Calling All Babies!

Merino Kids are running the most exciting promotion that any new mum could hope to enter…

The chance to have your little one photographed by the official Merino Kids photographer Maria Murray and become the Face of Merino Kids!

6 finalists will be selected to take part in this fantastic shoot held at the flagship store in Battersea but it will be 1 very lucky winner that will go on to become the Face of Merino Kids and feature in future advertising campaigns.

PLUS, the winner will also bag over £1000 worth of goodies! I don’t have the specifics but looking at some of the brands involved in this competition the goodie bag is going to be pretty impressive…

  

   

There are only a few days left to enter this amazing promotion so if your child is under 3, then simply upload a recent photo here.

The competition closes on Monday 17th March 2014 and the 6 finalists will be announced shortly after.

Good Luck! x

Toddler Fashionistas

So I sold my soul to the devil this week and agreed to take part in a press article about ‘Toddler Fashionistas’… I was approached by a Features Writer at a major media agency who stumbled across this blog and felt I would be a good subject for a piece about children who perhaps have slightly more than they really need.

Working in marketing with close connections to the press and PR industries I am more than aware that this ‘toddler fashionistas’ article will be spun into a dreadful article about a mother that would sooner starve her own children before letting them leave the house in Primark, but even with this in mind, I wanted to take part as I thought it would be a fun piece of memorabilia to add to the girls keepsakes! The Photographer and Features Writer arrived at our home on Monday morning to gather the pieces that would make a controversial story – Scarlett in my Kurt Geigers and pretending to drive the Porsche, Savannah raiding mummy’s Mulberry bag, and some strategically placed Ralph Lauren dresses scattered across the floor of their bedrooms. But the truth is, we couldn’t be more normal! If the girls are in labels, it is either because I picked up a bargain at TK Maxx, Paul bought it back from the states, or I saved my pennies and bought it in the sales! Still, they wanted to write it and felt there would be interest so I happily cooperated.

Never one to miss an opportunity like this, I immediately contacted some of my favourite designer children’s brands to see if they would like to be included in this feature by donating some clothes – and to my delight, they did!

The video interview will take place this week so each of the brands have agreed to send items from their new collections so that the girls could wear them and today, probably the most special gift any little girl could receive has arrived… Scarlett’s first tutu!

Angel’s Face is the ultimate brand for tutus. The tutus are so beautiful, part of you would rather frame it than risk your toddler wearing it and getting it dirty! The packaging makes the clothes very special and something that you would cherish forever.

With this fabulous tutu pettiskirt, came this beautiful vest and probably the most stylish toddler cardigan I have ever seen. It has studded angels wings on the back! Simply stunning.  If you are looking for a very special gift for a special little girl, look no further than here.

Now whilst JoJo Maman Bébé isn’t exactly designer, it is certainly high-end high-street when it comes to toddler fashion and the first stop for good quality staples. Both girls have been totally kitted out in classic breton stripes and beautiful florals and outside of this shoot, I can’t wait to take the girls out looking so smart!

Merino Kids kindly donated samples from their latest collection of nightwear meaning both girls are sleeping in the ultimate luxury. I have a separate post to follow regarding this brand because they really are such beautiful pyjamas with such important qualities.

In my opinion, No Added Sugar are by far the coolest children’s brand in the country, if you want your child to stand out from the crowd then look no further. Pretty pricey though, so I would probably wait for end of season sales, and the sizes are quite small so always go a size up so you can get plenty of wear out of it. They are supplying the most fabulous little outfit for Scarlett to wear, but I am yet to get a photo so I will have to update this later!

It is unknown yet which publications will publish this story, and who knows what on earth it is going to say, but hopefully it will make an interesting read for someone?! And if nothing else, it’s something to hang in my downstairs loo!

Purely Organic

If you have been following my blog, you will already know what a fan I am of Merino Kids, not just since meeting with the founder of this brand and being educated to the massive benefits of this ‘wonder’ fabric, but since testing the products for myself with remarkable results!

Aside from the actual fabric being filled with natural technology that actually has the ability to regulate your babies temperature – aiding in the prevention of over heating and skin allergies, the designs of all of their products are considered with your child’s safety at the forfront whilst not compromising on style.

Savannah in her GoGo bag!

