Fun at The Kidstore

Nelly and I were lucky enough to be invited to the launch party of the new season of clothing at the kidstore at Chadstone last week.

It was a 30 degree day so we were more than happy to be heading to an air conditioned shopping centre as no matter what, home never feels as cool as a shopping centre.

I stupidly forgot my pram so was suffering a dead arm before I even made it into the store and was beyond grateful when the PR ladies and also the staff from the kidstore offered to hold Nelly for awhile, giving me time to browse the new stock.

It's all so colourful and fun, exactly what kids should be wearing.

I like kids to look like kids, not adults, and this stuff suits that mantra perfectly. 

Nelly already has a bit from the kidstore and it washes and holds up very well.

If it cant be thrown in the washing machine and drier, I don't buy it.

If it needs to be ironed, I also don't buy it. 

There was so much to choose from, I was like a kid in a candy store.

Too many options, a complete first world problem.

Nelly and her duck face. Oh my goodness.

We were given a voucher to spend on clothes or shoes from the new season and the below is what I picked out.

I wanted everything. Nelly has such an extensive wardrobe already that I have been attempting to restrain myself of late.

 I absolutely love the shorts and want them in adult sizes.

Somebody is excited about her new tee.

For once, something came home from an event that The Husband can enjoy.

After the event we had to swing past Woolworths and I had Nelly strapped to me. 

A man gave us a funny look so I returned his funny look with a raised eyebrow and he blurted out "I'M NOT SOME WEIRDO, I'M A 37 YEAR OLD CLUCKY MAN!!!" and ran off. So bizarre! 

I wasn't implying he was a weirdo at all, just returning his strange look. 

For all I know, Nelly was probably giving him one of her menacing looks, ha. 

Nelly is freakin' obsessed with this stool. 

It is her new best friend and her enemy all rolled in to one.

She goes from kissing it to punching it, all in one movement. 

What are your favorite stores for childrens wear?

Do you prefer kids to look like kids, or like mini adults?

Do you have a best friend who is also a stool?

The dreaded shopping trip.

So, I am sick of wearing the same 5 dresses over and over and over again.

It was bad enough that I only fit a few dresses towards the end of my pregnancy, but the fact that 98% of my wardrobe is still packed up at our apartment just makes it so much worse.

As the cold weather approaches, I have had to switch from wearing my nighties around the house to wearing tracksuit pants and pajama bottoms. 

The fact that these are all that fit me is irrelevant. 

Anyway, I headed out to Southland to try and buy some pants.

I don't know why, as I have never really liked wearing pants in the first place and I can't comprehend why I thought it would be okay to try pants on with a big belly only two weeks after popping a kid out but sometimes my mind does crazy things which I just cannot explain.

I went to all the chain store brands as I didn't want to spend much as I am hoping to lose a good amount of weight in good time, but the fluorescent lighting, 3 angle mirrors and the prospect of laying on the floor to get a zipper done up were all too much for me and I left in tears.

I came home and told The Husband that shopping was no longer fun, he told me not to beat myself up about it after all my uterus is still huge but it didn't help.

Do you see what I am wearing in the above photo (and the angle of the photo with Nelly covering my belly makes me look much skinnier haha) - I am wearing leggings as pants. Yes. I know. 

I even left the house in them. I cannot believe it either.

Sigh. 

Nelly leaves the house in leggings and looks adorable, her mum not so much.

I am going to go and find my old wardrobe in the apartment and see what dresses I can jam myself into or at least get some nice exercise wear so I can become one of those mums.  

I went out for all day breakfast with Leah from The Secret Life of a Chef's Wife on Thursday, Leah is 37 weeks pregnant and I am so excited that our kiddies can grow up together!

We headed to 8 Days Cafe on High Street, Armadale.

I had been craving a runny egg my whole pregnancy so ordered one poached egg with toasted sourdough and blueberry & ricotta hotcakes with maple caramel & vanilla bean parfait. 

