The Real Life

Everyday life is always a rush, whether you have kids or not. There's always an endless list of to-do's, even to do's that are everyday chores but jotting them down and ticking them off gives so much pleasure, they still deserve paper allocation. It's questionable whether adding brushing teeth to my list can actually be counted as a to-do but I'm in the mindset that it still takes time, so why not? Problem is though; the main and most pressing to-do's get pushed back to the following day, occasionally even week (especially if it's utility bill related or weeding the front garden.) So I've made a deal with myself that I'll be more realistic with my chores, get them all done on the specified date and then no longer feel a failure for not completing 20 tasks and errands while juggling work, kids, home, husband, cooking, laundry and ironing. I'd suggest you stop beating yourself up and do the same.
Does pouring a glass of wine count?

Disruption with a capital D!!

As a beauty editor I spend a lot of my time running (literally!) from one launch to the next, so I largely rely on London transport and my legs of to get me from A to B. The latter, although not exactly in a fit state, is far more dependable and quicker than any tube or bus I've recently travelled on. The Northern Line should be renamed The Suspended Line, because nine out of ten times, it's exactly that.

Sod's law, the suspension announcement almost always comes across the tannoy just as my bank card has authorised my Oyster card top up for yet another twenty pounds.

It pains me to be running late. Call me anal, but everything I do has to be organised down to a T. Maybe it's the mother hen in me or perhaps It's because I married a German with meticulous ways. Even filing utility manuals, which I used to casually throw away in my single days, are filed alphabetically with dividers in a special filing cabinet which is again categorised by colour. Don't ask!

Though the most frustrating thing about these travel delays is you can't even blame the staff. I'd love nothing better than to rant and rave at someone, but it's not really their fault? They look sad enough. I'm not being bitchy, but have you ever been greeted by a smile from a member of the London Transport staff? Me neither.

If only I had the financial means to travel like VB, at least I'd be intentionally fashionably late.

New Kid On The Block

It's not everyday that an award-winning hairdresser opens a salon in North-West London, so when I was invited to the launch of Trevor Sorbie's new plush Hampstead premises, I managed to find childcare quicker than you can say cut and blow-dry!!

Besides the horrendous and ludicrously expensive parking, I've always loved this part of London for its village-ish style high street, the town houses, the boutique shops lurking down alleyways, the infamous creperie stall, the people-watching, but like Trevor, I knew something was missing. A stylish hairdresser that does bouncy blow-outs couldn't be better located for all the glam and cool yummy mummies that 'do lunch' at Maison Blanc or coffee at Gail's.

Step inside. The decor is white and clinical but at the same time not too cool either. The surroundings are most definitely warmed up by the super-friendly but not in-your-face staff, the type that doesn't make you feel guilty for sitting silently flicking through glossy magazines while they work their magic. And as for the bathrooms, well for me it speaks my language- donkey grey tiling set against a shiny large basin and a basket of hand towels rolled to perfection, the complete polar opposite to the bath toys, bath seats, unfolded towels and the toilet seat up that I'm used to.

With 13 chairs spread over two floors and flexible opening hours, you're almost guaranteed to get the appointment slot you want. Ask for Juan, I've never felt calmer or more relaxed in a stylists hands, perhaps it was due to his Spanish soft accent but more likely for making me feel like a VIP. Something we should all experience at least once during our child-bearing years.

Water Works

My boys love bath time, as most kids do. I put it down to all the splashing, the bath toys, the bubbles, sitting there naked and carefree, but mention hair washing day and the dynamics completely change. There's moods, there's tears, there's standing in the bath that eventually leads to slipping in the bath that leads to even more tears.

 

I've tried and tested all sorts of lotions and potions that claim to stop babies eyes from 'shampoo sting', super-duper mild formulas, organic concoctions (I don't know why but the word organic made me feel like these would definitely calm my boys) washing cups designed to stop water pouring in their eyes (they saw me coming!!) But twice a week, like Groundhog Day, we go through the same struggle for clean hair. And as a beauty editor, you can understand why shiny locks is an absolute necessity for a member of my family not just a chore. Who said boys shouldn't have lustrous hair too?

 

I was recently introduced to a new baby range Boo Boo Baby (boobooshop.com) and as a complete sucker for gorgeous packaging (all products are wrapped in gorgeous tissue paper and sealed with a Boo Boo bunny sticker) I thought I'd give their baby Very Gentle Top-to-Toe Wash, £6.99 a try. I have to admit it didn't stop the tears or the screams but their hair was squeaky clean and there was no nasty residue which meant no need for a sneaky throw of water (so a few less tears..ish) and no tangles either plus it didn't leave their skin dry and tight like some other baby bath products.

Best bit though was the bathroom smelt great too, which I'm sure you'll agree, dare I admit it, is even more important than having dirt-free toddlers.

Brush Up...literally!

I hate to add even more to your to-do lists, but if you decide and of course have the time to do any summer body prepping, my best piece of advice is to invest in a body brush.

 

You've probably read it over and over again in all the get-bikini-ready-summer-guides, but I can honestly say hand on heart, or should I say brush on thigh, it really does the trick. OK, maybe that's a tad bit overzealous. What I mean to say is, for most of us, however yummy mummy, our bikini days are long gone. If you were part of the cover-up kaftan/sarong crew pre-baby days, as I was leader, chances are post-baby days you're even more likely to wear a tummy-hold-in stupidly expensive one-piece on the beach or by the pool as well as your beloved friend, the kaftan. But less exposure should never mean less care. You deserve to feel your best even under all that light layering and pools of cleavage sweat! 

 

So, while it's still early enough before the kids break up, promise yourself, three times a week before your morning shower to get brushing (on dry skin towards the heart) pay particular attention to legs, bums and tums and don't think the harder you brush, the slimmer your silhouette, you shouldn't draw blood!  Try Aromatherapy Associates Body Brush, £12 for it's soft bristles and easy-to-grip handle.

A Quick Fix

Don't get me wrong I love the summer. Sunshine, holidays, ice cream, Frappucinos, more ice cream, golden tans, coral lips, bubblegum pink nail polish, slinging on a dress and flip-flops and you're ready to go, but personally nothing beats a fresh, crisp winters' day and the autumn/winter wardrobe that comes with it.

Maybe it's the rich colours, the heavy textures, opaque (hold-me-in) tights, lace-up boots, the huge array of scarves, hats and  gloves or maybe it's because my lumps and bumps, (the ones that are in the wrong places!) can hibernate for a few months and go completely unnoticed. Winter clothes give me that warm and comfort feeling like a baby gets when swaddled tightly for bedtime.

Thanks to Debenhams holding their A/W press day on June 1st (!!) it fed my winter addiction, that is, for the time being. A rainbow of camels, browns, turquoises, reds and of course our loyal best friend black, lined shelves and clothes rails of beautifully made designs, glossy handbags and boots galore. It was a mighty impressive collection of affordable winter deluxe from the high street.

Now all I need is to persuade my husband to summer in the Arctic!!