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!
Founder of meditation app Silatha, Veroniek Vermeulen is on a quest to break women’s mental health taboos and help busy mamas to harness the power of self-love through meditation: www.silatha.com
Today on the blog, she takes us through a set of exercises to help you on your journey to achieve true self-love… think of it as a little Valentine’s gift to yourself!
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Valentine’s is a time to think about love. Often, we automatically think about others. Your partner, kids, parents, close friends and family. But what about loving yourself?
Self-love is accepting yourself as you truly are, flaws and all. Becoming your own best friend. This means, that you first need to take an honest look at who you are: all your positive qualities, your strengths, your super-powers (yes everyone has them!), but also your darker sides. This isn’t easy and doesn’t happen overnight, but don’t worry – it’s a journey.
Start by making a list of all your positive traits. And be honest, you have many more than you think. It can help to ask people close to you what they value in you. Take the time to list it all. It should become a long list, which will keep growing as you evolve over time.
Then start with your less beautiful parts. How do you respond when you do not like something? Are you comparing yourself to others? How do you handle fears and worries? List them down for yourself. Again, be honest – without full honesty, it doesn’t work.
When you’re done you should have two lists, hopefully of a similar length. If not, likely you have missed a few in the shorter list.
Congratulations! You made a big step in being honest and open with yourself. It’s time to give yourself a big hug. Speak out loud that you love yourself, use your name when you do this, even though it might seem odd. Do this for as long as it feels comfortable.
While you literally embrace yourself, start to welcome all that is you, let it all be and know that all you listed is beautiful and okay.
The key now is to forgive yourself, for all you feel you did wrong in the past, for what you perceive as your faults in the present and for all that you will do in the future. Know that you are perfect as you are and forgive yourself for all that you are holding against yourself.
This goes for others too. Let go of any negative thoughts you have on others and know that they are perfect as they are. They do the best they can. Know that if you were them with their upbringing and life, you would act the same way. So let go of judgement and love and embrace everyone in your life. Now and in the future.
Knowing what your boundaries are allows you to truly see what you’re ok with and what you’re not ok with. And once these are fixed in your mind you can start to implement them. To have the courage to say no, even though it may not feel good to you in that moment. Even though this ‘no’ may not be to the liking of others. The most important thing is to be true to yourself. Realise that you are not responsible for others’ reactions or feelings. No matter what their response is, it is theirs to deal with and not yours.
The same applies to you: Remember that you are in charge of how you react. What’s important is that you care for yourself and whatever boundaries you have.
Take some time to reflect on what your boundaries are.
It may help to develop affirmations that you can repeat for yourself every day and that will support you in your journey towards deeper self-love. For example:
I am enough.
I am compassionate. I forgive myself.
I am perfect as I am.
I know how to care for myself and love myself unconditionally.
These should be personal, so take time to create your own.
Meditation is a great way to connect to yourself. We recommend the Silatha Self-love meditation series on the Silatha app. There are over 50 meditations on the Silatha app, designed to guide you in growing your self-love. To get a taster of Silatha meditations you can follow this practical self-love meditation session.
Remember that building self-love doesn’t come overnight. Be patient with yourself. Notice when you act in ways ‘not in line with the core of your self-love’. By becoming more aware, you have a good chance of acting differently next time. Just acknowledging it, is already a great step on your journey.
For more information on Silatha, check out their website and socials
To explore how self-love meditations can enhance your life, download the Silatha app here:
Cottagecore is a cultural trend that’s been steadily gaining traction over the past decade, all about longing for an idealised rural lifestyle.
But in 2020 the idea really exploded as many of us turned to slow-living & nostalgic pastimes in lockdown – everything from baking & crochet to planting & tending vegetable gardens!
For many of us, music, TV & movies played a more important role than usual last year, many are turning to hit TV shows like Normal People & Bridgerton for naming inspiration.
Popular baby name site Nameberry even identified singer songwriter Billie Eilish as a trend all of her own – her full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell – plenty of material to choose from there!
Packing your hospital bag is the perfect way to feel prepared & empowered for labour. But it isn’t always easy to judge what you’ll need on the big day.
We caught up with Seraphine model & first-time mama Christina to find out what she’s packing in her hospital bag.
What’s in Christina’s Hospital Bag? Watch the Video
Here’s Christina’s list & the links to everything included… just in case you’d like to nab any ideas for your own hospital bag!
What to Wear During Labour?
Labour can be a long & often messy process, so we advise a few changes of clothes to keep you feeling fresh. Some comfy leggings & tanks are ideal for the early stages, then our two pack of black button-down nighties are ideal for the main event.
They’re super soft & stretchy, and the practical button down design allows access to the bump during labour & then for skin to skin & breastfeeding immediately after.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after having your baby, the hospital will usually want to keep you & baby in for monitoring, so make sure you have enough comfy clothes to recover in & everything you need for an overnight stay.
Nursing bras & clothes with easy access will be important – our Skin to Skin Top is also a must-have.
Don’t forget all those bits & pieces to help you through, from speakers, toiletries & snacks to a camera to capture those first special moments & all the chargers you’ll need to keep your devices alive.
And finally, you may want to pack an outfit that’s a little more presentable (while still remaining super-comfy, of course!) for pictures with baby & any guests who visit as well as that all-important trip home with your precious newborn.
From the softest essentials & nightwear to nursing must-haves & those first precious skin to skin snuggles – we’ve got you covered mama! Check out our full hospital bag packing guide online & shop the full selection here.
Happy packing mamas & best of luck for the big day!
Seraphine is turning 18 this week & we are celebrating our milestone birthday in a BIG way!
Seraphine’s 18th Birthday Promo & Prize Draws
*The promo has now ended*
This week, in the run-up to our birthday, we’re offering a fantastic 20% off* across our collection! You better hurry – the offer ends on Thursday 29th!
