Wednesday 30 December 2015

Toddler Sick Day Essentials

Tom seems to frequently have something bothering him, usually teething or a cold, but this week we experienced something else, something different, something vomity. 

So, as I like a silver lining I decided to write about the things that make situations like that a bit nicer, or more manageable, nothing makes a toddler vomiting in your hand nice!

The Jug
So I think most houses have a sick bowl, a general essential for hangovers/sick days. Well as Tom was yacking his guts up and we didn't have time to grab our go to bowl Mr B got his hair washing jug, and it was perfect! Mouth sized and flexible so Tom could independently hold it over his mouth and get it squished against his face and hold it by himself. It is also long enough that Tom wasn't near his own vom. I know this isn't the most interesting of subjects, but it's handy to know! (Munchkin Soft Rim Shampoo rinser Blue https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JBCJTJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_L0cHwbTCM2AM9) 



Pyjamas
Being ill is definitely  grounds for a pj day, you just need to be all cosy and comfy! I love these Little Green Radicals - London cotton jammies as they will keep your tot cool, essential if they have a fever and the button  front is handy as you don't want to be pulling a sick covered top over your little ones face. (http://gorgeouslittlegeorge.co.uk/collections/boys-clothes?page=4)



DVD
If you are spending the day in your jammies then you will want to be snuggled on the sofa and watching a film. Me and Tom have got a serious Alvin and the Chipmunks addiction, especially the 80s style theme tune, a YouTube essential! Do do, do do de do! 



Cuddle Blanket
So you are on the sofa watching Chipmunks, looking fly in your jammies, jug to hand, you feel all sleepy, you need a lovely cuddly blanket! Growing up we had a woobie blanket, just a simple plaid blanket but it was the go to blanket when you felt poorly sick. In my house now we have a massive blue knitted blanket that was given as a present when I was pregnant with a tag saying it was so the baby would never be cold (a present from a child), and it makes me reminisce of that whenever I use it! 

Boots Paracetamol Suspension  
In Boots, Calpol costs £5.99/200ml and the Boots own brand of a paracetamol suspension is £4.49/200ml. It's essentially  the same product, so it's as simple as that, why pay more! Every house should have a bottle! And it comes with a plunger just like Calpol. 



Fun Sippy Cup
Dehydration becomes of vital importance when a child is being sick. You want your toddler to to be able to drink but not gulp down water to avoid becoming further ill. I like this Thomas cup as Tom is mega into trains, so that alone will encourage him to drink! The bottle also has a freezer stick so that the water will remain cool which again would help with a fever.  (http://m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?path=%2Fen%2FThomas-Flip-Top-Toddler-Cup-with-Freezer-Stick_1286545%2F&unCountry=uk)



Mummy and Daddy Cuddles 
Of course no sick toddler would be complete without a day of cuddles! The magical healing properties of a lovely cuddle, bonus points if they fall asleep on you!

Monday 28 December 2015

New Years : Part One

My friend on Instagram @30_and_healthy recently posted a list of her achievements in 2015 as a more positive spin on New Years resolutions. I love the concept and have decided to blog both an achievements and resolutions post, to look back on 2015 and forward to 2016!

Achievements 

Started diploma in counselling
I am incredibly proud to be a student and am working towards my dream of being a counsellor. It is difficult to balance work, home and studies but it makes each accomplishment that much better!

Passed first essay
In light of this, I passed my first essay! Horray! Here's hoping the rest will follow suit!

Made friends
This applies to both being on my course and via my blog, YouTube and Instagram! I am starting to feel much more connected to the world and its lovely inhabitants! 

Started therapy
This is a biggie! Personal therapy is a requirement for my course and it is incredibly demanding. But my word, I am so much happier for starting it! I feel like I am more able to freely express myself and understand who I am. I ❤️ Therapy! 

Personal growth and change
As an offshoot of therapy I can see many changes in myself, most of which have taken so much work to facilitate but I am so proud of who I am becoming. 

Raised Tom 
Being a mama is really hard and most of the time you do it with no clue really as to what you are doing! I am so proud of the little man Tom is becoming. 

Started blogging and YouTube 
I have flirted with blogging before but was too shy to take it forward. So to commit and start to blog is huge! I often feel that it's not good enough but I am trying to remember that it's baby steps! I am really looking forward to seeing where blogging and YouTube will take me in 2016! 

Planned Mr B's and Tom's birthday
It's a funny one to end with but their birthdays are a month apart and were both big birthdays so I really put in 100% to both! They both went really well and I have treasured memories! But I am looking forward to a bit of an easier year for the next ones!



