• playing pooh sticks
    book review

    The Anti-Boredom Book of Brilliant Outdoor Things To Do

    June 12, 2017 - By 

    With the Summer holidays looming we were sent a copy of The Anti-Boredom Book of Brilliant Outdoor Things To Do by Andy Seed to read. The outdoors are boring right? WRONG! From the hilarious Andy Seed, Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2015 for Best Books with Facts comes the fantastically busy Anti-boredom Book of Brilliant Outdoor Things to do. Suitable for all seasons, find out how to set bug traps, create a rainbow, construct an amazing summer slide and much, much more! But what about those rainy summer days we hear you cry? Not a problem! This book also includes…

  • new pin badges from Nikki McWilliams
    homestyle - Monday Happy List

    Monday happy things {Week 141}

    June 12, 2017 - By 

    I’m writing my weekly Happy Things post slightly later than usual. I was working this morning and just couldn’t face getting up early to write it. I’ve been working quite a few hours recently which has seriously eaten into my blogging time. I have a new found appreciation for all those parents who juggle work and children and write a blog. Last week we went crazy for Father’s Day. My children wanted to make cards and gifts for their Dad so we’ve been making things after school. I think they might burst with excitement if Father’s Day doesn’t hurry up…

  • a walk through Ruislip Lido
    days out - Local Review - London - parenting - Ruislip

    Ruislip Lido {exploring the local area}

    June 11, 2017 - By 

    We spent the morning at Ruislip Lido, a reservoir and artificial beach in Ruislip, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. It’s a really lovely place to visit, situated between Ruislip Common, Ruislip Woods, and Poors Field, an historic part of Ruislip. Originally opened as a feeder reservoir for the Grand Junction Canal in 1811, the reservoir was reopened in 1933 as a lido, with facilities for swimming and boating. Today you’re no longer allowed to go swimming or boating but there’s a splash park, playground, outdoor gym, beach area and lovely walk around the lido. We’ve visited the Lido since…

  • 11 handmade gifts for Father’s Day
    crafts - Father's Day

    11 handmade gifts for Father’s Day

    June 11, 2017 - By 

    I can’t believe Father’s Day is only a week away now. My children are so excited as they’ve been making cards at school as well as at Beavers and Rainbows. We’ve made a few cards at home too and they both have a pile of handmade cards and gifts to give their Dad next week. Aside from our handmade Father’s Day gifts we don’t do much on the day. This year we’ve booked to go to our favourite restaurant for dinner the night before. 11 handmade gifts for Father’s Day I thought it would be fun to post a round…

  • How to make your own Elderflower cordial
    Handmade gifts - homemade - homestyle

    How to make your own Elderflower cordial

    June 10, 2017 - By 

    Did you know that it’s currently Elderflower season? I didn’t until Belvoir invited me to an event over half term and I learned a little more about elderflower and how they make their delicious cordial. The elderflower season is quite short and if you live near the Belvoir factory they encourage you to pick wild elderflower! You can drop it off and get paid and you also get the satisfaction knowing that you have helped contribute to their delicious Elderflower Cordial! Sadly we don’t live anywhere near Belvoir but I really wanted to try making our own cordial. Our last…

  • Father's Day DAD craft for kids to make
    crafts - Father's Day

    Father’s Day DAD craft for kids to make

    June 9, 2017 - By 

    Duck Tape recently introduced washi tape to their range of products and I was sent a bundle of colours to craft with. With Father’s Day coming up I thought it made a great opportunity to try them out. My 7 year old loves to craft so he used the new Duck Tape washi tapes to make a cute Father’s Day card. How to make a Father’s Day card using washi tape First gather your supplies: Duck Tape washi tapes A4 white card Scissors First I drew the letters DAD on a piece of card and cut them out to make…

  • how to make a Feather crown craft
    crafts - Nature crafts

    Feather crown craft {A-Z Play at Home}

    June 9, 2017 - By 

    The letter this week for the A-Z Play at Home series was F. I tried to think of an every day item around the house and came up with feathers! Father dusters are great but we also had a plentiful supply in our craft cupboard. We used them to make a fun feather crown, perfect for play at home. You will need only two basic things, cardboard and feathers, to make simple feather crowns. Roughly measure your child’s head and cut a thick band of cardboard accordingly. We placed our feathers at the front of the crown so used a scalpel…

  • Doodle Cat is Bored book cover
    book review - competition

    Win a copy of Doodle Cat is Bored

    June 8, 2017 - By 

    Doodle Cat is back and he is very bored. Until he finds a thing! But what is this thing and what does it do? Following on from their award-winning debut picture book I Am Doodle Cat, British writer Kat Patrick and Kiwi illustrator Lauren Marriott, have created another hilarious tale featuring the irreverent bright red cat who loves just about everything. Bursting with imagination and fun, Doodle Cat returns to remind us to be curious, creative and to explore every option. Doodle Cat is Bored is published today, June 8. Full of silliness and magic, it is a hardback book just purrrrfect for…

  • Fat Quarter Home Cover
    book review - competition - crafts - sewing

    Fat Quarter: Home and Fat Quarter: Quick Makes! {review and giveaway}

    June 8, 2017 - By 

    As a fabric addict I was pretty delighted when I heard about two new craft books from Juliet Bawden and Amanda Russell. Fat Quarter: Home and Fat Quarter: Quick Makes feature 25 projects to make from short lengths of fabrics. I can’t resist buying Fat Quarters when I see pretty fabrics, and my 7 year old seems to have caught my habit too. Yes, our fabric stash is bursting with FQs but I often can’t think of projects which would use them up. All that is about to change with the publication of these two titles. Fabric stashers need never feel guilty again…