So, hello there.

Well as you can see we've had a little change up around here. It was time. So much has changed in the last year that it seemed only fitting that this space should change too. Plus, I kept on logging into the blog thinking, ugh, girl, you need a serious face lift.

So here she is. I like to think of this update as the older, wiser, classier blog big sister ;)

If you have any problems navigating around the new site please let me know. You'll see up there on the top left hand side in the drop down menu we have different categories. Home decor and film being the newest. I'm really excited to share with you how we came to choose our home and its design, and to talk a little bit more about the interior design choices we have made because we have young children.

Talking of young children, mine are currently growing like weeds. Caleb has just completed his first year of school nursery and has loved it. His speech has come on leaps and bounds, and he's growing into the sweetest soul. Archie is no longer a baby. We know this fact because he informs us daily, 'I'm not a baby'. Seriously. I feel I've blinked and everyone has got so grown up.


I had a little (okay, kinda big) panic about this a few weeks back. Babies have been my life the last four years that the level of independence the two boys have right now was freaking me out. My knee jerk reaction was I need to have another baby. Nothing quite like going for a dramatic solution. Though I now suspect that is why many families go onto have child number three, four....(if you've gone past this point, I love babies but you are craaazy ;). Thankfully, I have a calm husband who is looking at it from both sides of the fence, mainly the side of, 'but things have just got so easy' fence.

Ha, and he's right. My last post which you can read here, was very much tackling the hard elements of toddlerhood. A few months back we were having a really tricky time with Archie. Our happy go lucky kid, became a ball of frustration with the word, 'NO' being the most spoken word in the house. I'll hold up my hands and admit, I panicked. You see I remember when this stage started with Caleb, it went on to last a year and a half. With hindsight we now know his behaviour was all linked to his speech delay (which wasn't confirmed until much later). So as soon as I recognised this same behaviour in Archie, I really did panic, because I couldn't imagine living through a year of that again. Not that you have the choice in these matters. If that had been the case I would have had to suck it up and at least I would know how to handle it better this time. Yet this only lasted a matter of months, it's obviously the point where their mind makes a leap which their language skills haven't caught up too yet, they know specifically what they want but not always how to express it. Cue, the drop down tantrum.

However, just like that Archie's words have exploded. It's a marvel for us to watch it happen organically. He's like a little parrot, and back is our happy boy. Gahh it makes me want to hop in a time machine and go back to Caleb at this age and just hug the hell out of him. I understand why he was so miserable all of the time now. I'm literally in awe of that boys strength of character, even now when people don't understand him (he still struggles with certain pronunciation) he never loses his patience and will just find another way to explain.

So you see I think this maybe the root of my problem. We're a boat sailing along on a calm sea, and it's actually quite disarming. If we've not been dealing with babies, we've been dealing with house moves, rental, sickness and most importantly great loss. Both Michael and I have had to say goodbye to my grandad and his nana. It has literally been one big thing after another, and here we are. For now calm seas. It's taken me to realise this fact to actually think, wow, so we're here, and it is really good. We now live in a house with no immediate neighbours to worry about, because ya know, two boys and all. We have a garden, which hello, biggest game changer for us. We have two happy, healthy boys, and slowly our time is becoming more our own again.

That's another reason for the blog face lift, this is a space I love dearly and want to expand on, and I now finally feel like I have the time and more importantly the desire to do so.

To my old readers, thank you. Thank you for sticking around. You'll be seeing more of me around these parts, and I really hope you enjoy this next chapter, and HELLO to any new readers. You should know I can ramble quite a bit and have awful pronunciation and spelling, but apart from that I'm alright ;)

To celebrate our blog relaunch I have got two amazing giveaways for two lucky winners. I handpicked two companies I am loving right now and I know you will too. This giveaway will be inconjunction with our Instagram account too, as that's a place that creatively has really pushed and inspired me over the last year.

First up is a gift for the little people in your life.

MORI, is a luxury baby brand specialising in beautiful bamboo and organic cotton baby wear. I am currently obsessed with their two piece pyjama sets as I've never felt anything so soft, every time I hug Archie in them I think newborn goodness all over again.

We will be giving one of you the chance to win one of their gorgeous throws. Pictured below is their 100% cotton Mori Star throw, priced at £55, and let me tell you, you'll be wanting to steal it for yourself. Even baby spit up wouldn't make this throw an eyesore in your house. I keep eyeing up the Mori Mountain throw, thinking of how nice it would look draped over my living room couch, but like I said, this is totally a gift for baby ;)

The lucky winner will get to choose which design and colour they would like. 



The second part of our giveaway, and one I am very excited about as it's for all you lovely ladies, or for the lovely ladies in your life (for my male readers ;).

Tienne, are giving one lucky person the chance to win a bracelet or necklace from the Daisy London Chakra range (subject to availablity). I was drawn to this range in particular as recently I have just felt a real loss of self. A thoroughly normal thing in the thick of motherhood, but something I really wanted to work on. I had stopped doing little things I once loved, like painting my nails, braiding my hair, or wearing pretty jewellery. My default response being I didn't have time, or the absolute worst one, what's the point? Well the point is I love those little things, as they make me feel good, they make me feel a little more me, when my daily life consists sometimes of very little me. So I upped my nail painting, hair braiding, jewellery wearing game.

