A SUMMERS DAY OUT WITH THE ALL-NEW MAZDA3

Since watching Extraordinary Homes on Netflix, The Optical Glass House in Japan seems to have captured Felix’s imagination and left him wanting to learn more about Japanese architecture and design. Mix this with his love of cars, seeing his face light up when the All-New Mazda3 was delivered to our front door was nothing short of explosive excitement.

As a family we love travel and good design, and always jump at the chance of adventure, whether it’s local or further afield. So when we were asked take the All-New Mazda3 for a test drive to a Japanese twinned town of our choice, we couldn’t resist a fun summers day out.

Twinned with Beppu, Japan’s most spectacular ONSEN natural hot spring city nestled between the mountains and the sea, Bath made the ideal location for us to experience the engineering that goes into the sleek and sporty design of the All-New Mazda3. Loading the kiddos into the car, made easy with the ISOFIX anchorage as standard, we took the scenic route using the cruise control, while Felix excitedly navigated from the back seat and asking whether he could sit in the ‘cockpit’.

We headed into the historic city of Bath, a UNESCO heritage site known for its Roman Baths and honey coloured Georgian architecture and although there are many links between the popular tourist destinations of Beppo and Bath, including thermal springs, a love of rugby and Saki festivals, it is always the open spaces and parks that Felix and Romi make a beeline for.

More than a car and a simple need to get from A to B, I love learning the stories behind great design and every Mazda is designed around one thing, you. Each car isn’t just engineered to move you literally, but to do so emotionally. This is called Jinba Ittai, meaning a sense of oneness between car and driver. Inspired by Japanese tradition, it symbolises the oneness between horse and rider, something entirely natural, like a true extension of your being that brings pure driving pleasure. Pretty cool ay and to be honest it does feel like the car is designed with joy in mind.

We drove past the Bath Holborne Museum in the hopes of cheering out the new Lauren Child: The Art of Illustration exhibition as it was a staple book when Felix was little, but unfortunately they were filming that day so we made mental note to head back next week and drove a little further on to Royal Victoria park.

Apart from the epic playground, this holds a warm and fuzzy place in my heart as we often go Ice Skating here at Christmas and it’s become a bit of a family tradition with hot chocolate, Christmas Markets and looking for a Christmas Eve book for the stockings. Romi got straight into the drivers seat on the wooden toddler playhouse, while her and Felix squabbled over who would ‘drive’ especially as he was keen to pretend he was in the new car using the heads up display, projecting the speed limit, actual speed and next navigation instruction onto the window when driving.

After the kiddos had covered themselves in sand we headed for a quick coffee and nose in our fave two haunts, Toppings bookshop and Mr B’s Emporium. After Paul and I met in a bookshop in London we can’t help but wander around stacked shelves and reminisce with family in tow.

As a surprise addition to our day out, we were gifted a picnic hamper stacked with Japanese goodies from sushi and seaweed to Lychee soft drinks to really immerse ourselves in the experience, before driving up through the narrow streets for a stroll along the infamous the Royal Crescent. Being conscious of driving through the heritage site and trying to be a more eco-conscious I was pleased to learn about the All-New Mazda3 innovative Skyactiv-X engine and its low CO2 emissions, it burns less fuel than a conventional petrol engine but provides better performance. Plus I can confirm that the Petrol needle didn’t seem to move even after a full day out so it’s economical too!

We eventually headed to the perfect shaded picnic spot, as the weather was being temperamental, threatening rain and got stuck in! Sometimes relaxing together outside as a family is just what the doctor ordered and it was sweet to hear Felix’s giggles as Romi gave the sushi experience a suspicious stare!

I wondered whether the car would feel cramped with two children, a 6ft4 husband and pushchair all in a hatchback when we were used to our estate, but in all honesty it didn't feel like that, and even though the boot space is very different compared to an estate it was such a treat to drive the All-New Mazda3. As well as all the cool tech details such as Bose 12 speaker sound system, Apple play and best parking assist I’ve ever seen (I would so need this), it very much felt that this sleek car has been designed and engineered to the enjoyment of the drivers experience.

