Gift Guides

Why Etsy is my go-to marketplace for Father’s Day

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Etsy is my go-to marketplace!

Not only do I frequently buy from Etsy, but I am in the process of setting up my own Etsy shop – watch this space! The marketplace is packed full with unique gifting choices that are really one of a kind, which means you don’t have to worry whether someone else will buy the special father-figure in your life the same gift.

Some of the keepsakes we have bought each other over the years, from Etsy, still feature on display in our house years later. And that’s the difference. The quality and uniqueness of the gifts mean the memory is long-lasting.

Etsy is my go-to marketplace

Please note – some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, there is no additional cost to you, but I may make a small commission.

Shall we dive into my top picks for Father’s Day?

Clothing under £50

Children’s Drawing T Shirt – Daddy T-shirt – Dad Personalised Tee

What an amazing idea to have your kids’ artistic masterpiece on a t-shirt for you to wear proudly.

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Dad Of Girls #outnumbered

Girl dads will know this feeling. I have one girl and I feel outnumbered!

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Personalised Super Dad T Shirt

What a cute image, symbolising the hero dad. Perfectly captures the relationship between a little girl and her daddy.

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Grilling gifts under £75

Personalised Wood Engraved ‘Dad’s Barbeque’ Wooden BBQ Chopping Board

Something which would last forever and I am sure, proudly feature at the next BBQ with family and friends.

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Personalised Solid Steel Burger Smasher

Who doesn’t love a burger press to make some yummy homemade burgers. The personalisation is what makes this gift special.

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Personalised gifts for Dad & Grandad

Here Resides Grandad Polished Metal Heritage Gift Plaque

I don’t know about you, but we always buy gifts for Grandad, and this one is amazing. I can imagine it on Grandad’s garage wall.

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Other top picks

Father’s Day Gift, Personalised Tape Measure, Gift for Him, Birthday Gift, Grandad Gift, Christmas Gift for him, Loved Beyond Measure

How cute is this little tape measure?

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

Personalised Gift for Dad, Daddy Birthday Gift, Handprint Keepsake Gift, Gift from Kids to Dad, DIY Gifts for Dad, Baby Handprint Present

Etsy is my go-to marketplace
Image courtesy of Etsy

If you didn’t like a gift pick that you like in this list above, do not fear – you can search the Father’s Day Hub at your own leisure.

Take me to the Father’s Day Hub

Father’s Day Hub

Want to read more posts about parenting? Check out the list here.

Children's Book Reviews

Stories To Promote Wellbeing In Children – Mummy Conquering Anxiety

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Let’s talk about Stories To Promote Wellbeing In Children.

If this isn’t your first time visiting this blog, you will know I love to review books geared towards the emotional health of young children. Stories that cause an impact and make you think about them and the lessons they teach you long after you put the book down.

If you are new around here, below is a list of my previous book reviews:

The Giant at Number Two – book review – Mummy Conquering Anxiety

LIVELY LILA BLOG TOUR – A DANCE OF HAPPY DISCOVERY – MUMMY CONQUERING ANXIETY

THE ANNA’S GARDEN BLOG TOUR – MUMMY CONQUERING ANXIETY

THE LONELY TIGER BY TERENIA EDWARDS, SEVERUS LIAN (ILLUSTRATOR)

Two Amazing Books Bringing Awareness To A Gap In History

How to Explore Emotions With Your Toddler

Let’s dive into today’s review

A Dog on a Log with His Friend Mr. Frog – By Andrew Walker

We absolutely loved reading A Dog On A Log

A Dog on a Log with His Friend Mr. Frog is a heartwarming story that teaches children the importance of friendship, forgiveness, and second chances.

My little one absolutely loved reading the story, and we were chatting about the catchy title long after we had put the book down!

Buy the book

Fishing For Condiments – by Ashley Baxendale and Anna Kukleva

Such a sentimental book with a lovely message and wonderful illustrations. Fishing for Condiments

“Under the watchful eye of Grandpa, Neget is beginning to understand what is meaningful in life. But when Grandpa disappears on the ice, will Neget discover for himself what he values most?”

Buy the book

Gathering The Glimmers – by Ffion Jones

This book really encapsulates everything we try and teach my little one about council out blessings and taking some time out of your day to appreciate the positive aspect of life.

“A little girl called Wren is on her way home through a dark forest when she gets lost. In the forest, there are many “triggers,” which evoke her fear and anxiety.”

Buy the book

Gathering the Glimmers

Remus and the Remarkable Rat Rescue – by Sharon Baker and Ed Foxell

Stories To Promote Wellbeing In Children

“Preston the rat lives a perfect life in a grand garden, enjoying comfort and order every day. But everything changes when Remus, a sewer rat displaced by climate change, arrives seeking a new home for his family.”

Buy the book

Summary

I hope you enjoyed reading this post.

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Staycation

6 Amazing Reasons to Book a Holiday at Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough

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Welcome to my post, all about Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough.

Who else loves the quiet life? The strong need to get away from the hustle and bustle. Switch off your phone and just relax.

As a family, we have busy lives, between working full time, school admin, childcare and fitting in precious time to make family memories and have fun. Sometimes it’s just necessary to switch off completely.

Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.

