Whats in my Changing Bag | Toddler Edition

Now Harry is a full on boystrous 2 year old the contents of my changing bag have somewhat changed.  I do find that if we are going on a whole day out then I will need to take Harry's own mini rucksack stuffed with toys to keep him busy in, but other than that I find that my Pacapod Mirano is just fine to pack with what we need for everyday use.  It is super spacious and has these excellent little detachable pods that you can use to separate your essentials

One of those essentials is a couple of Huggies® Little Swimmers® swim nappies and as I happen to be one of their "Get Set, Splash" bloggers this year I will tell you a little bit about their exciting new design!

The UKs No.1 baby swim pant brand Huggies® have teamed up with Disney© Pixar’s Finding Dory movie (eeek I am so excited to go and see this with Harry!) to encourage mums, dads, aunties and uncles to have more spontaneous water play.
Swimming doesn't have to be a planned activity and it doesn't always have to involve going to a sports centre, it can be as simple as a paddle at the local park or even a splash about in the paddling pool.

 I have always loved Little Swimmers® i find they provide enough protection for Harry to splash about happily without swelling and becoming uncomfortable on his sensitive skin.  They also rip away easily at the sides which I find essential for changing an active toddler!

I love what Huggies® Little Swimmers® are campaigning for here, I think water based play is really important for your childs development and to feel safe around water but it needs to be a fun and less stressful experience.  The new Huggies Little Swimmers are covered in Disneys signature characters from Finding Dory, Harry absolutely loves pointing out the "fishys" when he is wearing his!

Harry's nanny lives down at the seaside and I know the minute we get there he wants to run into the sea and we are also taking him on holiday to Spain later in the year so I know Little Swimmers® will be coming with us everywhere this summer!
We are also really lucky and have a couple of splash parks where we live so jumping in for a paddle and to cool off is often on the agenda when the sunshine decides to grace us with its appearance

Here is what else is in my toddler changing bag:

• Waterproof phone case (to capture all those splash filled memories)
• Swim Shorts
• Wipes
• Anti Bac
• Kate Spade Purse
• Topshop Makeup/essentials bag
• iPhone 6 Plus
• Hair ties
• Tangle Teaser
• Pen
• Toy train
• Chewing Gum
• Towel (I have this stowed away in the basket of our pram all summer for if we fancy a dip in the water!)
• Crackers
• Water bottle
• Raisins
• Sun Cream

Will you be doing more spontaneous swimming this year??

*As a Huggies Little Swimmers "Get Set, Splash" blogger I did collaborate with them for this post, but as always my opinions are always honest and entirely my own!

Favourites #2

Beauty:

Zoeva Rose Gold Vol.2 Brushes - I think if you’re going to spend a large slice of your monthly salary on make up like i do then you need to have some decent tools to apply with.  Step in Zoeva brushes!  I was treated to the beautiful rose gold collection, which included this stunning rose gold pleather bag, for Christmas and they have changed my whole makeup game.  I still use and love the Real Techniques brushes occasionally but for me the Zoeva brushes really do apply makeup like a dream.  The buffing brush and my CT Magic Foundation are a match made in foundation heaven and the brow brush seems to work wonders with every single brow product I team it with.  They are pricey but with some basic TLC these brushes will last you forever, and my god they are worth it

Wunderbrow (I use the shade Brunette)- This was a product I never in a million years thought I would try let alone fall in love with.  I saw endless budget adverts on TV for the stuff as well as the usual Facebook plugging but when I saw Lauren use this (she does awesome little videos for The Sun Beauty) I suddenly looked at Wunderbrow a little differently and thought perhaps it was the product for me.  I wasn’t wrong and I fell head over heels the minute I stroked it onto my brows.  I don’t use the applicator directly onto my face as I feel you have no control over how much product you are applying.  I find it easier to use my own brow brush dipped in a little bit of the gel and using soft strokes is the best way for me personally.  It stays on so so well and is removed with an oil based cleanser.  If you want these bad boys to last you more than a day you will need to steer clear from using an oil based products on your face

Una Brennan Oil - This brings me swiftly onto my fave oil of the moment and that is the Una Brennan Cleansing Oil.  I love love love using oils on my face I find them so hydrating, they remove dirt and makeup better than anything else I’ve tried and most of all my skin seems to adore them too.  I use a small pump of the oil directly onto dry skin, which instantly lifts any makeup from my face.  I will then use a hot flannel to remove it as well as a good few splashes of warm water to make sure no residue is left.  The only problem I have with the Una Brennan Cleansing Oil is that I do find it gets into my eyes a little bit and I find they do seem slightly irritated by it so i have been avoiding using this in my eye area (even though the bottle states this should be fine) 

