Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • 4 Fun Things to Do with Your Friends This Weekend

    4 Fun Things to Do with Your Friends This Weekend

    As it gets closer to Friday, you might start thinking about how you’re going to spend your weekend. While one day or evening might include a long soak in the bath and lounging on the couch in your sweatpants, it is important to make sure you’re getting out of the house and having some fun. Call up your friends and see if they are free, and ask if they would like to get together for a catch-up this weekend. If you’re not sure what you’d like to do, here are a few ideas that you all might enjoy.

    Street sign with the word weekend

    1.   Bottomless Brunch

    Brunch has been a popular Saturday and Sunday mid-morning/early-afternoon activity for years, and this doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon. Not only is it a good opportunity to treat yourself to some delicious food, but it is the perfect time to sit down and get lost in conversation with your friends. Bottomless brunch is something that has started to gain momentum over the last few years, and if you do fancy indulging in a few cocktails or glasses of prosecco with your pancakes or eggs royale, this is the ideal dining event for you. If you’re after bottomless brunch Bedfordshire based, this Italian restaurant offers a great if you’re ever in the area.

    2.   Visit an Art Gallery or Museum

    If you’re looking for a way to pass a few hours without spending a lot of money, then taking a walk around a museum or art gallery could be the ideal way to do this. Not only is it an opportunity to learn new things and soak up some culture, but you can discuss what you see with your friend and then grab a coffee at a café afterward or go for a drink at the bar. It is ideal for those on a budget who can’t spend the day shopping or dining out but would still like a chance to see their friends.

    3.   Have an Adventure

    If you’re both stuck on deciding what to do this weekend, why not be spontaneous and go on a little adventure instead? You could jump on a train together and visit another town or city, or ride out into the countryside to hike some trails. What you can do and where you can go will depend on your budget, but this could be a lot of fun, and both of you will get a change of scene, too.

    4.   Go for a Picnic

    If the weather is nice outside and it’s warm enough to sit out, another budget-friendly option you can choose is meeting up in a local park for a picnic. You can both agree to bring food and drinks to the picnic so that it’s fair, and perhaps even call up some other friends to see if they would like to join you. You could spend hours out in the sunshine enjoying each other’s company without breaking the bank.

    If you would like to get out and see your friends this weekend but aren’t sure what to do with your time, consider the suggestions above and have some fun together.

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • Travel – Wanting It All

    So now I’ve decided to keep the blog travel (with a heavy dollop of lifestyle) focused, I need to think about restarting the actual travel part. But where? In the UK? City breaks in Europe? Or further afield with long haul? The marketer in me, knows that it would be a good idea to identify/segment/target for the perfect niche; but travel has a way of wanting it all, and more.

    In fact when it comes to travel, greed is good – but how to balance this with the practicalities (and mundanity) of everyday life. For now, I’m going to be like a regular traveller and see what takes my fancy, and fits my schedule. A few lazy weekends away are the perfect kickstart although I can’t deny the lure of heat and adventure thousands of miles away sounds dreamy. 

    Pandemics are generally grim, what they lack in cheer they more than make up for in endless hours of (sometimes uncomfortable) contemplation. I felt extremely fortunate to have travelled so much. I like everyone else I imagine, didn’t regret a single trip; yet with international travel one of the last things to reopen and still a way to go until the seamless experience we knew and loved pre 2020 I know that I perhaps need to be more discerning whilst also saying yes to everything. It’s the post-lockdown euphoria that sees people saying YES When Harry Met Sally style to opportunities/love/happiness: all of which can be found in abundance when travelling. 

    What is it about travel that has the ability to reset me, to top up my happiness cup? Is it just me? Travel – or the lure of it – has the capacity to be daily distraction and has me pondering in a Carrie-a-la-Sex-In-The-City way: ‘Is regular, and fulfilling travel the key to happiness?’ Now i don’t purport to possess the answer to happiness, neither do I actually want to know: instead I’m happy to pursue the elusive and just out of reach answer as I visit each new destination. 

