Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • My Favorite Instagram Follows for IG Stories

    My Favorite Instagram Follows for IG Stories

    I’m a teeny weeny addicted to Instagram, it is by far my most favourite social media channel – and my most successful. I love the image led feed and with the introduction of IG stories in August 2016 the impulsive sharing of our days has exploded. Just as much as I enjoy posting IG stories I love love love watching other people’s stories. Here are my top five favourite Instagram follows for IG stories…

    Favourite-IG-Stories

    Alice – Alicej_t
    I bloody love this woman, she’s the perfect mix of fashion, motherhood, feminism and travels. Be warned though, watching Alice’s stories will have a direct effect on the amount of internet shopping you do and she has expensive taste (probably one of the reasons why I like her!) oh and if you’re wondering what she’s like in real life? Well I met Alice a couple of months back and she’s really rather lovely and someone I could easily see myself sharing a bottle or two of bubbly with.

    katie – MummyDaddyMe
    Katie and her beautiful family are the stuff of Instagram dreams, her feed is a grid of beauty showcasing their amazing family travels. Her IG stories on the other hand are hilarious! I love that Katie shows the everyday behind the scenes and keeping it real on just how hard it is juggling being a WAHM oh it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who loves the Diet Coke a bit too much!

    Sarah – ThisMamaLife
    I’ve only been following Sarah for a few months but it’s her IG stories that have my keeping up with her and young family on a daily basis, she offers a great insight into life as a military wife (her husband is in the Royal Navy) and she’s always smiling and showing off her aldi finds!

    Rebecca – MrsrMeldrum
    Mrs Meldrum is a Scottish pocket rocket who’s vlogs and lives have deservedly earned her a massive audience, I really enjoy her balance her of family life, Primark (she literally is the queen of Primark hauls!) and laughter. With the recent birth of her third daughter it’s been so encouraging as they share her journey through NICU, it’s so refreshing to see this perspective; Boo was premature and it’s not often you see parents sharing this precious (with both highs and lows) start to life.

    Nyomi – Nomipalony
    From her weekly boob room update (you’ll have to watch to understand but trust me you’ll be in stitches!) to keeping it real with the kids bedtime, Naomi is one of those IG story creators that instantly makes you feel like you’re sat on her sofa with her. I actually met Naomi in real life before I started regularly falling her IG stories and it wasn’t long until I was hooked, her husband was making her a surprise and I honestly was checking IG every couple of hours waiting for the big reveal!

    So there you have my favourite Instagram follows for IG stories – who’s IG stories do you enjoy watching the most?

  • My Holiday Hair Must Haves

    My Holiday Hair Must Haves

    One of the best things about holidays is having a break from the norm and relaxing – and I like this to apply to both my skin and haircare; however the joys of being half middle eastern is that my hair will punish me until my next hair wash if I neglect it, so here are my holiday hair must haves…

    Holiday-Hair-Must-Haves

    When it comes to shampoo and conditioner I use whatever travel size ones I have at the time (at the moment I have L’Oreal Elvive) but the key is hydration; I swear by Andrew Barton’s No Weight Hydrate Treatment Mask, its richness is perfect for holidays when your hair can take a bit of a battering and is perfect for a quick fix while you’re away and once you’re home. Oh and at less than £2, it’s an absolute bargain.

    Once I’m out the shower I use the No Inhibition Silkening Milk on towel dry hair to help lock in hydration and to give my hair a real shine will keeping it really light weight; because no one wants weighed down, product heavy hair on holiday.

    Now I know all hotels come with hairdryers but I just can’t resist taking my own (the fear is real of discovering the hotel hairdryer comes without a nozzle and is as slow as the ones I remember from the swimming pool as a kid!!) I’ve had the T3 Featherweight Compact hairdryer for a while and it’s one of those rare breeds of electrical haircare that cares for your hair as it styles. Don’t be deceived by it’s size, it still packs a power punch and has my hair dry in now time whilst limiting frizz.

    I’m a big fan of oil for the hair and use it both wet and dry. However on holiday to keep my hair as lightweight as possible I only use it once I’ve dried my hair for maximum smoothness and to maintain my style plus let’s face it no one wants a ball of frizz on their head! I really like how the Orofluido leaves my hair feeling, it’s good enough to use all year round, bonus.

    My finally holiday hair must have is the Philip Kingsley Swimcap, I love swimming and on holiday I can’t wait to get into the pool for a splash with Boo but also to get in some lengths plus little known fact about me is that I’m a keen sea swimmer (much to my Mum’s horror, she still panics when I’m just a small dot on the horizon and will stand and watch until I return!). Whilst swimming on holiday is fab, it’s not so great for your hair, in particular the chlorine which can really strip your hair and any colour you may have so If I know I’m going to be spending the day in the pool I apply this to damp hair and know that my hair will still be in top condition no matter how many times I’m forced to dive like a dolphin between Boo’s legs in the pool.. oh the things we do to buy ourselves thirty minutes sunbathing!

