tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22407025654463674422024-03-22T02:00:56.760+00:00The Bright Side Of Rain Clouds♥ The trials and tribulations of raising two little people and trying to always find the rainbow in the rain ♥Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-56783236580753196002017-05-09T12:32:00.001+01:002017-05-09T12:32:10.263+01:00My quest to be plastic free<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There has been a lot in the media recently about the rising global problem of waste plastic. According to the Sky Ocean Rescue documentary, over eight million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean each year, killing sea life. Now new evidence says it's entering our food chain with unknown health effects. You can watch the Sky Ocean Rescue documentary <a href="http://news.sky.com/video/special-report-plastic-pollution-in-our-oceans-10742377" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The Marine Conservation Society are running a plastic challenge in June to see if we can live without single use plastic for an entire month. I have decided to take up this challenge. </span></span><br />
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I made this decision on a bit of a whim and have since done quite a bit of reading and researching. Firstly, learning about the different types of plastics. I was clueless! I knew that our local council doesn't recycle coloured plastic, such as those annoying brown plastic tubs supermarkets insist on putting mushrooms in (Why??? Just why? Do mushrooms take offence to clear plastic??!!!) but I didn't really understand the reasons behind it. It turns out that there are several types of plastic, some much worse than others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok. So I am going to focus as much as possible on the bad guys: types 3, 4, 6 and 7. Now I find myself scouring packaging in my home to see what plastic it is! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I currently grocery shop online each week (hitting the supermarket with two kiddies under 4 is not my idea of fun!) and spend between £70 and £100, depending on if I have run out of bigger items, such as laundry powder, stain remover etc, which I buy in the bigger packs as it's cheaper per kg. I'd really like to stay within this budget when I make alternative plastic free purchases. My groveries arrived yesterday, so before putting things away I had a good look at it all and was really quite shocked at how much single use plastic there was! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my grocery shop for the week. I may top up on milk and bread, but this is it. I already menu plan and buy accordingly, as I hate wasted food. I do admit that I buy a lot of frozen veg for this very reason. The amount of half eaten broccoli or cabbage that got thrown away was ridiculous! But these all come in plastic bags of course. Not good for my challenge..... Maybe I should buy fresh, chop it up and freeze it myself in a non plastic container, or at least not a single use container.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After putting my groceries away I realised exactly how much unnecessary single use plastic I had bought, even before I had eaten any of the food!!. The small pile on the left could be recycled but the pile on the right is not recyclable and would end up in landfill. This was just around fruit and veg and holding multipacks together. I'm collecting all this non recyclable waste to see exactly how much I do create. Time to seriously change my way of approaching my shopping....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a bit of time before the challenge begins in June to source alternatives for my most common consumable plastic terrors. Just from this week's shop, I already know that I can easily change the following that came wrapped in plastic:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">multipack of baked beans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">apples</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">bananas</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">nectarines</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">potatoes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">brown onions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">mushrooms</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">beef mince</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">chicken thighs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">chipolata sausages</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">fish pie mix </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">frozen butternut squash</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">frozen green beans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">frozen broccoli</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">frozen cauliflower</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">frozen parsnips</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's quite a lot already and a good place to start. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, after I dropped E off at preschool, R and I went to check out a local butcher and greengrocer. I was completely expecting it to be ridiculously expensive. I went armed with my list of price per kg for my meat, fruit and vegetables. This was what I found:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">mince</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£7.38/kg supermarket (with 12% fat content)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£7.20/kg butcher (<10% fat)</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£5.63/kg supermarket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£4.40/kg butcher (free range)</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">chipolatas</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£6.00/kg supermarket</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£7.45/kg butcher (I need to investigate the meat % in this comaprison)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">pork fillet</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£7.00/kg supermarket</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£9.30/kg butcher and was also prepacked in plastic wrap</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">mushrooms</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£2.88/kg supermarket</span></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">£0.86/kg greengrocer (really???!!!)</span></b></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">broccoli</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£1.25/kg supermarket (but no option to get it witout a plastic film around it!!!)</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£2.83/kg greengrocer (why so expensive I wonder???)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">cauliflower</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">95p each supermarket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>89p each greengrocer</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">nectarines</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£2.00/kg supermarket</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">39p each (must get a weighed comparison for these)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">apples</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£1.56/kg supermarket</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£1.87/kg greengrocer</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">bananas</span></li>
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<li><b><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">£0.73/kg supermarket</span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£1.29/kg greengrocer</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">grapes</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£3.60/kg supermarket</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£4.07/kg greengrocer</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">carrots</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£1.40/kg supermarket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£0.86/kg greengrocer</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">brown onions</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£0.75/kg supermarket</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">£0.86/kg greengrocer</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">potatoes</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">£0.64/kg supermarket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>£0.64/kg greengrocer (no plastic bag wins for me!)</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">kiwi fruit</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">8.5p each supermarket (6 prepacked in a plastic tub and net)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">or 37.5p each ready to eat supermarket (4 on a plastic tray and covered in plastic film)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b>29p each greengrocer </b></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. I had a chat with the lady at the butcher about my plastic challenge. She said she would be happy to use my own containers or paper bags if I brought them. I will definitely be getting my meat from there next week. I left feeling rather pleased with myself!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another avenue of investigation yesterday was alternatives to shampoo. Many suggestions went straight to Lush, as marketed as an ethical company and if you buy from the shops, they cut straight from the bar etc, so you can take soap etc home without packaging. However, I have learnt that they are not as squeaky clean or green as they claim. Many of their products contain chemical nasties, as you can read about <a href="http://sarahfrascamakeup.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/good-bad-and-ugly-lush-cosmetics.html?m=1" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.beautyliestruth.com/blog/2015/5/the-ugly-truth-about-lush" target="_blank">here.</a> However, a fabulous blog by a lady called Claudi, who lives in Stroud, point<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed me in the direction of a company called <a href="https://www.wild-sage.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wild Sage & Co</a>, who make a rosemary and lavender shampoo bar, without the nasties. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wild Sage & Co come to a local farmer's market once a month so I will be heading there at the start of June to try out some plastic free shampoo! It's £4.50 a bar, but is supposed to last quite a while and it's not that much more than my regular shampoo. If you are local to Bristol, you can find details of the BS5 Market on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BS5Market/" target="_blank">Facebook page.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that's currently as far as I have come on my journey towards less single use plastic waste. I'll keep you updated! I'm going to be looking to find a bulk bin dry goods store, to see if I can get pasta and rice without plastic packaging, but still within my budget. Anyone else up for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plasticchallenge?lang=en-gb" target="_blank">#plasticchallenge</a>? Let me know any other ways I can avoid the plastics!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Much love</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></div>
Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-27827432227730037592016-10-10T20:41:00.000+01:002016-10-10T21:06:14.391+01:00Pregnancy and infant loss awareness week: A letter to my angel baby<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 9th to the 15th October is Pregnancy and Infant <span style="font-family: inherit;">Loss Awareness Week. P<span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">regnancy and baby loss affects up to one in five families in the UK. It is unfortunately, very common. Chances are you know someone who has suffered the devastating grief of losing their baby. Chances are, you don't know about it. Pregnancy loss is still a secret grief. But it is the loss of a child. And that is devastating.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">I lost my baby in February 2015. It still hurts and cuts just as deep today. That will never change.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #343333;"><span style="background-color: white;">This post is not cheerful. It's very sad. I have shed many tears writing it. But this is real life and happening to far too many women every single day. And for some reason, it remains a secret, taboo grief. At a time when we need support and friends around us, we hide our grief away. And this is wrong. So, if you are reading this and have suffered the loss of your baby, I am sorry. I am so very sorry for your heartache and loss. But you are not alone. Please don't feel alone.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333; font-family: inherit;">A letter to my little lost baby:</span></span><br />
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To my darling little one,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Twenty months ago today I was told that you were not going to make it. Twenty months ago today my life changed. My world was about to fall apart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was eight weeks pregnant with you, my second baby. The previous evening I had had some light spotting, so was booked in to the Early Pregnancy Unit for a scan. I was sure it was just precautionary and that everything was perfectly fine. Light bleeding is fairly common, right? I was sure it was nothing to be overly worried about. The sonographer found your heartbeat fairly quickly and I could make out your fuzzy little form on the screen. But then she broke the news. Your heart was beating too slowly and you were measuring a lot smaller than you should have been, I was confused. She asked me how certain I was of my dates and was there any chance I could have them wrong? There was no mistake. You were too small. It didn't look good. She told us to prepare for the worst and to come back again in two weeks to be re-scanned. The air was sucked from my lungs. Daddy was clutching your big sister on his lap. We were both in stunned silence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We left the hospital and went home. I felt confused, shocked, numb and sick. You were still there, alive, inside me. Your heart was still beating. But you were dying. You were too small. You weren't going to survive. And there was absolutely nothing I could do. I broke down in our kitchen. Mummy couldn't save you darling. I'm so unbelievably sorry. I wanted to, please sweetheart, believe me, I wanted to more than anything. I would have done anything and given anything to save you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know when your heart stopped beating. I hate that. I don't know when you died inside me. The scan two weeks later confirmed that your heart was no longer beating. But you were still with me. You were still there. I decided to let nature take its own course. I didn't want a Doctor to take you from me, I cried and cried and cried when you finally passed. It was awful. A day I <i>never ever</i> want to relive. My tiny baby, not much more than a bundle of cells, but still <i>my</i> baby, disappearing down the U bend. It was not fitting for my baby, it was not what you deserved. I said goodbye to you, crouched on the cold bathroom floor, gripping the edge of the toilet. Tears pouring down my cheeks, crying so hard I couldn't breathe. I felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest. The pain was physical. I <i>hurt</i>. I felt sick. I wanted you back, but you were gone. I had to get Daddy to push the flush. I just couldn't do it. It felt so very, very wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You were gone. But I continued to bleed. For weeks. It was an incredibly cruel, constant reminder that you were gone and I had failed you. I felt empty, like something was missing. Something <i>was </i>missing; you. I didn't accept it. I just couldn't. It was so unfair. I wanted you so very, very much. I cried for such a long time. I was very open about you. I didn't want to hide you away, like you had never existed. Not a lot of people knew that I was pregnant. I wanted to talk about you, my cherished baby. I didn't want you to just be forgotten. But I was very aware of how uncomfortable people were when I told them I had lost you. They didn't know what to say, or do. "It wasn't meant to be" "At least you weren't very far along" I could have screamed. It made me so very angry. You <i>were</i> meant to be. You were my baby. I wanted you so badly. You were gone. But also gone was your life, your first steps, first words, birthdays, graduations, weddings, children of your own. These will never be. I was also grieving the loss of these. And it was hard. It still is so unbelievably hard. I know they were just trying to help, trying to find some words to say. But there are no words that can help. I just wanted you to be acknowledged. I had lost my child. I didn't want you forgotten, treated like you didn't exist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You would have been celebrating your first birthday around 18 days ago. I feel like you were a boy, but I will never know. I have no scan pictures, no baby photos. I hadn't even had my booking in appointment with the midwife. The only physical memento I have of you is a couple of sonographer reports. One saying you were measuring two weeks too small and the other confirming there was no heartbeat. Cruel pieces of paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted you to have a name. Daddy and I called you Gabriel. Daddy loves that name and I thought it was very fitting for you, my darling angel baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think about you <i>all </i>the time. I wonder what you would look like, how your little character would develop. You have a baby brother now, my rainbow baby. I'm sorry my beautiful little one, there won't be any more siblings for you. Pregnancy with your little brother was so very hard. Physically, but also emotionally. I spent 41 weeks constantly worried and anxious of losing my baby again. Joy to be carrying your brother, but the grief and guilt that it wasn't you. I never, ever, want to feel that way ever again. The gut wrenching, completely destroying pain of losing you; my darling, cherished baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will always completely and utterly adore you and you will never be forgotten. My heart has a space that is only yours and will forever be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sleep tight, darling Gabriel. I love you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mummy xxx</span>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-68231378931882885302016-08-17T23:57:00.005+01:002016-08-17T23:57:55.241+01:00It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...<span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">It was the best of times</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">it</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"> was the worst of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">times. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Charles Dickens certainly knew how to coin a phrase. I am stealing it, wholeheartedly. No credit for me. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">However I do not use it to compare London and Paris during the tumultuous time of the French Revolution. This evening, as I sit in my bed, laptop on my knee (thank you dearest hubby for repairing it for me. Much easier than trying to compose your blog on your smartphone!), having just done a quick top up early night feed and got baby back into bed, I am describing motherhood. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6a6a6a; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">I have two children. My darling daughter is now the grand age of three and my boy, my Little Man, is five months. I am a stay at home mum and, I will, most likely, continue to be so, until the Little Man goes to preschool at three. My two little munchkins make me laugh so hard and smile so widely. There are times when I truly feel like I might explode with love for them and I still can't fully believe that we created them and they grew inside me. However, this time of heart bursting joy is juxtaposed by this also being, by far, the most challenging and difficult period of my life. As Dickens so eloquently put it;</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"> the season of Light...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"> the season of Darkness.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">There are certain aspects of being a new parent that you expect, before your children come along: the broken sleep, the exhaustion, the nappies, the crying etc. These things are a given. I can handle those. I anticipated those. What I did not expect, after the birth of my second child (I've done this all before, it'll be like riding a bike) was to be categorically floored by anxiety and post natal depression. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">It comes in sudden waves; ambushing you from behind a particularly long day and burnt dinner. And it takes many guises: anger, no, insane</span><i style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"> rage,</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> resentment, guilt, shame, incredible stress, feeling indifferent, anxiety, and lack of control. It's not necessarily about feeling that you aren't bonding with your baby; I couldn't adore my Little Man any more. It's about </span></span><i style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">me</i><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> and what's going on in </span></span><i style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">my </i><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">head. If anything, it's my relationship with my eldest that is suffering. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">I have written before about my need for control. It transpires that I <i>really </i>need to feel I am in control. As my Health Visitor put it, I have OCD tendencies. I need to keep my house clean, tidy and organised or it becomes a huge point of stress for me. I need to tick things of on my mental list. I crave structure and routine. (I'm finding these long summer holidays challenging.) I feel saturated by my emotions and then at the point of the merest sign of things going wrong, I overflow. Spectacularly. This isn't me. This is not the parent I want to be. So, after four long months of burying my head in the sand I am tackling it. Swallowing my pride. Being courageous. It's one of the hardest things I have done in a long, long time. I feel like I have failed. I am not coping very well. