Parisian Mama

Parisian stylist sharing her maternity fashion journey. The idea of this blog is to showcase my second pregnancy and, using my example, encourage women to enjoy dressing their baby bump.

[antonina-jaeger]

New site

This blog has moved to antoninajaeger.com. 

Come on over for more style tips and uplifting outfit inspirations :)

[antonina-jaeger]

Japanese Wisdom

Two years ago, right before I had my daughter, my good friend Atsuko, a mother of three grown-up daughters herself, told me something I will remember my whole life.

She said, ‘The first month after your baby’s birth is for you. You are like a wounded animal; so don’t try to rush anything. Just sleep. Invite whoever is ready to help and get as much rest as possible.’

This was great advice. How do I know? Because I didn’t follow it!

With my first child I was naïve enough to believe I could handle it all, and I failed. I was so terribly tired that I rarely felt like the happy mother I was so sure I would be. In fact, I didn’t feel like much of anything and it took me months to get over the fatigue and depression.

My intention here is not to scare you, but to invite you to be wiser. We do need to take care of ourselves to be able to take care of others.

However busy you are, after you give birth, try to take several weeks completely ‘off’. Use whatever help possible and get maximum rest.  You have your whole life ahead of you to do other things, but for now, take the break. Believe me, your body will thank you.

And, as you might guess, this time around I’m definitely planning to follow Atsuko’s advice ☺

Take care and see you in several weeks!

[antonina-jaeger]

More ways to enjoy your hospital stay

Hi girls,

I hope you are enjoying the special time before your baby is here. 

To be honest, I never liked the idea of staying at a maternity hospital. Things are so much easier at home! 

However, having to do it anyway, I am determined to make it as pleasant as possible.

Here are some things I found very useful and entertaining during my hospital stay two years ago.

Audiobooks

My daughter needed to be walked in my arms a lot, so I became addicted to audiobooks. I would put a book recording on my Iphone, stick it in my pocket and walk around the ward. Although the walking thing continued well after we returned home, I never really felt bored.

An outfit for going back home

It’s a good idea to have this one figured out in advance. My formula: maternity jeans + breastfeeding tank-top + a nice oversized top + boots.

A couple of lightweight scarves

I found it useful when I needed to breastfeed in front of visitors. Take colors that flatter your complexion.

A set for a ‘no-makeup makeup look’

This is the trend I absolutely adore! Isn't it a great idea to use makeup to give you a natural-looking glow? Isn't it what makeup is supposed to do in the first place? 

Here are my personal favorites.

1. Erborian, BB Crème au Ginseng 2. Givenchy, Hydra SparklingBaume Lèvres et Joues Hydratation Eclat Rosé 3. Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Eclat 4. Bobbi Brown, Brow Shaper Mascara Modeleur Sourcils 5. Lancôme, Advanced Genifique 6. MAC, Fard hyper-pigmenté, Folie

Take care and good luck if you head for the hospital this week!

Antonina

[antonina-jaeger]

He's here!

Welcome Pierre!

[antonina-jaeger]

What nobody is telling you about packing your hospital bag

Hello ladies,

Last night, I got so irritated! About 7pm,I found myself wanting to bang my Ipad against the wall. Hormones? Maybe. But there are other reasons, too.

The thing is, I was trying to pack my hospital bag, so I went online to look at some checklists. Oh my God! I found them boring, demotivating and lacking flair.

Over and over I was reminded to take my toothbrush and slippers. Then no less than 5 lists suggested that I take an old t-shirt for giving birth (“it’ll be stained anyway”). Some well-intentioned French websites even reminded me to take the ‘doudou’ for the baby. Seriously, people?! Anyway, it’s somewhere between the t-shirt and the ‘doudou’ that I lost it.

What frustrated me the most was that, with all the down-to-earth advice, suddenly beauty was no longer important. As if when you become a mother, all you can think about is practicality. As someone whose work is all about beauty, I feel obliged to disagree.

Choosing beautiful and glamorous over ‘ordinary’ is something I believe in, even in the maternity ward. The fact that things need to be ‘comfortable and practical’ doesn’t have to prevent them from being beautiful. The choice is absolutely up to you! And it feels so much better to be wearing a nice nightgown versus an old t-shirt.

