• Christmas small world play
    Christmas - Friends of Sylvanian Families - playing - toy review

    Christmas small world play {Sylvanian Families Christmas Set}

    December 15, 2016 - By 

    My 5 year old loves small world play. She always has done and I love getting her toys to support this. She has a lot of Playmobil and Sylvanian Families toys, both of which are perfect for this. Small world play is really important as it encourages a wide range of skills, including language and literacy, understanding of the world and working together. It encourage children to use their imaginations, express thoughts and experiences into their play, whilst exploring the world in which they live. I’ve noticed that my daughter’s play has taken a decidedly festive turn recently. I often hear…

  • competition

    Kidscast review and win a Tiny Treasures doll

    December 14, 2016 - By 

    Today I wanted to tell you about a new website and app from KidsCast. With the Christmas holidays coming up I thought you might be interested in something to keep them occupied whilst you finish of peeling the sprouts or  just want to get the children out from under your feet. Kidscast is the all new mobile entertainment and educational platform for children aged 3 to 12. As well as being packed full of shows, games and activities, Kidscast is a really safe environment for children to enjoy and is certified by UK.CCIS. There are no adverts and parents don’t…

  • Easy Tunnocks Teacake Christmas puddings
    baking - Christmas - handmade

    Easy Tunnocks Teacake Christmas puddings

    December 14, 2016 - By 

    I’m on a bit of a roll at the moment. The other day I shared our Christmas Pudding Biscuits, today I am going to show you how I made Tunnocks’ Teacake Christmas puddings. I’m all for making things easy at this time of year. There is so much pressure for everything to be perfect but I’d rather cut some corners and and make more time to enjoy myself! My easy Tunnocks’ Teacake Christmas puddings have only 3 ingredients so are the easiest thing for whipping up as an after school treat or if you have some friends coming round after…

  • best Elf quote We elves try to stick to the four main food groups- candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.
    Christmas - film review - homestyle

    The perfect festive family night in {watching Elf!}

    December 13, 2016 - By 

    Post in collaboration with E.ON. We’ve had a busy few weeks but I’m pleased to say things are finally slowing down enough to let us enjoy the festive season. This is a magical time of year but it can be tricky to enjoy it when there is an endless round of Christmas parties, nativity plays and Santa’s Grottos’ to visit! Last weekend was the first weekend in a long time that we’ve been at home. Of course we had a few festive things planned but we were all really looking forward to a family film night. This time of year is…

  • David Walliams' new book, The Midnight Gang
    book review

    David Walliams’ new book, The Midnight Gang

    December 13, 2016 - By 

    When the clock strikes midnight most children are fast asleep, but for the Midnight Gang the journey is just beginning. This extraordinary story of five children in a wonderfully inventive and eccentric hospital setting promises to take fans from around the globe on an unmissable midnight adventure. We have never read a book by David Walliams before but I know he is a pretty successful children’s author, as well as all the other things he does. The Midnight Gang is his latest book, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, and we were delighted to receive a copy to read together. The…

  • {3 ingredient} Christmas Pudding biscuits
    baking - Christmas

    {3 ingredient} Christmas Pudding biscuits

    December 13, 2016 - By 

    I’m slowly beginning to enjoy this time of year. It feels like everything is coming together, the children have their school Nativity plays this week and I’m counting down the days until I have them all to myself for a few weeks. We’ve had a few cosy nights in recently and I wanted to share our Christmas Pudding Biscuits. I can’t claim this idea for myself, but they are so quick and simple, perfect if you fancy whipping up a quick festive treat. I used 3 ingredients which I already had at home: Milk chocolate digestive biscuits White icing Holly…

  • Gift guide for her
    Christmas - film review - Gift guide

    Christmas gift guide for her

    December 12, 2016 - By 

    Grab the mistletoe and get ready to find the perfect gift for that special someone this Christmas. Warner Bros. has the ultimate selection, whether you’re looking for him, for her, or for festive favourites to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit. Get ready to snuggle up with these heartwarming titles for her, including Me Before You, The Intern, In The Heart of the Sea, Wizard of Oz and How to Be Single. Me Before You – Thea Sharrock directs this adaptation of the novel by Jojo Moyes. Emilia Clarke stars as Louisa ‘Lou’ Clark, a quirky, cheerful waitress…

  • minions gift guide
    Gift guide - parenting - playing - toy review

    Minions: a gift guide for kids

    December 12, 2016 - By 

    I know I said that I wasn’t really writing many gift guides this year but I couldn’t resist posting another one. My children are a little Minion crazy. There’s just something about those little yellow dudes and they have inspired playdough and bento in our house. Our favourite films featuring the Minions are the Despicable Me franchise. The films focus on Gru, a super-villain (who later becomes a dad and superhero); his yellow-coloured Minions; and his three orphan girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes. It began with the 2010 film, Despicable Me, and its 2013 sequel, Despicable Me 2. A prequel…

  • Gingerbread and Salted Caramel cupcake
    homestyle - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – week 116

    December 12, 2016 - By 

    Last week the whole family was ill on different days so it was a strange week. I fell behind a little on my Christmas prep so I’m hoping all the illness is behind us now so I can get a move on with everything. There was a lot of sitting around and feeling sorry for myself. This quiet time allowed me space to read and enjoy the latest issue of Project Calm magazine. It included a lovely paper cut which I’ve been working on too. On Saturday I had my Christmas concert. I joined a choir a year ago and…