A beautiful place to close your eyes

27/02/2014

12 comments

How amazing would it be to wake up here (image via Pinterest)

There is nothing better than a beautiful bed to lie down on after a long day, it's a place where we spend a lot of our time so surely investing in it's comfort and visual appeal is not only good for your physical wellbeing but also your soul. I could spend all day looking online at beautiful beds and inspirational bedrooms, especially since we are in desperate need of a new bed ourselves. As a family we have long outgrown our bed as the little man still jumps in between us mod nights and a double is just not cutting it anymore, a king size I feel is the only way to go.


minimalist bedroom
Simple, beautiful, practical


There is so much choice and so many different types of style's. Personally I love vintage french metal beds or vintage inspired in an old victorian house, but in a clean, scandi-design flat I also like the minimalist look. Since we are in currently living in a cottage that is more than 100 years old but has combined original elements with some modern touches it has made making our choice more interesting. I have been looking at stores like Timeless Beds to see what is on offer


classic bed

At the moment I am currently feeling a solid metal and brass bed like the Limelight frame above, so just need to keep putting the pennies in the piggy bank and as soon as we have enough the great thing is it's a Next day Bed which means it can be delivered the very next day - bonus! So in need of something big and comfy to rest my weary bones.


cosy bed
I love the personal touches (Image via Pinterest)

I feel once we have the bed in place we can really start to decorate our main bedroom, which will be very exciting as we are in the middle of redoing the bathroom and painting the little mans room and then we get to treat ourselves with a little simplistic homely make-over. As there really is nothing better than a cosy and comfortable family bed.

sleeping
John and Mr A taking a midday break from it all

This post contains a sponsored link but words and opinions are 100% our own
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Reflections of the day

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We are back from London and back to the typical Welsh weather - Rain,  I think this photo captures the mood today

toddler style

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Family sports when travelling

26/02/2014

16 comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias


Running in Hyde Park

Just because your on holiday in some exotic location or exploring a new city it does't mean you can't stay fit and healthy and indulge in some fun family sports and activities. We have spent the past few days in London and as soon as we arrived the first thing we did was head off to Hyde Park to have a run outside and get our limbs moving after a 2 hour train trip. After a very early start and lots planned it was great to get all the pent up energy out and also recharge ourselves with some snacks and the super nutritious Zico Coconut Water which is perfect for replacing potassium and magnesium and giving you a natural energy boost - something we all really needed.


rehydrating
John and Mr A rehydrating with some Zico

The little man is really into running races at the moment and could do it for hours, literally. He loves nothing more than counting down and saying ready, steady, go and shooting off. John use to do quite a bit of running and I have competed national in Judo and Diving and sport was a large part of my life as a child and something I feel is very important so anything we can do to encourage the little man is great and what better than running through Hyde Park.

running through hyde park
Ready Steady Go


We had a lot of fun doing our stretches and star jumps - much to the amusement of little man and John. With Mr A already doing gymnastics and our weekly family swimming trips, it's great to see his enthusiasm for being active come out so strong, although I do believe that most young children need very little encouragement to be active, they just need to right environment and that doesn't even need to be somewhere expensive, in fact places like city parks are free and loads of fun.


Star jumps
Star Jump fun

family sports
John getting involved in the fun


We were lucky with our trip having mainly dry weather which meant we had quite a few moments of outdoor time, we hopped on a bus just for fun and found ourselves in bloomsbury park which Mr A loved as it was filled of pigeons to chase and sticks to throw. I purchased a large bottle of Zico - something which I have wanted to try for a while as I read a lot of about healthy eating and know that coconut water is good for you and it's a bonus the little man loves coconut so when I was in my local Tesco's I was more than delighted to see the low calorie and low sugar chocolate Zico half price. The bottle lasted us pretty much the whole day and not only tasted really delicious and light but also is packed with some essential vitamins and was a great way to combat any travel fatigue we had.


I'm going back for more


This is a sponsored post by #CollectiveBias but words, thoughts and pictures are 100% our own.


Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall



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London Life - A short break in the city

25/02/2014

9 comments
We have been in London for the past few days, staying in Covent Garden in a rented apartment - you always feel alive in this city and despite what some people think it's a great place for kids, as well a adults of course. We have been indulging in bistros, cafes, craft beers and raw food.

