The London Mummy, Author at The London Mummy

blow LTD : Fast Beauty – To Your Door

Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone come to your house, blow dry your hair quickly and beautifully, all for the same price as going to a salon… Oh wait a minute, blow LTD can do that.

blow LTD is London’s leading app based provider of Fast Beauty On Demand offering expert blow dries, make-up, facials and nails to your home, office or event for busy women in London zones 1,2&3. It is the beauty destination for professional convenient beauty without compromising on quality. As featured in VOGUE, Sunday Times Style and Grazia, their expertly trained team of pros will deliver fast, fabulous beauty to your chosen location.

My chosen location was at home, over lunch whilst the little ones were asleep. My only requirement was to wash my hair before the appointment. However if your hair is already clean they can spray it with water if time is precious.

The task in hand

Time is precious these days and as you can see by the state of my hair, I don’t spend much time or money on it – and as a consequence of that with the combination of post baby hair – it is particularly dry and susceptible to some spectacular knots.

Michaela, working her magic

A lovely stylist from blow LTD, Michaela, arrived at my door punctually, introduced herself and asked where there was a power point. There are 8 different styles to chose from – of which I chose Luxe – smooth with a bit of body (as you can see from the roller in the front of my hair). I could tell she was competent by the speed and confidence which she handled my mop and before I knew it, hey presto, she was finished.

Michaela, my NBF

I was absolutely delighted and couldn’t believe the transformation from Mrs Scarecrow to… I will let you decide what as don’t want to blow my own trumpet, but I think you will agree it looks pretty good!

blow LTD also do mani’s, pedi’s, facials and make up. If you live in Zones 1, 2 or 3 (basically the majority of London), why not team up with a one or two pals before a night out and choose a combination of services.

To get you started, blow LTD is offering The London Mummy readers £10 off their first booking. That means you can get a blow dry at home for just £30! Download the blow LTD app or register online and enter the code THELONDONMUMMY

blowltd.com

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TLM Monthly Edit

TLM Monthly Edit : January 2016

It’s ‘admin January!’ If you have ticked off your thank you letters, sorted out the school uniform, booked in your clubs etc, hopefully you will have cleared some head space and you can now embark on the next level of your (never ending?) to do list. Here are a few products and services that are new or that I have come across recently, that should add a bit of value to your life.

Time Tokens LAUNCH OFFER £10.95

Mum of 2 Amanda Bucknall has launched an ingenious NEW way for children to limit and manage their own screen-time – reducing battles and making a happier home life. You choose how much time they are allowed each week and give them the tokens accordingly for them to use as when they please. When the tokens run out, there is no more screen time so it enables them to pace themselves through out the week. My son loves it and is eager to be given his tokens at the beginning of the week.

Time Tokens is packaged in a fun orange wallet with 7 hours of Time Tokens vouchers, a Golden Ticket, orange timer with clip and magnet, a parent-child Promise Contract, simple short instructions and lots of fun and inspiration from a gang of friends called The Frazzles.

Reading Revival Toolkit 2

A toolkit of carefully crafted cards, books and stickers packaged in a bright plastic carry case that they say can achieve in 6 weeks what it can take a school 18 months to do – whether the child is gifted or has severe learning difficulties. Toolkit 1 is for a child with no reading ability at all and they’ll finish the toolkit with a reading age of around 7. Toolkit 2 continues the process and the child will reach full fluency with a reading age of around 11 – the ability they normally reach when leaving primary school. Click here for more information.

The Parent Practice ’30 Days To learn’ Cards

As a fan of The Parent Practice I was excited to use this new parenting aid. Each day you review just one card which covers a single skill or strategy with all the key points captured. This is a brilliant and simple way for you to get into really positive habits so you can be the best parents you can be for your family. Pre Order ‘Real Parenting, Real Kids’It provides practical real-life strategies for bringing out the best in your children and creating harmony at home, using tried and tested techniques based on the experiences of real families.

Knock Knock Honest Acronyms Sticky Notes £8.95

Saw these at a friends house last week. WTF is actually ‘What’s This For?’ and BTW, ‘Beginning To Worry’. Move over Post It, there is a new player in town.

Buggy Pit Stop

Need a mechanic for your buggy or expecting and need a wizard to convert it to a double buggy. Buggy Pit Stop can do everything.

