Author: Deborah

28 Weeks Pregnant bump shot

27 Weeks Pregnant

Week 27 started with a trip to Simon’s parents for the weekend. We got there to a new mattress and it was so much more comfortable than our own! I actually had a pretty good nights sleep for once. On the Saturday we headed to Bluewater to order the crib. We’ve opted for the snuzpod as I wanted a side sleeper and this one was the one I fell in love with. We also picked up a couple of baby clothes in the Mothercare sale.

I’ve been struggling to find comfy shoes recently so we popped into the Skechers store and a very lovely sales assistant helped me find the perfect trainers. I’ve bought some GOwalk 3’s in grey and they’re fab. I’ve given up my Primark flats as they weren’t offering any support and these are so comfortable for lots of walking.

Symptoms wise this week has been pretty good. I have had issues sleeping and just exhaustion but that’s it. I had my whooping cough vaccine which was pretty sore. The only other thing that’s been bothering me this week is Simon’s parent’s damn cats. I don’t mind cats, I’m definitely a dog person, but they had fleas and now I have about 20 bites on me!

Did you see my 27 week pregnancy update video?

28 Weeks Pregnant

Sleep, where are you?! Oh my goodness it’s been a knackering week. It doesn’t matter what combinations of pregnancy pillows I try I just can’t get comfortable in the middle of the night. I’ll go to sleep with either the wedge, v-shaped pillow or dreamgenii and then I’ll wake up 4-5 times during the night to change positions or swap pillows over and it takes forever to get back to sleep. I think I’m getting about 3-4 hours of sleep a night instead of my usual 7-8 hours. I’ve been very grumpy this week because of it and I’ve really struggled at work. I think it’s partly the frustration at not being able to get to sleep that’s worse. I feel like a zombie.

We had our third NCT class this week. It seems to be going so fast, I can’t believe we’re half way through the course already.

Here’s my 28 week pregnancy video, which was filmed when I turned 28 weeks, rather than at the end when I’m writing this. Hence the more awake version of myself.

 

This week

Baby is now the size of a – Aubergine.

My favourite moment was – Going for a relaxing walk around the local lakes on Saturday taking photos with hubby.

My worst moment was – Crying for no reason. I had a pretty miserable Sunday sulking on the sofa.

I’ve been feeling – Hormonal.

I’ve been buying for baby – Nothing – I’m avoiding the sales, they’re too tempting.

I’m missing – Sleep. I’m still not getting much.

I’m craving – Nothing really this week.

I’m looking forward to – NCT breastfeeding sessions coming up this weekend and next week.

Author: Deborah

Crochet bunting in nursery

I’ve made some super easy crochet bunting for the nursery. I have a sewing machine but I’m not very good at using it yet, so I thought I’d give crochet bunting a go. This design was ridiculously easy as it was just double crochet (UK terms) back and forth adding one dc each row until you get the size of triangle you want. I found the most fiddly bit attaching them all together as I’m not very good at crocheting into chain stitches, especially when they kept turning around and around. But don’t let that put you off, I probably messed up all the time on that bit but you can’t tell!

Crochet bunting

I was able to create about 2 triangles while watching a 40 odd minute program and I needed about 28 triangles to create enough bunting. I also took my yarn into work to do a bit in my lunch breaks. I used Hayfield Bonus DK and it was a great way to use up yarn that I’ve had for ages and didn’t know what to do with. I followed a pattern by Pink Milk so please check it out. She includes step by step photos to guide you through.

To decorate them I bought 12mm glass beads from eBay for a couple of quid. I tried 8mm ones first but they looked far too small. You could probably get away with 10mm though. It’s a bit fiddly to get them on – I used a needle and thread tied to the yarn to pull them up and then tied off the yarn below the bead.

Crochet bunting close up

I love how it looks in the nursery and it adds a bit of colour to what is a very plain room at the moment. I am in major need of some nursery inspiration if you’ve got any.

I created a video showing you how I made this crochet bunting. Let me know if you give it a go!

Author: Deborah

wunderlist on macbook for tasks

I feel like I’ve cheated on my Bullet Journal. For awhile I started using Wunderlist to note down all the tasks that I wanted to get done. Not only that, I used it to create a cleaning schedule with daily, weekly, monthly and infrequent jobs.

