BRAND IN FOCUS // AMAZON.co.uk – THE BABY WISHLIST

Baby Wishlist

When it comes to a new baby, regardless of whether its your first or 5th child, you will ALWAYS need to buy new things/newborn safety products/textiles/GENERAL STUFF. Plus, there’s always something new thats come out to make life as a new parent easier too.

When we had Eli, we were pretty organised. We love a spreadsheet and we love a bit of market research as it happens too. Getting organised was a real pleasure and never, ever a chore. We spent  a lot of time researching exactly what we needed and using the spreadsheets helped keep us in check with budgets too. Once you’re into the swing of this new parenting lark, you will realise that there are more items that you simply cannot live without. You won’t know this until the baby is earth-side and understand how your baby works and what their additional needs may be. You’re learning on the job basically.

When it came to this pregnancy we were obviously excited to get organised again. We pulled out the pram and got it cleaned up. Went through all the old furniture, toys and essentials. As there is a 7 year age gap between our two children, some things we had sold, donated to charities or as we sadly found, a lot of the remaining items had actually perished (yes, you read right, we’ve actually had plastic items, electronics and textiles perish) after 5 house moves and their years in storage. Out came the old spreadsheet and we continued to add to it as we remembered all the items we really could have done with in those early weeks/months with Eli. SO many new items have launched since we had Eli in 2012; that will definitely help us and keep our little family unit afloat amongst the newborn chaos that will very soon ensue.

So? Whats this a bout a wishlist then?

WELL, stranger on the internet, I just had to share the secondary helper in all this organisation. Let me introduce you to >>>The Amazon Baby Wishlist.

Firstly, this has been great for us to keep track of what we still need to buy and what we’ve managed to get. Amazon is usually the cheapest place to find items; with the exception of individual retailer sales and promotions. We always cross-check before we buy online. But in general, Amazon.co.uk is our go-to! Its been great for budgeting too.

So? What’s so good about it then?

Well, let me talk you through how it works!

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 // CREATE YOUR WISHLIST

This is mega simple to set up with your details, including potential baby arrival date. You can have a few users who can participate in adding to the wishlist – this is helpful for when James and I are both looking at different items and can easily see what eachother has found. You can also see what has been purchased too (this is great when you’re sharing the wishlist, but I’ll get to that bit shortly).

// ADD ITEMS FROM ANY WEBSITE OR BROWSE THE AMAZON CURATED LISTS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

The curated lists are really helpful, especially for first-time parents!

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// PLANNING ON A BABY SHOWER? OR SIMPLY WANT TO SHARE YOUR LIST?

This is a great, great tool! You can easily share the link of your wishlist with friends and family so they know *exactly* what you would like, or in our case, exactly what we NEED. This also means you’re not getting duplicate items from well-meaning gift-givers or items that you really don’t need or have the space for! Thus saving your friends and family time and money too.

 

// FINALLY, ADD ITEMS AS YOU GO AND KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE

As mentioned earlier, this is great for when several users are adding to the list. Again, also useful to see what’s already been purchased – especially when you’ve shared your list with friends and family, so no duplicate items! James has a tendency to delete items from the list once purchased. But there’s no reason why you can’t leave items on the list as the status changes to “Purchased”.

And thats not all!

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FREE WELCOME GIFT
An exciting new gift is released each month, choose one and make it yours.
Claim yours here >

 

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SAVE UP TO 30%

Prepare for baby’s arrival by saving up to 30% on a wide range of baby items.

// Spend £200 to receive 10% off. Use code WISHLIST10

// Spend £500 to receive 15% off. Use code WISHLIST15

// Spend £800 to receive 20% off. Use code WISHLIST20

// Spend £1000 to receive 30% off. Use code WISHLIST30. (Prime members onlY)

 

We managed to take advantage of the 20% code above – it worked out so well – especially as we had been given gift cards too. We managed to get £800+ worth of items for £360 in the end! There are several terms and conditions to being able to take full advantage of the codes above however – so make sure you read all the details here. Our main issue when trying to checkout was the delivery, oddly. For this promotion to apply, you need to make sure you select the same delivery option for all items being shipped, for example, all items must be dispatched to you using FREE delivery or all PRIME etc.

Head to the Baby Store on Amazon.co.uk to get started! You’ll find the ‘Add to Baby Wishlist‘ button on each product page, in the right hand navigation, as I’ve highlighted for you below:

If you’re pregnant or know someone who is, please share this blog post with them. It’s honestly been so much quicker, easier and CHEAPER for us using this Amazon Baby Wishlist this time!

