Secret Post club!

Friday was a very good day in the Scruff household. Not one, but two packages arrived on our doorstep.

Firstly, a little bag for Little Miss P, sent by Mr Scruffs mum. "For P, to put her little finds in," read the card. Immediately she went about the house filling her hand bag with goodies such as a cherry tomato, a pair of knickers from the ironing pile and a picture ripped out of her pop up book.

The second package was addressed to me! It was my Secret Post Club package...cue lots of imaginary jumping up and down clapping hands.

Written on the brown paper wrapping read "for your dream house". Oh, I knew it was going to be good.

And by golly I was right. Thank you so much Jo at arctic-mummy.co.uk, your choice was absolutely spot on.

The wooden 'Welcome' sign, has been placed in our front window by the door for all who visit fairy cottage.

Beaming faces all round!

Little ray of sunshine

What no friday fashion fix? No new posts? Tut tut Mummy Bear. Some might say you are getting a little slack.

Well what's a girl to do when the sun shines? Get out in to the garden, thats what! This is our first summer with out door space and by jove we are going to make the most of it.

Wellies have been dug out, watering cans dusted off and the wheel barrow resurrected from my nans shed. Helloooooo fresh air!

Mr Scruff has started to dig up the end of the garden ready for the much anticipated vegetable patch. We've been living with potatoes chitting on our window sill for the past month and now they have finally made it into the soil, along with some onions. It was a family effort and Little Miss P contributed by stamping over the freshly dug soil - not quite the help we needed, nor was her constant determination to eat the mystery red berries on the floor, but hey ho, she did a fine job with the watering can.

We took a family trip to the garden center to buy pots for an olive and fig tree given to us as a wedding present - and what fun was had. Little Miss P was beside herself. Just think, all those flowers and leaves to pull! Being the sociable Little Miss Muddle that she is, I had to keep a very close reign on her. Can you imagine her glee when she caught site of the hosepipes. Lets just say, its lucky the sun was shining to dry us off (and huge apologies, nice old boy in the sandals...lucky you were wearing shorts hey!)

We had a little taste of the joy of summer, and it sure was yum!

enjoying a beer!

"Baby on Board" badge...brilliant!!!

The most extraordinary thing happened yesturday.

My journey to work was a familiar one...standing whilst those comfy buggers in a seat looked anywhere but at my bump. Me squashed like a sardine, one arm protecting the bump, the other grasping the pole. Me too shy to look anyone pleadingly in the eye, to embarrassed to ask politely for a seat, despite the rush of blood draining from my head! (interestingly when someone does offer me a seat I feel I have to ham my pregnancy up - you know, rub the tummy, drink lots of water. Justify my need to be seated on an overcrowded baking hot underground). Enough is enough I thought.

So I got a 'Baby On Board' badge from the station.

Well would you Adam and Eve it. My journey home last night was a whole different experience. I felt like Cagny and Lacey flashing my badge. "Yes, look, I need a seat, see I have a badge."

Both trains I got on, I went straight to the priority seat and asked very politely if I could sit there. Both times my request was honored with a smile. Wow wee, I didn't know I had it in me.

I do hope this wasn't cadets luck!

I urge any mums to be out there. If you travel by tube, get yourself a badge. 

Matchsticks anyone?

As my old Pop would say, "Cor stone me pink, I'm cream crackered."

This pregnancy has knocked the stuffing out of me. Although you wouldn't know it to look at my already huge bump. How I wish I had a camera to capture the faces pulled when I say I am only 23 weeks and not 39 as most suspect! ha ha, just you wait people - it's set to get ALOT bigger!

At this stage during my pregnancy with Little Miss P, I was Super woman minus the red knickers. Seriously energised. Heck I went to Bestival festival despite the heavy rain and partied with the best of them (granted I stayed in a caravan rather than a tent). I stayed out to watch Mr Scruffs beloved Aphex Twin at 2am clutching hold of a pole in the arena like it was my support drip, and I navigated the mudslides far better than many muddy-bummed reveller.

I walked through Regents Park everyday to work, a spring in my step. I swam three times a week wearing goggles and swim hat affirming my dedication to my lengths, practised yoga at least once a week and stuck to a strict sugar-free diet. Rock on preggers.

This time the Va Va voom is missing. Lost. Is it the weather? The boy baby hormones?

