You might have noticed over on my Instagram that last Sunday I had the greatest pleasure of being invited to be on the press team at the Bump and Baby Expo by the lovely Kate at Avocado Events. It was my first ever bloggers event and I spent all the weeks leading up to it very excited. I also knew I would be meeting long-term internet friend Charlotte from Simply.Together which got me even more excited since we’ve been messaging on the daily for what feels like a life time.
There was so much going on at the event, so many talks to listen to, so many stalls to browse and so many businesses to chat too. It was inspiring having the chance to talk and listen to so many interesting people. Hearing how bloggers like HonestMum and MumsBack talk about how they’ve got to where they are today and the struggles they faced balancing motherhood and their businesses. The expo basically celebrates all things pregnancy, baby and beyond. Nevermind what stage of ‘parenthood’ you were at there was something for you to see and do.
Listening to their chats and interviews has really spurred me on and given me that huge buzz I was searching for to kick my ass into gear to reach out and spread my wings both on my blog and life in general. Overall the whole expo gave me a huge confidence boost and just that ‘I can do this’ attitude.
The event was held at York Race course in Yorkshire, about a ten minute drive from the city centre with free parking so was an absolute ease to find (also the fact that it’s MASSIVE you couldn’t drive pass and miss it).
Be careful listening to your SatNav’s though because ours kept telling us we’d arrived at our destination when in fact we were at some random gate at the back of the horse track.
The correct entrance is sign posted all over though so don’t worry about missing it.
The event itself was held in The Knavesmire Stand, which was beautifully well lit with glass panels surrounding meaning it felt welcoming and luxurious rather than some dark dated hall that similar events are held in.
All the stalls were beautifully laid out and still very neat and tidy even towards the end of the day. Almost every product I saw was one I’d never seen before, everywhere was just filled with original unique designs and concepts. I could have spent so much money there myself, and I now know where to go when we expect baby number two. I made sure to pick up all the business cards and flyers of my favourites and give them all a follow on social media so I can keep up to date with the things they’re doing.
I loved the prints and patterns in this independent shop below Moon Flower, run by lovely Charlotte who hand makes all her items and lovingly only uses the perfect fabrics with the most unique wonderful designs. Bradley and I were eyeing up the moon print leggings like mad, and now we keep thinking back to them wishing we’d got some! Charlotte also makes sure she reduces all material waste by using the cut out part from the crotch of her pieces to make reusable make-up wipes that are SO cool and pretty and help save the environment instead of using away throw away make up wipes or cotton pads.
Always got to love a business that cares about the planet!
Ethical Apothecary is ran by a lovely pair called Mel and Sam, sell a combination of clean, natural, organic, vegan and plastic free skin care products. They have searched high and low for a massive range of products that will fit anybodies needs. They’ve got over 40 years of beauty experience behind them both meaning they’re not just selling your products to make money they’re guiding you in the right direction to what will suit you and your skin. We grabbed a few samples of nappy cream and it works so wonderfully on Theodore’s little behind and I really want to get my hands on some more of it.
We bought Theodore some gorgeous zebra print leggings from Finn and Sam’s stall, I was so torn between a couple of designs but took the bullet with the zebra ones which you might have already seen him rocking over on my Instagram. They bring together a whole range of beautiful brightly coloured brands which mainly focus around organic materials. They sell everything from baby clothes to shoes and accessories to changing bags. Their online shop has 100’s of products to scroll through and ‘aww’ at. They have a wonderful range of the Pacapod bags on there which I’m seriously eyeing up. The site includes so many gift ideas for every new baby or baby shower you’ve got coming up and now I’m patiently waiting for all my friends to have babies so I can buy them the coolest most lovely baby items.
I’m a sucker for a keepsake, so Hattie and Bella have got me covered when ever I’m in the need of a Theodore keepsake or impression. Personally I’m loving the artwork jewellery, I’ve never seen anything quite like it before and I can’t wait for Theodore to be old enough to draw something other than a bunch of scribbles so I could get something like this made. But I have seen on their site they do finger print jewellery as well which is right up my street. I’ve seen bits and pieces like this before dotted around in Mothercare but I’ve never seen it so beautifully done in such a precise way. I’d absolutely love to get a 3D cast done since I tried a to-it-yourself kit at home once and it went terribly wrong twice!
The goodie bags were an absolute treat. The first 100 people to arrive would receive one, which I assume most people eagerly wanted since when I arrived the queue was pilling out the door! They were jam packed with amazing full size samples from lots of different brands. A gorgeous JoJo Maman Bebe bag, perfect for extra bits and pieces under the pram or in the car. I’ve been folding mine up and using for extra shopping bits since it clips onto the pram so easily, a 500ml Re Freshed insulated water bottle which I’ve been drinking from none stop and so much more. I really enjoyed reading though all the leaflets and information that was jam-packed in the bag too. I’ve never seen such a full free goodie bag!
Like I said the talks held by Mums Back and HonestMum were brilliant, I’ve never been to a talk like these which were focused around both Motherhood and blogging, so honestly I didn’t know what to expect, I thought it would be kind of preachy but I was so wrong. I felt like I wanted to voice record the whole thing so I could listen over and over again for notes. Especially when they were talking about how they’ve made their successes and have got their businesses off the ground. It really felt like I was back in school, so eager to listen and learn.
It was so nice to listen to down to earth women talk about the struggles they’ve gone though and how they’ve gotten through them. It really puts it into perspective that people online certainly don’t have that perfect life that it always seems.
I’ve been reading though Vicki’s book since the event and I’m loving every page so far, its so brilliant to have found a book I’m interested in reading again. I’m finding it hard to come by informative books like hers that aren’t just a bunch of common sense like ‘wake up early’ ‘drink water’… we all know that, I need the juicy details. Just like in Vicki’s book MumBoss!
Overall I just bloody loved the whole event, and would certainly love to be invited to go along again in future years, maybe next time I can shop for an actual little baby instead of a toddler! I’m so happy to have found some lovely new brands, shops and businesses to follow and hopefully watch grow ever more so. I also can’t wait to finish the book, I’d love some more book recommendations to anything similar to Vicki’s MumBoss book if you know any!
Again a big thanks to Kate from Avocado Events for inviting me along!
Yay, gorgeous day and post and I’m so glad you’re finding Mumboss useful and fun to read too, means so much x
Author
You’re welcome! The day was brilliant! x