If you live in Britain too, you may have noticed something strange, after the snow(!), at the the weekend, something has changed, there is…….wait for it……sun! Yes, real hot, yellowy ball of fire in the sky sun. And it’s hot! Sort of summer hot.
This has prompted the emergence of… The Summer Mumma. Mums across the country, (myself included), have been given very little time to get ‘summer ready’. Something that as a teen, may have taken you a good deal longer, a new haircut, possibly some highlights, you might have exfoliated, maybe fake tanned, chosen polish in the latest colours for your manicure and pedicure that you relaxed over, possibly reading magazines to see what was ‘in’ fashion-wise, in preparation for your weekend of lazy mornings and shopping trips for a new summer wardrobe and relaxed days lounging in the garden.
None of the above for the ‘Summer Mumma’ I’m afraid! Oh no, the summer ready process is far far shorter for her. If you’re anything like me, it may go a little something like this;
The clothing:
You will have spent all your time and effort on new gorgeous clothing for your children. As mentioned in the comments on one of my previous post, when us Mums go shopping now, it is rare for us to arrive home with anything for ourselves. After dressing our children in their adorable, bang on trend, funky, cute clothing, you will pull on your twelve year old cropped jeans and a vest top with an unravelling hem. If you’re feeling fancy, it may be the skirt from the White stuff sale that is a little uncomfortable on the oddly cut waistband, but you didn’t try it on in the shop as you had the buggy and never got round to taking back.
The body prep:
There is a very good chance that only the bottom third of your legs has been shaved. After all, that is all that is visible under your cropped jeans/3’4 length skirt. Plus you had approximately 3 minutes to complete your shower as one child was attempting to belay whilst the other abseiled the staircase using your belt. As an afterthought, you slather moisturiser on the parts of you that are showing because your skin looks very like the dried up riverbed photos on a David Attenborough show. (Which you only notice when stepping out of the door into the bright bright sunlight and have to dash back in to fix).
Cropped jeans also mean flipflops. Oh wait, used to mean flipflops. Now means the pretty ugly looking things that are so much better for your posture and prevent you getting the pain in your hip that your others gave you. which made it necessity to switch but also made your inner teenager weep a little.
This means feet on show. Feet that have spent 6 months hiding in socks and boots. There is a chance you have a whizzy foot sander that you saw on a bargain page and only gets an outing roughly once a year, the time you first see the sun. A quick once over with that, a hurried trim of the nails and a coat of whichever polish in the cupboard that hasn’t gone gloopy. This will go on over the historical layers of previous chipped paint jobs until a day when you have a chance to take it all off properly. (Seriously, when did I have metallic green toenails? For a wedding when? That long ago? Oh.) Hopefully you will have remembered to shave your toes when you were doing your ankles, if not, it might be a quick trim with the nail scissors!
And that’s about it really. Except maybe suncream. Which you will unearth from the back of the cupboard and realise that the greek text means it is probably far older then is recommended. Your children will get new posh fancy stuff obviously, but a look at the prices means that you go for whatever is on offer. Even if it smells slightly suspect.
I had one day in the garden yesterday. Looking in the mirror in the evening, I was pretty amazed to see that I had actually caught some colour across my forehead and my freckles were out, in one day!
On closer inspection, it was actually just because I’d pushed my hair off my face after planting some stuff in the garden. Bit like a festival tan really!
If you are still struggling to spot the Summer Mumma on your travels, there is a very good chance that she will be wearing sunglasses that are scratched and finger printed and she will also be laden down with extra clothing; ‘just in case’. This leads me neatly onto a little cartoon I drew up the other day after some eventful days out struggling with the weather!
Here’s hoping the sun is here to stay. I’m almost ready to swap my wardrobes. The summer one not looking quite so fresh as I’d hoped, namely because it was November before I got round to putting it away! 😀
Living in Britain means that you need to be weather ready. Rain to sun to snow or whatever else may be next. I am not ready for anything lol
I feel like that sometimes! Massive #mumfails when we go out!!
This has me chuckling on the train – people are staring at me! You are so true – my kids look epic, I resemble as my charming husband put it a slightly gone off kiwi fruit – my legs are fuzzy, my hair is frizzy and less clothes do not conceal squishy parts!! Thanks for sharing #PuddingLove
Oh brilliant! This is hilarious! I think your husband needs a sharp poke in the ribs! 😉
So like here in New York. Warm one second and freezing the next.#puddinglove
Ohhh, I love New York!!
