Bookworm- Got Your Back Review

Can you believe it me finishing books at the moment is like buses it takes you a while for you to do one and then come along in no time. This is the second book which I have finished this month which takes me up to the grand total of two finished this year I am unsure if I will actually finish anymore this year because of the fact that I am returning to Uni in a couple of weeks and who knows if I will have time to read for pleasure. Anyway here are my thoughts on Jane Fallon's got your back book.

The Blurb:

A husband. A wife. A mistress. And the ultimate plan for revenge . . .

The husband

James never intended to lead a double life - with a wife in London and a mistress in the country, it's exhausting. But that's all about to change . . .

The wife

Stephanie isn't really snooping when she finds a text message from a strange woman on her husband's mobile. But now she's found it, how can she ignore it? It's time to track the woman down and find out what's going on . . .

The mistress

Katie has no reason to believe her boyfriend, James, is cheating until someone claiming to be his wife gets in touch. Now she's been cast in the role of mistress. Not one she's happy with . . .

Once Stephanie and Katie know about each other, they must decide what to do. They could both just throw him out or they could join forces to make his life hell first . . .

But revenge isn't always sweet. And what happens when one woman thinks enough is enough but the other doesn't know when to stop?

My Review

Now I thought this was going to be a book which I loved it has an amazing story line which seems to interest me a wife and a mistress which sounds like they there is going to be something really exciting which we did not see coming. Some great revenge on her husband which sounds like my cup of tea well I hate to break it to you the story line/ plot was actually better than the book itself the plan that Stephanie and Katie come up with but it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be. I wanted more of a ‘smack-you-in-the-face’ resolution or perhaps some kind of unexpected event or twist to make me go ‘wow!’, but it was just a little lacking. I wanted something a little bit more juicy than that to happen if I am been truthful.  

I think the characters were a little vague as I didn't really connect with them. If anything I think the wife Stephanie was really hard to like at all there was just something about her. The love interest for Stephanie , Michael, was sooo boring and dull. It felt like they had no chemistry at all and everything seemed to be super rushed with that relationship. This is the stage when it just seemed to get really boring from then onwards. I must say, I liked the part where they were styling celebrities for the BAFTA's. That was quite interesting but the rest was dull. 

This is a book which was not a page turner it was one which I finished because I hate not actually finishing a book and I did leave a while back part read because of the fact that I was not enjoying it that much. This is a book which I can see people reading around the pool or on a beach because it is something to pass the time when relaxing in the sun but it is not one which I would recommend people to go out and purchase. 

Have you read this book if so what did you think?

Charlotte x

Zara Sale Toddler Haul

A few weeks ago now it maybe longer, however, I am unsure because as we all know this year is zooming past us at a rate of knots. Zara in my local town actually closed down which is very gutting because it is a place which I love to get things like leggings from for myself when I visited, however, the women's section was like a jumble sale and was so unpleasant I did not look. The toddler section, however, did do some damage to my bank balance because there was a great sale and their bits are amazing so I had to treat Jess to some stylish till bits in a range of sizes.

The first item which I picked up was this Minnie Mouse Hawaiian style tshirt in a beautiful Lemon colour the colour was actually one of the reasons why I picked it up because Jess really suits the colour and it is rare that you actually find something in this colour. I love how it is not your typical Mickey mouse it is a little bit different and who can resist a little bit of Disney and the work Aloha just makes me think of the summer and we all love that even if this top going to fit her in the winter months. This will look great teamed with the either jeans or some leggings this top was reduced to only £2.99.

I did say that I pick them up a couple of weeks ago which I meant that there was a little bit of the summer weather left so when I saw that there were these denim shorts reduced to only £5.99 I knew I had to pick them up. I adore shorts with tights on myself ad this is something which Jess looks adorable I think because they are not a really dark wash it does mean that you can team them with a range of coloured tights. They can be used both in the summer and in the autumn because as you know in the UK we can have warm autumn months. For some reason, I have an image of Jess with some boots wearing these I think these are something which you are going to be seeing a lot. These are in the size which Jess currently in but I think they do them up to 4 years.  

Light coloured jeans are something which Jess has never owned she seems to have a couple of pairs which are darker maybe this is because she is a toddler and they seem to get messy and I think the darker wash does not show the muck as much. However, when I spied this beautiful pair I could not resist these are going to fit her I would think in the back end of the autumn and winter months if she keeps growing like she is. Due to the fact that she has a lot of dark t-shirts I thought that she would need some lighter bottoms so that she doesn't always look so dull and these were only £7.99 and seem like they could with stand the hammer a toddler is going to give them.

The next item which I picked up was this in 2-3 years I seem to remember and it is more of a coral than the camera actually picked up this again is another colour which I think suits Jess the reason behind this is it compliments the colour of her hair. When I saw this I new I had to pick it up for this reason and I actually thought that it was something different you don't seem to get a lot of tops which say things like love me without it having a parent on it either mummy or daddy so when I spied this for sure it was one going in my basket. It was reduced to £2.99 and I know this is going to be one which I can pair with leggings and send her to nursery in because at the moment she is so into colouring which means she can easy ruining outfits which is never good and because this was so cheap it will not bother me as much.

While browsing I also noticed this light pink t-shirt which says love you on it and has I think it is a cat it might actually be a dog again the reason it I actually purchased it was due to the fact that it says, love, you and as I have said previously usually they say that they love a family member. I am trying to get Jess to say love you a lot more and be a nice well-mannered child so I think things like this are always going to help. I think the colour is actually really nice and is not too in your face like you can find with others so this is going to be able to be teamed with either dark or bright leggings depending on my mood. This again was only £2.99 which means that it can be used for nursery because of the fact that I am not as bothered should it get ruined.

