Pregnancy update, Nonabox and Project-B

Pregnancy update, Nonabox and Project-B

30/11/2014

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Wow it's been so busy lately, in fact crazy busy would be the only way to describe it. I cannot believe I am 28 weeks pregnant today (Monday) eek into the third trimester I go. So I thought I would do a round up of what has been going on from 25-27 weeks.

Well with lots events and trips to London keeping me on my feet I have started to feel a little bit of an energy dip mainly due to things becoming more uncomfortable at night and finding it harder to get a good nights sleep. For the first time I have been experiencing a bad back and rib pain something I didn't really have with Mr A but then again every pregnancy is different. What I have found though that eases it the most is keeping active, I discovered this after having a down week where I thought I would take things easy and it was actually a lot worst and I realised that Mr A and I love our outdoor walks every day or swimming and adventures close to home and further afield and it seems the best idea to just keep to that routine.

I have also been lucky enough to receive two amazing pregnancy subscription boxes in the past month - the Nonabox and Project-B, both of which really put a smile on my face and contained lovely little gifts to help you through your pregnancy and beyond. Check out my little vlog about them - can't wait to see whats in next months boxes.





In the Nonabox you get around 6-9 products and costs £24.95 per month and is tailored to the stage of your pregnancy and up to two years post-birth. I really loved the full sized Aden & Anais swaddle muslin and cannot wait to use it when our new arrival is here. I also love the Cheeky Rascals Belly Belt which extended the life of your normal jeans. My other two favourite products this month was the Bennetts nappy cream - mainly because it's a long established South African brand which is nice to see as well as the Waterwipes travel pack.

My fave 4 Nonabox products - Swaddle Muslin, Waterwipes, Bennetts nappy cream, Cheeky Rascals Belly Belt

The Project-B boxes run from 12 weeks of your pregnancy through to the arrival and are crammed with useful nibbles, products, samples advice and recipes for each stage of your pregnancy and costs £14 per month. My most recent box was the The Energise box for 20-24 weeks and I loved the Bear paws products as well as the Apothederm stretch mark cream which I have been using everyday. I also really loved the Teapigs samples as well as the full sized - What to Buy your Baby book which is really informative.

Fave Project-B products - Apothederm cream, Alpha Bites, What to buy your baby book, Teapigs tea

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Street Style Sunday - A Wedding Outfit

Street Style Sunday - A Wedding Outfit

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Vintage Jacket, New Look tee, Max Studio trouser, Esska Shoes, Ralph Lauren Bag, Boden Necklace

So last weekend we attended a wedding, in fact Johns brothers wedding. As you can see my bump has grown somewhat and I struggled to find anything dress wise that didn't make me feel frumpy so I decide to wear what I felt comfortable in but was still fairly chic. I picked up this black Velvet jacket in a charity shop years ago and I love it and paired it up with my Max Studio black trousers and New Look maternity tee, as well as my gold Esska shoes and Ralph Lauren bag and beautiful Boden necklace.

The weather was perfect, especially since Wales can be so hit and miss which meant I even had to pack my sunglasses! I went for fairly simple makeup using some new No.7 products which I cannot wait to share with you - in love with their Lip Crayon and overall had a really enjoyable day. The little man was a page boy and I cannot wait share what he wore later this week in the Boys Club post.

As always I have paired up with the lovely Natalie at Style Me Sunday to bring you Street Style Sunday linky - you can link up with any fashion related posts including mood boards, inspirational posts as well as what you are your family are wearing. Come and join in and share the love.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Easy Sunday Morning

Easy Sunday Morning

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Sometimes I wish I could stay in bed all day (image)

We make life what it is, we see the things we want to see. On sundays I like to look for the whimsical, the lazy, the cosy, the calm to the start of the day. Is there really anything better than a lazy sunday morning with american pancakes (preferable made by someone else) and a fresh cup of coffee wrapped in a soft quilted throw in a wonderfully light kitchen with large windows...well we can all dream and why not I say...life is too short not too.

How cute are these (image)

What I want to wake up too (image)

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Outdoor Adventures and VitaCoco Giveaway

Outdoor Adventures and VitaCoco Giveaway

29/11/2014

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We have really been seizing the day lately, especially when it's been dry, which can be rare in these colder months. As long as we wrap up warm (the thermals are starting to come out) than we are ready to go and explore. I always try and pack some snacks and a sandwich as sometimes we can be out quite long and eating out can really add up on what is a pretty frugal activity. This week we have had three great mini adventures and I thought I would my favourite one with you.

