As the festive season draws closer, I have a slightly different Christmas gift guide for you this year: this one is all about spoiling Bella, our pet cat! Now I know you're probably thinking, "it's a cat, cats haven't got a clue about Christmas!" However, since joining us last month Bella is very much a part of the family and deserves to be spoilt as much as the rest of us.
Bella Loves: Christmas Treats for Cats
As the festive season draws closer, I have a slightly different Christmas gift guide for you this year: this one is all about spoiling Bella, our pet cat! Now I know you're probably thinking, "it's a cat, cats haven't got a clue about Christmas!" However, since joining us last month Bella is very much a part of the family and deserves to be spoilt as much as the rest of us.
Our family has recently grown again, and I'd like to introduce you to Bella. Bella is a two and a half year old tabby cat, who had been taken into a local RSPCA centre for rehoming. She was taken in with her daughter, plus another litter of kittens. All of her kittens were rehomed quickly, but Bella was still waiting for her new forever home.
Meet Bella
Our family has recently grown again, and I'd like to introduce you to Bella. Bella is a two and a half year old tabby cat, who had been taken into a local RSPCA centre for rehoming. She was taken in with her daughter, plus another litter of kittens. All of her kittens were rehomed quickly, but Bella was still waiting for her new forever home.
If you're a parent and you're reading this, I bet your children have had at least one of the books from the That's not my... series from Usborne. These touchy-feely books have been best-sellers for many years and there are over 50 different titles in the range. I reckon Essie has about 20 of them so far, so we still have a fair few left to get in order to complete her collection! The latest one added to her shelf is That's not my monkey... which was sent to us along with a matching monkey comforter from Rainbow Designs to review.
Playtime: That's not my monkey... Book & Toy | Review + Giveaway
If you're a parent and you're reading this, I bet your children have had at least one of the books from the That's not my... series from Usborne. These touchy-feely books have been best-sellers for many years and there are over 50 different titles in the range. I reckon Essie has about 20 of them so far, so we still have a fair few left to get in order to complete her collection! The latest one added to her shelf is That's not my monkey... which was sent to us along with a matching monkey comforter from Rainbow Designs to review.
I have used cloth nappies (or reusable, or washable, or real nappies as are some of the other names for them!) since I had my eldest nearly seven years ago. Now I'll admit, I first tried them because they looked cute and because I was simply curious. Our local council offered incentives for trying them, so I had nothing to lose. But then I realised the difference that using reusable cloth nappies instead of disposable single-use nappies can make to our planet so that became my reason for sticking with them. That, and the fact that I simply love them!
Why I chose to use cloth nappies
I have used cloth nappies (or reusable, or washable, or real nappies as are some of the other names for them!) since I had my eldest nearly seven years ago. Now I'll admit, I first tried them because they looked cute and because I was simply curious. Our local council offered incentives for trying them, so I had nothing to lose. But then I realised the difference that using reusable cloth nappies instead of disposable single-use nappies can make to our planet so that became my reason for sticking with them. That, and the fact that I simply love them!
I said in my last Mini Style post that Essie has a lot of these Lottie & Lysh t-shirt dresses, and I wasn't kidding! I very nearly missed out on getting this one though, as it hadn't realised that this hares print even existed until it was mentioned on a thread in the members group. Just in the nick of time I placed an order using my brand rep discount, and customised it with two little blue faux pockets. I do love a pocket!
Mini Style: Lottie & Lysh Hares T-Dress
I said in my last Mini Style post that Essie has a lot of these Lottie & Lysh t-shirt dresses, and I wasn't kidding! I very nearly missed out on getting this one though, as it hadn't realised that this hares print even existed until it was mentioned on a thread in the members group. Just in the nick of time I placed an order using my brand rep discount, and customised it with two little blue faux pockets. I do love a pocket!
There, I said it. Yes me, the woman who grows her own veg, who cleans with vinegar, who used cloth nappies and who uses reusable menstrual products. Despite my own efforts to live as "green" as we can, I'm telling you now: reusables are not the solution to period poverty.
I keep seeing this said time and time again when the subject of period poverty is discussed: "why not just give them all a menstrual cup or washable pads?"
Why reusables are not the solution to period poverty
There, I said it. Yes me, the woman who grows her own veg, who cleans with vinegar, who used cloth nappies and who uses reusable menstrual products. Despite my own efforts to live as "green" as we can, I'm telling you now: reusables are not the solution to period poverty.
I keep seeing this said time and time again when the subject of period poverty is discussed: "why not just give them all a menstrual cup or washable pads?"
A few weeks ago the lovely folk at Orchard Toys sent E a little package containing one of their new products for us to review. We have so many of the Orchard Toys games and puzzles in our playroom, as I think they are fantastic for encouraging children to learn through play and for nurturing their development.
Playtime: Orchard Toys Mummy & Baby Puzzles | Review
A few weeks ago the lovely folk at Orchard Toys sent E a little package containing one of their new products for us to review. We have so many of the Orchard Toys games and puzzles in our playroom, as I think they are fantastic for encouraging children to learn through play and for nurturing their development.
Every evening I love a quick browse of the forums of a well-known parenting website, particularly threads where people are having a good rant. A few months ago I came across a thread saying that people who wear mama merch (like Selfish Mother jumpers) are “smug”. Well, that stopped me in my tracks, because I'm someone who has several of these kind of tops. Eeek!
