The Photo Gallery: Animals

My nearly six year old is desperate to work with animals when she grows up.
She spends hours in the garden discovering/poking/making homes for ladybirds, worms and snails. She goes horse riding every fortnight and can forever been seen whispering in her pony's ears. And if you ever take her to a zoo she is utterly hypnotised.

I took this photo at a zoo in the Loire Valley, France during a holiday last year.
Mia adores it. She thought it was the most amazing photo she'd ever seen because "it looks like we have a lion sleeping in our back garden".

This post for for week 72 of The Gallery: Animals.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too.

Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.

Read more...

Travels with my iPhone camera

In an effort to get more active as a family, this weekend we set off on a Walk.
It gets a capital because it was to be an epic Walk. A 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' type adventure.

We're going to start tackling the Malvern Hills, hike for 2 or 3 hour, give the kids blisters (kidding). And in order to do that we need to know just how far their little legs can carry them.
A family that walks together . . . etc etc

So, with a roast dinner waiting for us when we got home to power us on, we walked over hill and dale for an hour and a half.
I, of course, had a camera with me to record it as we trekked through corn fields . . .

Through sheep fields . . . Baaaaah

Over troll bridges . . .

Over endless stiles . . .

And finally, finally, under the railway bridge the marks the descent back home.

So proud of Mia for hauling her 5-year-old legs so far with only a handful of "are we nearly home yeeeeet"s

Read more...

The dreaded back to school shoe buying session

Every parent with a school-age child dreads it: Hauling them off to the shoe shop to get their feet measured amidst a sea of other parents who are also stressed/tearing their hair out/dreading spending a fortune on said items of school wear.

We were asked by Clarks to go test out their Back to School service.
With a big huff and a puff and armed with a bag full of bribery chocolate, we headed for our nearest store.
Oh god. School shoe shopping involves sweaty shops, shouty parents, annoying kids and QUEUES.
I am so not looking forward to this. I've had bad shoe shop experiences before.

But we get there and, well, there is only a handful of people there. Score.
A girl with a clipboard greets us and makes us smile.
Then a lovely chap measures and suggests and fits and sorts us out in, well, mere minutes.
And most of that was done while my back was turned. And by 'my back was turned' I mean I had to run back to the car to fetch my phone or I wouldn't have been able to take these photos.

So there you have it. Stress-free shoe shopping.
And both my kids left the shop saying "that is the nicest shoe man we've ever ever had". So gold star to Raphael.

Truth be told I have a real issue with fitted school shoes; they're just so damn expensive.
Sure you get them fitted and 'made to measure' so to speak. But when you're elbowing £40 for a pair of shoes you know will get scuffed to within an inch of their life after just one week in the playground, it's rather galling.
Especially when you have to buy two pairs.
But then I've done the 'cheap and cheerful' option and it's false economy as I end up buying two pairs in the time it takes to wear one expensive pair out.
*Shakes fist at sky*

So thanks very very much Clarks for supplying both my children with shoes as they head back to school in September.

Read more...

My little girl. Growing up so damn fast. Sob

Read more...

Dementors; Just as scary in Lego form as they are in the movies

Shudder

The rest of the Harry Potter Lego we've been sent to build - and when I say 'we' I obviously mean my 8 year old - is just fabulous.
We're currently reading the Harry Potter books together  so these sets couldn't have come at a better time.

We've built the triple decker Knight Bus, complete with conductor Stan Shunpike, swinging chandelier and shrunken head.
And we're currently recreating Hogwarts in the living room.
Who needs to go to Florida to experience Harry Potter world? I've got it in my front room!

UPDATE: Horror of horrors, a friend and her children visited tonight and one of them DROPPED HOGWARTS ON ITS HEAD!
There were tears. And not from my son.
Guess we're going to have to start all over again . . .

Read more...

How to be the most popular girl at school . . .

. . . You donate this fabulous bit of kit to them.
When this Forest Lodge playhouse arrived in our first Toys R Us Toyologist box for this year, we jumped with joy.
I mean look at it. It's gorgeous. It's a 'dream' toy for the garden. And they were asking us to review it.
*Does lap of said garden*

But then we got to thinking. Mia is nearly 6. She'll outgrow it soon.
And although it states that it's suitable for ages 3 to 8, it's not going to keep this six year old entertained for long.
So we thought, wouldn't it be cool if we could give it to someone who could enjoy it for longer? Really appreciate it.
And so Dan and Mia came up with the idea of giving it to the Reception and Nursery class at their school.
Loads of children, constantly getting hours of joy out of it.

