Day to day life can be stressful and all consuming - especially if you have a high power job or lots of tasks to do each day. So having somewhere that's your safe haven to come home to each day each is incredibly important! Did you know that studies also show that children who see pictures of themselves hanging in there home, have greater confidence and self-esteem than those who don’t? So not only are you creating a happy place for you to live, but also for the whole family to benefit from.

But where to start? In this post I'm going to share three ways to create a happy and enjoyable environment in your home, most of which incorporate the whole family too. I hope you find this helpful!

Hang your Child/ren’s Art

When your children start creating their first little masterpieces it can be tempting to keep every single piece of art. And that's completely understandable! But how can we display this without looking like you have just shared it on the wall without care? One idea is to buy a collage photo frame to create a collage from all of those different creations. You could also decide on a few favourites, and then laminate them and display them on your walls (filing away the other pieces that don't make the cut). Both ideas make it easy for you to update the displays as and when you want / need to as well.

Take Family Portraits

Investing in some professional portraits is a beautiful way to celebrate your family. You can then either purchase the prints from your photographer to display, or even get them put onto a canvas or a photo collage. You don't even need to pay a professional either! If you have a camera (or even a smartphone) and a tripod you can save money and just take your own. Plenty of websites, and even stores such as Boots, offer photo printing services that could be a lot cheaper than using a professional.

Affirmations

Another way to brighten up your home and also spread some key messages, is to have some printed affirmations on your walls. These can range from "you are loved" to "as far as anyone knows we're a normal family". The beauty of these is that they can be completely personalised to your family (some companies will even personalise them with your family names / quotes for you), and you can decide where to hang them.

This is a collaborative post.

How to Make Moving House Less Stressful

As parents our priority is making sure that our families are well taken care of, fulfilled, and happy. But from time to time, we need to take the time to make sure that our dreams and goals come true too. An example of this is when we’re moving house; it’s a stressful operation, one filled with many trivial and time-consuming tasks that can take a very long time. But hopefully with these tips I'm going to share in this post, you can make a house move run smoothly, without letting your family down!

Get the Timing Right

Some times of the year just aren’t suitable for a big change such as moving house. You won't want to ruin Christmas, or stress your children out during exams with a big move. You can help yourself though (and make sure you fulfil your family obligations), by moving home at a quiet time for your family. Avoid birthdays, significant events, and any other major life events - and try to remember that these things take time, so don't focus too much attention on a set date too early on.

Remove Some Pressure

There are a lot of small details that need to be taken care of when you’re moving home. However, it doesn’t have to be you that takes care of every last detail personally! By recruiting professional help for some of the tasks, you can take the pressure off yourself and free up some of your time all at once. Don’t spend days transporting all your belongings; hire movers and let the experts do all the leg work - you can click here to learn more about removal firms in your area. Also make sure to hire a decent property solicitor to ensure all the paperwork is in order. Just taking a few of the tasks out of your hands will make hopefully you feel more relaxed too.

Get Family Involved

If you are moving to a different part of the country, away from family and friends, then you might find they aren't as excited about the move as you are. There are fun aspects to moving house though, such as exploring an empty home, digging through a new garden, and meeting new neighbours. By getting your family involved though, you can help them adjust to the idea a bit more, and they may even find some hidden treasures at your new house that you haven't found yet!

Hire an Assistant

You’ll have a million and one things to do when you’re moving home - and that’s on top of the million and one family responsibilities that you already have. If you have a friend or family member who you’re particularly close with, why not ask for help with admin tasks? As it's someone you know you are more likely to trust their decisions and ideas, and would probably help for a smaller fee as well. If there is a lot of work to do though, maybe look into hiring some professionals instead.

When moving house of course you won’t get everything right straight away, and there will be stressful moments too. But if you take things slow, and follow my advice above, you can make sure none the move goes as smoothly as possible. Good luck!

This is a collaborative post.

Planning Our Summer Holiday to Turkey

We were lucky enough to have a number of lovely holidays and trips this year, including Disneyland Paris, Somerset and of course Alton Towers. But the itch to sort a visa, jump on a plane and fly somewhere hot and sunny has been there the whole time - especially as we haven't been on this type of holiday since our holiday to Ibiza in 2017! So a few weeks ago, we decided to just bite the bullet and book a trip for next year, deciding on Turkey as our destination.

Jack and I last went to Turkey back in 2011 on a group '18-30s' style holiday with friends, so we already know this holiday is going to be completely different. We didn't see much of the country at all back then, so cannot wait to explore with the children and experience the beautiful country. Of course we are already thinking of getting our Turkey Visa before we travel too, as we know this is important.

