Monday 21 Sept

We have decided upon an experiment in our house, a kind of family way of life before the actual family. When we were young Sundays meant church, lunch and a family day. Nowadays Sundays are no different to any other day, people pile into the shops and town centres are often busier than they are on other days, either that or people sit around the tv nursing a hangover, eating bacon sandwiches. This, to me, does not seem a very good tradition to bring up a family. So Sundays now (somewhat inspired by an article I read in The Green Parent Magazine ), are to be something more resembling the Sundays of my early childhood; a time to enjoy family, good food, the outdoors, and other pursuits that may do one of the following: relax your body / mind; help you to learn something new; experience something new (a film, an exhibition, etc); connect with one another; basically to mark Sundays as different. There are a few simple rules to follow: no TV (the recorder can be set up the night before); no convenience food for the main meal and any basic purchases to be made (newspaper, milk, etc) must be made only at the local shop before 12pm.

So, today's idea of the day is: Make up a new family tradition and stick to it.

Anyway, so yesterday we followed the rules and went to see a film (tickets are allowed to be purchased, although thanks to the great and lovely Ken Love we have some vouchers for our local cinema). The film we watched was very apt in that it was about a couple who are 3 months off having a baby and are trying to put there lives in some sort of order beforehand. Directed by Sam Mendes and written by Dave Eggers and his wife Vendela Vida, the script is both poignant and funny, but most of all, it is just normal. There are no twists and turns and no unlikely occurrences, just a couple contemplating life in a way that many couples must. It sounds a little girly, but it got a good number of laughs from the men in the audience and was well written so as to keep everyone'e attention. Watch the trailer here: Away We Go.

Finally, what am I wearing in today's photos?

Well yesterday, I wore a 1940s style, albeit updated, tea dress from Whistles (bought for £50 rather than £150 in the end of summer sales). This is not maternity, merely bought in one size bigger, and as it is empire line style, it billows over the bump. I wore it with thick grey tights, as it is essentially a summer dress.

Today is a home day, and as I have said before I still believe in making an effort with clothes, but still want to feel comfortable and sexy. So today I am wearing American Apparel leggings (in L size) which stretch over the bump and are much more comfortable than the maternity leggings I wasted money on from Mama's and Papa's website. American Apparel is brilliant, as they stock basics in a vast number of colours and much of it is suitable as maternity wear, their website even has a maternity section, to show you which of their styles can work as maternity. I am wearing these super compfy leggings with a simple bandeau top from topshop maternity, which has a kind of waterfall effect over the bump. Due to the fact I haven't styled my hair nor put on any makeup, I have fixed up my hair with a minnie mouse style bow alice band and have accessorised with some vintage chinese beads bought at a market in Hong Kong. If you want to wear a block colour, make sure you choose some statement accessories to make it a bit more special.

Anyway, off now to finish the pumpkin and chick pea casserole for tea!