My family and I have played LEGO DOTS pretty much non stop for the entire weekend - and it has dawned on me that LEGO DOTS is the LEGO that I didn’t know we needed.
We have plenty of LEGO Bricks in our house - most of which has been passed down from my brother and husband to our kids, but sometimes I feel that unless the kids are given clear instructions as to what to build they sometimes don’t know where to start and then often get distracted away from it.
LEGO DOTS is different - it is a bit more arty & craft. There is more scope for creativity through pattern making and the use of colours and it feels somehow more free.
My daughter (aged nearly 6) especially enjoyed it, usually it is my son who is LEGO mad but she was completely immersed in it - making and then decorating a pineapple pen pot and bracelets for the whole family. She then even set up a pretend shop to sell all the things she had created. It was so good.
I also enjoyed how free and uninhibited my kids were with it and found it interesting and exciting to see what they did differently with certain pieces. My son, for example made a boxing ring fence out of the neon chains while my daughter made a robot’s hair from them - it was completely free playing and up to them to interpret and think about what to do with the different components, which is something i’ve not seen before when we have previous played LEGO bricks.
I also noted that there is less pressure to create a 3D master piece and more of a freedom to experiment and play around which I loved.
LEGO DOTS is a huge hit in our house (my husband and I are also loving it). I’ve loved seeing the freedom and creativity it has bought and I know it will remain a huge success in our family - for generations!
This post was kindly sponsored by LEGO. All thoughts are entirely my own (obviously).
It’s interesting, beginning a book, already disliking the main character. We know from the start that Anna Witherall has left or is leaving her kids - and without being too judgy, my first thought was how can a mother do that? What kind of woman walks out on her children? At the beginning, it seems obvious - she’s bad, she’s messed up, she had one job and she’s failed at it. But as the story opens up, we learn more about her motives and as we begin to get to know her, we can see that she’s operating in a loving capacity on just about every level.
From the outset, this book has suspense and intrigue embedded in every page. Of course, first and foremost it’s a thriller, but it’s more than that - it’s also a love story. Anna loves, therefore she’s vulnerable, therefore she can be corrupted, which ultimately leads to her failing at love.
I’m in awe of how cleverly Charlotte Philby has put this story together, in such a concise and astute way. Anna starts off as a clear cut character, with everyone around her in shadows, but at the end it's everyone else who is clear cut and Anna, courageous, loving, failing Anna, who is in shadows.
One of the hardest things to maintain in a novel, especially a thriller, is the pace and momentum throughout the story - knowing when to let it drop off a little, when to ramp it up and when to set the readers nerves to screech level.
In writing this book, Charlotte has achieved that in all the right places - there was an ebb and flow which was seductive, but she’s never lazy with her writing - there aren’t the cheap thrills that it would have been so easy to put in to ramp it up. Every sentence has it’s worth.
I love that I loved this book, because me and Charlotte chat on the gram and she kindly got her publisher to send me a copy and I was nervous - because what if it was rubbish? What if it wasn’t rubbish, but I didn’t like it?
I really needn't have worried. This is a remarkable read and with the news that Charlotte has been given the go ahead for two more novels, it’s clear that the thriller genre has got a serious new contender.
The Most Difficult Thing is published by Borough Press, available as an ebook now and hardback 11th July
Written by Hannah de Lasti
@alondonviewofbooks
]]>Last February half term my family, along with 3 other families went to Cornwall for a long weekend. We stayed at the amazing Tregulland Cottage & Barn in two interconnecting houses and had a lot of fun.
Altogether there were 8 adults and 12 kids (who’s ages ranged from 12 years to 8 months) which isn’t an easy number of people to coordinate and cater for - but somehow the houses made it so easy.
There was so much space - both in and out of the houses. Both places had large well equipped kitchens, a projector for watching movies, big but cosy sitting rooms, at least one bathroom for each family. Then there was the amazing indoor fresh water swimming pool, a games room with a table tennis table and loads of games - the kids (and the grown ups) absolutely LOVED it.
One night while we were there we were celebrating a friends birthday so decided to us the recommended caterers so no one had to cook - the food and service was excellent and it was such a fun evening.
We also enjoyed walking around the lake at the bottom of the garden and playing Tregulland’s own playground in the garden.
It was such a great break and despite the number of kids it was incredibly relaxing - and i think this was mainly down to the houses being so functional, spacious and nice to be in.
Tregulland is such a great option for large groups - it would make an excellent place for a party too, in fact the people arriving after us were there for a wedding which would have been brilliant i’m sure.
For more info please go to the website: http://tregullandandco.co.uk/tregulland/
This is a sponsored post but contains only honest content.
We have been contemplating getting an electric car for a while now - they are better for the environment and are cheaper to run, so when we were invited to try the Hyundai KONA Electric for a few days as part of Hyundai’s Clean Driving Challenge that aims to raise awareness and educated people on how they can make everyday changes to improve air pollution we jumped at the chance.
The Hyundai KONA Electric car can go for 300 miles on a single charge so we decided to take drive it from London to Kent and spent a day on the coast.
One thing I wondered about before we tried out the car was how to charge it and for some reason I was worried about running out of battery - but it is exactly the same as a petrol engine - apart from filling it with fuel, you plug it in. Electric charging points are becoming increasingly popular at motorway service stations. It is much cheaper than petrol and charging the battery up to 80% takes 75 minutes using a rapid (50kW) charger.
The other thing I was curious about was if it would be silent which it was - I even had to double check it was on the first time I drove it.
The Hyundai KONA Electric is an absolute dream to drive, so smooth and is incredibly easy to park - with a camera and parking sensors at the back. It is automatic and controlled by 4 easy buttons on the central console park / neutral / drive and reverse and the navigation system is easy and clear. The boot is a decent size as was the back seat which fitted 3 of us.
Approximately 50% of air pollution comes from road transport and 40% comes from diesel*. Opting for a ‘green’ vehicle with zero-emission is one way to combat this. Six million car journeys are made by Londoners every day (2m of those are under 2km)**. Other small changes we can make to our driving include going easy on the braking and acceleration so driving more smoothly, turning off your engine in stopped traffic and keeping your speed slow and steady.
We absolutely love this car and was reluctant to give it back.
This post was kindly sponsored by Hyundai, all thoughts are entirely my own.
**Source: London travel demand survey
*Source: Lethal and illegal: London's air pollution crisis
I love Christmas and the run up to it. I love it even more now I have children to share it with - the magic and wonder of it all through thier eyes makes it so much more exciting.
We have a couple of Christmas traditions in our family that without fail we honour every year. Some have been handed down from my parents to me and now to my children and others I started when my son was born 6 years ago.
There are so many things we do at Christmas year on year that I have never really questioned before. For example sending Christmas cards which were first created in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole and artist John Horsley who after having helped set up the Public Records Office (now the Post Office) created them as a way of encouraging people to use its services.
Christmas trees which have been around for a millennium in northern Europe first appeared in the UK when Prince Albert put one up at Windsor Castle in 1841.
Leaving stockings out at Christmas goes back to legendary gift giving saint St Nicholas, who was later referred to by the Dutch as Sinterklaas and eventually, by English-speakers, as Santa Claus.
One thing we do every year is that the stockings we use are my Grandpa’s old hand knitted RAF flying socks - the actual ones he wore in World War 2. My brother and I have had them as our stockings our whole life (or at least until we got too old for a stocking - a sad Christmas!) and now my children have them as theirs. They are massive, made of itchy cream wool and I can’t believe he actually wore them as socks.
Another tradition is that every Christmas Eve we all get new pyjamas and the kids get new books - which we all get wear and read on Christmas Eve before going to bed extremely excited!
