Celebrity pregnancy and babies don’t do much, if anything for me.  I don’t eagerly scan the tabloid magazines to see how fat/thin/bloated etc they become, nor do I care how quickly they get their bodies back after baby.  In fact, I actually feel quite sorry for them.  They are, after all, just regular women, with the pressure of the world’s media waiting to pounce on any unflattering moment with their telephoto lenses. 

Miranda Kerr was different.  Something about her journey drew me to her and I loved watching as she blossomed with her pregnancy. Whether professionally shot, like the Vogue pictures, or snapped by paparazzi as she went about her day, she looked radiant, healthy and truly happy to be pregnant.  The picture she released this week, of her lying down and breastfeeding her son, is one of the most touching celeb baby photos I’ve seen in a long time.

Already, as the picture is shared on social media sites, opinion is divided.  Most of us think it’s a beautiful image, but some, just can’t resist getting sarcastic and calling her out for wearing a bit of lipstick and foundation.  Imagine for a second if a picture taken of you and your newborn was not destined only for the computer screens and photo frames of your friends and relatives, but was going to be plastered around the world on every available media and seen by millions?  I’d whack on some lippy too! Look at your Facebook profile picture.  Would you intentionally load up a shot taken when you were tired, sans makeup or that made you look like you had a double chin?  Heavens No!  Sure, she’ll have some not so glamorous moments.  Of course she’ll have times when she has no idea what she’s doing, but she’s no different to the rest of us.  It’s the images that capture the joy and bliss of motherhood that we want to share, not the ones that catch us looking dazed and confused.

In a time when breastfeeding rates are at an all time low, beautiful images like this help to show women, who may never have seen a baby being breast fed, how beautiful it can be; how wonderful it is to lie beside your child as they nurse.  I’ll bet there are no baby sleep training books on the Kerr coffee table!  For those of us who share similar beliefs and attachment parenting styles, it’s nice to finally see someone, ‘on our team’, proudly sharing their journey!

I’m happy that Miranda, an advocate for natural, organic living, was fortunate enough to have the drug free birth she planned. Birth is one of those things; the drug free delivery you hope for, isn’t always the one you get.  She has every right to be proud and vocal about delivering her 4.5kg son without drugs. It isn’t bragging, nor is she trying to make us mere mortals feel inferior. It’s simply her birth story.  We all have one.  Women need to hear more stories like this to empower and prepare them to birth naturally.

I’d much rather see a supermodel wearing lipstick as she lies in bed breastfeeding her son than cheesy, staged family shots with everyone wearing white and at least one shot of the celeb Dad, shirtless, holding his child.  As we all pass comment and judgement on this one little photo, Little Master Kerr-Bloom is blissfully unaware. Safe, attached, loved; as it should be.  Congratulations Miranda and Orlando, enjoy your little blessing.

Since having my baby, my list of must haves, (indispensable items to look and feel together enough to face the world), has simplified from many, to few.  Now, all I need is concealer, peach lip gloss, a great pair of jeans and my much loved, buttery soft, tan leather handbag.  But with babies, comes stuff and to my horror, it was soon apparent that this bag just didn‘t have the room I needed. That I would have to carry around, *cringe*, a nappy bag.  Not exactly the statement bag of choice!

Here to save us from mumsy totes, are Il Tutto Nappy Bags.  Gorgeous, practical leather nappy bags that look exactly the same as a regular luxe bag, yet hold all the accoutrements that come with baby, in designer, “Oh my God I must have one!”, enviable style.  Cleverly designed to contain a removable, washable lining,  Il Tutto bags can literally contain everything! Nappies, bottles, change mat, snacks, and a favourite soft toy, means baby is taken care of.  External pockets for your car keys, mobile phone, lip gloss and emergency chocolate stash, means you are taken care of.  Given that the bags can be used long after the baby years as an uber-stylish handbag, I’d say an investment in a bit of nappy bag style is the least we can do for ourselves.  
Now, the hard part, which one?  ‘Nico’ (as carried by Dannii Minogue) with it’s edgy, patent look?  Or the classic, two toned Layla?  Maybe the Mia in red?  Decisions, decisions.   

Lucie Trinco, director and designer of Il Tutto, shares some of her style tips and her favourite Il Tutto bag with us in this designer profile.

My personal style is relaxed with an edge. I try and make things as easy as possible and usually opt for a fabulous dress and then throw on some accessories - be it a statement necklace, fabulous pair of shoes or an oversized bag - Currently I am carrying the Nico!.
 

The things I cant live without would have to be my iphone, my Olivia wristlet to carry all my essentials and most importantly although they are not things, I could not live without my amazing family.
 

What lead to the creation of Il Tutto? I had been designing handbags for various brands over the past 10 years including most recently as head designer at Oroton when my friends started having babies. I went to buy them a baby bag and I could not find one that I would want to carry. I knew then there was a market for a stylish leather alternative as not all mums want to carry a printed nappy bag that screams "New Mother". Hence Il Tutto was born! That was 4 years ago now and now we are sold around the globe and there has been no looking back - I love it!
 

My favourite Il Tutto bag (at the moment as it changes weekly!) is the Nico. I love that its large and oversized so I can throw all of Frankie and my items into one bag including bulky toys. It also makes a great travel bag and is the perfect onboard companion. I am also excited to start using the new Portofino beach bags now the weather is getting warmer - I will be the chicest mum on the beach!
 

In 10 years time I would love Il Tutto to be available in every country around the world and be the baby bag that all new mums want to be carrying.

Invest in some style! Check out the range of Il Tutto mothers bags here.
 

Here’s where you will find the latest pics of celebrities and their strollers, with accompanying special comments. We will try and keep the special comments to a minimum as we know that noone finds us anywhere near as witty as we do.

This one features ex-90210 star Tori Spelling pushing what appears to be a pumpkin in her Stokke Xplory stroller.  We are sure there is a story behind the pumpkins (early halloween shopping, perhaps?). Either way we think she looks pretty cool, thanks to her “wheels”.

Stokke Xplory is a popular celebrity stroller choice these days, but this doesn’t stop Stokke carrying out their own market research to enable continuous improvement on this superior stroller. The company recently carried out such research on their target demographic and found that customisation was an important feature when purchasing a stroller as well as accessories, Always one to listen to the market, Stokke have just launched two new patterned accessory kit to both personalise and brighten up your Stokke Xplory.

The Forest Cream (as preferred by actress Minnie Driver) features an elegant mix of blues and reds. Let your baby create its own fairytale based on the animals in the forest!

The Forest Olive features vibrant and plaful reds, yellowa, oranges and greens. The colours and patterns were created with the child’s imagination in mind, making their everyday stroll more exciting.

We’re so excited when Stokke release anything new to their range, and these fun accessory kits and footmuffs are no exception. Yay Stokke!