Creating our own Hogwarts*

We’ve recently redecorated our smallest bedroom and the older two swapped around ready for the boys sharing.

We let Izzy decide on how she wanted it to look. After all it’s her that has to sleep and spend time in there. After a lot of thought she decided on a Harry Potter theme overall so the planning and Pinterest search started.

The big decision was firstly what colour to go for. Like I’ve mentioned it’s the smallest room so it needed to be a colour that was light and airy. We headed to our local diy shop having a look at all the choice. Izzy asked if she could have grey and chose the shade Pewter Grey in the Dulux range. It isn’t too dark and goes perfect with the white skirting and wood work already in the room. They compliment each other really well.

Been a massive Potter fan she wanted the illusion of stepping onto platform 9 3/4. Through the wall. At one point she even asked if we could have a trolley stuck out full of Hogwarts Luggage. That was just a step too far for my creative skills I’m afraid. However we came up with the compromise of having one of the walls wallpapered with a brick effect. I’m really pleased with the effect of this and how well it looks. Considering myself or my hubby had never wallpapered before.

We went for a highsleeper bed from Argos the Ohio sleeper. This is perfect as it is a bed, desk, wardrobe and shelves all in one. Izzy loves it having her own creative space to enjoy. A great feature of the bed is a little space at the back where she can keep all her toys and teddies. So her room no longer looks cluttered 24/7 hrs a day. Again we went for this in white along with adding a billy bookshelf from Ikea.

After this came my favourite part of adding little touches to give it that Potter Magic. So much of the extras came from Primark. They have a amazing selection of Potter merchandise. We used fairy lights shaped like sweet bottles from Honeydukes. Bunting of all the Hogwarts houses everyone is included Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

It was looking fantastic but I was still searching for something a little extra to finish it off. This was when the company EduPrints Plus got in touch asking if we would like some of there gorgeous prints. They have a wide range of Educational Prints that are super fun, Inspirational and just overall beautifully decorated.

Myself and Izzy sat down, took a look at the website. Where we were very much spoiled for choice. Each and every design is just fantastic. They have everything from times table’s to Inspiring quotes. It was such a hard decision but we are super happy with what we picked and they have just added that something extra to the overall look of Izzys bedroom. We will definitely be back for some for our boys room too to brighten it up and give it the same finishing touch.

To get your own amazing prints from EduPrints Plus head to https://www.eduprintsplus.com/ to see the amazing range for yourself and add some magic to your room.

If you would like a in-depth look around Izzys room and more of her Harry Potter trinkets here is a link to my video tour on my YouTube channel https://youtu.be/BxIUCkI2Nrs

Let me know in the comments what your favourite part of Izzys Hogwarts is?

We were kindly gifted our EduPrintsPlus pictures included in this post for a honest blog post.

Women that have inspired ME!

I recently shared a children’s library book haul over on my YouTube channel. Izzy picked up a fabulous book called Three Cheers for Women By Marcia Williams. It’s such a wonderful book showcasing so many extraordinary women. These include Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank, Jane Austen, Boudicca and many many more I could go on and on. On the back page of the book it has a scroll we’re you can write about the women who’ve inspired you.

This got me thinking who I would include on my scroll and all the women I have in my life who’ve shaped the young women I’ve become.

When I was 18 we sadly lost my great grandma this was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. I still think about her every single day and we have her picture in various places around our home. She’s still very much part of our family. My younger two children sadly never got to meet her but they know and will know all about her. My great grandma was the sweetest, kindest women who hadn’t had the easiest life by far losing both her daughter and then her husband. She never moaned or groaned about how hard it all was she just got on with it. She was so inspiring to me and I treasure all our memories together. At this time of year I really miss our autumn baking session making the best Parkin in the world!! No other Parkin ever tastes like my great grandma’s ever did. It truly was scrumptious! Great Grandma Florence would have to be Number one on my scroll of inspirational women.

Also included on my list of inspirational women to me would be my Nannan Rosemary. She has never been a baking and fun sort of Nannan however she holds a special place in my life. She has raised six of her own children of her own, grandma/Nannan to sixteen of us and now has five great grandchildren. She’s in her mid eighties and although her health isn’t at all what it used to be she still manages to live independently.

Who are your inspirations? I would love to know in the comments.

