7 Favourite Bedtime Books for Kids

When it comes to Blake's bed room he spends a lot of time in their, Laughing, playing and of course sleeping. He also has a lot of toys and books and so we try and make the room quiet and relaxed for bedtime. He currently sleeps in a single bed and in the future we may consider getting him a mid sleeper to maximise space.

One of the big things when it comes to bedtime is a good routine and our favourite part is to read him a book. Blake owns a lot of books however we have a good few books which we tend to read at bedtime.

So here are 7 current favourite bedtime reads: 

The Tiger who came to tea
This is such a classic and book the 3 of us all love. This story is of Sophie and her extraordinary tea time guest. The story has been loved by millions of children  since it was published 50 years ago. 

Mog the forgetful cat 
Another classic and a story of everyone's favourite family cat Mog. Mog always seems to be in trouble. She forgets that she has a cat flap and she forgets that she has already eaten her supper. But, one night, Mog’s forgetfulness comes in very handy…

One night in the zoo
"One moonlit, magical night in the zoo, An elephant jumped in the air and flew.But nobody knew." like the above two books this one is also by Judith Kerr and an another great bed time read. 

Goodnight Iggle Piggle
It's no surpise that some In the night garden books would be included. It's almost time for bed in the Night Garden, but first Igglepiggle wants to say goodnight to all his friends. What a good idea! Let's go with Igglepiggle as he gives each of his friends a hug.

Sleep tight Upsy Daisy
Upsy Daisy's having fun dancing, and she's not ready to go to bed yet. Come play with Upsy Daisy in the garden, and then settle down to sleep as she does the same!

Time for bed everybody 
Join Igglepiggle and his friends on a busy day in the Night Garden, turning the clock hands as you go, and then say goodnight when it's time for bed. 

Night Monkey, Day Money 
Night Monkey and Day Monkey don’t think they have much in common. But when they each spend time in the other's opposite worlds, they learn a lot - and they also learn to be the best of friends.



So there you have it some of our favourite bedtime reads. We do love finding new books to read so we would love to know yours/your child's favourite bedtime stories. 

*In collaboration with Happy Beds

Blogger/Home Office Essentials

I've written a few times now on the topic of blogging especially with how much hard work goes into it. I've also shared some tips for starting your own blog. Today though I wanted to share with you some of my blogging/office "essentials". I say essentials however they are things that I love that make blogging more fun and organised rather than a must have.



Unicorns are popular at the moment and so I was excited that Find me a gift have this cute Unicorn Tape dispenser.  For me this is quirky little item to sit on my desk and as it has magical rainbow tape I can use it for sticking little quotes above my desk.


A must have for me is items to jot down important notes which is why I love the Eric the memo elephant. Eric the memo elephant is ceramic and comes with a whiteboard pen and coth. This is an ideal for saving on post it notes and is much nicer too. He looks so cute sat on my desk. 
 


I love using fun and colourful pens for jotting down ideas in my many notebooks and so these ones from Pentel in the Energel ink range are ideal for me as the ink is fast drying which is ideal with me being left handed meaning no smudges.





Also when it comes to pens it's lovely to have my own personalised which I use specifically for blog related note taking. This personalised chrome pen and case from Gift Pup is classy  and also makes a great gift if you are a blogger or otherwise.  I got my case personalised with: Eat, Sleep, Blog, Repeat and the pen it'self has my name on it. I think it's great that you can personalise with your own special message.

Another item which is also from Gift Pup is a personalised notebook I love this cute floral design its right up my street and very shabby chic. I love to have different notebooks for certain blog related things. 



On the subject of books blog planners are great for tracking stats, what posts you have planned for each day of the month etc. I also love the book 365 Blog Topic Ideas as it's very helpful for when I am a bit stuck for inspiration. It has everyday idea as well as some seasonal ones too. 



