Chez Mummy has a new home

I've been a bit quiet on here lately.  Sorry about that.  The truth is that I've been a bit busy.  Rather pre-occupied.  You see, I've been moving home.

Well, not me.  I mean my blog.  Chez Mummy.  You've probably noticed that the web address for this blog has changed.  It's reverted back to my original blogspot domain.  That's because http://www.chezmummy.com now points to another corner of t'internet.  My blog's had a sleek new make-over and I'd love for you to hop on over there and check it out.  Sadly, it means that this Blogger blog will no longer be updated but all posts here as well as all my new ones will be over at Chez Mummy's new online home.

If you're following this blog via Google Friend Connect, you'll need to find another way to stay up-to-date with all my ramblings.  Head on over to Chez Mummy to find out what your options are (Networked Blogs, RSS, email etc.).

One last thing, if you've linked to this blog in the past you may well find that you need to update those links.  The url's for all of my blog posts seem to have changed slightly in the move (I have no idea why!).  If you do need to update any links, just drop me an email and I'll be happy to help.

Laters x

Image credit: gabrielsaldana | Flickr

Win a personalised Baker Days cake (review and giveaway)

As Mothers Day approaches, do you find yourself having to drop hints to your family about little treats you would like to be 'surprised' with on the day?  Or do you find it's easier to organise it yourself?  After all, it's nice to have one day where mums can (hopefully) put their feet up and get spoiled just a little bit, even if we're the ones that have to make sure it happens.

In celebration of the blood, sweat and tears that mothers invest in raising their children, I'm giving away a personalised letterbox cake from Baker Days.  The lucky winner will be able to pick from the whole range of letterbox cakes available (they cater for all occasions).  But, if you want a cake for Mothers Day - either for yourself or for your mum or mother-in-law - then you should receive it in time.

(Review) Paddington Bear's Adventures iPad game app

One of the things I enjoy as a mum, is introducing my children to toys and characters that I watched, read about or played with when I was a child.  One of these is Paddington Bear.  Dexter received a cuddly Paddington and a book filled with stories about the lovable bear's adventures as a Christening present last year.  He has enjoyed hearing about how Paddington ended up living with the Browns ever since.

It's amazing to think that Paddington Bear is around 55-years-old and been entertaining children for over half a century.  And it appears his popularity isn't about to fade away any time soon - he's now starring in his very own computer game.

(Recipe) Love heart pizza, the Italian ASK way

Here's an easy recipe, which is perfect for Valentine's Day.  Nothing says "I love you" than a love heart pizza (yes, OK, there are a lot of other things that say "I love you" better, but this is pretty nice...and very yummy!).

Old MacDonald had a farm...

...Ee-i-ee-i-oh.  And on that farm he had a...

Pregnancy and the problem of bad manners when travelling

Image credit: Annie Mole | Flickr

What would you do if you were sat on a busy bus or train and saw a pregnant women get on board?  Would you offer your seat or turn the other cheek?

Sadly, it would appear that many people opt for the latter.  This makes me sad...and a little bit mad (well, definitely exasperated).  I know that you should never expect to be automatically given a seat - when I was pregnant I certainly never thought that a seat on public transport was my God given right - but whatever happened to good old-fashioned manners?

A master wordsmith in the making

My daughter is a linguistic genius.  A lyrical gangster.  A master wordsmith in the making. 

Fact.

How do I know?

ONE big chance to fight world hunger

Last night I was privileged to witness what could be a historic amount in the fight against world hunger.  Being a 'ONE Mum' (a blogger ambassador of the advocacy organisation, ONE), I was invited along to the launch of a new campaign aimed at eradicating this problem from our planet.

Now I know these sorts of campaigns and awareness drives are launched all the time by aid charities so what makes this one different?  Why do I think it could be the start of the end for global hunger?  Because, all those organisations have realised that sometimes, there is strength (and a louder voice) in numbers.  ONE is one of 100 organisations that have teamed up to launch the "Enough Food for Everyone If..." campaign.

There's no business like snow business

The country's been swamped in snow during this last week and it's all such serious business.  It's snow joke that's for sure *ahem*.

Making paper snowflakes

With all this talk of snow, it's been making me feel a little Christmassy again.  It seemed as if the white stuff was enveloping the rest of the country this past week but although we had some right at the start of the working week, it soon melted away.  Not wanting to be left out, Sophia and I sat down together and decided to make our own 'snow' - paper snowflakes!

It's something that's really easy to do and something you can do with children of any age.  Yes, it does involve scissors, but you can involve younger children in different ways.  

Sophia is only three-years-old and she had a great time helping me make these snowflakes.  Here's what we did.

(Recipe) The world's quickest and easiest homemade snack

I have a confession to make; I'm not the most experimental when it comes to food.  If I'm making a meal I stick religiously to a recipe, worried that if I veer off course from those strict instructions, the dish will end up as a disaster.

But, I received a cookbook for Christmas with an unbelievable receipe inside; one that not even I could balls up if I tried to adapt it.  So that's what I've done.  Here's a recipe for what must be one of the world's quickest and easiest recipes for a delicious and tasty lunchtime snack.

Curious

(Review) Kiddicare Lakeside: A new shopping experience

With the January sales in full swing and the likelihood of new year baby or pregnancy announcements, are you on the hunt for some baby-related bargains?

It can be very easy to head online to buy your purchases, avoiding the actual, physical act of shopping altogether - after all, it can be much less stressful.  But, when shopping for babies or small children it can be essential to see things 'in the flesh' before you spend your hard-earned money.

It's something that Kiddicare has recognised.  If you're a parent, chances are you already know about this self-styled baby specialist company.  Kiddicare started life as a website selling a wide variety of baby products and is now branching out into actual, physical stores across the country. 

2013 and the wind of change

Image credit: Mr Lightman | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dear Sophia and Dexter,

On New Year's Day last year I made a New Year's promise to you.  I was on the verge of returning to work following my maternity leave but desperately didn't want to go back full-time.  I didn't want to miss the time at home, the nursery drop-offs or impromptu visits to the park.  I didn't want my time with you limited to a couple of hours a day during the week.  Above all, I was worried that the closeness we had developed and embraced might weaken as a result of us spending less time together.

Celebrity spotting on New Year's Eve

I am useless at spotting celebrities.  Even when my husband and I lived in the heart of London and we would be out and about in Covent Garden, Camden, or wherever I couldn't spot a well known face even if it was a few hundred yards in front of me.  My most famous 'miss' was John Cleese - I walked right past him and, despite warnings from the husband, failed to notice him at all.

But this New Year's Eve, I couldn't help but spot famous face after famous face.  I wasn't even anywhere special - just my own living room.

That's right.  Michelle Pfeifer, Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashton Kutcher, Jon Bon Jovi, Katherine Heigl, Hilary Swank, Jessica Biel, Halle Berry and a host of others were all in my living room last night seeing in the New Year (I could name them all but it would take too long!).  No, I haven't suddenly become an A-lister's best friend, I was watching the film, New Year's Eve.