The 6 month itch



The sixth month mark has now passed so i definitely feel like i'm on the home straight. Pink bump is still managing to fit into some regular clothes which is a delicious blessing. I totally love all the paper bag waist maxi skirts that are floating around the high street at the moment, from Zara to Primark, but thought they were beyond the bump.  Now, thanks to New Look, i have managed to sneak this trend into my maternity wardrobe. I had some vouchers from a maternity project i did for them and got this layered Voile Maxi Skirt which they had in their Tall section too. I am 5ft 8 and this is a super long skirt so popped over the bump but was still an ample length to remain maxi. I've just noticed they do it in orange too so may have to snap that up. Teamed with a silky white jersey back shell top also from New Look. I found an old skinny belt that i think came with a Topshop pair of trousers i bought ages ago, got to love those little extras.

I'm still undecided about the maxi/heel mix so went for some vintage low heels i got from an awesome place in Nottingham called the Vintage Warehouse and thanks to the cobbler husband, got them looking decent again. I wore some new wedges yesterday which have left my feet a little sore but this morning followed the advice of girl crush Olivia Palermo who in her last blog post suggested deodorant on the feet to stop the dreaded blister.  So after a little TLC with some Sure roll on, i was away and i've got to say it's working so far, even up against swollen pregnancy feet. Not only does she wear Topshop and River Island, she also delivers us from blister evil. Love, love, love her...x Talia

At last, my love has come along

At last! Sunshine :) I have to admit summer is not actually my favourite season. I get a little stressed with the unpredictability of it all, however after the unseasonally cold period we've been experiencing recently, I have been waiting for a day like today. If not only to debut my Asos Floral Print maternity trousers. After getting a sneak peak at the Zara S/S look book, floral print trousers were pretty high on my wish list so when Asos got this maternity version in i snapped them up. They are really generous on the waist so i have not only been waiting for a day bright enough to pull them off, but also for my bump to be a sufficient size to keep them up. Today is that day and i have rejoiced!

Teamed with a lovely New Look maternity shirt dress that i have rouched up slightly to make a little shorter thus qualify as a top. Court shoes just were not cutting it this morning so Topshop elasticated peeptoe shoeboots were added and i also put my black Zara blazer over the top which i wish i would have snapped as i liked the extra layer it added although it has long since been discarded due to the beautiful sun beating down. Not a grievance we get to air often enough in this country...x Talia

The print detraction



Pregnancy legs are bordering on getting the better of me. From my last pregnancy i know i get a fair amount of water retention in my legs and it makes them swell a little, the sight of which left me all but discarding skirts from my wardrobe this morning. I've been trying to stay healthy and not 'eat for two' as the old adage goes but it hasn't stopped the swell. But i accepted this is part and parcel of the wonder that is child bearing and went with this dress anyway as i really like the print and am hoping it will  detract from my cankles.

It's courtesy of New Look and was bought with some vouchers i got for taking part in a maternity project for them. I have to admit when i went to spend my vouchers, I couldn't find a whole lot in the maternity section that i was particularly sold on. However I think their regular collection is really impressive this season and the empire cut on this graphic print dip hem dress nicely accommodates the bump. It is nice and sheer and has black thick straps. I've been hugely tempted by the collarless blazers in Zara this season, in fact seriously tempted by the collection as a whole for the last year (just divine!) but with a little Danny Zuko flick of the collar, a similar look can be achieved with an old Zara standard blazer with lapels. Black shoe boots also from New Look...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

Inside I'm smiling

Week 15 of the pregnancy and i just wanted a quick post to share this awesome ASOS smiley tshirt. Although it's not maternity, i thought it looked big enough to accommodate the bump and i was definitely right, it's massive! I got a 14 to ensure it was a bit bigger than usual but it's really roomy and think it will last me through most of the summer, unless i pull a Jessica Simpson.  I also love it's inclusion of CND signs and that the back is a bright neon orange. Teamed with New Look skinny maternity jeans from my last pregnancy, New Look Brass collar necklace and Havianas as it's good old  casual dress day at work. In an ideal world i would have opted for some nice skinny pastel jeans in orange or yellow but am yet to find some comfortable/flattering maternity ones.

