My Style #Mumstyle - Casual Days

My Style #Mumstyle - Casual Days

Some days I love to just have 'no-fuss' dressing days. Using basic pieces to just make a very simple look but one that can still look stylish. I think leggings are great for this but as a rule, you should never wear these as trousers with a short top. I think too many people think they are trousers, but I actually feel they are more like super thick tights and should be worn with long, bottom-covering tops and dresses. They are available in all sorts of fabrics now and some, granted, are like trousers but just watch that you don't show the public too much. Also, don't buy cheap as that usually makes the fabric thinner and a bit more see-through! Anyway, after that little rant; I am wearing some matt leather look leggings from River Island that I find are good for pulling on with long shirts. They still have the comfort of jersey stretchy ones but look a bit more dressy. I have two extra long denim shirts; they are different shades of blue and I absolutely love them. They go with everything: over dresses, with jeans, as a beach cover up; they just are so versatile. Mine were from Primark last year but I have found some similar ones that I will link to at the bottom.
My chunky kimono wrap was a Zara one and it is beautiful; so soft and easy just to pull on. This winter has been all about the capes and wraps and I refuse to not wear mine into the spring. They act like a lighter jacket and are great for just throwing on around the house on those chillier days.
My shoes are from ASOS. I love the chunky, flat fashion and as a mum running round, I love that I can wear stylish and on trend footwear that doesn't have me tottering around.
As an alternative for going out on the random freezing cold days we seem to be having, I have shown the outfit with my over-sized camel coat from ASOS. I have loved this coat over winter and as it is a drop front and hanging fit; it just keeps my outfits casual but allows for an element of style due to the classic colour.

 

Steal my stlye;

ASOS shoes

Similar ASOS coat

River Island Leggings

Long denim shirt H&M

Like Cardigan Poncho Zara

Post by Emily

Raphael's New Hair

Raphael's New Hair

It is crazy how just one change can completely change someone. After Raphael had his hair cut this week he seems to have just grown up. His conversation skills and what he is actually talking about seems a mile away from where he was last week. It's like the sudden change has brought about a little boy rather than an older toddler. How strange is it that this suddenly happens? Rob and I can't stop watching him as he comes out with funny little stories or does something silly. He is just growing up so much. 

Post by Emily

The Springtime Blues

The Springtime Blues

I love this light shade of blue that seems to be popping up at the moment. After reigniting my love for ebay this week and purchasing a gorgeous ASOS coat, I have compiled some of my blue bits together to inspire you.

As I said, I got this fantastic blue ASOS coat that is a midi length and a classic pea coat style. It was brand new with its tags still on, so it was a real treat.

Some of my blue bits I am sharing are a bit older but they are still available in the shops. This beautifully detailed Primark shirt is a staple in my denim collecting. I wear it with everything and the bling on it just makes it great for smart or casual wear.

This ribbed jumper is a Marks and Spencer one and it is such a lovely light shade. With this H&M necklace it gets my spring style ready. 

One of my cheekiest blue pieces is this CHILDREN'S H&M hat which is a lovely shade of blue. I got it in the largest size and it fits nicely. I just think it brings a bit of sports chic into my outfits and is a bit of fun. 

These eyelash curlers were just £1 from Primark and they are this cool metallic colour (with hints of blue). I have been after a new pair for ages and these seem to be fine. I also love this Shea butter lip balm from Primark. It is such a cool shape and style.

One of my favourite pieces of blue jewellery is this pendant fom Katie Mullally. It is a gorgeous shade of blue and was my mother's day present last year. She has a amazing range of charming necklaces all with really unusual pendants. This was one I spotted in London at the Country Living spring fair. I am so glad I bought it. (That's right, I bought my own Mother's day present: after ringing Rob for confirmation!)

I also love wearing these Accessorize earrings. They bring a lovely soft pop of blue to my outfits and are really easy to wear.

Some of my favourite daily blue products are my skincare range from La Roach Posay. I use some of the 'Effaclar' range and it works really well with my skin. I will share a beauty post on them at a later date so I can tell you more!

Every girl should have a light blue nail varnish like this Barry M one. It is called sky blue and is so lovely on.

With all these blue pieces I feel my wardrobe is popping with colour and allowing me to step out on cold days and feel like it is spring!

Posy by Emily

Mystyle #Mumstlyle - Easy Coats And Jeans

Mystyle #Mumstlyle - Easy Coats And Jeans

What I love about having 3 sisters is the constant ability to rummage through each others wardrobes. This outfit is built up of pieces of my sister Lily's wardrobe. Cheers Lil!!

The grey check coat is a very on trend piece and over winter was a very popular pattern. In this lovely grey though, it is a nice piece to take into the spring as it is light in colour and in texture and easy pull on and almost like a driving jacket in style. 

I love ripped jeans. These are Parisian ones sold in New Look and they are such a lovely blue. They are comfy, easy and always on trend. 

The Peter Pan collared cardigan was from Primark and is actually now in my wardrobe! It is so pretty with the beading and the shade of green is fresh and light for heading into the warmer weather.

The pink loafers are from Primark and are juts perfect for those dry sunny days. So comfy and pretty.

It seems that my love for my Cambridge Satchel is booming as the bright pop of colour keeps featuring on here, and with these beautiful stocks; what's not to love.

Being able to have access to these pieces is great and as an outfit, it is another easy pull on allowing me to get dresses quickly.

Steal my style;

Primark is only on the high street, go look for the cardigan and shoes.

