My Top 5 Perfumes

I know that fragrance is a very personal thing, and some fragrances are just like Marmite - you either love them or you hate them. The following are a selection of my favourite scents, but they may not be to everyone's taste. I am a big lover of perfume (I have a lot of love for a lot of things it would seem), and although it may sound a little cringy, I really feel that it gives me a lift when I spray it on (drench myself in it). A little heads-up, I am not a pro at describing all the different notes that are present in perfumes.

Anyway, here are my top 5:

Jo Malone, Dark Amber and Ginger Lily. This is definitely one of my Autumn/Winter fragrances, but I do use it in the evenings all year round, if I am going out (not a common occurrence these days). I find it to be very woody, spicy and rich, yet it has something very clean about it. It is a very sophisticated fragrance. There is something quite comforting and calming about this scent. I think that is because it is very reminiscent of the spicy fragrances that I often smelt woman wearing when I was a child. My only complaint about this fragrance is the longevity of it, it smells powerful to begin with, but disappears within a few hours. That said I have had compliments about it when I've had it on for most of the day, and I am aware that you shouldn't really be able to smell your own perfume. People tend to believe it to be fairly expensive, but when you consider price per millilitre, it works out around the same cost as most other high-end fragrance. The packaging is very simple, but it looks stylish (I know it's not the best place to keep perfume, but I like to keep it on show on my chest of drawers).

Chanel Chance, Eau Tendre. This is an entirely different fragrance to the Dark and Amber and Ginger Lily, despite Amber being one of the notes in this one. It is fresh, light and very feminine. I find it very refreshing on a hot Summer's day, and find one spritz makes me feel less yucky (me on a Summer's day = hot, flushed face and flustered). Some people mistake this for Mark Jacobs Daisy, but I'd say that this is less floral than Daisy. It lasts all day, and although I would get away without topping it up, I just love how refreshing it feels. The packaging is very pretty, but like the Jo Malone, it's very simple.

Jo Malone, Necterine Blossom and Honey. This one is fresh, clean, and fruity (not sickly sweet though). It's uplifting, and if you were feeling a bit yuk, this would definitely give you a boost. I love this one in the summer (well all year round really, but mainly in the summer), it's very refreshing, but totally different to Chance Eau Tendre. It's a very uncomplicated smell, but lovely all the same. It's lasting time is pretty good, requiring a wee top up during the day (again I don't mind, as I said it's refreshing). The packaging is very simple, but it looks sleek. It's not got as great a look as the intense colognes, but it is lovely all the same. 

Molecule 01, Escentric molecules - I spoke about this one in my May Favourites post, so I won't bore you with the science of it again. This is woody, but clean, and it's by far the most unique perfume that I own. I love it so much! 

Burberry Body - This one has a sentimental thing going, as my Husband bought me when I had our daughter. It brings back lots of lovely memories every time I spray, and I love wearing it. I definitely have a thing for scents with Amber in them. This is another one with Amber in it, but again different to other two. It has an almost fruity, floral smell to it, but there is a distinct depth and warmth to it. I always get a lot of compliments when I'm wearing this, and my husband loves it. I always joke that I will turn into Rosie Huntington-Whitely if I wear this often enough (I can dream). It sadly hasn't happened yet, but I do feel great when I wear this perfume! 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Comments/tips/questions are welcome as always. 

Thanks, Kirsty x 

Disclaimer - All the products mentioned in this post were either bought by me, or given to me by family/friends as a gift. 

Cybex Sirona Car Seat Review

So, let's just say that this car seat seriously turned our heads! We absolutely loved our Silver Cross Simplicity, but Gracie wasn't looking as comfortable as she once had been (floppy head once she was asleep), and this seat ticked all the boxes for us. 

The Cybex Sirona - Image from Cybex Website

It is a combination car seat, suitable from birth to 4 years (group 0+/1, up to 18kg). It can be used rearward facing throughout this time, but can be changed to forward facing once your child is 13kg. Rearward facing is deemed to be the safest way to have your child in the car, and there are some campaignes in place to try and encourage parents to do it for as long as possible. It has integrated isofix fittings, and it is easy to put into the car. It comes in a variety of different colours. We have it in black, grey/blue. You can see all the colour choices on the Cybex website. Cybex have a video demonstration for the seat here on Youtube.

Safety Features - It is believed to be one of the safest on the market. This seat features a 5 point safety harness, to be used at all times, unless the seat is to be used forward facing, in which case you use the adjustable safety cushion that comes with the seat. Not something any parent wants to think about, but if you were to be involved in a front end collision, and your child is front facing, their upper body rolls over the cushion, reducing the strain to the back and the neck. If they were in a harness they would be at a high risk of serious back and neck injuries. It also has telescopic linear side-impact protection, in other words, absorbs forces from any side impact. The seat is an awarded test winner, this is from testing carried out by German Stiftung Warentest (German leading consumer testing orgainsation). Cybex has a safety video here on Youtube.

Handy/Practical Features - It turns 360 degrees, which makes access so much easier. Imagine, it's a day of pouring rain, you and your baby are getting soaked, you're struggling to get baby into the car seat, now you're both a soggy mess! Not with this seat, the seat is facing you when you open the car door, clip baby in with the harness, swivle round, et voila, no fuss involved. The straps are easily adjustable, it is a two handed job to slacken them, but only a one handed job to tighten them. The height of the straps adjusts in accordance with the height of the headrest, so your child should remain comfortable even once you move the positioning of the straps.

