Monday, August 29, 2016

Looking After Myself During Motherhood ♥

I spend my days looking after two adorable little boys. It's wonderful, frustrating, adventurous, lovely and extremely exhausting, all at once. I'm not going to lie, the jump from one child to two is a big one and it's taken its toll on my energy levels - which were rather depleted anyway, and my time - I literally have no time for anything but the boys at the moment, hence why this little blog of mine has been looking rather neglected lately.

But whilst I'm busy caring for my two cheeky boys, who's looking after me? I really neglected myself after the birth, I survived on toast and then started eating sugary snack foods as they were the easiest and fastest things to prepare. I began having the evil that is energy drinks everyday too, to try and give myself some much needed pep, something I can't get from coffee as I hate hot drinks - I'm strange like that.

All the crappy food and drink just made me feel worse and I was extremely bloated and after another severe gallbladder attack I knew I had to start making a change to my diet.

I now make sure I have three meals a day and although I've never been good at eating a breakfast to set me up for the day I've found a really quick, simple and tasty solution that works for me - Forza shakes (€35.99 for a starter pack, available in Holland and Barrett, Boots and from the Forza website). I just put 300ml of water into my bottle, then the shake powder (there's a choice of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry - the latter being my favourite), shake the bottle and I'm good to go.

I began having these shakes for my breakfast on July 30th (I didn't have them for a week while we were on holiday in Spain) and since then I've lost 31cm/12in off my body.

I hadn't even been trying to lose weight but having three set meals a day, including the shakes which are just 204 calories per serving and running around after the boys I've managed to do it.

I know it's only a small loss but I'm delighted and determined to keep it up. I'm going to keep having my Forza shakes because they're convenient for me and I like the taste. I'm also trying to eat high protein foods such as eggs, beans, chicken, etc. and only drink filtered tap water now - no more energy or fizzy drinks for me. I really hope to see some great results by Christmas.

As for my mental health, I struggled with post natal depression after I gave birth to Tyler Lee and I was determined not to let it affect me this time round. So far all is good, although I do find myself getting quite frazzled at times, so when I was asked if I'd like to receive a copy of a new book Mindful Mama Happy Baby by Maja Pitamic and Susannah Marriott, I was looking forward to giving it a read.

I've never read any other parenting books before, I just don't buy into them and believe every child is different, that there are no rules when it comes to parenting, but Mindful Mama Happy Baby is different. It's not a preachy book, telling you what you should be doing, instead it promotes mindfulness and lovely bonding techniques and activities to try with your baby as they grow.

It gives timelines throughout all the different stages of the baby and toddler years and lets you know what you should be expecting, however, the book stresses throughout that every child is different and may develop faster or slower than the norm.

I'm thankful for the lovely activities it recommends to help bond with your child, as Tyler Lee has felt a bit upset since Beau was born. I think he's found it hard to share me, so anything that helps me spend time with him in a fun way is always welcomed.

Overall, it's a really lovely book and I'd recommend it to any parent who wants to practice mindfulness with their children. It's a must for me.

My skin is something which I really need to look after. It was lovely and soft during pregnancy - the hormones were good to me but since giving birth it's been very dry and in need of some moisturising and TLC.

One brand which I used before on Tyler Lee's skin was Little Butterfly London - you can read my review here, and the brand has since expanded their range to a collection of heavenly organics for mothers too.

I was sent the Cocoon of Bliss Stretch Mark Butter (£27.50) and the Blossoms in Spring Illuminating Day Cream (£39.50) for review and I honestly couldn't love these products more.

First off, the packaging is absolutely beautiful and these are products which I'm happy to display proudly on my dressing table. The Cocoon of Bliss Stretch Mark Butter smells amazing, the scent reminds me of candy necklaces and gives me a right ol' sense of nostalgia. It's such a lovely, buttery lotion that melts into the skin with ease, leaving it feeling soft and supple.

The Blossoms in Spring Illuminating Day Cream has a similar scent to the stretch mark butter but the texture of the cream is much lighter, perfect for wearing daily on your face. I use this under my makeup or just to give my skin a bit of a boost on those days when I don't need to put on makeup - you know the days when you just can't get out of the house because the kids aren't cooperating?

It feels really lovely on the skin and gives a radiance to the skin, making it look healthy and nourished. It's now an essential part of my daily skin routine.