This year the newest member of the family and for his first Christmas, will be receiving his very own copy of The Snowman. The Snowman has been a family favourite of mine my whole life and I can’t actually remember a Christmas without it. It is such a magic, sad, happy story and so beautifully illustrated - there really is nothing like it. And this year it is celebrating 40 years since it’s first publication.
This post was kindly sponsored by Barbour who are celebrating 40 years of The Snowman book first publication.
We have recently completed a back bedroom extension on our house. We built out over our kitchen’s flat roof to make our box bedroom bigger and am so pleased we did it. The room has gone from a fairly unusable one to a light, bright airy room that we use as a spare room, nursery and office.
The room has double doors that open up onto a roof terrace and it is south facing, in the summer it gets very bright and light so we needed some very reliable and efficient curtain solution.
Stitched created our perfect curtains - we went for a dark purple colour to match the pale grey of the room and the yellow detailing in the furniture. The fabric is thick, they have black out linings and the quality is amazing.
Stitched allows you to design your own curtains or blinds using a very clever, but super easy to use technology. It gives you the ability to see exactly what they will look like once they are made, and for you to decide what colour and type of fabrics to use.
Most of the fabrics they use are eco certified and they are made in the UK.
Here is some more information about this innovative company - that I would 100% recommend to anyone.
NAME OF COMPANY: Stitched
DATE IT WAS FOUNDED: October 2017 (our first birthday is coming up!!)
BY WHOM IT WAS FOUNDED: Elinor Pitt and Will Verrill
WHY WAS IT CREATED: The curtain and blind industry is old-fashioned and outdated, decorating your home should be fun! We wanted to create an Earth-friendly, fun way to de-mystify a seemingly ordinary product. Everyone's got windows!
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMPANY: Over 80% of our fabrics are milled here in the UK (which is very rare in interiors!) We hand-picked 7 of our favourite eco-friendly fabrics, available in 100+ colours - from bare to bold and everything in between. All of our curtains and blinds are stitched in our UK workshops, all made to measure, unique to your window. Stitched is only a year old but growing really fast - we have big ambitions for the future!
WHAT PRODUCT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF / WHAT SHOULD WE ORDER FROM YOU? We are proud of all of our products, we've worked really hard to find fabrics that are Earth-friendly and look great in any home, from traditional to modern, classic to industrial - we've got fabrics to suit any style. One of our fabrics, in particular, is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, which has proved to be a popular choice since Blue Planet's focus on ocean plastics earlier this year. Take a look at our fabrics here!
Featuring brands who we work with and know to be of top quality and all geared towards making being at home cosy and fun, these gifts will satisfy even the hardest to buy for people in your life.
The Soleia leopard print long pyjama set from Desmond and Dempsey marries a bold print with sophisticated tailoring for those who take leisure seriously. Crafted from 100% pure cotton, the pyjamas feature a sculpted hemline, buttoned cuffs and can be comfortably worn high-waisted or on the hips.
The duo notebook set is part of the Type and Story Balance collection which aims to promote overall wellbeing by encouraging people to write down their thoughts and daily Mantras and Masterplans! The Mantra notebook is a perfect counterpart to the Masterplan book and together they are a great gift for Christmas / new year. New year, new start and new dreams…
Inspired by clean Scandinavian design, the lightweight Lily Bag from ASK Scandinavia is the perfect balance of style and practicality. It's designed to hold everything you could possibly need for outing with kids, and it works perfectly as a work or gym bag, too! Made in Europe with high-quality Italian padded nylon
In Richochet: David Bowie 1983, Denis O’Regan’s photos provide a thrilling, intimate view of life on the road with one of the most celebrated musicians of all time. Denis worked with Bowie for the entire 9 months of his largest ever tour - Serious moonlight - which featured 99 concerts in over 60 cities. Every image in Ricochet was personally approved by Bowie himself - and the result is a music photography book like no other. Published by Penguin
This is Smalls Women’s everlong Merino Tee. Cool when it's warm and warm when it's cool. Dress up with a blazer or pair it down with our 24/7 Trouser and head to your fave gym class, then why not carry on into the night and have a perfectly temperature regulated sleep. Smalls also work as the best ski base layer we've ever known. We're not actually sure when you need to take it off?
Eleanor Bowmer is a Textile Designer and Illustrator and is a lover of all things print! Her love for interiors and painting is reflected in all of her products. From art prints to these tea towels she has the perfect gifts. She puts a twist on household and fashion accessories by injecting a little bit of fun!
Incredibly cosy, 100% handmade sheepskin moccasins by Small Home, traditionally crafted in the Polish Mountains.
Each pair of moccasins is lovingly and individually handmade using techniques that have been passed down through generations of a Polish family. The suede soles are molded by hand, then hand-stitched to soft sheepskin uppers and the colourful flower design on the toe is hand-embroidered using British rare-breed yarns.
'GIRLS'. Illuminated Artworks & Fairground-inspired signs. Cut and painted by hand from Meg Tait's studio in Brighton. "I've been fascinated by words for a long time, and it was when I got married that I first made a sign; it said 'fabulous' which was our dress code. It was a bit of a (literal) light-bulb moment, I loved making it, and I pretty much dropped everything I was doing work-wise and focused on making signs as a job. Which is now exactly what I do, and it's so fun" More words available.
Stackers bestselling classic sized jewelry box is ideal for most jewelry collections. It provides a unique space for all types of jewelry, from necklaces to rings, to charms and watches. Keep your ever-expanding jewelry collection tangle-free and organised.
We love a small brand and this one really ticks all the boxes - personal and beautiful, good for gifts but also good to buy yourself, we thought we’d ask the founder, Niccy, for a bit of background on Type and Story.
NAME OF BRAND/COMPANY:
DATE IT WAS FOUNDED:
June 2017
BY WHOM IT WAS FOUNDED:
Niccy Iseman
WHY WAS IT CREATED:
Type and Story was born out of a need to find meaning in visual language with the lack of purposeful design within gifting. Whilst on maternity leave in 2016 I delved deep into creating and making in my evenings to create something complete free from the constraints of budgets and clients id previously had in my past jobs. It was a pure passion project for the love of typography. It has now turned into so much more.
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BRAND:
That Type and Story is all about purposeful gifting with 'good living' at the core of each story / collection. Each collection has a message and its exactly that, that I hope resonates with our buyer. Sign-painting for example, our launch collection aims to show the power of creating something different and new out of old traditions and ideas. Our Balance story / collection is all about reflecting and reassessing. Little snippets of the 'story' are included within the product and packaging aiming to help create the bigger picture. We don't just design pretty things!
WHAT WE SHOULD BUY FROM YOU:
Our Monogram Notebook sets make for very thoughtful personalised gifts. They suit lots of special occasions like weddings, new babies, new homes and travelling etc. I always found it hard as the gifter friend to know how to acknowledge these special life changing occasions in a personal, practical and contemporary way.
MGallery by Sofitel have a new offering designed especially for women by women called Inspired By Her, and last week my mum and I spent a night away at The Castle Hotel in Windsor to try it out. We loved it and had such a great time.
It was so nice to take my mum - to sit, chat and simply spend time with one another in a stunning environment and without all the distractions of life and to do lists. My mum supports me so much with our kids and she is always there to listen, help and advice me when I need. Her motivation, positive attitude, creativity and sense of humor is a constant inspiration and I feel so much gratitude to have her as my mum and my children's Gaggy.
Inspired by Her is a specially thought out offer for women, designed by women that addresses the distinct needs of female travellers. It is all in the details and includes things like luxe beauty products, such as the Nuxe skincare range and smaller sized robes in the rooms, well balanced healthy menus - available in the restaurant and as room service, and access to things like Wolford tights, manicure kits and lifestyle and fashion magazines.
MGallery by Sofitel is a collection of luxury boutique hotels (there are 90 in 24 countries) all of which have their own style and personality that has been inspired by the local history and hotel's heritage. The Castle Hotel in Windsor where we stayed is inspired by it's rich Royal history and of course the famous Windsor Castle, which we could see from our bedroom window.
