BabyMoon the blog Celebrating your Pregnancy

Cuddledry Baby Apron Towel Review

Alice Metcalfe — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:55:27 +0000

When I found out I was pregnant, both my mum and mother-in-law advised me to invest in a towelling apron they had found useful when bathing their babies. With the arrival of our little bundle, I hadn’t the time to shop around for one so persisted with the towels we had been given. After a few weeks struggling to transfer a slippery baby from bath to changing mat, I was beginning to see their point and decided to invest in the Cuddledry Baby Apron Towel.

This natty product is fairly new on the market and is the brainchild of mums Helen Wooldridge and Polly Marsh who came up with the idea after watching their husbands struggling with their own babies at bathtime.

The apron itself is basically a large towel with a triangle at one corner for the baby’s head and a strap at the top to slip your head through. It is made with unbleached, organic cotton and natural bamboo fibres making it perfectly soft for your baby’s skin. Unlike an apron, it does lack ties to secure around the waist. This means it hangs free and can be a little unwieldy although it does mean the towel is ready to scoop up the baby once on your lap.

At bathtime, I found the apron indispensable. By the end of his dip, my nine-week-old son has usually had enough and is beginning to make his feelings known. This only increases when I lift him out of the bath but with the apron, I was able to put him straight onto my lap and then quickly wrap the towel around him before bringing him up against my chest to comfort him. Once calmed, I could then transfer him to the changing mat for a quick dry down and dress. The neck strap is attached by poppers so it is simple to detach with one hand, freeing yourself from the towel in one swift movement.

As the apron is so luxuriously soft, I did worry it would be difficult to get dry afterwards but happily I found it became almost dry to the touch within minutes. Although the price tag of £24.99 is a little steep for what is essentially just a towel, the difference it makes to bathtimes I believe makes it worth every penny. The Cuddledry apron is available to buy from Mothercare, John Lewis, Harrods, Debenhams and the Cuddledry website www.cuddledry.com. It comes in a range of four colours – oatmeal, natural white, soft pink and soft blue – as well as cute cow print and wild giraffe for £29.99.

Flexibath Review

Alice Metcalfe — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:54:53 +0000

If, like me, you live in a flat and are short for space, finding room for a baby bath can be difficult so when I came across the Flexibath I just had to try it out. This ingenious product from A Real Cool World folds away flat, making it ideal for those with limited storage as well as for taking away on holiday.

It is made from plastic with a catch on the top which locks the sides together when folded so you can easily slip it under the bed or in a drawer out of sight. Once unfolded, the bath becomes a sturdy, rectangular vessel that feels more than up to the rough and tumble of bathtime. The instructions claim it can accommodate two babies aged 0 to 4 years but having bathed my two month old in it, I think it would be difficult to squeeze any more excitable water babies into the space although I would be happy to stand corrected. There is a handy plug to drain away the water and I found it fit perfectly put upside down over the bath to dry it out after use. The instructions also advised to avoid using baby oil in the bath, which is a little disappointing, although other soaps are fine to use. This is a clever invention that I will be using again both at home and on our holidays. The Flexi Bath is available at www.flexibath.co.uk priced £29.95.

What’s Kickin’ at W San Francisco ?

Molijn — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:02:24 +0000

W SAN FRANCISCO
Set in the heart of downtown, W San Francisco is adjacent to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and directly across from Moscone Convention Center. W is also only five blocks from Union Square and just steps from an eclectic array of boutiques, theaters and galleries. Check out the neighborhoods of Nob Hill, Russian Hill and Chinatown. Explore the Presidio or venture across the Golden Gate Bridge. Wind your way down Lombard Street or head to the top of Coit Tower for a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Experience a trolley ride. Get the inside scoop on the City by the Bay, and consult the W Whatever/Whenever concierge desk.

Terrazo on the 4th floor with cabanas and an amazing view of the city

SPA
Bliss Spa’s newest West Coast location boasts 5,000 square feet of tension-fighting facilities featuring a retail boutique, three movie-while-you-manicure nail stations, eight treatment rooms, and men’s and women’s lounges with adjoining outdoor escapes. The new space also showcases bliss trademark touches including a cleverly compiled menu of super effective services, rhythm and blues tunes, and the legendary brownie buffet.

In addition to superior ’spa-ing’ and exclusive in-room sampling, W San Francisco’s guests can look forward to ‘BIP’ (Bliss Important Person) status.

Wet - Indoor Heated Pool

DINING
XYZ Bar
Quench your spirit. On the mezzanine overlooking the restaurant, XYZ Bar features an unparalleled list of vintages available by the glass or bottle. Mix it up.

W Café
Who wants a bite? Sip a cappuccino or grab a nibble at the W Café. Take it with you or just sit back in the lounge and enjoy the scene.

