Activities for Children during the Summer Holidays | #MakeLifeLessBoring

So the Summer Holidays are here and you may be wondering how on earth you can keep them entertained over the six week period? I know when the summer holidays are just around the corner my thoughts immediately go to how I can entertain my three year old. She is pretty much a free spirit and will go along and try anything at least once - which is fantastic but often leads to her getting bored at times. Thankfully there is so much you can do these days with little ones and to fit all budgets too. 

So here are a few suggestions that I have for you to try and keep everyone happy over the summer months...

Choosing the right pushchair

When having a baby one of the most important and potentially expensive purchases you will make is a pushchair. The pushchair market is vast and it can be overwhelming as to which one will be the perfect fit for you, for example if you were to take a look into some Baby Gear online, you'll find that you're inundated with selection. This can go for toys, pushchairs, car seats, and many other accessories and essentials. With my second baby only weeks away from arriving we have just decided on the right pushchair for us this time around and so thought it would be good to share with you our own thought process.

What to include on your blogger business cards | Review

Over the few years I have been blogging I have been to several blogging events and conferences and each time I have attended I have always got annoyed with myself as I didn't have any business cards to distribute. A business card is a fantastic way of putting yourself out there and sharing your details with fellow bloggers or brands. With a few meet ups and events lined up for later in the year, I thought now would be the perfect time to actually get myself organised and make up some business cards.

"Be Best Friends Mummy"

"Be Best friends Mummy" is something that our girl has said to me and my husband on quite a few occasions whilst I have been pregnant. It's safe to say as this pregnancy has gone on, my temper and patience has been a little frayed at times leading to snappy comments to my poor hubby. Hearing my Daughter say these words have made me feel like an awful mummy and wife, as I can see worry on her face if we are ever arguing. She is a determined and happy girl, and always says our family are 'best friends'. 

Baby Boy's Nursery Plus Giveaway!

Today I finally get to reveal the progress we are making with Baby Boy's room, it's certainly not finished yet but it is basically near enough there now. As you may remember from my plans, I was looking for a grey & white cloud theme and have stuck with that as I just couldn't get it out of my head. Baby's room is pretty small, which made choosing furniture difficult whilst still trying to remain practical. For now I think the space works well, but when he becomes older we may struggle for space - hopefully we will be able to buy a bigger place before that! Anyway, lets get going...

Budgeting for a Baby

This is one of the most magical and exciting times in your life, but also one of the most mentally, physically and financially challenging. With a million and one things probably on your mind, this advice will guide you on how you can set a budget ahead of your little bundle of joy. 

A week of ups and downs

These past 7 days have been quite tough, you may have noticed my absence on the blog front and that most certainly hasn't been on purpose. Last week we discovered that Darcie had a very bad urine infection, one that almost got her admitted to hospital as the doctor was so concerned! But luckily, despite it being a bad infection, it actually had little effect on her (only when she went to the loo!) and the doctor was happy for her to continue her treatment at home. She will have to have a visit to hospital in the coming weeks to have an ultra sound - that will be interesting trying to explain to her they are not looking for a baby! The reason for the ultra sound is to investigate whether there is anything physically wrong. I'm obviously hoping that isn't the case. On top of this I have been experiencing dizzy spells and headaches again, luckily my mum has been on holiday this week so has really helped out looking after Darcie and me. So thank you mum!

Despite the hardness of this week there has been some incredibly lovely moments. On Saturday I went to a big family BBQ with my entire family, it was so nice as we hadn't all got together in such a long time (even at my wedding my cousin didn't make it due to her about to pop with her beautiful twin boys). What was so special was seeing Darcie play with all my cousins children - the next generation. It brought so many memories back from my own childhood, I couldn't help but feel very content and incredibly lucky. 

Yesterday I also got to see baby at my 32 week growth scan. Everything went beautifully and baby is such a good size already, estimated at 4lb 12oz at 32 weeks exactly! And to top my week off completely we put baby's room together and I feel so happy that its finally done. I keep going in there and just sitting in my nursing chair dreaming of September...

