Sunday 27 February 2011

Preparation

I'm going back to work at the end of March. My maternity leave is now officially over and I am on annual leave :)

As I was pregnant this time last year (therefore in maternity clothes) and I am still carrying some considerable baby weight, I find myself searching for an entire new work wardrobe. I have been boring anyone who will listen about the lack of nice clothes on the high street for sometime. Everything is just so baggy and longline which really doesn't suit if you are only 5'3".
So I have been scouring the Internet for some nice dresses with nipped in waists that will hopefully make me feel less like a sack of potatoes. I am having mixed success. The dress that arrived yesterday, an Ebay purchase, is the one pictured. I didn't see that it incorporates a big piece of plastic in the waistline which I am not keen on. Tescos have some lovely dresses online at the moment but having decided I wanted them I then discovered they only have tiny weeny sizes left. Argh!

I have, however, found and purchased a pair of shoes that I love, these Footglove dolly shoes from Marks and Spencer. A very sensible mummy, but pretty, pair, not quite on a par with my treasured heels of the past (which I can't quite bring myself to part with) but much easier for running around in.

I am getting there, slowly, I think.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

New Old Phone Cosy


My husband has given me his old phone. This is a relief and a curse. A relief because my phone broke before Christmas and since then I've used a series of imperfect old ones but now he's upgraded I have a much better, working phone. However... it is way to whizzy for me. It doesn't even have keys, just one of those touch screens. I will get used to it but I don't like learning a new phone!

The case my husband had was a white 'leather' pouch which has now seen much better days so I have made my own. I used to make these for friends when I was at uni and my house mate Gemma nick named them 'Phone Cosies'. It's been years since I've used one but I am very pleased to be able to use this scrap of lovely sunflower material I had. It's lined with yellow fleece to keep my phone nice and snug (plus protected from my clumsy drops and bumps!)

Sunday 13 February 2011

'nana Bread

That's what my husband calls it as he passes it to Bambino and she tries to shove a whole piece into her tiny little mouth!

Sugar free Banana Bread is going down very well at tea time thanks to 12 dates (in lieu of sugar). Here's the recipe.

Saturday 12 February 2011

Signs of Spring


I am thrilled that it looks like Spring is finally on the way. Whilst I have never loved Winter this year does seem to have been particularly bad.

My daffodils are coming through which is good because last year they did not. That made me sad because I planted them just after we found out we were going to have a baby and I thought at the time that they would be here just before her. This year they've been in a more sheltered, sunnier spot and that seems to have done the trick.

Also saw some beautiful snowdrops when Bambino and I were have a stroll round the river park.


Friday 11 February 2011

Getting Organised

I have long been ridiculed by my father for finding any excuse to make a bag. But these two bags really are essential to me. I made the buggy handle bag when we were still using the carrycot. I keep our day to day bits and bobs in it; tissues, gloves, toys and letters that need posting. It saves me from having to stop walking to rootle around in my hand bag or the tardis that is the changing bag. And it has a clear pocket on top where I often stick a post it note with my shopping/to do list. I had the oil cloth in my fabric stash. It was in the remnant basket in John Lewis and is really good quality.


The second one, finished yesterday, is our "Popping Out Bag". That makes me chuckle because I have borrowed The Yummy Mummy Survival Guide by Liz Turner from the library this week and it has a whole section about how popping out is a thing of the past once you have a baby. It's a very funny book. However, some times, in comparison to other times, we are 'popping out' as in I don't need to bring bambino 8 nappies, a change of clothes, Calgel and a sun hat! I think the only essentials every time you leave the house are:

  • muslin
  • 1 nappy
  • disposable changing mat
  • wipes (pack with 20 or so only left)
  • nappy sack
  • water (or milk)
  • small snacks
  • small toy/teether
  • maybe a bib.

Despite an impressive array of handbags (that rarely see the light of day now) I had nothing appropriate to stow these bits in because it really needs to be totally waterproof if it's going to sit permanently in my buggy basket. So I was thrilled to find that I had enough of this cool oil cloth to make a tiny bag with two separate waterproof sections and a holder for the water bottle.

I am really pleased. It will be much easier to pick up and carry into toddler groups alongside my increasingly heavy, beautiful bambino!



 http://www.thethriftyhome.com

Friday 4 February 2011

Baby's First Pizza

I've been on the hunt for some interesting treats to give Bambino for her tea. I found inspiration on Annabel Karmel's website and tonight tried making Tortilla Pizza. She seemed to like it but got in a bit of a state! Nevermind, just had to bring hairwash night forward a couple of days!


Mr Tesco delivers my goodies tomorrow so I plan on making her some Banana Bread. Hopefully that won't be so messy!

Thursday 3 February 2011

Hurrah!

I've just received a lovely commission from a friend for her wedding jewellery AND the bridesmaids. The design we've come up with together is lovely and I really look forward to showing you the results...