Iiiiiiiikea that’s good.

Another friends quote!
You know it?

Yesterday we went to Ikea even though I had an actual nightmare about Ikea only this week where they’d added 4 floors and to get to the bedding section and you had to leave the store and cross the road. I mean it’s not the most hellish nightmare I’ve ever had but it was very frustrating.

Well who says dreams can’t come true?

Off we went to invest in good pillows. That’s what you do when you’re a proper grown up. You buy pillows. It’s not good enough to have the ones you picked up from your mum’s house over the years. I recently realised I’ve never bought a pillow in my life, yet we have loads of them! And they’re all flat and old.

Well that’s probably enough about pillows.

My outfit for this little trip was my skinnies from H&M (I told you if I had some new black skinnies they would transform my life) and my stretchy stripey top from Primark which you’ve seen before. I added knee high boots which I got years ago in Dune. At the time they were an extravagant birthday AND Christmas present from my mum..but they’re still knocking about 6 years later so who’s laughing now?

I also wore this cool reversible blanket scarf my mum got me in Primark. I was really too hot to wear it though.

I accessorised with a rope necklace from Accessorize and my chunky charm bracelet. And a glass of wine.

And that’s it!

After Ikea I made my own pizzas!
Here’s a photo.

Best pizza I ever ate.

Casual Friday!

I actually hate the concept of casual Friday. Either your job is the sort which means you can dress casually or it isn’t.  But I did happen to wear jeans today so I suppose I’m just another denim clad hamster on the corporate wheel. I do dress quite scruffily a lot of the time though.

Anyway, this outfit is inspired by some pictures of pregnant people I liked on Pinterest. On Pinterest all the pictures of pregnant style involve blazers and knee high boots with jodhpurs or leggings or skinny jeans.

I’ve got the blazer and the skinnies but didn’t think boots would look very worky..plus it’s absolutely boiling every day from about 10am to 6pm…outside of those times it’s freezing and foggy. It’s my yearly autumnal nightmare! Woo! I’m dreaming of crisp frosty weather.

So..I’m wearing black skinny “treggings” from H&M, a black top from Zara, stolen from mum (this top is now too short to wear, I realised this today, due to the bump), a navy tweed blazer from Zara, necklace from Zara and brogues from Asos.

Also got a manicure last week and a new cute heart ring from Accessorize.

I’m not sure I missed a career in hand modelling eh?

And that’s that!
In other news, the yoga has totally cured my bad back. Well, that’s an exaggeration. I’m still a bit hobbly and uncomfortable but I’m not writhing in agony all night and I have stopped taking paracetamol! It’s a yogamiracle.

I also made a few friends at yoga..we swapped names and are going to go for a walk when the babies come. That’s the kind of shit you do when you get a baby innit? Go for a walk with your yoga buddy.

Ok ciao for now!

I’m dreaming of a stripey t shirt.

Today’s outfit came to me in a dream. Last week was difficult for me, dressing for the weather-wise. I was bloody boiling almost every day..wearing autumnal (one of my fave words) outfits cos it was so cold and dark when I got dressed..not today!

This outfit is so comfy…it isn’t that smart for work but I’m pretty lucky in that I can dress quite casually..now that I’m getting bigger and bigger as well, I’ve made it quite clear that my colleagues need to appreciate that I’ll wear what fits and won’t make me hot..I can’t be worrying about being smart too..

So I’ve got on a maxi dress that I got in H&M about 3 years ago..maybe even 4! I picked it up one day when I didn’t like my outfit..it was only 12 quid..I bought a large which was always too big and meant I had to wear it with a belt, slightly gathered. Now that I’m really large around the middle, it fits really well! Plus the bra I bought for my ever expanding boobs, from Victoria’s Secret, has a cross back. The dress has a racer back so fits all together perfectly.

Over the top of the dress (couldn’t wear it just as is, cos it’s very booby..but you’ll see more of it when I go on holiday to Malta in a few weeks) is a Topshop nautical t-shirt which I’ve had a while. I’ve added a belt from Topshop (also old) and brown Chelsea boots from Topshop last winter. They’re soooo comfortable and versatile..in my dream, I knew they would go with this outfit but I had to get my mum to hem my dress to ankle length first. It was full length before and I wish I’d done this years ago….looks much better.

Top tip huh? Buy ill fitting clothes and one day many years later they may fit perfectly!

