babyurbeautiful

Officially opening on the 2nd April 2016, if your little ones are fans of Peter Rabbit - you must pay a visit to Willows Farm, St Albans, Hertfordshire.

The project has been developed with Silvergate Media, owners of the animated Peter Rabbit with Lappset Creative, experts in play equipment.
It's opening in the 150th year since the birth of Beatrix Potter.

The Peter Rabbit Playground is the first of its kind in the world and includes lots of activities based on the famous characters and has had over £1 million invested into its launch.
Willows welcomes the stars of the CBeebies series including Lily Bobtail and Peter Rabbit himself, who are meeting and greeting visitors daily.

In the Willows countryside setting there are outdoor climbing frames as well as slides and rope walkways at the Secret Treehouse and the Benjamin Bunny Treetop Adventure.
Other features like the Jeremy Fisher Music Pond, where children can bounce about on lily pads to hear musical sounds and the Mr Bouncer Great Invention, a sensory gaming activity to learn about numbers and colours in a fun and educational way.

Willows offer an all-inclusive admission price, with all activities, shows, demonstrations, rides and seasonal programmes included in the entrance price. For more information visit: www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Max Factor Facefinity Compact Foundation


I bought Max Factor Facefinity Compact foundation on a whim as it was being promoted near the till in Superdrug for £9.99 (I think RRP is £10.99). I am quite into powder foundations at the moment as they are quick to apply and I don’t have a lot – or really any – time to put my face on before leaving the house these days. And this one is a compact with a sponge and mirror so no need for additional brushes.

I really like this product and want to just say that out of the gate. It goes on smoothly, gives great coverage that you can build up where it’s needed, and the finished outcome is a glowing even complexion.  Above all it takes seconds to apply so I am keeping it by the hallway mirror for quick application before leaving the house.

But the problem I’ve got is that the shades available are quite dark and so I’ve bought two so far that aren’t suitable, at least for my winter skin tone.

I’ve seen about 6 shades of this. Porcelain, Ivory, Natural, Sand, Golden and Toffee. The first one I bought was Natural. There were no Ivory or Porcelain ones left so I just grabbed this one thinking it would be in the right ball park at least. But it turned out to be quite dark. The sort of thing I would use after a two week sunshine holiday to make my face match my body (I am never able to get a good tan on my face, just a bunch of annoying freckles).

But I liked the product so I thought I would save that one for holidays and buy a lighter shade for normal use. I don’t have porcelain skin by any stretch of the imagination, so I bought Ivory. But once I tried this one at home, it is also too dark. In fact it isn’t much different to the Natural one and definitely not what I would describe as Ivory.

So I’m a bit annoyed, mostly with myself! But is everyone so permatanned these days that foundation shades are overall getting darker?  I want to get the Ivory one but I’m reluctant to invest more money in another shade if it's not going to be right. But I do really like this product. Maybe I’ll have to invest in some fake tan instead!

RL x

Judge the results for yourself from my video

Clarins Double Serum Age Control Concentrate
Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate



I was recently lucky enough to go on a work trip to New York where I had a day and a half of blissful free time before coming home. Imagine. No children, no husband, just doing what I wanted when I wanted after having three full night’s sleeps in a row!

However the weather was absolutely freezing and my face went all red and puffy and so I was unfortunately easy prey when I walked into Bloomingdales and was accosted by the very lovely ladies at the Clarins counter.

Normally I don’t allow myself to get sucked into these things, being naturally suspicious as well as hating to feel obligated into making a purchase. But, given I was kind of high on freedom at the time, I just thought what the hell and sat down. What followed was the saleswoman rubbing and dabbing a bunch of different lotions and gels on my face, ruining my makeup, which I then asked them to touch up and consequently I was a bit scared to look in the mirror afterwards – these people aren’t exactly professional make-up artists! And then she laid out the products she’d used and asked if I wanted to buy any. And I felt the pressure, having sat and been dabbed at for 10 minutes, so I thought what the hell, I could use some good eye gel and face serum. After all, parenting young children is aging me faster than I thought possible.

So I picked out two products to buy and she walked me to the till and ... “that will be $250 please”. And my immediate thoughts while choking on my bile were ... Er, what’s that now? Did she just say $250?? For two fricking products? Shit that’s expensive. It’s not that expensive in the UK. Or is it? Is it too late to change my mind now she’s rung them up? Can I just make a run for it?

