In My Bag

Now that I'm getting my waistline back after popping out the baby I've enjoyed catching up on some shopping and I'll be posting some of those outfits soon. Here are some other items that have made it into my bag recently.

Initial Ring by Daisy Jewellery £37 BUY HERE

I already have these initial rings for mine and my boyfriends' name, so I've added a T for my baby girl Tabitha. 

Earrings by Z for Accessorize £12 BUY HERE

Zara Simon's Z for Accessorize range of delicate boho jewellery is an inexpensive collection of gorgeous pieces that look way more expensive than they are. I purchased these little dangly earrings with semi precious stones to wear with summery dresses and boho blouses. I'm also loving this bracelet, this tinny tiny necklace and this star ring.

Jute bag by H&M £14.99 BUY SIMILAR HERE

I found this bag in the home wear department on a recent trip. It's incredibly roomy and the straps are a great length making it the ideal beach bag. Plus it's incredibly cheap! I can't find the exact one on the website but have included the link to something similar.

Geometric print cushions by Conran at Marks & Spencer £19.50 BUY HERE

I saw these cushions in store about a year ago but the grey version sold out before I could get my hands on them. Thankfully a new shade of grey has been released so I snapped them up. They are an excellent price point, a good size, well stuffed and have really jazzed up my sofa. They also come in pink and grey and yellow and grey.

Rabbit and cat wooden photo frames £6.99 each by H&M BUY HERE

 I'm finally getting round to decorating the nursery (bad parent I know!) and found these super cute frames that will work perfectly in the room with mine and her Daddy's faces in them.

Black denim shorts £17.99 and white denim shorts £15.99 both from Gap BUY HERE and HERE

My denim boyfriend shorts that I purchased from Gap last year are a staple in my summer wardrobe, I wear them weekly and have them in lots of different colours but was missing out on black and white. These are excellent value as they're in the sale. When buying go down a size as they tend to stretch.

Beauty Review: Avoiding Stretch Marks

As soon as I found out I was pregnant on that cold winter day back in December I decided to slather myself in oils and creams in the hope of preventing stretch marks. From that day forward I applied different potions religiously twice a day. My diligence seems to have paid off, there's not a stretch mark in sight despite my boobs doubling in size within the first 2 weeks and my belly, butt and thighs growing steadily for the duration of my pregnancy. Admittedly giving birth to my little lady prematurely meant the skin didn't have to accommodate a massive bump, but I'd like to give some credit to the products I used as well. 

Bio Oil 60ml £5.99 BUY HERE

 When I knew I had a bun in the oven I immediately added Bio Oil to my shopping list, well if it's good enough for Kim Kardashian! Plus it's won 242 skincare awards and all my pregnant girlfriends recommended it. It contains calendula, lavender and rosemary along with vitamin A and E to moisturise and rejuvenate the skin. It's a light oil that glides on easily meaning I didn't have to use much to cover my expanding figure. It didn't sink into the skin easily though so I'd use it at night for fear of damaging my daytime outfits. Unfortunately the smell is quite synthetic and in the early days of pregnancy I just couldn't stomach it.

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter £13.95 BUY HERE

This was the only cream I used on the bump during pregnancy. It's a rich and thick formula that needs a bit of effort to rub in, but it's non-greasy and my skin absorbed it easily so I used this in the morning before getting dressed. It contains hydrating shea butter, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil to keep the skin supple and toned. It has the delicious and subtle scent of honey, has no artificial fragrances and contains 99% natural ingredients. Post pregnancy this has become important to me as when I'm breast feeding or doing skin to skin with my little lady I don't want anything riddled with chemicals to come into contact with her skin. Therefore I've happily been applying this cream to my arms, chest and belly post pregnancy safe in the knowledge that she won't react to it.

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil £40 BUY HERE

This product is Clarins' best selling body oil and it's easy to see why. Slathering it on was like having a spa treatment at home as it's a deliciously rich oil with a fabulous botanical scent that I found instantly relaxing. It contains 100% pure plant extracts of rosemary, geranium and mint paired with moisturising hazelnut oil. Clarins claim the oil tones and improves skin suppleness while preventing stretch marks. It can also be used post pregnancy to tone and firm the skin. As it is rather pricey I've been mixing the oil with another body lotion since giving birth. The only con with this fantastic oil is the packaging. I wish it had a pump dispenser or a smaller pouring hole. I always end up pouring out too much or dribbling some down the side of the glass bottle and it's too expensive to waste like that! 