Yes I purchased a top which was technically in the boys section but after all I am trying to teach my child that it does not matter which gender she is she can wear what ever the hell she likes. Disney is something which we really like in this house Jess at the moment seems to be really into Minnie mouse however, when I saw this I and all the bright colours which it has in it I knew that Jess would go crazy for this mickey print. I love how it is not just the typical mickey are doing some amazing poses which makes it seem so fun and this is the element I love. This is going to be one which she is going to be wearing a lot I am sure when Jess fits into this. This was only £5.99 which is not that expensive seen as it is actually a Disney piece and this can be worn with leggings jeans and maybe a plain skirt and tights we will just have to see it depends on the weather.

I think there is a theme going on here and I actually have a Disney obsession going on for Jess I picked up this yellow/mustard stripes which have Minnie on the front who looks like she is posing. I love this because I think you could use it for the summer and also the autumn Jess is one who really likes Minnie Mouse. I think these could be teamed with something simple on the bottom half which is always a bonus. Again I love it because it is not your typical Minnie Mouse t-shirt she is doing something different and has a different outfit on as well I think which is always a bonus for me because I like things which are different and I think this was £5.99 which was more expensive. 

Yes, another Disney t-shirt anyone would think that we were planning a trip to Disney which is not something we are planning at the moment I just love Disney and this is something which was in the boy's section but I know Jess is going to rock it. I love how summer like this looks which makes me think that it would go well with the shorts which I have picked up in this haul as well. It is a white t-shirt which has stars all over the actual t-shirt which you just see. I love how Mickey is actually smiling because I think that you do not see him smiling that much actually love this does scream summer for me and was only £3.99 so a bargain for a Disney t-shirt. 

This pinafore dress is something which I thought was very different because of the fact that it included stripes and stars which are not a pattern you usually see. I love how the straps are actually ribbon like and it has little pockets which for me is very adorable. I can see Jess wearing this when it is warm with bare legs and as a dress. Then when it colder she can team it with a long-sleeved top and tights and I am sure this is going to look amazing but it might be something which does not end up suiting her and I might have to sell it we never know. This was reduced to £9.99 but I did not want to leave it behind because it looks so comfortable and something which would be great when she is playing. 

Socks are something which is essential because otherwise, she ends up with the world's smelliest feet which are never nice. She has managed to grow out of some of the socks so it was time to replace them and when I spied these I couldn't leave them because the pop socks will be amazing when she is actually still wearing her sandals while we have some of the nice weather still in the UK and the other socks I picked because we love dinosaurs in this house and you do not see a lot with a dinosaur print on. The swallow ones I got because I adore them and I think I might have a pair similar so we could actually match which would be fun. 

I am a sucker for things which are retro and of course, this tshirt is one of those who else remembers watching tweetie pie in the past. So when I saw this in an amazing colour blue which means that you are going to be able to pair this very easy with the tshirt because it could be teamed with leggings which are very dark in the winter months so that you do not look like you are too summery. This was actually only £3.99 as well which means that it could be used for nusury because if she does manage to paint I will not be too annoyed. I think this may be a tshirt which Daddy likes because I am sure this is something which he would have watched growing up. 

I am gutted Zara has closed here and then one in York I don't think stocks children's which means that I will have to order online. I adore the pieces which I picked up and will be keeping an eye out for other bits when she grows because they are so affordable even full price. 

What was your favourite item from this haul?

Charlotte x

Dear Dada - Back to Back

Dear Dada

Wow, what a week it has been I think this had been one of my favourite weeks since you have been away this may because of the fact that mummy has been super happy. You know when she is happy I can not be a grumpy toddler like I have been in the last couple of weeks which is never fun for mummy I have been keeping her because I have to keep her on her toes.

This week has seen me play outside a lot on Monday because the weather was good and you know I need to actually practice my driving the scuttlebug because I do not want to actually run your toes over when you come home so I have been practicing. I can not wait for you to see how I play it because I know you have not seen it. I also have been watching a lot of paw patrol I know you will be glad that I am still into it because you love the pups nearly as much as me which is pretty cool because we can have a marathon when we get back together in only 3 weeks wooooo.

I have also had my amazing 3 days at nursery which I have been doing a lot of drawing at I missed my friends because I had not been for nearly 10 days which is a long time in my little life. I have to go there to do a lot of drawing because I still have not got the art things at home because I am not going to be at home a lot once mummy goes back to uni but I think if I am a good girl I may get some for my birthday or Christmas.   I even have work on the wall at nursery because my artwork is that good it is my challenge to have one at least a week on the wall. I even have been loving the kitchen which is good as I have been making beans on toast apparently in the play kitchen which means that I am able to cook it for you one day and deliver it in bed to you maybe for your next birthday.

On Friday I had a great fun filled day mummy was super tired because she had got in at something silly like 1 am and I decided to get up at 7 haha serves her right she should have got in and gone to bed earlier. Then Grandad dropped us off at the train station so we could get the train down to Nanny's and I decided that it was way too warm in the car and I threw up all over the back of the car I do not think he was impressed about this oops. We had to run for the train because of the fact that there was super bad traffic. It was a super busy train which I screamed on for a whole 20 minutes which was not pleasurable for anyone. Then because we knew the train was going to be so busy because of FC been at Wembley Mummy took me on my reins. It means that the walk from the train station to yours which should have taken what 20-30 mins, took 40 mins and we only got half way before Nanny picked us up.

Saturday saw mummy leave me because she was going to Wembley to see the rugby and I was going to stay with Nanny and Grandad which was fun we went to a park which was in the middle of sand but do not ask me where it was and then we had Nanny's birthday meal. On the other hand, mummy went on the train down to London to meet the rest of the family and then because they had a couple of free hours well they went to the pub but mummy and grandma when to Lush Oxford Street which you know is like heaven and she only managed to spend less than £100 which is amazing for her.