Yes, pretty much sums up exactly how I was this morning when I left the house in jeans and a jacket wondering how everyone else knew in advance that it was about 90 degrees, let alone had time to dust off actual shorts.
You just can’t win!!!
Lovely post! Its been really hot here in Cornwall today! Maybe Summer is finally here?Love the cute drawings. xx
Thanks for linking up with #puddinglove
I love your illustrations they are fab! This post really made me chuckle because it is so true. I have sorted my daughter out with the cutest little playsuits, a straw trilby and new sunnies this year. I on the other hand, have a few faded vest tops from dorothy p’s and a denim skirt I have had for 10 years…I remember pouring over the magazines as a teen/twenty-something, getting ‘summer ready’!!! Getting just ‘ready’ is an achievement. Here’s to looking fabulously mumsy while our little one’s rock kid fashion this summer. Lol #bigpinklink
Oh thank you! I have a 10 year old denim skirt too! I remember the mags too. Now I just buy them and never get to open them!
the weather is so mixed here right now. I spent last week in dresses and today it is freezing and raining! I live in Melbourne and the weather has stayed warmer longer this year, but been quite windy. But today I feel Winter coming. I love your drawings #bigpinklink
Of course! You’re heading into Winter. I always find that crazy to get my head around!
Haha oh this is all so true!The pictures sum up our crazy weather perfectly.It wasn’t until I was lying on the beach yesterday in a cute summer dress that I realised I hadn’t shave my any iart if my legs in weeks..oh the shame!My teenage self would be furious with me.xx #bigpinklink
Oh no! It happens so easily doesn’t it?! 😀
Love this post so much, I can relate to all of the above comments and literally had my foot sander whizzed out yesterday after I knew I would be at the beach with my hoofs (feet) out! So funny and true 🙂 thanks for sharing and I love the cartoons #Bigpinklink
Yay! I knew I wouldn’t be the only one!!
this is me! I have bottom 3rd of leg shaved, freckles are out in force and ive no suitable warm weather clothing. #bigpinklink xx
Oh goodness so true! I swear this was me yesterday. We went shopping to get the kids bits for holiday and I took half the wardrobe with me just in case then had no where to hold the blinking shopping. I bought myself some new bits from Primarni without trying them on and wish I had and my sunglasses are now held together with tape. But the kids look great!
#bigpinklink
Haha, this is so familiar. Sorry about your sunnies. Gutting when that happens! But yes, at least the kids look great. In their 50 layers! 😉
Yes we had sun on the weekend now raining today typical great post and brilliant pictures thanks for hosting #binkpinklink
Hahaha… this is so true… oh dear! You are spot on. Here’s to all us Summer Mummas. Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
Out in force!!! 😀
This describes my ‘beauty regime’ this weekend EXACTLY, right down to the gloopy nail varnish! Also handy timing as I have an unpleasant/intimate appointment with the GP this week and didn’t want her to think I was a hairy troll… All hail the Summer Mamma! #bigpinklink
Noooooo!! That is the worst. The trauma! Hope it went smoothly….badoomcha! 😉
You nailed that one! I was sitting in the garden yesterday, feet up in flip flops when i noticed a bit of bright pink nail polish at the tip of my big toenail. Can’t remember how long that’s been there!
We’re going on holiday soon and all i can think about is- I must get the boys new sunhats and shorts. Never mind that I probably don’t fit into my summer clothes anymore. Will probably just take a pair of scissors to my jeans and go for the rustic look 🙂 #bigpinklink
Is that not fashionable? Cut offs?! Or was that the last time I looked in a magazine, around 2000! 😀
Love the pictures! I was totally making the most of the sunshine and last week took Ella to school in sandals and a dress “err mummy, you look like it’s summer”. #bigp9
Kids don’t miss a thing do they?! Love the new hashtag btw! 😉
we couldn’t believe it we were in Cyprus and seeing all the social media posts about snow, luckily it had past before we landed in our skimpy clothes.. love the pics x #bigpinklink
Oh good, nothing worse then getting back from hols into freezing weather!
