100 Things I did in 2017

This is the 4th year now of writing these posts on New Years and recapping on all the adventures we have had during the year. Here are 100 things thank I did during 2017. 

1. Walked Lulworth cove on New Years Day
2. Bought a house 
3. Renovated a house 
4. Lots and lots and lots of painting the house 
5. Many Ikea trips 
6. Moved into our first family home
7. Completely ripped out the garden 
8. Archie learnt to sing the alphabet
9. Archie turned 2 
10. Built a playhouse for Archie 
11. Softplay adventures 
12. Went on an Easter egg hunt
13. Got my driving liscence back 
14. Completed another level in Archie’s swimming lessons 
15. Went to visit one of my besties after the birth of her beautiful daughter Harriett Ivy 
16. I turned 25 
17. Went on a road trip 
18. Walked through a waterfall 
19. Hired a boat for the day 
20. Went to Scotland 
21. Stayed at the Lake District (Lake Windermere) 
22. Visited my family in Leeds 
23. Another bestie gave birth to the gorgeous Theo Jack 
24. Celebrated my 3rd Mother’s Day
25. Celebrated callums 3rd Father’s Day
26. Handmade Valentine’s Day cards 
27. Had many Beach walks 
28. Threw a garden party 
29. Had many BBQs 
30. Planted our own allotment in our garden and grew peas, runner beans and pumpkins 
31. Sent Archie’s dummy to the dummy fairies 
32. Had water fights with the neighbours 
33. Had BBQs at Mum and Dads 
34. Taught Archie how to ride a scooter 
35. Went on my first girls weekend away since having Archie 
36. Went to Epsom races with the girls 
37. Had the best spa day in London 
38. Drank my body weight in alcohol on the hen weekend 
39. Watched 3 of my friends get married 
40. Watched the air show 
41. Went to Upton country park 
42. Celebrated my cousin turning 30 with. BBQ garden party 
43. Went to honey brook farm 
44. Went to London zoo to feed the giraffes 
45. Potty trained Archie 
46. Cut out the negative nellies from my life 
47. Built a snug under our stairs 
48. Swam in the sea 
49. Went on the land train at Hengitsbury Head
50. Went to 2 christenings 
51. Had pool parties in our garden 
52. Had the girls over for prosecco in the summer 
53. Won an amazing comp on Instagram from Bearandbabe
54. Went on a spa day with my bestie 
55. Archie went in a fire engine (his highlight of the year) 
56. Callum and I had a date day in London 
57. Bought some special Christmas decorations from the Disney store 
58. Took Archie to his first messy play session (he hated it) 
59. Went to many birthday parties 
60. Had callums sister stay with us 
61. Visited the Bluebell forest 
62. Took many trips to Tewkesbury to visit callums family 
63. Took up sewing an taught myself how to make leggings for Archie 
64. Fell pregnant with baby Smith #2
65. Had severe morning sickness again 
66. Had countless trips to hospital for baby smiths little scares 
67. Told Archie he’s going to be a big brother
68. Saw my best friend from NZ after 4 long years
69. Read Zoellas book club 2017 
70. Threw a Halloween party with Archies friends 
71. Picked pumpkins from Sopley Mill
72. Sister came back from Australia after a year 
73. Picked sister up from airport and surprise mum and dad (watch vlog here) 
74. Went trick or treating 
75. Wat he’s the fireworks on bonfire night 
76. Archie started pre school
77. Had many girls nights 
78. Found out 3 of my besties are pregnant 
79. Helped out at my auntie and uncles allotment 
80. Took Archie on lots of “adventures” 
81. Became brand reps / enthusiasts / embassadors for the best insta shops
82. Waved to the dustbin men weekly 
83. Watched Archie grow into a little boy rather than a toddler 
84. Made tons of crafts 
85. Fed the ducks 
86. Heard our baby’s heartbeat for the first and second time 
87. Went to look at the Christmas lights at Runton Road 
88. Had many film nights 
89. Took a visit to the German bar 
90. Decorated our own house for Christmas 
91. Went to visit Father Christmas (a much more successful trip this year)
92. Had Dobby the elf stay with us the whole of December 
93. Gorgeous Albie James was born to Archies godfather and his wife 
94. Had our first Christmas as a family in our own home 
95. Bought Archie a ride on tractor for the garden (he absolutely loves it)
96. Had Callums family stay with us for NYE 
97. Started planning Archie’s 3rd Birthday 
98. Enjoyed buying baby bits all over again 
99. Had amazing moments with my little family 
100. Made memories that I’ll treasure forever 

What a year 2017 has been. It has been one of my favourite years since having Archie. 

