It’s a “grand” life for A.

With my second little, it has been quite different in so many ways. My older little was in her own crib by 2.5 months, got pumped breastmilk along with formula, and slept through the night by 3 months. My second little, however, is still in our room, gets nursed along with formula, and still has yet to sleep through the night at 8 months! 

One thing that has made the world of a difference in helping her sleep longer as a newborn is the dockatot. While we were living in London, we got the European version (where dockatot originated from) called the sleepyhead. This was seriously a godsend with sleeping in our cozy London flat and all the travels we did. We didn’t need to buy her a crib or borrow from the hotel, because this was perfect as she didn’t roll over until about 7 months. 

We enjoyed it in all the countries we visited after she was born. 

📷 loc: Limassol, Cyprus 

📷 loc: our cozy London flat

📷 loc: Heathrow airport dockatot deluxe (fits easily on the stroller!)

📷 loc: Exeter, England

Anyhow, we decided to upgrade to the Dockatot grand since she felt so secure and cozy in the deluxe. With the grand, she loves to sprawl out in it, sit up, and rest her head on the border. Hopefully, with this transition she will learn to sleep with her head at the top of the bed unlike her sister who does flips throughout the night.  We are also hoping this will ease her into the transition to her own room by 9 months. #fingerscrossed

We also took the Dockatot Grand with us to Las Vegas since we drove and it was wonderful poolside. Many compliments on how portable and comfortable she looked in it. 

So, yes Addison has a grand life with this upgrade. Check out the difference in size below. (It’s true when they say the deluxe will last your little until 8 months). 

Cheers for now and yes dockatot has been a lifesaver. #baby #musthave

Cooking Must Have.

I’m the type of person that follows the phrase – “sharing is caring.” So, when I finally got to try from a dear friend of mine in London this magic kitchen appliance I fell in love. I just knew I had to purchase one. 

Can you guess it? Nope, not the instant pot (which I LOVE as well). It’s an air fryer – not to be confused with a deep fryer. 

📷: chicken wings. Recipe – Use frozen wings and add a little bit of olive oil along with seasoning. My new favorite is with creole seasoning. 

This is amazing. I have set it out on my counter since I use it daily if not twice a day. Quick and easy to use/clean. 

📷: sweet potato wedges. Recipe – cut sweet potatoes into desired sizes. Add olive oil and seasoning into ziplock bag with the sweet potatoes. Mix and stick in freezer for more moist fries inside. No need if you like it more crispy. 

Seriously, you can cook anything with it. From raw meats (e.g. Wings, spare ribs) to cauliflower, this appliance is a must have. Or it can be just reheating foods! 

Tip – raw meats coming from the freezer taste even better since it retains the moisture. I haven’t tried with fish yet – soon enough! 

📷: corn tortilla chips almost cooked. Recipe – cut small corn tortillas into quarters. Spray some olive oil and lightly season. 

Anyhow, quick post – take a break and do a little online shopping. Cheers for now. xx

A Girl Can’t Have Enough…

Bags.

It’s a lot harder now with having 2 littles to carrying around a nice little purse, but now that we’re back in California with a car I decided it’s time to not just be a mom, but also feel nice with what we’re able to accessorize with and still be functional.

I wanted a diaper bag with a lot of compartments and leather to really feel like this is a nice bag. I also wanted one that could give you the option of being a backpack when necessary.

It took awhile, but I found my dream bag at a designer brand called Lily Jade.

Seriously, here’s why:

• Leather is so soft!

💟  P.S. sneak peek of Addison’s room – we clearly love the color grey. The London storage bins are from KaiKai&Ash – city collection.

• designs are clean/colors are lovely

• just enough compartments inside and outside the bag

• it gets better – 12 compartment tote inside the bag can be easily taken out to leave with the “grandparents” while you go out with your non-mom items!  Fear not, there are still compartments and zippers to store your goodies when the tote is removed.

💟  P.S. I have some of my favorite essentials from Bebe Au Lait (they have the cutest patterns!).  Pictured is the Muslin nightingale nursing scarf and hot air balloon wet/dry bag sitting on the Muslin moon crib sheet.

• big enough to put your laptop in as well so you don’t have to use it just as a diaper bag (or maybe your little too)

• did I mention there is a removable tote inside so if you’re the type that really wants to use your Longchamp’s bag with not enough compartments or need to make a quick bigger bag change, you are able to put a little “Lily Jade” in there for a quick transfer of your little’s necessities. How well thought out is that?
• And of course, you can wear as a backpack to be hands free. Yay!

