• Kingdom of Sweets Gob Stopper Challenge
    Local Review - London - parenting

    Kingdom of Sweets Gob Stopper Challenge

    October 9, 2017 - By 

    I have a terrible sweet tooth. I just love sweets and they’re a huge part of who I am. Some of my happiest memories are of going to our little corner shop to spend my pocket money with my older sister. Mmmm, sheets of rice paper, shrimps and Hubba Bubba! My sister always went for the packs of Pacers whilst I always spent ages choosing my favourite penny sweets. I can re-call growing up through my favourite sweet shops. I remember I was allowed to walk to a sweet shop after school whilst my mum finished work, and I remember…

  • Discovery Adventures and the Land Rover Discovery Sport
    Day Zero - Local Review - London - parenting

    Discovery Adventures and the Land Rover Discovery Sport

    October 7, 2017 - By 

    I’m not quite sure where the week has gone but I’m finally sitting down to write and tell you about our adventures last weekend. We were kindly loaned a brand spanking new Land Rover Discovery Sport for the weekend! This may have been our most exciting blogging adventure yet. Ok, so I drive. But you probably don’t know that I’m a really awful, anxious driver. I drive my kids to their after school clubs but I find no pleasure in driving. So I laughed a little when Land Rover contacted me and immediately texted my husband. He loves cars so…

  • A trip to the Sylvanian Families shop London
    days out - Friends of Sylvanian Families - Local Review - London - parenting

    A trip to the Sylvanian Families shop London

    September 28, 2017 - By 

    I’ve been promising the children a trip to the Sylvanian Families shop in London for quite a long time. They both love Sylvanian Families and had been saving up their pocket money in preparation for our visit. The Sylvanian Families shop is on Mountgrove Road in London. This is within easy walking distance from Arsenal Underground Station or Finsbury Park Station. We drove and were able to park opposite the shop. The Sylvanian Families shop opened in 1993. The Sylvanian Families shop offers the widest range of Sylvanian Families in Europe with over 400 items in stock. They have over 50 different families, including the…

  • New Banksy murals spring up in central London near Barbican
    days out - homestyle - London - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy Things {Week 156}

    September 25, 2017 - By 

    Happy Monday morning everyone! I’d forgotten how quickly the weeks go when the kids are back at school. They’ve both settled into their new years so well and I’ve been really proud of them. I haven’t enjoyed policing the increased amount of homework though and we’ve had to tweak their reward charts to make sure it gets done! This week I reached 900 subs on YouTube which made me so happy. I love making videos with my children. I have hours of unedited footage which I’m not sure will ever see the light of day, but as long as my…

  • Win tickets to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace
    competition - homestyle - Local Review - London

    Win tickets to the Knitting and Stitching Show London

    September 20, 2017 - By 

    Are you looking for inspiration for your next craft project?  Ticket lines are now open for The Knitting & Stitching Show London which takes place at Alexandra Palace (affectionately known as Ally Pally) from 11th-15th October 2017. This unique show is the biggest event for the UK’s textile art, craft and design community and there is no better place to get great ideas, learn new skills and meet like-minded people.  The show attracts over 30,000 visitors and hosts Textile Galleries by world-leading artists and groups. Headline exhibitions for 2017 are: Units of Possibility – The Reknit Revolution (supported by Rugby…

  • The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court 2017
    days out - homestyle - Local Review - London

    The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court 2017

    September 17, 2017 - By 

    Yesterday I went to The Handmade Fair with my sister for the third year in a row. I really love going to The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court, it’s a great way to learn some new skills and of course go shopping for craft supplies! The Handmade Fair takes place on Hampton Court Green, opposite Hampton Court. It’s a nice location although pretty difficult to get to from our corner of London. We arrived with plenty of time to go shopping before our first workshop. Full experience tickets include a Grand Make, Skills Workshop and the Super Theatre. I booked…

  • Tom Chaplin at Pizza Express Live (Holborn)
    days out - homestyle - Local Review - London

    Tom Chaplin at Pizza Express Live (Holborn)

    September 7, 2017 - By 

    Last Friday the hottest ticket in town was to see Tom Chaplin at Pizza Express Live Holborn. I knew that you could listen to live music at Pizza Express Soho but it’s been a long time since I went out in the evening thanks to my children and no babysitters nearby. When I heard that Tom Chaplin was playing I knew I had to do – tickets first then worry about a babysitter later. Miraculously we got two tickets! I persuaded my mum to come up for the weekend so she could look after the children and we could go…

  • Rachel Whiteread Place (Village) at the Museum of Childhood
    days out - Local Review - London - parenting

    Rachel Whiteread Place (Village) at the Museum of Childhood

    August 19, 2017 - By 

    I have this thing with houses. I’m not sure what it is but I just love little houses. So when I heard about an installation by the artist Rachel Whiteread consisting of lots of dolls’ houses, I knew I had to visit. The installation was at the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. Fortunately I had booked myself on a workshop at Tatty Devine in Brick Lane so was able to go a little early to visit it. I adore the Museum of Childhood. It is one of my favourite museums, mainly due to its collection of dolls’ houses. They used…

  • Horrible Histories - More Best of Barmy Britain!
    days out - Local Review - London - parenting

    Horrible Histories – More Best of Barmy Britain!

    August 7, 2017 - By 

    Earlier in the Summer holidays I enjoyed a day out with my 5 year old, watching The Emoji Movie. Today I got to spend the day with my 7 year old as we were invited to see the new production of Horrible Histories – More Best of Barmy Britain! at the Garrick Theatre in London. We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare yourselves for a special production of Horrible Histories featuring MORE of your favourite characters from our barmy past – and a brand new scene with wordy Will!…