Outfit (& Hair) of the week!

Inhale...

Check tummy is tucked in...

The streak of pink on my cheek is not a baby-scratch, it's lipstick.

Outfit of the week!
Yay! I've been dying to do another one of these, but every damn time I'm in a decent outfit we're either leggin' it out the door, or my hair's wet, or my make-up's not done, or a baby is crying. So this was a major achievement. Well, minor in terms of global crises, but major for The Mama's Hip.

AND! I discovered how to wear a silk flower in straight hair! I have a fab new curling tongs but never the time to use it, so I thought flowers were out until I got the time to do curls. Well, I was wrong bay-beh! (It's nearly 2am, I'm seriously rambling here) So; flowers look good if you've put your hair in a style first. Sounds like Hair-styling Class 1 but it is a bit of a revelation to me. Previously I'd just been wearing my hair loose, and trying to clip in a flower here or there and wondering why it looked so crap. A little revelation, but a good one. For this chignon (or "bun" to you and me) I used a sponge scourer donut from Penney's, cost 1.50 euros. I had TIME (oh, the luxury!) and blow-dried my hair first, it looked great the next day too.

I'm wearing:
Red cropped cotton cardi - H&M - about 10 euros? (v old) this has seen me through two pregnancies, and I wore it to death when teaching dance too, it seems to suit loads of things - dresses, sleeveless tops like this, and stretches to fit my expanding upper arms when needed. A great investment. It also shows your shape better than a normal cardi to the waist.
White floral dress/top - New Look sale (this January) 12 euros. I live in dresses this shape when pregnant, never buy maternity wear, just jersey basics like this. Note: I'm not pregnant at the moment (though catch me at a bad angle and I look 7 months) I was delighted to find this as it's perfect for spring / summer, I'll brave it with bare legs once the weather improves and I get a bit more colour on them. A rare buy from New Look, the sheer size of the shop puts me off, and the prices are high for the quality.
Blue skinny jeggings - 60 euros Silence + Noise (Urban Outfitters - old) I've lived in these for the last four or so years, and have never needed another pair, these do the job perfectly and I love the colour. I just wish the waistband was an inch higher to hide the tummy better, it tends to work its way down and need hoicking up every so often. I hope I hoick clandestinely, but I can't be sure.
White vest top, H&M - 6 euros
Black ankle boots - TK MAXX 18 euros (clearance)

I wore this outfit into town with my family the other day, with my parka over it ("day out" post to come), because of the tops I had to pull both aside to feed Noah, so also wore a scarf to preserve my modesty. Didn't get kicked off the bus for daring to breastfeed in public, so it must have been ok.

Come on, disapproving old lady, give me your best shot! I'm flashing gratuitous flesh here!

Previously I might have worn ballerina flats with an outfit like this, giving it a totally different vibe. But I'm kind of in love with ankle boots for the moment, and love how they "rock up" an outfit. It would work well with sandals / wedges / converse too, each shoe giving a totally different feel to the outfit.
I hate handbags at the moment, especially when wearing Noah in the sling, so am packing the parka pockets out with nappies, wallet etc. What will I do come the summer? I'll have to pack the sling out instead. Or get a big hat, like Paddington Bear. (To hide my belongings in, not my marmalade sandwiches)