The home straight

Thanks to a mix of feeling mahoosive, tired and generally 35 weeks pregnant, a lack of posts has ensued. In order to rectify this i have done a little Instagram collage with a couple of outfits, a good bump show off and a new purchase. Seriously, my frustration at the lack anything in the least bit stylish for a pregnant woman past 30 weeks has reached new highs of late. My under bump trousers have been out of bounds since 25 weeks as they just dig in and are horribly uncomfortable. Even some maternity dresses are not cutting the mustard so i am still desperately clinging on to non maternity clothes, the floral dress i have on today is literally bursting at the seams/buttons.

To counter this i have been concentrating a lot of pent up fashion frustration on my post pregnancy wardrobe and I have a lot of love for the A/W stuff that is making an appearance is the shops. Namely Zara (obvs), Whistles and H&M and i plan on sharing my want list before the baby comes. Hang on in there with me peeps, I'm on the home straight...x Talia

Old news

I attended a friend's wedding on Saturday and was hoping to bring you the outfit i wore to the wedding but thanks to leaving the process of getting ready until the last minute, a mad rush ensued meaning no posh frock post. When the weather starts acting its age and that big yellow thing decides to grace us with its presence, i hope to give the occasion dress an airing. Plus with it being a non maternity adaptation, i'm unsure how long the bump will fit into it.

So instead i am bringing you today's work outfit and i reached into my wardrobe archives for both the dress and shoes i am wearing today. The dress is a H&M number i have had for roughly eight years and picked up for about £15 in the sale.  It's empire cut meaning it gets me through pregnancies, but it's also good thereafter due to its classic shape. Over the years i have toyed with getting the hem raised but now i'm so glad i didn't as it's a perfect midi length. The shoes were a Kurt Geiger purchase from around 2003. They were in the sale and reduced down to £70 from a rather high price as they are snakeskin but oh lord were they worth it! They have lasted amazingly well, with a little baby oil tlc (tip from a Geigerette), and are the reason i recently vowed to invest in better quality shoes. Thanks to cobbler hubby they have been re-heeled about five times and will be going in for a resole quite soon. It's funny how even years after a purchase, i always remember a good bargain price?...x Talia

Pregnant plea

 

Due to the requirement for as much sleep as i can muster at the moment, my mornings have been a silly rush where i'm lucky to remember breakfast, make up and that i am in charge of the nursery run.  So this weekend I took advantage of a more relaxed pace and took some putfit pics. I am over the 6 month mark now and am enjoying a little more jersey fabric than my wardrobe is usually used to. I had some vouchers for H&M and after a long search for something that would accomodate my bump i found this shirt & leggings. I've said it before and i'll say it again, H&M Mama range is beyond dowdy, the rest of the store is exceling at the moment, particularly with the Trend range, please let's extend this to your maternity customers Mr and Mrs Powers-That-Be!

I did go for these Mama leggings but remain disappointed as have to say do find them pretty poor quality. Either i'm stretching mine to their limits or they have that high denier tights feel when stretched, even slightly. My go-to for leggings remains to be New Look and Amercian Apperell. On the plus side, they go over the bump, which is the only comfortable option past 5 months in my opinion. Now the shirt i have a lot more praise for. It's a great mink colour and a really nice cool silky fabric. This is a 12 and it more than accomodates my 6 month bump and covers my arse so a massive thumbs up. I'm not in the habit of wearing leggings as trousers, I am 31 after all, but due to aforementioned over-bump issues, jeans are a pain and this shirt means i can just about get away with it (I hope). I opted for Primark tan brogues to smarten it all up a bit and offset the leggings...x Talia

Up on the roof

After feeling like a bad blogger i vowed to do an outfit post today and this usually happens in my garden as i am not brave enough to take to the mean streets of Nottingham. However, these plans were scuppered by some pesky roofers my neighbour had in thus the new location. I will be back outside as soon as roofers and weather permit!

When it comes to shopping religion, it's no secret that i worship at the church of Zara. They can actually do no wrong by me and I have been literally bursting at the seams to blog about my love affair with these shoes. The weather has not allowed me to wear them too much as i have no desire to get wet toes or put that nude suede in any puddle's firing line. They do the shoes in a variety of colours and budget permitting, i would have snapped them all up. Even though they are a snip at the bargain price of £29.99, i limited myself to one pair and this mix of nude, black and orange won out.  Ankle strap sandals have made a triumphant come back recently and seeing how my girl Camille has been rocking them recently i snapped them up and have worn them at every given opportunity.  The heel is a little on the dainty side for me at 21 weeks pregnant but practise makes perfect.

