#OOTD and 24 week update

Pattern Chiffon Kimono - H & M £9.99

Green Pleated Hi-Lo Dress - H & M  £12.99

It's been a little while since I've blogged and it's been down to painful ribs, internet being down and a rainy, rainy Scotland.  Today I am 6 months pregnant and what a milestone that feels like, 1. Because I never even thought I would get pregnant and 2. The day we found out seems like a lifetime ago but we are here and it feels incredible.  The love and support I have felt in the last couple of weeks has been amazing.  I think it's because there is no getting away from the reality that a new addition to the family will be here very soon and friends and family are just so excited.  There isn't much to report on pregnancy symptoms wise apart from going to the doctors to get a throbbing pain around my lower ribs looked at which turns out to just be the uterus pushing on my lower ribs and because I'm short it is really painful early on in pregnancy.  So heat packs at night have really helped but with sitting at my desk at work for 8 hrs doesn't really help but I'm just trying to keep as stretched and mobile as I can to ease the pain.  I've been doing a lot of shopping for holiday clothes this week and purchased a couple of flattering maxi dresses and tankini from Mamas and Papas and H&M is so good for kimonos and oversized chiffon dresses so stocked up on these in different patterns and with the help of my little sister will be doing some blog posts in the sun with the purchases.

So with a day off and a break from the rain I decided to do a blog post today using the backdrop of my husband's scrap yard, why not? It's a bit different.  The multicoloured kimono and green pleated hi-lo dress are both from H&M and will be perfect for holiday, especially with gold sandals and chunky gold accessories.  I will be travelling to Spain in 3 weeks so coming up to 7 months pregnant and I am a bit anxious about travelling so far along in my pregnancy but with it being a short flight and staying at my parents house in Spain it should be a pretty relaxing and well squired break away. 

This week I have my midwife check up.  I would love to be having another scan, it just feels great and puts your mind ease having a scan but I feel him, and he's moving away (definitely on my ribs) so there is no need to keep having monthly scans.  

Ok off to rock side to side on the gym ball and think about what to have for dinner 

Julia x 

DIY baby leggings

T-shirt featured is from PRIMARK men's section, size XL

WHAT YOU NEED:

A Patterned  Jersey T-shirt

A pair of basic baby leggings

Elastic

Scissors

Paper for legging pattern

Chalk

Pins

Needle and Thread or Sewing Machine


WHAT TO DO:

1.  Lay your baby leggings on the paper and trace around  one half of leggings with chalk (remember to ass 1 cm for seam around the pattern.  Cut out the pattern.  Lay the paper onto the t-shirt and trace around with chalk.  Cut out fabric - you will end up with 2 pieces of cut out fabric.

2.  Repeat step one but tracing around the other leg.  You will end up with another 2 pieces of cut fabric.

3.  Pin (1cm in) the outside seam together and you can either stitch using sewing machine or hand sew the pieces together.   Do this on all the seams which need to be connected.

4.  Lay your elastic along the top of the leggings and fold over the fabric and pin in place.  Sew a  waist band, making sure it is a neat stitch because this is on show.

5.  Fold up the fabric at the bottom of the legs and sew a small hem.

6.  And that's it.  Turn the leggings the right way and there you have it.

You can use old t-shirts, jersey skirts or I bought a few patterned T-shirts from the men's section in Primark and will make a baby t-shirt and a bandana bib out of this T-shirt to match the leggings.

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  

Product Review - Sensationail at home gel kit

I was gifted this SENSATIONAIL home gel kit a few months ago and didn't really see the point of even setting it up because I have very little patience when it comes to my nails but I have to say that this kit is really great.  The products are easy to use and the instructions are straightforward and easy to follow.  However the test would be to see if the gel actually lasts on the nail and the first time I tried it out I used the deep red colour and it lasted 6 days (but I am a nail picker so I think it has the potential to last the full 2 weeks) and for this blog post I tried the nude 4 days ago and still going strong.  The set is available in Boots and costs £70 which includes a colour or french manicure gel set and the individual colours cost £15.  I have attached a quick video just showing the LED lamp in use and the results.  The only thing missing is the gossip with the nail technician and the relaxation of having your nails done so I don't think i'll be giving up my monthly nail salon appointments.  

http://www.boots.com/en/SensatioNail-Starter-Kit-French-Manicure_1389432/

http://www.sensationail.co.uk/