Clarins Energy, Repair & Detox Boosters

Clarins Boosters for the Skin* £30 | available very soon online

I am really really excited about this new launch from Clarins as they set to reinvent the art of skincare by giving us three turbo charged formulations to boost the skin. You may recognise the design of these small but mighty bottles as they are very similar in look and function as the amazing Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster that transforms your moisturiser to a self-tan with just a few drops. These new skin boosters work on the same premise. With 3-5 drops added to your moisturiser, face mask or foundation they offer you the perfect, made-to-measure beauty solution to combat fatigued, weakened or congested skin.

Booster Energy is an energised, caring solution for fatigued skin. This highly concentrated formula contains ginseng extract, a legendary Chinese medicinal plant known for its stimulating properties, which tones and re-energises skin. It helps combat signs of fatigue and revives radiance so is perfect to remedy those late nights and long haul travels where skin looks and feels a tad lacklustre.

Booster Repair is a caring solution for weakened skin. The ultra-concentrated formula contains mimosa tenuiflora extract, known for its repairing properties, so reduces feelings of discomfort and redness. This would therefore be a must-have for your travel bag as it can help ease the effects of sunburn, extreme climates and hard, salt or chlorinated water.

Booster Detox is your answer for congested skin. The highly enriched formula contains green coffee extract, a plant from tropical Africa high in caffeine and known for its detoxifying properties. This booster helps detoxify and purify the skin to revive radiance and plump the skin so it an essential following some heavy partying, overindulgence or extreme pollution.

I simply love the idea of bespoke skincare to fit with your own skin's needs which might change on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. With these fab boosters you can chop and change your type of skincare to fit in with whatever life throws at you - the late night party, the nine hour flight, the sleepless night or the salty sea water from your holidays. Which booster is your skin crying out for at the moment?

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NEW IN: Benefit Hoola Bronzing Products

The clocks have gone forward, the nights are getting lighter and we even got our first glimpse of the sunshine this week which means that Spring and Summer are slowly on their way. This means it is time to turn our thoughts to peeling back the layers and baring our limbs. I, for one, will definitely need to turn up the tan a little before I start flashing my pins which is why Benefit's latest launch - a selection of Hoola bronzing products, could not have come at a better time.

The award-winning Hoola bronzing powder, Benefit's tan-in-a-box, has been a cult favourite for over 15 years and has now inspired three new, TANtalising products for face and body.

To complement the ever-popular Hoola bronzer, Benefit have released a new Bronzing and Contouring Brush* (£17.50) which is possibly one of the snazziest makeup brushes I have ever seen. This brush is super soft and is perfect for seamless bronzing or creating contours and cheekbones.

Hoola Zero Tanlines* (£19.50) is an all-over body bronzer which gives you a believable bronzed effect instantly. The gel formula is transfer and streak-free and is buildable with a gorgeous beachy, holiday scent. The best thing about this product is the hands-free custom sponge that comes with it - meaning you can bronze effortlessly without having to worry about dodgy orange hands! It helps gives your skin a matte, gorgeous glow in double quick time!

Finally the wonderfully named Dew the Hoola* (£22.50) is a new, soft matte liquid bronzer for the face giving you an all year round glow without the gleam. If you like your highlighter and bronzer looking fairly natural, without any glitter or shimmer, then this lightweight formula will be perfect for you. It blends in seamlessly over your makeup or worn alone to instantly perk up your skin and give you that just-back-from-the-beach healthy glow.

Will you be boosting your bronze with these new products this Summer?

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Snuzpod Designz Collection and Accessories

The SnuzPod 3 in 1 Bedside Crib* from £169 | available online

As if the beautifully crafted SnuzPod wasn't gorgeous enough with its soft colourways and pleasing aesthetics, the creators of this wonderful bedside crib have released some added extras to give your SnuzPod a splash of personality and comfort for your little one.

The new Designz Collection from Snuz is a beautiful range of super soft bedding to help style your baby's sleeping space, available in a range of sizes to suit your moses basket, cot, cot bed or your very own SnuzPod. The collection includes sets of fitted sheets and reversible baby blankets, sold together or separately, to give a splash of character to your baby's bed - whether they are a rootin' tootin' cowboy, little birdie or big dreamer. We have the Cloud Nine bedding set all set up in Florence's SnuzPod and I absolutely love it. It comes with two comfy fitted sheets that fit the SnuzPod mattress perfectly and a reversible blanket, ideal for naps at home or taking out and about with us. They are made from 100% cotton and feel super soft next to your newborn's skin. The lightweight, breathable jersey cotton helps to control your baby's body temperature which gives you peace of mind as they snooze away next to you. I love these sets so much I have now got my eye on the Little Tweets range - so gorgeously girlie and would look so pretty against our Dove Grey SnuzPod.

