We're back!!

Hello Lovelies, 

It has been well over a month since I last blogged, I have missed it so much!! We have been so busy over the last month I don't even know where to start. As it's bank holiday and Edward is a bit under the weather we are having a stay at home chill out day whilst Anthony and his friend do some decorating. 

Edward is nearly 5 months old! I can't believe how much he has changed, since our last update he has started to roll from his front onto his back, he's started babbling away which is so cute. We have mini conversations which obviously make no sense but I love it. He has also started weaning which I will be posting about in the future, so far I have loved weaning and it has been going smoothly finger crossed we carry on like this. 

If you follow me on instagram you will know that we have finally moved into our new house. We finally got our keys on the 24th of April, it seemed to take forever and after having one house fall through (which was a blessing really) it felt like it was never going to happen for us. 

When we moved in the house was painted pink throughout and needed gutting, we ripped everything up and decorated throughout. Two weeks later we moved in and we can finally say we own a family home!! This week we are having the kitchen fitted and I am so excited as this will be the last room done and I can start to finish all the rooms off with a few bits and bobs. 

Before we moved in we had a family holiday to Cornwall, it was Edwards first holiday we went with my Mum, Dad and sisters. It was so nice to be back at my second home, we are planning on going again in September as we loved it that much.    

I'm so glad to finally be back blogging and sharing our family life with you. 

What have I missed whilst I have been gone? Leave a comment with your blog link to let me know. 

xx

Forever Living | Product Review

Hello Lovelies, 

In February I very kindly gifted some Forever Living products for myself and Edward to try out. I had heard about the products and had looked into the benefits of Aloe Vera before and I have to admit that I was a little sceptical, I had read that the products had many health benefits and could be used for many different things. 

So when I was offered the chance to try out some products I couldn't turn it down. I have to say that I have been really impressed by the products and there many uses, especially for Edward. A big thank you to Olivia who gave me the opportunity to try the products!!

These are the products that I was given to use: Eye cream, Face and Hand soap, Heat Lotion, Aloe Vera Gelly, Aloe Propolis Creme and the Relaxation Bath Salts. 

The Heat Lotion, Bath Salts and Eye Creme are for adult use only, the heat lotion is brilliant and has been passed around the rest of my family as well. It has been used for aching shoulders, aching backs and period pains (tmi for some sorry). You only need to use the smallest amount of lotion, it soon heats up the area and relieves the pain from the muscles. Apparently it's brilliant for a gym bag (I can't vouch for this my self as I am not a big gym fan).

I tend to use the eye creme on days when I am leaving the house with a full face of make up. It is to brighten and relieve puffiness under the eyes. As soon as I apply the creme I can feel it tightening the skin, I usually then apply concealer and foundation on top. It definitely makes me feel less conscious about the broken sleep eye bags I have developed.  

I have used the bath salts a couple of times, they have a very spa like smell to them which in a nice deep bath after a long day of changing nappies and entertaining a baby is amazing. 

The only downfall I personally found is that as they are salts there are no bubbles (nit picking I know but I do love bubbles) so I added a few pumps of the hand and face soap to create my bubbles. I definitely felt the difference on my skin it was so soft and smooth.  

The Aloe Gelly can be used for anything and everything, Olivia mentioned that it can even be swallowed if you have a sore throat!!! 

The three products which are suitable for baby's are the Face & Hand Soap, Aloe Gelly and the Propolis Creme. I have to admit that these three products have been my favourite to use both on my self and Edward. 

I used the Propolis and Aloe Gelly on Edwards cradle cap. I had previously used olive oil and special shampoos but nothing had been moving it. The propolis can be used to soothe irritation as well as the Aloe Gelly, I remebered that Olivia had told me the both work together really well. 

I applied the propolis first and then the gelly, left it on in the day (if we weren't heading out anywhere) or overnight if we had been busy. I then washed it off in the bath as usual. It worked really well and with a couple of days application the cradle cap had cleared up. I've also used the proplis and gelly on my skin when it has been going through a dry phase and it really helped to re hydrate my skin.  

The Hand and Face soap can be used from as early as 3 days, it is gentle on the skin as well as moisturising, it has a really subtle scent. I use this religiously for Edwards bath time and have found that after using this his skin is so soft and looks a lot clearer. 

All in all I have been loving the products and have already placed my order for some more! They can be ordered online through Olivia's page here there are so many other products as well. 

If you have any questions about the products leave them in the comments and I'll try my best to answer them. 

I hope you enjoyed reading something a little different from me. 

xx

p.s. I was gifted the products to try but all opinions are my own.

     

Weekly update

Hello lovelies, 
I thought I would just post a really quick catch up from last week seen as though I haven't posted for a few days. We're currently on holiday so you have a holiday post to come as well as a product review. 

   

What have you been up to this week?

Xx

Easy Easter Nests

Hello Lovelies, 

It's been a while since I posted, I've been busy doing mummy things and enjoying family days out. Finding time to sit and write posts is really hard but I love doing it so need to find some more time and maybe become a bit more organised. 

Anyway today I thought I would share a really quick Easter recipe that I enjoy making my self and also enjoyed sharing with children when I was teaching. 

You will need: 

Any brand of shredded wheat 

400g of chocolate (200g for a small batch) 

Mini eggs 

Fluffy chicks (optional) I picked mine up from hobby craft but you can get them just about anywhere 

Hoppy bunny cadburys chocolate 

Bun cases 

Bun tray or plate

Prep: place bun cases into the bun tray so they are ready to go. 

1. Break up the shredded wheat until you are left with small nest like bits. 

2. Melt the chocolate, either over hot water or in the microwave. I started with water and then didn't have the patience so blasted it in the microwave. I did this for about 20 seconds a time so it didn't burn or go grainy. 

