So London was cold and icy and Leighton developed a nasty ear infection within several hours of our arrival…but it was still fabulous and injected me with a good bit of holiday spirit.  On Sunday night, there were even Christmas carolers at our door!  Due to the ear infection, we did not get to see Santa Claus at Harrod’s or Selfridge’s.  We did, however, see Santa Claus in duty-free shopping at Heathrow airport and Leighton was so utterly terrified by him, I realized that waiting in line at Harrod’s or Selfridge’s would have been a complete waste of time.

Despite the inclement weather conditions, I was not deterred from doing a good bit of shopping and my very first stop was Blossom Mother and Child’s new location on the Marylebone High Street.  It’s a small boutique, but it has a great selection of maternity jeans and there was a shocking 40% off pre-Christmas sale going on downstairs.  I tried on numerous items from their Winter 2009/10 collection and could not help but purchase Clements Ribeiro’s merino wool knitted “coatigan.”  (Nope, I’m not pregnant, but yes, still buying maternity clothing).  My friend, Debbie, loved it so much, she bought one too.  It’s cut very long and narrow, so it really is a sweater coat, not a cardigan.  I’ve been wearing it all over Jerusalem the past two days.  The knit buttons are just gorgeous and it has long, thick cuffed sleeves.  The sweater is definitely roomy enough in the bottom half to button over a small baby bump.  But because there is no defined waistline or sash, I don’t think you will be buttoning this sweater in the third trimester.  Still, it is a postpartum must-have and worth the investment.  It comes in three beautiful colors here for GBP 235 (USD $376)–grey, black and a gorgeous winter white that I would have immediately purchased if I was not going home to four little boys who love ketchup.