career, so naturally my approach has evolved. My interest in the fashion industry has always been focused on empowering women to feel confident in their bodies. Part of that drive comes from being curvy myself since my teen years and always feeling frustrated with ill-fitting clothing on the high street.
It’s fair to say that at the start of my career, my focus was on designs that fit the body well and adapt with curves. As the years passed, I became very aware of the environmental impact of short-use clothing – and so it became a focus of mine to ensure all pieces we design provide longevity through adaptability & functionality. Our 3 in 1 babywearing jackets are the perfect example – the work with your bump through pregnancy, adapt for babywearing & can be worn long afterwards too as a regular coat!
Later, my experience of being a busy mum in an age where we put a great deal of pressure on ourselves to be great both at home and at work, has given me the edge for innovation. I take great satisfaction in continually revolutionising the modern maternity wardrobe to be really hardworking.
As an expectant mama yourself, what are your personal must-have pieces – the ones you get the most wear out of?
There are some pieces that I swear I wear whenever they are clean! My favourites through the work week are the two-piece dresses – most of which will see me well into the spring and for nursing.
Great lingerie is a must, and on the weekends I live in our dungarees. I must admit, I never wore dungarees pre-motherhood, but I find they are the perfect piece for being active with my kids – with or without a bump!
What are your top recommendations for:
1st Trimester
Invest in comfy lingerie – it’s important to have a good selection that you can wear as your body changes – a growing bustline is one of the first areas we see change.
2nd Trimester
I don’t have a specific product here, almost everything we design will give great use from this point onwards! A pair of maternity jeans, a great dress and some leggings are all a must!
3rd Trimester
For comfort I’d go for the maternity dungarees + some great nursing tops to layer under them.
Hospital Bag
For this one, my ideal list would be a bit endless – but don’t forget, everything you buy for the hospital bag will equip you well into your nursing journey! Don’t miss your skin to skin top and a two pack of button-down nighties for the hospital.
4th Trimester
The 3 in 1 babywearing hoodie is a must-have for evening strolls. Also, I’ve had 2 caesareans so the post maternity shaping jeans are a personal favourite of mine – they give me great support once I’ve fully healed, which is great for babywearing!
And finally, as a working mother, do you have any tips for balancing work & family life?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! It seems an obvious one, but so many of us take on too much. I’m guilty of assuming that those around me just ‘know’ what I need from them, and so often a little more communication goes a long way!
Similarly with your doctor or midwife, if anything ever just doesn’t feel right, or if you have a gut instinct something is wrong, listen to it and insist on getting the help you need – taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of your family!
Pregnancy & postnatal expert & mother of two, Becca Maberly is the Founder of A Mother Place, a site which offers antenatal courses designed to prepare parents for pregnancy, birth & life with a new baby. This week her brand new book – Nobody Tells You – hit the shelves, so we caught up with her to find out more…
We had an early sneak peak & we can tell you, it’s an absolute gold mine of info, anecdotes & reassurance – a must-have for new or expecting parents!
First, tell us a bit about A Mother Place – What’s the Mission?
When I was pregnant with my first son, I was so lucky to have my dad, an Obstetrician at the end of the phone. It was amazing to have expert advice on tap throughout every trimester and to prepare me for my birth. I was like an A Grade student going in to ace my exam! However, there was a bit of a gap in my knowledge as I failed to prepare myself for what came after the birth!
I created A Mother Place because I wanted to make sure that no mother felt as alone as I did in those first few weeks, months and years. When I first had my son, I was so confused and angry that there seemed to be so much stuff surrounding birth and the postnatal period that nobody had told me about. Everything seemed to be shrouded in secrecy until you were actually a proper part of this mystical mum gang…and then suddenly people are dying to talk to you about their piles and postnatal depression! That’s great, but I wanted to know about this kind of thing before hand, so I could be prepared!
