Even though the winter season is shortly coming to an end (I pray) I am sure we are all craving some summer sun beating on our skin, giving us a golden sun-kissed glow and sand in our toes and the ocean sea air and what better way to prep than getting yourself organised for some holiday saving.
I crave to be more organised and money friendly, but who am I kidding I am terrible. Who am I to give advice if I can not even take it, but contraire mon frere, I've grown up well a little, unless there is a kids party afoot and I see a bouncy castle then it's game on, rents you better get your kids outta the way Mumma coming-a-bouncing!! But I think I've cracked it on how to manage holiday savings, which I will be sharing with you in this post some of my handy tips and tricks.
But jokes set aside I have made a few amendments and look at things a bit more practical to help get me more money savvy for the holidays. No New Years resolutions here, but 6 things you can do for you.
Plan ahead
As soon as you know where you want to go and if you don't have the cash in full, a great way is by putting a deposit down in advance and paying it off as you go along before your flight date, great for families or big travel destinations.
Money
If you know you haven't got good credit, get that sorted, I was scared at looking at my credit score, but I had to take the plunge and take a peak, with one eye opened mind you, and a great way of building back up your credit score is by paying off your bills or another way is even by getting a loan, even with bad credit you might be able to secure loan no matter how big or small, but repaying it off in time can help boost your credit. Plus it comes in handy when to have extra cash whilst on holiday.
Clothes
You are going to need to new swimming costumes, beach towels and dresses so buy as you go along or even look out for sales and key pieces that will stand the test of time.
Insurance
A massive saving is holiday insurance, no matter where you go in the world holiday insurance is perfect and a life saver and get you out of any sticky situations which are out of your control, plus it will give you peace of mind too, I always get my holiday insurance from The Post Office, they have everything I need and loads of different packages to suit all types.
Gifts
You are always are going to want to save money for little trinkets to bring back home to loved ones and gifts for memories of your holidays, so set aside a small budget for this, be it an allocation to each person or a budget in mind of what you will be spending.
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London Mumma xx
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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.
With summer slowing down here in the UK and being the UK, the weather is unpredictable and can be known to spoils us with a nice sunny day here and there, but as sun seekers we are always off on holiday (even wander lusting in our mind, whilst sat at the office desk) and plus we are women and we always need a new dress!
Something fun and flirty is always a hit and I'm currently loving tea dresses, be it dressed up with sandals and nice hat to dressing down in trainers and a denim jacket. The weather should never let it stop you from wearing that cute tea dress, I mean as we are not too far off from Autumn, you can always wear it with a jumper? But no matter how you like to rock it we are always trying to hold onto summer like our lives depend upon it, throw caution to the wind, buy a tea dress, in any colour or design, that tickles your fancy and rock the hell out of it, after all the tea dress is perfect to wear for any occasion!
To be fair I actually forgot about this tea dress, that I picked up for a bargain from Missguided and should have blogged it weeks a go, maybe even a month or two (oops) it is now sold out, but you are in the right place as I've some alternatives for you in different lengths and designs!
I've scoured the web to find you 10 of the best all costing under £50 leaving you a bit extra with some to purchase two, after all, you so deserve it.
Let me know what you think of the top 10 and would love to hear how you like to style your tea dress! Please leave your comments below.
Here is to an awesome week ladies and gents too, after all the fellas can always treat their lady! Also if you are currently on the hunt for your little girl's dresses, then I would certainly check out ODS Designer Clothing.
But on a summers day, we are going to need a tasty dish which packs a punch at the same time as tickling our taste buds, all whilst dreaming and wishing we were right back by the sea and what better dish to eat on a summers day than a chilli crab linguine and I promise you, after just one bite, you will be wanting to it this dish all summer long.
This is the perfect meal be it for lunch or dinner to enjoy with family and friends with a nice ice cold bottle of plonk (you know me Prosecco or Sancerre) and an elderflower cordial for the kiddies (Leanora loves the stuff, thinking of making my own, is it hard, or do you have any good family recipes?).
Now I must say, I did make this with both white and dark crab meat as I wanted to really taste the salty sea (makes sense in my mind) but you can opt just for the white glorious fatty flesh of crab if you wish.
Ingredients (serves 4)
400g Linguine
A handful of cherry tomatoes, chopped
300g Fresh white crab meat
4 Stems of parsley finely chopped
1 Green and red chilli chopped
Half a lemon
50ml of olive oil
1 Garlic clove finely chopped
Directions
1. Cook linguine in boiling water (you can add salt, but I don't) for 8-9 minutes.
2. Whilst linguine is cooking away nicely, in a pan, through in your olive oil, crab, chilli (as much as you like), tomatoes, and garlic and lemon juice and cook over a medium heat until all warmed through.
3. drain pasta, but save a little of the water for your sauce and pop back into your pan, pour in your warmed through ingredients and gently toss together.
4. serve amongst 4 dishes and sprinkle over your chopped parsley and serve.
Do you have a tasty summery dish that you and your friends and family like to enjoy?
London Mumma xx
We recently hit the beach for a little weekend getaway and a little salty air, sun chasing, crab spotting, wave riding and sun lounging. With the weather being an utter babe, Leanora in her element collecting sea shells her throwing caution to the wind and trying to bury her sun hat, it got me thinking about that good old Vitamin D, whilst it is great for sensitive eczema prone skin, her delicate skin, mine too needs some protection, that's where Bioderma comes in hand!
