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THE BEST APP FOR NEW PARENTS

The past two days Evie has been extra difficult. Fussy, clingy, restless. The tantrums are coming in thick & fast, if she's not crying then she's clambering to be picked up. She's off her food, not sleeping well & making me question what I've done to create this little monster. 

Then I remembered that these are sure signs that she's going through a 'mental leap'. So this morning I grabbed my phone, opened 'The Wonder Weeks' app & sure enough there is a big 'storm' icon looming next to Evie's head. 

BEACH IN A BOX - SENSORY PLAY

Most sunny days, I take Evie down to the beach for a run around. It's such a big open space, she can play & explore safely without me having to chase her. But it was a really miserable today so the beach wasn't a good choice. 

After reading a great post by Mum, M & More on how to make 'cloud dough' (which looks a lot like sand) I decided to try making a 'BEACH IN A BOX' sensory activity for Evie.

EASY & HEALTHY TODDLER DESSERT

This toddler dessert is deliciously healthy as well as being extremely quick & easy to make. We've been making this for Evie ever since she was 6 months old & she has always loved it, so if you're only just starting to wean your little one, you can try this too!

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5 REASONS TO JOIN A BABY GROUP

I was terrified at the thought of walking into a baby group. I am so shy & am rubbish at making small talk. But my health visitor recommended I joined a local baby group for under 1's. She said it was a great way to meet other mums & might help with my postnatal blues because there were lots of other mums out there feeling the same as me. I am so glad that I pushed myself to go. Here are my top 5 reasons why you should join a baby group...

MY BLOG BUCKET LIST FOR 2015

I started blogging in the middle of February this year. It started off just as a hobby but I am completely astounded by just how much my blog has taken off, how much I love blogging & how incredibly welcoming the blogging community is. 

I had no idea that the blogging world was this vast, that I would meet so many lovely people or be given so many great opportunities to work with brands that I love. I am so excited to continue making my blog grow. (Wow that was a lot of blog, blog, blog!) Here are my goals for the rest of 2015...

TOP 5 FAMILY FRIENDLY BEACHES IN CORNWALL

A group of us Cornish bloggers have teamed up to present to you the best beaches in Cornwall, as voted by us. Thank you so much to Anna over at The Cornish Life for hosting this. There are so many stunning beaches to choose from & if you're on holiday, it can be a bit of a headache to chose one that's great for your whole family. Below are my TOP 5 FAMILY FRIENDLY BEACHES starting with my absolute favourite. Unfortunately, the poor quality pictures included in this post really do not do the beaches justice at all!

50 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Thank you so much to Laura from laurasarahdoll for tagging me to do this. This list is in no particular order so if my friends & family are reading this, I don't prefer bubble baths to you! ;-) 

QUOTE OF THE DAY!

My favourite quote on my favourite backdrop. 

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10 DISGUSTING THINGS NEW PARENTS DO

I was feeding Evie her porridge just this morning & as I put the spoon in her mouth some porridge accidentally got on her cheek. I quickly wiped the porridge off her cheek & without thinking ate it. 

BAKER DAYS: LETTERBOX CAKE REVIEW & GIVEAWAY!

Today I received the best parcel that I have ever received through the letterbox: CAKE!

Not only that, but the lovely bakers at Baker Days have also let me run a competition so that you can win one! (scroll right down to enter!)

If you're like me & love personalised & unique gifts, this would be such a treat. I know so many people (particurly guys!) who really don't like birthday cards. I have a feeling that they wouldn't grumble if they received a cake through the post rather than a card.

THE THINGS I'VE LEARNT

Before I had Evie, I was one of those parents-to-be who planned to record every single new thing my baby did. I was going to be there with the camera at every milestone, I'd print pictures off daily & I'd stick them into a beautiful scrap book with a funny caption. In reality, I didn't even manage to get a picture of me in hospital with my newborn baby.

REVIEW: STRICTLY BUNTING

I ADORE bunting. It is such a happy decoration. It brings to life any occasion: parties, bbq's, weddings. I was so excited to receive some in the post this week from Strictly Bunting. I've been looking for finishing touches for Evie's new nursery recently & this is a perfect addition. 

5 SHIT THINGS THAT HAPPENED TODAY

I wrote this post because I've had a shit day. But reading back over the draft I realise I'm being so whiny! Seriously...man up Chloe! All of these things seem ridiculous. Why have I let them affect my day? I'm still posting this post, because I'm curious. Do you feel this way sometimes? If not please feel free to glare at me through your computer.