In reality, packing your hospital bag is strictly a personal matter. I don’t think anyone can come up with an exhaustive list. However, I do think that there are a couple of rules to follow in order to feel good during one of the most important times of your life.

 Here’s my approach to packing the bag.

Rule 1

Consult the list of essentials provided by your hospital

If such a list does not exist, use any checklist online. This is the foundation for building your bag. Feel free to ignore everything that doesn’t click with you.

Rule 2

Let your bag be your uplifting ally

First of all, giving birth is physical, and everybody is going to concentrate on that. Like it or not (I don’t!), they are going to talk about gas, constipation, bleeding, etc.

Plus, although having a newborn in your arms is (of course!) the purest of joys, being a new mom is also very tiring. Between breastfeeding, changing diapers and receiving visits, you’ll be lucky if you manage to squeeze in a nap.

Now, combine the fatigue with the aforementioned physical context and you’ve got yourself a potent cocktail that can be quite challenging to deal with.

You can’t control any of this. However, what you can control is how you feel about yourself. Think of the items you bring in your bag as a breath of fresh air, or as friends that will give you a hug when you’re about to have a meltdown.

Rule 3

Whatever’s on the list, take its more glamorous version

Giving birth doesn’t have to be frumpy, and you don’t have to wear yoga pants during your whole stay at the hospital.

Here are some examples of how I adapt a ‘normal’ list to my liking.

The List: Old t-shirt you’re not afraid to stain

Me: I’m about to welcome my baby; who wants an old t-shirt?! Pick up something you’ll enjoy. It’s understandable that La Perla might not be your first stop, but Etam, H&M or Monoprix have pretty things, too. In the end, yes, it’ll be stained, but you can keep it as a beautiful souvenir.

The List: Slippers

Me: Since I never wear slippers, even at home, I’ll stick to my usual ballet flats. Flats are a great option for indoors. They dress up whatever you are wearing and, to me, just feel more joyful.

1. MICHAEL Michael Kors, Chaussures plates à bouts pointus en daim Julieta 2. Etro, Foulard en laine et soie mélangées imprimé 3. Charlotte Olympia, Chaussons de ville en résille à ornements Kitsch Kitty 4. H&M, Foulard à motif 5. Repetto, Ballerine Cendrillon, Agneau Rose Mexico 6. ASOS - LITTLE ROCK Ballerines effet poil de poney

The List: Nightshirt

Me: Here, I guess I have to be practical. I want to breastfeed, so I’ll make sure my nightshirt has an opening in the front. Another thing to remember is that in France they often make you wear the ‘bas de contention’ (support stockings). Two years ago I found it a little disturbing to walk around the ward in a short gown with ‘grandma’ stockings on. This time I’m packing three long nighties.

1. SKIN, Chemise de nuit en jersey de coton Pima 2. Equipment, Vivian printed washed-silk pajama set 3. H&M, Pyjama en soie 4. Donna Karan Sleepwear, Chemise de nuit en dentelle et jersey stretch

The List: Pajamas

Me: Silk. If not silk, then trimmed with soft lace.

The List: Dressing gown

Me: If I do take one, it has to be silky and feminine. A long cardigan makes an easy substitute during the day. Caftans are a great idea, too (sometimes it’s useful to check the beachwear cover-up department).

1. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Cardigan en laine à découpes 2. MICHAEL Michael Kors, Cafetan en crêpe à imprimé animal orné d'une chaîne 3. Missoni, Poncho en crochet de coton mélangé 4. H&M, Gilet Long 5. H&M, Gilet en maille

I’m sure you get the principle. The point is to personalize your list so that everything in your bag is in tune with who you are.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Antonina

[antonina-jaeger]

One item I couldn't do without

Hi Ladies,

How have you been? I'm in my last month. So close, so exciting!

Did you notice that being pregnant and showing off your pregnant body is currently a big thing (no pun intended)? It seems to me that, as opposed to old times, when pregnancy was something you wanted to hide, now women are encouraged (if not pushed) to be proud of their curves.

