Month: March 2015

7 Easter Gift Ideas for Kids without the sugar fix

Genius backpack - the perfect alternative Easter gift

Hold the chocolate! I swear I saw a Creme Egg on sale at our local garage on New Year’s Day. Although I love chocolate as much as the next person, I hate how there is so much of it in my face every time I walk through a shop door. It creates a desire that wasn’t there to begin with, and when you have kids in tow, the compulsion to stuff themselves with sugar is a never-ending battle. Which is why, every Easter, alongside a small token from the Easter Bunny, my kids look forward to a different kind of …

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Time for a change…

Honey? Knock, knock, knock… Do you wanna clean your bedroom? Or pick your clothes up from the floor? I wish you’d put your books away, I’m turning grey, becoming such a bore. You really should be sleeping. Please don’t paint your nails on your pillowcase! Do you wanna clean your bedroom? Please stop using so much perfume. Time for change… A bedroom makeover from Bespoke Room When we moved into this house six years ago, it was mostly brown. Whilst The Bug and Actually Daddy settled in quickly, GG and I missed our old home. She was four, and craved her …

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Diabetes: Being a better mother

A letter to my children on being a better mother. Dear kids, I’ve been your mother for over ten years. I’ve been your mother in the sense that I became pregnant (eventually), gave birth (hastily), and navigated you (anxiously) through your early years. I’ve read, and cooked quite well; I’ve fixed grazes, temperatures, and broken buttons passably; I’ve tolerated craft activities and role-play, barely. But it’s only recently that I can really say I am a good mother. Of course, I’ve always loved you. I would do anything to protect you, though I’ve always made sure that you rely on yourselves. A drop down the behaviour …

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Tesco Mum of the Year Awards 2015 – the big day

The very special women who are the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards winners for 2015

On Sunday, 1 March, 2015 I attended a very special event indeed. Appropriately dated to fall close to Mother’s Day, the Tesco Mum of the Year awards pays tribute to an exceptional group of mums; mums who have worked hard to support others, after much personal sacrifice of their own. I was lucky enough to meet these women in the ‘green room’ (I know!), and was humbled by how normal these extraordinary women are. Incredibly nervous, worried about tripping up the steps, and coming face-to-face with celebrity presenters, these are just everyday people. Except they’re not. Tesco Mum of the …

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Kate Middleton’s necklace from Merci Maman

The duchess necklace, inspired by Kate Middleton - a beautiful gift for Mother's Day

A beautiful necklace for mothers When the world started asking where Kate Middleton found the lovely necklace she was spotted wearing a year ago, Merci Maman were proud to realise that it was one of their own pieces, purchased by Pippa for her sister after the birth of Prince George. Sweet and simple in design, it was classic enough for a royal mum, but personal enough that any mum would love to have her own version. So they created the Duchess necklace, which retails at £79.  What I love about this necklace is the mix: the simple inscription of a …

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