Winter Warmers

The weather is unpredictable, especially if you are like me and rarely listen to a weather forecast! With this unpredictability comes a lack of confidnce in what to wear. Whilst it definitely isn't the season to be whipping out your hot pants, knitted layers could be the answer to staying warm, comfortable and on trend.

Asos, a favourite fashion jaunt of mine has a fabulous sale on at the moment, with a 'l'amour' (french for 'love' don't you know) jumper perfect for a casual but cute Valentines day, retailing at £17.50 - a perfectly bargainous treat!

If you are looking for a more high fashion answer to staying warm but trendy and of course inkeeping with the season of love, why not log onto http://www.net.a.porter.com/ for this Micheal Kors 'Poncho-effect Cashmere Sweater'. Bang on trend with the colour, the 100% cashmere sweater also has the comfort factor too - retailing at £780, so not cheap but a luxurious piece that will become the envy of others!

Happy Valentines!!

by Samantha Barker

Lustre 2011 - "beautiful things for you and your home"

I was fortunate enough to gain a ticket for the 'Free Buyer's' preview evening of the annual Lustre event at Nottingham University's Lakeside Arts Centre. The yearly showcase reflects craft designer makers that not only have talent but have shown commitment and potential in relation to their skills and industry.

Instantly I was drawn to the jewellery, all was beautifully laid out and each designer achieved their own style through their displays. Particular favourites of mine were pieces by Kate Gilliland, Lucy Elsie Harvey and Rosy Maddison. All had a vintage feel with many pieces featuring components that aren't usually associated with being wearable jewellery, each designer had reworked and exploited these components to construct luxurious forms. Lucy Elsie Harvey's approach to making jewellery effectively sums up the asethetic of these three talented jeweller's; "Making jewellery allows me to work within a defined parameter: elevating the mundane and forgotten into significant keepsakes through the function of adornment", (http://www.lucyelsieharvey.com/).

For more information on Lustre please visit http://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/Crafts/LUSTRE/Lustre-2011.html where you will find a list of this year's makers. It is only on for two day's, closing today the 6th of November, but well worth remembering for next year and having a look at the makers chosen for this year.

by Samantha Barker

Pregnancy Diary: 20 Week Scan

We went for our 20 week scan last week, what a difference to the first one! We had a fabulous sonographer who took the time to explain what we was seeing and reassured us everything was perfect as she went along pointing things out. The whole scan took about half an hour. I decided to drink a pint of water, some hospitals want you to attend with a full bladder, some don't, so always try and check before your appointment.

Again it was a nervous moment before the scan as I was worried baby was still there, still moving, heart beating.....I was worried about if the baby had grown at all since the last scan. All normal concerns I'm sure.
The baby was lying head down, bum to one side and legs stretched out and crossed leisurely across my stomach! Having a nice relaxing snooze by the looks of it. Heart beating away and mouth chomping every now and again as if saying hello.

The sonograpgher checked everything, from measuring baby's head circumference, bones, checking spine, stomach, brain and heart to make sure everything was as it should be.

We were spot on with the date of birth, 21st February 2012 so hopefully baby won't be late otherwise we'll be having a leap year baby!

The details on the scan was amazing, we saw toes and fingers, ribs and even a tiny bladder, which took a moment to find as baby had done a little wee and needed to fill up again to check! We got very emotional!

After the scan we waited to have the usual blood pressure and urine checks and have a chat about the results of the scan, all which are normal. 

We also received a 'Parents guide to money' a useful guide on all things money for, you guessed it parents!

Also received Maternity Certificate which you need to claim maternity benefits including statutory maternity leave and maternity allowance.

Plus you get a link to download a video called 'Bump to Breastfeeding' which I have yet to have a look at.

I was booked in for Anti D injections at 28 weeks, this is due to an unusual blood type. I'll also need an injection at the birth. This will stop my body rejecting any future pregnancies.

I was also told to have my pregnancy notes with me at all times in case I went into labour early or complications arose. 

