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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.
Adventures

Mums Day Off Hotel Stay – Holiday Inn Kingston South.

Good Morning everyone.

Last week I headed out to London for Kirsties Handmade Fair at Hampton Court Palace. It’s quite a way to travel just for one day so as Hubby works in the centre of London we decided to book a hotel there.

So I searched through some nearby hotels through Booking.com and came across the Holiday Inn Kingston South – I have a fondness towards Holiday Inn as we actually got married in one at Doncaster – Warmsworth Hall. 

So I booked two nights  at the riverside hotel.

I arrived around 2pm and checked in. The lady behind the reception was quite helpful and gave me my room key told me that Breakfast was included with my booking. breakfast between 6.30am and 9.30am – Great for me as I needed to be up and out by 9am for the Handmade Fair.

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Anyway I head up the lift to my room and swipe my card The executive room is great king sized bed – Balcony overlooking the river – Although the river is across a busy road. I was so tired and hot from my journey down I hung up my clothes and jumped in the shower Then I sat on the balcony with a cuppa, some complementary snacks and I did a little blogging  work (its free WiFi) while I waited for my hubby to arrive from work!

A side note – The WiFi is free and seemed quite good on the Thursday afternoon while I was blogging however by the time we had got back from dinner although the signal was fair the WiFi seemed unreliable and I ended up tethering my 3G phone to my laptop to use it!

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That evening I had used all the teabags and I really needed a cuppa before bed so we came in from dinner and asked at reception – They gave me more milk and more tea bags!

We watched a bit of TV before we fell to sleep

The next morning came with a thunder-storm. If I hadn’t been going to see Kirstie that morning I would have stayed in bed most of the morning So much more comfy than our bed at home. and no one demanding Peppa pig or paw patrol on!   We headed down to breakfast – Buffet style with fruit & yogurt, cereal, porridge or full cooked english.

We were There for a Total of 2 nights and we had breakfast both mornings for this we paid £258

Features of the executive room

  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • wardrobe
  • Heating & A/C Controls
  • Black-out Shades
  • Extra Bedding Available
  • Private Bathroom
  • Hair Dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Scale
  • Bathtub
  • Slippers
  • Refreshments / Kitchen
  • Mini Refrigerator
  • Mini Bar
  • Kettle
  • Complimentary Coffee/Tea Supplies
  • Complimentary Bottled Water

Check In Times from 3pm Check Out 11am

I enjoyed my stay at the Holiday Inn and would defiantly book again not only is it in a good location but the staff were helpful and friendly and the amenities were good.

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We were not compensated for our stay and all the opinions are my own!

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Blogging

Liebster Award

Last week when I logged into Instagram I found I had been tagged in a post by The Lovely Mum but Still Me 

She had nominated me for The Liebster Award Tag –

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Basically The idea is to promote new Blogs. You answer a series of questions and then set your own and tag up to 11 other new bloggers to do the same.

I thought but I don’t know that many New blogs! – So i took to Facebook to find some others that would like to be nominated!

Do you know I’m glad I did I’ve now connected with some other bloggers that I probably would have not connected with otherwise.

You see the thing about blogging is the community feel of it – Especially around the parenting blogs – They are like having an extended circle of friends. Others that are going through or have gone through the same things.

Rules

  1. Write a blog post about your nomination, displaying an image of the award.
  2. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
  3. Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked you in his/her blog post.
  4. Nominate 5-11 other starting bloggers who you think deserve this award, and come up with 11 questions of your own for them to answer. I’ve actually got 13 
  5. List these rules in your blog post.