Street Style
On Monday we woke up to a sunny day - so rocked the shades, loving London

Neal yards
The Wild Food Cafe in Neal's Yard is lovely - such good food

Honest Burger
John enjoying some Bethnal Pale Ale at Honest Burger

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Winter Sun

22/02/2014

7 comments
Outdoor toddler


It already seems like long ago but last sunday we had a whole day of blissful and beautiful winter son, what a welcoming break it was from this constant rain and we were not going to let it slip by without a trip to our favourite part of Cardiff - Pontcanna. It's a lovely place to walk around, the houses are beautiful, there is a lovely collection of independent Deli's and boutique shops and is a wonderful place to spend a relaxing sunday. It also has a great park that connects to the Taff trail and runs alongside the Taff river.


Salad fest
A real Salad fest to start our adventure - at Kemis, Pontcanna


First we started the day with an early lunch at Kemis - they have the best salad in town and everything is so fresh and tasty. They also have some delicious cakes and Kemi the owner is so friendly and welcoming and it's very accommodating towards young children.


outdoor child


After lunch we headed straight over to Pontcanna Park - it was great to be able to run around without having to hold an umbrella above your head. The night before was very very windy and a large branch had fallen off one of large trees in the park - this created an instant playground for the little man, who loved climbing it.


natural childhood
Climbing the fallen branch


On the further end of the park there is what Mr A calls the fairy house which is a sort of watering hole, we collected some daisy and put them in the water as a present for the fairys - it really felt like spring was starting to show itself.

running in the park

The great thing about parks like these is that they have some depth to them - there is a lot to explore and different elements, of course there is the playground part but there is also fields to run across and a wooded bit and what we call the "little forest" that we run through.

outdoor toddler
Searching for Trolls in the forest

We spent all day outside and didn't get back home until early evening, totally exhausted but very happy - I hope we have many more days like this this year.




Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall
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Reasons to Consider Building an Outdoor Entertainment Area

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outdoor living
What a dreamy place to eat during the summer (image via Pinterest)


As soon as the sun starts to shine I know we will be flocking to the local hardware store to create an improve our outdoor area. For a small investment families can create a great outdoor space where the whole family can relax and have fun together.

It’s a good idea to explore the multitude of outdoor entertainment area designs available before you build. With a bit of homework you are sure to find something to suit your tastes and your budget. Talk to builders, landscapers and even your local hardware staff about design ideas. Ask lots of questions. The sky is the limit in what you can incorporate into an outdoor area, from a swimming pool if you live in hotter climates such as Australia/South Africa  or water feature, to gazebos, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces or fire pits, landscaping, decking and outdoor lounge areas. You can turn your outdoors into your own personal oasis with a bit of planning.


outdoor oasis
A small but perfectly formed oasis (image via Pinterest)


There are lots of options available in outdoor furnishings. You can even set up an outdoor kitchen with a great barbecue and a nice outdoors dining suite.

Building an outdoor area can be a really worthwhile investment for homeowners. Here are just 5 reasons why building an outdoor area makes a lot of sense:

Increase the Value of Your Home

Building an outdoor area will increase the value of your home. Home buyers are looking to purchase properties with established lawns and gardens and a nice outdoor living space. Not only will your investment be returned when you sell your home, it will make your property much more desirable in a competitive market. An outdoor entertainment area offers an excellent return on investment. I know the our garden was a part of what attracted us to buying the property as it has a lovely space to eat as well as play.

outdoor chic
This charming outdoor nook would add value to any home. (image via Pinterest)


Add to your Quality of Life

Building an outdoor area will enhance your quality of life. Being able to spend time outdoors relaxing with family and friends is a great way to unwind and de-stress. Eating outdoors is also an enjoyable activity for many.

Save on Leisure Activities

If you and the kids enjoy being entertained at home, you are less likely to go out to find something to do. You will save money in petrol and other expenses by having a nice outdoor area where you can have fun and hang out.

Enjoy Entertaining

Having an outdoor entertainment area will encourage you to have friends over and enjoy time together outside. It’s so much easier to invite friends over for a friendly barbeque than a sit down dinner inside.


summer food
There is nothing better than eating outdoors - like this summer fest we had last year


The Great Outdoors

Being out of doors is relaxing and very beneficial to health and well-being. Many people are cooped up inside offices all week long, so to be able to spend time outdoors on the weekend is a real bonus. Spending time in natural settings is proven to reduce stress, enhance mood and increase mental clarity. It’s great therapy.