Do you have any special achievements for 2015? 

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Want, Need, Wear, Read : Me! 20-something mums with fabulous taste!

The final instalment of the gift guide! I left a gap as I was waiting for my birthday to pass, after all what is the point in asking for what you already have!

Want : I am loving this blogger travel mug, or well, blogger anything! I am really proud of starting my blog and the progress I have made, sure I should spell check more often and writing at 3 AM isn't always a good idea, but it's me and for that I am happy! So this little travel mug from Esty is a mark of pride! 
(https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/228989368/bloggers-gonna-blog-pink-travel-mug?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_c-home_and_living-kitchen_and_dining-drink_and_barware&utm_custom1=13eaca8d-733d-aac9-d2f8-0000477bdd6e&gclid=CjwKEAiAkb-zBRC2upezwuyguQ4SJADZG08vWCQvlkQ9gBMSt53FrS3vjTyNydW2iCKw2vQYJZBKCRoCxoTw_wcB)



Need : My go to mascara is L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara in black. It gives me a long full effect, not dissimilar to They're Real by Benefit, except not a total ball ache to try and remove at the end of the day. This mascara kicks arse, and I'm nearly at the end of my tube. This is the first mascara I am dreading to run out and might be the first I have ever fully used! So I'm a needing a back up for the eventual sad day that she goes to mascara heaven! 
(http://m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=uk&path=%2Fen%2FLOreal-Paris-Miss-Manga-Mascara-Black_1416309%2F)



Wear : For my birthday I received a beautiful 15" Cambridge Satchel in  a lovely dusky blue, perfect for work and college. I live the brand and have mega fallen for the silver cloud bag! I really need a decent evening out bag as generally I like something spacious with a strap and being as I'm not likely to get a Chanel chain bag anytime soon I would take this as a blimmin' good second!
(https://www.cambridgesatchel.com/en-gb/the-metallic-collection/the-small-metallic-cloud-bag/CLDSM1132PGH11901.html?cgid=metallic-collection#start=5)



Read : Read is a tricky one, as a student I do not get much free time to read things that aren't about counselling! So I would love Ann adult colouring book to de-stress when I am not studying! I have ordered myself a bible verses colouring book but not as pretty as the one below! With the idea that I am working on my body and soul! It's all about time management! 
(Beauty in the Bible: Adult Coloring Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/194132522X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_QesCwb3HVX89Z)



I hope you have enjoyed all my gift guides! It's been a pleasure to write them! 
Have a merry Christmas X 

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Want, Need, Wear, Read : Dad/Granddad

Instalment number 7 for the Christmas gift guide! And nearly at the end! This ones for the Dads and Granddads! I don't know if it's just me but I really struggle with what to get men and especially my Dad, it often seems that we have bought it all before and it's getting harder and harder to be creative! 

Want : Now I don't think my really seems to want anything these days but I think everyone wants a hot cuppa when they can and the Bodum travel mug will keep your tea for literally hours! So if you have an outdoors dad who enjoys gardening or fishing it would be perfect. Stylish and chic, this is an present that will be appreciated by all! (http://m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/bodum-travel-mug-0-35l/p1943665?colour=Blue&un_jtt_v_pdp=yes&un_jtt_v_from_product=un_product_3#page_loaded)



Need : My dads always worked hard and after a long day he will often come home and have a bubble bath, much to my amusement! Well if you are going to have bubbles there is nothing better than Lush! I love this Santa's Belly set, containing two products it will make for a lovely gift in its bauble packaging and it's a practical gift to make the recipient feel festive after every use! (https://www.lush.co.uk/products/under-15/santas-belly)



Wear : This chunky fair isle cardigan will suit men of all tastes, shapes and ages, a bit of a timeless classic! Not much else to say about it! 
(http://www.clothingattesco.com/mens-knitwear/f+f-fair-isle-shawl-collar-cardigan/invt/es522407)



Read : Aldi's Premium Whisky Gift Set includes a whisky appreciation book, so I'm saying it counts! It also comes with a nice glass and three aged single malt whiskies, all in a nice box for £12.99. I was surprised to see this in Aldi as it has a real look of quality to it, I'm sure any whisky drinkers would old joy perusing the book whilst having a nice glass! Cheers! (https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/product-range/christmas/christmas-drinks/spirits/product-detail/ps/p/premium-whisky-gift-box/)



I hope you have enjoyed it! Have I missed anything?