My ASOS Autumn Picks.

I wrote about a few of my favourite Autumn pieces for kids a while back. Well now it's OUR turn. Thanks to Anna at South Molton St Style and the fact that Autumn is just around the corner, I'm excited about fashion again!

So whilst flicking through the ASOS magazine and spending a few hours on their website, I've compiled a lust list (I know I was boycotting ASOS for their poor customer service but they do winter so well). Please bear in mind, colour doesn't much appeal to me during the colder months + my favourite colour is grey...


I didn't want to jump on the animal infused bandwagon but I love how cosy this dress looks. Add tights and boots and thrown on an old leather jacket and BAM.


Perfect for when casual isn't an option (Casual: sloppy). This would make a great DIY too.


Because we can't all afford Chloe's version. Also, see here for alternatives.


Roomy enough for my stuff and Lil's 'crap' (crayons, biscuits, Minnie, sippy cup, lego, dolly...) and it's grey, in case you didn't realise.


Because we all love a bit of bling. Plus, the party season isn't that far away.


So now you nosey lot know what's on my ASOS lust list. What's on yours? Show me, show me (oh christ, Chris and Pui have not left my head for the past three days....).



Psssssssst. I know this necklace isn't from ASOS but isn't it just dreamy? Maybe the only piece of colour I want in my life this season.











A list of things currently making me happy.

I haven't done one of these in a while and to be honest, I had to think hard to get past three. What with the elephant deciding to stick around and generally feeling a bit bleurgh about everything, it took a while. But here it is, my happiness list...

Lil. Every single day she says or does something new. I know you're not supposed to be best friends with your kid but we are BEST BUDS.

Bedtime LOLZ.


Ibiza. We're going on holiday next week and even though my body is nowhere near bikini ready, I'm adamant we are going to have an amazing time.

Autumn. It's nearly Autumn!!!!!!

Ginger. My best friend is moving from Portsmouth to a town TWENTY MINUTES away from us.

Ginger and I.


Alice Harold. My new drinking partner and Milf to two very cute kids.

My new print. I won this last week from the super talented Enclosed Spaces.

November - only two months away. Birthday month (shared with my amazing friend Jolyne) and all round party time.

Food. Especially recipes for the stuff on here.

What (or who) is making you happy?

MILFS NIGHT OUT

Last week I spent the evening with some HAWT mummas at Bliss Spa in London thanks to Mothers Meeting and Monty PR.

WHAT A NIGHT.

If you could tell how a night out was just by the hangover the next day, well....it was pretty fucking obvious I had a good time.

We rocked up to the spa and stripped down to our underwear (it wasn't THAT kind of evening), donned a robe and sipped cocktails whilst we had manicures, pedicures, facials, massages.... it was......er........BLISS?!



And the fun didn't stop there, we then headed over to Gaucho Galante for more booze (and food) and lots of laughs.

MILFS: Alice and Bianca.

The best part of the night was meeting so many amazing Mums and spending time with the amazing Mum's I already know. I'm so grateful to Jenny and Bianca for organising such a fun evening. I hope to spend a lot more time with these women.

The morning after.


Bliss are offering 20% discount on any full sized product when you quote code MBLG20 at the checkout. Happy shopping!

Bliss are on Twitter.

So is Mothers Meetings.

MAMA GIVEAWAY - PRETTEE CRAFTEE - CLOSED

So, going back to my post about Autumn fashion for kids, I have a great giveaway for you. We've teamed up with Prettee Craftee this time to bring you some super cute crocheted booties (if you haven't already, check out Celeste's Etsy shop)

To be in with a chance to win a pair of these snug booties (size 0-6 months), enter below and dont forget to state which pair you'd like.






Fancy a holiday?

I have been asked by Mama Bear (hello Mother) to share this competition with you all. She works for a company that specialises in LUXURY holidays. Ridiculously luxury holidays. So I thought I'd play the good daughter and post the competition on here.

You can only enter it if you're on Facebook and you have to submit a photo of your family or friends having fun in the sunshine (not that we've had much of it...).

Just go here to enter. The photo with the most votes will win a holiday at a super luxury ocean resort.

The competition closes on 7 November 2012.


Good luck!


