This latter half of July has been a funny old time. It started with me becoming a year older, not something that I usually get all that fussed about, but despite a bad start to the day itself I also had a lovely spread out series of celebrations and treats. Things certainly started to look up with the postman appeared at the door with a large box of treats from Bettys - with strict instructions on the outside that it should be opened straight away as it contained edible delights the postman looked disappointed when I signed for it! Both Mr C and Little Miss C must have been busy ... read more
Giggles and Tickles Nappy Cake
There's no doubt that baby showers are now very much a part of many women's pregnancies here in the UK. I didn't have one when I was pregnant with Little Miss C and now that I'm pregnant again I have to admit that this time round I possibly won't bother - mainly because we have pretty much everything we need anyway. They are a lovely opportunity for friends and family to celebrate your impending arrival, most importantly before you become a sleep-deprived parent. Now that I'm over half way through this pregnancy I am starting to think about the new Baby C's arrival ... read more
Designs and Such Christmas Tree
I was delighted to recently be asked to review something from new local St Albans company Designs and Such. They are an online craft store that sell both craft kits and also one-of-a-kind handmade items which would make lovely gifts. Being a crafter myself it seemed logical to test out one of their kits and I was sent the Trio of Feltivity kit to make for Christmas. I should add here that time constraints mean that I've only completed one of the trio so far - the chirstmas tree - but watch out for the other two completed projects later in this advent craft month here on ... read more
Julie Slater & Son Notebook
Hello. My name is Mrs C and I am a list writer. There I've said it. I write lists and I love doing so. I have lists for everything. What meals we're having this week; what shopping I need the next time I place an Ocado order; what jobs need doing around the house; craft projects that need finishing; what I plan to buy people for Christmas and what I'd like to receive at Christmas. I always have several lists on the go - sometimes on post it notes stuck in strategic places, sometimes on scraps of paper in the bottom of my handbag and some of them written in notebooks that can be ... read more
Carla Daly Children’s Wall Art
Decorating a young child's bedroom can be tricky. You want something that's bright and colourful for them to look at, with some educational value, and also doesn't look too, well, childish. I was delighted therefore when I was emailed by Carla Daly and asked to review some of her Children's Wall Art. We were sent a Kid's map of the United Kingdom and I was delighted to unwrap it when we arrived back from holiday. The map is in a simple style and clearly shows the countries that make up the UK, along with some of the major cities. Overlaid are a variety of animals (all ... read more
The Quangle Wangle’s Hat – Edward Lear
Coincidence is a funny thing. Only last week I was reading about the Charlotte Strawbridge's new venture Crumpetty Tree and in particular how the name for their business came from Edward Lear's The Quangle Wangle's Hat. I knew of Edward Lear, and in particular Owl and the Pussycat, but not this tale, until Saturday that was when I came across this in a local charity shop. Not only can I now find out about the Quangle Wangle and the Crumpetty Tree, but the story is also accompanied by lovely illustrations by the fantastic Helen Oxenbury. In their own ... read more
Julie Slater & Son Mini Photo Frame
I'm sure that I'm not the only person out there you likes filling their home with nice things. In my mind it's part of creating a home - surrounding yourself with people and things that you love. I'm always on the look out for lovely things, both new and secondhand, and I'm always particularly thrilled when I find someone new creating lovely things that I like. A few weeks ago I came across Julie Slater & Son - a lovely company selling leather purses, wallets, bags and gifts. I was delighted to be asked to review one of their products and Julie sent me a ... read more