Tuesday 28 November 2017

Save 20% on tickets to BBC Good Food Show at Birmingham NEC this week with TBM!

For foodies and festive spirit, look no further than the BBC Good Food Show at Birmingham’s NEC, which starts this Thursday!



I’ll be there on Thursday (see my Insta feed for updates during the day) and the organisers have given me a special 20% off for my readers - how nice is that?!

Here’s what you can expect...


Exciting live entertainment, the UK's top chefs and the best festive shopping and inspiration
Our flagship Show this winter has the UK’s greatest chefs and experts, plenty of festive shopping and inspiration, exciting live entertainment in our unique Big Kitchen and on numerous stages across the Show. Plus discover the widest variety of food, drink and cookery products from over 500 exhibitors, including great brands and a vast range of independent and artisan producers. It’s the biggest and tastiest day out in the UK!



To claim your exclusive TBM 20% off tickets, just enter code TF20 at the checkout - and it applies to all BBC Good Food Shows!

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Tuesday 21 November 2017

Benidorm holidays - more than meets the eye!

I had never been to Benidorm on holiday before and certainly had a preconceived idea of what it would be like; lads on tour, neon signs, full English breakfasts and a metropolis of music, drinking and sun burnt Brits. I hold my hands up and admit that I really wasn't convinced it would be my kind of place to visit - and I know that makes me sound pretty judgemental - but that changed when I visited last year in late May.

* Sponsored post

One of my best friends was getting married and wanted to go to Beni for her main hen do, with around 15 friends and family members. The bride-to-be had visited this popular Spanish resort every years since she was young, at least once, and knew it like the back of her hand but I had never been and as her Maid of Honour, I didn't quite know what to expect.

I soon realised on arrival that the scenes seen on the TV show and the image that Benidorm seems to have aren't really all that fair. Like many popular tourist locations that promise sun and sea at affordable prices, it does have more commercialised areas where drinking and dancing late into the night is the name of the game - and of course, this attracts hen and stag dos. But it is a lot more than merely a home away from home for Brits looking for a good time.

Having spent a few days in Benidorm, these are the things that I loved about my holiday:

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Friday 17 November 2017

Beautiful, engaging and thoughtful - The Lost Words, from Penguin Books

Reading is such an important skill and is a pastime that Stephen and I both enjoy and something that we have also passed on and shared with Ethan from an early age. Now he is at school, he is learning more about letters and sounds than ever before, and his journey to learning to read has well and truly begun.

He has a vast collection of picture books that he loves and he has one more that has captured his imagination - not least because it has pictures of animals (which he loves) and letters.


The Lost Words is a very special and one-of-a -kind book full of illustrations and 'spell-poems' that aims to 're-wild' the language of children. Designed to be a read out loud book for parents and children to enjoy together, The Lost Words  is a substantial book and is really rather beautiful to look at. Ethan was surprised when he first saw it and it was different to what either of us may have been expecting.

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Wednesday 15 November 2017

A few Christmas gift ideas

Now is a good time to start thinking about the gifts you will buy for Christmas. If you know what you are going to buy in advance, you can avoid the stress of having to make last-minute purchases. It also gives you the chance to shop gradually and get the best deals. To help you to make a start on your Christmas shopping I have put together a few gift ideas.

* Collaborative post

Unique gifts that you can order online

Firms like Hello Canvas make it really easy for you to take your favourite photos and have them turned into unique prints for the home. If you have family photos they can potentially be arranged into a collage print and be given to your parents. Interestingly, any image can be used. This means that you could take a landscape or action photo you have taken and have that turned into a print for a friend.

This firm can also take these images and turn them into unique phone cases. Other companies can create mugs, soft furnishings, t-shirts and other unique items using images you send to them.

It is also possible to order other products that have been personalised in some way. For example, a storybook that features the person you are buying for or engraved key rings or photo frames.
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Tuesday 14 November 2017

Happy 5th birthday TBM!

Today marks 5 years since I started this corner of the internet. Like many bloggers, it began as a simple way to document my journey into motherhood and it became a space for me to explore my new role and all the other elements that make up my life and loves.


I've shared highs and lows, things I love and issues that have me all riled up, days out, recipe ideas, beauty reviews, style of thirty and my take on being Ethan's mama. A lot's happened since my first posts!

TBM has had many looks over the years, as I tried to find the look that matched the voice of my blog; here's just some of the templates and logos I have used over the past five years...

TBM has grown with me and I have been able to do so many things as a result of my blog - especially in the last year - which has given my family memorable experiences and myself a platform to share, celebrate and just be me.


I often say that my blog is about finding the 'me' in mummy and I think that holds true even more so with each passing year.

I'm not the biggest or the best or the funniest or the most fashionable. I won't ever be, and that's fine - that's not what this is about. But I am me. I'm positive. I work hard. I love lipsticks and Cath Kidston a little too much. I like being able to talk to people who are like me or like what I like.


I am so proud of some of the projects I have worked on and brands I have worked with and love talking to you about my life and loves.