Clym Draws – Live Event Animation

This guy is incredible. He creates live portraits and reportage in his signature ink-based style.

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Big Fashion Products

Striking Necklaces

Don’t you find even if you are given a necklace (or necklaces!) that you wouldn’t have chosen yourself, it still gets worn as it was so kind of that person to think and give it to you? (Shoes are entirely different btw – you need to get that right).

Whether it is a piece of string or a family heirloom (the former is the norm here), don’t save it up for a rainy day – wear it!

If you are somewhat lacking in a day to day necklace with a sentimental twist, take a look at these and either send this link to the person most likely to buy it for you, or leave your laptop open. And – you won’t have to pretend to like any of these.

Wishbone Pendant In Silver £110 My Wishbone

The 9k plated Spinner Wishbone Pendant hangs very nicely on the smart 9k plated 24 inch close trace chain. There is a unique My-Wishbone disc by the fastening. This pendant holds a secret message which comes to life when spun.

Silver Heart Trilogy Necklace With Purple Stones £105 Rosie Fortescue Jewellery

With bright purple crystals set on silver, our heart trilogy necklace looks amazing with our matching bracelets and stacking rings… mix up the colours!

Ilias Silver and Gold Rings Necklace £55 Auree Jewellery

A pretty necklace that goes with everything and which you will wear all the time. The finest of silver and gold are linked together to form a strong bond making this the perfect present to give to a friend or someone special. Something which can be dressed up or down – it is so versatile.

Pink Stone Necklace £16.95 Indian Summer

Pretty & feminine stone on a rose gold chain. Can’t go wrong there.

Rose Gold Drop Knot Necklace With Black Onyx £120 Davina Coombe

This Knot Drop Necklace in rose gold vermeil features a facetted Black Onyx gemstone pendant that moves freely along the chain and is attached with a signature knot detailed loop.

Michael Kors Stone Set Circle Necklace £99 Ernest Jones

Finished with a fine chain, this tradition feminine gold tone circle necklace is set with glittering stones. Bling.

Two Turtle Doves £150 Alex Munroe

Maybe I am bias as I have a thing for birds, but I love this!

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Books Products Spotlight

Ready To Go Back To Work?

At the school gates this morning, I signaled to some mothers in my oldest sons class ‘coffee?’ and they either mouthed back ‘work’ or ‘interview’ or ‘new job’. I never received this memo! However, in all seriousness, I am thrilled for my friends who are finding their feet – returning to work or are embarking on a new start up themselves. (More Spotlights for TLM!)

One such mother, Charlotte Billington, a mother of two boys, has written a fantastic book What To Do Next? to guide you on your way if you are slightly unsure of the route you want to take or have absolutely no idea!

Charlotte is a professional career coach who is passionate about helping people reach their career potential and find a job they love. With a solid business background in recruitment, career guidance and coaching, she has worked for some of the best known companies in London.

Intuitive, practical and wanting to inspire others, Charlotte strongly believes that everyone, with some help and guidance, is capable of great things at work. Her overall purpose in life is to help others shine in the jobs they choose, to enjoy it and, most importantly, to get real satisfaction from it. That is why she has written this book – to help people be the best they can be and make the best choices to achieve happiness in their careers. As well as being for individuals, the book could also be used for outplacement purposes following redundancy.

In her role as a career coach, Charlotte realised that there was a gap in the market for a practical, uncomplicated, exercise type career guidance book. She therefore used her wealth of knowledge and 20 years experience to create What To Do Next? The book contains a series of exercises and questions designed to draw out the individual and unique skills, strengths and motivators of anyone wanting to make a change in their career.

Peppered with motivational quotes and divided into manageable sections, each chapter is a step-by-step process, encouraging the reader to gather information about themselves. Once they are in possession of all of these findings, they will then, in the final chapters, be able to work through what they want to do next.

Charlotte advises professionals from a large variety of different industries and What To Do Next? is ideal for a broad spectrum of professionals. From new mums looking to return to work, as well as those who have had years out, mid-level and senior professionals who feel unfulfilled in their current job and want to change tack, and retirees looking for a purpose.

Ultimately, the aim of the book is to assist and coach anyone looking to make a change in their career, towards finding a job so suited, that it will not feel like work.

