lifestyle blogger Archives

saharasplash2 December, 2018

A Truly Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

It’s no secret that I have been slightly obsessing over everything Alice in Wonderland since having my own little Alice. I think this birthday party had been an idea in my head during pregnancy as soon as I found out I was having a girl and that we would name her Alice. So, a Truly Alice in Wonderland Tea Party was set in motion and I’m here to share a few moments from Alice’s first birthday party…

Sign by The Paper Butterfly

As usual, my head was filled with specific details and I couldn’t wait to get started with the preparations to see it all come to life. We had hired a village hall for around 40-50 guests so we had enough space for us all to have one giant tea party! I used artificial grass which we had kept from our wedding day, and this grass has come in so handy for other uses too! The decorations, plates and food looked amazing when everything was laid out.

Decorations by Talking Tables (the Truly Alice collection)

I had some beautiful Alice-themed biscuits made just for the occasion too, and I think we had about two left when the party was over!

Biscuits by Sisters that Bake

The hall came equipped with a kitchen so we were able to make guests any tea they desired, including this fabulous blend by Adagio Teas.

Some of my favourite flavours were in this special blend, and I can’t wait to explore more of the range this winter.

Tea by Adagio Teas

Party bags were waiting next to the most whimsical cake made by one of our local favourites.

Cake by The Cupcake Kitchen (Ipswich)

Now for some costume reveals. Of course Paul came dressed as the Mad Hatter. Alice’s grandad had an inspired waistcoat that fit so well with the theme.

I came dressed as a big Alice- clearly I couldn’t avoid the sign that said ‘Eat Me’!

Alice’s dress was a limited edition piece from Cath Kidston with quotes and delicate designs.

The Queen of Hearts was inevitably Alice’s nana, her auntie came as a very dapper White Rabbit.

It was such a special moment to see Alice blow out her first birthday candle, an incredible milestone for an incredible little Alice.

Thank you so much to everyone involved and all our friends and family for a Truly Alice in Wonderland tea party.

Saharasplash x

PR samples included, all thoughts and views my own

saharasplash2 November, 2018

A seasonal shift in style

When the leaves start falling and the weather reaches single digits, you know a change is coming for your wardrobe. Whether you’re a smart dresser, a casual babe or somewhere inbetween like me, a new season is a great excuse for a good old look in those drawers to get yourself prepared and warm. Today’s post features several brands which I’ve never blogged about before. A seasonal shift in style is coming your way in three, two, one…

The houndstooth print is a failsafe from September to December, especially when it’s in the form of a darling, high-waisted miniskirt. My collection of Karen Millen cardigans are the perfect length for this look, and no doubt I will be trying them all with this skirt from Unique 21.

My buckle belt is a brand new addition from my sister’s belt biz @e.buckled and this just completes my first seasonal style look.

Look two is a grungy/urban street vibe, and yes the leopard print is out in full force! I’ve paired these lightweight palazzo trousers from Unique 21 with an amazing lace bodysuit from Catwalk Clothing and some black tights to beat the morning chill. The burgundy sketchers add a colourful pop along with a dark lip and some beautiful lashes courtesy of KISS products.

I chose to adorn a suede effect satchel bag to add a bit more swag and a leopard print hair clip to tie the whole getup together.

My final look to honour a seasonal shift in style is more of a night time glam look. I’ve got the same beautiful lace on top but switched the bottom up to a glitzy skirt from Minnie’s Boutique and snakeskin accessories.

Even though my style may change from day to day and season to season, my love of fashion still sticks around. A huge thanks to Catwalk Clothing and Unique 21 for helping bring this blog post to life.

Saharasplash x

If a seasonal shift in style has left you wanting more, head over to read all about an exclusive launch party with Pandora Jewellery and Mabel.

PR Samples included

saharasplash4 October, 2018

Ready for any occasion with Prestige Hampers

I just love this time of year. Not just because there are many holidays and events to look forward to, but we have many birthday celebrations in the family from September to December. This is such a busy season, and I’m always on the hunt for great gift ideas. I’ve got to be really prepared and organised, as we never let an occasion pass us by without some sort of party or family fun weekend. This post is all about being ready for any occasion with Prestige Hampers.

I’ve been a big fan of DIY hampers since I can remember. Hunting down all the perfect products to complete a hamper is so much fun. However, time constraints now apply as I am older and responsible for my own little one, so finding a bespoke hamper has to be quick and simple. Take this lovely example, aptly named ‘Simply Delicious’…

Hamper contains:
Founders Stone Shiraz 75cl
Founders Stone Pinot Grigio 75cl
Belgian Chocolate Mint Thins 125g
Sweet Chilli and Lime Yorkshire Crisps 100g
Mint Chocolate Cremes 150g
Minty Crisp Dark Chocolates 50g
Biscoffee Cappuccino Coffee Shortbread 160g
Belgian Fancy Truffles Cocoa Pieces 200g
English Afternon Tea 25s 50g
Monty Bojangles Pistachio Marooned Truffles 100g
After Dinner Coffee Pouch 56g
Cheesy Nibbles 175g
Mrs Bridges Ploughmans Chutney 230g

Naturally I had a very keen Alice wanting to inspect each and every gift to make sure it was up to scratch!

I simply love how so much thought has gone into creating this hamper- the green colour scheme is something I would definitely look for when choosing a perfect gift, also the mixture of sweet and savoury is a definite crowd pleaser.

This hamper is priced at under £100, and Prestige Hampers have gifts to suit every kind of budget. They also have gluten free and vegan hampers which I haven’t seen anywhere else before.

If you’re tight on time but still wanting a personal and excellent quality gift, you can be ready for any occasion with Prestige Hampers.

Alice approves

View the incredible range of Christmas hampers online!

Saharasplash x

Next up, head to my autumn vibes edit for a look at what’s new in my wardrobe this season.

PR Samples included, all thoughts and views my own

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!