Maternity Shoot

I have to start this post with a thank you to my bikini wearing, little sister who took time out of essential sunbathing and pool time to take pics of her growing, very round sister and 'I could so be a model' brother-in-law.  I really wanted to have images of my little family but didn't think I would have the chance to because of crummy Scottish weather and work so to plan a shoot when on holiday would be the perfect opportunity.  It did take me till the last day of holiday to get my husband to get out of the pool and shoot but he went from moaning to asking my sister to take solo images of him - shades on, shades off - blazer on, blazer off.

So I set up the camera and gave my sister a quick demo of where to point, frame and shoot and I am so happy with the outcome.   It's going to be so good to have these printed and framed for the baby's room.

Still cant believe how fast time is flying now that i'm in my last trimester

#OOTD LBD and Kimono

Maxi Chiffon Kimono - F + F Tesco £14.99

Jersey Midi Dress - H & M £12.99

White Buckle Boots - www.garageshoes.co.uk  £29.99

Stressed but Well Dressed

Jumpsuit - New Look £27.99

Stressed/Well Dressed Clutch - Zara £19.99

Today - 22 weeks pregnant

I know a jumpsuit is not for everyone and this is the first one i've ever purchased because i'm short and curvy so I didn't think it would work for me but I am in love with this jumpsuit.  Because of the thick stretch material it is so comfortable and sits low enough so you don't have to worry about a surprise camel toe, every woman's fashion nightmare.  For the bump area the stretch waist and tie can be adjusted to sit where you like and depends on how big your bump is.  I think this will still work for me for another month of expanding bump and because I got the size up it makes it not tight around the hips and thighs.

Zara has amazing clutch bags in store at the moment and the price of them is so good that you could easily have them all to co-ordinate with all your outfits.  I love this white clutch and it is so fitting for the past few weeks i've had as I have been feeling the symptoms of pregnancy all at once as the baby is growing which had just made me want to stay in and hide but I do find making the effort perks up your mood and keeps you going and I am feeling great again with energy levels returning and the sickness and heartburn going away.

We had out last scan on Tuesday which was the anomaly 20 week and all measurements, heartbeat and structure look great so I do feel more relaxed and able to enjoy my pregnancy and growing baby more and more with the anxiety subsiding.

I cant wait for my girly Saturday afternoon tea with my mum and sister's this weekend.  It has been so long since we've all been together and I probably will get emotional with the big bump, talk of baby boy and just being with them x  

Boy or Girl? Boy or Girl?

Ava joined me in the sunny garden

The weather has been so rainy and grey everyday here so not had the opportunity to blog for a while but the sun was shining today so I was ready and out! I've also been sick everyday and couldn't get rid of a horrible migraine all week but have been back to normal since yesterday so feeling good again.  The exciting news is we are going for a gender scan tonight and get to find out if boy or girl and I can not wait, so doing a blog post right now is a distraction and will waste some time.  Although I won't be sharing what the baby is because i'm having a gender reveal baby shower for my close friends and family so it will still be a secret until July, sorry!

So the outfit, I actually wore this outfit for a night out at the weekend and i've got to say I have been paranoid about my new shape last week but I think the bigger the bump grows the more you have to adjust to your new body and that means re-adjusting your closet and style.  Although I do still feel happy to wear outfits that show off my curves so I went hunting for a midi pencil skirt and came across this red stretch skirt from H&M and I was planning on wear a white blouse but every one I tried on made the outfit look too business-like so I then went on the hunt for a long-sleeve crop top and found this in Topshop sale.  My absolute LOVE purchase at the weekend had to be my new heels from River Island and I love them because they still give me height that I like to have when i'm going out but also they are so comfortable.  These are definitely staple for anyones wardrobe so I recommend going and getting a pair.

I feel this outfit is a really great daytime outfit too as it has a vintage feel to it so I wanted to shoot it today with sunnies and a bow in the hair to give that vintage, summertime feel and I cant wait to wear this again meeting the girls for Summer mocktails, although this skirt might only have one month left in it with my bump.

This week it's all become very real that i'm having a baby.  This might sound crazy as i've been pregnant for 20 weeks now but I think its because of the more obvious bump and now I feel the baby move it makes me excited and anxious all at the same time.  I have to be honest that I am so nervous about labour and I think about it all the time.  I am just hoping that my nerves become settled towards the end of pregnancy and with antenatal classes that they make me feel more prepared and in control and not make me go the complete other direction and panic.
 
Just want to finish with saying congratulations to the winner of the Cwtch Organic Teething Ring which is currently making it's way to the other side of the world to Australia, so well done Margaret-Anne.  I will be having another giveaway in a couple of weeks and it's a really great piece so as soon as it arrives I will photograph and post the new giveaway.

 

Hopeless Romantic #OOTD

Fedora Hat - H & M  £14.99

'Hopeless Romantic' Slogan Tee - New Look £7.99

Black Leather Look Pencil Skirt - River Island £30.00

Envelope Clutch - Ebay £4.95

17 Weeks 2 Days 

I'm planning a night away this weekend with the hubby for some dinner and essential spa time.  The past month i've not really been making plans as I get so tired easily but it is good to make some time for romance.

So I was on the hunt for a full midi skirt after seeing blogger Taylor at www.littleblondebook.com wearing a gorgeous red one from ASOS teamed with stripe top and yellow heels.  I had to have this skirt so straight onto Asos.com and purchased but now just waiting for it to arrive so I decided for the weekend to look for a leather-look midi skirt as I loved how Kim Kardashian styled her leather midi as a sexy and stylish maternity look.  Kim's maternity outfit choices did receive a lot of negativity and I agree that some were way too tight fitting as she was growing but in the early trimesters I think she looked amazing and created sophisticated and stylish looks.  I do like to look through her maternity looks to make choices on what I should wear as I am a size 10-12 before I was pregnant and therefor realise certain outfits can look really bad as my bump and boobs get bigger.   I did get the skirt in a size 12 so probably only get a month's wear out of it with the growing bump but at least I can wear it when the baby is here for those cocktail nights with the ladies (if it ever happens, but it's nice to think this way).  And what better way to have a romantic night with your man then to remind them of your romantic feelings on your chest!

Julia

Instagram - @juliagraham1