Admitting defeat...maternity shopping part one

Part one because I'm sure there will be a part two, three, four etc etc in the months leading up to August. As much as I love shopping and have been vastly enjoying my new found addiction (baby shopping, in case you were wondering!), maternity shopping has not massively appealed to me for a few reasons:

1) This would be an actual admittance of weight gain
2) Maternity clothes in my head do not seem massively exciting
3) I like my regular clothes. I want to spend money on regular clothing, not maternity.

Brushing my concerns aside, I conceded today that at 15 weeks, and with much in my wardrobe straining at the hip,waist,thigh, it was finally time to delve into the world of maternity. And actually, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I would start with work wear as my usual dresses are bordering on uncomfortable now. I visited a few stores that I knew did maternity clothing, as well as a couple that don't (Zara, are you listening - it's time to start making maternity wear). Zara's new collection proved a massive tease, although I was able to purchase a couple of items that had enough stretch/manoeuvrabilty to pass as maternity wear. I stupidly tried on a pair of jeans in an 8 though and almost cried when they would not do up. I considered buying them and stitching elastic into the hip, but then caught myself: A) I would never get round to doing this and B) This would still provide only a temporary solution. Jeans shopping is next on my list, but, (deep breathes), I'm putting this off further as every pair of maternity jeans I have seen scares the bejeesus out of me. It's the elastic I think. With only two pairs of jeans left that fit me though, this is a mission I'm not going to be able to put off for much longer...

Anyway, pushing those thoughts aside, and moving onto to more joyful things, my haul from today!

Today's outfit:
Long line white vest: Primark
Oversized boucle jumper: Primark
Lear print scarf: H & M
Khaki skinny jeans: Zara
Black biker boots: Dune
Leather double rivet bracelet: Mulberry
Postmans lock hobo: Mulberry

First stop: Zara
Black and white striped dress: £25.99. I thought this was be good for work, easy to wear with tights and flats or boots.

First stop : Zara
Draped linen t-shirt dress: 25.99. I really liked this as it is very much my usual style and can be worn with tights or with jeans and boots at pictured. Plenty of room for the growing bump too!

Next up: Topshop
It's a good job I liked and purchased this dress because I was severely disappointed with the changing rooms. Absolutely tiny and curtains that would not properly close. Seriously, how hard is it??! Anyway, another good dress for work, again with tights and flats, not jeans and boots as above! Maternity floral midi dress - £36.

Final stop: Blooming Marvellous at Mothercare
Note the much better changing room - spacious and lockable door! (Take note Topshop). I was really impressed with this range and will revisit as I need more bits and pieces. This dress had a really good fit and will be good for work as well as weekend wear. Stripe maternity dress - £22

Final stop: Blooming Marvellous at Mothecare
Another good work dress, this is a really nice fabric and will provide plenty of room for growth over the coming months. Black belted dress - £30

 

So that was it for the clothing haul, I also purchased a few more items of baby clothing (of course), some maternity tights and two new pieces of granny spandex... oh yes the maternity bra. To be fair, these do actually look like regular bras, which believe me, has been an absolute mission to find.

 

I am sure I will soon have more to share, it's the baby show on Friday and I cannot wait! I am not sure the husband shares my sentiment...

Saturday sale buys (gasp)

Well a happy Saturday to all, and a mini pat on the back to me for managing to only leave a week between blogging rather than more than a month! Work is still nuts, but at least another two exams have passed, and there is only one to go, this coming week. I am still relishing this, well frankly, piss poor weather, and the chance to (not) wear all my gorgeous new summer clothes. Ever the optimist, I purchased the most gorgeous maxi dress in Budapest last week, but of course back here its too feckin' cold to wear the blasted thing. One to save for the holiday perhaps, or to dive upon if we should miraculously get another sunny day this year.

One good thing (playing hard and fast with the word 'good') about the lack of remotely warm weather is the fact that the summer sales have started earlier this year. Sales and I do not normally mix, and I have been quite vocal about this in the past. Hell, usually I avoid sales like the plague, and the zombie-like women that frequent the shops at this time of year (no offence if you like sales, I just mean hordes of women on a mission, me not remotely interested in sales and being pushed out the way by over zealous females). I have become better at sales shopping over the past few years though, but in a selective fashion (high end department and high street only), and use the opportunity to stock up on good quality basics. A good example of this is the Isabella Oliver perfect extra long tee that normally sells for £49.00. At sale time, these can be purchased in an array of colours for £34.30 which I think is pretty good knowing the quality and longevity of the tee.

So, back to today. I spent a lovely day in London with friends, afternoon tea at the Sanderson and a little shopping on Regent's street. I managed to rugby tackle my way into the eye-watering busy Cos and have a quick rifle through the sales shelves. I love Cos. Love love love. Gorgeous quality basics, well made and cut, heaven. A couple of purchases later, happy days.

Some great basics: white longer length top, reduced to £17.50 (from £25), and draped black linen cardigan, £34.50 (reduced from £69)

Afternoon tea and cocktails! So so yum, complete recommend this afternoon tea..

