Thursday 31 August 2017

Frugal Yoghurt Lollipops

With the kids returning back to school or for those eagerly starting, we are going to need to wind back into our routines and what better way than with a tasty treat for the mornings for breakfast on the run, but with little sticky fingers and faces and you in work gear, don't forget to bring those trusty wet wipes along!

I've teamed up with Contact Numbers UK to share with you some handy tips on how to maximise the savings out of your club cards and helping you to utilise their service with family favourite supermarkets such as Sainsbury's, Tesco's and Morrisons.

Contact Numbers UK have a vast directory of customer service numbers for Sainsbury'sTesco'sMorrisons and a massive range of UK businesses all under one roofhelping you get in touch with your family favourite supermarkets. We all know how hard it can be to get the right number for the right department! Contact Numbers UK do all the hard work for you, whilst bringing all that info required at the touch of your finger tips in just one place, helping you source the best deals on offer and contact numbers for the relevant companies. Thanks to Contact Numbers UK they can certainly help you with that 24/7 - 7 days a week. 

With school uniforms, lunches, stationary to buy you want to make sure you watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves, so my dear old Ma says. For me what I like to do is use my club card rewards points to go towards Leanora's nursery clothes, so each new term all the points that I have collected and saved in Sainsbury's will go to some much-needed essentials, which consists of mostly socks and underwear. With a few additional points left over, I decided to buy a few tasty treats and make these tasty Yoghurt lollipops. A great way on scoring more points and some that they do not tell you about in store, is by checking Sainsbury's Nectar card app, a few weeks ago I managed scoring extra points, just by logging back into the app.

So quick and super easy to make only a few essentials needed and perfect for the whole family before and after school. 

Ingredients
Yoghurt - Any flavour of your choice
Blueberries
Granola

Method
1. Pour in half of your yoghurt into your lollipop moulds, drop a few blueberries a sprinkle of granola and repeat until filled to the top then freeze.

That is it, how quick and simple is that, little fuss, little mess, just what Mumma needed and the kitchen too. By making your own yoghurt lollipops, you will be saving your self a whole lotta dosh, plus you know what is actually going into it.

A massive thank you to Contact Numbers UK for collaborating with me on this tasty post. 

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME



SHARE:

Wednesday 30 August 2017

50 Sweaters To Buy This Autumn


I can not believe how quick the year has flown by and we are days away from September! I am still trying to cling on to summer for dear life, but with the stores filling up with Autumns must haves, it's hard to resist temptation and not fall in love with Autumnal hues, super soft, cosy and fluffy textured sweaters they are all irresistibly hard to resist.

I know that' it's still super warm, but there are so many must have sweaters available and please, I beg, do not kill me, some may think it is sacrilege with what I am about to confess! But I am yearning for colder months, not so much the wet weather that comes with Autumn, but just to feel cosy and comfortable in my sweater, so that I can sit by the fire in the pub or curl up on the sofa with Leanora, Milo and some sweet treats, all whilst watching The Great British Bake Off (how excited are you that it is back, do you have a favourite yet?!).

There is something about the Autumnal season that just makes me so happy and seeing all those pretty rust coloured leaves falling on the ground excites me, plus I get to wear a great pair of boots and eat a bucket load of Butternut Soup.

With Autumn fast approaching and new season items flooding the stores, we are all absolutely spoilt for choice. I am totally preparing myself from now to get those must have Autumn sweaters into my wardrobe before they all get snapped up.

I have created a big list and sectioned them just to make it easier for you lovelies to view and browse with ease below. 

Logo


Coloured


Striped


Cashmere


Neutrals



Have you got your eye on anything yet? Don't forget to tag me on Instagram with your purchases!

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
SHARE:

Tuesday 29 August 2017

5 Home Office Decor Essentials


Having your own personal nook at home is key, especially if you work mostly from home. Having finally taken the step, to get off the sofa and turn my little nook in the hallway into my personal office space is exciting, to say the least, and this week I am starting on creating my very own dream space.

