Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Things I have realised ....

   Posted on 12:42pm Saturday 10th Aug 2013

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   It was my birthday yesterday and another year has passed. Each year is made up of 365 days, 52 weeks and 8765.81277 hours, so there is alot of time to reflect on the things that I have learnt in the past 12 months and I have realised the following things.

    

   1. You cant please everyone all of the time. This is obviously not a new revelation and whether this is buying the wrong present for my god child or inadvertantly upsetting a relative over a party invite, it is not intentional and certainly not the end of the world. This is just the way it is.

    

   2. Starting an online gift business is both fun and hard work. Enough said.

    

   3, People let you down. Both personally and professionally, people  let you down. This maybe because of personal circumstance, lack of care or simply because its the way they are. I have to accept that everyone is different and it is not personal.

    

   4. When you are a grown up, you dont have to grow up. The oldest of people can still be young at heart.

    

   5. Children dont want quality time, they just want your time. My laptop is and will always be in 2nd place. (despite twitter tempting me with humorous tweets)

    

   6. New friends maybe around for the short or long term - dont analyse - just enjoy. Old friends are not always the best for you, no matter how long you hold onto the memories of the past.

    

   My thirties (ahem) are the best years of my life so far, I have two daughters who bring so  much happiness every day, we are surrounded by fantastic family and friends, the Little Lilypad Co is steadily growing and we are finding lots more beautiful, unique and unusual gifts for our loyal customers.

    

   If you follow us on Twitter, you will know our love of inspirational quotes,  so will leave you with this one.

    

   "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present"

    

    

2. What is a bully?

   Posted on 10:55am Saturday 10th Aug 2013

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   The Lilypad is usually a warm, fuzzy, fluffy and non controversial place to find yourself but this week I found someone close to me was a victim of the cowardly behaviour that is encouraged by Ask.fm, the same online company that is reported to be at the centre of the tragic suicide of Hannah Smith. Ask.fm gives you the opportunity to ask your friends anything but with the choice of doing this anonymously. This is the perfect playground for cyber bullies.

   The cyber bully has seen a rise in notoriety over the past few years but whether it is online or in the playground, what is the definition of a bully?

   Bullying can be physical, bullying can be from the mind,

   Bullying is taunting, oppressive and unkind,

   Bullying can be agression from those without strength,

   Bullies usually lack confidence and will go to any length,

   To humilate and ridicule those who they fear,

   They will rallly around people but lets make one thing quite clear,

   Bullies are rarely people who are confident and proud, 

   Bullies are usually those with confidence under a cloud,

   People resort to teasing, threats or name calling,

   While the victim can stand firm or may find themselves falling,

   Falling into a spiral of despair and upset,

   The bully's will certainly not have finished yet,

   Their strength is the weakness is someone else,

   Because they have no esteem to hold for themself,

   Whether it is a child or adult the result is still the same,

   A bully is always looking for someone else to blame,

   A bully feeds on fear, a bully feeds on reaction,

   A bully gets their kicks and some perverse satisfaction,

   from the suffering of others,  in whatever form,

   from online, in the workplace or the old fashioned school dorm,

   In the end a bully will always be found,

   Even anonymous messages, leave a cyber trail or a sound,

   Victims should try and remember all they have been taught,

   And regardless what the bully says, you will always have support.

    

   Ask.fm have over 50 million users. Lets hope they change the rules before they affect and change more lives.

   On a lighter note, if you want a different take on mean girls, take a look at this light hearted post from Actually Mummy.

    

    

3. Birthday gifts : Designer or design your own?

   Posted on 10:12am Thursday 8th Aug 2013

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   Guess what? It is my birthday tomorrow ... shhhhh ..... it's not a big birthday and I love birthday's so I am not really sure why I am suggesting that we be quiet about it! I have always loved birthdays, I love any excuse to get together with family and friends and I suppose the presents don't go amiss either!

   I was talking with one of my best friends yesterday and she was laughing at how much we had changed, I used to love nothing more than a house full of people for any occasion whereas now, I love having a few friends round and actually having the chance to talk to them (and maybe share a few glasses of wine)

   Once upon a time my birthday presents were designer clothes and accessories but this year there was simply nothing on the list. Everyone has kept asking me what I want but without sounding like an old cliche, I have everything I want. This is not to say that I wouldn't be thrilled with aforementioned designer clothes but they are not a priority like they once were.

   I seem to spend my time and money, cooing over gorgeous things for my daughters these days from every day playsuits from the high street to cute baby converse from high end stores like Alex and Alexa. So I do understand my family's reluctance to give me money as it usually just gets spent on the girls.

   I am as guilty as anyone for going overboard on birthday's and Christmas as I enjoy buying giving presents as much as I love receiving them but as I get older wiser, I love a handmade card as much as an expensive shop one and a personal present, rather than an expensive gift. As for my habits when buying presents and clothes for my own family and friends ...... I may not be quite so wise as I just can't resist shopping!!

    

    Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

   
   

4. To Baby Moon or not to Baby Moon?

   Posted on 10:18am Wednesday 7th Aug 2013

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   The constant press coverage and updates about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the new baby prince appears to have waned a little over the past week and it has been suggested that they are taking some time to have a "baby moon" . The Queen spent 30 minutes with her new great-grandson two days after he was born but we are sure that she is one of the first in a steady stream of visitors and dignatories that will want to welcome the little one into the world.

    

   Eight years ago, when I had my first child, I genuinely dont recall anyone having a "baby moon" then. I am not saying it's not a FANTASTIC concept but do times really change that fast? It totally makes sense to have some time on your own after the arrival of your newborn, a bit like the "time alone" newly married couples get on their honeymoon but dont you run the risk of offending so many friends and family?

    

   I recall a steady stream of visitors for the first 3-4 weeks at least but having some time to enjoy your newborn baby sounds nothing short of bliss.  I know everyone loves a tiny baby but sometimes you do feel like ringing some of the agents in Scotland and eloping to a new country, just for some quiet time. Although to be fair, the Royals could just nip up to Balmoral!!

    

   Are we creating a selfish society or is this purely time to nuture and cement a family bond with your partner and children? A new baby is a gift, should we be taking more time to enjoy it?

    

   What did you do?