I’m pretty sure I bloody weather is why I feel like I’m getting sick! Snow, sun, rain, sun, cold again. But this weekend was absolutely beautiful. Wasn’t even for my to shed my winter coat aka leg hair just yet though 😉 haha! #bigpinklink
Oh you definitely need to hang on to that extra layer-just on case! 😀
This is so so painfully true. This weekend I shaved the bottom third of my legs and painted my toenails with slightly goopy polish (didn’t have time to exfoliate though sadly) And ALL my sunglasses (and glasses for that matter) have scratches and fingerprints all over them. But all the ones I try on in the shops look ridiculous. #bigpinklink
The ones you try on one handed whilst desperately trying to control your offspring as they rampage about the shop! It’s so stressful! 😀
Sun’s out Mum’s out – inspired – Summer Mumma – just too funny and you’re so so right! Absolutely zero prep and then boom sunshine – body cowering in corner – spend so long getting nails painted, moisturiser applied, rooting around in cupboard to find flip-flops – one is always missing – step outside – sun gone! That’s what may life feels like! Such a funny read – go get summer momma ready lovely #BigPinkLink
This happens to me every single time! 😀
this made me laugh. This is so true! and so funny 🙂 I live in ireland and we had our summer last Friday. Its always just the one day. No point in shaving the hairy toes or even painting them. Utterly funny!
Haha, I hope it was a good one! 😀
YEP. This is how I felt yesterday, I didn’t shave any part of my leg, not even a third (had a long skirt on), and my toenails looked disgusting. I need to get a pedicure, how can I have this delivered to my house?! #bigpinklink
I’m pretty sure you can get home pedicures. I’m too cheap for that though! 😀
Those doodles made me laugh, it’s so true! Hate this awkward time of year when you don’t know what to wear. My body prep is fairly nonexistent although I did paint my toenails a few weeks back as we were going swimming while we were away! That should last me a good few months… #bigpinklink
Polish is so good these days isn’t it?! 😀 Thank you for saying you like the drawings. 🙂
Haha yes!! This is me!!! The worst thing for me is sandals, my feet are grotesque and I am still sporting the same nail varnish that I last wore to a wedding in SEPTEMBER! I ended up filing it off with the same tool I use to cut through the thick dead skin on my heels, another reason why I hate sandals!! Bleurgh!! Loving the sun though, long may it last!! #bigpinklink
Oh man! That is hilarious. I have I don’t know how many layers on mine! I’d probably need to borrow hubs’ sander! 😉
Love this, so true! Sadly. Yes I hurriedly shaved and moisturised yesterday morning then lugged around all sorts of extra items of apparel…whhhhhyy!? I have a friend who will regularly only paint the toes that are one show…for example peep toe sandals…only the peeping toes will be red/blue/pink etc! #bigpinklink
Oooh, that’s quite a good idea, except I quite often go barefoot. It would not look good then!
Haha, this was me on Thursday! Jumper and coat whyyyy 😀 #bigpinklink
I’ve only just put away the winter coat!
This made me smile! I love the fact you just know most of us have only shaved the lower part of our legs ha ha!! Make the most of the sunshine, as you say it’ll probably be raining tomorrow xx #bigpinklink
Heehee, that’s why they make 3/4 length trousers!
It’s the same ridiculous changeable weather here too! It’s lovely today at 20 c but it’s very overcast & breezy. I’m not complaining – just glad it’s not raining. I’m right there with you in my old cropped trousers & partially shaved legs. lol #bigpinklink x
I can’t keep up! It’s driving me crazy!
Ha ha, I love this. Fab pics too. Mother would relate. By the time she’d got me dressed, got my UV tent up, decked it out with toys, got herself changed, lotioned up (oh my eyes at those alabaster legs!), positioned in her chair in the right spot, it was time to go in as I was throwing a massive tantrum. Oh long live the British summer 😉 x #bigpinklink
Oh hahahaha! You little monkey. Bet she was thrilled! You probably did her a favour, she may have burned!
This made me laugh. On the subject of suncream, I found 8, yes 8! half used bottles of suncream at the back of a cupboard this week! What is that about?! #bigpinklink
8?! We probably have that many laying around actually!
Oh god the DILEMMA I had yesterday trying to find something to wear to the beach was unreal. Nothing fit. I burnt. I had hairy legs. I was rocking ‘the mum bun’. Disaster. Great post 🙂 #bigpinklink
Oh no!! It just makes everything so much more stressful!
Hah Hah!! YES! Absolutely. I can relate to all of this. Yesterday I was wondering why my kids look so cute and trendy whilst I’m still wearing clothes that are older than my relationship with my husband. I quickly glooped on some ancient nail varnish to my toes and managed to shave the bottom half of my legs before venturing out into the sunshine laden down with lots of layers “just in case”…… thanks for hosting #BigPinkLink
My kids always look so so amazing and I look, well, like a Summer Mumma! 😀
All so true, never going to give up on the flip flops though even if ridiculously bad for my feet.
