Baby Sleep Sheep - Allegedly the 2 Best

OK, so this is the only post I've ever written that is not first hand experience. I've never used a sleep sheep  or anything like that with the Princess - I have my reasons and it's worked fine without so if it ain't broke don't fix it. BUT - plenty of my Mummy friends have and swear by them and I seem to keep hearing the same two brands as the ones they swear by over and over. So, I wanted to pass on the tips in case you are looking for a good sleep sheep whatsit. Links to both:

Easidream Ewan the Dream Sheep
and
Cloud B Sleep Sheep

Sweet dreams! x

Baby Crack - God Bless It!

This might fall into the totes obvs category but I really want to make sure all Mummys know about Baby Crack. Before you call child services, I'm talking about a homeopathic teething powder. We just call it baby crack because:
- it's white and powdery and I have a lame sense of humour
- I've yet to meet a baby that doesn't love it (the Princess grabs for it and licks the sachet if I let her)
- it calms her right on down in seconds.
It works a zillion times better than Bonjela and it has the added bonus that it's all natural. The Princess has two wonderful milk teeth so I'm not a teething expert yet - but the crack has helped us thus far, and all my Mummy friends swear by it too.

Teetha - Nelson's Natural Teething Granules on Amazon

No Cradle Cap - Promise.

The Princess has never had Cradle Cap - and I swear it's thanks to this golden stuff. A very wise Mummy I know put me onto it (she gave it to me) for the Princess and promised it worked. I watched as all my little baby friends succumbed to the nasty flakes and foul yellow build up, we never did. I use it every night - still. I put a friend's 4 month old onto it recently - she had bad Cradle Cap, it was gone in days. The whole Mustela bebe range is heaven actually - the Princess loves her nightly foot massage (not joking) with the massage oil.

Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns on Amazon

x

Brilliant, cheap alternative to NARS Orgasm

I love NARS. Love it. While pregnant last year I stumbled across Too Faced blush. I was in a spending mood so I bought 'Papa Don't Preach' because it looked fab. When I got home I realised it was almost identical to the NARS Orgasm I already owned (I also have and love NARS Sin - bit pinker). At first I was annoyed but now I love it because a) I actually think it's better (gasp!) 'cause it's not so shimmery as Orgasm and b) it's way cheaper.
Enjoy! x

Best Swaddle Ever!

This one's for the newbies. We all know Aden and Anais are the best swaddles fashion wise, but if your newbie is anything like the Princess (aka The Great Houdini), they just won't cut it for some serious bedtime straight-jacket action. But they will look faboosh draped over the shoulder just so if you're a breastfeeder.
I tried a few types and my NCT Mummys started raving about the Summer SwaddleMe. Yes, they're ugly (compared to Aden and Anais) but if you want your baby to sleep longer - buy this NOW. Velcro bits help fasten as well so it's pretty idiot proof, which I needed. The Princess slept longer and more peacefully with these - she started sleeping 11pm-7am at 10 weeks, I reckon thanks to these babies.

Summer Infant Cotton Swaddle Me on Amazon

Bad Buy: John Lewis Baby Bath Toy Bag

I usually bang on here about all the great products I have - but trust me, I've kissed many frogs to find my Prince! Last week's Peter Jones shop produced some winners (like the Jungly Tails book in an earlier post) but also some losers. One loser is the John Lewis Baby Bath Toy Bag - should've read the online reviews first. It just doesn't stick to the wall for more than 15 minutes. It drains well, so I've kind of twisted it around our towel rail over the bath and it works, but just not the way it's meant to. Don't buy this one - buy another. 
Link to John Lewis just so you can see what NOT to buy! John Lewis Baby Bath Toy Bag
x

Yves Saint Laurent totally kicked my butt into gear this week...

.... with one statement: "elegant women are hard to find". 
I'm the first to admit that while pregnant and since becoming a Mummy I've been quite partial to a sweat pant and t-shirt combo. I don't think I've let myself go, but I think it'd be pretty unlikely for me to be described as elegant.  OK, so maybe elegant isn't my word anyway. Maybe it could be: 'groomed', or 'put together' - either way, I'd like to find my new word.
So I feel inspired to make a bit more of an effort. The newborn days are gone, the Princess sleeps through the night, I've lost 76% of the weight I put on (yes, I did just do that in Excel) so there's not really an excuse any more. Tomorrow, I'm going to convince my husband to look after the Princess for a bit while I go through my wardrobe with my new word in mind - now I just have to decide on the word.. but it sure as hell ain't gonna be 'Mumsy'! 
x

Awesome, entertaining book for the buggy

So it's not Dickens....... but it's pretty freaking cute. Remember yesterday I hit up Peter Jones? Well, one of the purchases was this FABULOUS book that the Princess L.O.V.E.S. So do I. So does her Grandmother. I've attached it to her buggy and it has been a massive hit - we caught the bus today and were stuck in traffic for aaaages and she was like: "Watevs, I've got my book full of jungle animals. I'm just gonna play with their tails."
PS: yes, I'm a total mug, I overpaid for it at Peter Jones. Should've bought it on Amazon. Sigh.

