Lifestyle and Parenting blog based in Surrey.

Monday 12 December 2016

Christmas for the little ones


Its pretty obvious from the number of items I’ve included in this post that it is my favourite, and its been the funnest to select. I don’t believe that Christmas is ALL about the little people, it is the time of year I have always loved, but the real magic is for the kids. Sophie is only one and a half, so still has no clue what is going on, but she has loved the build up to christmas so much more than last year (where it did really pass her by) loving the lights, the trees and I just can’t wait to see her open her presents on the 25th.

I don’t think people need much help choosing pressies for little people. If anything, we need help NOT going too crazy. So this is less of a gift guide, more just sharing what little Sophie, my niece, nephews and other special little people I’ve buying for are going to be receiving from me on the big day.

What toddler don’t like a ride-on-toy? Sophie was actually bought this beautiful rocking horse last year for Christmas and it is still a firm favourite, being ridden most days. As it lives in her nursey, this little trike can stay down stays to cause a bit more chaos.


Train sets aren’t just for boys. Sophie loves a ‘choo choo’ and I think the whole family will be having great fun setting this up on Christmas day. In fact, I’ll be surprised if Grandpa lets her near it!


When little S was tiny, everything had to be in a shade of grey or white. Now colour is everywhere and I’ve embraced it. I love this array of little friends. Slippers from Funky Feet have been a must-buy since I discovered them when Sophie was about 6 months. She has worked her way through sheep and donkeys in the different sizes and I’ve bought her some bears for christmas. The smaller sizes are the cutest and these little foxes are for the newest member of our family and I can’t wait to see the new owner wearing them! Gertie Goose is an alternative to a ‘Sophie Giraffe’ perfect for the tinies to chew and play with - and dare I say it, cuter than her long-necked cousin?!


To keep colouring crayons safe, this dinosaur pencil case is just the cutest. In fact I actually quite like to keep it for myself!

Coming to the crayons to go in, these chunky animal ended beauties from The White Company add an extra dollop of fun to any activity.



A little Christmas sparkle in the form of the cutest hair clips from Rockahula will also be perfect for New Year (and beyond) as long as I don’t lose them - I seem to get through hair clips at a rate of nots, where do they go?!



Is Christmas Christmas with out new PJs? I love this floral print pair that will see S into the new season in style. There’s something not right about wearing ‘Christmas PJs’ post December, or is that just me?



I’ve really held it back (for me!) on the clothing front. But I just couldn’t not but this cashmere blend robin cardigan from JoJo’s! Cashmere is so gorgeous, and I love to think how snug is keeps S. Dedidant, but what the heck, this 100% cashmere cardi from Boden and blanket (the seasons with star design here) from The White Company was just too delicious not to have. 



Books are always gorgeous gift and I’ve chosen some of our Christmas favourites. Thats Not My Reindeer with a lovely red-nose friend on the end page, Me by Emma Dodd about the Love a Mummy has for their baby penguin and The Twelve Days of Christmas.


I love beauty and pampering treats - so why should little Sophie miss out on the fun? She loves rubbing in moisturiser on her tummy already, even if she needs a little help from me. 


I hope you’ve enjoyed a little glimpse into our Christmas and I just hope all these pressies are loved as much by their new owners! I am currently loving the new Chantecaille Bebe range which is launching soon.
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Saturday 10 December 2016

Ultimate Christmas Gifts for Her


Who is madly doing their Christmas shopping? The smug few will be all finished and have all their gifts under the free and now enjoying all the parties and final preparations for the big day. If you’re like me, you’ll be madly darting to the shops and hitting the laptop to find some last minute gifts. We are off skiing on Friday and I really should be finished by now!! To help you out, I’ve come up with my ultimate gift guide for the ladies your buying for. All luxe pieces that I think any lady would be lucky to find under the tree on the 25th. I’m also finishing off my gift guides for the little people and the chaps and they’ll be coming up at the beginning of next week.


Even before becoming a mum, sleep was precious as was snuggling up on the sofa in my loungewear. So gorgeous silk PJs (these are Boden and also available in Navy) and sheepskin slippers are going to let any girl relax any unwind still feeling glamorous and looking gorgeous.


On the sleep theme, new mum’s and party girls alike are going to love This Works Bedtime Story gift set, including their Relaxing Bath Soak and Amazing Pillow spray to help you unwind and have an amazing rest however long they get to sleep for.


Beauty items are always a winner and there are so many beautiful gift sets to choose from this time of year - it can be difficult to choose which. My recommendation is to stick to brands you know and trust, then you can guarantee that the recipient is going to be pleased. Who doesn’t love Clarins? They have a beautiful range of Christmas gifts this year that come with a beautiful white waffle wash bag too. This is the Super Restorative collection - and being red makes it festive too.


Charlotte Tilbury make up is just beautiful and I am obsessed with this Dreamy Look in a Clutch gift set…this one isn’t going under the tree, he’s all mine! But stick to neutrals and naturals if you’re buying makeup gifts rather than going for anything ‘on-trend’.