Then the week of our birthday we’ve teamed up with some of our favourite mama & baby brands to plan a full week of prize draws on Instagram. We have over £3,000 worth of prizes up for grabs!
The prize draws are kicking off on Thursday 29th of October, so keep an eye on our social media to be in with your chance of winning!
The Seraphine Story So Far
It all began back in 2002, at Founder Cécile Reinaud’s kitchen table. She was expecting her first child, along with several other pregnant friends, and none of them could find maternity clothes they were excited to wear. Cécile started designing & making maternity pieces for herself & her friends & Seraphine was born.
Fast forward 18 years & Seraphine is now a global brand known for dressing the royal families of Europe as well as A-list celebs from rock stars to Hollywood actresses.
The first big hit for the brand was the maternity denim collection, which has remained a major staple in the range, adored by A-listers from Jessica Alba & Anne Hathaway to the Duchess of Cambridge.
Today Seraphine is a leader in the maternity fashion world. A one-stop-shop for mamas & mamas-to-be, with 2 consecutive Queen’s Award wins under our belt in the past 5 years & flagship stores in fashion capitals, from London to Paris, New York, LA, Dubai, New Delhi & Hong Kong.
And we’re only just getting started… this year we opened new concessions in New York & LA in partnership with Macy’s & our online business is growing from strength to strength.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without you, our wonderful Seraphine mamas. That’s why we’re celebrating Seraphine’s 18th birthday by treating YOU! Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us.
*Exclusions apply. See our site for the full T&Cs & how to claim your discount.
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!
Cancelled catwalks, masked models, digital shows & socially distanced front rows…. Fashion Week has looked a little different this year.
But if there’s one person we can count on to bring the spectacle, it’s super model, Seraphine fan & expectant mama Coco Rocha… and she did not disappoint!
7 months pregnant with baby number 3, Coco had the finale look at Christian Siriano’s fantastically escapist NYFW show.
Coco’s stunning red gown worked perfectly with her bump & the huge high-low ruffle skirt & train added major drama. The striking monochrome look in scarlet red was finished off with matching heels, hat & of course, face mask!
Safety was a top priority at the show – it was held out in the open in the back yard of Christian’s Connecticut home, all audience members were socially distanced & our favourite part – all the models were wearing masks to match their gowns.
We absolutely love this trend! We made our own re-usable cotton face masks to match with one of our signature new season dresses, so you can work the fashion week look for yourself!
Watch Coco’s Behind the Scenes Video (Part 1)
Fashion Week Behind the Scenes (Part 2)
To finish off the landmark 2020 show, Coco made a splash (if you’ll excuse the pun!) by strutting straight into Christian’s pool! While we don’t usually condone ruining designer dresses, the moment certainly brought a touch of the drama & whimsy that we love about fashion week!
Coco has long been a fan of Seraphine maternity clothes, having worn our styles through both of her previous pregnancies, while expecting her daughter Ioni (5) and son Iver (2). She was a particular fan of our little black maternity dresses.
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.
In-person parties might be out right now, but you & your beautiful bump still deserve to be celebrated! While we’re all maintaining our social distance, why not think about throwing a virtual baby shower?
We’ve covered all the basics in our how-to guide.
Watch the Video
Choose your Platform & Invite your Guests
First you need to decide the best platform to host your virtual baby shower. There are plenty of options out there – Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts… the usual suspects.
We think Zoom is great – it’s user-friendly with minimal set-up (great for older relatives), and the free version allows you to invite up to 100 guests for up to 40 minutes.
Of course, you can always start a new call when the timer runs out, and the natural pause provides a great opportunity for a bathroom break!
Another helpful way to use that 40-minute limit is to divide up your guests, almost like a seating plan. Video calls can become chaotic with too many people involved, so by breaking up the party into smaller, more manageable groups – 1 for friends & 1 for family, for example – you’ll enjoy more quality time with everyone.
One great way to cultivate that special occasion feeling is to choose a special outfit! Ditch the leggings & loungewear for the day & put on your best maternity party dress. You’ll be the centre of attention after all, so you’ll want to look & feel your best.
One big advantage of a virtual baby shower is that it involves much less prep work for the hosts. In terms of decorations, you only need to think about 1 area of your home – the bit the camera will be pointing at! This is great because you can make a really big impact with minimal resources.
Catering is also much easier – everyone provides their own! Though we think it’s a nice idea to set a theme for the snacks to make things feel a little more cohesive – how about ‘Bring Your Own Afternoon Tea’ or ‘Take out of your choice’.
When it comes to games & entertainment, trivia, quizzes & scavenger hunts work well online – why not ask all your guests to send over a baby picture of themselves in advance & play a virtual round of guess the baby!
Of course, one of the focal points of the party is usually opening up the gifts & cooing over the impossibly tiny baby clothes. There are two ways around this, and which you choose largely depends on how organised you & your guests can be.
Option 1: You ask your guests to send gifts in advance so you can open them up on camera
Option 2: Your guests reveal their gifts on camera & send them on to you after the party
For gifting inspiration, check out our gorgeous collection of baby shower gifts online now.
Of course, you may not feel up to hosting a full video call party right now, and that is completely ok! There are plenty of other ways to mark the occasion.
A small celebration at home with just your immediate family will be every bit as special. If your other half is handy with a camera, you could arrange a pregnancy photoshoot at home. And if any of your friends & family live locally, why not organise a drive by & socially distant gift drop off!
Another idea is to ask your would-be guests to send a short message of advice or encouragement for you & a wish for baby’s future. This could either be online or by post, which you could gather into a keep-sake scrap book. Or you could even ask them to record it as a video & ask a clever friend to edit them together.
