Smile Book Review

It's been a while since my eldest daughter has posted a book review on the blog but today she's here to share with you her thoughts on Mary Hoffman's latest book, Smile which is the story all about the original Mona Lisa. The book itself is being published by those lovely guys at Barrington Stoke which makes it 'super readable' and is aimed at readers aged 8 and upwards. Here's the blurb to give you a taster of what it has to offer....

That smile is for someone. But who?

Florence, 1482

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow - February Book of the Month

It's taken me a while this month to choose which book was my favourite, not because I read so many novels, purely because the ones that I did read all affected me in some way but because there can only be one book of the month for February I finally decided on Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow. 

This is a story that I'd describe as hauntingly beautiful. 

But before I proceed with this review I will give a trigger warning that there will be talk of self harm and suicide both of which are sensitive subjects to deal with. 

Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The broken glass washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.

Read With Me 2018 #8

Hello and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. It's an extremely short post this week as time got away from me and I'll admit this completely slipped my mind til the last minute.

My favourite post last week came from Kate on Thin Ice with her review of the book 101 Games to Play Before You Grow Up.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #8

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to go to Go Ape at Bedgbury with my husband and a couple of our close friends. Now for me this was quite a thing being severely afraid of heights. I've attempted it once before at another site but this one was a bit harder with trickier transitions between the trees. I didn't do too badly, I was determined to keep up with the others as I think the photo below shows. However I did end up bowing out near the end as I struggled to master a set of rope steps.

Unicorns, Flat Packs and Outdoor Adventures #LittleLoves

For some this was half term week but for others like myself, it was a return to school and work and that dreaded routine. There's always something so much worse about that first alarm going off after a break from getting up and rushing out of the door each morning. And there was added stress this week as my 8 year old started swimming lessons with the school so there was an extra thing that needed to be remembered before leaving the house.

I was expecting a few nerves from her but armed with her new unicorn swimming costume she surprised me by being more than a little bit excited to start learning this new skill. I get to go down and help next week and I am keen to see just how quickly she can begin to learn how to transport herself through the water. 

Read

Now I'm trying to stick to one book a week and I'm glad that actually in previous weeks I'd managed to read more than one in a week because last week I'll be honest, I didn't even manage to pick up a book. Being half term, time just gradually slid away. Time always seems to move so much quicker when the kids aren't at school, I am already on count down for the Easter holidays because in my opinion one week off just isn't enough.

Going back to routine this week meant for me the return of healthier eating because with Valentine's day, a birthday and days/nights out, I will admit I consumed a fair amount of junk food. This isn't something I'm feeling guilty about as I think we all need a break every so often however my body is now telling me it needs some goodness back in it. I've been reading up about counting macros i.e. how much protein, fat and carbs I'm consuming rather than looking primarily at the calories.

The River Book Review

Over the years I have seen plenty of picture books based around animals, what they are, where they come from etc. However I don't recall any stories specifically based on fish, to be more specific, fish migration. Patricia Hegarty seems to have spotted this gap in the market and along with illustrator Hanako Clulow, they have created a tale all about one fish on what can only be described as an epic journey as she travels down the river.

In snow-capped mountains, among the firs, the north wind blows; something stirs. Through icy water, a small fish darts - This is where her journey starts...

The River is actually quite a simple book but I think that is what makes it so effective. It begins in those snowy mountains and we see through a peep hole a small fish lurking in the water. What caught my attention immediately was the pictures themselves. The colours aren't too bright and there isn't too much going on, this gives the reader a chance to enjoy what's on the page. We get an idea as to what animals live in colder conditions and this opens up the discussion as to what other animals you might find in the snow.

Read With Me 2018 #7

Hello and welcome to this weeks Read With Me, I hope you are all well! With half term last week I only managed to finish one book.

I keep forgetting that I've set myself a target for one book a week so I shouldn't be disappointed at one book but I'm so used to reading more that it is hard to break the habit.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #7

I shared a bunch of flowers with you a couple of weeks ago and here they are now that the rest of them have bloomed. One of my favourite colours at the moment. I've decided that I'm going to try and buy a new bunch of flowers every fortnight or so as they have a clever way of brightening my mood.

Half Term, Cinema Trips and Family Time #LittleLoves

I have been on count down for this week for what seems like forever, well you know since the kids went back to school after Christmas. Tell me I am not the only one who does that? I'm a parent that seriously misses their kids when they go back to education after the holidays, I crave the family time, even if it is just sitting indoors watching films together. There never seems to be enough hours in the day to just enjoy each others company.

