London With A Toddler

Small apartments for high rents, tube stations with no lifts and incessant crowds. London; not exactly somewhere you would consider child friendly. That was my opinion when we were booking a weekend away with our 15 month old. 

Lo

Life Lessons from a Toddler

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*Silly Mummy Moment*

Getting a little bit emotional about Lyla learning to walk. Not because it means she's growing up (which, by the way, is happening way to fast), and not because parenting is involve a lot more chasing; but because of what I'm learning from her. 

Toddlers have so many traits we all aspire to as adults. Motivation, courage, perseverance; no matter how many times that child has fallen down she will get right back up again. 

Failure is not part of her vocabulary (admittedly that stretches to about 5 words at the moment!). She wants to walk, and she is going to keep on trying until she does.
Same with using a spoon. I spend an inordinate amount of time scrubbing weetabix (which is a motherf-er to clean) off her face; my face; the floor; the wall; the window... but the lack of food going into her mouth doesn't even deter her from trying. 

I was at an up styling class yesterday and I couldn't get the hang of one of the styles. (A vintage wave) 

After about half an hour of trying I was ready to give the mannequin a crewcut. I took out my phone and started scrolling through Instagram, I looked at my latest picture, the one above with Lyla walking holding my hand, and got a bit of a reality check. 

I am the worst for letting failure get to me. I have an awful habit of giving up when I find something too difficult and have thought to myself, on many occasions, that I hope Lyla isn't a quitter. Failure, or fear of failure has held me back from doing so many things I could have been great at. It is something I am acutely aware of, and have been proactively trying to fix. This quote is repeated in my head on a daily basis.

                                                                                                                                           Image via Lucy & Lola Creations

Anyway, I put my phone away and tried the style again. And again. And again and again and again, until I created something that vaguely resembles the wave. (Here it is) It was far from perfect, but I was happy enough to have overcome my difficulties and gotten the technique down. Now its about practicing that technique to perfect it. I'm not there yet, but I will get it.

And I have to thank my 15 month old for teaching me this important lesson.

This is the theme tune to this post...if you ignore Aaliyah's dating advice (and diamante choker) and just listen to the chorus. Anyway, tune. 

Summer Dressing

We have been absolutely spoilt with the weather here in Dublin the past few weeks. I think 'I'm sweating' has been my most used phrase. I wouldn't be a sun worshipper (I just get freckles) but I'm not complaining. The sun allows for bare legs and sandals, win win. 

So, here is a long overdue #whatiwore to a BBQ/going away party. I've been dying to wear this khaki Zara skirt which I picked up a couple of weeks ago in the sales for 17euro (I think). Its perfect for me, pockets because I feel a bit lost without them, and the perfect length, longer being better because I'm a mother now, I don't do short. 

Obviously because I was a guest at the BBQ it started lashing and got quite cold, despite being so sunny all week. Luckily I had my trusty black H&M mac I picked up in their sales last winter (seeing a pattern here?)

Lyla likes to get involved in picture taking. She's been working on her poses. It was Pride at the weekend so she wore her tie-dye dungaree's with her fave red patent shoes (only 4 Euro in Penny's) to show her love to the gay people of Dublin. 

Emma - Top/Skirt - Zara, Jacket - H&M, Shoes/Sunglasses - Pennys, Necklace - Cultofyouth

Lyla - Cardigan/Top - Next, Dungarees - Gift from Thailand? (or somewhere in Asia), Shoes - Pennys

All black

"We used to go on holidays to Dun Laoghaire", these are the words I'm going to hound Lyla with when she's older and off on a J1. Because that's exactly what Jamie and I have done, twice. We have went to Dun Laoghaire on holidays. TWICE.

This is something I heard none stop as a child, but my mam got to go somewhere a little more exotic, they went to Bray.

We had planned on going further. Like on an actual holiday, but decided to be responsible grown ups and save the money. Plus we prefer to holiday in September. ;)

Anyway, we went out on our little mini break. As in, got dressed up and went out. This is a bit novel for us. The plan was dinner and drinks. A typical grown up affair.

Dinner happened, but as per usual we ate too much. (Totally recommend The Hen House - food is delish) 

So a walk along the harbour after dinner was called for. Obviously followed by a Teddy's ice-cream. And by that stage we were too tired and cold to go out so we were tucked up in bed by 10.30. 

One day we might get our lives back, until then I'm pretty happy with my glass of wine on the sofa and falling asleep before the film ends. 

(....And this is what I wore on our night out)  

Culottes, top, shoes - Pennys, Jacket - H&M

Function Over Fashion

Function over Fashion.

Trainers for all the walks you go on to get the baby to sleep.

Comfy sweats to make it easy for constant getting up and down off the floor.

Over sized sweater - because who doesn't love an over sized sweater.

Jacket with a million giant pockets -  perfect for storing snacks, socks and other baby paraphernalia. 

  

Jumper - H&M, Trousers - Urban Outfitters, Trainers - Adidas, Coat - Urban Outfitters



#Momlife  #Mamastyle

Summer Dressing

Goodbye huge winter coat. I love you, but we need a break!

Hello bare legs and sunglasses! 

What a gorgeous weekend. One spent in the park watching the joy and curiosity on my 10 month old's face as she experienced more firsts. This time, grass under her feet and feeding the ducks for the first time.

More and more I find the simplest things are the most fun.

Lyla is at a great age, noticing everything around her. This is making her Mom open her eyes too and enjoy all the simple moments of life, and what it is right there and then.

The sun helps too. I am on a serious happy buzz this week and excited for all the fun this summer is going to bring! 

Anyway, in real life I'm transparent with a tinge of blue, so fake tan is a must for these brighter days. Especially if I want to go tight free and wear dresses such as this one. Which I do, because its from Zara, and striped. Basically everything I go for in an item of clothing. 

If you follow any other 'fashion moms' (not that I consider myself a fashion mom...but y'know) you will notice stripes are a staple. The dominant element of our uniform. I don't know why exactly but its just what we do. 

The jumper is an old Topshop one I found in the back of Jamie's wardrobe in his parents house. It was probably a bit unnecessary considering how warm it was, but I just don't trust Irish weather.

The boots are the ones worn here and will probably be the ones worn in most outfit posts because I live in them. 

Summer makes dressing so much easier. I tend to slack off a bit in winter because everything is covered by layers upon layers of clothing (49 layers if you're me because I'm eternally cold)...and a coat...and a scarf.

I'm on a bit of a savings buzz at the moment so most of clothes will be re worn oldies, including a little white maternity dress I wore when 9 months pregnant. I think it will look better this time round with a golden tan and cropped leather jacket.

Roll on summer, for stylish adventures with my little pal. 

                                                                          xx