What Eli Wore | The #MrandMrsSpinks wedding.

Photo 01-10-2013 15 24 37

What Eli Wore:
Heritage waistcoat, shirt and tie set – £21, Next.
Heritage formal trouser – £13, Next.
Classic Converse Low-Tops in Black – £24.99, Office KIDS.

——————————————————————————————————————

Our very dear friends, Camilla and Tom, got married last month. It was an honour for OH and I to be their witnesses. So it was only right that Mr Eli got dressed up smart-as-a-carrot for the very special event! We went to a few shops for his outfit – but this one from Next was just perfect. In fact, it was ridiculously perfect! <Scroll down>
Photo 01-10-2013 13 40 21
For half of the day Eli didn’t wear his waistcoat. It was a massive struggle to get any clothes on him – he’s such a wriggler (and SO strong now!). We did eventually get the waistcoat on him for the meal however. I did look for a smashing pair of brogues for Eli to go with his Heritage suit – again to match his Daddy. But alas, I could not find any in his size. He’s the first size in infant Converse now, so this was their first outing! He looked wicked!

The shirt that comes with this set is great – it has a stiffened button-down collar, like an adult size! I particularly liked the grown up grid print. The Heritage suit is a cotton blend with fine tweed effect print. The trousers are adjustable which is really handy. The suit is quite hardwearing; something you always need to think about with toddlers, especially as Eli spent a lot of his time crawling around! The waistcoat has a lovely pocket square detail – good job it was stitched in, Eli would have had it straight out!
Photo 11-09-2013 22 09 33
Mr Eli and his Daddy’s had matching tie’s!

These two ties were purchased almost a year apart – AND in two (very) different shops! Eli’s mini-me tie comes as part of the Heritage set from Next, while OH’s tie was from AllSaints; which he purchased for a wedding last year at River Cottage.
Photo 01-10-2013 15 35 30
Mr Eli was such a good boy during the ceremony and meal; and had a wonderful time playing with the other children in the creche.

This Heritage suit from Next is perfect for weddings, christenings, birthday’s – any special occasion you can think of really! Mr Eli received lots of compliments about how smart he looked. A definite must-buy!

The Heritage set from Next is available to purchase online, here. This suit is available as separates, 3 months – 6 years. Prices do vary depending on the size.

MM.

 

BODEN | Transeasonal picks.

BRRRRRR, anyone else absolutely freezing today? Good job Boden have some amazing pieces to take you straight into Autumn! Take a look at my favourite pieces below… And you might even find a little discount treat at the bottom too! Happy browsing!

image002 (1)
THE DENIM SHIRT, £39.00

BODEN SAY: Our new, lightweight denim offers a clean, sophisticated look. This must have shirt has signature Boden spots inside the cuffs and collar.

MM SAY’S: LOVE a denim shirt and this one is perfect for A/W. I’m currently tucking all my tops, blouses and shirts into jeans. This is top of my must-have list!

image004
THE WOOL SKATER DRESS, £139.00

BODEN SAY: This on-trend, panelled dress is a sound investment. Subtle stab stitching, elegant elbow-length sleeves and Italian milled wool make it a must have.

MM: Absolutely LOVE this colour! The panels on the dress will also give a great silhouette.

image005
THE MILITARY MOLESKIN COAT, £119.00

BODEN SAY: This versatile coat is made from supple moleskin, which is a lovely fabric for cooler months. Try the trend for ‘Winter white’ in our Pearl option.

MM SAYS: Great fabric and lovely detailing. This coat comes in lots of different colours too! Uh oh…

image013
THE NEW TROUSER, £49.00

BODEN SAY: A great alternative to a jean, that moulds to any body shape and feels more substantial than previously, thanks to this season’s thicker fabric.

MM SAYS: I struggle with jeans, the Ponte Roma Trouser sounds right about perfect to me!

13WAUT_WH595_CRM_M01
THE SIXTIES DRESS, £99.00

BODEN SAY: We’re really excited about this new, Sixties-inspired tunic dress in four retro prints. It’s pared down with a relaxed, drapey fit.

MM SAYS: Brilliant dress. The Boulevard Tunic Dress encompasses that Sixties vibe perfectly with the monochrome – although other colourways are available too! Love the relaxed fit, perfect for those ‘not feeling so great’ nights out!

13WAUT_Wk850_OYS_M01
THE JUMPER, £89.00

BODEN SAY: Embellished knitwear is a big deal this season and this jumper feels like the sort of gem you might happen upon in a vintage shop.

MM SAYS: Great design work on the collar of the Chelsea Jumper – love the vintage feel of this piece. Definite LOVE.WANT.NEED item for any wardrobe! And how lovely is the Notre Dame Skirt (£79.00) too? They work perfectly together!
13WAUT_AR598_DGY
THE LOAFER, £99.00

BODEN SAY: This blocky heel is bang on trend. It makes this loafer sexy and modern, as does our contemporary patent leather.