Teamed with Topshop maternity floralprint and black silk tee and H&M Mama maternity trousers. Oh and in other breaking news...It's a girl! My bank manager will soon be shuddering at the sight of Zara Mini...x Talia

Don't call it a tunic

When we had that little warm spell a couple of weeks ago we moved the garden furniture around a little and have not yet moved it back so my recent pics are a little out of sorts. I'm trying to get used to it but i knew what i was doing with everything where it was before so am hoping to get it back to normal pretty soon.

It's been a hectic week with work and travelling to see friends in London so i've not had much time. These pics were taken in about 2 minutes so soz for the strange faces. Since discovering the AMAZING fashion guitar blog i have been stalking her backlog of maternity inspiration.  It struck me how little maternity specific stuff she had, she seems to adapt her pre-bump wardrobe brilliantly and i was inspired to do the same. However after attempting it i am convinced she was blessed with a neat teenie bump and no pregnancy related hip widening (this happens - FACT!). Anyhoo, I'm not sure if the top is actually a top or a dress so lets call it a tunic. Scrap that, i hate that word, lets calls it as top as that's all i'll be wearing it as. It's really textured and almost leather  like. It was picked up with my Zara Boxing Day haul and is roomy enough for bump space. Gap white long sleeves tee underneath as it's still pretty cold and i caved and put on my H&M skinny maternity trousers as they're just too comfy. Block heels from New Look mean my pregnancy balance issues don't have to contend with a stiletto. Although not pictured i finished off with my ASOS masculine coat..x Talia

The affliction of the feeling leaves me wanting more

A bit of an overdue weekend post here. Well my weekends are pretty long because i have mondays off to look after Henry so here's Monday's outfit. We went on a playdate and to the cinema so a pretty fun little day i decided to debut both this new River Island cardigan and also a new nail shade.  I say new in relation to the cardigan but i actually bought it a few weeks back but haven't had the chance to wear it yet. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to colour. I do try but my wardrobe has a massive black fetish. However with a hint of spring in the air and pretty pastel colours popping up everywhere, the colours in this cardigan really caught my eye. It's a really scatty mix of different textures of knit and colours and i tried it on with all black outfit and really thought it's what my wardrobe needs.  Also when i get into the later stages of pregnancy it will still fit and i can still benefit from the slimming effects of an all black outfit without bordering on funeral attire. As i was trying it on the shop assistant happened to mentioned that Rihanna had bought it at the Oxford circus branch. I'd like to think this didnt' cement it but what's good enough Ri-Ri! My only criticism is that i long for it to have pockets.

Whilst going for a little more colour, i though it the apt opportunity to trial my Pixi Glow nail varnish in Petticoat Pink. I saw this on Emma's blog and fell in love with it. As she says the pictures really do not do it justice, it is so bright and neon like, I'm glad i fake tanned this weekend, a bright nail really washes out my hands. The bump is rather large today so H&M black jersey dress and New Look Maternity black skinny jeans. Although not pictured went with old faithful Topshop nude ballet pumps. I do keep being tempted by studded loafers but just love these old faithful ballerinas...x Talia

Miami Vice

  

I'm feeling rather large today. I think when you wear tighter stuff your bump always looks bigger and this lace dress is a stretch fabric so clings to the bump from top to bottom. I don't mind it though as i feel i actually look pregnant now. This lace dress was a really good wardrobe staple for my last pregnancy and luckily still works this time round. Its all stretchy and a nice length. It's so so comfortable and so easy to just throw on and was from H&M Mama section. Loose fitting Cream cotton blazer also bought from H&M, like the dress, it's quite old but i love it for the warmer months and it's loose, longer masculine fit takes the girly edge off the lace dress i think, sleeves rolled up a'la Don Johnson circa Miami Vice.

My Jade pendant was from Miss Selfridge Diva jewellery sale i think, i got it from a department store sale jewellery section last year, I tend to hold out for high street jewellery to go in the sale as most of it does. The Molly Sims pics made me hanker for a longer pendant so i was glad i remembered about this little gem, plus the green adds a touch of colour. Just to confirm i have no plans to ditch the heels but am opting for a chunkier more stable heel. Velvet shoe boots from New Look...x Talia

Carrots and maggots

So we're in week 14 and  i'm starting to look a little more pregnant. I'm venturing back into the world of maternity wear and am generally pretty happy with what's out there at the moment with some exceptions. I do still have a few maternity pieces from my last pregnancy, such as these trousers. In my experience, it's the trousers that are always the first to feel the pinch and i have already relegated numerous jeans to my post-pregnancy cupboard as they're not going to be needed for the next 9-12 months. Damn the non stretch high waist! Disappointingly, the majority of maternity trousers for work are boot cut and generally pretty dowdy so i was glad H&M could accommodate my need for a slim trouser leg with these fronm the Mama range. However i did not have the same luck when i browsed H&M maternity last week, as per my tweet, I'm pregnant, not 65.