I can not wait to see what 2018 has in store for us. A new baby brother or sister for Archie and to start life as a family of four. 

Happy new year to you all, may it be filled with love laughter and happiness. 

Love Tilly, Archie and Little Peach xx 

SURPRISE.

My role as an only child is coming to an end, because mummy is expecting my new best friend. 

We’re adding a little more love to our family. 

Baby Smith #2 due May 2018 ❤️

Major Mum Guilt.

Since having Archie I have only ever left him once over night and that was when I was admitted to hospital when he was a year old. Apart from this time I have never had a night away from him. 

I mean don’t get me wrong I have been out of an evening and had my parents babysit but never actually left him for longer than 11 hours at once. 

On Friday I am off to London, 2 and a half hours away from my hometown, for an overnight stay on a friends hen do. 

I know whilst I’m there I am going to have an amazing time. We’re off to Epsom races, then for a lovely dinner and drinks and the following day we’re having a spa day. 

I can’t wait to just be me again. Be someone other than Mummy. Let my hair down, have a few drinks and have lots of fun with my friends. But I just can’t shake the feeling of guilt. 

Should I be spending all this money on myself when surely there’s something Archie needs?

Am I depriving Archie from my attention working the day before I go, away for 2 days then working the day after I get back? 

Will he notice that I’m not around?

What if he needs me? 

Will he be ok without me? 

What if something happens? 

I know all these questions are irrational and Archie will be perfectly fine. He’s with his Daddy. Who he loves and adores. They will be having a ton of fun he won’t even notice I’m not there. 

I very rarely spend money on myself other than on essentials. I rarely treat myself so why do I feel so guilty. 

I think as mums we get judged whatever we do. If we go out often we’re judged. If we never go out we’re judged. 

It’ll be lovely for callum to spend quality time with Archie without me there and I can’t wait to hear about the adventures they get up I whilst I’m away. 

I’m going to try and enjoy this weekend away and use it as a learning curve. 

If any of you have suffered with major mum guilt then please give me tips on how to cope with it. 

Love Tilly & Archie xx

30 Things to do before I’m 30.

Now that I am 25. I have decided to put a list together of 30 things I want to do before I’m 30. 

I have seen many of these around and we all know that I am a sucker for a list. So here is my list of thing I would like to achieve before I’m 30. 

Some of the things on this list aren’t in my hands to complete but the majority are things that I can make happen. 

1. Get engaged 
2. Dye my hair blonde again (and stay blonde)
3. Get married
4. Complete our family with more children 
5. Extend our family home 
6. Start my own business 
7. Take a cross country road trip 
8. Skydive 
9. Visit a country both Callum and I  never been to 
10. Plant a tree 
11. Take a family holiday abroad 
12. Go to a music festival 
13. Have a boob job 
14. Spend more time with family
15. Have my own career 
16. Learn to cook (better)
17. Start a retirement fund 
18. Start vlogging our family life 
19. Learn a new language 
20. Get a tattoo 
21. Visit New York 
22. More date nights or time focused on our relationship 
23. Take Archie to Disneyworld Orlando Florida
24. Focus on my family 
25. Have a girls get away
26. Learn to love myself 
27. Stop holding grudges 
28. Completely decorate our house 
29. Take care of my body 
30. And finally make a list of 40 things to do before I turn 40. 

I can’t wait to see how many of these I get to cross off this list within the next 5 years or what the following years bring our family. 

Love Tilly & Archie xx 

New Year’s Wishes

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!  As if another year has passed and were now in 2017.

Instead of writing resolutions this year I have decided to write wishes. These are things that I have been wanting to change in my life for a little while but either just haven’t got round to it or have been lazy to.

