Friday Fashion Fix #2

It's Friday! So it's time to get all fashion-ey on the blog.

This week has been pretty hectic so there hasn't been much chance for fashion brilliance on any level. Due to Dee coming down with the dreaded 'Pox', I have spent most of the week in my 'scruffs' and my hair has been dragged off my face that often that I look like I've had an Essex facelift.

However, I made a real effort today, in the name of fashion, and in the name of hopefully no longer looking like Stig of the Dump.

This weeks theme - Dungaree's A GoGo!

When I heard and read that Dungaree's were coming back into fashion (were they ever?!) my inner stylist did the 'shocked' face of dread and utter bewilderment. Really? Dungarees? Like.... really?
Yet, when photos of celebs clad in various takes on the classic Dungaree started to emerge, I distinctly felt my pulse rate lessen. They, look, cool.
Worn in the right way of course - more Carrie Bradshaw, less Andy Pandy.

So after weeks of trying to find the perfect ones, I finally happened upon these beauts in Zara.

Dungarees - Zara, Leather trimmed top - Zara, Glasses - Ray Ban

I love, love them. Black, understated, wonderful. You could definitely dress these up - with some killer stilettos and an oversized statement clutch they would look divine. I have chosen to team mine with a thin, long-sleeved top, boots and my goggles (glasses!).

Glasses -  Ray Ban, Top - Zara

Yes, I am aware that there is an air of a camouflaged Where's Wally about this, but I'm rolling with it. These glasses are actually from the Male range - but I thought they suited me more. They look black on here but they are actually tortoise shell.

Ring - H&M

Boots (gold trim) - ASOS

These boots are an absolute wardrobe staple of mine. They go well with skirts, jeans, leggings, dresses... everything! Everybody always compliments me on them. I have had them a few months now and are a bit battered as I wear them that often, but I think they look all the better for it.

So my lovelies, that's all for another week.

I will be posting a little later than usual next week as I am going away for the weekend with the girlies.
So be prepared for a bumper Fashion Fix Friday Extravaganza!!! The weekend remix... ;)

Love till next time - L&L xx

The Liebster Award. Yes. An actual Award.

So. The very lovely blogger man over at The Secret Father has nominated me for the Liebster award. Which is quite frankly, very exciting. So thank you. I mean it.

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 200 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."


So. here are my little factoids. 11 of them.

1. I like eating the insides of Walnut Whips then discard the chocolate. And the Walnut.
2. I hate frogs. 
3. I hate toads (sensing a theme here).
4. I love to bake. Mostly cupcakes.
5. I only eat the pink Fondant Fancies.
6. I hate it when people read over my shoulder.
7. My secret (well, it was..) crush is Alan Rickman. 
8. I have read the Harry Potter books about 5 gazillion times. (Slight exaggeration).
9. I love watching Masterchef. 
10. My daughter is my favourite person in the whole world. 
11. Blogging is becoming an obsession. 

Next! Here are my 11 questions to answer. 

1.Which of your blog posts is your personal favourite? 

I would have to say my Mothers Day post. I love it because it really sums up the way I feel about my daughter and Mum. I also think that other mothers (and fathers!) will be able to find a little of themselves in that post. 

2. Unicorns or Zombies?

Unicorns. Duh! They're in Harry Potter.

3. Name one other blog post from another blogger that has really inspired you.

There are loads. However, all though this is cheating I would have to say any blog over the past few months by Edspire. Jennie is a true inspiration. She has blogged through the heartbreak of losing a child and I can only thank her for the strength she has given to me, and all her other blogging companions through her beautiful words. 

4. If you could possess one superpower for one day, what would it be and why?

Time turning. So that I could go and tell my teenage self to stop worrying and start living. 

5. Describe yourself in 20 words or less.

Creative, loud, mis-understood, loving, faithful, blessed.

6. If you started/owned your own country what would be your top 3 principals of constitution?

• Everyone must start and finish the day by paying themselves a compliment in the mirror.
• Everyone must allow for other peoples differences and always be kind. 
• Cyclists would have their own roads. (Safety first!)

