CURLY AND CANDID

Throughout the year we all come across different products etc that we think “Oooh that would make a good Xmas present for X…” but don’t get it because of timing, it being too early etc and then we forget. I have started a little notebook so I can note down the online store or “real” shop I spot an item in and today I’m going to share some of these Xmas gift recommendations with you!

Some of these products I have “found” after being asked to review them, and if that is the case, I have marked this, otherwise they are just things I’ve bought for me and the family and love!

BE AWARE: Xmas is fast approaching, so don’t delay getting your orders in if anything takes your fancy, and keep an eye on Christmas cut-off dates!!

In no particular order…….

BooBoo & Squirt

I have had several items from this site, from school and gym bags to kids bakery items. I stumbled across the site on Twitter and am very glad I did! This is my first port of call for fab and different children’s items (nothing worse than turning up at a party where three of us have bought the same gift from Tesco or Argos!!). I have to give special mention to this seller for absolutely fabulous customer service. I had a major panic just before Kieran start Reception in September when I realised his packup bag wouldn’t fit in his school bag, and couldn’t find anything locally! Seeing my cry for help on Iwitter I had a bag in the post, Special Delivery and with me in good time. The owner even measured up her daughter’s packup bag (as we’d bought similar) to check against the Toy Story schoolbag I’d chosen to make sure it would fit. Great service, especially as I had never dealt with the company before! Highly recommended!

Visit BooBoo&Squirt!

Munchie & Millie

This site had a major revamp this autumn after branching out in home parties and extending their range from gorgeous bath goodies to fantastic home & gift items. I was a m&m fan long before the changeover and am still a keen supporter! My sinful pleasure from here are the bath melts – I really can’t get enough of them, and they are beautifully scented but without that heavy, sicky perfumed smell some bath bombs/melts have. I often indulge in a boxful and these are just for me, my indulgence, though I have and will continue to give these and other items in the bath range as gifts as they are just lovely!

From the home range I purchased recently this Flower Magazine Rack . The photo actually doesn’t do this product justice, and it is in daily use by my front door for post, incoming and outgoing, school letters etc. A fab gift and if the quality is indicative of other items from the home range, then you will be able to grab some fab Xmas gifts here!

Sock Monkeys!

Amy Russell is well known as the face behind the Leeds company ItsYourChoc – personalised wrapped chocolates for all occasions. Earlier this year, as a bit of a hobby more than anything she started making Sock Monkeys and this has taken off so well it is a business now in it’s own right! I bought Kieran a purple sock monkey recently and he is thrilled with it, well made, reasonably priced, and quickly dispatched, you couldn’t ask for better service. Amy now has a whole family of monkeys to choose from in as many colours / patterns as you can imagine and these are great and different gifts for kids.

See Sock and Choc on Facebook for more info!

Ceramic Notepad *previously reviewed*

I was sent this item to review a while ago and it has been in constant use since then. This is a perfect alternatie gift for stationary lovers or for anyone that is awkward to buy for (we all know someone who is don’t we!), or just for something different. Very sturdy it is a substantial gift without a substantial price tag! Visit WriteAtHome to view this and the many other stationery and gift items they have in stock!

Precious Parcels

I haven’t previously reviewed Precious Parcels on C&C but in the interest of being honest, the owner, brains and talent behind the business, Natalie, is a very good friend of mine. That said I am recommending the products today, not Natalie so no favouritism here, just a recommendation for cracking personalised items!

All of PP’s item’s are made by hand and personalised according to customer specifications, and of a very high quality! I have several around the house and have my beady eyes on a couple of others. From clocks, to wall/door plaques, Xmas decorations, wall letters and much more, there really is something for everyone here!

Visit Precious Parcels but remember that the cut-off date for guaranteed Christmas delivery is 5pm on the 10th December due to all items being hand-made.

Barefoot Books from Sarah Eastes – *previously reviewed*

I received Portside Pirates which I have reviewed HERE and which Kieran loved! I have also had several other titles from Sarah over the years and have found them all to be of the highest quality and her customer service second to none. Nothing is too much trouble and with a background in teaching, she is always happy to give title recommendations based on age and Kieran’s reading ability. These books aren’t widely available from other retailers, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and get ordering to receive before Xmas. *Please check with Sarah re last order dates.

Orchard Toys *previously reviewed*

I have reviewed two different items for Orchard Toys, Old Macdonald Lotto and Creepy Castle Jigsaw (75pieces) Creepy Castle Jigsaw (75pc) – Both of these I would highly recommend and before/aside from reviewing I have bought many of this range for Kieran myself and also as gifts for other children. There really is something for everyone and all games and jigsaws are packed with learning opportunities as well as huge amounts of fun!