The Leather Goals Journal from Find me a gift is a great way for me to jot down my blogging goals, dreams and ambitions. I love the blush pink leather embossed with "Goals Journal" and  "Achieve your dream life" in copper. It contains 260 pages of plain paper so enough for avid writer like myself. 



When at my desk I love nothing better than sipping on a hot drink. In the morning this tends to be coffee or hot chocolate in the evenings if I am working prior to bedtime.This Heat-Sensitive Sleeping Panda Mug is a cute addition to my mug collection. As you fill the mug with hot water the panda wakes up, opens its eyes and turns from black to white. Once cold the panda will go back to sleep once more. 




When it comes to taking the perfect images for my blog I mainly use my camera however from time to time I use my phone as well. This Pixi Mini Tripod is a must have for helping me to take great quality photos.  It's portable and sturdy so ideal for taking with you on the go so ideal for blogging. Weighing only 190g, the PIXI can take a maximum weight of 1kg – ideal for Compact System Cameras. It can be used as a sturdy base for taking photos, or as a comfortable grip to taking videos. The push button allows you to position and securely lock the ball head in a single movement – position the ball head to get the shot you want when the button is pushed, and release the button to lock the head in place.


Do you have any blogging must haves? 

Living Arrows: 39/52



Blake is now on his 3rd week of Pre-School and I have been finding that the weeks/weekends are just flying by. I also feel that I'm not spending as much time with him and doing different things as I would like. When Blake hasn't been at Pre-School most of the time has been spent playing with his new Thomas train set which he really loves. Hence why this weeks photos are of him playing with the set. 

One thing I do love about Blake's Pre-School is that they take loads of photos so that parents can see what their child/ren have been up to and I have loved seeing them as its so reassuring for me. One of my favourites from last week was him playing with leaves in the Pre-School garden. 




Living Arrows

Why you need to go on a Fuerteventura holiday

Fuerteventura is a holiday destination I've been wanting to go to for quite awhile now.  Fuerteventura is a destination suitable for all ages so an ideal destination for families. Fuerteventura is the second largest island in the Canary Islands. It’s predominantly a holiday destination, known for its white sandy beaches and year-round warm weather.

If you are considering this beautiful holiday destination than before you book anything check out Holiday Gems Fuerteventura holiday deals to get the best deal for your Fuerteventura holiday.




Autumn Pre-School Run Wishlist

Now that autumn is here and Blake started Pre-School last week I have compiled a wishlist of Items that I would like for when I am doing the Pre-School run. 


I am in need of a much better coat for the Pre-School run ,as the last few weeks I have found my usual coat isn't as waterproof as I would like it to be. I really love this navy design by Joules as it looks stylish but also will keep the rain off me. I love that its a neutral colour so will go with a lot my clothing and accessories. 

Another item is a comfy pair of shoes. I like to wear boots in autumn/ winter however my current pair have left me with blisters. I love wearing black knee high ones and this pair look great with a zip down the side and a small heel meaning they should be comfy. I love black boots as they go with everything that I wear. 






It's lovely to have my own bag again and not having to use a changing bag anymore. I do love the one above as its smart looking and a good enough size for what I need as I don't take much with me these days. As with the boots I like black bags as they go with everything I own and so are perfect when I am popping out to do the school run. 

Not an essential however I'd love a fitbit flex 2 as I'm starting to get into the idea of tracking my steps. I think it's a great way for you to know if you are doing the recommended amount of steps in a day. I'm certainly walking a lot more than I use to thanks to doing the Pre-school run most days.    



What are your Pre-School/School run must have's for the autumn?


Images sourced from Lyst.co.uk



Fisher-Price® Thomas & Friends™ Adventures™ Cranky at the Docks





Blake and I were excited to receive the new Thomas Track Set to add to his train collection. Fisher-Price Thomas & Friend  Adventures Cranky at the Docks is an exciting new  track set where little engineers help Thomas and Cranky on their latest adventure at Brendam Docks. 


