Ways to Pass the Time When Travelling

*This post contains affiliate links While we are not doing as much travelling as we were pre-covid, things are slowly but surely looking more positive, with local travel around the UK already starting to happen, here are a few ways to help pass the time and boredom when you hit the road. Firstly it's all about the preparation and making a trip as organised and relaxed as possible so if you plan to travel in your car it's well worth having it checked over, or perhaps a partial service to make sure it's in good condition, or if you use a train or flying, make sure your passports are up to date and double-check departure times as well as local Covid regulations.  But travelling, of course, is not all about essential preparations, that's just one small part of it, having activities planned that will make you enjoy the journey should also be considered especially as not all journies take the time you expected. Delays and mishaps are to be expected when travelling so having a......

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5yrs old and what we've learnt

Mr A on his birthday Wow 5yrs old, both John and I cannot quite believe that our eldest turned 5 this week and long have the days passed that he would be considered a toddler but is now an adventuring spirited young boy on his own journey of discovery. I think with your first you never really know what to expect as becoming a parent is like nothing else, there is no manual, no prior training given, it's a learn on the job scenario which has both ups and downs a long the way but no matter how trying some days have been it's completely worth it. So after 5 years of parenting what have we learnt so far 1. The saying "Don't sweat the small stuff" really does apply here, there will be lots of things that will cause you stress on the parenting journey so don't get caught up in the smaller details of things and instead just try and enjoy the moment. I am naturally a person who likes to be in control and you simply cannot be all the time when it comes ......

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Summer Wanderlust Reading List

Every summer I put a little reading list together of books I want to read preferably outdoors in the sunshine and enjoy the simple pleasure of long summer days with a good piece of literature. This year my reading list is made up of 5 very unique books that are set in different parts of the world and I know will make a great travel companion for our summer adventures. 1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - another brilliant book published by Penguin and a real page turner. It's the first on my list and I am half way through and cannot put it down. A story of a mum Jane who had just moved to a new town and the mothers she meets at her son's new school. There is a rather large cast but the main focus is on three ladies who are from very different backgrounds but are connected by their children all starting school at the same time. Everyone has secrets to hide while rumours start to fly, with a murder mystery thrown into the mix this makes for exciting reading. ......

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My Breastfeeding Journey so far with Medela

So I cannot believe how quickly time has passed and that the little man is already 12 weeks old, growing and gaining weight very well and with lots of smiles and giggles along the way. Having breastfed Mr A until he was 2.5yrs old it was one of those things I was excited to do again as well as apprehensive on how my experience would be the second time round, as they say every baby is different. Right from the start this time around was a much more calmer and relaxed birth which meant unlike with Mr A, baby G was placed directly onto me for immediate skin to skin, then after all the routine checks when I was being wheeled out of the operating theatre he latched on straight away and since then I have been feeding him on demand. I do think that having all the experience of breast-feeding my first has helped in making me feel more confident and less stressed the second time around as well as knowing what to expect as all these changes in your body can come at quite a shock. I have ......

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Thank-you to an amazing Woman

With mothers day looming I have found myself reflecting on my own journey as a mother as well as that of being a daughter to an amazing woman and all the trials, tribulations and celebrations we have gone through over the past few years and how we have grown to be an even closer and stronger family unit. My mother has always been the emotional stronghold of the family, the one we could lean on and still do. She is also my constant source of inspiration especially when it comes to interiors and style, her motto of less is more and quality over quantity is something I always try to take on board, in fact she was actually the one who introduced me to Laura Ashely and Bodens many years back. The thing that always blows me away is her strength which was really pushed to the limit when my father passed away suddenly 10 years ago. I was coming to the end of my somewhat difficult teenage years and entering my twenties and feeling a little directionless, while my mother had com......

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Pregnancy Update...33 weeks

Wow so time is really flying by and I cannot believe that on Tuesday next week I will be 34 weeks pregnant. The bump has gotten a little bigger since my last pregnancy post at 31 weeks but I have been dressing it up in my Bibee maternity tunic and pairing it with my new jacket to have something this is very comfortable but not too frumpy either, plus you can interchange the front "bibs" making these dresses very versatile. Great news I also have 15% off any bible dress for my readers, just use the special code side street  Wearing - Bibee Maternity tunic, M&S jacket, Morlands boots and Carlos bag The past month I have also been enjoying some of the delights on offer in my monthly Nonabox which has been a real treat through my pregnancy and it's always lovely receiving a little surprise each moth, especially as things become more uncomfortable as you get further into a pregnancy. it'a also a great way to get a selection of products that you may not......

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Pregnancy Update - Week 14

So as I write this I am actually around 14 1/2 weeks into my second pregnancy journey. Thankfully most of the morning sickness and nausea has now passed but to be honest I am still craving very salty food and have not been eating as healthy as I normally would and I have put on weight quicker than expected, unlike my first pregnancy were I actually lost weight, but who knows maybe it means we are having a girl? I have been struggling with fatigue of late due to slightly lower iron which I have supplemented with Pregnacare and Spatone which does seem to be making a small improvement. Also I thought it would be fun to see what I looked like around this time during my pregnancy with Mr A - I love this photo which was taken on a little day trip to Tintern and the Wye Valley - I think both John and I look a lot younger. Because my waist is starting to get a little wider this week has been all about getting in top of any possible stretch marks, I have to say I was extremely lucky......

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Viva la Veganuary

So just thought I would do a quick post to keep you in the loop with my veganuary journey - which I have really enjoyed. We have been eating lots of healthy home made recipes as well as rustling up some quick alternative favourites. It's not been without it's hitches - I did find myself on one family outing in a place there was literally nothing for me to eat, but no fear managed to pop over to a supermarket and full myself up on some yummy fruit, nuts and those of so good naked bars. So besides the lentil Dalh and spinach curries these four went down the best with the big and little man - we brought in "hot no-dog" night with Linda Mccartney sausages, onions, spinach and organic tomato sauce. I also threw together a quick bean gumbo which was super tasty, we indulged in some bean burgers, straight out of the oven rolls and salad as well as some vegan spaghetti bolognese with shredded carrot and spinach - so good. Still have not found a good cheese substitute bu......

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