Five reasons to visit Hamble

If there is one thing I love doing at the weekend, it's exploring more of my home city and county. We're so lucky living in Southampton as there really is so much to do here that I think some don't realise just how much. I wanted to make the most of this year and get out and see new things with Joshua and I'm so glad I've kept to it because we've made some wonderful memories which is exactly how this post has come about. 

Hamble is somewhere my family has a lot of connections, it's somewhere we visited as children and somewhere we've taken Joshua a number of times this summer. Whenever I share photos of our days here I always get asked about Hamble so I want to encourage more of you to visit and soak up this little quaint English village.

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Côte Brasserie & the All New Children's Menu

(Complimentary meal for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)

Dining out with Joshua is something we love to do. We've taken him to restaurants from such a young age which we really think has helped him get used to eating out and being so well-behaved. I have zero restaurant fear him nowadays because he is always such a joy and it's a great way to introduce him to different foods he may not eat at home. It also helps that he's brilliant with food so we know if we put something a little different in front of him, he'll give it a go which is why the new children's menu at Côte Brasserie is such a breath of fresh air.

There's not a chicken nugget in sight and honestly? It's great to see.

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The Five Minute Skincare Routine for Busy Mums

Having children puts so much toll on your body and with those sleepless nights and lack of proper nutrients from living on coffee, it's your skin that'll be noticeably affected. I've upped my skincare routine massively since having our bambino. Half because I needed to deal with those dark circles and half because it meant I could hide in the bathroom for ten minutes while I applied cream after cream until I had to come out again.

I've pretty much nailed my ideal five minute skincare routine so I'm sharing it with you. 

Five products that'll awaken the skin, keep it at its best and takes just five minutes!

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Four Steps To Transforming Your Home With Original Art

The power of art can have a truly transformative effect on your home, and yet many of us feel like we don’t really understand it or know how to use it for maximum impact. Choosing great pieces for your home and displaying them properly does more than merely introduce a splash of colour to a neutral scheme - it can set the tone and personality for your space, define the mood of a room and make you really love your home. Art in the home is there to be loved and to make a statement, but if you’ve never gotten further than the posters you bought in university, where do you begin? Can you find original art at affordable prices? And how do you choose a piece that complements the room?

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How We Print & Store Our Family Memories

Printing photos and keeping photo albums isn't as common as it once was now we're in such a digital heavy age. It's something I've always done, I love being able to print my memories and store them in albums or as Polaroids hung by pegs and yarn.

What's the point in have them stored on a memory card from them never to see the light of day?

"We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone"

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The Easy Eco Beauty Swaps I've Made

Finding eco and sustainable options seems to be all I research at the moment. Becoming a mum has changed a lot for me, especially how I see my impact on the earth my son is growing up on. We've all seen the documentaries and the warnings, it should be enough to put the frighteners on anyone and so I've spent most of this year swapping every day items for those that are more friendly to our planet and of course reusable.

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The Autumn Collection from Clarins is about to drop!

The end of summer means a handful of things but for me especially it means the Autumn beauty releases are right around the corner and I cannot wait! Clarins dropped a little bundle in my beauty loving hands a few weeks ago so I'm going to show you exactly what's coming before it's released at the end of this month.

There's a new foundation that I've been testing out the last few weeks, four all new lip perfectors and a collection of new blush compacts that you're going to love. 

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The Importance Of Support When Struggling Financially

Not everyone is well-off financially in life, and for some, it can often be a struggle where some are living paycheck to paycheck. Being supported is important, and there are ways that this can be done. So instead of pushing away help, it’s worth it to embrace those offers when they come along. Here's the importance of getting support when you're struggling financially.

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12 Ways You Can Make Your Wedding Photos Even Better

You're only going to have one wedding, and you're going to spend a lot of money on the day. One of the only souvenirs that will last pretty much forever are your wedding pictures. For this reason, you need to make sure you're going to be happy with them and love looking back on them. The last thing you want is to get the pictures back and hate most of them for whatever reason, You'll never get another chance to take them. 

To prepare, you'll find a few ways you can make sure your wedding photos come out the way you want them to. Read on to learn more.

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Discover Clean Reserve Solar Bloom

When it comes to fragrance, I like it to tell a story. Most of the scents I wear have some sort of memory or tale behind them so when I discovered Clean Reserve I just knew it was going to be the start of something special. I have quite an extensive perfume collection and I'm very particular about what I wear but that doesn't mean there isn't room for more, especially when they have our planet in mind too. 

Clean Beauty Collective are at the forefront of eco-conscious packaging, not only that but the partners they work with use green manufacturing practices and all of their fragrances are infused with responsibly sourced, sustainable ingredients. Each bottle is expertly created, super sleek and totally conscious of our planet which as I move towards more environmentally friendly products, is exactly what I want to hear. 

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What I've Been Reading through August

Reading has really become the way I relax this year and I'm so glad I've made the time to do more of what I love. I've read some really great books so far this year and have relied heavily on Good Reads to find new books to read by following friends. It means my to-read list is huge but at least I'm making the time for it by putting my phone down more.

I've compiled some thoughts and mini-reviews on the last six books I read, some I loved and one I really didn't get in to but I love opening up book discussions with you and hope that you do too!

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I'm Scared

(All photos by Candid Days Photography)

I've had this sat in my drafts for months, I've read over it again and again tweaking little bits so it makes a little more sense, adding other bits in that have kinda become relevant and being too scared to press publish on my post about being scared.

Seems silly right? 

I needed to let my thoughts out in the open, a problem halved almost. I started writing this in January, I don't think I'd even shared much of what I was feeling with Arran at this point until one day it all came barreling out in a fit of snotty sobs. It was not pretty and I'm just glad he didn't leave me after I left snot all over his shoulder as I wept. 

I'm ready to share this post now, after taking the time to look into calming apps and walk more to clear my thoughts, I feel less terrified of putting how I feel out there for all to read and incredibly grateful I have such a strong support network.

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A Day Out with Thomas at The Watercress Line

Visiting The Watercress Line has been something I've wanted to do for a long time. The first time we were invited I was heavily pregnant and Joshua was too young the second so third time lucky, we finally made it out to the historic railway line for their Day Out with Thomas event which takes place twice a year. 

Thomas the Tank Engine is such a classic, wholesome character that has been a hit with many for generations so I knew we'd have a wonderful time but the day totally surpassed my expectations. 

Day Out With Thomas is on until 11th August so you still have some time to take a visit yourself.

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The Struggle with Shopping for Boys Clothing & Where we Shop

(All photos by Candid Days Photography)

If you're a Mother of boys then you'll probably share my struggle with shopping for boys' clothes on the high street. When I fell pregnant I just assumed it would be an equal split with plenty of gender-neutral options too but I couldn't have been more surprised. Walking into most high street retailers, you're usually met with a sea of pink to choose from but when it comes to shopping for boys you are lucky if you get a 4ft drop to choose from.

Why is that? I don't think we'll ever really know.

(Please note: I understand gendered clothing doesn't need to be a thing, there's no right or wrong way to dress children but we do personally dress Joshua as a boy so I really hope I don't offend anyone! Please do message if you feel I've used the wrong wording at any point).

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