After an easy journey from London to Windsor and a short walk from the train station we sat down to the most delicious Afternoon Tea, in the hotel's bar area next to an open fire. It contained an array of sandwiches, cakes, scones, tarts, chocolate mousse and all you can drink tea. It was the dream for a pregnant person like me!
After Tea we went for a wonder around Windsor (great shopping) and to have a look at the castle before returning to our beautiful suite for a relax (and another cup of tea) before dinner.
Our suite was named after a Royal Warrant Holder and featured artwork inspired by them. It had two double bedrooms and two bathrooms with an interconnecting sitting room. We were greeted with a handwritten note, a plate of fresh fruit and macaroons, magazines and beauty products.
All around the hotel there was Royal and Windsor inspired artwork - I particularly liked the original servant bells that have been restored and remounted in the restaurant and a display of hanging books with words calved out of them.
For dinner we dined in the hotel's restaurant - the food was absolutely delicious. We started with the Inspired By Her Superfood Salad (which was tasty and pretty with edible flowers) but unfortunately (due to being pregnant) I had to miss out on The Healthy Lady cocktail but it sounded amazing - next time.
After a great night's sleep (with no bed-invading kids) we went down to the restaurant for a delicious breakfast of fruit, yogurt, eggs, coffee - actually anything you could wish for. We then went for a look around the Hotel which has an enormous 400 people capacity ballroom, with massive chandeliers hanging from it's vaulted ceiling. It was also a chance to ask the hotel manager what they have planned for the Royal Wedding - they are already fully booked.
We then checked out just in time to see the Changing of the Guard procession which happens every day right outside the hotel.
The Inspired By Her offering is currently available at all MGallery by Sofitel hotels of which there are five in the UK including Woughton House, Queens Hotel Cheltenham , Francis Hotel Bath , Castle Hotel Windsor and Victory House.
This post was kindly sponsored by MGallery by Sofitel. All thoughts, opinions and experiences are entirely my own.
Thanks for having us - we loved it!
]]>My family and I have just returned from spending a week in Morocco - we went over the February half term to Marrakech and loved it.
We stayed outside of Marrakech in a Boutique Hotel/ House called Casa Taos that we found via i-escape.com. We decided that staying out of town would give us the the best of both - space for the kids to run around, peace and quiet and fresh air but at the same time we were able to dip into the action in Marrakech town which was only a 20 min taxi ride away.
Casa Taos was perfect - it is family owned guest house with bedrooms around a courtyard in the main building as well as a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom house in the garden - where we stayed. There is a swimming pool, palm trees, hammocks, citrus trees, a tree house for the kids to play in and lots of different areas in the stunning garden to sit and relax. The home cooked and often home grown food was delicious - it was mostly traditional Moroccan food and included dishes like lamb tagine, vegetable couscous, hummus and freshly baked bread. They also had a children's and lunch menu which all changed daily.
We got out and about a fair bit while we in Marrakech and our top tips are:
YSL Museum + Jardin Majorelle - I loved the YSL Museum, the architecture was stunning and being a fashion lover the subject was interesting too. We also went to the Jardin Majorelle which is right next door to the museum and is full of colours and cactus.
Nomad + La Jardin Restaurant - these were both restaurants that were recommended to us before we went and they did not disappoint. Nomad's food was delicious (and included a great kids menu), we sat on the roof and enjoyed the views of the Souks. La Jardin is a great place if you want a rest from the bustle of the town. It is set in a green, tropical courtyard with different terraces and a couple of tortoises wondering around.
Anima Gardens is about a 40 minute drive from the main square (where the free bus runs too and from) The garden was stunning, so colourful and creative and all set to a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. We had lunch at the cafe and the kids ran around and played hide and seek amongst the sculptures.
Shopping in the Souks - We headed into the Souks a few times while we were in Marrakech - they are amazing. We all found it fascinating - the kids were captivated by the bussel and energy of the place and I couldn't get over how much buying and selling there was. We didn't go crazy with the shopping although I did manage to come home with a couple of baskets and wooden snakes for the kids.
Other frequently asked questions:
The weather - the week before we arrived they had had rain all week but when we arrived the sun came out. The evenings were cold but it was hot (average 20 degrees) when the sun was out.
Kids - our kids (aged 5.5 and 3.5 years old) loved it, there was so much to see. There was a fair amount of walking so we took a buggy which they both went in at times. We went out for an early dinner one evening and although it was great to enjoy the evening atmosphere we had to keep a close eye on the children as I could see how easy it would be to loose one!
This post was in exchange / partnership with i-escape.com who provided part of accomodation in return for an honest review of our stay.
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What an absolute treat it was to receive this book by post. The packaging alone makes you feel like you’re unwrapping some wonderfully kept secret, and when you open it, it’s pages are full of magical sounding mixtures, which have been formulated to transport you to a more relaxing and organic place. The temptation was to rush out (aka open my Amazon app) and buy all the ingredients so I could make my own face masks and potions, but sensibly, I held off. I would have bankrupted myself. Instead this, for me, is a reference book, a pick up and flick through book and obviously a coffee table book (if I had a coffee table).
It’s beautifully illustrated and quirkily written - the authors run the ‘chicest beauty emporium in the world’ (Vogue Magazine) - L'Officine Universelle Buly in Paris and although they have had a counter at Dover Street Market since 2016, this is the year that they launch their products in Selfridges. They consistently recommend that you take a bath and relax and that for me, makes it a winner! It would make a lovely gift for someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world or for someone with leanings toward a more plant based approach to beauty. An atlas of natural beauty by Victoire de Taillac and Ramdane Touhami
Sarah Ramos is an author, illustrator and London based yoga teacher, and ‘Lily Lightbulb lights up’ is her third book. It’s a sweet story, with a theme of friendship and sharing, which would appeal to younger kids as a story book, but also as a read alone (or with help) book for older kids, which is what my 6 year old did. Lily Lightbulb lights up by Sarah Ramos
I constantly laugh at Mother Pukka’s (aka Anna Whitehouse) Stories on Insta and think she is doing wonders for the flexible work appeal, as well as appreciate her on going keeping-it-real method of parenting, but I was slightly sceptical about this book.
It seemed to me that when you become a parent, there is no manual and you do just muddle through and in many ways that has been the making, (and the breaking) of me. But what Anna and her husband Matt Farquharson have done, is document their trials and tribulations of not just trying to become parents, but the everyday-ness of being one.
I really felt PTSOOL comes from the heart and is clearly a really good way of connecting with their parenting audience. And yes, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would - they can both write (obviously, Anna has a background in journalism and Matt is a copywriter - amongst other things) and the book is a pretty neat split between the two of them, often writing about the same subjects but obviously from different angles, which was a really nice touch.
I think this book is a bit like a good NCT group. When you pick it up, you find people who have gone through the exact same thing you are and are not afraid to discuss it. It’s a fabulous way of feeling less lonely at some of the hardest and yet most rewarding times of your life. It’s funny, well written and there are some useful tips in there. If you or a friend are about to set off down the parenting path, and think you might like a bit of realism and humour along the way, this is for you. Parenting the Shi* out of life by Mother and Pappa Pukka
So here’s the thing. I love these kind of books. They’re not self help as such, they’re more of a reminder as to how to be a better you. I’ve tried a few real self help books before and they don’t really work for me - I end up feeling self conscious and self indulgent and my inner Brit just tells me to pull my bloody socks up and get on with it, because, much like childbirth, no one else can do it for you.
But Sarah Knight has somehow come up with a magical formula (I haven’t read the other two, maybe I should, maybe I will, but I don’t think it matters) where she uses humour and her knowledge of people, and their foibles and insecurities but also their strengths, to create a book that I can pick up, read a few pages, either nod my head in recognition, chuckle to myself in understanding or shake my head in exasperation, but basically end up feeling quite empowered, and a little bit more in control.
