My thoughts on the Christmas Craze

This year it's Fingerlings, a little interactive monkey that comfortably wraps around your finger and blows you kisses. Last year, hatchimals. When I was a kid it was Furby's that the mama's were lining up outside Hamley's hoping to grab. Every year there is a certain colour that is the most desirable, I remember it was the pure white Furby we all wanted and this year of course it is the unicorn Fingerling. 

Fuss Free Gifting with Fragrance Direct

This is not a drill, I repeat this is not a drill. Christmas is only six weeks away and the panic is about to set in any day now! Lets face it if you could have a stress free way to ensure all of your loved ones received something they really want this year you would take it right? 

Enter Fragrance Direct!

The Baby Loaf - A cheat lunch you can both enjoy!

I have spoken before about how BLW terrifies me, although even with STILL not one tooth I will admit Lylie is getting much more confident eating on her own. Now the main task when it comes to feeding the baby is what to give her. Everywhere will tell you that variety is key to raising a child who is not a fussy eater so I am always on the look out for new baby friendly meal idea's. If you are in the same position you might want to try baking a baby loaf and saving yourself some valuable time while doing it!

Skin as smooth as silk with Simply Scrub

As a new mum (can I still call myself that with a one year old?) I am mainly running on empty. My skin is looking a little grey these days and needs much more help than it used to. Ahh my poor body who has been left shook after birthing my bundle... I have to treat the old girl from time to time.

Creating sensory play at home with Velinda

When venturing to soft play is suggested by my mum friends it sparks many emotions, and the majority of them are negative. It's funny how these places are always named things such as 'The Fun Factory' when there is basically nothing fun about it. Children crying all over the place. Mums ignoring them as best as they possibly can. Me trying to remain calm. It's a mess.

Why 'you dress like a mum' is no longer an insult

I remember when someone mentioning that you dress 'like a mum' would insinuate that you looked frumpy, or boring even. I suppose when you are younger mum's always seem old, and honestly at thirty years of age and now a mother myself I still feel like an eighteen year old (only my hangovers last several days) 

Now I am a mum the way I dress has changed. 

I dress with confidence and at times with much more purpose. 

Collecting those first memories with CHEERZ

Since having a baby one of the questions I often get asked is what shall I buy my friend for a baby shower gift? Lets face it everyone is so bored of nappy cakes!

The Andi Walker Pop Up Experience

If you are a fan of TV's Master Chef you will already know the name Andi Walker. Andi fought his way to the semi-finals in the 2015 rounds of the popular show and now you can experience his food first hand by enjoying a six course tasting menu inspired by local Essex produce. I was lucky enough to be invited down to the Riverside Inn in Chelmsford for a foodie adventure of my own and I can tell you I was not disappointed. 

Andi is now showcasing his wealth of experience within the food industry at his pop up restaurant with an ever changing six course menu buzzing with creativity, which will keep you interested for the duration. 

Today I'm Nanny's Problem....!

TGIF!! THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY .... because on Friday's I go to work!

#FriendswithBenefit

Which brand screams out to you as the most instagrammable cosmetic gang on the block? For me it's got to be Benefit. So when I was invited down to the Benetowers on Tuesday night I wasn't at all surprised that I had stepped into pink heaven.

Cosatto Noodle Supa Highchair Review

When our favourite baby brand cosatto asked if we would like to review the Noodle Supa highchair my head literally hit the ceiling whilst jumping for joy! We have, up until now, been happily using 'that' famous IKEA high chair which is a firm favourite on the mum sites. Although as Lylie fast approaches the big 12 months, at lightening speed, I am aware her chunky little legs are due an upgrade.

Why is it so hard to shift the baby weight?

While pregnant I thought by the time my baby was six months old I would have the figure a Love Island contestant would be envious of (let me add I have NEVER had a figure that anyone would be envious of) but I would have all this free time during maternity leave to work out while the baby was sleeping ..... right? WRONG!

Lylie is now nine months old and I still look roughly four months pregnant and here is why...

Baby Banana Pancakes

"Wakin' up too early, Maybe we could sleep in? Make you banana pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend... "

Bourgee Airside

As if Southend airport wasn't already the most convenient thing ever (you can now fly to approximately 30 locations) the fact that you can sip on champagne at Bourgee while you await your flight is basically the best thing i've ever heard! 

Cosatto Supa Go

The Streamlined Pushchair

The first time I cried over something trivial during my pregnancy, was when I was in mothercare looking at prams. It wasn't because of the price of them (well maybe a little bit) it was mainly because it suddenly hit me just how much space this tiny little person was about to take up and that meant everything was about to change. It was so over whelming.

ITS HERE: The Naked Heat Palette

Naked Heat is here and it has set the beauty world on fire!! Twitter was blowing up when the pre sale launched everyone wanted to get their hands on the 12 brand new urban decay colours. And when the eyeshadows are as beautiful as these you can understand why! 

#LOSTINSUMMER with Quiz

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to attend the relaunch of Quiz Westfield Stratford. Of course I arrived early to do some child free shopping (ahhh pure bliss) not only did I pick up far too many pieces from Zara I also dropped a wad in Charlotte Tilbury, when you find the perfect lip shade you just can't leave it on the shelf, am I right?

Panda & Ping

This month Lylie was lucky enough to be selected as a brand representative for the wonderful Panda & Ping. I was so excited when I received a message to say that our gorgeous girl had been chosen to be one of four children to exclusively represent Panda & Ping.