As small as my little nook is I am bursting with beans to create my new working space, I've headed to my favourite new one stop destination Pinterest to come up with some ideas and incorporating it into my own style, all whilst keeping it simple and clean.

Workstation 
When designing your home office, you need to make sure that you have a suitable and functional desk. with so many designs and colours to choose from, make sure you find what is right for you and fits your area. I have decided to opt for a floating desk, that way it can fit into my very own little nook, due to my space being limited. 

Comfy Desk Chair
You are sitting down for a long while, so you need to make sure that you find a comfy yet stylish chair. Why not head down to a few furniture stores, be it Made to Oliver Bonas and test drive a few. I am sure you will find something that while have you sitting pretty.

Lighting
You may have found your perfect office space in your home, but you may be lacking that natural lighting that your eyes will crave, nothing more annoying and stressful on your eyes than that lighting from your computer screen and having that to use to read your paperwork or sneaky magazine. So why not add an aesthetically pleasing plush table lamp. 

Print & Scan
With all that paperwork required signing, sometimes things are not electronically done, you are going to need a printer and scanner. This is something that can sometimes be forgotten about and you find yourself running to the library or hunting for an internet cafe. 

Art Up
You want to add a touch of personality to your home office, so why not decorate your walls, even just have one feature wall with some fun and stylish, fun colourful prints and inspirational quotes to keep you motivated.

Do you have any great home office decor essentials? I would love to hear your comments below.

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK


SHARE:

Thursday 24 August 2017

3 Reasons Why To Love Your Threenager

 
 


I have to confess, I was dreading when I got to the threenager stage with Leanora, especially as I did find the terrible two's hard at the beginning, but it evened itself out.

Thank the Lord and a helping hand of wine aka mumma's juice!

Now 3 1/2 years old, and firmly in the threenager stage, it and my little sassy madam are fine, and you know what I am loving it and I am totally embracing it! Well, the days there is enough chocolate in the house to console myself with after I've faced her wrath and determination to conquer me.

Flaws and all, tantrums and tiaras (there have been lots, mostly all broken or trodden on) I let her get it out, cause if I don't allow her to express herself and give her a positive outlet and me ranting and raving it will get neither of us anywhere and I've learnt to understand as hard as it was, it is part of her development. This is your threenager expressing themselves, now let me me say, first and foremost I am by no means a push over, but this is the time, where they come out of their shell there character is being built and they serve you a whole load of reality of what is to come, in them taking and owning the world. 

Now I am not saying the threenager stage is easy or hard, there are many more stages to come in our children's life, God knows it has been hard when Miss sassy pants, want's to walk as slow as hell, because she is walking with her soft toy 'Minnie Mouse', or hear this, she wants to enjoy the summer sun! Girl, do you not know Mumma has gotta go to work, or the shops closing in ten minutes on a Sunday and I gotta get the milk! But it is what is and I am loving this beauty and seeing her grow through it. 


Confidence
This is the time they grow and shine and your child comes out of their shell. Confidence allows them to take more risks and control there own emotions, they don't care what others think, if it is good enough for them it's going to work. Even it means looking mismatched in their outfit, it's cool to them to wear two different pairs of shoes and they are rocking the hell out it. 

Fun
They are fun and funny as hell, you find they are up for doing more activities and they encourage you to do more fun things, which is great for bonding time for you and them which they love. Leanora has already made me say things that I never thought I would say since becoming a parent and she is now saying things I never thought she would say, no look, for instance, I said to her on our, ok my lazy day, where I could not be bothered to cook, after all, it's Saturday. 'Do you want a hot dog or MacDonalds Leanora?' You know what the little minx said to me 'HotDonalds mummy' - Bloody hell, where did I get her from lol! Love it!

Intelligent
Nothing gets past them now, they are much quicker than you give them credit for and hell, a lot wittier too! They are like little sponges and soak up everything and more open minded to, to take in more information, just to catch you out and then call you out on it, for trying to out smart them.

