What do peopleactually do on maternity leave, prior to having the baby? Is this the bit when the ‘nesting’ supposedly really kicks in? And, if so, does it only kick in out of sheer boredom?

 

I have, in the past week, put all our honeymoon photographs into an album (that was actually really fun, I can highly recommend it), watched a great deal of Grey’s Anatomy (preparing myself for hospital situations), watched two other films (I’ve joined Love

Film – they send them to you – genius) and been to the cinema once (Please Give – worth seeing, but try to find a cinema with really good air conditioning), been to the new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery (fascinating but gosh the gallery has got lots of stairs), been to

Masterpiece London (one stand had the most adorable Noah’s Ark, but, as befitting London’s most expensive art and antiques fair, it was slightly beyond my price range), read Turgenev’s First Love (brilliant), caught up on Eastenders (I really feel for Stacey at the moment, she is even more pregnant than me), driven to Brent Cross to find out if a maxi cosi car seat will actually fit in our ancient car (it does it does! Phew – but we had to buy a special thing for it so that it does fit and so have now pretty much doubled the value of the car), met friends for lunch, painted my nails beige, been swimming, signed up for pregnancy yoga, gone off beige and painted my nails orange again . . .

 

Okay, so I know that there are things that I could be doing, like writing a novel and finishing the blinds and finishing the tapestry that I started when I was twelve – but quite frankly, they all seem pretty unappealing. As does baking (it’s too hot to stand over an oven), going to the cinema again (both the Gate and Coronet are listed buildings so their air conditioning isn’t overly ferocious), going anywhere on the tube or the bus (too hot), cleaning all the cupboards in the nursery (genuinely, I have no urge to clean anything, and I’d probably get too hot). . . . No, the only thing that I really enjoy doing at the moment, is walking up to the Co-op on the Harrow Road and hanging out by the giant fridges. I’m having the next baby in the winter.

 

However, all this ‘wondering what to do’ has led me to re-kick start my social life. I’ve got five weeks left. I want to see people. So, evenings (which are cooler, and there are no parking restrictions so I can drive everywhere) are quickly filling up, with dinner parties (I’m afraid that anyone coming to me is going to be fed cold food), art openings and, this weekend, thanks to my dear friend Leonie, my baby shower. And I want to look nice, so my wardrobe is once again under close scrutiny – for I am now almost unbelievably enormous. (And I really mean it – I had to get the tube yesterday, and as I stepped on practically the entire carriage leapt to their feet and offered me their seat, so much do I look like I am literally going to give birth at any second.) And what can I say?
Well, maxi dresses are still my best friends. I’m not sure how I would have got through this pregnancy without Issa. And then, accessories: gold sandals, one of

AnyaHindmarch’s beautiful clutches, an Yves Saint Laurent costume cocktail ring, huge Indian-style earrings – I know that less is apparently more, but quite frankly I’m so huge that I reckon I can pull off more than usual, and have taken to piling everything on at once. Oh, and I’m wearing more make-up than usual, too, in an attempt to further deflect from my size: lots of kohl round my eyes – if they look bigger perhaps my face will look thinner.

 

But I really miss the office. And not only because it has air conditioning – mainly I miss the people and having things to do that don’t involve cleaning. I’m not at all sure that maternity leave is for me . . . .

We are absolutely delighted to announce the nomination of Mama-la-Mode.com in online guru Leon Bailey Green’s Online Top Fashion 100 !

Mama-La-Mode founder Fee Drummond has been listed among the top 100 most influential people behind British fashion websites, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Natalie Massenet of Net-A-Porter and Sir Phillip Green of Arcadia.
Here at MLM HQ we are all extremely honoured to have been picked for this prestigious listing, with huge thanks and praise going out to all the MLM team for making mama-la-mode into what it is!

Time flies, and suddenly it’s my last week in the office. The girls (and the two boys) have been there through every part of my pregnancy, watching the bump grow, cooing over the increasing size, and offering sympathy, food and fashion advice – to an extent, the baby feels like theirs, too. “Couldn’t you just bring it with you, to work, when you’ve had it? We could keep it in the fashion cupboard,” has been one of my favourite suggestions! (That, and the time that the Jitrois look-book was left on my desk, open at the page showing black stretch-leather maternity leggings. Fabulous, but not really my style . . . . )

 

In fact, the majority of the office found out I was pregnant when the (male) Fashion Director of Vogue Russia hissed across the desks “Oh my God Fiona, your boobs are huge! Are you pregnant?” I was a whole 9 weeks. And my boss, who worked up to the very end of each of her 4 pregnancies, has brought back the prettiest tunics from India and South Africa which have proved a godsend in the summer heat.

