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04/02/2025

Hyatt Regency London Stratford Hotel Review

Stratford, the perfect base for a weekend family break in London. This East London town which has been transformed from a once industrial area is now packed with bars, shops and parks and is one of London's most vibrant and well-connected areas.  I've travelled to London many times with my boys and there are a few things that always ensure a calmer and less stressful break in the big smoke, one main one being the location of the hotel and despite Hyatt Regency London Stratford not being in zone 1 it makes for the perfect location for families.  Arriving in to Paddington it's a quick 18mins direct underground trip along the Elizabeth to Stratford and even less from Stratford to Tottencourt Rd in the heart of central London. Stratford is not only well connected to central London via underground, train and bus but also to Canary Wharf and Greenwich via the DLR and we found Stratford an easier location to reach than more obvious ones in the city. The Hyatt Regency is only a sh......
03/02/2025

How to decorate a living room like an interior designer

I n my experience, there’s nothing quite like the feeling that comes with carving out a space that is truly your own. By taking your surroundings and injecting a bit of yourself into them, happiness and belonging are never too far away. And the living room seems like a good place as any to put that into practice. So today, I’m going to be sharing how to (re)decorate a living room on a budget that feels professional yet authentic. You’ll get that editorial, put-together edge, whilst not straying too far from your roots, budget or your morals. Yes, modifying your living room need not be expensive, character-depleting and can be environmentally sustainable and I will be sharing some tips on how to help make that happen. Defining your purpose & limitations I think the biggest hurdle we face as homeowners is the sheer number of options. Open to us are so many choices: keeping on top of home repairs DIY or calling in the professionals; deciding whether to redecorate the living room with......
27/01/2025

Parenting Through Allergies: Creating a Safe Environment for Children

My son recently ended up in A&E after having a nasty allergic reaction to medication, while he was fine it was still a scary experience for both him and me. Watching your child have a reaction to something is unpleasant to say the least, esepically as parents we want to keep them safe.  Allergies are extremely common in children, with food allergies alone estimated to affect up to 8% of children in the UK. Living with allergies can be frightening and stressful for both children and their parents or caregivers. However, with care and planning, it is possible to create a safe environment for children with allergies, allowing them to thrive. Of course, it goes without saying that if your child has a serious allergy then you need to regularly be seen by your GP and local allergy team.  Understanding Your Child’s Condition The first step in creating a safe environment for children is understanding their condition and the severity of it. All families are unique and it can take t......
16/01/2025

A budget friendly guide to Greenwich, London

Situated on the banks of the River Thames, Greenwich is known for its maritime history and the iconic Cutty Sark. It is well worth exploring and has its own unique atmosphere and village feel compared to that of bustling central London.  While London can be an expensive city a day trip around Greenwich doesn't have to be as there is so much to see and do that is both free and family friendly. I recently visited with my two children and we enjoyed all the sights but with hardly any of the costs and I thought I would share with you my budget-friendly day guide to Greenwich.    Firstly there are a variety of ways to reach Greenwich, as we were staying in Stratford we opted for the DLR, with a quick change at Canary Wharf, it was an easy and quick way to reach Greenwich and able to see out of the front of the DLR while travelling under the Thames is an experience in itself.  We disembarked at Cutty Sark station which brings you to the heart of Greenwich and as soon as yo......