    Travel for me is the reward for routine, for the dark mornings, for the worry, for the grind – it’s how you see right with the big plan – a privilege I have never taken for granted, now more than ever. 

    Travelling with Boo, multigenerational travel, solo travel, perhaps even travelling as a couple – it’s nice to have so many options as to how to travel.

    One thing I know I want to start with is a trip that lets me exhale, it’s been two long years of watching, waiting, holding of breaths and with an even more turbulent global landscape – there is never a perfect time; only privileged (and ever appreciated) opportunities.

    Be it a night away in a new city, getting lost during a hurried airport transit or staring out at the vastness of a desert – travel has me wanting it all, with what I’m certain is an insatiable appetite. 

  • Where To With The Blog? A Return Of The Familiar

    Where To With The Blog? A Return Of The Familiar

    I looked round the blog this week – it’s tired, a bit digitally dusty but at over a decade old full of far too many memories and accomplishments to simply allow to fall by the wayside. Plus I actually enjoy blogging or at least I used to. So what happened?

    The pandemic ended the rhythm (and steady income) of the blog – so I did what so many others did and pivoted. I chose politics, science and current affairs as my existing skill set supported these and it proved not only popular but successful. However the more I spoke on Instagram about mRNA and the difference between legislation and guidance the less space I had left for blogging, or so I thought. 

    I want more, however in the pursuit of more I forgot that I can retain the blog along with many other things. Politics, current affairs and the commentary that comes with it brings me fulfilment – that I may pursue career wise – but does that detract from what I both bring to and take away from the blog? After over a years’ hiatus of personal posts, the answer I’ve arrived at is, no.

    So the Nigella of Politics will stay confined to social media – for now – wth the blog coming home in terms of content: travel and lifestyle. That’s what I’m happiest writing about, and hope to continue in some form for many years. 

    Woman with short brown hair smiling wearing pink shirt

    Blogging and content creation as it has evolved into is so different than what it looked like over thirteen years ago – OGs will remember that Mummy and Boo was not my first blog, perhaps some of my hesitancy to continue is feeling like a dinosaur in a sector that is still in its toddler stage. 

    I’ve also struggled with blog identity. Mummy and Boo? What does it mean? Isn’t the word ‘mummy’ ‘basic and tragic’ to borrow a phrase from Boo? It’s barely uttered in our house by Boo, so is it relevant anymore? These I’ve come to realise are distractions, distractions from chasing the blinking cursor and writing, not just to a brief or deadline but writing for an audience and to an extent myself. For now the name is staying, Mummy and Boo was never about weaning or the fourth trimester, it was about our lives and this is a continuation.

    I’ve also come to realise that whilst there is so much I want to tweak/change about the the blog, the reality is that waiting for perfection achieves nothing, instead committing to returning to my roots will ensure I’m forced to sit in the blog space and work out what I truly want as I create content. Deciding upon a new blog theme, is like deciding upon a new drastic hairstyle: it’s a process, trust me I know!

    I want more but also the same, and reigniting my initial love for the blog is a great way to begin this. 

    I’m also not mad that it means I’ll need to actually travel somewhere, all in the name of blogging… how very 2014.

    Welcome back.

  • The Benefits of Having Your Child Learn Additional Languages

    The Benefits of Having Your Child Learn Additional Languages

    When it comes to raising children, one of the most important things you can do is give them a strong educational foundation. And when it comes to education, nothing is more important than learning new languages. There are many benefits to having your child learn additional languages, and in this blog post, we will discuss some of them. So keep reading to find out why language learning should be a top priority for parents!

    overhead shot of child reading book

    Multiple languages can make your child more successful in school

    Research has shown that children who speak two or more languages tend to do better academically than those who only speak one. A study conducted by the University of Chicago found that students with multilingual backgrounds performed better on standardized tests and were less likely to require special education services, even when controlling for factors like socioeconomic status. You could also encourage your child to learn a new language by sending them on school trips to France, for example!

