Feeling Comfortable in My Own Skin

Hi folks,

More than ever, we seem to be bombarded with images of picture perfect people… flawless skin… perfect figure… nothing seems to be out of place. I’ve always been a bit of a self conscious person when it comes to how I look. I’m so confident in who I am as a person… but when it comes to how I look… I’m so critical & self conscious.

After having the boys… I have noticed a massive change in my skin. The problem with a change in your skin also effects your make up! So, not only does your skin look & feel different with a naked face, but it also looks & feels different when you’re wearing your make up. Such a nightmare. Especially when you’re already feeling a little self conscious from just having a baby. And… you also have the added pressure of not having oodles of time either to start a brand new in-depth skincare regime!

So… what changed with my skin after pregnancy.

Under my left eye, I developed a little prominent blood vessel. I know it looks small… but to me it looked like a beacon! I think it happened during pregnancy while throwing up so much. I’ve always had a rosy pink complexion & that’s fine as it’s always something I’ve had so I’ve always bought & wore make up that hid it a little. However, after pregnancy I always felt it looked more patchy. And, my cheek area became super dry in areas & under my eyes which meant that my foundation & powder started to clump, which is not a good look. But, my T Zone area became massively oily. This meant that my foundation was clumping in the dry areas & then smearing off in the oily areas. My pores were becoming visible under my makeup in the oily areas, if that makes sense… almost like the inside of an aero bar.

I just do not have the time to spend hours on my skin & make up with a 3yr old & a 10month old to run around after. But… I still want to feel & look good.

Starting on 22nd August… I began using my new products from ESK. I decided to document the results & I’m so glad that I did.

I’ve added dates to the photo’s so you can see how skin has improved.

The areas that I feel have improved; my skin isn’t as greasy, fine lines seem to have improved, no dry patches & I feel like the small blood vessel isn’t as prominent.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/156200586@N06/48775436543/in/dateposted-public/

So… what is my new skincare regime I hear you ask? Well, firstly I can promise you that my new regime is super simple & hardly takes up any time! I am completely in love with the ESK Hydroxy Cleanser. I use the Hydroxy Cleanser morning & night. I wear make up everyday & I do tend to go for a smokey eye look complete with black liquid eyeliner & black mascara. So I need a cleanser that will be gentle, but will also remove every bit of make up. This cleanser does all of that! You use it just like a face wash. The 100ml bottle should last you around 3 months. I’ve never been a fan of cleansers & toners… I always found cleansers to be too greasy & toners to be too harsh, which would end up making me too pink. The hydroxy cleanser, cleanses while being nice & gentle, & it’s also soap free. It doesn’t make me red & I never feel any skin tightness after using, which I’ve always found that I get when using other face washes.

After cleansing on a morning I then use B Quenched. This product can be used at night or morning. I’ve been using each morning & I can honestly say that this moisturiser is my most favourite skin care product EVER! It is absolutely gorgeous! It’s everything I’ve always wanted in a moisturiser. With having an oily T Zone, I always thought other moisturisers used to sit on top of the greasiness. So I’d avoid putting anything on my T Zone. So I’d only end up moisturising my dry cheek area. This products helps to improve the skins barrier function, reducing hyperpigmentation and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. I think my redness has massively improved. Also, I never knew that when the skin is super oily, it can be a direct result of the skin being too dehydrated. This product helps the skin to retain moisture, but my oilyness has greatly improved. My skin overall just feels less greasy, less dry & looks less red. My make up has been going on so well. I’ve stopped using a primer under my make up as this moisturiser gives such a lovely even base.

My make up isn’t clumping or sitting in lines. It’s also staying put all day… so that alone tells me that my oily skin has improved.