How have you got on with the threenager stage, have you embraced or tried to hide under the bed, from those sassy little people? I would love to hear your comments and stories below. 

A big thank you to Next for sending Leanora this fab Star dress. Her boots are from Zara.

London Mumma xx


FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK



SHARE:

Monday 21 August 2017

4 Ways To Successfully Be Organised At Work




Being organised is one of the easiest things to do and claim to be, but it is the hardest thing to implement. Obviously, we all set out to have a productive day, we have the best intentions but life can be hectic, causing your work-life be affected, be it if you are a parent or not, task and life can quickly become disorganised.

With a little forward planning, there are 4 easy ways to successfully keep yourself organised at work and helping you manage your time at home when working. Don't get me wrong I am human I am still trying to master it daily, but with a few little things that I have put in practice, I find that it does certainly help me to be more successful and organised at work.



Today I wanted to share 4 ways to successfully be organised at work.

Work on route 
To ease some pressure of your daily work load, why not get a head start on yourself and use that time whilst travelling to and from work and work meetings wisely, and get some work done. You will be amazed at how much you can achieve in that travelling time. 

Schedule your phone
You always have your phone to hand, no matter where you are, so why not use the hell out of it, get scheduling and use your calendar effectively, therefore, freeing up actual free time and helping you and your time becoming more organised.

Start with the hard jobs
With a heavy work load and loads of tasks at hand, start with the harder jobs that require your attention immediately, organise what needs to be done and when completed you find that A) you inbox is more organised and manageable B) you become less stressed as the harder tasks are completed and freeing up your time to organise your working area and the following day.

Clean workspace
Clear space, clear mind. Cluttered workspace, cluttered mind, which leads to chaos and progress can slow down and that is not what you want to achieve. So being proactive and getting yourself and your working area and environment organised will help you achieve order.



Personally, you can never be too organised, like I said previously not that I am 100% organised all the time, but it does certainly help me and my working life. 

How do you keep yourself organised at work, what are your tricks? I would love to hear in the comments below.

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK



SHARE:

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Exploring East Village, Tale Trail

              


On Sunday morning Leanora and I jumped out of bed, full of excitement for today's adventures. To where you say on a Sunday morning? Well come on down with me or continue reading should I really say, as we are heading off to East Village, for a Tale Trail to find some mischievous trolls. 

We are big on being an outdoorsy family, nothing better than enjoying the fresh air, scooters and bikes peddling down the beaten path, but today they were left behind and we ventured the tube like true Londoners to Stratford.

The first stop on arrival after a busy morning of travelling a pit stop and a refuel at Fish House restaurant, we all opted for traditional fish and chips and I have to say it was super fresh non-greasy and the best I had since a kid on Brighton Beach.

Leanora enjoyed it.

Nannie Too!

All gobbled up, it was time to head off with outdoor explorer Anja Phoenix to begin our family fun walk based on the fun story Hobgrumble Joe of the Waterglades. 

It is a 1-2 hour walk full of fun tales and adventure for the whole family, armed with our colourful hand drawn map, which Leanora took charge of, off we set in search of  Hobgrumble Joe the troll. 

There is so much to see and spot from little ducks in the beautiful pond to leaping crickets to Joe's bubbly swamp and a whole lot more to keep you all entertained. 

The kids got really stuck in which was a delight to see. Leanora's creativity and imagination was working in overdrive. Having a little toddler who can be easily distracted loved this Tale Trail adventure and was mesmerised and totally engaged from beginning to end, she loved spotting the butterflies and was determined to find that pesky Joe, but unfortunately, he did not make an appearance as we kept on missing him, lucky for him!

It felt great being outdoors and doing something new with Leanora and making lovely new friends who were on the hunt with us. To put technology down and not have L on the IPad was great. Yes she has an Ipad at 3, it is my secret modern-day babysitter for when I need to get things done but I can honestly say that when we got home after the trail and heading to Signorelli's Bakery for some tasty treats she did not even ask for it, but wanted to go through the whole Tale TRail again and talk about her new friends. 

