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Monday 30 May 2016

Outfit of the day - Babymoon

Dress - ASOS
Bag - H&M
Necklace - Topshop
Boots - New Look

This weekend my husband and I went away for our babymoon - you can read all about our stay at The Rosewood Hotel here.

As I approach the end of my pregnancy with bump growing bigger and wider every day, it is getting more and more difficult to dress my bump.

I thought I was never going to find the perfect outfit for our special occasion, until I came across this midi dress from ASOS. Not only is it super comfortable but it's lightweight too, with a soft touch slinky fabric. I thought the dress in Black worked well for evening wear as it is the most flattering. 

As well as the perfect length on me, sitting just below the knee, I loved the ruched sides on the dress that stretch for that extra comfort. Another great maternity buy from ASOS! 



Sunday 29 May 2016

The Rosewood Hotel London Review

The Rosewood Hotel

This weekend my husband and I stayed at The Rosewood Hotel in Holborn, London for our baby moon.

For those of you haven't heard of a baby moon, this is a pampering break away for couples before the baby arrives. While many people use their baby moon as a excuse to lie on a beach soaking up the sun or stay at a quaint country manor we wanted something a little different.  

Living and working in London we don't always have a chance to enjoy the capital like a tourist would, which is why we thought a babymoon in our vibrant city would be ideal way to spend some quality time together before the baby arrives. Best of all, we chose the bank holiday weekend so it would be less busy as more people escape the city at this time of year.

I knew there was only one place I wanted to stay - The Rosewood Hotel, one of London’s most luxurious hotels. In the heart of Holborn, The Rosewood was perfect base for our babymoon. Located within a few minutes from Holborn tube it is minutes away from Covent Garden so perfect for a spot of shopping or a day at the theatre too. 

The Rosewood lavish entrance

From the moment you arrive at the large wrought-iron gates of grade II listed Edwardian building, you are in awe of the beautiful architecture of the hotel. As we walked through the tranquil courtyard and into the hotel lobby we were taken away with how opulent the building was. The five star hotel is luxury at its best: the lobby is rich in every detail, decorated with such style and sophistication it feels like a mini palace!  All around you is an elegantly decorated building: the beautifully designed black and white marble mosaic flooring, the stunningly high glass partitions filled with art and books, the magnificent marble staircase, and even the cute bulldog statue and birdcage full of budgies placed by the lift doors.  This is a beautifully decorated hotel and feels very lavish.

The reception staff, who were incredibly welcoming and helpful, checked us in and then shortly afterwards we were shown to our room where we were impressed further once we entered the elegant suite.

Bedroom

Living room

We stayed in deluxe junior suite: spacious and super sleek one bedroom and one living room elegantly designed with a contemporary look and feel with light grey and cream fabrics, textured dark woods and plenty of space to relax.

Spacious living room

Every detail of the suite was well thought out and designed with style.  There were beautiful fresh flowers placed in the living area creating a homely but contemporary feel to the room.


Always a treat waking up to beautiful flowers!

The suite featured a large bedroom with a spacious ensuite marble bathroom that had a walk in wet room style shower and a bath. 

Bathroom

But it was the little touches that made the big difference like the king size bed dressed with elegant Rivolta Carmignani Italian linens, the bathroom stocked with Czech & Speake toiletries, personal bar with complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages or the smart Nespresso coffee machine. But best of all was the pregnancy pillow left on a chair for me. 

The hotel provided me with a pregnancy pillow for my stay

If you read my last post on how pregnancy pillows have eased my discomfort then you'll realise how much I have appreciated seeing a pregnancy pillow in the suite! 

A generous gift from The Rosewood

The staff at The Rosewood also kindly gifted me with a basket of baby goodies, by Bamford Organic, luxury baby products that are natural, fresh and smell divine.  It's these little touches that make a big difference and why The Rosewood really does deliver on its luxury and 5 star status.

