Brushbox - a subscription

I was contacted a few weeks ago about a new subscription launching in January. This subscription is aimed at oral care. Now, my teeth aren't the greatest, so I am determined that my daughters have beautiful smiles they're proud to show off.

So I was intrigued how this subscription could work for us as a family and particularly for Matilda. Brushing her teeth can be such hard work, a real task and trying to find ways to make it exciting for her is exhausting.

When our subscription arrived, Matilda was so intrigued. the packaging was pretty - hello marble print box - and she wanted to rip it open immediately.

We were sent 2 adult brushes and 2 child's brushes - we are now brushing Winnie's 2 little teeth too!
Also in the box was toothpaste, dental floss and tongue cleaners. Now, I am a regular brusher and occasional flosser, but I have never used a tongue cleaner! So this has been great in upping my oral care regime.

I am so impressed by the brushes. The bamboo handles are so easy to hold and are much better aesthetically - bye bye ugly plastic brushes. Love the simple and sleek branding too!

You can tailor your subscription to what you need, it is sent to you every other month so there is no questioning of when you last changed your toothbrush. FYI - it should be every 2 to 3 months. The brand have a great charity ethic and are also cruelty free, so perfect for those of us that are trying to be more mindful on where our products come from and what they represent.

Take a look at Brushbox to see how it could work for you and your family.

Chloe x

Valentine's Day Lust List...

As I was trawling through the usual suspects this morning, trying to find something to wear for drinks tomorrow night, I was totally inspired to do a post on Things To Wear On Valentine's Day.
There is so much on the high street based on LOVE that I wanted to collate my absolute favourites and bring them to you. Afterall, it is just over two weeks until the day of lurve, and if you have grand plans to go out or stay in, you might want something new to wear...

ASOS

Lots to choose from on ASOS, as you might expect:

How cute is this embroidered LOVE ME t-shirt? Nothing like a strong message! Shop here for £14.

I love the shade of red on this dress. Sexy AF. Smarten it up with heels for dinner or just pair with black boots and an aviator to toughen up this girly number. £32 available here.

Don't fancy red or pink? This cute cropped shirt is the answer. Perfectly paired with jeans or a leather skirt. Damn. Shop for just £25 here.

I'm a big fan of this cheeky t-shirt. Only £12!

Single and proud? Tell the world with this brilliant slogan t-shirt £32. Great length on this too.

Always that friend with the blunt advice? Me too. Love this t-shirt, it's currently sat in my basket. £16.

Topshop have some really fun choices in lots of different colours...

This awesome sweater is available in a few colours, including the hot colour of 2018. Only £28 too!

Spending the day with your sweetheart? Let them know by wearing this cute t-shirt. £15.

In love with this cropped sweat top too, the colour combo is gorgeous. £26.

Elsewhere on the high street:

This knit is everywhere right now and I really want it! £59 from &otherstories

Want to make a subtle nod to Valentine's Day? Do it with these heart print wide leg trousers from Next. They also come in tall lengths. £32.

Channel Gucci vibes with this slogan tee from River Island for £20. They also have some really cute other tees on there.

And there you have it. 

What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Chloe x

Going Back To Work

It is less than 3 weeks until my return to work. I cannot believe how fast that has gone.
When you're expecting, you count down the days until you finish work. Once you've finished, you're then counting down the days until your little bundle of joy enters the world. You certainly don't count down the days until you go back to work.

I didn't find it too hard the first time, and that isn't to say I didn't miss Matilda but this time, I've had 9 glorious months off with both of my babies. And it has been wonderful. 

I am going back to doing 3 days a week, and these are set days too so I'll have a great routine. However, with two children, one of whom is at playschool, I am going to have to be so organised. But I am looking forward to that challenge.

I can't say I am dreading my return, for me it is just one of the things I have to do. So why waste time being upset about it? There are advantages to work - my own money, adult conversation (I'm still hungry Mummy!) lunches in peace and hot coffee! It'll be great to see some old faces too. Oh and my uniform! I am looking forward to getting my glam on for 3 days a week (for anyone that doesn't know I work for Virgin Holidays.)