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">Yes, I can smile. Yes, I seem very much on top of things. My house is clean and tidy. My laundry is done, menus planned, groceries bought, dinner on the table each and every night. Come September, Little Crumpet goes to preschool and the Little Man is signed up for swimming and music classes. On the surface I seem to be parenting with ease. But I am a swan. Under the water, out of sight, I am paddling furiously, desperately keeping afloat, whilst trying to maintain the calm picture of serenity and togetherness to the big wide world. I certainly fooled my Health Visitor for a while.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">A part of me knows that I am not the only one. But to talk about this is taboo. No one wants to admit they are struggling. That it is harder than they feel it should be. No one wants to confess that they feel out of control, a failure, a truly crap mother, or father, at times. Admitting this is hard. Humiliating. But I feel like this. I'm not the only one who feels like this. The associated guilt. I should be better at this. I try my hardest. Every single day. I am my own worst critic and my hardest is never good enough. I know I should cut myself some slack. But I can't and I don't think I ever will. I utterly <i>adore </i>my little munchkins. Only the very best of me is good enough for them. And so I strive for perfection. Every single day. They deserve it. They are amazing little people. It's a catch 22. I want to give them the best of me, but I feel that my best is never good enough.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">So I take each day as it comes. I pray the good days are great and many, and that the times between my dark days grow ever longer. I will beat this. It will not consume me. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">This is written to each and every one of you out there who is secretly beating yourself up. You are <i>not </i>alone. This is our village. It takes a village to raise a child. Reach out. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2px;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-32910970080055162732016-06-02T10:58:00.001+01:002016-06-02T10:58:16.456+01:00The art of the successful play café<p dir="ltr">It's a rather chilly, gloomy June morning. In a bid to appease a housebound, restless toddler and the call of CBeebies, we've come out to our local play café. It's housed in a local church hall and only on one day a week. I discovered this morning that this is the last day it's open until September. The promise of warm weather and a truly marvellous park close by is apparently proving too much. It's poorly frequented (there are seven children here as I'm writing this) and, if I'm honest, feels rather unloved. Maybe it's the hard floor, maybe it's the stacked tables and chairs at the back which hint at the building's multi purpose use, which give a sense of the temporary and coldness. I'm sitting, watching my two year old happily bounce on the inflatable play area, sipping a hot cup of tea (a rare treat!), Baby Bear sleeping in his pram next to me and I can't help but compare it to another play café we often go to, further afield. This one is always much busier and feels rather like a large, wonderful, child friendly lounge! It has sofas and rugs aplenty. An area for ride ons, large building blocks and a mini trampoline. A dedicated baby area, with feeding pillows and baby gyms. It feels warm, cosy and 'loved'. It also helps that the staff are fantastic and know the regulars by name. The menu, although small and simple, is home made, delicious and excellent value for money, also offering "Toddler Tapas"; a pick and mix selection of healthy finger food. This café seems to be thriving, so I wonder why my local one is struggling so much.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I often sit and daydream about opening one in my area... To be honest, I don't know the first thing about running my own business, but where I live is crying out for something like this. It's working very hard to encourage independent businesses, with focus on quality. Surely I'm not the only parent who relishes a few hours of children who are happily playing, socialising and having fun, giving us weary mums and dads a few minutes to savour a hot beverage and (dare I say it...?) possibly relax just a little bit? I just wonder why this café isn't working...</p>
<p dir="ltr">What makes a good play café? Thoughts, please.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSfgZM16Tt8aLFWNHAFzyJElKlFYsl7rEVeLVphaSLGF3bqYM8wNFsLG4V_BckroiqNKAJOJJqBMbY2mfHgfM-DRs3j0otbFv3AXtlThQCRmP-gElCK2WMhGaJV6tMFLw6fG2tXf7cxo5/s1600/IMG_20160602_103533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSfgZM16Tt8aLFWNHAFzyJElKlFYsl7rEVeLVphaSLGF3bqYM8wNFsLG4V_BckroiqNKAJOJJqBMbY2mfHgfM-DRs3j0otbFv3AXtlThQCRmP-gElCK2WMhGaJV6tMFLw6fG2tXf7cxo5/s640/IMG_20160602_103533.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-1641745774880149642016-05-11T20:32:00.001+01:002016-05-11T23:02:50.034+01:00Ranitidine, tea and smiles!<p dir="ltr">So, after discussions with the Dr about his reflux, the Little Bear has been on Ranitidine for three weeks now and my, what a difference! He's a completely different little man! He can now be awake and happy! We're starting to have dimply smiles and chuckles, chattering and singing. It's truly delightful and so heartwarming, after so many long and difficult weeks of unconsolable tears. I decided to hang fire on the elimination diet to see the effect the meds would have first (thank goodness really, as I was starving after the very first day and just wanted to stuff my face!).</p>
<p dir="ltr">He's growing at a rate of knots (91st centile for weight) and feeding every two hours day and night. So I'm tired. I'm very, very tired. I am running on tea; a caffinated cup first thing in the morning, but then I'm being good and sticking to decaf for the rest of the day! Although not many get drunk whilst they're still hot! That's a rare treat!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Time passes so very quickly. Although he is only 9 weeks old, we've had to move him into his cotbed already, cue reshuffle of our bedroom furniture, to squeeze it back into our room! The boy is so long he has outgrown his moses basket! It's an absolutely beautiful vintage wicker one. Mum made me a bespoke reversible liner to fit it: pink on one side, which the little Crumpet had, and green on the other, which Little Bear has had. Truly stunning, but it creaks more than a geriatric's knees, and every time Little Bear moved it was disturbing his sleep, as he was kicking his feet up against the bottom. A big part of me is so sad to be packing it away. My last baby is growing up so much already :( Before I know it, he will be rolling over and sitting up unaided. </p><p dir="ltr">
So many new adventures are just around the corner!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IrTAxrl8b8xC5GgUGEiOLPt8_GEWTeZl197RMJIG9-w5uSWrLHARDYLsDuOK9H5wxEb79ffIknxPILEjNJKl4BM_vUhuGxfTljqnqumNMkE8tnVIGAzeSXk8VP-fzLY21i_pxesDW0sc/s1600/20160511_103426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IrTAxrl8b8xC5GgUGEiOLPt8_GEWTeZl197RMJIG9-w5uSWrLHARDYLsDuOK9H5wxEb79ffIknxPILEjNJKl4BM_vUhuGxfTljqnqumNMkE8tnVIGAzeSXk8VP-fzLY21i_pxesDW0sc/s640/20160511_103426.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3LSFglzZ9teKd7KO072xUCmbOG0nLge7TLJrRkviETv_GhUZEU047hxxHi5VF86VotH_Pzaey7jqSgOuebrNweVW0uFt5-Q6IdTw_Dm_IU76OHKzuTiP6BXR9uXGCstbOCzD2Ma2s6FB/s1600/FB_IMG_1456783367274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3LSFglzZ9teKd7KO072xUCmbOG0nLge7TLJrRkviETv_GhUZEU047hxxHi5VF86VotH_Pzaey7jqSgOuebrNweVW0uFt5-Q6IdTw_Dm_IU76OHKzuTiP6BXR9uXGCstbOCzD2Ma2s6FB/s640/FB_IMG_1456783367274.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmaNU1YD4oRA86na-DAhrUqIxMSpQxX98NNSXB9OqQpyjTt4oVAmaU9LVUtgQNiBwCE5Q0rwiH4GH5_Z848CxwmGjm8sL4N5bh1VPuIPRR8kQ9tiAzIJVnRa8xqJPsx7ibHojV_y1TQMM/s1600/20160511_143202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmaNU1YD4oRA86na-DAhrUqIxMSpQxX98NNSXB9OqQpyjTt4oVAmaU9LVUtgQNiBwCE5Q0rwiH4GH5_Z848CxwmGjm8sL4N5bh1VPuIPRR8kQ9tiAzIJVnRa8xqJPsx7ibHojV_y1TQMM/s640/20160511_143202.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-53507386900825365812016-04-18T11:50:00.001+01:002016-04-18T11:50:10.570+01:00Out with the Infacol and in with... Not very much!<p dir="ltr">So, after three days of Infacol and Little Bear vomiting his milk back up after every feed, after discussions with the Health Visitor, we decided to stop giving it to him. He seems a lot less fussy when feeding than he was when taking Infacol, so that is an improvement already. Unfortunately he has got the Health Visiting team stumped. They don't know what it is that is causing my beautiful little boy to be so unhappy, grumpy and unsettled all the time. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So, I'm trying other avenues to see if things improve for him. As he will just cry and cry as soon as you put him down, or even sit down, my first purchase has been a sling, so at least I can hopefully get on with things and save my poor arms from the constant holding and jigging. This boy is getting really heavy! After a LOT of reading and asking questions and researching, I've decided on a Close Caboo; a stretchy, pre-tied wrap that comes highly recommended for newborns. I'm hoping it arrives in the next few days.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The other thing I'm going to try is an elimination diet, in case he is reacting to something I'm eating, that is transferring through into my milk. The most common allergens, and things that I am eliminating from my diet, are dairy, soy, gluten, wheat, nuts, eggs, caffeine, shellfish (of which I only eat prawns anyway).</p>
<p dir="ltr">This means no bread (no toast and nutella! Argh! Even gluten free bread has egg in), no biscuits, no cake (sob). Avoid gaseous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. No citrus fruits.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm armed with rice milk, turkey, lamb, dairy free margarine, rice, potatoes, squash, courgette and lots of pears. The idea is to keep to a fairly strict eliminated diet for two weeks, then gradually reintroduce a food every 4 days, always carefully logging what happens.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Let's see if the little chap improves...</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLdcj87rd1-oLrnhukSN9UN8MBdNWlPBR-t3KcFrlWWFxkz4Gh6zUsG9H9SU40GuOoXZAoZDaa-ChXLhwRsBtoY_FHbrAFPdksEuDlr_j_VMM65o4aVHRvDA6a9C6C-uVKk7S68CroN6y/s1600/IMG_20160418_112515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLdcj87rd1-oLrnhukSN9UN8MBdNWlPBR-t3KcFrlWWFxkz4Gh6zUsG9H9SU40GuOoXZAoZDaa-ChXLhwRsBtoY_FHbrAFPdksEuDlr_j_VMM65o4aVHRvDA6a9C6C-uVKk7S68CroN6y/s640/IMG_20160418_112515.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-50014366553103372112016-04-13T17:10:00.001+01:002016-04-14T15:34:06.023+01:00Onwards and... Infacol?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, the Health visitor came the other day. Little Bear demonstrated his lung capacity like a trooper and cried inconsolably the whole time she was here. She assured me that, yes, he is overly distressed and unsettled. From observing him, she thinks he may have silent reflux, so recommended Infacol and raising the head of his moses basket. She also suggested we go pay a visit to a paediatric osteopath as he may have been a bit squashed up in utero.