Have You met Joey Graceffa Yet?


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I think it would be fair of me to assume that some of you read this blog but don't watch a lot or any of my YouTube videos. If that's you, don't feel bad, horses for courses and all that jazz. 

Just in case you only watch the odd one or two, I thought I'd introduce you to a new person to my channel and in my life, Mr Joey Graceffa.


Joey is also a YouTuber and is an absolute HOOT! As well as being utterly beautiful (look at his face people, look. at. his. face), he is also quick witted and hilarious. We filmed THIS video on my channel and THIS video on his so if you are looking for something to do in your lunch hour, these might be it. 

I hope you have enjoyed this collaboration, I enjoyed filming it SO much! Can we all cross our fingers that Joey comes over to England this summer! Sqquuuee!

What videos have you been enjoying this week? Share and inspire in the comments, I love new suggestions!



Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Barbie and Pie. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.


A Slice of Us


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I use this blog partly to share and partly to document my life. Life wise, I spend a great deal of time talking about Darcy and not a lot about Matt. This is never going to be a marriage or relationship blog, but today I want to share a slice of us with you. 

lovelifestyle2015 husband

Ten Things About Us


One of our favourite things to do with a free evening (very rare because I tend to film/write/edit when Darcy sleeps) is to watch a cheapy American romcom DVD with the lights off. Every time I go to the supermarket I have a look in the £3 section and if there are any light hearted romantic comedies in there, I grab them. We tidy the lounge of toys and mess, turn the lights off and just sit and watch a whole film. To us, it's bliss. 

We have our own special language called 'Tang'. It was born out of a weird little private joke we had in Marseilles, France. Does this make our special language a French citizen?? 

No matter what bed we're sleeping in, Matt will take the side nearest the door. This is in case of monsters because apparently, they'll use the door. 

Our house is a mixture of pastels (me) and spiderman junk memorabilia (him). It doesn't go but we're making it work. If only Spidey would rock a bit of sky blue instead. 

We have not one single photograph of our wedding on display. I felt so under confident at the time and due to a lot of rubbish (rude ex step mother, morning sickness, financial stress) in my life I look back and think I looked vile in them all. In an ideal world, we'll renew our vows and I'll love it. I'd have Zoe as my photographer. Writing this has made me think that perhaps I could book a photography session with Matt and recreate some pictures?

Matt's signature dish is chicken and chorizo paella. My signature dish is dominos pizza. Both brilliant.

Despite doing very different jobs now, Matt and I did actually work together for six months in an office in Liverpool. I really enjoyed it because I liked walking home with him and seeing him about but he says he missed having space. Little bugger.

To date we have only been abroad together twice (France and Gran Caneria). We still haven't had our honeymoon but this October we are going on a family holiday to Orlando and are both crazy excited for it!!

We used to have a mixed tape style CD that had the theme tune to Home And Away on it. If he was in the mood, we would sing that song in a perfect duet and we know all the versus. I'm so tempted to reintroduce that CD to the car. 

Even when out for drinks with friends on a night off from parenthood, we find ourselves talking about Darcy. This weekend we went out and on the club dancefloor played a game of 'Dance like the baby does'. Honestly, dancing like a 2 year old, whilst wearing a Ted Baker dress and having more than a couple of cocktails inside you is side splittingly funny. Try it!


And that's ten. I'd quite like to do another post like this (with another equally slushy photograph) so if you have any questions or things you'd like to know, leave them in the comments and I'll use them for ideas!


Toodlepip!

xx



This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Barbie and Pie. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE


Motivational Monday #10


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

We're at number 10 of this series! Yay! I think this is the longest I've ever stuck at a regular feature so big fist pumps from me. 

As always, a great big Happy Monday. I hope this week is going to be brilliant for you all. You deserve it. 

Motivational Monday

This quote from Pinterest (originally from Little Women I believe) has really struck a cord with me.

