This Boy....

Sebastian, 12 weeks old. How time flies. Enjoying every second of this beautiful boys life. 
So in love. Just had to share. Indulge me!!

These Baby Bundlers are fabulous for those night time nappy changes, 

no fiddly press studs when you're half asleep.

 It's Friday - Yay!
Happy Weekend!
XX

Around Here Lately

Gosh, where on earth has the time gone? I'm missing this little space. I may not be as articulate in my writing as some bloggers out there, but I love this small space. Sometimes life runs away and you have to play catch up constantly - that's me at the moment. So, thank you so much for coming back if you've dropped by before or 'hello' if you are a first timer! I'm hoping to be back to share more real soooooon!!

Life has changed dramatically, since the birth of Sebastian, days off spent with my Daughter, helping her with her breastfeeding, making sure she eats and rests & Christmas shopping together of course ;-)

I had a quick trip to Newcastle for a work conference. 

If I had to describe Newcastle in three words it would be 'City of light'. 

I have enjoyed one Christmas dinner so far on an extended family night out - only another ten to go!! I wore a new bright pink top from Boden that just screams Christmas plus a nice chilled throw on after work look! ;-) The blouse did tend to crease a bit, but things like that don't bother me, especially when I have a glass of wine in hand. 

Currently 40% off - other colours available.

Elephant in the room - new oven. VERY slowly getting to grips with it, so hard after cooking on my AGA for 14 years, which I just used to throw the food in and the Aga, being so kind would then just churn out succulent tasty food....even if I forgot about it. 

Sadly this oven is not so kind :-( 

Drinking my favourite tea - caffeine free lemon, ginger & ginseng from M&S. In my favourite new mug. With a stag on it. Of course!!

I am completely overhauling our diets. I lost over a stone in weight doing the 7lb in 7 Days Juicy Detox (& following up with a healthy lunch and daily juice for breakfast after). I feel so much better and more energised. Below is Jack Monroes Peach & Chickpea Curry, tasty & wholesome - just yum - I love her recipes! More on my new healthy eating soon!

Christmas isn't Christmas without at least one visit to a Christmas market is it? We visited Manchester last week - not many pics to share - too bloomin' cold :-) I'm going again tomorrow from work - yay for Gluhwein with Amaretto!

 & so, Christmas is slowly putting in an appearance. Ornaments old and new nestling together. A new baby and new memories to make with my beautiful family.

I'm off to check on the casserole in the oven and wait for my Daughter to arrive with that special little bundle, aaaaahhhhh!

I am having problems with Google Chrome on my tablet. It hasn't been allowing me to leave comments on the lovely blogs I follow, so I shall be sorting that out tonight - I do love this little community.

Ok, no more of my ramblings.....
wishing you all a lovely week ahead!
XX

Extra Special Delivery

Sorry for my absence lately, it is due to this little whirligig!

Sebastian Edward

Sebastian decided he wanted to join the party early. 

He had a difficult start, but is a tough little cookie, like his beautiful Mama. 

His Mama & Papa had to deal with more than I and most people in the first few days of their precious baby's life.

But, he is home, looked at in awe and wonderment and filling our hearts with so much love. 

So, this weekend I am away in the Lake District & hope to catch up with my favourite blogs and start to put together some of my own!

Smile everyone - It's Friday - 
Happy weekend!
XX

Sebastian is wearing hat and bootees made by my Sons girlfriend - how cute are they?! X

Something Special

For my Daughter's Baby Shower I asked all the guests to bring along a pretty bead or button, with the idea that they could be incorporated into a bracelet designed by Natalie of  The Curious Rose (Facebook) The Curious Rose (website).

Natalie produced the most gorgeous bracelet, incorporating all the beads, a gift from all who love and care, to travel with my Daughter on her journey to becoming a Mama.

When I opened the package yesterday it brought tears to my eyes! BEAUTIFUL!

So eclectic and personal, I have done close up photographs to show the intricacies of all the beads and buttons and the way Natalie has put them together. I just adore it! 

Thank you so much The Curious Rose!!

What do you think?
Do you like?
XX

Baby Shower

Last weekend I organised a Baby Shower for my Daughter. I wanted it to show how very loved and cared about she is as well as celebrating this beautiful Mama to be.

I could have taken more photo's but I was very in the moment :-) 

We chatted, played games (Amazon became my friend!!) and drank blue champagne 

(food colouring - simples!)

The personalised sash was from a company on Amazon....

I just adore this scrumptious, precious baby bump :-)

The local Card Factory was great for ordering balloons at reasonable prices and meant a quick five minute dash in the morning to pick them up!

The display below I came up with whilst wandering in The Range which is where the white wicker heart and coloured tags are from. 

The tags were for people to write their good luck wishes and advice titbits :-) 

It worked really well and looked pretty too......

 

A lovely friend had reams of blue bunting, which I ran through the 

kitchen and study,It looked so pretty. 

So many places to hire bunting on line which is worth doing if you need a lot.

These letters were just cut from card and strung on a stick hanging from a beam.

 I knew there were children coming to the party so ordered this blue elephant 

themed partyware from Amazon.

To make the day easier I had ordered pasties - meat & potato and cheese & onion, 

which were really tasty with a nice glass of white ;-)

Bubbles with added blue food colouring for a toast!

Some beautiful gifts were given, should have heard the "oooohhhssss" & 

"aaaaahhhhhhssss" as they were opened, such sweet happy times to come.

It's all in the eyes....so cute :-)

The muslins below are from Mini Boden, I'm so happy with them, 

they are super size and excellent quality.

These fun cards are brill - to put on the photo of your little one as they achieve all 

important milestones! Love them!

The cake! Oh my, the cake!! I was so proud of this! I asked my best friends daughter to let her imagination run and make a cake, I gave her the elephant theme and this is what she came up with! This is the third cake she has made, at only 16 she definitely has a talent....

 Proud Mama and Mama-to-be :-)

 The all important cake lighting & cutting....

& the making of wishes....

 

Details schmetails....games and invites from Amazon

 These beautiful candles for winners of the games - going to go back for some for moi ;-)

 House looks really bare now - oh well, nearly Ch.....................aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

Young love! Six weeks until the little man arrives ;-0

 Papa....

 

Thanks so much for dropping by - 
hope you enjoyed sharing a small part of our celebration!
XX