Then it was time to go to Wembley which as you know is a place where Mummy has special memories because last year they finally won there and they had not in the past before. This year she was convinced that they were not going to win again, however, as she would say they nearly f'ed it up and threw the game away but they didn't and now FC are back to back Challenge cup winners. According to Grandma, there was a stage where mummy was full on shaking she was that nervous and at one stage close to the end of the game crying because she thought that they had messed it up. What can I say she waited 10 years to see them win the cup and I have only been born 2 years and they have won the cup twice since I have been born. I must be a lucky mascot if I was you I would keep the bank holiday in August free next year as they might do it 3 in a row.  Mummy got very drunk and I think she paid for it today.

Today is just a chiling day because we have a train about 7 pm and we are celebrating Nanny's birthday do not worry we have sorted her a present out because we are the best girls in your life and we are organised what would you do without us?

I miss you so much Daddy next week is September which means that the countdown for you coming home can start wooo.

Love you

Jess xxx

Time To Potty Train Using Our Favourite Characters

Since Jess is approaching two I can not believe that only in less than a month she will be a two-year-old where did my little baby go. Jess has now decided that she is not a huge fan of wearing nappies and she now wants to start been potty trained it started a few weeks ago when she would tell us she needed a wee and I would have to hover her over the normal toilet. I knew that then I needed to pick some things up which would make potty training a hell of a lot easier for us. Not long after I purchased these items a lot of bloggers got sent some potty training items, however, I purchased these with my own money. 

The first item which we picked up was this paw patrol step which Jess is obsessed with it when we first purchased it would take it out of the bathroom and walk around the whole house with it. She used it as a seat and everything the reason why we purchased this was because it allows Jess to be able to climb up to the normal toilet and then it also helps her reach the sink which means that she can easily wash her hands after using the toilet because of course we still have to supervise her she isn't big enough to do this alone yet. This step takes up to 100kg which means that should ever I need a small step I can use this which is always a bonus and I have seen Jess take her toy pups to the step to show themselves them on the step.

Due to the fact the Jess has a small bum and if we put her on the normal toilet we would have to holder hover her over which would be very hard and I am sure there would have been a stage where I would have ended up dropping her into the toilet which wouldn't have been fun at the time but I am sure would have been looking back. So when I was to my mum she told me that I would need to invest in a toilet trainer seat which is something which you add to the main rim of your toilet and then it makes the seat smaller as your child sits on this and not the main toilet. I knew that when I saw Paw Patrol did this maybe I could get Jess to visit the toilet by asking her if she wanted to go and see the pups and so far she has been running to it when she needs the toilet. 

As someone who is rarely at home, I knew that we needed a potty which we would be able to take with us but would be discrete enough for people not to judge that we did, in fact, have a potty with us. I remember that when some of the YouTubers who I watched had a my carry potty when they were training their own children which made me have a look at them. They are very simple they are a potty which has a handle so can be transported around they are discrete so you wouldn't know it was a potty which is a bonus they are small enough to be carried under the pram which is another positive. The potty is leak proof and you can lock into until you are able to empty the potty of the contents which for us good for because as you know Jess likes to be outside which means sometimes when she is playing she does not want to come inside so she can go on the potty outside and we can deal with it while she continues to play. 

Of course, when you are potty training your child you need them to be able to pull their nappies down easy. I have found that sometimes at the moment with Jess been in the early stages she does not tell me with a lot of time so it can mean that she does end up going in the nappy. However, I have found that since using pull ups with her I have been using the Little Angels one because this is the company which we have used since birth. I love how simple these are Jess can pull them up and down when she needs which is great because it means that it is quicker for Jess to get on the potty which means that there is less a chance of an accident. These are super absorbant so if she does manage to have an accident it is not as much as a problem as if she had an accident in a pair of pants. 

What did you use for your child when they were potty training?

Charlotte x

Movie Based On Your Life Tag

I was tagged months ago to do this tag and I am a super bad blogger and can not remember who it was who actually tagged me so if it was you I am super sorry about this. I love doing this kind of posts because I feel like they let you know a little bit more about me and I am always curious to find out new things about other bloggers so I love reading these posts too.

1. Who would play you in the movies and why?

I am actually unsure about this I think that it would be someone who can be daft however, they can be me clever and never stop because this really sums me up because at the moment I do not seem to stop well I don't think I have since last year when I went back to uni. I am daft when I want to be and actually let my hair down. I actually don't know who would play me this is something for you to comment. I would love to think that I would be someone who is badass because who doesn't want to be like that

2.  Who would play your significant other?

Maybe someone like Chris Evans as in Captian America because every girl can dream right he thinks that is amazing and I know that Captain America is amazing and also I love I think that Joe would be able to beat some of the baddies like he does.

3. What Genre of movie would it be?

I think it would be an easy watch comedy which would show everything that I do wrong and everyone would find really funny such as my parenting fails. I think it would have some action in as well because my life does not seem to be super smooth so this has to be an element which is in my movie. I would not have a lot of romance in the film because I am not one for public shows of affection.

4. What would the movie be called?

I am not that creative so I don't think that it would have an amazing name, however, it would be something sarcastic because of this for sure an element of my life I am not shy to hide so I think this is something which would have to be in the name of my movie.

5. What would be the opening song at the start of the movies?

I think it would have to be simply the best because for sure this film would be one of the best movies because it is about my life and we always like to see normal life films because it makes us think that we are actually normal rather than seeing that life is always rosy like we actually see in the movies usually.

If you have enjoyed this tag please feel free to do it and leave me links in the comments

Charlotte x

August Favoruites

I know only a couple of weeks ago maybe it was not even that long at the moment time is passing very fast for me I shared the products which I class as my summer essentials however, this did not include any make up or anything else. Since it is close to the end of the month I though that I would share the make up which I have been loving this month.

