Fashion news - Jean-Paul Gaultier to leave Hermés

For all the Hermés lovers out there, you might be interested to know - French luxury house have announced that Jean-Paul Gaultier is to step down as its women's ready-to-wear designer and will be succeeded by Lacoste artistic director Christophe Lemaire.

Gaultier wants to concentrate on his own brand after seven years with Hermés. His last collection for spring-summer 2011 will be presented in October while Lemaire's first autumn/winter 2011 collection for Hermès will be presented next spring. 

I am also going to take this Hermés moment to show you one of my big loves..The Collier de Chine. I know it is not the latest accessory even though they have launched new versions in leather and solid silver but it is a classic and sadly still on my wish list!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! 

Another snippet of fashion news: Sarah Burton has been appointed creative director of the Alexander McQueen brand. She had worked in the design studio with Lee Alexander McQueen since 1996 and had been Head of Design - Womenswear since 2000. So it looks like the brand will be in good hands..

Inspirational Moms - Kirsty Bertarelli

It was exciting to have a night out last night with my husband, we were invited to see a small showcase concert of Kirsty Bertarelli at the Kaufleuten in Zurich. Vip tickets I might add:) 

Kirsty is a talented song writer and singer and now at 38 and 3 children she has made her dreams come true and launched her own album called Elusive. You might have heard her hit song on the radio "Don`t say" or the song "Black Coffee" which she wrote for the group All Saints. It was a very personal concert with her family cheering her own next to us...she sang a sweet song which she wrote for her little girl which got me all choked up...unfortunately the only song I will be singing for Sebastian is a good night lullaby.... although you never know!!!:)) 

She did a fabulous job, great voice and she looked amazing! She was wearing one of my favorite designers at the moment, Balmain. Incredible sequin pants and killer boots both selling at www.netaporter.com. Pants are over £3000 so you better be in the mood for a serious fashion splurge!

Some MORE things to note and buy for your new born...

• Sebastian`s godmother said to me... think of the first 3 months as your 4th trimester, which I thought is a good way to look at it.. as you are house bound, breast feeding and trying to catch up on sleep while creating a quiet and comfortable environment for your baby to thrive in.  So all quite demanding and therefore wonderful to have some help, especially the company of your Mom over this time. 
• Have heating and cooling pads at home.. a hot water bottle or bag of frozen peas will do ....yet I received a very practical and cute gift - The nursing elephant :) he can be warmed up in the oven or cooled in the fridge .. perfect for very soar breasts and babies tummies. www.goodiesofdesire.de They have lots of fun and cute shapes.

My nursing Elie! - Goodies of desire

• Sleep when your baby sleeps...you will learn this very fast or become a walking zombie! 
• Play a musical teddy on your tummy in the 3rd trimester of your pregnancy, your baby will recognise the tune once he or she is born... Sebastian is immediately calrmed every time I play the teddy.
• Buy a few dummies (pacifiers) as you will drop them or your baby will spit them out and you will need to keep sterilizing them... so best to have a few... popping them back in your babies mouth could earn you another hour of sleep which is like gold!
• Stock up on the basics.. at the end of my pregnancy Philipp was entertained by my need to buy in bulk.  Although once the baby arrives your don't have time to think about shampoo, toilet paper etc.  Buying in bulk is also part of your need to nest and organize.. a pure sign you will be going into labour soon...If you start cleaning down the kitchen cupboards then you are really about to pop!

I would love to share any great tips which helped you during the first couple of weeks with your new born. Email me at highheelsandnappies@gmail.com

Sex and the City 2 - Carries clover pendant trend!

We loved the horse shoe pendant and of course the classic "Carrie" necklace....now the 4 leaf clover will be the next motif to love!! Carrie wears the necklace as a symbol of her good fortune.

Patricia Field, the SATC fashion stylist is selling replicas on her website already www.patriciafield.com
So let the hunt begin for your perfect good luck Clover necklace!

Sex and the City 2....Sneak peak at Accessories!!

Just another week to wait till we can indulge in another fabulous Sex and the City movie..... fashions most anticipated sequel!! 

Trends and accessory directions are already being analyzed and sourced from on set pictures and here are a few to get you excited for whats in store!
The fashion extravagance travels from New York to Abu Dhabi with lots of exotic, oversized and tribal inspired accessories influenced by the Middle East, Morocco and India.

Patricia Field, the very talented stylist, focuses on each characters personal style...seeing trends in various interpretations from the more conservative to the ultra fashion statement.

So girls, start sourcing some ornate jewellery for an exotic summer!!! 
Click on the picture to enlarge.

Some things to note and buy for your new born....

