Bella Mama are having a Winter Breastfeeding Clothing Sale, lots of fabulous nursingwear is available with up to 40% off. Lots of the tops are the last few in stock, so if you see something you like, go for it!!
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Sale on Breastfeeding Tops - up to 40% Savings
Sunday 20 December 2009
Hooray for Breastfeeding Dresses!!
Just had the loveliest mail from a v. happy customer:
I received the dress today - what super quick delivery - especially this close to Christmas. Wanted this dress for xmas day - it looks lovely and is very flattering on my tummy - a very good thing after 4 children (most recently twins!)
Looking foward to wearing it on xmas day, knowing i'll look good and be wearing a dress - in all my years of breastfeeding i've always had to miss out on wearing dresses until i wasn't breastfeeding anymore - so thank you so much!
Yay! I am delighted that the dress is so brilliant! Milk Nursingwear is exclusive to Bella Mama in the UK and has been really well received by our nursing mamas!
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Christmas Breastfeeding Tops and Nursing Dresses
Our Christmas nursing dresses and gorgeous breastfeeding tops are flying out of the store this month and we are working very hard to ensure your orders reach you as quickly as possible. The beautiful leather Lin and Leo bags are also going to be making some lucky mamas very happy this Christmas! We also have some fabulous new Natalia gifts in store, the "Mum's Gorgeous Pampering" box would be very welcome under the tree this year. Their "Time for Mum" Bath Soak is a deeply relaxing and pampering gentle aromatic bubble bath - especially formulated with calendula, aloe vera and an indulgent essential oil blend of ylang ylang and bergamot to help all mums unwind. Perfect at this time of year, and I am soooo looking forward to my bath this evening after another super busy day!
Just a quick mention that the last posting date for orders to reach you before Christmas is 23rd December, but as always it's better to order as early as you can! The Mayreau order is currently winging it's way across the Atlantic, and should be here by Monday. There are plenty of pre-orders for their lovely tops and dresses, so if you see something you like please pre-order it now and it will be sent out as soon as it arrives at our warehouse.
Our week is packed (as I'm sure yours is too!) with Christmas parties, Carol Services, Nativity plays, Junior Discos, Meals with friends and Christmas lunches. Miss O is a sheep in her nursery Nativity this afternoon, after having been a mouse at her pre-school Nativity yesterday. F's Christmas Performance is this evening, hopefully we'll all be able to squeeze into the church to see it. It's always standing room only unless you arrive an hour before the performance starts, oh well... Hubby has started his new job this week, 2 hours travelling each way to the office has come as a shock after a month on Garden Leave, and he has a quick trip to Barcelona tomorrow leaving Liverpool on the 7.30am flight....ugh. Fortunately he's back late Friday night, and I'm planning a quiet family weekend at home to relax!
Just a quick mention that the last posting date for orders to reach you before Christmas is 23rd December, but as always it's better to order as early as you can! The Mayreau order is currently winging it's way across the Atlantic, and should be here by Monday. There are plenty of pre-orders for their lovely tops and dresses, so if you see something you like please pre-order it now and it will be sent out as soon as it arrives at our warehouse.
Our week is packed (as I'm sure yours is too!) with Christmas parties, Carol Services, Nativity plays, Junior Discos, Meals with friends and Christmas lunches. Miss O is a sheep in her nursery Nativity this afternoon, after having been a mouse at her pre-school Nativity yesterday. F's Christmas Performance is this evening, hopefully we'll all be able to squeeze into the church to see it. It's always standing room only unless you arrive an hour before the performance starts, oh well... Hubby has started his new job this week, 2 hours travelling each way to the office has come as a shock after a month on Garden Leave, and he has a quick trip to Barcelona tomorrow leaving Liverpool on the 7.30am flight....ugh. Fortunately he's back late Friday night, and I'm planning a quiet family weekend at home to relax!
Monday 14 December 2009
Breastfeeding Dresses and Maternity wear for Stylish Mamas!
The Festive Season has arrived, a time of seasonal parties, special events and fabulous meals with family and friends, and the chance to dress up in your finest! For any woman, finding the stylish solution to occasion wear is a tricky one but for new Breast feeding mums the search is even harder.
At Bella Mama we are frequently asked about dresses which are suitable for wearing when you want to feel chic and stylish. As a new mum you want to wear something girlie and glamorous, that makes you feel fabulous but also allows you to breastfeed your little one easily. You want to wear your beautiful dress and you don’t want to leave the party to sit in another room when your baby is hungry!
The perfect solution to breastfeeding in public with confidence is a dress which has been specially designed to provide easy nursing access. Bella Mama offers the best selection in the UK of nursing dresses suitable for all kinds of special occasions. Here is a selection of our favourites:
Milk Nursingwear Keyhole dress £55
Brand new to Bella Mama, the divine Mayreau Cowl neck dress is our most luxurious breastfeeding dress yet. The dress is made from the softest modal fabric, which feels buttery soft on the skin and gives a real feeling of luxury.
Milk Nursingwear Flirty Halter Neck Teal £49
Dote Black Noir Dress £53
A firm favourite for nursing style, the Noir Dress has just flown out of the store, and no wonder as it is simply divine.
The dress has a gathering across the neckline and skirt, disguising any post-baby tummy. It can be accessorised with a belt or sparkly scarf, giving an edgy fashionable look. Available in Short or full length fabulous Maxi dress!
At Bella Mama we are frequently asked about dresses which are suitable for wearing when you want to feel chic and stylish. As a new mum you want to wear something girlie and glamorous, that makes you feel fabulous but also allows you to breastfeed your little one easily. You want to wear your beautiful dress and you don’t want to leave the party to sit in another room when your baby is hungry!
The perfect solution to breastfeeding in public with confidence is a dress which has been specially designed to provide easy nursing access. Bella Mama offers the best selection in the UK of nursing dresses suitable for all kinds of special occasions. Here is a selection of our favourites:
Milk Nursingwear Keyhole dress £55
Milk Nursingwear's fabulous Keyhole dress is stylish and elegant - wonderful for wearing on Christmas Day, or anytime when you want to feel chic. The black stretch fabric falls beautifully, and the fashionable keyhole design detailing gives a lovely twist to this classic dress.
