Maternity leave in a lockdown really sucks. I ve Maternity leave in a lockdown really sucks. 

I ventured out nearly every day with Pepper and I really made the most of maternity leave. People would joke that P had a better social life than most adults. 

Lunches, brunches, baby classes, day trips, swimming. You name it, we did it over the 13 months we spent together. I loved every single second. But this time it’s just not the same. 

We are almost two months in, I’ve already been dipping back into work and we haven’t even been able to meet up with anyone. It’s so crap. 

Never in a million years did I think that by the time we gave birth I’d still have this time stolen from me. I feel so lucky in so many ways to be in a bubble of four and have her all to myself, but I really am mourning the maternity leave I know I’ll lose this time around. 

Other lockdown mummies, I feel you. This is so shit. 

#lockdownbabies #maternityleave #mumlife #pregnantinapandemic #lockdownlife #motherhood
Indie’s Nursery 🐻 I absolutely adore the gi Indie’s Nursery 🐻 

I absolutely adore the girls rooms in our house. They are the only finished rooms and they are totally different vibes, which I love. 

Indie is in Pepper’s old room and we had only just wallpapered it so I didn’t want to change the paper, but I wanted to make it feel different.

So we moved all of the furniture around, painted the walls a lovely stone colour and gave it a bit more of a boho type feel. And of course, I had to get some pampas in there. 

What do you think? 

#interiors #nursery #childrensbedroom #parenting #mumlife #kidsrooms #babyroom #housedecor
Hi everyone, I’m Gemma 👋 I had quite a few Hi everyone, I’m Gemma 👋 

I had quite a few new followers yesterday after the shares from @tibaandmarl , @lustliving and @freerider.co - thank you - so thought I’d introduce myself. 

I’m Gemma, a Mum to two little girls, Pepper and Indie. Indie was born on the day we went into the current lockdown, so yeah that’s been fun... 

You’ll find me sharing motherhood in an honest, and hopefully inspiring way, on here and also on my blog (link in bio). I am really trying to show mums that you can embrace motherhood, continue to be yourself and still absolutely live your best life. 

I love to travel when we aren’t prisoner at home, eat, shop and throw a party of two. My DM’s are always open and I love to have a good chat. 

I hope you enjoy my content ❤️

Love, Gem x 

#motherhood #mumlife #babyinlockdown #mumofgirls #motherhood #mumclub #parenting #mumblogger #parenthood
Post baby to do list: Mummy MOT ✔️ After feel Post baby to do list: Mummy MOT ✔️

After feeling pretty poorly after having Indie I vowed to give my body a bit more care and attention. So I had a good conversation with my GP about the impact of future pregnancies and I also booked in a mum check with @enlivenhealth 

A Mum check is basically a postpartum MOT. You can go and have her look at any specific issues you might have post baby, or like me, just ask for an all over check to put your mind at ease about how you are recovering. 

I would absolutely recommend going to see Alex and giving your body that in depth check that you just don’t get from anyone else post baby. Our bodies go through such huge changes when we are pregnant and give birth that they deserve all the love and attention we can give them afterwards. ❤️

#mummymot #womenshealth #mumlife #postpartum #postpartumbody #fourthtrimester #motherhood #birth #pregnancy
Indie’s birth story ❤️ I’ve written up I Indie’s birth story ❤️ 

I’ve written up Indie’s blog story and I hope it brings some expecting mums some reassurance that although you may not have the birth you would have hoped for, it can still be a wonderful experience. 

These little lockdown babies are making history ❤️ 

#birthstory #labour #birthduringcovid19 #birthduringapandemic #motherhood #mumlife #newborn #lockdownbaby
Thank god it’s Friday, 2 days off! Oh no wait, Thank god it’s Friday, 2 days off! 

Oh no wait, I’m a parent... 😂

Jokes aside, I am glad it’s Friday as we actually have stuff planned. (Within bloody covid limits anyway!) A soul food sharer from @kingscomfortfood , hopefully a zoom call with my Nan (who I haven’t seen since September!) and a nice walk with a friend and her children. 🥰

I’ve been feeling pretty low this week about not being able to see people and the fact that everyone is missing out on my wonderful girls, so hopefully a nice weekend will cheer me up. 🤞🏼 

Anyone else got weekend plans? 

