Decades at School with Marks and Spencer

Do you have any favourite memories of school? Milk in bottles with little straws, recorder lessons and the school dentist, getting your five meter swimming badge and one computer for the whole school, wheeled in and out of the rooms on a trolly.

Well, times have changed, milk comes in cartons and each class has a few computers and even iPads, but sending your children off to school for a new year will still be the same.  That pang of sadness at not getting to spend time with them even if they were causing you to tear your hair out at times, that dread of early mornings and lunch box making.

New uniforms, shoes, bags and lunch boxes and now it seems we need to add a pencil case to the mix and it got me thinking about what it was like for my parents when I was at school? What hopes, dreams and feelings did they have for me starting a new year?

I remember going to look for a new school uniform and new shoes with my mum, it was one of those defining moments of the school holidays and nothing got the excitement going more than a crisp new pair of shoes and school uniform. Trying them on when we got home and showing dad when he got in from work, just to get the approval.

I took that approach when my son started school and it was a big occasion for us to go and look for school uniform, however it wasn't as easy as i'd hoped and we couldn't find everything in his size, it was a little stressful to say the least, that happened for a few more years and then last year as much as I would miss the shopping ritual with my daughter I decided to order everything online.

We'd had uniform from Marks and Spencer since my son started school and they always lasted and stood the test of time, so with everything in one place I ordered all the school uniform for next day delivery and we had the same excitement levels, albeit in a different place, when two bags of clothes arrived.

We went through them and tried them on, I cried a little and my daughter told me I was being silly, it was a new experience and I suppose an updated and modern version of my memory.

For me my memories are happy ones and are deep in my core memory, they are what makes me tick and so I hope I can pass some of them on to my children, even if they are as different as our one computer at school to the whole row of them in each class now.

Nothing says the first day of school like a baggy jumper and shoes too big for those skinny legs, here is me surprisingly smiling for my first day at secondary school.

This year Marks & Spencer have yet another brilliant uniform collection, in a range of sizes, colours and styles. There are some neat touches to their uniforms, including, Stainaway™ shirts, made with a special finish to help make stains disappear, adjustable hem trousers to adjust the hems without a needle and thread and machine washable jumpers that stay bright and bobble free.

My two children love their new uniform from Marks & Spencer, they are just what we need to allow them to run, jump and explore. With ribbed cuffs, easy to do up buttons, zips and hooks and fabric that moves with them, I am sure these will last them the year as they have always done before.

Our holidays only started this week and they will be back at school earlier than everyone else too, with just five short weeks for their summer, even so, we hope to fit lots in. I am sure the time will come for first day back photos before I know it and most likely tears from me as I see the changes in them and the different a year makes.

Marks and Spencer are currently looking at school uniforms throughout the decades, they have changed so much and it is fascinating to see what we used to wear, you can even share your own memories with them over on Twitter using the hashtag #MySchoolYears

What was your favourite school memory?

NB: This is a collaborative post.

Flamingo Fun this Summer

I really love Flamingos, in fact it seems the high street is loving them too, so if you also enjoy these pink beauties then here are a few of my favourite picks.

First up is this fabulous bag, spotted in the kids section at Fat Face, I love it. Perfect size for your phone, money and a few other bits and great for the beach, just £16.

They also had this great flamingo scarf, a bargain at £8. They did have one in the womens section but actually I preferred this one as it's much brighter.

Boden have these amazing espadrilles, they go up to a size 42 so even though they are in the girls section they still fit an adult, £20-£24.

Rocket Dog have these fabulous pumps, perfect for wearing with jeans on holiday, £38.00

For just a hint of flamingo how about these cute socks from Marks & Spencer, £3.00

Or for the home and would be great for picnics and bbq's these fabulous melamine cups also from Marks & Spencer are just so cute, £3.50

So much flamingo loveliness about at the moment, who else loves flamingos?

Hareem Trousers Wish List

I have an old pair of hareem trousers I bought about two years ago but they have seen better days. They are really comfy for lounging in and are perfect with a pair of flip flops for summer trips to the beach and I particularly love wearing them in France as lot's of French ladies seem to wear them.