Brilliant Food Storage Pots (DISHWASHER-ABLE & DON'T STAIN!)

So I had to put the dishwasher and not staining thing in CAPS because how awesome is that? More reasons why these are awesome:
1. You can write on them and then rub the writing off when you wash them (it really works)
2. Lids easily screw on and off to make it airtight (some people on the Amazon reviews say these lids can be tricky.. but they are not.. I think those people might be a little slow??)
3. They are not stupid ice cube tray things - seriously, has anyone ever managed to get ice out of an ice cube tray without snapping 6 ice cubes on the kitchen counter?? Well, the same happens with food. Convenient storage pots please!
4. They are stackable in the fridge and freezer (see pic)
5. Stack inside each other and store in cupboard really well
6. Also about the not being an ice cube tray thing - the Princess eats like a horse now so the pots being  bigger (than ice cubes) is perfect for storing more
7. Did I mention the dishwasher and not going orange from carrot and pumpkin bit already??
8. BPA free obvs
A pic of our freezer a few weeks ago:

PS: the set comes with a spoon too.

Philips AVENT VIA Baby Food Storage Set on Amazon

For UK Mummys - are you in the Boots Parenting Club?

If you're not you're missing out on loads of points (10 points per £ on baby purchases) that you can buy fabulous things for yourself with that don't have to come out of the household budget! Also, embarrassingly, I heart a coupon and they send you loads. OK so we're not getting rich this way but 50p off Pampers here and there won't kill you. Also, you get free stuff. Just this week I got a no strings attached free Cow and Gate weaning sample pack (see pic). The Princess has only eaten freshly made stuff from my kitchen so far but I reckon these are better than a kick in the teeth so I'll keep em for emergencies. I'll use the free spoon fo shiz. Ask at Boots about signing up.
xx

Ghetto Fabulous Tip: Helping Congested Babies Sleep

If you've been following my blog you'll know the Princess had her first bout of gastro last week. Nature is being pretty freaking mean because suddenly the peach has a bit of a snuffly nose too. She was having trouble sleeping last night and it got me thinking - when I have a blocked nose I like to sleep on extra pillows to elevate my head (sexy). We all know pillows are a massive no no (suffocation risk) - so enter the ghetto fabulous tip. Two big books under one end of the cot (see pic below) - obvs the end her head's at. I also filled a bowl with water and put a few drops of tea tree oil in to help decongest her as it evaporates into the room. All has worked a treat so far. Smooches to the Princess for a speedy recovery.

PS: make sure to put the bowl of water somewhere you won't accidentally kick it over in the night, like under the cot (as seen in pic). 

Inject beauty into your everyday

I was given this gorgeous hyacinth last week - it was a little weird bulby looking thing at first and has literally sprouted (bloomed?) in the past few days.
OMG SHUT THE FRONT DOOR THIS THING SMELLS AMAZING.
My kitchen smells so damn good now. I was actually enjoying doing the washing and sterilising today. A bit. One of my VBFFs is an interior design guru (stunning website: http://www.lovestyle.com.au/ ) and she's forever saying to bring beauty into your life in small ways every day.
Reckon my hyacinth does just that.
xx

Hyacinth Mixed White/Pink/Blue Bulbs on Amazon for £1.49!

Cheesy Mush for a Friday

I saw this gorgeous couple at Peter Jones today while I was feeding the Princess before dropping some cash on the nursery level (JellyCat mobile, sleepsuits, weaning lunchbox, bath toy hanging bag, some books etc - as we use them will let you know how we go).
She was reading him the paper and he was hanging on her every word. They were so in love! I got a little teary just watching.
I hope that's me one day - making it to a great old age AND being loved and loving back.
(Warned you this was cheesy mush for a Friday).

