Styling up!

I love fashion. Always have. I like to dress up, and occasionally go for the killer heels. One of the best perks of getting married was to have an excuse to get my beloved Louboutin.
But now, I'm a mom and I stopped working. I went from on-the-road consultant to stay-at-home mom and I must admit that the wardrobe has evolved...

This is now...

This was before...

Ok, I didn't wear heels absolutely every day, but I could if I wanted to...So, I'm wondering if us moms have to give up entirely on any kind of style.

Being on the go involves the dreadfull Stroller (the Buggy as the Brits here call it). My girlfriends still make fun of me from five years ago, when I stated loud and clear that I would never EVER use a stroller.

Yeah, I got a buggy...

So, you know, try to go in the sand with a pair of strappy heels, run after your kid in a mini or carry the stroller up some steps (there are steps everywhere) and carry a clutch...You get my point. The main uniform has become jeans and T-shirts. So. now what?

Well, I think we can adapt. And it does not have to involve a mommy jean. However, there are a few prerequisites. They include pockets, flats or moderate heels (wedges OK), a large bag and no delicate fabric. The jewlery has to be pretty solid too.
So here are a few outfits I like and I can pull off despite the mom thing.

Flats and comfy leggings

Kitten heels and large bag

I have my personal favourite things that I never dared to wear in Paris, but London being London, I don't care what people think here. It's pretty liberating. My thing is knee-high socks and headbands (and no, I'm not 12).

Of course, then you need the sun...

And off I go!

Of course, I have my days when I would rather go around in my PJs if I could (actually I see people do it in London, and I don't mean the cool Hugh Heffner silk pajamas, I mean more like Ally McBeal flannel pajamas). 

But I'm trying to make an effort, mostly for me.

My latest find are these fabulous sneakers that have a hidden heel inside. Like those from Isabelle Marant, but they cost one zero less. So I still get my heels attitude and go to the park!

My beloved new kicks

There are some challenges I'm still trying to figure out. The rain for example. I love my trench coat, but it has no hood, and you can't possibly push a stroller and hold an umbrella at the same time (I tried. Cramps). So  you need a hood for the rain. But there are cool hood options (I settled for a black Kooples duffle coat with major hood).

The point here is that, it's not because we become mothers that we need to ditch our last IT-bag for a diaper bag from some random baby brand. Those scare me the most. Practical does not necessarily mean ugly. Did you know that Kate Spade does a mean diaper bag ? 

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My pub is getting a haircut

What else are you gonna do when it rains anyway?

My beloved Hemingford Arms

All greened up!

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Living on Arsenal territory

Here in Islington, football is no joke. Arsenal is kind of a religion, and there are many many followers...Back in Paris, there was sort of only one team, PSG, and it was a big deal, but not really for everybody. But London has more than 4 different teams. And Islington has Arsenal.

Stella's a fan...

We are not living very far from the Emirates Stadium, and so people already park in our street on game days. In case you are not aware of Arsenal's schedule, the Borough of Islington is happy to remind you:

Next games: 21 Apr and 5 May

As you can see, there was a game last Saturday. It was against Chelsea, which is a big deal as Chelsea also is a London team (they are the rich people team...we don't like them). The boys in Arsenal are called the Gunners. 

Gearing up for game day in the pub

So all week, you could detect Arsenal support signs in Islington, even in places you would not think of. For example, in a cafe's bathroom:

Everybody, I'm telling you!

In Highbury Fields, on Saturday mornings, you can see kids' football practice, all in red (Arsenal colors).

Younger gunners

Next to the Stadium, there is the Gunners Pub. If you have tickets for the game, this is where you're heading first. There, you will warm up with pints (no matter what the time) and music. There is a band playing special Arsenal songs, with names like "Are we human or are we Arsenal"...For real.

Come on you Gunners!

If you're not going to the Emirates Stadium, you still need to dress up to watch TV. Otherwise, you are not a real fan...

Focused...

The passion starts early, and man, will you make friends if you just walk around with your red Jersey...I was not always a football fanatic, but I married one so I guess I am following the trend here. But I admit it's fun to have the whole neighborhood wearing the red and white scarf and screaming when Arsenal wins.

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Sakura

Out of fairness to London, this also happens. Sometimes...

And it feels good!

Very happy Stella!

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London zoo

The other day, we watched "We bought a zoo". Mostly because Cameron Crowe did it, and that always means a good soundtrack. It was indeed (Temple of the Dog anyone?). But it also made us want to take Stella to see funky animals. And so, on Sunday, we braved the cold wind and went to the zoo. From home, we took the Overground to Camden Road. Good thing Chris was there as there was no elevator (what else is new...). From there is was a 10-15 minutes walk.

Stella liked the...huh...whatever that was...

I have to say, I really liked it. The zoo is big and you can easily spend a good half day there. There are numerous special areas, for birds, monkeys, butterflies, gorillas, reptiles and more. There is even a fake cave for bats!

The animals have quite some room to hang out, not a tiny cage where you would feel sorry for them. It makes the whole experience much funnier.

We sort of skipped the special events, as they tend to attract too many people, I'd rather be else where. So we missed the pinguins...