Note to Father Christmas, Felix is now wondering how he can wangle one of these on his Christmas list or at least visit Japan for the architecture AND the cars. What can I say the kids knows good design!

*This is a collaborative paid post with Mazda. 

We test drove the All-New Mazda3 for five days to get a true feel for the car as part of this review. 

All words and opinions are my own. 

COOL KIDS GUIDE TO CARDIFF // 24 HOUR CITY GUIDE

Do you love making last minute travel plans plans? I’ve never been one to book in advance, which can be expensive when it comes to travel! Since Romi’s birth, Felix has been craving some one on one time with me *oh so tricky with a newborn in the house,* so being able to book a last minute day trip with National Express really gave us some much needed quality time.

A WEEKEND AT COUNTRYFILE LIVE WITH JOULES

I can't believe it's only been a few weeks ago that I was wandering around the delights of CountryFile Live Festival with Joules but it already seems like a lifetime ago. We have been non stop on the go from Blenheim Palace to the Scottish Highlands and then Greenman Festival in Wales celebrating Paul's 40th before collapsing back on the sofa two days ago. I think I'm ready for a nap! However I couldn't wait to share these pics from our weekend away with Joules as we had sooo much fun and I was really surprised how quickly we took to country life ;)

INDUSTRIAL INTERIOR INSPIRATION & BYRON MINI DATE

The other week me and the kiddo spent half term travelling across the UK, catching up with old Friends and new, giving kisses to new arrivals *ovaries shhh* and stopping in on the in-laws before heading back to Bristol to end our whistle stop tour. I love these little adventures with F, his eyes wide with curiosity and little hand in mine. In the midst of our busy schedule we took a little lunch date, just me and him, and headed to Byron in Leeds for a proper burger and some industrial interior inspiration.

F requested a 'proper burger' amongst the white tiles, crumbling feature brick walls and large pendant lighting, a concept envisaged by interior designer Clare Nash. I marvelled over my cute date *swoon* and his colouring skills while hanging out in the slick industrial designed interior.

I always love checking out restaurant and cafe interiors and thinking how I could create these looks at home, so I thought I'd pull together a little industrial style wish list of some pieces that have recently caught my eye. I could totally imagine these pieces working perfectly in an open plan kitchen/dining room with sliding doors onto a cool outdoor space, ready for friends to socialise. 

1. High Five Bookshelf  |  2. Mini Pendant Light  |  3.  Customisable Ceramic Light Box  |  4. Oak and Metal stool  |  5. Industrial Trolix Repro Chair  |  6. Uashmama Washable Paper Bag  |  7. Copper Wire Baskets 

Do you love industrial style? I'd love to know if you've been inspired by eating out before?  

SUMMER IN SALCOMBE // 5 IRRESISTIBLE HOLIDAY TREATS

GUEST POST

Salcombe in beautiful South Devon is a hugely popular holiday location in the summer. Every year its winding sunlit streets fill with discerning holidaymakers, all making the most of the town’s boutique shops and renowned restaurants, sparkling waters and countless opportunities to revel in the great outdoors. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Salcombe’s pristine beaches, undulating hills and craggy coastline mean that its visitors are treated to a breathtaking range of scenery within just a few short steps of the town.

On a summer day in Salcombe you’ll brush shoulders with keen sailors, romantic couples, active families, passionate foodies, hikers and shopaholics, all of whom share a love of this timeless getaway on Devon’s southernmost tip.

To provide just a taste of what Salcombe has to offer, we’ve picked out five of our favourite things to do in the town.

10 THINGS TO DO IN LONDON WITH KIDS AT CHRISTMAS

There's only one more weekend before the man in red makes his overnight haul bringing gifts to kiddo's around the world, and I'm determined to fill each day with magic in the run up to Christmas. This month we've been trying to enjoy all the family festivities: the Christmas markets, hot coco and marshmallows, feeding reindeer, singing carols and even a trip to the big city to see the lights.

We had such a great weekend in London that I thought I'd share my top 10 things to do in London with kids at Christmas – in case you're stuck for any last minute ideas. Some people think heading to the UK's busiest city might be a crazy family day out, but I really love the buzz and bustle during the festive holidays.