I actually feel like I’m at quite a good level of ‘me doing me’ at this stage in my life. I love the freedom of not feeling like I have to go to everything or do everything that people expect of me and I am a calmer person as a result. However, the danger of picking up these sort of books is that I fool myself into thinking it's going to be a magic bullet and after reading them, I will no longer be unnecessarily grumpy with my children, or husband or just generally down on life, but of course I will be, because I am a bloody human and sometimes I am not the best human I could be. As long as you can remember that whilst reading this, you’ll be fine.
So yes, after reading this book, I felt like I wasn’t just being selfish by saying no to things, I was just joining in with a new movement of recognising that perfect isn’t an option, and that is OK.
If you feel like you could do with a bit of help to do the same, have a read. If nothing else, it will make you chuckle and I can pretty much guarantee you’ll get something out of it. You do you by Sarah Knight
All book reviews were written by Hannah @alondonviewofbooks . If you would like to submit a book for review please drop her a line on info@dresslikeamum.com.
]]>We've developed a bit of thing for the Netherlands. Maybe it's their love of cycling, good design and their laid back vibe. So when we were invited to go to Etfeling - a fantasy themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel where the attractions are based on elements from ancient myths and legends, fairy tales, fables, and folklore, we jumped at the chance.
We decided that driving could be fun (and fairly straight forward) and that taking the ferry could be part of the experience for the kids. So on a very windy October morning we arrived at Dover and boarded our P&O ferry. The waves bashed against the ship and the ferry rocked from side to side - but no one was sick and the kids loved watching the white cliffs get further away and we think this gave them a sense of leaving the UK far more than getting on a plane would have.
After about three hours of driving from Calais we arrived at Loonsche Land Hotel. It has recently been built and on arrival you immediately understand you're going to be getting into the spirit of the place. You are greeting with giant antlers that come out out the roof of the main hotel, which is set in a simple yet magical grounds.
The kids immediately headed for the obstacle course play area set over the lake, which was next to a small petting farm and a very cool barn converted into a climbable haystack and slide.
Our room kept up the woodland feel with a tree house style mezzanine for the kids to sleep on. The hotel restaurant, bar area and food was great - really well set up for families, with a play area and kids menu. Efteling theme park is either a short walk through the woods or mini-train ride from the Loonsche Land Hotel.
On our first day we started in the Sprookjesbos (Fairy Forest) which is the oldest and original area of the Park - Efteling is one of the oldest theme parks in the world and first opened in 1952. We discovered talking trees, musical toadstools, Sleeping Beauty's castle, giant monstrous fish and sleeping snoring giants.
After emerging from the Fairy Forest we headed for the mini steam train that travels the circumference of the park. On the way we made one of our many trips to the Diorama (miniature world) which became a firm favourite of our eldest boy. The rest of the morning was filled with all sorts of rides and then lunch was at the Polles Keuken, for some traditional Dutch pancakes and to watch the crazy spinning oven.
The afternoon was spent on more rides, playing games before heading to the Het Witte van Raveleijn restaurant for a 'dining experience'. Which involved the kids going to the kitchen to collect their meal which was served on a wooden board and Ben being given a red neck-a-chief and told he was the boss of carving.
On our second day we went to watch the impressive Raveleijn horse show with stunts, fire breathing sets and well trained birds. Our son is still talking about Thomas the red knight, and insisted on us buying his sword and cape.
We had lunch at the Octopus restaurant which had the most amazing version of a soft play area in it i've ever seen - think iceberg slides and a climbing monkey jungle with sound effects!
We could have stayed for another day in the park, but we felt two days was about right. If you had slightly older kids and could take them on all the rollercoasters and three days would only just cover the place.
We absolutely loved Efteling - it has everything you want form a theme park in terms of variety of rides, for both dare devils and little kids, but then it is also beautifully done, plus it is full of heritage and authenticity. The detailing and design show an imagination and pride that we've not come across in our UK parks and we look forward to returning.
Efteling Tickets & Info can be found here.
P&O ferry crossing info here.
This post was created in partnership with Efteling.
]]>I have recently partnered with shopping channel QVC on their Blogger Series where I have compiled my edit of must have items from their fashion, beauty and homeware collections.
As part of the collaboration I had the opportunity to spend a morning at QVC's head office and studios in London; I found it fascinating and a lot of fun. I loved seeing the sets and studios where they do all the filming, watching the presenters live-in-action and discovering all the amazing products they stock.
I had the opportunity to do a presenter mock-audition which I loved. Every show has a QVC presenter and then an 'expert' (in this case I was the expert!). I was briefed, fitted with an earpiece and given some pointers on the best way to describe the products to the people watching at home and how to encourage them to buy them.
The idea is to get the potential customer to picture themselves with the item, to give them ideas of how, when and with what they could wear it with, to talk about the details, look and feel of it. Because they can't actually touch or feel the item - in my case a very cool star studded handbag - you really have to put yourself in their place, describe in detail what it is like and why it would be good for them.
I had a team behind the scenes watching me on screens in another room giving me instructions, tips and feedback on what to say - like 'describe the fabric', 'what occasion could they wear the bag for', 'show the fastening zip'. The whole experience was really fun and I think with a bit of practice I could get really into it.
Behind the scenes of the studios are whole teams who's jobs it is to closely monitor what is selling, what reaction the audience is having (in real time) and when to move on to talking about something else. I was so impressed by the data and technology that is involved - it is so fast paced, and when it needs to be reactive the whole programme can change and be flexible.
The next part of the day was spent selecting products for my QVC Blogger Edit - which was like a shopping dream. QVC sell brands such as Tarte cosmetics, Liz Earle, Elemis, Amanda Wakley, Lulu Guinness, Dyson, Kelly Hoppen, Orla Keily and many more - some of which I knew and some were new discoveries.
I have chosen some amazing quality makeup, cosmetics, jewellry, clothes and accessories. There are some awesome velvet ankle boots, handbags, makeup and clothes - perfect for Christmas parties and gifts.
Amanda Wakeley The Presley Leather Crossbody Bag £318 / Evolve Beauty 2 Piece Hyaluronic Feast £30.50 / Adesso Destiny Velvet Ankle Boot £66 / Tarte Limited Edition Spellbound Glow Rainbow Highlighter £27
QVC launched in the UK in 1993 and has 3 stand-alone channels: Beauty, Style and Extra - which are a mixture of prerecorded, re-packaged content and live. They also have an award winning app and website.
This blog post was created as part of my partnership with QVC.
]]>Being resident book blogger for DLAM means I’m lucky enough to get sent lots of different books to read and review, which is basically my dream job (just in case it matters to anyone, I’m also Head of Stationary for DLAM which is also my dream job, although it is harder to review an envelope).
Anyway, over the last few months, I’ve had a few books sent to me, some of which I really liked and some of which I haven’t.
It’s obviously really important to stay honest and genuine with my thinking towards these books, despite the fact that someone, somewhere, went to the trouble of packing the book up, writing my name on it and sending it to me (and indeed writing it in the first place!). I really don’t want to upset anyone (books are such subjective things) but also I do need to be honest and speak truthfully about how I feel about these publications.
So I thought I would do a little round up of the books I’ve been sent recently, which for whatever reason, have stuck with me - for example, often I’m not the target audience, but I can see that they would be a good read for a certain person (age, gender, stage of life etc) or they have just struck a chord with me for whatever reason.
