YELLOW FIELDS AND ONE ON ONE TIME


Something quite rare happened recently, both Michael and I got to spend a few hours together with just Archie. Caleb was away for a few hours at a birthday party which meant Archie had us all to himself. To say his little face lit up at the attention was an understatement. I've always believed in the power of one on one time with a child when they have siblings. That little bit of time carved out just for them can be a tonic from busy family life. I had however forgot just how important it is for our boys to get time on their own time with both Michael and I together too.

One of my most vivid birthday memories was when I turned 10 and I got to go out for dinner with just my mum and dad in the evening. I remember it feeling like such a huge deal. One, to be out late. Two, that it was just going to be the three of us. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the restaurant or tell you what I ate for dinner, but I do remember that feeling of being special. The type of spotlight I think every child craves for occasionally.


What we also noticed was just how chatty and engaged he was having us all to himself. He was a happy calm, something we've not seen a whole lot of lately. His behaviour has pretty much ticked every toddler nightmare box lately, so these few hours were a tonic for us all. It helped remind Michael and I that underneath all the toddler angst he's still our happy boy, who squealed at the sight of yellow fields as far as his little eye could see. He definitely gets that from his mama. Every year the sight of these fields makes me happy, and I'm happy to report no pouring noses or watery eyes this year for any of us, hence the photo op ;)


Seeing Archie so giddy made us so happy but also gave us that pang of guilt. We've been comparing his behaviour to Caleb a lot lately, which really isn't fair considering the two year age gap. Memory is a funny thing isn't it? Caleb is so chilled and sweet-natured that it of course highlights Archie's erratic toddler antics all the more at the minute. Yet if we actually look back to Caleb's behaviour at Archie's age we went through the trickiest spell, all the more intensified by what would later be diagnosed as a speech delay.

In short, we need to just chill out, stop comparing and ride the toddler storm, it does help that he's ridiculously funny and has a smile that instantly causes you to forgive everything. His speech has come on leaps and bounds these last few weeks too, which is probably at the root of his behaviour. Nothing spells crazy behaviour like a new development stage. I do however think a little more one on one time with both Michael and I, is just what's needed for him too. A chance to be Archie, and not little brother all the time.


In other news I decided to go blonder. I'd like to tell you it's just because I want to go lighter for the summer, but the main reason was to help disguise the grey. Amazing. I blame two stints of todderhood for that ;)


I'm still as you can see obsessed with blue, frills and cuff details. This one kinda reminds me of the summer dresses I used to wear in Primary school and in fact they do it in a dress too! Also is it just me or is it hard to find good straight leg jeans that don't have rips in them??! Does that make me sound really old? Hell, I don't care. I love ripped jeans but sometimes you just want to disguise the fact you  haven't shaved your legs for weeks!

Oh and please tell me I'm not the only one who hears Coldplay's song, Yellow, in my head every time I see these fields?? Seriously, for me. Every. Time. 


SHOP THIS LOOK


Wednesday, 24 May 2017 Comments: 4
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HOW WE DO HOUSEHOLD CHORES


I grew up in a family where the majority of the household chores were done by the women of the house. I remember moving in with Michael, both bright-eyed and bushy tailed twenty-one year olds and thinking nope, that will absolutely not be me. We both had jobs, why should I be doing the bulk of the chores?? So apart from cooking, not Michael's strong suit unless we wanted to live off balsamic pasta (don't ask!!) or chicken fajitas for the rest our lives, we split the chores up. We even split it down to doing our own clothes washing after he shrunk a very expensive top of mine in with his football wash. I couldn't decide at the time what was worse, the shrunken top or the discovery he'd been doing all of my washing combined with his smelly football wash :/

So when Indesit got in touch about their Big Family Switch Up campaign, it got me thinking about household chores and just how much things have changed now we're a family of four. I watched the video, which you can see below, and I could see similarities of ourselves in all the families featured.



Since becoming a stay at home mum I've definitely taken on the bulk of the responsibilities, therefore it was no surprise to me when I took the survey that we came out as Traditionalists. I know, I know, my twenty-one year old self would be giving me the major eye roll just now, but to me it made sense. Michael is at work all day and the family home is in all intense purposes my work environment. 