I created online courses to help prepare women and their partners. My wish is that new mums coming behind us embark on their parenting journey with their eyes wide open and armed with all the information and advice they need to for the nerve-wracking times ahead!
Now tell us about the book!
It’s called ‘Nobody Tells You’ and it’s a collection of over 100 honest stories about pregnancy, birth and parenthood. It covers everything that Nobody Tells you from infertility and miscarriage right through to giving birth and eventually going back to work AND everything in between! We have some amazing, brave, funny, sad and wonderful stories from the likes of Megan Rose Lane, Clemmie Telford, Anna Mathur and Cat Simms and amazing expert advice from Obstetrician Roger Marwood, who happens to be my dad!
It is inspired by my own frustration at the lack of honest information out there and I really hope it will become an invaluable guide to those who are thinking about becoming parents, already pregnant or have become parents recently.
There is no scaremongering, no sugar coating, just reassuring and practical advice alongside personal stories that prove there is no “right way” to do it!
Enter on Instagram to Win Your Copy + a Fabulous Prize Bundle, Including a Seraphine Skin to Skin Top!
We love the bite-size format – perfect for dipping in & out of when you have a spare 5 minutes…
There are more than 100 different stories from men and women covering just about EVERYTHING you can think of from trying to conceive right through to going back to work after having a baby, and everything else in between!
Each story is accompanied by expert advice that explains any issues that are raised in the story and information about where to get help if you need it. Despite the difficult and sometimes heart-breaking subjects we cover, the book is very positive, uplifting and funny too!
We have an absolutely amazing community on Instagram, @amotherplace, and everyone is so generous with sharing their stories, whatever the subject. When I decided to write the book I asked people to submit their stories and they just flooded in!
Did any of them hit particularly close to home for you? (Aside from your own, of course!)
Yes, the breastfeeding stories really hit home for me. I had a particularly difficult time feeding my babies and it was very emotional for me to read about the struggles that others went through too. I also suffered from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy a few years ago which went undiagnosed and almost killed me, so the story that we share about that is very personal to me.
Having delivered over 5000 babies in his time, Roger Marwood provides invaluable medical insights to accompany the stories in the book. What was it like navigating your own pregnancies with him on the end of the phone?
I felt so lucky and so privileged to have access to such expert advice 24-7. All my friends were always on the phone too – they still are when they have any pregnancy related questions! When I set up our Online Antenatal Classes on A Mother Place, it was because I wanted to be able to share this resource with everyone else. I wanted everyone else to feel as confident and prepared as I did when I went into labour. And the online Postnatal Courses I launched more recently to help new mums in that nerve-wracking first year!
Lastly, any advice to share with new & expecting mamas?
It’s wonderful but it is also VERY hard work, but I think if you know about the tough stuff and you expect this, then often it will be better or easier than you thought. So be prepared, do your research. Understand how the human body is meant to work and how we are designed to give birth, but also understand that Mother Nature doesn’t always get it right, and if this happens to you then you do not need to be afraid. We have amazing doctors and nurses who can help deliver your baby safely.
You need to appreciate that your body and mind will change, not for the worse, but things will be different. If things don’t feel good for you after you have had a baby, then again, you do not need to worry as there is help and support out there for you whatever issues you are having. And above all, remember that however you are feeling, whatever you are going through, you are not alone.
At Serphine, we pride ourselves on offering innovative solutions to support new & expecting parents at every stage of pregnancy & early parenthood. You can shop our full collection online here
TV presenter, fashion journalist & mama to 3 year old Honor, Louise announced her second pregnancy just last week!
She wore several Seraphine styles last time around – the picture is from 2018 while she was expecting Honor. We can’t wait to see how she dresses her bump this spring.
Supermodel & Project Runway host Karlie Kloss is expecting her first baby this year with husband Joshua Kushner.
As well as being one of the world’s most successful models, Karlie is also the founder of Kode with Klossy, a scholarship program for young girls interested in computer programming & software engineering – we think she’s one inspirational mama!
