Dove Baby Review

As a first time parent I was quite naive, I automatically assumed that the products that I had heard of for babies must be the best otherwise why would people talk about them?  I quickly realised that this was not the case.  When Connor was first born we didn't use anything other than Johnsons on his skin and it did the job but over time his skin lost that baby softness.  I just accepted that this was what happened, after all he is 3 in September, he can't stay soft as a babys' bum forever, can he?  I found a new product of Johnsons which was a gel/oil type moisturiser for after a bath or whenever your childs skin feels particularly dry.  The difference in Connors skin after just a few uses was amazing - it was so smooth, however that was short lived because after a couple of days use he developed an allergic reaction.  Everytime I put it on his skin after that, particularly his stomach and back, he would come out in a red blotchy rash.  It wasn't painful for him but in my opinion, anything which makes your skin do that can't be good for you.  So it was back to the drawing board on the toddler skincare front.

Enter Baby Dove.  My Mum picked these up in our local supermarket for the trial price of £1 each! She got a shampoo, a head to toe body wash and a lotion.  There are two different ranges within the Baby Dove collection - Rich Moisture and Sensitive Moisture.  We went for a mixture of both; every product in the range is mild and hypoallergenic which is perfect for Connor who has slightly sensitive skin.  I put some of the head to toe body wash in his bath and then used it to wash all over his body, it's surprisingly foamy - 2 pumps of the body wash was more than enough.  I then followed up with the Rich Moisture shampoo which as well as being hypoallergenic is also tear and ph free - according to the Dove website it's as gentle as water.  I was keen to try this out as Connor gets a dry scalp from time to time and I felt the other shampoos I had tried were too perfumed and made the problem worse.  The Rich Moisture shampoo actually moisturizes as well as cleanses the scalp/hair - it definitely works; I noticed an improvement in his scalp almost straight away, his hair looks shinier too!  After his bath I covered him in the Sensitive Moisture lotion which dries almost instantly and isn't sticky at all.  When getting him dressed the next morning I noticed how soft and smooth his skin was - the difference was amazing especially after just 1 use!  We have been using this trio of products for over a week now and the baby smoothness is back, Connors skin is so so soft, I can't even explain it, the difference is ridiculous!

Baby Dove is now going to be my go to for baby skincare & I have even bought the gift set they offer as a present for my cousins new baby.  I would have absolutely no qualms using this on a newborn, that is how soft and gentle I believe it is.  This coming from the woman who used nothing but water to clean her babies bum until he was about 18 months old!  There are other products available within the Baby Dove range which I haven't tried yet but am definitely keen to, they include - a baby bar available in both Rich and Sensitive Moisture ranges, a Rich Moisture Nappy Cream and Rich/Sensitive Moisture baby wipes.  I will definitely be adding them to my trolley the next time I happen to see them at the supermarket.

V x

Dear 17 Year Old Me

I recently wrote a guest post for the fab Ashley over at avodkakindamom.com and thought I would share it over here too.  Let me know what you think.  What advice would you give to your younger self?

I'm turning 27 this year - how the hell did that happen?  So I thought I'd have a look back over the past 10 years and write a letter to me when I was 17.



Dear 17 year old Victoria,

I know you think you know it all but University at 17 is not such a great idea for you - you're just not ready yet.  The last year of school is a complete skive for a reason.  I know you have the brains to pull it off and you would have graduated no problem had other things not gotten in your way, but you're just not as mature as you think you are.  You're not old enough to drink alcohol so there is very little point in going to Freshers week; I don't think you realise quite how much of Uni life is made up by the socialising outside of lectures, usually in a pub/bar.  You will tough it out for 2 years and then you have no other choice but to pack it in, let's be honest, it was never what you wanted to do anyway.  Psychology is far too full of research methods and statistics for you, you have always been more of a language lover.  Writing is where you should be focusing your time.

It'll take you a long time to realise that though, and even sitting here now I can't say 100% that you are living your dream.  You are gradually finding your way back to writing but confidence is an issue; you will get there though, I can feel it!

Mum is right, he is an absolute waste of space but it will take you another year and a half before you realise it for yourself and by then the damage will already have been done.  Never mind, you will manage to pick yourself up and in the long run you will come out of it a stronger, better person.  And believe it or not, you have already met the man you are going to marry, I'm not going to tell you who, you'll just have to wait another 2 years to find out for yourself.  But I will say that you will be married by the time you're 22.  Your husband is an amazing man; it's not going to be an easy road but you will get there, all your struggles will just make you stronger in the end.