And then it all got a bit much. I like the Wunderlist app. I think it’s great if you’ve got a few tasks to do. You can update it on your phone or while on the computer. It’s super easy and you can create as many lists as you want (I had far too many).

I had a few busy days, ill days and then a weekend away, so when I looked at the app again I had not done anything. I looked under ‘Today’ and was told I had 40 odd things to do. It was overwhelming and being a hormonal pregnant mess I just burst into tears. The house wasn’t clean, the mattress hadn’t been flipped, I hadn’t scheduled any tweets and I definitely hadn’t bought a replacement filter for the kitchen extractor fan.

My 40 odd tasks were quickly reassigned to other due dates. And then I realised, I can’t keep this up. It’s all well and good trying to be organised but sometimes I’m just not. Sometimes I want to lounge around watching Netflix instead of hoovering. And sometimes I want to join a Twitter chat rather than repainting grout.

Back in love with bujo

So after a couple of weeks of barely using my bullet journal I am back in love with it. I’ve created a cleaning schedule on there and although it doesn’t remind me every day, and I don’t have to tick tasks off each day, it’s there and it’s not making me feel guilty if I just cba.

There are a few lists I am keeping on my Wunderlist and they’re all shopping related. I have a list for the weekly food shop and all the bits I still need to buy for baby. While out and about shopping my phone just can’t be beaten.

July Bullet Journal setup

How do you keep track of all the tasks you have to do? Especially those pesky chores.

Author: Deborah

 

Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash

I love my original Tangle Teezer. So when I saw the Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash in the recent Avon book I couldn’t resist giving it a go.

The Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash has quite a unique design with the middle hallowed out for water to run through. It’s also so easy to hold in the shower with its curved shape.

Just like the original, it really gets through the knots in my hair leaving my hair feeling smooth. It easily glides through my thick, relatively long hair. I use it with my conditioner or a hair mask and it spreads that through my locks.

I find that if I use this in the shower, my original Tangle Teezer has a much easier job afterwards. It doesn’t tug at my hair or cause any breakages. The extra minute of brushing in the shower has definitely helped my hair when it comes to styling it afterwards.

I have highlights so I find my hair gets so much knottier than it used to. So using either the original Tangle Teezer or the Aqua Splash is a must. My hair takes 3.5 hours to get a half head of highlights done and I can’t sit still for that long now pregnant. So they’re growing out a lot! I feel weird not being as blonde though. Does anyone else get that feeling when their colour is fading/growing out?

I don’t recommend this product if you have perfect hair which doesn’t get very tangled at all. But if like me, your a tangled mess in the morning, then I’d give it a go.

What are your top detangling products?

Author: Deborah

26 weeks pregnant bump photo

I’m back with a 25 to 26 weeks pregnancy update. I’m nearly in the third trimester and I’m slightly panicking at everything we haven’t done yet!

25 Weeks Pregnant

Week 25 has seen the return of my hormones being all over the place. I don’t seem to have the emotional stability anymore and burst into tears at the slightest thing. There have been a few uncertainties and challenges at work this week which have set me off so it’s been a bit of a rocky week for my poor emotions. Luckily, I had good work news on Friday which left me feeling much happier and I more productive because of it at work and at home.

On Wednesday quite a few parcels turned up with baby bits. I’d ordered a Gro Egg with the little penguin to go on top, a changing mat, some water wipes and an ear thermometer, which a colleague said is a must have. My mum has also been shopping for baby bits because of the sales but I don’t know what she’s picked up yet. She came over to visit me for lunch on Wednesday as I had the day off, and it was so lovely to catch up. She hadn’t seen me in a couple of weeks and my bump has definitely grown in that time.

Speaking of my bump, baby is getting so much more active now. I’m feeling it all times of day and sometimes quite violently.

I had my 25 week midwife appointment and me and baby are fine. When the midwife put the doppler on my tummy baby booted it. It obviously got woken up by the sound of it’s own heartbeat. It was so lovely to hear it again.

Did you see my 25 weeks pregnancy update video?

26 Weeks Pregnant

To kick start my 26th week we went to see Sarah Millican at the Mayflower Theatre and oh my goodness she was hilarious! I’m glad I didn’t pee a little with all the laughing, those pelvic floor exercises are obviously doing some good.

