• Tatty Devine stickered bench
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Summer Holidays edit {Week 252}

    August 5, 2019 - By 

    I love to start the week by writing Five Happy Things. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. Five Happy Things {Week 252} We started the week by holding a Missing Link viewing party at home to celebrate the release of the film on DVD and digital download. We love sitting down to watch a film (it’s the only time my children are quiet!) and this is a good…

  • meeting Horrible Histories' Martin Brown
    Family Life - Local Review - London

    A drawing masterclass with Horrible Histories’ Martin Brown

    August 4, 2019 - By 

    Last week we ventured into London for the day. We had been invited to a drawing masterclass with Horrible Histories’ Martin Brown. It had been a while since we last had time to explore and we couldn’t wait to walk around Granary Square at Kings Cross before the event. The area has been totally transformed and there is always something new to see and do, especially for kids. Drawing masterclass with Horrible Histories’ Martin Brown If you’re a parent you’ve probably heard of Horrible Histories. My son just loves the books, written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown.…

  • 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.…

  • Win a Missing Link film bundle
    competition

    Win a Missing Link film bundle

    August 2, 2019 - By 

    Have you watched the film Missing Link yet? We took part in a fun Viewing Party at home on Monday and we all really enjoyed watching it again. It’s a lovely family film full of great characters with a fun plot. Tired of living a solitary life in the Pacific Northwest, Mr Link, who is 8 feet tall and covered in fur, recruits explorer Sir Lionel Frost to help find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, this trio of explorers travels the world to help their new friend. Through it all, they…

  • back to school chatterbox printable
    Back to school crafts - Crafts for kids - free printables

    {Free printable} Back to School Chatterbox

    July 30, 2019 - By 

    I know the Summer holidays have only just begun but us mums just can’t rest for a moment. Yes, the uniform is bought, we have new water bottles and lunch bags and fully stocked pencil cases, we’re all ready for September! My children both love school and are excited about starting the new school year in September. Today I wanted to share a fun free chatterbox printable which is just perfect for going back to school. Free printable Back to School Chatterbox Now I call them a chatterbox but I know everyone calls them different things. I’ve also heard them…

  • exploring Kings Cross with kids
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Summer holidays edit {Week 251}

    July 29, 2019 - By 

    I love to start the week by writing Five Happy Things. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. The first week of the Summer holidays has flown by and, thanks to the London heatwave, things got a bit sticky last week with not much sleep. Five Happy Things {Week 251} We started the week with a trip into London, exploring around the new developments behind Kings Cross Station,…

  • 5 ways to increase the natural light in your home
    Family Life

    5 ways to increase the natural light in your home

    July 28, 2019 - By 

    Can you believe it’s been 6 years since we moved into our home? We all lead busy lives and it’s only when we seem to have a significant break from work that we start to notice things that need doing around the home. We’ve already done quite a lot to make our house feel like home and this summer we will be changing the floor in our open plan lounge/dining room. It’s the room we all spend the most time in and the flooring just isn’t hard wearing enough for our needs. Perhaps that’s not surprising with two children but…

  • rainbow mosaic
    Crafts for adults

    Mosaic workshop with Michelle Greenwood Brown

    July 27, 2019 - By 

    You all know I love a challenge. I’ve been wanting to try mosaic making for a while but just haven’t found any suitable mosaic courses in London. I really admire the work of Teignmouth artist, Michelle Greenwood Brown, so was delighted when I found she was running a course when we would be in Devon. The Mosaic workshop was called Creative with Crockery and promised it was suitable for beginners or those with some experience. In it we would learn to cut and shape recycled ceramic plates and tiles with tile nippers and make your own mosaic owl, chicken or…

  • 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…