I don’t belong to either of these camps, because I find that both put too much pressure on women.

And, to be completely honest, ‘pregnant women who rock’ talk is not something I welcome or relate to, especially with all the fatigue I’ve accumulated over the past months. 

When I was pregnant with my daughter two years ago, I remember spending the whole 9th month on the couch reading “War and Peace”, only getting up to fix myself something to eat.

This time around spending a whole day on the couch is truly a fantasy, though I still feel like slowing down a bit and taking it easy. For me, this certainly includes wearing relaxed, comfortable clothing.

If you’re like me, why not take a cozy twist on it? You’ve been doing a great job for many months. You need care and pampering, so follow your heart and surround yourself with warm and relaxed things.

Long cardigans are my easy answer to this. There’s a very relaxed feel to them, and yet somehow they make you look pulled together. They’re pretty versatile, too. During the fall you can wear one as a coat, and in winter it’s a perfect layering item. Another advantage is that, after you give birth, they can be part of your nursing wardrobe and even stay with you for years to come.

This is the outfit I’ve worn quite often recently. The cardigan is comfortably oversized, and its neutral color makes it easy to combine with different items. As you see from my thigh-high boots and a flashy bag, I’m faithful to the rule that accessories make all the difference.

The other example is the way I wear it at home. Putting this H&M cardigan over my leisurewear makes it more presentable in case somebody drops by. For the same reason, I’m planning to take this cardigan to the hospital. It should also be great with a nightgown and a lightweight scarf.

Have a great weekend!

Antonina

[antonina-jaeger]

Unusually easy DIY

Hi girls!

Slowing down and enjoying it has inspired me to try new things.

If you know me a little bit, you’re probably aware of the fact that I’m not very gifted at manual things. Sewing or knitting has never been my forte, even though God knows I’ve tried.

Despite my track record, last week I gave it another try. Seasoned DIY ladies, please don’t laugh!

I was looking for what to wear to brunch with my family when I came across something (literally ‘came across’; closet cleanup desperately needed!). Here’s what I found: an oversized shirtdress I’d bought for the end of my pregnancy. 

Since I wanted something that would look relaxed and easy, this seemed like a great option. However, once I put it on, it really lacked definition and, with my current dimensions, simply made me look huge. 

I thought it needed a belt, but belting it created a lot of extra fabric around the belly, which was not so flattering. Honestly, dressing a big bump is a challenge!

And then I remembered this trick I’d seen on Pinterest.

Basically, you make an opening on each side of your garment. Then you slide a belt inside, letting it show only in the front. In the example above the openings are permanent. However, with a shirtdress, the openings are made along the seams, so nothing prevents you from sewing them back after pregnancy.

I really found this rewarding and easy to do. 

I liked it so much that I wanted to try this style with another outfit. I remembered that my favorite winter coat (that I wore, for example, in this post) also had the same two-way belt option. 

Here it is, on an (obviously!) non-pregnant woman.

And here's how I wear it.

Now I can’t get enough of wearing the belt over the bump! I really find it elegant. The bonus is that it ensures me smiles and congratulations on the street, as well as a seat on the metro. :)

With only two weeks before the baby comes, I still have time to try it again with an oversized scarf (hello sales at Zara!).

Hope you’ll enjoy this trick, too!

See you next week,

Antonina

[antonina-jaeger]

An easy New Year’s resolution to improve your life

Hello girls!

How have you been? After so many months of planning and preparing, I’m starting to feel like I’m living in slow motion.

Although it’s not always easy to deal with those nasty symptoms of late third trimester, there’s something pleasurable about the last month. Some sort of bliss surrounding you whatever you do. It feels like time goes by in a slow steady stream, like melted caramel.

At first I couldn’t quite understand what was giving me this sensation, and then it struck me. It’s being comfortable with slowing down.

Think about it. Under normal circumstances we’re busy, proud to be so, and getting more things done feels like huge personal success.

But these last weeks of my pregnancy have been different. Since I can’t walk fast, or stand up quickly, or get dressed in two seconds, I have to take my time. At first it was driving me mad, but now taking time feels so delicious.