PLEASE NOTE – all images are courtesy of Sam – founder of Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog and are copyright

Making a holiday booking with a lack of reviews

I’ve talked in my previous review blog posts about reading reviews before booking a holiday, a meal or visiting somewhere. You can usually tell the fair reviews from the people who just want to have a rant. Check out my Places to Eat reviews below:

Places to eat

Great Places To Eat & Drink On the Yorkshire Lancashire Border

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Places to eat

The Craft House in Bingley – Is It Worth a Visit?

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Places to eat

My Review of The Old Bridge Cafe In Skipton

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Places to eat

The Noble Comb Hungry Horse Pub in Shipley – MCA Review

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However, sometimes you need to take a chance on a holiday venue when they have just set up and are brand new. When we booked this holiday through Hoseasons, there were only a few reviews added. As such, we had to take that chance.

We are here now

I want to visit places myself before bringing you reviews. We are currently on site now and these are my comments about the place:

Accommodation & value for money – We are staying in The Wainstones pod, which is slightly more roomy than the standard one.

Surroundings – absolutely beautiful & breathtaking views.

Service – friendly, checking in with us but not disturbing our peace.

Nearby places to visit – Stokesley. Great Ayton, Whitby, Middlesborough.

Relaxation factor – 100% relaxation, even with a fiver-year-old.

A base for visiting other places – the perfect base for venturing out and about each day.

I am going into a lot more detail below, so keep reading about the 6 Amazing Reasons to Book a Holiday at Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough

Accommodation & value for money

The accommodation is what sold the holiday to us, in the first place. We paid £399.00 when booking direct through Hoseasons. And only paid a £10.00 deposit. Booking in advance allowed us to pay the holiday off in chunks. I didn’t think this price was bad, considering we have a Monday-Friday stay, the first week of the UK school summer holidays AND the addition of the hot tub and amazing view.

We had everything we needed in the pod. A small kitchen area, without an oven, but other amenities such as a microwave, hob, kettle and toaster.

Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough

We managed to make some lovely homemade meals, like spaghetti bolognese. And even managed a full fry-up, to make fry-up wraps!

Surroundings

The pod overlooks the Cleveland Hills and as you can see from the pictures below, the view is stunning, breathtaking, and relaxing and it’s amazing to overlook this every morning. We decided to spend our last day mostly hanging around the accommodation, so we can live in the moment and enjoy this beautiful view.

Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough
Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough
Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough

Service

The site is run by a father and son team and from the first text message, to get instructions for how to enter the accommodation, they were lovely and friendly.

The instructions for staying were comprehensive and provided all the information we needed. And the friendly visits, stopping by our pod to check if we had everything we needed, were one of the highlights of our holiday. The little one loved saying hello!

Nearby places to visit

As a family, we purposefully book places to stay, where we can use them as a base to explore the area. And this time we took the opportunity to reinstate our English Heritage Membership and visit some amazing places on the way here and during our stay.

A few of the nearby places you can visit during your stay:

Stokesley – this is a market town, with a coop, bakers, lots of pubs, bistros and other amenities. We visited to grab some lunch at the local bakers and food supplies from the coop.

I would say that from what we experienced, the town isn’t geared towards families and children. Eating-wise we would have been looking at overpriced bistros (I say this because our five-year-old simply wouldn’t eat the food there) or pubs with strange service times or that don’t allow children. As a couple, we would have loved a village like this. But luckily we were able to grab some food and return to our accommodation to chill out in the hot tub.

I will say there are lots of amazing shops for little ones. Boutique-style clothing and toys for young ones. We loved exploring the array of charity shops – we even picked up some bargains, including a branded walking coat for my little one and a nice dress for me.

Great Ayton – This is a picturesque small village, which we passed through on our way to Whitby. All the details you need about the amenities available can be found here.

Helmsley – we passed through Helmsley on our way here and decided to revisit the town the following day, to make use of our English Heritage membership and visit the castle.

Helmsley Castle

It’s a lovely Yorkshire town, with shops, a beautiful square and lots of cafes and pubs along the river. We had a great time walking around the town, after our trip around the castle.

Relaxation factor

This trip was 100% relaxation from the first moment we arrived. Absolutely beautiful views. An enclosed garden was a must for the little one. It also came in handy when one of us wanted a rest in the afternoon, the other people could use the patio to chill outside and provide some much-needed space, away from one another. The small balcony out to the front of the pod also provided another space for someone to relax in.

A base for visiting other places

In terms of distance, staying here is a great base for visiting other places. You have the choice of nearby market towns, which are up to about a 30-minute drive. Some are just 5 minutes down the road, in a car.

Whitby

The longest drive we did was Whitby for the day. The picturesque seaside town was busy and we were tired after the trip but we got to see our favourite seaside town, without the price tag of staying in a £300.00 a night hotel in the centre of Whitby.

It was about a 49-minute drive to Whitby from the accommodation.

One of the main reasons we visited Whitby was to take our little one to Whitby Abbey. As a couple we have visited a few times, but it was time to introduce her to the amazing views and history. She loved running around and taking pictures.

Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey

I will be writing a post about Middlesborough and the wider area, and some other guides for this local area – so look out for this by subscribing to my blog, to be alerted when a blog post is released.

Final thoughts

Sign up for an English Heritage Membership

I hope you enjoyed reading all about our stay at Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough.

