• Bahlsen Book Club - book review

    Sealed with a Kiss by Rachael Lucas

    Yesterday I finished the latest book from the Bahlsen Book Club, Sealed with a Kiss by Rachael Lucas. Rachael Lucas, whose blog I’ve followed for a long time, began as a self-published author and after achieving over 130,000 downloads for Sealed with a Kiss, was signed to Pan MacMillan. I have to be honest and say I usually stay well clear of romantic chick lit. Whilst I was at Uni I read a lot of chick lit but being married and a parent just doesn’t make me reach for those kind of books in the bookshop anymore. Anyway, I was…

  • book review - crafts - handmade - Kids crafts - Paper craft - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of Petit Collage by Lorena Siminovich

    Petit Collage is a collection of 25 vintage modern handcrafted designs for children and families, from award-winning designer Lorena Siminovich. The fun, imaginative projects range from a paper toy dollhouse and personalised baby blocks to an adorable bunny clock and Petit Collage’s signature name plaque, growth chart and paper mobiles. Many can be made with the help of your children and there are ideas throughout to make them ‘kid fun’. The book also contains gorgeous photography, step by step instructions and additional tips for each project. Petit Collage will help parents create handmade items for kids that adults will also…

  • Bahlsen Book Club - book review

    What I’m reading: The Forgotten Daughter

    I’ve just finished reading a book I’ve been telling all my friends about. The Forgotten Daughter by Renita D’Silva was one of those books I was able to get into straight away and looked forward to reading a couple of chapters every evening. “You were adopted” Three simple words, in a letter accompanying her parent’s will, tear Nisha’s carefully ordered world apart. Raised in England, by her caring but emotionally reserved parents, Nisha has never been one to take risks. Now, with the scrawled address of an Indian convent begins a search for the mother and family she never knew…

  • book review

    What we’re reading

    My children are very keen little bookworms and have recently received some lovely new books to read and review. Stop Sticking, Stan! by Nicola Killen Meet Stan. His favourite, favourite thing to do is COLLECT things. He has a collection of buttons, a collection of odd socks, a collection of string and a collection of coat hangers. One day, his mum gives him a reward for tidying his bedroom and he begins a whole new collection – STICKERS! Stan sticks his stickers everywhere and soon things are getting a little out of hand … can anything persuade Stan to stop…

  • book review - competition - handmade - wedding - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of the DIY Wedding Manual

    The DIY Wedding Manual by Laura Strutt is “packed with everything you need to know and creative ideas to help you achieve your dream wedding – from veils and cakes, to flowers and invitations”. The step-by-step guide to creating your perfect wedding day on a budget and I really wish this book had been around when we planned our wedding back in 2008. Many savvy couples are getting creative when it comes to planning and arranging their wedding, in order to make their ‘big day’ unique, meaningful and affordable. Packed with creative suggestions, step-by-step projects, money-saving hints and inspirations for…

  • baking - book review - eating - homestyle - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Making Bread Together

    I hope it’s clear from reading my blog that we love cooking and baking together. My 4 year old has wanted to make pizza for a while and we finally got round to it. We made our pizza over two days, leaving the dough overnight in the airing cupboard. The children were very excited and fortunately patient. Finally the next day they were able to make their pizzas with a little help from daddy.  Everyone was able to roll their dough and make their own pizzas. Whilst they were having fun with the dough I prepared a plate of toppings.…

  • book review - competition

    Win a copy of My First Magic Book

    I have a great competition to share with you today. Do you have a budding magician in your family? If so you may like to enter my competition to win a copy of My First Magic Book: 50 fun tricks and illusions for children aged 7+. Mini magicians can learn all of the tricks of the trade with this fun introduction to the world of magic! They can start with Card Tricks and keep people guessing with Tricks with Everyday Objects, such as the fantastic banana split trick and the coin under a handkerchief illusion. Move on to the head-scratching…

  • book review - crafts - Dolls quilts - Patchwork & Quilting - sewing - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Little Quilts by Sarah Fielke & Amy Lobsiger

    I promised myself I would spend more time on my hobbies and am trying to finish off lots of sewing projects before I start any more. However when a copy of Little Quilts by Sarah Fielke & Amy Lobsiger landed on my doorstep there was a project I just had to make straight away. Craft books are a major weakness and indulgence and Little Quilts is my kind of book. I love making little quilts for Little Sis to play with and I’ve already made a couple. Little Quilts features 15 step-by-step projects for small quilts using traditional and contemporary…

  • baking - book review

    Ella’s Kitchen The Big Baking Book (The Yellow One)

    Ella’s Kitchen the organic food brand have just launched their second cook book, The Yellow One, and this time it’s all about BAKING! Late last year we reviewed Ella’s Kitchen cook book, The Red One, and it quickly became one of our favourites cook books and the children have eaten some very tasty meals thanks to it. We were very excited to receive a copy of their new book. With over 100 delicious recipes for chefs both big and small, it’s a great way to get the whole family involved in spending some quality time together having fun in the…