Our Holiday Plans
We have booked to stay at a TUI Family Life hotel, in the Izmir area of Turkey. There seems to be lots of things we can see and do while we're there, and I know both Jack and I will want to make the most of the week. We're definitely not 'sit around the pool all day' types of people - especially as we'll have the littles with us, so booking excursions and venturing out will definitely be something we want to do. So once we have our e-visa Turkey sorted (did you know this is the cheapest way to meet the visa obligation?), I've had a look into some of the excursions and trips out that we could book and do.

Beach Day

The area we're staying in has 8 beaches to choose from, so we won't struggle for choice! Ladies Beach is a big stretch of golden sand that’s backed by a smart promenade, Long Beach is know for being good for water sports and snorkelling, and then Kustur Beach is a quieter less busy beach, which might be a good choice with the children. 

A Trip to the Waterpark

There's actually a waterpark on the property of our hotel which is so exciting, so I'm sure we'll spend at least one day here enjoying the slides and pools. There are two other waterparks in the area too, if we fancy venturing out of our hotel complex though. I know the littles would absolutely LOVE this, and although it still involves a pool, there's so much more to do at a proper waterpark. There will hopefully be a dedicated baby area, so that Lilah can get involved too.

Pirate Day

One excursion that I know the littles would absolutely love is the Pirate day which is run by TUI. You board a boat in search of treasure with Pirate Tim and Calypso the Parrot, learning pirate skills and enjoying lots of fun activities while on board. There's also face painting, swimming and lots of fun for both children and adults during the excursion too. I'm not too sure Jack will be keen yet, but it definitely looks like something we could all enjoy as a family! 

Visit Ephesus

If we fancy a real day of exploring, then an excursion to Ephesus would be perfect! You can explore the monuments of the ancient city, reliving the glory days of the Roman Empire and how life used to be. The archaeological site is so well preserved, with temples, relics and religious statues to marvel at and explore. The tour ends with a visit to a ceramics shop to see how traditional pottery is made, and the chance to buy a few souvenirs. It might be a little trickier with how young the children are, but I would love to explore the history.

Of course we are planning on having lots of down time over the week too.. it is our summer holiday after all! Plus there's a fantastic kid's club at the hotel, so Jack and I can actually relax if the littles want to go there. But I have always loved planning and being prepared (it's essential when you have children), so I know I'm going to be researching even more before we go next year. And I cannot wait already!

Have you been to Turkey before? Do you have any advice or tips for travelling to Turkey, other than getting our Visa?

This is a collaborative post.

How to Have the Perfect School Morning Routine

To say most mums hate school mornings would be an understatement. For many of us there really is nothing worse than the manic mayhem of a morning routine - especially when you have 3 little ones like me. But it doesn't always have to be something you dread.. it can actually be enjoyable too! So I'm hoping these few tips I'm going to share will help make your mornings that little bit less stressful.

Wake Up Earlier
A lot of morning stress can come from rushing around due to lack of time, so setting your alarm earlier can make a big difference. Waking up at least half an hour before everyone else is guaranteed to serve you better. You can get ready in peace and at a slower pace, and then take your time prepping breakfast for everyone. You can even nurture your morning coffee through the production process from bean to cup. And then when it is finally time for everyone else to wake up, you’ll be in a much better position for sorting them out without having to multitask.

Make a To-Do List
If you’ve never done it before, to-do lists for your morning routine can seem odd. But trust me when I say that they can also simplify your school mornings! Half the time the reason you are rushing around in the mornings, is because of things you’ve remembered at the last minute. By prepping a basic to-do list the night before, you can make sure you don't forget anything when you need it (because you always need something as a school parent it seems)!

Play Music
For over-stressed mums, the idea of adding more noise to the morning fire makes things seem even more manic. But actually upbeat music is also a vital morning aspect, and something you could be potentially missing. Positive songs have an amazing ability to put everyone in a good mood first thing, and you could also start keeping your morning routine timings to the radio shows schedule - if the news is on at 8.30am and you're still brushing your teeth, then you'll know you're late, etc.

I've shared my school morning routine below, hopefully it will give you some ideas to work into your own routine. And here's to being less stressed in the mornings!

This is a collaborative post.

Raising Children in the Digital Age - 3 Top Tips

The children of today are commonly referred to as “digital natives”, growing up having been exposed to screens and technology for much of their lives and, in fact, probably a time where they cannot life without internet access at all!

In contrast, the current generation of parents are often known as “digital immigrants” - those who may not have grown up using technology, but who have been part of the first generation to see tech move from a novelty to a fundamental part of how the world works. Digital immigrants are often comfortable with technology, but not quite to the point that their children may be. So in this post I'm going to be sharing three pieces of advice, to hopefully bridge that gap between the two.