Comfort - It looks comfortable, it is comfortable (Gracie happily drifts off to sleep in her seat). No floppy head. It reclines, and it makes for a very comfy, happy baby. It is fairly well elevated when not reclined, so Gracie can look out the window, but to be honest, she sleeps most of the time when she is in it. You can buy a newborn snug for it, but we obviously didn't need that.

Comfy Seat, Comfy Baby

 

The downsides - I struggled to think of any to be honest. There is the whole thing of not being able to attach it to your pram chassis, but as mentioned in my review of the Silver Cross car seat, I wouldn't use it in that way anyway. It is heavy, but we don't plan on moving it in and out of cars on a regular basis, so that's not really an issue.

The safety of the seat is obviously the feature that is of the greatest importance, but the fact that it looks great, and functions so well is an added bonus. We have had so many compliments with regards to the ease of use of this seat. It costs £375, but it is well worth the money! You can't compromise on these things, it's just not worth it. I would recommend this seat to any parent/parent to-be.

I hope you found this review helpful/useful. Any questions/comments/tips are always welcome.

Thanks, Kirsty x

Disclaimer - This seat was bought by Husband and I. This is not a sponsored post.
 

Summer Style (I jest, It's Comfort) During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be really hard going, lets not beat around the bush. Couple pregnancy with a sunny Summer, and you can safely say that you feel like you're going to explode. I was heavily pregnant last summer, and I'm not the most slender of people, so I was feeling pretty big, and uncomfortable. Finding suitable Summer clothes that didn't resemble a tent was really difficult; Ultimately I wanted needed to be comfortable, but perhaps maintain some sort of style (I'm not certain that people would call me stylish, but you get where I'm at). If you're pregnant, and lucky enough to be blessed with a slender figure, and are a walking, talking clothes horse, I salute you. If not, stick around (stick around anyway, you might enjoy the read).

So, personally speaking, I found the best way to do the comfy meets style thing, was team simple, basic items with a pretty scarf (a scarf in summer, I hear you say, but it is Scotland we are talking about) or some statement Jewellery. The shops were full of amazing accessories last year, and I see that things are much the same this year. My favourite places to find beautiful jewellery last year were Topshop, and New Look, with Accessorize being my favourite place to find a scarf. They have all come up with great items again this year, and there are more than a few pieces of Topshop jewellery on my shopping list. The. White Company  do some lovely scarves, they are all fairly neutral, and very light. They would go with most outfits and because they are light, they would make the perfect Summer accessory. The full on 'I'm melting' sweats are bad enough in pregnancy, never mind in the height of Summer, so everything needs to be light. If you feel a scarf isn't a great idea in Summer, think again, a scarf makes a great brow mop!

Mint green and gold necklace - Accessorize (still in stock). Gold and silver necklace - Topshop. Pale pink rope statement necklace - Newlook. Blue long chain necklace - Accessorize (still in stock) Scarf- Accessorize (still in stock).

 

As for the clothes, this is the boring bit in all honesty. I mainly bought jeggings, and leggings (the stretch and softness is oh so comfy) from Newlook, and Next, and got some plain vest tops, and t-shirts from ASOS, and Newlook (they were all longline tops, rest easy, I don't do the whole leggings as trousers thing). I opted for mostly block colours (ok, it was mostly black and white), and as already mentioned, I brightened them up with accessories. Any notions that I had years ago, about floating around in swishy dresses, had totally gone out of the window. Like I said, comfort was my priority. That said, I found a couple of great summer dresses in ASOS, they were made from a light, stretch material, that felt loose, and cool, but clung enough to not take on a tent like look. They don't stock the ones I had, but have some that are very similar, and are equally as nice.

Footwear was fine at the start of the summer, as I wore sandals or flip-flops, but as puffy feet took over, the sandals were ditched, and it was flip flops all the way for me. To be honest, there are so many lovely flip-flops available, you don't really have to sacrifice style (too much).

If you are pregnant, and you're going about with a bump that is like my post pizza bloat, then you may well spend the Summer in amazing clothing, and teeter about in beautiful heels, so none of the above will really matter to you. However, if the contents of my Intro sound a bit more familiar, then I hope you have gotten a little something out of this. Either way, I hope you enjoyed the read.

As always please leave comments/tips/suggestions below. Or if you're on twitter, give me a tweet.

Thanks, Kirsty x

Disclaimer - All items mentioned in this post were bought by me. This is not a sponsered post. 

That Coffee In Town That Turns Into A Shopping Trip

We have all been there, you're meeting a friend for a quick coffee, and before you know it you have half several bags of shopping in tow. I had one of those days at the end of the week. I had a bit of time to spare before I met my friend, so I thought that there would be no harm in doing a bit of window shopping. That went well.........NOT! Evidence of this is shown below.

I went into TK Maxx to look at glasses, and stumbled into the beauty section. Surprise surprise, I left without glasses. What I came out with in no way resembles glasses, oops! Well, I needed a travalo, as some of my perfumes are in 100ml bottles, and no one wants to be lugging that around. I absolutely needed did not need the blusher and make up bag. That said, the blusher was a bargain at £5.99, it is currently £24.99 on new cid's website, and the make up bag was only £6 (it is the perfect size for my handbag). It all just went on from there.........

