Pink Robot Geeky and Vintage Skirts!

I have decided to develop and refine Pink Robot as a brand, by launching my first proper product. I have always been a "butterfly crafter"- I blame Pinterest and wonderful publications like Mollie Makes!- so my plan is to start with one product and expand. 

One project I've really enjoyed is making cute little unusual skirts for my girls. I have never really chosen to dress them in traditional "baby pink" clothes, so I love the reaction they get from people. The skirts are nothing like the ones available on the High Street. It's great to know that nobody else will have the same one, making it special and unique. 

I have 2 ranges- one range crafted from modern fabrics (which are unusual and largely geeky!) and another range made from reclaimed vintage and retro fabrics. 

Records, from the original range

Here is a selection from the vintage & retro range: 

Amazing Return of the Jedi vintage Star Wars fabric

Roland Rat- a blast from the past! 

Who doesn't love Postman Pat?!

Beautiful, bright Care Bears fabric for all you 80s children!

Hollie Hobbie- cosy for winter

People have been asking if I will branch out to making other items along the same geeky/ vintage theme. The answer is yes- eventually. I want to establish Pink Robot through making customers happy with my skirts first, then I'll move on to include other products in my range.

Click here to visit Pink Robot on Facebook! 

There is a giveaway on the page at the moment, to win a skirt PLUS one for a friend. Enter now! Competition closes on Sunday 12th October. 

Double buggy revamp

After Betsy's arrival, I decided fairly quickly that I definitely needed a double buggy. While I loved the idea of carrying my new bundle in a wrap while pushing my toddler in her single buggy, it become apparent that this solution would not be hugely successful on longer trips. Carrying my warm and toasty newborn in the beautiful weather we have enjoyed recently became a little uncomfortable after about an hour or so!

I did my research; I drive a tiny Yaris, so I needed something compact to fit in my boot. I looked at online forums and spoke to friends and family and even visited shops, to find the perfect model. Eventually, I decided that the Phil&Ted's Sport buggy was perfect... aside from the price tag of £500+! Luckily for me, a double buggy isn't something people tend to keep once they have outgrown the need for it, so they are widely available on the second-hand market. 

I found one on eBay for £100- a fraction of the price of buying new. At that price, however, there were a few cosmetic issues. The black and grey colour combination was also not one I'd have chosen- while functional and unisex, I prefer cheerful colours! 

"Before" picture- the drab buggy!

A little bit grubby!

The main issue was the lack of foam on the handle. Not only did it look awful (and make the whole buggy look as though it was ancient) but it would also be uncomfortable to push. I took to eBay, and found a seller who stocked replacement foam for less than a tenner- which was delivered the next day! Simply replacing the foam instantly made the buggy seem newer. 

Missing handle foam, revealing ugly scrapes

Betsy all cosy underneath the main seat,
and the new handle

There's a lot to be said for good old-fashioned elbow grease to make pre-loved items seem new. After a vacuum, a scrub and a spritz of Febreeze, it came up spotless.

Taking time to clean the wheels made a big difference!

Now for the colour injection! New seat pads and strap pads are a great way to update a second-hand buggy, making it look new and unique. These are available inexpensively  from loads of sellers online. I opted for a bright colour combination I love- lime green and pink. It's certainly unique, and I'm really pleased with my budget double buggy.

It also occurred to me that doing these simple things before selling your old buggy would add value to it! 

Cherry blossom pink and green

Heather insisting on pushing her little sister! 

Growing my own herbs

Adding fresh herbs when cooking undoubtedly makes a dish much tastier than using dried herbs from a jar. More often than not, however, I find myself opting for the latter- for no other reason than frugality! Fresh herbs cost around the same as their dried equivalent, but I find that the fresh variety don't tend to keep for long, and I end up really only being able to use them once. This is such a waste- of food and money.  I have been hunting around for solutions to this problem, and come up with a couple of recommendations. 

Freezing them in ice cube trays
This works! The herbs do keep for much longer in the freezer, and frozen herbs do taste better than dried herbs from a jar. One drawback, though, is that they do stay soggy. I like to sprinkle coriander on top of curries and soups, and that only works with freshly-picked leaves. 