The first product which I have been loving is this quad from Fleur De Force I think the name of it is actually called Cosmic Bronze. I purchased this at the start of the year because I thought I would get a bit of wear out of it and it was reduced. I am not a huge fan of the youtuber hype I would not purchase it just because a youtuber has brought out a range of new products. However, this pallete has an amazing pigmentation and I have noticed that it does last all day I can apply this early in the morning and then when I take my make up off at the day and then it is still on. I use every single shade out of the quad and then one which I used the most is the bottom left which I have found a shade like no other that I own. I would love to try other products the range because I have not been left disappointed by this product. I wish Fleur would bring out more quads as I know she only has two and they are so affordable. 

Another reason why I may have been loving the quad so much maybe because of the Urban Decay Primer Potion which helps your eyeshadow stay on and look as vivid as the moment you applied it. This is something which I have needed because of the fact that this month it has been warm which means that the make up is close to sweating off and when it has been raining this product also helps it stay on your face. I am also giving the stay all night setting spray a mention even though I have run out of it now it is something which I have been using every single time I have been wearing makeup. 

For a while I have not found a base which I have loved but recently I finished my colourstay and have been trailing a few bases since then and this is when I found my love again for the boujois healthy mix serum. This foundation gives me a healthy glow which is something which I look for it is not drying or too matte for me it almost gives you a dewy finish which means that it does look like you have a healthy glow in the summer this is something I am looking for. The coverage is a medium one which can be built up if you are looking for a higher coverage which I have done when I have been going out. This is one which I know that I am going to repurchase however, the fact that my lid does not stay on the foundation is one thing which really bugs me because I feel like I could lose so much of the foundation because of it pumping when it is in my makeup bag.

The final two items are lipsticks which I love this month. The first one is a blogging cult classic and it is the Rimmel 107 which is a staple autumn lipstick however, I have decided that I would crack it out this month because of the fact that we have had some dull days I and I decicided that I wanted to cheer myself up by wearing one of my favourite lipsticks. I even have cracked out my leather jacket out which I usually only have in the autumn months. This is an amazing berry shade and it seems to last a long time as well you can eat and drink and the lipstick can still be seen and it doesn't have horrible wear line.

The final item which I have loved this month is a lipstick from Lush come on you did not think I could do a favouites without including a lush product did you. I know make up is not what we think of them doing however, Desire is one of their liquid lipsticks which I have worn for over 6 hours without reapplying and touching up and it has still been on my lips. Yes it does mean that you have a little bit of wear but it still looks amazing it keeps so bright as well. It is a classic red which you can pair with anything it does smudge a little bit if you touch it too much before you let it dry so this is something to be aware of. I love how easy it is to wear it is not too drying which is great you do not need to make sure that your lips are in amazing condition to pull of this lipstick unlike with other liquid lipsticks.

What have your favouites been this month?

Charlotte x

Dear Dada- I'm on Holiday Again

Dear Dada 

Another week has gone racing by woo not long now and you will be home don't forget when you come home it is going to be close to my birthday so that's just an excuse for you to spoil me even though I know mummy will go mad at you.  This week has gone super fast due to the fact that I have been at Nanny and Grandad's house which means there has been no nursery just fun all day of course I have loved it because it means playing when I want no having to get up early in the morning to get a train nothing like that. They spoil em and let me eat whatever I want which of course is another bonus. 

Don't worry about Mummy she has been a super busy girl because as you know she has to keep herself busy so that she does not actually miss us to much because we do not want her to ever get down. The day I went away she went out with a few friends and checked out a couple of new burger places in town which one of them she might make you try because she thinks you might actually like it because we all know you like your food. Mummy also had work this week which was one of the reasons why she couldn't come with me which is always gutting but I know she has to work because it means that I get treated. It was Ladies day which means that mummy actually wore a dress which is a shock for anyone who knows her but I bet she looked stunning because she is my mummy. Again she went out with friends went for a nice drive it loved just trying to forget the world and all the worries which she has because as you know she worries for England even if we tell her not to. 

Mummy has been trying to use some of that huge lush stash that she has while I have been away because it means that she can have a long bath in peace without me trying to get in which is always a bonus. I think she even managed to read a book which as you know is super rare because she is always on the go. Even though I have been a way it did not stop her looking for some more clothes for me she blames the fact that there was a sale and the weather has become colder which means that I am going to need some warmer clothes. Don't worry you will be able to see them soon because I will make sure that she hauls them. 

The weekend saw Mummy work again which is never a good thing but at least I was at home when she came home so I think that is a huge bonus because who doesn't want to see me after a long day at work when I am hyper. Nanny and Grandad managed to get me Marshall and Zuma which means that I had to attack her with them. I think I only need Everest and Rocky and I will have them all. I will be seeing Nanny and Grandad again next week because Mummy is going to Wembley which means that I get some time spent with them. 

I miss you so much Daddy 

Jess xxxx

Lush Curly Wurly Coconut Shampoo

Curly Wurly Coconut Shampoo aims to keep curly hair moisturised and define the curls I know I do not have the world's curliest hair I have wavy hair instead but I decided a while back that I was going to try it because my hair needs as much moisture as it can get. Some of may know that I have pretty thick hair even though I seem to be losing a lot of it after having Jess at the moment I always seem to have it up in a bun as well because it is so easy and that can cause breakage which is not great at all. 

I will admit that this shampoo did help the condition of my hair and I did notice that the wavy were more defined when I had been using it however, it is not my favourite shampoo for a couple of reasons which is the reason I don't actually know if I would repurchase again in the future.  

I will warn you that one of the reasons I don't know if I like it is because the shampoo has an odd texture – very thick, almost looking solid, with flakes of coconut. Due to this you really have to lather the shampoo up so I found it’s best to put water into my hands alongside the shampoo and apply it to soaking wet hair. This then does foam up and work as a normal shampoo would. I know some people may be worried about getting water in the black tub. I didn't find it to be too much of a problem but towards the end, I did notice that it was becoming a little bit watery which way bother some people but because I had had it open a couple maybe every 

The only downside I found of this was that the flakes of coconut get stuck in your hair as you wash it, but don’t let this put you off as they’re easy enough to comb out whilst your hair is still wet, and the condition of your hair afterwards is worth it. You just need to make sure you get them all out or you might like me think you have super bad dandruff every time you wash your hair with this product. 