 



 

I had to pop into boots for some baby things, and before I knew what I was doing I had bought several things from the Clinique counter. I picked up 2 of the new matte lipsticks (in my defence, one was bought for my Sister). I got them in Beauty and Mandarin. I then couldn't resist getting a Chubby Stick for eyes, in Whopping Willow. It is a beautiful woody green, that looks great blended over the whole eyelid, a great fuss free makeup item (a must for me at the moment). It is very like MAC's Sumptuous Olive, and I'm sure that they would look great layered up for a more dramatic look. The final item I got from Clinique, was the Superdefense SPF 20 eye cream. It has been on my radar for a while, but I wanted to give it a wee try before I bought it, the lovely girl on my local counter gave me a generous sample a few weeks ago, and I loved it (obviously, or I wouldn't have bought it I hear you say). It is a really great eye cream. I usually prefer to try things for a good period of time before making sweeping statements, but it is so nice, I loved it from the first use. It is light, but feels rich enough, if that makes any sense. It has a slight hint of a tint to it, and has an almost highlighting effect. I see an instant improvement to the appearance of my under eye are whenever I apply it. The addition of the SPF is great, the skin around the eyes is so delicate so it needs to be well cared for. While I was in boots, I also picked up an Essie polish, in Sunday Funday, cute name, cute colour (I apologise that it is not present in the pictures). It is the perfect Summer colour, just the right blend of pink and peachy coral, with a hint of shimmer. I made a bee-line for the till before things got totally crazy!





And finally.................

I picked up a few miniatures from my hairdresses (I have done a post all about my hairdresser - ), these were slightly justified, as they were on a 3 for £10 offer, and I was in need of some miniatures for going away for a long weekend (with all Gracie's stuff, there is little room for my things, so miniatures are a must). All that justification aside, who doesn't love products in a miniature version?!



The moral of this story, invite friends to the house for coffee, and avoid the pull of the shops!!

I hope that you enjoyed this post. If you would like full reviews of any of the products mentioned, then please let me know. Comments/tips/suggestions are welcome as always. Don't forget to follow my blog on Bloglovin.

Thanks, Kirsty x

Disclaimer - All the products mentioned were bought by me. This is not a sponsored post.

Who Our Children Become

There is a saying: your children become who you are, so be who you want them to be. I saw this recently, and it got me thinking. I don't think that saying is true in every case, but that's a whole other matter. I started thinking what would happen if Gracie became like me. Do I really want Gracie growing up to be like me? There are parts of me that I'd love her to have, but equally there are some, that I don't want her to have. Like my negative thoughts about my image for example, mainly my body. Yes, my body, the body that helped produce and carry a baby for 9 months, the body that allows me to do everything that I need to for this beautiful little person. The same body that I use and abuse every day, and it still does it's thing. I pick holes in it, and find fault in it, instead of focusing on all the wonderful things it can do. How crazy is that?! Sadly I'm not alone, I have lots of friends and family who do the very same. It's endemic! All too often my attention is on the appearance of my body rather than it's function. I've got a terrible mindset, and although some of that is my own doing, it's not a wonder really, we are surrounded by negative views about body image. It's all around us, and while you can't always control the negative thoughts and ideas others impart on your children, you should try to control the ones that you impart. We are all different, we aren't robots, or clones, and we shouldn't all conform to a set standard on looks and body image. We should not all be trying to obtain a set look, just because certain people tout it as being what is right. Yes, I agree we ought to look after these amazing bodies that we have been blessed with, but if you look after yours, and live in as healthy a way as you can, should it matter that your several sizes bigger than Jessie that stays down the road? No, it shouldn't (but it does to many people). It's a cliche, but size is just a number.


I firmly believe that being truly healthy requires a healthy mindset as well as physical health. Just because you can't weigh it on the scales, doesn't make it less important. After all, it's a viscous cycle, you dislike what you see in the mirror, you get upset, you see someone who you wish you were like, you get more upset, you eat, you feel crap, you gain weight, you feel crap and so it goes on (I appreciate that it's not as cut and dry as that, but that's just my feelings on the matter). I really don't believe that having a bad mindset is a healthy way to live your life. What kind of a world are we living in when your child is sitting eating their dinner, but you're not having any because you had a fat day yesterday. That's no example to set to your child. I don't want Gracie to ever think that that's right. I also never want to hear her refer to herself as fat, yes, we humans have fat in our bodies, but we also have bones in our bones, yet we don't refer to ourselves as bones. I shudder at the thought of hearing those words leave her mouth. I hear it come out of too many people's mouths, and they aren't always referring to themselves. What chance do you stand when you're calling yourself names, and other people are doing it to you too?! But then, if you don't have any respect for yourself, how can you expect other people to have respect for you.


 So, I'm making a commitment to improve my health, but not just loosing pounds here and there. Yes, I want to have a more healthy diet, and improving my fitness will benefit not just me, but my family. But, far more important than that, I'm going to ditch the negative mindset (I don't think that you can make positive changes to your diet and fitness with that mindset anyway), and I'm ditching anyone who makes me feel like a crappy version of myself.  I hope that with a bit of self confidence, and recognition of the amazing things that our bodies can do, I might manage to save my daughter from becoming the person I have been for too many years.