#lockdownweekends #mumlife #lockdownlife #lockdownbaby
Breastfeeding hack 🤱🏻 I don’t know about Breastfeeding hack 🤱🏻

I don’t know about you but I always find myself prodding my boobs to try and work out which one I fed from last. The one that feels the hardest then wins for the next feed 😂 

So, if that sounds like you too then you might find this hack useful. It’s also a great use for the Mama bracelet that @shannongracedesign and I have teamed up on.

On each feed move your bracelet to the wrist of the breast you are feeding from, then when it’s time for a new feed you know that the empty wrist is the one to feed from this time around. 

You’re welcome 👍🏼

P.S. you can buy the bracelets via the link in @shannongracedesign bio 😉

#breastfeeding #mumhack #mumlife #breastfeedinghack #motherhood #newborn #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingmama
We’ve reached the 6 week mark! 🤱🏻 We did We’ve reached the 6 week mark! 🤱🏻

We did it, we made it to the magic number 6! The first 6 weeks is always the hardest and I truly believe if you can make it to this point then you’ve broken through the wall. The cluster feeding, the learning to latch, the getting your head around the on demand nature of feeding, the night feeds, the sleep deprivation and the sore sore nipples, it can all feel like a lot. 

So, for those who need to hear it, YOU ROCK! You are an absolute superhero and when you feel like giving up, remember that. And make sure you reach out for help, lean on your loved ones, and don’t be afraid to make the most of the support that is available. 

My DM’s are always open, we are all in this together. ❤️

#breastfeeding #newborn #fourthtrimester #mumlife #motherhood #lockdownbaby
Do you like yours thick or thin? 😉 Happy Panca Do you like yours thick or thin? 😉

Happy Pancake Day!! 🥞  The big question though, are you a thin crepe kinda family or a big and fluffy family? 

We were always a thin household until I discovered @sophie_etc banana pancake recipe and finally learnt how to make American style pancakes. These are some I made during the first lockdown. I like to call these “the unicorn pancakes” - basically just because they are pink and covered in Sprinkles! 

Who’s making pancakes today? What will yours be like? 

#pancakeday #lockdown2021 #pancakes #breakfast #foodporn #eatandexploremiltonkeynes
Load More…
  • Spinkdot
  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Spinkdot

Lifestyle. Travel. Weddings.

  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Lifestyle · 21st January 2018

Living a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget

6 (2)

I realised pretty early on in life that I liked nice things. Some would call me materialistic, but if we spend all our hours working then why shouldn’t we treat ourselves to the little - or big - things that make us happy?

Now don’t get me wrong, even though I have an art for falling in love with the most expensive item in a shop, I am still not quite ready for a Champagne budget. I would say I am more of a Prosecco from Waitrose kinda girl these days, but I was living my Champagne lifestyle on a Lemonade budget for years before I could even afford Prosecco. 

My desire to blog even came from people commenting on how my outfits always looked expensive and how often people were shocked when I said half of it was from Primark. I could/can never afford to buy designer, but there are so many awesome high street dupes that look just as good and are far more wearable. I also think I have a bit of an eye for picking out the items that look expensive and yes they usually cost a little more than the norm, but they are always a fraction of the cost compared to the real thing.

So how can you live the Champagne life, whilst still filling your flute with Lemonade?
11 (1)
Don’t be afraid to work hard

Whatever your budget, the harder you work the more you can achieve. When I was at University I still wanted to be able to shop, run a car and live like I had a normal person income. At one point I think I was holding down five different jobs. Get creative with it, if you need a bit of extra income to fund the extra things in life, think about ways you might be able to make some money from a hobby or talent you have that might not be utilised. I continued to do paid jobs doing body art and face painting for years after starting it up at University.