Looks beautiful accessorised with sparkly earrings or chunky bracelet - a perfect foil for some fabulous jewellery. Nurse effortlessly by pulling up the dress at the empire band to access nursing openings beneath.
Mayreau Cowl Neck Dress £105
Brand new to Bella Mama, the divine Mayreau Cowl neck dress is our most luxurious breastfeeding dress yet. The dress is made from the softest modal fabric, which feels buttery soft on the skin and gives a real feeling of luxury. The cowl neck cleverly conceals the nursing access, and the gathered sleeve detail is just divine. Wear dressed up with jewellery and heels, or down with leggings and flats, this dress is incredibly versatile and looks great whatever the occasion.
Milk Nursingwear Flirty Halter Neck Teal £49
I am always asked for my recommendations on styles for special occasions, and I think this is perfect! This sexy halter style for nursing mamas ensures you look effortlessly fabulous. Milk have magically added a built-in shelf-bra and place to hold your nursing pads - meaning you can strut your stuff in style!
Gorgeous ruffles add a flirty fun edge to this pretty little dress, whilst the adjustable tie allows for a more customized fit. Nursing Access is simple, just lift up the empire layer to access openings.
Gorgeous ruffles add a flirty fun edge to this pretty little dress, whilst the adjustable tie allows for a more customized fit. Nursing Access is simple, just lift up the empire layer to access openings.
Dote Black Noir Dress £53A firm favourite for nursing style, the Noir Dress has just flown out of the store, and no wonder as it is simply divine.
The dress has a gathering across the neckline and skirt, disguising any post-baby tummy. It can be accessorised with a belt or sparkly scarf, giving an edgy fashionable look. Available in Short or full length fabulous Maxi dress!
Thursday 3 December 2009
Breastfeeding Yummy Mummies!
The lucky yummy mummy winner of our fabulous Dough Dough Mother and Baby tin is.... Joanna Williams! The Dough Dough tin will be winging it's way to you shortly, Joanna. Enjoy!
Mmmm, double chocolate muffins, brownies, chocolate chip shortbread, jelly babies and champagne truffles plus a totally cute JELLYCAT cuddly toy... I had so many people begging me to pick them, but of course in the interest of fairness, I must randomly select the winner instead!
(Thanks to Random.org for randomly picking our winner!!)
I am sooo envious!! My hubby got me a fantastic Chocolate Lover's Tin from there last year, mmmmmmm double chocolate muffins, chocolate fudge brownies, gorgeous caramel filled milk chocolate hearts, Milk Chocolate Mendiants (chocolate, raisins, and nuts), white chocolate champagne truffles, praline filled chocolate hearts and some fabulous dippy swirly things for putting into hot milk for the most delicious hot chocolate EVER! Yum, yum. Was out for dinner with a friend last night, who declared she never feels as if she's finished a meal until she's had some chocolate!!
Well, it's my birthday tomorrow so I can but wish for more chocolately loveliness! And a lie-in, breakfast of chocolate croissants and Bucks Fizz in bed, hubby doing the school run whilst I loll round in my nightie, and a day filled with pampering treats then a meal out at Pizza Express with the family! We wanted to squeeze in a trip to New York on hubby's accumulated Star Alliance points, but all flights are sold out pre-Christmas (boooooooo!) so we are planning a long weekend in the UK next weekend instead... Still to book as everywhere seems so booked up (darn last minute bookings!) but I'm sure we'll find somewhere lovely.
Monday 23 November 2009
How to dress when Breastfeeding
Bella Mama is featured in Bounty's How to Dress when Breastfeeding article - I am so thrilled! We are described as "an on-line breastfeeding boutique, which offers aspirational designs for chic and trendy mums." **blush!**
Bella Mama is the UK’s leading boutique for new mums specialising in Transitional Maternity and Nursing Wear. Our clothing is suitable for during and after pregnancy, all of the styles offer easy (but unnoticeable) nursing access and of course are ultra stylish, comfortable and flattering.
I love selecting transitional nursingwear which will ensure the transition from pregnant mama-to-be to breastfeeding new mama is as simple as possible. Choosing clothing which will seamlessly adapt to your changing figure through the full 9 months and beyond not only ensures your wardrobe choices are easy throughout pregnancy and your time as a new mummy, but also give you excellent value for money.
Two of our best-selling transitional maternity/nursingwear tops are the fabulous Mia top from Mayreau (available in Black, Red, Grey, Midnight and a choice of long or 3/4 sleeve) and our very own Bella Mama Shirred Top available in classic Black and festive wine. Both tops are brilliantly flattering throughout pregnancy, and oh-so-simple to breastfeed in!
I love selecting transitional nursingwear which will ensure the transition from pregnant mama-to-be to breastfeeding new mama is as simple as possible. Choosing clothing which will seamlessly adapt to your changing figure through the full 9 months and beyond not only ensures your wardrobe choices are easy throughout pregnancy and your time as a new mummy, but also give you excellent value for money.
Two of our best-selling transitional maternity/nursingwear tops are the fabulous Mia top from Mayreau (available in Black, Red, Grey, Midnight and a choice of long or 3/4 sleeve) and our very own Bella Mama Shirred Top available in classic Black and festive wine. Both tops are brilliantly flattering throughout pregnancy, and oh-so-simple to breastfeed in!
Monday 9 November 2009
Win Mother and Baby Tin from Bella Mama Breastfeeding Boutique
The Dough Dough tin is just delicious - I often send them to my new mummy friends and they are hugely appreciated!! The contain 2 x double chocolate muffins, 2 x brownies, 2 x chocolate chip shortbread, no nonsense jelly babies, and champagne truffles, and for baby a JELLYCAT cuddly toy. All contents come delicately swaddled in a stylish silver tin.
