The Autumn Winter Coat Edit - Chi Chi Clothing

Young fashion brand Chi Chi Clothing is out for some press. I took a look at the Autumn Winter 2015 coats, and fell in love with these two. (I'm a sucker for pink and beige, and am excited that these colours are back on trend this coming season).

Pink coat £74.99
Beige mac £59.99

35/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

This may look like another birthday balloon...

Save 30% on the gorgeous Graham & Brown children's range

SALE on ALL children's items is announced...

Often LIFE AS IT IS gets to hear about things in advance. I don't always pick them up, but in this case I thought I'd let readers know that Graham & Brown, an interior design company that is all about the absolutely gorgeous, has something to share.

...They are holding a kids sale from the 4th of September with 20% off the entire range. More than that, they've asked me to share a discount code on LIFE AS IT IS, 
offering a further 10% off, using the code Kids10.

So if you fancy a beautiful bargain, (that is 30% off), you'd better mark the 4th September in your diary eh? 

FOOTNOTE
I would have marked it in mine, except of course I have the date already fixed firmly in my head as back to school day!

SALE ends 21st September 2015. 

Slipping through my fingers (1)

The girls received long awaited hair cuts today. Fia a trim to tidy up the nest that it usually is, and Esme, well now Esme, rather a lot off. Indeed, there was so much of her hair on the floor that if you could have spun it to gold, I reckon you would have filled an attic with several hundred troves.

It is what she wanted. Point is, she's morphed again. My 6YO daughter who came into the world 6lb15, who has grown into a beautiful little girl, is now growing some more. Reflecting with a smile at her shorter style in an instant, liking looking at her new self. Her new self with the gap between teeth between development, commenting on being ready for Junior school.

It's her birthday this week. It's so hard to believe that she is suddenly seven. Hey little girl, slipping through my fingers; finally as a mother, I want to press pause. You can stop growing now. Not all of us are ready anymore.

Brunch break anyone? CUT, 45 Park Lane - a review

CUT, 45 Park Lane 

Whether eggs, pancakes or a healthy option is your preferred first meal of the day, it is all listed on the brunch menu at CUT - award-winning Chef Wolfgang Puck's debut European venture at 45 Park Lane, overseen by Executive Chef David McIntyre. 

I was there for a business, but I have to say it is somewhere I'd gladly head back to for pleasure. Friendly service, delicious food; all reasonably
priced too - for luxury.

I cleaned up Mummy...

Tangled - and somewhat macabre musings of a 6YO

I'd rather have my head boiled than go through this...

(Brushing Esme's hair with my hard brush as we can't find her soft one).

FOOTNOTE
It might be time to introduce Esme to Horrible Histories?

34/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Sofia captures mice

THE DAILY GRIND - Should YOU give up coffee? (2)

Something that could never have helped with my Post Natal Depression was the amount of coffee I drank everyday. Eight cups is a lot for anyone. Except perhaps the ex Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He apparently drank 40 cups a day. He died two years ago. Age 58.

Five steps to beating depression naturally

5 ways to beat depression naturally

I managed to combat my Post Natal Depression with five positive steps. A lot of it is common sense - and always so easy when you feel bright. By the way, I would also have added cutting out alcohol as being a great step, but I'll never be able to do that, so I didn't... Oh and I should most definitely say that if you are on medication for depression, do not stop it without consulting your GP first.




1) Writing is cathartic
Plagued by a troubled past? Writing it down will help you to get it out. Not necessarily for the world to see, but hey, each to their own. Of course you don't have to reveal the nitty gritty. I certainly haven't, but what I have written about my Life As It Is has helped me no end. You can read how here.

A Monster Ate My Mum - a book review

An important subject, and one that can be tricky to talk about, Post Natal Depression (PND) affects 10-15% of new mothers. To highlight this issue and facilitate its discussion, comes author Jen Faulkner's book, A Monster Ate My Mum.

Post Natal Depression - a sharing thought

LIFE AS IT IS snowballed after a certain PTA post which gained notoriety thanks to someone  complaining about it - yes really... which resulted in the local headmistress dressing me down as far as my writing this 'little blog'... Hardly in her remit. I had to sit on my hands for a while - not for the reasons she mentioned, only until I could do my best to diplomatically explain the behaviour behind my PTA comment, which I sort of managed here in this further post. (The point being that no one is better than anyone else. Everyone deserves respect, and no matter how we feel, a smile cost nothing).