C
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For clarity, this is not a sponsored or paid post – but does contain Affiliate links.

I only shout about items that I genuinely believe in however, so be safe in the knowledge that I’m in love with this Baby Wishlist tool!

PALOMA FAITH x COSATTO // HEAR US ROAR

 

Let me start by mentioning that Paloma Faith is one of the nicest human beings I had the pleasure of working with, whilst at Bestival, back in the day when I was the (Global) Social Media Exec at AllSaints.  Paloma was friendly, welcoming, full of humour, laughter and was genuinely just a total joy to be around. Since then, I have indeed followed Paloma’s musical career and admired her for speaking out about her parenting methods.

So when I saw that Paloma had joined forces with Cosatto for a creative collaboration, I was ready to be hooked. I knew that Paloma would create something unique, fun and eye-catching; but the collection itself is just stunning. Using my favourite print of all, Leopard, Paloma and Cosatto have created a range of items from newborn that have bags of style, personality and of course, functionality.

For the low-down on the collaboration, including some behind the scenes photos, scroll on below.

 

Paloma Faith for Cosatto

 

“THESE DESIGNS MAKE ME FEEL HAPPY TO BE DIFFERENT – MY CHILD LOVES THEM TOO.”

– Paloma Faith

 

Paloma tearing up the rulebook. Cosatto’s Creative Director Vicky loving it.

Cosatto believes in celebrating parenthood by creating baby products that make a statement and stand out from the crowd. The new collaborative range, therefore, is irreverent, opulent and confident, bringing a new dimension to the parenting experience.

 

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Outrageously opulent. Outrageously rare. Crafted with over a million stitches.

Hear Us Roar

Hear Us Roar reflects the huge leap in popularity of animal print across all design categories. The leopard print design features on Cosatto’s bestselling model, Giggle 3, the classic pram and pushchair.

Channelling Faith’s signature retro Hollywood glamour, the design is also available on an oversized hat box changing bag. This is alongside a coordinating leopard print footmuff.

Anarchy in the Nursery

Taking its luxury travel system, Wow, Cosatto has also crafted a short run of prams taking reference from the ancient orient and 19th century Russian decorative arts.

This limited-edition design features state of the art printing techniques, traditional style embroidery as well as enamelled gold trims. Other highlights include a leatherette handle in teal, air filled tyres together with an extra-large carry cot. The travel system also has a coordinating luxury footmuff.

 

Extremely exclusive, extremely embroidered. Crafted with over a million stitches, Paloma’s Anarchy in the Nursery design pram is the rarest beast with only 50 available worldwide.

The world in your sights . It started with a sketch then took flight. Start where you are and the possibilities are endless. Paloma said so.

 

Finally, there is the Paloma Faith for Cosatto original coordinating Utility Bum Bag. This statement accessory can hold an iPad, nappies and bottles.

Commenting on the range, Faith says: “When I was a new mother, I felt like none of the designs out there really suited my personality. They all made me feel like I had to become someone else to be a good mother.

“I wanted to design something that allowed me to celebrate who I am while also stimulating my child and showing them that it’s ok to stand out from the crowd and have joie de vivre about all things. These designs make me feel happy to be different and my child loves them too.”

 

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Faithful to her vision. Paloma admires her handiwork with Vicky, Cosatto’s Creative Director.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicky Morley, creative director at Cosatto, adds: “We are chuffed to bits to be working with Paloma. She is a creative force with a natural flair for spotting trends. Paloma has an uncanny sense for what is at once extraordinary, outspoken and outlandish, while at the same time irresistibly appealing.

“She is a true talent with a unique view of the world. Paloma is not afraid to be herself and stand up for what she believes in. This is also a Cosatto sentiment. We are kindred spirits – this is what drew us to her.”

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5 Reasons to Buy Giggle 3

Meet the Cosatto Giggle 3 pram and pushchair. Taking gold-winning Giggle 2’s famous features and smooth handling even further, Giggle 3 is your nippy three wheel from-birth pram, reversible pushchair and Cosatto car seat carrier. Discover even more premium detailing, from the stitched leather handle to the deluxe amped-up wheels. Choose your statement around-town wonder. Relax with all you need from birth and beyond.

Classic 3 in 1. No need to buy separate carrycot, pram or duo-directional pushchair – Cosatto Giggle 3 pram and pushchair’s got the lot from day dot. The from-birth carrycot, (suitable for occasional overnight sleeping), converts to pram mode. Swap it to the reversible pushchair seat unit when they’re ready to sit up – facing you first, then the world.

Ultra-Portable. Compact Giggle 3 is your go-anywhere, stow-anywhere hero with flat-folding lightweight chassis. Great for smaller cars.