Former Made in Chelsey star & mama to 3 year old India, Binky is getting set to welcome baby number two – a little boy – later this year.
Binky was a big fan of Seraphine maternity clothes throughout her first pregnancy – our store was even featured on the show! This time around she has been loving our dungarees.
Due any day now, singer, actress & former member of Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland is getting ready to welcome baby number 2. A little brother or sister for 6 year old Titan.
Actress, singer & former Lizzie McGuire star Hilary is expecting baby number 3 this year.
Mama to 8 year old Luca & 2 year old Banks, she has a children’s book coming out this march aimed at mamas & daughters. It’s called My Little Brave Girl & we can’t wait to get our hands on a copy.
British singer, TV presenter & former Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh is expecting baby number three. A little brother or sister for sons Bobby & Cole.
Kimberley relied on Seraphine maternity dresses for photoshoots, TV appearances & events throughout her last pregnancy & we can’t wait to see how she styles her bump this time around.
Remember the Crocodile Hunter? Well Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi is now expecting a daughter of her own!
And of course this is just a small selection of the 2021 celebrity pregnancies we know of so far… There’s also Princess Eugenie, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Rose Leslie, Meghan Trainor & Dream Home Makeover designer Shea McGee to mention just a few!
Remember travel? Hopping on a plane & turning up in a brand new city, luggage in hand, ready to explore…
Well today on the blog, we’re taking you on a whistle stop tour around some of the world’s top fashion capitals, to see what new & expectant mamas in London, Paris, LA, Melbourne & beyond have been wearing while staying safe at home.
Lingerie is one thing many of us have changed our ways on through lockdown, ditching the uncomfortable under-wired ones & replacing them with softer, more comfort-focused bras.
We love this pic of first-time mama Elizabeth wearing our lacy black lingerie set – the bra offers a comfy non-wired fit through pregnancy & easy nursing access afterwards.
We think this look by first time mama-to-be Emily is the perfect way to brighten up a grey lockdown day. Our comfy dungarees + a bold red lip… we are here for it!
And if you prefer a more monochrome take on the look, Cate has got you covered. She teamed our black denim dungarees with a cosy grey knit & sneakers, matching beautifully with her décor!
Over in LA, mama of two Laura loved our black floral midi. The soft woven fabric & easy wrap fit are ideal for warmer weather – perfect for relaxing around the house or heading out & about.
Over the past year, many of us have developed new habits, routines & rituals to help bring a bit of structure to our time at home. And for us, a daily walk has become an absolute non-negotiable!
Beneficial for both mind & body, it’s the perfect way to get outside, get moving & breathe some fresh air.
Check out our top 5 must-haves for your winter walk, ideal before & after baby arrives…
Designed for bump, babywearing & beyond, our 3 in 1 Maternity Puffer Jackets will keep you & baby cosy in even the coldest climates.
The premium, ultra-warm coat offers a flexible fit that grows with your bump & comes with a detachable panel designed to zip up over your baby carrier after your little one arrives.
It’s even made using recycled plastic padding, so it’s good for the planet too!
Of course, you can’t make use of the babywearing panel on our coats without a baby carrier to go with it! We love the carriers by Ergobaby & Caboo – both brands are certified as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
As an added bonus, you can enjoy a £20 discount when you buy a Caboo or Ergobaby Carrier with your 3 in 1 coat!
The absolute best way to keep your hands warm & cosy on your daily walk, treat yourself to our Pram Mitt!
Lined in soft faux-fur, it fits on any pram with a single handle bar, and the best bit… it has a touchscreen-friendly phone pocket on the front, perfect for listening to your favourite podcast as you stroll!
Our constant companion this year – don’t forget to bring your face mask! Perfect to slip into your pocket, just in case you run into unexpected crowds or decide to pick up some groceries on your way home.