Take monday night as an example. I had a work do. The Fifis - a fancy fragance awards thingy. For a start I was unaware pre-arrival that the event was  'black tie'. There I was standing in the Royal Opera House wearing my well worn and never polished red flamenco shoes, grey tights, a blousy floral dress, woolly cardigan and clutching my oversized handbag containing, amongst other bits and bobs, several nappies. A sore thumb amongst the sleek black dresses, pointed heels and slim clutches. Oops.

To make matters worse I couldn't see anyone I knew. The champagne (or in my case fizzy water) reception was packed, everyone in jolly mingling mode, engrossed in conversation, too aware of themselves and their stature to notice me and my protuding belly trying to navigate my way around the room.  Rather than stand like Billy no mates, I found myself sitting in a toilet cubicle looking at my phone photos of Little Miss P, head listlessly resting on my hand, wishing my red shoes really were ruby slippers.

My point is, I lasted until 10.30pm. Hardly a late night but I have yet to recover.

Come on feet, pick yourself up. Skip rather than shuffle. Eyes, dart rather than stare vacantly out.

If anyone finds my mojo, please return to the girl with the belly and the red scuffed shoes.

FRIDAY FASHION FIX!

This week I had a fashion disaster. You see in my rush to get to the swimming pool before work, I threw my kit into my beloved Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag. It wasn't until later in the day when, shock, horror, I realised my Palmers Cocoa Butter stretch mark oil had leaked leaving a huge oil stain and a chocolate stink on my bag. Six months worth of salary saving ruined. Quelle dommage!

It will take me some time to recover from this one.

So in honor of my once trusted bag (sob), I am showcasing this summers must have shoulder slinger - the Satchel. I have never been into the 'it' bag. The very idea just seems a bit well, unoriginal, but a satchel...that is one style that is right up my campus!

From top left to right:
TopShop, £32;  Hobbs, £169; Ted Baker, £109; Asos, £25;  Oasis, £44; Vintage Asos, £28; Miss Selfridge, £15; Chloe (@net-a-porter) £1,250; Alexa by Mulberry, £795; Cath Kidston, £70; Jigsaw, £175, Cambridge Satchel Company (@Urban Outfitters), £88.


Alleluha! The sun is shining and it really feels like Spring is here! WELCOME! But alas, it seems Little Miss P has nothing suitable to wear. A quick dash to H&M and about £25 later, an (almost) entire spring/summer wardrobe. Voila!

Little Miss Muddle

This post is part of the Little Film Club set up by It's a Mummy's Life. Each week she posts a few prompts to inspire a little film. This week she used my Friday Fix as one of the prompts, so how could I not possibly take part! Although my little film has nothing to do with fashion. Instead I have chosen the prompt How to.....

So who better to show us how to get the job done, than Molly Muddle herself, doing what she loves to do.
Drum roll please....the premier of "Little Miss Muddle: How to mop."

 

NOTE: Can I just give my technophobe self a huge round of applause for managing to upload this film onto YouTube and then onto my blog...it took a while and a lot of head scratching but by jove I did it!

Bet you never knew I.....

I have been nominated for a blog award. Thanks a heap Scribbling Mum and Tiddlyompompom, you make me blush. To claim my prize I must reveal seven things about myself. I may regret this but deep breath..... 

1. I have never watched an episode of Emmerdale or Coronation Street. I did, as a kid, watch Eastenders and fondly remember Rolly the curly haired dog. My favourite TV program is University Challenge. Yep, that's right......no, no, don't log off, I am not an academic, nor am I particularly brainy but I do like a round of general knowledge. I barely even understand what Paxman is asking, but nonetheless, I am riveted.

2. My dad was a circus performer. An acrobat. A Hungarian acrobat.

3. I have flip-flop feet. The gap between my big toe and adjacent toe is quite substantial. It makes slipping on a thong the absolute perfect fit.

4. My lucky number is 10. I prefer even numbers and would go so far as to say I dislike odds.

5. I am careless, clumsy and accident prone.  Oh, and I am terribly indecisive. I can be in Marks & Spencer food hall my entire lunch hour debating which sandwich to have. I will walk out with pasta salad and spend the rest of the day wishing I had gone for the cheese and pickle in granary.

6. I saw Micheal Jackson in concert at Wembley Stadium about 18 years ago (jeez). I was right at the front (third row) and got so pushed I was passed over to the security at the very front. I was taken to the St Johns ambulance tent for water, but not before I touched the stage...saddo!