There are also some very practical accessories available for your SnuzPod to make life with a newborn that little bit easier. A simple white bedding set and waterproof crib mattress protector will set you up well for those early days but most invaluable for us was the SnuzPod storage pocket which conveniently attaches to the side of your crib. This handy storage solution makes those 3am wakeup calls a little bit more bearable as you have all baby's essentials at arm's reach. It has a dummy pocket, mesh pockets for nappies, bottles and wipes and a large inside zip-up pocket which would easily hold a tablet, mobile phone, books or a magazine to keep you entertained during night time feeds. It really completed our SnuzPod and has made midnight nappy changes a whole lot easier!

Will you be accessorising your SnuzPod with any of these new additions?

Just a reminder that I have a 10% discount code to offer all my readers if you are purchasing anything from the website. Simply enter SNUZPRL10 at the checkout!

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SnuzPod 3 in 1 Bedside Crib Review

The SnuzPod Bedside Crib 3 in 1 (Dove Grey)* from £169 | available online

The great debate surrounding the subject of co-sleeping with your baby was something I was completely oblivious to until I was about 7 months pregnant and started looking into a sleeping solution to have it our room to rest our newborn in for their first six months. Having our little one share a bed with us was not an option for ourselves personally but the idea of laying them in a moses basket didn't feel right either. The high sides meant I wouldn't be able to check on her at a glance without getting out of bed and I wanted to feel close to our baby at night. I wanted to be able to hear her little breaths, glance over at her tiny hands and feet and know everything was ok. Thankfully I stumbled on the SnuzPod - the genius solution to safe co-sleeping and it seemed all my wishes had been answered with this 3 in 1 bedside crib.

The SnuzPod has been an invaluable addition to our bedroom which wouldn't have accommodated a larger, standard cot. The SnuzPod offers your baby their own safe, little cocoon right next to your bed so you practically feel like you are sleeping beside them but with the added security that you won't roll over on them or cover them with your bed covers. This bedside crib has 3 functions - a stand alone crib which can be gently rocked, a bedside crib attached to your bed frame or a bassinet that easily lifts off the stand for daytime napping and moving about the house.

The design of the SnuzPod is stunning and so functional with the large storage space underneath for blankets or changing bits and the handy rails either side to hang an array of muslin cloths needed for those night time feeds. It feels incredibly safe and sturdy and the solid wood finish in the four colour ways (grey, white, espresso and natural) will look stunning in any bedroom. The height of the SnuzPod can be adjusted to match the height of your own bed so once it is in place next to your bed, your precious one is on exactly the same level as you - perfect for reassuring and soothing them in the middle of the night without having to get out of bed, as well as bonding with them as you both lie there face to face. Another reason why I love the SnuzPod is how easy it makes feeding my baby at 3 o'clock in the morning. No need to get up at the first sign of stirring - just simply unzip the soft breathable mesh wall and slide the baby across and into your arms. So perfect when all you want to do is stay warm and toasty in your bed and not make a chilly dash across the room to fetch your baby out of their cot. It may sound trivial but from experience these are all little factors that makes those wakeup calls in the middle of the night that little but more bearable. I can imagine this would also be invaluable for those mums that have had a c-section and may find getting up and bending over a cot a bit tricky in the early stages.

I really cannot fault the SnuzPod in any way and it has made the first two fretful months of having a newborn that little bit easier. I am comforted by having Florence so close to me but safely in her own space. I love the fact I can reach out and touch Florence to comfort her without having to get up each time. I can hear her little breaths and will instantly wake when she stirs. The SnuzPod is aimed for your baby up to six months but as Florence is particularly dinky I am hoping we can squeeze a few more months out of it - it is too beautiful to pack away just yet!

If you or someone you know is expecting a baby and you love the idea of using a SnuzPod for your little one then I have a fab 10% discount code you can use: SNUZPRL10.

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Jo Malone Herb Garden Collection

The Herb Garden Collection from Jo Malone* | available in stores and online

There really isn't anything more British than the scent and sight of a verdant herb garden. A tapestry of fragrances from fresh lavender, zesty lemon thyme to spicy nasturtium and striking coriander. It is little wonder then that the quintessential herb garden has inspired the latest collection from the very British brand Jo Malone as they launch five new captivating and delectable scents capturing an array of fragrant foliage.

Packaged in a charming green bottle with a foliage illustration on each, it really is a stunning launch and each scent is as exciting and memorable as the next. The five fragrances are:
Sorrel & Lemon Thyme, Wild Strawberry & Parsley, Nasturtium & Clover, Carrot Blossom & Fennel and Lavender & Coriander.

