Back With A Bump! Bargain Maternity Tips...

Hi everyone, yeah I'm back. Been away from blogging and pretty much everything as it's been a bit of a whirlwind. As regular readers may know, we had a bit of a scary situation last year with losses and a scary trip to oncology... the knock on effect being the last few months have been a bit of an anxious kerfuffle of hospital appointment and worry.

Well so far so good. I'm 24 weeks pregnant now, and thanks to my diagnosis and medication all seems normal at the moment. Fingers crossed.

Anyway enough of the House episode. I'm going to get right back into my usual bargain shopping type thing now. One thing I've realised over the last couple of months is that maternity wear is both expensive and incredibly boring if you're into vintage or alternative fashion. No, in fact it's pretty darn boring if you're into mainstream fashion too. Unless you really, really like navy blue and cream stripes with everything - oh, and spending £30+ on a jersey top you're only getting 4 months wear out of.

Here are some of my tips for saving money and looking unique...

Check What You Have

Bloody terrible picture of me in a hospital corridor @16 weeks.

When you start to expand like a balloon get a little bump, spend a couple of hours going through your regular wardrobe. Put aside anything with no stretch, high on the waist, tight on the bust or with pictures/patterns that might distort for a few months time! Bring to the front:

• Loose, wide t-shirts, tunics or dresses;
• Low waisted skirts, jeans and trousers (use a hair elastic to 'expand' the fly button a few inches);
• Leggings, generously sized tights and hold ups;
• Jersey 'fitted' tops or dresses, such as you'd find on Everything £5;
• Loose jumpers and twinset-style cardigans you can fasten at the neck, leaving open at the waist.
• Belts. Fasten them under the boobs. If you've ever had the "is she pregnant or constipated" stare from a stranger, you'll know why an above-bump-belt is wonderful for feelgood factor.

I'm still wearing a lot of this kind of thing at 24 weeks, with a proper bump. Having spoken to friends with children, these adaptations can save you money and preserve your style up to 30 weeks!
Some investments I would recommend would be: a bump band (a band which masks extended trousers or the dreaded builder's bum!) and a couple of pairs of maternity leggings. Oh, and some comfy bras. The only pretty maternity ones I found were in Debenhams, but Primark and M&S standard nonwired bras are just as good and cost much less: the boxed ones from M&S are a favourite of mine.

Adapt Your Shopping

We're going to need a bigger dress.

OK, so after a while you'll want to add to your wardrobe. Many of your saved items will still fit, except that all the belts in the world won't hide the fact you're in Tescos in your knickers with your jeans round your ankles because the hair elastic holding your trews up just busted loose. My moment was 23 weeks. I had some eye watering ligament pain and my waist vanished in 24 hours flat. You'll go into Mamas & Papas do a little bit of sick in your mouth and walk directly out again. Here are some ideas for when you actually need to buy clothes...

• By now, you will probably have the leggings and tights and bump bands. If not, invest. They're perfect bases for everything. I promise you they'll be on you or in the washing machine 90% of the time;
• In charity shops...
• Maternity jeans. Choose them for the right season - ask mates who have kids, they may well give, sell or swap an old pair. Ditto black or grey trousers;
• Second hand maxi dresses - just normal ones - often they're very flared with plenty of space for bump growth. Look for adjustable straps and be open to trying various sizes. These can be picked up at any charity shop, EBay and of course those cheap, slightly dodgy shops on the high street that spring up where there used to be a Woolworths or Jessops. In cooler weather, a loose t-shirt or blouse over the top makes them do double duty as a skirt;
• Band t-shirts (or any oversized T). Again, charity shops and even Primark stock these cheaply. They're a perennial favourite and can be worn all year round. Plus, they're meant to be baggy, so will be fine when you hopefully  spring back into shape afterwards.
• Look out for longer, tunic style jersey tops. Bought in a larger size, these are an easy way to mix n match in colours you actually like.
• New...
• The most stylish reasonably priced maternity shops I have come across are all online. Topshop, ASOS, New Look and George (Asda). Unfortunately with the exception of Toppers, few high street shops keep their range on the shop floor these days, so P&P it is.
• EBay is great for basics. I have made several purchases from Purpless - great value basics in a range of colours. Happy Mama Boutique also does some great jersey bits, and their cropped jeans are excellent.
• With all this 90s stuff in the shops, harem pants and maxis with elastic waists are everywhere. They're cheap and cheerful - I buy a size up and pair with a long top (worn 'under bump') with ballet pumps for work. Again, as well as the high street keep an eye out at markets - the cheap and cheerful 'one size' versions have a LOT of stretch!

Happy Mama dress, Purpless Leggings.

For Best...