1. Spend more outdoors time with Archie 

Over the last few months I have noticed that I have spent a lot of time in doors with Archie or going to indoor places such as the  garden centre, shops or soft play. As of recently I have noticed that Archie is getting very hard to tire out and is becoming a little bit of a pickle. He is so much better behaved when he has been able to have a run around and let off some steam. With these things in mind I have decided that at least twice a week we are now to do an outdoor activity, whether that be a trip to the farm for the day or even just a walk to the park. Archie is at his happiest when hes exploring the great outdoors so I need to encourage this more.

2. Eat healthier 

I have eaten so much rubbish recently and I know this time of year it is hard not to what with Christmas dinners, mince pies and mulled wine. But I’m talking for the last year. I find that since Archie has been on the go I have been snacking so much more than I normally do or just grabbing rubbish for lunch as its quick and easy. Don’t get me wrong I will happily prepare Archie healthy meals but when it comes to me I just cant be bothered. I have recently discovered that I am 1.5 stone heavier now that I was after I have birth to Archie and although its never bothered me what the scales say its now starting to show in my clothes so it is time I did something about it. This is the year that I sort myself out and I take back the body I want and feel like me again.

3. BUY A HOUSE 

So this wish is cheating a little bit as we have been house searching for the best part of 2016. We have put offers in on a couple of properties and are finally getting somewhere with a house currently. I’m hoping within the next couple of weeks we complete and we can start the year as a family in our new home.

4. Tell my family and friends how much they mean to me more. 

2016 has proven just how short life really is and how we just don’t know whats round the corner. What with a dozen celebs losing their life this year, 2016 also claimed the life of my lovely Grandma. Losing her made me realise I cant remember the last time I told my Grandparents I loved them or how much they meant to me. This year I am focusing on spreading my love to those close to my heart.

5. Take more family photos

If you knew me personally you would know that I take hundreds and hundreds of photos, in fact I have over 12,000 on my phone alone and god knows how many on my laptop. Unfortunately I seem to only take photos of Archie alone exploring or Archie with his Daddy. Most of the photos of Archie and I are selfies I have taken and family photos I only have a handful of. I love to have all these photos to look back on and to show Archie when hes older.

These are a handful of things that I would love to achieve in 2017.  I hope to look back on this post at the start of 2018 and be happy that I checked everything off the list.

Happy new year to you all and I hope it brings health, love and happiness to you all.

Love Tilly & Archie xx

 

 

 

Elf On The Shelf.

This year was the first year that our little family participated in elf on the shelf. Our little house elf was named Dobby and Archie absolutely loved him. We had a good elf this year  as we are trying to encourage good behaviour. 

If your not away of what elf on the shelf is a little elf who comes with a story book who flys back to the North Pole every night to report back to Father Christmas on your child’s behaviour. When he returns each night he is in a different place so the child knows that he has moved. I thought I would share with you my elf on the shelf ideas this year. 

Please take into account that Archie is only 21 months old so doesn’t fully understand the whole concept so we had to keep him pretty simple and in similar places each day. 

Love Tilly & Archie xx 

Father Christmas Fail & The Flu.

Sorry I have been absent from blogmas since the 10th, unfortunately I got struck down with the flu. I haven’t felt so poorly in a long long time. I was going to bed when Archie went to bed at 7.30pm and sleeping right through till morning. It completely wiped it out of me.

We decided to take Archie to visit Father Christmas at the beginning of December this year as we are hoping to send his dummy’s to Father Christmas this year in exchange for a present. We thought that if we went at the start of December then he would associate who he was sending his dummy’s to and then we would have a while to get him used to no dummy’s before we went away at Christmas time to visit Callum’s parents.

The place we take Archie to visit Father Christmas is actually at a local garden centre. Its the best venue we have found. They decorate a large area before you actually get to meet Father Christmas. Its all kitted out with fairy lights, moving polar bears, penguins and deers, fake snow, and Christmas music. When you get to the end of winter wonderland you can knock on Father Christmas’s house where you get to step inside and meet him and some of his elves. It’s absolutely magical so it was a no brainier to take Archie back this year.

During your time in Father Christmas’s house you get to have a quick chat with him and tell him everything you want for Christmas. Get a professional photo taken and get given a gift.