We then headed to the Sense Spa which has seven treatment rooms designed around a circular gold leaf and teak relaxation lounge. Men and women have their own dry heat saunas and amethyst crystal steam rooms and offers facials, treatments and beauty rituals. For pregnant women there is a choice of treatments such as the post and pre natal massages. Being in my last trimester, I chose the pre natal massage, that focused on aching muscles, fluid retention and tired feet and legs, a perfectly designed spa treatment to comfort and relax mothers to be.  

After our relaxing treatments we spent a few hours in our suite before getting ready for our dinner reservation. I had always wanted to experience The Rosewood hotel's restaurants and bar. There are three dining areas at the hotel: the Mirror Room, the Lobby or Holborn Dining Room, which is where we selected as the place for dinner that evening.

The restaurant is just as lavish as the hotel, decorated with oak furnishings, red leather upholstery and antique mirrors, diners can expect a varied menu of British dishes with a twist and London's largest gin bar with over 400 gins and 27 tonics. Whilst my husband opted for a Cornish gin and tonic called the "Tarquin", I chose the fresh cranberry juice with rosemary, lime and soda water mocktail.

Tarquin gin and tonic and cranberry mocktail

To start, I had the tasty fried squid with relish mayonnaise and he chose the griddled prawns with lemon and garlic butter. For mains he had the roast rib eye club cut and I chose the shrimp burger with jalapeno tartare - delicious! To finish off our tasty meals, we had the apple pie with ice cream to share.

After dinner we headed to the Scarfes Bar for the jazz night. It was like stepping back in time to an old school drawing room, the bar is cosy and intimate, decorated with velvet armchairs and sofas and bookcases filled with antique books.  We were serenaded with the beautiful sounds of jazz tunes with a live performance from a singer and band - the perfect way to end a great night.

Enjoying the live jazz at the Scarfes Bar

The Rosewood is luxury at its best and the perfect setting for a special occasion like a babymoon. If you are looking for ultimate indulgence and a retreat in the city then this is the place for you. The hotel is a beautiful oasis of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city that is unique among London luxury hotels.

We had such a memorable stay, it was the ideal way for us to spend our baby moon and we will no doubt be returning again!

To book a stay at the hotel visit www.rosewoodhotels.com.

The Rosewood Hotel
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
020 7781 8888
 

Sunday 22 May 2016

An Afternoon Tea Baby Shower

My babyshower celebrations

Last weekend, my mum and sisters hosted my babyshower where we celebrated the soon to be arrival of baby DoYouNoah! It was a wonderful day spent with my family and closest friends. The theme of my babyshower was "afternoon tea" so there was an abundance of cakes, sandwiches and cupcakes as well as lots of fun games too!

My afternoon tea themed baby shower

I was on the hunt for an outfit for my babyshower and with only a few weeks to go, I managed to find the perfect dress. Although it wasn't a maternity dress it was just what I was looking for; a simple grey maxi dress from ASOS tall range with a wrap front and cut a way slides. I teamed with a gold chain head band also from ASOS too.

Maxi dress from ASOS

I was so pleased with the baby shower cakes that were specially made by the very talented cake maker Claire Owen. They looked absolutely beautiful and were so delicious too, all my guests loved them!


A huge thanks to my mum and sisters who did a fabulous job of organising my baby shower plus a big thanks to all my friends for their adorable gifts and to everyone for making the day such a joyous occasion.

I was so delighted with the cakes, cupcakes, sandwiches and photography I thought I would share with you the list of my suppliers for those planning a baby shower in the future:

Cakes: Claire at Claire Owen Cakes 
Cupcakes: BB Bakery
Sandwiches: M&S
Photography: Rachael at Doll Face Design London


Cottons Caribbean Restaurant and Salon de Rhum Notting Hill

Cottons Caribbean Restaurant and Salon de Rhum, Notting Hill

Last week I was invited to Cottons Caribbean Restaurant and Salon de Rhum, the brand new restaurant in Notting Hill.