Have a look at the main website to see the full range!

These are just a few products and websites that I could recommend but you really would be here all day trawling through as there are so many fantastic traders out there! A quick plea though, if you have gifts left to buy this year, do take a minute to check out the independent traders rather than sticking to the big names- supporting small business is so important and for me a joy as it has opened up my eyes to a wealth of new and exciting products, and people!

**I am not being paid, bribed or otherwise encouraged to recommend these products/businesses… however, I will do anything for Toblerone so get in touch if you want to lead me astray!!

As I’m sure everyone knows seeing as I can’t stop crowing about it, Taylor is now here, arrived safely by CSection on the 23^rd November. CS wasn’t my first choice, having had a positive normal & spontaneous delivery at 39wks with Kieran, and originally I had a homebirth planned this time.

Then I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes and homebirth became a no-go. I was a bit gutted to be honest but at the end of t day, it’s what is best for baby that counts and it could have been too dangerous to have him at home had things gone South!

My first birth story HERE was very positive, very full on and still makes me chuckle, so I’m guessing I was very lucky. This is my CS story.

Time at last! 8am 23^rd November and we were at the hospital with bag and baggage! I was put in a side room and put on drip to control my blood sugars etc and was having to test every hour. This went on throughout the day and at 3.35pm it was time to walk down to the theatre, drip and all. Thankfully the staff took pity on me and lent me an extra gown to cover my modesty in the open backed gown, as I had forgotten my dressing gown so the walk would have been great fun for anyone behind me! Walking into theatre and greeted with cheerful “hellooos!” and an almost casual feel was somewhat unreal but not at all disturbing. Lots of banter and joking, and a great atmosphere put me right at ease. Now bear in mind I have never broken a bone, or had a tooth out, let alone had surgery, so I was very surprised that I wasn’t a quivering wreck. The actual “op” didn’t bother me at all. The spinal anaesthetic I was more apprehensive about.

Up on the table/bed I was given a pillow to hunch over (not over-easy at 38wks pg!) and the anaesthetist did his magic. The one thing I really disliked was when he had to push his thumb onto my spine and I had to push back against it hard. That was quite painful to be honest (and I told him so!) but didn’t last too long. No pain from needles or anything else, just that, which I presume is to move spinal fluid or something. Whatever the reason- yup, it hurt!

Very quickly the spinal took effect and this was the weirdest thing I have ever experienced. A warm bum feeling, then strange legs, then I was laid down and “prepped”. The anaesthetist asked me many questions, could I feel “this” and “that” and how did “this feel”. I must admit this I found a bit strange. I couldn’t quite get round the fact that I could feel people touching my legs etc yet in a minute I was going to be cut into. I panicked slightly at one point and told the anaesthetist I couldn’t breathe (he had told me I would be more aware of my breathing as I was numb and couldn’t “feel” myself breathe) but he was very reassuring and did point out I was doing a good job of talking for someone who couldn’t breathe lol!!!

After that the screen was put up and we started listening to music and were chatting with one of the nurses who then said “another minute or two and we’ll see baby!”. What??! I hadn’t realised they had started?! A few minutes later and the most beautiful sound in the world, my baby was crying! They lifted him over the screen so we could see him, then off for a quick wipe, check and wrap and I had him in my arms. I wasn’t aware of it, at all, but the theatre team just carried on getting rid of the placenta and membranes and sewing me up beyond the screen. The second I had Taylor I burst into tears… relief, and huge amounts of joy and satisfaction at finally having my boy here safe. I was secretly worried about how I would feel having a CS and having the baby handed to me “on a plate” as it were but there was no difference in how I felt when Kieran was born. Taylor was properly checked out then and Roy had more cuddles and before we knew it, screen had gone, my insulin/glucose drip was gone (as was my gestation diabetes- literally baby out GD gone – that is weird in itself!), and we were on our way to the ward. I couldn’t believe that in such a short time my baby had been delivered, I’d been cleaned, stitched and sorted, and didn’t feel a thing, apart from a very slight movement occasionally but that was all.

Despite CS not being my first choice by far, I am very happy with the experience, as is Roy (which is very important as it is his son’s entrance to the world too!). I’ll blog again later about my recovery so far, aftercare and severe allergic reactions (always a drama queen me!) and the differences after CS to after “normal” delivery, but wanted to get down a brief account of the ins and outs. It isn’t anywhere near as “full on” an experience as I suspected and again, another very positive birth experience for me.

I had a lot of information and personal accounts of CS from C&C readers before the event and this really helped so another big THANK YOU to all of you that commented, tweeted or emailed me. It really was helpful and reassuring and very much appreciated!

Christmas Gifts My recommendations!

Taylor’s delivery – Csection, how did it go?