Hollybobb's

How I've Handled Lockdown & Parenting with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

2020-07-12T17:06:00.001+01:00

It's been a long old time since I properly sat down and wrote a post on here, over a year probably. Unless you live on the moon you will be well aware of the unprecedented times of the last four months and the lockdown of the UK, amongst most countries in the world. I thought I would share how that has gone for us as a family, if for no other purpose than to look back on in years to come.

Photo by BethanyFern Photography

The beginning of lockdown came with mixed feelings for me - an almost excitement at the anticipation of being a part of something that had never happened in the world before alongside fear of exactly that. I decided I wanted a vegetable patch, compost heap, water buckets and chickens as we needed to be self sufficient should the apocalypse arise (it's always been one of my biggest fears so to feel we might actually be living it was pretty intense). John advised me I might be overreacting slightly so we just stuck to the vegetable patch, with the thinking it might be educational for the kids too (cut to four months later where no one has lifted a finger but me).

I also felt a slight happiness at having the children at home and not having to do school runs and being able to spend some quality time with them. As most of you may know I have chronic fatigue so there was definitely a wariness on how we would manage in, but we went into things pretty gung ho.

And that latest a good few weeks. I dragged myself out of bed, wrote up a schedule for the kids and got stuck into printing forests' worth of resources from Twinkl as well as buying out Amazon for things to keep them occupied as well as educated. We did projects, we kept up to journals and I took lots of photos to send to teachers as well as for us to look back on.

However the chronic fatigue soon took over and the work slipped. I started struggling with insomnia and it could be anything from 1am until 6.30am before I got to sleep. I would lay for hours in bed, listening to meditations, sipping Ovaltine and sniffing whatever essence is supposed to make you drowsy, but still laying there wide awake. Of course this meant I then wasn't getting up until at least lunchtime and when I did I was in no fit state to educate. It weighed really heavily on me how much I was failing and my mood got really low. It doesn't help when you sit staring at social media at how well everyone else seemed to be doing, I felt like my children we being let down by me, and my husband was having to not only work a 70 hour week from home, but manage the house and children on top of that.

Eventually I spoke to the doctor who has put me on some drowsy anti histamines. To actually lay in bed and BE TIRED was a revelation, so they've definitely help with my sleep. Of course these things make you drowsy long into the next day so I am still not waking before lunch and am pretty out of it for most of the day. After getting myself really fed up a month ago I decided to take the pressure off and give up on homeschooling. The stress of it was just too much and the guilt at trying and failing repeatedly to get the work done was not worth it any more. I have to say that decision made such a difference.

Over the last few weeks I have definitely felt somewhat better however I am still missing out on a huge chunk of the day. I am counting down until September, which makes me really sad and again guilty, as I don't want to wish the kids' time away, I know it goes so fast. A lot of the time they are in their bedrooms on their ipads or playstation as I can't even tolerate their presence due to being so overwrought, and I have zero patience. Reflecting on how I expected lockdown to be and how it has ended up makes me sad.

It doesn't need saying that this illness takes so much away from people, and as a parent time and energy to be with your children is one of the hardest things to lose. I have shed many a tear over the guilt. Family and friends remind me repeatedly that the kids are fine, they don't know any different and that many parents won't have done much with their children, but none of that takes away how I feel. When you plan to be a parent you have ideas in your head about how it will be and to not live up to those is such a hard pill to swallow. I can only hope when September arrives and the return to school, however that may be, that things will ease up in my mind and I can somehow return to the normality we had pre-lockdown. And to think, I felt things were hard back then!

I do wonder how other parents who have struggles over coped themselves, I am sure I am not on my own. I would love to heard how you have felt over this difficult time.

Review: La Coqueta Childrenswear

2020-02-12T11:58:00.002+00:00

We've recently been sent a beautiful coat from Spanish childrenswear brand La Coqueta for Holly to try out. La Coqueta was set up in 2013 by a mum of five with the aim of promoting Spanish design and creativity to the English market.

Browsing their website you can't help but be awed by the beautiful traditional pieces with a contemporary twist - empire line dresses with delicate floral prints, dungaree skirts with frilly straps and mother of pearl buttons and patent Mary Janes are just some of the items you will find for girls. Plus the sizes go up to ten years, which is such a refreshing change to me as often at Holly's age the clothing is not always suitable and I feel too old, so it's nice to find clothing that celebrates children being children.

I decided to choose a smart coat for Holly as I felt it would get lots of use and be great for this time of year. We were sent the wool Navy Arrieta Coat which is fully lined and finished with a Peter Pan collar and I absolutely love it. It's great for on a weekend when we are going out and Holly needs something apart from the usual school coat or hoody, this really completes an outfit and gives it a sophisticated finish.

Holly absolutely loves this coat and wears it most weekends. It's comfortable and warm, even in the current weather, and she pairs it with her favourite smart ankle boots and looks really smart. The coat is £89 which is not the cheapest for a child's coat however she has more than got her wear out of it already and, despite many outings, it shows no sign of wear and tear at all and is still as beautiful as when it first arrived.

You can find the La Coqueta website here to have a look at their beautiful pieces - they do boys clothes as well as girls - or if you are in London you can visit one of the their three stores in Hampstead, Notting Hill and Battersea.

*We were sent this piece free of charge however all opinions are my own.

Top Tips On Making Your Home Office Productive

2020-01-31T15:03:00.000+00:00

We all need somewhere to take care of all the admin of life. Whether it's your tax returns, somewhere to keep track of all the family's doctor appointments, important letters, or documentation relating to your home-based business. Having a home office at your disposal certainly makes things run a little smoother.

But when organisation and modern life collide, it's not always easy to create a workspace that is both productive and easy to work with. Backache, poor lighting, toys, even repetitive strain injury, all of these things are productivity killers, and the best way to combat them is to design your home office with productivity in mind.

Unsure of where to begin? Read on for some top tips to make your home office super productive.

Have everything you need

Is there anything more frustrating than hunting for a pen or a notepad and not being able to find one? Even more frustrating is the consistent lack of ink in your printer. Check out Epson printer cartridges from Printerinks.comfor the latest in ink cartridges supplies. When you have everything you need in one place, then you can move from task to task quickly and efficiently. If your stationery has a habit of going missing then consider having a desk with drawers you can lock.

Invest in a good chair

Setting up to do your admin on the sofa, or on your bed sounds like the most comfortable option at first. That is until your back starts to ache and your neck is painfully stiff the next day. It's a simple fact that the more comfortable you are, the more productive you'll be. So, investing in an ergonomic chair is the best way forward. Supporting your back is crucial for your posture and to protect you from creating future back problems.

Keep yourself organised

No one wants to spend hours sifting through mountains of paper, trying to find a password or telephone number. Investing in the right organisation products will help keep you on top of all your home admin, and it'll make your workspace look pretty attractive too. Box files, document trays, shelving, stationary organisers, cute storage boxes. Not forgetting things like hole punchers, dividers and plastic wallets so you can organise your documents into files with ease. Consider purchasing your own label maker so you can sort and store everything in the right place.

The personal touch

Sometimes, we have to spend hours sorting through our paperwork or we have important deadlines looming, so when you’re spending prolonged periods at your desk, it’s nice to have a little reminder of who you’re doing it all for. Pictures of your family, kids and happy memories always make a desk space look warm, welcoming and worth it.

Add some greenery

We’re probably all guilty of spending too much time indoors, so while you’re working away at your desk why not bring the outdoors, in? Adding some houseplants are a wonderful addition to any workspace. They’ll make you feel good, add a splash of colour, lower your stress levels and they even purify the air around them. In short, house plants are great for your productivity levels!

