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I love inspirational quotes, you know the kind that you find yourself nodding along to or the kind that resonate with you completely?  So when I read this on Facebook earlier this week and I was nodding my way through reading it,  it says to share it and I wanted to share it with you.

It was shared from Keith A Wells Snr, although I am unsure if he is the author.

I BELIEVE A Birth Certificate shows that we were born; A Death Certificate shows that we died; Pictures show that we lived! Have a seat . . Relax . And now read this slowly.

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it' s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to d o with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we
are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I believe - That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in. I just did.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

 

What do you believe ...?

Would you add anything to this list?

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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

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With the sunshine disappearing a bit this week, we have been trying to find things to do indoors and found that creating an arts and crafts session for your little ones shouldn’t cost the earth. With a few basic materials, you can create a whole afternoon of fun.

What you will probably need to buy:

• Some paint and brushes
• PVA glue and some tape
• Plain / coloured paper
• Lots of newspaper to cover the floor

The rest can be found around the house and garden. How many times have you thrown away tissue paper from presents or clothes that don’t fit? Find a box or large container and call it your “craft box”. Collect things like toilet rolls, buttons when they fall off or decorations from cards and you will find that they will soon mount up!

Getting your hands involved

The very best crafts are those made with little hands and what better than finger print pictures? Just paint your little ones finger tips and they can make pictures to their hearts content. We made yellow chicks at Easter but for the artistic ones amongst you, try making little penguins by painting the finger tips black and touching up with a little white paint for their tummies and yellow for their feet and beaks. The best example of this we have seen is on RedTedArt, where there are some amazing ideas!

Painting potatoes

One of my favourite memories from my childhood was making shapes in potatoes, painting them and stamping them everywhere! With a little help from mum in cutting the shapes (I would recommend using a cookie cutter shape) you could even create truly unique wrapping paper for a birthday gift!

Shake & Make

Children love making a noise, so grab a clean empty plastic bottle and simply half fill it with rice. Tape up the top (to stop little hands trying to unscrew the top) and let them paint or apply stickers on the outside of the bottle. They will love having their very own maracas but I can’t promise you will love the noise! 

But if the creativity creates too much mess, you could simply pack it all up and head out for the day (weather permitting of course). In true Lilypad style, we love making sure that this doesn't cost the earth, so we use one of our favourite sites MyfamilyClub to find the cheapest tickets for days out to the Zoo and Theme Parks.

Creating children's memories, whether on paper or as a day out doesn't need to cost a fortune, you just need to be a little crafty at finding the best deal.

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We often review baby items, so my eldest daughter was thrilled at the opportunity to review a "grown up" bag, designed for the more aspiring young lady! Santoro London has an amazing collection of gorgeous gift ideas and truly unique designs that appeal to my desire to find beautiful things.

My daughter loves bags and shoes (I wonder where she gets that from) and she was visibly thrilled to receive the Santoro "Tell Me Something" small satchel and to be honest, I was a little envious that I wasn't going to keep it for myself. The satchel retails at £42.00 which is a more than I would normally pay for a bag for my daughter but the bag is suitable for all ages and the price is reflective of the quality.

There is particular attention to detail and this magnetic key is just one of the gorgeous details that make this bag a perfect addition to anyone's collection. The bag opens up to reveal a delicate lining, an inside pocket, key hook, and a mobile phone pocket (or iPod holder in the case of my daughter, although I suspect she would happily choose to have a phone).

I love that each bag is hand-finished, so the detail may vary from piece to piece, which means you truly are getting a unique item. Not all items are in this price range and with gifts starting at £5.99, there is something for everyone.

Santoro was conceived in 1983 and from the very beginning, "Lucio and Meera focused on quality and originality, wanting to produce distinctive and captivating collections that epitomised their eclectic taste and flair for innovation". I think we can safely say that 30 years on, they are still innovating and creating inspiring items for us all to admire and enjoy.

 

Disclaimer: We received the Santoro bag to review but thoughts and comments in this review are our own opinions.