Review : Elegant Touch False Nails : 143

I am going to be a bridesmaid for my friend this week and initially intended to go to the nail shop and sit awkwardly whilst inhaling acetone and wondering if I can borrow a mask. But then I saw on HotUKDeals (a deal site and app that I would highly recommend to you thrifty mamas) that Poundworld was selling Elegant Touch nails for, you guessed it, a pound! Being as we are due to go on holiday (see previous post) I thought I would save some pennies and give these a try.

I have quite small hands and nails so I bought the XS size which still carried a good variety in the pack (10 different sizes, 24 nails total). I used the style 143 Fench Manicure - American Pink, this has the classic French tip and the nail has a mild pink tone but matches my real nail well. Due to the XS size the tip isn't too long, so although they don't look real (obvs!) they aren't ridiculously long and false looking.

The pack includes the nails, the glue and nail file so you can shape the nail and shorten it if desired. The nails have a tab on the end for easy application and are a doddle to apply. The nails fit comfortably on the finger and once on they feel secure. 

So far I am really happy with these nails and pretty pleased to have saved £20+ by not going to a shop, plus I know my nails won't be as wrecked as they would be by acrylics! I will update this post about wear and tear once I know more! 

Cosatto Yo! : Stroller Review

From when Tom was a newborn until last month I used the Graco Quattro Travel System as Tom's pram and it was great, it met all our needs but it had one big draw back... It was huge! It was a beast! As Tom was starting to get out of the pram and walk whilst we was out and about I needed something that I could push with one hand whilst holding Toms as he walks (runs away).

We had a cheap Hauk stroller which we used on holiday and it served a need but was horrible to push. We then bought a secondhand Maclaren XLR, a brilliant stroller but it had been used a lot and felt unsteady which I wasn't comfortable with. So I decided that I would get one I really wanted and get a Cosatto.

I love Cosatto prams, pushchairs, and everything else. Cosatto has a really unique style and are bold and bright but also have great reviews on quality and sturdiness. I knew I wanted one and the Yo! stroller looked like it would meet our needs well.

The Cosatto website describes the Yo! as "Explore extraordinary.Yo! is the lightweight umbrella-fold pushchair that adapts to your adventures.Feature fabulous and stacked with stuff, Cosatto’s Yo! is your all-weather warrior – perfect for gadding about.Cosy just got real."

I found one secondhand on eBay for £20, a great price in a used but good condition. I would have loved to buy one new (I frequently perv on the Pow design!), but I couldn't afford one on top of Christmas. After a wash and a fabreeze, and some handle covers it was ready to roll (boom boom!)

Today I tested out the pram for the first time, and oh my, swoon. The pram is light, easy to push, fitted well on the bus, a decent basket. You name it, it did it! I am so happy with the quality and it's much easier to get about rather than a big pushchair. And Tom looked really comfortable too, he is a big boy but still has plant of room to grow. 

Overall I am so happy to be pushing around my new stroller! It's bright, it's big and it's a dream to push! If you are on the lookout for a stroller I would highly recommend a Cosatto Yo! 

Hipster baby : Courgetti

So I saw the spiralizer bandwagon and I admit I was intrigued. However, I was not £30 worth of intrigued, so I bought a handheld julienne peeler from China via eBay for 99p.

The peeler came within 2 weeks and that led to today's experiment. Now I admit that Tom doesn't particularly like courgette or spaghetti, so I expected the courgetti to be a failure. Mr B just stated "Is there no bandwagon you won't jump on?" Answer, "Nope".

I nipped to Aldi and bought a bag or courgettes (69p, very reasonable!) and I got peeling. For Tom I used one courgette and with my peeler it took about two minutes. I don't really think £30 would have been well spent as it was a piece of piss with my peeler. Once peeled I realised I made a bit much for his wee tummy so I only used half the mix. I didn't really know what to do with the courgetti as I  hadn't really thought much past using the peeler!

I decided to stir fry it with a bit of pre-cooked chicken and a drizzle of sesame oil at the end. It looked ok to me, smelt good, so next was the taste test. 

As I said earlier, I had low expectations from Tom, well I was wrong! He wolfed the lot! I think he liked that he could play with it, it held its shape well, the flavour wasn't particularly strong so not offensive or off putting and it wasn't stodgy. 

All told, I'm saying this is a fad I can get on board with! I am even looking forward to trying other stuff, but I don't know what! I don't think I could justify buying a special machine, but my lil peeler is great and if you are fancying it then I say go for it! 

Have you tried the courgetti trend? Do you have any recommendations to try next?

Product Review : Clevamama Cleva Bath

Previous to having Tom I didn't have much of opinion on bath mats and probably would have thought I was a right saddo for caring enough to write this. Well, screw you young and not tired Sophie, because here it is!