I would recommend this to anyone who has curly hair and it is a product that I may go back to in the future but at the moment I am loving a solid shampoo. 

Charlotte x

Bye bye Dummy

If you have ever seen a picture of Jess or read my blog you will know since she has been born she has had had a dummy. This was not a choice I was actually given because of the circumstances and how ill I was shortly after having her she was actually in NICU. It was there that the lovely nurses decided to give her a dummy because they didn't know if she had reflex and there decided to give her a dummy to help.

I don't know if the choice was down to me if I would have actually given her a dummy so this maybe be something which I don't do should we have another child. I look back now and maybe I should have actually removed the dummy from her when she left the hospital but has kept her quiet for several times when I am glad and thankful for it.It is not something which I regret her having it is something which I am thankful for but I wish that maybe so many of the pictures did not have it in but this is something to know for the future.

However, since Daddy left way back in May we had just made that she was becoming a bigger girl and she only needed it when she was tired and needed to go to sleep. This was the first stage of weaning her off the dummy because I didn't want her to be a child who was addicted and wouldn't stop. Since then she has only been using it for bed and when she has been traveling on trains because usually she is tired as we travel early morning and towards bedtime.

This is something which I would recommend instead of going cold turkey with is to cut it to certain times when you think they need it the most it seemed to work for us. However, one day back in July Jess decided that she was going to throw her dummy this was usually me hunting for it on the train, however, this day we managed to lose it. This meant that Jess had to go to nursery without a dummy and they didn't give her a spare for the first time which Jess did not mind. She has been taking it out and putting it on the side when she has been playing so this proved to us that she did not actually need when she was there and was kept busy whether it be with other children or the workers in the room.

I took this as a sign that she was ready to stop having a dummy full stop and since that day I have not given her one. I believe that children tell you when they are ready and because we want to keep them small for a long as we can we do not want to push them to have no dummy. Since that day there is only one occasion where I cracked and that was because she was actually poorly. When she now asked for her dummy we say haven't the birds taken it so they can look after there little ones and then she no longer wants a dummy as she thinks of babies with them.

How did you get your little one to stop using a dummy?

Charlotte x

Cleeve Candles Haul

Lush and candles if you have read my blog in the past you will know is two things which I adore so over a year ago when I found a little company who did lush scents in wax tart form I was all over it. I knew that I would be purchasing more and more from them that company is Cleeve Candles. They are a store which can be found on etsy and at the moment are only selling one day a month on what they call restock day to find out when the next one is you will have to visit their site, however, I can tell you it will be towards the end of September now.

These are items which I managed to pick up in the restock night back in June I meant to share these with you before however, have just not got round to it which seems to be the story of my blog at the moment and for that I apologise. The first item which I picked up was this huge pie which is a blend of 3 of lushies ultimate fragrance which if I remember correctly is 29 high street, calacas and snow twilight which if you know me is a few of my favourite scents from the company. I am going to be ableto break this huge pie into a lot of different pieces which means that I am going to get a lot of burning time into my wax burner. I think a huge pie like this is around the £11 mark I may be a little bit wrong.

In the summer months is there anything better than the smell of suncream been applied well I do not think so this was one of the reasons behind me purchasing this wax. I think it is one which I am going to adore burning when the weather is been typically British and not that warm even though it is summer. On dry sniff it smells a little bit different to what I thought it was going to but hopefully when I actually end up burning a chunk of this I will like it if not I will end up selling it on so that someone else can get the joy out of this wax.

One of my favourite scents from Lush is Calcas which is a scent which was out a few halloween's ago now it is the scent of monster ball for anyone who may have tried that last year. I adore this scent and could not think of anything better than my whole house smelling of the scent the only way I can kind of describe this is sour gummy worms if you are fan of these sweets then maybe this one if for you. I have a few tubs of this because I love the scent so much and they are not available every single destash night. I can not wait for the weather to change a little bit so I can start burning wax more and more.

Lime cooler is one which I thought I would pick up as well due to the fact that you do not see much wax which is a lime scented at all. I love lime for some reason the name of this makes me think of Costa maybe because a lot of their cool drinks are called coolers. You can sure tell when you get this that there is a hell of a lot of lime in it almost makes me want to eat it even though I know that would be a stupid idea and no doubt very dangerous. I think this is going to be one which I am going to burn when I am missing the summer rather than one I am going to burn right now give it a couple of weeks to a month and I can see this been one which I am burning. For some reason, I have managed to already lose the picture of this which is never good and I already have started to burn this.

Mango and Pineapples are a couple of fruits which I love to consume in the summer months so when I saw that Cleeves was doing a blend of them in wax tart form I knew I had to have some. If a couple of fruits scream summer to me more than these I do not know what it is. I can smell more mango than I can pineapple but this is not something which bothers me at all. I think that the blend is not too overpowering like some of the other companies which I have tried. This for sure is one which I am going to be burning in the near future.

My favourite I think I am going to claim from the whole of my haul is this little wax melt which is Slushie yes it is based on the blue raspberry slush puppy's that you used to be able to get when I was a growing up. I am unsure if you can still purchase them now I don't think I have seen them in a while. This smells just spot on I can not believe how much even on dry sniff I thought it smelt like this. It almost makes me want to hunt down a slush right now because they smell that amazing, Even Jess keeps stealing this sniffing it and going nice so it much is a firm favourite. This is going to be one which was soon as my tart burner has some room I am going to be burning. Just look how pretty it is how could anyone say no.

Have you tried Cleeve Candles? Could you recommend any other companies who make so amazing wax tarts?

