Spring Maternity Fashion

OK, OK, I know, it's only February, it's still flipping cold and it's not spring.. but the sun has got me feeling a little spring like, so I've been embracing it!

I am 27, nearly 28 weeks pregnant now and getting more and more fed up with maternity clothing.  All my maternity jeans are annoying me now so I'm in skirts/dresses/leggings ALL THE TIME.  Which is fine, but I don't have that many dresses that fit.  Just a few maternity ones.  It's getting to that stage in the pregnancy now where despite being at my biggest (well, obviously I'll be getting bigger, but you know what I mean) and most at need of maternity clothing, it doesn't feel like it's worth buying any more.  I don't know.. I will have to buy some more tights I think because I'm wearing my current ones so much they are getting baggy and I can't hack wearing my normal ones, they make me feel nauseas   I think I need a couple of pairs of new leggings as well, maybe a 3/4 length pair for when it gets a little warmer (remember that heatwave we had last March - what if we have another one of those!) and maybe a coloured pair.. Other than that, I think I'll be trying to make do with what I've got.  That does mean I'll have less to post style wise though, so if I go a bit quiet,  it's only because I don't want to bore you with the same tops/dresses each week!

Yesterday I riffled through my wardrobe and decided to try on one of my pre-pregnancy dresses just in case it fitted.  It did!  Not only that, I think it looked pretty good, and it made me feel spring like, just like I wanted.  I teamed it with my gorgeous bright Stella & Dot scarf (you can buy Stella & Dot via me if you like, just ask!), my denim jacket and my comfy clarks flats.  It felt so nice to bust out some colour and pattern.  My goodness, I'm really missing my regular wardrobe!

Beret - H&M

Sunglasses - TKMaxx

Scarf - Stella & Dot - contact me if you wish to buy!

Jacket - New Look - last summer

Dress - Top Shop (quite old)

Tights - H&M Mama

Shoes - Clarks

Not long now...

Pregnancy wise, I'm feeling the strain.  I am in pain all day and night, it never eases. My hips/pelvis are achy and walking is becoming hard.  I'm not sleeping well... moan moan!  I discovered a horrible varicose vein at the back of my left leg last week which nearly brought me to tears.  I love dresses that are above the knee and can't bare the thought of not being able to get my legs out in the summer, so I'm really hoping that it'll get better once I've given birth.  It should do.  In the meantime, I'm looking for compression tights to help me out... they are £20 a pop though!! Combined with my desperate need for a new bra (my boobs are such an awkward size due to small back/large cupsize) I am going to be bankrupt before this baby gets here...

The nesting is kicking in big time.  I'm itching to get baby's room all sorted out but I can't until we move the sofa out of there.  Don't know when that will be.  I just want to get the sofa out, cot up, chest of draws in, get rid of the old chest of draws, put all the baby clothes away and then get on with the fun stuff - prettyfying the room!! I've got some beautiful artwork and decals to go up.  I need to get some bunting and more shelves... I WANT TO NEST PROPERLY!!

Are you pregnant?  How are you coping? Are you staying stylish?  Let me know!

This post will be linked up with Transatlantic Blonde, The Pleated Poppy, Watch What I'm Wearing, Kiwi Women's Style, Sunday Style @ Plane Pretty and Visible Monday with Pati from Not Dead Yet Fashion.

Bumping with style?!

Hello folks!  Last time I was writing about my lack of (nice) maternity wear and what I would by (from ASOS in particular) if I could afford it.  Well, my Mum very kindly handed my Christmas money last week, so as soon as I'd paid it into my bank account I was straight on the ASOS website.

In the end, I didn't go for quite the same pair of skinny jeans, I found some other pairs that were reduced, so for the price of one pair, I got two, a pair of green skinnies and a purple pair.  I also ordered a stripy short sleeved dress because I thought it'd be more practical than other items and get more wear.  I think I will invest in one gorgeous (smarter) dress soon though.