Bella Mama offers a fabulous range of breastfeeding clothing and accessories for new mums. Our online boutique ensures can shop conveniently and easily from home 24/7 at www.BellaMama.co.uk
We offer stylish nursing dresses, chic breastfeeding tops, pretty nursing bras, gorgeous baby bags and other accessories.
We stock a huge range of the best nursingwear designers, and offer many ranges not offered elsewhere in the UK. In our boutique you will find breastfeeding clothing from 1 in the Oven, Mayreau, Belabumbum, Dote, Annee Matthew, Milk, Blissful Babes, Milkdaze, Maternalove, Expressiva, Aimee Nursing Gowns, Mama Cocoon, Glamourmom, Melba Maternity, Moody Mamas, Peek-a-boo and of course our very own Bella Mama label.
We are constantly expanding our range to bring you the freshest and most stylish nursingwear available!
Tuesday 3 November 2009
Planning your perfect breastfeeding wardrobe – choosing breastfeeding clothes
Spending a little time planning your breastfeeding wardrobe will ensure that you don’t have a daily “nothing to wear” crisis! As a new mum there will be plenty of other demands on your time, so ensuring you have a few key pieces in your breastfeeding wardrobe will ease you through your post-partum period.
Begin with the basics
Choosing nursing vests in one or two staple colours will give you a great layering base. White, Black and Grey are classic choices and will allow you to mix and match your outfits flexibly. Look for vests with built-in bra support, these are indispensable in the first few weeks when your milk comes in and your boobs are swollen and tender. Longer length breastfeeding vests also layer well and give you a longer, leaner look whilst ensuring that your post-partum tummy is fully covered.
Casual loungewear
You will spend a lot of time in those early days breastfeeding your baby and generally recovering from the birth. Go easy on yourself and ensure that you have loose-fitting trousers and figure flattering tops to snuggle into during those magical first few weeks. Look for loungewear or nightwear with simple nursing access like easy drop cup access, or wrap access which is easy to move aside when you want to feed. Choose fabrics which are soft and cosy, and stretch easily so you are really comfy. They must also wash easily - a must when dealing with spit up or leaking milk!!
A fabulous breastfeeding Dress
Nursing dresses are wonderful and having one or two in your wardrobe will allow you to pull on something quickly and easily which guarantees that you will look pulled together and stylish with the minimum of effort. Classic black is slimming and can be mixed with different accessories allowing you to change your look by pairing with belts, scarves or jewellery. A good breastfeeding dress is also fabulous for special occasions such as your baby’s christening, weddings or family events letting your feed your little one quickly and easily.
Tops, tops, tops
When you have a baby you will find you spend a lot of time out of the house meeting up with other mums at coffee mornings, baby activity classes, playgroups and doctor’s appointments. A variety of well designed nursing tops will give you confidence to head out of the house knowing you can feed your baby where and when you choose, with the minimum of fuss. Choose different styles that will work flexibly to give you a casual or dressed up look as you choose. Many breastfeeding tops are also designed for wearing during your pregnancy which will give you great value for money.
Begin with the basics
Choosing nursing vests in one or two staple colours will give you a great layering base. White, Black and Grey are classic choices and will allow you to mix and match your outfits flexibly. Look for vests with built-in bra support, these are indispensable in the first few weeks when your milk comes in and your boobs are swollen and tender. Longer length breastfeeding vests also layer well and give you a longer, leaner look whilst ensuring that your post-partum tummy is fully covered.
Casual loungewear
You will spend a lot of time in those early days breastfeeding your baby and generally recovering from the birth. Go easy on yourself and ensure that you have loose-fitting trousers and figure flattering tops to snuggle into during those magical first few weeks. Look for loungewear or nightwear with simple nursing access like easy drop cup access, or wrap access which is easy to move aside when you want to feed. Choose fabrics which are soft and cosy, and stretch easily so you are really comfy. They must also wash easily - a must when dealing with spit up or leaking milk!!
A fabulous breastfeeding Dress
Nursing dresses are wonderful and having one or two in your wardrobe will allow you to pull on something quickly and easily which guarantees that you will look pulled together and stylish with the minimum of effort. Classic black is slimming and can be mixed with different accessories allowing you to change your look by pairing with belts, scarves or jewellery. A good breastfeeding dress is also fabulous for special occasions such as your baby’s christening, weddings or family events letting your feed your little one quickly and easily.
Tops, tops, tops
When you have a baby you will find you spend a lot of time out of the house meeting up with other mums at coffee mornings, baby activity classes, playgroups and doctor’s appointments. A variety of well designed nursing tops will give you confidence to head out of the house knowing you can feed your baby where and when you choose, with the minimum of fuss. Choose different styles that will work flexibly to give you a casual or dressed up look as you choose. Many breastfeeding tops are also designed for wearing during your pregnancy which will give you great value for money.
Monday 2 November 2009
Autumn is finally here... nursing clothing for the season!
The beautiful exceptionally late "Indian Summer" we've been enjoying has finally come to a close... our Halloween celebrations took us on a trail around a local NT property with friends and we all had a fabulous time searching for bats around the spooky mill! The blustery blowy swirling winds of November have finally kicked in and are shaking the leaves from the trees in the garden. Boooooooooooooo! The rain is beating against my window, my snuggly Ugg boots are on (as ever!) and the logs I stacked into the log store at the weekend are being put to good use!! We are in the midst of redecorating our lounge (paint charts, masking tape, new brushes and dust sheets prevail) and I am trying very hard to persuade Himself that we need a wonderful new log basket that I have spotted in a magazine!!
At Bella Mama we have some wonderful nursingwear that will see you through these cold blustery days in style. In particular we have some captivating breastfeeding tops and dazzling nursing dresses from some fabulous new designers, as well as our very own glamorous Bella Mama label breastfeeding tops. The sumptuous shades of pumpkin, wine, plum, espresso, raspberry, chocolate and damson are positively mouth-watering at this time of the year as well as being incredibly flattering!