I have to say if you are looking for something new to do with the kids, this summer holidays then this free family Tale Trail adventure is the one for you. plus if you head down on a Sunday you can enjoy the East Village market and entertainment on offer. To get involved just simply head to Signorelli's Bakery to pick up your free map for a day of exploring. If you see that slippery Hobgrumble Joe, tell him I said we will catch him next time.

A massive thank you to East Village & Anja for having us and sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own, especially about Hobgrumble Joe.

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK



SHARE:

Monday 14 August 2017

The Recovery Edit With MINTD BOX


The summer sun is truly glorious, our skin feels and looks great and we want that summer glow to last. So how can we maintain are golden glow, well with a little TLC and little healing and a whole lotta love from MINTD.

If you follow me on Instagram (which you should FYI!!) you would know how much I love my MINTD Box. You'd think I would have had enough of them and they me, but each month I am astounded, they always exceed my expectations and every month I fall in love with them a little, ok, ok, a lot more! Plus I am always excited to see Mr Postman with my little box at hand (don't worry we've come to an arrangement where I don't bite).



This month's box is all about the Recovery. Helping protect and revive our sun damaged skin all whilst keeping it fully hydrated and silky smooth.

Here is what is in this months box.

Cocolux Australia Tonka Bean & Lime Zest Candle
There is nothing more exquisite than opening a box to get a glorious waft of fresh tropical coconut, to take you bake to the sandy white beaches. This luxury candle by Cocolux Australia is sourced from Australia and is completely natural and sustainable. This glorious scent, helps calm and relax your mind for a quiet evening of pampering or unwinding after a long day at work and is super inviting and cosy, perfect to help relax your mind body and soul. 

Cleansing is such a vital part of my skincare routine and when I want something a bit more hydrating for my skin on those busy days and feel I need a bit more of an uplift or if I have been wearing heavier makeup, this deep pore cleanser by Sajal Balans is ideal to clear the days impurities or any residue makeup. Personally this can be used day or night, but I like to start my day with it, giving my skin the boost it needs in hydration for the day, plus leaves my face feeling super clean and soft thanks to the fig, African whitewood and precious metal extracts also infused with anti-microbial properties that leave my blotchy red skin looking and feeling calm in the morning. 

After cleansing, I reached for Earth Tu Face, Hydrate & repair face balm, it is perfect to help boost dehydrated skin and this super botanical balm increases cellular regeneration and facilitates tissue repair, perfect as I recently had a breakout or those that suffer from skin problems, plus the rose petals infused helped calm the irritation. If you sit in an office all day with pesky air-conditioning I would certainly recommend this balm for you or be it you just got back from your summer holidays this will certainly help quench the thirst.

Day and night I reached for Su-man rehydrating toning essence. It is a real treat, a water like gel, that instantly refreshes your skin and glides on with ease, the perfect elixir balance of rose petals packed with hyaluronic acid perfect for balancing out the tone of your skin, all whilst keeping it refreshed and hydrated the perfect combo for dewy skin.

Last little gem in this months box, is a brand and firm favourite of mine, I've recently spoken about this before in their travel trio collection, but Ameliorate smoothing body exfoliant is just perfect in all ways, it helps to buff and smoothen your skin and what is better it comes full sized in this months box.





I have to say, this month's box is perfect for your skincare recovery, all products offer and do something different in restoring your skin and I have noticed a big difference in it's clarity. 

To snap up this month's box costing £65.00 with a massive saving of £80.00 you can buy it here, plus for those that are ordering a box for the first time, get an extra 10% off with using the code WELCOME17 and a further little treat for those signing up to a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription, you will be sent a free Argentum Illuminating Hydrating Bar worth £104.00, not bad hey!

I'd love to hear your thoughts and your favourite brands that help your skin recover, or if you have and what your thoughts are on this month's MINTD Recovery Box! Please leave your comments below. 