Not all bath mats are created equal. Up until recently we used a body sized sponge to lay Tom on within our bath for a bath, none of those little baby baths for us! Doing this has given Tom lots of confidence in water, too much confidence some (Mr B) might say. Tom has now started to try and crawl and walk whilst holding on to the edge, whilst in the bath. This is when we decided we needed a decent bath mat. I checked in with my mummy friends and the Clevamama bath mat was highly recommended. I have used it enough times that I feel I can give an honest reflection of its quality. 

I ordered this from Kiddicare and it came the next day, it was £10.99 which pre Tom I would have scoffed at and gone to B&M, but what I liked about this  was its size, which isn't generally available elsewhere. Now, it says it's the full length of the bath and that's not quite true but it's longer than your average and call me a size queen but I'm liking that. The length means Tom has the space to have a wee crawl with less worries about slipping. 

I also really like the texture of the mat, it's a thick rubber but like bubble rubber. So it doesn't feel like a hot water bottle it's softer and squidgier, which is obviously nicer against Tom's skin. 

The mat attaches to the bath by the little round suckers you see in the photo, I'm sure y'all have seen those before so I won't dwell.

You also get the little kneeling pad included. I wouldn't pay extra for it but it's a nice enough addition. The pad is covered in the same squishy rubber and is nice to kneel on but it's hardly shit your pants exciting. 

Overall, I accept that to many this isn't that exciting but if you are dealing with a very active tot at bath time then this really is for you! 

Product Review : Vaseline Spray & Go

Since having Tom I just haven't had time to moisturise and indulge myself, I really miss having lovely soft skin and with summer coming I decided to take charge! I had seen the Vaseline Spray & Go advertised for quite some time and it looked to be the answer to my lack of time prayers!

I bought the cocoa radiant flavour (flavour?) which contains pure cocoa butter + stratys (I have no idea what that is!). The big sell is that you spray it on and it instantly absorbs so you can get dressed and crack on. 

I've been using this for a few weeks so I can give a better review of my experience. I freekin love this product! It really does what it says, so it takes no longer than usual when getting dressed, in real terms I am actually able to moisturise now! Hurrah! I have found myself using this more than I would regular moisturiser as its so convenient, it's great! The spray leaves a subtle cocoa scent on the skin, which is pleasant but not overpowering. 

Vaseline Speay & Go is gentle on the skin and leaves it noticeably softer, it's non greasy and I have had no adverse effects. I love the product and without doubt I will continue to buy it! I paid around £3.50 for the can I currently have and if I see it on offer I will snap up a few as I will keep using it!

What's in my make up bag :

After yesterday's heavy post I thought I would lighten the mood with a what's in my make up bag post, as I really like reading other bloggers make up bag posts. I'm simple like that!

There is a lot of No. 7 in here as, just prior to returning to work I decided that I should be more grown up as I am a mother (? Blame it on the hormones not settling yet!) and so I bought some grown up makeup! It was also on a 3 for 2 day at Boots, with a combo of a voucher and boots card voucher I ended up paying around £13 for the lot! Madness!

My actual make up bag is by Happy Jackson and was a birthday present from my sister, to which I'm now obsessed with the brand as they all have cute little sayings, so this has 'Kiss + make up' on the front. It's a small/medium size so you can pack a fair bit in but don't end up lugging Boots around with you! 

I have a set of Real Techniques brushes that I bought on sale in Asda after Christmas, it's a basic set but a good starting point for building up a decent brush collection. I use the foundation brush for concealer as I don't really use foundation on a day to day basis, I would love to say it's because I have good skin but really I think it's because I'm lazy! The set also has a lovely eyeshadow brush, no guesses what I use that for! And a powder brush which I use for bronzer as it gives a good dusting without caking it on!

Next is my No. 7 Creme Touch powder, I have combination skin and can get a bit oily this isn't the most exciting thing in the world but it balanced me and looks fresh and clean. I like to think that sometimes things not being exciting and just doing what they are supposed to is really refreshing! 

The other powder is my beautiful No. 7 Shimmer Pallet bronzer compact, in the most beautiful rose gold case with a honking great mirror to boot! It's one of those with strips of gold, rose gold and more of a brown, packed with shimmer but not so much that you look like a disco ball! It goes on well and really lasts. I've also been known to use individual shades as a summery eyeshadow.

I thought I'd group my eye bits together. First up, the No. 7 Extravagant Volume mascara, I had been a die hard fan of They're Real by Benefit, but I was getting itchy feet so I thought I'd give this a crack. Boy am I glad! I think you get the same result of thick, long and well defined lashes, but you can actually get it off! And it's much less clumpy. I would really recommend it.

I also have two of the No. 7 Stay Precise liquid eyeliners, in black and chain mail (like a gunmetal grey). These eyeliners area great formulas, runny enough to shape how you want, quick drying and they last. I especially love the brush as its long, fine stands rather than a rubber of foam point, I find this offers more control and definition.