Kitchen roll in a sandwich bag
Sounds crazy, right? According to my friend, transferring fresh, cut herbs into a sandwich bag along with a piece of kitchen roll and storing them in the fridge helps them to last longer! I tried this, and the herbs did stay perky and crisp for about a week... definitely a few days longer than normal. I actually found this to be a good tip. 

Grow your own
My garden is an area of my house which needs a lot of attention and TLC, so I have not been tempted to try and grow things in it yet. However, my open-plan kitchen/ living room does have huge French windows, and the room gets pretty warm in the summer. 

Looks easy enough!

Unwins very kindly sent me their DIY herb kitchen garden kit to try out and review, and I am very excited to see the results. The kits are on sale for £5.99 each, and they come with the adorable wooden box, compost, plastic pots and seeds (coriander, chives, basil and parsley). Considering that buying herbs from the supermarket costs £1 a time, I consider this to be good value. You can also buy a Mediterranean herbs version. I didn't have a small watering can, but I found that Heather's sippy cup did the job! The idea of having small amounts of herbs growing at all times in my kitchen really appeals to me. If my herbs grow as promised on the box, this solution would cut out the waste, cost a lot less and look fabulous. 

Herbs all planted and watered

Gorgeous peacocks from UK Etsy sellers

Etsy is one of my favourite websites out there at the moment- it ticks all the boxes for me. Generally-speaking, it's more affordable than shopping on the high street, it supports independent creators and retailers, and provides an unrivalled selection of completely unique treasures! I really enjoyed writing my "cherry blossoms" post a couple of months ago, so decided to write another Etsy post, on peacocks. I have fallen in love with these majestic creatures over the last year- decorating my living room in peacock-inspired colours and obsessing over peacock patterned fabric, home décor and gifts.

Here is a selection of my favourite peacock-themed items currently on Etsy, from UK designers, makers and artists:

Golden Peacock, by Jo Conlon

I actually hold this painting solely responsible for kicking off my entire peacock obsession... Golden Peacock by Jo Conlon simply belongs in my house! There is a space on my living room wall which is exactly the right size (it's a big painting!) so I have been visiting and re-visiting it on Etsy for well over a year now, but with maternity leave sapping my funds, have never been able to scrape together the money to buy it. At £260 plus p&p, it is not a whimsical purchase. It is, however, to this day the only painting I have ever fallen in love with, so one day Golden Peacock- you will be mine! 

Messenger Bag, by Handmade With Joy

This messenger bag and purse set caught my attention as soon as I saw it. Crafted in rare Amy Butler fabric, it's one of a kind and stunning. I particularly like the colour combinations in this set- they give it a quirky, vintage-type feel. The cute little Eiffel Tower charm also attracted me to it, as I love Paris... peacocks and Paris in one gorgeous bag... what more could I ask for? 

Handmade peacock journal, by My Parlour

This handmade peacock journal by My Parlour would make a perfect, budget gift for a creative friend, writer or fellow blogger! Hardback with 80 blank pages, I think I would really enjoy scribbling down ideas for my future posts, and it's a great price at only £7.50. 

Hand-painted silk scarf, by Mandarin Duck Craft

This beautiful silk scarf is hand-painted to order by Mandarin Duck Craft. At £38, it is affordable designer luxury, and I think it would make an amazing gift for somebody special. I love the colours the artist, Luo Tao, has chosen- and the fact the design is painted freehand. 

Oriental peacock fan, by CreativMichelle

There is something quirky and wonderful about this oriental paper fan. It incorporates cherry blossoms with peacocks, and would add a real element of interest to a room. Michelle uses 3-layer decoupage to build the images, and the fan comes with a presentation stand. At £6.49, I think this is incredible value for money! 

Right now you can get £5 off your first purchase at Etsy using this link.

Lara Jill Changing Bag Review

Vlinder oilcloth baby bag, £39.99

When my old-faithful, free Boots Parenting Club changing bag finally gave up and burst earlier this month, I was forced once and for all to find a replacement. I'd been talking about it for months- the bag was really too small, everyone I knew had the same one (resulting in numerous bag mix-ups) and there had been holes in the lining for ages. It had served me well (especially for free!) but with two babies in nappies on the horizon... on to bigger and better things!