Trawl the internet

If you see something you like, designer or not, google it. You will be amazed at how many versions you can buy of the same thing. And if it’s something generic like over the knee black boots for example you can probably order a pair from China for a fraction of the cost. On this note, eBay is absolutely your friend. You don’t even need to buy second hand items, eBay has a whole ton of sellers that sell popular items at great prices. I have purchased everything from ankle boots to apple watch straps from eBay; all of which were bargains.

Points mean prizes

I love brands that offer decent loyalty schemes. My personal favourites are Boots and ASOS as they result in actual money. ASOS is a great one as you can buy most things you are looking for on the site, they do pretty good discounts, a yearly next day delivery offer and you earn vouchers to spend with everything you buy. If you haven’t checked out your vouchers on the ASOS site you can do so by logging into your dashboard, you may have unused vouchers ready to spend. Pretty handy guide on how it all works here.

Buy now, pay later

H&M is a great brand for this and ASOS have started to trial this also. The H&M one is great as if you are having a bad month budget wise you can still by that dress for your upcoming date or the birthday gift you forgot all about, you just pay for it the following month. Now, I am not condoning getting yourself into debt, but this is quite a handy little tip for the odd occasion when you may need it.

Don’t rush it

If you really want to find the hidden gems in stores like Primark you really have to commit to it. They always have so much on offer and a lot of it will look like it won’t last more than a few washes, but more often than not you can find some great staple pieces that can last seasons if you dedicate the time to searching for them. And if you think it looks or feels expensive and they have your size, buy it, chances are it’s one of the Primark items that will soon be sold out because its been seen on a celebrity or in a magazine.

Keep an eye out for dupes

High street stores are notorious for putting their own twist on catwalk pieces and more often than not they are not only more affordable, but far more wearable. If there is a particular trend or style you are a fan of make sure you check all the high street stores and websites for versions of the same. Nine times out of Ten you will find one you can afford and love.

If you do buy designer then buy staple

On occasion, even those living on a Lemonade budget will be able to treat themselves (or have someone else treat them) to something extra special. But if designer isn’t something you can buy on a regular basis, make sure you buy staple. I have a few bits in my wardrobe that I know will stand the test of time so buy your staple items in classic cuts, colours and materials that won’t go out of fashion. And if you are going to spend the money on something fancy, make sure you visit the outlets first. Bicester Village is a local one to me, but there are a few across the UK that are perfect for making designer much more affordable.

5 (2)
SHOP THE LOOK

Jumper – Tobi (dupe of Joseph)/ Trousers – ASOS  (dupe of Rag & Bone) / Shoes – Primark (dupe of Topshop) / Bag – ALDO Dubai (dupe of Lulu Guinness)

And some little tips for travelling on a budget...
Keep it short

If you want to visit the world but don’t have a huge amount of money, start local and keep it short. Europe is perfect for this. If you are a fan of fancy hotels and ticking picturesque places off your bucket list, then hop on a plane, train or coach and just stay for one night. For example, we visited Paris for my birthday a couple of years ago and instead of staying for a few days in a cheaper hotel on a budget, we squeezed everything into two days (absolutely doable) and were able to stay in a cool, quirky hotel with a view of the eiffel tower. We did the same with Disneyland, flew in and flew out over a weekend. You can stay luxury and visit more places in a year, all whilst preserving your all important holiday allowance.

Become a member

There are some great travel sites that offer discounted rates for five star boutique hotels. My go to is always Secret Escapes, they have a variety of stunning locations well within an affordable budget. They also get updated daily and only last a set amount of time, so you always feel like you are getting something exclusive.

Hope this all helps lovelies.

Check out Tobi for some gorgeous knitwear like this one

In: Lifestyle · Tagged: advice, bargains, budget, collaboration, help, life, lifestyle, saving, shopping, style, tobi, travel

You’ll Also Love

Indie’s birth story
A few things I wish i’d known before breastfeeding
Surviving the first six months

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Shaking up your style

Mama and Wifey writing honest content about motherhood. Have a look around, make yourself at home.

Recent Posts

  • Indie’s birth story
  • A letter to our two year old
  • An open letter to a new Mum

Categories

  • Lifestyle
  • Mama
  • Travel
  • Weddings

Instagram

Maternity leave in a lockdown really sucks. I ve Maternity leave in a lockdown really sucks. 