I'm still fitting into most of my tops so grabbed this Zara button back cream blouse with a nude M&S slip underneath and my new statement necklace from New Look. My nearest New Look branch is Nottingham and it has just had the mother of all refurbs.  I think when shopping your surroundings really can make a massive difference and i found it a pleasure to shop there with a huge shoe department and a great range of jewellry. I bagged this bright necklace which my 3 year son has advised me looks like carrots and maggots. I disagree, i think it's pretty prefect and great for injecting some colour into an outfit. I'm out for dinner and going to the theatre tonight so went for this large suede clutch which was also part of my New Look haul and i love the pastel yellow accent on it. Primark peeptoe patent nude platforms finish this little work to evening ensemble...x Talia

Come undone

This is my first outfit post in quite a while and along with it i have a wee announcement. I'm joining the likes of Sienna and Kourtney to be rocking some maternity chic in 2012. My expanding tum is getting less easy to dress already! They do say it can come quicker with the second but I'm thinking this doesn't bode well and i shall become humongous before your very eyes. Anyhoo i plan to take you guys on my journey with me but will try not to turn into a baby bore and mix it up with regular looks i'm loving/wishing i could wear, celebrity style and also perhaps some guest bloggers...watch this space! 

In my experience it's very easy to lose yourself throughout pregnancy and end up a complete shadow of your former self dressing only in leggings and stretch fabrics coming out the other side thinking - "What's happened to my wardrobe?" I'm hoping by continuing to blog and keeping in touch with the blogging and style community, i can limit this effect.

So here's my first outfit post with mini bump and the first item of clothing to fall victim to the bump is my favourite white Gap men's shirt. That middle button was feeling the strain so the last three buttons have come undone and bare bump has been suitably covered by grey H&M cardigan. I went back in my wardrobe archives to these grey Dorothy Perkins shorts  as they're more of a low slung fit. Old favourite New Look black suede ankle boots and ebay gun metal necklace. I'll admit it's not my favourite look but i want to give you the rough with the smooth. I find this early stage quite hard as much doesn't fit you yet but your bump isn't prominent enough for people to be sure if you are with child or just had a heavy food weekend, today i'm feeling like the latter...x Talia

Old school

Tuesday comes round far too fast for my liking. Not actually as fast as Monday for most of you guys so i shan't moan. I tried my very hardest to plan my outfit last night, in my head that is, i am far too disorganised to get the items themselves out the wardrobe. I actually almost always fall asleep before i reach a conclusion but the upside of that is sleep so, again, i shan't complain.

I opened the wardrobe this morning and had to start from there really. I have a new jumper from George at Asda. I love a plain black crew neck and especially if they a little rouching to the shoulders but unlike my others, this is a more longline version which is great for my taller frame. I put a sleeveless white H&M shirt underneath with collars poking out. I love the whole 'flared skirt out the bottom of a longer top' look which i think was cemented by this Carrie Bradshaw outfit so i put my Zara pleated skirt underneath. Went with grey tights and black velvet shoeboots from New Look. I was told earlier i look like a school girl thus the title.  At 31, i'm not sure if that's a compliment or not?

In a bid to post my outerwear more, i quickly ran back outside to do a shot of my new ASOS coat. I've been after a masculine longline wool coat for a while, I did attempt to add more colour to my wardrobe with this item by trying a burgundy and a camel one but went back to black. Fur collar was gifted to me by my sister and saves me scrapping around ebay for the H&M one...x Talia

Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be...Donatella.

So I had originally seen a couple of dresses in the Versace for H&M that i thought were really nice but i was having loads of problems getting on the H&M website to see the collection, what with it being the most user unfriendly website i've experienced and everything.

Anyhoo, i entered a competition to get 10 minutes shopping time prior to store opening and as i did like some of the stuff I thought what the hey. As luck would have it i won! Woo Hoo! Cue trip to Birmingham, slap bang in the middle of Versace pandemonium. It was mental. There were massive queues and everyone had ten minute shopping slots allocated by coloured wristbands with the front of the queue getting the earliest and so on and so fourth. I thought this was a really fair way of doing things and like that they imposed shopping limits to stop mass buying. By the time i entered the store at 8.50 they were giving out 11.45 wristbands and these people really stood no chance of getting anything.


