Category: Views & Ramblings

1. I am going to Britmums Live - What do I wear??

   Posted on 8:34pm Monday 17th Jun 2013

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   This year has seen me gulp down some brave pills and decide to actually go and meet some fellow bloggers at some fantastic blogging events. I often feel massively out of my depth but I love meeting new people and I love to talk, so it shouldn't be too difficult should it?

   The difficult part for me is what do I wear? (I accept that many of the regular blog readers may click off now but those that know me well, will roll their eyes in amusement)

   I have a love of clothes but never have "anything" to wear. I always need a new dress / jeans and shoes .... oh the shoes! We had a big celebration last weekend so my thoughts were finding the perfect outfit for that and suddenly Britmums is this weekend and I have "nothing" to wear!

   I need an outfit that travels well (going on the train), looks cool (obviously), looks funky (hopefully) can go from day to night (I realise I maybe pushing it now) and has shoes that rock (without crippling me). So this is what I have decided on ...

   

   
   

   Britmums Live 2013 by littlelilypadco featuring asos boots

    

   Although I still have 3 whole days to change my mind again, and again!

2. How did we survive without Facebook?

   Posted on 4:28pm Monday 10th Jun 2013

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   I love technology, I am a secret tech geek. I love being able to get access to everything at the touch of a button but when I was left without a mobile phone for the first time in 15 years, I was grateful to Facebook and social media platforms to enable me to stay in touch with everyone! So what did we do before we had Facebook? How did we survive?

   I remember when I would get home from school and ring my friend on the house phone (you know the one with wires).

   I remember when I would make a date with a boyfriend and didn't feel the need to tweet / Facebook / bbm 10 squillion times before he actually came to collect me.

   I remember when I would go out for the day in the summer holidays as a teenager, without any mobile phone, and just know that I needed to be home by 4pm. (I used the watch on my wrist to tell the time)

   I remember when Candy Crush was just something you would get from the sweet shop at the end of the road.

   I remember when I would go out for the night with my girlfriends and the photos we took would end up in an album. (the kind with a back and front cover)

   I remember when I really didn't need to know what my friends had for breakfast / lunch / dinner  *delete as applicable*

   I remember when only my closest circle of friends knew my business ......

   

   So what did we do before Facebook? We definitely had more privacy but our circle of friends was possibly more insular. So if our privacy settings are right (and our candy crush addictions are kept under control), I think Facebook has brought old friends closer together (and possibly driven some apart). It has its place in today's society and there is no escaping it.

   Now let me go and update my status .......

    

3. Why I have no self control when it comes to shopping.

   Posted on 9:10pm Monday 27th May 2013

   

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   It is no secret that I love to shop. I can't even pretend that I don't shop, especially if I find a ludicrous bargain that I want to shout about. Even my neighbours know how much I love to shop (as they regularly accept parcels if I am not home) and I am an advertising agency's target market because I am such a consumer!

   My shopping habits have changed over the years, once upon a time it was all about that seasons dress or the perfect pair of designer jeans and whilst my love of shopping hasn't changed, I seem to spend much more on my gorgeous girls wardrobe's than I do on my own. No matter how much money you do or don't have, finding a bargain, never fails to give me a thrill, whether it be a designer handbag or toddler shoes, a bargain is a bargain whatever it is.

   

   62% of supermarket revenue comes from impulse buying so shopping online helps to find the best bargains on the high street but using sites to find the best deals of the week definately puts you one step ahead of the game, I personally love to check out the MyFamilyClub weekly Best Buys. Having a family doesn't mean that you need to stop spending, you just have to be a little more savvy and if you manage to save money on everyday essentials, it leaves more money to spend on shoes (that's how it works isn't it?)

   Image courtesy of sattva at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

4. What books should I read with my children?

   Posted on 10:27am Sunday 19th May 2013

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   Storytime is an important part of the bedtime routine in our house and what better way to enjoy quality time with your little one than by reading together? So how do you choose the right book for you and your children?

   Here are my favourites .... if you fancy finding something new to read?

   Stickman – Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

   "Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." This fabulous rhyming book teaches about rising above adversity and the value of family. It is so easy to read, I think I actually know it off by heart.

   Dogs don’t do ballet – Anna Kemp & Sara Oglive

   This is an entertaining tale about Biff the dog, but the problem is, Biff doesn't think he's a dog, Biff thinks he's a ballerina! This is an entertaining story of a small dog with a big character and even bigger dreams! It is one of those stories that you can read over and over again and shows that you can be whatever you want to be!

   Bumpus, Jumpus, Dinosaurumpus - Tony Mitton/Guy Parket-Rees

   This is great for children of all ages as it is a timeless tale. The exciting, fast-paced rhyme flows easily but then slows down naturally at the end, perfectly timed to calm the children in readiness for bedtime. 

   The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

   Arguably the best children’s book ever written and it is actually my particular favourite. It appeals to children of all ages with captivating rhymes and fantastic pictures. I know that it is now a short motion picture but I still prefer the book. It is a  true children’s classic. 

   Elmer – David McKee

   This is the tale of a loveable elephant who, for once in his life, wants to mingle with the rest of his herd and be like all the others. It is a lovely story with the subtle message that it is that it is OK to be different, which is why I think it is fab!

   Aliens Love Underpants – Claire Freedman & Ben Cort

   With bright animation throughout, this is a truly funny story and when reading this to any child, it always guaranteed to raise a chuckle as children think it is hilarious that you are talking about underpants. 

   There’s an Ouch in my Pouch – Garry Parsons

   Finally, this is a genuinely entertaining story about toddler behaviour, the discovery of independence and the pending arrival of a new baby. This is a perfect story if there is a new baby brother or sister due.

   What books do you love to read with your little one?