Sunday 15 March 2020

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Hey hey hey, it’s no secret that I really love to shop, so that means I really like making gift guides as it’s like shopping without spending! I’m breaking it’s down into a few categories and price brackets so hopefully there is something for everyone! I’ve also made a very conscious choice to support small businesses  and shop local for these ideas. Particularly in a time when the economic climate is unsure, this can make a huge difference to people.



Sporty Mum

Save It’s no secret that I like things that are personalised, I’m basic, ok! As someone who is just getting into exercise I would say one of the few legitimately essential  things is a water bottle and I don’t know why my son cannot resist stealing my water! The solution is to get it personalised so there is a legit answer to it hasn’t got your name on it..!’
Spend This bag is perfect for taking your gym gear wherever you need to go whilst letting the world know how awesome you are!
Splurge Now, the price or these leggings isn’t crazy, but you’d be mad to not get matching for your little one! And how cool would you look at your mumma baby workout class... or more like chasing them across the park!

Homey Mum

Save I love these! The possibilities are endless in how you could personalise them and then use them in different areas of your home for styling! A big one with blankets in the lounge labeled SNUG, or a smaller on in the bedroom by the bed with mums essentials? I love it!
Spend I have two Pebble Art pictures in my home, they are timeless and the wording can be customised to perfectly reflect your family! I would highly recommend them!
Splurge If your lady is a bit of a Hincher then some labelled homeware may be right up her ally! I bought my bathroom bottles from this Etsy site and they are lasting well and really smarten up my bathroom!

Arty Mum

Save If your arty mum is looking to try something different then ‘By Charlie’s Hand’ do digital downloads for paper cutting! They may be a labour of love but when complete they will make a stunning piece of decor!
Spend I love the idea of a fun family portrait that will reflect this moment in time forever! I’ve been a long time admirer of ‘Winding The Bobbin Up’s’ style on Instagram as it feels young and fun which is very appropriate for young families!
Splurge I think any art lover would appreciate the work that would go into these customised Russian dolls! They would make awesome decor!

Feminist Mum

Save Everything Sweet uses iconic logos and mixes them with a feminist message and these badges are a great way of getting a taste of the brand but there is LOADS on the website I love and currently it’s all on sale!
Spend Lioness Not Princess is a great brand, the quality of the clothes are great and the designer is amazing! I’m in love with the new limited edition designs!
Splurge I’ve bought a few things from Black & Beech and they have always been great quality, if you are looking for feminist  merch to suit all budgets then I would urge you to check them out!

Pamper mum

Save I saw this and thought it looked very luxe, a lovely leather look personalised make up bag. I often have a little pouch in my bags for the essentials as mums end up carrying the world around with them! At least this way it’s done in style!
Spend A local afternoon tea can be a nice treat for the mum that wants to be pampered. Time to get away and relax, or time to spend with the each other! Try and find a nice local place and enjoy a cheeky slice of cake
Splurge I fantasise about having a makeover day! Get my haircut, check my nails! Maybe a facial, wack on some eyelashes and my god I could take over the world. If you got some dollar and some organisational skills I think that could be the ultimate treat, a day away from the kids in which you know they are going to comeback feeling invincible!

New Mum

Save When you have a baby it really is like joining an elite club where suddenly you have a new gang, and this pin embodies that! Mere Soeur is a really cool brand and there is lots to pick from for the insta mum!
Spend A few of my new mummy friends have requested this personalised silver teething ring for their Mothers Day gift. It’s stylish and when they are through with it, would be a nice addition for the babies memory box!
Splurge I am OBSESSED with this gift box! For £50 you get a great selection of products and any new mum will certainly be a member of the Tired Mums Club!


Sunday 8 March 2020

1st Birthday Present Ideas

Having recently had Chloe’s birthday it is  fresh in my mind as to what makes a nice present and things I’d like to get for mine and other babies! So without further ado, here it is!



Books

  • That’s not my... - these touchy feely books are classics, I’m yet to find a baby who doesn’t like them.
  • Little people, BIG DREAMS - I bought Clo two of these for her birthday, although she is too young to properly engage with them I think they make great decor and is something nice to grow in to.
  • Calm Down Boris! Both kids love this book! The puppet on the front makes it interactive and it’s a fun book to read!