The original Cottons restaurant in Camden opened over 30 years ago. Since then they've opened a street food Cottons in Boxpark, Shoreditch and now the flagship restaurant in Notting Hill, just walking distance from Notting Hill Gate tube station.

The Notting Hill branch offers a more refined experience but still in keeping with the Cottons relaxed and colourful vibe that customers will be used to.



Beautiful authentic interior decor at Cottons, Notting Hill

I was really looking forward to seeing the bar which stocks the largest rum collection in the UK, with over 300 varieties available and not just from the Carribean but all over the world.  As well as drinks and tasty cocktails you can also enjoy bar snacks and sharing plates at the bar like Jerk pork ribs (£7), Oxtail & bean stew (£7.50), and Ackee & saltfish (£7.50).
  
The largest collection of rum in the UK 

Our tasty cocktails!

We sat in the Glass house, the main restaurant, which has a large skylight with bright natural light and decorated with stunning oak wood flooring, beamed ceilings and beautiful bonsai plants.


Luckily Cottons offers mocktails for those of us who don't drink or like me are pregnant so I chose the fruit smoothie, a blend of strawberries, raspberries, passionfruit, mango puree, coconut cream and guava juice - very tasty!

Our starter - the Mezze platter - yum!

For a starter we chose the Mezze platter which was accra, aubergine choka, creole shrimps and pholourie.


Cottons Caribbean promises "traditional Caribbean cuisine" so reading through the tasty looking menu, my expectations were high. I opted for the sharing platter of jerk chicken pieces, rice and peas, fried plaintain, potato salad and smoked beetroot salad.  The jerk chicken marinade was delicious, with plenty of flavour and came in a tasty sauce which had a little kick to it and just enough spice.  Served with the rice and peas, plaintain and potato salad these side dishes were the perfect addition to my meal.


Jerk chicken pieces

Rice and peas

Fried plaintain

Potato salad

Smoked beetroot salad

For dessert, I chose the chocolate praline bar, a beautifully designed chocolate cake with praline mousse served with a knob of lemon curd and iced bubble gum marshmallow - it tasted as delicious as it looked!

Chocolate praline bar - so tasty!

As well as the restaurant and bar, downstairs there is a private room that seats 20 for parties and events. For those with special dietary requirements vegan, gluten free and vegetarian platters are also available on the menu too. 

 Private dining room area for parties and events

If you're looking to dine in a laid back atmosphere that serves authentic Caribbean flavours then you will have to visit Cottons. If the delicious food doesn't tempt you or the relaxed vibes then go for drinks and try out the electric cocktails, whatever you decide, you won't be disappointed! To book a table at Cottons restaurant visit www.cottons-restaurant.co.uk for more information.



*Disclaimer: I was invited to review this restaurant but all words and opinions are my own*

Project B Pregnancy Box Review - Month 8

Inside my Project B pregnancy box month 8

This month I received my Project B pregnancy box and this month's theme is "prepare". Now I'm approaching my 8th month of pregnancy I have started thinking about what to pack in my hospital bag for labour.

To prepare for the big day, it’s been recommended to start packing your hospital bag, including items for both you and baby, about four to six weeks before your due date.


So it is the perfect time to receive this month's Project B box, which is full of goodies to help me get ready for labour from practical items to relaxing treats.  Here are some of my favourites:



Nurture Breast Pad

Nurture Breast Pad
Breast pads are perfect for mums and mothers-to-be to help stay dry and comfortable for those leaking moments, due to breast milk or colostrum, in pregnancy or during breastfeeding. These Nurture Breast Pads are disposable, thin and discreet and each breast pad is specifically designed with two adhesive tape strips to ensure they stay in place.



MAM Anti-Colic 160ml Nature Meadow

MAM Anti-Colic 160ml Nature Meadow
The MAM Anti-Colic is the ideal bottle for mums who want to switch between breastfeeding and bottle. The MAM teat is a unique silky-soft silicone surface, the vented base prevents air swallowing, thus helping to reduce colic and has extra wide openings for easy filling and cleaning.