*This is a featured post

Benefits of Opening a Savings Account For Your Baby

2020-01-14T17:20:00.001+00:00

Having a baby is expensive. A recent study carried out by MyVoucherCodes showed that, during the first month most parents spend over £500 on their newborns. From that point, because you do not have to buy as much equipment, the costs do tail off a little but some additional expenses, like nappies, are unavoidable.

A Junior ISA from Wealthify is a great way to save for their future once those initial big purchases have been made.

It only takes a little to get into the savings habit

The sooner you start saving for your child's future, the better it will be for you and them, in the long run. The chances are that in the first year or so of your child´s life you will not have a lot of spare cash available. But even putting £5 to £10 a week, or month, away for them is enough to get you into the habit of saving for their long-term future.

Saving regularly sets a good example for your child

Later, when they are older, your child will have access to the details of their ISA accounts. It would be good for them to be able to see that you saved something every month regardless of what was happening in your lives. This will help your child to understand that saving for their future is something that they need to make a priority.

It may not be as hard to get started as you think

The great thing about Junior ISA's is that friends and family can help out too. Close relatives are also allowed to put money into your child´s ISA. Most grandparents love the idea of helping their children and grandchildren out in this way.

Savings open up a world of possibilities for your child

They know that the cash that is in a Junior ISA can potentially be used for driving lessons, as a deposit on a new home or to cover university living costs. These are all things that they want their grandchildren to be able to afford.

Your child will appreciate having those savings available

Your child will really appreciate the fact that you have saved up a substantial amount of money to give them a good start in life. They will usually be careful about how they spend that cash. Of course, there is a chance that they could blow the lot on a nice car. However most young adults actually invest that cash in acquiring the skills they are going to need as an adult, for example, by learning to drive. This is particularly the case if you tell them about their savings account fairly early on and discuss ways they could put that money to good use. The younger they are, the more likely they are to listen to your suggestions. Once they have taken them on board and settled on spending that cash wisely they are less likely to waste it when they get access to it, at 18.

If you would like to find out more about saving for, and with, children, you can easily do so by clicking this link.

*This is a featured post.

Top Tips on How You Can Combat the Winter Blues

2019-09-25T18:40:00.000+01:00

Although they undoubtedly have their positives, the Autumn and Winter months can act as a catalyst for sadness for a lot of people – and it’s scientifically proven that this is an actual health condition. It’s no wonder really. We go from warm weather, long days and an abundance in vitamin D, to dark mornings, darker nights, cold air and the sun hiding for months at a time. This time of year can begin to feel like a slog for a lot of people, because they can see the dark nights, feel the chill of the air, and know it’s only going to creep up infinitely quicker day by day for the next six months or so. If this sounds like you, then here are some top tips on how you can combat the infamous “Winter blues” and stay positive this season.

Keep Stress to a Minimum

If you’re already struggling with the way you feel, then being stressed on top of that is a recipe for negativity. If you can, keep stress to a minimum throughout these months.

For example, if you’re planning on selling your house and moving soon, it’s probably best to wait it out rather than to rush into it now. Despite there being companies out there who claim “we buy any house in the UK”, it’s actually proven that on the housing market, there is a right and a wrong time to sell your home – and Winter is undoubtedly the wrong time. You’d be far better off making preparations in advance, and then taking action once the Spring arrives.

Of course, that’s an example, but what we’re really trying to say is don’t make things harder for yourself! We live in such a high-pressure world nowadays that at times, it can feel as if we have to do everything well, and we have to do it now. If you’re susceptible to feeling rubbish in the colder months, then now is the time to go a little easy on yourself. Take that extra days holiday, go to bed early, and stay on top of the things you have to do! You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

Take Care of Your Skin

It’s no secret that our skin tends to thrive in the Summer – so the Winter conditions can come as a rude awakening to us. No longer are we sun-kissed and freckly, but instead the icy sharp winds threaten us with a dry soreness we haven’t experienced in some time. Ouch.

It so happens that now is the perfect time to get on top of your skincare regime. The Winter isn’t set to grip fully for another couple of months, and Autumn is known to be kinder to us – so preparing your skin now for the harsh air to come is no bad thing. Take the time to re-evaluate what you’re using on your skin, and reconsider the ingredients you’re using within your skincare. Say for example, you’ve been using lighter creams and treatments throughout the warmer months, now might be the time to switch to something a little more heavy duty. Strangely, the nicer our skins feel, the better we feel overall when we look in the mirror – so make it a priority. After all, it’s the only skin you’ve got.

Let The Light In

Although those cosy nights in front of the fireplace are by far one of the nicest parts of Winter, it’s important to let outdoor light into your atmosphere too.

If we aren’t getting much of that, then artificial light boxes are a great alternative, and sitting by these for thirty minutes a day can make a big difference to us. However, nothing beats natural light, so on those bright and breezy days, open your curtains and invite it in! Even better, wrap up in your winter woollies, and go for a walk in the fresh air. Sure, it’s an old cliché, but you’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel with rosy cheeks and a raised heart rate.

Eat Well

Finally, it’s more important than ever to eat well at this time of year.

Germs are circulating, and the cold dark climate makes us hungrier than ever. It can be all too easy to reach for the chocolate – and although this is fine sometimes it won’t provide your body with the nutrients it needs to make you feel better. Think of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. There is nothing more warming, or nutritious than a home made soup of blended vegetables. It’s delicious, and a sure way to get your five a day.

*This is a featured post.

Review: Snow Park at Chill Factore

2019-09-09T18:38:00.000+01:00

In May of this year the popular Snow Park at Chill Factore where children and adults alike can dive down on a toboggan or slide in rings down an icy slope, had a re-launch and we were invited along to give it a try. We visited over the summer holidays, which was definitely a novelty going from heat into the snow, but it was actually a great activity for an August rainy day.

The new design of the Snow Park has done away with the previous competition element where you had to clock up as many points as you could on each of the activities, now you can go on each one whenever you want. The Downhill Donut area has also been expanded with four lanes instead of two and including double rings so two people can go down at once. The other activities are all still there as well as the updated Mini Moose Land for little kids, so there is plenty to do in your hour slot.

We arrived half an hour before our time slot, as suggested, giving us time to check in and collect our snow gear. Helmets are included in the price but you'll need to pay extra if you need waterproof jackets, trousers and snow boots. You can use your own gear, however, although you'll need to bring wellies as trainers just won't cut it! We also took extra socks and warm hats and gloves with us, although the woolly gloves we brought got wet very fast so we would have been better with proper ski gloves really.

Once we entered the park we had a brief talk about how to use the equipment and things safely and then we were let loose to enjoy ourselves! We tried to Downhill Donuts first, going solo and then going down in doubles. They are pretty fast and the staff at the top give you the option of whether you want to spin or not, so you can have it a bit faster if you want to. There are big crash mats at the bottom for you to slide into, although the children did have trouble lifting the big donuts over the end, so you may need to have an adult go first to help with that.

Next the children tried the ice slide, which is like a big toboggan race you go down on a plastic board with handles on and fly down an ice track. The boys in particular absolutely loved this one and went on it a few times in a row.

After that we went on the sledges where you can whizz down on your own or race each other to the bottom. There are also double sledges so you even go down together for more fun.

The Mini Moose Land has had an update since we last visited, with its own mini Donut slide as well as igloos and tunnels to climb through and toys to play with in the snow. And of course there is always just the good old snow to play with, which is always fun!

We really enjoyed our visit to the new Snow Park and would definitely recommend it for a family day out. I'm sure we'll be back soon for another visit!

*We were provided with entry to the park FOC however all opinions are my own.

Review: Comfortable Footwear for Travelling With Hotter Shoes

2019-08-27T14:52:00.000+01:00

We've all done it before - bought beautiful new shoes for our holiday only to wear them once and our feet be ripped to pieces. Hard plastic, rough leather, painful heels - you name it, I've been there. However thanks to Hotter Shoes' Tourist sandals, this Summer my feet were given a reprieve from the pain. Read on to find out why!

