Well It's Official...

I have started my maternity leave. The Friday before last was my last day at work. A company I have worked for for 11 years. Some have said I have been lucky to be made redundant at the same time I have gone off on maternity leave, but it really hasn't been easy to say goodbye. Lets say it was a tad emotional and I did sob like a baby when I finally got home. There was cake, balloons, tears, speeches and lots of hugs. I'm really going miss some of the people I have worked with for so long.

Now I'm on my month long rest before bubba turns up, I have a little list of things I want to do in that time.

Getting Out And About
I am determined not just to sit at home the entire month until baby arrives. I want to try and see and do things even if it's just walking my cousins dog for some gentle exercise. Swimming is also something I want to do, all depending if my swimming costume still fits lol! I'm up for anything really, I just don't want to get cabin fever. I'd quite happily pop to the seaside, visit a garden centre... I don't know... anywhere. 

Gardening And Cleaning

Yes, I should be resting but the weather has been nice on the some of the days so far. I'm the gardener of the family and I know once baby has turned up, I'm quite unlikely to care what the garden looks like for a while. I need to get out there and give it a little TLC. I'm also in clean everywhere and everything mode. Again I should be resting, but there is always something to be done. I know no home is perfect, but I want mine to be. If I could have a 60 minute make over on my hall way and my bathroom I would be one happy lady - sadly I cannot. I've tried to keep myself busy by cleaning and decluttering anything I no longer need or want. Wiping down the shelves in my kitchen cupboards, deep cleaning the bathroom you name it... I want to give it a go - plus its exercise again.

Pampering Myself
I got my barnett chopped the other day which felt good - no split ends for the birth! I also got my eyebrow threaded, so at least I will look semi good for our pictures once the baby arrives. I'd love to fit in another massage like the one I had at The Dorchester, but I'm not sure when to try and squeeze that in. I think a few Lush bath bomb baths will be on the cards!

Building
Babys crib has now arrived, so that needs to be made up. I want to make it up myself as it will be something to keep me occupied. The pram and a electric swing also need assembling, but we're going to wait to do this until about a week before my due date. They are quite big items and they'll just take up space other wise and get dusty.

Nesting
I've finally finished washing all of bubba clothes and bedding. I feel quite happy now because of that, due to the fact I don't have to think about it now. And all the clothes done and ready to be worn and vomited on - haha. Now they are washed I need to pop them all in the drawers in the nursery. This will take sometime as the clothes vary in ages and will need sorting. I can't wait.

Packing
I have piles of bits for mine and babys hospital bag, so I need to get round to packing them both up. I feel like I have so much stuff to pack, almost like I'm going on a two week holiday. I'm probably really over packing. I think I need to do a little research on what to take for us both :-)

Now that's what I'm up to... what have you been up to on your maternity leave?  What bits and bobs did you do?

Angela x

Staying Cool Travelling At 7 Months

When I first got pregnant, I was really looking forward to the idea of being pregnant during the summer months. Floaty dresses, flowers in my hair, looking like a cool mama-to-be. However in reality this years warmer months have been quite uncomfortable.  Expectation verses reality on this one were definitely delusional!  You already feel big and uncomfortable, so adding hot weather to the mix is actually not that nice to be honest.

I'm not planning to go on maternity leave until the end of the July, meaning I still have to travel into London for work for a few more weeks unfortunately.  Now in my handbag I carry around essential supplies which are a must!  They are;

// A Fan
Taking a small fan with you on the underground is a great option.  It's far better than waving a newspaper around annoying your fellow passengers!  I picked up a small battery operated fan for a few quid, which has come in really handy.  Perfect hand bag size!

// Water Bottle
This is obviously got to be first on anyones list whilst travelling.  I never used to travel with water with me, but now since being pregnant it is a must.  Water is the best thing to keep you hydrated and you need to keep your fluids up especially growing a little one as they literally do suck the life out of you.  The only problem is you want to pee so much, so just hear that in mind whilst on the move.

// Cooling Spray
The genius who invented water in a spray can, well I could quite happily kiss that person.  This is a life saver when I have been having a hot moment.  It gently mists water over you for the perfect on the spot relief.  I've been spraying it on my face and neck and occasionally my feet when I've been walking a bit too long.  For extra coolness, keep your can in the fridge.  Lush.

