saharasplash

Best and worst moments of 2017

Can you believe it’s less than 7 weeks to go now until Christmas? Sorry for putting the C word out there to those of you still in denial that we are almost done with the year! Seeing that the end is now upon us, I’m doing a post on the best and worst moments of 2017. It’s been a pretty life changing year for the Schaefer household, and here’s why…

January: I’m pregnant!

So this was probably one of the best starts to the year we could possibly have asked for. Finding out I was pregnant just weeks after our wedding, it didn’t quite seem real. It took me a while to get used to the idea- then my tummy started growing and the reality set in!

May: Last holiday of the year to Dubai

Paul and I were just in time to take our annual trip over to Dubai before I became too pregnant. In May we made our way over and had (as usual) one of the best Dubai holidays* in just a short space of time. We stayed with our extended family, saw the godchildren, did a bit of baby clothes shopping and had a rather amazing time. See the blog post here.

June: Goodbye Harley

June saw us say goodbye to Harley, our Harlequin Great Dane. He was 13 years of age and such a huge part of my life. I had accepted that it was his time for a while as he had started going downhill in 2017. In June we made the hard decision to let him go and now I like to think he is running around as wild as can be.

August: That freak hay bale accident

Yes, a freak hay bale accident occurred in August. Paul and I were setting up Alice’s cot in her nursery one afternoon when we heard the loudest crash from the living room. We came in to find that our entire wall had a huge crack, the skirting board was jutting away from the wall and the entire contents of our bookshelf was in disarray on the floor. As a hay truck drove past, one of the bales had come off and tumbled into the side of our house! Don’t worry, it’s all being fixed up next year and is structurally sound, but for now our living room sort of resembles that crack in the wall from Dr Who!

October: Hello baby Alice

After what seemed like the longest wait in September, baby Alice arrived on the 16th October- just ten days late! I had the perfect birth, just how I had planned which I know I was very lucky to have. I also had three birth partners with me the whole time- my husband, sister and Mum who all played vital roles and I couldn’t have done it without them.

I’m allowed to not look my best during labour right?! 

October: One week post partum nightmare

After the birth, things took a turn for the worse in terms of my health. I had a terrible 5 days of shortness of breath, and physically not being able to even walk to the bathroom by myself. I ended up being re-hospitalised the weekend after Alice was born and it turned out my red blood cell count was to blame. As soon as I had an intravenous iron drip I was instantly better! I just wish I had known what was wrong earlier as it did put a spanner in the works for Alice’s first week here. My family stepped in to look after her while I couldn’t, and I now know for next time what to look out for earlier.

Here’s my expressing efforts that had to happen during the night in hospital- wouldn’t wish that on anyone! 

Not wanting to leave on a worst moment, I’ll leave you with a moment I am looking forward to…

November: Our one year wedding anniversary

Paul and I are imminently close to celebrating our first wedding anniversary. It’s crazy to think that one year has passed since our two day wedding ceremonies. If you haven’t seen the pics then head over to part one and part two. To celebrate, we will be eating our final piece of wedding cake which we froze, having a bottle of wedding champagne which we saved and going to see the Justice League- badass!

Saharasplash x

Thanks for reading the best and worst moments of 2017. What’s been your best and worst moment of 2017?

Head over to my latest beauty post celebrating National Spa Week! 

*This is a sponsored post

saharasplash

Celebrating National Spa Week with #QSPAINABOX

This week we are celebrating National Spa Week. There’s nothing I love more than a good old pamper, whether that’s getting a massage, manicure or a more specialist treatment like experiencing a non evasive face lift from Facegym! So, I’m here to show you how to get involved and start celebrating National Spa Week with #QSPAINABOX. Q Hotels have come up with a spa-at-home experience that you can get inspiration from and get pampering today!