 

I hope that this hasn't been too negative a post to be putting on here, because I do like to keep things positive, but it is sometimes good to share feelings about these things. As always, comments/tips and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for reading, Kirsty x

I love my hairdresser

I love my hairdresser for various reasons. Let me tell you a bit about her, and why my hair and I are thankful to her. 

Her name is Leanna, and she has been a hairdresser for many years. She runs her own Salon called Evocativ, which is in Elgin (situated in Moray, Scotland). Among other things, she has worked at London Fashion Week, has achieved Master Colour Expert Status, and is a Sebastian Professional Freelance Educator . She is a very talented lady! She manages to do all this, and somehow finds the time to be a Mummy to 2 babies.

A bit of background about me and hairdressers. I was, until last year, a total hairdresser floozie, I'd skip from one to the other, never sticking with one for very long. Then, my Sister told me to give myself a treat and go to Leanna. I've never looked back, and frankly I'm ashamed that it took me so long to go to her. My Sister seriously knows what she is talking about! Leanna has transformed my hair from dull and drab into shiny, thick (I lie, I've got thin hair, but it's the thickest that I've ever known it to be, so thick it is) and manageable. She has tolerated my near constant changes of heart about colour, and has dutifully made me blonde, then brown, then blonde, and you get the idea. Not once has my hair suffered for this. Her technique is flawless, and she makes sure that you're taking the best possible care of your hair, in order to get the best out of your colour and style. She only uses products that she knows inside out, and has the greatest confidence in. She stocks products from Moroccan Oil, Sebastian, and Kevin Murphy, all brands that I have tried and love.

Not only is she great with colour, but she does an amazing cut. She has been working away at my cut for some time, gradually getting rid of my layers, and straw-like ends (I had grown it a fair bit, and was initially a bit reluctant to have it cut). She recently gave it a good chop, and it has made the world of difference to the texture and thickness of it. I swear, it's like I've got new hair. Never before have I had my hair in a bob, and had to do so little with it to get it to look decent. It's great that it takes such minimal effort, as styling my hair isn't always ever my top priority in the morning.

Now the hairdressing aside, Leanna has the most immense banter. It's like therapy going to get your hair done, and it's more like chatting with your friend than your hairdresser. She has the best magazines, and will make as many cappuccinos as you fancy. It's an experience that I always look forward to, and I know my hair is in great hands. I think everyone should have a hairdresser like Leanna. If you're lucky enough to live within a reasonable distance of Leanna's Salon in Elgin then you would be mad not to book an appointment. If you're not local, I'd visit the area just to get your hair done. It's a pampering, relaxing experience, and I leave feeling like a new woman every time.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. Any question/tips/suggestions are welcome. I'm thinking of doing a haircare post, is this something that would be of interest? Let me know in the comments section.

Thanks for reading, Kirsty x

Mummy Make Up (Mummy doesn't have time to faff about make up)

I'm not sure about you guys, but when I first had my baby I did wonder when I would ever find time to brush my hair, let alone apply make up. However, quite quickly, I worked out that when a window of opportunity presented itself, I had to grab it and use it. Obviously, as time goes on things do get easier, so if you're not at the point yet then fear not. Over time I have worked out which products give the best effects, but are quick and easy to apply. I still want to look nice, I just don't have endless amounts of time like I used to. 

 

 

 

It's all quite simple, and natural - nothing too crazy going on  here!

I start with the Chanel Les Beiges, Healthy Glow Fluid, in No 10. I love applying this with a brush, but it's quicker doing it with my fingers, and I find doing it this way gives a really nice finish. It imparts a lovely glow to the skin. I spoke about this in my May Favourites post, so I won't witter on about it. I then apply a touch of the Dior Diorblush Cheek Cream in Panama, to the apples of my cheeks (I believe that this was a limited collection, and I can't seem to find any stockists. If I do, I will pop in a link). There are so many lovely cream blushers available, you wouldn't struggle to find something similar. The blusher gives a healthy wash of colour to my cheeks, and I don't think that you can go wrong with a good coral (it's the perfect pick me up colour). I then pop a little of Bobbi Brown, Cream Eyeshadow, in Sandy Gold all over my lids. It's a fuss free, pretty touch to the eyes. It's a long-wear cream shadow, and it really does seem to last well throughout the day (it creases, but that's a common thing on my lids). I follow this up with a good coat  few coats of the Le Volume De Chanel, Waterproof Mascara. This allows me to cheat the fresh as a daisy, wide-eyed look. It's a great mascara, that layers up nicely if you're after a more intense look, but looks really natural applied in a lighter fashion. It holds a curl, and that's the main criteria that mascara's have to meet for me. If I'm really short on time, I would comb through my brows with a spoolie (this means my brows look a little patchy, but I can live with that). If I'm in luck, and Gracie is happily playing or sleeping, then I pop on some of my Laura Mercier Brow Tint, in Soft. I just put a little on with a small hard-angled brush (I generally use a travel size Japonesque one), and voila, no more gappy brows. I've been really impressed with this brown tint, and can see it becoming a favourite.


And finally..................