I’ve been using Ultimate A everynight before bed after using my Hydroxy Cleanser. I just want to say first off – that this product is not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding due to the content of Vitamin A. This product is an amazing anti-aging product. I absolutely love this. I feel like my fine lines around my eyes have reduced. I’m now 37 & fine lines are my main concern. I think we’re all looking for that wonder cream that will make us look a little younger. I have no problem being almost 40… but I also want to look good too. This product promotes collagen growth, increases skin elasticity and reduces hyperpigmentation effectively and without irritation. It’s a lovely light cream, not too heavy or thick. It makes your skin feel so super soft. Again, like the B Quenched – I feel like this product has helped to reduce the redness. Normally after cleansing & moisturising on an evening, my skin would be so red. But I can honestly say, my skin looks calmer.

My 3 stand out products are: Hydroxy Cleanser, B Quenched, & Ultimate A. I honestly feel like I have new & improved skin, with no extra effort. When we feel good about ourselves, I think we can deal with the pressures & stresses of a busy lifestyle so much easier. Another great feature to these products, is that they give you a full run down on how to use them & when to use them. They really feel like a tailor made skincare regime just for you.

I will be continuing to document my skin progress & will be writing a progress post about it 🙂

I hope you’ve found this post useful & interesting. I’ve added the links to the products that I’ve been using so you can read further & even treat yourself.

Thank you so much for reading!

Hayley xxx

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative posts – I have received gifting &/or compensation for featuring some of these items, but all opinions are my own.

Wobble, Wiggle and Grow

Hi folks,

Seth went back to pre-school last week. He was so excited. To be honest… I think he likes the routine of school Monday – Friday. Over the Summer break he has asked a lot for School. It’s so quiet in the house without him now he’s back. But looking at the positives – it gives me some one & one time with Ted.

Ted is 10 month old now… I just cannot believe that he’s going to be a year old next month. That time has flown. I know I always say it – but the time does just fly by. When people said to me that time flies once you have children… I don’t think I really believed them.

Ted has been having so much fun with his new toy from Hape & Baby Einstein. It’s no secret that Hape are one of our most favourite toy brands. We all just adore wooden toys. Ted’s new toy is Balancing Cal. Cal comes in 5 pieces & is a mix of wood & plastic. Some of the pieces make sounds too when you shake them. Fun & musical. The aim of the game is to stack Cal as tall as you can make him, without him falling down. This toy is great for encouraging & developing motor skills.

Each piece has been beautifully crafted & is the perfect size of little hands. Ted has had fun shaking them to make noise, clacking them together & has enjoyed giving them a good old bite lol. Each piece is lovely & smooth with no sharp edges & the materials feel very durable. The colours are stunning too. So vibrant.

Each piece has a different texture to feel too. The balls are perfectly weighted to be able to stack in a wiggly, wobbly way. Ted loves it when they all fall over. It’s really just a lovely little toy that does so much… makes music, rolls, stacks etc…

https://www.flickr.com/photos/156200586@N06/48704127768/in/dateposted-public/

I know some folk think it’s a little too soon to be talking about it… however… Christmas is only around the corner! Balancing Cal would make a fantastic gift.

I’ve added some links for further reading & info on the product.

I hope you’ve found this post useful!

Thanks as always for reading,

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative posts – I have received gifting &/or compensation for featuring some of these items, but all opinions are my own.

Out and About with Versatrax

Hi folks,

We’ve had such lovely weather for the last few days… I really do hope that this is it now… Summer has finally landed!?

I can’t believe that Seth has completed his first full term of pre-school. I’m so glad that we decided to take early intake with him rather than waiting until September. He has come on so much & his development has been amazing in the last few month.

I love that each day he gets excited for his walk to school with Mammy & Baby Ted. It’s one of the first things he says when he wakes up. Driving whilst doing the school run is so not enjoyable. Parking is a nightmare! We walk too & from school everyday. I think it’s good for kids to walk & to get out in the fresh air, rather than bundled in to a car all of the time. We’re very lucky in that our school is only a very short walk away. It only takes us 10-15mins to get there… depending on how slowly Seth wants to walk lol.

Ted just loves being out & about in a buggy too. We’ve just received the Joie Versatrax. It is absolutely gorgeous.