As a new mum, it is a truth universally acknowledged that ‘me time’ is now being shared by ‘baby time’ as well. These past few weeks it has been a huge accomplishment if I have managed to drink a whole cup of tea without it going cold or brushed my teeth before lunchtime. Though I have this new commitment, which I would not change for anything, I want to make sure that I haven’t forgotten myself along the way. I am still the same person, even if that means swapping a spa day out for a spa day in.

Q Hotels have provided an incredible selection of products I want to share with you so no matter how you like to get your R and R- there is bound to be something here that floats your zen boat!

Jessica Phenom Instastyle Fall Collection

Inspired by the latest styles, these three on trend colours along with Finale Shine top coat will have your look completed for the next big event.

ESPA Optimal Skin Introductory Collection

This collection will nourish, balance and restore the skin ready for winter. Included is a procleanser, a 3-in-1 cleanser, exfoliator and mask, a toner and a proserum. A great way to refresh your skin routine or add to your Christmas gift list at £26.

Mii Cosmetics

If you’re not into nails and you already have a skincare routine that suits you, why not give Mii Cosmetics a go? In the #QSPAINABOX I found their Power matte lip creme, Glamourous trio face bronzer and Showstopping Lash Lover mascara. This trio will have you ready in a jiffy when looking for a quick makeup turnaround!

Find some time today to get celebrating National Spa Week with #QSPAINABOX and do it your own way. What would you like to try? Send me a message over on Twitter or comment below!

Saharasplash x

Check out baby Alice as she rocks her first post with a special Rockbox gift box!

PR samples included

SHARE:
Comments Off on Celebrating National Spa Week with #QSPAINABOX
saharasplash

My baby is a mini rocker with Rockbox

I will tell you, this week has been a tough one. Parenthood is unexpected and wonderful and brings many happy moments, but with those moments there comes a certain amount of heartache and struggle too. There are countless times in the day where I think to myself ‘I’m not doing the best I can for my baby’. I have a huge amount of support around me, and I never think for a second that my baby isn’t safe or loved, it’s more down to the little things- could I have prevented that baby meltdown for example or gotten her changed a little quicker to avoid upset. These feelings I know are absolutely normal and I just have to roll with it. Alice is a pretty chilled out little thing for the most part, and although I don’t feel like a rockstar as much as I used to, here is how my baby is a mini rocker with Rockbox.

The Rockbox company designs the most incredible bespoke gift boxes for different types of people and occasions. You can browse the site for ready made boxes, or you can create your own with an array of gorgeous products, cards and accessories for that personal touch. This is the Mini Rocker gift box which is perfect for a gender neutral arrival:

Included in the mini rocker box is a cute little xoxo postcard along with a Bibs and Booties UK set which I adore on Alice!

There is also a silicone teether ring in the shape of a cloud to match the monochrome vibes from Foxs Felts. She will need a little more time to start using this!

Here are the cutest booties with raindrop pattern to match the bib:

Alice rocks them wearing nothing else, and we can’t wait to match them to an outfit for a trip out soon. She is definitely a mini rocker already, from the way she is independent, strong and ready to go at any moment.

My baby is a mini rocker with Rockbox this week and I’m so proud to have this little star in my life- tears and fears included!

Shop the full Rockbox range here

Saharasplash x

Thanks for reading guys! Check out my post on a little auto love n care for some more cute baby photos and car tips for winter ❄️

PR samples included

SHARE:
Comments Off on My baby is a mini rocker with Rockbox
saharasplash

Talking comfort and taking care of your car this winter

So I haven’t been driving my car recently, mainly because of that fact that I’ve just had a baby, and stitches are still healing. It’s been quite a rollercoaster month this month and we are now experiencing that time of year where the temperatures and clocks are changing. This post about talking comfort and taking care of your car this winter is for all the drivers out there as a kind reminder to keep you and your car happy this season no matter how busy your life can get.

1. Tyres

It’s so important to check your tyres regularly if you are out and about on the roads. Tread can be easily measured with a 20p piece. Place the coin in one of the main grooves in your tyre. If the outer band of the coin is obscured then your tread is fine. If not, it’s not legal! On Fife Autocentre* you can book tyres in Stirling, but you can find the right tyre and local branch to you by doing a quick online search.

