My Maternity Saviours Vol. 1

There have been a few things that were either recommended to me or that I've stumbled across over the last couple of months that now looking back I can't imagine living without! So I thought I'd share in case they are as helpful to someone else as they have been to me.

I actually started writing this post ages ago, and I'll blame a bit of baby brain and a bit of busyness in work but I've decided if I'm ever going to share then I'll have to do it in small batches, so here is Vol. 1 of things that have been my maternity saviours!

This bra

Which I bought on sale and wore nearly every day so decided to get a second one to rotate while one was in the wash – it’s that comfy.  ( I also plan to buy in in white or nude).

No it’s not a maternity or nursing bra and Yes it is a push-up bra – but I SWEAR it’s comfortable! There is no underwire and the cups are smooth but breathable. I’ve had to add a bra extender to it (as I have with all my bras) but that is no bother. I've tried MANY maternity bras from M&S, New Look, Asos, Mothercare etc and while the Mothercare ones are ok and the Asos ones 'will do' - this bra is sooooo much more comfortable than any other i've tried.

I know it’s not the ‘done thing’ but I’ve never had cleavage in my life – having been a member of the itty bitty titty committee until I put on a couple of dress sizes a few years ago and then my boobs were a bit bigger, but not more than a handful (literally). I was a 36b for a while, then a 38c as I went up to a size 16/18 but the shape of my boobs means I wouldn’t have cleavage unless I very uncomfortable squashed my boobs together – until pregnancy – I’m currently around a 38d I think, although this bra in 38c fits well and I have a nice amount of cleavage (which I haven’t actually flaunted but enjoy!)

Personally I like having smaller boobs, but for now I’ll let the Wonderbra and pregnancy make me feel like Dolly Parton for a while (until birth and feeding change it all!)

Good Points
Comfy
No underwire
Washes well
Smooth under clothes

Not so good points
A wee bit pricey full price

This Pillow

Which we read the amazon reviews for together one night and were in wrinkles laughing at this review (honestly read it, it's hilarious). We ended up ordering the cushion and affectionately refer to it as 'the bambino madre'.
I had bought another cheaper 'V' shaped pillow before, which is great for on the sofa, in bed or a in chair for sitting up but not at all what I needed for sleeping, I was using a normal pillow to cuddle to help rest my bump on and stop me rolling onto my front (I'm a half side/ half belly sleeper normally) but I outgrew this and knew I needed something bigger and 'proper'.
The pillow does take up a lot of space in the bed... and we are 'big' people anyway, so it's a little cramped but I am SOOO much more comfortable. I still roll from my right side to my left and back throughout the night (much to Ross's dismay because the baby book tells you to sleep on your left side - but I checked with 2 midwives and it's FINE) but I'm supported and snuggled in and have the pressure of my bump taken off as well as support between my knees.

Good Points
Comfy
Not too expensive
Good Choice of cover colours (we went for sky blue to go with most of our bedding)
Washable

Not so good points
Gets pretty warm all snuggled in there!
Takes up a lot of room

So that's my first two Maternity Saviours that I felt I should share, I'll post more as soon as I get the time/ energy/ remember!

Love L x 

Books for Baba - The Most Beautiful Children’s Books

UPDATE: we did it!

I'm so in love with it! Details to follow soon! 😊

When I found out I was expecting (ok… maybe slightly before then…) I was getting very ‘nesty’ as I often do and wanted to start buying bits and bobs for future baby. Baby clothes to me then felt a little too optimistic with the anxiety I was feeling (more about that in a future post) but books seemed like a good thing to start to look at.

Of course it will be years until Baba can read these books for themselves, but in the meantime I've chosen some of those with the prettiest design and pictures to entice them, as well as to be a design feature in their room!


Years ago I’d ‘pinned’ ideas for a future kids room and had several pictures of front facing bookshelves saved, and I love the idea of beautifully illustrated, brightly coloured books being a key feature in a child’s room – perhaps in the hopes of passing my love of reading on to them!

And so with this in mind, one of the first thing I purchased for our nursery (as well as a big comfy armchair for nursing) were these Ikea front facing shelves, although I’ve seen lovely wooden/ Perspex/ DIY versions out there too!

