How I Lost My Baby Weight

Now let's get one thing straight I'm not here to tell anyone they need to lose their baby weight or how to do it, being a new mum is tiring and pressure laden enough without having to think about any sort of weight loss (FYI I'm SO anti diets). Just how every child is different, all bodies are different too and I'm purely speaking about my own personal experience. Mini disclaimer aside let's get going....

I gave birth to Sadie via emergency Caesarean on the 28th of June 2015 and it's easily taken me a year to get back to the weight I was pre Sadie. As a bit of background I've always been someone who lives by the 80/20 rule, eating healthy 80% of the time and having a burger, piece of cake or other naughty treat 20% of the time yet when I was pregnant this pretty much went out of the window. I ate whatever I fancied. Sadly the baby weight doesn't disappear as soon as the stork delivers your baby, why does no one tell you this? Once Sadie arrived I can't say I was thrilled about my new body shape but my beautiful baby girl helped push aside my body woes (not completely, I still had rubbish moany days, just ask Craig) as I concentrated on my new bundle of joy. I'm pleased to say I took to breastfeeding (don't beat yourself up if you don't) and this certainly helped me lose weight but the last stone was a struggle. Fast forward to four weeks before our wedding and the determination to reach the final furlong was real.

(Picture on left from Pinterest)

I firstly enlisted the help of George, a personal trainer who focuses on new mums. Now personal training isn't the cheapest option out there so I'd also suggest exercise groups fit for new mums, there's an abundance in Sheffield so I'm sure there's lots all over the country. For me exercising was key, I actually feel a lot more toned now then I ever was before. After exercising I always have a protein shake to repair and help my muscles recover more quickly and after 'borrowing' the husbands for far too long I've now got my own in the shape of BodyLabs Tasty Shake Total Protein Complex in Classic Vanilla* which is endorsed by the one and only Jennifer Lopez, who has one of the best bods out there. Unlike many protein shakes on the market this is designed by women for women and aims to promote lean muscles, burn fat and boost energy. Now usually I just stick a scoop of whatever protein powder's lying around into my NutriBullet, throw in some almond milk, a banana and some peanut butter (sometimes a bit of raw cacao if I'm feeling fancy and go) but I've also tried the BodyLab offering as it suggests mixing with just water and drinking (then the blend is only 80 calories) and and it's nowhere near as artificial tasting as the other protein powders I've tried. I can't even stomach the ones Craig drinks with just milk or water so this is an achievement in its self. It's still early days in the testing process but so far JLo you get a thumbs up from me.

With exercise covered I turned my attention to food, now I'm never normally one to advocate cutting out anything, especially as I'm not one for diets but what helped leaps and bounds weeks before our wedding was cutting out bread and cake, which can quickly become my downfall especially as a new mum. Hello quick surge of energy and if you're anything like me you'll be filling your days with coffee and cake meet ups. I must admit I found this hard at first but a few days in and I quickly forgot all about these carb-lade sugary treats especially when I started adding eggs to many of my meals (a tip I picked up from George) that definitely fills you up. Now our weddings been and gone (sob) I do allow these goodies to pass my lips, just less frequently - it's hard to go out for brunch (my favourite meal out) and not devour a piece of sourdough, am I right? While we're on the subject of eating out brunch is definitely the easiest meal to enjoy out in a healthy fashion. Giving another meal time a bash and up north? I'd highly recommend Nourish and the undeniably scrummy Filmore & Union.

One thing I can honestly say has helped me make better food choices is cooking from scratch every night. Don't get me wrong I used to make a lot of meals from scratch pre Sadie too but I'd often rely on jar and packet sauces which is a complete no go for me personally now I have Sadie to feed too. The cookbooks I use almost every night are from Madeleine Shaw, sure you need to stock up your cupboards with a few ingredients to begin with but once you have you'll not regret it. I find her recipes incredibly easy and quick to make and most importantly down right delicious. I've even made her better for you sweet treats too, in fact I may be chowing down on one of her cookies writing this right now...

