• What next for Orla Kiely?
    Family Life

    What next for Orla Kiely?

    September 19, 2018 - By 

    I’m sure you’ve all heard the news today that Ola Kiely ceased trading on Monday following the collapse of its parent company  Kiely Rowan. There were a few rumours about this in a Facebook group on Monday, yesterday a notice was put up on the Orla Kiely website and today the story hit the BBC. To say I am gutted is an understatement. I have loved Orla Kiely for about 15 years and use an Orla Kiely handbags every day. I was only in the Orla Kiely Covent Garden store 2 weeks ago. I loved that little shop and went…

  • Win a Sylvanian Families Cake Decorating Set
    baking - competition - Friends of Sylvanian Families

    Win a Sylvanian Families Cake Decorating Set {Celebrating National Cupcake Week}

    September 18, 2018 - By 

    As a big fan of cake we just love celebrating National Cupcake Week! Did you know it’s National Cupcake Week? This year it’s celebrated from the 17th to 23rd September and anyone can get involved by sharing their delicious cupcake creations on social using the #NationalCupcakeWeek. Celebrating National Cupcake Week! My kids love to bake. I’ve always wanted them to be confident in the kitchen and I’m pleased to say they are. Baking is great fun but can be educational too, just think of all the maths skills they use with all that measuring! Our baking adventures have included pizza,…

  • finding painted rocks
    Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things

    September 17, 2018 - By 

    Happy Monday everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. I was pretty happy to see the weekend after going back to work. Each week I start off 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, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. Monday mindfulness – 5 happy things Last week was busy with just too much going on. It was a full week at work with lots of meeting after school…

  • Family Life

    Keeping kids safe online

    September 16, 2018 - By 

    Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash When I went to school back in the 1990s I remember my computer lessons being very limited. The computer room was basically a cupboard which wasn’t even big enough to take a whole class. Everything was very basic and didn’t really pique my interest. Fast forward to my Uni years and I was given an email address but I barely used a computer, except for typing up my coursework. My experiences put me off computers and if it wasn’t for my husband, I really doubt I would be a blogger and enjoy social media so much. He…

  • EASY CRAFT STICK STAR DECORATIONS
    Bostik Family Craft Bloggers Network - Crafts for kids

    Craft Stick Star decorations

    September 16, 2018 - By 

    I’ve been looking forward to crafting with the children for a while. Last week was busy with after school clubs and playdates but today we finally had some crafting time. The weather has been warm and sunny today, a really Indian Summer. We should have been out making the most of it but it was lovely to look through the latest box of craft supplies we were sent at Bostik Bloggers. Each month we are sent Bostik craft supplies to make something, the theme was Space. Easy Craft Stick Star decorations We decided to make and decorate craft stick stars.…

  • Family Life - homestyle - interiors

    Four of the Best Flooring Ideas for Family Homes

    September 14, 2018 - By 

    Are you looking for ways to make your family home more beautiful and lovable? Is this the case even after you have done a home renovation where you have replaced appliances and furniture? Are you not able to locate the reason why you can’t seem to get the look you want? The reason may actually be under your very feet. In other words, your home’s flooring might be the answer to your having the home you have dreamed about. Four of the Best Flooring Ideas for Family Homes Flooring is too often overlooked as an important design element when remodelling…

  • So Glow DIY Collectable Range Light Up Magic Glow Jars
    Crafts for kids

    So Glow DIY Light Up Magic Glow Jars review

    September 14, 2018 - By 

    We love a creative toy so were excited to hear about the new So Glow DIY range from Canal Toys. Simple and mess free, this range of DIY kits enables children to create and customise their own Light Up Magic Glow Jars. Each set in the range is simple to use, comes with everything needed and includes a must-have collectable character. So Glow DIY sets offer a fabulous range of colourful themed jars to customise, decorate and keep.  You can choose from, cool colour themes; turquoise ‘Chill’, purple ‘Cosmic’ and blue ‘Dream’ and warm colour themes: yellow ‘Happy’, green ‘Harmony’…

  • Family Life

    Back to work and getting stuff done

    September 13, 2018 - By 

    I’ve been a little quite lately, not just because my children are back to school, but because I’ve gone back to work too. I have a lovely job in a secondary school which fits (just about) round my children and their school day. My new job is completely different to my old one. I used to work in a museum and got to use my History degree every day. My new job means I’m on my feet all day, helping children who may need additional help. It doesn’t use any of my old skills, so I’m learning plenty of new…

  • Back to school with Moj Moj
    Family Life - toy review

    Back to school with Moj Moj

    September 11, 2018 - By 

    How are your children settling into the new academic year? Mine are pretty tired and grumpy which isn’t surprising after our long, hot summer adventures. Routine usually works quite well for our family so I’m hoping that we’ll soon get into the swing of things, especially now that all our extra-curricular activities have started too. A few weeks ago we were kindly sent some back to school supplies along with packs of our favourite squishies, Moj Moj. You may remember that we have featured them before. Moj Moj are super squishy characters with fun, collectible themes. My children just adore…