September 2018 - SAHARASPLASH

saharasplash28 September, 2018

The Autumn vibes Edit

As I sit on the sofa watching Alice happily play with her toys, I’m so glad that the hot weather is finally over. No more following her around with fans and air conditioning units to try and keep her cool. We are now settling into a routine with playgroups, soft play sessions and we even do Spanish lessons too. As our birthday month approaches, the end of September always means a little wardrobe refresh and an afternoon spent switching over my summer to winter clothes. I always have my trusty staples which I bring out every year, and last autumn saw most of my wardrobe left redundant due to my third trimester belly.

I like to think that motherhood has brought me a new horizon on fashion, and I’m definitely wearing things I haven’t ever done before. For example, this pastel purple cable knit from Forever 21 has snuck into the Autumn vibes edit…

Let’s not forget about keeping Alice nice and cosy, and what better way to do just this with a snuggly snow suit! This cute zebra suit from Dare2B is available via Simply Hike, along with lots of other winter essentials too.

Now I am probably the worst sock keeper ever, mostly because I really don’t like wearing them 8 months out of the year. I can never find a matching pair when I need it, so I’ve decided to turn over a new sock leaf with a robust pair from Smartwool (available from Simply Hike).

This year, I’ve also decided to venture into the land of thermals. My body temperature is constantly changing, and I find myself wearing oversized hoodies when I should be dressing a little smarter. So this two piece layer set from Dare2B is coming with me everywhere from now on…

Now I’ve got a few wishlist items for the autumn vibes edit. I’m so done with mustard and orange this year, so I’m bringing you a frosty coloured cardigan from JD Williams instead.

Dare2B is fast becoming my favourite new discovery of the season, and this women’s ski jacket in snakeskin is top of the list and next in my wardrobe lineup.

Thanks for checking out The Autumn Vibes Edit, if you are thinking about making some hard wardrobe decisions this season, I hope I’ve inspired you!

Saharasplash x

This is a sponsored post. PR samples included, all thoughts and views my own.

saharasplash10 September, 2018

Husband Takeover- five ways to look sharp

It’s time for yet another husband takeover on the blog! These posts always do really well, and I think I’ve said this before but there really isn’t enough hype to represent the males in the blogging community. I know my husband isn’t a male blogger, but he sure loves acting like one during our photoshoots. We’ve put together a little post on five ways to look sharp, so dressing for the Monday to Friday week in the big city.

Monday

Mondays are always the hardest right? It’s the start of a brand new week and this is probably the day people are going to make most of an effort. The shirt is pressed, tie is on and ultimately you want to start the week out right. Paul is wearing blue trousers with a pink shirt from Dobell paired with a striped tie. Men’s workwear is all about the blue and pink right now, I see it everywhere!

Tuesday

Tuesday’s child is said to be full of grace, so we’ve upped our style game with a smart jacket, also from Dobell. Grey trousers and blue hints from this shirt and suit combo is guaranteed to turn heads as you prepare for a morning of important meetings in the office.

Wednesday

Wednesday is set to be a warm one, so we’ve opted for a short sleeve shirt that still is smart but practical too. Wednesday is a great day to change up your hairstyle, have a shave and really create a different look.

Thursday

It’s almost the weekend, but not quite there yet. We’ve gone back to our trusty pink shirt but made it less formal by losing the tie. Everyone is gearing up for dress down Friday, so why not get ahead of the game and start a little early?! Maybe unbutton that top button too!

Friday

We made it! Now Friday is a day most people working a 9-5 rejoice, especially if you have the freedom to dress down. Paul still wants to maintain his sharp sense of style so he has picked out a simple grey tee from BoohooMAN and a snazzy bomber jacket from Idle Man. Paul can walk into the office with confidence and professionalism, however show that he has a younger, cooler side as well, despite the grey hair!

We hope you loved this husband takeover- five ways to look sharp. Make this week a banger and dress to impress your co-workers, you never know what opportunities await you with a fresh looking wardrobe.

Saharasplash and Paul x

Thanks for reading, see all the details next from Alice’s Naming Ceremony and why we chose a humanist celebration for her special day.

