Beside the Seaside...

Family days out are some of my favourite days. Those morning where you wake up early and everyones excited about the little adventure that's been planned for that day, or even those days where nothings been arranged and we just jump in the car and find somewhere new to explore. Those are the best days and the ones I cherish the most.

Recently, we took a little trip to Whitstable, even though it's less than an hours drive from us, We had never been there before, so, as it was such a lovely day, we decided to head down for a day at the seaside.

It's such a quaint little seaside town, with lots of cute, quirky shops. Everything from unique gift shops, childrenswear boutiques and charity shops, to trendy little restaurants and the world famous Wheelers Oyster Bar, which is a bit of an Instagrammers dream!

I love the atmosphere down there, it was pretty busy the weekend we visited, but we didn't really have any plans so we just wandered in and out of the shops until we had reached the sea front.

The beach is so pretty, but as it's a pebble beach it's not really the sort of place you can stay all day and relax, but Archie loved running in and out of the sea and picking up little shells to give to us. We finished the day with an ice cream in the sun. Perfect!

It's lovely to do these spontaneous trips where you don't know where you're going to end up, but Archie's also getting to the age where he wants to visit those places which need a little more planning and a lot more money! We already have Chessington and Legoland on our list, he asks to go at least once a week and it's hard to explain to a 3 year old that those sort of trips need to be saved up for. That's where The Tesco Clubcard comes to the rescue! they have just relaunched it with a new app and  a contactless card which gives you 1 point for every £1 spend on everything from groceries and fashion to fuel.

With the new Clubcard, a tap is all it takes. Just tap your card on the card reader to collect your points at the end of your shop, Simple! And you can keep track of how many points you have on the app, so you know when you can redeem them on a whole range of things such as cinema tickets, fun, family days out and money off at your favourite restaurants. If you're doing your shopping each week anyway, why not earn some rewards at the same time! It soon adds up.

Take a look at the website here to find out more and see all of the rewards and activities available. Are you planning any trips big or small soon? Let me know in the comments!

Love
Kate x

This post is in collaboration with Tesco

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Picnic in the Park

This bank holiday weekend was a bit of a scorcher! So one of our favourite things to do as a family on sunny Summer days is head to the park with a full to the brim picnic basket, some cosy blankets and a game or 2 and enjoy a few hours relaxing in the sunshine whilst it lasts!

On bank holiday Monday we got up early and decided this was exactly what we should do and planned a trip to one of our favourite parks that has a beautiful manor house in the grounds, but before we could head over, there was the crucial matter of food to sort out. We had managed to clear the cupboards after Archie's Birthday party that weekend, and, as Tesco had asked us if we would like to go and try out their new Scan as You Shop System, this was the perfect opportunity, so we headed to our local Tesco to stock up on some shopping and our picnic favourites.

 

 

Scan As You Shop is a new system for Clubcard Members which helps to make your weekly shop that little bit easier! Especially if you're trying to get it all done with a toddler and a baby in tow which has not been easy lately! You simply swipe your Clubcard to release a handset from the wall and you're ready to shop with your own personal barcode scanner. You can tot everything up as you go and you can completely avoid having to get your shopping out of the trolley, onto the conveyer belt and then back into bags, as you can bag everything up as you shop.

It's such a clever idea and actually really fun too! Archie loved helping me scan all of the items and he got really involved in the shopping process, so it was actually an enjoyable experience instead of a toddler battle! I did wonder at first what to do with items such as a couple of clothing items I picked up for Elliot which had security tags, but you simply leave them to one side in your trolley and once you've finished shopping someone at the Scan As You Shop payment area assists you with this step. Simple!

I love the fact that you can see what you're spending as you go, which really helps with budgeting for your weekly shop, or even making sure you're not going overboard on buying food for a certain occasion like a family picnic or party. Once you're finished you simply scan the barcode at the top of the till, pay and you're done. It couldn't be easier and is definitely a bit of a game changer as I've found shopping with 2 little ones a bit of a struggle and have found myself sending Rikki out to do the food shop!

Once we were done we headed to the park and I've honestly never seen it so busy! but luckily it's absolutely huge, so we found ourselves a quite spot under a tree, ate some yummy food, played with some of Archie's new birthday toys and relaxed. Elliot was so happy on his little blanket chilling in the shade and Archie was in his element running around and rolling in the grass. After a lovely afternoon we headed home with 2 very tired but happy little boys and 2 rather relaxed parents, which is saying something!

So next time you're doing your weekly shop in Tesco, give the Scan As You Shop System a go, I'd love to know what you think and if it helps take some of the stress out of food shopping for you.
what did you get up to this bank holiday weekend?