Charlotte

Dear Dada- Going Upstairs

Dear Dada

This week a huge changed happened your tiny baby who once was no bigger than your forearm moved upstairs at nursery. Mummy keeps telling me that it does not seem like it was two minutes ago when you first dropped me off for my settling in sessions when I would cry and do not want to leave the chair in the corner of the room. Now it is time for me to go upstairs and play with the big boys and girls I can't wait to show you my new rooms we have 3 upstairs it means that I can paint, colour and play in the sand more. You know that they are some of my favourite things to do. The first time you come you're going to have to get mummy to show you have to go to pick me up because otherwise, I may stay there forever. 

I am sad to have left the lovely ladies downstairs however, a couple of them come upstairs with me a few days when it is busy and I have moved with some of my friends downstairs because ewe all have birthdays which are close together which is great. I have even met up with some old friends who used to be downstairs a while ago. I am doing well adapting to life upstairs which I know is a great relief for Mummy because you know she is always worrying about me so hopefully this is one less thing for her to actually worry about. 

I have enjoyed been upstairs for the two days which I have been at nursery this week because been there means that I can play with the water, play kitchen and even play catch inside with some of my new and some of my old friends. I can't wait for you to see my new room I hope you like it as much as me but I am sorry you can't stay all day unlike me.

The reason behind why I have only to nursery a couple of days this week is because of the fact that grandma and grandad have left the house for the weekend for a family trip to Devon. Which means that the responsibility to keep everyone alive falls to Mummy god help me and Uncle Daniel lets hope that she doesn't kill us while they are gone. Saying that on Saturday yesterday as you read this the other Grandparents are picking me up. They have a week of work which means they want me to go down and have some fun times with them. This will mean that mummy has a lot of time on her own maybe she will actually chill out a little bit and then have a little bit of time to herself we can only hope because we both know how much she needs that.

I miss you so much Daddy only about a month now I can see you again.

Love you so much

Jess xxx

Mattel Play!- Liverpool Review

I know this post has been a long time coming ever single time I see the pictures I think about that fact I that I need to do a review however, I have not got around to it. That is the reason why Jess may look young in the pictures because they were actually taken back at Easter time when we visited Mattel Play! which is on the Albert dock in Liverpool.

The only reason I actually knew it was there was because I had seen the lovely Hayley from stretchmarks and sparkles visit with her boys. Mattel is a 3 floored building which is designed for under 5's. The top floor is dedicated to Thomas the tank engine which has you may know because Jess goes on a lot of trains she likes to watch Thomas.

On the Thomas floor there is as signalling box which allows your child to feel like they are in control of the whole network. As you can see Jess is playing with part of it here and I think we had to wait a while for her to actually come of because she was having so much fun. Also on the floor there is a little trains which the children can get on a be pushed around on it is almost like a ride on Thomas. There is a farm which allows the child to grow the fruit and veg before picking them which allows you to help your child learn their fruit and veg. 

There also was the colaeorks which has foam bricks in which you could build the areas was a little dark and this was not something which actually interested Jess. You could even drive a stationary Thomas which of course Jess spent a fair amount of time on. However I think Jess's favourite part of the floor was the ball pit which has Harold the helicopter in because she could with help get in a slide out the back into his ball pool. For sure this was the bit which she spent the longest in it was so nice to heard her laugh so much.

The second floor is dedicated to bob the builder which I will admit is a show which Jess has not seen a lot of. I think since the visit it is one which she has seen more of. On this floor they have beanbags which allow you to sit and watch episodes of the show however, only been one Jess wanted to play rather than sit. They have a kitchen which allows you to make food and drink for the famous builder making his lunch before he departs for the job I know this is an area which Jess would love so much more now as she is obsessed with play food.  They also have an area where you mend pipes and stop a water leak as well as build a new wall for a house. These are area which Jess spent some time at. The other activity  on the is a tracing your favourite character from the show however, Jess was still a little bit young to want to do this. I on the other hand had a great time trying to do it.

The third and bottom floor is an area dedicated to Fireman Sam. So as you can imagine as you enter you can put on fireman's helmets these were to big for Jess which is a huge shame. But when you got into the main room Thai was the smallest of all three levels you have little slide area which Jess loved walking up the stairs and sliding down. A speedboat which you could drive and use the hoses to put the fire out which was on a wall. This floor also has a little grocery store which Jess decides she would fill her trolley up and pretend to be a shoplifter. Mmm might have to keep my eyes on this little one. There was also a huge fire engine in there which you could play inside but this is not something we did.

When Mattel is busy you get a period of 2 hours from entrance however, we did everything we wanted and spent around an hour and half and we was all shattered after it. Overall we had an amazing time I seem to remember that it was not very expensive for how much you actually got I would revisit maybe in a years time when Jess may get more out of it. Anyway that's just an excuse to visit Liverpool again.

Have you visited Mattel Play If so what did you think? 7

Charlotte x

5 Beauty Mummy Summer Essentials

A few weeks ago now I did a post which was my toddler summer essentials post which went down pretty well thank you so much because your support means everything to me. Sometimes I do feel like nobody is reading my blog but so many of you at the moment have been sharing my post which is making me feel like I have my own little community so thank you so much  So today I have decided that I am going to share with you 5 of my beauty essentials to survive the rest of the summer.

The first product is one which you may not class as a beauty essential but it kind of fits in this catergory and that is a antibacterial hand gel this one is actually designed for kids and smells like strawberries which makes me just want to use the product even more. With having a little one it means that your hands always become messy and horrible because they like to pass you things like half eaten food and all sorts of other rubbish. Sometimes I don't have wet wipes to hand so I use the hand gel I even have Jess using it and due to the fact it smells nice she is constantly wanting to use it. I do not have one brand which I love more than another I think currently I have 3 open and on the go all with fruity scents. I can not leave the house without some of this gel it is so handy all year long not just for the summer when you seem to eat outside more.