In fact, I like it so much that I want to carry this attitude into my post-pregnancy life.

Which brings me to my two resolutions for this year:

I will do things more slowly.

I’ve noticed that rushing stresses me out and doesn’t save me much time in the end.

      2. I will drop multi-tasking.

Multi-tasking is an illusion. You don’t get more things done. I think staying focused on one thing at a time pays off more (and certainly makes me a better mom).

If you feel like your condition is obliging you to slow down, rejoice! Take a mental note of how good it feels to take time. Maybe, like me, you will start enjoying it and feel like making it a habit, even after pregnancy.

Have a lovely (and slow!) weekend.

Antonina

Lovely snail by Virginia Slocum

[antonina-jaeger]

What helps me keep warm in winter

Hello beauties!

I feel silly saying this, but every winter I’m surprised by the cold.

No, really, does it get this cold every year? When the temperatures drop, my hands reach out for the biggest, bulkiest sweaters. The cold makes it tempting to forget all my resolutions about being stylish in winter.

However, giving up on what inspires us and waiting ‘till it gets warmer is not the answer. Wouldn’t it be a pity to put your style on hold for several long months?

Pregnant or not, the ideal is to be warm and still enjoy your style.

The good news: it’s absolutely doable.

However, since the cold will always dictate your style, you need a strategy when constructing your outfits.

The following are the two points I consider crucial for winter style. 

Point 1

Natural fabrics

Wool and cashmere are your friends. There is no better alternative to keeping warm. A wool coat or sweater will always be warmer than an acrylic one, so as long as you’re not allergic, give priority to natural fabrics. If you are allergic to wool, consider layering Heattech by Uniqlo under your clothes.

Point 2

Layer your clothes. Layering is a pregnant woman’s best friend, since it helps you deal with both cold weather and any oncoming hot flashes.

The following outfit was constructed with these points in mind. 

A great rule for layering: never let anyone tell you how use a piece of clothing.

I bought this pure cashmere item as a dress. A very nice ‘let’s sit by the fireplace with a friend on a cold Christmas-y day’ kind of dress. Then, one day I decided it would be a shame to limit its mission to just a dress when it could serve as so much more! So, I transformed it into an alternative kind of outerwear.

I wore this outfit the other day to have breakfast with a friend, and found it perfectly functional.

While walking outside, I felt warm and covered enough. Once at my destination, I took the upper layer (the cashmere dress) off, and I still had my black dress (similar here) and leather jacket (similar here) underneath. Sipping on my hot tea, I started feeling a hot flash approaching, so I took off the leather jacket and rolled up the sleeves of my dress. My layering strategy had paid off. Oh, the sweet taste of victory!

A little bonus move: to feel pulled together, make sure your accessories work with every layer. I used thigh high boots here to give the outfit a modern feel. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Antonina

[antonina-jaeger]

Making the most of winter sales

Hello there, girls!

One confession: I’ve got plenty of clothes, and I feel bored.

Really. Can’t look at oversized dresses anymore!

On top of that, with sales starting, I am very (very, very!) tempted to shop. But what would I buy? Honestly, no more oversized dresses or shirts! Jackets? The ones that fit now will probably be useless once I’ve lost some baby weight. Pants? No way! Skirts? At 33 weeks into my pregnancy, that sounds like a joke.

At this point in my first pregnancy, I ended up buying a lot of clothes ‘for later’. Believe me, this is not a very good idea. I ended up giving away a lot of them because my tastes had changed after I gave birth.

If there was one piece of advice I’d give for third-trimester shopping, it would be the following: Don’t try to guess.

There are too many things you don’t know. You don’t know how your size will fluctuate in the coming months. You don’t know how your lifestyle will change once the baby is around (well, you have some idea, but you can’t know exactly till you’re in the context).

And, very importantly, with so many changes happening, you have no idea what clothes you’ll feel like wearing.

Luckily, though, there is a way to enjoy sales even when you’re pregnant. Let’s take another look at the photo above.

What makes each of these outfits stylish?

The styles are quite different, yet these women have one thing in common and this thing is great accessories.

