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Dear Daisy, It is your first day at school...

Just hangin' around!

Last week my workplace had their summer event, this year it was at GoApe, Wexham. I love spending time outdoors, so this was right up my street! I really looked forward to it and really enjoyed it on the day!

It wasn't for some people and for those scared of heights it must have been terrifying! But it was great fun and I think everyone enjoyed it, even those a little frightened!

I highly recommend it!

I think I am going to look at planning in a day with my friends sometime!









Lots of love, 

Hayley xxx

Crabtree & Evelyn preview (Review)

Hello,

I know, I know! I said preview, which in PR terms means Christmas. How very dare I? Especially when it seems we aren't even going to get a few weeks of summer. But I am afraid you will have to think about it at some point...

So I was recently invited along to the Crabtree & Evelyns Christmas press launch. Sadly I couldn't make it, why is it most of the press days are in London?! (Stupid question I know!) I can make my way down there easily enough and am actually down there most weeks for work but sadly not on this day.

Anyway they kindly sent me a lovely little package and I have chosen some of those products to show you. And to make the most of the rare, tiny bit of sunshine I decided to shoot them outside in the garden.




I should start by saying I am not new to this brand and quite often purchase them as gifts. They are a nice, premium brand that is always well received. I should add though that I have never bought anything for a male from there and actually never noticed they even do mens products, until now! 


First up is this hand therapy cream. This was much appreciated, my hands are so dry and horrible at the moment. Although they have been like that since I have been a mum, all that extra water exposure I guess! I knew I would love this, mainly because I have used their hand creams before. The scent is gorgeous and as usual it is easily absorbed into the skin. I do find those tiny screw tops quite tricky to use, especially to put the lid back on when your hands are a bit slippery. And I have already lost it twice and panicked that Daisy would spot it before me! But I love this and I definitely will be considering as gifts for the baskets I put together for the ladies in my life (mums, nans, sister etc) for Christmas. It is so nice! 


Next up is this beauty. Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed bath and shower gel. This smells like I could eat it! This is actually 30% off at the moment online!



I mentioned mens products before and this is the product that I was talking about! This is Verbena and Lavender cologne. At first when I opened up the package I wasn't sure if it was feminine or masculine, but upon smelling it I can confirm its definitely for a man! It is so nice though! I wouldn't mind my husband smelling like this! I am not sure if I would pick it up in store purely because Lavender portrays more of a feminine smell to me, but if I was encouraged to try it I would have changed my mind! This will also be going on the list for gifts! 

Lots of love, 

Hayley xxx

I was sent these samples in return for my honest opinions

Stepping out of my comfort zone

I haven't really sat down and written many personal posts recently, mainly because it has all been go with working, holidays and other things filling up my time and to be honest I haven't really known what to write for a while. A bit of writers block perhaps! (Not that I am a writer as such!)

Recently I had to go to Paris with work which meant an over night stop on my own. This isn't the first time I have had to stay away with my work, I have stayed away probably hundreds of times in my career, but since having Daisy I have really dropped those travel times and only done a few. When I have stayed away until now I have been so lucky in that Ben and Daisy have both come with me. So although I don't see them really at least I know they aren't far away and then I see them for tea and bedtime. And the times they haven't its not been too awful because I was just a drive away from them. 

When I went to Paris the original plan was for them to come along. But for one reason and another flights were expensive and for just the one night it didn't seem worth it. It was super hot in Paris too with a heatwave, temperatures at almost 40'c so it was probably a good job they stayed at home. In the days that lead to me having to go I was really sad and felt a bit down, I said a few times that i didn't want to do my job anymore and I just want to be a mum! I say "just be a mum" very lightly, because actually as time has gone on I really don't think I could be a stay at home mum full time, that is hard going!!! But a nicer split of maybe working just 2 days would be lovely! Or maybe 3 half days, I am dreaming again, Oh and I would like to work local, maybe somewhere I could drive to in 10 minutes or walk to. Again I am dreaming. I digress, What I am trying to say is that it was so difficult to get myself motivated to want to go. 

The morning I had to leave I had to leave home just after 2am, Daisy had us up at 1.30am and so I can tell you it was a very long day!!! On the drive to the airport I have to admit I had a few sneaky tears, it felt so much harder than ever before. I have no idea why. 

When I got to Paris I had in my mind that I would just grab a taxi to the hotel and then to where ever my meeting was. Easy and stress free, almost. But when I was waiting to go through Passport control in Paris I had a little think. Maybe I should push myself out of my comfort zone and try and get there whilst seeing some of Paris. I have been there before, and I love it. It is very special to me, I got engaged there! Anyway I had a good think and a bit of a Google and decided I would get the bus into Paris and then possibly the metro or a taxi the last little bit dependent on the time. So I did just that! I was a little nervous, what if I was going the wrong way? What if I got lost? I rely on Ben so much when we are away, he is a good traveller and so organised! Always knows where we are going and how we will get there! 

In one way I was pleased I did and in another I felt extremely travel sick by the time I got to the hotel! 

For the rest of the stay I decided to stick to the Metro (Paris' equivalent of the underground) and RER (trains) . I was so nervous!!! These stations are busy, busy, busy! Hot and have hundreds of platforms! I could easily have got on the wrong train at any time! I was also conscious that I was carrying around luggage that not only contained my usual possessions but also my passport and money! I really did want to get home at some point and not get stuck there! 

Anyway, I was so proud of myself. And stepping out of my comfort zone really gave me a great sense of satisfaction, I could do it! And I could get home to my baby! I actually felt really happy about my trip for that reason alone, I could go where ever I wanted and survive! And it made me think maybe I should try stepping out of that warm, easy,  comfort zone more often... 



Lots of love, 

Hayley xxx

Weekend baby style Summer #2




Good morning, 

I am in love with this outfit. I can not put Daisy in it enough! 

The little denim skater style dress (It is a pretend denim, it is a really light weight dress) is from Primark. The cute turned up sleeves and floral design is so pretty. It is slightly long on Daisy which can cause a bit of annoyance when she is crawling and waddling about but she will grow in to it a little better too I think. 




You can see she was having a good sort out of some of her bows this morning!! The bow she is wearing is one from Braces and Bows, it is called the double flower! And is only £2!! 
If you wish to join in with the linky, hook up here...


The Knott Bump & Us

Lotsa love, 

Hayley & Daisy xxx