MM SAYS: If you buy one shoe this Autumn, make it the Heeled Loafer. I love the height of the heel, perfect for dashing about with the little one, or going to the office or even dinner! The patent leather makes this style very versatile indeed.

So there you have it, hope you like my picks! Let me know what you think!

Also, GET THIS!! Boden’s infamous Diminishing Discount is back! Grab yourself a bargain this week with 20% off from Monday 9th – Thursday 12th, 15% off on Friday 13th (oo-er!) and 10% off on Saturday 14th September. All orders also have free delivery and free returns – spoil yourself!

 

OFFER RECAP:
Monday 9th – Thursday 12th September – 20% off plus free delivery and returns
Friday 13th – 15% off plus free delivery and returns
Saturday 14th – 10% off plus free deliver and returns
Live: Monday 9th September
Expiry: Saturday 14th September
ENTER CODE: DIM5
CLICK HERE TO GET SHOPPING!

 

MM.

What Eli Wore: Eli’s 1st Birthday!

Photo 04-09-2013 11 51 59

What Eli Wore >>>

Ralph Lauren Oxford Shirt, Ralph Lauren Shorts, Converse Kids Hi-Tops.

Where from? >>>

Ralph Lauren Oxford Shirt, £55, available at House of Fraser

Ralph Lauren Shorts, £45, available at House of Fraser

Converse First Hi-Tops, £22.99, available at Office Shoes

Mr Eli looked super smart on his 1st birthday last month. He generally wears clothing like his Daddy and his birthday was no exception. His beautiful Ralph Lauren Oxford Shirt features a button down collar and signature Ralph embroidered logo to the chest. We rolled his sleeves up, which made this shirt look even cooler (but also helped keep stains at bay whilst he was eating/rolling around). His shorts too are Ralph Lauren, with a flat front and red embroidered signature Ralph Lauren logo at the left knee. These shorts look really smart and are so far, very hardwearing! Eli finished his birthday outfit off with his trusty Converse Hi-Tops in a blast of vibrant red. His little shoes took quite a beating on his birthday – we’ve just ordered some new ones, this time with rubber soles, just like Mummy and Daddy’s real-life Con’s!

Photo 04-09-2013 12 00 35

MM.

Guest Post for Wriggly Rascals: Ligament pain during pregnancy.

 

When the lovely ladies from Wriggly Rascals approached me about doing this guest post I knew that it was something I could definitely discuss at length… I’d had ligament pain since the very early weeks of my pregnancy…

To read my full blog post, head over to www.wrigglyrascals.com and straight to Ligament Pain During Pregnancy ! Please do tell us all about your experiences with Ligament Pain during Pregnancy. What helped you out the most? How was your birth and recovery? Did you encounter the pain in subsequent pregnancies?

And don’t forget to sign up to the website to join the conversation!

MM.

—-

If you need any #pregnancy reassurance, ask @wrigglyrascals for help. www.wrigglyrascals.com

@wrigglyrascals is a new community to help #newmums, join in. www.wrigglyrascals.com
About Wriggly Rascals
Wriggly Rascals was set up by Shona Motherwell, a frustrated mum of twins Mhairi and Archie to get mums together to share pregnancy, baby and toddler advice via quick surveys to get the facts about what other mums do. Our mums pass on loads of great tips to mums who have asked for help. If you would like some advice, get in touch at www.wrigglyrascals.com

Our little (Converse) family.

Couldn’t resist doing a couple of snaps of these! Daddy, Mummy and Baby Converse! TOO CUTE.

My sister surprised me this week at work by posting the Baby Converse direct to me… So of, course I had to get an obligatory shot of our little (Converse) family before Baby Boy arrives! We’ll have to get another shot afterwards, with us all wearing our respective Hi-Tops!

I actually cannot wait to get our Baby Boy in these… they are 3-6 months, so hopefully, if his Talipes has progressed, we’ll have him fixed before he’s 6 months old!

Converse ‘First Star‘ Kids Trainers, £21.99. Click here to purchase from Office.co.uk

MM.

Vans Kids: As seen on baby Flynn.

How absolutely adorable are these mini Vans? I love them. Definitely going to have to get a pair for baby boy bump when he’s big enough! In the meantime, check out how cool baby Flynn Kerr-Bloom looks in his – amazing!

 

Of course, these mini Vans come in a multitude of colours… which will you go for?

You can purchase the Kids Vans online at Office Shoes – Click here to shop now>>

MM.

Blooming beautiful: Jessica Simpson poses nude for Elle magazine.

We all speculated for months whether she was or wasn’t expecting (even though it was blatantly obvious!) but now we’re all speculating about her due date! Poor Jessica Simpson, she’s had absolutely no rest from the Media. But maybe she likes it that way?! And, goodness knows how she’s been plodding along in the skyscraper heels! I’m waddling at just 5 months pregnant in my Converse Hi-Top’s!

