As Violet is rapidly growing into a big baby (7 months now), with longer awake time periods, it's got me thinking about what you actually do with a baby to keep them entertained at home. When I had Finn 3.5 years ago I had no idea what I was doing (winging it) and had no concept of what you had to do to fill time with a baby, especially having had no prior experience what so ever.
Read moreBattle of the Sexes
Having just spent a bank holiday weekend with two other couples with kids, it's dawned on me that it's really common to have a constant battle of the sexes when it comes to parenting. It's always re-assuring to see other couples having the same and/or similar issues to you. The mums were discussing how weekends and holidays were often harder and more tiring, testing and challenging on their relationships compared to the routine of the weekdays.
Read moreWhy I'm (parenting the sh*t out of life) by being a Routine Mama
It's a funny thing when you have a baby, you get inundated with conflicting advice (don't use a dummy, do use a dummy, find a routine and stick to it, go with the flow, use blackout blinds, never use blackout blinds, never let them sleep on their front, they sleep better on their fronts...) and hand me down parenting books (Gina Ford's raisng contented babies, The Baby Whisperer. Your Baby Week by Week..)
Read moreMama Meet Ups
Finlay Fox have been hosting a series of Mama Meet ups in collaboration with cool East London lifestyle store Olive Loves Alfie East over the Summer. As a mum who really struggled after having my first baby and found it lonely after having my second, I thought it would be nice to create a get together to meet other mums in a relaxed open setting.
Read morePetites Pattes Baby Socks
I always get asked - what are the best baby socks that don't fall down and off little feet really quickly? Unfortunately it's the nature of little feet to push socks off and be constantly wriggling around, so the answer is 'there is no such thing,' to my knowledge, anyway (you can use these sock ons to help keep them on but they aren't for everyones taste).
Read moreYou know you're a mama when...
Mama Necklace from Cult of Youth
We've been thinking about what it means to be a mum, mother, mama, whatever you call it, motherhood is pretty epic, bloody hard and super special all at the same time. It's not always how you think it will be or how you think you will be but that's the best part about it, each and every day brings something new, scary, happy, exciting, gross, funny or strange.
Read moreBax & Bay Cub Bag
So over the summer we have been testing out a lovely Cub bag that we were kindly sent from Bax & Bay. It's a multi-functional luxury changing bag that also acts as a feeding pillow and carry support. It's made of supersoft faux suede that is waterproof, stain resistant and hypo-allergenic, has a fully adjustable strap and fits across any buggy or pram.
Read moreMuzzies
Muslins - probably the number one most useful and versatile item to invest in when you have a baby or to give someone as a new baby gift. In our household they are everywhere and they are called 'babies', don't ask me why, Finn came up with it and that's just what they've always been called!
Read moreBaby Teethers
So we've looked at the new craze that is teething jewellery, now we're looking at what's happening with baby teethers. There seems to be a lot more on offer these days compared to a few years back when Finn was a baby. The on-going teething journey is happening with Violet and she is constantly chomping on something to relieve her gums, still no sign of a tooth yet though.
Read moreFinlay Fox is turning one!
Can you believe it's been nearly a whole year since I started the blog? What an amazing year it's been, a real journey in photographic squares! Check out little Finn by the fox wall - one of the first pictures I took for the blog back in July 2015.... and the following pics are from a recent shoot we did in June 2016 back at the wall, looking a little older and with a new addition to the den..
Read moreBright Company X Selfish Mother PJ's
There are so many good collaborations going on at the moment, we love this new movement of team spirit and friendships happening in the world of fashion and kids brands! Did you see the Tiba & Marl X Selfish Mother tees and sweats they did together recently? Pure genius. They've gone and done it again but with another of our favourite brands - The Bright Company.
Read more5 Month Baby Update
Violet is now 5 months old and I thought it would be nice to give a small update on life with her at this time. She is definitely a good baby but as with any age in motherhood there are good days and bad days and I am pretty exhausted 99% of the time! Luckily her cheeky smile keeps me going and we are all pretty besotted with her, I'm scared at how quickly she is changing and growing, slow down please!!
Read moreJem & Bea Clutch
I'm slightly obsessed with a good clutch pouch! As a mum you constantly have 'stuff overload' to contend with - everything from teething toys, keys and phone to make up, snacks and baby wipes. A constant sorting and packing and unpacking of a bag on a daily basis, it can be hard to find anything!
Read morePost Baby Body
I wanted to talk honestly about my post baby body....eek. Violet is four months old now. We've known for a while that we would be going on holiday for my sister in laws 40th with a big group of friends when she got to 4 months... yes thats right getting into swimwear 4 months after giving birth (and around people that know me!)
Read moreFather's Day Gift Ideas
It's Fathers Day on Sunday 19th June, don't forget to get something for that special husband or father in your life. Stuck for ideas? Here is our selection of top gifts across a variety of budgets...
Read moreDoodle Nest - Kids' Art Book
I was a little hesitant about writing this post due to the high cost of the product I'm about to talk about...however having actually seen it in the flesh I can understand the price point a bit more and that this is a bespoke, one off gift of really high quality. OK so what is it?
Read moreMere Soeur - The Art of Motherhood
If you haven't heard of Carrie from Mere Soeur then please check her out! She encompasses girl power, celebrates sisterhood and empowers mums through her mama merchandise (plus she is gorgeous - major mum crush!). We've mentioned her product plenty of times before on the blog as it makes great mothers day and new mum gifts.
Read moreLara & Ollie - teething jewellery
Violet is starting to teethe (dribble-tastic funtimes!) and we've been on the lookout for some teething toys to relieve and distract those sore swollen gums. Yes you know the toys - those horrible bits of colourful garish plastic keyrings and rattles they chew on.
Read moreAvery Row Playmats
Avery Row make beautiful, luxury playmats. We have been using our Go Everywhere Mat since baby Violet was born and it has been super useful, this is what we love about it so far: It looks gorgeous - the soft print, colours and quality of the trims - we get lots of compliments on it. A pop of colour leather strap holds it all easily in place when you roll it up.
Read moreSleep Update
Sleep deprivation - always a hot topic when you have babies and kids! Sleep (or lack of) is consistently one of the first things that gets bought up when you meet up with a mum friend or someone comes to visit. It feels like a constant hangover, you are always trying to catch up on sleep and living on coffee to get you through the day.
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