spruced by marlene

*These days, I’m usually in bed by 9pm. As it happens, I could keep myself awake longer tonight, so I thought I’d use the chance to do a new „week in fashion“. Whenever baby lets me – that’s the new motto around here. Last week, James and I went to London to meet his new nephew (that’s it with the baby talk for this post, promise) and since we were there anyway, I jumped at the chance to also visit the Isabella Blow exhibition „Fashion Galore!“ at Somerset House. It’s a wonderful look back her life and clothes, although ‘clothes’ doesn’t really do them justice. You stand in front of these creations by her protéges like Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy and can’t help but see fashion as a form of art. And Isabella was a spectacular curator. Above is a stealth snapshot I took with my phone of a sculpture made out of stuffed animals and feathers by Noble & Webster that shows her silhouette when illuminated. Beautiful.

*If you’re in London already, don’t miss the David Bailey show at the National Portrait Gallery with 250 of his iconic images. It looks like it’s stunning.

*Know what’s good? Delicately sculptured jewellery by Jana Patz for The Medley Institute.

*And while we’re on the subject of good: Do you still think of green fashion as granola clothes? You won’t after you visit one of my favourite new blogs Fairaporter.

*Zara is delivering once again with their new spring/summer lookbook, styled by Marie-Amélie Sauve, shot by Patrick Demarchelier. Suddely, I want palms and potted plants in every room.

*While the sales are still on, I’m dreaming about this coat from Studio Nicholson. Paired with these pants.

*Let’s all wear foulards!

*The floorlength silk dresses from Nili Lotan is what I imagine myself in at imaginary summer cocktail parties. The rest of this New York brand looks wonderfully classic as well.

*I wonder who of us will break down first and post a picture of herself in denim dungarees? My lovely friend Steffi is pregnant too (I lied. There was going to be one more mention of babies in this post). Here’s her darling announcement. (in German)

*This has got nothing to with fashion and everything with Philip Seymour Hoffman passing away long before he should have. He has made everything that I’ve ever seen him in better and it’s a sad thought that films are so much worse off with him gone. One of these days, I’m going to watch „Almost Famous“ again, if only for this: „The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we’re uncool.“

How do I begin? Perhaps with this: two lines instead of one. Pregnant! Two lines, as unambiguous as the idea of pregnancy had seemed confusing beforehand. Two lines that were unexpected, baffling, euphoria-inducing and most of all – wonderful. Two lines like big fat exclamation marks.

Which were followed by quite a few questions. No question about it, this baby is a great good gift to James and me.

But still: Huh? Pregnant? Really?

Questions like: and now what? (Well, we’ll just have to find out) How’s the baby doing? (Great, phew) What will we be like as parents? (Well, we’ll just have to find out)

Questions like: will anybody in the office notice if I lie down for a nap under my desk? (Yes)

Questions like: why are we out of chocolate AGAIN? (Because I ate it all AGAIN)

My little passenger won’t just change everything when he arrives, he’s already doing that now. I’ve never been so tired, ecstatic, hungry, worried or drippy before – at the same time. I’m so bloody emotional that beer ads can make me cry. Then I remember that I can’t drink beer and cry a little more. Any more questions?

Yes, the not unimportant one that comes around the fourth month when the did-you-eat-too-much-pasta-for-lunch-belly turns into a second-trimester-belly: What will I wear? All those mornings when I’ve stood in front of my wardrobe, thinking I’ve got nothing to wear – they were a joke. I lost about 80 per cent of my wardrobe in the space of only a few weeks. Sure, I’ll get it all back eventually. But I’ve got to wear something until then. I only made the mistake of googling „maternity fashion“ once. Apparently most of the clothes for when you’re expecting either make you look mumsy even before giving birth. Or they cost half a fortune if you want something halfway pretty and smart. As I will probably spend a whole fortune on children’s clothes – tiiiny, cuuuute baby socks are the devil’s work! – my budget has limits.

So far, I’ve only bought one pair of mama jeans. What has worked better is buying regular clothes, just a size or two up. And here’s where I thank all the designers for the indestructible sportswear trend. Some of my discoveries have been slouchy black trousers from Zara with an elasticated waist and cashmere jogging bottoms from Cos, cotton tees from A.O.cms and The White Briefs, a variety of cardigans from the men’s section (which is what I like to call James’s side of the wardrobe). I’ve always been a jeans girl, but I’m suddenly loving dresses, especially roomy silk ones from All Saints and Cos. Since a lot of my sweaters don’t fit me properly anymore, I pair the dresses with all the blazers, college and biker jackets that I wore much too little before.

But as my belly will keep growing, here’s my question to you: Good maternity wear – does it exist? If so, where? And what am I going to do with my shoe collection if my feet really do grow a size during pregnancy?

James has already suggested that it’s perhaps best I sell them all.

I looked at him lovingly, my wonderful, football-loving, Arsenal-mad man, and asked him if he’s considered that his son could turn out to be a Man United supporter.

That’s one question we already have the answer to: It’s a boy.

Knot a pullover over a coat, jacket or another pullover in a similar tone. Pull it to one side so that it sits a little wonky on your shoulder. Done. And you’ve got an alternative to the usual layering. Jep, I want to try this right now.

And here’s my other favourite buy of 2013. This one not quite as sensible as the trenchcoat but rather from the I-must-be-nuts-how-often-am-I-even-going-to-wear-these-oh-who-cares-I-need-them-anyway category of shoes. Found them outlet shopping – yes! Outlet shopping – at Bicester Village. It’s a good thing that I don’t live in England anymore. With Céline at up to 70 per cent off, I’d come up with unsensible reasons for forever.

I can’t believe that 2013 is almost over. Wasn’t it just January? As much as I look forward to 2014, and before we all put on our party dresses, I thought I’d toast my favourite buy of the past year. Which isn’t terribly deep, but I’m in a champagne kind of mood. It’s a trenchcoat from A.P.C. And here’s why it’s a favourite: I thought about it for months. Should I? Shouldn’t I? Is it worth the money? I let the love build. I imagined myself wearing it and I could picture it being a companion for many years. When I finally decided to hand over my credit card, it was with the certainty that the trench would be by my side for a very long time. An elegant, versatile, 12-months-a-year classic.

How mature! Turns out that I grew up a little bit more in 2013.

Have a fabulous end of this year and start of the new one. Cheers!