Here’s a secret no one shares about pregnancy: One morning, you will wake up and nothing will fit around your waist. Your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans simply won’t button. It’s that sudden. Easy fix. The BellaBand. 

Simply the most versatile maternity essential during and after pregnancy.

The BellaBand works throughout your entire pregnancy when trousers, skirts or shorts aren’t fitting quite right.

Early in pregnancy, slip this ultra-soft, seamless knit band around the waistline, over unbuttoned jeans, skirts and shorts to hold them up and hide unfastened clothing.  It’s also ideal mid-pregnancy over too-loose maternity or snug-fitting transition wear, in late pregnancy as an extra-hold accessory for under-the-belly styles that fall down around the hips when the belly pushes them down, and after pregnancy when maternity becomes big and pre-pregnancy is bit snug.

This month’s celeb-a-like out fit was inspired by the utterly gorgeous Halle Berry who looked stunning throughout her pregnancy. We really like the vibe of the outfit below, perfect for  temperamental English weather.

Blossom’s merino knitwear and denim jeans do the trick. They'll  take you through 9 months looking chic, feeling comfortable, and be wardrobe favourites long after. My personal favorite is the long cardigan, I wear mine with everything from jeans to leggings (and am not expecting in case you ask!!)
 

Coatigan this seasons must – have staple key piece

The coatigan is a mix between a cardigan and a coat all in one,  perfect for this in-between weather or a way of easing gently into Winter.

This capsule wardrobe piece is gracing every Fashion magazine and in stores everywhere, and just because you are pregnant or post pregnant doesn’t mean you have to miss out!

The important thing to remember is that the coatigan is great worn layered and even better when layered with other knitwear, like knit dresses and jumpers.

The newest addition to Blossom's Blog is the Pregnant Fashionista.com, a great resource for pregnant women trying to preserve a sense of style… " I started this blog because I absolutely love clothes and shoes. But, seeing as I’ve been pregnant virtually nonstop for the past 3 years, my clothing options have been limited. I have spent hours and hours over these past 3 years combing the web and boutiques across the world for not only the most stylish, but also the most useful maternity clothing I can find."

In maternity news, Nicole Richie finally released her long-awaited maternity line at Pea in the Pod and I am so very disappointed.  A cardigan, a scarf, a pair of leggings, a couple of long dresses, and a few T-shirts–Nicole, Nicole there is nothing special here.  I feel as if you blew your chance to do something really edgy in maternity wear and released a line with pieces we can find just about anywhere. 

This printed maternity blouse is the highlight of the collection.  It’s not really my style, but it does strike me as a unique piece you won’t find from Olian, Japanese Weekend, Maternal America, etc.  Not so with the rest of her collection.  This silk blouse is priced at a reasonable USD $98 here, but I haven’t seen it in person yet, so I can’t comment on quality.  I was going to treat my pregnant sister to one of Nicole’s fall pieces but I just can’t see myself buying anything in the collection.  What a wasted opportunity, Nicole!
 

Article by The Pregnant Fashionista.com

by Nicole, owner of Brittique.com

I was warned but I didn’t believe anyone. I thought that a month after giving birth my figure would miraculously spring back to where it was preconception. But be warned, unless you’re a celebrity who doesn’t breastfeed and has a fulltime military-style personal trainer it’s not going to happen!

In the days after giving birth my stomach resembled a wobbly jelly and my breasts were enormous and engorged. The tummy gradually went down and so did the breasts as I settled into feeding and the milk production regulated itself. At around 6 weeks I was able to start running again. The running combined with breastfeeding every 1-3 hours meant that I was so hungry all the time. I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

My approach probably meant that I didn’t lose weight as quickly as I’d thought, but my milk supply was steady – the most important thing for me.

What was most frustrating though was what to wear. Since I was nursing my son, I had to be able to get to my breasts. So anything that would be too immodest or difficult to feed in public didn’t work. Because my stomach wasn’t flat and I was still healing I need things that were loose around the waist. For these reasons I mostly remained in my pregnancy jeans and just bought a few button up tops and tunics such as this one by Single For Blossom.

Dresses were quite difficult and I could only wear strapless ones with elastic around the top or button up dresses like this on from Peter Jensen

I particularly loved this Emma Cook jumpsuit because I could easily unbutton the top to feed and it was loose around my tum

The good news is that as long as you’re not eating copious amounts of junk (not good for you or your breastfeeding baby) you can lose the weight and get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. After four months I was about the same weight but had a little belly bulge around the c-section scar. After 6 months I was back into my old clothes with a flat tum. A month later I was under my pre-baby weight and feeling good in my clothes. Now I’m just hoping that I experience the same after baby two. 

My stay-cation in Gloucestershire is now in full swing, and we even managed to catch a few rays of sun over the weekend.  My 24 1/2 week bump is rounding nicely, thanks in equal measure to a growing appetite (and rediscovered taste for chocolate) and the slower pace.  In fact, having gained seemingly 4lbs overnight, I'm actually finding myself feeling guilty about missing out on my three or four swimming sessions a week at our local Virgin Active in London:  though we are surrounded by water here in The Lakes, it's pretty chilly and doesn't have me yearning to dive in just yet. 

