Like most sane people, I prefer to read a book before I see a film, and so, the bane of my life, is watching a really great film and seeing on the credits ‘Based on the Novel’! No! I would have rather read the book first!
The Lush Spa & Pregnancy
Y’all know I love Lush. Especially now I am 35 weeks pregnant and practically a whale, I just want to live in the bath with my Kindle and a selection of cruelty free bath products. So when I saw that Lush Liverpool were having a pregnancy event on a day I just happened to be on annual leave (thank you to the 12 people who gave me the heads up!), I knew I had to go!
The Third Trimester – I’ve been pregnant for forever
I’m at that stage in pregnancy (34 weeks) where I’m pretty sure I’ve been pregnant for 12 years. I haven’t seen my va-jay-jay in forever, (although my waxing lady assures me it is still there), I didn’t get to enjoy a summer cocktail, or hot cider, and I really want to go on a rollercoaster. I’m at the end of the third trimester and I just want him here now!
The Basic Tag
I’m basic and proud! SpookyKiah started this tag so here are 10 reasons I’m basic AF!
Christmas Traditions with Debenhams*
I am someone who lives for Christmas. It’s my favourite time of the year – it always has been and unless I undergo a dramatic personality transplant, I imagine it always will be. I love the music, the food, the films, the magic and the general atmosphere of Christmas. So when Debenhams offered to send me a little box of festive goodies to get me in the mood in exchange for writing a post about Christmas traditions – well, I was like a Codie at Christmas!
Pregnancy After Loss
I’ve been pretty open about our miscarriage and subsequent troubles conceiving but this month is baby loss awareness month and I want to look at a slightly different angle. I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and I couldn’t be more thrilled (despite pregnancy being super weird), but being pregnant after a loss is also really difficult.
The Purrfect Christmas gift for your… Cat?!*
I love a good hamper. There’s something about a sweet little basket full of treats that appeals to me, and so when Prestige Hampers offered to send me something in the post, I was stoked. Would it be one of their cheese and cracker baskets? Perhaps one of the fancy chocolate ones?
No friends. I was sent a cat hamper and I couldn’t be happier!
How I became a freelance writer – and how you can too!
Want to become a freelance writer? I gotchu boo. This is how I did it and my top tips to allow you to do it too!
Why You Should Definitely Not Stay Friends With Your Ex
The lovely Amy from Wandering Everywhere wrote this post about how you shouldn’t stay friends with your ex and it really resounded with me.
Things I have learned since my mum passed away
My Mum passed away just over two months ago and honestly, it still doesn’t feel real. I keep going to call her, to tell her about the crazy stuff that’s happening, or to run funeral ideas past her. The most difficult thing was finding out we are having a baby boy and feeling an emptiness all day at not being able to call her. But throughout this pretty crappy time, I’ve learned some things, and that seems worth a blog post (gotta get that content right?)
Rocking Maternity Wear with Boohoo*
When I imagined myself pregnant, I figured I would wear long flowy dresses, and paint-splattered dungarees every day and look like a life-giving Goddess. Really, I’ve been wearing dresses that are too small, and ride up because my bump is too big, thus showing my bum to the world. I’ve found it hard to find maternity clothes that aren’t too ‘mumsy’, as I’m just not there yet. So when Boohoo asked if I wanted to check out their selection of maternity wear, I was so on board!
Paris in Town – the Perfect Place for Parents
Until you become a parent, you don’t realise just how un-child-friendly so many places are. Is there room to put your pram? Is there adequate baby changing? Can you afford a little treat on your maternity pay, or will you have to go into your overdraft for a slice of cake?
Feeling Nostalgic – Things I’m Sad My Baby Won’t Experience From my Childhood*
With the Spice Girls going on tour, and Pokemon being in the cinema, I’ve been getting a lot of nostalgia recently. It’s no secret that all 90s kids feel as though they grew up in the best era, and the more I think about it, the more I agree! I’ve been thinking a lot about the things from my childhood that I am sad Ruben won’t get experience. Here are a few.
OCD and Motherhood
Being a Mum with OCD, my brain doesn’t seem to work the way it does for most other people and it’s really hard.