I ventured out nearly every day with Pepper and I really made the most of maternity leave. People would joke that P had a better social life than most adults. 

Lunches, brunches, baby classes, day trips, swimming. You name it, we did it over the 13 months we spent together. I loved every single second. But this time it’s just not the same. 

We are almost two months in, I’ve already been dipping back into work and we haven’t even been able to meet up with anyone. It’s so crap. 

Never in a million years did I think that by the time we gave birth I’d still have this time stolen from me. I feel so lucky in so many ways to be in a bubble of four and have her all to myself, but I really am mourning the maternity leave I know I’ll lose this time around. 

Other lockdown mummies, I feel you. This is so shit. 

#lockdownbabies #maternityleave #mumlife #pregnantinapandemic #lockdownlife #motherhood
Indie’s Nursery 🐻 I absolutely adore the gi Indie’s Nursery 🐻 

I absolutely adore the girls rooms in our house. They are the only finished rooms and they are totally different vibes, which I love. 

Indie is in Pepper’s old room and we had only just wallpapered it so I didn’t want to change the paper, but I wanted to make it feel different.

So we moved all of the furniture around, painted the walls a lovely stone colour and gave it a bit more of a boho type feel. And of course, I had to get some pampas in there. 

What do you think? 

#interiors #nursery #childrensbedroom #parenting #mumlife #kidsrooms #babyroom #housedecor
Hi everyone, I’m Gemma 👋 I had quite a few Hi everyone, I’m Gemma 👋 

I had quite a few new followers yesterday after the shares from @tibaandmarl , @lustliving and @freerider.co - thank you - so thought I’d introduce myself. 

I’m Gemma, a Mum to two little girls, Pepper and Indie. Indie was born on the day we went into the current lockdown, so yeah that’s been fun... 

You’ll find me sharing motherhood in an honest, and hopefully inspiring way, on here and also on my blog (link in bio). I am really trying to show mums that you can embrace motherhood, continue to be yourself and still absolutely live your best life. 

I love to travel when we aren’t prisoner at home, eat, shop and throw a party of two. My DM’s are always open and I love to have a good chat. 

I hope you enjoy my content ❤️

Love, Gem x 

#motherhood #mumlife #babyinlockdown #mumofgirls #motherhood #mumclub #parenting #mumblogger #parenthood
Post baby to do list: Mummy MOT ✔️ After feel Post baby to do list: Mummy MOT ✔️

After feeling pretty poorly after having Indie I vowed to give my body a bit more care and attention. So I had a good conversation with my GP about the impact of future pregnancies and I also booked in a mum check with @enlivenhealth 

A Mum check is basically a postpartum MOT. You can go and have her look at any specific issues you might have post baby, or like me, just ask for an all over check to put your mind at ease about how you are recovering. 

I would absolutely recommend going to see Alex and giving your body that in depth check that you just don’t get from anyone else post baby. Our bodies go through such huge changes when we are pregnant and give birth that they deserve all the love and attention we can give them afterwards. ❤️

#mummymot #womenshealth #mumlife #postpartum #postpartumbody #fourthtrimester #motherhood #birth #pregnancy
Indie’s birth story ❤️ I’ve written up I Indie’s birth story ❤️ 

I’ve written up Indie’s blog story and I hope it brings some expecting mums some reassurance that although you may not have the birth you would have hoped for, it can still be a wonderful experience. 

These little lockdown babies are making history ❤️ 

#birthstory #labour #birthduringcovid19 #birthduringapandemic #motherhood #mumlife #newborn #lockdownbaby
Thank god it’s Friday, 2 days off! Oh no wait, Thank god it’s Friday, 2 days off! 

Oh no wait, I’m a parent... 😂

Jokes aside, I am glad it’s Friday as we actually have stuff planned. (Within bloody covid limits anyway!) A soul food sharer from @kingscomfortfood , hopefully a zoom call with my Nan (who I haven’t seen since September!) and a nice walk with a friend and her children. 🥰

I’ve been feeling pretty low this week about not being able to see people and the fact that everyone is missing out on my wonderful girls, so hopefully a nice weekend will cheer me up. 🤞🏼 

Anyone else got weekend plans? 

