MAC Nutcracker Sweet Holiday Collection

MAC Cosmetics recently revealed their festive holiday collection for this year and I have to say it is one of the most spectacular collections from the brand I have seen for a while. Nutcracker Sweet will twirl you into a dreamland world of sugarplum glitter, candy cane reds, punchy pinks and magical packaging that promises to get you into the Christmas spirit. I love the Nutcracker ballet so you can understand the excitement when I saw the row of rosy-cheeked nutcrackers appearing in my local store. Nutcracker Sweet is a whimsical collection full of fun, delightful shades and gift sets ideal for popping in a stocking or under the tree.

The collection is vast - 42 pieces in total and contains several eye palettes, highlighters, makeup bags, lip kits, glitter pigments, lip polishes and brushes sets, not to mention the individual items such as the lipsticks, eyeshadows and blushers. I have two of the lipsticks here - Kingdom of Sweets which is a cremesheen formula and is a very milky pink. So Good for You is an intense cool red in a matte formal and is an incredible shade. I love the slight cherry tone to it and I think this one could be my Christmas Day lipstick pick!

The Nutcracker Sweet holiday launch is out now on MAC online and on counters.

*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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Top Tips for Better Sleep

As you can imagine, since having a baby, sleep has become a hot topic in our household. "Enjoy your sleep now whilst you can" was a phrase that I was subjected to time and time again whilst I was pregnant but I don't think you quite realise just how valuable (and blooming lovely) sleep is until you've been in and out of bed five times in one night and have barely managed two hours of consecutive snooze time before it is time to get up and start the day! Feeling sleepy when you can't sleep is the worst! It literally effects everything...my mood, stress levels, energy, health and general motivation for the day ahead.

Now this isn't going to be a post about babies and sleep because quite frankly, after 9 months in, I have slowly learned that babies are unpredictable little people who may sleep through for four blissful months and lull you into a false sense of security and then decide that rolling around your bed at three o'clock in the morning is hilarious fun. But needless to say I have learnt important lessons during those nocturnal wakings - sleep is invaluable. Everyone needs and deserves the best night's sleep possible and the quality of sleep is just as important regardless of how long you get before you hear your little one stirring...again!

So now, nine months in, I have been making a conscious effort to make sure I set myself up for the best sleep possible as I head to bed, in trepidation, not knowing whether it will four, five, six or even eight hours until I am up again. So here are my top tips to prepare body and mind for a blissful sleep...

1. Sleep spray. This is something I have been using for a few years now and is all part of my routine before I go to bed. A few spritzes of L'Occitane Pillow Mist and my bedroom is transformed into a lavender filled haven which helps relax me and promotes good sleep.

2. Revamp your bed. This is something I hadn't really considered as a factor to a good night's sleep but since we gave our old mattress the heave-ho and started sleeping on our new Drift mattress (which does actually feel like you are snoozing on a cloud!), my sleep has definitely improved. You do spend about a third of your life lying on your mattress and I think they say you should switch it every eight years, so we were definitely due an upgrade! What I love about this new mattress is just how damn comfy it is - it has over 4000 pocket springs and has a natural sleep surface of wool (handmade from Yorkshire sheep no less!) allowing air to circulate. They offer a 100 night sleep trial and the mattress arrives all rolled up like a massive punch bag so lugging it upstairs is pretty easy. Rob and I may have actually bounced on the bed when it first arrived!

3. Digital detox. We are all guilty of sitting on our phones, typing away on our laptops and watching the latest Bushtucker Trial right up to the point of going to bed. And then once we are all snuggled up under the duvet, there is that one last check of all social media channels to ensure nothing has happened in the time it has taken for you to brush your teeth! All this overstimulates your brain right when you should be winding down. I now try to resist the urge of checking my phone once in bed and put down the laptop a good hour before I go to bed. I also found turning down the screen brightness on my iPhone has helped.

4. Say no to caffeine. This is a hard one for me as I drink tea by the bucket-load but restricting your caffeine intake during the evening will help you settle more easily at night. If you like herbal or fruit teas then try one of those instead to wind down in the evenings but I am not a fan so opt for a decaf Earl Grey if I fancy a hot drink.

5. Make a list. I am an obsessive list maker. Whenever I go to bed my mind starts racing with things I need to do, things I need to buy for Florence, emails I need to respond to, blog posts I want to write. Everything! If I don't write it all down then I can be up for hours worrying and thinking about things. Therefore I always have a notepad and pencil in my bedside table so I can jot things down and let my mind switch off as I drift off.