7. What three things would you tell your 18 year old self, with the benefit of hindsight?

• He will hurt you, but don't worry - you are to be loved.
• Don't drink Tia Maria.
• Don't go to University just because someone else says you should - follow your heart.

8. What is the best joke you ever heard / can remember? 

Three men walk into a bar.....

Seriously... I'm crap at jokes.

9. What is your earliest childhood memory?

Making clothes for my Barbies out of my Mum's tights.

10. What is your favourite month and why? 

September. It is the month my daughter was born.

11. Favourite ever holiday and why?

St Lucia. Our first holiday away as a family. The Caribbean laid back attitude is so relaxing. I could have stayed on Sugar Beach forever. 

And.... here are my 11 questions. 

1. Outdoors or indoors?
2. What is your most favourite blog post and why?
3. Favourite smell?
4. What is the place in which you feel most happy?
5. Daddy or chips?
6. At what time of day do you usually blog?
7. Favourite blog post you have read in the last week?
8. Favourite quote?
9. If you could make your own flavour of crisps, what would it be and why?
10. If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
11. If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?

I have chosen my nominations of fellow bloggers carefully. I wanted to choose blogs that I do read and have made an emotional impact on me. These lovely bloggers make me laugh and cry and smile more than they will ever know. Thank you. (I know there are only 10!)

1. thesecretfather.wordpress.com   (I know you nominated me! But I just wanted to show my appreciation!
2. hollybobb.blogspot.co.uk
3. andiamomummy.com
4. holdingthebabyblog.com
5. justthewaywewantto.blogspot.co.uk
6. justpirouetteandcarryon.blogspot.co.uk
7. justanormalmummy.blogspot.co.uk
8. dragonflypoppy.blogspot.co.uk
9. athomewithconnor.blogspot.co.uk
10. beingmummy.com

Thank you all -  and Thanks again to The Secret Father for kindly nominating me.

Love till next time -  L&L xx

Friday Fashion Fix #1

So. Here is a little feature I am going to be doing every Friday.

I have always, well, at least for as long as I can remember had a bit of a crush on Fashion. I quite simply love it. I love shopping and how new outfits make me feel. I love dressing up and dressing down. I love trying new looks and putting outfits together which are sometimes a little out of my comfort zone. Since becoming a Mummy I think my fashion choices have become, to put it lightly,  a little more subdued. However, I am determined not to give up on my love of fashion, make-up and beautiful accessories. So this little weekly post will be a tribute to my love of all those things.

Often, when a woman makes that leap to the role of 'Mother' everything about her becomes overhauled.   Some of what was there before is often dissolved on entering motherhood, it takes a backseat to wiping little bottoms and feeding little mouths. Clothes become less of a statement, rather a way of covering the milk stains and newly formed muffin top. T-shirts become the home of snotty-nose wipes and splatterings of un-wanted spaghetti bolognese.

I remember going out in the early days and my friends asking me - 'Whats that on your shoulder?'
After a quick look to make sure I hadn't left the baby napping there, I muttered my doleful answer...

'Yep... thats vomit'. And subsequently mourned the loss of my beautiful leather jacket.

Sometimes, I am so tired, I have gone out with mismatched shoes and one of Dee's clips in my hair (put there for safe keeping... obvs!) Only to have these faux-pas pointed out to me in the garden centre or in the middle of Sainsbury's. Not.Cool. 

So. Here I am. Every week I will choose some of my favourite outfit/s to share with you. I will also share any new beauty finds or make-up miracles. I am aware that my fashion choices aren't for everyone but I would be honoured if you look and read and share and maybe... linky up. Lets show the world that Mummy's don't have to be slummy. We can be classy, we can be fashionable and current, we can have nice make-up, we can go out with matching footwear...

So, here we go - Week #1 -  Butterflies & Hightops.

(Apologies from crap photos. Camera out of action)

I bloody love Butterflies. I think they are pretty and feminine, so when I saw this shirt I just had to have it. Plus, this lovely yellow colour seem to be everywhere this season, it is bright and happy and Summery, even if the weather is not reflecting it at the moment.

