Blog : Little Lilypad Co

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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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Category: Views & Ramblings

  1. Simple pleasures in life

    Posted on

    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!!

    Simple pleasures 1

    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)

    Simple pleasures 2

    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. 

    Simple pleasures 4

    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.

  2. International Women's Day 2014 #lastingchange

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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

    • 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. 

    DSC01414

    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

  3. What to do when your biological clock starts ticking?

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    I saw an article the other day (and typically I can't find it now to link to it) but it was about the feeling of knowing when you have finally given birth for the last time. But how do you know?

    I never heard the ticking of the biological clock and was never the "maternal" type, always prefering to shop for spike heeled boots than cute little booties but then I was pregnant and suddenly this changed me. My pregnancy was a breeze, I loved being pregnant, I loved seeing my body change and feeling proud of it. I felt great. No, I felt amazing, I felt like I could take on the world.

    The birth of my eldest daughter was in hospital and fairly midwife led .... it was the first time I had done it so was happy to let them take control but afterwards, I felt stronger than ever (if you put aside the fact that I wobbled out of bed because my legs didn't want to work). I wanted to do it again.

    I missed the flutters of movement.

    I missed not having to hold my stomach in for a few months. (!!)

    I missed the excitement of the unknown.

    I missed the anticipation.

    I missed the determination to look after myself more for my unborn child.

    For a number of reasons, it took me a long time to feel like that again and so it started.

    Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock ........

    My second pregnancy was big and beautiful and suffering with SPD, made it a little more uncomfortable than the first but the excitement was still there, the anticipation, the determination and this was fuelled by a more informed birth choice and my own confidence.

    Almost as soon as I had given birth, friends and family were asking when we were having another, I think my biological clock must tick loud enough for everyone else to hear it.

    Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock ........

    Biological clock

    Now in my thirties, I have conceded that I am not going to be a life changing scientist, a specilalist vet, a high profile ballerina or any of those other aspirations I had as a child but I am good at being pregnant and giving birth. So maybe that has always been my vocation in life, I just didn't realise it.

    So with two perfect daughters and a body that is considered "old" in terms of pregnancy and birth, does that mean I will never do it again. I always remember someone saying to me that if you waited till you could afford children, you would never have them but what about ensuring that you can afford the things you need for the children you already have?

    The choices we make now, will affect them too. I need to be a mother but I need to be a good Mom to my girls.

    I don't feel like it is the end of my journey though.

    Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock .......

    Maybe I just need to take the batteries out??

  4. Creating a romantic trip for two : "mini moon" ideas in Europe

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    With February over, and Valentine’s Day well and truly past, I’ve been thinking a lot about the practicality of love and how we maintain that romance, day to day. Having two children can mean that sometimes romantic breaks are not always top of the priority list but with our wedding plans in full flow and a romantic "mini moon" on the cards, it has got me thinking .....
     
    Europe has so many destinations worthy of the moniker ‘most romantic city in the world’ simply put, many destinations on the Continent make a great place for couples to go at any time of the year, because of the beautiful countryside, city skylines and abundance of cultural attractions you can enjoy on a one to one basis. Venice, Barcelona, and even lesser-known cities like Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana are all excellent places to experience with the one you love. However, you can’t write a blog post about romantic Europe getaways without mentioning Paris!
     
    Eiffel Tower
     
    Known by many as the ‘City of Love’, Paris offers so much to the first-time visitor. From traditional romantic walks along the Jardin des Tuileres, to surprise trips up the Eiffel Tower and more contemporary attractions, such as viewing the naked sculptures at the Rodin Museum, Paris has everything you could wish for. (I know friends that have been to Euro Disney for their honeymoon but I suppose that depends on whether you consider Disney romantic or not) You can even enjoy a spot of fine and unusual dining with Paris’ blind waiters in Dans le Noir restaurant. (You dine in the dark, it’s all really rather fun and risqué!)
     
    Interestingly, Berlin is also another city that’s been drawing in couples in search of romance. Long seen as a great hub for culture and the arts, Berlin also offers visitors the full ‘blind waiter’ experience at restaurants such as Nocti Vagus, while the city’s attractions include the Erotic Museum (which is apparently fun for a flirty afternoon) and world-famous art galleries to roam, hand in hand, such as the Hamburger Bahnhof.
     
    One of the best ways to leave a lasting memory of your romantic Europe holiday is to leave a reminder in the city that you visited. This may sound cryptic, but it’s actually very easy to do, and if you’ve read the book, or seen the film PS, I Love You, it’s something that will sound all-too familiar. I love the idea of the ‘Love Lock tree’. These traditional trees can be found everywhere from Paris and Berlin to Rome and Moscow, and if you fasten your "love" padlock here, the idea is that it will remain indefinitely. This is a really lovely thing to do, especially if you decide to throw the keys in a nearby river, such as the Seine in Paris. 
     
    Love Lock Tree
     
    I know only too well how hard it can be to emotionally and physically leave the kids behind but sometimes, just sometimes I convince myself that I owe it to our relationship to steal back some ‘me and you’ time! I just need to make sure I select somewhere with a Love Lock Tree ..... I love this concept!!
     
    If you could suggest anywhere in Europe for our romantic break, would it be somewhere traditional, like Paris, or do you have another destination in mind?
     
    This is a featured post but the mini moon plans and romance are all our own!