A Dad's Guide to Learning Online

As a dad, going back to school may be something that you never saw yourself doing. Perhaps you’ve graduated from college and are already working in your dream career and have decided to further your education in order to pursue a promotion, or maybe you never went to college after graduating from high school and have decided that you want to go back and get a degree in order to be able to work your way up the career ladder and be financially better off. Whatever your reasons for returning to the classroom, mature students – especially parents – face a lot of different challenges. When I was pregnant with our youngest child John was very unhappy with his role as a shop manager, there was no way to progress and his hours had actually been reduced due to the recession so we both felt it was a good time to go back to college and retrain in a profession he had wanted to get into for years. Luckily he excelled in Barbering and had a real naturally talent and has not looked back and......

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Like father like son

When we found out we were expecting our son many moons ago now John was so excited to be having a boy to pass down his passion for films, books, music and clothes. He wanted to instil that less is more, that a good quality suit will serve you for years to come and plans to pass down his Red Wing boots which are already more than 10yrs old yet the soles are going as strong as the day he bought them. Mr A is now coming into his own in terms of what he likes and what is comfortable for him to wear. He loves outdoor clothing, hard wearing boots as well as warm winter jumpers. John thought he would share a little wisdom when it comes to essential mens wear tips and must haves. Every stylish father and son's closet should include a list of wardrobe essentials that range from casual Friday staples to special occasion basics. The list isn’t very long, but the pieces are definite must-haves. Here’s a breakdown of those quintessential items that every dude needs to have i......

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Mens Summer Style: The Top 5 Shorts You Can’t Be Without

If you’re looking to look stylish this summer, over the knee shorts should most definitely be avoided. Men’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade and these days it’s all about mens designer shorts . Below you’ll discover the top 5 shorts you should be investing in to keep you cool this summer. 1. ‘Short’ shorts According to the fashion world, ‘short’ shorts are one staple every well-built man should have in his wardrobe this summer. As highlighted on  Slate.com , these shorts can help men fight against sexism. If you’re not afraid to show a little more skin then these are great for showing off those muscular legs, as well as keeping you cool in the hot weather. Granted, this won’t be a style everyone is comfortable with, but if you are looking for something a little more daring then this is a look that you should be aiming for. If you can pull of short shorts it's a great summery look ( image ) 2. Khaki shorts If there’s one style ......

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A birthday and small home comforts

So a big Happy Birthday to John who turned 35 yesterday and even though it's not like the big 4-0 it does feel like the half way point between decades is also one to celebrate, which we will be doing this weekend at a festival as well as a little trip planned to London later on in the month. I remember his 28th Birthday like it was yesterday, as thats when we first started dating and I can't believe how much has changed, 2 house moves, finishing uni with a newborn, John re-training and going from a job he hated to one he loves and of course having Mr A. We have a lot to be grateful for. Also this is the first birthday we have had in the new house and (not to sound like a broken record) we are starting to make it feel like home, with the small touches ...

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Life Lately

I realised I have not done an instagram roundup for a while so here is what we have been up to lately. 1. Lots of lovely lunches have been happening with family and friends 2. Freeing my feet with my new Clarks sandals 3. The Breakfast of kings - well Fathers Day pancakes anyway 4. New Roshe Nike trainers - so comfy 5. The little man and John on an adventure down the bay 6. Exploring Abergavenny 7. Rocking some oversized glasses outside 8. Love these Romaine lettuce boats - tasty and healthy 9. These coffee glasses are amazing - I need them in my life ...

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Fathers Day Dreams

I loved my childhood spent growing up in South Africa and I love that I came from multi-national family with my father being South African with German descent and a Welsh Mother, it always meant that there was something interesting going on in the house and I always thought the word "cwtch" was normal (although my friends had no idea what I was talking about). My father really implored that with hard work anything was possible and having funded himself all the way through three University Qualifications and his friends would always say "every rand was a prisoner" as he lived on air as a student while some of his friends were already out making money, he did this to insure he had a great future. It was all worth while and I will always be in awe of him, he constantly inspired me and impressed me with his love for life, travel and viewing the world with an open mind. Unfortunately he is no longer with us but I can still hear his laugh and see him listening to ......