Finally today was my last day at work, I have the wonderful six weeks of summer holidays off then officially start maternity leave in September - timed that right hey?!?! 

So now it's time to relax and enjoy the final few weeks as a family of three, make sure you pop back soon for a nursery room tour and some more baby/pregnancy updates!

Mummy B xoxox

Bingo as a rescue from my pregnancy frenzy

People say ‘having a baby makes life simpler’. Really? I don’t think so! Okay, now I hope you have not judged me already. I have my own reasons behind thinking so, because in my case even before my baby entered this world I went through a crazy baby boy haul. Spending a lot of money is what I did, by purchasing different kinds of baby clothing like some cute little socks at H&M, a gorgeous blanket, a perfect snow suit and a lot more. I was so engrossed doing all this that I didn’t even had any clue how much I spent in this process. Surely, those are not justifiable expenses considering the fact that my baby didn’t even step out. 

OPI Hawaii Collection | Review

Despite being heavily pregnant and having a toddler to run around after, I always try to make time to paint my nails. I love switching up colours and styles, it always make me feel a little bit more me. With summer in full swing I have been swaying towards the brighter summery colours as I do every year, and every year I'm naughty and add more to my collection - despite my hubby's disapproval!

As always, OPI bring out some fab collections through each season every year. I love getting these as they are the mini sizes and allow you to experiment with the latest trends, never failing on quality plus they don't break the bank. I was recently sent from Just My Look (who currently have up to 40% off OPI!) the Hawaii gift set which is perfect for this time of year.

The set includes four shades, I Lost my Bikini in Molokini, Suzi Shops and Island Hops, That's Hula-Rious, Aloha from OPI. I was instantly drawn to Aloha from OPI and That's Hula-Rious, both are such gorgeous colours and so very me! The mint colour is literally the perfect shade, I have been searching for the perfect mint colour and it's definitely this. 

The quality, as expected, never fails. You need about three coats to get a true opaque finish but it dries relatively fast, which did surprise me. Staying power, about 3-4 days with no chips, not the best but I switch them up so often that doesn't bother me. Plus I didn't put a top coat on so probably would last longer. 

What's your favourite summer shade?

Mummy B xoxox

*I was kindly sent these products for the purpose of the review. All thoughts, opinions & images are my own.

Darcie's One Liners #1

Toddlers come out with the most funniest of things, they really are little comedians in their own right. With that in mind I thought I would start making a note of some of them, for this was the reason I started this blog in the first place. So without further a do, here are a few one liners that Darcie has come out with over the last few months.

"Oh mum, I just can't possibly do that. I have a baby in my tummy so I probably shouldn't." - This occurred the other morning when I wanted her to get her shoes on. I wonder where she got this phrase from?!

"But I just want to save the world." - This afternoon whilst launching herself off the sofa.

"MUM, daddy left the bloody bag in the car." When we couldn't find her nursery bag last week. Yes slightly naughty but you can't help but giggle.

"Oh granny I have an idea. I sit here and you go get us Ice Creams. That sounds like a good plan." - Quite a few months ago whilst in Thetford Forrest, this still tickles us today. It was more how she said it that was the funny part.

"What you sayin?" - All I can hear is Joey Essex...

"Mum I hope you're behaving" -When I was busy in the kitchen one evening.

"I love my baby *babies name which I wont reveal*" - This is actually not really a one liner as such, but Darcie says this all the time and just melts my heart. She is so ready for his arrival.

I'm hoping to make this more of a regular post as I just want to make sure I document all these (slightly silly) things. As she is getting bigger, the milestones seem to be getting further and further apart. But, to me, these ordinary memories are equally important as those big milestones. 

What funny little things have your little ones come out with recently?

Mummy B xoxox

Dreaming of Maternity Leave

I have exactly 8 working days left till I'm on maternity leave and so, naturally, I have been dreaming of what maternity leave will entail...

