Fair-trade festival style

Fair-trade festival style

31/07/2013

3 comments

So I recently stumbled across a lovely little fair-trade and ethical bag company called Fikay which make lovely recycled bags, that are so colourful and unique and also have a real feel-good factor to them as for every product that is bought they donate resources to impoverished Asian communities. This is also a real homegrown company, which started by a man called Aaron who after volunteering in Asia and questioned why not all children get an equal education, set up this company to not only produce lovely fair-trade fashion but also to give back to the community. Anyway cut to chase, check out these lovely creations which would be perfect for not only a festival but for everyday.

Fikay Eco Elephant brand round bag £19.99

Recycled messenger bag £24.99

As you may already know I am a huge fan of People Tree, I love all there eco friendly, fair-trade and organic products and with a large selection of products for both men and women it's the perfect go to shop for something special. They always have such great jewellery with a real boho feel to them, perfect if you want to nail that festival style. They are currently running a sale so it's worth popping.

Engraved bangle £12

Taja Crescent earrings £16

I love People Tree scarf £10.50

Organic Rabbit Tee £30

Peace Tee in Gray £30 

Are you going to be going to a festival this summer, or have you been to one already? Would love to know what your festival style is and if you have any favourite ethical brands, let's share the love...

This post contains an affiliate link

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The importance of good camping equipment

The importance of good camping equipment

29/07/2013

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As you may already know we love to camp, with think it's a great way to spend quality time with the family and is not only different but refreshing and exciting and it's always lovely to really switch off from reality and spend sometime under canvas. You can be as uncomfortable or as comfortable as you want and you can infact feel like your "Glamping" while camping as long as you invest in good quality equipment.

We cannot wait for Camp Bestival which is in less than 10 days time, our second festival of the year. We went to our first at the end of spring and as I have mentioned before the evenings became very cold but because we had some amazing season 3 sleeping bags we didn't feel it at all.

Karrimor Hibernated 3 Season sleeping bags

We got our sleeping bags a while ago and I cannot recommend the Karrimor Hibernate 3 Season mummy bags from Sports Direct, they are very reasonable to buy, have some great specs with a double layer offset and hood keeping your head nice and warm and covering you completely and even John who is 6ft 2 was comfortable in his.The real key to having a good night sleep is what you sleep on and what your sleeping in, if you get these things right you will have a good time.


We slept on an Eurohike double airbed, although any decent airbed would do, along with our lovely and snug sleeping bags. Now when you think of sports direct you may not think camping equipment but that have some amazing deals on tents this year and it really is important to look for a decent tent, if your not sure about camping just go for a mid-range tent which can withstand a downpour.

Top five products worth investing in

1. Decent Tent
2. Good Sleeping bags
3. Air bed
4. Camping chairs
5. Decent stove and cooking equipment

Also make sure to pack a few games, favourite toys and books for the evening, they will usually be kept busy during the day it's great to have a few activities to do when winding down around bedtime, this also keeps them in there normal routine and sometimes children can become a little homesick so their favourite teddy bear should always be apart of your packing.

Here are three great tents currently on sale at Sports Direct and would be perfect for both a festival or countryside camping

Coleman Da Gama 4 tent £239.99

Gelert Atlantis 4 tent £120

If you looking for something fun and different why not try the Gelert Cabana  4 tent £209

This post does contain links and we were offered the Karrimor sleeping bags in exchange for a few but our thoughts are 100% our own and no money has been exchanged

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Pick Your Own with Country Kids

Pick Your Own with Country Kids

27/07/2013

12 comments

There is nothing more blissful or satisfying than picking your own berries, it's a perfect activity for all ages and a great way to enjoy a warm summer afternoon. We have been meaning to top by and check out Gelynis Farm in Morganstown, less than 20 minutes from Cardiff City Centre but feels like a world away.

Having to park just before a level crossing and in a field adjustment we were immediately greeted by a lovely horse who cantered over straight away to say hello.

The PYO is based on a proper little farm with a small sort of hut that doubles as a coffee and ice-cream stall with wooden benches overlooking the rows of gooseberries. They currently had ripe crops of Raspberries, Blackberries and Mr A's favourite - black currants. It's the first time Mr A has done a proper pick you own adventure, we have done a little bit here and there in the hedgerows and harvested our own mini potatoes but nothing on this scale and he took to it straight away and immediately became an expert on what was ripe and what was not.