But the British in me took over and I was too proud to admit I couldn’t afford them, so like a chump I handed over my credit card, paid and legged it with my ‘free gift’ as a consolation prize. Because a teeny tiny travel cleansing set really makes it worth the money :-)

But you know, even if I only get to use the products once and can’t afford to buy them again, at least my skin might get to look a bit less tired in the meantime.

I bought:
Double Serum Age Control Concentrate (lowest price I found on a UK website is £37 for 30ml or £64 for 50ml on beautyspin.co.uk )
Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate (£39 for 15ml on beautyspin.co.uk)

Are they worth the money?

Well it’s hard to say. The Double Serum has a lovely feel on the skin and creates a nice glow. But I’m not sure if it’s meant to improve the current state of my skin or to stop it getting worse. The Eye Concentrate is very moisturising and a bit of relief for my poor sleep deprived eyes. I’m not sure there was a noticeable improvement after a few applications though.

But I don’t like to judge these things on the first go. I will use them until they run out and see what happens. Then I’ll report back with a full review and decide if I want to fork out for more!

RL x

Hands up who hasn't tried micellar water yet?

Are you a mum?

Do you use face wipes?

Are you falling asleep with your make-up on?

Is your skin often dry?

Can you be arsed to cleanse and tone?

Do you know how drying and bad some face wipes are for the skin?

If you answered yes to more than two of those - listen up!

Micellar water should be a staple in any mums beauty routine, simply because it's the laziest and easiest way to cleanse and leaves skin supple and squeaky clean.

The teeny micelle molecules in the water use a clever technology to attract the dirt (a bit like a magnet) which then lifts away make-up and grime - and there's no need to rinse.

Simply soak your cotton wool in a reasonable amount, and with one deft swoop you've removed the grime of the day and can collapse in bed.

BUT here's the exciting bit....

The Sanctuary (of Spa fame) are SO confident about their new micellar product, they're offering customers the chance to bring in an old pack of wipes to swap for a sample of their Cleanse Foaming Micellar Water - FOR FREE!

This is only on the weekend of 19-20th MARCH in BOOTS stores nationwide. 




So get down there armed with your wipes and a smile.

Everyone loves a spot of multi-tasking, if it's not pinching the fellas razor (although I don't currently have one to pinch off of) then why not start stealing the baby's stuff too?

I'm suffering with a head cold and snotty nose. I can't stand that horrible thick nasal speech - and if someone sounds ever so slightly 'flu-ey' I recoil in horror and shuffle away.
If it happens to be on the train - I scuttle to the next carriage. That dramatic.

Right now, I've got a giant red hooter and a tissue hanging out of my nose to stem the persistent runny snot, and Albie keeps exclaiming: 'silly mummy!'

My absolutely go-to baby cold product is Calpol Vapour plug and Nightlight - it's bloody marvellous.
It can be used from 3 months plus and helps clear the nasal passages and make breathing easier for baby. It was initially recommended by a dear mummy friend, Stacey - 'Haaaaiiii Stacey!'
I've not looked back since.



It has a scent reminiscent of a spa, with lavender and camomile pulsing through the plug-in. Which is why, instead of my usual Beechams powders, I'm stealing Albie's product. Although I did purposely go out and buy this for ME today.

It comes with 5 refill pads, and says it works for up to 8 hours with each pad. I'd say you get 2 days fragrance/vapour out of each one - with it waning slightly after the first 24 hours.

My entire house becomes enveloped with lavender, and I feel it really helps with congestion.
I have so many of the plugs kicking about the house, so if, god forbid, you're an entire house of flu-bags - then just pop one of the plug/nightlight refills in each room - and you can all breathe easily!
Either way it's a great alternative to caffeine/all sorts of heart-race inducing (for me, anyway) cold and flu remedies.

A couple of paracetamol at my worse points, and a night with my Vapour Plug, I'll go with the alternative option, thank you!
Oh, plus some Vicks rub on the soles of my feet. Boom!


LN

It's like it's the elephant in the room, the dead mouse in his Ikea kitchen (more about that another time) or the floating shit in the bath.

Introducing Poppy

I don't know about you, but I'm still in winter mode. OBVIOUSLY. What with the absolutely baltic weather 'n all.

*walks in, cranks the heating up to 30*

Which translates quite simply in my house as: black 40 denier tights, black jeans, black leggings and sh*t loads of layers.

It also means I can hide the absolute forest that is threatening to sprout through the aforementioned - by donning my sexy leg attire to the office (and no-one is any wiser).
I can still look fit, but full of fuzz.

