Thursday 20 December 2012

New Year's Eve maternity party outfit ideas: The sophisticated jeans and blazer look.

We've already given you the lowdown on our fave New Year's Eve maternity dresses, but we know that some ladies out there may not be a fan of frocks.

And just because you're pregnant it doesn't mean your style has to change.

If you're more a trouser and top gal, then you needn't miss out on looking glam at that New Year's event with a range of different options available, and just to make it that little bit easier we've put together an outfit, channelling that classic jeans and blazer trend.

The great thing about this look is that you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion, and since a blazer and pair of jeans are a must-have for any capsule maternity wardrobe, they can be worn again again, making them a great buy.

This New Year's Eve bring the classic look into 2013 with an on-trend gold and silver top, which channels the metallic looks shown off my the likes of Gucci and Prada on the AW 2012 catwalks.

Accentuate the top with a simple bangle and team up with a mid-length pair of heels - but don't forget to back those flip flops.

See the gallery below to get the look.





Take a simple black maternity blazer like this one from Next, £45
This gorge top, which channels the metallic trend, is sure to make you stand out at any NYE party. Get it now from Asos for £28

A classic pair of maternity jeans are great for an outfit such as these. MOTO Maternity Leigh Jeans £38, Topshop
Accentuate and accessorise the colours in the top with this  Multi Facet Edged Bangle, £3.25, Miss Selfridge
We know heels can be a no, no, especially towards the later stages of pregnancy. However, opting for a mid-length heel and an open panel, means you can strut around for at least a few hours. Just remember your flats. Very, £44


Wednesday 19 December 2012

Wishwantwear.com offers designer maternity dress hire for the Christmas party season and beyond

We're big fans of the dress hiring trend here at Does My Bump and firm believers that sometimes you don't need to spend a fortune to look like the belle of the ball on a special occasion.

And it seems we're not alone.

According to discount website NetVoucherCodes.co.uk, there has been a 15 percent increase in searches for dress hire companies in the past week alone as many of us look to this in a bid to save the pennies.

Wishwantwear.com is one site that offers pregnant women the chance to don a range of designer maternity dresses for a fraction of the price.

Offering current season dresses and accessories that aren’t available for hire anywhere else and stocking the likes of Temperley London and Matthew Williamson maternity frocks, this site is our dream come true.

Rental is for four or eight days, and to ensure that there are absolutely no fitting problems a free alternative size is included with every delivery.





See the gallery below for just a few of the maternity dresses available for hire.

Martina Gown by Temperley London, £185 for 4 days hire

Playful Pleats Mini by Erin Fetherstone, £55 for 4 days hire

Under The Rainbow Gown by Nicole Miller. £29 for 4 days hire

Violet Dress by All Dressed Up, £65 for 4 days hire



Tuesday 18 December 2012

Isabella Oliver offers up to 40 percent off selected maternity dresses for New Year's Eve

We're going a little bit New Year's Eve crazy today here at Does My Bump towers.

Not only have we been scouring the virtual highstreet to bring you some our fave maternity frocks for the party season, but we've also heard a not so quiet whisper from the lovely ladies over at Isabella Oliver.

The brand is offering up to 40 percent off selected party frocks for the New Year, up until 1pm on 20 December.

Below are just a few of our faves.

Credit cards at the ready ladies.....

Annabel Maternity dress - 30 percent off

Ruched one shoulder dress - 15 percent off

Willow Maternity Dress - 40 percent off

Wrap maxi dress - 40 Percent off





Best maternity dresses for New Year's Eve

Christmas is almost upon us, and many of us will have already attended those festive work parties.

However, that doesn't mean the celebratory season has ended, with New Year's Eve on the not so distant horizon.

This year there's a great selection of maternity dresses fit for those New Year's Eve parties.

A sequined number, is perfect for a night on the tiles, while embellished maxis or just above the knee frocks are great for a sophisticated dinner or house party.

We've picked out our faves in the gallery below.