PR Samples included

saharasplash7 September, 2018

What to do when your hair is falling out

Truth be told, this isn’t actually an all-male problem. Sure, us ladies don’t have a very common gene for pattern baldness, but there are many of us out there and lots of reasons why we silently struggle with hair loss. My mum has suffered for years with cyclical hair loss, and it’s very recently happened to me. Mine is definitely a post-partum hair loss which many women go through after birth. I have found that it’s one of those issues (like piles) that you just don’t talk about. Well, I want to… here’s what to do when your hair is falling out.

I’ve always had super fine hair, and going back to my school days I always had issues styling my hair. Scrunchies would simply fall out no matter how many times I looped it round, and once I remember being teased for having such little hair in secondary school. I’ve always wanted thicker and different hair, so when I was 16 I had a perm to help with the flatness. It was great for a while until I ended up with straight roots and suddenly curly hair 6 months later so I didn’t do it again.

As I grew into adulthood, I started experimenting with colour, and by the age of 25 I was really happy as I learnt how to style my hair better. Loose waves added body which I just couldn’t achieve as a teen and I definitely got a lot better at french plaiting. I’m going to show you my hair journey over the past two years, and what to do when your hair is falling out…

Here is my hair pre-wedding, pre-baby back in early 2016. It was long, full of life and just great to manage.

I then decided to go grey in October 2016 for the wedding, and this is by far the best my hair has ever looked and been.

Now this was how my hair looked at the end of my pregnancy, no more grey but still really manageable, stylish and bouncy after a few curls.

Fast forward to earlier on in the year, I decided to have a ‘mummy chop’ as Alice was constantly trying to grab it when it fell over my shoulders and was around my boob area- just no! So I cut it short, also to get rid of the blonde and even the tones out more. I was really happy with the result…

Now we’re heading into tougher territory as the six month post-partum hormones hit. In May, my body definitely told itself ‘you’re not pregnant anymore so stop over-producing all those lovely vitamins and minerals’, and thus my hair started falling out big time…

I wash my hair every three-four days on average, and every time I do this is what comes out. So twice a week, I have this massive ball left after I shower and gently comb through my hair with a conditioning treatment. I’m using the best tangle teezer brushes which deals with any knots, and I always let my hair dry naturally under a towel.

I also have to deal with a day of shedding on the day I wash my hair, my clothes get covered as the strands keep falling..

If left unstyled, my hair is flat, thin and clings to my face…

So, what to do when your hair is falling out? There are several ways I manage my hair loss on a day to day basis. Of course I can’t style my hair every day, but when I do I love using my Hot Tools Curl Bar.

I wear extensions to make my hair seem thicker and longer- all temporary so no rings, loops or glue required!

I love braiding my hair and having it out of the way where necessary. This lasts much longer than a regular ponytail and even though I can’t help noticeable gaps in my hair, it makes my hair feel thicker in a braid and I’m glad Alice can’t pull it out this way!

If you are suffering from hair loss, take a look at what the Harley Street Hair Clinic have to offer. They are one of Britain’s leading clinics for men and women and have helped the likes of Wayne Rooney to restore his head of hair! Feel free to reach out to me on social media to talk more, it’s a subject we shouldn’t ignore or suffer in silence with.

Saharasplash x

Thanks for reading, head over to see my latest husband takeover post about five ways to look sharp here!

This is a sponsored post

saharasplash6 September, 2018

Alternative gift ideas for difficult recipients

I think we can all relate to that horrible time of year when it seems that every single family member has a birthday all in the same month. And every year, it’s even more of a struggle to figure out what to get them. Be it an Auntie, Grandad, or even a sibling that you just can’t seem to rack your brain and come up with a super-duper presie. So, I’ve got a few alternative gift ideas for difficult recipients that might just save your bacon…

No bake recipe in a jar

You probably guessed from my Instagram feed and stories that I am a huge fan of gluten free baking. Being a coeliac has pushed me to try new recipes and get in the kitchen, and you cannot go wrong with a no bake recipe in a jar. I discovered this vegan/gf recipe recently and it was so yum! To give this as a gift you will need:
1 mason jar
Ground hazlenuts and almonds
Dates
Cacao powder
A pinch of salt

All the recipient needs to do is empty the jar into a bowl, add 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil, mix with an electric whisk for 1 minute and flatten into a dish to put into the fridge to set. Voila!