Please know that Mum and Dad aren't trying to be the bad guys, although they do give a good impression of it at times I'll admit.  They really do just want what's best for you.   And your little sister; she may be an absolute nightmare right now but trust me she is a blessing in disguise.  She is so incredibly protective of you and will back you to the hilt regardless of whether you are in the wrong or not.  She will surprise you time and again - blossoming into a fantastic Auntie before your very eyes, I bet you didn't see that coming!  You come from a remarkably close knit and loving family, something which you have taken for granted over the years - that isn't a bad thing, but please be aware that not every family is like yours.  Family is not always everyone elses top priority but it will always be yours.

You will have your struggles with depression and are probably in the beginning stages of that now, you just don't know the signs.  Luckily for you, Mum does recognise them and together you will work to get you out of that darkness.  It will be a long road to recovery with a few relapses along the way, you are very anti medication - this trait will never leave you but you will eventually realise that taking medication is not a sign of weakness.  Taking medication does not mean that you can't fight your own battles.  Taking medication is not lying down to depression and accepting that this will be your life.  What it means is that you are accepting that suffering from depression is not your fault, there is a chemical imbalance in your brain which is out with your control.  This will be a very difficult thing for you to do, you hate to be out of control, but you will realise that sometimes you need a little extra help - and that's okay!

Don't worry though, once you get yourself back on an even keel you do eventually manage to come off the anti depressants.  You do have the occasional blip but accepting that everyone has down days and they don't always mean that you need to get to the doctors is a key coping mechanism for you.

Please know that the next 10 years of your life, although they are difficult and filled with times where you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, they are also filled with so much love, laughter and fun.  You will welcome a beautiful baby boy and in true Victoria fashion that will not go to plan either but you quickly realise that what's meant to be will be and there is nothing you can do about it.  So please don't worry, you will be absolutely fine and you should be proud of the woman you have turned into, I know I am.

V x

Guest Blog - A Vodka Kind of Mom

Let me introduce myself!

I am Ashley and I write for a blog called A Vodka Kind of Mom (https://avodkakindofmom.com/ ). 

I started this blog as an outlet for my personal struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, my struggles as a mother, and my frustrations regarding the politics going on last year. My dream for this blog is to just get people talking, to make people laugh, to bring people together, and to build a community. 

I’ve enjoyed writing thus far, even if no one reads it; I’ve enjoyed it. I “met” Life in the Ginger Lane via Instagram and feel so privileged that they have offered me an opportunity to guest blog.

For this post, I’ve decided to participate in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/) ; the joys, the struggles, the triumphs, and the battles.

A-  AGING. You never really believe it when other people tell you “They grow up so fast” until you have children of your own and they just keep on growing. They keep hitting milestones, learning new things, and become more and more independent. It’s heartbreaking but so exciting at the same time.

B-  BABIES. I loved this stage of parenthood. I loved the snuggles, soft skin, baby feet, cries, and cuteness. My kids are still cute, but they were dang cute babies, if I do say so myself.

C-  CUDDLES. I love cuddles. I force snuggles on my kids all the time, but thankfully they enjoy snuggles as well. Cash, my older son, will ask for snuggles during nap time or when it’s time to wind down before bed and I just love it every time.

D-  DEAD TIRED. I know some lucky parents get good sleepers. We got lucky the first time around, but Tate likes to get up at 4:30 in the morning. It’s rough! I feel like I am always dead tired. I JUST WANT SLEEP!

E-  ENERGY. Where do kids get all their energy?! Honestly, it’s insane how much energy they have. I feel like they never stop.

F-   FATHERS. I know I am a little biased, but fathers are so important in any child’s life. I am so fortunate that my husband stepped up and adopted my older son and has raised him as his own and does not treat the two boys any different. I love that man and couldn’t do this without him.

G-  GUILT. Also known as mommy guilt. I know I’m not alone in the feeling that I am not doing a good enough job, I’ve done some type of parenting wrong, I’m going to mess my kids up, I’ve already messed my kids up, I don’t spend enough time with them, I yell too much, etc. The list goes on of all the things I feel guilty about as a mother. However, I know no one is perfect and I love my kids and try my best.