Picture below I am wearing the Daisy Chakra bracelet, which stands for self expression and creativity. Kinda perfect for how I've been feeling lately and the positive changes I want to make. The winner will get to choose a Chakra bracelet or necklace of their choice, with a price range of £55 to £95! They come in gold, rose gold and silver. Something for everyone. 




To enter is simple. Simply comment below telling me which Mori throw you love and/or which Daisy London Chakra bracelet or necklace you would like and then head over to our Instagram where you can gain more entries. Heading over to our Instagram is essential as we shall be contacting our two winners via our Instagram account.

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway! You have until midnight Thursday 14th July 2016 to enter. The winners will be contacted via their Instagram account and will have 7 days to respond. After which point another winner will be drawn if necessary.

Good luck, everybody!! After commenting below you can head over to our Instagram by clicking HERE.

* UPDATED *

Congratulations to our winners Sacha @sachavu and Elizabeth @blowyinthewind. Both winners have been notified via their Instagram accounts.

30 comments

  1. Love the new look! You're right, so phone friendly. Congrats on the new design and what an amazing giveaway! Jules
    (@mapleandmacaron)
    xxx

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    1. Oh that is so lovely to hear! Thank you so much xx

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  2. Ahhhh it's so nice to have you back on your beautiful blog Hun! I for one love your ramblings makes me feel normal about mine - although I don't have the courage to start a blog!!!! As for the Mori Throw, well I have a thing with stars, anything with a start print gets me looking. Welcome back doll, looking forward to reading more! Axxxxx

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  3. Congratulations on the new look blog lovely - can't wait to read more! What a darling giveaway to kick things off! Chloe xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Chloe. It's lovely to have you here xx

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  4. Welcome back and congratulations on the new launch I love the star throw and after browsing the bracelets and necklaces love the daisy rose gold bracelet sacral chakra @inafix

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    1. Thank you, Jo! Lovely having you still here xx

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  5. Love the blog design :) I am also partial to a good blanket (for the baby of course!). For me, it has to be the Mori Mountain Throw. And I can so empathise with missing the tiny baby days. Time certainly is a thief x

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  6. A lovely first post with your new look bruv! Brilliant! I can totally relate to the calm waters inducing panic- it's a totally odd feeling hey but I guess inevitable! However, deffo time to slow down and relish it, at least for a little while, you deserve it. Much love xxx

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  7. oh i like star throw and Daisy Silver Necklace - Crown Chakra

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  8. MORI star throw is beautiful! and i love the Daisy Silver Earrings - Heart Chakra!
    commented on instagram as @brummiemummie

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  9. Lovely! This looks great, and I'm excited to read more. And bring on those braids and painted nails ;)


    And I think I'd go for the mountain blanket and the bracelet you've got on!

    Xo

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  10. Lovely! This looks great, and I'm excited to read more. And bring on those braids and painted nails ;)


    And I think I'd go for the mountain blanket and the bracelet you've got on!

    Xo

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    1. Congratulations, Sacha! You will adore the throw xx

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  11. Congratulations on the relaunch, Claire!! Such a lovely post my dear....I loved reading this and look forward to many more.

    Lots of love from
    Hanna x

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  12. Congratulations on the relaunch! What a lovely blog! So glad I stumbled upon your instagram account. :) I've been following MORI on ig since I had a baby. And I've been eyeing the Mori Star Throw lately. It's gorgeous. I love how it's one of the items you chose to feature here on your blog and on your instagram account. I wish I'm the lucky one to win it.❤

    Again, congratulations! Looking forward to seeing more of your posts. :)

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    1. Oh thank you for taking the time to visit our blog, and your sweet words xx

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  13. Daisy Silver Necklace - Crown Chakra is lovely

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  14. Claire, this is a lovely blog! Congratulations on the relaunch. I loved reading the piece about toddlers. I too rocked the baby bit, but struggle daily with toddler stuff. Thanks for writing it! I love the mountain throw, though I see it isn't in stock, but also love love love the heart chakra bracelet! @lindahkeys
    Looking forward to being further inspired by your beautiful house! ��

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    1. Oh thank you so much. It's a pleasure to have you here. Ahh the toddler stage is something isn't it?! So nice to know I'm not alone there xx

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  15. It looks amazing! I'd love to win! Great work it looks beautiful xxx
    THAUANE

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  16. Great you're back. I enjoy reading your mom's adventures and see your photos. Have a lovely week ; )

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    1. Oh thank you so much for sticking around. It's lovely to have you back xx

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  17. For me, it has to be the Mori Mountain Throw. simply fabulous xxx

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  18. Ahh congratulations, Elizabeth. I really hope you enjoy making your selection and having a piece to treasure. It's so lovely to have you here xx

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