Another quick thing to share is that i was involved in the NL Daily vblog yesterday for New Look's maternity range. I'll post more details once it goes live and i have more pics to share but here's a sneak peak of me in a maternity maxi that was chosen for me to wear by the New Look peeps. It actually dawned on me that i am a bit of a control freak about other people styling me but more of that later...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

Agadoo

Apologies in advance for the bad joke post title. Black Lace. Agadoo. See what i did there? I know (groan) but i couldn't resist. Not only have i gone with some black lace today, care of Zara new collection, but i have also gone for a bit of a new hair look. It's a little 90s throwback to the old wavy one sided affair and happened a little by accident after i took my bobble out from yesterdays hair knot, it just kind of fell like this but it's something a little different so i thought i'd give it a whirl. Back to the outfit, I would have liked to team this top with trousers to balance the lacy girlyness of it but the top come up a little short in the body for me so i know i'd be forever pulling it down to ensure no muffin top action was happening which would have driven me mad.  So i went with Asos high waisted skater skirt instead and black New Look ankle boots...x Talia

Slouchy blues

Thank the lord for topknots and peg leg trousers! I was also certainly appreciative of the respite in the big freeze today. No ice on the windscreen and lack of frosty floors for outdoor outfit pics always make for a happier morning.  Due to the third day of Batiste hair i have been left with no alternative than rocking a topknot. I heart the topknot so this is not a stretch for me, although i did let that kind of dictate the outfit. I think these Topshop peg leg trousers with their huuuuuge pockets are along the same sloppy relaxed look and set off a topknot. I carried on this slouchy theme with this Topshop jersey batwing charcoal grey top which i haven't actually worn to work before as deemed it too casual but thought my new eBay necklace and some electric blue colour pop suede heels from New Look would redeem this look from weekend to relaxed office. I realised i babbled on in yesterday's post so am attempting to keep this short and sweet..x Talia

p.s
Need to start including my outerwear so novice pic  ←here. I was in a horrendous location so have blacked/whited it out. Leather jacket, Zara. Extra long chunky knit scarf, Burton...x

If only...

Today was just one of those days when i was slightly uninspired by my wardrobe.  I think lack of sleep due to a chesty toddler who crawled into my bed at 1am and proceeded to cough on me all night and this horrendously grey weather.  Anyway this is the conclusion i came to and although its not the most inspiring or innovative of outfits, i wanted to blog it as we all have those days don't we? I want to include the rough with the smooth days, i've even considered blogging Sunday's 'outfit' if you can even call it that. After a morning slobbing around in bed, I decided at the last minute that Sunday would not be a pyjamas day and that i would leave hubby in bed and take aforementioned toddler to the cinema...ten minutes before the film started. Had i had the time, I would have blogged both of us because we were a hot mess.
Him - Grey marl joggers, black uggs, white long sleeved tee (with chocolate milk stains) purple AA hoody and a mahoosive fairisle bobble hat.
Me - AA leggings, jersey vest dress, boyfriend checked shirt, ambush boots and topknot.
Add into this lack of make-up, really the dark cinema was the best place for us.

So back to today's concoction. This shirt was from the Zara sale and i do actually really like it. I'm having a definite spotty moment of late so this fitted in nicely. Went for this pencil skirt as wanted something high waisted so this jersey number with deep pockets from Primark was perfect. However i was left with that funny 'if only' feeling and today's was 'if only i had some grey suede footwear.' Although not pictured, I have a grey cardigan on and really thought some grey suede ankle boots, very much like the 3 sizes too small for me pair I saw in the Zara sale, would have been lovely. Don't you just hate it when you know what would finish your outfit off perfectly and it's just not in your wardrobe? Well today was one of those days. But i settled for black suede New Look ankle boots. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to eBay i go...x Talia

Texture me

Good morning! Well after the dreadful quality of the photos yesterday, and never being one to ignore constructive criticism, i have taken my dearest Camille's advice and strived to show more detail and have better photos. My budget isn't stretching to a SLR just yet so for now these will have to do, hopefully an improvement on yesterday. Showing off more of my January sales hoard with this over sized leather look texturised tee from Zara.  I have a little crush on over sized tees being tall and holding the majority of my excess weight at the top of my thighs, this little beauty covers that area and for this i love love love it.

Although i am at work i have teamed it with skinny jeans from Primark. I should probably invest in some non denim skinny trousers (suggestions of good finds welcome) as i have lots of tops that go with a skinny trouser that i can't really wear for work with jeans. The reason i have dared to today is that some of the office treat Friday as casual day, although not everyone. This is why i have opted with some high velvet ankle boots from New Look as i think a higher heel dresses denim up in an instant. So i have leather look, velvet and denim for a nice texture mash-up. For a touch of colour, and extra insulation, i have put a raspberryy coloured long sleeved jersey top underneath that also goes rather well with my new Zara bag that i also got in the sale. Get used to this phrase, you may be seeing it a lot...x Talia

The Primark Leather Dress

I purchased the Primark Leather dress on its second sighting. The first time i saw it i was a little reserved, a full leather dress was perhaps a bit much so i left it. Since then it has worked its way into my head space when outfit planning for occasions so when i went in again and saw a rail of them i thought it was meant to be. I'm really happy i got it as the leather, although faux, is very realistic and not at all pleather like. Also the shape is great i think. High neck, capped sleeves and a-line mini.

