Mama-la-Mode Drapers Etailer of the Year 2010 !

I am thrilled to report on the Drapers Etailer of the Year Awards 2010, which were held last night with 400 fashion faces representing the best of the best in etail at the Bloomsbury Ballroom.
The awards were presented by a very pretty & bubbly Claudia Winkleman, and Mama-la-Mode was selected as a finalist for the second year running as Best Specialist Etailer! We squealed with unexpected delight as we were awarded 'Highly Commended' for our clean & sleek online store, designer product selection, and excellent service.....all of which we look forward to building on for 2010!
Fee :)

The Jean-ius of Citizens

Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar & Naomi Watts are just a few of the Hollywood crowd who love Citizen's of Humanity maternity jeans. Denim fan Jennifer Garner was spotted on numerous occasions wearing Citizen's Kelly boot cut Known for their superior fit and ultra soft comfortable denim Citizens maternity are customisations of their mainline collections, meaning never having to give up your favourite brand of jeans just because you're pregnant :)
The classic styles are so versatile and JUST IN at mama-la-mode are the Kelly Boot Cut maternity jeans in a Light Blue Spring Wash - get yours now to transition you and your wardrobe seamlessly in style through to Spring & Summer. \

Ann Marie Duff & James McAvoy Expecting First Baby

Congratulations to James McAvoy & Ann Marie Duff who are expecting their first child later this year.
The couple who met on the set of Channel 4's Shameless have been married since October 2006.
Ann Marie Duff, who recently starred as John Lennons mother in the biopic 'Nowhere Boy' (directed by newly pregnant Sam Taylor Wood) reportedly said
'I would love to have a baby, as soon as the big fella makes it happen, it would be brilliant! I'm not putting it off but unfortunately bodies don't work that way.'

The couple took to the red carpet for premier of 'The Last Station', in which they both act in a drama detailling the life of Leo Tolstoy. Duff looked positively glowing in a black tiered silk & lace dress.

The perfect soloution to frozen pram hands, Mummy Mitts

It's undeniable, the fun of pushing your little bundle of joy around in it's new trendy stroller is marred by this FREEZING weather nipping at your hands ! We came accross these genious gloves called 'Mummy Mitts' that solve that very problem; cute mittens that stay permanently attached to the buggy or pram handles, making it easy to slip your hands in and out in order to answer your phone, riffle through your bag for a dummy, grab for keys, or do a myriad of tasks without having to juggle the lot and de-rail the pram !

Paige Perfect new 'invisible maternity' jeans

The perfect fit bootcut maternity jeans have just arrived courtesy of Paige Maternity!

Based on the great fit and flattering leg of our ever popular Laurel Canyon's, the new Westbourne's feature invisible under-bump elastic side adjusters, for you and your baby to adapt the waisband to fit as you grow, without a hint of maternity jeans to be seen! Making it the jean style for post- maternity without feeling like you're still in maternity clothes.

Also back in stock and great for this in-between winter weather are Benedict Black Maternity Cords - super soft, comfy & chic. Plus we have more Skinny Willow's in rich Indigo, and the classic Paige Laurel Canyon Bootcut in the smart dark McKinley wash from sizes 26- 34.

Congratulations Claudia !

Supermodel & Super mummy Claudia Schiffer is pregnant with her 3rd child!
Claudia announced that she is five and a half months pregnant and due in May.

Both Claudia and husband Matthew Vaughn spoke of their joy saying: ‘We are delighted with the news and can't wait to add to our family.'
Following on from last years' super model mummy surge we know Claudia will be leading the style stakes...

Amy Adams Golden Globes Style 'a la' Carolina Herrera

Not letting pregnancy stand in the way of looking fabulous, the lovely Amy Adams has teamed up with US designer Carolina Herrera to produce
every soon-to-be yummy mummy's dream – her very own custom designed pregnancy wardrobe.
Adams looked absolutely radiant at the Golden Globes in Herrera's latest creation, an asymmetric figure hugging dress which perfectly highlighted her growing bump.
InStyle.com reports that Herrera will be reworking pieces from her current collections to create a personalised wardrobe for the lucky mum-to-be whilst she is on the press tour for her upcoming movie 'Leap Year'.
We'll keep you posted on what she steps out in next for bump styling inspiration!

