Red Nose Day 2015 #IGiveAShirt

Red Nose Day 2015 is this Friday! Blondie Boy has been collecting all the different noses on offer this year and was super excited when TK Maxx asked if we wanted to take part in special Red Nose Day challenge.

TK Maxx is the official retailer for the Red Nose Day t-shirts and for this campaign they have teamed up with five of the biggest names in fashion Anya Hindmarch, Karl Lagerfeld, Diane von Furstenberg, Henry Holland and Matthew Williamson! Each limited edition design is completely unique to each designer with a very special Red Nose Day twist featuring quirky quotes.

Profits from the sale of each T-shirt are donated to Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives across Africa and here in the UK. 

This year TK Maxx have also launched their #igiveashirt social campaign. Lily Allen has launched the shirt spin challenge and Blondie Boy, Baby Girl and I decided to give it a go!

Blondie Boy and his sister both went for the Anya Hindmarch tees (you have to love the Oscar Wilde quote) and I decided that Diane von Furstenberg was more my style.

Then it was time to spin!

 

Even Baby Girl gave it a go!

Will you say #igiveashirt too and take part in this Red Nose Day challenge? It's an easy and fun way to show your support and if a 5 year old and 5 month old can do it so can you!

Taking part is easy:

·         Put on your new TK Maxx Red Nose Day T-shirt

·         Film yourself spinning it 360°

·         Share your video online using #igiveashirt

·         Challenge your friends to prove they Give A Shirt too!

Red Nose Day tees are available at TK Maxx starting at £5.99 for children and babies (with at least£2.50 going to Comic Relief) and from £12.99 (with at least £6 going to Comic Relief) for adults.

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Breastfeeding and Working

Almost two months ago I went back to work. Baby Girl was 3 months old and exclusively breastfed. We weren't having any issues breastfeeding so I had no intentions of stopping and luckily my work has been extremely accommodating. I have my own little mini-fridge to store milk in during the day and access to a private room only I have the keys to so I can express during the day.

Even when you have a cooperative work (legally they have to be!) you are going to need some additional things to express while at work. This was all new to me but after a month I think I've got a good system worked out. Here are the products that make breastfeeding and being a working mom work for me.

First and foremost my Medela Freestyle Double Breast Pump. I literally could not be back at work with out it. Since I'm separated from Baby Girl while I'm at work I need to express to remind my body to keep producing milk and so she can have milk to drink when I'm not around. The Freestyle is small and compact with a rechargeable battery and comes with a complete set for the storage, cooling and transport of breastmilk. The 2-Phase Expression Technology is based on the natural sucking rhythm of the baby: Short, stimulating patterns are followed by longer ones, ensuring an optimal milkflow. Its faster let-down and maximum milkflow reduces pumping time significantly and you can express more milk in less time.

I've used the pump now at home, at work and even on a train. The Freestyle comes with a specially shaped freezer pack that will keep breastmilk cold while you are travelling. The bottles are BPA-free and can be used to store milk with the provided lids or with the Calma teat to feed your baby.

This is the only breast pump I have ever used but is the only one I'd want to use. You can adjust the suction to the strength that works best for you and it holds a charge for a really long time. I didn't need to charge it while I was away for a day for work in London and  I only really need to charge it once a week when I'm using it at work. I've had so many friends complain about their breast pumps but I couldn't be happier with the Freestyle. If you are going to be expressing on a regular basis I really suggest the Freestyle as it's sturdy and reliable.

Also it's worth noting that Medela's customer services team are amazing. If your pump malfunctions or a part breaks they are quick to help you sort out the problem or provide you with a new pump part as needed. Considering it's an essential (and expensive) bit of kit it is great to know they have you covered.