6. Bath before bed. Being a mum of an active baby who is into everything mildly hazardous in the house means I don't tend to get the chance to have a relaxing shower or bath in the mornings. Therefore I ensure that part of my bedtime routine features a hot bath or shower before bed. Studies show that the rise in your body temperature during a long soak and then the cooling down period afterwards slowly relaxes you.

7. Keep your feet warm. This might just be me but my feet are always cold and sometimes I can wake up or struggle to fall asleep if my tootsies are chilly. Therefore, especially now it is getting frosty at night, I take a hot water bottle up with me to warm my toes and always whack on a pair of cashmere socks. What a granny! But seriously, warm toasty feet equal a lovely, cosy sleep.

8. Exercise. Stepping out the house or office everyday, working up a bit of a sweat and exposing yourself to all that lovely daylight will really help you sleep better at night. I ensure I go out everyday for at least an hour's walk with Florence. The fresh air and stimulation helps me keep alert during the day (especially crucial if we've had a rough night) but then at night I feel genuinely tired and less stressed which all aids the quality of sleep.

9. Get an early night! Possibly the most obvious tip but one that I consistently overlook. Trying to give your body a routine and going to bed at the same early(ish) time every night will help regulate your sleep. Seizing a few additional hours sleep in favour of another episode of your latest Netflix binge will be gratefully received at that 2am wake up call!

10. Please take some of these points with a pinch of salt. I am a mum to a little baby who has most definitely been scrolling through Instagram at 3 o'clock in the morning and more than often has retired to bed with tea and chocolate! Call the caffeine police! I like to stay up too late watching weird documentaries and some days don't even get the chance to shower! But if you do struggle with sleep then hopefully one or two of my tips will help you get a more rested night going forward. Sweet dreams!

*this post has been sponsored by Drift Sleep

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Florence: My 9 Month Baby Update

I feel like I've barely sat down and managed to finish a (still) hot cup of tea and suddenly I have a nine month old baby crawling around at high speed in front of me. It certainly doesn't feel like three months ago since I was typing up Florence's six month baby update. I know it is such a cliche and I will try not to dwell on it too much, but seriously, where does the time go?! I have all the emotions going on at the minute - so excited for the future and for seeing this little baby transition into an inquisitive little girl but equally, I ache sometimes for those newborn moments again.

Over the last three months, Florence has grown up so much. Her personality is blossoming every day and her quirky ways never fail to make us laugh. She is a real little person and is developing such strong characteristics, I can read her so well and I know exactly what may cause a reaction - whether it is shaking her head at being spoon-fed (more on our weaning journey later) or a little sob when I leave the room and she can't see me. So lets start with the facts and figures. It has been a few weeks since I got Florence last weighed but I would estimate she is now 14lbs 8oz (ish) and still fits nicely in her 3-6 month clothes but she is definitely long and lean, so some baby grows are looking a bit snug now!

Sleep. Sleep was going well for a good 3-4 months with either a whole interrupted night's sleep or just one wake up call for a feed around 4am-5am. Over the past few weeks however I think the dreaded nine month sleep regression has hit. Things have been a little more nocturnal in our house recently with Florence occasionally thinking it is high jinx to be awake for up to four hours in the middle of the night, playfully rolling about our bed. Thankfully I think we are over the worst of it (for now) and a more predictable routine has ensued. I am sure the fact she is trying to walk and has had two teeth popped through all makes her feel unsettled. Plus separation anxiety is at an all time high so she has needed some extra cuddles before bed. She is in her own room and still very much enjoys sleeping in a Grobag nestled in her Sleepyhead. We have upgraded the Deluxe to the Grand to give her more room to roll around. Florence loves sleeping on her front so the moment I put her down on her back she will flip over and snuggle down.

Day to day. My routine during the day hasn't changed that much from my six month update. Florence is still on two naps a day, around 10am and 2pm. They rarely last more than 45 minutes but that is fine and they are often taken in the carrier if I am out and about, occasionally in her cot or on me because I just love the cuddles. Florence has never been the greatest napper and despite being quite an independent sleeper at night, she does like to be close to me for naps and I'm not complaining. These are the moments I will look back on and treasure and whilst I only have one child, I am going to take full advantage of catching up Eastenders (yup, guilty pleasure) whilst she snoozes on my shoulder, secretly clinging on to those newborn days!

