I just adore these silver hand engraved name tags that can be worn as a pendant on a bracelet or necklace on your choice of silver chain or leather cord in your favourite colour. I received a bracelet with my children’s names as a gift and I love it (thanks Jules!). I am about to place a couple of orders for my friends and my sister- who just had her 3rd baby.

The company is ELLE S’APELLE- the founder happens to be a friend, Julie, who hand engraves and makes each bespoke piece. Each item is beautifully gift wrapped and sent in a white branded box with her signature ribbon- making it the perfect gift.

Here is her link- have a look! www.ellesappelle.co.uk

Celebrity fan Gwen Stefani has been photographed in Isabella Oliver whilst on another outing.

Click here to see a picture.

Gwen wears our Wrap Around Top in black teamed with a Bohemian patterned skirt.

Gwen has also kindly donated one of her Isabella Oliver pieces for a charity auction. You can bid on this or other celebrity Isabella Oliver pieces at Clothes Off Our Back

We wish her well for the rest of her pregnancy.

We are experiencing some lovely weather at the moment. Make the most of your sun-kissed shoulders with our Wrap Column Dress and accessorise with Grecian flair.

We absolutely adore these gorgeous goddess pieces from chic jeweller Astley Clarke, and they make the ideal accompaniments to our floor length favourite.

A statement bracelet is a summer must-have and the San Andreas Gold Cuff is our arm accessory of choice. Its unique cut-out design adds a hint of summer to our pieces and dresses up our classic styles with ease.

For those that prefer a dramatic décolletage, the Flora Gold Necklace is ideal. Wear our dress as a bandeau and compliment your neckline with this stunning option.

All jewellery is currently available from www.astleyclarke.com

When the days are breezy and the nights turn cool wrap up in a bright scarf. Diane Von Furstenberg’s Floral Print Scarf will add vibrancy to classic black or white. Another fabulous way to inject colour into your summer wardrobe.

We’re pretty envious of the glorious weather sweeping across the USA at the moment. Here in the UK sun and summer temperatures seem to come and go as they please. Not to worry, we can still admire gorgeous footwear for those unexpected warm hazy days and relaxed summer evenings. We’ve picked shoes that offer chic comfort throughout pregnancy without having to compromise on style...

For an effortless daytime look try Miu Miu’s Stone Embellished Sandals (left), or team jeans and our Cap Wrap Blouse with these nautical Allie wedges by Kors by Michael Kors (right).

Day to evening elegance does not have to be stressful. We love these Belle by Sigerson Morrison Brooch-front Ballerina Flats (left) for relaxed glamour and Chloe’s black Patent Leather Sandals look great worn with The Audrey Dress. Simply add a statement cuff for Grecian Flare. All shoes are currently available online at Net-a-porter.

Let us know what you think by clicking on Comments below...

We hope you enjoy the sun.

Chanel's 08 AW show featured these fabulous monochrome tights. We love them. Obviously summer still has to come and go before these are available.

Hi,

Baukjen here. I thought I'd just share a bracelet I am loving: the Chunky Nautical Link Bracelet by CC Skye. Available at MyWardrobe.com. Love it with white tops.

Hi,

as the weather is finally warm here in London, the boots have gone in the wardrobe and our summer shoes have come out. I'm loving these gold Tory Burch flip flops that I bought in New York a few weeks ago. They are also available in a brown leather version. They are available at one of our favourite fashion etailers Net-a-Porter who ship worldwide.

Hi,

Baukjen here. Vanessa and I received some presents last week from the Guy Collection for our boys. We've just unpacked them and they sent us some really cute, good quality, fun hoodies. We always struggle to find clothes we like for our boys. We find girls clothing very easy but for some reason for boys it's more difficult. If you have boys, we recommend you look at their catalogue or website www.guycollection.co.uk. Thank you Donna for the presents, the boys will enjoy them and good luck with your business!

