Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Pretty Florals ♥

Since December I've lost 11kg/24lbs in weight and I'm feeling great. I still have a long way to go, but dressing for my new, slimmer shape has been quite fun and for once I'm actually looking forward to the summer - in contrast to before when I'd be horrified at the idea of getting my legs out and not covering myself up in a cardigan.

I think it's clear from my blog and social media just how much I love flowers and I am rarely ever seen without a floral print item of clothing or accessory and although I'm dressing for a new shape, I won't be giving up the florals that I oh so love and I thought I'd share some stunning floral fashion pieces that I found from different brands all through Octer and all of which are perfect for this spring and summer.


The rose print dress from Warehouse is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for dressing up or down for a more casual look, during the summer months. I think the print is stunning and it'd make a great dress for a wedding. 

I love the dusky pink shade of the pattern on the Laura Ashley ruffle blouse. Again it's a great piece for dressing up with trousers or a pencil skirt, or dressing down with a pair of skinny jeans.

Bomber jackets are back in style and in a big way too. This white one with floral print from New Look is perfect for sporting on cooler summer days.

At £640 (it was £1,280!) this gorgeous sheer floral skirt from Fendi is way out of my price range - but a girl can dream, right?! I think it'd be perfect for summer days teamed with a white tank top and some stylish heels or sandals.




The blue floral dress with cutout back from Ralph Lauren is a demure print - for those who aren't keen on too much floral print and the colour is so lovely - gorgeous for an Easter dress.

The floral long-sleeve top is from Laura Ashley and I love the vintage vibe the print has. This would look gorgeous with a pair of jeans.

Bardot tops are my thing right now and this gorgeous dark blue one from Warehouse would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe.

I'm a fan of bright clothing in general, but am a huge lover of it for summer and this yellow fit and flare dress from Karen Millen is the perfect dress to sport on a sunny day. Once again it's perfect for dressing up or down.

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Friday, March 17, 2017

VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ Radio in Emma Bridgewater Wallflower Print | Feature & Giveaway ♥

This little blog of mine turns four on March 27th and to celebrate, the lovely people at VQ have very kindly offered one of my lucky readers, the chance to win a beautiful Retro Mk II DAB+ Radio in their choice of plain colour or Emma Bridgewater print.

I recently reviewed the VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ Radio in the super pretty Emma Bridgewater rosebee print and today I wanted to show you the wallflower print - isn't it stunning, the purple really pops!

VQ radios are not only functional but super stylish too and I love the vintage vibe that the Retro Mk II DAB+ Radio has. It's not only a great piece to have for listening to music, but also a real style piece for the home also.

You can read my review on the VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ Radio here. It's been such a great addition to my bedroom and the kids and I love listening to it when I'm getting ready and they're playing in my room. It's so lovely to be able to listen to the radio again after not having one for so long.

To be in with the chance of winning your very own beautiful VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ Radio, simply enter via the Gleam widget below.

This giveaway is open to residents of the UK and Ireland and will run for three weeks. This giveaway will end on April 9th at 11.59p.m.

Terms & conditions:
This giveaway will run for three weeks and will end at 11.59p.m. on April 9th.
The winner will receive a VQ Retro Mk II radio in their choice of colour or pattern.
The prize is being supplied directly by VQ.
This giveaway is open to residents of the UK and Ireland only.

VQ radio

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Sunday, March 12, 2017

It's the Little Things ♥

I've decided that this year is my year to be more grateful and celebrate the little wins in my life, because, after all, it really is the little things that make me the happiest I can be.

I'm hoping to make this a regular feature on the blog, although I always say that and never stick to anything - pesky life and my scatterbrainedness (definitely not a word, but it'll do) getting in the way, but I'm determined to give this a good go.

Back before Beau was even born I stumbled across a shop on Instagram selling handmade baby clothes and they had the cutest little Peter Rabbit themed rompers. I ordered three for him at the time - which he swiftly outgrew *sob*, but a few weeks back I ordered two more for his summer wardrobe and these little beauties arrived all the way from New Zealand last week. I can't wait to see him in them and I may just have to order some more...

