Pregnancy Archives - Page 5 of 8 -

Pregnancy Glow: Beauty Tips for Radiant Skin, Glossy Hair and a Gleaming Smile

Glow like a goddess through your pregnancy with these simple hints and tips for radiant skin, glossy hair and gleaming white teeth! We’ve all heard of that radiant pregnancy glow that appears during your nine months… the one that will have friends and family commenting on how fantastic you look. So why not give your natural glow a little boost with these simple pregnancy-safe tips:

Radiant Skin

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on May 4, 2017 at 10:12pm PDT

Shop our gorgeous designer changing bags today!

There are no shock revelations or secret shortcuts here (well maybe just one….). The best way to ensure radiant skin fit for a goddess, is to lead an equally saintly lifestyle. That means drinking plenty of water and eating good anti-oxidant rich foods like grapefruit, watermelon and broccoli to flush out toxins.

When it comes to your skincare routine, every goddess is different, so all we can really advise is that you find a regime that works for you and stick to it. You may find that your skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy, so it’s probably best to steer clear of heavy duty products, opting for the gentler ones instead.

Quick Fix

If your pregnancy glow is in need of an instant radiance boost, try sucking on an ice cube! This will boost circulation to your face and provide an instantly plumper, rosier complexion. Works like a charm!

Glossy Hair

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Feb 11, 2017 at 10:21am PST

For glossy, goddess-worthy locks, it’s all about keeping things cool. It’s no secret that heat is damaging to your hair, so a quick cool rinse at the end of a shower, or finishing off your blow dry with the cool shot setting on your hair dryer could make the world of difference!

Top Tip

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

Gleaming Smile

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Jan 26, 2017 at 12:19pm PST

Aside from the obvious (brush twice a day and don’t forget to floss), a great way of keeping your teeth pearly white is to eat plenty of crunchy fruit and veg like apples, celery, broccoli and carrots. Sounds like some crunchy crudités and hummus is in order!

Let Your Pregnancy Glow Sparkle & Shine

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Of course once you’ve achieved your goddess-like pregnancy glow, there’s no better way to show it off than in some stunning new maternity clothes! Choose the styles that make you feel like the most shiny and fabulous version of yourself. Whether that means rocking a Grecian style maternity dress, strutting your stuff in the perfect pair of maternity jeans, or pulling out all the stops in a glamorous LUXE maternity evening gown!

Look after your pregnancy glow & have fun with fashion this season mamas!

Bump & Style: How to Flatter Your Pregnancy Body Type

As women, we tend to be pretty well acquainted with our own body types. You probably already have a good idea of whether you qualify as an apple, a pear, an hourglass, or goodness knows what other kind of fruit or vegetable; and you’ll know how to dress to make the most of your shape. But once those pregnancy curves come into the equation, you’ll have a whole new set of shapes to style!

Today we want to help you figure out your pregnancy body type, and offer a few tips to help you flatter your new figure.

Many women find that their baby affects more than just their bump. If you’re gaining weight evenly and seem to be rounding out all over – from the usual suspects like hips, boobs and bum to more unusual places like arms, legs and even your face – then you may be a naturally curvy mama.

For you, dressing for your shape is all about elongating your figure, to help you look longer and leaner. Choose soft maternity dresses in a gently form fitting fabric to show off your beautiful bump – our Woven Printed Maternity Dress would be perfect.

Your key accessory is a long waterfall cardigan that matches the length of your dress, which will optically slim and lengthen your silhouette.

If your baby is sitting low, you’ll likely be showing a cute bump just above your hips. There’s a common old wives tale that would have us believe that this means you’re having a boy – while we can’t vouch for that, we can help you to make the most of your new shape!

Your main concern will be to choose styles that are soft at the waistline – anything that puts too much pressure on the bump is going to be a no-no. We suggest a pair of stylish under bump maternity jeans with a long maternity top.

Your key accessory is a cute cropped cardigan to balance you out and draw attention up towards your face.

If your baby is sitting high, it can sometimes feel like your bust and bump are morphing into one! But the good news is with the right styling, you and your high sitting bump can rock some seriously cute maternity outfits.

Your main fashion concern is to define your curves by separating bust and bump – so something like our Nautical Maternity & Nursing Dress with stripes across the top and a plain navy skirt will work wonders for you. Colour blocking top and bottom is also a great idea – why not try a cute blouse with a high-waisted over bump maternity skirt!

Your key accessory is a stylish maternity belt to wrap around and nip in your empire waist.