H- HEARTBREAK. I think this is just a part of motherhood. It’s heartbreaking when your children are upset, mad at you, physically hurt, mentally hurt, emotionally hurt, whatever it may be. When you’re child’s heart breaks so does yours as a mother.

I-    I LOVE YOU. When your child starts talking or randomly throws out an “I love you” it just melts your heart. I love when my little one comes up to me just to tell me he loves me.

J-   JUSTIFICATION. There is so much mom judging and parent judging going around that every mother finds themselves justifying their parenting at one point or another. I am constantly justifying how I raise my boys and why I do certain things. It’s something I’ve been working on.

K-  KING-SIZE BED. This is a must for any parent! Even if you don’t co-sleep you will end up with children in your bed at some point in time; sometimes more than one child. The bigger the bed the better!

L-   LOVE. I didn’t know this kind of love was real until I had children. That gut wrenching, overwhelming, life changing kind of love. It’s such an amazing feeling and I feel so lucky to get to experience it twice.

M- MAMA. Another great feeling as a mother is when your child starts saying mama. Granted it starts to get annoying when they say “MOMMY” 100 times a day.

N-  NO. A word every parent should say, and say it often. There are too many people who want to be their child’s best friend and let them run the show. Those children are the worst! I think everyone agrees.

O-  OPTIMISM. Of course you have optimism for your children and their futures; there’s no other way to parent. You always want the best for your children and their lives and it’s so exciting when your dreams become a reality.

P-   POTTY TRAINING. I am so thankful Cash, my older son, was so easy to potty train. And I’ve been told younger children pick it up easier and quicker than firstborns! Tate, my younger son, has proven to be more difficult than Cash so I’m hoping that trend doesn’t continue.

Q-  QUIET. I pray for this every single day. I love quiet time in our household and try to soak it all in while I have it. It’s rare that the boys nap at the same time, but when they do it’s GLORIOUS!

R-  ROUTINE. This is one of the biggest tips I give to any new parent or struggling parent. Routine has made our lives so much easier, especially when it comes to bed time.

S-   SORRY. The one word you must continue to pound into your children’s heads until they leave your home. I only have toddlers so I’m hoping this gets better as they get older, but good lord! It’s like we start over every morning.

T-   THANK YOU. This goes along with Sorry. You have to continuously remind your children to say please and thank you.

U-  UNEXPLAINED SITUATIONS. Obviously with boys there are fights but whenever I ask Cash (who is almost 4) what happened and why his brother is crying (he is 16 months old) his response is always “I don’t know.” Mind you he’s the only one that was in the room with him at the time. UGH!

V-  VODKA. I feel this one is pretty self-explanatory.

W-  WET WIPES. They clean anything and everything! These things are amazing! They get hair dye off skin and bathroom countertops. They clean the inside of cars. They clean up spills on the carpet. They’re great.

X-  XYLOPHONE. Does anyone else really have a word for X? Because I couldn’t think of a dang thing. And every child I know has had this toy at one point in time.

Y-  YELLING. I’m one of “those moms.” I yell at my kids in public. I refuse to let them act like little brats. No one likes those bratty little kids, they really ruin everyone’s experience wherever you are.

Z-   ZZZZ. Again, as a mother I am constantly tired. I love to catch up on some zzz’s whenever I get the chance. I will sneak naps in any chance I get.

Put on your positive pants.

I am, by nature, a procrastinator.  I put things off without ever having a proper reason to do so. "I'll do it later" I say, mañana mañana  - everything always happens tomorrow - well it would do if I ever actually did it.  On the flip side I am also the kind of person who wants things done yesterday, if I'm waiting on someone to do something for me I see absolutely no reason why it can't be done right there and then.  I have no idea how I can be two types of people at the one time, it makes literally no sense.  