Does wearing mama merch make me smug?
Every evening I love a quick browse of the forums of a well-known parenting website, particularly threads where people are having a good rant. A few months ago I came across a thread saying that people who wear mama merch (like Selfish Mother jumpers) are “smug”. Well, that stopped me in my tracks, because I'm someone who has several of these kind of tops. Eeek!
This year I am making a real effort to read more. Reading is a favourite pastime of mine but over the past couple of years I've struggled to find the time for books. So I've challenged myself to read 52 books this year, one for each week. One of my 52 books is Suzanne Seddon's debut novel, A Fool's Circle, which was sent to me to review.
Review: A Fool's Circle by Suzanne Seddon
This year I am making a real effort to read more. Reading is a favourite pastime of mine but over the past couple of years I've struggled to find the time for books. So I've challenged myself to read 52 books this year, one for each week. One of my 52 books is Suzanne Seddon's debut novel, A Fool's Circle, which was sent to me to review.
It has been absolutely ages since I last shared a Mini Style post on my blog. Recently I've taken to simply posting on Instagram and Facebook, which don't get me wrong, I love interacting with you all over there, but I have missed being able to ramble on like I can here!
Mini Style: Lottie & Lysh Air Travel T-Dress
It has been absolutely ages since I last shared a Mini Style post on my blog. Recently I've taken to simply posting on Instagram and Facebook, which don't get me wrong, I love interacting with you all over there, but I have missed being able to ramble on like I can here!
Every morning I am made a delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee, with milk added just the way I like it. To enjoy with some yummy toast and honey, all lovingly prepared by Essie. Who is two years old. Wait, what?
Playtime: Hape My Coffee Machine & Pop-Up Toaster Set | Review
Every morning I am made a delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee, with milk added just the way I like it. To enjoy with some yummy toast and honey, all lovingly prepared by Essie. Who is two years old. Wait, what?
How is your Easter break going? Ours has got off to a cracking start! We kicked off the school break with a visit to one of our favourite places, Willows Activity Farm. Willows kindly sent us some tickets so that we could pop along and check out this year's Easter EGGstraavaganza event, and of course share our experience with you! Read on to see what we got up to on our visit to Willows Farm this Easter...
Days Out: Willows Activity Farm Easter EGGstravaganza 2019 | Review
How is your Easter break going? Ours has got off to a cracking start! We kicked off the school break with a visit to one of our favourite places, Willows Activity Farm. Willows kindly sent us some tickets so that we could pop along and check out this year's Easter EGGstraavaganza event, and of course share our experience with you! Read on to see what we got up to on our visit to Willows Farm this Easter...
I don't know any six-year old that doesn't love Hatchimals CollEGGtibles so imagine how delighted Noah was when I opened up a delivery to reveal the latest collection. We were sent a selection from the new season to review, which has resulted in very happy children! "Oh my gosh Mummy, it's the Mermals ones!" I definitely earned some MAJOR mummy points that day!
Playtime: Hatchimals CollEGGtibles Season 5 “Mermal Magic” | Review
I don't know any six-year old that doesn't love Hatchimals CollEGGtibles so imagine how delighted Noah was when I opened up a delivery to reveal the latest collection. We were sent a selection from the new season to review, which has resulted in very happy children! "Oh my gosh Mummy, it's the Mermals ones!" I definitely earned some MAJOR mummy points that day!
Recently we've been reviewing a few different role play toys as this kind of play is something that all of my children love. As well as being lots of fun, it's an important part of a child's development, as it helps them to build confidence, communication skills, problem solving and physical development to name a few! So I am always keen to encourage it and role play toys are always a welcome addition to our playroom. Casdon are a toy brand who make lots of brilliant role play toys; last month we reviewed their toy Dyson vacuum cleaner and this month we are reviewing their Supermarket Till Toy.
Playtime: Casdon Supermarket Till Toy | Review
Recently we've been reviewing a few different role play toys as this kind of play is something that all of my children love. As well as being lots of fun, it's an important part of a child's development, as it helps them to build confidence, communication skills, problem solving and physical development to name a few! So I am always keen to encourage it and role play toys are always a welcome addition to our playroom. Casdon are a toy brand who make lots of brilliant role play toys; last month we reviewed their toy Dyson vacuum cleaner and this month we are reviewing their Supermarket Till Toy.
My children love role-play, no doubt I've said it before, and I bet your children are the same! It makes them feel so grown-up when they can join in with what Mummy does around the house or copy what they've seen in a shop, for example. It's actually also a very important part of a child's development, as it helps them to build confidence, communication skills, problem solving and physical development to name a few! I think learning through play is so important and am always keen to encourage it. Many of my children's toys are role-play toys and one of the most recent additions is this realistic Casdon Dyson Cordless Vacuum Cleaner which I was sent to review.
Playtime: Casdon Dyson Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Toy | Review
My children love role-play, no doubt I've said it before, and I bet your children are the same! It makes them feel so grown-up when they can join in with what Mummy does around the house or copy what they've seen in a shop, for example. It's actually also a very important part of a child's development, as it helps them to build confidence, communication skills, problem solving and physical development to name a few! I think learning through play is so important and am always keen to encourage it. Many of my children's toys are role-play toys and one of the most recent additions is this realistic Casdon Dyson Cordless Vacuum Cleaner which I was sent to review.
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