Both my babies have been Merino Babies, but Savannah has been slightly more spoilt with her sleep wear and is actually yet to sleep in anything other than Merino! Being such a contented sleeper I am terrified of trying her in anything else! At 12lb she is now too big for her Cocooi wrap and is now in her Merino Go Go bag. As with the sleep grows that have fold over footsies, these have been designed with longevity in mind and will see her right through until she is 2. With an Organic Cotton outer and lined with Merino wool, they are 100% natural and so far Savannah sleeps just as well as when she was swaddled.

If you’re quick, you can pick one up half price using discount code FB2901 but you only have a couple of days! If you are pregnant, whatever season your baby is due (these don’t have a tog rating because they are 100% natural) – I recommend this product and this offer! Go to www.merinokids.co.uk and also find them on Facebook to get all their latest offers.

Since discovering the wonders of natural or organic products, I have been on the hunt for more fabulous items that will look great on Savannah whilst being kind to her skin and fair on the environment. A brand that I have totally fallen in love with for their gorgeous little baby grows is Organics for Kids, their site is http://www.organicsforkids.com – check out Savannah in this beautiful little romper suit!

Organics for Kids romper suit

All of their products are designed with a fabulous signature print and whilst some organic clothing can look rather drab in greys and browns, these are bright and colourful and simply look beautiful! Organics for Kids are also available at John Lewis, I recommend the baby grows with little fold over feet so that you can get maximum wear out of them – I was all too quick to put Scarlett in skinny jeans and leopard print tops, this time I am going to make the most of the baby grow time!

It’s a Girl! And She Wore…

Less than 24hrs old!

So after 9 months and 9 long overdue days, little Savannah Ruby Jacobs is born… It was a mild winters day, James (who?) Arthur was number 1 in the Radio 1 charts and according to the Mayans – the week the world was going to end…

This is obviously a fashion and beauty blog so I won’t go into the gruesome details of labour, although I will say this – we should be awarded more than a baby for surviving it, quite frankly – diamonds should be compulsory. Savannah was born in a birthing pool and I suppose as far as labour goes, it couldn’t have gone more smoothly – (or so my husband keeps telling people), and I have to say the lack of drugs (despite my desperate pleas) did seem to make for a reasonably quick delivery.

When she was born, she looked horrific. There I said it. The thing that no mother says… But my word, Paul and I couldn’t believe our eyes!! Scarlett was such a little beauty!? The poor thing was so huge and badly swollen with a full head of hair and that shade of newborn grey, all the beautiful names we had been discussing prior to her birth seemed inappropriate now! But as every hour went on, she became more and more beautiful and I just couldn’t wait to show her off. She is only 3 days old as I write this and is the dream baby, I just can’t put her down! Scarlett seems to like her and spends hours playing “peek-a-bye!” with her, little Savannah will have the patience of a saint!

Now, on to the clothes…

Savannah made her debut appearance in her new born Mamas and Papas ‘Welcome to the World’ baby grow, we just about did it up – did I tell you she was 9lbs 8ozs!? She developed what is known as ‘the newborn rash’, it is completely harmless, just their sensitive skin adjusting to suddenly being clothed. When we got home, I put her in her Merino sleep suit and swaddled her firmly for a nap – to my total amazement, the rash dissapeared and her mood totally changed. Since then, she has not been in anything aside from Merino, I have managed to get my hands on this cocooi newborn gown, it is such peace of mind knowing she is wearing something so kind to her skin. Only 2 are really required per week (assuming she doesn’t throw up over them!) and I can’t recommend them enough as essential sleepwear for when your baby is first born.

Her first present was a gorgeous Cath Kidston baby grow, this was Scarlett’s signature outfit when she was born so I am really pleased to get the same grow in a different print for Savannah! I already know she will be living in this.

I am still in my yoga pants which I don’t intend to get out of until Christmas eve at the very earliest! And thanks to my engorged boobs (christ knows what size they are, all I know is that my 32F Emma Jane nursing bra doesn’t even cover them!) I am not able to wear any of my normal tops, but thanks to experience, I was prepared and have a couple of nursing tops designed to adjust to all sizes! This black tunic top from JoJo’s has been a life saver, loose around the tummy, comfy and doesn’t have that awful frumpy look so many nursing tops have (and it’s in the sale!). Once I am back in the swing of shopping I will let you know about some of my finds that work for breast feeding without losing complete style sense. Until then, I am not freaking out, just getting busy with my savoy cabbage leaves and waiting a couple of days for them to resume to normal size!

