Not only have I just found out that a lovely friend is pregnant (and no, we’re not celebrating because of the bra-selling opportunities – what do you take us for?!), but we also saw that our Nougatine bra won Junior Pregnancy & Baby’s Best maternity bra. Hurrah!

We’re used to hearing about US celebrity baby showers (Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba) but word has it that they’re the hot new thing on our shores too. We stumbled across The Ultimate Baby Shower company and love what they offer: bespoke events at home or at one of their spectacular venues (think Claridges, The Soho hotel, snuggly drawing rooms and luxurious suites). They provide exclusive favours, classic cakes, beautiful iced cookies, stunning baby gifts, a gift-boxing service and more. You can develop a gift list  for all your essentials, then let them plan the rest. We say it’s a great excuse to get all your girlfriends together in one place (probably the first time since your Hen – how DO we get those diaries to coordinate?!) and a last chance to be the centre of attention before the little one takes centre stage. Are we still superstitious about having these, or is it time to move on? Have you hosted one? Let us know what you think!

The ultimate baby shower

We’re always being asked about the best way of displaying our lingerie by new stockists . It’s tough for small shops as there often isn’t the space or fittings are expensive. So we love Paulina’s solution:

The luxurious padded satin purple background instantly draws the eye, but you could create the same effect on a budget by papering a feature wall in a a bright, stand-out wallpaper. Decoarte wooden hangers with satin bows, hang 1 or 2 sizes of the key styles from evenly spaced hooks, and store the rest of the stock in pretty wicker baskets below. Your customers will ask you for their size, you’ll get them in the fitting room and hey presto, it’s a sale!

Let us know your top display tips!

I’m normally not that excited to get our post… bills, bills, bills, the odd return, samples from China, stationery catalogues (Viking, please stop!) but today was different. I received the most BEAUTIFUL lingerie from my friend Niki at Made by Niki. The quality is amazing, the fit perfect, and I know i’ll feel pretty damn glam on my WD.  Thank goodness she hasn’t thought about starting a maternity collection (unlike every other brand in town…) as we’d be in serious trouble! If you’ve had your baby and may be in need of a little tummy control (aren’t we all) then check out her fab Magic Bum/Tum girdles. Who knew shapewear could be sexy?

sexy wedding undies

It was a lovely afternoon in June and after a delicious meal at the lovely Landmark hotel in London and some cocktails to calm the nerves, we heard those words that even the most jaded A-list actor loves to hear… “And the award goes to…”

Now, for the speech.” We would like to give huge thanks and love to our fab agents and great customers, without all of you this would not have been possible! It just goes to show that women all over the world love pretty lingerie…”

Jules even met The Princess Royal!! The award was a stand at Paris Mode City, so we look forward to seeing our customers there in September. 

Get ready to have a girlfriend who can sympathise with you.  Checkout actress/writer Jenny McCarthy’s book “Belly Laughs:The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth.” It’s about those interesting things that happen to our bodies that no one remembers they went through or forgot to tell you about! Why not pick one up for your newly pregnant friends, along with our lusciously feminine Nougatine french knickers, I promise they will love you for it!

A really relevant news story for our customers: new research is out today which suggests that breastfeeding improves a child’s intelligence.

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study showed that children with one version of the FADS2 gene scored seven points higher in IQ tests if they were breastfed, compared to children with a different version of the gene. However, since it also suggests that 9/10 children have the version of the gene which is affected, it would make sense to try and breastfeed your child.

We obviously welcome the findings, but I know that breastfeeding isn’t for everyone – with all the good will in the world, sometimes it simply doesn’t happen. Both my sisters had a terrible time trying to breastfeed, my friends struggled with guilt when they had to go back to work, and personally, having been bottle fed and having come out ok (just about), I can definitely see both sides of the argument.

Definitely one for debate – let us know your thoughts!

Read the full story here

A little chuckle for a friday… not that we would treat our valued customers this way of course!

I think that our customers are savvy, well-informed and discerning women who make considered purchases (aren’t we all??).  But when it comes to new baby gear, there is SO much choice, so many ‘authoritative’ sites offering conflicting views, and friends and family, whilst a brilliant source of support and advice, only rely on their own experience. It seems that the clever, time and cost-effective solution is to let someone else guide you through it.

So when we heard about BabyConcierge, we knew that our London mums-to-be would love it.. It’s a totally impartial shopping service, where a consultant will work through a comprehensive list of items you may need and pick out what’s relevant to you, from prams and car seats, to baby carriers, feeding equipment, nursery furniture, bedding, bathing and changing accessories, layette and more.

Has anyone used this or a similar service? Any thoughts?