We visited one of our favourite parks in Pontcanna this week where Mr A enjoyed riding out on his bike and the climbing everything in the adventure playground, plus finding sticks and twigs for a Christmas Craft that we have planned for next week. We also decided to treat ourselves to a slice each of freshly oven baked pizza in the park to warm us up. I also picked up this really cute Boden gilet for the little man in their recent sale and it's so lovely and warm I want an adult version.

It also gave us a chance to put the Vita Coco Coconut juice pouches for kids to the test as coconut water is a great way to keep hydrated and as most people know it's really good for you! These have no added sugar, sweeteners or artificial preservatives and only contain natural fruit flavours as well as naturally occurring potassium to help keep little ones energised, focused and hydrated. Mr A is pretty fussy and usually opts for things like water or very diluted apple juice but these went down a treat  and I am really happy to be able to offer my readers the chance to win a whole months supply! In other words 96 pouches of Coconut goodness in two different flavours - Apple & Blackcurrant and Mango & Pineapple.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kids dream bed

Kids dream bed

28/11/2014

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How cute is this bed (image)

So with our next little bundle of joy on it way around February time we have been thinking a lot about Mr A's room, he is in desperate need of a new bed as he is still in a toddler bed and it's really time to move to a "big boy" one. We also feel it's time to redecorate his room in a way that reflects his style and provides a fun, interactive and safe environment that he feels comfortable in. We want to have him as involved as possible in the decision making (well within reason) as it's our present to him before the new little one is on the scene. So we asked Mr A what his dream bed would be

1. Somewhere higher up with storage underneath for all his books - like a mid bunk
2. A slide so he could slide out of bed (this probably wouldn't happen)
3. Big enough for his soft toys to join him at bedtime
4. Dinosaur/printed bedding
5. Have a canopy so he can make dens
6. A cup holder for his water at night (I loved he thought of this)

Mr A enjoying his train track in his room

I mean this is his wish list and what we end up with will of course be somewhat different but hopefully we can tick off a few things for him. The first port of call though however is painting his room, we have decided to go with a similar shade we used in his first bedroom which was a beautiful Laura Ashley light blue and would match his homemade gingham curtains perfectly. 

I love this cabin bed with the green splash of colour (image)

We really want to add some prints on the wall and some simple but fun wall art, as well as splashes of colour. Also we are working on a fun storage box for him to keep all his prized processions. We are hoping to create a space that he wants to stay in and will make the transition from being the only child to older sibling.

Time4Sleep put together a little video about a families dream video and this post is part of our entry into Dream Bed competition 

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Festive Interior inspiration at Ideal Christmas

Festive Interior inspiration at Ideal Christmas

27/11/2014

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Last week I was invited to the Ideal Home Show At Christmas at Earls Court in London thanks to Gocompare.com - one of the shows sponsors. So I got up early and made my way to the city for an action packed day or festive inspiration. It was really hard not be excited by what was going to be install simply by the outdoor winter wonderland in front of Earls Court with beautiful decorated Trees and even snow it was hard not to want to grab a mince pie and mulled wine.

I have never been to any of the Ideal Home Shows before and I have to say it was HUGE! So many stalls I didn't know where to start, as well as inspiring talks, food demos, an ice-rink and various eating options. I loved all the Christmas decorations and it has really given me loads of ideas when it comes to decorating our home this year.

My favourite part was the home and Interior room sets that you could walk through - such beautiful styling and well curated styling. I never knew before that I needed or wanted a unicorn but when I saw this piece of Wall decor I feel in love with the whimsical side of it.

Seriously in love with this unicorn 

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Our 2015 Cruise Wish-list

Our 2015 Cruise Wish-list

26/11/2014

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Being parents and leading rather busy lives, planning ahead is key, of course, we still love to do things on a whim but with another little one on the way in February we are already putting our travel wish-list for next year together now and we have found ourselves for the first time talking about the possibility of a cruise, something we may have not considered before but I have to say with all the amazing child-friendly options today it's sounding more and more appealing and here are a few more reasons why you should not discount taking a cruise next year

They are very family-friendly and offer some great entertainment options and on-board facilities which will be perfect when we have a newborn travelling with us. Taking a cruise also allows us to visit a few destinations in one visit which is something that is very attractive to us.