User-Friendly. With height-adjustable premium leather handle for walking tall, easy-release buttons for mode-changes they can sleep through, pop-off swivel wheels to whizz under the tap and snoozy multi-recline seat – Giggle 3 makes life a breeze.

Comfy All-Round. The luxury carrycot has maximised space to accommodate growing babies and the luxury zip-in liner is tailored for extra comfort. Add the matching Cosatto 0+ car seat to make Giggle 3 a travel system.

Patterns Babies Love. Designed in their studio in the North of England, Giggle 3 unites Cosatto’s passion for design and baby science. It’s crafted with engaging, baby-pleasing patterns in the hood. Put your baby at the heart of the story and the heart of Great British design.

Cosatto. Clever stuff for happy babies.

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Giggle 3 Pram & Pushchair // CLICK TO BUY
£559.95

 

 

Hat Box Changing Bag // CLICK TO BUY
£79.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Car Seat – Group 0+ // CLICK TO BUY
£184.95
Footmuff // CLICK TO BUY
£79.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM MOTHERCARE

*Port adaptors required for use with the Giggle chassis.

 

I’m seriously keeping my fingers crossed that James lets me buy into it ahead of this baba’s arrival (note from narrator, I bet he won’t).

 

Paloma Faith for Cosatto

 

 


MORE ABOUT // PALOMA FAITH

Paloma Faith. Artist, style icon, actress, activist, mother. This inspirational Brit-award-winning artist with three double platinum selling albums and a career spanning over a decade appears regularly on our TV screens, has over a million followers on social and is a force for empowerment of young women.

 


Some words covered in this blog post and story of behind the collaboration, taken from the dedicated website: HEAR US ROAR

I just absolutely love this collaboration, but please also note, for clarity, this is not a sponsored post or a post or #AD, though there are some Affiliate links embedded.

NEVER KNOWINGLY CONCISE CHATS TO // STEPH DOUGLAS | DON’T BUY HER FLOWERS

Steph - Founder - Don't Buy Her Flowers

I’m super excited to share the ‘Chats To‘ feature from these gorgeous chops ! Meet Steph Douglas, mega-Mama of 2 (soon to be 3!), founder of brilliant business, Don’t Buy Her Flowers and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met!

Here, Steph talks to us about the drive to start up Don’t Buy Her Flowers,  The Man Package and being the daughter to a Vicar. Oh and FYI, Steph and the other INCREDIBLY TALENTED women that were featured in that horrendously inaccurate Daily Fail ‘article’ are worth SO MUCH more to their family, friends and I for one am inspired daily by these wonderful women who go above and beyond in life. I’ve never skim-read something so atrocious, EVER. The article, simply put, boiled down to shoddy so-called journalism from a very jealous battle-axe. These women juggle a million plates without dropping a single one – whilst also maintaining their own businesses and careers, their home and all the while also making their own families, or the families of complete strangers, feel loved.

ANYWAY! Not gonna give them any more airtime than they have already been so lucky to have.

Over to you Steph!

CB: Firstly, please introduce yourself and your brand.
SD: I’m Steph and my business is Don’t Buy Her Flowers – we sell thoughtful gift packages.

CB: Brand names are a really important first impression of what you’re about, so how did you come up with your name?
SD: Well…ours is a pretty clear idea of what we’re not! The name came really quickly, because of where the idea for the business came from. Lots of brands have really abstract names and unless you’ve lots of money so that people will know what your brand is – which I knew we didn’t – having a name that is very clear is definitely a help.

CB: Where did it all begin? What inspired you to start up your concept?
SD: It started after I had my first baby and I received eight bunches of flowers from lovely family and friends who wanted to say ‘congratulations’. I was sitting on the sofa feeling overwhelmed and sore and leaky and the bouquets made me feel worse. It was another thing to care for and I just didn’t have the energy – or the vases! I also found that the things people did that showed they knew how I was feeling and what I needed, whether that was food parcels or the friend that came and did my ironing and held the baby while I bathed the toddler, or just the message from a friend saying “BTW I found breastfeeding hard initially and it might take a while so don’t panic, you’re doing great”, meant so much. It’s very easy to get caught up in the joy of a new baby, and it is a joy, but it’s also many other things including exhausting and I think new mums need looking after. We launched as gifts for new mums and then very quickly our customers wanted to send our packages for Get Well, Bereavement, Birthdays – any occasion when someone needs a little TLC.