On the occasion pictured, i was going out for a posh Christmas meal with all my girlfriends. Hubby questioned the appropriateness of a leather dress at the high end restaurant but i think teaming it with classic pieces takes it well away from it's fetish roots. Blazer from Zara, skull scarf from Topshop and my old trusty New Look Ankle boots which you can't really see on this pic as my tall hubby took it so it's kind of a view from above. He's a supporter of my blogging and i couldn't have got these shots without him, albeit a little blurred and footless. First after dark shots so a little break from the norm but really wanted to share.

Nail inspiration courtesy of Emma @milkteef. Spotted the single bling nail on a twitpic she posted and thought it looked lovely so purchased a pink GSOH nail glitter, the only shade they had left at my local Superdrug which i think works quite well with my favourite mink polish which was a Nails Inc magazine freebie from the summer. On another beauty note i tried out Laurens Way fake tan after getting sick of the smell of Fake Bake. It's quite good and smells way better than fake bake but think i might head back to the St Tropez mothership when this bottle's done. Come back to what you know and all that...x Talia

It's all in the ankle boots

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  i had approximately 3 minutes to take these photos before the heavens opened this morning. It's definitely getting cold out there. Or as someone at work said when i had that 'walking out the building at the same time as them but don't know them too well' awkward silence-filling chat; "Wrap up warm, someone's turned the heating off outside." Cue polite laugh when what i was really thinking was '_'

Feeling a little bloated today so went for an old wardrobe favourite of the forgiving empire cut Peter Pan Collar dress that i got from Primark about 3 years ago. Who knew they were so quick off the mark on whole Peter Pan collar trend?! It's quite a girly dress and I can sometimes feel a little dowdy in it, particularly when i team it with a long boyfriend cardi from Gap so the only thing for it was the killer ankle boots. These are from New Look and still a little stiff so not too comfy but i'm breaking them in. There's just something about an ankle boot that can bring an outfit on trend and stop it being over girly/dowdy i think. I have a staff Christmas party this week and have every good intention of doing my first evening outfit blog post...x Talia

Girl Tuesday

Well its been a while since I last blogged due to a mix of random outfit choices that i'm still making my mind up about and just general tardiness, dark nights, rushed mornings etc.  Anyhoo, as i got a new purchase last week i wanted to give it some blogging time.  I dont work on Mondays so my Tuesdays are akin to most people's Mondays e.g. rushed, last minute with only a little pre-fall asleep outfit planning in my head, so i tend to go for the dress as it's simple and in this case, it's new and doesn't need ironing. Huuuuuuuge plus.

It's from New Look (care of Voucher Codes 20% off) and although there is an unholy abundance of lace on the high street at the moment this really stood out to me because I'm a sucker for a nude lining, especially on black lace.  Plus i like the skater style flaring (flattering on the legs), the sleeve length and the silky bow at the back which i forgot to photograph (my bad). I'm usually a pretty average 12 but this wasn't quite fitted enough for me so i cinched it slightly with a black tie off an old shirt. Faux suede platforms from Primark...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

the simple things...

Our usual alarm clock failed us down this morning (8.15am lie in? call yourself a toddler?) so as I'm sure is the case with women across the country, when in a hurry - LBD.  Or in my case and more office appropriate - MSBD (medium sized black dress). Jersey Swing dress - ASOS.

In the absense of a wake-up call, I also missed out on a morning hair wash so hairstyle today is sponsored by Batiste. After going for the mid length hair, my only concern was the logistics of my old stalwart, the messy high bun. I have discovered the only way to achieve this, without said bun resembling a singular Bjork knot, is with the help of my old friend the hair donut (as previously seen in styles such as the side bun). It somehow keeps it all up there in less of a messy fashion than i'm accustomed to but I'm learning us mid length girls will take an updo any way we can get.

Anyhoo teamed this with a chunky statement necklace from Primarni and New Look ankle boots recently acquired with a little help from vouchers codes.
 

Didn't think this would work in a collage and knowing what i'm like once i get through the door at home, thought i'd snacth the chance to take pics at work so scuse the surroundings of the disabled toilet...x Talia

Size 16 shirt fitting a 32B - Really New Look?

After getting my regular voucher fix, I noticed New Look had a 20% day and have had my eye on this shirt for a while. I love light sheer shirts but with winter drawing in and skin drawing pastey they do kinda wash me out so I love that with this, it's always black where skin hits shirt (black peter pan collar and black cuffs).


They only had size 16 left and although i'm usually a size 12, I thought what the heck (heart 1 -head 0). Well turns out going for the double cream rather than the half fat creme fraiche in last night's salmon pasta may have been a wise move as I've grown overnight and the 16 actually fits really nicely. As it's a nice, loose fit, I teamed it with skinnie black Zara trews and some patent peeptoe staples.

Am also well into my matt gold drop earrings at the mo and my GlassesDirect Mai Tai's as standard...x Talia