With Joie you always know you’re going to get safety & quality. But the Versatrax isn’t just reliable & safe… it also has that ‘fancy feel’. It has lots of added little extras that just make it all the more luxurious. The tan leather trims & cup holder – really finish this travel system off perfectly.

I love that this is a sturdy travel system, yet folds so compact. It literally folds down in half. Also, there’s no back breaking manoeuvres or fancy footwork needed to collapse this pram. It’s so simple & quick. I am quite literally the most clumsy person I know, & even I have mastered this easy procedure. A click of the safety switch & you’re pretty much done!

Once folded this pram will stand freely. So it’s perfect if you’re short on space. Also, you won’t need to prop it against your hallway wall. There’s nothing worse than a pram or buggy that doesn’t free stand & has to be propped against your cream walls. It’s also great for if you’re in a restaurant etc… you can fold it & stand it out of the way with ease.

I love that this pram gives you the option of forward or rear facing. Ted is 8 month now & loves to be nosy & look at what’s going on. However, he is teething & it’s been making him a bit upset. Sometimes he likes to rear face when he’s feeling a little under the weather. So the Versatrax gives us that option. It’s so simple to unclip & turn round.

Like all Joie products… the Versatrax is super comfy. We’ve had no complaints from Ted. The seat is comfy & has a nice soft feel. No sharp edges or corners. Everything is finished off beautifully. The seat will fully recline & has a soft touch harness. There’s also calf/leg support too. So your little one can really kick back & relax.

The Versatrax handles beautifully. The push bar is comfy to hold & has a one handed push. Now you all know that one handed push is a big requirement for me. I need to be able to push the pram/buggy with one hand while I’m holding Seth’s hand too. We have 2 busy roads to get across on our school run. So need to have hands available. Also, I’ve been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist/hand. Vibrations can really trigger the pain. The Versatrax has lovely foam filled rubber tyres making it a smooth ride for your little one & a comfy one for you while pushing it. There’s hardly no vibration.

There’s also a really big storage basket on the bottom & is very easy to access. A big basket is a must for us, as I just seem to have so much stuff with me all of the time lol.

Here is a list of the features:

• Suitable from birth with flat reclining seat
• Adjustable forward and rearward facing seat
• Pairs perfectly with Joie infant carriers gemm™, i-Gemm™, i-Level™, and i-Snug™ with the included adapters or with other infant carriers using Maxi-Cosi® style attachment
• Pairs perfectly with ramble™ XL carry cot using the included adapters
• One hand easy fold and setup, with seat rearward or forward facing
• Freestanding when folded
• Carry strap built in
• Water repellant canopy
• Full-size UPF50+ canopy with eyeshade visor
• Multi-position recline for backrest tilt options
• 2 position calf support
• Front and back access storage basket
• All wheel suspension for a smooth ride
• Sweet Stride™ single front swivel wheels
• One touch brakes
• SoftTouch, 5-point harness
• Height adjustable pushbar
• Locking front swivel wheels
• Cup holder

This really is a fantastic travel system. If you’re looking for a travel system that you can rely on, look fancy, is great on space & easy to use… then this is the one for you. Travel systems have a reputation for being big & bulky. But this certainly isn’t like that. It’s sturdy, lightweight, easy to use & folds very compact. It really is perfect for everyday family life! It’s going to be great for travel too as it doesn’t take up much space in the car! So look out for my review on how it is on holidays!

Thanks so much for reading & I hope you’ve found this review helpful!

Love & huggles,

Hayley xxx

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative posts – I have received gifting &/or compensation for featuring some of these items, but all opinions are my own.

Making Memories

Hi folks,

I love the month of May. Spring is everywhere & everything looks so beautiful… the weather is on the turn to sunnier times & it’s also mine & the hubsters Birthday month.

We always try to do something nice for our birthdays as they’re only 4 days apart. But when you have little ones in tow… plans have to change & adapt. This year we had the most amazing little break in the Yorkshire Dales in a stunning Georgian Cottage.