Me again. maybe, it the weather changing finally (could that be the sun???!!), but I am on a shoe thing at the moment and thought I would just share with you our favourite (flat) sandal for Spring. If you buy 1 sandal- do make it the gladiator- a big statement this season, we love them worn with the Isabella Oliver Spring Collection. Here are some of our favourites. I know which ones I want!

Antik Batik jewelled flat sandals, Available on asos.com

Oasis flat gladiator sandals. Available on asos.com

Asos snake gladiator sandals, also available on asos.com

Kurt Geiger gladiator sandals. Available on kurtgeiger.com

Tory Burch gladiator sandals. Available on netaporter.com (who also deliver to most countries, including the US)

Bye for now. I had better get back to work! Will be back soon though with more shopping inspiration! V x

Hello, shoe girl here. I am dedicating this blog to the ladies who have written and called in asking where they can find the black and white shoes pictures in our Spring Brochure and on the website (shown below on our Swing Dress). Unfortunately, we have checked and this style is no longer available so I have had a surf around (any excuse to shoe shop!) and have come up with a few alternatives, available here and in the U.S. I have thrown in the the Miu Miu tri-colour shoe for a fun twist and a nod to this seasons' statement shoe trend.

The Swing Dress from Spring/Summer '08

Circa Joan and David, available at Nordstroms.com (USA)

Michaela, Michael Kors. Available at nordstroms.com (USA)

D &G, Navy and White Shoe. Available at mywardrobe.com (UK)

Ted baker Peep Toe Buckle Detail Shoe. Available at kurtgeiger.com (UK)

Kurt Geiger Bolt Sling Back. Available at kurtgeiger.com

Pierre Hardy Black and White Peep Toe Shoe. Available at matchesfashion.com

Miu Miu Tri Color Platforms. Available at netaporter.com

Have fun shopping!

V x

It seems that bows are big this season for both day and evening wear. We spotted this article in last week's Grazia and loved Kate Winslet's chic strapless little black dress.

If you're looking for something similar, the shape of the Satin Bow Dress will flatter pregnancy curves, whilst the sumptuous black satin bow ensures you are right on trend.

Today, Lucia van der Post, one of Baukjen's favourite fashion journalists (who has just brought out a wonderful book), has an article in today's The Times featuring Isabella Oliver.

She recommends the Isabella Oliver Grace Coat, in response to a reader’s dilemma over what to wear as a pregnant wedding guest. The article also features a gorgeous sketch of the Grace Coat by David Downton.

See our Wedding category for more stylish ideas.

Hi, Vanessa, Shoe Girl here,

The party season is coming and some of us are faced with a shoe dilemma... We all want to look and feel glamorous but what to do when you just can't face standing and dancing all night in sky- high heels- no matter how fabulous and "Louboutin" they are, especially when you are pregnant! We don't want to feel dressed down or frumpy just because we are wearing flats, yet we don't want to compromise our style for comfort (no, never do that!!).

Well, the "Fancy Flat" is here, it ie everywhere ,and so IN this season. They are pretty and feminine and far from frumpy. Here are few of our favourites.

Hi! Vanessa here with the tip of the week! Like the sound of that- would love to keep it up (I will try!)!!

Colour. Yes, we adore black black here, which is still very much on trend and always will be (I write as I sit here in everything black), but we are just loving head to toe tonal colour or working in the brights with fabulous accessories as a great accent to black. If you haven't already done so, why not invest in a pair of magenta satin heels or a shiny, brightly coloured patent bag, or simply colourful tights with skirts or dresses...?

have a look..

Have fun with it!

Kisses,

V x

This week we received the Autumn Winter brochure from London based children's clothing designer No Added Sugar. Vanessa and I find it very hard to buy clothes for boys and No Added Sugar have really cool edgy clothes that we're excited to buy. It is expensive and not for everyone's budget but it is really fun to make a statement once in a while.

Isabella Oliver has just been featured on instyle.com - a great a favourite of ours!

They’ve teamed the Hepburn Jacket and the Garbo Trousers in white for a sharp, tailored maternity look.

Click here to take a look at In Style.

