babyurbeautiful

So this is it. I'm annoying myself with constantly complaining about not having lost my baby weight and I have only myself to blame. Yes, I am naturally lazy, but that's no excuse!

I've decided that there can be no more excuses, August is the month I'm going to do it. I have a holiday abroad at the end of September and am determined to wear my bikini, even if the one-piece is fashionable right now. I also want to be in good shape again to go back to work so I can buy some nice smart work clothes (yes it's all about the shopping!).

Here's my plan. When Lucy is napping I'm going to spend at least 20 mins doing something strenuous. Like lifting weights or doing sit-ups or dancing like crazy to MTV Dance. And I'm going to eat less sugar and fewer carbs overall - not cut them out altogether but just have less.

And you guys are going to keep me honest. Every day I'll do a short post in the evening with my daily weight and what exercise I've done. I'm also going to be even more honest and list any naughty things I've eaten in the previous day to shame me into not eating them again.

Admittedly, this is more for me than for you readers but if anyone is game to join me, or if you're doing a weight loss plan of your own and need some support, please update in the comments section with your own stats. I'm listing these posts under the category FIT MUMMAS.

Good luck!

RL xx

Starting weight: 65kg dead on
Exercise: sit-ups, star jumps, weights

The Babyzen Yoyo Buggy

After my Twitter rant last week about how annoying large pushchairs are on public transport, (sorry!), I was excited to hear about a new lightweight and foldable pushchair on the market.

Apparently, the revolutionary new Babyzen YOYO travel buggy has been flying out of the shops since it launched here in the UK 3 months ago.



The feature that really caught my attention is the weight: it is only 5.8 kg! This is half the weight of most buggies and less than the Bugaboo Bee at 8.5kg, which I purchased mainly because it was one of the lightest  on the market, (amongst other things.) Although my Bee is fairly easy to manoeuvre on public transport, it is still pretty heavy to lift up and down stairs at stations with no elevator, especially with a toddler sitting in it! This is even more relevant now that I am pregnant again! Those extra few kg can make all the difference!

At £309 RRP it is also very good value (my Bugaboo Bee cost £500, before accessories). Of course, you could just get a cheap stroller if you have a toddler, but it won't have a lot of the features of a proper buggy, especially the following:

The major plus of the YOYO is that it is the first buggy in the world to fully comply with size recommendation for cabin baggage. Anyone who has flown with a young child will also be familiar with the hassle of having to get the buggy packed away into the main luggage hold as it is simply too big to take on as hand luggage. The YOYO is truly compact buggy (52 x 44 x 18 cm when folded), great for planes, as well as squeezing into a car boot etc. (The Bugaboo Bee is 88 x 43 x 31).



Just like the Bugaboo Bee, the folding mechanism on the YOYO allows it to be opened and folded in seconds with just one hand, and it can then also be carried over your shoulder with the detachable shoulder strap. You can see the video demo here: http://www.babyzen.com/video-yoyo.php.

BabyZen list the other key features as follows:

• 4-wheel suspension.
• Exclusive "soft-drive" system: no need to lock the front swivel wheel, even on rough terrain.
• Reclinable backrest, removable and washable fabrics

.

You can also buy some accessories (similar to the Bugaboo's) such as the cup holder, footmuff and brolly.

Unfortunately, the buggy is only suitable from 6 months and  up to 15kg. (The Bugaboo Bee is suitable from birth.) The seat is also not reversible (as the Bugaboo Bee is), and the seat is forward facing, which is really more targeted towards toddlers than babies, who like to keep their parents in view! It is also not possible to replace the seat with a compatible care seat as you can on the Bugaboo I'm afraid, a useful feature for Mums about town getting taxis. However, if you live in a big city, you can always put the whole buggy into a black cab. TOP TIP: The new Hailo phone app has been a lifesaver for me on this front, enabling me to travel in taxis without the car seat, and enabling me to hail a cab in minutes wherever I am, via the app, rather than standing out on the street trying to find one.

The handlebar is not adjustable as the Bugaboo is, but thanks to its curved and 106 cm high handlebar, it is comfortable to drive a YOYO, no matter how tall you are.


The YOYO is available in red, black and blue and the new Grey and Pink editions have been launched and will be available from the end of July. Covers are interchangeable.



