Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Unique wedding venues : Featured post

   Posted on 10:18pm Wednesday 31st Jul 2013

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   There are usually a number of wedding invites every summer but the older we get (ahem), the cycle turns to christenings and sometimes second weddings. Everyone I know is always seeking "something different" and on the Lilypad we are always looking for the unique option so when we were asked to feature some amazing wedding venues, we couldn't resist sharing a little love. 

   If you're looking for a wedding venue with a difference, rather than the traditional manor house or chapel, you could turn your attention to the rustic charm of a barn wedding. Perfect if you've chosen a country or vintage (which we love) theme or are hoping for a relaxed atmosphere, barns are ideal venues for your big day celebrations.

   

   Take a look at our pick of five of the best choices for a barn wedding.

   Combe Manor, Berkshire

   If you have a penchant for history or have chosen a medieval theme for your big day, there are few better barn venues to select than Combe Manor in Berkshire. Comprising two L-shaped barns that have been restored to their former glory, the venue is situated amid rolling countryside in a romantic location.

   Within the barn are visible beams and hanging tapestries, which give the venue a rustic, historical ambience. The barn can be decorated to specific tastes and you can also specify the menu you'd like for your wedding breakfast. The venue is accessible from the M4 and A34, while just 50 metres away is a Norman church, and you may be able to hold your ceremony here.

   Gaynes Park, Essex

   Fans of the great outdoors looking to hold their wedding in a natural location should take a look at Gaynes Park in Essex. The barn is situated on a country estate near Epping, surrounded by parkland.

   You can choose to have your ceremony in the Garden Barn, which is open on two sides, opt for the modern and spacious Mill Barn, or hire the beautiful Orangery for your service and walk down the Garden Aisle - which is lined with herbaceous borders - afterwards. There is also a Grade I-listed church nearby, and catering facilities are on hand for your reception. (My brother and sister in law got married here and it is truly beautiful)

   The Barn at Chilton, Buckinghamshire

   If you're hoping for a simple yet charming wedding, you should consider booking the Barn at Chilton in Buckinghamshire. The vaulted barn, which dates back to the 18th century, is located close to the Georgian Chilton House and retains its charming antique ambience as a result of sympathetic renovation using traditional methods.

   Your ceremony can be held in the barn or outdoors on the terrace, which can be covered with a marquee if the weather looks less than promising. Afterwards, enjoy your reception under a marquee to one side of the barn that are accessed via French doors.

   Clock Barn, Hampshire

   For a truly unique setting for your nuptials, take a look at Clock Barn in Hampshire. The distinctive location comprises a rustic barn with a beamed interior and an eye-catching thatched clock tower, both of which are surrounded by farmland and rural landscapes.

   Both the ceremony and reception can be held in the barn, with drapes separating the barn into two areas, and there are catering facilities on site and a variety of mouth-watering menus to browse when choosing your wedding breakfast.

   

   Sandhole Oak Barn, Cheshire

   Another wedding barn worth considering (you can browse plenty more at Country House Wedding Venues) is Sandhole Oak Barn in Cheshire. The elegant setting comprises a traditional oak barn with contemporary lighting, a clock tower and a private lake. Located close to the M6 just off the A34, the barn is artistically laid out and also offers 17 luxury en-suite bedrooms, so both you and your guests can relax in the glorious setting overnight following your celebration.

   We love unique and we love beautiful things, so they tick all the boxes for us ..... oh and it appeals to my romantic nature too!!

   Photo credits : ThinkStock / iStockphoto

2. Baby Shower Etiquette

   Posted on 12:08pm Sunday 28th Jul 2013

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   Yesterday I went to my gorgeous sister in law's (and latest member of our Lilypad team) baby shower and it occured to me that a baby shower is almost expected these days but only 8 years ago, when I was having my eldest daughter, no one really had a baby shower. It is amazing at how quickly traditions become adopted or fads are created and having now been to a few baby showers over the past few years, I thought it maybe good to share what happens and what is the etiquette for those that are expecting (or expecting to have one!).

   Who should throw the baby shower?

   This kind of depends on the pregnant mum, it is traditional for friends to throw the party and it is best to gauge how much control the expectant mum would like. I was delighted to have a surprise baby shower for my second daughter but I also know that there were friends who were not included, so for me I would have like a little control over the guest list (but maybe that is just the control freak in me). 

    

   When should the baby shower be held?

   The baby shower is usually thrown in the last trimester but this can sometime be dictated by travel arrangements of family or timing of the baby's due date. It is good to try and accomodate immediate family and close friends but ultimately you need to pick a date and stick to it, there will always be people that can't make it and you can't please everyone all of the time.

   Who should be invited?