The Care Package with Gin™
SHOP // The Care Package with Gin™

 

The Care Package with Thermos Mug™
SHOP // The Care Package with Thermos Mug™

CB: What is your brand ethos?
SD: The idea and everything we do centres around thoughtfulness. We see lots of gorgeous products all the time, but unless they help someone in a practical sense or offer some TLC, they’re not right for our packages.

CB: On a day-to-day basis, what or who inspires you?
SD: There is an awesome growing network of women doing their own thing and trying to figure out the juggle along with our position in society and how to still be a mother and a partner and a friend and I’m inspired by that community all the time. It doesn’t mean it’s easy or we all get it right, but we’re all trying to work it out in our own way.

Shop // The Man Package™
Shop // The Man Package™

CB: Can you tell us about or give us a sneaky peak of something new that’s coming up?
SD: We introduced The Man Package a few months ago – our customers asked us for a version of our Care Package for men. They’ve been sent for Birthdays, New Dad’s and Get Well Mostly, and as Father’s Day is coming up (18th June folks!!) we’ve added golfing and gardening magazine options for the older chaps. We’ve also got a Gluten Free Care Package coming up, which is again in response to customers asking for it.

CB: Anything you wish you’d known before you became a parent / best piece of parenting advice?
SD: The biggest thing I wish I’d known is that people weren’t actually judging me and my choices, and all that time I spent worrying about whether I was getting it ‘right’ I was doing my best and that was all my children ever needed. Mostly I think new mums need to be kind to themselves as we generally are not.

CB: Parenting-essentials, we know there are more than a few! But what is the one thing you can’t leave the house without? What is your most used piece of parenting/child paraphernalia?
SD: It used to be wipes but currently it’s colouring and activity books. Buster and Mabel are really in to them so we can go for food and not be in that intense ‘ORDER NOW!’ rush as we walk through the door, which we were in a couple of years ago. They’re both pretty obsessed with the iPad but we haven’t cracked it out in restaurants yet… will see how long we can keep that up!

CB: Along the same vein as above, what is your ultimate Mum-Essential? What is your go-to item that you just can’t live without?
SD: Let’s go with my Tiba + Marl bag. Even though they’re officially changing bags, I got it after mine were out of nappies so it’s never carried baby stuff, but it is always rammed with snacks and felt tips and has a protective bit for my laptop so I use it every day. As a back pain sufferer, the rucksack is a saviour. Thankfully they’ve made it a stylish accessory!

The Douglas Squad
The Douglas Squad

CB: What gives you ‘Mum-Guilt’? And how do you get round it?
SD: The juggle. Trying to do too much and then dropping balls and realising I can’t do it all and that something has to give. My favourite thing is weekends with no plans except to hang out as a four. It gives us a chance to recalibrate and the kids are always happiest when we’re not distracted or rushing out the door to meet people and be in line with other people’s timetables. I like seeing other people too (!) but I think with busy jobs and school and nursery, time to be just us is always just what we need and means we start the week a little calmer.

CB: Me-time is super important too, what do you like to do to zone-out?
SD: I love reading but for some reason it had become something I only did on holidays. I don’t sleep that well and find if I relax with a book before bed I sleep better, so I’ve just bought a load and love the escapism.

CB: Which are your go-to brands/shops?
SD: If I go in to &Other Stories I can guarantee I’ll find something (or a few things) I’ll love. Bimba Y Lola is great and not as widely known – some of their prints are really cool and you generally won’t find everyone in them. And John Lewis is always good for well pretty much everything.

CB: What current wardrobe item is your all-time favourite and why?
SD: Ooh I just got a very cool jumpsuit from Lowie with a tropical print on it and I’m going to live in it over the summer. I love a jumpsuit – less knicker flashing than dresses, you can dress them up or down, plus one item and you’re done. Perfect.

CB:  Choose 3 words to describe yesterday.
SD: Long, expensive and cakey (we were at the Richmond Fair and I was helping on the school cake stand. Doug took the kids off around the fair all afternoon and I’m pretty sure spunked £40 easily)

Steph Douglas // Founder | Don't Buy Her Flowers
Steph Douglas // Founder | Don’t Buy Her Flowers

CB: Tell us something about you that might surprise people.
SD: I would normally say that I’m a Vicar’s daughter, but as there was a (terrible and inaccurate) article in the Daily Mail last week that included this fact, it’s probably not a surprise! I have a History degree?

CB: What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
SD: I think it’s the thoughtful things that come when you really need them but don’t even know you need them? I was feeling pretty knackered a couple of weeks ago and a friend stopped in on her way home from work to drop off a cottage pie and a bunch of flowers. I burst in to tears and it was just lovely to know someone was thinking of me.

