Perfect Lingerie from UK Lingerie!

One of the side effects of having three children, and I don't care what anyone says, is that your body is definitely impacted long term. I've found it harder to stay in shape since the birth of our third child - probably due to tiredness and lack of time, but one of the other effects of this is that clothes that I have loved and hoped to keep forever, no longer fit. This of course, definitely extends to underwear as well. In fact - more so than any other item.

I've always been an M and S kind of girl when it comes to undies - I've tried elsewhere but nothing is every comfortable enough. But I've started to wonder if it's the kind of thing you've just got to spend a decent amount of money on. After all, there's nothing worse than wearing an uncomfortable bra is there? Therefore I was pretty happy to be approached by www.uklingerie.com to see if I wanted to choose something from their wonderful range. I of course, said yes! This might sound like a weird choice, but I opted for a non underwired bra - I work from home and to be honest just want something mega comfortable but also pretty to wear. When you're sitting down all day on your own, what is the point in wearing an underwired bra - especially when you don't have much to underwire in the first place! I also chose some Spanx pants - I quite like wearing ruched and fitted pencil style skirts, and don't really have anything mega suitable to wear under them. I was a bit worried as I've heard about people not being able to breathe etc whilst wearing pants like that, but I guess it's just about wearing the right size.

I was really happy to receive my order the very next day after ordering - incredible! And here's what I got...

Aubade the Art of Kissing Bra - get yours here

Spanx Undie Tectable Hipster Briefs - get yours here

I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! The Aubade bra came with beautiful packaging and you can really feel and see the difference between this kind of item and something from M and S - the lace is exquisite, it's super comfortable and I am wearing it to death already. The Spanx I have already worn twice - both times under a pencil skirt and they create a super smooth line. I actually forgot I was wearing them, though I'm not sure it's the kind of thing I would wear round the house - though that's not what they're made for anyway.

All in all I really recommend this site if you want to look at a huge selection of lingerie at a huge range of prices. These were on the expensive side, but there are options to suit every budget.

I received these items for free in order to complete this review, although all thoughts are my own.

Welsh Gifts from Brinley Williams

Living with three Wales rugby fans has its bonuses - alcohol on big match days for example, but you can't be a real fan without the kit can you? We've got various t shirts, kids, outfits etc, but the boys complain they are sweaty and uncomfortable. Therefore, I was pretty happy to receive two lovely personalised Wales Rugby T shirts from BrinleyWilliams.co.uk. They are really cosy and comfortable, and best of all I was able to get them personalised with the boys' names - kudos to me!






Not only that, there are loads of other cute Welsh gifts on site - I particularly like these.






Very cute! If like me, you struggle to know what fun gifts to buy for your family - and they happen to be Welsh, then I really recommend Brinley Williams - just takes the thinking out of it! I actually really like the back story of how Brinley Williams came to be - you can read about it here. It really is a story of triumph over adversity and I love supporting cottage industries that are borne out of a real passion for doing something really well. Definitely one to look into!

New EPIC Baby Store!

I do love a bit of shopping, and to be there is far less guilt to be had when shopping for someone else - especially when that person happens to be my own child. For ages now, I've been in dire need of a new changing bag, but as it was a personal purchase, I didn't think it was worth spending money on. Yes my old one had mouldy food in and had a weird smell, but I only use it once a week on a Friday anyway. However a few weeks ago, I decided enough was enough and just chucked it and started carrying baby girl's stuff around in - carrier bags! So when fantastic new retailer (they've been online for ages, just not "in the flesh" Kiddies Kingdom gave me the chance to review a new Cosatto Changing Bag, it seems like perfect timing!

Kiddies Kingdom have just launched their new concept store in Dewsbury, West Yorks and their showroom will be the largest of all things baby related in the North of England. There is a full sized car inside where parents can fit a car seat in a much more practical way, and baby wish lists so that willing relatives can contribute towards the bucket loads of stuff always needed for new arrivals. Kiddies Kingdom also have a cute embroidery service so that purchases can be personalised - cute!

The showroom has over 150 top brands including ICandy, Silver Cross, Joolz and Joie etc, and has lots of great offers on this week (the opening week). If you're not able to make it in person this week for the great opening offers, you can always come down at a later date as they offer a price match guarantee.