This July we spent two beautiful weeks in Mexico, a destination I've always wanted to visit. I did the usual holiday shopping, which included new sandals. I bought some flip flops, evening shoes and sliders with the thought that I didn't want to wear heels whilst away and I wanted my feet to be comfortable. I also took my new Hotter Tourist sandals with me, with a glorious cow print design, as I knew from previous experience that they would be extremely comfortable. I didn't wear the Hotter sandals right away, instead opting for some new rainbow sliders. We went for a walk around the site on our first full day, which was probably an hour of casual strolling. After about an hour and a half my dogs were absolutely barking. Both sides of the top of the sliders had ripped into me, causing painful sores. It was safe to say those shoes were resigned to the back of the wardrobe!

That evening I wore a pretty pair of bejewelled flip flops, conscious of my new injuries and hoping the different design would ensure these new shoes avoided my current scars. However these then rubbed between my toes and under my paws causing even more pain! I honestly couldn't believe it!

My problem was that we spent every day in the pool, so over the two weeks, much of spent being wet, my hooves barely had chance to heel, and so every pair of shoes I wore from then on absolutely killed. That's where Hotter came in!

I cannot tell you how relieved I was to slide my poor, battered tootsies into what felt like the softest shoes known to man. The soles of Hotter shoes are cushioned which makes you feel like you are walking on air and because they only use the finest leather in their footwear they are flexible and move with the contours of your feet. From that moment on those blessed sandals hardly left my side. I wore them through the day, whether just walking to the pool or if we went off site for a trip, I wore them on an evening as they were stylish enough to be dressed up and I even wore them in water as even my water shoes hurt, and they're still in great condition!

Gradually by the second week my wounds were starting to heal, but I continued to wear my Hotter Tourist sandals most days, and now we have returned home they are still a go-to piece of footwear when I want my trotters to be comfortable. So, if you are looking for a snazzy sandal that would make sure your peepers are kept in pristine condition I'd definitely urge you to head straight to Hotter, you can thank me later.

PS How many different words for feet can you fit in one blog post?

*I was sent these shoes FOC in return for my review, however I can tell you it is completely honest!

The Advantages of Driving With Correct Tyres

2019-08-22T15:25:00.004+01:00

If you are a car owner, you will be familiar with the importance of having correct tyres. It is very dangerous to continue to drive with tyres that are either in poor condition or do not match your vehicle’s needs. Bad tyres are a driving hazard and they can cause your vehicle to lose its grip on the road. Your car can lose its control on the road and you can be exposed to the risk of an accident. If you want to be confident while driving, you have to make sure that your tyres are in optimum position and can give you the desired level of performance.

Effective consumption of fuel

Cars always tend to consume more fuel when tyres are worn out. Bad tyres make it difficult for the car mechanisms to work properly and the result is more usage of fuel. This will make you spend more money on fuel. Best approach will be to invest in good tyres so you save money in the long run.

Better traction

The problem with old tyres is, they lose their tread and road grip. When tyres are new, they have better surface area and create a better traction pattern.

Comfortable drive with right tyres

The whole driving experience transforms when your tyres are correct. Brakes work better and there is less noise while driving. If your old tyres need replacement, you can check with tyre experts. Taking long road trips is fun but bad tyres can have bad implications even when you are driving inter-city, for example in the Scotland area or in sub areas like Dundee, Aberdeenshire or Edinburgh. For selecting brand new tyres in Dundee look no further and get them today from Fife Autocentre's site.

*This is a featured post.

Teach Children Great Money Habits With Pigzbe

2019-08-21T19:43:00.000+01:00

Teaching children about the value of money is something I've always been conscious of and Mr H and and I have discussed the importance of them learning from a young age that money has to be earned. Not only does this teach them good spending habits but also the value of hard work.

My children are 7 and 8 years old and for the last year we have been giving them the odd bit of pocket money here and there. However it's not something we have got into the habit of doing regularly and we are conscious of teaching the children about money and the value of things around them.

However there is a new app being launched soon that I'm hoping will help us out with this. Pigzbe is set to help children aged 6+ learn the value of money in a fun and rewarding way, and I'm definitely looking forward to giving it a try.

Pigzbe combines the Pigzbe Piggy Wallet, an educational pocket money app for kids and parents, and their digital currency, Wollo. You can add money to the app yourself so your child can see the money they've earned adding up, and you can also add tasks for each child to complete in order to earn their money. The money they earn, Wollo, can then be spent in stores like they would with normal currency.

The app will be released in September but if you sign up before then your child will get a free £20 worth of pocket money. Pus if you can get an extra £160 for inviting friends and family to join. You'll send the free pocket money when you subscribe to the Pigzbe App for 1 month. A Pigzbe app subscription is £3.99 a month for up to two children with a 1-month free trial.

Learn more about Pigzbe, the digital way to do pocket money.

*This is a featured post.

8 Family Activities In Porthmadog Wales

2019-08-16T20:24:00.000+01:00

We have been holidaying in the Gwynedd area of north Wales for many years now, as my in-laws have a van at the Greenacres Haven site in Porthmadog. It is a great part of Wales for families and because of our regular trips, we have visited many places in the area, so I thought I would share our favourite things to do as a family in the town of Porthmadog.

Visit Borth-Y-Gest

This has become one of my favourite spots in the area and is just outside of the town centre, on the way to the Haven site. It is only a small area but it's complete with pretty houses, beautiful coastal scenery, a beach and a lovely cafe to sit and enjoy a coffee whilst taking it all in. Our kids are at an age now where they can don their wellies and play on the beach, whether the tide is in or out, whilst we sit at our favourite spot at the Sea View Cafe, enjoying a cream tea and some peace.

If you are able there is also a lovely walk along the coast that takes you to several secluded beaches where you can paddle and enjoy a picnic on a beautiful yellow sandy beach.

Go crabbing on the Porthmadog harbour

We only tried this for the first time on our recent trip but the children loved it, it was such an adventure to them to try and catch sea life. I will warn you that there is a long drop on the edge of the harbour where you drop your lines and I was a bit anxious at first letting them too close, so it's probably not suitable for young children to take part, but they can definitely watch their older siblings and enjoy their catches. You can buy lines, bait and buckets from the shop just across the road.

Take a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway

This is one of our favourite rainy day activities, although it is also great on a dry day. You can ride the beautiful old steam train from Porthmadog to Tan Y Bwlch, a 40 minute ride, where you can get off and have lunch in the little cafe there before hopping back on for your return journey. If you fancy a longer trip you can also visit Beddegelert, Caernarrfon and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Not to mention, children go free with each paying adult which is a fantastic deal!

See the Blackrock Llamas

We've never actually done this yet but we say every time we should as it is two minutes down the road from the caravan site. They offer an hour and a half llama trek where you get to learn all about the llamas, handle them and go on a peaceful trek, followed by a bit of llama agility! It's £25 per adult, £15 per child or £70 for a family of four, so not the cheapest but definitely an experience with a difference!

Visit Blackrock Sands Beach

The Greenacres Haven site sits on this beautiful beach which stretches for two miles long and features dunes, rock pools and caves. The tide goes pretty far out so you have to walk quite far to get to it, but there is a little stream that runs from the dunes to the sea about half way along, which is a great place for the children to paddle. You can also drive on this beach, so we often take a picnic and some chairs and enjoy lunch there whilst the children play. We've even sat watching the sunset go down whilst toasting marshmellows which was a very memorable experience.

Let the kids play in Porthmadog Parc

If you're looking for somewhere to entertain the children for a time, then this park in the centre of town should do the trick. It is quite large, well kept and has lots of equipment for children to entertain themselves whilst you take a seat at one of the picnic tables. There is even an ice cream shop, Cariad Gelato, right next to it which does a great selection of ice cream for you to enjoy whilst the children play.