Accessories are always a good way to spice up your outfit, and sales are a great time to buy them.

Even if your tastes in clothing change, chances are a shoulder bag with original design or a pair of bold-colored gloves will always find their way into different outfits.

I remember when, during my training as a stylist, we were challenged to make multiple looks with a simple black dress by just shifting accessories. In the end, each look was totally unique. That’s the power of accessories.

Here’s how to turn your sales shopping into a lot of fun.

Look for:

-       Bags

-       Clutches

-       Scarves

-       Gloves

-       Shoes (make adjustments for water retention :) )

-       Hats

-       Jewelry

-       Sunglasses

-       Makeup (red lipstick can change everything)

-       Collars

-       Socks

or any other items that add an interesting touch.

  Happy shopping and Happy New Year!

Antonina

Images from

Barefoot Blonde

Could I have that? 

The Chriselle Factor 

The Fashion Medley 

[antonina-jaeger]

About cabbage

Hello, girls!

Hope you had a great Christmas.

How are you feeling? I’m well into the third trimester of my pregnancy now, and my body is giving me a new challenge, the hot flashes.

If your hormones are going as crazy as mine, you know that at one moment you can be freezing, and the next one you feel like stripping on the spot.

To avoid everyday sweating for another month or two, apply what I call the Golden Rule of a Winter Preggo: be a cabbage!

In other words, always be ready to lose some clothes.

Let’s look at one of my basic winter outfits as an example.

I’m wearing: maternity leggings, maternity camisole, oversized shirt, oversized sweater (mine is from Cos, similar here), a cashmere blend scarf, ankle boots, oversized coat.

On cold mornings, I wear all the layers. If it gets warmer during the day (or when another hot flash approaches), I take off the sweater and keep the leggings and shirt, all covered with a coat. 

To adapt to lower temperatures, I wear a body-hugging turtleneck dress in place of the shirt and add some tights under the leggings.

Voila! So, when getting dressed in the upcoming weeks, remember the cabbage and keep glowing. :)

Xx,

Antonina

[antonina-jaeger]

[antonina-jaeger]

Summer dress into party dress par parisianmama utilisant robe bleue

Zimmermann robe dos nu / Heidi Klein robe bleue / Moschino veste en denim, $2,110 / STELLA McCARTNEY blazer noir, $2,600 / Nicholas Kirkwood sandales noire / Gianvito Rossi chaussures à talon haut, $665 / Chloé red handbag / Chan Luu wrap bracelet, $275 / Lele Sadoughi boucles d oreilles en fausses perle, $225 / Oscar de la Renta necklace

[antonina-jaeger]

Pants are possible!

Hello future mamas!

Don't you think it's amazing how we want things we can’t have?

The moment I decided not to wear pants or jeans until the end of my pregnancy, all I wanted to wear was… pants and jeans!

Pregnancy is supposed to be the ideal time to enhance feminine forms and soft shapes… But suddenly all I was craving was that androgynous, modern, laid-back style. A contradiction in terms?

Without knowing what awaited me, I decided to give it a chance. After an hour of strolling through Galeries Lafayette, I started feeling a sort of quiet despair. I didn’t want to buy more of what I already had: oversized dresses, sweaters and jackets, but nothing else looked like something I could squeeze into.

And then I saw it. I knew I’d found what I was looking for.

Alexander Wang! Personally, I’m more a fan of his looks than his creations, but his T by Alexander Wang brand with its sporty feel turned out to be a sort of maternity style paradise.

First and foremost, there were some classy track pants (read: elastic bands, adjustable belts and stretchy fabrics). Then, shirts and over-sized tops to layer with pretty much everything. And finally, all the styles can be worn after pregnancy (a deal-closer for a pregnant shopper!).

Glad I didn’t resist! I’m now the happy owner of two pairs of pants, a shirt and a skirt (I know, I know, it’s a lot, but remember, I can wear it later :) ).

Here are the first two outfits I came up with. I love them so much! It’s a pity I don’t have a board meeting to attend :)

[antonina-jaeger]

Party time, part 2

Hi girls!

To continue on last week’s topic, here are two more ideas for a party outfit.