Stand out in this gorge red sequined frock from Asos, £41

We heart this kooky dress from Rock-A-Bye-Rosie, which has also been reduced to £120. Get it now before it goes.

Show off that bump with this empire line embellished dress, £160, Crave at Next

Maisy Sequin Maternity Dress £199, Isabella Oliver

Black embellished maxi dress, £20, Matalan

Maternity Knot Front Dress £15, Topshop

Maternity slashed neck flared hem dress, £45, Marks and Spencer

Monday 17 December 2012

Why hair falls out and thins post-pregnancy and some tips to help improve and volumise your locks

For many of us, pregnancy means our dull lanky locks are transformed into swish worthy barnets any Pantene model would be jealous of.

But once baby is here it's a different story with some new mums complaining of thinning hair and locks falling out for longer than anticipated.

This happens because our hormones produce more more hair, plus our bodies work to retain it. 

According to Toni and Guy your hair goes between an active growing phase and a resting phase. At any one time, about 90 percent of the hair on your head is actively growing at a rate of about half an inch a month for two to six years.

The remaining 10 percent are in a resting phase where they will stay for two to three months before falling out.

However, when we're pregnant our hair doesn't go through the last stage, meaning that all this then begins to fall once baby is born.

However, there's light at the end of this hairy tunnel.  It doesn't last forever and there are a range of things you can do to help bring back bounce as well as having a little bit of bonus you time too.

Firstly experiment with different hairstyles or volumising hair products such as label.m mousse, to give your hair a fuller look during this transition period.

Regular cuts - even tiny trims - are claimed to keep hair as thick and healthy as possible, while using an intensive conditioner, such as Dove's intensive repair conditioner will not only help you strengthen those locks but also give you an excuse to take a nice long soak.

If you have a few pennies to spare then invest in professional shampoos and conditioners such as these from Bumble and Bumble at Boots, which don't leave a build up so your hair doesn't snap, while Pantene's Full And Thick Shampoo and Conditioner is an option for barnets on a budget.

Although you may be tempted to style that spiky, wispy, hair, which is slowly growing back, avoid using hair straighteners. These can frazzle new locks and make them seem more fly away.

Maternity fashion tips: Tall, petite or plus size maternity styles and how to wear them

Finding styles that suit our shapes can be difficult at the best of times, especially if you're tall, petite or plus-size. 

Just as we've found those perfect staple pieces, that positive blue line comes along and challenges us all over again, especially once that precious bump begins to grow.

We decided to wave our magic wand to give you some maternity fashion advice on how to dress your body type.

Tall maternity fashion

Thankfully a range of designers and high street stores are waking up to the fact that tall women don't want to be left with chilly ankles when they pull their jean bump band up to where it should be, with Dorothy Perkins and Jojo Maman Bebe just some offering maternity jeans with 34" and 36" legs.
Team up with wrap shirts or empire line tops that will elongate your figure and show off your bump. Longer style cardigans or knitted maternity jumpers also ensure your bump remains covered.

Plus size maternity fashion
According to Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the Founder of Isabella Oliver, going up a few sizes to fit your bump will swamp other parts of your body, creating an unflattering look.

A ruched design, like this from Isabella Oliver, will create soft fitted pleats across your bump with extra fabric that can be adjusted as your body changes shape.

Wrap tops and dresses, clinched at the waist, will let you show off that new cleavage as well as allowing the rest of the fabric to drape effortlessly over your curves.

Petite maternity fashion advice


Tiffany Rose, a designer of evening and daytime maternity wear advises keeping it simple.

"Choose form-fitting styles with a smooth silhouette and choose fabrics with some stretch to give you the best fit.  Knee length is great for petite figures.  Avoid large or busy prints and opt for tonal colours, blocking or stretch lace," she said

"Emphasise the narrowest part of your body - your empire waist - by adding a contrasting sash.  Open necklines such as scooped and cross-over will flatter your décolletage.  Draw the eye up with a beautiful necklace," she added.

Also take advantage of the 60s turn up trend, opting for standard length jeans, which can be turned up to channel this, while maternity tops, made for "average" sized ladies, can also be worn as dresses.


