• Win a Classic Christmas H-box from Hotel Chocolat
    Christmas - competition

    Win a Classic Christmas H-box from Hotel Chocolat

    December 7, 2016 - By 

    What does Christmas mean to you? To me it means twinkling fairy lights, a hot chocolate, a cheezy Christmas film and a box of chocolates. Last week my husband and I had a date day as we’ve never found a babysitter to go out at night. I actually really enjoyed going out in the day as I got to visit my favourite shops without the constant chatter of my children. I was able to concentrate and therefore spend! We were in the West End so popped into Hotel Chocolat in Seven Dials. Seven Dials is one of my favourite areas…

  • Paper plate Nutcracker craft
    Christmas - crafts

    Paper plate Nutcracker craft

    December 6, 2016 - By 

    I love this time of year and my head is bursting with Christmas crafts to make with the children. My son is an early riser so we managed to squeeze a lovely craft in this morning – a paper plate nutcracker craft. If you are enjoying my Christmas crafts and are looking for more then pop on over to see a great round up of Christmas crafts here. Our paper plate Nutcracker craft is super easy and a lovely way to sit and re-tell the story to little ones. Do you know the story of the Nutcracker? It’s a beautiful story.…

  • A no nonsense breakfast with BEAR Alphabites
    Happy By Nature - parenting

    A no nonsense breakfast with BEAR Alphabites

    December 5, 2016 - By 

    Post in collaboration with BEAR Alphabites Regular readers of my blog will know we’re huge fans of BEAR products. They recently sent me a parcel of goodies and I was so excited! I opened up the box to find two boxes of BEAR Alphabites cereal, a gorgeous place mat, bowl and personalised spoon. With one child in Reception and another in Year 2 I know the importance of a good breakfast for the whole family. My children need a lot of energy to get through the school day so a healthy breakfast is a must. I have one child who is an…

  • Christmas - days out - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – Week 115

    December 5, 2016 - By 

    This time of year is so busy. As if school and after school clubs weren’t enough, we are trying to squeeze in extra festive activities whilst keeping winter germs at bay. After a busy weekend visiting my mum in Wiltshire I am so happy to be sitting at home catching up on my blog, the children safely at school. This week I will be finishing off costumes for their nativity plays and buying lots of Christmas presents – am I the only one who hasn’t started yet? Most weeks I find it so easy to write this Monday Happy List…

  • The Lego Store in Leicester Square
    days out - Lego - Local Review - London

    Our visit to The Lego Store in Leicester Square

    December 4, 2016 - By 

    On Wednesday my husband and I decided to have a day time date. As much as we love our children we hardly ever get to do the things we wanted to do. So we headed into the West End for a bit of shopping and lunch without two children who need constant food and toilet breaks! We’re both adult fans of Lego so wanted to visit the new Lego Store in Leicester Square. I’d been invited to view it before it opened to the public and was gutted I couldn’t make it. It was our first stop when we got…

  • christmas gift guide for kids
    Christmas - Gift guide - playing - toy review

    Christmas gift guide for a 5 and 6 year old

    December 4, 2016 - By 

    Has your Christmas present panic buying set in yet? Despite feeling quite organised last month I have bought very few presents so far this year. Luckily I have made my lists, I just need to spend some time buying and wrapping everything. My daughter had her birthday last week so I always find her a little trickier to buy for as she has received everything she asked for. I thought it was about time I brought together some of my favourite toy reviews from the past year, with some of the toys my children will be receiving this year. Christmas…

  • Super simple gingerbread popcorn recipe
    Christmas - crafts - gingerbread - handmade

    Super simple gingerbread popcorn recipe

    December 3, 2016 - By 

    This week my son went on a playdate after school and my daughter and I wanted to stay in and watch a film. This super simple gingerbread popcorn recipe only requires 3 ingredients and makes a fun festive treat, especially if you’re staying in to watch Elf! Gingerbread popcorn recipe ingredients Popcorn (we love Butterkist Sweet) Gingerbread spices Gingerbread men shaped sprinkles How to make gingerbread popcorn recipe Take a healthy portion of popcorn and sprinkle over a pinch of gingerbread spices. Top with your gingerbread men shaped sprinkles. We prefer ready-made popcorn but you could make your own –…

  • Unique Planners by Pirongs {planner review}
    homestyle - lifestyle

    Unique Planners by Pirongs {Life Planner review}

    December 2, 2016 - By 

    I love buying new stationery and with a New Year in sight I couldn’t resist trying out a new planner. Unique Planners by Pirongs, are a family-run British business, who produce gorgeous, hard back customisable life planners. Life Planners are huge in the US and are now pretty popular in the UK too. Unique Planners are completely customisable, you can choose your covers, diary layouts, add photos and text and choose around 25 pages at the back to add in – simply pick from the list of available ones including gift lists, birthday logs, personal goals, holiday wishlists, music to…

  • Ikea soft cushion
    playing - toy review

    Role play toys for children from Ikea

    December 2, 2016 - By 

    And now for something completely different. We’ve reviewed a few techy toys recently, such as the awesome Leapfrog LeapBand Activity Tracker and the Star Wars Rogue One Interactive Imperial Stormtrooper figure, so today I’m happy to share the new range of soft toys from Ikea. Our family fully embraces the Ikea lifestyle. We eat from Ikea plates and bowls, have lovely Ikea shelving and toys boxes in the living room and my daughter sleeps in an Ikea bed with a room full of Ikea furniture. Despite my fondness for vintage, I also love clean white furniture; it’s functional, great value and…