Little Butterfly London's products for mothers are all safe to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding and I'd recommend them to any fellow mothers whose skin is in need of some pampering and who want to use something on the more luxurious end of the skincare scale.

So there you have it, the main products I've using to help look after myself during this mothering adventure I've found myself on. I'll continue using these products as they've really helped to make me feel good about myself and after all, a happy mama equals happy children.

*I was sent these products for purpose of sharing my thoughts about them on the blog, however, as always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Best Family Activities In Tenerife ♥

Tenerife has long been one of the top family holiday destinations. In fact, generations of tourists have visited the largest Canary Island to enjoy it’s climate and range of seaside resorts. But there's much more to entice families than just that. The island is a rewarding destination with numerous exciting activities waiting for adventurous families looking for fun. To help inspire you to jet off to the Canaries, here are some of Tenerife’s top family activities: 


Visit another planet
Walking through Tenerife’s Teide National park is an otherworldly experience akin to walking on Mars. Kids will love the unique landscape, unusual rock formations and stunning views. Mount Teide itself is Spain’s highest peak and has a cable car that takes you within 200m of the summit. The view from the cable car is unforgettable, as is the view from the top. 

Take a dip in the Garachico pools
Go for a swim in a unique natural swimming pool. The famous Garachico rock pools were created by a volcanic eruption three hundred years ago, and offer a delightfully scenic spot for a swim to this day. Safely separated from the Atlantic, these pools are popular with visitors all year round. The town of Garachico itself is a pleasant place for a wander once you’ve all dried off. 

Hit Europe's biggest waterpark
Siam Park is a must-visit destination for any family holidaying in Tenerife. As the name suggests, it has a Thailand theme and is ideally located to offer a picturesque tropical wonderland. One of the world’s premier waterparks, there is an abundance of different slides ideal for kids of all ages, and even plenty that are perfectly safe for non-swimmers. One word of warning, once you take them once your kids will definitely want to go back! 

Go on a sea safari
See Tenerife’s amazing marine life up close by going on a Submarine Safari. This unique activity is a popular one in both Tenerife and Lanzarote and offers an unforgettable journey into a new world beneath the waves. The comfortable submarines themselves are amazing fun for kids of all ages, and the chance to learn about the marine eco-system surrounding is equally fascinating for children and adults alike. Tenerife offers amazing bang for its buck, and while there’s nothing wrong with lazy days by the seaside, by adventuring a little further you and your family can easily create some memories that will last a lifetime! 

You can read about mine and Jacek's holiday to Tenerife here.

*First image by Håkan Dahlström, used under Creative Commons Licence.
 

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Monday, August 22, 2016

#TravelforAll | Wheelchair & Buggy Friendly Days Out Across The UK ♥

As a family, one of our favourite things to do is go on days out, visiting attractions and places of interest across the country and make memories with each other along the way - in fact, we just went on another family day out over the weekend to Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage, post to come later this week.

However, in my experience as a parent, finding places to visit that are accessible for everyone can be quite difficult. I can't tell you how many times we've visited somewhere thinking it was wheelchair/buggy friendly and found ourselves having to carry the buggy up and down steps various times throughout our visit - not ideal at all.

Luckily a buggy can be quite lightweight, but I doubt it would be as easy to maneuver a wheelchair around places that have no lift access and lots of steps. So where is there to go when travel is needed for all the family, able bodied, wheelchair users and babies in buggies alike?

Mobility Nationwide, who offer a wide range of cars for wheelchairs, have put together an infographic, an all access travel guide if you will, highlighting fourteen different family day out options across the UK which are ideal for wheelchair and buggy users.

The helpful infographic shows were the destinations are located across the UK and even gives a little brief description of them. I also contributed to the infographic by highlighting the Science Museum in London, a place to go when I'm in the city and one that is perfect for everyone.

So please do take a look at the infographic below, you never know, it may provide just the inspiration you and yours needed for your next family day out that allows easy access travel for all.




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Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home | Book Review & Giveaway ♥

Tyler Lee has gained quite a substantial library of books in his three short years, a necessity really as he's the type of child who won't fall asleep without at least three or four long stories being read to him. After each one has ended and I say "the end", he sleepily mutters the word "more" and I have to carry on with the tales. It's not something that bothers me though, his bedtime stories are about the only pieces of literature I get to read at the moment and I love revisiting the books I loved during my own childhood too - such as last nights offering The Secret Garden.