Butterfly Shirt - Next

Butterfly shirt - Next, Gold Necklace - H&M

Even though I view myself as quite girly, I think my 'look' more often than not has quite an androgynous feel to it. I like to mix pretty prints with block colours, team dresses with trainers and converse. I found these little leather high-tops in Next on a clothes hunt for Dee. I absolutely love them, they are so comfortable and easy to slip on at a moments notice.

Leather high-tops -  Next. Black skinny jeans - Topshop

These jeans are an absolute wardrobe staple of mine. They are super comfy and hard-wearing (I found this after spending a lot of time on my knees crawling after a toddler!). I love Topshop for jeans as they seem to fit just right, these particular ones are from the 'Leigh' range and I have them in various colours.

Jeans - 'Leigh' by Topshop

I love accessories. I feel they give new life to an old outfit. I love gold, or ghetto gold, as I call it. Since getting married it frustrates me that my cheapo accessories don't match my rather lovely rings!!! However, I have recently acquired a rather lovely two-tone watch which brings everything together nicely.
My earrings are from Topshop. They are little gold skulls. Not to everyones taste but I think they are cool.

Skull earrings - Topshop

All in all I really love this look. I also teamed it with my black leather jacket as its still rather chilly out there.

I look forward to sharing more posts like this with you.

Love till next time - L&L xx

Lovely little Lullabies.

This post has been an honour to write.

A lullaby in remembrance of a darling baby girl. Matilda Mae.

A lullaby for her lovely Mummy Jennie. Her very brave Mummy.

A lullaby for her family.

A lullaby for all families affected by SIDS.

A lullaby - to let them know I care.

I'm linking up with Jennies blog amongst other bloggers to promote awareness for The Lullaby Trust (formally FSID).

A Lullaby sung to the tune of 'Hush little Baby (Mockingbird)'

Sweet darling baby,
Please don't cry,
We are only waving,
The day goodbye.

Sweet darling baby,
Sleep now sleep,
As I rock you now,
You count those sheep.

Sweet darling baby,
close your eyes,
Come listen to,
Tilda Mae's lullabies.

Sweet darling baby,
Just let sleep in,
Close your eyes,
And dreams begin.

Sweet darling baby,
I'll hold you near,
Sleep little one,
I'll be right here.

Sweet darling baby,
Just one more yawn,
I'll be with you,
Until the dawn.

Sweet darling baby,
I love you so,
Just hold my hand,
And don't let go.


Sweet darling baby,
Just one more kiss,
Then dream away,
In sleepy bliss.

Sweet darling baby,
Close your eyes,
Come listen to,
Tilda Mae's lullabies.


Love till next time - L&L x x 

Love and War.

This has been a post that has been in the pipeline for a while. I have sat and pondered on how to go about it. I have written and re-written and written again. This post is a break from tradition, it isn't about parenting or Dee or about my life at all. It's about a love that spans continents, a love that has, quite literally, survived a war.

About a year ago some very brave non-professional singing women and a rather lovely choir master released a song. A song about love, about war, about trust, about bravery and about sacrifice. From the moment I heard it, it stirred something in me, the words were so beautiful that whenever it came on the radio I would stop what I was doing and simply -  listened. You know the song.

At first, I couldn't quite put my finger on why it touched me so. Why I went to download it, why I looked up the lyrics, why I cried at their beauty.

And then, I realised. My friend, my good friend has probably felt every single one of those words as if she herself had written them.

My friend, who shall remain nameless, is married to a soldier in the British Army. At this very moment he is in Afghanistan fighting and working and helping and doing more than I could ever do.
For the last seven years, whilst he has been away (periodically), my friend has sat alone. She has waited, she has dreaded phone calls and knocks on doors. She hasn't watched the news. She has sent packages of food and treats. She has spent Christmases and birthdays and anniversaries without him. She has written. She has prayed. She has welcomed him home. She has loved. She has been braver than I could ever be.