Next appointment is with a community midwife at my doctors for my 25 week checkup (first time pregnancy appointment only) As usual, my midwife will check my blood pressure and test my urine. She'll also measure the distance from my pubic bone to the top of  my bump to check that your baby is growing well.

Little Baby Coles :)

WIN! WIN! WIN! A gorgeous goodie bag from Queenies Bazaar

Prize includes:

• Long multi bead necklace
• Hand made faceted glass bead earrings
• 2 earring piece set with studs and small flowers
• Hand made 2 piece bracelet set
• A heart Queenies Bazaar necklace
• Disc earrings
• A gold tone vintage brooch

"Alexandra has been selling pretties since 2010 and now Queenies Bazaar has clients all over the world. Aiming to provide an easy to use online boutique with the service you would expect and want.

Picking interesting, pretty and usable pieces of fashion & accessories for everyday wearing or that special occasion. With many limited, individual and different styles from well know designers plus up and coming labels, it's a great first stop for a style fix.

Also with the launch of a new website and her own ‘QB Collections’ brand. Things prove to get more interesting and fun for the little shop.

QB Collections offer hand made limited edition items with an accessible price range to suit every style and taste.

Also sourcing vintage accessories and clothing there is always something new being added to the website.”

How to Enter:


Send your name, address and contact phone number to win@annelouisemagazine.com (stating ‘goodie bag’ in the subject line)



Terms and Conditions: Closing date: 30.10.11. Competition is open to all UK residents. No cash alternative available. Data Protection By entering, you agree that Anne Louise magazine may contact you by e-mail regarding products and offers. If you don’t want offers from Anne Louise magazine please state clearly in your entry ‘OUT’.

www.queenies-bazaar.com

 

WIN!WIN!WIN! A STYLISH NEW BOHO HEALTHY BACK BAG!

Win a gorgeous new ‘Boho’ Healthy Back Bag® to help you look and feel great this autumn.

The Healthy Back Bag’s unique teardrop shape contours to the natural curve of the spine making a heavy load feel lighter. Developed with a doctor and a chiropractor it reduces stress on the back, neck and shoulders and encourages good posture.

Glamourous and chic with retro overtones, the new ‘Boho’ Healthy Back Bag is made of a durable synthetic leather material that is both soft and water resistant. The range features curved outer pockets and a fun, colourful shoulder strap and pocket detailing styled on a vintage 1960s guitar strap! Funky and functional, this new addition to the Healthy Back Bag’s line-up will appeal to fashion conscious consumers of all ages. Colours include Teal, Grey, Purple and Black.

Worn either on the shoulder or cross-body, weight is distributed asymmetrically rather than pulling from one point, keeping the stress off your back. The bag fastens via a double zipper which is always against your back for security and the separate compartments ensure stress-free rummaging.

Win a Boho Healthy Back Bag worth £56 in the colour of your choice.

How to Enter:

Send your name, address and contact phone number to win@annelouisemagazine.com (stating ‘back bag’ in the subject line)


Terms and Conditions:

Closing date: 30.11.11. Competition is open to all UK residents. No cash alternative available. Data Protection By entering, you agree that Anne Louise magazine may contact you by e-mail regarding products and offers. If you don’t want offers from Anne Louise magazine please state clearly in your entry ‘OUT’. By entering this competition your details will be automatically passed on to the competition sponsor, please state clearly in your entry if you do not wish your data to be passed on.

www.thehealthybackbag.co.uk

Sale Bargains, London Fashion Week and buying those Winter Boots!

I have picked up two fantastic bargains from Birdy's Boutique, a fabulous little stop for fashion fixes, they have now moved to the high street from their previous Corporation St location, where they are having a sale featuring their summer stock. I picked up two dresses at £5 each, which could be kept for next year, or layered with a fur gilet, patterned tights and heels to give a quirky take on the autumn trends. The photo shows one of those dresses which had beautiful lace detailing, and back bow detail.