Do you enjoy a protein shake post workout? Where do you eat out when you want to be healthy?

*PR Sample, all vanillary thoughts my own.

The Fool Proof Baby Sling

Bomber Jacket: Zara
Long Sleeve Breton Top: Hush
Relaxed Fit Jeans: New Look
Trina Sandals: Sam Edelman via Daniel Footwear
Baby Sling: Lifft Sling*

I was going to start this post by talking about my unruly mane but you know what, I really don't care. Looking at these pictures make me beam like you wouldn't believe and while my hair isn't quite perfect and my jeans a touch too baggy I'm having the best time, hands free discovering the world with my baby. I've always fancied being a sling wearing momma but after trying one with all of the buckles when Sadie was a few months old I was really put off. It took me an age to get her in it and when she was finally secure and I'd started pegging the washing out she had a full on meltdown, cue me trying to unfasten a thousand clips as fast as I could with a sobbing Sadie - I ended up feeding her with parts of the sling still attached to me! At that very moment I decided slings were not for me.

Enter the Lifft Sling, a continuous piece of material manufactured in Yorkshire that can be folded in half and placed over your head and shoulder, add a baby and you're off - it's that simple and there's not a buckle or clasp in sight. I've been testing the Lifft Sling, suitable from birth to 35lbs for the past month and must say I'm impressed - I love how it folds down into a small square so it doesn't take up too much precious real estate in my baby bag and how easy it is to switch from the pushchair to the sling at the first sound of a cry, even as a one year old Sadie loves nothing better than being picked up, especially while she's teething. Another real benefit for me personally is that the Lifft Sling has undergone biometrical testing to show it keeps your spine straight, spreading baby's weight evenly across your shoulder and back, encouraging good posture. My posture has definitely got worse since I had Sadie, partly down to breastfeeding so it's good to know this wondrous piece of machine washable cotton helps your stance too.

The only confusion I found with the Lifft Sling is sizing. If I was ordering direct from the online shop I'd of chosen a size 2 (UK size 10-12) but meeting the lovely Alex (half of the husband and wife Lifft Sling duo) for my personal fit consultation I was surprised to discover I was actually a size 1 (UK size 8-10) so in my experience I'd size down. That said team Lifft Sling are more than happy to exchange their slings until you feel you have the correct size for you and your baby, you can't say fairer than that. 

I'm so pleased to finally feel confident using a baby sling and I can't thank Alex enough for introducing me to the brand. My Lift Sling is the perfect addition to our baby carrying line up (we have the Uppababy Vista and Maclaren Techno XT) especially at a reasonable £49.95 which is a fraction of the price of some baby carriers on the market so if you're newb to the baby sling game or just fancy adding a fool proof take anywhere sling to your collection then the Lifft Sling is one to check out.

*PR Sample, all baby carrying thoughts my own.

Lifestyle: The September Catch Up

'Cos you gotta start 'em early - My little beauty - This was just perfection - My whole world - Had so many giggles today with these monkeys - All of the horses - My new home - Fancy flatbreads - Staycation - An epic end to an epic day - Hello Autumn - Fresh blooms to mark Sadies three month birthday

Well who'd of thought I'd be alfresco blogging on the 2nd of October? I think I'd struggle to be more in love with the tenth month of the year if I tried, blogger cliche I know but seriously, sunshine, clear blue skies and more rust coloured leaves than you can shake a stick at? I'm on board. It seems like an age since I put together a chatty catch up post so I thought it was time I got cracking while my beautiful daughter takes a nap.

I've no doubt I say this almost every month but September has easily been one of my favourite months so far. Life with Sadie is an absolute dream especially in the past thirty something days as she's really begun to develop her own little personality - chuckling, babbling and generally being a whole lotta fun. Each day she continues to amaze me and I'm desperate to keep track of all her developments particularly as everyone keeps telling me how quickly babies grow up. Sadies growth has felt even more real in the past week as I became an auntie for the first time to Lydia Rose, my brother and sister in laws baby. If only they could stay small forever...