// What To Wear
Wearing the right clothes and shoes is key.  I've been wearing sandals and flip flops quite a lot as it lets air get to my feet.  Maxi dresses, long skirts and linen maternity trousers are just some of the clothes I've been wearing for work.  On small occasions I've been living in my only pair of maternity jeans. They are really comfortable, but not the most sensible when its 30 degrees outside.  Also I've popping a hat on my head to keep the sun off my head.

// Wear A Badge
I don't work locally to where I live and have to travel by public transport from zone 6 to 1. Usually in the mornings I can get a seat without an issue, however on the way home it can be a different story.  I started wearing a Baby On Board badge 13 weeks in to pregnancy, which has been quite helpful.  If you can try and obtain a badge from TFL, then it'll give people an indication to perhaps offer you a seat on a packed train.  People might be afraid to offer you one if you're not wearing one out of fear that you might not actually be expecting.  I will leave the link HERE if you ever need to ask for one.

These two points I obviously cannot take travelling with me as such, but they have been rather helpful.

// Travelling Times
If like me and you do travel to work, leave early. When I hit the third trimester and the heat of summer kicked in my boss gave me the option of leaving the office slightly early to try and avoid the stampede of rush hour travellers.  Just leaving slightly earlier has really made a difference sometimes from getting a seat and not getting one.  Plus train carriages always feel a little cooler when not so packed with other people.

// WFH
This has been a true blessing. I'm very lucky that I had the opportunity to reduce my days in the office and work from home on some days.  Just one day at week at home has been nice, as it gives me a bit of rest.  Growing a little one really takes it out of you so this offer I grabbed with both hands.  You are still technically working, but you are in the comfort of your own home... so if you want to work in your bra and knickers - well you can!

How are you coping in this weather whilst being pregnant or even not pregnant.  Do you have any tips and tricks?

Angela x

Life Lately #05.15

This life lately post is a bit random as half of it was written in the departures gate at the airport and the other half whilst in foreign land far far away.  Italy is pretty far right??  This is a little late being posted because - (1) I'm on my holidays and (2) Internet is a tad none existent.

I don't have the usual lists of everything that I've been up to in May like previous months (see links below) as this month has been more focused on travel and not a huge range of things.

Travel
This has played a big part this month as I knew my holiday was coming up. We (I mean I) came up with the backpacking idea and it's such a cool way to see Europe.  If only I had more time.  I will put up more travel posts but so far it has been amazing.  However I'm a little sunburnt in places...oops.

Relaxing
May is the first time this year I've taken annual leave from work and boy I think my mind and soul are happier because if it.  I'm a all work no play type of girl and it was beginning to show that my body couldn't take much more.  I need to take time out more often for me.

Blogging
I keep having the inner debate with myself about giving up blogging on this site.  There is so much competition now days it's difficult to get a look in.  I wish I could dedicate more time but with a full time job on top I must admit it's a struggle.  With the travel blog now in existence I may give that more of my time.  I'm not sure anyone reads this blog anyways anymore. Sigh!!

Previous months: JAN | FEB | MAR |APR

Ax

The Milestone Hotel | Afternoon Tea

Every now again there is nothing better than a real or should I say a 'proper' afternoon tea.  Lots of places seem to have jumped on the popular bandwagon of serving this age old English tradition. On Sunday the hubby took me out for a long over due afternoon tea.  After a little googling looking for top afternoon teas locations in London...the hubby found The Milestone Hotel.  Heard of it ... No?  Join the club.

The Milestone Hotel if I had to describe it,  is a traditional oldie worldly boutique hotel. Sat opposite Kensington Park not too far from Harroads and Harvey Nics it is a real gem.  Inside it feels like a set from Downton Abbey.  Its quaint drawing room style room makes you feel very posh indeed.  You could almost imagine gentlemen in dickie bows strolling around and stepping into the room to have their cigars

The nice thing about the Milestone is you have to book in advance, you cannot just walk in off the street and request it.  Plus there is a very smart dress code...it is Kensington after all!

For our tea we requested the champagne tea. An tradition afternoon tea plus an half bottle of champagne and strawberries with cream.  There are quite a few versions to choose from, vegetarian, prince and princesses teas for the kids and the gentleman's tea which includes whisky drinks. 

You are treated to a wide array of tea choices and overwhelmed by cakes and sandwiches.   It's not a cheap tea but they treat you like royalty.  And the standards are very high. 

