'Onesies' - Yay or Nay?

Onesies.

The ultimate comfort inducing loungewear item ever? Or the most ridiculously unflattering, impractical garment since wearing leather pants during a night on the fizz?

Well... I must admit I loved the idea for Carson - it reminded me of him being a baby and all wrapped up warm *Awww*!! Then when I saw they were becoming 'fashionable' for adults I cringed. Cringed beyond belief.
I mean, yes OK... great idea for a cosy night in but for winter, seriously? Who wants to go the loo and have to practically strip off each and every time?

I was so anti-onesie - not to mention the fact I am fat. I'd look like an actual blob. So unflattering! Bleurgh!

Then we had an X Factor PJ party on Saturday. My friend, Steph, invited Carson and I to her house to have a nice little sleepover to try and cheer me up a little. We packed Carson's Trunki with sensible PJ's and slippers and a toothbrush and off we toddled expecting munchies, mugs of tea and mediocre TV performances.

On our arrival "I've got a surpriiiiiiiiiiiise for you" shrieked Steph, with no attempt to hide her glee! She re-appeared with a Primark bag for Carson and a Primark bag for me.

Yup.... Onesies!!!

Carson looked absolutely adorable - See for yourself!!


At 8 quid a pop, you can't go wrong really, he thought he was a monster for the night and relished in his totes amazeballs  get-up! NOTE: Leave the button at the top open, else there may be little accidents! The zip is easy for him to pull down though in a loo emergency but the button is too high for him to look down at what he's doing!!

Mine was a bright Pink one with no feet (because Steph has unbelievable canoe sized feet yet she was insistent that we needed matching ones LOL) two white pompoms and a hood.

I must admit I was a little excited, it really did the trick in making me smile. But I was going against everything I believed in by agreeing to wear the same as my sister from another mister!

Hey ho, I stripped down and whacked it on, I felt like a proper little teenager and had a excitable giggle on the go whilst I zipped it up. Not gonna lie, I have a small torso and I only just about got away with not having the dreaded camel toe despite loads of room in the rest of it. Steph, on the other hand, being about 4" taller than me with a significantly longer torso... ahem!
Primark, Please, for the love of our eyeballs, make these available for tall people!!!!

Och..... I give in.

They are bloomin' fantastic! So cuddly and warm and, even, comforting in a way. I felt all loved and wrapped up in cotton wool - Thanks Steph!!
Ok so they aren't particularly flattering but who actually cares? They're not the sort of thing you would wear in order to impress anyone anyway?

Even going for a widdle wasn't all that bad, quick zip down and a shrug of the shoulders and that was all. a BIT of a shock to the system having been so warm then topless all of a sudden, but as soon as you re-zip you forgot what the major fuss was about and feel cuddly all over again.

Wouldn't recommend sleeping in them, when you toss and turn you find yourself getting caught up in it a bit, but it might have been because there was so much room inside it, I don't know.

Here we are....




Anyway, what do YOU think?

Onesies... Yay or Nay? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading my ramble! xx



Boux Avenue Opening in Liverpool One


Today was the day that Liverpool gained an upmarket lingerie haven in Boux Avenue, as Theo Paphitis  personally opened his 14th UK store, in the heart of the fashion conscious shopping platform - Liverpool One. 

Launched in 2011, we knew what was to be heading our way: Lingerie, nightwear and accessories galore, presented in a chic modern outlet with an air of vintage vamp.
I was so excited to receive an invite from Fluorescent PR to attend the press preview prior to the store's official opening.

Digital POS Displays and Drawers of Stock!
It gave me a real chance to see how and why Boux Avenue is the way it is. What can I expect as a customer?

Well first off, I notice that everything is pretty high up,  hanging waist high or above. (See right)

As a mummy - this is wicked! 

No babies/toddlers grabbing and touching and generally annoying the life out of you whilst you're trying to buy something in an attempt to feel sexy again - YAY! 

Free Reign to Root and Find!


The reason that there are no lower hanging items are the fabulous drawers with further stock available, catalogued beautifully in size segregated drawers. 