September was also the month of our first staycation which you can read all about here. We had the best time in The New Forest and now I'm adding a whole host of UK based hot spots to my wish list. I love how you can jump in the car and drive for just a few hours to so many beautiful and unique destinations, England you're alright.

The ninth month of the year also saw me make the most expensive clothing purchase I've ever made, yes I put the deposit down on my wedding dress. After just three appointments and feeling as though I'd never get those elusive feels I'd heard so much about, I tried one dress on and fell in love. I even thought of running to the registry office next door and making things official, well only for a split second! With most of the larger bits of planning in the bag I'm starting to turn my attention to those all important make or break decoration details. Wish me luck?

What have you been up to this September? Are you pleased with Autumns official arrival?

Don't forget you can follow me on Instagram for baby, food and fashion snaps here.

10 Things I've Learnt In Pregnancy & Beyond

Today marks Sadies four week birthday (yes I'm making this a thing) so I thought it was time I shared a few things I've learnt during my pregnancy and in the first month of being a mum. The kind of things no one tells you that you wish you knew, so whether you're expecting your first baby, fancy some insight or have been there, done that and wanna say amen sister then you're in the right place.

 1. Listen to your body. If you fancy that donut then go for it, feel absolutely shattered, take a nap - your little one is taking everything it needs from you so now's not the time to count calories or be superwoman.

2. Life will slow down, embrace it. Two weeks ago Craig and I were in Meadowhall, normally I'd dash supermarket sweep style into the shops, grab what I need and head home. With a baby you'll make maybe one or two shops before feeding time needs to happen and you know what? It's ok that things take longer, it's actually enjoyable plus you get to visit a whole lotta Costas and Starbucks.

3. Packing your hospital bag? You need a facial spritz (nothing keeps you cool in labour like it) and when you're buying breast pads and maternity towels, go big or go home. Trust me, you'll go through these quicker than a jar of Nutella.

4. If you manage to dodge stretch marks throughout your pregnancy (I loved Argan+ mum to be stretch mark oil) they may creep up on you after you welcome your little one into the world. I'm told they fade and hey, they mark the arrival of something special.

5. The first few weeks with your new little family are precious so don't be scared to say no to guests or worry about limiting how long they can stay for, it might seem mean but you've got to prioritise.

6. Breastfeeding? You need an Emma Jane nursing bra in your life, perfect until you're ready for something a tad more supportive. Oh and if you thought your pregnancy boobs couldn't get any bigger, trust me when I say they can and they will. One last thing on breastfeeding (I could write an entire post) if you haven't fed bambino in a while you will experience a pins and needle sensation in your boobs, just like on Bad Neighbours. 

7. If the sex of your baby is a surprise then you must check out John Lewis, Mothercare and The White Company - those guys know how to do neutral basics that'll suit both a boy and a girl. While we're talking clothes how cute are these handmade booties and hat set? Find out more about my friends friend who made them here.

8. It's ok to have moments where you doubt yourself and wonder if you can do it - having a baby is a huge learning curve, throw hormones into the mix and things can feel cray but it's worth it, I promise. I find having a bar of Dairy Milk handy works wonders.

9. Muslin cloths will become your new best friend, stock up and keep them everywhere.

10. Grab any me time with both hands, whether it's taking an extra five minutes in the shower, having a nap or catching up on blogs - make the most of it and more importantly, sleep when the baby sleeps! Don't be tidying up and writing blog posts.... It can wait.

What do you wish you knew in pregnancy and beyond?

The Sunday Catch Up: Becoming A Family

Paperchase haulin' - It's all about the garden picnic - Stay classy Sheffield - Nandos feels - I only went in for cotton wool - What a difference make-up makes, 40 weeks pregnant + 5 days - All of the french toast - The latest addition to our bathroom - Becoming a family

My a lot has changed in the last three weeks and two days since my last blog post, today Craig and I are celebrating the fact that our daughter is three weeks old. It genuinely doesn't feel like two minutes ago since I was sat feeling fed up that baby Wild was sitting tight in my stomach instead of making a grand entrance - fast forward to Sunday 28th June and at 7.30am we became parents to Sadie Florence via emergency caesarean. They say nothing can prepare you for becoming a mother but I can honestly say I'm loving it. Sure you have moments of tiredness, times where you wish you had more than just one hand free and a constant longing to wear anything that isn't button down #feedingproblems but I honestly wouldn't change being a mum for anything. 

