Pretty Pastels

I don't know about you guys but I'm over the moon that pastel tones aren't disappearing just yet! I'm very much a girlie girl, and as much as I like an edgy look from time to time, my heart will always lie with soft shades! 

 

You will have to excuse the quick snapshots I did late last night...

 

 

 

I love this sleeveless turtleneck.  Normally I would avoid such a high neck line having a bigger bust because all it does is make you look even bigger. However the fact that its sleeveless and shows the shoulders and collar bone, draws the eye upwards and away from the bust.

 

 

The skirt is a beaut' right?  It is a lovely soft woven fabric, which means its a lot easier to walk around and sit down in. There is no 'traditional' slit up the back just one up the front which comes up just enough without showing to much thigh when you sit down. Sounds pretty perfect doesn't it? My only teeny tiny negative is, if you're like me and have quite a small waist but a good set of hips, you may find the waist a little on the big side. You could look at it as a positive though, because when you sit down in it at least it will still feel comfortable?!

 

 

Lastly the shoes. Oh the shoes!  I bought these before Christmas in the sale. I love the 'pewter' colour and you can never go wrong with a pointy court, can you?  I think the metallic effect shoes break the outfit up and give it that extra edge. I think I will definitely be adding a boyfriend coat for now though, its far too cold out!

Top: Asos, Skirt: Asos, Shoes: Miss Selfridge.

A working Mummy...

My little princess is now 10 months old which means tomorrow, I'm back to work, and I'm dreading it! All Mum's who have been through this stage, will understand exactly how heart-breaking this phase is...

After Maisie's far from 'natural' birth, and me not getting that immediate bond time with her, I felt as though every precious moment, being by her side was even more important for our relationship and even to this day, despite her being perfectly healthy and happy, I still feel like every moment is as precious as those very first ones.

Every morning I get up with her and make her breakfast; at the moment she won't have anything other than mushy rusks of a morning, and yes we make an insane amount of mess in the process! I get her dressed and we play together. I do her physio with her too encourage her to reach all the milestones she should do (which she does, with no problems at all,  I am extremely proud to say!) I put her down for naps, and get her back up. I give her baths and splash about with her in the bubbles. I give her cuddles when she gets grumpy and tired. I sit with her and babble her language; it makes me smile every time, it's too cute. Last of all bed time; I sit and give her the last cuddle of the day, and it's always the tightest, snuggliest cuddle becuase I know it's the last one untill the following morning, and when she grabs hold of me and rests her sleepy head on my shoulder. I hold her even tighter. I give her so many kisses before I put her down and say goodnight. It takes so much strength to leave her to sleep. 

She is at the point at the moment where she wants to get around. If she could she would get up and run off, luckily for me she can't. She loves to stand up holding your fingers or furniture and with a little encouragement she will take a few steps holding onto you too. She isn't 

Really interested in crawling to be honest. she can hold herself in a crawling position but it doesn't last long before she lies back down onto her tummy. it won't be long though until she is up and about,and I'm going to need eyes in the back of my head! She is such

a clever, inquisitive and cheeky little girl. She is extremely strong minded; if she wants to do it she will. So with her being at such a curious stage in her life, I feel like im going to miss out on so much! 

The last ten months of my life this has been my routine. Maisie's routine. It's strange really, having a baby completely changed my life as it does for any parent. Its difficult, exhausting, at times stressful but its also the most incredible feeling in the world and I wouldn't change it for anything. I actually think that returning to work is going to be the hardest change yet. I know I will cry for at least the first couple of days leaving her at home. I don't want to miss out on her first steps or the first time she pulls herself up on the furniture. Now I know I will only be gone for four hours a day as my boyfriend frequently reminds me, and I have the comfort of knowing she is with her daddy. I'm sure that after a while, once I've settled back into work, it will be a good thing for both me and maisie. It will give me that bit of adult conversation and make me appreciate my time with her even more. 

Do you have any advice that can help make this transition easier for me and Maisie?  I'd love to hear it, so feel free to leave a comment. 

Brit Stitch Beauties!



Oh my! The excitement when this arrived yesterday!

