Author Archives: A ‘not so’ Farmers Wife

Stephanie. A blogger & network marketer based in East Yorkshire U.K.

My Hospital Bag Check List

Some may call me OTT with my hospital bag check list, but that I am.
I am the kind of girl that goes away for two nights but packs like she’s off on her jolly’s for two weeks!
Packing your hospital bag is difficult because you really don’t know if there is going to be a plot twist chucked in there and whether your stay is going to be longer than what you’ve planned.

I have now fully packed our hospital bags now. I had them packed by 32 weeks just because I like to be organised.

In total I am packing 5 bags. Yes, 5!
I told you some may say it is OTT, but hear me out!
One bag for me, one bag for the baby, one bag for Ben, one bag for the snacks (extremely essential) and another bag to go in the car with spares just in case the hospital stay is longer than expected then everything is to hand for Ben to grab out of the boot of the car and bring into the hospital for me!
So technically, we are taking 4 into the hospital and the 5th bag is there just in case.

For Mummy:

  • Maternity notes.
  • Notepad & pen.
  • Birth plan (If you’re making a plan. Personally, I’m not making a plan).
  • Flip flops for the shower.
  • Hand sanitiser.
  • Hand cream.
  • Lip balm. Apparently, the gas & air causes your lips to dry out!
  • Dressing gown.
  • Comfortable, dark coloured clothing/loungewear. I have packed a couple of sets of loungewear with me.
  • Comfortable, dark coloured nightwear. I have packed two oversized nighties as I find them the most comfortable and then nothing will be rubbing in case I have to have a C section. I am also planning to breast feed too so I have packed two that have a button open front for easy access.
  • Slippers.
  • Disposable knickers/pants. You can buy these in the maternity range but I did find them cheaper in the incontinent section and they also come up high waist so in the event of having a C section, they won’t rub.
  • Maternity pads.
  • Thick sanitary towels. I have been recommended to get the heavy flow, night ones with wings.
  • Battery pack to charge phone. I am sure most hospitals do allow you to charge your mobile whilst in hospital, but the hospital we will be going to actually doesn’t due to PAT testing and safety rules!
  • Book/Magazine.
  • Handheld fan. I will be having a summer baby so I can imagine it might get a little warm!
  • Face wipes.
  • Moisturiser. I have used Palmer’s stretch mark cream throughout my pregnancy and I have also been advised to continue using stretch mark creams/moisturiser after birth too.
  • Pillow. I will be taking my very much loved V shape pregnancy pillow.
  • Nipple cream (if breast feeding).
  • Breast pads.
  • Nursing bra (if breast feeding). I will be taking two with me.
  • LARGE dark coloured knickers. Again, I have bought some that are high waisted so in the event of me having a C section, it will not irritate any stitches. I will be taking 6 pairs with me.
  • Dark coloured, large towel.
  • Dark coloured flannel.
  • Washing Sponge.
  • Deodorant.
  • Hair brush, head band & bobbles.
  • Dry Shampoo.
  • Shower gel. I have gone for soap free & fragrance free shower gel to prevent any stings after labour.
  • Shampoo & conditioner. I will be taking travel sized bottles of these rather than taking the large bottles.
  • Spritz for bits by the expert midwife. I have been recommended this by so many people. It is apparently amazing to help you after birth if you are a little delicate.
  • Tooth brush, tooth paste.
  • Empty plastic bags to store any dirty laundry in.
  • Bed socks with grips on the bottom.
  • Head phones.
  • Cash/spare change.
  • Tissues
  • Peri bottle
  • Water bottle with a straw.

For Daddy:

  • Change of clothing, underwear, socks etc.
  • Tooth brush/tooth paste.
  • Deodorant.
  • Magazine/book.
  • Cash/change.
  • Head phones.
  • Phone charger/battery charging pack.

For Baby:

I have packed the babies items separately in clear, labelled zip locked bags so it is much easier for Ben to find. For example, I have a new born vest and sleepsuit in one bag, muslins in another bag, socks and mittens in another bag, bibs in another and so on.

Spare bag for the car:

The snacks:

  • Savoury snacks, crisps etc.
  • Sweet snacks, chocolate bars etc.
  • None fizzy energy drinks. I have gone from lucozade raspberry sport.
  • Robinsons squash’d juice pot. These are small and compact so perfect to pack specially if you’re not the biggest fan of water like me.