7. People I have sat next to on the London Underground: Robbie Williams, during his plump stage post Take That, pre huge solo career. He had earphones in and was listening to hard core techno VERY LOUD. Mr C from The Shamen. He got on at Arnos Grove, a rather non descript station in North London, which puzzled me. Ricky Gervais just as The Office had started. He sat grinning, arms folded. James MacAvoy, his head buried in a script.

And there you go! I haven't changed the world, nor ever likely to.

The dealeo with this is to now tag 7 more people, but as I said I am very indecisive so true to form, I invite all of you to reveal your secrets! And please accept this award, you deserve it!

UGLY. A domestic heckle

This post is part of a weekly project called The Gallery devised by Sticky Fingers. Each week there is a prompt to post an old or new photograph around a theme. Prompt of the week: Ugly.

As an art student, this prompt would have sparked a slew of ideas. I would have sketched, noted, explored with camera in hand to capture the feeling, the idea, the creative moment.

I am not an art student anymore. I am an overtired working mum, who is being haunted and taunted by the pile of ironing, nay pileS of ironing, that has taken over my home. The weight it plays on me, the way it causes my shoulders to scoop up to my ears, the sigh I let out every time it...sorry they...catch my eye, is indeed....Ugly.

I call this series, "Is there life at the bottom of the pile of ironing?"

Exhibit No.1 : "Awaiting Ironing"

 Exhibit No.2 : "More Awaiting Ironing"

Exhibit No.3 : "Even More Awaiting Ironing"

22 weeks in...feeling the burn!

Milk, sugar and cocoa powder has now high-jacked the blood in my veins. I am now officially a Lindt rabbit. The thing is I don't even like chocolate. I mean I like really dark, bitter chocolate. The higher the cocoa content the better...Green & Blacks 80%, pah I laugh in your face, bring it to me pure. But this Easter, the tackiest, cheapest chocolate has been tickling my taste buds......bloody hormones.

This sudden craving for all things sweet is very bad timing. You see I am currently going through a growth spurt. I feel fit to burst. The chubby bits on my back that I could squish with my fingers, now fits into a nice handful. And hello heart burn!  Even if I eat a mere mouthful, the fire ignites and the gas starts pumping. Heartburn hurts. So bad was my tightened chest and indigestion that last night I found myself on all fours, a vat of peppermint tea to my side and Mr Scruff reluctantly rubbing my back. I was like a mad cow, burbing instead of mooing.

On the plus side, my sinuses feel much better. I now have a chesty cough but at least I can breath better. I have to hand it to the Neti Pot I mentioned in my last pregnancy update. It took a couple of days to get the knack of it, but I think it's done the trick. I do advise however, not to water your nasal passage by the kitchen window for all the street to see. My neighbours are now crossing the other side of the road when they see me fearing I have some rather odd and off-putting habits.

My lethagy is also passing (although I have done sweet fa today), which means I have been more motivated to apply my stretch mark cream. I am currently using the Palmers Cocoa Butter Oil, which I really like as it soaks in very quickly and the smell is adding to my chocolate cravings. I still have the purple scars from my previous pregnancy but they don't seem to be getting worse...yet!

I have been swimming twice a week for the last few weeks, which has really pricked up my energy levels...I manage twenty five minutes of front crawl without stopping, and although I go at a very leisurely pace, I wear hat and goggles to show myself I mean business.

All in all things are ticking along...I am feeling kicks all the time now, which is reassuring.  It's a constant reminder that, yes Mummy Bear, this really is happening!

Saturday blues - it doesn't rain it pours!

Today i am a glum mum. I wanted to write a witty piece on my domestic inability, but that will have to wait. Instead I feel the need to have a little spilling of my feelings...oh no, I hear you groan!

So low am I that I had a little tantrum this morning. One that any two year old would be proud. I even slammed a door and blubbered through streaming eyes and bubbling noise. Get ready to laugh at me but I got it into my silly head that Little Miss P doesn't really want to be with me. She'd much rather hang out with her dad and Nutti (my mum), as they are much more fun. I mean she misbehaves with me, but with them it's a laugh a minute! I am the one who has to change her bum, make her sit and eat her tea, put her in the bath when she doesn't want to, blah, blah, blah. I mean, is it any wonder? Just every now and then I'd like her to show a little bit of love my way. Just a little cuddle. But heck she's one, no time for hugs when there's a whole world out there waiting to be discovered and meddled with.

I know, I know, it's those dreaded pregnancy hormones kicking in, which do tend to send me into a dribbling wreak. You see its been a tough week. There is high drama at work - in an office of thirty-two career driven women working in fashion what do you expect! Normally I stay on the outskirts, barely even noticing the arm flapping but this week I have been unavoidably dragged into the drama.

