• 7 travel essentials for car journeys with kids
    Family Life - parenting

    7 travel essentials for car journeys with kids

    February 4, 2018 - By 

    We’ve enjoyed a few long car journeys over the summer holidays. As my children have got older they need different things to keep them busy. Gone are the days of a dummy and a cuddly toy. Now my 6 and 7 year olds demand iPads and endless snacks. We’ve always said they can only have screen time in moderation so we balance the use of iPads with other things. With half term in sight I thought it was a good time to pull together my 7 travel essentials for car journeys with kids. 7 travel essentials for car journeys with kids…

  • peter rabbit film london preview
    Family Life - film review

    The Peter Rabbit Movie

    February 4, 2018 - By 

    I’ve mentioned before how much I love the stories of Beatrix Potter. My sister and I shared a beautiful set of her stories which we still have, although I have to admit a few of the pages might have our scribbles on them. We both loved the stories and have re-read them with our own children, and we have 5 between us. The books are simply magical, and the illustrations really bring each character to life. Now, did you know that Peter Rabbit is the oldest licensed character in the world? Beatrix Potter registered him at the Patent Office in…

  • cross stitch wooden banner
    Crafts for adults - Mollie Makes crafts - Pinty Plus Ambassador

    Mollie Makes cross stitch wooden banner

    February 2, 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. Issue 89 landed on my doormat earlier this week and for the first time ever, I finished the free cover gift on the day I received it. Mollie Makes cross stitch wooden banner Issue 89 of Mollie Makes included a sweet Cross Stitch…

  • Nerf N-Strike Surgefire from Hasbro review
    Family Life - Hasbro Toy Tribe - toy review

    Nerf N-Strike Elite SurgeFire blaster from Hasbro review

    February 1, 2018 - By 

    My son absolutely loves his Nerf blasters. He has quite a few now and I think they’re a really fun toy. Of course we gave it a lot of thought about whether Nerf was appropriate for our children. I’m pleased to say it’s one of their favourite toy brands. Nerf N-Strike Elite SurgeFire blaster from Hasbro We have a few other Nerf blasters and my children really enjoy blasting each other (and me) with the foam bullets. The Nerf N-Strike Elite SurgeFire blaster is the latest in the range and my son was delighted to try it out. Slam the competition…

  • Easy recycled Valentine sun catchers for kids to make
    Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - Crafts for kids - Recycled crafts - upcycling - Valentines Day crafts

    Easy recycled Valentine’s Day sun catchers for kids to make

    February 1, 2018 - By 

    My children are both excited about Valentine’s Day later this month. It’s a lovely day to mark and a great reason to craft handmade cards and gifts. My children have both been making little things to give. So far we have made fingerprint heart keepsakes and today I’m going to share our easy Valentine’s Day sun catchers. There has been so much in the news about plastic waste that I’m pleased we were able to raid the recycling box and use plastic milk bottle. Easy recycled Valentine’s Day sun catchers for kids to make We used: empty plastic milk bottle…

  • Setting goals and growing my business in 2018
    Crafts for adults

    Setting goals and growing my business in 2018

    January 31, 2018 - By 

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias The start of a New Year is generally a time of reflection and looking forward. Although I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions there are some things I would like to achieve. Last year my goals were to lose weight and get a job. I managed a significant weight loss, thanks to joining Slimming World, and bagged myself a part-time job too. I love the power of positive thinking which is why I’m happy to start 2018 by setting myself more goals.…

  • 5 Creative Date Night Ideas for Busy Parents
    Family Life - parenting

    6 Creative Date Night Ideas for Busy Parents

    January 31, 2018 - By 

    With Valentine’s Day now just 2 weeks away my thoughts have been turning to how to mark the occasion. I’m not a huge fan of overly commercialised days. Instead my husband and I try to make time for each other through the month, rather than go all out on one day each year. We’re huge Netflix fans round here. Lack of a baby sitter means we often watch a film when the children have gone to bed. Sometimes it’s good to plan something which doesn’t revolve around a screen though, so I thought I’d share 5 creative date night ideas…

  • Family Life - homestyle

    My garden lighting shopping guide

    January 30, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Wyatt Ryan on Unsplash Lighting is an important element of any home. Using it in the right way really matters. The way a space is lit can make a huge difference to how it looks and feels, as well as affect how practical it is. This is also true of your garden. Using LED garden lights from LED Hut or another retailer, in the right way, can have a transformative effect. It can turn a space that is dark and unwelcoming, at night, into one where you long to go to relax at the end of a hard day. However, you do…

  • Signs of the Sewdiac Subscription Box
    Crafts for adults - subscription box

    Signs of the Sewdiac Subscription Box {January Box}

    January 30, 2018 - By 

    Just before Christmas I heard about a new subscription box for crafters, the Signs of the Sewdiac Subscription Box from Samantha Claridge at Sew Crafty. I liked the idea of this subscription kit because it’s a 12 months one that you can dip in and out of. It promised a selection of products to complement a creative lifestyle. Every box would include a collectable enamel pin and selection of exclusive products including notepads, greetings cards, postcards, pens, pencils, patches, fabric, haberdashery, stickers as well as complimentary products available on the website. For example, a banner to keep your pin badge…