Steaks, Slimming and the End of Summer! #LittleLoves

Well I can't believe it's 1st October already - where did Summer go?! We've been so busy recently with days out and then Elliot starting reception but things are settling down now and I'm hoping to have more time to blog. I have so much I want to write about but never enough hours in the day!

Anyway, I'm kicking off October with a Little Loves post, where I look back at all the things I've loved this week.

Read

Sadly not had a chance to read any of my books this week (my Kindle thinks I've deserted him I'm sure!) but the children have had some new books which we have read. And read again. And again...!

Current fave in the house is Oi Cat by Kes Gray and Jim Field

If your kids have never read these books, I urge you to ASAP!! This is the third in the series (Oi Frog and Oi Dog) and they are just so funny. Elliot loves this one and he's even started to read some of the words himself which is great!

Watched

My guilty pleasure at the moment is Celebs Go Dating on E4 and I'm gutted this series is over now! It became a bit of a routine to catch up on the previous nights episode when Erin had her bottle. Going to have to find something else to watch now!

"Celebs" Go Dating

We've also enjoyed watching Bear Grylls, The Island. My husband says he fancies doing something like that but I just couldn't, I like my home comforts too much. Not to mention the lack of food situation!

Heard

My favourite song at the mo is Walk on Water by 30 Seconds to Mars - so good to have the band doing new music after so long! It's been ages since I saw them live so really hoping there's some UK dates lined up this year.

Made

I'm back on Slimming World now so I've been making lots of yummy healthy meals for the family. I'm not a great cook so I like simple recipes but I've recently discovered JD Seasonings. They sell packets of seasonings that are all Slimming World friendly and the recipes on the packets are all pretty idiot proof! I love the steak rub - my husband can't believe I'm on a diet yet still eat steak!

Wore
I'm still in my Summer clothes and haven't quite managed to put away the flip flops just yet - they aren't too practical when it rains though...!! I haven't bought any clothes for myself in ages but instead the kids have had some lovely new bits recently. Halloween is coming up and I've got them both outfits, couldn't resist picking up these tshirts too. I got them both one so they'll be matching!

And Lastly...

Like I mentioned previously, it's been nice to get back into a routine now Elliot has started school. last week was his first week of doing full days and so far so good, he is loving it! He even got his first bit of homework on Friday and has been telling us all about the phonics he's learnt. It's changed abit since my time at first school...anyone else remember Annie Apple and Munching Mike?!

Too cool to walk with Mum ;)

#LittleLoves Spirits, Choirs and Eurovision

Well, here we are again - Friday already. How can that be?! Can't believe it's almost June and we're practically half way through the year. Time is just disappearing in a blur!

So here's some of this weeks Little Loves...

Read

I actually updated my Kindle for the first time in ages this week and have been making some time to relax and read a book. I like to read for a bit before bedtime as it really helps me unwind.

I finished a book yesterday called Time to Say Goodbye by S.D Robertson. It was just an impulse buy on Amazon as it was 99p for a Kindle download but it was absolutely brilliant and I'm so glad I stumbled across it! It tells the story of Will, who has been recently killed in a tragic accident and his struggle to make contact with his 6 year old daughter from the afterlife. 

It was a really poignant read and made me cry in several places. I guess when you're a parent you just can't imagine ever having to leave your child and it really made me emotional! 

Watched

I love a bit of trashy easy to watch telly and last weekend I had a bit of a binge watch of America's Next Top Model. I hadn't realised the new series had started on Sky Living so I had 5 episodes to catch up with! I have no interest in the fashion industry but I've always loved watching ANTM - I think Tyra Banks is brilliant (if a bit bonkers) and I love seeing the makeover episodes where at least one contestant will freak out over their new haircut!!

Credit - The CW

Another show I have watched this week is Gareth's Invictus Choir. Really enjoyed seeing how Gareth Malone bought the choir together and his method of teaching. I have to say it made me blub a bit, I can't wait to see the next episode and find out how the choir got on singing at the Invictus Games. 