1. Quality time with my girl. Before baby boy's arrival I (should) have a lovely 6 weeks with just me and my girl. I have been feeling so guilty because when I get home from work I have been just too exhausted do little things like playing together. I plan on doing lots of baking, craft activities, trips to the park, library, soft play (if I can stomach it) and the beach. I want to try and make this summer special as it will be the last as a family of three. 

2. Home cooking. Again, with work tiring me out in the evenings I have found cooking meals from scratch a rareity. I love cooking, but I hate to rush it. It will be nice to actually organise our weekly meals and get on top of the food budget and what we're actually putting into our bodies. We haven't been eating particularly healthily the last few weeks!

3. Preparing for babies arrival. I feel like I have started the nesting stage, but again I simply don't have enough time at the moment to fully immerse myself with this urge! In the back of my mind I just keep thinking, maternity leave is just around the corner so it can wait till then. But I'm actually finding that hard to do... I often go to bed and lay there for hours thinking how I need to sort babies clothes, clean the bathroom and put together babies room. All pretty ridiculous in the grand scheme of things, but I guess that's pregnancy hormones for you.

4. Slower pace of life. At the moment I feel like I'm constantly rushing around, at work, home and even with my blog everything seems to be going at 100mph and I just can't keep up. It's so frustrating. You may have seen on social media I'm constantly wanting more hours in the day, really I just wish my time was more evenly spread! I'm looking forward to not having to worry about work and put more focus on my family and this little space of the web.

5. Last and certainly by no means least. I'm looking forward to meeting my baby boy at the beginning of September. I'm looking forward to baby snuggles, those afternoons where baby sleeps soundly on your chest. I'm looking forward to Darcie being a big sister and seeing her blossom in her new role. I'm looking forward to Jamie being a dad of two, he is the best daddy to Darcie I could of ever wished for and I know he has even more love to give for his boy. Bizarrely, I'm even looking forward to those late night feeds. Where all is quite and you're having those sleepy cuddles. I'm looking forward to a new chapter, probably a challenging chapter but an exciting one nonetheless. 

What were the things you look forward to when about to go on maternity leave?

Mummy B xoxox 

Baby boy haul

This weekend has been a slightly naughty one and I have ended up spending far too much money. But it was mostly all for my baby boy, so it's a justified expense! On Saturday we (madly in this heat) decided to head to Norwich to get a few maternity bits for me, which I did end up getting, thank you very much Primark, but we then ended up spotting so many cute things for bubs. With sales on at nearly every store it was pretty hard to resist. 

The first stop was H&M, I don't normally shop in their children's section as I never normally find anything I like for Darcie, but the baby section always has some uber cute items. Unfortunately quite few pieces I liked were not available in the littler sizes so I headed to the sock section. I flipping LOVE H&M socks for babies. They were the only ones that would stay on Darcie's feet, plus they are nice and thick keeping those tootsies nice & warm without the need for pram shoes. These ones are both made of cotton and were only £3.99 for a pack of three.

Next to this section I spotted the most gorgeous blanket which fits nicely with baby's nursery theme. Again it is made from cotton, so nice and breathable and was only £6.99. Beautiful!

We then headed into House of Fraser, again mainly drawn in because they had a sale on! We browsed around the men's section and Jamie was almost tempted by a new coat, though in sweltering heat I couldn't think of anything worse! Though in full contradiction of what I have just written we purchased baby boy a snow suit, yes it was 30 degrees yesterday, but it was in the Joules sale for £19 and really couldn't turn down that bargain! 

Along with the snow suit, I fell head over heals in love with a brand called NameIt. They stocked some beautiful and simplistic designs for babies and I just wanted to buy everything! I held back  and just purchased my favourite item, this super cute long sleeved top, £9.

I thought my day of spending was bad enough but today we ended up making an impromptu trip to IKEA and got the final bits for baby's room. I'm so excited to show you the finished result which are along a very similar vain to my post I did earlier in the year about our Baby Boy Nursery plans. 

Hope you have all had a fab weekend and made the most of the gorgeous weather. I have to admit being heavily pregnant I'm not a fan of it myself!!

Mummy B xoxox

Exploring Sicily with Children

(Image source)

Today's post is by Elise M. Daniels,, enjoy.

