Welcome to November

Big month November.
Firstly Boo learnt to walk!!! now moving on to the other things:
We have our 20 week scan for Bean this month which is exciting. This is also the month I start Christmas planning preparation and shopping. I am blessed with a large extended family which means lots of the planning is about what I will bake for kids and adults. I often pick gingerbread but like to try at least one new thing each year. This year 2 of my cousins will be moving out so I am gifting them each household items of their choice.

   Hubby has been his usual amazing self and I have been to Lush to buy my bubble wand I have been waiting for 3 months for this to come back, so very exciting. (I definitely bought the bubble wand for Boo ;) mostly) I have made 2 additions to my summer wardrobe these are a dress and a pair of very hot weather/prgenancy feet friendly thongs/sandals. I also finally got all my clean out donations from last month to the op shop such a good feeling to have them out of my house.

I have also taken on the #FMSphotoaday challenge for this month and am loving it. Thank you Chantelle for this lovely joy. I will pop a collage up at the end of the month. (Which gives me time to work out how to do it) 

Today after 6mths in our new house we finally put curtains up and it is such a blessing in the Melbourne heat we are experiencing.
The blind pictured below is one of my favourites it is a roller blind from IKEA called Liselott. My marvelous mother helped us to trim and install it as I am atrocious with power tools in my pregnancy fog, let alone trying to follow instructions.
Thanks mum you are the best. 

Trinty Beach holiday & Tot Seat Review

Mini break 

Well Darling hubby, Boo and I have just had the pleasure of heading on a tropical beach holiday to visit friends.

We flew into Cairns bright and early on Sunday, hubby insists I mention that we flew on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. After a wait for a car we were off to Trinity Beach. About 25mins out of Cairns Trinity Beach is a very beautiful beach with a very small town feel, most of the shops were restaurants. Everywhere we ate had good food with Lunico coming out as a favourite providing excellent food and service. We had a lovely if slightly late lunch overlooking the beach with the company of a good friend.

Darling Hubby modelling Boo's Hat at Muddy's Cafe

On our second day we headed into Cairns city for a walk on the esplanade, a play at Muddy's Playground and a rather delicious breakfast at Muddy's Cafe. Boo is not yet walking but had a ball crawling among the various waterspouts and falls at the Muddy's play area. 

We the wondered around the city where a bought a new dress to add to my summer wardrobe which is a bit lighter and  more beachy compared to what I already had. 

After a lot of walking and Boo finally falling asleep in the pram we stopped for lunch at a delightful restaurant called Tha Fish which overlooks the marina. A delicious lunch in a fancy setting with a very reasonable price.

Above: the Marina view and table at Tha Fish

Our last day in North Queensland was spent visiting the natural beauty that is Mossman Gorge and the quirky shops in Port Douglas. As usual Boo travelled like a trooper and the experienced flyer that he is. On the other hand after a weekend in New Zealand last week and this trip I am exhausted so was a bit grumps and super tired. Today, Friday is recovery day, finally!

Lastly my Out and about travel must have is:

TotSeat

We love our TotSeat! I received it as a hand me down and started using it when Boo was about 9months old, it has really come into its own in the past 2 months. Firstly because Boo is much better at sitting up at a table and secondly because we have been visiting with people a lot around Boo's birthday (3 parties in 3 locations, Craziness!). The TotSeat means we always have a highchair with us so are never relying on a cafe or friend to provide.

The seat simply attaches and adjusts to fit a normally chair. Featuring adjustable width for the top of the chair and adjustable length in the seat for different chairs. It also contains a Velcro strap to add support to an open backed chair if needed. The seat comes with its own bag that it folds up into, about the size of a mass market paperback, making it easy to pack in a bag.

As you can see the instructions are stitched on the back, baby can sit comfortably (as demonstrated by Elizabeth) and the whole lot is machine washable. It has fit on every single chair we have ever tried including some wide wing backed antiques. Below is the TotSeat animation on how to use it.

TotSeats are stocked through http://www.bloomandgrow.com.au/ in Australia
All opinions expressed are my own, about my own property and are not sponsored in anyway

10 item wardrobe Spring/Summer

So I have just received delivery of the last item for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.

This year my wardrobe is focused on a light feminine feel with an emphasis on belly growth. :)

Firstly my wardrobe is often fairly heavy on Target items as that is what I can afford and they usually have lovely pieces that suit me. This year however in have supplemented with pieces from one of my favourite Maternity clothing companies Angel Maternity. I used them last pregnancy for a formal outfit for a wedding I was attending. 

I love the range they have as I prefer looser fitting clothes rather than super stretchy contoured outfits and they cater to both markets. I also find them a really great company to deal with if you need to change or exchange something. Finally the price point is excellent especially when you consider you are pregnant for such a short time. 

So onto the wardrobe. 

Pants

A staple in my closet is jeans I always have a dark blue pair and a black pair both bootleg as I find it balances out my figure. My current pairs are both Target double button bootleg which are a perfect fit for me and my rather curvy bottom without any unsightly lumps or bumps, Unfortunately after 6 years Target has discontinued these so after Bean is born I will have to find a new source for jeans. This pregnancy I am going to use a belly belt to extend my jeans for as long as possible.

I also have a fairly neutral 3/4 pant which is great for warmer weather and extends the wear I get from my tops.

Tops

This first top is a Target top I bought for 2012/2013 summer I really like the colours in the print and it pairs well with either of my jeans.

These 2 tops are both from Angel Maternity, excuse the wrinkles they arrive by post yesterday, I wanted tops that would pair with either of my jeans and would be long enough to cover my belly and belly belt.

This tunic is one of the pieces from my winter wardrobe which will remain for spring at least. It is a Vera Wang tunic my mother bought me as a gift when we were out about 6mths after Boo was born and I love it, it is very flattering and makes me feel elegant. I prefer this paired with my dark blue jeans so as not to be too black and I often pair it with a scarf.

These tops are both by Target and are from my winter wardrobe they will remain as extras for spring until it gets too warm. I really like the colour and detail of the burgundy top. The other top is a plain navy with a cowl neck as an added detail.

Dresses

Both dresses are the same style from Angel Maternity I bought the polka dot which is a slightly heavier weight fabric last time I was pregnant. The grey is a new addition and is much more sheer but I really love it. Excited to wear it this week on our lovely beach trip.

Outerwear

This is a Target blazer I bought in 2013 that I love to throw on over a more casual top, paired with a scarf to feel a bit more dressed up. 

In outer layers I also have a red coat that I adore and have had for about 4 years now. I finally found a scarf to pair with it last month, otherwise I wear a plain black scarf, so this will remain in my wardrobe for spring as Melbourne weather is notoriously fickle.

Accessories & Footwear

In the 2 preceding pictures you have seen the scarves I use most frequently. 

For footwear I have leather ballet flats again from Target, I have a nude pair and a black pair which covers my whole wardrobe. This is the first pair of nude shoes I have owned and as a dress lover I am now wondering what I wore before.

I also want to include the lovely handbag my grandparents and hubby contributed to for my birthday. It is a leather bag from Tiganello which fits everything I need including my diary (I have a beautiful Letts of London diary as I prefer old school pen and paper, I just bought my 2015 one) and a largish novel which has been great particularly on plane trips.

Thank you for reading I would love some feedback on the post.
Thank you Jennifer at the Daily Connoisseur for the lovely shout out.

Off I go to Cairns for a few days of relaxing Bye!



All products reviewed or referred to are of my own choice and the opinions expressed are my own.