Mother Nature Maternity Shoot

Oh Hai!

I'm writing this post at 39 weeks pregnant, sat in giant pants and old t-shirt and bouncing on a birthing ball. I bet even Beyonce wasn't as glamorous as this when she was 'in the family way', eh?

I have been wanting to share these photos for a few months now but haven't really known where or when would be best. 

Since I'm fast approaching the end of my pregnancy journey, I decided now would be perfect. 

Back in Autumn I asked Linda Blacker if I could hire her amazing photography services to create a maternity shoot with a difference. I'd spent a lot of time trawling through pinterest and seeing beautiful women in fields with golden light, gorgeous silhouettes in black and white and men with their hands protectively holding bumps with care. I love all of these but I really wanted something a bit more magical. 

If there's one woman who can do magical photoshoots, it's Linda Blacker. If you click here, you can see more of her amazing work. Go to her with half an idea and she'll make you something dazzling I promise. 

So, we decided on a Mother Nature theme. 

Mother Nature is amazing. She is powerful, she brings life, she nurtures it, she loves it. I wanted something that really bought out the power that pregnancy brings. We focus a lot on love and gentle tenderness but there's a lot more to making a baby. Your body is going absolutely crazy building, designing, growing - that's very powerful in my book. 

I wanted to include Darcy in the shoot for obvious reasons. My two babies. One daughter waiting for the other. Mother Nature's little fairy, patiently standing by her side. 

The shoot was held at my house, in my garden with smoke bomb magic added after Darcy, bump and I were far away! 

It was really special to do something a bit different and have these magical images of the three of us to cherish. Do you like them?

Toodlepip!

xx

My Daily Treat!

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Oh Hai,

As so many of you will know, I have quite the sweet tooth and love to have a cheeky chocolate fix during my working (and let's face it, non working haha) day, so, when Ooola Secrets got in touch to tell me about their new indulgent mousse desserts, I was all ears.

Writing a book (Wilde 2 is out next year, I need to get a wriggle on- argh!) is hard work and a girl needs a treat, especially when it's only 90 calories (the pots are 60g) making it a very permissible every day treat! No guilt for this Mama as I enjoy either the Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse swirled with raspberry puree and hidden choc chips (if I can hide them from Liam long enough!

#ShareThemOrNot) or the Triple Chocolate Mousse with a secret caramel core thank you very much!

Our house is always packed full of treats (Liam is a fiend and Darcy is a typical six year old) but it's a real pleasure to have some luxuries like this for me to indulge in either whilst I'm working or, if I'm feeling wild, in the bath with my favourite Netflix shows playing on my laptop that I glamorously prop up on top of my laundry basket- I know how to live haha!

Ooola Secrets has slipped all too easily into my day and I can't see them stopping any time soon. Next time you’re in the shops, make sure you pick a pack up and you can thank me later, tehe! They are available in Tesco, Costcutter, P&H and independent stores nationwide with a RRP of £2.39 for a 3 pack (3x60g) or you can find them HERE.

Well, now I've shared this and you're life has been made all the better for it, I have to go and finish the next chapter of my new book and try not to eat a second pot!

Toodlepip!

xx

(This post is a paid for advertorial) 

The Owl Is Not The Father

Oh Hai, 

Last week was busy and this week is set to be even more so. Buckle up because I can feel a few 'challenging' days ahead!

Today marks 28 weeks pregnant and I feel like I'm nearing the home stretch. This pregnancy has felt so freaking long. I think it's safe to say, I'm not one of those people who relishes it. I relish the results, but the feeling uncomfortable, missing out on things and forgoing my blessed cheeses, that's a nil point from me. 

Today we are heading out to view some local nurseries for new baby to attend when she's old enough. I feel ok about this. It's funny because when Darcy was little, I was so against putting her in nursery as a baby and felt it was a reflection of my love for her if I did. IE. I didn't love her enough. I obviously now know this is cray. At 18 months I put her in for 2 sessions a week and by 4 she was in for 3 days a week and loved it. I loved it too!

Life is quite different now, I work full time, as does Liam and so childcare is definitely something we are going to need from an early point. I think a couple of sessions a week will really benefit us all and this time, I feel ok about it. No guilt, no fuss, just got to make sure it's a nursery we love.

Maybe it's true what they say about your second baby- maybe things do get easier!!

Toodlepip!

xx