Signature Outfit - Winter

Yesterday, I read this post by Mrs Woog. Her innate sense of style inspired me to share my own Signature outfit.

My outfit is a winter outfit only, although parts of it can be worn in the transitional seasons also. It is a fairly new outfit (2010-2012) but this is because previously, I did not have an outfit for the occaision of "not leaving the house today/now I'm home". And THIS is because previously, I simply wore my pyjamas during these periods of time - Satin pjs are the most comfortable piece of clothing on the planet as far as I am concerned!

Ongoing requests that I not put my pj's on as soon as I get home from my Englishman have created a gap in my wardrobe which I have filled over the past 2 winters, and this is the result:

FIRST - THE UNDERLAYER.

I like my clothes to match so imagine my delight when I came across this wonderful ensemble! Wildcats indeed. It had been quite a few years since I owned a tracksuit (don't ask me why, I really don't understand it myself) and this was the perfect pair to re-introduce myself to the wonders of fleece and hoods.
This was purchased about 2 years ago while living in our previous unit - top floor with lots of windows and air con that would trip the circuit, requiring a phone call to Energy Australia to get into the room downstairs and flick a switch. Hence, the need for warmth, comfort and something that doesnt quite look like pyjamas.
When its really cold, I add a singlet a la Supre or a grey 'Cheetahs' tshirt to this outfit, which fits with the underlayer theme of 'slightly feminine sounding animals as mascots for ficticious sporting teams'.

NEXT - FOOT UNDERLAYER
In keeping again with the feline theme, these little beauties were shipped back from the UK in my last visit to the 'Motherland' (thankyou, TopShop). In fact, they were replacements for the previous pack of 3 bought a few years prior which are still in rotation but looking a bit sad.
Really, how can you resist thick, warm socks with Hello Kitty all over them? The colours aren't a great match for the tracksuit (Blue, Brown or Blue-and-white) but hey, you can't have everything, right?

FINALLY - THE OUTERLAYER and FOOTWEAR

These are only a recent purchase and one that I am thoroughly pleased with. I believe I have many, many years of comfort ahead of me!
This particular set may still be available at your local shop that starts with a big 'K' and includes pyjamas (tshirt and long pants) which don't feature here because frankly, my tracksuit from the shop with the bit red spot is MUCH better.
As I mentioned before, I like my clothes to match. And while my Underlayer doesnt match the Outerlayer, I'm still very happy. Purple being my favourite colour, I'm even more pleased!
Did you notice this dressing gown, like the underlayer, also has a hood? Double warmth for the head if I need to duck outside for some reason. The minky softness of this layer is its biggest drawcard, and the slipper/bedsocks even have grip on the base!
It is also important to note that a dressing gown is adjustable in size, and as I am currently looking like this:

 and still 3 months to go! Adjustability is important.

I will lament the day my Wildcats Hoodie no longer stretches over my bulbous stomach - not quite sure how I will replace this important piece without throwing the balance of the outfit off altogether.....

What is your signature outfit? Blog about it and link to me (or Mrs Woog) or just comment and let me know!

More than halfway there....

I've been quiet on the blog front lately: too busy soaking up this whole 'pregnancy experience' I think!
I've been a lucky lady so far as I've had very few issues. No morning sickness, just constant nausea for about 2 weeks and random nausea for a few weeks either side. I've had a bit of indigestion and reflux but very rare. The worst and most constant symptoms I've had are congestion and tiredness. The tiredness has not gone away as promised, though winter always makes me tired anyway.

This weekend we are off to Fiji for a Babymoon! Though the term Babymoom always confuses me: Honeymoons happen after the wedding so shouldn't Babymoons happen after the baby?

Anyway- its our last holiday as a 'Two' for a while and I'm really looking forward to it. Heat, water, yummy food and relaxation with the Englishman, doesn't get much better than that!!

Oh and did I mention we're having a boy? The Englishman is very excited!!