It was very easy to get caught up in it all. Black gloss window displays with platinum blond wigs and long limbs. Although they didn't have the cimple strappy dress i originally wanted in that store, i bought a few pieces that caught my attention although i do feel i was slightly influenced awaiting hoardes and the 10 minute limit. It turns your browsing a little frantic as you can imagine. I got the Studded gladiator skirt, fur gillet, a pink and leopard scarf and capped sleeve black dress which is too small as the dresses come up well small! The dress was in a garment bag and the carriers were fussy but quite spectacular. Again adding to the overall shopping experience which had it not been for the baiting crowds, would have been lush.

However now i am back to the mean streets of the East Midlands, i'm wondering if the clothes are passable for my everyday life. I keep trying them on then hanging them in my wardrobe and i can't help thinking they look slightly out of place. Like your fabulous friend that is always way overdressed for every occasion.

I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and see how we bond over the coming months, there could a a Donatella lurking in me that has not yet been unleashed but for now, i'm still reminiscing over designer/collaborations past that were a bit more in line with my usual style...x Talia

Skullduggery

Another Friday, another casual dress day at work. Once again for a good cause, Children in Need this time. We were supposed to dress as our favourite children's tv characters but that's a little on the 'zany' side for me. I'm not in the minority either which makes me even more glad i opted for my own casual attire as opposed fancy dress. After buying this shirt a couple of weeks ago I seem to have worn it at every casual opportunity i've had. It's from H&M and has a McQueen-esque scull pattern on. It is super long which i like but is a bit more flattering when tucked in. In lack of budget for J-Brands, I have teamed with the Primark skinny black jeans and my ambush boots from Topshop which i'm really glad i bought, they seem to go with everything...x Talia

Fade to Grey

Today I am mainly worshipping at the healm of H&M 60 denier grey tights. With metallics doing the rounds this season i got to thinking about metallic tights and how they'd be a great addition to my favourite black shift, black ankle boots combo.

However, this almost immediatly bought me out in hives as from past experience, most metallic infused fabrics have a comfort lifespan of about 10 minutes before you're scratching at your legs like a leper.  Then i remembered how i was recently fooled by H&M's merchandising williness and purchased a set of 60 denier tights whilst waiting at the checkout. It was a grey and black set and upon trying the grey ones on this morning, they have an very faint illusion of metallic magic. Whether this is because i've squeezed my ever growing thighs into a medium remains to be seen but however it is being done, is working for me.



 Black Shift dress Zara, Black Ankle Boots - New Look, Grey 60 denier - H&M

Teamed with topshop silk scull scarf and Zara Leather Biker Jacket...x Talia

Office androgyny

Since Diane Keaton donned a shirt, tie and waistcoat in Annie Hall, the androgyny trend has regularly graced the catwalk every few seasons. As 5ft 9 girl I often go for mens clothes as their long lines suit my figure much better than a lot of women's styles but I don't see that as a nod to androgyny as much a nod to practically.

However, a look i always feel embraces this trend is the shirt buttoned to the top look. I jumped on this bandwagon for my weekend wardrobe along with the rest of the country however it still feels rather 'trendy' for an office in the Midlands. 


But today I decided I would take a stand against the girly shirt brigade and have teamed this sleeveless H&M shirt with a primark round neck jumper and some cigarette trousers from Asos. I have been a fan of the cigarette pant since Carrie Bradshaw teamed said trousers with a blazer and Mickey Mouse tee. In true Carrie style i feel a pair of killer heels perfectly compliments a more masculine look - faux suede platforms, Primark...x Talia

wear it pink - do nails count?

Happy wear it pink day! Usually a pretty easily fulfilled request, thou must wear pink as girl asfterall. Well, erm no not really. When it comes to clothes, pink is probably my least favourite colour but for a cause that should be close to most ladies hearts, I opted for pink nails courtesy of No.7 in Limited Edition Sugar shade.

As it's the last Friday of the month aka fun Friday for those more zany offices, it's casual dress day. Now, this causes me quite a predicament as I'm a fan of shorter dress, skirts, shorts of a weekend which aren't entirely office appropriate, casual dress day or not. But I threw caution to the wind and went for the classic denim shorts. In an attempt to breakaway from the whole sexulisation of daisy duke  I teamed it with a loose fitting Breton stripe top (H&M) and a baggy boyfriend knit cardi (Primark).

Mai Tai's and matt gold earrings as standard.

 Donned some very old, very faithful suede ballerinas (Next) and my new River Island hobo that I finally bagged offof eBay last week for under £40. Loving the shade of the bag at this time of year, it goes with the autumnal shades, what better accent than mother nature...x Talia