Gorgeous gift for new parents

Going from one to two...

We are two months into life with two children so I thought I'd give a little update on how we are getting on, and the things we are doing to help the transition to a family of four.

Haakaa Breast Pump Review

(In my excitement to try it I ripped the packaging)

After mentioning the Haakaa breast pump on my Instagram stories and snapchat I had a good few messages asking me about it so here is a whole post about this little piece of breastfeeding magic.

Things I definetly do not need but really want for the new baby

We didn't really think this whole baby thing through, had we done so we might not have been so quick to give away ALL of our baby things. Seriously, everything. Gone.

I have some clothes, but nothing suitable for a newborn, except one vest. I held onto one vest.

Anyway, this means shopping, and baby shopping is probably my favourite type of shopping. I'm a little bit wiser this time and unfortunately well aware that I don't need to spend a fortune, nor do I need 95% of the stuff I want to buy...but these are all fab products so I kind of really still want to get them.

So here's what I would be purchasing if I didn't know any better

Naming baby number two!

Pregnancy so far - 25 weeks

25 weeks down, 15 to go.

That would be absolutely fine if the rest of the pregnancy would continue like this. I feel great. I haven't been sick in about a month, the headaches are gone, my skin looks good, I feel so good that I keep forgetting I'm pregnant. Yesterday I even offered my seat to a woman on the bus. 

Lyla's Birth Story

I know 8 (EIGHT!) people who have given birth in the past two weeks. That, along with One Born Every Minute starting back has got me thinking about birth. 
I love reading birth stories so thought I would write about Lyla's.

Things that get me through the day....week...life

As I only work part time I spend a lot of time at home, alone with a toddler, who's conversations are usually about goats, hopters (helicopters) and Peppa Pig. Days can be lost in an endless routine of nappy changing, schedules and re-runs of Paw Patrol, all the while feeling a bit shitty about how little your achieving, and how you know your capable of so much more. 

First Trimester Essentials

At almost 21 weeks I am well into my second trimester and feeling great after what was a horrible first few months. On Lyla, I had very little symptoms, a little bit of nausea and exhaustion but nothing too bad. This time round was completely different. The sickness was awful, leading to not leaving the house for days on end. 

5 Super Cool Mama's on Instagram

I love Instagram. Like really love it. I might even be addicted. 

What sets it apart from every other social media platform is the real sense of community on it. There's something for everyone, especially mothers. 

I have connected (in real life as well!) with so many wonderful, inspirational women (who happen to take gorgeous pictures of their kids) who prove that there's more to being a mum than changing nappies and night feeds. 

Picking just five to include here is near impossible, as I have so many favourites from different kind of genres...if you get me... the stylish mums, the ones with amazing houses, the fit ones, the business women, the funny mums, and the ones that take the cutest photos. I could definitely do about 30 of these posts. I probably will; but for now here are five "insta-famous" mums that I look forward to seeing on my feed everyday:

1. @LauraLacquer

Pregnancy #2

If you haven't already seen the news we are expecting baby number two. I'm due July 6th which makes me just over 17 weeks pregnant. 

New Years

January 27th is a perfectly acceptable time to write a blog post about New Years right!? 

Kitchen - Dining Room Tour

This is my favourite room in the house. It was the first room we tackled when we moved in and is the one we have put the most effort into, and rightly so as it is where we spend most of our time. 

The kitchen itself, the floors and the window (I HATE the window) will eventually be changed but as they are all in perfectly working order we'll stick with them for the moment. 

This is the room beforehand...

And this is what we have done with it...

12 Baby Halloween Costumes

Halloween is coming up and if you are anything like me you probably have 89 amazing ideas for costumes....that you'll do next week....(Hello Procrastination) Then out of nowhere its Halloween week and you have no time, or energy to put into making anything. Here are 12 simple and cheap costume ideas for you (or your baby - they look cuter on a baby)

 1. Harry Potter 

The gown is from an adults nuns costume picked up pretty much anywhere because its a pretty generic costume. The glasses had a fake nose attached that I pulled off, also picked up in any sort of costume shop. The owl is the models own. (Owly, as we like to call her - from Ikea)

Halloween Costume For Babies

Many a year ago I made a last minute attempt to dress up as Barbie. I put on tan and my pink debs dress and asked my brother if he knew what I was dressed up as, 'A dope' he answered. Grand, I looked nothing like a barbie and decided I wasn't dressing up. That's pretty much been my Halloween every year since, I don't do dressing up. I'm too lazy and unorganised. 

Last year was my first as a parent, so pressure was on to dress Lyla up. Knowing I didn't want to dress her as a cute bunny rabbit or pumpkin, I started scouring the Internet for ideas. When I found one that was simple, cheap and worked well with her name. 

Thoughts & Prayers

I'm wandering around today with a heavy heart. The past while I have watched from afar while women I admire, and many many more that are strangers, suffer and feel pain in a way I can't even comprehend. It feels unfair, and somewhat wrong to be going about daily life, writing about meaningless things, without giving my empathy, thoughts and prayers to these amazingly strong people who are struggling through what is undoubtedly one of the most challenging times of their lives.