Spend the day in Portmerion

I absolutely adore this beautiful town, and it is five minutes out of Porthmadog town. Built in the twenties to replicate an Italian village, it is filled with colour, charm and delights. Whilst there isn't lots of things for the children to do, it is just so fun to walk around the town and look at all the quirky features such as a life size chess board and unicorns on the houses.

There is a free train that runs through the woodlands, as well as shops and a couple of cafes to break up the visit. I really enjoyed walking around to the peninsular and taking in the views of the bay with the village behind us. There is also a stone boat the children can play on and pretend to be pirates.

Orienteering at Plas Brondanw Gardens

Again this is something we haven't done ourselves but it looks like great fun and only ten minutes from the town. Created by the same man who designed and built Portmeirion, these gardens are filled with stone walls, topiary and avenues of trees, set between the coast and the mountains. There is a cafe on site for lunch, and here you can pick up a map for the orienteering course which you can complete as a family in the woodland gardens.

Hopefully these suggestions will give you some ideas for things to do in Porthmadog. For such a small town there really is so much to do, come back soon for my guide to places to eat in the area.

Planning A Tween Bedroom

2019-08-15T12:38:00.000+01:00

Around six months ago Mr H decided, on the spur of the moment, to move Holly from one of the smaller bedrooms in our house to what was the main bedroom until we completed our loft conversion. In one fell swoop he created several weeks of chaos, which resulted in a massive coup for Holly as she has a huge room complete with en-suite. Of course this now means that both rooms need redecorating, a task that is often put off in our house as Mr H absolutely hates any form of DIY.

However it's been quite a while since the big move and every time I go in Holly's room all I can see is holes in the walls, mismatched colour schemes and remnants of when it was our bedroom and then the spare bedroom, all mixed in with an eight year old's bits and pieces. It's definitely time to get it sorted.

With that in mind I have put together, along with Holly's input, some ideas for decor and furniture that she would need for her new bedroom.

The Colours

I saw this unicorn decal a while ago and thought it would be a great addition to the room that's easy to apply and remove when she no longer wants it. Holly loves unicorns and the pinks, lilacs and grey in this image are the perfect tones for the room.

I really fancy something slightly different and I really like the idea of painting a diagonal on one wall with the grey and pink and then maybe adding some spot decals like in this image.

I really love this space for doing homework, being creative and inspiring a young mind.

The Furniture

Holly already has a single bed and I think for now we will leave it like that, as it means she has space to be in her bedroom playing or crafting, and when she has friends to stay they all love to camp out on the floor. One thing she does need, though, is a desk. Somewhere she can do her homework in peace and store her huge collection of stationery she loves to pick up on every outing. Lionshome have a great selection of desks, and this one in particular caught my eye as its a bit different but also has some storage with it.

The Finishing Touches

Of course every girls' bedroom needs the little flourishes that finish it all off and I've found a few pieces on Etsy that will add that fairytale feel to the room.

What do you think? I'm pretty pleased with all the pieces so we will see how it comes together in the next few weeks. If you'd like to see more inspiration you can head to my Tween Pinterest Board.

*This is a featured post.

Review: Inflata Nation Manchester's Inflatable Theme Park

2019-06-03T21:45:00.001+01:00

A few weeks ago we were invited to visit Inflata Nation, the inflatable theme park based in Manchester. We have meant to visit the site a few times as it sounds brilliant and something my two would really love, but have never got around to it. The school holidays was the perfect time to give it a try so myself, the kids and some friends went along to see if it was as good as I'd heard.

Pre-booking is definitely advisable before you visit Inflata Nation as it does get full, with the earlier slots being much quieter. Once you have booked you will be sent a form to fill out, I'd recommend printing this out, completing it and taking it with you as doing it on the day takes time that can be spent bouncing. Once you have checked in you will be given a wrist band each and then asked to wait in line to watch a safety briefing, which is pretty common sense, before you are allowed into the inflatable part. If you need to store your belongings there are lockers and there is also a cafe serving drinks and snacks if you are not taking part or need refreshments during or after your bounce.

When it was our turn the children pelted onto the inflatable within seconds, they were so excited. The park is site inside a huge warehouse and is filled with various different inflatable activities including a climbing wall, ball pit, slides, tunnels and a duelling ring. My friend took her two year old and there is a smaller section for the little ones, although to be fair it isn't very big and she wanted to be with the big kids most of the time.

You are given a one hour time slot and this was really well stuck to. There are staff on hand throughout the inflatables, keep an eye on any misbehaviour and offering a hand if needed to. The site was clean, although it is looking a bit worn in places, and despite it being full it didn't feel it at all.

As I mentioned before there is a cafe serving drinks and snacks, as well as free water for everyone, which I thought was a great touch as it wasn't long before we all needed a drink - bouncing is hard work! There is an upstairs area to the cafe where you can sit and watch everything going on in the park so if your children are old enough you can watch them without having to go on yourself.

The children had an absolute blast at Inflata Nation and it is definitely somewhere I'd recommend. They burnt off plenty of steam and really enjoyed every activity on offer, in particular the duelling ring. If an hour isn't quite enough you can add an extra hour for slightly less, and the site isn't just for kids as there were plenty of adults playing and I even saw a Hen party going in! You can visit the Inflata Nation website for more information.

Here are my tips for visiting:

- You need to wear socks, but not the type with grips. I'd also recommend long sleeves and trousers as you can get friction burns as you go down the slides and they hurt!
- There isn't a lot of parking so you may have to park on the street of the industrial estate, however you won't be far away from the site so it isn't a major problem.
- An early slot will be quieter than later on, so if you prefer it that way or have smaller children I'd recommend you book those.
- Arrive thirty minutes before you bounce so you can get everyone sorted, forms signed and things in lockers before your sessions starts.
- If you aren't up for a bounce yourself take advantage of the free wifi in the cafe whilst your children are entertained.

*We visited the site FOC in return for this review however all opinions are my own.

How To Deal With A Chronic Illness Diagnosis

2019-04-30T19:36:00.000+01:00

I often compare dealing with a chronic illness is like dealing with a death. Because, in a way, that's exactly what it is. Your life, once diagnosed, is forever changed, and that is a huge loss you can never get back. It is the death of a life you once knew.

The stages of dealing with this are the same as the stages of grief -

Denial: it's not happening, it's the wrong diagnosis, I'm fine, I'll get better, I can just keep pushing through.
Anger: Rage at the world and its wife at the cards you have been dealt, the things you can never get back, the life forever changed.
Bargaining: If I do this, then I can do that.
Depression: It's never going to change, I'll never be better, my life is ruined, everything is awful.
Acceptance: ...well, that's a work in progress!

Working through these stages is a major part of dealing with your illness and will seem a job itself. I've put together some things I've picked up along the way that may help you handle this new stage of your life.

1. Research Your Illness

Nobody around you will be able to understand your illness until you do, and knowing what you're up against is half the battle. Not only will this help you comprehend what you are dealing with but it will also help along the road to accepting all these new symptoms and the emotions that come with being ill.

2. Speak To Professionals

The first port of call to diagnosis should be your GP so I would imagine by the time you are reading this you have already accessed their help. Hopefully they have referred you on to a local clinic or department for assessment and support, but if not ask for them to do so. Speaking to specialists who know the ins and outs of your illness is vital as they can help you manage your symptoms and support you as you move forward.

There are also some fantastic charities out there who can offer support and even refer you to relevant services. A quick Google should bring them up and you will be able to call in a local office, ring and even email if you cannot face a conversation in person.

Finally if you are struggling mentally with your diagnosis and your illness in general do not struggle alone. Most areas have a counselling service you can either self refer to or your GP or specialist professional can refer you on to.

