Offensive Language & A Dress for the Races

The last three days have been entirely consumed by wrangling with the vendor of the home we would like to call our own. Pre-motherhood I have to admit to having a bit of a potty month. As mentioned historically my hubby has military roots and you geninely have not heard swearing until you’ve spent time with the forces. Officer or squaddy no matter. Since bearing the babe I have got better but this weeks events have caused me to slip.

(I also have to admit to sounding like a true Geordie slag after 10pm on a Tuesday night. The new series of Geordie Shore is in full swing and whilst my usual accent is only slight it is ressurected and treated to a big dollop of bad language after I’ve been subjected to the true Geordies).

Anyway, several sleepness nights later we have managed to secure the house. Whilst we have paid far more than was our original intention I am over the moon. The hubby however has been repeatedly chanting the worst of all swear words at the air, in place of the miserable old man whose house we have bought. None of this took place in front of the babe who I can confirm is in the safe hands of the non-potty-mouthed childminder for the day.

On to cheaper and less stressful matters. I am off to ladies day at the races next weekend and am woefully unprepared. Pre-babe I would have spent weeks selecting a dress for a smart occassion but as it stands I have just over a week and very little money. A little route around in the last of the sales has however yielded this beauty. Whistles Dress

I am going to pair with a white lace effect blazer from Zara and my nude Jimmy Choo‘s and i’m good to go. All acheived in an afternoon at work!

Barbie me & my baby – sale picks

I should start by saying that I wrote this post yesterday afternoon. I think it was one of my better ones. It involved a lot of links and photos and was quite long. Then I added the final photo and accidentally deleted the lot. Error. Can’t find it anywhere though so here we go again.

I have not been tempted much by the summer sales this year. Its hard to get excited about cut price maxi-dresses when there is a rain storm going on. It seems that a lot of the high street has been running discounts since early June to try and attract any potential punters and I don’t think the quality has been great. However, the second mark downs seem to have surfaced this week and some of my favourite online retailers have gone into sale.

Given my limited budget I have tried to think about what I will need and wear for Autumn/Winter rather than buying odd bits and bobs that are too summery to get much of an outing in blighty.

First off are ankle boots. I am a big fan of my skinny jeans and whilst I often pair with ballet pumps or uggs when on mummy duties I think ankle boots can smarten up a daytime outfit with a wooly jumper or make an evening look in the winter.  I managed to pick up these beauties from a local boutique Jules B who also have a much bigger online offering. I suspect they were last winters stock but are a classic style and without the slightly ropey ankle strap, very wearable.  Check out the online boutique for other sale bargains.  http://www.julesb.co.uk/

Next is a suprise entry from H&M. I have never purchased footwear from them before and their in store sale is often a bit of a jumble sale so I went online. On their useful online styler they had these ankle boots being modelled. Granted they are not real suede but at £12 they will form a great part of my jeans and small child wardrobe.  http://www.hm.com/gb/product/95722?article=95722-C#shopOrigin=SA

Next on my hotlist, one of my favourite diffusion brands Maison Scotch. I live in these t-shirts with a boyfriend cardy in the winter and a racer vest underneath in the summer. They are £50-£100 at full price which seems like a lot for a tee but they are lovely quality, last for ages and are just a little bit out of the ordinary. I picked these two beauties up in the sale at my local Fenwicks but Flannels fashion have a great range in their sale.  http://www.flannelsfashion.com/designers/women/maison-scotch/maison-scotch-sale.aspx

No sale shopping would be complete without Hush. I have blogged about the brand loads before as I am a big fan of their loungewear and pj’s. I have been after their jersey blazer for months and I snapped it up for £25 in the sale. www.hush-uk.com

Now on to the babe. I am one of those crazy people who, despite their small child, waits up till midnight to log onto the very start of the Zara sale.  I love their baby and kids wear and there is often very little of it in the sale so it pays to be prompt. I managed to pick up skinny jeans in the next two sizes up, a pretty dress, a couple of tees and some loafters all for £47. Would have cost me nearer £90 full price. My babe shopping principle is much the same as my own so everything I bought was suitable for Autumn/Winter.  www.zara.com

Last but not least a random and late night purchase on the Ipad. Whilst breastfeeding I developed a late night iphone ebay habit during night feeds and the ipad allows me a similar capability to shop night or day, (much to the hubby’s despair).  Whilst browsing the Asos sale I came across these suede Mary Janes by Dune reduced from £95 to £39. I have to admit to not being the biggest fan of Dune but had I not been aware of the brand these shoes would have been right up my street. Given the price I elected to order them on the basis I could always return.