I'm usually clambering through hangers, elbow deep, for the bigger sizes normally hidden at the back and being just 5 foot 4.5 inches I can't even clamber through the racks high up - embarrassing! 

Gone are the days of having to ask staff "do you have this in size X please?" For me, this idea works - aesthetically and practically. 

Well done!

Digital frames are on the counters in place of the usual marketing posters/leaflets. This allows you to see images and videos of how the items nearby will look and sit on a person. 

C'monnnn! - We've all been there haven't we? - Seen something on the hanger and thought it was hideous, tried it on for a laugh and it was actually really very nice? 

Bridal Section - Easy to find!
Mannequins are all very well and good to get a grasp of how to wear something, but unless you have a perfectly proportionately shaped body and trounce around town in a very sultry pose all day long, the liklihood of the garment actually wearing as it does on the mannequin is very slim. 

Watching a group of woman frolic around in their negligee is somewhat more realistic as to how it will wear on the consumer - plus it will keep your hubby-in-tow a happy guy whilst you blitz the credit card!! (Trust me, you'll want to!)

SPORTS: Pink-Crop, Blue-Bra.


In terms of stock, I was helpfully informed by Debbie Duckett, Buying Director, and Sue Finch, Merchandising Director, that they hold a massive number of 63 individual bra sizes within Boux Avenue - including clustered sizes for the likes of the Sexy Plunge Bra which has oodles of versatility and can accommodate various shapes and sizes just by twiddling the strap lengths. 

This mahoosive number of bra sizes coupled with clothing and knickers range from a size 6 right up to size 20, there really should be something for everyone. 

There are options for everyday wear, sexy and daring ranges complete with suspender belts and stockings - of which Boux Avenue's sales have boomed in recent months (Fifty Shades anyone?!) 

CUTE!
Hey, these guys even stock sports bras & crop tops, albeit only up to a size 34DD or 16 respectively. Please go bigger!!

And then there are the pyjamas. OMG! Lounge-wear heaven! 
Seriously, from sexy-time to lazy-time, from a size 6 to a size 20, you got it! 

Oh, and slippers... and hot water bottles too.... which I spotted at the Accessory Table.

Yup, Boux Avenue isn't all just about the clothing, with a lovely centre pieced table attracting your eye - you'll find all kinds of beautiful trinkets such as eye masks, mini photo frames, hand cream, lip balm, tissues, mirrors. 

I could go on forever - but just see what's on offer for yourself and the pictures below give you an idea of how you'll find them at Liverpool One store. 

                                                                                                                                       










Browsing the fitting rooms, I was impressed to see three options for lighting: Day, Dusk and Night.
Never in my life have I seen that before, I'd never even thought about it really, but with hindsight - yes... lighting really affects how you perceive yourself in changing rooms doesn't it? 

With a concierge intercom service to give you any help you need from the comfort of your own fitting room rather than redressing, going back on to the shop floor and changing the size/style before returning back to the fitting room and undressing again - I felt special! 

I chose to utilise the bra fitting service during my visit - something I shy away from doing after a less than pleasant experience a few years ago in Marks and Spencers - as the staff were so friendly. 

The girls working in this store are just like you and I - they want a service that provides you with the answers you need and, well, a bloomin' good bust to be proud of so don't be shy any longer girls. Go for it!

I was measured how I wanted it to happen. Not instructed to strip and turn around like previous experiences, it was however I was comfortable to be fitted - over my top, under my top? After being measured by the lovely Katie, she proceeded to choose a variety of bras and return for me to try and although I wasn't asked my style preference beforehand, I was surprised to find that the balconette bra chosen really did suit me - despite this not being a style I would usually have looked at. They have the power to know what suits!