If you are naturally petite, that baby bump has nowhere to go but out! So while you keep your naturally slim frame, your bump will really pop. With the right maternity clothes, you can play up your pregnancy curves – so don’t be afraid to take risks and have fun with your fashion!

You are one of the lucky ones who can pull off pretty much anything through pregnancy! That being said, you may need a little help in the early stages adding extra curve to your curves. Why not try a cute pair of skinny maternity jeans with a soft ruched maternity top to add a little oomph to your bump. Horizontal stripes and patterns will look great on you – our Printed Side Ruched Maternity Dress is the perfect choice.

Your key accessory is anything to make your look pop – why not try one of our Empire Maternity Belts in silver.

Get Some Headspace & Enjoy a Mindful Pregnancy

We could all use a little more Headspace in our lives – especially during pregnancy!

Developed by a former Buddhist monk, Headspace is a meditation app, with over a million users worldwide. Starting with just 10 mindful minutes per day, this app aims to transform the way your brain works, helping to reduce stress, recharge creativity, boost focus and even improve your relationships.

So how can it help during pregnancy?

This summer, the founder of Headspace Andy Puddicombe released a book – The Headspace Guide to a Mindful Pregnancy, along with a brand new pregnancy pack, which can be found in the health section of the app.

Now we know what you’re thinking…. A pregnancy guide written by a man? But hear us out! It offers simple, empowering exercises designed to create the best state of mind from conception, through pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Andy puts it better than we could – check out his explanation on the Headspace blog.

Andy Explains

This app changes lives for the better; scores of celebrities and successful entrepreneurs swear by the Headspace system including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Emma Watson, TV presenter and fan of the Seraphine maternity jeans Fearne Cotton, Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington and Seraphine founder Cecile Reinaud.

Your pregnancy could be the perfect opportunity to shake up the way you think and introduce a little mindfulness into your routine!

Fashion Blogger & Insta-Star Eimear Varian Barry Talks Pregnancy

Eimear Varian Barry is a super stylish Irish blogger and Instagram queen taking the fashion and lifestyle world by storm. She lives in Surrey with her partner Daniel & their gorgeous two year old Saoirse, and is expecting baby number two in March. We caught up with her to chat about fashion, pregnancy and her biggest inspirations.

1) We love your style! Can you sum it up in 3 words?

Simple, androgynistic, structural.

A photo posted by E V B (@eimearvarianbarry) on Dec 21, 2015 at 9:27am PST

2) How have you been styling your bump? Are you more of a fitted kind of girl, or do you like to keep things loose and flowing?

Definitely a mix of both! I don’t know what I did without my black maternity skinny jeans during my first pregnancy! I love pairing them with an oversized maternity sweater at this time of year. I have a few knitted dresses which I love to just throw on. I hate anything that restricts the bump or is in any way tight on it.

A photo posted by E V B (@eimearvarianbarry) on Oct 7, 2015 at 12:02pm PDT

3) Do you have a favourite piece from the Seraphine collection?

Yes! The Wool and Cashmere Maternity Coats! I am obsessed with cashmere and love the structural style of these coats. I am wearing a lot of black at the moment, so all three shades go with everything!

4) What is the best part about being pregnant?

I think the fact that it actually slows you down. At the beginning, I was frustrated by it, but now I can see how much good it is doing for me physically and mentally.

5) Have you had any weird pregnancy cravings?

Not weird, but I am eating a copious amount of apples at the moment!

6) We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?

Primer- I use the Smashbox primer. It is like silk on your skin and keeps my foundation on for hours.
My Lip liner. It does wonders for the shape of my lips!
Eyebrow Kit. I use the Benefit eyebrow shaper.

A photo posted by E V B (@eimearvarianbarry) on Dec 17, 2015 at 1:17pm PST

7) Do you have any beauty or styling tips to share with other expectant mums?

I put oil on my bump as much as I can. In saying that, I use oil all over, to prevent stretch marks. On my boobs, bum and thighs too! I use Eve Lom cleanser which I cannot rave more about. My skin has been breaking out lately and their cleanser reduces the redness and is the best product I have ever used for taking off make up.

8) Finding the perfect balance can be a challenge – if you could have one super power, what would it be & how would you use it?

Well it’s like every working woman isn’t it? I would love to be able to commit to what I do full time, while also living like the devoted mother in Little House On The Prairie, while also being a more present friend to those who are dear to me. Oh and be able to have the apartment perfect 24/7 and perhaps be able to read a book now and again? And get to shave my legs in between all of that!

