Big Kids

It appears that we have skipped autumn and headed straight into a dreary winter, judging by the abundance of rain we have seen over the last few days. The doom and gloom will probably have made us all dive head first into our winter wardrobe and rush out to buy the 70 deniers. For most of us, a winter wardrobe consists of sensible knits, warm colours and often clothes that are not too pleasing on the eye but that keep us cosy. Personally, whilst I like a good jumper, I always try to keep a little bit of colour in my winter wardrobe; no crazy summer prints but a few key pieces that can bring a smile to a dreary day. As a mum, it can be easy to fall into the practical options when it comes to fashion but I think most of us still have a little bit of child in us somewhere, well I know I do. I am not encouraging us to all go out and buy clothes that make us look like mutton, as the old saying goes, nor do I want every mummy to look like they have just stepped of the ' show me, show me ' set, but I do think that we can always bring a bit of fun to our wardrobe. For those who are brave, coloured skinny jeans add a slash of colour and for the not so brave a quirky pendant can go a long way. Owls have been the ' in thing ' for a while now but foxes are making a big presence at the moment, so grab yourself a fun scarf or hat like the one below. For a bit of vintage fun, look around for a printed T shirt like the minnie mouse one featured, there should be lots about at the minute on the high street but why not have a look around your local charity to make it extra cheep and cheerful. For all out big kids, take a look at the fabulous Rooby skirts, for a huge selection of retro delights and for the more demure pop along to Poppy children for the most amazing tea dresses that will bring you compliments galore. For me, clothes, fashion and make up allow people to show off a bit of their personality and have fun with different sides of their character, so if you have a big kid somewhere inside, why not let her out!


Susan Caplan for ASOS necklace
Fox hat by Dorothy Perkins 
Yellow Jeans by Uniqlo
Doodle Skirt by Rooby
Minnie T- shirt by Beyond Retro
Seaside dress by Poppy Children

Spread the word

The 8th September sees the world celebrate International Literacy day; a day in which book lovers and literacy enthusiasts bring awareness of literacy issues across the globe. As a book geek and a new mummy, I am passionate about reading and education and believe that all children should have access to books. Unfortunately there are children who have little or no access to books, even when they attend school, which is why it is important to support great organisations like Book Aid International. Book Aid helps increase access to books and supports literacy, education and development in Sub- Saharan Africa. Take a look at their website to hear more about the work they do and how they are helping to celebrate world literacy day this year.

As an ambassador for Barefoot Books, I want to support Book Aid by donating £1 for every book sold  via my online sales this month. For just £2 per month Book Aid can send a book out to Africa, so hopefully you can help send a few more out this month, whilst having a new book to share with your little one. Whether you want to buy one of our back to school favourites, grab a halloween treat or help your child learn about different countries and cultures just take a look at the Barefoot shop using the links in this post and I will donate the money to Book Aid at the end of the month.

Don't forget to add discount TWENTY12 to get 20% off, if this is your first buying from Barefoot.

               

                        

                         

                 

Saturday morning pancakes

As a huge fan of all to do with food, cooking, eating, reading, obsessively watching ' The great British bake off ' etc, I am so excited that I now have a little helper. Ok, at 11 months, Sofia is still a little young to be helping me out in the kitchen but whilst she may be a fair bit of becoming the next Mary Berry it is certainly fun to have her join in a little.  We have made the obligatory cupcake together ( well I made the cake whilst Sofia made a mess) and at the weekend we had our first go at making pancakes together, again lots of mess but also lots of smiles.

We used a basic American pancake recipe, that was a nice little treat for a Saturday morning. To jazz the pancakes up a bit, blueberries or bananas are a good addition and for the adults some crispy bacon always goes down well. Here's how we made them, if you want to give it a go;

Ingredients

125g self raising flour
125ml milk
1 large egg
1 tsp baking powder
1tbsp caster sugar
2 tbsp melted butter

Method

1. Melt the butter in a small pan and set aside to cool
2. Once the butter is cooled add the milk and egg and mix together
3. Add flour, baking powder and sugar to a large bowl then mix in the wet mixture, don't worry about there being lumps
4. Heat a little butter or mixture of butter and oil to a non stick frying pan and add in 2 heaped tablespoons of the mixture, spreading out slightly with the back of the spoon. I used cute moulds, that you can buy in any food/cake shop, which adds a little bit of fun. Once you see the mixture start to bubble, flip the pancake over to cook the other side. You will need roughly 1-2 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness.

I usually keep the oven on low so I can keep each pancake warm until a full batch is made. Serve as desired.

September book of the month

As you know, I am an ambassador for Barefoot Books . Barefoot have lots of amazing books for children and I will be highlighting one as book of the month, that I think you and your little ones would love. This month I have chosen an enchanting book called ' The boy who grew flowers ',  written by Jen Wojtowicz and illustrated by Steve Adams. The book invites you to climb to the top of a mountain to meet a very special boy named Rink, who at every full moon grows flowers all over his body. 

This heartwarming book celebrates difference and friendship, as Rink meets a girl with her own secret and they discover ways to help each other. Rink and his family are treated as outcasts, simply because they are a little different; something that a lot of children and adults will relate to. This book subtly touches upon the prejudices we have towards those with a disability and is a great way of introducing the need for understanding and celebration of differences to your little ones. It stresses the importance of friendship and how as humans we should all work together and embrace how different we all are. The language and pictures are very eloquent and this fantastical story will draw you into the warm world of the boy who grew flowers. 

Take a further look at Barefoot Books and get 20% off your first order using the code TWENTY12 at checkout, including back to school specials.