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Simplified Mum Life

Nina A Spencer – Motherhood Mentor – Simplifying the every day for busy overwhelmed mums -Mum Of Twins Twice! Placenta Accreta Survivor, Mental Health Champion, On my own simple living Journey filled with adventure and travel . Embracing The Imperfectly, Chaotic moments of motherhood.
Health & Fitness

A New Year – Wellbeing Wednesday

Happy New Year. Welcome to a brand new year. Hopefully there are going to be a few exciting thing happening here at Spencer’s ARC this year. The first of which is the start of a brand new collection of content which I’m calling Wellbeing Wednesdays .

Giveaway

I’m kicking things off with a bang and running giveaway. Stick around to the end of the post to find out more.

Introducing Wellbeing Wednesdays

Wellbeing Wednesdays will have tips for how I stay on top of my anxiety, product reviews, reviews on wellbeing days out and more. The aim is to inspire us to take charge of our own wellbeing. I have lived with mental health issues most of my adult life and it’s only recently that I feel I have a grip on it.

So I’ve introduced the concept of wellbeing Wednesday Now for the giveaway.

Wellbeing Wednesday Giveaway

January and February are my toughest months of the year. The Christmas paraphernalia has gone back in the loft and the twinkly lights have been turned off. It seems this is similar for a lot of us. It’s no coincidence that blue monday is at the end of January.

So as a little boost for one lucky person Throughout January Im running a wellbeing giveaway.

There will be a range of little treats in the giveaway that will hopefully give you something to smile about. I already have a couple of items and I’m wait for a few more to arrive from some lovely brands.

If you head on over to my Instagram page and keep your eyes peeled I will announce items that have been bought or gifted that could be heading your way.

Good Luck

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this bundle is follow me on Instagram, check out the giveaway post give it a like and a comment. Tag your friends and share, share, share.

See you next week for 5 simple quick fix tips for wellbeing.

Nina x

Wanted

Calling Wellbeing Writers

I’d love to have you over for a cuppa and a chat however the next best thing is to host a guest post here on Spencer’s ARC.

If you have any wellbeing content you would like to donate to Wellbeing Wednesday give me a shout. On guestpost@spencersarc.com I’d love to have you along.

Wellbeing product makers wanted.

If you have a product you would love to be added into the giveaway bundle in return for social sharing and promotion I’d love to hear from you. Contact details are at the top of the blog. Or email giveaway@spencersarc.com

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Celebrations

A Decade To Remember.

I read a thing on Facebook the other day. It was all about if you were born in the 80s you’ve lived in 4 decades, 2 centuries, and your not even 40. Well not yet anyway. I felt a little old reading that I’ll tell ya.

It got me thinking about the past decade though. The past 10 years. It’s funny how the turn of a brand new year or decade makes you reflect.

A Decade Ago

I started the Decade a Newlywed. Married to my childhood crush. Boy were we starting out on one epic adventure.

Infertility

In 2010 we were facing continued struggles with infertility and thought we may never have kids of our own.

2011 came and we continued our fertility Journey and headed for IUI but it was cancelled due to too many eggs “popping”.

Little did we know that 2 of those eggs had already fertilised. We were due with our first set of twins in January of the following year.

Becoming Mum

Unfortunately the babies had become breech and c section was booked for the halfway through the December and finally I became a mum.

Then again for the second time with our second twins in 2017

Becoming a mum has had some amazing moments but it’s also been hard work. Especially since battling with mental illness.

Hitting Dark Days

During the past 10 years I have battled with mental illness in the form of pnd, anxiety, depression and health anxiety and more.

I’ve faced some really dark days. Ringing my mum for help, crying on the kitchen floor with a baby in each arm who were also crying. I had a panic attack on Christmas Day one year and thought I was going to die. I’ve woke feeling fearful of each day and I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve rang my mum or Spencersarc Daddy to tell him “I can’t do this, I don’t know how to be a mum”

Triggers

My mental Health battles have come from a number of reasons from hormonal balance, to being involved in a fire as well as losing loved ones.

As a family we have lost some truly loved and well missed family members, friends and work colleagues over the past

10 years.

Getting Better?

I’ve been through talking therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, I’ve had medication to deal with my suicidal thoughts and dark days.

