Last updated on May 5th, 2024 at 02:03 pm
FriYAY everyone! I hope there are big plans for the weekend ahead. This week has flown by in a blur. We had our very first parents induction meeting at my son’s school this week which was very interesting. We found out we have a new head teacher (surprise) and that there are only five boys in B’s entire reception. He is going to be bossed around a little more than he will like. haha
This Sunday is USA Mother’s Day so we will be celebrating no doubt with the kiddos. It always feels weird when I am trying to celebrate a holiday that isn’t here.
My brother is flying over from the states and lands in the UK tomorrow morning. I can’t wait. The kids and I are going to make him a big banner to hold up when he comes through the gates. It’s the first time anyone other than my mother has flown over to see me and where I live. I have so much planned for us for the next ten days so I might be a little MIA on social media and the blog, apologies ahead of time.
Let’s see what we have been loving this week…
Read
After a lot of bad luck in the adult books lately I have resorted to just reading more to the kids for now. We love getting new stories for them because they are huge bookworms. I am constantly recommending toddler books to friends and family and passing ours onto them after we have finished. I was very excited to be sent this lovely one from the same author as Glitterbelle book that we love so much. We absolutely adore her creative illustrations and the way she creates her stories. Harriet Muncaster uses miniature scenes created out of paper and fabric and photographs them for her stories. I love that, it’s different and the kids are always pointing out various things in the scenes on each page. It almost makes you see the detail more than a regular storybook. This may look like a halloween book but it really is just a lovely story to read all year round. The kids love the little cat and even Mr P said, “oh that’s a good story”! This is Harriet’s second book that will be out later this year so have a sneak peak below and keep an eye out for it.
Heard
Have you heard of VoucherBin? No, I hadn’t either but I am actually so impressed by it. I am always sharing voucher codes and where to shop for bargains and how to get nice things cheaper on LTM but this one really is amazing. I say that honestly because this one suits me far better as I am a huge online shopper for EVERYTHING. You can choose any department: home decor, food, fashion, phone services, regular services, jewellery, pets whatever you are shopping for and select that category and a list of top brands will pop up with discount vouchers for each one. You can select the department, your budget and what you are looking for specifically. As I am about to redecorate B’s room and the spare room this is a huge plus for me. I wish I had known about it sooner. You can even put in the brand you are looking for specifically too. So let’s say you want it for hotel.com you can just put that in the box instead of a category and it searches directly. Takes two seconds and you can really save some money. Don’t believe me, type in The White Company one of my favorite stores and see all the discounts that pop up. I just used it last night and the voucher was accepted with no problem. I always think look around you are bound to get what you want cheaper with a good old discount code or coupon! I think I was a coupon cutter in a past life.
Watch
I have finally caught up on MIC, yes my only one UK tv show that’s allowed on. lol It’s my secret guilty pleasure I have to say. Not sure why but I was so excited that Lucy is back. I didn’t like her at first but have come to really like her and I think her going traveling for awhile and being absent was intriguing. Maybe there was more to her and Spencer flirty night than we think last season. Who knows but I am glad she is back! Anyone else love the tween bopper reality show?
Wore
I have been wearing my hair straight again. I wore it straight for 28 odd years and only recently have been wearing it curly probably since I started blogging. Maybe it’s my blogging personality that has me curly most days but I use to hate my straight hair as it’s really frizzy unless I don’t wash it a few days. These days that suits my lifestyle as a parent and working from home so it’s been straight a lot lately. What do you think is better: curly or straight?
Made
Adding to my healthy main dishes I have been sharing lately, I made these scrumptious Healthy Oat Bars this week. To say they went down beautifully is an understatement. Both the kids, Mr P and I scuffed numerous ones daily until there was no more. (Sorry Morgana I know you are here Saturday, I did try to save you some). I had to quickly wrap a few for the neighbors and my mother in law or no one was going to be able to test them out for me. No sugar, no butter and so tasty. You must try them out and let me know what you think. To me, they taste just like a flapjack.
And lastly…
Last weekend was packed full of a bank holiday fun. I went to BlogOn where I got to hang out with so many amazing bloggers and be inspired. I met some amazing new bloggers too that I immediately connected with and fell in love with their blogs too. That’s what I love about the conferences as they aren’t just about the actual classes. Thank you Hayley, Rachel, Jo, and Kerri-Ann for being my buddies and lovely to meet InsideOut&About. I missed my partner in crime, Morgana as this was the first conference we ever went to together.