Not wanting to burn and become peely and protecting our skin from the sun and helping me reduce the risk of skin ageing, Bioderma's sunscreen's are perfect to protect the families skin. I always go for the maximum SPF 50 for both of us, I want us to get as much protection whilst out and about on a hot sunny day.
I find choosing a spray bottle for us both is perfect, this way you can keep track of where you sprayed, so no spots are missing, plus it's fun for the kids to get involved! (Leanora since being back has taken to try and spray Milo, God help me!)
Bioderma Spray for children is Hypoallergenic so perfect for Leanora's sensitive delicate skin, it glides over smoothly, it does not leave her skin looking or feeling chalky and whats better is that it fragrant free so I know it won't give her a bad reaction, as well as being paraben free and can also be applied to dry or wet skin and is great to reapply after a ton of frolicking in the sea, and this can be applied to her face and skin.
For me, I go for the Dry Oil. It helps generate a natural tan, it is fragranced but is so light and in no way over powering, plus it helps absorb moisture back into sun parched skin. Just like the kiddies spray it is paragon free and alcohol-free also, as well as being non-sticky, it too can be applied to wet or dry skin.
Both are perfect to store in your beach bag, knowing that you and your family are protected on your summer holidays with one brand are brilliant and a little goes along way.
A massive thank you to Bioderma for sending us these fab sun protectors to shield us from those sunny rays on our sunny holidays, now just need to plan the next sunny adventure.
Which sunscreen are you using, have you found a brand that works for you and your family?
I've always believed that no matter where you are in the world be it at home or on holiday near or far, you should always have a travel beauty kit with you.
Ameliorate a brand that I've come to know and love since its first introduction from MINTD have recently launched their travel beauty kit just in time for the holiday season, helping to boost, renew, smooth your skin all the while helping you keep that perfect holiday glow.
Three darling beauties are in this dermatologist approved kit, smoothing body exfoliant, nourishing body wash and the transforming body lotion all perfectly suitable to be neatly tucked away in your travel case.
I am a major exfoliant girl, not just on my face but body too, nothing makes me happier, knowing that my skin is being purified from the days grime and pollutants and I am always striving for a healthy glow, so why not achieve that with your body too. Ameliorates Smoothing Body Exfoliant does not let you down, my main concern at first was that I do have sensitive skin, now whilst I want to not feel as if I am tearing and damaging my skin further, taking one for the team I popped into the shower to give this a go! It was a dream and one that I was happy not to wake from. It is truly a gentle exfoliant (if there is such a thing, but trust me it's this) the biodegradable exfoliants just glides over the skin, all whilst helping to boost healthy skin surface renewal. My skin was left feeling super soft and smelt delicious and hydrated thanks to the shea and cocoa butter and coconut oil.
The perfect body wash to start the day, especially if you are looking for an instant uplift and wake up call! My favourite types of body wash are ones that smell heavenly but not overpowering, simply calming and making me feel invigorated and this Ameliorate infused with my favourite germanium, orange and cedarwood is the perfect shower companion to start those early mornings and leaves your skin feeling cleansed and moisturised.
I am a total sucker for a luxurious body cream, especially one like this that just seeps its way into your skin, leaving it smooth to the touch and hydrated and most importantly non-greasy. It is perfect for those holiday getaways and for those with dry, bumpy or rough skin perfect for giving you skin a boost of moisture, for me, it is a number one favourite.
Ameliorates products are suitable for anyone with dry, rough, bumpy and dehydrated skin, but in my eyes are suitable for anyone who wants to achieve soft, smooth and healthy skin and works perfectly well for me as I have sensitive skin.
It is the perfect travel beauty companion.
Have you tried any of these Ameliorate products? Or what is in your travel beauty kit? I would love to hear your comments below.
I'm currently on route to the office for a few
short hours and I've just realised it's half term. Mother and Auntie duties
will certainly be taking up my whole week, but it's dawned on me, what on earth
are we going to do, but don't worry I realised I planned for this weeks ago and
made a little to-do list for this halftime term.
Flip Out
Flip Out quite literally you will flip out! A
few weeks ago Leanora, my nephews & I were invited to try out the new FlipOut branch in Brent Cross, what is it may I ask! Think old school Gladiators,
just minus the tackling the warriors but an indoor bouncy
castle-trampoline-assault course for kids and us big kids too! You get to spend
90 minutes jumping for joy, all whilst leaving you in a fit of giggles trying
to get out of the foam pit.
Get crafty
Nothing like a little creativity with the
kiddos, not sure on what to create don't worry I've got loads of ideas over on
my Pinterest page.
Movies
All week, the majority of the cinemas have
kids am screening, showcasing not the latest movies, but recently released ones
at a fraction of the cost from £2.00, that's for adult tickets too, so why not
check out your local cinema to see what is on offer.
Eat out
We love to eat out and try new foods, being in
London there is so much to offer, with the weather nicely warmed up, why not
get something to eat out and dine alfresco. Dining out for dinner try going
before the mad rush of dinner service, so maybe try a 5/5:30 pm slot or if out
and about and in the Clapham area I certainly recommend Baba Boom, they have an
awesome menu loads of tasty meats and veggie options for you to try, plus they
have a great kids menu. I did do a post about them, but deleted it like a
muppet, but trust me, it’s good!
Bike Rides
You can not be cooped up all day, so get some
fresh clean air into your lungs, head down to the park and go for a leisurely
bike ride with the kids, a great source of exercise for the whole family.
What do you have planned this half term?
London Mumma xx
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