HauteMama Blog

Tis the Season for the HauteMama

2009-11-13T14:17:00.004-05:00

Want to look fantastic at this year's holiday parties! Then check out Moody Mamas teal party dress. For more of these great hoiday looks visit us at:: http://www.hautemama.ca/

Germ Warfare

2009-10-29T14:31:00.008-04:00

Fighting the Flu Winter means holiday outings, celebrations with family and friends ... and for expecting moms or new parents, worries about their baby's health. How are you going to keep you and your baby healthy this flu season? Here is what our medical professionals suggest:

Frequent hand washing
Minimizing contact with sick individuals
Cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand
Keep surfaces clean
Know the symptoms of the flu
Speak to your health care professional as soon as you develop flu symptoms
Eat healty foods and stay active to keep your immune system strong

Keep Your Newborn Healthy Keep your newborn home for the first few weeks and limit the number of visitors who handle your baby during this time. This is especially crucial during winter, which is prime time for contracting respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), colds and the flu. Avoid taking your newborn to crowded places such as supermarkets, shopping malls and restaurants. Continue to breastfeed. Breastfeeding naturally protects your baby from many common illnesses by providing him with the antibodies that you already have. What about Breastfeeding with the flu? Any mother who has the flu should take the following steps before feeding and when handling her baby for seven days after the first symptoms appear:

Put on a surgical mask (they're available in most drugstores)
Wash your hands thoroughly, then dry them with a clean towel or paper towels
Keep your breasts covered until you have followed the previous steps and are ready to nurse
Do not remove your surgical mask until you have finished feeding and burping the baby and have put him or her down

Get Wild in the Nursery

2009-10-20T10:52:00.001-04:00

I love uniqueness! I mean how many other nurseries are going to have a rather large elephant with a modern pattern on it. Inke, of the Netherlands, has the most interesting graphics for the nursery, playroom, or really any room in the house.

Each wild animal in this wallpaper line - including the ostrich, giraffe, and lion - is cut from vintage sixties and seventies wallpaper. A brush, paste and instructions are included with each cutout, so you can create your very own wild room.

To Buy:http://www.inke.nl/

Real Parenthood

2009-10-19T14:07:00.002-04:00

I have to confess, when I was expecting my first bundle of joy I thought everything was going to stay the same, just be better with a new baby. I know that sounds naive, but that is exactly what I thought. Boy was I wrong. Three kids later and I have realized that nothing is the same but everything is better - it's just really different. Jane Desilets, of Speckles and Weeds has truly captured parenthood with her anecdotical greeting cards.

As parents you have to embrace and laugh at your new life with kids.

To Buy:Speckles & Weeds

Nesting Now & Later

2009-10-18T08:57:00.002-04:00

I know it's hard to imagine your little bundle of joy two years from now, but before you know it you'll be moving your babe out of their crib and into a "big kid" bed. I love the Dwell Studio "grow with me" prints, patterns, and colours. Baby Ben's room is the coolest looking room in our house with his Dwell bedding, and in two years from now the only thing I'll need to change is his crib into a toddler bed.

I really wanted to make sure that Ben's nursery coordinated the decor of the rest of my home. It was easy to do this with Dwell's modern textile design.

To Buy:http://www.dwellstudio.com/

Eco Chic and Totally Discreet

2009-10-15T16:38:00.001-04:00

Oh how I love thee let me count the ways.... First and foremost the MOM-SHELL is designed to provide chic and discreet nursing. But it is so much more than that. When you aren't using it to modestly breastfeed babe you can wear it simply as a fashionable wrap top - which by the way - offers so many options in itself; left open for that relaxed mom look, tied up for a a more tailored feel, wrapped and secured with the belt for all you haute mamas. Elisa, founder of MOM-SHELL, describes it as the ultimate 'wear everywhere' layer, and she isn't kidding - it works perfectly for your hospital stay, it's a great 'lounge' piece for welcoming visitors, it's the ideal bathing suit cover up, it's perfect for travel, and you can even use it to wrap up babe in the front carrier. This is truly the ultimate in fashion meets function accessory. There is even a 'top up' nursing strap included which is designed to hold mom's top away from baby's face while nursing. These days it's no longer just what you wear but how it's made. MOM-SHELLs are designed for mothers who care about the earth. With fabrics made of certified organic fibers, and low-impact dyes these garments help you nurture your child, yourself, and your surroundings. Great care and detail has gone into this amazingly innovative product. I really believe that it is worth every penny. If you are about to become or already are a nursing mom you have to check this out! To Buy:HauteMama