#lockdownweekends #mumlife #lockdownlife #lockdownbaby
Breastfeeding hack 🤱🏻 I don’t know about Breastfeeding hack 🤱🏻

I don’t know about you but I always find myself prodding my boobs to try and work out which one I fed from last. The one that feels the hardest then wins for the next feed 😂 

So, if that sounds like you too then you might find this hack useful. It’s also a great use for the Mama bracelet that @shannongracedesign and I have teamed up on.

On each feed move your bracelet to the wrist of the breast you are feeding from, then when it’s time for a new feed you know that the empty wrist is the one to feed from this time around. 

You’re welcome 👍🏼

P.S. you can buy the bracelets via the link in @shannongracedesign bio 😉

#breastfeeding #mumhack #mumlife #breastfeedinghack #motherhood #newborn #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingmama
We’ve reached the 6 week mark! 🤱🏻 We did We’ve reached the 6 week mark! 🤱🏻

We did it, we made it to the magic number 6! The first 6 weeks is always the hardest and I truly believe if you can make it to this point then you’ve broken through the wall. The cluster feeding, the learning to latch, the getting your head around the on demand nature of feeding, the night feeds, the sleep deprivation and the sore sore nipples, it can all feel like a lot. 

So, for those who need to hear it, YOU ROCK! You are an absolute superhero and when you feel like giving up, remember that. And make sure you reach out for help, lean on your loved ones, and don’t be afraid to make the most of the support that is available. 

My DM’s are always open, we are all in this together. ❤️

#breastfeeding #newborn #fourthtrimester #mumlife #motherhood #lockdownbaby
Load More…

Reader Favorites

  • Indie’s birth story
  • An open letter to a new Mum
  • A letter to our two year old

trending now

  • Indie’s birth story
  • An open letter to a new Mum
  • A letter to our two year old
  • What’s in my hospital bag, round two!

instagram

Follow @spinkdot

Maternity leave in a lockdown really sucks. I ve Maternity leave in a lockdown really sucks. 

I ventured out nearly every day with Pepper and I really made the most of maternity leave. People would joke that P had a better social life than most adults. 

Lunches, brunches, baby classes, day trips, swimming. You name it, we did it over the 13 months we spent together. I loved every single second. But this time it’s just not the same. 

We are almost two months in, I’ve already been dipping back into work and we haven’t even been able to meet up with anyone. It’s so crap. 

Never in a million years did I think that by the time we gave birth I’d still have this time stolen from me. I feel so lucky in so many ways to be in a bubble of four and have her all to myself, but I really am mourning the maternity leave I know I’ll lose this time around. 

Other lockdown mummies, I feel you. This is so shit. 

#lockdownbabies #maternityleave #mumlife #pregnantinapandemic #lockdownlife #motherhood
Indie’s Nursery 🐻 I absolutely adore the gi Indie’s Nursery 🐻 

I absolutely adore the girls rooms in our house. They are the only finished rooms and they are totally different vibes, which I love. 

Indie is in Pepper’s old room and we had only just wallpapered it so I didn’t want to change the paper, but I wanted to make it feel different.

So we moved all of the furniture around, painted the walls a lovely stone colour and gave it a bit more of a boho type feel. And of course, I had to get some pampas in there. 

What do you think? 

#interiors #nursery #childrensbedroom #parenting #mumlife #kidsrooms #babyroom #housedecor
Hi everyone, I’m Gemma 👋 I had quite a few Hi everyone, I’m Gemma 👋 

I had quite a few new followers yesterday after the shares from @tibaandmarl , @lustliving and @freerider.co - thank you - so thought I’d introduce myself. 

I’m Gemma, a Mum to two little girls, Pepper and Indie. Indie was born on the day we went into the current lockdown, so yeah that’s been fun... 

You’ll find me sharing motherhood in an honest, and hopefully inspiring way, on here and also on my blog (link in bio). I am really trying to show mums that you can embrace motherhood, continue to be yourself and still absolutely live your best life. 

