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!!!

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!

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! 

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...

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 Criss Cross Black

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.

Bella Mama Dote Noir Black

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

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!

*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!  

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!

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!