Most men would be horrified if they saw what lives beneath my leggings. But it's lucky I don't have one to judge - so I wantonly parade said chewbacca pins in the comfort of my own home.

It was brought to my attention recently that us ladies are being completely ripped off in the hair removal stakes.
Given the fact, come summer, we desperately need to depilate. Unless of course, we want to be mistaken for our German sisters (soz, Helga) or look like we're wearing the latest 'furry trimmed' bikini bottoms, we're under duress to buy razors - often at eye-wincingly stupid prices.
But worst of all, a mans pack of five is cheaper than one of our pretty little pink counterparts - JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE BLOODY PINK AND SMALLER (yes, I am getting shouty!)

I find myself re-buying the body of the razor and ten ton of packaging to avoid buying overpriced heads.
Did you know it works out cheaper to buy the body with two free heads? Maybe you did.

I then use this razor for the next few months, find myself getting ingrown hairs, nicks and cuts, or patches of hair where the blade has worn down and isn't doing feck all - all because I don't want to have to pay another £6-10 for a new body/razor etc four weeks down the line.
So that's my FFS moment.

On a FFS vibe - have you heard of Friction Free Shaving? Probably not.



It's the first UK based razor subscription service where four heads are delivered to you once a month for as little as £3 and no P & P. Amazing.

This isn't a sponsored post - it's just to raise awareness to fellow mums of this brilliant service that will make life a hell of a lot easier and something else you don't have to think about (nor nick off your hub - wasn't a shaving pun FYI).

If you know me you'll know about my penchant for leopard print.
Everyone laughs that I dress my son in leopard print leggings - yes, stare!

I know he'll be partying at Burning man one day, goddesses draped off him while donning his leopard print leotard with full confidence thanks to mummy, dear!

You can imagine how excited I was when I spied a towel by Cuddledry in LEOPARD PRINT, and a few days later, over it was sent to Babyurbeautiful for review purposes.
It's my first ever towel of the particular brand - and I've heard so many good things about them.

Cuddle Paw - adorable

I always thought they were for newborns, but turns out they now make them for toddlers too.

Cuddledry burst onto the scene a few years ago when they introduced an apron towel that made newborn/mummy bath time juggling a sinch.
You attach part of the towel around your neck (like an apron) which leaves your hands free to wrap your little one up warmly with the rest.
Naturally, it was two mums behind the ingenious design.

There should be an earlier review on the blog from one of the other girls, prior to me being a mummy.

After the success of the apron towel, they've created more items which include robes, washcloths, swimming towels and now this one - part dressing up/part drying - and they are designed to suit and go up to around 3 to 4 years old (dependant if you have a giant on your hands).

What I do love about this particular towel is, it's very generous, not one of these minuscule flannel sized things that wouldn't even cover an arse cheek -  Even I have used it and FYI it covered a lot more than that.

But best of all?
IT. HAS. EARS. ON.

Cosy little Snow Leopard

That's one of the reasons you have children, aside from the spectacular straining poo faces, dressing them up in all sorts of gorgeousness, mainly with ears.

I have attempted to take a pic, with no luck - although I'll attach a nice blurry out of focus one for you - just for true representation.
The actual towel isn't just roomy, it's warm and so luxuriously soft. I can see why everyone raves about the brand.

Double Leopard Print - always

It feels part fleecy, part wooly towel - either way it dries the water off super fast and at the same time your toddler thinks he's a tiger/dino/whatever he fancies.
It's made with bamboo fibre and cotton - this makes it 60 per cent more absorbent than cotton alone - and has natural antibacterial properties.
This particular snow leopard design donates a minimum of £1 to the WWF to help with the endangered Snow Leopard species, it retails at £34.99. It's much more than I would spend on one of my Christy Towels, granted.

After escaping from the bath, my little one sprinted up the stairs with it attached to his head crying: 'Raaaa!' (tiger, obvs).
It takes the appearance of a cape, there are other super cute designs too like 'Cuddlesafari' and 'Cuddlepony'.
Despite the price tag, the quality is so good - you'll understand why you'd part with your pennies.

For the next half an hour I grappled with him and attempted to wrestle him down to slap his nappy on (before he pissed on my floor, or worse..)

It would make a great gift, after all any 2 to 3 year-old will be laden with so many books, plastic delights at their birthday - a hooded bath towel will make a welcome addition - and leopard print to boot!

