Fashion: Blooming Beautiful Boden

The lovely people at British brand Boden very kindly sent my lucky lady a big bag of beautiful things recently. 

Pretty packages filled with beautiful clothes

She's still a little bit too tiny to wear the clothes, but is already getting great use out of the blankets and bibs. Here are some of the gorgeous items we received.

Dribble Bibs BUY HERE

Super soft cotton and towelling bibs in a delicate star and forest animal print perfect for mopping up baby dribbles.

Denim dress BUY HERE

This adorable dress comes with a super sweet striped top. I plan on putting this with some navy tights in the winter.

Pyjama set and blanket BUY HERE

A cute bed time outfit with the lovely forest animal print. I especially like the gender neutral colours of cream, grey and yellow, perfect for a little boy or girl. This reversible blanket (one side stripes, one side forest animal print) is ideal for a cot or pram and would make an ideal gift for new parents.

Pyjama set BUY HERE

How adorable are these pyjamas! These are so soft to the touch and I love the pale blue with pink bow colour-way. I'd actually like a pair myself!

Body suit BUY HERE

With the sweetest collar, ruffle shoulder detail and picot lace edging this body suit will look great layered under a dress or dungarees. 

Body suit, hat and blanket BUY HERE

I love a stripe and I've got a feeling my little lady will too! This little body and hat in grey and cream are perfect for layering.

Cardigan BUY HERE

This cute cashmere blend cardigan comes in four different colours. I love the patch pockets and the contrasting velvet trim.

 Thank you Boden for being so kind!

S&T x

Style - Topshop Haul

I did a little smash and grab in Topshop last week. All the new season clothes are starting to fill the rails but you can also bag a bargain, as I did, from the sale rail. Here's what I got.

Dress £46 from Topshop BUY HERE, Shoes from Zara

Dress details

I first saw this dress in cream but sadly it sold out before I could add it to my wardrobe. The black version will work well as summer transitions into autumn. The Victoriana trend for next season is covered with the high neckline, sheer fabric  and embroidered detail. I've paired it with simple pointed toe flat shoes, but when the weather gets colder I'll toughen the look with ankle boots and a leather biker jacket.

Culottes £36 from Topshop BUY HERE, Shirt and shoes from Zara

I finally have a waistline again post-pregnancy and am happy to show it off with these high waisted culottes. If you're scared of culottes and think they won't suit you these are incredibly flattering on the belly and backside, so give them a try. I love the undone hem as it allows you to dress them up with heels without looking to 'done' and also dress them down with trainers.

Dress £10 from Topshop, Bag £14.99 from H&M BUY SIMILAR HERE, Sandals from Kurt Geiger

I first tried this dress on when I was pregnant but the bump made it too short. Now that I'm no longer smuggling a water melon it is the perfect length. And to make it even more appealing I managed to get it in the sale for a purse pleasing £10. Wahoo!

Beauty: Tips From The Pros - Alice Theobald

Alice Theobald is one of the loveliest hair and make up artists I've had the pleasure of working with. Plus she has the most infectious laugh ever! After graduating from The London College of Fashion Alice has enjoyed a meteoric rise within the industry working with super models, celebrities and royalty. Her impressive client list includes Princess Beatrice of York, Jodie Kidd and Lindsay Lohan to name a few. She has worked for titles including Vogue China, The Sunday Times Style and Red. Alice also regularly works on a number of well loved TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Lorraine and The Graham Norton Show. Alice has kindly agreed to share her industry insider top tips with Sunshine & Stripes. Take it away Alice!

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation £36.50 BUY HERE

My must have foundation is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I love its versatility!  Sometimes I mix it with ARK Maintain Replenishing Moisturiser for a sheer natural finish, or I simply apply it straight from the pump to the face.  There is a wide colour range which is perfect for my clientele. 