MM x NIKE FLYKNIT SPORTS DAY

Last Saturday we were invited to spend the day with a few achingly hip, cool Mums/Dads/Babies for the Mothers Meeting / Nike Flyknit sports day





We had SO MUCH fun! Lil designed her own t-shirt, played with the space hoppers and hula hoops and bounced on the trampoline installations while I drank Pimms and took part in the MM workout.

If you haven't yet heard of Mothers Meeting - go check it out.

A huge thank you to Jenny for such a great day.

The elephant.

I realised something yesterday. I kinda realised it a week or so a go but it was yesterday that it clicked. Really clicked.

In this house, my depression is the big fat elephant sitting in the corner on top of the ironing pile I still haven't got round to. I know it makes my husband uncomfortable. I know my family think I'm being dramatic. But here's the thing... I HAVE DEPRESSION.

When the doctor diagnosed me, I took the prescription and hurried out of the surgery. It's still in the drawer upstairs, I'm yet to swap it for anti-depressants. I'm trying to kick it on my own. Am I succeeding? Ask me next week.

But what I realised yesterday is that, once again, I've been transported back to my twelve year old self: an excruciatingly shy, awkward mess. I don't know why, I used to be so good at letting go and being crazy. But something has shifted and it hurts again.




Sometimes, I dodge socialising. What if my hair looks shit? Or my make-up too much? What if I look fat that day or I'm wearing something that looks stupid? Where has this come from? Where has my confidence gone? I've made plans and cancelled them last minute because I just cannot bear to risk any of the above. I find it hard to be silly. Stupid, seeings as I have a kid. But around her, I'm fine. I don't mind looking like a tool, it's around other Mum's I have a problem.

Motherhood isn't a competition, christ knows I know a lot of Mum's suffering with depression. And most of these Mums are crazy. Jolly, loud, fun, outgoing Mums. So why can't I let go?

Lil's first festival: Lollibop.

Last Friday we were guests of Carousel PR at Lollibop. I'm not really a fan of festivals but a kids festival I could handle. After a tantrum for a Minnie Mouse balloon (which then decided to detach itself from the ribbon and float away) and a few tears, Lil saw that there were giant bubbles being blown so soon forgot why she was grumpy.

There was so much for her to do. Things to make, toys to play with, children to clamber over... she won Best Dancer in a dancing competition, swung on a hammock swing, rode the carousel (which was actually a bar), danced to the Zingzillas, drew some pictures. We had such a great day.










GENIUS


We're definitely going to go again next year but will take a picnic, the food was stupidly expensive and there were lots of shaded areas to eat under.

Thank you to Jen and her team for inviting us, we made some very happy memories.


Parklife.





The E word...

So since I last wrote about Lil's eating habits, not a lot has changed and quite a lot of food has gone to waste (crying inside). She picks at breakfast, refuses lunch and is sometimes having dinner. I'm still as frustrated but I'm less concerned after you lot helped me out with advice and tips. Thanks for that.




I won't bore you with what she has and hasn't eaten but she's still eating bananas like they're going out of fashion and continues to gorge on pasta when it suits.

This week we are eating:

Summer Vegetable Curry (we had this tonight....AMAZING)
American Blueberry Pancakes
Bruschetta with Avocado salsa
Fish fingers

The curry

Along with some tried and tested Mama dishes and fresh filled pasta (store bought). Let's hope next week is an improvement.

Do you have any recipes that are worth sharing?



MAMA SPONSOR: JOLYNE OF ROWDY RODDY VINTAGE

Mama Jolyne of Rowdy Roddy Vintage (online store AND shop in Glasgow) is a friend and fellow vintage hourder with a gorgeous GORGEOUS one year old, Roddy. She is a fellow Scorpio and tattooed Mama with a wicked laugh and an exquisite taste in Whisky.



NAME: Jolyne Colburn           

OCCUPATION: Mother, Vintage Hoarder, Husband Wrangler, Graphic Designer

WHAT DID YOUR LIFE CONSIST OF BEFORE YOU BECAME A MAMA?