So, finally, here it is in place. Ready for when the children go back in September.
And here is the project manager overseeing it's transition into the school playground.

We can't wait to see a mini swarm of excitable newbies all over it come September.
THIS is what being a Toyologist is all about: Sharing the good fortune.

You can read the full review on the Toys R Us Toybox review site, on their Facebook page.
.

Read more...

The Photo Gallery: Week 72

Hello and welcome to week 72 of The Gallery.

I'll keep it short and simple this week: The theme is: Animals.


I'm sure we're going to see a lot of photos of pets, but try to branch out, be a bit different *kicks self for even thinking this phrase, let alone writing it* - think outside the box.
Test yourself. Go off in search of a cow or a ladybug or something a little more exotic.
Then come back here and show it off.

Remember, The Gallery isn't about technically brilliant photos. It's about rediscovering photos; both old and new.
It's about finding excuses to use them again, sparking your imagination, inspiring.
And absolutely ANYONE can join in.

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
You will get out of this what you put into it.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

Read more...

The Photo Gallery: World Photography Day

On World Photography Day I sat in my garden and pondered.
I took photographs of my children with my new camera lens, I thought about taking them somewhere exciting and fun to try a photoshoot and I wondered whether to invite friends over to capture their fun as they played in the sunshine.

And then I looked again at my garden. My lovely, blooming garden. And I realised you don't actually have to travel far to find wonder and beauty and 'exciting'.

This post for for week 71 of The Gallery: World Photography Day.
And if anyone can tell me the name of this lovely bush (that I was given as a cutting from my mum's garden and will be coming as a cutting to me new one - if ever we manage to move house), you get a gold star.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too.

Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you got up to on World Photography Day.

Read more...

Are you playing Happy Families?

Who knew the children's card game Happy Families could be SO bloody ruthless?
Play against an 8 year old with a competitive streak and you'll soon find out.

I cannot recommend this classic card game highly enough. Hours of family bonding. And by bonding I mean learning how to be crafty, manipulative, how to lie and to WIN AT ALL COSTS.
What's not to love?
Seriously, go out and buy a pack. These Woodland Happy Families cost me about £3 on Amazon and we've played with them non-stop.
And, oh my goodness, we've discovered nana is SO cunning when she's got those laminated little cards in her hands . . .

It seems to me they just don't make games like they used to (Scrabble? Cluedo? Monopoly?)
What's your favourite 'old' game?

Read more...

How to review toys

As the Toys R Us Toyologist programme kicks off again, my kids have been charged with the nightmarish task of reviewing toys for them again.
Tough gig, I know.
The thing we've found is you need to get organised. Have a plan. And when I say 'we've' found I, of course, mean 'I' have found as all the kids want to do is RIP OPEN THE BOXES AND PLAYYYYYY.
So, our/my plan.

1. Get your friends involved
Moon Sand Candy Factory, £14.99
★★★★★
This is the sort of activity that you need LOTS of children taking part in, so my 5 year old became the most popular girl at after school club when she took her Moon Sand in for all to enjoy. And the minute they saw the brightly-coloured box they were all buzzing around it like bees round a honey pot eager to have a go - including the supervisor!

Moon Sand is strange stuff. It looks like sand and has the texture of soft brown sugar I guess but moulds really easily and doesn't leave a gross smell on your fingers like say PlayDoh.
So what did the children make of it? Well they made a right royal mess and within about 20 minutes they had managed to break part of it. 

But it definitely got a thumbs up and a scream when I asked if they like it! 

2. Use them for 'grown up' days

Ironing board/Dyson Ball vacuum cleaner, around £20 each.
★★★★★
Finally Mia can help mummy with the housework *ahem* using her own Dyson instead of desperately trying to manoeuvre mine around the house and knocking everything over in her path!
And the ironing, oh the ironing. If only she could actually help out with that . . .
I don't know if Mia is too old for these now, but she got bored of the ironing after 10 minutes (to be fair the iron doesn't actually do anything - no lights or noises) so I can't really blame her.
The vacuum lasted for a few hours as she cleaned the house from top to bottom. It was FILTHY apparently . . .
But the darn thing won't stand up on it's own. Stop rolling your eyes, it drove me MAD. I developed a tick having to listen to the damn thing clatter to the floor every time it was propped up something for support.