Wednesday 5 December 2012

Must-have beauty essentials to keep you feeling pampered and healthy throughout your pregnancy

As well as having a maternity wardrobe that will keep you looking stylish throughout your pregnancy, pampering yourself and ensuring you stay healthy will also ensure you enjoy the nine moths.

Regular facials to help combat that problematic pregnancy skin, is one way to do this, while massages designed specially for pregnancy are a great way to relax.

However, if you're watching those pennies then there's a great range of pamper products and pregnancy essentials on the highstreet.

We've put together a little list of what we think should appear in every pregnant ladies bathroom and handbag.

Massage bar Therapy by Lush.
This little piece of loveliness has been designed specifically with expectant mums in mind.

It's a moisturising massage bar with cocoa and shea butters to make skin feel softer and improve elasticity, which is claimed to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars, as well as being an all round fabulous product to keep the whole body in tip top condition.

With a blend of organic sweet orange oil, lavender oil and neroli, Therapy is also 100 percent certified organic. £6.25 for 65g from Lush

Bio-Oil.
A favourite with mums-to-be this miracle oil is designed to maximise the skin elasticity, helping to prevent the appearance of stretch marks common to over 75 percent of pregnancies.

It combines some of the most important skincare ingredients including vitamin A and E, essential oils, and unique revolutionary ingredient PurCellin Oil.

And it's a fave with celebrity mums  such as Tess Daly, Denise Van Outen and Kym Marsh.
Available on the highstreet at an RRP of £8.95 for 60ml.

Sea-Band Mama!
If like Kate Middleton you're suffering from extreme or even mild morning sickness - we know neither is nice - then why not try these bands, which are claimed to provide 75 percent of mums-to-be suffering with an all natural relief.

There's three unique products to choose from: an acupressure writstband, an essential oil ginger and spearmint rollete, and ginger and folic acid lozenges, offer a relief to suit everybody. Using natural remedies such as acupressure and essential oils help to gently alleviate feelings of nausea and block feelings of pain, allowing women to enjoy their pregnancy without worrying about affecting their unborn babies. The folic acid is also claimed to help prevent defects of the central nervous system of unborn babies.

Sea-Band Mama! wristbands, rollete and lozenges are available from www.seabandmama.com, independent health food stores and pharmacies. Priced at £8.15 (wristband), £4.99 (10ml rollete) and £3.99 (20 lozenges).

Miaroma Lavender Pure Essential Oil.
This blended aromatherapy essential oil comforts and soothes the mind and body. With its sweet and floral aroma, this soothing lavender essential oil has been found to be beneficial in supporting relaxation and sleep.

This can be vital during pregnancy as anxiety, sickness, discomfort and a weakened bladder cause 80% of women to suffer with sleep disturbance or insomnia during pregnancy.
Miaroma Lavender Essential Oil is available from Holland & Barrett stores, £7.49 for 10ml

Peaks of London creates pregnant Kate Middleton maternity wardrobe

The news that Kate Middleton is pregnant has caused a fashion furore, with everyone speculating what the Duchess will be wearing to show off her bump in the coming months.

Peaks of London has joined the club, coming up with a range of gorgeous pieces fit for the princess and of course pregnant women everywhere.

Designed with the Duchess of Cambridge in mind, its Audrey dress is a must-have item for any sartorially conscious mothers-to-be.

Not only will it see you through pregnancy with it’s adjustable waistline but also into breastfeeding.

Additionally the stretchy material of the company's Marilyn dress - which is almost identical to the famous Issa frock Kate wore at her engagement announcement, will ensure it grows with your bump.

We also love the Drape dress, which features an adjustable ribbon that can be loosened or tightened through the stages or pregnancy.

Take a cue from Kate and go for a blue palate, which is tipped to be one of the top colours for this party season and through into SS13.

See some of the company's princess inspired pieces in the gallery below.

Peaks of Londons' Marylin dress is very similar to Kate's Issa engagement dress, making any pregnant and breastfeeding lady feel like a princess.