So this half term started off fairly lazy, a lot of Netflix and a fair amount of junk food. Did anyone else make a point of grabbing themselves a Big Mac. As soon as I saw them advertised I was instantly craving one. On Saturday we were like a family of Big Macs with the adults eating the Grand Macs, the two eldest eating normal Big Macs and the little ones chomping on their Junior Macs and let me tell you, they were well worth the calories consumed!

As good as those Big Macs were, they didn't make it on to my list for this weeks Little Loves so read on to see just what could beat those burgers....

Read

I'll admit my reading slowed down this week, I was having too much fun with the kids. A novel I didn't mention last week was Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. An author that I really rate, this story was just as good as his previous books. It's sort of a mix of genre as in one hand it is a coming of age story and on the other hand it covers another subject, one that I'll let you read for yourself as it would take away from the impact if I shared it now.

The Red Dread Book Review

My youngest two are still very much into picture books, they have their favourites that they'll tend to read over and over again but then every so often a book comes along that really grabs their attention and this is precisely what Tom Morgan Jones' debut picture books, The Read Dread has managed to do.

Thump thump... Thump thump... Thump thump... The Read Dread is on the loose! Is anyone safe?

This is a book that is literally full of surprises. When you look at the front cover and ask the children what they think it could be about, they're replies are perhaps monsters, something spooky, it could be a little bit of a scary tale. The question we should all be asking is, "what is the red dread and just what does it want?".

Read With Me 2018 #6

Hello and welcome again to another Read With Me linky. Thank you to everyone who linked up last week. We're now at the start of half term week here and I'm hoping to get the kids down to the library at some point, we don't get to go as often as we'd like any more with all of them in school these days.

I've been steadily making my way through the books that I got for my birthday although I'll admit I still have A LOT of novels still left to be read on my Kindle too. I find that I buy them but then quickly forget that they've been purchased, that is until I go to buy them again and Amazon kindly reminds me that I already bought them, anyone else do this?

My Sunday Photo 2018 #6

Last Summer my husband took up a new hobby in the form of archery. He's become quite obsessed with it, spending every Sunday at a local club and today is actually his first competition. What has been nice about this new hobby is that my eldest has wanted to get involved too so it is something that they can actually do together.

Getting Organised With BusyB

Last year I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of BusyB's ambassadors for the year ahead. As well as being gifted some wonderful stationery, it also means that I get to share what I think about them with all of you guys, you'll get to see their latest product collections and get a real insight into the 'oh so clever' features that they have to offer. This month it's time to get organised with their new and improved pretty range.

Included in this range are diaries to delight you, pens to keep writing those all important lists and of course plenty of accessories which will fit into anyone's busy lives and keep them on track for each month of the year. You'll find it hard to resist as there as some gorgeous pastel shades with hints of gold and beautiful floral patterns that give each item a very elegant look. Because lets be honest the stationery should be as stylish as its owner!

This month I was kindly sent: Mid Year Busy Life Diary, Mini Sticky Notes and Password Book

Archery, exercise and Planning Ahead #LittleLoves

Here we are, another week almost over and I have to admit I'm quietly pleased with myself that I have managed to stick to writing my #LittleLoves each week, that is a little achievement in itself. I think this is helped in part by the fact that I've been making more of an effort to plan ahead. I'm a person that likes to be organised but with so many things going on for both myself, the husband and the kids I tend to forget an awful lot.

This is where my love of stationery and my adoration of a good old list is really helping me at the moment. My BusyB diary has definitely been my saviour since the start of the year, allowing me to stay on top of things as I am able to write down everyone's bits and pieces in separate columns, I can't be the only one who has previously looked at things they've noted down and thought what the hell does that even say? And the bonus of my newly rediscovered organisation is that I have just a touch more me time which is always needed!

Read

One of my favourite authors happens to be Tijan, not for everyone, it is what I'd describe as being in the genre of young adult but there are the odd scenes that are sexually orientated. Her latest release, Ryan's Bed was something a bit different and like with any of her stories, I read it in one sitting, devouring the words. It is books like these that just allow me to escape the world every so often as I get lost in the novel and oh my god the ending of this one was entirely unexpected and actually made me want to re-read it as it changed the perspective of the tale completely.

Getting Strong not Skinny With Hunkemoller

Since the new year I have been making a conscious effort to be more active and to step up my exercise routines. Not in a bid to lose weight, no I just want to be as healthy as I can be and part of that means working out. I'm in the mind set of strong not skinny and that's why this year I've decided to incorporate more weights into my routines and my goal now is to increase the weights that I can lift throughout the year.

Of course part of exercising means wearing appropriate clothing. I've come to realise that there is nothing more comfortable than a pair of leggings and an exercise bra. No horrible underwire digging into your ribs and elasticated waist bands that are more than forgiving when your body betrays you and decides to make it look like you are carrying around a food baby inside of your stomach ( I can't be the only one that looks 6 months pregnant after eating certain foods?).

