Candyfloss & Dreams

Author: Kat Candyfloss

Birthdays, Gender Reveals and Half Term

The sun has been shining, we’ve had lots of lovely things happen this month but mostly it’s all about ending the school term. Evie has now done her Year 2 SATs and Adam has finished his college lessons with just a few more assignments to hand in and two more exams in June. I’m so proud of both of them, they’ve done really well this year and it sort of feels like after this half term holiday not much will be going on. There is a real air of ‘finality’ – (is that a thing?) thanks to so many end of school productions, exams, school trips, sports days…

Adam celebrated his 27th birthday at the beginning of the month and we had a day out shopping and to see Avengers Infinity War which I really loved. I’m a huge fan of Marvel films and it was a nice day out for the both of us. He has had a lot of wrapping up to do with college and that now sees the end of his lessons. Now it’s just a case of handing in his spiral bound final project and waiting for the final marks. I’m pretty confident he will have passed but it’s just a case of waiting now. Hopefully, by the end of June he will have that final grade back and we can properly celebrate with our holiday to the Isle of Wight. With that final mark back and his portfolio for the year being handed in he should know pretty soon if his conditional offer at Winchester University will change to unconditional and off he will go! The access course in social sciences he has pretty much completed has been full of ups and downs but actually, he’s done so well, stuck it out, got everything handed in on time and has a great mix of passes, merits and distinctions.

He’s surprised himself with finishing the course as so many people have dropped out that have much less responsibilities than he does. He’s done the course over three days a week, working 30 hours a week in the evening and of course still supporting his family. It’s been hard and a challenge to juggle it all but he’s done it. Fitting it all in was tough and there were a few 3am or 4am late nights to make sure things were referenced correctly, edited and read well. Getting in his final project and being told it didn’t need any edits, that it read well and that his tutor “thoroughly enjoyed reading it.” was a real compliment.

He’s also now told his employer of his intention to take paternity leave as that date was really creeping up on us. He’s going to be taking two weeks starting with the date of the birth and obviously as we don’t know when that will be, he will just have two weeks off in the Autumn. Even though he will be going to University (hopefully) having him home in the evenings for two weeks, whilst certainly isn’t enough time to adjust to life as a family of four and as a dad of a newborn, it is better than nothing. He cut his hours down last November so actually will only be working for about five hours each evening providing it continues to fit in with his University timetable. One of the biggest perks he has with his current job is two weeks off over Christmas which he just wouldn’t have with any other job and actually it will be around the time Baby F is around three months old. We have also collected quite a few more things for Baby F including a Baby Crate bed, Electric Breast Pump, Clothes, Comforters and now a baby bath too. I’ve also just ordered my first set of cheeky wipes which will be great to try with hands and faces over the summer.

Being a first time dad, he’s feeling a bit anxious starting University around the same time Baby F is due but I know he will take it all in his stride. As long as Baby F is fed, clean and Evie gets to school I’m literally not worrying about getting anything else done for those first few weeks whilst we adjust. Adam was pretty confident we were having a boy from the beginning and just had that ‘feeling’ so he said our gender reveal didn’t really come as a shock. He was so glad, seeing the scan, that everything was okay and he was growing really well. His month highlight has been having the two bank holidays where he gets the Sunday night off work and it’s been nice spending a bit more time together.

Evie went to Devon at the start of the month which was a little weekend surprise with her dad. The weekend after she came back we obviously found out we are having a boy. At first she was really anxious and a bit sad that she was going to be having a baby brother but she is coming around to the idea and I’m sure she will be more excited when he’s here. She’s done with SATs which she didn’t actually mind. They referred to them as challenge booklets and gave out sweeties (from the school that wants to take chocolate out of lunchboxes?) during them doing them. I guess it was to take a bit of pressure of? I don’t know, I don’t know why teachers do things but to be honest if she just remembers the sweets and not the tests then fine! Next term she is starting swimming lessons at school as they have a pool there. She’s actually quite anxious as it’s been a year since she stopped doing private swimming lessons – our pool was demolished and I haven’t signed her back up since the temporary pool reopened but I think I’m going to get her back on the waiting list. I think once she’s had a few lessons at school she will pick everything back up again, although, she’s so confident in the water and loves jumping in and playing so I’m not worried.

I’ve had quite a few bouts of anxiety and a general low mood over the last few weeks. I am feeling much better now thanks to a chat with my Doula and a care package I received from my lovely best friend and just taking some time to recharge and a few days of quiet time. I’m glad it’s half term, the alarm is off and we can work to our own plans for the week plus Evie goes to her dads for a few extra nights which means we have some child free time to look forward to.

