What I wore: overalls

 

I never thought I would be so passionate about wearing overalls?!? Im not a fan of the shorter versions but when I came across these slimfitting workman style overalls in an opshop a few months back I snapped them up quick smart. They needed a bit of mending but being so petite its hard finding anything that fits so I was ok with having to take the hem up & add buttons to the straps.

 

 

For now while they contour nicely over baby bump, Im happy to recycle wearing this outfit over & over. Well until I cant do the buttons up I guess.

 

 

 

 

(What I wore; overalls, Country Road blouse, handbag, sandals, headscarf/ all thrifted).

 This outfit costs me less than $30. Bargain!

 

 

Surprisingly this plain handbag has so many compartments it helps me stayed organized (Im such a sucker for organization).

 

 

 

I finally feel a lot more content in this pregnancy (now that I know Im pregnant) & can feel bambino 2# kicking in my belly. Sleeping has gone to poo, I seem to wake up hourly to rotate which side to sleep on as its uncomfortable. I suppose I should cherish what little sleep I get now as come October it will be so much less. Eek!

 

 

Happy Saturday friends!

 

Grace

May review

 

 

This month has flown by hasn't it?

Baking apple tea cake & eating half in one sitting, oops. (The above photo is my first effort:)). Never thought it would be so easy. Putting this on the weekly baking rota.

Drooling over this Tim tam cake. Gimme gimme.

Wanting Lemon Breelands (Jaime Kings) entire wardrobe off tv show Hart of Dixie. Think I will try & sew a similar floral jumpsuit after bambino 2# is born.

Laughing at Kobe telling me to "take a deep breath & calm down" when I get cranky. We say it to eachother all day long.

Angry that I stupidly dropped my beloved camera off the table. Take a deep breath & calm down Grace. It needs fixing, just what I need. Grrr...

Cooing over newborn clothing & going thru mountains of hand me downs that I kept from Kobe.

Thinking about attending this suitcase rummage but do I really need more stuff?

Sewing or mending shall I say a thrifted gold lame jacket. Stay tuned, if I fix it right I shall do a feature on it. Its divine!

Addicted to Pinterest. I could spend forever on here but limit myself to an hour. So inspiring.

Wishing I could braid my hair like this.

Hoping this charity raises the much needed funds in their lastest campaign Empty bowls where you can purchase a bowl & soup to support Foodbank. You can also bid on signed bowls by Eagles & Dockers.

Happy that Luke is rotating shifts with me getting our bedtime fighting child to bed.

 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Grace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Baby shower wishlist

 

I have had a few friends ask me in the past year what are some really cute but super handy baby gifts to buy when attending a baby shower if the mama to be doesn't put out a gift registry/wishlist. Definitely AVOID gifting baby blankets & baby skincare products. I received far too many of either, & although it was a kind gesture they just weren't used enough. I would also be wary with toys are some parents can be touchy with licensed or educational toys. So I prepared a roundup of some winning baby gift ideas (according to me:)).

 

1. There are so many ugly nappy bags out there that when I had Kobe I opted out of a traditional nappy bag & instead chose a Country Road tote bag. It is quite large & only has 2 compartments (which worked well for me) & I still use it as a sleepover bag if Kobe has a sleepover at one of his grandparents homes.

2. Bibs (or flannels). These bibs are handmade in Australia by a trio of mamas. I was first introduced to their brand at a handmade market in Leederville late last year. There is a big selection of gorgeous prints to choose from. The hardest decision is not to buy them all.

3. Fitted fabric nappies. Not for every parent but I happily did half & half with Kobe (& will be doing the same with baby 2#) to help cut down on my carbon footprint. I recommend Bambooty or Bumgenius. Plus Bambooty have some handy nappy change mats also.

4. Storytime books. Classics like The Gruffalo. I also love Spot, Maisy or the touch feel books for under 2's. There were days when Kobe was little that he would be grabbing book after book for me to read to him all day long. A worth while buy.

5. Lunchboxes. So convenient when out & about to put all the lil ones snacks in. Bento boxes (with all the little compartments) are the best lunchbox you could ever invest in!!! I bought the Fuel bento lunchbox for Kobe but this store has the largest range of Bento boxes to choose from. The animal & superhero bento lunchboxes are cute but definitely make sure the container is BPA free.

6. I cant go past vintage without cooing. My friend Racheal's friend has started her own business called Archers lane where she hand makes vintage inspired boys clothes. But if your mama to be friend is a bit more traditional, stick to onesies.