Unfortunately, they forgot to bring me my hotcakes but after asking for them they turned up eventually and they were freaking delicious. 

As you can see, my 'diet' is yet to start. 

A few months back and I had never heard of Alimrose Designs, but then I got two of their gorgeous soft toys from Little Boo-Teek and now my friend Susan has given Nelly this one! 

I love them all, they are so different and adorable. 

White Furniture

It has come to my attention that I really do have a strange love of white furniture.

Not all white furniture though, I don't have much love for the glossy variety.

I don't think we had too much white furniture growing up, but my bedroom furniture was definitely white, white wicker at that! So here is my love for white furniture, waving a little white flag and declaring awesomeness.

I have been searching furniture websites like there is tomorrow. I have determined that I have rather neutral and simple tastes and that what is in my head does not always exist in real life.

The Husband may have given me the side eye when I announced that the majority of my favourite furniture is actually from Ikea.  I don’t think he likes the sounds of this, but if we cant find it elsewhere why wouldn't we go to Ikea? Cheap and cheerful I say.I haven't had a piece break on me yet.

Little kids are just going to draw on it anyway if I remember my own childhood. 

Maybe he knows that I am the Master Builder in our marriage and will be out of action so he may need to build, but Ikea have people who can build it for you!

Now - here are some pieces on my 'I like and if I don't find else where in better quality will buy' list:-

Ikea Liatorp Coffee Table 

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I think that a coffee table will be one of our last purchases though as our couch is already on the huge side, and our lounge is not.  We will see if we can ever fit one in otherwise will have to get side tables instead.

I like the idea of this one though as you can put pretty coffee table books in the drawer and look at them through the glass rather than on top of the glass. 

Ikea Liatorp Glass Cabinet

I want a glass cabinet of some type to house our special objects such as the ‘good’ dining setting, cutlery, wine glasses, tea cups etc etc – you get the drill.

I think I really need to see them in real life though to determine the quality.  Freedom have one that I adore but I hate the colour wash of it. 

I would like to put some different handles on these also. If you have seen these elsewhere, please drop me a comment!! 

Hemnes Glass Door Cabinet with Drawers

We are going to need more storage in the laundry too, I adore these being used for a linen cupboard and like to think that it force me to have a neat area but who am I kidding. I only use fitted sheets and cannot fold them nicely for the life of me.

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Am unsure about getting a sideboard or TV unit, I think that we will have our TV mounted on the wall but I guess you need to put your DVD player and DVD's etc somewhere.

That's one I need to ponder further I suppose...

Ikea Liatorp Sideboard

I don't need these chairs because we have a dining setting already but I think I may buy 2 just to have randomly as I adore them. Maybe if we put a study desk in then they would work.

Ikea Ingolf Chair 

I do however need stools for the bench and these are the cutest I have seen. Will of course need little cushions on them but so be it.

Ikea Ingolf Bar stool with backrest

Look how cute they look! 

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Our bedroom has a walk in wardrobe but The Husband has graciously offered to let me have it and he will use a separate one which we need to buy. I think that both our clothes can fit in the walk in as I am culling a lot but he clearly thinks my clothes are contagious and if he rubs his lovely stuff against mine it may turn polyester. 

As he has so many shirts we need the wardrobe to have two rails, but if we don't get an Ikea one we may look at having a custom one built which will probably work out better as can have a section for his ties and what not but I have no idea how much such a thing would cost.

Life with so many clothes must be exhausting. 

Ikea Aspelund Wardrobe

Ikea Hemnes Wardrobe

I love the idea of a big mirror leaning against the wall but I don't think it is that safe - so maybe we will have one hanging and fixed to the wall properly.

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For some reason I am so incredibly excited about decorating the fire place mantle.

I want a big mirror above it, and have already selected some silver Vera Wang frames (gifts from our wedding) and candle sticks to go on it. 

