Laying in bed today with suspected appendicitis and an energetic baby boy who is misreading mummy rubbing her abdomen as a signal to play the drums on her belly, it’s all too easy to forget what a lovely and relaxing night I had on Saturday. Sensing I’d partied a bit too much on Friday, Craig ran me a lovely bath with candles and rose petals and whisked Dexie off to his mums to let me recover - He even put paracetamol in a little jewellery sack on my pillow. It’s these little touches that remind me just why I can’t wait to officially become Mrs Mills.
Such a peaceful and relaxing environment was the ideal opportunity to try out the most gorgeous handmade soaps sent to me by Bluestripes. This was the most generous of gifts from my favourite bridal gift boutique on the web. Hearing that Dexter was poorly last week, they bent over backwards to send me something for both him and I to de-stress. Mummy was treated to organic handmade Strawberry and Champagne and Citrus Nectar, and Dexter was sent some Castille (unfragranced) soap for really delicate skin. For just a moment, I forgot the fact I had a mountain of washing to do, a nursery to tidy, and a raging headache. They were divine. The smell was so beautiful and my skin felt as soft as Dexter’s when I finally emerged from my sanctuary.
Bluestripes specialise in gifts for the discerning bride and babies-of-the bride. Everything is handpicked (and in some instances made) by Bluestripes themselves, and everything exudes that ultimate dream wedding vibe - it’s all so pretty and intricate. Add to this a genuine and heartfelt desire to keep everything ethically manufactured, organic and environmentally friendly and you have a luxury online boutique with a conscience. The site really is a labour of love and provenance is really important to them with most products coming from Britain. Bluestripes were keen to point out to me that my delectable soaps were made in France by a Welsh soapmaker - there’s something very quaint about that!
For the little ones, Bluestripes have created a collection of clothes and accessories that are so impossibly cute and timeless. All of these exclusive mini-collections are designed and hand crafted in England and Wales from quality materials and fabrics such as cashmere and silk. Moreover the gorgeous baby knits are created exclusively for Bluestripes by a baby knitwear designer (no less!) so you know that your child will be wearing something unique and special. There’s also a selection of soft toys that could be presented to baby on your big day so they have their very own keepsake.
I never usually direct people to social media channels with any real ferocity, but in this instance, you simply have to follow Bluestripes on Pinterest. If you are getting married and are looking for inspiration and ideas - they have such beautiful boards I think I’ve repinned just about everything to my own! The Bluestripes Facebook page is also a visual feast with lots of wedding related tit bits.
Fancy winning some beautiful gifts of your own?
Well Bluestripes have offered me the most gorgeous prize to offer to one of you - I’ve been resisting the urge to open this beautiful gift box since it arrived! Inside you’ll find a gift for mum, and a gift for baby. There’s a cute baby octopus rattle (manufactured in Fair trade handmade cotton in a safe and ethical factory in Bangladesh), and 5 luxury handmade soaps from the same soapmaker I adhered to earlier in this post. The fragrances are Amber, Blackcurrant Passion, Tomato and Basil, Olive and Lemon Scrub, and Parsley and Nettles - I’m assured they are very colourful and 100% natural. Based on my review of the soaps above, you are in for such a treat.
Entry is via Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
T&C’s – a.k.a – the boring bit!
- Only 1 option is mandatory (leave me a comment) – the rest only improve your chances of winning so just complete as many as you feel like
- UK entrants only – you must be over 18 too (sorry)
- The winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 1 week of having been emailed (I’ll try all known avenues to contact them) or a new winner will be drawn
- When the giveaway is closed, Rafflecopter will select the winner completely at random
- The winners name will be published on this site
ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions
I love the baby boys blazer in blue!
I love the French Lavender http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=49
My favourite item from the website is the Baby Anna dress. So cute.
I would love to win this little treat for me and my baby boy who is due on the 10th of June
My favorite item is the blue bunny <3
I love the bunny slippers!
Beauty by Emma - Beauty, Mummy & Lifestyle Blog
I’m going to choose the Little Daisy romper, even though it isn’t quite big enough for my girl *sob*
The Bunny slippers, cool !!
Baby Anna Dress
Frilled Bolero with Satin Ribbon Tie, so…cute!
I love this - http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=247
I am also head over heels with the bunny slippers cute x
The Frilled Bolero with Satin Ribbon Tie , gorgeous!