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I dutifully toddled down to buy the little red and white box of promised magic. It's nice, in a way, to be given a possible reason why my darling little boy is so dreadfully unhappy all the time. It doesn't make it any easier to cope with though. It's utterly heart breaking to watch such a helpless little mite cry and cry and cry and not be able to take his pain away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, while I wait for the magic potion to start work, I try to get my littlies out of the house and all of us distracted as much as possible. Order of the day today? Play Café. Little Bear has already thrown up all over himself and the Crumpet has trapped her thumb in a door. I might just cry into my tea and Infacol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the plus side, Little Bear was weighed and comes in at a hefty 12lb 5oz at only 5 weeks old. That'll be the breastfeeding every two hours! Go momma!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb50IBGlTC8EZtAL4DJzIt7KhupHfkM43WCT9TPMLI-CCmyqk2CwQ3Rjg-ZqTce6XmvdqPInbFxKqilLBiu0w4gL58mGbPQ-8fhZbc4oC2pcOZWnUcWAmYop4bAQkKvUkJXCRD_fr24Fy8/s1600/IMG_20160414_115326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb50IBGlTC8EZtAL4DJzIt7KhupHfkM43WCT9TPMLI-CCmyqk2CwQ3Rjg-ZqTce6XmvdqPInbFxKqilLBiu0w4gL58mGbPQ-8fhZbc4oC2pcOZWnUcWAmYop4bAQkKvUkJXCRD_fr24Fy8/s640/IMG_20160414_115326.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-61835444038259106652016-04-12T05:35:00.001+01:002016-04-12T05:49:22.499+01:00The pursuit of orderliness<p dir="ltr">Since becoming a full time stay at home mum, I have found it hard. Incredibly hard. Yes, i know I'm unbelievably lucky, fortunate and blessed to have this special short amount of time with my little ones, watching then grow and develop into little people. However, I have missed adult company and conversation. And it's lonely. By god, is it lonely.</p><p dir="ltr">I have slowly been numbed by countless hours of CBeebies and those damned surprise eggs on YouTube (but good god, they are a lifesaver when you really, really need five minutes peace or have to make dinner!) I have slowly become a expert in Makaton (Thank you very much Mr Tumble) and tree fu (not quite so useful, Tom...) and grown a severe, almost violent dislike for certain fluffy fictional characters (watch out Raa Raa, those stupid creatures from Waybaloo (it's YOGA not yogo!), Upsy Daisy (such a floozy) and all the Tweenies, apart from Max, who deserves a medal!) My ear worms are now all children's tv theme tunes. My current affairs knowledge is what ever is trending on Facebook. In depth discussions are now about parenting methods, potty training tips or how to get your toddler to stay in bed past 5 am. I'm sure I used to have a brain...</p><p dir="ltr">I also used to be incredibly meticulous and efficient. These are two adjectives completely unknown and alien to a toddler and a newborn.</p><p dir="ltr"> And herein less my problem.<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">I am slowly losing control.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I used to teach. My classroom was my realm: My rules. My expectations. My way. It was always scrupulously tidy, organised and ordered. Drawers were neatly labeled. Pens and (freshly sharpened) pencils stacked in their matching colour coordinated pots. Books all facing the right way and standing to attention, like soldiers on drill. When I asked for something to be done, it was done immediately. Things ran to time. I was never late. Deadlines were never missed. It wasn't allowed! Lessons were planned, books marked. Children did as they were told. I got, albeit mostly short and working, lunchbreaks. Things ran like clockwork, because they had to. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I also worked in an office for a couple of years. My emails were promptly replied to, then deleted or filed. Desk kept tidy, Paperwork on top of. Activity and phone calls dutifully logged on the system. My meticulous and perfectionist nature earned me the role of checking compliance. I loved it. Nothing got past me, much to the sometimes annoyance of my colleagues.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Now I parent. My workplace (our home) is constant disarray and chaos. Trying to get out of the house in the morning is an almighty challenge. Things don't have homes or places so I find them sqatting illegally on the kitchen dresser or table. Mess seems to reproduce faster than two horny bunnies. There is no end of the working day. Once the children are asleep, my second job as housewife starts. House to clean and tidy, dinner to cook, laundry to wash, dry and put away (I gave up on ironing long, long ago) meals to plan and groceries to buy. I know it sounds like the ultimate cliche, but it's so so much harder than being at work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And I struggle to do it all. I can't keep on top of it. And I hate it. I really, really hate it. I hate the lack of control. I hate that things are inefficient and untidy. It makes me incredibly stressed. And this is my inner monster, the demon I fight continually every single day. People say, just let things go, but I can't. The mess would stare at me all day long, my anxiety levels getting higher and higher, until I eventually break down. Cue tears and rushing about in a frenzied fashion tidying up. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Cleaning and tidying makes me calmer. They allow be to be in <u>c</u>ontrol in my world where I have very little. Doing all the dishes, putting everything away and shining my sink is the perfect tonic, after a day of failing to console a crying baby. (Use window cleaner and a clean soft cloth, for a real sparkle!) To bring order to my world full of chaos, is my goal. To have a calm and clutter free home. I'll get there. Eventually. </p><p dir="ltr">But right now, I have an absolutely beautiful, but hungry and cross little boy who needs feeding and then settling. It only took two hours earlier, so this'll be a breeze, right...?<br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRKiRS1itCWz6-tJHUlAWbyWcdDWT0xHS6JILIz4dg6KyfdDPaxD3D9tbWzfUC40_hzGwWwWXxklTPuTkr09V5UWZcjNo_bCzrm4X7UAWS9ftuqgwlJ30vKGLoxi9wtv5u10iTSojf4as/s1600/Stay%25252Bin%25252BControl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRKiRS1itCWz6-tJHUlAWbyWcdDWT0xHS6JILIz4dg6KyfdDPaxD3D9tbWzfUC40_hzGwWwWXxklTPuTkr09V5UWZcjNo_bCzrm4X7UAWS9ftuqgwlJ30vKGLoxi9wtv5u10iTSojf4as/s640/Stay%25252Bin%25252BControl.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-69514752190764813802016-04-11T19:26:00.001+01:002016-04-11T21:05:10.678+01:00Long time, no see....<p dir="ltr">It's been a rather long time since my last post. A lot has happened. I've gained a son  for starters. I have also discovered the Marie Kondo method of decluttering my home. I'll admit I'm not sticking to it religiously (I'm still balling my socks, not folding them and I'm not talking to my possessions, thanking them for all they've done for me). So many of my posts will most likely now be about my transition from one offspring to two, my ongoing fight against the tide of toys and baby paraphernalia and my quest for order and calm in my home and life generally!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Little Bear is five and a half weeks old now and is definitely making his presence known and exercising his new lungs! The journey from being mummy to one, to being mummy to two was a bit more of a shock than I expected. I've spent the past five weeks breastfeeding, winding, changing nappies, more breastfeeding, jigging, rocking, swaying, more breastfeeding, pacing, crying (lots of crying), despairing, being pulled in opposite directions, wishing I had another pair of hands.... oh, and breastfeeding. The little man feeds every couple of hours. He does grant me four hour slots in which to try and sleep at night, for which I am eternally grateful.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He is a very different baby to his big sister. He is finding the transition from in utero to the big wide world bewildering and overwhelming. Come to think of it, I feel pretty bewildered and overwhelmed most of the time too! I think I was very naive thinking that as I had done this baby thing before, it would be easy. Oh goodness, how wrong was I? It is so, so much harder with two! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I am spending my days trying to stay on top of everything, keeping things in order and generally feeling like I'm swimming against the tide, with the threat of imminent drowning ever present on the horizon. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I find a lot of time motherhood is spent feeling an overwhelming range of emotions: love, guilt, frustration, confusion, adoration, failure, loneliness. I'm fairly sure most mums feel like this... Don't they...?? Social media is a wonderful thing for advice and support. With both my children, I have a group of ladies who had children at the same time. Some I have met, some have become my closest friends, others I only know from their Facebook profiles. There is always someone online at three in the morning, awake, feeding a baby. It's reassuring. However, on the other hand, social media presents an Instagram life - well filtered portrayal of the perfect family and home. Smiling, happy babies, immaculate rooms in homes with not a scrap of Happyland, broken crayons or sick covered muslins in sight. Do these people really exist? Or is all their clutter, forgotten nappy sacks and selection of milk covered babygros all piled high out of sight of the camera lens?</p>
<p dir="ltr">My aim is to be honest. These posts will probably mostly be written one handed, in the early hours of the morning, during bleary eyed feeds. The only time I have when I can sit down, the toddler asleep and baby quiet and content. I can't promise the photos won't have the Instagram magic touch (I need all the help I can get!), but the content will definitely be #nofilter</p>
<p dir="ltr">Xx</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9vRfhoCVYAdzxpuZ1IQXRk9SYgIEXj_5crjmY8lIn_Vcspfwo1lEFGjCyjcmEfXviQePTr80PhitNn7QAQ43K0jEadlpJvzF27odYX0RW6tiGA5B7aCcewzqeQGsw_8nejg7sjpXdi1G/s1600/IMG_20160405_150152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9vRfhoCVYAdzxpuZ1IQXRk9SYgIEXj_5crjmY8lIn_Vcspfwo1lEFGjCyjcmEfXviQePTr80PhitNn7QAQ43K0jEadlpJvzF27odYX0RW6tiGA5B7aCcewzqeQGsw_8nejg7sjpXdi1G/s640/IMG_20160405_150152.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-69697615254410696572015-06-05T16:11:00.000+01:002015-06-05T16:13:44.905+01:00My quest for a clutter free existence<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">I like to have a clean and tidy home. Our house
is by no means a show home, far from it. And with an almost two year old
charging about, staying neat and tidy is, to say the least, a challenge. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">Day to day I mostly keep on top of things; my
kitchen is always clean and the worktops are mostly clear. Toys get put away
each and every evening after the little crumpet goes to bed. But it's the small
piles of things that don't get put away, or don't have a home that eventually
drive me to distraction. Piles of mail, a slowly growing collection of hair
bobbles and clips on the dresser in the kitchen, my nail varnish and remover
that hurriedly got put up on a shelf when my manicure was interrupted by my toddler
waking up from her nap. I seem to simply run out of hours in each day to get to
these small things. But they grow and seemingly reproduce in other forms of
clutter and eventually it feels like they are creeping across my house like
mildew on damp walls! Argh!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">I would say that the clutter mildly irritates me.