3. Show mum how clever you are

Cannibal Monsters, £

★★★★★
If you put any kind of board game in front of my two children their eyes light up.They are inquisitive, love solving things and keen to play anything which means their super competitive mum doesn't have to join in. Ahem.
This simple one player game is right up their street.
It requires you to use logic to get the monsters to 'eat' each other until there is one giant monster left on the board.
A great way to get your kids using strategic thinking. We loved it. My youngest is nearly 6 and she picked it up really quickly, but then she is super competitive like her mum *ahem*!

5. Donate them to friends
Power Rangers Samurai Switch Morphin Ranger/Disc Cycles, approx £10/£15
★★★★★
These are a bit too 'babyish' for Dan who gave a "don't even THINK about asking me to play with those" look when we pulled them out of the Toys R Us review box.
So we asked a younger friend and Power Rangers fan to test them out for us instead. They were not that impressed and if we'd payed for either of these I think we'd have been very disappointed. 

6. Keep the good stuff for yourself
Galt Nail Art Craft Kit, £5.99
★★★★★
Mia nearly fell over when she opened the box to find the nail art maker.
She looked at me with a "I'm allowed to paint my nails rainbow colours? And add glitter and tattoees and pictures?"
I do the inward groan of a mother who's been through the 'daughter finding her expensive make up' and let her get on with it.
A great set to keep girls occupied and at just under £6 a perfect present idea.

7. Bond with your brother/sister
Badge It, £20
★★★★★
This is one of those sets that's perfect for pulling out during the summer holidays, when the kids are getting a bit bored and you can't bear the thought of going to the park/pool/cinema again.
It's simple and easy to use and you get to make your very own metal badges - how cool is that?!
You can use the images provided or cut out from magazines, print off photographs or draw your own designs.
The main draw for my two was the fact that you get to operate the 'machinery' yourself - a decent sized 'see through' contraption that is ready to use straight from the box. Pop the picture, badge and plastic cover in one section, crank the wheel, add the badge back, turn the wheel again, and voila, your own custom-made badge.

You can see all my reviews in full on the new Toys R Us Toy Box app on their Facebook page - a one stop shop for all toy reviews by parents like myself. Brilliant if you're looking for honest insight into toys.

Read more...

The Photo Gallery: Week 71

Hello and welcome to week 71 of The Gallery.

So, today is World Photography Day. A day for celebrating photography and remembering just how ruddy special a photo can be.
And I think we should all pay attention to this quote on the official website:

"Today, we take our photographs for granted. But next time you're flicking though photos from your last holiday, remember that there was once a time when photography didn't exist. A time when those precious moments couldn't be captured, uploaded and shared".

Imagine that. Life before photographs. Urgh, shudder!

So in celebration, and to make sure as many people get out their with their camera today (I'll accept this weekend if you're busy), this week's theme is: World Photography Day.


It must be a photo from today (or the weekend). Make it a photo to treasure for generations to come; family life, a moment, a precious family member frozen in time, a day out.
Let's remember how bloody brilliant photographs are. Go that extra mile and really try to take a cracker.
Then show it off here.

Remember, The Gallery isn't about technically brilliant photos. It's about rediscovering photos; both old and new.
It's about finding excuses to use them again, sparking your imagination, inspiring.
And absolutely ANYONE can join in.

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
You will get out of this what you put into it.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

Read more...

The Photo Gallery: Black and White

This photograph should be entitled 'the reason my daughter is a tomboy'.
This is me aged 1. A complete tearaway.
Luckily I grew up to be the adorable, level headed grown up I am now . . .
Ahem.

This post for for week 70 of The Gallery: Black and White.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too (try to ignore the 'copyright' warning just this once! Click OK and then go about your business.)

Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Read more...

Still rather obsessed with trees

During the school summer holidays there is nothing finer than packing the whole family up on a whim and heading to the hills at around 4pm.

Most people have taken their picnics and balls games and headed for home and you're left to wander around the quiet woods; exploring the needle-strewn secret pathways, watching out for the wildlife and, of course, admiring the trees.

We are so so lucky to have this wonderful place just a 10 minute drive from our house.
It's a place where children can climb beautiful, ancient trees, discover nature up close and personal and really really believe that fairytales can happen.

(NOTE: Yes, she's wearing a dress tucked into her trousers. No, I had no control over this. Yes, she also has a large and very black tattoo on her forearm. She also wanted to wear a pair of black knee-high winter boots with this outfit. I put my foot down).

Read more...

