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Sunday, 10 August 2014
Saturday, 9 August 2014
A Whole Week Apart #2
Helloo,
Back in July you may have seen my whole post about the fact that Corey will be spending a whole week away. If not, you can view it here. But the day has come, this morning at 9am - I said my final good bye for a whole 8 days. He won't return now until next Saturday evening.
I have sat here and wrote this post 100 times over. It doesn't seem to being going right. I can't get the words out, the words I want to say. The words I need to say!
I just wish I was having my good night kisses and cuddles right now :(
I really don't know how to prepare myself for this week. I don't know how to prepare myself for the heart break. This may sound over dramatic to some, I do realise that but it is such a long unbearable time. If you follow me on any social media you are probably fed up of me too, I apologise!
I was lucky that Corey wanted pictures this morning, it is a rare occurrence so I take the opportunity whilst I can even if I was still in a towel! But now I have some cutie pictures to look at for the week :)
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Do you ever find that even when they go to bed that you just find yourself looking at pictures because you miss them so much? Or is that just me?
I am going to miss him so very much, as sad as it may be he is my best friend. I struggle when it is 2 days every other weekend. I thought after now 2 and a half years it would be easier. In fact, it has got harder now. I don't know why.
If Corey stays at my mums, which I admit is very rare (like twice in last 6 months I think) then I am okay, because I can call him when I want to say good night etc. He calls me too! I think that is the massive difference, I can't give him a call to hear his little voice :(
But I will try and spend the week being productive. Work on the blog, I guess a bit of house work too and have some "me" time, even if it is more than I would like. I can't dwell on something I can't change so just got to get on with it. Fake a smile and all that!
Plus when he gets back, he will be so excited to tell me all about his holiday and what he got up too so I have that to look forward too and a big fat cuddle! :)
Back in July you may have seen my whole post about the fact that Corey will be spending a whole week away. If not, you can view it here. But the day has come, this morning at 9am - I said my final good bye for a whole 8 days. He won't return now until next Saturday evening.
I have sat here and wrote this post 100 times over. It doesn't seem to being going right. I can't get the words out, the words I want to say. The words I need to say!
I just wish I was having my good night kisses and cuddles right now :(
I really don't know how to prepare myself for this week. I don't know how to prepare myself for the heart break. This may sound over dramatic to some, I do realise that but it is such a long unbearable time. If you follow me on any social media you are probably fed up of me too, I apologise!
I was lucky that Corey wanted pictures this morning, it is a rare occurrence so I take the opportunity whilst I can even if I was still in a towel! But now I have some cutie pictures to look at for the week :)
Do you ever find that even when they go to bed that you just find yourself looking at pictures because you miss them so much? Or is that just me?
I am going to miss him so very much, as sad as it may be he is my best friend. I struggle when it is 2 days every other weekend. I thought after now 2 and a half years it would be easier. In fact, it has got harder now. I don't know why.
If Corey stays at my mums, which I admit is very rare (like twice in last 6 months I think) then I am okay, because I can call him when I want to say good night etc. He calls me too! I think that is the massive difference, I can't give him a call to hear his little voice :(
But I will try and spend the week being productive. Work on the blog, I guess a bit of house work too and have some "me" time, even if it is more than I would like. I can't dwell on something I can't change so just got to get on with it. Fake a smile and all that!
Plus when he gets back, he will be so excited to tell me all about his holiday and what he got up too so I have that to look forward too and a big fat cuddle! :)
Love, Gemma xo
Labels:
parenting
Friday, 8 August 2014
Educating Pre-Schoolers: Introduction
Helloo,
I am doing a new mini series on the blog, all about educating pre-schoolers - I thought I would give it a little introduction and some background information!
Whilst attending Corey's most recent parent's evening, it turned out to be a bit of a shock to my system. All was going well hearing about my happy little chappy. Until his key worker sat there and said he could count to 10. 10?! Noo, my baby can do much more - can count to 30 and knows the whole alphabet. Which I am extremely proud of! It made me realise that he wasn't learning anything through his pre-school. A place where I believed they were to prepare him for school? Or is that me being silly?