The waterfront setting and our Californian-style deck do, however, inspire me to comb through my wardrobe for swimwear that looks a little more glamorous than the functional pieces I get away with to do laps in the pool at the gym.  In my non-pregnant state, whilst running Conde Nast Traveller magazine, I've had plenty of experience in sourcing resort-wear.  I usually favour bikinis by Heidi Klein and one-pieces by Liza Bruce, paired with an endlessly varying roster of Elizabeth Hurley kaftans, Juliet Dunn kurtas, or good old Top Shop or H&M halter neck dresses and so on.  Now that I have become a mini sumo wrestler in the boob and tummy area (although, unlike with my first pregnancy, this time I have managed to remain pretty narrow in the body), I have had to source out similar wardrobe items which will flatter my new maternity figure. This cotton kaftan from Blossom does just the trick.


The big question, when it comes to pregnancy swimwear, is whether or not to conceal the bump.

In my view, it can be quite alluring to sport a smallish bump sandwiched in between the top and bottom halves of a well-fitting bikini, but only if that bump is neat, tanned and toned.  With twins on the way, I already look like I'm about 8 months pregnant, so the only time I dare slip into a beloved Heidi Klein number is when no-one else is around.  Conversely, the problem with conventional swimsuits, if you are pregnant and your boobs are on the large side, is that they tend to give you a less-than-flattering boob-bump combo that looks like the two areas have united to become one.  Not a good look.

The last time I visited Blossom Mother & Child on Walton Street, my eye fell upon the selection of tankinis, specifically an aubergine-coloured affair that looked like it would do the trick of preserving my bump's dignity whilst also showing off my still just passable figure to best effect.  Aubergine also happens to be a brilliant hue for olive-toned skin like mine.  At the time I visited the shop, the rain was coming down in stair-rods outside and I wasn't in the mood for beachwear.  Now August is here and it's time to strip off - even if only for the one hour a day our British sun deigns to shine.  I think I'll have to have that tankini on mail-order...

It seems no celebrity pregnancy wardrobe is complete with out a cotton maxi dress. I have to agree with these stylish ladies, pregnant or not, long cotton dresses are the easiest way to chic summer style.

They are incredibly comfortable, only 1 item of clothing to throw on, and are suitable for every occasion from hanging out in the park, doing your weekly shop, or a relaxing dinner out. 

This harmony cotton dress from Blossom is part of their summer sale and is currently reduced to 50% off   

I’m now 30 weeks pregnant and looking at the final stretch – in time and my poor tummy! Dressing now is all about comfort and trying not to look hideous, but primarily about comfort. In my first post I reviewed some jeans I bought at Blossom  and declared the James Jean my favourite.

These on trend skinny jeans were perfect for the first 30 weeks of pregnancy and will be essential after the birth of baby #2 when I’ll relish the comfort of an elastic waist band. (Actually the James Jean jeans are so stylish I can see myself wearing them for years to come with sky high strappy sandals and those lovely ankle zips partly unzipped.) Now that I’m huge it’s all about the 7 for all mankind over bump jeans a couple of sizes larger. The key feature is the over the bump waist band.

The positioning of the waist band is a really personal thing. Some woman say they can’t have anything on their tummy while others, myself included, find it irritating and even painful to have a band sitting under the belly. For me it’s probably because I had a c-section with baby one and I find that the band sits right on the scar.

 I’m actually finding the same issue with my knickers. Anything that sits under the waist is irritating so I’m hunting for some over the bump panties to see me out the next 8-10 weeks. I’m thinking these spanx short style briefs might be a good option. Not only do they go over the belly but they’ll give me the much needed support for the growing belly.

Now that the 50% sale has kicked off it’s a great time to pick up several of Blossom’s maternity must haves

The summer essential: a cardigan seriously!

After years of living in London there are two things I never leave the house without – an umbrella and, believe it or not, a cardigan. The British summer is notoriously unpredictable and anything can happen, even in one day. The sun might be shining and the floral summer dresses calling from the closet, but often there’s a slight chill in the air you can’t ignore.

Not only is the weather unpredictable, but often pregnancy brings hot flushes and queasiness in stuffy unairconditioned buildings. You need to be able to quickly adjust to all these climes. The cardigan is the answer.

Blossom offer a fabulous shorter style cardigan by Clements Ribeiro. Made from 100% wool and with lovely knotted buttons this dusty pink cardigan is highly versatile. If you prefer something longer Clements Ribeiro and Blossom also offer a longer style. I also love cotton in summer which is not as warm as cashmere and wool and has a lighter feel on too. Check out some on offer from Peter Jensen and Emma Cook.

Cardigans with their many buttons fit beautifully over a bump. They’re also handy during the breastfeeding stage where quick, easy access is essential. The best thing about a cardigan is that you really can throw them over anything – a dress, skirt, jeans – add a scarf if you need one and you’re ready to go. I keep three cardigans by the door - a red one, pink one and white one - and decide as I’m flying out which works best for the outfit, pop it in my bag and I’m certain not to be left out in the cold.