#1 - Provide full online safety advice

The fact that modern children grow up around technology, does not mean that they instinctively know how to stay safe online. It’s always worth discussing safe measures such as being cautious about potential fraud, and similar 'stay safe' advice, such as installing parental controls on any device they use. Fab apps such as the Sky Kids app or Youtube Kids are designed especially with little ones in mind (and should be much safer places than other apps).

#2 - Be willing to ask for assistance

Conventionally, the bestowal of knowledge in a parent-child relationship is one-way, from parent to child - but when it comes to anything related to technology, your children's input can be hugely helpful. If you find yourself having issues setting up a smart speaker, then they actually may be able to help you out; and if you’re making the transition from PC to Mac and need to pull up the task manager, they can direct you to resources such as https://setapp.com/how-to/in-depth-guide-to-the-task-manager-for-mac and help to familiarise you with the new setup. Not only does this help you on a practical level, but being able to assist a parent can also be a nice self-esteem boost for your child.

#3 - Find a 'screen time' balance that works for your family

The potential impact of 'screen time' on children is an ongoing issue, as there are numerous arguments about whether the screen time itself is inherently harmful, or whether the connection is more related to associated behaviours - for example, children who use screens more tend to be more sedentary and prone to snacking, and these behaviours are the problem rather than the screens. Finding a way through this confusion can be difficult, so it can be helpful to use a multi-pronged approach: read through the existing guidelines here and keep these in mind when deciding how much screen time is appropriate for your children, but also monitor the news for further research in this important area.

This is a collaborative post.

An Interview with my Four Year Old | Parker at 4!

This is my second year of asking parker these questions (you can see his answers at age 3 here), and it's amazing to see just how much his answers have changed already! He's just turned 4 and started school, so a lot of his answers are not related to that. It's so sweet!

What’s the best thing about being 4?

Being a grown up!

What makes you laugh? 

When other people do funny things!

Who do you love, and why?

Ewan, Max and Alfie and Poppy, and Mummy and Daddy and Indie and Lilah. 'Cos they're the best!

What’s your favourite book?

Dinosaur books!

What's your favourite food?

Jacket potatoes!

What's your favourite song?

The old town road song (Lil Nas X)

What's your favourite outfit?

I like to wear my Spiderman outfit!

What's your favourite TV programme? 

Nick Jr! Ryan's Mystery Playdate on it!

What's your favourite toy? 

My new lego!

What's your favourite thing to do?

Play at school, and play with the computer there!

An Interview with my Five Year Old | Indiana at 5 and 3/4!

This is my third year asking Indiana these questions (you can read her interview at age 3 and age 4 here), and you can just see how grown up and mature she is becoming now. Why do children have to grown up so faaaaaast?!

What’s the best thing about being 5?

I get to play with my friends!

What makes you laugh? 

Being doing funny things!

Who do you love, and why?

Amelie, mummy, daddy, Lilah, Belle and Parker! Because they play with me.

What’s your favourite book?

Books about Winnie the Witch!

What's your favourite food?

Chilli!

What's your favourite song?

Greatest Showman songs!

What's your favourite outfit?

Clothes and dressing up!

What's your favourite TV programme? 

Wallace and Gromit!

What's your favourite toy? 

I like colouring!

What's your favourite thing to do?

Go to school!

Me and Mine Project | September 2019

As I was so late with last month's Me and Mine post, it really does feel like yesterday I was talking about August. But now September is at an end, and Autumn really is well upon us. It's gone so quickly I almost forgot that we needed to snap a family picture, so these were taken on Saturday in the middle of our woodland walk - and what you probably wouldn't guess is that my phone was actually propped up on a tree stump on self timer. They turned out perfectly though and are my new favourites!

We are now well into the swing of school, weekend activities and trying to enjoy the small amount of family time that's left. Parker is absolutely loving school though, and has settled into his new routine, class and teacher really well. It has been a slightly different experience from Indie's last year, but I have to keep reminding myself that he has only just turned 4 and we'll get there eventually.

Indiana is absolutely thriving; she has already gone up 2 reading levels in just a few weeks, and is buzzing with all the new things she is learning in year one. She could probably burst with excitement for her birthday (in November) too, so I must get planning a little party for her!

With the older two at school most of the week now, it's given me and Lilah so much more quality time together. Something I am enjoying so, so much.. especially as she's our last baby! She's 20 months now which is such a fun and exciting age. At this age with Indie I had just had Parker, and when Parker was this age I was already pregnant with Lilah - so I feel like I can really enjoy it this time around.. tantrums and all!