It's something a little bit different, I have been on a month long cargo ship before but it was nothing like a cruise ship would be like and the most John has done is an overnight ferry so it would be a new kind of travel experience for us and Mr A loved going on a short ferry trip earlier this year.

It's relaxing – we don't have to worry about cooking and it will feel like a real holiday. We travel a lot but it's mainly self-catering, which we are a huge fan of but it would be nice to have a week away that felt pampering and luxurious, plus the little man loves being by water and the seaside so I am sure he would enjoy an extended trip on a boat.

We loved our time in the South Of France earlier this year and loads of cruses visit the Riviera

I think when it comes to booking things like this it's really important to go with a reputable company and we are really impressed with the selection Thomson Cruises offers, all of which are all-inclusive including tips and the on-board facilities that each ship has are top-notch. We have put together our top 5 cruises on our wish list and hopefully we will get the chance to do at least one of them next year

Cultural Classics – this 14 night cruise takes in all the cultural hotspots of Italy, South of France and Spain as well Morocco and Greece. Taking this trip in April also means you get a lot of the warmth but not the uncomfortable heat found in summer as well as less crowded streets during your excursions on shore.

2. Ancient Wonders – A 7 night cruise that explores the ancient sights of Turkey and Greece, including a whole day in Istanbul as well as Santorini. I love the culture of these two countries and it would be lovely to share that with our son.

3. Croatian Classics -the one regret I have when I was backpacking around Europe is that I never went to the Croatian Coast – I visited the captial of Zagreb which I loved but have always wanted to go back to explore the stunning coastline and John has been talking about it for years and it's something we would love to to do as a family sometime soon

4. Black Sea Explorer – one of the coastlines we really want to see first had is that of Ukraine and this cruise visits the Ukrainian coastline as well as Bulgaria. Anything alittle bit different or unusual we are attracted to and would love to do a cruise like this in the future.

5. Aegean and the Holy Land – despite any unrest Israel has been on both John and I list of must visit countries as it's filled with such amazing cultural and historical sights and you get two full days in Ashdod with the options of day trips to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. This cruise also takes in the sights of Turkey and Cyprus and Rhodes

With so much choice it can be hard to pick but we are certain for sure we want to take a cruise next year it's just deciding on which one. We have also been looking at a few to Scandinavia, even though it's slightly colder climates there is equally inspiring landscapes. Hopefully if everything goes to plan we will be sharing our cruising adventures with you at some point next year. What are your travel plans for the year ahead?

Me on Ascension Island while taking a month long Cargo ship from South Africa to the UK

Thanks to Thomson Cruises for the inspiration of this post

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Boys Club and Barbour Jackets

Boys Club and Barbour Jackets

25/11/2014

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John in his Patagonia Jacket

So a Boys Club post has been long overdue especially since Johns wardrobe has grown again but this time with winter staples including warm winter socks from Japan as well as a few bigger purchases such as this Patagonia jacket which he has had his eye on for a few months and thought he would treat himself to an early Christmas present. I have to say having picked it up and tried it on myself (drowns me) its so light, warm and breathable I really want one too. While I tend to mainly wear monochrome John brings in quite a lot of colour and is good with mixing and matching his clothes and even though this is very much a practical jacket and perfect for our outdoor adventures it's also fun and on-trend.

When we shop we try to keep things as local as possible and love to support independent stores and one of the best places in Cardiff to find high quality and harder to find labels such as Red Wings and YMC is the small and unassuming Pavilion Clothing.  John was actually the one who introduced me to this store and when we first met he had only recently purchased a Barbour jacket from Pavillion and 8yrs one that jacket is still going strong, which has made me think that perhaps I should invest in one too as not only are they stylish but really practical and perfect for any outdoor winter adventures and thought I would put together a little wish list of my favourite ones that have in stock at the moment.

1.  Barbour International Polarquilt Jacket in Red £179
2.  Barbour International Waxed Jacket £249
3.  Barbour Hatton Parka Quilted Jacket £229
4. Barbour Black Poet Jacket On Sale - £175

One of my favourite shirts happens to be a Barbour one which is part of there Heritage collection and has a vintage style bird print design which I love and I have to say I always impressed with the quality and how well made they are, although they are not cheap for the longevity in my experience it's been worth it.