So I have been on the look out for some for a while now and with my upcoming trip to France edging ever nearer I have been on serious hareem watch.

First I love these from Next, £22 isn't a bad price and I love the colour, perfect for chilling in.

Next these from H&M, they are only £12.99 and although they look baggier they come in some funky and slightly OTT colours and prints. I'd probably opt for plain black but there is a coral red and leopard print.

Next and a brand I have been following for years now, I love everything that Hush do. These trousers look so beautiful and it's probably the gorgeous blazers and t-shirts they team them up with that makes me want them more. These are a little more expensive at £49.50 but sometimes quality pays right.

And finally these from Marks and Spencer, super price at £18 and hopefully the quality you'd expect from Marks too. 

I'm not sure which pair to go for, but I definitely need to pop in to town and gab a pair before I go away either that or do I risk trying to find some in a French market whilst we are over there? Hmm decisions.

Swimsuits for Summer

After having my two children I lost a lot of confidence when wearing two piece swimming costumes, so I brought one a few years ago with tummy control but after a few years wear and sun exposure it has seen better days.

So a little searching on the internet has led me to some gorgeous options…

I love this one from John Lewis, the floral print is bright and colourful, and very reasonably priced at £39.50 and on a plus side these would go with my Sun Jellies.

As is this one from Sea Folly also at John Lewis a little more expensive at £99.

This one from Boden is really lovely too, the colours and fit look great, only £59.

This one from Marks and Spencer is not only fashionable but has the tummy control I am looking for, only £39.50

And finally another from Marks and Spencer this gorgeous nautical stripe swimsuit which I think is fun and only £32.50.

As with most clothing I have no idea which will fit my body type so will need to go and try some on, although if I remember it like last time it won't be a pleasant experience…who designs the changing rooms in shops? Always rubbish lighting that makes me look like a lump!

Meal Planning Monday

 

Oooh am late today but I enjoyed it so much I thought I would do it again although the cupboards are looking a bit bare!

Anyway here we go:

Monday - Chicken & Mushroom Pie with leftover chicken from dinner yesterday
Tuesday - Spicy Root and Lentil Casserole providing we have lentils (pretty sure we do)
Wednesday - Stew
Thursday - Bacon & Egg Pie
Friday - Chicken Pasta Bake
Saturday - Ummmm maybe a take away or Marks & Spencer Meal Deal

I have some frozen summer fruits in the freezer so will probably do a crumble one night and will probably make some cupcakes too as I have some left over icing from yesterdays mothers day cupcakes.

I love baking and am a cakeoholic, I really must find something other than cupcakes though!

Our first and newest Christmas Tradition...

Well technically it's not a tradition yet, but I intend for it to be. I have pinched this idea from the lovely Karen over at All About the Boys recent blog post, I was looking for a tradition to start and it sounded perfect. Not only as it is a nice tradition, but it means the photos on Christmas Day might also look nice for once!

So what is it I here you ask.....new pyjamas on Christmas eve is what! We will have a bath, put them on (kids PJ's will be wrapped up and secretly put on their bed) and then sit and watch a Christmas film before bed! Sounds like bliss doesn't it!

My son has recently become a bit choosy about his PJs and will refuse to wear certain sets, instead opting for a pair that are too small or missing buttons (that have long since gone).

So I just hope he likes the pair I choose and will wear them! Maybe if I tell him Santa has sent them he might wear them!

Anyway, I have been looking and so far I am loving this all in one from Marks and Spencer! It is devine and I think my son would look so cute in it!

For my daughter, I really love this romper from Mamas and Papas, it is sooo beautiful and just how I imagine Christmas PJs to be.

I don't think at 5'10 this will fit me but if it does I am wearing this, how I have longed to wear a romper! They look so comfortable, this one is from Marks and Spencer in case you too are desperate to relive being a baby ;)

And for the hubby, who normally appears on pictures topless (not really a good look for showing the relatives) I am thinking this simple shorts and t-shirt set from Marks and Spencer will look good. If he doesn't like them at least I got to ogle at the model in them ;)

I have chosen these shops to buy from as we currently have gift vouchers for them, however if anyone has any small or independent shops they can recommend for nightwear I would love to hear about them.