We have divine dresses on pre-order from Milk nursingwear (Exclusive to Bella Mama in the UK) as well as other desirable styles of breastfeeding dresses, nursing nightwear and breast feeding tops on their way from the USA, Israel, Australia and Europe! If you follow us on Facebook, you will find out first about all the latest new of our newest additions, great competitions, discounts, brilliant offers and be in line for road testing Bella Mama's newest styles!
At Bella Mama we have some wonderful nursingwear that will see you through these cold blustery days in style. In particular we have some captivating breastfeeding tops and dazzling nursing dresses from some fabulous new designers, as well as our very own glamorous Bella Mama label breastfeeding tops. The sumptuous shades of pumpkin, wine, plum, espresso, raspberry, chocolate and damson are positively mouth-watering at this time of the year as well as being incredibly flattering!
We have divine dresses on pre-order from Milk nursingwear (Exclusive to Bella Mama in the UK) as well as other desirable styles of breastfeeding dresses, nursing nightwear and breast feeding tops on their way from the USA, Israel, Australia and Europe! If you follow us on Facebook, you will find out first about all the latest new of our newest additions, great competitions, discounts, brilliant offers and be in line for road testing Bella Mama's newest styles!
Saturday 31 October 2009
Halloween...
Ooooh Halloween - our pumpkin lantern is ready, we are putting up the decorations and are prepared for a day of spooky goings on! Meeting with friends at a local NT property for a spine-tingling Halloween trail, creepy craft activities and back to ours for some frighteningly good food! F turned creative director whilst D scooped out the biggest pumpkin ever to create the gruesome lantern below - Miss O is "frighted" of the "punkin" and can't wait for it to be banished outside to our front step!!
F is so excited about this evening and has been planning his outfit for weeks. He's dressing up as the Grim Reaper "cos it's the scariest thing EVER"... We managed to track down a spooky Grim Reaper cloak last weekend, and F was thrilled when my parents arrived yesterday with a massive plastic scythe to complete the look! Miss O meanwhile just wants to dress up as a pink ballerina/fairy! There are plenty of pumpkins lighting up houses around the village, so looks like loads of people are up for being "trick or treated" - I'm sure we'll have a fun time this evening!
F is so excited about this evening and has been planning his outfit for weeks. He's dressing up as the Grim Reaper "cos it's the scariest thing EVER"... We managed to track down a spooky Grim Reaper cloak last weekend, and F was thrilled when my parents arrived yesterday with a massive plastic scythe to complete the look! Miss O meanwhile just wants to dress up as a pink ballerina/fairy! There are plenty of pumpkins lighting up houses around the village, so looks like loads of people are up for being "trick or treated" - I'm sure we'll have a fun time this evening!
Friday 30 October 2009
More new Bella Mama Breastfeeding Tops...
The photographs of our new Bella Mama Breastfeeding tops arrived with me today. I had to wait a little longer than usual for the shots as I wasn't happy with the way the cowl neck top was originally taken... (ever the perfectionist - hahahaha!) The top is gorgeous, and a really flattering style and I just didn't feel that the original picture did it justice. Anyway, several retakes later and I am happy with the result... so our new Demeter cowl necks in Damson are ready to order online! The colour is fabulous, and just great for this time of year. Plum shades are so versatile and are perfect for teaming with jeans, combats, joggers and casual trousers! It's just the right blend of dark enough to flatter the figure and the right shade to enhance that new mum glow. The cowl neck is brilliantly flattering, and the nursing access is really well hidden, you honestly cannot tell this is a nursing top. Just pull aside the cowl neckline to access the breastfeeding openings, whilst keeping your back, tummy and sides well hidden and cosy... This fabulous breastfeeding top is also available in our very lovely Ruby colour.
Our second new addition is our popular crossover breastfeeding top style, now available in a fabulous teal shade. This nursing top is simplicity itself, the crossover nursing panel just pulls to the side for ultra-simple nursing style. Keeping you covered, and able to feed your little one where and when you choose. Bella Mama's crossover breastfeeding tops are an immensely versatile style, which can be dressed up or down with the addition of chunky necklaces, scarves, belts or cuffs... to be as casual or as dressy as you please. The teal colour is gorgeous, and complements so many different colourings... it really is one of those colours which looks great on everyone!! This style is selling really well at Bella Mama, and is currently available in the lovely Autumnal shades of Raspberry, Teal and Espresso.
Thursday 29 October 2009
Choosing Breastfeeding Clothing - Nursing Openings
I am often asked what exactly IS a Nursing top, and how does it differ from a Maternity top? The answer is nursing tops offer you quick and easy access to the breast for nursing your little one, whilst keeping your chest, tummy, back and sides covered. Many designs work well both during pregnancy and afterwards for nursing, giving you even better value for money.
Many new mamas feel a little self-conscious nursing in public, and this is where well designed nursing tops can really help. With a little practice you will be able to simply and easily pull aside the nursing opening and latch your little one on, without anyone being any the wiser.
There are different styles of nursing access available at Bella Mama, and everyone has their own favourite style. All of the tops have a concealed nursing underlayer which has slits or cut-out openings for easy access to the breast. Some styles are brilliant for nursing in a sling, others provide maximum coverage whilst you are feeding. All are skilfully designed and the nursing openings wonderfully disguised so you really cannot tell they are nursing tops at all!
Pull Aside
This type of breastfeeding opening is accessed simply by pulling aside fabric at the top of the garment. These styles are simple to use and the nursing access can be gained single-handedly. These necklines of these styles vary and include crossover, vee necks or cowl necks. For example Bella Mama's Juno Breastfeeding Top
Empire Line
This style of top has nursing openings which are accessed by pulling up the top at the empire line, just under the bust. The styling of the clothing means that the empire band sits just under your bust, and is styled to look like a regular top. Our best-selling Bella Mama Venus breastfeeding top features this type of nursing opening.
Oversized Armhole
This style of nursing access is really clever – the overlayer of the garment is pulled aside to access the nursing layer underneath at the front. The very popular Dote Noir nursing dresses feature this unique type of nursing access.