2. Water

I like to have my water checked every month, usually by my husband. You need to make sure that during the winter months that your water is checked according to the changing temperatures. If we are having a rainy spell, you would want to check it more often. This is because you are more likely to use your wipers more to get rid of dirt and smears left by the rain. If we are expecting frost, make up a bottle of 1/8 antifreeze 7/8 water before pouring in. This will help to avoid those crappy mornings waiting to leave your driveway with a frosted up screen and a frozen water supply!

3. Oil

If you regularly use and service your car (every 12 thousand miles) you shouldn’t need to check your oil. But if you are a sporadic driver or you aren’t racking up the miles to service it regularly, then best to check that dipstick!

4. Comfort

It’s sometimes easy to forget this factor when driving. As someone who makes continuous journeys back and forth to London and Ipswich, it’s really important that I am comfy in the car. I have discovered a fantastic cushion during my pregnancy this year which has helped ease my aches and pains as they progressively got worse during my pregnancy and beyond. The Sciatic Pain Relief Cushion is one of a kind and has been so imperative for each and every car journey lasting over 30 minutes for me. Its unique style and shape help to ease signs and symptoms of sciatica.

You can take it out and use it in the workplace with any seat or chair. The first car journey home from hospital was not nice after having quite a few stitches, but I was so happy to see my cushion waiting for me in my husband’s car when it was time to head home with our baby girl. I am continuing to use the cushion post pregnancy as it makes the journeys so much easier and less painful.

Find out more about the Sciatic Pain Relief Cushion here.

I hope that this piece on talking comfort and taking care of your car this winter has reminded you to make those all important checks if you haven’t done so recently. Stay safe on the roads, and Alice is loving her current car setup!

Saharasplash x

*This is a sponsored post 

Why not see what recipe I’ve posted just in time for Halloween ? click right here

saharasplash

pumpkin carving through labour

Yes, you read the title right- pumpkin carving through labour is just what happened on October the 15th this year. I woke up at about 4.45 am with the first official pain, though it wasn’t enough to make me start panicking. I had a plan for the morning, and that was to make a fabulous spiced pumpkin soup* with fresh chillis and creme fraiche.

I woke Paul up a few hours later after several more contractions, they were quite far apart and so I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, knowing that this could potentially start and stop throughout the day. So I carried on as normal, and fortunately the pains stayed about 20 mins apart while I got stuck in with my soup making in the kitchen!

If you are wanting to grab a pumpkin to carve and serve up for a simple Halloween snack, here is what you need:

Ingredients:

1x small pumpkin

2x shallots or 1 white onion

1x baking potato

3x garlic cloves (keep them vampires at bay)

1x pack of small red chillis

1x pack of fresh chives

1x creme fraiche pot

1x veg stock cube

Kitchen supplies

A saucepan or casserole pot

A really big Jason Voorhees style knife

A blender/nutribullet

It’s a really simple bunch of ingredients and utensils which you can put all in one pot so minimal mess and effort! The hardest part is beheading the pumpkin and scooping out the insides.

Tip: once the insides are out, wash and keep the seeds and bake them in the oven for 30 mins with some oil and sea salt for a yummy snack/ great soup topping!

So first, get your onion, garlic and chillis (de-seeded) and fry them up in a dash of oil.

Once nice and sizzling, add in diced pumpkin and potato cubes. Remember to keep the cubes about the size of your stock cube so it’ll cook quicker and blend up easier. Add in the stock cube with enough water to cover the ingredients.

Let that hubble bubble away for around 20 mins or until your cubes are nice and soft. Take off the heat and let it cool before blending up. You can leave a few pieces to the side if you prefer a chunky soup to a smooth soup.

I used my Magic Bullet about 4 times to blend up all the pieces, and I made sure to include the liquid too as you don’t want to waste that flavour.

