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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.
Hub

From Living Anxious to Simply Living! The start Of My Journey.

I have been blogging since around 2008. When I started I was suffering with Infertility and Insomnia. This led to anxiety and bouts of depression. Years later and I still live with with mental health issues, Now though I am on a journey Living more consciously and simply to stay on top of my wellbeing.

Living Consciously and Simply to stay on top of my wellbeing.

There has been a lot of influences in the past few years that have finally kickstarted my Simplify journey. The main thing that has led me to dreaming of a better life for my family and myself is surviving the rare pregnancy condition Placenta Percreta. I got over the initial few months of physical recovery from this truly scary time and hit crisis point. I vowed then to live a better life and and give my family a better me.

So what am I doing on my consciously living Journey?

There are a number things I have changed to live a better life. Some things I am still trying to work through. Decluttering and living more simply to getting more exercise and eating a better diet are a few ways.

Living simply

I have been trying to live more simply since my mental health hit crisis point. Saying no to more things, pulling things out of my diary and just living each day as they come. Having four children really can add to a full diary. I am trying to be careful about what I put in there.

To add to living more simply I have been trying to declutter the house. Living a more minimalist life within our home. I have got rid of a lot of things there is still such a long way to go.

Travel

For a while I toyed with the idea of taking the kids out of school and travelling. We did actually home school for a while but funds and patience was a big issue so they have ended up back in school.

Now though we have learnt how to travel more budget friendly. heading out on a weekend traveling to new places and making new little adventures.

There are a few little trips we take that take us to places further a field too. These are so special to us as we work hard to be able to show the children more of the world.

Becoming more Eco Friendly

For a while I have been a little bit blind sighted. Be that consciously (head in the sand kind of thing) Or subconsciously. Blind sighted to the sheer amount of waste we produce as a household. The amount of items we buy that amount to the plastic pollution crisis. Making bad or uninformed choices that can negatively impact the world we leave for our children.

I have recently been trying to make more eco friendly choices. Make changes to become more eco friendly.

Exercise & Healthy Diet

I have tried to start living a more healthy life. Changing my diet, taking up more movement in my daily life and adding more exercise throughout my week. I have a little issue with will power and nap-time bingeing however I am really trying to stay on top of this and get fitter for life in my 40s and beyond.

Blogging / Telling My Story

A few weeks ago I push myself out of my comfort zone and spoke to a group of WI women. It was in fact my own WI which somehow made it even more scary.

I believe that telling our story getting our words out there can really help other people feel less alone in their own story. It doesn’t have to be about mental health, or something tragic it can be just our daily slog of being a parent. Its sometimes all you need to know that its not just your new baby that doesn’t sleep. I have told many of my stories here and over on my instagram feed and I often get replies of gratitude for sharing. This really helps with my own wellbeing, knowing that I have helped someone else.

Unplug

Finally unplug. I am a self confessed screen addict. There have been times in the past that I have had days for switching off. I am finding getting into a better routine for working helps with putting my phone down more and switching off the screen.

There is a lot of work to do on becoming better at switching off. Maybe restarting my screen free posts could help.

Adventures

Up, Up, and Away for Date Night! – Cocktails and Tapas at The Balloon Bar – Belvoir Castle – #AD -PressEvent

There is something magically romantic about the idea of a hot air balloon flight. Maybe thats why its been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Until then a few Cocktails and tapas in the new Balloon Bar at Belvoir Castle Engine Yard village will have to suffice.

If You have never been to Belvoir Castle’s Engine Yard before you will pleasantly surprised by the beautiful victorian buildings hosting a range of amenities.

Balloon Bar at Belvoir Castle

Inside the Cocktail Bar the decor is amazingly beautiful and well thought out. There is a multitude of miniature hot air balloons floating around the ceiling. Walls lined with trees give the feeling of taking flight above Belvoir castle.

Arriving to the front of The Balloon Bar and peering inside I knew we were going to love it. The enticing, whimsical entrance way lined with greenery and subtle lighting is just beautiful.

Balloon Bar at Belvoir Castle – Bar Area

Once you have taken in the amazing decor you can head to the bar. The bar was well stocked with all manner of drinks. However there is a menu of cocktails and Mocktails to chose from too. There are little touches of a stemPunk vibe around the bar area from the Giant cog clock to the brass piping throughout.

Cosy Booth Seating

Once you have your drinks in hand you can head to either the tall bar stool style seating or opt for one of the booths. The booths have a Balloon style about them. Ropes head high above to give the illusion of being in a rather posh hot air balloon. These booths I would say seat eight comfortably for drinking and chatting.

