Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • French Riviera Fun With Al Fresco Holidays

    French Riviera Fun With Al Fresco Holidays

    The tease of the spring sunshine is enough to make my mind wander to sunnier climes and start thinking about what travel adventures await us in 2017. Al Fresco Holidays set me a challenge: to find our ideal holiday in France for the May half-term. Now if you know anything about Al Fresco Holidays and anything about me you’re probably scratching your head and wondering how this could work; it’ no secret that I’ve never camped or stayed in a mobile home – going as far to say that I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to a sleeping mat.

    Al-Fresco-Holidays-South-Of-France

    It didn’t take me long to realise that my preconceptions of a campsite holiday were completely wrong. Firstly who knew you you don’t even have to camp? Way Hey! After discovering this gem, I set to work on finding our perfect destination and I soon discovered Domaine Des Naiades parc. Set a stones through from Port Grimaud and across the bay from St Tropez (yes, as in the style mecca of the Côte d’Azur St Tropez!) The parc is set is such a fantastic location with something for everyone, from stylish restaurants to water slides and the accommodation is more akin to a compact suite than a rickety static caravan – music to my ears!

    Al-Fresco-Holidays-South-Of-France

    Al-Fresco-Holidays-South-Of-France

    Al-Fresco-Holidays-South-Of-France

    Al Fresco holidays set me an added challenge: to pick a family to take along on our holiday to the Côte d’Azur; as you all know, my Mum often comes on holiday with us making our travels an intergenerational affair and I’d love to do that this time but also it would be great if Donna and her amazing family from What The Redhead Said would join us. Me and Donna have been friends almost as long as we’ve been bloggers and we’ve been on a cruise or two together so know that we can stand each other, ha! Plus Boo and Athena get on so well that it would be the perfect holiday with friends.

    Al-Fresco-Holidays-South-of-France

    Why do I think we’re perfect for Al Fresco Holidays? Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t know anything about them, instead seeking out luxury family travel and whilst the Domaine Des Naiades parc will be a completely knew experience, I’m certain that there will be pockets of luxury on our family holiday – hello kids club for Boo and cocktails while soaking up the sun for me…

    I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the parc is fully open from the May half-term.Too often kids clubs and evening activities mirror the continents school year (not big on half terms, preferring to have July and August off) – there are so many activities available for both adults and children with Grimaud a short walk and we’ll easily seduced by the twinkling lights of St Tropez, which naturally is best reached by a short boat ride, it sounds tres stylish!

    For me, the biggest appeal about holidaying with Al Fresco Holidays in the south of France is despite me and Boo being an adventurous duo we’ve never done a holiday like this before ( can you believe that Boo’s been half way round the world and yet she’s never been to France!) and there’s something about taking yourself out of your comfort zone (and a direct line to concierge) that makes me all the more excited about our potential fun in the French Riviera with Alfresco Holidays.

    Disclosure: A Fee was received for this post.

  • Want It Wednesday | 1st February

    The ground may have begun to thaw which means I may have got a little ahead of myself and binge window shopped online this week and these beauties have all been sat in my online shopping basket.

    I’m going to get right to the LV elephant in the room and talk about these cleat soled Louis Vuitton ankle boots, they are most definitely a marmite piece and I am firmly in the love camp, with all their nineties vibes.

    Talking of nineties vibes, I’m so needing this slogan print denim jacket from River Island – for the past few years I keep saying I’m going to revive the Rosie and denim jacket duo and I think 2017 will finally be the year.

    Now I know I am inappropriately premature with this Zara embroidered short summer dress, but who can blame me – I have a feeling come holiday season this will be my go to off duty style summer saviour. Talking of summer, these embroidered floral summer mules are fantastic value from New Look and the block heel makes them wearable, perfect! New Look are also bringing me back to the rainy reality with a stylish thud with their red matte anorak and I have a feeling this will be winging its way to me very soon as it’s ideal for the temperamental school run.

    My skin is the worst it’s ever been and is lacking any sort of luminous qualities – say hello to Lancôme’s La Rose à Poudrer, this giant rose highlighter powder is exactly what is needed to breath life into my skin asap.

    Last by no means least is this beast of a beauty that is the Gucci Nymphaea Bamboo large two-tone leather tote, there are no words that will do this king of the bags justice, simply put: it’s the bag of 2017.

    Happy Wanting!

  • Exploring Canada With Kids

    Exploring Canada With Kids

    Canada is probably one of the best countries to travel to if you have kids in tow. The North American country is home to vast sweeping landscapes and impressive national parks that kids will just love to explore. It is also home to some great family attractions that will keep adults and kids alike entertained throughout the duration of their stay.

    Exploring-Canada-With-Kids

    If you decide to visit Canada with your little one, there are a few things you should know:

    You may need to apply for eTA
    Depending on your circumstances, you may need to apply for electronic travel authorization before you and your kiddos can enter the country. You can find out more about eTA by visiting https://official-canada-eta.com.
    If only one parent is travelling, the non-accompanying parent will also need to sign a consent form, so that the kids will be allowed into Canada.


    Canada’s Best Regions for Kids

    Canada is made up of several regions, each with something different to offer. These are possibly the best regions to visit with your children:

    Canadian Rockies
    The Canadian Rockies are a great place to take children if you want to get them involved in nature. There are lots of great hiking and snowshoeing areas, where you can see Canadian wildlife, including magnificent elk, whistling marmot and grizzly bears in their natural environments, and from a safe distance.

    Montréal
    Montréal is home to many French speakers. So, it is a good place to take older children who are learning the language. It is also notable for its historical French-style streets, a beach located in the inner-city, all-year ice skating opportunities and, of course, the Biôdome, which is full of cute animals your kids will love.