I still wear my haivianas! (But only on short walks now!)
Hurrah for the sun! But boo to trying to find summer clothes in my wardrobe – where did they all go? I can’t find anything suitable! But yup – guess which member of our family is looking uber trendy in his new Zara stuff? Let’s just hope we’re not back to snow next week! #bigpinklink
I hear good things about Zara for little boys. I must check it out!
Totally guilty of the half leg shave; a girl can only do what she can , right? #bigpinklink
Half is pretty good going if you ask me! 😉
Ha ha ha! So true. While I’m not in Britain, I am in Canada and it seems we go from snow to summer very quickly also. And then there’s always the few cold days after a few really warm ones. I did wear sandals once already this year – I had to remove old polish from my toes that was leftover from September. How is that even possible?
~Jess
#bigpinklink
But then it chips on the first wear out if you have a fancy do. How is that possible?!
We didn’t have the snow on Cornwall but it has been unpredictable.
So far this week we have had two days at beach where it has poured it down!
#bigpinklink
Beach in the rain is never much fun I find!
So funny! Yes, talk about thrown through a loop, naked bodies and people dressed like inuits, a very bizarre combo!
I’m picturing an inuit with a nude lower half now! 😀
I just never seem to be able to get my clothes right I’m either freezing or boiling. Especially at work!!! My nail polish definitely isn;t matching and I did hurriedly shave my legs before putting on A DRESS yesterday only to discover (whilst sat at a BBQ) I’d missed a whole line at the back. ⭐️
Oh yes! I do that!! I found a whole section on my ankle at the gym the other day. Eep!
It seemed so breezy yesterday I took the kids out in pants and jackets only to realize it was blazing hot in the sun! Back in the house we went! #momlife
Did the sun go in then? Because that’s what happens to me!
Hehe, this is so true! We spent the day around my mum’s yesterday so the trip there was done in coats and cardigans. Then Marianna ended up in nothing but her nappy in the garden it was so hot! lol. x #bigpinklink
Sounds like a lovely day though!
hehe very true! it is so changeable at the mo #bigpinklink
It’s still changeable now! Make up your mind!
Love the pics!!! Having way too much stuff is so much more annoying when it’s boiling too!
#bigpinklink
I always have so much stuff always, it gets ridiculous!
I did not know what had happened when the sun hit! NEver mind me, though, it’s the first year we’ve had a baby and I have NO idea what to dress her in most of the time. In winter it was easy – just keep her warm – now? God knows! #bigpinklink
I much prefer dressing the kids in the summer, so much less to think about.
Erm I may just have worn my sunglasses with a patch of lense tint missing on Friday and just painted the three toenails showing in my sandals yesterday… Great post as always, thanks for hosting #bigpinklink!
Haha, I realised I can’t even see through mine the other day. Thought they’d steamed up but nope!
After a few glorious days I have finally shaved my legs, painted my toe nails and hoiked out my maxi skirts….only to check my weather app to find the sun will be going tomorrow! Typical! Great post and thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
This sounds so familiar. By the time I get myself sorted, it bogs off again and then I forget to get sorted before the next heatwave!
I love how we all get so excited when the sun comes out…it’s the little things really Great post – really captures the realities of the British Summer perfectly and made me think think about the advert about being ‘beach-ready’! x #bigpinklink
Haha, beach ready for me means just getting there! 😀
This would be depressing if it wasn’t so funny! I have been known to let a gel pedicure GROW OUT. And yes, I do know how wrong that is!
x Alice
#bigpinklink
I wish I’d done that! It ruined my nails for MONTHS!
Oh god this is me everyday at the moment, I have no idea what to wear, or where my summer clothes have gone. This time last year I was 7 months pregnant so my usual wardrobe didn’t exist, as a result I now have very little stuff for this year, or I’ve forgotten about it, and it’s hiding under our bed still. I really need a new summer wardrobe, off to find some pinafore dresses and more clothes. Thanks for hosting lovely. Claire x #bigpinklink
I would love to go shopping but I’ve spent all the clothing budget on the kids! 😉
Ha ha spot on!
I have clothes older than my kids to wear, my feet look like an extra from The Hobbit and yes now I’m contemplating shaving the rest of my legs!!!
That said, I absolutely love the weather though!
#bigpinklink
That’s very true, I am also loving the sun. If I can stay in the garden out of sight!