Clothes

  • Pyjamas - one of the joys of babies becoming toddlers is them starting to wear pyjamas, it makes my heart melt when they look like little people! 
  • Luxury items - not necessarily high couture fancy items but things that are a bit special and make you feel like your baby is getting a treat.
  • Personalised items - I am a sucker for something personalised, it’s the feeling that something is made just for her that makes me feel fuzzy  inside.


Toys

  • Tea set - For Chloe’s birthday we got her a tea set and almost instantly she started to engage with role play, one almost thinks it’s like she has spent a year watching me have a coffee cup permanently in my hand  
  • Little People - Another hit has been the Fisher Price Little People, Clo was already playing with Toms old Batman figures and now has some of her own to add to the fun. The sets really vary in price depending on what size you get but have recently been on 2 for £15 at Argos .
  • Baby Doll - We were lucky enough to be given a selection of toys from a friend that didn’t need them anymore and included were several dolls which Clo really took to! She loves patting them and giving cuddles (and lobbing them on the floor).


Other

  • Plate Set - my sister has bought both my children Emma Bridgewater plate sets for their first birthdays and they are simply beautiful, a nice gift that gets daily use!
  • Personalised puzzle - my sister also got Clo this puzzle when she was christened, it’s a lovely gift to grow with her and should assist when it comes to reading and writing her name!
  • Something to make - we received a set to make for Chloe as part of her present and it got me thinking how lovely it would be to receive a hand made item. Someone investing time and effort into a gift is just the nicest thing! 
I hope these ideas were helpful and I would love to know if you have anything to add! 

Wednesday 4 March 2020

Making social media work for you

As we all know social media is a double edged sword, it can be an amazing supportive environment and it can create a toxic environment which can have deadly consequences. A few years back I felt like I just had my gates open to anything on social media and would let in the good, bad and anything in between and began to feel overwhelmed, sometimes surrounded by things that wasn’t a positive influence and just generally wasted a lot of time looking at crap. So I decided to take a more mindful approach, I semi regularly cull who I follow and seek out things that bring sometime positive to my life. Here are some people that I find their content to be enriching, I’ve included Instagram names so you can find them too! 

Families:
I have found that I like content creators with bigger families, they usually provide good budgeting content and cooking ideas. They seem to share my values of time. Some examples are:

Ashley Bailie  @ashleybailie
She is an Irish mum to 5 children and often posts meal planning/prep/ideas on YouTube. She is budget conscious but makes amazing looking food. Just generally a ray of sunshine!

Jordan Page @jordanpage
An American mum to 6 kids and is currently pregnant with twins! Her focus is more around budgeting and tips. I enjoy her family values and the unity of her and her husbands approach to family life. And she is all about the organisation life!

Money 
I haven’t found a british blogger that I really connect with when it comes to talking about money which is frustrating as it means some of the advice I see isn’t applicable, but it’s still helpful to get a better general understanding or good tips and hacks. 

The financial diet (TFD) @thefinancialdiet
I particularly like TFD as it is run by woman around my age so it just feels relatable, they discuss their experiences and are honest about mistakes they have made. They also tell it how it is and sometimes you need that! 

Debt Free Dana @debtfreedana
I think I came across this lady when I was considering cloth nappies for Clo (hasn’t happened), she offers really good tips and advice on money saving, but also has just got a nice outlook on life and enjoying the simple things! 

Real woman 
I also like to follow people I consider ‘real’, a few accounts I’ve unfollowed because it all feels a bit staged and leaves me feeling ‘less than’ which isn’t doing me any good. But there are some women out there who show their authentic selves and I’ve built engagement with as I find them relatable 

Mikhila McDaid @mikhilamcdaid
Ive been a fan of Mikhila for a long time (it’s a whole thing), I find that she shows that motherhood is part of her life but not all of it which I agree with. I enjoy that she would rather be herself than fit a mould, which again I agree with! And she likes to shop, ding ding ding that’s three for three. She is also working on small fixes to be more eco conscious which is really interesting.

SunnyNayRay @sunnynayray
I love NayRay because she is truly sunny! She never fails to make me actually laugh out loud. She is hugely inspiring with her weight loss journey, but again she is so much more than that. She is genuine and warm and caring and very very funny. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a small section of people I find positive influences on the big bad web, who do you follow that brings you joy? 

Sunday 1 March 2020

Kids Clothing Hacks

This isn’t aimed at any particular age but just a few tips and tricks I use that make life easier or save money! 