For me the time we spend outdoors with the little man is the highlight of the day, it's the time I feel most like "Me" and a sense of technology freedom is always welcomed. It was such a blissful day with the greatest of simple pleasures to be surrounded by lovely natural fruit and family. It's such a little gem of a farm and so near to where we live I cannot believe it's taken us this long to have a proper look around and it also has such a lovely backdrop in the form of Castle Coch, a pretty little castle pearched on the side of a hill.

After having our bucket weighed with lovely fresh fruit - a big bag for only £4, we had a little wonder down the Taff trail which also connects to the farm. We had a few nibbles here and there of black currents and raspberries and then headed home to make some cordial. Once home we realised quite a few of our blackberries had little worms on them so after soaking them in a little salt (advised by a few twitter friends) we made a lovely cordial.
We really hope to visit atleast twice more before the end of the summer and we cannot wait to go back.

Every weekend we join in with Country Kids linky with Coombe Mill, Free Range Summer  and Magic Moments with The Mad house, if you love spending time outdoors why not join in

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Instagram Lovin

Instagram Lovin

26/07/2013

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I realised it's been a while since I did a little instagram post of all the things we have been getting up to, so put together a little collage of our summer fun over the past few weeks.

Going across from left to right is
1. Our adventure in the forest
2. Barefoot and bohemian skirt
3. Hugging trees in Pontcanna park
4. A summer look with a denim playsuit
5. Portrait on the train with the little man
6. Homemade pizza
7. Chilling out in the garden
8. Johns RRL heritage Ralph Lauren
9. Shorts and sandals

What have you been getting up too?

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Getting Eco and chic at HomeSense

Getting Eco and chic at HomeSense

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Recently I was invited to have a little look around my local Homesense in Cardiff, I knew it was owned by TK Maxx and stocks some amazing interior goodies but until now had not had the time to pop in but one thing is for sure is that I will be back again very soon.

I really didn't know what to expect in terms of shop layout, stock etc but the store is really clean and fresh with a clear layout, making it very easy to find what you need. I loved all the individual and unique items they had and I truly believe in a store like this you could pick up something you would be hard to find anywhere else.

I love these retro chairs

Another thing I was pleasantly surprised at was not only the designer pieces such as Dior and Ralph Lauren but also a lot of ethical and eco products, which is what I love in my home and stocked up on during this trip as Green products can be quite expensive but with up to 60% less than normal retail prices I made the most of it.

How amazing is this Scotter wicker chair!

Being on two floors the store had something for every room from the kitchen to the bathroom to the lounge and bedroom with some lovely fabrics, sofa's, chairs as well as recipe books, kitchen utensils, wall canvas's and beautiful packaged food that would be perfect for a gift. The store also suited any kind of budgets with little nic-naks being as cheap as a pound up to some chairs being a few hundred.

A few things I picked up

I was on a mission to find a new frying pan and with a little money to spend I managed to get some amazing things for just £30, including an All Natural Soy candle, a Eco bamboo spatular an environmentally friendly frying pan, Laura Ashley garden gloves and a little treat for John in the form of a Ralph Lauren bathmat - can you believe it, all of that for £30!

I love my new frying pan and think it fits in perfectly with our current kitchen, although we are in-between houses the things I picked up will be going with us for sure and once we have finally found our new home I cannot wait to visit Homesense again to pick up something special for it.

My CS eco Max Cera frying pan - I love the green base

I also got to meet another lovely Cardiff based parent and lifestyle blogger Emily from TwinMummyandDaddy, check it out if you have time

That's me :)

I was given a voucher from Homesense to try out the whole shopping experience, my views are 100% my own.

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Going on Holiday with the family in the UK

Going on Holiday with the family in the UK

25/07/2013

5 comments

Us on one of our 2nd family holiday in Chepstow in 2011

We all love having a little break, going on holiday or exploring somewhere new - fact! I mean who doesn't like a relaxing break from reality or trying something new, enjoying time on the beach or a water-park or having a meal out. We love to travel, whether that be home or away and I feel that we often overlook the country we live in.