MAC Studio Finish SPF35 Concealor £15.50 BUY HERE

I have lots of concealors in my kit, however I always go back to MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealor. You can build it up for total coverage or blend it out for a more subtle finish. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish £24 BUY HERE

I love a sheen to my powders and MAC do a great Mineralize range which provides this. I need the skin to look fresh not caked and this delivers! 

Clinique Contouring Palette £28 BUY HERE

When it comes to blusher I am loving Clinique's contouring palette in defining nudes. I use the lightest tone to highlight the cheek bone, the darkest shade to sculpt and the peachy tone on the apple of the cheek for a summery glow.

ARK Skin Protector SPF30 Primer £36 BUY HERE

I love ARK Skin Protector SPF30 primer. It is suitable for all skin types and ages. It lightly moisturises the skin, protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays to prevent premature ageing and creates a good base for makeup.

Essie Nail Polish £7.99 BUY HERE

For colour choice and salon quality, I always choose Essie for nails. I especially rate the all-in-one 3 way, which acts as a primer, top coat and strengthener.

Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak £25 BUY HERE

For hair to look it's best I believe it has to be nourished with great shampoo and conditioner specific to your hair type. I use Kerastase Bain Oleo Relax and Kiehl's Sunflower Deep Recovery Pak to revitalise my locks. When your hair is in great shape the styling is much easier.

ARK Nourishing Body Lotion £19.50 BUY HERE

Body product wise the ARK Nourishing Body Lotion is my hands down favourite, I couldn’t live without it. It contains shea butter, coconut oil, sea oak and silk proteins to soothe dry or sensitive skin. I use it on photo shoots to give skin a beautiful sheen.

ARK Plumping Lip Balm £19.50 BUY HERE

I love ARK plumping lip balm. It's a great base for any lip makeup and great for guys as it doesn't leave a shiny finish. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara £19.50 BUY HERE

Benefit's They're Real Mascara, is my current favourite as it lengthens, separates and adds volume due to the specially designed wand.

Lalique White £69 BUY HERE

As a makeup artist smelling fresh is essential so I couldn't live without perfume. I have a small collection which I use to enhance my mood. I'm currently spritzing Lalique White which is fresh, floral but with a hint of musk. 

For any hair and make-up lessons, bookings for events or wedding packages please go to www.wonderlandhairandmake-up.co.uk or email atwonderland@icloud.com joy@joygoodman.com @Alice_Theobald

Images: John Lewis, Boots, Liberty, ARK

Fashion: Mad For Mango

Mango has been a favourite with the fashion set for a few seasons now, largely due to the Spanish brands' ability to execute catwalk designs with great attention to detail and at reasonable price points. I've never had much luck in store, however now that I no longer have the bump and in search of some summery pieces to add to my wardrobe (although summer seems to have ended now...boo!) I thought I'd flick through the sale online. Unexpectedly I discovered so many gorgeous pieces that my online shopping bag was soon full to the brim.  Plus there's free shipping when you spend over £50 and free returns making the experience very calm and pleasant. This week is the last week of the sale and there's still loads left so go forth and shop!

Here's a round up of what I purchased. 

Dress £13.99 from Mango BUY HERE, Sandals from Next BUY SIMILAR HERE, Bag from Anya Hindmarch, Necklace £35 from Whistles BUY HERE

A flattering loose fitting dress with a dropped hem and front pockets. I wore this on a job recently and 2 ladies at the shoot purchased it! It works in summer with bare legs and sandals but when the weather gets colder I'll pair it with tights, ankle boots and a khaki jacket.

Blouse £17.49  from Mango BUY HERE, Jeans from Topshop BUY SIMILAR HERE, Shoes from Marks & Spencer

This blouse has delicate embroidery details and fine fringing. It works perfectly with khaki and denim.

Dresses £13.99  from Mango BUY HERE, Sandals from Zara

This dress was so good I bought it in 2 colours! I can imagine myself slipping it over a bikini before heading to the beach for a day in the sun. That's probably not going to happen this year due to the new baby, but I'll be packing these dresses away in my summer box ready for next year.

