Final reflections: On being pregnant

Hi guys,
I've tried not to write about my pregnancy and impending motherhood too much on this blog: after all, it's a fashion blog and my outlet to express how I feel about all things clothes, beauty, and anything else that's pretty. I don't want to write a mummy blog because I don't read them and have no real interest in them: So don't worry, I won't start bombarding you with daily baby pictures! But before the boy arrives I do want to share some of the things I've learnt and some of the things that have surprised me about being pregnant; from both a fashion but mostly from a non-fashion point of view!

- I guess the obvious one is illustrated above: I'm huge! My stomach is bigger than I thought possible: I mean really, there's no more stretching room. I refuse to accept it can grow anymore. Obviously this isn't the surprise: I know pregnant women get big. The surprise is that I don't mind it as much as I thought I would: in fact rather than being repulsed by how big I am i'm strangely proud that my body has done all this amazing work to create a comfy home for my little boy.

- Here's a quick fashion one: I've worn jeans considerably more than I ever have before in my life! And I am a lady that hates jeans. I remember at the beginning of my pregnancy writing a post about maternity style and how I wasn't going to stop making the effort. Well, I stopped making the effort. Even jeans are too uncomfortable some days and I just keep my PJ bottoms on instead. I complained that it was hard to find fashionable maternity clothes. I still think that's true but I can also understand it: almost all pregnant women live in jeans or leggings, so why make hundreds of pretty dresses (that look like tents anyway).

 - It hurts a lot more than I expected - and it isn't glamorous or beautiful at all! In the movies pregnant women float around looking serene and at peace, waiting for their babies to arrive. If this is how it's supposed to be then someone didn't give my body/baby that memo! Last week I pulled a muscle in my back from trying to bend over to put one of my socks on. Combine this with the constant backache, stomach cramps, indigestion and other unmentionable ailments, and I think I can safely say that pregnancy is the least glamorous or serene thing I have ever done!

- On a positive note, It reminds me alot of being a student. The past few weeks of pregnancy have been like a free pass to nap whenever I want to, watch a lot of daytime TV, and eat snacks whenever I want to (I don't have enough tummy space for full meals anymore, so snacks are the way forward) Effectively it's just like my student days, but without the all night drinking (which has been replaced by all night peeing instead!) And i'm making the most of the rest while I can!

- Nesting is a real thing. Who knew?! I hate cleaning as much as the next sane woman with better things to do with her life. But in the past month of so I have cleaned every corner of my house from top to bottom. I've emptied every cupboard, just to scrub, tidy, and rearrange it. I've completely redecorated some rooms. The thought of dust and dirt and disorder makes me feel anxious: it's like an itch that only cleaning can cure!

- Finally,  you actually do love your baby before you've even met him. This is another one of those movie things I thought was a Hollywood cliche. But it turned out to be true: from the minute I heard the heartbeat I fell in love. Then I fell in love even harder the first time he kicked. And now I laugh like a lunatic everytime he  squirms inside me: I talk to him like he's a real person, even though I don't even know what his face looks like! Yup, it's real love.

We're now just 1 week and 2 days away from our due date, so it seemed like the perfect time to sit down and reflect on everything that's happened over the past 9 months. Hopefully the next time I mention anything baby related on the site, it will be to tell you that the little man has arrived! Wish me luck!

Love Tor xx

When your life style changes, so does your style!

Hi guys,
Over the past couple of months, my life has gone through some pretty monumental changes. Firstly I no longer work full time in the city: I freelance from home instead. Which is keeping me busy! But means I've gone from wanting to look fashionable every single day, to having days where there seems to be little point taking off my pajamas. After all, blogging and writing from your sofa in your PJs is living the dream, right?

Secondly is the more obvious physical change: I'm now over 6 months pregnant and look like I'm smuggling a space hopper under my jumper. Which makes wanting to throw on a pretty dress and heels to flit around town seem like a distant memory.

But I still LOVE fashion. It's my passion. Hell, it's my job! I'm just having to navigate a new style that suits my current lifestyle. But when you've worked for years to develop a sense of personal style that you love, that's not as easy as it sounds. I don't have any tips to share on this yet, but here's a round up of the personal progress I've made so far:

-My extensive jacket collection isn't going anywhere. Oh how I love a well fitted blazer! Always have, always will. On days when I'm lounging around the house wearing just jeans and a tee, I know that I can throw on one of my beloved blazers and effortlessly leave the house looking a little more put together. Blazers also have the added bonus of making you look leaner: perfect for those often-occurring fat days!

