Family • Wellbeing • Adventure

Saturday 29 November 2014

The Girl In The Red Coat


Christmas is coming

Me and my girl spent the entire day together, after a week of being ill, it was some much needed us time. In our town the Christmas Lights were being switched on, so we decided to spend the day in town, drinking coffee (well I did anyway) eating cake, playing in the park and jumping in leaves. We had such a lovely day and managed to capture some lovely moments - she really does make me smile so very much. 








This final image looks like something off a Christmas card, in actual fact I think its my favourite picture of her. 



Smiling from ear to ear. I do love my girl.

Mummy B xoxox

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Thursday 27 November 2014

Keep your germs to yourself

Why I should of persevered with breastfeeding

This week the Burgess household fended off another sickness bug. In actual fact, we failed pretty miserable and succumbed to the bug. This week we have had endless hours lounging on the sofa, watching film after film after film - until I was quite frankly sick of listening to "Do you want to build a snowman..." - Yup we watched this numerous times. Daily. Its times like this when I want to smack myself. Darcie is always picking up bugs, well in all fairness she hasn't had one in a long time, but I often go back to wondering whether its because breastfeeding didn't work out for us. Whether I didn't give her the best possible start in life?

It really is an irrational thought. I know deep down it ridiculous to think that way and beat yourself up. Though I think it only natural that occasionally us mums do that. I breastfed Darcie exclusively for 4 weeks and then topped up with formula until enough was enough six weeks later. Everytime Darcie got a cold, chest infection or the sickness bug, I would beat myself up how I didn't persevere through to breastfeed and subsequently help build a possible barrier to these awful bugs. 

Did you know that a drop of breast milk contains around one million white blood cells? These cells, called macrophages eat up germs. Breast milk is also packed with immunoglobulin A, which coats the lining of babies intestines helping to prevent germs from leaking through. Amazing hey? What ever your stance is on breast feeding, there is no denying these amazing benefits. 

For everyone, breastfeeding is a personal choice. One that I don't judge people on, like I hope other's wouldn't judge me on my own experience. I know for me, that next I time I want to persevere through.

Having said that, all these bugs will hopefully build up her defences too! 

Anyway, thats my one "woe is me" moment for the week - looking forward to the Christmas festivities starting this weekend!

Mummy B xoxox


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Sunday 23 November 2014

Polagram Calendar // Review

Calendar from polagram using instagram pictures

Beautiful calendar using your Instagram pictures

I was kindly given the opportunity to review a gorgeous calendar from Polagram. If you have seen my last post about getting organised, then you will know that I need all the help I can get! As I am slightly obsessed with Instagram, I thought this would be the perfect combo and I wasn't wrong.
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Saturday 22 November 2014

Life at 100mph

Getting organised ready for the new year

I'm a mum, a wife, full time worker, homeowner and blogger who is just trying to make her way in the world. Sometimes, when the days are just passing me by, I sometimes feel like I'm desperately trying to tread water and stay afloat of all the things I'm supposed to do. I definitely haven't taken an easy path, but I'm certainly enjoying the journey. There will be no "woe is me" here, just simply someone who is constantly trying provide all that I can for my family, whilst being the best version of me that I can be. 

Being a graduate of the recession, my chosen career path was no easy feat. In fact, so many hurdles (like the fact no one was hiring) lead me down a very different career path. Education. Although many people may think that this career, along with its fabulous holidays , is an easy one, I soon learnt that it was actually a great challenge and, at times, I struggled. Having said that, I do love my work.

Now, after two years of blogging, I'm starting to generate a regular income. Which is fantastic, but also brings along so many more pressures. As I work, full time, and want to produce content that my readers will like, I sometimes feel slightly swamped. This hobby of mine, has it become a chore?

No. But I am concerned that something soon will have to give. And as I look around my living room, with piles of washing everywhere, letters left unopened, newspapers from two weeks ago, it's safe to say my poor little house has suffered! Being organised is something I really need to work on, at home, work and with blogging too! I have downloaded social media schedulers like that of Hootsuite, in a bid to try and reach out to my readers a little more. I'm also wondering if I need to have specific "blogging" days. I don't want to put pressure on myself, as I would hate for blogging to become a chore. As, let's face it, I blog for me as well as for my readers. 

My reason for this post is that I want to hear how you stay organised? Whether it be with your blog or at home, please share your posts below or leave ideas in the comments. With the New Year just around the corner, I would love to have already given this resolution a damn good kick start!

Mummy B xoxox
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Tuesday 18 November 2014

Potty Training

Potty training a two year old - toddler lead

Well, we have entered the realm of potty training, actually we have skipped the potty and gone straight to the toilet! Several months ago we made a start by introducing her to the toilet and potty, every morning and night we would pop her on just so she could get used to the idea. We didn't push her, just let her get a feel for it. About a month ago, Darcie started to ask to go to the toilet a lot more and last week she was asking every time she needed to go. Yesterday was a big step, when picking Darcie up from nursery they told me just how well she was doing and they decided to put her in knickers. She had no accidents! We are now continuing wearing knickers during the day and nappies at night. It such a big step in the right direction and I just can't believe how well she is doing.