I love Crabtree & Evelyn Hand creams, they are think and soothing,without being greasy and it always the brand I revet too. This beautiful best sellers gift set offers your loved-one a rainbow collection to try and find a new favourite.


Fragrance is always a beautiful gift, and very romantic too. Some new scents she’ll love as much as I do are My Burberry, Dear Rose Nymphessence and Jimmy Choo L’eau (launching in the New Year).



True love has to be jewellery. Again, gifting wise its best to keep it simple. I adore this bar necklace from Lucinda King and the simplest of silver bangles from Triwa. The beauty of Shore Project watches is the straps are interchangeable, so opt for a classic strap and she can then get creative with the rate of metal, leather, silicon and wool options on offer.


Happy shopping!


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Thursday 8 December 2016

Rugby International Weekend Away


Weekends away with just the husband are precious. We adore our weekends as a family of three, but when the opportunity arises to get away, just the two of us I grasp it with both hands. Two weekends ago my fabulous parents has Sophie for a sleep-over (what would we do with out the doting grand parents?!) and we headed west, to Cardiff to watch Wales vs South Africa at the Primality stadium. Ok, so it wasn’t really a romantic weekend away as we had been invited by my lovely in-laws to watch the match from my FIL’s company’s box, and as much as Mr BMB loves rugby, I’ve never been bitten by the bug, but it was a weekend away and the bar was free - I couldn’t wait! 












 We were kitted out for the match by the lovely Boden - if you haven’t tried out their clothing - you MUST, its always such great quality and just a tiny bit quirky. Standard attire for me as soon as the mercury drops is as much cashmere as possible and I was snuggled up in this beautiful cream jumper. Perfect for darting between the warm box and chilly stadium. These boots are The. Dream. High enough to length and slim your legs but chunky and not too high to be beyond comfortable to be on your feet all day. I teamed these pieces with my skinny high waisted Joni TopShop Jeans (These are AMAZING - I would never have tried high waisted jeans, but these suck in my mummy-tummy to perfection!) my Ted Baker cashmere blend coat (a few seasons old- similar here) and my orange Zara scarf (again last year’s but I’m still in love with it! Similar here.) 










 The boy was lucky enough to pick some items too, and has hardly taken off this tweed coat and cashmere scarf (they enjoy a bit of luxe too!) Luckily it was a win for Wales so the chaps were happy (despite my MIL and I having non-rugby related chats through the match - apparently this is distracting!) and we headed into the wintery evening to enjoy the Cardiff night life. Woke up missing baby, despite the lie-in and hit the road promptly post breakfast to be reunited and fed lunch by my ma and pa. Oh, we are spoilt!
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Sunday 4 December 2016

Christmas Candles


As soon as December arrives, everyone seems to surround to the Christmas spirit. I get very excited as soon as the shops start putting their decorations up in late October, and have been collecting my favourite Christmas fragrances ready to share with you. in December a reed diffuser just won’t do. It must be candles or festive popouri to lace my home with the promise of the month to come. 

Here are some of my favourite festive candles that I am morning around my house and lighting at every opportunity! I’ve obviously got far more than I can ever burn in the run up to the 25th, but they make such gorgeous presents, especially if you get to give them early. 


The White Company Winter Candle is a warming combination of cinnamon, clove and fresh orange and it is available in a range of sizes. Next year I really want the massive Indulgence version which has a huge 230 hour burn time!



ESPA Winter Pine Candle this beautiful candle is a infusion of warm and sweet cinnamon, eucalyptus and pine and is more subtle than the more out-there Christmas fragrances.


Crabtree & Evelyn Noël Botanical Poured Candle This candle is so stunning with cinnamon sticks and apple slices decorating the wax. The fragrance also combines mulled spice, fir spruce and the zest of citrus fruits. I do love this candle, but it does come second place to their Windsor Forest that I had last year!


The White Company Mulled Wine Candle based on my favourite festive tipple it combines fruit and spice fragrances of cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise with sweet vanilla and red-wine.


Jo Malone Pine & Eucalyptus Candle no one does christmas like Jo Malone and this combination of Pine and Eucalyptus is classically christmas.


Molton Brown Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine Candle this is a christmas tree in candle form,burning this limited edition beauty,  no-one will guess I've gone fake...


ETRO Misto Busco Candle (available at Harrods) combines sharpe and sweet berries with pine needles. Tocca Chamonix Candle which is in last years packaging - but the same fragrance of rosemary and pine, quintessentially christmassy.


La Montana Winter Oranges Candle is a festive combinations of Valencia orange, cinnamon, red apple and clove.



Annick Goutal Noel Candle combines citrus fruits, pine bark and resin, in this beautifully gold streaked glass.


I hope I have inspired you in your Christmas candle purchasing and do let me know which is your favourite!
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