This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Konfidence This year, we are very lucky to be working as Brand Ambassadors for the child swimwear company Konfidence, and we are putting their range of swim aids to the test. So that we could really experience what they can offer, Konfidence very kindly arranged for us to visit Alton Towers so that we could try them out in the Splash Landings Water Park. And they even managed to time it on one of the hottest weekends of the year - we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to head to a water park! If you've followed us for a while, you may know that both my boys haven't had the easiest ...
Calke Abbey: The Beauty of Decay
I've wanted to visit Calke Abbey for so long, but being near Derby and us living down South, has meant that a trip just hasn't been possible. But when I knew we were heading up to Alton Towers for a trip, I was really hoping that we could fit in a visit on our way home. Calke Abbey is a study in faded grandeur. At every turn there is peeling paint, crumbling brickwork, and overgrown courtyards, telling the story of an eccentric and introverted family who never threw anything away and who craved isolation. The National Trust have taken a 'repair not restore' approach to its work at Calke, and this has created an estate filled with beautiful textures and a ...
The Barbara Hepworth Museum: A Hidden Gem In St Ives
On our most recent trip to St Ives, I was finally able to find some time to myself to head off to a spot I've wanted to visit for ages: The Barbara Hepworth Museum and sculpture garden. It was Barbara's studio for many years and she described it as "a sort of magic", and it really does have that feel to it. It's a tiny museum, tucked away in the back streets of St Ives, and the garden feels like an oasis, filled with her distinctive sculptures. As soon as you step up the museum's stairway and into the garden, you are met with a sense of calm. It was definitely one to make alone, without the kids in tow! Just ...
Dig For Victory with Konfidence’s Golden Bucket Competition! {AD}
This is an advertisement feature as part of my Brand Ambassador role with Konfidence If you're anything like our family, you're just sat here waiting for a bit of sun so that you can head down to the beach this summer! We love nothing better than feeling the sand between our toes and splashing in the waves. If you have a beach trip planned, why not take part in this year's Golden Bucket Sand Art competition by Konfidence? There are a whole host of brilliant prizes on offer, including a family hotel stay in Cornwall, Mark Warner vouchers, and prizes from Trunki, Cuddledry, Milton, Snoozeshade, and more! The competition runs for 12 weeks and is for children aged up to 8 years ...
A National Trust for every month
If you're a regular reader of Hot Pink Wellingtons, you'll know just how much I love a National Trust property. Their gardens are always absolutely beautiful, and they are guardians of some of the most famous gardens in the world, such as Sissinghurst and Stourhead. They are also wonderful places for families to explore and to teach children about nature and history. I have a huge list of favourites, but it's definitely true that each property has a particular season when the garden is looking it's best, so I've chosen a National Trust for every month of the year, so that you can visit at the perfect time. January - Devil's Punchbowl For me, January is all about a brisk walk, with ...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is Turning 50! {Ad}
We're big fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in this house and this week has been his 50th birthday! He features very regularly in our bedtime story rotation, and I'm always using the phrase "And he was STILL hungry" about my two boys, who have insatiable appetites! To celebrate the 50th anniversary, there are a whole host of Very Hungry Caterpillar products available to buy. We were lucky enough to be sent some of them to try out, so if you're a fan too, here are some of our favourites... For Bug Hunters... Max is learning all about bugs, minibeasts, and butterflies at school at the moment, so this Bug Catcher and Viewer has been a huge hit. We've been out in ...
We Are Official Swimologists with Konfidence - Plus Giveaway! {AD}
I'm so pleased to be able to announce that for 2019 we will be working with Konfidence as Brand Ambassadors and Swimologists, alongside a team of other fantastic bloggers! I believe really passionately in the importance of teaching children to swim so I'm thrilled to be able to work with a brand who share that. I have such fond memories of swimming as a child - I loved the beach, and swimming in the sea especially - and I've been really keen to pass that on to my own children. It's fair to say that our swimming journey hasn't been without it's struggles though, as Max absolutely hated the baby swimming lessons we signed up for, and water in general. He's ...
Finding comfort in food at Bill’s {Review}
The last few months have been a really stressful time for us - we've been having a huge renovation project at our house, so we've moved across the county from Surrey to Berkshire, to live with my parents. I'm eternally grateful that they've put us all up, but as someone who is a huge homebird, it's been difficult not to have that space that you feel is your home. But it has encouraged me to explore new places, and one of those has been The Lexicon in Bracknell. We were invited to Bill's restaurant last week, to try out their spring menu, and I took along Ben and my friend Laura (Dear Bear and Beany). I love Bill's - it's somewhere ...
Our Home Renovation: Week 11
Gosh, it's been so long since my last update! Moving out of our house has been a huge stress on us all, and the long commute for the school run has meant that I've had no time to write. Which means that loads has happened, good and bad, so this may be quite a lengthy update. Excuse the photos all snapped quickly on my phone, but hopefully they give you an idea of where we're at. In my last update, we had a roof, but no tiles, and the internal work to rip out the existing kitchen and bathroom had begun. Looking back at the photos from that update, it feels so long ago. It's amazing how fast things move on. ...
Once Upon a Time… Fables and Fairy Trails at The Lexicon {AD}
This is a paid post in collaboration with The Lexicon My shopping habit has been somewhat hampered lately. An impatient 4 year old, and an inquisitive toddler have made the shops a difficult prospect for me. I always love a shopping trip - it's called retail therapy for a reason, I always feel happier when I've visited the shops, even if I've not bought anything! The Lexicon in Bracknell has been open for a year now, and it's fast become one of my favourite places to shop. It's not too big, so you don't need to walk miles, it's filled with so many of my favourite shops, and because it's nice and new, the parking is brilliant, with nice big spaces. The ...
