Continuing with my new regular post which will include anything that is making us happy – and hopefully you – even though it’s Monday. It will be anything from what we’re doing or planning to what we’re eating, watching or reading. Items I’m lusting after or buying to anything else that inspires to make Mondays – and the rest of the week if need be – just a little more bearable.
Step forward #mamamondays
WATCHING…
The BAFTAS. I love awards season and I especially love the Baftas. Back when I used to work for NOW magazine I did live fashion ‘reporting’ from the red carpet.
This meant heading to The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and standing with other fashion press and bloggers in the press pen – or ‘fashion pen’. It was basically a cornered-off area near the red carpet that the stars walked past just before entering the venue – after stopping to answer our fashion questions of course!
This usually started mid-afternoon – and was always a dark, cold – and usually wet February day. The first year I went I dressed up and wore heels as I wanted to look half decent. Big mistake – after hours of standing and tweeting out nuggets of gossip – my feet were killing me and my hands frozen.
So, the following years I opted for warmth over style (bar some statement earrings and lippy) and donned my flats and a heavy coat – no one every saw us on camera anyway (thankfully!). Huddled in the ‘pen’ we went unnoticed as we all tweeted away.
I always looked forward to heading inside to the BBC press area once the red carpet arrivals was over. There is always a lovely hot dinner and drinks – and here we could watch all the news writers and bloggers taping away on laptops as the winners were announced.
I often stayed to see the first few award winners on the big screen and then headed home to catch the edited version on TV. The following morning I then headed into the office really early to work on the website uploading news stories for the day – and then went through all the best and worst outfits with my Editor. It really was fun – but I have to say I mush prefer just ‘watching’ it now. Although, that doesn’t mean I don’t keep an eye on the dresses (and swooning over Mark Ruffalo). I mean it’s the best part right?
Here’s my favourite red carpet gowns – and yes, all hot baby mamas or mamas-to-be proving as always simplicity wins the day – or night! It was a bit of a black, white and red all-over choice I made (and, it wasn’t intentional I promise!)
Rosamund Pike showed off her post-baby body in a fabulously simple black halter neck dress by Roland Mouret. Far from boring this simple frock was perfect with her choppy bob.
Best actress winner Juilanne Moore is one of my favourite actresses. And, I loved that she broke the ‘red hair, red dress, red carpet’ rules. Wearing Tom Ford (of course) her thigh split, plunged necklace gown might not have worked on a lesser star. I love the velvet top half too – very classy.
Pregnant Keira Knightley hasn’t always got it right on the red carpet. But this Giambattista Valli tulle and leaf print dress was perfection – and I loved that she rocked a leather biker over the top to beat the chill.
The pure Grace Kelly elegance of this Emilia Wickstead dress that model Laura Bailey choose is the stuff of red carpet dreams. This is the sort of image that will be referenced for years to come – as its timeless. I’m a big fan of Laura’s style and she never disappoints.
TV fave Claudia Winkleman has amazing style – I love that she’s always a little quirky. This William Vintage puff-ball, off the shoulder frock looks like a wonderful 1980’s prom dress in all the right ways.
CARRYING…
A Kipling baby bag. Now, that is a sentence I never thought I would write. I have – if I am honest – never been a fan of Kipling and the ‘monkey’ keyring that hung from the bag and backpacks I used to spot on my morning commute.
But, when they sent me a baby bag from their new collection I was pleasantly surprised. Now, although I wasn’t in the market for a baby bag as such – they assured me that it would make a great day-to-day bag for Miss Marnie.
Well, forget Miss M I hijacked this nylon tote and used it as a day/gym bag when I visited a day spa over the weekend. It was perfect for all my essentials – and I even used the bottle holder for my water , the dummy pouch for my loose change (for the lockers) and the roomy inside pockets for my beauty essentials.
The sleek new design, subtle logo – and thankfully no ‘hairy’ monkey keychain (replaced with an acrylic shaped motif) and modern fabric means I will happily continue to use this bag for myself (I also think its would make a great overnight bag.)
But, if you are in the market for a baby bag – it also comes with a deep front pocket, a changing mat and pushchair attachments (and a wipe-clean interior of course).
Kipling Camama Baby Bag £129
USING…
I am still finding the days and weeks hard after my New Year – so, this fabulous Aromatherapy Associates Instant Inner Strength rollerball (£15) is a welcome treat. It promises to uplift and inspire when the going gets tough with pure essential oils like clary sage, rosemary and geranium.
I have been rolling this over my wrists several times a day and even the few minutes I’ve been inhaling the heady scent I have felt a little calmer.
A definite mama handbag must-have.
