Thursday 29 October 2015

Throwback Thursday Linky #8

Beautiful Things

Run, Jump, Scrap!

Hello and welcome to Throwback Thursday linky hosted by myself, Helen and Sarah over at RunJumpScrap. We are slightly mad I think as this is our second linky we host! We currently run the Best and Worst on a Wednesday, we enjoy it and thought what the heck lets start another one! 

Throwback Thursday is exactly what you expect. We want you to share photos from the good ol' days, baby photos, family photos, embarrassing photos or drunken photos, anything goes! We're quite excited by this linky and think it will be alot of fun, we can't wait to see what you share. Feel free to add a sentence or two about the photo you are sharing.

Each week we will choose our favourite link up and feature it on the next weeks Throwback Thursday as well as on our Twitter feed. 

**Best and Worst, our other linky is still open if you fancy popping over and joining in! Click here to add a link, old and new posts welcome!**

Rules
  • The linky will open at 6.30am on a Wednesday and close at 23.55pm
  • You can link up one post each week
  • Please comment on the 2 posts before yours and have a nosey at the host's too. Linkies only really work if you share the comment love so please do try and be generous!
  • ***Please add the badge to the bottom of your page so everyone knows where you have linked up***
  • Tweet your hosts @helsy_1983 and @RunJumpScrap once linked up so we can retweet you. When tweeting and commenting use the hashtag #ThrowbackThursday so everyone knows where you have come from. If using Instagram please do the same!

BeautifulThings





Halloween 2008



As it's Halloween I thought it appropriate to share a rather attractive fancy dress shot! This isn't actually the photo I wanted but thought it was quite a good one, me, hubby and a rather creepy looking bat thing!! Happy Halloween all!

BeautifulThings

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Best and Worst Linky #24


Beautiful Things




Run, Jump, Scrap!

Hi everyone and a huge welcome to the best and worst linky run by my lovely friend Sarah who blogs over at Run Jump Scrap and co-hosted by myself. If you're new to the linky we're delighted for you to join in, please do have a read of the rules. If you're a regular then thanks as always for the support. Sarah and I split the commenting now, it is working well doing it like that. You should have received a comment from one of us so if you are missing one please do drop us a tweet or email. We've had some great posts over the last few weeks!

This is the linky where you can tell us about the best or worst things that have happened in the last week or even the last year, this could in the form of a blog post, a photo or even a video. It can be an old post or a new post, we don't mind we just want you to share it with us. We want you to share your babies firsts, the crappy day at work you've had or a makeup disaster basically the good, the bad or the downright ugly! We want to share your excitement and tears, highs and lows no matter what it is.

Each week we will both choose our favourite posts from the week before and feature you on the next weeks Best and Worst, we will also feature you on our Twitter feed. 

We had another an ace week last week with 70 amazing link ups, thanks so much to those who joined in, here's to another good week.

My favourite post from last week was from sisterkin.co.uk asking if Halloween is harmful. It was a great post that left me asking questions and got my thinking which I love when I read a post! Go and have a read.

Sarah's was from the lovely Mary who blogs at The Hearty Life with a wonderful celebratory anniversary post (well it was supposed to be other than the usual seasonal illnesses!). Go and check it out.

I am moving house this week so my commenting might be a tad slow....... forgive me! :)


Don't forget to check out our new linky which goes live every Thursday from 6:30am...... Throwback Thursday is our photo linky where you can share old photos and memories, come and join in, it's a right giggle! Have a little look at last weeks which should whet your appetite!
Rules
  • The linky will open at 6.30am on a Wednesday and close at 23.55pm on a Friday
  • You can link up one or two posts each week
  • Please comment on the 2 posts before yours and have a nosey at the host's too. We've noticed that some people have just been link dropping and not commenting on the 2 in front, please do return the favour so everyone gets some comments and linky love, thankyou. We continue to see that some people aren't commenting which we are monitoring.
  • ***Please add the badge to the bottom of your page so everyone knows where you have linked up***
  • Tweet your hosts @helsy_1983 and @RunJumpScrap once linked up so we can retweet you. When tweeting and commenting use the hashtag #bestandworst so everyone knows where you have come from
Best of Worst




    

It Was a Looonnngggg Daaayyyyy!


