For those who don't know, my beloved 96 year old Grandma Vikentia who lives in Cyprus, the family's rock, is seriously ill with cancer. I wrote about it here.
With my Grandma being ill, we've all been cherishing quality family time more than ever recently.
My beautiful cousin Georgia (her Dad who is the double of George Clooney-for reals- is my Mum's brother), whom I've always been close with, recently started University nearby so she spent last weekend with us, hanging out, shopping, watching movies (The Bling Ring is so underwhelming, please don't bother) and encouraging me to buy a onesie (really!).
No, not Whinnie the Pooh jokes (do those even exist?!) but scatalogical, poo poo jokes are nearly as rife as actual kids' poo in this house and to be honest, they're pretty much needed right now!
Rebecca Brand is a filmmaker and creative communications professional. She has made short documentary films and is currently producing and directing her first feature, a documentary combating the sexualisation and commercialisation of tweens (7-12 year old girls) through popular media, called Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model.
...I'm an optimistic, always paint a smile on, fun loving kind of lady as those who follow this blog might know...but I really don't feel like that girl right now.
I recently wrote about my new and improved more chilled way of life and although most days my mission seems mostly impossible, I'm really trying to stick to even a few small changes to daily life to help me be more zenned than before. Dark chocolate scoffing counts right? Seriously though, running blog business, a screenwriting career and two kids is never easy but once my little children are fast asleep and the big deadlines have been done and dusted with, it's time to chill out.
We are just back from a week away to our happy place in the UK: the Yorkshire Coast. It was extra special this time as we flew my in-laws over from South Africa so they could holiday with us.
So life gets busy, kids keep us up at night and the never ending juggle that is life and motherhood can really get on top of us all right. Well it's time to chill. Just ook at the sea above taken in Portugal last year (is it working yet?).
My child's Pre-School has two weeks off for October half term but instead of flying to South Africa ourselves to visit my husband's parents, we flew them over to Leeds so they could meet baby Alexander for the first time and have a holiday overseas themselves! It's been wonderful seeing them again and they've fallen head over heels with Baby A and relished in seeing their first grandchild Oliver again.
Last Sunday we spent the day with Rachael, Richard, Holly & Henry for a roast at the Olive Tree, one of my parents' restaurants followed by park time with the kids and a long walk in the Autumn sunshine to work off the large lunch.
Another day, another edition of Funny Things My Kid Says...
Oliver's Pre-School is wonderful. A dream school set in acres of countryside with wooden climbing frames and oat biscuits and fruit at break time. He loves it. I love it. The teachers are kind and nurturing and they pride themselves on keeping us parents informed on our children's development, learning and happiness there.
It's been nearly 8 weeks since I started the Blood Type Diet and so far, so good. I'm an O+ blood type and haven't missed my apparent biggest offender, wheat, a dot.
I was really honoured to guest post over at Transatlantic Blonde's fabulous What I Wore Wednesday slot last week. I adore a great hat and I picked this bad boy Fedora up from Oxfam for £8 (originally M&S and never been worn before) to add to my collection.
I've always been a fan of wallpaper and my current obsession with Pinterest means I spend hours scanning pretty wallpaper which will give our rooms a little lift be it a bedroom makeover or including a signature wall in the lounge. Here are some of my favourites from I Love Wallpaper. Which do you like the most?
Claire Harper is the founder of IndiaCoco, an award winning retailer selling great quality, handpicked British designed childrenswear for children aged 0 to 8 years. Previously Claire was Marketing Director of nursery and fashion retailer Mamas and Papas where she spent five happy years. Claire lives in Yorkshire with her husband and two young daughters.
I found myself scribbing away after dinner on a dog-eared bit of paper (simultaneously trying to watch XFactor on Catch Up), all the things Alexander can now do, aged 1.
