Baby Essentials, Mothercare Sit Me Up Cosy

My little baby girl is 2 months old and is getting too big to sleep in her Moses basket but I still want to keep her near me in the sitting room in the day and to be honest she doesn't sleep for long during the day anyway. I feel like putting her in her cot would unsettle her and she will only really go in if I am next to her in the bed.

 So I have been searching for something to rest her on that she can play and relax on and I came across the Mothercare Sit Me up Cosy. It has three different uses, stage 1 where it can be used as a nest and it is suitable for birth. She can snuggle in the super soft fabric and I can give her toys to increase her curiosity and enjoy her play time which she loves. I went for the  Teddy Toy Box Sit Me Up Cosy as we already have the Teddy's Toy box bouncer to match  and I love the neutral colours. The petal shaped lining of the nest can also be used as a mat independently and I lay her on it to play or for tummy time.

When she is older and sitting up the two halves can be stacked on top each other to create a soft and supportive prop to help the baby play safely. I am so pleased with this product and I really like that it is quite high and my baby loves looking at the big Teddy head. It has definitely solved my problem about where to rest her and she seems to sit in it happily playing or having little naps without me worrying about her safety. The soft fabric is a  dream and easy to clean .

This was a very affordable solution for me and Mothercare is always up to scratch providing great quality and design at an affordable price. There are other styles available : My Frst Sit Me Up Cosy , Blossom Farm Belle Bunny Sit Me Up Cosy , Blossom Farm Lily Lamb Sit Me Up Cosy , My Little Garden Sit Me Up Cosy , Baby Safari Sit Me Up Cosy  and Confetti Party Sit Me up Cosy .

 I have also included some other options your little one might enjoy and some that are definitely on my wishlist!

Butterfly Twists

In general , when I am looking for a flat shoe I usually reach for a sneaker and it has been years since I have worn ballet flats. However I have loved the new trend of pointy flats and was looking for a classic but modern take on the trend which would also be practical and most importantly comfortable.
So I was very happy to come across the brand Butterfly Twists which is an innovative brand that creates shoes with the unique memory foam feature which means that not only are they foldable and they actually come with a lovely little pouch to put them in, they also fit perfectly to your foot.
I thought that they would also be great to pop in your bag , if you have had enough of your heels for the day or for a quick dash in your lunch break.

I opted for the HOLLY which features  a pointed toe and comes in cream and black. They also feature a flexible rubber sole which makes them extremely comfortable for walking , unlike some other ballet pumps.

There are lots of other designs on the site , from sporty styles to the more traditional round toed ballet flat, and considering the great quality of the product the price point is very good.




One of my other favourite styles is the OLIVIA ( obviously named after the queen of the ballet flat, Ms Palermo) which also comes in leopard print here and in cream and patent black here.

In my opinion these are staples in any busy girls wardrobe and mine will be sitting pretty in their pouch tucked into my handbag at all times for when I want a break from my sneakers and need to smarten up my outfit or to replace painful heels .

New Season you need NOW!!

We are in the middle of Summer and personally I am the size of a house , but I can't help but get excited about the season merchandise  hitting the stores at the moment, not least because the prospect of wearing something not resembling a tent in the near future fills me with joy. 

One of the stores that is killing it is good old h&m as they have launched  a great collaboration  with  GP & J Baker and consists of some of the most beautiful floral prints that can be worn now but are also great for fall.  

 Also it is worth noting that they are all very affordable unlike some designer collaborations and they are items that will last for many seasons to come

Patterned Jumpsuit here

Patterned Chiffon dress here

Patterned Blouse here

Jumpsuit here

Wide trousers here

In addition there are some beautiful coats and trenches which are definitely worth grabbing now as they are certain to sell out pretty soon!

Trenchcoat vintage pink here

Soft Trenchcoat here

Wool Blend Coat here

Summer can stay for a little longer but new season shopping has well and trully commenced!

Kit Stars Make Up Brushes Review

Now let me start by saying that I am definitely not a make up connoisseur. I would say my abilities with make up are average and I am ashamed to admit that for the most part , I use my fingers for pretty much everything and a brush- one brush for bronzer and blusher. I though that was fine until I was shown the light! I was very kindly sent a set of Kit Stars Brushes to try and I have to say that I have rethought the way make up can be used.

This is not a sponsored post , it is my honest opinion as a make up brush newbie.So first of all let me tell you a bit about the brand. They claim to offer professional standard brushes at a fraction of the price. The brushes are all hand made and there

The brushes are all hand made and thereare natural and vegan brushes. They use use, solid copper and gold plate to ensure that the brushes are perfectly weighted .



I was sent brushes in natural fibre:
N3 Blush
N2 Shaping Veil
N1 Powder
S4 Base
S41 Short Angle 
N32 Blender
N33 Micro Pencil
S40 Easy Lip
N31 Tapered Blender
N30 Small Tapered Blender

They are all very reasonably priced considering the high quality of the product and I absolutely loved the S4 Base brush, I will never be using fingers again. Also, I have always been scared of eyeshadows but with gorgeous Blending Brushes I have never seen my eye make up look so great.
The Micro pencil is so handy if like me you find eyeliner tricky, and applying my lipstick with the Easy Lip made my lips look much fuller and precise.

