• Mollie Makes Toucan Keyring Kit
    Crafts for adults - mindfulness - Mollie Makes crafts - sewing

    Mollie Makes Toucan Keyring Kit

    July 6, 2018 - By 

    Regular readers will know that every month I challenge myself to make the Mollie Makes magazine cover gift. I’ve subscribed since it first came out and have had a drawer full of unopened kits – but no more! I’ve been making more time for grown up crafting and I love to make the kits and hopefully try something new. Mollie Makes Toucan Keyring Kit The Toucan Keyring Kit from Issue 94 was pretty cute and I knew I would make it. I love working with felt! Designed by Manuela Trani from nuvolinahandmade.etsy.com the kit contained a variety of felt, matching embroidery thread, gold…

  • Making String Art for the home
    Crafts for adults

    Making String Art for the home

    July 5, 2018 - By 

    2018 is my year of trying new crafts. I’m still making time for my favourite crafts of paper cutting and sewing but I like the challenge of trying new ones too. So far this year I’ve made my own candles and tried making my own cards. Making String Art for the home For Christmas my husband gave me a String Art Kit. I’m not sure this is something I would have ever bought myself but I’m always happy to try something new. The String Art Kit contained a wooden base board, nails, paper templates and 4 embroidery threads. I picked…

  • Mini Bakers Club
    Kids crafts - subscription box - Summer

    Mini Bakers Club review – children’s baking subscription box

    July 5, 2018 - By 

    There’s nothing better than a homemade treat. Both my children enjoy baking but I admit we don’t do it nearly often enough. We love crafting after school and were overjoyed to be sent a Mini Bakers Box from BKD to try at home. My children love subscription boxes and we’ve tried a lot of crafty ones. The Mini Bakers Box contains a baking and craft treat in a box every month, delivered to your door. Mini Bakers Club review – children’s baking subscription box It’s not hard to see why subscription boxes are so successful. They allow you to try…

  • Family Life - parenting

    Returning to work and finding the right childcare

    July 4, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash I mentioned the other day that after 8 years as a freelancer and full-time blogger I’ll be returning to the world of work. Over the last 12 months I’ve dipped my toes in the world of working outside the home and now I’ve got a proper job. I’m ridiculously excited about all the changes that this will bring. For a start I obviously require a whole new wardrobe of clothes and a new Orla Kiely handbag. I’ll be making one more packed lunch every day, to add to the mountain that I already make. And the children will…

  • Win a bundle of BIC goodies {BIC KIDS Young Artist Award}
    competition - Crafts for kids

    Win a bundle of BIC goodies {BIC KIDS Young Artist Award}

    July 4, 2018 - By 

    My children love a challenge so I knew they would love to enter BICs creative competition for 5-11 years olds this Summer. Running for the second summer in a row, the BIC KIDS Young Artist Awards aims to engage the nation during the Summer holidays and Back to School period. BIC KIDS Young Artist Award Open to all 5-11 year olds, the Young Artist Awards runs from 2nd July to 5th August. To enter, parents simply need to take a photo of their child’s masterpiece and upload it to the BIC KIDS website before the deadline at 11:59 pm on Sunday…

  • Great days out with Capri-Sun Original 50% Less Sugar
    days out - Family Life - parenting

    Great days out with Capri-Sun Original range {with 50% Less Sugar!}

    July 3, 2018 - By 

    My children are really enjoying the mini-heatwave we’re currently experiencing. I have to admit that my fair English skin is struggling but with two kids full of energy we are making the most of the good weather by getting out and about. Our family calendar is booked with play dates, picnics and parties which is lovely. Great days out with Capri-Sun Original 50% Less Sugar I’m pretty good at packing a picnic for family days out now. At the weekend we visited Paradise Wildlife Park and with the temperatures soaring I had to make sure to pack plenty of drinks.…

  • Peter Rabbit: Let's Go! app
    competition - Family Life

    Peter Rabbit: Let’s Go! app and giveaway

    July 2, 2018 - By 

    Did you know that The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was first published in 1901, and has never been out of print since? We love anything by Beatrix Potter, especially the CGI animated TV series of Peter Rabbit. The animation is a playful re-imagining of her timeless children’s classic. Peter is a hero who overcomes obstacles, outwits predators and avoids danger as he embarks on a series of exciting adventures with his best friends Benjamin and Lily. My daughter has always loved the show so we were excited to hear that Peter Rabbit has hopped onto mobile in…

  • Family Life - mindfulness - Orla Kiely

    Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things

    July 2, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. The weather has been lovely all week (again!) and we loved getting out for some family time this weekend. Each week I start off by writing my Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things blog post. It’s a great chance to reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. Monday mindfulness – 5 Happy Things We managed to fit a lot into last week. My daughter had her first school trip…

  • Googly Eyes from University Games
    Family Life - playing - toy review

    Googly Eyes from University Games

    July 1, 2018 - By 

    I think I’ve mentioned before that my 8 year old loves to play board games. I know we’re pretty lucky as we get offered some fun games to play. My son is always delighted when he asks to play a board game and I can bring a new one out. We were recently sent Googly Eyes from University Games to try out at home. Googly Eyes from University Games My 8 year old thinks he’s a bit of an artist which is why I thought he would love Googly Eyes. It’s a hilarious drawing game that challenges your vision and leaves…