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Ever Diary: Six Month Essentials

written by ChristingC


Ever is half a year old now! Seriously…six months since she entered our lives.  That is just crazy to me.  She’s big now.  Her cute chubby legs getting longer by day and that smile is pretty much always present.  I am absolutely loving the fact that she looks so much like me.  Still a mixture of us both, but she does kind of resemble a little caricature of me.   We are a family of foodies (even our dog is obsessed with food) and she is following her in parents footsteps. We’ve started solids and it’s the most fun process.  

Along with starting solids, Ever is pretty much on track with her developmental milestones. She’s sitting up with very little support, can stand with support, and we have some clumsy crawling too.  Breastfeeding is still going very well and I don’t see it stopping for at least another two months, but I could easily go on until she is a year old.  No forcing her, I’m hoping we come to a natural halt together.   

This month’s essentials:

1.  Weaning supplies such as plastic spoons, storage containers, blender, plastic bowls, and sippy cup.  We also got teething rusks, biscuits, and organic baby rice to mix in with her veggies and fruits.  Ella’s baby food is organic and amazing if you don’t want to make it yourself.  I really recommend Bumps to Babes for all this stuff.  The brand isn’t important, but they have the hugest selection of baby food and supplies.  You can’t go wrong.  

2.  High Chair.  We went for Mamas & Papas for this one.  We were tempted to go more budget as we didn’t know if we would start using a booster seat soon, but I’m so glad we got this one.  It’s suitable for up to 4 years and Ever spends more than just her meal times there.  We often put her in when she’s watching tv with us or just hanging out.  She loves playing with her toys and snacking on finger foods off the tray.

3. Baby jail or play pen.  She’s crawling and we have a little dog so we’ve had to contain her.  She actually loves being on the ground so we’ve purchased a bunch of foamy floor tiles and a guard rail for her.  I recommend Tao Bao for the biggest selection and affordability.  The Skip Hop Playmat is tested for chemicals and suitable from newborn, and friends have told me yoga mats or purchasing those huge foamy pads from the gym works too.  

4. Books.  Ever loves colourful books.  The more textures and colours the better.  They are perfect for before bedtime and make her really interactive.  She’s already turning the pages herself and gets excited when we bring them out.

5. Organic Coconut Oil and Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream.  Ever has had a few dry patches on her legs and face that wouldn’t go away. We used both coconut oil (make sure it’s pure and organic) and Cetaphil which have worked wonders.  She also bathes in a bit of oatmeal which is really helping the dryness.  Just wrap some quick cook oatmeal in a muslin cloth and swish it around the warm water pre-bath.  Her skin is now softer than before and smells amazing.

And that’s it.  I’ll try to update more on here as she’s changing so much lately.  Keep a lookout for posts about the food we are feeding her and adventures in baby play dates.
xx
November 2, 2014 1 comment
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BeautyUncategorized

Beauty Post: Blonde Talk and More

written by ChristingC
Hair 101

I get lots of questions about my colourist and just general hair dilemmas so here I go.  I’m definitely no expert and pretty lazy at the best of times but I’ll share with you guys some stuff that def works for me.

Salon: I get my colour done by Andy from QG Private i.  He just gets me, is super quick, and always gets that right shade of blonde without any brassiness.  I love the treatment they do there too, so you can leave the salon with silky smooth locks.  I have seriously tried a lot of salons and they never went blonde enough or it was really really patchy.  Andy isn’t over priced, but the salon is comfortable, chic, and friendly.  Mention you read about it here and he might be able to give you a discount 😉

Purple soap: or shampoo to be exact. If your hair is super dark and you want to go ashy blonde, you understand my fears.  To battle any orange tones and preserve the colour, I shampoo with purple shampoo at least once a week.  My favourites are John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Correct or Loreal Professional Expert Silver.  They can be drying so make sure to use a deep conditioner afterwards.

Deep conditioner:  I use treatments a lot, otherwise my hair would be straw.  I love Redken All Soft Heavy Cream and Morrocan Oil.  Aussie Three Minute Miracle also does the job on a budget and a good helping of organic coconut oil works too.  I often leave them on overnight or throughout the day if I’m staying home.

And that’s it.  I also use a hair serum before I blow dry… nothing special and varies month to month.  To get waves I either use GHD straightners, curling tongs, or just leave semi wet hair in a bun to dry.  All of the above do the job.  

Hope that helps!

xx  

November 2, 2014 0 comment
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missed ya

written by ChristingC


from top to bottom: C. by Christing C. dress, Gabriela Mora necklace, Hairy Crab at Cuisine Cuisine, Bread&Beast at PMQ, Melissa Bui’s SS15 Collection, and Carin Wester Blouse paired with Le Marais Skirt.