SO first to answer The questions I was sent:

  1. What is the biggest lesson that motherhood taught you so far?  That no matter how prepared you think you are things can and probably will turn out different to what you expected. 
  2. What’s your guilty pleasure? Clean with me video’s on YouTube – I often watch them instead of actually cleaning 😉
  3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?  I always wanted to be a graphic designer but then in my final year my mum was ill and It was as if my brain suddenly forgot how to draw.
  4. What makes a great party for you? I love to host so I like to know everyone is having a good time. but ultimately a great group of friends and good food make a good party. 
  5. How do you deal with your fears? I have anxiety so there are many things I fear but my “normal” fear is spiders this is generally dealt with by running away or shouting the hubby.
  6. What does blogging mean to you? I started blogging when I struggled with conceiving and suffered with insomnia It was a bit of an outlet for my emotions and thoughts. A kind of therapy. Now its much more than that Its a community that I love meeting up with other bloggers and connecting on social media.
  7. How would you describe your style? Eclectic – I don’t really have a particular style – Id like to think I’m a little but boho but I also love my jeans & jumpers really anything I feel comfy in!
  8. What can’t you live without? My Iphone – Oh and my husband and kids 
  9. What is your most treasured possession? Did I just mention my Iphone 😉
  10. What do you love the most about yourself? My determination! 
  11. How do you want to grow old? My husband and I often say we want to be that carefree couple walking hand in hand on the beach. To be Honest since losing a few close friends and family all around 90 years young  I keep saying If I get to 90 and are as fit and happy as they were then I’d take that! 

It’s now time for me to nominate New blogs from around the interweb!

I thought it was going to be hard finding new bloggers out there but after turning to Facebook here I am with some   bloggers all eagerly  awaiting my questions 🙂

New Blogs for you to check out!

  1. Flump has two Mummies 
  2. Life Of An Auntie 
  3. Counting to Ten 
  4. Someones mum 
  5. And then she said
  6. You, Me and the 6 C’s
  7. The Mediocre Mum
  8. Living with Jude
  9. Bell and Bear 
  10. Organised Jo 

My questions to the above bloggers

  1. What or who inspired you to blog?
  2. Who would you invite to a dinner party?
  3. If you had to give up one what would it be out of Tea, Coffee, Alcohol?
  4. Whats your favorite view?
  5. Who is your inspiration in life?
  6. Whats the best piece of advise you’ve been given?
  7. What is at the top of your bucket list?
  8. Is there anything you would do differently if you could?
  9. Whats the one place you would love to see if money were no object?
  10. What would you do with a lottery win?
  11. How do you relax?

So now its over to you!

Don’t forget to check out the blogs above and leave a comment or two

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Wicked Wednesday

Wicked Wednesday 21.09.16

This morning M asked if she could go downstairs and start getting her breakfast I said yes. Everything is in a cupboard that she can reach. Why not. 

I went to wake up J and headed downstairs. To find this …

 

She had climbed on the cupboard and got a glass for her juice. 

This face says it all. 

Obviously I took a photo before I got her off the counter. 

Why is it I struggle to tell her off. 

If J had have done this I’d have shouted at him. 

I often feel M is a lot more advanced than J she looks at a situation and learns what she needs to do to be safe. With J it’s trial and error. So Often it’s J that gets told of as he’s doing things that I feel are not safe. 

When M does something I feel more disappointed with her as it’s rare. 

So this morning when I found her on the worktop I was shocked but i almost knew she would have climed safely. 

This post is linked up with 

Brummy Mummy Of 2’s #wickedwednesday 


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Celebrations

Autumn is Coming – Finding Hygge

Hi All,

Thursday is the first day of autumn and for once I am ready for it.

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I am ready for the jumpers and boots and scarves. I’m ready  to take the kids jumping in puddles. I’m ready for long Sunday walks in the woods to collect pine cones for crafting.

In previous years I have suffered more with my mental health in the cooler less sunny months. I’m not sure It’s as bad as seasonal effective disorder but I do feel more anxiety.

So this year I am preparing for the duller days in advance. So far I have bought a new bulb for my lumie light so that I can wake to a sunshine simulation even when the mornings are dark.

I am filling my cupboards with vitamins and I am going to make an effort to get outside even in the rain!

A couple of weeks ago I bought a book all about Hygge  (pronounced Hue-Gah)- The Danish are the happiest nation apparently yet they have the longest winter days. however they embrace the dark and fill it with hygge.

I have set my self the intention to live a hygge Autumn/ Winter – Embracing the darkness filling it with cosy things!

