Monday 29 September 2014

Holiday Series: Ben's toys for the car


It's a hard task keeping a toddler amused on a long travel journey, I'll let you know how we got on (if this goes up on time I'm actually back now - sad times!). I decided to take a few of Ben's favourite toys away from him around a couple of months before our holiday, that way hopefully they'll keep him more amused. One of them is Scout! The Lamaze octopus is basically just to attach to the buggy for when we're out and about.


We decided to purchase a Skiphop backpack to put all his toys in. This is one of the bigger ones that says it's for 3 years+, but we won't actually be putting this on Ben, it's just purely for his toys for now, and then he can use it as a backpack when he's older.


As I will be the one getting the toys/books out of the backpack I actually managed to squeeze in some of Ben's snacks, nappies and his Calpol.


Ben loves these Vtech Toot Toot Driver vehicles. They are pretty loud, but I'm hoping everyone in the car won't mind the noise if it stops Ben from crying.


Some books, Ben's really got into books over the last couple of weeks, and will happily sit there and look at the book himself as well as loving being read to.


Some quite toys, some flash cards attached together via a plastic ring (you can tell Ben liked to bite these, haha!), and some Frozen game cards, that are just for him to play with as I won't be taking his ELC Flashcards that he loves. These Frozen cards were actually free and we have 2 packs so it doesn't matter if they get bent or bitten.


Lastly I have his Fisher Price Remote control and the Leapfrog Music Player, the music player is a new toy, but he seemed pretty interested in it when I showed it to him in the shop, so hopefully he'll like it.

I've also downloaded some apps on my tablet for Ben, they're all educational or help with his motor skills.

I also have a few more books, The Gruffalo, The Hungry Caterpillar, An alphabet book and a counting book as well that are being kept in my bag.

In the next few days I'm hoping to find time to write up Ben's 17 month update, and also expect a post of photos of our time in France.

Friday 26 September 2014

Holiday Series: Travel outfits

When you're travelling you like to be comfortable, it's also a good idea to wear and heavier items of clothes or shoes, such as jackets/hoodies/trainers/boots.

Here is my travelling outfit.


These are my heavier items, a Hollister Hoody and Zara denim jacket, also good for keeping me warm at stupid o clock, haha!


My outfit consists of New Look dark skinny jeans with a plain brown belt, and Primark strappy t-shirt and an Asos blue stripe t-shirt, I love this because of the detail on the sleeves and pocket.

And here is Bens travelling outfit(s).


As we're leaving in the middle of the night Ben will be in a vest and sleepsuit to begin with, the vest is just from Nutmeg by Morrisons, and the sleepsuit is from Jojo Maman Bebe.


Once we're on the boat, and Ben has had breakfast (an probably got it all over his sleepsuit) he'll be getting a clothing change into this. The vest is part of a set from John Lewis, the t-shirt is part of a set from Next, the grey trackies are from Boots Mini Club, his nautical cardigan is by H&M kids, the socks are from Mothercare, and his shoes are from Clarks. Once we're in the car the shoes will probably come off just to make him more comfortable.

Monday 22 September 2014

Holiday Series: Make-up


This is my make-up that I'll be applying at around 2:30am the day we travel, and keeping on me for touch ups and for use the following morning whilst staying in the hotel. For my base I have Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, Garnier Roll-On anti dark circle concealer and L'Oreal Lumi Magique as my concealers. My powder is my all time favourite Rimmel Clear Complexion. The blush is a Liz Earle cream blush in Rose. I chose cream as it can be applied with my fingers. And for my eyes I have Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (the only thing that will keep my eyeshadow in place), Maybelline Color Tattoo in On and On Bronze, L'Oreal Color Riche eyeshadow in 204 Golden Nude, Collection Eyeshadow Pencil in Vanilla Sky, Rimmel ScandalEyes eyeliner in nude, Maybelline the Rocket Volum Express mascara in Waterproof and a No 7 Eyeshadow Blend and Contour brush.


For my make-up bag that's packed in my case, I have a few extra items (or maybe a lot!). Starting with the face I have L'Oreal True Match Foundation in N2 Vanilla (this is a darker shade than what I normally use), Makeup Academy Undress Your Skin highlighter, NYC Mosaic Face Powder All-Over Bronze Glow, Natural Collection blushes in Peach Melba (middle) and Pink Cloud, and Sleek blush in Rose Gold.