This winter as my husband and I were discussing our summer holidays, we stumbled across a book about Sicily. I was immediately attracted by the stunning landscapes, the uncommercialized tourist industry, the historical ruins and of course the amazing food! My husband and I are both active 26-year-olds and we are the proud parents of twin 3-year-olds. So, when planning vacations and looking for accommodation in Sicily we want to find locations with nearby activities that all of us would enjoy. I got to researching online and soon found plenty of holiday homes in Sicily, large enough to accommodate our family and a huge range of unique activities nearby.  So we booked our flights and accommodations! I must admit, never have I been more satisfied with a vacation. And here is why:

Beaches! Sicily is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. The island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and there is a huge variety. From fine sand to pebbles, crystal waters to the enchanting Turkish Steps, there is something for everyone. It felt like I was on a different island in every beach we visited. Our kids played with the little Sicilians as we lounged, tanned, and played in the tranquil sea. 

We also took a trip to the theme and waterpark “Etnaland,” which is near Catania. This is the biggest adventure park on the island and it has all kinds of water games and attractions for every age group. My kids loved the waterslides and the life-sized dinosaur exhibit! There were some great restaurants, relax areas, and even a zoo. This was probably the twins’ favorite day. 

Bio Parco was another fun day, especially if you have animal lovers in the family (like me!) There is a huge variety of animals and lots of cute little picnic areas. If you want a really hands on nature experience, check out the Eco Campus Casaboli. We didn’t go there, but the park is for kids of all ages and you get a very up close and personal safari experience. Sounds like fun, so we will have to come back!

My husband is a History teacher, and in particular he loves Greek history. Sicily was a haven for him, with all of its archaeological treasures. You can’t go to Sicily without stopping in Agrigento at the Valley of the Temples. There are eight stunningly well-preserved temples on one little hill! They are some of the best preserved in the world. It is also completely stroller friendly. The kids can hop out and play, and there are even some goats that my kids loved. When it heated up around lunchtime we headed down to the coast. There is a beach called San Leone with lovely clean sand, clear water, cute restaurants and umbrellas for rent. The twins played to their hearts content before settling down for a nice afternoon nap in the shade. I’ll admit, I dozed off myself too! Looking at ruins all day is quite tiring, yet stimulating at the same time. 

There are tons of activities for kids and adults to do together in Sicily. We will definitely come back, especially because the twins made friends with some Sicilian kids on the beach! The parents were wonderful too, and even invited us to their home for dinner. Sicilians definitely live up to the stereotype that the southerners have more fun. The Sicilians we met were warm, friendly, welcoming and treated us like family. They offered to host us for the next visit, and we certainly hope they come visit us in London!

Mummy B xoxox

The Perfect Sunday Morning

Radio | Iced Coffee | Breakfast Tray | Joules Bedding | Next Blanket | Panasonic Small TV

I am loving the weekends at the moment, Jamie being at home every weekend till September is so wonderful, during the week I ache for our relaxing Sunday mornings. They normally start early, I guess we have a three year old to contend with, but she is more than happy to come into our room to enjoy some relaxation time with her mummy & daddy. We often let watch something on the IPad (we desperately want a small TV in our room!), I know naughty mummy, but it allows us to snooze and relax - which is exactly what you need after a long week at work. 

Then, after some pestering, Jamie will often get up and make a little breakfast where we will eat in bed. Its pretty blissful. When we were on honeymoon, I would sometimes get up before Darcie & Jamie and head into the town to get breakfast, which would include croissants, coffee/iced coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. I would then come back to the cottage, fling open the windows, and wake up my beautiful family. We did have a TV in our room, and though ordinarily I wouldn't be bothered about having a TV in our room, we absolutely loved it, hence why we would like to get one for our room.

There is nothing more perfect than starting your day than a lazy morning with your family - and I'm looking forward to another little person adding to our little Sunday morning ritual, though we may need a bigger bed!

Do you have a Sunday morning ritual?

Mummy B xoxox

*PR collaboration.