Bye Bye Baby Belly

2009-10-15T14:38:00.002-04:00

For all you first time expecting moms, it is true when they say, after you have your baby your belly will still look about 6 months pregnant. For me, I looked like I was 8.5 months pregnant. I only wish I had heard about the Belly Bandit when I had my babies. The Belly Bandit is an abdominal compression binder designed to help you get your body back to its former fabulousness post childbirth.

Their best selling eco-friendly Bamboo Belly Bandit is inherently antibacterial, moisture wicking and is three times more durable than cotton. Fabric made from Bamboo is one of the softest, all natural, GREENEST, fibers around. Being earth-friendly never felt so good! The Bamboo Belly Bandit is made for the "green" mom who will spare no expense for the environment or her comfort. Best forC Section Mommies! "The Belly Bandit not only helped my tummy, but also really supported my back and helps my posture while nursing".

~ Minnie Driver

To Buy:http://www.hautemama.ca/

Found the Best Coat

2009-10-15T14:33:00.001-04:00

I saw it again, and it is a buggaboo of mine, a beautiful pregnant woman wearing her husband's clothes. Wearing 'his' clothing is such a mistake, they are dropping off the shoulders, sagging in the back, and hanging off your bump like a curtain. You lose your elegant silhouette, not to mention that great sense of style. Buying designs that are meant for your belly, but that grow with you are better for your self-esteem and your comfort.

I love this Hatch Maternity Winter Coat. It is the perfect winter pregnancy solution for those icy cold days - it actually keeps that bump of yours covered. Warm, cozy, and most importantly stylish - and you can wear it post pregnancy too. To Buy : http://www.hautemama.ca/

No Spain, No Gain

2009-10-14T14:59:00.001-04:00

Friends and family all seem to be wearing fantastically rich nail polish colours this fall. Of course, if I see something I like I must ask where it is from and each answer is 'OPI'. Not only do I absolutely love when OPI brings out a new line of colours, but I love the names of their polishes. My favourite this season is, No Spain No Gain.

OPI's latest collection offers colours that capture the fiery passion of Spain. The OPI Coleccion De Espana - The OPI Spanish Collection celebrates the drama of Flamenco, the excitement of the bullfight and the beauty of a country rich in art and culture. Geez, the description alone makes me want to travel to Spain and get a pedicure. These nail colours work great with the 2009 Fall/Winter maternity collections!

To Buy : http://www.opi.com/

Clean House

2009-09-09T14:04:00.002-04:00

There's no better time than pregnancy to think about creating a healthier home environment for your baby and yourself. Even little changes in your home can help.

For me, I know I need to be green, but I also want to make sure that I'm keeping my house 'truely' clean and germ free. Some of my favourite 'green clean' products are, Green Works, Simply Clean, and Method.

Of course you can always use your own home made cleaning products. Here is one All-Purpose Cleaner I love: � 1 tsp baking soda (or Epsom salts) � 2 tsp Borax � 1/2 tsp liquid soap � 2 cups hot water � several drops antiseptic essential oil (lavender is a favourite, others include sweet orange, lemongrass, rose, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, birch, lavender or tea tree -- all are natural antiseptic oils).

Combine the baking soda, Borax, soap and essential oil in a spray bottle. Pour in the hot water, mixing well to dissolve the minerals, screw on the lid tightly and shake well. Label the bottle clearly, and as with all cleaning products (even the ones you make yourself), keep out of reach of children.Note: Borax is available in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets. For liquid soap, use something mild like Castille soap, Ivory or Ecover.