Last week Matt was away on a business trip, as was my Dad. The most important men in my life and most prominent support network folk were out of the country. I was alone. For the everyday task, this is no big deal. But when a truck smashed into my parked car (Darcy and I were inside thankfully and the truck driver was fine), I realised I had to deal with this myself.

I know to a lot of people this is just a simple task of swapping details and making the calls but to me this was a big hurdle. I never do this kind of thing. I have always been looked after by my Dad and then these kind of tasks were passed onto Matt. 

So, like the dingbat I am, I went out into the street, looked at my smashed up car, burst into tears, freaked out because I couldn't reach my Dad or my Matt and then dealt with it. I exchanged details with the other driver, I located the folder with our insurance paperwork in, I called the insurers, I called the police, I called the car hire people, photographed the damage and I liaised with the garage. I took down reference numbers, I confirmed security questions and I organised recovery truck pick up times. I coped. I accomplished. I was proud.

The lesson in this is a good one. Life hurdles (the storms) will happen in your life, you cannot avoid them. Do not fear them. Wait for them and be prepared. You can cope with anything and you can deal with anything. There is no need to run from things, no need to panic in the face of them. You are able. It's alright to ask for help or take a little bit of time to do things, but in the end, if you want to, you will learn how to sail your ship and you will be so proud. 

It's the start of a new week so go and sail your ships and enjoy the waves, you can do it so beautifully if you try.

Have you dealt with any storms lately? Share and inspire in the comments. 





Toodlepip!

xx



This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Barbie and Pie. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE

Baby Glitter is Two!


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I am the mother of a two year old human. This astounds me. Firstly that I've managed to keep something alive this long (my record with plants isn't too positive) and secondly that it's gone past in the blink of an eye. If they say time flies when you're having fun, I must've had a blast!

As is customary, we held a bit of a get together in her sweet little name and I thought you might like to see some of the snaps. We had quite a full house but since this is the interwebs and the likes of my Mother-In-Law don't quite get it (understatement of the century), I'm just sharing pictures of familiar faces. I'm sure you understand. 

Baby Glitter
Dress- Mothercare, Bow- H&M, Cardi- H&M, Eyes- Mama, Mouth- Dada

Baby Glitter

Baby Glitter

Baby Glitter
Ooff he's a hottie. 

Baby Glitter
I love this too much. The smiles are totally relaxed. Auntie Soosees is so loved. 

Baby Glitter
No, I'm not eyeing up any cakes. No way. Na-ah. Nope.

Baby Glitter

Baby Glitter


Baby Glitter
Yes, that is glitter on the petals. Well spotted. 

Baby Glitter

Baby Glitter
Nobody knew of Tiyana's hidden talents- 30 blueberries in one mouth. Wow. 

Baby Glitter
Alfie teaches important growling and biting skills. 


I have loved being the Darcybird's Mama these last two years and look forward to many, many, many more. Although she may not be a tiny infant anymore, she'll always be my Baby Glitter. 


Would you like to see more lifestyle posts like this on a Friday or are you all Beauty Review addicts? 



Toodlepip!

xx

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Marshmallow Pops


Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Baby Glitter and I have been busy doing a lot of fun new activities. 

One of them has been 'cookery'. I say cookery but what I really mean is 'basic stuff in the kitchen with no real skill or effort' haha. 

I thought I'd share with you today how we made marshmallow pops for Darcy's birthday party. They are fun, inexpensive and perfect for little hands to help with. 

How to make marshmallow pops
How to make marshmallow pops
How to make marshmallow pops
How to make marshmallow pops
How to make marshmallow pops
How to make marshmallow pops


This was such a lovely activity to do together and I just know she got a lot out of it. 

It was a great opportunity to introduce knew language, experience new textures and flavours and spend some quality time together. 

To make your own, simply pop lollypop sticks into marshmallows (mine were from Hobbycraft), dip in melted chocolate and then roll in sprinkles or glitter (or whatever you prefer). 

Is this a rainy day activity you might try? Have you done anything similar before?



Toodlepip!

xx