It’s been awhile and I somehow didn’t notice.  I’m going to learn to be better on here.  Pinky swear…take more pics, post more pics 😉 

Lately it’s all about planning two beach holidays happening in about a week and keeping up with daily date nights and an almost crawling baby.  I need to spin this week and get my holiday wardrobe in full gear.  

Missed u!

xx

Bloglovin / Twitter / Facebook / Tumblr /Weibo/ Instagram 

November 2, 2014 0 comment
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teach them well and let them lead the way

written by ChristingC
Monday has arrived faster than expected and I’m trying to wrap my mind around all that has surpassed in the past six months. I often dwell in moments of anxiety when it dawns on my subconscious that it is pretty feasible for four years to pass within a flash. Do you ever fear not enough has been accomplished in your 24 hour day? I have friends who can run at full pace 99% of the time, and then there’s me.  Achievement without my relaxed happiness basically means nothing.  The actual idea that my daughter has to go to school by the age of two and that I need to consider which education path she should take before her first step has even occurred is extremely surreal.  As each generation grows we become more competitive, more structured, more determined.  We dream bigger but what happened to just lying on a beach, maybe for a month, building a good foundation for a loving family.  I am starting to realise the healthier my relationship is with my daughter and my husband the more well adjusted she’ll be in future.  What is a great education and all the opportunity in the world if she doesn’t feel safe or know the true meaning of love.  Everyone speaks of planning how they will teach their children math, reading, and writing, but how do we teach our young about the world.  How to search for true love and not to throw yourself away for anything less.  How to be strong, confident, and voice your views.  How to share and have compassion for others less fortunate than yourself.  How to enjoy your life rather than trapping yourself in a path that is forced upon you.  Half a year will have passed since she entered this world and I just want to make sure she smiles and laughs through most of her day.  Everything else will come later, and if all those crazy logistics don’t really work out just as well as the super planners then it will still be okay because we are happy and have each other. 

xx
October 20, 2014 0 comment
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press stop

written by ChristingC
Ba&sh knit jacket, C. by Christing C. slip dress, and Zara boots.
Lazily browsing the web, eyes barely open, half paying attention to the new Kiera Knightly movie playing in the background, leaning my sleepy head upon the boy’s shoulder, and sipping decaf coffee with a little bowl of ice cream.  Sundays are often the best part of fun packed, non-stop weeks.  I relish in romantic date nights, champagne fuelled recklessness, and encouraging my creative mind to run wild but sometimes I just want to snooze, cuddle my family, and mindlessly window shop online.  Hope you are all enjoying a lazy Sunday too.
xx
October 12, 2014 0 comment
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BeautyUncategorized

Strip Ministry of Waxing, Hong Kong

written by ChristingC
 As a sun addicted, beach worshipper, being bikini ready is always pretty high at the top of my list.  With HK’s perfect weather still going strong, a million boat trips in my diary, and all those winter beach vacations in the cards, I wanted to share with you guys my go-to waxing salon.  Strip is super conveniently located in Central, have friendly, professional staff and most importantly get the job done quickly and with little discomfort.  I tried their seasonal coconut wax which reminded me of yummy tanning oils and days by the sea.  Their technicians are trained to do the job quickly and efficiently in their comfortable treatment rooms, always utilising the best techniques and products on the market.  Make sure to purchase some “ice cream” on your way out, their ultra soothing after care cream to help with any irritation.  Definitely recommend!
xx
October 12, 2014 0 comment
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FamilyUncategorized

Ever’s Travel Tips

written by ChristingC

Travelling with a baby, especially your first, can be one of the most daunting tasks as a parent. I envisioned angry passengers glaring at our screaming baby and explosive diapers stinking up the entire plane.  Not to mention embarrassing experiences with public breastfeeding and selecting the ideal baby friendly restaurants.  We went through all of this and more on our recent three week excursion to Europe and although it wasn’t as bad as we had feared we managed to learn a few invaluable lessons along the way.

