Christmas at Bute Park 2022 Review

*I was kindly provided tickets to Christmas at Bute Park in exchange for an honest review As with many major cities across the UK, Cardiff now hosts an impressive immersive light show in the city centre's main green space, Bute Park. 2021 was its first year & was a sell-out success so needless to say expectations were pretty high. While this was our first time to Christmas at Bute Park , we had previously gone to Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas, one of the first and longest-standing immersive festival light experiences so I was intrigued to see what the Welsh Capitals' take on this would entail.  Firstly we love Bute Park, it's a stunning green lung in the heart of Cardiff city centre and a place we spend a lot of time, walking along the River Taff, cycling and enjoying the large open spaces, however, we have rarely seen it after dark so the boys and I were very excited to see Bute Park in a different light, excuse the pun.  Before deciding on a time to visit I spoke to ......

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Home Improvement plans for 2023 - First the Skirting boards

*This post contains affiliate links My house is in serious need of some TLC, especially as the early years of parenting are now out of the way & putting travel before interiors but it's come to the point that I need to give my home a little attention and while I have practically not budget, after Christmas, I am planning to do what I can myself, starting with repainting every room so we can start the New Year feeling fresh.  My skirting boards are looking particularly unloved at the moment I'm not actually sure when they were last painted (it's got to be at least a decade I'm guessing). It can however be tricky to know what colour to paint your skirting boards  and some thought does need to go into it as it helps tie the room together. Do you leave them a natural wood colour? Or, perhaps you want them a nice simple white to match your doors and architrave. Then, of course, there is always the idea that you might want your skirting boards to stand out, be a feature o......

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The Royal Mint Christmas Experience, Llantrisant, Wales

*We were provided tickets in exchange for an honest review. Words 100% my own  The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, where all the UK's coins are made, have pulled out all the stops this year and has turned into a magical winter wonderland.  Walking up the path you are transported to a land of snow and festivities and are met with a huge Christmas tree, a polar bear chair and giant candy canes. Inside the Mint is no different with decorations hanging, more beautifully decorated trees and Santa's sleigh which children can sit in.  You can either head to the Cafe for a mince pie before your tour or head straight to the ticket desk to check in for a special festive tour of the Mint, which is part of the Christmas Experience. Each tour sets off at a specific time so make sure to arrive around 15mins beforehand, you will need to go through a brief security check before heading into a cosy room with soft throw-covered seating, where you meet your very knowledgeable tour gui......

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Snippets from our Interrail Adventure

Chillin in The Vatican We have recently got back from the most amazing adventure, by train, across Europe, on a budget. I have so much to write up about our trip but I thought I would share a few snippets while I put more in-depth posts together.  Firstly it was amazing to be able to travel again in what felt like pre-pandemic times, yes we had to wear masks on all the German trains but that didn't bother us at all and we are more than happy to comply with any travel requirements, as long as we can travel.  I was so excited to take the kid's Interrailing as it's something I've done myself a few times before having children and it's certainly not just for 20's something backpackers but suitable for all ages! Looking out across Salzburg After lots of planning, with a variety of routes we could have taken, we settle on whizzing down from London to Turin in Italy and then spending time exploring Levanto, The Cinque Terra, Pisa, Florence and Rome before taking a nig......

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Getting creative with k'nex

*We were kindly provided with a k'nex box to review If you are looking for a Christmas present this year that inspires creativity and thinking out of the box, literally, then k'nex is a great option! We were recently sent the k'nex 300 starter box, which provides enough pieces to make 20 builds although of course kid don't have to follow the instructions and just like lego can create their own builds.  What is really unique about k'nex is that the rod and connector building system no only allows you to build some pretty awesome things but they also move! My son built the mini swing and loved that it actually worked and with the wheels provided in the kids the cars move. While k'nex isn't suitable for under 3yrs old due to small pieces, it is suitable for a variety of ages as there are different skill levels, so both of my children, who are 7 & 12, found knex fun and engaging. I did think that perhaps my eldest would find it boring but he didn't at al......

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Fire Safety Tips for home & away

*This post contains affiliate links Luckily I've never had to deal with more than very minor issues when it comes to fire although I once had to evacuate my house for a short time as my neighbour had a fire in her kitchen & smoke was coming into my home. I've also been one of those travellers who has had to stand outside the hotel because someone set the fire alarm off due to smoking in their room (which of course you can't do). But since having kids, fire safety has become even more of a priority and not just in our own homes but also when we are travelling.  Fires can occur in any kind of property, from your home to a school, workplace or even a hotel, so having basic knowledge of fire safety, improving safety in your home and what to do in an emergency is so important. Here are a few ways to make sure your home and travels are safer 1. Install a fire alarm & make sure your holiday property has one Firstly fit at least one smoke alarm in your home, preferably two ......