  1. Labels 
Now, you don’t know what you don’t know but, goddam I wish I had worked this out sooner! When buying labels for your kids stuff order just the SURNAME! this way when your kid grows out of it you can pass it on to siblings and cousins etc without relabelling it! I find this useful with labels on water bottles that are shared by the family too! 

2. School Underwear
This makes me a really lame mum, but I kid you not this makes my life so much easier. Specifically for school get your kids plain pants, vests and plain black socks. Plain boring underwear. It helps with socks that they are interchangeable so you are never short of socks, I like Primark as they have the size printed in the rim so it’s easy to pair up and keep track of. For school I am happy for Tom to wear cheap vests as he grows out of them quickly and they don’t particularly get seen. Where as for school holidays and weekends he has patterned socks and vests which much nicer, for me there is an unconscious indication of work and play time. It just works well for us! 

3. Prep clothes
I accept this is a bit extra but if you can make your life easier in anyway but investing time where you have it then do! An example is that when I take off Chloe’s baby grow I don’t unpopper the legs, so when it’s been washed and is being put back on it slips on and saves fighting her when she is kicking her legs and crawling away! I dry Toms school shirts on hangers, it helps the creases come out and can be hung straight in the wardrobe which removes a step elsewhere! 

4. Shop big; shop classic, shop smart
You will naturally find shops you prefer to gets kids stuff from, and I am all for that but equally there are times I will particularly gravitate to certain shops for items as I know they are sized big and made well so will last. We have a tradition for Tom to wear a certain T shirt from Next when we go on holiday, it’s been 4 years and still fits (I think this is it’s last year *sob*), if you shop smart and take care of the items they will last for a very long time. If you want a seasonal or a trend item then it’s not as important but something classic it’s worth investing in.

5. Pick a colour palette
This goes alongside thinking of clothes lasting a long time and thinking of a bigger picture. If you find a colour palette that suits your child’s style and generally shop within those colours/styles then clothes can be easily mixed and matched and will have a longer life span. This is also very helpful when your child starts choosing their own clothes for the day, means they can only go so rogue in what they look like. Tom likes dark blues, khaki, grey, black and the occasional pop of red, he also really likes camouflage. Chloe suits dusky pink and an autumnal set of colours but time will tell what she likes! 

I hope you find these useful! Do you have any tips and tricks to share? 

Wednesday 26 February 2020

A Year Of Chloe

How quickly has this year has passed? I found it hard to think of a way to sum it up, so I wrote a Chloe poem. As you do.



My sunshine and showers girl
My determined girl
My loud girl
My give patty bum hugs girl
My animal loving girl
My Tom admiring girl
My heart on her sleeve girl 
My cheeky girl
My smiles girl
My laughs with her whole heart girl 
My inquisitive girl
My smarty pants girl 
My won’t take no for an answer girl
My beautiful girl
My bow clad girl 
My blue eyed beauty girl
Daddy’s girl
Mummy’s girl
My moon and my stars girl 




The last year with Chloe has been an absolute whirlwind but she makes my heart happy every single day, even when I’ve not slept and she is hitting me in the face with a remote. I can’t wait to watch her grow and become more herself. She completes us. 




Sunday 23 February 2020

A Grand Day Out: Kent Life

We were at a loss at what we should do with the day when Ben signed up for a Kent Pass which included a free child ticket for Kent Life and so off we toddled. Kent Life describes itself  as a heritage farm park and is marketed as a family day out. 
What I would say is that it is nice, it’s a nice day out. It’s not wet the bed exciting, it will involve queuing for things and it’s mostly outdoors so on the day we went it was cold. BUT that’s kind of what makes it nice, it’s simple. At is core it’s kids and animals and that is nice! It’s reasonably priced and is good for a family day. 

https://www.kentlife.org.uk




Price

We went on an off peak day in the half term, adult tickets were £6.95 and children £5.95, under 3’s go free. A family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) £21.95.

Money saving

As previously mentioned, we used to Kent Pass for free child entry. Initially the reception did not want to accept the Kent Pass but once we showed it to them there wasn’t an issue, so worth doing to save £6!

