COOL MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FOR KIDS

The thing about kids magazines, and ignore me while I sigh at the stacks of peppa pig decorated with random delights of plastic tat and strategically placed at the height of small grabby hands, is that they are so disposable and quite frankly ugly. 

Yes I know seeing your little ones eyes light up in recognition of their favourite character can do wonders when you’re desperately seeking a five minute break, but really I want something a bit better than matching the Octonauts to their Gups or what Daddy Pig has got going on. I want something which will inspire, be informative, engage conversation, packed with crafts AND be well designed without the hefty price tag. Something that can sit on the shelf and make a good stocking filler – yep I've got Christmas shopping on my mind!

Too much to ask you say? Well we’ve been a long term fan of the Fabulous Messy Monster book which has made it on screen with the brand new series, Messy Goes to Okido on CBeebies, and F is so excited to share his name with one of the main characters that it has him hooked.

Okido Magazine is the arts and science magazine for 3- 8 year old children. It's designed to engage young children in scientific discovery in the most fun and creative way. From seasons to dinosaurs and all the good bits in between, it's chocked full of fun doodles, cut out and make sections, recipe ideas for little ones to get stuck in, crazy cartoons and surreal sequences.

I love the bold colours and quirky design, and F seems to love it too! He spends ages pouring over the pictures, trying to pick out words he recognises and it’s great that the Messy Monster comic strip is at the front allowing kids to connect the TV character to paper. 

Okido magazine subscription would make the perfect stocking filler for kids, imagine having bi-monthly brilliance drop through the letter box to the delight of your kiddo. I know a certain five year old will be getting one off Santa Claus.

*We recieved copies of Okido magazine for review purposes only. All opinions are 100% my own and F's.

A GOOD BOOK // THE LITTLE BOY WHO LOST HIS NAME

So I haven't done one of these for a while but when I heard about this personalised book I couldn't resist creating one for F. What better way to get them engaged in a story then to make them the main character in this good book.

The Little Boy Who Lost His Name from Lost My Name.com is the perfect gift for any kiddo and one I'm going to be bookmarking for gifts as Christmas creeps up, with the opening introduction written to your child's name on beautiful thick paper, F grinned in delight when he realised this story was about him. The quirky, colourful illustrations and flowing typography make each page an adventure in itself as your child tries to find all the lost letters of their names. From pirate treasure to athletic lions, each letter allows you to enjoy a mini story and create a fun way to teach your child how to spell their name.

What's more impressive is that this book is independently published, making you feel good about your purchase and supporting independent businesses. I always know if a book is a winner in our house as we are immediately asked to read it again and again and this didn't disappoint. Plus each story is individual to the child as the pages and story are chosen by their name, making it a fab personalised gift for Christmas.

*We were offered a copy of this book for for review purposes. All words and opinions are my own as always.

NEW PRINTS FOR THE HOME // INTERIOR INSPIRATION

As I'm constantly decluttering, rearranging and adding to the flat to sprunce up the home, I am welcoming spring and the fresh start it brings, especially after what feels like a long winter. Now that it's April and we are on the cusp of discovering which school F will be joining in September, I have been feeling a little unsettled, and when that happens I tend to rearrange our walls and add prints to my collection.

So I thought it would be fun to share my two recent additions, both different in design and style, and both giving off totally different vibes in the flat. The first print I want to share is this beauty,  Bondi Beach by Louisa Seton from Lumitrix, I've wanted a sea/surf style print for a while now as I find the sea so calming, so when I saw these bathers surrounded by thick fog on the infamous Australian coastline, I knew it would find a place in my bedroom. What better place to evoke a feeling of calm in the space you rest your head.

The second print to don my walls is a city I love, a hand drawn map of Paris by the super talented Jenni Sparks from EverMade.com. Not only has this been added to my lounge so the F can study all the amazing graphic detail that has gone into making this map, but it's especially relevant as I plan to see in my 25th 35th birthday in Paris in June *squeal* and stroll along the Seine. Jenni has also designed maps of other cities and I can't wait to add more to my collection.

Have you bought anything new for the home recently?*The prints were c/o of Lumitrix and Evermade.com. All words and opinion are 100% my own.

A GOOD BOOK // ATLAS OF ADVENTURE

Recently we were lucky enough to head over to Amsterdam for a fun adventure, for those of you who follow me on Instagram or twitter you probably saw a few snapshots of our trip away. So on our return I was eager to get F a good book, and couldn't help falling in love with this Atlas of Adventure.

From the same authors of Maps, this book is perfect for any mini intrepid explorer, opening up a collection of natural wonders, exciting experiences and fun festivities from the four corners of the globe. Beautifully illustrated, this fantastic book celebrates the diversity of our planet with fab adventures to explore as you travel through its pages.

