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This week has been a little bit crazy, although to be honest, that is no different than most weeks in our household. So often our life gets dominated by our own commitments - may it be work, our family or our kids - that we forget to dedicate time to ourselves. 

Does it happen to you too? To arrive to a stage when all you keep thinking about is what everyone else wants and not what you want? I guess it is part of the “job” description of being a woman, and especially a mother. 

It's funny though that is seems only as you get older that you realise the best pleasures in life always come from the smallest things that help us enjoy each and every moment. I genuinely believe that if every day we could manage to find some small things that really give us satisfaction, it would make such a positive impact on our mood and on our life. Doesn’t it feel good when someone makes you an unexpected compliment, or when you see someone smile because of something that you said or did?  

So I sat here and though about the little things that can bring make a difference and make each day a bit brighter.

Make a DIY gift for a friend 

Giving something to a friend that you have made with your own hands gives you a certain satisfaction that is difficult to explain unless you have done it before. Plus, DIY is a great way to release tension and express your creativity. I can be creative but I have nothing on my girls with some glue and glitter!!

Take a relaxing bath 

If you can’t have a week-end at the SPA, you could turn your bathroom into one! Prepare the room with candles, put on some relaxing music and take a long boiling-hot bath. (This is a particular favourite of mine ..... when I can finally get the bathroom to myself)

Enjoy the great outdoors 

The days are getting longer and warmer, so what better time than this to spend some time outdoors with your kids? Take the family to the park or the beach and spend some quality time together that you will all love. Alternatively, you could turn your back-garden into a great place for you to play together with your kids! 

My eldest has a love affair with the Argos book and loves to go through it picking things she would like for the garden, or her bedroom. You can find amazing deals on outdoor toys that you can enjoy with the children and the savvy part of me knows you don’t need to spend much on them, especially if you go for vouchers (I often find great deals on My Voucher Codes). 

Treat yourself to great food (and rekindle your relationship!)

Call a baby-sitter and take a night off to go to a very nice restaurant and order all the things that you like. Great food makes you feel happier (especially if someone else is cooking and washing up), plus, you would have some alone-time to dedicate to your relationship which should not be overlooked. Getting a babysitter isn't always possible but you could create a bit of "you" time by buying a treat for you to share, like a scrumptious cheesecake or a luxurious box of chocolates. 

Read a good novel

I am a book-addict. I absolutely love reading but it is not always something I make enough time for. My idea of happiness is sitting down with a great book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. If it’s winter, you can snuggle up on the sofa with a cosy blanket, whereas for the summer the best thing is to sit in the sun and also get some suntan whilst you are at it. It’s a win-win situation!

What simple things do you do to relax and take time out?

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

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Since becoming a mother, I have had even more reason to indulge my passion for bags. I have an ever increasing collection of oversized bags and my justification for this is that I always need to carry "everything" with me and when I say everything, I really do mean everything. (My friend and I recently went to a soft play and she didn't have socks but my bag had a spare pair for her little one .... and her!)

So when I was given the opportunity to review one of the bags from the Mia Tui range, I leapt at the chance and chose the Amelie bag for its classic design and amazing specification. It retails at £63.00 and there is an extensive range of colours to choose from but I typically chose black (as it goes with pretty much every outfit). I was delighted when it arrived as it was beautifully packaged and the quality was obvious from the first moment.

The Amelie bag is made in an ultra soft faux-leather and wipes clean (perfect for any mom with a sticky fingered child), which appeals to my tactical and sensory side. Whereas the the practical side of me loves that the Amelie bag comes with:

• 2 Clear internal bags with hand strap
• 1 Matching clutch bag with hand strap
• Water bottle holder
• Key clips
• Phone pocket
• Pen holder
• Hands free shoulder strap
• Zipped pocket on back of bag
• Blue Interior

Despite my love affair with a "big bag", I have to admit that the Amelie is probably too big to be considered an every day handbag but it is perfect for those occasions when you do need to cover every eventuality, such as travelling with children or it is a great option for a stylish gym bag. The matching clutch is a great addition to the bag, as you can go from day to night in the blink of an eye, if you going from work to play at a moments notice (or after carefully arranging babysitters in my case).

We have had great fun working out how much we can actually fit in the Mia Tui Amelie bag and the only thing that we have struggled with is my ability to carry it, rather than the lack of space in the bag! (My toddler has attempted to get in the bag but I don't recommend that you carry small children in there!!)

I know everyone isn't as passionate about bags as I am but even if the Mia Tui Amelie bag is a little too big for you, they have an amazing range to choose from. I am an existing customer and very happy reviewer ..... the only downfall about Mia Tui? They have so many bags for me to lust over!

Disclaimer: I was sent the Amelie bag to review but all opinions are our own.

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Having a toddler brings no end of entertainment, my toddler thinks she is Entertainments Manager in our house and loves nothing more than making us laugh.

Since going to nursery, she has met a little boy called Lennon John. She insists every single day that his name is Lemon. There is no convincing her otherwise, especially as she now knows it makes us laugh.

Peppa Pig has a parrot called Polly Parrot. According the the 2 year old, it's name is Polly Carrot. Again, there is no convincing her otherwise.

But my favourite thing at the moment is her morning prayer. Before snack time at my daughters' nursery and school, they say a prayer, according to the 2 year old, this is how is goes ......

Bless us oh garden as we sit together,

Bless the food we eat today,

Bless us oh garden, Amy.

Her big sister tries to teach her the correct prayer but as per usual, there is no convincing her otherwise.

I think the Priest may have a struggle with this one at First Communion time!!

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Unless you have been in hiding for the last few weeks, you cannot have ignored the social media powerhouse that is Team Honk! Team Honk is about bloggers raising money and awareness for Comic Relief.

To celebrate International Women's Day #iwd2014, Tanya, Annie and Penny are in Tanzania finding out how donations to Sport Relief last year have created female entrepreneurs and #lastingchange for women, their families and communities and beyond - rippling out #lastingchange in Africa. 

So we are delighted to share this #lastingchange postcard:

• Bertha - This is a Bertha.  She is a food producer in Dar es Salaam who has received support from the Gatsby Trust. Bertha makes three different types of wine, garlic paste and a flour used to make porridge.  In addition to making products she is also now training other women to do the same.   Bertha works from a processing plant that she built herself at the back of her property, with room dedicated to each part of her business. 

We think she is inspirational, don't you?

How can you help?

5 MINS  Please RT, share and support any updates you see with the #lastingchange hashtag.

DONATE You can help create #lastingchange by sponsoring #teamhonkrelay for Sport Relief

GET INVOLVED Join up for your local Sport Relief event here.

Thanks for helping to create #lastingchange