Wear

Forever 21 Necklace - I bought this necklace last year as just a little add on buy to a big Forever 21 shop and I've just dug it out!  Its a choker style necklace that can be worn slightly longer if you get that claustrophobic feeling that sometimes comes with this style of necklace!!  I've been wearing it with everything and so many people keep asking where its from.  Unfortunately I don't think this one is available anymore but I just wanted to mention it as Forever 21 does so many nice necklaces

Topshop Cactus Shirt - I feel in love with this succulent shirt from Topshop the second I saw it!  The material feels a little dressy and luxe but would look great with a casual outfit or tucked into a leather skirt with heels for a dinner out.  I think I will be wearing the sh*t out of this little number this Spring/Summer!

Primark Heeled Sandals - I wasn't actually sure if I liked these tan sandals when I bought them but once I had got them home and teamed them with all of my holiday outfits I fell in love.  They are literally the perfect sandal, you can wear them super casual with jeans or shorts for a stroll in the sun or you can dress them up with a skirt or dress for an evening out.  The heel is the perfect size for me as I don't really "do" platforms (granny) and the best thing about them is that they were SO cheap and no one can believe I bought them in Primark! As you can see i've been wearing them to death!

Read

The Girl with no Past - You will probably find that books are a staple in my favourites posts as I tend to go through them rather quickly and reading is something I really enjoy!  The Girl with no Past was a bit of a random pick for me and came up on my “recommended” page on my Kindle.   To sum up what it is about, Leah is a 20 something year old girl living a very boring, simple life with a massive secret and a dodgy past, when someone begins to torment her and shake up life as she knows it.

I found myself completely sucked in from the get go with this one, although you don’t find out the whole story until right near the end, so much happens so you don’t feel like its a slow burner at all. 

Watch

Broadchurch - I know right how behind???!  I am one of those annoying people who shun these cult series until I hear so much about them I end up binge watching and regretting not watching them in the first place! Broadchurch was certainly one of those and what put me off was the fact that Dr Who chap is in it.  However i actually fell in love with his character and thought he acted the part really really well.  Again I don't want to give too much away because its all about the shock factor with Broadchurch but series 1 kicks off with the murder of a school boy and its filmed over Jurassic Bay, Dorset which is possibly one of the most picturesque places in Britain!

Eat

Pancakes - I'm eating tons of pancakes lately, which I used to be so awful at making!  However I found a foolproof delicious recipe via Pinterest and I now stick with it and make like 20 pancakes at a time to reheat in the toaster as and when I want them.

The Sunny Days

Sunny days call for bright colours, new funky shoes and all the parks.

Since having my surgery a month ago I haven't been able to do much at all with my little bud. Not being able to lift him means no trips out together alone and not being able to drive means not venturing further than Waitrose cafe or a crappy local park.

Luckily friends and family have been awesome with lifts and we were also blessed with some glorious sunshine over this last week so we have spent some lush bright days in basking in the heat.

We discovered a little farm shop just 5 minutes drive away from where we live in Basingstoke called Wellington Farm Shop. Toddler mums you are going to love it. There is a kid friendly huge cafe offering reared and butchered on site meats, home made breads and cakes and the best breakfast I've had in AGES. Also the coffee is to die for!!  But outside is where this place really outshines most farm shops and cafe's as it boasts a gorgeous little wooden play area and tiny farm complete with horses, sheep, pigs and chickens.  I find it quite hard to take Harry to cafe's when there's no entertainment for him, I often end up taking an iPad with me which ideally I'd like to avoid where I can! He is however getting better at sitting up as the tablet when he's bribed with sausages and promises of cake

Top - Mothercare  |  Shorts - Gap  |  Trainers - Puma

For the first time this year I managed to get a pair of shorts on Harry's ever growing legs, teamed with this gorgeous little tee from the Little Bird by Jools range at Mothercare. I am so obsessed with it and would put him in it everyday had he not spilt jam all over it! The whole range is so unique and really recognisable with its slight 70's retro style and brightly coloured vibe.  I couldn't resist letting Harry wear his Cookie Monster Puma trainers with this outfit, they matched his top perfectly!  They are a little too big but he adored them so much he almost ended up wearing them to bed that night!! 