My Baby Class Obsession
It’s 3 o clock and I find myself dancing around with a guy. He’s been a bit sick but I’m not put off – we’ve all been there pal. I’ve got a bottle in one hand, the music is pumping and the lights are pulsating to the beat. I’m singing along and I can’t stop smiling, I’m utterly giddy – there’s a bubble machine for goodness sake. I’m having the time of my life.
Being a Mum: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
I can’t believe that this Mother’s Day, I’m an actual Mum. Last year I was a bit sad as we had been trying to conceive and it felt as though it was never going to happen. Thankfully, this year I am writing this while Baby Roo sleeps next to me, looking precious and making my heart want to burst. Obviously it’s a bittersweet one, as it’s my first one as a Mum, but also my first without my own Mum. But today, I want to focus on my first 3.5 months of Mum’ing and what it’s really been like.
AD | The Snuza HeroMD Baby Heart Rate Monitor Review
If I thought I was anxious before having Ruben, it’s nothing compared to the constant terror I feel now that we have this fragile (yet super chunky!), beautiful little bean to keep alive everyday. So anything that helps ease that anxiety is so important to me and when I was sent a Snuza HeroMD baby heart rate monitor, I knew it would be a real help!
Surviving a long jouney (& a hotel stay!) with a newborn
This weekend we headed down to Peterborough to introduce baby Roo to my side of the family – a long ol’ drive for a newborn, especially one going through a leap! Here’s how we did it!
Totally Milking it: Breastfeeding Top Tips
certainly no expert I feel like I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks in this time. I think some of our success in breastfeeding (baby Roo has put on a buttload of weight since being born, even despite constantly vomiting several times after every feed!), is pure luck. I seem to have birthed a baby who is a natural breast feeder (thank goodness!), but some of it, I think, is due to planning and preparation. So here are my top tips for your nips! (sorry pals, couldn’t resist!)
Ruben’s First Week
I can’t believe that it’s been a week since this tiny whirlwind came into our lives, and made me a Mum. This is the first time I’ve been able to crack my laptop out and do something just for me and it feels so weird. I feel a little lost without a baby attached to my nipples, or in my arms. In fact he’s laid right next to me and every few words I type, I’ll watch him for a few seconds to make sure he’s okay. This is my life now.
The Lush Spa & Pregnancy
Y’all know I love Lush. Especially now I am 35 weeks pregnant and practically a whale, I just want to live in the bath with my Kindle and a selection of cruelty free bath products. So when I saw that Lush Liverpool were having a pregnancy event on a day I just happened to be on annual leave (thank you to the 12 people who gave me the heads up!), I knew I had to go!
Spending New Years with The Bard
Sometimes, being wonderfully spontaneous and last minute, isn’t so wonderful after all. Take New Years Eve for example. We started planning a little trip away, on Boxing Day.
Amster-DAMN!
Our most recent trip was a little 2 night break to Amsterdam. We booked in on a whim (as is our style), via a Groupon deal. The actual booking was a bit stressful, as they gave you terrible flight times (getting in at 10pm on your first day, and leaving at 5am on your last day, thus getting no time…)
Come away with me…
At the grand old age of 21, I had only been abroad twice. Once, as a small child with my best friend and her family to Greece, of which I remember mainly the pool and a restaurant that we danced in a lot, and once on a cultural exchange to Hungary as a hormone-filled tween, interested slightly more in kissing boys than learning about culture…
North West Bloggers Meet: 13th July!
On Sunday 12th July, I found myself in a room full of people, frantically swapping business cards, taking arty pictures of bowls of popcorn and tweeting incessantly. This was my first blogger meet!
Real Talk: Anxiety
Earlier this week, I read this great article by Kady Morrison which looked at ‘9 Things I wish people understood about anxiety’, which I liked so much, I decided to do my own version, based on my own experiences of Anxiety.
Freshers advice
1. Don’t spend all your money at Freshers. Trust us. Despite all the hype put on it, you will end up having better nights out when, y’know, you actually have friends and you know where to go. They are the nights you’ll actually want money. 2. Learn to cook (& love) pasta, because you’re going to be living on it. …
Namaste
I’ve taken dance classes since I was 3 years old, so when I decided to sign up for my first ever hot yoga class, I didn’t think it would be a big deal… I was so wrong!