With my Freestyle I use a Simple Wishes hands free pumping bra. My best-friend recommended this pumping bra to me and I'm so glad she did. It means I don't have to hold the pump and can check emails and use my hands while I'm pumping. It has a velcro back and an extra zipper panel so it will fit any size. I was a bit dubious since I'm a 34J (I know it's ridiculous) and my friend is a 36B but it really is adjustable. It's not something you'd wear all day long but it makes such a huge difference when you are expressing two to three times a day. I personally can barely sit still staring into nothing for 2 minutes let alone 15-20 and it really helps that I can read work articles or check emails, too. I like it so much I got one for my sister who just had twins, too.

Once I'm done expressing I need the wash everything so I'm ready to go again later in the day. I got a large tupperware box from TK Maxx which has been invaluable. It is how I store and transport my pump parts, but is also what I wash them in. No offense to my office mates but I'm not really comfortable washing pump parts with everyone's dirty plates. I fill up the tupperware box with soap and water and then use a bottle brush I also got at TK Maxx and keep in my mini-fridge. I put paper towels on the lid of the box and set parts out the dry and then dry out the box and put everything back in. Parts then go in the fridge (a tip my BFF taught me again so you don't have to sterilize at work) and are good to go for your next session. I was able to wash my bottles and parts on the train down to London using the same technique--it's a sink and storage box in one.

Most days I wear my "normal" bras to work but if I know I'm going to be going straight to get Baby Girl and will need to feed her I wear the Anita Underwire Nursing Bra. As I mentioned before I'm up to a 34J so traditional nursing bras don't provide the support I really need. I have a really comfy Bravado bra I wear to sleep in at night, but it doesn't provide a very flattering shape. The Anita gives me the support I need but also means I can easily feed Baby Girl in public. I really struggled to find an underwire nursing bra so I was happy to learn about Anita. 

Finally I have to mention Freida's Pantry Feeding Food bars. Needless to say working full time with a 5 year old and 4 month old can be a bit stressful. Depending on what my week is like my supply has suffered. I've had friends who bake cookies that up your supply or make special oatmeal but honestly I just don't have the time. Luckily Freida's Pantry make bars that not only increase your milk supply but are easy to toss in your bag and eat on the go. When I read the ingredients and I saw fennel I honestly thought I'd hate the bars but they are actually quite tasty and most importantly they work! I've been lucky to have a fairly good supply but the bars have helped me keep that up even when I'm stressed and busy.

I've only had one problem breastfeeding while working (more on that in another post) and I really think that is down to having a good system in place. I'm grateful to my BFF for her recommendations and tips as well as having a pump that works efficiently and effortlessly. Did you breastfeed while working? What are your top tips?


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Transatlantic Blonde were provided some items for review but all opinions are our own.

What I Wore Wednesday: I've got a secret...

So the past two months have been interesting. My previous contract ended March 31st so since then I've been applying for jobs and going on interviews. I was getting told I was over-qualified and would end up bored or I was the perfect candidate but outside their budget. Then of course there was the 15+ calls for positions in London which sounded amazing but umm yea I live in Glasgow!

So it all was getting a bit frustrating. I had bits of freelance work in the meantime but the longer it went on the more anxious I got. Then I had three interviews within three days and three offers not even a week later! So now I have a new contract and will start June 2nd and I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. But you see there is a bit more to the story as to why I could breathe a huge sigh of relief.

I'm pregnant. 21 1/2 weeks pregnant to be exact. Going on job interviews 19 weeks pregnant is interesting to say the least! I wasn't lying about my pregnancy but I was employing every tv trick (you know when actress is pregnant, but character isn't) in the book to disguise my growing bump: cropped blazer, long scarves and the giant bag you see above.

My new contact knows I am pregnant and are totally okay with it and accommodating so I couldn't be happier. The job is really exciting and challenging and will see me work between Edinburgh and Glasgow up until September when I will take a break to have Blondie Boy's new sibling and then come back a few months later to finish up! It's great to not only have a new contract but to know I will have work waiting for me when I come back, too!

Blondie Boy is pretty excited although he is very clear he doesn't want to have to deal with any poopy diapers. His super cute big brother tee is from Tee and Toast. You have no idea how hard it was to find a cool big brother tee!

