Blog : Little Lilypad Co

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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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Category: Reviews

  1. How much can you fit in an Orla Kiely bag?

    Posted on

    I have a love of bags (although my husband doesn't seem to have the same appreciation for the quantity of bags that I need in my life) but over the years as my collection has grown, it has become apparant that some designer bags never seem to be particularly practical for every day use. So when I got the opportunity to review the Orla Keily Midi Sling bag, I was determined to put it through its paces.

    How practical is a Orla Kiely Midi Sling Bag 

    The handy bit for mums:

    The first thing that struck me was the fabric. It is nylon and I have to admit that initially I was unsure about it but unlike other fabrics, the nylon wipes clean which is a HUGE plus when you have small sticky fingered children around. I have found that the rain also just runs off it .... a big plus for me as I am usually carrying a small child and trying to juggle an umbrella so my bag is flung over my shoulder somewhere getting soaking wet.

    Orla Kiely bag - wipe clean

    The info bit:

    • Beautiful handbag to wear for all occasions
    • Nylon bag with magnetic closure
    • Webbing handles and leather trims with logo card holder
    • Inside includes small zip pocket, key chain and mobile pocket
    • H 27 cm x W 30 cm x D 9 cm
    • Handle Length 116 cm - this adjusts too which is handy.

    Orla Kiely - room inside

    The useful bit:

    I mentioned at the top of this post that some designer bags aren't always practical but I shared this photo on Instagram the other day showing just how much room is inside the Orla Kiely bag as I could fit my purse, phone, baby wipes, hairbrush, hair grips, phone charger, perfume, notepaper and a random green balloon and there was still ALOT of room left. I could easily get a spare outfit for one of the children in there too, which is always handy with those aforementioned sticky fingered children!

    Retailing at £119.99 it is not the cheapest bag you could find to use everyday but the quality of the stiching, zips and handles shout quality and it is currently on offer at Cloggs for £80.00*, so it is a great time to grab a gorgeous bag at a discounted rate...... or if you have been a really good girl, you could just put it on your list for Father Christmas!

     

    *price correct at the 15th October 2015. I was gifted the Orla Kiely bag for the purpose of this post.

  2. How to pack "light" for the half term holiday

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    The children seem like they have only been back at school for five minutes but October half term is creeping up on us, so planning a half term get away may be a good way to cast off the autumnal blues that seem to have descended. But holiday packing can be an absolute nightmare, whether you’re sneaking off for a naughty weekend or jetting off for a fortnight with the family and the bane of baggage costs, suitcase sizes, (lets not get started on the liquid allowances) and the inevitable repacking at the check-in desk can be daunting for even the ardent traveller. This obviously doesn't apply if you are going camping, as it is important to pack all the kit for your tent, as you need them robustly built! 

    So we have put together some easy to follow steps for packing light this half term. 

    Suitcase

    1. Most of us tend to buy new clothes for our holidays but how about taking old clothes and undergarments and dispose of them each day leaving more room for momentos to bring home if you choose. It also cuts down on items that will need washing when you return.

    2. Don't bother packing towels, they take up far too much room (and weight). Most resorts have them available now but if you really insist on taking one, try the Hammamas as they have a beautiful range of turkish cotton towels, which are perfect for taking on holiday as a beach towel, or sarong. We tried one over the summer and they really are super absorbent, lightweight and fast drying, and come in a gorgeous range of colours and sizes too.

     Hammamas

    3. Think carefully about the clothes that you want to take with you and question whether you really need a different pair of shoes for every night. If you are staying in the UK, the British weather can be unpredictable but you don’t want to end up bringing everything plus the kitchen sink! Pack clothes for your holiday that you can mix and match together and make sure you bring plenty of layers.

    4. Travel size toiletries are your friend. You don't need to take the full size bottle of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and most have a travel size alternative, which is ideal if you really want to travel light by only taking hand luggage. 100ml liquid rules mean you don't want to have to leave your favourite product in the security bin in the airport.

    5. Leave the laptop behind, as well as the iphone, ipads and any other tech gadget you can think of. For computer addicts, being away from the internet’s constant flow of data for a few days recharges and relaxes you in ways that you never experience at home. Unless of course you have children who can be kept entertained on the plane with an iPad!

    6. If you are travelling with your partner, most men dont usually take hand luggage, so getting him a flight bag means that  he can keep all your travel documents in one place (over his body) and you can simply carry on to the plane. With an easy over the shoulder strap, the Spiral Flight Bags let you keep all your valuables within arm’s reach which avoids having to rummage around in your carry case or handbag every time you pass security.

    Spiro 

    7. If you can spare 10 minutes a night while you are aware to wash your socks and underwear in your hotel room, you could save a lot of space in your suitcase.

    8. Wear your heaviest clothing on the plane, like jeans and boots to travel in, you will have them with you but they won't contribute to the weight of your case!

    9. Keep your sunglasses, ear plugs, snacks, lip balm, toothbrush, hairbrush, a change of underwear, pen, and any special medicines and necessary items you need in the top of your bag or even in your hand luggage because you never know what may happen when you travel.

