10 Signs You're (finally) a Grown Up (Transgender Woman)

When I wrote my 10 Signs You're (finally) a Grown Up post I didn't realise how much you would relate to it. I've had so many comments and responses and it is lovely to know that something I wrote resonates with you.

A family member got in touch a few days ago to say that she'd read it too, and that she agreed with it (for the most part) but that there were a few differences for her because she is a transgender woman. As such we talked about it and I decided to invite her to write a guest post, so here she is...


Inspired by a Photo

If you've followed my blog for a while you'll know that I was writing a novel a while back and that I put it to one side in order to blog more. Since then I haven't written anything creative, until today when I was inspired by a photo I saw on StumbleUpon.



Here's the link to the photo: 

It is only short but it felt so good to write something creative!

Here's what I wrote...




She stood atop the sea of green looking down on her kingdom. White clouds rolled in over the distant hills as her people swept onto the beach.



One by one they entered the water, each knowing what was to come.



As the last person stepped into the water she smiled, the journey had begun.




Okay so it's not Shakespeare but it feels so good to write!

My Word of the Week is Inspired.

The Reading Residence

My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows

Writing Bubble

Share the Joy linky at TheJoyChaser.com

Post Comment Love 26th - 28th February 2016

Welcome back to Post Comment Love, an awesome (even if I do say so myself!) linky hosted by Stephanie and me.

This week has been all about getting back to routines, the boys were back at school on Monday which has been lovely. The house has been nice and quiet for most of the day. The first week back after a holiday is always a little strange, part of me loves the peace and quiet but part of me misses them (I know I must be mad).





During the half term I started looking at my blog and thinking it still didn't look right. There was something not quite right about it, not to mention the fact that it wasn't mobile responsive (a MUST these days). After a little browsing on Etsy I decided to buy a new template and logo. I was thrilled with the result.

It turns out that swapping your template is not quite as easy as downloading a file and installing it. There's so much more to think about, things like 'structured data errors', re-organising sidebar widgets, and making sure it all works properly.

Luckily Luca from LucaLogos (the person I bought the template from) has been fantastic. I was working at the weekend and noticed a few things weren't working properly, I contacted Luca. He was brilliant and spent a long time making sure I was happy with my template. The cost of the template was reasonable, it's easily customisable, and Luca is on hand to help if you need it. I definitely recommend LucasLogos if you're looking for a new template.


Newbie Showcase Sarah from Admissions of a Working Mum

Hi I'm Sarah - Mum, wife, worker, cat lover. 


Truth is I'm a socially awkward wine drinker who watches too much Grey's Anatomy and eats far too much cake. I blog over at Admissions of a Working Mother, which I started only eight months ago. Writing is something I've never really done before and it is definitely becoming a new passion (and obsession) of mine. I've learnt so much in such a small amount of time from linkys, to going self hosted. I've also learnt a lot about myself and have found blogging to be very therapeutic! 



My two favourite posts so far have to be : Is Anyone Else Being Constantly Punched In The Tit? and Mothering The Sh** Out Of Life simply because they were so fun to write!




I recently became aware of The Homeless Period petition, an initiative that argues that tampons and towels should be made available through homeless shelters in the same way the government provides condoms. I've signed the petition and in the spirit of the campaign I am raising money to purchase sanitary products for a shelter in my local area. I am hoping to find 100 people to each donate the cost of two packs of tampons. If you would like to find out more about this you can here.


Thanks Sarah for a great introduction, that petition and your campaign sound like a brilliant cause to support. Thank you for sharing with us.

You can find Sarah on:

Twitter
Facebook
Instagram


Pocolo

Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked. The rules are still the same; your post needs to have been written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

The Newbie Showcase is continuing and you'll find it alternating between us. Please do pop over and say hi to our Newbie, you remember what it was like being a new blogger right? It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Newbie Showcase please do get in touch - our list currently runs until June 2016.

Thank you for popping by. 

Post Comment Love
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The Real You - It's Okay To Burn Toast, Wear Jeans, And Not Be Perfect

The blogging world is full of "perfect", the perfect photo, the perfect recipe, the perfect mum. I've spent a long time beating myself up about not being able to live up to that perfection, as I'm sure you have.

I'm here to tell you to stop, it's okay to not be perfect.