His little library has recently grown by one more, in the form of the second book from the people behind the ever popular Lost My Name book - which I reviewed here. The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home is another personalised offering, which tells the tale of, the case of our book, a boy named Tyler Lee and his robot Hubble, who must find their way home from space, meeting weird and wonderful creatures and experiencing lots of mishaps along the way.

This book is written in rhyme - which is always fun to read, especially at bedtime. The story is quite long, which is great for my boy and he loved hearing his name being repeated throughout the story and featured in the illustrations too. The illustrations are fun and colourful and capture the journey element of the story really well.

The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home goes one step further than Lost My Name, as not only does it offer parents the chance to personalise the book with their children's name, but with their address too. Our house is number 13 and this is mentioned in the book and also featured in an illustration too. These personalised touches really do help to make the story even more magical for little ones. The book also lets you choose the appearance of your character, giving three options with different hair colours - we of course had to choose the blonde boy, I only wish this option was available when we got the Lost My Name book too.

The final touch to this book, and one which I think suits the space theme really well, is that the book title on the cover glows in the dark. I thought this was such a fun touch and such a great way to complete a space themed book.

The lovely people at Lostmy.name are giving one lucky blog reader the chance to experience their own incredible intergalactic journey home by winning their very own copy of the book. Entry is super simple with the Gleam app below. Best of luck to everyone who enters.

Terms and conditions: 
This giveaway is open worldwide.  
This giveaway will run until September 2nd and a winner will then be chosen at random using the Gleam widget.
One winner will receive a code to use on the Lostmy.name site, which will enable them to create and personalise their own book.
Incomplete entries will be disqualified.  
This giveaway will end at 11.59 on September 2nd 2016.


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Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing ♥

Ever since I was young there are three skills which I always wanted to learn - knitting, crocheting and sewing. When I was in primary school we learnt knitting and crocheting, my Nan had bought me a little soft Forever Friends (remember them?!) bag to keep my wool and needles in and I was so enthusiastic about it all, but when I moved into secondary school all that stopped and my skill (and interest) in these crafts disappeared, something which I'm quite saddened by.

In secondary school I learnt a little bit of sewing - how to thread up the sewing machine and all that, but I've since forgotten it all and years ago I decided I needed to learn how to sew - something which I still haven't gotten round to. but it's been on my bucket list for the longest time and I'm determined to start on this before the year is out.

I'm so in awe of people who can knit, crochet and sew and the beautiful, handcrafted creations they make. My grandmother is one of these such people and she makes the most adorable knitted and crocheted pieces. When both of my boys were born she gave me two big bags, full to the brim with little baby cardigans and blankets. She made the christening blanket and cardigan I used for them both and also my own christening blanket when I was a baby too. All of these things are so special to me because she made them with her own hands and I don't think I'll ever be able to part with them. Gifts that are handcrafted by people are always much more heartfelt than anything you can buy, aren't they?

Just look at these baby knitting patterns, aren't they adorable? I really wish I knew how to make some of these sweet little things. I did give knitting a go before I had Beau and tried to make a little white cardigan for him, but I never got round to finishing it - story of my life! It did amaze me though how the little knowledge and skill I did had for the craft came flooding back to me when I picked up my knitting needles.

I buy lots of handmade clothes for both boys, some of which you can see here, and I'm quite frustrated by the fact that I don't have the skill to make them myself. I'd love to be able to buy my own fabric and fashion some gorgeous romper and shortalls for my boys - the money I'd save on buying things and the postage that comes with them! This is why I'm so determined to learn how to sew and I've decided to buy my own little sewing machine. I have visions of myself being like Maria from The Sound of Music and whipping up some little clothes for them both from old curtains! I joke, they'll definitely be made from gorgeous Tilda fabric instead.

So wish me luck in my quest to (re)learn these skills. No doubt if I do manage to make some beautiful knitted, crocheted or sewed creations I'll be proudly showing them off here on the blog and on Instagram too.

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Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Baby & Toddler Skincare & A Giveaway To Win A Baby Hamper ♥

I'm so particular when it comes to my boy's skin. I have it in my mind that if I start them off in life with a good skincare routine that they'll keep it up for the rest of their days - wishful thinking perhaps, but I really do think it's so important to look after your skin.

Beau has a great skincare routine and it's been the same routine since he was first born. I've found that the products I'll be mentioning in this post have really worked well for him, have helped to keep nappy rash at bay and have kept his skin feeling super soft and supple.