Yes, I know I have been asking for votes for awhile it seems but the MAD Blog Awards has just opened up and well, my momma always taught me if you don’t ask, you don’t get and I would absolutely love to be considered for Preschool or Family Fun categories. I love that they finally have a category for the toddler years. A few have been saying they don’t want to ask for votes or don’t like all the begging. I say it’s a friendly competition and we all want to be considered for something but we all are so happy when our favorite bloggers are listed too. So I say if you want voted shout it out, tweet it, write a blog post about it. We should all support and celebrate each other’s hard work and I wish everyone the very best of luck too.
VOTE HERE
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I love Made in Chelsea, I only discovered it a few months ago and binge watched the entire 8 seasons in about a month! Mr C hates it so I have to watch it when he’s out otherwise he just moans through the whole thing! x
Oh my goodness I have never gone back and seen any of the older seasons what a great idea. Will have to do that. Mine too, so I watch it solo when he is out.
Thanks for the tip re: voucherbin I will check it out. I too love a bargain.
Heading over to vote for you 🙂 good luck x
Oh yes it’s brilliant if you can get the same stores and items you want for a bargain. Good luck. Thank you so very much for the vote that’s amazing. Appreciate the support so very much!
Cannot believe the Mads are back! Seems like only yesterday I was voting!! Your hair looks lovely straight! I am secretly loving that Lucy is back too! She has to be one of my favourites! Have a wonderful weekend xx
I know me neither thought for awhile they just weren’t doing them. I think the two should be spread out more though so it’s not confusing for those that aren’t bloggers. I love Lucy she always adds spice thought they got rid of her at first. Have a lovely weekend too.
Where’s that t.shirt from? I love it!
New Look darling. Thank you.
Love your hair curly, but you’re lucky because straight really suits you too.
Good luck with the MADs (although I also want votes too in the same categories – going to be really hard to choose who to vote for!).
What pop up plugin for your subscription do you use? I’m struggling to find one I like.
Shared with #sofolo
I use mailchimp as of yesterday darling but I never get anyone subscribing yet. lol I wish it was prettier and better design so plain and boring. MADS will be tough as it seems we all have one or two toddlers and family fun so I can’t imagine how it will go this year as I know so many that fit in these categories too. I like it curly only because I was sick of straight hair for 26 years hahaha Thanks hun
Good luck with the awards! Loving the look of those flapjacks, and wonderful styling! Hope you have a fab week! #littleloves
Thanks hunny although I think so many are going for the same categories as so many fall under the preschool and family fun this year. Have a lovely weekend too.
I love your approach to awards and voting Jenny. You are so lovely that you could honestly ask a million times for votes and no one would mind a tiny bit! The very best of luck my sweet – you deserve all the good things! Oh my, your flapjacks look amazing – I’ll definitely try those out. Anything to fuel my health kick! Have a great weekend sweetpea xx
Thank you Emma. I think we should all support each other. It is a friendly competition and we all love seeing our fave bloggers listed too as much as ourselves. I think everyone should shout it out if they want to participate and join the fun. You are always too kind to me. Lol yes do try the granola bars out there are fab. Have a lovely weekend babes.
your hair looks fab curly or straight! I adore her little bunches, too cute.
Those flapjacks look delish.
Have a wonderful weekend! Xx
Thanks Sian. You too on your holiday. Safe travels.
I think you are one of those lucky people who suit both. It’s really nice to see it straight for a change. I’m jealous of everyone who went to blog on. Looked amazing!
Hope you have a great weekend xx
It was lovely at blog on think I will go every year as its so close and cheap tickets. Thanks hunny. I just got sick of straight for 26 odd years but love it curly. Lol
Love your hair curly or straight, like others have said you suit both – you lucky thing!
As you know I’m super happy Lucy’s back too, looking forward to seeing what’s in store for them all this season.
See you tomorrow!! xx
Oh me too. Thanks babes. Look forward to tomorrow and hope the weather holds out for firepit fun.
You’re so gorgeous, you can carry off any hair style I’d say!
The MADS are the first awards I’m trying for, and like you, I work on the don’t ask, don’t get principle!
Hope you have a great weekend x
Good for you. I wish you all the best luck in the world. It’s a friendly competition and I think everyone should take join in but be friendly and support each other. Oh dear thank you gorgeous not but you are too sweet to me. Have a lovely weekend.
Ooh I like your hair both ways! You’re so lucky it looks so lovely straight and curly – I look a bit like big bird when mine is curly!! Hope you enjoy mothers day xx
Ahh thanks. I bet you look lovely with both too. Took me years to figure out how to curl it so I didn’t look like a crazy as I have big thick hair. Thanks for the Mother’s Day wishes.
Ooh tasty bars…need to make me some of these healthy treats! Happy Mother’s Day for Sunday, and have a great time with your brother – a banner is such a lovely greeting when you walk through the gates 🙂 have a lovely weekend xx
Thank you so much Alice. It will be awesome to call our own mother tomorrow together on FaceTime for Mother’s Day. Yes do try the bars out and let me know what you think.