Pull Down
Nursing openings are in an underlayer which is accessed by pulling down the uppermost layer on the clothing – the Dote Slate breastfeeding top is a fabulous example where the funky styling of the top ensures that the breastfeeding function is disguised brilliantly.
Crossover
Two overlapping bands conceal the breastfeeding openings beneath. This style is fabulous for breastfeeding twins, as both sides can be accessed easily simultaneously. An example of this style is Annee Matthew’s Criss Cross breastfeeding top.
Double layer
This style of top has two layers which sit on top of one another. Pulling the uppermost layer upwards will give access to the nursing openings, whilst keeping your back, tummy and sides covered by the bottom nursing underlayer. The Bella Mama Maia breastfeeding top has two layers all the way around the top, whilst the Annee Matthew Kelly breastfeeding top has the double layer only at the front of the top. The double layer helps to keep you cosy in the colder months, by giving you an extra layer of fabric!
Double layer
Modesty panel
Nursing tops with a modesty layer don’t have slits for nursing access, but a panel of fabric which sits flat against the chest and can be lifted at either side to give access to the breast. This gives a very smooth line to the breastfeeding top as there is no “cut out” area underneath. Mayreau’s best-selling and immensely popular Mia maternity and breastfeeding tops feature this type of breastfeeding access.
Nursing tops with a modesty layer don’t have slits for nursing access, but a panel of fabric which sits flat against the chest and can be lifted at either side to give access to the breast. This gives a very smooth line to the breastfeeding top as there is no “cut out” area underneath. Mayreau’s best-selling and immensely popular Mia maternity and breastfeeding tops feature this type of breastfeeding access.
Double Layer Nursing Panel
Two layers of overlapping panels cover the breasts and one layer pulls down, whilst the other layer pulls up for nursing access. Peek-a-boo tops have this innovative style of nursing opening.
Two layers of overlapping panels cover the breasts and one layer pulls down, whilst the other layer pulls up for nursing access. Peek-a-boo tops have this innovative style of nursing opening.
I hope that helps to explain a little more about the different types of nursing openings available, and as ever, I am here to help answering any questions you have about the different tops which we stock at www.BellaMama.co.uk and give advice about the best styles for you.
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Look good and feel good whilst breastfeeding: What to wear post-baby
Between breastfeeding your little one and frequent nappy changes, it can be difficult to find the time to work out what to wear which will allow for quick and easy feeding, whilst flattering your new mama figure. The following tips from BellaMama.co.uk will help...
1. Whilst your pre-pregnancy jeans and trousers may still be a little way off, resist the temptation to continue wearing your maternity trousers. Soft waisted, stretchy or drawstring trousers and skirts will be comfy and avoid giving you post-pregnancy muffin top.
2. Patterned and darker coloured breastfeeding tops will hide any baby spit-up and leaking milk.
3. Draw the eyes upwards with interesting necklines and/or pretty necklaces – directing attention away from new mum tum and towards your new mama glow
4. Breastfeeding tops featuring Ruching, shirring and draped fabrics which softly disguise any post-natal pounds are a new mum’s best friend!
5. Black in moderation! Whilst black can be super slimming, resist the temptation to wear it top to toe. Wearing too much black can be draining to the complexion and leave you looking in need of a good night’s sleep, so try midnight blue or chocolate brown nursing tops as a dark but flattering alternative.
6. A pop of colour can also lift your mood, so try adding a brightly coloured breastfeeding top, chunky piece of jewellery, scarf or belt to your outfit.
For the best selection of breastfeeding clothing and stylish nursingwear see www.BellaMama.co.uk
1. Whilst your pre-pregnancy jeans and trousers may still be a little way off, resist the temptation to continue wearing your maternity trousers. Soft waisted, stretchy or drawstring trousers and skirts will be comfy and avoid giving you post-pregnancy muffin top.
2. Patterned and darker coloured breastfeeding tops will hide any baby spit-up and leaking milk.
3. Draw the eyes upwards with interesting necklines and/or pretty necklaces – directing attention away from new mum tum and towards your new mama glow
4. Breastfeeding tops featuring Ruching, shirring and draped fabrics which softly disguise any post-natal pounds are a new mum’s best friend!
5. Black in moderation! Whilst black can be super slimming, resist the temptation to wear it top to toe. Wearing too much black can be draining to the complexion and leave you looking in need of a good night’s sleep, so try midnight blue or chocolate brown nursing tops as a dark but flattering alternative.
6. A pop of colour can also lift your mood, so try adding a brightly coloured breastfeeding top, chunky piece of jewellery, scarf or belt to your outfit.
For the best selection of breastfeeding clothing and stylish nursingwear see www.BellaMama.co.uk
Friday 16 October 2009
Bags, Bags, Bags
When you become a mum, you quickly realise that with this gorgeous baby comes the need to carry around a whole load of STUFF! Nappies, Wipes, Spare Clothes, Muslin cloths, Bibs, Nursing Pads, Creams, Wet bags, Changing Mat, Toys, Snacks and Books... not to mention your own purse, keys, make-up and mobile phone! A beautiful changing bag is a must for a new mum, and as it will pretty much be replacing your handbag you should choose something gorgeous!
Whilst in Australia in 2007, I met with the very lovely and then very pregnant Maria Cincotta (one of Isoki's directors), at Sydney Airport before my flight to Perth. I knew that the Isoki bags would be fabulous for new mums in the UK and we now stock the whole range. The Petite Travellers and Change Clutch Mats are a real "Stash and Dash" option - although small in size, they are big on practical details and feature tons of storage spaces for everything you need for a quick trip out of the house.
We have also got the fantastic reversible hobo bag, and reversible saddle bag. Now you can you change your bag to match your mood or your outfit! Both bags have tons of storage, co-ordinating inner pockets, double-sided storage satchel, insulated cooler bag and a padded change mat. Any of these can be removed from the bag to be used separately.
Lin and Leo changing bags are one of the most beautiful baby bags I have ever seen. Luxurious butter-soft leather with contrasting silky lining, plus matching change mat and lots of storage compartments for everything you need to carry, this bag is a definite head-turner! Available in dark brown and raspberry pink.