Burt's Bees is one of my favourite brands to use on both boys skin and it works so well for them. In the morning, before I get him dressed, I massage Beau's skin with Burt's Bees Baby Bee Original Nourishing Lotion. The smell of this lotion is so lovely and it's made using natural ingredients such as beeswax, sunflower seed oil and shea butter so I know that his skin is getting all the nourishment it needs.

Another Burt's Bees product which I love, and one I've been using on Tyler Lee's skin since he was a baby, is the Baby Bee Calming Lotion. This is such a lovely product to use, especially before bedtime, as it has a scent of vanilla and lavender and it's so calming - hence the name. It also contains shea butter and leaves Tyler Lee's skin feeling very soft.

Another skincare brand which has worked very well for the boys skin is Weleda. I use the Weleda White Mallow Face Cream on them both in the morning after they're dressed and at bedtime one they're in their pyjamas. The white mallow creates a protective layer on the skin, keeping it from getting dry and alleviating itching from skin conditions such as eczema. Beau had very dry skin on his face from birth, but ever since I began using this face cream on him it's all cleared up. I love how soft this cream makes their little faces feel and couldn't recommend it enough to any parent whose little one suffers with dry skin on their face.

It's safe to say I've used every nappy cream known to man on both boys bums and there are some which have worked and some which have been completely useless, but they ones I'm using at the moment and which have really worked for Beau are the Calendula Nappy Change Cream and the White Mallow Nappy Change Cream, both by Weleda. I had the White Mallow cream left over from my uses with Tyler Lee and just like the White Mallow Face Cream this really protects the skin from getting sore and dry, making it ideal for nappy changes, especially if your little one is prone to dry, irritated skin. I bought the Calendula Nappy Change Cream on a whim one day (I have a bad habit of picking up baby things just for the sake of it!) but was delighted I did because it's my favourite nappy cream to use on Beau. I'd buy it for the scent alone, it's so lovely. This contains calendula oil, almond oil and chamomile extracts which all help to nourish baby's skin and keep it from getting sore.

As I said above, I really have tried a whole host of brands on the boys skin but Burt's Bees and Weleda are brands that never seem to fail us and that's why I'll continue to use them.

The lovely people at Burt's Bee's and Weleda have provided me with some baby skincare products to giveaway to one lucky reader and I've decided to pop them in a hamper of other baby products I've gathered together myself to make a lovely little baby hamper for one lucky person to win.

The prize includes:
1 Burt's Bees Nourishing Lotion
1 Burt's Bees Cream to Powder 2-in-1 Diaper Cream
1 Burt's Bees Nourishing Baby Oil
1 Weleda White Mallow Nappy Cream
1 Weleda White Mallow Face Cream
1 muslin swaddle
1 Halo sleep sack
1 organic wooden teether
1 pack of Pampers newborn nappies
1 pack of Irish breeze cotton wool balls
1 giraffe comforter

To be in with a chance of winning this sweet little baby hamper simply enter via the Gleam widget below - entries are super simple to complete with this. Best of luck!
Terms and conditions:  
This giveaway is open to residents of Ireland and the United Kingdom only.
This giveaway will run until August 31st and a winner will then be chosen at random using the Gleam widget.
One winner will receive the products shown in the picture above, minus the basket - this is due to postage. Products will arrive without the basket shown.
Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
This giveaway will end at 11.59 on August 31st.

Win A Baby Hamper

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Travel & Adventure | Alternative Winter Activites In Iceland ♥

 I'm looking ahead to winter and possible alternative winter breaks and activities that my family and I could enjoy. We're not the type of people to go on skiing trips - an activity which most people do in the winter and although I'd love to try it I think I'd end up breaking a leg or two so finding some alternative winter activities which we can all enjoy safely is a something I've been looking in to.

If there is one place in the world that I need to visit before I die it is Iceland.  Jacek and I would both love to experience the beauty of Iceland first hand for ourselves, I get excited just imagining the photo opportunities! Seeing the Northern Lights is something I really want to witness for myself in life and now that there's flights from Dublin to Iceland, it's a destination that no longer seems so far out of reach.