So for all you keen travellers and Mums-about-town- get your hands on this great value portable buggy right away!

There is a full list of stockists on the babyzen website, but if you want to buy online try www.huggle.co.uk
or www.pramworld.co.uk

Visit their website for more info www.babyzen.com

Currently 14 weeks pregnant my bump is starting to show, so I thought I would invest in some maternity swimwear now because I take my 18 month old bubba to Waterbabies swimming lessons every week, and my usual attire is getting uncomfortable.

I have small boobies and not many curves, used to be a size 8, now more like a 10, so was looking for something to flatter my shape. I searched many websites but ended up back at my old fave Figleaves.com where I purchased two items: a one-piece and a Tankini set.


Zoggs Mallacoota Maternity Scoopback Swimsuit £40

This was my favourite. It has a built in shelf bra for support and shape on the bust, and a stretchy yet supportive tummy panel. Extremely comfortable now at 14 weeks, (but not sure what it will be like at full term?) It is also very cute!This is also part of the Zoggs Swimshapes range. The Swimshapes range allows you to choose from a number of figure complementing swimsuits, depending on your body shape (pear, hourglass etc). I am more of a rectangle so mine flatters bust, tum and bum!


 The above is me at 14 weeks in my one-piece!

Midnight Grace MaternityPin Up Spot Halter Tankini Set £42

This tankini is so cute! It has lightly padded cups to give shape to a small bust, which is a bonus for me! It is also made from a soft, stretch fabric, which feels a little less restrictive than the one-piece. However, it doesn't have the belly and boob support that the costume does, which makes it second on my list.

I have always found that a gentle and pleasant mix of aromatherapy oils in a product can instantly change your mood, and give a sense of well-being, so I thought I would try out a couple of Amphora Aromatics products on myself (14 weeks pregnant) and bubs (18 months old). However, there are certain oils that are deemed to be safe when pregnant and some that aren't (babycentre.co.uk lists them here), so I chose to test milder ones on us both, which limited the products I could use. The Amphora website does actually have a brilliant 'safety' section next to each product, and will tell you whether to avoid during pregnancy.

My faves:

 Lavender and Chamomile Barrier Cream £4.74 for 60ml
This is one of my faves from the range- a great all purpose cream. It is very thick but rubs in easily as a barrier cream should. Helps protect bubba's litle botty from nappy rash in the current hot wether. Also a great hand cream for my dry chapped Mother's hands! (The website also says it is good for 'gardening hands', but I don't have time for gardening at the moment so can't back up that claim!) It is only very lightly scented. Obviously it is nice and mild too as it can be used for baby, which makes me feel safer using it on myself.

Peppermint Foot Gel £4.03 for 60ml

For tired, swollen pregnant feet, this Peppermint Foot Gel feels amazingly tingly and refreshing and smells nice but not too strong. Amphora suggest keeping it in the fridge during the summer months, and the cold gel does feel more refreshing than warm. It is nice and natural compared to some other foot gels, being paraben free.

Amphora Aromatics are a wholesaler and retailer of many Pure Essential Oils and related Aromatherapy products. They produce their own large range of  creams, gels, massage oils, bath oils, aromatherapy roll ons and perfume sprays.Check out the full range on their website www.amphora-aromatics.com/.

Of course we're super pleased for Prince William and Kate that they have a healthy baby boy, so in the spirit of all things Royal, we thought these Royal themed outfits from George at ASDA are super-cute. And perfect for our own little prince and princesses!

My favourites from the ASDA Royal range are this blue romper suit complete with crown motif and the pale pink slogan t-shirt.





















And who knows, if your baby doesn't puke on it too many times it might be worth something as commemorative memorabilia in the distant future when Prince George becomes King!

Visit the ASDA George website for the full range.

Thea Skincare won a 'Green Parent Natural Beauty Award' in 2013, as well as a Gold Award for a face care product in the 2013 'Freefrom Skincare Awards': so I thought I would give it a try, since I am currently vegan and pregnant/breastfeeding, thus avoiding (where I can) products containing chemicals. They also support the Cruelty Free Campaign against animal testing, a big bonus point.