Milestones. We have teeth! Two bottom teeth seem to have popped through literally overnight and didn't cause her too many issues, thankfully. Lots of calpol and teething granules seem to have eased any discomfort she was experiencing. Florence started crawling around 7 and a half months I believe and we haven't been able to catch her ever since! She has a unique crawling style but it is fast and furious and gets her from A to B in no time. Soon after she started crawling she decided this was boring and wanted to stand up and start walking ALL. THE. TIME. She now constantly pulls herself up on anything that is close by and is never happier than standing up against our coffee table, throwing all the coasters on the floor! She can walk along holding onto our hand and can hold her balance, handsfree, for a couple of seconds. We were having lots of "daddaddas" at her six month update but now the "mammammas" are in full swing and it melts my heart. She will properly hug and kiss me now and knows the word 'clap' and will respond by wildly smacking her hands together.

Weaning. One of the biggest milestones to happen after her six month update is weaning. Florence is on three meals a day and is becoming a more confident eater everyday. The first few months were fussy and a little disheartening but recently she has come on leaps and bounds with her food and I can now feel assured she is getting a really good meal every time we sit down. I am mainly doing baby led weaning, which I kind of fell into doing because Miss Independent does not like to be spoon fed, and in hindsight I am so happy she took this route. You know I love my baking but cooking was never a passion of mine but since we started BLW, it has made me embrace cooking a lot more. I of course want Florence to have healthy, homemade food so I now enjoy whipping up some sweetcorn fritters or banana pancakes for her and am constantly on Pinterest finding new recipes and ideas for her. It is a really exciting part of the day for me, watching her try new things and seeing her pincer grip in action as she skilfully picks up and eats her blueberries and grapes with such consideration. It is adorable. I am now probably only breastfeeding her four times a day, and not for very long at all, probably more for comfort than anything else. She still doesn't take a bottle but I have decided to give up even trying anymore as she is more than happy to sip water from a cup and I am in no rush to stop breastfeeding yet.

Mum Update. I am feeling good, happy and healthy. I am back playing hockey now which I love and gives me a rare few hours where I can just go off and be me and have a good run around with some of my best friends. I'm not going to lie, I do feel absolutely exhausted at the end of the day and now Florence is on the go from 7am until 7pm, I do struggle to finish a hot cup of tea or get any time to catch up with mundane admin things. It is wonderful but so tiring and I am often retiring to bed by 9pm which, pre-baby, would have been unheard off!

Florence loves. Nibbling my shoulder (testing out her new teeth!), pulling herself up on anything, clinging to your leg whilst you are trying to cook/wash up, bath time, walks in the carrier, blueberries,  smiling, playing with my keys.

Florence hates. The car. The car seat. Going near the car. Getting in the car. Getting out the car. (Oh the cries). Being still for more than two seconds. Nappy changes.

I feel that these last three months have been the most momentous so far. So much growing up has happened, so many little changes have occurred and she is now a competent little eater who wants to walk and is just such a poppet to be around. She is so sweet, so cuddly, so dear. She is always ready to greet you with the biggest grin and even when she has been upset, she always tries to muster a smile. Don't get me wrong, we have our moments - bedtime doesn't always go to plan, sometimes all her lunch will end up mushed under her highchair and there are times I could cry when I am stuck on a car journey with a screaming baby behind me but that's parenthood I guess, and I loving every moment.

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Too Faced Child Star Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick

My love for liquid matte lipsticks has only gotten stronger over the past month or so and ever since I saw this liquid matte beauty feature in a YouTube video I was half-heartedly watching, I just knew it had to be my next purchase.

I hadn't tried any of the Too Faced Melted lipstick range until this first purchase but I am definitely going to scout my local counter more thoroughly next time I'm passing. If you've read my blog long enough you will know that I am a big fan of nude-pink lipsticks. They are my staple, go-to lip product for those days when I am just pottering about and not wanting to look too glammed up for my various baby classes! This particular liquid matte lipstick is just lovely. It glides on with a comfortable, smooth creamy consistency but then dries down (and darkens) to a true, mid-tone nude colour. The lipstick genuinely won't budge for hours and will last through countless cups of tea and kisses with Florence. The colour is opaque and vivid and the formula doesn't crack or feel too dry on the lips which is good for a liquid matte lipstick.

I honestly love these lipsticks and think if you are having a liquid lipstick love affair at the moment, like me, then you should definitely check out the Melted Matte range from Too Faced. I got mine from my local Debenhams.