The Audrey dress has been designed with the pregnant princess in mind

The Drape dress, which features an adjustable ribbon that can be loosened or tightened through the stages or pregnancy.

Channel Kate's love of blue with this breastfeeding tee




Tuesday 4 December 2012

Pregnant Kate Middleton's maternity wardrobe: Evening dresses which are also great for the Christmas party season

Now that Kate Middleton has announced she's expecting, having a bump is set to become one of the hottest trends of the season.

And we can't wait to see what maternity style she'll be rocking once her bump begins to show.

Until then we've looked at her current wardrobe and matched up some maternity dresses that would slot in perfectly.

Kate's style has always been very classic,  with her love of wrap dresses coming through at a range of occasions. Most notably the blue Issa wrap frock she wore when her engagement to Prince William was announced. Thankfully this silhouette flows perfectly into maternity wear with wrap dresses being a key way to show off your bump.

V-neck frocks as well as lace just below the knee styles are two other staple pieces which can be found in the Duchess' wardrobe, with Kate channelling these looks more than a handful of times on the red carpet and at evening events. Again, this is great for her maternity wardrobe with these styles also flattering bumps

A colour palate of blues, silvers and black may also prevail in Kate's maternity wardrobe.

With this in mind we've hunted around the virtual highstreet to come up with a range of maternity evening dress styles Kate may go for.

Buy them now and get ahead of the Royal maternity fashion game,  as with Kate's love of highstreet items we think some of these may be flying off the virtual shelves.

Kate's love of blue and wrap frocks, makes this Ruched wrap maternity dress
£119, Isabella Oliver, a perfect piece for her maternity wardrobe.

This gorgeous Grecian one shoulder shimmer pleat maternity maxi dress, £149, Rock-a-bye-Rosie, is similar to styles Kate has been spotted in. 

This breastfeeding dress, £169, Peaks of London, is great for Kate now, and post birth too.

This simple, yet elegant dress, reminds us of a certain Alexander McQueen frock the Duchess was spotted in last year. Anastasia, £169 at Tiffany Rose

Lace is one of Kate's loves. We heart this maternity frock, £42 Topshop

Monday 3 December 2012

Autumn/Winter 2012 trends: The kooky tee. We pick our top maternity ones as well as novelty Christmas prints

Being pregnant is a fun and exciting time for any mum-to-be and thanks to one autumn/winter 2012 trend, you can channel these feelings through your style.

This season Burberry, Marc by Marc Jacobs and 3.1 Phillip Lim were just a few designers who decided to add a playful element to their collections, teaming up key grown up pieces such as tweed skirts and blazers with playful kooky print tees.

And the great thing about this trend is anything goes. Team up a motif tee, that's a staple maternity piece, with a sensible work skirt or be more daring and go for cartoon character prints with smart trousers for that perfect autumn/winter 2012 inspired fashion clash.

We've picked out our fave kooky tees, including some novelty Christmas inspired ranges, to help you follow this trend in the gallery below.

Kooky tees, like this one at Burberry, were hot on the Autumn/Winter 2012 catwalks

Go for an illustrated tee, like this one from Asos, £12, to show off the trend.

Christmas is coming, and this novelty maternity long sleeved tee, £17.45, from Zazzle, is a great way to stay on-trend as well as celebrate the festive season.

We heart this Cookie Monster long sleeved tee, which is great for a playful take on the trend. Blooming Marvelous at Mothercare, £12,


This Mr Men inspired tee is a great cheeky take on the trend. £12.50 Mothercare



Go all grown up and loosely channel this trend with this motif vest from Topshop, £18.






The Duchess of Cambridge, aka Kate Middleton and Prince William annouce they are pregnant

After speculations and rumours running rife it's finally been confirmed that Kate Middleton is pregnant.

St James' Palace has announced that the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are expecting their first child.

However, it has not been plain sailing for Kate who is said to have been admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in central London with acute morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

A spokesman said: “As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter.”

It is understood that the pregnancy has not passed the 12 week point and today's announcement was made as a result of the Duchess's medical condition.