9) Who inspires you?

I bought Lynsey Addario’s book this week. She is a photojournalist I have been following for a while and who I admire hugely. Hopefully I will get around to reading some of it soon!

10) What was the best piece of advice you received when you were pregnant?

It was from my mum and it was just to do my own thing. Not be scared, not do what the book says but what feels right for you. It worked well for having Saoirse, so i think i’ll do the same this time!

For more beautiful images, follow Eimear on Instagram @eimearvarianbarry and check out her blog: TheEVBEdit.

First Trimester Fashion Tips: How to Hide a Baby Bump

Congratulations – you’re pregnant! You just got the biggest news of your life, but if you aren’t ready to shout it from the rooftops just yet, we are here to help.

As the world begins to open up again, we’ve put together a few top tips on how to hide a baby bump at work, out with friends and even from your nearest and dearest before you’re ready to share the news.

First Trimester Tips At Work

1) Maternity Workwear

While many of us have worked from home this past year, hiding a baby bump at work has not been a problem – it’s easy enough to angle your zoom camera high!

But as we begin to contemplate a gradual return to the office, it’s worth thinking about maternity workwear options. Anything with an empire waist will cinch you in under your bust and glide easily over your figure. Choose one of our stylish empire maternity dresses, or wear a loose fitting blouse, untucked over a comfy pair of black maternity trousers to hide your baby bump at the office.

2) Choose a Partner in Crime

Covering your first trimester tracks at work can be exhausting, so we suggest letting someone at the office in on the secret. They can help you divert attention from tell-tale hospital appointments and inevitable pregnancy symptoms.

Your work bestie is the perfect candidate, though really it could be anyone you trust to keep mum about your impending mummy-hood.

3) Stock up your Snack Drawer

Make sure to have a good supply of plain snacks, mints or gum and water to sip at your desk. Anything that will help in case you come over queasy at work.

First Trimester Tips for Evenings Out

4) Get Sneaky with your Drinks

If you’re not usually one to shy away from a drink, your friends may catch on if you suddenly abstain. If you’re out at a bar, try to order when no one is listening and get a virgin version of your usual – a lemonade or sparkling water can easily be dressed up as a gin & tonic.

If it’s a dinner party setting & somebody pours you a glass of wine without asking, make sure your partner gets a glass of the same & subtly switch glasses each time his starts to go down – if you’re careful, nobody will notice you’re not actually drinking.

If all else fails, claim that you’re detoxing or on antibiotics, or better yet, offer to be the designated driver!

5) Draw Attention Up

Use your clothes and accessories to distract, misdirect & draw attention up towards your face, away from your budding bump. A gorgeous dress with a busy pattern or a lot of detail at the top could do the trick, or try some statement jewellery.

First Trimester Tips for Family Gatherings

6) Balance your Bump

Family gatherings can be tricky – especially if your mum or mother-in-law are on high-alert grandbaby-watch! Wearing shapeless baggy clothes is sure to raise suspicion, so the trick at this stage is to balance out loose tops with more fitted bottoms. Our maternity leggings or skinny jeans would be perfect for pairing with oversized A-line tops for a relaxed weekend look.

7) Layer Up

To really disguise your new curves, layer up with a long draped scarf or cardigan. One of our Long Line Cardigans would be the perfect cover.

8) Time for a Makeover

Been thinking about a new haircut, or experimenting with some new makeup looks? Now is the perfect time to shake up your beauty routine, so that when someone spots something different about you, you can blame it on your new look. It can also help to give you a little boost if you aren’t feeling 100% right now.

Good luck keeping your wonderful secret mamas!

Maternity Coats: The International Collection – London, Paris & New York

With colder weather just around the corner, now is the perfect time to introduce our internationally inspired collection of winter maternity coats. From London to Paris and New York, a fantastic maternity coat is the linchpin of every stylish mama’s winter pregnancy wardrobe…

London Maternity Coats

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Get the Look: Natasha Cashmere Blend Coat

The first stop on our sartorial world tour is Seraphine’s hometown, London. The London collection is all about iconic design, beautiful cuts and the very finest fabrics. Loved by the Duchess of Cambridge herself, these smart winter coats offer classic style that’s perfect for every occasion.

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Dec 8, 2015 at 9:24am PST

Get the Look: Marina Maternity Coat

While she was expecting Princess Charlotte, the Duchess wore the Natasha Cashmere Blend Coat for a day of official royal engagements in London, and she looked stunning in our Marina Maternity Coat when she and Prince William arrived for their first official royal visit to New York.