Southview Holiday Retreat, Middlesborough
Mental Health

The Magic Garden Play Cafe in Howarth

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We used to visit the Magic Garden Play Cafe in Howarth when my little one could barely sit up. It was when I was first introduced to Little Learners. They held one of their classes there and it was a real lifeline for me during maternity leave.

Back then I was contending with low confidence and what I now know was postpartum anxiety. I couldn’t attend the classes without my hubby or mum to accompany me. That said, we made many lovely memories together. Whilst these struggles feel like a lifetime ago, it was strange being back in the building four years on. I even forgot which entrance we had to go through! 

Disclaimer – this review was written following a paid-for visit to the event. I am in no way affiliated with the cafe nor have I been paid for this review

Parents & carers community

These days I love nothing more than chatting to other mums, at the soft play centre or activity we have lined up. We also see a lot of grandparents caring for young children. My mental health struggles have taught me that as parents and carers, we are all tired and exhausted. We largely face the same struggles and there is value in a quick conversation or giving someone directions to the toilet. It’s a great community of people and I now love being a part of it.

Just the other day we were in Wetherspoons and a lovely older couple went looking for me and my toddler. We had both gone to get a refill cup of tea and left our shopping bags. They thought we had left and forgotten our shopping. So lovely of them to worry about us.

Let’s dive into the practical information you need if you want to visit The Magic Garden Play Cafe

Booking the Elsa & Anna sing-along

When I saw the Elsa & Anna sing-along online, I immediately booked it. My four-year-old is obsessed with Elsa and we took the opportunity for her to dress up. I even let her have the Elsa microphone in the car. 

The location 

As we were driving up the hill in Howarth I was flooded with lovely memories of coming here with my grandma. We would visit the shops and it’s a place close to my heart. It was lovely explaining that to my little one. 

Upon arrival 

Upon arrival, we noticed many other Elsa dresses and Anna costumes in the car park. The remark I got from my four-year-old was “I will sing along with them“. 

This is what classes like this are all about. Community and making friends. 

You can check out some of the other blog posts in the parenting section, below:

Places to eat

Great Places To Eat & Drink On the Yorkshire Lancashire Border

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Family days out

Our Trip To SeaLife Centre, Trafford Palazzo, Manchester – MCA Blog

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Family days out

Our Visit To Bowland Wild Boar Park – MCA Blog

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Family days out

11 Half Term Family Days Out in Lancashire

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Mummy life

5 Tips to Boosting Your Quality of Life as a Mum

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Family

Buy a Gift For Your Teen: 3 Tips to Use

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Family

How To Plan For And Cope With Our Parents Getting Older

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Places to eat

The Craft House in Bingley – Is It Worth a Visit?

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Places to eat

My Review of The Old Bridge Cafe In Skipton

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Places to eat

The Noble Comb Hungry Horse Pub in Shipley – MCA Review

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The venue 

The venue has around 15 tables and I’ve never struggled to get a seat in all the time I’ve been coming here. When you are alone with a child, it’s important you can get a table and have a base to store coats, bags and shoes. And more importantly, sit down! If I cannot be sure I will get a table at the venue we attend, I always intentionally pick a pre-bookable soft play – where you can secure your table.

Kids section 

There is a gated section where classes and events take place. The gate is helpful if you have little ones trying to escape. There are lots of great classes which take place here and I have included some of the posters and links for you below. 

The play area 

This play area inspired my little one’s bedroom decor. The IKEA leaves were something we had to get her. And she commented today that her bedroom is also decorated the same way. I love the Scandi feel of the play area. And although we were here for an Elsa & Anna singalong, all my toddler wanted to do was take off her shoes and play in the soft play. 

It’s still one of the most impressive play areas I’ve visited, despite reviewing a lot of them previously. You can book to just attend the soft play only.

The cafe 

As parents, we all know the cafe is an important aspect. Being able to have that nice cup of tea and a bite to eat is a must. And now I have a four-year-old I can actually sit for 10 minutes at a time. Enjoying my cup of tea is bliss. Whilst she is off making friends and enjoying herself.

How was the food?

The cup of tea and bacon sandwich I ordered didn’t disappoint. The little one got a cute little frozen meal box with the price of the ticket. Which included a selection of sandwiches (who chose ham) crisps and a drink.

We also bought an Elsa bun, cos we all deserve a little treat. 

Prices for play 

You can view the prices for play and some of the upcoming events at the cafe. For a full list, check out the website.

Opening times 

The cafe is open during these days & times:

* Monday to Thursday 9.30 am – 2.30 pm.

Parties

They also offer parties. All the details you need are here.

Summary 

My intention is to enjoy the rest of the summer with my little one – when I can. Because childcare is so damn expensive, we will also keep the same family routine throughout the year. Meaning my toddler gets one weekday with each parent, during the school holidays. And the rest of the time I’m looking at sports clubs, which I know she will love. 

My mental health struggles taught me a while ago, that a work-life balance was the only way I could mentally keep myself well. I’m also thankful I’ve managed to create the balance we need. And I plan on keeping it that way. 

I will be booking more amazing activities – to create lifelong memories with my baby girl. 

Want to be featured on my Family Days Out page – email me with your idea for a collaboration. I would love to come and review your venue or activity. 