Parking and Accessibility

There is a good amount of parking available however it was busy so be aware you might not be too near. There is a small car park reserved for disabled parking if required which is right by the gate. The website is very helpful when talking about accessibility etc. 
The accessibility of Kent Life varies, it’s a farm after all. Many areas are pathed, however some areas are muddy due to IT BEING A FARM! So be aware that if you have a pushchair you might need to occasionally park it and carry your baby, it may be helpful to bring a baby sling if you have one. 
Toilets, toilets are important to me, sad as it is my bladder is like a peanut! There are a good amount of toilets dotted around, although I still did end up queuing for a baby change. The toilets were reasonably clean (again, you are on a farm so be realistic) and clearly are well maintained. My only complaint was that when I used the toilet by the cafe I had to leave Chloe’s pram up some stairs and it was a bit of a juggle lugging her around with the changing bag, but no real hassle. 

Things to Do

  • The obvious one is, see animals. There is a good variety of animals and they are very interactive and engaging which is nice for parents and kids 
  • You can buy a bag of animal feed for £1 and the animals were very receptive to being fed!
  • Cuddle corner, where kids can stroke and interact with rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises, chickens and baby chicks! FYI there was a queue for this all day, reason being that the woman who presented this really takes time to engage with the group and ensure every child gets time with the animals. 
  • Owl academy and bird displays 
  • Outdoor kids play area including a bouncy castle, a smaller play area is also located by the cafe. 
  • Indoor kids soft play area (very busy on a cold day!)
  • Paint a pot, we didn’t go in here but would be a nice thing to do to extend the day. 
  • Train ride around the farm, again you will have to queue for this but it’s a nice addition to the day! The driver was very friendly! 
  • Vintage village (it’s very quaint) and nice to look around - would also be good for some instagram photos if you are into that, which clearly I am, however I was knackered and looked it lol so we can save that for our next visit!
  • Big top (we saw an animal display), we timed it so we ate our lunch out of the wind then got to see a display with a skunk, a rare type of rat (which was surprisingly cute) and a big ass lizard thing, afterwards the children could come and touch the animals which was lovely. I have a new love of skunks! 

Food

The main place to eat would be Dotty’s cafe which is situated up a small hill, it has a lovely outdoor area as well as space to eat inside. Prices for a kids meal are between £2.50-£4.20, an adults jacket potato is £6 with two fillings, which seems reasonable. Importantly, the coffee was good. 
There are lots of locations for visitors to eat food they have brought along with them. 

Random Other Stuff
Kent life seems like the kind of place where you can go lots of times and have different experiences, finding different things to look at. No doubt that in the good weather kids could spend a big chunk of time in the outdoor play area and really enjoy themselves. However it was bloody cold when we went so Tom didn’t use the playground for long!
A thing that I did notice was that all the staff were very friendly, they interacted really well with the kids and were knowledgeable about the animals. Things like that can really make or break a day! 
Both kids enjoyed the day, although I would say that really Chloe only engaged with the cuddle corner and I think it would be better when she is toddling and can independently interact with the animals rather than from the stroller or in our arms. 


Overall
As I said, Kent Life is a nice day out. If you are looking for some wholesome fun with animals then this may well be the place for you. 
My parting advice would be, WEAR WELLIES! It was very muddy and muggins here didn’t think about that it was a farm and ended up with very muddy uggs! 

Wednesday 19 February 2020

The dreaded return to work, and why you shouldn’t dread it

Most of us have to do it at some time so here are five tips on how to manage merging your old pre-baby work life and your new one! 

You won’t miss this!



  • Be organised

If you want to have an easier transition then I would suggest you plan, plan, plan! Once that little milk monster is in bed then leap into action, get as much done the night before as possible so the morning is: get up, dressed, fed and out. 
It will take a while for you to find your rhythm but planning ahead makes a huge difference. I will do a blog post on our nighttime and morning routines to show what works for us! 
That initial return to work is very tiring as you aren’t likely to have used your brain too much on maternity leave so it might be a bit of a shock to the system, help yourself as much as you can to be ahead of the game!

  • Be prepared that things have changed

In the period of time you have been off, the world has continued to turn, which sounds obvious but when you are tits deep in your baby bubble you do tend to forget that. When you return to work there will differences. The person that has provided your maternity cover may have done some things better than you, don’t let your ego be too bruised but learn from them. Equally the organisation may have changed, take this as an opportunity to reevaluate your role and what you want. Also, people know you’ve not been around, it’s ok to take some time to find your feet. Don’t feel that you need to come back like you haven’t been away, you have, stop being a dick to yourself, you are better than that. 