Credit - Radio Times

Made

I'm still plodding on with Slimming World and have been trying my best to cook healthy meals for the whole family. Last weekend I made some healthy pizzas using a wholemead bread mix from Asda. They turned out really well and I will definitely have them again, I really miss pizza so it's a great substitute! 

Wore

I treated myself to a few new tops last week as we were going away to Butlins and my wardrobe was lacking tops suitable for the warmer weather! I picked up this one from Yours Clothing and I love the elephant print. It's also nice and long too which is great, I hate tops that don't cover my stomach or bum! 

Sorry, not the best picture!

Heard

I keep hearing Disturbed's cover of The Sound of Silence on Radio 2 and I think it's brilliant, it gives me goosebumps!!! 

I've also been listening to the soundtrack of Les Miserables quite a bit...well maybe too much because Elliot keeps asking to hear One Day More again! He loves to sing along ;)

Lastly...

It's the Eurovision Song Contest final this coming weekend and I actually can't wait!! My sisters and I always go round to my parents house to watch it, we have a mini party and my sister Sarah always brings her notepad to mark all the entries! 

I don't mind the UK's entry, it's a bit Coldplay-esque and it's quite catchy. But come on, we don't have a hope in hell of winning!! I will definitely be voting for Ireland though, you might recognise the contestant...Nicky Byrne from Westlife. The song is quite catchy but we really want Ireland to win so we can get tickets for next years final! 

**Edited just to say that apparently Ireland haven't even made it to the final, doh!! 

X Files, Pancakes and Purple Dresses #LittleLoves

Thought we'd join up with the #LittleLoves linky today, here's what we've been loving this week

Read

I finally managed to finish The UnMumsy Mum book this week - what a funny read!! I've loved Sarah's blog from the start and couldn't wait for her to release her book. I don't get a lot of time to read so I've been dipping in and out of it but really impressed, hope she writes a second!

We met Sarah a few weeks ago on her book tour, Elliot made quite an impression by dive bombing a chair just as she started her talk!

Watched

I have been loving the X Files being back on our screens! I was a massive fan back in the 90s and it's just as good as it once was. Love the chemistry between Mulder and Scully!!

Mulder and Scully - Season 10 Image Credit

Slightly different from the X Files but we caught up with Taskmaster this week. I'd never heard of it before because I don't watch the Dave channel but I've got a Greg Davies filter on my Virgin box that records anything he's in (I love him!) and this popped up. Basically 6 of his comedian mates have to do silly tasks - sounds really crap but it's hilarious!!

Made

I've been following the Slimming World diet for the past 6 weeks. I had a bit of an iffy week last week and just couldn't stop eating things I shouldn't (like a whole easter egg, whoops). But I'm back on it now and have been eating lots of yummy healthy meals like my absolute fave, Slimming World pancakes. Always craving chocolate though ;)

Wore

I am so not into fashion and literally have no idea what I should be wearing but I can't get enough of checked shirts, leggings and boots at the mo!

Had a blessing to go to on Sunday so it was nice to dress up smart for once. Elliot had a brand new outfit and I wore a dress from the Dorothy Perkins Curve collection, it's one of my favourites and so comfy. Love the colour too. I wish I had more purple things in my wardrobe!

had to crop this pic so you wouldn't see the underpants hanging on the radiator ;)

Heard

I seem to have had question overload from Elliot this week and I feel like all I've heard is his little voice asking me about the human body, and what blood is! Or whats a bone. Or what's behind my forehead. Or what's sick. Or do trees have hearts. Or what are cheeks. You get the general idea! I love that he's so inquisitive but the constant questions....are all 3 years like this?!!! 

Music wise I've been listening to loads of 80s stuff this week, it just makes me happy! At work on Friday my husband was listening to a Spotify playlist for shops....he said it would make customers spend more money but god it was dreary. Switched it over to some 80s classics when he was busy, you can't beat a bit of A-ha to get you in a good mood! 

Lastly...