33/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Just in case musings of a 6yo

I thought Connor might not marry me, so I decided to get another boyfriend just in case

Currently my 1Grace1Faith

Lyme time 2015

Sitting on the beach in Lyme and watching my daughters one year on.
Finally 2015, the summer that Sofia doesn't eat the sand - although she has licked it a few times.
The year that Esme turned beach babe... With surf board under arm she has spent more time in the water than out.
Also the year in which our beach tent came into its own.
British seaside holidays are in vogue; so are umbrellas:
Severe weather warnings issued yet still they flock to the beach.
Gotta love a bucket n spade holiday in Blighty. :-)

Save Our Hedgehogs

Five ways to invite hedgehogs (and other wildlife) into your garden

With the summer holidays in full swing, there is no better time than the present to introduce your children to nature. And where better to do so than in your own back garden? By making some small changes to your outdoor space, you can help to attract all kinds of wildlife species, providing a safe home with shelter and a reliable food source. With the number of hedgehogs in rapid decline, it’s up to us to help save our prickly friends from their plight! Here are five tips for creating a hedgehog-friendly habitat…

32/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

FRAMED - Looking to Lyme Regis Beach

on what was probably the busiest day of the year!

Sibling Musings of a 3 and 6 YO

S: Do you like me?
E: Of course I like you. I'll always like you. Goodness, I even like your feet.

FRAMED - Men at work, children at play

 Or rather, apparently men at work?

Time and space (3) - the wonder of a bucket and spade holiday

The holiday is coming...

With my job, as a family we have been fortunate to experience some of the most luxurious holiday destinations. However, for all of that, I realise that we will never beat a bucket and spade holiday here in Blighty. It's our Lyme time. Lovely Lyme.

I never really understood the way some families returned year on year to the same destination... until I had children. To create security, memories, happiness, traditions. A routine family time away from routine family time.

Here are two pieces I wrote a couple of years ago worked up and merged. I hope they sum up the wonderful time we enjoy whilst there, and the space Lyme Regis affords us each year...

Time and space (2)

Image courtesy of Busy Mom

I'd been trying to finish some work all week and what with the children off school and nursery, it had been a futile mission.

Until the weekend, when Simon took the kids off to his Mum's for a visit, and I was able to clear the backlog.

It was all going so well, until that is, I developed a temperature and felt like plop.

Cue the lane to the rescue and the children their friends to play with. (I live within a lovely community otherwise known as a bubble).

The peace and quiet has been astounding. For the first time in a very long time, I've heard the house breathe. (I may have heard it sigh too - it is such a bloody mess).

Time and space (1)

Sometimes I look at the moon and I can see a whole host of beautiful memories looking back at me. Beautiful memories that time could never forget.

Image courtesy of balanceplan.co.uk

31/52 The GraceFaith year long art project...

...has been hijacked this week by the all-colourful storytelling talent that is Quinn, age 6

If you have a pic of art to share - that your little one has created, 

I'd love to hear from you, please get in touch...

Pet Parade Toys - Amusing vlog entry

As I want to keep this toy to give to Fia on her 4th birthday next month, this review has been vlogged rather than blogged. This no batteries required toy, will definitely be a hit with Fia, she will love this product as she is simply crazy about animals - often asking for a dog.
It is a toy for children that are 4 years + and is a simple idea which I believe will appeal to small people. Let's face it, even when mum says 'no', this way they can still have a pet, name it, feed it, walk it, put it to sleep in its kennel, and in short, get lost in a world of imaginary poochie play! (If you're really into them, there are nine to collect - although I bet the Pug sells out fast). You can watch my amusing attempt at a vlog entry here:

Size: 10cms
Price: Single puppy £9.99, Puppy & carry kit £14.99
Available from: Amazon.co.uk

Emma Oliver and LIFE AS IT IS received a pet parade carry case & pup in exchange for a review on the parenting/lifestyle blog LIFE AS IT IS. For DISCLOSURE & DISCLAIMER, please view my page on LEGAL STUFF 

FRAMED - Sleeping beauty