Un-Birthday

The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it. “No room! No room!” they cried out when they saw Alice coming. “There’s plenty of room!” said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large armchair at one end of the table.

Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

It doesn’t have to be a birthday to throw a cool tea party. My Little Day is an online Parisian boutique dedicated to children’s birthdays and has the most prettiest and original decorations that will make you smile. So it was an un-birthday that made the mini adorn kids come together. My little day checkered pink  diamond paper plates, and black and white honeycomb paper lanterns paired with a special edition Whittard Alice in Wonderland tea-chest and crockery made for a perfect Alice themed tea party.

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Family Day Out: Hollywood Bowl

It can be hard to find a family activity that everyone will enjoy, especially when the kids are different age ranges. We love to go to Hollywood Bowl in Surrey Quays because it is so family friendly, and brings out all of our competitive streaks. It was half term so we made sure to pre-book a morning game, and we couldn’t forget the twins  Samsonite Frozen backpacks with a change of clothes. The kids get a kick out of the fun graphics on the TV screens above the lane after a strike, or spare.  When the last pin has fallen and the scores tallied (I came third) it is literally a hop and a skip to the arcade of computer games, Mario Kart and getting infuriated with the chance games.

When was your last family day out? and where did you go?

Review: Angry Birds Star Wars Jenga Death Star Game

 

My son loves Angry birds, and has a slight obsession with them since they came onto the game scene. Their latest incarnation into a tribute Stars Wars act is the Jenga death star game. It’s definitely not the Jenga I remember playing when I was younger, this is more a fun knock ’em down which is what Angry birds do. Stacking the block tower is pretty simple, my son is 8 and follows the instruction card that comes in the box, as they need to go in a particular order. The finished death star tower resembles the face of angry birds mortal enemy Darth Vader pig, with angry bird storm troopers taking post.

This is a multiplayer game so it is all about who can cause the most destruction with the miniature angry bird characters  in the X-Wing Fighter sling launcher. Roll the dice to know which character to use from Luke Skywalker Bird, Han Solo Bird to Chewbacca Bird and how many attempts you have. the kids love this game and give a huge yelp when they achieve a fatal blow in one attempt. Be prepared to be roped in yourself. The game is rated ages 8+

 

 

Lush Oxford Street

If Willy Wonka had a penchant for bath and body products I imagine Lush would be his brainchild.  Lush have just created the ultimate flagship store on Oxford Street, and it fulfils every Lushies dream. Three levels of pure awesomeness, the ground floor sets the tone hosting an array of new ranges including shampoos, styling creams, make up, gourmet soaps and more, you want it, they probably have it (or cooking it up in the Lush Kitchen).

Lush products are all about being handmade and ethical so more or less everything can be used for the whole family. The mini adorn kids delight in dropping in bath bombs waiting for any hidden colourful surprises. if you want something especially for the kids definitely try honey I washed the kids, containing English homey, with an uplifting sweet wild orange oil, the caramel scented soap is very moisturising.

Have you visited the the worlds biggest Lush store? Find it at

175 – 179 Oxford Street

London W1D 1JS

Bedtime Stories: Orla Kiely Creatures Review

Bedtime stories are that last bit of quality time to spend with the kids for the day.  Your ‘shift’ is essentially over (unless they like to wake up in the night) and it is a good routine to establish to get them to sleep. I tend to read two books and this Orla Kiely hardback Creatures picture book I picked up from our latest trip to the Horniman museum shop, is one of them. Technically I don’t have to read it because there are no words, except for the name of each animal against a Kiely print.

This is the chance to get them to read to you. It builds their confidence because they recognise and can name the animal, plus it is further engraving the word and spelling of the animal so they later recognise and can identify in other books. This is perfect for grown ups who are fans of Orla Kiely designer prints, and perfect for young children.

How about during the day, you and the kids attempt to recreate your favourite animal prints in a drawing or painting?