Had a fun trip to our local aquarium in Bournemouth this week - they have a special half price offer for Dorset residents at the mo so it only cost me £6 as Elliot went free. Bargain afternoon and Elliot enjoyed spending time with his friends. 

So cute! 

Hope you've all had a great week xx

Slimming World, Action Men and David Bowie #LittleLoves

Occasionally I do weekly roundups with photos but today I thought I'd join in with the #LittleLoves linky via Morgana at Coffee Work Sleep Repeat. 

Read

I joined Slimming World this week so my reading material has been Sw magazines, recipe books, online forums etc! I've done Slimming World before but it a good few years ago so I've been familiarising myself with the plan. I'm looking forward to weigh in on Monday to see how I've done! 

Watched

My new favourite comedian is Greg Davies and we have been watching lots of his old shows this week like Man Down and Cuckoo. I can't believe I've not watched Man Down before, it's so so funny!! 

We've also been enjoying Walking the Himalayas - I wasn't too fussed about watching it at first but it's been brilliant and so interesting. Levison Wood is being hailed as the new Bear Grylls - he might just be my new favourite action man ;)

Credit - Channel 4

Made

The weather has been really cold this week so we've had lots of healthy warming meals like fish pie and spaghetti bolognese. I actually did the bolognese in the slow cooker and it was so simple and I loved the fact I could come home from a busy afternoon and it was done! 

Wore

My wardrobe has consisted of jeans and jumpers but I'm looking forward to a shopping trip to Southampton at the end of the month to spend my Christmas money!

Elliot got sent a set of waterproofs from Dry Kids this week so he's been testing them out. Typically it has been dry for the last couple of days but we went for a walk on the beach yesterday and the waterproofs were perfect for keeping him warm and dry....especially when he decided to go splashing in the sea!! 

 

Heard

Obviously the news has been dominated by the sad deaths of David Bowie and Alan Rickman this week. Alan Rickman was such a great actor and no one can play a villian like him. 

I felt especially sad when I heard about David Bowie because he was such a big part of my childhood - my sisters and I used to watch the Labyrinth all the time and we all loved him as the Goblin King! Elliot loves the film now too and we've been listening to the soundtrack in the car all week :)

And lastly...

Last weekend was full of birthday parties (Elliot went to three!) and it was pretty tiring, this weekend is completely empty so we are looking forward to spending some family time together! 

Blinged Babies, child free shopping and CBeebies presenters #LittleLoves

Not joined in with #LittleLoves for a little while but here's our round up of the week...

Read

I keep meaning to sit down and read a book but I just never get the time, I'm either doing my Mum duties or blogging! I have read some brilliant blog posts recently though:  

• Brummy Mummy of 2 - 12 Signs you are staying in, Mum Style ( this made me laugh so much!!)
• Dear Mummy - Our Week in York (This is such a lovely blog written from Baby Isabella's perspective and this post just made me want to visit York!)
• Mummy, Daddy and Me Makes Three - A Picnic in the Buttercups (Some of the prettiest photos I have seen on a blog, the little girls are very cute)

Watched

On the recommendation of a friend, I managed to watch Blinging Up Baby on Channel 5 this week - oh my gosh! I'm not sure a toddler needs a Louis Vitton bag!

I'm also loving that America's Next Top Model is back on Sky Living - I think Tyra is a bit nuts and the people who apply to be on it are just as nuts but it's so entertaining! Roll on makeover week :) 

My husband has finally finished watching House and has binged watched Sense 8 and is now on Sons of Anarchy. I can't really get into it so my evenings are spent on the laptop blogging! 

Wore

I had a rare child free shopping trip this week so I managed to pick up a few bits. Normally clothes shopping is a bit stressful with a toddler, Elliot gets so bored so I have to either order online or just take my mum or sister to amuse him whilst I'm in the changing rooms! I was really impressed with New Look's Inspire (plus size) range. Usually they have a really small section and nothing to my taste but there was a lot more to offer this time and the Inspire section had doubled in size. 