And I think that is everything… or you would like to hope so!
I probably have over packed & probably won’t even need half of the items I have packed, but I would rather have something and not use it than wish I had packed something and need it.

Have I missed something? Is there something that you would recommend that I haven’t packed?
If so, let me know in the comments!

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Our Baby Shopping List

It wasn’t long after we found out that we were expecting that I wrote myself lots of lists for baby items that we needed to get and things we needed to do before the arrival. I made a list for general baby items, the nursery items, my hospital bag, the babies hospital bag, to buy for mummy, changing bag shopping list, my plan before hospital (the build up to going into hospital) and things to do before the baby arrives. I am surprised I didn’t have a list to organise my lists!

I am going to share with you the items that I have on my baby item lists as it has really helped me to keep organised with what we need and ticked off as we went along.

General Items:

  • Vests. Newborn and 0-3 months.
  • Baby grows/sleepsuits. Newborn and 0-3 months. Keep your eyes peeled for grows that have zips on too!
  • Mittens. Although most sleepsuits have built in mittens, I have bought some anyway incase the baby is wearing a short sleeved outfit.
  • Booties/Socks
  • Hats.
  • Cardigans.
  • Blankets. Cellular blankets have been highly recommended as they are breathable.
  • Muslins.
  • Changing bag.
  • Changing mat. I have got one for upstairs, one for downstairs and a travel one in my changing bag.
  • Nappy caddy. I have got one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
  • Carry sling.
  • High chair. We have chosen one that can be used from birth.
  • Dummy.
  • Dummy clip.
  • Moses basket.
  • Fitted sheets for moses basket.
  • Bouncy chair.
  • Play mat.

Toiletries/Bathroom

  • Baby bath support/baby bath.
  • Baby shampoo.
  • Baby bath soap.
  • Baby lotion.
  • Baby sponges.
  • Baby towels.
  • Baby wipes/Water wipes.
  • Cotton wool pads.
  • Nappy bags
  • Nappies. I have bought two large packs of the first size but I am also going to purchase a smaller packet which will be taken into hospital with us.
  • Nappy rash cream.
  • Bath thermometer.
  • Health care kit. Includes a digital thermometer, baby scissors, baby comb and brush, baby nail clippers, 2x emery boards, toothbrush and nasal aspirator.

Feeding

Nursery

For Mummy

  • Nursing pillow.
  • Breast pads.
  • Lansinoh nipple cream.
  • Nursing bras.
  • Appropriate/comfortable underwear.
  • Comfortable nightie
  • Peri bottle.
  • Maternity knickers/pads.
  • Witch hazel.
  • Badedas indulgent bath gelee.
  • Birthing ball.

Travelling

Changing bag

  • Nappies
  • Nappy bags.
  • Wet wipes/water wipes.
  • Muslins.
  • Spare clothing.
  • Travel changing mat.
  • Creams.
  • Comforter/small toy.
  • Dummy/Dummy clips/Dummy case.
  • Hand sanitizer.
  • Dribble bibs.
  • Breast pads.
  • Tissues.
  • Sun cream (seasonal).
  • Milk – Depending on your personal feeding situation.

The list has changed and adjusted throughout my pregnancy and I can imagine it will continue that way too but I do hope that it has been helpful for you.

When it is closer to the time, I will also add my hospital bag check list too.

Thank you for reading and congratulations!

Steph x

Every Day Make Up

My go to every day make up look does tend to be a very natural look but enough to give myself a little pick me up because I always feel a little better about myself with a touch of make up on!

My favourite make up product?
It has got to be mascara! A good mascara can do wonders for sure.



Lets dig deep into my make up bag!

Silicone Base Primer – Applying primer before your foundation is KEY! Creates the perfect smooth base for your foundation to sit on!

Blur Effect Foundation or Ideal Cover Foundation – Depending on the coverage I am aiming for will depend on the foundation I use. The blur effect foundation is definitely more of a every day coverage whereas the ideal cover foundation is a much stronger coverage.

The Body Collection Concealer – To hide them bags around the eyes!

Alaya Bronzer – I tend to use bronzer for more of a contour and apply it to the areas that you would contour.