I think it will also make me really appreciate our days off together and encourage me to have more days out. I also think it will make me work harder, be more productive whilst I am there. Afterall, I am away from my babies so I need to make it worthwhile.

I'll keep you updated on how my return goes.

Chloe x

Winnie's Nursery

With Matilda, her nursery was ready months before her arrival. But, in the run up to Winnie being born, we had to prioritise which rooms needed renovating. This meant us getting a new kitchen and upstairs bathroom. Also, Winnie was going to be in with us for the first 6 months so we weren't in a hurry to get her room sorted. (She is still with us now, at 7.5 months old and will be until her room is finished).

Our box room, which used to be my dressing room, will become the second nursery and I wanted to share my plans for this room.

We have bought this wallpaper from Great Little Trading Company. The room is small and could really do with being replastered, but this is out of budget so I was looking for something subtle that wouldn't overpower the space. This is actually quite a brave choice for me as I would usually just go for grey & white, my husband hates how bland my interiors taste is! It'll be fun to experiment with a (small) bit of colour.

picture: pinterest

We are having to be very savvy around what furniture we put in the room, we definitely couldn't have the cot, a wardrobe and a changer/dresser in there. It just wouldn't all fit. So I have sacrificed having a wardrobe for creating something similar in the picture above. One of my favourite Mum bloggers, Ainsley from Life With Oaks and Olive had created something similar for her daughter's room soIi took inspiration from this and ordered a 'grundtal' rail from Ikea for £4! The idea is, to screw this to the underside of a shelf to create a hanging wardrobe. Beneath this we already have some existing boxing-in which covers the ceiling slant of the stairs (I really hope that makes sense!) so I've ordered lots of storage from Ikea that is already on top of this. 

picture: pinterest

I am going to order some of these Ikea spice racks to home Winnie's books and make them look all pretty. I'll probably paint them a pale pastel colour like in the picture, to add a bit more fun to the room.

picture: pinterest

I love the this shelf! I want to get something similar to go above Winnie's changer. I'll probably put little storage boxes inside to house the baby essentials, to keep it looking neat and tidy. Even though the existing changer we have (currently in Matilda's room) is a really decent size with a large cupboard, the reality is, I will probably have to store clothes in there too because the hanging wardrobe may not fit all of her clothes! I can also hang some of her pretty dresses from the hooks - cute!

The Great Little Trading Company have one pretty much exactly the same for £63 online here which is currently reduced in their sale. 

I haven't bought many decorative bits, well actually I've only bought one! And it was this gorgeous hanging ice cream garland, handmade by my friend Sarah. 

I think I'll have this taped to the wall with washitape, possibly up above the cot.

Isn't it so pretty? Sarah is so talented, I've linked her facebook page here so you can check out her work.

Here are some other pictures I've saved on my pinterest board - you can follow me by clicking here.

Our existing nursery furniture was from John Lewis, here is the 'Anna' cot which is still available.

We plan to make a start on this room within the next few weeks, and I will post an update when this happens. I'm really excited for her to have her own space, but sad at the thought she won't be sleeping next to me soon!

Thanks for reading,

Chloe x

What 2018 Means For Me

And just like that it was 2018.

I love that fresh feeling a new year brings. I'm not one for resolutions as I would never see them through and it would just shroud me in disappointment. But I feel that it is a great time to look ahead, think about what I would like to achieve.

The only goal I set myself last year (as for 5 months of it I was pregnant) was to lose a stone before going away to Vegas. Which I did.

This year though, it is time to look at the bigger picture.

Work

All I've ever done is work in travel. I love the benefits it brings and I've had some amazing opportunities, but is this really what I want to do long term? Travel wasn't ever my chosen career when I was studying, I just fell in to it. So could this year see me try something new? Not that I have any idea what that could be!!

Health

Throughout December I didn't really care about what went in to my body. But in September I am going to be a bridesmaid again for my sister Claudia, and there will be a hen weekend in Ibiza just before that so I really need to focus on Slimming World again. It may not be for everyone, but it works well for me. I am going back tonight after 4/5weeks of eating everything so we will soon see the damage I've done. (As I type this I am polishing off the last of the shortbread!)

