This caught my eye immediately, I love the colours, I love the shape. The way the pixel pattern falls will accentuate your bump beautifully. I’m thinking skinny jeans or pencil skirt but with all those subtle colours this will go with pretty much anything.

You can grab this from Topshop for £55. Available in sizes 8 to 16, and it will sell out.

* Repost from August 2009 … a great read which just had to be reposted! *

I’m writing this article as a 26 year old Mummy to two year old Monty with a three month bump. I work as a childminder, so life pretty much revolves around diddy people!

I have no blog and no website, no creative ‘product’ to sell… YET I know I have a child orientated wunderprod lurking in the back of my mind! But for now, biscuits and sofa’s and red wine (well used to be!!) call me of an evening – so thus far just little old me and a bit of tweet twit twooing to other amazing, inspiring ‘Mumtrepeneaurs!’

Obviously as I am in the teeny tiny early stages of pregnancy, I am writing from the perspective of my previous 2007 pregnancy with Little Mo, but do not let that make you think that I do not know my onions, well bump bands…

With this pregnancy – I AM OBSESSED. I want this pregnancy to be uber stylish right from the off – no oooozing into my old skinnies for me, no doing them up with a hair band for a few more weeks. No No, it’s Yummy Mummy for me, well at least trying to if it wasn’t for…

Maternity Bra’s. Do not get me wrong, in the early days of pregnancy as soon as you whip off your underwire and go for a comfy maternity bra the oooohs and aaahs of relief could me misconstrued by a passerby my open bedroom window. Comfort is not the word! Lush bags, for your lush bags if you get my drift! BUT WHY MUST THE STRAPS BE SO MAHOOOSIVE? I know, your baps need support, but I’m not lugging around two vicars heads, they’re just the girls you know. Not that big, okay big granted, but not THAT big? No matter what you do the great big bushtenholder straps always inevitably end up on show? This is a bit naff! This time round I’ve gone into feeding bras straight off just cause of the previously mentioned mega comfort. But the looks I get when bopping about with my two year old unbeknown to me that my leopard print Bravissima strap is on show, popper and all. People must be thinking ‘oh lordly she is still breastfeeding that long legged TWO year old’ I’m not . He has all his teeth y’know!? So listen up booby supporters, thin the straps a bit! OK!?

Skinny jeans. LOVE THEM. Will not wear boot leg. No ta, I’m a trendy Wendy or so I like to think and bootlegs make me look far too grown up, but anyway I digress. Back to the skinnies, the Topshop maternity Baxters were available last time round and the problem lies in this, they only make under the bumpers. ‘Of course’ I hear you mutter, ‘Under bumpers are far more stylish.’ Well yes, on the hanger! But once you get them on, they allow nasty muffin tops to loll over the top Vicky Pollard style. AND they start to sag as soon as you put one foot in front of another. However over bumpers, keep all the pud in place, smooth bumps well lumps any hoo, bumps can’t really be smoothed. And finally, that over bump sock keeps the bun in oven warm… what’s not to love? Simple! So please Topshop et all, add the sock!

WRAP TOPS!!! I have had enough, siding wrap tops. Does anyone wear one whilst up zee duff and look good? Are they not too tight on the bump baggy on the boob unless you have a bump the size of a strawberry and boobs the size of a watermelon? I see pics of them in various yoga poses and do see the Zen style calm of them! But I know… I know they look pap, well on me anyway, if you looked good in one then please answer on a postcard or at least a comment below?

Jim Jams. Winnie the Pooh. Get lost. ENOUGH SAID.

Leg lengths. All pregnant women suddenly develop a 32’’ inside leg. Apparently. Give us a choice people. I have little legs and I am not ashamed of it. What I am ashamed off is the fact I have to keep asking my Nan to take my maternity jeans up…. Pah! Sorry Nan.

Waterfall cardigans. There is some sort of subliminal nastiness going on hear I am sure of it. I keep looking at them thinking ‘Oh I am preg I must have one’ this is ridiculous. Non preg I would never be seen dead or even dying in one. But I feel I need one. I bet its Holly Willow-big-boobies fault. She looked gorge in them. But no I shall stay strong. I bet I buy one though….

Phew. Rant over. Now I don’t want you all thinking I am some mardy type, all winge and lemon licking off stinging nettles. I’m not, I’m little Miss Sunshine according to my Husband. But these things had to be said.

* Embarrassed cough. (I fear I have said too much?!?)

The Maternity Bump Band is a simple and cheap must-have for every pregnant woman – no matter what your style or size is! These can be on show. Or not. Mine wasn’t.

I received one from some girlfriends when I first announced I was pregnant. And have worn it regularly ever since.

In the early days I used it when my clothes were getting too tight… I wasn’t ready for maternity clothes (mentally or physically) so I used the bump band to cover the fact my clothes were undone. Depending on how you grow, you may find having a Bump Band a great alternative to buying lots of new clothes – although in the summer it does get a bit hot! As I got bigger, the Bump Band became a support item. As my belly button when from an inny to an outy, the Bump Band was used to stop is showing through my clothes. Very versatile.

The bands grow with you, so you shouldn’t have to keep re-buying them. I haven’t. There are loads of versions of the Bump Band on the market. The main difference between the bands (and therefore the associated cost) is the level of support they give you.