I ordered clothes online (which I never do) from ASOS (which I previously thought was only for stick-thin people) and they fit! Having been on a weight loss journey since last July, I can honestly say that I was ecstatic by this little win of mine.

I spotted these gorgeous shirst in Penneys and had to have them, simply because they couldn't be more me - cameras, love hearts, pink... I mean c'mon! I'm not usually a shirt person, but I've worn the pink one already and it shall be worn a lot more before spring is over. I also spotted the plain Love Heart sweets print when I went to another Penneys, so I had to pick that up too.

For my 27th birthday this week, Jacek not only brought me on a trip to Amsterdam, but he also got me a Fitbit Charge 2 and I can't get enough of it! I don't know why I never went and got one before now because it's amazing and it's really helping me to stay active and kill my laziness. Hopefully it'll be a big aid in helping me to lose a few more pounds before summer.

Finally, the last thing I'm grateful for this week is the much welcomed sunshine. It means I can get out and about with the boys and can see their little faces light up when we get ice-cream with sprinkles from the ice-cream van.

It really is the little things in life... ♥

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Top Wedding Conundrums and How To Solve Them ♥

 Photographer - Terje Sollie

For the most part, planning a wedding is fantastic. Between cake tastings, picking your flowers and finally saying ‘yes’ to the dress, surely everything else just falls into place, right? The truth is, organising your big day might not always go as you planned, and you might encounter some tricky situations in the lead up to your ‘I do’ moment.

I shared my dream Alice in Wonderland themed wedding ideas last year and we have still yet to plan one thing... so believe me, I know how difficult it can be to get wedding planning.

Here, you’ll find three top wedding conundrums that a lot of brides will face at some point, and what you can do to solve them.

I’m not sure if I can afford the wedding of my dreams
Every bride-to-be has their own idea of the ‘perfect wedding’. But, with the average cost of UK weddings coming in at around £20,000, you might start to think that your dream day is way out of your reach. There’s no denying that planning a wedding is going to cost you money, but it doesn’t necessarily need to leave you out of pocket or require you to give up on the idea of having the day you’ve always wanted.

If you know that your bank balance simply won’t stretch as far as you’d like, you could choose to take out a loan. As long as you borrow an amount that you know you’ll be able to pay back, this could work out as an effective way to afford the wedding you want. Generally speaking, getting a loan is straightforward, and you may be able to access the money quicker than you think. For example, Chill Money can approve loans within a matter of minutes, with the funds being in your bank account the next business day. This is great if you’re keen to get your wedding plans underway as soon as possible.

I don’t know how to tell my guests that kids aren’t invited without offending anyone
If you’d prefer your special day to be an adult-only affair, you’re quite within your rights to have just that. Let’s be honest - many parents of young children would most likely jump at the chance to spend the day or evening without having their little ones in tow, so don’t feel bad when it comes to putting together your guest list.

To avoid any confusion, make sure you’re clear when writing your invitations. Make sure you put down the names of the people you actually want to be there. The absence of a child’s name should plainly spell out that you’re just asking for the parents to attend.

Organising our top table layout is proving difficult and I’m not sure who to include
The truth is, it can be tricky to get your top table seating arrangement just right. Usually, this is where the bride, groom, their respective parents, the chief bridesmaid and best man sit during the wedding breakfast. However, while this might seem like a fairly simple concept, it can be extremely difficult to put into practice - especially if your mum and dad are no longer together, and it can be made even more complicated if either or both of your parents have partners. This won’t be an issue for you if your family get along, but if they don’t always see eye to eye, it can be hard to know how to organise your line-up without hurting anyone’s feelings or causing upset.

If you’re struggling to make sense of your seating plan, there’s no need to panic. There are a number of ways you can get around your top table troubles. For example, you could throw traditions to the side and go for something completely different. Why not mix it up by asking your parents to host their own tables and keep your top table just for you and your partner? Alternatively, you could ask your venue organisers if it’s possible to set up an extra long table to accommodate everyone you want. In this case, you’ll have to just be strategic when it comes to your seating arrangements, making sure you sit certain people away from those they might not get on with.