I finish off with a bit of lipstick, I like something hydrating, with a hint of colour, but nothing too over the top. I don't want to have to spend ages applying it, and it has to be suitable to top-up on the move. I find the by Terry Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge in number 3 - Baby Bloom (very appropriate name), to be the perfect one for the job. It's a lovely, light lipstick, that gives a bit of a plumped look to the lips (a nice healthy look, not a trout pout). The colour is peachy pink perfection, and I love it (in case you couldn't tell).  


I don't wear this make up every single day, I do vary it a bit depending on what I'm doing, and I do like to change up some of the products from time-to-time. I like to add a bold lip, and some eyeliner if I feel like livening things up a bit. There are some days I don't wear any make up (you probably wouldn't want to meet me on one of those days). If I'm honest, some days I just don't have the time, nor the energy to be bothered, and I'm ok with that.


I hope you liked this post. Please let me know which make up items you think are great for us Mummies, or just anyone in general . Any questions/tips/suggestions are welcome as always.


Thanks, Kirsty x

Disclaimer - All the products mentioned in this post were purchased by myself, and all opinions expressed are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

How We Have Been Dealing With A Teething Baby

Some babies get their first teeth without any problems at all. For others, it can be uncomfortable at best, but excruciatingly painful at its worst. It is distressing for both baby, and parents. It can be a very daunting experience, and even more so if you're new to parenting, and don't have prior experience to draw on. For that reason, I thought I would talk about the things that we have found helpful for Gracie. 


To be honest, the whole teething thing is a bit of a minefield, there are so many teething products available, it can be difficult to know what to use. You have to find what is right for your baby, and don't be railroaded into using things just because a friend or family member swears by it (every baby is different, and what works for one, won't necessarily work for another). In this post, I will cover what worked for Gracie, but will also be mentioning other things that we didn't find worked (they might work for your baby though).


Gracie started showing signs of teething at around 4 months, often seen rubbing her gums, and with flushed cheeks. Despite this, it all seemed to settle down, and we couldn't see any sign of her first tooth. However, about a month ago, she started wakening up crying at around 4 am, and started to be a bit grumpy during the day. She started drooling, and the gum rubbing and flushed cheeks returned. One month on (I'm not going to lie, it seems like several months), and she has got 2 teeth. We seem to have worked out which things help, and she has stopped wakening at 4 am, and seems a lot more settled in general (I may haved jinxed us now).


Here is what has been working for Gracie:


Matricaria Chamomilla - This is a homeopathic medicinal product, believed to relieve teething pain, and the associated symptoms. It comes in various forms, we have it in powder form. We have been using it a few times a day (it states that it can be used up to 6 times a day, but always check the enclosed leaflet), and she does seem less grumpy after having it, and the redness in her cheeks reduces significantly. We just pour it in to her mouth (not always an easy task).

Sophie The Giraffe - We have tried giving Gracie teething rings, but she rarely bothers with them. If we give her Sophie, she seems instantly happier (I know it sounds ridiculous, but she is always happy to see Sophie). She chews away on her, and rubs her over her gums. She is soft and flexible, and we think she makes the perfect teether.

A dummy - It really seems to help her, she chews away on it, and rubs the teet over her gums. She has had a dummy since the early days, and she clearly finds it comforting. I know that they are controversial, so I won't dwell on that one. 

Chilled Fruit - She really seems to get relief from having some pieces of chilled fruit (this clearly isn't suitable for babies under 6 months).

Paracetamol - We only use this if absolutely necessary, and generally if we use it, it is at night. It is obviously a pain killer, and can help reduce a fever. We always use it as per instructions (i.e 4-6 hourly, no more than 4 times a day, always read the info leaflet).

Walks - She is always very relaxed when she is in her pram, and out for a good walk. She seems to settle if she is crying and grumpy, and often goes off to sleep. It's a simple, yet great way to calm her down.

And most importantly.......

Cuddles - Sometimes, it's the only thing that really makes a difference.


The things that didn't work for Gracie:

Teething Gel: These contain a small amount of local anaesthetic, which numbs the area that they are applied to. The main issue is the application, it slips about, and more seems to go on her tongue than on her gums. I can't say that we really notice a difference after applying teething gel. The anaesthetic effects are fairly short acting, in my opinion. There are various ones available from a variety of different brands, but they all appear to have similar ingredients. 

Teething Rings: As I've already mentioned, Gracie never really bothers with these. They tend to get thrown around, and I have had more than one smack across the nose with them.

A little side note - 

As parents we need to try and find time to relax (I know this not high on the agenda when you're running about after your children), and take some time out from it all. We tend to forget our own needs in the midst of all the teething, and other day-to-day things (of course we put our children first, that is only natural). That said, you need to be at your best for your children, and that means you need to get some 'you time' once in a while. Even if it's just sitting down with a coffee and a magazine, or going for a bit of a pamper, it is important to do these things, or else you get burnt out very quickly. I know if we are more relaxed, then Gracie is too. 

I really hope that this has been helpful in some way, please leave a comment if you have any questions/tips/suggestions.


Thanks, Kirsty x

YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush Review

As soon as Anna from viviannadoemakeup mentioned these on her blog (if you haven't read her blog, or watched her videos on youtube, where have you been), I knew I had to try them out. I pretty much sit and make a wish list shopping list whilst watching her videos, and reading her blog. She knows her stuff, and when she likes something, you know it's going to be good. This is turning into an Anna review, rather than a product review. Anyhoo...... Back to the product.


