Exploring Newport Wetlands & Enjoying the Simple things

The last time we visited the Newport Wetlands we were a family of three so it was really fun to revisit this wonderful place with our youngest in tow as both boys are fascinated with nature, bird watching and exploring new places. The wetlands are around an hour from where we live (it would be quicker if it wasn't for the constant roadworks) and we visited just before the short heat wave and with a slight chill in the air it was the perfect weather to try out my lightweight waterproof windbreaker from Lighthouse Clothing . I have been looking for a jacket that will be perfect for all the festivals we will be heading too over the summer and with this being so light, easy to pack and stylish the Wren Jacket is perfect.  We are actually members of the RSPB and as our house is not too far from a river and has an abundance of trees surrounding it we get a lot of wildlife in our garden, including frogs, slow worms and an array of birds so naturally my eldest has a......

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Tips on curbing your technology bill

Are you paying too much for technology? Between the TV package, internet, and the phone bills, staying connected can take a huge slice out of your family's budget. It's hard to imagine life without Wi-Fi or cell phone service. How can you trim expenses when all this tech is essential to our modern lives? There are ways to reduce the bills for your basic connectivity. Here are a few of the best approaches. Slash Your TV Bill Lots of people have done away with cable television altogether. Subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime offer inexpensive access to feature films and television series. At the moment you don't need a TV license too watch these things so as long as you disconnect from live TV and opt just for a subscription service you can straight away save around £12 a month. If you prefer to keep your current TV package — which makes sense when it's bundled with your internet or if you are a sports fan — there are still ways to cut cos......

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Celebrating Sensitive Dads

The new Braun Series 3 ProSkin is a real hero for sensitive skin, and launching just in time for Father’s Day it’s the perfect gift for sensitive dads. I’ve partnered with Braun to tell you about some of the times when John has shown his sensitive side! #SensitiveDads For those who don't know John he can unintentionally be quite intimidating as he is 6ft2 with a big beard and doesn't say much as he is very reserved and not one for chit chat but is very social with those he knows. In general he is not much of a talker, in fact he tends to keep things in and doesn't often share if something is bothering him which can be hard to read at times, this doesn't mean he is not sensitive and since having kids this has certainly changed. The focus often tends to be more towards the mothers when it comes to becoming a parent and just how life changing that is but all of these changes certainly affect Fathers as well. John has stood right next to me on all the highs and lows......

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Why I've Opted IN for Organ Donation

My organ donation card came through a few weeks back and I filmed a little vlog about my reasons on opting in for organ donation, I was undecided on whether to press publish and share my reasons why but after losing a close friend to cancer and the recent terror attacks in Manchester I feel that it's actually an important time to talk about topics such as this which can have a huge impact on someones life. So for many years I have been on the fence when it comes to Organ donation although I also have to be honest with myself and say that I never really took it seriously or sat down and really thought about it properly. This year there have been a few changes, I have been detoxing my life of so many things as I journey on my minimalist challenge and it's taught me a lot about letting go both material and emotional baggage as well as taking join in the small things, random acts of kindness and being even more conscious of the footprint we leave on this world. Becoming ......

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Making Each Day Matter

I have never been that materialistic, from an early age I realised that an evening spent laughing with loved ones was worth more than gold. Ever since I was young I dreamed of dusty roads, music festivals, camping under stars and those intrinsic experiences that would stay with you forever and become the fabric of your being. Before having children I did a lot of self funded travel, working at a variety of backpackers, hostels and hotels, without much of a plan I sought the simple good things and added very little to my backpack I set out with. I have always been a happy seeker being aware that paradise doesn't always last forever and holding onto those sweet perfect moments and knowing when to move on. Of course settling down and becoming a parent has brought so much joy and happiness but also a lot of compromise, a time to be unselfish, establishing routines and making more stable future plans. The thing is it's very easy to suddenly find yourself going through the......

