Mummy & Daughter Style | September at Zara

Sheepskin Leather Jacket ( £49.99) | Stone Wash Black Jeans (£29.99) | Black Leather Boots (£59.99)  | Wine Coloured Jumper (£12.99)
Bird Print Dress (£22.99)  | Wine Coloured Scarf (£8.99)  | Tan Suede Boots (£29.99) | Lace Detail Socks (£3.99)

Recently we had a formal even to attend an we decided to get Darcie a new outfit. After spending a  couple of hours searching we headed to Zara and ending up buying her a complete outfit entirely from there. I adore Zara and often purchase a lot of my own clothes from there, but I have rarely bought things for Darcie, mainly because I forget they do baby & children's clothes. However I think I am completely in love with everything and even wish they did some of the items in adult sizes! So with that in mind I thought I would share with you a mummy and daughter outfit that I'm lusting after for us both. Let's hope I shed the baby weight quick ;)

As you can see my mind is definitely set on autumn fashion, it happens to be my favourite season and I really love the styles that come out at this time of year. Have you been lusting over anything lately?

Mummy B xoxox

Food inspiration

With the world of social media, internet and YouTube there is very little excuse for not having enough inspiration for meals. Despite this sweeping statement, there are times where I feel my cooking gets a little boring and the same meals seem to be on repeat. 

I'm not the best cook, but I do love to experiment in the kitchen and try new recipes on my family. One area I really want to improve on is "clean eating" and improving our diet. Especially as I will be wanting to lose the baby weight soon. So where do I turn when I feel like I'm in a rut in the kitchen?

Saying Goodbye To My Toddler

It may sound strange but over the last few weeks I have had to come to terms with saying goodbye to my toddler. No she isn't going anywhere and nor am I, but there has been quite a few moments where I have thought, this is it, my toddler has gone.

They say the toddler stage is between 1 -3 years old and Darcie being a full on three year old she has definitely come to the end of that stage, in fact she came to the end of that stage a long time ago but I just couldn't admit it. She is now my little girl.

The toddler stage is one where a lot of developmental milestones takes place from turning pages of a book through to speaking in sentences, there are so many special moments sometimes it's hard to comprehend just how much they take in and learn at this stage in their lives. I know it baffles me.

It's hard to think that I have a little girl who doesn't fit the baby/toddler category anymore - she is a small child now and I just don't know where that time went. When becoming a parent time really does just fly by, the newborn stage may seem to drag, with those sleepless nights but in reality those precious first few months are over in a flash.

With that in mind it has made me realise how much I will treasure those moments with my little boy when he arrives, especially as it is highly likely he will be my last. Looking back to those first few weeks with Darcie though they were special they are a bit of a blur, a happy blur, reminding me to make sure I capture all those first moments.

Darcie is now the type of girl who enjoys playing mummy & daddy's, tag, cowgirls, puzzles and has left behind her toddler ways. She has her own mind, know's her likes and dislikes and often (tries) to put me in my place. We can have full on chats about the future and hopes and dreams and often share giggles with our own private jokes.

Though this is new territory, its one that is so heartwarming, a stage in her life that will be here until she reaches her early school years. Though saying goodbye to a little toddler has been a hard one to accept, I am very much enjoying my little pre-schooler.

Mummy B xoxox

Treasure Those Memories

In the digital world that we live in it’s easy to share pictures and moments online within a matter of minutes. Updating our Facebook status with first words, first walks and even first tantrums, but there’s no telling where the digital revolution will take us, and how we will manage to share these memories when our little ones have flown the nest. 

Physical keepsakes are just as important as the digital ones, and for the future of our children and their own, we should be ensuring that we savour these treasured moments so that there’s no risk of them being lost to the online world. 

Memory boxes are a traditional way to secure these moments in their physical form, and it can be an enjoyable craft to take part in if you like to let your creativity flow. 

Déjà vu With Baby No. 2

You may have seen on social media that this week has been a little hectic. I have been so closely monitored due to a few issues. But I have to say all of this is sounding oh so familiar and baby boy is most definitely taking after his big sister. 

The Great British Soap Wars : Britain's Top TV Star

The debate over the best British soap will rumble on forever (or at least until the credits come down on one of the shows for the final time), but one thing that we can all be certain on is our favourite characters.

Some of the biggest names in world entertainment have appeared in soaps in the early stages of their careers, just take a look at the likes of Kylie Minogue starring in Neighbours before having a hugely successful music career. 

You even see some of the more established names essentially reinventing themselves on the squares and streets of the British soap world, giving themselves a new lease of life and a whole new set of fans (and nowadays, social media followers) in the process.

Back to School with Dr. Martens

We were lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to visit our local Dr. Martens branch (Norwich) to check out their Back to School Range. Darcie being a Dr. Martens fan herself (she has a signature pair of patent boots) it was hard not to say no! Though Darcie isn't technically going "back to school",  she will be heading back to nursery and so it was a good opportunity to get her kitted out and to prepare ourselves ready for what's to come next year.