Here is a little background from YSL Beauty, including a tiny bit about the tecnhnology behind them: They are a lip colour, and blush hybrid, with an air-whipped formula. They have been developed using a fusion of foundation and lipstick, resulting in a luminous, yet matte finish. Launched back in May, and available in 13 shades, these have become a must have product for all lip product lovers. I swear I got a little giddy when I spotted these on the counter at Boots. I would have happily bought all the shades, but I calmed myself down, and purchased shade 1 - Fushia Desinvolte, and shade 8 - Pink Hedoniste. I thought it would nice to have a lighter, easy to wear shade, and a nice bright pop of colour.

Shade 8 and Shade 1



 As the name suggests shade 1 is a fushia pink. It is blue toned, and I find this flattering for my complexion (casper the friendly ghost/transparent), and it also has a brightening effect on my teeth. Shade 8 is much lighter in colour, and is a muted, soft pink. I'd imagine that they would both suit most skintones. I wear shade 1 with a very natural make up look, I don't like when there is too much other things going on, the bright lip is enough. I like to team Shade 8 with a flick of eyeliner, and a good coat of mascara.

 

What I like about them: They have a lovely texture; matte, but not drying, and have a creamy, velvety feel. The product is lightweight, but nicely pigmented. They start of with a hint of sheen, but dry down nicely. The applicator is doe-foot, and allows even application (there is the addition of the "hidden pearl" to the applicator, but I'm not certain it brings much to the application). The colour selection is great, there aren't many shades that I would avoid. They don't require much faffing about, a couple of coats to make them opaque, and no farting about with lip liner etc (I have no time for faffing).


What I'm not so fond of: The longevity of them on the lips isn't great for me, but that's maybe just me. I have heard/read about people getting 8 hours of wear out of them (please tell me how, if you do, because the less re-application I have to do in a day the better). I can't make them work on my cheeks, I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, but there is always a bit of a stain where I first dot the product on (perhaps it's the near constant interruptions from a certain little person that mean I'm not blending it quick enough). I'm not crazy about the packaging, it's a nail polish style bottle - glass with black lettering, and a gold lid. Nothing too far out I guess, I just think they are never going to look so great when I've got them sat next to my Rouge Volupte (now they have some seriously beautiful packaging).


Overall, I think that they are a great product, and I know when a product makes it into my day-to-day stash that they're a keeper. I hope you enjoyed this review. Please comment with any questions/tips/suggestions.


Thanks, Kirsty x

Disclaimer - The products mentioned in this post were purchased by me. The views expressed in this post are my own, and this is not a sponsored post.

aden and anais Swaddle Blankets - A review

We were a bit late in getting these for Gracie, I really wish we had gotten them when she was born, as we missed out on being able to use them for swaddling. Not to worry, these are very multi-functional, and we have gotten lots of use out of them so far.

A little bit of background about aden and anais from their website: In 2003, Reagan - the lady who founded the company, was expecting her first baby, and wanted to use some of the traditions that she had been accustomed to in her home country, Australia. One of these was the use of muslin cloths for swaddling. She was frustrated at not being able to source suitable muslins, and decided to start her own company in order to produce high quality muslin products, allowing everyone to share in this great tradition. The company started in 2006, and was named aden and anais. It is now hugely popular, with a large celebrity following (Prince George has been spotted numerous times with his swaddles blankets). The products are renowned for the fantastic quality, versatility and design. There are a variety of lovely products available, from wash cloths to sleeping bags. Their website is great, there is information on how to swaddle, and there is a great piece on why you should swaddle with muslin (worth a read). We are also lucky to have a small selection of products at a local shop (Brodie Country Fayre). If I'm honest, the temptation to buy all the products is hard to resist. Anyway, I digress.......Onto the blankets.......

 

 

There are four different collections of the swaddle blankets, they are; classic, cozy, organic, and bamboo. Gracie has a the classic ones, and has a few different designs. She has two sets of the 'For The Birds' blankets and a set of the 'Jungle Jam' ones. They are soft, snuggly, warm when required, but equally nice and cool on a hot day. They go everywhere with us, and make a perfect pram blanket, beach towel/mat, so there is no need to cart about lots of different items. At home we use them as blankets in the cot, snuggle blankets for nap times, and play mats. I have also used them as a sunshade when out and about (believe it or not, the sun does shine in Scotland every now and then). I believe that they can be used a sheets, but I've not tried using them in that way, yet. Owing to their substantial size, I know some people who like to use them while breastfeeding. I think their potential uses are endless. They wash up beautifully, and appear to become softer the more they are used. Gracie snuggles into them, and really seems to love having them up near her face, I think she probably finds them soothing and comforting. I love the patterns on the blankets, they are a little different, without being garish. I don't have a bad thing to say about these muslins, they are a great product, and I can absolutely see why they are so popular. Unique, yet practical!

Gracie loves Giraffes!

 

I hope that you have enjoyed this review, and I'd love to hear if anyone has tried any of the other aden and anais products. As always please comment with any questions/tips/suggestions.