There is a range of natural products for both Mum and Baby, see here for details. I decided to try the following all-purpose cream (a useful feature for saving the pennies):


Organic Coconut and Lavender Top to Toe Baby Soothing Lotion (£7.95 for 200ml)


This lotion is so natural you can use it all over a newborn, as well as yourself. It is sulphate and paraben free, vegan and is 78% Organic. Ingredients include Aloe Juice, Lavender, Chamomile, Orange Blossom, Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil, all extremely nourishing. It claims to be perfect for healing nappy rash.

I found it more like a light cream than a lotion due to it's viscosity, but it wasn't heavy despite the oil content. It absorbed easily with no residue. Also it didn't have a strong scent just a light pleasant one. I would definitely use this on myself and bubba as a body lotion. However, I think that nappy rash requires something a bit more medicated personally, because it didn't help with my bubba's botty, which happens to be sore at the moment due to this sweaty hot weather! I also feel that my face needs something a bit more targeted than an all-purpose, due to my combination ageing skin (I'm 37 now!).

It is nice though to use something on the body that really works, but truly has no nasties in it. It is also reasonably priced, because a little goes quite a long way.

See Theaskincare.com for more details.

CB

Scorching heat aside, summer is a fairly easy time for pregnant women in terms of what to wear. Stretchy dresses and loose tops are the order of the day, with no worries about finding a decent pair of maternity jeans or a sweater that doesn't make you look three times the size!

But for anyone who isn't due before the summer ends, now is a great time to start thinking about autumn maternity wear, as there are some good summer sales on.

I've spied some great deals on the Vertbaudet.co.uk. Check out these stylish autumnal pieces.

Maternity Before & After Dress, black, now £13.50
























Readers, if you've spotted any great deals on stylish maternity wear, do let us know in the comments.

RL xx

As Royal Baby product marketing hits fever pitch with the announcement of the naming of Prince George Alexander Louis, we have picked a few of our favourite baby products to commemorate the birth of our future King!

Limited Edition Diamante Cuddledry Towel £39.99




The original Cuddledry apron towel, invented by mums Helen Wooldridge and Polly Marsh, is on our must-have list for new parents. Designed to be worn around your neck like an apron, the ingenious design leaves both hands free for safely bathing and lifting your baby, giving new parents one less thing to worry about. Made with an extra cosy double layer of towelling, the apron towel has one side for super absorbency, an outer velour layer for softness and the diamante design on the outer layer, safely away from any of the drying action! This is a limited edition diamante apron towel – the crown jewels of the Cuddledry collection! Hopefully still available from the cuddledry website here.

JoJoMamanBebe Royal Crown Baby Booties, £14.00




These cute little slipper shoes are perfect for little princes (or princesses- there is a pink version) who are learning to walk, as they are made from soft leather and fit the foot like a glove, so baby doesn't stumble. Sizes from 0 to 24 months are available. Buy from the JoJo website here.

The Gro Company bespoke His and Her Royal Grobag for newborns, £70.00



Grobags are, I believe, the best baby sleeping bags you can buy. Just an example is the hidden zip join, and the zip going downwards  rather than upwards so older babies can't open it. All Gro products are great quality, and they have really thought about the ergonomics to make being a Mum that little bit easier.

Focusing on HRH’s William and Kate’s individual and shared passions, 60 Grobags went on sale in each design, ie His and Hers, at a RRP of £70.00 each with all proceeds going to The Lullaby Trust.  These Royal Grobags from the Gro Company are yet another example of innovative, high-quality design from the UK’s leading provider of Baby Sleep Bags. Contact Gro to see if you can still get your hands on one!

Saffron Bells Silver Anklets- £85 single / £140 pair



Apparently the royal baby has some Saffron Bells- a gorgeous silver anklet with a Thai spiritual element to them (in Thailand, the jingling of bells on baby anklets is said to ward off evil spirits). Owned and loved by: Sienna Miller, Amanda Holden, Una Healy, Jenny Frost, Michelle Heaton, Amanda Lamb, Sarah Cawood and many more they have been described as the new ‘baby tracker’ – their bells help you hear where your child is. Definitely a great christening or baby shower gift, or a treat for your own prince or princess. You can get more info on their website here.
 