Browsing in high street shops, I was horrified at the price of changing bags. Unless I wanted a very basic, small, plain-coloured model, I would have to shell out a small fortune. Quality and function at the right price are absolutely essential- this bag will be used to hold everything I need for two babies after all! 

I turned to independent designers, makers and retailers. Lara Jill bags stood out for me from the rest of the market, mainly because of the gorgeous fabrics and patterns. They are all made from oilcloth, which also attracted me to them- I take my changing bag outside a lot, and a waterproof element is certainly helpful in the Scottish rain! Lara sent me a stunning Vlinder changing bag from her range to put through its paces and review. 

Love the colours and pattern of the fabric

Loads of pockets and compartments!

The bag was delivered quickly and well-packaged by courier. It was bigger than I expected, measuring 43 L x 14 W x 28 H (cm). The larger size is actually perfect for me, considering I will be using it for more than one baby. I also tend to spend a lot of time out and about and on the move, hence more supplies! There are also smaller bags from the same range available too, in a very similar style. 

It has the option of using a shoulder strap or handles. The handles make it feel like a fashionable adult bag, while the shoulder strap is practically useful. I found that the design of the handles made them soft to carry. The strap is adjustable, so it is easy to hang over the handles of a pram or buggy. Sometimes I go without a pram, instead choosing to wear Heather in a sling- so the fact that the shoulder strap can be made as long as I like is really useful for babywearing. 

There are loads of pockets and sections in this bag, which is a huge bonus for me. There are zip pockets on both the front and back- easily accessible and perfect for my own essentials like my phone, keys and purse. There are also separate pockets on the inside, so no rummaging for dummies, snacks and smaller items! The main compartment is very spacious. Heather and I went out for the whole day, taking all the supplies necessary- and as you can see, there was plenty of room left to comfortably fit her dolly! The 2 elasticated bottle compartments on the sides are a great feature- they accommodate both my water bottle and her milk bottle. 

Easy to hang over the pram...

... or a buggy!

The Vlinder Baby Bag comes with a matching changing mat. It is thin, so doesn't take up much room, yet slightly padded for comfort. The oilcloth fabric really lends itself to this purpose, as it's easy to wipe down. 

This bag is truly multi-functional. We used it as a flight/ travel bag on holiday, and there was more than ample room to carry everything we needed. The shoulder strap came in really handy when our hands were full from carrying suitcases and everything else that comes with travelling with baby!

On a bus in Tunisia

I would highly recommend purchasing a changing bag from Lara Jill- I have thoroughly road-tested mine (both at home, travelling and during a holiday!) and it has ticked all the boxes for me. This bag is clearly made to last, so I look forward to using it for a long time to come. 

Beautiful, budget nursery!

Heather's budget nursery

I am delighted that my first post for Kiddicare's new-look website: Bump, Baby & You has now gone live! I wrote about my experience in creating a gorgeous nursery on a budget, as I know how costs can really add up at this time. 

I passionately believe that the most beautiful baby nurseries are designed with love, and filled with items that mean something. The great news is, they don't need to break the bank! Read my post here at Bump, Baby & You: 

http://blog.kiddicare.com/2014/04/beautiful-budget-nursery/

New maternity range from Kiddicare!

Kiddicare has been one of my favourite websites since my daughter was born- I always shop around for the best prices, and time after time have found that they are cheapest for all things baby and toddler. I was very excited when I heard that Kiddicare have now branched out to sell a new range of maternity clothes, by a company called Mamalicious. The range is available in stores at the moment, with plans to extend to online soon. (Find your nearest Kiddicare here.)

Mamalicious dress from Kiddicare

Their designs closely follow high street and catwalk trends, while adapting and evolving the looks to suit expectant mothers: "shape with style". They focus on keeping silhouettes true to the style of clothing, while providing the extra room where it is necessary. A very simple concept, yet this is what makes the range so good- the clothes accentuate your leaner features and balance out your growing bump. 