  • Realise that you have changed 


Nicely following on from this, you are not going back as the person who left. Your world has been passed through a blender, it’s unrealistic to expect that you can waltz in and be exactly as you were before. You will have new priorities, less sleep, new ways of being, and all of that is ok. What you may also have is new skills, better time management, new ideas! Being different can be a great opportunity to up your game in a new way. People will adjust to the new you, don’t pressure yourself. 
A caveat to this is, don’t be a dick and repeatedly use the baby as an excuse to skive, be moody or lazy. We all have bad days and need some slack but you aren’t the first person to have a baby and you don’t know what other people have going on.  (Rant over, soz)


  • Find the upsides 


Before you return to work you are likely to be feeling a bit nervous, maybe a bit sad and apprehensive which are all valid and relevant feelings. I now challenge you to think of some positives to the return; drinking tea when it’s hot, peeing alone, talking to adults, freedom to play sweary rap music in the car, not talking about poop, wearing grown up clothes and caring how you look and of course TALKING TO ADULTS!
Now what will be good for your baby? Spending time with a family member? Being around other similar aged children, building independence from you, trying new things! Someone else changing the minging nappies, dealing with tantrums, tiring them out! 
It’s good to share the physical load of looking after a baby and it’s good to get a bit of your pre baby self back. Trust me mama, this can be a good thing. 


  • Share the responsibilities 


This has taken me 5 years and 2 babies but me and my husband are getting there so don’t expect attitudes and cultures to change in a day. But whilst on maternity leave it is likely that the lion’s share of housework and baby care has fallen to you, well once you are back it’s time to reconsider this as it’s disproportionate for you to continue carrying all of this. As I said it’s taken a *very* long time for the shift to happen but it’s important to consider who is going to be responsible for what, don’t let things all fall to one person. 

Overall what I hope you get from this is that going back to work isn’t so bad, it could actually even be a good thing! 

Saturday 15 February 2020

Fuck ups and Fixes

Fuck ups and Fixes

I know it’s so hard to believe but I’m actually not perfect (I’ll let you catch your breath). So here are 5 areas I am fucking up and what I’m doing about that. It’s also important to note that I included what I am accepting about that because some shit is beyond your control and why lug emotional baggage that can be put down?



1. Hey fatty boom boom...

I am not happy with my current weight, a brief overview is that I lost 5 and a half stone, had a miscarriage, got preggo, had the baby, ate a lot of biscuits, joined slimming world, lost a stone, left slimming world, ate more biscuits and now here I am.
What am I doing about it?
I’ve set myself a challenge to work out for 30 minutes every day in order to get my body used to moving more again, so far I’ve been successful! I am motivated by visuals and challenges so I’ve been using my bullet journal and the hashtag #fatcuntfebruary to track it.
Once the challenge is complete I will set a new monthly challenge around snacking as that is my other job problem area. A daily challenge helps me in that rather than tackling a massive problem I only have to survive one day at a time! 
What I accept.
I accept that I am an emotional eater, and I problem solve with food. I accept that I love food and that I take great pleasure in cooking and eating, but this is not an excuse for gluttony.

2. You gotta have faith faith faith...
I have always considered myself to have an unorthodox approach to faith. I am a catholic and that is important to me, however my practices aren’t exactly in line with it! I don’t feel my faith is integrated in my life well. 
What am I doing about it?
Luckily lent is coming which is a good time to consider faith. This year I am stopping swearing which may seem silly but if you know me you will know that this is a big deal. I am hopeful that this will mean my mind will be on Jesus more, even if it’s me being annoyed that I can’t just spout off my usual vernacular.
I am also wearing a cross daily, again to be a visual reminder to myself that God is with me. But also as way of showing the world that I am a woman of faith and that it’s actually quite important to me. 
What I accept 
It is truly my belief that if God wanted babies and toddlers in church he would have put a mute button on them. I accept that I am not prepared to regularly go to church with Chloe because I won’t actually be engaged with the service as she has my focus. However, because of this I will seek to strengthen my faith in other ways (such as using a daily Bible app)   