My purchases arrived on Friday (if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen me post a quick pic of them!) and I'm very very happy.  The jeans are a great fit.  They are a true skinny, so if I get a bit swollen/bigger as I go on, I might have to buy the next size up, but they only cost £11 so I'm fine with that.  When I was pregnant with Ethan, the only skinny maternity jeans I could find were from Topshop and we all know their jeans aren't cheapy cheap (not mega pricey either, but for a pair of jeans you might only wear for a few months, nearly £50 is more than I really want to spend).  The dress is a little longer than I would like, being a shorty, but again, it was in the sale (£12.50) and it may well shorten as it gets taken up by bump!!

The other item I was in desperate need for was a winter maternity coat.  After all, I'm due in May and if you live in the UK, you'll know as well as I do that it can be coat weather long into May (sometimes I never even get round to packing away winter coats!!).  My lovely yellow duffel coat no longer does up, well, not without making me feel like a tightly packed sausage.  It's my boobs more than my bump at the moment, but the bump isn't far behind!  It's too cold not to have a warm coat.   I've been making do with a coat I found in a charity shop 15 years ago.  It's an original 1960s swing coat and is lovely, but a little frail with age and not very warm... I liked the ones on ASOS but had very little budget yet.

Berret - H&M (last year)

Coat - Charity Shop (a long time ago, 60s original)

Dress - Jojo Maman Bebe

Tights - H&M Maternity

Boots - CAT

I'd heard the Debenhams 25% off sale was on though, so took myself down there. My my, for a large department store they have a TINY maternity range.  It was basically one rail at the back of the shop, all Red Herring (which is a decent enough brand, so that's fine!).  There was one coat on the rail.  One.  Size 16 (UK).  I was so disappointed   I knew they'd have more online, but something like a winter coat I really prefer to try on there and then. I did a quick check around the area and then noticed that one the shop dummies was wearing a maternity coat.  I had a feeling it would be my size and thankfully it was!!  I located a shop assistant (whilst asking my friend to guard the coat and "beat off any coat desiring pregnant bitches"!!!) whilst I disappeared   I would have taken the coat off myself, but I couldn't get it passed the arms.  I glad I asked for help in the end because it took two SAs and the removal of the poor dummies' arms!!  It was worth it though, the coat fitted and looked lovely.  It's really soft to the touch as well and has a stylish removable faux fur collar.  I wish I had a full picture of it to show off! I will do soon, I'm sure..

Maternity coat - Red Herring Maternity @ Debenhams

Skinny Jeans - ASOS Maternity

So... all in all, I'm feeling a lot more settled in myself this week.  I'm fully in maternity clothes on my lower half, but at least I have stylish, bright and comfortable items to wear.  This cheers me up no end!!  I'm well passed the 12 week mark (14 weeks today) and my mood seems to be balancing out a bit.  I'm still quite low on energy and I still retch my way through the entire day.  My skin itches and my boobs are sore, but I'm ok!!  I think my bump is a bit smaller - I suspect some swelling/water retention is to blame for the huge bump I was sporting until this week!!

Linking up today with Watch What I'm Wearing, Sunday Style and Visible Monday.

Orla-bout Autumn

I don't know about you, but I think that many of Orla Kiely's patterns are Autumnal, both in colour and pattern.  I suppose it could be because she takes her inspiration from nature, and we all know what beautiful colours Autumn offers us!

When I discovered Uniqlo were doing a collaboration with Orla Kiely, I was super excited . I was also too late to the party and everything was sold out.  Thank goodness for eBay in these situations.  I'm not usually able to afford Orla unless I find bargains or items on sale, but the Uniqlo pieces were being sold at very affordable prices.  Of course, on eBay they'd been hiked up a bit, but for some Orla, in my opinion, still worth it!

I managed to bag myself a scarf/stole for £15 and a dress for £40.  They are both in the same pattern (my favourite I think!) and I'm extremely pleased with both.  Well worth the money I think.  The scarf/stole is excellent quality, nice thick material so it was definitely worth what I paid!  As soon as I opened the package containing my scarf, I put it on and it's remained round my neck most days since!

