Baby Show Purchases

We went to the Baby Show in excel on Sunday I thought I would have a huge haul but I was pretty restrained!

 We headed first to the Peppermint London stand to test out the Mima Xari, it is a lovely looking buggy and a guy showed us through how it works and is put up and down. Grant and I wheeled it round but I wasn't wowed by it as much as the Bugaboo. They had great deals on the Mima with a Maxi Cosi car seat, adapters and their snug footmuff all included in the price of the pushchair £799.

We then moved over to the Bugaboo section and started speaking to a sales representative from Bugaboo (not Peppermint), he talked us through the chameleon and buffalo and we put both up and down and wheeled them round, my mum was with us so I made her test it out also. We had both decided we liked the classic khaki and as it was only available in John Lewis we didn't think we would be able to get one at the show! We were wrong! The classic khaki is available in most stores from April and we was able to pre order through Peppermint with a deal at the show.

What we ordered: 1x Bugaboo Classic Khaki Special Collection, 1x Izi Go BeSafe car seat in black anthracite, 1 x Isofix car base, 1 x pair car seat adapters (to put car seat on top of buggy) & a new Bugaboo sheepskin liner. All for £1000.

Courtesy of Bugaboo

This does sound expensive but I do think you get what you pay for and hopefully this will get us through two children! I was also very lucky as when we went to pay my mum kindly jumped in front and said "me and dad want to buy you this" which was really kind of them.

The Bugaboo sales guy also told us that in April there will be new colour for the chameleon including baby pink, blue and khaki and they are discontinuing the bright pink. There will also be khaki in the buffalo and all new fabric kits will have the extendable hood. As of April Bugaboo will be offering 3 year warrantee instead of 2 (which is a bonus) and in October Bugaboo will be collaborating with Diesel and this will include three designs over three years, something to watch out for!

We also purchased a Bykay denim carrier that my oh tried on at the show with a fake baby, he said it felt comfy and secure. It cost £80 and that included a bandana (not sure if we will use it).

We didn't purchase anything else but there were so many offers and I would say really worth going to the show if your expecting or have children. Tommee Tippee had half price bottle kits, Mothercare had great deals on clothing and buggies. There are lots of gimmicky stalls but if you know exactly what your after you can pick up some bargains. We did forget to look at the Boori mattress which is a shame. 

1 More Sleep (shopping list)

My last countdown post is on my shopping list and stands I want to visit at the show tomorrow. Myself and my mum are visiting the beauty show first from 10 - 12 then my partner is meeting us there at 12 as he is in Belfast tonight DJing so will drive to Excel from the airport. Below are the stand I would like to look at:

• Bumgenius - I am really interested in their reusable nappies.
• ByKay - this brand has super cool denim slings (for the fashion conscious).
• Dr Browns - I would like to have a look at their bottles.
• Funky giraffe bibs - lovely bibs that are a bit different from the norm.
• Kiddicare - stock the Boori mattress we need to purchase.
• Lucy & Sam - have lovely baby clothes (might get our first outfit for bubs)
• Maxi Cosi - we would like to get our car seat from them.
• Mima - for their buggies.
• Mothercare - to have a look at accessories and they also stock Bugaboo.
• Peppermint London - we want to have a look at their Bugaboo offers.
• Pumpkin Patch - do a lovely selection of clothes.
• The Gro Company - have lovely sleep grows.
• Tommee Tippee - I would also like to see if they have offers on there bottles.
• Tots Bots - would like to have a look at their reusable nappies.

I will update tomorrow with my haul! Happy weekend people xxx

2 sleeps (buggies)

This is probably my most exciting countdown post and as we have changed our minds a million times on which buggy we wanted. There are lots exhibiting at the show but after our scan today and looking at buggies we have narrowed it down to two. I will list the makes available but go into more depth on the two brands we like.

Brands at the show:

• Bugaboo 
• Chicco
• ICandy
• Maxi-Cosi
• Mima
• Oyster
• Quinny
• Stokke
• Uppababy 

The two brands we love are 

• Bugaboo (will be on Peppermint stand) - we love the Cameleon 3 in khaki, we did try out the buffalo but its really big and quite heavy. We will have a look on Peppermint London stand at the show but the khaki is only available at John Lewis at the minute until April. I really like the new style hood which will be available on fabric sets soon as you unzip the back and get a extra bit if shade which will keep out loads of sun or wind. My partner loved the buggy over the ICandy and I must admit it did tick all the boxes. Price was £849 eek, picture below is of me at John Lewis 

• Mima Xari - I hadn't heard about these buggies before but whilst doing the count down and looking through exhibitors I came across this brand and really like them. They are designed by a Dutch guy called Davy Kho who also designed the Bloom high hair which is super sleek. I love the leather look versions of the Xari and the foot muff is really nicely designed, you can purchase a winter kit which includes a hand warmer and fluffy hood. These buggies are £799 for the flair version from peppermint London. At the show Mima have there own stand so will have a look at that. 