And there you have it.

Here’s a picture of me pretending to look at a map.

The Saga of the Skinny Jeans

What? Two blogs in two days? What is this madness? Well…remember how I wanted some black skinny jeans and my life would be better when I got them? Well I got some! It’s been a roller coaster journey but I made it. Phew. I haven’t been blogging much cos I basically ran out of good outfits to show you…but here we are at last! I feel complete.

I have been trying to find a good pair for weeks, all the ones I liked on Asos were sold out in my size, I finally bought a pair and when they came they looked RANK. Hours spent browsing online, hope turning to despair.

I found a pair on H&M…but their delivery policy promised delivery in FIFTEEN DAYS PLUS 4 QUID POSTAGE. Plus I had already complained about their delivery policy and promised them that I would NEVER SHOP WITH THEM AGAIN. So I couldn’t go crawling back now.

Then…on Thursday, after a day spent facilitating a workshop in a hot sauna, I popped into H&M “just on the off chance” and there, in the maternity section were the beloved and much ogled black “treggings”…Which I’m assuming is trousers and leggings…when in actual fact they are jeans and leggings and should be called jeggings. Or jeans. Whatevs.

You must have all been on the edge of your seats there..I know my heart was racing just reliving it.

But on to the outfit!

Today I’m meeting my friend Lucie for brunch. I love fucking love brunch. So much. Dan and I spent 3 weeks in America last year and we went out for brunch EVERY DAY. Woo brunch! I basically hate English cooked breakfast…I like it when you’re served something weird in the morning like a chicken and avocado egg scrambler, with fries and a bagel and a pint of coffee.

Anyways…later on after that I’m meeting friends for an early curry and a film so I needed an outfit which would be comfy but a bit cool. Also cool literally cos it’s cloudy with a chance of meatballs today but it’s still humid.

So I’ve got on my JEGGINGS from H&M, a grey t shirt from Topshop, pre-maternity, converse trainers and a chunky necklace from Zara.

And there you have it!

Off I go…btw I’m on a train right now and a posh girl is on the phone behind me telling a very indignant and angry story about someone she was talking to last night who is racist…”THAT’S RACIST ISNT IT..ISNT IT DISGUSTING….RACIST RIGHT?”

It’s making me laugh

Ok bye!

Ps I look like I’m standing weird in the pictures cos I didn’t think the t shirt made me look pregnant enough and I was sticking my bump out.

Flowers in the Attic

No don’t worry there’s no creepy tale of attic incest here! I just thought, oh my top is flowery…Flowers in the attic! That’s how my brain works..nice and simple.

Anyways here’s an outfit of the day for you at 26 weeks pregnant! Time is really marching on at the mo, it’s great. The first 12 weeks of pregnancy DRAGGED…but now we’re cooking on gas.

This is a bit of a cheat’s outfit of the day cos I didn’t actually wear this to work. I had on the skirt and trainers but with a grey tee shirt. But I melted. I just melted. And when I got in I put on this cami top to cool myself off…so I suppose the theme of this outfit is…evening cool?

I’m still getting away with wearing a lot of non maternity gear…this skirt is from Primark last summer…it was dead cheap and I just wear it high over the bump…drawback is I don’t look super pregnant. Which is key! The trainers you’ve seen before…trusty, dirty old converse…I should really stick those in the washer…and the cami top is from New Look last summer. I love this top…I’m wearing it with a bra underneath though, hence the black straps…but when pregnant you just have to go with it.

And that’s it! No accessories cos I’m too hot. Heatwave! Did I mention I’m hot? I’m boiling.

And that’s that!
Outside of being a pregnant lady, I read atonement this week and now reading Sweet Tooth…both by Ian McEwen….I’d recommend both! Read them!

Bye. 

Relaxi Taxi (Relaxi-cab)

Sorry for two things. Sorry for no posts for a week (eek!). And sorry for another Friends quote. Actually I’m not because if you know me you know I love Friends seasons 1-4. Only seasons 1-4 though. At a push, season 5.

But enough of that..I chose the quote to highlight that this post is about relaxing! Or at least clothes to relax in when you’re 25 weeks pregnant.

Today’s outfit starts with my H&M maternity jeans which I really like. They have an over the bump comfy band and the Jean bit just sits under the bump..you pull them on like leggings. Great! But actually it is quite hard to bend down in them and Dan had to put my shoes and socks on for me.