On the weekend we went to a Little Pickles market, which was like a car boot sale for baby and toddler bits. I picked up a couple of toys and some clothes. I filmed a bit of a haul of everything I picked up in my Day in the Life video.

Symptoms this week have mostly been okay. I’m not sleeping very well as I just can’t get comfortable. I picked up a DreamGenii pregnancy pillow from a Facebook group for very little money but it’s not as comfy for me as I’d hoped. I like having something between my knees and ankles.

A highlight of the week was starting our NCT Signature Course. It was lovely to meet some other pregnant ladies and their partners and the course leader was happy to answer all of our questions. I think hubby quite liked it too as he got to be involved in something.

This week

Baby is now the size of a – Lettuce.

My favourite moment was – Starting our NCT classes.

My worst moment was – I can’t think of anything that bad.

I’ve been feeling – Exhausted!!

I’ve been buying for baby – Second hand vests, sleepsuits and toys from a market.

I’m missing – A good 8 hours in bed without waking and being pain free.

I’m craving – Profiteroles and eclairs still!

I’m looking forward to – A weekend away to visit Simon’s family.

Author: Deborah

The Angry Anchovy Port Isaac

We popped into The Angry Anchovy in Port Isaac, Cornwall after walking around the town hunting for somewhere that had something other than fish. I have nothing against fish, I quite like it, but sometimes pregnancy cravings/avoidance gets in the way.

The Angry Anchovy is at the top of the hill down to the sea. As we stepped in we were welcomed by a friendly staff member who let us sit anywhere we wanted. It was quiet when we arrived but there were a few bookings and takeaways to come so she did warn us food would take about half an hour.

The tables are wooden and some are old school desks – my husband remembers them from his school days. I loved the decor in the place especially the lamps with the old style bulbs.

The Angry Anchovy decor

The Angry Anchovy decor

The Angry Anchovy pizza and fries

There weren’t any starters or garlic bread on the menu, so we went straight in for pizzas. I ordered a hawaiian and my husband got a meaty one. He also ordered a side of fries which he said were amazing! He loved the pizza here. The bases tasted great and it’s definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve had in awhile. What I liked is that you can order the pizza in either 6″ or 12″ so it’s perfect for a lighter lunch or if you aren’t too hungry. I felt stuffed after my smaller pizza.

I was pretty full by the time the dessert menu arrived but as soon as I saw profiteroles on the menu I couldn’t resist. It’s been one of my pregnancy cravings. There were 3 huge profiteroles loaded with chocolate sauce and ice cream. It was delicious! Simon order the cheesecake and I think he was quite jealous of mine, although he did get to finish mine off.

The Angry Anchovy dessert

I’d definitely recommend popping in here if you visit Port Isaac and want something different. The menu isn’t extensive but I liked that I didn’t have too much choice.

Author: Deborah

Brigadeiros

I had my first taste of brigadeiros while I was at university. I lived in halls in my first year with a Brazilian girl who made them and they were like little balls of chocolatey heaven. I had to get the recipe off her and make my own. She said they were a classic Brazilian party food that she used to have at birthday parties or other celebrations when she was at home.

I used to make them all the time to take to dance classes and rehearsals at university as everyone loved them, even if they are a bit indulgent.

They are so ridiculously easy to make. I love it when it gets to that point in the pan when you can see the bottom and the mixture takes its sweet time to fall back into place and you know it’s ready.

It’s a messy state of affairs rolling the mixture into little balls with butter and dipping them in chocolate strands, but I find it really therapeutic. Make sure the mixture is cold before this step otherwise it will be even messier!

If you haven’t tried these little Brazilian treats before you are definitely missing out. I made up a bunch last week for my husband to take into his office and they were devoured.

You can see me make these in my recent What I Eat in a Day video.

Brigadeiros

Brigadeiro Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 15g butter
  • 1 tin condensed sweetened milk
  • chocolate strands

Method

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add the cocoa, butter and condensed milk. Cook, stirring continuously, until thickened – about 10 minutes. When you scrap a spoon across the bottom, it will take time for the mixture to fill the space when it’s ready.
  2. Remove from heat and leave to cool. Grease your hands with button, form the mixture into small balls and then roll them in chocolate strands.

Have you tried these? They’re delicious!

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About me

Hi there, I’m Deborah. I live in Hampshire with my husband and spend my time baking, making and getting out in the fresh air. Find out more or get in touch.

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