Dr Hauschka Blackthorn Body Oil £20.50 BUY HERE

This oil isn't specifically made for stretch marks, however the blend of blackthorn blossom and birch leaves extract coupled with jojoba oil and sunflower oil keeps the skin incredibly supple and hydrated. The formula is luxuriously thick but it absorbs easily leaving behind a fresh woody, herby scent that lingers on the skin. However the smell isn't offensive and didn't increase my nausea, I actually found it quite refreshing. It's free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives and is vegan. This oil is a little pricey but is incredibly luscious and when pregnant was a much appreciated indulgence to apply to my skin after wallowing in the bath after a long day.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil £6.66 BUY HERE

I started using this oil towards the end of my pregnancy when the anti-sickness drugs I was taking kicked in, so the pungent chocolate smell didn't make me want to put my head down the toilet. But if smelling like a bar of Dairy Milk is appealing (and it is to me post pregnancy) then you'll love this. This multi-tasking oil tackles scars, dry skin and ageing along with stretch marks. It contains rosehip and sesame oil to rejuvenate and moisturise along with vitamin E and cocoa butter to help maintain skin elasticity. The pump dispenser made application non-messy and the oil absorbed easily without leaving my skin feeling too greasy. I used it after a shower when my skin was a little damp to lock in more moisture. Post pregnancy I'm using it on my legs when I'm wearing a skirt or shorts as it adds a lovely sheen to my skin. A great bargain buy, but smell it before you buy.

Life Lately: New Arrival

Apologies for the complete and utter lack of blogging of late. Working lots, coupled with crippling never ending pregnancy sickness and fatigue meant I could barely function.

At the end of June I travelled to Scotland for a photo shoot on what was to be my last job before I went on maternity leave. The baby however had different plans. On day 3 of the 5 day photo shoot my waters broke (in the Royal Suite at Gleneagles no less!) and 12 hours later on July 1st, my baby girl arrived. She clearly wanted to be Scottish!

Baby Girl Tabitha

Her and I then spent 2 weeks in hospital up in Scotland while she got bigger and stronger and I tried to do everything that I had planned to organise during my maternity leave. Thank goodness for online shopping and understanding customer service staff!

Leaving Scotland

After a nerve wracking 500 mile drive home we arrived back in London and have been living in a new mummy/sleep deprived/baby bubble ever since.

Entering England

I'm finally getting back into my groove and learning to do stuff with one arm while she takes naps in the other. So in an attempt to allow myself to think about things other than baby schedules, poop and boobie juice I'm resuming the blog...but forgive me if the posts are sporadic, I'm completely at my little lady's beck and call.

Welcome to the world Tabitha.

Tiny Tabs...she'll grow into these by next summer!

Beauty Buys

Here's a round up of the beauty products I have been applying, wiping and slathering recently.

Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme £50 BUY HERE

This refreshing gel formula face moisturiser is ideal for summer when you don't want to apply a heavy cream every day. However it has no SPF protection so I layer sun protection cream on before application. For a cream that's so expensive you'd expect an SPF as standard so it's a little disappointing it doesn't come with. The lightness of the formula would make this ideal for combination skins, but if you have sensitive skin I'd avoid as it's strongly scented with a clean, fresh fragrance that may aggravate. It contains camelia extract to help the skin retain moisture and plump up and the antioxidant blue ginger to protect the skin. As you'd expect from Chanel, the super slick monochrome packaging makes you want to keep it out on display rather than putting it away inside the bathroom cupboard. However the screw top lid means the ingredients are exposed and compromised from the first use, plus dipping your fingers into the pot isn't very hygenic, no matter how clean they are! This is one of the most expensive creams I've used on my face and for the financial investment I'd like to see more noticeable results. Unfortunately they haven't been forthcoming and so I won't be purchasing it again.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads £12.99 BUY HERE

As my pregnancy progresses and my fatigue increases, convenience becomes of more importance. I spotted these little pads on the shelves of Boots on a recent visit and snapped them up hoping the ease of wiping them across my face would make me use them regularly and they'd perk up my malnourished and exhausted complexion. I haven't been disappointed. The pads are soaked in glycolic acid which exfoliates the skin's surface to remove dead skin cells so the skin is left brighter, along with hyaluronic acid to moisturise, witch hazel to tone and blue daisy to soothe and calm. I take one pad and wipe across my face and neck every night after cleansing and before moisturising. The pads don't sting, like others I've tried before, but they leave a slightly sticky residue that I let soak in for a few minutes before applying my night moisturiser. I noticed my skin was smoother and softer within a week. These are so quick and easy to use with visible results and great value to boot, that it would be wrong not to tell you to go and buy them immediately.

