Celebrations Made Easy with Sainsbury's

*Paid partnership with Sainsburys*

Birthdays and celebrations can be expensive right? I remember looking into specially made and personalised cakes for Arran when he turned thirty but the wait times and money for what I wanted for him was the deposit of a small car so I started to look elsewhere.

Turns out Sainsbury's stock a huge range of fun and quirky cakes so that's who we've always gone to since and we've been so impressed. As a busy mum who runs a business from home, I don't have the time to whip up a chocolate-covered extravaganza in the kitchen anymore so if Sainsbury's can give me a little helping hand, I'm gonna let them. 

So with the spirit of cake in mind, I want to show you three of my absolute favourites that you can pick up with your weekly shop and still have change from a £20 note.

Birchbox X Rock My Wedding Limited Edition Box

We are well and truly approaching wedding season so the Birchbox X Rock My Wedding couldn't have come at a better time. Launching tomorrow, the limited edition box features ten must have beauty samples for the season of love and it is one you are gonna want to get your hands on even if it's just for the Becca compact! 

The box is released tomorrow but you can join the waiting list now so you don't miss out. 

It's Time to Ditch the car for Bluestar

*This is a paid partnership with Bluestar*

As someone who doesn't drive, I'm a frequent bus user in Southampton and now more than ever it is easier to get around by bus in our city. There's always been a stigma about getting the bus but with more than three million people nationwide choosing to leave their car at home and grab a bus, it's becoming a much more popular way to get around. 

Plus, all the time you're leaving your car at home, you're helping the environment! 

Bluestar have been operating in Southampton since 1987 and with a image overhaul a few years ago promising to shine across the city, the service just keeps getting better. I want to show you a different view of buses and convince you to ditch your car and catch Bluestar next time you head into the city as well as vowing to take the Bluestar Promise.

Afternoon Tea at Gatehouse 1833

(Complimentary visit for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

If there is one thing I love to do, it's book afternoon tea with friends or family. It's such a wonderful way to spend time with the people you value the most and the perfect way to enjoy a sweet treat. There's a handful of places in Southampton that serve an indulgent afternoon tea but only a couple of them do it well, one of which is Gatehouse 1833 situated on the Royal Pier with beautiful views over Southampton water and the comings and goings of some of the world's largest cruise ships. 

I think this also makes it a great spot for children because they can watch the Red Funnel ferry to the Isle of Wight come and go while spotting the smaller boats that frequent the water. The large and open terrace makes it a great sun trap and you'll catch some of the best sunsets in Southampton from where you're sat. 

It's a pretty ideal location and that's before we've even got to the food. 

How I motivate myself on off days

Working from home and looking after Joshua means I constantly have a juggling act in play so the last year has meant I've really had to find my groove to get my to do list done especially if I'm having a major off day. I'm a big fan of self care even though I forget to implement it myself sometimes so I've had to make sure I have some fail safe ways to motivate myself when I really am having an off day and need to crack on with what I need to do. 

I've found solace in similar posts like this when I was really struggling. It's hard to find that balance and know when you just need a little push or a complete break. Each of the things I share in this post are what helps me give myself a kick to get going. They're simple, easy to implement and really do help me.

The L'Occitane Verbena Beauty Easter Egg

Easter is fast approaching and if there is someone in your life who isn't a chocolate lover then I have the perfect alternative. I first came across L'Occitane Beauty Eggs last year and loved the concept so this year I had to share my favourite one with you.

There are two variations to choose from as well as a cute egg pack featuring four Mini Easter Eggs which would be ideal for putting in an Easter hamper for friends or family!

The Best Grahams Natural Products for Any Skin Condition

We’ve talked before about the importance of a good skincare routine, even if you only have a few minutes each day to devote to it. As you age, your routine might start to look different depending on your needs, or if you develop any skin conditions. 

That's why I’m excited about Grahams Natural products. They’ve been around for quite some time, but having just been introduced into Boots stores, Grahams Natural products are more readily available to people throughout the UK. 

As you might expect, the greatest draw to these skincare products is that they’re all-natural. You don’t have to worry about what potentially-harmful chemicals you’re putting on your skin. They even have a skincare line for kids that you can feel good about!

The difference between Grahams Natural and many other skincare lines is that they focus specifically on treating different skin conditions. Let’s take a look at how these products can work for you if you’ve been struggling with skin issues your whole life, or just recently. 

Eczema Relief

It's estimated that up to 15 million people in the UK have some form of eczema. Some of the most common symptoms are: 

Dry, itchy skin

Redness

Oozing

Areas of swelling

Dark-colored patches

While there is no cure for eczema, Grahams Natural products are used to manage flare-ups and keep symptoms at bay. They are meant to hydrate the skin, bring down inflammation, and treat any underlying infections that could be causing your symptoms to be worse. As you know if you do have eczema, it can be irritating and even painful. Finding a product that can soothe that pain and burning can make a big difference!

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis affects about 3% of the population worldwide. It’s not contagious from person-to-person and usually doesn’t leave any kind of scarring. But, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a painful and embarrassing skin condition to deal with. 

Psoriasis typically causes patches or lesions on the skin that are often inflamed, red, and itchy. Like eczema, there is no cure for psoriasis. But, there are ways to manage your symptoms. 

The Grahams Natural psoriasis cream helps your skin to retain more moisture and essentially ‘normalises’ it. As a result, you’ll be less likely to want to itch at it, and it won’t become as inflamed. The cream itself can be used on its own but the company encourages using an oral medication as well (as prescribed by your doctor), since some people with psoriasis have a hard time with skin absorption. 

These are just a couple of the most popular skincare products offered by Grahams Natural. The also offer products meant for people with rosacea, everyday acne, and even those with diabetes who have to deal with skin cracking, and a greater risk of calluses and other foot issues.

If you’ve been struggling with a skin condition for a while but you don’t want to deal with harmful chemicals or ingredients you can’t pronounce, their line of products can be a welcomed breath of fresh air when it comes to managing your symptoms and finding some relief!

Our Disappointing Baby Buys

Babies come with a lot of stuff, don't they? I don't think we were prepared for how much stuff they actually need and how much they really don't. We were firm from the beginning that we wouldn't buy into every new fad and top ten baby wish list and we did stick to that but there were some things we thought we'd need after advice from others that we could've done without and are currently sat in our loft collecting dust. 

These are all things that just didn't work for us no matter how many times we tried. I won't tell you how many baby bouncers we actually tried before settling with the one we did and still realising it was a waste of money. 

Meat Alternatives just became even easier at Sainsbury's

*This is a paid partnership with Sainsbury's*

Meat Alternatives and veganism has become quite mainstream in recent years which is fantastic to see as it makes it so much more accessible. I class myself as a meat eater but we do eat a lot of meat-free products and vegan food especially when we're out due to Joshua's allergy to dairy. I find myself much more reassured ordering vegan food than trying to whittle down something that's dairy-free so I order a vegan main meal and share with my little guy. It's opened me up to a whole different world of food over the last year and has given me the push to try those alternatives at home too. 

Gone are the days of minimal choice with not a lot of flavour, admittedly some places do still need some work when catering for everyone but Sainsbury's have really nailed their meat alternative range this year and we're big fans.