FIVE FLORAL INSTAGRAM FEEDS TO FOLLOW

It's spring and Instagram is awash with Magnolia, Cherry blossoms, Wisteria and other such floral beauties that come together to bring your feed a pop of colour and make your heart skip a beat. There's nothing like beautiful blooms to inspire and that's why I've pulled together five floral instagram feeds to follow, all with their own magic and way of spreading the joy in our little square filled worlds...because you know...we all need a little pretty in our lives.

MY QUICK SUPER SPRING SALAD & HOMESENSE HAUL // RECIPES

Some of the things I love about Spring is the early morning light, the spring blossoms, super quick spring salads and the occasional picnic weather permitting. Apart from the general spring clean and declutter that ritually takes place I have been focusing the past few months on self care, investing in mind, body and spirit so to speak. 

The easiest place for people to make change is in the food we eat, now I'm not suggesting in anyway that I'm all saintly and have cut out all the bad stuff from my diet, I mean I like a cadbury's cream egg as much as the next person, but I am trying to make informed decisions when it comes to food and trying enjoy as much good stuff as possible.

BODEN SPRING BLOOMS TOUR IN BRISTOL

If you're a Boden fan girl then you may have noticed a big green bus making its way around various cities last week over on their social media! Yes the Boden Spring Blooms tour with Bloom & Wild hit the streets of Bristol last Friday and I couldn't miss a chance to say hey to the lovely Boden peeps and Bristol bloggers, while checking out a few select pieces from their Spring collection.

Did I mention the amazing green double decker bus?! Yes parked in the heart of the city centre Boden has teamed up with beautiful concept florist, Bloom & Wild, to create a flower workshop on the lower deck while transforming the top deck into a mini Boden showroom, complete with changing room.

2016 INTERIOR SPRING TRENDS WITH LOAF AND INTERIOR GIVEAWAY

So Spring is officially here *whoop* and hopefully the days of coat wearing and clunky boots are gone, and we can whip out our light weather wardrobe and hail the vitamin D gods. Not only does my style get swapped with spring, but often people use this time to give their home a little love with an annual spring clean. Yep a declutter, reshuffle and revamp will subconsciously be on your mind as you look to make your nest as fresh and clean as the new season.

As a huge fan of interiors I've been excited to see the new 2016 spring trends come into play and how they transcend into the home. So I've been collating some fresh Spring Vibes with Loaf over on Pinterest and taking a peek at their new spring/summer range to see how you can make them work for you.

INDUSTRIAL HEART
Yep this season gives a nod to factory style and industrial design, bringing artisan crafted, wood meets metal into the heart of the home with purpose, like these gorgeous Pisa Shelves.

GREY TONES AND PERFECT NUDE PINKS
Colours are being stripped back to basics with the focus on beautiful form and soft palettes left to shout volumes, like this Grey Cashmere Throw, and if a bold colour creeps in then it will be a statement ceramic piece that grabs your attention.

MIX IT UP
This year will see old meet new with the mix of mid century, modern and rustic design sitting comfortably together. Where we previously towed the line when it came to our interior styles, 2016 throws them all in the mixing pot to create the perfect laid back look.


ART OF REFLECTION
It's time to bring in the light and celebrate spring, not only are large free standing mirrors making a play for space, but combining reflective surfaces into functional furniture looks chic and popular this season, like this slick side table.

MATTE FINISH
When it comes to metal, 2015 was all about the pure polished and high shine, but this year is taking a step back and keeping it subtle with the matte finish of brass, steel and iron taking centre stage, like this Toby Wall Light.

Spring always brings a sense of renewed energy for me and to help celebrate the new fesh vibes, the nice folk over at Loaf are offering one of you lovely readers the chance to win a gorgeous Blue Belle Throw. All you have to do is Pin It to Win It on your pinterest account and enter using the options below.

I hope you have a fab Easter break and Good Luck x

T&C Prize: One Blue Belle Throw from loaf home.
 Free UK delivery will apply for your purchase; This prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for monetary value; No cash alternatives to the stated prize will be offered; Valid until 8th April 2016. By entering this giveaway you are subscribing to the Wild & Grizzly E-newsletter

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POCKETS OF SPRING AND HOUSEOLOGY GIVEAWAY

I don't know about you but for me March brings hints of spring, sunshine and all things green and it couldn't come sooner. I am soooo over the grey that's been lingering and super excited for bright starts and ditching the winter wardrobe. Over the last few days I've been pottering around the house, trying to create pockets of happy and investing in a few more succulents and cacti – I mean, can you ever have too many?! – and what better way to display my new green babies than in these gorgeous Pleasure Domes from Houseology *swoon*

I love the simple yet beautiful scandi design and natural wood, they certainly make my desk look spring ready! Also they're perfect for displaying treasured items in too, I've used the large dome to showcase one of our favourite books which would normally be stuck on a shelf out of eyesight, and I know I'll have lots of fun creating different displays depending on my mood.

