Welcome to #mamamondays. Here I try to include anything that is making us happy – and hopefully you too – even though it’s a Monday. And, I have to say it really is making me try to make the most of this often ‘depressing’ day
It has been anything from what we’re doing or planning to what we’re eating, watching or reading. I’ve even included items I’m lusting after or buying and anything else that has been inspiring me to make Mondays – and the rest of the week if need be – just a little more bearable.
I really hope that #mamamondays is inspiring you to make the most of this fresh start we get every week…
RE-DISCOVERING
In my career I’ve worked with lots of brands. I’ve seen brands come and go and I also *sometimes* forget about brands too.
I guess the ‘overload’ of so many shops and more online retailers than ever means sometimes when you shop, you just stick to what you know. That has probably been the case when shopping for Miss Marnie.
We have a few favourite places and we tend to stick to them. Plus you get a feel for the sizing, how it washes and lasts – so you know what you’re getting.
Well, it wasn’t until I bumped into an old colleague who was working at M&Co that I remembered this Scottish brand (formally known as Mackays). We got chatting and that evening I had a look online and was actually pleasantly surprised at the vast selection – and even better the reasonable prices.
It helps to have friends in fashion as a few days later Miss M received a massive parcel full of M&Co new summer pieces to try herself. She went straight for the tropical shorts and a bright tee which, as you can see it was a big hit (and the sun was out too!)
One section I found really exciting though was baby – with so many people having babies around me at the moment it may become my new favourite place to shop – as the section offered clothing, toys, maternity and accessories.
Here are a few of my picks from its high summer collection. And, if you do buy, wear and post anything on social media tag with #MyMandCo so we can see what you’re all loving.
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| All baby items from M&CO age 0-3yrs |
SHOPPING
As someone who loves, and I mean loves to shop. I have to confess I’m not really a fan of sale shopping.
Don’t get me wrong I love looking for a bargain or finding something discounted. But, the actual ‘sale shopping’ is what I hate.
Queues, pushing, shoving, finding things you think are a bargain but actually not anything you would wear in a million years, pushing, the cramped changing rooms, finding something you do love but not in your size, did I mention the pushing?
Good job I’ve recently discovered Love The Sales…
Love the Sales is an online site dedicated to well, sales. Here some clever person has decided to gather everything on sale from fashion, interiors, beauty, electronics and kids and pop them all in one place making bargain hunting a bit of a breeze and a little too easy as you can do it all from the comfort of home.
Showcasing over 500 retailers including Boden, Kurt Geiger and various designers (see full A-Z of brands here) the site is updated regularly throughout the day ensuring you never miss a bargain (eek…)
Coffee, laptop and credit card at the ready ladies!
COLOURING
You may have read here that I enjoy a bit of adult colouring. I also love a bit of colouring with Miss M. We often sit and do some together on a lazy afternoon.
Although, she tends to get bored a lot quicker than me. So, the arrival of this fab Cut & Colour Playbook has been a welcome change. As not only is it colouring, it’s cutting paper too (her new favourite thing to do – she has some safely scissors that barely cut through but still she enjoys it!)
Cut & Colour Playbook Seasons is a beautiful layered paper diorama (a miniature 3-D scene) book. You build up the pictures for each season, the front of the pages contain line illustrations which kids (or adults) just add your own colour and detailing too.
Then on turning the page you can see which areas need to be cut away to build up the layered landscapes, which when flipped back from the start reveal the creative scenes of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Designed by Anouck Boisrobert an illustrator and graphic designer – I think for £9.99 this make a really great gift idea alternative to a standard colouring book.
Watch this little video for a real sense of how it works and if you fancy a go yourself then enter my competition below to win one of 3 copies.
* GIVEAWAY – WIN 1 of 3 Cut & Colour Playbook SEASONS worth £9.99*
WIN 1 of 3: Cut & Colour Playbook SEASONS
V. I. BE HONEST: Please take
time to read the mamasVIB Giveaway terms and conditions:
1. Entry is open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding
anyone professionally associated with mamasVIB or the Promoter.