Airplanes, Trains, Cars, and more.
Not only do you have to board the outbound flight and spend the rest of your trip worrying about the return journey, chances are you will also have many other modes of transport that will be mandatory on any vacation.  This was my biggest fear, how to keep a baby occupied for 12 hours on a plane,and on every subsequent bus or train journey after that. 
-Make sure the baby has her own carry on and it’s very organized.  We always had a travel change mat, full pack of wipes, one diaper for every two hours including five extra in case of delays, anti bacterial gel in case we have to clean dirty changing stations, two of her favourite toys, extra clothes for both us and baby, plenty of muslin cloths, and two blankets.  
-If you don’t have an airport lounge you can use then it’s worth it to go into one of the ones you can pay to use. We used Plaza Premium Lounge at HK Airport.  This means helpful staff, bigger couches and private corners for nursing, and larger cleaner bathrooms for changing.  Plus you will have plenty of drinks and snacks to keep you going…you won’t be getting much sleep during the flight.
-If you are breastfeeding, nurse during take off and landing.  This made Ever fall asleep during every take off and helped with her ears. At least I was able to get two hours of peace, since her first nap was right at the beginning of the flight.
-Sleeping on a plane is hard, and Ever basically refused to sleep in the provided bassinet.  We used it as a place to put all her things and she hung out in it for a little bit, but mainly she slept on my chest.  I found night flights to be amazing. She slept most of the way, and the back of the plane has the most white noise if your baby needs to be rocked to sleep.  
-Bring your sling (we use the ErgoBaby) in case you have to walk the baby up and down the aisles.  Makes it much easier on your back and safer in case of turbulence.  
-Book a taxi in advance to pick you up from airport and make sure you specify the car seat you will be needing.  This made getting to our hotel or apartment infinitely easier, and private car services tend to have a variety of car seats so you don’t have to crate around your own.  You also have someone in arrivals all ready to help you with luggage.
Naps, Accommodation and Baby Friendly Dining

-In between travelling we found nap times to be essential.  If she was tired our lunch, beach, drinks, shopping excursions would be nightmares, so we ended up being far more strict with her schedule.  For her afternoon nap we would walk her in the stroller until she slept and then head to lunch once she was snoozing. This meant we could have a quiet and enjoyable meal without any baby interruptions. It was also essential for us to stay in apartments rather than hotels, as we needed a kitchen and more space.  It was pretty impossible to take Ever out at night, but she went to bed each night at 7pm so we made sure to have a nice dining space where we were staying and indulge in a romantic dinner at home instead of going out.

-Baby friendly venues were essential as I needed to breastfeed her and we didn’t want her laughing, squealing or maybe even crying to disturb any patrons.  We would generally peer into any pub or restaurant before entering and search for other strollers.  Certain areas such as Notting Hill and Marylebone in London were amazing for baby friendly venues.  These venues are also more likely to have changing tables and high chairs and are more understanding about noise.

-Bring walking shoes and be prepared to walk…a lot.  Public transport is just plain inconvenient with a stroller and baby in tow so we loved staying in the centre of town and walking to all our destinations.  This also kept Ever occupied and she generally fell asleep in the stroller which gave us a good amount of quiet time.  
Hope all of this helps.  Although our three weeks without a nanny were some of the hardest during parenthood I would not give up our family vacation for anything.  Looking back at Ever’s first swim in the Mediterranean Sea, walking and dining in our old neighbourhood, and just general bonding with her are memories we will always have.  Planning for another trip soon, so stay tuned for more 😉

October 7, 2014 1 comment
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we shared a moment that will last till the end

written by ChristingC
Loving the nostalgic idea of Autumn despite the fact that HK doesn’t really cater weather wise to this season at all.  I’m still drawn to the mood.  A certain quiet buzz as we near the end of the year. It’s been a big year for me and the boy and I are ensuring we end it with a bang.  Lots of plans in action for the next few months, and a general thankful attitude towards all that has happened.  As I inch into one busy week to the next, I’m willing the months to move in slow motion so I am able to relish each second and remember it all.
xx
October 6, 2014 0 comment
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finding you

written by ChristingC
 Traipsing through my old stomping grounds and reminiscing about a past life has me thinking how much things have changed in the past few years.  Not only had the boy and I uprooted everything we knew in exchange for an enticing opportunity, but during this shift our dreams, goals, and needs have moved along to a new place.  It can be daunting to return somewhere that little has changed and realize how much you have in this process.  I now relish in time spent alone with my family and need little else than laughter, cuddles, and full time moments in our trio.  Rampant stories about escapades in the debatable fun of one night stands, boring debates about which neighbourhood is trendiest, or just general time spent perfecting that make up full face are just that much less interesting.  Instead I dream of deserted islands and foreign family adventures, the perfect ingredients to a cozy home, making the my girl grin her biggest smile, and long midnight chats with the boy.  Nothing is ever perfect, but I am a believer in building your dreams, not throwing in the towel too soon, or taking the road most travelled.  Do it your way and regret will never find you. 
xx
October 2, 2014 0 comment
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FamilyUncategorized