I'm not very trendy and just wear whats comfy (that makes me sound old!) but I picked up a couple of pretty tops and a black cardy which I know will be really useful. I have a navy short sleeved cardy that I've had years and it goes with most things in my wardrobe, it has been worn to death so I thought it was about time I upgraded! 

Of course I couldn't go shopping and not buy Elliot something so I picked up yet another Minions tshirt in Asda. This one features the dinosaur from the Minions trailer and Elliot couldn't wait to wear it! 

Heard

One of my favourite songs at the moment is James Bay - Hold Back the River. I love how it starts off so quietly and then builds and builds. We've been singing it at choir too :)

Made

Elliot and I made some Baker Ross Father's Day gifts today (review coming very soon!) but otherwise it's been a bit quiet on the crafts front. He's been nagging to get the Play Doh out again so guess what we'll be doing tomorrow! 

And Lastly...

Hubby is off to Butlins on a boys weekend tomorrow so it's just Elliot and I for the next few days. We have lots planned but the weather is looking pretty crappy so I really hope it stays dry at least. On Saturday we are going to Bristol for the Festival of Nature. Looks like a great day out for Elliot...and us going has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Andy from CBeebies is there doing dinosaur raps!!! Elliot is beside himself with excitement that we are seeing Andy again :)

photo credit - BBC

Plus size debates, Minions and Jack Bauer #LittleLoves

It's been a few weeks since I took part in this linky as we've been so busy - this month is just whizzing on by! Here's our round up of the week,  #LittleLoves style

Read

There has been a lot in the press this week about plus size fashion and then Jamelia opened her gob on Loose Women and insulted thousands of the nation's women. She said "I don't believe stores should stock clothes below or above a certain weight. They should be made to feel uncomfortable when they go in and can't find a size" . She then responded to the backlash by saying that she only meant extreme cases...people below a 6 or above a size 20 - oh well that's ok then!!! Idiot...

I've been reading lots about it, here's some of my favourite blogs:

The Not So Secret Diary of a Wannabe Princess: Jamelia - We Are The 'They' #WeAreTheThey

(Debz' hashtag exploded on Twitter and has been trending worldwide!)

Diamonds N Pearls - Lets Change The Conversation: An Open Letter to Jamelia's Ignorance

Mrs Bebe Blog - Opinion: My Plus Size Position

And lastly, a great write up on Huffington Post - here

Watched

Elliot has recently gone crazy for minions and we watched Despicable Me 2 yesterday. I thought he'd enjoy it being that it has minions in it but everytime the minions weren't on screen he said "this is boring!"...toddlers!!!! 

There's been a big void in our lives since we finished watching 24 last year but my husband has been binge watching House on Netflix. I hated it at first but he watches it every bloody evening so I've had no choice but to get into it! House is definitely no substitute for Jack Bauer though ;) 

Wore

My wardrobe has been pretty dull this week but Elliot's had a few new items. And we went a bit minion crazy!! The t-shirt and bag were from Asda and the hat and trainers were from Tesco - but they all match! I love the t-shirt, it's really bright and summery and looks very cute with the trainers. And he's been wearing the hat back to the front, because he's cool like that ;)

Heard

I have had this song on repeat all week - it's not a recent one but I just love it and it sounds so good up loud in the car with the windows down! 

Made

We made one of our faves this week, easy peasy fish pie. Recipe can be found here

Getting a bit bored with our weekly meals so I think I need to switch things up a bit. If Elliot had his way he'd have spaghetti hoops and sausages everyday! 

And lastly...

 We are in the process of selling our flat at the moment so I really need to make a start on the packing soon. Really don't know where to start though!! Hopefully moving into somewhere much bigger so looking forward to Elliot having more room to store his toys - our lounge might start to look like a lounge again and not Toys R Us!

Tomorrow I am taking part in a charity event with my choir. We are singing in the town square and I am hoping and praying for dry weather!!