Of course I questioned this. The nice lady explained how that it is in their guidelines they are not allowed to teach children such things as they are not qualified. This may or may not be true. But it certainly hit a spot of sudden panic into me. He is to spend a whole year just playing? As much as I do want him to have fun as a child and I will embrace his childhood as much as I can, I do believe a child should be learning the odd bits and bobs at this stage.
They are at that point that they want to be exploring and learning new things, they find it fascinating. Whilst testing my theories, with our new routine - on the second day he refused to go to bed without his 10 minutes of learning so he could get his sticker. We were originally running behind bed time so I was just going to leave it, but as he insisted - of course, who am I to say no to such dedication?! On the third night, he wanted a book read to him before bed for once.
So there is a bit of the information on to why I am doing this, the series will include top tips, gadgets and more, with a little give away at the end too!
What do you think of this series? Is there anything that you would like to see in particular from it? Would love to know your thoughts! If you want to keep up to date on these posts, the best ways are to follow via either Twitter or BlogLovin :)
I am doing a new mini series on the blog, all about educating pre-schoolers - I thought I would give it a little introduction and some background information!
Of course I questioned this. The nice lady explained how that it is in their guidelines they are not allowed to teach children such things as they are not qualified. This may or may not be true. But it certainly hit a spot of sudden panic into me. He is to spend a whole year just playing? As much as I do want him to have fun as a child and I will embrace his childhood as much as I can, I do believe a child should be learning the odd bits and bobs at this stage.
They are at that point that they want to be exploring and learning new things, they find it fascinating. Whilst testing my theories, with our new routine - on the second day he refused to go to bed without his 10 minutes of learning so he could get his sticker. We were originally running behind bed time so I was just going to leave it, but as he insisted - of course, who am I to say no to such dedication?! On the third night, he wanted a book read to him before bed for once.
So there is a bit of the information on to why I am doing this, the series will include top tips, gadgets and more, with a little give away at the end too!
What do you think of this series? Is there anything that you would like to see in particular from it? Would love to know your thoughts! If you want to keep up to date on these posts, the best ways are to follow via either Twitter or BlogLovin :)
Love, Gemma xo
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Body Shop Tea Tree Collection Review
Hellooo,
Today is another beauty related post after my big birthday beauty haul. I am reviewing the Body Shop Tea Tree Collection. I don't have all of it, but seem to have collected most of it :)
I started off with just the Pore Minimiser, then I wanted the Night Lotion but they had 40% off so got a few more bits. Then I went back for even more with another brilliant offer of £25 off a £50 spend. Honestly, they always have deals on - it is great :) Makes everything such a bargain and I don't feel as guilty for spending!
I have always had really bad acne from a young age, it finally started to clear with the really strong medication Roaccutane. But this stuff is so strong with many side affects and well you can't be on it forever. So as my time was up, and thanks to all the beauty bloggers I realised I needed to step up my skincare routine. When I was in my early teens, my dad used to take me into Body Shop and treat me to bits like the lovely Mango Body Butter as he always swore by the Hemp Hand Protector as a gardener he had really rough yukky hands!
Squeaky Clean Scrub £6.50 - "Unclogs pores without over-drying the skin"
Facial Wash £5 - "Removes impurities for clearer looking skin"
Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser £5 - "Removes impurities and excess oil for clearer looking skin"
Facial Toner £5 - "Sweeps away traces of impurities for clearing looking skin. Leaves skin looking mattified"
Skin Clearing Lotion £8 - "Lightweight hydration with shine-control for clearer looking skin"
Night Lotion £9 - "Helps improve the appearance of blemish damaged skin"
Blemish Gel £6 - "Targeted care. Instantly cools and soothes"
Pore Minimiser £7.50 - "Pores look small, skin feels purer. Smoothes, primes and instantly mattifies"
Face Mask £10 - "Instantly cools and lifts away impurities"
Now all together that is £62 which seems like alot, but actually it is not when you think how much you get from it. When say something like Glam Glow Mud Mask is £39 on its own! Plus like I say they always have deals on, if you get 40% off that would make it £37.20, saving you £24.80 - BARGAIN!!
