Diary of sleep-deprived yummy

So what did you get up to on Jubilee weekend? I marked the occasion (Gawd Bless you, Ma’am) with a trip to the labour ward and the rather spectacular arrival of darling daughter No2.

As the nation went nuts for all things red, white and blue, our house was instead decked out in pink for the arrival of gorgeous little Lucy who shot into the world – literally, I made it to the delivery room with minutes to spare – on Saturday, June 2, weighing a healthy 9lbs.

Hubby gets extra Brownie points for the balloons and banners that greeted us on our arrival home from hospital. Extra points, too, for the pretty fabulous diamond studs I’m now sporting in each ear, one to mark the birth of each of our girls. (If he thinks they’re some sort of bribe to get him out of night feeds though, he’s sadly mistaken.)

So, so long space hopper! Although the broken sleep is beginning to take its toll, it’s fabulous not to be pregnant any more, humphing that hulking great weight up and down the stairs.

Although the wee one was born quickly in the end, I had nearly 10 hours of labour pains at home first, starting around 11pm, with only Paracetamol for pain relief. I’ve had better nights, let me tell you.

I know you’ll think I’m nuts, but to take my mind off it in the early stages, I whipped out my trusty Ciaté kit and gave myself a manicure. All while watching re-runs of The Royle Family. Who says I’m not patriotic?

I’ve been a fan of Ciaté for years. Take 20 minutes (or three contractions) to follow their three-step regime and you’ll be rewarded with a professional-looking job that will last for up to a week. It’s ideal for me just now – I always feel better when my nails are done, but who the hell has time to attend to chips every couple of days?

Start off with Underwear base coat (£11), then add your colour of choice (I love Dangerous Affair, £9, a really glam deep red) and finish with Speed Coat fast-dry top coat, £11. Voila. All 13.50 mls and all available from www.ciate.co.uk.

With hands looking great, you can’t neglect your feet and another quick fix I love during summer is Scholl Cracked Heel Repair Cream (£5.49 for 60mls at Boots).

My trusty pink Birkenstocks are my summer pram-walking sandal of choice, but they don’t half play havoc with your heels, drying out the skin. Cracked old lady feet is never a good look, so I swear by this stuff. The claim on the packaging that you’ll notice a difference after three days’ use is a bold one, but this is a product that really does do exactly what it says on the tin. Terrific tootsies for a fiver – what’s not to like?

The other great thing about not being pregnant any more is that my favourite vino is firmly back on the agenda. Who doesn’t need a glass or two at the end of a long week filled with nappies and toddler tantrums? My thoughts are already turning to a much-deserved girlie night out. Granted, I may have to wait a few weeks before hubby is ready to go solo with the juniors of an evening, but I’m ready to get my glam on.

On standby is the new eyeliner that’s been winking at me from my make-up bag, Clarins Kohl Kajal in violet. It’s as easy to use as a pencil but can be applied with the precision of a liquid liner to give you the option of either going for a cats’ eye flick or smudgy smoky eye. Also available in black, it’s £15 at www.clarins.co.uk. The colour is gorgeous, especially good for really making blue eyes pop. I’m hoping it’s also good for detracting from my post-preg tum which is still currently under wraps in maternity jeans. Too much to expect from a humble eyeliner? A girl can dream…