Some Changes.

Hi Everybody.

I thought I would write a quick catch up post today, and also to detail my new blog schedule which *fingers crossed* I will be sticking to.

Life is getting very busy. If you didn't already know, I'm in the last term of my degree (BA Business and Management w/ Finance if you're wondering). I'm also doing another diploma alongside this, attempting to maintain my blog and, obviously, I have a naughty toddler on my hands, too!

So to throw another spanner into the works, I'm also going back to work. I've taken a part time job where I used to work, so I'll be back in the office after 2 years, eek! So I'll be there 2.5 days a week, and Uni 2.5 days a week.

There are a few reasons why I've decided to go back to work. Firstly, and most obviously, money. I'm a student so I only have my student loan coming in, which barely even covers nursery fees. So it will be nice to have a bit of extra cash. Secondly, in mid-March I'll finish my lectures / seminars, so it will be great to actually have something productive to do with this time and give my mind a break from revision. Finally, I'm planning on going back to work full time in the summer, so it's going to help mentally prepare me for being away from Archer all week.

SO, with this extra load on my plate, I thought I had better set myself a schedule for the blog. I've decided that realistically, I don't think I'll be able to post more than twice a week for the next couple of months.

So I'm going to post on Wednesdays and Sundays at 8am. This is the first time I've restricted myself to a schedule, so I really hope I can keep it up!

Back soon!

xxx

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New Years Resolutions 2016

I've never been hugely into new years resolutions. If I want to start / stop doing something, then I'll usually just do it regardless of what time of year it is. However, the idea of a 'fresh' year does appeal to me, and this year I've decided to make some achievable new years resolutions, to guide me into 2016.

I would say that pretty much every year for the past 5 years my New Years Resolutions have been something along the lines of 'get a smokin' hot body', but this year it isn't! I'm actually quite happy with my body now, I exercise most days and can

1. Be More Badass
Without putting anyone down, this year I want to get my own way. I tend to put up with things much more than I should, and always like to see the best in people when sometimes I really need to consider my own needs.

2. Up My Blog Game
I go through peaks and troughs with my blog. I really want to make something amazing of it, but I struggle to find the time because unfortunately it isn't a priority right now. Spending time with my son and studying for my degree are taking up prime positions there...

3. Find a Job That I Love. 
I'm going to graduate this summer! This means after 2 years I'll finally be going back to work as a working Mum. Things are a little different this time round, as nursery fees means I won't actually make much in earnings, so I'm determined to find a job that I enjoy which will get me on the career ladder I want.

4. DO MORE!
This year I have an active little toddler on my hands who is more inquisitive than ever before. I hope that 2016 will be a year filled with adventures and new friends. There is so much to do in South Wales, so we need to make the most of it!

5. Get Driving
I may have spoken briefly about my driving phobias on here, but to cut a long story short.. I'm petrified of driving. I passed my driving test late 2014 and have been driving for a year, but I still suck. My lack of spacial awareness and practice is mostly to blame, I hope that around the end of 2016 I will get my own little motor (only if I actually need it of course.. as mentioned before I don't know where I'll be working!) which is small enough to feel like I'm not going to crash into every other car and hopefully an automatic because as previously stated - I suck.

xxx

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My Joules Baby Christmas Picks!

When Joules asked me if I wanted to try some of their baby boy selection I was pretty excited! From my experience Joules clothes, whilst a little pricier, are gorgeous and so well designed and made.

They have some adorable festive pieces in the collection at the moment which would be great for Christmas gifting - I for one would be thrilled to receive them for Archer!

I picked a few pieces to try for Archer - firstly the adorable Cream Babypolar Character shirt (£14.95)*. I love the cute little flappy tartan ears on him! Anything with a face amuses Archer, so hopefully this will entice a giggle from him too.

Secondly is possibly the favourite piece of clothing I've ever got him. This little 'I Still Live With My Parents' two piece (£29.95)* is simply ADORABLE. It's a little big for him at the moment (as is most of the stuff, he's a tiny 18 month old!) but I can't wait to get him in this.

Finally, I picked more of an 'essential' item which would make a great gift for Christmas. The gorgeous 'Babygeorge' gilet  (£29.95)* which looks so cosy - I wouldn't mind having one for myself! It's a great piece because it will keep your little one cosy but still allowing them freedom to explore with their arms without stuffing them into a big coat. 

