Maternity clothes

If I had unlimited funds (and lived in a trendy apartment in New York) I would have bought the entire Hatch maternity collection and called it a day. Unfortunately though, I can't afford to spend $380 on a maternity dress, and come to think of it, I'm not sure I would even if I did have the money!

It was easy when I was pregnant with Sophie as it was the middle of summer and maxi-dresses had just come into fashion. I don't think I bought a single piece of maternity clothing the entire pregnancy.
This time though, it is the middle of winter and most of my long sleeve tops and jumpers stopped fitting me about 3 months ago so I have had to stock up on a few basic maternity pieces.

I really don't like maternity clothes.. I find them so ridiculously overpriced and most of them are so ugly. I had quite a hard time finding decent basics so I thought I would share a couple of my finds with you.. and of course, all of these websites deliver to your home!

'Trimester' black maternity leggings from Queen Bee.
One of the best things I have bought. They have loads of stretch around the waistband and sit comfortably under your belly. I literally live in these!

Maternity jeans from ASOS.
These are the best maternity jeans I have found at a decent price. They fit really well and come in a good range of colours/ styles.

Basic long sleeve maternity tops from Next Direct.
These are the cheapest maternity tops I have found.. and surprisingly, they best fitting ones. They are nice and long and 100% cotton.

I have found the rest of my maternity wardrobe from places like Cotton On, Sussan and other similar stores. I have found some really cheap over-sized t-shirts, jumpers and cardigans that all fit nicely over my bump.

Usually when buying clothes I am happy to spend more money to buy something that is hand-made or Australian-made or organic rather than something that is cheap and won't last, but with maternity clothes I just tried to find things that were cheap and comfortable as I will only be wearing them for a few months.

Let me know if you have any other good maternity finds...

Hey big spender

I have to admit that I have been doing a bit of online shopping while on bed rest. The majority has been for the little man (and I plan to do a post about all the cute little things I have bought him soon) but every so often the postman arrives with something exciting for me.

The funny thing is that despite my online spending sprees (not really!) we are still saving much more money every week than what we used to just because I am on bed rest. It's amazing how a coffee with friends, a magazine, picking up lunch from the local bakery to eat at the playground etc. etc. all used to add up so quickly.
If you are trying to save money I can highly recommend locking yourself in your bedroom for 6 months!
Just don't bring your laptop!

Here are some of the things that I have bought in the past few weeks..

Dress from Gorman.
Burts Bees 'Mama Bee Belly Balm' from Adore Beauty.
Sandals from Topshop. (Yes, I know it's winter here.. but I could not resist!)
Jacket from Topshop.

On getting dressed.. Or not.

Ever since Sophie was old enough to talk (and maybe even before then) she has had very strong opinions about how she is going to dress.

The problem is that every morning has become an absolute struggle.. multiple outfit changes, tantrums, the entire contents of her wardrobe emptied across her bedroom floor and sometimes even after an hour of trying to get her dressed we are still no closer to getting her out the door.

While I am happy than my little girl has a strong sense of what she likes and does not like, I have no idea where this behaviour originated from.. I like nice clothes as much as the rest of us, but I usually throw on the first clean thing I find (which is usually jeans, a stripy top and my converse) and don't give it a second thought. I have no idea how she became so obsessed with clothes and how she looks and it does worry me a little.

A few nights ago she had a tantrum because her "pyjamas looked silly". I explained to her that it did not matter what her pyjamas looked like as she would be tucked up in her bed all night and the most important thing is that they are warm and cosy.. no-one cares what your pyjamas look like! But she was not convinced and that is what worries me.. how did this little girl learn to place so much value on how she looks? Is this something she will grow out of or is it the beginning of lifelong belief that our physical looks define our worth as a person (my gosh I hope not!)

I should add here that while we often tell Sophie that she looks lovely or how gorgeous she is (if you have a little girl it's impossible not too),  but we have always been very careful not to emphasise it too much and we are always trying to encourage self-worth based on non-physical attributes, such as "we were very proud of how well you played with your friends today at the park, Well done!" or "I really love this painting you did at school today, Can you tell me more about it?" (I'm reading a book at the moment about adding open ended questions onto the end of a statement when praising children.. but that's a post for another time).

Aside from what ever worries I have about my daughter's sense of self-worth, it's really the stress of each morning that is becoming a problem. We have tried choosing an outfit together the night before, we have tried laying out 3 possible (weather appropriate) choices and asking her to choose one, we have tried everything short of putting locks on her wardrobe!