Hating on Mummy & daddy and life in general and all that jazz! Ha! 

brummymummyof2

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Are you Mum/Dad to a Weanager?

I'm sharing this post on behalf of Ella's Kitchen...........I loved reading it. Have you got a weanager? I'm not quite at that stage but I definitely don't think it's going to be long!

• Parenting expert reveals the 10 signs you have a ‘weanager’
• New docuseries ‘Britain’s Weanagers’ launches, following four little stars from Channel 4’s popular One Born Every Minute series as they start on their weanage journey

We’ve all heard about the terrible twos, not to mention the testing teenage years, but what about the weanage months? That’s right, weanagers. Kids’ food brand, Ella’s Kitchen® has pinpointed a significant period in a little one’s life, during weaning, when they are likely to display some distinctive ‘weanage’ characteristics.

But how do you identify a weanager? To help mums and dads recognise this all important stage in their little one’s development, Ella’s Kitchen has partnered with parenting expert, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, to identify ten sure-fire signs your child is a fully-fledged weanager:

1. Your baby won’t let you leave them, ever
2. Your baby ends up wearing more food than they eat
3. Your baby loves to empty stuff
4. Your baby puts EVERYTHING in their mouth
5. Your baby does a great impression of you
6. Your baby becomes a big fan of dropping things
7. Your baby will have a favourite food one week, then go off it the next
8. Your baby enjoys testing out their new pincer grip, even on you
9. Your baby starts spontaneously waving hello or goodbye
10. Your baby makes their mark on the house


Sarah Ockwell-Smith, parenting expert, comments: “The weanage months, from six to twelve months, are a constant series of firsts, exploration and wonder for both the baby and parent - from first foods and first teeth, to first steps and first words. Commonly glossed over in favour of the cute new-born phase and the challenges of 'the terrible twos', it's time this period of development got the recognition it rightly deserves”.

Celebrating weanagers all over the country, Ella’s Kitchen is launching a NEW fly on the wall documentary series, ‘Britain’s Weanagers’. Exploring the exciting and, at times, hilarious weaning journeys of babies, the series stars four families who have all featured in the popular Channel 4 TV programme, One Born Every Minute.

Mark Cuddigan, Head of Ella’s Kitchen, adds: “At Ella’s we are passionate about helping little ones develop healthy relationships with food and that really starts with the very first tastes. Weaning is a really exciting milestone for little ones and their parents. We created the ‘Britain’s Weanagers’ series to give mums + dads who are about to start weaning a fun insight into what to expect. It really brings to life our view at Ella’s Kitchen that every baby is different and that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to weaning. We think the series perfectly captures the reality of weaning in a very charming, yet honest way and hope that we’re able to bring a smile to parents watching it.”
   
10 SIGNS YOU HAVE A ‘WEANAGER’
1. Your baby won’t let you leave, ever
Separation anxiety is possibly the hardest developmental phase for a weanager, but it is a sign of great parenting and a good indicator that your baby will grow to be happy, confident and independent

2. Your baby ends up wearing more food than they eat
Research shows it's super important to let your baby play with their food, babies who do so may be less fussy eaters as they grow. Eating isn't just about the food that goes into the baby's mouth though, it's about the touch and smell too.

3. Your baby loves to empty stuff
Weanagers spend a lot of time working on their 'filling and emptying' skills, whether it’s the laundry basket, toy box or the kitchen cupboard. This habit of theirs actually helps your little one learn about the world, through repeated actions and experiences.