Parisian Chic Maternity Coats

Get the look: Cashmere Wrap Maternity Coat

Next, we’re moving on to the French fashion capital – Bienvenue a Paris! This collection showcases the very best of classic French chic, epitomised by our elegant cashmere wrap maternity coat. Parisian women have long since mastered the art of effortless elegance, and these timeless pieces are designed to be treasured season after season.

New York Style Maternity Coats

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Get the Look: Super Warm Down Maternity Coat

And last on our list is the city that never sleeps – New York, New York! The fashion capital across the Atlantic inspires this collection, offering heavy duty down coats designed to keep you warm through even the coldest winter.

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Oct 11, 2017 at 6:11am PDT

Get the Look: Men’s Parka with Baby Pouch

We even have a coat for dad! Based on our popular 3 in 1 maternity parkas, The men’s parka comes with a detachable baby pouch, designed to zip up over a baby sling or front carrier. Staying stylish through the sub-zero New York winters is no joke, but with these Seraphine coats in your winter style arsenal, you, your partner and your baby will all be toasty warm and totally on trend.

Look Mag Assistant Editor Claire Sanderson talks Maternity Style

Glamorous mama Claire Sanderson is the assistant editor at Look magazine, who describes herself as a Valley girl done good! Mum to 2 year old cutie Zak with another one on the way, we caught up with Claire to find out how she’s been styling her bump for the office.

1) Describe your day to day style

I’m all about simple yet knockout dresses and love a printed, vintage find. Pre pregnancy I’m a curvy size 12 with a narrow waist and wide hips so I’m a big fan of nipped in waistlines – the classic tea dress is my ultimate cut. I also prefer a midi length to balance out my hips. I rarely, in fact never, wear jeans or trousers. Even on the weekend you’ll find me in a dress with nice flats and a cross the body bag.

2) Did you stay true to your style during pregnancy?

Yes, definitely. I’ve worn more plain dresses as opposed to lots of prints, but my waist, although higher, has remained comparatively small to my ever growing hips and bottom so the fit and flare style still suits me best.

3) How did being pregnant affect your work wardrobe?

To be honest, it didn’t. I’ve just worn different dresses, but with flats rather than amazing heels. One of my colleagues paid me a lovely compliment recently saying I’d worn my pregnancy well and always dressed appropriately for the office. I’ve tried to keep my wardrobe elegant, even when it’s the last thing I actually feel.

4) What was your favourite Seraphine piece?

I love the navy pleated dress. It’s so comfortable, a must for expectant mums. The three quarter length sleeves are very flattering and the midi length is perfect to accommodate a growing bump without the hem riding up and becoming too short. The belt detail below the bust line exentuates what is still my slimmest area leaving me feeling confident and ready to take on the work day.

5) Any top tips to share with pregnant mums?

Pregnancy shouldn’t change who you are or your style, but obviously adjustments have to be made. When it became apparent that I was a liability in heels – my balance and spatial awareness seem to have all but disappeared – I bought a couple of pairs of great flats. I’d also advise investing in key maternity pieces that you can rotate and accessorise differently. Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself. No one is expecting you to look amazing every day.

For more of Claire’s maternity picks, check out her maternity clothes edit in Look.

Spread the Love for Tommy’s this Baby Loss Awareness Week

Today marks the start of international Baby Loss Awareness Week, and here at Seraphine we are taking part by spreading the love and raising money for Tommy’s the baby charity with our #justforlove campaign.

This week is a special opportunity for parents around the world to mark the all too brief lives of babies lost in pregnancy or during or shortly after birth, and to raise awareness and funds for the fantastic charities working for the cause.

With our #justforlove campaign we are aiming to raise £100,000 to help Tommy’s fund the creation of the UK’s first medical research centre dedicated to the prevention of early miscarriage.

We are donating all profits from the sale of our iconic Love T-Shirt to Tommy’s, and will donate an extra £1 for every picture uploaded to our #justforlove page wearing the tee.

No bump needed to wear the Love T-Shirt – it’s designed to look great pregnant or not.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Explains…

1 in 4 women will suffer a miscarriage through their lives, so whether you have experienced this terrible loss for yourself or you know someone who has, wear The Love T-Shirt in support of mothers and babies everywhere.

Do it #justforlove.

