World Book Day with Asda - Review

World Book Day! These three words often strike fear into the hearts of parents across the land.  We all know the books our children love to read, but with lives ever increasingly busy making an outfit isn't always easy. Plus if a sewing machine is as alien to you as it is to me, then double-sided sticky tape and velcro can be our saving graces.

But have no fear this year Asda have come up trumps with a great selection of outfits, characters from popular books that have been around for years and then some more modern day ones too.



We headed over to Asda in West Bridgford, Nottingham to have a look at their range and purchase some outfits for World Book Day on the 1st March.
As we got to the top of the escalator, we could see there were outfits a plenty and the children had so much fun rifling through the rails to find their favourite ones.

My daughter had already seen some of the range in another Asda when she was out with her Nana, so she knew exactly what she was looking for. Well at least she thought she did, when she spotted the Alice in Wonderland outfit with a magic key that is also a pen she went as Mad as a Hatter with excitement.

My son was a little more apprehensive, not really know what he wanted to be. But he loved the Fantastic Mr Fox outfit, complete with mask, tail and a bag full of chickens.

With all your favourites from Alice in Wonderland to Gangster Granny, Fantastic Mr Fox to the Mad Hatter there is such a huge choice of outfits to choose from for all tastes, i'd certainly give the range a 5/5 for choice.

The range is reasonably priced at around £15 for the outfit, whilst I am sure you could make them for a lot less, for those that don't have the time or aren't able these are a great option. They are well made and each outfit comes with accessories which add to the overall effect. I'd give them a 5/5 for value and quality.

They look really true to their characters and I absolutely loved them all, the attention to detail on my sons Fox outfit is brilliant.

So if you are looking for some inspiration for World Book Day and some super fab outfits for your little ones then do check out the awesome range at Asda.

This is a collaborative post, all words and opinions are my own.

Back to School Shoes with Toughees - Review

Mention new school shoes and every parent groans, in fact nothing makes a parents heart sink like the thought of shopping for children's shoes, let alone school ones.

This time of year means queues for days just to get fitted and then if they have them in their size you're one of the lucky ones, ok, so it isn't always that bad but it can be.

So this year when I was approached by Toughees to try out their range of school shoes, it meant that not only would I not have to venture out to the shops, but I also had high hopes that in a months time I wouldn't be looking at my daughters shoes, with such disappointment that they hadn't even lasted a term.

The Toughees range are made with high quality non-polish leather, so you simply need to wipe them clean with a damp cloth to keep your children and teenagers looking smart in their school shoes. All Toughees children’s school shoes come protected for durability whilst providing cool breathable comfort for young feet.

So how do they fit? Using the template on the Toughees website we were able to check what size the children's feet were, obviously it was always going to be a rough estimate as the shoes themselves will always fit slightly differently for each child.

However when they came they fitted pretty much perfectly, my daughters shoes are a brogue style shoe with t-bar and velcro strap, they are really easy for her to put on and they look great too. They look pretty from the top and the bottom, with the sole of the shoe being detailed with flowers, they have been well thought in every aspect.

Although to me they seemed a little loose around the sides, they don't slip off. I used a few of the techniques I have seen when having their feet fitted previously, to make sure they fit as well as possible. They don't hurt her and her toes have plenty of room, so I think we are fine. If you are unsure though, you can always find a local stockist of the Toughees range.

My sons shoes not only look tough but feel it too, they they are the perfect shoe for all of the running, football kicking and the general monkey business that he gets up too.

The velcro straps on the Chivers shoe ensure they pull tight and fit well, they aren't overly smart and offer a more casual shoe which for us is perfect. My son hasn't quite mastered laces yet, so I am glad they still have some velcro fastening ones for us to choose from.

I am looking forward to seeing how these shoes hold up to my adventurous five and eight year olds, so far they have worn them for two days and seem very happy with how they fit. They look really lovely on and complete the uniform perfectly.

The shoes in the Toughees range start from about £34, which for us is cheaper than the ones we've had in previous years. I hope they live up to their name and stand up to all that the children throw at them, I will be sure to keep you updated.

Toughees are available direct from the Toughees website or from stockists around the country.

NB: We were sent these shoes for the purpose of the review, all words and opinions are my own.

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.

Hoping to Build Confidence with Stagecoach Theatre Arts School

Last week my son started his first term at the Stagecoach Theatre Arts School in Southwell, I have high hopes for him to build his confidence by attending this. He loves singing, dancing and generally being silly. He was recently part of the Christmas in Concert at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham and is in the choir at school so I know he has something a little special going on, he just needs help with his confidence.

So with his t-shirt on and a belly full of butterflies, we headed to his first session. We arrived a little early, so we sat and chatted for a bit. Soon, another newbie arrived and since they looked to be the only two boys in the group, they were put together.

We'd read up on the website about what to expect however I was expecting a bit more info on the day as to what the layout would be, especially as it was our first time. Another of the new mums also mentioned they'd expected a little more, but I think thats just because we were a little apprehensive.

My son had a wonderful time and I needn't of worried, he explained all of what had happened with the different teachers and explained what they'd done. It sounded likes lots of fun though and when my husband went to pick him up the teacher asked if he'd done this sort of thing before because he was a natural #proudparent.