3. Workin 9-5
Recently it’s come to my attention that some of my beliefs around my role in work and how it is perceived is actually bullshit based on my historical beliefs and perceptions and actually I have more value than I believed. However I know that I want more. I don’t feel I am reaching my potential. 
What am I doing about it?
I am arranging to return to a previously held voluntary counselling role in which I felt valued and capable. I enjoyed the position but didn’t particularly try to integrate in the company which is something I want to try harder at this time. 
In my paid position I want to take more ownership of the work I do compete as I like to do a lot of behind the scenes stuff and not put myself forward. I am also wanting to improve my networking skills (vom) as I know it’s an area I am uncomfortable in so should work on it in a place I feel safe (feels cringey to say)
What I accept
I accept their are limitations in the role I am in and that by comparing myself to the progress of others I will not gain anything except frustration. I accept my goals will take time to develop but never will if I never take a chance. 


4. Ooohhooohhh baby love
Mum guilt. Always mum guilt. Currently it’s questioning if I give Tom enough academic support and if chloe is stimulated enough but let’s be honest at any given moment I can give you a list as long as my arm.
What I am doing about it?
With Tom I am making more effort to work on academic things and trying to keep it interesting. I am having to work more with Ben to have a United front on screen time and practicing homework even when one parent feels differently we both know consistency is key.
With Chloe I am trying to be more mindful of my presence with her, to do more targeted things around different skills rather than feeling overwhelmed with everything I just pick one thing in that moment and work with that.
I am also generally trying to be more aware of my phone use around the kids but that’s a tricky habit to break! 
What I accept
I accept that I can’t be perfect, I can’t be the full time mum I was on maternity leave and that this is ok. I acknowledge that I have two happy kids that love and are loved and that’s all I need. 

5. Money money money, must be funny, in the rich mans world  
I don’t earn an amazing wage, I don’t earn a pittance but I really do enjoy spending money. Sometimes life is as simple as that
What I am doing about it?
So this is a weird one but it’s working, rather than instantly buy the thing I want, I take a photo and put it on my insta stories. And it totally hits the same spot, the joy is in the sharing the finding of something nice without the need to own it. Don’t get me wrong I’ve not stopped spending but it helps. 
I am also trying to be more active in avoiding places that will encourage me to spend. I’m not browsing online as much or going into shops when I know I don’t need anything from there. My ‘in the moment’ willpower is weak but my fore planning and abstinence will power is surprisingly strong. 
What I accept
I accept I am a mum with two kids and a husband who doesn’t like shopping for things that aren’t essential or technology. This means I have to buy stuff, I like to get a bargain and to be prepared so I will always have my eye out. But I acknowledge the difference between ‘I like that’ and ‘I need to own that’, and that my long term goals are worth more than instant gratification. 

I hope you like this post, it feels a bit vulnerable putting it out there! What are your fuck ups and do you have any tips and advice for managing it?

Wednesday 12 February 2020

The no bullshit guide for buying baby clothes for new parents

I hope this is helpful, I find that when pregnant you get a bit bombarded with companies telling you things are essential and really it’s a load of old shit. This is what you actually might need...

I used to love picking clothes for Tom, he was such a dreamboat


Clothes

  • Scratch mitts - don’t bother they won’t stay on
  • Shoes - don’t bother, they won’t stay on 
  • Hats - you seriously don’t need many, you won’t use them as much as you think 
  • Bibs - my fav are from Sainsbury’s, they pull over the head and are massive to catch everything 
  • Dribble bibs/bandanas - adorable lol go mad! 
  • Socks - primark are best - nice and stretchy and wash well and cheap so doesn’t matter when they get lost or mismatched 
  • Vests - primark - they will be shat on and sometimes you will just throw them in the bin or the stain doesn’t wash out. Wouldn’t spend loads. Get the ones that like vests and not short sleeves, looks better under clothes. Don’t go mad on long sleeve vests, buy a few and get more as and when, you won’t need as many as you think! 
  • Trousers - chinos and jeans are cute but a pain in the arse to get on and off- you don’t want that when they are covered in shit! Go for soft and stretchy. Lots of brands do nice leggings for boys or the harem style looks nice 
  • Tops- those vests that are a shirt (all in one) are an absolute pain to get on and off (especially in a poonami situation) so save for special occasion or avoid! 
  • Outerwear - try and get things that do up rather than go over the head, just feels like you are pulling them around and you are usually a bit nervous of that when they are brand new! 
  • Babygrows - see above! Boots do very nice designs but are all pull over the head ones and it’s just a pain in the arse. Get ones with fold over sleeve so you don’t need scratch mitts - most places do this these days but deffo worth checking as it’s handy and keeps their little hands warm 
  • SIDENOTE- when the baby is brand new keep him in babygrows, they just want to be comfy and snuggly, they don’t need to get dressed! 
  • Baby sleeping bags - seriously just get 2, you don’t need loads. You can always get more if you need it but don’t freak and get loads they just take up space. 