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Superga shoes for a super Dad

They say that the way to a mans heart is through there stomachs but not with John, oh no, in fact to be honest he has a much larger wardrobe than I do and more clothes to boot. After becoming a father I think everyones finances take a strain so when special days such as Fathers Day come around it's the  perfect way to treat him to something new, such as some shoes, some when the lovely people at Jacamo asked me to pick something for John that I thought he would love I knew straight away these Superga shoes would be perfect. John wears Superga Shoes, H&M shorts, Bathing Ape t-shirt, Ebbets Field Flannel cap Fathers Day is one of those special days we love to celebrate in our house. Mr A and John have such a special bond and the little man loves to make his Dad a card and bring it to him first thing in the morning and I also think it's great way to let the men in your life know how special they are as they can sometimes be overlooked. They have such fun together ......

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Menswear Essentials - Soft Coats

It's that time of the year when we it's not quite warm enough to go out without a jacket on hand but equally to warm for thicker coats, so now is the perfect time for the men to bring out the soft sartorial coats, like Johns Post Overalls jacket above. Soft jacket and coats are a great way to bridge the gap between more formal attire and the casual jumper and not only help with a little bit extra warmth before the summer evenings hit but also help bring and outfit together and can be worn during the day  spent in the city of on a family adventure or on a night out, by simply dressing it up with a tie for a more sophisticated evening look.  It's also great for light layering as the weather becomes warmer and creates a casual but softly tailored style and can really help bring an outfit together. Popular fabrics are cotton and linen and  John has a few soft style coats and jackets all of which become useful during this time of the year. Make sure you go ......

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Newport Wetlands - Outdoor Adventure

We love to explore new places and being members of the RSPB we have been long overdue for a trip to the Newport Wetlands. It took a while to find the place as it's on the outskirts of newport, near the coast and what should of taken just over 30min was closer to an hour but at least we know where it is now as I am sure we will be visiting again very soon. The trip was also well timed with our own preparations with the Big Bird Watch and we have been making our garden more bird friendly of late. On arrival we immediately noticed a beautiful Robin who was singing in the trees - a wonderful way to start the adventure. The centre has a lovely Visitors Centre, Shop and cafe with a lovely view over a lake and beautiful place to sit back and have a cup of coffee, daydream and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. John and Mr A climbing the lighthouse in the play park There is also a great kids playground with a mini lighthouse and ship and after lunch we enjoyed some fun ......

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Boys Club and Christmas Jumpers

So two weeks ago, prior to the storm, we managed to borrow a car and fancied a change in scenery so we took a drive to out Wale's sister capital - Swansea. We didn't really have a plan of what to do when we arrived but simply enjoyed having a little walk around the harbours and a look around the Waterfront Museum. It was a great day for the John and Mr A who had a lot of fun watching the different boats come in and out the harbour, jumping up on pillars and benches and getting up to his general cheeky ways. It also gave John a chance to take his latest jacket purchase by Post Overalls out and about, as well as Mr A giving his Converse, which was a birthday present from his uncle, a run around, although being white and with winter coming I am sure they are not going to look new for long. John wears - Post Overalls Jacket, Universal works shirt, Edwin Jeans - Mr A - Mountain Warehouse hoodie, Mini Club Jeans, Converse shoes It's always great exploring new places a......

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Boys Club - wild haired child

My wild haired child With being so busy lately with the MADS blog awards in London, two birthdays and various other things, we missed a week of Boys Club - Johns and Mr A's posts about what they are up to, wearing and loving at the moment, we were more than overdue an instalment. A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to attend the White Company opening in Cardiff (I did a review here) and we both really loved the children's wear and picked up two pieces for Mr A for his birthday and this was the first time he was out and about with his little Bulldog jumper. White Company is a bit pricey, although because we signed up to the mailing list we got 20% off making our two purchases more reasonable and since it was for a special occasion such as a birthday it's lovely to have such a beautifully made garment ready for the autumn season. Mr A wearing a White Company Jumper, M&S trousers and Clarks shoes Mr A photobombing John This week John is wearing so......

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