• Signs of the Sewdiac
    Crafts for adults - Family Life - sewing - subscription box

    Signs of the Sewdiac subscription box (February box)

    March 4, 2018 - By 

    Where did February go. I love February but it just whizzed past, March is here and I’m feeling a little disorganised about it! I received some lovely mail last month, including the February Signs of the Sewdiac box. This is a new subscription box for crafters, based on the Signs of the Zodiac. I really enjoyed the January box so signed up for the February box too. It arrived last week and contained a craft kit which I was excited to receive. Signs of the Sewdiac subscription box The theme for the February box was scissors, so the contents were…

  • book review - Family Life - What I'm reading

    The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay

    March 3, 2018 - By 

    Last week I told you about the Book of Dust Volume 1: La Belle Sauvage. Today I’m telling you about another book I would recommend The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay. Back in 2015 I read The Bronte Plot, also by Katherine Reay, which I really loved. so I was pretty excited to hear she’s written another book as I really enjoyed her style. The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay I received a copy of The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay via NetGalley. I had trouble downloading it initially but had another go and read it in a few days. Sometimes I forget…

  • Where's Wally World Book Day costume
    Family Life - World Book Day ideas

    Where’s Wally? (World Book Day costume)

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    World Book Day is here again! Us parents either love it or loathe it. I was so jealous of other school as ours had a strict pyjama dress code only. Last year this was relaxed but there has been some hoo haa this year, loads of confusion and the mixed message of costumes or pyjamas. I understand that not everyone wants to buy or make costumes for World Book Day. My son hates dressing up but my daughter loves it. This year she really wanted to go as Harry Potter but eventually she chose Where’s Wally instead. I didn’t mind,…

  • Sylvanian Families Town launches in the UK
    Family Life - Friends of Sylvanian Families

    Sylvanian Families Town launches in the UK today!

    March 1, 2018 - By 

    The 1st March has finally arrived which means Sylvanian Families fans in the UK finally get their hands on the new Sylvanian Families Town range! The much-loved, iconic toy range Sylvanian Families, has expanded with the largest product launch in its history – a new town – which ‘opens’ today. The launch of the new Sylvanian Families Town allows fans to create an alternative to the usual countryside setting of the Village. An exciting urban destination for the characters to visit on a special ‘day out’, the Town is also where the ‘older sister’ characters work – doing their dream…

  • Thomas & Friends Encyclopedia
    book review - Family Life

    Thomas & Friends Character Encyclopedia

    February 28, 2018 - By 

    Thomas & Friends Character Encyclopedia is packed with fun facts, artwork and profiles from your number one blue engine! Including steam engines, diesels, construction vehicles, and of course The Fat Controller, this book is the definitive guide to all of your friends from the island of Sodor. Thomas & Friends Character Encyclopedia With entries on the Steam Team as well as new friends, this book is the ultimate guide to the personalities, jobs and design of more than 100 Thomas & Friends characters. Thomas & Friends Character Encyclopedia also contains fact files and Did You Know? boxes so readers can learn more about…

  • Schleich dinosaurs
    Family Life - toy review

    Imaginative play with the new Schleich Dinosaur figures

    February 28, 2018 - By 

    My 6 year old loves dinosaurs. She is learning more about dinosaurs this term at school which she is really enjoying. She has been re-reading all her dinosaur books and playing with her dinosaur collection. I think all children love dinosaurs. We’ve been to see the Dinosaur gallery at the Natural History Museum a few times and I still love finding out new things about them, just as much as the children do. Schleich Dinosaurs offer new dinosaur figurines for 2018. This year, fans of these prehistoric giants can enjoy even more dinosaurs in new poses and new designs. The…

  • Alethiometers and daemons
    book review - Family Life - What I'm reading

    Alethiometers and daemons {La Belle Sauvage}

    February 26, 2018 - By 

    The Book of Dust is a story in three parts. The first part, La Belle Sauvage, is set 10 years before the events of His Dark Materials, and the rest of the story takes place 20 years after that. Did you know that the Book of Dust was published 22 years after Northern Lights was published in 1995? I’m not sure where the years have gone but I loved His Dark Materials, so I was excited when Penguin Random House sent me a copy of  La Belle Sauvage to read. I received it over Christmas but it was such a hectic time I didn’t really get into it.…

  • Ferrari exhibition at the Design Museum
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things

    February 26, 2018 - By 

    I love starting off each week 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. Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things The first part of the week was pretty quiet. We finished watching the first season of Altered Carbon on Netflix which we both really enjoyed. I have to admit the last few episodes got stranger and stranger but overall I really enjoyed it. I finished reading The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage, completed Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and watched Three…

  • Mine It! review
    Family Life - toy review

    Mine It! review

    February 22, 2018 - By 

    A while ago my children spotted Mine It! in a magazine and really wanted to try it for themselves. The idea is that you can  mine for real Diamond and Gold in a block. Mine It! is a reveal and discover play pattern and each Diamond or Gold block has a precious stone inside. We were sent one Diamond and one Gold block to review. Each box contains everything you need: Chisel, Hammer and Magnifying Glass, to chip away and find the surprise. The children decided to open theirs after school today. There are 12 Gold blocks and 12 Diamond blocks,…