The two colognes I have been sniffing and spritzing recently are the Wild Strawberry & Parsley and Carrot Blossom & Fennel and I have fallen in love with both. They are so unique and different from any other perfume I have owned. Wild Strawberry & Parsley is a mingle of sweet, delectable strawberries and ripened blackcurrants mixed with the peppery bite of flat-leaf parsley. It is soft, sweet with a hint of earthiness. It really does conjure up memories of strawberry picking in the Summer when I was a little girl. Carrot Blossom & Fennel is refined yet whimsy giving you a distinctive twist of ripe carrots and fresh fennel. Rose and orange flower brightens the earthy carrot notes whilst the floral elegance of iris punctuates an unforgettable finish. This is such a unique scent and a love it or hate it kind of thing! I personally think it smells lovely (not too carrot-y!) and settles beautifully on the skin to a soft floral finish.

The whole Herb Garden collection is out now and available in the little 30ml cologne bottles - retailing at £44 each. Lavender is one of my favourite scents so I will definitely be checking out Lavender & Coriander next time I am passing a Jo Malone counter. Which cologne appeals to you?

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Our Storksak Changing Bags

For me: The Elizabeth Changing Bag in Tan* £199.95

and for him: The Ashley Changing Bag in Blue* £70

Any mum will know that leaving the house with a new baby is like a military operation and ensuring you have absolutely everything for any eventuality is completely essential. When someone first mentioned to me that I should look into getting a changing bag for when little one arrives I was a little confused. Surely I could just stuff a few nappies and wet wipes into my Mulberry and we would be fine? Oh the naivety. As soon as we had had our first outing to town to grab a coffee with our five day old baby it soon became apparent just how valuable a changing bag really is.

With both your hands taken up with pushing your little darling around the place you really don't have capacity to sling more than one bag over your shoulder or on the handlebar of your stroller. Therefore these Storksak changing bags are absolutely perfect for packing up all the essentials for baby and for mum and the big bonus is that they actually look just like a regular bag! The Elizabeth bag is a gorgeous tan washed leather with antique brushed hardware and is incredibly spacious with ten internal pockets and two outer pockets for popping in all your bits and pieces, even with room for my laptop! Inside you will find a fold-out changing mat, insulated bottle holder and a vanity case, all made out of wipe-clean material. The adjustable shoulder strap means you can wear it cross body, slung over your shoulder or remove it completely to just use the shorter handles for ease.

The Storksak range of changing bags is amazingly extensive - literally having a bag to suit every style, need and budget. And don't worry, the Dads haven't been forgotten either. Rob was kindly sent his very own changing bag too, much to his excitement. This canvas messenger bag is perfect for those daddy-daughter days out with a padded changing mat, insulated bottle holder and ample room for all the essentials. I love how understated and stylish the Storksak changing bags are which makes leaving my Mulberry at home that little bit easier!

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Izziwotnot Moses Basket

Izziwotnot White Premium Wicket Moses Basket and Stand* | available online

I think one of this first and biggest things any mums-to-be think about before their baby arrives is the matter of sleep! Where will they sleep? How long will they sleep for? How do I get them to sleep? I certainly worried myself too with these questions but thankfully with the arrival of this gorgeous Moses Basket from Izziwotnot, the issue of daytime naps was quickly resolved.

The Izziwotnot Moses Baskets are classically beautiful and I had been eyeing them up ever since I found out I was pregnant. Available in four different colour finishes (white, grey, oak and mahogany) they promise not to be an eye-soar in any living room or bedroom. We already had the Snuzpod set up in our room, connected to our bed, for our baby's evening sleeps so a Moses Basket was the perfect option to have downstairs for those daytime naps so little one could be close by whilst I pottered around the house. However the Moses Basket would be perfect to have upstairs too for the night as well. I adore the simple design of this Moses - soft, stylish and wonderfully cosy - it includes a supportive foam PEVA mattress, adjustable pretty hood and appliquéd blanket to keep the little one snug. With the stylish leather handles it is easy to move the basket from room to room and light and small enough to take away with you if you are travelling and staying away from home with your newborn.

The stand, sold separately, keeps the basket elevated at the perfect height and has a gorgeous hourglass design. Also available in the four colour ways to coordinate or contrast with your basket, it is light and conveniently portable with its easy to fold away function. I have loved using the Izziwotnot Moses over the last seven weeks since Florence has graced our lives and I will always remember that precious moment we brought her home from the hospital for the first time and placed her in there - watching her intently and thinking just how tiny she looked in the basket. I think I will be a bit sad when she finally outgrows it but considering she is still so dinky I think we still have a good 4 or 5 months left of using the basket before we have to think about migrating her to a big girl's cot!

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