Monthly Archives: August 2013

Gone camping

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in Travel, Uncategorized

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CampingI love camping. OK, so the midnight trips to the toilet are not my favourite thing, but aside from those, I love camping.

Being raised my two teacher parents, I used to spend long summer holidays under canvas in France. It was one of the rare times of year I wouldn’t hear my mum and dad moaning about OFSTED or marking and (apart from the odd occasion) I would get along with my little sister really rather well.

One of my favourite things about camping is that you are totally free to look utterly horrendous in public without so much as a raised eyebrow or judgemental frown. Let’s face it, when you’re trudging through a field to brush your teeth and have an emergency wee, matching your shoes with your jumper is not a top priority.  Continue reading »

What I’ve learned in two years of marriage

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Relationships, Uncategorized

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Wedding birdcage

Photo Credit: CP Photography

It seems hard to believe that I became a wife two years ago today. So much has happened since our wedding day, but it still feels like it was only last week.

I can remember that day with such clarity; the excitement and anticipation when I woke up in the morning, the lump of emotion that caught in my throat when I put on the wedding dress my mum had made, the look on my dad’s face when he gave his speech.

The thing is, a wedding is about so much more than one day. Our wedding day itself couldn’t have been more perfect, but it’s the last two years being married which have counted for more than any flowers or pretty dresses. Continue reading »

The Zalando Toddler Style Challenge

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Baby and toddler products, Style

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I was minding my own business the other day, pootling around on the computer when a message popped up on Facebook from my mate Alison.

She’s not just any mate, is Alison. She’s a brilliantly stylish magazine journalist who just happens to write one of my favourite blogs – Not Another Mummy Blog.

Anyway, Alison asked if I was up for a bit of a style contest with her, using nothing but my wily mum fashion sense and the huge array of kids clothes on offer at Zalando. Of course I agreed.

So, I bring to you….

Zalando Style-OffIf you’ve never visited Zalando before, be warned – you’ll need at least an hour to peruse the many, many, many different outfits on offer. It took me an hour to eventually choose my three year old’s outfit, so huge was the choice.  Continue reading »

A night off: Live By The Lake

26 Monday Aug 2013

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Live By The LakeOn Friday the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and I handed our three year old over to her grandparents and drove all the way to London for a date night.

It’s the first time we’ve headed back that way since moving from Berkshire to South Devon and – once we’d got over the loooooong journey – we were very happy to find ourselves in the capital for a night at Live By The Lake.  Continue reading »

My life as a costumed interpreter

23 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in Work

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School letter

When I was little I had a friend. We used to write stories together, make up plays, create magazines and draw pictures. Play times at my friend’s house were always fun, creative affairs.

As well as dressing up and bossing around our siblings, we would play make-believe games with my friend’s huge dolls’ house. She also had a Sylvanian Families collection that beat anything I’ve ever seen since.

We drifted apart as we grew up, going to different schools and hanging out with different people. But I’ve always kind of kept in touch with her through our mums, who still remain very good mates. So it was with a huge sense of excitement when I discovered my old friend on Twitter, later getting in touch with each other via email and, eventually over the phone. Continue reading »

A day in the life of the summer holidays

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Family, Uncategorized

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Sometimes you just need to get out of the house, don’t you?

I love the school holidays. LOVE them. But I’ve been guilty this week of looking forward to my teacher husband being back at work so I can crack on and get some work done myself. In peace and quiet. Without a nagging husband or three year old hassling me for things. Today I made a decision to stop attempting the juggle and get out of the house.  Continue reading »

A family adventure in Cornwall – places to visit

19 Monday Aug 2013

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Places to visit in Cornwall

Our recent trip to Cornwall saw us cram as much as physically possible into the three days we were there. With so many places to see and sights to explore, it seemed rude not to make the most of what was on offer.

As well as kayaking, swimming and checking out the kids who were crabbing on the private foreshore at the hotel we were staying out, we also managed a trip to a castle, eating pasties on the harbourside, playing at the beach and a day at The Eden Project. We certainly weren’t bored.  Continue reading »

A family adventure in Cornwall – where to stay

18 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by in Travel

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Budock Vean Hotel foreshore

A couple of weeks ago we packed our bags and headed off on a little mini-break to Cornwall. Not just any part of Cornwall though – oh no. We were on our way to a part of Cornwall that holds a special place in my heart: Falmouth.

I did my post-graduate degree down in Falmouth back in 2006 but, despite loving the place, I’ve never been back. Life, a career and a family just sort of got in the way. I’ve wanted to take the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and Frog over to Falmouth for a while now, so jumped at the chance to review a holiday near my old stamping ground. Continue reading »

A night off

15 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by in Motherhood, Relationships

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Next Friday the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and I are ditching our parental responsibilities for the night and going off on a jolly to London. The reason? We’ve been invited along to experience Live By The Lake at Kenwood House. And I can’t bloody wait.

I’m a firm believer that parents need some downtime too, and what better way to grab that time than an open air concert at a stunning venue like this?

Kenwood HouseWe’re going with friends, so it should be a brilliant night of relaxation and fun. Plus, I have won some major wife points for getting tickets to see my husband’s favourite band of the 90s – Suede.  Continue reading »

On giving up wine. Sort of.

15 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by in Fitness, Health, Motherhood, pampering, Uncategorized

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photo (33)This is a pair of brand new, beautiful new trainers I bought a month ago on impulse, as I vowed to myself to get back into shape. Guess how much I’ve used them?

Yep – none. Zilch, nada. Not one tiny bit.

In fact, they’re still wrapped up all shiny and new in the box, with the price tag firmly attached. Oops.

The thing is, I really WANT to get fit again. I do. I look down at my rounding tummy and see extra wobbles where there weren’t before and it makes me feel, well, a bit flat. (Not flat in the flat stomach sense of the word, unfortunately.) But I just can’t seem to find the time, energy and motivation to do what it takes to get off my backside.  Continue reading »