Watching the video did however highlight a few things that I hate to admit. I've turned into that person who likes set jobs. Michael always does the bins, recycling, and the cleaning of the bathrooms. All three jobs I hate. I'll happily cook, hoover, hang washing and so on rather than do those three jobs.  Also I'm that person who on the occasional off day (eh once a week ;), complains I do the majority of the chores, Michael then tries to help out more and then I criticise that its not like how I do it. Ugh typing that makes me feel like such a control freak. It's made not only me, but Michael realise we're in a bit of a chores rut. He's even threatening to cook ;)

One area I know we have true balance in is our role as parents. We both do everything when it comes to the boys, and we switch up the roles regularly, and because of this we'll rarely argue about anything to do with the boys. It makes me think that if we approached chores the same way maybe we'd argue less and be much happier about them, which is exactly what the Big Family Switch Up campaign is all about.

I'd love to hear how you handle chores in your household? Is it a source of arguments and what family type are you? Are you Traditionalists like us or a Switched Up family? You can find the survey here.

* This post was sponsored by Indesit. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sunday, 14 May 2017 Comments: 5
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THIS LITTLE HOUSE WEARS // BLUE


I've shied away in the past from doing posts that are solely about style and fashion, even though it has to be one of the most requested blog topics readers email me about.

In my mind what business did I have doing style posts? I'm not a fashion blogger, surely if people want posts like that they head over to fashion blogs, not here, why would anyone care about what I was wearing??

Let me introduce you to my internal negative voice. You know the one? The voice that belittles you constantly and doesn't allow you to see your own potential. For whatever reason that voice has been pretty loud of late, in all areas of my life. It's a bitter pill to swallow when you realise you are your own worst enemy and all the obstacles in front of you are self-created.

I know there's no overnight solution to being your own worst enemy, but I do know that for my own sake and sanity I have to start making positive steps towards being kinder to myself, and actually more honest with myself too.

I think I shy away from a lot of creative challenges in my life because truth be told I'm scared of failing. If you don't try then you can't possibly fail, can you? A twisted logic I've been hiding behind longer than I'd like to admit. So this is me stepping out of my comfort zone, and instead stepping into the beautiful streets of Edinburgh doing some pretty awkward poses whilst hoping that I don't have a double chin, ha! 

You see it dawned on me that I was looking at this whole style blogging idea completely wrong. I was mainly shying away from doing such posts as I look at fashion blogs myself and think I couldn't possibly do that. I love what I love but I'm not fashion forward. I don't have an unlimited disposable income for clothing. and I'm not super skinny, tanned, and impossibly gorgeous looking. Now this isn't a pity party but actually my light bulb moment, because for those of you that are emailing me, that's not what you want nor expect from me. I'm just a normal mum of two young boys in her mid thirties who loves her clothes, and maybe that's what resonates with you? I'll never supply you with posts of me looking super glossy and high fashion, but I can bring you my love of the high street and smaller brands, and the occasional double chin ;). Seriously, it's a sad day when your realise your double chin is no longer caused by an unflattering angle it just happens to be a permanent fixture. Thankfully it doesn't stop the clothes I love from fitting though ;)

So thank you. Thank you for the emails and messages that have actually made me stop and reflect on why it is I shy away from certain things. Thank you for helping me step out of my comfort zone. 

Now enough of me banging on about my inner crazy voices. Let's talk clothes. For me my wardrobe has always been an extension of myself. I adore clothes and notice they have a huge impact on my general mood and attitude. For example if I dress like a slob then I feel like one, so for me wearing something I really like can set me on the right foot for the day. 


Take this gorgeous blue smock top from Next. I found this last month but it's still available and comes in red too. Trust me when I say I needed to use all my willpower to not buy it in both colours. I'm obsessed with the embroidered detailing and this is now a firm favourite in my wardrobe. It's such a easy go to look with jeans and slip on mules (possibly my favourite fashion comeback, yay!) when you're rushing out the door. I plan to pair it with cropped wide leg trousers once the weather warms up in Edinburgh. It's definitely feeling hopeful, spring is in the air.