My overall opinion is that this set of brushes is worth its value and really does deliver. they have been crafted with lots of care and they make putting on make up much easier and the end result looks more polished. So you can become your own make up expert! I certainly will be experimenting with my new additions and am looking forward to seeing what this brand brings out next!

Three Summer Essentials

We are officially in the height of Summer and there are certain items that are necessary this season in every wardrobe. However , updating your wardrobe every season can be quite expensive so it is important to chose wisely and pick items that you will get the most wear out of. 

Furthermore choosing a retailer that offers great competitive prices is also a prudent way forward for any fashion conscious girl. Rosegal , which is a huge budget retailer with an enormous range of items for sale are currently celebrating the Rosegal 5th anniversary and they have lots of offers on the site that will make your new purchases even more affordable

I also have a discount code that will get you a further 15% off your order by using code RGCara.

Below are the three items I feel are worth the investment this season and which will be suitable for many occasions and hopefully seasons to come.

Espadrille Pom Pom Fringe Slides here

These are perfect for so many outfits and tick so many trends. Slides are still huge but this is a much more sophisticated take on the trend which look far more expensive that they actually are.

 Lace insert Maxi dress here

A maxi dress is another staple , you can dress it up or down and can even use it as a bikini cover up. 

Straw bag here

One of the biggest trends of the season is the straw bag and personally I love it. They give an element of  freshness and are so quintessentially summery that they instantly lift any outfit and mood!

All the above items actually cost less that $100 in total so what are you waiting for. Take advantage of the great offers and don't forget to use the discount code for even more savings , that you can spend on delicious Summer cocktails instead!

The Perfect Tassel Printed Boho Dress

I love scrolling through blogs and Instagram looking at gorgeous Summer outfits with blazers and long sleeved embroidered blouses, however the reality of living in a hot country is that generally less is better. Keeping cool and looking cute is is the goal and trousers and blazers are best saved for late September. 

I really like the boho trend at the moment and it also suits my expanding waistline and ample chest which is always a bonus. I was so happy to find this gorgeous tasselled dress from Zaful , a company which I think is great for beautiful dresses and playsuits at very competitive prices.

 The dress has little thin straps which you can also tuck in to create a strapless style or let them hang down for a more relaxed look. The pattern is beautiful as is the pretty tasselled trim along the front. This is not maternity dress , but it does look great with a bump as well. The material is lovely and soft and you can easily wear it from day to to night.

  Tassel Ruffle Cami Dress here

The dress is currently under $20 dollars and there is a huge sale on the site and combined offers to take advantage of. 

xxx

The Net-A-Porter Sale Edit

The Net-A-Porter sale is one of those sales that you just can't miss. Obviously it isn't a store most of us can often shop from, but the sale is a great opportunity to grab a few items that will upgrade your wardrobe and feel like you are treating yourself to something a bit more special. Personally , when I shop sales I try to buy things that will last in my wardrobe . Trend are transitive and trendy items are usually in the sale because they are on their way out. However, it is possible to find items that will become staples and Net-A-Porter is definitely a place where you will find some treasures that you will adore for years. Below are some of my favourites and if I have one piece of of advice, it would be not to wait around too long...the good stuff tends to fly out so be quick!

By Malene Birger  Coat here

A heritage style coat is something that will never go out of style and the gorgeous colours in this one will look great all year round depending on what you style it with. A timeless investment that will definitely work hard for your wardrobe.

Rixo London Dress here

I love this silk dress and it one that you can pull out for any occasion . The floaty shape is super flattering and the vintage inspired style means that it will never date.

Self Portrait dress here

This brand has become synonymous with beautiful intricate dresses and the sales is a great time to invest in one of their show stopping signature styles.

 Balmain Blazer here

Balmain offers the perfect modern suiting and if you have been lusting after one now is the time to take the plunge. This style is so flattering and will instantly make any outfit look put together and faultless. This is definitely one you should not wait around for as they sell out like hot cakes!

Jimmy Choo Pumps here

A  pair of Jimmy Choo pumps are on virtually every girls wishlist and this pair in particular is so special and beautifully designed that it is sure to take prize position in your collection .

Chloe bag here

Another covetable item that I catually can't believe has gone into the sale.The gorgeous rich colour will make it equally suitable for both Summer and winter bags and who doesn't want to be carrying a Chloe bag around??



Below are some more of my favourites a there is such an amazing variety that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few.

Top five occasion dresses for pregnancy

Dressing for occasion can be a lot of fun. It is great to get dressed up and feel a little more special than usual. However , for all the ladies in the same situation as me the spring Summer season is fraught with obstacles when it comes to looking put together when pregnant. There are certain criteria the outfit must fulfil:

- It needs to be comfortable. We have enough to deal with , fatigue, aches and pains and more intense sense of heat, so over fussy , uncomfortable outfits just won't do.