I talk about being fed up with my job, not knowing what I want to do with my life but I never ever seem to do anything about it.  I've been saying that I don't know what I want to be when I grow up since I was 16.  Which is fine, and perfectly normal when you're 16 but now I'm 26 - I am a grown up - I still have no clue where I'm going in life.  For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a author/journalist - writing a book is my absolute dream -  until I had a horrific English teacher who put the fear of God in me and made me believe that I couldn't do it.  Suddenly the essays that had to be written to go along with the University applications for journalism courses were too much hassle & 'I never really wanted to do that anyway'.  I swear this is where my procrastinating days began and they haven't stopped since.  I constantly find pathetic reasons not to do things, for example, I really do want to make a go of this blog and get writing again but rarely post things because 'my photography skills are shit' or 'I don't have nice pictures to go along with my posts'.  Seeing all these other blogs with the perfect photos and witty captions makes me feel like I'm not good enough, which is ridiculous because everybody has to start somewhere, right?

So I have decided to make a conscious effort to overcome any of the stupid obstacles that I come across - most of which I put in my own way.  So what if my pictures aren't great, I'm sure I'll get better with a bit of practice.  Don't know what to write about?  Just start typing and see what happens; if it's awful so be it, at least I will have made the effort.  I really need to stop being so negative about everything, after over 10 years of being a glass half empty kinda gal it's beginning to take a toll on me and it has to stop.  It's doing no one any favours.  I find people who are always positive and see the good in the worst of situations so inspiring, I'm going to aim to be one of those people.  I'm not going to lie, it won't be easy; I've had my struggles with depression in my teens/early 20s and PND after I had Connor but I'm out the other side of that now and don't want to go back.  I think that's why I find it so hard to see the good in situations, I'm constantly thinking of any possible negative outcomes so that I'm prepared.  Some might call it my coping mechanism but it's getting to a point now that this way of dealing with things has made me the ultimate pessimist.  I don't want to be that person anymore, I want to be able to put my all into everything without holding back because of fear that it won't turn out alright.     

Stacey Leigh from Mummyandthebubbas posted a quote on Instagram the other day and it got me thinking about how I'm not a particularly upbeat person.  I commented (not something I usually do) saying that being positive was something that I struggle with and I'm so glad that I did because her reply was simple but it made total sense and led me to this point.   

'Everyone has crap days and it's okay not to feel positive all the time.  Draw a line and think about all the positive things in your life.  Each day write down one thing that you feel positive about.'

Such a straightforward idea but one that hadn't occurred to me until it was pointed out.  So this is my line.  Nothing but good, happy thoughts from here on out.  I know it won't be easy and that there will be times when I struggle but I just have to remember what I have and where I want to be.  I can't stand in my own way any longer because really the only thing stopping me doing what I want to do is me.  

xx

You can find Stacey Leigh on Instagram here she's definitely worth a follow, her feed is gorgeous and her positivity is infectious.  Thank you Stacey for taking the time to reply to my comment, you've give me the kick up the backside I needed and you don't even know it.

Autumn Bucket List

Well it's that time of year again.  Connor is old enough this year to do lots of fun things, so here is my our Autumn Bucket List.  Enjoy!

Go Pumpkin Picking

Connor wasn't really big enough for this last year, we did carve a pumpkin and he loved playing with all the goo inside so I'm hoping this will go down well.  There is a place not too far from where we live called Arnprior Farm that has started pumpkin picking just in the last couple of years so we are heading there to give it a bash.  Connor loves being outside & they have a maze and other vegetable patches where you can harvest your own potatoes etc as well so I think he will really enjoy it.

Jump In Muddy Puddles

Channeling our inner Peppa Pig here.  Everybody loves to jump in dirty water don't they?  In Scotland we get plenty of opportunities to splash about in puddles - it's pouring down as I type - and Connor is a typical boy who is never happier than when he is all dirty and wet.  So grab your wellies & jump in the nearest puddle, who cares about the mess, you only live once & these are the kind of things that our kids are going to remember.  It's all about making memories & having adventures.

Make A Fort Inside

I've always wanted to do this.  I vaguely remember making dens with my sister when we were little but they were never up to much.  However, now we live in a time of Pinterest so there is no excuse for a sheet thrown over a washing line - although for sheer speed this is a good option.  I can't wait to make a fort in the livingroom when it's pouring down outside (most days) & curl up with Connor to watch a movie - usually Lion King, Jungle Book or Winnie the Pooh.  

Take Autumn-themed Pictures

This year I want to get pictures of Connor (and us) outside playing in the leaves, splashing in puddles, generally having a ball.  I love the colours of the season and there is nothing cuter than photographs of kids being kids.  My sister takes fab pictures and has the whole professional camera setup whereas my picture taking skills are below amateur so I will be roping her into this one.