Lifestyle

I really want to put more effort into this blog. I absolutely love it and need to dedicate more time to it. This leads me to being more organised. I feel as though if I were to plan my time better, be more efficient, I could achieve so much more with my time. So dedicate specific time to blogging. Create a cleaning schedule and stick to it. Keep my diary and calendar up to date. Be less lazy. Wake up earlier.

I go back to work 1st February so I'll be spinning a fair few plates - home, nursery, work etc. 

I also want to take better photos. I think I have started to, but there is still a lot to learn and this would include getting a DSLR, not just snapping on my iPhone.

Interiors

We've achieved so much in our house recently, but there is still lots to do. I need to make this a priority, as a few years ago I just wasn't really interested in how my home was decorated (I'm not good at this kind of stuff!) So the jobs that need doing in the first few months of 2018 include decorating the lounge - paint, wallpaper, woodwork, possibly new flooring and a new radiator. The dining room also needs updating - new wall colour, new flooring and radiator. I'll post updates about these as they happen.

So even though this isn't a 'new year, new me' type thing (I'm still going to love food, drink alcohol, moan about stuff!) I'm taking the opportunity to think ahead. 

What plans do you have for 2018?

Thanks for reading,

Chloe x

November Favourites

OK guys, a week into December already (WTF!) and I'm doing my favourites again. I've got some beauty, homeware & motherhood bits. Oh and two instagram accounts that I've loved in the last month.

I'll start with homeware. The Jo Malone dupe candles by Aldi. My sister Courtenay picked this Blackberry and Bay one up for me weeks ago, it was £3.99 - so cheap! It has burnt quite well, and I am impressed by how much scent fills the room. I find after a while (I'm talking a good few hours here) the smell starts to annoy me a bit, it becomes more herb like than fruity but that is just personal preference. For the price, it is fantastic! If you've not already seen the collection, there is also a Lime, Basil & Mandarin one and Pomegranate Noir - just like Jo Malone.

Next is my beauty favourites and it is two lip colours that I've been reaching for constantly over the past month, The Younique Matte Liquid Lipstick in Stellar, and the Younique Lipstain in sultry.

Stellar

Sultry

Now I am terrible at applying lipsticks, so apologies for the rubbish applications above but I wanted to show the colours on. Both are great for this time of year, ideal Winter colours and go with loads of outfits too! 

Now you all know I am a lover of fake tan. For most people, it is a summer essential. For me, it is even more essential in Winter! My skin is so drab and pasty, I need a bit of colour. I've raved about the Bondi Sands dry oil before on Instagram but just to recap - it dries instantly, smells divine and gives a gorgeous natural colour. Fantastic.

Motherhood wise, it is this wonderful book. Matilda received this for her birthday in April and even though we read it once or twice around then, she was more interested in other books (we always let her choose what she wants to read) but she has recently become obsessed with this book and I can see why. The story is about a little girl trying to find her name, she goes on adventure meeting creatures and animals that start with the letters in the child's name. So for example, M is for Mermaid, A is for Aardvark and so on. It is perfectly whimsical and wonderful and I just adore the fact it is personalised. It makes a fantastic gift for Christmas!

Also motherhood/Christmas related is the beautiful handmade garland my friend Sarah made for us.

How stunning! It is all handstitched and then personalised with my daughters names. I absolutely love it and you can find Sarah's work on her Instagram page here.

Finally it is two of my favourite instagram accounts that I've been obsessed with this month.

Jess @ thelayoverlife_ for her stunning travel pictures (I love a travel based account) She also blogs and Youtubes too.

Emma @ emmahill is one of my fave fashion accounts and has been for ages. I love her style, basic but with high end accessories and her instastories are hilarious. Emma youtubes as well and her vlogs are brilliant so go and take a look.

Hope you enjoyed this post, leave me a comment below with the things you've been loving and if there is anything you'd like to see in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Chloe x

Weaning Winnie (3 weeks in)

Hi guys!