I’ve come out of the other side of my mental health blips yet still feel that mental illness is very much something I learn to live with each and every day.

It always Gets Worse Before It Gets Better.

In 2017 we found out I was pregnant with our second set of twins. I felt quite ill for most of the pregnancy. Towards the end of the pregnancy though is where our life was changed for ever when I was diagnosed with placenta percreta.

What Matters in Life.

Having placenta Percreta, facing that life threatening complication and a few more medical issues since made me realise what’s important in life, the things that truly matter.

What really matters in life is the people you spend it with and the memories you make with them.

Friends

It’s funny to think that at the beginning of the past decade we didn’t even know some of our very best friends. Now it feels like we’ve known them a lifetime.

I have met some amazing people over the past decade. Friends that we see almost daily, friends that I’ve met through the internet but may never meet in person and those that I’ve met at conferences that I now speak to almost daily.

There is people I’ve met that I may never see again but who have had a huge impact on my life. Some that have made me think about how I want to live and who I want to be. People that guided me through my toughest time. People I’ve met and thought that’s “who I will be when I grow up”

We have as a family and with friends made so many memories.

Camping in a field of 500 women, finding an island we one day hope to call home, exploring the country we live in. We have been lucky enough to go on many holidays, mini breaks and day trips.

The past 10 years have really seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

The Next 10.

I’m so looking forward to seeing what the next 10 years have in store.

The memories we are going to make with friends old and new. The places we will explore and the adventures we will have.

I hope that whatever the past 10 years have given you that you have some happy moments to remember and that the next year or 10 years are kind to us all and if troubles hit we can find courage and strength to get through it.

Nina x

I’d love to have you along with us for our daily adventures. I’m generally hanging around on Instagram with a cuppa in hand. Discussing what Netflix shows to watch, things the kids have got upto and showing the good the bad and the ugly of our lives.

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Santa’s Winter Wonderland at The Snow Dome Tamworth |AD| Review

Are you still looking for a festive day out during the run up to Christmas? I have to say Santa’s Winter Wonderland at The Snow Dome Tamworth is well worth a visit.

The Snow Dome

There really is enough for a whole day out at The Snow Dome I wish we had had more time to explore and use the facilities there.

There’s climbing, a pool, gym, ski slope for skiing and boarding as well as ice skating and snow play. There is also a choice of two places to refuel between activities.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland

When you book you can choose your time slot for your 90 minute visit. This ensures that the trail isn’t too crowded. Once there you head down into the ice cave and are entertained by one of santa’s special friends.

Inside Santa’s Winter Wonderland

Then it’s time to head inside the trail. There are little wooden sledges to ride around the real snow on. As soon as you step through the doors it just feel so festive. Fairy lights are strung, snow is falling and there is the mother of all christmas trees adorning the trail.

As you go in there is a slope for you to slide down on the snow tubes. as well as a couple of little slopes around the trail.

Obviously as the trail is filled with real snow a snowball fight is a must and the kids absolutely loved being able to throw snowballs at me and thier big brother.

Dotted around are a few photo opportunities like the giant christmas tree and santa’s sleigh.

Listen For The Trumpets

It wasn’t long before trumpets were sounded signaling Santa was about to arrive with his friends to give us a show.

This interactive panto style show is filled with daft gags for the adults, puppets and santa for the kids it’s a great way to get into the festive mood.

Santa’s Fury Friends

Once the show has finished its time to meet some of Santa’s fury friends.

Rabbits, goats, ducks and more but no reindeer. I thinks thats because they have to rest up in the run up to christmas ready for flighing the sleigh.

Once you’ve said hello to the animals there is a carousel for the kids to ride. I just love a traditional looking carousel there’s something so magical about them.

As this place is full of real snow it’s obviously pretty chilly but no fear there’s a hot chocolate station ready to warm you up. and numerous more photo opportunities ready for your christmas pictures.

Before you leave don’t forget to write your letter to santa and post it in the talking post box.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Wrapped Up

This really is a super festive day out for all the family we will definitely be back next year. Its got to be one for the christmas bucket list!

Its advisable to wrap up well it really is real snow and as such its can be cold and wet. I would advise some waterproofs or snow gear. or bring a change of clothes. Gloves are a must and maybe a festive woolly hat not only to keep your head warm but also to look good in those festive photos.

