Shopping

Shopping: Shopping is an activity in which a customer browses the available goods or services presented by one or more retailers with the intent to purchase a suitable selection of them.

Shopping is meant to be fun right? I’m a woman and all women love shopping right? I should be on cloud nine now with bags full of flattering, gorgeous new clothes right?

Wrong.

I am sat in Costas, stuffing my face with a whole load of naughty treats that will come back to bite my lardy ass later, because I’m so grumpy after two hours of unsuccessful clothes shopping. I feel like I have been in every sodding shop possible, and every time I’ve come out feeling a little more deflated and a lot more unattractive.

Are shops designed to make us all feel like lardy lumps of hideousness? It surely must take some effort to get the lighting precisely right in changing rooms so it shows up every single bit of dimpled flesh and uneven skin. And the mirrors, angled perfectly to reflect parts of your body that you – or anyone else for that matter – doesn’t really need to see…ever!!

And what’s with the mannequins that are unhealthily slim with minuscule clothes on them, pinned in at the back to make them even smaller and cling to their fatless torsos? Women do not look like this, and if they did I’d be seriously concerned!

Shops that have size 6 clothes at the front of displays, which can make you think an item is actually quite nice…only to search through to the back of the rail to find that in your size it looks like a small tent. And then you take it to the changing room to find that it’s not your size at all, that it says your size on the label, but that can’t possibly be right because you can’t get it past your shitting neck/thighs.

I don’t think my expectations are too high – I certainly don’t expect to look like a sexy slinky goddess – but I’d like to at least be able to feel good about what I’ve got on and how I look.

Am I at some weird stage in my life where I haven’t a clue how to actually dress myself? Am I stuck in the past, trying to look like I did at 20? I don’t think I am or of I was I’d have picked up one of the gazillion playsuits I saw today. Then again maybe I’m missing a trick, a friend once told me to try everything on as you never know, it may actually look better on you than on the hanger. Maybe play suits for me are the way forward? Somehow I doubt it.

And so what is the way forward? I’m attending Britmums Live next week and in true style have ‘nothing to wear!’

What are you wearing? And can I borrow it?! šŸ˜‰

Help!!

Resignation

Resignation: A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one’s office or position.

Resignation. What a word! Resigning yourself to something implies settling and making do. It doesn’t scream happiness or excitement. It’s almost dull. Yet resigning can be powerful, enlightening and utterly brilliant.

For those of you who follow my blog you’ll notice it’s been properly neglected over the last couple of months. A few poems and reviews aside, I’ve not blogged for ages as my focus was firmly elsewhere, and my happiness had once again disappeared on the end of a very long fishing rod waiting for me to work my ass off to reel it back in. Oh but reel it in I have, and what a massive catch of happiness I caught! (ok yes, strange analogy I know, but stick with me!)

You may remember a couple of months ago I wrote a blog post called Crossroads. A blog post in which I boldly declared I was going to do something to change the course of my life and follow a different path. And follow a different path I will because since writing that post, I have amazingly been accepted onto the Creative Writing MA at Bath Spa…and handed in my resignation…and I COULD NOT be happier!!

I have been a primary school teacher for 15 years and have worked at my current school for 11 of those years. And most of them have been brilliant. I have some wonderfully dedicated colleagues and over the years have been offered some great opportunities, ending up on the senior management team. Yes there have been ups and downs, but before I left for maternity leave two years ago I loved it. Teaching can be hugely rewarding and my classes were like an extended family. However, since going back in January it’s been very different. I’m very different – and some of the people I work with are too – but mostly, education is very different and I don’t like it one bit. I won’t go into why now, yet again that’s another blog post, but I’ve had some of the saddest days ever since going back. Deciding whether to resign or not wasn’t easy at all, but once I’d made the decision I knew without doubt it was the right one. And not just because I genuinely do have something so much bigger and better to be moving on to, but because if I can’t give 100% to something it’s not fair on anyone if I continue to do it. Handing my resignation in made me feel lighter, and in control. And I like feeling in control šŸ˜‰

And the thought of starting on the Masters course still makes me smile uncontrollably. I am unbelievably excited, and a little nervous. It will be an amazing new chapter in my life where I will, in the words of my mother, be ‘living my dream.’