Picture from cheeky rascals

I hope we don't change our mind again! Will compare both at the show x

20 week scan

So today started off with our 20 week scan. Our little bubba is A ok and I was really surprised how detailed the anomaly scan is. We did have to have a little walk about half way through to get baby to spin as part of the spine was hard to see. We have stayed team cream which was really hard, as she was scanning between the legs I was trying my hardest to see but couldn't make out what was there! As we walked out we asked the lady if she could see what sex it was as she smiled and said no haven't got a clue!

I love the leg picture, can't wait to give them a big squish.

After the scan we went to John Lewis a had a look a buggies I'm going to do another blog tonight about buggies at the show! X

4 sleeps ( baby slings and carriers)

Hi everyone sorry I didn't update yesterday I was feeling really sicky last night and by the time I got my iPad out I had a bad headache.

My partner asked a couple of months ago if we could purchase a sling, well his actual words were "could we get the things African woman use". I thought it would be nice to sometimes carry baby around especially a newborn. The brands at the show are

• ByKay - this brand is one im particularly interested in looking at, they have a lovely selection of denim style slings/ carriers. They look really stylish and snug and can be used from birth to 4 years. The picture below is of the Mei Tai deluxe from £79.95

Picture courtesy of ByKay.com

• Lillebaby - this company offers carriers which look like little rucksacks. Baby can be inward facing, outward and on your back. The company brand themselves on being functional and practical. Designed to be good for your back, these are £115

• MayBeLand carrier - this company offers a Trek range which now includes a snuggle insert of cotton which can be removed but provides lots of comfort for baby 

• Manduca - from newborn to child and once older can be carried on the front, back or hip. They have a lovely range or neutral colours. Mothercare stock these at £99

• Mei Tai Baby - Asian inspired baby and toddler carriers. These are fabric carriers which are more traditional with a variety of ways to tie and hold baby.

• Oysterbaby sling - these are 100% organic bamboo and Cotton, and are made in the uk. They have lovely colours and they start at £75.

• Slumber Roo - offers a large range of different styles which include buckle and hip, Mei Tai, pouches, ring slings. They also stock the Moby sling. They have some great info on their website https://slumber-roo.co.uk/ with a hire service so you can 
•  try before you buy!

I didn't realise how many companies would be at the show stocking various 
types of slings/carriers. not long until the show very exciting a bit scary 
for my credit card!! Xx

5 sleeps (reusable nappies)

I'm really interested in using reusable nappies on bubs, have been looking into the AIO (all in one) types. This would allow me to use from newborn to potty training.

Bambooty courtesy of Ecobumsclothnappies.com

Brands available at the baby show are

• Bumgenious - they have three AIO nappies available called Freetime, 4.0 & Elemental. They all come in fastenings of poppers and velcro. The Freetime & 4.0 are great for day time use and the Elemental can be used at night with a booster. They come in lots of lovely colours, here is a link with more info http://youtu.be/bbtoVfZUi44

• gNappies - they work by using a nappy cover called gPants then a biodegradable insert which you throw away or a cloth booster which would need washing. These nappies come in different sizes newborn, small, medium, large & extra large to get you from birth to potty. They also offer nice bright colours. 

• Bambino Miosolo (available at Lollipop baby stand) - there all in one nappies have Velcro & popper fastening and come in one size. The design has attached inserts which you can fold and use with ease. 

• Tots Bots - they have a AIO nappy system and also a two part system which has a nappy with a waterproof outer cover (great for night time protection) they have lots of lovely prints including the new rhyme time prints perfect for boys or girls. 

These are the only exhibitors at the show I have also been looking at Bambooty and Close Parent AIO nappies. Will let you know if we pick any up from the show. Xx

6 Sleeps (bottles & dummies)

For my first countdown I thought I would do bottles! The companies who are exhibiting are

• Avent
• Dr Browns natural flow
• MAM uk
• Tommee Tippee
• Vital baby
• Yoomi

Avent - made by Phillips they offer great start up kitts which they will have at the show no doubt. The bottles start from newborn 4oz with the biggest being 11oz. They have Natural & Classic bottles and teats in their range. The Natural teats are petal shaped making them close to breast, anti colic, PBA free. The Classic range is also anti colic and proven to reduce fussing even at night. Bottles in the Avnet range are all interchangeable and they also offer breast milk bottles, powder dispenser, bottle warmers & sterilisers (electric & steam). There dummies are classic, free time and night time.