Scavenger Hunt & Autumn Crafts

We've never really done a Scavenger Hunt except at Easter but that doesn't really count so I'm pretty excited about this.  My plan is to go out for a walk & collect all sorts of leaves, pine cones and anything else that looks good & bring them home to make an Autumn picture/collage.  A bit of printing with the pine cones, a bit of glitter you get the idea.  Messy but fun.

Find Conkers 

I have already tried this one but sadly the tree I used to get my conkers from when I was little has blown down & there are no more conkers to be had.  So it was back to the drawing board, the only other place I know of with a horse chestnut tree is not within walking distance & I don't have a car at the moment - that's another story - so this one is on the back burner till we're back on the road.

Dress Up For Halloween & Go Guising

So excited to dress Connor up this year, I'm thinking he's going to be Peter Pan.  Last year he was a mini Jax from Sons of Anarchy - so freakin cute!  He's not really old enough to go out guising (trick or treating) as he's usually in bed for 7pm but I'm sure we'll be able to work something out.  Rules are made to be broken after all!

Fireworks Display

Again he's not old enough to go to a proper show - they start when he's already in bed plus by the time November comes about it'll be bloody freezing here so I think we'll pass on that.  We will definitely get some fireworks to let off at home where me & Connor can watch from the warmth of the house and let Daddy freeze doing the technical part.

That's it so far, I will no doubt think of more things to add as we go along.  

Whats on your Bucket List for Autumn?

xx

Teething Problems

Whose idea was it for humans to have teeth?  Honestly, worst idea ever!  As the Mum of a still teething 2 year old I can honestly say that I now believe teeth are over rated!  Well, maybe not all teeth but definitely the ones you can't see i.e. the back ones - who needs them anyway?!

Connor has been teething since literally the day he turned 3 months old  & the slevvering hasn't stopped since.  His mouth has been like a running tap for almost 2 years now and I honestly can't wait to see the back of bibs.  Every outfit he has is ruined by either having to put a bib on him or the big wet patch that inevitably appears within 5 minutes if he goes bib-less.

The first few teeth - front bottom & top were pretty hard on him.  He started teething in the December at 3 months old but they didn't make an appearance until the June - over 6 months later!  It's been a slow process this teething malarkey.  He was very unsettled and uncomfortable to begin with but once a few teeth popped through he seemed to be able to deal with it better and a whole load seemed to appear without much of a fuss. Fast forward to his dental check up earlier in the month & were told that all but 1 tooth was through.  One of his back teeth is still under the gum but right at the surface.  I stupidly thought 'well he's managed the other 3 without too much bother so the last one should be fine too'.

How wrong was I?  The last one has been a nightmare.  It's taken my usually lovely wee boy & turned him into a clingy, grumpy & still slevvery monster.  Temperatures, sore mouths, mood swings, tiredness - you name it & we have had it this past fortnight & he won't let me look in his mouth so I have no idea if we are even close to being done yet.

So, I thought I would share a few things that have helped us out over the past (almost) 2 years & in particular this last 2 weeks.

1. Sophie The Giraffe

When Connor was tiny & first teething Sophie was his best friend.  He absolutely adored her and she came everywhere with us.  He could often be found eating her nose or with one of her legs in his mouth giving it a good chew.  Sophie was well worth the money and she is now one of the first presents I buy for any new baby - highly recommended!

2. Bibs!

I cannot get enough of bibs.  We go through on average about 5 a day & that is purely down to them being soaked with drool.  I've really struggled to find nice ones that don't say things like 'I love my Mummy' etc but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for them because they get washed constantly and need replaced really quickly.  I always have at least 2 spare in my bag at any time - even when Connor isn't with me!

3.  Ashton & Parsons

These are teething powders, I've heard mixed reviews of them from various people but I can honestly say these were a game changer for us.  Connor reacted to them almost instantly and they totally settled him.  We stopped them for a while when he wasn't really showing any signs of discomfort as they are quite pricey - roughly £6 for 20 sachets - but as soon as he starting teething badly again these were the first things I bought.  There are other brands available but these are the only ones I have tried.