You only need to look on the high street or scroll the Internet to see how huge blue is this season. Be it stripes, gingham or block colour. Blue's never been a colour I wear that much apart from the obligatory Breton stripe, but its safe to say I've caught the blue bug. Here's a few below that are on my lust list, and tick all the boxes for this spring/summer biggest trends, embroidery, bows, ruffles and cuffs galore.


Left, I love this Zara number, fun and vibrant for the summer.

Centre, Pretty much obsessed with this bow detailing on this Marks and Spencer top.

Right, ruffle and cuff perfection with this Mango beauty.

You can also find my jeans here, and they are currently on sale less than half price. My sunglasses are Ray-Ban, and my bag was a gift a few years back now but I love this one in a similar colour and I love the different carry options.
Wednesday, 12 April 2017 Comments: 12
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A MOTHER'S BOND with L'OCCITANE


With Mother's Day just around the corner the lovely team at L'Occitane asked me to share my feelings on a mother's bond. Are you ready for a bit of an emotional ramble? I hope so ;)

One word springs to mind. Powerful.

From my own relationship with my mum, to the bond I have with my boys.

For everyone it's different, with me it was instant. The minute both of my over nine pound (!) boys were plonked on my chest, their swollen, puffy, perfect faces rooting for milk I was overcome with the most intense feeling of love and belonging.

I say belonging because I've always felt a little bit lost in life. Not in a sad, dramatic way, just in a I'm not sure what my purpose in life is sorta way. Before the boys I'd not found a career I loved, and it sometimes worried me that without finding my direction I would just drift through life not ever feeling truly fulfilled.

Then I became a mum, and ironically through the chaos and craziness I found an inner peace with myself. The bond I have with my boys has grounded me and given me a greater sense of myself. A fact I used to get embarrassed about, as though I felt I needed to apologise for how much being a mum defined me. I no longer feel like that, nor should any mother who doesn't feel like motherhood defines them. The pressure to have it all is our generation's curse.

It's okay to say, I love my job. It's okay to say, I love being a stay at home mum. It's okay to say, the juggle is hard, all day everyday at home with my children is hard. I'm still learning that motherhood is a personal journey with our children and is not to be compared. Easier said than done at times.


With Caleb turning five and Archie, three, this year I'm starting to feel a huge shift happen. They're becoming so independent and their confidence shines now when they're away from me. A bittersweet moment but something I'm so proud of.

The bond we had in those early baby years was very much a physical one. My presence, my touch, the sound of my voice cemented that. Now I feel like our bond is this invisible force, something which gives them the confidence to go out in the world, and even when I'm physically not there they know that they are loved and supported.


With their growing independence and them both starting school and nursery this August, for the first time in a long time I'll be able to shift a little bit of the focus back on me. A somewhat scary notion, but one I'm going to embrace.

If the bond I have with my boys can send them out to be confident in the world I'm going to take a leaf out of their book and do the same. I want them to be proud of me too.

So, I plan to dedicate some proper time to this blog. Most of my blogging happens late at night or when a daytime nap will allow. I'm so excited about having time to really work on and expand this space. I also want to take better care of myself too. I feel the most unfit I've ever felt in my life and I think exercise will not only help with that but also help with my constantly feeling tired.

Talking of tired, oh my poor skin. It's true what they say, one day you wake up and the glow of youth is gone. gone. gone. As a lovely Mother's Day treat, L'Occitane sent me the most beautiful gift set from their Immortelle range. The creams have a beautiful rich feel but are so light on the skin, which is ideal for my skin as it clogs easily but lacks the moisture I need. A perfect pick me up for a tired mama who neglects herself for the little people in her life.

Men, if you're reading this there's lots of lovely Mother's day gift sets for the ladies in your life which you can find here. Ladies, if you're reading, drop the hint, hell treat yourself, and of course your own dear mum too.