Don't bother with washable changing pads

I mean, we're busy enough and have too much washing anyway, right? I use the Huggies (OK, so a 2nd exception to my Pampers only loyalty - but I don't think Pampers make these) disposable changing mats. I've been using these since the beginning with Princess and go through one a day (unless we have an accident - eek).
Soooo easy to just lay one down and then bin it - rather than washing changing covers, worrying about stains and discolouration (seriously? Gross.com). I've tried other brands, none are as good as the Huggies ones - they have waterproof backing (winner) and somehow are pretty non-slip, even when the Princess is doing her Micheal Flatley impersonation.
Pretty uninspiring photo - but shows the packaging and use! xx

Amazon link to Huggies Changing Pads (pack of 8)

Follow this blog

I'm having fun writing this, but obvs I'll only keep writing if people are actually interested in reading my rambling thoughts. 
So if you like the posts and want to know when I update them or add more, please follow this blog!
You can follow the blog by clicking 'Follow' on the top left in the toolbar, next to the search field. 
xxx

Pretty, shiny, smooth skin for me!

You know when you forget about a product and then rediscover it and can't work out why you strayed? Yep, well I'm having a serious moment (again) with Dermalogica's Daily Microfioliant. I bought it just before Christmas and have been using it every second day or so (I know, I know, it's meant to be daily) and every time I use it my skin feels so clean, buffed and smooth - yet weirdly somehow moisturised too. This time it's staying in my beauty routine!! xxx

Click here for Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - £35.99 on Amazon

Sippy Cup Blues

The Princess has been struggling with her sippy cup - got a great "duh!" tip the other day - don't put more than 20mls in the cup when they are just learning how to use it... otherwise it will be too heavy for them to lift and tip to their lips. I warned you it was a "duh" moment. Been trying 20mls the past few days (vs the 100mls I had before) and we are making better headway.... x The Princess' Sippy Cup - £3.49 on Amazon (also available in blue - obvs!)

Get this app

Grandpa came to visit recently and was rocking out a few new apps on his iPad. Virtuoso is a free app that makes your iPad into a piano keyboard. F-U-N.
The Princess had a bang up time tickling the ivories so I downloaded it too. She can't get enough. I'm sure there's loads of hearing, co-ordination, cause and effect yada yada benefits but I'm just loving watching her have a good time. (OK, maybe I'm also daydreaming she's the next Beyonce).
iPads are such clever things. I'm sure there are loads of apps we can download and make fun games out of. Check out her styles:

Ducky Bath Thermometer

Cute & practical. Nuff said. I've had this since the Princess was born, she has a bath every night and this little friend has made sure the temperature is always right, plus he's a cute little guy to have in the bath (he sits on the side on sweet little orange feet). She looks for him and smiles at him. Bless her cotton socks. Here he is in tonight's bath:

Digi Duck Thermometer on Amazon

Smooth as a baby's bottom

Our babies look all adorable and perfect, and they are because they're ours, but sometimes they have scaly skin from the weather, central heating - whatever the reason who cares it just annoys me.
I use Mustela products usually on the Princess but when even they weren't kicking the scale on her back, arms and cheeks I turned to the baby clinic for help. God bless the NHS. We were prescribed Cetraben bath oil. It's amazeballs. After one bath she felt all velvety. I was a bit jealous.
And because she's under one, the prescription is free. Ding ding ding! Just found me a way to have delicious bath oil that WORKS for the Princess for free til the end of the year. DO IT!
(And yes, I admit, I had a bath in it too. Don't regret it. Felt like Cleopatra after. Might have done it more than once, might be doing it again...) x

Adora-bubble

Today the Princess and I set off to her first swimming lessons. Two words: WATER. BABY. She smiled and smiled the whole time. The water is all warm and toasty, especially for babies - making it really nice for Mummys (& Daddys). I wore a swimsuit for the first time in ages. I wasn't channeling Victoria's Secret, but not Roseanne Barr either so can't complain. Can't wait for next week's class where the poor lamb gets dunked under.

PS: used the Huggies Little Swimmers disposable nappies under her swimmers - did the trick. (Making an exception to my only Pampers rule.)
PPS: I went to Little Dippers - can highly recommend (so far).
PPPS: No pics as cameras are not allowed in class for child protection. The Princess' Daddy was devo at that, given he was at work :-(

Mummy's little helper

The sound of the Princess singing and babbling in her cot at 7:15 each morning is by far the best alarm clock I have ever had. But I'm not gonna lie - after that first nappy change, feed, cuddle and play, I do like a little heart starter.
In comes our faboosh new Nespresso machine with milk frother. It's love. I'm a coffee snob and I concede, George Clooney is right - this makes damn good coffee.

(I have the Nespress Citiz, plus the Aeroccino frother. Don't get me started on my favourite capsules! Pink, yellow and black are all currently getting serious air time.)

Lookit!

Aeroccino on Amazon Nespresso Citiz on Amazon

Tired skin - be gone!