How has she managed to wear these massive heels, so far into her pregnancy? Aside from the fact that they’re uncomfortable and would make your feet swell – surely they’re dangerous, no?

But all of this aside, Jessica has gone and done the usual celebrity thing and had a nude magazine shoot with Elle. She does however, look incredible! A picture of health and happiness. Jessica’s appearance on the cover came as she admitted to the magazine that she and fiancé Eric Johnson are expecting a little girl.

But Fashion Star mentor Jessica admitted she hoped their daughter would take more after her than her sportsman beau. She told the publication: ‘I swear, I will croak if she asks me for a pair of Nikes instead of Christian Louboutins!’

Check out the lovely photoshoot below…

 

 

And here are the copycat covers from over the years… taking inspiration from the original Demi Moore and Vanity Fair cover of 1981.

 

 

MM.

 

Lifehouse Country Spa Resort – long weekend away…

 

So, Lifehouse Spa!

We had booked this little break away after having all the scans and tests a few weeks ago. We’d decided that we would need a relax after such a rollercoaster couple of weeks…

Being 19 weeks pregnant, we jut wanted to go somewhere where we could relax and chill out for a few days. Get away from it all. A spa was perfect. I literally spent 3 days alternating between the swimming pool and jacuzzi (Hydrotherapy Pool). Unfortunately, all of the treatments were too expensive for our budget… in fact, they were just overpriced in general.

I’m well aware that this review is just going to sound like a right moan! It was our first trip to a Spa though, so we would have expected a bit more in some areas. Albeit, we had a wonderful time and would return tomorrow! But with hindsight of course ;o

Pro’s

– Drinks were relatively cheap.

– Comfortable bed.

– Contemporary room with lovely bathroom and great views of the gardens. Usual coffee and tea making facilities.

– Lovely staff – all very polite and always had a smile.

– Easy place to relax.

– Food was great, restaurant quality.

– Great swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool. Can’t review the Steam, Sauna or Salt Inhalations rooms as I can’t use them being pregnant… but DP absolutely loved all three. So they kept him quiet! 😀

– Loved the Orchids Bar area too… must recommend the bread and olives. Best olives I’ve ever eaten! Amazing! Just £2.00 too!

– Very very nice gardens… it was absolutely blowing a gale outside and raining but this did not deter us! We borrowed some Hunter wellies from reception and had a great walk right around the gardens.

 

Con’s

– We weren’t given a ‘welcome’ note or shown around the complex. So didn’t know what facilities we could and couldn’t use.

– Because of the above, we didn’t know we had a safe in the room, until we were messing on with a rather ambiguous looking drawer underneath the TV!

– Again, because we weren’t given a ‘welcome’ note, we didn’t know that you could order Room Service.

– Couldn’t lock the door to the room.

– No bath in the room – albeit, the shower was incredible. I still could have done with a soak before bed!

– Treatments are expensive and need to be booked well in advance. Many people were left disappointment upon arrival when all appointments were booked up.

– Pregnant ladies cannot use Sauna, Steam room or Salt Inhalation rooms as they raise the body temperature too much.

– Packages that exclude food are very expensive. A lunchtime meal (main and starter) will be around £45 for a couple with one wine and one soft drink. An evening meal is per the set menu, £35 for 3 courses or £28.50 for 2 courses.

– Menu’s left a lot to be desired for someone who is both pregnant and doesn’t eat fish or mushrooms! I ended up having the same evening meal on both nights of our stay because the menu didn’t change… and the Duck dish was the only one that didn’t contain fish or mushrooms! There was also a £3 additional supplement on this.

– There were no decaff teabags! I also wasn’t given an alternative… would have definitely thought there would be decaffeinated everything with it being a health spa!

– No soft drinks menu! Just Wine and Cocktail lists… which isn’t great when you can’t drink! Imagine if you’re an alcoholic visiting for a detox!

– Restaurant was basic-looking; for such an ambitious menu, it was a shame that the restaurant was more like a canteen in a Sainsbury’s with cheap chairs and tables. The chairs of which offered zero support for a pregnant lady.

– There were no bottles of water for free, or even for sale! So it was a case of having to get up every 5 minutes to go to the water fountain in the corner of the ‘Wet Area’. Which is quite annoying when you’re pregnant and just want to lay down, but of course, you need to keep hydrated.

– Although this spa is relatively new, (about a year old), we did notice lots of signs of wear and tear. I actually stood on a piece of broken glass in the Hydrotherapy Pool! Turns out, upon further inspection, lots of the mosaic tiles were cracked and broken, but glued back together. Again, when looking up from the jacuzzi, the ceiling paint was peeling…

It was such a shame there were these little niggles – we really did enjoy ourselves though! Honestly! And we would go back… just hopefully when they have a different menu! 🙂

 

MM.