So… first of all… let me tell you about this simply beautiful cottage. Green Cottage is an elegant Georgian Cottage set on the green of one of Yorkshire’s most picturesque villages. It’s an ideal base to explore the Dales in any season. And… it’s 100% Family-friendly… that includes doggies too. A dog bed & bowl can be provided if needed. Our Coco is such a little diva though & likes her own little comforts – so we took her fave bed & mini food & water bowl… most dog bowls are big enough for her to bathe in lol.

The space itself:

The house is fully detached and set over three floors. Don’t worry though… if you have little ones, then baby gates can be provided. Seth is 3 & Ted is 6 month so we very much need baby gates on the stairs – so this was fab for us. They were already installed too!

Lower Ground Floor

• Kitchen diner (featuring an extendable table to seat up to 6 guests and fully equipped with Rangemaster cooker, dishwasher, fridge with freezer shelf and microwave along with plenty of good quality cooking and baking equipment, glasses, crockery etc). Honestly…the kitchen has EVERYTHING you could possibly need. Even down to the colourful plastic kids crockery from IKEA that we all know & love & can’t live without! We ate in both nights… I did ‘snacky food & we had sparkles… obvs

• Utility room (with washer-dryer, iron and ironing board and a drying space for muddy boots and outdoor gear). There’s a great tray there to stand your dirty shoes in & there’s a radiator right underneath the coat rail too – so if you’ve gotten a little damp – everything will dry off.

• Bathroom (with spa whirlpool bath, and toasty underfloor heating). The bath is utterly divine! I had visions of having an uninterrupted bubble bath with a glass of sparkles… but of course that lasted all of 5 minutes until Seth came bounding in lol. But that’s Mama Life for you!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/156200586@N06/47837682052/in/dateposted-public/

Ground Floor

• Living room (sofas to comfortably seat 5, log burner, digital Smart TV with Freeview, BBC iPlayer etc as well as lots of books, maps and games) we took our amazon fire stick with us & connected it to the WiFi. So we were able to watch Disney Life, Netflix & Prime. Please note that the play pen in the living room is ours & not part of the cottage.

• Snug / third bedroom (large day bed which can be made up into full size single bed, second TV, desk)

• Shower room (walk in monsoon shower with extra large enclosure, heated towel rail) There is also a toilet. It’s fab as there is literally a toilet on each floor. Essential for toilet training! Seth is totally dry now, but we’re still only in our first month of toilet training… so a toilet on hand is utterly essential lol.

First floor

• Master bedroom (king size bed with deep, comfortable mattress, large wardrobe and antique dressing table) oodles of space! Loads of room for a travel cot. A travel cot can be provided too if you don’t want to take one.

• Twin bedroom (two full size single beds with pocket sprung mattresses, chest of drawers and clothes rail) a waterproof mattress cover can be provided too! Perfect!Please note that the bed guard rail is ours & not part of the cottage.

• WC with basin (‘Jack and Jill’ style access from both upstairs bedrooms, ideal for families, or can be set up as en-suite for either bedroom)

Outside

• Enclosed garden to rear and side, paved and gravel with outside seating, and a charcoal BBQ
  
• Bike store (lockable for up to 5 bikes, can also be used as a pram store)
  
• Direct access to the village green – a large expanse of grass free for all to stroll, sit or play
  
• Play area visible from back gate – swings, slide, football posts etc. We spent quite a lot of time in the little play area. Seth loves a park. There’s also plenty wide open space to run around or to picnic. But, if you take your fur babies… please ensure you scoop that poop! There’s nothing worse than dog poop making the place dirty!

As you can see from above & from my photos… everything is catered for.

The bedding was so comfy!!! Egyptian cotton bed linen on all beds, 13.5 tog thick duvets (hypoallergenic and feather / down) and plenty of soft and fluffy Egyptian cotton towels. As you can see… Ted had to try out the king size bed lol.

