January 2018 Update

Hello!

I just wanted to share a bit about what we have been up to so far in 2018.....

I'll start this blog with a promise. I shall not move house again any time soon....

The end of 2017 was very frustrating and disappointing for us. We put our house on the market in June 2017 after our wedding but there was very little movement - mostly down to the summer holidays and dare I say it, Brexit! We didn’t have a buyer so we missed out on a couple of houses we really loved which is always disappointing.

Much to our relief, at the end of September, we got a buyer and found an amazing house to move into! It was a one-off new build in the really early stages so I chose my kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, wall colour, EVERYTHING – I was over the moon! It's an interior design lover's dream! I had project books, countless lists and notebooks on the go, mood boards, interior design apps - the lot!

But in November we lost our buyers and consequently our dream house.... I can’t tell you how upsetting it was! I learnt the hard way - you need a very thick skin when it comes to house buying. Don’t let yourself get attached until it’s 100% yours – which is easier said than done!

Luckily, just before Christmas we found a new buyer and we spent the time before New Year’s in Essex house hunting! We have now found a beautiful home in Essex which we are in love with. It’s a one-off new build down a little private lane so very safe for Lola and I love what the architects and designers have created so far - I can’t wait to add my own interior design ideas when we move in and share on here. We are going through the exchange now so keeping everything crossed that it works out for us this time round - or I think I might actually lose the plot!

I should probably explain why the move to a new area. I was brought up in Essex and love it. It’s such a friendly place with lovely high streets and nice places to visit – plus most of my family and friends are there. We moved to Buckinghamshire (where my husband is from) after having Lola, but I really struggled with homesickness. It sounds so silly to say I was homesick at 29 years of age, but I was. I need familiarity and crave home comforts. Being a new Mum can be quite lonely so it’s not easy doing it in an unfamiliar place without your family and closest friends nearby. I made some truly amazing friends in Buckinghamshire who will stay in my life wherever I am, but I know this is the right decision for us and I can’t wait to begin our new journey in Essex.

Anyway, enough about the house. Once we have exchanged and the actual move gets going I will check in again – hopefully with lots of pictures!

Secondly, I wanted to mention a few beauty products I am absolutely loving at the minute! Before Lola, I used to spend hours in Department stores looking at and trying new products but I just don't get the time anymore - and taking an inquisitive toddler to a Beauty Hall is, well, challenging. So I have relied heavily on reviews online and word of mouth and I thought this was the perfect place to suggest my own favourites! I have limited myself to 3 as I could have gone on forever!

Iconic London Illuminator (Blush)

My hubby actually bought me this after seeing it all over Instagram (I know!!) and it has had so many recommendations. I am a BIG lover of highlighters and have quite a few in my makeup kit so I was so excited to try this. OH MY – this is literally the best thing ever! It’s glow in a bottle. I use it every single day even on non-makeup days and I get so many comments on my skin. I cannot recommend it enough for my fellow glow lovers!

https://www.iconiclondoninc.com/products/limited-edition-illuminator?variant=31017249801&glCountry=GB&gclid=CjwKCAiA4vbSBRBNEiwAMorER8dCkoDtGmiRV-3ukgtzF17-puGWKMCHCb9Xv7eSg8bBCtBAZOQk6xoCWNkQAvD_BwE

Garnier Micellar Water Oil Infused

Again, this was recommended to me for taking off stubborn, waterproof makeup. I use this every day, twice a day! I use it after I’ve cleansed - I’m always amazed how much more makeup comes off! I remember the days I just used a single face wipe after a night out! (This makes me feel a bit sick). I guess I use this stuff as a sort of first step toner, but it makes my skin feel so clean and because of the oil, I feel moisturised and my skin has a real natural all over glow! LOVE!

https://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face/Cleansers/Micellar-Water/Garnier-Micellar-Water-Oil-Infused-400ml/p/676702?gclid=CjwKCAiAhfzSBRBTEiwAN-ysWE-YnkJKlYLZTQn4OCj-D-onD_WfN4tP6B2B7cDobGJBbuF-1ZdE9xoCghIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNre99zu3tgCFYIC0wodvhUDOA

Korres Santorini Vine Body Milk

My Dad bought me this for Christmas as a memory of my wedding in Santorini last May. I have always been a fan of Korres for its mild but effective products. Their lip balms are amazing! But this lotion is a god send! It leaves my skin feeling like velvet for hours. It’s also a great skin healer and anti-inflammatory because it contains Shea Butter and Almond Oil. But this aside – the SMELL IS INCREDIBLE. It smells like Santorini in a bottle which brings back so many happy memories for me. Even if you haven’t been to Santorini, I guarantee you’ll want to after smelling this!

https://www.lookfantastic.com/korres-santorini-vine-body-milk-200ml/11106001.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=0&gclid=CjwKCAiAhfzSBRBTEiwAN-ysWDPUe6IG9t4Z0y5fTs8RtueqosEJopwzgFf5SPGCik16guHzoHbfsxoClaoQAvD_BwE

Lastly, a short update on my little darling. Lola loved Christmas and still sometimes asks where Naughty Elf has gone when she wakes up – we explain Elf went home with Santa on his sleigh and will be back on the 1st of December for more mischievous fun (I don’t know who’s more excited)!

She made Christmas so magical and it was lovely watching her open and play with all her new toys. Some favourites were a wooden toy shop (which I am obsessed with tidying and sorting every night!), a new dolly (always), Disney Princess dresses and a beautiful white, wooden fancy dress rail to hang them all up on.

I want to personalise the dressing up rail when we move as I’ve seen some really, beautiful ones! Now I just need my playroom in the new house to store everything - my kitchen currently looks like a playgroup.

We have also begun potty training! The transition to knickers has been quite a challenge… Lola is a very clever little girl and picks things up incredibly quickly, with a memory that amazes us! But she is also very active and gets so busy doing things and distracted/absorbed in the world of make believe that she forgets herself and ends up having a little accident! However, we have finally turned a corner (touch wood) after trying many, many different methods and toilet/knicker type devices! I think we are finally on our way to NO NAPPIES - although I'm not naive in thinking we have finished with all our toilet related incidents - last week I had, "Mummy, I did a poo but don't worry I've cleaned it up...." I can't even begin to explain.

If any Mums are thinking of potty training soon or are struggling like I was, and would like to read a more detailed post on what worked for us and what didn’t, please comment or message. I can honestly say I have never been more happy to hear the words, "Mummy, I need a.....". As long as it isn't followed by, "and I've cleared it up". Because that is bad. Very, very bad.

I hope you enjoyed reading,

Sophie x