 Scarlet and Argent Cashmere Teddy Bears £95



A truly bespoke Teddy Bear made by Merrythought for Scarlet and Argent. Made from 100% Cashmere,  and hand-stitched to perfection at Merrythought, the last remaining British teddy bear factory. These 100% cashmere limited edition bears are a perfect gift, or the ultimate treat for your bubba.

I always thought cuddly toys were pointless until my daughter was about one, when she became extremely attached to a couple of her teddies, in particular the really soft ones (one of which was a Harrods bear BTW! Expensive taste!)


Scarlet and Argent is renowned for its superb quality. The brand has been created by Yorkshire-based Hainsworth which is one of Britain’s most prestigious textile mills and a luxury fabric supplier to the Queen. Its iconic scarlet cloth is worn exclusively by the Queen’s Guards and Prince William even wore it on his wedding day. The company was awarded the Royal Warrant for supplying Her Majesty the Queen with interior fabrics following the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992.

Visit their website here.

As much as I love skirts, being a new mum this summer means I'm all about shorts instead. They're versatile and comfortable and no chance of accidental granny knicker exposure when you bend over or a random gust of wind catches you!

Here are some of my faves in the shops right now.

Ria Textured Shorts at boohoo.com £15




















Florence and Fred striped shorts - perfect for the beach! £10

ASOS peach tailored shorts £18




















Henry Holland denim shorts at Debenhams £21 (down from £30)



















RL xx

The sunny weather may have disappeared for a few days but it's still going to be hot and muggy this week - yuk!














I am sooo not looking forward to it, and I know it's going to be a nightmare for my skin with extra oiliness and sweat cause my makeup to slide! So today while we have a brief respite, it's time I stock up on Papier Poudres.











Now there's nothing quite like the real thing to mop up excess moisture, especially over makeup, but there are plenty of less expensive versions. I like Boots own Skin Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets at £2.66 per pack.

For the real Papier Poudres, visit the website www.papierpoudres.co.uk.

Well rumour has it the Duchess checked into the Lindo wing at 6am this morning. What a day to be contending with Labour - the heat! Wishing Kate and the Royal baby lots of luck.

It was so nice to finally spend a day off from the madness of the office (although one naughty mummy is meant to be working ha ha). Today's heat is extortionate - 33 to be exact. That's scorchio Greece heat! So we've all, including RB's Lucy, (pictured) popped to Shoreditch House.

At 3 months pregnant and breastfeeding mum to a lively 17.5 month old I don't have much time for pampering- but throwing on these few products as part of my daily routine makes my skin and hair feel healthy and lovely again! These products are all a very reasonable price too! (Although not as 'natural' as my usual products, still doing ok on that front with lots of natural oils and no parabens!).

Jergens Cocoa Butter £4.99


 Feels lovely on your skin, smells good and lasts ages!



Mandara Spa Island Paradise Softening Foot Butter £5.00



Just gorgeous, and really moisturises my dried up feet!

Nspa Hair Rituals Repairing Conditioner £4.00


I hadn't had time to use conditioner but when I gave this a try I was converted back to a dedicated user! my hair smells great, is easy to brush through wet due to amazing detangling, and is really soft when dry.

Give them a go!
Lots of love
CB

Being mother to a 17 month old, it has now been 2 years since my last sunshine holiday. However, hubs and I decided that leaving bubs at home while we go off for some sun isn't an option, so decided on a trip to Center Parcs Elveden Forest, with lots of activities for all three of us.

As much as I love the hot weather, I really do hate to sweat. And nothing makes you feel sweatier than a slick of sunscreen - especially on your face.

Also, I inevitably always get sunburn on my hair parting, which results in gross peeling that looks like terrible dandruff.

If anyone else out there suffers from similar sun related afflictions, I highly recommend Malibu Scalp Protector spray. It's an spf15 dry spray designed to protect your scalp without making your hair greasy. And it's so great at this that I thought why not use it on my face too.

Now, obviously you should avoid getting this stuff in your eyes. So close your eyes and spritz this over your face. There's no need to rub it in and it dries in seconds, leaving an even layer of protection across your entire face. And best of all it won't start to melt and leave your skin feeling sweaty/greasy. Result!

