Ayra Rose - A review.

Ayra Rose is a new online clothing range which stocks the cutest but also beautifully stylish clothes for young children.
The clothes are custom designed, so you can be quite certain that your fashionista is wearing a completely unique style. From gorgeous rompers to beautiful denim dresses, I've even seen a cute black and white stripe 'twinning' outfit. Thats right, mum and daughter set - I LOVE a little twinning moment.

We were sent some lovely items for M and J. Take a look:

J's outfit is absolutely adorable. It looked incredibly comfortable and perfect for warm, sunny days. I was really surprised at the quality of the material. Where the clothes are not from a well-known high street brand, there is the risk about quality but J's body vest and harem trousers were soft and passed my 'hand' of the fabric test - which literally means how it feels when touched. The fabric is thick (ever noticed how Primark clothing is VERY thin!) and smooth which needs to be when you have a toddler who is into everything!

M was sent a gorgeous necklace which she instantly fell in love with, in fact, she hasn't taken it off.

The colours are bright and highly complimentary of most outfits. I'm not sure of the exact materials used but has a 'rubber' feel which M loved. She says it felt soft on her skin and not too heavy either.

Have a look at some of the other gorgeous items for sale at Arya Rose:

Does it really matter?

It happened again.

Random stranger: Ah, he is gorgeous and SO big. Hope labour wasn't too hard for you with this one?

Me: It wasn't easy, but ended up with emergency c-sec again.

Stranger: Oh really? I'm sorry to hear that.

WHY? WHY ARE YOU SORRY?

....

Breathe, Holly. Do not give lady evil death stare. Walk away.

How many of you has this happened to? I don't get it. There is no law to say that natural birth is the holy grail of labour. Who the hell cares? Who cares if you took a months worth of drugs in the space of 24 hours just to numb the excruciating pain. Who cares if you told your partner you hated him and to feck off for what he has done to you.

What really matters? That gorgeous baby that is happily smiling back at you right now because he is being fed his favourite yoghurt.

My babies will not feel let down because they were born by a c-sec. 

Ladies, labour and raising babies is a tough enough job as it is. Less of the patronising or condescending tone. 

We're in this together right? 

Review: Prince Lionheart BoosterPod

Due to my hectic work schedule - principle of my dance school DanceJam, Freelance dance teacher and part-time social media junior exec, *I AM SUPERWOMAN* - Molly spends a couple of days with her nanny. Where she is spoilt rotten!

We didn't want to buy a highchair as Molly is getting bigger by the day and a highchair would just be a complete waste of money.
Prince Lionheart came to the rescue. Last year, I reviewed the bebePod as an alternative to the Bumbo, and this is a step up.

Straps on to the chair, it allows your toddler to feel more a part of the family dinner table and the seat looks incredibly squishy and comfy!

Molly actually sits in it for fun. I promise I don't deprive her of actual fun.

Prince Lionheart always manages to come up trumps when it comes to style, use-a-bility but above all, comfort!

Here's Molly and some boosterPod lovin':

Don't forget to check out Prince Lionheart's other products here.

This is an honest review and I recieved the boosterPod on behalf of Prince Lionheart.

Does she know who I am??

Well, I have survived a crazy, crazy week. Usually in my profession, half-term means a week off. Of course, I am now in the same league of parents who no longer have a half-term 'off' and that from now on, half-term is only going to get crazier and busier.

This half-term, however, meant work for me. And I mean, full on work! Teaching all day at a children's dance workshop and then straight to rehearsals for a show for another school and then at the end of work my normal teaching jobs. I literally didn't stop.

Now because I work in the evenings, I am lucky I get to spend all day with Molly. And driving off to work, means I get to put my music up a little louder and shout loudly at he who dares to cut me up.

But this week, I was out in the day, every day, and sometimes not home until 10.30/11pm. Come Wednesday, it's safe to say, I was definitely fighting back tears as I left the house. I missed her like crazy. My brief moments I had with her in the morning, i wondered.....Does she think I don't care about her anymore? Has she forgotten I am her mummy? Does she prefer Nanny looking after her instead? Completely tormenting myself, and feeling incredible guilt as I left her for another day.

