babyurbeautiful

If being a busy Mum makes you a last minute Christmas present shopper like me, then you will love the prices on toys at Asda at the moment. Their prices are generally very competitive anyway, but they currently have 2 for £10 on selected toys, and Little Tikes products, a great toy brand.

You're probably too late for delivery before Xmas now, but you can pop down to grab them in-store.

Here are some ideas for stocking-filler toddler gifts, which my 2 year old loves!

Little Tikes Light n Sound Rings
Usual Price: £8.00



Little Tikes Stack n Tow Rescue Team
Usual Price: £7.00



Little Tikes Drop n Roll
Usual Price: £8.00



Little Tikes Food Mixer
Usual Price: £6.00


Click here for all 2 for £10 offers.

Merry Christmas!

CB

Lush Cosmetics are promoting some Chistmas Good tomorrow with their #ThoughtThatCounts Day!

What does Christmas mean to you? Lush believe it's about real thoughts and thoughtfulness: for friends and family, those less fortunate, animal welfare and trying to make the world a better place. So they are taking the phrase 'thought that counts' and filling it with meaning!

On 17th December 2013, Lush staff all around the world will be performing their own #ThoughtThatCounts and would love for you to get involved by sharing your #ThoughtThatCounts on Twitter and Instagram, whatever it might be.

It doesn’t have to be spectacular – it can be as simple as a ‘hello’ to someone you’ve never spoken to before, ‘thank you’ to someone that you love or a thought for someone less fortunate. You could even share your thoughts about how you’ll be making your Christmas more green or cruelty-free.

I'll be using some of their eco Xmas pressie wraps, which are so cute!


Pudding Wrap 
£2.50 each
https://www.lush.co.uk/product/5744/Pudding-Knot-Wrap




Whatever you’ll be doing to make this Christmas extra special, please join Lush in making it count!

17th DECEMBER #ThoughtThatCounts

Follow on
Twitter @Lushltd
Instagram @Lushfreshhandmade

Coming up to Christmas, I usually like to spend much of December eating mince pies and drinking mulled wine with friends. However still breastfeeding my 11 month old , I am not drinking any alcohol, which makes Christmas just a little less merry than it should be!

So, to try to keep spirits high with Xmas Cheer, I thought I would test out some non-alcoholic mulled wine alternatives.

Belvoir Mulled Winter Punch
£2.46 per bottle
Available from www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk/shop/mulled-winter-punch 


Description:
A rich spicy non-alcoholic fruit drink, best served warm. Made from fruit juices and spices.

Verdict:
Yum! This tastes just like mulled wine, although it doesn't have the 'kick' of an alcoholic wine. It is more fruity though which makes it so yummy. My hubby loved it too, possibly more than the alcoholic version!!

Belvoir Cordials
£3.84 per bottle
Available from www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk/shop/cordials


Description:
These fruit cordials come in a variety of flavours, but the Xmassy ones are:

• Spiced winter berry
• Honey, lemon, ginger
• Spiced apple and ginger

They can be mixed with hot water for a warm spicy punch.

Verdict:
These taste delicious. The Spiced Winter Berry flavour in particular, tastes to me a lot like mulled wine, again without the 'kick'. It is very sweet and delicious. In fact, I'm drinking one right now! It also lasts longer than a pre-mixed bottle!

Rochester Mulled Berry Punch
£4.99 for a 725ml Bottle
Available from Holland and Barrett
www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=3084



Description:
This fruit punch contains: Water, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Elderberry, Organic Blackcurrant and Organic Apple Juices (all from concentrate), Organic Mixed Spices (all ground), Citric Acid, Organic Orange Oil.

Verdict:
A nice warming, spicy Xmas drink, very similar to the Belvoir, although just not quite as tasty.

Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon 
The full range is available in Morrisons and selected varieties in Asda, Waitrose, at RRP £3.50.



Description:
The Eisberg alcohol free wine tastes like a real glass of wine, but without the alcohol units, and with just a third of the calories! Made in the same way as your favourite wine, the alcohol is then gently removed using one of the world’s most advanced techniques to ensure that as much of the original character and flavours of the wine are kept intact. The result is an alcohol-free wine containing less than 0.005% alcohol, only 34 calories per 125ml glass and the real flavour of the wine varieties that you know and love. Available in Chardonnay, Riesling, Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Verdict:
I tried the red, the Cabernet Sauvignon. Firstly I sampled a glass without the mulled spice, and yes, it does taste like wine! I then tried it warmed and mulled, and really couldn't tell the difference until I sipped a mouthful of hubb's 'real' one, and realised the alcohol 'kick' is definitely missing. However, this is the closest you will get to a verion of mulled wine that tastes like the real thing but without the alcohol.