Constantly. Then it will come to a head when I cant stand it any longer and
I'll go mad and have a huge rant , shortly followed by a frenzied sweep around
the house picking things up and finding places for them to go. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">I am vowing to become more organised and
therefore less stressed, calmer and ultimately happier. The pursuit of
happiness. How cliché of me!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">I have bought myself a planner. I list my chores
to be done and smugly tick them off once done. I am charting my water intake
(not doing well on this one; too much tea is drunk in this house). But I feel
that I do need to address the root of much of my stress: CLUTTER. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">After a comment on one of my favourite<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://instagram.com/p/3hc31wlBO_/?taken-by=bubblegarm" target="_blank">Instagram accounts</a>, I have ordered <a href="http://tidyingup.com/" target="_blank">this book</a> from
Amazon; The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="http://tidyingup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/978-1-60774-730-7.jpg" width="449" /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;"> '</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This best-selling
guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo
takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for
simplifying, organizing, and storing. ' </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I have high
hopes! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Feeling inspired,
I had a mini declutter whilst the little one was asleep. Ok, so I did a couple
of shelves on our bookcase, but I have two bags to go to charity, a pile to
action and a pile to file. Things got put away in their places. I think I will
buy some storage boxes, baskets etc, and I have a LONG way to go, but I feel
better already! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Ultimately, I
want my home to feel calm, easy to tidy and clean and a place where, at the end
of the day, the toys are back in their baskets and toddler is in bed, I can
relax, unwind and not have clutter peeking at me from every surface.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: large;">I'll keep you
updated....</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-42313255036058719652015-06-03T23:08:00.000+01:002015-06-03T23:08:15.513+01:00Ikea Play Kitchen Hacks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The little crumpet is coming up to 2 years old this summer and during a discussion about birthday presents with my Mummy group, we got to discussing play kitchens. They can be very pricey, but the Ikea </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S49874533/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Duktig Play kitchen</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">is a very good bargain. You can either simply get the base unit, for £45, or combine it with the cabinet top unit for £65.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="DUKTIG Play kitchen IKEA Encourages role play which helps children to develop social skills by imitating grown-ups and inventing their own roles." height="640" src="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/images/products/duktig-play-kitchen-white__0086284_PE214924_S4.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quite a few people have this kitchen of course, so, in order to make it more unique, there are oodles of ideas for hacks on Pinterest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a selection of my favourite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Or give the Ikea play kitchen a modern makeover." height="640" src="http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2014-12/8/14/enhanced/webdr11/enhanced-16522-1418066104-25.jpg" width="426" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Painted white, with a dark wood stain on the top. Spray paint the sink, taps, feet, handles and rail coppery gold and immediately you have a very chic finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one is again, very similar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Made Me Smile (via Bloglovin.com )" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4b/48/b1/4b48b15b072ab06a7c0a159c2c647fac.jpg" width="470" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the details over at <a href="http://babiekinsmag.com/craftykins-mini-ikea-play-kitchen-makeover" target="_blank">Craftykins</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the colourful café curtains on this one from <a href="http://visualvocabularie.com/ikea-play-kitchen-makeover-hack/" target="_blank">Visual Vocabularie</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="IKEA_DUKTIG_makeover" height="640" src="http://visualvocabularie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IKEA_DUKTIG_makeover.jpeg" width="406" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one from <a href="http://www.bubblegarm.co.uk/2014/11/esras-play-kitchen.html?m=1" target="_blank">Bubblegarm</a> has the cutest accessories!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HRxFTThtQnxTvsQsvBCj7eOjkJHcW5VXmiWqhWJK2Sa_zstoSwGye7B3iB2qukvQS-OrfROZs94IQQEKR7hUpj2_P3qcYh-j2_AkFHT4MvObyM3Q2L1L42rwgVIYO5tIvL8ReIUHFF8/s640/2.JPG" width="426" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I absolutely adore <a href="http://theshakerhouse.com/tag/diy-play-kitchen/" target="_blank">this mini version</a> of the Grown Up's kitchen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="DSC_0093" height="640" src="http://theshakerhouse.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/dsc_0093.jpg?w=660&h=992" width="424" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A beautifully simple kitchen from <a href="http://sandpaperandsillyputty.blogspot.co.uk/2013_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Sandpaper and Silly Putty</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tJ7W10vDixhd0n4BuMOM0z-nbUNyeyIWLtdJDb4HoE5rYXBirdNt3nOM57I_Qaq3rGDNZmwxmUrYv4Jr0JVgCMfcNeLpm05-iC-ShC_egOf16ldVZ2fEWEpffL7KxgznRxOfDjWW7Tc/s640/IMG_8223+-+Version+2.jpg" width="554" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my goodness, how adorable is this vintage treasure? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0-jzTjfb1P8VQgNN34Q8xKgc6UvnN4nL8dWgK4Yg47TzrAtzKS7MXJWc_myDUmjXnIDEH1vd1mfjOF60ONZ0kqS8TsYEPLSd_Faok4jVnOAwnxx9nE76WUOq7FS0khF3-JlaEtCM4mI/s640/Charleyincupboard1.jpg" width="426" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Head over to <a href="http://littlevillagehandmade.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/the-sweetest-hack.html" target="_blank">Little Village</a> to see all the precious little accessories!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just LOVE the coffee pot in this gem from <a href="http://twoptsforhonesty.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/ikea-play-kitchen-hack.html" target="_blank">Two Points For Honesty</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ46QtK8DSqcfGiXW_wA8RgXaVGkZ3kZPpC9bm45g9mqpLNoxVWtkJJArowIX0G2zkK-k8gmvdy0m1WgrfzEY8vZJAdL6DVWZlYASy7c0DbQZkrouQJtleHl46nOtSZd2lJ_skAPRsdZ0x/s640/DSC00994e.jpg" width="425" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These two are gorgeously bright: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-3Y3g5mS0IAp9RUMdybXtBv9Z2eNYBUsFaablaeiuoSAN6LVw4PRnWcOfTrKMjN4TpB9-Njn2Yz7SCq7UUJGzsn6KWqAv_qJj58hf0qXJsaKQiEVyxBixmgLwIUxbGGkGvxqnU3HCFhz/s640/ikeamakeover.jpg" width="448" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMQpvL-2KuhJg18u6P0tRCdEEE71bKTV3JxUqZ2q8oJNdtuAvLbuceZcS52qzaMSWYZ-lHO6S19YpkF6YvJl_kPjfK2m9yD7jkFSK3ohpYx79uKskGEbqBE3pVW6J0Q5Ux4Tl4XLkC4eU/s640/ikeamakeover1.jpg" width="576" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love that the worktop and handles match on this one: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZYzm_5jrSsoVQF5MeCdstaRcFSBXGmzPld9uiSNzhZn1BNFdrmihyoYlR3dY5Glrq3Z7QVk3WMxhyDmUWxPCUOcmaP0_YmOSTP9at2d0Zb52ubIcX9PsDlK6YxKztoCKJSNRj-3EXC1M/s640/ikeamakeover2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The splashback is stunning: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Ikea Play Kitchen Makeover | tealandlime.com" height="640" src="http://www.tealandlime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ikea-play-kitchen-makeover.jpg" width="512" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://cdn2.cdnme.se/4204535/7-3/2013-11-22-1629_528f773ce087c33e1e76ef4f.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">see more <a href="http://loppisverkstan.blogg.se/2013/october/ikea-duktig-makeover.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="635" src="http://p-fst2.pixstatic.com/54edf839697ab052100023a0/_w.540_s.fit_/duktig.png" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9b/45/90/9b4590b647f87f0412426a7a7bc436fc.