Women's outdoor clothing guide

As the Scandinavians say "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes", okay I think we can all agree at times there is very bad weather and we would rather stay at home but a bit of cold and rain shouldn't stop you from getting outside and the same can be said on very hot and sunny days, what is key though is being prepared so you can get the most out of your time outdoors. If you read my blog you will know we love getting out come rain or shine, as a family and on my own and over the years I have invested in a few key pieces that have lasted me a really long time. So I thought I would put together a mini outdoor clothing guide, all about the basics one should have when going on a hike, to the coast or exploring somewhere new. The layering system As a rule of thumb, it's a good idea to use the layering system especially when your planning a longer walk, hike or spending time in nature with kids, this way you can remove items when your wa......

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Great Weekend Reads for Home or On Your Travels

I found last year I just didn't make enough time to read and I think there is something very relaxing, calming and positive about picking up a book and being immersed into a story and with this ever increasing manic world we live in taking a moment to just step back and detach yourself from the now and get lost in a book is very important. I have put together a small reading list which I feel is doable even around working from home, travel and running after two small children. I have included a mix of fiction and non-fiction as well as one or two books to help keep me inspired and help with different areas of my life. So I thought I would share my reading list for 2018 with you and perhaps encourage you to take some time out and enjoy reading. 1. The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway This is such a fantastic pocket sized book perfect for when your travelling, it's lightweight and less than 100 pages long and great if your taking a train across country or just goi......

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The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide and Giveaway

Wearing my Poppy Appeal Jumper  Are you still running around searching for a few unique and original gifts for your loved ones this Christmas? Well look no further as I have an array of ideas from pocket money budget gifts to larger luxury ones. Don't forget you have until the 21st for first class postage and the 22nd for special delivery. For Her I have put together a collection of both useful and practical ideas along with some stylish and luxury items. The Pukka Tea tea comes filled with herbal organic teas and is a great way to store your bags. I can also personally vouch for the new Tiana organic skincare range and The Oral Kiely Poppy bag donates a portion to the Poppy Appeal. If your really stuck for a gift pop over to BuyAGift which has a range of vouchers offering afternoon teas, adrenaline experiences and spa days. Gifts for Her 1. Parks Winter Wonders Candle £30 2. Oral-B Genius 9000 Electric toothbrush £89.99 3. Pukka Christmas Collecting Ti......

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Street Style Sunday - New Hat

So this week is a little bit of a mens wear inspired post as we love to mix things up on the blog and John has a nice new winter hat that works so well with his Patagonia jacket it seemed like the perfect outfit post to share for this weeks Street Style Sunday. John has struggled to find a decent knitted hat this winter as a lot just don't seem to fit right, are to big or to long and he wanted something smaller and neater so when stylish folk at Fat Buddha Store , a menswear store based in Glasgow asked John to pick something it was a no brainer after seeing this cable knit Edwin Beanie. As some of you may already know Edwin are well know for there salvage denim jeans and neither of us had seen these hats before but they are perfect for keeping warm in winter. John wears Patagonia Jacket, Levis jumper, Universal Works Shirt, Edwin Jeans, Clarks Shoes, Edwin Beanie Hope you can come and join in with Street Style Sunday this week - you can link up with anything f......

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Street Style Sunday - a Year in Review

Some of my favourite outfits of 2014 So with it still being January I love to look back over a year and pick our favourite outfits and basically have a moment of nostalgia and being apart of Street Style Sunday linky with Natalie from Style Me Sunday has been so much fun I thought I would share some of our favourite styles John, myself and they little man have posted over 2014. Looking back I embraced different types of fabrics, cuts and styles from trouser suits to skirts and tunics while John brought splashed of colour into his life from his Green Patagonia jacket to a blue Ralph Lauren jackets and lots in between. A few of Johns looks during 2014 The little man has also been finding himself in terms of what he does and doesn't like to wear and is pretty headstrong about it as well, of course it switches from one thing to another very quickly - at the moment he loves camo prints and he found it really hard to let go of shorts after summer ended but it's love......

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Street Style Sunday - Fashion for All

We recently had a lovely day out in Caerleon (post to follow soon) and wow Winter has really set in and I am totally envious of Johns patagoinia jacket - the one downfall of of being pregnant is I can't really justify buying one of the jackets I have my eye on (Boden, Seasalt I am looking at you) until I am bump free. I like the use of colour and mixing and matching patterns in Johns outfit. John wears - Patagonia jacket, Ralph Lauren shirt, Edwin jeans The little man and I have also been up to various adventures of late and have enjoyed rocking some fun Chrsitmas jumpers. I have also been having fun with some new lip crayons and enjoying still being able to wear my favourite black stretch Max studio jeggings and clarks brogues. Clarks brogues and Max Studio leg gins, Pumpkin patch jacket, George jumpers and No7 Lip Crayon As always we are joining in with the super stylish and lovely Natalie from Style Me Sunday to bring you Street Style Sunday - come and j......

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Boys Club and Barbour Jackets

John in his Patagonia Jacket So a Boys Club post has been long overdue especially since Johns wardrobe has grown again but this time with winter staples including warm winter socks from Japan as well as a few bigger purchases such as this Patagonia jacket which he has had his eye on for a few months and thought he would treat himself to an early Christmas present. I have to say having picked it up and tried it on myself (drowns me) its so light, warm and breathable I really want one too. While I tend to mainly wear monochrome John brings in quite a lot of colour and is good with mixing and matching his clothes and even though this is very much a practical jacket and perfect for our outdoor adventures it's also fun and on-trend. When we shop we try to keep things as local as possible and love to support independent stores and one of the best places in Cardiff to find high quality and harder to find labels such as Red Wings and YMC is the small and unassuming Pav......

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Street Style Sunday - Boys Club

Mr A wears Pumpkin Patch jacket and t-shirt, Name it trousers and Vans mid-tops So this week I thought it was a bit long overdue since we had a Boys Club post and with the season changing so are what they are wearing. Mr A has been enjoying a few new pieces from House of Fraser who set me a challenge to put an outfit together for under £50 which we managed to do as they have an amazing kids selection and feel this outfit is perfect for an active day outside or a playdate with friends. I thought we would go with a autumn shade and we both love these Name It slim leg trousers. Also Mr A has recently discovered Camo and Army print and sometimes that can be little bit over the top but this very light camo Pumpkin Patch t-shirt is not in anyway overbearing but still very fun, as is the light but warm Pumpkin Patch jacket John wears Patagonia top, Ralph Lauren Jeans and Vera shoes John is also really enjoying the slightly colder climate as he is very much a long sleeve, layer......

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