For the Love of Matilda Mae

On February 2nd this year a tiny light went out in the world. A light that burned with the love of devoted parents, who worshipped her. The little light was Matilda Mae and at just nine months old she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in her sleep. A victim of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Gold fit for Royalty (and possibly me!)

Welsh gold is considered the gold of royalty and it's not hard to see why. It has a wonderful pinkish tone that sets it apart from other golds and gives it a really elegant, exclusive look. I first became interested in Welsh gold when I met my husband, nine years ago. He had a beautiful wedding ring, inherited from his grandmother, which had the slightly pinkish tone attributed to Welsh gold. The ring dated back to the mid 1800's so it would be difficult to prove conclusively either way if it is pure Welsh gold, but it was very beautiful all the same. On the anniversary of the date we met, seven years later, we got married and I've never taken it off since (bit scared to, to be honest!) You can see it in this picture, though not very clearly, I just thought I'd indulge in a little nostalgia, as it's our anniverary next week!

Beautiful Birthday Boots with Butterfly Twists

On my birthday a couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Butterfly Twists, the clever people behind those amazing folding shoes that are so useful to have in your handbag or car. I actually had a lot of birthday emails, offering discounts off products on account of being another year older, but most of them required me to spend a disproportionate amount of money to recieve the 'gift'. So, I was a little sceptical when I read that I had been awarded a £25 voucher to use on the Butterfly Twist website. On further investigation though, I found that there was no catch, it was £25 to spend on any product! With Ballet Pumps starting from £25 and delivery from a modest £3, I couldn't lose, so I went shopping! Considering all the shoes are based on the same concept, the variety of styles is outstanding. Here are some examples of the vast array of different designs.

Dapper Whippersnappers? I think so!

It's such a nightmare sometimes, isn't it? Getting up each morning, trying to decide what to wear. What's fashionable? What looks great? And most importantly, does this outfit convey superhero status? Oh yes, for a six year old boy, it can be a wardrobe nightmare! My son suddenly cares what he wears. For example, Thomas the Tank Engine is 'out' and Spiderman is definitely 'in'. This has come as a bit of a shock, to be honest. I don't know many grown men who give too many hoots what they're dressed in, provided they don't have to iron it, but the playground is an unforgiving world, so suddenly it matters.

Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza!

I've been talking to a lot of different people lately, about saving money. It seems that whatever your walk of life, these days we are all watching the pennies. When I'm trying to save money, I really start to notice how much food we waste. Half a tin of this, a bag of forgotten that, it's hard to keep track of what you haven't used, before it turns into half-frozen mush at the back of the fridge (or is that just my fridge?). The problem is, it's easily done, we're all busy parents so it's not always easy to think of recipes to use up what's lurking in the fridge, when all you really want to do is run to the nearest takeaway!

Homemade Bird Cake

I don't know why, because it still feels like the depths of an Antarctic winter to me, but our nesting box already has residents! No babies to show you yet, but above is a picture of the blue tits we had in 2009! The new arrivals this year look a little familiar and I'm pretty sure they're the same coaltits we had last year, but anyway, they were queueing up eagerly in the tree for breakfast this morning. We have had nesting birds for the last few years and the children love it. The first year we had them, they flew the nest and made their way into the world, only for the local children to keep bringing them back to us! Two little girls even knocked on our front door and asked if they could have one! It's always good to get children involved in nature and show them how precious and wonderful our world can be, but it doesn't have to cost a lot! Today, I bring you... a bird supper, on a budget!

A Warm Williams Welcome!

A Warm Williams Welcome!

I don't like shopping. I don't like crowds, pushy sales people, horrid, over-stocked shops or wayward trolleys. Shopping makes me grumpy, it has to be said. But, sometimes, occasions demand it, so I was amazed, and relieved, to discover a gorgeous little place in the small seaside town of Porthcawl, in South Wales. Small, but well-stocked, this little jewellers is an oasis of calm in today's busy, consumer-driven marketplace. It is a modern outlet, stocking the most beautifully designed jewellery pieces for all occasions, in purpose built display cabinets, showcasing the best of their beauty. But it also retains a certain charm that harks back to the old days of quaint little boutiques tucked away in dusty side streets waiting to be discovered.