As a family we have lots of exciting moments to come over the next few weeks too. Jack has been working so much recently, so I cannot wait for him to have a week off over October half term. We plan on visiting lots of National Trust Halloween trails, picking pumpkins and just enjoying lazy mornings and snuggly evenings together. We're also celebrating our wedding anniversary on the 2nd - 4 years married and it still seems like yesterday!

3 Ideas for the Ultimate Home Revamp

For most of us home is indeed where the heart is, as we often tend to use our homes as an extension of our personality. And then as we adapt and change we often find we make small changes to our home. In this post though, I'm going to be sharing some of the more significant changes you can make to your home, to give it the ultimate revamp. 

The Walls and Lights

One of the biggest changes we can make to our home, is to the walls and lights. Getting them exactly right for the feel of your home is so important! Firstly, paying attention to how important natural light is to your home is an essential step. Natural light interacts with your home, and can therefore make a room feel completely different. If you have large windows, you can afford to go slightly darker with the colours of your walls, as they will allow more light into the property. 

If you aren’t blessed with larger windows or a particularly large house, there is no reason to fret though. Having the wall on the opposite side of the window, a clean and bright color will help distribute the light more evenly. A great trick to give the illusion of more space is to put up a large mirror - having a large mirror on the opposing wall will reflect the light in the room, making it feel much bigger and brighter.

The Floors

One thing that will certainly give your home its edge is the flooring. You could have a perfectly decorated and accessorised home, but if the flooring is bad, it won't look it's best! There are a two options when it comes to flooring - revamp or replace. If revamping is your preference, this can give your home the ultimate edge. Companies like Brisbane Timber Floors can give you that one of a kind look you have been searching for.

If you want to replace completely, just remember that a carpet isn't always the only choice. Wood flooring in the home adds a certain sense of elegance and luxury. They are much easier to upkeep as well, as things can be wiped up easily or covered with a well placed rug. Perfect if you have young children!

Accessorises

One of the most under-appreciated things in revamping the home, is just how valuable the right accessories are. We are not just thinking of pictures and plants either, there are little things you should pay attention to as well, such as light switches, light fittings, plug sockets, and most importantly, any wood you have around the home.

If there is one thing that can age a property its the coloring of the wood in the home. Darker woods are nowadays very outdated and can age a home. So it might be time to update these, or add brighter accessories to complement these areas. When looking at light switches and fittings, getting this right is incredibly important too. Placing copper fittings around a thoroughly modern, bright, and edgy home wouldn't look right at all - it's all about finding the right style for you.

This is a collaborative post.

A Summer's Day Out at Colchester Zoo

I've been meaning to write about our trip to Colchester Zoo for a while now, but as usual life got in the way, and my blog got left behind a bit over the summer. But better late than never, I thought I'd pop together a little post now, so I can look back on our visit in years to come and remember just how much fun we had!

We visited Colchester Zoo for my birthday back in mid-August, pre-booking our tickets online as we knew it was going to be potentially busy (it was, definitely pre-book!). After hearing only positive things about the zoo we were so excited to visit and explore. And my goodness it did not disappoint! We arrived before the 9.30am opening and left just before 6pm, so it really was a full day out with so much to do and see.

We decided to not really plan our day, and just followed the accessible zoo path on the map instead - there's a yellow line running through the park, which shows the easiest route for those with buggies and wheelchairs. We saw so many animals up close, including the penguins, sun bears, baboons and monkeys. We wandered through the butterfly glade before making our way over to the giraffe for the feeding time. I absolutely love that you can feed them (and the elephants) without an extra fee, just make sure you're there in good time before the feeding times as the queues got very long! We ended our day with a ride on the land train which is also included in admission and lots of fun.

As we didn't travel straight from home we didn't take a picnic with us, but honestly next time I will definitely pack one. We ate at The Southern Kitchen (think KFC kind of vibes) which was tasty, but not the cheapest or healthiest choice. We did come across a few other spots but because of the crowd levels tables were hard to find, and lots didn't do a children's meal option either. We also had ice creams from Naughty and Nice which were delicious and really generous portions!

One of the things we really enjoyed about Colchester Zoo, was just how lovely the enclosures and general areas were. Everything looked so new and well-kept, and all of the animals seemed happy and well looked after. They seem to be doing more work to improve the zoo at the moment too which is exciting for when we next visit. A warning though, it is incredibly hilly. We were not prepared for how steep some of the hills were or how big of an area the zoo covers. Wear comfy shoes and don't overpack the buggy if you bring one!