XYZ Restaurant
Just off the W Living Room lies a lively, upscale restaurant. XYZ restaurant is one of the city’s hot spots for locals as well as visitors. Cuisine: Californian, Dress Code: Casual Sophistication

Evening in XYZ Restaurant

BABYMOON AT W
Why not treat yourself to a luxurious getaway before the baby arrives? Go on a babymoon and celebrate your pregnancy with W Hotel’s Baby Me package. Your experience includes:

•1 pair of Baby Moccasins from W Hotels the Store for your baby to stroll around in style

•1 Whoops Baby Onesie for snuggly moments.

•3 items from the Womb Service Menu to satisfy your cravings

•1 Bump It Up: Transform Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement Book

•and a Wonderful room you’ll love!

For more details, please visit the W San Francisco page on
www.baby-moon.eu/wsanfrancisco

Fabulous Room

GETTING THERE

By Train
San Francisco Amtrak Station (abs) / Travel Distance: Approximately 0.8 km/0.5 miles

By Plane
San Jose Municipal Airport (SJC = airportcode)
Travel Distance: Approximately 62.76 km/39.0 miles

Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK = airportcode)
Travel Distance: Approximately 17.7 km/11.0 miles

San Francisco International Airport (SFO = airportcode)
Travel Distance: Approximately 17.7 km/11.0 miles

For more info about San Francisco, please visit the official visitors bureau of San Francisco at
www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com

25 Years of the Original Hammock Style Cot

Molijn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:34:26 +0000

Trusted by parents worldwide, the award winning Natures Nest is fast becoming the must have baby cot. Designed to replicate natural movements to give baby optimal reassurance and maximum comfort. The outstanding design of the Natures Nest Cot gives comfort and security to your baby with its snug tactile environment. The Natures Nest holds your baby in a cradled position enabling you to place your baby in the his hammock style cot with ease. Suitable from birth to 12 months the Natures Nest Hammock Style Cot creates a stress free bed time where ever you are.

The Amby Natures Nest is celebrating 25 years of being thousands of parent’s first choice of bed for their babies. Parents worldwide agree, the design and natural movements give baby optimal reassurance and maximum comfort. Especially beneficial for babies that suffer with colic, reflux or just generally fussy sleepers.

The Nest is suitable from birth to 12 months, totally portable and comes with free travel bag.

Create a stress free bedtime wherever you are : * Longer Sleep Duration * Travel Cot * Birth to 12 Months * Womb Like Environment * * Reduces Symptoms of Colic & Reflux * Helps to Prevent Flat Head * * Award Winner * Machine Washable * Free of Fire Retardants *

‘Real Mums, Real Fit’ worldwide campaign

Molijn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:25:33 +0000

'Real Mums, Real Fit' Campaign of Cake Lingerie

Cake Lingerie’s worldwide campaign ‘Real Mums, Real Fit’ invites ‘Real Women’ to be part of a daring campaign to bare all, ‘in a family way’. Proud mothers, celebrating what their bodies can achieve through pregnancy!

Cake Lingerie launched its global ‘Real Mums, Real Fit’ campaign in March 2010. The campaign captures the true beauty of Motherhood and how all women can feel sensual and gorgeous yet comfortable and supported in Cake Lingerie, whilst pregnant & breast-feeding. The campaign went in search for ‘Real Mothers’ wanting join Cake Lingerie and celebrate their newfound curves in a ‘real’ and empowering campaign.

The essence of the campaign was simple ‘real’ women that were pregnant or nursing, no models, and no Photoshop to be used on the body. Tracey Montford, the founder of Cake Lingerie, encouraged women around the world to enter. She says, “At Cake we design Maternity & Nursing Lingerie for real mums. Pregnant & breast-feeding women are beautiful and it’s important they look and feel the same. The challenges this period & time can throw up can be daunting, so we purposely chose to use real women with real life challenges. We are constantly bombarded with unrealistic body images, creating a pressure that just isn’t fair. Women should be celebrated and applauded.”

The campaign has witnessed an overwhelming response – from the media support, to the women wanting to be apart of the ‘Real Mums’ search. The campaign utilises garments from Cake’s latest– ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ collection, where the styling and fit is simply stunning!

Cake Lingerie is an international designer brand, specialising in the creation of sophisticated maternity and nursing lingerie. Cake delivers beautiful lingerie that intertwines sensual comfort & a secure fit with much needed style and polish. www.cakelingerie.com

Cashmere for your baby

Alice Metcalfe — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:20:11 +0000

You always want the best for your little ones, and what can be more luxurious than cashmere?

Stellina Baby has recently added some gorgeous outfits to its spring-summer 2010 collection, including the Perla Pocket Dress, perfect for afternoons in the park or tea parties with friends, and Mirtillo Playsuit and Cillegia Cardigan ideal for cooler summer evenings.

Perla Pocket Dress

Stelling Baby specialises in 100% cashmere clothes for ages 0 to 3 and includes playsuits, cardigans, jumpers, ballet wraps, dresses, as well as hats, socks and baby blankets. Its Toffee and Candy range is made with 100% cashmere on the outside with a soft cotton inner, ideal for those with sensitive skins, while the Lollipop and Marshmallow range is made of 100% pure cashmere only.