7. And because Im such a fan of this Etsy store, all those animal felt coats like this racoon coat make me swoon with delight. We bought Kobe a lion coat for his 1st birthday & it still fits:)

 

 

Happy Tuesday friends!

 

Grace

 

 

 

He asked... and she said YES!!!

"Its better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring".

Marilyn Monroe

 

I cant agree more on the motto this happily engaged couple live by. So true to live a life filled with good times & laughter & not to take yourself so seriously all the time.



 

This has to be my standout favourite of the (engagement party) day. Capturing such a sweet moment between mum & son.

 

 

Over a hundred (& then some) close family & friends came to celebrate the engagement of R & S. It was hard narrowing down from 90 photos my personal favourites from their engagement party but here they are.  

 

 

 

The gorgeous R with her besties/bridesmaids. The most photogenic bridal party ever!

 

 

After a photosession hiatus due to feeling unwell & dropping my camera (eek!) Im now back in the game. Im taking a small maternity break for September-November. But if your interested in a session, general family photoshoots are just $30 & parties (likes engagement or birthdays) are $35 an hour. Editing is free which I do in my own time & the general turnaround for your photos is a week. For more information please send me an email at graceasecondhandlife@gmail.com.

 

Hope your enjoying your weekend & if your in Perth, your not getting soaked in the rain. Its raining cats & dogs here.

 

Happy Sunday friends!

 

Grace

 

 

 

What I wore: highwaisted wide legs pants & a secret revealed

 

In keeping with only buying a few wardrobe staples per season I have been scouring secondhand shops & markets for some highwaisted wide legged jeans. Having such a tiny frame I tend to favour looser clothing. I have been continuously checking out local Perth label Beleza vintage over Instagram after spotting these utterly ah-mazing jeans (which got snapped up super quick) but happily found these dark denim babies instead. There was so much vintage goodness I also bought some 70's high waisted mint coloured pants.

 

 

Being a mama of a very active cheeky child there definitely has to be some give & comfort in my outfit choices. I have to be able to keep up with running after him. I barely wear heels its seems pointless. That's why I teamed these jeans with a lightweight blouse, fringe vest & flat boots. I call it modern bohemian.

 

 

Don't you just adore that poncho Kobe is wearing? I thrifted it last winter & am happy it still (only just) fits for the colder months ahead. My sister kindly brought him back some colourful ponchos from her Mexico travels which he will be forced to wear too.

 

(What I wore; wide leg jeans/ Beleza Vintage, Tokito blouse/ sitting in wardrobe that long it might be considered vintage soon, Fringed vest/ from Singapore (about 7 years ago), felt hat/ gift & boots/ thrifted).

 

 

 

Well the next few months are going to see me wear oversized shirts & leggings as my belly has now popped out from bambino number 2# (the secret is out & we cant be more thrilled!!!). But I cant wait to get back into anything that doesn't have a elasticated waist.

 

 

 

 

Sidenote: Photos taken a month ago at Mundaring Weir. If your a first time visitor, pack a picnic & make a day of it.

 

 

Happy Friday friends!

Grace

 

 

 

 

 

 

A mini break

 

Well I seem to have let the cobwebs grow in this web space of mine. Here are a few things happening at the moment.

 

*Enjoying a quick mini break to Donnybrook, home of the apple.

*Shocked at the scandal of this lying natural health advocate who spruiked that natural living helped heal her cancer (which she never actually had?!?). Shame on her! I didn't buy many things last year but I did purchase her cookbook. #regret

*Reading (if you can call a few pages here & there reading) The Golden compass trilogy. I started it 4 years ago & think its time I finished.

*Laughing at this video of a mock dinner party starring Jon Snow (Game of thrones). Funniest thing I have seen this year.

*Trying (& failing) to have a day of bed rest. I find it hard to rest even when I am sick & really need to. Luke is on daddy duties with a cranky overtired child (which I accidentally woke up at 4am to get a drink of water).

*Sewing some fabric ice cream cones. Slowly trying to get rid of the plastic childrens toy food.

*Painting a watermelon door mat.

*Baking bread.

*Cranky at rockmelons finally growing after months only to have been ravaged by catepillars. Im going to soak those vines in chilli spray.

*Planting coriander, capsicum & peas.

*Excited. Cant wait for October.

 

Happy Saturday friends!

Grace