What to wear for a wedding?

I am so excited because this summer we are going to a wedding together as a family. It will be our first ever all spending the day together. Yes, it might be a complete nightmare with two children, but I am pleased that we are doing it. The past two weddings we have been to separately because they were a long way away. It has been disappointing, I love a good wedding but we lack childcare so we have to do what we can. For the wedding in July, we are also going on a long train journey with both children for the first time ever. Post-wedding weekend, I might be a gibbering wreck, but, for now at least, I am excited!

Having lost some weight, I am able to wear a dress which actually flatters my figure, rather than cover it up. However, I am rubbish at shopping. I really, really dislike it. The unflattering changing rooms which are always too hot, the horrible lighting and, well, just everything about shopping is horrid. So, I shop on the internet, which can also be frustrating. When you buy something and it arrives and isn't quite what you expect, the faff of having to send it back is really just annoying.

The Photo Gallery: Drink

The Photo Gallery - week 142

Drink

The first thing I thought of when I saw the theme this week was Father Jack from Father Ted! We have been watching Father Ted again recently and it never fails to make me giggle! I digress.

Week 47 - what has made me happy

I still have four exams to go. One on Thursday and one on Saturday this week. Revision is plodding along but I am still rather scared about my actual exams. I am, however, starting to get excited about Cybher which I suddenly realised is next week. Next week! I had an amazing time last year and this year's schedule looks outstanding. Plus I get two nights away by myself, which will be absolute bliss! The weekend passed by in a blur. The sun came out unexpectedly on Sunday afternoon for about an hour which was a lovely surprise. Unfortunately, the boy learned a valuable lesson in flower picking - he won't be picking nettles again in the future. Thank goodness for dock leaves.

How to make Bran and Apple Muffins

Earlier on today, during a Twitter party, I tweeted that I make a mean Bran and Apple Muffin as a healthy(ish) addition to any lunchbox. I was asked for the recipe, but it was nowhere to be found online. So, the obvious thing to do was to make some muffins. I know, as if I needed an excuse. The good thing about these muffins is that they only have 137 calories per muffin (compared with over 200 calories in a normal muffin). They also taste delicious!

19.05.13 Silent Sunday

New jeans for a skinnier me!

Following on from the Clean 9 Detox, I have continued on to a Nutri Lean programme. It lasts four weeks and you follow a 1500 calorie per day diet. Having never dieted before, I assumed this would be hard. In fact, it is ridiculously easy and I haven't even felt hungry once! I have even managed to have a glass of wine or two at the weekend. I am nearly three weeks into this programme and I have, in total, lost just over 11lbs. I am still in the same dress size (I don't imagine I will ever go into the size below as I have hips). I am far happier with how I look, the muffin top has disappeared, my tummy is nearly flat and I have lost four inches from my bottom! I now feel confident to wear tops which are more fitted and figure hugging. The kind of thing I would have worn before having children. Mainly, I wanted to weigh less than my husband (who is very slim). We are now exactly the same weight which has made me incredibly happy!

The Photo Gallery: New

The Photo Gallery: Week 142

New

Week 46 - What has made me happy

This week was the final week before my exams started and I have been anxiously revising. This year I  have felt far more nervous about my exams, mainly because they count for so much. So I definitely haven't been the best company this week! My husband has been an absolute star, enabling me to revise at the weekends while he looks after the children. The girl had an argument with a gate and lost on Thursday. She ended up with a huge blue lump on her head. It still looks sore but doesn't bother her! On Friday I took the children to the local soft play area and we had a great time. It was the first time that the girl was totally able to do everything by herself. It was nice just to relax with them both.

So, here is what has made me happy this week:

Zooter giveaway

With the weather finally warming up, and the rain hopefully staying at bay, it is time to get out and about with your children and their scooters and bikes. I have a great giveaway to win an accessory for your child's micro-scooter (it also fits some other brands of scooter), ours isn't a micro-scooter and it fitted. The zooter now retails at £14.95 and:

• Add some serious style to your scooter 
• Doubles up as hand puppet when taken off scooter 
• Features two side pockets for toys, drinks and snacks 
• Reflective material for road safety 
• Fits mini and maxi scooter

You can read my review here.

12.05.13 Silent Sunday