Ode to my Kensington Ugg Boots

Oh how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

I can't really say "ode to" without thinking of the above line!

I've been walking around in my fantastic Ugg boots for the duration of my pregnancy.  I really don't know what I'd have done without them.  They have seen me through this whole winter and now into May and whilst they do look like they've been used, I still think they look fantastic.

In general, any footwear is uncomfortable for me now, mainly because being on my feet, or doing anything is pretty uncomfortable for me now.  My Uggs are definitely the most comfortable footwear though.  They are warm and cosy.  Supportive.  Most of all, they put up with my swelling feet!! I've reached that stage now where my feet, and legs in general are a little swollen but that's no issue for these babies.  I honestly don't know how I'd do the school run without them.

I love the fact they aren't typical Ugg boots in suede.  I don't feel too paranoid about ruining them if it starts to rain and I think the leather is very forgiving to marks.  Mainly the marks caused by a three year old running over my feet on his bike.  This happens ALL THE TIME.

So... after more than 6 months continuous wear, these boots are still going strong.  I love them!  I bought mine from Cloggs.co.uk - they very kindly gave me a discount.  Love Cloggs - always get great customer service from them!!

I've not been asked to write this, it's just genuinely how I feel about these beauties!!

18 week bump - definitely showing.

A quick quick post.... I'm 18+4 now and there is no way you can fail to notice... This week was the first time I ventured out without a coat/jacket covering my bump and as a result my neighbours have started to notice!!! Funny.... Yes, the secret is fully out, the bump is on show.

I think once your bump pops out a bit it starts to get a bit easier to dress it... before that you're stuck in a no mans land where you're a bit too big for your normal clothes, but your bump isn't showing enough for it to be obvious that you're pregnant so you just feel kind of dumpy and don't know what to wear.. I think I'm coming out of that phase now.  I'm still wearing a mixture of maternity and non-maternity.  Generally speaking, I need maternity wear on my lower half, so it's mat jeans and tights.. Many of my dresses and tops still fit over the top quite happily.  It's quite a nice halfway house.  This is my fave look of the week so far... sorry I'm in the loo again!

Tights - Mama @ H&M

Boots - Kensington Uggs via Cloggs.co.uk

Dress - Primark (last year)

Cardi - New Look (earlier this year)

Belt - ebay

Snood - Primark

Hat - H&M (last year)

I've loved finding this dress at the back of my wardrobe... I didn't love it on me before being pregnant (despite adoring the print) but I feel it works really well over the bump, even if it makes the bump look bigger!! H&M Mama tights are a staple... they aren't toooo expensive and seem to be great quality.  I have 3 pairs and layer them up when it's cold.  Best of all are my Uggs though.  I really do love these.  I cannot believe how well they are coping with rain, they haven't stained and have remained watertight.  LOVE them. Comfy and warm as well....

Linking up with the lovely Transatlantic Blonde today :)

17 weeks - time for a festive tee shirt

Howdy folks!

I'm 17+3 today and feeling it.... tiredness still not eased off... my restless leg syndrome has ramped up a gear, I still have a blocked nose most of the day and sleep sitting up.  It's wonderful, I'm really glowing.  NOT.  I just keep thinking about the 20 week scan.  It'll be lovely to reach that "half way point", to know what we're having and hopefully to get a tiny bit more energy!

Although I'm not feeling physically my best, I'm trying hard to keep upbeat.  It helps that Christmas is round the corner, so I'm keeping everything festive.  This includes the annual "bringing out" of my festive tee shirt from Cath Kidston.  I've had it for a few years now, 4 I think, and it comes out every year in the run up to the big day!!  I love this tee shirt, it always makes me smile, and quite often other people as well when they spot it!

I'm afraid my photos are a bit rubbish this week, I took a few when I was in the loo at my local coffee haunt.   yeah, I'm so classy!!  So, my apologies for that!!

Hat - M&Co

Coat - Red Herring Maternity

Tee shirt - Cath Kidston (old)

Jeans - Topshop Maternity (2009)

Kensington Uggs - Cloggs.co.uk

Jewellery - Stella & Dot (you can buy via me, stylist I.D. 145279)

My jeans are from my previous pregnancy and I'm still very fond of them. "Pippa" skinny maternity jeans from Topshop. They really are a "true" skinny, a lovely fit. Loved them last time, glad I have them to wear again!! Also really really thankful I bought this hat a few months back because it barely gets above freezing at the moment and it's so handy. Between the faux fur collar on my coat and this hat, I don't need to wear a scarf. I do love my scarves, but sometimes it's easier not to have to worry about grabbing one before leaving on the school run!!

I just want to take this opportunity to say a bit thank you to everyone who reads, comments and follows my blog. It's been about a year since I started to make a huge effort with it and it's paid off. I'm not one of the biggest blogs out there, but I've carved out a nice little niche for myself which I'm happy with. So, thank you for helping making that happen. I hope I can keep at it in the new year!! In the meantime, I feel I need a break from all things blog, so with Christmas coming up, I hope you won't mind if I take 2-3 weeks off... There's a chance I might feel like I have a quick blog post I want to type up in that time, but just at the moment, the blog is starting to feel a bit like a chore. I know I need a break. Normal service will resume in the new year, when I will be over 20 weeks and hopefully feel refreshed and ready to start again!! Don't abandon me forever and have a lovely lovely Christmas and New Year!!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and and Transatlantic Blonde today.