Charlotte’s Favourite’s

Restaurant : Nobu

Hotel : Katikies Santorini, Greece

Website : Sheerluxe.com

Shop : Rebecca Taylor

Holiday Destination : Portugal

Parenting Tip : “However tired or frustrated you are, calm down breath, and talk to them positively in a fun nice tone. It is amazing how much better things will go. Also talk to children like adults and explain what is going on; they might understand the situation and empathise with you or think you can work together”

Purchase a copy of What To Do Next on Amazon £20

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Fashion Little Products

The Best Of The Rest : January Sale Finds For Little Ones

The sales are still going strong! If you have found your groove now the new term has commenced and have some time to peruse – now is your time to pounce!

Below is a little edit from a mix of large and small brands.

Liberty Collar Bodysuit Was £26 Now £13 Jacardi

Was thrilled to find these in store. I bought 5 collared bodysuits for £60 (which may sound a bit extravagant but it is hard to find collared bodysuits for a 2 year old size! Please enlighten on me on a more reasonable option if you know of one!)

Babidu White Peter Pan Collar Was £9 Now £6 Rafe & Reenie

There are a great selection of bodies with Peter Pan collars up 36months. If you miss them in the sale, they are still such a reasonable price – worth stocking up on if the Peter Pan look is for you (as you can tell, it is for me…)

Liberty Print Skirt £42 Tinker & Belle

This isn’t in the sale, but the elasticated waist and the summery fabric will is such a good buy as the quality is excellent and it will grow with your little lady.

Printed Shirt Dress Was £22.99 Now £14.99 Mango

A sweet little shirt dress that will take you through to SS16.

Dress With Contrast Skirt Was £35 Now £25 Cos

Wouldn’t mind this myself…

Pilot Check Flannel Pull Ons Were £14 Now £8 The Little White Company

January is the best excuse for a bit of lounging around on the weekend and what better pj bottoms to do it in.

Edward Pajamas Was £38 Now £32 Trotters

Couldn’t beat these sweet pjs on a little boy.

Eskimo Jacket Was £195 Now £165 Four Fairies and a Prince

With the temperature drop, this will keep them toasty & stylish.

Classic Chino Shorts Was £27 Now £14 Five Boys Clothing

I am a great one for buying when I see and despite the drop in temperature, these super cute shorts would be a wise investment in advance of the Spring (or a ‘Winter Sun’ holiday!)

Suede Desert Boots Were £45 now £24 Mini Boden

Almost half price! Love these.

If you like this post, please check out January Sale Finds For Women

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Days Out Places

South Kensington Club : Private Members Club

Just before Christmas. we planned a ‘day date’ in London (without the children, as obviously it ain’t no date with kids in tow) and we were asked if we would like to visit the South Kensington Club. It is a luxury, private members club in the heart of London, so obviously we jumped at the chance to visit and try out the newly opened Bathhouse…

Quick snap of the outside before we went in!

We were welcomed by delightful receptionists who looked like they had just stepped off the Ralph Lauren runway. They guided us to the luxury changing rooms, were we put on our swimming costumes, adorned a bath robe and sexy flip flops.

Couldn’t take the camera in to the Bathhouse so this is as far as it goes…

We then headed to our private Banya suite for our Russian style sauna.

We were advised to only stay in the sauna for a few minutes at first to acclimatize but once we used to it we upped it by a few minutes each time, interspersed with a freezing plunge pool. Incidentally I only went into the plunge pool up to my waist but Alex immersed himself fully, making the most of an opportunity to feel fully refreshed and invigorated!

The South Kensington Club is also home to the “grotta” London’s most beautiful saltwater Watsu pool, allowing members to integrate the primordial element of the sea into their daily workouts. Members can either unwind in the pool that is lined with powerful jets, or enjoy it exclusively while taking a therapy treatment – or “Aquatic Body Work”. The aim is to always feel good and to learn to include fitness and wellbeing in our every day lives. After our sauna experience, we went to this beautiful mini ‘swimming pool’ (where the water is actually imported from Sicily via truck every fortnight) and relaxed even further.

We then had a super duper brunch in the quiet and cosy restaurant. Children are allowed although we went midweek in the morning so we didn’t see any (shame 😉

Loved the juice bar.

Entrance to the roof terrace – the panamas were a nice touch.

Over looking the heart of London from the roof terrace.