And on the days when she manages to choose an outfit and get dressed without any complaining, you can be assured that an hour later she will be found up in her room.. getting changed again! (And again at lunch time, and again before going to the park, and again before dinner.. No wonder Tom feels like he spends his whole life doing laundry!)

Bookhou

I just bought myself this awesome little bag from 'bookhouathome' on Etsy.
I'm calling it an early mother's day present to myself.. That's allowed isn't it?

*Image via 'Bookhou'

Louloueskimo

I found this beautiful French brand of kids clothes the other day called Louloueskimo.
I wish they made that polka dot skirt in my size.

Moscot

I bought these Moscot sunnies a few months ago. I never usually buy expensive sunnies because I am sure I will just loose them or drop them, but I saw a mum wearing these at the park and I fell in love with them (I'm obsessed with olive green at the moment).
I guess if I wear them everyday for the next year it will be worth the cost, right?

P.s If they are good enough for Johnny Depp, they are good enough for me!

News + shoes

Want to hear a funny story? The winner of my lark giveaway was a woman who lives in WA, when she gave me her address I asked her (as a joke) if she knew some friends of ours who lived in the same town. Not only did she know our friends, but we realised (after several emails) that her husband went to primary school with Tom and used to live across the road from where we live now. Tom had not spoken to him in years, but remembers spending school holidays at his parents holiday house! Seriously, how small is the world!

I have to go to the hospital every few days for blood tests at the moment as part of my fertility treatment. I look like a human pincushion.. my poor arms are full of holes!

You may have noticed my new blog design. I am so, so happy with the re-design by the very talented Mervi from 'My Best Friend Jules'. If you are thinking about a new design for your blog I can highly recommend Mervi. She was such a pleasure to deal with!

And in other news, Sophie likes to dress like me. Sometimes she even gets changed just so she can wear "the same as mummy". Its a little embarrassing. Hence the matching shoes (luckily not the same colour)!

Blue jean baby

I have a problem. Even Sophie has noticed.
I wear jeans and a white singlet every single day.
Add sneakers or thongs. Add a t-shirt or cardigan. Add scarf. Leave house.
Hmm..

Madewell booties

I bought these boots from Madewell last winter.
I love them so.

Bensimon

Ever since our last trip to Paris in 2008, I have practically lived in bensimon sneakers.
They come in every colour under the sun and are super comfy, not to mention totally cool cause all the French girls wear them!

(Image: A Cup of Jo)

Le stripe...

Is it just me or does anyone else have a serious obsession with striped t-shirts?
This is the amount of striped tee's I folded from one load of washing.. Gah!

Goldie and stripes..

A few months ago I bought this bag from EmersonMade. It's a reversible bag with a gold linen on one side and stripes on the other.. It goes with everything!
I love it!

Loafing around

It's my birthday on Friday.. So a few weeks ago I bought myself a pair of these shoes as an early birthday present (that's allowed right?)..

They are the most comfortable things I have ever worn. I am seriously considering buying a second pair because I am already worried about the day when they will be so worn out from me wearing them 24/7 that they will fall apart..

I want.. I need..

I want.. by GrowCookSew featuring rose quartz jewelry

A girl can dream, right?

red sandals

I bought these sandals for Sophie and I at the beginning of spring. I have spoken before about my new obsession with the colour red, so of course we both got new red sandals. The only problem is that I can't actually wear mine.. I have super small feet. Small in size and small in width, and these shoes are just way too wide for me.. I look like a clown when I wear them, so I'm not sure what to do.. Anyone want a pair of Size 5 Saltwater sandals? Sob.

Mine are Saltwater sandals from Little Pinwheel.
Sophie's are Scruffy Dog shoes from My Messy Room.

Wishlist Wednesday

Here are a few of the things on my wishlist for Sophie..

1. Scruffy Dog.


I came across these gorgeous shoes on a little girl at the Bondi Beach playground one day last year, I asked her mum where they were from and went and got Sophie a pair the very next week! I love that they are all made locally too. I get mine from My Messy Room in Summer Hill.

2. Olives friend Pop.


I LOVE this collection of childrens clothes.. They are avaliable from Lark.

3. Mini-me dolls.


How cute are these personalised paper dolls? I want some for me too!

4. Belle and Boo.


These wall stickers would look so good in Sophie's room. Avaliable from Lark aswell.

Papier Mache

Have you seen this super cute online kids magazine?





I saw it for the first time the other day and fell in love with the beautiful clothes inside. Although it seems to be full of French brands, which is great, but a little annoying because we have loads of lovely Australian designers right here (and they deliver for half the price!)



Apparently the next issue is coming out in print. Yippee.. that means I can cut it up into little bits for my inspiration board*





*Otherwise known as the fridge.