Friday 2 October 2009
More New Tops!
Our brand new Juno tops have also arrived this week. These tops are lovely, made from beautiful modal fabric they are super soft and comfy to wear. Modal is made from fibres from beech trees, feels like silk and doesn't fade, pill, or shrink the same way as cotton tends to. The vee neck styling of the Juno tops with the ruched band detail draws the eye to the narrowest part of your body for a slimming effect, ensuring this top is a new mum's best friend!
Saturday 26 September 2009
The Freshest Nursingwear on the Planet!
Bella Mama are leading the field in providing nursingwear to new Mamas. I am proud to say that we were the first to bring many designers to the UK for the first time - Dote nursingwear, Maternalove, Aimee Nursinggowns, Moody Mamas, Milkdaze and Peek-a-boo to name a few.
I love searching for fabulous new nursingwear that will delight our customers, flatter their new figures, be super practical for breastfeeding as well as standing up to constant washing and wearing! I am constantly expanding our range to bring new mamas the freshest and prettiest nursingwear available, and this time I have found the freshest of the fresh!
The latest addition to Bella Mama's range of Breastfeeding clothing is Milk Nursingwear. Created by Elisa Minsk Hartstein (who previously set up the incredibly successful Expressiva label) their nursingwear is fresh and contemporary, with simple lines and bold modern colours. Our stock will be arriving shortly, and we are just thrilled to be the first to offer the line in the UK. I think our new mamas are going to love it!!!
I love searching for fabulous new nursingwear that will delight our customers, flatter their new figures, be super practical for breastfeeding as well as standing up to constant washing and wearing! I am constantly expanding our range to bring new mamas the freshest and prettiest nursingwear available, and this time I have found the freshest of the fresh!
The latest addition to Bella Mama's range of Breastfeeding clothing is Milk Nursingwear. Created by Elisa Minsk Hartstein (who previously set up the incredibly successful Expressiva label) their nursingwear is fresh and contemporary, with simple lines and bold modern colours. Our stock will be arriving shortly, and we are just thrilled to be the first to offer the line in the UK. I think our new mamas are going to love it!!!
Wednesday 23 September 2009
Our new Girls...
After naughty Mr Fox took our last chickens last Autumn, I have wanted to get more hens. The potential move to the States meant I have put this on the back-burner but I finally decided I've had enough of waiting for Visas and have got more chickens!
So, here are the girls! F is delighted to be in charge of the chickens, and between tea and homework and spellings we went out THREE TIMES with F's penguin torch last night at dusk to try to put them to bed. F tried to tempt them into their Omlet with lettuce from the veg patch, then spotted a huge slug and delightedly put the slug into their house and waited for them to come running (which they didn't!)
We checked them this morning, and they were settling in nicely. And even better than that, after school F's inspection revealed we had an egg today! F and O are thrilled, and have requested bacon and scrambled eggs for tea. We are so excited, we thought we'd have to wait 6 weeks for them to start laying! Hooray!
Monday 21 September 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy
Manic day today, hubby is away in sunny North Carolina (sadly for him work, not holiday) leaving me in charge of the house, the kids, Bella Mama and everything in between.
This morning I had to dash to drop the kiddos off at nursery and before school club, drive a 35 mile round trip to drop the car off in the garage to be fixed, then whip back for 9.30am to meet up with a new networking group (Happy Mondays - more below) I've started attending, then back to pick F up from school for a dental appointment at 11.20. Then back home for an afternoon packing orders, posting, sorting stock, answering emails, updating the site and taking delivery of more of Bella Mama's brand new breastfeeding tops!
Busy day! I made it to everything almost on time, and got pretty much everything done, but my head is spinning from all the rushing round. The new networking group, Happy Mondays is a networking group for Mumpreneurs (and those thinking about taking the plunge) in East Cheshire. Set up by two local Mumpreneurs, the group aims to create an environment where talented but often isolated Mumpreneurs and small business women can make new contacts, generate ideas, learn from each other, talk about concerns, make friends, support each other and promote their businesses. Fabulous, and the guest speaker today had some wonderful ideas for promoting our businesses... can't wait to try them out.
My secret Amazon order (don't tell hubby, I'm not meant to be ordering books!) arrived today. I ordered a book called Behind with the Laundry and Living off Chocolate. Whilst the laundry bit is definitely true, I'm not quite at that choc stage (mmmmm) yet, but I'm hoping it has some good strategies to help cope with the general madness of being a busy woman!!! Will let you know how I get on. I also bought How to be an "Amazing Mum" When You Just Don't Have the Time! with lotsa strategies for the busy mum. One of the odder ones is to freeze marmite sandwiches for kids packed lunches - er, not too sure about that - but there are still tons of other useful hints and tips for busy mamas to fit it all in, whilst still finding time for your children, your partner and yourself!! Gotta be good...
Our book club choice for Oct The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society arrived in the same order, but will have to wait until I have finished with the new Kathy Reichs... better get that log-burning stove lit and snuggle up under my blanket with my book, oooh dark autumn nights are made for reading!
Friday 18 September 2009
More New Stock
Walking round the village to pre-school this morning Miss O was fascinated with the fallen leaves, and the pretty colours the trees are starting to turn... Although this week has been pretty mild, there is a definite cooling in the weather. Summer really is at an end and Autumn is coming... Our wood burning stove has already seen its first fire of the season (hubby has been out chopping logs too), the blackberries are appearing on our brambles and my snuggly Ugg boots are back on constantly. Miss O has new boots and I am mighty jealous.
Check out the soft leather, the suede patches, the metallic stitching and the cosy furry tops... I want a pair in my size! I am on a mission to find some fab looking (but comfy) flat boots for myself now! I can barely wear heels anymore, they just hurt my back. I wondered about getting a pair of MBTs but I don't know anyone who's had any to see if they are worth the money. I know lots of people with FitFlops, who swear they are great for backache and posture, but they aren't too practical at this time of year!