I am taking both of my Urban Decay Naked palettes, 2 and 3.


I also have a small Rimmel palette in Glamorous Topaz and another Collection Eyeshadow Pencil, this time in Vintage Blush. For mascara I have Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof and L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess. And a selection of different coloured eyeliners.


I probably have far to many lip products (but I will be away for just over 2 weeks, and it's not exactly a laying by the pool holiday either!). Let's start with the lip pencils, I have one L'Oreal Glam Shine in Die For Guava, and 2 Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm stains in Rendezvous and Honey, along with a Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Complex. I also have a load of lipglosses; Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in Keep  Secret, Liz Earle Sheer Lip Gloss in Mallow, Tanya Burr Cosmetics lipgloss in Afternoon Tea, Revlon lipgloss in Coral Reef and a Rimmel Apocalips in Luna.


Finally lipsticks! Here we have Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake, Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me, Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Peach, two L'Oreal Caresse lipstains in Dating Coral and Lovely Rose and finally MUA Lipstick in shade 15 Juicy.

Friday 19 September 2014

Holiday Series: Beauty Products


This is our overnight toiletry bag for when we're staying in the hotel.




I have my face products, I like to take face wipes on holiday with me, I use them to try and get off that top layer of make-up, I then have the L'oreal Micellar water and the Simple gel cleanser as 2nd and 3rd cleanses. I have a mini Liz Earle toner, and my Liz Earle moisturiser, along with my eye creams and serum. I have also included a thicker mini Nivea moisturiser that can be used anywhere on the body. Dry shampoo, as greasy hair is never a good look. And the daily essentials of shower gel, deodorant, shower puff, toothpaste & toothbrush, razor, tweezers and cotton wool rounds.


This is basically all of our suncream! I'm hoping to use atleast 2 bottles of it up whilst we're gone. I always go for the Boots Soltan brand, were are taking factor 50 for Ben. factor 30 for our faces, factor 15 for everyday use, with factor 30 for if we feel like we need it.


Next up I have hair products, the shampoo, conditioner and hairspray came in a little set together from Boots, I then have full size products of Mark Hill Beach Babe sea salt spray and L'Oreal #TXT which is a fake back coming spray to add volume to my hair. I then have a few heat protectants.


For Ben we have Johnson's Baby Bath and Johnson's Baby Soothing Naturals Moisturiser.


Some added face products, a couple of masks and the Chamomile Cleansing oil, and the Avene Spring Water to cool Ben and myself down.


Some body essentials of a full size shower gel, and smaller containers of an exfoliater and moisturiser.

The only essential for Steve that I have covered is his de-oderant, which is packed separately in the overnight bag.

I'm planning on doing more in depth posts on most of the products I'm taking with me when I get back, so look out for them.

Monday 15 September 2014

Holiday Series: Packing




This was the state of our spare room until I started packing. This is mostly just my things and a few of Ben's items. I did add most of Ben's clothes and Steve added his the day before I packed. I like to get everything together and pack gradually. I like to get the toiletries and my make-up sorted into bags, and my hair accessories and jewellery as well. I also like to gather all the clothes and shoes together as well. Just so it's all there ready for when I do pack. I did pack downstairs, so I took several trips up and down the stairs.

I pack all the heavier clothing items at the bottom of the suitcase, as most of the time the suitcase will be in the top box of the car. I also like to do bottoms first, so trousers and shorts, and then add in the t-shirts. I use the common rolling method for all the clothes.

As all three of us are using one suitcase it's quite stressful trying to get everything in! Last year I actually had to take a lot out, and Steve decided to not count his tops and gave me like 12 to pack! Haha! This year I'm much more prepared, and added a few maybe items to my pile (although I did not include them, and did have to take out a couple of things), and also with having an overnight bag this year we have a bit of extra space. We also have 2 toiletry bags not in the suitcase. One which has our overnight products in and one with everything else in. We also have a pack of nappies and a packet of wipes to go somewhere.

Ahead of packing the suitcase I sorted out our car bags; Ben's bag of toys, the changing bag and my bag, and the overnight bag.

Sometimes it can be stressful, and sometimes you can forget things. Which is one of the reasons I like to gather things together and add to the pile gradually.I also made a list as a rough guide to know what to take.

It does make it harder to pack having Ben, we have to take more. I think the hardest thing is finding room for his snacks and drinks in all the bags! Atleast it will be easier on the way back as we'll use up things.