Last summer she married her soldier and I have never felt more proud to be associated with people who are truly: brave. Both of them, him for serving this country and her for allowing him to do so.
Sacrifices have been made on both parts but on that lovely day in June, there was no thought of war - just happiness and love.

I read countless blogs and tweets (mine too!) that complain and moan and criticise. I feel foolish for complaining, for believing that my life is sometimes dull or hard. I don't think I have ever once heard my friend complain that her life away from her husband is hard. She never moans about being hard done-to. She just accepts and supports and believes.

Her husbands returns home in a few short weeks. My friend is planning a party, a celebration, a thank you. Thank you for being brave, Thank you for doing unspeakable things, Thank you for helping to keep our country safe and free, so that we are able to go about our daily lives in our oblivious manner.

To all soldiers, thank you.

I pray for his safe passage, that he returns to us happy and healthy. That he returns to her.

May the stars shine all around you,

May your courage never cease.

Love till next time - L&L xx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ7f4lV3e0c

Holding on.

This is the hardest post I have or will ever write. It's physical equivalent is running down a busy high street on a Saturday, absolutely starkers. It's allowing everyone (everyone...) to see the parts of you that you aren't proud of, parts of you that you have kept hidden away.

I need to talk about it here. I need to get it out in the open and say to you all - Yes, here I am, this is me.

This has been 10 years in the making and it took having a baby to bring it out in the open.

Of course, I'm talking about depression.

I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I don't want you to look at me like there is something wrong. I just want you to understand. I need you to understand.

I've had a hard few weeks. Hard and dark and scary and hellish. I feel so incredibly selfish, knowing what others have and are going through (believe me, I think of them all the time). But sometimes all you can see is the complete emptiness of your own existence, its the only thing that makes sense.

I know I'm talking in riddles. However, I don't want to go into details, none of you reading this need to know the reasons why, but I hope sometimes, when I'm having a bad day, I can come on here and vent and you will understand.

Mental illness is a funny one. It's not a broken leg, you can't see it and sympathise. You can't rub it and make it better or even stick a plaster over it. It's something that takes time to get over and finally, after so many years of feeling alone, I am finally facing up to my demons and doing something about it.

I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and family. A husband superman who holds me up the best he can when I feel like I am sinking under the weight of life. A daughter who brings me more joy than she will ever know, she is my reason, she is all of my reasons. And friends, such amazing, beautiful, loving, un-selfish friends who have helped me these past weeks, who, even in my darkest hours have held my hand and shown me the pinprick of light at the end of what seems like an endless tunnel. You know who you are and how much I love you.

I promise to keep these posts to a minimum - nobody likes a whiner.

I just felt an explanation was needed about my sometimes sad and muddled words.

Love till next time -  L&L x x

Listography.

So, after a few, hard, painful silent weeks, I have returned. I will explain the hows and whys of my short blogging absence in another post. But to ease be back in, I am doing a Listography post to linky up with another lovely blog -  Kate takes 5.


I have never done this before so please bear with me.


The theme of Kate's Listography post : 5 Things that are better than One Direction. Things that your children are yet to learn about the world.


Here are mine for Dee:

1. The first time you really find something you LOVE to do. Finding horse riding was a revelation for me. I was never particularly good at sports at school - always being last to be picked for anything (groan, sigh). However, soon after my first riding lesson, I knew I had fallen in love with something I was finally good at. I hope you find something that fills you with as much joy and fulfilment.

2. First Love. Beautiful, irrational and more often than not, short-lived. However, it's the sort of irrationality that I would never want you to miss out on.

3. Lasting Friendship. I hope you find friends that span your whole lifetime. That you love, admire and care for as much as I love mine. Friendship is the key to a happy life.

4. Your first sip of alcohol, how good it feels at the time, how bad it feels in the morning. A late teenage right. Please be clear, avoid Tia Maria and I will not be cleaning up after your hangover. Always drink responsibly...

5. Welcoming your own child into the world. The indescribable feeling of wonderment and complete love.



These are the things I hope you come to learn are better than One Direction, or in your case, Peppa Pig.


Love till next time, L&L xx