Blue Maxi Dress £129

If you have a wedding or event to attend, you will need to invest in a better quality, specially designed item. Check out Isabella Oliver - a known brand for classic chic which can be adapted to a sophisticated vintage style if that is your taste.
Yes. Yes it is a bit expensive and posh for me isn't it? Just as well they have an OUTLET then isn't it?

ASOS Maternity Lace Bodycon Dress £40

Asos also have some slightly edgier and more fashion-forward formal wear, as does Rock-A-Bye-Rosie at Debenhams. These are rather more affordable than Isabella Oliver.

A nice thing about maternity evening wear is that it holds its value, so you can always EBay it afterwards. And of course, for a cheaper option (which avoids the turning-up-in-the-same-outfit situation too) it's a great idea to pop these brand names into a second hand EBay search. I have two weddings and a prom (to chaperone) this year - all three dresses purchased for under £30. I used my usual Ebay rules (low top bid, try unusual end times, blurry photos ... ) and it paid off: all three have clearly only been worn once and will be re-saleable after I've used them.

Well there you go ... my tips. Have you got any?

Party Frocks For Pennies

Well, not quite pennies. But not breaking the bank. You know what it's like ... Christmas again and you have soooo many glamour-filled parties to go to*...

Whoo yeah! Chrimbo! Let's party like it's 1899!

Great: an excuse to buy a new dress. Only there are a few problems; Christmas is a fricken expensive time of year, you're likely to get photos all over Facebook so are perhaps reluctant to wear the same thing again and again and it's freezing cold out so all day shopping would be a pain. Yeah. And you need to save your pennies for Bailey's mint chocolate liqueur and biscuit selection boxes. If your anything like me, that is...

Bargain Review: "Everything £5"

£5 clothes, brand new. I know what you're thinking: how could there possibly be a website selling clothing for just £5? It sounds too good to be true. It sounds like they must sell seconds or the garments would fall apart. You wouldn't go for it unless you head someone tell you it's OK.

Skater Dress: £5

So, I tried it. And I can tell you ... "Everything Five Pounds" is OK! The clothes are absolutely, positively normal high street stock. Indeed, my latest purchase had a tag on it with an RRP of £15.99. I would guess that they buy up old sale stock, deadstock and the like and sell it on - meaning, interestingly, that those of us with slightly alternative tastes are well catered for. Many of their items tend towards a retro or rock-chick style (perhaps that's why they didn't sell out on the high street?) and I've noticed the plainer and more 'key basics' an item is, the more unusual the sizes (top tip for you big or small footed ladies- black flat shoes- only ever in large or tiny).

Holiday Highlights: Sheringham & The Poppy Line

I'm back! Had a month of busy busy work and then a lovely holiday last week. But now I'm home, dropping stinky little blog drops all over your carpets. Haha.

Now I'm not going to bore you with my whole holiday album, both for consideration's sake and because, as Gemma of Retro Chick revealed, some of it was debauched gambling of the most sordid nature. Well, going for a drink down Great Yarmouth way and putting all my pocket money into the 2p falls machines. I won a little plastic horsey. Class.

Here's a little video of our time in Yarmouth...(it isn't actually of my chest, for some reason that's what the editing app put as the first shot!).

Anyway the thriftier and more sophisticated resort on our little East Anglian driving route was Sheringham. Sheringham is slap bang next door to Cromer (famed for seafood and well worth a visit). It's a small resort but well served by shops, cafes, bistros and pubs. The larger hotels tend to be pricey compared to B&Bs and the wealth of self catering, camping and caravan places around - we did stay in a hotel, but this was our big holiday. The nice thing about the town is that there is accommodation for all group sizes and budgets.

It is a very typical traditional resort, suited to families and couples alike. There is plenty of maritime history explored in two museums "The Mo" and The Fisherman's Heritage Centre. Of course, Sheringham has a broad and clean beach (we were there during those seriously hot days- it was fantastic) lined with colourful beach huts, tea rooms and a couple of pubs with great views! Amazing sunsets to be viewed from The Two Lifeboats (try their steak... a real treat) and The Crown is a great spot for the evening, with live bands outside in summer. Off the seafront but with a great beer garden and epic menu (especially seafood) is The Lobster. On rainy days, their indoor ambiance is great, a real place to relax.