Blusher – To add a bit of colour to them cheeks!

3D Liquid Highlight Drops – Add that glow to your day!

The Nudes, W7 Eye Shadow Palette – I love these colours for every day wear. I tend to wear the second one on the left the most.

Eye Brow Pencil – This is such a handy little brow pencil because it comes with a built in sharpener too!

Brow Mascara – Ideal to keep your brows in shape throughout the day!

Full HD Legendary Mascara – I swear by this mascara. My long term favourite for sure!

Creamy Long Lasting Matte Lipstick – I have this lipstick in a few shades now and it is definitely my go to lipstick!

Revolution Sport Fix Setting Spray – If you need a good, long wearing setting spray then this is definitely the one to go for. My make up doesn’t even budge after I have applied this!

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist – I like to use this face mist just to give my tan a nice top up. Some fake tans have a funky smell to them don’t they? Well, this one doesn’t! In fact, it hasn’t got much of a smell at all. Touch wood, so far it has always applied evenly too which is a winner!

Banana Oat Pancakes

I am a sucker for pancakes and especially when they are this simple to make and as easy as only three ingredients!

Ingredients:

  • One banana – mashed
  • 30g oats
  • 2 eggs whisked

If you would like to add a little extra flavour to your pancakes then add a pinch of cinnamon too… or even choc chips!

Method:

  • Add two whisked eggs to your mashed banana and then add the oats and combine together. If you do add cinnamon or choc chips also add them at this stage!
  • Heat a little bit of butter in a pan, on a medium heat. Add the pancake mixture and cook on each side on the medium head for approx 2 mins per side. Make sure the heat isn’t too high so they don’t burn. This mixture made me 4 pancakes.

I served mine with strawberries, raspberries and honey but be as adventurous as you wish with your toppings!

If you do try this recipe, please let me know what you think. Tag me on Instagram @notsofarmerswife as I would love to see yours!

Creamy Garlic Mushrooms

If we go out for a meal and I see creamy garlic mushrooms on the starter menu then that is definitely what I will be ordering. Served with a freshly baked baguette…. oh YUM!

If you are like me and also a huge lover of the creamy garlic mushrooms then you’re going to love this recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 250g mushrooms – I used chestnut mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 200ml double cream
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 1 large garlic glove minced
  • 100ml chicken stock
  • 30g grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
  • salt & pepper to season

Method:

  • Chop the onion, mince the garlic and slice the mushrooms.
  • Melt the butter in a pan on a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Stir through the pan until soft and translucent. Add the mushrooms to the butter/onion mixture.
  • Fry the mushrooms until golden brown. Add the chicken stock and keep stirring.
  • Pour in the cream and add the parsley. Stir and add the grated parmesan cheese to the pan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Reduce the heat. Let the mushrooms simmer in the pan until the parmesan cheese is melted and bubbly. This will take approx 3 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!
We served ours with part baked baguettes which were perfect to soak up that delicious sauce!

If you try this recipe, I would love to know what you thought!
Please share your makes on Instagram and tag me @notsofarmerswife as I would love to see them!

Take care
x

The Network Marketing Desk Planner!

DREAM PLAN DO

(Please note: the purchased planner will have the @notsofarmerswife watermark removed)

I have created this two page weekly desk planner with a certain network marketing business in mind. However, it is flexible to other network marketing businesses to keep your business organised and your mind focused!

I am such a lover of a to do list and having my day planned. This planner will enable to you plan your week to keep you motivated and also keep track of your week.

This planner includes:

PAGE ONE (WEEKLY PLANNER):
– Monday to Friday section including your daily points tracker.
– Your D.M.O. (daily method of operation)
– Weekly goals.
– Product focus (what products are you going to focus on this week to promote).
– Personal improvement (what can you improve on for next week).
– Sale tracker (record what sales you’ve had this week)
– Query tracker. (who has enquired about a product this week)
– New team Member tracker.
– Recruitment enquiry.
– Training tracker. Have you done any training this week?
-Order placed tracker.

PAGE TWO (CONTACT TRACKER):
– New recruitment. Keep a track of your new team members and their contact details.
-Recruitment enquiry. Keep track of who has enquired about recruitment and their contact details.
-Order feedback. Keep track of who has received their order and ask for feedback.
-Order enquiry. Keep track of who has enquired about a product and their contact details.

