15% off Maternity Wear all weekend!

It's a very special weekend this week. We are giving you 15% off all our gorgeous maternity wear, which includes coats, knitwear, party dresses, jeans, and all other day- wear, all weekend 27-29th November, at our Brighton boutique. Think of it as an early Christmas present, from us to you, to help make you feel and look great in time for Christmas! Pop in and see us .... Mamissima, 62 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD 01273 626676

Playtime ...

Last week I came into the office to find Susan (one of the owners of Mamissima) walking around pushing a duck on a stick. Today, Kerry (one of the lovely girls that works in our Brighton boutique) has been whizzing a train around in a spinning top, and I have been tickling the ivories on a little piano. So much fun! We are now stocked to the brim with the most wonderful toys and gifts, that you won't find on the high street, that are made to last, and that you and your little ones will love this Christmas. Many are timeless classics, such as spinning tops, but my favourite (because I loved my toy kitchen when I was little) is this adorable Wooden Kitchen. It is double sided - one side is to play cooking, with a hotplate, oven, microwave and cookware, the other side has a sink, washing machine, magnetic board and magnet. Everything you would find in a grown-up kitchen in one neat little stand! It is beautifully made so will last forever and will be something you would be happy to have lying around the house (far better than all that pink plastic). Buy on-line www.mamissima.co.uk or come and pick one up from the Brighton store 82 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD 01273 626676

Wrap up

If you are still reading all the fashion glossies, and wishing you could join in, you will know that the 'cardi/coat' is one of this season's key looks. Which is great if you're pregnant because you don't have to be stick thin to pull the look off! Brilliant! Plus, now the days are getting colder and the nights drawing in there's nothing better than getting really cosy in a favourite piece of knitwear. For daytime, the cardi/coat is great as it doubles as a jacket (until it gets really cold and then you really will need to invest in a coat), and for evenings-in it's perfect to cosy up with on the sofa. We have some beautiful knitwear this season and our very own 'cardi/coat' is the Milker Knit Jacket in a lovely deep purple colour. It's a mohair mix, so feels very luxurious but is machine washable (hoorah!). Available at the store, 82 North Road Brighton BN1 1YD or on-line www.mamissima.co.uk

New season maternity dresses

It's that time of year when the weather is getting a bit colder and we're thinking about changing our wardrobe over into winter, which may mean (hopefully)a few little treats (yippee!). Or you and your bump may just be blooming at such a rate you really do need to invest in a couple of new pieces to see you through the last few months. It's easy to get trapped into the leggings and t-shirt comfort zone, and who can blame you, because at the end of the day, it has to be about comfort. However, we have a huge collection of fabulous maternity dresses which will make you feel stylish and comfortable. Our model Laura is not pretending with that bump, she is very pregnant and we have it on very good authority (from her) that all the dresses she modelled for us are super comfy. My favourite is this Pietro Brunelli Cashmere Dress, it looks gorgeous, can be worn smart or casual, on its own or over jeans, and is designed to grow with you and your bump. It will also see you through the months after the birth so a really good investment. And it's exclusive to us in the UK, so you won't see it anywhere else! Go on, have a little treat, you definitely deserve it.

See us at the Southern Baby Event & Family Day

Come along on Sunday 25th October to Fontwell Park Racecourse in Sussex between 10am-4pm, where we will be showcasing our most beautiful and popular products and offering advice on maternity and nursing wear. Admission is completely free and it proves to be a great day for the family and children from 0-5. A must for all new mums across Sussex and Hampshire. For more information, check out the website http://www.southernbabyevent.com/

Little Vintage Treasures ....

This gorgeous, and completely unique, range of vintage dresses for little girls (aged 0-5), comes from Brighton-based illustrator and graphic designer Carol Seatory, under the label Atelier
Bricolage.

Carol had a crate full of vintage fabrics, each piece too small to make something for herself but, when she realised that some of the pieces were big enough to make a child's dress, she began making dresses for her own daughter. These dresses proved to be very versatile: they can
be worn alone on warm days or over vests or tops on cooler days.

As the fabric is in limited supply, each dress is different and the fabric and trimmings have a history. The fabric is either deadstock (vintage but unused) or recycled from another garment. Most fabrics are cotton, cotton-linen mix or mixed fibres, there are no pure synthetics. All buttons and trimmings are carefully chosen and are genuine vintage. If the fabric is deadstock it will be crisp and unwashed (but clean!); if it is recycled it will be throughly cleaned (using environmentally-friendly, non-biological detergent) and pressed before the garment is made. Each dress is carefully hand-made in a smoke-free environment.

A limited-edition range for babies of 3–12 months is available here at Mamissima. Click here to see our current collection. or pop in to our Brighton store 82 North Road Brighton BN1 1YD

Bags of style for new Mums ....