To all the mama's out there I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day doing whatever it is you wish to do. Staying in bed all day being waited on hand and foot is surely allowed, isn't it?! I think I'll drop that hint to the little gentlemen and the big gentleman in my life ;)

Now I will leave you with two of my favourite pictures ever. Why? Because Caleb asked for them to be taken and chose what pose he wanted us to do. I've created a monster!!! A very, very cute monster ;) Check out our matching poses just below!


* this is post was kindly sponsored by L'Occitane, as always my thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for continuing to support the select brands we work with that help make our blog possible.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017 Comments: 12
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HAVING TWO


I remember being pregnant with Caleb unable to imagine what life would be like once he was born. I just couldn't picture it no matter how hard I tried. Then there he was in my arms and soon I couldn't imagine (nor barely remember) a life without him.

When we fell pregnant with Archie, although I could picture a life with a newborn, I couldn't picture life with two babies to love. How on earth was that going to work?! Would I love this baby as much as Caleb? Would Caleb still love me the same now he had to share me?? Would I be able to cope with two under three? These questions circled my mind the entire pregnancy.

A guilt started to creep in too, because second pregnancies get nowhere near the attention you gave your first pregnancy. I actually missed not one but two midwife appointments!! A fact that seems unfathomable when pregnant with your first, but heavily pregnant with your second and a toddler to run after....well like I said, I missed not one but TWO. I cried the second time my midwife rang to ask where I was. How would I take care of two when I couldn't even remember important appointments for my unborn child?!

Then Archie arrived. In that instant my heart literally doubled in size. It's true what people say, your heart grows bigger. Just when you think you couldn't love any more than you already do, your heart grows this infinite amount of love for your whole family, and for me at that point it felt like I could have a million more babies and there would be enough love to go around.

If you want to read about the boys meeting for the first time you can find that here, and how we found having two in those first tentative few months here.

Oh and a little tip a friend shared with us for when the boys first met, in the pictures you will see that Archie was in a bouncy chair. We purposely did that so when Caleb first met Archie he wasn't in either mine or Michael's arms. We didn't want his first experience meeting his little brother to be filled with jealousy or by the feeling he was being replaced. It worked wonders and it was Caleb (or at least in his mind) to be the first to hold Archie. Seeing the pride burst from a two year old is a seriously beautiful thing.

We have our fair share of tears and arguments but jealously isn't a huge thing in our house. I think that's largely down to Caleb's easy going nature but I also wonder if their first meeting has anything to do with it too. I guess we'll never truly know, but I really do feel like it set a good tone to their relationship from the get go.



So how is life now with two?

Well with just 26 months between them there is never a dull moment. Caleb will turn five (five!!!) in April and Archie will be three in June. It's been surreal watching the gap close between them physically and mentally, it used to be Caleb who was naturally in charge but now the hierarchy switches and every day they become more like equals.

I remember when Archie was a baby, people would spot him and then Caleb, running around like any crazed two year old would do, and the first thing they would say to me is, 'You have your hands full'. They were right, I did. Yet funnily enough life with two felt much easier to me in many ways, less intense than just having one child, and seriously, I found late pregnancy with a toddler super hard. After that two under three and even two lots of nappies didn't seem so bad ;)

It feels like now is where the pay off really starts though, for every double nappy change there was, now there is double the laughs, double the trouble, and a really beautiful friendship forming between the boys. There's very little now that Archie can't do that Caleb can, which instantly makes life so much easier. It isn't always roses, but nor should it be, through each other they're learning the most important social skills. A fact I remind myself of on those tough days when you're more referee than mother.

Now for the question every mother of two will be asked, 'Will you have a third?'

Honestly, I don't know, but someone is certainly keen. Caleb asks every morning when will I have a baby in my tummy! We asked if he realised what another baby in my tummy meant, another brother or sister. 'Yes, I want that!', he replied, 'I would take care of the baby and share my toys and read the baby stories.'

Talk about selling the idea of number three to me, and a larger age gap. The eldest pretty much brings up the third baby, right?! ;)


For those interested in furniture details, you can find our bed here. It was a really easy build too which was a bonus.

Our wall lights can be found here, they're an absolute steal for the price and a lovely alternative to a bedside lamp.
Saturday, 4 March 2017 Comments: 2
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