When Boo was a baby I was really particular about what toys she had, in fact when I say particular what I mean is that 90% of her toys were Lamaze, so when they invited us to Hamleys this afternoon for a storytelling session with Milkshake presenter Jen Pringle, we were thrilled to get a chance to take a trip down memory lane with Lamaze and see the new toys from the Autumn/Winter 2015 collection.

Hamleys is a special place for me, living in central London for some of my childhood meant that Hamleys really was my local toy shop and despite now being an adult, I still get excited when I step over the famous threshold and with ‘the finest toy shop in the world’ turning 255 next month they’re still offering magic and wonder for children.. and plenty of adults too!

Lamaze toys, from TOMY have a simple but ingenious approach when it comes to toys; they believe that by offering ‘The Right Toy At The Right Time’ will help babies grow, discover and learn through play. I remember one of the best things I loved about Lamaze toys were that they helped to inspire daily discoveries for Boo, even in the early days and being designed with two levels of play – packed full of surprises for both Mummy and Boo to discover and independent play – they grew with Boo in the crucial first year of play and development.

Throughout the afternoon, Boo and her friend Poppy got the opportunity to sit down with the lovely Jen Pringle from Channel 5’s Milkshake and enjoy story time with a scrummy buffet and to top it all, magical and blingy (trust me when you’re 4, bling is EVERYTHING!) face painting.

Massive thank you to all the team at Lamaze and Hamleys not forgetting Jen Pringle for a perfect afternoon rekindling our love for baby toys and having a blast.

I’m the first to admit that I’m extremely fortunate when it comes to holidays; getting the opportunity to travel so frequently for the blog is an incredible perk and one that earns me endless hate – I know you love me really!

However there is some skill that comes to travelling a lot, often at a moments notice: I am the queen of packing and keeping it hand luggage only (there is nothing worse than standing at a baggage carousel at 1am on your return to a rainy UK only to discover that there must be a personal grudge against you by the baggage handlers, as that’s the only reason you bag is ALWAYS the last!). Frequent travelling, often out of season also means you get pretty good at knowing exactly what you do and don’t need and having it to hand – that includes travel size toiletries and cosmetics.

George very kindly sent me the greatest little wheeled carry on suitcase – take it from me, finding a good one of these really is the holy grail of frequent flying – filled with gorgeous swimwear and beachwear, perfect for summer getaways and when I’m seeking winter sun.

I got this gorgeous neon paisley bikini which works really well with a tan and is a good enough fit to jump in the pool for a splash about with Boo, I also picked out a couple of swimwear covers up – perfect for lazy days by the pool and they proved pretty popular with Boo and soon became her favourite poolside siesta blanket!

I often get asked how I’m able to pack so quickly and efficiently and if I’m honest there’s no real secret – just practice, a good list and a go to holiday wardrobe full of stylish and versatile pieces; thanks to George for adding for adding some key pieces.

Disclosure: We were sent beachwear and luggage by George for review. No payment was received and all opinions are 100% honest.

Believe it or not it’s summer, yes I know the rain and the drop in temperature may have some of us fooled but now is the time to be thinking of holidays (ok ok I admit I’ve pretty much have holidays on my mind all the time!) and lazy afternoons in the sun but instead I’ve been whacking the heating on and reaching for a jumper.

Boilers are usually the last thing on people’s minds during summer but looking out the window this afternoon I’m starting to accept that the heating system in our house isn’t likely to be getting a substantial break this year – owing to the weather and that I was built for much warmer climates (think deserts) so am constantly cold.

A boiler is a part of the house, that you take for granted and don’t really pay it much attention until something goes wrong – I must admit that while I have contents insurance for the house, breakdown insurance for the car I haven’t thought about insuring the boiler against breakdown. Scottish Power, boiler cover offers protection from as little as £6.50 per month; which is the same cost as a trip to Starbucks for me and Boo and takes all the stress out of trying to figure out what to do when the boiler breaks down in the middle of the coldest Februarys on record (mark my word it’ll happen).

There’s plenty of different options when it comes to choosing boiler cover: from breakdown only, right through to a yearly service and with the average UK winter temperature last year at 3.3ºC and my fear of the cold – I’m pretty sure that’s a proper phobia and not just me – I won’t be taking chances and let’s face it: boiler cover is a heck of a lot cheaper than checking into a hotel when your house resembles an igloo.

Posted in collaboration with Scottish Power

I love the house being full of flowers, for me it’s one of life’s little indulgences – such a small touch that makes the difference between a house and a home. If I’m honest, I like flowers in every single room from the kitchen to Boo’s bedroom; even a few stems in a jam jar next to my bed are a welcome sight.

My favourite flowers are lilies, roses, peonies, tulips and gladioli and recently I’ve started to really get into flower arranging and experimenting with looks throughout the house. I’ve been increasingly searching the web for florist supplies as it’s a great way – as is the oracle that is Pinterest – to browse different flowers and all the accessories that go with them without looking like a total tool and asking a million and one questions every time I pop into my local florist.

This week’s house blooms are masses of pink oriental lilies in every room, I love the smell that floods the house and Boo loves sitting and trying to blow the pollen – someone please remind me why I attempt an all white house!

As you’ve probably guessed, party planning and flowers are a match made in heaven for me even if it’s tiny artificial flowers woven into bunting for an impromptu tea party, they’re the perfect addition that adds a finishing touch to any occasion.

Put simply I can’t get enough of flowers, I’ll take them anyway I can get them… What’s your favourite bloom?

Posted in collaboration with Michael Dark.

We all know how it goes: you have a child in your twenties and you’re pretty sure you’ve got the whole stylish mum look nailed and you plod along doing quite well and then your little girl somehow manages to overtake you in the style stakes. Yup it happens and for me the biggest sign that I was seriously lagging was when Boo’s footwear collection in particular trainers left mine looking rather naff. Footlocker kindly sent us a pair of Nike trainers each to try and even out the Mummy and Boo style off.

I’ve had sneaker fever for a long time, as a girl who LOVES high heels but cannot for all the tea in china walk more than ten metres without looking like a baby rhino on stilts, it’s all about the statement trainers and flats. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been into finding quirky and pretty out there designs for Boo. From her first pair of Converse she’s loved picking out colours and designs and when I sat her down and let her have complete control over which style to order from the Footlocker website there as no mistaking her absolute joy; she felt such a big girl and it’s no surprise that she picked out this bright pink pair of Nike Roshe Ones – because when you’re Boo and 4 all you think is…pink!

When it came to my choice, I kept it classic and chose the Nike Free 5.0 2015 edition in black; what can I say I like my trainers to be luridly loud (in a good way) or versatile and anonymous and Nike really are the superior fit for me when it comes to comfort and support. But it’s not all about style, believe it or not trainers have a base function: to support us when we’re active and Boo and I thought the best place to put our new sneaks to the test was on our recent trip to Alicante.

#operationyummymummy is not always easy so the getting the opportunity to bank some road miles in the sun was too good an opportunity to miss; and well Boo likes to be like me, so hers got packed too.

It was great to feel the sun on my face while I worked our, the warm weather is such a great motivator. Boo loved the freedom to move while wearing her Nike Roshes and their durable enough to withstand pretty much anything she can think of throwing at them, plus they give her bounce!

Our holiday may be over, but sneaker fever is here to stay and thanks to Footlocker we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to picking out the hottest kicks for Mummy and Boo, thanks guys!

Disclosure: We were sent our trainers by Footlocker for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% honest.