On the days I put this on, I WITHOUT FAIL get a compliment - usually about how "fresh" or "rested" I look. HA! If only they new last time I had a decent sleep was some time pre-pregnancy sciatica and porpoise like weight gain back in 2011. On the days I don't put this on, I usually get someone asking if the Princess sleeps through yet, in a rhetorical sort of way. Like they assume she doesn't. Ever.

You'd think I'd learn and put it on every day. 

This is good and not heavy. It's more a sheer veil of tan (don't be scared) that goes over your normal moisturiser that evens it out and makes you look like you, just a better you. 

To quote my uber fabulous Yummy Mummy friend that turned me on to it (you know who you are!), its like you look in the mirror and think "this is just the kinda skin I rock". You still need a good eye concealer (I love Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage but am currently using By Terry Touch Expert - it's OK).

PS: it's Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release.. and it has SPF 15 in it x

Ramekins as baby bowls

If you, like me, want to minimise the ugly coloured plastic in your home that seems to accumulate with having a baby, dig out your ramekins! I always seem to have these, although never really use them for cooking. I've discovered they make the perfect size for the yummy home made purees and porridge the Princess is getting at the moment. And obvs as I already have them, they're free. I'm sure at some stage soon I'll have to resort to plastic (do they throw bowls ever? Mon dieu!), but for now, they're tres chic. With a plastic spoon of course (for the record, I tried silver, the poor lamb tried to bite it - now I get why we have to use plastic!). Here's a shot of last week's carrot in a ramekin. xx White Ramekins, Set of 4, on Amazon

Nappy Rash Magic Cure

The Princess was super sick last week (horrors) with an awful gastro bug - her first. It hurt my heart so much. For the first time ever, she got nappy rash. My sister told me about an old remedy she used for her kids - and it worked a treat. The nappy rash (which was so bad it bled a little) was gone in about 24-36 hours.

Here goes:
- whisk up some egg white
- apply the goop to the sore little bottom
- let it dry
- put the nappy on.

Also, if your littlest has nappy rash, don't use nappy wipes but simple cooled water and cotton pads (don't want any nasty stinging) instead. If you can, leave the nappy off as much as possible too, to let it air. But I ruined three Little White Company baby ears hooded towels (love them! pic attached from LWC website) that way last week - so at your own risk!!

Pampers v. Huggies

The little Princess is nearly six months, and after being loyal to Pampers that entire time, a couple weeks ago I took a little detour over to Huggies (they were on special in Sainsburys). Ugh, never again! They were all thick and cardboard-y and not flexible at all. They just looked uncomfy - like she had a surfboard in her nappy.

Lesson learnt, I'll never stray from Pampers again! (Although not the Active Baby ones - I find they leak?? Baby Dry is where my money's at). 

Loving this nail polish

When I lived in New York I'd go to QQ - the best nail bar in the West Village (well, in my opinion) and have a weekly mani/pedi and 10 minute back massage all for $29. I had a loyalty card too - the 11th was always free. Sigh. Anyone who lives in London can attest that just doesn't happen here - although more and more stores are popping up.

A friend of mine who is a serious Yummy Mummy (the type you always want to put a bit of make up on for when you see but know she loves you know matter what you look like - ie: the best type!), let me in on a great nail polish: RIMMEL PRO FRENCH MANICURE in 433 French Ivory.

It lasts for about 10 days (even with the daily washing, hand sanitising and sterilising we Mummys do), is super glossy and I swear it looks just like Essie Mademoiselle (my former go to). And it's only about £3 at Boots. Winner!

Rimmel French Ivory on Amazon

Ghetto Fabulous Tip of The Week: Shaving

Ditch the shaving cream/ gel and use cheap conditioner to shave your legs with. The blade gildes through for a close shave, your legs are moisturised and it's cheaper than the shaving gel. A beautician gave me the tip when I lived in New York when she told me it wasn't worth waxing my legs (YAY!! wish she said the same for my bikini, LOL). I've never looked back.

What to do with all that Lansinoh?

If you're anything like me, you bought enough Lansinoh to supply the cracked nipple nightmare needs of all London Mummys. I'm sorry but cracked nips sounded horrific (they were - I had them for a bit) - I wanted to be prepared. I'm not sure I even dented one tube, let alone the second I bought to keep in the nappy bag.

Anyway, have since discovered it makes FABULOUSLY moisturising lip balm. Like Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream good. You only need a little, obvs, otherwise you will have white lips and look like Shane Warne pre Liz Hurley.

What about you? Do you have any good tips for the stockpiled Lansinoh?

x