The set is a great size as it's small enough to store away but big enough for little ones to enjoy playing with.This means that it doesn't take up most of our living room and can be stored away easily in one of his toy boxes.  The  instructions were easy to follow when it came to putting the track together which is always handy when you have an eager toddler who wants it ready "NOW"!




The set features: 
- A rotating cranky which rotates 360 degrees and an arm that can be raised and lowered
- Thomas metal die cast engine plus a boat
- A drawbridge that moves up and down

The set is suitable for ages 3 years and over. Although Blake isn't 3 until December he does love playing with this set especially the die cast Thomas. The set can also be connected to other Thomas & Friends Adventures playsets that your little one may have. 





The set is great for letting children explore and use their imagination along with helping to develop both fine and gross motor skills. Blake loves the little Thomas and running him around the track and it's a great size for little hands. Cranky is another favourite due to him being able to move around and has a hook to load. 

The set retails at £34.99 which considering it can be connected to other Thomas and friend adventure sets is a great price. The set is definitely worth purchasing if you have a little one that loves Thomas or trains general. The set is also sturdy so I know that it will certainly last awhile. I also like that with this train set you don't have to worry about batteries and needing to replace them which I do with other train sets we own. 

*I was sent the Thomas and Friends Cranky at the Docks for this review although all opinions are of my own. 

Living Arrows - 38/52

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” by Kahlil Gibran

This past week has all been about Blake settling in at Pre-School and its gone rather well. The first day I was nervous for him but he was perfectly fine with no tears which helped as I had been feeling so anxious too. We had a few blips the rest of the week with crying when we dropped him off however he settled very quickly and he gets on really well with his key worker. 

This weeks photo was taken Sunday whilst we had cuddles on the sofa i just love these special moments together. I'm lucky in the sense that he is only doing 2 hours Monday-Friday afternoons as I can still have to spend with him. The 2 hours that he is in each day go so fast and I'm still trying to adjust to it all.



Living Arrows

Hair & Body Products For At Home Relaxation



As a busy Mum it can be hard to find the time to think and look after ourselves. Times when I know I am not going to be going out I can be found at home with a make up free face and straightened hair. When I go out I straighten my hair, pop on some foundation, eyeliner and mascara and off out I go. 

From time to time I do like to make more of an effort. However  I can't afford to get things done at the salon or have the time. I tend to get my eyebrows threaded when they need doing and a hair cut every 3- 6 months (don't judge me). But the rest of the time I like to do any pampering when I have a free moment at home. 

Overtime I have found some great products that I love using to make me feel more better about myself and so I thought I'd share with you some of them. 


Speed Shave
When it comes to shaving small areas of my body such as my underarms I've started using Speed Shave. Speed Shave is a  waterless travel razor that is travel safe for hand luggage and is unisex. Ideal for travelling and staying hair free and well-groomed on the go. The razor contains 10ml Speed Shave natural waterless shave lotion in the handle, that contains enough for 10 shaves (based on face or underarms). It combines a razor, Vegan shave lotion, body moisturiser in one.



Maelki Dead Sea bath salts
I love being able to relax in a bath and I use loads of different brands of bath related products however recently I've loved using the Malki Dead Sea bath salts as they smell amazing. This a delightful aromatherapy treat without needing to go to a spa. Just scoop some bath salts into your running bath water and then lay down and relax enjoying the scent and pure relaxation. 



The hottest hair and beauty trimming tool is ideal for us in between salon visits,to instantly transform your look with accuracy and gentleness without the fear of cuts. The styler is suitable for using on sensitive body parts such as your eyebrows, bikini, underarm and upper lip. All you have to do is pop on the correct attachment for fuss free trimming. 



Discover the ENVY Blowdry kit for a 10 minute professional game changer. The prewash system repairs, strengthens and adds gloss to all hair types. The set contains: 
ENVY Dual fix 12, gentle cleansing shampoo and gentle detangling conditioner. The blowdry kit is ideal for getting that salon look at home. There are 2 ways in which to use the Dual fix 12 the first being to massage into dry hair, blow dry in for a deep treatment before shampooing or applying it between the shampoo and conditioner stage. 



