30 Days of Notebook Prompts

So this year I would really like to proactivly get stuff done for me. I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions but in 2019 I made big steps in my business and well, without wanting to sound like a weirdo, my mind so I really want to do some of the things I always mean to do but instead I spend my time doing pointless shit for other people*.

So one of the things I used to do, before grown-up jobs, husbands, kids, anti-depressants etc is write in notebooks. I used to have one like a security blanket. One group of friends even hilariously used to call me Lyrics because that is often what I wrote. Well I want to get back to it. Back to the notebooks, back to creativity but I've become scared of fucking up so I've created 30 days of prompts to just get me in the habit of using notebooks again. So if you want to up your creativity, spend less time on your phone and just do something for yourself why don't you join in. I'll be sharing mine on Instagram using the hashtag #30daysofnotebooks

*I love doing stuff for other people but my god I need to learn to not fill ever single minute doing everything for everyone else and making myself ill. There. I said it.

Christmas Gift Ideas (Books)

I love books and they make fantastic presents for all ages. Whether you are going to stay with someone and need to take something or are posting something to a niece or nephew, hopefully I've got it covered.

Agatha Christie - you know I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan and there are three gorgeous new editions out this Christmas. The ABC Murders, 4.50 from Paddington (my favourite of the three) and The Mystery of the Blue Train - all great reads and I really love the new colours. How I wish I could have them.

Blind Date with a Book Club - this is such a fantastic idea - choose the genre's and every month for 6 months you get a book sent to you or you can choose one book based on it's five line sentence. I personally love the sound of the Last Christmas selection.

Blue Bowl - not only my favourite place for presents in general but a great selection of unusual books for grown-ups and children. My eldest (6) loves Smart about Sharks and I'm going to get the middle one Bonkers about Beetles (his nickname is Beetle) and I love the Dahlov Ipcar books too. For grown-up's this is Florence's latest pick.

The Home Bar - a great book (dare I say it?) for men. My husband really loves this book and it looks beautiful.

The Nancy Mitford Collection - from Heywood Hill (where she once worked) this is a beautiful collection of five Nancy Mitford paperbacks in a beautiful box.

Penguin Classics - Waterstones are doing beautiful hardback editions. You can get someone their favourite book or if you have a baby why not get the A Christmas Carol - we got one (in not such a beaut edition) for Ned for his first Christmas and we read it to him at this time every year and it's so lovely.

Small Print Books - a really fantastic independent book shop that has an incredible selection of unusual books for children.

Timeless; A Century of Iconic Looks - Louise Young is the make-up artist when it comes to historical accuracy and I'm so happy to have this book with me when I go on shoots. Not only is it great for make-up artists but a wonderful read for those interested in cosmetics and hair through the ages.

Christmas Gift Ideas (non-beauty)

Of course there is a beauty guide on it's way but for all those non-beauty bits there's this. Everything is in alphabetical order except for the first one because it's the most important.

Choose Love - buy things for people who have been forced to flee their homes with nothing. From children's coats, blankets and nappies, to hot meals, hot showers and tents. The Mother & Baby bundle is a food, clothes and hygiene pack for a mother raising her baby in a refugee camp. You can even get someone medical care. I often get cross with people who make me feel that what I do is a frivolous thing for women with no brains (it isn't) but compared to what these people are going through it is even having a bath is a total luxury. I'm thinking about every little thing I buy this year and where I can, I'm cutting back to get from here instead.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Children

This one was really popular last year - kids are hard to buy for especially if you are trying to avoid the plastic tat route! If you have godchildren, nieces and nephews or any littlies to buy for that aren't yours it can be hard to know where to start. Well you can start here...

Behind the Blog: 25 Random Facts About Me

It's been a bit quiet on here recently. There have been holidays (Provence, amazing), illnesses (me, gut related, very dull), school starting (Ned Year 1), nursery starting (Jack in baby room) and Jim has moved into pre-school. So I thought I would ease myself back into the swing of it by telling you 25 totally random facts about me. If I can think of 25.

March on Blue Sky and Bunting

Some of you may know I write another blog, Blue Sky and Bunting. I thought I'd start doing a monthly round up so you can see what's been on there and if there's anything you fancy a read of.

My boys favourite pancake recipe from Annabel Karmel 

A look at one of my favourite brands for keeping your children entertained, Play Hooray

Say Yes

I've been a bit absent on here and the blog and that's because I've been off saying yes to things. This is not about me, it's about you. I hope this helps if you've been doing some of the things I have.

It's really hard to get everything I want to say into a video and this was in fact the second time round of filming. This is and isn't about mental health - it's about changing the way you think. I realised that I was getting furious with my husband trying to get him to make changes to make my life better and though he's lovely, I can't live like that.

Some things I forgot to mention. I'm unfollowing people who don't make me feel good on social media. 'Big' people. I'm doing as much non-money good stuff as possible; art, volunteering, reading.