There are also areas with slides and games for the kids to run around and play, not just stay quiet and watch. I read that there will be a new improved place for the tigers, though not before Spring 2013. But it sounds promising.

Ok, the bad news now. I can only see two:

-One, we didn't see any elephants, and that's too bad (Stella likes elephants a lot). I believe there are elephants at another zoo called Whipsnade Zoo, which is even bigger but farther from the city.

-Second, the visit is quite expensive. Each adult pays 22£, so that's kind of a lot. I looked at the yearly membership but it was just too much. Kids don't pay until they're 3 so that was good for us. Check out the website for details on prices. Again, I recommend going early as it gets crowded. But even then, it is not too bad as the place is really large.

The Brits have a strange way to say things...

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Black hole sun, won't you come...

...to wash away the raiiiiiiiiin. Black hole sun, won't you come, won't you come...
Now,This, is every body's nightmare. It's also mummy's hell...

Are you kidding me London?

Not Happy

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Borough Market

Saturday we went for the first time to Borough Market. I heard it was Jamie Oliver's favorite place to get cool ingredients. I thought it would inspire us for some decent home cooked meal.

The market is sort of indoor, but not completely, but I think it's still ok to go if it rains (useful in London...). It's quite large too.

This is me!

Food stands are quite impressive, from cheese (including alcohol-infused cheese) to meringues to vegetables I can't really name.

No Joke! (we got some)

Drunk cheese in Italian = Ubriaco

You will want to check prices though in order to avoid unwelcome surprises (like my face when we paid more than 7£ for 4 mushrooms).

There is a large choice of alcohol, from wine to whisky to beers... The Wine Wharf by the market also proposes wine tasting (no need to book, just show up).

Happy husband...

There is also a ton of stuff to eat there, so better come with an empty stomach...crazy paella, cheese sandwich, potatoes topped with raclette. Le bonheur. But if you want coffee, it's a bit harder. We found this little shop that also sold chocolate:

Chris is gettin his coffee

I'm checking out chocolates

The market is on thursday, friday and saturday, but check out the website for details. I also recommend coming early as it gets crowded (tourists included). That night, we cooked a cool risotto with those fancy mushrooms.

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Sugar daddy and else

There are a couple of things I haven't been able to find in London. I know it takes time to find your new routine, so I am bringing it back from home.
Did I mention how crappy the sugar boxes are in the UK? I drop sugar everywhere, everytime. I get quite annoyed and I'm scared of mice. I tried Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury. It is either an unpractical box or no box at all.

I need my sugar daddy.

I have yet to find a Sephora in London. In Paris they are like boulangeries...

Travel essential

And I also need to learn how to say Gant de Kessa in english. Thanks to my Morrocan friend Sana for helping me find the Sultane de Saba. Such a glamorous name...

Best scrubbing glove EVER

I wish I could have brought Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs with me, but really, that exhibition was just a treat when my mom took Stella for half a day. I loved it and learned quite a lot. A tip: book online before you go. Thanks Shan.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

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First Eurostar alone with Stella

As it is the Easter break in London, I took my first trip back to Paris. I was a bit nervous as it was the first time I travelled alone with Stella. Since she turned 18 months, I am discovering the whole tantrum thing. Lovely, really... So I took a late morning train, hoping for less people aboard. Chris took a later train after work, with the suitcase.

Stella and me getting in the train

Turns out, off-peak really was a good idea, since nobody sat next to me. Stella, who was supposed to sit on my lap for 2h15 got her own seat. 

I had prepared Stella's favourite Walt Disney movies on my I Pod Touch (these days, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats). But I was a bit scared people would give me shameful looks (What this baby already has an I Phone?).

Stella loves Baloo

Turns out, the fears were all in my head. If anything, people were only grateful that Stella wasn't bugging them too much. Plus I saw several other parents pulling the I Pad to quiet down their little ones.

Stella's having lunch

I had only brought cold food for Stella as it would have been complicated to go the the bar and ask them to warm up her lunch. So, in the end, we had a really good trip. 

The only thing: I never got to go to the restroom...Sorry, TMI, I know.

By the way, I learned on the Eurostar website, that children don't have to pay until they're 4 (I thought it was 2, like on the plane). Then again, you have to keep them on your lap (it probably gets heavy).

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No buggy no entry

The Easter break in the U.K. means no school, no nursery, no nothing. So I tried to look for places to play with Stella beyond our usual hang outs. She's 19 months old right now, and gets bored after about 10 minutes on the same swing/slide/playhouse/ anything. But the Coram Fields totally did it for her.

 It is basically a park for people with children. There is a guy at the entrance who won't let you in if you're not accompanied by a little one. The park is free and has several different play areas for different age groups.

This is the babies area

There is also an indoor area, not too large but still convenient, given the British weather. There is another area where kids can experiment with noise and musical sounds. Finally, there are some farm animals such as rabbits, birds, sheeps, goats and more!

This is Stella checking out a rabbit

The Coram Fields are a really good place to spend a couple of hours (ok, I did 1h30 but for me it's a record), with your kid. There are also classes during term times. A very popular one is little kickers, a soccer class for 18 to 30 months old: it costs only 2£. 

The Coram Fields are located not too far from King Cross train station. Check out Coram Fields' website for more details on hours and location.

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