I think the low mood has culminated for a lot of things really. A bit of gender anxiety has come into play. I’m really excited about having a son, but I’m a bit anxious and feel quite a lot of pressure. Some passing comments have been made about my weight and the general pregnancy hormones that have been up and down have made it all a bit tough. I’ve talked about it though and I did a weekly update vlog too because I think it’s important to share these feelings. Pregnancy isn’t always sunshine and rainbows after all. Some people really can’t stand being pregnant and I think I’m really lucky that I am relatively symptom free except the emotional roller coaster. I think I’m just going to continue trying to remain active during my pregnancy and I’m really looking forward to our holiday at the start of July. I also tried this very delicious iced raspberry lemonade. It’s amazing.

June 1, 2018
Adding Wall Murals in your Home

The Benefits of Wall Murals

Wall Murals do not have to be outside, they are very much becoming an indoor thing at home and are allowing individuals to create personalised and themed rooms effectively and easy. Wall murals are a great way to add in a big burst of colour.

Wall murals are a great way to liven up a space and add some creative flair to a room. I recently talked about how we had added some extra Unicorn Sparkle to my daughters bedroom and it’s got me thinking about other creative ways we can add some colour and decoration to our home. I have seen some really impressive wall murals around which I think make an absolutely stunning affect and there are so many to choose from too. When it comes to decorating you can keep things light and simple with wall stickers or go all out with a stunning mural. There is so much choice available on the market too so it’s really easy to completely theme a room around a child’s tastes or create something relaxing in your own bedroom. You can select wallpaper or murals that paste onto the walls or there are plenty of peel and stick options available too which might be more suitable for rented accommodation. Wall murals can give you the feature wall you’ve wanted in a really dramatic way.

Children’s Wall Murals

There is a great range of wallpaper and children’s wall murals available. Being pregnant with a baby boy and having an older girl in the house I love that when they both have their own rooms in a bigger home I can really get creative and give them a lovely themed room. From Unicorns to underwater scenes and pirates there is pretty much a scene for every craze around and something your child will absolutely love. I love that with Wallsauce, in particular, you can ensure you get the right size as all murals are made to fit your space. This is particularly beneficial if you have awkward shaped walls or smaller spaces.

Personalised Wall Murals

Some companies may even turn your own image into a wall mural so if there’s a photo you particularly love and want to really make your space your own, this could be a great option for you.

Wall Stickers

If you want something a little smaller or perhaps some attractive lettering with a favourite quote then wall stickers might be more to your taste. Alongside my daughters Unicorn wall stickers she has her name surrounded by Fairies and stars which make a really nice touch and again make her room feel personal to her.

Do you have a wall mural or feature wall?

This is a collaborative post.

May 31, 2018
Adding Unicorn Sparkle to my Daughter’s Bedroom

Adding Unicorn Sparkle

Unicorns are a big hit in this house, as are ponies actually, so with Evie recently away at her dads I wanted to change her room for her a little and make it a little more themed. It’s now a unicorn bedroom, although we still have a little way to go. I was recently searching for some Unicorn room decor ideas and was so thrilled to receive some gorgeous Unicorn wall and window stickers from Stickerscape. This has really helped us go from plain pink to adding that gorgeous unicorn sparkle into her bedroom.

There are so many lovely Unicorn interiors around so we are really not short on ideas on how to develop the room as we go along. My daughters bedroom is a mix of hot pink and cream with a light pink border separating the two colours. This is already a great base for Unicorns, although they are fictitious, I feel these bright colours work really well with the unicorn stickers we have chosen. I really recommend checking out Stickerscape’s collection of window and wall stickers. They have an amazing selection suitable for everyone.

Why Unicorn Wall Stickers?

Wall stickers are a great alternative to completely redecorating a room. They add a touch of something different, some colour and can just completely change the interior of a room. Previous to the wall stickers being up my daughters bedroom was pretty simple looking and very pink. These have added something extra that make the room feel more themed, plus they’re nice and easy to remove should the theme be outgrown. To be honest though, who doesn’t love Unicorns right now? It’s very on trend and I think the beautiful pastel colours work so nicely with Evie’s bright colours. It just adds a touch more sparkle to the room than before.

Adding Unicorn Wall Stickers

We have a beautiful Unicorn horn wall sticker against the hot pink wall which is close to the bed. Applying the sticker was so easy thanks to the instructions provided by Stickerscape and the helpful application video. You simply cut out the shapes of the wallsticker to make it easier to apply, peel back and apply to the wall with the transfer paper on top. It’s then a case of pressing the sticker into the wall. Stickerscape recommend using a plastic card for this so that you can ensure all of the sticker is in the right place and to make sure it’s firmly on the wall. Leave the unicorn wallsticker on for five minutes, have another press with a plastic card and peel from the top down firmly transferring the sticker onto the wall. This came away really nicely and we are so happy with the lasting effect.