Option 1

Find a necklace

If you don’t want to feel over-dressed but still want to add a touch of glamour, try adding some jewelry to a dress you already have. If you have a 60s-style dress like the one I mentioned in this post, think of finding a necklace to complete it and shift from boots to pumps. 

Option 2

Recycle a summer dress

If there’s a summer dress you like, why not try to adapt it to the Christmas spirit?

Wear tights, add some shiny jewelry, insist on the makeup and you’ve got yourself a nice party dress. 

For an impressive arrival, wear a trench-coat on top and tie the belt above the bump. Voilà! :)

Another possible option: add some fur (faux or real). It can be as easy as throwing a fur collar on your shoulders or pinning it to the collar of your dress or even to your clutch.

What are your party outfit options this year? Feel free to submit your style-related questions by clicking the link on the right.

Whatever you decide to wear, feel great in it!

Cheers,

Antonina 

Links and inspirations

My dress

Similar dress (if you are shopping in France, look for 'robe trapèze'

Necklace (mine was bought at Galeries Lafayette and cost around 20 euros)

Another necklace

Summer dresses easy to transform into maternity party dresses

Maxi dress

Colorful dress

Leopard dress

[antonina-jaeger]

Party time!

Doesn’t it amaze you how quickly Christmas lights replace Halloween pumpkins? Personally, I am taken by surprise every year.

Before you know it, the holiday rush is everywhere. Planning, organizing, buying presents, finishing the unfinished…

Of course, the classical question of what to wear to all the parties and family gatherings is even more challenging for a pregnant woman.  The good news is, whatever the question, life always gives you an answer… if you look for it!

With several weeks left till Christmas, we still have time to come up with some charming options. Let’s go!

Before I introduce my outfit ideas, let me share some basic rules I use when constructing a party outfit for myself or a client.

1. Something’s got to shine.

It can be your shoes, clutch, something in your hair or makeup, but something has to shine.

2. Show some skin.

No panic here: if you don’t feel like showing your arms or legs, show of your feet. Shiny sandals and a great pedicure can sometimes do more than a deep décolleté.

3. Accessories are more important than clothes.

You may have the perfect dress but by itself it’s not going to give you that party look. And on the contrary, if you have nice party-appropriate shoes (open or shiny, with interesting details), a cute clutch, great earrings or a necklace, even the simplest dress or pants will do.

4. Feel good.

There is no better indicator of how appropriate or flattering an outfit is than your own intuition. No matter how enthusiastic your man (or your stylist) is, if you are not convinced, don’t wear it.

Now let’s see what I came up with this year.

Option 1

Simple dress, shiny shoes.

Wear it to an office party (with boots and jacket on top for the day, then change shoes and bag for the night) or to a dinner at someone’s place. You’ll definitely have to take a cab if you don’t want to change shoes once you’ve arrived, but the Cinderella feel is totally worth it!

Have a great weekend and see you next week for more outfit ideas!

[antonina-jaeger]

Color!

From fall to spring, grey is the dominant color in Parisian landscape. People never get tired of complaining about how grey everything is, and, as positive as one might be, sometimes it’s hard to keep your spirits up.

Resist!

With grey as a backdrop, fall is also the time to re-discover delicious winter recipes, laze around with a steaming cup of tea and… wear color!

During the cold season, try introducing more color into what you wear. You’ll be surprised how energizing and up-lifting it can be.

Here’s one of my most colorful answers to winter. I bought this coat in Rome during my first pregnancy. It kind of hurt my credit card, but I loved the idea that I was bringing Italian color and warmth back home. I think of it as my piece of Italian sun.

If you’re not quite sure how to combine colors, here are two tips:

Think of nature. A spring garden, a summer meadow, a fall forest: when it comes to color palettes, nobody can argue with nature.

Look at famous paintings and copy their color combinations. Painters spend years studying color. Why not benefit from their knowledge?

If you feel like a bright coat/dress/skirt is too daring, start with accessories. Colorful scarves, necklaces, earrings, shoes and even socks can change a whole outfit!

Have a colorful week and let me know what worked for you.

Antonina