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll be spoilt for choice of what you can have.   If I had to recommend a place for afternoon tea, The Milestone would come first... I've had a few in my time and this is the best!!

Want to see what The Milestone Hotel has to offer, then click HERE for their website.

What's your favourite part of afternoon tea....cakes, sandwiches, scones?  I think the warm scones are my favourite.

Ax

Greek food, the D Word + FitGirlsGuide

Cue long post...

I love Greek food!  Feta, olive oil and bread, olives, tzatziki, moussaka, gyros, baklava, kleftiko (just some of the food I ate on holiday)  I feel like I should of been born a Greek.  In Skitathos I'll put my hands up and admit I overindulged and let myself go. It's sometimes good to relax the reins and enjoy yourself but I think I may of gone a tad too far.

Usually I only eat approximately 1200-1400 calories a day.  I usually stick to the lower end with the help of the app My Fitness Pal.  But this holiday I blame lack of Internet and WiFi service for my down fall.  Plus the lack of will power.... I could of used a pen and paper to record my eating habits but I took the easy way out.

Fast forward 10 days to me all most crying on the scales when I returned home.  I'd put on a whopping 7lbs and felt mortified.  Someone said to me I was silly to get upset by a 'small' gain like that and that same person is also boasting about their own weight loss a lot.  Kick someone when they are down comes to mind.

I've been back from my holiday for a while now but I cannot get my head back in the game.  There seems to be too many temptations right under my nose and I just fall at the first hurdle.  Plus work stress and long hours are not helping me.  Excuses excuses I know what you're thinking.  But it's hard.

So I have invested....

On Instagram I follow the @FitGirlsGuide (Link HERE to the website).  The food has been purchased and I'm on board.  Enough is enough and I've joined the 28 Day Jump Start Plan.  For a small fee you get the ebook emailed to you with 200 pages of tips, meal plans and shopping list, exercise guides you name it.  It's your best friend for 28 days.  Not long really??

The Plan gets results, just check instagram for before and after shots from girls who have taken part.  The cool thing too is everyone is normal and everyone is there with love and support.

I'm happy to be a part of the #28dayjumpstart team.  GO TEAM!

Link HERE again for you!!!
Ax

Sephora / French Haul

Last weekend my hubby and I... plus my parents took a day trip to France. Nothing fancy, we usually go to grab bargains in the supermarkets as they are usually cheaper.  Plus with the festive season approaching the French usually have some cool Christmas items to be had.

This trip I demanded we stop off at Citie of Europe and visit the shopping centre there. Main reason...I know there’s a Sephora there!!! :- )

My mini haul

I love Sephora... for me it's a die and go to heaven place - I love it.  Sephora's in Europe differ to the US slightly as they don't sell all the brands which is unfortunate   More annoying they have yet to open a Sephora in the UK.  I wish they would open one.

So in the shopping I put a nail polish by Sephora called My Favourite Jeans which is dark indigo blue (just like your favourite jeans).  I can't wait to try this.  I also picked up these cute fragrances by Sephora as well: Coconut, Cotton Flower, Peony and Vanilla.  Great for throwing your hand bag at €4.50 I thought they were a bargain.

My most expensive purchase at €14.50 was a Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner in 2L which is a dark brown with a slight shimmer. I've heard some good things about these liners so I 'm going to put this to the test.

I also got some non-Sephora beauty buys....

Randomly I picked up boring hair slides, they only cost about €3.50 and i needed some so I thought why not.  Random item over lets get on to the cool stuff.

In the shopping basket I put this Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in Timeless Black.  Why do we not have this colour in the UK?!?! It seems France and the US get all the fun.  They had a few shades which we do not have on the shelves in the UK which is sad but I picked the black shade which I thought would be fabulous for a smokey eye base.

I also got a mini Bioderma (Mummy Jolly bought me this... thanks Mum).  I have always been intrigued to see if all the hype around this product was actually worth it.  So watch this space for my thoughts.  This little bottle cost €4.20.  I didn't want to spend anymore on a larger bottle just in case it was not love at first sight.

Angela xox

Chicago Haul Num#1

So it's my first day in Chicago and I bought some items from CVS and Victoria Secret.  Want to see what I bought??? Also filmed a mini out fit of the day at the end.

Hope you enjoyed! Sorry for dodgy filming as it's on my camera, not a video camera.

Angela xox