I’ve had my Lily Jade bag for a bit now and it’s been perfect for all types of weather and adventures. Oh yes, in California we can get to the snow driving in 1.5 hours.

Cheers for now and yes, this bag is everyday perfect. #lilyjade

#musthave #inlove

Dear Littles.

Isn’t it crazy to think as parents we will help in molding them to be grown ups? We will show them our habits (the crazy ones), skills (the daily ones), and our life experiences (the ones where they’re included). I’m astonished how intuitive Abigail is to our day to day and listening to me interact and portray myself. She is almost 3 year 5 months old and tells me things I would never expect to come out of her mouth.

Top 3 in the past 24 hours:

• I have nipples, mum and dad have nipples. Mum’s has milk to feed Addison but dad doesn’t. Why don’t I have any milk?
• I want to be superman for Halloween. I am a girl. Can I still be superman?
• I like you a lot mum. I like daddy and baby Addison too (me: who else?). No one else as much. Not even Grandma.

These little things she says really makes me want to write/record to show her later but is there enough time in the day to do that?  I think I would opt to sleep since my #bellabeatleaf is telling me I need more sleep than the 3 hour average I’m getting which by the way is a gorgeous health tracker.

Anyhow, I’m inspired by a mama I met on Instagram to write letters to my littles. She writes daily letters to baby M. They’re so sweet and I know her little is going to love reading them when she can.  So, I’m going to try real hard to include some of these notes in my blog posts.

First one to my dear littles:

Dear A squared,

Abigail – I’m so sorry it has taken 3 years and 5 months to write you a note but better late than never right. You are my first and I love you so much. I may not show it as much with how sleep deprived I’ve been but you’re a shining star. You’re independent, strong willed, caring, and so loving to just name a few traits of you. I thought you would be jealous of the attention Addison is currently getting but you’ve been an amazing big sister and so helpful. I am so lucky to have a daughter like you. Just the other day you melted my heart when you said, “Mummy, I want to sit closer to you because I like you very much.” I pray you say this to me when you’re in high school or junior high. 

Addison – oh my, you are currently 54 days old and I can honestly say it has not flown by. You are keeping us on our toes from being a light sleeper to cradle cap, but I’m forever in love with you when you smile at me with your happy eyes and mouth. It has been a crazy experience having you literally pop out and I am happy with the push present you got me as I really didn’t push much for you to come into this world. You also came early and didn’t want to share your birthday with me! 

📷: Push present happy picture in the store.

My littles – for now, I hope you two will share with each other and please don’t fight. Don’t ever go to sleep upset with each other. 

Love, mama A  

Product LOVE: Mochi Kids & West Coast Beads Shop

Mama owner Amanda is too sweet just like her designs. Mochi Kids clothing is printed with 100% solvent free inks on American Apparel garments made in the USA. So, yes, they are super soft and toddler approved!

Mama owner Laura from Canada is amazing! She specializes in functional and baby friendly teething necklaces. Yay! My toddler loves wearing them and I know they are safe on her with the safety clasp. I found her because I originally thought West Coast meant California not Canada.

#shopsmall

📷: clearly sisters. Do they look like me?

📷: omg baby acne & cradle cap. 😢😓 Any remedy recommendations PLEASE?

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. Maybe you will have some noodles now! xx

Travel Bug is Back.

Baby Addison hit 6 weeks and we wanted a weekend getaway from London so we decided to go to Devon (about a 4 hour drive from central London – can be more with the painful traffic out of the city).

As now a family of 4, I started thinking early on what to pack for a 2 night trip with a newborn and 3 year old (I can’t forget myself too, but I did forget hub’s toiletries – apparently as wife you’re suppose to remember to bring his shaver and hair gel).

Newborn

• nappies
• wet wipes
• 4 outfits
• hat
• face towel
• nail clippers (oh so important at this stage!)
• sleep accessories (e.g. sound maker, sleepyhead, blankets/swaddles)
• Nuby bottles & pump

3 year old

• 3 outfits
• 3 undies & socks
• outerwear (something with a hood) and a scarf
• 1 pair of shoes
• pajamas & indoor slippers (once the weather is colder, they’re usually freshly picked moccasins to pack easily)
• blankie (I always bring a muslin blankie as they’re compact and makes my little feel at home)
• toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, face towel, lotion, shampoo, body wash, sunscreen)

And can you believe all of the above fit into our BabyBeau diaper bag?  This diaper bag has it all and its so stylish in grey.  One of the most unique qualities it has is the extra layer (silky soft material) inside to take out and wash should something spill inside the bag. Good thinking!