What do you think?

I think it makes any outfit!!  The above is from a few weeks back when I held a Stella & Dot event at my husband's workplace.  I wanted to look smart.  This dress was a total bargain, £15 from Tesco.  I think it looks far more expensive than that and the fit is fantastic.  This was a very cheap outfit all in all.. but it doesn't look it (well... I think! You tell me!).

Dress - Tesco £15

Cardigan - Room31 £3

Tights - Primark £1

Shoes - Matalan £12

Scarf - eBay £15

Are you lucky enough to own any Orla? Or did you get some from Uniqlo?

Linking up today with Sunday Style, Watch What I'm Wearing and Visible Monday.

xx

Some Autumnal Colours

I'm still a bit behind with things - this outfit is from a couple of weeks ago, so I hope you don't mind me sharing!

I love Autumnal colours, as I've said many times before.. These are some of my favourites to mix together, orange, burgundy and turquoise.  What do you think?

Dress - Primark (last year)

Waistcoat - New Look (years ago)

Belt - Matalan

Top - New Look (last year)

Tights - New Look

Socks - New Look

Boots - CAT

Bracelets - Stella & Dot

Necklace - Charity shop

I'm really starting to love these boots.  I bought them in May with some birthday money, I searched hight and low for a pair of brown boots I liked.  I settled for these and at first I wasn't 100% happy, but I am now I've worn them a lot.  They are comfy and look great with skirts/dresses and jeans I think.  I like that they have a little heel on them, they aren't all that high at all, but I think this small heel makes them more comfortable to wear.  Also makes them a little smarter!  I apologise for my face.  I think I might have to start cutting my face out of photos, it never looks that great!! Ick...

What are you Autumn staples?  Colours? Chunky knits?  I think Autumn really is my favourite season fashion wise..

Linking up today with lots of peeps, Watch What I'm Wearing, Visible Monday and Sunday Style.

Wonderful weekend

We have just had the loveliest weekend.  One day of gorgeous weather, the other a total wash out, but both days have been lovely, just lovely.

Saturday started slowly, I needed a lie in to get over my insomnia ridden Thursday night.  Pete woke me up at about 9:30 am with a herbal tea and a freshly made bacon and brown sauce sarnie. Mmmmm.  I opened up the curtains and the sun was shining down.  Ahhhh!  Now, that's got to be the best way to wake up?!

As it was so beautiful outside, we decided to pick up some picnic provisions and head to one of our favourite National Trust properties, Stourhead.  We've been there so many times, but it's so beautiful and there's so much walking to be done there, we always find something new.  I could never get bored of the fantastic views there.  We got going slowly, so by the time we arrived and had eaten our picnic (by the side of the car!) many people were setting off home.  It was actually quite nice, it was quieter and we felt very relaxed, everyone else was rushing home and we were taking our time.  That's one of the benefits of Ethan being a bit older now and quite often not falling asleep until 9pm.  As he'd slept in the car on the way to Stourhead we felt we had no need to rush home.

We had a lovely stroll around, it was a delight walking with Ethan, he pootled around pretending to vacuum the ground with sticks, as he does!  A couple were getting married there and were having their photos taken so we spied on them from a distance.  What a place to get married, their wedding photos will be beautiful.  I must admit to feeling quite emotional and wistful, seeing them on their wedding day.  It brings back memories, even though our wedding was quite different!

After our walk, we bought Ethan an ice cream and then made the decision to stop at a country pub for supper on our way home.  So nice to make spur of the moment decisions sometimes!

