I regularly see blog posts and YouTube videos with lists of favourites etc so thought I’d make a quick list of what I’ve been loving recently. I’ll jump straight in, and will include a bit of everything.

1. Dry Shampoo. Since becoming a mum, I’ve gone from being a hater, to a lover of dry shampoo. Before Lamb came along, I genuinely didn’t see why people would use it. Just wash your hair? Ok, I was a fool. I used to wash my every every 2 days. Now i’m lucky if it’s more than once a week! I’ve got good condition hair and can actually get away with washing my hair once a week, and it’s actually good for you not to wash it too often. So dry shampoo has been my best friend recently. A quick spray and my hair feels fresh and clean. Super.

 

2. Mac Prolongwear Concealer. I’ve only recently started buying Mac make up and I’m already addicted. I’d say I’ve been using it regularly for about 18 months and I haven’t looked back. I used to buy drugstore make up almost weekly, mainly because I couldn’t try before I bought it and hated it once I got home. I have really pale skin, prone to breakouts and blemishes, and drugstore make up just doesn’t cut it. This concealer is my holy grail concealer and it will take a lot to beat it.

 

3. Carex nourishing bath creme* I was recently sent a selection of Carex products from their new range. I particularly love this bath creme. It smells lovely, foams really well and is suitable for all of the family. Now Lamb isn’t a baby I’m not too strict on the bubble bath he uses, but I always neglect my own baths and never have something for mummy to use. Since trying this I’ve found it’s suitable to use for Lambs bath as well as my own. I still like to buy toddler bubble bath because I love sweet smells, but this has definitely been a favourite this month.

 

4. Vanish Carpet Stain Remover. I’ve reviewed this product on the blog recently, but I had to include it in my favourites list because it’s so damn good. For example, my nephew accidentally coloured our living room carpet with blue felt tip pen. I sprayed with the Vanish carpet foam, went to get a cloth and by the time I came back I couldn’t see the blue pen! It had removed the stain without being wiped clean. Genius.

 

5. Friends box set. I’ve been watching Friends since it begun (I think!) and I watch my boxset almost every night. It’s what got me through the night feeds when my husband was working and is what my BFF and I like to watch when we’re snuggling, eating malteasers and drinking tea. I once watched an episode of Mastermind and the specialist subject was Friends. I got more questions right then the contestant. That sums up my love for Friends.

 

6. W7 eyeshadow palette. I saw this a few months ago while I was randomly browsing on Amazon. It cost me less than £4.50 so I thought, screw it, I’ll give it a go. I actually really love it! I bought a second palette which I don’t like as much as this one, but I’d much rather pay £4.50 than £30!! I definitely recommend this if you’re on a budget but fancy some new eyeshadow colours.

 

 

7. Michael Kors purse. My lovely husband surprised me with this purse for my birthday last month. Normally his gifts aren’t quite as perfect as this, so I was massively grateful for his generosity. With money being so tight, I really didn’t expect something like this, but I’m hugely grateful and I bloody love it!

 

8. ASOS t-shirt dress. I bought myself this a few weeks ago and I’ve literally lived in it since it arrived. Khaki is totally my colour this Autumn and I love teaming it with black boots and gold jewellery. I love this so much I bought it in black too! This is such a good design for all shapes and sizes. It’s great for mornings where I’m in a hurry to get out, like when I’m taking Lamb to nursery. Just chuck on and go! At £22 it’s a complete bargain.

 

 

9. McDonald’s Big Tasty. Seriously. This should be on the menu all year round. I was a little excited when I saw it was back!

10. Bloggers. I’ve had a tough few weeks recently which I’ve shared on my blog and on social media. The amount of support I’ve had from bloggers who read my posts has been incredible. I can’t believe how supportive they are considering the majority of them haven’t even met me. Thank you for helping me stay positive through probably the toughest couple of months I’ve had in a very long time.

So there’s my October favourites. What have you been loving this month?

Ax

* PR sample. Opinions are honest and my own. 

While we’re all wrapped up in our bundles of joy or mini people sometimes we forget that they grow up and will soon be parents themselves, and with that comes responsibility, responsibility to look after us.

Hands up if you think about the future? Hands up if you know how your children will cope when it’s time for them to care for you.

With everything going on in ours lives right now, this isn’t something I’ve even thought about. We are living each day as it comes, paying our bills and making sure there is food on the table.

But what happens if we had extra people to care for, like our parents?