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL IN MAY

I love May! The sun comes out, the beaches are just starting to fill up & it's time to pull out the BBQ. May in Cornwall is FULL of cultural celebrations. They're so much fun to attend, whether you're Cornish or just visiting. There are loads of events going on in May (click HERE for the full list) but here are my top 5 to go to:

42 TODDLER MEALS FOR £12

I've recently written a post called 'A WEEK OF TODDLER LUNCHES'. Since then I've had lots of requests to do one on toddler dinners. But we don't actually make Evie's dinner from scratch everyday. We make Evie's dinner once every six weeks. 

Because of our schedules, making batches of food from fresh & freezing them is so much easier for us than cooking every night. It's also REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY, JAW DROPPINGLY, AMAZINGLY CHEAP!

APRIL: 10 THINGS I'VE LOVED THIS MONTH

April has been so lovely. March was full of: moving house, Evie's first birthday, organising my mums surprise 50th birthday, me leaving my job. BIG LIFE THINGS! It was so nice just to enjoy April without anything major to worry about. There were so many great things that happened in April but I've narrowed it down (this has taken ages to do) to: 10 THINGS THAT I HAVE LOVED THIS MONTH.

A YEAR OF DATES: ROCK CLIMBING

The photos in this post don't do the height of the room & the climbs justice. Rock climbing was terrifying but so much fun!

TODDLERS FIRST FLOWER

What a beautiful day! It has been so hot. I am so happy that Evie is now a toddler & is really starting to explore the world as a little person. I've been excited about this age & all of the fun activities that come with it. Today we decided to try out gardening.

A WEEK OF TODDLER LUNCHES

I was SO stressed when I started weaning Evie. I really didn't know where to start with food. What should I give her? How much? All the information I was getting from other mums varied A LOT. I was so worried I would give her the wrong thing or not enough food. Eventually, after much internet research & advice from health visitors I've realise that everything is just guidelines...

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DAY OUT IN CORNWALL: PARADISE PARK

I grew up around the corner from Paradise Park, a wildlife sanctuary in Hayle, Cornwall. All through summer & the holidays I could always hear the tannoy's from my bedroom announcing that the 'penguin feeding was about to start.' 

It felt so strange walking in there today with Evie. It's the first time I've taken her & I was so excited to watch her play around somewhere that I used to LOVE.

10 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Going on maternity leave & having to live off one wage is TERRIFYING! Evie was unexpected. We hadn't saved for a baby. My partner was doing backbreaking hours to try & boost our funds. I made it my mission to cut back on our expenditure & we ended up saving £1000's a year. 

ONE LOVELY LITTLE BLOG AWARD

I am so grateful to have been nominated for the ONE LOVELY LITTLE BLOG AWARD by Lisa over at Into The Glade...

HAPPY EASTER FROM EVIE BUNNY!

What a lovely easter! Last year I had a two week old baby & Jamie had just gone back to work right into the easter holidays. He's a chef & we live in a really busy seaside town. Not fun!

Although Jamie is working again today, Evie & I went for a delicious roast lunch with my family at The Godolphin Arms in Marazion. We were so grateful for the sunshine today. St. Michaels Mount was packed & looked absolutely stunning...

EMERGENCY CAR BREAKDOWN KIT

I LOVE BEING ORGANISED as most of you can already tell from my BABYSITTER BOX post & my A YEAR OF DATES. I hate to be caught out if there is an emergency situation. 

I passed my driving test at 38 weeks pregnant. Driving around with a newborn baby when you're inexperienced is TERRIFYING! I really didn't want to EVER be caught in a situation where i'd be broken down or stuck somewhere with no food or nappies. So I made this EMERGENCY CAR KIT... 

NEW HAIR: BEFORE & AFTER

I haven't had my hair so much as trimmed in TWO YEARS! That's crazy! Although I longed to have my hair made over when Evie was born (I mean their is only so many times you can get your hair pulled & sicked on before you want to grab the scissors & chop it off), I knew I would regret it if I did. So I've left it & left it & left it! 

My split ends have gotten SO bad that they literally have started to take over my head! So enough was enough & I nervously booked in for an appointment for today...