Magic Garden Play Cafe in Howarth
Blogging, Blogging resources

Why your fellow bloggers are an excellent resource

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When I first started my blogging journey, I was overwhelmed and I didn’t have a clue. Naturally, I made mistakes. I haven’t repeated these mistakes with my second and third blogs. Simply because I now have experience. 

Using this logic, why not tap into the vast knowledge each blogger has? You should absolutely treat other bloggers as trusted sources because they do this job consistently. They have lived through mistakes and genuinely want to help other people with the products they create. 

I only wish I had tapped into some of these amazing resources, from fellow bloggers, earlier on in my blogging journey. 

fellow bloggers

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Throughout this blog post, I am going to talk about some of the fellow bloggers I have come across and why their products are a must on your blogging journey.

Izzy Matias

I first came across Izzy when I won a giveaway for her blogging course and can I just say, I am loving working through this at the moment.

I’ve just won a second giveaway with her – how amazing! 

You will not be disappointed by her products and it may just provide you with the concrete foundations you need to stay motivated on your blogging journey. 

Blogging isn’t easy and at times you can feel like giving up. Outlining your purpose and your goals is essential, to keep you motivated. Izzy will help you do this.

Reinventing Neesha

Another absolute trusted resource is Neesha. After years of blogging, she definitely knows her stuff and I find her eBook and money-making emails so helpful.

If you’re starting out on your journey and you are interested in using affiliate marketing to make money, buy and read this eBook. Buying this book will literally change the way you think about writing your blog posts. It is also encouraging me to be selective about the products I promote, in order to get the best return for the time I spend working on the content.

fellow bloggers

Lynn Mumbing Mejia

Lynn’s content is so inspirational. It’s like looking at those perfect interior design Pinterest photos. Her blogging templates are no different!

I will be honest and admit when I first started blogging, I thought I could do everything myself! It soon became apparent there was limited time for all the wonderful ideas swirling around in my head. Whilst I intend to eventually create my own Gumroad shop, creating social media templates is time-consuming and I just cannot fit it in. Therefore I have purchased templates for each one of my blogs. And they are so easy to use.

Here are some of my favourites from Lynn:

Nora | 50 Pinterest Templates Canva

We all want amazing Pins which will draw in readers to our blog. Pinterest is a difficult game anyway, but then creating your pins from scratch, adds even more stress. These beautiful templates will take away the added stress, leaving you to write, set aside some time for self-care, or whatever you love doing in your spare time.

Sign up to my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers, updates

Lucy Instagram highlight covers

I didn’t use Instagram highlight covers initially, but let’s be honest, the profiles with them look more professional, dont they?

Because I love seeing them, I have purchased highlight covers for each of my blogs, and I am so glad I did. This post is motivating me to finally add them to my social media accounts. They are so cute and I can’t wait to see what they look like.

50 Pinterest templates

More amazing Pinterest templates to ease the stress on you.

Media kit

We all need a media kit. If you want to monetize your blog and impress brands, it’s a must. You can view mine here. The best resource I can find about why it is vital is from Rosie. Please take a read.

Should you want to create a media kit, look no further than this amazing template by Lynn.

Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

freebie library

Gemma Jayne

There is no denying, starting out on your blogging journey can cost money. At first, I was worried about the amount I spent and whether I would ever get this back. However, if you don’t start, you will never know. You just have to go for it.

After struggling with money myself, this Step by Step Guide to Budgeting eBook is a useful resource for anyone who wants to take control of their finances.

Given my own struggles with money, I set up my second blog about budgeting and making the most out of the money you earn.

Eleanor Jones

If you’re looking to improve your writing, both within your blog posts and social media copy, look no further.

Check out Eleanor’s blog and you will see she clearly knows what she is talking about. Check out her amazing, affordable eBook here.

Final thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading my post.

Do you use templates or take training courses from fellow bloggers? Let me know in the comments below.

signature fellow bloggers

Pin it for later

fellow bloggers

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.

Oscar Wilde
fellow bloggers
bloggers
Gifting, Toddlers

Why Bluey Is Heartwarming & Geared Towards The Whole Family

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Let’s face it, as a parent of a toddler, you have to watch kids’ TV programmes. But honestly, Bluey is my fave and, we as adults, often keep watching it when our little one has run off to the next activity. 

I feel seen and heard when watching the Heeler family navigate the trials and tribulations of parenting.

bluey

What I love the most, is how they get those magical parenting moments right. So heartwarming. But it’s also full of real-life examples of how frustrating toddlers can be. I feel seen and heard when watching the Heeler family navigate the trials and tribulations of parenting.

I was inspired to write this post by Claire Mac. It was time to share my favourite Bluey episodes. I’ve watched a lot recently! 

Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Charades

Season 2, Episode 11

Episode description

Bluey and Bingo want everyone to play Charades, but Muffin and Socks are too young to understand the rules, which threatens to derail the game. But Nana has her own special rule so everyone is happy!

My thoughts

We are always moaning about how our little one gets away with everything at the grandparents’ house. It’s true. My mum has to remove all chocolate from the fridge before she goes there. She will just help herself and eat it all! 

This episode makes me love Muffin, but also realise I also have a child who likes to tantrum a lot. What warms my heart is how they all go along with Muffin and her dance. It’s one of those lovely proud parenting moments, even if she did get her own way. 

Grandad 

Season 2, Episode 50

Episode description

Grandad is supposed to be resting, but when Bluey and Bingo go to visit him, he makes a run for it with the kids and takes them on a madcap adventure into the bush.