3. Be Open With Those Around You

I have always be an honest and open person with my life and that was no different with talking about my illness. However what I wasn't totally open with was how much if affects me and my immediate family's lives and what support I need to get through each day. That led to people not understanding and judging me on what I did and did not do. I have learnt over the years that having people around you who understand, and who are also willing to understand, is crucial as those are the people you will need to lean on when times get hard.

4. Ask For Help

In today's society we are taught to work, work and work even more and asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness. This thought process is damaging for most people, but even more so for those with a chronic illness as getting support from others is vital. Every day tasks will seem like mountains at times and simple things like showering, preparing meals and even getting out of bed can seem insurmountable. Asking for help when you need is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact it should be celebrated as it is not always easy to do and there is a stigma of shame attached if you do. Facing up to this and realising you need other people's help is so important.

5. Find Other Sufferers

Getting help from able people around you is one thing, but nobody can understand and resonate with you like others who are in the same position. I have found speaking to others who have the same illness as me really helps me feel understood and heard when at times I feel very alone. There are many way to do this including local support groups, through your specialist team who meet other sufferers themselves and so can arrange to put you in contact and through the Internet. Facebook groups in particular have been vital to me and I have listed several at the end of this post that I have found useful.

6. Accept Your Bad Days

You will have bad days. Days where you can't get out of bed, when things don't get done and where you feel like you're failing. It is important and accept that these days will come, but they will also go. The key is to ride the tide, let it come and rest as much as you need. There will be brighter days ahead.

I hope some of these tips help you to deal with this huge change to your life and one day lead to acceptance. I'm definitely still a work in progress myself and every day brings a fun new set of challenges. If you want to talk more you can find me on Facebook.

Here are a list of places you can access support:

Action For ME
Coeliac UK
FMA UK (fibromyalgia charity)
Good Samaritans
Lupus UK
ME Association
Mind (mental health charity)
MS Society
Pain UK

Facebook Groups:
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness Family UK
ME/CFS Community
ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome UK
ME/CFS Parents
The Unchargeables Facebook Group

Tips For Extending Your Car Battery Life

2019-04-30T13:21:00.001+01:00

For anyone who relies on their car to get around, making sure it is running in top condition is crucial - nobody wants to break down in the middle of nowhere and have to wait hours for someone to come get you home. One of the biggest problems is your car battery life as, unlike a puncture, it can't be fixed if you're on your own on the side of the road. I've put together a few tips to extend the battery life of your car to ensure you're not left stranded.

1. Keep your battery clean. Check the top of the battery is free of dirt and is dry as this can cause the battery to discharge on the top and cause a short circuit. Also make sure the battery terminals are clean to prevent corroding.

2. Make sure all the lights are off when you exit. Keeping your headlights and interior lights on when the engine is off can drain your battery pretty fast so make sure you double check once you've left your car that all the lights are off.

3. Try to limit short journeys. Your battery uses charge to start your car but then charges during the journey, so the longer the journey the more life you are giving your battery.

4. Don't leave your car unused for long periods of time. If it isn't a vehicle you use regularly, try and give it a run out once a week to keep that engine in good working order. If you are still having trouble and want to get your car batteries replaced in Essex then check out Jet Wheel Tyre. If you are driving anywhere in a local area like Essex you would know how important it is to be safe on the road - especially when it is rush hour and everyone is trying to reach on time. Having a healthy battery is essential in this case.

5. Get it checked regularly. To ensure everything is running as it should take it into the garage regularly to make sure there are no problems.

Following these tips will help you to extend your car battery life and prevent you being stuck on the side of the road waiting for assistance as much as possible.

*This is a featured post.

Review: Finding A Local Babysitter with Childcare.co.uk

2019-04-23T12:51:00.000+01:00

"It takes a village to raise a child", or so the saying goes, but in today's society those villages are smaller and smaller and often parents have very little support or backup and are raising their children with little to no help from outside. I am fortunate that I have a great family and although they're not on my doorstep, they help out as much as they can and when they can with the children. That being said, though, when John and I just need an hour to ourselves or if we want any adult-only time, we don't really have anyone we can call on to lend a hand. That's where childcare.co.uk comes in.

I came across the childcare site a few years ago when I was considering hiring a babysitter, and thought it was a great concept. On the site you can find local babysitters, childcare providers, household helpers, schools and private tutors and with over 2 million users it's not hard to see why it is such a successful site, collecting several awards since its launch in 2009.

On visiting the page you can immediately search for whichever local provider you need. The initial results show providers within 5 miles, however you can narrow this down or expand it as required. You can also filter results to show which kind of provider you need - for example in the babysitting category there are 21 different options including evening babysitters and babysitters with DBS checks.

Once the results appear, you can then go into each provider's profile for more information, such as their working hours, their experience and also read reviews from other parents. This is definitely something that is a reassurance as you are seeing real reviews from people who have used their services. It is always a concern when you are leaving your child with a strange, so to see they have received positive feedback from other people is very reassuring. Further to this you can actually contact parents who have used the provider in the past for even more information, should you feel you need to.

I have actually used the site in the past and was pleased with how easy it is to navigate and find someone locally, and upon a 5 mile search there were 178 babysitters available which is more than enough to choose from. I have heard of quite a few people using the site since then and there have been some improvements such as parent reviews and being able to contact parents that I don't remember from last time and definitely make a difference. I would happily use the site and recommend it to friends, not only for the babysitting facility but for all the other providers available. If you want to find out more information you can visit childcare.co.uk.

*This is a featured post however all opinions are my own.

Review: L.O.L. Surprise #HairGoals

2019-03-12T19:52:00.000+00:00

Holly isn't a girl that particularly sits down with dolls or Barbies and will play endlessly, she tends to flit from one activity to another and can end up with every toy she owns out in a short period of time. However one toy she does go back to time and time again are her L.O.L. dolls. She was a fan from the day they came out and loves the collectible concept where she can unpackage each layer, enjoying revealing the surprises as she goes along. On top of several dolls we now have the pop up store where she can play with her dolls but also store everything that comes with them.

L.O.L. have recently released their latest addition to the doll line - the Hairgoals dolls, so when we offered some to try I thought they would make great additions to our existing sets. The Hairgoals dolls are the same as the existing dolls - they come with an outfit and accessories and you unwrap them just as you did before, however the exciting new feature is they come with real hair!

There are ten dolls to collect in the new series and each one comes with fifteen surprises, not to mention the packaging which turns into a capsule with salon chair, display case and stand. The dolls also have water surprises which include crying and going to the toilet.

Of course Holly was thrilled to receive the dolls and after a bit of debating with Jack they decided they could open one each but Holly would keep the dolls as Jack probably wouldn't play with them! The joys of siblings! The layers were easy to unwrap and when they had finished peeling them off we got down to the capsule, which was is a great feature as it has little doors that open out to display your doll, but it also comes with a chain to turn it into a bag to carry your doll around.

Holly was so excited to see the hair feature and immediately started brushing and playing with the black and white hairstyle of the doll she opened.

I think these are a fantastic addition to the existing L.O.L. doll range and add an extra dimension to play. These collectible style toys are so popular right now and don't seem to be going anywhere and I think these are a great type of collectible as they aren't too small for little hands and have lots of elements to them to be played with. I especially like that the clothes and accessories can be interchanged, much like a Barbie doll, so children can experiment with the looks and styles of the dolls too.

These dolls retail at £15.99 at Smyths, The Entertainer, Argos and all good toy retailers which is on the lower end of the dolls you can buy, so a nice price point as a bit of a treat. They come with lots of accessories and offer lots of fun play time, especially with the added hair feature. They will definitely be a great addition to your little ones' L.O.L. collection.

*We were sent these toys FOC however all opinions are my own.