Minions, Foxes and Lots of Chocolate #LittleLoves

Me and Elliot have had a bit of a mixed bag this week. The weather hasn't been great - it's either been blowing a gale or drizzling...all I can say is roll on Summer!

Here's our round up of the week :) #LittleLoves

Read

I don't get much time to read these days but I did manage to dip into How to Fall in Love by Cecelia Ahern. It's been sat in the car for about a year and I tend to read abit if I'm stuck in the car waiting for Elliot to wake up. It's an easy read but quite enjoyable like all her books! 

I have also been reading lots of Walt Disney World guides online to try and start planning our holiday - there is so much information out there, I could spend a whole weekend researching and still be none the wiser! 

Watched

I feel like I have watched the Minions trailer around 54,983 times this week - Elliot likes to pretend he's a minion and lick people!! Banana!!

Other than film trailers I enjoyed watching The Walking Dead finale even though it was a bit tame compared to previous episodes. I loved First Dates again this week though - it's compelling viewing!! This week featured a model called who Sam who was looking for love - he was absolutely beautiful to look at but his personality was er, lets just say dull! 

Wore

I actually bought myself some clothes this week as we had a day out in Southampton to meet my sister. I usually hate shopping but I have a wedding to go to so thought I'd better get something that wasn't a pair of jeans or a hoody! I managed to get a lovely dress from Yours Clothing and of course Elliot got some bits too including the t-shirts below from Gap and H&M

Heard

Last week I purchased the new Justin Fletcher CD to entertain Elliot in the car (I know, I am too cool!) and there has been one song on there that Elliot has asked for again and again and again...you get the idea! 

He goes absolutely nuts when he hears it!! 

Made

Along with 99% of the UK population we made chocolate crispy cakes this week, I'm surprised we ended up with any at all though because Elliot was scoffing the chocolate even before I'd melted it. And some of the cakes had a sad lone little egg on them because the greedy piglet couldn't resist the mini eggs ;) 

And lastly,

Hope everyone is enjoying the long Easter weekend. We had an Easter egg hunt this afternoon and have eaten too much chocolate - back on the diet tomorrow! 

Dinosaurs, dates and googly eyes #LittleLoves

Excited to be joining in with a new linky this week. Stumbled upon #LittleLoves hosted by Morgana at "But Why Mummy Why?" so here is our round up of the week :)

Read

Elliot is a little book worm and we generally buy a new book a week! Kids books are so cheap in the supermarket and I'd much rather spend money on something educational for him than a magazine for me. This week we picked up Dinosaurs in the Supermarket, By Timothy Knapman - yet another dinosaur themed book to add to the collection!! 

Blogwise I have read some really good posts this week. Faves include:

• Life With Baby Kicks - Christmas Markets in Belgium (made me want to eat waffles!!)
•  Dolly Dowsie - Hi There Blogger, Work For Free?
• Dear Mummy - Working Nine  to Five

Watched

Fortitude has us gripped at the moment - it's filling the hole left by Broadchurch! 

I've also been catching up with First Dates on Channel 4 - I love being nosy and it's sometimes so awkward!! 

Photo Credit: Sky Atlantic/Channel4

Wore

Nothing new in our wardrobes this week but I am loving all the Spring collections in the shops at the moment. I'm going shopping in Southampton next week to buy a wedding outfit so hopefully I'll be able to show you a new outfit on next week's #LittleLoves! 

Heard

Since my husband came back from the US in January he has been banging on about this song...I assumed it was a random song he'd heard on a random US radio station but imagine my surprise when I heard it on radio here! It's so bloody catchy, it'll get stuck right in your head!

Made

We finally organised our craft box this week and we now have tons of stuff for rainy days at home! Elliot wanted to make a picture for his daddy so he came up with this masterpiece this week...I love the random googly eyes at the bottom ;)

And lastly...

Elliot is off to his Grandparent's for a sleepover at the weekend so my husband and I are going out for a nice meal, I can't remember the last time we were child free on a Saturday night!! It also means a lie in on Sunday - woohoo!