Skirt £17.49 from Mango BUY HERE, T-shirt £12.95 from Gap BUY HERE, Sandals from Next BUY SIMILAR HERE

I felt my wardrobe was missing a short summery skirt. I didn't want anything too flowy or too feminine so this geometric print in jacquard is ideal. It's a flattering height, sitting just a few inches above the knee and is slightly a-line in cut. When the weather cools a little I'll wear it with a grey sweater.

Let me know if you score any bargains!

In My Bag

Now that I'm getting my waistline back after popping out the baby I've enjoyed catching up on some shopping and I'll be posting some of those outfits soon. Here are some other items that have made it into my bag recently.

Initial Ring by Daisy Jewellery £37 BUY HERE

I already have these initial rings for mine and my boyfriends' name, so I've added a T for my baby girl Tabitha. 

Earrings by Z for Accessorize £12 BUY HERE

Zara Simon's Z for Accessorize range of delicate boho jewellery is an inexpensive collection of gorgeous pieces that look way more expensive than they are. I purchased these little dangly earrings with semi precious stones to wear with summery dresses and boho blouses. I'm also loving this bracelet, this tinny tiny necklace and this star ring.

Jute bag by H&M £14.99 BUY SIMILAR HERE

I found this bag in the home wear department on a recent trip. It's incredibly roomy and the straps are a great length making it the ideal beach bag. Plus it's incredibly cheap! I can't find the exact one on the website but have included the link to something similar.

Geometric print cushions by Conran at Marks & Spencer £19.50 BUY HERE

I saw these cushions in store about a year ago but the grey version sold out before I could get my hands on them. Thankfully a new shade of grey has been released so I snapped them up. They are an excellent price point, a good size, well stuffed and have really jazzed up my sofa. They also come in pink and grey and yellow and grey.

Rabbit and cat wooden photo frames £6.99 each by H&M BUY HERE

 I'm finally getting round to decorating the nursery (bad parent I know!) and found these super cute frames that will work perfectly in the room with mine and her Daddy's faces in them.

Black denim shorts £17.99 and white denim shorts £15.99 both from Gap BUY HERE and HERE

My denim boyfriend shorts that I purchased from Gap last year are a staple in my summer wardrobe, I wear them weekly and have them in lots of different colours but was missing out on black and white. These are excellent value as they're in the sale. When buying go down a size as they tend to stretch.

Beauty Review: Avoiding Stretch Marks

As soon as I found out I was pregnant on that cold winter day back in December I decided to slather myself in oils and creams in the hope of preventing stretch marks. From that day forward I applied different potions religiously twice a day. My diligence seems to have paid off, there's not a stretch mark in sight despite my boobs doubling in size within the first 2 weeks and my belly, butt and thighs growing steadily for the duration of my pregnancy. Admittedly giving birth to my little lady prematurely meant the skin didn't have to accommodate a massive bump, but I'd like to give some credit to the products I used as well. 

Bio Oil 60ml £5.99 BUY HERE

 When I knew I had a bun in the oven I immediately added Bio Oil to my shopping list, well if it's good enough for Kim Kardashian! Plus it's won 242 skincare awards and all my pregnant girlfriends recommended it. It contains calendula, lavender and rosemary along with vitamin A and E to moisturise and rejuvenate the skin. It's a light oil that glides on easily meaning I didn't have to use much to cover my expanding figure. It didn't sink into the skin easily though so I'd use it at night for fear of damaging my daytime outfits. Unfortunately the smell is quite synthetic and in the early days of pregnancy I just couldn't stomach it.