Travel: Ideas for your next UK City Break

2019-03-12T17:19:00.002+00:00

If you’re planning a weekend break with your partner, friends or family, then the UK has plenty of city destinations which can cater to a wide range of preferences. Whether you are looking for great nightlife, a city with a rich history or just fancy a bit of sightseeing, we’ve put together a few ideas to help you plan the best weekend break you can imagine.

The great thing about city breaks is that you can often book them relatively cheaply via booking comparison websites, so whatever your budget, you’re sure to find somewhere to match.

Love sightseeing? Where else but London!

When it comes to sightseeing there really isn’t anywhere better to go than London. Even if you’ve visited several times before, there’s bound to be something new that you haven’t seen or experienced, whether it’s seeing a new landmark, visiting a new museum or catching a show at one of the many theatres.

If you haven’t visited before, then a river cruise is a great place to start. The Thames Clipper will take you on a journey down the Thames river where you will see sights such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, The London Eye, The Houses of Parliament and much more. You could even use a river cruise to travel around the city instead of using the Underground!

History buff? Try York!

King George VI once said that “the History of York is the history of England" – and if you visit it’s easy to see why! One of the UK’s most historic cities, York has a rich and varied history of Romans, Saxons and Vikings which have characterised the city.

Surrounded by its ancient walls and laced with Medieval streets and buildings, there is plenty to see and do, including the York Minster which demonstrates Medieval architecture, the Jorvik Centre which documents the Vikings’ habitation of the city and The National Railway Museum which is home to historic locomotives of Britain.

If you like to mix history with mystery, you can also go on one of the city’s ghost walks which will help you explore and learn some of the spooky history of the birthplace of Guy Fawkes.

Just looking for a good night out? Visit Manchester!

Vibrant, energetic and full of character, Manchester truly offers something for everyone with a diverse range of cool, cutting edge bars, homely pubs and impressive music venues that attract world-renowned names.

After a day shopping in the city’s wealth of high street brands and independent shops, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing places to eat and drink. The city’s famous Northern Quarter is jam-packed with an eclectic choice of restaurants, modern cocktail bars and friendly pubs and cafes. Everything is in close proximity too, so it’s especially convenient if you aren’t the sort of couple or group who like to stay in just one place!

Hopefully these ideas will give you some great inspiration for your next city break!

*This is a featured post

Review & Giveaway: Sealife Manchester with Play-Doh

2019-02-27T17:34:00.001+00:00

We have visited our local aquarium, Sealife Manchester based in the Trafford Centre, many times in the years since it has opened. It is a regular on our list of activities to keep the children entertained at some point during the holiday period. For February half term we were invited along to try out the new Jawsome Sharks experience with Play-Doh so along with some friends we spent a couple of hours enjoying the underwater life and taking part in the activities on offer.

In the Jawsome Sharks event, visitors are asked to help Professor Finn to locate several sharks teeth dotted about in different tanks. Along the way you will learn about different facts and information all about sharks and at the end once you have found all the teeth you get to meet Professor Finn and be given a special prize as well as getting to look at actual sharks teeth too.

Unfortunately when we arrived there were no activity packs left, which was a shame, however we still went along and spotted several of the sharks teeth. There are five to find in total and by encouraging the children to spot them it also means they take more notice of the tanks around them rather than whizzing past like lunatics, as Jack and his friend often do.

At the end of it all we met Professor Finn and were rewarded with a pot of Play-Doh which we could then use to make our own sharks and fish using the template laid out on nearby tables.

It was a lovely day as always at Sealife and a great way to get the children interacting more with the tanks and displays and learn all about sharks.

We have been offered a family ticket to give away which gives two adults and two children free entry into one of the following centres to experience the Jawsome Sharks event themselves.

Loch Lomond from 09.02.19 to 06.05.19
Manchester from 08.02.19 to 06.05.19
Birmingham from 09.02.19 to10.03.19
Bray from 16.02.19 to 06.05.19
London from 16.02.19 to 24.02.19
Weymouth from 16.02.19 to 06.05.19
Blackpool from 16.02.19 to 06.05.19
Brighton from 23.03.19 to 06.05.19
Great Yarmouth from 23.03.19 to 06.05.19
Scarborough from 23.03.19 to 06.05.19
Hunstanton from 23.03.19 to 06.05.19

Please use the entry form below to enter, all T&C's are included below.

*We were provided with tickets FOC however all opinions are my own.

Managing with Chronic Fatigue & Flu

2019-02-15T15:58:00.000+00:00

For the last three weeks I have been battling with my health trying to get on top of what seems to be a bout of flu. It began with a sore throat and quickly turned into a terrible cough that kept me up all nights, aches all over and fatigue that kept me in bed for a week. As most of you know I am already battling chronic fatigue, which is hard enough in itself, so throw another illness on top of that and it's rock bottom. But, hopefully I am now coming out of the other side of it and so I thought I'd share my advice on how to survive when you get one illness on top of a chronic one.

1. Surround yourself with what you need.

From medicines, tissues, Vicks, things to keep you occupied, comfy pillows and blankets and your mobile - make sure you or someone helping you grabs all those things and puts them within easy reach. This saves you having to go up and down the stairs when all you want to do is sleep.

2. Drink honey and lemon.

Honey is a great aid for a sore throat and the lemon helps cut through the congestions, so add them to a cup of boiling water for a drink that eases your burning throat and helps alleviate your symptoms for a little bit.

3. Take paracetamol regularly.

Paracetamol helps with the aches and pains, keeps your temperature down and generally lessens your symptoms in order for you to manage better. There are no points for 'being brave' and getting through it without medicating so give your body all the support you can and take those tablets.

4. Steam.

I put a teaspoon full of Vicks in a bowl of boiling hot water and put my face over the bowl with a tea towel over my head to keep the steam in. I cannot tell you how many times doing this has eased my throat and coughing just enough to get a couple of hours of solid sleep. There's nothing worse than it taking ages to get yourself comfy, you dropping off, only to be woken a few minutes later by a horrible cough.

5. Have a nice soak.

This time I found some Olbas Oil and added some to a warm bath, closed the door and just laid in the warm water for a while. My husband put a towel and my pyjamas on the radiator so they were nice and warm to climb into and it was a lovely way to ease my chest and relax before climbing back into bed.

6. Rest, rest rest, then rest some more.

It's so easy to wake up one feeling a little better so you get up and do too much. I fell foul of this one weekend and really paid for it for the next few days. If you feel a little better, still take your tablets and maybe go downstairs, but still make sure you rest and take it easy. If you don't you risk prolonging your illness.

7. Try and stay positive.

One thing I managed to do this time around was remain relatively positive. I knew I was ill, I accepted I would have to stay in bed and I just got on with it. I am at the end of week three and I admit by now I am getting fed up of looking at four walls with just the TV and the odd hello from my husband and children for company, but not having an absolute emotional meltdown and feeling like I was spiralling into black hole is a whole new experience for me and something I'm proud of managing.

Review: Treetop Trek & Nets In Manchester

2019-02-11T18:23:00.000+00:00

Getting out and about with the kids at this time of year is not the easiest thing - the weather is unreliable, it's muddy and cold and finding things outdoors to do that won't result in complaining after a few minutes can be a challenge. When we were invited to try Treetop Trek & Nets in Manchester, I thought it would definitely be something different to do and I was intrigued to see what the kids would make of it.

Treetop Trek is based at Heaton Park in Bolton and is relatively new to the area. It features two treks - a one hour Mini Trek and two hour Zip Trek as well as the Nets which includes giant trampolines, walkways, slides and tunnels all suspended 40ft off the ground. We were trying out the Mini Trek as that is aimed at younger and first time children, where the Zip Trek is for over seven's. Also the longer trek is a lot higher off the ground probably wasn't suitable for us when were doing it for the first time.