- Ponytails and buns are now part of my life. When I commuted to work I would set my alarm early so that I could straighten my hair, every single day. Now? Well I still don't like to wear my hair loose unless it's been straightened (It just looks frizzy) and still straighten it a couple of times a week. But on those days in between I'm learning to appreciate the look of a sleek ponytail or messy topknot. It's not lazy, it's just a new style!

- I'm finally embracing jeans. This blog isn't called Fabfrocks for nothing: I love a good dress! But dresses just aren't that practical for everyday wear when you're spending those days in the house. So jeans have entered my life: and because of that I have a new-found appreciation for stylish tops, blouses, and embellished sweaters. Just because I'm wearing jeans doesn't mean I'll ever team them with hooded tops!

- Thank God for pumps and slipper shoes. Now is the time to embrace flat shoes it seems: they've never been more on trend, and there are loads of options available! So whilst I'm temporarily pushing my heels to one side I'm still making sure that my comfortable alternative footwear is as stylish and fashion forward as possible.

Have you gone through any recent lifestyle changes? And how did that affect your sense of style? I'd love to hear how you dealt with it, and any quick styling tricks you came up with! And work-from-homers: tell me, what do you wear when you're working from home?! 

Love Tor x

What to pack for a holiday to Venice (Or any other city break!)

Hi guys,

Finally, holiday time has arrived! This time next week I leave dreary rainy old England and head off with my husband for five days in Venice. We're staying in one of only two 5* hotels in Venice that have an outdoor pool, so hopefully as well as soaking up some culture I will also be able to soak up some sun!

The main question now though is what to pack? Holiday packing is difficult enough as it is, but even more so when you're going somewhere as well known for its love of fashion as Italy. There are so many boxes to tick: you want to look good, be comfortable for sight seeing, and blend in without standing out as a tourist (unless of course you like having your camera stolen!)

The best think about shopping for a summer holiday now is that because we've had such a terrible summer here in the UK, the seasonal sales have started early: Everything on my wishlist is in the sale!  

Black zigzag straw hat, River Island, £2
Full gold jacquard skirt, Topshop, £10
Cross body bag, Peter Jensen @ ASOS, £135
Black cowl front dress, River Island, £15
Oversized sunglasses, Pieces, £7 
Black sandals, Chocolate Shubar @ Sarenza, £33.40
Snake print bikini, Clothing at Tesco, Bottoms £3.50, Top £5 
Black and white striped shorts, River Island, £7

Here are my tips and ideas for city break packing:

 -If your hotel has a pool, make sure you pack your swimsuit! You might be planning to spend all your time sight seeing, but if you get tourism burnout having your suit handy means you can take a break by the pool. 

-Carry a small over-body handbag. This will deter pick pockets and won't be too bulky or cumbersome to be comfortable carrying around all day. Backpacks are a major no-no: aside from the fact they're frankly ugly, they're also too big to carry into narrow shops or around narrow galleries and cafes.

-Stick to one colour palette when you're packing. That way you can pack light, knowing that all of your clothes can be mixed and matched with each other. I like to stick to a simple black and white base and then throw in one accent colour. This time I've gone for gold, but you could pick almost any bright summery colour!

-Take care of your skin: there's nothing uglier than sunburn and wrinkles caused by sun exposure! When you're going on a city break, its easy to forget you don't need the same supplies as you do for a beach holiday. But remember the sun screen, and a wide hat and sunglasses to protect your face!

- Pack one versatile dress. I always make sure I pack something (in crease free jersey!) that I can wear to dinner, the pool, or out and about for the day. Dresses like this are hard to find: if you find it, buy two and keep them forever!!

-Finally, shoes are heavy: don't take too many pairs! For a 4 or 5 night break if possible try to pack only two. Make sure both are really comfortable. I am opting for one pair of sandals and one pair of well worn pumps.


Are you going away on holiday this year? And have you packed for yours yet?

 Love Tor xx

The fashion pregnancy diary: Stylish ways to hide your baby bump

Hi guys,
I promise this isn't going to turn into a pregnancy blog (I'm still all fashion!) but as being pregnant is now something I have to consider when making fashion choices, I will be including occasional pregnancy fashion posts: and if you know anywhere that has a good selection of stylish maternity wear that me know, because I am really struggling to find anything I like!

Like lots of people, I didn't want to tell everyone I was pregnant until I had passed the 12 week point. Of course my husband knew and my mum (because I had to bore someone with every.tiny.detail or I would have gone insane!) but to everyone else I had to hide my tiny baby bump in the hope of looking the same as ever (optimitic!) or, more realistically, just a bit chubby. It's actually not as easy as you think: especially if (like me) your stomach seems to explode from the minute you take that first pregnancy test!