Thanks, Kirsty


Disclaimer - All the items mentioned in this post were purchased by my Husband and I. This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions expressed are my own.  

 

JoJo Maman Bebe - A Review

The first time I came across JoJo Maman Bebe (a UK - based maternity and baby clothing/product retailer, founded in 1993), I was looking for a travel highchair. Once I found the site, I was on it for hours, I had a virtual shopping basket full of lovely things. However, I was going to Edinburgh the following week, so I decided to wait and see the products in all their glory in the shop. I was ridiculously excited about going to the shop when I arrived in Edinburgh (I'm sure my Sister was demented with me wittering on about it all the way there). The shop is so lovely, the staff are very helpful, and polite. It is a bright and airy shop, and well designed for manoeuvring a pram around (I can't get over how many shops, that sell baby products, are not geared up for parents shopping with their baby in tow). I had my eye on some of the Breton tops, sleepsuits, and the pocket highchair (yes, you can get a highchair that fits in your pocket), all of which were in stock. I got lucky, as there was an offer on the Breton tops (it's still on, buy 2 and save £5), and the chair was way cheaper than other ones that I had looked at locally (£15 cheaper to be exact). 

 

 

I will start with a little bit about the Breton Tops. As they are a little bit big at the moment, Gracie hasn't worn them, so this is just first impressions of them. The price is great, the fabric is lovely and soft (100% cotton), yet substantial. They appear to be great quality, and they have washed up well (just washed through the once so far). They have really cute buttons - I like all the little details. They will look lovely with skirts and tights, but equally nice with leggings or trousers. 

 

The Jardin Sleepsuit. This is the most beautiful sleepsuit that I have ever come across. It's pretty, girly and delicate. The fabric is also lovely, it is fairly thick, but very soft (again, 100% cotton), which is perfect for Gracie's sensitive skin. These come in various designs, and some of the boys ones are so cute, it's nice to see something different to the usual nautical theme. As you will see in the picture below, the detail in them is lovely. I will definitely be buying more of these. It also washes up really well, and is still lovely and soft after several washes. The pattern is beautiful, and a bit different to the other sleepsuits that she has. It's suitable for night or daytime wear.
 

 

The Pocket Highchair Yes it's a fairly simple design, but what a great one. It's made from sturdy fabric, the striped fabric is lovely. It sits well onto most chairs when out and about (a little more tricky with the higher backed chairs), and Gracie seems happy and comfortable when we use it. Through general wear, and tear, and having food mushed into them, highchairs get pretty dirty, and even after a good wipe down with antibacterial wipes, I'm not keen on putting Gracie in some of them. So, this is the perfect solution. It folds into a self-contained pocket (folded bag size - 19x19cm), and it fits neatley into our changing bag. It is also the perfect solution when you're at friends/family's house, and they don't have a highchair. It is suitable from 6 months to 30 months (only use once your child is able to support themselves sitting up). It is machine washable (an absolute must when a messy child is involved). It's an all round great product, and we will get lots of use out of this. Here is a link to the video on how to use this highchair - Pocket highchair video


I now have an ever-growing list of potential purchases, so I can see another trip to Edinburgh coming up soon.

 

I hope you liked the reviews. Please comment with any questions/tips/suggestions. 

 

Thanks, Kirsty x


Disclaimer - All the items mentioned were purchased by me. This is not a sponsored post. All the opinions expressed are my own.

My Morning Skincare Routine

I've had a pretty decent skincare routine for years now. That said, during pregnancy my skin went a little crazy, and I had to re-think my routine. The plus point of this was, that it made me realise that I was stuck in a bit of a rut, and it was just the shake-up I was in need of.

In my hunt for a new and improved routine, I found an amazing blog, full of the most detailed skincare advice I had ever come across. Thank you Caroline Hirons, my skin is grateful! 

This routine isn't rigid, I do change some things from time to time, and I do love discovering new products. FYI, I have fairly normal skin, but I do have some dry patches, and redness, and get some spots on my chin. Enough yapping on, here is how it looks at the moment ( Please excuse the poor picture quality, I am having some camera issues).



 

 

CLEANSE: I am currently using REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk (Formerly known as Hydracalm). Formulated for sensitive complexions, to help with redness and irritation, this is a lovely, light cleanser. REN products do not contain any parabens, sulphate, mineral oil, petrolatum, silicones, and synthetic colours or fragrances. This cleanser has a pleasant scent, and I find it quite uplifting in the morning (believe me, I need a whole lot of uplifting in the mornings). I apply it all over my face, and remove it with a warm face cloth ( no tissues or cotton wool, trust me, your face will thank you). I've never tried removing make up with it, but I have read that it will remove light make up. I have found that the red areas to my face are more calm since using this cleanser. I particularly like the simple, fuss-free packaging, and the fact that you can see how much product that you have left.