Now onto the bag, I LOVE IT! Here it is in the flesh. I love the pop art-ness of it, and actually it doesn't particularly look like a "baby bag" which for me, is a good thing. Inside there is a smaller zipped pocket for keys, phone etc, and a large front pocket for quick access to nappies and wipes. It also includes a handy folding changing mat, really useful for emergencies.

As you can see it fits shed loads in it, and I do like to pack a lot in.

Head on down to Kiddies Kingdom this week, take a look at their current offers here.

I was offered a free Cosatto changing bag in order to help me write this review, but all thoughts are my own.

Perfect Shoes from Simply Be

For ages now I've been trying to identify "my shop" - something that basically takes all the thinking out for me so I can just pop in, buy, go home, everyone's happy. However I am starting to realise now, that such a shop just doesn't exist. For me, it's pretty much impossible to get everything I want from one shop - some shops do great jersey wear but not so great jeans, some shops do awesome dresses but less awesome shoes. The list goes on. The good part of this is that it forces me to go out of my comfort zone and try something new every once in a while, which I did when I shopped at Simply Be!

Wide Fit

Simply Be is perfect for those, who like me have larger than average feet. It's rare for me to meet anyone with feet as large as mine, but Simply Be caters for me perfectly by having not only wide fit, but extra wide too! Have a look at their flat shoes selection here. I was lucky enough to be sent a lovely pair of perfect summer shoes from Simply Be and wherever I go, people are asking me, where are your shoes from? Here they are, and they are now reduced to just £14.40! Unbelievable value in my opinion. They are called Sole Diva Heart Ballerina shoes, in case you're interested. The photo really doesn't do them justice and they are just perfect for pretty much every occasion, they are also super comfortable. Please excuse the scrub land in the background!

Sole Diva Heart Ballerina £14.40

Summer Dress

I was also gifted two dresses - both of which are quite different but nevertheless lovely The first is the Navy Stripe Jersey Maxi Dress - I'm a bit of a fan of jersey dresses in general as they wash so well and are generally so comfortable and wearable, and I've been looking for something I can "throw on" for ages - perfect for beach, BBQ or popping out. Really love this and I can see my wearing it forever.

Navy Stripe Jersey Maxi Dress £25

Prom Dress

As well as the jersey dress I was also set this divine Mint and Black Printed Prom Dress - I've been wanting an off the shoulder dress for ages, and although this photo doesn't capture that wonderfully well, I can attest that the top does for once, stay well and truly off the shoulder without being super annoying! It sits really well and is comfortable enough to wear around the house as well as being smart enough to wear out. I could even see me wearing it for work. The fabric is a bit different to what I'm used to but it fits like a dream!

Mint and Black Printed Prom Dress - £44

And you can see I'm wearing the perfect shoes as well! I'm actually going to buy another pair - ready for next year, before they sell out.

These items were gifted to me in return for this review, but all thoughts are my own.

Jacamo - for men!

Hubby and I rarely get to go into actual shops, that is well documented on my blog. When the rare occasion does happen, we race round like animals desperately picking up some vaguely flattering clothes for ourselves, occasionally grunting at the other - "what do you think of this?" and pretending to care what the other person is holding up for us to approve of. So, we've just decided not to bother anymore, as it's too stressful and rarely fruitful - and anyway, online shopping is SO easy, plus you get a better pick of sizes and styles, and if you don't like what you see, you can just pop it in the post and send it back! Easy!

So when we were offered the chance to try men's clothing retailer Jacamo, it was pretty exciting - especially for hubby, since this is specifically a men's store. He's a bit of  a being of the nineties, so has been after some decent "indie" trainers for ages - having teeny tiny feet (for a man) has some advantages - namely that we can share shoes. But for those with larger feet, Jacamo has a good range of wide fitting shoes - something that is hard to find on the high street. Anyway, hubby chose these fabulous puma trainers - and what's more - they're on next day delivery too. Very handy for those who are short of time (namely, us).

90s tastic but still awesome.

We will mow the grass one day.

I thought these were really good value and there were also other colours available,  but he went for this classic sort of racing green look, as it looks great with anything - especially jeans.

