Coquette Maman

Style Mom: Stephanie from All About Ami Talks Pregnancy & Nursing Fashion

(All Photos: All About Ami)

Stephanie Lau from All About Ami doesn't just crochet cute amigurumi animals. She's also a very fashionable new mom to six month old Myla. I became friends with this Canadian beauty a few years ago when I was an editor at CRAFT and she did her first published pattern, this crochet spring bunny. I have been loving her recent blog post on her nursing fashion tips so I decided to do an interview with Stephanie on how she stays so stylish and fashionable as a new mom.

How would you describe your fashion style?

I would describe my fashion style as classic and feminine. I love wearing dresses and romantic pieces such as delicate crocheted shawls and items with ruffles and lace. With that being said, comfort is also key for me, and I enjoy layering different pieces together (such as my chambray tops and oversized sweaters), which is key to surviving the Canadian winter! I also love accessorizing as I feel that accessories really help pull an outfit together. I'll usually sport my stud earrings, a necklace and a stack of bracelets when going out! I loved accessorizing from a young age as I have pictures of myself as a toddler wearing chunky beaded necklaces and bracelets with little clips in my hair!

The first few months post-pregnancy is probably the most fashion challenging for a new mom. What was your solution to looking great?

I remember my "What to Bring to the Hospital" pamphlet stated to bring a going-home outfit that would fit you when you were 5 months pregnant… And so, I knew to expect to continue to look somewhat pregnant for a little while even after the baby was delivered! I definitely did not fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans and most of my bottoms, so I continued to wear what I wore when I was pregnant (flawy tops and leggings)! This turned out to be a little more challenging as well since I was also nursing. Now all of my outfits had to be breast-feeding friendly, particularly since newborns feed so frequently! I layered pretty cardigans, oversized sweaters and blazers over my nursing tank tops to continue looking stylish post-pregnancy!

What 3 pieces of clothing could you not live without?

I could not live without my jeans, my leggings and my little black dress.

When you were pregnant, what maternity pieces did you live in?

When I was pregnant, I lived in my leggings, long tunics, maternity jeans and maxi dresses. I continued to accessorize a lot and I also belted my outfits to help give some definition and to make them look more polished. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to style my ever-growing baby bump!

What are some of Myla's favorite things?

Myla absolutely loves her pink bouncer- she enjoys sitting in it and taking in her surroundings. She likes it even more than her swing or any other baby item! She also has a little ribbon tug blanket that she loves playing with: this minky blanket has ribbons of varying textures along the edges that she enjoys feeling and tugging! Myla loves it when I sing songs and read books to her as well. She especially likes books that have songs associated with them, such as "Five Little Monkeys" and "Ten in the Bed"- it's really cute because she vocalizes along when I read and sing to her!

You are also a very crafty mom. How does crafting/crochet play into your life as a working mom?

I am currently on maternity leave, and I am really enjoying my time with Myla. Everyday we have story time, song time and floor time. Myla is so inquisitive and curious. She enjoys watching me do everything, from washing the dishes, preparing meals, to doing my hair! It's definitely been more challenging finding time to craft, crochet and finish projects, but thankfully Myla actually enjoys watching me crochet. I think she likes seeing the yarn and crochet hook moving so quickly! However, I do most of my crafting when she is napping or at night when she is sleeping. I continue to enjoy crocheting items for Myla and designing new projects. Crocheting is so therapeutic for me, and the blog motivates me to keep being creative and working on new projects!

Visit Stephanie's blog All About Ami. You can also see her previous post on her maternity fashion.

Isabella Oliver Sale: The Best Maternity Clothes + Get Extra 10% Off!

Stock up on some must-have maternity wear with Isabella Oliver's sale. As a special for Coquette readers, you'll get an additional 10% off sale items with the code 10EXTRA starting now through Sunday, January 20th at midnight!

It's for certain while pregnant you'll need a dress to wear to out either to events or just a dinner out with the hubs. I love the Ruched Tank Dress at left (sale price $76, your price with 10% offer $68.40) and the Olivia Dress at right (sale price $95.20, your price with 10% offer $85.68).

Terms and Conditions
The "Extra 10% off" offer is valid until midnight Sunday, January 20, 2013 on Baukjen and Isabella Oliver sale items. When the 10EXTRA code is applied 10% will be deducted from all sale items in the shopping basket. New arrivals, full priced items and other specific items including gift vouchers are excluded from the offer. The offer applies only to personal orders. Orders placed outside of the specified date are not eligible for these offers and the offer cannot be applied or transferred to any previous or subsequent orders placed outside of the period stated. All orders are subject to acceptance under Baukjen and Isabella Oliver's standard terms and conditions. Orders that are considered to be commercial may be excluded from these offers. Items bought during a sale period can only be returned within 7 days of receipt of the parcel. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other Baukjen and Isabella Oliver offer, internet offer or delivery offer unless specifically stated.