The day I left hospital, I was checking my Facebook account and discovered that my favourite nappy bag brand Storksak had been trying to get in touch with me regarding a competition that I had won – could my week get any better!? I am now the very proud new owner of the Elizabeth Leather in Red, apparently my interpretation of Christmas being less about Quality Streets and Miracle on 34th St and more about hideous Peppa Pig slippers and small crimbo trees hidden by a baby proof cage had quite the effect on the Storksak team and they felt I deserved the bag! This is going to look fab on my two new prams, the Chicco I-Move and the Baby Jogger city double! (On another note, I just have to say if any of you are considering the I-Move, make sure you invest in the bundle offer – the car seat is pure luxury for Savannah compared to the Maxi Cosi we had before!)

Well with Christmas just hours away, presents wrapped and 3 Cadburys selection boxes already demolished, I have a feeling it is going to be a very exciting New Year!

Happy Christmas Everybody! x

It’s Almost Time!

39 weeks at The MayFair Hotel

So with 1 week left until the official D Date it’s time to go through my checklist and make sure that all boxes are ticked… I won’t bore you by including necessities such as breast pads, disposable pants and arnica tablets, this is all covered in your official hospital bag prep – probably supplied to you by your NCT teacher, (if not you can download this online here), instead, I wanted to share with you a few of my own essentials that I have prepared and learnt from last time!

So first of all, make sure the hospital bag is packed. Break this down in to a list for you and a list for baby, you don’t want to over fill and take anything that won’t be used on the day. These are my bare beauty essentials…

 

For me:

• Liz Earle Botanical shower gel (it’s incredibly gentle and the only stuff I’ll be using after!)

• My sample pot of Lancome Teint Miracle foundation to even out the sweaty red face I’ll have in the photos!

• Liz Earle Smudge Proof mascara for a quick swipe before the visitors arrive!

• My new Chanel hydrating lippy, the gloss will freshen your whole face!

(I took my whole make up bag last time, needless to say it didnt make it out the bag so be realistic about what you will actually be bothered to do!)

• You can get disposable pants, but quite frankly the thought of them depress me, it’s undignified enough as it is so grab a 5 pack of black minis in M&S for £7 instead, you’ll be pleased you did!

• I took a beautiful nursing nightdress last time for the first night, forget it – not worth it, go get yourself a nice pair of comfy PJs, you’ll be pleased you have something new on and you can save spending money on nicer nightwear a little later down the line.

• I’ll go in to more detail in whats “Best for Breast Feeding” in a later post, but make sure you have a good nursing bra with you – Emma Jane are the best.

• Go for a flattering pair of yoga pants and comfy loose top for going home. Yoga pants beat any other casual bottoms because they offer support around the waist and are just that little bit more feminine. I’ve just bought a pair by Pineapple from Amazon, but depending on budget – Sweaty Betty do a great range!

Warrior Yoga Pant, the roll down waist band is ideal…

There is an alternative… In the comfort charts they are at number 1 – but not to everyone’s taste and style… The original Onesie by OnePiece – hey even Eva Longoria has been seen in one of these!

For Baby:

• A little bamboo muslin as recommended by Jemma in the last post! They really are the softest.

• A snuggly blanket, although I am ashamed to say this is one that Scarlett was bought home in, I didn’t want to buy the official baby blanket until we know if this baby is blue or pink!

• I have 2 baby grows washed and packed for the babies first photos, the first is the gorgeous little duck grow from JoJo and the second is the classic Welcome to the World wrap grow from Mamas and Papas, both are so soft and ideal for if you don’t know the sex.

• My Merino Cocooi is packed along with the matching hat, if you are going to swaddle your baby it’s best to get started straight away! The luxurious fabric is not only intelligent enough to prevent any over heating or getting cold, the natural stretch will give your baby a far more “home from home” feeling even when firmly wrapped which should help your baby feel more secure in its new environment.