New Bump Photos - Weeks 12 - 16

So a few weeks ago a posted my 'Bump' photos so far.


Here's an update:

Week 12 - where we last left off

Week 13....

Week 14....

Week 15.....

Week 16!

A work friend commented that I was looking 'slimmer' even though I've developed a bump....and I don't seem to have put any weight on scales-wise, which was worrying me....then I had a little think and realised that as soon as I became pregnant, I cut out a whole calorie food group - alcohol! So now it all makes sense...cutting out 3-4 glasses of wine most nights has allowed more room for food :-)

When did you start putting on weight in earnest? Was it different for different pregnancies?

I Like Nice Things

I like nice things. I do! I really, really do. I'm not just talking about 'regular nice' either - I'm talking slightly more fancy nice. I've gotten a taste for it too.

Since moving to Sydney, meeting my Englishman and combining our financial resources, the attainability of said 'nice things' has been, well, attainable. Add to that the fact that the Englishman likes nice things too and you have a recipe for indulgence.....

I like to think I have some restraint when it comes to spending money on the finer things in life - I don't go out and splurge all the time, in fact most of the 'nice' things I have are presents from the Englishman or friends and family. I actually still find it hard to go out myself and justify the spend. I think it's the 'poor uni student' in me ;)

There are some smaller 'nice things' that I dont feel too bad about spending more on. In particular, I LOVE to have nice smelly things to wash in, and Crabtree and Evelyn is my favourite! I have a thing for lavender but rose, vanilla and a bunch of other scents are also on the list. I love to have beautiful smelling soaps and shower gels to wash in, and yummy moisturisers to lather myself in afterwards (when I can be bothered).

More and more, I like to spend a little more money on nice wines to drink (well, not so much at the moment!). It's taking a while as again, I have the 'poor uni student' mentality that involves the idea that 'you dont need to spend more than $15 max on a bottle of wine to get a good one, and really, you should be able to get something good for about $10'. We have started going to dinner at our friends D&D's house on a regular basis though, and they like good wine and really appreciate it, too. So when we go there we make the effort to spend a little more and are finding the quality is often MUCH better.

In the same vein, I really enjoy going out for a fancy meal now and then. Not all the time, but just every so often. My Englishman and I started a tradition a few years ago of booking a 'fancy restaurant' for each others' birthdays each year, so we end up going out for a fancy meal every 6 months. We've been to places like Rockpool, Aria, Red Lantern, and most recently, Marque. It all started with Bill's restaurant in Surry Hills and we end up back at Bills more often as its nowhere near as expensive but still lovely!

My other favourite 'nice things' are presents that I treasure and use all the time - my Oroton wallet that's 3 years old and looks almost new, my pearl and diamond-chip earrings that were a graduation present from my parents, my diamond necklace from the Englishman, my Mimco clutch that the lovely C&D gave me for my 30th, my Tiffany bracelet my Úni Girls gave me for the same, my Oroton brolly, my French Connection winter coat....

I think the best thing about these 'nice things' is that they are classic, good quality, and they last. I use them all the time and as long as I look after them, they stay in good condition. It makes the cost worthwhile.

I guess the reason I am thinking about this now is that with the impending arrival of the "monkey monkey" I am aware that the attainability of these nice things won't be quite the same. Dinners at fancy restaurants, at least for the next 12 months, will be a little too difficult to navigate with a small child. Expensive presents from the Englishman (and for him as well) won't be quite so expensive. And we will have to a be a bit more careful about what we decide to spend good money on when it comes to wines and luxury items.

No longer being 'DINKs' is going to affect our lifestyle - but I think I'm ok with that. I know it will be worth it, to have a little person around to take up all my time, to love and to look after instead.

And when I do get the opportunity to have/experience/eat/drink nice things, I will appreciate them all the more!

