PARENTHOOD: Thoughtful Gifting for New Parents with The Baby Hamper Company

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Item

When it comes to celebrating the birth of a new little arrival, whether that be your own, a family member or friends, the love, happiness and pure joy in that moment is undeniable. The (sometimes seemingly never ending) countdown to the due date has everyone on the edge waiting for the good news and when the announcement of a safe arrival happens it really is such an exciting and emotional moment. Celebrating that moment with the happy new parents can come in many different forms, with a lot of us choosing to pick their new arrival a special gift. The Baby Hamper Company was set up by Chloe and Christine, an inspiring Mum and Granny duo who wanted to offer unique gifts that new parents really wanted.

PREGNANCY: Finding Your Own Spring/Summer Maternity Style 2019

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Items

Finding out you're pregnant can bring on so many different emotions and then the moment your bump starts to appear there's a whole new challenge...what to wear? Despite having been pregnancy twice before I still find myself staring into my wardrobe at 15 weeks wondering what I am going to wear for the day?! I have plenty of maternity clothes from my previous pregnancies, but they were too big and my non-maternity clothes were getting too tight. Like a lot of women, I feel at my most body confident when I'm pregnant and am all about trying to show my bump from as early on as possible. Let's be honest, it's the only time I'm going to be wearing figure hugging clothes so why not make the most of it?

TRAVEL: Spending a week at Ladram Bay Holiday Park - What is there to see and do?

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

Ladram Bay Holiday Park is a five star, family owned Holiday Park nestled on the Jurassic Coast, which boasts the most stunning sea views for as far as the eye can see. There is an array of accommodation to suit everyone and the onsite facilities mean you won't have to leave the Holiday Park if you don't want to. We spent a week there in the middle of June and were blown away with the range of activities, facilities and breathtaking views. As we drove through the winding countryside roads of Devon leading up to Ladram Bay Holiday Park we were not prepared for what was to come. You go from green countryside to entering a caravanning haven filled with pitches for touring caravans, holiday homes, luxury lodges with hot tubs, glamping pods and even a Bell Tent. Truly a type of accommodation for everyone; one to suit your needs, requirements and budget.

FAMILY: Home Cooked Meals for the whole Family made Easy with Gousto

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Items

Meal planning, food shopping, preparations and the time taken thinking of all of this does seem endless sometimes. Prior to children I would love going food shopping; taking my time to browse the shelves and fill my trolley with all the delicious food. However, since becoming a parent that enjoyment has pretty much disappeared, as it now becomes more of a supermarket sweep experience with the addition of two little children demanding attention, snacks, drinks etc. Gousto is a recipe box service that delivers fresh ingredients and recipe cards straight to your door, making parents life easier when it comes to still having home cooked meals each day. 

TRAVEL: A Night Glamping as a Family in the Cotswolds at The Glamping Orchard

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

Glamping is something my husband and I absolutely loved doing prior to children; the adventure and simple way of life is just the perfect way to escape everyday life. However, since becoming parents we've been a little bit intimidated about the idea of glamping with two young children in tow. Now that Poppy is two years old and Isabella is four they are that bit older, so we headed to the Cotswolds for a night of glamping at The Glamping Orchard. Located in the heart of the Severn Vale, The Glamping Orchard is home to the Warwick Knight Caravan, which is a 1950's caravan that has been lovingly restored with that added touch of wow. It was featured on George Clark's Amazing Spaces and is hard to believe such a transformation took place in only six months. Warwick Knight sleeps 2 adults, 2 children and one baby in a cot, has a spacious kitchen, private wood-fired shower, compost toilet and the most incredible countryside views from the iconic roof garden. It is the ideal way to get back in touch with nature, enjoy some time away from technology, but with the added luxurious that make a get away that extra bit special.

PREGNANCY #3: Let's Talk About...Deciding to Have a Third Baby

When you decide to have your first baby it is often filled with nerves, anticipation and an understanding that you don't really know what you're letting yourself in for. A lot of people will ask 'how did you know you were ready?', but in reality are you ever ready to become a parent? You can't possibly know what it's going to be like before you become one, so it's almost too late to know if you were ready or not. We decided to start having children at what seems to be on the younger end of the scale these days, as I had just turned 25 when I gave birth to Isabella. I can't say I felt 'young' or that I had thought that far ahead into the future, but we were eager to start a family and then along came our first daughter. Those first few weeks, months, even years are such a steep learning curve as you question yourself more times than you thought possible, all of your independence is lost and your whole life suddenly evolves around this little baby that you love so much it hurts. You'll feel guilty for anything and everything, you'll quickly learn how to multi-task like a pro and you'll pour every last ounce of energy you have into keeping your little bundle of joy happy and content.