A Shopping Haul...Not For Me!

Elijah and I all ready for a shopping trip!

So yesterday, Darren and I took our little man out for the first time...to go shopping! We've been given so many amazing presents for Elijah from friends and family, including a whole load of gift vouchers for places such as John Lewis, Mamas and Papas, Baby Gap and M&S, so we decided it was time to treat Titch to some gorgeous new clothes...and toys...and other fun (yes, yes and essential) things.

I never thought I would have so much fun buying things for someone else, but I am now definitely a baby shopaholic! Baby boy clothes are so amazing...they are like mini man clothes, and those are the kind of things we went for. I don't like clothes that are too babyish...just because he's not big enough to fill a newborn babygrow yet does not mean that my little man shouldn't look super stylish. 

We started at Jojo Maman Bebe in Temple Fortune, which is actually a sale shop...swoon!! We picked him up a couple of cute baby grows and swimming shorts for the summer, plus a breton feeding dress for mama!

Here's what I wore for our trip...this was also my first proper outing after giving birth, and it was quite overwhelming. The C section has really taken it out of me, and I've had a stinking cold all week, so I wasn't feeling my best...that and trying to adjust to a post preggo figure...bring on Zumba in 6 weeks time!

The perfect accessory!

Posing with my boy

The ultimate must-have - a Yummy Mummy bag

I went for a black maxi dress and layered over a grey marl top and checked shirt, plus my essential "Claire Belle" name necklace and peace sign necklace, topped up with the ultimate changing bag - the Yummy Mummy bag by Pink Lining. I'm obsessed with it!

After Jojo, we headed to Brent Cross and all the shops we had vouchers for. I wanted to get him outfits he could wear now, as all we have at the moment is babygrows. We got some absolutely amazing things for him, including a pair of gorgeous denim dungarees and yellow cords from Baby Gap, a fabulous hoodie and trackie bottoms outfit from Mamas and Papas, jeans and jumpers from John Lewis and my favourite - as chosen by Darren, a chambray jumpsuit from Baby Gap! Swoon!

We also picked up some toys and other bits and bobs, but, let's be honest, it's all about the clothes.

I've popped a couple of pics of the haul below, and if you look closely, you'll see Titch in the background lording it over all of his new goodies.

So there you go...a haul post, just not for me! As soon as I am back in the shopping mode for myself, I will do a haul post of my own, but for now, I am loving buying clothes for my gorgeous little man. Enjoy x

Not bad for Eli's first haul

My favourite purchase of the day - a chambray jumpsuit from Baby Gap

My Week In Pictures - Week 3

Hi there!

I hope you've all had a fab week. It's been an exciting one in my family, with the birth of my brand new baby cousin, Noah Jack! I haven't met him yet as he was born yesterday evening, but I am hoping to meet the little guy this weekend for my first cuddle, and hopefully he'll be included in my week in pictures next week.

So, with that being said, here is my week in pictures, week 3! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. X

New nail varnish - Lilac Dream by Models Own

Ellie from work modelling a new pair of shoes

Inside my first Graze.com box...nom!

yay first Graze.com delivery

Amazing jelly bean crown in John Lewis

Mmmm, chinese feast for John's birthday

Mini Boots haul

Red, white and blue Jubilee cake baked by Catherin from work

Jubilee cocktails

Jo, Kelly and Sarah enjoying a Jubilee drink

Me sporting union jack stick on tattoos at work

Ellie enjoying the Jubilations!

Massive lunch at Banners with Darren, Sophie and Mitch (guess which one is pregnant!)

Man vs. Food a-thon!

Finally, Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter...thanks Jack! So worth the wait!

Valentine's Day Lust List

I know it's a week away and that yes it's a bit of a hallmark holiday...but I could not resist! I wanted to share with you some love themed gifts (by that I mean mostly red and gorgeous!), which I hope will give the fellas out there a little inspiration as to what to get their other halves this Valentine's Day...if they're feeling very generous!!

I hope you all have a very loved up day, are spoilt rotten and spread the love!

What do you think of my little list? Are you planning anything for Valentine's Day this year? Enjoy x

Love necklace - Tatty Devine £27 @ selfridges

Vivienne Westwood Valentine's Pendant £110 @ selfridges

Love hearts satchel £91 @ Zatchels

YSL Oval Ring in pink £165 @ selfridges

Valentina perfume - Valentino £71

Miu Miu pouch £240

Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch £199 @ Harrods

Betty Bloom dress £36 Topshop

Love cushion £35 John Lewis

John Lewis 2011 Christmas Advert Is So Magical!

A very quick post, which actually, has nothing to do with fashion...weird right?!

If you didn't know, I am a HUGE fan of Christmas, despite being Jewish, I love the feeling that the xmas season gives you...friends, family, happiness, goodwill, amazing films and TV, time off work and, of course, presents!

So anyway, back to the post, one of my favourite department stores, John Lewis, have been getting my vote during the recent years for best xmas advert...even beating the amazing festive coca cola ads. Last years advert was brilliant, heart warming stuff (who can forget that ellie goulding cover of your song?), and this years, which has just been released, made me well-up with christmas spirit.