Brands

  • Aden + Anais - the BEST muslins, but expensive - can get deals on amazon if you keep an eye out or T K Maxx. Also make nice gifts 
  • Boots - bit overpriced but cute designs, often does sales, don’t forget parenting club for extra points 
  • Gap - washes well, lasts well. Good for boys clothes. Join the mailing list and you always get extra discounts. Has a good sale section year round 
  • Next - really is good for baby clothes, expensive but good sales. Sizes BIG so clothes last ages, washes well
  • Primark - good for basics and also does really good muslins (some shops are really rough, they aren’t all created equal)
  • Joules - expensive but brilliant quality, has an outlet on eBay. Really lovely 
  • M&S - also really good quality, good sales. On the baby grows they often have a coloured popper so they match up, it’s nice 
  • Sainsbury’s - does the best supermarket baby clothes, designs are a bit more fashionable, washes well. Get on the 25% off
  • Jojo maman baby - way frickin overpriced but does a good sale so worth keeping an eye on
  • T K max - the best place for lovely baby blankets 
  • Zara - cute, pricey, can come up small
  • H&M - does lovely organic cotton stuff, weird sizes but you get used to it! Reasonably priced and some interesting designs
I would say this is a comprehensive guide to what is actually worth getting for newborns - 6 months. This is predominantly aimed at boys but most of it applies to girls and I can do a separate one if anyone is interested!

Sunday 9 February 2020

Brand Review: Aurosa

Aurosa Etsy

How I found them 

I came across the brand when she did a #tennertuesday on Instagram. Since then I have made repeat orders. I often use a code from one of her brand reps and TopCashback with Etsy, which makes it very affordable and good value.





What I like about them 

Firstly, I really like the variety of patterns that Aurosa offers, she really has something for everyone.

Secondly, The lady who runs the business is super helpful and flexible. There has been times when I have asked really dumb questions or have changed my idea of what I would like and she has always been super accommodating.

Thirdly, the quality of the baby clothes is AMAZING! The fabrics are usually a lovely thick cotton that sits well and washes well too. I have also had a summer item that is a thinner cotton and works just as brilliantly. I cannot fault the workmanship, she really is incredible.

Forthly (is that a word?), due to the items being handmade the sizing is fantastic! They are cut on the large size so accommodate for a much longer period of time. Chloe is yet to get even close to growing out of her rompers that I bought six months ago! And a dress I bought her recently is clearly going to be around for a long time. It feels like an investment when you buy from Aurosa as the items last with time and quality.
Finally,  the price. Instagram brands are often (in my oh so humble opinion) massively overpriced (my bug bear is people reselling cheap items from China at a massive mark up). But Aurosa couldn’t be further from that. The prices are very reasonable with brand reps offering a discount as well as money back via TopCashback. I haven’t found a cheaper brand that could complete in value and the icing on the cake is knowing the money is going to a really lovely person.

Standout products 

This is a tough one as I really like everything I’ve ordered. Right now I am fully loving a dress I bought and am planning to buy a few more for the summer. But really, the thing I love the most, the thing I’ve bought many many more of is the rompers. The rompers are amazing! They come up big so last for absolutely ages. They are very adaptable in what you can put under them which really changes the look and best of all they look adorable.

Long story short, I love Aurosa!
I want to also do a quick shout out to the lady who runs Aurosa as she is also a really lovely person!

(This post is not sponsored and in no way affiliated with Aurosa, I just really like the brand)



Wednesday 5 February 2020

A Grand Day Out: Leed Castle

We recently visited Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Kent, but have been regular visitors over the past two year as we are annual pass holders. It’s not too far from where we live and is a good all rounder for a family day out.

https://www.leeds-castle.com





Price

So, not going to pretend its a cheap day out but your ticket is an annual pass  so if you’re local it works out much cheaper because it includes their themed events (Motors by the Moat, Jousting and Christmas Market).
An annual family ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 children is £76 and under 4's go free.
You can add on a freedom pass which allows you to use the land train through the grounds and the boat across the lake but you can pay for this (about £1.50 each) ad hoc if you prefer.
the first annual pass we had we added it on as Tom was obsessed with trains at the time but this year we haven't bothered and at present I can't say I miss it as its making us walk more!