Cocktails and Tapas

We sampled some of the tapas and cocktails from the menu.

There is a full range of Balloon type cocktails as well as some well known ones too. If like me you are on non alcoholic there is also a range of Mocktails to chose from too.

Spending a lot of our holidays in Lanzarote I have become a fan of tapas. At The Balloon Bar the tapas looked and tasted delicious. I hope that we can get another date night there as I would like to sample some more.

The Engine Yard

Upstairs from the Stunning Balloon Bar is the just as stylish Fuel Tank perfect for a coffee with friends or lunch with the family.

There are a bunch of shops around The Engine Yard village too as well as a play area for the kids and lots of outdoor seating perfect for a summers day.

Balloon Bar at Belvoir Castle Review cocktails & Tapas – In conclusion

This amazing cocktail bar will be talk of the town so to speak. The cosy and magical atmosphere is a great place for a stylish night out with friends or a romantic night with the other half.

This Weekend Is the official Launch of the Balloon bar.

The Duchess Of Rutland invites you to a fun family event to celebrate with her and the team at The Engine Yard.

Invitation for balloon bar launch

There will be entertainment, from musicians, punch & Judy and more. There will be food and drink aplenty.

Saturday 15th June from 10AM

*disclaimer. We were invited to a press event to sample items from the menu at The New Balloon Bar. However all opinions are my own.

As with all #ads I only ever work with brands and companies that fit with me and my family.

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday – June 10th

Its time for another meal plan Monday. To be honest last week didn’t go quite according to plan.

There was no BBQ as the rain hit on Saturday. But for most of the week we were on plan!

Meal Plan Monday

Meal planning relives the stress after school of thinking what your going to make for dinner each day. There is nothing worse than getting to 4pm and realising you have no idea what to cook or that you have nothing in to cook.

Breakfasts

Breakfasts dont really have a plan however I do like to have a few options for the week.

The kids usually opt for cereal and fruit on a school day. I often make a smoothie especially on days were I’m heading out for a swim.

The Littlest twins usually have a bowl of fruit and some cereal biscuits. Before their second breakfast after the school run of either crumpets, toast or fried egg.

Lunch

Just myself and the little twins for most of this week.

Monday – Snack plate for little twins, Mug shot for me.

Tuesday – Chips Ham and cheese.

Wednesday – Salad plate

Thursday – Mug Shot for me. Picnic Plates for the little twins.

Friday – Coffee Shop Lunch

Saturday – I’m out at The Creative Blogging & Influencer Morning Cheltenham So I will be eating there. The Rest will end up eating at Grandmas I expect.

Sunday – Fathers Day Lunch.

Dinner

On to our Dinner Plans. Dinner time is my most stressful time of the day. The kids are often hungry after school but if I give them snacks before dinner they often wont then eat their dinner. The little twins need their dinner quite early too so that they can settle ready for bed.

This Week I have decided to hop on the Hello Fresh band wagon. Right now new sign ups are half price. So instead of the full £54 I paid £27.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday – Creamy Ham Hock Penne – Hello Fresh

Tuesday – Speedy BBQ Sausages – Hello Fresh

Wednesday – Nuggets and chips – Myself & Spencer’s ARC Daddy are off out to the opening of a new Bar at Belvoir Castle.

Thursday – Lemon & Oregano Chicken – Hello Fresh

Friday – Peri Peri Fish Fingers – Hello Fresh

Saturday – If I’m back for dinner we will probably opt for an easy option like take out .

Sunday – Fathers Day BBQ? – Fingers crossed for better weather this weekend.

If you fancy your own half price meal box from Hello Fresh head on over and get £20 off

Dont forget I often post on my Instagram feed or in my stories the meals we are having and our daily adventures.

Nina x

Joining in with Katy Kicker – Meal Plan Linky

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday – June 3rd

The kids have gone back to school and the routine needs to kick back off again. So its time for another meal plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday

Meal planning relives the stress after school of thinking what your going to make for dinner each day. There is nothing worse than getting to 4pm and realising you have no idea what to cook or that you have nothing in to cook.

Breakfasts

I don’t plan breakfast for specific days instead just a range of options for the week. We often head to Chris’s Mums for weekend breakfasts so Its really just school days that need a plan.

Smoothie – Cereal – Fruit Bowl – Egg On Toast – Porridge – Musli – One Morning Out.