Also wearing a stretchy top from Primark that my mum picked up for me..it’s so comfy! I have it in black and white too and they’re really versatile..hang out wearing them with leggings..jeans..and with skirts for work! And only £4 quid each! They’re not maternity, just super stretchy. They won’t last forever but who cares?

Also got on my fave Converse..I love converse. Love love love. Always have. And I’ve had these since 2005. That’s why they’re so battered but I think that’s part of their charm. I probably do need a new pair though.

I also picked up some pyjamas from primark and they’re super comfy too so here’s a pic of me “lounging”.

In other news..I saw the midwife this week and she touched my bump and said “well he’s going to be a big one!”.

Bye!

A long awaited delivery

No I haven’t had the baby yet guys! I’m referring to my dress!

Today’s outfit is based around a dress I bought on my H&M app about two weeks ago which finally came yesterday. I would very much NOT recommend using H&M online..the delivery was £4..it took four days to dispatch and another 8 to get delivered. The customer service is good though..I got the delivery charge back and 10% off..but the whole experience would have been a lot easier if I’d just gone into the H&M two minutes from my office.

But hey ho! It’s here now. I really like it cos it’s stretchy…it’s not maternity..just a normal dress but I got it a size bigger. And I love grey..love love love. I’ve worn it here with Mark’s and Spencer’s maternity tights, ancient green converse, a long gold and black beaded necklace from I’m not sure where, and a chunky gold charm bracelet that is actually my mum’s but I pleaded with her to let me borrow for a bit cos it’s super on trend.

I’m going to have to stop wearing it to work though cos it really clanks about on my keyboard when I’m typing and people have made comments….

I finished the look off with messy hair and a smoky eye and off I went to my friend’s birthday in a local pub. Then I boiled up in a sweaty mess cos it was actually very warm yesterday and the pub had no fans. Such is the bloody ridiculousness of an English September.

And that’s it!
See you later.

I’m Breezy!

“No! You can’t SAY you’re breezy! That totally negates the breezy!”

Just a little vintage friends quote for you there.
If you name the episode you win a prize.

Anyway this post is about yoga..In my last post I mentioned that I was desperate for a massage because of my sore back..well it’s been getting worse all week. I’m 24 weeks pregnant now and this apparently is meant to be the dream time of pregnancy; Bump is noticeable but not so big you can’t get out of chairs, you have an energy burst, shiny hair etc.

Well my hair isn’t that shiny and I do have more energy but I can’t stand for more than 1 minute and all chairs are uncomfortable.

I’ve been researching maternity massages. Apparently they don’t have a hole in the table but some give you fancy bean bags to lie on or just get you to lie on your side. And they’re all about 1 million pounds. Or 65 quid plus. I’m on a budget people!

So I’ve been researching alternative methods. My friend Lisa has given me this blow up ball to sit on but I’m not sure I’m doing it right..it’s fun though! Here I am watching House of Cards on it.

A man in the office came over to me when I was walking about rubbing my back and said his wife had a “thing filled with corn you put in the microwave” …so I’ll Google that. Sounds great!

There were lots of other recommendations (swimming walking, acupuncture) but one that stood out was maternity yoga. It’s meant to be so good for toning and strengthening plus burning cals AND breathing to help you in labour. Woo! Beneficial. And best of all the stretches help you when you’re tired and have aching muscles like.see where I’m going with this..yes an aching back..like mine!

So I found one in my area (ish) called Radiant Yoga…it’s in Beckenham in a playschool hall run by a lovely lady called Jane..I bloody loved it…

I’ve barely done any yoga before..maybe 3 classes ever..and didn’t really like it. The last time I went the room was under a squash court and was the most unrelaxing awful thing I’ve ever done. But anyways I turned up in harem pants to look the part and before the class started everyone was chatting to each other sharing our due dates and weird body things. I told them about my numb leg. We all confessed to never remembering to do pelvic floor exercises. It was lovely! Maybe we’ll stay in touch who knows..the more local people having babies you know the better..Or so I’ve been told. Dan isn’t keen on us doing NCT (I Googled “to nct or not to nct” yesterday) so I’m not sure if we’ll end up doing it therefore any other networks I can form are a must!