Stylish Changing Bags

My bag is a vortex. Hours have been lost rummaging through receipts, nappies, make up, banana's, toy phones and keys, and real ones; and of course Lyla's Peppa Pig teddy. I hold up queues up and down the city with my constant searching. 

The perfect way to disguise this unorganised chaos, as well as distracting from the other bags - under mama's eyes, is with a stylish, modern changing bag. 

30 going on 16

I have a confession to make.

I’ve been living a lie.

I've spent the last ten years or so pretending to be an adult. Even going to the extreme lengths of having a baby and buying a house to convince you all that I am, in fact, a responsible grown up. Now as my 30th birthday approaches, I think its time to come clean.

I, Emma Coogan, am a 16 year old masquerading as an adult. And I had you all tricked didn't I?!

But if you look closely (past the wrinkles), you can see the signs of my enduring youth.

1. The panic etched on my face as I prepare to buy alcohol: rehearsing my date of birth and star sign - just in case they ask. Then feeling as if I've gotten away with something when they usher me in without a second look. Eh hello? Don't you realise I'm underage and about to drink myself into an oblivion because I've yet to realise the one that's too many?
2. When using public transport I head straight for the back seats. Because that's were all the cool kids sit obvz.
3. Every time I go out for dinner, I order burger and chips. No matter the restaurant, setting or occasion, all I want is a burger drowned in ketchup.
4. (This should really be 3a) When at home, I enjoy beans on toast or boiled egg and soldiers.
5. I refer to my apartment as 'The Club House'.
6. I live in fear of my Mam giving out to me for spending too much money on clothes or going out and when I step back into her house I automatically revert back to teenage mode, expecting her to make me tea and tidy up after me.
7. And that constant teenager/first-job feeling of ‘I have no idea what I'm doing’ and 'It’s only a matter of time before I’m found out'
8. Let’s not mention how long it takes me to respond to 'Mama'. It always takes a couple of moments before I realise I am in fact the Mama she is referring to. Eek. Or if a child calls me Lady or Woman. "That Lady"...Huh? What lady? Me? Nah.
9. My conversations revolve more around Sabrina The Teenage Witch than current affairs.
10. I don't understand taxes or politics and worry more about what my theme tune should be rather than my pension.
11. My playlists consist of Hanson, Sisqo and mid-90s Celine Dion.
12. I enjoy hopskotch, jigsaws, swings and making up dance routines.
13. At toddler group the other day I noticed my outfit (dungarees) matched more of the kids than it did the parents.
14. And when I hear Jamie talking business, I'm like...'Wow..such a grown up'.

Part of me is just waiting for that day I wake up caring about politics, but for now I'm happy out being a teenage mom. If I could just convince my parents to pay and cook for me, I would be sorted.

So, I guess I’m turning thirty but really.. 16 4eva. XOXO

Patent shoes & Mama Stripes

Surrounded by bags, boxes and Lyla's toys I am taking a moment to appreciate where I am and the person I am here with, at this time in my life. My life is pretty sweet at the moment and I am beyond grateful for the people who have made it this way. 

Anyway, now to the actual post. Lyla got this dress as a gift for her birthday. At the time it was way to big for her, now it fits her perfectly, if not a little snug around her belly. (Baby bellies = beyond cute). It never ceases to amaze how much a baby can change in such a short space of time. She has about 10 words now, sings the Peppa pig theme tune and despite holding my hand in these pictures can take at least 8 steps unaided.

Her dress is from Gap and her adorable little patent shoes are from Penny's. I think my goal in life is to find a way of wearing patent shoes with socks myself, without looking like a twat. 
Until then I'm pretty happy with these little Zara ankle boots. They aren't leather like my 6387 other pairs of boots, so I feel like I'm progressing with being a bit more experimental sartorially. 

Although the stripes and black Mac style jacket might beg to differ.

The shorts are actually a play suit that I have decided is too young for me (THIRTY THIS WEEK!) but with a jumper covering the low plunge line you'd never know.

Emma: Playsuit - Urban Outfitters, Jumper - Zara, Jacket - H&M, Shoes - Zara

Lyla: Dress - Gap, Cardigan - Pennys, Shoes - Pennys

Did I mention I'm THIRTY this week!?!?

turning 30 giftguide

My birthday is approaching and its a big one. So I thought I would treat myself to something, I could give this list to Jamie to make his life easier but I kind of like to make him suffer... Joking, he's already got me the best present ever, a house! (Ok he didn't buy me a house for my birthday, but we bought a house, so I'm pretty happy with that)

Anyway here's a little look at the pretty (fashion-y) things that have been catching my eye.

1. Selected Madrid Kimono Top/. 2. Cos Red Dress/. 3. Self Portrait Lace Dress/.

4. Velvet RayBans/. 5. Jord Wooden Watch/. 6. BDG Suede Bag/.

7. Cos Mesh Bag/. 8. Fred Perry Bomber Jacket/. 9. Cos Rope Belt

If you like my style, there's plenty more on my Pinterest and if you have Bloglovin I would really appreciate a follow! I'm very lonely over there!