3. Pour the shredded wheat into the chocolate a little at a time and stir. Continue doing this until most of the chocolate has covered the shredded wheat. 

4. Spoon the mix into bun cases until they are full. 

5. Whilst the choc is still melted pop an egg, square of hoppy bunny choc or a combination on the top. 

6.  Pop in the fridge to set the chocolate. 

7. Enjoy!! 

 

I know not everyone reading this will have children or make these with children. But if you are I thought I would include  a quick side note on why I used this within my teaching. 

When making these nest buns there were a lot of things that I could discuss with the children. These include melting and setting (science), eggs and chickens (science) and the story of Easter and why some people celebrate. 

Let me know if you have any other Easter bakes. I have another chocolate treat coming up soon. 

xx

Life through my iPhone

Hello lovelies, 

I thought I would share a few pictures from my phone with you as a quick update.

These are just a few photos from my camera roll from the past few weeks. My favourite has to be Anthony and Edward cuddles, it just melts my heart.  

 I used the project life app to put together the photos and journal card. The app was free yesterday from the apple App store, I'm not sure if it still is or if it is available for other devices but I definitely recommend it. 

What have I missed since I last posted. Let me know what you have been up to in the comments. 

xx

Liebster Award

Hello Lovelies, 

A while ago I had a lovely nomination on twitter for the Liebster Award from Jess over at Mums the new name. 

The award is for bloggers with under 200 followers, it's a great way of finding new blogs to follow and connect with.  

There are some rules for this Award, for anyone who isn't familiar with them:

1. Post the award on your blog

2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog

3. Write 11 random facts about yourself

4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and have less than 200 followers

5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees a set of new 11 questions

So here are my 11 random facts:

1. I am a fully qualified early years teacher

2. I lived in Scotland for around four months

3. I hate getting my socks wet 

4. I always have to have the tap running on full when I'm cleaning my teeth (sorry planet earth for the waste of water)

5. I would rather have a film night with pizza and pj's than get dolled up and go clubbing

6. I prefer Autumn and Winter to Spring and Summer

7. I once died my hair black and I am reminded of this mistake every time I look at my driving licence 

8. I like going to bed early 

9. I get hayfever

10. I faint if I see blood

11. I had a Lizzie McGuire (makes me feel so old hehe) / Hilary Duff obsession when I was younger 

  

The Questions I was asked

1. Why did you start blogging? 

I had just left my first teaching job after four months as I had a not very nice time. I wasn't feeling to good and needed something to do with my time between jobs. It was a distraction for a while.  

2. How long have you been blogging?

I think just over one year.

3. Any other hobbies you have?

I enjoy crocheting, it's a bit of a secret hobby of mine. (not anymore though ha)

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

Crisps is my guilty pleasure. I once banned myself from eating them for over a year as I just ate too many. I also hardly ever buy them in anymore.

5. If you had 1 day to yourself, what would you do?

Shop!! 

6. Favourite food?

Oh I sort of already answered this one. My favourite meal is sausage and mash. 

7. Favourite drink?

Costa's latte 

8. Do you prefer to text or call?

Text, I don't really ever call it makes me feel awkward.

9. Are you a working or SAHM?

I'm currently on maternity leave but plan on returning to work after.

10. Where in the world do you live?

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.

11. Would you choose to live somewhere different? Where?

I don't think so, I love Sheffield. I would maybe like to live n Cornwall. 

My questions are...

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. Which blog is your current favourite to read?
3. What is your favourite holiday destination?
4. How long have you been blogging?
5. Do you friends and family know that you have a blog?
6. Which post of yours did you enjoy doing the most?
7. Are you city or countryside person?
8. What beauty product do you recommend the most?
9. Have you ever completed a post and never published it? 
10. Your favourite scent?
11. Favourite high street store?

I nominate:

1. UmmBaby

2. Mummybexem

3. Steps With Sarah

4. Jennifer Cooper

5. emfranced

6. Mum's Days

7. Mummyandmonkeys

8. The Knott Bump & Us

9. Lovedbymummy

10. Love of Living

11. and You!!! 

Thanks again to Jess and apologies that it took so long. 

xx

Catch Up

Hello Lovelies, 

I haven't blogged in a while *hangs head in shame*. So I thought I would share with you a few moments from that past few days. 

  If you follow me on instagram you may have seen most of these pictures. Over the past few days I've had some lazy pyjama days I have been feeling a little under the weather. 

Myself and Anthony have been doing some top secret hopefully soon to be revealed stuff and it has had it's ups and downs. It's been full on which is probably why I have been MIA. 

On Valentines day Anthony surprised me with a beautiful bunch of roses and a card. The top right collage is a few photos of myself and Anthony from the past few years. I can't wait for many more to come. Also once I have lost the baby weight I can finally get my ring resized and share with you how beautiful it is.   (I think there's a sneak peek on my engagement post).

Edward has changed so much over the past few days/weeks, he has started to smile and coo. It's so amazing to watch him change, it's hard though to put him back in his moses basket at 2am when he's cooing and smiling.

The Johnson's baby bedtime bath is a bit of a random photo but I have been loving this stuff and not just for Edward, it's so relxing. I asked my mum to watch Edward the other day so I could go for a long(ish) soak in the bath. This could possibly be making it's way into my February favourites.

 The Pret tea is from a caffeine filled day in Leeds, I met up with my friend from Uni whilst Anthony was working in the city. It was an early start setting off at half past 7, not easy with a baby so a lot of coffee and tea was needed. 

What have you all been up to whilst I have been away? 

xx