Chantelle Houghton dotes over her daughter Dolly during shopping trip

PUBLISHED: 20:04 EST, 28 November 2012 | UPDATED: 20:05 EST, 28 November 2012

She's put her heartbreak on hold and has been steadily make steps towards her life minus her former fiancé Alex Reid.

And putting the person who matters most to her in life first, Chantelle Houghton enjoyed a day at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex with her daughter Dolly on Wednesday.

Chantelle, 29, was pictured doting over her precious little girl while she rested her feet.

A reason to smile: Chantelle Houghton dotted over her daughter Dolly on Wednesday afternoon as they enjoyed a day at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex

The lady in her life: Chantelle bounced Dolly on her knee as she took a break from their shopping trip

In much higher spirits than she has been in the last few months, Chantelle was seen beaming with joy as she bounced Dolly on her knees.

Dressed in a cute pink babygro, bright-eyed Dolly took in her surroundings as she sat in her mother's arms.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star took bites out of a croissant as she refueled during her mother-daughter day.

In good spirits: The 29-year-old was besotted with her five-month-old daughter

Too cute: Dolly was dressed in a pink babygro as she took in her surroundings

Food break: Chantelle took a bite in a croissant as she held her precious little girl in her arms

Returning to her former self, Houghton maintained the straight hair look she debuted on Tuesday night at the OK magazine Christmas party.

Wrapping up warm, the mother-of-one wore a grey knitted jumper with a beige hooded cape which was beatified with a fur hemline.

Completing her look, Chantelle wore black pumps with a pair of leggings while accessorising with a quilted oxblood Chanel handbag.

Happy: Houghton looked superb as she wrapped up warm and took her baby on shopping trip

Getting back to her best: The former Celebrity Big Brother star wore a grey knitted jumper with a beige hooded cape, leggings and black pumps

While Chantelle appears to be getting on with her Alex Reid free life, the cage fighter recently revealed that he still loves her.

Speaking in this week's Now magazine, Alex said he was convinced they'd get back together after he showed up at their former shared house to visit daughter Dolly and 'help her move house'.

He claimed: 'After a couple of hours of being with her there was a real chemistry between us,' adding that they 'even got romantic' and 'passionately kissed'.

Alex also told the magazine that Chantelle had told him that she missed him and still loved him.

Heartbreak on hold: Chantelle has been suffering heartache for months since splitting with her fiancé Alex Reid but now appears to be moving on

Sorting out her Christmas gifts: Alex, Dolly's father, recently revealed that he still loves her Chantelle

But since she publicly made allegations about his alleged sex dungeon and sex life, Reid has now blasted the former Celebrity Big Brother star for her actions since moving on.

The 37-year-old has disputed Chantelle's claims he cheated on her while they were still an item, saying: 'I fear Chantelle's making me out as some sort of sexual deviant. I never cheated on her.'

Although his heartfelt comments come as Chantelle has also spoken out, insisting she doesn't believe his claims that he didn't cheat on her and that she hasn't 'heard a thing' from him despite him stating that he's been trying to see Dolly.