Love Kate x

This post is in Collaboration with Tesco

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Rainy Summer Days

Summer. It's definitely my favourite season. Light evenings, warm days and summer dresses are among the things that make me happiest. I think the sunny weather is good for your soul and instantly puts you in a good mood. However, sometimes the Great British weather has other ideas and this week we've found ourselves saying bye bye sunshine, hello wind, rain and thunderstorms. Did I fall asleep for 3 months and wake up in October? (Haha who am I kidding? I have a newborn, I don't go to sleep). So whilst we wait for the sun to put his hat firmly back on, I wanted to share with you a few things we recently got up to on a very rainy Sunday.

We had just got back from Grufflalo hunting at a Bedgebury Forest (see our new vlog here) and jumped into the car as the heavens opened and we narrowly missed being drenched. We were more than ready to go back home and snuggle up in front of a movie! So when we got in, I put some cookies in the oven (sounds more impressive than it was as they were the frozen ready to bake ones!) and Archie decided he wanted to watch Hotel Transylvania 2 which will only have been the 3458th time we've watched it. Now he's a little bit older and has the patience to sit and watch the majority of a film, it really is one of my favourite things to do. I forgot how brilliant kids movies are and I love when I get the chance to watch an old favourite, especially when it becomes one of Archie's favourites too. Our little tray is from Amazon, they have so much tableware available and I love these especially as they look like china but are actually made of melamine, so they're Archie proof and perfect for little picnics, whether you're indoors or out! (The cookies were a winner too!)

 

Once Archie got a bit bored of watching the film, we decided to do a little activity I've been wanting to try for a while. Elliot is now 8 weeks old and I feel like I can see him getting bigger everyday! So I wanted a way to remember how tiny he is right now. We got the Baby Art Magic Box to try. It's a little kit consisting of clay, rolling pin, display tin and stand, to make a special hand or foot impression keepsake. I thought it might be a bit messy, but the clay comes ready made, you just roll it out and set it in the tin, I also twisted some of the clay together to make a little decorative boarder around the edge (get me!) Its not the easiest thing getting a wriggly 8 week old to keep his feet still, but I was actually really pleased with with how it turned out! It's really sweet and Archie loved helping us press elliot's feet into the clay, in fact he liked it so much we had to get the play doh out so he could have his own foot impressions done after! It's also dermatologically tested and safe for baby's skin. Amazon have some lovely keepsake gifts and impression kits, including ones you can frame which I've got my eye on next!

After that we all (apart from Elliot) tucked into a Sunday roast. We hadn't had one for a while as it's been so hot, so I was really looking forward to it! Once the boys were in bed, I took the chance to do a bit of pampering. It's not something I get to do much at the moment, so I grabbed the opportunity whilst I could to pop on a face mask, and paint my nails. The colour I went for is this beautiful gold by OPI called Gitzerland It's a really pretty metallic, perfect for sunny days, holidays or just to cheer up yourself up on a rainy day! It felt SO good to get a bit of me time, and it reminded me that I need to take more time to look after myself, it's amazing how much better these little things can make you feel.

 

I'm definitely looking forward to more summer days with the boys this year, but I think a cosy, rainy day every once in a while is a good thing. They say a Sunday well spent brings a week of content, and It certainly did just that.

This post was in collaboration with Amazon's #NowItsSummer campaign. As always, all views and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

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A weekend Away...

Recently the boys and I went for a little weekend get away by the sea. It was just the sort of thing the three of us needed, as we've been working a lot lately and the days just feel like they're flying. Weeks are turning into months before we've even had a second to sit down and just breathe. So when FatFace offered to whisk us away on a weekend of happiness, we jumped at the chance.

So last Friday, we packed up our bags and headed towards the sleepy town of Sandwich, not too far away from our home in Kent, but just far enough to feel like we were somewhere completely removed from our every day life. When we pulled into the gravelled driveway of The Butlery where we would be staying for the next 3 nights, I felt instantly calm and peaceful. After we got the keys, we headed inside to explore our new little home for the weekend. This is always my favourite part of staying somewhere, and it didn't disappoint. The Butlery is a quaint little cottage attached to the main house. It's walls are lined with brightly coloured books and the duck egg blue kitchen is like something out of a magazine. It felt cosy and inviting and I just felt so at home. There was also the added surprise of a playroom just across the drive which Archie adored. He had so much fun going in and out of the little tents and playing with the vintage toys.