Second time around I feel like my bump is much bigger so normal clothes aren't really an option. That being said this is a maxi dress I've worn before that I got at TK Maxx but since I'm a shorty it actually fits better with my bump taking more fabric and making it shorter!

It's so nice to be able to show off my bump rather than hide it and now I'm in full on maternity shopping mode! So tell me what are your favourite maternity brands? It's been 5 years since my last pregnancy and I'm hoping that the selection has improved :)

I will keep WIWW to fashion and do a bump update every Friday but I can't really help that maternity wear is going to creep in so apologizes if that annoys anyone! I do have a fabulous, non-maternity, giveaway coming soon so keep your eyes peeled!

An InLinkz Link-up

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TK Maxx Christmas Challenge

Can you believe it is December already? This year has seemed to fly! I don't know about y'all but when it comes to Christmas shopping I am not the type of person who has it all done months in advance. I tend to leave it all until the last minute and then freak out and scramble to find everything I need.  Luckily for me my favourite store TK Maxx has you sorted this Christmas season with unique gifts for everyone on your list at up to 60% off!

TK Maxx challenged me again to shop for five people on my list for under £200 and I was more than up to the challenge. To be fair the biggest challenge of all was not buying lots of stuff for myself while I was there!

First I went looking for ideas for my Lassies Who Lunch girlies. These amazingly soft blankets screamed out Lorz to me as she is always going on about how she loves soft  stuff:

 RRP: £49.99 TK Maxx Price: £16.99!

Steph has really been getting into baking lately and is always bringing in cakes for us to try at the office. This cake caddy would be perfect to help her carry around her latest confection creation:

RRP: £14.99 TK Maxx Price: £7.99!

I've said it before and I'll say it again--NotBlondeHusband is notoriously hard to buy for. Luckily for me this amazing designer corduroy blazer with elbow patches caught my eye straight away: 

RRP: £275 TK Maxx Price: £43!

My Sister-in-Law recently came up to visit from London and was complaining that her purse was falling apart so that made her super easy to shop for this year! I loved the ruffle detail on this designer bag and knew the cream colour would match her winter coat:

RRP: £85 TK Maxx Price: £29.99!

Since retiring my Mother-in-Law has told me she doesn't really have any shoes other than high-heeled work shoes or gym shoes. These super cozy sheepskin boots would fill the gap in her wardrobe perfectly especially as it gets colder day by day in Scotland:

RRP: £80 TK Maxx Price: £34.99!

I should have paid £504.98-my total spend was £132.96--

74% off the RRP!

Not bad for 5 presents for 5 different people! I couldn't help myself (I love TK Maxx!) so if any little elves are reading this I found some amazing gift ideas for myself, too!

I've been experimenting with different ways to style my hair so I'd love this Volume and Shine Airstyler or these Sleep in Rollers!

RRP: £49.99 TK Maxx Price: £19.99!

RRP: £24.99 TK Maxx Price: £14.99!

Nearly £75 worth of styling goodies for under £35! That's not too much to ask for right?

TK Maxx really is the place to shop to get something for all your friends and family. Stock is refreshed daily so you’ll always find something new every time you visit; stores receive an average of 10,000 new products a week!

These are my top tips for shopping TK Maxx this Christmas:

·      Have an open mind. Your treasure hunt begins here; have ideas of what types of presents you'd like to find rather than specific items. There is something for everyone.

·      Get organised. Grab a trolley or basket and prepare to load up.

·      Make light work of the rails and follow this formula:

 Department (eg. womenswear).  Category (dresses) and size.

·      Deliveries arrive every day (sometimes more) and no two stores 

are the same, so be prepared to have a new look every time.

·      What you see is what they have. There are no stock rooms, everything comes 

straight from the delivery to the shop floor. 

Remember, when it's gone at TK Maxx, it really is gone. 

Be decisive and sharpen your elbows!