Keeping a track of your working week will enable to you go back and see how your business has improved over time or what you can improve/change!

I would absolutely love to see you using your planner so please do tag me on @notsofarmerswife over on Instagram!

Please note: This is NOT a physical planner and you will not receive a product from us. This is a printable A4 planner template for you to print off and use when you need.
This is for personal use ONLY and can not be resold, shared or redistributed between friends, family, team members or anyone else.

Cheesy Leeks

Another tried and tested recipe for you!

Leeks have upped their game here and are now the perfect side dish for your meal… especially if you’re a lover of cheese, like me!

We served our cheesy leeks with belly pork & mash and it will definitely be going on our menu again!

Ingredients:
1 large leek
1 tablespoon cooking oil or butter
1 heaped tablespoon plain flour
200 ml milk
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
80 g mature cheddar (finely grated and divided)
Salt and pepper

Method:
1) Finely slice the leek then wash thoroughly and drain well.

2) Place a medium sized pan over a low to medium heat then add the oil or butter and the leek and cook, lid on but stirring often, until the leek has fully softened – 10 to 15 minutes.* Meanwhile, warm the milk so that it is hot but not scalding.

3) Preheat the oven to 180°C (350F).

4) When the leeks are soft and the juices have evaporated lower the heat. Add the flour and stir in, cooking for a minute or so, then pour in the hot milk and stir into the leeks.

5) Bring to a gentle simmer. Now add the mustard, ¾ of the cheese and the pepper and combine. Check the seasoning adding salt if necessary.

6) Pour the leeks into an oven dish, sprinkle with the remainder of the cheese and place into the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Serve and enjoy!
As always, if you do try any of the recipes I have shared, please share them to your stories and tag me on Instagram @notsofarmerswife as I would love to see them!

Steph x

Instagram Story Templates

These templates have been created with Instagram stories specifically in mind for a bit of fun! However, feel free to use them however you wish!

If you do use them on Instagram, I would love for you to tag me @notsofarmerswife so I am able to see you using them and re-share your stories!

Encouraging your followers to also use the templates and asking them to tag yourself in the templates when they re-share to their stories is a fun way to build up Instagram engagement and build a community!

Amazon Baby Haul

As soon as we had our 12 week scan, I couldn’t wait to start collecting baby items! Unfortunately with the current circumstances in the U.K. with the country being in lockdown, we are unable to go to the shops for a good old browse around.
Luckily online shopping is dangerously handy, especially Amazon!

I am currently 19 weeks pregnant so I am in my second trimester. We are pretty organised to be honest, there isn’t a awful lot left that we need to buy which isn’t bad going! However, I am definitely looking forward to going round the shops to get cute baby clothing. Online shopping just isn’t the same for buying cute baby clothes… but it is pretty handy for the other essential items!

Here is some of the items we have got so far from Amazon:

Tommee Tippee – Closer to Nature. Clear bottles, pack of 6 260ml.

Who knew buying bottles for a baby was such a mind field?
I definitely didn’t realise how many different options there is on the market!
We are hoping to breastfeed, however, we are definitely getting prepared for plan B just incase! We are going to try with these Tommee Tippee bottles first and see how we get along as I am aware every baby is different and they don’t all agree with certain bottles so we will see how we go!

Wooden Baby Wardrobe Dividers.

These are absolutely adorable and will be perfect to keep the little ones wardrobe organised. They start from age new born and go up to 18-24 months which is really handy!
They also come in a gorgeous velvet bag but be aware, the bag is pink! We aren’t finding out our babies sex but the bag personally doesn’t bother me as the dividers are what matter!

Nappy Caddy Organiser.

I have got this organiser to go in our living room to store nappies, baby wipes, nappy sacks etc etc! (to save my little legs going up and down stairs every few hours with the bambino!)
There are so many different nappy caddy organisers available but I absolutely loved the style of this one and will go perfectly with the decor of our living room. It also has a divider inside which is attached by velcro so if you don’t want the sections you could easily remove this part.

Cloth Drawers Organisers – Set of 6.

We have recently ordered the wardrobe and cot for the nursery so when they get delivered I will be excited to get our baby items in there and organised!
This set of 6 organisers are perfect to keep the little hats, socks, mittens, bibs etc nice and tidy. There are two big, two medium and two small boxes and they are all foldable so easy to store away if not in use which is also handy!