Anyways the yoga itself was really wonderful, so relaxing and my back feels noticeably better already…I’ve signed up for 6 more classes but plan to continue if I can for as long as possible. I even did some of the poses at home this morning!

In other news I had a scan today and Mr jiggly is doing very well. He weighs 1lb 9oz! Sometimes babies are born that big and I read that if he was born prematurely, he could survive…whoop!

Here are some pictures of me doing yoga badly.

And here’s one of me eating two desserts.

Catch you later….

I want I want I want (and other stories)

I started this blog to reflect the fact that as a pregnant woman, buying an entire new wardrobe just for the duration of your maternity is unrealistic and expensive..especially seeing as when the baby actually comes, income goes down and expenses go up. However…as a confessed fashion and shopping addict I’m struggling. Every month I give myself a small (ish…Dan would argue it’s not small at all) budget for clothes etc. This goes in a flash the day after payday and then I spend the rest of the month dreaming of all the other things I wish I could have.

This transitioning weather isn’t helping either. I bought two maternity dresses this summer which haven’t had much run (thank you August, my changeable and unpredictable frenemy). And you really can’t wear maxi dresses with boots and a coat in autumn/winter.

So at the moment my list of wants is topped by black skinny jeans. I feel as though if I had a pair of these my quality of life would go up 100%. That’s the extent of my desperado-ness.

I really like these from Asos.

I love asos cos I can get free next day delivery to my local shop which means not having to trek to the local delivery office on a Saturday morning cos your parcel was delivered while at work.

I also like these ripped ones but I think you have to be tall and thin to pull them off…so you look like a starving punk and not an overfed homeless person. Can’t dress them up either which is the point of skinny jeans.

I don’t think the price is that bad but more than I can afford right now..so I’ll try primark first as I’ve heard they do good non-baggy skinnies.

Next up is a blanket scarf…this is basically a big scarf that looks like you’ve draped a blanket around you. I’ve wanted one of these since Spring as it’s a great transitional weather piece when a jacket isn’t enough and a coat is too much. I’ve had my eye on Zara cos they’ve done good ones every year but at the moment they don’t have colours I like. Then I found this one on Asos (They don’t pay me by the way).

I sent it to my mum to show her I liked it and she rocked up on Saturday with a very similar one from the depths of her wardrobe. It’s mine now. Here I am wearing it on Saturday with a slim fitting dress and boots. But imagine how cool it’ll look with my new skinny black jeans!

My next wants are more related to beauty and relaxation…as a pregnant woman you have to take care of yourself! That’s what everyone says. It’s medical.

So I’d like a massage..I’m sleeping very uncomfortably..all squished up and tossy turny. And my lower back is agony. But I can’t just have a normal massage cos I can’t lie on my front. I suppose they would need a special table with a hole in it where my tummy is. Does this exist?

Also would like a manicure and pedicure. So I feel glam.

Also need a facial.

So if anyone has any home remedy tips for deep cleaning facials and salon finish nails please send them my way! Cos I’m not a bloody millionaire!

Some beauty tips of my own!

My friend Jane did pass along a few tips for the face…run olive oil into your face…then get a flannel hot under the hot tap and place over your face for 20 seconds. This draws out all the dirt and opens your pores. Then use the flannel to get off all the oil..then mix some nutmeg and milk together and use to scrub face. Don’t scrub too hard cos the nutmeg is already abrasive. Just gently rub. Wash off. Your face will now be very clean and the nutmeg works on blackheads after the pores have all opened. You also won’t need any moisturiser after this.

Give it a try I love it! Give it a Google too it’s not crackpot..it’s callled the oil cleansing method.

I also yesterday gave my hands and feet a 1 minute scrub using my l’occitane hand scrub given to me by my brothers-in-law Steven and Joe. I love this stuff. Make sure you scrub on the nails too to help with cuticles. Then I used hand cream on both hands and feet..and nail cream too. If you don’t have this stuff..a manicurist reccomended soaking nails in olive oil once a week..good old olive oil eh??

Then I used a nail buffer on all nails and filed and shaped. It’s not too much bother if you do it while watching “for a few dollars more” as I did…because the film was quite boring and not much talking. We watched it as part of our “let’s watch the 100 greatest films ever” from imdb. I didn’t really like the film but I’m defo channeling Clint Eastwood with my new blanket scarf!

Ok bye!

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