There’s a welcome pack with all the basics for your first couple of days (loo rolls, hand soap, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, bin bags, tea towels and kitchen cleaning supplies) as well as tea, coffee, milk, bread and a few local treats. This was soooo nice!!! It just means that you don’t have to pack a lot of shopping. And it also means that it’s all ready for you to get the kettle straight on when you arrive… coz let’s face it… we all need that first brew when we arrive somewhere! Especially when you’ve had to sing Baby Shark & Old McDonald Farm all the way there lol.

 

Also… when we arrived there was a lovely big box of toys left out for Seth to explore, as well as plenty children’s books. There were even a few laid out on his bed for him. That was such a lovely touch & Seth was super excited!

So as well as a travel cot, baby gates & toys… the owners can provide a highchair – which Ted thought was VERY comfy & there is also a baby monitor. Oh & I did mention the plastic IKEA crockery, but there’s also a MAM Baby Cup too. Just so many little things that have been added to make your break so much easier! This cottage is really like a home from home.

For our furbabies, there is a lovely fluffy blanket provided & the use of a hose pipe outside to wash down those dirty paws.

 

Okay… so you’ve heard all about the gorgeous cottage… but what did we do while we were there? We investigated Settle. What a stunning little town. Seth particularly enjoyed The House That Jack Built. He got some lovely new Melissa & Doug toys. There are so many gorgeous shops, tea rooms & places to eat, to investigate. There’s also the Watershed Mill. It is absolutely stunning… the scenery is simply breathtaking. We popped there for a little bite to eat over lunch time.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/156200586@N06/47837691312/in/dateposted-public/

We spent a lot of time playing on the green outside of the cottage & in the little park. We were only there for 2 nights… next time we’ll be booking for a week.

The cottage has a lovely organised folder of leaflets & places to visit etc… so helpful for when you’re planning days out.

This beautiful cottage is simply worth every penny. If you book before August & quote: “IxxyPoco” you will be given an exclusive discount. You can book a year in advance. So use that code before it runs out. Simply head to Green Cottage on AirBnB & send a message to the owners quoting my blog.

Thanks as always for reading & I hope you’ve been inspired to book yourself a lovely break away ❤️

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative posts – I have received gifting &/or compensation for featuring some of these items, but all opinions are my own.

Toddler Toilet Time

Hi folks,

We’re still in the throws of toilet training. Well… when I say ‘toilet training’ I do actually mean potty as Seth shows more interest in the potty than the toilet.

We were sent the most gorgeous potty from Nuby; The Tots Toilet. Seth is a bit obsessed… which I’m totally taking as a massive positive step in the right direction to a ‘pull up’ free life! The first day it arrived he sat on it to eat his dinner in front of the TV lol.

Firstly… this is a lovely little potty. It’s a perfect mini toilet. There is a potty insert inside the little toilet that comes out easily for cleaning etc… with the potty being a little higher than a traditional potty, it’s great for little boys to be able to do a stand up wee without it going straight over the top. Boy mama’s… we’ve all been there. Now, the most exciting part to this Toilet, is the sounds & light. There’s a little flush button on the top. Seth is so obsessed with pressing the button. I also love that it has a toilet lid that you can close over after a successful toilet time. Seth gets a bit freaked out seeing anything in the toilet, so being able to close the lid is a massive plus for us.

As this potty looks like a toilet, Seth has been happy to keep it in our downstairs loo. Again, a massive plus for us as we’ve managed to get the idea of toilet time moved into the bathroom rather than the potty being in the front room.

Is Seth out of pull ups? Nope… not yet. He’s still a bit freaked out about the whole thing. Some days he’s very amenable to the whole toilet thing. Until we got this potty, he wasn’t. Other days though, he just does not want to know & cries & gets very anxious. I just feel that a tough love approach would not be right in this scenario as I don’t want to enforce anxiety & fear around the toilet. So, right now he can use the potty when he feels confident. And when he doesn’t, it’s not a ‘big deal’. Seth will be starting nursery next month after Easter. I’m hoping that seeing the other kids using the toilet – this will make him want to use it too. I say this because his friend Ruby used our Tots Toilet & it totally inspired Seth to use it too lol. Maybe Ruby can be his Toilet coach? Lol.