Straight hair really suits you! It’s looks lovely.. I love MIC I haven’t watched in ages actually think the husband would be slightly disappointed if I started watching it again 🙁 this granola bars looks amazing! X
Thanks Tanita. Oh I watch it when hubster isn’t around he would die. Hahaha the granola bars were amazing. I was so impressed how cutting the sugar and butter out still tastes good.
Have an incredible time with your brother, be MIA and enjoy every minute – Can’t wait to hear about it afterwards. Your hair looks lovely both ways but I love the curls although straight is so much easier for life with littles. Have a great weekend x
Thanks Donna. Actually I have thick frizzy hair so straight takes me same length of time as curly. Not blessed there both take forever. Hahaha I am looking forward to Mothers Day tomorrow and my brother being here today. We have lots of adventures planned. Have a lovely weekend.
Already voted you for family fun m’dear! All the best with it! Love the straight hair and thanks for the tip on the voucher codes… I’ll definitely be checking them out!! Xx
Oh yes do they are awesome. And thank you SO MUCH you are so supportive of me and my blog. Can’t thank you enough. Big hugs.
Oh I love the look of that book, it’s always really great when children’s books have a bit of extra depth isn’t it – especially if the story is so great that you’re going to be reading it again and again. And good luck in the MADS – I voted for you in both rounds of the BiBs and I so hope you win!
Oh thank you ever so much Carie that is so amazing of you. Yes I agree on children’s books it’s great to have something a bit different and intriguing. Thanks Hun.
Loving the straight hair it really suits you. Good luck in the MADS. i have already nominated you for the food category 🙂 xx
Oh thank you Kerry that means the world to me. Food is my one true passion and I want just cry if I made the food category. What a dream that would be. I have worn straight for so long that I went the opposite extreme to curly daily for two years. It’s nice to flip back and forth now.
Hope you have a lovely time with your brother! you so suit your hair straight, really lovely.
#littleloves
Thank you Vicki. It’s nice to have a change back and forth between the two.
Those oat bars look amazing-I’m not very good at baking but they look so tempting! Little B is a massive bookworm too but I haven’t heard of this book, will keep an eye out! With a house move on the horizon I will definitely have a look at the voucher website it sounds fab-thank you xx
I am not good either but I love giving things a go and never fall a recipe to it’s specifics always throwing extra this or substituting that in recipes. lol Yes voucher website is great for home decor items.
I celebrate both Spanish and English Mothers’ Day 😉 Not that my kids or the man do but I do (usually by refusing to cook or clean that day ha ha). Your hair looks lovely straight and very long too! Have a great time with your brother x
I love it. I celebrate the same way with both no cooking or cleaning. Thanks so much. I love to have it curly more as I get older but nice for the change back sometimes.
I love your hair straight jenny it looks gorgeous! x
Thank you Katie. I always go back and forth to which I like best. They both take the same amount of time to do. Lol life’s decisions.
Always love to hear about a new book!! Will definitely be checking out the voucher site -thank you!
That’s great. It’s nice to buy the things you like but at a cheaper price.
Mmmm, your healthy oat bars look really scrummy and your hair looks lovely! And thank you for the recommendation about Voucherbin. Off to check it out : ) I hope you’re having a fab weekend x
Yes thank you as I have my brother here from the states. Always great to get a good bargain.
I love both the straight hair and curly hair – looks amazing in both styles. I really love the stripy skirt too.
I think I am missing out I don’t watch any reality tv hehe
Oh don’t start or you won’t stop. It’s like a guilty pleasure. You know it’s not good but then you think it’s funny to see what’s going on. I never can decided on the straight or curly depends on what I am doing. Lol thank you.
You look gorgeous with your hair straight like that. I don’t have a hairdryer or straighteners at the moment so I’ve been leaving mine to dry naturally which of course means MASSIVE FRIZZ. Haha. I must do something about it really, but there always seems to be other things to prioritise!
That book looks fantastic. Elsa would love it, she’s a huge bookworm too. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for it.
Have a lovely week xxx
Thanks hunny. Oh gosh if I let it dry naturally it would be bigger than the USA! Lol yes do look out for it it’s a great book.
I love your hair both ways! It must be lovely to have your brother come to visit, I’m sure you’ve been having lots of fun this week. So lovely to catch up with you last Saturday, I think the best part of BlogOn was catching up with everyone (probably more than the sessions. Shhh, don’t tell anyone) xx
Oh me too hunny it was so lovely catching up with you and had a great day with you too! I agree best part. Thanks I like it both ways depending on what I am doing. lol Either way takes forever hahaha