My Sunday Photo 2016 #31

This little girl loves exercising almost as much as I do, always imitating what I'm doing. And what's funny is that she knows what a lot of the exercises are called, you should see her attempt at a push up.

My July Favourites

We're reaching the end of another month which of course means I need to tell you about some of my favourites that I've been loving in July. This month seems to have rushed by so I don't have so many things to share with you but share with you I will :

Clif Bars

You may remember a couple of months ago I was telling you all about PhD flapjacks that I had taken to snacking on. Well this month they've been shoved to the back of the cupboard in favour of these scrummy little bars. Packed full of protein and just the right amount of carbs they are the perfect post workout snack, I've become a tad addicted to the peanut butter ones. And they are also a fab size to have in your bag when out and about. I may have eaten all my supply before I could take a photo oops.

Going Outside the Lines With Mindfun Tees

I am a huge fan of colouring, I've always found it to be extremely relaxing, a nice sort of distraction to help you de-stress after a hard day. So I was happy when I was asked to take part in the Going Outside the Lines campaign with Mindfun Tees as I knew I'd benefit from it and I wanted to be able to share my thoughts with all of you lovely readers too.

The idea of the Outside the Lines campaign is the sense that we don't need to "stay in the box", we should have the freedom to express ourselves and what better way to do that than by getting creative with a bit of colouring in.

Petit Bateau Beach Dress Review

Now that Summer has actually arrived (it's been a bit hit and miss of late hasn't it!), it's high time to start dressing for the warmer weather. I'm a girl who loves to get her legs out, skirts and dresses are a must in my wardrobe and Petit Bateau have certainly got this covered with their gorgeous designer French clothing.

I was recently asked if I would like to review something from their Summer range and let me tell you it was a tough choice. With so many vibrant colours and wonderful striped looks to choose from, there is certainly a style to suit everyone.

July Book of the Month - The Other Alice

July's book of the month goes to the wonderfully magical The Other Alice by author Michelle Harrison. Aimed at children aged 9 and upwards, being a big kid myself I just couldn't resist reading this one.

There was something odd about her eyes. They looked different to normal, but I couldn't figure out why... I waited for her to answer, but instead she took out a pen and wrote something in the notebook. She held it up to show me.

I'm not Alice, it said.

When Midge's sister Alice goes missing and a talking cat appears in her bedroom, Midge realises that Alice's stories contain the clues he needs.

But every tale has its villains - and now they are leaping off the page, Midge and two new friends must find Alice and work out how this story ends. Before a more sinister finale threatens them all...

Alice is a sixteen year old girl who loves to write. Most of her tales have been on the small side but her latest story is quickly turning into a full length novel, the trouble is she just can't figure out how to end it and that's when strange things start to occur.

Read With Me 2016 #30

Hello everyone and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. So the Summer holidays have officially begun for my children and we are off to the library this week to begin the Summer reading challenge, is anyone else doing this with their kids?

I love the idea of the reading challenge as it keeps the kids interested in learning, there is a wealth of knowledge in books after all and it is done without it becoming a chore. And the added bonus is that it is something that costs nothing and we all know how expensive the holidays can become.

My Sunday Photo 2016 #30

Not too much to say this week. Still feeling rather emotional, the picture above shows my youngest daughter on her first and last days of nursery.

Saying Goodbye to the Nursery Years

The years fly by, people always say it, cherish those moments because before you know it they'll be gone and that's what I'm wishing I'd done more of today. Yesterday was my youngest daughters last day at nursery and I can't help but feel really sad, it's one of those time when I truly hated saying goodbye.

All of my children have attended the same nursery. I've seen many staff come and go but I'll never forget them because they have all been wonderful in their own way. There are certain ones that still talk to me if we bump into each other in the street, never forgetting my kids (their attitudes are hard to forget lol).

Unique Planner Review + Discount Code

If you haven't gathered from some of my previous posts and the fact that I was an ambassador for National Stationery Week, let me tell you I am somewhat of a stationery addict. I find it hard to resist buying new notebooks, pens etc even when I've got plenty sitting at home. So when I was offered the chance to review one of Pirong's Unique Planners it was an instant yes from me.

Summer Storytelling with Little Tiger Press + Giveaway

The Summer holidays are upon us and I'm sure there are a lot of parents now sitting wondering just what are they going to do to keep their kids occupied. Of course there will be days out but not all entertainment has to cost the earth and that's where Little Tiger Press are here to help with some brand new picture books ready for storytelling this Summer.

Read With Me 2016 #29

Welcome to this weeks Read With Me. So I didn't have a lot of chances to read over the past week and a half as the sickness bug descended into my house again, oh joy.

I've got a book ready and waiting to be read, it's my step mum, Lisa Cutts latest novel called Mercy Killing, do check out her previous two novels, Never Forget and Remember Remember if you get a chance, brilliant if you are into crime fiction!