Do you have any other recommendations for toddler clothes this Christmas? 

xxx

Products marked with * are gifted PR samples, please read my disclaimer for more information

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August in Photos

August has been a bit of an odd month... Due to waiting on the sale of our new house (we aren't buying it, our new landlady is...) we have found ourselves a little bit homeless for a few weeks. Alongside this has come a lot of absentness from the internet due to a lack of internet and a hectic lifestyle, however whilst Archer's in nursery and I've made my way to the library I thought I would share some photos from the month with you all.

The first few weeks were spent in Dorset visiting my Mum where we indulged in lots of trips to the beach, lounging in the sun and paddling pools in the garden! 

I was also lucky enough to visit the Celtic Manor for afternoon tea (which I blogged about here). All in all, it was a pretty chilled out month considering our life has been up in the air and the majority of our belongings stuffed in a storage unit! Here are a few favourite photos from the month... 

We took Archer to an adorable tea room along the South Coast

Treats at The Celtic Manor

 You can keep up to date with our adventures on Snapchat (electricsuede) and Instagram (@electricsuede)

XXX

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Where Have I Been?

HELLO FELLOW INTERNET PEOPLE!

After a bit of a blogging / social media hiatus... I thought I had better explain where I have been for the past few days (weeks...).

We have finally left our home in Pontcanna (Cardiff) where we spent the past few years. It was a two bedroom flat we moved into before I was pregnant with Archer, and after nearly a year of looking for somewhere to live we have finally decided to move out to a big 3 bedroom house in the suburbs which a family friend will rent out to us. Hopefully it will be the last house we rent before we can afford to buy... fingers crossed!

Emptying out the old place!

Having said that, we aren't there yet... the house won't be ready for us to move in to until the end of August. But having given notice to leave our current flat by the 31st we were left with a homeless couple of weeks. The solution to this has been for Archer and I to spend a few weeks in Dorset at my Mothers, whilst Glenn stays up in a serviced apartment in Cardiff for work in the week. The longest we have spent apart is 5 days during Xmas 2013, so this is a learning curve to say the least - especially now we have a little monkey crawling about the place (I'm pretty sure it's okay for me to refuse to change nappies for a while once he's back on Dad duty, yeah?)

I'm glad that the packing / stress is over and can't wait to get back to our new place. I will document the journey on here, it will be nice to look back on!

For now, expect photo's of our adventures down in England and the occasional beauty ramble!

xxx

The grumpy boy and I down in Dorset!

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April in Photos

LIFE UPDATE.

Lush... For Your Baby?

Postpartum Problems: What They Don't Tell You

Just now, I had a pain so bad it felt like a mild contraction. I went to do my usual twitter ranting, but thought instead I'd share my postpartum issues on here.. as 140 characters just isn't enough!

Archer's 1 Month Update

So it's been 5 weeks since little Archer was born and life has changed so much now he's come along (for the better, of course!).

I'm definitely enjoying being a Mum and can't imagine not having a baba! The trauma of the labour is nearly all forgotten and it was definitely all worth it! I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but I generally hated being pregnant, so to have my body back(ish) feels pretty amazing after such a long time! I still have a stone of baby wait to lose but I'm hoping when I'm able to resume normal exercise next week to shift that ASAP!

Archer's gained quite a bit of weight and is now a hefty 10lbs14 after being 8lbs14 at birth - he's a big fella'! His face also looks really different to birth and his darks blue eyes have started to lighten up.

Most of what I was told pre-baby is correct. You can never have enough clothes, you can never have enough nappies, sleep sucks. 

I can't say I have it too bad with the guy as he does the majority of his sleeping in the night, however the broken sleep is definitely the hardest bit - especially when you're falling asleep breastfeeding through various ungodly hours! He generally feeds every 2 hours but I'm hoping over the next few months the time between feedings will increase (fingers crossed!). He is co-sleeping with us at the moment (we bought a co-sleeping cot due to him hating the moses basket) but he generally just likes to be cuddled to sleep all the time - okay when you have keen family around, not so good when you're home alone and you have 101 things to be getting on with! I'm currently typing with the guy kipping on me like so...

I've been... quiet... to say the least for the past month or so but I think devoting all my time to the little fella' was necessary - my apologies for this but expect to hear more from mr from now on!

Lyd

xxx