• outdoor adventures
    Family Life - holidays - homestyle

    Reaching for the tree tops {Center Parcs treehouse adventure}

    August 9, 2016 - By 

    With the school holidays in full swing I can say that we are coping – just đŸ™‚ My husband is still recovering from his abdominal surgery which means we probably won’t be having another holiday this year. Fortunately we live in London so are spoilt for things to do right on our doorstep. It doesn’t stop me day dreaming though, and I’ve found a magical place I would love to go – to a luxury treehouse in the middle of nowhere. We’ve already had a brief glimpse of all that Center Parcs has to offer when we visited the Festival…

  • Customising our children's playhouse with a blackboard
    crafts - garden crafts - tutorial - upcycling

    Customising our children’s playhouse {Ikea hack Mala easel}

    August 9, 2016 - By 

    We’ve had an Ikea Mala easel for a few years and it’s in constant use. You may have seen one before, with a blackboard on one side, a whiteboard on the other. It also has a roll of paper which can be pulled up and over the whiteboard for more drawing possibilities. It’s a good design (as you would expect from Ikea) and folds flat when not in use. It has been brilliant for encouraging the children to get creative and we’ve used it whilst both children have been learning their letters and numbers, as well as for general creativity.…

  • cold cooking with kids
    days out - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – week 98

    August 8, 2016 - By 

    The summer holidays are going so quickly and I think we’re all enjoying the slower pace of life. Although I’ve been ferrying them around I’m happy there are no after school clubs or evening activities to go to. With my free time I’ve been de-cluttering, eBaying, charity shopping and doing some of those niggling jobs I’ve been meaning to do for months. Who knew August would be a much-needed month of tidying and sorting. Kids had a great time at the summer holiday workshop they went to every morning. After 2 weeks of early starts I’m looking forward to a…

  • Who Tooted family board game
    competition - parenting - playing - toy review

    Who Tooted family board game review and giveaway

    August 7, 2016 - By 

    I like to have lots of games, books and crafts on hand during the summer holidays to keep my children occupied. We’ve only recently started playing board games together but the children love them. They are great for having family time and we’ve found after dinner is the perfect time for us all to sit down and have some fun. We were recently sent a new board game to try out called Who Tooted?. The Who Tooted? game is cheeky and irreverent fun that’s perfect for encouraging kids to have a little family time. Let’s face it, we all do…

  • a beach themed mud kitchen Invitation to play
    Kids crafts - Nature crafts

    Invitation to play – a beach themed mud kitchen

    August 7, 2016 - By 

    Our homemade mud kitchen has been getting a lot of use this year. To mix it up a little I thought I would set up an invitation to play for my children, using some of the treasure we brought back from the beach earlier this year. Every year we try to have a holiday by the sea and this year we brought back a lot of it with us. As we were packing up the car the children were still slipping sea glass and shaped pebbles into their bags, desperate to bring a little of their holiday back to London…

  • Cath Kidston press preview
    Cath Kidston - competition - homestyle

    Cath Kidston Autumn Winter collection and a giveaway

    August 6, 2016 - By 

    For me one of the best things about being a blogger is the chance to work with some of my favourite brands. I’ve worked with Cath Kidston a few times now and was so excited to receive an invitation to their Autumn Winter 2016 Press Preview. I really enjoy press shows. I only go to a few of the brands I really love and I can’t wait to see their new collections before anyone else. The Cath Kidston Autumn Winter collection preview took place in a lovely venue just off Bond Street. On a very warm day earlier this summer…

  • The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl
    book review - Roald Dahl crafts - What I'm reading

    The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl {book review}

    August 5, 2016 - By 

    The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl, a spectacular scrapbook of stories, characters and creations is published later this month, part of the celebrations surrounding 100 years since the birth of the author. Don’t forget the 13th September will see the biggest ever global celebration of Roald Dahl’s birthday on Roald Dahl Day. So, have you ever wanted to know what actually happened to James Trotter’s parents when they encountered an angry escaped rhino? Or how to make the Twits’ infamous bird pie? Well now you can find out, with The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl. The book is a brilliant…

  • The Grossery Gang Yucky Mart Playset
    playing - toy review - UKMums.TV Preferred Blogger

    The Grossery Gang Yucky Mart Playset

    August 5, 2016 - By 

    If your children love small collectible toys as much as mine then you may be interested to hear about a new range from Flair. We were recently sent The Grossery Gang Yucky Mart Playset and 4 x Foil Bags to review. The Grossery Gang are the new gross collectable for boys (and girls). My 4 year old loves her Shopkins and these are similar but gross, my 6 year old found them very appealing as he seems to be going through a stage where he loves anything a bit silly or dirty! Both my children love pocket money priced toys…

  • Personalised lunch bag
    Back to school crafts - Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - crafts - Sizzix crafts

    Personalised lunch bag {back to school}

    August 4, 2016 - By 

    Despite enjoying the school holidays I have been planning for September and back to school. Half of the new uniform is bought but I’m putting off new school shoes for a week or two (always my least favourite job). My 4 year old will be starting Reception in September and taking a packed lunch  so I’ve made her a personalised lunch bag to carry it in. I used a little cotton bag, Bostik Fine and Wide Glu Pen and cut out the first letter of her name using my Sizzix machine. The Bostik Fine and Wide Glu Pen can be…