Lunch

Its just me and the little twins this week for lunch times so we just have easy options. Now that the weather is better picnics will probably feature a lot in our lunch plans.

Monday – Snack Plate, Salad & leftover feta & Spinach Wraps

Tuesday – Picnic out

Wednesday – Grandmas for Lunch (Ham & Chips)

Thursday – Picnic Plate

Friday – Lunch Out

Saturday – Lunch at grandmas

Sunday – Picnic – Out for Jessops Event

Dinner

On to Dinner Plans. Dinner time is my most stressful time of the day. The kids are often hungry after school but if I give them snacks before dinner they often wont then eat their dinner. The little twins need their dinner quite early too so that they can settle ready for bed.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday – Left over BBQ Sausages – We will be having a bit of a pic and mix plate I think.

Tuesday – Veggie Burgers mash & Veg

Wednesday – Nuggets and chips

Thursday – Lasagne & Salad

Friday – Pizza Friday – We often have take out on a Friday but I’ve been trying to eat better so I will opt for something like homemade chicken kebabs

Saturday – BBQ (Hopefully the weather will hold up if not we will just cook burgers in the oven)

Sunday – Pub lunch after our charity walk

I hope my meal plan has given you a little inspiration for dinners throughout the week.

Dont forget I often post on my Instagram feed or in my stories the meals we are having and our daily adventures.

Nina x

Joining in with Katy Kicker – Meal Plan Monday Linky

Health & Fitness

Tips for Getting a Better Nights Sleep

Sometimes my sleep isn’t the best. I often Post on Instagram when Ive been awake through the night. I could get I often wake up ready for bed. I really want to start getting a better sleep.  Below are some tips for a better nights sleep. 

It’s hard to sleep well if you’re a mum to babies, or children that don’t sleep well but sleep is so important.

Your body repairs its self while you sleep. Especially important if you’re recovering from an operation.

When I’ve had a good nights sleep I feel like I can tackle anything.

To give myself a better chance of getting a decent night of sleep here are ways to give me a head start.

Sweet Dreams

Screen Time

This is a big one for me. My phone is the last thing I check at night and the first thing I do in a morning. Myself and hubby often fall asleep with sleep timer on the TV listening to some kind of sitcom. I really need to banish the phone from the side of my bed.

It is advised to give up the screen for at least an hour before bed. Instead I will try to read a book.

Decaf Tea

Often I opt for a decaf tea towards the end of the day. Full caffeine tea contributes to insomnia and reflux after a certain time. However I think opting for a naturally caffeine free tea like clipper Sleepy Tea or a green tea would help.

Outdoors

We’ve all heard people say “It will be all that fresh air” when a child nods off after a trip to the park or seaside. It seems regular stints outside can get your body into a better rhythm. Being outdoors in fresh air & sunlight regularly will help your body regulate melatonin. This will help you fall asleep more easily and help your body get in to better sleep cycles.

Eat Better

This doesn’t just mean eating healthy. This also means eating at least 2 hours before bed to enable food to digest before laying down. As a sufferer of reflux and indigestion in the past, laying down after a meal can cause all sorts of pain and discomfort. Touch wood since eating less fat I have had no symptoms lately.

Write It Down 

If my head is full of things to do It’s hard to fall asleep. Sometimes I have a note-book at the side of my bed to write thoughts, things to do, ideas, shopping lists. It helps to stop my brain whiring at night.

Yoga

I started a habit a long time ago of doing yoga in a morning. Sometimes I would practice a little in the evening too. Once I was pregnant I fell out of the habit. I need to get back into it now. The videos I use are Yoga with Adriene bedtime sequence on YouTube.

Sanctuary

We had our bedroom redecorated last year but still need to put some finishing touches to it to. I’d like to get some plants in there and a nice Cheval mirror. Making your bedroom an area that feels tidy, and clean helps you feel more relaxed and therefore sleep better.

Sleep when your tired 

This may sound obvious, but if you go to bed when your wide awake chances are you wont sleep. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and cant get back to sleep. When this happens I get up make a cuppa and sit in a different room so I don’t wake everyone else. Normally I would get out my phoe and check the world but I’m going to try to read if this happens to get myself back to sleep.

I am in no way a professional sleep therapist if you are struggling with insomnia I suggest you consult a professional or talk to your doctor. There may be an underlying reason for your insomnia.

Feel free to leave any more tips for a better nights sleep in the comments

Nina x

Where to next?