With half term for most next week comes the somewhat traditional cinema outing to see the latest film; way back in July we were invited to a preview screening of Maya The Bee which is released in cinemas on 23rd October.

Maya, is a busy little bee, ready to leave her hive and live in the meadow, free like a… bee. The world is just too big and too fascinating to remain confined to the restricted life of the hive. Bit soon Maya realises that a bigger challenge beckons and that together with her friend Willy, she must return and save their hive from the greedy queen’s advisor and end the long-term hostility between bees and hornets.

For me one of the main reasons why Maya The Bee has become a Mummy and Boo firm favourite is that it is perfectly aimed at three to six year olds. Boo watches a variety of films but it was really nice for her to sit through an entire film and understand the plot, keep up with the characters, she really got the film and was so engaged.

Maya The Bee is a lovely film perfect for some of those first cinema experiences and will have your little ones buzzing with excitement long after the film is over as they fall in love with Maya… A curious little bee with a very big heart.

Maya The Bee opens in cinemas across the UK on 23 October.

Disclosure: We were invited to a preview screening of Maya The Bee for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% honest.

There’s nothing worse than having a bad boss. We spend so much time in the workspace that, when you are dealing with a manager or owner who takes advantage of you, it can be demoralising. Plus, it can even lead to long-term mental health issues as well. Although being asked to go the extra mile on occasion is to be expected as a natural element of any employment, if you are having consistent issues, you may need to find ways to deal with that in proactive ways. If you’re feeling unappreciated at work and that you’re being taken advantage of, these signs should help to clarify your next steps.

Overtime on top of Overtime

Of course, there are going to be times when overtime demands clash with your expectations. Overtime is both a blessing and a curse at times, but your boss may be taking advantage if you consistently have to cope with demands on your personal time. We already spend a lot of time at work, and spending more hours at work instead of at home can be perilous to your mental and physical health. Burnout is a genuine factor to consider, and you should talk to your boss about your overtime. No matter how much you enjoy your job, spending too many hours in the workplace is not worth the long-term risks, so address excessive overtime as soon as it becomes a noticeable issue.

Pay Issues

Many bad bosses keep you dangling with the promise of a pay rise or a promotion but always fail to deliver. They keep coming up with excuses why it’s not happening quite yet but still hint that it may be close. If that sounds familiar, you need to address the issue sooner rather than later. This is especially important because your current wage and position are very likely going to be a factor when it comes to any future career options, and if you’re not being paid your worth, the long-term effects could damage your future prospects. If your boss is consistently effusive when it comes to pay rises and promotions, it is often worth seeking legal help, and there are specialist legal professionals that can help. Look at the value offered by the leading Miami employment law attorney and assess whether your boss is simply taking advantage of your good nature.

The Praise Thief

One of the most frustrating elements of a toxic work environment is the manager or boss who takes credit for your hard work or creative ideas. If your boss is stealing credit, then you need to take steps to ensure that you receive the recognition that you deserve. Making a point of highlighting your own work will gain you greater recognition in a company environment, and may even lead to a promotion that takes you away from that bad boss. If your boss starts to claim credit, then remind them of your contribution. It’s not a good idea to go over your managers head, but if your subtle reminders of your worth are not working, then it may be your only option.

A good boss will always recognise your worth and value your contribution to the business. If you’re repeatedly overlooked, then it may be time to look at your next strategy to get the acknowledgement that you deserve.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

I loved horse riding as a child and played Polo when I was three; and it would appear that Boo has inherited my passion for all things horses. Boo’s very fortunate that she gets to spend a lot of time up at the stables with her Auntie Suzanne, with me getting to join them occasionally if I’m lucky – oh to be four years old and have no responsibilities again!

As with all passions, there’s a heck of a lot of kit – Boo’s prized possession is her beautiful black velvet riding hat – if you’re a little girl and into horses, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Unfortunately with Boo’s broken arm and the operation she ended up having, the saddle has been strictly off limits this summer. The lovelies at Muck Boot very kindly sent Mummy and Boo a little present for when we can head back to the stables.

The Original Muck Boot Company make durable outdoor boots for when you want a pair of wellies with a bit more bite, without compromising on performance, style and comfort. They offer styles for Men, Women and Children and from a durable wellington right through to riding boots, there’s a style to suit everyone.