Oh wow… Those were the days! I’m glad that I sowed my wild oats in my twenties. I don’t think I could have done it in my thirties! I’m tired! All I can say is that I had FUN. Worked hard (corporate America!) and played hard. Right before Roddy came to join the family, I was traveling a lot and I would meet up with my husband’s band in different places. It was a blast, but it all came to a halt when I attempted to go on the tour bus 8 weeks pregnant. Early pregnancy (couldn’t tell anyone) + long coach rides + everyone’s food = NEVER AGAIN. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy! It was 2 weeks long and I didn’t see a single gig I was so sick. Hotel bed for me! All the solo traveling I did was fun though, I saw the world, and now I can show Roddy. It’s a whole new adventure with just slightly more packing involved.

HAS BECOMING A MOTHER MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON?

Yes. Absolutely. It is a true test of will. First of all, I moved away from all my family and close friends to be with my husband at 7 months pregnant. Then having an infant when my husband was on the road and I was in a country I didn’t know well was tough. But I did it, and it made me humble. It made me stronger. And now I have shown myself that I can accomplish things that I never dreamed of. For instance, opening a business while very occasionally single parenting a teething child!

ASIDE FROM CONCEALER, WHAT CANT YOU LIVE WITHOUT NOW YOU HAVE A CHILD?

COFFEE! Cups and cups of coffee. It is a must in the mornings.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FIRST TIME MUM?

Breathe. Enjoy your baby at that very moment. If you feel overwhelmed and stressed about your baby crying or acting up, breathe. Cuddle. Oh how I wish I could go back to the moments when Roddy was little and just cuddle his tiny body. He is so big now! It hit me recently that he is growing at a rapid rate and I should have appreciated those moments in the beginning when it was hard, more. I should have relaxed more. It’s not easy when you’re a new mum to do that. And I wish someone had told to just breathe and relax, because these moments will be gone. So I am saying this now. Breathe…. Relax…. Enjoy those tiny tears because they will be CRAWLING, WALKING, TALKING, with much bigger tears before you know it.

HOW HAS YOUR WARDROBE CHANGED SINCE HAVING A BABY?

Ahhh! I don’t like this question. Well, I still cant fit in to my old clothes, which drives me insane since I shipped it all from California. I think I may have to give up my night time wine and hit the gym! Haha! So I am refusing to buy anything new, unless I have to, so when I do, it’s usually black and something that I could wear at any size.  Keyword, flowy.
Oh and Wellies! I have never owned a pair of rain boots until I moved to Scotland. Now I have 2 pairs! What happened to me?! I used to ONLY wear high heels. Post pregnancy feet & Scottish cobblestones. That is all I can say.

CAKE OR BISCUITS?

Burritos! I have always been drawn more to savoury than sweet. But if I had to pick, it would be Mini Black & Whites from my favourite jailbird, Martha Stewart. In one of her magazines she had a recipe for them and they are amazing. A perfect combo of cake and cookie! I mean biscuit!

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My parents. They are the hardest working people I know. Still to this day. Between both owning their own successful businesses to traveling the world. They always inspire me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS OR TIPS TO MAKING MOTHERHOOD THAT BIT EASIER?

The whole breathe business from before…. and to just get on with it. It’s hard. It really is, having a newborn and losing your daily routines. Especially when you're a first time mum. You can’t read a magazine or watch a movie on the plane anymore, you can’t keep your clothes clean, and sometimes taking a shower is the last priority because your already running late and you still have bottles to sterilize. But just get on with it…. Laugh it off. If you stress, then everything gets harder.
Let it go, and just play with your child. Get dirty. Travel. Sing. Dance. Be sillier then you have ever been. And when they laugh at you it makes you happier than you have ever been in your entire life.







You can follow Rowdy Roddy Vintage on Facebook and Twitter.

AUTUMN BABY YEAH!

It's that time of year again...... my favourite season...... AUTUMN!!!

Alright, alright, I know we're still in Summer but my brain is in Autumn mode. So many lovely snug jumpers and coats. I just can't resist scouring the internet for Lil's wardrobe (and mine, of course).

I thought I'd share a few of my favourite pieces with you for the bairns.
























Cute, huh?! And that is just the beginning. Each week I'm going to bring you a few of my favourite pieces for the new season. Not for us Mama's, no. Because you probably already know that the bubba comes first when it comes to clothes (so selfless and SO PAINFUL - Oh Alex Wang.....)

Happy Shopping 
xoxo

P.S Mamas: feeling left out? I'm going to buy myself this amazing print.