Nivea Q10 Firming Body Moisturiser £2.63 BUY HERE

I'm applying body moisturiser like it's going out of fashion now that I'm pregnant, in the hope of my skin staying supple enough to avoid the dreaded stretch marks. I saw this cream was half price and because it promised firming I thought it would be perfect to slather on my ever expanding butt and thighs. I'm under no illusion that a cream can firm up body parts, yes it can create smoother skin and temporary tightening, but only exercise and a clean diet will firm up the body. However when your body is growing daily and your hormones are dictating that you only eat beige carbohydrates, you seek the hope of toned thighs in bottles of cream. This is a super light formulation that contains moisturising macadamia nut oil and Nivea's patented Q10 formula that helps skin stay supple and toned. It has an talcum powdery inoffensive smell, glides onto and into the skin with complete ease but the best part is it really moisturises. After only a couple of days my skin felt incredibly soft and smoother and even when I've been too busy/tired to apply it my skin is much more moisturised than before. I'm onto my third bottle now, a testament to just how impressed I am with this product.

Life Lately

Considering that my pregnant belly is rapidly expanding so much so that I waddle rather than walk now and my level of exhaustion is like nothing I've known before, life lately has been pretty busy. Here's a little round up of what I've been doing recently (along with lots of sleeping!)

Debenhams' 'Style Army' At Their Press Day

I've been a bit naughty this season and not attended many press days, mainly due to other work commitments but largely due to feeling vile all the time. I did however devote a couple of days to doing the press day circuit recently. Above is what Debenhams will be offering come winter, think 70s, faux fur and fringing.

After I took this picture the mummy and daddy geese turned around and started attacking my car!

Well done Mr Norris, finishing strong and wearing a questionable hairband!

The boyfriend ran 100km from London to Brighton last weekend. Running is arguably his greatest passion but he was also doing the event to raise money for a charity close to our hearts, the Alzheimer's Society, because my poor Dad has the terrible disease. I was the support crew, meaning I drove along country roads getting lost and attacked by geese as I searched for various checkpoints so I could fill up his water bottles, give him words of encouragement, change his socks and feed him pasta and jelly babies. He finished it in an incredible 16th position. If you have a spare 5 minutes you can read his account of the day here. Well done Norris!

Bank holiday weekends don't exist if you are self employed, but it isn't really work when you get to dress beautiful actresses in stunning couture gowns and diamonds in 5* hotels. Here's a little behind the scenes shot of the day and I can't wait to share the full shoot when it's published.

Denim shirt dress £39.99 Zara BUY HERE

I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with the whole maternity dressing thing and the fact that the weather is still rubbish, so I took myself off to the West End in search of clothes that will suit my changing form. This chambray shirt dress was a winner, but until the weather warms up and I am guaranteed more than 2 wears of it I'm going to refrain from spending. I'll be doing a little blog post soon of what actually made me part with my cash.

Grey Lamp £65 Lapin & Me BUY HERE

And sorry to bore on about the imminent arrival but here is the first thing I've bought for it. Super cute right? And in gender neutral grey so it'll match the rest of my home. But 10 weeks until D day and this is it...a lamp. I have pages of lists of essential items (how much stuff do babies need by the way, oh jeez!!!), plus I still need to decorate the nursery and learn how to change a nappy and decide on a birth plan and research hypno-birthing and read Gina Ford and the Baby Whisperer and ARGH!!! But at least the baby will have a cute lamp if nothing else.

Have a great week!

Sx

Pregnancy Style: Outfits Recently

Today I am 29 weeks pregnant! Yipee only 11 weeks to go if the baby sticks to its schedule! I'm still feeling blurgh and have resigned myself to the fact that I'm just not going to get that 'pregnancy glow' that other more fortunate pregnant ladies speak of.