My thoughts

It’s so heartwarming that Chilli wants to look after her dad and there’s a cute moment at the end of the episode. Which actually inspired my toddler to tell me she loved me. I will let you watch and experience it for yourself. 

Flatpack

Season 2, Episode 24

Episode description

With Mum and Dad assembling the flatpack furniture, the kids improvise games with the discarded wrapping materials. As the flatpack swing seat takes shape, so does Bluey and Bingo’s mini-world.

My thoughts

We all know about the dramas of flatpacks. Especially with kids. The worst one we’ve done is our little ones’ “big girl” bed. 

But this episode makes me all warm and fuzzy inside, about family time. And it’s lovely to see Bluey and Bingo playing together and their sweet moments. 

Makes parenting worth it. 

Want to learn more about the Bluey characters? How about purchasing this amazing set of weebles? Look at the fun we had with them…

@mummyconqueringan

The Bluey blog post will be released soon. I am having so much fun writing it. @Bluey #bluey #blueytok #mumsoftiktok #toddlersoftiktok #fyp #viral

♬ Comical and a little silly carefree music(831995) – Etsuo Kawasaki
bluey
Weebles

Faceytalk

Season 3, Episode 24

Episode description

Bluey and Bingo love to video chat with Muffin and Socks so they can all draw pictures together. When Muffin won’t give Socks a turn, the kids discover what happens when you hog.

My thoughts

I belly-laughed throughout the whole episode. And it made us realise we have Muffin living in our house. Not bingo, or Bluey. 

This is the episode we watch when my parents come around. it’s also the one my toddler requests the most.

Grannies

Season 1, Episode 28

Episode description

A game of Grannies is fun until Bingo and Bluey can’t agree on one simple question: Can grannies dance? Now they need to video call Nanna to get the answer.

How cool are these Bluey items? A dancing teddy. And I am currently ordering the hoodie for my little one!

My thoughts

“I slipped on my beans” – this is currently my hubby’s ringtone. And he is part of a Bluey Facebook group!

Pretending to be grannies – so comical. I also love that mum joins in for a while, till there is too much mess, then says “go ask dad”. 

Writing this post has inspired me to get on the hunt for some creative Bluey activities to do with my little one. Here are a few I found:

Bluey: Let’s Stick!: Sticker Scenes Book (Paperback)

Bluey: Let’s Play Outside!: Magnet Book – Bluey (Hardback)

Bluey: Where’s Bluey?: A Search-and-Find Book (Paperback)

Daddy Dropoff

Season 2, Episode 8

Episode description

It’s Dad’s turn to get the kids ready for school and kindy, but Bluey and Bingo aren’t making things easy! Dad tries to keep everything on track, but can’t help playing along with their games.

My thoughts

I have so much to relate to in this episode. Being late, even when you get up really early. We “talk on the telephone” daily with our little one and I can just imagine her doing something like this in the car. 

But then it melts my heart that dad still plays wind up, even though they are late. Toddlers don’t care if we’re late. They have no concept of time. It’s a boring concept for adults. And something we beat ourselves up about. And shouldn’t!

Check out some of my other pages on the blog

Book Corner
Gift Guides
Hypnotherapy Collaboration

Bin Night

Season 2, Episode 41

Episode description

Bluey, Bingo and Dad always take out the bins. Over a few weeks, Bingo tells Dad about a new kid at Kindy who is mean to her and Mum offers some good advice.

My thoughts

The lovely family ritual of putting out bins and talking about emotions. It makes me smile. 

In the end, Bingo ends up helping the person who was nasty to her. And what an amazing lesson this is, to teach your little ones and explain why it is important.

Ice Cream

Season 2, Episode 46

Episode description

Bluey and Bingo want a lick of each other’s ice cream. But they are so focused on making sure each lick is fair, they don’t notice their ice creams are melting.

My thoughts

A perfect lesson in learning to share things. Heartwarming. And as always with parenting, dad is required to give up his treat.

Fairies

Season 1, Episode 30

Episode description

Bluey’s house has fairies! Tails are being braided, stickers are everywhere, and Mum’s got a peg beard. Now the family must band together to hunt for these invisible mischief-makers.

My thoughts

I just love dad making a fool of himself in Infront of the neighbours and the family having so much fun. 

It’s a dad requirement to make a fool of yourself daily, in order to make your kids laugh.

bluey
Guest posts, Mental Health

How to Reduce Anxiety Through A Daily Journal Practice 

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Guest blog post: brought to you by Amber Louise of the Lady Boss Nomad blog

daily journal practice

Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

One of the greatest lies we tell ourselves is that we’re stuck in a rut. However, did you know it’s not only possible to change your situation but to also change yourself too?

The mind is a powerful thing. It can be our greatest ally or our biggest enemy. The key to reinventing yourself is to gain control over the mind and start living the life you want to live. One way you can do this is by keeping a journal.

Since my mid-teens, I have kept some form of a journal whether it be an art journal, a diary or a bullet journal. Now I keep a journal for creative brainstorming in both my business and personal life and I keep an A5 journal for all my mixed media art. 

being 100% honest about your thoughts and feelings can be difficult to start with. You need to remember that your journal is a safe place. It’s a non-judgmental space which enables you to say exactly how you feel with no repercussions or judgements. 