Planning your wedding should be an exciting time, so don’t let conundrums like this get in the way of you and your partner enjoying the run up to your special day.

*This is a guest post

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Beautiful Summer Clothes For Younger & Older Boys ♥

I like to dress both of my boys in a variety of styles, ranging from the more traditional and classical clothing looks, to the bright and beautiful fun looks - which I think every child should sport from time to time, childhood being about fun after all.

However, since becoming a 'boy mum' - I guess I can call myself that now I have two, I've found it increasingly difficult to find boys clothing which is not only functional and comfortable for my babes, but stylish too.

It's almost impossible for me to find clothes I like for them in highstreet stores, and even if I do find things I like (usually just a handful of items), it can be hard to find the right sizes. This is why I usually purchase their clothes online from gorgeous children's clothing website and handmade sellers that I find via Etsy or Instagram.

I thought I'd share some beautiful boutique kids clothing finds which I've stumbled across lately, all of which are gorgeous summer clothes picks for boys - just for any other mums out there who are in constant search for something different and beautiful for their boys to wear.





How gorgeous are these clothes? I would dress my boys in all of these things. I see lots of adorable little baby boys in their rompers and bonnets over on Instagram and I am dying to dress Beau is some this coming spring and summer. The letter t-shirt is something I'd love for Tyler, it'd look gorgeous with a pair of shorts.
All of these beautiful boy clothes are available from the Ladida website, who also have a gorgeous range of girls clothes too.

*This is a collaborative post.

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Saturday, March 11, 2017

My 27th Birthday in Amsterdam ♥

Another year gone by, another year older... but this year I got to celebrate my birthday in style on a trip to Amsterdam with my other half. Amsterdam is a place I've visited quite a few times now (six or seven now I think) and it's a place I really love, so when Jacek surprised me by booking a trip there for my birthday, I was over the moon.

We went on Wednesday and sadly the weather was awful. Neither of us had ever been in Amsterdam before without it being sunny, so the rain and dark grey skies weren't a welcome sight at all, and the bad weather tarnished our experience a bit, but thankfully on the second day it brightened up a bit so that we could sit by the canal eating chip cones and watching the world go by.

Trying to stay out of the rain on our first day there, we browsed the six (yes six!) floors of Amsterdam's Primark, where I picked up ALL the Disney stuff - seriously, why is the Penneys back home so crap compared to this one?! I'm wanting to do a vlog to show all that I bought, but lack of time, kids, a to-do list longer than my arm will probably make it impossible... but I'll try!

We had breakfast in Durty Nelly's Irish pub - also taking full advantage of their drinks offers, we were celebrating after all and after all of that and the rain getting heavier, we decided to retreat to our hotel for a nap - getting up at three in the morning to catch our flight was taking it's toll on us by this point.

We stayed at the Best Western in Dam Square again, which isn't luxurious by any means, but also isn't a complete kip of a place either and it's a great base, close to everything Amsterdam has to offer. After a sleep we headed out in search of dinner and ended up going to Burger Fabriek, which had the most delicious burgers - I went for the vegetarian (I actually didn't eat any meat at all in Amsterdam, time to go vegetarian maybe?) and Jacek had the Japanese burger, which he loved.

After dinner we had a walk around the city, visiting the famous Red Light District and strolling along by the canals. Jacek had also given me a Fitbit Charge 2 for my birthday and when we reached 18,000 steps we decided a treat of a warm waffle with whipped cream and strawberries was in order - waffle shops are everywhere in Amsterdam.

Waking up in Amsterdam on my birthday was fab. I managed to get a bit of a lie-in as we were sans kids and after a quick breakfast at the hotel we headed out for the day. First we visited the flower market - which are barges on the canal filled with flowers and bulbs, a perfect spot for a flower lover like myself.

We then stopped for another waffle and a bit more shopping before heading to the XtraCold Icebar for some drinks. The Icebar was amazing and I loved our time there - who thought being stuck in a big freezer for awhile could be so much fun?! I tried Nutella vodka there for the first time and it was actually delicious - although I think the mojitos I had there had me loving everything at that moment in time if I'm honest!