3 Ideas for a Fun Family Weekend

As a family of 5, it can be incredibly hard to arrange things that please everyone in the family. Of course I'd love to spend the weekend shopping or snuggled in bed with a good book, but the littles would much rather go to the zoo or run around crazily at soft play. But like most families the weekend is an important time of us, because it’s often the only opportunity that we all get to spend together. So, if you’re looking for ideas that will appeal to you and your little ones, then here are a few suggestions for a fun weekend with your little (or not-so-little if they’re becoming teenagers) ones!

Plan a Family Night

This should definitely be a weekly experience. You and your children are busy throughout the week with school and work, so it’s understandable that you might struggle to spend time together. That’s why you should set aside one night per week for family fun and activities. If you can stretch that to an entire day, then that would be perfect, but of course that's not really possible once your children get older. In any case, setting aside one night for the family on a weekly basis should be a manageable thing to do.

Maybe you could set up a home cinema - grab all of the duvets and pillows, stock up on popcorn and other goodies, and get snuggly. You should also allow a different family member to choose the movie you’re going to watch every week to keep it fair (but make sure you have a good shortlist, so you're not stuck watching a Peppa Pig film one week!). If you are feeling brave, you could even pick a new release at the cinema and make a proper day of it.

Go into Town

Heading into your local town or city is another idea for a fun weekend with your children. It’s a good opportunity to get out of the house and experience things, plus if you’re struggling to choose one activity that will please everyone, then this would give you and your family the chance to do several things in one day.

You could let the children play a round of bowling whilst you do a little shopping, and then all come back together to grab some food. You might even want to look into photo booth hire. That way, you could capture the day you’ve had together with a nice family photograph (or multiple family photographs).

Depending on the size of your town, you could visit a museum, head to a local park, pick new books at the library, or even just do a bit of sight-seeing. Whatever you do, just make sure you're finding activities that each member of the family would enjoy.

Play a Game

Another idea for a fun weekend with your children is to play a game. They are a great way for you to spend time together, relax, and enjoy each other’s company, while not breaking the bank at the same time. Of course you can do more than simply play a board game! Perhaps you could get outside and play some sports together, whether that's a quick game of football, or grabbing the whole extended family for a big game of rounders. If your little ones are older you could even all play a video game together - a WII or Switch are perfect family games consoles.

This is a collaborative post.

Top Tips for a Good Nights Sleep

As a parent, sleep is something that is constantly discussed. Did you get enough of it? How often were you / the baby awake last night? I could go on! Actually though, there are a number of health problems that can affect anyone's sleep quality; having a bad back, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome to name just a few. But with the right bed and the right bedding, it can be possible to get around some of these health problems, to hopefully lead to a good nights sleep. In this post I'm going to share just a few of these ways, to build the best bed for your health needs.

Headboards and Footboards

For some people headboards and footboards can offer support, whilst for others some this can be an obstacle. When it comes to beds with headboards, these may be better suited for people with back or neck issues, as they allow greater comfort when sat up. Footboards meanwhile can prevent foot drop and are useful for those who are taller. Make sure to pick the right frame for you and your needs, consider opting for a strong metal bed frame or a sturdy divan base.

Mattress

Your mattress is incredibly important to getting the best nights sleep possible. Everyone has their own preference, so it's best to go in to a store and try out lots of different types before making a decision. Harder mattresses tend to be better for people experiencing back pain, as they offer more support to the spine. Softer mattresses meanwhile can be useful for side sleepers with issues such as hip pain. There are also hybrid mattresses that include a hard spring support with a layer of soft memory foam on top, so this could be the best of both worlds.

Pillows

Pillows can also be an important factor to consider when it comes to sleep. There are pillows specifically designed to help neck pain or to help with sleep apnea; these can be bought online from orthopaedic bedding stores, or why not try and pop into a store and try them out. There are also ways of arranging pillows to help with certain pains, such as putting a pillow under the legs or behind the back when lying on your side. Make sure you replace these often too, as they can deteriorate over time.

Bed Sheets

Bedding can be an absolute minefield, as there are just so many different options to choose from. But if you’ve got a skin condition such as eczema or sensitive skin in general, it can be important to buy natural materials such as cotton sheets. Synthetic fibres can often contain chemicals that can make skin conditions flare up, so it might be best to avoid polycotton. Although cheaper, the sheets definitely aren't as comfortable or soft! Why not even consider bamboo linen, as this can be great for offering breathability too.

Control the Temperature
Being too hot or too cold could be another reason why you're not having the best nights sleep. Whilst you can use different types of bedding to react to changing temperatures, another option could be to consider using HVAC to control the temperature in your room. With a smart HVAC system fitted, you can use your phone to change the temperature, which could allow you to control the temperature from your bed. This could be great for keeping the temperature just right at night!