What a Week! And Pregnancy word vomit :P

This week has been HUGE! Since Monday, I’ve visited a friend and her 2 week old baby, watched my Englishman become an Australian, spent a day in the vineyards with a bunch of wonderful friends and had lunch with my Mum’s entire family to celebrate Nan and Pop’s Birthdays! Add to that the drive to Newcastle and back, some minor housework and a big grocery shop, and I’m stuffed!

Highlights of this week include:

Finding out about a few more pregnancies – sorry everyone but my lips are (better) sealed this time!

Having a dance with my ‘Uni Girls’ at Lovedale – LOVE!

Seeing one friend’s teeny tiny baby and having a nurse of my cousin’s little one, Grace

Watching my lovely, handsome Englishman make a pledge to be Australian, get his certificate and sing (well, try to!) the National Anthem for his first time as an Aussie J

Seeing all of my Mum’s family come together to celebrate some special birthdays. Our Pop recently had to move into a nursing home, a choice no one wanted to make and one that Pop was (and is) very unhappy with. But I think he had a good day, he smiled and laughed, chatted to everyone, had a lovely sit in the sun and his eyes just lit up when I brought little Grace over to him. He also loved my cousin’s dog, Scruffy, who came along and provided some entertainment too!

Lastly – I booked into the hospital and met my midwife, Rose, this week. She was lovely and friendly and informative and smart and I felt really happy when I left the hospital. I’m feeling quite confident with my choice to go with the Midwife Program and hope that the experience is as good as I’ve heard.

On a side note – I’m finding out the further I get into this pregnancy (and I’m still only 14 weeks in people!!) that everyone who has ever had a baby has something to tell you about pregnancy . Sometimes it’s practical advice, sometimes it’s ‘things that worked for me’, sometimes it’s opinions on what you should or shouldn’t (will or won’t) ‘need’ for baby, and sometimes it’s about what it’ll be like once the baby arrives – how hard it’s going to be, or how hard it could be.

The only thing I’m finding really hard to take is the horror stories about ‘the first 6 months’. I KNOW it’s going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I KNOW I’ll feel more tired than I ever thought possible, I KNOW that I might even feel like giving Baby back at some point! And I know that despite all my own thoughts and feelings and hopes, it may be made even harder by a dozen other possible factors like colic, reflux, post natal depression, problems with breastfeeding, mastitis, and other things that don’t even bear thinking about.

 BUT, I will NOT understand ANY of this properly UNTIL I DO IT MYSELF.

In the meantime, reality stories just freak me out. My emotional-pregnant brain cannot handle hearing negative ‘whatifs’ and really, there’s nothing I can do about any of that stuff right now except have supports around me ready and know what numbers to call.

I LOVE that everyone wants to help and give advice and ideas – I feel so supported and loved and cared for! But please, no more horror stories!

Phew. I feel better now.

ooh - and here's week 13's 'Bump' photo :-)

*Please note, this post is not aimed at anyone – it’s been building for a little while and I just really needed to vent! I feel very lucky to have some many lovely friends and family who want to help me and appreciate every bit of it. Every.Bit. xoxoxo

Obligatory Bump Photos

Soooo I have already started taking 'bump' photos.


Being pregnant and starting a family is something I have been looking forward to for a loooonnggg time, so I guess I wanted to make sure I captured every 'moment' for posterity. Even though looking at the photos so far I can't see much difference from Week 5 to Week 12, I'm hoping it'll be worth it.


SO - here's the deal:


Every Wednesday morning, before I have a shower, I get out of bed and take a photo in the mirror of my 'bump'.


Until last Wednesday, I had been using the mirror to get the 'perfect shot' but my Englishman pointed out that my iPhone can do self takes and wouldn't this give a better shot? For starters, the smartphone wouldn't be in the picture. der.

Here are Weeks 5 to 12:

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 9 (Week 8 is missing - not sure why...)

Week 10

 

Week 11

Week 12 (I swear the self take feature makes it look so much worse!)

Did you take photos of your 'bump' when pregnant? When did you start taking photos?