Our Outfits:
Kate: Joanne Coins Jumpsuit // Shoes - Primary
Rikki: Thurston Shirt // Trousers - Next
Archie: Jumper - Next // Jeans - Next

Not long after we arrived we were surprised with a food delivery, full of some of our favourite treats, including ice cream and chocolate! And some ingredients to make some delicious home cooked meals. That evening once Archie was fast asleep, we cracked open the Prosecco and found a trunk full of classic board games, so we played a bit of Monopoly! We haven't played it, (or any board game for that matter) since we were teenagers, and it really made me think about how busy our lives have become, and that we would usually feel guilty for taking time out like this as we always know there's something more important we could be doing. But I have realised you need to be kind to yourself. Take time out and enjoy the simple things, so you can return to life's stresses with a clear mind and more determined attitude.

The following day, we explored the pretty, medieval town of Sandwich, and also headed into Canterbury which isn't too far away, just for a little bit of lunch and a quick browse around the shops. I wore my Saunton Cami, a beautiful cream piece with a lace trim and Haywood Cardigan which is one of the softest things I own, and it just goes with so many things! I teamed them with a pair of grey skinny jeans, which was the perfect mix of stylish and comfortable.

When we arrived back at The Butlery, we spent a bit of time letting Archie explore the gardens and play in the playroom, and Rikki cooked us a lovely dinner. And so we settled down for our second night.

The following morning, we decided we would have a real lazy, relaxed day, and just stayed in and around the cottage all day. I think my hands down favourite part of The Butlery was the master bedroom. It was just my style with it's shabby chic bed, delicate furnishings and even little bunny door handles on the wardrobe were just so sweet (I wanted to take them home but I restrained myself!) Our sweet little boy loved playing on the bed, getting lost in what must have felt like a mountain of pillows to him.

I loved lounging around in my Sudbury Top which, to me is a grown up take on wearing broderie anglise, it's easy to wear with so many things, and I'm sure I'll be wearing it a lot this summer. It was still a bit too cold to wear this and the Ripped Denim Jeans outside, but the cottage was toasty warm, so I made the most of that!

Archie did the cutest thing ever on the Sunday. He fell asleep in his high chair whilst having lunch! This might sound like the norm for a toddler, but our energetic little man has never done this before, so it was so funny for us to watch! We got it on camera too, so make sure you watch the vlog to see ultimate Archie cuteness! He slept really well at night whilst we were away, but I think he was so excited to play and run around that he wasn't napping in the day like he normally does, so by Sunday lunch time he was exhausted! We put him into our bed, crumbs still covering his face, and I took the rare opportunity to snuggle up with him for half an hour. It was pretty amazing. I just looked out at the view and felt so happy and blessed. A bit cheesy I know but true!

Once Archie had, had his nap, we decided to go and check out the beach. The property we stayed in had 5 miles of private beach just outside it's front gates which was incredible. It was just such a shame it was so, so windy! We couldn't stay out there for long as I thought we might all get blown away, but Archie made the most of his brief trip to the beach and filled my pockets with pebbles which he found very amusing. His Daddy took him down to the sea, he hasn't been to the beach since he was quite a bit younger and I can tell he will absolutely love visiting places like this when he's a a little older. I wore the Waterfall Jersey Cardigan to keep the chill off. We all know I love me some stripes! And again it was just so super soft and comfortable. I also wore this Pretty Lace Trilby which helped to keep my hair under control! I love the little tan trim detail which will go with so many of my bags and shoes. Rikki Wears: Marden Check Shirt and a White Slub V Neck Tee I love him in check shirts and this one really suits him.

After our quick visit to the beach, we decided to drive a few minutes back down the road so that Archie could see the sheep and baby lambs in the fields leading up to the house. The road is lined with hundreds of daffodils at the moment and with the backdrop of the lambs, I've really never seen anything that screams Spring more in my life! It was so pretty as it was late afternoon by this point, but it had got a bit warmer, so I put on my Zara top and Pale Wash Super Skinny Jeans. I was actually so surprised with how much I liked them as I'm very fussy about jeans and stick to just a few brands that I know fit me as so many seem to be a bit baggy. But these were definitely skinny jeans, and just the right length too! Archie loved looking at the lambs, and we knew we could just take our time, knowing we didn't have to rush back for anything.

On Monday morning, it was sadly time to pack up and leave. With a little sigh, we said goodbye to The Butlery after another little run around in the grounds of the house. I wore the Durington Kimono, and the Saunton Cami to go home in, with a pair of skinny jeans and plimsolls. It didn't take too long to get home, only about an hour and a half, but it was nice to snuggle up in the knitted kimono whilst Rikki drove us all home.

We can't thank FatFace enough for this little weekend we got to spend together. It felt like we were in our own little world and we got the chance to really switch off and enjoy just being a family. I will treasure the memories forever, and it's taught me the importance of taking a break every now and again, to re-evaluate, to stop and notice the little things and special moments.

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