Come and meet the pasta kidz*

The Pasta Kidz and Petz adventures are a series of brilliant children’s books by Bryony Supper with the most beautiful illustrations by Julian Bray. This is the first in the series ‘ The Inventing Tubes’. Following the adventure of Marc Macaroni who makes a pasta ball using the tubes. However his friend Sarah Spaghetti who is always impatient tries to invent her own ball. When Sarah doesn’t read the instructions and it all goes a little wrong the pasta petz Spud the Spaghetti Horse and Mumbo the Macaroni Dog come to the rescue. They are all so busy that they don’t see the pasta beasties in the distance.

The books are aimed at children aged 4-7 years old however Edward loved listening to the story and taking the beautifully coloured illustrations. Pasta Kidz use their own little language which I can see been a lovely addition to older children. I loved the vocabulary page explaining all the meanings at the back of the book. As well as a character guide and our first glimpse at the Pasta Beastie’s.

Overall the story is beautifully written and I’m sure it will be a must have in any collection. I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Kidz in all their pasta varieties.

Find out more about the Pasta Kidz at http://www.pastakidz.co.uk or contact at hello@pastakidz.co.uk

Until Next Time

Jess

XXX

* Items in this post have been gifted but all options are 100% my own honest views

Book Review: Survivors- The Empty City

Synopsis

Lucky has always been a Lone Dog, but when the devastating Big Growl earthquake strikes, his life changes forever. In a dangerous new world without humans, Lucky must learn to live and hunt with a pack in order to survive. It’s time for dogs to rule the world.

Thomas’s Thoughts

I really liked this book and how it was told from the dogs perspective. It was a different read to my usual books. The setting is set very well and in a imaginative way. I would recommend this book to my friends and can’t wait to read the next instalment.

Thankyou to Willow Tree Books for sending us a advance copy of this book.

Book Review: Disney Villains: Poor Unfortunate Soul

How have I only just found out about the Disney Villain series I really don’t know. However I’m so glad I did. There is a few in this series with new books due to be released.

Poor Unfortunate Soul By Serena Valentino

Synopsis

How did the sea witch Ursula become so twisted and filled with anger and hatred?

Determined to be with her new love Ariel makes a dangerous deal with Ursula. Will the cost of losing her enchanting voice and nearly her soul prove too high for Ariel, or will the power of good prevail?

Losing them finding ones voice is at the heart of the classic story the little mermaid.

My review

Since I was a little girl the Little Mermaid was one of my all time favourite Disney films. I used to watch it on a loop with a few others. I came across this book when my older children were looking for books on our recent trip away. There was a 3 for 2 offer on all children’s books so I took the plunge and treated myself. I’m so glad that I did. I finished this book in under three days and learned more about the villain behind the story that I love. The story mixes the tale we all know with new characters and bigger insight into why Ursula was determined to bring down king Triton and his kingdom by robbing Ariel of her voice. I have since been out and bought more in the series. They are fantastic reads for any Disney fan, young or old. I fell in love with the new characters as well as the old. There is also a mixture and reference to others in the Disney universe such as Malificent all entwining in this story and collection.

I rate this book a 4/5 which may be on the high side due to my love of the little mermaid and blinded by small minor details that had me hooked from the start.

It’s another book ticked off for my reading goal of 2018 now off I go to start on the next one.

If you read the Disney villains series do let me know. Who’s your favourite?

Until next time

Jess

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Book Wrap Up- January to March 2018

At the beginning of 2018 I wrote a post 18 things for 2018. I set myself a goal of reading more with a hopefully achievable number of 12 books. One a month at least if more is achieved amazing but hopefully not less. So far im on track and three different books have been consumed. Taking me along on three very different journeys.

Reading is great for me as it takes me away from been glued to my phone or the TV. Gets me in a better mindset mentally and earlier to bed most evenings. 

January started with The keeper Of Lost Things- By Ruth Hogan the cover of this book was one of the first things that attracted me to it when walking by it on the shelves in Tesco. 

The story follows Anthony Peardew who has spent his life collecting lost objects trying to fix a promise that was broken. After each of the lost things has been mentioned in Anthony’s per cession the story flips back in time to how it was lost and the back story of the object. I found this a lovely little feature and loved learning about the life of the objects. They are as much main characters as Antony and his assistant Laura. Laura ends up getting left the house along with all the treasures and a great task of returning them all to there rightful owners. As Laura starts fulfilling Antony’s wishes another tale is unfolded and its not so straight forward. Its just a great heartwarming read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A tale of love, friendships, companions and more. Ruth Hogan has a new book out later this year and I can’t wait to read her next piece.