On burning toast


I burn toast regularly. I've lost count of the number of slices I've had to throw away. I would blame the toaster but I can't, I get distracted by another job and leave the bread in the toaster too long. 


burning-toast


As a busy mum it's easy to forget about the toaster when you're hurrying a 6 year old along to get ready for school. Burning toast is not the end of the world, simply put another slice of bread in the toaster and start again. 



On wearing jeans


I love my jeans. Skinny, high-waisted, bootleg, any kind.
I can style them any way I like but it's usually with either a t-shirt or jumper.


Morgan-Prince-jumper-and-jeans


Jeans are every woman's best friend, they're comfortable, versatile, and stylish. You can team them with shirts, jumpers, even strappy vests and you'll look great. You don't need to look like a supermodel to look, and feel, good. If you wear your favourite pair of jeans with your most comfortable top, along with a smile (because you're so comfortable), your confidence will shine through. You may even find people comment on how good you look!



On not being perfect


I can't take great photos, I am an average cook, I'm rubbish at crafts, and you know what? That's okay.


tasty-looking-steak-meal


You don't need to be a master chef to make a pleasing meal for your family. You don't need to be a star photographer to capture great photos (the great ones aren't usually the 'best' anyway). You don't need to create the perfect card or present to make your children happy, spending time with you will do that.


You are doing your best. You get dressed every day (mostly), you feed your family the best you can, and you try to make yourself and your family happy. 

Who needs perfection?

Lego is not just for kids

Have you ever bought Lego for yourself?
lego-tower-bridge

Probably not, because Lego is just for kids right?

Wrong.

I am 35 years old and I love lego. 

lego-tower-bridge behind the words "lego is not just for kids"


When my eldest was born in 2004 I couldn't wait for him to be old enough to have lego, we started him off with the giant blocks (I can't remember what they're called), then we moved him onto Mega Blocks, and eventually Lego. Whenever he got some Lego for a birthday present I was always a little jealous, I wanted some!

Blogger Showcase - Helen from Gumdrops and the Bear

Next up for Blogger Showcase is Helen and I'm going to let her get straight to it and introduce herself.



Hello, I’m Helen of www.gumdropsandthebear.com

To give you a little flavour …. I’m a mushroom-haired working mum of two young ones (gumdrops 2yrs and the bear 5yrs), apologetic vegetarian, lover of pretty things like art, fashion and interiors, Ebay addict and strawberry lace fanatic (I nailed a whole pack of Co-op strawberry laces last night). Despite my love of all things beautiful and hedonistic, I’m a believer in charity and kindness above all things.

Losing Weight with help from Snapea

Weight is a constant battle for me, one minute I lose lots of weight and think I look great, and the next minute I've gained 20lbs and feel like completely giving up.

But I won't.


If I was to give up I'd continue to gain weight, be miserable, and have no energy to fight. Every time I think about giving up I remind myself how good I felt all those months ago.

The hunger is a pain, whenever my tummy starts making those rumbling sounds I reach for chocolate bars, biscuits, or donuts. Half the time it's probably because I'm thirsty, not hungry, but I munch on things that are bad for me anyway.

Post Comment Love 19th-21st February 2016

It's been half term this week and I've been spending most of my time finding things for the kids to do. To be honest it hasn't been too bad, they've watched lots of movies, played games, and even played outside!



BP got a Remote Control Drone thing for Christmas and has been waiting for better weather to play with it. This week we've had a couple of days where the sun was shining so they took the drone outside. The great thing about it was that the Hubby played with them too, he enjoyed playing with the drone just as much as the kids do!

After playing with the drone and enjoying it so much BP decided to get out one of his RC cars too. Both BP and LP spent a while running around outside playing with the car. It was lovely to see them playing outside, they played together and I got to enjoy a quiet house while they were out (bonus).


Newbie Showcase Franca from A Moment With Franca



This week we have Franca as our Newbie, she's a mum who lives in London but is originally from Peru. She's been blogging since May 2015 and has loved every moment. Find out more about Franca over on Stephanie's blog.

You can find Franca on:




PoCoLo

Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked. The rules are still the same; your post needs to have been written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, helps us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

The Newbie Showcase is continuing and you'll find it alternating between us. Please do pop over and say hi to our Newbie, you remember what it was like being a new blogger right? It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Newbie Showcase please do get in touch - our list currently runs until June 2016.

Thank you for popping by.

Post Comment Love
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Valentine's Day as a Tween

Sunday was Valentine's Day and usually the Hubby and I don't bother, we don't see the point in buying cards to say how much we love each other. Don't get me wrong, we do celebrate our 'togetherness' but we save it for times when it's important to us, anniversaries and birthdays.

