Category: Lifestyle

About two months ago Adam and I began discussing paying for Felix, who is now 2 and a half, to do a couple of sessions at nursery. It’s been a really tough year for so many people and for so many different reasons. I’ve had my fair share of parenting tough situations but parenting a toddler through a pandemic really has made me worry about my son. I hate the thought of him growing up in a world where all he’s been told is not to go near or play with other people’s children in the park, at the beach…I’ve been too scared to look into toddler groups because I just can’t bear the thought of wearing a mask inside a hot, stuffy, soft play centre where I can’t wear my glasses. The best option for Felix to make some friends, play and be in a safe environment was preschool.

He didn’t get off to a great start. Evie came home from school with a cold and that passed on to Felix who developed a nasty case of tonsilitis (that I am currently suffering with, thank you son). It meant his first booked sessions were a no-show because he just wasn’t well enough to attend. However, whilst his cough is lingering (no covid, thankfully!) he is much better and has now attended for two weeks. He only attends two afternoon sessions a week and as he’s under two and we don’t get full benefits we are paying for these sessions. It’s probably come at a cost of our rediculous food shopping and takeaway bill though and we could do with getting that back under control if I’m honest.

I wasn’t sure how he would react with preschool as we couldn’t do any proper settling in sessions. Instead, when we were signing the paperwork the staff very kindly took him through to show him the outside play area and he was happy enough with the other children and nursery staff. Since then he’s gone straight in with no problems and actually has been upset when he’s been told it’s time to come home. When it came to choosing the preschool we went with a friends recommendation after looking on a few websites and seeing the eyewatering costs for some settings. The place we choose was much more reasonable in terms of price and affordable for us thankfully. We liked the sound of it with the addition of a forest school setting when he’s in the bigger classes too which I think he will love.

We don’t really have any aims for preschool, nor do we have any concerns bar the fact that we want him to make friends and have a chance to play outside. I’ve talked about not having a garden so many times on this blog and it’s still frustrating and has been even more so in the last year being stuck inside. So now he’s enrolled and going in two afternoon sessions a week to play, make friends and get some much needed outside time. He’s had such a fun time the last few sessions, has run in with the staff and had a great time. When we get there he wants to rush straight in although there’s a whole thing with lines and waiting.

I’m really happy with our decision, one of the only things thats frustrating is there is no real handover or chance to discuss issues which I find hard as I don’t really know what he’s been doing. It’s very much a drop and go situation as parents aren’t allowed in and I appreciate they have to follow the rules but I’d like to know more about what he’s getting up to and if he’s making friends with the other children. It has, however, only been a few sessions so he’s got plenty of time to make friends and play. We also have all those super cute moments to look forward to with him bringing stuff home. He brought home his first painting the other day which was just adorable.

I think this change will be really good for him and I’m so proud that he’s taken it so well.

Ad – (gifted product) I received a Beverly Hills Formula Bronze and Brighten gift set in exchange for this blog post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. If you fancy seeing a little unboxing video of the gift set I’ve uploaded it to TikTok – You can find me at @awitchisreading on there! You can purchase your own Bronze and Brighten Gift set here.

I love how this little set has been put together. I’m trying to do a bit of a post lockdown “glow up” and what says glow up better than a nice, even tan and whiter teeth. I’m going to share my full glow up post next week with the sort of things I’m going to try and do to come out of lockdown feeling a bit better about myself and set some new routines in place. Self care will be playing a big part in that and I am all for trying things that make me look and feel a little better. The bronze and brighten gift set is a perfect set to get ready for summer. I haven’t had a chance to start using this just yet so I’ll update the post a little later in the month with my thoughts and any results.

The set includes:
A Professional 2 in 1 whitening kit which is a whitening pen and a series of whitening strips to put on the top and lower teeth
Advanced silver whitening toothpaste
5008 filament toothbrush
A trio of whitening toothpaste samples
Self tan mousse, eraser glove and duo application tanning glove

I wont pretend to be an expert when it comes to self tanning but I do enjoy giving my skin a bit of a summer glow. Not having a garden means I can’t really get out and sunbathe and my poor legs are never the same colour as my arms when the suns out. I’m all for giving myself a little bit of even colour all over before our holiday in July. I am however keen to try the whitening tooth paste strips and see if they give me a brighter smile. Alongside this lovely set I have my hair cut appointment booked in and I’m going for a complete restyle. I’m looking forward to a bit of pampering this month really as it’s been absolutely ages. I might even book myself an appointment to get my eyebrows waxed and gel nails applied before our break away. Honestly, I know to some if feels a bit superficial but it really makes a difference.

