It is really happening I am going to become a mum!!

You may think I am slightly crazy as you read this post as yes for the last 6 months I have known I was pregnant; but up until this morning I think I have felt that it is some sort of dream. I have been very lucky with my health and have almost breezed through apart from the odd emotional melt down and skin break out. However I have woke up this morning at 29 weeks with a huge bump, mild panic and the huge realisation that giving birth is around the corner.

Will I be able to cope? Will I need and epidural at the birth? Can I change a nappy? Will I breast feed? Or will it be formula? Will my baby sleep? What nursery will it go to (yes even this question)? I think I need to breathe into I paper bag!!

I have tried to pin point why I have suddenly felt this gush of anxiety, was it our pram being delivered and Pete and I needing 2 hours to put it together and wishing we had both taken degrees in mechanics (and we are still unsure whether it is correct)!! our lack of nursery decoration; an unpacked hospital bag; my non existant baby wardrobe or stash of random sized nappies under my stairs??

As I sat with a very large cup of tea wearing my gorgeous Isabella Oliver maternity trousers which suddenly now fit me like a glove (they seemed huge when I bought them), I begin to take a few deep breathes and begin to write a very long to do list suddenly all I can feel is the movement of my baby and my worries and anxieties seem to melt away. I realise that as I approach 30 weeks it will not be anxiety I feel but sheer excitment, in about 10weeks I will meet my gorgeous baby!! And realise if any of those panic attacks appear again I should just use my yoga matra 'this moment will pass and I will soon meet my gorgeous baby'.

 I think it is time to start planning the baby shower!!

My Grandad Jack always in my heart

Yesterday we said goodbye but also celebrated the life of my amazing grandad Jack.

Last Thursday he lost his battle with Dementia and cancer, but right up to the last few days you always had a smile and a laugh for everyone and you were still questioning my dress sense.

Everyone who met you throughout your 88 years could not help but fall in love with your cheeky humour and generous nature. When you walked in a room it lit up you could lift me out of my darkest moments.

You were the best shopping partner; how we both just loved walking endlessly around the shops with no list just buying things that caught our eye. I will always remember the excitement you brought to Jo, Liz and I when we were very young and the Christmas paper had been forgotten but there was still the January sale in the local newsagent, 1/2 price annuals as treats that Father Christmas had forgotten.

I know you will be happy, as I am sure you will be with (Gran) Mollie running dances again together, waltzing into eternity. All I hope there are no betting shops as I am sure that will still cause a few tiffs between you both but I am sure the best whiskey will always be on tap.

I can't wait to tell my baby all about you and I just hope when they are growing up I will be able to give him or her the memories and experiences to treasure like you have given me.

Love you forever xxxx

Craving a sunkissed look in an Autumnal June

I think I speak for most girls out there at the moment (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong), the weather has been more like October than June and so faced with very few options of excursions we would usually turn to the TV for some escapism and yet all we are faced with is sport, sport, more sport and the odd episode of a murder mystery drama!! As we all come down from the high of the Jubilee festivities it seems like June as we know it has gone mad!!

I am craving an escape, so I have bought '50 Shades of Grey'!! and at least to look sunkissed so I decided to do some research into some of the newer tanning products I have come across and wonder with they will tempt me away from my faithful St Tropez Mousse.

I am huge fan of Leighton Denny so could not resist trying his new 'Sun Believable'. I purchased my 3 piece starter kit from QVC for £27.00 it included the mousse, mitt, exfoliator and

moisturiser.  Like his other products 'Sun Believable' does not disappoint. When you apply the tan it is slightly green in colour much more than St Tropez but this does not effect the result. I am very fair and it gave me a natural looking tan. The only thing I would say for those fake tan smell haters the smell is very evident when you put it on but completely disappeared when I showered the following morning. Definitely a repeat purchase.

The next product I went for was the Elemis Total Glow Gradual Tanning cream. I am a huge fan of Elemis, despite my bank balance often not loving this admiration, however I bought this as a duo and the price was very competitive, £29.76 (QVC). 

I love this product!! I have been using it as my summer moisturiser and unlike other gradual tanners it does not have a distinctive biscuit smell which makes it perfect for daily use. I am not as dark as if I was using a fake tan however if the sun does ever shine I will be confident to ditch my opaques!!