So here is the advert. What do you think? Does it give you that christmassy feeling?? Enjoy x

and for those who want to indulge a little more...here's 2010's ad!

The Sales Are Calling!!

Hello my lovely readers, I'm sorry I have been out of touch for so long - but now the majority of the xmas hubbub is over, and we have a couple of days to prepare ourselves for new year's eve - I thought it was time to return to blog land.

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas, and that you got everything you wanted. I had a lovely few days with family and loved ones, as well as more food than I needed to eat and more xmas movies that I've seen a million times each! But it was all in the name of xmas fun.

Obviously my parents read my blog, as they scoured previous posts and bought me things that I have gushed over - a very effective way of writing a wish list I have discovered - including knits from Zara, great pieces from Gap and some gorgeous faux fur lined boots from River Island. My favourite gift though was from my lovely boy - an Amazon Kindle - an amazing present as I am a huge bookworm, and have a habit of lugging heavy books around in my handbag. If you are like me, you'll love this little baby!

Now, enough about my presents - and onto what usually comes next after Christmas - THE SALES!

I am usually not a big fan of the sales, some shops (cough - River Island - cough) seem to only drag out the dregs that never even made it onto the shop floor over the season. People get manic, head to the stores the night before to get in a queue to get their hands on some toot that they really don't need, and knock other people out at the same time. All the festive cheer, and goodwill to all mankind goes out of the window when those sale signs are produced.

I don't usually go to the sales, but this year, I thought I should check them out, as there were several things I saw (well, about a hundred) over the past few months, and I wanted to see if any of them had made the cut. We got up stupidly early and headed to the Brent Cross. Happily for me, I was able to find a bunch of items which I have wanted and they were all half price! I didn't go crazy - the sequin skirt from Gap and a couple of dresses from Zara - just enough of a shopping fix to give me that satisfied feeling!

Now, for the rest of you, if you haven't braved the sales, but want to, please make sure you follow the sales rules:

The January sales are a game of skill, a challenge that requires both self discipline and physical endurance, so make sure you head out early so you can be back early with your feet up watching whatever DVD you got for xmas this year (Eclipse...mmm...thanks mum!).

Make a list! If you have seen things over the months that you really loved but could not afford, make sure you head to the stores to find just that. Do not get sucked into the vortex of cheap crap that you really don't need, don't want or don't even like that much, just because it's 50% off.

Read the fashion mags - the fashion folk are there for a reason, they know what will be in season and on trend in the new season, so use the sales as a reason to invest. I bought two dresses from Zara - long sleeve, knee length styles which are a light weight fabric, perfect with woolly tights, boots and cardigans now and then for Spring, knee high socks and brogues - great transitional pieces!

Buy investment pieces. It's unlikely that a shearling bomber jacket will be on trend next autumn winter, it was a bit of a passing trend, so bypass the Burberry version or cheaper Topshop version, and instead, opt for something with a bit of longevity. A tailored coat with a faux fur collar, or a camel coat - items which are timeless and classic.

Be prepared! It might sound stupid, but you need to be armed and ready for the sales. Wear comfy flat shoes, an outfit that you can whip on and off quickly (if fitting rooms are open) and make sure they are lightweight so you don't get too overheated! Take a small bag which you can sling over your shoulder and a bottle of water.

I'm going to be posting a blog of the best sales shortly, but from what I have seen, avoid River Island and Topshop - rails of unwanted and unloved mismatched items, and head to Zara, Mango, John Lewis, Fenwicks and Warehouse. Of course, you could be even more savvy and just do some Internet shopping - lines are added daily and you don't have to worry about the nasty crowds!

Be safe, buy wisely and enjoy! x

Something cute for a Sunday night!

This is not much of a post tonight, I do apologise, as I am trying to make my blog more of a daily fashion flash - like a little fash mag each day - well that's the aim! Tonight though I am exhausted, after a weekend of gorgeous babies (not mine!) family, friends, engagement parties and a 500 mile round trip in a car with the boy getting very frustrated at the traffic, I have just walked into my nook, had a cuppa, watched in distress and pure fury the X-Factor results (seriously, what the hell?!) and want to do the smallest of postings of something I am a little obsessed with.

You've gathered my now my love of Japanese fashion, well, I also have an obsession with all things Japanese, and these little Momji dolls are among my favourite! Momiji Dolls are collectable friendship dolls, each with their own characteristics, likes and dislikes. At the base of every doll is a slot into which can be used to hide a secret or friendship message for someone special - cuuuute! They are so gorgeous, I currently have about 6 scattered around the house. They just add a gorgeous bit of colour and personality and they make the sweetest presents. They come wrapped in little japanese take out boxes and little sayings on the side. I am not a doll fan, in fact, I hate dolls, creepy little bastards, but these are something else. So sweet, so collectable, and perfect for Chrismakuh presents, or a little gift for yourself.

They're stocked at John Lewis and Selfridges, as well as plenty of other places and are about £11 each. Check out the website http://lovemomiji.com/ and be prepared to go: awwwwwwwwwww!!! enjoy!