Back to school doesn’t just mean fun for the kids, if like me you’re rather partial to stationary (that really is putting it mildly) then the new school year is the perfect excuse to see what’s on offer down the pens and pencils – not forgetting notebooks- aisle! The lovely folks at Parragon sent me a few pieces from the new Paris je t’aime Life Canvas stationary collection.

It’s easy to bring some Parisian-chic to your to-do lists and day to day organization with the pretty pocket notebook and sticky note tin. If like me you believe that you never can have too many little notebooks to jot down ideas and musings (who am I kidding, by musings I mean to-do lists with pretty doodles!) then this pocket notebook is perfect size to throw in your handbag and with the elastic, you can even bung in a few stray receipts and pamphlets.

The sticky note tin boasts 495 sticky notes, I’ve taken their word as I had to resist the strong urge to waste a good 90mins counting each sheet, the tin hopefully means no more splitting of the stack which is super annoying, all round great storage idea.

The new Paris je t’aime stationary collection by Life Canvas is perfect for autumn organization both at home and at school.

Disclosure: We received Paris je t’aime stationary for review. No payment was received and all opinions are 100% honest we promise.

In the last few hours, it has been announced that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her second child; and like her first pregnancy she is suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum. I suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum when I was pregnant with Boo and completely sympathise with how Catherine is feeling.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is the reason I found out I was pregnant, after being ill for a few weeks, I went to my GP who was concerned something pretty serious was wrong with me, so sent me to the hospital who told me I was nearly 10 weeks pregnant – the happiest surprise ever!

The doctors assured me that my ‘morning sickness’ would calm down in a few weeks and that it was perfectly normal to feel dreadful in the first trimester. By week 12 I was begging to feel dreadful – my sickness and general health became so bad that coupled with migraines I was eventually forced to take early maternity at 26 weeks.

Three and a half years later, it’s not a happy time I look back on, most people suffer from mild to moderate morning sickness but on the whole they spend time planning for the baby’s arrival; welcoming the changes to their body. I felt as if I had an alien force taking over my body, making the simplest tasks seem like climbing a mountain – I remember crying because I couldn’t wash my hair in the shower then crying even more at how pathetic and useless I felt. Hyperemesis gravidarum not only turns your world upside down physically but also has an immense on your mind; I felt so isolated and alone – people still have the misconception that it’s merely bad morning sickness and that you can shake it off and ‘carry on like all the other pregnant woman’. After a while you even feel bad ringing family and friends to say you’re in hospital again to be rehydrated and monitored; I even went through a period when I began to believe the negativity that I really was just making a meal of it and needed to man up; it’s a feeling I never want to feel again – feelings of failure and inadequacy – If I can’t handle pregnancy, then how the hell am I going to fare as a parent?

To simple dismiss hyperemesis gravidarum as really bad morning sickness is not only factually wrong and rather insulting but can be extremely hurtful to the expectant mother, this condiditon is debilitating, relentless and all consuming, turning what should be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life into sometimes their darkest months.

Hyperemesis gravidarum in part (along with premature labour) is a massive reason why I probably won’t have any more children, not only is it that I don’t think I can do it again, it’s also down to not wanting to ever feel like that again – does that make me selfish? I don’t think any of us can judge another person for their choices and especially the media attention that will no doubt be focused on the Duchess of Cambridge over the coming months, Hyperemesis gravidarum isn’t; something I would wish on my worst enemy let along a pregnant woman, so cut her and all sufferers some slack – you can’t make us feel any worse than we do.

I’d never regarded Croydon as the go to for Indian cuisine however over the Bank Holiday me and my sister were invited to Khyber, a long established Indian restaurant founded by the Khalique family in 1978.

We arrived on a Sunday evening and were immediately impressed by the crisp, clean and modern décor and the warm and friendly welcome we received; I have to say that throughout our meal, the service was outstanding – attentive without being over the top or intrusive; the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed meal with friends and family.

To start my sister had the king pram purree which was beautifully presented and tasted delicious; I decided to try the venison chapali as I love game and wondered how venison would go with indian flavours. What can I say? Wow, amazing. Clean, separate flavours that worked so well and really was one of the best dishes I’ve eaten out in a long time.

For the main course we shared a chicken tikka masala and a chicken madras with a few delicious sides, again the food had such definite flavours that worked so well yet light enough for us to enjoy our meal without feeling full after a few mouthfuls, the freshness of the ingredients was evident and the seasoning was authentic and perfectly balance, with an contemporary twist.

The only downside? After two courses we didn’t have room for dessert!

Khyber Croydon is no newbie in the Indian cuisine scene and is definitely worth venturing out of the capital for; a great 10/10 from Mummy and Boo.

Disclaimer: We were invited for a complimentary meal to review. No payment was received and all opinions are 100% honest we promise.

The summer holidays are well and truly in full swing and whilst it’s lovely to enjoy the amazing weather we’ve recently had (if you’re one of those people who are moaning about the heat… seriously, what is wrong with you!); a British summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the cinema. Often saved as a backup plan I can remember being so excited when I was a child to head to the cinema for the big summer blockbuster.

With Boo now 3, she’s the perfect age to really get involved with a film – we were lucky enough to be invited along to the Gala screening of Disney’s Planes 2: Fire and Rescue just before her birthday and if I’m honest I was a little worried that we wouldn’t get all the back story as we hadn’t seen the first movie, however how wrong was I – within a couple of minutes Boo was gripped and soon knew all the characters names – she still talks about Dusty and how he has to be careful and listen! There’s some great additions to the original cast that will have the kids picking favourites in no time.

The film is great as an introduction to fire for little ones and the producers of the film were on hand before the gala screening to explain just how much detail and planning went in to making it as realistic as possible; and it shows – the result is a great all round family film that is perfect for younger children but still packs a fair few jokes for the adults.

Planes 2: Fire and Rescue is in cinemas nationwide now.

It’s early morning and you’re still sleeping, yet I’ve already watched you snuffling for the last half an hour and still can’t quite believe you turned 3 yesterday. A cliché I know, but it feels like only yesterday that you were born.

You’ve come so far in 1096 days – that’s 1096 days that I’ve woken up tired, happy, worried, in love and excited all in one. My fears as a parent never go away, they only change as do you. The last year has been a rollercoaster, with some scary health hurdles and still so many questions unanswered, but with spring came the change from toddler to little girl as you grew up so so fast. You’re off to big girl nursery in September, and I know that will bring so many more adventures for you, I have no doubt you will love it.

It’s true that having a child really does change you as a person – I have to admit that before Boo I was pretty skeptical of this, but now I see just how much a tiny baby changes everything – forget the physical changes (ok I admit, it’s pretty damn hard to!) to love someone so much, it’s as if they hold your heart in theirs; learning what true love is.

So my dear Boo, keep growing, keep laughing, keep loving – enjoy everything, every minute and don’t look back but know I am always here right next to you. You may be the smallest, but you have the biggest heart and the brightest brain, my beautiful, perfect, fabulous Boo!

Quite simply I love you,

Mummy x