babyurbeautiful

Another t-shirt borrowed from Mr J

Would you call your baby Mavis or Rita?

Hey Mummas,

To get rid of those January Blues (Monday 26th is meant to be the most depressing day of the year) we've got a lovely little comp for you.

We've got one amazing Trunki Bluebell to giveaway for anyone who is jetting away this year.

All we need is you to follow us on Twitter #babyubeautiful (u, not ur) and Instagram (name babyubeautiful) to keep up to date with all our babyurbeautiful goings on.

And if you fancy signing up for our weekly emails using the link alongside this piece - please do! We will keep you posted with all our baby and beauty goings on here.

We will pick one winner at random who will win on MONDAY 26th - so we'll bring you some cheer!

To make it easier to enter, check it out here too on Rafflecopter



Trunki Bluebell

Love us or loathe us, the full team can hold their hands up and exclaim we're stretch mark free.

If you're overwhelmed with what to get your expectant chum for her baby shower, we've found an inspired gift - the Almondella baby boxes.



Launched 2 years ago, they've become a huge success across most of Europe and have now arrived in the UK.

Cherry-picking the hottest and virtually unknown European brands, you can guarantee that you'll discover inspirational, practical and stylish new products.
The Almondella box also gives a great saving of up to 50 per cent off the retail prices.

So, the concept is: You choose a box for your baby's age, and leave the rest to the team. They'll thoughtfully put together a box (or boxes) tailored to your baby's developmental milestones, with five key items all delivered in a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Albie, my 7-month old received a box, and our favourite items were: A Lilliputiens eco hand-puppet usually £20, and a deliciously scented Pitta Patta calm and content moisturising lotion with organic chamomile and shea nut butter, £10.
But our favourite was the 'I Love to Sleep' (oh, the irony) interactive touch and feel book with items objects like a pacifier and crib, and even up-to-date sleeping bag, but best of all, each is identified in English, Spanish and French, £6. Absolutely wonderful finds.




There are 36 baby boxes to choose from, and make the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one - especially if they are living abroad.
Conveniently, the boxes can be delivered anywhere in Europe - completely free of charge. 

You simply need to choose the subscription of 1, 3 or 6 months, tell Almondella the baby’s gender and age, or mother’s due date, and then sit back and wait for your bespoke box to be delivered.

Subscriptions start from £37 a month. You can even do a trial box for just £12. Either way you'll guaranteed to discover great European brands at a snip of the price. Love, love, love.

Go to:
www.almondella.com

LN

My friend has just given birth to a new baby, and I want to buy them something that doesn't cost the earth but will be a keepsake to commemorate their special new arrival.

Being a fairly new Mum myself (I have an 18 month old), I know the gifts that are nice or useful to receive and those that unfortunately get stuck at the back of the cupboard (it's the thought that counts!)

I don't have time to shop around and was pretty certain that if I went to Johnlewis.com I would find the perfect gift at a reasonable price.

It was actually hard to decide because there are so many beautiful choices but my top picks are as follows:

Vera Wang for Wedgewood Baby Music Box, £40

Although one of the most pricey of my selection, this gorgeous silver-plated heart-shaped box was my top choice, as it is so stunning and timeless, yet actually useful too (you just turn the key at the bottom to play a sweet lullaby). I actually bought one of these for my nieces too, and it is great to have engraved with a birth or christening date. (TOP TIP: John Lewis don't offer this service but you can get it done for a bargain price at Timpson's! Find you nearest store here: www.timpson.co.uk/locate). The design features a raised, engraved heart that contrasts with the smooth surface.This also comes gift boxed!!


John Lewis Birth Certificate Holder, Silver, £22

This silver plated birth certificate holder is another great choice at a resonable price, and again could be engraved. Also comes in a gift box.

John Lewis Silver Plated Piggy Bank, £22 

Another silver plated choice to allow for engraving and again at a lovely price! This is great to pop in all the gifts of money from friends and relatives, maybe to put in baby's trust fund (I still haven't done this!!).

New Baby Keepsake Box, White, £14.95

I never received one of these boxes so I created my own, but as a parent there are always bits you want to keep as memories so this is a perfect gift, again at a reasonable price. (John Lewis do another box with pre-labelled drawers but I found there are personal bits you will want to throw in so that wouldn't work for me, so this would be my preferred choice.)

John Lewis Baby Hamper, £100 



Not cheap, but if you are feeling generous, are buying for a special relation, or just got a bonus at work, then you could invest in this gorgeous baby hamper.

The beautifully presented hamper contains:

• Large teddy bear with ribbon bow at the neck
• Silver plated photograph frame with teddy design
• Passport holder and luggage tag with embroidered details
• Teddy bear dinner set including a mug, egg cup and spoon
• Padded Baby's Room sign with bead and sequin details
• Embroidered photo album in classic silver and white

All the items are presented in a beautiful gift box, trimmed with a smart ribbon tie and teddy gift tag, so you can add your own personalised message.

If I received one of these I would certainly be chuffed, wouldn't you? You can get one from the John Lewis website here.

John Lewis have various delivery options from standard delivery from £3 to next day from £6.95 and named day from £9.95, or you can collect in store. See www.johnlewis.com for more details.