The South Kensington Club also provides unparalleled fitness and well-being facilities. SKC’s three studios provide an ideal environment for yoga, hot yoga, pilates, barre, hot barre, cardio, boxing and high-energy dance classes, as well as private fitness assessments. The first floor fitness studios also include personal and functional training areas. Leading trainers are on hand to assist members, explain how to use the machines in the safest and most effective way, create fitness initiatives and give personalised one-to-one sessions to those who require it. To create more holistic and bespoke programs, health and fitness assessments will be available to members by using VO2 Max and spirometric testing. Programs include: “Marathon Fit”, “Ski Fit”, “Hiking Fit” and more. Osteopaths, acupuncturists and physiotherapists will also be available to support members in reaching optimum results.

The Club has been designed with its members every desire in mind. From the cultural and culinary, to the physical and philosophical, they have access to the best services, including exclusive social and travel opportunities as well as a pioneering centre for fitness and well-being. Whether you are visiting for a cocktail, taking a dip in the salt-water Watsu Pool, seeking a moment of calm in the bathhouse or inspiration from the Voyager Programme the South Kensington Club offers excellence in every field. The elegant, unpretentious, homely environment of the South Kensington Club’s interior has been thoughtfully executed to provide a place for reflection, relaxation and respite for its guests.

It does just that!

To apply for membership email members@southkensingtonclub.com
or call 020 3006 6868

southkensingtonclub.com

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Activities Days Out Places

What’s On : Theatre For Little Ones Part 2

After a flurry of activity in the pre Christmas build up, surely it’s time to chill out, reflect on all the excitement, play with your Christmas presents and hang out as a family (if you didn’t do enough over Christmas!). If however (like myself), you enjoy having a few mid winter theatre trips in the diary to look forward to, take a look at what’s on.

Raiders Of The Lost Arc Live Wed 9th March – 12th March Royal Albert Hall

Raiders will be shown on the big screen at the Hall whilst the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Ludwig Wicki, simultaneously perform John Williams’ legendary score.

This live-in-concert experience will allow fans of Harrison Ford’s action hero to experience the film in a brand new way, and will mark the first time that a full Williams score has ever been performed on the Hall’s famous stage.

Beauty & The Beast Till 7 th February Polka Dot Theatre

If you didn’t watch it in a pantomime, now is your chance (although this is a more traditional take, like the original).

Matilda The Musical Ongoing Cambridge Theatre

Everyone I have spoken to rave’s about Matilda. It is definitely on my watch list.

Rumplestiltskin 13th February Lyric Hammersmith

The Lyric always comes up trumps for children’s theatre and I have no doubt this classic will be enchanting. A great half term treat.

Dinosaur Park 2nd – 23rd January St James Theatre

Be quick as the last remaining tickets are selling fast for this ‘Jurassic Park’ spin off.

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Fashion Products

Make Up For Tired Mummies

I am not one for a strict beauty regime but I have started to realise that if I am not to be mistaken for my children’s grandparents in the coming years, I need to hop on the beauty bandwagon and pay attention. My son asked me ‘what are those lines either side of your mouth?’ Out of the mouth of babes…

If you feel your skin is dry and your moisturiser just sits on top of your skin, I urge you to try Clarins Hydraquench Serum which you put on before moisturiser and it helps the moisturiser absorb and makes your skin feel like you have just had a facial.

Alex from Love From Ophelia used to run a beauty blog Lashes For Little Ones (a travesty she no longer does) and a while back she recommended Perfect Look Skin Miracle. Its aim is to smooth and add a bit of tan at the same time. It is spenny but worth it.

OK, I know I have mentioned this before in TLM Loves… July Edit but I have tried a few other tinted moisturisers since then and none have been as good so Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser stays in my top spot (and make up bag). I use bare radiance – the lightest one – as I have a teenage hangover about tide marks.

I went for a makeover at Charlotte Tilbury in her newly opened Covent Garden store and thought it was absolutely fantastic. The Retoucher & Concealer Stick is a must have for every make up bag. Eyeshadow base – tick. Under eye concealer – tick (without the reflective nonsense that you get in photos with the touche eclat). Red bits that your foundation hasn’t quite covered – tick.

Here is my before & after the make over… (My mother prefers the before – thinks the ‘young’ wear too much eyeliner these days!)

If you like reading about new products and other people’s routine’s, India Knight’s no nonsense approach to make up etc on her blog is worth a squizz.

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