The next product which is an essential to me is a body spray because of the fact that when it is warmer you seem to sweat more and you always want to smell your best I find myself reaching for a body spray. The reason behind this is because I can reapply this more often than I would a perfume and it is one which can be stored in your handbag pretty easy and in some cases can cool you down a little bit. I love been able to change the scent that I am wearing throught the day which is not something which you can do if you are wearing perfume. I am loving this one which I picked up in superdrug for £3 a while ago but I do have my eyes on a couple of lush ones which I might have to get in the future.

Talking of Lush it could not be a favouites/essentials without one of their products now could it however, one of the products which I love in the summer is part of their Christmas collection and that means I have to stash it half of the year. Mr Standman is a dusting powder which means that it is a more natural version of talc powder and this one actually shares it's scent with twilight which for me is amazing I think this is fast becoming one of my favourite scents. I use this powder to help with chub rub and it actually works it also helps take the excess oil off when you have used a body lotion it means that is is less sticky and you can put your clothes on straight away. This is great if you are a busy person like me and need to get ready quickly a bottle of this stuff lasts a long time so is well worth the money. I would keep an eye out for it when it comes out this year in fact I may do a full review closer to the time.

I find that I need something to help my make up stay on all day and I have found that if I use a couple of sprays of the Urban Decay stay all night setting spray my make up does not melt of my face as quick is a bonus when you are applying it for over 12 hours. I love how long a small bottle lasts I think I have had this one way over a year and it is only just starting to run out which makes me sad because I am going to have to repurchase this very soon. I have found that it makes my base stay on a lot longer when usually it would have been looking horrible and like it needed to be removed. Unfortunately this is not the cheapest but because it is effective it does mean I am more likely to repurchase.

The final item which is a must have for me is dry shampoo as some of you may know I only wash my hair around once a week which means that once maybe twice a week I need to use dry shampoo. This is when it is starting to look a little bit greasy and I do not have time to wash my hair.  At the moment I am using the the Pixie Lott bapsite dry shampoo however, this is not my favoutite scent I do prefer the tropical one but I am just using up some which I have in my collection before I repurchase this one. If you rub it in a little bit you do not get the white streaks you do with other dry shampoos which is amazing when you need to be out the door about 5 mins ago.

What are your beauty summer essentials even if you are not a busy mummy?

Charlotte x

Keeping a Toddler Entertained Indoors

If anyone has a toddler like mine who loves to play outside. You will know how hard it is to keep them entertained when they are unable to  get outside because it is raining outside. Jess for one really hates been inside. There is only so many cartoons she can watch on the tv before she starts to her really bored and she doesn't have the attention span yet to be able to watch films.

Since the weather this summer seems to have been really hit and miss one day she will be able to go outside and enjoy the sun and the next day it will be horrible and have to be a day in. At the moment she is going to nursery around 3 days a week which is great and really handy should the weather be really rubbish them days as nursery can keep her entertained . However, on the days that it is horrible I have had to become creative and have some ideas of what to do because we can not be running to soft play like everyone else because those places give mummy a headache and are also bad for her bank balance.

Due to the fact that Jess is hardly in it does mean that some days she will be very content just playing with her toys because they are all new again to her and ones which she might not have played with for a while. I recommend rotating your child's toys around every couple of months so that they get to play with everything and it doesn't always mean you have to fork out for new toys.

Having fun with paints is something which we have done as well. A while ago I think it might have actually been way back at Easter time we popped to Asda and they had large rolls of paper for around £1 and also had some finger paints reduced due to a battered box. We decided that we would tape the paper to the floor so that did not end up moving and Jess ending up painting all over the floor. I would recommend getting some paints and some coloured pencils because it helps children become so creative and i know it is something which keeps Jess occupied for a long time on a rainy day.

Yes this picture is from nursery and I promise she was not crying because she was in the ball pit she just didn't want to leave nursery. Jess is lucky to have a ball pool at her nannys unfortunately currently we don't have the room for her to have one at our house which is a shame because she loves playing it in so much. She will pick the balls up and tell you the colours of the balls as well as playing pass with you and having a whale of a time. You can pick ball pools up for around the £10 mark and then it is just getting the balls I would recommend around 100-200 for the chad valley one that is the one which she has at the grandparents house.

Blowing bubbles is another fun thing to do if it raining sometimes we will blow them in the house and sometimes when Jess has a bath. There is nothing more that she loves that to chase them and help try and pop bubbles. I managed to pick this huge litre bottle of mixture from the works which is not a place I would normally have thought to visit looking for bubble mixture.  I recommend looking in stores such as this home bargains , B&M and such for cheap toys and activities. I must admit I am always keeping my eye out in these kind of stores for things to keep Jess busy.

Speaking of baths sometimes we have a lot of fun when it's raining by treating her to a lush bath bomb and then getting her bath toys out . I have known her stay in the bath for up to an hour and half which then makes her so tired and she has to go for a nap which means that she is entertained for even longer. Sometimes we do not even use lush we use her normal bubble bath because we keep lush for a treat.

What do you do to keep your toddler entertained when the weather is rubbish?

Charlotte x

Dear Dada- No More Boys

Dear Dada

Now it August only one more month to get through and then this you should be home even if it is only for a short period of time. This week has gone super fast because it has been a whole week at home for me and mummy no nursery no nothing. I think it is what we both needed some time to actually sleep well I did a fair bit of that because mummy doesn't seem to be the best at sleeping any more.

The reason I haven't been at usury was because the boys have ditched us for the nice warm sun in Tenerife. They even had the cheek to buy a paw patrol ball to play with while they were away I hope they bring it back so I can play with it. Since we have been a home a lot this week mummy has been decluttering areas I think it makes her feel like she is achieving something and you would not believe the amount of rubbish she has gotten rid of and managed to find new homes for things. Not that it will last been tidy and decluttering with me and the boys in the house we are always causing mess.