Are we prepared for that?

What about our kids? What about when it’s time for them to look after us? What if they can’t afford the care costs?

It might feel like a long way away to some of us but it’s important to be prepared, at least by understanding what options you have with regards to care homes and the costs involved.

Barchester have provided me with a really helpful ebook with all the information I need regarding paying for care, so I thought I’d share with you in case you find it helpful.

You can also visit their website which has a great tool for finding a care home local to you.

It may not be very nice to think about, it certainly freaks me out thinking out getting old, but the more information you have now, the easier the situation will be when the times comes to look for care.

You can never be too clued up.

Ax

*Collaborative post

Today I’m the mum who will be proactive.

Today I’m the mum who will get shit done.

Today I’m the mum who will say no to those damn egg videos.

Today I’m the mum who will be creative.

Today I’m the mum who will do what Lamb wants (apart from put on those damn egg videos).

Today I’m the mum who will get dressed and leave the house 😉

Today I’m the mum who will put on some make-up.

Today I’m the mum who will keep on top of the housework.

Today I’m the mum who will take Lamb for his flu jab.

Today I’m the mum who will try get Lamb to eat.

Today I’m the mum who will prepare a meal for my husband.

Today I’m the mum who might scrap the meal and order a chinese.

Today I’m the mum who has given in to those damn egg videos and it’s only 9am.

#FAIL

Ahead of the clocks going back and with Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching, household favourite Fireman Sam is launching a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of fire safety amongst children.

Last year we stumbled across a mini film about firework safety with Fireman Sam and downloaded it to our iPad. Although Lamb had no idea what he was watching (he thought it was a normal episode of Fireman Sam), he was hooked from the word go. Sometimes it’s difficult to teach the little ones about safety, they just lose their concentration, so if Fireman Sam can do a better job I’m all for it!

This month, as it’s Fireman Sam Safety Month, we’ve been asked to share a video on the blog and raise awareness about fire safety, which I’m more than happy to do! As a thank you we’ve been sent a fab Fireman Sam umbrella for Lamb, which will come in handy if it rains on bonfire night!

Take a look at one of the safety videos below. There’s plenty more available on YouTube.

 

Fireman Sam’s Top Tips

Bonfire Do’s and Don’ts

• Site bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and always keep away from fireworks.
• Build the bonfire stack so that it is stable and never light with flammable liquids.
• Keep everyone away from the fire, especially children who must be supervised at all times, and pets are best kept indoors.
• In case of an emergency, keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.
• Pour water on the embers before leaving.

Firework Dos and Don’ts

• Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on each firework. Read them by torchlight – NEVER a naked flame.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick. NEVER go back to a lit firework.
• Always wear gloves when handling sparklers and hold at arm’s length. Once finished, put in a bucket of water.
• Never give sparklers to children under 5.

Real-life fireman for East Sussex Fire & Rescue and advisor to the children’s TV show Paul McIvenny comments, ‘My advice to parents would be to be extra vigilant while trick or treating at Halloween this year particularly with naked or open flames, opt to attend a well-organised fireworks display, or if you hold your own event ensure all your family and friends follows Sam’s Safety Tips”.

Paul, who attends many accidents at this time of year, adds ‘I’ve seen severe burns as a result of handling fireworks incorrectly and also a lot of small accidents where children are lucky to have escaped with minor burns which could have been avoided, so I would strongly suggest parents take extra care as well as making their children aware of the potential dangers too”.

After hearing about Claudia Winkleman’s daughter Matilda being set on fire last year because of a highly flammable, cheap costume from the supermarket, I want you all to think twice about what you dress your little ones in. These costumes should not be available to buy if they are so dangerous. Children’s clothing should be not so highly flammable. What happened to Matilda was horrific, and a tragic accident, but it can be avoided with extra care (I’m not implying Claudia wasn’t taking care of Matilda, but her story can hopefully teach us all a little something about fire safety).

Don’t put naked flames in your garden for decoration if you know there will be trick or treaters, use LED tea lights instead! If you are using flames, make sure they are in a safe place where children can’t reach them.

I’ve never been into Halloween and trick or treating, maybe because I wasn’t so successful as a child! But if Lamb wants to celebrate Halloween I’m happy to take part. I just won’t be buying a crappy, cheap costume from the supermarket. He will be in 100% cotton t-shirts with a skeleton on the front!

Remember to show your little ones the Fireman Sam safety videos, they are never too young to learn.

Ax