Furthermore, if you take out the extra layer to clean, there is still another zippered side pocket to put accessories in or if you just don’t want these compartments in the bag. I would probably put my ipad/laptop in this area with the extra layer if I didn’t use it as a weekend bag.

Compartments – there are also just enough compartments to find things quickly in BabyBeau. The 4 side compartments are soft on the hands when you’re sifting through the bag and a nice addition that it can be taken out easily should you just want to pack something that doesn’t need to be separated.

The diaper bag also came with a nice diaper changing pad (that didn’t actually fit in with BOTH my kiddos things) and insulated bottle holder – both lovely accessories to match the bag.  Inside the bag, there is also a detachable zippered pouch for small items (e.g. mommy items, snacks).

I would have to say this bag is definitely well thought out and can transition with your family and doesn’t even have to be called a diaper bag, but a weekend bag due to its size (to note, I wouldn’t call the bag lightweight, but hey – it’s canvas with leather).

BabyBeau Isabelle can be compacted to look smaller with the hooks on both sides of the bag. The bottom of the bag also has the 4 metal balls so the material isn’t touching sometimes dirty floors.

We travel light and only bring necessities, but we’re also lucky in that we (and the kids) don’t have special products that we can’t live without besides now the MiaMily hipster carrier.– a practical carrier where you can run some errands in and not have to bring a diaper bag as well. YAY!

We used ours for the first time this weekend and LOVE it. I didn’t have the original MiaMily carrier and used the Ergo with baby #1 so here are my thoughts.

• Infant insert is so soft and perfect size for my 6 week old to keep her nice and secure in there.  There are 2 snaps to adjust as your infant grows
• Carrier material is easy to clean and I was wearing a tank top so it didn’t hurt my shoulders or arms (no marks on me – it is also fall here in England so no feedback on hot weather, but for babe there is mesh lining inside which can be zippered down to be more breathable).
• Shoulder and waist straps are easy to clip together and velcro can be adjusted easily.
• Amazing feature is the zippered pouch below the seat of babe to put accessories in (e.g. bottle, diaper, phone, keys, snack) for some errands instead of bringing a bag. There is also a side mesh pouch to put a phone at – wow, MiaMily thought of everything!

Any cons you might be thinking? I would have to say – hot, humid weather may be rough with the carrier and babe in it since the carrier isn’t a cotton material.  Another thing is that it doesn’t fold into a super compact size, but it does come with a travel bag that can also fit the infant insert in it.

We chose to stay at an Airbnb for the weekend and found the cutest place – The Lakehouse. Our place overlooked our own little lake and it was so peaceful minus Addison crying a lot. The owner also had sheep, alpacas, pigs, and dogs which absolutely made Abigail’s weekend to play and see them. Beautiful countryside property and would highly recommend (one thing – bring your own toiletries, none provided).

These alpacas were insanely cute and soft.

Daddy and daughter selfie with the pigs (piglets in the back too).

We were going to do a baby animal petting zoo for Abigail’s 4th birthday, but seeing her with the cockapoos, probably not.

The property. – this building was a Roman bathhouse back in the day.

We also checked out the town before we left back to London in our Joovy. Abigail LOVES to roll in this as she can also keep a close eye on her baby sister. This double stroller is definitely more suitable in a spacious setting like here. Big perks – super smooth wheels, can put a car seat on it, and kickboard for toddler to stand on built in.

Loved our much needed weekend getaway and looking forward to our next adventure in October.

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. xx

The Rollercoaster Ride of Being a Mum.

Seriously, it’s been a roller coaster ride getting this breastfeeding down. The art of supply and demand with production of milk is definitely a work in progress and it has been rough with engorged and clogged milk ducts (thankfully, no mastitis).

I didn’t give much of a try to nursing my first and opted to pump and supplement with formula as I didn’t have much milk after a month.  Now I understand why I didn’t have much – the contact with nursing seems to be play a huge factor to building your milk production.  The sounds (cries) my babe makes now even causes my boobs to tingle and milk come out! WHOA, our body is crazy on what it does. 😯

This time around I decided my goal was to nurse and pump to maintain my sanity in saving time on cleaning/sterilizing the pump and bottles (Ok, I’m being lazy but that’s like 10 minutes of extra sleep in!).  My hubs is thinking the big savings on not spending money on formula. 💲💲

Pumping 

I decided to get a new pump because I wanted it to be smaller/travel friendly.  With all the research I did, I opted for the Nuby Natural Touch Digital Electric Breast Pump based on the size and how it looked.