Homework. Let battle commence

Homework. A dirty word to some children; and parents.
Thankfully my 8 year old is more than happy to do his. Relishes it even.
He'll happily come home and work through his list of maths questions, then come trotting to find me and ask if I'll set him some more "but make them harder". Plus he hates it if I help.
I know, nerd, right?

However this post isn't about the rights and wrongs of schools setting homework at a young age.
This post is about the different ways mums and dads tackle it.
For there is a bit of a battle in this house.
And as they're heading back to school pretty soon, we can no longer ignore the elephant in the room.

In the blue corner there is mum.
Every week Dan had a list of 12 words which he had to use in a sentence.
So I sit with him and discuss each word, check he understands its meaning, let him come up with his own sentence, see if it can be expanded upon to make the sentence more interesting, then watch as he writes it down.
The gist of it is, he is doing his own homework. I'm just handholding. I encourage him to read over all the sentences when he's done to check for silly errors, but we're usually done within half an hour.
It's slightly messy and won't win any handwriting prizes, but it's all his own work.

In the red corner there is hubby who tackles literacy homework like it's a reflection on his own abilities. When hubby is helping Dan with his homework it takes at LEAST an hour and a half.

What the?

So I listen in and am HORRIFIED by what I hear. He's practically coming up with the sentences for him. Using words and phrases an 8 year old would NEVER use.

And he's making the poor sod rub out anything which isn't perfectly written and woe betide him if there is a 'y' with a wayward downward stroke.

It is a work of perfection. But it's not Dan. Or I don't think it is anyway.

So I ask you dear reader, should we be aiming for perfection and striving for him to constantly push himself that bit further or should we just let him learn at his own pace?
In other words, am I right?
I would be really interested to hear your take on this - especially from any teachers out there.

Read more...

We heart Ragdale Hall

It's the sort of place where you can actually switch off from stress.
You arrive at the ivy-clad entrance and are immediately transported into another world. A world of cosy corners, stately charm and friendly faces and you can't help but relaaaax.

Ragdale Healthy Hydro is a place to sit around in your white, towelling robe, as you sink down into a comfy sofa and let life wash over you.
Read a book, read the papers, chat, stare at the walls. You can do all these things. It's a home from home.
And just look at your surroundings. Gorgeous.

Hubby and I spent two days here being pampered. Two days of heaven.
Breakfast is served in bed. There are quiet rooms, bustling rooms, cafes, outdoor retreats, a pool, a gym, saunas of all descriptions, candle-lit pools - all designed to make you feel incredibly special.

And then of course, as this is a spa, there are the treatments. MELT.
As you sit in the bright, welcoming conservatory awaiting your name to be called you feel that slight tingle of anticipation. Be it facial, manicure, reflexology or hopi ear candles (as hubby opted for in a fit of experimentation) you sit there knowing that you're heading for bliss.
And you don't even care that you're sat there with reams of other white-robed women (and a smattering of men) and it could look slightly sinister!

This is our second time at Ragdale (we went for hubby's 40th last year) and it's not cheap. In fact it's rather expensive. Like Stella Artois expensive: reassuringly so! It's the sort of thing you save up for as a treat yourself to. Because,  you know, you're worth it. Well I definitely am anyway. Which is why Ragdale asked me to come visit and paid for us to indulge I'm telling myself . . .

I should also add an apology to the lovely therapist who gave me a back and head massage. I fell asleep under the spell of her relaxing treatment and woke up with a snort. A loud snort. The sort you can't disguise or pass off as something other than the loud, honking noise it is.
Mortifying. But she handled it very well and I left feeling slightly less embarrassed than I should have.

Read more...

The Photo Gallery: Week 70

Hello and welcome to week 70 of The Photo Gallery.

Back in November last year we had one of my favourite themes and so I'm revisiting it today.
It's not a duplication you understand, more an extension of a great theme . . .

And so, this week's theme is: Black and White.

Remember, The Gallery isn't primarily about technically brilliant photos. It's about rediscovering photos; both old and new.
It's about finding excuses to use them again, sparking your imagination to take new ones, feeling inspired.
And absolutely ANYONE can join in.

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
You will get out of this what you put into it.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

Read more...

The Gallery: Water

You know those stretches of water that childhood memories are made of?
They lure you in. The water's not particularly clear, or pretty, or awe inspiring.
But it allows you to skim stones, slide down muddy banks, sit in it, splash in it, and chase the dog in it.
The banks have a magnetic pull and you find yourself losing hours there without even trying.