My Sunday Photo 2016 #29

A couple of weeks ago when it was raining, you know during our typical British Summer, the girls took the time to paint up some plant pots. Well we had to make use of them didn't we so now we are attempting to grow some plants of our own.

Journey to the Centre of Myself Release Blitz and Review

Book: Journey To The Centre Of Myself

Author: Andie M Long

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Hosted By:Francessca’s PR & Designs

Synopsis

Siblings (July)

I'll start off by quickly saying if you don't what the siblings project is all about then head on over to Dear Beautiful's blog so that you can join in.

It's a simple photo from me this month, my kids were blissfully unaware that I was even taking this photo, they were engrossed in whatever movie they were watching on my TV at the time.

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly Book Review

Introducing a brand new series of books from the creator of the best selling books Dork Diaries. Rachel Renee Russell brings to us The Misadventures of Max Crumbly. My eldest couldn't wait to get her hands on this one as she has already bought and read all of the Dork Diaries books.

Max Crumbly is about to face the scariest place he's ever been: South Ridge Middle School. There's a lot that's great about his new school but there's also one big problem - Doug aka Thug Thurston, the school bully whose new hobby is stuffing Max in his locker.

Sweet Cherry Publishing New Releases Book Review

I was recently sent some wonderful books through the post from Sweet Cherry Publishing to review, my girls are all avid readers so having new stories to get stuck into is always a good thing. However unlike my normal book reviews because we were sent so many what I'm going to do is leave the name of each book and then my girls are going to leave their thoughts on each one.

Read With Me 2016 #28

Hello and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. A big thank you as always to those of you that came and linked up last week. Whilst the husband was distracted with Call of Duty in the evenings I managed to fit in a couple of books last week.

The first was one I'd had on my TBR list a while and when it came up free on kindle I was click to one click. Ten by Ker Dukey definitely didn't disappoint, again not everyones cup of tea because of the sex scenes but it was filled with plenty of drama and a decent story line too.  

My Sunday Photo 2016 #28

A couple of weeks ago our local fire station opened its doors to the public, allowing both kids and adults inside to see just how the place runs, what the inside of the fire engines actually look like and a few safety demonstrations too.

Reasons to Quit Smoking

We all know that smoking can in fact kill. Every year around 96,000 people in the UK alone die from diseases triggered from smoking however it's something still quite common in the world. In the UK smoking rates have halved since the 70s but there are still just under 1 in 5 adults in Great Britain who remain smokers. If you don't do it yourself then I'm quite certain you know someone that does or perhaps did in the past. My parents were both smokers, well actually my mum still is and I'll admit in my rebellious teenage years I gave it a try but I was quick to stop as I just didn't see the appeal. Many of those who smoke actually want to quit smoking but they sometimes lack a good reason to actually give up the habit.

Tiger Days and the Secret Cat Book Review

My girls were recently sent a lovely book to review, Tiger Days and the Secret Cat is the latest book from Sarah Lean...

Tiger's grandmother looks after animals in need, and when Tiger comes to stay she quickly learns how to feed a baby warthog and keep it safe.

Tiger already has her hands full when a mysterious sound leads her to another little animal...

No day is ever dull at Willowgate House!

Champagne & Lemonade Book Review

Champagne & Lemonade is a collection of short stories written by John A. D. Hickling designed to take the reader on a journey through different times and genres meeting some quite eccentric characters along the way. I'm joining the blog tour on my stop I'm sharing with you my thoughts on the book

Nibble the fish is desperate to escape his boring old pond.

A new breed of super hero has been born and his name is Boob Cheesecake.

Dumpton Hospital's staff have a somewhat unconventional approach to looking after their patients.

Robert Hood is on a mission to save modern England.

And just who is the vampire terrorising the neighbourhood from his home at 113A Greenstone Street?

From the quixotic to the poignant, John A. D. Hickling's wild and whimsical tales fizz with fun and are sure to entertain almost everyone.

Read With Me 2016 #27

Hello you lovely lot and hello July. So my lovely hubby started a new job last week, it's in the town we live, the down side is that he will be working 6 days a week but the positive is that he will be home every evening. Well that's great for the kids but I mean when am I supposed to read now? (I joke, maybe). *update to job* well that was short lived after being told he had 6 months work, they then back tracked and said 3-4 weeks :( now struggling to find him a new job.

My Sunday Photo 2016 #27

Not a lot to say this week other than I simply love these flowers. A gorgeous mix of colours that seemed to get more vibrant with each day. These are another bunch that I bought myself, sitting nicely in a vase on my desk. 

When Parenting Becomes Overwhelming

Being a parent can be the most rewarding thing in the world but that's not to say that it comes without hardships. Not everything can be simple, where's the fun in that?

I'm sure I won't be the first to put my hands up and admit this but sometimes this parenting malarky can be more than a little overwhelming.