Home prep:

Once the bag is packed, it’s time to focus on preparing you… I don’t mean listening to your hypno birth CD, I mean beauty…

Get the gel mani and pedi booked, go for a bright and happy colour and keep your nails short and squoval (squared but oval).

If your roots need doing, get them done quick! I look back at all my old photos and get really annoyed about this beauty over site!

You might be quite sick of your maternity clothes by now, so make sure you have a comfortable outfit waiting for you when you get home and start planning your wardrobe. Be realistic, your favourite pair of skinnies are probably out of the picture for a little while longer  and you don’t want a new wardrobe for this inter period, so just get some lovely loungewear for when you have new visitors, go cas in 3/4 length sleeve tops and yoga pants. TopShop do a great range called the Fleck Oversized Top which are loose and a flattering cut.

Beautiful Baby Gifts

Choosing and receiving beautiful baby gifts is just such a special experience, I can honestly say that every gift we received for Scarlett was truly treasured – I had no idea such fabulous gifts even existed! And even the things that she was too young to appreciate or enjoy at the time have since been played with or worn. Needless to say, it was the ‘mums’ that knew exactly what gifts would be most loved… I wanted to share with you some of my favourite gifts that we received and tell you about some wonderful new products perfect for any new mum or new born baby. (Don’t forget you can click on any of the images to get further information!)

Baby Blooms, are in my opinion the best in their field at what they do, they create beautiful hand crafted flower bouquets made of baby clothes and accessories! Simply wonderful and available in lots of various designs that cater for all budgets. They are such a work of art you won’t want to pull it apart to make use of the all the items! What sets this brand apart is the quality of the actual baby products.

Cath Kidston do some fantastic little booty bundles that come with a matching dribble bib. Sadly this is something you can’t buy unless you know the sex of the baby as they don’t have a unisex range, but the boots are just great, they stay on better than any other baby shoes and will keep there tiny little feet warm!

The Little White company do a lovely range of grow bags for when your baby gets a little bit older. I don’t recommend using these straight from new born unless they have been approved by the BSI, they can sometimes be too heavy or big around the arms so tiny babies can get caught up in them but they are absolutely essential in a few months time for when they get that little bit bigger and start kicking the blankets off!

After a brilliant meeting with Merino Kids, I have discovered their fabulous organic skincare range which include rejuvenating oil, soothing balm and delicate moisturiser, to me they all just come under the umbrella of miracle lotions so I couldn’t even advise you which to use for what, they are just gorgeous and natural and can be used on both mum and baby on even the most sensitive skin. I have already used some of the balm on Scarlett’s tiny patches of baby eczema, it is also recommended for nappy rash and any other skin irritations as well as stretch marks for mum!  They smell divine, absorb easily and every mum will appreciate this gift!

Another product by Merino Kids which makes for a very, VERY special gift is their iconic Cocooi. It is a very unique swaddle wrap for new borns which help them to sleep, the design and fabric have been totally considered for the ultimate in comfort and luxury for the baby with safety at the forefront of every aspect. I had one with Scarlett and I really believe that the calming effect this particular swaddle wrap had on her was a major contribution to her sleeping through the night at just 4 weeks! There is so much more to tell you about this brand that it will take an entirely separate post that I will put together in the coming weeks, needless to say since sampling their products, I am a major fan and honestly can’t recommend enough.

Another essential item that could make all the difference to sleepless nights is a comforter, Jelly Kitten do some gorgeous little cuddlies, Kaloo make for a very special gift presented in a gorgeous box but we just love the JoJo range, so soft and babies seems to particularly love chewing on the knotted arms and feet making this collection of farm animals perfect!

When it comes to clothes, everyone will tell you – don’t spend a fortune, they are in it for 5 minutes before they have either grown out of it or ruined it with sick… this is all quite true, but also totally irrelevant when it comes to gifts! My favourite new born clothes came from Ralph Lauren and Baby Joules, both come up quite small so it is best to go for 0 – 3 as opposed to new born. For babies first collection of luxury sleep suits (which they wear all day!) you can not beat JoJo Maman Bébé, the fabric is just so soft and the unisex range are gorgeous, my favourite are the little ducks and this little grow is already in the hospital bag!

Please share any fabulous gifts that you received or know of!