• The Organised Mum Method
    Family Life - What I'm reading

    The Organised Mum Method {book review}

    September 5, 2019 - By 

    I’m not a natural cleaner but I do take pride in keeping my house nice and clean. With two children we have a lot of toys and clutter, so I was pretty excited to receive a copy of The Organised Mum Method by Gemma Bray to review. The method aims to transform your home in 30 minutes a day so I was keen to read more about it. The Organised Mum Method Do you spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning (or thinking about cleaning?). Say goodbye to mess, clutter and weekends spent tidying and cleaning! Gemma Bray (a.k.a The…

  • Explorers: amazing tales of the world's greatest adventurers
    book review - What I'm reading

    Explorers: amazing tales of the world’s greatest adventurers

    August 27, 2019 - By 

    We love adding books to our collection and were so excited when we received a parcel from DK Books. The children love fact books and were delighted to receive a copy of Explorers: amazing tales of the world’s greatest adventurers. Explorers: amazing tales of the world’s greatest adventurers This is a really lovely picture book for children with beautiful illustrations. In it you can meet famous explorers and adventurers. Venture into steaming jungles in search of lost temples, fight off frostbite in the Arctic, and blast off into space! We’ve been reading it at bedtime and it’s a great format…

  • A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
    What I'm reading

    A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier

    August 22, 2019 - By 

    I’ve read a few books by Tracy Chevalier so I was excited when I heard she had written another book, titled A Single Thread. The cover featured a needle and thread which immediately made me want to read it. Tracy Chevalier is an American author, who now lives in the UK, who has written 10 novels. She is probably most well-known for writing Girl With A Pearl Earring which was made into a film with Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier If she was to make a mark on the world, she would have to…

  • What I'm reading

    The Hiding Game by Naomi Wood

    August 3, 2019 - By 

    I love the Summer holidays because it feels like I finally get to tackle the stash of books next to my bed. This week I have devoured the Hiding Game. This is the gripping third novel by Naomi Wood, author of the award-winning Mrs. Hemingway. The Hiding Game by Naomi Wood In 1922, Paul Beckermann arrives at the Bauhaus art school and is immediately seduced by both the charismatic teaching and his fellow students. Eccentric and alluring, the more time Paul spends with his new friends the closer they become, and the deeper he falls in love with the mesmerising Charlotte.…

  • front cover of Paint Play: 21 Easy Watercolour Techniques to Explore
    Crafts for adults - What I'm reading

    Paint Play: 21 Easy Watercolour Techniques to Explore {book review}

    July 26, 2019 - By 

    A while ago now I bought myself a cheap pad of watercolour paper and paint set from Flying Tiger. I’ve wanted to experiment with watercolour for a while, but there never seems to be enough time to do so. Fortunately for me, Michael O’Mara Books gifted me a copy of a new book they are brining out next month, Paint Play: 21 Easy Watercolour Techniques to Explore. Through a series of 21 simple, achievable activities, artist Katie Rose Johnston demonstrates different ways of mixing colours, experiments with textures using salt and cling film, makes spatter art, animal print patterns and much…

  • What I'm reading

    Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames by Lara Maiklem

    July 23, 2019 - By 

    I first came across the concept of mudlarking when I worked at the Museum of London years ago. I was briefly responsible for meeting the mudlarkers and documenting their finds which would then be photographed and discussed at monthly meetings, to see if the museum wanted to acquire them. It was fascinating meeting the mudlarkers and seeing what they had discovered along the banks of the Thames. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of London so was delighted to receive a copy of Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames by Lara Maiklem to review via Netgalley. Mudlarking:…

  • My Big Book of Sewing
    Crafts for kids - What I'm reading

    My Big Book of Sewing {book review}

    July 21, 2019 - By 

    I love sewing but didn’t really know where to start with my children when they said they would like to learn. We were #gifted a copy of My Big Book of Sewing published by CICO Kidz to try at home and both my children, aged 7 and 9, enjoyed looking through it. They quickly bookmarked the crafts they wanted to try – a pretty long list I thought! My Big Book of Sewing The projects are split into 4 chapters: Fashion Fun (cozy scarf, hat rosettes, summer skirt, phone case), For Your Home (lavender bags, felt egg cosies, stripy quilt,…

  • Simple Happy Parenting by Denaye Barahona book cover
    Family Life - What I'm reading

    Simple Happy Parenting by Denaye Barahona {book review}

    July 14, 2019 - By 

    I love a parenting book. I don’t think it matters what stage your children are at, there’s always something to be learned or improved upon. I’m always happy to learn new tips to be a better parent. We were #gifted a copy of Simple Happy Parenting, published by White Lion Publishing, to review. Simple Happy Parenting: The secret of less for calmer parents and happier kids Simple Happy Parenting proclaims a revolutionary approach to parenting, full of practical tips to help you step back from the system overload so common in modern family life and, instead, create more time to…

  • cover of Confessions of a Single Mum by Amy Nickell
    competition - What I'm reading

    Giveaway: Confessions of a Single Mum by Amy Nickell

    July 9, 2019 - By 

    I’ve been stocking up on books to read this Summer. We’ve been planning some really fun trips way and I can’t wait for some time to read whilst the children play. I know my readers love to get their hands on the latest books too, so you’re going to love my latest giveaway where you can win a copy of Confessions of a Single Mum: What It’s Like When You’re Expecting The Unexpected by Amy Nickell. Confessions of a Single Mum by Amy Nickell Single mum Amy Nickell is a showbiz journalist and broadcaster, fast establishing herself as the leading voice of…