We went on the trek first and the instructor set us all up with harnesses and safety equipment before running through the safety brief and instructions. Jack was raring to go, whereas Holly was a bit more reluctant but after the 30 minute briefing we were let loose on the course. The instructor stayed with us the entire time and guided us around, which we definitely needed with the children as once we got up there we weren't so sure ourselves!

It turned out that after being so confident, Jack freaked out after getting stuck on one of the zip lines and the instructor flew around the course to him, quickly sorting him out and reassuring him. It made me feel a lot better knowing there was someone with us who knew what he was doing and ensured we all stayed safe.

I was really pleased to see the children challenging themselves and despite a few tears and uncertainty we all got around the course and completed the final zip line with flying colours.

After the trek it was our turn to go on the treetop nets, however Holly was full of a cold and decided she'd had enough of being outside so Jack and daddy went on these without us. They absolutely loved these and Jack flew around them with gusto, running, jumping, climbing and sliding everywhere. You are provided with sacks for the slides so you don't get rope burn and the whole area is supervised from the ground so if there any problems there is someone on hand to help.

The session on the nets is for two hours and this seemed quite a lot - Jack and John were on for just under an hour and were completely bounced out by that point. The nets are open for children aged three and up and children over seven can go on unsupervised.

We had an absolutely fabulous experience on the Treektop Nets & Trek and I'd definitely recommend it, despite the odd tear on the trek the children absolutely loved it and it was a great way to get them outdoors. Plus as the experience is situated in Heaton Park there are loads of things to do once you've finished. My only comment would be on the price as it is £20 for children and adults aged 5+ for the nets and £20 for the trek, meaning to do it all is £40 each for a three hours experience, which seems quite a lot to me. However if you are looking for a day out in the North West that is a bit different I'd definitely suggest giving Treetop Trek a try.

*We were provided with entry FOC however all opinions are my own.

You Are Not Alone: Chronic Fatigue And Guilt

2019-01-28T17:14:00.001+00:00

As a chronic fatigue sufferer, one of my hardest emotional struggles is the feeling of guilt. I am not the person I once was and my mind really struggles with that thought and so there are many times when I let people down.

My memory has never been amazing but I could usually keep on top of my plans. Now, not only do I have to cancel plans with friends at the last minute, I often forget I’ve even made them. I write them down, I set reminders in my phone; but it doesn’t matter what I do, things slip through the very frail net I have in place. My friends are so important to me but I am not a good friend in return and I hate that. Then comes the Guilt.

There was a time when I could spend ages interacting with Holly when she was a baby - I would sit and read with her, play peek-a-boo, do puzzles. Now sometimes just the noise of the children is too much and I have to go upstairs. I can’t go for walks with them or teach them how to ride their bikes. The simplest parts of parenthood most people take for granted I am absent from, and I feel so terrible about it - what if they look back on these years and I am absent from their memories? What if not having their mum around the do these things and share the joy in them affects them as they grow? Am I damaging my children? Then comes the Guilt.

My husband and I once had an equal relationship: he has always been the earner and whilst I worked, my role was to keep things in line at home. I didn’t always cook, but I cleaned, I did the washing, I managed the finances and I made sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. Now we’re lucky if I manage to do the odd load of washing and even then it tends to sit on the sofa screwed up for days. Cooking is out of the question altogether, not to mention cleaning up after it. And the arguments we have about keeping the house straight, as he is just not as tidy as me and yet I can’t do it myself - it drives me insane with frustration. Then comes the Guilt.

I once worked, I went out and did something with my life, I brought in an income. Whilst my job was never anything spectacular in some way it gave me purpose and drive, it gave me a chance to be a person outside of my family and it gave me a sense of providing. Now I sit at home alone most days, sleeping or counting down the hours until I can. I crave the company of others and then find them overwhelming and that I have nothing to say to them. I loose myself in TV and games, anything to escape my current existence which often brings me to tears.Then comes the Guilt.

Guilt that I don’t appreciate my family.
Guilt that I don’t appreciate my friends.
Guilt that I don’t appreciate my children.
Guilt that I don’t appreciate my husband.
Guilt that I don’t appreciate my life.
And fear that this is it, forever.

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A post shared by Hollybobbs ❤️💙💛💚🧡 (@hollybobbs) on Jan 20, 2019 at 11:19am PST

Tips For Cleaning Your Floors From Mrs Hinch

2019-01-24T13:35:00.000+00:00

Many of us will be aware of the Instagram sensation that is Mrs Hinch - having grown from just a few thousand to over a million in a few short months, her cleaning advice has helped people all over the country, if not the world, manage their household chores in small manageable bites and even motivated those who have been struggling to keep on top of things. Today I thought I'd pull together some of her cleaning advice for the floors in your home. There may be some affiliate links in this post for your convenience.

Elbow Grease Spray

I only discovered Elbow Grease via Mrs Hinch but when I've spoken to friends they've been using it for years! Since I used it I can't believe the stuff it can get out. Holly has spilt slime on her carpet (hate the stuff!) and Elbow Grease actually gets it out, which is pretty impressive. You can also use it on laminate flooring to get out really stuck on marks.

1001 Spray

Every night Mrs Hinch sprays round her downstairs rooms meaning they are lovely and fresh on a morning. One of her top tips is to use 1001 carpet spray on all your carpets just before you go up to bed, leaving them smelling gorgeous for the next day.

Bathroom and Kitchen Floors

For your floors that get a lot of hammering, Mrs Hinch uses Cif floor wipes and a kneeling mat to get right into the corners and cracks to give them a good clean.

Bufftings

These are floor polishing shoes, which look a bit crazy but are super useful and convenient. Save your back by donning these bad boys and polish your laminate flooring as you walk.

Squeegee For Stairs

A lot of us use these for cleaning our bathrooms shower doors, but did you know you can use them on carpet too? They are fantastic for running over your stairs once you have vacuumed to grab those extra hair and bits that the vac hasn't quite picked up.

Clean Your Rug

Using Ariel Gel cold wash and fabric softener in a bowl of cold water, you can clean so much dirt from your rugs. All you need to do is rub the rug with white a dishcloth, working in small sections then brush with scrubbing brush dipped in the solution to finish it off and make it nice and fluffy again.

Here are some of the other tools Mrs Hinch uses to get her floors nice and clean:

"Sharon" Shark DuoClean Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

"Trace" Vileda Turbo Mop & Bucket

"Vera" Vileda 1-2 Spray Mop

Shark Klik n Flip Steam Mop

*This post is in association with Flooring Superstore.

Review: David Charles Partywear For Girls

2019-01-22T18:16:00.001+00:00

There are some beautiful clothes out there for girls and finding the right party dress can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. I tend to turn to the usual supermarket find or maybe a trip to Next or Monsoon. However from time to time I do like to splash out on something extra special and when I was looking for a dress for Holly that would be suitable for her birthday and into the Christmas party season I was really thrilled when David Charles Childrenswear got in touch.

David Charles are an iconic childrenswear brand that have been around since the 1970's. Originally based in Britain, they now have boutiques all over the world. Their dresses have been worn by Royalty and Hollywood stars and are designed for girls aged 2 - 16 years old.

The dress I chose is the royal blue and gold occasion dress. When I received the dress I was absolutely thrilled at the quality of it - it has two layers made of tulle and velvet and such beautiful gold embroidered detailing on the top. It also has a round ruffle neckline and knee length pleated skirt which falls beautifully. It is really heavyweight quality fabric and it feels like a really luxurious dress to wear, in fact I’d love one in my size!

Holly is average height for her size, although she does have quite long legs. I went for a size 7 and it fit her perfectly. The dress has a nice long concealed zip at the back so it is easy to slip on and zip up without struggling to get in and out of.