Seth isn’t pooping whilst we’re out & he’s completely dry on a night. So I know he has full control over when he ‘toilets’… it just seems to be his anxiety taking over. Like I said in a previous blog post… slow & steady wins the race. I’m hoping the calm & positive approach will help him to conquer the toilet once & for all.

We do love our Tots Toilet… & so does Ruby!

Thank you Nuby!

Thank you as always for reading!

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative posts – I have received gifting &/or compensation for featuring some of these items, but all opinions are my own.

Holidays… Breaks… Vacations… Travel

Hi folks,

Is it just me or does travelling abroad as a parent sometimes fill you with sheer dread? We’re planning a little European vacation this summer to Germany. I’m already trying to think like a million steps ahead… what do I pack!? Toys, formula, buggy, nappies, wipes, calpol… blah blah blah. I mean… do I even have luggage big enough!? What I wouldn’t give to have a private plane lol.

Then there’s the travel insurance. While I was pregnant, with both Seth & Ted, we holidayed in the UK. We always just purchase the travel insurance through the company we’re booking with. To be honest… I was always to scared too about travelling abroad whilst pregnant. So much so that we cancelled our trip to Sweden & Denmark whilst I was pregnant with Seth. Now looking back… I wish we’d not cancelled. But I mean… what is the advice? What are the guidelines whilst pregnant!? Well, the fabulous folk over at Columbus Direct have put this statement together:

Stuart Lloyd, travel insurance expert at Columbus Direct comments:

“Like Meghan & Harry, many parents-to-be will be looking to travel whilst pregnant but perhaps are unsure if it’s safe.

“If you’ve had a straightforward pregnancy, you should be safe to fly up to 28 weeks as normal. Beyond 28 weeks there are other considerations including whether you’ve had an uncomplicated pregnancy, the specific airline you’re flying with, as well as your insurance policy.

“Most airlines will require a “Fit to Fly” medical certificate from your GP beyond 28 weeks and the majority of airlines will not allow you to travel beyond 37 weeks for a single pregnancy, and beyond 32 weeks for a multiple pregnancy. Our advice is to always check with your airline as many have their own guidelines and you don’t want to be caught out.

“Before travelling, ensure you’ve not only bought travel insurance but have also checked the policy terms to see what is required of you and what you are covered for when travelling whilst pregnant in the event that you need to make a claim.

“Always consult your midwife or visit the NHS website for any medical related questions.”

I wish I’d read this statement back in 2016. But, I’ll just have to book Denmark & Sweden for the future!

Thank you as always for reading!

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative posts – I have received gifting &/or compensation for featuring some of these items, but all opinions are my own.

My Baby Wishlist

Hi folks,

By now you all know that we’re expecting our second bundle joy in October. I’m just so super excited it’s unreal!

Being the organised soul that I am, I’ve already started my list of essential items. You can expect lots of reviews over the coming months!

MAM UK

When Seth was born I struggled with breast feeding. The C-Section delayed my milk supply & Seth lost 14% of his body weight in the first week. I think the shock hit me hard & I instantly felt guilty like I’d failed him. For us, going over to formula was the right thing to do. Seth took to the transition of bottles so well. I have MAM UK anti-colic bottles to thank for that. So, I shall be using the same bottles for baby number 2.

1. MAM Electric Steriliser & Bottle Warmer
2. Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle Starter Set
3. NewBorn Soothers
4. Perfect Night Soother
5. Soft Cleaning Brush

I didn’t have a bottle warmer for Seth. I was old school & warmed bottles in boiled water. This would be so much easier!!! Night feeds will be so much easier with the aid of the bottle warmer.

The bottle starter set is just such good value for money! The set includes:

Pack Contents:

4 x Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottles 160ml with Slow Flow teats

4 x Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle Bodies 260ml

1 x Start Soother

1 x Extra Soft Bottle Spout

1 x Hold my Bottle Handles

4 x Sealing discs

MAM UK bottles are our MUST HAVE bottle brand. The fact they come completely apart makes cleaning so much easier & simple.