Below are a couple of my favourites from other sites which I have used for reference – sources tagged

Such pretty colours and perspex shelves! From Chronicles of Frivolity

A DIY version from A Beautiful Mess

Soft Colours and GORGEOUS Chair

I began collecting some beautiful books early this year mostly bought from Wordery, Amazon and a couple of vintage ones from eBay, I looked on Pinterest, on my favourite blogs (A Beautiful Mess, The Band Wife, Chronicles of Frivolity etc.) for inspo as well as trailing through book sites and googling ‘beautiful children’s books’.

These are what I’ve got so far (all books and authors plus more tagged below!)

• Gaston Kelly DiPucchio

• Little Master Carroll Alice in Wonderland Jennifer Adams

• Little Miss Burnett: A Babylit Flower Primer The Secret Garden Jennifer Adams

• Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales Hans Christian Andersen

• Hug Me Simona Ciraolo

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle

• Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak

• Madeline Board Book Ludwig Bemelmans

• Smart About Sharks Owen Davey

• Flora and the Flamingo Molly Idle

• Little People, Big Dreams: Maya Angelou  Lisbeth Kaiser

• Little People, Big Dreams: Frida Kahlo Isabel Sanchez Vegara

And these are on my wishlist;

• Last Stop on Market Street Matt de la Pena
• The Mermaid and the Shoe Keith Campbell
• Dinoblock Christopher Franceschelli
• Little Master Baum Jennifer Adams
• Little Master Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Jennifer Adams
• Classic Lit A to Z Jennifer Adams
• The Little White Bear Enid Marx
• Sleep Like a Tiger Mary Logue

I also have a small collection of vintage children’s books that have been passed on to me by my mum or granny, and a few from charity shops and car boot sales I bought years ago which I plan to display too.

This one is my absolute FAVE! It was my mum’s and I loved it when I was little too (it never did teach me to tidy my room though…)

 I feel that keeping the nursery pretty muted neutral colours (we will probably not even paint the room - just keep it the off white colour it is now) and using fun accessories; chair, rug, lamps, cushions and of course BOOKS, to add colour, is a really nice way of designing a relaxing but fun space for a child. I can't wait to really get stuck in to 'doing up' the nursery! :)

When I actually get round to decorating the nursery and putting up the shelves I’ll share the final look with you!

In the meantime, what do you think? What do you think is the most beautiful children's book? And what was your fave as a child?

Love, L x

London Getaway

Ross and I booked tickets to Jurassic Park in Concert waaaaayyy back in early spring when they were first released, and planned a short break to London thinking it would be this years holiday for us. We were very fortunate this year and Ross started a great new job and so we were actually able to fulfil our dream of visiting Barcelona over our wedding anniversary in August, but it was great to have a little winter break planned to look forward to too!

The concert was incredible, it was packed and all people around our age who were just as excited as we were to see this childhood favourite brought to life by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was an emotional experience!

You know I love baking, and you know I love instagram, and so I planned to visit some of my favourite bakeries, patisseries and food places while we were in London, and we managed to get to most of them!

I had a very detailed (but not strict) itinerary made up in excel (I know... I'm a loser) to make sure we could fit in all the places we wanted to go, leave ourselves time to enjoy and not get lost! Of course it didn't work haha. We ended up rushing about, walking the feet off ourselves and being generally simultaneously stuffed and exhausted from exercise! 

But we managed to visit;

Shops

Liberty - for everything patterned and beautiful - wait til you see the hanky I bought!

Fortnum & Mason - for fudge, biscuits, turkish delight and Christmas coffee

Taylor of Old Bond Street - for the fancy shaving cream that Ross loves

Broadway Market - for the Meringue Girls stand! (more below)

Mac in Heathrow Term. 5 - Twig for less than £12? YES PLEASE!

The gorgeous Christmas decorations on the main Fortnum Staircase

My new Liberty hanky!

Look at all those bits and bobs! I love it!!