5 Summer Garden Activities for the Children

Tearing the tykes away from Peppa Pig is no easy task unless you want tears and tantrums, but as us mums know, sitting in front of the television for the entire summer is probably going to do them more harm than good. 

So when the sunshine finally appears it’s no surprise that we all want to make the most of the weather and embrace as many of the good days our British climate has to offer. 

The trouble is, once you get out into the garden and have no pink pigs to entertain the children, the dreaded ‘I’m bored’ motto soon rears its head, and you want to instantly throw in the towel as you wonder whether it’s really worth all the effort in the first place. 

But unfortunately that moment seems to come no matter their age, and finding unique activities that will keep them outside is not only good for their health, but also for your own sanity. 

Take some inspiration from the games below and whether you’re feeling active or not there will be something to keep them entertained well into tea time. 

35 Week Pregnancy Update

I haven't been very good at updating you all about my pregnancy, but to be honest it would be a boring read if I did them weekly because week to week not a lot really changes. However, my last update was at 28 weeks so I thought it was time to give you another!

I am now 35+3 weeks pregnant, and it's safe to say things are getting a bit interesting now. If you have been a follower for a long time you will know that with Darcie I had raised blood pressure which resulted in reduced waters and being induced early which resulted in an emergency c-section. This time round my blood pressure has near enough behaved itself but in the last couple of weeks it has started to rise. So my Midwife asked to see me weekly, and then she discovered some protein in my urine, and decided to see me the next day. The next day (Tuesday) she came and my blood pressure had risen again so she sent me off to Triage at the delivery suite!

It was a long wait and we didn't get home till midnight but luckily everything was fine. It did bring back a lot of memories from Darcie's induction day as we were in the next room to where that took place! We found the experience quite comical, maybe that was the nerves. But when I was hooked up to the monitor I started having quite strong Braxton Hicks, it amazed Jamie as we could see the 'contractions' on the monitor and I think made him realise just how uncomfortable I have been. 

As well as this little bit of excitement we discovered baby is back to back, which would explain why I'm having a lot of back pain and sciatic nerve issues. He is also fully engaged, but both these things are irrelevant due to the fact that I'm having an elective section anyway. I'm now having to see my midwife more regularly, around three times a week for BP checks and fingers crossed it doesn't go any higher else there will be more trips to the hospital. I have my final consultant appointment on Monday for a final growth scan, hopefully that will be fine also and baby is continuing to be a good size. 

I hope this has explained why I have been a little quite on here and social media, but I guess as its now only 3.5 weeks till section day this is going to happen! 

Mummy B xoxox

A Changing Bag for Him & Her - PacaPod Hastings Review

A changing bag is something that all mum's need, in my opinion it is an essential necessity to keeping organised. Today's changing bag market is so vast, with everything from designer like handbags to cute kitsch bags with fabulously fun prints. There is something to suit every kind of mum out there. But what about for dads? I am very lucky that I have a very hands on husband who does more than his fairs share of parenting duties, one thing he said when looking for a new changing bag was "can we get one that isn't aimed at just mums?".

Adding the finishing touches to our nursery

So since I shared with you our baby boy's nursery, I have been on the hunt for some pieces to make the room feel a little more finished. I'm so in love with his room, it feels so tranquil and the perfect space for a sleepy baby, but definitely needs a few pieces to make it feel complete.

Coping with back pain whilst pregnant

If you follow me on social media you may have seen me occasionally moan about my back. This little boy has certainly given me a few aches and pains along the way, and now with only five weeks left to go I have been getting (at times) unbearable back pain. Being unable to turn to the usual oral pain killers, we all know that's a big no no when pregnant, I thought I was going to just have to grin and bare it. Thankfully I was introduced to something that really has helped. The Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Patch. 

Camping & Gulliver's Land

At 34 weeks pregnant I decided to do something slightly mad, go away for a nights camping and explore a theme park! Though I had reservations, mainly because I resemble a (very tired) whale, I was really looking forward to having some family time and for Darcie to experience camping - it's been something she has been asking to do for a while. Annoyingly I left my main camera at home so I had to suffice with my iPhone!

Holkham Beach

Yesterday, as you would of seen, was our first Wedding Anniversary and Jamie surprised me with a little day trip to Holkham. It's a place I have never been before, but one that has been on my 'places to visit' list for a while now. Holkham, located in North Norfolk, is one of the most beautiful little spots in the county - I can't believe we haven't been before.  We were Darcie free for the day, but I would love to return with her as it's the perfect place for families. 

1st Wedding Anniversary

A year ago today I married my best friend. A whole year has gone by and almost 10 years have gone since we fell in love, not a day goes by where I don't regret that drunken kiss in a Tenerife bar!