We found such a stretch of water at the weekend when we went camping in beautiful Herefordshire.
The river flows in the shadow of a pretty, stone arched bridge and is flanked by green and pleasant hedgerows and the sunshine dapples through the tree canopy.
And this is Dan with his best friend, plotting how they're going to turn a section of the river bank into a slide worthy of the world's greatest water parks.
And they did. These are the muddy, wet clothes to prove it.

This is the sort of photo they'll look back on in years to come and recall an awesome childhood memory. And for that reason I absolutely love it.

This post for for week 69 of The Gallery: Water.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too (try to ignore the 'copyright' warning just this once! Click OK and then go about your business.)

Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Read more...

The school holidays? Weeks of fun stretching ahead of us

Read more...

The Gallery: Week 69

Hello and welcome to week 69 of The Gallery.

Many people are now in the throws of the summer holidays - travelling abroad, visiting family, entertaining the children, chilling out at home.
The weather has been pretty kind to us here in the UK and so in celebration I'm using a theme which I've been putting off until we've had a decent stretch of sunshine!

This week's theme is: Water.


Remember, The Gallery isn't about technically brilliant photos. It's about rediscovering photos; both old and new.
It's about finding excuses to use them again, sparking your imagination, inspiring.
And absolutely ANYONE can join in.

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
You will get out of this what you put into it.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

Read more...

The best biscuits for making with children

Good ole Nigella eh? You can always rely on her for a quick and easy recipe to impress everyone, yet is easy enough to get the kids involved.
Mia and I made these cookies today and funnily enough it's the grown ups who seem to have scoffed the most!
A lovely melting butter taste, they keep their shape while cooking and make you look like a kitchen diva.
Enjoy.

Ingredients
175g soft unsalted butter
200g caster sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
400g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
300g icing sugar
Food colouring

Method
Cream butter and sugar together until pale and moussey.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
In another bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt then add these to the butter and eggs and mix.
The mix should be doughy. If you think it's too sticky, add a touch more flour but do so sparingly as too much will make the dough too tough.
Halve the dough, form into fat discs, wrap each one in clingfilm and rest in the fridge for at least an hour.

When you're ready to make, preheat oven to 180C/Gas mark 4.
Sprinkle kitchen surface with flour and place one half of dough on it (leave other half in the fridge until you're ready to use it).
Sprinkle a little flour on top to stop it sticking to the rolling pin then roll out to about half cm thickness. Cut shapes into the dough and place the biscuits a little apart on a greased or lined baking sheet.

Bake for 8-12 minutes, by which time they should be lightly golden around the edges.
Cool on a rack and continue with the rest of the dough.
When all your biscuits are fully cooled you can start icing.

Put a couple of tablespoons of hot water into a large bowl and add the icing sugar. Mix together adding more water as you need it to form a thick paste.
Colour as desired with food colouring - let your imagination run wild!
Hand over to your children to decorate at will. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT at any point hand them the food colouring and let them take the lid off and sniff. A stained bright red top lip is not a pretty sight!
Makes around 50 biscuits.
Recipe from Nigella Lawson's How To Be A Domestic Goddess.

Read more...

The Gallery: Birth

I've been away for 10 days; I mean properly away. Like NO Internet away.
I've been on the other side of the world meeting amazing people and seeing amazing things.
It pretty much felt like I'd travelled to the very edge of the world truth be told.

This is the photo I took out of my plane window as we were arriving.
It was an amazing sight and marked the beginning of something really quite inspirational for me. An adventure, an education; the birth of something quite amazing.

I can't write about it just yet or share the photographs I took, but I have so many stories to share. Things that made me so so glad I became a parenting blogger.
In the meantime, I've missed you all - yes YOU - and thank you so much for continuing to comment and visit.

This post for for week 68 of The Gallery: Birth.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too (try to ignore the 'copyright' warning just this once! Click OK and then go about your business.)

Once again the Linky is going to list you all randomly today.
Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Read more...

Why I shouldn't be allowed to work from home #2

• When on an important Skype call, everyone thinks I'm wearing professional attire when in fact I'm probably wearing joggers and the vest I slept in.
• The contents of my goodie cupboard call to me. Actually call.
• As does my son's half-built Lego which is dying for someone to finish it off . . . 
• I can have bacon sandwiches with brown sauce every day.
• Twitter. And now Google +1.
• Internet shopping.
• Mmmmm, Ginger Nut biscuits . . . 
• The Chatty Window Cleaner freaks me out slightly so I have to hide whenever he visits.
• Some days I don't actually put a brush through my hair. I look a state but that's the beauty of fashion dahhling.

Read more...