Ross & Ross Father's Day Gift Idea

This June the 18th Mathew, my husband, is a father for reals not just daddy to our Shih Tzu. When Ross & Ross contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing one of their man boxes for a Fathers day post I thought that was the perfect solution to my present finding problem! Obviously Mat has been given his present early this year as I really want to find out straight from the horses mouth whether this is something you should be picking up for your fathers and partners. 

Island Stories Blogger Event

Oh I do love a blogging event, it's a great excuse for me to get out of the house and talk to grown ups and when the event involves food I am pretty much in my element.

Matchstick Monkey aka teething lifesaver

After reading about the Matchstick monkey over on the beautiful Eilidh's blog (original post HERE) I just had to pick one up for Lylie. I'd ordered one in the brightest of pink before I had even finished reading the post, and although there hasn't been much left unsaid about this incredible teething toy I have been recommending them to the masses so felt a blog post was required.

Zatchel Sugarcube Bag

If it is gold and metallic it is pretty likely I am going to want it!

Lylie is SIX Months

I can not believe that it has already been a whole SIX months since my little angel was born. It seems like five minutes ago that I was carrying around that big bump on my ridiculously swollen ankles! 

Beef Eater Review

Over the last couple of years I have been fortune enough to be invited to review various restaurants, this is certainly one of the perks to running a blog it would be a lie for me to say it wasn't. I am a huge fan of sampling new food I always like to try as many dishes as possible, my open mind when it comes to food choices is a quality I hope to install in my daughter as she gets old enough to make her own decisions therefore I am always on the look out for child friendly establishments. With strong family values at the forefront of the business the newly refurbished Beefeater in Romford was an obvious choice for a visit.

I am struggling

This is something that has been playing on my mind since January, so I am warning you this is just a bit of a rant and not informative in anyway.

PacaPod Mirano Review

When pregnant you have to make some really hard decisions ready for the future. One of them is what to invest in and what to bargain hunt for... one of the things you NEED is a changing bag.

Lazy Baby GIVEAWAY!!

I've spoken before about my love of Instagram shops, it is always such a fun way to find new creative products to buy and also often a chance to support small and independent businesses. I am a lover of the highstreet but as soon as Lylie and I walked into our first sensory class I knew that I was going to have to search further afield than Next to find her cute little outfits. Don't get me wrong I am in no way throwing any shade at Next clothing I love it, I am at the front of the que for the boxing day sale at 5am, it's true! However when three little girls in the class are all wearing the same dress it's time to get a little bit creative..

New Mum Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Friday was my husband's 30th birthday which means we are already in the month of March, in the year 2017... how the heck did that happen? My daughter (whom I was pregnant with for roughly 300 years) is now four months old, I am discussing weening, oh and it's mothers day soon!
WOW and breathe.

I thought seeing as this year is my first year as a mother to a human (not just my Shih Tzu) I should put together my FIRST EVER mother's day gift ideas post!

Controlled Crying: Our Story

There seems to be some controversy around Controlled Crying or 'CC' as us mum folk call it for short. What is Controlled Crying? 'CC' is a sleep training technique which encourages the baby to self sooth by being left to cry for increasing amounts of time before being comforted. People think it's mean and to be honest I agree.

But what was going to be really mean was ME when I lost my mind.

Beau Belle Metallic Sculpting Set Review

Are you even a blogger if you don't own rose gold makeup brushes? 

It was perfect timing when Beau Belle reached out to ask if I would be interested in a set of their Metallic Sculpting brushes. I will be honest I have been trying my hardest to contour away the postpartum weight (not sure with how much success) so the perfect tools for the job were a delightful surprise. 

Clinique Bonus Time UK

Luxury skincare has always been one of my great loves however when it comes to trying new products I am always too scared to be adventurous. Yes I do always order the same meal at the restaurant, terrible isn't it?

Red Hot Lips For Valentine's Day With Lypsyl

In my opinion Valentine's Day is pretty bad timing. Why would you make 'the kissing day' at a time of the year where your lips are dry and dehydrated? Doesn't make sense does it!

Naming Your Child

Choosing a name for your child is probably one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. It is true what they say you don't realise just how many people you hate until you have to name a baby. There are so many considerations to make... embarrassing initials, how the name could be shortened and the one that I am currently dealing with a lifetime of corrections...

#GoGlamGala

Last week I attended the Go Glam Gala hosted by the beautiful Scarlett London. If you have been on twitter at all the last month or so you would probably have seen the hashtag #goglamgala and lots of bloggers discussing what outfits they would be rocking up in, the right attire is serious business. I ended up going for the seriously underdressed look, I am still holding onto some baby weight and honestly every 'glam' dress I owned made me feel like a potato. I was a bit worried about what I ended up wearing however lucky for me there was a huge mixture of outfits so I didn't stand out too much!

New Born Essentials

After reading the lovely Kirsty's post New Born Essentials: NOT Worth The Hype I was inspired to write my new born essentials list. Every baby is so different and what ever idea you have in your head about what they are or aren't going to do is likely to change. The number one thing to get your head around it that the baby is definitely the boss! Here are a list of things that I have needed for Lylie in the first 10 weeks of her life, if you are pregnant or looking for a baby shower idea this might come in handy!

Rouge Edition Velvet by Bourjois Review

I am always on the look out for long lasting lip products, no one's got time to re apply after every cuppa!! So when I got gifted the new Rouge Edition Velvet by Bourjois I was interested to see how this new formulation would compare.

Goodbye 2016 Hello 2017

2016 has been a challenge. As you get older every year seems to become full of more and more responsibilities, and this year came the greatest responsibility of all - my daughter! Therefore 2017 I won't be fighting getting older, it is after all the year I turn the big 3-0. The new year will be looked upon as the year of responsibility, not only for others also for myself.