4.  Nurofen

I used to only give Connor calpol but it never seemed to last very long.  At one of his baby groups there was a Mum who was also a Pediatrician, she told me that Nurofen works better for teething as it helps reduce the swelling of the gums which relives the pressure and/or pain.  So since then I've mostly stuck to Nurofen for teething pains, combined with the Ashton & Parsons but I will top up with Calpol in between Nurofen doses if he is really hurting.

5.  Ice/Frozen Fruit

When Connor was little I used to give him one of those plastic reusable ice cubes to suck and chew on.  That helped a little but it never lasted long as his mouth was so hot the ice cube would melt within minutes.  We also bought one of those food net things and put frozen grapes etc inside so he could chew them without being in danger of choking.  Now that he is bigger he gets an ice pole to help cool his gums which he quite likes.

I think Connor would definitely vouch for the Ashton & Parsons Teething Powders though as they are the first thing he goes for when his mouth is sore & he's perfectly happy to lie down on the floor and let me pour the sachet into his mouth - that says it all really.

What are your top tips for a teething baby/toddler?  Anything in particular that you swear by?  

Leave me a comment & let me know.  I'm over on Instagram too @lifeinthegingerlane  come & say hi!

xx

Connor A/W Wishlist

I love Autumn.  Since I live in Scotland & we don't get much of a summer here (maybe a week in May!) Autumn is definitely my favourite season.  What's not to love - beautiful colours everywhere you look, no excuse needed to layer up & be all cosy aaaaaand the countdown to the C word is on (sorry)! 

Since I had Connor I've loved it even more, all the cute boys clothes make me so excited to buy his Autumn/Winter wardrobe.  I thought I'd share a few bits I have my eye on for him & a some that I've already bought.  As his birthday is in September he got a few pieces from different people but I still feel the need to go & buy some extra things.  He's a typical boy and loves nothing better than running around and playing in the dirt so his clothes never last particularly long - it's always good to have a back up supply!

Zara | Joules

I really struggled to choose between these 2 jackets.  I absolutely love the parka which is from Zara, the only problem is that it isn't waterproof which is definitely a must for a Scottish autumn/winter.  The navy jacket is from Joules; I saw it in a vlog I watched a few weeks ago and totally fell in love.  I have been trying unsuccessfully for the past week to order it- it's been out of stock every single time but finally I managed to nab it last night.  I'm so excited for it to arrive & can't wait to see C in it.  I'm hoping it'll fit okay, I ordered age 2-3 as that's what he mostly wears & I've got everything crossed that we won't need to roll the sleeves up.  I swear he's like a T-Rex; long body & tiny wee arms that don't seem to grow as quickly as the rest of him! 

H&M | M&Co | H&M

These 2 jumpers are ones that he got for his birthday at the beginning of the month, they are an absolute bargain at £6.99 each!  H&M had a few other styles as well but none that were in stock in  Connors size the day I was in.  I picked the shirt up from M&Co a couple of days ago, again it was pretty cheap at £9 & I think it'll look really cute layered over the long sleeved red polo in the next picture! 

Zara | Next | Zara | Zara

We had the red polo last year in a variety of colours and it just looked really cosy, they also wash really well and hold their shape - as does the majority of Zara's stuff, I've found.  So when I saw that they were back this year obviously I had to add them to my 'Connor's Autumn Wardrobe' list.  We also have the aqua top in a mustard colour which looks really cute with the sleeves turned up to 3/4 length so again I'm just getting a few colour options.  Next have such a good range of clothes this year, I feel like they can be quite hit or miss with their boys clothes sometimes but they've definitely struck gold this year.  Connor loves dinosaurs which seem to be a prominent feature of this years A/W collection, lucky us!  However, he has loads of jumpers already and doesn't need much else so I thought we'd get this little dinosaur raglan top as you can never have too many!

Zara

Connor already has loads of jeans that he got for his birthday so he doesn't really need much in the way of bottoms this year but I just love Zara's leggings.  He hasn't had a pair for quite a while actually, he mostly lives in jeans, but I just love khaki & the camouflage pattern so when I saw these we just had to have them.  They will also match perfectly with the pair of Timberland look-a-like boots which I have ordered for him!   

So that is basically what I have in mind for Connors Autumn/Winter wardrobe.  I'm pretty sure that by the time I get around to buying this stuff there will be far more available & the list will have doubled.  Maybe I'll do a haul once I get it all in, what do you guys think?  

If you follow me on Instagram I post regularly over there - come & say hi!

xx