Ad – I received items from Tutti Rouge in exchange for this blog post. All opinions remain my own.

I’ve always been a busty woman and it has been an absolute joy to find more companies offering ‘curve’ ‘plus size’ and ‘fuller bust’ ranges in their underwear collections. All bodies deserve good quality, well fitting, comfortable underwear that makes them feel supported and sexy. I was thrilled when Tutti Rouge – Fuller Bust Underwear offered some items from their collection in exchange for a review.

Tutti Rouge pride themselves on providing sexy, shaping, supported and stylish lingerie

Do you know what I loved when I first clicked on the Tutti Rouge website? A whole manner of different bodies. I absolutely love this. I love that Tutti have asked a range of bloggers to share their own photos as well as having professional photos on their site of all different kind of lingerie wearing people. I saw rolls, I saw curves, I saw wide hips, tattooed bodies, fuller busts and all on people that looked like they were wearing something that made them feel good. This is so vital for young women shopping for lingerie. It’s vital to see somethat that makes you feel like you are worth spending money on to feel good. Different bodies are all over the website so I am proud to share products from a company that so clearly values diversity. I genuinely think no matter your size or shape shopping with Tutti Rouge will make you feel confident and you will find something you like.

Tutti Rouge offer a range of lingerie including bras, bralettes, knickers and bodysuits. There are a few different styles in each category including fuller bust bras and high waisted knickers. Colours include black, pink, purple and red among others. I know it’s a bit frustrating not trying things on right now however, according to Tutti’s FAQ’s they accept returns for faulty items and items not to your satisfaction providing the labels and hygiene stickers are still intact.

What Sizes do Tutti Rouge Stock?

The range goes to a XS – 6XL which I think is a good range. Bras are available up to a 48G. There is an international sizing chart on the website which is really helpful. The items I received were a 24/26 high waisted knickers, 6XL Body and a 40G/GG (Bralette). I felt these were true to size and a comfortable fit for me. When discussing what items to review I provided my size and colour and just asked for something Tutti Rouge felt would be a good fit and I was thrilled with what I received.

My Review of Tutti Rouge Lingerie

I received a Bralette and Knicker set and a Body suit in exchange for this blog post and I was thrilled with what I received. I’ve never tried a bralette before but I am totally converted. Being so top heavy I don’t feel comfortable or confident enough to leave the house without a bra. Being busty has often meant I either have thin straps which are easy to cover up but a lot of underwire which does get a bit uncomfortable wearing day in, day out. The other option is a non wired bra which has super thick straps over the shoulders for support which just doesn’t make me feel good when wearing strap sleeve dresses. The Tutti Rouge Bralette is a really happy medium for me.

The Baylie Bralette was in the Rougette range which is the curvier products available.The material was nice and soft, with a mesh, fishnet appearance and the straps a good size and I felt supported whilst wearing it. I think this is due to the wide underbust band which looks like it might be restrictive but it was actually really comfortable for me. I love the colour too, it’s so much nicer having underwear in a range of colours rather than the regular black, nude or white. It was just nice and comfortable really. Perfect for casual wear or just if you don’t want wire. I will absolutely try more Bralettes in the future. I also got a matching pair of high waisted briefs which were super comfortable. Again the thick band made kept everything in the right place and I wore alongside jeans.

The other item I received was the Hallie Body suit which is a black, lacy design but with a super supportive waist. It feels really lovely on with super soft material and just like good quality lingerie. I really like body suits and I think they’re a great option for plus sized people. They can be super stretchy but still make you feel really contained and show off your shape in all the best ways. The razor back style support with the thick waist band makes this ideal under dresses, I think. It just covers things really nicely and feels nice on. It gives you support in all the right places and it looks fabulous.

Anything else I need to know about Tutti Rouge?

