WINTER BOOTS AND COFFEE // MAMA STYLE

How have you been enjoying January so far? I'm slowly emerging from this sleepy cocoon I've wrapped myself in and as this wishy washy weather continues to surprise me like a bad lucky dip, I've found myself sticking to a daily uniform of cosy wraps, winter boots and coffee on tap. How else is a girl to survive ay?

So while I've been nursing these January blues, I've been hunting for inspiration here and abroad, and surrounding myself with colours I love, heading out to the newest pop up cafes and hitting the sales. I keep promising myself that I'm going to get back on the health wagon and start up my exercise routine again , you know... eat all the good stuff, but these grey days makes me crave all the croissants and duvet days instead.

I'm happy that I'm making an effort to go out for long walks each day as I think it can really clear the head and I always love wandering round Bristol, it's full of beautiful architecture and I'm swooning over these pale pastel colours! They're totally channeling my inner calm at the moment.

I'm really lucky that we have so many good cafe's in our neighbourhood, or only a short walk away, and when I spend a good 20 minutes each morning persuading a certain small boy out the door, I want something quick to throw on, stylish and comfortable so I can get my caffeine fix straight after drop off!  

I've been practically living in these black boots from Clarks this winter, I was initially inspired to try the whole sock over jean approach after seeing so many stylish snaps from the lovely Stylonylon's Instagram account, if you don't follow Julia then what are you waiting for?!

I didn't think I could pull off the classic Chelsea boot style but it turns out that a pair of skinny jeans and chunky socks is all you need for these bad boys to look good, plus I've had soooo many compliments and they're super comfy so it's a win all round!

I've been using this gorgeous metallic bag to carry around my macbook and DSLR camera during the day, as well as F's toys and colouring books. I think metallic is great way to brighten up a dull day and this is also a good option for a fun bag from the same label.

I recently treated myself to an lunch at Anna, a new cake couture cafe in Clifton village, and when I say lunch I mean coffee, cake and macaroons...that's lunch right? The interior design here is right up my street: pale colours, wooden floors, simple scandi style and beautifully accented with copper fixtures and fittings and oh those hanging greens *heart eyes* and did I mention they do great cakes?

Have you got a winter uniform that you reach for when getting out the house quick? What's been keeping your January blues away?

AUTUMN WALKS AND FALL COLOURS

As each season comes into play I happily announce my love for it, but nothing quite gives me that warm glowing feeling and fills my heart like autumn. The burnt ochres, reds and golden yellows fill the sky and pave the ground, crunching underfoot as F squeals in delight. Although this is the transition to winter, to darker filled days and low light, it does mean the excitement of Christmas will soon be setting in as well as hot spicy cider and mulled wine with friends *yay*.

At the weekend we took a walk, it's the same walk we take every year along the avenue of trees beside Clifton Down Road. I love this little stretch, I took the same stroll soon after F was born, him gazing up under the canopy of fall colours and autumn leaves. Now it's a rather more boisterous event with screeches of breaks as he zooms up and down on his bike, squeals as he runs to avoid thrown leaves and generally had fun as I gaze upon my growing boy.

My autumn wishlist for long walks are cosy boots, perfect for stomping through leaves and I love these stylish kids boots c/o Clarks. Even though they have a lace up front which makes him feel like a big boy, he can easily slip them on and off with the zip up sides, plus they're super comfy. I've already been coveting some of the women's boots and love these quirky Desert Boots and these slick Phenia Cresent boots.

F has started choosing his own clothes when we go into stores and it's interesting to see his style start to emerge without any input from us. He chose this zip up top from H&M and looks like such a dude in this pic!

As much as I love the outdoors I've been really feeling the need to bunker down and hibernate, to be close to home with slow walks for coffee, sit round friends dining tables and share good food, cosy sofa afternoons and general cuddles with my little one. In all honestly I've lost my mojo and been feeling a little down, like baby blues without the baby. I've been taking my time to just be and get all the busy out my head, so apologies that it's been so sporadic over here. For now I'm going to carve pumpkins, drink hot coco, take long walks, watch films, listen to music, get a bit crafty and enjoy the rest of the week before I have to hand F back over to the school timetable.

In case you were interested in our style you can see what I wore here:
Yellow Coast Waterproof Jacket c/o Joules
Louche Aria Leather bag c/o Joy

And what F wore here:
Hooded Jacket - H&M
Day Hi GTX Boots c/o Clarks

For a little more autumn inspiration I've created a board full of ideas, interiors and moods reflecting the changing season. What is your favourite autumnal pastime?

CLARKS FULL PULSE MEGALIGHTS // KIDS STYLE

It's no secret that I'm a bit of a fan of Clarks shoes for kids, as you know from my visit to their SS15 press show I was totally blown away by the new funky ranges they are bringing out. So it was no surprise that as soon as I saw these Full Pulse Megalights that I would want to get my hands on a pair for F.

Think me, who loves the 80's – ahem –  and hi-tops for kids and you have a match made in heaven. Although the Clarks Megalights range is based on their iconic 1997 basketball boot style Full Glare and is not quite the 80's blast from the past, as soon as I saw the design with its acid highlights, print detailing and chunky neon laces, I knew they would stand out and that's not even the best part!

So imagine F in Clarks having a fitting, already excited that he can use the side zips himself to get them off and on, plus the additional fun of the chunky velcro strap, then imagine him running up and down the shop to show off his Cheetara skills *Thundercats reference right there* and then hearing the three words that's guaranteed to make kids go crazy with excitement:

They. 

Light.

Up.

Yep not only do these sneakers look cool but get them in a dark room and you're ready to party! By day, blink and you'll miss it, but as the sun sets the 360 degree light up sole streaks across the dark with its three settings: constant, pulse or flash.

So does F love these sneakers? YES. Did he make us come home and immediately want to start partying in the darkness of our lounge. YES. Did he refuse to take them off and ask to wear them to bed? YES, but thankfully I managed to peel them off him.

Need to find a super cool Christmas present for your kiddo? Pretty sure you've just found them.

*Our Megalights were c/o Clarks. All opinions and love for the 80's are 100% my own.
**Video Music by Bensound 

CRUSHIN' ON CLARKS SPRING/SUMMER 2015 RANGE

We've always been a firm fan of Clarks in this house, I remember my own parents taking me to have my feet measured as a child and it seems the brand has made an impression on me. It was the first place I trusted to measure and fit F's super cute wriggly toes and foot,  and after buying my most comfiest peep toe heels from Clarks last year I've been won over by their women's range too.

We were in London so we decided to stop by Clarks SS15 press show to see what delights spring had in store and I'm so pleased we did. Across the range the design is set to impress, with playful bright patterns and colours, not to mention these Clarks original Desert Boots in silver *swoon* F was quite taken with them and no doubt these will be his favourite's come spring.

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