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Kitchen 1_1" height="640" src="https://scrapnbake.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/kueche-1_1.jpg?w=500&h=752" width="424" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">see more <a href="https://scrapnbake.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/diy-die-kinderkuche-des-herzenszwerges/" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pretty in pink for a girly girl:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/85/9a/45/859a45f17b9f548925e47a517029ea7e.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Ikea Dutkig kitchen hack" height="640" src="http://www.mommodesign.com/sites/default/files/styles/full_width/public/field/image/pastel_ikea_duktig_kitchen_.jpg?itok=fLcabZp8" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">see more <a href="http://pinsta.me/mlletotoro" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one has lights!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Ikea hack By Little Moments Small Details like the lighting." height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/58/7d/20/587d2062b2529a269cc08c896271a528.jpg" width="425" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="DONE IT! Ikea play kitchen, customised for my star chefs." height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/5a/35/ae5a354c964a69ed274e947c5ca09a77.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's more than enough to give you some inspiration and ideas, but there are hundreds more right <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=ikea%20play%20kitchen%20hack" target="_blank">here</a> if you just can't get enough!</span></div>
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<br />Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-73642336757369468652015-04-09T22:33:00.000+01:002015-04-09T22:37:35.575+01:00The dressing up box<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a child, I used to adore dressing up. I particularly remember a floaty pink net skirt and purple wide brimmed hat! I am really excited about making some creations for Little Crumpet as she grows up. She already has a small pink suitcase under her desk, which is beginning to fill with the odd few pieces. She is especially fond of her 'crown'! Her pink tutu was the one I made for her first birthday, so is a little small now, but I may just remake it on elastic, rather than ribbon, so it will stretch and also will be easier for her to pull on herself.</span><br />
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<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11053090_10155414035520074_4063344722448011797_n.jpg?oh=88ab8df6912359e9bf3a08fc3c2a79aa&oe=55A4A7A6&__gda__=1437622515_646cd10c8df745286c0f45332b52cb33" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are hundreds and thousands of DIY tutorials for dressing up outfits on Pinterest, but here are a few of my favourites:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This <a href="http://www.homemadetoast.com/2012/10/cinderella-princess-dress-costume.html" target="_blank">Cinderella</a> dress by Llevo el invierno is just beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Free Cinderella Dress Pattern and Tutorial" src="http://www.fabnfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cinderella-cropped.jpg" height="640" width="374" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These <a href="http://llevoelinvierno.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/make-alitas.html" target="_blank">bird wings</a> by are absolutely adorable. I think I would back them too and hide the raw edges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAg3nJvqEjsDz3OuBjYvEz_O5j5XXh-kdwQoXbIZDylNm5Mpw9nLqDemWDChZ-BVEMeLwJ4KwZtvVxdRg9OTtBNLIuMlFqoYmhAQSvNo2cjbVh0MJ0GR6KmJHa6HgNtcEKNWETTKveK0C/s640/wings7.JPG" height="640" width="448" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am so making this peacock outfit one day! You can find the tutorial over on <a href="http://shwinandshwin.com/2011/10/peacock-tutu.html" target="_blank">Shwin and shwin's</a> page.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Make a peacock tutu!! Tutorial on andreasnotebook.com" src="http://andreasnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/1.71.jpg" height="640" width="429" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Tinkerbell inspired dress doesn't come with a tutorial, but is super easy to make:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Tinkerbell costume � soooo easy! -" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/bc/75/a7/bc75a7026d737e071ab57e5f0a25bb64.jpg" width="481" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also on the tutu theme, this <a href="http://nonpareilhome.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/diy-costume-flower-fairy.html" target="_blank">flower girl outfit</a> from The Nonpareil Home </span><span style="font-size: large;">is simple and beautiful:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvZ_CIvnf8oIo_JGaBokvkyyyZkWTf7pWvbcwHxadYb-8J4AU-Ssg6ct6VIrJ7gxb82P85YHKpJUQptuNARKvJXKND6GmcutPCBrnoIZWRHdpVdqmPgd_R7sUGLMGRnuA6YVHi9uM31Y/s640/_DSC5038.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course headwear is very important too! These crowns are just adorable: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://stitch11.com/for-the-king-of-your-castle/" target="_blank">This one</a> from Stitch 11:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Free Pattern: Crochet King's Crown. More suitable for little boys. Somewhere on this board of mine is a crown or two for little girls. But it's lovely to now have one for the boys." height="480" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3e/f8/cc/3ef8cc9096014724495993388229b22e.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/2010/06/how-to-make-a-royal-felt-crown.html" target="_blank">this felt crown</a> from Small Things:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU_KM8ps080JA-0b_APtrD9AnP0sRMOJ2JD4XJp7Od2XlBOr1HlG5bx8-7rxNjZYr4OQYbiPlQTTtOUkvRAjbVSuTUAQ5VZILrBKYXv07VmLGCoUPpfJT-omKsIpTgpIny2gTClDQOWA/s640/DSC_0077.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every Princess needs a <a href="http://childhood101.com/2010/02/lets-dress-up-princess-hat-tutorial/" target="_blank">hat</a> too:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Medieval princess hat costume" src="http://childhood101.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Costume-medieval-princess-hat-Childhood-101.jpg" height="640" width="487" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, let's not forget the boys! Check out this very cute <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/10/peter-pan-costume.html" target="_blank">Peter Pan outfit</a> from Make it-love it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/allmystuff2008/IMG_0440.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the aspiring fireman, what about this <a href="http://crayonboxchronicles.com/2013/08/18/dyi-firemans-air-tank-play/" target="_blank">airtank</a> from Crayon Box Chronicles:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="DIY Fireman Air Tank for dress-up" src="http://crayonboxchronicles.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/fireman-air-tank-pretend-play.jpg?w=620" height="640" width="313" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Head on over to Running With Scissors' page for these gorgeous <a href="http://www.running-w-scissors.com/2011/03/dinosaur-tails.html#.VSboVPmIgvk" target="_blank">dinosaur tails</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29ceI8wgrfL7P4lEIeSTS-OZB9t5jTGGe7yqOIiJmEzx1AN_CTLqhR_JpkW-4QrEGpU2mGEw4hw24FXQ6ucSS_ACnrDY7zFtYjYmwdUHw4blI-Ge8DL2Rj4lyAR6SospMzVZJJ5h7VW6q/s640/dinotails6.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could carry on all day! Maybe I will come back with a Volume Two later in the year! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over and out x</span></div>
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<br />Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-87320475164999662112015-04-01T21:48:00.001+01:002015-04-01T21:48:55.623+01:00To market, to market!<p dir="ltr">Whilst pottering around Pinterest this evening, I spotted a post about a market stall made from an Ikea shoe rack and Ikea wooden storage box. I thought it was really cool, then suddenly thought: "I have those things already..." </p>