On top of that trying to lift weights can be tricky at the best of times but when your hands get sweaty it makes it even harder to pick them up correctly and seen as it is important to keep good form, I don't want any injuries now do I, this means also investing in some good accessories too. The thing is I'm also one of these people that like my accessories to match what I'm wearing, even if no-one else is watching me while I exercise.

Read With Me 2018 #5

Hello everyone, welcome to this weeks Read With Me, the first one in February! Thank you to everyone who linked up last week, as always very much appreciated.

I did well on my birthday a couple of weeks ago. Not only did my eldest daughter surprise me with a book that she'd bought me from her school library, I also bought myself a substantial pile to get through, trouble is deciding which one to read first.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #5

Everyone loves a bunch of flowers right? My lovely friend surprised me with these blooms last week on my birthday and I couldn't be happier with them. I think they brighten up the place and that's definitely what we need at this time of year when it always seems so impossibly dark.

Give the Gift of Time This Valentine's Day

I don't know about you but when it comes to buying for your significant other, I always struggle. We've been together almost fourteen years and honestly it was tough in the beginning to choose him a present, now it seems nearly impossible. This is because he is a man that will always buy what he wants when he wants it so when you ask him what he'd like, even he'll struggle to tell you because he's just bought the latest thing on his wish list.

Own a Moment are a company which are setting out to change that buy allowing you the buyer to give the gift of time. Now doesn't that sound like the perfect gift to receive this Valentine's day. They are allowing you to capture those treasured moments that you hold so dear and share them with your nearest and dearest in a way that is both special and affordable all at the same time and lets be honest who wouldn't want more time!

The way it works is this. On the site you pick a significant moment in your life, choosing the year, month, day and the time including whether it was am and pm, if you can't remember the exact time you can of course give a rough suggestion. If your moment is available you will then have the option to upload an image, one that perhaps gives special meaning to this moment as well as personalising with the name of your chosen recipient and a message too.

Presents, a Feeling of Love and a New Month #LittleLoves

After last week being a complete write off with most of my family ended up being poorly in one way or another, I was sort of looking forward to Monday and starting this week off with a clean slate as such. Ok I still felt relatively nauseous at the beginning, I think mostly due to the fact my appetite hadn't really returned but now I'm running on at least ninety percent and I am hoping we can enjoy our weekend instead of hiding out at home. 

My birthday last Saturday was an utterly wasted day not only because I was still ill but also because I didn't have all my family with me as my ten year old was out for the weekend with one of her friends. So I'd like to have a re-run (that's allowed right?), a chance to actually get out and have a nice family day without any unnecessary dramas, a dinner out perhaps where I don't feel full after the first mouthful! 

As my energy has returned I've had the chance to have a real look through all my gifts from last week and they've sort of formulated my little loves this week.

Read

It comes as no surprise that I what a lot of people will call a book worm so an ideal present to give me is of course books. My eldest daughter surprised me on my big day with a book she had bought from her school library. This for one was totally unexpected as she'd never got me a gift off her own steam before and two, was so sneaky! She'd managed to not only get it into the house undetected, she'd also wrapped it up and kept the secret all week (my lot tend to blab about my presents).

This was one of those times I felt like tearing up as it was such a thoughtful thing to do, she had done the same for her sister a couple of days before that but it never occurred to me that she might do the same for her mum too. As well as that book, I may have ordered a substantial pile of new novels from Amazon courtesy of my husband. The problem I have now, is deciding which one to read first as they all sound rather enthralling.

Watched

I carried on my binge watching of Friends this week, I've now recruited my children into watching it with me too, even if they don't understand all of the jokes. It is one of those shows that never gets old, the humour very much still as relevant now as it was back then. Even though I know exactly what is coming I still find myself proper belly laughing at the punch lines. I'm only onto season three so I still have plenty of episodes to watch.

Making Smarter Choices With the Food Scanner App from Change4Life

When I was younger I never really thought about what I ate. I remember my mum always telling me that I needed to eat my fruit and veg but you know how it is when you're a child, you always seem to take what your parents say with a pinch of salt. Since becoming a mother myself, now I can see just what my own mum was trying to do, it wasn't that she wanted me to miss out on treats, it was more about having a balanced diet.

These days there is more of a focus on the foods our children eat, and this is because of all those hidden nasties, the sugars, the salts and the saturated fats. I've always thought that my own kids ate reasonably well. Yes, they have certain junk foods like chocolate, crisps, biscuits and chips but I have always tried to balance this out by making sure that they have fruit or vegetables with every meal and getting them to alternate their snacks so they'll get one healthier one if not fruit then something like cereal bars and then they get to have sweets or chocolate for the other.