When looking for new skincare products I came across the B. range in superdrug. The range comes in four phases with Phase one being the collection I use which is suitable for your late 20's/early 30's. So far I only have the  moisture gel and night serum. However there is also a day cream and blemish gel. There is also a range which is for all skin types and I have been using the exfoliating cleanser which I love. In that range there are many other products such as make up removers,cleansing wipes, eye cream etc.


Clarol’s Skin Flora Re-Balancing Serum 

I've noticed my skin has been quite dry recently and I've also been getting spots more often. Carol's skin re-balancing serum is designed to restore bacterial balance quickly and gently.
It contains a smart patented natural anti-bacterial ingredient called MicroSilver ™ that only attacks bad skin bacteria, leaving good skin flora to flourish. This helps your skin to re-populate with the good stuff and keep the bad stuff at the castle gates.




7th Heaven, the world’s number one face mask brand that is natural and cruelty free. 7th Heaven offers loads of ultra moisturising and damage repairing products for your face, hands, feet, and hair. They are affordable, plus super environmentally friendly - 7th Heaven even offers many vegan friendly products. These products are fantastic home spa products, AND totally budget-friendly at around £1 a pop for face masks, and £1.99 for hair. I love nothing more than relaxing in the bath and popping on a face mask and I'm also loving their hand and feet range which I've never used before until now.



Scholl Velvet Smooth™ Electronic Nail Care System
The scholl nail care system is a great starter kit to electrically file, buff and polish nails to give natural, shiny nails. With 3 easy steps this nail care system is a must for your at home manicure and pedicure routine. Battery operated and designed for easy handling this gadget has two speed settings and will also stop when too much pressure is being applied. 


The scholl foot file is one of the most important steps in your at home pedi routine. 
Get soft beautiful feet after one use with the Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi with Diamond Crystals. The roller head removes hard skin leaving feet feeling silky smooth. You can purchase heads in three different intensities: extra coarse for particularly thick and stubborn hard skin, regular course for excess hard skin and gentle for providing a perfect finish.Comes with a safety feature that locks the roller in place if too much pressure is applied, preventing any injuries.

Christmas at Wyboston Lakes Competition


Christmas is fast approaching and The Executive Centre, Wyboston Lakes are holding a Tinsel Town Party Night on Friday 8th December. 

Located in Bedfordshire and within easy travelling distance of St Neots, Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Cambridge, Wyboston Lakes is the perfect place for Christmas parties. 

The Tinsel Town Party Night kicks off in the bar from 5pm,followed by a scrumptious 3 course plated dinner & ½ bottle of wine served from 8pm. After indulging, head over to the dance floor to carry on the party with our resident DJ until 1am. 

There is currently a competition where one person will receive 4 tickets to the Tinsel Town Party Night being held on Friday 8th December at The Executive Centre, Wyboston Lakes. 


To enter simply answer the following question:
What is best joke you have found in a Christmas cracker?

Send your answer via email to competition@wybostonlakes.co.uk no later than 30th September with Tinsel Town Party Prize Draw in the subject line. 
For more information about Wyboston Lakes or the venues please visit www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

