StorkUp: Funky, Quirky, Original & Affordable Shopping

Hands up if you find shopping a bore sometimes?! When shopping online (which should be considerably easier than trawling around shopping centres) jumping from place to place, looking for inspiration and endlessly searching for different shops may become wearying after a while.

lego-zipbin-storage-case--playmat
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StorkUp offers an alternative to those who are shopping for baby and children’s items, from clothing to toys and beyond. I have been “watching” StorkUp since it launched as I was intrigued by the one stop shop idea however since those early day the business has grown rapidly, incorporating hundreds of retailers into their catalogue ensuring that there is something for all styles, preferences and budgets.

Cream Bunny All In One
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I might have mentioned once or twice recently that I am very soon (approx. two weeks) going to be becoming an aunt to a niece for the time on “my” side of the family. My sister is expecting her first and this time I will be spoiling a girl rather than boys. I had no idea shopping for girls could be so much fun! My two ratbags are of course loveable boys so there is no pink in sight so browsing this site has been a joyful experience!

There are other stores that give you a wide choice of goods and I’ve used many of them at one time or another however StorkUp seem to have the edge on the more trendy, quirky and unique finds which make shopping for yourself or for others that much more enjoyable.

The site itself is ridiculously easy to use. You may sign up with Twitter, Facebook or your email address, add your children’s details or pregnancy info, start lists for saving items or for those who just want to get down to the nitty gritty of seeing what is on offer there is a big SKIP option so that you can start exploring.

StorkUp-Raspberry Red
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The site is set out very much like Pinterest in a way, enabling you to scroll through hundreds of items quickly and easily. It is simple to customise your searches by keyword, theme, price or even by what is “trending” at the time. A brilliant way to get your shopping done!

Thankfully pink, blue, green, purple and any colour you could want is catered for as I seem to have plenty of friends and family all expecting at the moment.

Whether you are searching for clothing, toys, equipment, interiors or indeed anything related to babies, toddlers and children “just because” or for birthdays and Christmas you won’t go wrong using Stork Up. A huge plus point for me is that StorkUp introduces savvy shoppers to a wide number or independent retailers who perhaps might have been missed otherwise.

I will certainly be hitting the site for Xmas ideas and have already “liked” and follow their Facebook page so that I don’t miss out on news, offers and competitions. This year why not make shopping for new, fun and high quality items from independent sellers and established businesses easier, saving yourself both time and money.

From Small Beginnings
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*Written in collaboration with the mentioned business yet true to my own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Happy Birthday Kieran!

Yesterday was my first born son’s seventh birthday. SEVENTH!
If I hadn’t been there at the birth I would be demanding a recount right now.

Kieran's Cake

Kieran came into the world in a dramatic and amusing way and has carried on to develop into a funny, clever and caring young man.

For your amusement here is my version of Kieran’s birth story, first written shortly after he was born. How things have changed since then!

July 1st 06, 5.40am I got up, went to the loo and my waters broke with a bang! I was instantly on the floor with a massive contraction. Obviously something was wrong, it must have been… I was a week early- that couldn’t be right? And besides, my contractions were in my back? I crawled to the phone- they asked me to come in as my contractions were exactly nothing apart- just constant. Picture me, curly hair everywhere flying wildly dragging huge labour bag to the door whilst screaming “owww owww owww MOVE IT” to the poor husband! I rang Mum from the car (on all fours!) to tell her it was burning and to hurry and get to the hospital!

We got to the hospital (thank goodness for clear roads) and no joke I was running down the corridor dragging bag one of useless rubbish, hubby to the rear with another bag with baby stuff. We walked (hop, skip, jumped) into the labour room for a preliminary exam, I whipped my trousers and pants off and leant over the bed.
Midwife: Um what are you doing Dear?”
Me: I’m PUSHING!
Midwife, Oh bless (pats my hand- which she was lucky stayed intact), I take it this is your first? You said on the phone baby wasn’t engaged yesterday- shall we have a look?
Me: GRUNT
Midwife: OH! Ok, I can see the head- um can we get another midwife in and get Mrs C settled?
Me: EPIDURALLLLL
Midwife: Sorry sweetheart- no chance – would you like some gas and air?
Me: NOW!

You can see how labour turned a usually shy and retiring girl into a raving lunatic in a pretty short space of time! Not sure that was in the NHS guide?!

The labour went on pretty quick after that. Mum got there fairly quick, they took the Gas and Air off me “Mrs C, you are pushing with your throat dear”. Have to disagree with that one, my throat didn’t hurt at all lol! The team were actually fantastic and despite the fact the midwife who started off with me had finished her shift during the first half an hour, she stayed with me, with the other midwife. An hour in someone found my birth plan (like I cared lol!) which said no students- one student was present throughout and she was absolutely fabulous. On reading the birth plan, I was asked if I wanted her to leave, poor girl nearly lost her arm when I grabbed it and said “Noooo she’s loooovely!”.

The only time I really snapped was when my midwife said “One more pushhhh”, I pushed, “That it, one more push” I pushed, “One more push hun”. “ONE PLUS ONE PLUS ONE IS THREE, NOT ONE!!!”. Bad Nicki!
At 8.05am Kieran was born, 7lb 13oz. And for any first timers- the pain does just stop. I consider this a very positive birth story. I tore very badly and had to be stitched (by a MAN < seriously, you just don’t care!), and was a little disturbed when they gave me the gas and air BACK for stitches having taken it off me for labour! That first cuddle was amazing, and I was SO tired but didn’t care! Mum cut Kieran’s cord as we’d planned and my fantastic husband did exactly what I need him to do, stood nearby, made slightly encouraging noises, and allowed me to glare at him with murder in my eyes every so often! My one worry was that my placenta didn’t want to come out despite the injection and they were considering rolling me through to theatre. There was NO way they were putting me out etc after a natural birth lol, so they gave me a bed pan, catheterised me (just in and out to get rid of any wee build up!), I jumped up and down on the bed pan and placenta (intact), shot out!

Don’t mess with me, I’m a Mum now don’t you know! 

Happy birthday Kieran – I will have so much fun sharing this with you on your 18th 🙂