London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK







SHARE:

Friday 11 August 2017

7 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Weekend


One of the best things to do, is enjoy yourself and make the most of your weekend. Working weeks can leave little time for actually doing what you want to do with friends or family or quite frankly on your own. So why not make the most of it with these few handy tips this weekend.

Rise Early
Do not waste the day get up and enjoy your weekend, yes I know you want to lie in, but trust me, you and your mind and body will feel better for rising early and seeing more of your weekend. Not a fan of rising early, you will be when you head to your local cafe or farmers market for fresh coffee and croissants and a bit of people watching.

Plan Ahead
Nothing better than making a plan, this way you can cram in as much much as possible, know what you are doing and actually get what you want done.

Disconnect
This is possibly the hardest thing to do, but trust me a few days off from social media, will do your mind wonders and give your fingers a rest too! You want to enjoy your weekend after all not cram it with more social obligations and taking your from the real world.

Bike It
Get out and see your city, be it on a boris bike or your on bike! Just get on your bike and explore, you never know what you may find! Plus it's a great way of spending time on your own clearing your mind and reconnecting with you or loved ones. 

Stop Worrying About Monday
Monday can wait, the office, the travel worry! Push it to the back of your mind there is nothing you can do right now to resolve it, and do you want to on YOUR weekend I think not!?

Have A Party
Getting to see friends can be tricky, life is tricky. So why not have a party get all your friends over, that way you can kill a few birds with one stone and see them all!

Do That One Thing You've Been Dying To Do
We all have that one thing we've been dying to do, be it painting the living room, seeing a show, heading out of your city and going to the countryside, simply just do it! Rise early and get up and go after all it's your weekend let's not spoil it for ourselves by over thinking things, lets make the most of it!

We've made it guys and gals its Friday, just a few more hours of work and the weekend is ours!  How will you be making the most of your weekend? I would love to hear, so please leave in your comments below or tweet me

Happy weekend.

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK



SHARE:

Thursday 10 August 2017

6 Traits Of A Kick Ass Single Mumma



Truth be told, I never set out to be a single Mumma, I did not even set out to be a Mumma! I thought I was sick and caught the lurgies from a girl in the office, took me 8 times of peeing on a pregnancy stick to remotely convince myself that I was in actual fact pregnant! In all honesty, I didn't know what to do, where to go and how to even tell her my daughter's father. But I had a decision to make and one that needed making real quick, and you know what it was the best decision I have ever made in my life and one that changed me for the better.

Yes being a single parent can be frustrating, I mean you can't go for a crap on your own, morning coffees the one to get you going for the day you wanna make and enjoy in peace, to realise that there is no bloody milk in the house and the babe is still asleep, so you have to wait until they rise to go and get milk, then they are up and know you need milk, but wanna take their sweet merry time to get ready, then wanna dress up as Elsa, shoes and everything then dress the cat up too as Olaf and put him in the toy buggy, which god knows why he sits in! Those frustrating single parent dramas, you know the ones I mean. But for all, it's downsides, where your child leaves the house looking like a clown and you just think MEH! The best bit about single parenthood is all the cuddles and unconditional love, that sometimes you think do I deserve this?! Well yeah I do, I mean for the past three years I've had an audience whilst crapping.



But jokes set aside, us single Mummas deserve a lot more credit after all we are totally kicking this single parenthood arse/ass. How can you tell well I am sharing 7 Traits of a Kick Ass Single Mumma, guaranteed you are already nailing most of these without even knowing it.

Resilience
Nothing now fazes us, you got something that needs doing, we get it done you learn not to depend on anyone and we recover quickly from bullshit.

Strength
We are a lot stronger than most, we man-up and get on with it, no moping (that's what Friday nights with prosecco is for, after a long week with work and the kids, whilst gossiping on the phone)   around. Even our bodies are stronger, you carry a sleeping kid, that's dead weight peeps, plus you got a gazillion heavy shopping bags, the ones with the 4-pint milk, cat food, tin sh*t, fresh fruit and veg you know those bags.