  • Want It Wednesday | 9th August

    Greetings form a not so surprisingly soggy summer but with a few more trips (fingers crossed) for the rest of the year I’m not giving up on the prospect of cracking out the summer wear so whilst it may be pouring outside, ignore the grey and let’s see what I’m wanting this week…

    First up is this orange red dress from M&S – I love it for so many reasons: it was supremely comfortable when I tried it on last week, and surprisingly flattering, although it does come up a bit big so my advice would be to size down for the best fit. This would work perfectly on holiday with statement gladiators or just as well on the school run with white trainers and a denim jacket. This dress will be style loyal for seasons to come.

    Talking of school runs, it won’t be long until it’s back to school and even though I left school far too long ago there’s something about the impending new school year that makes me NEED to buy some school supplies (I’m completely aware this isn’t normal and I should probably seek some type of help, ha!) and this Clarks silver leather backpack screams mama cool for back to school; yes it may be nudging £100 but you can just tell that the more wear it has, the better it will look.

    Slogan tees are everywhere, even Boo’s on the fast fashion bandwagon and as much as I’d like to spend ridiculous amounts on Gucci t-shirts, these in the style dupe ones from River Island do just the job without breaking the bank. This shade of pink can’t help remind me of the film Clueless and again will linger long into your Autumn wardrobe.

    One designer piece that I fear I may succumb to is the Givenchy slider, my slider obsession is completely out of hand – I have a wish list devoted just to sliders! Horendously overpriced but still a worthy spend these will ensure that you never run the gauntlet of playing footwear snap with a teenage boy at the airport!

    Can you believe that I haven’t worn a watch for nigh on four years – ever since Boo accidentally broke my beautiful Folli-Follie watch whilst we were in Majorca I’ve been unable to find one that wins my heart or my wrist. Whilst Abbott Lyon seem to be the king of Instagram collaborations, their watch really does tick all the boxes for me when it comes to what I want, I like the large face, the simplicity and has a premium look without costing hundreds.

    I’m just putting it out there that I don’t own a bretton top, I’m surprised I can a. live in London b. be a mother without one in my wardrobe but I just never find one that I like enough but this bad boy bretton top complete with Toucan from Wolf and Badger may just be the one to convince me to go over to the striped side.

    Ok so indulge me with this designer want, it’s grey and gloomy outside but I’m 300% certain that with the addition of the Gucci Loved handbag my day would immediately get better – surely that’s a good enough reason, right?

    Happy Wanting!

  • WAHM: Are We Being Sold A Lie?

    WAHM: Are We Being Sold A Lie?

    WAHM

    A quick scroll through social media and you’ll come across the all too familiar moans from parents everywhere that the summer holidays are hard work – trying to keep children entertained without breaking the bank and allowing for the joys of a British summer or doing the childcare juggle of grandparents and summer clubs to make the train into the office. Yet I like countless other mothers seem to be in both camps… all the time.

    When I tell people I’m a WAHM (work at home mama) people instantly think I spend my hours having coffee catch ups and sit at the kitchen table writing a few posts here and there. I don’t know how to break the fantasy but it couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m sure they’ll be people shouting while reading this saying ‘but don’t you pop to Costa a couple of times a week’ my response: ‘Yes, it’s a change of scenery because you know as a human it’s nice to be surrounded by other humans occasionally!’

    Being a WAHM is sold as the ‘have it all’, the holy grail of striking the perfect balance of maintaining a career whilst being at home for your children; but at what cost? Are we being sold a lie? A balance so unachievable that leaves you a master of none?

    I’m a WAHM out of necessity not by choice – being a single parent and single income (oh and freelance) household in the London suburbs means that the pricey wraparound childcare for the school year and holiday clubs just isn’t an option for me; coupled with Boo’s health hurdles and regular visits to hospitals for appointments and tests (not to mention sick days) commuting into the city isn’t a viable option. Yet as I spend every night working until 1am trying to chase my tail I’m starting to wonder how much longer will being a WAHM be a viable option either.

    Being at home throughout the week means people assume you are available, from taking in parcels, meetings at school, friends calling for a chat (I promise I do love to talking to all of you!) It also means that people treat your time as elastic and I’m probably just as much to blame or that as I still seriously undervalue my own time.

    I work in a corner of my kitchen where I’m sat now and I have the hum of the washing machine (sorry Kirsty Alsopp, I’m one of those philistines who doesn’t have a utility room!) and the screech of a Disney film coming from the sitting room while Boo plays for a bit so I can get some work done. Now I’m pretty sure that my finest work ins’t going to be born from the above environment. Yet I’m expected to compete professionally with people sat in an office.

