Legoland Day Out

I was over the moon to find out that I was a finalist in the 'best pregnancy blog' category for the 2013 MAD blog awards earlier this year, and when they announced a trip to Legoland for all the shortlisted bloggers and their families, the little kid inside me was jumping around in delight.  

The day finally arrived and well rested after staying in a hotel the night before, we made it to the Legoland hotel for 8am.  We had an exclusive screeing of the new Chima 4d movie before the park even opened and then we were let loose with the most amazing wrist bands ever.  Not only could we use the Q-bot entrances all day, if the ride didn't have one, we simply show up at the exit, flash our gold bands and got straight on the rides! This was priceless with a toddler who has no concept of patience.

Taken by the lovely K from My Two Mums

We went on rides, got soaked to the skin, enjoyed delicious pizza and made the most of synchronised napping by getting on the big rides.  We spent the day with

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THX Hair Styling - Review

              I have never been particularly imaginative with how I style my hair.  I tend to experiment with colour but opt for down and straightened for both everyday and big events.  Part of this is through laziness and part through not having the know-how to do anything else.  I was invited along to the launch party for a new brand of electronic hair styling products - THX and they offered to help me get ready with hair and make up beforehand.

I had my make up done first and the lovely make up artist gave me plenty of tips on how to make the most of my features and what colours suited me.  It felt very glam and I was excited to go and see hairdresser to the stars- Desmond Grundy for some help to make my hair more exciting.  I told him what I was after and he showed me how to get the look using the new THX range.  He then coached me through it making sure I was confident doing it myself.   For my hair he suggested a flick at the front to give it some shape using the new hair straighteners   I loved the look as it was simple and easy and took no more time than my usual routine - perfect when you have a 14 month old to entertain as you get ready! 

Once hair and make up were done it was time to party and the champagne flowed as bloggers, press and celebrities enjoyed Keisha from Sugababes DJ-ing.  My hair kept it's look all night and I have been busy  replicating it at home.  Desmond had helped us all achieve our chosen hair styles with the fab new products and it was great seeing the range that can be achieved!

Parent bloggers Ruth, Lauren, myself and Danielle

I was given a pair of the curling tongs to take away and am looking for an excuse to get dressed up so I can practice the gorgeous curls some of the other bloggers were sporting.  The products are really reasonably priced and reach higher temperatures than some of the leading brands.  They are available to buy exclusively from Tesco and I completely recommend them.

The range includes hair straighteners, hair dryers, and several types of curlers meaning there is a product for every style and hair type.  Waves, tousled and straight are all achievable and I am really excited about trying some new things now.  

Disclaimer:  I was invited to this event and my expenses were paid.  I was also given a pair of curling tongs to take home.  All views and opinions are my own.

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The Mad Blog Awards

II may not have been there as a finalist but getting to mingle with fantastic bloggers and dress up was not an opportunity to be missed so I was delighted to win a ticket.  The Mads took place in a swanky hotel in central London and there were people on call to do our hair and make up before the big event.  I was very impressed that the girls from Regis managed to curl my hair, and that they stayed in! This is a first and I am hoping that with the samples they gave me I can recreate the look at home

The awards were preceded by a delicious three course meal where I got to catch up with one of my favourite bloggers, Kate from Makeshift Mummy.  There were some fantastic winners including the brilliant Mamasaurus, and the wonderful Coombe Mill but all the finalists have such fantastic blogs that my google reader is now very full! 

Tiffany Rose, a company selling gorgeous maternity dresses provided me with an outfit to wear and I felt so elegant, despite having a rather large bump.  The dress was stunning and beautifully made, perfectly flattering for pregnancy and I had a lot of compliments.  Now I could really do with some more invitations to glamorous events before February so I get to wear it again!  

The Liberty gown is a gorgeous two layer deep blackberry coloured dress, floor length even with 5 inch heels on (and I am 5 foot 9)!  There is a removable sash that helps show off the bump and the cowl neckline hangs beautifully.  I absolutely loved wearing it and felt very glamorous! 

Before I had to run off to catch the last train home (next time I am definitely booking a hotel!), there was just enough time to climb aboard a giant red stag in the hotel lobby with fellow pregnant blogger Katie from Mummy Daddy Me.  Surrounded by cushions it was far too inviting and I know for sure we were not the only ones making the most of the photo opportunity!  

 Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and winners of this year's event, and thanks to the wonderful orgnaisers!  I would love to go back again next year!

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My Britmums Live Diary

After months of planning and excitement Britmums Live weekend finally arrived.  Armed with my phone, my notebook and my galaxy tab, I set about to record my experience of the parenting blogging community in all their glory


Friday 11.30am
 I am sat on the train wondering whether this was really a good idea.  Only twenty minutes into the journey and I am already missing the little dude, his geeky smile and those four little teeth.  I wish I could explain to him that I will be back soon and that I love him and miss him.  Guilt about leaving him has taken over the excitement and nerves.  The man sitting opposite started eagerly chatting but as soon as I mentioned that I was going to a conference for parent bloggers he went very quiet!


Friday 12.40
 The nerves have arrived in full force.  It isn't like I have not been to events before but I usually have Dylan alongside me to hide behind -an icebreaker.  Suddenly I am all on my own!

Checked into the hotel and it is very basic but completely adequate as somewhere to rest my head after a long day. They do have some strange ideas about what people like to put in their coffee though as the tray came complete with a tin of petit pois! Waiting for laura aka thelifeandtimesoftheworkingmum to arrive so we can be nervous together




Friday 3.10pm

We are here!  Mummyadventure is in the building and the nerves have become adrenaline.

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