Ok, so I know I am being silly but I think these are completely normal reactions. But is it almost impossible to get the right balance? i wasn't having 'me' time, I was having 'career' time, but either or, is it impossible to do either without feeling prangs of guilt?

I once read a quote "You can be a mum and have a career, or you can be a mum and have a social life. Never both". Really? I mean that's silly right? But I think if I had all 3, all I would do is feel guilt. Am I setting myself up for having a very clingy baby?

Answers on a postcard....

Bloom - Review

OK...main factors to consider when choosing a highchair:

1. Practicability
2. Comfortableness

Factors to consider when I choose a highchair:

1. Style and will I gain extra 'cool-mum' points??

So after 30 mins of assembling the 'chosen one'...

et voila.

The Bloom Fresco. When God was giving out looks to highchairs, this was first in the queue. But, dear friends,  to my surprise, it's very practical. The Fresco has a crib, so you can lean the chair back for smaller babies, and then lift back up for an older baby. You can raise the seat, or lower, to keep in line with a dining table, AND its incredibly easy to clean. Easy to wipe, and no annoying little holes for crumbs to sit and hide and you can remove the seat pad to make sure there are no escapee crumbs too.

See not just a pretty face, huh?

BUT. Sorry there is a but. I couldn't put Molly in it straight away. She was 6 months and she looked so small and uncomfortable, that I had to wait. Molly was a small baby though but I still feel that it's best to wait until they can sit up properly.

Oh and just so you know, Kourtney Kardashian has one. That was enough for me.

Bloom

'Like' them on Facebook

@bloomglobal

Emma Levine - Review

Since becoming mama to Molly, one thing I have noticed is the growing competition between online children sites selling unique and incredibly stunning products. Targeted at mummies like me who always think 'only the best for my child' and a complete sucker for anything bright, funky and Boden-esque.

My new find is the gorgeous Emma Levine store, which I just need to share with you. If you are weak like me with a penchant for spending on your kids and run the risk of bringing up incredibly spoilt children, you may want to look away now. You're still looking aren't you......

Emma's inspiration comes from all things vintage. And if you take a look at the website, you will find nothing remotely tacky. In fact, I absolutely adore every single item. And the best bit: It's reasonably priced. YAY!

Molly was sent two fabulous outfits. A butterfly printed jersey t-shirt and legging combo and a romper with hat.

The jersey legging outfit (£29) is just adorable. In fact, I want one for me.

The romper is also equally as adorable, however the hat didn't fit Molly (yep mummy googling large baby head!) and also instead of where poppers are, they have used buttons. Classier, yes. Annoying, yes!!!!

Take a look at the outfits below, and my gorgeous Molly too. And then get exercising those fingers for some intense online shopping at Emma Levine.

*Only girls clothes sold, I'm afraid!!

Emma Levine also has a Facebook page. Take a look.

Manhattan Toy - Review

Since Day 1 ( well almost, anyway) Molly has struggled with 'Tummy Time" - and yes, I do sing that to the tune of Hammer Time. Oh god, I'm an embarrassment already, poor girl! But anyway, 'Tummy Time' is not been her favourite past time.

Speaking to those wonderful guys over at Manhattan Toy HQ, they decided to send me the water mat, which helps promote and encourage playing on tummy.

The mat come deflated and you simply just fill up to the water line. The objects inside the mat start to float about in the water. As always, NEVER leave your little one alone with the mat.

Ok, so I would love to say after using the water mat, Molly loves 'Tummy Time' and is well on her way to crawling....but she isn't. And she still hates being on her tummy. However, she lasts a little longer now with the mat, which is great as it continuously strengthens those neck and little arm muscles.

I'm sure one day she will just 'get it' and I won't be doing tummy time with her when she is 25!



Do read my previous Manhattan Toy review here. Manhattan Toy produce FABULOUS toys for babies. Molly is completely fascinated by each toy - she never tires from exploring and playing with each toy, learning basic skills to assist her for the future. TEAM MANHATTAN TOY!

Little Linens - Review

Every once in a while, you stumble across something special. Whether that be a picture or a restaurant/shop. Well somehow I stumbled across this website: Little Linens.

