I'm in love with... my christmas hostess apron

Okay, so love may be a little strong (my husband, son and dare I say it, even the dog may not approve) but infatuation maybe.

I've been drooling over this divine apron for a while now, and have finally ordered it to hopefully up the glam quota of my Christmas outfit this year (with a very busy 2.5 year old boy to run about after, and dinner to cook, the chance of sitting pretty in a dress and heels are practically zero). And as toddlers have no clue how much mummies need their beauty sleep, being the brightest of reds (think candy cane red rather than cherry red) it's the pop of colour I'll need with our usual silly-o'clock get up...

I also understand that some may think it's quite sad of me to pin my hopes of feeling more Yummy than Slummy Mummy over the Holidays on an apron of all things, but whatever works I say! Don't knock it till you've tried it. At £15.95 from Not On The High Street it's a positive bargain to boot, and I know it'll put a spring in my step every Christmas Day to come when dishing out those perfect roasties while someone will (hopefully) be keeping the Snowball topped up...

Super cute Toddler water bottles by Sigg (makers of The Original Swiss Bottle)

Thankfully my little boy LOVES his water but is more than a little fickle when it comes to what he drinks it from! For this reason, we usually end up with a whole array of sippy cups, lidded beakers and sports-style plastic bottles cluttering the house, car and buggy by the end of the day. But with one of these super stylish aluminium reusable water bottles, I think his reluctance to stay loyal to just one water source whilst on the move and doing all those oh-so-important Toddler activities will be curbed for good!

Just like the adult versions, Sigg Toddler and Kids bottles are non-toxic, dishwasher-safe, tested to make sure that they're 100% safe to use and will not leach like plastic water bottles can do. they're also leak-proof (Hurray!), suitable for all drinks and best of all are Eco-friendly.

This adorable little 30cl blue puppy design is the one I have my eye on for The Boy, but I have to admit I fancy one for myself and may get one for The Husband too if I can only choose which ones as the choice of designs is endless. You can even buy pouches to hide them away in, coloured straps to carry them by and brilliant double-handle grips to help little hands hold their bottles all by themselves, just like Mummy and Daddy. Genius. And with so many designs and accessories to personalise them with, there will be no chance of you or your Little Darling picking up someone else's sippy cup at Nursery or Play Group.

The leaves may not have turned quite yet, but it certainly feels more Autumn than Summer this week. So with the change of season comes, in my opinion, all the best bits - lighting the fire for the 1st time, thinking about hunkering down for the Winter (don't panic, I'm not about to mention the big 'C' word quite yet even though the shops may be gearing up already), crunchy leaves underfoot and wrapping up in comfy layers even though it's not properly cold yet...

This Autumn though, I have an exciting purchase to make...my little boy's first ever pair of wellington boots. Never mind the first pair of jeans or the first pair of shoes, his first wellies seems to be so much more grown-up a prospect as they promise totally independent kicking about in piles of leaves or muddy puddles (is that him or me?) and gives me the chance to act like a kid with no questions asked!