Starting a little family

The Alexander Wang Prisma is on its way to me from Barneys New York (my only US sales purchase... so far). Won't it be a good big sister for Marion?

Michelle from aminuteawayfromsnowing always looks gorgeous with hers, which kind of tipped me over the edge. I thought seeing as I have the Marion in navy, the parchment would provide further versatility (I did see the cobalt on sale on Net-a-porter UK, but it has since sold out, as has the parchment from Barneys due to ME mwahaha... BUT you can still grab one on sale in petrol - the same colour as my Marion - from the Alexander Wang website.)

Meanwhile, plans are steamrolling ahead in preparation for my ACTUAL future addition to the family. My husband and I washed some of the baby clothes and couldn't stop giggling when we were hanging them on the line - they were just so tiny!

Awhile ago I purchased and set aside a nappy bag from Mimco. Some people question the quality of Mimco pieces, but I have always found them to be excellent. Plus, they always have great sales, and now they have a rewards program too. I recently bought this wallet on sale (save $100) because it matches my nappy bag and fits into my Marion bag.

 

I like these shoes too, but I'm holding out for further reductions.

US Sale Picks

So I finally got around to properly checking out some of the US sales online. There's still some good stuff floating around, much of it now further reduced. And the Aussie dollar seems to be back in front again (just). These are my top picks from Net-A-Porter and Barneys:

1. Emma Cook sequin print silk/cotton dress, $164, 70% off

2. Acne uniform silk-crepe dress, $144, 70% off

3. APC Zebra print t-shirt, $35, 50% off

4. Emma Cook denim print silk jumpsuit, $204, 70% off

5. Current/Elliot cropped floral jeans, $100, 50% off

6. Alexander Wang Prisma tote, $409, 40% off

7. Miu Miu sequined leather pumps, $455, 50% off

New bag + New priorities

My new Alexander Wang bag arrived from Shopbop, thanks to a voucher from Bridadeiro. Love the navy leather. Carrying around an extra 6kg of baby belly is quite enough and it's nice to give my shoulder a rest with this compact little bag. 

Although I'm starting to look forward to getting a waist back in a couple of months or so, the nesting instinct must be kicking in, because my current wish list is dominated by nursery goodies. Oh, and this Karen Walker bug print blouse (with buttons to allow for breast-feeding access, of course).

 

The sale season and  release of new collection look books is always tempting, but unfortunately I think a lot of pieces that I like will be impractical for my soon-to-be-new lifestyle. I'll have to stick with easy to wear (and wash!) pieces like these Karen Walker spotted denim boat pants from her Sea Monsters resort collection. I just can't get enough of her boat pants. But ah Sretsis silks and Lover laces... how I will miss you. 

Mums out there: Do you still bring out your more delicate (or, ahem, non-easy-access) pieces occasionally?

A lucky break

Last week I was lucky enough to win a $100 Shopbop voucher from Brigadeiro. This was completely unexpected, as I rarely win anything, especially not anything as significant as this. Perhaps my child will be lucky, and I should enter as many competitions as possible while it's still in my belly?

 

The luck continued: on the same day my voucher code arrived in my inbox, there was also an email advertising Shopbop's sale, and another letting me know that an item on my wishlist was on sale. Low and behold, the Alexander Wang Marion bag in navy that I had been lusting after was 30% off. Now, I had managed to resist this bag the week previous, when Shopbop had their spend and save promotion. Their current sale price was about $100 cheaper AND I was able to use my $100 voucher. The shopping gods were smiling on me.

Then I head over to the Barney's site, seeing as they are also having a sale and a free international shipping promotion, only to see that the 3.1 Phillip Lim bag I liked is also on sale, in the croc-print leather. Would it be overkill to get this one as well? I'm thinking probably yes...

"It's growing..."

One of the most common things that people say to me these days is "It's growing..." as they stare at my belly. Uh-huh, yep, I believe that's what happens...

 

Here's me a month or so ago.

 

 And here I am now.

 My husband got me this card for my first (kind of) Mother's Day.

 And some pressies:

The second most common thing people say to me these days: "Have you thought of names yet?"

No.

 Apart from feeling the most adorable little movements and kicks in my stomach, one of the most exciting things about being pregnant is decorating the baby room. These are some details so far. I know it won't come out reading novels, but I just wanted to display some of my pretty vintage mysteries. Hey, they're colourful ok.

 Went to the Sass and Bide warehouse sale and bought this stripey knit for $30. 

Hey, where's my belly?!

Mini bags

My constantly changing body shape has made anything but the cheapest of purchases quite pointless, unfortunately... Or fortunately for the bank balance! Strangely, I find myself in the shopping mood. This has mostly been satisfied with cots, bouncers, bassinets and the like... but the nesting instinct has not completely taken over. I'm currently lusting after a mini bag. These versions from Proenza Schouler, Chloe, Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang are a little pricey for a girl on a baby budget, but I can't seem to find any cheaper versions that are near as stylish. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

New Wardrobe Challenge: The Bump

So I guess I have some news, which I'm sure you could figure out from some of the pics below. I am thankfully past the stage of having to hide it now, but am faced with a new challenge: how to dress for my new (rapidly changing) body shape? 

I have been roughly the same shape and size for... well, I guess my entire adult life, with a tiny bit of all round growth. Over the years I have developed my own sense of style and have always been quite definite about what styles I am drawn to when shopping. I now realise that this largely consist of waisted styles, which are now useless to me. For the first time, I have really struggled with shopping and style. At first I panicked, and bought a couple of things because they fit me, now because I actually liked them. Now I am finally starting to build up a little wardrobe of items that suit my shape, yet also feel like "me". Here are some of my recent purchases:

 Karen Walker blouse, worn undone like a jacket with Forever 21 singlet

 Cotton On pants (very comfy $5 sale find)

worn with Kathryn Wilson loafers

 ASOS maternity dress, worn with Karen Walker belt

 Karen Walker dress, worn with Alannah Hill belt

accessorised below with Country Road scarves and Sretsis belt