4. Your baby puts EVERYTHING in their mouth
This is a sign that they are developing their hand/eye coordination, practicing their pincer grip and investigating objects via the most sensory part of their body – their mouth!

5. Your baby does a great impression of you
You are your baby's best teacher and babies learn best by imitation. Every minute of the day, they are looking to you to see how to behave…so be sure to set a good example!

6. Your baby becomes a big fan of dropping things
The desire to drop and throw everything is a common stage in the weanage years. Don’t worry though, your weanager isn't being naughty; far from it, they’re actually being incredibly clever experimenting with gravity.

7. Your baby will have a favourite food one week, then go off it the next
We’re all entitled to change our minds, right? Especially if you’re a weanager. During this time, your baby has increasing ways to communicate their preferences, and you’ll soon become familiar with what these are.

8. Your baby enjoys testing out their new pincer grip, even on you
Towards the end of the weanage months, your weanager will really start working on that pincer grip of theirs. All of the practice picking up raisins will now come to fruition – just keep an eye on your keys and phone!

9. Your baby starts spontaneously waving hello or goodbye
Weanagers are social little beings and their communication skills increase by the day – prepare for lots of waving ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’.

10. Your baby makes their mark on the house
Your baby is becoming increasingly mobile and learns a lot about the world by touching everything. This exploration phase is likely to be marked by tiny sticky handprints collecting over your house, on everything from your TV screen to your light coloured linen.

*This is NOT a sponsored post, I received no payment to share this post!

Cohorted Beauty Box October - Review


This is perhaps my last Cohorted review for a while which  I am gutted about. They have just launched the subscription service and to say I'm disappointed is an understatement. When I subscribe to something, per month, I kind of want it to be affordable and disappointingly Cohorted have priced their boxes at a whopping £35.00 a month......is it just me that thinks this is a little pricey per month? I'm sure that the items that will be included will be ace, but for the moment I can't justify this cost per month (maternity pay is pants). They have got some one off boxes available for the original cost of a box (£19.99 but 1. you know what you are getting and 2. they just don't have the same appeal). A shame, but hey ho, I do wonder if they have lost some custom because of the changes. 

Luckily for my last box (for a while) it was pretty good as far as contents is concerned. A very pretty nail polish was the first item that caught my eye, Ciate Pain Pot in Shade Serendipity (RRP £9.00)......such a pretty, glittery colour and I do love a paint pot. Nice item.




Next was a nice moisturiser, bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Cream (RRP £10.00), I do love a decent moisturiser and even more so when it's one of my favourite brands, great item to include. 



We then have another nice item, bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser (RRP £15.00), it's so nice to be sent an item that complements another, I look forward to using this as I haven't tried any of the Bare Minerals skin care range before. 



Fourth item, Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For Mascara (RRP £15.00)......not heard of the brand before but I am always open to try new mascara brands and since I wear mascara every day this is a great item to receive. 



Final item, another fab item from bareMinerals. I have several of the range but this particular one looks so pretty in the tube. bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Hypnotist (RRP £16.99). Ohh it really is so pretty, designed in a holographic violet/peach colour it shifts from varying shades depending on the light, if anyone has used this brand before you will know that they feel fresh and minty when applied too!




The value of this months box comes to £65.99! I think this is such a nice selection of items, I really am soooo disappointed that they have changed to subscription. Perhaps once I'm back at work I'll treat myself to the odd box here and there once I see if other people think they are worth the money. For the mean time I will stick with Glossybox and My Little Box which are more affordable. 

What do you think of the contents of this months Cohorted?
Family Fever

Monday 26 October 2015

Firework Safety - Stay Safe!

I really do love Autumn, it is such a beautiful time of year, the leaves changing, the slight chill in the year and lots of exciting events to look forward to. One of the things I really enjoy are fireworks and over the last couple of years we haven't seen any big displays because there has been the usual coughs and colds in the household or we have been too tired, but this year I am determined to take Alfie to watch a big display (and hopefully in our new house we will be able to watch one of the big ones nearby from our garden!). 