I personally used one from TopShop and one from BumpBand, and love them but you can get a Bump Band from any of the following places:

Bump Band - £16.99

Bumps Maternity Wear - £14.95

TopShop – £7

Bella Band @ Baby Works - £16.99

Carriwell Maternity Support Band - from £8.25

Gro-Group Medium/Large (16-20) Bando Band (Black) - £19.50

Let me know how you get on with your band …

Exercise during pregnancy is good for you and your soul. And if you don’t believe me, just read what the NHS has to say about it: The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth. See told you! On a serious note, do please read the NHS guidelines on pregnancy, as there are a few things you should avoid.

If like me, when you work out, you feel the urge to buy all the gear … well during pregnancy you have every excuse, because your growing bump shouldn’t be squeezed in to ill fitting joggers, and those big boobs will need some extra support.

There is a range of maternity sports wear out there. So check out the following to see what’s needed for your chosen sport

• www.sportybump.co.uk
• www.maternityfitwear.com
• www.wellicious.com
• www.maternityactivewear.com

Plus the likes of Dorothy Perkins, New Look, Isabella Oliver and Topshop do maternity swimsuits and/or yoga pants.

So what’s stopping you?

Maternity stripe mesh Knickers (£6) and Bra (£20) set from Topshop. The  bra has nursing clips so ideal post birth too.

How about snapping up a bargain dress, the one pictures costs just £20 and then going out somewhere nice to wear it. Dinner is always good. And time alone before the new arrival is a must.

Cashmere is always a welcome gift. A maternity poncho is very Victoria Beckham, £155 from Not on the High Street.

If you’re not in to taking photos at the moment, you will be when the bundle of joy arrives, so why not grab one of these limited edition, retro styled, god-damn-cool cameras. It’s a collaboration between Lomogrpahy and The White Stripes – it’s called The Meg. I need this in my life. £150.

Most women are rather partial to a bag, either opt for a cool every day one like the 15-inch British vintage style satchel hand-crafted from pillarbox red leather from The Leather Satchel Co or a changing bag like the Storksak Jess Canvas Changing Bag.

Next up is the watch. I’m in to a little colour of my wrist, and am loving this Toy watch. £124. If you’d like something cheaper, check out the Casio G-Shock G-Lide £57. (I love my G-Lide!)

And don’t ruin it all with some crappy card, there are HUNDREDS of brilliant cards out there, well worth the extra 50p. Try checking out Etsy stores such as Sweet Perversion (who I can personally recommend) and Neat Things.

Now how can you not think Jessica Simpson is looking great during her pregnancy. She’s rocking that bump and is definitely nailing the fabled glow! Her look has been very comfortable in it’s approached but teamed with some cool shades, heavy knits and that leather jacket she’s pulling it off!

If you’re liking the look, how about grabbing a Noppies long sleeved top from Global Maternity (£32.99) or perhaps a basic boyfriend t shirt from ASOS (£9.99). Team it with either the Windsmoor Caramel waterfall cardigan from House of Fraser (on sale – was £89, now £39) or a rock chick leather jacket. I would go for a non-maternity one – perhaps something like the Dalmatian panel faux fur biker leather from Topshop (£185) or the ASOS Leather Biker with Leopard Print Pony Panel.

That Topshop one has also been spotted on Tulisa, her of Ndubz / Xfactor fame – but don’t let that put you off! Both animal printed items are bang on trend, so a great addition to your wardrobe – something that you can team with anything. And of course, glossy hair and shades are a must.

There are some great options available at the moment. Topshop, of course, are bang on trend with their Maternity MOTO Leigh supersoft skinny jeans in forest with elasticated front panel. (£38) and ASOS have some in teal, some striking red maternity jeans with a  a low hipster style waist and some bright blue ones too. All £32.

If you’re looking for cheap and cheerful, New Look have some dark red in stock and also some dark tan. They have a ribbed stretch side detail leading into pocket to provide comfort. £19.99. You can’t go wrong at that price.

Seraphine have some Skinny Grey Luxe Jeans which I am liking the look of, pregnant or not. £65. You get the belt too. Always a bonus.

And last, but by no means least, how about hopping over to A Pea in the Pod and grabbing a pair of the purple AG Jeans ones. They look lovely, and will set you back $210.

So dear readers, whatever your budget you can be bang on trend and rock the coloured denim look this season.  Colour makes me happy!

It gives me that festival feeling ....

I just spotted this maternity waterfall parker over at Topshop and straight away I thought of the impending festival season …. I guess I should add a festival inspired post to my to do list! Anyway, this lovely parker is great for right now too. Although spring has sprung, there’s still a rather damp chill in the air, so  for £65 this is a must. And I know it will sell out.

£36 from Topshop

I am loving this maternity coral space dye scoop neckline jumper currently available at Topshop. It comes in sizes 8 to 16, and costs £36. It’ll sell out. Mark my words!

Baxter Jeans

I am a huge fan of Topshop Baxters, so am excited they’ve now added MOTO maternity bottle green baxter skinny jeans to the range. They come with an elasticated front panel for extra support and five pocket detail. They’re proper cute and will look fab with heels (if your swollen ankles will allow them!) or pumps. Snap them up £40. These will sell out.