   Whoever is important to the expectant mum (and how many the venue can cope with!) It is not necessary to invite every woman or friend on Facebook! It maybe worthwhile checking if any of the guests may have had fertility problems and recognize and respect how difficult this maybe for her to be confronted with other people's pregnancies. Don't be offended if she feels she can't be there.

   What to expect at a baby shower?

   Food, chats, games and laughing!

   Be prepared to have to bring photos of yourself as a child and if the games we played at my sister in law's yesterday were anything to go by, it maybe worthwhile researching the names of songs with "baby" in them, as I didn't score particularly high in this game!

   Should we buy gifts?

   In America, where baby showers have been more common place for much longer, there are expectant mums that actually have a department store gift registry but in the UK, the gifts are usually more token and personal. The image below shows the gift I had made for my sister in law yesterday, showing her 20 week scan picture. I plan to have these on the Lilypad as her reaction was very emotional.

   

   Is a Baby Shower okay for 2nd time mums?

   When I was pregnant with my second daughter, it never crossed my mind that I would have a baby shower but if friends and family want to throw showers for you, why stop them? There was quite an age gap between my girls but if you want to forgo the gifts this time, just simply ask the friend who is throwing the party to indicate on the invitation that you want their presence not their presents.

   So ultimately, when it comes to throwing a baby shower, whether it is for a friend or relative, there are very few hard-and-fast rules (aside from those that govern good manners — such as being gracious when you open a gift, whether you like it or not!), so just sit back and bask in being showered with love and affection during this very special time.

3. Keep Calm and BlogOn

   Posted on 9:35pm Monday 22nd Jul 2013

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   First of all, I have to admit that I have stolen the title of this post from the ever so lovely Laura from TiredMummyofTwo. I met Laura earlier this year and her enthusiasm for being the master of your own blog was infectious, so there was no doubt I would want to attend an event organised by her. BlogOn wasn't designed to rival some of the bigger blogging conferences, in fact it was perfect in its individuality. There were no choices to be made about which session you wanted to attend (or those you would have to concede to missing), there were simply three sessions, run all day about the things bloggers wanted to talk about and let's be honest, we all like to talk!

   My conversations on the day ranged from SEO and the legalities of running a blog, brand discussions, my love of a good wine and cake, to birth stories and the ability to go to the toilet at a festival *looks in direction of a certain Mammasaurus* The day was certiainly not dull.

   

   The Museum of Science and Industry was the perfect back drop for an amazing event and I was impressed by the very personal welcome by the MOSI team as we walked through the door ..... although I am not entirely sure they knew what had hit them with all the ladies (and a few men) trooping through their doors with excitment and intrepidation.

   

   I could sit here all day and rave about the fabulous brands (like the LEGO stand that was very cool) and speakers, yes Liz, Cat, Tanya and Helen, I am talking about you but the thing that struck me most was the strength of a community. I have said it before but in an age where so many of us only engage with some friends online whether by choice or circumstance, the ability to meet like minded people and feel comfortable in your own skin is a testament to each and every person who attended the conference.

   There was a TV programme called "Cheers", the bar where everyone knows your name and that is how I felt about BlogOn.

   It was a comfort zone, while many were outside of theirs.

   It was helpful, without being patronising.

   It was exciting, without being overwhelming.

   It was familiar, without being intrusive.

   And (with the help of our name tags), it was a place where everyone knows your name.

    

    

    

    

4. End of Term Sports Day

   Posted on 2:49pm Thursday 18th Jul 2013

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   With tomorrow heralding the end of term, it has to be one of the first years that the weather has not ruined the annual school sports day. I remember sports day as a child and it seemed like the sun was shining every year (but maybe you just don't notice these things as a child or I am wearing my rose tinted glasses again) but ever since my eldest daughter was at pre-school it has seemed like the weather has conspired against us.

   Despite this, I have religiously been there every year, even those times when we were told on arrival that it had been cancelled or it was being held in the hot school hall, because it has always been important to my daughter to be there. She is the kind of child that will look into the audience at a school play and wave when she sees us! I always remember that my mum would be at every school event when I was in Junior school but when you move into Senior school, it is not so cool for your parents to be there cheering you on .... which was kind of a shame as I came into my own in Senior school.

   I loved being active, whether it was ballet dancing, swimming or sports, I suppose I have a somewhat competitive streak! My eldest daughter however will happily help everyone else get to the finish line, rather than ruthlessly pass someone that had fallen over. That actually happened one year when her friend stumbled in the running race, she stopped to help her and her friend carried on and won the race!

   Mum always told me that it wasn't about coming first but the taking part that counts. Unfortunately for me this year I couldn't go, the first year that her Dad went instead of me and guess what happened? Yes, she came first! 

   

    

   This post was inspired by the Sainsbury’s School Games website www.2013schoolgames.com  

   Image courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net