BUT!

My BFF Stacie is and, having been bursting with keeping the secret for weeks, to my relief she is now "out" and we can talk maternity wear, whereupon the struggle is real for people with alternative style philosophies.

Having been pregnant, I can fully sympathise with how quickly your regular waistbands are soon a thing of the past, even well before you're allegedly "showing". There is a lot of activity going on in there and whether it's baby or bloat, the end result is the same and you still need something to wear to work. 

The dress code in our office is not strict but there is still a level to maintain and you are expected to wear clothes. Unfortunately pyjama pants and muu-muus don't quite cut it.

Maternity shopping can be well irritating and so far Stacie has found it difficult to get anything that isn't Frumptown, USA. Also, unless you're heaps rich, you're probs going to have to get used to the idea of a short-term capsule wardrobe. This was very difficult for me, although when I was pregnant, I was lucky enough to enjoy a very strong Aussie dollar and able to shop via Amazon, Old Navy and the like with the cost of shipping offset by the savings. Now the AUD is back to cowering beneath the greenback, so it's back to looking for free shipping and low prices. 

In the early days, you don't necessarily have to look for official maternity wear, but comfortable elasticated waistbands (for pants AND tops) are where it's at. Try shops that cater for the more mature lady, with generous sizing.

Target | Tailored Soft Jogger Pants* $45

Millers | Crop Crinkle Pants* Usually $25 - currently $15

Millers | Split Sleeve Stripe Top* Usually $28 - currently $15

Best & Less | Plus DK Paisley Print Gypsy Top* Usually $20 - currently $15

ASOS | Maternity Cold Shoulder Top in Tile Print* Was $60 now $30

ASOS | Maternity Skater Dress in Texture* Was $60 now $26

Freez | Batwing Top $49

I personally LIVED in my maternity leggings from Next and would highly and emphatically recommend them to anyone.

Next | Maternity Leggings^ $17.50

Are you a Jeanswest member? Because the Members Rewards 40% off sale is on until this Sunday (8 November) which is pretty decent - in store and online, includes sale items, yay!

Jeanswest | June Maternity Stripe Textured Tee* $39.99

Jeanswest | Maternity Skinny Jeans in Absolute Black* $79.99

Jeanswest | Maternity Skinny Jeans in Absolute Indigo* $79.99

Also, every purchase of maternity jeans from Jeanswest comes with a $20 off voucher for their Curves and Tummy Trimmer range for your post-baby bod. Excellent idea. Well played, Jeanswest!

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* denotes items that Stacie has bought and is going to roadtest and report on further down the track.

My friend and regular reader Bridie recently suffered a pet-related wardrobe disaster after her labradoodle Hunty expressed a keen interest in her nude pumps from the now-defunct Peeptoe Shoes brand, which were a bargain 40% off the original $220 a few years ago.

Following on from last week's posher frock edit, I thought I'd get into the next week of Frocktober by taking it down a step to a more casual look for all your SS15/16 dress-based needs.

Things I look for in a spring/summer dress:

• As with a frock, a  tasteful sleeve or wide strap with small armholes to eliminate side gape
• Fabric should be comfortable and breathable
• Opacity. Nobody needs to see my underwear or the outline of my legs, Shy Di style
• Comfortable fit that does not require ANY shapewear. As mentioned, I will tolerate shapewear for a formal event but not for a summer BBQ in 35+ degree heat.
• Longer than mid-thigh. I have a toddler to chase.
• Bonus points if it can pull double duty and be worn to work as well - I'm more inclined to spend a touch more (not heaps, mind you) if I can get more wear out of it

With all that being said, have a look at this selection I've rounded up from Freez, each of which can be yours for under sixty rods. The first is one I bought myself using a recent 20% off coupon code:

Freez Shift Dress^ $49 Got mine for $44.90 AND was regrammed by Freez so I was like *hairflip*

Freez Isles Dress^ $59

Freez Spring Maxi^ $59

Spicy Sugar Floral Dress^ $59

Teaberry Print Dress^ $49

Have you got your casual dress selection up to date?