Backpack - Cath Kidston

Socks - Primark

This weekend we are hoping for more sun, a walk and perhaps a little dip in a pool as Harry has some new swim shorts to try out (Little Bird by Jools ones of course)

 Have you found any toddler friendly local spots lately??

Favourites #1

I have never done a proper favourites post before and I thought it would be nice to share some of the things that have been getting me through life lately!  I’m going to try and make this a regular/monthly thing as I am really quite passionate about things that I love and I really enjoying sharing those things with my blogging buddies

Beauty

Emma Hardy Face Mask:  I have been using this mask as an overnight treatment more than I have a proper face mask.  I pop a little bit on after my regular night cream and it has a similar result to the ever popular Origins Drink Me Up, it leaves my skin super hydrated and just a bit less dull looking! #winning

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation:  I’m now on my third bottle of this stuff and I’m still just as in love with it as I was with my first.  It blends in seamlessly and effortlessly leaving a demi matte but still relatively dewy finish with great coverage but a breathable feel (I use a shade 6) I like to mix mine with a dash of Soap & Glory highlighter which works really well together and sweep it onto my skin with my Zoevva Foundation Brush, heavenly.

Pixi Glow Tonic:  I can’t rave enough about Pixi Glow Tonic its done wonders for my dull skin!  I use a sweep of it on a cotton pad every other day after removing my makeup/cleansing which gently removes dead skin cells, and I find I wake up with a clearer, less grey looking face.  I have had my bottle since Christmas and I’m not even a third of the way through so it will definitely last a good while if you use it every other day like me.

Molecule 01 Perfume:  I mentioned this amazing fragrance in my Valentines Gift guide and I am as obsessed with it now as I was then.  Corrie introduced me to Molecule 01 and I’m so so happy she did!  I don’t know the science behind it but it smells different on everyone who wears it but it does have a distinct scent at the same time, so I ALWAYS know when someone has it on!  It’s on the pricier side but it’s so worth it if you fancy treating yourself or a loved one as the scent lasts on your skin all day.  I pretty much wear it every day and I’m constantly being asked what smell I am wearing!!  (which I think is a compliment?!)

Rimmel Scandaleyes Pencil in Nude:  I have always been a huge fan of lining my waterline with a white pencil but I've noticed that it looks heaps better when lined with nude.  Its really a must have beauty product for tired mama's and I have found Rimmel's to be the most pigmented and have the longest staying power

Eat

Joe Wicks Lean in 15:  The whole of Jan we signed up for Hello Fresh boxes to be delivered every Monday.  As much as we were enjoying the meals. The time it took to prepare most of them just wasn’t working for us so I got myself the kindle version of Joe Wicks Lean in 15 cook book (side note: I wasn’t allowed to buy the physical book as according to Mr H I have too many on my shelf!!)  Most of the recipes in here are so quick to make and really quite cheap as well as you don’t need anything fancier than a jar of coconut oil. There is also a HIIT workout section at the back… I haven’t quite managed to check that bit out yet.. Joe has the best Instagram account as well, full of recipes and fitness motivation.  My favourite meals so far have been his spicy sausage pasta and the filo chicken pie.. mmm mmm!

Watch

GossipGirl:  Yes its years old but YES I’m still completely obsessed with it and having missed the last 2 seasons the first time round I’m now reliving the upper east side dream and re-watching from the very beginning over on Netflix.  If you haven’t heard of GG or seen it, it’s a very tame, very unrealistic series about a bunch of rich guys and gals and their tales of heartache, cheating and lies!  The fashion is unreal and Blake Lively should be everyone’s woman crush

The Affair:  Oh good lord in heaven please make season 3 of The Affair come back onto our TV screens sooner than the fall!!!  I binged watched both seasons of this brilliant American TV show like crazy and finished it within a few weeks and it is one of my favourites yet.  It is based around Alison and Noah, both married, who have an Affair but that really is just only the half of it.  There’s heartache, murder and just a little bit too many raunchy scenes but it is so enticing and well filmed there is no way you can’t adore it.  I am now in mourning as I have finished it with nothing to move onto!