And so hopefully – now my application is complete and I no longer have to edit and re-draft my writing portfolio – my blogging hiatus should now be over…although there’s never any guarantee….maybe I should just resign myself to the fact that as far as blogging goes, I’m always going to be sporadic…

Mrs Vyle

It will come as no surprise to you to discover I love books. Reading them, and writing them has always been such a huge source of enjoyment to me. And as a mother and a teacher one of my passions is instilling a love of reading for pleasure in children – something that is not always easy.

Luckily there is such an amazing array of talented new writers around to help! One of them – James Hallsworth, a father of two who writes fun, rhyming storybooks for young children – sent me a copy of the manuscript of his brilliant new children’s book, Mrs Vyle.

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Mrs Vyle has been illustrated by the fantastic Helen Braid (who illustrated A Monster Ate My Mum for me) and contains all of the ingredients for a book that children will love.

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Here is a summary of the book taken from James’s web page..

A strange and unpleasant new teacher has arrived in class. Pointy claws, sharp yellow fangs and skin that is definitely bit green: could she be a monster? Join the smart and brave classmates as they reveal the truth about their slobbery, smelly and green-ish imposter ā€“ despite the snooty Molly. But who can help them overcome the terrible Mrs Vyleā€¦??

It’s written in rhyme which helps the story to flow perfectly, and James is currently very close to the 250 pre-orders he needs in order for Mrs Vyle to be published with Britain’s Next Bestseller. So if you love slobbery monster-teachers, cheeky children and books that are fun and silly, then visit his site, pre-order the book and make his day! Check it out and get more information here…
https://britainsnextbestseller.co.uk/index.php/book/index/MrsVyle

Review of the BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO

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As you all know I love being a BRITAX Mumbassador! Recently I was lucky enough to be given another amazing opportunity through them, and was sent the new BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO to review. It’s a pushchair unlike one I’ve ever had before, and has fast become one of my favourites.

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Since reviewing the B-Motion 3 I’ve favoured three wheeled pushchairs, they’re easier to push, and in my opinion a smoother ride. The BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO was no exception! Perfect for travelling easily over different terrains it is a dream to control when power walking or running, and is very easy to manoeuvre.

Designed with the busy parent in mind, the new BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO stroller is the first pushchair on the market that has a front swivel wheel which is safe and approved for running in the UK and Europe. So you can run to the shops and back all with your little one in tow! It also has hand-activated rear drum brakes and is perfect for using on steep hills!

Things I love about the BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO

*Ease: The pushchair is extremely easy to put up and collapse and is one of the easiest systems I’ve seen. By pressing on two leavers and pushing the top of the stroller forwards it neatly folds up, then you can pull up on a handle to place in a car or to where it’s stored. There is a strap and clip to keep it folded down, however I rarely use this as it sits neatly in the boot of my car without needing it to be clasped shut.

*Manoeuvre: As I’ve already mentioned this pushchair is a dream to push, whether you’re walking, power walking or running in sport mode, it is smooth and can easily be pushed and controlled using one hand. Lifting the front wheel up to go up onto a pavement is done using a light touch, and the break on the handlebar offers extra control. Its state-of-the-art adjustable suspension system provides an exceptionally smooth ride. The pushchair has high-impact polymer composite wheels with pneumatic tyres to take on tough terrain. I’ve used it in woodland, on the beach and off road and it has been amazing!

*Extra features: We love the large viewing window on the top of the canopy. I can easily see if my toddler has fallen asleep and he can see me when he needs to. The little pockets at the side of where he sits are also brilliant, allowing me to place a water bottle or snack there ready for when he’d like them so I don’t have to interrupt my walk/run. The canopy is also extra large and perfect letting my toddler snooze in the shade.

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What I don’t love about the BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO

*Size: Whilst it’s not the largest pram I’ve owned it is quite long and I have regularly found myself accidentally knocking people heels. (which NEVER goes down well) The back two wheels are quite wide and when I have used the pram when shopping I have found it too wide for some stores, knocking several things off the shelves in the process! Perfect in a supermarket though for your post-workout snack shopping!

*Weight: Even though it is a lightweight stroller, for me it still feels quite heavy and cumbersome to lift. It wouldn’t put me off buying the pushchair as the positives outweigh this issue for me. And besides, it’s a pram for fitness fanatics and so lifting it has just become part of my exercise routine! šŸ˜‰

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If you are a busy parent who loves the outdoors I would definitely recommend the BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO. It is a brilliant pushchair to use when out and about walking, power walking or running – with the reassurance of knowing your little one is comfortable along the ride!