Us enjoying a glamping trip in Cornwall, where they had an American diner 

We personally have had some amazing stay-cations - glamping in Cornwall, countryside breaks in the Cotswolds, spending time with family in a converted Chapel in rural Wales and cool cosmopolitan city breaks in Bristol, Bath and London and with so much more still to see and do, I am sure we will fit in another adventure soon.

Me and Mr A in the converted Chapel  we stayed in earlier this year

Something really has to be said at looking closer to home in terms of the pro's and cons - for one it's often less travel time, you can usually drive or use public transport to get to places, it can also be less stressful with toddlers and young children in tow, it's budget friendly and if time is of the essence you can just go away for the weekend. I am not saying we don't love traveling further afield and overseas - because of course we do, but if your looking for a cheap break in the UK summer holidays to relax than there is a lot of choice, with family orientated holiday camps such as Butlins, which really have something for everyone, no matter what your age and if your looking for a stress free option this is a good choice as you can either go self-catering or all inclusive, with some excellent food options and with so much entertainment option you will never be lost for choice of how to keep your little ones busy.

Here are five reasons why you should consider a family holiday at a Butlins holiday park 

1. The holiday parks are located by the seaside - I mean who doesn't like spending time on the beach
2. They have some amazing sporting activities to keep fit and healthy as a family.

3. The offer spa treatments for tired parents
4. They have an array of healthy eating options
5. Very family friendly

Butlins are currently running a summer holiday sale with prices starting from £72 for three days but the offer ends in 5 days time so don't miss out.

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Affordable style and bohemian skirt

Affordable style and bohemian skirt

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Laura is wearing a Ralph Lauren Denim Supply shirt, M&S tee, Guess watch and New Look Sandals

So I think I can safely say it's been a tight squeeze for everyone over the past year or two and most of us work hard for our money and we do deserved to treat ourselves every now and then and also I am a huge believer in buying quality over quantity. I managed to pick up this Ralph Lauren Bandana skirt in their online sale for 50% off! I have been looking for a lose and bohemian style skirt for a while and this is perfect for summer and the festival look, I have paired it up with a classic M&S white tee for a simple style.

Another great site that I have been checking out lately is Achica, since we are in between houses and are actively looking for our new house to buy I am looking more and more at homely accessories which Achica has in bucket loads, as well as amazing Travel deals - our other favourite pastime. Achica not only has some great fashion deals but also amazing interior sales and you can pick some things up to 70% off and they have just realised an App so you don't miss out on any of there sales, as everything is only for a very limited time only. Here are a few of my favourite picks from there currently online selection

LK Bennett Classic Pearl Bead bracelet £16.50

Rikki Tikki Elephant £15

London Canvas £35

Belle and Boo Book of Craft £9.50

I have just ordered this Belle and Book book - normally £15 and I cannot wait to be inspired by all the cute crafts and hopefully make something really special for Mr A's birthday or Christmas.

I Have added this post to What I wore, Style Sessions, Whatever Whenever Wednesday Linky

This post does contain a link but I was not paid, I received a small voucher to try out the Achica website and all my views are my own.

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France on Film - Travel Tuesday

France on Film - Travel Tuesday

24/07/2013

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This weeks travel tuesday is about Laura's time living and working in Nice in the South of France. In 2009 I spent a few wonderful month living on the French Rivera working in a vibrant converted Monastery which had been turned into a hotel which was perched on a hill over-looking the city of Nice. The Hotel attracted mainly young travels and language exchange students and I made some great friends, before moving on to exploring other parts of europe. The South of France is really different to the hectic buzz of Paris and captures a really laid back but also luxurious feel to it, with lovely white sanded beaches, inspiring landscapes and lovely fresh baguettes from a bakery found on every corner. This will not be the last South of France post but in this post I wanted to share the photos I shot on my old film camera using black and white film, too this day I still use a lot of analogue film, especially when we travel...

Archway to Promenade des Anglais

Spending the evening on the beach

Bladers on the Promenade

I do miss the beautiful surroundings and the amazing beach, reminded me of South Africa a little bit with lovely little side streets filled with North African restaurants, we hope to go back soon and I cannot wait.

Every tuesday I join in with Compass Rose for Travel Tuesday linky - so why not share your adventures and join in

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