  






MAMA SPONSOR: ROSIE JANSEN OF TRIBE BAGS


Tribe Bags was launched in July 2011, just after I'd bought a new baby bag. But, as somebody pointed out to me, nobody needs to know it's a baby bag you're walking around with because let's face it....they're pretty stylish bags (as seen on the arms of the likes of Katherine Heigl and Denise Richards).

My favourite is the Singapore Sling (not the cocktail). These are such beautifully crafted leather bags and make for a little everyday Mama luxury. Because we deserve it, non?

Here is founder and owner Rosie Jansen on Motherhood...



NAME Rosie Jansen

OCCUPATION

Founder and Owner of Tribe – The Ultimate Breed of Baby Bag (www.tribebags.com) and ‘Best Changing Bag’ winner in Junior Design Awards 2012.

WHAT DID YOUR LIFE CONSIST OF BEFORE YOU BECAME A MAMA? 

Things were certainly very different from what they’re like now. I was a practising banking lawyer for 10 years and worked in a very demanding industry – the hours were long and the work was mentally draining. I had very little time for anything other than work. 18 months before having my son, I decided to establish Tribe as a dedicated luxury changing bag brand. Since then I’ve worked extremely hard in establishing the brand but I’m grateful to have had flexibility with my working hours. Balancing work and motherhood does have its challenges but, having said that, I’m in very good place right now and am very happy.

HOW HAS BECOMING A MOTHER MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON? 

Becoming a parent definitely gives you the incentive to want to become a better person. It’s work-in-progress for me as I think becoming a better person is an on-going journey.

ASIDE FROM CONCEALER, WHAT CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT NOW YOU HAVE A CHILD?

Eye cream is a must. I never used it before becoming a mum and I now really wish I did because I think I wouldn’t look so old if I had started using it earlier. I’m currently using Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair and am always on the look out for great eye creams!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FIRST TIME MUM?

Trust your instincts. Motherhood is hard enough without second-guessing ourselves all the time.

HOW HAS YOUR WARDROBE CHANGED SINCE HAVING A BABY?

I don’t wear high heels and my favourite wedges as often as I once did, but I now have a growing collection of ballet slippers in my wardrobe. Can never have enough!

CAKE OR BISCUITS?

Cake. I eat cake about four to five times a week. It’s the one big vice I have.

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My mum is an incredible person. She’s strong, independent, highly-accomplished, caring and resilient. Now that I’m a mum, I’ve grown to appreciate how lucky I’ve been to have such a positive role model in my life. Thanks mum!

DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS OR TIPS TO MAKING MOTHERHOOD THAT BIT EASIER?

Sleep is really important so I try to maximise it whenever I have the opportunity because I never know when my son is going to fall ill or have an interrupted sleep. I think all parents would agree that sleep deprivation is one of the hardest aspects of parenting, so sleep when you can! 

You can follow Tribe Bags on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.

NIKE x MM FAMILY FETE


Calling all families, the Nike x MM Family Fete is soon approaching. This Saturday, 18 August between 11am to 6pm, be prepared for a fun-filled day of activities and arts and crafts for the whole family.




Jenny Scott, the mum behind mums networking site Mothers Meeting knows just how to collectively bring stylish people together. Uninspired by the lack of baby websites, Jenny decided to take matters into her own hands and explore London and share it with perspective mums. The savvy online site brings together culture, design and fashion for likeminded mums who want to explore a life outside dummies and dribble. Jenny and Mummy Running blogger Lucy Brice have teamed up to bring you the MM x Nike Workout class which takes place every Thursday morning at 1948.

The Nike x MM Workout class is a tailor made fitness program aimed at mums who want to meet other mum’s whilst getting fit and toning those post pregnancy areas. The class is about being around empowering women and taking control of your body again. After the session, it’s a great opportunity to have a chat build some great new friendships.

If that wasn’t enough the pair have now launched The Nike x MM Family Fete. Taking place this Saturday, the event offers a day of sports and games with a range of activities for the whole family. From t shirt painting, mask making, ball ponds, to a trampoline installation made by United Visual Artists. There is Ale for dads, Pimms for mums and airstream food stalls for the whole family and what’s more, its all free. With a range of tasty treats and a host of activities on offer, the Nike x MM Family Fete is guaranteed to be a great day of family fun. RSVP - 1948@nikestadiums.com