TK Maxx has over 277 stores in the UK and Ireland, you can find your nearest here or shop online!

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What I Wore Wednesday: Work Christmas Party

I've been working since I was 15 years old but in all those years (you decide how many) I've been to exactly 3 work Christmas parties.  I know it doesn't seem fair to me either; one in 2001 when I worked for night club/concert venue in DC (oh the stories I could tell...), one in 2008 when I worked for an alcohol education charity and my third last Friday for my current contract.

We went to Brown's on George Square in Glasgow where the regular Christmas meal suspects were present: turkey, crackers with crowns and games and lots of wine.  I really love the people I work with so it was a great night to just hang out and relax with them.  I wasn't sure what I was going to wear but then when my fellow Lassies mentioned buying new dresses I went into a panic.

I hit up pretty much every stores at Glasgow Fort on the Wednesday night before our night out: HM, New Look, River Island, Next, TopShop, Wallis, Oasis....I even ventured into Quiz. NOTHING. Thursday day I spy a super cute sequin skirt in Marie Claire from Primark so I go and buy it in two colours to coordinate with tops at home. Get home and my super cute skirt looks really frumpy on me. So I raided my closet and after only one possibly viable option decided to take a last ditch trip to my lover: TK Maxx.  I should have known just to go there from the start!

Velvet Hair Bow Headband- ASDA

Black and Red Keyhole Dress- TK Maxx

Black Ankle Boots-New Look

So I had a rotten time trying to get photos but the dress is black on top and deep red with a sort of damask pattern on the bottom. I've never work a keyhole dress before as I wasn't sure if it would suit me. The dress was great standing up but sitting down it was probably a bit more boob-a-rific than anticipated. Luckily the top part of the keyhole meant I didn't look too pornographic--at least I hope that is what it did!

I really wanted a big glittery Crown and Glory hair-bow ala the always fabulously accessorized Miss West End Girl but I couldn't find one in Glasgow to save my life. So I settled for this massive velvet bow headband from the little girl's section at ASDA-- keeping it classy as always.

I'm convinced I look like a demented Lady Gaga in a Christmas crown--what do you think? Does your work have a Christmas party?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Kenneth Cole Reaction Purple Coat

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's cold in Glasgow. I almost feel bad saying that because I know there is snow back home in Ohio and I didn't even have to scrape my windshield this morning but comparatively it is cold. I can't get away with just a jacket and while most of my 2009 Zara coat has held up well (I lost a button do to pregnancy boobage) it isn't particularly warm enough for shivering at the bus stop.

So after much heckling from my co-workers to put on something warm I decided to get a new winter coat. I'd give you three guesses where I went to look for a new coat but really you'll only need one. Blondie Boy and I headed to TK Maxx who have tons of coats and jackets in store right now. I wasn't entirely sure what style I was going for and had tons to choose from so lucky me when my boy pulled out a coat for me that I loved! That kid has great fashion sense:)

Purple Puffy Coat with Fur Hood-Kenneth Cole Reaction via TK Maxx
Old Navy Turquoise Boatneck Sweater with Button Detail on Shoulder

Old Navy Sweetheart Jeans

Black Studded Pumps- New Look

I love purple and the coat is SO warm. There are sweater cuffs inside the arms so your wrists don't get cold and it is super fluffy and feather-filled. The inside is super soft minky and then of course there is the fabulous detachable faux-fur hood. To top it off there are toggles at the waist so you can cinch it in so you aren't a giant puff ball! 

It is absolutely the perfect winter coat for me and I'm glad Blondie Boy grabbed it and told me to try it on! Normally he'd get in trouble for grabbing stuff off the rails but not this time! To top it all off the coat was reduced/on sale, too!

Also do you see all those lights? My new office is right on the main square in Glasgow so we look out directly onto all the Christmas lights and attractions! It makes going to work and leaving work in the dark a little bit easier to deal with!

Have you gotten a new coat this winter or have you dug out an old favourite?

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