Lastly, the No. 7 ( told you there was lots!) Beautiful Eyebrows Sculpting Pencil. The pencil has the little twirly comb on one end and a triangular shaped pencil the other which I presume is to mimic the natural hair shape. The formula is just the right amount of waxy and has a good hold and a natural finish, I feel made up but not Towie made up!

Both Natural Collection items are concealers. I really like the formula they use, they are cheap and cheerful but they work and the fair shade is actually fair which is more than I can say for lots of other brands out there! 

The blush is Bourjois (seriously - does anyone know how to pronounce this without feeling like a twat) is cream to powder and is a nice subtle colour, an English rose. I got this as part of a beauty box (the Glamour one maybe?) and I am happy with it. I do prefer Benefit's Coralista but it's a ball ache to carry around where as this is lovely and compact. 

Lastly is this little gem. I wouldn't have normally owned an Avon pallet but again, my sister bought it for me! It's a perfect little pallet, small enough to take up no space and the shades can do a petty neutral or a smokey eye! It gives good colour payout with minimal fallout. I really have no complaints except that I put off using it as I was being snobby about Avon, shame on me!

I hope you have enjoyed the post, pre Tom, I used to love makeup and would have had lots more, but these days it's a much simpler life! 

Let me know your go to staples! 

Medela Swing : Breast Pump Review

Hot off the heels of writing about breastfeeding, I thought I would do a wee review of my medela swing breast pump.

I didn't start with the swing, I originally had a cheap manual pump. I got a blocked duct and needed to pump through it, I lasted about 5 minutes before Mr B was duely sent to Boots in strict orders to get me a Medela (gotta love those parenting club points)!

I had a few friends that pumped and I kept hearing that the swing was where it was at, this was firmly backed up with my online research. I also liked that it reminded me of Wayne's World - Shwing!

I found that I instantly took to the pump and was collecting milk straight away. The pump has an automatic let down function and various functions (I need one with a bit more oomph). You can also buy bigger funnel nipple cup things, which I needed as the standard fit but not brilliantly as I'm busty la roué. 

I will be truthful and say that my swing malfunctioned and the motor decided it wanted to taste man flesh. I contacted the support team via Facebook and was very pleased with the feedback. They got back to me almost instantly and was able to help me replace the whole unit with no fuss! Result! I can really recommend their customer support if you are unsure of anything. 

The unit isn't particularly noisey which is important to me as I now have to pump at work. It also comes with a little carry bag, which is nice and discreet. 

As well as being used my friends, I've also seen that Kourtney Kardashian is using Medela pump! So you even get a celebrity thumbs up!

The pump is expensive, possible the biggest expenditure so far as we bought a lot second hand. But, it is worth every penny! If you are planning on pumping you will want it to be as comfortable as possible. Treat yourself!

Do you pump? I would love to hear about your experiences!

My Pacapod Changing Bag

Pacapod 

Style : Oban

I love my nappy bag! If you are into organisation then the pacapod is for you. It works with the idea of a place for everything and everything in its place! This works especially well when Mr B is changing/feeding/attending to Toms whims in a totally different place to where I am and will ask for the location of a specific item in my bag (grr...). 

Background : Prior to the pacapod I had a more basic bag, slightly smaller with much fewer pockets, it did the job but wasn't anything special. However, it did have magical powers as whenever Mr B would try to find anything inside it, whatever it was would disappear! Eventually I grew sick of this and having read a review on lucieandthebump, I bit the bullet and boy am I glad!

Pod 1 : Changing : 

This is the grey pod with a big pocket on the back in which the change mat sits. Inside the pod there is an elastic wrap to hold the nappies, a wee elastic pocket for bags and a side pocket for creams, in the front flap (teehee flaps) there is a pocket for spare clothes. This pod is lovely and specious and organised. I find it really handy if you are at a restaurant and are doing a quick change and you don't have to lug your bag across the place and then find somewhere to rest it in the changing area.

Pod 2 : Feeding :

The feeding pod is insulated and is very spacious. In truth there isn't much to say, it's big and you can fit a load of food in it, what more could you need! It's also easy to wipe down in case of spills!

Front pockets : 

The bag also has a front zipped area and a packet in front of that. I use this area as my handbag and it's very spacious, there is compartments for your phone and a key fob area. It doesn't look that big but I can fit an impressive amount of stuff in it!

Straps :

The straps are lovely and thick, so they are easy to lug around! They have clip straps that you can connect to straps on the pram, this is super handy. The strap can also be converted into a backpack. I haven't had to use this much but it's handy if Tom is on his trike and I want my arms free.

Value for money : £80

In truth, my bag was secondhand from eBay and I paid around £20 for it. I 100% love the bag and actually do think it is worth £80 having actually got one now, but I was apprehensive prior to owning one as I didn't know if it would live up to the hype. 

When looking on the website I always stop to perv on Pheonix. she is beautiful but at £235, alas it is never to be. The dark brown leather is stunning and it really looks luxurious! 

Dream on!