- It needs to stylish. Just because we are hiding a  little human in there, it doesn't mean we want to look like tents with heads attached.

-It needs to be special, extra special in fact. Pregnancy is a unique and beautiful experience and you want to draw attention to you and how special you are . You want people to see your lovely curves , beautiful complexion and extra thick hair and you want a dress that will achieve it and compliment your blossoming beauty.

So below are some of my top pics which I feel tick all the boxes and won't break the bank, because these are not dresses that you will get a lot of wear out of, unless you plan on getting pregnant frequently!

Asos 3D Embelished Maternity Dress here 

Asos Design Materinty Embroidered Wrap Midi dress here

Asos Design Maxi Embroidered Materity Dress here

Chi Chi London Maternity Dress here

Glamorous Bloom Tea dress here

So all you need to worry about now is having fun!

xxx

STRIPE DUNGAREE SHORTS...pregnancy update!

A quick update from me. I am currently STRUGGLING to find cute outfits that will flatter my growing bump. I am nearing the end of my second semester and I can't say that I have a particularly big bump, but you know it's there obliterating the waistline and making getting dresses a work of art. Dresses are obviously great options but i am not really a fan of maternity wear and will try to get away with wearing normal clothes as much as possible. trying to figure out what size I might be in maternity wear is yet another mind boggling feat. I mean....clearly you are going to get bigger as the pregnancy progresses so how can you be the same size throughout...baffling!

 And while I can get my bum and thighs into things , the bussoms are a different story altogether. I pulled out all my floaty Summer dresses that I had stored for winter , feeling confident that they would look lovely over my blooming baby bump only to find that I could not fit my breast in...what is that all about???

Anyway on that note I have found that short dungarees are the best way forward at the moment, plus I love them anyway regardless of the pregnancy situation, but I do think they look extra adorable on pregnant girlies. Plus you don't have top worry about the growing tummy as they are adjustable . I came across a gorgeous pair from Pull and Bear very similar to a dungaree style dress  I already own but unfortunately tends to ride up a bit at the front now.

 They are in very summery strip pattern and are just the right length to make them both practical and youthful. I teamed them with a vest top in these pics but I will be wearing them white t-shirts and even a lacy crop top! I sized up and they fit great. so if you are not pregnant your normal size should be fine and the straps are adjustable.

Dungarees:Pull and Bear here similar here and here

Cap:Top Shop here

Shoes Slidders :Primark Last Season Similar here , here and here

Three Summer Dresses to complete your Summer look

With Summer just around the corner , pretty dresses are on definitely on my mind. I have come across some beautiful options at online store Zaful that are both on trend and affordable. Obviously due to my being pregnant , tight waisted options are not an option , but there are plenty of stunning styles that will suit my growing bump.

The dresses below are by now means maternity dresses and will look great on anyone.I just find materinty clothing very unispiring and try to find regular clothing that will fit and look good.

Off The Shoulder Embroidered Shift Dress - White here 

This dress is perfect for any occasion. It can be smart in the city with some nice high heel sandals or you can wear it on your holidays accessorising it with a lovely straw bag and barely there sandals. the dainty embroider is so flattering and I love the little puff sleeve and ruffle detail along the neckline!

Polka Dot Ruffle Skater Mini Dresshere

Polka dots are a huge trend this season and this gorgeous ruffle mini dress is a nice and unexpected way to wear it. I really like the neutral tones, it makes it look so sophisticated and this is sure to be a dress that will save you on many an occasion.

Floral Drawstring Ruffles Halter Dress here

A maxi dress is another essential for a perfect Summer wardrobe and the beautiful colours on this halter will be so flattering on any complexion and particularly good with the straw accessories that are so in fashion this season.

There is also a great offer on the site where you get extra discount if you buy two items and even more with three or four which is a great offer considering the original low prices of all these dresses! So go on treat yourself!

The Asos Maternity Spring Edit

Pregnancy certainly presents many challenges as besides having all the changes to deal with you also have to pretty much rethink your whole wardrobe. The bump is gorgeous, no doubt about it, but dressing it is another story. With my first pregnancy I only had a small bump up to the end and being my most heavily pregnant during high Summer meant that I got away with floaty dresses and a bikini for the most part. However this time round I do need some more put together outfits to go about my daily routine and it is not warm enough yet to be playing the boho card. Luckily frumpy maternity wear is a thing of the past and being pregnant is something to flaunt not hide. Asos has some amazing items that are good enough to wear any time not just during pregnancy , but the special cut of the clothing mean that they will be more comfortable and fitted than just wearing bigger sizes of normal clothing, although I am a fan of that as well. The site advises choosing your regular size as the bump has been accounted for. Below are some of my favourites , but there are lots more to browse!

Asos Maternity Sun Dress here

Asos Sleeveless Ribbed dress here

Asos Cotton Smock Top here

Bandia Maternity Dungarees here

Asos Maternity Chino Trousers here

Asos Maternity Midi Dress here

Asos Maternity Mom shorts here

Glamorous Bloom Top here

Mamalicious Frilled Shirt Dress here