This was so exciting to hear and hopefully means good things for him, I can't wait to see how he progresses and what the next few months brings. I'll be documenting his journey so keep your eyes peeled for more in the coming months.

NB: My son has been invited to take part in a term at Stagecoach Theatre, all words and opinions are my own.

My Broken Heart

Today a little piece of my heart broke, my daughter, my smallest baby started school. It was hard the first time round but second and final time round it has broken my heart!

My son walked her in to school, as proud as punch to be showing his little sister the way. They ran around the playground together until it was his time to go in.

A little bit early we headed to her playground, she was desperate to get in, we were early but her amazingly lovely teacher ushered her in with a smile.  As my daughter walked into her classroom, confident and proud, I knew her journey in school life had begun and she was as ready as she'd ever be.

It's funny, our school isn't classed as 'Outstanding' but the teachers have been amazing and I cannot wait for her to grow as my son has, she already had so many stories to tell and she's only been there a day.

I kissed her and left, having expected to stay for half an hour I felt a little forlorn, lost and sad that she didn't need me. As tears streamed down my face her teacher said I could stay, but I knew my daughter wouldn't need me, her teacher smiled and told my husband to take me for a cup of tea, we laughed and I walked across the playground with the tears rolling at an ever faster pace.

We got back to the car and my husband went to work, I chatted to another mum for a few minutes and then got back into my car, I sat and sobbed for ages, finally pulling myself together to drive to see my old next door neighbour for a few hours.

When I got home the house was quiet, normally there is someone in the house but no noise was strange, even when I am up before everyone else there is a creak or snore. For the last four and a half years my daughter has been with me Monday to Wednesday and it felt lonely. I know it will change, I will work more and i'll have things to occupy me but oh my heart aches.

I adore my children, they are kind beyond words and I couldn't be more proud of these wonderful little people. My heart will always ache but I will enjoy the time I have with them more, those special moments will be more special.

Here is to all those parents going through the same this week.

Hey Time, Slow Down Please

Yesterday I dropped my son off at school and as my daughter and I walked back to the car, she asked me to sing a song, so I dutifully did, but as I sang Dingle Dangle Scarecrow it suddenly occurred to me that this won't happen for much longer.

Come September, I will be walking back to the car empty handed, no one to go off and spend the day with, at that moment my heart broke a little as i realised that my time with my baby is slowly rushing away from me.

Me and my daughter have a bucket list of things we want to do before she goes to school, we have painted a pot together, we have been to see Cinderella with her dressed in her Cinderella dress, we are going to build a bear and lots of other things.

You forget how precious those minutes, hours, days are and fill them with cleaning, shopping and moaning, when instead you should embrace every second, singing, dancing like a could of daft people in the kitchen (it's a regular thing in my house) and enjoying the moment.

So from now until my son breaks up, our three days together are going to be just that, no time constraints, just doing things that make us happy and making so many memories together.

Whats that saying...

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait ‘til tomorrow For babies grow up we’ve learnt to our sorrow So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep" 

The Fabulous Bakers Review

We were recently offered some of the new natural range from The Fabulous Bakers, I was looking forward to receiving these, as I knew they would make a fun addition to lunch boxes and a great mid morning snack.

From the fabulous mango and pineapple bars, to the more traditional golden oat flapjacks there is something in the range to suit all tastes.

My son definitely preferred the chip off the old choc flapjacks but I think that may be to do with the fact it has chocolate in, a close second were the raspberry and white chocolatey popcorn bars, although my husband did mention the popcorn tasted a little strange as it was soft.

After checking they were nut free, which they all were, expect the bars of berry good things. I popped one in my sons packed lunch. I love oats as they are a great slow release energy which means they are perfect for the afternoon.

The fruity ones, although they still got eaten were probably not as much liked, possibly they'd suit older children or adults. The bars are packed with honey rather than sugars and sweeteners which are a big no-no in this house, so these bars are something I don't mind the children having as a snack.

For my tastes, they are a little too sweet, although I did like the berry bar so maybe it is a good job the children didn't enjoy them as much.

The packs of four bars are priced at £1.50 and are currently available from Asda, they are a little more than I would normally pay for something like this, however for snacks I can just keep in the  cupboard and that the children will eat and are not full of rubbish, it's a price i'd be willing to pay. The children have been asking to find them when we've in the shop so I don't think this will be the last time we have them.

NB: We were sent these bars for review, all opinions are my own.

Making Time

A few weeks ago I was having lunch with some fabulous bloggers, one of those was the lovely Becky from Baby Budgeting and A Beautiful Space.

We were talking about my daughter starting school in September and how I am trying to make the most of the time I have left with her before she is there full time. She told me a wonderful story about her and her daughter before she started school and how they made a bracelet together, it made me more determined to make the most of my time with my little girl.

So, after we had dropped my son off at school, we went to the park. We spent an hour or so playing hide and seek, then we sat on a bench and talked about how we'd miss each other come September.

Then we went to play on the park, spotted some snowdrops and looked at the ducks. It was a wonderful way to spend some time, afterwards we went home to warm up and have a hot chocolate.