The Word is Out! The Journey So Far......

So.......ever since the little white stick showed two lines I've been BUSTING to tell the world....then not wanting anyone to know 'in case something went wrong'.......then wanting to tell everyone again.....that I'm pregnant and me and the Englishman are expecting a baby!

Yep - 2 lines means 'pregnant'. :-)

I'll try not to go on too much but I guess I want to blog about the journey so far, so I can remember it and so I can tell the 'monkey monkey' about it one day.

Having a baby is something I have wanted for a very long time, but it had never been the 'Right Time' before. By the 'Right Time' I mean a few things - the right time in my life, the right time in my relationship with the right person, and the right time for my 'right person' as well.
After I turned 30 in December last year, and knowing that me and my right person had been talking about starting a family soon anyway, I decided enough was enough and I was going off the pill. In a fit of "I'm a grown up and I can do what I want to" feelings, I declared this decision to my Englishman, stating, "If you dont want a baby yet, YOU can sort that out." My Englishman, bless his heart, turned around and said, "well, I was going to suggest we start trying in the New Year so I guess this is ok".

I was already December 20. Not very long to wait anyway!

Thus ensued the excitement and apprehension of waiting, trying, thinking, trying some more and waiting again. I made an appointment to see my GP, told a few close friends what was happening and the Englishman and I got 'busy'. Getting busy is fun! ;-)

In February, the Englishman's parents came to stay and I thought that I might have been preggers. No such luck but it dominated a lot of our short holiday with them - lots of testing and thinking and second guessing, until it turned out that after 10 or so years on the pill, my body was just having some trouble readjusting to 'normal cycles'.

Around the middle of March, I had a couple of dizzy spells and was a little late, so thought I better do a test. Lo and behold - 2 pink lines!! We were both thrilled and very excited - happy dances and tears galore!

My GP suggested an early scan and I was more than happy to oblige - I was feeling very normal, no morning sickness and other than a bit of tiredness and the dizzy spells, I felt fine. We went for a scan on the 8 week mark and it was lovely - so good to see the little bean (or 'monkey monkey') growing away with a sweet little heartbeat we could see but not hear yet.

From 8 weeks onwards I have had some nausea but no vomiting (thank goodness!) I had a good month of tiredness but that seems to have abated now. As long as I make sure to eat regularly, I feel ok and as long as I don't rush around too much things stay pretty ok.

We have slowly told friends and family since we found out at 5 weeks and everyone has been so excited for us! My favourite reaction was my Mum - who screamed and ran around from the kitchen to give me a massive hug - she swears she was putting it on because I was 'expecting' a big reaction but I know she's been waiting for a grandchild for a long time (probably as long as I have been waiting to give her one!).

Our other favourite was tricking the Englishman's family and friends, as we happened to call them on April Fool's Day to tell them and as the Englishman is notorious for playing jokes (did you know Bruce Forsyth died?), they didnt know whether to believe him. His best mate, Davin, waited until after midday UK time before he even replied to the message!

It has also been lovely to find out along the way about a few gorgeous friends who are also expecting. The day of my 8 week scan I was sitting at work, wanting to tell a good friend but not knowing how (the difficulties of open plan offices!) when she came around to my desk to tell me she had just found out she was expecting! It was just perfect timing and so I have a lovely friend to share my journey with at work.

There are also a few close friends and family who are expecting in the coming months, and after 'facebook announcing', another friend messaged to let me know she is also expecting, and her due date is the day before mine!

Today, we went for our 12 week scan and it was magical. Unfortunately, my Englishman has been ill with the flu for 6 days so wasn't feeling the best, but he made it to the scan and I"m so glad he did. We heard the heartbeat, got to see the arms, legs, brain, stomach, bladder, and cute little nose. It's amazing to think that it's growing away inside me!

So that is the journey so far, in a nutshell. There is so much more to come and now that the gag is off, I might feel more motivated to blog more often. It's all very exciting!