The Cambridge Satchel Company

Similar ripped jeans

Similar coat

Post by Emily

Raphael's First Trip To The Cinema

Raphael's First Trip To The Cinema

I think one of the important milestones for a parent is to be able to take their child to the cinema. I mean, what an experience. You spend years waiting for them to be at a stage where you know they will be able to sit for nearly 2 hours and not want to get out of their seat and mess around. We felt that we have hit this stage with Raph and we decided that it was time for that first trip.

I can't really imagine how it seemed to Raph. We tried to explain it but it probably made no sense to him. We took him down to our local Odeon in town and everything just seemed to be perfect. The staff were really friendly and when we explained to people that it was his first time, they all cooed in excietment. It all added to the lovely experience. We went to a 10am viewing of the new Disney film 'Big Hero 6'. It was hard choosing as I wanted to make sure the content wasn't inappropriate and seeing some parts in the trailer, I was a bit worried about the 'bad guy', but Raphael loves 'Wreck It Ralph' and 'Frozen' and it is by the same creators, so I guessed it could't be too far away from them.

With popcorn in hand and 2 toilet trips done before, the film started; Raphael was ready for his first big screen experience. And what a powerful experience it was. Not only was the film truly excellent; Raph sat there mesmerized by the compelling story of Baymax the health care robot. The way the story was told was fantastic and the 'bad guy' was so well created and explained in the end that it almost felt that there was no 'bad guy'. Raphael had no worries during the film and at the end just sat and burst into applause which was so moving as he must have been thoroughly gripped.

After asking to watch it again and watching all of the credits, we left with a very happy little boy. As more polite staff greeted us, we went down the escalator only to see a huge inflatable figure of the main character Baymax. I think Raphael was just in utter amazement as he ran over and nervously stroked his tummy. He then leaned back into it almost waiting for the caring hugs he had just seen in the film. 

A truly beautiful way to end his experience.

As a 3 and a half year old, he was fantastic in the cinema and really enjoyed this film. I think we are going to go to a few kids club shows as they are only £3 a ticket and show a slightly older film on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning at 10am. 

We could not have had a nicer trip and for us as parents; it was a memorable experience.

Post by Emily

Homemade Purple Coleslaw

Homemade Purple Coleslaw

When my siblings were round the other day I whipped up some easy sandwiches using fresh french bread, cheese and some of homemade red cabbage coleslaw. It makes it this amazing purple colour and makes a bit more of an event of sandwich eating!

We make fresh coleslaw mostly to eat with jacket potatoes and it is really quick and easy to whip up.

Ingredients

1/3 small red cabbage, sliced 1/2 cm

1-2 carrots, grated

2-4 spring onions, sliced 1 cm

Mayonnaise & natural or greek yogurt 1/2 & 1/2 til it makes a spoon-able consistency.

To eat it like this; just slice your french bread, fill with a good slice of cheese and spoon the coleslaw on top! Easy lunch!

Delicious! 

Post by Emily

Brita 'Fill and Go' Bottle

Brita 'Fill and Go' Bottle

Part 1

Almost everyday I have been having headaches due to dehydation. I know I am a poor water drinker so know that the only way to sort this is to up my intake. As with nearly all dietry changes, it helps to have something new to spur you on; hence why I purchased a Brita 'fill & go' bottle. I got mine from a shop on ebay only because it had a quick dispatch time, but they are also available on Amazon and loads of other places.

I purchased this bottle because I liked the idea of having filtered water and this bottle comes with the special filter disks. The only bad thing about the bottle is that it does mean that it will cost money to replace the filters which they suggest doing once a week. However, with the bottle you get 4, so that starts you off.

There are lots of good things about the bottle: its looks for one, it's clean and shiny and a decent size so that you actually feel you are having a good drink. There are some clear instructions to follow before adding the filter but it is pretty basic so once that is done you can just go. Also, the straw inside is detachable which I love as I am not a fan of having to hold a bottle down to drink! I hope this makes me drink more, I can't see why it wouldn't. It just allows me to make a bit more of an event over a glass of water and it allows me to throw it in the nappy bag and take with me on our trips and actually drink!

Part 2

One expansion of having bought myself a fancy water bottle is how I can actually better my drinking experience even more.

I have seen some lovely ideas for infusing water with fresh fruit and decided to have a look on the web and find out if the Brita 'fill & go' would also allow me to put fruit in and still filter the water properly. Looking; I found no one saying it wouldn't work, so I tried a few different ideas today and had a go at tasting.

The key to this is to leave the water for as long as possible. I would suggest filling it up as soon as you wake up and popping it in the fridge; then have your usual morning drinks and it will be ready for you to take and go. I think it is fine to refill the water using the same fruit as long it has only been in there a few hours. Obviously you want fresh fruit but if you down the bottle then just refill, it might just taste slightly weaker.

I had some fruit in so used lemons, limes and raspberries to make a few different mixes. There are so many combinations that you could use though: blueberry and lemon, melon, lime and kiwi, raspberry and strawberry, peach... there are just too many combinations.

Something to point out though is that obviously all these fruits have natural sugars in them so you still need to be conscious of your not to use fruit every time. It's great, but pure water is still the best.

What was amazing with drinking out of this water bottle is that Raphael was suddenly interested, especially with all the fruit floating around. Using one of my old bottles I filled it up with water and threw in a few lemons and raspberries; he loved it. And as an alternative to juice, what's not to love!!

I think any way to encourage yourself to drink more water is good. The health benefits are numerous and apart from giving you a clear head and boosting your metabolism, it is just really good to get your body hydrated and get water flowing though the body.

Post by Emily