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Short or Long Hair and Self esteem

I know, some may say it's a trivial subject to discuss but our hair really does have so much to do with our self esteem and can have an impact on how we feel on a daily basis. Having a bad hair day/week/month can really start to get you down and I know personally that affects how I see myself, my mood and even in some ways my productivity as I feel less together to face this manic world. It's also one of those things that needs to be maintained and looked to ensure healthy roots and scalp and in the same way we brush our teeth twice a day you need to take time to look after your hair. I have hit a bit of a brick wall lately with mine, I am in a weird in-between stage where my pixie cut has grown out and I am starting to resemble Justin Bieber circa 2009 and it's not a good look. The thing is do I carry on and try and grow out this mop top which is currently still style-able with clay or do I cut it short again? With both pregnancies my hair grew so fast so thi......

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Creating A Space For Entertaining This Summer

As we say a sad goodbye to spring and the last of those lingering Easter eggs, we look forward to what will hopefully be a hot, dry summer (fingers crossed). Summer is wonderful because of the warmth, the daytime relaxation outdoors, the ability to cook outside, and of course, the ability to entertain outside. There's something so wonderful about chatting with friends as the sun goes down and the sky becomes streaks of pink, purple and red. Sharing a cocktail or two with loved ones as the birds sing and the warm summer evening starts to cool. It really is a wonderful thing. The only thing that might prevent it being quite so lovely, is if your home and garden really aren't prepared for entertaining outside. Overgrown shrubs, a lack of lighting, an uneven path leading bath into the house; it doesn't take much to throw plans to entertain outside to the side and instead opt for an evening in, missing out on all the ambience of of a gorgeous summer evening.......

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Cardiff goes Pop with Bricks at Home and Ushi's

I love pop-up shops and I love that Cardiff is finally embracing them so much. It means that smaller independent stores that are usually only found online or outside the city centre get a chance to be more accessible to a larger audience for a short period of time as well as adding something new to the more established shops in the city centre.  Recently St Davids Cardiff got in touch to let me know about two Pop Up Shops currently making themselves at home in the centre and I made sure to check them out. The first shop I stopped off at was Bricks At Home - a art and interior design concept store based on Pop Art and Lego. I loved it! In my mind Cardiff does not have enough diversity when it comes to accessible art in comparisons to larger cities like Bristol and London.  I got to spend some time talking to the owner Andy Morris who believes in bringing playful design to modern life and Bricks at Home was the perfect combination of a gallery space to hel......

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Taking a Serve with Tennis for Kids

Tennis is one of those fantastic sports that offers those life skills that help develop not only hand, eye, ball coordination but also camaraderie, sportsmanship and helps boost a child's self esteem. Having learnt how to play tennis when I was younger it is something I have been keen to get my own children involved with, even if it was to just have a taster (and hopefully be taken) by this sport. When it comes to sports and kids it can be overwhelming as where to start, which sport to pick and will they enjoy it enough to make it worthwhile as it takes time to get to grips with things. I am sure we are not alone here when I say we have paid up front for a term for something my eldest has simply not got on with when it came down to the reality of learning a certain sport which is why the Tennis for Kids program is fantastic. The Lawn Tennis Association contacted me and about its great programme which offers a 6 week taster course to help kids get to grips with the ......

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A Mini Break at The Vale Hotel, Wales

Whether it be near or far a mini break as a family is always something we look forward too especially when its in such a beautiful location of that of The Vale Hotel which has so much greenery surrounding it. The Vale Hotel and Resort is only around a 20 minute drive from Cardiff city centre yet you instantly leave that busy city life behind you for a far more tranquil spot. This hotel is very popular spot with Golfers and those looking for somewhere that is stylish and relaxing but with easy access to both the city, coastline and beautiful boutique towns such as Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. We have actually been to the Vale Hotel a few times before as wedding guests or to use their amazing gym and spa facilities but we have never actually stayed the night so I was really interested to see what it was like having a little bit longer here instead of our previous flying visits. This time of course we also had the kids with us and as they actively encourage families to vis......

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