Terms and Conditions:
  • Competition closes on 30th September The Promoter is Wyboston Lakes Ltd.
  • Entrants must be aged 18 or over and resident in the UK.
  • Proof of age and residence will be required to receive the prize
  • To receive 4 tickets to the Tinsel Town Party Night being held on Friday 8th December at The Executive Centre, Wyboston Lakes.
  • Only one entry per person will be considered.
  • Entries that are incomplete, illegible or fraudulent will be deemed invalid.
  • No responsibility will be accepted for entries lost, corrupted or delayed in transmission.
  • The promoter reserves the right in exceptional circumstances to vary, amend or withdraw this competition on reasonable notice.
  • There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable and no part of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.
  • The prize may not be sold, offered for sale or used in connection with any other competition or promotion by the prize winner.
  • Winners will be chosen at random and contacted by a representative from Wyboston Lakes.
  • If the winner fails to respond within 48 hours of notification, the prize will be forfeited and an alternative winner will be contacted.
  • To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the promoter assumes no liability for any claim, loss or damage arising (whether directly or indirectly).
  • The Promoter’s decision is final and binding on the entrants.
  • No correspondence will be entered into.
  • Entry into the competition constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
  • The name of the winner will be announced by Wyboston Lakes Ltd.
  • These terms and conditions will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts

Living Arrows - 37/52

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” by Kahlil Gibran

This past week we have been making the most of spending time together before Blake started Pre-School. It means school runs and a change to our routines and so the past week we have just had a relaxed time as a family. Trips to the park, meeting up with the In laws friends for lunch and even a meal out for Stuart's birthday have been some of the things we got up to. 







Living Arrows

What Blake Wore: Regatta Paxon Parka




With autumn/winter approaching and with Blake starting Pre-School it was important for us to find him a good quality coat. Blake loves being outdoors so a coat that protects him from the elements is essential. When its lashing down with rain and really cold during the coming months I will be relaxed in knowing that Blake will be cosy and dry in his new coat. 

So what are my main must's for a coat for Blake: 

- Must have a hood
- Durable
- waterproof 
- Affordable
- Pockets
- Smart


The Regatta Paxon Parka (In surf spray) meets all of these and is a smart looking coat made of waterproof and breathable Isotex 5000 coated fabric. Featuring internal storm cuffs and taped seams, it comes with a durable water repellent finish.

 It has two lower patch pockets which are a good size and is lined with polyester with strategic warm fleece panels, meaning that the coat is cosy and warm.  The coat is thigh length with a fine quality 'faux-fur' trim hood (which is removable).





We tested out the coat on a visit to our local park, although it wasn't raining that day Blake was eager to wear his new coat and very reluctant to take it off which is a great sign. 

The length of his coat is ideal as it covers his bum so I wasn't too worried about the slide being a bit wet from the rain the previous day. I'm yet to test out the durability and how it fairs in the rain however you can tell that the coat is well made and is such great quality. 
The material is really thick and I can see it will be long lasting (until Blake outgrows it). 

I love the design and how smart it looks, the colour surf spray really suits Blake and the coat over all makes him look so much more grown up. Blake doesn't usually like having his hood up however with this coat I've had no issues, I have a feeling it may do to the faux-fir trim.

Size Wise the coat is definitely a true fit, I usally find some coats to be really baggy on Blake however this one fits perfectly with room to grow. As you can see in the photos the sleeves aren't too long either which I do find tends to happen on other coats Blake has had in the past. 

The pockets are a great size and will be handy for when it gets much colder to keep his gloves inside. They also clip closed which is handy so that nothing can fall out of the pockets. 


*Disclosure – we were sent the Regatta Paxon Parka free of charge in exchange for our review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Getting Ready For Starting Pre-school




On Monday it will be Blake's first time at Pre-School and even though I've had plenty of time to adjust to the idea the summer has gone too fast and I'm not ready for it. 
I've got all the bits he needs for Pre-School sorted, I'm just not ready to leave my baby on his first day when he won't know a single person. 

His Pre-School has no uniform and so I have purchased a range of joggers as they will be easy to clean and tops just for the purpose. However there are a few other bits and bobs that were needed and I have been kindly sent some items to share with you. 


Superdrug have some great back to school essentials perfect for a winter care kit:

 Haliborange Mr Men Little Miss Omega3 & Multivitamins are ideal as once Blake starts Pre-school I'm aware that he will probably catch things like colds so much easier. These Mutli-vitamins are a yummy orange flavour. 