Multitaskers
We have mastered this and got this down to a T! To making a packed lunch for the days adventures, at the same time whilst booking the vet, putting a load of washing on and thinking about dinner and heading to the hardware store, to buy that shelf you wanna put up later.

Forgiveness
Now, this has been the hardest pill for us Mummas to swallow, but by heck, we do it well and with grace! Check this, Leanora found my nail varnish the other day I said I'll paint her nails but later, it's blue, so in her eyes its Elsa blue, so I put it up high on a shelf, I am in the kitchen all is quite, cats not running around being chased, something is afoot! Half the bleeding bottle had only fallen out on to my bloody expensive sofas, yes sofas, not one but the both of them, to top it off she painted her nails dodgily and was just about to paint the cats, poor Milo! What did I do? Well, my eyes literally rolled into the back of my head I thought I was going to pass out! Instead, I said a little prayer with Madonna and went out and did the gardening, aggressively! Told Ya forgiveness, plus I was able to get the garden done, win-win. Yes, I did clean it up later and wash the sofas, not all out, but that's what my new throws from H&M are for.

Laugh
You gotta be able to laugh, I mean you've read my 10 Things I said since becoming a parent. After all, you don't laugh you'll cry and you gotta find that strength to get through, not for you, but the kids.

Patience
I mean, the kids have little legs, after all, you're running late for work, they wanna walk crazy slow knowing you gotta get sh*t done, but hey, that's how you master the art of patience.



There are probably a lot more traits I've missed off, but these are the important ones and the one that we learn to master quickly and well. To all, you other single Mumma's and pa's too out their I salute you. After all this list could go on, but it's 6:30 am, the babe will soon wake, and we have to leave the house in an hour, I've got this post to publish, kid to take to preschool, go to the post office, sort the cat out and get to work before 10 am, oh yeah and Instagram stuff to do! Never ends ha!

Here is to you all have a kick ass day.

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK


SHARE:

Tuesday 8 August 2017

The Next Series


Sometimes it's hard finding the perfect outfit for Leanora and me! Ha! Yeah Right! But no truly it can be hard to find something that A you feel comfortable in, especially as you spend half your day running around chasing your toddler like a scene from the walking dead (the toddler is the civilian screaming their head off and your the blood thirsty zombie chasing after them) B You both still want to look cool.



Next are totally killing that cool Mummy and Mini twin style right now with so much to choose and mix and match from. Truth be told, I was not a fan of next growing up, well I mean I've always loved their homeware! But it is always somewhere my old girl shopped (mum). But fast forward now that I am in my YOUNG 30's I've grown to love and appreciate Next's collection, plus they are totally having a fashion moment from the instagrammable pom pom mules (super cheesed I didn't bag a pair)  to dresses and by heck, they are reasonably priced too!

Leanora kept it cool and easy breezy in this adorable embroidered blouse worn with these super cute red military shorts. The look was cute and complete with a blue pair of Mary Janes which she now refuses to take off LIKE EVER (her words, God help me).

I went for a red striped top, it's ever so light and soft and something I shall certainly be wearing under some dungarees, quite possibly a dress version which I am currently on the hunt for, if you spot one do let me know! I've teamed my striped top with a relaxed boy friend cut jeans (my first BF Jean) the comfiest trainers which like L I never want to take off LIKE EVER!! And no outfit is complete without a bag and being a lady-parent it has to be a cross body so I can free up my zombie arms to catch the toddler, plus I just love the ring handle adds a total statement to it which instantly adds a more fashion forward element to the look.



How do you style your Next looks - I would love to hear in the comments below!

The perfect pick with Next, perfect for our summer adventures. Until The Next Series.......

Thank you to Next for letting us select some outfits for this post. We carefully picked them, ok Leanora choose them! I mean I'm a parent who has no rights, after all, I'm just here living in her world paying the bills ha!

London Mumma xx

FOLLOW ME
BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK




SHARE:
Blogger Template Created by pipdig