So in no particular order, here you are - my roundup of books I’ve liked over the last few months:
If you have kids and an eye for beautiful design you will probably know this series of books, We Found a Hat being the third (the other 2 being I Want My Hat Back and This Is Not My Hat). Firstly, it’s so lovely to look at - its cover is calming and peaceful and cosy. Inside it’s a lovely story, which kids up to 4 or 5 will enjoy being read, but equally my 6 year old daughter enjoys reading it to me, finding it totally relatable as the storyline is so relevant to kids working their way through playgroups, nursery & school!. Anyway, for some reason it always triggers a response in me, usually making me cry!? It’s a touching, sweet story about kindness and friendship and it’s lovely.
So this was an odd one for me because it’s been written by a new dad for other new dads, doing what so many women have done before - trying to pass on some wisdom, tips and knowledge to all the other new parents who are treading in his footsteps.So, in other words really not geared towards me. But - I read it and laughed throughout, appreciating the way it tried to dispel some of the myths and legends that we have in pregnancy and presenting the information in an approachable way. I think my husband would have enjoyed it if he’d read it before we had our first kid, because the tongue in cheek and ‘we’re all in it together’ approach works well. It’s really very funny and very honest. It would be a good present to get a mate who was about to become a dad, as there is some useful stuff in there and clearly Lee Price has got knowledge and experience. I think men do fairly badly in the whole pregnancy and new baby book department which is a mistake, because their lives are changing too. This laddish, funny approach to imparting information and knowledge, is a good start.
I wanted to mention this one because I really liked the idea behind it, but it did have it’s limitations. Even though it’s not really something that I would review on the DLAM blog, I thought it would be interesting because my 9 year old son is really into chess and obviously I’m keen to promote that (anything but more Xbox!). I gave him a copy to read, with a bit of background (and also the promise that he could have the app that accompanies it if he read the book and give me his opinion - bribery yes, what of it?)
The upshot was that he didn’t get very far with the book but I think I know why. It tries to make the game of chess into a story, in theory enabling children to really understand each pieces move and the reason why they can do those moves. I felt the book was very much geared towards girls, (Lord Price wrote it for his daughter, to help her understand the game) giving it a slightly fairy tale-esque slant, with a sister and her brother on a quest to save their kingdom. For my son, it was too girly and he felt it was a bit ‘old fashioned’. But for some kids, this will only increase it’s appeal. My son just wants to play, and preferably win, at chess. But for kids who like a bit more in depth knowledge about a game, this would be a really good place to start.
This is billed as a self help book, specifically for mothers who may be struggling with their identity and position in the workplace post babies.It attempts to enable women to take positive steps, in small but meaningful increments, to get back their previous confidence and career drive, using strategies and tips to promote self worth. It’s split into chapters and the reader is encouraged to dip in and out, taking from the book what they need. I really liked the idea of this book, having spent the last few years in a fug of not knowing what my next step would be.
I enjoyed individual chapters, I enjoyed the feeling that someone else felt like me when I had young kids (the isolation, days spent not really talking to grown ups whilst I pushed a small person on the swing for the 10,0000th time, the lack of connection with people) and I can see that Louise has an incredible brain - not only to be able to articulate all these things that I thought (and so I can only imagine a lot of other mums did too) but to get it put into book form and sell it.
This would be a really great read for a mum to buy herself one day, to dip into whilst the kid naps or is at nursery for a few hours, not just as a way of thinking about how you might move forward in the future, but also as a way to reconnect with yourself in the present.
I think that the Supermum is a character made up by the media to market unneeded things to mums who are either feeling the mum guilt or are about to start feeling the mum guilt. This is a subject which this book attempts to tackle, which is one of lots of different reasons why any mother who doubts herself and her mothering ability (ie, all mothers) who turn to books for help, should read this one. It’s a wellness guide, it’s a self help book, it's an all round, holistic approach for allowing yourself to enjoy motherhood, using everything from CBT to mindfulness techniques to help.
Anya has a lovely, personal way of writing which makes you think that it’s written specially for you and her use of personal stories and other case studies means that every angle is covered. Full disclosure, i’m quoted in the book as I was one of Anya’s pilates students and she knows I like to talk, and reading my own words in relation to subjects which are fairly close to the bone really strikes a chord, especially when alongside other women who have bravely spoken out about issues which affect most or all of women when they become parents.
I have kept this book on my bedside table to pick up and dip into when I’ve had a particularly challenging day - it’s like having your best mate on her best form by your side at all times, supporting you and basically telling you that everything's going to be ok.
The last chapter, ‘Letting go of perfect’, is such a good way to release yourself from the guilt of feeling like you’re getting things wrong - it reminds you that we are, all, good enough. And that’s good enough for me.
Read, reviewed and written by Hannah de Lasti www.londonviewofbooks.com
]]>My children's bedroom is one of my favourite rooms in our house - I love seeing all their things, the colours, space and furniture - but most of all I love seeing them having fun there.
I am from a family of designers and studied 3D Design at university so I knew I wanted their bedroom to be good quality, well designed and functional.
The main thing we invested in was a bunk bed which they absolutely love (and actually manage to stay in for most of the night!). Our kids (currently aged 3 & 5) share a room, this is mainly due to lack of space so we decided to maximise floor (and playing area) by getting a bunk bed.
The bed is designed by a Scandinavian company called Oliver Furniture who create high quality, sustainable wooden furniture and I have been so impressed by both the design, quality and ease of build. Oliver Furtniture are based just north of Copenhagen and manufacture in Europe (their stuff is all amazing).
The version we went for was the wood + white with the end ladder but it is also available in different finishes and with a front ladder.
OLIVER FURNITURE White and Oak Curved Bunkbed by Oliver £1635
The other thing we wanted to create was a cosy reading corner with bean bags. We read a lot of stories so it was important to have a space to do this.
I also wanted to have a shelf that the kids could access themselves - where they could keep and reach books and toys. Also this is a shelf for life so although it is in their room it may well one day end up somewhere like the kitchen..
We have had these display shelves for a while now and absolutely love them. I tend to change what is on them around a bit - to let toys have their moments instead of being hidden away in storage boxes. The kids love looking at all their things on them too.
Babou wall-mounted shelving by ‘Rose in April’ £79
This post was created in partnership with Nubie - who are all about Modern Design For Kids. They have so many beautiful things - not just for kids.
Nubie are offering a 10% discount to dresslikeamum.com readers with code: DLAM
]]>Temple Cycles hand make bicycles in Bristol, Southwest England. The company was founded by (a very cool guy) Matt - who after running a small vintage bicycle restoration business while studying Mechanical Engineering at University started designing his own, and this later evolved into Temple Cycles.
I had been looking for a bicycle for a while when I discovered Temple Cycles. It was important to me to get a bike I really loved, enjoyed riding and that looked great. I have had bikes in the past that i've not liked and it has taken the enjoyment out of cycling.
My husband and I went to meet Matt and visit Temple's workshop just outside Bristol so I could test ride some bikes and immediately I was in love!
The bikes are made from a lightweight and durable steel frame and are painted with a highly durable coating which protects them and gives them the unique pastel colours. I went for a cream coloured frame but they are also available in pale grey, mint green and dark blue - you can also get one custom painted to order (yes I nearly got a pink one).
They come with a Brooks leather saddle which is super comfortable, I also went for the bamboo mud-guards and a wicker basket and a very satisfyingly copper dinning bell. I also opted for the leather carrying handle that fixes to the bottom of the frame - this is such a great idea and design and really works well.
Another important thing for me to was to get a good looking, comfortable helmet to match the bike. I went for a Dashel Cycle helmet - which is a company that was founded by an ex-colleague of mine. They also manufacture in England using premium, sustainable materials. There is a massive lack of good looking cycling helmets on the market so I was really pleased to discover them.
I really (really) love this bike. It is a joy to ride and is a privilege to be able to be able to support such an authentic, exciting British brand.
]]>The Awkward age by Francesca Segal
Did you know that it’s scientifically proven that in teenagers, the hormone that encourages sleep, melatonin, isn’t released until late in the evening and continues being released in the morning, meaning they can’t help but go to bed late and wake up late? I didn’t. But I wish I had known, in fact I wish my parents had known, because it probably would have made that particular stage of my life a little more pleasant.