Get yours from Superdrug - 50ml for £3.49

Cussons Mum & Me Bump Hydrate & Nourish Shower Cream, £3.49, Boots.com

Last time I was pregnant, I only bought only one maternity/nursing bra at the beginning, a sleep bra by Emma-Jane (approx. £17.50), and had been using Emma-Jane bra extenders (approx £4) on my other bras, which helped to widen the width for my expanding rib cage so that I could breathe. Emma-Jane do a great range of nursing/maternity bras which are really soft and comfortable for day/night wear. I would recommend the new Next Generation Nursing Bra (approx. £11) which is seamless and really soft.



However, as the birth was approaching (8 weeks to go) I realised that a combined maternity/nursing bra would have been useful, since I planned to breastfeed.


I tried the Elle McPherson style and didn't find those very comfortable, nor the Mothercare styles.

I had a fitting at Marks & Spencer and they told me I was a 36C. (This size also fits me in Mothercare bras). I was then fitted as a 32D in Freya, and in Figleaves as a 36D. Wohoo big boobs for the first time in my life! (Usually a small 34B!) Very confusing- but the rule is to get fitted before you buy.

I would recommend moulded or stretch cups (such as the Emma-Jane range) as most useful, as your breasts will change size throughout the pregnancy and breastfeeding, especially as they fill up with colostrum and breast milk just before the birth. Currently I am still wearing my nursing/maternity bras as I am still breastfeeding my 17 month old twice a day, but my breasts are tiny compared to when I was pregnant last time and when I was fully breastfeeding.

However, the sexiest and most comfy nursing/maternity bras I tried were Freya, and they are really good quality. I have worn mine regularly for nearly 2 years now and it is still in great condition and very supportive. I also just purchased a new style, the Freya Dotty, from Figleaves.com, which was £28. It's a teeny bit big on the cups but am hoping that being pregnanct again I will fill it out soon.


I also got some matching panties for £10, bargain! I can actually look hot whilst breastfeeding!


Figleaves.com have a wide range of maternity styles and currently have a 60% off sale on their website- woirth a look. I would recommend getting fitted before you buy though. Try going to a Debenhams store, as they stock most of these styles and will usually give you a free fitting!

CB

Waitrose Baby solid coconut massage oil 

Superdrug's new My Little Star range claims to offer babies and new parents 'top quality everyday essentials at a price parents will love'. 

I often tend to opt for the more pricey option if it means that it is better quality, but there is always room for a few bargains that really work! Also, with the prospect of going on maternity leave again soon the pennies will be much tighter than usual, so I put a few of them to the test on myself (vegan Mum, 12 weeks pregnant and still breastfeeding) and my 17 month old daughter, who has very sensitive skin.

So the friendly folks at Superdrug sent over a few baby bits from their new 'My Little Stars' range, and I gave them a try with my 8 month old daughter.

Gripper Bottle (Blue) 250ml - 99p
I really like the design of this bottle and have been using it for water mostly. It's nice and easy for my baby to grip, although she is still learning to feed herself and the bottle may be a little long for her at the moment. Still, it's good practice! The only slight problem is that it seems to leak a bit when you don't keep it upright, so I'll keep this one to use at home rather than taking it out and about.



Maxi Nappies 7-18kgs/15-40lbs - £3.99 for 26
These are good basic nappies. They seem to draw out the poo from my baby though as she's done one in every single nappy change so far! They handled it pretty well, although there was no explosion to test, just regular poo. I feel like I would need to change these nappies more often than the brand I currently use, but they are good value.



Baby Bath 300ml - 99p
This smells very much like traditional Johnsons baby lotion, so a bit like soap. It worked up some nice light bubbles in the bath and I successfully washed my baby from head to toe without any tears, so it does what it says on the tin. It also didn't dry out her skin. Definitely a great value product and they also do a bedtime version to help babies drop off to sleep.



New Mum Nipple Cream 75ml - 99p
Since I don't need nipple cream now that I'm no longer breastfeeding, I figured I could use it for something. And it turns out that it makes a great hand cream. It's just thick enough to tackle dryness while absorbing nicely and not leaving hands greasy. My fingers have been really dry since having my baby what with all the extra hand wetting and washing that I'm doing, so this could be a great solution.  The only downside is that it smells a bit odd, but I'll take that at 99p a go. And it's the perfect handbag size too!



For a budget range, these are overall pretty good products and definitely worth a try if you're trying to save. Visit Superdrug.com

RL