There is no real right or wrong way to choose a bra once I was measured up either. If I felt I wanted a looser back size, I could, but ultimately the bra would still fit me as cup sizes can be reflected accordingly. 
All women are different afterall! At the end of the service, you are provided with a card that states you bra size - down to which hook you should fasten it on, your recommended bra style and the lady who fitted you. All in a handy purse size to refer back to ... or leave out for hubby to notice... seeing as Christmas is coming ;-)

Thanks for having me Boux Avenue and Flourescent PR - It was an experience to remember and I can't wait to delve into the new world of lingerie & PJs that I've discovered. 

Alas I didn't get a photo with the lovely Theo Paphitis, but he was all tied up with radio interviews and his photocalls so I can't finish with a celeb shot. However......

Dear Santa, Please can you fit me with my own light-altering dressing room at home?!

(Psssst.... Theo is gorgeous in real life by the way ladies!)                                                                                                                                                      

Stoptober & My E-Cig Journey with UK E-Cig Store

Having been a smoker now for.. ooooo... about 11 years, I decided that this Stoptober was the perfect time to do something about it.

That's not to say that I've never 'quit' before, I have! Throughout my pregnancy with Carson I stopped smoking and it was a breeze, let me tell you. Honestly, I've never felt that I would struggle in dropping the habit, as sometimes I can go about 2 days without a smoke.

Stoptober Kit (rrp £19.99) plus 5 cartomizers+2 prefilled clearomizers
But it's like cash though isn't it? When I have some wonga in the bank and go shopping - more often than not, there's nothing much that takes my fancy. When I'm totally brassic, there is everything that I want - no - need! If I have ciggies there, I can go without, when I know there is none, I crack.

My sister, just one year younger than me at 26, has recently suffered 2 TIA's (mini strokes) and upon researching this I found smoking can increase the chances of this happening, and she does smoke (well, did!)... Even more reason to kick this filthy habit.
Black tip Clearomizer prefilled with red menthol
Silver tip Clearomizer prefilled with Organic Bed of Roses


I was very excited when UK E-Cig Store offered to provide me with the tools I needed for Stoptober in order to review the items honestly and in detail on this here blog!

When my kit arrived, I was so totally confused at first. It wasn't as 'easy' as those cheaper e-cigs appear, the ones that you just toke and go. This kit is much more sophisticated so immediately I had high hopes - hey, first impressions really do count!

There was the rechargable 'butt', namely the Joyetech Ego Upgrade Battery, 2 prefilled clearomizers, 5 cartomizers and a USB charger.


Cartomizer 
It was literally as easy as twist and puff though once you looked at the bits and pieces. 
The cartomisers are prefilled with standard tobacco flavoured vaping juice. Believe it or not, they are really 'lifelike' to a standard cigarette. 

I'm on day 6 so don't want to give a full review as yet, just my first impressions...

The vape seems a bit warm to me though, not in flavour but in temperature. I do think that this is because I've been smoking menthol cigs for the past 8 months so they feel cooler in taste to usual smokes.

I find it a tad difficult to hold too as the battery is much heavier than the cartomizer attachment plus you have the release button to press at the same time. 


Clearomizer 
The clearomizers however, so much more ergonomically friendly by gently slimming to the tip. It balances the weight well too. 

It felt odd puffing on the narrow teat-like tip rather than a typical cylinder, but I actually prefer it. Makes vaping feel different to smoking, which is essentially what I want - to disassociate myself with smoking.

Red menthol clearomizer is just beautiful. Absolutely lovely to vape. It's smooth, delicious and still gives you that hit you crave.

Organic Bed of Roses is surprisingly pleasant, the smell reminds me of a rose/musk hand cream, I know, I know - sounds gross - but it's quite soothing. I tried to use it as my only source for one day but after about 3 "cigs" it became too much so swapped over to my menthol again. I'm definitely persevering though because I need to do this. I can't give up giving up LOL!

I do need to order some more menthol though, for fear of having the 'cash syndrome' as I explained in the opening paragraphs!

I'm going to be posting a video blog next week when hubby has some time off to help me film.  I will show you how to twist and go... but for now...

... here's me enjoying my UK E-Cig Store Red Menthol Ego Upgrade :-)



Much more attractive than fag-ash-Lil, don't you agree?!