A changing bag is one of those 'necessary accessories' for new Mums (and Dads) and quite often means that it has to double up as a handbag. Our huge collection of changing bags are super stylish (you would never think they were a changing bag), reflect current fashion trends (this leather snakeskin OiOi bag is my favourite), are highly practical (outer pockets, matching padded change mat, insulated bottle holder, zip-top wet/mess bag, plastic wipes case, clip for keys/pacifier, adjustable shoulder strap) and infact are everything you will ever need from a handbag or changing bag. We have so many styles to choose from - luxury leather, fabric, printed, spotted, striped, red, green, orange, yellow - you are spoilt for choice. Click here to see the full collection.

Sleepy time ...

One of the many things you can get excited about before your little bundle of joy arrives is preparing the nursery. Even if you're not doing a full re-decorating overhaul, you will definitely be in the need of some cot linen (to make sleep time as inviting as possible!). Dwell Baby offer the ultimate in nursery linen, with beautiful contemporary designs in high quality cotton; sheets, quilts (reversible), cot bumpers. Our current favourite is the Garden Blossom set and its one of our best sellers.

Desirable, delightful, decadent ....

... wouldn't it be wonderful to feel all of those things when you're pregnant? When I was pregnant one of the (many) things that used to get me down (and my boyfriend) was the fact that I had to wave goodbye to all my gorgeous lingerie. Beautiful underwear that makes you feel super sexy - something you don't often feel when you're waddling around and can't even see your toes! If only I had heard of HotMilk ... the world's sexiest nursing bra's, camisoles and nightwear. Whether you want to feel pretty and feminine or sexy and sensual, (or both depending on those mood swings), HotMilk has the answer for you. Not only do we love their collections but also their philosophy to remind every woman that she is beautiful, confidant, and sexy. And anything which makes you feel 'desirable, delightful and decadent' when you're pregnant is definitely worth a look! Check out our collection http://www.mamissima.co.uk/acatalog/Lingerie.html Order on-line and you can try on in the comfort of your own home and if the size is wrong, send it back to us within 14days and we will happily exchange it for you. Much easier than dealing with a changing room!

Comfortable nursing

The last thing you want to wear when you're breastfeeding is something which is too short, too restrictive and that ... well, looks like a nursing top! That is why we love this fabulous nursing top from 2Wear; it is nice and long, really stretchy, made from high-quality cotton, will undoubtedly become one of those tops you just live in (because it is just so comfy), and most importantly ... it looks like a normal top! Available in purple (as seen), juicy pink, or classic black or white. And for a top that you're probably going to live in, it's a steal at £23!

Some good old fashioned tradition ...

If, like me, you love things which remind you of the past, which stir memories and give you some reassurance that we haven't completely forgotten about tradition, then you will love our new Vintage Nursery Blocks. The most beautiful embossed 1.75" square wooden nursery blocks decorated with lovely storybook images from the early 1900's. They come presented in a hard wearing keepsake box. A beautiful gift, toy, or simply a gorgeous addition to a nursery (which is a welcome relief to all that bright plastic!).

Customer Evening - Thursday 2nd July 5.30-8pm

If you're a local Brightonian of just fancy a trip down to the seaside to soak up this gorgeous weather, come and join us for drinks and personal shopping this Thursday between 5.30-8pm, and enjoy 15% discount an all purchases. We will also be offering a complimentary bump portrait in-store with professional photographer MumBumpBaby. And if that's not enough to entice you, we will be serving fresh organic juices and delicious cupcakes!! We would love to see you ... Mamissima Mother & Child, 82 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD

Daddy Cool ...

Here at Mamissima we appreciate that Dad's too, can be cool. We also know that it's not always Mum who does the drop off at nursery or take baby on outings to meet friends and have lunch. That is why we are all cooing over the gorgeous BelleBeau changing bags for men, which arrived in-store this week! That and the fact that they are the ultimate in luxury leather and style, which means Dad need not compromise his pride or coolness. Word has it that a certain Hollywood, 'Dad of many', has one, and we all know how cool he is! A brilliant Father's Day gift, and you never know, it may even encourage him to do more of those outings!

Father's Day ... the perfect gift!

Father's Day can often prove quite tricky when it comes to thinking of something original and stylish, and lets be honest the Dad's of this world often take second place in general gift ideas. Well not this year! We have some fantastic Father's Day gifts and this weeks top gift is our Papa keyring; made from stirling silver, you can choose from either a charm or a tag and have it personalised with a name or date. Stylish and meaningful, we think Dad will love it!

Holiday Essentials ... Travel Changing Mats

Holidaying when you've got a baby in tow isn't quite the same as it used to be is it?! Travelling light? That was even hard for us girls to do when we were carefree and single! That is why we are loving our new range of Travel Change Mats ... convenient, practical and ultra stylish, they are a compulsory, staple item in every new Mum's holiday wardrobe. This is our current favourite from Pink Lining ... gorgeous and bright with a pretty pattern, perfect for summer!

New Mamissima Website Goes Live

We are finally live with our new website. You can browse a selection of stylish maternity clothes, maternity dresses, jeans, cardigans, tops etc. Also stylish nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, baby accessories. Gifts for new babys, and more.

Safe & secure online checkout.

http://www.mamissima.co.uk/