Kiddicare sent me some items from the new range to test out, and I have felt amazing wearing them over the last couple of weeks! They have really added to my holiday wardrobe. Being very petite and only 5'1", I have always felt that a lot of maternity clothes swamped me all over and drowned me in fabric... not these ones! 

Denim skirt

During my last pregnancy, I searched high and low for a suitable denim skirt- they all seemed to be either ridiculously long or ridiculously short. This one is perfect, and my favourite Mamalicious item from the range I tried. It sits just below the knee and slim-cut in the right places. It looks like a skirt that my non-pregnant self would normally wear, except that hidden under my top is a soft fabric panel for my bump, so it's really comfortable. I can see me wearing this constantly- I've already worn it to work, casually and out to dinner with friends! 

Subtle stretchy waistband

Looks deceptively like a regular skirt!

Denim tunic and leggings
This denim tunic is extremely cute and comfortable to wear casually with leggings and flat boots, as you can see. I also found it long enough to wear with tights and heels to work, which actually made it look quite smart! The sleeves can be worn full length, however there is a button to roll them up, which I thought added to the sleeker overall silhouette of the tunic. It has a tie at the back, so I can pull it as tight as I like, making it adapt perfectly to my shape as the baby grows. The pin-tuck detailing round the bust is really dainty and flattering.

Black leggings are one of my tried-and-tested maternity wardrobe staples. The Mamalicious leggings fit absolutely perfectly, and the fabric feels stretchy enough to wear later in the pregnancy. They feel really silky and good quality, and labels are placed in the right positions so they don't dig in. 

Denim tunic with pin-tuck detail

Dress

I have been invited to a hen night next month, and at 7 months pregnant, I feared I would feel frumpy next to everyone else. This dress has changed that! The fabric is gathered under the bust, and long pleats at the front mean that there is enough room for my bump, without losing shape. The silky feel and geometric shapes are not typical of a usual maternity dress, and I have thoroughly enjoyed wearing it to dinner and on holiday so far.

Port el Kantoui in Tunisia

Out for dinner at Chaopraya in my gorgeous silky dress

Tankini
How cute is this nautical tankini? I just love the combination of navy and white stripes, with the red polka-dot trim. The straps are adjustable, so would be suitable for both the smaller and the larger bust. I found it brilliant for wearing on holiday- cooler in the sun than a full costume but with added coverage! 

Ready for a swim!

This was my first experience of the Mamalicious range, and I absolutely love it. I'll definitely be adding to my maternity wardrobe, as the clothes are gorgeous, flattering and really well priced too!

Holiday Bargains... Sun, Here We Come!

We are off on holiday today for a week in the sun, away from the constant grey drizzle that has been around since last summer! I wanted to share some holiday bargains I've found, and some ways I've kept the costing of packing down. I wrote a post a while ago about how to book a holiday on a budget (Going On Holiday Abroad... the Thrifty Way!) so consider this part 2. 

Buggy: One item I knew I would have to buy was a lightweight, folding buggy. Our pram is just too heavy and bulky for a flight, and Heather is getting to the age and stage where a buggy is more suitable for her anyway. After shopping around, I chose this buggy from Kiddicare's spring sale- reduced from £59.99 to a very affordable £27.99 (including free delivery!) Borrowing a buggy is of course an even thriftier option- however, since we will continue to use it after the holiday it made sense to buy one of our own. 

Kiddicare buggy, less than half price at £27.99!

Baby clothes: Toddlers need a lot of clothes on holiday, even just for a week. Suncream, eating in restaurants, swimming, sand and ice cream mean frequent changes of clothes. Kitting them out needn't break the bank though! Think about buying second-hand- lots of used holiday clothes are in perfect condition, as they have generally only been worn for a week-long holiday! We bought lots of things for Heather is as-new condition, for next to nothing on eBay and in local thrift shops. I've packed lots of handmade baby skirts, so saved money that way too. We cheerfully accepted hand-me-downs from my sister-in-law, and here are a few highlights from Heather's new(ish!) summer wardrobe: 

Gold Baby Gap sparkly cardi, £2 from Merry Go Round

Beautiful summer set, second-hand from my sister-in-law

Handmade skirts, around £2.50 each to make

T-shirt selection, most around 99p from eBay!