We need to decide which photos to put in the frames, but I am thinking family shots from our wedding would be nice.

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Now, the house is quite old and doesn't have much storage in the bathroom so I was thinking I would either get a ladder shelf or the Hemnes shelves and put nice baskets on them so that we can have towels, products etc nicely presented.

I will need to measure the space that is left to decide on this though.

Freedom Storage Ladder

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Ikea Hemnes Shelving Unit

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I really do love the look of these shelves actually. Plain and neutral. 

I am all for rolling my towels as opposed to folding them - how about you?

Freedom Resort Package 

We are yet to see an outdoor setting that we love and white will be a pain to keep clean so we are still looking.

Am hoping to find this and buy our white goods in the Boxing Day Sales!

I think I love white furniture because you are not limited the the colours in your art work, rugs, flowers, cushions and all that other random stuff that accumulates around a house. 

So - what are your favourite furniture stores? I do admit that if I cannot see it on the website first, I usually cannot be bothered schlepping to the shops - especially with my belly weighing me down now. 

Furniture Shopping

I started Saturday morning by bounding out of bed and getting ready for my Preggibellies class, when morning sickness struck.

It had hit me hard the night before also, so I ended up climbing back into bed fully clothed and calling it a day.

I was struck with the urge to go furniture browsing a few hours later and The Husband muttered those words that nearly made me fall out of bed "If we go now, I will come with you".

I don't know about you, but in my life this is pretty massive.  Not only did he offered to come, but I didn't even have to pout in order to have that offer made.

We headed out to Moorabbin but pretty much labelled our browsing as a fail. Did not see anything we liked at all, so headed to Brown Cow in Hampton for a big breakfast before lead footing it to Kiddie Country to have another look at nursery wares.

After parking our car, I announced that I would go to Domayne in QV and see The Husband back at home, when he surprised me again with his offer to come.

We looked at the one and only bed that we both agreed on, as I usually think his taste is horrendous and vice versa.

We ummed and ahhed about color, studding and fabric choices and then placed our order for the new bed (Ravena from Domayne), our first purchase for our new home.

After coming home, The Husband started to question me as to why on earth do we even need a bed bench anyway? What a waste of money, in his opinion.

My arguments? It matches, it's pretty and now cushions will not have to go on the floor. Plus, we had already ordered it - sucker!!

I just cannot work out what sort of bedside tables, dresser and mirrors I can get to match. The Husband would like black, but I am all for neutral white.

Now, basically repeat the above because after going to the Vic Market today to stock up on fresh foods, I announced I was going to continue my mission and once again he offered to come with.

We headed to Bridge Road, Richmond but were pretty disappointed with what was on offer.

We ended up in Dare Gallery and low and behold, found our couches.

Yesterday we were umming and ahhing about should we buy the Hastings set from Domayne, but we both knew that
1. They are not that comfortable, just beautiful to look at
 and
2. The fabric is scratchy as heck

I figure if we ever have a 'sitting room' then we will get them, but until then, we need something comfortable and practical.

We purchased the following:-

Dare Gallery Ekland 2 Seater Sofa

We got this in this color as more of an occasional seating piece for if we have guests over etc. 

Dare Gallery Spacey 1000 3 Seater

This is possibly the most comfortable couch that I have ever sat in. We both sat in it and knew it was the one for us, evident in our "I'm in heaven" glances to each other.

It is pretty massive, but we will make it fit! Once you remove the backing cushions it can actually be used as a bed so that's always a positive. 

Isn't it random that it comes with all those cushions pictured, plus 2 more? Cushion madness.

We both wanted it in off white but then had to weigh up the fact that we will soon have a baby and people tell me those little tackers make a lot of mess so we went with brown. Compromise is sometimes needed. 

It actually works really well with the Ekland sofa next to it so that is good but if it is a jam we will have the Ekland against a wall or window out of the way until we have guests over.  