    On a typical school day I try to cram a full working day into six hours and do all the housework and family life admin (coordinating between Boo’s consultants can sometimes take hours), oh and constantly pitch for new work projects all the while appearing like a professional who has her sh*t together. You don’t need a degree in maths to work out that I have a time deficit, it’s exhausting.

    Like most important issues there is no simple or singular answer, the first step is for us as a community to be having honest and open conversations – this isn’t easy and I’m certain I’m not the only one who feels like this. We need to recognise that being a WAHM is often not a choice, and that we as growing working sector of society need access to business and family life support such as truly affordable flexible childcare – I shouldn’t have to send a round robin beg text to the mums at school asking for someone to pick Boo up because I have a meeting in town. Or subsidised flexible working hubs in the suburbs.

    There isn’t a magic pot of money for me to take time out and revaluate my working practices; I don’t expect to be swanning round and reducing my workload (please no one ever say the term Mum Boss to me, how about just boss? You know it’s the 21st century right?!)

    Being a WAHM is the only option available to me, meaning I’m determined to get it right both for us as a family but also me as woman – because I can’t do my best work, work that I’m proud of. when I’m waiting for the washing to finish and am on borrowed time to play a game of Monopoly with Boo.

  • The Archaeology of Crossrail | A Fun Day At Museum of London Docklands

    The Archaeology of Crossrail | A Fun Day At Museum of London Docklands

    Any Londoner will know all about Crossrail, it’s construction (and disruption to London) has been constant since 2009 but the much anticipated Elizabeth Line will be well worth it; apart from the rail infrastructure that will be gained the other greatest gift from Crossrail has been the archaeological discoveries that have been unearthed – revealing over 8000 years of London history.

    Thousands of artefacts have been discovered during Crossrail and the top 500 are currently part of the exhibition Tunnel: The Archaeology of Crossrail at Museum of London Docklands. We were invited along at the weekend to discover just how rich in history the ground beneath our feet in London is.

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    We began our adventures with a trip on the MBNA Clipper from Westminster Pier to Canary Wharf; I can;t believe that I’d never been on a Clipper up until now (although might have something to do with suffering with sea sickness – which i’m pleased to report didn’t affect me on the clipper), I’m putting it out there now, it’s our new favourite way to get around London; bonus is that you can use your Oyster/contactless!

    The boat ride took approx thirty minutes and on a sunny day is the best way to take in all the sights and makes journeys so much more fun or young families – plus I don’t care how old you are, there’s something pretty cool about passing under Tower Bridge.

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    We disembarked at Canary Wharf and it’s around a five minute walk to Museum of London Docklands and is really well signposted. As you approach the museum the fun starts before you even get inside with this optical illusion which blew Boo’s mind…

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Once inside we were greeted by Jackie Keily, curator of Tunnel: The Archaeology of Crossrail – her passion for the exhibition was immediately apparent with her favourite objects being the tiny fish and mouse bones (keep an eye out for them during your visit). The exhibition itself is an intimate setting that takes you on a journey east to west (or vice versa depending on which way you begin) and each area shows the archaeological discoveries made which range from flint tools from 8000 years ago right through to Victoria chamber pot.

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    The exhibition is perfectly pitched at children (Boo still can’t stop talking about the skeleton lady with her head between her legs and loved building her very own tunnel) but there is also plenty of detail for adults – they’ve achieved a rarity in museums: the ability to keep everyone engaged and entertained without being cheesy, not an easy feat.

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    After Tunnel: The Archaeology of Crossrail it was time for lunch at Rum and Sugar, the restaurant attached to the museum and we tucked in to some tasty burgers which are served in a black bun which as I explained to Boo was pirate bread (see what I did there) and tasted really good. I opted for some social spiced plantain fries which were authentically Caribbean spiced and a-maz-ing. Plus currently kids under 10 eat free when accompanying and adult ordering a main course from the a-la-carte menu.

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Tunnel:-The-Archaeology-of-Crossrail-at-the-Museum-of-London

    Our day of discovery wasn’t over there – we made our way upstairs after lunch for Time Tunnellers show, where kids get the chance to don hard hats and in the interactive family show seeing them discover the different archaeological layers of Crossrail London and with talk of wee and poo within the first five minutes it’s an instant hit with the little ones.

    Museum of London Docklands has so much to offer and is super family friendly it’s one of those family days out that is so often overlooked; but once discovered is somewhere I guarantee you’ll want to return to again and again – me and Boo are already planning our next trip. With 10 free galleries within the museum the only thing that will dwindle is the hours of the day. Definitely a London destination not to be missed.

    The Museum of London Docklands is open daily from 10am-6pm and is FREE; Tunnel: The Archaeology of Crossrail is on display until 3rd September 2017.