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^ denotes affiliate links. By clicking through to purchase, you don't pay any extra but I earn some small coin in commission. Please read my PR and Media policy for further detail.

In my world, a frock is not simply a synonym for "dress". A frock is next level snazziness. 
However, not as snazzy as "gown". 

Things I personally look for in a frock include:

• Capped sleeves or suitably wide shoulder straps
• Small armholes to prevent side-gape
• A length that is minimum knee and maximum tea. Since I'm short, if a dress is above the knee on the model, I can confidently assume it will meet my knees without issue.
• Flattering shape/fabric that does not require industrial strength shapewear
• A back that facilitates the wearing of a proper bra
• General prettiness
• A fabric that gives structure
• Affordable price point

With these pointers in mind, I've rounded up some that fit the bill nicely, all well under a hundred bones:

Dorothy Perkins Lily Printed Pencil Dress^ $69.95

Atmos&Here Juniper Dress^ $69.95

Dorothy Perkins Floral Shift Dress^ $79.95

Dorothy Perkins Lace Pencil Dress^ $89.95

Atmos&Here Adelia Dress^ $69.95

Check out these recent posts from Style & Shenanigans and Beach Style Mum for some more frock inspo.

I have a couple of weddings coming up, plus it's never too early to start thinking festive season finery. Have you got any frockable occasions on the horizon?

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^ denotes affiliate links. If you click through and buy, it doesn't cost you any extra but I earn a small amount of coin as commission. Refer to my PR and Media policy for more information.

Exciting news, friends!

Almost Posh is now an affiliate of Australian online fashion vendor, The Iconic.

Think I better dance now.



The Iconic has been with us since 2011, supplying Aussie fashionistas with the best in local and international brands at competitive prices.

You know I wouldn't throw my lot in with any kind of shady outfit and as someone who has regularly bought from The Iconic over the years, I'm satisfied that their quality of product and customer service can be relied on, so I'm very happy to be a part of their affiliate program.

What is an affiliate program? Well, it's quite simple. I provide you a link to The Iconic here on Almost Posh. If you click through and buy stuff, I get a small amount of coin as commission. Nothing dodgy; it doesn't cost you anything extra to do so. 

Which brings me to the next announcement. You may have noticed it's a Wednesday and I don't usually post on Wednesdays.

UNTIL NOW!

I'm adding a regular Wednesday post to join the current Monday and Friday schedule. Yay! I'll be bringing you my pick of The Iconic's vast selection of wares and, in true Almost Posh style, alert you to any sales and must-have bargains . . . with the occasional coupon code thrown in for good measure! I repeat: yay!  

Today's pick is something that has been chilling in my wishlist for a while:

Atmos&Here Amalphi Luxe Tee $34.95

I have a few grey tees already but I firmly believe that - much like striped tops - you can never have enough. You may disagree, and that's cool, we can still hang but I do love me some grey marle and this one looks the business.

If that item in particular doesn't float your boat, why not check out the 700+ new styles added to the Spring Sale?

I am always keen to hear of purchases of any kind, so do let me know if you snap something up!

Today marks the end of No Buy July, and in the immortal words of Shangela:



If you follow Almost Posh on social media, you may have seen me talking about it on Channel 9's "Mornings" program on Tuesday. I promise this blog post is the last you'll hear of it. 

Well, I'll try.

It was a lot of fun, even if I failed to mention the name of my own damn blog like a complete chump, but being "live via satellite" was pretty cool. 

The day before was spent liaising with the show, getting some material together, talking over the questions and hunting down some "shopping" photos to use in the promo which included Miss L lying on the floor in front of the trolley at Costco and my attempt to make it onto People of Walmart the last time I visited Texas.





I had to be at Channel 9's studios in North Adelaide for a live cross. Upsettingly, I had to do my own hair and make-up which was a bit daunting, but I kept it pretty simple by just washing and blowdrying my hair out (disrupting my hairwashing schedule for the week!) and beating my face with just a bit more product than usual.