Building an outdoor entertainment makes great sense: increases the amount of your living space, provides a nice outdoor entertaining area, and also adds value to your home.


enjoying the outdoors
There is nothing better than being outdoors

This post contains a sponsored link but thoughts and opinions are 100% our own
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A beautiful Bath City break

21/02/2014

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John outside the Francis Hotel


Earlier this month we managed to have a night away in one of our favourite cities - Bath for a little us time - a rarity when you have a child but I feel very important as after a while as we all crave an uninterrupted meal, a little drink, a lie in and a relaxing sunday spent without any tantrums and what better place to do it in than the wonderful and majestic City of Bath.

We stayed in the Francis Hotel, this beautiful Georgian townhouse is located right in the centre and from the moment we arrive all our stresses fell away. We love anything that is a bit different and quirky but also stylish and the hotel was all of those things wrapped in one. The bed was amazing - I literally could live in that bed and I loved all the little touches such as the strawberries, macaroons and little box of chocolates in our room.

Nespresso machine
Really loved our hotel room and all the small touches 


After we settled into our room we decided to start our Saturday night with a drink in the hotel bar, which had a great selection, I went for a glass of white wine while John opted for a local Bath Ale. We both felt in the mood for sushi so headed over to Yo Sushi - we usually don't do chain's but on this occasion we wanted something quick and healthy before having a pint in one of our favourite pubs in Bath - The Pig and Fiddle. After that we enjoyed lively Belushi's and a few other local bars and pubs before heading back to the hotel, where with much excitement I tried out the Nespresso Machine and had a decaff Nespresso in bed before having a blissful sleep.


quirky hotel
Really enjoyed the quirky and stylish interior of the hotel


Breakfast was simply wonderful, so much choice, I went for some Muesli, fresh fruit and fresh rustic bread while John went for the full english with eggs poached to perfection. This put us in good stead for the rest of the day. Even though it was raining and windy we love walking around the old cobbled streets and this was not going to stop us, luckily the rain eased off around midday meaning we could enjoy some street music near the Cathedral.


Bath streets
Enjoying some street music in Bath

We also managed to pop into one of our favourite independent coffeeshop - The Society Cafe which makes very good coffee and I highly recommend visiting, you won't be disappointed and the interior is beautiful and even on a Sunday it was busy and had a great atmosphere.


Hipster coffee shop
The Society Cafe, Bath


Bath is such a historical, elegant and visual pleasing city that is perfect if you are in need of a little culture inspired break or simply just want a relaxing getaway as the countryside surrounding the city is breath taking, as is all the old Bath Stone and Georgian buildings, plus you can find some great pubs, tea rooms and boutique stores (I recommend the Oxfam Boutique for some great fashion finds)



Travel Tuesday


We were kindly ask to do an honest review of Francis Hotel and our words and thoughts are 100% our own

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His and Her outfit post

18/02/2014

10 comments
couples fashion

So last weekend we had a wonderful night away in beautiful bath (post to follow) and the rain pretty much held off for most of the time which meant we got to have a lovely walk around the city, through all the pretty streets, do a little window shopping and soak in the atmosphere. It was chilly but walking around keeps you warm and I wrapped up with some lovely cosy accessories such as my Etre gloves and knitted snood.

Redwings

John also stayed warm in his Barbour wax jacket paired with his Red Wings and Edwin salvage denim jeans - perfect for winter.

Paul Costello

I opted to wear my thick Fred Perry Pinafore dress with a Nine West tee underneath, Topshop boots, Fred Mello jacket and Paul Costello bag.
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Mini Adventures

15/02/2014

9 comments
toddler in tree



With the weather being so up and down we have tried to make the most of every dry opportunity given to us, which has meant lot's of mini outdoor adventures. Most of the time we have just run outside, leaving my camera at home and making the most of it. From exploring local parks to playing in our garden, climbing trees as well as watching the workmen up on our roof trying to fix our leaky chimney.
Those moments of sunshine have been precious and a beautiful sight, actually seeing our shadows on the ground or it peeping through the trees have been priceless.


shoes


We try and keep as active as possible in winter although this season has felt like a bit of an endurance and I really cannot wait for a break in the weather and I always feel terrible wishing time away but I can't wait for spring to raise it's head and see the bluebells again.


natural childhood

Hopefully this coming week will bring us more chances to enjoy the outdoors and have fun.


Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall
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Adventures in London with Tulipop

13/02/2014

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Tulipop
Mr A with Bubbles at the Tulipop Press day


We were lucky enough to be invited to the UK press launch of the wonderful children's homeware brand all the way from Iceland - Tulipop. The event took place at the Icelandic Embassy in London and  it was a fantastic little day out for Mr A and I. We ventured to the big smoke from Wales, despite flooding and the underground strike our travel was pretty stress free as the little man loves nothing more than going on the "fast train" to London. He is so fascinated by that city and who would't be - London is an amazing place for big and small and is a creative hub which made the perfect place to view the quirky and inspiring Tulipop collection.


That's us on our way to the big smoke

So what is the Tulipop all about? Let me start from the beginning, during the rescission this colourful company was born by the talented Signy and Helga in their home country of Iceland in 2010, with a joint dream to create something original that they themselves would want to buy their children. It has gone from strength to strength and become an award winning brand that is recognised for being cool, fun and something a bit different.

Amazing cakes
Amazing cakes - Bubbles and Mr Tree


On arrival we were treated to some amazing Tulipop inspired treats, baked by the super cool Tattooed Bakers. Mr A wolfed down a Bubbles cupcake and I instantly feel in love with the Mr Tree cake - seriously can I have this cake for my 30th birthday this year, how amazing would that be?


Childrens homeware
Mr Fred plate, cute spoons and Bubbles stationary 

It was great to have a chance to speak to the creators of the brand and get a real sense of what it's all about. I love all the characters and there is so much more than meets the eye and they have really created a whole encompassing magical land where all these characters interact with each other. There is a lot of inspirations from nature and we are both big fans of Mr Tree - the old, wise, good hearted gemstone collector, as well as Bubble, Gloomy, Fred and Miss Maddy the circus star.


Dinner set
Mr A loved the Bubbles dinner set and the Squirrel coin bank

Tulipop have also collaborated with Unicef to create the cutest little coin bank in the form of this acorn-hat wearing squirrel, which Mr A played with, until he discovered the piano and colouring station that is. From dinner sets, cutlery, water bottles to home wear such as Mr Tree lamp and beautiful ABC posters and stationary sets there is something for everyone and I was really impressed with the quality of all the items and how well made everything is.


cute toddler
Mr A huging Mr Tree


There is a real Scandi design feel to the products and I am very tempted to pick up a Mr T lamp for our living room, simple because he is a super cool dude. I think it's really exciting to see Tulipop come to the UK and supporting a small and exciting mumtrepreneur brand.


Paddington bear
Saying hello to Paddington bear and outside the Natural History Museum 

After the Tulipop event we made our way the Natural History Museum where we had a look around the Dinosaur exhibition, which is always highlight for the little man, after which we had a spot of lunch before heading back to Paddington Station so the little man could say hello to Paddington before heading back home. As always we had an amazing time and cannot wait to be back in the big smoke later this month to see one of my best friends who has come over from South Africa. Mr A is already asking if we can go to the zoo.

If you love reading about our family fun adventures on the blog please vote for use in the MADS Blog awards under the Best Blog and Family fun category (please also consider us for best photography and homes interior as well)


MAD Blog Awards
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Empowering Fashion from Beulah

12/02/2014

4 comments
Tomboy style


I love to feature fair-trade and ethical brands on the blog and this is totally from an unbiased perspective - this is not a sponsored post neither has Beulah asked me to mention them on the blog, I simply came across their Spring Summer 2014 collection and have fallen in love with the simple, chic and flowing designs. The brand came to be after the founders spent some time in India working in an aftercare home for those effected with human trafficking. On return to the London they developed the idea of Beulah - a brand that helps provide a sustainable livelihood for those who have come out of sex trafficking. It's always wonderful to hear about companies such as Beulah, who are doing so much good but in a very stylish way.

Here are my favourite picks from there Spring Summer Collection

ethical fashion

ethical fashion

spring summer

Eco fashion

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