Read

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh:  I am an avid reader, I can’t sleep unless I have read at least a few lines from whatever book I’ve got on the go.  When I first started I Let You Go I really wasn’t sure if it was for me or where on earth it was going.  It felt a little dry and boring but within a few chapters my opinion completely changed and I was hooked.  I don’t really want to say too much at all as there are twists and turns but it’s a real gripping and emotional read that I guarantee will either have you in tears or hiding under the duvet with fear to the very end!  If you like Girl on the Train or Gone Girl then you will love I Let You Go

Wear

Olivia Burton Watch:  This was a gift from my other half whilst he was poorly to say thank you for looking after him.  He didn’t need to get me a gift but of course I didn’t turn it down!  I had been wanting an Olivia Burton watch for so so long and he actually bought me 5 to choose my favourite from!  I chose the smallest one as I have a few chunkier watches that I find I rarely wear anymore as they just aren’t practical when running around soft play after an energetic toddler!  I also worried I would catch Harry on one of my larger watches but this one is so so light and small that its so comfortable to wear every day and its beautiful!

Topshop Necklace:  I have been wearing this rope style Topshop necklace for weeks now after picking it up on a bit of a whim to go with an “out out” outfit!  It fulfils all my copper/rose gold dreams and seems to go with absolutely everything I have been wearing.  I couldn't find my rose gold one online unfortunately but I have linked the equally pretty gold version

I would love to know what you have been loving lately, so please let me know in the comments!!

Pacapod Mirano Changing Bag

After 4 weeks of using it, I got sick and tired of rooting through my Cath Kidston changing bag to try and find bum cream, nappies or my lip balm.. It was full to the brim and I could barely fit my purse in. I was ready to rip it up to be quite honest!

After a teeny bit of research online I found Pacapod - a range of ultra stylish changing bags with a 3 in 1 storage system - and I fell I love with this little beaut, the Mirano bag

I desperately needed some organisation in my old changing bag as things were all over the place. Nappies were mixed up with bottles, muslins and spare clothing and it was quickly driving me insane. The Pacapod Mirano bag answers all my prayers with its 3 separate compartments for 3 different uses. The first 'pod' is for feeding and easily fits 3 of my quite bulky Dr Browns bottles, a muslin, Infacol and bibs.

The 2nd is purely for nappy changing equipment and has space for plenty of nappies, wipes, creams, cotton wool etc etc.

The pods are completely removable which I LOVE as when out and about you don't need to lug an entire bag over to the changing station you can just whip your pod out and everything you would need is visible and easily accessible.

Included in the package is a cute and comfy changing mat, a bottle insulator and a little drawstring bag for baby's spare clothing.

The main compartment of the bag is purely all for me! If I wanted to I could fit a laptop or iPad in there, purse, makeup, spare tshirt (I have found this quite important after wandering around the shops with puke stains on my top!).

The quality of the Mirano is beautiful and I can see it lasting me years which is great because it doesn't come cheap at £99. 

I am head over heels for mine and Harry's new arm candy and I think it's well worth the investment!

Have you tried any bags from the Pacapod range??

Product Review: Mama Mio Boob Tube*

Defy gravity and treasure your chest..

I love the tag line on Mama Mio's Boob Tube Bust and Neck Firmer*  as one thing I worry about in pregnancy is how my breasts are going to look at the end of it!  Maybe a small thing to worry about and its possibly a little vain but every woman wants to look half normal during and after pregnancy right?

Mama Mio Boob Tube

This little wonder product is that good it has a celebrity following, including the likes of Victoria Beckham and Jessica Alba, so I had a feeling I was really going to like the product too!

I wasn't wrong.  This little wonder cream is amazing!  I have been using a blob of the stuff every day now for 3 weeks and my boobs and décolletage has never looked so good (if ido say so myself)
The antioxidant cream works like a face lift.. it smooths and firms the skin dramtically changing the texture.  After 2 weeks of using this I had a totally different chest!!  My skin is smooth, moisturised and the skin feels somewhat plumper than before. I can only imagine the wonders it does for the skin post-partum and I cannot wait to use Boob Tube then

This bust and neck firmer boasts a heap of luxury ingredients, including CoQ10, Evening Primrose Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Dandelion Root and Shea Butter - which helps gives it its divine sweet but fresh scent.  The product isn't too thick or too thin, its consistency literally melts immediately into the skin 
OH and it is also perfectly safe to use whilst breastfeeding for all you mummy's out there and I have also heard that this can be used on your face to give you similar results there!

I also love how the product comes with a little Breast Aware leaflet and a guide for how to check your breasts as this is something every woman should be aware of and know how to examine themselves

You can buy Mama Mio's Boob Tube here for £29.50 as well as a whole bunch of other yummy products - I literally want to buy the entire range now!!

Have you tried any boob lifting and firming treatments??

*PR Sample