All of these do exactly as it says, the Roaccuntane medicine that I was on would get rid of excess oils which was what helped the most I feel. Now sadly my face is producing these again, these skincare bits really help. Sometimes I feel like it is too drying but it isn't, but you really do feel the difference immediately. It completely mattifies!!
It has honestly been absolute years since I wore face masks, I honestly don't know why as I used to love them and I have re-found my love again finally :) I put it on whilst Corey was in the bath one evening and he found it so funny, thought I was hulk - don't know whether to laugh or be offended at that!
Also, in the Tea Tree range, they have - Cool and Creamy Wash, Cleansing Wipes, Oil, Body Wash, BB Cream and Concealer. They also have these great kits which qualify for a discount, these are permanent:
SOS kit £10 - Oil, Pore Minimiser
Essential kit £12.90 - Cleanser, Facial Toner, Clearing Lotion
Ultimate kit £22.10 - Squeaky Clean Scrub, Cleanser, Facial Toner, Clearing Lotion, Night Lotion
I absolutely LOVE this stuff, works really well all together and would 100% recommend to anyone, especially for those who are oily and acne prone like myself. It's been a god send! All for such a great price too :) I really want to try the BB Cream, usually I am not a fan of these but one that is directed at acne and oily skin may be worth it?! Anyone tried? :)
I have to admit I am gutted I haven't done before and after pictures to show you the amazing difference, but in about a month I will report and have pictures to completely show what this range does to ones skin!
Do you have any top tips or products for oily or acne skin? :) Would love to know!
Today is another beauty related post after my big birthday beauty haul. I am reviewing the Body Shop Tea Tree Collection. I don't have all of it, but seem to have collected most of it :)
I started off with just the Pore Minimiser, then I wanted the Night Lotion but they had 40% off so got a few more bits. Then I went back for even more with another brilliant offer of £25 off a £50 spend. Honestly, they always have deals on - it is great :) Makes everything such a bargain and I don't feel as guilty for spending!
I have always had really bad acne from a young age, it finally started to clear with the really strong medication Roaccutane. But this stuff is so strong with many side affects and well you can't be on it forever. So as my time was up, and thanks to all the beauty bloggers I realised I needed to step up my skincare routine. When I was in my early teens, my dad used to take me into Body Shop and treat me to bits like the lovely Mango Body Butter as he always swore by the Hemp Hand Protector as a gardener he had really rough yukky hands!
Squeaky Clean Scrub £6.50 - "Unclogs pores without over-drying the skin"
Facial Wash £5 - "Removes impurities for clearer looking skin"
Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser £5 - "Removes impurities and excess oil for clearer looking skin"
Facial Toner £5 - "Sweeps away traces of impurities for clearing looking skin. Leaves skin looking mattified"
Skin Clearing Lotion £8 - "Lightweight hydration with shine-control for clearer looking skin"
Night Lotion £9 - "Helps improve the appearance of blemish damaged skin"
Blemish Gel £6 - "Targeted care. Instantly cools and soothes"
Pore Minimiser £7.50 - "Pores look small, skin feels purer. Smoothes, primes and instantly mattifies"
Face Mask £10 - "Instantly cools and lifts away impurities"
Now all together that is £62 which seems like alot, but actually it is not when you think how much you get from it. When say something like Glam Glow Mud Mask is £39 on its own! Plus like I say they always have deals on, if you get 40% off that would make it £37.20, saving you £24.80 - BARGAIN!!
All of these do exactly as it says, the Roaccuntane medicine that I was on would get rid of excess oils which was what helped the most I feel. Now sadly my face is producing these again, these skincare bits really help. Sometimes I feel like it is too drying but it isn't, but you really do feel the difference immediately. It completely mattifies!!
It has honestly been absolute years since I wore face masks, I honestly don't know why as I used to love them and I have re-found my love again finally :) I put it on whilst Corey was in the bath one evening and he found it so funny, thought I was hulk - don't know whether to laugh or be offended at that!