 

But I’m enormous, and public transport is becoming less and less fun (despite being guaranteed a seat) and I have to prepare for the baby. I’m also looking forward to having some time to myself – time to read, and catch up on Gossip Girl, and go to the theatre and out to supper with my husband without having to book a babysitter. I really want to make the most of these final few weeks. (Oh, and there are also the weekly check-ups, the ante-natal classes, the blinds to finish . . . .)

 

And there’s something else I need to do, too. Having rather blissfully ignored the majority of the recommended reading ( ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting‘, etc.) I’ve come to the

conclusion, based on my ability to grow sweet peas, that I ought to re-think. My sweet peas have flowered, yes, but their stems are so short that they’re currently in egg-cups round the house. This

is because I failed to read up on sweet pea care, didn’t pull off the little curly bits that don’t flower,

and have therefore inadvertently grown sweat pea bushes. I don’t want to make the same mistake with my son. I’m going to read books on childcare.

Congratulations to our lovely blogger Mary who gave birth to a baby boy last week, 2 weeks earlier then she expected.
We wish Mary and her new bundle of joy all the best and look forward to hearing about how she and baby Fergus are getting along.

Last night I turned my flat into a beauty parlour, for the benefit of me, my pregnant friend Annabel, and my no-longer-pregnant friend Melissa who brought her adorable baby, Iris. My manicurist/ pedicurist does home visits, which is a godsend; I find few things more morale boosting, now that I am the size of a medium-sized elephant, than perfectly painted toenails. (In a similar vein, I can recommend keeping up the trips to the hairdresser, waxing appointments and facials. I have to admit that waxing has got more painful, due to the increased sensitivity of my skin, but if you ask the person doing you to just do tiny bits at a time, it’s more bearable . . . .)

 

Anyway, while I held Iris so that Melissa could get her fingernails seen to (getting a manicure while accompanied by a baby does require a second pair of hands, I’ve realised) I grilled Melissa on the things that we need to do and buy now, before we have our babies. Her main points were as follows:

 

1.) It’s a really good idea, if you have time, to cook things that you can freeze (I intend to make alot of lasagne and soups), and stock up on tins of things that won’t go off ( for instance, tomato soup). You’ll also need lots of tea and coffee and biscuity things, for when everybody comes to visit you and baby immediately after the birth.

 

2.) It’s nice to have pretty nightwear and dressing gowns for this period, so that you don’t feel thatyou have to get dressed. This seems eminently sensible to me and so I’ve already started looking – Eberjey do some lovely things, I’ve noticed.

 

3.) Buy a nursing bra a couple of weeks before the due date – I’m definitely going to go for Elle McPherson, as they are easily the most attractive.

 

4.) Finally, get the nursery finished, and as much other stuff that needs doing around the house as you possibly can, as you’ll never get around to it once the baby is born.

 

This last point is rather a stickler for me. You see, my husband broke his wrist on Sunday, and has even got to have an operation on it. He’ll be in plaster almost right up to the birth. While part of me is hugely sympathetic about the amount of pain he’s in, there’s another bit of me – the mean, selfish bit of me – which is less so: there is so much still to do! He can’t even do the washing up, and we don’t have a dishwasher. How is he going to put up the blinds? (Yes, I know I still haven’t finished them, but progress was actually made this weekend and I will finish them at some point . . . .) I know that we’ve finished painting the walls (we found the perfect pale grey: Farrow and Ball Cornforth White – for anybody looking for a good grey it really is very pretty and warm) but what about the ceilings? Do I just tell everyone who comes over not to look up? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, am I going to have to get the bus to hospital while in labour, as he may still not be able to drive?!? I know that the number 7 goes from outside our house to St. Mary’s, but, well . . .

 

It has made me think though, about parenting with four hands (the ideal)/ three hands (broken husband)/ two hands (just me) and one hand (please no – me with a broken arm). And it occurred to me that I need to be able to deal with a buggy in the worst case scenario, as well as the best. And so at lunchtime today we went to John Lewis and practiced folding up Bugaboos with just one hand. I am delighted to be able to tell you that I have mastered with art with the Bee. And if we get a Bee, as opposed to a Chameleon, I can get a Bill Amberg Sheepskin Papoose with the left over money.

 

So in at least one way, the broken wrist is working in my favour . . .

