Review: The Grove - Sequoia Spa

I have been using Thursdays to blog about the products that I love. However since I stopped breastfeeding I've had the opportunity to leave the house a bit more. I have some great outings coming up in the diary so I've decided to keep Thursday's as a review or showcase day but incorporate some places too.

A few weeks ago I posted about my ideal mummy 'me' time and how important I felt it was for me. Last weekend I decided to go one better than my usual lush bath. I asked J to keep Sunday afternoon free for daddy and daughter bonding time and I booked myself in for a spa day.

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Pineapple Crumble Recipe - Crumble With A Twist

I am lucky enough to have a lot of vivid childhood memories from quite a young age. I remember lots about life as a child from as young as 3. Family times, my dad putting me to bed and always falling asleep beside me before I did, making mud pies in the garden, climbing trees (I was quite the tom boy) and going to nursery.

I remember the cook at my nursery and the amazing meal times we had at lunch. In my head I remember 3 course gourmet meals every day - but perhaps that may be distorted reality. The one dish I clearly remember is her amazing Pineapple Crumble.

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Sunday Mini Styles #5

Because I can't pull off shorty shorts, so I'll live vicariously through my daughter....

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My Top 9: Weaning Essentials + Giveaway

After breastfeeding baby girl exclusively for 6 months, I initially had very little to worry about in terms of 'things' when it came to her feeding. When baby girl was hungry I would whip my boob out and feed her. As simple as that.

Things changed overnight on her 6 month birthday when we decided it was time to start her on solids. I was overwhelmed by the product choices available to me and I didn't know what I needed or where to start (similar to my dilemmas on what to use on her sensitive skin and for teething). Over the last 2 months and a lot of trial and error, I'm all stocked up with everything we need.

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Corn & Cream Cheese Fritter Recipe

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Sunday Mini Styles #4

Because it's not quite hot enough for a summer dress but we've put the winter woollies away so a strappy denim play suit will suffice....

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Mummy 'Me Time' & Lush Big Blue Bath Bomb Review

Any mummy would agree with me here that 'Mummy Time' or 'Me Time' whilst rare, is so precious when you actually get it.

When I do get me time, I really try allow myself to shut off from mummy life, thoughts and worries and relax. I used to get twangs of guilt for even wanting my me time. Now I realise how important it is to reset myself, refresh and have a new energy for baby girl when I'm done.

I do find it hard to shut off.
I spend all day with baby girl whilst J is at work (which I absolutely love by the way and feel lucky that I am able to spend every day with her for her first year).
When she's napping I'm catching up on housework, cooking and the blog.
I like to have family time when J gets home until baby girl's bed time at 9pm.
Then I have a little side project - a small business I am in the process of trying to set up.

So whilst I can always find something to fill up every hour in my day I do try and squeeze in some me time whenever I feel I need it.

My most favourite way of relaxing is having a bath. One, sometimes two (adding lots more hot water) uninterrupted hours in my gorgeous vintage tub where I can completely wind down, shut everything else out and put my feet up.

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Orange Biscuits With Cream Cheese Filling - Ranbow Recipe

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Sunday Mini Styles #3

Because every princess should own a pink and gold tutu.....

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What Saves Me From My Teething Terror?

This week, the fabulous Charlene from Moderate Mum dedicated a blog post to my million dollar question.

It feels like my 7 month old has been teething since birth but still no teeth?

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One Lovely Blog Award & 7 Random Facts About Me

Last week I got a tweet notification to let me know that I had been nominated for One Lovely Blog Award by Lisa from Into The Glade. Lisa is a Mummy of two girls and has a very lovely blog herself. Check her out here. She writes about her family life and posts some yummy recipes too.

In my one month of blogging I feel really lucky to be part of the blogging community and it's so nice to come across bloggers like her. Thank you so much Lisa :)

From what I understand about this award, I need to list seven things about myself that you wouldn't already know and then pass on the lovely blog torch to 10 others who I think have lovely blogs and for them to do the same thing.

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Iced Lemon Loaf Recipe

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Sunday Mini Styles #2

Happy Easter Sunday! I hope you've all had a wonderful long weekend so far and are looking forward to the next couple of days.

Me and baby girl have had a great week. She's really starting to fall into a routine with feeding and sleeping. Generally when we stick to that I have a very happy baby and we have lots of fun together. Laughing with her is the best part of my day.

I loved putting together her outfit for today's Sunday Mini Styles.

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A Year Of Firsts & What's In My Baby Girl's Easter Basket

Being a first time mum, this is such a special year for me.

A year of firsts.

To name a few that have just made my heart double in size:

The day I gave birth to my baby girl, my first child.

The first day we brought her home.

The first smile she ever gave me when she woke up in the morning with her beaming face and gave me a huge gummy grin.

Her first ever belly laugh.

Our first Christmas together as a family.

The first mouthful of food she ever tried and the look of disgust she gave me when it didn't taste like milk.

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