• 💟 After using it this past week – I’m in love for the following reasons: 
  • simple to use (on/off) with 5 settings for suction and speed.
  • stimulation and expression functions to get the let-down going and then express function starts automatically to get the milk in the bottle (you can continue watching that show with no interruptions)!
  • small and portable (I think you can get a battery pack for it as well)
  • EASY to clean/sterilize (so important)
  • suction for the boob is made of silicone so it’s comfortable! yay for our boobs!

Did you know?

Nûby is the UK’s No.1 teether and No.2 cup brand (source: IRI 52 w/e 16.06.15) and has won numerous prestigious awards including Mother&Baby, Practical Parenting, Prima Baby and Loved by Parents for Newborn Feeding, Drinking, Teething & Toys which are all independently tried and tested and voted for by parents themselves. Nûby provides high quality, innovative products that are inspired by nature and make the lives of babies and parents easier, simpler and more fun.

OK, so one of the bigger questions I had was when can I introduce the pacifer to the babe since I was scared she would get confused on how to latch on?  Addison didn’t have to wait too long (approx. 2 weeks old) to get a pacifier, so of course, we got an adorable clip to go with her paci.

Product LOVE: Blue Brontide

• This amazing mama run shop of organic baby accessories has handmade products in her England studio along with eco friendly sourced products. Super cute and an one stop shop to sustainable accessories. 

📷: Organic dummy/pacifier clip by Blue Brontide

And when you get one present to a little, you have to give the first little something as well.  We decided to do breakfast in bed this past Sunday with her since she told me that Addison and I were always in bed drinking milk. 😜

📷: Fruit in bed with 2 adorable products sold by Blue Brontide:

• Wooden rabbit plate 
• Bunny placement – love this, so easy to clean and keeps your sheets clean and your table! 

📷: So in love with using wood products (as you can tell!). Don’t forget – I partnered with Jord Watches to run a GIVEAWAY where one winner will receive a $75 gift card and every ENTRANT will automatically receive a $20 gift card toward any watch. 

Cheers for now and thanks for reading! xx

That’s My Sleepyhead.

Product LOVE: Sleepyhead / Dockatot

Oh wow, all the hype about the sleepyhead / dockatot rings true – I’m a believer now that it really creates a magic portable bed for my newborn to sleep soundly in.

FYI: the Sleepyhead is what it is called in Europe (and also where it originated) and Dockatot is the USA name. 

We got the Sleepyhead Deluxe and it’s perfect for our cozy little London flat as we only have 2 bedrooms. Who needs another crib when you can use this to approximately 8 months.  If you would like to see our flat/episode from House Hunters International, I finally got it posted on my website under sprinkles.  The hilarious bit now is seeing the comments that people post on there – so “kind” behind a screen, I must say. 😯

Anyhow, I want to note a couple things about the Sleepyhead and the already noticeable personality differences between the girls that make this product work for our family of four. 

• My first loved her Rock n’ Play and being patted and rocked. Addison just wants to be held and not moved so Sleepyhead is perfect for her.
• Addison was breeched until 38 weeks so I think being in this “womb” like pod is ideal as she absolutely loves being swaddled where Abigail hated it.
• We realized from our travels with Abigail that we need to get a travel cot that is compact and light and not have to create a baby bed with a now extremely active toddler. The Sleepyhead fits perfectly what we are looking for. It is mobile to be in the flat and out. It will be easy to use for bed sharing, play pod, tummy time, sleep positioner, etc. 
• With the tight quarters in our London flat, we have utilized all the space so having this has made it easier for us to move our newborn around quickly (but not with her in it!) and find a spot for her to sleep peacefully without a million kisses from her sister. 😘

Muslin swaddle blankets LOVE to small shops (pictured above photo). 

• Small Stuff – based in the UK with limited edition clothes and products for our little bears. This mama picks the cutest things.  We love our monochrome goodies from her at an affordable price.  
• The Bobbin Belle – based in Florida, USA. Handmade blankets on my favorite Muslin material. This mama customizes and has so many colors to choose from (newest is oombre). I wish she has blankets in adult size! 

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. 

If you’re toying with the idea of getting a sleepyhead / dockatot, I would say hands down, “donut” worry, you won’t regret this purchase! 