Valentine's Day when you're a tween is a much bigger deal.


Being the mum of a tween, one that just started High School in September, I was aware that this could be the year he'd want to do something.

BP is a quiet and shy boy who likes to keep his feelings to himself so when I asked him (a week before the day) if he wanted to buy something for Valentine's Day he said no. Wanting to give him his freedom and privacy I left it at that until the Wednesday before.

How I raised it:


First of all I didn't want to embarrass him in front of LP so I took BP to one side (out of ear-shot of LP) and asked him (again) if he wanted to get anything. Before he could tell me no again I said that I didn't need to know who it was for but if he did want to get something then we could go to the supermarket together.

I saw a slight cringe when I said that so I added that he could choose his card alone, I would hover close by in case he needed advice but otherwise I'd steer clear.

After I'd finished explaining that I was not trying to embarrass him and I wanted him to feel he could talk to me or his dad about the private stuff he admitted that he wanted to buy something.

At the supermarket:


I did as I said, I pointed out where the cards were, showed him the many options, and let him have a look on his own. He lingered for a while but when it looked like he was about to give up I pointed out another section with more cards. Luckily he found something and picked it up.

As we were at the supermarket I asked him if he wanted to buy a gift and he said he'd like to get a single rose. We looked around but couldn't find anything, there were plenty of chocolate roses and bouquets but not single roses so he gave up on the idea. Before he gave up on buying anything I showed him other things he could buy, there were plenty of gifts on the shelves.

He lingered in front of the teddy bears and settled on a cute little thing. We bought a bag to put the gifts in and headed home.

At home he was very secretive, it was clear that he didn't want me to know who the gift was for.

Although I'd loved to have known beforehand I let him have his privacy. I remember when I was BP's age I hated when my family teased me about liking a boy, I always kept those things to myself.

As it was an Inset Day on Friday I told BP he should take his gift to school with him on Thursday so that he could give it to the girl. He was so excited on Thursday and as he packed his school bag I could see a smile on his face.

After the giving:


When BP returned home he was very quiet, I asked him if he gave the girl his gift and he said yes. That was all I was getting.

Later though, while scanning Facebook, I noticed a status update that made me smile. One of the mums I know had posted a picture of a Valentine's Card and gift that her daughter had received. They were the same as the ones BP bought. I was amused by the update though, apparently the girl couldn't say thank you because BP "threw it at me (the girl) and ran away".

The card and teddy bear that BP bought

This whole process has made me realise that BP is growing up and I was glad to be there for him. We talked about privacy and girlfriends and how he could trust us not to make fun of him.

I know that the next phase of BP's growing up is going to be tough (for all of us) but it is lovely to see him caring enough about someone to want to make Valentine's Day special for them.

I was so proud.

Linking up with Weekend Blog Hop and...

Happy Diaries

Diary of an imperfect mum

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows

Super Busy MUm

A Cornish Mum

Post Comment Love 12th - 14th February 2016

Hi! Welcome to another Post Comment Love, I'm so pleased that so many of you keep returning to link up week after week.



It's been a bit of a weird week this week I've managed to get lots of work done and have posts scheduled which has thrown me big time. Each day I start working I've felt like it's a different day, for example on Wednesday I spent the entire day thinking it was Friday.

That's not been a terrible thing to be honest because it's half term next week and I'm managing to get more done. Definitely a positive.

I expect that over half term I'll be spending some time at the local play centre so that I can work while the boys play. It's one of the ways I get any work done during the holidays!

Newbie Showcase - Sacha from Visualize Authenticity

Sacha from Visualize Authenticity


I'm Sacha a creative queen, lifestyle blogger, Mom, list planner, book lover, craft addict, Influencer, and I love to have fun. Through my blog I help creative women recognize their self worth, through games, visual art, mixed with a vibrant blend of psychology and motivation.

My work encourages creative women to show off to the world their authentic self. I have been featured on Happiness and Food, The Chronicles of Chaos , Soulpaintco and Confessions of a Ninja Mom. 


One of posts that I am really proud of is called The misconception about work from home

My favorite post is my first post (Perception and Authenticity) I speak about Why do we live in a world that is fixated on the word perfection? 

You can know more about me on my about me page - http://www.visualizeauthenticity.com/about-3-visualize-authenticity/)



Thanks Sacha, I think it's so lovely that you are helping creative women recognise their worth. Thank you for being part of Newbie Showcase.