This is a collaborative post.

The Siblings Project | September 2019

 September has been a month of change in the Peacock household. After the long summer holidays Indiana went back to school, skipping into year one to see all of her friends and new teacher. Parker started his very own school journey, and has actually just completed his first full week! He's absolutely loving it (so far), although we're definitely suffering with the after school crankiness and he's ridiculously tired already. Help!

And even though Lilah hasn't got any big milestones just yet, it's the first time it's going to be just me and her for most of the week. I'm already loving having quality time with her, and have promised to go to at least one group with her a week. An idea that probably sounds simple, but actually seems a little scary for me, and I've never really done any with them before!

With the three of them being apart most of the day now. it is so lovely to see them all together in the evenings. Lilah already understands that we have to go and get the big two in the afternoons, and will shout 'Parker! Nana!' until we go out the door - it's unbelievably cute. Although saying that, the bickering and squabbling hasn't really stopped at all. So they can't miss each other that much!

5 Household Chores Best Left to the Professionals

Most of us have some sort of cleaning schedule, and those of us with children / and or jobs will find that your home can quickly get out of control if we don’t keep on top of things. You might clean your bathroom every Friday or mop the floors on a Saturday morning, whilst constantly trying to find the bottom of the laundry basket too.

But whether you’ve got your cleaning plan written down and even divided up between family members, or it’s all in your head, there are still some jobs that need that little bit more attention. The ones that are a little more complex, and you find yourself thinking “I wouldn’t know where to start” with. Honestly though, some of these jobs are best left to professionals! So in this post I'm going to be sharing 5 of these household chores, in the hope that it will help you realise you simply cannot do it all.

Rug Cleaning

A small cheap rug could probably be popped in the washing machine. But anything wool might shrink, and an large area rug almost certainly won’t fit. The best thing to do for these is to use a professional rug cleaning service. They may even come and collect your rug and return it clean, meaning one less thing to worry about! They’ll use appropriate detergents, remove stains and bacteria and dry your rug carefully. If you spent a lot of money on your rug, it’s undoubtedly worth cleaning it right - especially if you have children who sit on it often.

Cleaning Your Gutters

Most of us don’t think about our gutters at all, especially if they've never given you problems in the past. But over time they can become filled with leaves and other debris, causing them to become blocked. If this happens and then it rains, the water can start to run down the side of your house, leading to damaged brickwork and more serious problems. Getting someone out to clean your gutters every few months will help keep on top of them. 

Window Cleaning

You might be able to clean the inside of your windows yourself, but who realistically has the time (or the effort) to give the outside a good clean? Not me that's for sure! You can usually hire a window cleaner to come one a month / few months to keep on top of them. Just make sure you remember what day they are coming, so you don't get a big surprise outside your window!

Chimney Cleaning

Not all homes today have chimneys, which means that fewer of us know how to clean them. We actually have 4 working fireplaces in our small house, so it's something we have to think about often (although we've never actually lit any of them). It's best to hire help to keep you safe and your home soot free - especially as they will have the proper tools for a good clean too.

Mould Removal

Mould grows in warm damp areas, and can be made a lot worse in the winter when we dry washing inside. It’s perfectly normal to find some growing in your bathroom, or around windows, but that doesn't mean you should leave it. You can buy detergent to get rid of it, but you’ll probably find that it keeps coming back. So it might be best to a professional to treat it, to make sure it's gone for good!

Are there anymore you would add?

This is a collaborative post.

5 Reasons to Install Solar Panels to our Home

Solar panels are a form of renewable energy that have been used for decades now, to power our homes and small lights in our gardens. And solar energy is one of the most useful natural resources that we have! In this post I'm going to look deeper into the world of Solar Panels, and outline the perks and the reasons why you should consider getting some for your home today. 

Reduces Electricity Bills

If you are sick of paying through the nose for your electricity bills every year, and your premiums have just risen again; maybe it is time to consider getting some solar panels fitted to your house instead. Although most of the time solar panels won’t be able to power everything in the home, they can do a lot of supplement your electricity, in turn helping to lower your bills.

Diverse

Solar panels can be used for a number of things, so you can actually utilise them in many parts of the home. They can be used to power a house, to power things such as payphones and bus stops, and even for security cameras and lights outside your home or in the office.

Low Maintenance Costs

There is nothing worse than a faulty fuse or a boiler on the brink. These things can both cost a lot to repair, and the strain we put on them in the home can mean they only have a short life. However solar panels can be used for a number of things and they don’t need to be maintained much at all. Apart from cleaning the sensors now and again it should be easy going and this will allow you to focus your efforts on other things.