Dr Browns Natural Flow - feeding system that offers the only fully vented vacuum free feeding bottle, which are an effective way if preventing colic. The range includes 4oz and 8oz bottles, also premature baby bottles in 2oz. With natural flow 1,2&3 wide neck teats and a level 4 for aggressive eaters (6 months +) and  Y cut teats for thicker liquids. They have a electric and steam steriliser in the range & a bottle warmer. The dummy they stock is called Prevent which has been developed by a pedeatric dentist which helps stop dental issues. 

MAM uk - bottles sizes range from 130ml to 330ml. They have Feel Good Glass & Anti colic self
sterilising bottles, with slow, medium, fast & X cut flow teats. They only sell a steam steriliser, & there dummies (soothers) are from 0 - 12 months with all sizes in between. 

Tommee Tippee - offer bottles made by breast feeding experts to mimic natural feeding. They have Easi vent, Vented & Advanced comfort bottles with the same name teats. With sizes 150ml, 260ml & 340ml sizes. They do two sterilisers one steam and one electric. They're dummies are being relaunched at the show!! Great start up kitts for breastfed and bottle fed babies.

Vital babies - they have new breast-like bottles, anti colic & silicone feeding bottles. The range of teats they have are slow, medium & fast flow. They offer a steam steriliser and the dummies are called soft touch soothers.

Yoomi - self warming baby bottles, available in sizes 5oz and 8oz with slow, medium & fast teats. This company only offers there bottles.

I have decided I would like to try breast feeding but am also going to introduce a bottle once a day quite early on, with this in mind I am really interested in getting some Tommee Tippee bottles. I'm sure until baby is here its hard to know how they will feed if I will enjoy breast feeding if baby will be colicky. I will be seeing if any of the companies have any good offers at the show and report back Sunday.

Happy Monday xxx

7 Sleeps until the baby show!

Hi everyone

Today I am 19 weeks 1 day into my pregnancy (half way through). We have our 20 week scan on Friday and then I will be dragging Grant around John Lewis to test out buggies, I'm super excited (him not so much). We also have tickets for the Baby Show at Excel for the Sunday and will hopefully be making some purchases. In the next week I wanted to do a count down of sleeps and each day include a product that I'm wanting to visit at the show with different options that I'm interested in, then do a haul update with what we purchased! I will start tomorrow.

Last night me and bump went out for a friends birthday.

19 weeks x

My outfit was River Island half faux leather leggings with a Boutique bronze jumper (none of which were maternity). My make up was mainly eyes using Topshop crayon cream shadow stick in colour Mystical as a base (these are really good as a base and help your makeup last longer) with MAC Satin Taupe over the top, smoulder on the waterline Max Factor excess volume mascara.

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday with this gorgeous sunny weather xxx 

3 Hero Products For January

Since the beginning of my pregnancy these three products have been my saviour. I will use these for January and do monthly hero products that I can't live without. So these are my three:

1 - Elemis Japanese Camelia Body Oil - £29.50 for 100ml. The bottle I have is 200ml salon size I have from my salon. I have used this oil from the beginning of this pregnancy and love it, it has no real fragrance so great if your feeling nauseous. This should be applied to the three B's (Boobs, Bump & Bum). It's light and rich in plant collagen which is great for keeping the skin supple and help with stretch marks. If its good for Victoria Beckham it's good for me!

2 - Rimmel "Wake Me Up" Concealer - £5.49 for 7ml. The colour above is medium shade 02. I've been using this for my under eye area and its great. It conceals dark circles without looking cakey or creased which I find heavy duty concealers usually do on me and make me look older. It's not the best on spots but for a quick fix its fine. I got mine with a boots three for two deal and will be restocking very soon.

3 - Sienna X Gradual Tan - Going into my second trimester I was under the impression I would start to get my pregnancy glow but baby had different ideas, baby decided to make me sick in the afternoons. I've tried lots of tanning products and find Sienna X by far one of the best. This gradual tan costs £15.95 for 200ml and I find one application perfect for a healthy glow. Sometimes I use their Instant Bronzing Gel if I need a tan quickly for going out.

Sienna X products are safe during pregnancy and the company advices you to use them from the second trimester onwards, if having a spray tan you should advice the therapist that your pregnant. Your skin can change during pregnancy so I would say try a patch first as you may have more sensitivity whilst pregnant.

A great product to fake the pregnancy glow! X