Thank you to everyone who has read, followed, liked, shared, commented or joined in with TBM.It does mean the world to me and together, we have come a long way.

Happy birthday TBM, here's to many more years sharing my take on mummyhood - and so much more.

Kelly x

Just a few of my favourite posts from the past 5 years...


Christmas 2017 Grotto Guide - where you can see Santa in the Midlands

Ultimate guide to Center Parcs - our top tips and things to know before you go

Good for you - my motto for a happy life

Be organised! - ideas on how to plan and get things in order

Becoming mum - it's a journey, not a destination

Parenting ain't nothing but a number - if we're always counting down to the next milestone, do we miss the moments that count?

Why don't we put ourselves first? - not feeling bad about 'me time'





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Making your home – more homely!

Ok, so maybe you’ve just had a refurb: new carpet or new wallpaper fitted, or perhaps you’ve just moved into your new home and want to make it well, feel more like home!

* Collaborative post

Whether it’s a large architrave on all your doors to give it a more period feel, or a new lick of paint on a drab wall – it’s easy to get drawn into the big changes and forget about the little ones that can really make all the difference!

However, it can be difficult to find the time or the money to purchase high-end items that we think might make our home seem more appealing, but do we really need to spend spend spend? Here you’ll find a few tips on how to make your house, feel more like a home in no time!
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Monday 13 November 2017

A little Christmas wishlist

Whilst I may be incredibly behind when it comes to Christmas planning, for me, compared to other years, I have been compiling a list of some lovely things that have caught my eye and that I wouldn't mind spying under the Christmas tree this year...

From new gadgets to some beauty treats, sparkle and shoes, these are the things I am currently coveting:


Punky Pins: I love Lindy Bop dresses and they now have a range of accessories, bags, shoes and even homeware - and I just love these pins!

Converse: I picked up a pair of faux Converse from Asda, covered in silver glitter, for £10 the other week but these Schuh exclusive burgundy velvet beauties are pretty lovely.


Leather bag: a couple of Cath Kidston items had to sneak in... and this black leather cross-body bag is just beautiful and oh so practical too.

Pandora Disney charms: I've been collecting these for a while, from overseas via eBay, and would love to complete my set with Dumbo and Jasmine's dress.

Stila: these liquid lipstick shades are stunning and great for the festive season.

Spinner ring (size Q or R): I saw this spinner ring from Charlotte's Web last Christmas and I still love the mix of metals and colours and think it's a beautiful statement ring. That's also why I like this necklace from Not on the High Street.



Chunky scarf: I bought this scarf from Accessorize last year in three shades and absolutely love it, and now it comes in a couple more including this fab fuscia. I've since seen this one too and I think I might like it even more!

Pandora earrings: I have a vintage style Pandora ring that I love and these classic earrings are just gorgeous and would make me feel glam no matter what else I wear.

Perfume: A traditional Christmas gift, don't you think? I am still searching for my signature scent but this one could be it, as it has a lovely warm blend of rich and woody tones that I really like.

Instax Mini 9 Camera: I love photos, I love Instagram and this cute Ice Blue Instax Mini 9 Camera is a great retro gadget. I love how it takes us back to the essence of photo-taking - capturing a moment - and I would love to take candid snaps and have them printed there and then, to enjoy, rather to then just leave things hidden away on my phone.


Stila Star Studded Eight Gift Set: This features two new shades and would be great to add to my liquid lipstick collection, as these really are the best I have tried.

GlamGlow: I tried a sample of these mud masks and they're a real treat for the skin.

Foot Spa: I had one years ago and it is quite a retro idea, but I have been thinking how nice it would be to soak my feet - plus there's ones with a massaging feature too. Bliss!

Glitter Saddle Bag: this is a beaut of a bag from CK and would add a bit of glam to any outfit, any day.

Initial Necklace: Another item I have had my eyes on for ages. This one gives you option to choose the metal finish and also the texture, so I would have the initials for myself, Stephen and Ethan, with one in a hammered finish. Dainty and oh so special.

***

Just a few things that have caught my eye... what's on your Christmas wishlist this year?


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Friday 3 November 2017

Treating my psoriasis - a two week home trial of the Philips Blue Control device #ad #TakeTheChallenge

I'm really excited to share with you an important project I have been working on for the past couple of months. As you may know, I have had psoriasis for six years and have struggled to deal with it and treat it at times. I recently discovered an innovative, use at home device called Blue Control, from Philips, which is unlike anything else on the market and has been proven to help some people with this irritating skin condition. 


It's incredibly innovative and, from my experience, easy to use - with some positive signs seen in a relatively short period of time.

The video below follows my journey as I start to use the device, and focuses on how I got on during an initial two week trial, including and the key information to know:



I will be updating you on my journey with Philips Blue Control, how I get on and how my psoriasis condition effects me, so wish me luck and stay tuned for further updates.

This is a really important issue to me and I am proud to be a part of this campaign.

#TakeTheChallenge 


Visit the Philips psoriasis support hub for more information.

* I am collaborating with Philips as an ambassador, but all opinions and experiences shared are my own.

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