Toys: Small children have absolutely no concept of how much things cost, or where they came from- if something is fun, it's fun. I opted for lots of small items instead of fewer, larger things, and sourced them as cheaply as I could. This inflatable ball was one of my favourite finds, and at only £1.49 from eBay, including delivery, it's a total bargain. I'll blow it up when we get there, so at present, it takes up next to no room in my suitcase.  

£1.49, from eBay!

While shopping for swimming nappies in Asda, I found these cute mini In The Night Garden cuddly toys, reduced to £4.77 each. Just the right size to pop in our flight bag, I'm excited to see Heather's reaction when she sees them- and I'm hoping they'll make up for the fact I've woken her up at 3:30am to catch a flight! 

Upsy Daisy and friends, reduced in Asda!

Sun Cream: I haven't been on holiday for a few years now, what with buying a house and having a baby- but was sun cream always so expensive?! Even taking into account the "buy one, get one free" offers in nearly every store, it was coming in at around £6 for a 200ml bottle. This adds up, considering that we need both factor 50 for Heather and factor 30 for us, and enough to last a week! Aldi came to the rescue with its Lacura brand, at £2.79 a bottle. It actually smells really nice and rubs in just as well as its expensive counterparts.  

Trunki: Buying a Trunki in itself is not very "thrifty", as it's not an absolute holiday essential. However, we were given a gift of money from a relative to buy Heather "something for her holidays" and I wanted to choose something that would last her past this one week. This fun ladybird Trunki has been a brilliant choice already- she loves climbing on it and pulling it along, and once she discovers that it's full of toys and books, she'll love it even more. Since she will be able to use it for several years to come, it's worth the money. I shopped around for the best prices online, and bought this one for £34.99 in Kiddicare's spring sale- including delivery. 

Harley the Trunki, £34.99 from Kiddicare

I'd love to hear your thrifty tips for going on holiday... go ahead and add them in the comments! 

Cherry blossoms- my favourite UK Etsy items

When buying gifts, my first choice is always to try and make something myself. However, this is not always possible- my repertoire doesn't extend that far, and I still have some people in my life who would not fully appreciate something I made myself. 

I do try to support small, independent businesses as much as possible, so the next best thing in my opinion when buying a gift is Etsy! This way, you know you are steering clear of inadvertently buying something which has been made in a sweatshop, you can pick up some amazing things for great prices, and the gift is unique... all while supporting a fellow creative soul... win-win for everyone! 

At this time of year, cherry blossom trees are one of my favourite things. They really signal that the warmer weather is coming, and they are really beautiful. I'm inspired by a lot of Japanese patterns and designs, so I'm attracted to them for that reason too.  

Here is my pick of the cherry blossom items I've been drooling over, all by UK crafters!

Wooden doorknobs, by Witch Corner, £5 each

These wooden doorknobs by Witch Corner are so cute- I bet they could totally transform an old chest of drawers as part of an upcycling project. Must try some day...!

Felted clutch bag, by Oliven, £18

This is a totally unusual clutch bag, felted from Merino wool. When you open the bag, there is "a simple flower to cheer you up"! How cute is that?!

Blossom and Crane handmade cuff, madebydaisy, £20

The Japanese crane on the other side

This cuff bracelet is a prime example of how my own crafting skills do not stretch far enough! It is hand hammered, and I absolutely love the blossoms combined with the Japanese crane designs. 

Sakura charm necklace, by Chilli Lime Boutique, £8

Simple and sweet, this necklace is a winner for me. At £8, I think it's a total bargain as well- you wouldn't find such a pretty piece at that price on the high street, especially handmade! 

Ceramic ring holder, by Damson Tree Pottery, £13

This ring holder dish has been handmade by Damson Tree Pottery, by pressing a cherry twig into clay, firing, then painting and glazing. It's absolutely stunning, and would look fabulous in my bedroom! 

Vintage retro wallpaper phone cover, by Afraid of the Dark, £6.49

I never considered Etsy for buying a phone cover before, and always tutted at how much they cost. Considering how much I drop my phone, a good cover is essential. The "big phone shops" tend to sell these fancy designs for around £25, so at £6.49 this is a real find. Afraid of the Dark do custom designs as well, but I'm in love with this Japanese sakura one. 