GIFT IDEAS: 50TH BIRTHDAY LIFE PHOTO BOOK

What a week of birthday's! My daughter Evie was born on my mums 49th birthday. So this year we've had double the celebration with two milestone birthday's. Evie's 1st & my mums 50th. My sisters & I have been planning & organising a surprise party for my mum for MONTHS. It has been SO stressful but extremely worth it. If you're planning a surprise party for anyone I would recommend starting early! Especially if you really want to personalise the party...

LIEBSTER AWARD

I am so shocked & incredibly grateful to have been nominated for the Liebster Award this week. I have only been blogging for a month or so now so to be nominated for an award is amazing. It is incredibly lovely to know that people are not only reading my blog, but they enjoy it too. Thank you so much! 

EVIE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

Wow! I can't believe how FAST this year has gone. The scared parents who had no idea what to do with their little fragile baby, are now confident (well semi!) at parenting, are pros at nappy changes & are starting to get more than 6 hours sleep regularly...

A YEAR OF DATES...

How rare is it to get time with your partner when you have a baby? I miss Jamie so much! He is a chef so it was always hard to find time together pre-Evie. Now I am more likely to see the Queen than to spend some time solo with him. (If you date a chef, don't forget to read my post 25 FACTS ABOUT DATING A CHEF).

I really think that it is so important to try & get some baby-free time together. It is amazingly good for your relationship & it even benefits your little ones because you'll come back feeling so refreshed...

10 THINGS I'D TELL MY PRE-BABY SELF!

Recently I was out shopping with my family, trying desperately to find some clothes to fit over my new 'post baby' body shape, when I overheard a conversation a couple of friends were having in the fitting rooms...

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY EVIE!

This year has gone RIDICULOUSLY fast. I cannot believe that the beautiful, helpless little bundle we took home a year ago is such a personality now! She's walking, talking, eating & she is SO funny! I could write so much more but at the moment I'm caught up in the hectic-ness of balloons & cake! I didn't realise how excited I'd be today! She doesn't have a clue what's going on but we're having great fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVIE!

TEETHING: HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT?

Oh wow! Teething! I never realised it would be like this. I just want to say now...

 'Sorry mum! For all of the sleepless nights I gave you!'

25 FACTS ABOUT DATING A CHEF

I've been dating a chef for a few years now & every week I dread to see his rota & how little time we'll have to see him... 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

HIGHCHAIR REVIEW: THE BEST CHEAP HIGHCHAIR

I LOVE A BARGAIN! Babies are definitely not the cheapest things in the world. It's crazy how much you need for them. I try so hard to find things low cost & absolutely fell in love with this IKEA ANTILOP high chair. IT's UNDER £15! 

Yes go & get your tissues you bargain hunters, to mop up your tears of complete joy & read on!

EASTER CRAFTS

I love EASTER! If you haven't seen the 'sugar free' Easter Basket I made for Evie yet, then click HERE!
Evie & I had SO MUCH FUN making this Easter craft & you must admit that it is ridiculously cute! It was so easy & cheap to make! You will need:

BABY'S FIRST EASTER BASKET

I loved making this Easter basket. It was so easy & actually REALLY cheap to make...

SPRING IN ST. IVES CORNWALL

Never a day goes by when I don't LOVE where I live. I feel so lucky & appreciative of just how beautiful Cornwall is...

ST. PIRANS DAY

Yesterday was ST. PIRANS DAY!

If you don't know, St. Pirans Day is Cornwall's national day. It's held on the 5th of March every year and is named after St. Piran who was the patron saint of Cornwall and tin miners....

CORNISH CREAM TEA: JAM THEN CREAM!

One of my favourite places to eat in Cornwall is The Godolphin Arms in Marazion... 

GIFT IDEAS: MOTHERS DAY

How hard is it to find a great gift for ALL these events that happen throughout the year? Birthdays! Mothers Day! Fathers Day! Christmas! 

I have found the PERFECT GIFT!

GIFT IDEAS: THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LOST HER NAME BOOK

I have recently found a book that I absolutely ADORE! I love personalised gifts and always try to hand make gifts or at least buy them as personal as possible...

GIFT IDEAS: LITTLE BOX OF SUNSHINE

I've loved the idea of giving someone a 'little box of sunshine' as a gift for so long. The ones that I've seen other people create have mostly been care packages for people who are poorly. I decided to do one for one of my best friends birthdays this week...

BABYSITTER BOX

I'm due to start back at work really soon and I know that sometimes Jamie's and my work schedule are probably going to clash...