I've teamed up with the wonderful Houseology to offer you lot the chance to win a £50 to spend on the Wireworks range, so you can style yourself a succulent dome or maybe even choose something for the kitchen range or bathroom. All you need to do is use the options below to enter. Good luck! x

*Term & Conditions
Prize: £50 to spend on Wireworks at Houseology.com
You must be a UK resident to be eligible for this competition; This voucher code is valid on items within the Wireworks category only; Free UK delivery will apply for your purchase; Voucher code is valid for one single transaction only, even where the full available balance is not met. Any value not used within one transaction will be forfeit; This prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for monetary value; No cash alternatives to the stated prize will be offered; Valid until 31st December 2016.

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RAINY DAY STYLE WISH LIST WITH JOULES

So far February is set to be a blustery affair with all the showers that April tends to delight us with, however for a certain small person this is causing much delight and a never ending supply of puddles to splash around in, and I'm left generally soaked. I was hoping for those fresh crisp winter days bathed in sunlight, a girl can dream ay!

As it seems this weather is going nowhere fast I thought I'd pull together a little rainy day style wish list for the family. I'm loving the new rain wear collection from Joules, with a splash of summer colours for him and her and a graphic striped coat for the kiddo, what's not to love! Now to team them up with a cool spring dress and wellies and I'm good to go.

What rainy day weather style do you love to wear?

F WEARS // KIDS STYLE

The sun has been starting to work its magic and last week I stepped out with this boy dressed ready to welcome spring with a smile, wearing these bright colours from Mini Boden. There's definitely something to be said about creating a bit of sunshine with your clothes and I love how playful this outfit is on F. 

The last few weeks have been a bit manic so I'm pleased to be starting this week on a positive note, I've got back into my fitness regime and healthy eating plus I'm trying to ensure I get enough sleep which always helps calm the mind. I really hope we're in for more messy hair, coatless sunny days.

F wears:

Top c/o Mini Boden

Jeans c/o Mini Boden

Trainers c/o Clarks shoes

Wooden tulip from Amsterdam

What are you looking forward to this spring?

INJECTING COLOUR INTO YOUR HOME

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It’s coming to that time of year – when wind and rain is replaced by crisp, sunny weather, when many of us begin to think about brightening up our homes. Especially as the nights are starting to get a little lighter and getting up in the mornings no longer seems such a chore.

Bringing the outdoors inside

Of course, the sun streaming through our windows can be deceiving as it’s not quite warm enough to spend longer than an hour or two outside (if we’re lucky!). This is when bringing a little of the outdoors indoors comes in handy. From pot plants to vases brimming with flowers, such as those available from serenataflowers.com, there are a number of simple ways to inject colour from the outside into our homes.

De-clutter

Months seem to merge into one these days, especially when you’re busy. Before we know it, summer will be upon us! If you’re planning on sprucing up the house in time for the warmer months, it’s a good idea to make a start now. Clearing up any unwanted clutter is a good place to begin.

If your table surfaces and kitchen counters are awash with paperwork, children’s toys, bags and books, why not take a day out of your busy schedule to rid them of clutter – swapping the mess for a beautiful vase of flowers instead. From orange tulips to pink tinged lilies, there are assortments of floral arrangements to choose from.

Adding a simple bouquet of flowers to a kitchen counter top or windowsill will instantly freshen up the entire room.

Colour coordinates

When redecorating, picking a theme is a must. Orange, yellow, pink and blue colours are all popular shades when it comes to adding a little life to an otherwise drab interior. Pops of colour here and there will suffice and the likes of floral centrepieces, candy coloured cushions, rugs and artwork are all effective yet pocket-friendly ways to spruce up our homes on a budget.

Adding colour and style to your home doesn’t have to be a chore, nor does it have to cost the earth. These simple tips will have your interiors looking fresh and new in no time.

**Desk photo via DSTP

WELL HELLO SPRING

It was hard not to smile last weekend as Bristol bathed in the wonderful rays of spring, warm sunlight shone down, blossoms bloomed and birds were singing in the trees, it was hard not to pinch myself in fear that it was all a dream. Shunning our coats we headed out early on Sunday morning, quick coffee in hand, and jumped into the car for the short trip across to Ashton Court. We'd left the day's activity in F's hand, giving him the choice of woodland walks, bike ride or a boat trip on the harbour and were not surprised when he promptly picked up his bike and made a start for the door. Since Christmas he has become inseparable from his bike, aways choosing it over any activity.

We headed over the bridge and parked the car at the golf course, where cyclists were out in full force dressed in their high tech gear. F grinned and pulled on his helmet, raring to go as I held him back and slowly navigated the road leading down to the cycle path.

On the first steep hill, F picked up speed and raced ahead before loosing control of the bike and crashed down on to the pavement. With a sharp intake of breath and lightening reflexes, we raced down the hill to scoop him up and wipe away the tears. To my relief he was fine and quite happy to carry on, un-phased by his stuntman antics.

We spotted deer, passed horses, climbed trees, explored the rose garden, watched flies dance over the still waters, ate biscuits in the shade of giants and relaxed.

Well hello spring, it's been a while.