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter £13.95 BUY HERE

This was the only cream I used on the bump during pregnancy. It's a rich and thick formula that needs a bit of effort to rub in, but it's non-greasy and my skin absorbed it easily so I used this in the morning before getting dressed. It contains hydrating shea butter, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil to keep the skin supple and toned. It has the delicious and subtle scent of honey, has no artificial fragrances and contains 99% natural ingredients. Post pregnancy this has become important to me as when I'm breast feeding or doing skin to skin with my little lady I don't want anything riddled with chemicals to come into contact with her skin. Therefore I've happily been applying this cream to my arms, chest and belly post pregnancy safe in the knowledge that she won't react to it.

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil £40 BUY HERE

This product is Clarins' best selling body oil and it's easy to see why. Slathering it on was like having a spa treatment at home as it's a deliciously rich oil with a fabulous botanical scent that I found instantly relaxing. It contains 100% pure plant extracts of rosemary, geranium and mint paired with moisturising hazelnut oil. Clarins claim the oil tones and improves skin suppleness while preventing stretch marks. It can also be used post pregnancy to tone and firm the skin. As it is rather pricey I've been mixing the oil with another body lotion since giving birth. The only con with this fantastic oil is the packaging. I wish it had a pump dispenser or a smaller pouring hole. I always end up pouring out too much or dribbling some down the side of the glass bottle and it's too expensive to waste like that! 

Dr Hauschka Blackthorn Body Oil £20.50 BUY HERE

This oil isn't specifically made for stretch marks, however the blend of blackthorn blossom and birch leaves extract coupled with jojoba oil and sunflower oil keeps the skin incredibly supple and hydrated. The formula is luxuriously thick but it absorbs easily leaving behind a fresh woody, herby scent that lingers on the skin. However the smell isn't offensive and didn't increase my nausea, I actually found it quite refreshing. It's free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives and is vegan. This oil is a little pricey but is incredibly luscious and when pregnant was a much appreciated indulgence to apply to my skin after wallowing in the bath after a long day.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil £6.66 BUY HERE

I started using this oil towards the end of my pregnancy when the anti-sickness drugs I was taking kicked in, so the pungent chocolate smell didn't make me want to put my head down the toilet. But if smelling like a bar of Dairy Milk is appealing (and it is to me post pregnancy) then you'll love this. This multi-tasking oil tackles scars, dry skin and ageing along with stretch marks. It contains rosehip and sesame oil to rejuvenate and moisturise along with vitamin E and cocoa butter to help maintain skin elasticity. The pump dispenser made application non-messy and the oil absorbed easily without leaving my skin feeling too greasy. I used it after a shower when my skin was a little damp to lock in more moisture. Post pregnancy I'm using it on my legs when I'm wearing a skirt or shorts as it adds a lovely sheen to my skin. A great bargain buy, but smell it before you buy.

Life Lately: New Arrival

Apologies for the complete and utter lack of blogging of late. Working lots, coupled with crippling never ending pregnancy sickness and fatigue meant I could barely function.

At the end of June I travelled to Scotland for a photo shoot on what was to be my last job before I went on maternity leave. The baby however had different plans. On day 3 of the 5 day photo shoot my waters broke (in the Royal Suite at Gleneagles no less!) and 12 hours later on July 1st, my baby girl arrived. She clearly wanted to be Scottish!

Baby Girl Tabitha

Her and I then spent 2 weeks in hospital up in Scotland while she got bigger and stronger and I tried to do everything that I had planned to organise during my maternity leave. Thank goodness for online shopping and understanding customer service staff!

Leaving Scotland

After a nerve wracking 500 mile drive home we arrived back in London and have been living in a new mummy/sleep deprived/baby bubble ever since.

Entering England

I'm finally getting back into my groove and learning to do stuff with one arm while she takes naps in the other. So in an attempt to allow myself to think about things other than baby schedules, poop and boobie juice I'm resuming the blog...but forgive me if the posts are sporadic, I'm completely at my little lady's beck and call.

Welcome to the world Tabitha.

Tiny Tabs...she'll grow into these by next summer!