James and Julia however, do seem to know, both seeming to have the ‘being parents to teenagers’ thing licked at the beginning (only at the beginning mind) of The Awkward Age, a novel about trying to do whats right for you as an adult but also your beloved offspring - and realising that often, it can’t be one and the same thing.
Julia is a widow, her husband leaving her and their heartbroken daughter Gwen living in the family home and with close ties to his parents. Julia falls in love with James, the American divorcee doctor with two kids, one of whom, Nathan, is still young enough to have to live at home when not at boarding school. Gwen and Nathan hate each other. This makes James and Julia sad and they decide to go on holiday together to try and make it all better. Instead, they unleash hell and everything goes to shit.
What follows is a funny, beautifully written story of an unusual family, detailing how far removed teenagers are from being the child they once were and from being the adult they will become.
Throughout the book, the close relationship that Julia and Gwen have at the beginning is torn to shreds which I found a little heartbreaking - Gwen starts to think that her mum doesn’t love her and I think that at some points Julia’s devotion to Gwen is sorely tested. I thought that as a mother, I’d be completely on Julia’s side, but in fact the writing is so precise and engaging, I found myself remembering being a teenager and really sympathising with Gwen’s bloody mindedness.
As a parent to young kids, it’s fairly easy to love them 90% of the time (don’t call social services, I challenge anyone to feel deep love at 4am when you’ve been woken up 5 times beforehand because the cuddly toy they can’t find is on the floor by the bed - again).
However, when my beautiful young children turn into sulky, hormonal teenagers, is it going to be a challenge to even like them 90% of the time? Anyone else hear ‘I love you but I don’t like you’ fairly regularly throughout their teenage years? I certainly did, but that’s ok, because sometimes, I wasn’t very likeable. What this book has reminded me of though, is that being a teenager is bloody hard, but with lots of understanding, love and patience, once they come out of the other side, you’ll be left with an adult who also understands how hard you’ve tried. And please remember about the melatonin, it could save everyone a lot of grief.
Book review by Hannah @alondonviewofbooks
]]>My 9 year old is hilariously easy to embarrass. I only have to say the word S. E. X (even in the context of Middlesex, seriously) and he goes the most beautiful pink colour whilst scrambling to get out of earshot. I have sat down with him and gone through the very basics of the facts of life, but he couldn’t cope with much and frankly, I’m in no rush for him to know all the details - I guess that soon enough that’s all he’ll be thinking / talking about. But the good old Clare Rayner book that I bought to assist with that conversation is a little dated and although very factual and not too complicated, doesn’t really cover all the issues that kids these days need to know.
The same cannot be said about this book, which the nice Robert Winston with the big mustache has written, alongside other worthy contributors including child psychologists, mental health nurses and professors in sexuality education (no, i didn’t know that was a thing either).
This book literally covers EVERYTHING. Literally - from studying abroad to armpits, dandruff to halitosis, household chores to safer sex - it’s all in here. It’s format is simple, there are chapters and within the chapters are more detailed sections. There are diagrams and pictures, little boxes with side points. It’s this that makes it so useful - a lot of the info is for older kids (it’s meant to cater for kids aged 9 - 18) but as the chapters have been broken down into different sections, you can ensure that your kid only sees the bits that are relevant (unless you let them loose on it, which I wouldn’t recommend for anyone younger than 15/16).
In a year or so, I’ll be able to sit down with my kid and talk him through the healthy body section (maybe he’ll start actually washing in the shower rather than just making a godawful mess). The healthy mind section will be useful too, to engage him in chats about positive mental health from a young age, and covering confidence and self esteem and resilience and stress as he makes the transition from primary to secondary education. There’s a great chapter on School life, with homework tips and of course the all important Digital life chapter, all about staying safe on the internet, and how to use social media effectively. There is also, obviously, everything you need them to know about sex and reproduction, all in glorious technicolour - I honestly found a lot of it really informative, and although I knew most things (but not all!) it’s really helpful to have the facts laid out in such a clear and direct way.
I genuinely think this book will give me the confidence to tackle issues which I feel important to have a dialogue with my kids about - as with all things in life, I feel more confident with a book in my hand and as a reference resource for me and them, this will go a long way toward being able to broach certain subjects, secure in the knowledge that I’m giving them the right information.
In many ways this is the modern day Clare Rayner book, dependable, sensible, not too worthy and above all, hugely informative. For parents of kids aged nine upwards, I would say this is a must have.
Review by Hannah @alondonviewofbooks
]]>I’ve been married for 7 or 8 years now (both my husband and I regularly forget exactly how long it has been and have to be reminded by friends and family - I count that in our favour for relationship compatibility) and it still never ceases to amaze me how male he is. For instance, when I say things like, ‘y’know I just felt that, well, it was a bit weird, y’know?’, he genuinely doesn’t know what I’m talking about and really needs me to clarify, whereas a female friend will say ‘oh I know, totally agree, it was weird’. And she means it.
Men also guage relationships differently (mainly by how much sex they're having) while we, as women, are much more emotionally intuitive (obviously I’m generalising but I think that’s mainly fact) and what Standard Deviation does so brilliantly is actually lead the reader through the workings of a man's thought process and highlights the differences in how a man (in this case Graham) and a woman (his 2nd wife Aura) think.
The story follows Graham through a small mid life crisis and explores the way he parents his autistic son whilst also trying to figure out Aura, who is a dynamo of a woman, whichever way you look at it. Graham is actually a really lovely husband and father. He’s also a bit of a dick, but not in a mean way - more in a ‘how did this actually happen to me?’ way, so he remains likeable.
Alongside the story of their relationship, this is also a brilliantly funny insight into the challenges and rewards that having a child with special needs can provide. It’s set in New York and the family and their numerous associates feel very American (funnily enough) and sometimes they feel like caricatures of themselves, but actually I think it’s just that they are American and therefore do things differently to the British.
The main crux of the story is how a man and a woman, who are in an imperfect marriage (ie the only kind), come at life from completely different angles and sometimes, just sometimes, end up in the same place.
It’s a good, meaty read, with an outcome which I found strangely satisfactory. Being in an imperfect marriage myself, this story helped me remember that although men do think differently to us, and although loving and being loved is amazing, it doesn’t always guarantee a happily ever after - it is however, a bloody good place to start.
This book review was written by Hannah @alondonviewofbooks
]]>I am very pleased to introduce the first in a new series of Book Reviews. The reviews will be written by the amazing Hannah de Lasti who already has a popular Book Blog: A London View of Books and who is the fastest reader in town.
Hannah will be regularly reading and reviewing and helping you choose your next book. If you are an author or have any suggestions of books you think should be featured in the DLAM Book Review Series then please email Hannah on: info@dresslikeamum.com. And if you have feedback on the books we feature please feel free to add your comments in the box at the end of the post. Thanks Zoë X
THIS IS GOING TO HURT BY ADAM KAY
This is obviously an ‘interesting’ time for the NHS. The amazing service they provide to us on a daily basis in London alone, coupled with the pressure they've been under very recently from the terror attacks and the Grenfell Tower disaster, means that my admiration and gratitude for all of its staff has never been greater. So reading a first hand account of the daily grind, straight from the horse's mouth, felt really appropriate.
Adam Kay kept this diary throughout his journey as a junior doctor, outlining the pitfalls of each stage and attempting to document the reality of the task in hand. He has had to go through the diary with a lawyer to ensure that nothing is too liable (although I think I’d prefer not to know about some of the things doctors get up to between shifts) but that doesn’t detract from the genuine feel of the book.
If you want a one line summary it's this: It is an absolute travesty that these people, who train so hard to do a job which benefits us, are so badly treated by our government.