I love to travel when we aren’t prisoner at home, eat, shop and throw a party of two. My DM’s are always open and I love to have a good chat. 

I hope you enjoy my content ❤️

Love, Gem x 

#motherhood #mumlife #babyinlockdown #mumofgirls #motherhood #mumclub #parenting #mumblogger #parenthood
Post baby to do list: Mummy MOT ✔️ After feel Post baby to do list: Mummy MOT ✔️

After feeling pretty poorly after having Indie I vowed to give my body a bit more care and attention. So I had a good conversation with my GP about the impact of future pregnancies and I also booked in a mum check with @enlivenhealth 

A Mum check is basically a postpartum MOT. You can go and have her look at any specific issues you might have post baby, or like me, just ask for an all over check to put your mind at ease about how you are recovering. 

I would absolutely recommend going to see Alex and giving your body that in depth check that you just don’t get from anyone else post baby. Our bodies go through such huge changes when we are pregnant and give birth that they deserve all the love and attention we can give them afterwards. ❤️

#mummymot #womenshealth #mumlife #postpartum #postpartumbody #fourthtrimester #motherhood #birth #pregnancy
Indie’s birth story ❤️ I’ve written up I Indie’s birth story ❤️ 

I’ve written up Indie’s blog story and I hope it brings some expecting mums some reassurance that although you may not have the birth you would have hoped for, it can still be a wonderful experience. 

These little lockdown babies are making history ❤️ 

#birthstory #labour #birthduringcovid19 #birthduringapandemic #motherhood #mumlife #newborn #lockdownbaby
Thank god it’s Friday, 2 days off! Oh no wait, Thank god it’s Friday, 2 days off! 

Oh no wait, I’m a parent... 😂

Jokes aside, I am glad it’s Friday as we actually have stuff planned. (Within bloody covid limits anyway!) A soul food sharer from @kingscomfortfood , hopefully a zoom call with my Nan (who I haven’t seen since September!) and a nice walk with a friend and her children. 🥰

I’ve been feeling pretty low this week about not being able to see people and the fact that everyone is missing out on my wonderful girls, so hopefully a nice weekend will cheer me up. 🤞🏼 

Anyone else got weekend plans? 

#lockdownweekends #mumlife #lockdownlife #lockdownbaby
Breastfeeding hack 🤱🏻 I don’t know about Breastfeeding hack 🤱🏻

I don’t know about you but I always find myself prodding my boobs to try and work out which one I fed from last. The one that feels the hardest then wins for the next feed 😂 

So, if that sounds like you too then you might find this hack useful. It’s also a great use for the Mama bracelet that @shannongracedesign and I have teamed up on.

On each feed move your bracelet to the wrist of the breast you are feeding from, then when it’s time for a new feed you know that the empty wrist is the one to feed from this time around. 

You’re welcome 👍🏼

P.S. you can buy the bracelets via the link in @shannongracedesign bio 😉

#breastfeeding #mumhack #mumlife #breastfeedinghack #motherhood #newborn #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingmama
We’ve reached the 6 week mark! 🤱🏻 We did We’ve reached the 6 week mark! 🤱🏻

We did it, we made it to the magic number 6! The first 6 weeks is always the hardest and I truly believe if you can make it to this point then you’ve broken through the wall. The cluster feeding, the learning to latch, the getting your head around the on demand nature of feeding, the night feeds, the sleep deprivation and the sore sore nipples, it can all feel like a lot. 

So, for those who need to hear it, YOU ROCK! You are an absolute superhero and when you feel like giving up, remember that. And make sure you reach out for help, lean on your loved ones, and don’t be afraid to make the most of the support that is available. 

My DM’s are always open, we are all in this together. ❤️

#breastfeeding #newborn #fourthtrimester #mumlife #motherhood #lockdownbaby
Load More…

ABOUT SPINKDOT

Plenty of content about navigating life. From breastfeeding to city guides, Spinkdot is full of content and stories that inspire and help others live their best life.

Quick Links

  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Copyright © 2021 Spinkdot · Theme by 17th Avenue