This is a collaborated post but words and opinions are 100% our own and we love to support local stores

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Christmas at Celtic Manor

Christmas at Celtic Manor

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So earlier this month I was kindly invited to an afternoon of wonderful conversation, beautiful table decor and of course some delicious tea and cake at the Celtic Manor - a stunning 5 star hotel on the outskirts of Newport as part of #MyCelticXmas. It was lovely to be given the chance to preview their Christmas Cream Tea and I can honestly say I was not disappointment at all, from beginning to end the whole experience was seamless and was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

When I arrived I was greeted by the friendly staff and offered a drink before be shown to my seat alongside some other lovely local bloggers. We had a quick briefing about the what the hotel offers and what to expect from the day and an insight into the new Celtic Manor blog which is really worth a read. I am already planning to return to take the little man to the Winter Wonderland which sounds amazing.

After the briefing we were introduced to the head pastry chef who walked us through some of the amazing creations that would be on offer with the Christmas cream tea. After which they served some Mulled Wine in cute little teapots, it smelled divine but due to the pregnancy I had to pass it up but oh how I do love mulled wine but the loose leaf peppermint tea more than made up for it. Once they brought out the food I couldn't wait to try all the dainty cakes and sandwiches, especially the christmas pudding truffle. The photo above is the meat option but they catered for myself and Alice who was sitting next to me with vegetarian three tiere which included some yummy mini cheese tarts, scones, mince pies and marzipan cups plus lots of other tasty treats.

To finish the day off we were handed custom tote bags with some Elemis Goodies and a handmade Christmas pudding biscuit which John wolfed down before I could get a photo of it.

Overall if your looking for somewhere special to take someone you love, family, friends or just feel like having a pampering day out than I highly recommend the Christmas Cream Tea at the Celtic Manor and you can check out the menu here. The beautiful interior added to the festive feeling plus the friendly and knowledgable staff were amazing.

Looking a little fuller from all the cake (and being pregnant :)

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Interiors and flowers: tips on how to do it well

Interiors and flowers: tips on how to do it well

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I love this vase and simple floral arrangement (image)

Gone are the days where floral prints feature only in your granny’s home, nowadays floral patterns are bang on trend. Vogue headed to the Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year to check out the best floral interiors along with what flowers are taking centre stage on the catwalk this season. 

Flowers, fashion and interiors have begun to go hand in hand – here is how to get it right:

Don’t go overboard

Flowers may be fashionable but this doesn’t mean you should overdo it. If you add a floral pattern to every piece of furniture and have every type of flower out on display, your home will look ancient, out of date and like a florist. Rather than smother a room in floral - inject floral. 

It's important to keep a balance and not go overboard, this room is floral perfection (image)

Use real flowers

It sounds obvious but many floral print lovers don’t actually bother putting flowers around their homes, Serenata flowers do a wide variety of flowers in all different shades, for this time of year ‘bonfire’ and ‘fall flora’ make wonderful additions to any living room. Or, if you’re looking for flowers for the festive season; ‘cinnamon spice’ and ‘red robin’ make great Christmas table decorations and they’re the perfect way to fill a home with a rich and warm aroma. Of course having fresh flowers each week is not always that cost effective so picking up some soft and subtle scents that use natural fragrance chemicals is always an option to keeping things smelling and feeling fresh.

We love having fresh flowers in our home

Don’t always go ‘girlie’

It’s assumed that floral prints are girly but believe it or not there is such a thing as masculine floral prints. For example: big, floral prints in primary colours can give off a modern art vibe as opposed to a feminine one.

Match up

Just because two patterns are floral, it doesn’t mean they automatically match. Floral can work in any place, in any room but make sure you match the other colours in the room to the floral print. Common palates can make anything work together.

I love this light floral bedding (image)

Accessorise

If you aren’t bold enough to go for floral wallpaper or a floral piece of furniture then invest in some small floral accessories. For example, cushion covers are a great way to use floral and if you get bored of them you can just take them off. Or, if you fancy doing some out of the ordinary decorating - get collecting floral plates and then mix and match them by hanging them in a cluster on a wall for a vintage yet eclectic look or you could even be brave and add a splash of colour and floral print to your stairs like the image below

How amazing are these stairs (image)

This is a collaborated post but thoughts are 100% our own

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