• Christmas - Elf on the Shelf - parenting

    Preparing for the Elf on a Shelf

    A couple of years ago we started the Elf on a Shelf tradition in our house. I know not everyone likes the idea of Elf on a Shelf but I think it’s fun and so do my children. Last year was the first year I managed to move him every day of Advent and you can see a round up of what the Elf got up to in this post. As well as our Elf we have the book he came with, An Elf Story. I also bought a little elf door to explain how he arrived in our house.…

  • homestyle

    Top tips for holding onto summer vibes in winter

    In the depths of winter it can be hard to remember that everything is seasonal and although Summer is behind us, it’s not long until the shortest day (check out our winter solstice lamp craft) and we can look forward to Spring. I love living in the UK where life is totally shaped by the seasons. As a parent I get to enjoy the long days of summer with my children. Life is easier in the summer. You can wear minimal clothes, spend all day outside and eat ice cream and salad all day. The winter months are harder. It’s…

  • days out - Local Review - London - parenting

    A West End treat – The Gruffalo’s Child live

    This morning we went into London’s West End for a special Christmas treat. We went to watch acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories perform a musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s awarding-winning picture book The Gruffalo’s Child.  We love anything by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler but we have a special place in our hearts for The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child. Last year we were lucky enough to watch Tall Stories perform The Gruffalo so we were super excited to see her follow in her father’s giant footsteps with a Christmas season in the West End! It’s a big…

  • competition - parenting

    Win Tumball and Beat The Flush games from Megableu

    I’ve been sharing quite a few games recently as it’s something my children have discovered they really enjoy. Every Friday we try to have a Games Night where the children take it in turns to pick a game the whole family play. It’s something we all look forward to and makes a change from watching Netflix. There are some great games out there and today I’m going to tell you a little more about two games from Megableu – Tumball and Beat the Flush. Read on for your chance to win these games! Tumball from Megableu Tumball is new for…

  • Advent crafts - Christmas - homestyle

    What’s inside our Advent crate

    Advent can take a lot of planning but it’s sooo worth the effort. I spend November planning our Advent books and calendars so everything is ready for December 1st. Last year I made a little wooden Advent crate to hold everything but I have to admit it barely fitted anything, so I need to re-think how to hold everything this year. I’m so excited for this year so I’m going to share what I’ve got ready for the family: This year I have winter duvets for the kids. I picked these up in Asda in the Summer holidays as I…

  • parenting - toy review

    DC SuperHero Girls Toddler Dolls from Jakks Pacific {review}

    We were kindly sent three of the new DC SuperHero Girls Toddler Dolls from Jakks Pacific to review at home! My 5 year old loves dolls but we’ve never reviewed a toddler doll before. I didn’t really know what a toddler doll was, but it’s a slightly larger doll than you would give to an older child, chunkier and easier for small hands to hold. DC SuperHero Girls Toddler Dolls from Jakks Pacific The DC SuperHero Girls Toddler Dolls from Jakks Pacific are the perfect way to introduce toddlers to the world of DC. The DC Universe includes the most…

  • Advent crafts - book review - parenting

    Our 2017 Book Advent books (perfect for 5-7 year olds)

    I can’t believe it’s time to start getting ready for December 1st and our annual festive Book Advent. Do you organise a Book Advent? It’s a lovely way to bring out some of those classic Christmas books, as well as more modern classics, and cuddle up with a good book. We love to read and this time of year is even more perfect for picking up a longer book and sharing it with your child. My children are 5 and 7 but are happy to share their Book Advent books (thankfully!). The first thing I did was to get last…

  • Gift guide - parenting

    Gift guide for 7 year old gamers

    My 7 year old is really easy to buy for at Christmas. He loves YouTube and playing computer games, especially Minecraft and is a bit of a Star Wars geek too. He’s pretty much written his Christmas list, although when the new Star Wars film comes out I think it might change, and I thought I’d share some ideas in case you have a 7 year old and need some inspiration. Gift guide for 7 year old gamers We’re lucky to have both a PS4 and Nintendo Switch thanks to my husband who loves computer games too. I would totally…

  • Advent crafts - crafts - Friends of Sylvanian Families

    Our homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar

    Every year (since having children) Advent seems to get bigger and bigger. I buy both the children chocolate Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas but in the run up to December 1st I can’t help buy more and more advent calendars! I will be writing a little more about them another day, but today I wanted to share the homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar I’ve made for them to open. Our homemade Sylvanian Families advent calendar Over the past few weeks I’ve been collecting vintage Sylvanian Families items, mainly from eBay. I’ve managed to buy a pretty big collection…