When it isn't feeding time Craig and I have been getting out as much as possible - so far we've brunched at Bills, taken long walks to the park, made two trips to Meadowhall and I've even managed to squeeze in a much needed hair cut (an appointment for hair colour is in the diary). This week I'll be cherishing every single moment before Craig returns to work, cue general panic and how will I do everything on my own thoughts. Wish me luck?

Cagney and Lace is still my jam but posts may not be as regular as usual, I'd love to be that girl who's incredibly organised with scheduled posts in the bag but that's not how I roll. I hope you'll all stick with me and enjoy the content that will come, promise. I'm also itching to get outfit posts back up on my little corner on the Internet but please bear with. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more regular updates and cute Sadie pics.

I wish you all the brightest and sunniest of Sundays!

Lifestyle: May In Pictures & Words

Celebrating the royal birth with lemon drizzle - Picnic in the garden - Our new cabinet looking fly - Cloud looking seriously at home - Who knew Nutella disguised misshapen pancakes so well? - Once a rank boiler cupboard, now our baby's wardrobe - My baby shower invite - Tanya Burrs rocky road - A great read, especially for £1 - My little ones OOTDs will soon be better than mine - Baby Wild - All my faves - Baby shower artwork - Polaroid fun - I can't stop baking - Saturdays with this one are the best.

It's official, we're half way through the year - how did that even happen? I'd love to say we're now experiencing the usual June weather and I'm writing this with a Magnum in hand but that couldn't be further from the truth, things have become seriously Wintery - I don't know whether to wear a jumper or reach for my thermals! May has been one wonderful month, I finished work for maternity leave, a royal baby was born and my friends hosted the most epic baby shower in my honour. I can't think of a month where I've felt so loved and supported. One real turn around we've seen this past month is in our home, after living in our beloved cottage for twenty one months things are officially looking good. Our baby's nursery is complete, I'm absolutely thrilled with our living room and even the dining room has had a little makeover, all in perfect time for the arrival of Baby Wild. 

This past week has seen me officially nesting as I've been tidying the house, painting our love seat outside and even reaching for the baking tins - fingers crossed baby's arrival is imminent. Can you believe I'm now just over 38 weeks pregnant? While I've missed bringing outfit posts to Cagney and Lace (see my last one here) I've really enjoyed writing lifestyle posts although I must say I'm excited for the revival of the humble OOTD - did someone say new wardrobe?

Obsessed With - While baking is a strong contender for this months obsession, my current favourite recipes to make are rocky road and triple chocolate cookies (make them yourself here) one product I've not stopped reaching for is MACs Patisserie, appropriately named non? Paired with a bolder brow and the Max Factor creme puff blush in nude mauve I look suitably glowy and fresh faced, an essential look to sport throughout pregnancy. Another shout out has got to go to Hello Fashion magazine, I'm usually a Grazia girl at heart but recently they've been focussing far too much on celebrity gossip for my liking. Enter Hello Fashion which keeps things fashiony, as the name would suggest - definitely one to pick up next time you're in Marks and Spencer or WHSmith.

Lusting After - It's got to be a polaroid camera, I fancied one a couple of Christmas' ago but after seeing my friend Scarletts in action at my baby shower one has shot to the top of my wish list. Another item that's been plaguing my mind is a night cream/serum. I'm so happy with my morning skincare routine but things get pretty basic when it comes to lights out, after discovering the Nude Progenius Treatment Milk at Beauty Chat Live I've been debating taking the plunge and committing to an additional product post cleanser. Watch this space.  