February- Saw me read a thriller called The Woman In cabin 10 By Ruth Ware.

 My Mum had finished this book so had passed it on to me. I do love thrillers of late, it was never really a genre I had really tried. Until last summer when I read ‘The Couple Next Door’ and ‘A Stranger In The House’ By Shari Lapena. I loved those and got through them super quick. The Women In Cabin 10 follows the story of Lo Blacklock a travel journalist. Following a traumatic break in at her home goes on a press trip to The Northern Lights aboard a boutique cruise ship.  Were things don’t go at all to plan for her after waking up to screams one night. Lo sees a body thrown overboard and goes on a mission to find the missing person who appears never to have been on board the ship. This book sounded amazing and I was excited to get started. However it felt like a book of two parts it was really faced paced and seemed to know its way. Then somehow it got lost and in turn I got lost. A very twisted plot unfolded full of holes and characters that I really didn’t feel for especially Lo she annoyed me rather than me feeling sorry for her and the situation that she finds herself in. I will give another Ruth Ware book a try in the future but she possibly wouldn’t be a author I rush back to in a hurry. 

March– Wonder By R J Palacio

 Wonder follows the story of ‘Auggie’ August Pullman who was born with facial disfigurements. Up until now he’s been homeschooled however his parents decide that it’s time to enter the world of school. Starting 5th grade can be tough for anyone but especially Auggie as with his disfigurements people struggle to stop staring at him etc. The story is wonderful even though it’s set at a reading age of 9-11 year olds I found as a mother of three I really connected with the story. It was a quick read and I loved how it’s split into different parts each part been told from a different characters perspective. I will be passing this book onto my eldest to read next as I think it’s great for letting children understand the importance of not judging a book by its cover as the classmates of Auggie do to begin with and can teach great life lessons we can hold forever. Very though provoking and heartwarming. I’m looking forward to seeing the film when it is out on DVD hopefully soon.

These are the reads I’ve finished so far so now it’s onto the next. If you love reading and use goodreads. Do come join me my username is Mrs Hible.

Until next time

Jess

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Mummy Monday’s

Morning everyone and welcome to the first in my new series Mummy Monday’s. Mummy Monday’s is going to feature different guest posts each week with various themes. Although they will all have one thing In common they will all be related to motherhood written by fabulous mums with all different experiences.

So for the next few months grab a cuppa, put your feet up and come on in every Monday.

Our first guest post will be from Nicole at http://www.talesfrommamaville.com all about the seven most common overheard School run conversations.

If you are interested in been involved in featuring on Mummy Monday’s please email mrshible@hotmail.com

Hopefully we will see you next week

Until then

Jess

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Review: Book Review: The Night Before Christmas Mustard’s Christmas Wish*

As you may have seen from previous posts reading is a big part of our family. Its always something I’ve highly encouraged since all my three were babies. One of my favourite parts of the day is story time with my 7 Month old Edward. Reading is a great experience for bonding and having quality time together.

So when I saw Sophie was looking for people to review her new book It was defiantly  something I wanted to do. Reading and Dachshunds are two of my favourite things.  When I was growing up we had our own little four legged sausage called Bandit who looks just like little Mustard in the book.

The story follows little Mustard on his Christmas journey. While providing a modern twist on everyone’s favourite classic tale ‘The night before Christmas’ which in our house we have read every Christmas ever since we had our oldest. Now after reading Mustard’s story twice alone today I can safely say it will be added to our tradition.

It’s one of the loveliest stories Ive read to the children in a long while. Sophie’s words along with the stunning illustrations provide a great story to enjoy together again and again.

The story rhymes as you go along on the Christmas adventure also on each page there are tiny robins that your child can count as you follow Mustard through the book. This is a great little feature and talking point you can use to interact with your child as you go.

I read this story along with my 8 year old daughter to our 7 month old son and they both were well engaged and it was a great way to spend some quality time with them both. I will definitely be heading back to purchase the paper copy to add to our Christmas book collection to enjoy this festive period and beyond.

If you would like to purchase your own copy and see what Mustard gets upto at Christmas click the link here https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1549927434/ref=mp_s_a

Do let me know in the comments if you’ve read this book and if you loved it as much as we did.

Until next time

Jess

xx

*gifted item to review all opinions are 100% entirely my own and my honest opinions