Applying Unicorn Window Stickers

We also received this super cute Unicorn on a cloud window sticker which was even quicker to apply. It fit really nicely across my daughters window and came with a few star stickers too. Keeping the backing paper allows you to remove the window sticker and then replace on another window: particularly helpful if you’re moving house.

Now we have these beautiful window and wall stickers in place to go with Evie’s ever growing collection of Unicorn soft toys and sparkle lamp. Next on my list is some gorgeous unicorn bedding and a lovely fluffy unicorn blanket for when the heat does eventually leave us at the end of the summer. There are plenty of other beautifully themed interiors, decor ideas and little items we could fit so beautifully to really transform the room however it may be a longer process than we’d like with a baby on the way.

Disclaimer: We received the window and wall sticker from Stickerscape in exchange for this feature however all opinions remain my own.

May 30, 2018
A Picture Perfect Summer Garden

Creating the Perfect Summer Garden

What would make a perfect summer garden? I always envision a place to relax with stylish rattan furniture under a covered trellis and a mix of vibrant flowers and leafy plants. I always think a summer garden as being BBQ ready and having plenty of places to entertain. Of course, I wouldn’t know where to start when making my garden picture perfect and would probably look to hiring a landscaping company to help me create that perfect summer garden. Living in a flat we often find ourselves fantasising about our ideal garden space and as the evenings stay lighter and the days get warmer I find myself craving that outdoor space even more.

I love the idea of having a small covered corner with a hot tub. I imagine in the evenings with a glass of something chilled and enjoying the water. I’d also love to have a good sized space of artificial grass for the kids to play, a paddling pool and maybe even a few toys. We have a selection of wooden toys just waiting to be played in our perfect summer garden and I know just having the extra space that we are really craving would make such a difference to the summer holidays which already feel so long. Currently being pregnant having a lovely cold drink and keeping my toes in the cool water of a paddling pool is my idea of heaven!

A perfect summer garden, to me, is all about colour and I am very into tropical prints and flamingos right now. I think this type of design can really contribute to creating that exotic beach feel. I think adding these bright flashes of colour give the garden a summer feel. I also love the addition of fairy lights, particularly if they’re solar powered, making everything a bit more eco friendly and not having to switch them all on during the evening. Another great addition to the gardens is using citronella candles which prevent all those insects getting too close, particularly if you want to enjoy a family meal outside.

How would you want to transform your garden this summer?
*This is a collaborative post.

May 28, 2018
Molkky: Outdoor Wooden Skittles Game

Molkky is a Finnish outdoor wooden skittles game that can be played on any lawn, garden, beach or park. It’s a fun family game to play outdoors which is going to be lovely with half term just around the corner and the summer holidays not too far in the future. It’s always nice being able to get outside with the kids when the sun is shining however there is only so much of the same thing you can do. Having some fun outdoor toys that are easy to transport so that you can play together just gives the day a bit of a different spin.

We haven’t had much time together as a family this year with Adam at college, me being pregnant and mostly tired and Evie of course with school and then with her dad. When we are together we want to try doing different things and with the really lovely weather we’ve had lately it would be a real shame not to make the most of it. It’s sad we don’t have a garden ourselves to play this in however Molkky is super easy to carry in a bag as there’s only a few items so we can take it to the park or over to see friends or family. It would be perfect playing on my nans artificial lawn in her garden! Again, being pregnant and not being able to get too active as I get tired quickly or being able to lift things too heavy this is a perfect game that allows me to spend quality time with my daughter.

Molkky Rules

We recently received our Molkky game and have been trying to find a day of warm weather when Evie is actually here with us to be able to play. The rules of Molkky are really simple. It’s a throwing game so you just need to knock down the numbered wooden pins. The first to score fifty wins the game. Our Molkky set came with the wooden blocks or skittles, a throwing pin and instructions on how to play. I think it’s a pretty straight forward game to play which focuses on aiming and precision. If you enjoy playing skittles or bowling then this would be a great outdoor alternative.

Outdoor Games for Family

Molkky is a great outdoor lawn game and I think will be great over the summer. It’s really nice and easy to set up so if, like me, you have inpatient ones wanting to play right away, Molkky is perfect. It can be played with large or small groups which make it lots of fun for families of all sizes. A great game to take to the beach through half term, play in the garden with siblings or take to the family BBQ at the weekend. We love it because it’s easy to play, fun and simple.

Where to Buy Molkky

You can currently buy Molkky on Amazon

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. We were sent a game of Molkky in exchange for this feature. All opinions remain my own.

Affiliate Link – https://amzn.to/2GKaKMa

May 25, 2018