In Full Bloom

I was lucky enough not to experience any morning sickness during my first trimester of pregnancy, but one thing I've really battled with (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) is what to wear once your bump begins to show. I didn't really start showing much until about 18 weeks and, up until then, I was still happily slipping into my skinny jeans and other pre-pregnancy clothes. Once Bean started to show himself, I found myself slipping on the same old pair of black leggings, day in and day out. Not exactly the polished and put-together look I was going for, considering that my job means that I attend various launches and meet with important clients on a regular (if not daily!) basis.

I didn't want to spend a fortune on maternity wear, and especially not at this stage as I'm fully aware that this is just the beginning and my bump is bound to double - if not triple - in size, so I set myself a meager budget of about R500 and planned on buying basics that can be worn in many different ways. We moved into our new house about two months ago, so this also gave me the opportunity to go through my wardrobe, throw out any garments that I haven't worn in the past six months (I do this on a fairly regular basis and when there's something I really can't part with, I make a note of it, keep it and if I haven't worn it by the next wardrobe edit, it gets donated) and see what's really there. Both the top and skirt that I'm wearing today are two such items: the top is a basic black V-neck that I got as a freebie with ELLE Magazine SA about two years ago, while the skirt is something I picked up at Cape Union Mart while on holiday in Cape Town when I was a student (roughly 7 years ago!).

What I'm Wearing: Top - gift with ELLE Magazine SA; Skirt - Cape Union Mart; Shoes - R99,95 at Woolworths.

Scent of the Day: Stella McCartney Summer Rose

On My Face: I've kept my makeup fairly minimal today - I used La Prairie Cellular Treatment Liquid Soft Glow to impart a healthy, dewy glow, topped with new YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation. I used the inimitable YSL Touche Éclat to erase any dark circles under my eyes and I used a blusher from INGLOT to add some colour to my rather pale complexion! I created a winged eye using 2True Effortless Eyeliner (available for under R40 at Clicks stores - bargain!) and finished off with two coats of Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara. A slick of Perricone MD Lip Plumper ensures that my lips stay hydrated and well-nourished. 



images: Chereen Gibson