As we spend a lot of time in the freezing cold either chasing round a 1 year old or stamping our feet trying to keep warm whilst watching Rugby/waiting to pick up our children from various places, we often substitute style for warmth and practicality - surely a sign of getting old? Anyway, if we have to be warm, we may as well look as cool as possible, so hubby also opted for this Jack Wolfskin fleece - another great thing about Jacamo is that they do lots and lots of brands - as well as their own brand stuff - so you can get practically anything! We love Jack Wolfskin as it combines practicality with a nice smart look.

This is a great option for wearing underneath a thicker coat for really cold days, or with a gillet on slightly warmer days. Sadly as we live in what seems like the coldest micro climate in Britain, this is as warm as it generally gets.

So, big fans of Jacamo in this house! Great selection of different clothing ranges, next day delivery, great website, what more could you want?

I was gifted these items to enable me to write this post, but all thoughts are my own.

15 ways to express your love this Valentine’s Day

                       

Valentine’s day, the day of love, which falls on 14th February every year is celebrated by the couple all across the globe. As Valentine ’s Day is around the corner, people have started looking for creative ways to surprise their loved ones and exhibit their feelings. Many people believe that by giving expensive and personalised gifts, they can express how valuable their loved ones are in their life. However, contrary to the popular belief that gifts are the best ways to express your love, there are many other romantic ways that help you express your love with some simple day to day gestures, which mean a lot.

Here are the top 15 ways with which you can express your feelings towards your loved ones and celebrate Valentine’s Day:

1. Send your partner a sweet and sweet message on the day. You can also send a love filled email.
2. Leave a little love note in his/her bag, briefcase or lunch box so that they find it when they reach their workplace. This little gesture will make them smile in the middle of a stressful work day.
3. Plan a surprise outing. You can book a table in his/her favourite restaurant and order their favourite food while spending some quality time together.
4. Send some beautiful flowers or yummy cookies to their workplace or home for no reason on days other than the Valentine’s Day, to celebrate random days as the day of love.
5. Drop by in your partner’s office at the lunch time and enjoy a meal together.
6. Offer your partner a foot rub or light foot massage without asking for one in return. This will surely make them happy.
7. Make a delicious and scrumptious breakfast in bed, and surprise them.
8. Plan to start a hobby together on the Valentine’s Day, so that you can spend quality time together with each other more often.
9. Do some errands or chores which your partner is supposed to do, without being asked to do so. This little gesture will certainly express your love.
10. Leave a love note on the bathroom mirror or on your bedroom’s dressing table.
11. Have a romantic photo session at a beautiful location. Don’t forget to make it a bit sexy.
12. Buy a personalised gift like a keychain, a coffee mug, a picture frame or something that your partner likes.
13. Plan a candle lit dinner at your home, decorate the space with flower petals and enjoy a quiet evening together.
14. Subscribe the monthly subscription of your partner’s favourite magazine or subscription box filled will amazing goodies
15. Arrange a spa and grooming session for your partner in their favourite saloon.

If you are looking for some amazing ideas to surprise your loved ones, and make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one, you can check some of the ideas given in the following infographic created by “My Voucher Codes”. My voucher Codes are an online discount codes and shopping deals site that offers its visitors the best codes and deals using which they can save money while shopping from eStores, eating out or enjoying day outs.

January end of sale - ultra sale!

I have been waiting right until the last possible moment to get the best sale bargains - but unfortunately I seem to have left it SO long, that nearly all the sizes are gone. Anyway, from the leftovers, here are my top pics!

1) Baukjen Fleur Top  - £11



I have this in black and it looks great with jeans.

2) Baukjen Bailey Dress £19



Not sure when I'd wear this - but big big bargain!

3) Baukjen Sian Roll Neck Jumper £41



Warm and stylish.

4) Hush Crossover Skirt £25



Perfect for work or going out - and super comfy!

5) Jack Wills Brotherlee Zip Up Hoodie £34.95



I tried to beat the system on this one and order the man's style as it was £10 cheaper but it was a very weird fit on me!

6) Jack Wills Austerberry Blazer £69



Not many sizes left but these are big - so I reckon you'd be ok with an 8 if you're normally a 10-12.

I'm not sure why I chose 6, but these have really caught my eye and are genuine bargains - if you can find the right size. I will keep on looking and see else I find!