Designer Maternity Jeans,

Good news for expecting mums in need of must have winter essentials for this miserable weather - a good pair of maternity jeans ! At mama-la-mode we've have just received more of our most popular jean the Laurel Canyon by Paige in our classic smart dark denim McKinley wash. Avilable from a size 26 to 34 waist, they feature a stretchy overbump band to keep you warm and snug without anyone knowing they are matrnity jeans.

We also have more Black Benedict Maternity Cords by Paige, which are super soft to touch, and great for every day comfort. Plus more of the ever popular Willow Skinny Maternity Jeans in a rich Indigo hue.

Designer Maternity Jeans are pricey, BUT so worthwhile, as the highstreet options just don't measure up, (either falling down or to pieces after a few wears does not make for a happy maternity wardrobe staple), and if you're going to wear them every day, then the extra pennies are totally worth spending on you and your feel good factor :)

Help Haiti

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the Haiti Earthquake, in particular the helpless children.
Here are some quick & easy links where you can donate in order to help:
Haiti Children
Red Cross
Unicef
Oxfam

The pitter patter of mini-minogues....

We just had to let you know that the lovely Danni Minogue has confirmed she pregnant ! Dannii & her boyfriend Chris Smith are said to be 'very excited' about the baby due in July.

If you, like us, became hooked on her star style on X-factor, then stay tuned for her set to be fabulous maternity style on the mama-la-mode blog :)

Congratulations Sam Taylor Wood

Conceptual artist & film maker Sam Taylor Wood (42) confirmed this week that she is pregnant with her 3rd child. Taylor Wood who has 2 daughters from her marriage to Jay Jopling, recently became engaged to her fiance actor Aaron Johnson (19), and is said to be 'very very happy' with the news. She met her toy boy fiance on the set of her movie 'No Where Boy', a biographical look at the life of a young John Lennon - we hope it's as good as our favourite Sam Taylor Wood piece.....perhaps with a little more action !

Safety Snow Joke

One of our favourite yummy mummies Heidi Klum took to the slopes with her whole family including the newest addition to her family, baby Lou (4 months).

As enchanted as we are with Mrs Klum/Samuel we couldn’t help but feel as she was out shone in the fashion stakes by her gorgeous childen. Looking like true ski buffs the Klum -Samuel clan wore brightly coloured snowsuits and the latest fashion of kiddie ski accessories: animal helmet covers.

Heidi's daughter Leni wore a fabulous snow leopard design whilst son Johan wore a striking tiger. These delightful accessory are produced by US company CrazeeHeads, and come in either the plush animal collection or the fashion collection which is great for top to toe ski-wear co-ordination.
A fun way to make safety stylish!

Finally Ludo has arrived, By Marina Fogle

After nearly 10 months of anticipation, I’m finally a very proud Mummy. Little Ludo Fogle was born on 9th December and after a bit of a rocky start is now thriving and growing fatter every day. Where to start. I went into labour the day before my due date and having said that I couldn’t wait to feel my first contraction, I very soon changed my mind…. 24 hours of breathing, tens, baths and groaning later, I was still only 2cm dilated and I went into hospital begging them to give me an epidural. I seriously considered calling Ludo Epidural in homage to the wonderful anaesthetic. It was amazing.

In the end however I needed to have an emergency cesarean – I’d developed an infection and had a very high temperature and they’d noticed some meconium in my waters as well as Ludo’s heartbeat slowing after my contractions. I was whisked into theatre and ten minutes later a little screamer was placed on my chest. I was totally exhausted and overwhelmed – I hadn’t slept for three nights but so relieved that our little boy had arrived safely. We’re home from hospital after a bit of a longer stay. Ludo had 24 hours in the special care unit as he’d punctured a lung and also had an infection. It was heartbreaking to have my little one taken away from me and not being able to cuddle him but the wonderful staff made both of us better and he reminds me many times a day now just how strong and healthy his lungs are.

We’re now settling in at home and starting to live life again. One of my favourite things is taking Ludo out for walks with the dogs. He loves being outdoors, cosily wrapped up in his Mini-la-Mode cashmere and I find that he sleeps even better after a good dose of fresh air. I currently feel like a cow, feeding my son every three hours with very little time for anything else. However I do hope to continue this blog, reflecting on what was indispensable during my labour.
Thank you for your sweet comments and do watch this space.