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Saturday 15 November 2014

Blogger Gift Ideas // Christmas


The perfect gifts for bloggers

As my main readership are probably bloggers themselves, I thought it might be a nice idea to share with you so fab gift ideas that bloggers might appreciate.

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Tuesday 11 November 2014

First Christmas Present Idea

The perfect gift to someone's first Christmas

Christmas is such a special time of year, its even more special when its your first Christmas as Mr & Mrs, or even if its your first Christmas ever! I was kindly given the opportunity to review a beautiful gift idea from Doormouse and the Teapot, they sell everything you would need for a vintage, traditional afternoon tea. We were lucky enough to be sent a First Christmas Vintage Spoon, which is hand stamped with a message of our choice. We decided upon 'Mr & Mrs Burgess First Christmas 2014', as it is our first Christmas as Mr & Mrs and so really wanted something special to mark and remember the occasion. 

They can, of course, include messages such as 'Baby's First Christmas 2014', or for a more personalised touch, you could even have their name printed too. This would make the perfect keepsake if you're looking for something special for a little ones first Christmas. And what's more, this very special keepsake only costs £8. £8!! 

I have been really impressed with the quality of the spoon, and I'm looking forward to hanging it with pride in our home. I can't quite decided whether to hang it in our kitchen or on our tree - what do you guys think?

Mummy B xoxox

*I was kindly sent this for the purpose of the review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Monday 10 November 2014

Have faith in online dating *

Have faith in online dating
Online dating is fast becoming a preferred way of meeting people. Millions of people have begun putting their love life in the hands of websites to try and give them a kick start in finding their dream partner.
For those of the Christian faith who wish to date within the religion, all that is required is a simple search of ‘Christian singles UK’ to find a specialist site for you. With a predetermined interest already established, that’s the first step in your journey to find love done before you have even registered!
How online dating works

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Sunday 9 November 2014

Autumn Toddler OOTD

Picture taken on my iPhone and shared on my instagram.

Autumnal toddler outfit from Next & Joules

Just a quick little post this evening, I thought I would share with you Darcies OOTD as, in my opinion anyway, she looks pretty darn cute. I have been pretty ill this past week, suffering with the flu and insanely achy body that comes with it. I have been confined to the sofa, which is all well and good and definitely needed, but it's lethal when I stumble upon Next's website. So, after a few quick clicks Darcie had a new autumn/winter wardrobe. Damn you flu. 

So I digress, this outfit is one of our little buys. The jumper, from Next, is so gorgeous. In fact, when I put it on her this morning, I popped back online to see if it was from there younger girls range or older, with the intention of if it was in the older girls section, I would try and squeeze into an age 16! But alas, it was not meant to be and this beauty is available from 3 months - 6 years for £15. 

The leggings, a part of a three pack, compliment the "love" jumper. This mustard colour screams autumn, and I think she looks pretty adorable in this colour. 

The scarf is my own, which my mum got me for my birthday. It has cute little robins  on so Darcie is always asking to wear it! 

Her shoes are from Joules. We got these this summer in their sale and have lasted so well. I have never got her Joules shoes before, but have been very impressed with the quality - but then again I wouldn't of expected anything less! 

Hope you have all had a great weekend. 

Mummy B xoxox

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Friday 7 November 2014

Pasta & Avocado



I think I have hopped on this train rather late, but I have a new found love for avocado. Its not something I would normally buy, but kept seeing yummy recipes using avocado on Pinterest and knowing how good it is for you, I thought I would experiment a little with it. 

So I threw together a few ingredients that I had in the cupboards and fridge and based the recipe on one I found HERE, and ended up creating a really tasty, and very simple,  pasta dish. So what will you need?
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Wednesday 5 November 2014

Children's Bedroom Ideas // Christmas

We have entered November, can you believe it?! Well now halloween is over, its now time to start looking towards, yes I'm going to say it, Christmas!!! With that in mind I thought it would be a nice idea to put together some ideas for decorating various parts of your home, to get you  in the spirit of course. Today we will look at children's bedroom ideas.

I think sometimes, this can be an area that forgets to be decorated. I know I'm guilty of that! But, lets face it, if you have children your main focus at this time of year is them. Making special memories and keeping the magic of Christmas alive - so why not decorate in their room too?


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Sunday 2 November 2014

October Favourites 2014


I think I have loved everything about October. The darker evenings,  all the autumnal activities, half term fun and of course Halloween. Today, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite "things" from this past month. So lets get cracking!

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Saturday 1 November 2014

Our Halloween 2014


Our Halloween was nice and quiet again this year. If I'm honest I'm not sure how I feel about halloween, I don't like the idea of Trick or Treating - I know strange right?! But knocking on random peoples doors asking for sweets... I just don't feel comfortable doing that! So, instead I have decided to take the stance that we do get involved, but its something nice we do for our neighbours by giving them treats. 

We spent the morning carving pumpkins, Darcie liked to scrap the seeds and mulch out which me and Daddy carved!
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