Protecting your home

Over the past few years we have collected some great little pieces for the home and things that really represent us as a couple and as a family as well as many sentimental items that we would be heartbroken if anything happened too. Having grown up in South Africa I have always walked on the side of caution, making sure our front door is always locked and windows shut before leaving the house, keeping expensive items out of sight, not leaving my phone in view in the car as over the past few years both here and back in South Africa I have been the victim of minor crime. Luckily nothing too serious, mainly just phones being taken although I did have my bag stolen from my car and it contained my passports, camera and a few others things - luckily the passport was mysteriously popped through my letter box but I lost everything else and there is nothing more than that sinking feeling when things are gone. As with everyone it's important to feel safe and secure in your home......

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Parenting Hacks and Mothers Tricks

Being a parent can be testing at times to say the least but we all have our own ways of getting by and ways to ease the stress, dealing with tantrums and getting our kids to eat veggies and one thing I have learnt is most mothers have some tricks up their sleeve. I know when Mr A was a baby he loved pureed banana and avocado together - the perfect combination of fruit and vegetable, or telling him that Broccoli is baby trees and makes you as big and strong as a tree - this one still works! To this day I still love to combine veggies and fruit together in a fun and tasty way that encourages Mr A to gobble it down such as one of our favourite low-sugar healthier baking treats - Spelt Carrot and Apple Muffins These are packed with goodness and whole grains so why not give them ago 100g Wholegrain Spelt flour  75g Plain Wholegrain flour 1 medium apple, pealed, cored and grated 135g coarsely grated carrot   2 free-range eggs ......

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Expat Life - The banking reality

Me, enjoying life in Rimini, Italy When I first left South Africa more than 12 years ago to venture out into the world on my own at the tender age of 16 - yes I know what was I thinking! I first landed my feet in Edinburgh, a city I truly fell in love with and will always have a special place in my heart. Luckily I had pre-arranged my accommodation before leaving home and soon found a job in the city, but little did I know how tricky it was going to be to open a bank account, especially at 16 and believe it or not it was harder a few years ago than it is now, I needed a reference, they wanted me to have lived in the UK for at least 2 years and  various other loops I needed to jump through to just get a debit account and there wasn't really internet banking yet but after a few failed attempts I did manage to sort one out, which was a huge relief as my work would only pay into a bank. Luckily while I was sorting this out, my brother who was living in Wales allowed for m......

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The costs of staying fashionable laid bare

In a dream world we would all win the lottery, spend our days relaxing in the sun in the South of France, without a care in the world, long days spent with permanant smiles on our face and no lines or wrinkles caused from the stresses of the world, we could waltz into stores and buy lovely beautiful quality garments on a whim and be able to put outfit's together in an easy fashion. I could have all the ethical products I wanted and it would be magical, I am sure for at least a while - I am not one of those to not have a purpose in life, so perhaps boredom at some point would set it, but one thing is for sure life would be easier. However nearly all of us do not live the life of Riley and the reality of life, work, moving home, wanting to travel, becoming parents, running a car or simply wanting to buy the latest on-trend fashion piece can bring compromise in terms of finance. The main thing is to stay on top of things, if you let your finances go out of control, your life......

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