 

TONE: My first toning step is done with an exfoliating toner. I've just recently started using the REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner. It contains a blend of AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), and Salicilin which act as chemical exfoliants, sloughing away dead skin cells. A build up of dead skin cells results in dullness, breakouts and larger looking pores (I don't want any of those, sometimes I don't appear to get a choice - thanks to lack of sleep, and hormones). I have seen a notable difference to my skin, since I started using this product, I find that it brightens my skin, and helps when I do get a spot (they linger for far less time than they used to). I apply this with a cotton pad, and sweep across my face, avoiding the eye area (personal preference). I follow up my exfoliating toner with a spritz of a hydrating toner. My current one is an oldie but a goodie, Clarins Toning Lotion with Chamomile. I find this very hydrating, and the fragrance is uplifting (if you don't like lemony scents, it's one to avoid). It softens and soothes, and due to it being alcohol free it's very gentle. My only complaint about this product is that it doesn't come in a spray bottle (not a major issue, I decant it into a small spray bottle).

EYE CREAM: I then gently apply my eye cream. I'm currently using the Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Yeux. It's light, cooling and refreshing. it has a really delicate fragrance, very fresh, perfect for an eye cream. It claims to combat the signs of fatigue, dark circles and puffiness, and it's fair to say I have my fair share of those issues. I would say that I can see an improvement in the appearance of my under eye area, but I have no photographic evidence of this (wishing I had taken before and after pics). It is fairly expensive, but totally worth it.

 

SERUM:  If I'm having an exceptionally dry day I will use my REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Serum Oil (what a mouthful, more on this one at a later date), but most days I opt for the REN Evercalm Anti-redness Serum. It is formulated for sensitive skin, and is meant to improve skin tone, and reduced hyperpigmentation. I suffer from red scarring from spots, and a little redness to my cheeks, and I would say that this is really helping matters (again, before and after pics would have been helpful, I will learn yet). The appearance and consistency of it is different to most serums that I've tried, but that doesn't put me up-nor-down. It's a white coloured fluid, and feels like a light lotion when applying it. It contains Hyaluronic acid, known for it's moisture boosting properties (it has been said that it can absorb up to 1000 times it's weight in water), and for keeping the skin plump. It occurs naturally in the body, but declines with age, hence why a little help is required as we get on in life.

Almost done, I promise..........

 

MOISTURISER: It's all about layering, and getting the best out of skincare products, so I then apply some moisturiser. I've recently made a re-discovery in the shape of Clarins HydraQuench Cream. I used it last year, but did my usual; got product envy when reading blogs, and started using something else. I'm so glad I started using it again. Like the Anti-redness serum, it contains Hyaluronic acid, and is a lovely cream that almost feels instantly hydrating. It smells great, very fresh, a perfect morning scent (in my opinion). It's almost cooling on application, and despite being a fairly thick cream, does not feel heavy on the skin. Although I like my creams to feel rich, I don't like to feel like they are sitting on my skin for hours after application.

And, finally (Phew)..........

SPF: I apply my SPF, I have been using the Clarins UV PLUS Day Screen High Protection over the past few weeks. It's very lightweight, which is great when you already have a number of layers of products under it. It is an oil free product, and sits nicely under make up. As sunscreen's go, it is very nice, and one that I will continue to use throughout the summer.

As I said at the start (that was a while ago, I know I know), this routine isn't rigid, and I'm always keen to try new products, so I would love to hear some product recommendations. I really hope that you enjoyed reading about my skincare routine. Please comment with any questions/tips/suggestions.

Thanks, Kirsty x

 

 

Disclaimer - All the products mentioned were purchased by me.

Baby's First Car Seat - Silver Cross Simplicity Review

When it came to picking a car seat, we realised that, it was a total minefield (this is a common theme when shopping for baby things).We are very lucky to have a great baby shop locally, and the lovely ladies in there kept us right. There are so many different ones on the market, and the choice can be overwhelming. Car seats are categorised into groups, depending on baby’s age, size and weight. Ranging from birth, up to 12 years. Some require isofix bases, whilst some use seat belts, to secure them into your car. A number of the first size car seats are suitable to carry about, and put on a pram chassis (if that's your preference).  

We opted for a seat that you could carry around to begin with (that didn't last long, they are heavy!). We decided against one that would go onto our pram chassis (just personal preference), and ended up getting a Silver Cross Simplicity (group 0+ - birth to 12 months. Rearward-facing only).

Silver Cross Simplicity

As we didn’t know the sex, we opted for a red and black one, the red brightened it up, but would suit a boy or a girl. The seat could be fixed in with an isofix base, but as one of our cars didn’t have the fittings, we passed on the base, and just used the seat belt option. It has a 5 point safety harness, and 1 step-adjustment for the harness. We found the harness easy to fasten, and easy to adjust. You quickly realise that you need these things to be quick and easy, but all the while maintaining safety. 

The seat was very substantial, definitely comfortable (sleeping baby seal of approval), and had good reviews. It fitted securely into both of our cars, and was very easy to secure into place with the seat belt (you don’t want too much faff, trying to fiddle with a car seat in the pouring rain is no fun). It was a good size, Baby isn’t a tiny wee thing, and it accommodated her for the first 9 months, and it would have done longer if we had needed it to.

It is everything a first size car seat should be, and met our requirements……….. That was until the Cybex Sirona was launched, we knew we had to have it the minute we set eyes on it. The Simplicity has now become a spare seat. 

The clue is in the name with the Silver Cross seat, it’s simple (totally functional and safe), but the Sirona has all the bells and whistles. A full review of the Sirona will be coming up soon. Thanks for reading, any questions/hints/tips welcome.

Kirsty x


Disclaimer: The car seats mentioned in this post were purchased by my Husband and I.