Ours comes in a handy pack of two, is constructed in pure cotton & features a cute graphic heart print.
You didn’t think we forgot about Dad did you? We have babywearing essentials for him too! Our Men’s Babywearing Gilet comes with the same innovative zip-on pouch to keep baby cosy in the carrier.
It’s perfect as a stand-alone piece, or worn under his regular coat for that cosy extra layer on your daily walk as a family.
The story follows Aisha & Lucy, who are both expecting their first babies. They meet at their local baby group & quickly become friends, but one of them has a big secret, which could change everything… Intrigued? … We sure are!
Just Between Friends is quite a departure from Rosie’s two previous books. The Stylist & Amber Green Takes Manhattan are both fun, feel-good reads, whereas this new book has been described as a gripping page turner with a hidden secret at its centre. Just the thing to curl up with on these dark November evenings… We can’t wait to get stuck in!
The book is out now, so if you don’t happen to be one of the lucky winners, you can order your copy here.
Rosie Nixon on The Capsule in Conversation Podcast
And if, like us, you can’t wait to find out a bit more, Rosie recently appeared on Natalie Anderson’s podcast The Capsule in Conversation, which is well worth a listen. You can find it on all the usual podcast providers or watch on YouTube here.
As well as discussing her new book, Rosie opens up about motherhood, friendship, giving up on the concept of perfection & championing kindness in life & in her career…. All sprinkled with fantastic celebrity anecdotes from her years working closely with stars at Hello! Magazine.
London, Paris, New York & LA to Dubai, New Delhi & Hong Kong… Seraphine maternity boutiques & concessions can be found in fashion capitals all across the world.
And right now we are thrilled to announce that we are expanding in the US… You can now shop Seraphine maternity clothes in selected Macy’s stores!
Seraphine in New York
The largest department store in the US and one of the largest in the world, Macy’s Herald Square is home to over 2000 sq. ft. of maternity fashion & that now includes all your favourite Seraphine styles!
Conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, right on the edge of NYC’s world-famous garment district, it’s a must-visit for mamas & mamas-to-be.
Along with our 2 flagship Seraphine stores, on West Broadway in SoHo & on Madison Avenue, NYC is the perfect destination for a pre-baby shopping trip on the East Coast!
If you’re closer to California, you can now shop Seraphine maternity clothes at the Macy’s in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The South Coast Plaza is the largest shopping mall in California, and home to some of the biggest names in designer fashion, so it’s a natural home for the Seraphine collection.
Whether you’re looking for statement maternity dresses, everyday essentials for pregnancy & nursing or even the perfect pair of maternity jeans, you’re sure to find it in the Seraphine corner at Macy’s!
Our shift dress is made in the softest stretch jersey, making it incredibly comfortable – perfect for relaxing at home.
Coco styled it simply with slicked back hair & killer heels for her nursery reveal while expecting Ioni.
Cool & Grungy
Biker boots, a leather jacket & beanie toughened up the look for a moody outdoor shoot near her home.
Coco perfectly demonstrates the versatility of this classic LBD, which is included in our BUMP KIT. 4 essential styles (the LBD plus a vest, leggings & skirt) designed to help you kickstart your pregnancy style.
All in classic black & white, they’re perfect for mixing & matching with pieces from your regular wardrobe.
Stilettos, black tights & a jacket of her own design bring the perfect polish to this look. We love it for a date night or smart work event.
Simply Sexy
And this shot has to be our favourite – just look at that gorgeous bump! This time she kept things simple, just adding chunky boots & the perfect mood lighting!
With blue skies on the horizon & summer just around the corner, now’s the time to talk summer dresses. Specifically, this season’s signature maternity midi dress.
These are the fabulously floaty wrap dresses we’re tipping for greatness this season – which one is your fave?
And last, but certainly not least, we have the ultimate little black dress for summer. A lightweight, feminine take on the sophisticated style classic.