OK enough about His Lordship and I filling our bellies! We did stuff too! As well as the beaches and walks, charity and craft shops and views, Sheringham has another great value day out: riding the North Norfolk Railway "Poppy Line" to Holt. This is a restored steam line with 3 stations. Each station has refreshments, museums and things to see such as model railways. It is a wonderful day out for just £11; the return ticket allows you to ride up and down the line getting off at Weybourne and Holt. Holt itself is a charming little town (one of the residents did joke it was "Chelsea on Sea", I guess it's not fascinating 24-7) - especially if you like to hunt round charity shops and antique markets, picking up what the wealthy locals have donated! There's a routemaster bus from the station to the town centre, £2 return ... everyone got very excited about this (me for a slightly different reason - it was built in Park Royal and suggestions inside were it ran out of Acton Depot back in the day - I may well have been on it before as a kid! Showing my age!). On a pleasant day you could also definitely walk the route. We enjoyed all the activites on our little jaunt, but in terms of value this was superb: a whole day riding in beautiful old carriages, superb views, museums and new towns for just over £10.

Unfortunately the weather has now turned and we're definitely NOT on hols anymore. Are you planning a trip in the UK this summer? Where are your favourite thrifty days out?

Another little Video! Bargain Retro-Style Haul.

Here is a little haul video of things I have found on EBay, Poundland, Primark and my local YMCA charity shop... enjoy, nosey peeps!

Button Revamp - New Old Top!

Hi all! I hope you're enjoying the bank holiday in all its glory. I was a little worried yesterday as I could see my breath and it was pouring with rain, luckily it's brighter today! I shouldn't really be blogging now if I was a proper blogger, as people don't read it straight away - but heh, you guys can read this whenever. If it starts raining again you can thank me for something to do.

Miss Selfridge via a Chazza

Cute Pocket detail

I was rummaging through my wardrobe recently and found this shirt, which I bought for about £3 from a charity shop a year or two ago. I love the pattern and cute pockets - it also lends itself to being styled with casual jeans or work wear, and can look very 50s gypsy style or hippy chic. Bargain! However, as you can see, it was all crumpled and folorn at the back of the shelf when I found it...

Poundland Haul

Sorry I've been away. I've been quite poorly recently unfortunately.

Never mind. Local Poundlands had a chance to re-stock. Here's a V-log about my latest Poundland and 99p Stores haul...

 Enjoy! And if you do YouTube, subscribe to my channel as I am planning to do more video stuff in future. Just don't expect expert camera action, it's gonna be more You've Been Framed than BAFTA material.

TK Maxx St Mary's Axe - Review

A new TK Maxx in Olde London Town! Yes. Brand spanking new and about as central as you can get (right underneath the Gherkin, on St Mary's Axe) - when they kindly invited me to attend their celebrity preview, I was there like a shot. As ever, the concept of the store is to provide brands and designer labels at up to 60% off the RRP, however this store has an extra twist for those of you lucky enough to work or live within easy reach of the Liverpool St area; this is a City focused store - meaning no kid's clothes or household goods, and a much better selection of work, smart and partywear.

Kate Walsh of The Apprentice fame, and
Channel 5 weather presenter Sian Welby.

Attacking Things From Poundland With A Glue Gun

Ah yes, the weather has been foul so I have been doing things indoors. By doing things, I mainly mean reading trashy fantasy novels and watching YouTube tutorials whilst eating Pringles by the fistful - but eventually, occasionally, I actually get round to making the things I've watched. Yes, crafting. Or in my case, sticking everything in sight together with an overheating glue gun and hoping for the best.

S'cuse the nekkid nails.

Review: LA Colors: Nude Shades

I do like a bit of cheap slap. Not nasty cheap, just 'doesn't matter if I don't use it everyday because it cost under a fiver' cheap. This is mainly down to my adoration of all things glittery (my friend from work bought me a set of glitter eyeliners for Christmas, as apparently I am never to be seen without some glitter). There are just too many shades to be limited. My make-up case is now a large Ikea storage box. However, sometimes from my favourite party brands, I find more sensible purchases...

LA Colors, as the name might suggest, is a Drugstore (i.e. Chemist-shop) brand from America. I have been buying the nail polishes from Beauty Base (a London chain of cut price perfume shops) for some years now. Costing a princely 99p a pop, they're generously sized, last several days and come in an eye popping range of glittery colours. As do the eyeshadows. But as I mentioned before, the products I'm looking at today are a bit more sedate. Their mineral pressed powder in 'fair', lipstick in 'nude' and lip gloss in 'beige delight'.

Hats & Hair & A Chrimbo Fair

My jaded heart is starting its seasonal melt. I am becoming 'enthusiastic' Perdita again, yes, that annoying one who highlights everything in Time Out and texts a million and one people and constantly organises one after the other 'just a little gathering- you know- some mulled wine.' Christmas Perdita. She gets tiresome quickly, but I don't have to hang around with her, everyone else does. Ha!

New Shoes?

We're in that lull between the autumn festivities of Halloween, Guy Fawkes, Diwali etc' and the time when it's actually OK to be blatantly over excited about Christmas. All is quiet. All activities that are blog worthy also need to be kept mum because they pertain to Christmas presents. So I took one for the team; selflessly, in the name of research post I bought new shoes. It was painful. But I did it.