<p dir="ltr">After a little rummaging to find out exactly where they were, I created one little market stall for the Little Crumpet to play with tomorrow. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I had absolutely everything already! Wooden, plastic and felt fruit and vegetables, wooden cupcakes and felt donuts, flowers from our Gardening box, Crumpet's till. The little shopping bag is the bag our wooden building blocks came in. I used the frame of the wooden storage shelves on top of the shoe rack for additional shelves. One day, I will make an awning and little sign to go above, but not bad for an evening out the blue!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunUzWN-CigJyB9u5fnhEvo1Ra7ifNMhVz1ocWWPzZTdgT-AyUoeCcj_ynnEKnZX0VyCBzRzAy3HidCkd3vtQPkO32n2kNPw5TclTTJ9AR4av4CUzidD8v736M2NrG2-Vw_vF-P-Mr0u5q/s1600/IMG_20150401_212820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunUzWN-CigJyB9u5fnhEvo1Ra7ifNMhVz1ocWWPzZTdgT-AyUoeCcj_ynnEKnZX0VyCBzRzAy3HidCkd3vtQPkO32n2kNPw5TclTTJ9AR4av4CUzidD8v736M2NrG2-Vw_vF-P-Mr0u5q/s640/IMG_20150401_212820.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-69975263729901320282015-03-31T22:14:00.001+01:002015-04-01T08:36:28.420+01:00Under the sea sensory play<p dir="ltr">I made up an Under The Sea themed sensory box this evening, for the little crumpet to explore tomorrow. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I coloured some rice blue, using gel food colouring, added blue and white pom poms, and some blue, green and silver sequins. I found some blue netting left over from a tutu I made, so I cut that up into thin slivers and added it into the tub too (although when I showed Crumpet earlier, she immediately took it out the tub and threw it on the floor, proclaiming "Not like!". I lined the tub with some blue tissue paper for a crinkly sensory touch.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I added some yellow, green and blue Duplo bricks and some wooden blocks for rocks.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We bought a tub of sea animals when we had our family day to the aquarium in January, so these have taken pride of place!</p>
<p dir="ltr">I've looked out some of her books which are sea linked, so I've put these on her play table too. I hope she enjoys playing with it!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZHDf0d2X1VIyyoLb11-4nR8mcDJZHv-9ue7efJSnlPxZ3hUY-NRkDudWYRaWtWfgZ6xNMjPJyiVMgOZHce1xrH5YFaceoLMt_olhTmq6Fmmf0WBeckuS4oz0C3d1f3nveEsxhMKCGcK8/s1600/IMG_20150331_212120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZHDf0d2X1VIyyoLb11-4nR8mcDJZHv-9ue7efJSnlPxZ3hUY-NRkDudWYRaWtWfgZ6xNMjPJyiVMgOZHce1xrH5YFaceoLMt_olhTmq6Fmmf0WBeckuS4oz0C3d1f3nveEsxhMKCGcK8/s640/IMG_20150331_212120.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crumpet spotted the tub laid out on her play table, in the playroom, after her breakfast. She stood at the door, hopping excitedly from foot to foot, calling "Want it! Open door!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first thing she did was remove the netting from the tub; "Not like it" She then proceeded to "ooh", "aah" and "wow!" as she discovered all the creatures. She toddled through to the lounge to show her Daddy the creatures she found and then took him one of the books to read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHTf_RC8DYk8ChszjJIfVoBcIh42-gIf6vl9tCWwHOlOCjFS3CHhHTdywyjoPjsCgFa9taSNbD33Vpm0PuSi5JNwffOfpqCMiytIdWgcDYgxaO6Ad8yJHS8KglbFPcc6ruNxgWA5ffkLJ/s1600/IMG_20150401_082451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHTf_RC8DYk8ChszjJIfVoBcIh42-gIf6vl9tCWwHOlOCjFS3CHhHTdywyjoPjsCgFa9taSNbD33Vpm0PuSi5JNwffOfpqCMiytIdWgcDYgxaO6Ad8yJHS8KglbFPcc6ruNxgWA5ffkLJ/s640/IMG_20150401_082451.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaW48H6KaGLIFKHrPfakCp5sZk-0VvDebm2sOUAfGzOc5yCCoVTiwHSeWIyY5n7NZxSGaplR_hGw5ZzZEg4VokNzZTxftXS3-w9EpBaR4Qjd6Pq8TNALQLJXSz8kY1UhUm6bGC-gGODSn/s1600/IMG_20150401_082643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaW48H6KaGLIFKHrPfakCp5sZk-0VvDebm2sOUAfGzOc5yCCoVTiwHSeWIyY5n7NZxSGaplR_hGw5ZzZEg4VokNzZTxftXS3-w9EpBaR4Qjd6Pq8TNALQLJXSz8kY1UhUm6bGC-gGODSn/s640/IMG_20150401_082643.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnMgOj-25y3bhsxuygN1LxOrDek6zvOEmgpFthk_H-xzrVBC6I06o9LaY4KxCeUTFUyZQQfUtUYYW_DMrUAKzTDMW20_akfpcdLlBZ4JP0CKxpqYIQ4NatQU8ppe8eXjTVdpywLNhXab0/s1600/IMG_20150401_082728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnMgOj-25y3bhsxuygN1LxOrDek6zvOEmgpFthk_H-xzrVBC6I06o9LaY4KxCeUTFUyZQQfUtUYYW_DMrUAKzTDMW20_akfpcdLlBZ4JP0CKxpqYIQ4NatQU8ppe8eXjTVdpywLNhXab0/s640/IMG_20150401_082728.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7DKDuOqYURKMOLmatelU1KBNyVe8oXBAEXYu13tmPiqTFhlGu29aSwAYiYiPeo6ymGPvCX1XwUJYPSuVaBjXryOGB5vqhhAStehK_IltBgVb4LO_T7h5xKMDaFZUkHcajC1E7Gs3z8Rs/s1600/IMG_20150401_082903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7DKDuOqYURKMOLmatelU1KBNyVe8oXBAEXYu13tmPiqTFhlGu29aSwAYiYiPeo6ymGPvCX1XwUJYPSuVaBjXryOGB5vqhhAStehK_IltBgVb4LO_T7h5xKMDaFZUkHcajC1E7Gs3z8Rs/s640/IMG_20150401_082903.jpg"> </a> </div>Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-30962256330709799032015-03-19T12:41:00.001+00:002015-03-19T16:38:44.474+00:00Invitation to play: flower shop<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">Flower shop invitation to play, all ready for when the little crumpet wakes up from her lunchtime nap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was so easy to put together, I picked up bits and pieces when I was shopping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seed packets, <a href="http://www.wilko.com/seed-trays-plant-pots+planters/wilko-plastic-plant-pot-10cm-5pk/invt/0297537" target="_blank">flower pots</a> and <a href="http://www.wilko.com/seed-trays-plant-pots+planters/wilko-get-gardening-plant-labels-12cm-x-50/invt/0137399" target="_blank">seed markers</a>: Wilkinsons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Artificial <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/decoration/20492/" target="_blank">flowers</a>: Ikea</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hand <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webstore/landing/home.shtml?cmpid=ahc-_-ghs-d1-_-asdacom-dsk-_-hp#/shelf/1215187378479/1/so_false" target="_blank">trowel and rake</a>: Asda</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seeds: packet of <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webstore/landing/home.shtml?cmpid=ahc-_-ghs-d1-_-asdacom-dsk-_-hp#/product/69659695" target="_blank">wholefood seed mix</a>, Asda</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Soil: the rice is coloured with red and green food colouring, to make it brown, and a generous sprinkling of cocoa powder. The flowers are standing in chocolate playdoh. You can find the recipe from Anna at The Imagination Tree <a href="http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/01/easy-chocolate-play-dough-recipe.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beware! It smells amazing so your little one might want to eat it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.elc.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-ELCENGB-Site/default/Search-Show?q=till" target="_blank">till and shopping basket</a> are both from Early Learning Centre, watering can is from Wilkinsons and the colander is from B&M Bargains. The sorting tray is a card fruit tray that I painted.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGAd_QNpwXjEf9EFdO6wyg_fsg5nkBCevNUNe4W3NMEMqXgQUVG4Gi486eKaU1wmRX9CNITA_jVU7np0P6wQ-EmHc4Jli8OuPnkW0Xb_cpNxBzg6typLYnRu0IdWcMskAK2yCOUqVRuL8/s1600/IMG_20150319_085531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGAd_QNpwXjEf9EFdO6wyg_fsg5nkBCevNUNe4W3NMEMqXgQUVG4Gi486eKaU1wmRX9CNITA_jVU7np0P6wQ-EmHc4Jli8OuPnkW0Xb_cpNxBzg6typLYnRu0IdWcMskAK2yCOUqVRuL8/s640/IMG_20150319_085531.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;">Little crumpet absolutely adored playing flower shop! She's still too young for proper role play, but she had great fun scooping 'soil' into the pots and tipping it back out again, sticking her flowers into the playdoh soil, and emptying and refilling the packets of seeds! We spent well over an hour playing together! Our playroom may now have a good sprinkling of rice everywhere, but nothing a quick sweep and hoover won't fix!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBN-iiga50zqTSLd3IYjnzAl3jh6Cmmoep0c2kLnlt_ybMXDTuDNSGNaPw2JVDnIvPdB3fNGB5uDA48LefVhbdi9pDAZEYA7kTN-3fhXVHuBKteo5C3oe6rc6CjcFImbrOyj92u-mgaMk/s1600/IMG_20150319_151547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBN-iiga50zqTSLd3IYjnzAl3jh6Cmmoep0c2kLnlt_ybMXDTuDNSGNaPw2JVDnIvPdB3fNGB5uDA48LefVhbdi9pDAZEYA7kTN-3fhXVHuBKteo5C3oe6rc6CjcFImbrOyj92u-mgaMk/s640/IMG_20150319_151547.jpg" /> </a> </span></div>
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Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-69110148410280931172015-02-06T15:18:00.001+00:002015-02-06T15:57:12.592+00:00Toddler haul!<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="font-size: large;">My latest haul for the little crumpet! I love getting her a bargain! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These wooden jigsaws are currently on sale in Sainsburys, for a bargain at £1.99! I absolutely LOVE wooden toys. I like the feel of the natural material and they are also so durable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Poundland and B&M Home Bargains are also worth a look for picking up bits and pieces. The little crumpet is OBSESSED with Frozen and absolutely loves her Frozen stationary set and colouring book I picked up yesterday. We also found a pack of Frozen Top Trumps! She doesn't play by the rules of course, but she enjoys finding her favourite characters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Stationary set: 99p, Colouring book: £1, Crayola Twistable crayons: £1 all B&M. Top Trumps from Poundland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Crayola flashcards: two packs for £1 at Poundland. These have been put away for when she is older. </span></div>