 

 I think the pictures say it all. How amazing are these?! If you haven't heard of Brit Stitch, you have to check it out here. I first learnt of these lush bags through a beautiful friend and amazing blogger FromGemWithLove, who owns a gorgeous one herself in skydiver blue. (check her out, you won't regret it!) They are such brilliant quality, made out of 100% leather and the stitching is flawless.

I've started a nice little collection ready for SS'14, I have my cute half pint bag in Grayed Jade, my milkman bag in Chintz Rose and my dinky milk token (card holder) in Grayed Jade and African Violet, which I've had personalised by having my name embossed on the front. You love them right?

There are some amazing colours and styles and the prices, I think, are very reasonable for the quality they are. You just know by looking at them, that they will last for along time, if you give them the love they deserve! So go on take a sneak peak... I won't tell, if you wont?

 

 

 

 

Goodbye 2013

So I've been absent in the last couple of weeks, I'm sorry, no excuses I know, but there really aren't enough hours in the day! I'll add it to my list of resolutions for this year!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the end of 2013, probably more so than any other part of the year. This has definitely been a year I will never ever forget. It has honestly been full of heartache and smiles, but despite the heartache, I wouldn't change it because it is true what they say. 'What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger' and even though I took a couple of huge blows, I feel as though I have come out on top and more determined than ever before!

Having my daughter Maisie in March this year, is by far the biggest highlight of my life let a lone year, but it was also the most traumatic. With her being born my Emergency C-Section 5 weeks ahead of schedule and being starved of oxygen due to a foetal hemorrhage. My whole world fell to pieces. We were told worst case scenario; that she may not pull through, that she may have severe brain damage, she may never walk... the list of heart breaking news seemed endless. All we could do was sit and wait for four days whilst she was cooled and re-warmed to core temperature after 72 hours. In hope that it would prevent any further damage to her brain. The criteria for this treatment is for babies of 36 weeks gestation. Maisie was just shy of this, being born at 35+3 weeks but the consultants decided to try it anyway in hope it would make a difference.We continued to get bad news about her brain; it was showing signs of severe abnormal activity.

After the first four agonising days of her life, she finally opened her big blues. We finally got to hold her. We weren't out the woods, but it was starting to look brighter through the trees! We still had to take her for an MRI scan and an EEG scan to see what was happening with her brain as she also had two major seizures when she was first born along with two blood transfusions to replace the blood she had lost.sitting in with Maisie whilst she was having her MRI scan was heart breaking, my tiny little girl who was only 4lb 8oz being put in that huge machine that was louder than being stood next
to road works without ear defenders. I wanted it to be over quickly for her. this was shortly followed by the EEG test which I can only describe as LOTS of tiny wires being stuck all over her head, what I found so comforting is that considering I missed out on so much bonding time for the first four days of her life she would instantly settle in my arms every time.

Awaiting the results of the MRI and EEG were excruciating. Of course we would love her no matter what but we had to keep positive for her also, have a little faith. When we did get the results a few days later we were told that the results of the EEG showed that her brain activity was now mildly abnormal, so even though it wasn't fully as should be it had showed improvement. The results of her MRI however, told us that three parts of her brain were damaged. The first part effected her sight. Would my little girl never see my face? Her Daddy's face? Her own beautiful face? The second part of her brain that was effected was her speech. Would she be able to speak at all? Would she need speech therapy? Would she ever say 'Mummy' and 'Daddy'? the third part that was damaged was her movement! Would my baby smile? pick up a toy? walk? dance? learn to drive? So many things
flooded through my head, and as quick as they came, they went and I was left numb! A few moments later I thought to myself, 'It doesn't matter. She is still here, she is a little fighter and I love her and will do anything to give her a happy life!'

From that moment on, I did just that. I did everything I possibly could to do everything every other mum would do had they have just had a baby and continued to do so ever since. Maisie is now 9 months old and is just like any other baby, she sits on her own and plays with her toys, she eats finger foods on her own, she is smiley and giggly and a very content little girl. she isn't too interested in crawling but she loves to stand supporting herself, and I don't think it will be long before she takes her first steps! I was the luckiest Mummy in the world in 2013, and I'm the most grateful mummy too! Maisie defied all the odds we were given and I couldn't be prouder of her! So here are some of my memories of 2013, one that will always be remembered but I'm now ready to make 2014 one that
will be even more memorable!

Happy New Year All xo