 The bump is growing at quite a rapid rate now which is good for the baby but bad for the wardrobe. I'm just about squeezing into some of my pre-pregnancy tops, but dresses that were once oversized are now tight on the hips or too short (cellulite on my thighs is another joyful side effect of my pregnancy made worse by the fact I'm not supposed to exercise as I've been so ill) and if trousers and skirts don't have elasticated waist bands then they just don't work. My various Topshop maternity jeans, which I've been wearing since about 4 months are worn almost daily and I'm pleased to report they recently started selling a boyfriend style which make me happy as they remind me of pre-pregnancy me. 

I'm also discovering the joys of wearing lycra as anything restrictive just increases my daily discomfort. However seeing clothes that are tight fitting on my changing/growing form is something I'm not entirely comfortable with. I was prepared for a growing belly, but hips and butt expanding is taking some getting used to!

Here is a little round up of what I've been wearing recently.

Shirt Zara, Jeans Topshop BUY HERE, Sandals Stella McCartney, Sunglasses Miu Miu

Here I am marvelling at the size of my bump and the valley that my belly button has become (it's yet to pop out). This linen blend shirt is an oldie from Zara that still fits (hooray!) It's super comfy and light, perfect for the warmer weather. I'm also wearing the aforementioned Topshop boyfriend jeans. They have expandable pockets and a real zipper fly, unlike all my other Topshop jeans which have a pull up elasticated waistband. I was a bit worried that the button fastening would press on my belly, but they are wonderfully comfortable. If you're pregnant go and buy these jeans, I cannot recommend them enough!

Dress Topshop, Jacket Gap BUY SIMILAR HERE, Bag Miu Miu, Sandals Next BUY HERE

This full length maxi dress is a pre pregnancy buy that I've had for years and keep in my holiday clothes box as it is backless. I wouldn't dream of venturing out without a bra now and so I layered the dress with a black vest for decency purposes and my pre-pregnancy denim jacket which is a little tight, but still wearable. I did feel a tad exposed in this dress as it's quite tight on the bump and bum; form fitting clothes just aren't my thing. To be honest I felt a bit like a Kardashian, but I think that's me just being slightly mental and weird about my growing body. A full length maxi dress is super comfortable and I've recently ordered a few from Zara so will let you know if they become part of my pregnancy wardrobe.

Jacket Topshop BUY SIMILAR HERE, Jeans Topshop BUY HERE, Top Finery London BUY HERE, Sandals Birkenstock BUY HERE

This khaki jacket has proved invaluable to my pregnancy wardrobe. It skims my hips and covers just enough of my rump, it's light enough so that I don't overheat on the tube, plus it works with jeans and dresses. I've paired it here with my boyfriend jeans (I told you I was in love with them!) and a relatively new purchase from Finery London. I purchased this cotton sleeveless top adorned with white ruffles at around 3 months pregnant thinking it would spice up my summer pregnancy wardrobe. I was a little concerned the ruffles would bulk up my belly, but weirdly they kind of conceal it. It's a super flattering top and was a great price point to boot.

Life Lately: A Little Announcement

My blog posts have been few and far between this year and the outfit posts have been pretty non-existent, but dear reader I have a valid reason...I am 6 months pregnant and counting! It's very scary but very exciting.

This pregnancy hasn't been the most pleasant experience and I pretty much spend most days wearing my boyfriend's PJ bottoms with my head down the toilet, but when I do have to get up and dressed I have found my Zara jumpsuit super comfy and perfect for work. I purchased the jumpsuit quite a few months ago and it is still accommodating my rapidly growing bump, unlike most of the other things in my wardrobe. I've been pairing it with stripe tops or plain tees (like the J. Crew one I'm wearing above) and my Stan Smiths or Birkenstocks (it's all about the comfort these days!)

I love the little front pocket detail and the drop crotch makes it feel distinctly non-maternity wear. Annoyingly I have found the vast majority of maternity wear sooooo dull and uninspiring, but I am constantly on the look out for 'normal' clothes that I can dress the bump with and I will be sharing my finds and outfits.

So it's all change in our household...13 weeks to go. And if anyone reading this has any helpful advice and top tips I'm all ears!!!

Sx