A little treat

The other day an email popped into my inbox to invite me to a spa day with the folks at NEXT. I of course took them up on the offer and on Thursday I arrived at the luxurious Champneys for a day full of pampering with a bunch of other blogging mums!

We were actually not allowed our phones in most of the areas of the spa which was an odd feeling for me. I am really aware that I am a little too attached to my phone and being connected to the internet although I always justify it as my work is so internet based. I have to admit I struggled to switch off and relax as any child free time is usually spent trying to get as much done as possible. I've realised that 'doing nothing' certainly is a skill and not one I've quite mastered yet!

We were treated to some amazing pampering treatments and then in the evening a lovely meal and chance to really chat and catch up with some lovely women. An absolute treat and one I feel very lucky to have attended, thanks Next!

One of the girls from Next was wearing the most amazing skirt and it inspired me to put together a little outfit from their new range. I'm really tempted to get them all if I'm honest!

1, Faux Fur Jacket*
2, Yes Weekend bag *
3, Grey Ankle Boot*
4, Midi Pleat Skirt *
5, Tassel Bangle*

p.s the skirt totally just fell in my online shopping bag shhh don't tell Tom!

The Flower Effect

The other day I had a knock on the door and a very cheery lady handing me this huge bouquet of flowers. I have never considered before how it must feel to work in a flower shop but delivering beautiful floral bunches of loveliness to people must be a pretty lovely way to spend your day.

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The Athenaeum

I mentioned briefly in this post that myself and Lori stayed in a pretty swish pad when on our jolly to London. It was quite frankly luxurious and such a treat! I don't think I've ever actually set foot in Mayfair before and my only previous connection to it was being thrilled when I stepped on the space on the Monopoly board (a game my family refuse to play with me due to my competitiveness).

We were invited to stay at The Athenaeum Hotel and this is how we found it.

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London - My weekend in pictures

Last weekend I headed to London with one of my blogging besties Lori to the MAD Blog Awards. I've mentioned here just how much it meant to me to win (really still have to pinch myself that I do a job I love and one that people enjoy and think I'm good at!). Even if I hadn't won though just to be a finalist in an award ceremony that saw 6,500 blogs entered and and with over 250,000 votes & nominations..well it's just very humbling!

We set off early so as to enjoy as much of our child free time as possible and after we arrived in the big smoke headed for a cuppa at MADE. I've worked with MADE a few times now and as well as being totally in love with their retro style and designs they are just a lovely bunch of people to work with. Their show room is pretty much exactly how I'd style my dream home..

After mooching around Notting Hill a little we checked into our hotel the very swish The Atheneaum (post to follow about this swanky apartment!). It's been so long since I've got dressed up and ready with a girlfriend (since uni maybe!) it was really nice to be super girly and talk make up and fashion. My outfit was sent to me by Boden who are fast becoming a favourite of mine and although I felt out of my comfort zone initially in heels the free mini bar and a G&T helped sort that out ;)

After the awards I was able to catch up with some of my lovely blogging buddies, Jess, Katie, Jenny and Morgana. I've not had a chance to speak to Morgana and Jenny in 'real life' much before but I knew they would be as lovely as they seem! What I love most about this whole blogging thing is the friendships I've made with some amazing women.

A pretty amazing weekend really!

(photo of Lori and I by Tom Arber) 

Some things I'm loving right now

Now that we've cleared that one up (rug by Urban Outfitters*)

other things:

1, Tiger Head H&M home
2, Bubble Knit cushion from ASDA living

This isn't home related but I saw my friend Katie wearing it over the weekend and it's so good! via here.

4, Clipboards from Bodie and Fou (on sale too!)
5, Little London - so cute and informative!

and lastly! I visited the MADE.com offices for a cuppa on Friday..which was a little dangerous as there is so much I want..including these

Thank You

I just wanted to pop on to thank each and every person that voted for me in the MAD Blog Awards. I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear my blog's name called out at the event on Friday.

I'm terrible (terrible!) at speeches, and even it was wasn't I would never be able to express how it feels to know that you guys take the time to come visit my little blog, and that you think its deserving of your vote!