I was sent the BOB RevolutionĀ® PRO to review by BRITAX as part of the Mumbassador Program.

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Happiness

Happiness: Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

I didn’t think it possible,
A dream I’d always chased.
Wishing, hoping, yearning.
Not wanting life to be a waste.

Courage came from deep within.
Forced myself to try.
Worked harder than I ever have before,
Not once questioning why.

Supported by so many people,
All believing I could succeed.
Encouraging, listening, inspiring.
Giving me everything I could need.

I chased my dream and caught it,
I’m so excited I could cry.
Like a dragonfly emerging from a pond,
I’m spreading my wings preparing to fly.

Life is for the taking,
Grab it with both hands.
Don’t stay in stagnant water,
Fly away to different lands.

Spread your wings and gather speed,
Do what you were born to do.
For the only person responsible for
Your happiness is you.

Prose for Thought

Little Casa Pyjamas Review

I’ve always loved pyjamas…especially on children! They signify the end of what has usually been a very busy day, and means that bed time is on the horizon!

Recently I was emailed by Little Casa – an online children’s clothing store – and asked if I’d like to review some of their baby clothes. Which of course I did, and of course I chose pyjamas!

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Little Casa do a huge range of gorgeous clothing for children, at affordable prices. Jumpers, sleep suits, vests, pyjamas and so much more – there is a great range, including many top brands.

I chose the Superman pyjamas for my youngest (ok well, my 5 year old chose them to match his!) and we love them. They are made from 100% cotton so are perfect for delicate skin. So comfortable, they don’t lose shape or colour no matter how many times you wash them (which for us has been quite a few times now) and fit really nicely. Aged 2-3 years they’re a good size, not too baggy and yet plenty of room for growth!

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As you can see my youngest was more than happy in them, becoming sleepy as soon as I put them on! šŸ˜‰

There is such a fantastic range of children’s clothes aged 0 – 6 years old and bedding on the website, that I can see myself shopping there again and again – especially now there is currently an offer for free delivery on orders over Ā£30! Check out http://www.littlecasashop.com and have a look!

BRITAX’S B-Motion 3 wins award!

BRITAXā€™S B-MOTION 3 STROLLER AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS
WHICH? ā€˜BEST BUYā€™ AWARD

UK ā€“ May 2014: Today, leading family lifestyle and child safety brand, BRITAX, is delighted to announce that its lightweight, three-wheeler stroller, the B-MOTION 3, has been awarded the highly coveted ā€˜Best Buyā€™ award from Which? Magazine.*

The super smart stroller, which launched in 2013, achieved an outstanding rating after undergoing rigorous independent testing by the Which? team. The perfect choice for parents looking for a one-stop solution to their pushchair woes, the versatile B-MOTION 3 scored top marks for manoeuvrability on both pavements and bumpy off-road terrain thanks to its air-filled rubber wheels and superior rear suspension.

The award-winning stroller features a lightweight aluminium chassis, a quick, easy one-handed fold mechanism and a height-adjustable handlebar that can be simply moved to a position that is exactly right for each individual parent. As an added bonus, the B-MOTION 3 also incorporates a protective barrier on the handle bar avoiding little tears and scratches while standing up folded.

With multi-position seat recline, including lay-flat mode, the B-MOTION 3 provides the ultimate comfort and protection from birth to four years, whilst its detachable CLICK & GOĀ® adapters create a handy travel system when used in conjunction with BRITAX BABY-SAFE infant carriers.
Bengi Bingol Yalcin, Marketing Manager at Britax, comments, ā€œOur teams worked incredibly hard to perfect the design for the B-MOTION 3, so weā€™re very proud that itā€™s performed so well in the Which? test. For us, it was all about listening to the needs of real parents and trying to incorporate all of the little features that come in so handy when out and about with little ones. The result was a quality product at a great price point that will grow with families from birth right up to four years of age.ā€

Further features of the B-MOTION 3 include a spacious shopping basket that is ideal for storing all-important baby essentials on-the-go; a removable, washable seat cover and a raincover that protects the little ones from the elements. The B-MOTION 3 also comes complete with a bumper bar, raincover and CLICK & GOĀ® adapters as standard which are included in the price (RRP Ā£249.99).

For more information visit http://www.britax.co.uk or call 01264 386 034.

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