2. Three winners will receive ONE copy of Cut & Colour Playbook Seasons. The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash
alternative.
3. The prize draw starts at 12.01am BST on Monday 23rd May 2016 and closes at 11.59pm BST on Monday 6th June 2016.
4. Entry is free and must be made by commenting on this blog
post. Entrants can gain bonus entries by following @mamasvib and @Ivy_Press on Twitter, following this blog on Facebook/IG and then completing the
Gleam widget featured in this post.
5. The names of the winners will be published on this website
within 14 days of the competition closing.
6. In the unlikely event that the prize becomes unavailable the
Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value.
7. The Promoter’s decision on all matters is final and binding
on all entrants. No correspondence will be entered into.
8. By taking part in this competition you agree to be bound by
the competition terms and conditions.
9. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entrant and
/ or winner in its discretion and without any notice in accordance with these
terms and conditions.
10. The Promoter is: Ivy Press, 210 High Street, Lewes BN7 2NS
Yes, I have a #MotherhoodMonday on my blog, seems the most apt day to do it x
http://www.whiitelist.com
Summer as enjoy family days out in the glorious weather and it is also my birthday 😀
Spring, love it when the nights get lighter & the days get warmer
Summer, it's nice to be out with the kids and love the lighter nights.
Spring, warmer and drier , yet not too hot . And all the blossoming trees , and an abundance of flowers .
I love the summer when my kids can get outside and enjoy the occasional warm day…
summer its warmer
love the summer – just because its warmer
Summer as it is nice to have some dry, warm, Sunny weather. As it allows and encourages us to get outdoors. Whilst I also like Spring as it leads into Summer, and in Springtime it is lovely to have flowers bloom etc.
Rachel Craig
winter as I like cooler weather
spring as it's light and bright
I love spring when everything begins to come to life again after the winter
summer when we can get the pool out and more nice walks
Summer because I can get out more with the kids and enjoy some quality time with them in the sunshine x
I love Autumn because of all the lovely colours of the trees. Love a long Autumn walk.
The summer season, it just brightens my day to get up to some light and maybe sunshine
Summer as I love the sun
Spring because it symbolises new life
Early Autumn. I love seeing all the leaves change colour.
Spring as the wild hedgehogs wake up from hibernation! (@PeanutHog)
Winter as we get to go to empty wild camp sites in my motorhome.
Winter because it's Christmas and there's hope of snow!
Spring, as it's a season of optimism after a long miserable Winter
I love autumn, everything gets really pretty and its nearly Christmas!!
My favourite season is summer! I love the heat, the long days and how everyone is so much more happier in summer!
I love summer – I love going for family walks in hot sunshine
Summer as I love the sunshine
Summer – it's lovely and warm (well, sometimes)
My favourite season is Spring, the weathers starting to warm up, the evenings are getting lighter and the beautiful, colourful flowers start appearing! There's not a season that's as beautiful in my opinion 🙂
Summer because I lovr the nice weather 🙂
Summer because warmer weather and more days out with the kids & dogs. Thank You
Autumn because it can still be warm but the colours are amazing!!! Plus… Leaf piles to jump in 😀
Summer! Simply because it is warm!! 🙂
spring as it feels like a time of renewal.
Winter – because its both of my boys birthdays – one on christmas Eve – and Christmas!!!
Autumn, because after the oppressive hot summer weather, you can breathe again and you don't get hay fever. The leaves also turn beautiful colours!
i like spring because of the new lambs x
Spring because of the new life
Love the spring when all the flowers come up.
Autumn because of the lovely colours, conker picking, autumn walks, Halloween & bonfire night. Also love doing crafts with my son and looking at the stars on a night before bed.
I love Autumn because all the trees look so pretty and I don't get hayfever!
Thanks for such an informative post, I’m guilty as a grandma to sticking to what I know and this has given me plenty of food for thought