Thank you thank you thank you xxx

A Vintage Home

(image via design sponge)

This a collaborative post

A Vintage Home

Vintage and retro styles have been on trend for some time now and it is unlikely that it will disappear any time soon. Before we begin to discuss the ways in which this style can be achieved in your home, it is probably best to discuss the vintage VS retro debate. A relatively awkward question but I think we can safely suggest that the term vintage will generally refer to the age of an item whereas retro refers to the style. With that out of the way, we can begin with our top tips for a vintage – and retro! – style home…

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Win a Silentnight Mattress worth over £200 with Mattress Next Day

As part of The Lily Foundation’s ‘Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week’, this Sunday marks the welcome return of National Stay in Bed Day! I don't know where they come up with these days but that sounds like a pretty good excuse to stay in bed to me! 

There is nothing better than a good night sleep (I've been missing it for a while since becoming a parent!) and with winter just around the corner and the longer, colder night’s drawing in, a comfortable mattress is a must. That’s where Mattress Next Day come in!

As one of the leading mattress and bedding retailers in the UK, Mattress Next Day know a thing or two about getting a good night’s sleep. That’s why they’re offering you the chance to cosy up on one of their top of the line Silentnight Mattresses worth over £200!

If you want to be in with a chance of winning more than just a good night’s sleep then simply enter below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What Wilf Wore

As a lover of fashion myself it wasn't going to be a surprise to anyone that dressing my son was always going to be something I enjoyed. As with my clothing choices I do try to buy from independent business and designers when I can. Owning a shop myself I know just how tough retail can be when you are competing against the big guys!

My Little Square sent Wilf this top from Mini Rodini and I just love everything about it. I've been pinning Mini Rodini to my Pinterest boards since Wilf was a baby so it was lovely to finally see what the design are like in person (um just as good as they look!).

People keep on commenting on how much Wilf looks like a little boy now and I have to pinch myself when I realise he's going to be a three year old in just a few months. I know it's cliche but time does really fly by when you have a little one. It's funny ever since he was a baby people have been telling me how much we look alike, I guess I've always known he looks a bit like me but recently I've been like 'that's my face!' I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that we made an actual person.

Top - Mini Rodini
Dungarees - H&M
Sandals - Clarks 

The last of the summer park days & Wilf at two and a half

Last weekend when we were all in grumpy moods (I'm actually blaming the full moon now) we tried our best to shake it out at the park. I didn't mean to take so many pictures actually but somehow I did, story of my life.

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What Mama Wore - Hen-not-hen Party

A little of my hen (not hen) party ;)

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Summer Sale Wishlist

I've made no secret about being excited for Autumn but I did enjoy summer very much this year. Here are some bargains to be grabbed in the last few days of the summer sales!

1, Arianna Skirt by Boden* (I have this already and it's now under £20!)
2, Make your own necklace - Monsoon
3, Bloom Cotton Dress by French Connection* - I love a simple dress like this that you can dress up or pari with boots and a bright cardi!
4. Alice Vintage Floral Dress by People Tree (take an extra 10% off with code TIGER10)
5, Kedieng lace ups* - Shellys (I used to own Shelly's boots as a teenager so they will always have a soft spot in my heart)

p.s I just saw that Boden have a new customer free delivery, returns and free gift offer you can use with code X6H7 

Room Tour - Bathroom

I was recently asked to tidy up my bathroom..and not even from my family this time (although bathrooms are Tom's territory usually). I have mentioned many many times before on this blog that cleaning and tidying is just not one of those things that come naturally to me or Tom. I would love to be one of those people who couldn't relax until the carpet was hoovered, I really would. Alas I am not.at.all.

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Our weekend in pictures

Ever have those weekends that just are not so perfect?

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Win a La Sardina Camera and Flash Grand

la sardina camera, photography 
As a photography lover I'm so excited to bring this giveaway to you today. I'm a little obsessed with vintage camera's and the different effects they can produce. We were recently given a La Sardina from Lomography and I'm trying not to go crazy on using up the film but at the same time can't wait to see how they come out!

These are some examples from the Lomography site on how your pictures from a La Sardina can turn out.

For a chance to win just enter any/all of the below and good luck!

Emails will be added to the Tigerlilly Quinn and the Lomography newsletter of which you can opt out of at anytime. Open to worldwide entries. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

build a bike

This shop has been compensated by #Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone

This post is in collaboration with Vitamin Water and their Build a Bike competition.

The other day Tom came home with a vintage bike for me. I haven't had a bike since I was a child and the holiday we took a few months back was the first time I'd ridden one in a good 15 years. I'd forgotten what a lovely freeing feeling cycling is and it made us talk about getting bikes each so that we take family bike rides on the weekends. With Wilf in a child's seat of course (not sure Tom could deal with dragging a trailer around like we did at Bluestone, although he said it was a pretty good workout!).