Looking Forward To - Without sounding incredibly predictable I think I speak for both Craig and I when I say we're looking forward to the birth of our baby. While many people have been asking if I feel anxious or apprehensive I can honestly say I don't, I just feel real excitement to meet our little creation (when he or she is good and ready) and to begin a new chapter of our lives as a little family.

What did you get up to in the month of May? Don't forget to follow my Instagrammin' antics here.

Lifestyle: The Baby Shower

I had thoughts of calling this the not so Sunday lifestyle post but that'd be getting a bit wordy wouldn't it? I had all the best intentions of posting yesterday but after a crazy early wake-up time and a mad spare bedroom tidying sesh (told you I was nesting) I was feeling very anti-anything yesterday except the essentials obviously - eating and napping.

On Sunday some of my closest pals organised the baby shower to end all baby showers at my mum and dads abode, while my dad made himself scarce (bless him) baby and I were well and truly showered (excuse the pun) with love, gifts and general loveliness - never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my friends would create such a perfect day, not that I didn't think they had it in them of course. I don't think I've ever felt so overwhelmed with love and support - possibly the soppiest and gushy sentence you'll ever read on ze blog.

The day started with the sweetest mocktails, some in cute glasses and others in mini milk bottles garnished with blueberry and mint ice cubes (how Pinterest?) followed by a wonderful buffet complete with personalised cupcakes which tasted pretty spot on. The rest of the afternoon was a blur of games, photoboothing (why oh why do I not have a Polaroid camera?) and present opening. I even came away with the most thoughtful piece of artwork which the girls created with their finger prints choosing different coloured ink to represent the babys sex, it would seem the majority think I'm having a baby boy! It'll not be long until all is revealed as I'm now 37 weeks pregnant, crazy. I'd like to say a huge thank you to my friends, the mums and sister-in-laws for making Sunday such a special day which I certainly won't forget in a hurry.

Check out more pictures of my baby shower here, what did we do before a hashtag?

20 Things I've Learnt About Pregnancy

Image credit: Pinterest

It really does feel like two moments ago that I was announcing my pregnancy and now I'm edging closer to the final furlong, I'm 31 weeks pregnant. Being pregnant is probably one of the most wonderful things your body can do but it's also a time full of 'what was that's' as you feel things for the first time as everything prepares for birth. I'll not lie and say pregnancy is a walk in the park because it's not, some days are brilliant and others you just want to hide away under the duvet so in typical Hannah, tongue in cheek fashion I thought I'd put together a list of things I've learnt about pregnancy and everything that goes with it. Promise they're all true.   

1. Movement feels surreal at first but becomes a welcome way of life.

2. Acid reflux and sickness won't be around forever, hang in there and drink milk.

3. Baby brain is a thing, kiss goodbye to your short term memory and embrace the diary.

4. Sleep is your new best friend, even as someone who struggles with it. Get it wherever and whenever you can.

5. Hypnobirthing is fun, informative and incredibly relaxing. A highly recommend.

6. Watching your husband to be talk to baby is just magic.

7. Changing bags really are an ugly breed. The search continues...

8. Sometimes you just want to eat chocolate and carbs, it's ok.

9. Buying things for your new arrival can be overwhelming, just what is ISO fix?

10. You may be mistaken for being conscious of your stomach in Topshop instead of being pregnant, revert to changing room immediately.

11. Life will slow down, even if you're still trying to dash here and there. Trust me, I've tried.

12. Getting out of your car when you've parked too close to another becomes a Navy seal-esque mission.

13. Your boobs will get way bigger than you ever thought.

14. Some smells really are horrendous and if you could, you'd throw rocks at them. Embrace a lightweight scarf.

15. Reading blogs and fashion magazines will have you craving this seasons clothes, not maternity ones.

16. People will offer you their shocking birth stories, ignore, ignore, ignore.

17. Instagram pictures of poached eggs will send you cray.

18. You will miss amazing London blog events for antenatal classes, someone pass the Easter eggs.

19. People will continually ask how you're feeling, smile politely.

20. Never forget it's your body and baby, always do what's best for you.