Christmas Gift Ideas - Books

As some of you will know I used to work in publishing and so I am very much a fan of giving and receiving books. Though this has got me into trouble - I am currently desperately finding places in my already-full house to put yet another bookshelf - its an addiction I just can't seem to give up. My Amazon wishlist has got to be one of their longest.

A good cookbook or coffee table book makes a great house gift if you are going to stay with unfamiliars this Christmas. There are some great kids books in there too.

Agatha Chrisie - of course I think my favourite author should be given to everyone. If you can track down the little hardbacks they look amazing on your shelves. My recommendations are - Mrs McGinty’s Dead, Five Little Pigs and Sleeping Murder. There is an absolutely stunning illustrated edition of Murder on the Orient Express: Illustrated Edition film tie-in that is beautiful to look at let alone read.

The Christmas Chronicles - if I were only allowed to choose one cook book it would probably be this. It's festive, it's beautiful and Nigel Slater always manages to write in a way that is slightly more than just a cookbook.

Books Update and Goodreads app

This is (clearly) an old video. But although it's old, it still stands, I have read a few more books but not many... babies are time sucks.

Baby Favourites

These are some of my favourite things I've been using since having Jack. There are lots more that I missed off - like the gorgeous Aden + Anais towel and flannel set I was given which is so lovely - let me know what yours are in the comments below. Probably a bit too much information in here for some - also if I seem to get shorter during filming that's because it's hard with a baby on your knee!

Sleepyhead
Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets
Aden + Anais Towel
Lil Cubs Swaddle Muslin
Ana Wiz Washable Natural Bamboo Breast Pads ( Mixed, Pack of 12)
Kit + Kin nappies
Natracare Maternity Pads
Multi-Mam Balm
PPOGOO Waterproof Burp Cloths
Marks & Spencer Baby Grows
Breastvest Breast Vest Top
Sock-ons

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's day is a tricky one. Men are so different. We used to take my father out for lunch as he was away working a lot, we lived in London and it was really nice to spend some time together. Also I find with men if they want something they usually get it themselves. My husband has a horror of more stuff being bought into the house having spent the last couple of years sorting through his late father's hoarded belongings and acquiring two children and the plastic tat that inevitably comes with them. For our anniversary I tend to take him out for supper.

Father's Day though is different. Taking a hugely pregnant wife and two small children anywhere to eat isn't that relaxing and though I'm pretty sure he'd love it if I sent him to the pub for the afternoon I'm not sure that really counts. Of course I'm hoping Ned will create something at pre-school for his dad (I had a beautiful earring dish made) but in case that doesn't happen I have a few back-ups.

Accessories  - I love these skull cufflinks from The Great Frog (all their cufflinks are pretty awesome). I'm also always on the hunt for a vintage silver belt buckle for him but I think I need to go to America to track one of these down. These Gaucho belts look great and go with everything - Joe has the Neopolitan which has lasted for years and he wears it most days.

Pregnancy update - Week 30, Baby 3

Non-make-up I know but thought may as well do a quick pregnancy update as it feels strange to not mention it at all. It turns into a bit of a rant about people talking about the babies gender and then I forgot to mention the anxiety that's been a bit of a nightmare this time round. I think I feel we have been so lucky with the boys that we're pushing it a bit this time round and it's been driving me a bit bonkers. My family have been absolute heroes putting up with this.

Anyway, I moan a lot but really this pregnancy has been fine so far because the baby has been fine so far. 10 weeks left seems a long and short time all at once.

Back to make-up next week but if you do have any questions then please feel free to either leave me a comment or send me an email. I'm not medically trained but I have had two before and I'm pretty unshockable so if there's something bothering you let me know!

If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel, it is mostly make-up I promise.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

God, gift idea posts are so tricky. The PR emails start coming in before Christmas and to come up with suggestions that are going to be right for everyone is an impossibility. I know Mother's Day like Valentine's Day, Father's Day and any other day may not be everyone's cup of tea.

But some people like it and struggle with what to do so here are my suggestions. As always I've decided to basically go with things that I would like, or that my mum would like, and hope that there is something here that either fits the bill or inspires you.

Some links are to specific websites that you should definitely have a proper look at... Blue Bowl being one of them. I just picked some of my favourite things but you'll no doubt find the perfect present somewhere on there.

Blogging

God, I fell out of love with blogging in a big way at the end of last year. It's been coming for a while and came to head in October(ish) when writing any blog post became a real struggle. I've never written about it for fear of sounding resentful or hard done by but then thought maybe you are feeling the same way?

Eleven years ago I was 22, just out of uni, working in publishing, living with my bestie and obsessed with make-up, beauty, skincare and writing. Clever bestie suggested I started a blog, they were reasonably new and exciting and a great way for wannabe writers to... well write. So I set up Little Miss B and write I did. I ranted and raved and enthused and eventually built up relationships with PRs and added a few affiliate accounts. Then mid-20s hit and I was having fun and blogging took a back seat and during that time beauty blogging really took off - completely unnoticed by me. Instagram happened, brands became more blogger savvy - no more having to sound apologetic on the phone there were actual 'portals' for bloggers and I blissfully missed it. By the time I got my teeth back into it I had a lot to learn.