Protect your Baby and your Planet!

The Best Investment Maternity Coat

2009-09-01T13:58:00.004-04:00

I love the M-Coat, it makes so much sense for women who are expecting during the cooler months. It's hard to invest the money into a winter maternity coat when you know you will only need it for a short period of time. The M Coat takes all that unease away by acting as a unique convertible 3-in-1 jacket that goes from being a fashionable Maternity coat; to a hip Mama coat; and back to a regular fitting Myself coat. Not to mention it is a high-quality, high-fashion coat. Check it out at HauteMama.ca

The Three Martini Gift

2009-08-29T23:23:00.004-04:00

For anyone who is a new parent, you know that you have to just sit back and laugh at what your new life is throwing at you. The craziest things will happen to you when you have a new baby. You'll answer the door in your nursing pajamas, possibily with a breast still hanging out. Showering isn't a top priority anymore. And it's amazing at the number of stop signs you will roll through at 3:00 a.m. trying to get your little one to sleep. As new parents it is our responsibility to pass on this insider knowledge to other soon-to-be parents, of course in a fun loving way. The best way to do this is to give one (or all) of these great books to them: The Three Martini Play Date: An Essential Guide to Happy Parenting. Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom. Naptime Is the New Happy Hour: And Other Ways Toddlers Turn Your Life Upside Down. I'd Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper: Loving Your Marriage after the Baby Carriage. Your friends will thank you for passing along your new parent wisdom.

Fashionomics

2009-08-24T09:45:00.001-04:00

Fashionomics; the art of being savvy with your wardrobe. If you are expecting during these tumultuous economic times you certainly should be savvy, but if you are anything like me you don't really want to sacrifice your amazing fashion sense to do this. This is where you have to apply fashionomics. Calculate the cost per wear; if you are going to wear that piece again and again the usability far exceeds the cost. Buy fashions that are classic, comfortable and excellent quality. Mix and match for a variety of looks. Ensure these pieces bring you all the way through each trimester, including the 4th. My final savvy fashion tip is to buy some fantastic pieces on sale. Check out the Haute Mama website for some great fall buys (but you better hurry, they are quickly disappearing!)

All You Need Is A Sidekick

2009-06-04T12:28:00.004-04:00

It's true, all you need is this super handy 2-in-1 diaper bag/baby carrier. Not only is the Kemby Sidekick an amazing looking and completely functional diaper bag, it is also a baby carrier. No more running out of the house and forgetting my baby carrier, I'll always have it. Unless of course I forget my diaper bag, which is a clear indicator I probably shouldn't be out of the house at all and probably get back into bed for some much needed sleep. To check it out visit us at http://hautemama.ca/index.php?cPath=182

HauteMama Casting Call

2009-05-28T14:24:00.003-04:00

HauteMama is having a Casting Call Contest. We are looking for the new face of HauteMama for our 2009/2010 Marketing Campaign. It's simple, if you are between 6 and 9 months pregnant at the begining of August you could be our next HauteMama model. The three winners will recieve merchandise from HauteMama, access to the professional photographs for personal use, and you could see your face in all our marketing activities.

Send us your photos info@hautemama.ca

Welcome to our diary

2009-05-14T09:54:00.006-04:00

Hi I'm Shannon, co-founder of HauteMama. I'm a mom to 3 little monkeys - Paige, Reese, and Ben (my inspiration for HauteMama). My partner Sue, is also my mom (maybe I'm her inspiration for HauteMama?). My mom and I have always loved shopping, although when I was pregnant with Paige and Reese I didn't love shopping so much. The maternity clothes that were available to me at that time were awful - as far as I was concerned. I would see all these celebrities in these fantastic clothes looking 'hip and pregnant', and here I was in a cheap muumuu maternity outfit. That's when we decided we needed to help all the pregnant women who loved clothes, and open the doors to HauteMama. It has been just over 3 years and we are loving it, and I know our clients are loving it too! Here is a peak at our shop; I hope you think it's as cool as we do.