Halloween has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we’re off the hook for costume parties! Themed birthday parties and wintry get-togethers await over the holiday season. Whether you’re planning to throw a winter party of your own or your child has been invited to yet another dress-up theme party, here are a few ideas to capture the spirit and magic of the holiday season. Film-inspired costumes The holiday season is not just the time of year when we gather with friends and family for Christmas celebrations – it’s also the time of year when some major Hollywood blockbusters ...
What is remotely interesting about interest rates?
What is remotely interesting about interest rates? Not a lot I once thought. As soon as I became a homeowner, a heavily-mortgaged homeowner to be correct, they suddenly became all too important. When I was searching for my first flat the banks were literally falling over themselves to lend me money. There were mentions even of 110% mortgages with no deposit and it was all too easy. I still had those niggling little voices in my head though from hearing stories of the stress and strain a 13% interest rate put on my lovely parents when we were growing up. A situation that seems almost ...
Are We Nearly There Yet?
"A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer." - Unknown. Are we nearly there yet? Just five little words. Those five little words that will fill anyone who has traveled with a small child in tow with a sense of dread, plus an added dose of despondency. I used to love flying. Mr B and I pre-kids have enjoyed flights to New York, (Visiting the Big Apple was one of my favourite trips.) to Canada, to Alaska and beyond. I loved everything about it. A cheeky glass of wine in the airport bar. Leisurely browsing through the duty-free fragrances. Eagerly devouring the ...
A Squash And A Squeeze
No, this is not a review of the Julia Donaldson book, although it is one that we love, I have simply stolen her title. That is allowed right? You see we are lucky enough to live in a decent sized terrace, three bedrooms, one bathroom, and do not have to accommodate a pig and a cow and a hen. It is just me, Mr B, The Boy and Little Miss. And we fit just fine, most of the time, although sometimes another bathroom would be extremely helpful. But what if we WERE to add one more. I am not saying we WILL, just hypothetically. Things look a bit more...well...squashed. And squeezed. ...
Snuffling, Snuggling and Sneezing at Casa B
Little Miss has a cold. This is having a huge impact on my, already rather large, sleep deficit. At the moment she still sleeps in her Moses basket alongside our bed after her 10:30 feed and we are super lucky in that she is a great sleeper. Or was...until she got a cold. It seems to build up in her chest throughout the night and it is generally around 3-4am that the snuffling begins. Inordinately loud snuffling accompanied by the rustling of the basket sheets as she shuffles about. At which point I tend to bring her into our bed for a cuddle and am generally able to prop her up ...
(Dis)Organised Me.
We recently managed a short but fabulous family break away to Center Parcs, which was truly awesome and there will be more of that to come. Having to now pack for two adults and two children it is somewhat of a monumental effort to gather together all the stuff that we need and the thought of this, never mind the expense, meant a trip abroad was really not on the cards this year. Luckily our battered old Saab, with its missing wing-mirror cover and stereo that has been stubbornly silent for the last three years, does have a rather large boot. We set about our usual packing ...