Also, in the Tea Tree range, they have - Cool and Creamy Wash, Cleansing Wipes, Oil, Body Wash, BB Cream and Concealer. They also have these great kits which qualify for a discount, these are permanent:
SOS kit £10 - Oil, Pore Minimiser
Essential kit £12.90 - Cleanser, Facial Toner, Clearing Lotion
Ultimate kit £22.10 - Squeaky Clean Scrub, Cleanser, Facial Toner, Clearing Lotion, Night Lotion
I absolutely LOVE this stuff, works really well all together and would 100% recommend to anyone, especially for those who are oily and acne prone like myself. It's been a god send! All for such a great price too :) I really want to try the BB Cream, usually I am not a fan of these but one that is directed at acne and oily skin may be worth it?! Anyone tried? :)
I have to admit I am gutted I haven't done before and after pictures to show you the amazing difference, but in about a month I will report and have pictures to completely show what this range does to ones skin!
Do you have any top tips or products for oily or acne skin? :) Would love to know!
Love, Gemma xo
Monday, 4 August 2014
Mummy Bloggers Community & Meet Up
Helloo,
A few of you may be aware that not only do I have this little blog of mine, but I run the Mummy Bloggers Community over on Twitter at @mummy_bloggers and the weekly #mblogchat. A place to share your posts, make friends, chat and more! Which all started back in January and has grown a huge amount since then, plus a blog which is still in a slow working progress.
A few of you may be aware that not only do I have this little blog of mine, but I run the Mummy Bloggers Community over on Twitter at @mummy_bloggers and the weekly #mblogchat. A place to share your posts, make friends, chat and more! Which all started back in January and has grown a huge amount since then, plus a blog which is still in a slow working progress.
The main reason I am actually writing this post is because I am hosting a meet-up which will be on Saturday 17th January 2015. A whole year since the very first #mblogchat. If you click here you can read all the information, but here is some brief points:
- Milton Keynes Location (actual venue to be arranged)
- Saturday 17th January 2015
- 3-5 hours long over the lunch time period
- Pregnant, mummy or daddy bloggers are welcome
- Children are welcome and encouraged to bring (& partners if you wish!)
- Food (& cakeee!!!), drinks, soft play, bouncy castle & much more provided
- Talks - blogging tips, pamper etc
- General meet and greet of fellow bloggers
- Tickets will cost (price to be around £20, keeping as low as I possibly can)
- Possible photographer
- Goody bags :)
Please bare in mind, these are subject to change (not date or location hopefully) as they are not yet set in stone. But like I said please click this link here for full details. If you would like to attend this event, then there is a very quick form to fill out to show your interest so I can look at numbers. Probably looking at over 50 bloggers plus their families so a fairly big event I would say anyways! I suggest putting your name down now before it is too late :)
But that is not just it, I will take this opportunity to tell you about some of the other things that happen over on the Mummy Bloggers Community :):)
As part of the blog - hosted are two new but exciting linkys and for all the info on these please visit here. The logos for these are below, beyond proud as I designed them! Mummy Monday is for posts about anything that is mummy related, can be an old or new post. Weekly Wednesday is for your best posts of the week so of course needs to be a new post.
Also, am always looking for bloggers to join in the community - bit like guest posting. You only need to do it once or you can do it more if you like, its up to you. Another little project we will be running soon is Saturday Spotlight where once a week a different blogger will answer a few questions on the blog. If you are interested in this please let me know so I can send over the questions when it is all up and running :)
The Facebook Group is a great way to advertise your posts daily too, talk to others in the community a bit more easily, get advice and much more. Just request to join the group here :) On Twitter at @mummy_bloggers you can do the same and participate in the weekly #mblogchat which is every Friday 8-9pm and always a lot of fun with lots of other amazing mummy bloggers :) Plus if you use that hashtag with your posts you will get a RT too!
As part of the blog - hosted are two new but exciting linkys and for all the info on these please visit here. The logos for these are below, beyond proud as I designed them! Mummy Monday is for posts about anything that is mummy related, can be an old or new post. Weekly Wednesday is for your best posts of the week so of course needs to be a new post.