As a child of the 90s, I was never without a pair of DM boots. Comfy and lasting-for-life, to my mind they can be work with a huge variety of outfits, not just jeans. However, for many years a gal like me had to decide between the comfort of her beloved docs and the glamour of a high heel. A tough choice, especially if you work on your feet all day.

TK Maxx Review & Apology

Ah, sorry. I have been remiss in my blogging again. This time my measly excuse is my bad back; I've got some issues with sciatica. Which might not appear to affect blogging, but when you consider the extra half hour it takes to do anything when you walk like a tortoise, add the inability to wear nice shoes and the fact I have to keep warm and stay indoors... you end up with nothing to blog. Bah.

Anyway, I did indeed venture out at the weekend and had a snoop at the new Greenford TK Maxx store. As an avid bargain hunter and reader of Fashion Pearls Of Wisdom I have always rated TK Maxx because you can find properly made, quality items at the same price as the high street. In fact, bar some favourite shops (such as River Island) I would say I prefer it to the high street.

Things To Do On A British Break...

...So, you're on holiday, you've got spending money but you don't want to go mad? Often, especially in resorts, everything seems to cost and it soon adds up. Now I am not one to pinch the pennies on holiday, but I like to spend on things I'll really enjoy (a nice meal or a particular day out), rather than ending the day with a 'meh, got a bit ripped off' feeling. I will most definitely go for luxury or even full blown tourist tack some days (we did the full Wookey Hole, natch) but often I enjoy the simpler things. Here are some of my favourite British holiday activities, and why I feel they represent good value.

This view; less than 20 min walk from the city centre.

Shock Horror: Actual-New-Not-In-Sale Haul!

Yes, you heard correctly. I shopped in new-things shops on Oxford Street when there weren't big red 'SALE' signs in the windows. And I bought stuff: new stuff. Shameless.

Video Blog: Vintage Book On Vintage Looks!

I found this book at a bootsale for 20p. It's very interesting... a vintage book about vintage. Even in the 1940s, women were inspired by outfits from the past and wanted to emulate these styles in their 'modern' fashions. Enjoy!



I've said it all in my (honking, terrible) narration, so just let me know what you think and follow my channel if you like quirky vintage book reviews!

Vintage Nation

This past weekend was suprisingly busy, considering most of us had only three days to recover from the overwhelming decadence and flag waving of the one before! There was lots and lots on offer for fans of vintage, indie and rock, from a very muddy Download festival to upmarket city vintage sales. Now I'm never one to turn down the opportunity to be festive, but I am no longer of the age when sitting up to my neck in mud to see a hundred bands (many of whom I will struggle to recall later) is relaxing and recreational. So when Charlotte of Tuppence Ha'Penny invited me to join her at Vintage Nation in Brighton I grabbed my purplest maxi dress and hopped on down to the seaside.

The Seaside.

Why I Dress Like An Explosion In A Charity Shop

First off, apologies for the lack of posts recently. It's the two most hectic weeks of the year for my day job. No time for blogging, all energies must be reserved for paperwork and fine toothed combing of the paperwork of others.

I have been distant.

I have been reading blogs however, especially some interesting ones about 'why I dress this way' (or 'why wear vintage?') from some fab bloggers:
Retro Chick
Suzie Q for Retro Chick
Tuppence Ha'penny
Vintage Secret

Crafty Bargain

As any craft-lover knows, crafting is back in vogue. This is fantastic for ideas- a quick search for blogs, Pinterest, or my favourite site Cut Out And Keep, brings up a wealth of content. However, as any fule kno, when something is popular, it gets expensive.

My bargain book: £1.49!

Super Scarf Style!

This spring is the reason I hate spring. well, not specifically this spring, but ones like it. Ones when we're all supposed to be wearing our summer clothes with a light cardie or jacket, but when in actual fact, the rain is falling like sheets in the wind. The whole gamboling lambs thing is a fallacy, all the lambs I've seen this spring were huddled underneath their mothers, looking damp and grey.

However, for the thrifty shopper, there is fun to be had. Spring lends itself to accesorising, even if we can't crack out our summer wardrobe yet. One garment in particular may be picked up cheaply and worn right now- the scarf. Whether you favour slick city-chic, boho, vintage or blingy-bold, scarves of every style are out there for you right now. Winter stock, yes, but an all-year-round wear which comes into its own during changeable inter-seasonal weather. Reduced on the rails of the high street, piled high in charity shops by premature spring cleaners and of course online.

Because of course the only photo I could find
for this post is one of me looking geeky next to a
giant prawn.