Hello, it’s me.

December 22, 2018December 22, 20181 Comment

I started writing this post after having a much needed summer off from a difficult first few months of 2018. But as I wrote the word ‘summer’ I realised it’s mid November, and then when I came back to edit I realised the Christmas lights are up in my town, the heating is on and I’ve taken my almost 2 year old to visit Father Christmas for the first time. It’s now December.

Where has the time gone, so many of us ask ourselves and on a regular basis?

It’s no secret, as I wish for an open forum in life, to enable transparency, trust, positivity and more, but late 2017-spring 2018 came with it’s challenges and after juggling too many balls I wanted and needed to focus my energy on myself and my purposes. As we all do from time to time, right?

However, I can see rainbow for 2019…

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My Self Care 2018 To-Do List

April 4, 2018April 4, 20183 Comments

Q1 is done, three months of the year have passed, the new tax year has started, so why am I only now setting myself some 2018 goals?

I’ve just decided to set some “self care” goals. To some of you this may sound like total BS – why do I need self care when I have a fortunate and happy work/life/mum balance? What’s triggered this on?! That’s a story for another time, but the reality is we ALL need to put ourselves first, to enjoy what life offers and to grab every opportunity.

When I say “self care” I don’t mean manicures, yoga and massages (though I may sneak in the odd one here and there!) and I don’t mean to ‘find myself’ or to ‘learn to love myself again’. I simply mean; ‘things I want to achieve – for me – for my own enjoyment, to create memories so that when I look back on this year come December time, I want to feel happy with my 2018.’

This year so far has been a bit of a blur and it’s flown by in a flash. Being self employed, being a Mum, project managing house renovations and general life hurdles and distractions this year so far has proven yet again that unless I utilise my diary and make concrete plans, then the time simply goes by too fast and I miss opportunities, I miss out on planned enjoyment and I miss out on much needed “me time”. I’m sure there are so many of you reading this that can relate also?

These goals are not about “fulfilling dreams” or “achieving success”. They are concrete plans of things that I want to do, for me, for my memory bank and for my happy mindset.

My to-do list is all about London. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but when I worked in London I didn’t absorb it, or enjoy it anywhere near enough. I was too busy charging around from meeting to meeting that I didn’t take full advantage of the wonderful sights around me and all of what London had to offer.

So here is my my top 10 list of things I want to do during the remaining months of 2018…(if any of my friends and family reading this want in on any of the action – let me know!)

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Mother’s Day gift ideas from Neal’s Yard Remedies

February 21, 2018February 17, 2018Leave a comment

How lovely is it to celebrate Mothers and all the influential Mother-like figures in our lives – whether that’s your own Mum, your children’s Key Worker at nursery, a grandparent, a Godmother, a carer, even a friend who’s expecting, or recently become a Mummy herself.

Whoever are the Mother-figures in your world, I’ve selected some wonderful Mother’s Day gift ideas from Neal’s Yard Remedies – starting at just £5!

The brand thrives on its ethical credentials, with its fabulous offering of kind and organic ingredients, eco-friendly production, charitable projects, recyclable packaging and being all round environmentally friendly. The products also look luxurious on display too. With a holistic approach to skincare and lifestyle, Neal’s Yard Remedies products are like spas in a bottle! The products not only work but they use essential oils that benefit the skin, smell amazing and have many properties beyond just beautiful skin.

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Our Baby Sensory journey (with brand Q&A)

February 11, 2018February 10, 2018Leave a comment

When you become a mother for the first time, in that first year there are bound to be key highlights that will become memorable landmarks from your early days of motherhood.

For me, one of the things that defines my first year of motherhood was Baby Sensory – a nationwide franchise of mother and baby classes that explores all things “sensory” with your little one.

When Henry came along, I lived in an area where I didn’t have many mummy friends on my doorstop with babies close enough in age to hang out with – those first time mothers equally as unsure as I was about anything and everything about looking after a new baby, going through the exact same challenges and emotions and at the exact same time. I had my *amazing* sane-saving NCT friends yes, and other mummy friends, but none in close/walking distance and therefore I had to make it my mission to plan a few things in to my week – to regain some normality and structure (not too much too early on though!) and to join a group that I know will prove to offer great benefit to Henry as he embarks on his new life journey.

This post shows you Henry’s Baby Sensory journey in photos as well as a Q&A with the brand itself. I chat to a Baby Sensory leader, giving you ample sensory insight and inspiration, and is especially useful if you’re thinking about joining a local class near you…

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Mothercare press day Spring/Summer 2018 and my interview with Myleene Klass

January 25, 2018Leave a comment

Before the Christmas rush, I was invited along to the Mothercare press day, where the brand was showcasing their new collections for spring/summer 2018.

There’s lots to look forward for Mothercare’s new season, which is starting to appear in stores and online already. Spring is on the horizon YES! There are some great collaborations with Usborne Books, as well as ongoing collections with Myleene Klass, Jools Oliver and Julian Macdonald.

I was lucky enough to chat to Myleene Klass at the press day, so scroll down to view photos from the event, to see some of my favourite outfits launching and to also read my exclusive chat with Myleene…

I got to interview yummy mummy Myleene Klass at the Mothercare spring/summer 2018 press day

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12 MONTHS POSTPARTUM AND HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY HENRY

December 31, 20171 Comment

Now, I know this sounds cliché, but I literally feel as though 2017 went by in a blink. 2017 for me has been one of those years that doesn’t quite feel like it really happened.

Did I really grow a human and experience childbirth? Did I really (and successfully) reproduce! Did I endure many interrupted and sleepless nights? I’m too tired to recall. 😉 Did I really find enough inner bravery to take an almost 5 month old on a transatlantic holiday to New York?! Did I really move back to my home roots, by the seaside in Leigh-on-Sea? YOU BET I DID! Did I unnecessarily obsess over every single aspect on the things that didn’t matter? Yes. Did I obsess enough over things that did matter? Nope. Did I lose that last stone of baby weight which I’ve been holding on to ever since I gave birth? Nope.

Henry is 1. One! Uno! The big ONE! How did that happen? Here’s the final instalment of my postpartum updates…