♥️ Addison

In 37 Minutes.

Disclaimer: May be just a sprinkle of TMI but a wonderful surprise comes along with a giveaway at the end. 😯

How quickly it can fly by when you’re in pain but you keep thinking, “Is baby Addison ok in there after baking for almost 39 weeks?”

The adrenaline rush is insane.

📷 : The birthing story.

We will just go with the day of Addison’s arrival into the world of adventures and jetsetting around the world with the family. 

The contractions started around 5pm but I really didn’t think anything of it since I was comparing this pregnancy with Abigail (I had contractions yet wasn’t dilated for well over 24 hours). After about a hour, I started wondering if maybe this was different and told the hubs cooking a scrumptious dinner of Korean food which is hard to come by in London. I told him we should probably go after dinner just to see what’s going on since I heard all these horror stories of waiting around for ages to get a bed.  He agreed.  About a hour later, the contractions started getting much more painful and I timed it at about 1 min each and less than 4 minutes apart. Hmm, I think that I may be in labor.  I calmly told hubs, my mom, and Abigail that I need to go to the hospital now. 

We called Uber (wish we had a car in London) and it promptly came at 6:28pm. 

UCLH – Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, here we come. We got to the hospital at 6:43pm and I was in pain. We both seem to have forgotten exactly where to go again and the halls were pretty empty along with the swinging double doors needing to be rung to be buzzed in.

Finally, got to the correct unit and the receptionist asked me for an urine sample. “OMG – urine in a cup at this time?! I painfully walked what seemed like a mile down the hallway and made it back (almost tossing the urine at the receptionist for making me do this).  

Shortly, Evelyn, a super sweet nurse, took me to a room and that’s when it became a blur.

Starting with umm, I think I’m in a labor, uhh I think I’m going to have it now. Ow, I can’t hold it. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Huh? Breathe, don’t scream? What, I can’t have the baby on this bed, we have to go somewhere else?!!! WHAT!!!

Anyhow, Evelyn was a goddess.  Super calm and quickly got things executed.

• Called all the right people the 1st time around
• Got a labor & delivery room
• Called for a midwife to be there to deliver baby
• Wheeled us downstairs or upstairs (not sure) while I thought I was peeing in the wheelchair
• Set up the room and kept telling me I can’t deliver just quite yet.

In the room, Evelyn kept relaying to me to breath and wait for the midwife (with NHS, you get whoever is on shift as with your midwife appointments throughout your pregnancy). Seemed like a decade, but Chloe the midwife arrives (first impression – looks REALLY young) and they catch each other up and she starts saying that I’m healthy maybe I want to sign some papers to donate my cord to the bank.

HELLOO ladies, I think I think I’m going to push NOW…and this part becomes the real blur that hubs has to fill in.

He said I told them I had to go to the bathroom first but changed my mind and said my water is breaking. Barely made it to the delivery bed (while they still wanted to check my blood pressure) and baby was already crowning once my pants came off (who needs to waste a hospital gown?). 😜

They gave me gas by the bed (I thought it was just oxygen to tell me to just remember to breathe) and I pushed and out popped the head. A couple more pushes while I was thinking “just think you’re pooping” and out came baby Addison. It was crazy that I felt the hands and feet coming out. 

All I can remember saying is, “How come she’s not crying?” and then it came:

” Wahhh!”

📷 : Time into the world, Addison. 7:20pm @ 7.1 pounds & 19 inches, August 13, 2016.

I still can’t believe the record time I arrived into the hospital to delivery of baby Addison at 7:20pm. 37 minutes to be precise and I have #jordwatches and #uber to thank for that.

Why Jord Watches? This is my 2nd watch in my lifetime of nice watches and I love the choice I made. The bigger face plate makes it much easier to see the time while one is a state of pain. I love how the watch is automatic – no worries about changing the batteries, yay!  This particular rose gold watch is made of a Koa wood (a species native to Hawaii – sold me on feeling relaxed and at ease). I got it on that Saturday so I was happily wearing it and my hubs was telling me this would be our 5 year anniversary present since it is “wood” this year.

Anyhow, as cheesy as I am, I thank Jord Watches for keeping me at ease and a watchful eye on the time to the birth of Addison. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to capture pictures of it in the labor room – may be a bit much. lol.

So, I partnered with Jord Watches to run a GIVEAWAY where one winner will receive a $75 gift card and every ENTRANT will automatically receive a $20 gift card toward any watch.

Enter the GIVEAWAY here .