Bump Fashion - week 15

Slowly I'm getting over this horrible cold and finding a little more energy to dress nicely again.  Thought I still feel like living in PJs really..  I can't bring myself to drop Ethan at preschool or do the food shopping in them though!! I've seen people who do and I'm not a fan... Anyway, I digress.. Today I'm going to show you the other pair of skinny jeans I got from ASOS:

Stripe vest top - Asda

Plain vests - H&M

Batwing top - New Look

Maternity Jeans - ASOS

Kensington Ugg Boots - Cloggs.co.uk

Necklace - charity shop

I love the colour of these jeans, just as I love the green pair.  It's so lovely not to feel drab and dowdy when pregnant.  The only issue I have with both pairs is that they tend to get baggy and fall down.  I'm not sure if that's because I need a size bigger because the legs are quite thin/tight so maybe not staying up as well as they could.  I used the adjustable sides to make them as tight as possible at the top which helps a little but they aren't perfect.  Perhaps I'll buy another pair and try the next size up just for comparison..  For £11 though I'm happy with them.

What do you think of this top?  It's not a maternity top.  It is a bit of an odd item I think, a bit like a net bag or string vest.  I like it enough though.  It's working quite well with my bump I think because it's baggy.  I can wear it over tight vests/tops but not feel like I'm shoving my bump in everyone's face!  It was only a fiver so worth it.

Again I'm rocking my Kensington Uggs from Cloggs.  I am really really loving them.  Over a week of wearing them and they are so comfy and so cosy.  I was wearing them today walking to and from preschool and was very glad of my toasty toes.  They are coping well in rain showers as well.  Love them.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde today :)  Thanks for reading!

Kensington Uggs - my new "go to" boots

I won't deny I like Ugg boots.  I know lots of people hate them, think they are chunky, unattractive and impractical   Each to their own - though I do suspect many people who hold that opinion are basing it on a) fake Uggs they've seen on people, the ones that tend to go baggy and make people scuff along the floor when they walk and b) have never worn a (genuine) pair.  They are just so comfy.

I bought my first pair of Uggs (short classic in a tan colour) when we were on honeymoon in America.  I knew I'd be able to get them for a good price there due to the exchange rate (there's no denying that Uggs are pricey).  I bought them in Macys in San Francisco.  They travelled through 9 different states with us and then came back on the plane, keeping my feet lovely and snugg.  I still have them now and still wear them.  I have looked after them very well and they are still in good condition.  I don't think I could ever part with them due to where they came from and where they've been....

Whilst I love my classic Uggs, it has to be said that they don't fair well in the rain.  I don't wear them in the rain at all.  If it even looks like it might rain, I won't put them on.  Even though they don't go in the rain at all, I still keep them protected with sheepskin protector.  Just in case!  However, I've always lusted after a pair of Ugg like boots that would keep my feet toasty but that I wouldn't have to worry about (so much) in the rain... I then discovered the Kensington Uggs on Cloggs.co.uk.  Now, these are leather boots, not suede and as such, won't go sopping wet in the rain.  I don't suppose you could call them "waterproof" exactly.  They are leather and we all know leather can stain and be affected by water, buuuuuuuuuuuuut they are infinitely more practical that classic suede Uggs.  You can even polish them if you want to make them repel water!

Glasses - Gok @ Specsavers

Earrings - Room.31

Cardigan - New Look (old)

Dress - ASOS Maternity

Necklace & Ring - New Look (old)

Navy tights - H&M Maternity

Kensington Uggs - Cloggs.co.uk

I'd read online that you should by the size up from your normal size, but I didn't because in my experience  when you wear Uggs, the wool inside gets flattened down over time, moulding to your feet and if you buy the next size up, within a couple of weeks you could have a saggy wobbly pair of boots.  I'm glad I stuck with this choice because when they arrived on Monday and I slipped them on, they were perfect.  They went on like a dream, I didn't have to yank and pull to get them on.  They are firmer and hold their shape better than classic Uggs due to the leather being stronger.  I've already worn them out in the rain and they coped well.  I think you'll be seeing a lot of these boots on my blog from now on!!

I couldn't be happier with my new boots!!  I have to say I'm very happy with the customer service I received from Cloggs as well, I've used them quite a few times over the last few years and I've always been pleased.  My packages come quickly, everything is well packaged.  Most of all though, they have great prices.  Their Ugg boots are often a good £20-£25 cheaper than on other sites and they have free postage which helps.

I'm linking up today with Transatlantic Blonde, The Pleated Poppy and Everybody Everywhere.  Thank you for reading! x

***All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.  Cloggs.co.uk very kindly offered me 40% off my new boots in exchange for a feature on my blog***