The wardrobe was more challenging. I had planned to wear my favourite stripy top and blazer but at the last minute they said "no stripes and nothing white". ALL of my nice tops were either striped, white, white with pattern or a bit see-through. DOOOOM. A frantic try-on ensued. Too frumpy. Too shabby. Too fat-looking. 

Time was ticking away. So I panic-wore an ancient Witchery silk top and a Millers blazer. Not happy with the end result but it's done now! I plan to write about panic-wearing in an upcoming blog post. Do you do it too?

Here I am in the car, preparing to go in.



And pausing for a quick selfie:



I was met by the camera man and taken into the "green room" (read: staff kitchen) to wait.



I had about twenty minutes to wait so tried to go over my notes and think about what to say, as the Channel 9 newsteam looked on encouragingly.




Then I was led into the studio.




Yasss, green screen!

"Good evening, I'm Beth and this is the Almost Posh news. Grave fears are held that Sephora will never open an Adelaide store in this lifetime."



SO much fun.



I was miked up and had an earpiece in that I could hear the program through but I wasn't looking at the presenters when I was speaking to them, I was straight down the barrel of the camera which made it kind of challenging to converse naturally.

Before I knew it, it was all over, the adrenaline shakes kicked in and I was on my way home to watch it, much to Miss L's delight. "Mum on the big TV!" [looks to the TV, looks back at me] "Two Mums!"

The segment only lasted a few minutes but the messages of support and congratulations from friends and family came through all day which was brilliant.

You can catch it here if you're interested.

Rest assured, I have stayed well away from the comments section on their Facebook page. Apparently not buying stuff is the norm for some people. Bully for them!

Join me next week when normal shopping activity resumes. 

Or will it?

Yes, you're so welcome for that earworm.



80s hair rock anthems aside, there are only four more days of No-Buy July to endure, so here are the items I have prioritised procurement of upon my return to retail:

Purse (wallet)

Do you say purse or wallet? I've always said purse but depending on your country of origin, you may use this term to refer to your overall handbag. Anyway, I'm referring to the receptacle you keep your cash and cards in.

My old one is bulky, heavy and busted so it needs to go. I'm also sick of the press stud coming apart in my bag, thus spreading out the purse to take up even more room and get caught up in things like headphones and tissue packets so I'm aiming for a zippered version. I've had this one on my radar for some time:

Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Lacey Wallet in Fuchsia Saks Fifth Avenue - $256

Obvs I am not looking to pay $256 so I have eBay and Gumtree alerts set up and have been scouring the internet for bargains. Yes, I did see it on the Kate Spade website earlier this month. Yes it was on sale with a further 25% off sale prices. No, I don't want to talk about it.

iPhone cover

Seems like a minor thing but I have been sans cover for a while now, which is rather a dangerous place to be as the mother of a toddler. What I'm hoping for is one with a slot at the back for my Metrocard; a proximity card for Adelaide's public transport system. I want to be able to tap and go so it needs to faciliate this without me scrabbling to get it out every time. Critically, I don't want a wallet or flip-style cover, being that I'm on a mission to reduce the number of such items in my bag, and I don't need a wrist strap, cartoon motif or swinging charm because I am not 12. It also needs to have a nice grippy texture because I am fussy. Then I can be mostly rid of my card holder as I have the Stocard app for keeping all the details of my loyalty cards.

Something like this, maybe:

Card Slot Bar Hybrid Hard Rubber Cover Case for iPhone 5S AliExpress - $6.57 USD

With the reduction in purse size and the phasing out of the card holder (which also comes unstuck and/or buries itself deep in the darkest recesses of my bag just as the bus pulls up, necessitating the one-handed frantic pull-out of ALL THE THINGS), I can save a whopping 785 cubic centimetres in bag space, which is all leading up to the ultimate goal of a smaller handbag. I hope you appreciate that I don't do maths for fun but I am committed to bringing you All The Facts.