Ever Diary: Cannes and London Travel Essentials

written by ChristingC

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared an Ever Diary post with you guys.  Lets say travelling for three weeks with a four month old baby, traipsing around Europe, and leaving behind our nanny was a challenging task.  Although it is probably the hardest I have worked at being a mummy, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences as a parent.  Both the boy and I bonded immensely with Ever, learned all her little quirks and signals, and basked in the fact that she would only smile and snuggle with us.  Ever showed her fear of strangers, increasing interest in stroller rides, curiosity and cravings for solids, ability to giggle, laugh, and coo, and her charmingly fun personality.  She is now a few days away from five months old and can turn from back to front, front to back, grasps her toys, and places everything into her mouth, so we have to watch her far more closely than before. She seems like a completely different baby from the one that embarked on our journey.  Not only has she vastly grown in size, but her cute personality has really started to reveal itself.  We’ve loved to hear her funny laughs and endearing baby talk and are so happy she is genuinely such a happy baby.  Ever loves the camera and poses on demand, which made documenting the trip that much easier.  
I have combined both four and five months essentials together and wanted to share with you guys what she currently loves and also what was useful to us during our travels.  I’ll also add a few of our favourite shopping spots while in France and England 🙂
Maclaren 4 Seasons Stroller:  Ever loves this stroller.  She’s so curious when riding around town, it folds up so easily for airports and taxi journeys, the basket underneath holds plenty of shopping, and I love the nude colour palate.  It is also insanely durable which is very important if you are checking it in and throwing it constantly into the back of a cab.  
Water Wipes:  These are so cheap in Boots and are really pure.  Basically just water and a little fruit extract.  I always had a pack on me to wipe Ever if she threw up, for on the go diaper changes, and just general cleaning of her teething toys in case she dropped them.  It never irritated her skin and doesn’t have any fragrance so perfect for sensitive skin babies.
Mischa Bucket Tote:  This was the ideal baby carry on, beach bag, and baby bag.  I could fit everything I needed for Ever and even a few of my own items.  Comes in plenty of colours and you can monogram it with your baby’s name.  Makes a great gift too!
Mustela Physiobebe:  I absolutely love this product.  It’s a no rinse cleanser which was perfect for cleaning on the go, or when there wasn’t a suitable bath for bathing.  Left her skin silky smooth everytime and is very gentle.  It’s safe to use on babies from birth and very natural.  Mustela is one of my favourite baby skincare brands.  We also love Hydrabebe for her face and the cold cream.  The sunscreen didn’t irritate Ever either and worked great throughout our Cannes trip.  If you are in France stock up at the local pharmacies, much cheaper than HK prices.
Hot Water Bottle: Ever was great at falling asleep every night and sleeping through the night during our trip which made dinners for the boy and I very enjoyable.  We would eat on the balcony with the door open, and placed Ever next to a hot water bottle so she felt like someone was there.  The key to keeping her asleep was keeping her warm.  Make sure the water isn’t too hot for the baby.  We loved the fuzzy cute ones available at Primark, and the prices are pretty enticing too so you can’t really lose.
Fanta Bottle:  This sounds crazy, but Ever’s favourite toy is a Fanta bottle.  We discovered this by mistake but this never fails to get her to stop crying or make her smile.  Get a Fanta bottle, drink most of it until there is two inches of liquid left at the bottom, then shake it or move the liquid from side to side.  Try this!  Ever loves watching the liquid move around, plays with it herself, and since she’s teething she chews on the cap.  We don’t leave it with her unattended but it’s an amazing find and got us through a few rocky patches on the flights.
Shopping spots:
England: 
Little White Comany– for the cutest soothers, clothes, and blankets.  I loved the layout and great quality of products.  
Primark– I usually hate Primark.  It’s busy, just plain annoying, and low quality but the packs of 100% cotton onesies and bibs are so affordable and easy.  Ever throws up all the time so we stocked up on a few sizes.
Mothercare– We got tons of weaning supplies as it’s cheaper in the UK than in HK and we’ll be moving Ever onto solids next month.  Also great for toys, strollers, and general baby stuff. 
Boots– We stocked up on organic baby rice and food.  There are always two for one offers and they have a great variety of teething toys.  We also liked their selection of wipes and diapers and it was a great spot to pick up anything we forgot for Ever.
Topshop– Less for babies but they have my favourite maternity range.  Stylish leggings, loose blouses, and flattering dresses.  Their nursing bras are even pretty. 
France:
Pharmacies– Stock up on Mustela and all other French brand baby stuff.  I was there for hours browsing.  The no rinse cleansers and lotions are ideal.
Monoprix– Really affordable baby clothes that kind of resemble some more expensive brand’s styles.  I love French baby clothing, the style is so sweet with petite florals and peter pan collars. I stocked up on neutral toned floral dresses, tartan dresses, and cute knit cardigans.  Their toddler stuff was amazing too.  Think boho dresses and fringed moccasins.  Can’t wait to go back when Ever is one for more 😉
Petit Bateau– So much cheaper in France and lots of choice.  We stocked up on tons of sizes as we probably won’t be back for a year.

September 21, 2014 19 comments
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