Sorry for the radio silence on here, I'm not quite sure where November went! I struggled to find the time to blog.

But I'm back with a post on how weaning is going with Winnie, now that she is 6 months old.
We've waited until she was 6 months, as per the NHS guidelines because these are guidelines I cannot ignore. I'm not passing any judgement on Mums that choose to wean earlier than this, the choice is personal afterall.

We, well I, decided that we would go down the baby-led weaning route, mainly due to the fact that we spoon fed Matilda when we weaned her, and she isn't the greatest eater. Apparently a baby that has been baby-led weaned will be a better eater as they get older. I don't know if there is research on this, but I came across a motherhood blog that said because they learnt to chew first rather than swallow, this has something to do with it. I can't really remember (!) but it stuck in my mind and from speaking to other mums I know, the babies that were led fed appear to be excellent eaters.

So to prepare for this, I bought the bib above and the Nuby net feeder from Tesco. Now I will be honest, I haven't actually used the feeder yet. But the bib is of course a God send as it catches any discarded food and it protects Winnie's clothes. The Tommee Tippee cup is from Morrisons but all major supermarkets sell them.

The first food we tried with Winnie was banana, cut up into finger size pieces. This makes it easier for her to grab hold of and feed herself with. However, it is quite slippery so it was kind of just shooting out of her hand and on to the floor! It makes a good first food though because it is soft.

I am biased as she's mine but oh my goodness that face! Can you spot Matilda holding her hand too?!

Anyway, the banana was a hit, so I carried on with this for the next 3 days. I had come across some other reading material that suggested giving the same food over a 4 day period to see if a baby reacts badly to that food, making it easier to eliminate foods that cause any issues. I also only gave her solid food once a day. Afterall, at this early stage, it is all about introducing Winnie to food, the new textures and tastes. It isn't about her having 3 meals a day every day.

Once we had finished with the banana, we tried buttered toast. Winnie loved this! Well who wouldn't when it is smothered with real butter? Ok, not 'smothered' - she is only 6 months - but we don't eat margarine - GROSS! That stuff is like plastic...I digress.

3 weeks in and I am now giving her a little something to try at most meal times (although breakfast on playschool days is hard because we are so limited on time and Winnie is currently waking up around 8am!)

So far we've given her cooked carrot, blueberry rice wafers, mash potato (ok so not exactly a finger food but she enjoyed smushing it around the highchair!) apple, cucumber and broccoli. With the apple and the cucumber, I removed the skin as they're too tough at this early stage. The broccoli went down well, but since giving it to her, she's had an upset tummy. Now this could actually be a bug, or down to teething - but I'll lay off giving it to her until she's a bit older, just to be safe.

All in all, she is really interested in food, and grumbles if she runs out. Admittedly, most of it does end up on the floor, she isn't taking a lot in, but that is completely normal. 

My top tips for weaning would be: 

1) Be confident! Babies can handle these cooked or soft finger foods really well (providing there are no health issues where a professional has advised otherwise) so enjoy this new experience together! It's a really exciting step in their development and can be a lot of fun!

2) Watch baby at all times when you're feeding them, the situation could change in an instant if you're not in charge and observing everything that the baby is eating.

3) Prepare for mess! There will be banana mush in between fingers, toast crumbs under their chin rolls, and a whole lot of mess on your floor. If you've got carpet, get a cheap waterproof tablecloth to put under the highchair to protect the floor. We have wood flooring downstairs so it's easy to just wipe clean.

4) Don't forget to start introducing water, if you haven't already. We have the training cup from Tommee Tippee, but Winnie can't figure it out just yet, she might be a bit too young, so I've been putting some cooled boiled water in one of her bottles for now.

I am looking forward to introducing more foods in the coming weeks, ready to blow her tiny mind with new fruits and veg - haha! I'm also hoping it will encourage her big sister Matilda to try vegetables again.

Are you weaning your little one? How have you found it so far?

Any questions on our weaning journey, please do comment below!

Thanks for reading, as always...

Chloe x