Boots

Spendless boots, assorted prices

I still proper need some new boots even though there is not a lot of winter to go (yay). Spendless have the ones I was eyeballing reduced and have added some new ankle ones to the mix that are worth a look. I'm still trying to decide if I will get good wear from the brown pair or stick to the black for now. That's what No-Buy July has been good for, rationalising and really thinking through purchases without any buyer's remorse to show for it.

Almost Posh: As Seen on TV

I am pleased/terrified to be able to share with you all (which I may regret, depending on how goofy I look) that I will be talking about my No Buy July experience tomorrow on Channel 9's "Mornings" show. Yes, for reals. So tune in at about 10.10am Sydney time to see how that goes! 

Well, I’m just over the halfway point of No-Buy July and am still managing to stick to the commitment of not buying clothes, shoes, accessories or non-essential beauty items. Who knew I actually bought that much? 

Actually, I don't even know that I *do* buy that much really (#denial?), but cutting out all the associated looking, browsing and quick ducks into Priceline has certainly left a noticeable gap.

As previously stated, it’s been extremely challenging during the time of mid-year sales both in store and online. I am getting notifications e'rry day of a further reduction in sale items and the FOMO is at a record high.

Let’s be real though. I’m not expecting a medal for managing not to shop for 31 days, and even as I explain it to some people I feel like it’s all a bit #firstworldproblems. Regardless, I'm going to tell you how I'm getting through it. 

Blogging

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Supporting

Guys, did you know The Iconic had 40% off essentials??

It's good to know people are there with me on the journey; Mica from Away From The Blue, Christina from Love That Lippie, Wendy from Beach Style Mum and Jen (@lady_lambkin) are all sharing the struggle! It's nice to get supportive messages and comments and read how others are going on the journey. 

I apologise wholeheartedly for use of the word "journey". What's next, tears and the makeover episode?? Gag. 

Reflecting

[image credit]

Seriously though, I’ve used this time to reflect on my shopping habits. I’ve realised that shopping is an actual pastime for me. A hobby. And because my purchases are generally minor and at low price points, it has been sustainable, even on a reduced wage. Working in the city, right next to Rundle Mall, means that lunchtime is often spent in unavoidable proximity to retail outlets. On my days off from work, checking out the shops is something to do or somewhere to meet family and friends under cover in cold weather.

Having the time to really mull over my potential purchases with a month lag time has helped to clarify needs versus wants. I am confident in my need for a new purse as my old one is officially shabby and busted. So when August comes around, I won't feel any guilt in purchasing a new one. Do I need to test out a potential dupe for Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder? Probs not critical. Why don't I save my money for the real deal?

Clearing

I’ve managed to list and sell a bunch of items on Gumtree and eBay and donate a few big bags to Savers. This has given me greater visibility on my wardobe and helped me really identify the gaps. I've also decided not to buy any more cold-weather items and focus on transseasonal pieces so I don't arrive into Spring and be all "I have nothing, therefore I must BUY ALL THE SPRING THINGS."

I've given up on trading due to too many dealings with people who aren't firmly grounded in reality, however Stacie (@indigo_daydream) is doing very well out of it. So it's possible to succeed if you have the patience.

Redirecting

I've identified lunch time on my work days as a vulnerable time so I've tried to steer clear of temptation. Instead of walking through the Mall, I might take a walk along the river. I've picked up a tai chi ballet class on Fridays that I'm really enjoying. On my non-work days, my daughter and I enjoy some at-home time in front of the fire with books and toys and TV. And new camera effect apps on the iPhone.

Happily I haven't redirected my free time into eating. Yet.

Gifting

I participated in the Sisterhood of The Travelling Gift gift exchange and sent off my parcel to Leanne this week. A day later, I received my gift from Erin, which was amazing!! Check out all the lovely and pretty and thoughtful things! So that was a lovely buzz that didn't involve me shopping for myself.








17 days down, 14 to go.

As an aside, I may or may not have been interviewed by a major publication about No Buy July. 

More on that as it comes to hand.