Superdrug Handy Antibacterial Wipes are Lemon fragranced with a cleansing formulation that contains antibacterial ingredients and Vitamin E to cleanse effectively and leave the skin feeling refreshed after use. 



Superdrug Fix 'Em Plasters are water resistant, breathable, non-wound sticking and guaranteed to stay in place. These are ideal as children are always falling over and scraping their hands and knees. 

Savlon Cream gently soothes and helps prevent infection aiding in the natural healing of minor skin disorders: Cuts & grazes, insect bites & stings, minor burns & scalds! 







 One of the important things to do is to make sure that your child's name is on all their items such as bags, clothing, shoes, lunch bags etc. Bright Star Kids offer a wide range of labels and the Pre-School and daycare kit is ideal. The kit contains 170 labels which are:
10 x Large Stick On Labels: 9cm (3.5") x 3cm (1.2")
10 x Pairs of Feet Shoe Labels: 5cm (2") x 3cm (1.2")
10 x Pairs of Blank Protection Feet Shoe Covers: 5cm (2") x 3cm (1.2")
30 x Small Stick On Labels: 6cm (2.4") x 2cm (0.7")
80 x Tiny Stick On Labels: 4cm (1.6") x 0.5cm (0.2")
30 x Regular Iron On Clothing Tags: 6cm (2.4") x 1cm (0.4")

The Iron On Clothing Labels are safe to use in Washing Machines & Tumble Driers. The Stick On Labels are safe to use in dishwashers, microwaves, freezers & sterilisers. 
Fingers crossed we won't have any missing items now. 


Blake won't be having lunch at Pre-School, however I am all about trying to get him to eat healthy snacks with his lunch especially as he will be in for afternoon sessions. 
Chewy Moon are created by nutritionists and approved by kids. Boxes can be customised so you can opt not to have dairy, nuts or fruit for example. There are a choice of over 30 different snacks and the box itself comes with a range of educational and fun activities too. 



 For helping aid learning at home DK Books have a great selection of Skills for starting school range. They combine the solid foundation in RAW ( Reading, arithmetic and writing) that have entertaining visuals to help them learn with confidence. 

We have two books from the range, the first is the I can count suitable for children ages 2-6 years. Filled with over 50 flaps exploring exciting scenarios the book is an interactive approach to promoting maths through play. Bip, Bop and Boo invite young readers to count objects in this colourful book making it a fun way to learn. 

The sticker reward chart book rewards your child as they learn. With 12 personal and social skills for starting school for ages 2-6 years. Bip, Bop and Boo lead multiple activity pages including how to brush teeth, be polite and learn to dress are a few examples.  The book has over 600 stickers, 22 colourful tear out charts and 5 colourful certificates. The books also contains additional support for parents with tips to make learning inclusive for the whole family. 



When it comes to shoes it's important for them to be comfortable in them especially if they are in them for a long period of time. These Boys Black Boat Shoes from Dobell are comfortable with a smart style. They have a easy fasten Velcro tab so that can be easily be taken on and off, ideal for little people. They also have a chunky sole meaning that they will protect your child's feet. 



A good size backpack is a must for starting Pre-School. This bright and colourful backpack from Smiggle  is from the Junior Dizzy range and comes in a range of colourful and bright designs. With 3 zipped compartments and 2 drinks bottle sleeves this bag is plenty big enough for carrying your little ones spare clothing, lunch box and more. The backpack also has a handy carry handle and padded adjustable straps for comfort. 



Last of all a good quality coat is very important for the start of the school year. The Regatta Paxon Parka is available in Black, Dark Khaki and Surf Spray. The coat is made of waterproof and breathable Isotex 5000 coated polyester twill fabric. Featuring internal storm cuffs and taped seams, it comes with a durable water repellent finish. It has two lower patch pockets and is lined with polyester with strategic warm fleece panels. The coat is thigh length with a fine quality 'faux-fur' trim hood (which is removable).




*I was sent the items included for the purpose of this post. All thoughts are honest and my own.