The waterfalls, snowy landscapes and geysers would be amazing to witness in person and I love that it would be such an alternative holiday to the usual sun holidays and city breaks we go on together. We'd both love to see the Northern Lights with our own eyes and I think that this really would be a once in a lifetime experience for us both. Iceland has so many different waterfalls to offer, however, the most famous by far is Gullfoss, translated as “Golden Falls”. Standing above this giant natural beauty is spectacular as the noise of the rushing water echoes all around you. In winter, a lot of the falls will get frozen over which would be incredible to see.

As the trip would be an excuse for us not only to explore but also relax, I think a trip to the Blue Lagoon would be a must! Powered by the heat of the local volcano, the Blue Lagoon offers stunning views of the natural scenery as well as the opportunity to receive spa treatments - as busy parents we both need some of those! The lagoon itself has tubs of a natural mud face mask planted around the circumference of the lagoon and the spa inside the building offers a multitude of spa treatments for a truly unique and relaxing experience. I think it would be amazing to sit in such warm water surrounded by a cold landscape, so cool and such a contrast!

I know one activity which Jacek would love to do in Iceland is whale watching. Did you know that Iceland is the whale watching capital of Europe? The whales you get to see on the tours are mainly Minke and Humpbacks and to see such a large and beautiful creature out in the wild is a majestic sight. To see whales would be an amazing experience, I once saw three whales in Cork Harbour as a child and it was such a great sight to witness. The best thing is that Iceland's whale watching excursions run throughout the year and are family friendly if you're visiting with little ones in tow.

These are just some of the alternative winter activites which Iceland has to offer but these three are the ones I think myself and Jacek would be most interested in doing.

Have you ever been to Iceland? Which activity would most interest you?


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Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Family Holidays To Sicily | Tips & Ideas For A Great & Fun Holiday ♥

When holiday time arrives, and you and your family are embarking on an unforgettable trip to Sicily, you definitely want to know about the best places and activities to see and do. When you go on a holiday with young children, it's important to create an itinerary that is full of fun and entertainment - for both you and the kids.

Sicily is a destination which promises all of this with its adventure parks, nature and theme parks, beaches, archaeological ruins, museums, culinary delights and much more, it really is a place that offers something for all the family.

When traveling with children, it's always a good idea to find a comfortable and suitable place to stay before your trip and a charming Sicilian villa can offer the perfect accommodation for families as they can be conveniently located near the beach and most come with a pool for more outdoor fun for the kids.

There are lots of adventure parks in Sicily and depending on which part of Sicily you will be visiting, you can find one that will make your entire brood happy. On the southern side of Mount Etna is Etnavventura which provides various adventure activities such as tree climbing, rope ladder walking, trekking, biking, and horseback riding, just to name a few. There are different levels to suit various ages and you can enjoy a picnic and have a barbecue or you can order ahead for some local products.

For other adventure parks offering more or less the same activities, there is Madonie Adventure Park located near Palermo and Cefalù and the Nebrodi Adventure Park in Messina.

Water activities will always be a big hit with all the family, especially the little ones. Sicily offers lots of water and amusement parks tpo, so it really does have an abundance of fun for all. For example, Etnaland is both a theme park and a water park and while there can be long queues during peak season, it really is one of the best around. It has a life-sized dinosaur themed park and a cableway, just to name a few of it's attractions. For a reasonable price you can try out a good number of water slides, lagoons, rapids, swimming pools, wave water pools and jungle splash! Plus, you will find snack bars, restaurants, bazaars and relaxation areas. The place is clean and well-managed and there is almost everything you need for a full day of fantastic experiences. It's advisable to bring water shoes as the ground can get scorching hot during the summer season.

If you prefer to head to the beach, you will find fantastic locations everywhere such as Giardini Naxos, Mondello, San Vito Lo Capo, Scala dei Turchi, Vendicari, Isola Bella and Fontane Bianche, just to name a few.

If you're into history, you can also bring the kids to visit museums and archaeological areas to experience a bit of culture. In Palermo alone, you can find a good number of interesting places to visit such as the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum which houses some of the region’s notable collections including Sicanian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Paleo-Christian and Arab artifacts.

Art galleries such as the Regional Art Gallery and the City Art Gallery are also worth a visit and archaeological ruins such as temples and amphitheatres will surely catch the interest of the family. You can visit the Greek theatres of Taormina and Syracuse or perhaps you will also be enchanted by the Greek temples and ruins found in Segesta, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and Selinunte.

Whatever kind of activity your family prefers, you will surely find that Sicily will provide you with tons of fun, lots of wonderful experiences and holiday memories that will last a lifetime.