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Travelling to Europe? 5 things you need to do before you go

*This post contains affiliate links Many of us, due to the pandemic are only now slowly getting back into international travel, whether it be a long-haul trip or just city break or ticking off a bucket list moment such. as  tours in Paris , the world is open again. My boys and I have just embarked on a trip around Europe by train and I thought I would share the top 5 essential things to do before you head off on your own adventure. 1. Check your Passports While this may be obvious, the amount of times I've seen people miss out, especially those with kids (as their passports only last 5yrs) due to expired passports has been surprisingly a lot. The UK passport office is still experiencing delays and it may take longer than expected to get your new one back, there are options for fast tracking but these can cost significantly more so don't leave this until the last minute. 2. Apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) While this does not replace travel insurance it's ......

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How to have a Japanese-inspired Day out in London

Enjoying Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park My kids and I, like many people, have a deep love and fascination for everything Japanese and while we would love to jump on a plane to Japan (hopefully we will one day) right now with ongoing travel restrictions that are still in place in Asia means that's not the most feasible option. So how do we learn more about Japan and experience some of the culture without actually travelling there? First of all, we have been reading a lot of books, watching documentaries and films and learning how to cook some Japanese-inspired food at home. But then my son asked if we would have a Japanese-inspired day out in London for his birthday and like any major city London is a melting pot of cultures and influences, so we set out to see what we could find. 1. Kyoto Garden, Holland Park We started the day with a relaxing walk around the beautiful Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. Kyoto Garden was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the friendship between ......

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It's Time to Start Thinking About Your Autumn/Winter Style

*This post contains affiliate links It's that time of year again! The trees are bare, the air is chilly, and we're all bundling up in our warmest clothes. But just because it's cold outside doesn't mean your style has to suffer. In fact, winter is the perfect time to experiment with different textures, layers, and colours no matter what your personal style is. But not only that, but it’s also time to stock up on some of essentials that will carry you through this season. Fall and winter fashion can be tricky especially at the start of the season when the temperature fluctuates between warm and chilly. It's not as easy as throwing on your favourite outfit that has seen you through summer and calling it good. But there are ways of tackling the colder months that will keep you feeling good about yourself and warm all at the same time. One of the key to pulling off a successful fall or winter look is to focus on the details, a simple way to do this is by adding a scarf......

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Glamping at Top of The Woods, Boncath, Wales

So nice we did it twice! I have to say it's not often that I rebook a place, simply because I love to try new places but Top of the Woods , in Boncath West Wales is worth a revisit, in fact, I can see it becoming somewhat of an annual tradition especially as it offers family and dog-friendly accommodation. Perhaps because you really can switch off here, phone reception doesn't exist and only the thinnest slither of wifi can be found near the main farmhouse and it's patchy at best but that's not why you come somewhere like Top of the Woods, you come to make real connections, with nature, your family with new friends, in a gorgeous rural location completely off-grid. Top of The Woods offers 3 glamping options - Pioneer Camps, Nature Domes and Safari lodges, all of which are comfortable and high-end with private & undercover cooking areas but some offer more facilities.  On our first visit, we stayed in a Nature Dome and our second in a Pioneer Camp, so I will focus on......

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6 Unique Outdoor Experiences in Southern Wales

*This post contains affiliate links South Wales is the perfect base for getting outdoors and reconnecting with nature and it's packed with hidden gems, waterfalls and mountain trails suitable for all ages and skills. It's well known for the Brecon Beacons, the Wales Coastal path and lots of Castles but there is even more that awaits you in this part of Wales and I thought I would share 5 truly unique experiences to try in South Wales that will get your outdoors, in the fresh air in a really positive and fun way and all of these suggestions are perfect for the whole family, if you want to get the kids invovled as well.  1. Try Wild Foraging  Wales is a haven for foragers as we have an abundance of woodland, meadows and coastline to explore but of course you need to go with someone who is knowledgable about the local area and knows what is safe to pick and safe to eat. There are a variety of foraging workshops across South Wales that will teach you about wild food life, how to i......

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The Green Gathering Festival, Chepstow

The Green Gathering festival has been on my bucket list for a long time although with the pandemic cancelling most festivals for 2yrs we haven't been able to attend until now. I had considered staying for the whole weekend as we love to camp and love a long festival weekend, although as we are planning a big trip to Europe soon, I decided as the festival is in Chepstow which is less than an hour away from our house, that the most budget-friendly option was to get a day pass, especially as under 11's go free, which meant I only had to pay for myself and for £40 for a whole day at a festival that felt like a really good deal.  We made sure to get there early so we could enjoy the whole day and really get a feel for what the festival is all about. Unlike other festivals, the Green Gathering is the original off-grid low impact festival, powered by sun, wind and people and is non-profit without any mainstream commercial sponsorships. This however doesn't impact the amazing perf......

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