It’s a wonderful outlet especially for me as I suffer from GAD or Generalised Anxiety Disorder but, the high functioning kind which can easily go undetected by others. So you see it’s extremely important for me to have a creative and reflective outlet as a busy boss lady that runs her blog.

Here in this post, I want to share with you my best tips for creating a daily journal practice that can reduce your anxiety and stress. These are life-saving tips that can improve your whole mindset and is a form of self CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy technique. 

Tip number 1: Choose the right journal for yourself 

Ok, so this one may sound a little silly, but the journal you choose can have a significant impact on how effective it is. Your journal is supposed to inspire and motivate you to use it. So, if you don’t love it, you’re not going to feel very inspired.

Take your time to choose the right journal. Think about its design and how the pages are set out. Do you love it? Can you see yourself writing in it every day? It may sound a little ridiculous, but the right journal will pick you. 

Tip number 2: Start by writing about the things you’re grateful for

Once you’ve got the right journal, figuring out how to start it can be pretty tough. So, if you’re struggling, start by writing a list of the things you’re grateful for. This can either be done first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. There are advantages to doing it during both times, so it’s all about what works for you.

All too often, we spend most of our time focusing on the things we don’t have or the things we wish we had. This makes us forget about the positive things we do have. Journaling helps you to focus on the positive things in the here and now, rather than wasting time and energy wishing for something more.

So how can this help you to reinvent yourself? Well, the more positive you are, the easier you’ll find it to make a change. It’s often our negativity which sets us back in life so anything which makes us more positive can help us to reinvent ourselves. 

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Tip number 3: Be absolutely honest in your journal 

Journaling isn’t going to help you if you aren’t 100% honest. The trouble is, you may find you spend so much time hiding how you feel, that being 100% honest about your thoughts and feelings can be difficult to start with. You need to remember that your journal is a safe place. It’s a non-judgmental space which enables you to say exactly how you feel with no repercussions or judgements. 

Once you’re honest about your thoughts and feelings and what you want from life, you’ll be able to see what you need to do to change.   

Tip number 4: Write down your biggest goals

Use the journal to write down what it is you want to achieve. This can be done in the form of short term and long-term goals. It’s important to see the big picture. Where do you want to be in 3-5 years and how could you potentially get there?

Writing down your goals and identifying the steps you need to take to make a change, will help massively.

Tip number 5: Make it a daily routine if you can

It’s important to use your journal daily. Set up a daily routine where you write in your journal at a specific time. Once you’ve gotten used to writing in the journal, it will become an automatic habit you carry out each day.

As with anything, to reinvent yourself, you need to be persistent and committed. So, be sure to write in your journal every single day.

daily journal practice

Summary

These are just 5 ways that you can reduce your anxiety daily through journaling practice. The more you do it, the more chances you’ll start to see – both in how you feel and how you act. I am 100% certain that a journal will help you to reduce your stress and anxiety if you make it part of your daily routine. 

It can also improve your focus and generate creative brainstorming which is crucial for busy CEOs and boss ladies. Often I will use my journal to brainstorm blog post ideas or even a whole product launch. If you too a busy boss lady who has high functioning anxiety then definitely give this a try. Other ways you can use your journal are brainstorming recipes or jotting down positive affirmations. I just know you’ll love this practice as much as I do! 

Download and print your own 74-page Anxiety Journal here: https://ladybossnomad.gumroad.com/l/zapvj 

About my guest blogger

Amber Louise is the busy CEO and Founder of the Lady Boss Nomad. She inspires women with useful tips, resources, motivation & encouragement to help their digital businesses thrive. She helps female entrepreneurs launch a digital businesses. This service is for those who already have digital products but just need a robust platform or for newbies needing ideas on which digital products to sell, she goes through ebooks, eCourses, printable’s etc. She can offer guidance on the best tools and resources for digital businesses and blogs about product launching, marketing and sales page creation.

Social media links:

LinkedIn

Twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/ladybossnomad

Instagram 

Pinterest 

Main Website

Gifting, Seasons Changing

It’s the Season to Get Warm & Cosy With Candles

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Check out my Guest Post from Jasmine Fitze. I am accepting guest posts on all of my blogs – you can find more details here.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Jas! I feel so grateful to be writing a guest post for Mummy Conquering Anxiety. Especially around this time of year. Autumn is my favourite season of all. And I enjoy writing plenty of blog posts around this season too. And candles are a great topic!

I am a digital creator who loves creating content around architecture, travel, food and drink, coffee, and lifestyle. In addition, I love to see the little things every day. Learning to love my own company by venturing out of my comforts. And providing the life that I deserve. I hope you can feel inspired by the life I live. Realising life’s happiness starts off with small and simple joys.

candles

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people

Candle Talk

I love it when autumn arrives, purely because of the overload of candles. Candles are up there as one of my favourite things to buy in shops. Especially when the seasons are changing and you get into the cold, crisp, autumnal weather. When it gets to that point, there’s nothing better than cosying up at home. Surrounding yourself with warm aromatic fragrances, and sipping on some luxurious hot chocolates.

I would say that my candle preferences are more towards scents that are rich, sweet, vibrant, and spiced. This is why I get excited when autumn comes around because I feel in my element. I could get lost for hours in the home fragrances selection trying to find the ones that I vibe with.

candles


A collection showing some of my favourite scents:

Pumpkin Spice: Takes me into a world of pumpkin patches, spiced lattes, pumpkin everything basically!