Linking with Let's have an Adventure

TURN UP THE PATTERN, I CAN'T QUITE HEAR YOU

March is finally here, along with the hope of sunshine, milder days and blossoms bursting from the trees. The fashion world has leapt into action, as the Spring/Summer collections hit the shops ready for trendy peeps to flash their cash. It looks like loud colour and patterns, on both clothes and walls is set to be the trend for 2014, so here's some pattern inspiration to get you ready for Spring.

You can also visit my other boards here.

AND THEN THERE WAS PRE-SCHOOL

It seems this child of mine has been bounding effortlessly into a big boy world this last few weeks. No more nappies, seemingly dropping day time naps (although I am going to persist with this one) and then there was Pre-School.

After several months of skirting around the subject of child care, visiting an inordinate amount of nurseries and my total denial that the day would come for me to handle over my bundle, we finally made a decision. And even with forms filled in and money exchanged to secure his place in September, I lay restless at night turning to twitter to voice my anxieties. 

So it came to my complete surprise yesterday when we arrived at said pre-school to find that I was not - as I had thought - staying with him for a few hours to play, but in fact leaving him there for a two hour taster session. When I say surprise you'll find I mean shock, fear, trepidation, nausea, guilt and complete heartbreak at seeing his eyes well up when he realised that I was leaving him behind. 

Like a horse out of that starting gate I bolted, in the knowledge that any second longer my plastered smile would falter and all would be betrayed. I sat with new friends and old, sipping coffee, chatting, clock watching, waiting until I could go and collect my boy. I rushed through the door and saw him calmly sitting with a book. He clocked me instantly with those big brown eyes, relief flooding through his face, very quickly followed by tears. I scooped him up and all was well. 

After keeping schtum for most of the day about his taste of independence, he finally gave me the low down whilst sitting on the potty. 

"First I was sad and I cried. 

Then I was happy and I played with boats on water.

I painted a picture of mummy. 

There were dinosaurs in the sandbox.

Mummy there were lots of pictures on the wall. 

I saw my friends.

I did a wee in my trousers, the teacher wore gloves. That was strange.

I can go back on my own."

I smile and listen intently, asking questions about his day. Oh my baby where did you go.

A GOOD BOOK // A Walk in London

 

It has been six years since we left the bright lights of London and headed to the West Country, and although we love Bristol there's nothing more fun than catching up with friends in the big city. We normally hang out with family in Ealing when travelling with F, but as he is getting older we are growing more adventurous with our stays. We have a few sightseeing spots under our belt and we can't wait to introduce him to more. 

With another weekend away pencilled in the diary, I wanted something that would allow him to visualise the delights of the capital and help piece it together. A Walk in London does just that. It is beautifully illustrated with lots of fun details, such as jugglers in Covent Garden or the pelicans in St Jame's Park, and the story is enriched with additional facts that older kids can enjoy too. 

After living in London for five years, it's important to me that  F has an understanding of the city and its iconic landmarks. He's already excited about meeting the lions in Trafalgar Square (and to be honest I am too).

A LONG WEEKEND

As we held our breath with the promise that the weekend would actually bring warmer weather, we tentatively headed out on Saturday morning with jeans and jumpers hauling with us the optimism of shorts and tee's. Picnic packed and armed with a barrage of toys, we found our favourite spot on The Downs. We made camp and spent a super five hours of lounging, eating, reading, snoozing, playing with balls/cars/trains/bubbles. The day rolled into the weekend and the sun stayed strong, what a difference vitamin D makes.

POMPOM-TASTIC

Image Source Meet me at Mikes

When you're a busy mama looking after an energetic toddler 24/7 you need to squeeze in some me time when and where you can. So there's nothing I like better than buying the latest issue of Frankie Magazine, grabbing a take away coffee and pounding the pavement whilst praying to the nap gods that he will fall asleep in his pushchair and I can grab 30 minutes of down time. Usually my hands end up with minor coffee burns from the sheer uncoordination of any pavement mounts attempted, but this time I was lucky. As he snored away I flicked through the recent issue and found this colourful DIY Pompom rug. DIY you say? Yep. Am I crazy trying to make 80 odd colourful pompoms and turn it into a rug for F's room? Probably, but who doesn't love a good pompom right?

SNAPSHOT

This weekend was full of blue skies, sunshine, adventure, people watching, tear streaked tiger faces, street party antics, hours at the park, heated words and of course Eurovision. F's sense of adventure is infectious and heart stopping in equal measure and I find myself uttering the words 'be careful' more and more. When I waddled around with my swollen belly I often wondered what type of mama I would be, but nothing quite prepared me for the anxiety I would harbour for this little boy. Will he be ok on that zip line/rock slide/table top? I look down at my baby and realise that he is growing up. Fast. 

My boy is wild, spirited and sometimes a tiger.

AT LAST

Finally, after months of grey and clutching coats close to ourselves, the sun has come out and breathed life into the trees. Blossoms boldly cling to the branches declaring the season we have all been waiting for. This feels like a new year, a new me (although i'm sure I declare this every Spring) and I have finally decided to document my adventures with F. Partly because it seems to be flying past at such a speed, that I am close to forgetting all the details which makes me love him so and partly to slow myself down and appreciate the day to day rather than always thinking ahead.  

So here I am, fumbling my way through motherhood with this little boy who follows me.