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A Caribbean vacation for the adventure lover: Aruba

This is a collaborative post

Only 18 miles north from Venezuela, at first glance, Aruba offers all the expected attractions of a paradise island. Count off vast swathes of sandy coastline, opalescent lagoons and that hospitable welcome so typical of a Caribbean vacation. But beyond the powdering beach, adventure beckons. From diving and kayaking to hiking and biking, this little island has guts, making package holidays to Aruba the perfect choice for those daring adventurers who want to grip their rum with freshly whitened knuckles. 

Image Source 

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a little indoor picnic

In Tom's work every Bank Holiday weekend they get given an extra day holiday. I can't remember the reasoning for it but I'm always pretty pleased whenever they come around because a, I've usually forgotten it's a bank holiday and b, it's an extra day of shared parenting!

Last bank holiday Wilf was actually in nursery so Tom and I got the day to ourselves. I had a bit of work to do and Tom managed to get a few bits done around the house and then as the weather wasn't all that great we decided to have an indoor picnic. The last time we'd had a picnic indoors was when Tom and I were in our flat, the first place we lived together before we got the house and settled down a bit. I had come home from work to find a vintage hamper he had picked up that day, a super cute dress and lots of cakes. It was so sweet, I wish I had been blogging at the time so I would have had a picture of it.

Anyways we decided to take a break from the day and have a little indoor picnic. Tom came home with macarons the day before and it's really making me excited for our honeymoon later next month (!). It was nice to have an hour or so to chat about our upcoming wedding and break away. It will be the first time we'll be without Wilf and is quite exciting to think about spending so much couple time together alone. We have a few trips planned, I'm really excited about the vintage markets and eating out in the evening.

Here's to more couple time!

We were sent a little hamper from Lindemans with the cute blanket and some bottles of wine, thanks guys.

Cooking with Cherry and Friends of Glass

friends of glass, cherry healey, cactus studios, glass jar

Last week sometime I was invited up to London by Friends of Glass to attended a cooking workshop presented by the ever lovely Cherry Healey. I was intrigued about what we would be doing and why glass was so important. 

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Memory Box

I was recently asked if I wanted to check out a new app called Memory Box. The idea behind the app is like it's name suggests creating a 'memory box'. This is done by uploading images and then recording your thoughts about the moment or picture by speaking into the microphone. You can categorise your uploads by subject for example 'adventure', 'family' or 'event' and also by location.

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Betta Bedtimes

Longtime readers of this blog will know that Wilf and sleep were a combination that didn't really go together all that well. We spent around 18 months of torturous sleep deprivation and then things started to get a little easier. Now Wilf is a two and a half years old he sleeps through the night and bedtimes have been pretty easy for the past eight months or so. Tom actually has been doing the bedtime routine for the past year and I come up if he calls me for a cuddle. It's pretty lovely hearing them chatting (Wilf loves to draw out bedtime by 'chatting').

One of the loveliest things about listening to Tom put Wilf to bed is listening to him reading his bedtime story. Or rather his two or three bedtimes stories! We were given a lot of my old childhood stories by my parents so it's even more special to hear my son enjoy them!

This Saturday between 8-9 I will be hosting a twitter party with Betta Living all about bedtimes and bedtime stories. Saturday the 13th would have been Roald Dahl's birthday and what better a day to celebrate wonderful authors and children's stories! If you fancy it then do join us, you can find the chat under the hashtag #bettabedtimes and two tweeters will win £50 to spent on the Betta Living Roald Dahl collection.

Hope to see you there! x

Our Weekend in Pictures

A few photos from our weekend. On Saturday morning we visited the other side of town and headed to Zazu's kitchen (which was lovely btw). Wilf had a babyccino and toast and Tom and I had veggie breakfasts and coffee, the bubble and squeak was delicious. Zazu's kitchen actually own our local pub which is going to be our wedding reception so I'm a big fan of them, we are having pizza for the meal, I don't know anywhere than makes them better!

Afterwards we strolled around Southville and checked out some charity shops where I found some great pieces for Wilf (I'll share soon). It's funny having lived in this city for so many years and having never visited part of it that are just 25 minutes away. It's a reminder to check out different places of the city more even if it's just for a morning.

After we headed home my little sister arrived! We went for coffee and hung out until Serin and I headed out to my hen-not-hen party. A perfect weekend!