    10. Wheels? Do you need them on your luggage? You should consider if you want your bag or suitcase to have wheels or not. They take up lots of precious packing space and add weigh to your bag. But they are also super handy at helping to maneuver luggage through airports!

     What would you add to the list?

  3. Pregnancy Exercise : Deep Freeze Pain Relief review

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    I was determined to remain active whilst I was pregnant, although SPD slowed me down considerably in my second pregnancy but our baby blogger is now struggling with similar symptoms during her third trimester so when Britmums said that they were working with Deep Freeze Pain Relief, we knew we wanted to be involved.

     deep freeze pic

    A recent study from Deep Freeze revealed that 26 per cent of pregnant women exercise twice a week, with a further 16 per cent exercising once a week. However, of the 36 per cent of those who choose not to exercise, 20 per cent choose not to due to back pain. This is a really interesting statistic and one that both myself and Lynette, our baby blogger can relate to. Here is her story ...

     

    I have always been keen to keep myself fit and active from an early age, Having attended many clubs for exercise over the years, and taking part in different activities. When I was pregnant with our first child, I took things very easy due to a complicated start to the pregnancy. Although I tried to keep myself active, to be honest I didn't want to do anything that may cause a problem. As a result I put on a lot of weight. 

    After a 4 year gap, and getting back into a good exercise regime I am now 38 weeks pregnant with our second child. Apart from morning sickness in the first 15 weeks, I managed to keep myself very active and busy. However, as the middle of the second trimester approached, I started to suffer with pain in my middle back. I found sleeping exceptionally difficult, and sitting for long periods of time was almost impossible. As the third trimester approached, the pain had moved to my lower back and into my pelvis.

     Baby bump

    As you can see, I have a beautiful baby bump but exercise was now practically impossible and even getting in/out of bed was painful. I was extremely disappointed that I was not able to do a lot without having to rest. Exercise was a no go. Walking was a struggle, so how would I be able to go to Yoga or walking in our village, so you can imagine that I was thrilled to test the Deep Freeze Cold Patches. 

    The box contains a foil pouch which is resealable with grip seal. The pouch contains 4 patches and although they have quite a medicated smell you don't notice this once the product is applied and under clothing (although they do stay on better if you wrap something around it like a bandage). The patches are a good size and I found them easy to use, although given my discomfort it is a shame that they don't last more than a few hours as I would really like a full night's sleep before the baby arrives.

    With back pain affecting three out of four mums to be and the barrier of taking oral painkillers when pregnant being an issue, most mums to be just stop keeping active during pregnancy despite the health benefits. Thankfully, the Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Patch offers initial, effective drug-free pain relief from muscular back pain during pregnancy*, just like an ice pack, and provides long-lasting cold analgesia to the site of pain. The adhesive patch is applied simply and easily, and can be worn without restricting movement or needing to be replaced frequently to maintain the cooling effect. Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Patches are great news for muscular back pain during pregnancy. 

    As a final (and slightly humorous note) the patches have also been found to help our baby bloggers husbands back after he fell through the ceiling during their extension work on the house (I kid you not - here is the picture to prove it) and he is now a huge fan of the pain relieving properties of the Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Patch.

    Ceiling

    I'm working with BritMums and Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Patch, writing about pregnancy and muscular back pain. I was provided Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Patch and have been compensated for my time. All editorial and opinions are my own. Visit Deep Freeze for more information.

  4. Can you resist a summer sale?

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    There is no question that I love shopping and the bargain hunter in me loves sale shopping even more. In my mind, if something is half price I can buy twice as much! I am terrible when my favourite shops email me with sale notifications but I am not so much a fan of standing queuing in shops, so when Vertbaudet emailed to tell me about their BIG sale with up to 60% off, I had to go and check it out online. Surprisingly for me, I was not all about the clothes (which is most unusual) and was quite taken with their home collection, which is perfect for children's bedrooms and fantastic prices in the sale.

    Vertbaudet Sale Shopping

    Sale shopping can give you a thrill like no other, especially when you find that dress you have been coveting or a pair of shoes at a price that you simply can't resist. There are obvious pitfalls too, so here are our top tips for sale shopping!

    Do you really need it?

    Do go with a VERY level head. Yes, your eyes will be on stalks at all those reduced tickets – but with everything you pick up, consider whether you really like it. Would you have considered saving up for it if it hadn't been reduced?

    Buy bigger sizes for next year

    Children don't stop growing but that doesn't mean that you can't be savvy about their clothes. Buy bigger sizes this year in the sale and put them away for next year.

    Check the returns policy

    Clearance buys are often a great deal, but it’s important to read the fine print. Finding a top for £2 is great, but not if you can’t return it if it doesn’t fit.

    Shop online to save more

    Shopping online can sometimes means even more savings – websites like KidStart offer members money back for their children on online shopping from loads of major stores, so it is worth checking out prior to clicking buy now!

    And finally ....

    Set a budget

    It is worth making a list of the things you actually need and want to look for and decide in your mind how many more you’re prepared to buy so you have something to aim for. Getting a bargain is great but not if you can't actually afford it in the first place so set a budget and decide how much are you prepared to spend in advance.

     

    With sales popping up everywhere this summer, it is a great time to grab a bargain. Now I really must go and look at that Vertbaudet sale again ......

     SALE