I love them. Not only are they super flattering they will go equally well with opaque tights and a skirt for work as with skinny jeans and a jumper for day. Still available on Asos in a 40 last time I looked…!

Now, lunchtime is approaching. I intend to counter the negative effects left by a 12noon bikini wax with a trip to the All Saints sale…

Best Baby Buddies

I am lucky enough that my little babe has a little babe buddy. I am even luckier that the babe’s buddy’s mummy is my best mate.

I say all this because today was one of those days where you remember how important your friendships are for you and your kids.

The babe’s little buddy came running across to me and the babe this morning when she spotted us at playgroup and remained clamped to my leg until I picked her up for a cuddle. The two little ones then spent a couple of amusing hours investigating the plastic wendyhouse and offering each other raisins. Super cute.

I posted a couple of days ago about a Baby Zara body warmer I had purchased for the babe.  http://wp.me/p2hahM-7X  When I popped in at our buddy’s house yesterday I spotted the exact same one! (And believe me that is not because my mate reads my blog!)

Coordinating pregnancy number two could be more tricky…

Barbie My Baby

Not content with the summer sales I am beginning to get overexcited about the prospect of the autumn winter season and some of my favourite stores are offering online sneak peeks of their new collections.

Whilst my fave high street store Zara is neither in sale nor previewing new collections, they have introduced a few new items into their kids range to keep me entertained. I was not able to resist this star bodywarmer and the sensible bit of my brain knows the babe will get more wear out of this than any number of pretty summer dresses …. mores the pity.

Available in three colour ways online at Zara.com

Chicken Pox Party – are you kidding?

I just about have time to blog between putting the babe down to bed very early and the hubby arriving back from the football. The babe doesn’t normally get her head down for another 45 mins but she was falling asleep on me during Charlie & Lola so I elected to call it early. The hubby will no doubt be a little forlorn (bad result) and a little drunk (having been out since half eleven) so best to blog now me thinks!

I’ve struggled to blog for the last couple of days as the babe has been unable to go to the childminder with a v high temperature and a mystery illness. I have assumed teething but I am now starting to get the fear. I think it’s Chicken Pox. Having spent a lovely bank holiday Sunday with our best buddies I am especially worried as the rash has just appeared tonight so I may have infected our favourite girls.

This brings me to my point. Will said lovely friend and her equally lovely little girl be thrilled to understand that the babe has chicken pox thus getting the disease out of the way in its mildest childhood form or be swearing at me as soon as I put down the phone at having caused further distress and pandemonium in her already full to bursting life. This is where the very real notion of a “Pox Party” comes in. Apparently it is customary in some parts to spread the virus amongst young children as quickly as possible to get it out of the way.

As mentioned above I realise the virus is often at its mildest in early childhood but this is by no means guaranteed. I also struggle with the idea of intentionally making the babe miserable. My precious girl is just too precious to inflict suffering on her intentionally. And I’m really not a soft Mum, honest.

Going back to my mate, my mind is already turning to the reality of managing the babe with hugely infectious virus requiring her to be house bound, alongside my working week, the hubby’s working week away from home and the childminder being unable to take her. Going to be a new level of juggling. But when it comes down to it, I’ll be here with her every step of the way – because at least to me, that’s what being a Mum is about.

NB. For those looking for a fashionable note, the pic is of the babe in her latest Zara tee. I’m not a huge fan of slogan tops but the spots and neon had me sold. Still available at http://www.zara.com in 3-24 months. Seems ironic now that it’s spotty…..

Spring coats for baby and me

The Easter weekend has come to an end and aside from the dismal weather it’s been lovely. Great to spend some time with the hubby with and babe without thinking about work. I do live in Geordieland too so I have to say that the football results have made the weekend even sweeter!

Newcastle town centre no longer has a Zara so I have to make the trip to the Metro Centre to get my fix. I am not a huge fan of out of town shopping centres at the best of times but bank holiday Monday was probably not the best idea. Anyway, the hubby went off to the football and the babe was sleeping in the buggy so I went for it. I actually went to collect some jeans for the babe that I had reserved but as ever I cannot leave Zara without making a purchase!

I got the babe a little spring coat. It’s shown in green here but it’s actually a coral pink. The clever bit is the sleeves: they fold up and button to make them elbow length. Cute. Also solves the problem of the sleeves being too long on all her coats!

I nearly left it at that but spotted this fab little jacket in the corner which I thought would fill the hole between winter parka and denim jacket really well. I got it in a gorgeous Chanel esque pale pink but it is also available in black. It’s lovely and fitted and the quilting really adds to the designer feel. Photo really doesn’t do it justice either!