Cinnamon: Forever love the warm spices of cinnamon that remind me of autumnal bakes and hot
chocolates.

Coffee: With me being that much into coffee I just can’t get enough of the coffee scents, especially as each one has its own richness and character to the flavours with the creaminess bringing it all together.

Spiced apple: Sweet but juicy scents that I get from this fragrance. Definitely makes me think of toffee
apples or apple pie/ apple crumble, and even apple cider of many kinds.

Coconut: I’ve always been into coconut-scented things. I love the creaminess and subtlety of the scent, I
think it’s an ideal all-round candle, but especially ideal for having next to a box of chocolates, particularly
bounty’s to compliment the atmosphere.

candles

Honey & chocolate: This scent I’m particularly talking about is the Glade candle. When I came across it I
knew I had to pick it up. Smells Devine and I thought of it like a crunchie chocolate bar and this candle
delivered those sensational aromas.

Are any of these scents your favourite too? Comment below

There’s something quite magical about walking around the city in your warm and thick coat, with a coffee in one hand, and seasonal shopping bags in the other. What I love about this home decor piece is that they make for an ideal gift for someone or for even yourself. On any special or random occasion, there’s a candle for everyone at any time!

Shopping for Candles

A few shops that I recommend browsing for autumn candles & diffusers are TK MAXX, B&M, and Wilko.

candles


I am forever heading to TK MAXX for their library load of candles and diffusers of all different aesthetics, scents, and personalities. I highly recommend making a visit to have a smell through them. You’ll likely end up walking out with a great collection.

In Wilko, you will find plenty of autumn-scented fragrances such as pumpkin spice, apple cosy cider, and marshmallow Irish cream. Great prices if you are looking for a unique scent at a low price. And with the sizes, they have a good burning time. B&M have a selection of basic and characteristic candles. Ones that are ideal for repurposing other household decor pieces.

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One shop that I haven’t mentioned yet but have to put out there is M&S with their distinctive candles. They are pricey but the jar has battery-operated lights, within the jar of the candle, so it serves multiple purposes. It would for sure make an excellent centrepiece to a dining table or coffee table. Bringing a glowing atmosphere to the room.

Alternatively, there are plenty of wonderful small businesses on Etsy, such as @dolewickscandleco (check her out on Instagram). DW Home is also a great place for endless seasonal scents with distinctive jars. Perfect for repurposing, check out their Instagram and website for more. On Instagram, there is @illumine_candle_co which is a small business in Exeter, with beautiful hand-poured vegan-friendly soy candles.

candles

Candles are up there as one of my favourite pieces of decor to buy purely because they light up the room so well and the stunning aromas each one has. I also love repurposing them, giving them an extra life through using them as drinking glasses or desk organisers, they come in handy for many things.

And That’s a Wrap…

We have now come to the end of this blog post. I hope you have enjoyed reading through my candle preferences and suggestions. Here’s to many more cosy days at home as well as shopping adventures.

If you would like to learn more about me and my content, see the details below.

I’ll leave some links below, I hope to connect with some of you!

Jas Fitze Blogs: https://www.jasminefitzephotography.com/jasfitzeblogs
Instagram:
Twitter/ Tik Tok: @jasminefitze

Stay Cosy & Warm with Seasonal Aromatic Fragrances!
Jas ☕️

Final thoughts

I would like to thank Jasmine for this amazing blog post – it makes me feel all cosy & warm. I hope you have the same feeling.

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Blogging resources, Guest posts, Writing

How guest posting improved my domain authority score in the first six months

, 30 Comments

By offering a guest post slot on my blog for other people, I felt like I was giving something back. I honestly felt emotional and proud to host some of the amazing writing I will talk about in this post. 

And best of all, I got feedback like this:

Just wanted to extend my sincerest thanks to you for posting my content on your blog.  I feel like it’s been very well received, and I so appreciate your help with getting the conversation and message out there.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out in the future if there’s ever another project I can help with.  Thanks for the great work that you do.

Guest posting is a way for us to strengthen our relationships in the blogging world. To support one another and share in our talents. For this reason, guest posts are still open on my blog and you can send your ideas using this form.

But I also wanted to dedicate a blog post to talking about the benefits of guest posting

Your writing can be seen by a wider audience, especially if you’re new to blogging 

The reality is, not many people will see your writing when you start publishing. But don’t be disheartened! Google ranking takes time. Social media promotion can be tedious, but it also pays off. After three months I saw the results of my hard work. 

Think of it like this. If you don’t tell anyone you’re writing is there, how will they know? Imagine the millions of Google searches each day and how hard it is to find one specific piece of writing. You have to trust the process. 

You will make lasting connections with other bloggers

Some of the relationships I’ve formed by communicating with other bloggers via email are valued to this day. It’s refreshing to make contact via another communication method, other than Twitter. It’s also lovely to chat with other creative minds about your writing and get feedback. 

domain authority

Improving your domain authority (DA) score

For anyone who doesn’t know (I didn’t when I first started blogging) I am going to trust another source with explaining. I am not the most technical person, hehe!