Cost

Did you know that you could be paid to have solar panels on your house? Because you are producing energy, the government will often pay you a small fee to help you maintain the solar panels so that the energy can be used elsewhere too. It is a mutual agreement and the more people who have solar panels, the more things will be powered.

Be Green

The most obvious reason for us to make a change from regular energy to solar, is the impact it will have on the environment. It is always important for us to consider our environment and we should take the chance to be green and save energy wherever we can. If we all do our own little bit, it can really make a big difference!

This is a collaborative post.

Me and Mine Project | August 2019

I am incredibly late with this post, but with Indiana back at school and Parker starting this week, I feel like normality has resumed a little bit. Although with that in mind, I feel as if the madness of the Summer Holidays were a lifetime ago already, even though it was only last week!

August was a month of absolute highs and incredible lows for us as a family. We celebrated Parker turning 4 with his first birthday party with friends, plus an amazing day out at Chessington World of Adventures. We also spent my birthday as a family at Colchester Zoo, which I hope to write about soon as it amazing, one of the best zoos we've ever been too! We ticked off everything on our Summer Bucket List apart from visiting the lavender fields (we ran out of time!) too, which made for lots of super fun summer memories.

August was also filled with incredible sadness for us as a family though, as on the 19th we lost my amazing nan. She was such an incredible woman, and the littles absolutely loved their great nanny, so it has been (and still is) a very difficult time. The littles have taken the news really well though, and know that nanny is watching them in the stars now.

The summer holidays meant we actually got plenty of family photos this month - although most are grainy selfies! All of them bring back fun memories though, from watching a film at the outdoor cinema, exploring a local NT property and getting lost in the maize maze. It was chaotic, crazy and stressful at times, but I do already kind of miss them all being at home. So here's to the next half term holidays!

4 Fun Holiday Ideas for the Whole Family!

Family holidays are a fantastic way to take a break, refresh, and spend some quality time with your children - especially when they're at school age. But finding a holiday that everyone will enjoy can be a complicated job. Whilst your perfect break might be a leisurely wine tour somewhere in the South of France, it’s probably not going to keep an eight-year-old entertained for a whole week. Plus, if you’re going to be spending a fair bit of money, filling suitcases with holiday gear, and getting everyone onto an airplane, you want the destination to be well-and-truly worth the effort!

So if you need a few ideas to get the ball rolling hopefully this blog post will help. I'm going to be sharing 4 fun family holiday ideas that everyone will love and remember forever.

Activities and Adventures
When we think ‘holiday’, we imagine a week away from work and chores, probably not doing very much at all! But we all know that children love an activity they can get stuck into and keep them busy. Luckily, there are plenty of holiday options which combine R&R with a healthy portion of action and adventure on the side.

Water sports can include anything from surfing, body-boarding, water-skiing, white-water rafting, scuba diving or canoeing. Basically, if there’s a body of water involved, you’re good to go! And when the children (hopefully) get tired, that’s when you can get some sunbathing in too.

Mark Warner provide some brilliant water-sports family holiday packages in several beautiful locations including Turkey, Greece and Corsica. They also have a special childcare option built in to help children learn, have fun and most importantly stay safe, whilst enjoying an action-packed break. They allow you to enjoy activities you want to do, while not having to worry about your children being bored or left in a regular kid's club.

If rock-climbing, cycling or hiking is more your thing, check out Activities Abroad for some land-based packages with a similar focus on family fun and safety. They also offer a number of cheaper options in the UK too, so you could forget the airport hassle altogether, and have a UK staycation instead.

And if you like the idea of snow-capped mountain peaks and hot chocolates by the fire, then why not consider a winter skiing holiday? Neilson ski holidays are all about making the most of the snow, with ski and snowboard lessons, a kids club for under-12s, Snowman Club for toddlers, and a range of hotels and chalets for accommodation options. Perfect!

Great British Camping 
There’s nothing like sleeping out under the stars, getting some fresh air and recreating your own childhood camping experiences. So if you’re planning on a budget or aren’t keen on air travel, camping can be a brilliant option for summer holidays in the UK.

Alton, The Star is a highly rated, family-friendly campsite right on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park (and Alton Towers)! It also boasts Carsington Water and Visitor Centre, which offers a wide range of activities for all the family on and off the water, including miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore, a children’s play area and fishing.

If you fancy taking things to the next level and giving glamping a go, Drayton Manor Park should be top of your list. There’s not a soggy ground mat in sight at Drayton’s pre-pitched tents, as these luxury canvases are fully kitted out with everything you could want. And nearby, you’ve got the Snow Dome, the National Forest, and Drayton Manor Theme Park.