We weren't sure which pub we would stop at, our route to and from Stourhead takes us past quite a few pubs as it's cross country.  In the end, it was Ethan needing the loo that led to us stopping where we did, and we couldn't have been happier.  We ended up at a pub/restaurant called The Mendip Inn and we were SO impressed. The decor was gorgeous, there was a warming log fire (we chose a table right next to it) and the staff were lovely, just the right level of attentiveness without being annoying.  The menu wasn't cheap, but it was sooooo worth it.  Pete and I both chose lasagne and we both agreed it was the best lasagne we'd ever tasted!  Home made pasta, you could tell the meat was great quality and the sauce home made.  Lovely, just lovely.  Ethan chose fish and chips and we were impressed with his as well.  It was from the child's menu but though it was £5 it was a very decent sized portion, two pieces of battered fish (home made batter, no bones found in the fish at all) home made chunky chips and a huge amount of peas.  Ethan ate almost all of it!  They also had the most fantastic range of soft drinks from Orchard Pig - I had pink grapefruit and mint and it was the most morish refreshing drink I've tasted in a long time!

When we left the pub, the sun was setting.  Ethan found that thrilling!! Being out whilst the sun sets!!  The rest of our drive home was fun, we were singing along to songs and enjoying chasing the sunset.  We didn't get home until just before 9pm but Ethan went to bed happily.  It really was one of our happiest family days.

On Sunday we woke to find a very wet day, but we were determined to do something, so headed to Puxton Park, a local farm park we have membership at.  Ethan loves it there.  They have a huge soft play area, but best of all, they have owls!! At weekends they have an "owl encounter" where you can have a go at holding owls.  Ethan and I had done it before but couldn't wait to do it again!  So much fun.  The owls are just beautiful and awe inspiring.  I'm so proud of Ethan, he has no fear when it comes to animals!

After Puxton we headed over to Pete's parent's house for a lovely home made beef pie.  Yummy yummy!!

What a lovely weekend!  I hope you don't mind all the writing today, but it was such a lovely weekend, I wanted to get it down!  I thought I'd share photos of all us so you can see what we all wore over the weekend!!

Did you have a lovely weekend?  Do anything special?

My outfits:

Stourhead: 

Green cord skinnies - Matalan
Cardi - Asda
Stripy t shirt - Primark
Converse

Puxton:

Light brown skinny cords - New Look
Jumper - New Look
Socks - New Look
Pac-a-mac - Cath Kidston


I'm linking up with Sunday Style and Watch What I'm Wearing.

If you've managed to read this far down, well done! I have one more thing I want to mention.  I run a weekly linky called Trendy Toddler Tuesday where I show off Ethan's outfits and encourage others to link up with that their babies/toddlers/children have been wearing.  I'm trying to grow this linky, at the moment only about 6 people join in each week.  If you have trendy children and want to show them off, please consider linking up with me on Tuesdays!  Thank you!!

I'm spinning around...

This outfit I actually meant to share the other week, but totally forgot.  I'm amazed really, because this ensemble made me so happy! I am a big fan of dresses and skirts which lend themselves to twirling and spinning around, and this skater dress from Room31 definitely does that.

 
When it first arrived after ordering, I was a bit concerned it was too big, but with a belt (which it does come with!) it was perfect.  It's actually a really nice fit.  The quality is excellent, it was a bargain in their sale, reduced from £15 (still a steal!) to £10.  It feels like it cost way more than that.  I wore one of my net skirts underneath to pad it out.  It worked brilliantly!  Room31 had this in navy as well... wish I'd bought it.  Both are out of stock now. They do have some other prints still available though, and for £10 still!  I teamed my dress with a cropped cardigan also from Room31 and also in the sale.. I think it was a fiver.. Another bargain, I really love it.  A cropped cardi is an essential in my wardrobe I think, it's a useful coverup but without being too bulky.  They are great with dresses because they look neat and smart.

I know, I'm shoe-less... excuse me.  I wore it out with my clarks flats which I often wear because they are smart yet comfy.

I'm rocking some Stella & Dot bling, the Olivia Bib necklace which I adore and some bangles (which are mixed in with a job lot from New Look and my charm bracelets).

What do you think?  This was a really fun outfit, I thought!

Dress - Room31

Cardi - Room31

Bracelets - charms, newlook & Stella & Dot

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Ring - Local boutique

Nails - Collection 2000

Linking up with Watch What I'm Wearing, Visible Monday & #YoLo Mondays.