Choose Your Dream Cot with The Baby Cot Shop

The Baby Cot Shop is an upmarket retailer of baby and children’s furniture and room décor. They’ve been featured in Vogue, Hello! & BBC Good Homes among others, and their impressive client list includes celebrities, presidents and even Middle Eastern royalty.

Their mission is to convert ordinary rooms into luxury whimsical spaces for children, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and creating a haven of relaxation, tranquillity and creativity for children and parents alike.

The Baby Cot Shop is offering Seraphine blog readers an exclusive 10% off across their entire range through the month of October AND free delivery! Simply enter the code: Seraphine10 at the checkout to redeem the offer. This week on the blog, we’re handing you over to the experts at The Baby Cot Shop to help you select the perfect cot for your little angel.

Choosing a Luxury Cot for your Newborn

One of the most exciting projects you will undertake during pregnancy is creating your baby’s nursery. A quick look online will reveal the huge range of beautiful nursery furniture designs that are available. There are plenty of options out there, but your home décor and personal style will give you an indication of your preferred taste.

If you’re a fan of period décor you’d love The Marseille Cot. Choose baby bedding that is simple, yet rich in quality to match. Metallic wall paper would complement this cot perfectly, and you could even add a feature wall with a mural of baby’s name or an inspirational quote. We love these fairy tale stickers from Bambizi.

Seraphine recommends: The Woven Printed Maternity Dress

For a feminine look, opt for the Chelsea Luxury Cot. Choose soft furnishings in heavy silk and a neutral colour palette. The Layla Cot bedding features layers of soft fabric and will be a perfect choice for this cot. A lambskin rug will add a soft and delicate ambience to the room, and you can add a touch more glitz and glam with a generous lace canopy.

Seraphine recommends: The Cerise Dot Maternity Dress

The Belgravia Upholstered Cot is an ultra-functional option that’s perfect for small spaces. It’s compact and includes an integrated drawer for storing essentials – it even converts into a sofa when baby has grown out of it. Choose a space saving nursing chair to match like the Elias Nursery Glider Chair, which is compact, comfortable and luxurious.

Seraphine Recommends: The Striped Nursing Shift Dress

Clean and sturdy with an air of sophistication, the Eaton Cot is perfect for the contemporary nursery. Choose on trend baby bedding to go with this cot – our Chevron Retro Baby Bedding would be perfect. And if you are sticking with the geometric theme, you could finish off your nursery with one of our new geometric style rugs.

Seraphine recommends: Knitted Zig Zag Maternity Dress

Terms & conditions:
1. Valid till 15th of November 2015
2. Valid on all purchases on the Baby Cot Shop website
3. See individual items for details
4. Cannot be used in conjunction with other discount codes or offers
5. Eligible products must have the same delivery address for promotion to apply
6. Promotion does not apply to any delivery charges. Please check delivery terms and conditions online
7. Any refunds will take into account this discount
8. Higher prices have applied for 28 days or more prior to 1st of October

Nearly Nude Nails – Meet Autumn’s Hottest Manicure Trend

After a summer of nail art fads which seemed to get progressively crazier as the season wore on (mermaid nails? bubble nails? aquarium nails???) we’re pleased to report that the latest big thing takes a rather more classy approach.

Mamas, allow us to introduce the naked manicure! In neutral shades of light pink, camel and apricot, this trend is all about showing off healthy, natural looking nails.

But nude nails don’t have to be boring! We’ve taken inspiration from the AW15 catwalks to bring you our top 3 ways to work the trend & the perfect maternity dresses to match:

1) Subtle Sparkles

From dots of bronze sparkle at Jenny Packham to a thin stripe of gold glitter at Delpozo and a chic cross detail just for the ring finger at Erin Fetherston, designers found clever ways to enhance the natural beauty of the nails with just a little touch of glitter. We love this look – it’s the perfect way to work the trend without giving up your glitz!

Work it with: Gold Sequin Maternity Dress

2) Negative Space

Another way to make the nude nail trend your own is to experiment with negative space. Tibi put a new twist on the classic French manicure creating stylishly angled white tips, and we love the subtle window pane style at Suno – just a few simple white lines against an all-natural base coat.

Work it with: Knitted A Line Maternity Dress

3) Pop of Colour

And finally, if totally nude nails just aren’t your style, why not try livening up the look with a splash of colour. We love the blue applique squares at Cushnie et Ochs, and the vibrant red and orange outlines at Tracy Reese set off the nude base perfectly.