Parking and Accessibility

The thing we all care about: Parking is free. Parking is no issue at Leeds Castle, plenty of spaces are available but can get very busy on themed events in which case you might want to come early.
The majority of the grounds are buggy/wheelchair friendly however to go into the castle you are required to use the buggy park by the castle gift shop (bloody love a gift shop). There is also a maze which I wouldn't consider buggy friendly as it ends via an underground grotto.
There are toilets in the key areas of the castle, although each only has one baby change station so in peak times you may have to wait.

Things to Do


  • Walk around the grounds
  • Look around the castle
  • Mini Golf (Extra cost) - £1.50 for kids £2 for adults. 
  • Falconry display
  • Falconry bit where the birds live (what is that called??)
  • Younger kids play area (0-5)
  • Older kids play area (6+)
  • Maze/Grotto 
  • Dog collar museum (its a bit weird)



Food

Most importantly, there is a Costa around halfway. if you are on a day out with kids you will want caffeine, its always busy for this reason.
They have several other places to get coffee dotted around but only one is Costa, I believe the rest are internal brands.
There is also an actual restaurant which is behind Costa, I've never eaten there but the food looks nice. When I looked at the menu a kids meal was £6.50 and average adults meal was £12, this was the Sunday menu and may vary in the week.
Around the kids area you have a cafe which sells very nice chips (£4)! It is a pricey cafe so be prepared. a kids pizza is £7 and a 14" margarita is £13. They do a good selections of ice cream and coffee so again, can be quite busy.
However, Leeds Castle does have lots of places to have picnics including an area that is covered. We rarely buy food there and more often bring our own (and buy coffee!). If you are going as a rare day out then maybe treat yourself and buy food but really I would suggest bringing a picnic and eating before the falconry show (wouldn't suggest during as you don't want to piss off an Eagle with your ham sandwich).

Random Other Shit

OK, I will say it, Leeds Castle is largely populated by the Boden Brigade. There is a fair amount of middle class dickheads (I once saw a woman complain to the manager that her children went on a slide and got wet - it was autumn and had been raining - it was a full on Karen moment). I don't feel this impacts the day in anyway but seemed prominent enough to mention.
A big pro is there are lots of things that are good for photos. Maybe this is a tad vapid but I like Instagram and appreciate places that I can get a good picture for the 'gram. Leeds Castle has my back and clearly has thought this through.
They also consider how to keep things fresh for regular visitors and update things like using QR Codes across the park for kids to follow. As well as brass rubbings (you may laugh but Tom loves that shit) and the castle has really good sheets with things for kids to find/count. They also have themes at Christmas that are family friendly and absolutely stunning.
Speaking of Christmas, Leeds Castle does a great theme day. We've been to quite a few and the only complaint i would have is that the Christmas market was very busy, but lets be fair, most christmas markets are!

Overall

I really love Leeds Castle, it’s a nice day out no matter the weather. it gets us out and walking and once you are there you don't have to spend money if you don't want to (always a bonus). If you are on the fence then I would say its really worth taking a chance on!


Sunday 2 February 2020

Guess Who's Back

Hey hey hey
So, its been a while, but here I am!

I took a break as I felt that I was splitting myself in too many directions and wasn't doing well in any of them. I made the decision to stop blogging until I had the time and energy to invest in it properly. Now I can't promise that I will be the world's best, but I can promise that I will try to not waste anyones time.

I am aiming to write about motherhood, days out, products I like, budgeting, organisation, goals and hopefully at sometime I will end up doing some career development which is a journey I would like to share.

I hope that I don't come across as holier than thou, I am under no illusion that I have my shit together or that I am any better than anyone else, but I've got some good tips and tricks that I enjoy sharing. If you find me up my own arse then by all means have a chat with me or fuck off, I'm happy with either outcome!

I make a vow to you now.
I will always give my true opinion
I will continue to use the word cunt with gay abandon
I will make mistakes but will always say sorry
I will be true to myself

Oh and Ben has agreed to spell check for me, so that should be a big improvement on previous posts!

- Soph