📷 : Cora Koa & Rose Gold Jord Watch 

📷 : Cora Koa & Rose Gold Jord Watch 

Cheers for now, enter the giveaway (click this giveaway link), and more to come on the experience after the birth! xx

Ladies Wood Watch
//www.woodwatches.com/widget-article/ajangsley

36 Weeks Pregnant.

My hubs always says it is only 9 months and I always have to correct him and say it’s actually 40 weeks which is 10 months of sacrifices. 🙄

Pregnancy the second time around has been a little bit more relaxing as I’m not stressing about everything and I feel I know what to expect when baby girl #2 comes. One thing I’ve been really focused on is making sure I’m showering lots of love and attention to my first – Abigail. 😘  We talk about baby sister a lot and what she will share and help me with to what she cannot eat or play with yet. It’s crazy at 3 years and 3 months what she remembers from these “deep” conversations we have. Love it.

We’ve been getting happy mail post for both her and baby so I always want her to feel extra special when mail is for her and she gets to wear it first.  She loves when I tell her baby sister gets it as a “hand me down.”

She loved happy mail post from Hatley since she adores wearing dresses and twirling like a ballerina or just busting a groove with finally good London weather (well one day at least). So, we have been going around town and just spending mummy and daughter time. ♥️

I fell in love with Hatley for the bright colors and adorable prints and even more in love when I read their about us page. They support an orphanage in India called Open Door Mercy Home Trust – home to 22 boy and girls. How amazing to know they are doing this as giving back to the community is high on my agenda with my children books as well.

📷: Oh, Hatley you can even make my little dance in a smock dress.

📷: How cute is this blouse? She loves the horses and silver stripes on it. #toddlerapproved #hatley

📷: Superstar status

📷: This dress was hands down her favorite as she loves strawberries and pink. We’re on the Millennium bridge heading back home from Tate Modern.

📷: Fall collection is coming soon so be sure to keep an eye out for Hatley that also gives back – my kind of shop. ♥️♥️

Mamas & Papas – what else do you do in preparation for the soon to be expired only child status? I would love to hear! xx

LOOKBOOK BELOW
I just couldn’t resist taking more pictures with these adorable prints from Hatley. They have women’s clothing as well and some are perfect for twinning with your little!  LOVE.

Cheers for now and don’t forget to stop and enjoy life’s little things (like lavender). 😎

Relaxing with Lavender.

Ah, the smell of lavender and the oils it produces. It helps in relaxing your mind and muscles. I’m hoping it will do the same for me at now 36 weeks pregnant with gestational diabetes. I know there have been articles about the safety of oils and after reading on babycenter, I decided it would be ok as I’m well into my 3rd trimester and it says it helps with lowering blood pressure (mine is a tad high 😟)

📷: She’s so ready for baby sister to come – loves to giver her hugs and kisses daily. Also, wearing the #upsiebelly by Belly Bandit here – so helpful for this big ‘ole belly of mine and walking we did.

We headed out with another family to go to Mayfield Lavender Farm (1.5 hours away) on a gorgeous London day so it was worth the trip out to the “burbs.” I will note we went on a weekend and it was pretty packed so getting nice photos in can take a bit of time (it’s also quite a tourist spot with people dressing up to take pictures in the fields).

A couple things to note:

• Fat bumblebees galore in the fields but they’re pretty occupied with the lavender so don’t bother you. 🐝

• Sitting at the tables (only place to really sit) means you purchase cafe/bbq from the farm. No picnicking. Don’t worry, the food is good! They even have homemade lavender ice cream which I heard was really tasty.
• Take the £2 tractor ride (sit on the right side when you enter to take pictures with lavender in the background) and if you’re real nice, the driver can drop you off on the other side and there are some greater photo opportunities with taller lavender.
• Kids can have fun looking for beetle bugs (green bugs) with the jars.

📷: Beetle hunting. Mission failed. They found bumblebees & snails instead. 🐝🐌

More on lavender (you can even make your own lavender oil from this informative read)

📷: On a mission to make her own lavender.

Product LOVES: A in one of her gorgeous dresses from this amazing shop: Ele Story 👀 She wil have mommy and daughter twinning dresses soon (Tutus already) which I can’t wait to get!

Of course, it’s not complete without a bow from this amazing shop with very well made bows (we vouch for the clips since that’s the only thing A will wear).  Mia Heartmade 💟

Last thing before signing off – happy birthday to my Dad. We miss you everyday & the real reason we came to the lavender fields. ♥️