Seasonal bucket lists

This is also a recent discovery for me, and one I am itching to get for myself. These are personalised bucket lists you can create and download/print for your wall and they are just magical. Imagine all the cute little autumn activities like soup night or pumpkin picking, check out Bellebucket on Instagram for more inspiration.

Adopt an animal

My mum frequently adopts animals for my nan on her birthday as she just loves monkeys. You can adopt all sorts of amazing creatures, just perfect for animal lovers and for those who ‘don’t want anything’ for their birthday!

Ultimate game/themed night

There’s nothing I love more than a themed event, so why not plan one for your bestie for their birthday?! Surprise them with a Harry Potter house sort or a zombie rave?!

Personalise and get creative

Personally, I can’t get enough of personalised gifts, especially when it’s me doing the personalisation! You’re set to have a unique, one off gift by painting a ceramic piece for your loved one. It will add the perfect touch to any kitchen and home.

A golden investment

If you’re after something really out there, why not look into giving a gift that will add value to the recipient much more than a note in a card? Golden Eagle Coin trades in precious coins and currency which you can guarantee your recipient won’t be expecting. Whether you are looking to splash out on a golden number, or perhaps silver or copper, this could be the gift of a lifetime. I searched for coins from my year of birth and found this amazing Chinese silver panda coin from 1990!

Whomever you need to buy for, I hope my alternative gift ideas for difficult recipients helped.

Saharasplash x

This is a sponsored post

saharasplash3 September, 2018

Alice’s Naming Ceremony

Alice’s Naming Ceremony was a day that I shall never forget. Mostly because the planning nearly finished me off, and there were so many obstacles to overcome before the day arrived. I’m an early planner, and this ceremony had been planned down to the final detail months beforehand, and yet with just days to go, a poorly Alice in my arms and I couldn’t get things done quickly enough. Here is an insight into Alice’s special day, which by the end of it I wanted a nice cup of tea and a very long nap!

The invites were beautifully designed and sent out all in good time, but other particulars such as live music we not ironed out until the week of. We had a three piece steel band on Alice’s gorgeous, sunny day which created the most uplifting atmosphere.

The theme was very colourful, pastel purples and pinks ran through from the balloons to our outfits. The decorations were supplied by Talking Tables, the best events company in the business who I just love working with. I wore River Island and I decided on changing my hair up with some help from Secret Extensions- just look at my luscious locks!

As guests arrived, they all greeted the star herself in her rainbow dress. I found this dress in T K Maxx and so the brand isn’t well known. It fit her perfectly, and I chose a rainbow because of her middle name- Iris, which means rainbow in Greek and many other languages too.

As soon as the whole gathering had arrived, we started the ceremony, conducted by a local humanist. It was so personal and lovely, just like our wedding day.

Alice’s mentor Evie read out her wishes for Alice, and Harry stood in for our second mentor Hans who sadly couldn’t be there on the day, again like our wedding! He read a Dr Seuss poem which was just fab.

Here are a few of my favourite snaps from Alice’s Naming Ceremony, captured by my favourite photographer and friend Emma Shaw. She has a true gift for making magic happen through her lens and we were so grateful she could join us on the day.

Our guests were kept cool with Virtue Drinks, super tasty energy water which is sugar-free and went with the theme so well.

Beautiful cupcakes were made by Cupcake Kitchen, don’t these look too good to eat?!

Tea was served thanks to Ahmad tea, a wonderful addition to Alice’s special day bringing flavours such as Double Mint & Liquorice and Pear & Cinnamon to the table.

Photo: Lauren Schaefer

Guests could also satisfy their sweet tooth with amazing pink unicorn lollipops from Sparko Sweets.

Photo: Lauren Schaefer

Alice truly loved having a lick of these vanilla delights and being the centre of attention for the day.

Photo: Lauren Schaefer

I want to thank everyone involved, all our guests, family, friends and sponsors for the event for making Alice’s Naming Ceremony all that it could be- a magical day that I am so glad to have shared with you all. Also I have to give a massive thank you to my mum and Alice’s nana for hosting this event in her garden on the day which saw the end to our very long UK heatwave. It poured down just hours before things were due to start but the skies cleared and we had non stop sunshine for the ceremony, a true blessing!