We are definitely a family that like to lounge though, so an amazingly comfortable couch was number one for us.

We are trying to keep things pretty neutral and earth toned. 

Our walls will be either Dulux Antique White or USA White and we still have to work out the condition of our floorboards under the carpet. 

So now our 'need to buy' list looks like this:

- Bedside tables

- Bench stools

- Outdoor dining setting

- TV unit

- Buffet/cabinet

- Rug

- Wardrobe (I get to hog our walk in robe, muwahahha)

- Coffee table

I think that is all I have on my list at the moment. Plus the little things like mirrors, butlers trays, storage etc etc etc.

So, what colors do you think I should stick with? White Wash?

The Husband says I should change my signature to say 'They call me Money Pit'. 

His attempt at humor. 

Random Pregnancy 'Fashion' So Far.

Yeah okay, perhaps that heading is a bit of a stretch.

I don’t really do fashion, I just wear whatever smells the least in the morning, ha, I kid... kind of.

I’ve found maternity dressing to be painful, mainly because I am rather partial to nipped in waists and full skirts on a dress. I am embracing stretch though, and waving farewell to zips.

Here are some random iPhone photos that I have taken in the past few weeks.

12 Weeks

Target Maternity Dress

Zara heels

I figure will be able to wear this dress the entire pregnancy thanks to the drawstring waist. 

It's very comfortable and  I actually quite like the green and blue colour blocking going on here! 

13 Weeks

Supre dress

Target maternity tights 

Myer necklace

Comfortable, and I like stripes over my bump - I think you will figure this out soon. I don't know why though.

I don’t know why I am always cross eyed when looking down at the phone. Perhaps I am always cross eyed.

13 Weeks

Target skirt (I am sensing a Target pattern here, but I refuse to spend more than necersary on maternity clothes which I will be burning afterwards - I just cannot do it.)

Cotton On top

Bardot Blazer

Bali Necklace 

These skirts from Target are not maternity but I sized up and got a 10, so with the elastic waist band they are working for me now. 

They seem to be pretty easy to wear too, throw on a singlet and a necklace and bam! out the door.

It just looks like I have a gut here. That is awkward.

14 Weeks

Kooaki Dress

Zara heels

I am living in this dress. 

It comes in pink, grey, blue and green and you can bet your bottom dollar that I am getting them all.  

It is so comfortable, I could sleep in it. It is also long which makes me and my ugly knees happy.

I feel like when I wear a dress above my knee that people are judging me for being a slutty pregnant woman.

Of course, I was stunned when I realised that Kookai's largest size is a 2. Weird. 

I wear a 2 in pregnancy so that my belly has enough room to grow, and just cannot comprehend that this is the biggest size. 

15 Weeks 

Valley Girl dress ($20 bargain - yes please!)

Zara jacket

Sandler wedges

The nautical look makes me very happy. My shoes were totally inspired by Kate Middleton. 

15 Weeks 

I got this dress from Country Road and then returned it the next day. I had a pregnancy brain freeze when I purchased it, considering I knew it did not fit well. 

After posting it on instagram (sneakily not wearing it as had not announced pregnancy yet) people said it looked like a hospital gown so I am glad I returned it.

Sigh. 

The colour is magnificent though.

The same night that I got this dress I got 3 more dresses and a belt, all which were returned the next day when I realised that I hated them all and had a little body breakdown. 

16 Weeks 

Leona by Leona Dress

Sandler Wedges

Well, this looks a tad different from the last time I posted about wearing this dress when I was 6 weeks pregnant haha! You can see that blog post here. Look, I even had collar bones back then! 

The waist band on this is getting a bit snug around my rib cage so I think I only have another month or so to get wear out of this, if I am lucky. 

16 Weeks

Fancy that, the Kookai dress is back in action but this time with a red ribbon around the waist. 

Well, where my waist used to be! 

As you can see, I only have 3 pairs of shoes in rotation at the moment haha.