Booking is super easy and you can pick your time slot online or over the phone.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland at The Snow Dome Tamworth is also running right into the new year so if your looking to buy a unique clutter free gift why not get the kids a trip to this festive day out. It’s not expensive either even the prime days are under £20 per person. Making it a super affordable gift..

Head on over to Santa’s Winter Wonderland and see for yourself

Nina

Disclaimer

I was gifted a mine and my kids entrance to a press morning in return for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I do not work with anyone who don’t fit with our family ethos.

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Celebrations

Simple December Bucket List

December is Here I can’t quite believe it. this year has raced by. As you know have been trying to live a more simple family life as much as you can with two sets of twins.

Over the festive period It’s easy to get stressed about plans for the month, gifts you need to buy and dinner you have to cook.

I watch people’s December vlogs people like Zoella and Charlotte Taylor and I think how festive each day is. How I wish My december could be like theres. How simple they make December look.

This year I am going to make an effort to make the most of the festive while keeping it as simple as possible.

To feel I’m making the most out of a celebration or season i always create a bucket list. This is my bucket list for December this year.

  • Attend our local Christmas Market. – I want to wrap up warm, smell the gluvine see the lights & sample those festive treats.
  • Take a Santa Train Trip. It’s Now a family tradition to visit Santa on a train ride so it has to be part of my December bucket list.
  • I love taking part in Vlogmas however this year i’m not going to tie myself to posting every day. If you’ve not heard of vlogmas where have you been. It’s a video a day from December 1st to Christmas Day. I would like to record some of our memories though and create a few festive vlogs so head over to Youtube and hit that subscribe button so you can follow our christmas adventures.
  • Garden Centre visit. I can’t believe we are in December and i’ve not yet visited a garden centre. I’m putting it on my list as I love a wander around the christmas displays.
  • Winter walks. There’s a lot to be said for donning a pair of wellies, a few layers and a woolly hat and getting out into the fresh air.
  • Donate. I’m decluttering (all the time) at the moment and I’m donating what I can to our local charity shop.
  • Christmas lights road trip. We love getting in the car in our pjs with a snack and a hot drink for a drive around looking at everyone’s lights.
  • Movie afternoon Shut the curtains, turn down the lights grab a duvet and sip hot chocolate in front of one of our fave Christmas movies.
  • Playing games. We don’t really play many games as a family but Id like to introduce the big two to some games now they are that bit older and can listen to rules a little more.
  • Relax. I don’t want to burn out through December I am often anxious at the best of times but If I can let go of things over the month I know it will feel like a much calmer season.

If you are looking for a festive things to do I hope this has given you a little bit of inspiration.

What’s on your bucket list? How do you spend the festive period?

Nina x

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Celebrations

Elf On The Shelf- Idea’s & Planning

It’s not long before Father Christmas sends his helpers down from the North Pole to keep an eye on all the children (& Adults) to make sure they are doing their best to stay on the Nice list! I know The elves are not for everyone but they are a firm favourite in our house. They always have to be factored into our Christmas planning. 

A few Years ago Twinkl & Puddin arrived at our home. on December the first They brought with them a special present  – A book all about them.

The Idea behind the Elves is that they are sent from Father Christmas to live with families and then report back to Santa anything that he needs for the Naughty or nice list!

Unfortunately the Elves are only children themselves so need a little guidance on how to behave themselves!

Here are a few examples of the things ours have got up to during their time with us!

  • Hiding in the cereal
  • Toasting marshmallows
  • Reading
  • Coloring
  • Stealing from the advent calendars
  • Icing sugar angels
  • Drinking all the milk
  • Tightrope across the ceiling

Some days when They are tired they just sit at the Christmas tree or on the mantlepiece.

This year I am anticipating the elves return on the 1st of December and I think they will be up to their antics again!

Ok So now to the planning –

After going through pinterest for Ideas – I print off a calendar and start jotting down some ideas!

Once the month is full of ideas I can prepare an accessories bag for each day.

each Morning they leave a clue in our wooden advent calendar as to where they are or what activity we are doing that day.

The big twins really love heading down to look for the elves each morning. I just hope the little two leave them alone and don’t take their magic bay touching them.

I hope I have given you some inspiration.

Let me know what your Elf gets up to!

Happy December

Nina

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