Wonderful Washable Wipes.

Since taking the leap into cloth nappies, we've also embraced Washable wipes! It made perfect sense when we'll be washing the nappies anyway...that and we had gotten in the habit of putting dirty wipes in the dirty Nappy when we used "sposies" and I laundered quite a few disposable wipes (:-s)!
You can buy wipes but I find they're quite pricey for what they are so I went in search of an alternative more cost effective option. Found it in poundland of all places...labeled as baby washcloths they came in a pack of 6 and are perfect sized squares of gorgeously soft fabric. I also cut up an old towel, that freys quite a bit tho.
So I have my wipes but lets face it wipes are better wet. I started out just wetting a few in a bowl at each change. This was fine but if I miss judged how many I needed I was stuck with a wiggling baby with a poopy butt...and that's never good. So I solved my own problem...an old ice cream tub and some homemade wipe solution that smells amazing.
To make the solution for a few days of wipes you'll need an old drinks bottle or protein shake mixer. To this add :
2 cups water
Half cup baby body wash
Half cup of lavender baby body lotion
2-4 drops of tea tree oil.
Shake shake shake shake.
Add half of this to a tub and add about 20 wipes, turning them in the solution to coat them. I put the rest in the fridge to use on the next batch of wipes.

These lovely smelling wipes can be used on hands, feet, face or the whole of babies body. Even if your not a cloth bummer the solution on a washcloth for a top and tail wash will give you a sweet smelling, soft skinned baby (or mama :-) ).

Butterfly Blue.

A lady on a forum I use was having a little trouble accessorising a gorgeous butterfly dress she snapped up in the Warehouse sale (lucky lady).
I was inspired to write this after giving a hand to choose some accessories. Of course as always I've gone the whole hog and thought up hair and make-up too!
The 40's style shift dress is adorned with bright orange and blue butterflies. The blue caught my eye over the orange and inspires a pop of colour in the form of a blue suede effect platform stilleto (round or peep toe keeps the air of the 40's era in the limelight). I found this pair on Amazon.con
I'm not a fan of matching shoes and bags ( especially if your using an accessory to bring out a colour in a pattern, saves a lot of trouble too) A small clip- top clutch back in ivory satin is great for an occasion. I saw this one at prooz.com.
For the hair I would go for a simple side bun. You can create this easily at home with some dry shampoo (or baby talc), a bristle brush, a hair tie, a bun ring (dognut), bobby pins and hairspray. Using the finger tips rub some dry shampoo into the roots to make the hair "sticky". Part your hair to the side and using the bristle brush backcomb a little hair at the crown (hold up the hair at the crown and gently push the hair towards the root with the brush making it bunch up) spritz with hairspray. Next spray the brush rather than the hair and lightly smooth the top layer of hair over the backcombed area and over the ears. Tie the hair in a side ponytail about 1.5 inches above the hairline (enough space to create the bun). Make the bun using the bunring as directed on the packet, securing it with bobby pins that match closely to your hair colour. Spray all over with hairspray and smooth down any stray hairs.
Now the whole outfit is nearly complete but a cute, classic pearly hairclip like this one found at glitzysecrets.co.uk will really add that bit of something special to this gorgeous dress.
Finally I think a really classic make up look will really finish it off. For that I leave you in the extremely capable hands of Kandee Johnson.

Money saver...Dishwashing.

Being on maternity leave lets face it doesn't leave you with much play money.
I've been looking up some tips on how to save a few pennies. I came across this tip on moneysavingexpert.com and had to give it a go. Instead of buying expensive squishy dishwasher tablet thingies...
Put 1 desert spoon of biological washing powder and 1 desert spoon of Soda Crystals in the compartment where the dishwasher tablets go...et voila!
Sparkling dishes and a fraction of the cost...I'm switching!