What I wore Wednesday: attempt the first

I thought with the impending nuptials, house renovation and, of course, the bump I'd start to include a smattering of what I can only categorise as 'Lifestyle' posts. A good (and relatively easy) way into those being the blog hop/ linky post that provides you with a themed post.

It being a Wednesday, Transatlantic Blonde's What I wore Wednesday seemed a good and logical place to start. I always read Mostly Yummy Mummy's Wednesday post - mainly to lust after her shoes (I'm still obsessing over turquoise Saltwaters nearly a year after her post on the sunshine yellow ones). So I looked at what I was wearing, and the realisty of participating sank out of sight - much like my feet have done of late.

I'm 23 weeks pregnant. A significant weight loss in my first trimester has meant that despite a bump I'm not long out of my pre pregnancy clothes. But can I find anything I genuinely like as a day to day alternative? Can I hell! Today I'm sporting a pair of navy joggers (that annoyingly I managed to get paint on when carefully crawling along the skirting) a white modesty top and an oversized stripy sweater from Joules. Prior to pregnancy my tops and dresses as a rule were Pepperberry's finest and skirts and bottoms could come from wherever. Now, the focus has turned upside down - pretty much all maternity tops fit me and the rack of doom (shamelessly borrowed from Lilli) but can I find bottoms? Not a chance.

I have done some maternity shopping - a Boden sale threw up some leggings, a pretty mint Henley tunic top and a purple stripy top, a pair of maternity jeans and work trousers came from Next. But that's it. No really. Everything else is either being eeked out, stretched slightly or ignored.

So this is my call to arms really - if you're pregnant (or have been) and have an idea where one might buy some reasonably priced basics - coloured jeans, breton tops with a wide neck, comfy chinos - please let me know otherwise I'm going to scare off the baby by giving birth in a Guiding hoodie and pj bottoms. No, really.

There's no place like home...

Image and wonderful doormat from here

Since I started Penelope's Pantry in 2007 lots has stayed the same, my love for baking bread, my crockery fetish, my not so secret fizzy sweet habit. Lots has also changed, from my hair colour, my love for cupcakes, and the location of the Pantry. I seem to have been doing a fine line in investigating the wilds of North London over the last 5 years, and have finally chosen to settle somewhere. Somewhere not so far from where we are now, but a bit bigger. A house. Our house. 

 This weekend sees the massive task of moving begin. There's so much to do I don't quite know where we're going to start, but we have assembled our troops - bribed with sausages in french bread, fruit cake and tea - and collected together ALL of the cleaning materials in North London. As soon as I can I'll be tweeting and instagramming  photos of the new pantry. 

The whole house and garden is going to be a work in progress for some time - right now our priorities are cleaning and making it livable. If it's not too horrendous a prospect I'll keep you up to date with our exploits as we make this our home. 

I can honestly say nothing has terrified and equally excited me so much at the same time before now. But there it is. The start of one of the most exciting chapters of my life, and a new chapter in the life of the Pantry. 

Wish us luck - and see you on the other side

Penelope & M