Since they have not been at home and I have had to have tea at home I haven't been eating in my high chair I have been sat on my booster chair which makes me the right height for the table. If only they was room for me on it all of the time because I enjoy been a big girl maybe I will if we finally get a house together.

I have enjoyed been able to play outside a little bit I am loving my scuttlebug I warn you I am dangerous on it so your going to have to watch your toes when your back and I am on it. I love you really do I promise to not cause that much damage. I have also been playing with the pups at the moment I love pretending to feed them and putting them to bed like they are real animals.

Next week I am going back to nursury and I can't wait to see all of my friends that I have missed because I have so much fun with them. Time passes faster when I am there even though I am still not loving been dropped off because I am scared mummy will not return.

Love you so much Daddy

Jess xxxxxx

Primark August Sale Haul

Primark is a store which we all think of been cheap anyway which as I have said in the past means that it is great for toddler clothing because you do not really mind should it become ruined by something such as paint which will not end up washing out. This month actually see's Jess move upstairs at nursury which means she will be painting more and there is more chance of her ruining outfits. With this in mind and the fact that the weather currently is pretty hit and miss I popped into primark little did I know they had a sale on. I picked these two tshirts which are long sleeved great for the colder weather we will be having for only £2. I love the cat print on this because Jess really likes animals so this cat will really suit her. The other one which came in the set was this my daddy says I am really really awsome which I am sure he would say. These are going to be great teamed with leggings on a cooler day and then for £2 I do not mind if Jess hardly wears them. 

The next item which I picked up may seem really random for a haul in August all I can say is they must have been selling some of there old stock off because it is this sweatshirt in grey which says Daddy's Girl. It is pretty thick meaning it is going to be great when you need just something on to keep your arms warm but something easy to remove when it becomes warmer. I think this was only £1. I can imagining teaming this with some bright leggings due to the fact that the sweatshirt is not a very bright colour. For sure nobody can deny that Jess is a Daddy's Girl she still shouts for him at least daily and he has now been gone 3 whole months it is safe to say she has not forgotten about him one bit. I think she is actually proud to be a little daddy's girl.

The next item I picked up was thse twin pack of dress's as you might know I think I have spoken about them in the past Jess has some amazing Minnie mouse swing dress's which were from Primark however, they are now starting to get a little bit small for her but they have washed amazing. So when I saw that these two were reduced to £3 I coud not leave them. The pink one has like a navy heart pattern all over and the navy one has a pink pattern all over it. .These are going to be great for nursury because she can at the moment wear them bare legged and then when it becomes a little bit colder they can be paired with tights. I hope that these are going to get as much love as the Minnie ones. 

Stop the press I managed to pick this tshirt up for only 50p so this for sure is one which I do not mind if it gets ruined about the first time that she wears it. I know that this one for sure is going to be used for nursury no doubt with some patterned leggings because I seem to love them. This top is a really nice shade of pik and in the heart it says I love Daddy which I know she is going to love because of the fact that she really does love him. I think he might actually get a big head if he reads this post because it shows how much she does love him. Does anyone else wish that they could get a tshirt for this price in their own size?

The final item in this little sale haul is this black/navy summer dress which for some reason was reduced to only £3 and it still is the height of summer. If you didn't know I don't think you would know it was from Primark I think it looks a little bit more expensive. I can see Jess wearing this should there be any family occasion coming up and I don't want her to ruin a dress which may have cost a lot more than this. In the summer she can wear it bare legged of course and then when the weather starts to changed and it becomes a bit colder it is one which I could team with a cardigan and tights and then she will still be able to get plenty of wear out of it. 

Have you picked up any bargin's recently?

Charlotte x

Bookworm- The Rise and Fall Of A Yummy Mummy- Review

Reading is something which has been a huge passion of mine for a long time however, since going to university the first time and been given a lot of reading to reading for pleasure is not something which I have done a lot. I don't think there are many parents who manage to read a lot I think this book is actually one of the first which I have finished this year which I know is shocking seen as it is August usually I would have read around 20 by now.

I decided to read this book which is the rise and fall of a yummy mummy because I wanted something which I thought would be super easy to read and this seemed like it could be one of those books which is a constant page turner

The book's blurb is the following

For every mum who has trodden on one plastic brick too many, or looked at her phone instead of lovingly recording her little one's every moment, or poured a large wine because it's four o'clock on Friday. If you've ever shared a post from the Unmumsy Mum or giggled at Hurrah for Gin, this book is for you.

Amy Crane is in crisis. Six months after the birth of her baby, Amy still looks pregnant and can't remember the last time she had a wax, or an orgasm. Motherhood is stirring up disturbing questions about her own childhood. And she suspects her boyfriend is cheating. Enter Alice, yummy mummy superior, on a mission to transform Amy's body, and love life. As Amy swaps breast pads for Botox and climbs out of a vortex of self-doubt, her libido awakens from its long nap and things get rather more complicated ...

A wonderfully well-written, funny and sharp novel about the trials of playing hip happy families and the contradictions at the heart of modern motherhood.

My thoughts 

The book was very similar to others which I have read in the past it has a very typical ending which I could see from the middle of the book which really almost annoyed me because I like to be surprised by a book which has a twist which this one did not. I also found the main character Amy really annoying as well towards then end because she always need to have someone tell her she was good enough however, it is almost reassuring that characters do need to be told this and not all the time life has a happy ending because for sure we know this is not always the truth. Even people in books have bad days, ,weeks, and months which I found comforting for some reason maybe because I know what it is like to have one of these as well.  I found the book a page turner and did manage to finish it pretty quickly however, it is not one which I can see myself rereading but Polly Williams is an author I would look at purchasing her work again as I did enjoy this book. 

Overall I would recommend it should you want a page turner book maybe for reading around the pool but you do not want a typical chick flick. 

Have you read this book if so what did you think?

Charlotte x