You can also find Sacha on:


PoCoLo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked. The rules are still the same; your post needs to have been written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, helps us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

The Newbie Showcase is continuing and you'll find it alternating between us, this week's is below. Please do pop over and say hi to our Newbie, you remember what it was like being a new blogger right? It's always nice to get a comment or two.

If you'd like to be featured in our Newbie Showcase please do get in touch - our list currently runs until June 2016.

Thank you for popping by.





5 Reasons You Should Buy Joe Delucci's Gelato

In our house we love the sweet stuff, it doesn't matter what it is (most of the time)  as long as it is completely filled with sugar. We have chocolate in the fridge, ice-cream in the freezer, and biscuits in the cupboard. So when I was asked to review Joe Delucci's Gelato it was a no-brainer.


Joe-delucci's-ice-cream "5 reasons you should buy..."


Whenever I do our weekly shopping I always wonder about buying some ice-cream, the problem is I'm spoilt for choice and can't decide which to buy, so I end up buying none. Now, with the addition of Joe Delucci's Gelato to the shelves in Tesco there are even more choices.

Lego Taj Mahal 10189

I have always loved lego, as a child I had a small collection of pieces but never had a proper set. When we had our boys, BP and LP, I was excited because it meant I'd get to buy (and play with) lots of lego.


The Hubby and I have been collecting Lego sets for a few years now and it's fair to say we've got quite a collection. We're even struggling to find the space for it.

One of our favourite sets is the Lego Taj Mahal which we've had for years. Every so often we'll pull it out and begin building. This time when we did I decided to take photos during the building process.

As with everything it all starts with the base, except with the Taj Mahal it's not one whole base piece. The base is split into separate pieces that connect together at a later stage.

lego-taj-mahal-set-10189-start-building


After you've built four of the above sections you need to build the four corners. All of these sections use the smallest pieces and are very fiddly to build.

Blogger Showcase 1 - Catie from Diary of An Imperfect Mum

Welcome to my very first Blogger Showcase, something I've been meaning to start for a long time and never quite got round to it. It's because I wanted to showcase Catie and her blog that this series has started so I want to thank her for that.


Catie and I have become friends over the past few months, I love reading her blog and am honoured to be showcasing her here. I'm going to shut up now though and let Catie tell you all about herself, go for it Catie!

10 Reasons Donuts Are EVIL!

My weight graph this week looks pretty much the same as last week, it goes down throughout the week and then at the end of the weekend it jumps up again. It seems that even a small amount food that's bad for you can really do some damage!


donuts-evil


I was doing so well last week and by Saturday I was at the lowest I've been for a while but on Saturday I ate pate on toast for lunch and steak for dinner, oh yes and the Hubby bought donuts. I just want to say that donuts are EVIL!!

They are the downfall of every single dieter in the land. 


10 reasons donuts are evil!

1.    They're absolutely covered in sugar.
2.    They're made from dough - you know, like bread.
3.    They're filled with jam (or custard).
4.    They taste so good that you can't resist them.
5.    Once you've had one you have to have another.
6.    The calorie content of one donut is equal to more than 400g Satsumas.
7.    When eating one you get covered in sugar and often drip jam onto your nice clean (white) shirt.
8.    That second donut makes you feel like you've eaten 6.
9.    You know you will put on weight.
10.  The weight you put on because you ate two donuts.


The funny thing is I don't actually enjoy them and often end up wondering why on earth I had them in the first place when I know they'll be the cause of weight gain.

I did so well last week, I didn't overdo it with the chocolate, I steered clear of the alcohol and it all seemed to be going well. The weight started to drop off and I lost 2.3lbs during the week, when Sunday came and I weighed myself I nearly cried. I'd put on that loss plus some!

This morning I've lost a little but I certainly haven't undone the damage. It'll probably take me a whole week to lose it again and that is so demotivating. 

Saying that though I'll do it, and next weekend I'm not having any donuts! I'll behave throughout the week, I've got a couple of nice, but healthy, meals planned and I'll be drinking lots more water. That's one of the things that helped me last week I think, I drank a lot more water than usual. 

The orange juice to replace my morning coffee didn't work too well, it made me put on weight and when I stopped drinking it I started losing weight. I still wanted to cut down on my coffee drinking though so I decided to have water instead, it seems to have worked and I'll be continuing that this week. I just hope it carries on working.