The change in the season means new Bella Mama stock though and I have some gorgeous clothes arriving for A/W 09, including several new designers. I am constantly searching for the best breastfeeding clothing world-wide, and it's great to be the first to bring the freshest and prettiest designs to the UK.
I am rapidly running out of space in our stock room! My sister Nicola has been in this week to help with stock check (thank you!) and has organised the space fabulously. This week more new Bella Mama tops have arrived, including the very lovely new Maia breastfeeding top. They are so comfy and very flattering to new mama midriff! The soft jersey fabric skims beautifully, whilst the gentle ruching and tie detail around the neckline draws the eye upwards and away from new mum tum!
Providing a flash of colour for the new season, is the new Bella Mama cowl neck top which should be arriving towards the end of September. The jersey fabric drapes beautifully and the cowl neck is ultra elegant, whilst the longer length ensures it is great for taller mums or those wanting to hide their tummies. Bella Mama Cowl Neck Ruby
I'm off to pick more raspberries (this has been the best year for our crop!) for more raspberry jelly, I even managed to get enough to do raspberry gin (yay! but won't be ready until Christmas) and also the early blackberries which have started to appear on the bramble bushes in the neglected "wildlife" part of our garden. Haha, I'd love to say they are there by design, but the truth is all the tough weeds (brambles, horsetail, creeping buttercup) seem to thrive in these parts...
Thursday 17 September 2009
What to wear for a Special Occasion
When you're getting ready for your baby’s Christening or the wedding of the year, choosing your outfit is the most exciting yet agonising part of the preparations. For any woman, finding the stylish solution to formalwear is a tricky one but for new Breastfeeding mums the search is even harder.
At Bella Mama we are frequently asked about dresses which are suitable for wearing at Christenings, Weddings and other special occasions. As a new mum you want to wear something girlie and glamorous, that makes you feel fabulous but also allows you to breastfeed your little one easily. You want to wear your beautiful dress and you don’t want to leave the party to sit in the ladies room when your baby is hungry!
The perfect solution to breastfeeding in public with confidence is a dress which has been specially designed to provide easy nursing access. Bella Mama offers the best selection in the UK of nursing dresses suitable for all kinds of special occasions.
Here is a selection of our favourites:
Bella Mama Gercian Mauve
Another exceptionally popular dress with new mums is the Gercian dress from Annee Matthew. The fabulous side ruching camoflages the tummy area while the A-cut skirt provides ample room for the hips area and a wonderful swishy movement. We love it! A simple crossover wrap detail to hide the nursing openings underneath. Accessorised with sparkly jewellery and a pashmina this is just perfect for special occasions. Available in navy, dark red and mauve.
At Bella Mama we are frequently asked about dresses which are suitable for wearing at Christenings, Weddings and other special occasions. As a new mum you want to wear something girlie and glamorous, that makes you feel fabulous but also allows you to breastfeed your little one easily. You want to wear your beautiful dress and you don’t want to leave the party to sit in the ladies room when your baby is hungry!
The perfect solution to breastfeeding in public with confidence is a dress which has been specially designed to provide easy nursing access. Bella Mama offers the best selection in the UK of nursing dresses suitable for all kinds of special occasions.
Here is a selection of our favourites:
One of our most popular dresses is the Criss Cross Dress from Annee Matthew. Made from slinky fabric, this simply gorgeous dress has crisscross panels to hide the nursing openings underneath. The dress has been such a hit with new mums, it is incredibly flattering and dresses up beautifully. The flattering design hugs your figure at the right places, and can also be worn during pregnancy, ensuring the dress is extra-good value! Beautiful jewellery and a wrap finish this dress perfectly. Available in classic black or stylish golden olive.
One of Bella Mama’s newest designers is Dote Nursingwear. The Noir Dress has just flown out of the store, and no wonder as it is simply divine. The dress has a gathering across the neckline and skirt, disguising any post-baby tummy. It can be accessorised with a belt or sparkly scarf, giving an edgy fashionable look.
Bella Mama Gercian Mauve
Another exceptionally popular dress with new mums is the Gercian dress from Annee Matthew. The fabulous side ruching camoflages the tummy area while the A-cut skirt provides ample room for the hips area and a wonderful swishy movement. We love it! A simple crossover wrap detail to hide the nursing openings underneath. Accessorised with sparkly jewellery and a pashmina this is just perfect for special occasions. Available in navy, dark red and mauve.
To view more of our gorgeous dresses for special occasions, please visit Bella Mama online at www.bellamama.co.uk
Monday 14 September 2009
Nigella, I am Not
We have lived in our small village for three years, and between babies and holidays have never had chance to enter the village show. This year I was determined that I would enter for the first time! I love cooking and baking, and thought it would be great fun. My parents moved to our village last year, and my mum (seriously good cook) had decided that she would enter several of the classes, amongst them the jam and lemon drizzle cake ones. Well, that threw down the gauntlet, and I decided I just had to enter! In my fit of enthusiasm I also decided to enter F in several of the kids classes too...
I'd already made Raspberry jam from our harvest of raspberries, and had whipped up a jar of Lemon Curd in response to hubby's requests for a jar for his toast! I spent most of the preceding day in a whirlwind of preparation, baking lemon drizzle cake and fairy cakes for F to decorate, cooking scones, quiche, stirring large pans of chutney and overseeing F's chocolate krispie cakes, miniature garden and fruit sculpture.
Well, clearly a day of standing in front of the cooker acting like Nigella was not good for me, and I ended up throwing out my SI joint. Very, very painful, and something which I suffered with through both of my pregnancies. I could hardly stand up. Oh dear. So I hobbled round the show, very painfully and VERY slowly to see how I had done. Yay! I won second prize for my Cheshire Cheese Scones, and also second prize for my Caramelised Onion Quiche, but best of all, I had won FIRST for my Spiced Apple Chutney!! This First prize also won me a Cup, for the best Chutney in the show. I am sooooo proud, that my first time show has earned me a first time CUP! F did brilliantly too, taking First for his Chocolate Krispie cakes, Third prize for his (delicious) Smartie Cookies and several Highly Commended prizes. My parents and hubby's gran came over for Supper after the show, and we (well, they, I am veggie) ate Gammon with my prize-winning Spiced Apple Chutney to celebrate!!
