Throwback

Back in the day I was a classic slip-on-Vans-wearing,  Fall-Out-Boy-listening and too-much-eyeliner-wearing teenager so you can only imagine how happy I was when Vans slip-on style shoes began popping up in Topshop, Office and H&M etc. I've been out of the sneaker game for a LONG time and sold my heart to loafers, pumps and sandals so on first-try I felt way too masculine in them but after going back and trying on a whole outfit with the shoes, they totally stole my heart (I opted for the Snakeskin H&M pair.)

What's not to love about some shoes that combine animal print and memories of your teenage years?

Another item I've been desperately hunting down, but  to no avail, is a white t-shirt, you'd think it would be one of those items you could pop in to Primark and find within five minutes but it's reaaally, really not. Topshop didn't have any that weren't V-neck or too over-sized, Primark didn't have any that didn't look like P.E tops or have some kind of embellishment and as for online- Boohoo.com seemed to be completely sold out of the one I liked and eBay has been a nightmare because lately I'm constantly being outbid in the last three seconds - rage! 

If anyone finds a plain white t-shirt in a light material with a low-ish scoop neck that isn't cropped, help a girl out and I'll be forever grateful.

I'm going to watch My Mad Fat Diary now (if you haven't seen it, you should) and get busy with housework ready for the midwife visiting tomorrow.

Have a lovely lazy Sunday guys!

love love love

Summer Lovin'

I've definitely hit that 'get this baby out of me right now' stage. The undignified gymnastics session in the shower whilst trying to shave this morning was ridiculous and getting Laryngitis is going to make the home run of this pregnancy even less of a hoot. I don't want to be all ill-y and gross!

The weather is lifting my spirits a little though, sunshine makes everything better. Even when it is preceded by four hours of heavy rain. The Summer is by far the best time of year; not having to worry about a cosy coat or ripped tights because it's a legs-out level of warm, not having to plan your hair and make-up around the wind and the torrential rain and how undeniably great is it being able to co-ordinate your toenails to your outfit? I won't be hitting any festivals this year and there won't be any drunken beach barbecues but I still intend to enjoy summer mama style! that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a cheeky cocktail by the beach and lots of picnics!

P.s. I've been doing a lot of procrastinating on Polyvore so check it out -http://harleyraynorxo.polyvore.com/

love love love

Impromptu Days Out

Impromptu days out are my favourite because there is nothing better than waking up and realising that the sun is out and you have enough money left and enough day left to do something fun.

Today we're going to go to Brighton which means I can do lots of wandering, pick up a some pretty new stationary and a notebook from Paperchase and we can hunt down some charity/vintage shop bargains... Not without popping in to Zara of course.

The range, or lack of, shops in Eastbourne is a massive disappointment and most of my clothes shopping is done online because of it, but there's nothing quite like rifling through sale rails and finding the best things in your size.

I'm hoping for a cheeky Frozen Yogurt and Nando's lunch date as well. totally worth the pregnancy heartburn that follows.

love love love

Domestic Dreaming

I've totally got used to not working now I'm a bit further in to my maternity leave and I'm worried I'm slipping in to the lazy territory!

I had dreams of teaching myself how to become a cake-baking extraordinaire and domestic goddess and promised myself I would religiously follow the daily/weekly/monthly cleaning list stuck to the fridge door but instead I find myself putting off the washing up to opt for sitting in the bath until it goes cold scrolling through The Huffington Post app, trawling for second-hand bargains on eBay and thinking and over-thinking about what to do when labour starts...

I need to snap out of it!

Today I want to get our bedroom, living room and Lola's nursery in order, write a list of everything we need to do, every bill we need to pay and any up-coming social events and then wander to the beach this evening for some 2p machine fun at the pier and to be 'that couple' walking the beach holding hands.

P.S. whilst typing this I got some eBay notifications and a pretty trench coat and tunic dress are on their way in to my wardrobe. heart eyes!

love love love

Sunday not-so-funday.

I woke up this morning with intense lower back pains that have me unable to bend over, lay on my back and comfortably get in and out of a bath. This pregnancy niggle is new to me and I am 100% not a fan. However, I have absolutely no plans for today, baby daddy is out at work until late afternoon and I can spend the free hours having the first truly lazy Sunday in a very long time. 

Is it not sometimes the best feeling to whip your hair up into an (almost) Croyden-face lift ponytail, keep the primer and the contouring brushes and the magic foundation neatly packed away and not go through the hassle of choosing an outfit?

Today I've donned the comfiest pyjamas and have every episode of The Kardashians at my disposal.

I hope everyone else has a wild day whatever plans (or lack-of) you have!

love love love

Triple threat: 

My Sunday self-shot taken on a Thursday.

Mothercare haul!

Our families have been lovely enough to buy us lots of baby bits and help us out and we had a couple of Mothercare vouchers to spend so went out yesterday afternoon and bought all the leftover essentials on our checklist. Now, I absolutely adore shopping for clothes and bags and shoes and scouring the rails of vintage and charity shops to find bargain treats but it's a whole different buzz doing a big spend on baby products, it really hit me when I was sat at home unpacking a breast pump and watching my boyfriend put together a vibrating-bouncer chair that in a months time there is going to be a teeny tiny human in our house.

I'm also trying to do arrange some birthday plans for July and if anyone has any suggestions, please comment! It's going to be my first night out the house later than 9pm since before falling pregnant so nothing too wild is on the cards but any suggestions of nice bars and restaurants around Brighton would be fabulous. Thank you!

love love love

Pregnancy Blues

I don't really know where to start today!

I feel like I have a lot to say about a lot of things but realistically it's just a lot of ranting! I have four-and-a-bit weeks left of this pregnancy business and I feel so, so done. I'm always sleepy, always wanting to go on nice long walks but lacking the energy (and the bladder strength) to do so, always hungry and always looking at stretch marks and wishing that they weren't a thing. I can't wait to meet my daughter and I have never been more excited about anything in my whole life but I've always read and been mislead by unrealistic descriptions of pregnancy in magazines by celebrity women who feel glowing and beautiful and womanly with their new-found curves and it makes me grumble every time I go to pick my trusty black leggings or maternity jeans from the wardrobe and another super stretchy or over-sized top/smock dress to pair with them. Not to mention every time I lay down to go to sleep and the dreaded heart burn makes an appearance... Oh, and as for the pregnancy glow!? my pregnancy glow is a mixture of Benefit foundation, Maybelline blusher and Instagram filters. 

Massive sigh.

Women are super great for putting up with this and I have nothing but respect for mama's who have lasted the 9 months without whining as much as I do. I guess you have to suffer to get the best things!

On to something a little brighter, I was wandering around the shops today and was massively impressed by Primarks current collection. They have so many items that are almost exact replica's of things I've been lusting after from Topshop, Zara, River Island etc, but for half the price or less. Lot's of pastel, beautiful co-ords, sports luxe and simple but lovely things like a Breton striped dress for only £5! Definitely make some time to get yourself in there and see what your local store has to offer.

love love love

1.) Wetherspoons mocktails 2.) Our colour-pop bedroom 3.) pancake breakfast
4.) Lola's new friends 5.) Eastbourne beach 6.) Face.