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Sanctuary Spa Home Fragrance Collection

I love candles. Candles are my thing. In fact, as I type this post I can count approximately eight candles from my settee, two of them flickering away brightly on my coffee table. I also must confess that I am a bit of a candle snob. I am always drawn to the likes of Jo Malone, NEOM and Diptyque. Their beautiful, long-lasting scents and decadent holders bring me much comfort in the evenings, especially now the long, wintery nights are here.

That said, my latest burning beauty on my coffee table comes from a bit of an unexpected brand - Sanctuary Spa. The brand have taken their luxury products from the body and bathroom, to the home. They have released an all year round home fragrance collection comprising of eight unique scents in both candles and diffusers. There is everything here from fresh green and citrus scents to deeper, oriental notes which are perfect for this time of year. The diffusers are £16, but personally I am not a fan of diffusers, but for just £10 you can get one of their lovely candles in a really pretty, yet simple, glass jar. The scent initially isn't as strong as some of my higher end candles, but once it has been burning for a few minutes, the aroma begins to linger in the room and gives my house a really gorgeous smell. All the scents sound amazing from White Jasmine & Myrrh, Black Rose & Cassis to Luxury Oud and Driftwood & Sea Spray. However for Christmas I already have my eye on the Spiced Vanilla & Incense candle which I can imagine will fill your space with a warm, rich festive scent. You can also pick and mix three mini candles and present them in a gift box for £10 - an ideal stocking filler for any candle lover like me!

The home fragrance collection of candles and diffusers is out now in Boots stores.

*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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Jo Malone Geranium & Walnut Hand Cream

There are lots of things I love about Winter. The cosy nights, the hot drinks (in an obligatory red cup!), the darker lipsticks and the fact Christmas is just around the corner. But then again, there are a few things I really dislike about the colder months - stepping out of bed on those chilly mornings before the heating kicks in, living in 60 denier tights and the way the weather dries my skin so much making it feel dry and lacklustre.

My hands always suffer during Winter so the moment the clocks go back I become a fanatic hand-cream-applier and ensure I am never more than a few feet away from a pot or tube of hand cream to soothe my hands and cuticles. I have many many different lotions on the go at any one time, taking residence in every drawer and handbag going, but one of my current favourites is this luxury item from Jo Malone London. Their Geranium & Walnut Hand Cream is a real treat to see your skin through the harsher months. It soothes and softens your skin beautifully. The Apricot Kernel Oil absorbs quickly, leaving your hands feeling moisturised and not at all greasy, which is essential when I have approximately 22 seconds to apply and rub in said hand cream before I need to chase after baby, pick up baby, feed baby, change baby. And repeat. It is lovely and lightweight and is delicately scented with warm walnut and vibrant geranium. The scent isn't overpowering but just enough that you get a comforting whiff of it every now again as you go about your day. I also love the fact Jo Malone has ensured that the scent of this hand cream complements each and every one of their fragrances - I'm currently loving Wood Sage & Sea Salt and the two scents work perfectly together.

The Jo Malone London Geranium & Walnut Hand Cream (£22) is out now online and from Jo Malone counters.

*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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Kiehl's x Jeremyville Holiday Collection

Sometimes you just see a new collection and can't help but squeal a little bit inside. I don't know whether it was the playful packaging, the collection of cult products from Kiehl's or just the fact that this was a reminder that Christmas is on its way, but the Kiehl's artist collaboration for the holidays is just so fun this year. For the past eight years, Kiehl's have worked with a renown artist who transforms their most loved lotions and creams and creates a limited edition collection that is guaranteed to make any bathroom or makeup table feel festive.

This year, Kiehl's have partnered with Brooklyn based artist Jeremyville to give us a creative, fun explosion of colour and cheerful winter wonderland imagery that perfectly depict the heartwarming spirit of Christmas. The joyful cartoons have been inspired by one of New York's most iconic landmarks, Central Park, complete with smiling skaters, happy snowmen and shining stars. Several of Kiehl's most beloved formulas have undergone this festive makeover including Creme de Corps, Ultra Facial Cream and the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner. They all look so adorable and would make an ideal gift, stocking filler or perhaps just a happy holidays treat for yourself!

This holiday collection is out now online but if you go to a Kiehl's counter and create your own gift set of products, you will receive a complimentary red box tied up with a ribbon so no painstaking wrapping involved!! That's one less present to worry about then.

*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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