I missed my son when he went to school but I had my daughter to fill my time and the gap he left, I'm not sure how I will feel come September but I know that half terms, inset days and weekends will become even more precious.

Yumbox Panino Review

I loved the original Yumbox, so I was super excited to get my hands on the Panino. With one large compartment, two smaller compartments and a dip well, it is a perfect lunchbox for older children and adults although it also makes the perfect bento box for younger children.

I particularly love the background with the French and Italian wording, you get to learn something new with lunch too.

I love salads and this is the perfect lunch box to fill with plenty of health and not so healthy food.

With the silicone lid it offers the same spill proof storage as the original, allowing you to pack a lunch with whatever you fancy.

The proof is, as they say, in the pudding and this chocolate pudding was certainly good for testing the seals on the lid, after a few falls off the car seat on the way to work it was still within it's compartment and had not leaked.

This is another great box and the colours are beautiful too, I love the Tutti Frutti Blue as well as this one the Anguira Pink.

Again I have nothing but praise for the Yumbox, it is such an ingenious solution allowing you to produce great looking healthy lunches.

With the lighter colours I have noticed any scratches show up a bit more, this isn't a problem and hasn't stopped me buying more, it was just something I noticed (and am probably being picky over) but felt I needed to mention. Having spoken with other Yumbox owners though, they haven't noticed these and have the darker ones so. They don't show up on the pictures so aren't 'bad', i'm just here to give an honest opinion.

NB I was sent the Yumbox Panino for review, all pictures and opinions are my own.

Fun with Fabric Pens

The weather has been great lately but with a little rain after school yesterday I decided to bring out an activity I had been saving for a while.

I bought these fabric pens from Ikea a few months back and I had put aside a couple of old white vests to use them on.

Really easy to use and bright colours I let them do what they like, my daughter needed a little help to complete hers but the as you can see she loves it.

This is a great way to spend an hour and the kids have something to wear and remember afterwards.

Linking up to Magic Moments on The Oliver's Madhouse

Head Lice, Words Every Parent Dreads

Most weeks since the school started back in January have we had a letter advising that head lice are rife in school and we should be on the look out for them.

I have always used a Tea Tree or Lavender based shampoo on my son and thus far we have not had any.

However I am sure now i've said that out load it won't be long, there are so many treatments out there and although I haven't had to try them yet it is good to know about the ones that do exists and the methods you can use to get rid of them as well as preventing them.

This fab chart from Lyclear is really useful and has just about as much information as it is possible to cram onto a page, so I hope you find it as useful as I did.

PS Sorry if this has got you itching, just the thought of those little nasties gets me going.

NB: I have received no payment for this post, it was something that was of interest and I wanted to pass on to my readers :)

A Special Thank You for Teacher

I have been toying with ideas for a present for my sons teachers for a few weeks, a few ideas have popped up on Instagram and Facebook and then this week I decided on some gorgeous vintage stamped spoons from the lovely TangledSweetPea on Instagram.

They are really pretty and I am going to package them up in pretty little vintage style boxes from Home Bargains with some tea and biscuits all tied up with ribbon and a home made card.

The spoons are stamped with thank you, a perfect way to say thanks for making his first year at school so enjoyable.

Pretty vintage rose boxes

Pretty little pinwheels to add a special touch

Just have to hope they like tea, do go on over to TangledSweetPea's etsy page and check out her gorgeous stamped vintage goodies. Perfect for anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions.

Villa Carton Knight Costume Review

We were recently sent a knight costume to review from Villa Carton, my son loves knights so this was perfect for him.

You get to colour the costume in yourself so you can have it whatever colour you like, although the set only comes with four colours. This isn't a problem really but for the knight costume a grey would have been good.

My son is nearly five and he did struggle a little with colouring the fabric as it moved, but this gave me an opportunity to sit down and get creative with him.

The lines are really thick so it means you don't go over them too much, so especially good for the younger children. One thing I did notice, if you got pen on the lines and then brushed your hand on it, the pen rubbed off on you. Although it washed off my hands fine, it does say on the packet that it doesn't come off clothes so definitely wear scruffy clothes or an apron.

Where my son went over the same section a lot the ink did go through the cloth so I would advise putting something underneath, we used our ever useful Messymatz.

This outfit is perfect for every day dress up and it gives the child something to be proud of and they can decorate as they please.

Once finished you have to iron and then it is washable and the ink shouldn't run, although I haven't tried yet.

So far I think ours is looking good, with the attention span of a five year old being limited I can see this project taking us a few more days. But I think this is good as it gives him something to do every day after school, obviously an older child would probably finish this quicker with better pen skills too.

The age range is 3-8 and with 10 styles to choose something there is a a costume for every occasion, they include a king, knight, police, super hero, pirate, queen, princess, nurse, oriental dancer and geisha, it also includes the head gear which I think sets off the whole outfit.

Priced at just under £15 these come in very reasonably priced for something that will be unique to them.

Thank you to Manon at Villa Carton for sending us this to review, we have so far had lots of fun with it.

NB. We were sent this for the purpose of the review, all words and opinions are my own.