Battle of the Budget Nappies- Asda or Aldi?

Aldi Mamia Comfort Dry 4+

versus

Asda Little Angels Comfort Dry 4+

I've recently become a Mumsnet Blogger, and I certainly know how expensive having a little one can be, if you let it! I've written before about how I save money on baby furniture and clothing by buying second-hand, and cheerfully accepting hand-me-downs from friends. However, there are some baby-related expenses you just can't get for next to nothing, and nappies are one of them. 

I have friends who swear by cloth nappies. Better for the environment, cheaper in the long-term, not to mention the cute designs available. I'm sure this is all true- there are enough advocates- just Google "cloth bum" and you'll see the countless Facebook pages and forums dedicated to it! Already staggering under mountains of laundry, however I decided that this avenue was just not for me, and instead I would use disposables. 

I have tried just about every brand of nappy out there, and even testing big brands like Pampers Comfort Dry for free. Through trial and error (and many changes of baby clothes!) I found a firm favourite: Asda Little Angels comfort dry nappies. Simply, they stood out for me in terms of absorbency- in the 7 months or so I have been using them, I have never had a leak, even overnight!  

While shopping in Aldi a few weeks ago, I spotted their own brand, Mamia, on the shelf. I have heard such rave reviews about this brand of nappies, with friends insisting they are the best ones out there, so I decided to give them a go. Here is my verdict on the battle of the budget Comfort Dry nappies- I have judged on aesthetic design, performance, price and comfort.

Aesthetic design

Aldi Mamia have chosen a series of cute waving animals, while Asda Little Angels nappies have multicoloured polka-dots. Both brands of Comfort Dry nappies share the same colour scheme. In my opinion, the Mamia nappies have a more "premium" look to them, as the Little Angels logo on the back does make them look like an "own brand" product. 

Winner on design: Aldi Mamia

Performance

For during the day, there was little difference. However, the real challenge was performance at night: my baby goes to bed at 7pm, and normally wakes up at 7am the following morning. Therefore, she wears the same nappy for over 12 hours at night, so performance matters! She is also a very wriggly sleeper, never staying in the same position for long and often sleeping on her front. This category had a clear winner: Asda Little Angels consistently absorbed much more liquid than Aldi Mamia, and retained its shape noticeably better. After a whole night, Mamia feels squishy, heavy and "gel-like". My baby's bottom can feel a little damp to the touch, and there has been the occasional leak at the front. By contrast, Asda's Little Angels nappy stays in position, and does not turn heavy or squishy in the same way. Baby's bottom stays dry, and I have never experienced leaking. 

Winner on performance: Asda Little Angels 

Price

A pack of Mamia Comfort Dry (size 4+) is £4.49 for 44 which equates to 10.2p per nappy. Little Angels retail at £5.97 for 44, working out at 13.6p a nappy- although when bought on Asda's 2-for-£10 offer, they are 11.3p per nappy.

Winner on price: Aldi Mamia

Comfort

Asda's nappies are stiffer, and feel more  rigid to the touch. They are quite long from front to back, so they offer a lot of coverage. Aldi's are soft straight from the pack, and they definitely feel like a more expensive nappy. They are fairly short from front to back, however, and don't reach far up the baby's tummy. My baby sleeps on her tummy, so front coverage is important! Since Aldi's nappies are shorter, I tend to pull them tighter, and I noticed minor red marks a couple of times round Heather's legs after she'd worn them for a while. I have never noticed marks from her wearing the Asda brand. My little one also seems to sleep better when she is wearing Little Angels, which suggests to me that she finds them comfier than Mamia, despite my original observations about their stiff feel. 

Winner on comfort: Asda Little Angels

Overall verdict
Winning two categories each, I am very impressed with both budget brands. I would consider both to be excellent value for money and would recommend both to a friend. Hand on heart, I would say that in my opinion, both budget brands out-perform leading premium nappies! However, performance is key when it comes to nappies, and the reason we buy nappies is to keep our babies' bottoms dry day and night. With that in mind, I declare Asda Little Angels the winner, and they remain my nappy of choice! 

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