It all goes back into the saucepan with 4 tablespoons of creme fraiche then salt and pepper to taste. Let that come to a boil slowly as the consistency will be quite thick, so you don’t want a sudden spurt and burnt fingers if it starts getting feisty!

For the final touch, chop up a few chives and add some of the baked pumpkin seeds before you dish up.

I managed to have a lovely bowl of my soup for lunch before my contractions started to get more intense- and about 12 hours later Alice was born! Definitely a recipe to remember, and I shall be making it as a reminder of my pumpkin carving through labour each Halloween!

*Recipe via The Ideas Kitchen  a part of the healthy juice recipes collection

Saharasplash x

This is a sponsored post

See my latest fashion piece in collaboration with PrettyLittleThing!

 

saharasplash

Simplistic styling and brave choices featuring PrettyLittleThing

This October has been one of the most incredible Octobers of my life. Not only did I have the most fantastic 27th birthday with my family, it also brought and end to my pregnancy and welcomed a brand new arrival! I’m sure you have seen by now that I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who we called Alice Iris. It’s been a tough first week to say the least, and I thought that this would be a great opportunity to talk about being brave- in more than one aspect of life. Having the courage to stick with your guns and make your unique voice heard is such an important thing, so here is my piece on simplistic styling and brave choices featuring PrettyLittleThing.

I feel that I have grown up a confident person, always going for what I want in life. Even at school I remember being the one always speaking out and eager to have my say, so having strength and courage definitely stemmed from a young age. Confidence and being brave may not come naturally to everyone, but I’d like to try and persuade you to come out of yourself just that little bit today. Whether that means doing that task you’ve been putting off for days or saying something you have been holding back from someone close to you- I say you are going to do it! And once you do, you’ll feel amazing.

So, how does being brave work it’s way into another part of your life- your wardrobe? PrettyLittleThing are here to help with their new season coats and jackets range. PLT are one of my favourite brands, so getting to collaborate with them on this project was definitely a big fat tick off the blogger bucket list. I did this shoot two days before giving birth, so this will definitely be one of those memorable weekends not only for my blog but for my family too. This sage green floral maxi kimono worked effortlessly with one of my plain black dresses. Pregnant or not, it’s a simplistic style for anyone not wanting to brave a whole new wardrobe just yet. Just one stunning jacket like this can make you feel confident and ready to take on anything life throws at you- you’re in a kimono for god sake, rock it!!

Much like this kimono, I took the leap of faith and braved my labour without any pain relief. We did it together, Alice and I, along with some super support from my husband, sister and mother. I took my strength during labour by focusing on all the reasons why I was doing it, and who I was doing it for. The list was long- my husband and my late mother in law who she is named after were the top two faces in my mind- and it worked brilliantly. Being brave for another person I find boosts your confidence levels like nothing else- I’m sure you can remember exactly how you felt at a time where you have stood up for something or someone that you believe in- it gives us that fire and purpose.

This next coat was a little out of my comfort zone, but I just had to jump in with two feet. That item you’ve been looking at online but not sure it’s ‘you’, just go for it, just like I went for this bright yellow longline puffer jacket.

Again, I’ve paired this with black which is a smart choice for anyone out there struggling with splashing colour into their autumn winter collection. Sporty stripes are heavily trending throughout the high street, so a pair of wide leg stripe trousers like this create a cool but chic balance to the powerful puffer.

Simplistic styling and brave choices go hand in hand- it’s just one small change that makes a lot of difference.

Tell me about a time you made a brave choice in the comments below- and for this week I want you to face any fears you have (wardrobe or otherwise) with a deep breath and a strong focus. You won’t get a baby at the end of it, but you’ll be self rewarded with a new found sense of accomplishment!

Until next time,

Saharasplash  x

Find out all about my experience at Seckford Spa with a pregnancy massage!

PR samples included

SHARE:
Comments Off on Simplistic styling and brave choices featuring PrettyLittleThing