Little Linens design and create stunning, timeless and hand finished linen clothing. The designs certainly have a sense of 'days gone by' but a little modern twist. And not only that but each garment is made using fine linen cloth, washed to remove shrinkage which will also make the the garment beautifully soft. And...my favourite bit.... the buttons are mother-of-pearl, drilled from real sea shells. How gorgeous is that?!!

As a fan of all things nautical, it's only fitting that Molly had a little sailor girl dress. All she needs now is a straw hat, little ribbon in her hair (when she gets hair!!) and a yacht, which she can buy for her mummy and daddy when she becomes a doctor later on in life ;-)

Check out mummy's little sailor girl:

 Please excuse my deluxe PJ bottoms!!

Venice Sailor Dress  - SALE £15.00

The dress Molly is wearing is 3-6 months, which is her size, however this came up fairly big. So if ordering, do bear this in mind.

Please go and have a look at Little Linens - they even have a FAB sale on!!

Watch Me Think - genius!

Since becoming Mama Holly, I have literally been mesmerised and brainwashed into every baby shop/baby aisle/online shop with the thought of buying the best and only the very best for my little girl (and clearly molding her into becoming a very demanding princess - uh-oh!) but everything is so pweeety and shiny and er...pink, how can I resist?!
But along with all the fabulous, gleaming, 'we're considerably richeeerrr than you' products, unfortunately so are the 'what in the b'jesus was I thinking when I bought this' products. The market for baby products is incredibly huge, that as a first-time mother you automatically think that your darling little one NEEDS the overly priced singing and dancing swingy chair thing which makes sounds such as whales, birds, the womb, heartbeat and it also feeds your baby at night and sings them to sleep (ok, so the last two were a lie, but wouldn't that be GREAT!). It's not until you get it home, unboxed and searched high and low for those Duracell AA's to get the damned thing to work, that you realise it was completely not worth it!

Step into the spotlight:

Watch Me Think is a great new way to upload video's to demonstrate the downfalls of a certain product which would save a lot of time and effort for mere mortals like me. Or even if you have a found a different use for a product, but not only that, a way to say to the online world 'I LOVE THIS!'.

And if your anything like me and fairly driven by the dollar, then the good news is: You get paid! 4x a year, into Paypal account and 'Thinkers' get 50% share of the profit. The catch? There is no real catch as such, however you do need to upload a vid with a product that you feel could be a little more 'worked on' or have a wonderful new idea in ways to better the product, and if that brand 'wahoo' your idea....then you can shout 'show me the money'!

Now no one go stealing my night-feeding, lullaby singing chair idea....I predict big things with this!

For more info:

www.watchmethink.com
Twitter: @watchmethink
Facebook:Watch Me Think

I want to be a Portland Mummy.....

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege and pleasure to be invited up to The Portland Hospital, London to have a look at the perks of giving birth in a private hospital.

To be quite honest, I didn't really know what to expect. I knew it wasn't going to be anything like an NHS hospital, that's for sure, but i did wonder if it would be a little pretentious and snooty, and that if i walked in through the front door in my sunnies i could be papped.....unfortunately there were no paparazzi (damn it!) and it was neither pretentious or snooty!
Greeted with a steaming hot cup of coffee and a muffin - which my dear followers, I kindly declined...DUKAN DIET STILL GOING STRONG I HAVE YOU KNOW! - we sat down to listen to Dr Elia Maalouf, Consultant in General Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine. He went into a little detail about the other services the Portland provide other than maternal and postnatal care:

• Neonatal Intensive Care
• General Paediatrics
• Paediatric Gastroenterology
• ENT
• Paediatric Psychiatry & Psychology 
• Out of Office ' Doc Around The Clock' - Consultant Paediatrician available 9am-9pm Mon-Fri and 10am-2pm Sat.

They also provide physiotherapy for both woman and child, Radiology and MRI with radiologists from Great Ormand St, Play Therapy which is used to help a child learn about a forthcoming operation so a teddy is used with bandages and pretend cannula's and many more!!!