Sanggol Pregnancy Pillow

Getting comfy in bed when you’re pregnant can be a bit of a nightmare. I have damage to my lower back too & I’ve had surgeries in the past, so I tend to suffer some pain anyway, then with the added strain of pregnancy… things can get a tad uncomfy at times. So what could be better than a full body pillow to give you some much needed support. It’s literally like sleeping in a big hug!

Joie

• iLevel Car Seat

This car seat is so beautiful. Not only is it beautiful though – it’s ‘super safe’. It has an exclusive first ever side impact certification. It also has a lie flat feature too for when you’re out & about… carry cot & car seat all in one. This car seat is also compatible with the Joie pushchair range making it the perfect partner to create a Travel System. And… it comes complete with isofix base!

Seth currently has the Everystage FX Car Seat & it’s superb! We’re big Joie fans in our household. You always know you’re going to get good quality.

• Chrome DLX

Totally in love with this buggy. It’s literally perfect… forward faces… rear faces… suitable from birth… when folded can be transported in trolley mode… single step shoe saver brake… large all terrain tyres… and it looks pretty too! This buggy sounds pretty perfect to me!

British Baby Box

The Adorable Baby Box is a stunning little start up kit. Perfect for safe sleeps. It comes fully assembled with beautiful British made 100% organic cotton which is kind & delicate for babies skin. The Adorable Baby Box includes:

• British Baby Box with lid/changing mat facility
• Fitted mattress with attached waterproof mattress cover
• 100% Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet

We’re off on holiday in December & this would make the most perfect travel cot! Literally perfect!

So… there you have it… that’s My Baby Wishlist… so far anyway!

Thanks as always for reading!

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx

Hape Toys Perfect for the Holidays

Hi folks,

Everything seems to be getting very festive everywhere, which can mean only one thing… Christmas is almost here! So I’m guessing that a lot of you are now in panic buying mode. It can be a bit stressful trying to find those perfect gifts. Well… I have a lovely little review for you, all about Hape.

If you’re not familiar with Hape; they are the world’s largest producer of wooden toys. I always think wooden toys have a certain charm. They create that warm, fuzzy nostalgic feeling. And with such a well known brand – you know you’re always going to get good quality, well made products.

The toys that we’ve been playing with, sorry I mean ‘reviewing’ lol, are The Walk-A-Long Snail & the lovely little Red Mini Van. As you can see from the pic above – Seth simply could not wait to get stuck in.

Seth absolutely adores a walk-a-long toy. He’s had so much fun dragging this around the house. The lovely Walk-A-Snail has lots of fun aspects to it. The shell lifts away from the wheels/body & becomes an independent shape sorter. The wood is lovely & smooth & painted in beautiful vibrant colours. The shapes themselves are the perfect size & shape for little hands to grab hold of. Seth will sit & play with a shape sorter pretty much all day. With all of the different elements… wobbly antennas, wheels, bobbing head, shape sorter, etc… this toy would make any little one a fabulous Christmas gift. It’s almost like several toys all in one. It comes in a lovely box too, making it easy to wrap! Now that’s always something I look at when buying gifts… will it be easy to wrap? Lol. I mean we all know a nice box is easier to wrap.

The Mini Van would make a perfect stocking filler. Seth has loved exploring the shape & the design of the van… then propelling it at top speed along the sitting room floor lol. The slimline rounded shape is perfect for little hands to be able to grab hold of. It’s also nice & light, so it’s great for popping in Seth’s back pack for when we’re out & about. Seth always needs to take a toy wherever we go. Also, with it being wooden & rather robust, it can handle knocks & being launched from one end of the room to the other. Robust toys are essential with toddlers!

Hape really do make some lovely things, they’d make any little one a beautiful gift or stocking filler.

Thanks so much for reading & happy shopping!