CB: Recommend a book, film or album from the past year.
SD: I’m currently reading ‘Big Little Lies’ after watching the TV show and loving it. The characters are just brilliant.

CB: What can you see out of your closest window / what is your current view?
SD: I’m actually working on my laptop in the car on my way to West Sussex to my brother’s pub! We’re going through a very idyllic village with a cute primary school and lots of pubs and discussing how one day we will live in the country. Not ready yet though…

CB: Other than with your family & friends, where would you most like to be this weekend and why?
SD: Oooh, always family & friends obviously, but in a couple of weeks I’m going to Menorca with a couple of girl friends and I am so looking forward to lying in the sun, reading and doing very little else. It’s come at just the right time.

CB: Anymore for anymore?
SD: Don’t forget Father’s Day!

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat, Steph. I also wanted to extend our congratulations and love to your beautiful fam on your lovely news! 💕

Be sure to follow Steph on her own Insta: @Steph_DontBuyHerFlowers and the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Instagram for the latest business updates: @DontBuyHerFlowers

#NeverConciseChats #ClaireChatsToStephDBHF

more ABOUT // don’t buy her flowers.

Don’t Buy Her Flowers was founded with a simple aim: to provide thoughtful gift packages for new mums, because they deserve something lovely just for them.

From launch we received requests to send our gifts for other reasons as well as after a baby arrived – birthdays, get well, bereavement and to say ‘it’s going to be ok’. We’ve had many reports of recipients crying when they open their package, overwhelmed that someone has thought of them.

So what’s wrong with flowers?

Although they are always lovely to receive, we wanted to create something that was more thoughtful and useful for mums and women at those times when they need it most. Something that encourages her to take ten minutes to herself. For new mums, we know having babies is amazing but it’s also a rollercoaster and can be hard. Knowing someone is thinking of you can be a huge boost and it turns out that our customers wanted to express that same sentiment to friends and family for all kinds of reasons.

Flowers say “I’m thinking of you”. A gift package from Don’t Buy Her Flowers says ‘I’m thinking of you, this package is all about you and I hope it makes you feel good’.
‘When I had my first baby, I received eight bunches of flowers. We didn’t have a lot of space and we certainly didn’t own multiple vases. I had to give them away or bin the least fresh to make way for the most recent. I also felt completely overwhelmed with everything – the baby, the visitors, the bodily functions – and trying to arrange flowers and then dispose of them was all a bit much, however pathetic that sounds. I found that other parents felt the same and Don’t Buy Her Flowers was born.’
Steph Douglas, creator of dontbuyherflowers.com

Whoever said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch!”, are WRONG!

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Do you enjoy dining out but don’t enjoy the price tag that comes with it?

Becoming a Mystery Diner may be the perfect solution.

Mystery Diners are volunteers who give up their time to visit a range of restaurants, hotels and pubs and complete a report about their experience. In exchange you are reimbursed for your invaluable feedback.

Becoming a Mystery Diner is a great way to enjoy eating out at different restaurants, whilst saving money.

Being a Mystery Diner means you are able to say what you really feel about the service and the food in a productive and professional way to get your voice heard. You know that your feedback is appreciated and valued and often visiting somewhere a second time means you can see your feedback put into action with improvements made specifically as a result of your report.

You are able to socialise for free, as well as treat family and friends. Many Mystery Diners have said it encourages them to eat out regularly with their partners, friends and family who often enjoy the “secret assignment” nature of the meal. This is also a great way to give your children their first insights into dining out and trying different foods.

It also allows you to discover some real gems of places to eat that you never knew existed!

Mystery Dining is the ideal role for anyone who enjoys good food and appreciates good customer service and of course their bill paid for at the end.

The Mystery Dining Company is now recruiting over 1,000 Mystery Diners this summer, across the UK, for a variety of clients they work with such as Prezzo, Fire and Stone, Flaming Grill, as well as family favourites such as Giraffe and Wacky Warehouse.

So treat your family this summer and eat out for free at some great restaurants.

To sign up, click this link! And follow @mysterydining on Twitter for lots of updates!

Enjoy!

MM.

Welcome to the world: Blue Ivy Carter.

So today the world woke up to the news that the very lovely Beyonce and husband, Jay-Z had given birth to a healthy baby daughter – of which they had named ‘Ivy Blue Carter’.

Since the initial reports, I’m seeing articles across Twitter saying that their new born is infact named Blue Ivy Carter.

I think I prefer it the other way around. What do you guys think?

Obviously, cannot wait to see the first pictures of what will only be an incredibly beautiful baby!

MM.