By the time we left the Icebar the sun had come out and we got some chip cones to eat by the canal. It's the simple things that make me truly happy, and sitting there at that moment in time with Jacek beside me was just perfect.

Our final stop in Amsterdam was at the Amsterdam Museum, which I thought might have been a bit boring but it was actually quite interesting. Museums aren't really my thing, but Jacek loves visiting them, so I only really went along for him, but I was pleasantly surprised. The Schipol exhibition there is a lot of fun.

After all of that it was time to head to the airport for our flight home - which ended up being delayed by an hour whilst we were actually on the plane... the joys of travelling!

I loved our two days in Amsterdam. Getting to spend some alone time with Jacek in one of my favourite places in the world was the most perfect way to spend my birthday. I couldn't have wished for a better time and hopefully someday soon we'll visit again.

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Monday, March 06, 2017

VQ Retro Mk II Emma Bridgewater DAB+ Radio ♥

For years now I've not had a radio, either at home or in my car (blame a flat battery for putting the radio in a safe mode that no one can unlock, ugh!) and honestly, it's been something I've missed.

I've missed listening to the local news and weather updates, having someone choose a playlist for me to listen to, rather than trying to curate one myself via YouTube and I've missed the simplicity of just having a radio to listen to in the background whilst I'm cooking and cleaning.

When the opportunity to review a VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ radio came about I was delighted, not only because VQ's radios are beautiful to look at, but also because I'd be able to have the pleasure of listening to the radio again, yay!

The VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ radio is an absolutely beautiful vintage inspired radio, that's not only functional but a pretty design piece to have in the home too. It allows you to listen to DAB, DAB+ and FM radio, myself favouring the latter, letting you save your favourite stations and easily scanning for others.

Another great aspect to the VQ Retro Mk II is that you can also listen to music through music streaming services simply by connecting via Bluetooth - all wireless of course, the joy of modern technology.

Also, if you have an Apple device such as a iPhone or an iPod, you can connect your device to the lightning dock on the front of the radio - which is released simply by pushing on the button. This lightning dock can also be used by non-Apple users (such as myself) by using the 3.5mm aux-in and you can also charge your device with the charging port - how cool is that?!

As I said, the radio is very pretty to look at, added to by the beautiful Emma Bridgewater pattern on the outside - the rose print being the one I chose, not surprising given my love of all things floral! There are five other Emma Bridgewater patterns available, as well as a range of plain colours too.

The radio itself is very easy to use, although I've found that here in Ireland, having it as close to your window as possible is the way to go, otherwise the sound can come across crackly. In fact, I had mine on a stand next to my bed, right next to the window, but I actually had to place the radio on the windowsill to get a completely clear sound.

We've all enjoyed listening to the radio again and Tyler especially, asks for it to be on when he's playing in my bedroom. I love to have it on when I'm getting ready and it honestly is a joy to have in my bedroom, not just because it's lovely to listen to the radio again, but because it's such a beautiful feature to have sitting on my windowsill too.

The VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ radio is £119.99 in plain colour and £129.99 in Emma Bridgewater patterns and is available to purchase via the VQ website.

*We were sent the VQ Retro Mk II DAB+ radio for the purposes of this review, however, as always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

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Friday, March 03, 2017

On Days When I Think I'm A Bad Mother... ♥

Life around here has become very busy as of late... Jacek is working every hour God sends - being gone from the house before myself and the children wake up, and returning when it's the boys bedtime, seeing them for ten minutes and two hours, respectively, each day.

These days I feel like a single mother, something which I actually resent as I'm not a single mother, nor the boys only parent, yet I am having to do everything on my own. I understand that Jacek has to work, he is the main provider for our household, but when those hours run into unpaid overtime, I would rather he was here helping me with the kids and spending time with them - something they both desperately want, instead of wasting time away doing something that doesn't even bring us extra income.

It's days like these when I become someone I really hate - a shouty mother. I honestly hate raising my voice, but being left alone with two young children day in, day out and being their sole carer, can be enough to drive anyone gaga. I try to keep my cool, be patient, understanding and attentive as best I can, but there are times when that shouter in me just has to come out and it's these times when I feel like a really bad mother.