The last product I could not resist purchasing is a hot off the press product launched this summer from James Read the 'Tantalist'. Tanning expert James Read has worked with everyone from Lady Gaga to Clive Owen, and has bronzed stars for events such as the Oscars, Grammys and Brits. Based at the Sanderson Hotel's Agua Spa, Read has also tanned models for a wide range of fashion week shows.

So instead of despairing at the TV tonight I shall be bronzing up in preparation for an Autumnal June day tomorrow. I will keep you posted on the results.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2011/10/17/james-read-(1)

http://www.thetantalist.com/

http://www.qvc.com

Pregancy Treats Part 1

Sadly due to time and work commitments my boyfriend and are going to find it difficult to go on a Baby Moon so little treats will definitely be needed over the coming months.

My first one was last weekend, I think my boyfriend booked it knowing full well I would need to recover after a night under the awning!! He booked us both in the following day to St Brides Spa in Saundersfoot, West Wales.

www.stbridesspahotel.com

I've dreamt of going to this spa for many years and it didn't disappoint. Due to availability my boyfriend just paid to use the spa facilities but I had a mum-to-be facial.

Once we got there we were directed to the robing room where we were handed gorgeous fluffy towels, robes and slippers. Once ready to Spa we were shown the facilities.

After a herbal tea (well we were in a spa) we headed straight to the outdoor infinity pool, sadly I watched from a deckchair due to my bump **. It is the perfect place to unwind and admire the spectacular coastal views. The wonderfully relaxing water treatment pool is heated to body temperature providing a cosy haven, even on frosty winter days or British summer days!! When the tide is in, you will experience the optical illusion of the pool edge blending to the sea below, the views were spectacular.

Once I was called for my treatment my boyfriend continued to use the rest of the facilities in the thermal suite and I was taken to this beautiful tranquil room where I think on several occasions I drifted off to sleep. My facial was called radiant glow and my skin did look and feel exactly that afterwards.

At St Brides they use VOYA, a specialist marine spa company, have used many generations of acquired wisdom harvesting the sea to create an exceptional range of beauty and skincare treatments in harmony with nature. VOYA products encapsulate something of the sea in as pure a form as possible. VOYA offers a range of 100% certified organic and seaweed based products, designed to detoxify, re-mineralize restore and protect. So are perfect to use throughout pregnancy.

The experience was over too soon and I cannot wait to return, (hint hint Mr Tyler).

** The Thermal Suite & Hydro Pool are not available during pregnancy This package is available after the first twelve weeks of pregnancy or from six weeks after delivery.

Sleeping in an Awning 6 Months Pregnant!!!

I know I thought my days under canvas were over for 9 months at least however my boyfriend had other plans!!

After being washed out of Creamfields last year in a tidal wave of mud my boyfriend and I were determined to be prepared for this years festival season and bought a top of the range tent from a high street outdoor retailer however with my gorgeous bump getting bigger day by day I had put my festival plans on hold until Glastonbury returns next year.

However with the excitement of the Jubilee weekend in the air a brief glimpse of the sun my boyfriend headed up the attic to retrieve our outdoor equipment and before you could shout camping the car was packed and we were heading west down the M4 our destination was Well Park Tenby.

Destination reached and as per usual with the British Summer the glimpse of sun had turned into rain and gail force winds!! My boyfriends parents had arrived ahead in their caravan and greeted us with a much needed cuppa. After finding our British outdoor spirit it was Wellies on and we headed into town to hopefully come back after the showers had cleared to erect out tent and cosy down for the night. Sadly even after going in and out of many gift shops and a huge cream tea the weather was no better.

On our return to the caravan we decided to save our tent and boyfriend's parents set up the awning for us complete with blow up bed!! After filling up on some well earned BBQ (I am pregnant) and a few sparkling waters it was time to add the layers and slip into our sleeping bags. It was at this point I was longing for a hot toddy not a hot water bottle!!

Thankfully I warmed up quite quickly and it was lovely waking up to warm sun rays beating down on the awning, the smell of bacon in the air and the kettle whistling in the caravan. My awning experience had not turned out to be the night from hell I imagined!! Roll on Glastonbury 2013!!!