It is such a beautiful colour blue and really suited Holly’s colouring. She has worn it twice already and had lots of comments on how lovely it is. It was the perfect dress for her birthday and seemed pretty robust surviving through eating, dancing and partying the day away.

David Charles dresses are more on the expensive side - this one is £249 (although it's currently in the sale for £125) - but if you are looking for one for a special occasion I’d highly recommend them. They are superior quality and are made to last. You can find out more on their website.

*We were sent this dress FOC however all opinions are my own.

An Eighth Birthday Party

2019-01-18T12:56:00.004+00:00

The week before Christmas was Holly’s eighth birthday. This year she opted for a karaoke party and a minibus parked itself on our drive for two hours whilst the children sang their hearts out to the likes of Little Mix and Greatest Showman, much to the delight of our neighbours I’m sure!

I thought seven years old seemed like a big milestone but eight is just another step towards high school. This year Holly moved up to key stage two at primary school and is doing really well. She has a natural ability for academics and her favourite subjects are maths, as it always has been, but this year she has started Spanish lessons and it loving it, often coming home telling me what she has learnt. She is settled well in school now and whilst she doesn’t have one best friend in particular, she moves around group to group and is friends with most of the children in her class. It really is a lovely class she is in and all the children get on really well, which I am pleased about.

At home she is gradually getting more independent from me and seems more confident doing things on her own. Bedtimes have settled down a lot more and I don’t need to go up and down the stairs as much as I did only a couple of months ago. She got an Echo Dot for Christmas and loves listening to it whilst she plays or draws upstairs. She isn’t always best at entertaining herself, though, and if Jack’s not around she’s easily bored.

Just like her auntie, she is daft as a brush at times. She will come upstairs to me if I’m having a rest and recite silly rhymes or just giggle, and with her infectious laugh she soon has me in stitches. She has just started gymnastics and loved it - she is always doing cartwheels and the like at home, much to Jack’s dismay as she kicked him in the face on Boxing Day. I’m hoping this is something she will finally stick to as Brownies, dancing and football soon went out of the window.

She makes us laugh and wows is with her abilities and I look forward to watching her grow, if not slightly dubious about the little madam that is slowly emerging. Happy birthday baby girl, we love you lots!

The Top 7 of 2018 Tag

2019-01-08T08:31:00.001+00:00

As New Year hits I love looking reflecting on the past twelve months and all the things we have got up to - it's easy to forget everything that has happened over the space of several months and for posterity's sake I like having a place I can come to and reflect easily. So when I was tagged in One Frazzled Mum's Top 7 Tag by Hodge Podge Days, it was the perfect opportunity to sum up our year.

My Favourite 7 Posts of 2018

2018 was the year I returned to blogging, after having a year long break, and whilst I didn't write loads of posts, I was happy to return to something that's been part of me for years.

I wrote about Jack's sixth birthday back in May and reflected on the years with our little man. These type of posts are one of the whole reasons I began this blog in the first place and will serve as something that the children and I can look back on for years to come.

In September I talked about the summer holidays, which seemed to fly by in a blur of days out, seeing friends and family, not to mention our holiday and my birthday.

As the year progressed I enjoyed some time with some blogging friends, which is really special as it is just for me and I love it. It's like meeting up with friends you dont get to see very often and who share something in common with you that not many others do. I visited the Lake District in October and then the Yorkshire Dales in December and enjoyed drinks, laughs and some much needed time away.

I've also started to write more about chronic illness and how it affects me. I've shared a few posts with my advice on different aspects of the illness and they seem to have been quite popular, so I'm hoping to continue this in the future.

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The 7 Things I Loved The Most About 2018

2018 was a funny old year - after some losses at the end of 2017 we spent a big part of the year reeling from those, only to have a couple more over the summer. We definitely had some great times though, my favourite ones being:

Jack turning Six
I adore my childrens' birthdays and try and make them a bit special. This year we went down to Legoland in Windsor with his friend and their family, followed by a smaller party at a local splash zone. Every year I say it, but I can't believe my baby is six!

Our Family Holiday to Spain
We spent a lovely two weeks together at Magic Natura in Spain and had a great time. We visited the waterpark loads, fed elephants at night and enjoyed quality time togeteer the four of us. I look forward to our family time every year, and this year it will be Mexico which is really exciting!

My Blog Trip to Tenerife
Whilst I love family time, time away from the kids is also very needed so this trip was the perfect opportunity to spend a week with friends soaking up the Canarian sun, and the toffee vodka! Sian, Laura and I had a brilliant trip and I have very fond memories of our time together.

My birthday
Some birthdays I don't really acknowledge and some birthdays end up quite big, and this one was definitely the bigger side. We did Crystal Maze in Manchester - fantastic by the way - afternoon tea at Cloud 23 then a night with lots of lovely friends.

Visiting Portmeirion
We have been going to Wales as a family for many years now as my in-laws have a caravan there. We have never visited Portmeirion before though, and wow was I impressed! Brightly coloured buildings. quirky shops and tea rooms galore - I was in heaven!

Enjoying a weekend off with the hubby
This seemed only a small thing at the time, but it was such a good weekend. My sister house swapped us and had the kids for the night, and waking up to a quiet house, casually hanging out then nipping to the pub for a drink was the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Spending time with friends
This year one of the things that surprised were some new friendships. I adore my long-time friends and cherish them a lot, but some special people came into my life this year who I was not expecting and my life is so much richer for them.

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7 Things I am Looking Forward to in 2019

I'm not one to think too far ahead and whilst I have things I would love to achieve in life, having a chronic illness generally means you have to take each day a it comes. With that in mind though, there are some lovely times ahead that I am looking forward to.

Returning to the Caravan in Wales
We only visited once last year and I actually missed it. It is like a home away from home for us and a great opportunity to take just a few nights together without going too far or spending too much money I'm definitely looking forward to a few more trips this year.

Seeing Westlife
Yes, yes, I know, very uncool, but I was a huge Westlife fan in my teens and I was thrilled to find one of my friend was too. So in May we have planned a night out seeing the concert, indulging in the exclusive bar beforehand and enjoying a night in a hotel too.

Going to Mexico
As I mentioned before, this year's family holiday is to Mexico, and we are going with friends. I've never been transatlantic to anywhere apart from America before so I cannot wait for this, not to mention is costing us the same as it did to go to Spain last year!

Trying New Things
Last year John and I started playing D&D with friends and I absolutely love it - it's such a fun form of escapism plus I actually really enjoy the role playing part and it's definitely helped with my confidence. This year we're planning on trying Live Action Role Playing, which is not for everyone but I'm quite intrigued to see if it's for me.

Getting Organised
I'm hoping to do a bit more in the way of life organisation this year - and by that I don't mean becoming the next Marie Kondo or Mrs Hinch, but more getting my diet in better order for my health and planning my blog time better and therefore being more productive. I'm pretty sue I've been saying this for years though, so let's see how this year goes.

Making the Most of What I Have
When I look back over the last few years it has been a lot of 'when the kids get to that age..' and 'when I feel better..' and 'when we have more money...' - more often than not those times never appear and you spend your life wishing time away. I want to focus more on the life we have, the special little people in it and appreciating my husband. It's not always easy when you're in the thick of it and life seems just too much, but I'm hoping doing more gratitude activities will help that.

Enabling My Husband To Have Some Time Off
I've felt like 2018 featured a lot of me taking time off as I was struggling and Mr H left behind holding down the fort. He has had the odd night out and he is currently in Florida for a week (most of it for work), but he doesn't actually get much time to himself because, to be honest, the thought of parenting on my own scares the shit out of me in case I can't handle it. However it just isn't fair and he needs a break every now and again so I must push myself, for his sake.

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Tag 7 Bloggers to Take Part

I think most people have done this by now but if not feel free to join in and tag me and I'll share your post!