So true! I am so done with the additional clothing i seem to take everywhere with me. I use a bloody rucksack instead of one of those lovely baby bags that just arent big enough for 2 hoodys, 2 cagoules, 2 summer vests and a peppa pig umbrella. #bigpinklink
Yep, we’ve graduated to a giant ‘mummy rucksack’ too!
Oh god. Summer when you have a mummy tummy is a bit of a concern…no hiding under a giant hood now! I also discovered, this weekend, that I am in serious need of a pedicure, my feet are grim…!
Thanks for hosting #big pink link xx
I also hate the lack of ‘hidage’ in summer clothes!
Haha! I’m still wearing jeans and keeping my arms down when around people as still haven’t got around to buying another razorand it’s been a week since I last had one and I painted over chipped toenails today as well! Love this post xxx #bigpinklink
I’m at that stage too! 😀
Ha ha I’m trying to remember if this was me when we still lived in the UK. I must admit we’re always summer ready here in Malta. I know, shoot me. Especially when I tell you I had my nails done last Monday and all my hairy bits removed via laser a few days before. How much do you hate me now? You make me laugh. #BigPinkLink
Oh yeah, rub it in baldy! 😉 I’m super jealous of your maltese weather!
I seen the weather was to be good this week and ran out panic buying tanning moisturiser as I am crap at normal tanner!! I hate being all pale while i am out doing the garden! i want people to think i am a bronzed goddess gardening multitasking momma!! hahaha
Great post!
Lx
http://workingmumy.blogspot.com
#bigpinklink
I had that stuff and went orange! Been too scared to try again. Was about 15 years ago though!
I got sunburnt on Thursday. Boiled to death on Sunday and now it’s raining!!! Kids had suncream & coats today. British weather is certainly changeable. #big pink link lifeinthemumslane
As I read this blog post (and it’s a good one!), I’m currently trying to listen to the Emmerdale omnibus as the rain lashes against my conservatory roof! British Summer eh? One day long and then it’s gone! #bigpinklink
Oh thank you! Yes we’ve had lashing rain too. By the time the sun comes back, my leg hair will have grown again!!
Chuckling away to myself reading this and I think the Hubby thinks I’ve gone crazy. I’ve definitely been looking like a Summer Mumma the last few days haha! Thanks for hosting lovely #bigpinklink x
I’m so glad I made you chuckle! 🙂
So true. I do every single one of these. Went into town yesterday with full jumpers and waterproofs for both kids and lugged them round for no reason! #bigpinklink
I’ve always got a rucksack now!
I think I’ll be a summer mumma in Autumn still! I just don’t think I’ll ever get the time or inclination to do it! #bigpinklink
About the time I’ll get round to getting the summer wardrobe down then!
Aaah yes, unpainted toe nails, half shaven legs massive sunglasses! Pretty much sums up the weekend look. Never fear everything was here den away again in time for the cold wet weather by Tuesday, *sigh* bloody British weather. #bigpinklink
I am always ready by the time the rain comes!
So funny and very true. I hate this time of year when you don’t know what to wear and end up boiling or freezing!
Sometimes both in one day!
Thanks for being such a fab host! Love this post, made me chuckle for a second time #bigpinklink
I’m so glad you enjoyed it twice! 😀
Yes, yes, yes to all of this. I am extremely glad that I am not the only one to put polish over the old chipped stuff lol!!! I do think I may have to go crazy and purchase some fake tan, my legs look white… no blue even!! Although chances are I will buy it and never get around to putting it on. It will sit in my drawer forever more! #bigpinklink
Isn’t it always the way? Our cupboards are stuffed full of miracle products I’ve never used!
Haha – yes very accurate! Though I don’t do flip flops or anything similar – hate them, always have! So my feet never go on display. #bigpinklink
I get too hot! Plus I’m a beach bum at heart!
Completely agree. I am going out with a baby bag bulging with several outfits incase we need to do a quick change as well as a rain mac and then a proper coat, hat and gloves… arggghhh!! Just give us a proper summer already!
#bigpinklink
I have graduated to a rucksack, was debating digging our old travelling ones out!
You have captured my last two weeks perfectly in four drawings! Fab post
Haha! Thank you, I’ve added umbrellas & sun cream to my load this week!
I love Spring! But usually our Spring brings wind and that’s something that I despise. I love your pictures…did you draw them? Thanks so much for hosting #bigpinklink
I did draw them! I have a real problem with wind, it makes me angry!! 😀