After I've released the shouter I can feel guilt for hours after, agonising and reflecting on how I should have handled the situation better and not have resorted to shouting to get my point across, but the reality is, I'm human and the vocation of being a mother, whilst bringing a lot of joy and wonderful moments, can also bring a lot of bouts of frustration and "what the hell are you doing?!" moments.

There are days when I just want to stay in bed, days when Tyler chirping "Good morning Mummy, it's morning, get out of bed!" are not even enough for me to want to get up and begin the whole rigmarole that is parenting two young boys by myself again. There are times when I spend far too much time on my phone, not paying attention to the games Tyler's making up and acting out in front of me and I wish I could just put the phone down and join in with his imaginary scenarios - because believe me, he has an absolutely amazing imagination, but honestly, I don't really like playing his games, especially as they always seem to centre around his bloody toy washing machines... That's awful isn't it? What kind of monster doesn't even want to play with her own children?

Another parenting task which I fail on is dinner making... I can't even describe in words how much I hate making dinners, especially as it usually ends up being scraped into the bin and I'm left wondering why I even went to the both. Yet I know they need to be fed healthy, nutritious meals so I have to do it, but honestly, it really feels like, and probably will always feel like, a chore.

These are all the things that make me a bad mother.

It's days like these when I feel like the worst person in the world and am left on a complete downer.

On days like these it doesn't matter that I carried them both for nine months - not drinking, smoking, putting them in harms way, simply because I loved them before I even met them.

It doesn't matter that I get up with them both every morning, greet them with kisses and cuddles, get them fed and ready for the day ahead.

It doesn't matter that I plan days out for them, simply because I want them to have fresh air and some fun outside the house for awhile during the day. It also doesn't matter that these excursions usually end up meaning a drive to a playground half an hour away just because it's Tyler's favourite one.

On days like these it doesn't matter that I go down slides, climb up on things I'm far too big for, run after my eldest with him squealing "Catch me if you can!" in sheer delight, bring him to places which bring out all sorts of social anxiety in me simply because he enjoys being there and pretend to be a whole host of characters with funny voices, to make him and his baby brother laugh, even though I know I sound and look like a complete lunatic.

It doesn't matter that I do make them those dinners I hate doing so much, that we have warm, cosy snuggles on the couch, prolonged bath times purely because they enjoy splashing the bubbles all around the floor and 'washing the windows' (the shower door).

It doesn't matter that I read so many bedtime stories at Tyler's request that my voice is two minutes short of disappearing completely, that I tuck them both in, give them lots of love and happy thoughts that if they go sleep soundly "the fairies will bring them sweet dreams" and that I check on them multiple times during the night so I know they're safe and warm.

It doesn't matter that I do things simply to put a smile on their little faces, that they are my entire world and that I've basically neglected myself completely because I've been so focused on being there for them.

It doesn't matter that I cry over worry about them, especially Tyler at the moment, feeling helpless that I can't do anything to make things better or get the answers we so desperately need so we can make decisions about his future.

Nor does it matter that I give them everything - my time, my love, my money - because lets face it, it all goes on them.

On days when I think I'm a bad mother all these things don't matter, but really, they are the only things that should matter.

Yes I shout and it's awful, it makes me feel like the worst person on Earth. I'm not too keen on playing games, but I'm trying, simply because it makes the boys happy. Dinners will always be a chore for me but I still make them and maybe one day that cook waiting to be released inside me will be a bit more adventurous than the old reliables!

At the end of the day, us mother's are all just doing our best and if it involves raising our voices from time to time, preferring to scroll through Instagram instead of playing another game of washing machines and ordering a takeaway on occasions when dragging yourself to make a dinner that no one will eat, are just too much... then so be it.

All the things that make us good mothers far outweigh the bad and it will be the love and happy memories and experiences that we've created for our children that will stick in their minds forever, not the times that 'shouty mum' came out because nobody could do what they were bloody well told.

On these 'bad mother days' I will read this post and be reminded of all the good things I do for my two boys, because these are the things that truly matter.

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