Stripes, Kamigata and Street Style Sunday

Earlier this week I was kindly invited to the Kamigata birthday bash at their St Davids Cardiff store and for those who don't know who or what Kamigata is it's basically one of the top hairdressers and beauty Salons in Cardiff - in fact I wrote about their express pamper service a while back. They had paired up with the Vivienne Westwood store which is just around the corner from Kamigata to do a season predictions showcase and their were a few pieces I really loved.  I knew it was going to be a very stylish affair and thought it would be a great oppurtunity to wear my lovely new Joules striped autumn dress, which I have to say accommodates my growing bump perfectly and can be dressed up or down. Wearing - Joules dress, Gifted jacket, HM boots, New Look necklace  There was a lot going on at the event with various treatments on offer including facials, reiki and what I opted for a mini manicure, something which was on my list of things to squeeze in before the......

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Camping in West Wales

Over the bank holiday we joined a few friends camping right on the tip of the West coast of Wales in beautiful St Davids - the UK's smallest city, really it's just a quaint and picture perfect seaside village but with a very impressive Cathedral that really takes your breath away. Even though we knew it was going to rain during half our trip it really made no difference to us, in fact it made it more of an adventure and there is nothing better than cosying up inside your lovely dry tent while it rains outside - there is something very natural about that. It was also lovely for Mr A to have so many friends to play with - all of different ages and at one point because of the rain they all piled into one tent and all that could be heard was laughter. He really is a very happy little camper. I also love to cook on our little campaign stove and how everything becomes very slow such as waiting for the water to boil for morning coffee - there is something w......

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Pregnancy Update - Week 14

So as I write this I am actually around 14 1/2 weeks into my second pregnancy journey. Thankfully most of the morning sickness and nausea has now passed but to be honest I am still craving very salty food and have not been eating as healthy as I normally would and I have put on weight quicker than expected, unlike my first pregnancy were I actually lost weight, but who knows maybe it means we are having a girl? I have been struggling with fatigue of late due to slightly lower iron which I have supplemented with Pregnacare and Spatone which does seem to be making a small improvement. Also I thought it would be fun to see what I looked like around this time during my pregnancy with Mr A - I love this photo which was taken on a little day trip to Tintern and the Wye Valley - I think both John and I look a lot younger. Because my waist is starting to get a little wider this week has been all about getting in top of any possible stretch marks, I have to say I was extremely lucky......

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Swatch Watch Love

 I think there must be very few people who don't know about Swatch Watches (if you don't seriously where have you been for the past 40 years?), with their creative and colourful designs and great prices they are the perfect fun accessory. Luckily there is an amazing store in Cardiff and I was kind enough to be invited to a little blogger shindig the other day to see a few of their new pieces and basically have a proper look around the store. Johns first watch was actually a swatch and I have owned a few in my lifetime as well. Two of the things I was really impressed and surprised with was the lovely jewellery they also do - the beaded bracelet and necklace really reminded me of similar pieces I used to pick up in markets in South Africa when I was younger - something to do with the bead designs I think, they also had a stunning ring. Another thing was there slightly more grown up and classical style watches most of which were unisex and oozed quality ......

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How to Buy Maternity Clothes on a Budget

Me around 25 weeks pregnant the first time round in a lovely dress I picked up for a bargain Buying maternity wear can be an expensive exercise, sending your modest bank balance into shock, as it distributes cash left and right, completely blowing itself of all proportion as you snap up an adorable booster seat you just HAD to have. Most Mum’s will scour the shelves in search for the perfect outfit for their soon-to-be-newborn, clutching at jumpsuits and cooing over little shoes, entranced by the design possibilities. While we want our babies to be blessed with the best (that we can afford), you may consider yourself for a moment and account for your changing body. Your clothes won’t fit at some stage in the nine months period; in fact, a growing belly and swelling boobs pretty much guarantee at least two areas will need to be accounted for, not to mention your butt and thighs. It is possible to spend minimally on a few essentials with the following tips: Me throwing a......

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Snippets from the Road - Zagreb

One of my favourite memories from my solo travels before Mr A was taking the overnight train from Zurich across Slovenia into Croatia and the capital city of Zagreb. Leaving Zurich was like leaving the first world and then stepping back in time - the train was amazing in itself - wood panelling everywhere and the train conductor chain smoking the entire way while stamping tickets in his baby blue suit. I shared my couchette with two rather large Bosnian men who at first I was a bit weary off but they ended up being really nice people and we had some interesting conversations. Upon leaving the EU and crossing into Croatia meant having the once over from the boarder patrol who were perplexed by why I was travelling on my own and who spent a rather long time looking at my passport, in the end of course everything was alright. Pulling up into Zagreb Station which looked somewhat rundown with many walls scribbled over with spray paint didn't full me with confidence but......

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Fun at the Woodland Fair

Last weekend we headed over to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for the one day woodland fair which was a free event put on by the council and with the weather mainly dry we could't wait to see what was in store. The event was the perfect size, no too much going on but what was on offer was great for kids, from circus skills to making crafts, watching tree surgeons at work to discovering plant fossils in rocks, something Mr A loved in particular as it came kids free range to hammer away at rock more than 1 million years old. There we also some owls and birds of prey on display and the trainer was kind enough to let Mr A stroke a Tawny Owl. There was also a dog show with a variety of different breeds, as well as local craft and food stalls and we picked up a jar of local honey. After about 2 hours we decided to take a walk around Bute park and pick up a bite to eat at the Summer house, I had a lovely roasted veg and hummus panini while Mr A found some pretty flower......

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Street Style Sunday - Short Hair flashback

I have been thinking a lot about what to do with my hair, I am too busy to sort it out most days as having an active toddler running around and another one on the way means I really don't have much time to blow-dry straighten and all that jazz and for so many years I had short hair and I am thinking more and more that that is the best option for me, as you can still look stylish and chic but in a quarter of the time as it's much more low maintenance and I like to be able to get up and go. I have also been looking back over some of my favourite outfit posts on the blog and put together some of my favourite ones with short hair..... So as always I am joining up with the wonderful Natalie from Style Me Sunday and together we bring you Street Style Sunday - the linky about everything fashion related - you can join in with mood boards, inspirational posts or what you, your children or partner/husband are wearing, come and join in the fun An InLinkz Link-up ...

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Life lately.....

So with the summer holidays it has pretty much been go go go but we have had moment of enjoying the little things and trying to slow down. I love having flowers in the home and this bouquet filled with sunflowers has been my favourite so far. I also found these amazing brogues in an Oxfam shop in Cardiff - brand new by Hush Puppies! I have been spending rainy days with the little man in Ikea getting Scandi inspiration for the home as well as making masks - good times all round...

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Make a statement, Business tips

John in his element as a traditional barber So for those who don't know both John and I are self-employed, this is both very exciting but also stressful as basically you are totally in charge of your future and your finances. The one thing I have learnt about running a small business or being self employed that visibility is key, if people don't know what you do or who you are you simply won't pull in the clients, thats what marketing tools are really key. My business cards at the ready So what are our top tips we have learnt so far on our journey into self-employment? 1. Never underestimate the power of networking  Both John and I have benefited a lot by networking with like minded people, wether in a formal or casual situation if your passionate about what you do it alway comes across and usual makes the person you are talking too interested as well, we have both seen the benefit of this when a few weeks later that person has got in touch to know more......

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