More significantly, the latter half of the week has been taken over by a friend who is experiencing a very difficult pregnancy. This cuts a little too close to the bone having just waded our way through the other side of a very tricky start to my own pregnancy.

I am sitting at my table with a fresh bunch of daffodils in a vase and a basket of chocolate mini eggs, looking out over my garden which is just coming into bloom. Blossom, daffodils, snowdrops and a whole host of other brightly coloured delights are budding to put a smile on my face. The rain is just holding off. Little Miss P is asleep, Mr Scruff is decorating our spare room for the new little fellow due in the summer and Saturday kitchen is on....Come on Mummy Bear. Sort it out!

Do you have moments when the silliest little things push you over the edge and weeks where it doesn't rain it pours?

Friday fashion AND BEAUTY fix!

I have been working as a Beauty Editor on women's magazines for over ten years so I know a thing or two about what products work and what are just pies in the sky. When I started this blog I didn't plan to write any posts on beauty - I wanted to separate my work and personal thoughts. But then a light bulb came on. My beauty routine has changed completely since Little Miss P came along. And if mine has, surely yours has too. Am I right?

So I have decided as part of my weekly Friday Fashion Fix that I will share my expertise, let you in on the beauty gossip, fill you in on any new products hitting the shops that are going to change our lives (as if), and hopefully have a jolly good natter with you about beauty and fashion stuff. Oooh I'm excited already. There will be freshly baked cupcakes and a hot brew for all who join in.

In my previous role as girl about town, I was a stickler for my beauty routine. I was up to my earrings in lotions and potions. Well, another little lady came along and turned that one on its head. Now I am lucky if I even get to use deodorant! Some serious streamlining has taken place. Only the essentials make it into my regime. There is no time nor money for 'the okays'. Only the best will do.

If we do nothing else, we must cleanse. Pre Miss P, I was religious about it. Every single night, without fail, I would remove the days dirt. Even when I would stumble in the bathroom, with blurry eyed and slurry words, I'd whip the warpaint off. Now I am a little more, well, blase, so the cleanser I use has to count. Here's a sneaky peak into my daily skincare....

Daily Microfoliant by Dermalogica: I used to use this every morning, but when I was pregnant I developed little broken capillaries around my nose, so now I use this three or four times a week. It's a rice-based powder when mixed with water forms a frothy paste. It very gently exfoliates the skin but also evens out the skin tone - brilliant if you have a bit of post baby pigmentation like me!

100% Organic Facial cleanser by Spiezia: I LOVE this. Packed full of organic oils, I massage into my skin every night and wash off with warm water and a muslin cloth. It's amazing how smooth and, well, sparkling clean I feel.

Q10 Eye cream by Nivea: I am not that fussed what eye cream I use. I just warm a small blob on my ring finger and pat it under my eyes. Yeah I've got crows feet, like the rest of the world, but I don't get that tight tired feeling after I've applied this.

Skin repair moisturiser by Liz Earle: A huge fan of this British brand (which, fact fans, has just been sold to Avon), I could happily use every product in the range. This fuss free moisturiser does what it says on the tin...none of your fancy french titles and hefty price tags on my shelf.

Extreme Fluid 50+  by La Roche-Posay: Whenever I visited Paris for work I used to bring a ship load of this stuff back but now the range is available in large Boots and good chemists. It's brilliant. This is a high SPF that feels as light as a feather over moisturiser and under foundation (not like a usual sun screen), plus its got fancy ingredients in it to help prevent pigmentation during pregnancy. I don't leave home without it!

My Brucie Bonuses:
Midnight Secret by Guerlain: Okay I know its pricey (about fifty quid) but I only use this on very special occasions so one bottle lasts me a year (that's less than £1 a week...). No matter how late, (or how tipsy) I am when I go to bed, if I remember to apply this, I wake up and my head may bang but my skin glows. Billed as eight hours sleep in a bottle. Do you know what? Bang on.

Brightening Treatment Mask by Liz Earle: A quick fix, pre-going out face mask. Simple as that.

I'll round off with a couple of sneaky buys for Little Miss P. I took back the yellow dress I featured the other week and got this little number instead. M&S is rocking my world at the moment...and the stuff is really well priced.

But Hello Sailor! Imagine this H&M jump suit with wellies and a dirty hands....bring on the summer!!!!