Obviously with fireworks comes a certain element of danger and it's always imperative to be aware of this and understand and follow the safety guidance provided to ensure that bonfire night is enjoyed to the max. After all it would be an awful shame for it be spoilt because of not being aware of the dangers. 

Take a look at this great infographic for more information about how you can stay safe on this colourful and exciting night.


Do you enjoy bonfire night? How do you stay safe?

I Want my 7:30am (ish) Boy Back!

Image courtesy of gro.co.uk

SOS
When we moved Alfie into his big boy bed earlier in the year, we invested in a groclock. Having read a hell of a lot of amazing reviews about this product we decided that it was definitely in our best interests to get one. For those that perhaps aren't aware, the groclock is a clock that helps children differentiate between the day and night time by using sun and star icons to help them identify it. I think it's a fantastic idea with such a simple concept, but was initially quite sceptical that it wouldn't work. I set his 'get up' time to 7:30am which was a fair time for him to wake and after a few days of explaining it to Alfie he really understood that when 'Mr. Sun' came up and the dial was yellow he could get out of bed. We would sometimes hear him wake up and watch him on the monitor and wait till the sun was there to come and see us.......I actually thought this was amazing! 7:30am wake ups are fantastic........

Or they were......

In the last three weeks or so things have changed some what and I don't know why! Gone is the nice 7:30ish wake up......

Instead, between 5:45am and 6:15am I am (usually) woken by the hall light been turned on, a few bumps on the stairs as his bottle is thrown down and then a lively toddler joining us in our bed. Wahhhhh, we then end up with limbs in our back, my hair being pulled and Milkshake been put on to try and give us a few extra minutes of precious snoozing before having to contend with the day. I know that some people have kids that get them up hugely earlier than this, but I just don't understand what has happened. Is it a dreaded 'phase'? Why, after months and months of regular 7:00/7:30 get ups has he suddenly decided that he needs to get up an hour earlier and why will he not stay in his bed anymore where as previously he would. I just do not understand! Erghhhh, I do hate it when things like this happen, I never know what to do for the best. I guess we read the accompanying book to him again and try enforce that 'Mr. Sun' means remain in bed, or we just suck it up. Hmmmmm.

I want my boy that sleeps till 7:30am back, any suggestions???

MaternityMondays

My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows

magic-moments

Saturday 24 October 2015

Weekend Style # 13

I've got a couple of lovely outfits for this weeks weekend style. Elarna has so many gorgeous dresses and I couldn't wait to get this Autumnal animal dress on. My Mum & Dad kindly bought it for her a little while ago and it is so lovely. It is pinafore style with a flowered vest and patterned chunky, knit tights. I love the underskirt which is full and ruffly and the animals around the bottom are just too cute. It really is the perfect Autumn dress. I think she liked it too as I managed to snap a few cute pictures.....

http://www.marksandspencer.com/3-piece-cotton-rich-appliqu-corduroy-pinafore-dress-bodysuit-and-tights-outfit/p/p22400758

3 piece corduroy pinafore dress & tights set - Marks & Spencer (£20.00)



The next outfit is what I'm calling petal power! A super cute, pale pink combo......pretty, pretty! I added a chunky headband this week which didn't stay on long as it's a tad big but it would if I put it over her ears, ha!



Pale Pink Headband - Next (can't remember cost)

Flower & butterfly top (set of 3) - Nutmeg (unsure of cost)

Butterfly leggings (set of 3) - Tu @ Sainsburys (£6.00)

Mary Jane Socks (pack of 3) - Mothercare (£4.00)


What do you think of the outfit choices this week? 

This Mama Life

Friday 23 October 2015

Our Week.


We've had a good week, quite busy. Lots of packing, feeding the ducks, doing some arts and crafts and having a cheeky little coffee and cake stop in M&S! Next week is looking slightly more manic with our impending move........dur dur durrrr!!!!!!