Cuddledry Cuddle Paw Toddler Dress up Towel £34.99

LN x

I didn't get any roses this year for Valentine's.

But I did get myself Liz Earle's new limited edition Rose & Cedrat Cleanse & Polish.

Silky smooth texture

With the freezing cold weather, and the ultra drying central heating (says me sat next to the radiator typing this) you need to ramp up the daily cleansing routine.

The rich cleanser is perfect for sloughing off dead skin cells (when used with the muslin cloth provided).
You can gently massage the cream over skin while showering, then put your pure muslin cloth in hot water, wring out before gently 'polishing' off the cream.
It even removes stubborn mascara - it's gentle and effective.
No panda eyes here (except from the lack of Valentine's cards).

Other wonderfully moisturising ingredients like cocoa butter help to soften skin, as chamomile readily tones. It's also well known rose is great for soothing sensitive skin; aka moi.

I'm not a big fragrance girl unless it's aromatic and spa-like; but this fragrance, despite it's main component of rose, smells more zesty and orange.

After googling Cedrat, I soon discovered the 'large fragrant citrus fruit with a thick rind' is cold pressed just before it's ripe to make the fragrant oil.
Should I have known this? Apologies if not - I'm still on the basic lemon, lime, orange stages!

It's a must for cheering skin up, and possibly mum for Mother's Day.

Are you a Liz Earle lover - what one is your favourite and why?

For 150ml it's £20.75 and comes with 2 muslin clothes.

Liz Earle Limited Edition

A sample was sent to Babyurbeautiful for review purposes

LN x

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow us over on Twitter at babyubeautiful and the same on instagram for a chance to win this lovely new mum gift.

That is all!

Big love to you all on this lovely weekend!

Babyurbeautiful xx

I know we're predominantly a mummy and baby beauty blog, but sometimes we like to go off piste, which is rather apt given it's the height of ski-ing season.

I've been rather piste off with the issues my stomach caused over Christmas - I spent days cramping with excess stomach acid, then living on mash potato/soup/stews after my excessive cheese/pigs wrapped in blankets consumption. Then it continued into early Jan/Feb - after a few heavy nights on the sauce, heavy eyes for me the next morning where I'd be running up and down the stairs to make the loo - it was awful.
In short, I'm allergic to wheat/barley - still NOT fully proven, but my arse would contest if it wasn't.

Gluten free items tend to be bland, full of sugar/salt to make them less tasteless/cardboard-like, but we've come on leaps and bounds. Suddenly companies are proud to boast of their wares with scrumptious puddings, bread, even sausages (yes, those buggers are full of flour/wheat/all sorts!)
So I thought I'd round up a few that are keeping my stomach very happy - and my son also likes....

Pudology



I can't believe these sweet treats are gluten and dairy free (also vegan friendly) given how great they taste.
The one floating my boat is Millionaires' Pud.
It's not too sweet, has a lovely mixture of chocolate, a nice biscuity base (even though it isn't biscuits, obvs) and a delicious caramel layer made with soya milk.
The chocolate is laced with madagascan vanilla and the biscuit base is a gluten-free friendly blend of rice, potato, tapioca, maize and buckwheat.
A lot of love has gone into these puds - and I insist you try this particular one.

9/10

Available from Tesco

Amy's Kitchen




One of my favourite items from Amy's kitchen is the Broccoli & Cheddar bake, perfect for those lazy gluten-free lovers - one to shove in the micro.
A fusilli pasta (rice pasta) with cheddar sauce and broccoli and even faux breadcrumbs for that extra crunchy texture, it's certainly a winner with me and my little man.
No meat, fish, poultry OR eggs are ever used in Amy's products - again, I'm in disbelief - from the fact it tastes so bloody good. It's also vegetarian society approved.

Sainsbury's Nationwide

8/10

Mrs Crimbles



So we were sent a variety of Mrs Crumbles items to try, and the one that made say 'hello!', or should I say, 'Bonjour!' was the authentically French madeleine cakes.
Each individually wrapped, I found myself eating one for breakfast, in the afternoon with a cup of tea - quite frankly, all day long. It's no wonder I don't roll out of the door...
The chocolate version with a nice gooey choc filling was my preference, as the classic one was a bit sweet, I could feel my teeth groaning in pain with the sugar content - and they had a slight aftertaste - but the chocolate was spot on.

 www.mrscrimbles.com

7/10

So if you're just generally avoiding wheat/naughtiness - I can't stop you on the naughty front, but give my gluten-free heroes a go.

LN x