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Monday, August 01, 2016

Fashion | Perfect Men's Coats For Autumn/Winter ♥


Autumn is now upon us - I follow the Irish calendar that autumn starts in August, so I've begun thinking about not only the boys autumn/winter wardrobes, but mine and Jacek's too.

We're all in need of a new winter coat this year and I thought I'd share some gorgeous men's coats and jackets that are now available from House of Fraser, just in case you fancy buying your other half something new to wear for the cold days ahead.

The Linea Lincoln Long Funnel Wool Coat is a really classic looking coat and one I'd love to see my other half in. It's very smart looking for it also very wearable and perfect for those cold winter days. It's currently reduced to just £48 pounds and I think that's an absolute bargain.

The Jack & Jones PU Biker Jacket is a great autumn and winter staple for any mans wardrobe and it's great for pairing with jeans and t-shirt for everyday wear. I really like the detailing on the shoulders of this jacket and it's now reduced to just £35.

The Tommy Hilfiger Bonded Parka 16 is a perfect coat for autumn/winter, sporting that all essential hood to protect you from the rain. This parka is slightly more expensive at £140, but it has been reduced from £200 and it really is a jacket that will last for winters to come.

If you're looking for even more menswear fashion inspiration you can read my post all about perfect men's fashion for weddings here.

Would you buy any of these for your mans autumn/winter wardrobe?

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6 Ideas For Decorating Walls In Children's Bedrooms ♥

I have a slight bug bear when it comes to the decor inside my home and that's bare walls. I honestly can't stand seeing a wall with nothing on it, it just screams to me that it needs to be adorned with something, anything, so that it doesn't look bare or boring anymore. We currently have one of these walls in our house and that's the wall behind Tyler Lee's bed. His bed stupidly doesn't have a headboard (we live in a rented house and this bed has been here all along, much to my dismay), so there isn't even that to use as a feature on the wall, so I've been trying to come up with some fun ways of decorating the wall, as well as making it interesting for my little boy too.

1. Use stickers or decals
I used to have decals around his room when he was younger, but since it's had a fresh lick of paint they all had to come down. They really did make quite a feature on the wall though and it was lovely to have had some quotes from his favourite books on there. I've been looking at Tenstickers range of stickers and decals and thought the blue stars stickers and the white clouds stickers (these so reminded me of Andy's room in Toy Story!) were lovely and would fit quite well in his star/nautical themed bedroom.

2. Proudly display their artwork
If your little one is into arts and crafts and is always creating lovely little masterpieces that you'd like to treasure then why not display their artwork on their bedroom walls? This is something I've begun doing in Tyler Lee's room and he really loves looking at his creations. I also think it makes him feel rather proud that I've displayed them on the wall for him. This could also be an excuse to get creative with your little ones and have some arts and crafts time to make things for the wall.

3. Display pictures with pegs string
This is an idea which I really love and one I've had in my own bedroom before (I really need to get my pictures on string back up soon!). These days you can print out pictures in polaroid type form and these are perfect for hanging on string with some miniature pegs (you can pick these up easily in your local Discount shop). You can see my pictures displayed on string and find out where I got them printed from here. Alternatively, if you're like me and have a Fujifilm Instax or other instant camera, you can use those pictures for hanging up straight away.

4. Create your very own shelfie
This is something which is all the rage on Instagram and I never thought I'd be interested in seeing how people display shelves in their children's rooms but I really am (I know, I should get a life!). Have a shelf above your child's cot or bed or even their dresser, is a lovely way of displaying all their little trinkets, some cuddly toys and other special bits and bobs that you want to show off but also keep out of reach of little hands. If you search the #shelfie or #nurseryinspo hashtags on Instagram you're sure to find some gorgeous shelfie inspiration.

5. Make a collage of framed prints and pictures
This another idea which I love and is one I really want to do in Tyler Lee's room. You can easily pick up cheap frames at your local discount store - if they're all different shapes and sizes even better, and simply display your favourite pictures of the kids and some prints that you love the look of. Some of my favourite prints at the moment are these sweet little Peter Rabbit prints and quotes from this shop on Etsy.

6. Hang DIY letter banners on the wall
This is also something which I've previously done in Tyler Lee's room and it's a very effective way of jazzing up a boring, bare wall and personalising a child's room at the same time. I love the handwriting style DIY letter banner but there are lots of different types available and even in pastel colours too.



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