The trip was all in all a success aside from a slapstick moment with the escalator in Zara. For some time the lift in the three story store has been out of order (we’re talking months, sort it out Zara HQ). The third floor where the baby stuff is can only be accessed from inside the store which means I have to get the buggy up and down the escalator. I don’t think the babe knew what had hit her! Oh well, that’s the price you pay for trendy baby jeans!

Here comes the sun…and the wardrobe drama

Phew. You know when you get to the end of the day and you wish you had the energy to keep going another couple of hours?? I could more than fill that time today but I have no gas left in the tank!

I’ve had a lovely couple of days. We had the babe’s birthday party yesterday. It was a huge success and a great chance to see some friends I hadn’t seen for ages. But, organising this type of thing is not without it’s stresses! I don’t know the form for kids parties and was there at the start time wondering whether anyone would turn up! Much fun, frolics and cake followed and the sunshine just topped in off. For those who aren’t aware I live in the North East of England where we are not known for our good weather, and it was 22 degrees!!!

Today was back to just me and the babe and we had a lush time at her music classes, out in the park and in the garden in her new birthday swing. Lots of cuddles and smiles, I just love her so much. It’s a fantastic time at the minute. She’s really becoming a little personality and her mobility means she is just into everything and so interested! It also feels like she is starting to become independent from me… So much of her first year has required me at all times but she is getting more sociable every day. Wherever we are she will be crawling around and playing and she’ll look around, spot me and smile, then carry on with what she’s doing. I am so proud of her.

From a fashion perspective such randomly good weather at an unexpected time of year threw me this morning! Frustratingly the lovely pastel trew’s I purchased for the babe on Saturday will have to be changed as they are massive! I know Mothercare sizing can come up big but she needs stuff now so will need to go back into 9-12 months. We ended up in Zara baby jeans and white tee. A safe option whilst I get the summer wardrobe sorted!

The weather has prompted me to buy her a new sun hat. (You should have see me try and wedge her baby one on today, bless). I have also ordered some baby Toms, better than heavy boots and shoes when it’s so warm. Hope the weather stays good enough to enjoy them!

Barbie my baby

Well I had my first pay cheque after my maternity leave yesterday and what did I do with it, go shopping for the babe!! It’s been a lovely afternoon really. The hubby took the babe to the park whilst me and the best bud went to the shops, a lovely little break combined with my fave activity.

Neither me or the buddy had loads of money to spend so we stayed with the high street and headed for the Next sale and Mothercare where there is a buy one get one half price offer on all their clothes and shoes. Baby Zara can never be missed however so we stopped there too….

I try to buy for the babe like I buy for myself. My theory is to buy only things that already go with one or two things in my wardrobe and also group with trends that I am into and I know suit me. I have gone with some colour blocking for the babe and I try to keep in mind that more pastel rather than bright colours suit her. I am a skinnies and tee’s kind of a mummy and so the poor thing is a bit in my image too, bless her. Everything I buy also has to go with the leopard print booties. See my gravatar if you missed the post dedicated to them!!

So, what did I buy? Three pairs of skinnies and about seven tees!!! Mothercare came through on the jeans and whilst the Baby K range is not always my cup of tea I do find that they do some more fashion oriented stuff. Bit pricey for little ones but the buy one get one half price helped. The coral jeans below also come in a pastel pink (which I also got).

http://www.mothercare.com/Baby-K-Pink-Slim-Jean/dp/B006WM12HU?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_15&nodeId=161616031&sr=1-15&qid=1332619410

http://www.mothercare.com/Baby-K-Red-Jean/dp/B007AHCFVI?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_8&nodeId=161616031&sr=1-8&qid=1332619359&pf_rd_r=17WR39YNSYYQWHNF14WX&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=161616031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

There was also a pair of lemon skinnies in the Mothercare main range for a cheaper £9 that are in the bag too.

http://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Yellow-Trouser/dp/B006LKO2HU?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=42764041&sr=1-2&qid=1332619305&pf_rd_r=18E06344N1MZP471CGGW&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=231490887&pf_rd_s=center-7

As far as t shirts go the top shot is classic baby Zara and is something I would wear too! A great match with a the colourful jeans and boots.

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/190046/687015/photograph%2BT-shirt

I have to say Next did not come up trumps. Sale days at Next are always a drama but there wasn’t sufficient stock to look at. I did pick up some socks but I don’t think they need their own link!

It’s the babes birthday party tomorrow so I must go and ice 101 fairy cakes but in the true spirit of Barbie My Baby I am including a pic of the babe’s outfit today. I have cut her head to keep her secret but you’ll get the idea. In brief the jeans are Mothercare, the tee is Next, the boots are Pom D’api and the cardi is La Redoute. Hope you approve; I thought she looked like a little dudette!