London Fashion Week showcased Mary Katrantzou's Spring Summer 2012 collection, which had an eclectic patterned appeal: revealing Mary's shrewd talent for creating memorable graphic influenced designs. Giles Deacon, a winner of the 'The Best New Fashion Designer' by the British Fashion awards in 2006, revealed a collection that was influenced by a mix of an exhibition catalogue and the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands trust. Visit http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/ for more tasty nougats of fashion inspiration.

Finally I have given in to the fact that the weather is getting colder and I will actually have to take my very comfortable, laidback chic leather sandals off and put them back in the wardrobe. I have two pairs of black boots, but to be completely honest they don't provide the comfort my long and quite wide feet yearn for. After trekking through the fab online sites such as Asos, I took a trip down the high street and found some comfortable but stylish black boots from River Island at £40, all I need is a pair of leg warmers and gloves and I'm ready for any unexpected snowy down falls.

by Samantha Barker

(Your Regular Fashionista Contributer)

Pregnancy Diary : 16 Weeks

16 Weeks Consultation Appointment: 

I went for my 16 week hospital consultation appointment last week. Nothing scary, just a chance for my consultant to meet with me and review my notes. Apparently he's a very old fashioned doctor and likes the chance to meet all his patients before seeing them in labour! This was very refreshing.
My blood pressure was checked and urine as usual plus I got to hear the babies heart beat for the very first time! Amazing :) He found it as soon as he placed the doppler on my stomach, a fast, strong heart beat. I was very relieved, I'm sure most first time mums are the same in that you worry that the babies ok, he or she is actually still there.....at the moment I still just feel bloated and not pregnant! I think once I feel the baby, it'll feel much more real.
I love Jon my partner coming to each and every appointment with me, it's great sharing the experience with him and seeing the excitement in his face when he sees or hears the baby. It's hard for men to feel apart of the pregnancy experience when all they can do is look on. But Jon is making sure he's there for everything, talking to the baby since I found out I was pregnant, not letting me pick up anything heavy, or even hoover! He understands when I have to have an hour or two nap in the afternoon and makes sure I eat....I know I'm very lucky to have him as we take the journey into parenthood and I know for sure that he's going to make a wonderful daddy:)

I'm starting to struggle finding anything to wear as my bump has increased in sized quite alot in the last few weeks, I can see why most pregnant ladies spend most of their time in leggings and long tops! Nothing else fits! I'm actually reviewing some pregnancies clothes soon so keep an eye out.
I feel awkward at the moment, I feel that people think I'm fat rather that pregnant, even though the weight is on my belly....it's like having a permanent muffin top that just keeps on a growing.
Plus I'm experiencing restless leg syndrome, sore hips and pelvis, sore stomach, nasal discomfort ( not being able to breathe properly through my nose) and headaches!

Apparently according to my iPhone app, What to expect when you are expecting, the baby is now the size of a sweet potato! Last week it was a turnip! Amazing to think that the baby can suck it's thumb, hear sounds, be startled by light, has all his or her bits and will just now grow in size and put on brown fat. 

And I have no idea when I should start to buy stuff for the baby, one person says it's bad luck to get stuff to early, another says you should start gradually get stuff together as you might not feel up to it later. It would be great to hear from other pregnant ladies on their experiences, please feel free to comment either here or on Facebook :)

One thing I did do as soon as I found out I was pregnant was to sign up to a few of the pregnant/mummy websites and clubs. You can get lots of advice plus money off coupons, free samples plus much more.
I signed up to the Huggies Club - www.huggiesclub.co.uk - where you get a coupon to receive a free Huggies Newborn Started Kit containing, 27 newborn nappies, 64  wipes and a cotton hat. It's usually £5, although Asda have them on offer for £3 at the moment. Amazing value for money as the nappies are usually £3.71 and the wipes £1 (from Asda, which I have found to be the cheapest)

The next stop is the 20 week scan, very excited as this is hopefully when we can find out the sex of the baby and make sure all is well. It's a very in depth scan where the sonographer will look to check for problems with limbs, the heart, cleft lip etc. So it's also very nerve wracking, but hopefully all will be well :)

Take care

Linsey x