BLOGGING: How I Approach Writing Brand Content

Brands and Bloggers (or 'influencers') are working together increasingly more, which brings exciting opportunities, dream collaborations and the opportunity to turn a hobby into a job. Though blogging isn't my job, I have had the honour of working with many incredible brands over the years. I started this blog back in 2013, firstly focusing on beauty, then weddings and most recently my journey into parenthood. Over these years I've worked really hard to improve my photography, find my writing style and build up my blog's readership. As a result, I am lucky enough to collaborate with brands every now and again. I thought it might be interesting to share how I approach brand work on my blog and social media platforms, especially focusing on the photography side.

TODDLER: Encouraging Play Outdoors with the Plum Play Toddlers Tower + Competition

The great outdoors. A place to learn, discover and play when you're a child, with so much to see and do. As a family we love nothing more than exploring the outdoors together, whether that be a beautiful walled garden attached to a big old house, a park or simply in our garden. The combination of fresh air and lots of space makes being outside the perfect place for toddlers and children alike, as they can burn off their seemingly endless energy and learn through play. Plum Play create a wide range of garden play equipment to enable children to do just that, with something for all ages and garden sizes.

FAMILY: Kids Eat Free Over Easter at Giraffe World Kitchen

Family meals out can be full of stress or they can be a lovely way to spend quality time together, away from technology and the washing up! One of the key factors to the level of enjoyment is how family friendly the restaurant is...Are there baby changing facilities? A children's menu? Fun activities to keep the children entertained? Family dining offer? Plenty of highchairs? Giraffe World Kitchen has all of this and more, while offering a delicious menu for us adults too. Tasting new flavours is the focus of their menu, with lots of dishes from around the world to try. There is anything from tapas to huevos rancheros and tagine to burgers, therefore catering for all of the family.

PHOTOGRAPHY: My Top Tips for Capturing Outdoor Childhood Memories

Taking photos of your children in the big outdoors can be really tricky, often resulting in blurry  captures that aren't quite what you were going for. As a family we really enjoy exploring new places, so I'm often photographing outside, in pretty gardens or on family walks. But if you do more photography at home then I have shared my tips and tricks for that here. Though I'm no expert when it comes to photography, (I'd definitely fit in the 'beginner' category) I have learnt a few different tips and tricks along the way that I thought I'd share.

PARENTHOOD: Taking Charge of your own Happiness

I'm there, a new mummy to two children, very few friends in a similar position and now don't have my usual arsenal of days out to entertain Isabella. I felt lost and lonely. This time it just isn't as easy to even meet up with other mummies, let alone go to baby groups or classes. Finding friends that have both a toddler and baby is hard, but if there is even a slight difference in ages then it makes it even trickier. What babies/crawling babies/toddlers/older toddlers etc. want to do is so different at each of those stages. It has therefore been hard to know where to go or what to do if we do meet up. But I've felt determined not to be beaten by the fact I now have two children.

MATERNITY LEAVE: Do I return to work or not?

As I write this I'm almost ten months into my maternity leave with Poppy and although I always planned on having the full year off, my return to work isn't so simple. Do I want to return to work? What is best for our family? What makes financial sense? There are always going to be a lot of questions regarding returning to work after maternity leave, even if deep down you know the answers already. It can be hard to even think about returning to work and leaving your little one, let alone the reality. After having Isabella I was lucky enough to negotiate returning part-time, so I went from working five days a week to three. It worked really well for the most part, as Isabella settled into nursery well and I knew that I still have two days off a week with her. 

RECIPE: Easter Mini Egg Fridge Cake

Easter is quickly approaching, the shops are filling with Easter Eggs and it's the perfect time of year to indulge in all the chocolate. I don't know about you but around Easter I become some kind of Mini Egg addict, seeing every occasion as an excuse to either eat or bake with them. This obsession was the driving force behind creating this indulgent, rich Mini Egg Fridge Cake, which works perfectly at Easter but can easily be made all year round. The combination of smooth milk and plain chocolate, crunchy biscuits, soft marshmallows, crispy cereal and sugary sprinkles makes for a well deserved treat at the end of a long week, something to enjoy with a cup of tea or for a special occasion. 

REVIEW: Diono Quantum Classic Pushchair - from baby to toddler mode in just four clicks

The world of pushchairs, travel systems and prams is a big one with so many different features and designs available. In February of this year Diono launched an exciting new pushchair, the Quantum Classic (£675), which has all the practical features you could ever imagine along with added luxurious touches. The exclusive tailoring to the air filled all-terrain wheels it is the pushchair designed for both city and country life. As someone who lives in the countryside, but often visits towns/cities for family days out, it has all the features possibly needed to make the ride as comfortable and smooth as possible.