Boo’s Breezy Mid Boot is a classic Boo shade of bright pink which is perfect for when she’s pottering around the stables and with the ‘Muckology’ you know they’re comfortable, warm, 100% waterproof an breathable you know you’re making the best choice for their little feet.

I opted for the Colt Ryder riding boot, I love how versatile the boot is and is perfect for a long day at the stables without your feet feeling like they’ve been plunged in ice! Last week I got the chance to head up to the stables while Boo was at school (it’ll be a few more weeks until she’s cleared by her consultant before she’s back in the saddle) and the new Muck Boots felt great – warm, comfortable and no wet socks and they felt great when riding too.

Muck Boots are a great addition to Mummy and Boo’s equestrian wardrobe and Boo can’t wait to get back to the stables and back in the saddle with her latest pink kit.

Review: We received a pair of Muck Boots each for the purpose of this review: All opinions are 100% honest.

It’s that time of year when we start to think about Christmas (come on, no matter how much you hate the C word it’s coming so get on board) and I don’t know about you, bur for me I always like to set myself an interiors goal in the lead up to the festive season as it’s a time when you invite friends and family to share in the celebrations. This year I’m turning my attention to my bedroom – ok ok, it’s unlikely that our guests will spend much time in my room, but after being in our home for two years this month I think it’s high time I focused on transforming my room.

I have to be completely honest and say that in it’s current state it’s hardly horrendous, but it still hasn’t got that dream, chilled yet luxurious vibe I’m after. Yorkshire Linen set me the task of creating a mini mood board for my bedroom, focusing on those ‘finishing touches’ that really can transform a room. For me finishing touches typically means lamps, photo frames and bedding. Oh and chandeliers but I think I may be on my own with that one!

Dressing the bed with bedspreads, cushions (basically anything soft) is one of my interior weaknesses as in I probably do it far too much. Yes most of them have to be thrown on the floor in order for you to get into bed but I still want to be seduced by just how good my bed looks when bedtime comes around, because let’s face it as a parent we don’t nearly as much time in bed as we should.

I’ve picked out pieces from the Floral Generic range available at Yorkshire Linen, in particular the bedspread, cushions and pillow shams. Every room in my house is white – not because I can’t be bothered to decorate (trust me, it took me weeks to decide upon the exact shade of Antique white to paint the whole house with!) but because I love the light that comes with a white house and the calmness it brings – and I wanted to break away form the pale pink vintage bedspread I have at the moment. Yet with this design I’ll still be keeping a floral theme just using textures rather than colour.

White as a colour is so underrated when it comes to home décor, now ive got the inspiration I can’t wait to get started on transforming my bedroom in time for Christmas.

As Boo’s first full week at big girl school comes to an end, we’re getting into the swing of things. Mornings are running pretty smoothly and on the whole Boo is a an eager little bunny when it comes to dropping her at the classroom door. The real adjustment for me comes at 12.15 – there is nothing.

For the past four years regardless of nursery, childcare, etc lunchtime has been ours; apart from when I’ve had to commute into town or work away (which being freelance thankfully isn’t that often). Even if we weren’t eating at exactly 12.15, we were bound to be dashing off somewhere – to meet friends, go swimming, pop into town for an event or simply settle down for a cheeky movie session. Now she’s off immersed in a world of her own, which is exactly what she should be doing; not hanging from me – I definitely don’t want that for Boo, I want her to flourish and be the best and happiest she can be.

Whilst I feel sadness I do not feel regret; knowing that Boo is my one and only I took onboard one of the most important pieces of advice I was ever given: Enjoy and savour every single moment, take pleasure from the ordinary and celebrate every event with as much passion and love that you have. That is exactly what I have done for the past four years and although it will never be enough for the mummy memory bank as I will always crave more – thank goodness for the lovely week we spent in Alicante just before Boo started school making wonderful memories – (I’m pretty sure it’s like that for everyone?!) I am proud of the beautiful young lady Boo is becoming and will somehow manage to fill the 12.15 gap – hello to taking more work projects on and maybe just maybe managing to finish a cup of tea without it going cold!

My feeling lost is thankfully only temporary as come 3.15 every afternoon Mummy and Boo are back in business and ready to pack in as much adventure and fun as possible.

Enjoy school Boo, you’re going to love it and I’m pretty sure they already love you!