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Not suffering in silence with fertility issues

I have been mulling this post over in my head for a while now, as it’s quite a personal subject. As a blogger, I naturally want to share all my experiences good and bad, but there is a fine line between sharing and oversharing. I have been struggling with the notion of having another child since Christmas, my head is ready but my body is most definitely not in agreement.

I fell pregnant with Alice just 5 weeks after we got married, so there wasn’t really much time to think about what if it didn’t happen first time round. It was a very straight forward pregnancy and labour, no complications during birth, but I did have to have an iron drip a week after Alice was born because I lost too much blood for my body to recover naturally.

Moving onto breastfeeding, I fed Alice until she was 12 months old (October 2018) and then stopped because I had always planned to stop at this age. I thought it would be another simple step in the whole process, but boy was I mistaken.

It’s now 6 months on and my hormones are a wreck, I’m pretty much bleeding every day (give or take a few day’s break here and there) so I made myself an appointment with the GP. Fast forward to this week, and I discover that I have a cyst on my left ovary which is 3.7cm. Leaving the doctors surgery I was in shock with the news. I found out it’s quite common to have an ovarian cyst, but I never expected to be told I had one, and this may be the cause of my hormonal imbalance.

It’s now May, a new month, and I have a follow up appointment booked to find out where to go from here. I have had a lot of advice from friends and family who are telling me not to worry, as stress can play a big part on what’s going on inside ourselves. It’s something which I am working on accepting little by little, and that the answers are coming soon.

I really wanted to post this around Infertility Awareness Week (21-27th April). I have been kindly sent some products from SpermCheckUK to help do some further research in the mean time. SpermCheckFertility is a test to check whether your partner’s sperm count is high or low in the comfort of your own home.

I also have FertileCheck fertility gel to try out which is a gel that naturally supports conception and doesn’t create a barrier for sperm unlike some lubricants.

Although infertility is a really hard topic to discuss for many of us who have been through difficulties or know those who have, I want to help keep the conversation going by not suffering in silence. I feel like this will help me see this period in my life through, no matter the outcome, and possibly will reach someone who is in the same boat as me. Don’t be afraid to talk and let someone know.

SpermCheck and FertilityCheck are now on offer in Boots until 22nd May.

Saharasplash x

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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

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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 

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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

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what’s coming up in this season’s Aldi Specialbuy event

It’s always a privilege to be able to work with your favourite brands as a blogger. I’m always blown away when I am contacted by the likes of Pretty Little Thing, Boohoo, and also supermarkets like Aldi too. It’s been almost a whole year since I brought out my first post on the Aldi Baby and Toddler event when I was expecting Alice, and it’s so nice to keep bringing you new and exciting content and sneak peeks from their collections. So here’s what’s coming up in this season’s Aldi Specialbuy event (and there’s the full list of items and prices at the end for you).

Food time

I thought I would separate the items out into categories, so depending on what items are on your list you can make your way through each section. Lily&Dan never fails to bring out a lovely selection of bibs and clothing and I’m a sucker for a cute pineapple design. What’s also really popular right now is bamboo style dinnerware for kids. This sweet mouse dinner set is just £5.99, I can see this going fast!

Bath time

Now onto bath time. You can never have too many bath essentials when it comes to that time every day. If you’re like me and travel to see family quite frequently, I always make sure to leave some baby bath products wherever I go so I’m not bringing the kitchen sink each time! I can’t get enough of this strawberry shampoo, it makes Alice even tastier. We can’t wait to use our wind up bath toy too, this looks like a lot of fun.

Bed time

Bed time routine is so changeable for us all. Every baby needs something a little bit different and so here is a selection of products coming up in this season’s Aldi Specialbuy event. A great (and short!) book with hidden items under flaps along with a snuggly blanket should help set the mood. Also our top pick this time round is the silicone rabbit night light. It’s so different to anything else out there I’ve seen, creates a soft light in different colours and also doubles up as an interesting toy during the day time! Bye bye boring plugins, hello Mr Rabbit! Also available in pink and white for £6.99

Here’s the full list for you so you can get your shopping list sorted. Products available online from Sunday the 12th August and in store from Thursday 16th August.

Saharasplash x

Femme Luxe Finery awaits you in my latest fashion post- click here for the full post

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Make your father’s day a memorable one

Us mums can be a bit guilty of stealing our babies from other members of our family, including daddy. Thinking back to a recent dinner time, I was making a main meal and Paul was in charge of feeding Alice. But within the space of a few minutes I found myself taking over and trying to do everything and pushing him aside. I’m guilty as charged, and I think that it’s time the dads had a bit more credit where credit is well due. In just under two week’s time the nation will be celebrating Father’s Day, and in 2018 we are celebrating Paul’s first one with Alice. I’m really pleased to say we are going to make our first Father’s Day a memorable one, and we are starting it early to get in good spirits!

Paul is such a loving and devoted father as I knew he would be. Alice’s face just lights up when he comes into the room and I’ve been lucky enough to watch their relationship grow this past 7 months.

I’ve teamed up with Prestige Hampers to give Paul a well-deserved surprise for his first Father’s Day this year…

This hamper is perfect for any dad who loves an after-dinner cheese fest, and Paul certainly is that dad!

Such a lovely selection of hand-picked products to make your Father’s Day a memorable one.

Alice just loved helping dada open his hamper of cheese and wine. No doubt she will also love to help eat it with him later!

Paul is always there to pick Alice up for a cuddle, although sometimes they have a bit too much fun if you ask me! Secretly I know Paul delights in the fact that he has a little baby girl to spoil, even though he keeps saying we’re going for a boy next time!

Make your Father’s Day a memorable one this year and see what other amazing gifts Prestige Hampers have to offer right here.

Saharasplash x

Find out how we got on when Fantastic Services came round to spruce up our oven!

Disclaimer: PR samples included, all thoughts and views my own