    Vancouver
    Vancouver benefits from being sandwiched between both the mountains and the sea, which means that you can participate in a wide range of activities, from a day on the beach to a hike through the mountains, or even a few hours’ snowboarding, without having to travel very far at all.

    Maritime Provinces
    Your kids will love spending time in the Maritime Provinces, where they can go on whale watching expeditions, take a trip on a pirate ship and visit the regions many beautiful beaches.

    What to Eat
    Canada is one place where you will never go short of fast food, but if you want your kids to eat at least one healthy meal each day, you should be able to scope out a café or two that does good quality sandwiches and other healthy options.

    If you’re going out hiking, you will want to visit a grocery store and pick a decent sized picnic because you will burn a lot of calories exploring the wilds of Canada.

    When to Travel
    If you have kids, you might want to plan your trip for the summer, when there are lots of great outdoor festivals, including rodeos and music events, that will keep the kids entertained. However, if you’re looking for a more relaxed holiday, Autumn, when there are fewer people around, can be good.

    Wherever and whenever you decide to travel, be sure to plan some enough sightseeing trips and activities to stop the kids from getting bored and ensure that a good holiday is had by all!

    Disclosure: A fee was received for this post

  • WAHM: Why I Fear Sick Days

    WAHM: Why I Fear Sick Days

    “Aren’t you lucky, I’d love to work from home”, “It must be great being at home for Boo” I never go a week without hearing this from either clients or parents – surely being a work at home mum is the magic key to striking the perfect balance: feeding your intellectual hunger without the guilt of missing out on the day to day joys of parenting. Yes I’m fully aware that the majority of the time I enjoy the family setup that me and Boo enjoy but today (Boo’s second day off with her first nasty chest of the season) it feels like I am trapped in a working model that they tell you is a good idea but in fact is the total opposite.

    struggling-as-a-WAHM

    I like other working parents have a routine (whether commuting or work at home) and when your child is ill, quite rightly they need looking after. But here’s the very big difference: if you have to take a sick day from the office to care for your child, you are literally ‘out of the office’ whereas this morning I have spent two hours trying to continue with work while we’re on the sofa under a blanket watching the new Tarzan, making sure to fast forward the scary bits and stroke Boo’s head (because it’s a universally acknowledged fact that a mother’s hand is the cure for everything) and I’ve achieved nothing tangible.

    I could always e-mail clients to say that today is a sick day and I’m ‘out of the office’ but then that wouldn’t appear very professional: WAHMs spend half their time legitimatising their work and worth. That is something that has to end, we live in a modern society that encourages a plethora of differing working practices yet we’re still reluctant to recognise their very real worth.

    All working parents regardless of whether their commute is the 8.04 to London Bridge or a stroll to the study in slippers have the unenviable task of juggling. However being a work at home mum means the lines between work and family are much less defined,they’re positively blurred and that can’t be good for anyone.

  • Want It Wednesday | 18th January

    Want It Wednesday | 18th January

    Another Wednesday means another week of my wants and this week is a mixed bag, connected only by the fact that I want it all! First up are these flat top visor sunglasses by Victoria Beckham – I know they’re going to be the marmite of sunglasses but I can’t stop wanting them, I’ve always been a fan of oversized sunnies and these with their combination of classic black and futuristic hard line top have my name written all over them.

    Switching to the other end of the splurge rainbow is this seemingly rather boring metallic pleated skirt from Mango, but don’t let first impressions fool you. This skirt is the swiss army knife of winter wardrobes. Dress up or down, day or night – it has the potential to be your winter fashion best friend at less than £20 you’d kick yourself for not picking one up. Looking for another relatively low spend high return wardrobe staple? Then this M&S embroidered floral sift dress is one that will continue to pay out in the style stakes for season after season. Yes it may be pretty dressy, but in true Rosie style I wouldn’t hesitate to pair it with a pair of crisp white leather trainers and denim jacket for that relaxed commuter vibe…

    Back to weather reality and keeping my feet firmly in winter with these UGG short classic boots – I’ve owned more pairs of UGGs than you’ve had hot dinners but I find myself entering 2017 with none, after I spilt hot wax on my last pair! I don’t care if people hate them; I’m a die hard fan, who doesn’t want comfy, warm as toast feet… sign me up for life!

    Talking of comfy yet stylish, this Sweaty Betty Earthshine Sweat is THE BOMB, I spotted it on my Instagram feed yesterday and fell in love; I owned something pretty similar back in 2008 from River Island so that may explain why I like it so much. It’s perfect for layering gym wear but would also work with a pair of jeans, winner.

    Now I know I promised no ‘New Year, New Me’ however we could all do with a reminder every now and then to be more present, despite it feeling that I’m pulled in hundreds of different directions every day, yet the most important at all times is Boo and this Be Present bangle from The Mindful Company is such a beautiful way to be reminded of this. Another want this week, that might be a bit of a surprise to those of you that know me is this Love ring designed by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany – I’m not one to wear my love on my sleeve or in this case, finger but this would make the loveliest of Mother’s Day gifts as the script lends itself to such a thoughtful touch that would make me smile every time I looked down and say it, plus the Paloma Picasso designs for Tiffany have such sentimental value to me.

    My final want, I feel needs little to no justification; I have a rather large weak spot for luxury make up and skincare and this year I’m determined to discover some little treats for me and beauty subscription boxes seem like the perfect mama treat, and Cohorted offer the very best… I mean who doesn’t fancy the likes of Chanel and Bobbi Brown delivered direct to their door?

    Happy Wanting!