Michelle Saunders, the lead manicurist at Rebecca Minkoff shared the secret of her AW15 runway look. She applied a base coat of Essie’s Mademoiselle, then layered shades of Berry Naughty & Midnight Cami in chevrons at the tip. She said:

“This is one of the easiest manicures you can do on yourself… The brush does all the work for you. The width of the stripe is the width of the brush – you’re doing a little X at the top of your nails with the red, then you follow the exact same pattern with the blue.”

Work it with: Printed Twist Maternity Dress

Seraphine & Sophie Ellis-Bextor team up for Tommy’s

Join Seraphine & Sophie Ellis-Bextor to Help Tommy’s Save Babies’ Lives.

This October we are proud to announce our charity collaboration with pregnancy & baby charity Tommy’s. Together with long time Tommy’s supporter & pregnant mum of 3 Sophie Ellis-Bextor, we are aiming to raise £100,000 to help Tommy’s fund the creation of the UK’s first medical research centre dedicated to the prevention of early miscarriage.

And we need your help!

We’ve created The Love T-Shirt – an exclusive new design that we think you’ll love, and are donating all the profits to Tommy’s! So when you buy your Love T-Shirt you are helping to save babies’ lives.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Explains…

Spread the Love

If you are as passionate about this cause as we are, we’d love you to shout about it!

Once your T-shirt arrives, slip it on and snap a quick selfie. Seraphine will give an extra £1 for every #Justforlove selfie you upload!

While you wait for your T-Shirt, check out our online gallery for a little selfie inspiration.

Getting involved couldn’t be simpler:

1) Shop the T-Shirt

2) Share a selfie

3) Save babies!

Buy the Love T-Shirt now – do it #justforlove

My Baba founder, Leonora Bamford on life, style and pregnancy

The gorgeous Leonora Bamford is the inspirational mum behind successful parenting site My Baba – a treasure trove of tips, tricks, advice and general life hacks for pregnancy and parenting. Leonora lives in London with her husband and two little ones, and took the time to chat to us about life, style and her experiences of pregnancy.

1) Can you describe your style in 3 words?

Easy, relaxed and wearable.

2) How did you adapt it when you were pregnant?

I wore pretty much the same styles as before, just bigger. The one thing I invested in early on were pairs of pregnancy jeans with the nifty elasticated waistband. I couldn’t have lived without them.

3) We love MYBABA – What inspired you to set up a parenting website?

My husband. It was more of a blog in the beginning with little tips, but literally overnight it turned into something much more, with fun interviews and so many brilliant experts and bloggers coming on board. I think I’ve been really lucky!

4) Finding the perfect work life balance can be tough – if you could have one super power what would it be & how would you use it?

Would it be boring to say, cloning? I would love to split myself in two. I’m totally neurotic and I never think anyone can do things as well as I can. I know it’s not true but I feel calmer when I’m in control. It drives everyone around me mad!

5) Life with two little ones must be a lot of fun – did they get up to any mischief this summer?

Too much to mention. They’re very close in age and they’ve become best friends this summer. Lots of whispering at night, making ‘secret agent’ plans, ones that don’t involve adults!

6) We can’t get enough of the recipes section of MYBABA – what’s your favourite thing to cook with your kids?

I love cooking with the children and our most favourite family recipe has to be pancakes on the weekend. Not crepe style, but big, soft, fluffy American style pancakes with lashings of maple syrup and homemade chocolate spread. We love making Natasha Corrett’s Nutella – we keep jars of it in the fridge. I’ve just started a YouTube channel with lots of great child and family recipes and there will be a few pancake recipes cropping up.

7) We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?

Laura Mercier concealer, Tom Ford bronzer and Bamford lip balm.

8) Who are your heroes? Can you share your top 3 inspirational women?

This one often changes but for today, Arianna Huffington for making me realise that you can have a business and be a good mother, Coco Chanel for being the chicest woman on earth and my mother for writing her first book aged 62.

9) What was your favourite pregnancy outfit when you were expecting?

Bruce Oldfield made me the most beautiful black chiffon swing dress when I was about to pop. Nothing fit and I had to go to a really smart party. I remember I had my make up done for a treat and slipped into this gorgeous dress that made me feel beautiful. For everyday though, I had some great maternity clothes from Seraphine that i just lived in.

10) Do you have any advice for expectant mamas? What do you wish you’d known sooner?

Take help when it’s offered. You don’t have to do everything and sleep is important. If a friend comes over and offers to look after the baby, don’t feel you have to stay chatting. Go and have a bath and wash your hair, get into a clean nightie and catch a wink or two. Look after yourself. A happy mama leads to a happy home.