Definition: Domain Authority (DA) is a metric created by the SEO consulting and research company Moz which measures a website’s likelihood to rank on search engines. “Authority” is often used outside of Moz’s metric to describe a domain’s relative “strength,” determined in large part by their backlink portfolio.

Domain Authority is used as a predictive measure for PageRank, Google’s proprietary algorithm that plays a major role in determining search engine results. Due to the shroud of secrecy around PageRank, Moz’s DA metric is widely considered to be one of the best third party tools for evaluating domain strength.

SOURCE – https://www.bigcommerce.co.uk/ecommerce-answers/what-is-domain-authority/

MY DA score started off low, but jumped to 15 after three months of immense hard work, day and night. And now it’s at 22. Backlinks from higher authority websites will improve your DA score. Who wouldn’t want to do that? Whilst also building lasting relationships.

A summary of the guest posts I wrote for other people

Why I Hid My Anxiety From Everyone For Years

5 autumnal themed accessories I will be purchasing this year and why they add value to my home

Why There Is No Time Limit For Recovery From Mental Illness

Together In Mamahood interview: Sam, Mummy Conquering Anxiety

The Reality of Severe Anxiety – Guest Post by Sam

Head over and check them out. It’s great to have my writing on other people’s sites. Follow me on Twitter for updates on my guest posts.

A summary of my recent writing on other platforms

In recent months I’ve also expanded where I publish my writing. Some of what I want to say doesn’t fit with the topics on this blog and it’s refreshing to publish on another platform.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mummyca/why-important-look-mental-health-especially-outside-factors

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domain authority

Guest posts I’ve hosted on my blog

Two amazing sleeping hacks to ensure you wake up feeling fresh
The challenges of parenting twins with an OCD diagnosis – Part one
The challenges of parenting twins with an OCD diagnosis – Part Two
Why a sleep routine is important for a newborn

Final thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post. I will be regularly updating it with new guest posts.

Let me know if you’ve read the posts above, or whether you missed them the first time and you’re checking them out again.

What are your thoughts on guest posting? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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Blogging, Mental Health, Writing

It all started here – now I am working on my third blog launch 

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My online blogging journey began in July 2021. It was born out of hitting rock bottom and feeling compelled to help other people facing mental health struggles. I just had to write down my thoughts and feelings, and sharing my story aided my recovery. Now I am working on my third blog launch.

Needless to say, my writing journey began way back. I still have boxes full of poems and diaries I scribbled in and shoved away in our storage cupboard. I really should dig them out and do something with them! I’ve always considered myself a writer at heart. Writing is my method of communication. It’s how I express myself. Writing helps me process my emotions.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have bad days. Even bad weeks. Everything gets on top of me no matter how hard I try to prevent it. I still have unhealthy outbursts around those I love, because I allow anxiety to take over. However, no human is perfect. We are all flawed and the difference now, is I don’t beat myself up about my downfalls. Instead, I learn from it and move on.

third blog launch

So how have I turned this ability into something I do each day? A passion that has taken over my life, in the best way possible?

I don’t do anything by halves. I never have done. My university days were spent burning the candle at both ends for three years. And as a result, almost seriously quit three times. From there, my life carried on in much the same fashion. A constant pattern of, running around like a superwoman, with lack of sleep, high anxiety, believing I could tackle the world. My blogging journey is no different.

The only difference is, that I am now a transformed person, who can manage my anxiety better. It hasn’t gone away, and it probably never will. However, I now look after my well-being daily. I make myself a priority. Hitting rock bottom has forced me to admit I cannot take on the world and I need a job with fewer hours, so I can focus on my little girl more.

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Time to review the way I live my life

Admitting you are not superwoman, when you’re predisposed to believe it, is a hard pill to swallow. However, hitting rock bottom was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

Following my mental breakdown, I was forced to stop and take stock of my life. My mind and body wouldn’t allow any other mode than ‘go slow’. The only way to recover was daily self-care, medication, and self-love. By being brutally honest with myself and those closest to me, about my years of stress and anxiety. And telling the truth about what it did to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have bad days. Even bad weeks. Everything gets on top of me no matter how hard I try to prevent it. I still have unhealthy outbursts around those I love, because I allow anxiety to take over. However, no human is perfect. We are all flawed and the difference now, is I don’t beat myself up about my downfalls. Instead, I learn from it and move on.

Other places you can find my writing online

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mummyca/why-important-look-mental-health-especially-outside-factors

Buy me a coffee

Why I Hid My Anxiety From Everyone For Years

5 autumnal themed accessories I will be purchasing this year and why they add value to my home

Why There Is No Time Limit For Recovery From Mental Illness

The Reality of Severe Anxiety – Guest Post by Sam

Final thoughts

In summary, I’ve set up two blogs and I am working on my third. However, I am confident I will know when a rest is required. When a long soak in the bath is to be favoured over writing a blog post.

You can be a certain personality type, even honour this, but also honour yourself and take care of your needs.

When you suffer the impact of a mental breakdown, you can’t ever go back to the person you were before. You’ve lived through the hard lessons already. It makes you a pro at detecting your stress levels are rising, and it’s time for some much-needed recharge time.

How do you manage your stress levels? I would love to know the techniques you use! Let me know in the comments below

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I can’t wait to launch my third blog, in the meantime, you can view all my blog posts here. You can sign up for my freebie library here and you can check out the social media accounts for my second blog here.

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