Each continent is mapped out at the beginning of the chapter for a fun overview, before diving into a double page spread full of quirky detailed illustration and fun facts. Ever wondered what it would be like to Dog sled with huskies in Alaska or Dance the Samba at the Rio Carnival? Well now your little ones can glimpse other cultures and use their imagination to bring the world to their living room.

This book is a fantastic read and should be on every child's bookshelf, plus it looks great on a coffee table. So when F asks what it's like for Daddy in Moscow, I'll simply turn to page 25 and Discover a Masterpiece on the Moscow Metro and bring him a little closer to home.

WALL DESIGN AND PICTURE FRAMES // INTERIOR INSPIRATION

As the flat spruce continues I've been looking at wall designs to give our flat a face lift. I've been wanting to try a gallery wall for some time now using our collection of prints and photos, rather than leave them stacked up in the bedroom. So after much procrastinating I decided to bite the bullet and give our walls some love

Annoyingly we have a rather ugly radiator that sticks up above the sofa, and as we're renting unless there's not much hiding it. However distracting from it with a fun collection of prints seems to be an easier option.

After selecting which prints I wanted to include in my gallery wall design, I laid them out on the floor to get a rough idea of how to group them together. This probably took the most amount of time with me shuffling and moving prints to get it the way I wanted, while nursing a cup of coffee. I used a selection of frames: white, black and wood – which probably breaks all the rules – and used a combination of illustrated prints, graphic typography and a few photographic images. I decided to include two new prints and used eFrame to order the picture frames online for the perfect fit and finish. The website is simple to use and you can easily create custom size frames by simply entering the dimensions and choosing the colour, shape material and finish of the frames you would like and wait for them to be delivered to your door.

I love the size and shapes of the frames and how they sit with the prints and I have grouped them quite close together as I know I still have this beach print and this Paris print to add. Next the fiddly bit, I used masking tape to mark the edges of the frames onto the wall to ensure that I had the spacing right before hammering in any nails and hanging the prints.

It's a work in progress but I really feel it adds a touch of personality and detracts from the radiator eyesore. So what do you think, would you create a gallery wall in your home? You can find more wall design inspiration over on my Pinterest boards



*We were give frames by eFrame for the purpose of this review. All words and opinions are 100% my own.

A GOOD BOOK // The Empty Stocking

One of the best things about the run up to Santa paying a visit is all of the great Christmas stories available for kids. Every night I love nothing more than snuggling down on F's bed as he's tucked up under the blankets and reading him a magical story from the pages of a good book.

F recently received The Empty Stocking off a dear friend as a Christmas present and I couldn't resist opening it early so we had something new to read. As soon as we finished F immediately asked to read it again, which is always a great sign and on this night I was more than happy to. The story is beautiful and really celebrates the spirit of Christmas, not just waking to an armful of presents but about love for others, kindness and selfless acts. I had been looking for something exactly like this to teach F about the importance of giving.

Written by Richard Curtis – who directed Love Actually amongst many others – the story starts with twin girls, Charlie and Sam, awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas, but with one twin being horrid this year will their stocking be filled? 

This heart warming story, full of beautiful illustrations allows us to see behind the naughty deeds and understand the difference between right and wrong from a child's point of view. This is the perfect festive book and is now one of my favourite Christmas reads for F. 

A GOOD BOOK // The Book Of Everyone

As you know I'm always on the look out for a good book, especially as gift giving season is upon us. There's nothing better than ripping into a great read, be it a novel, an art book, biography or something  beautifully illustrated.

So when I found The Book of Everyone I knew I had found the perfect gift for a friend who has everything. This personalised gift book is super easy and quick to make, high quality and brilliant fun, which celebrates that special person whether it's a gift for their birthday, anniversary, celebration, Christmas or just because they're pretty awesome.

Thankfully this friend is always crazy busy and rarely reads blogs, so I'm taking a small risk sharing it with you but it would have been rude to keep this gift idea under wraps. Available in a variety of colours as well as formats – digital, paperback or hardback – it looks great with your loved ones name on the front.

Making it couldn't be more simple, on visiting the website you select the colour you want, enter their details such as name, gender and date of birth, then start getting creative. The book is made up of well designed pages full of fun facts and weird wisdom based on their date of birth, such as: who won the Nobel prize, what was the most popular sweet and how much of your DNA is shared with a banana. You can customise it by adding text and photos truly making it a unique book, after all, it's totally about them right?

*I was offered to try out The Book of Everyone for review purposes only, I loved it so much that I've ordered more as Christmas gifts. So yep 100% my own opinion.

A GOOD BOOK // Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

When I saw this cover I immediately picked it up without even breaking the spine and paid at the cash till, safely tucking it away in my bag to take home. Foolish you might say, but I have such a love for Jon Klassen's illustrations and a trust in his choice of work that I knew it was going to be a good book, and it didn't disappoint!