It’s great to see maternity clothes featuring on mainstream fashion sites showing that you can find maternity wear that fits with your personal style rules while you’re pregnant, which of course is one of our top style tips. Click here to read our other maternity style secrets…

Hi, Vanessa, shoe queen here.

Just had to show you these shoes. I HAD to buy them but I am still not sure whether they are really fab or just way over the top and weird(even for me)- wearing them around the house, I had to laugh, my daughter Isabella asked me if they light up!
Just in case you're wondering, I got them at Zara (on the Kings Road). Loving Zara at the moment- there is not enough said about them I think. They have such a great collection and there is always some thing to suit everyone and the quality is very impressive AND they have just gone on sale so GO! One style they have done well with this season is the Trench coat in different colours, shapes, lengths. The trench, much to my huge dissappointment has turned out to be this season's must-have item (for me anyway)! Wear it over your must-have shift dress!

Enjoy the summer and stay dry!

V xx

Hello, Vanessa here. I have been shopping all over for summer shoes and I am just loving these Louboutin sling back espadrilles that I thought I’d tell you about. They come in black and red canvas and gold satin.

When you live in black and white (like myself), it is a great way to add a pop of colour. There are also gorgeous lace up the leg versions of this style. They would look great worn with our Ruched Tank dress, or the Bandeau Wrap Top and Hipster A-line or Pencil skirt.. hhhmmmmmmmmmm…

Where’s my credit card?!!!

Vx

Hi, Baukjen here. A few days ago Vanessa and I were at Net-a-Porter.com where Vanessa and I met the designer Phillip Lim and saw his Autumn Winter Collection which is absolutely fantastic. He is a favourite of many people in New York and looking at his aw collection, we both thought it was well deserved. We spent some time with Nathalie (Nathalie Massenet is the founder of Net-a-Porter) and she is one of our favourite business women. In our opinion, whilst the company sells high priced fashion and so doesnt suit everyone's budget, it sets the standard for other web companies at all fashion price levels. What an impressive company and woman! We hope that they continue their success as it really is an inspiration and well deserved.

At Isabella Oliver, we all wear lots of Isabella Oliver clothing whether we are pregnant or not. Today Vanessa is wearing one of her favourites, the Ruched Cowl on black skinny jeans and I'm wearing the Sweater Tunic on opaque tights with ankle boots. For all our customers who have bought these items, please wear and enjoy them after your pregnancy as they look really great too without a bump. Vanessa & Baukjen

My friend Debra is 6.5 months pregnant and sat for a portrait for a friend of hers - alice billett - who is currently preparing a show to include 21 women of influence of the 21st century. She will be exhibiting in Dulwich Picture Gallery in January 2007 in London. Debra wears the raspberry ruffle wrap dress and we are very proud of the end result!

Hi Susan here. Baukjen and I both bought a pair of sexy heels at ASOS.com The heels arrived and everyone's been trying to walk at them here at Isabella Oliver. They're pretty high so it looks like you've had one too many when walking in them. When Vanessa saw them she said "Great Toe Cleavage" which had us all in stitches. A new word for our vocabulary.

Our friend Lisa Quinn launched a new collection on her new website and of course our kids are now wearing the pieces. We went our on Saturday and a few people asked where we'd bought them so hopefully this is a sign of a good season for Snuglo! Here's a picture of my boys wearing two of her pieces. As always Vanessa and I wish her all the best!

I know it is freezing out there but in here it is time for spring!!! I flew to Holland with the new pieces and met the creative team at the studio who were raring to go. We have a new model who we are so excited about, her name is Annemarieke and she is as nice as she is beautiful (what a shame- I really hate when that happens!!). It was a long day but all went well and the pictures turned out FAB, so well done Martine, and Froukje (our sister photograher/stylist team)!!

So stay tuned- new catalogue and Spring collection are due out on the 6th of March! Hope you like them as much as we do!

Froukje, Isabella Oliver's stylist, gave me a gorgeous scarf for my birthday which is made by another stylist in Holland. I love it. Here's a picture.