PREGNANCY
Why a home birth is not my first choice...
I am now 38 weeks pregnant, and I just visited the midwife at our Birth Centre last week to discuss my Birth Plan. I am in full-on preparing and nesting mode! And the top item on the list, is, of course, having the baby! The midwife said I was a good candidate for a home birth ...
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BIRTHDAY PARTIES
An Art Adventure Party for Beatrice's 6th Birthday
Beatrice had her sights set on a special sixth birthday celebration. She wanted to 'Paint the Town Red', and have a A London Art Adventure. The party started by taking the red number 6 bus (for our 6-year-old) with a few friends to Trafalgar Square then going to one of her favourite museums, The National Gallery. It ...
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RECIPES
Eton Mess -- a classic English summertime dessert
Eton Mess is a family favourite. My daughter refers to it as 'Messy Mash' and that is exactly what it is. A delicious, sweet, fruity bowl of soft and fluffy meringue bits with juicy berries and delectable whipped cream! We have taken this tradition, and given it a twist adding more berries. But the history ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Blown Easter Eggs -- a lovely yearly tradition and beautiful decoration too
Every year, for as long as I can remember since my childhood, we have had a tradition of beautiful spring branches covered in blooms with blown eggs to welcome spring in our home. An Easter Egg tree essentially! A great way to welcome the new season and bring colours indoors. Growing up, we had a ...
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RECIPES
Bunny Cake -- fun for Easter celebrations and birthdays too!
We recently celebrated a friend's birthday, and surprised them with this fun bunny cake. It is perfect for any Spring celebration, especially Easter, and actually very simple to make. You choose your favourite ingredients, and then simply follow our tips for decorating! Even less adventurous bakers or cake-makers can replicate this idea with success. You ...
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WEEKEND GETAWAYS
Weekend Getaway: The Cynefin Retreat in Wales
Make hay while the sun shines! On our recent weekend getaway, we did just that. We went to wonderful Wales, and enjoyed every ounce of sunshine, nature, and fresh country air. A completely relaxing holiday, which left us fully recharged -- no easy task for a family of four with a pregnant mama! Our home ...
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RECIPES
Carrot Salad -- a perfect Spring & Easter dish for the family
I have been craving carrots this pregnancy. Interesting, huh? But instead of my usual carrot sticks with lunch, I decided to try something new. And this salad is ready in just a few minutes and is undoubtedly the Best Carrot Salad EVER! Packed with tonnes of healthy items, it is simply delicious and nutritious. Also ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Easy Homemade Easter Stamps - Hoppy Bunnies & Eggsellent Egg Cards
This is my favourite new reuse of recycled toilet rolls, loo rolls, kitchen rolls or paper towel rolls...whatever you prefer to call them! It's super simple and great for Easter bunnies and eggs! We used one paper towel roll to make two bunnies and two egg stamps ... which can make millions of cards. But ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Quick as a Bunny -- a fast and easy Easter craft for all your bunnies!
Hop into the Easter mood with these very simple and sweet Spring Easter Bunny Headbands. Using only paper and glue, they are 100% handmade, and fun for kids of all ages to make and wear. They take 5 minutes to make, so you can easily make them for a whole group of kids too! Of ...
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BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Little Robot Birthday Party -- a fun theme for a 3-year-old
Joseph is three and to celebrate we had a little party for him and his friends. He has a few simple passions, and loves the idea of robots, painting, the colour orange, eating fruit, and how things work. So that is just what we did -- a little robot party, with orange decor, handprinted invites, ...
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EAT
The Tiger Who Came to Tea -- a 50th anniversary afternoon tea at The Savoy, London
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a famous children's story in the UK. I did not grow up with this book, but it is truly part of the culture here, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. So what better way to celebrate a British book than with an afternoon tea for children? And The ...
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FASHION
Indoi -- slow fashion for women -- maternity and breastfeeding friendly too!