And the great thing is, these dresses will flatter your figure whether you’re pregnant or not – as rather glamorously demonstrated here by new mama @jesta_hillmann & little Juliann with her gorgeous before & after shots.
The soon-to-be first time mum had originally intended to give birth at St Thomas’s Hospital in London, but decided to change her plans over concerns that her birth partner, fiancé Ben Richardson, might not be allowed to be by her side during labour.
Sarah Jane told Hello! “I don’t want to be walking into hospital on my own to have this baby, so I am considering a home birth.”
“I had never considered it before but, because of everything that’s going on, it makes me feel more relaxed to think about having the baby at home, rather than Ben not being able to come into the ward until the very final moment. I think my plan A now is a home birth. I have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and I am very healthy, so there’s no reason for me not to have it.”
Sarah Jane has been working from home since the start of lockdown back in March, and we have loved spotting her rocking Seraphine maternity dresses during her virtual interviews – especially for her special report on Coronavirus advice for pregnancy – see the full interview here.
This week Sky
News Presenter & mama-to-be Sarah-Jane Mee interviewed GP Dr Zoe Williams
to clarify the current advice for pregnant women surrounding Covid-19, also
known as Coronavirus.
Sarah-Jane, who is currently 26 weeks pregnant with her first baby, is self-isolating at home, so she conducted the interview online, along with a follow up Instagram post the next day, looking stylish both times in Seraphine maternity dresses.
You can watch the interview on YouTube, but we have also transcribed it below.
Do Pregnant Women Have to Self-Isolate for 12 Weeks?
Sarah-Jane: I spoke to Dr Zoe Williams about this and she said that the current guidance is that it’s only pregnant women with heart conditions who should be self-isolating for 12 weeks.
If you’re having a healthy, normal pregnancy, you should be practicing strict social distancing rules as a precaution. That will involve working from home if you can. If you can’t, you need to operate that strict 2 meter social distance rule and put into practice all the other government guidelines – things like washing your hands regularly.
Why are pregnant women more at risk?
Dr Zoe: So far, from the evidence that we have, pregnant women are no more likely to get the infection and they’re no more likely to have the serious consequences of Covid-19. However, we know that pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, can affect your immune system and many women can be more vulnerable to getting unwell with viruses.
So, although this doesn’t seem to be the case so far with coronavirus, because we know so little about it, it’s really a case of taking additional precautions.
But the reassuring this is that so far with coronavirus we’re not seeing that pregnant women are more likely to run into the serious consequences.
Is there a greater risk depending on what stage of pregnancy you’re at?
Dr Zoe: During the third trimester, the interference that pregnancy can have on your immune system is more likely.
But there’s an added note – although pregnant women and young healthy people are very unlikely to get the serious consequences of Covid-19, a small number do, and if a woman is pregnant in the third trimester and she does require ventilation, it can be very difficult and very complicated. So, there are just a couple of reasons why women in the third trimester need to be a little more cautious.
Are newborns particularly vulnerable?
Dr Zoe: So far, the evidence tells us that newborns are not a vulnerable group – they are not more likely to get difficulties with Covid-19. Which is really good news, because obviously with newborns we wrap them up in cotton wool and we protect them from everything, and of course we should still do that, but they are not vulnerable. So, let’s annihilate that anxiety that many new mothers will have.
But it is important to say that everybody wants to come and visit when you have a newborn and at the moment, for a number of reasons, to protect the newborn but also to protect the people visiting and everybody else, unfortunately, no visitors allowed.
Here at Seraphine, we were all proud to take part in Thursday’s applause for the amazing front-line workers at the NHS. We are so grateful for your strength, courage & resilience in these challenging times. We were aslo pleased to spot Sarah-Jane joining in at home in her Seraphine dress!
Disclaimer: The above advice is aimed at healthy women with normal pregnancies. No two pregnancies are the same, so as always, please follow the advice given to you by your own doctors & health care providers.