The reassuring aspect to antenatal care is that you know your baby will be in safe hands, if anything were to happen. They have a resident 24hr doctor who will also attend delivery especially if an emergency c-sec is needed and they also have 1 nurse per baby. All doctors at The Portland also work at NHS hospitals so they don't get de-skilled, as we all know how crazy NHS hospitals can be and see all sorts of special cases.

What I found most shocking is that the NHS or should I really say government, refuse to give the chicken pox vaccine as it is felt it is not really required, but c'mon....i think money probably has something to do with it. Catching chicken pox whilst pregnant or even an elderly person can be life threatening, so I am not quite sure how this is deemed not 'required'. Anyway....The Portland do the vaccine (naturally!)

We then had a presentation by Midwife Stella and Midwife Sian. Both absolutely delightful ladies, and within seconds its easy to see why ladies feel at complete ease whilst attending The Portland for their antenatal care. I will bullet point the most important aspects of why midwifery-led care is highly ranked at The Portland:

• A team of 6 dedicated midwives who provide continuity of care, compassion, support and clinical expertise throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
• Antenatal care and classes for all women and labour & delivery care for established mothers.
• 24 hr access to advice and support
• Active birth workshops and Hypnobirthing training

What i love the most about the midwifery care at The Portland? They want to 'empower' women! I love that word. EMPOWER. Women can finally take control of their own pregnancy and birth. They individualise the woman's care and proactively support their choices. Girl Power eat your heart out.
But it wasn't until I read this, that things started to hit home:


"Women who have had an unsatisfactory or traumatic birth experience in the past, often book with us for subsequent pregnancies. Our aim is to provide a positive and holistic birth experience and to empower our women with choice and support".

I could honestly feel my eyes welling up. Just thinking back to my birth, well more my after care, I just wish I had the opportunity to receive such care. Yes the NHS is free of charge. Yes the NHS are incredibly busy AND do a grand job, BUT my aftercare was shocking. The one time in my life I feel I needed someone, actually really needed someone, and of course James and my wonderful friends and family were incredible, but went the clock struck 9pm.......we were dependent on the midwifery team. On my first night, hours after giving birth, saying good bye to James, i was very scared and emotional. And I was completely ignored!

I would of given my arm to have transferred to The Portland if someone (very wealthy) had offered!

We were then given a tour of the hospital.....and all I could say was WOW, WOW, WOW!

From the beautiful suites - ones with single beds, plasma TVs, ensuite bathroom complete with Molton Brown gift set, mini fridge complete with champagne and family suite which has their own bathroom and sofa bed. OR you can opt for the double bed suite. So yes that means Daddy can stay! OR the deluxe suite, which is basically like a holiday apartment....incredible huh?!
We then made our way up the Delivery Ward. Waiting for the escalator doors to open, I anticipated the hustle and bustle of a labour ward, but you could actually see the tumbleweed bouncing about.
'Oh, are there not many ladies in then?' i asked Stella.
'Yes, every lady has there own team with them in the room'.

After viewing the rest of the hospital, including the midwifery rooms which are spacious and beautifully decorated, we then headed for our 3 course lunch complete with champers (sorry, Dukan Diet!) and off we went with our fabulous goodie bag.

On the train back, i was brainstorming. How to get rich? How to get really really rich so that when baby number 2 comes along ( I am slowly twisting James arm, slowly) I too can be treated how every woman should be at the most important time of her life.

And as a little taster.....

THE MENU


Starter:
Hummus with marinated tomatoes
Poached fruit

Main Course:
Roast Sirloin of Beef Salad
Poached Salmon Salad
Meatballs with Pappardelle

Dessert:
Banofee Pie
Cheese and Biscuits

CHILDREN'S MENU

Cheese and Tomato Pizza
Mini Fish Cakes with Tomato Ketchup
Grilled Plaice
Penne Pasta with Pesto Sauce

This is merely a snippet!!


Now for the not so tasty part (well for me anyway!) The Portland Prices:

Midwife Led Care

From 12th Week of Pregnancy: £9,250.00
From 20th Week of Pregnancy: £8,250.00
From 30th Week of Pregnancy: £7,250.00

So, to sum it up: In order to receive the best possible antenatal, postnatal, child health care and woman health care, you need money, but in my opinion...health should always come first!

Thank you The Portland Hospital for a wonderful day!