The boys are on half term next week so that's going to be fun, keeping them busy and fed without putting weight on myself is a challenge. I'll be gathering ideas of fun things to do to occupy them, we've got crafts and games at home. 

It'll take some willpower to keep the weight off then, but I'll do it, I'm clinging to that willpower at the moment.


Blogging To Jogging


Post Comment Love 5th - 7th February 2016

Another week another Post Comment Love, is it just me or do the weeks fly by faster the older you get?


I visited Eden Hall this week and had a whole day off, no writing, no tweeting, it was very refreshing. It's interesting, going somewhere you're not allowed to use your phone, it makes you disconnect and you see things in a whole new light.

I really enjoyed my day off and by the time I had to leave I was relaxed but ready. I was also inspired while reading a magazine and looking out onto some fabulous gardens. All in all my day off went very well.

When was the last time you took a day off? Is it time you did?

Newbie Showcase - Miranda from Drops of Learning


Miranda, who writes at Drops of Learning


Miranda is a Christian homeschooling mum of 5 who is hoping to accomplish some big writing goals this year. Read more about her over on Stephanie's blog.

You can find Miranda here too:

Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest


Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked. The rules are still the same; your post needs to have been written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, helps us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

The Newbie Showcase is continuing and you'll find it alternating between us, this week's is below. Please do pop over and say hi to our Newbie, you remember what it was like being a new blogger right? It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Newbie Showcase please do get in touch - our list currently runs until June 2016.

Thank you for popping by. 




10 Signs You're (Finally) a Grown Up

Yesterday I spent the day at Eden Hall, a day spa that I've visited many times and absolutely adore. I've been with friends and family lots of times but more recently have gone on my own. This is much better, I can please myself and don't need to entertain anyone - heaven!

Lady in a swimming pool, relaxing. When was the last time you switched off?


Visiting Eden Hall is a chance to switch off completely. They don't allow mobile phones anywhere in the spa, you have to keep them in your locker, and so you wander around completely disconnected. It is a refreshing experience. 

Being told to not have my phone with me meant that I didn't see notifications coming through, I didn't respond to emails immediately, and I wasn't consumed with thoughts and ideas for my next blog post. My head had time to clear and I did nothing but read, it was amazing.

That brings me onto my inspiration for this post. While in the conservatory drinking a coffee I decided to flick through Elle Magazine. I used to have a subscription to Elle and loved reading about the stars and the latest fashion. As I flicked through it I was... bored!

I couldn't believe it!

This is no reflection on Elle, far from it, like I said I used to have a subscription. No this is more about me.

It seems that I am no longer interested in the latest star gossip (I don't even know who most of the stars are), although I like fashion I am well aware that I don't wander the streets wearing the latest Dior outfit. 

At 35 years old I want to read interesting articles (or blog posts), I want to read something that moves me, that inspires. The latest star to lose lots of weight, or the latest shocking reveal in the world of actors, isn't what I call interesting anymore.

All this made me realise that I am (finally) a grown up and below you'll find 10 signs that prove that you are (finally) a grown up too!

Woman covering her lips (and face) in lipstick - "10 signs that you're (finally) a grown up"



1.  You would rather wear jeans and a t-shirt (or your pj's) than a fancy dress or smart outfit as see in the glossy magazines.


2.  Make-up... what make-up? Oh that's that bag of congealed horribleness that's been stuffed to the back of your pants drawer.


3.  Your skincare routine consists of soap/facewash and water.


4.  Manicured nails? If only! All the washing dishes and cleaning/polishing surfaces kills any hope of having nice hands.


5.  Your idea of a night on the town is a visit to your favourite restaurant with the Hubby/partner and then home.


6.  Drinking until the early hours doesn't happen. The only early hours you see are the ones before the school run (or the ones in the middle of the night because the baby is up, again).


7.  Pooey bottoms and sicky children are nothing compared to the thought of a "girl's night out". *Shudders*


8.  Your idea of a good night involved alcohol and a good movie in the comfort of your own home. Oh yes, and your pj's.


9.  Remembering at 11pm that uniforms need to be washed for the next morning and jumping up with enthusiasm to put your new washing machine through its paces.


10.  You don't know who Kylie Jenner is and don't recognise anyone on the cover of glossy magazines.



This list describes me pretty well so I'd say it's official, I am a grown up!

Oh dear... what now?


Diary of an imperfect mum


thumbnailsize


You Baby Me Mummy

My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows


A Bit Of Everything


Mummuddlingthrough