Glamorous Summer Weddings

Whether it’s a day at the races or a formal wedding this dress from our multi-way wrap range of Butter by Nadia dresses is an investment for occasion dressing. The option for tying the dress in a multitude of different styles allows you to wear the dress according to the tone of the event. If your going to wedding, you have the option to wear tied with cap sleeves for an understated elegant look for the ceremony and tie in a different style for the reception. Why not invest in this gorgeous fascinator from Lock & Co hatters for a touch of exotic elegance.

A Day At The Races

Don’t be tempted to shy away from bold colours when pregnant. This striking pillar box red dress by Issa is ideal for a day at the races. The central ties can be wrapped over the bump, and the cowl neck line and 3/4 lengths sleeves will  help to shape the illusion of a narrow waist. In fact Tom Ford’s Private Blend Lip Colour Lipstick in True Coral is a perfect tone for this dress and paired with this fabulous floral and feather head piece by William Chambers, it makes for the ideal racing ensemble.

 

Black Tie Events

This classic black halter maxi dress by Issa is perfect for chic black tie

events. Featuring a flattering deep halter neckline and low cut back for a subtle flash of

skin, it is ideal for sophisticated occasions. If your looking for a cover up for those unpredictable British summer evenings we suggest this ivory Faux Fur wrap from Black and worn with this feather headpiece, you’ve got gala events wrapped up.

Outdoor Events

Whether it’s the Cartier Polo, Goodwood Races, a Wedding or Summer Party, you will stand out from the crowd in this daring and utterly gorgeous electric blue silk

jersey dress by Issa . It is the perfect silhouette and hue for formal outdoor events – just short and weighty enough to show off a fabulous pair of shoes and

some lovely fake baked pins. Wear it with this deep violet fascinator featuring a secure headband to keep your locks in place.

I have always considered myself to be pretty together, and by that I mean I am the type of girl who, no matter how big the night is, never goes to bed with makeup on, is relatively punctual and, aside from a complete inability to remember friends birthdays, reasonably organised. This of course was all B.F (Before Freddie). Our son Freddie was born in March this year, and my life as I knew it was transformed into a haze of joy, and an uphill battle against slipping standards.

 

Three months prior to Fred’s arrival, I went to a boutique opening where I was happily chatting to my friend – when suddenly it hit me that when I had seen her only three weeks earlier she had been heavily pregnant. “Where did it go?” I yelped as I looked at her, resplendent in a white Hervé Leger dress, to which she replied that the baby had practically dropped out and she was back in her clothes within the week. Being a natural optimist, I of course took this to mean that this would be the case with me….but after an emergency caesarean and three months of looking after a new born baby, dressing in Hervé still seems a long way off.

 

Last weekend we were invited to stay with some great friends- one of whom happens to be an extremely pretty model- how was I going to cope when I feel about as sexy as a heap of molten marshmallows? By Thursday I found myself anxiously scouring the forecasts, in state of panic as the weather showed no signs of deteriorating, leaving me in grave danger of having to be pool-side with this glamazon and her model pals. In an attempt to not look like a total slummy mummy- I took myself off for a spray tan. As we all know, a tan can hide a multitude of sins, so I returned home proud of my new high maintenance mummy look. Later that evening, before going to Shoreditch House with some friends, I gave Fred his daily full body massage, but while I was quietly congratulating myself on being a picture of motherly perfection, my darling Fred decided to show his appreciation by relieving himself all down my front… at which point I was left in a dilemma:- would you rather smell of baby pee or wash off a very expensive spray tan two hours after it has been applied?!

 

Later that evening, just when I thought my life couldn’t have pulled a more violent U-turn, I found myself navigating the hoards of achingly cool bright young things on Shoreditch Highstreet, in a 4 x4 with a babyseat in the back! The upside to all this is that as well as having an adorable little boy who melts me with his every smile, since his birth my husband has also ceased to call me Waddle.

Wondering how the gorgeous Denise Van Outen manages to look so slender merely weeks after giving birth to her daughter Betsy? Well yes, we’re sure Denise hasn’t given up her exercise routine, but for added help Denise has opted for every mums post birth figure fixer- Spanx.

 

Even the eternally slim Gwyneth Paltrow hailed Spanx Higher Power Panties efforts to control her post birth tummy saying

‘they were a lifesaver’ after Paltrow gave birth to her daughter Apple. Jessica Alba also admitted wearing Spanx leggings to

shape her figure for months after giving birth to her daughter.

 

Designed to shape and smooth away unsightly lumps &bumps,

Spanx are the celeb go-to for post baby dressing, get yours at mama-la-mode’s shapewear department now .

FYI for those of you interested in the delicious Bill Amberg sheepskin papoose, mama-la-mode will have it back in stock in August.