So, a week of being unable to sit at the computer, chiropractic sessions, ice, freezing spray, diclofenac, very strong painkillers and a wonderful hubby who has not allowed me to lift a finger (doing everything around the house (including washing EVERYTHING in the laundry basket, sorting out all the paperwork and hoovering everywhere!) and sorting all of my Bella Mama orders for me) and my sister coming over to do BM stockcheck for me, has allowed me to rest up and fix my back so I am ready for another week of running the house and business whilst hubby goes over to the States.
My back is almost back to normal, and I now need lots of pilates and yoga classes to keep my back in working order so I can keep on top of day-to-day household business and BM orders!
I'd already made Raspberry jam from our harvest of raspberries, and had whipped up a jar of Lemon Curd in response to hubby's requests for a jar for his toast! I spent most of the preceding day in a whirlwind of preparation, baking lemon drizzle cake and fairy cakes for F to decorate, cooking scones, quiche, stirring large pans of chutney and overseeing F's chocolate krispie cakes, miniature garden and fruit sculpture.
Well, clearly a day of standing in front of the cooker acting like Nigella was not good for me, and I ended up throwing out my SI joint. Very, very painful, and something which I suffered with through both of my pregnancies. I could hardly stand up. Oh dear. So I hobbled round the show, very painfully and VERY slowly to see how I had done. Yay! I won second prize for my Cheshire Cheese Scones, and also second prize for my Caramelised Onion Quiche, but best of all, I had won FIRST for my Spiced Apple Chutney!! This First prize also won me a Cup, for the best Chutney in the show. I am sooooo proud, that my first time show has earned me a first time CUP! F did brilliantly too, taking First for his Chocolate Krispie cakes, Third prize for his (delicious) Smartie Cookies and several Highly Commended prizes. My parents and hubby's gran came over for Supper after the show, and we (well, they, I am veggie) ate Gammon with my prize-winning Spiced Apple Chutney to celebrate!!
So, a week of being unable to sit at the computer, chiropractic sessions, ice, freezing spray, diclofenac, very strong painkillers and a wonderful hubby who has not allowed me to lift a finger (doing everything around the house (including washing EVERYTHING in the laundry basket, sorting out all the paperwork and hoovering everywhere!) and sorting all of my Bella Mama orders for me) and my sister coming over to do BM stockcheck for me, has allowed me to rest up and fix my back so I am ready for another week of running the house and business whilst hubby goes over to the States.
My back is almost back to normal, and I now need lots of pilates and yoga classes to keep my back in working order so I can keep on top of day-to-day household business and BM orders!
Thursday 3 September 2009
*Blush*
I just received this email from a customer:
"THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love, love, love the two tops you sent me today, especially the "faux shrug" one. I feel glamorous, and sexy and my partner came home on his lunch break as I was trying it on and said I looked gorgeous. It's so comfortable too and so perfect for breastfeeding!! I can't wait until my next payday when i can treat myself to one or two more tops!"
It makes me so happy that Bella Mama nursingwear is making a real difference to how new mums feel when breastfeeding their little nurslings!
Wednesday 2 September 2009
Autumn Raspberries
One of the loveliest things about running Bella Mama and working from home is spending time with the kiddos. We've had a fab summer filled full of days with friends and family, castles, the beach, gardens, sports clubs, science camps, play centres, parks and relaxing at home! Sadly, the onset of September has brought us back to our more regular routine again. F has gone back to school today, into Juniors which he is feeling a little apprehensive about. He's been promised his favourite meal this evening, fish and chips, which has slightly eased his first-day-back nerves. I am also making Smartie cookies for him as an after school treat...
So Miss O and I have been home alone today for the first time in a while. This time of year brings our annual crop of Raspberries. The dark cloud of the damp summer weather at least has one Silver Lining: we've had a huge Raspberry crop here this year! Miss O and I have been out this morning picking the scarlet jewels from our canes. She has eaten sooo many whilst picking them... I managed to get almost a kilo of raspberries this time so I'm planning on making Raspberry and Lemon muffins (hubby's special request!), Raspberry jam and Raspberry vinegar. If there are enough left over, I shall be making some Raspberry Gin!
The colour so reminded me of the new Bella Mama Obi top, I have named it in honour of our harvest!
So Miss O and I have been home alone today for the first time in a while. This time of year brings our annual crop of Raspberries. The dark cloud of the damp summer weather at least has one Silver Lining: we've had a huge Raspberry crop here this year! Miss O and I have been out this morning picking the scarlet jewels from our canes. She has eaten sooo many whilst picking them... I managed to get almost a kilo of raspberries this time so I'm planning on making Raspberry and Lemon muffins (hubby's special request!), Raspberry jam and Raspberry vinegar. If there are enough left over, I shall be making some Raspberry Gin!
The colour so reminded me of the new Bella Mama Obi top, I have named it in honour of our harvest!
Stylish Nursingwear for new Mamas!
Bella Mama offers a fabulous range of breastfeeding clothing and accessories for new mums. Our online boutique ensures can shop conveniently and easily from home 24/7 at www.BellaMama.co.uk
We offer stylish nursing dresses, chic breastfeeding tops, pretty nursing bras, gorgeous baby bags and other accessories.
We stock a huge range of the best nursingwear designers, and offer many ranges not offered elsewhere in the UK. In our boutique you will find breastfeeding clothing from 1 in the Oven, Mayreau, Belabumbum, Dote, Annee Matthew, Milk, Blissful Babes, Milkdaze, Maternalove, Expressiva, Aimee Nursing Gowns, Mama Cocoon, Glamourmom, Melba Maternity, Moody Mamas, Peek-a-boo and of course our very own Bella Mama label.
We are constantly expanding our range to bring you the freshest and most stylish nursingwear available!
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