Buying better and buying less for my wardrobe is something I have not yet perfected but am attempting to make a real effort at. But often fast fashion seems easier, especially with a growing bump, unless you can find well-made pieces that evolve and grow with you -- silhouettes that have flexibility and are long-lasting, ...
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BOOKS
Witchfairy -- a book about being brave and finding your place in the world
Witchfairy by Brigitte Minne and Carll Cneut is a new favourite book in our house. This is a book about finding your own place in the world, and I can't imagine any child wouldn't like the delightful messages in this book. An adventurous and brave daughter fairy who has an independent and curious spirit questions her ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Embroidered Name Shirts -- a great DIY craft and gift too!
This may be my new favourite gift to make -- personalised and hand embroidered shirts! I have now created shirts with both monograms and full first names, and they are always so well received! And I often do pairs of them so siblings can each wear one. Embroidery is really very simple, and you do ...
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RECIPES
Fluffy & Moist Homemade Cornbread
I love cornbread, but it is not a common food in the U.K. I recently had a craving (hello, pregnancy!) and got cooking! This American cornbread recipe is super moist and a little sweet, with a light and fluffy texture. The edges are just a little bit crispy-crunchy, which is a result of using a ...
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RECIPES
Valentine's Cookies --Jammy Dodgers with Lovehearts!
Do you know what Jammy Dodgers are? Well I didn't until I moved to the UK, and they are too cute not to share. You can buy them in packages, but I loved the ideas of homemade ones. Basically they are a jam cookie sandwich, with a jewel like centre and a vanilla or shortbread ...
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PREGNANCY
New Baby, New Year -- Pregnancy after a Miscarriage
At 26 weeks, it's time to share the news that we are having a baby! Yes, I am pregnant, and baby number three is on the way. We are very excited that a beautiful little being will join us soon... a new year, a new baby! We have always wanted this moment. New life is always worth ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
The Deceptively Simple Joy of a Cardboard Box
I love how interesting the simplest of things can be. And few things have more endless possibilities than that of a cardboard box! It is deceptively simple. And it can elicit a lot of joy for a long time, just depending on how you look at it. Big, small, square, rectangular, all these boxes ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Create a Winter Wonderland -- make faux snow that is surprisingly real!
My children are desperate for snow! While I realise it is January and some areas of the world are covered in it, hibernating because of it, and wishing it would start to melt away so cabin fever would disappear. Meanwhile, my children are watching the forecast and wishing for flakes! So this weekend we decided ...
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FOOD
Fruit Pizza
What kid doesn't love pizza? And a fruit pizza? Super fun! We love these simple and sweet pizzas. To make : get some dough, add a handful of cheese, some tomatoes, a few olives, and a piece or two of pepperoni, grab your slice, and bon appetite!... Or, should I say, a slice of watermelon ...
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RECIPES
Oatmeal Blueberry Cups -- a great breakfast and on-the-go snack too!
These Oatmeal Blueberry Cups for breakfast were so yummy I had to share! They are a healthy and yummy breakfast and can be made in advance. (And I always love a new idea to add to our breakfast repertoire!) They are also perfect for lunches, after-school snacks, road trips, and I can imagine would be ...
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SEE
London's stunning skyline -- Tate Modern on the Southbank
Welcome to one of London's best views! It is simply breathtaking, and accessible to everyone and anyone. Free to the public even. From the top of the Tate Modern Museum's Blavatnik Building, you can see the River Thames, St.Paul's and the dynamic London skyline. The 360 degree views are incredible. Honestly, we live in London and had ...
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VALENTINE'S DAY CRAFTS
Rose & Lavender Bath Soak -- great for mama time!
Bring colour into your grey winter days, wake up your senses, and treat yourself to this very simple homemade bath soak. Then turn on the water and... relax! This pretty, and very simple soak consists of a few ingredients, and can be made in a few quick minutes, with or without children. We made ...
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