We're wishing the couple a huge congratulations and hope Kate makes a full recovery soon. Check back tomorrow for what maternity clothes and style the Duchess will be channelling during her pregnancy.

Friday 30 November 2012

Top five maternity leather jackets to channel the AW 2012 trend

The Autumn/Winter catwalks were awash with leather lovelies with designers such as Valentino and Calvin Klein using this fabric to channel gothic, vixen trends.

We understand that dressing in full on leather pants and dresses may be that little bit too much when you've got a bump, but that doesn't mean you can't give a nod to this luscious look.

Leather jackets are a great way to do this and jazz up an outfit. And the best thing about them is that they never really go out of fashion, meaning you can store your purchase away for more pregnancies to come.

Go for a cropped number to style up that evening outfit or pick a biker jacket that will look great as an everyday number. Layer over a chunky knit or sweater to get that perfect AW 2012 look.

We've picked out some of our faves from the virtual highstreet in the gallery below. 



Blow the budget with this, Lucy Leather Jacket
£379, from Isabella Oliver
  
                                                  
Keep it simple with this timeless faux leather jacket from Mamalicious, £54.99, New Look

Go for an alternative to traditional black with this jacket from MOM2MOM, £49.95, Nelly

We heart this faux fur leather number, £76 from Topshop, via Nordstrom

Go for a different take on the leather jacket with this velvet faux leather number from Blossom Mother and Child. Buy it now for a special price of £101.50.


Thursday 29 November 2012

Get 25 percent off Isabella Oliver maternity coats

Christmas is not so quietly creeping up on us and a range of stores are getting into the festive spirit offering various money off vouchers.

One offer we're particularly excited about is from Isabella Oliver, which is running a short promotion on a selection of maternity coats to will ensure you and your bump stay stylishly warm and cosy in this cold weather.

Up until Midnight on Sunday 2nd December, customers can save 25 percent off a selected range of coats, all you need to do is enter the code WRAPUP25 at IsabellaOliver.com.

Don't say we don't spoil you.

Monday 19 November 2012

Lara Stone announces she's pregnant and we pick some key pieces for her tall and stylish maternity wardrobe.

We were thrilled when David Walliams announced that his supermodel wife Lara Stone was pregnant.

Taking to Twitter last week, the Little Britain star and Britian's got Talent judge, told his followers: "Some wonderful news. My beautiful wife Lara is pregnant.

"We are having a baby! It is due next year and we both couldn't be happier."

The couple later on released a statement claiming they were "very excited" to be expecting their first child.

We've always loved Lara's laid back, yet fierce style and we can't wait to see what her maternity wardrobe will be like.

However, until then we've decided to put together a little fantasy maternity wardrobe for the model.

For practicality,  5'10 Lara should look at styles that will show off her tall figure as well as fit her bump. A wrap shirt or empire line top will elongate taller shapes, while longer style cardigans or longer knitted maternity jumpers, will also ensure Lara's bump remains covered while she stays stylish.

Style wise, Lara has a mix of looks that suit her, going from elegant black frocks on a night out, to a love of leather, jeans and long tops for less smart occasions.

We've mixed her style and added our tall tips to pick out some key items we think she may like. See the gallery below for our tops picks.




We think this simple, yet striking Draped Cocoon Maternity Dress, £120, Rock a Bye Rosie,  suits Lara's style perfectly.




Lara should opt for a longer wrap style cardigan, such as this one from Jojo Maman Bebe, £39, which will flatter her taller figure and keep her stylishly warn.

Longer length maternity jeans are must-haves for taller women. We heart this 36' leg pair from Yummy Mummy Maternity.

Channel Lara's love of long black dresses with a maternity version like this embellished number, £22, from Matalan

Lara's love of leather needn't be brushed aside with these amaze faux leather panel maternity leggings, £45, Seraphine

A long empire line tunic top is perfect for taller figures, elongating the torso and ensuring your bump stays covered. We love this one from MAMA at H&M, £24.99