     

    As well as helping them perform better academically, multilingualism also provides children with a competitive edge when it comes time for college applications or job interviews later in life. Knowing another language is an attractive skill employers look for during the hiring process and can give your child a distinct advantage over other applicants.

    Learning new languages helps children develop their brains

    It has been well documented that learning new languages helps to improve cognitive function and brain development.  The benefits of language learning don’t stop there, though – bilingualism has also been linked with increased creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall intelligence. So if you want your child to have a bright future, make sure they start learning new languages early on in life!

     

    Speaking multiple languages makes your child more culturally aware

    One of the best things about learning new languages is that it opens up a whole new world of cultural experiences for children. With each new language they learn, they gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for different cultures and lifestyles.

     

    This increased cultural awareness can be extremely beneficial, especially in today’s increasingly globalized world. By exposing their children to other cultures at an early age, parents are helping them to develop into compassionate and open-minded adults who are able to interact with people from all walks of life.

    Learning new languages is a great way to foster communication skills

    One of the most important things you can do for your child is help them develop strong communication skills. And there’s no better way to do that than by encouraging them to learn new languages.

     

    When it comes to language learning, practice makes perfect! The more your child interacts with other speakers, the better their communication skills will become. This is especially beneficial in social settings, where being able to communicate with others effectively is essential for having successful relationships.

     

    In conclusion, there are many benefits to having your child learn additional languages. By giving them a strong educational foundation in language learning, you are setting them up for a successful future filled with opportunities. So what are you waiting for? Start enrolling your child in language classes today!

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • The Pros of Moving To The UK

    The Pros of Moving To The UK

    British people love to moan about their country. But the truth is that most people that live here love it, at least deep down. If they didn’t, then they’d pack up their bags and move elsewhere! Natives often seem a bit bemused as to why someone would decide to move to the UK, but all they can really cite is the cost of petrol and the rain. Those two things do indeed suck, but they’re such a small part of the UK. It’s better to focus on the positives! If you’re thinking of moving to the UK, then take a read of some of the pros of doing so, which we’ve outlined below.

    Tower Bridge light up at night with a fountain in front

    Generally High Standards

    It’s easy to overlook if you live here, but the standards of the UK are exceptionally high. In terms of quality of life, it’s hard to think of too many other countries that have the UK beat. You can get free healthcare, schools are good, homes are warm during the winter and cool during the summer. These are the basics of life that can really make a difference, and the UK has them. 

     

    You Can Make It Work

    Another good point about wanting to move to the UK: it’s generally possible! While Brexit made it feel like immigration has stopped, that’s not the case. There are many, many ways to access the UK. Once you’re here, it’s generally pretty easy to stay, too, though that depends on the type of visa that you’re here on. Look up the indefinite leave to remain meaning to see how you can stay for as long as you like. As well as visas, jobs are generally pretty easy to come by, especially when compared with other countries around the world.

     

    World-Class Events and Culture

    For a country of its size, the UK has had an unbelievable influence on the arts and cultural scene. Today, you’ll find some of the best artists, musicians, composers, writers, and more doing their thing within these borders. As such, there’ll be plenty of outstanding culture on your doorstep! And then there’s the matter of events. Some of the best music festivals and sports tournaments take place in the UK. It’s a place to experience the best of the best.

     

    The Food Is Outstanding 

    The UK has historically had a pretty poor reputation when it comes to food. Yet, while it’s true that British food is not fantastic, the food that’s on offer in the UK can be truly delicious. London has one of the world’s best food scenes; there’s no doubt about it. If you thought the UK didn’t have world-class food, think again!

     

    It’s Fun

    Finally: the UK is fun! On a Friday and Saturday night, you’ll find that more or less the whole population is pretty keen to have a fun time. Whether it’s at the pub or a football match or music event, people love to get together and have a good time. And the humour, oh the humour — pretty special. 

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.