If your children are mad about animals, you could even look into a Farm Stay camping holiday. With loads of locations to choose from, farm stay holidays offer a range of activities and accommodation options, including petting and feeding animals, swimming pools, cycling, walking and indoor games, all within the UK.

And if you’d like the luxury of taking the family on holiday whenever you like, it could be worth investing in a caravan of your own, from somewhere like Lyons Holiday Parks Caravans For Sale. That way, whenever and wherever you want to go, you’re fully equipped and prepared!

City Breaks
When you think family holiday, taking a city break may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But some cities in Europe are a lot more child-friendly than others, and can be a great way to absorb another culture and have fun.

Rome has plenty to offer for curious little ones, including the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, with it's hundreds of machines and models designed by the Renaissance genius. You can also climb the cupola of St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, and at just over 136 metres, the 551 steps become increasingly adventurous as you near the top. In terms of tasty treats there's plenty of options that are child friendly, with pizza and ice cream a plenty!

Paris is similarly full of things for children to do, from exploring the Magic Museum and it’s 100 bizarre mechanical figurines, to enjoying the giant whale skeletons at the Museum of Natural History’s Gallery. If that’s not enough, you could always take a couple of days to visit the nearby Disneyland Paris too!

Cruises
Not every cruise holiday is going to suit children, but some packages really have it covered with water parks, swimming pools, cinemas, kids clubs, games rooms and everything else a little one could ever want.

Norwegian Getaway packages have something to offer literally everyone, from musicals to waterslides, cruising between a series of glamourous locations including Miami, Mexico and the Caribbean. With 14 decks and 26 different dining options, as well as kids clubs, bowling, rock-climbing mini-golf and more, it would be virtually impossible for anyone to get bored!

For a trip a little closer to home, check out the Regal Princess, which boasts an eleven night round trip from Copenhagen to Scandinavia or Russia, visiting cities in six additional countries: Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Oslo, Helsinki, Berlin, and Tallinn. The whole family can enjoy movies under the stars on the giant poolside screen, and The Voice of the Ocean singing competition and Discovery at Sea activities. The perfect mix of culture, fun and relaxation!

This is a collaborative post.

6 Details to NOT Forget when Planning your Wedding

Planning your big day is fun and exciting, but there is an awful lot to remember! With so much to consider, it’s not surprising many couples forget things when they’re organising their wedding. If you’re worried you’ve forgotten something or you want to make sure you’ve got everything covered, then hopefully this post will help, as I'm going to share 6 things that you simply cannot forget when planning your wedding.

Provide extra seating

People don’t like to be crammed into a small space, so provide extra seating when you can. This is particularly important at the ceremony, when people may want to sit next to other guests they know. Wedding professionals often recommend having around 20 extra seats to ensure your guests are comfortable. 

Assign someone to manage the day

Suppliers won’t naturally know where to go or when to act, so you’ll need someone to be in charge on the day. As the Bride and Groom the day should be about relaxing and enjoying the wedding, so make sure you appoint someone else to do this for you. If you don’t have a designated wedding planner or master of service, make sure to ask a family member or friend to step in. This will help with sitting guests at the ceremony, or announcing timings for things such as photographs or food.

Set up a wedding website

A wedding-specific email address and wedding website can make the organisation of your big day straightforward and efficient. When you’re contacting suppliers, you can ensure all replies are collated into one inbox, rather than mixing it with your personal or work mail. Similarly, a wedding website makes it easy for people to RSVP and check venue details before the big day. This saves you answering endless queries from your guests and ensures you receive your RSVPs as quickly as possible!

Plan the honeymoon

When you’re caught up planning the wedding day itself, it can be easier to forget about the honeymoon! However, you’re going to need a holiday to relax after all your planning and prep so take advantage of honeymoon packages before it’s too late. With the best locations and resorts already in high demand, planning in advance will ensure you get your pick of hotels and benefit from the best prices.

Arrange transportation

If you’re holding your ceremony in one location and your reception in another, you’ll need to factor in transportation. While guests may have vehicles with them, the wedding party won’t so make sure you have cars arranged in advance.  Even if your ceremony and reception are being held in the same location, you may require transport from your hotel to the venue. Groomsmen and bridesmaid might arrive after the other guests but before the Bride and Groom, so make sure everyone can get to where they need to be on time. Just make sure the transport you have arranged can fit everyone in!

Plan for bad weather

You can never guarantee sunshine, so it is always a good idea to have a contingency plan in place for bad weather. If you’re getting married outdoors for example, check the venue has a suitable room available in case it rains. Similarly, scope out some suitable indoor locations for photographs so you’ll have alternative options if the weather lets you down.

When is your big day planned for? Good luck!

This is a collaborative post.