There’s a student discount offer of 15% through a student beans account. Dispatch and delivery to the UK is between 2-10 days depending on the order and location. Items are shipped through Royal Mail and tracking is available if you select next day delivery. You can get free worldwide delivery on orders over £50.There is a sale section too. Prices all seem to be under £30 per item with many around the £20 mark which I think is an excellent price for good quality, comfortable lingerie for a variety of body shapes and sizes.

Ad – This is a collaborative post.

Greece has always been one of those destinations I’ve been itching to travel to. As a child when I began learning about Greek mythology I slowly became obsessed with the Greek Dieties, myths and legends. In college I choose Ancient History as one of my topics to study and learning of the battles and philosophers to come from Greece just kept inspiring me. As an adult I find myself gravitating to stories and retellings based on these myths. I am eager to travel there and visit these places that still have structures and buildings of ancient times. To walk on the ground where these myths are said to have taken place would be extraordinary. I did have the opportunity to visit a few years ago and stay on the island of Zakynthos with my family but shortly after booking found out I was pregnant and I would be too far in my pregnancy to travel.

Where to go in Greece

For me, the obvious choice is, and has always been the island of Crete. It’s been somewhere I have wanted to visit for years. The weather in Crete is supposed to be quite pleasent in the summer months making it an ideal choice for a sunny family holiday. For me, I just think seeing these old ancient structures and feeling like part of the land and walking through history would be a little nicer to do in the summer half of the year rather than the cooler, wintery time, although I wouldn’t rule out travelling to Crete in October. I feel like it’s a great place to start when searching for the myths and legends of ancient Greece as Crete was where King Minos had his Labyrinth where Theseus used his golden thread to find the centre, fight the mintoar, and escape. The Minoan Palace or Palace of Knossos can be find on Crete and to walk among these ruins would just be amazing. Another location drenched in mythology on the island of Crete is Mount Ida. Here it is said that Rhea hid Zeus in a cave away from the titan Chronos (because he kept eating his kids!) to grow up unscathed and unharmed, eventually to overthrow his titan parents and form the pantheon of Gods we know today. How amazing to step into a place where the king of the Gods was thought to grow up.

Delos was a sacred island to the Gods and would be an ideal place for those wanting to travel to these fantastical locations. Delos is said to be the twin deities Artemis and Apollo’s birthplace. There are old ancient temple ruins around the island where the people of Greece used to visit to worship the pantheon. Another place that would be amazing to visit is the Archeron RIver which just looks abasolutely stunning. It is located within Epirus and is said to be the river that borders the underworld. The Archeron river itself, one of five rivers within Hades’ realm, also thought to be the River of Woe to lead spirits into the underworld. There was apparently an ancient temple dedicated to the worship of Hades and Persephone, known as a Nekromanteion, along the border of the river and said to be the entrance into the underworld itself.

For fans of the legend of Achilles Aegina is an interesting destination. Achilles had a fearsome group of soldiers known as the Myrmidons are said to orginate from this island. They were incredibly strong and loyal to their leader and Achilles’ links to the island, and it’s people, comes from his father Peleus who was banished from the island of Aegina. Some of these soldiers followed him and stayed with him, and then his son for the Trojan war. You can also visit the supposed home of the Gods in Greece, Mount Olympus. It’s the highest peak in the country and offers ideal locations for hiking and glorious scenic views. The ancient city-state of Thebes is another location that exists today, although now known as Thiva, it is said to be the birth place of Herakles and the party all night form a cult kinda God Dionysus.

Two other islands within Greece are ideal destinations for sunny holiday lovers and myth hunters alike. These are Papthos, on Cyprus, which legend claims is where Aphrodite first walked when she rose from the sea in a scallop shell. I only ever see that famous painting when I think of Aprhodite, the Goddess of all things Love and Beauty. It’s absolutely a place I would love to visit and spend a few glorious, sunny weeks swimming and travelling around. I’d love to visit the remains of her ancient temple on the island of Paphos. The other island I’d love to visit with links to Mythology is Corfu which was named after another Nymph, Korkya. There are just so many beautiful places around Greece with these wonderful ruins that I think I would find interesting and inspiring on my hunt for mythological sites.