If the cover isn't enough to make you want a copy of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole on your shelves then you don't need to look much further for a reason to keep this beauty. A simple tale of two friends and their dog who one day set out to dig a hole in the hopes that something spectacular might happen. This alone had me hooked, the possibilities endless. As they navigate the earth, you as a reader get a peek at what they could encounter depending on the choices they make, which way should they turn? Left? Right? Straight down?

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In its simplest sense it's a story about children playing and having fun, on a whole other level it's almost shows how the smallest decisions you make, impact the life you have. Ok so I might be getting a bit heavy with a kids book but it really does open this up for discussion, especially at the end where no precious material object has been gained but an adventure, which for them is spectacular enough.

This is beautifully illustrated – although I wouldn't expect anything less of Klasson – and the story written by Mac Barnett is thoughtful and well laid out. A brilliant book all round and definitely one for your stocking.

A GOOD BOOK // A Story About Ducks

With Christmas looming and present ideas stock piling, I'm getting excited at all these amazing new reads. Sometimes all it takes to win me over is a well designed jacket, a moral tale or some quirky illustrations and this good book has all three.  

Published by the V&A, A Story About Ducks is part of the Renier Collection of Children's Literature and follows a group of restless ducks, who disenchanted by their little river decide to set off on an adventure to faraway places and explore the world beyond. Full of raspberry buns, ice creams and roller coaster rides, their day trip seems exciting at first but they soon wish they were back in the safety of their reeds after ignoring the advice of two birds they meet along the way. 

This charming story brings to life an important message to those who explore its pages, not to take for granted what you already have and to be open to the advice of others, as well show courage and curiosity. First published in 1945 and until recently long out of print, this beautiful wordy picture book will be the one your kiddo cherishes in their childhood memories, proving it to be the classic it is. 

A GOOD BOOK // On Sudden Hill

One of the beautiful things to experience in life is the friendships you make along the way, those shared moments that can last a lifetime. Watching your child start to forge their own friendship and gain their independence can be nerve wracking and make your heart swell simultaneously. After discovering this illustrator last year in a beautiful tale of friendship I was so excited to find his newest work in this good book.

On Sudden Hill captures the concept of friendship, jealously and acceptance with a simple tale of two best friends who love nothing more than to run wild in the great outdoors, creating games with a cardboard box and their imagination. One morning a new boy comes to play on the hill and join their adventures, but as Etho welcomes the new friend and shares his lunch, Birt gets jealous and in temper destroys his box and heads home.  

Confused by his feelings of sad, anger, jealousy and loneliness, Birt stays in his room refusing to come out to play, until his friend and Shu create the best contraption yet, uniting the trio in a new better friendship.

This is a great story for any child, especially at they grow and explore their own emotions, learning to cope and manage their feelings as their relationships develop. With beautiful and characterful illustrations that charm you on every turn of the page, this is definitely a tale to find in the stocking this Christmas.

A GOOD BOOK // Once Upon An Alphabet

It's no secret that we are big Oliver Jeffers fans in this house – you might remember this favourite – so when we received this good book for F's birthday we were super excited to dive in and explore its pages.

Since F has been at pre-school his love of learning has grown immensely and we're now entering the world of Phonics, ah yes all those little letter sounds to get our heads around. At an early age I sang the alphabet and taught him the letters by name, one by one but this is a whole new ball game. Once Upon An Alphabet is Oliver Jeffers at his best, a collection of short stories, one for each letter beautifully illustrated with his quirky style and humour. The book itself is brilliantly designed right down to the dust jacket, proving it worthy of display in your home.

This neon clad read opens little minds to a range of fun new words and concepts such as Enigma, Incognito, Jelly Door and Made of Matter, while the stories are short enough to capture the attention of any child as you try and sneak in some good old fashioned learning.

This book is definitely one for your bookshelf.

A GOOD BOOK // SLOTH SLEPT ON

It's been a while since I shared what we're reading and after thinking back to this little beauty and the in run up to Christmas, I thought it was time to share some more good books on the blog. So I'll be posting a super collection of reads for kiddos and adults alike every Tuesday to help you tackle those stocking fillers.

Our book collection is steadily growing and I'm finding our shelves are spilling over with various titles, but as soon as I saw this book I couldn't resist sharing it with you. Sloth Slept On is a fun tale of adventure with a sleepy sloth that's discovered snoring away in the garden. With quirky illustrations, we follow the children as they try to uncover what kind of creature their new companion might be from a ballerina to a space creature or even a swash buckling pirate.

The children soon realise they need to use their detective skills if they want to help their friend get home. The illustrations and text intertwine as they reveal fun facts about the sleepy sloth, which your little one will love to discover. Since reading this book F has taken a keen interest in the three toed tree huggers wanting to learn more about the animal and it's natural habitat.

This is a fun read for little ones and a great introduction into these gentle animals.

*We were provided with this book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.