Here is a lovely mulled wine recipe:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/recipe/jamie-s-mulled-wine

Or for lazy/busy Mums try a ready prepared spice bag from Schwartz: http://www.schwartz.co.uk/products/herbs-and-spices/spices/mulled-wine-spice.aspx?gclid=COqz2q_AmbsCFdHItAodyVAAIA
This contains an aromatic and warming blend including orange peel and cassia. With a Foil Fresh seal for extra flavour, it is £1.59 for 6 sachets.

Mulled Wine Instant Tea
Available from: www.whittard.co.uk/instant-tea/instant-tea-flavours/mulled-wine-instant-tea.htm
£5.50 for 475g



Description:
A fruity and mildly spiced mulled wine flavour tea, which is alcohol free. Ingredients are: Cane Sugar, citric acid, tea extract (0.95%), natural flavouring, colouring (beetroot red). This is an instant tea powder and is suitable for Vegans (me!) and Vegetarians.

Verdict: 
I was expecting a black tea with spices, but this actually has no 'tea' flavour, it is a magic powder which is stirred into hot water and makes a hot drink that tastes like a sweet mulled fruit punch. Amazing! Lasts forever too!

Twinings Christmas Loose Tea 
Description:
Assam Black tea with Christmas Spice flavouring

Verdict:
This is not decaf, so I limit myself to one a day, but absolutely love the taste. It is a nicer spice than a chai, much more Christmassy tasting, and works very well with the black tea and a dash of soya milk. Lovely as a gift. Tastes nothing like mulled wine but a Xmas tea and a mince pie always goes down well.

Merry Xmas!

So an update to my previous post:
I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have so far avoided purchasing a Winter Maternity Coat, which I will only get 1.5 months use out of! However, with temperatures dropping and the forecast lengthy cold snap predicted, combined with the fact my coat buttons won't do up and I just popped a seam at the back squeezing into it (oops!), I decided I need to invest in one.

I wanted something that is a reasonable price and that can be worn afterwards too, so it's not a waste of money. After much searching, I picked two faves to try out. Here are the results:

ASOS Maternity Parka 
£65
From www.asos.com


Made from a shower-proof cotton this funky parka by ASOS Maternity is designed to fit through all stages of pregnancy. Available in black or khaki, it has a faux fur trim hood, quilted lining, soft fluffy inside to the hood, zip front, and over bump inner drawstring. It is also cut longer at the front to cover your growing bump.

I wrote recently about the back-to-work wardrobe I was planning, inspired by watching Suits on TV.

Since discovering that 13th December is an official Christmas Jumper Day, (http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day/about) I have been searching for Xmas Maternity Jumpers that look good.

We registered to support Save the Children and I am having my jumper day early, this Friday, on my last day at work.

If you want to help support it please arrange your own work Xmas Jumper Day!

Every time someone texts "TEAMBUBS" to 70050 they'll add £1 to our fundraising total. Text in your £1 now!

Here are my faves:

Maternity Cream Penguin Print Christmas Jumper
£24.99
Cut longer to cover your bump. Lovely and soft and fluffy


Maternity Black Reindeer Light Up Christmas Jumper 
£29.99
Cut longer to cover your bump. Has a funny flashing nose.

ASOS Christmas Cardigan With Reindeer Design 
£35.00
Cardigan is always a good choice as it fits around the bump.



ASOS Vintage Look Christmas Jumper 
£38.00
You could get this in a larger size and as it's longline it should cover the bump.



There is also a massive selection at Primark which you could get in a larger size (I find 3 sizes up is good for pregnancy) and wear baggy, if you're on a budget.

I decided on the New Look Penguin one, see me here, in a size 10:



Also, John Lewis actually have a Save the Children Jumper for men, and will donate £25 to the charity from every jumper sold, see:



Save the Children says:
The power of £1 A donation of just £1 really can make the difference between life and death. Your money could pay for nine sachets of oral rehydration treatment for children suffering from deadly diarrhoea. Reach £95 and you could pay for a midwife’s training to help ensure babies are delivered safely in the poorest parts of the world.

More info:
Web www.christmasjumperday.org
Tweet it: #xmasjumperday

Please text "TEAMBUBS" to 70050 now! 

Merry Xmas!
CB