In the same situation? Hoping to be in the same situation? Just interested in how fat people like me hide their tummies? Well here are my tried-and-tested tips for hiding your baby bump in that all-important first trimester:

1. Oversized tops are your friends. My selection of oversized chiffon blouses was a lifesaver! I teamed them with a tight fitting black skirt and leggings or skinny jeans to create balance and highlight the part of me that wasn't growing! Then people tended not to notice what was going on under the layers of chiffon around my tummy!

2. Empire line? If you're small busted, all of my pregnancy books recommend an empire line to hide your baby bump. If your busty like me though, I would say this was a no-go. I ended up looking like a blow up doll: and still a little bit pregnant!

3. Wear a boyfriend blazer. Over everything! I know I always did this anyway (I have more boyfriend blazers than anyone I know!) but a blazer, and when it was a little colder a long scarf, meant that most of my upper body was well-covered, and there was no way anyone could tell what was happening underneath. Waterfall jackets and tops also have the same affect.

4. T shirt dresses. H&M has a great selection of T shirt dresses with a slight A line. I picked up half a dozen of these, and have been wearing them constantly for the past 3 months. Not exactly fashion forward I'll admit, but they come in a great range of colours (including an amazing fluro pink) and teamed with oversized jewellery and amazing shoes they'll definitely get your through that first trimester looking stylish and comfortable. Which leads me to my final tip.....

5. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Don't waste money on new clothes for this short period of time. Instead wear jersey and cotton pieces you already have in your wardrobe and accessorize them. If something is tight on your tummy, hide it with a scarf. If your T shirt dress fits fine, but looks plain, add an oversized necklace and a chunky bangle. And remember, your feet shouldn't grow (yet!!) so make the most of all your favourite, amazing shoes!

And now? Well now I'm pregnant! Everyone knows: even the postman and the lady on the till in Waitrose last night. Now I've started telling people I can't stop. So I'll be flaunting my tiny baby bump, and even doing a little maternity clothes shopping: yes, every new life experience is just another excuse to hit the shops!

Love Tor xx

Zara Hates Your Puffy Ankles

Hello friends,

Today I spent an exhausting 90 minutes in Zara trying on Christmas party dresses to display to you in an upcoming post. However, a more pressing matter quickly caught my attention - the anger and insanity that is their t-shirt range for pregnant women.

Now, I love Zara. Its half translated logo t-shirts with their long length and good quality cotton are a godsend for the style conscious nerd. They are also exceptionally generous in the gluteal area with their trouser tailoring and quick to rip-off the best Miu Miu and Balenciaga when it counts. All good things. However, it is clear that their maternity design team is a mad as a bucket of frogs.

The Many Moods of Pregnancy - (according to Zara)

1. Insecurity (re: erotic viability)


"I'm not fat !! I'm eating for two" Hey, me too Zara - and I ain't even with child. The desperation distilled within those two velvet exclamation marks is quite a thing to behold i'nit? I also enjoy the way the cotton mix clings to my own protuberances. You've gotta applaud their commitment to the verisimilitude of a woman's emotional state. They ain't pulling no punches. I know I've always said that pregnancy is no excuse to pile on any pounds at all. Those lactating LARDOS.

2. Pathetic Clinginess.


"STAY WITH ME" - Yup, it's clear that the impregnator in her life has noticed her horrendous physical deficiencies and has calmly decided to move on. Thank goodness Zara has produced a garment that does all your pathetic hormonal mewling for you! Eyes that have seen more sadness than any one person can bear are model's own.

3. Irrational grasping at chic femininity as typified by former single self.

"Kill for high heels" - I'm not sure if this is a nostalgic moment or an exhortation to all women unshackled by a bloating foetus to buy buy buy those Jimmy Choos whilst they still can and revel in the bunions of independence. Either way, it is as delightfully unhinged as any other in the range and I'm so very digging the Valerie Solanis fanzine style typeface.

4. Homicidal Food/Sexual Cravings.

"I'VE GOT A CRAVING (now!!!) - Yikes, right? Quite apart from the fact I don't think I've ever looked lovelier in a photograph, this t-shirt reunites with our old friend the crazed multiple exclamation mark. As if to underscore the horror (the horror!) of a pregnant lady in a state of need we've got a font that speaks of nothing less than Jack Nicolson at his crazytime typewriter in "The Shining"

Yeesh. And it was the crazy identical twins that were the fashion icons in that movie. Pre-chopping of course.























Am I right or am I right?

I'm right.

Love,
Becky.