A FUN DAY OUT IN BRISTOL FOR KIDS

One of the great things about Bristol is there is always something to do with little ones, whether they're teeny tiny and you're looking for that all important coffee pit stop, signing up to baby classes – such as Music with Mummy, Gymboree and Baby French which were some of F's favourites –  hanging out at the many parks and playgrounds the city has to offer or checking out some of the fab visitor attractions. The options are endless and it's certainly a city that provides fun at every stage of family life.

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A PERFECT HABOURSIDE PICNIC

As we're on Chicken Pox lock down I thought it would be nice to look back at last week when we decided to make the most of the morning sun and head out for an impromptu harbourside picnic. F loves the water and watching the boats go by, and I'm always up for eating alfresco, plus there's some picturesque walks down through Clifon Wood to the floating harbour. I hastily packed up some things from the fridge and headed out with Paul and an excited F in tow. 

Loaded down with an over sized scarf, baguette, cheese, strawberries and olives as well as some little cakes and a cheeky bottle of Lindemans Rose, we made our way to the end Bellevue Crescent and down the 106 steps past Worlds End Cottage. I love this little narrow passageway, it's full of charm with crumbling stone walls and overgrown wild flowers pushing their way through the brickwork.

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A DATE WITH DISNEY ON ICE

On Sunday we made the most of our last family day and two week festive break before Paul returned to work. Knowing that F had been completely showered in attention from two parents I knew it might be a bit tricky when our normal routine set in, as Paul works away for half of the week and also abroad. So we decided that a special treat to mark the end of the holidays would be fun for all of us and we set off early in the morning, London bound for a day of fun.

Armed with a present for one of my besties/ F's Godmother, we navigated the city centre to visit the oldest pub along the Thames for a bite to eat. Steeped in 400 years of history, we snuggled by the fire and shared our Christmas adventures over food and wine as F showed off his new Transformer collection to anyone who would look.

But nothing could contain F's excitement as we stepped off the tube at North Greenwich and entered the O2 Arena to see the magical Disney on Ice. I was super excited too as I love figure skating and I had no idea what to expect.

We took our seats, the light dimmed, the music started and out skated Mickey Mouse. Immediately a huge grin appeared on F's face as he clambered on us for a better view. We watched as all of F's favourites characters came onto the ice, each doing a scene from their film, plus my favourite Beauty and the Beast.

The skaters were amazing, doing spins and flips on the Ice all while wearing fab costumes, there were fireworks from the Disney Castle and even snowflakes falling from the ceiling at one point. I can only  imagine how magical a trip to a Disney Resort would be especially through the eyes of a child. F absolutely loved every minute, he was completely mesmerised and couldn't take his eyes of the skaters. They even announced that Frozen on Ice would be coming to the O2 arena soon!

Once all the excitement was over we carried a sleepy F back to the car ready for our journey home. On the way he sang songs, talked about the ice skaters and Buzz Lightyear before falling asleep in his carseat. On arriving home we lifted our sleeping boy out of the car and with some skilful manoeuvres got him in PJ's and bed so he could carry on his sweet dreams.

*Thanks to Disney on Ice for a Magical family day.

A DAY OUT IN CHELTENHAM

Even though I've lived in Bristol six years I have only visited Cheltenham once, even though it's less than an hours drive away it has somehow slipped off my radar as a place to go visit. So the other weekend we decided to drive over and explore the city.

Being a regency spa town, it is steeped in history and prides itself on being the cultural centre of the Cotswolds, surrounded by beautiful architecture, promenades and squares. Mix this with Cheltenham's Christmas activities and you're onto a great day out.

We arrived around lunchtime and as a treat we decided to try the rather grande Queens Hotel which overlooks the Imperial Gardens, being such a short walk to the promenade made it a great place to relax before we attempted any Christmas shopping.

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A WEEKEND WOODLAND TRAIL IN PICTURES

We decided to brave the weekend's forecast of rain and head out of the city to the Dean Heritage Centre, taking this small boy on a big adventure. As soon as F saw the huge wooden Gruffalo at the entrance he was super excited and we were lucky that the Room on the Broom trail had recently been installed for Easter featuring one of F's favourite dragons.

This is quite a long one so click to read more.