But before you think that the whole thing is an ongoing moan about the terrible conditions that our doctors and nurses have to work in, it really isn’t. I mean, it is, but it’s also one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time and made me laugh out loud and interrupt my husband so I could read him excerpts (which he asked me to stop doing as he wants to read it next seeing what a great time it gave me).
There are some real gems (why would anyone put a toilet brush up their arse?!), heartwarming stories of success over adversity and insights into the real and scary stupidity of some (only some) individuals. He marvels at humanity on a daily basis, not just the patients, but also his work colleagues, the good, the bad and the downright ugly. On a personal note, I found the bits about Obstetrics and Gynecology (in which he specialised) fascinating and terrifying in equal measure, and I think I’m quite pleased I didn’t read it whilst pregnant (maybe a word of warning there for anyone who is).
Mainly the diary explores why doctors stay doctors - after all, some of them aren’t very good, while others obviously find the whole thing really stressful. And eventually Adam answers the question himself, making a decision which although shocking, is entirely understandable.
We all know that doctors work long hours and we all think we can imagine the things they have to do, but this diary that Adam has brought to life in book form, really drives it home. If it wasn’t funny, it would be tragic and it’s his irrepressible & almost entirely black humour which makes this read a memorable one.
]]>By Ben @cooklikeadad (my husband!)
We've been to some cool places recently, so I thought you'd like to see some behind the scenes tips, tricks and holiday hacks for traveling with a family. Before I start, I was asking myself does the internet need another family travel blog? Answer's probably not, but I think we have got pretty good at this family travel thing, so I want to keep these really brief, informative and to the point. So here we go...
Amsterdam was not the first city that came to mind when traveling with the family, but any memories of my teenage 'interrailing' days were quickly replaced by a beautiful, quirky and family friendly city. My mission was to put the kids in a cargo bike to explore the city's parks, districts and museums.
If you’re a confident cyclist, go for a traditional cargo bike, with a wooden front to them where the kids can sit. The advantage of these over the back child seats is that you can have two kids sitting together facing forward. You can see them, they can see out and it's generally a far more fun experience. If you're less confident at cycling you might want to consider the three-wheel version.
It's worth saying that not all bike shops in Amsterdam are the same. Check the reviews on Google, TripAdviser or other trusted source. Amsterdam is famous for its bike riding, which means there are going to be people profiting from tourists who are easy pickings. I failed on this front and was left renting a bike with handlebars too low to clear the kid’s heads. (I opted for a forearm across the bar to protect them, but both got the odd clout to the head). Likewise, Zoë's bike had seen better days. Black Bikes seemed like a better outfit, so they'd get my recommendation.
As I said, Zoë and I are terrible at directions (Zoë denies this with the confidence normally reserved for five star generals marching troops into battle). My solution was to use my Bluetooth headphones, combined with Google Maps voice prompts. This allowed a hands-free, in ear direction guidance, meaning we flew around the city like locals. Well almost, there were the odd wrong turn and back track, but it felt far safer and more sensible than riding while trying to read a map off you phone.
Having a bike clip for your phone would also have been another good idea, which I’ll bring for the next family bike trip.
DAY ONE: We flew in and dumped the bags off and headed straight out to the NDSM area of Amsterdam. This former disused dock yard has been transformed into a hipster playground, with its own beach, hotel in a crane and other cool bars and cafes. Great views over the bay and lots of decaying/reborn industrial heritage to check out. Easy bike ride to one of the free ferries taking you to the NDSM. Once there, you're free to cycle round and explore with few cars to bother you.
Photos taken using an original Polaroid camera
DAY TWO: Vondalpark was a 1.8km ride away, where we cruzed around the park seeing the beautiful gardens and cafes, then stopping for a paddle in a kids bathing area. After this, back on the bikes and across town to the Horus Botanicus (botanical gardens), with its spectacular café serving exceptionally nice salads, butterfly houses and picturesque gardens for the kids to explore.
DAY THREE: Artis Zoo, is a reasonably sized, but very nicely laid out Zoo in the centre of the city. We rushed it in about an hour and a half, but really you should be spending the day there. By this point we were riding like the Tour De France peloton and felt confident to dash back to drop bike off and get our taxi to the airport.
OTHER OPTIONS: We could have had at least another two days in the city as there are so many other places to explore. The NEMO Science Museum looks like a great option for the 6 years plus age group.
The Pulitzer Hotel is based in the fully gentrified Jordaan district of Amsterdam. The Hotel encompasses a number of sixteenth century town houses in a street block, with a fascinating higgledy-piggledy maze of stunning rooms and courtyards. It had that balance of beauty, function and play that is so hard to get from a hotel experience.
Giving us some variation from the bikes, we went on the Pulitzer boat tour. They have their own canal boat, which is so far removed from the tourist cattle trucks, it’s hard to even compare the two experiences. Zoë and I had a glass of Chablis, while the lively Captain entertained us with stories of Winston Churchill being taken around the canals on this very boat after the liberation of the city.
We ate at their restaurant the Jansz the first evening there. The menu was unpretentious, but with enough flare to feel both homely and high end. Even if you’re not staying there, just go for breakfast to get the scrambled eggs on brioche with avocado and truffle oil. Perfect start for a hard day cycling the kids around town.
According to Zoë the shops around the Pulitzer Hotel are also excellent.
Pulitzer Amsterdam offers a Family Programme for those travelling with children which includes children’s programming, natural skincare amenities for babies and personalised surprises and activity books for toddlers and kids. Lead-in rates for a family of four start at £410.
]]>Since hitting my mid-thirties I have started to take better care of my body because I have noticed that it doesn't seem to recover so well as it used to and needs a bit more care and attention. I don't mind looking my age because there is nothing I can do about that - I am my age, but I would like to look the best version of myself at my age - if that make sense.
Throughout my life I have dabbled in the world of supplements and vitamins but have never taken one religiously. The reason I haven't committed I think is that I either forget to take or that i've never seen a direct effect from and so ended up stopping. However a few months ago I started taking Lumity and i'm now committed - I love it.
Lumity is basically a anti-ageing, beauty and well-being supplement. It is good for healthy skin, hair, nails and teeth, inner and outer vitality, brain health, bones, joints, muscles and your immune system. (What else could you need?)
You take 3 brown coloured capsules in the morning and 3 white one before bed. The capsules contain a mixture of Vitamins, Omega 3, Vita and Renew Complex and Minerals, that work with what your body needs during the day and night.
The ingredients in the morning capsules are specifically formulated for daytime health. They support your brain, skin, hair and nails and your immune system. They also contain nutrients to assist with joint, muscle and bone health.
The white (night time) capsules are high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids and contain Amino acids to help maintain the elasticity of your skin.
I keep my morning Lumity in the cupboard with my tea bags and my night time capsules in my bathroom cupboard and haven't once forgotten to take them.
Since taking Lumity I have found that I sleep better, my skin feels great and overall I feel healthier. So if you are looking for a supplement that pretty much does everything you need it to then I would definitely recommend Lumity.
This post was kindly sponsored by Lumity. All thoughts and opinions are entirely me my own and I was a fan of Lumity before I wrote this post.
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To celebrate the upcoming release of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, HomeAway are running an amazing competition to win a holiday for you and 20 guests to Duns Castle. Plus, five runners-up could win a HomeAway® holiday. I have already mentally prepared my invite list!
If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen that I have just got back from a brilliant weekend in Lisbon where I stayed in a HomeAway apartment. I went with a couple of girlfriends and had a brilliant time.
Lisbon had been on my wish list as somewhere to go for ages and it didn't disappoint. The people were friendly, the bars and cafes lively, the architecture stunning and the shopping was great too.