Sudocrem Care and Protect

Sudocrem Care and Protect
If your baby is suffering from nappy rash then they will need a cream to help sooth and protect the baby's skin. Sudocrem Care and Protect offers triple protection against the causes of nappy rash. This new light ointment creates a protective barrier that seals in the skin's nature moisture and keeps it protected against external irritants and rubbing that can cause nappy rash. Plus it also guards against infection and protects the skin too.


Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Wipes

Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Wipes
Everyone knows how handy baby wipes are and Aleva Naturals Bamboo baby wipes are made of eco-friendly, unbleached bamboo, enriched with natural and organic oils. Bamboo fibres do not require a bleaching process because it contains a natural anti-bacterial agent known as Bamboo Kun. Plus they help you do your part for a greener world as the Bamboo wipes are 100% biodegradable within 21 days.


GLUCO

GLUCO
It's a good idea to keep any eating or drinking during labour to keep your energy up so Gluco products contain fast acting glucose, the body's preferred energy source is just what you might need if you're feeling a little tired in pregnancy. They're free of artificial nastiness such as aspartame or caffeine which makes them a great choice if you're looking for the best option available when you need an energy boost.


*Disclaimer: The products featured were gifted to me for review however all words and opinions are my own*

Thursday 19 May 2016

Theraline Maternity & Nursing Pillow review

Theraline Maternity & Nursing Pillow

Pregnant ladies know how uncomfortable carrying a big bump can be. Now well into my third trimester, my bump is growing bigger by the day and as wonderful as it is being pregnant it can get sore and very tiring especially when sleeping.

Pillows are good at offering support for your legs, bump and back but no matter how many pillows you place behind your back or under your legs, it’s never quite doing the job of making you feel comfortable!  So I was pleased to receive the Theraline Maternity & Nursing Pillow to review as I’ve heard lots of great things about it.

First impressions when you open the packaging is just how big the pillow is. It is much bigger and longer than I expected and I was wondering how I would get the best use out of it.

The pillow is large but very light and filled with millions of micro beads

However, as we all know, looks can be deceiving. It is not until you actually start using the pillow then you get to feel the benefits of this product and it really is as good as they say it is!

Although it is long, the pillow is very light and filled with millions of micro beads, allowing you to easily change positions as it moulds around your body making it a perfect support throughout pregnancy.  It’s free from product nasties so it’s anti-allergenic, breathable and can be washed by removing the outer cover too.  The best bit? It’s extremely flexible and able to be bend into any shape you need, providing both support and relief for your bump, back and legs.

I love the support the Theraline pillow offers for your back; as well as for sleeping, I use it most whilst sitting on the sofa to prop myself up. Place it behind your back and fold it into a v-shaped pillow so that your body is in a supported and comfortable position, it makes relaxing in front of the TV comfortable again!

My favourite way to use my Theraline pillow - propped up on the sofa relaxing in front of the TV!

There are lots of different ways to use the pillow throughout pregnancy. Here are some of my favourite ways to use it:

On your feet all day – Use the pillow to prop up your legs and feet to help to help reduce fluid retention.
Trouble sleeping - If like me you’re having trouble sleeping use it to place the bottom curve of the pillow between your legs. It makes it easier to roll over and you have support holding your legs in place when sleeping.
Back support – Use the pillow as a back support when you watch TV on the sofa or work on your laptop, instant back support!

This pillow is fantastic! It provides the ultimate comfort at a time when you are feeling most uncomfortable and it is also reasonably priced too, compared to other pillows on the market. Best of all, you can continue to use it after birth once your baby arrives for breastfeeding.

Theraline pillow is available to buy online here and retails at £44.95. Visit their website www.theraline.co.uk to view the full range of products including nursing pillows, caesarean belt and more.





*Disclaimer: The product featured were gifted to me for review however all words and opinions are my own*
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