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I have set up a Pinterest board to help me find inspiration and I have already reorganised my living room to a more cosy layout.

So what is Hygge?

Well there is no direct translation Hygge Is a noun, its thought to mean a warm and fuzzy feeling, cosyness and general feeling of inside warmth.

What are the main points to consider when trying to embrace Hygge?

Lighting – Low level warm lighting. Think fairy lights, toned down lamps, and more often candles.

Blankets – Warm comfy blankets, throws, something you can throw over you when it is a little chilly outside.

Activities – Non screen activities like needle craft, board games, telling stories, singing. to name a few.

Singing – This is thought to be an important part of Hygge. Singing releases endorphin’s making you feel good. as well as a whole host of other benefits.

Friends / Family – Although hygge can be embraced on your own why not grab a group of friends and or family and embrace together.

Food – Autumnal style food is considered hyggelig think soups, stews, crumbles, hot chocolate, mulled wine or cider.

So now I have armed myself with the principles of Hygge I will be trying my best to make these colder months feel more Hygge.

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Blogging

Blog On MSI Ice Breaker

So in June I attended my first ever blogging conference Brit Mums Live.

This weekend I am off to my second with my next one already booked in for November

So this weekend I’m heading on my own to Manchester to The BlogOn event BlogOn MSI

I am so looking forward to connecting again with other bloggers. However I am still quite nervous.

To ease the nerves Mama Geek has created an icebreaker Linky Head on Over to her site to see more attendees posts

Here are my answers to the Ice Breaker Questions

  1. Share a recent photo of you (or a doodle!)img_0962 I had to use this one I’m the one on the left as you look at it Just incase you were wondering!
  2. Describe yourself in five words or less Anxious, Shy, loud, funny 
  3.  How long have you been blogging, and why did you start?  I started blogging over 6 years now I started on another blog when I was suffering with insomnia and infertility this time around however has been 9 months
  4. What are you hoping to get out of Blog On? Connect with brands and bloggers maybe make some new friends and to learn more about this blogging world I’ve fell into.
  5. Name a few of your favourite blogs. Brummy Mummy Of 2,  The Girl Behind the camera , Mrs Helicopter Writes, The Unmumsy Mum
  6. What’s your favourite social media platform(s)… and what’s your username? I love Instagram, and Facebook. Clink the links to see my account!
  7. Share a fact about you no-one would guess. I used to be a big fat Yellow cow 😉
  8. What’s your favourite bit of tech? My Iphone I can blog from it and take photos with It – I’ve just upgraded to an Iphone 7 Plus I mean two cameras Yeh!
  9. If you won the lottery, how would you spend your winnings? Pay off our mortgage, Buy a holiday home in Lanzarote, Buy another house to live in and then my husband could leave work and take up photography. I would also buy a classic VW Camper!
  10. If you could host a talk show, who would be your first guest? OMG Id have to have a couple. I would love to Interview Kirstie Allsopp One question just isn’t enough!  Also
    Michael McIntyre
  11. Share a funny (or favourite) memory from your life. My earliest funny memory (Though now it doesn’t seem so funny) is from when I was about 5 years old We were on holidays and my Nan got stuck in the bath – As a 5-year-old this was hilarious nowadays however some of the funny moments happen when my friends and I get together and sometimes we cry with laughter
  12.  What is your favourite book (or film if you’re not a big reader) and why? I love the Adrian mole series and Harry potter _ I know what a kid right But I also Love Marian Keyes & Sophie Kinsella
  13. What picture is on your phone/tablet lock screen? img_0987
  14. If you had an hour of time all to yourself, how would you spend it? Well I had an hour today and I thought about having a nice bath but it seemed wrong in the middle of the day so instead I stumbled on this Linky and have ended up writing a blog post #lifeofablogger
  15. What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given? When I had just had the twins and I struggled with PND and then depression and anxiety She would say “This too Shall Pass” I often say it to myself when I’m having a rough time!

So Thats me I know I’m a bit late to the link Up

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See you all on Soon.

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Where to next?