Visit www.stellinababy.com to find out more.

Cillegia Cardigan

The Five key must-have summer maternity wear

Alice Metcalfe — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:13:29 +0000

Stripe a-line maternity tankini set

So the summer is finally upon us but with your burgeoning bump you no longer fit into any of your favourite strappy dresses and comfy combats. It’s time to treat yourself and invest in some stylish maternity clothes.

Blooming Marvellous has launched a range of five key must-have items every expectant mum needs to take on the summer months in style.

Here are its top tips to getting the right look:

A dress – dresses may not be what you normally wear but when you are pregnant they are absolutely ideal and are perfect for wearing during the day or dressing up for evening. The cut of all the dresses at Blooming Marvellous are flattering with drapes and gathers in all the right places, making the most of your changing shape.
Jeans – it is near on impossible to survive without a good pair of maternity jeans. Normal jeans very quickly become uncomfortable to wear so invest in a pair with built-in elasticated panels. Blooming Marvellous has four different styles of jeans and its most popular, the boot cut jeans, comes in three leg lengths.
A cardigan – your temperature fluctuates so much during pregnancy, so it is great to have something that you can easily slip on and off. Blooming Marvellous has a wide range of cardigans including a fantastic waterfall cardigan which comes in four colours and a dressy black shrug.
Roll top leggings– perfect for exercise or dress them up with a silky top. These leggings are super soft and super comfy.
A swimsuit – swimming is wonderful when you are pregnant – the water supports your bump while you gently exercise and it helps you keep fit.

For a complete range of the new summer maternity clothes visit www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk

Waterfall Maternity Cardigan

Exquisite Maternity & Nursing Lingerie

Molijn — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:12:57 +0000

Cake Lingerie is a designer brand that specialises in the creation of luxurious maternity lingerie, nursing bras, sleepwear and nightwear. From the humble beginnings of a mother wishing for beautiful yet functional lingerie, to a now global brand, selling in 16 countries and over 200 stores like Harrods in the UK and Destination Maternity in the US. Launched in August 2008, Cake Lingerie is all about fashionable maternity lingerie and celebrating the beauty of motherhood.

For Mums craving a treat and an indulgence that will make them feel fantastic – Cake Lingerie is a must have. Cake’s beautiful styles are renowned for its clever engineering to look light and flatter the body, whilst delivering shape to embrace the female form with an exquisite fit worthy of celebration. All Cake Lingerie is elegant, feminine, fashionable and tasteful.

‘LET THEM EAT CAKE’ is the gorgeous new collection from Cake and the styles become progressively more delicious as the recipe evolves. The collection is made up of spectacular styles in Plum Pudding, French Vanilla, Meringue and Blueberry. Inspired from vintage wallpapers, china tea sets to old school Hollywood glamour, results in the selection of rich navy blue prints, deep reds, crisp whites and angelic blue for timeless appeal. Fabulous textures and exquisite laces adorn each garment.

With an inspiring mix-match approach to everyday sleepwear, this exquisite range is made from comfortable modals and cottons, it is every bit as indulgent as the underwear.

Constructed from a delightful mix of soft lace, stretch fabrics and luxurious satin. All bras are cotton lined and feature cleverly disguised drop cups for easy feeding. Inbuilt support ensures shape and comfort are delivered, in a garment that looks amazing and is a joy to wear.

With no detail spared, Cake is prepared to exceptionally high quality standards, using chemically certified fabrics and all materials being subject to independent stringent fabric, dye and product testing in accordance with EU prescribed standards.

Using European cup sizing, Bras range from 70-85, B-G cups and wholesale from €22.00 – €25.00 and underwear from €11.00 – €12.00.

To shop online, visit the Cake website at : www.cakelingerie.com

The birth of a green French brand – 2 Coeurs sous le même toi

Molijn — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:02:15 +0000

Born to be a Mum - 2 Coeurs sous le même toi

A new and green French brand is born: 2 Coeurs sous le même toi. Their collection of tee-shirts is made out of the softest organic cotton with a fresh, rock & glamorous look which has already seduced some French stars. They are also stretchable so they will accompagny the mom before and after baby is born.

Despite its young age, the 2 Coeurs sous le même toi brand is already available in The Galeries Lafayette and in prestigious brands stores as Paul & Joe, Harrods in London and very soon in Copenhagen.

Mothers to be can shop online at www.2coeursparis.com

Don't Touch - 2 Coeurs sous le même toi

Isabella Oliver at New York Fashion Week

Molijn — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:40:48 +0000

Last week, Isabella Oliver took part in the Red Dress Collection; a fabulous catwalk show at New York Fashion Week in aid of The Heart Truth. The event featured an array of fashion designers and a host of celebrities dressed in their creations - Isabella Oliver dressed US television personality Bethenny Frankel, who looked fabulous on the catwalk in the Isabella Oliver Maternity Ruched One Shoulder Dress.

For more info on this maternity dress, click here

Bethenny Frankel in the Isabella Oliver Maternity Ruched One Shoulder Dress