Books in Portobello Road Market

We stumbled across The House of MinaLima by accident, when we were looking for Barrafina on Thursday night, and I'm so glad we did! A wonky, bright, fascinating place tucked away on Greek Street, filled with incredible artwork and Harry Potter paraphernalia. It's only open until February, so check it out if you get a chance!!

Renegade Craft Fair, The Old Truman Brewery, Brick lane - to meet the lovely Ella Masters and have our portrait painted! - I wish I'd planned more time here, it looked like a great fair with loads of amazing artists!

Food & Drinks

Selfridges food hall - for Angés du Sucre, Meringue Girls and more

Sketch - for a look about, but we didn't book a table and didn't fancy a cocktail - slightly regretting that now! I'd read online that you could just drop in for a cocktail or coffee in the Gallery but apparently its bookings only! #gutted

Barrafina - We visited the Frith Street Barrafina on Thursday evening, and from reviews, we knew we would have to wait for a seat, as it's a first come - first served tapas place. We waited for over an hour, but there was a bar along the wall and the waiting staff were lovely and we were able to order drinks and olives while we waited. Plus it built up our appetite!

I have to say, the food way totally worth the wait. We ordered several dishes to share and a couple for ourselves, the one which I loved the most was the Jamon And Spinach Tortilla - this is honestly one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten! I would definitely recommend a visit to Barrafina!

Zebrano Soho - Happy Hour! I looked up the best happy hours/ cocktail offers in Soho before we went, and Zebrano was top of the list. They have half price cocktails Monday - Wednesday 5pm -10pm

Thursday - Saturday 5pm - 9pm, and bear in mind that for London, the cocktails are already fairly priced! We ended up having quite a few!! See the menu for yourself here, we tried and would recommend; The Kiwi Cooler, Lynchburg honey, Jaffa cake martini, Lychee martini. Great drinks, good atmosphere and really lovely staff!

Granger & Co. - OMG guys, if you get the chance, and can be bothered queuing, get to granger & 

Co! I had googled 'Best brunch near portobello' and Granger & Co. Notting Hill featured highly on many lists and for good reason. Timeout also mentioned how popular it is with Notting Hill natives and to expect to wait for a table, so when we walked up the road to see a long queue of gorgeously dressed people with enviable bone structure outside a canopied building, I knew we'd arrived!

I had the Poached Eggs and Sourdough with added avocado and rose harissa - which was delish, Ross had the Ricotta Hotcakes with Honeycomb Butter which was DELISH! (no pics- he ate them to quickly!)

10/10 would recommend - just take a brolly and comfy shoes!

Maître Choux - I'd followed Maitre Choux on instagram for quite some time and drooled over the pictures of their sparkly, sumptuous eclairs. As it seemed within walking distance of The Royal Albert hall (if you don't mind walking!) we decided to head there before the show on friday after an early dinner. It was nice. Yep, nice. I wasn't mind blown by the experience, the shop/cafe only had two small tables and the counters were empty (although they didn't close until 8pm, some time later) and the eclairs were much smaller than I expected. We paid £17 for two eclairs and an americano and I savoured every morsel. Tasty but perhaps more beautiful to look at through the window than to actually experience! Maybe I'd built them up too much in my mind!!

Meringue Girls stand Broadway Market - This was something I'd looked forward to for a long time and after frantically running up and down all the market stalls looking for the signature WOW of the rainbow kisses and not seeing it, i called the number on the Meringue Girls site and Alex (possibly the Alex Meringue Girl??!) gave us directions.

We found it and it was b-e-a-utiful. I bought a mixed box of 9 for us and a box for Ella Masters.

Exploring

Ross and I have both spent a fair bit of time in London for both work and leisure before, and we've visited most popular areas, Portobello, Camden, oxfor Street etc but neithe of us had been to brick lane before, or Hackney and this happened to be where Ella masters and the Meringue Girls stand were on the Saturday we were there, so suitcases in hand we went exploring!

I love street art generally, and always try to snap pictures of pieces I really like because of course, who knows how long it will be there for!

Below are some snapshots from around Bricklane, Portobello Road and Notting Hill, and a few colourful snaps of other things that caught my eye!

Where are your favourite London spots? Let me know any suggestions you have for our next trip!

Love,

Lindzi x