The days when you get fed up with the kids

Sometimes there are just days when you get fed up with the kids.  The same ones who give you joy, and make you laugh will ultimately be the same ones who frustrate you to no end, and will make you question why you even had kids in the first place. The other day was one of those days. After a particularly bad start with the crying over their outfits constant stopping on the way to nursery, and then the subsequent tantrum when I dropped them into nursery, I felt drained. I ran into another mum on the way out, and she had the biggest smile, and said hi. I burst into tears.

I couldn’t help it, big ugly Kim Kardashian tears.  I felt like a big baby, after all kids aren’t perfect little robots who will bend to your will.  My tears came because I am a full-time mum, and that one morning seemed to be every morning lately. That one incident with the crying tantrum that lasted 20 minutes on the way home seemed bigger than it was because it actually happened three times that week.  That mum hugged me and said let it out, it’s better than keeping it in, and we all get fed up with the kids sometimes. I definitely felt better but still drained and bloody tired. I don’t feel guilty for saying I really don’t like my kids sometimes, especially as we know being a mum is an unpaid full-time job that doesn’t really get the recognition it deserves.

My advice for when you hit that low.  Talk to someone. I can’t talk to my husband because he doesn’t get it.  It’s not like he doesn’t care but he works all the time, and when he sees the kids he sees nothing but stardust, so when I tell him, the annoying things they do, he says its fine they’re just kids, and to relax. The baby pooed in the bath, he laughs.  The cheek of it is it probably is so funny, but read the room. I know he would be singing a different tune if he had to do what I have been doing by myself for the last 9 years. I talk to my mum and my sister, fellow mums with their children all grown up so they have a great perspective because time flies and before you know it they will reach a certain age where they don’t need you as much, and may even have you wishing for these same times when they were small. I am fine now, but its better to take one day at a time but it’s not easy, so try to stay positive. Only around 10-15 years until they all move out.

photo Love Mae

Preview: Mothercare AW15

Previewing Mothercare collections is always a treat. The mini Adorngirls accompanied me to Central London before their nursery afternoon session to see a preview of what they will be wearing in a few months time. They posed in these waterproof pastel puffa jackets that were lightweight, with a jersey lining, so perfect to keep in the warmth, and safeguard against the rain.

It was  the seventies show for long term collaborator Jools Oliver for Little Bird. Flower child prints, and an entire rail in an abundance of colour that will tough it through grey days. Light knits were paired with smock dresses, and Peter pan collars.  I wanted the green satchel with appliqued apple for myself.

Baby K by Myleene Klass continues to be the edgy mini me collection that makes us mums envious. The balance of smart and casual pieces were in an autumnal colour palette ranging from black red and burnt orange to Breton stripes.

Shop the current collection.

Review: Soak & Sleep children character towel

Sometimes there is nothing I like more than giving my kids the biggest hug after they get out of the bath I wrap them in their towels and give them a nice big squeeze before I dry their hair. As of late we have been having a Goldilocks scenario of towels being too small, or too big; it covers their body but not long enough to dry their hair at the same time. The Soak and Sleep character towels are just right with soft 100%  cotton terry at 400 gsm, these fun animal head designs are generously sized at 63x125cm, so perfect for making them feel snug and secure. The mini Adorngirls love them so much they wear the around the house, making animal noises burying their heads, pretending to be their character.  Make sure to check out the rest of the animal designs which are fun for them, and convenient for you as very absorbent and machine washable.

Fancy Kids

Fancy Kids is a new online children’s fashion and lifestyle platform which is set to provide a stylish yet unique shopping experience. It’s unique selling point is that it will be an eco-friendly one stop platform for organically produced children’s fashion, toys and lifestyle accessories for 1-4 years old.

With the ethos that eco-friendly should not be compromised for style, curated designer collections by Marie Chantal, Melissa Odabash, Hucklebones and Marguerite, to name a few, are chosen for quality and craftsmanship.

You will love this site if you want original pieces for your child that is both ethical and beautiful.