And last but not least today, a lovely little surprise waiting for me on arrival home, my subscription gift from Easy Living magazine:

Multi fix oil and multi purpose balm.

Pretty pleased, this is a brand I have not tried before, and both products retail for just over £20 (the subscription itself was only £12 for the year, amazing). Scarily, the multi purpose balm is targeted at 'lips, nipples and dry skin' Nipples?? Thought about this for a while and wondered if I was missing a trick, then realised it was probably for breast feeding women. Either that or I really did miss that class at school. Until next time XX

Shopping and warm weather

Hello pop tarts, happy Saturday to one and all! I couldn't believe the amazing weather today, it felt so nice to be outside and not shiver and rush to get in! I had a brilliant day with my bezzie Clare, we got up early and drove to Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. I last went to Westfield at the end of 2011 but honestly, I had forgotten how amazing it is! I could spend 3 days weaving my way in and out of the shops, there are so many high street favourites and one - offs too. I was in the mood to spend and luckily I wasn't disappointed. I bought a fair few items of clothing which I'm sure I will have the opportunity to showcase soon!

So today's post is just a quick OOTD, a super comfy outfit for a day of hardcore shopping!

I wore my new H & M jacket, a blue Reiss vest top, Zara jeans, leopard print H & M pumps, a wooden and mother of pearl necklace and my Mulberry.

Well dolls, that's everything for now, I'm settling down now with a delicious home made pizza, tea and soon, Britain's got Talent! (So excited its back!) : )

My tea! Home made chicken, spinach, pepper, red onion and mozzarella pizza! 

All about a dress

Hello twinkly icicles, hope everyone is well this Tuesday : ) Today was a very long day for me, full teaching day and then parents evening until half 6, home at half 7, pyjamas on, takeaway and Eastenders! Good times ; ) Today's post is about a mini-obsession of mine, an item which I think epitomises glamour and femininity, but can be easy and carefree too... I am talking about the not-so-humble wardrobe staple, the dress!

As a historian and fashion fanatic, the history of fashion and clothing style has been of interest to me for many years. One of my favourite past-times is visiting art galleries and gazing at the beautiful detail and sheer opulence of the full dresses, as well as the change in necklines, fabric, bodice style and colour as time has passed by. I particularly enjoy studying fashions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the transition from the full skirted, puff-sleeved dress to the lean and lithe silhouette of the early 20th century. Add into the mix the beautiful beaded, above the-knee gowns of the Flapper girls, the Conservative and thrifty looks of the 50s, swinging into the 60s with the birth of the mini-skirt, fashion has advanced and evolved in clear and definitive ways.

1900s evening dress, velvet, chiffon, satin, lace and chenille embroidered and decorated with applique.

Flapper girls of the 1920s, shorter hem-lines and shorter hair!

Mini-skirts of the 1960s, out in force.

One distinctive feature of women's fashion throughout the ages though is the perpetuation of the dress. It is certainly true that strong-willed women fought for many years to quite literally,  'wear the trousers', however, within this, the right to choose remained stead-fast and constant. So the dress has continued to dominate, both the catwalks and the everyday lives of women the world over. As a 21st century woman I am grateful to my ancestors for this battle, for their gutsiness and determination to allow women to decide how they wish to appear, whilst retaining control over their everyday lives.

Going back to my former most point, I absolutely adore dresses. I love the ease at which a dress can be literally 'thrown on', styled with some chic accessories and heels, and off you go. I wear dresses to work on almost a daily basis, I find it quicker and easier in the morning, and love the simplicity of the look. In the spirit of celebrating this fabulous fashion item, I am going to post some of my favourite dresses from recent occasions for your perusal : )

Cream silk dress with cut out side panels from asos.com.  I wore this dress on honeymoon in Thailand. I loved the look of the dress, particularly against tanned skin, and styled the dress with an oversized gold necklace and bangles. 

The picture quality is terrible as it was dark and hubby took this on my iPhone, but I had to post this because I LOVE this dress! I bought this in Primark and wasn't massively impressed when it was on the hanger... I completely fell in love with it when I tried it on though, and was complimented so many times on holiday in this! The bodice is covered in tiny chintzy style floral patterns, and I love the black straps which match the full black skirt. The tan belt is a gorgeous finishing touch.

Another not-so-brilliant quality picture (blame the iPhone again!)  I loved this dress, it was a bit of a honeymoon splurge from French Connection and was a black, pure silk dress with a low neckline and ruffle detail... alas I did not wash this correctly when I got home and it went an odd grey colour with little bobbles over the front... RIP dress, dearly departed...

Classic Charlotte night-out dress... I still have this grecian style dress from Rare, love the classic one shoulder style and how it looks with my (natural!) tan (had just returned from Turkey!)

I bought this Zara dress this Summer, I love the clean lines and tiered style, I paired it with gold earrings and  emerald green Zara wedges.

And last but by no means least, how could I leave out my princess, uber-glamorous, crystal and swarovksi studded Wedding gown by Maggie Sottero? My ULTIMATE dress, worn on the happiest day of my life
: )

Well dolls, that's just a little selection of some of my favourite dresses, hope you enjoyed my picks XOXO