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Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-38510349235953499232014-01-06T21:01:00.001+00:002014-01-06T21:01:20.623+00:00Hello. My name is Susy and I have an addiction.I am addicted to <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/littlesusy/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.<br />
<br />
There. I said it.<br />
<br />
Oh my goodness, what did I do before I discovered this amazing, ingenious creation? Well, I fumbled around with Polyvore and cut pictures out of magazines! Sorry Polyvore, my dalliance with you is over and a new love affair has begun.<br />
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<img height="86" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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And I have also just discovered PinCo, to create a collage from your boards. Fantastic!<br />
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When my darling daughter is tucked up in bed, the dishes are washed and I can settle onto the sofa with a cup of tea, I can indulge in one of my favourite me-time moments. Since discovering Pinterest, I have created boards from weddings to maternity wear, crafting to Christmas. My latest Pinterest squeeze is a collection of toys, furniture and decorative ideas for Baby Bean's 'Big Girl Room', when she out grows her nursery. I am quite a traditionalist when it come to childhood and a big believer in children being children and enjoying their childhood for as long as possible. I have a big passion for imaginative play and especially wooden toys.<br />
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There is one particular wooden kitchen I have fallen for and a wooden doll's house:<br />
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<img alt="John Crane Tidlo Country Play Kitchen" height="250" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5d/21/63/5d2163d893e18dced93cb4eb7e573658.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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I just love this <a href="http://www.woodentoyshop.co.uk/john-crane-tidlo-country-play-kitchen.html" target="_blank">kitchen</a>, with it's butler's sink, I wonder if they do a grown up, real version? Hmmm...</div>
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<img alt="New in Box Wooden 4 Storey Traditional Georgian Dolls House Kit Pink - 3251 | eBay" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/55/fd/6d/55fd6dea3d85ea946b0a7bbd3788b50c.jpg" width="264" /></div>
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The <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Box-Wooden-4-Storey-Georgian-Dolls-House-Kit-Pink-3251-/370962737774?pt=UK_Dolls_Houses&hash=item565f1a2a6e" target="_blank">doll's house</a> is 1:12 scale, which fits Sylvanian Families (which I always wanted as a child but I wasn't allowed as they were really expensive!)</div>
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I have also discovered a fantastic website called <a href="http://www.woodentoyshop.co.uk/play-food/" target="_blank">Wooden Toy Shop</a> which sells the most amazing selection of wooden pretend food and kitchenware, amongst other traditional wooden creations.</div>
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Okay, so I may be reliving my childhood here, but, oh what fun I am having. It is the perfect window shopping experience!!! It is a long way away yet, and her big girl room needs decorating and furnishing long before she even moves in (it is currently sporting an interesting hand painted fairy woodland mural across one wall and part of the ceiling) but my oh my! What a marvelous little girl bedroom she will have!</div>
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Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2240702565446367442.post-37309169818462471782014-01-04T23:50:00.000+00:002014-01-05T00:22:26.884+00:00I am not a blogger. I am merely a curious soul who could not find her diary.<div style="text-align: center;">
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It has been a long old time since I last posted on here and my, my, how my world has changed.</div>
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<img alt="A year ago" height="320" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/64/a8/51/64a851a18e244b62add2aca9950e1db5.jpg" width="307" /></div>
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Gone are the days when I had hours to spend wandering haphazardly across the internet, dreaming of my future. My future is here and now. I am living my dream. Since I last mused about things I find pretty, I have become a wife and a mother. I have traversed the rough terrain of wedding planning, accumulating in our 'big' day; a day of laughter, love, family, friends and fireworks. The most perfect of days.</div>
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Until a Friday in August. The day my daughter arrived in this world. The day my world changed for ever. I thought I was happy before I met her, but any happiness, joy or jubilation I had previously known quite simply paled in comparison to what I now hold in my heart for my baby girl.<br />
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Tonight is the first night in 5 months and 3 days that I have sat in bed, with the lamp on. Tonight is the first night I am alone in our room. My darling daughter is spending her first night in her nursery and I feel like a small part of me is missing. I cannot hear her snuffle and shuffle, her gentle sighs and snores, her legs kick as she dreams. She is but a few meters away on the other side of the landing, but it may as well be miles.<br />
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I am resisting the urge to go stand silently beside her cot and gaze at her, checking for the rise and fall of her tiny chest. I am sat tucked up in bed, laptop on my knee, rediscovering a dusty old blog I once used to write, as I could not find my diary. The need to be distracted is immense.<br />
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And so I am making a New Year's Resolution: to write more.<br />
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This used to be a place where I would collect pretty things, ideas for my wedding, clothes I want to wear, houses I want to live in. I am going to continue to share my dreams with you, if indeed anyone actually reads this stream of consciousness, but my world has new and exciting chapters.<br />
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Before I know it, my darling daughter will be walking, talking and running nervously off through the school gates for the first time. Cherished moments of these early days will grow dusty and forgotten, like the lonely odd sock behind the radiator. I still long to fill my whole life with happiness and pretty little things and I do wish the whole world could have sprinkles on the top. Because that is just what all my pretty little shiny objects of desire are: the colourful sprinkles atop the cupcake of life, a cupcake, that I have discovered has a sweet, rich and truly scrumptious center. What is this blog going to become? It may just be the late night ramblings of a new mother, a wannabe haberdashery owner's wishlist, a frustrated crafter who has not the time to complete a project, but whatever it becomes, it will be rose tinted and a happy place.<br />
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<img alt="Happy" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3e/c3/8c/3ec38c9d234074805bdb41eef36fc2eb.jpg" width="255" /></div>
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So here I am, on the brighter side of rain clouds, to bask in the sunshine and the immense joy that I am most fortunate to have, that my baby girl brings me every single day. I want my daughter to grow up to see the best in every one and every thing. Cherish the simple things and follow your dreams <span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px;">♥</span><br />
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<img alt="Raining Love Hearts Cloud Mobile A Funky Felt by therainbowroom. Ooo I want on of these for myself :)" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/66/d3/b3/66d3b32ccae81133fdaff3454f453aac.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Susy ♥http://www.blogger.com/profile/01903480568477981472noreply@blogger.com0