Messy Stains and Growing Pains

You Baby Me Mummy

Don't Judge Me.

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I'm sure we are all guilty of judging other people's choices/decision/parenting/life in general at some point in our lives. It's kind of inevitable really......we are all individuals and what may be right for one is not necessarily right for the other. This of course makes the world an interesting place......but when you feel that you are being judged for your decisions it really gets on my tits.

Let me make it clear. 

Do no judge the decisions I make with my children, I am their mother, I decide what is best. I may make mistakes along the way but they are my mistakes to make and to learn from. 

If my child doesn't want to wear socks....(for example).......I'm not going to force them too, I am not that sort of mother. 

I will choose my battles, not you, don't judge me.

Do not attempt to moan if I spend time on days out with my family, they are THE most important thing in my life and quite frankly would rather spend time with them than people that make an issue out of it. 

Don't judge me if I want wine on a Wednesday, I mean that is acceptable isn't it......we're half way through the week, it's perfectly fine. 'Wine Wednesday' has a ring to it, yes?

I like chocolate and eat alot of it (when it's in the house), don't judge me. 

I have my own views, don't be offended if I disagree with yours. Don't judge me. 

Do not judge the way we lead our life, sometimes we may not want to always be doing something or anything at the weekend, it's nice to chill and not always be rushing around. 

Don't judge me if I forget to reply to that text message that I read earlier......I meant to, I really did but chances are I got waylaid. I will reply at somepoint.......promise!

Please don't judge me if I let my son watch the tablet for a little longer than I should just so I can get some jobs done......it's amazing what I can do in a hour. 

Do not judge me if I say no. Over the past few years I have always said yes to things because I would otherwise feel guilty, I need to learn to say no more often.

If my house isn't as tidy as I'd like it to be, don't judge me, I'd rather have happy kids than a show home......although I can't bear it when it's too untidy!

My life is far from perfect and I suspect nor is yours. Deal with it. 

Ahhh I feel so much better now I've had a ranty post. Just been one of those weeks! What don't you like being judged on?


Best of Worst

Binky LinkyLife with Baby Kicks

The Reading Residence

Thursday 22 October 2015

Throwback Thursday Linky #7

Beautiful Things

Run, Jump, Scrap!

Hello and welcome to Throwback Thursday linky hosted by myself, Helen and Sarah over at RunJumpScrap. We are slightly mad I think as this is our second linky we host! We currently run the Best and Worst on a Wednesday, we enjoy it and thought what the heck lets start another one! 

Throwback Thursday is exactly what you expect. We want you to share photos from the good ol' days, baby photos, family photos, embarrassing photos or drunken photos, anything goes! We're quite excited by this linky and think it will be alot of fun, we can't wait to see what you share. Feel free to add a sentence or two about the photo you are sharing.

Each week we will choose our favourite link up and feature it on the next weeks Throwback Thursday as well as on our Twitter feed. 

**Best and Worst, our other linky is still open if you fancy popping over and joining in! Click here to add a link, old and new posts welcome!**

Rules
  • The linky will open at 6.30am on a Wednesday and close at 23.55pm
  • You can link up one post each week
  • Please comment on the 2 posts before yours and have a nosey at the host's too. Linkies only really work if you share the comment love so please do try and be generous!
  • ***Please add the badge to the bottom of your page so everyone knows where you have linked up***
  • Tweet your hosts @helsy_1983 and @RunJumpScrap once linked up so we can retweet you. When tweeting and commenting use the hashtag #ThrowbackThursday so everyone knows where you have come from. If using Instagram please do the same!
BeautifulThings




Frolics in a Field.......


Just casually lying in a field of heather....as you do.....think I'm about 8 here? Not entirely sure and I think it's in Yorkshire. Look on the bright side at least my jumper coordinates with the heather haha!


BeautifulThings