• Baking Speculaas Spice Biscuits for Autumn
    baking - gingerbread - homestyle

    Baking Speculaas Spice Biscuits for Autumn

    October 18, 2017 - By 

    The weather has turned over the last few days so I spent today in the kitchen baking. I love baking, especially in Autumn. It instantly warmed the house and filled it with the most delicious smells. I’m a huge fan of gingerbread and spiced biscuits so today made some delicious Speculaas Spice Biscuits. I used a delicious speculaas spice mix and speculaas mould from The Speculaas Spice Company. Speculass spice was used in The Netherlands in the 18th century due to trade with the East. Many Dutch families and independent bakers used their own blend of secret speculaas spice mixes…

  • parenting - Siblings

    Siblings {October 2017}

    October 18, 2017 - By 

    You can tell we’re back at school as there was such slim pickings for my monthly Siblings post. Looking back over my photos it doesn’t feel like we’ve had many adventures, just homework, after school clubs and not too much fun. Thankfully I found a few photos for my monthly post. Now my children are at different schools it seems that they look forward to seeing and playing with each other after school and at weekends. I’m not sure how long this will last but it has been so lovely watching them play together, read books together and help each…

  • Halloween essentials for a kids party from poundworld
    homestyle

    5 Halloween party essentials

    October 17, 2017 - By 

    At the grand old ages of 5 and 7 my kids absolutely love Halloween. When I was out shopping last week I popped into my local poundworld to pick up some Halloween decorations. We love to go all out for Halloween, decorating the house, dressing up, and even having a Halloween dinner on the day itself! I love to shop around and found some brilliant decorations and Halloween supplies in poundworld. I’ve shared some of my favourite products over on Twitter already. They were good quality and excellent value so I just had to share our 5 Halloween party essentials.…

  • win a goody bag
    competition - days out - homestyle - London

    The Knitting & Stitching Show London 2017 {goody bag giveaway}

    October 17, 2017 - By 

    On Sunday I enjoyed my annual day out at The Knitting & Stitching Show London. I try and go every year. Not only do I love fabric shopping but I also find Ally Pally a beautiful venue – and just down the road from where I used to live – happy memories. This year I went with a school mum friend and it was a totally different experience but still a lot of fun. If you’ve never been before then The Knitting & Stitching Show London took place between 11th-15th October at Alexandra Palace. If you love crafting then it’s a…

  • Making tracks with a Family and Friends Railcard
    Buckinghamshire - days out - parenting

    Making tracks with a Family and Friends Railcard

    October 16, 2017 - By 

    On Saturday we planned a grand day out. Our diary was free of play dates and parties and we really wanted to go somewhere new. We live on the edge of West London and we’re so lucky to have the countryside on our doorstep.  We decided to head over to High Wycombe for the day. We’ve passed through many times on our way to Hughenden Manor or Odds Park Farm but decided it was time to stop off and see what it had to offer. My husband loves to drive but we were recently offered a Family and Friends Railcard which…

  • Tatty Devine acrylic sewing machine necklace
    homestyle - Monday Happy List

    Monday mindfulness {5 happy things}

    October 16, 2017 - By 

    Week 159 of my weekly Monday happy things post, about the things which have me happy. Last week was really busy, and the week-end was too. I’m hoping for some quieter time to get ready for half term. Only 2 parent evenings, after school clubs and homework to get through first! Monday mindfulness {5 happy things} I think that Facebook has a lot to blame for my purchasing recently. Someone mentioned that Orla Kiely had designed two exclusive bags for The Royal British Legion. I found them on the Poppy Shop and just had to buy them. Jute bags are…

  • Star Wars Coding Projects
    book review - parenting - Star Wars crafts

    Star Wars Coding Projects {book review}

    October 15, 2017 - By 

    My 7 year old is really enjoying his lessons in the computing room at his new school. In Year 3 they start to learn Scratch which he’s really excited about. He loves computer games, especially Minecraft, Cars 3, Mario Kart, Splatoon 2 and anything Lego. We’ve played around a bit with Scratch at home, he can make a sprite walk across the screen and move around. It’s something he loves to do with his Dad and it’s great to see them doing something together. Star Wars Coding Projects Combining the beginner coding language Scratch with the indomitable Star WarsTM empire, Star…

  • POWER UP! MONOPOLY GAMER
    Hasbro Toy Tribe - parenting - toy review

    Power Up! with Monopoly Gamer

    October 15, 2017 - By 

    A few weeks ago we established a new family tradition. Family traditions are really important to me and I think our Friday night game night is pretty cool. The kids look forward to it all week and for me, it’s the start of the weekend, the end of another busy week, and a great way for us to spend time together away from the tv or laptop. My 7 year old is (already!) a huge gamer. He loves the PS4 and Nintendo Switch and if he isn’t playing computer games then he’s probably reading a book of watching YouTube for…

  • D.I.Y. Dollshouse by Alexia Henrion
    book review - Craft book review - homestyle - What I'm reading

    D.I.Y. Dollshouse by Alexia Henrion

    October 14, 2017 - By 

    I love receiving happy mail and was delighted to receive a small parcel containing a copy of D.I.Y. Dollshouse. I wasn’t sure if it was for me or my children but we’ve all been enjoying reading it. D.I.Y. Dollshouse: Build and Decorate a Toy House Using Everyday Materials is a lavishly illustrated guide for budding architects, builders, and designers, showing them how to build and furnish their own eco-friendly dollhouse using only items found around the house or available for free. Author Alexia Henrion has created a fun-filled book that is all about recycling, re-using and re-purposing. She provides simple…