Vintage shops / Breakfast with a view / Markets selling Cork products
We stayed in a beautiful apartment that we rented from HomeAway and it was perfect. It had 2 bedrooms (1 twin, 1 double), 2 bathrooms (with gold taps), a fully equipped kitchen (with a washing and coffee machine - the most important things in a kitchen!), a sitting room (with TV), dining area and loads of storage - all to ourselves.
The owner was so welcoming and organised - he sorted airport transfers for us, adviced us on places to go and things to see - nothing seemed too much trouble. The apartment was so centrally located and we were able to walk everywhere and were even able to pop back during the day to collect something we forgot.
I have stayed a few times in HomeAway properties and they have all been great. We have rented a large house in Formentera with my entire my family, an apartment with an amazing roof top in Malta when my son was a baby and a flat in London during London Fashion Week. And we have never had a bad experience.
HomeAway have over 2 million places around the world so if you are looking for a place to stay then make sure you check them out.
More information and how to enter the competition to win the enchanting getaway in a castle for you and 20 friends or family go here.
This post and stay was kindly sponsored by HomeAway all thoughts, opinions, photos are entirely my own.
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Mumdays is a gifting business designed for Mums who deserve a bit of a treat (which is all mums obviously). Founded by mother of twins Ursula, who set out to make mothers feel special by giving them a bit of 'me time.'
Mumdays do stunning, practical gift boxes that include everything from flowers, to cleaning services, to beauty treatments - all of which have been carefully curated and selected with the mum in mind.
I was lucky enough to receive a Mumdays gift box and loved it - mine included a manicure, pedicure and flowers and made me very happy!
Here is some more information on the company and how it came about:
NAME OF BRAND/COMPANY: Mumdays
DATE IT WAS FOUNDED: Launched December 2016
BY WHOM IT WAS FOUNDED: Ursula Brunetti, Channel Mum Vlogger and Mum of twins
WHY WAS IT CREATED: I created Mumdays with a simple mission in mind – to make mums feel special. Becoming a first time mum of twins was such a huge adjustment for me (I’m still reeling from the shock of that first ultrasound!). One of the things I struggled most with was the fact that you no longer have any time for yourself. This inspired me to create a gifting company that offers mums exactly that – experiences and crucially, quality me-TIME that is just for them.
When it comes to mum gifts, we’re often faced with generic tat that no one really wants. I realised customers needed someone to make it easy for them to get it right with thoughtful gifts for mums.
Most of all, mums crave some quality me time (and some appreciation for all that they do). And it’s the least they deserve. As mums we’re so used to putting everyone first that I felt there needed to be a company putting mums first instead. And so Mumdays was born!
WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BRAND: Mumdays is a brand that comes from the heart and is born from that feeling every mum has of finding it all too much. Mumdays are for that mum. The mum that every so often misses a piece of the well put together (and slightly more sane) version of herself that she used to be. It’s for the mum that loves her children fiercely but doesn’t know if she is getting it right. The mum that is exhausted or lonely and juggling a thousand balls but none of them have her name on them. It’s for that mum. It’s for all mums.
I’m also proud that all Mumdays are 100% mum approved! At Mumdays we make buying thoughtful gifts easy, because all our partners are carefully handpicked and tested by our panel of influential mums, to ensure that every Mumday has the desired effect of making her feel like a real life VIP.
We blend experiences together from different partners like Le Salon, Hassle, Urban Massage and Bloom & Wild to offer practical and pampering gift solutions that are thoughtfully presented in our signature pink gift packs.
WHAT WE SHOULD BUY FROM YOU: I’m particularly proud of our Combination gifts http://mumdays.co.uk/product-categories/combinations/ which blend gift experiences from different partners in combinations you can’t find anywhere else. Our Boost & Bloom http://mumdays.co.uk/product/boost-and-bloom gift combines gorgeous letterbox flowers from Bloom & Wild with an at-home massage from Urban Massage for an indulgent pick me up.
Or our New Mum Indulgence gift http://mumdays.co.uk/product/new-mum-indulgence-package is perfect for new mums or mums to be. It includes flowers, an at home massage, domestic cleaning and even laundry collection services, all focused on making life easier with pampering and practical services – the things that make a difference to your wellbeing as a new mum.
Or you could buy one of our Moments http://mumdays.co.uk/product-categories/mumdays-moments/ which are stand alone experiences for a small gift or treat to self.
I really believe happy mums make for happy children. I think every mum deserves a mumday (and not just for Mother’s Day either!).
]]>Everyone knows going to the dentist is important but it is often something that is put off or forgotten about. We are surrounded by messages encouraging us to eat well, be healthy and stay fit but no one really emphasises the importance of looking after our teeth.
A few weeks ago I took my son to the dentist, he is 4 (and a half) years old, it was his second time to the dentist and he loved it! I don't mind going to the dentist (that much) but I know a lot of people are terrified of it. And it is a fear that we, as parents could easily project onto our children and the fear of the dentist cycle will continue.
My son and I visited Dawood and Tanner in London and it was great - Dr Saul the dentist made my son (and me) feel really relaxed - he explained exactly what he was going to do, he let my son press the buttons on the chair and look into his own mouth using a special little mirror. He managed to make the whole process fun, interesting and a positive, enjoyable experience.
Since our appointment my son is much more conscientious with his teeth brushing and my daughter after hearing about her brother going is now desperate to go and have her own appointment.
So the moral of this blog post is to take your kids (and you) to the dentist more often, it is something that they will thank you for later on in life.
If you are looking for an excellent dentist then we can highly recommend Dawood and Tanner (and ask for Dr Saul).
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THE TULIP
The name "tulip" originates from the Turkish language, where this plant represents national flower. Tulip in Turkish means "turbin" because this flower has the similar shape like unique-looking Turkish hat
Even though certain parts of tulips are toxic, petals have been used as food during the Second World War.
When you are a parent I'd say it is safe to assume that you go out less at night than you did pre-kids (based on my experience anyway). So when you do make it out you want it to be good and you want to make the most of it.
With Valentine's Day fast approaching my husband and I decided to go out on a 'date night' where we went for dinner together then on to the theater to see Aladdin The Musical and it was brilliant.
Disney's Aladdin has been on in London for just under a year and I don't know how you could not like it. It is full of energy, music and sparkly things and I left feeling full of joy!
The singing, choreography and music is fantastic and I watched a few grown men (including my husband) bopping in their seats. Every single one of the cast is incredibly talented and one thing I didn't expect was that the script is very funny, there are so many good one-liners in it - the Genie especially is brilliant.
The set is incredible and changes continuously. We were lucky enough to have a backstage tour after the show and I was amazed to see the complexities and mechanics of it all. We found out how they created some of the illusions and special effects (that I will not ruin for you) and saw the areas where the cast have to change in seconds. There is so much that goes on backstage with about 100 people working there every performance.
Being a colourful fashion (and fancy dress) lover I really, really enjoyed the costumes. There are over 350 of them and the attention to detail and craftsmanship on them all is incredible. There are also so many different hats, turbans and headdresses in every scene and despite all the energetic movement they all manage to stay on the actor's heads!
The Prince Edward Theatre is in the centre of Soho so we went for a pre-theatre dinner on Old Compton Street. It felt pretty liberating to be out-out and kid-free for the evening.
Both my husband and I really enjoyed ourselves and loved the nostalgic element of watching the classic Aladdin Disney story that we grew up with as grown ups - it was a whole new world and an excellent Valentine's Day date night.
This post created in assosiation Disney - but when they offered it to me I jumped at the chance because it is something I genuinely wanted to see and do. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
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FLOWER FACTS WEDNESDAY
The Chrysanthemum flower symbolizes fidelity, optimism, joy and long life
The name Chrysanthemum comes from the Greek word 'Chrys' meaning golden (the color of the original flowers), and 'anthemon', meaning flower.
*facts & photo from @flowerbx who delivered the most stunning white roses ever today.
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