Friday 12 September 2014

Holiday Series: Food and Drinks


These are most of the snacks and drinks that I have decided to pack to take with us. The bottles of water are for our overnight stay at the hotel. I've also got bottles of baby juice, and will be packing two straw cups with water. I've packed a couple of Hipp Organic toddler meals, just in case there's nothing that Ben will eat if we're out. Then we've basically got some crisps, some Ella's Kitchen snacks and some fruit snacks as well. Then for myself & Steve we have Eat Natural bars.

I'm trying to use up all of Bens snacks that are open, and any of mine too, anything open will be getting added to our snack collection.

This is scheduled on the day we actually leave, and I will have hardly any access to the Internet whilst I'm gone, so I'm hoping all scheduled posts will go up as planned.

Monday 8 September 2014

Holiday Series: First Aid Kit

This year I have decided to put together a little first aid kit, for whilst we're away. After last year there were products that I wish I'd taken with us, and as Ben's a bit older now I felt we needed a couple of extras just in case. As well as these products I will be taking Ben's red book with us, and we have our European Health Insurance Cards as well as Travel Insurance.


Firstly I have to take Ben's Teetha granules, I like to use these if Ben's just showing signs of sore gums and nothing else. I also will be taking Calpol for more advanced teething symptoms or if Ben would get some kind of illness (touch wood he doesn't).

A must have is Sudocrem, for toddlers and adults, it can be used for numerous things such as, nappy rash, eczema or bites.

Speaking of bites I purchased Insect Repellent bands for both Ben and I, last year I got bitten like crazy, although Ben didn't get any (and neither did Steve) I'd rather be safe than sorry. And will also be taking Savlon Gel for Bites ans Stings.

For me I'm taking a bunch of paracetamol and ibuprofen for headaches/illness, as I hate taking pills I use the disposable stuff. As we're staying in Steve's parents house they do have a medicine cupboard so I don't have to bother with any for Steve.

Also thought it best to take some plasters, there's probably some at the house but if we need them whilst traveling we have some.  And have just thrown in some Snuffle Balm in case Ben gets a cold when we're away.

Thursday 4 September 2014

Travelling with a 5 Month Old




When we went to France with Ben for the first time last year, he was around 5 months old. So I thought I would do a post on our experience, and I will be doing the same when we get back this year.

Firstly, if you can try and travel some part of the journey overnight. We actually stay in Steve's parents house that they own, and travel by car with them. They always like to leave at around 3am every time they go and stay there anyway, so it works out perfectly. You can just transfer them from their bed to carseat. The car movement helps them to drift back to sleep easily.

Also best to feed them some milk and change their nappy before setting off.

If they have a favourite toy make sure you have that with you as well, and we also took Bens blanket to keep him covered in the car, and have something else familiar for him. We actually took a number of soft toys, Ben didn't really have a favourite.

Make sure you try to time stops for when they're due for a feed. Ben was still feeding every 3/4 hours at 5 months. And that timed perfectly with our only stop until we got to the ferry port. Steve's parents like to stop every 2/3 hours anyway for a drink/food/leg stretch/toilet break. So I just made sure I fed him every time we stopped.

Sit next to your child, or have someone they know well sitting next to them, so if they do get frustrated you can amuse them.

And don't forget the essentials, nappies, wipes, a couple of changes of clothes, formula and bottles.

Monday 1 September 2014

Holiday Series: Beauty Preparation


When I go on holiday I like to have little pamper sessions before I go and start using certain products.


Number one would be to use my anti cellulite/firming cream/gel. My current go to one is Nivea Firming Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream. I don't really know if this works, as I haven't been using it for long enough just yet, but still it smells nice and makes my skin feel soft. I use this on my thighs, bum, tummy and hips as it also helps to firm your skin.


The day before we go I will make sure I exfoliate and shave my legs and then apply my moisturiser (currently I'm using Philosophy's Amazing Grace moisturiser), to make sure my legs are looks at their best. I also like to shave my bikini line, and have a little trim as well. After shaving I will apply Tend Skin Liquid to help with razor bumps and ingrown hairs.


I'll also be applying tanning moisturiser to my legs ever night, starting around a week before we travel, to make sure they look all tanned. I currently use Garnier Body Summer Body Moisturising Lotion.