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Healthcare Kit

I have seen these little kits in a few shops now and this was definitely the cheapest I have seen them available (currently on the sale. Reduced from £17.99 to £9.79!) It has nine essential items inside the little case and I think it will be handy to have on stand by, just in case!
You can also some times be lucky and get these from the Aldi baby event for a good price, but you have to be quick!

Motorola MBP481A Video Baby Monitor.

Another essential item! When it comes to essential baby items, like baby monitors, you are definitely spoilt for choice. There are so many available on the market to choose from.
After being spoilt for choice, we finally decided to go with this Motorola baby monitor… hopefully it will not disappoint!
Also currently on the sale on Amazon. Reduced from £69.99 to £49.99.

The Blissful Baby Expert Book.

I can not recommend this book enough to new Mum’s or first time Mum’s to be. Being a first time Mum, you are pretty much going into this motherhood lifestyle blind folded and hoping for the best, aren’t you?
This book has definitely given me some useful tips on healthcare, breast feeding etc!
The Blissful Baby Expert is also on Instagram too!

Tommee Tippee – Made for me, Single Manual Breast Pump.

As I said previously, I am planning to breast feed, all being well. This isn’t the breast pump I want to use long term but I like to be organised with everything so I have got this one to keep me going in the early days as it wasn’t too expensive. The breast pump I would like once I know I can definitely breastfeed is perhaps the Elvie breast pump, or one similar, but they are a little pricey which is why we haven’t bought one yet until we know if I can definitely breast feed. If you have any recommendations of good breast pumps I would love to know. Ideally I would like a hands free, portable one.

My Bump & Me Pregnancy Journal

This is one of the first items I bought. I am such a sucker for a list and being organised! This journal is ideal for that as well as documenting your pregnancy journey. There are so many sections in this journal from baby name ideas, when you first found out, the first people you told, the first time you wore maternity clothes.
There is a ‘time to start planning’ section which has baby shopping lists, ideas for the nursery, a nursery shopping list, before the baby bucket list, to do lists and much more.
There is also a weekly section where you can document any milestones from that week which will be perfect to look back on.

Your Baby, Week by Week.

This book was recommended to me by a friend of mine who also has a little boy. She said she used it as her bible when her boy entered the world and I can definitely see why. It is going to be the perfect book to pick up and read sections when you are in that stage.
The book starts at week 0 (when you’re in hospital/just leaving hospital) and goes up to week 24. Each week it explains the changes that the baby will go through in the first six months, which I guess is the most daunting time for a first time Mum!
Also covers other topics like feeding/breast feeding, when to seek medical advise, identify why your baby is crying tips and much more!
I can definitely see myself just picking this book up each week and reading one week at a time.

For now, that is all from Amazon… for now!

If you have any recommendations of any items that we may need, or what was your go to baby essential item then leave me a comment as I would love to know.

If you would like to follow my pregnancy more then come follow me over on Instagram, @notsofarmerswife .

Speak soon x

Slow Cooker Lamb in Red Wine Gravy

Tried and tested recipe and definitely a thumbs up from us!
We had a shoulder of lamb in our fridge, which we were having for our Sunday roast but I fancied doing something a little different with the lamb and I came across this recipe and will definitely be having it again in the future!

Ingredients:

Method:

  • STEP 1: Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the lamb and brown on each side for 4-5 mins. Set the slow cooker to low. Melt the butter in a saucepan until foaming, then stir through the flour. Whisk in the stock gradually until incorporated, add the wine and bring to the boil. Set aside. The Lamb gravy, at this stage will look thick but after spending 8 hrs in the slow cooker it will be a gravy consistency.
  • STEP 2: Put the onion, garlic, thyme and rosemary into your slow cooker and sit the lamb on top. Pour over the lamb gravy. Put the lid on and cook for 8 hrs or until soft and tender.
  • STEP 3: Remove the lamb and set, covered, on a plate. Strain the liquid into a pan and simmer until slightly thickened. Serve the lamb thickly sliced or shredded (it’ll be quite soft). We served ours with roast potatoes, veg and Yorkshire puddings.

Credit to BBC Good Food