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=048
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=42
I love this beautiful gift set
the bunny slippers
The bunny slippers
The little daisy romper is gorgeous!
I love the dangly dog rattle, very cute! all their stuff is lovely, i am following them on pinterest already
Miss Mousey is very cute
Soft Fleece Lamb Jacket with Trews and Hat
Have fallen in love with the bunny slippers sooooo fluffy!
I can see why so many people are loving the bunny slippers - so cute - do you do them in my size
bunny slippers x
love this little beret and ballet pumps
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=047
Cherry Bluebell soap
The Baby Hair Bows are lovely!
I love the Rose bolero with a collar Item Code: BB/JA1 Fitzann
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=42 Love this Willow set
I love the Blue Rose Candle - http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=18
I love the Baby Boy’s Little Blazer, so cute!
Bunny slippers! So cute
The bunny slippers - so adorable!!
i love the pearl hair peice http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=306
Dangly Lamb Rattle
I like http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=18
dangly lamb rattle
This pretty cardigan…
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=048
Baby Anna Dress
Love the hairpins - So pretty
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=15
Totally love this ! http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=310
I like the Creme Moussant Rose Quartz
Fantastic prize
love the mouse cuddly- very beautiful!
Dangly dog rattle
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=282
I like the look of the Vintage collection in bath and body especially the Sweet Certain Surprise looks so pretty
bunny slippers
the charlotte hairpins
French Lavender
I love the French Lavender soap set - it would make a lovely gift.
I like the cream baby shawl….really beautiful
The bunny slippers are adorable
I like this Matt Black & Willow Gift Set:
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=289
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=43
This looks delightfull
Rose Bolero, Hat and Ballet Pumps
bunny slippers
the baby anna dress
I love the rabbit slippers & the teddy
the bunny slippers are very cute
I love the Lime Juice scarf; so pretty!
I love the bunny slippers
Baby Shawl
i love the rose bolero jacket http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=044
the bunny slippers are just so cute!
My favourite item is the Christening Shawl
The gorgeous bluebell soaps
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=346
baby anna dress
Baby Anna
the blue bunny but so many wonderful things
Frilled Skirt - in pink= grogeogous!
Baby Anna
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=42 i love this x
Cherry Bluebell soap, sounds gorgeous, and it’s made in the UK too.
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=324 - I love this!
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=41
miss mousey
Dangly Dog Rattle
The Bunny slippers
Rose Bolero, Hat and Ballet Pumps http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=044
The Bunny slippers
Rose Bolero, Hat and Ballet Pumps Set
I love the Matt Black & Willow soaps
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=105
I love the blue baby check romper, imagine some podgy little legs sticking out of the bottom of that!
the silk knickers with side tie bows
This scarf is just gorgeous!
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=366
French Lavender
Bunny slippers
the bunny slippers are adorable
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=42
Purple Lavender
the french lavender natural soap sounds lovely!
The bunny slippers! So cute!!!
the bunny slippers are adorable!
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Fusion china. Understated and beautiful
We love the bunny slippers! Too cute x
I love the Dangly Dog Rattle! Would be perfect for my little boy who is due in November.
Everything is beautiful on the website. Was so hard to choose!
Petitgrain & Lavender soap
So many things caught my eye but the Bunny slippers are just too cute. Plus we recently got a baby rabbit, so the entire family are hopping mad for anything with a bunny on.xx
the octopus rattle
bunny slippers!
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=41
this looks so good!
the bunny slippers are adorable
the bunny slippers are adorable
I adore the bunny slippers - so sweet!
Love this:
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=309
little Daisy Romper … So gorgeous .
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=344
I love the rose fina china teacup and saucer!! http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=314 It’s so delicate and elegant, they don’t make things like this enough anymore… perfect for commemorating my daily morning tea that gets me through the day!
everything it is all so very lovely
Everything is gorgeous!
Miss Mousey is beautiful! So pretty!
I love the pink super soft bunny
The soaps. The wife will love them.
bunny slippers are sooo adorable! love themx
I love the petal hairpins
I love the baby boys blazer in blue
BUNNY SLIPPERS!
Absolutely adore these http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?cat=23 so so cute!
http://www.bluestripes.co.uk/product.php?id=267 Chocolate and Lemonade Gift Set
The Baby Anna dress! So pretty!
I love the little Bunny Slippers. so cute!