Happy New Year - Friday Video

I go into more detail about my waffley new year thoughts on the other blog here.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the giveaways last year, it was hectic but fun. Let me know how you are getting on with your products if you won.

My new website is live at www.corinnaharrod.com

Cruelty Free and other updates

As well as reviewing products, doing videos and writing features I'm constantly tweaking and updating old posts. Checking the info is still valid and up-to-date among other things. Something I've started adding is whether the product or brand is cruelty free, vegan or vegan friendly.

Cruelty free means it is not tested on animals and not sold in China. Vegan means vegan, vegan friendly means some products from the brand are vegan but not all. There will be tags for these and an explanation in the 'What You Need to Know' section as it can get a bit convoluted. For example, Urban Decay is cruelty free but owned by L'Oreal which is not.

Other updates will be at the end of the relevant posts with the date they were updated.

Book Club

I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, not sure how it's going to work but will just be doing what I've read, favourite books and hoping that you will leave comments on the videos so we can talk books! It will most be on YouTube and my other blog www.blueskyandbunting.com

February Favourites - Friday Video

February favourites. It was all going so well time-wise until Loki butted in to say hi...


Louise Young Blushers
Skandinavisk Skog Candle
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream colour 
Daniel Sandler Intense Volume Pro Mascara
Tada & Toy
Jenny Lewis She's Not Me

Tada & Toy Star Hoop Earrings

Like a lot of people I am always taking pictures and making nonsensical notes on my phone of things I see in magazines and websites that I might want to buy or add to my wishlist. One of the notes that's been on there for ages is Tada & Toy Star Hoop earrings and I finally asked, and received, for Christmas and I love them (thanks Mumma). In a world where I seem to constantly be on the quest for grown-up things (i.e. DIAMONDS) or trying to not draw attention to my increased person, it's so lovely to have something really cool that you can wear as a mum of two in your 30s without looking silly (god I feel old saying that). And that I can wear every day, and that don't dangle (Jim is a grabber). I have them in sterling silver but you can also get gold and rose gold (plated). The dust bag they come in is pretty lovely too.

Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment and Baby Moisturiser

I was sent a lovely box of Bepanthen goodies to try out on the willing Jim baby. He actually made a very good guinea-pig. He is teething so has quite acidic pee and tends to have dry skin patches on his tummy so both creams were needed.

Speak to any mum and they all have a specific nappy rash cream they prefer to use. I'm a great believer in Sudocrem others prefer Metanium which I've never had work successfully. But Sudocrem is quite thick and icky to apply for every nappy change so I'm afraid sometimes it's only used when redness is already starting to show. But, as with a lot of things there are so many different products to choose from it's easier to just stick with what you know. So I'm really grateful I was given the opportunity to try the Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment. This cream has a really nice texture - almost gel-like, so it's really easy to apply and your both not inadvertently covered in it by the end of the nappy change. It doesn't contain any fragrance, preservatives colours or antiseptics so it's suitable as a nappy rash prevention cream to be used at every nappy change. The ointment forms a breathable, transparent layer to protect from irritation and rubbing.

The tube is also incredibly easy to use - a flip top lid means you can open and close it one handed which is a massive bonus.

In terms of dry skin again with my eldest I left it until it was a bit late. Only once he had dry skin, mostly on his arms, did I start to apply cream and for him I've always loved Oilatum Junior. I bought stacks of the stuff when Jim arrived and vowed to baste him daily but he still had little dry patches on his tum. These have gone with regular use of the Bepanthen Baby Moisturiser which I try and use every time he gets out of the bath. It has no perfumes or harsh chemicals so it's great for children with sensitive skin and can be used from newborn up.

The moisturiser contains Vitamin B5 which helps to deeply moiturise and nourish the skin and is free from alcohol, colours, fragrances, parabans, lanolin and paraffin.

I would absolutely recommend both of these creams - I'm going to keep Sudocrem on-hand for anytime an antiseptic cream is needed but hopefully this will be a lot less often with the preventative help of the Nappy Care Ointment. Reasonably priced and easily available, Bepanthen works closely with parents, nurses and midwives so they know what they are doing. Their website has a tone of useful information so it's worth taking a look.

What You Need to Know - Bepanthen Baby Moisturiser and Nappy Care Ointment

• Moisturiser is £5.99 for 100ml
• Ointment is available in three sizes £3.99 for 30g, £5.99 for 50g and £7.99 for 100g 
• The Nappy Care Ointment does not contain any antiseptic - it is a preventive barrier cream. 
• Available in the UK from Boots, Asda, Ocado, Superdrug and Tesco