Take care, JoJo xx


*Review* ClaireaBella & ToxicFox

Well, it was a rainy day (as usual) and nothing much going down on twitter 'til I get a DM notification. It was only bloomin' ToxicFox asking if I would like to review a ClaireaBella product... 
carsonsmummy review, claireabella bag
EEEEP!! Love it!

I literally bit their poor hands off, I could not quite believe my luck!

In fact, when I first started Twitter in January of this year, one of the first people I was following was ClaireaBella, she has such a buzzing fan base - utterly incredible! 

I've had my eye on one of the babies for a long time, hinted several a bajillion times to hubby that it's top of my Christmas list and even saved the link as a favourite on our laptop LOL. (Men, when will they learn?!)

See me twinkle, see me shine!
I knew it wasn't to be a personalised bag (err...hello?! so what, I'm still getting one!!), but if you do want one personalised, it's easy to do.

Choose hair style & colour, eye colour, dress style and even skin tone (something I hadn't even thought about to be honest... these guys think of everything, no?) Check out how you can choose your own personalised Polo Jute bag. 

Not just easy to navigate, but excitingly interactive too - thumbs up ToxicFox!

Funky Font
Personally, I was devastated they sent me a blonde one when I'm the total opposite, but that can't affect my review. One thing I was nervy about too was that my expectations where high, super duper high. That's not always a good thing when doing a review as there is more chance of disappointment should it not live up to what you think/hope.

But this totally aside, here are my thoughts.... 
Firstly, the loving workmanship gone into these hand painted bags are exceptional, every detail spot on including beautiful diamantes in the pupils and glitter in the dress and hair. 

A mega glam babe presents herself on the bag, next to the typical quirky ClaireaBella calligraphy down the side - also glittered too (which, again, you can personalise if you wanted!)

The bag by the way is thicker and stronger than I imagined. It can really hold some weight without any strain on the handles. Great for packed lunches - and at 21cm wide, 15cm high and a 10cm gusset - perfect size too! 

You're telling me?!
I used it as my lunch bag the past 3 days and it's been absolutely spot on. 

Lunch this week mostly consisted of tangerine, apple, banana, yoghurt and a small batch (barm/roll whatever word you use!) of some sort! Regardless of what it was, it had plenty of space and the gusset didn't sag or weigh down - always a sign of good quality, I'm sure you'll agree.

Should you have larger lunches than I (UNLIKELY!), or would rather use a ClaireaBella bag as a full blown handbag/change bag/gym bag/you-whole-life-bag, there are sizes that will suit! The Polo Jute that I'm reviewing here retails at £24.99, there are medium and large jutes available too from £32.99.

Take a look!

Yum, Lunch!
I was 'lucky' enough to be able to fully test this bag... as it piddled down with rain on Tues and Weds evening on the way home from work. The paint is totally in tact, a few bits of glitter transferred on to my bag, but it's glitter - that's what it was born to do! The bag was totally unaffected and the contents were not wet at all.

** I was asked at the bus stop by a random where I got my bag from! This person was a MALE! 
(Lucky, Lucky Lady!)

** I overheard 2 girls, roughly 20 years old, in Liverpool City Centre dramatically exclaim "OH MY GOD IT'S CLAIREABELLA!"

** I've got my friend asking to book a date to 'come visit her' << yes... the bag, not me! Thanks Tracey!! 

General consensus from others was W.O.W!!

And I don't blame them. Total quality, not a sniff of it being thrown together - in fact, the 15 working day despatch time for personalised bags prove this - time, love, care and quality. Oh, an glamour baby! 

I felt like everyone was looking at me when I was holding this bag, and not in a bad way. This is the answer to my question the other month - how can I look fashionable and sexy when I'm fat? 

WITH A ClaireaBella BAG, THAT'S HOW!!

carsonsmummy claireabella bag review

10/10 ... and now I'm looking at hoodies and mugs... :-)

Have you had a ClaireaBella product, what did you think? 
All comments appreciated - Love ya's, Love me xx
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