Here are more picks from the Isabella Oliver sale:

Isla Stripe Maternity Dress (sale price $95.04, your price with 10% offer $85.54)

Emily Dress (sale price $95.04, your price with 10% offer $85.54)

Maternity Style: Stephanie from All about Ami

My crafter friend Stephanie from All About Ami is pregnant and shares her clever maternity fashion style on her blog. I love how she matches separates and uses layers, color, and crochet sweaters to bring in a fabulous touch. She does all of this in budget with finds from H&M, Old Navy, and more. I love that she continues to accessorize with belts, a skinny one in some of her outfits and does a great job accessorizing with jewelry.

See more of Stephanie's maternity fashions on All About Ami!

Isabella Oliver World

I've come across many of my pregnant mom friends apologizing for their lack of fashionable pregnancy outfit. I've been there and I know how especially hard it can be in the last few stretches. Isabella Oliver World is a new portal that has launched from the maternity fashion queen to help new moms-to-be continue to be fashion forward, even with a grown belly.

One tip that I must share is that it's important to give yourself a few pregnancy fashion staples. You'll be wearing these clothes for months and months, even in post partum when your body is adjusting and you are breast feeding.

I love their simple list of must haves. The Belted Cardigan ($155) will carry you through breast-feeding and the tie front will let you adjust it along with your shrinking body. I also can't stress enough how a good pair of jeans, such as these Bardot Jeans (On sale for $127.20) will make all the difference in your wardrobe each day. Those cheap maternity jeans at Old Navy don't last more than 1 month, trust me! Get a pair of these jeans early in your pregnancy and they will really last and grow with you.

Celebrities like Jennifer Gardner here LOVE Isabella Oliver so you can get inspired by pieces worn by her, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and more! Visit Isabella Oliver World today.

Isabella Oliver Maternity Summer Sale - Up to 50% off

Stock up on maternity fashion with Isabella Oliver's summer sale. I love being able to stock up on the essentials like t-shirts and tanks which turn out to be everyday wear when you are pregnant. My favorites are the Ruched T (now from $32.50), the Ruched Cami (now from $24.50), and the Kimono Top (now from $45.50). They are perfect pieces for layering!

Jessica Alba's Pregnancy Scarf Style

(Photo: Zimbio)

Jessica Alba has long been a scarf icon of mine but I am particularly in love with how she is draping it now while pregnant. The coral color is a perfect boost and it keeps the eyes away from the belly and up towards her beautiful face. Being pregnant can be a drag fashion-wise, I really think one of your best ways to show of your style is through some amazing scarves. With so many beautiful patterns and styles to choose from these days, it will be fun to give yourself a good shopping pick me up with one of these stylish summer scarves.

Diane von Furstenberg Joss Scarf in Bright Summer Leopard ($165 at DVF)

Diane von Furstenberg Cambell Scarf in Periwinkle Leospiral ($165 at DVF.com)

Diane von Furstenberg Mason Deux Scarf in Grey ($165 at DVF.com)

DKNY Feathers Scarf ($135 at dkny.com)

DKNY Cotton Fringe Scarf in Clover Green (on sale for $38.99 at dkny.com)

Tolani Waterfall Scarf ($85 at Bloomingdales)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Doodle Dot Jersey Scarf ($58 at Bloomingdales)

Isabella Oliver Maternity Floral Print Dresses

Is it just me or has wedding and summer event season just all hit at once? I know just how hard it is to find just the right dress when you are pregnant. Isabella Oliver does too and brings this beautiful floral watercolor print in luxurious Italian silk to life with two great versions for any event you are going to this summer. Choose from a long Print Maxi Dress ($479) or the shorter Print Kimono Dress ($399).
Also don't miss the Flash sale happening now through Monday, May 9th. More details on the Isabella Oliver Maternity home page.

Selma Blair and Alicia Silverstone in Isabella Oliver Maternity

You better believe that for my next pregnancy, I'm going to be wearing lots of Isabella Oliver Maternity. Her clothes are so comfortable and stylish, they are perfect for when you are expecting. I love the Ruched T-shirt Dress ($159) as seen on Selma Blair and the Tie Knot Dress ($155) in blue as seen on Alicia Silverstone for a recent TV appearance.

Isabella Oliver Maternity Sale

Isabella Oliver is having a 7 day spree sale! Every day this week shop for the best in maternity clothes. The discount also applies to the Isabella Oliver 365 line. Just enter SPREE at checkout to receive your discount! Hurry, the sale runs through Sunday, but the discount will decrease each day through the course of the week.

I love the Grecian Tunic ($125) above in crisp white for summer. A great top to pair over leggings for an instant classic outfit.

Isabella Oliver Maternity Collection Spring 2010

The new Isabella Oliver Maternity Collection for Spring 2010 is now here! For an evening out, I love this stylish Isabella Oliver Ruched One Shoulder Dress ($179) that's also available in black.

Here are more of my picks from the new Spring 2010 collection:

Ruched Kiss Dress ($179)

The Erin Jumpsuit ($299)

The Glamour Maxi ($299)

The Helena Dress ($175)

Multiway Bandeau Wrap Top ($125)