As someone who writes notes about pretty much everything in life it does sometimes feel that my house is full of notebooks - but it's something I'm definitely not complaining about. I've always been someone who likes to write things down in the old-fashioned way, whether it be craft ideas, lists of things that need doing, or just things I need to remember and I always seem to have several notebooks on the go. It was therefore obvious that I was going to choose a notebook or two to go in my first stationery order from Bureau Direct. But, the decision over which to choose took me a while to ... read more
What happens when a stationery addict discovers Bureau Direct #LOVEstationery
I think I must have been in Year 1 at primary school when I first discovered that stationery could be so much more than just functional pencils and sheets of plain paper. There I was one day when Lucie came in with a pretty floral pencil case. Suddenly this strange urge over took me and I just knew that I needed a matching one. I remember dragging my mum to the local branch of WH Smiths and desperately scanning the shelves to find one the same. I failed. My mum even tried to make one for me from the description I gave her, and whilst it was nice it just wasn't the same. But, my eyes had ... read more
See the Miracle with a Million Miracles #seethemiracle
What can you see right now? Look around the room you're in and just think for a minute about what you can see around you. There might be people - possibly your family or people you live or work with, or you might be in a cafe somewhere or on public transport. If you're at home you might see familiar possessions. Photos of loved ones, art work your kids have brought home from school, or souvenirs from a family holiday. You might have the book you're currently reading laying nearby, or possibly a favourite magazine. There might be a postcard a friend sent you from her holiday stuck to the ... read more
September 1 – 1 Mrs C
On Wednesday morning I woke up to find myself in October. Now, I know it shouldn't be much of a shock after all the calendar has been in place for hundreds of years, but I still found myself a bit staggered when it happened. For the whole summer I was always assuming that life would calm down when it got to September and school started again, but instead the opposite has happened. Things have become more than a bit crazy instead. I thought things were going to be a bit more straightforward. Master C started going to nursery two days a week at the start or the month (instead of just the one ... read more
The day Mrs C went driving
Cast your minds back to Christmas 2011. A long time ago I realise, but it was that Christmas Day that Mr C presented me with a voucher to for a track day experience in a single seater racing car. The pair of us are huge F1 fans and years ago he went for a Porsche vs Ferrari driving experience that I was still rather jealous of. When I came to actually book my driving experience in late January there was a bit of a niggle in my mind as I read all the T&Cs about medical conditions that might preclude you from taking part. One quick pee on a stick pregnancy test later and I realised that I ... read more
Review: Weston’s Wyld Wood Cider
There are some emails that you receive as a blogger that you end up reading and re-reading to check that they're really true. The one that came from Weston's Wyld Wood Cider asking if they could send me some cider to review was one such email. Some people may think me a bit queer, but to be honest when I go one a rare night out to the pub I'm someone who is much happier ordering a pint (or half pint) of something to drink than a glass of wine - although don't get my wrong, I do love wine too, but it's just a preference thing. When Mr C and I moved to St Albans years ago I discovered my love ... read more
On Sudden Hill – Linda Sarah and Benji Davies
When reviewing children's books here on Being Mrs C I've written so many times about the important role I believe books have in helping to explain situations and behaviours to our children. Conversations about difficult subjects can be opened up by reading a related book and with Little Miss C starting school properly this year I've found so many different books helpful in encouraging our chat and play. Being in a class with some of her old pre-school year friends (but not all of them) along with some children who are new to the school means there's actually a fair bit of change in her ... read more
Review: The Sticker Club
So, whilst it seems that boys go mad for diggers, I think the equivalent thing for little girls has to be stickers and Little Miss C seems to have been obsessed with them since she was very young indeed. At first it was the physical act of just sticking them anywhere that exited her. Since then it's moved on to how the stickers actually look and then spending ages creating pictures with them, or using them to decorate things. I remember when I was a child collecting stickers and actually being too afraid to stick them on to anything in case it ruined my collection. I also recall sticker ... read more
Review: My First JCB Big Wheelers Joey JCB
What is it about little boys and diggers? When Little Miss C was younger she'd always point them out if we walked past one, but with Master C it's a whole different level of enthusiasm. We've been known to go for walks just for the sole purpose of walking past some road works or a building site so he can sit in his buggy and watch the diggers and other building vehicles go about their jobs. Is it the bright yellow colour? (Pretty much the only colour he can identify - or is that a related thing too?) Or maybe the flashing yellow lights on top? Or is it the digging action? Whatever the reason ... read more
The Polar Pack
Little Miss C and I review a huge number of children's books together and it's a job we very much enjoy. Finding a book that stands out though can be tough, but The Polar Pack has managed just that - literally! As well as being a beautifully illustrated book about polar animals, The Polar Pack also has an envelope at the back containing push out card pieces that you can use to make all the animals featured in the book. You just need a bit of glue to hold them together and then you have your own set of polar animals. As well as turning the book into a craft activity it really ... read more