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx

Gorgeous Goodies… Thanks Crabtree and Evelyn

Hi folks,

You all know I’m a HUGE fan of Crabtree & Evelyn & I’m delighted to say I’ve been trying & reviewing more of their beautiful products! 

Now… where to start… let’s start with…

• Citron & Coriander Energising Hand Recovery 

I decided to start with this product as this was my ultimate favourite in the pack I was sent. It is hands down my most favourite product from Crabtree & Evelyn now. I literally adore this hand scrub. I’ve menetioned a lot in previous blog posts that I suffer with mild dermatitis on my hands – especially along the index finger on my right hand. So, a hand scrub is something I’d really not buy. I’d presume that it would aggravate & inflame my sore skin, but… How wrong I was… 

This scrub is super soft & gentle. It almost seems to buff the sore, dry, rough skin. When you wash it off your hands they feel so soft. They even look fresher & brighter too. Almost like they’ve been given a brand new lease of life! I’ve been using this once a day. The fragrance is gorgeous. I cannot recommend this product enough! 

Lavender & Espresso Calming Soap

I’m really old school in the sense that I still love a good old bar of soap. I’ve always got a bar of soap in a soap dish at the side of the sink. This soap did not disappoint. I love Lavender as a scent anyway, but with the mix of Espresso in there too – it gives a lovely kick. This mix is naturally purifying without stripping away at the skin. This soap would actually be perfect in your kitchen for after you’ve been chopping stinky onions & garlic. It’ll get rid of those strong foodie smells in an instant. Whenthis bat of soap is out of its wrappper it literally fills the room with its aroma.

Rosewater & Pink Peppercorn Hydrating Hand Recovery

This product smells utterly fantastical! I knew as soon as I used it that it had patchouli in there somewhere & after reading the ingredients – I was right! Patchouli is one of my most favourite scents. It always makes me think of Autumn days… I don’t know why… but it does. For me – it’s a very uplifting scent & it’s also long lasting. So you tend to take the fragrance with you. 

This hand recovery is lovely. It’s been lovely to use on an evening. It seems to give your hands that much needed burst of hydration after a long day of running round after a toddler… constantly washing, scrubbing etc… you know what I’m talking about lol. This handcream has been kept in my bedside drawer… it’s now part of my bedtime skincare regime. I mean… we moisturise our face before bed… so why not our hands too!?  

With Christmas fast approaching – you must visit your nearest Crabtree & Evelyn shop or visit them online. Imagine receiving some lovely luxury items in your Secret Santa? I mean you can buy some of their luxury foodie items for as little as £5. They have something to cater to all budgets. With Crabtree & Evelyn you always know you’re going to get top quality products. So go on… treat yourself & your nearest & dearest. With only 3 more pay days until Christmas… you’d best get your skates on! 

Thanks so much for reading! 

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx



Hey Like Wow!

Hi folks,

How gorgeous has this sunny summer weather been that we’ve been having? We’ve had so many fun family days out & days in the garden. Staying hydrated in this weather is so super important. I try not drink too many fizzy drinks & tend to stick to water. However… over the last month or so I’ve been trying out a lovely beverage from Hey Like Wow. 

So… what is it? 

It’s a still vitamin water that is:

• Sugar Free without the nasties
• Enriched with Viatnins B6, C & D, Calcium
• No Artificial Sweeteners
• No Artificial Preservatives 
• Allergen Free 

In the cap of the bottle you may be able to see a red button… Well this is a blast cap that delivers your vitamins straight into your water. Soluable vitamins are the most powerful the moment they hit the water. So, this amazing blast cap gives you the control of only releasing the vitamins right before you drink. 

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So… what’s it like?

 I loved them. Like I said – I’m a big water drinker, so having something with a little more flavour & added vitamins is fab. They’re lovely ‘on the go’ drinks that fit great into a healthy lifestyle. The sports caps make them easier for kids to drink from too – Seth’s loved having a taste test. 

To stay up to date with new launches from Hey Like Wow you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. 

For stockists please visit their website.

Thanks so much as always for reading 🙂

Love & Huggles,

Hayley xxx