Maternity/Nursing Bra

One of the purchases I have been fretting over is a nursing bra.

I plan on breastfeeding so a comfortable, flexible nursing bra is essential.  Ensuring you wear a good fitting bra is always important but even more so during and after pregnancy when there are so many changes going on to your body.   I was originally fitted for a maternity bra a few months ago and my back had gone up 1 size and my cup by 2 sizes!! I still went for underwired, pretty bras but I knew I would need to lose the underwire when it came to choosing a nursing bra.

I didn't want to buy a nursing bra too soon as I realise my rack could stack up a few extra notches even between now and birth.  However, at week 34 I thought it was at least a good idea to start getting used to non underwire bras as it would probably be more beneficial and comfortable for me in the latter stages of my pregnancy.

I was offered to go along to Debenhams for a bra fitting.  Until 26th April, Debenhams are offering £5 off when you spend £30 or more on lingerie when you have a bra fit in store.  Lingerie is expensive as it is so I thought this was a good deal to take advantage of, especially when you know you can trust the fitting service.

I was fitted by Shaunice at the Glasgow Debenhams and I couldn't have asked for a friendlier more helpful member of staff.  She measured mostly by eye but she backed up her findings with a measuring tape for good measure (literally).  She had me try on a number of bras and styles to ensure the sizing was just right and I was making the right choice for me - after all, I have never had to wear a nursing bra before!

Of course, the sizing may alter slightly once the baby is here and Shaunice made allowance for that when helping me choose a bra.  The style I chose can be be moved up a few notches as my back size decreases after birth so this will hopefully mean longer life out of them.

Miriam Stoppard Nurture nursing/maternity bras

The main brand that Debenhams stock is Miriam Stoppard nursing bras - remember Miriam? She used to do an agony aunt stint on TV but I can't for the life of me remember what programme. Answers on a postcard ... !  I went for 2 double pack bras of the Miriam Stoppard Nurture range, one in cotton and the other a silkier, nylon material.  They are so comfortable, even if they aren't the fanciest bras I have ever worn. They have a clasp at the top of each cup for nursing which is easy to function one handed.  Although, they aren't super fancy, to be honest they do just look like pretty t-shirt bras.

My underwire bras are starting to dig a little and hurt my back so I am looking forward to wearing these now and getting used to the fit and feel of them before baby's arrival.

Until 26th April, Debenhams are offering £5 off when you spend £30 or more on lingerie when you have a bra fit in store.

Wild About Debenham's Beauty Club

A few weeks ago I attended the Debenhams Autumn/Winter press show where I was first introduced to Louise Redknapp's new make up line Wild About Beauty.

Debenhams recently asked me to come back and visit their Glasgow beauty hall so they could tell me about their current Beauty Club promotion and to try out the Wild About Beauty products and indulge in a little makeover.

Wild About Beauty has been created by Louise Redknapp and international make up artist Kim Jacob.  The brand offers products that are packed with nourishing ingredients such as organic rose water and chamomile, focusing on caring for your skin as well as enhancing your natural beauty.

My stand out product so far is the Golden Skin Glow which I went on to purchase along with the Line & Define Liner Pen.  So far the liner pen is an absolute winner with it not budging at all on my first day of wear.  That was a 7am application yesterday right until the wee small hours of this morning. Phenomenal.

Wild About Beauty prices are pretty reasonable.  In fact the most expensive item they had was a £35 gorgeous make up bag that came with 3 full size brushes!  Just now when you spend £35 at Wild About Beauty, you receive a free nail polish which come in lovely autumnal colours.

Back to Debenhams Beauty Club.  When you spend over £50 in their beauty hall you gain an extra 1000 points (£10 worth of points) on your beauty club card.  I ended up buying a few extra bits and pieces to make sure I gained my points.

I think I might take another trip to purchase some more Wild About Beauty products, I have my eye on that make up bag and their creme blushes!

The offer ends tomorrow so get spending so you can clock up some points for a rainy day!

Wild About Beauty

Last week I went along to the Debenhams autumn/winter press launch in Glasgow.

Debenhams always put on a lovely spread for their guests and they are great at showcasing the talent from their store with the likes of Henry Holland, Pearce Fionda, Betty Jackson and Matthew Williamson to name a few.

I especially love their homeware displays that always leave me making mental wish lists for my home!

This September, Debenhams add another famous name, this time to their beauty hall, with Louise Redknapp jumping on board with her brand new and ever so gorgeous make up brand.

I have to be honest, the celebrity name didn't entice me to these products at all, in fact, a celebrity backing would normally make me a little cynical of the brand.  However, Louise was on hand herself to demonstrate how some of her new products work and I have to say, I really can't wait until this brand hits the stores at the end of the month so I can try for myself.

Wild About Beauty is a collaboration between Louise Redknapp and make up artist Kim Jacob.  As well as the reasonable mid price range, the ethos behind the products are that they are quick and easy to use for women on the go. Whether that be a busy mom or a pushed for time career girl.  Louise mentioned she has never been much of a glitter fan so the colours and textures you will find in her brand lean to a natural, flawless finish rather than overly made up, however, they are versatile enough to be able to create a dramatic look if you so wish.  Wild About Beauty is all about creating that inner glow that radiates health, happiness and natural beauty.

Louise herself was absolutely lovely and seemed really passionate about her products, especially with 2 young boys running around.  It means she has products that are quick and easy to apply even when she is rushing about on the school run.  For those of you wondering, she is just as gorgeous in real life as on TV.  She has a chic, sophisticated presence and is so petite ... you could fit her in your purse.

The must have products for me are the concealer sets which remind me a lot of Bobbi Brown concealer and also her sheer cream bronzing product 'Golden Skin Glow' which I think will give a gorgeous healthy glow to any complexion.

Wild About Beauty hits Debenhams stores at the end of September with Glasgow Debenhams being the first to carry the line.