• The contractions can continue several days after you have had your baby....yip the pain continues..so don`t feel bad to ask for pain killers.
• Turn your phone off during the Birth:) 
• Amazing how fast you forget about the pain once you see your baby.
• Breast feeding is an art! Make sure you get a long breast feeding cushion and somebody shows you how to position your baby properly. It is key to support your back and to have your baby at the right height. 
• Rent or borrow a breast pump....helps stimulate your milk and good to get your baby used to the bottle starting from the early weeks so you can be able to hit the town again:)
• Organize a mid wife to come to your house just after you get home from the hospital. It is a great peace of mind as you will have lots of questions...mine was a life saver! In Switzerland a number of visits are covered by your insurance but even if you have to pay for it it is worth it.
• You are 10 Kgs lighter after the first week.
• Buy lots of simple cosy baby grows which button all the way down the front for the first couple of weeks... I ordered all these fabulous Ralph Lauren clothes and most are too small or a nightmare to get on. If you do order from Ralph Lauren, note the sizes are small and best to order from 6 months!
• Baby monitor - def. worth buying and again gives you peace of mind that you can hear your baby if she or he cries making you a more relaxed Mom. I generally find it more useful during the day.
• Don`t go and buy millions of new born nappies, wait until your baby is born as Sebastian grew out of new born nappies in the first 2 weeks.
• Buy an Avent sterilizer...some people think it is easy to boil water on the stove but I personally find the sterilizer such a great help.  
• Buy disposable nappy changing mats to cover your changing pillow..especially if you have bought a nice fabric one. It prevents numerous trips to the washing machine esp. if you have a boy as they love to pee when you least expect it!
• Make sure you can dim the lights in your babies room...important for night time breast feeding when you want your baby to remain in a relaxed state and go back to sleep as quickly as possible.

Tartine et Chocolat

The very chic French children`s brand "Tartine et Chocolat" is one of my favorites. They have just gorgeous furniture, accessories and clothing. Have a look at their website www.tartine-et-chocolat.fr
I received their beautiful mobile as a gift and it is so pretty.... I love the fact the attachment is painted wood and not plastic!! 

Some other great accessories such as the matching play mat for the very fashion co ordinated Moms:):

Claudia Schiffer - naked pregnant Vogue cover

Claudia Schiffer photographed by Karl Lagerfeld for the cover of Vogue, Germany.

"My first Vogue cover twenty years ago was a very special moment and I'd never have thought that doing this edition with Vogue would give me such a similar buzz," Schiffer explained. "It was important to us to show how beautiful it is to be a woman and that you can have a positive attitude towards your body, including when you're expecting."

Any brave expecting Mom`s out there who are willing to create their own Vogue cover?:))

The Met Costume Institute Gala 2010

Parties and red carpet events seem a million miles a way from my world of breast feeding and nappy changing... but there is one party I would kill to go to and that would be the Met Costume Institute Gala event. 

The annual Gala Benefit took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last Monday. It was hosted by Oprah Winfrey, Patrick Robinson of the Gap, and Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue. The theme was American Women: Fashioning A National Identity, based, as ever, on a Costume Institute exhibition by the same name.

It is a party where the who`s who are seen embracing fashion. Key trends are identified and I highlighted below some of my favorite looks to inspire, even though it will be a while till I am ready to hit the red carpet:)

Shape Trends:

• Variations on a Roman theme - elegant empresses draped in flowing layers.
• Fairytale - nipped waists contrasted against heavily puffed mesh and tulle skirts
• Flirty mini`s - shorter lengths give a modern twist on the red carpet. One-shoulder designs with added flirty ornamentation in feathers, ruffles and pleats

Colour Trends:

• White  - a key story for Spring Summer 10 
• Deep, intense shades of navy and sapphire provided a sophisticated alternative to black. Brighter shades ranged from royal cobalt to azure, creating more of an aquatic feel.
• Metallics, always glamorous.

Introducing Sebastian Emil Steinberger

Finally, my beautiful baby boy Sebastian is here!! 

Born on April 29th 2010, 16:41pm, 4.2kgs and 55cm long.

I was induced on the 28th April, 11pm and by 4am the following morning contractions had started and slowly built to a peak around lunch time...I don't think you can really describe how painful it is, not to scare anyone, but it is the truth! So after trying acupuncture, a deep pressure back massage and some serious breathing techniques I had to have the epidural... it was time!! What an amazing sense of relief, I didn`t even feel the needle, it was a walk in the park after the contractions! 

I then delivered Sebastian naturally...  it was the most incredible experience. There was no terrible pain or screaming and he breezed out 40 minutes later. So hopefully reading this will calm some nerves of expecting Mom`s. Yet, have to say it would have been very different without the epidural so make sure you get to the hospital on time!!

Seeing Sebastian for the first time was the most surreal and indescribable moment of my life. I could not believe the powerful love which completely overwhelmed me when holding him in my arms for the first time. Philipp and I spent the next hours just starring at him in total adornment. We felt so proud and could not believe that we had created something so perfect, he is just such a special gift.

Minutes after the birth - Sebastian with his very tired and happy Mom