Also, am always looking for bloggers to join in the community - bit like guest posting. You only need to do it once or you can do it more if you like, its up to you. Another little project we will be running soon is Saturday Spotlight where once a week a different blogger will answer a few questions on the blog. If you are interested in this please let me know so I can send over the questions when it is all up and running :)
The Facebook Group is a great way to advertise your posts daily too, talk to others in the community a bit more easily, get advice and much more. Just request to join the group here :) On Twitter at @mummy_bloggers you can do the same and participate in the weekly #mblogchat which is every Friday 8-9pm and always a lot of fun with lots of other amazing mummy bloggers :) Plus if you use that hashtag with your posts you will get a RT too!
Labels:
parenting
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Naming Day Ideas
Helloo,
When Corey was younger, for some reason I really wanted something like a Christening but we weren't religious so of course that wasn't really an option. It was a bit of a debate at the time, because I felt it could have given Corey the choice when he got older.
After some good old Google research, I came across something called Naming Days. I did a bit of investigation and decided to go ahead and have one :) Although it wasn't very well known back then in 2010 and frankly some friends and family were a bit confused by it. But it was a day of celebration! Now though, it is widely known and becoming very popular in this day and age.
I thought I would take a look back at the gathering we had and give some 'Naming Day Ideas' into it :)
OUR DAY
.JPG "naming day ideas")
.JPG "naming day ideas")
.JPG "naming day ideas")
.JPG "naming day ideas")
I know this isn't many pictures as would probably like to be shown but I can't include others in the pictures and there wasn't any nice ones as back then camera phones weren't what they are now!
We hired a hall with decorations, made a buffet (mum and nan did anyways!), had cake with all our family and friends. You can actually hire someone to conduct it as it were a proper Civil Ceremony. But we didn't do this option, instead I created a personal speech including why we chose the name, choosing godparents and more.
GUIDE TO ORGANISING A NAMING DAY
Decorations - I really believe decorations are what bring the venue together, you can go as big or little as you like. I did as much as I could afford. Baring it mind I was only 18 at the time on maternity leave wage! The bottles actually came from Aldi as we saw them on a off change and flowers from good old Ikea. The other bits, I got from partysavvy.co.uk :) They have the most amazing favours, which could also be great as little gift ideas too so worth a check out if you get a chance!
Venue - Choose something that is big or small enough for what you need and that has all the facilities you need. I have disasbled/buggy access, baby changing, kitchen and bar etc.
Speech/Service - Like I said, you can actually get an official to come do your naming day or like me just do it yourself :) Either way you will need to make some sort of speech (there is services that can do this for you!!).
Food - Entirely up to you, whether you want to create a buffet, have a sit down meal or buy foods from places such as Marks & Spencers. Be sure not to go over board as you really don't want to be left over with so much, as usually it isn't the bits you want anyways! Make the event at a time of day where people are going to eat. Like 2 hours after lunch, people won't be hungry yet.
.JPG "naming day ideas")
.JPG "naming day ideas")
GIFT IDEAS
We got all sorts from little cute plate sets, cutlery, money and more. We got silver plated money keepsakes too, a train and fire engine. Except my other half did manage to burn the bottom of these a couple of months ago by leaving them on top of the fire place - I was not impressed to say the least. Luckily it isn't noticeable if you are up close so these are now on the shelves safely!
Sorry it is blurry, my camera battery was dying and refused to focus! I got Corey a little chain with a St Christopher on it. Some think it may be girly for a boy to have a necklace but it has meaning, St Christopher protected and helped others so I was told a pendant would do the same, or so my nan said! Many years ago, my nan got me one which I will treasure even more so now she has gone. I wanted something the same for Corey.
Another gift he got from someone else, was these two keepsakes in the little box reading 'all the luck and love in the world' with a lucky six pence and a cupid. If you know me and follow me, you will know I LOVE keepsakes, lucky penny's and cupids (have Pandora beads in both!). Corey sees this and knows I do, he goes 'you love that mummy'. It is the sweetest little gift, one that will also be treasured.
What are your thoughts on naming day ceremonies?! Would you choose this option over a traditional christening? If you have wrote about either of these then please leave a link as would love to see how you celebrated ! :)
Love, Gemma xo
Labels:
parenting
.JPG "silent sunday")
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