When you exit the house there is a stand where you can view the photos that have just been taken and a chance to purchase them. You then walk down a little path with fake snow on and leads hung up for the reindeers and you get to see real life reindeers. This is by far my favourite part of the experience. It makes everything feel so real and gets you in the Christmas spirit.

This year it was truely magical. Archie is now at an age where he is beging to understand what is going on and the true meaning of Christmas. He absolutely hated meeting Father Christmas but loved his elves and seeing his reindeer.

We explained to him that he is going to bringing him some presents if he is a good boy all year and that Father Christmas is going to be taking his dummy’s to give them to new little baby boys and baby girls who need them because he is now a big boy.

I cant wait to see his little face on Christmas Day when Father Christmas has been. Knowing he now understands where they have come from.

This year Archie decided that he absolutely hated Father Christmas. He was petrified. We couldn’t even get him in the room let alone close enough for a photograph. He loved the grotto leading up to meet him but the actual meeting was an absolute disaster.

Being out of action for a few days and not making any content, I realised that I would rather put quality posts up than quantity and decided that I wasn’t going to continue with blogmas. However much fun it is and I absolute love to read everyone else’s. It was near impossible with a toddler and being poorly.

I have however got a few more posts that I would like to share so I’ll pop them up during the rest of December. Just things that I would like to be able to look back on in years to come and to remember the memories.

Sorry for the absolute fail.

Love Tilly & Archie xx

 

Top 10 Tips For Making Christmas Affordable.

Christmas is the most expensive time of the year and for most families the lead up can be more stressful than not. I have put together a list of my top 10 tips for making Christmas affordable and enjoyable. These are things that I try to do each year so that I am not doing all of my shopping out of one months pay check. I hope you find these tips useful for future reference when Christmas shopping.

1. Handmade Gifts.

Not only are handmade gifts affordable, but personalised handmade gifts add that special touch as well. They can be made cheaper than shop bought gifts and personalised to the recipient. Some of my favourite examples of handmade gifts are hampers, crafts from kids or just photo frames with meaningful photos in. All in all they make a lovely gift and are a meaningful keepsake. I have found that grandparents love a personalised gift made with love from their grandchild appose to a shop bought gift.

2. Look out for sales:

Throughout the year look out for sales, plan who you need to buy for and keep racking them sales aisles. Half price, 3 for 2 or even clearance. As long as the gift is in good condition, not damaged and is something they would like, there’s no reason why you should get it in the sales. Shops have sales throughout the year putting different items in the sales each time. This is a great way to save a fortune.

3. Start Saving Money Now

Start saving money now. At the start of the year I start saving all my small change (1p,2p,5p) and put them all in a glass jar. Throughout the year they build up and at the beginning of December I count it all up and put that towards gifts. The more you put in the more you have at the end, no one notices small change missing. It is an easy way to save without breaking the bank.

4. Save Loyalty Points.

Nowadays every shop on the high street has a loyalty card. Sometimes the points convert into money and others unlock benefits and offers. This is a great opportunity to use these points to purchase Christmas presents. Boots and Sainsburys are my favourite loyalty cards as you can actually spend the points as cash towards your purchases. This saves a ton of money especially as both stores to an amazing range of gift sets.

5. Flog It

Towards the end of the year gather up all the things cluttering your bedroom or home and pop them on Ebay for a couple of extra quid. Things you may not have used for the majority of the year or things you may have forgotten about. You know how the saying goes “one mans trash is another mans treasure”.

6. Make Lists

Make a list of who you need to buy for and what you want to get and stick to it. A lot of the time I make on the spot purchases, I impulse buy when I don’t necessarily need it. Not only can this mean you may not have got the best deal, but you then have to find someone to give that gift to and it may not necessarily be what they wanted.

7. Be Crafty With Decorations

Decorating the house doesn’t have to cost a fortune some of my most favourite decorations are those from Poundland or The Range. A couple of quid here and there on a few decorations and jobs a good’un. Handmade decorations are also a lovely touch to add to your home. Get the craft supplies out and all the kids involved and get them creating. These also make sentimental things to look back on in years to come.

8. Give An Experience

If you really cant afford that last present then just made a card and gift an experience. Afternoon tea, lunch, dinner a manicure ect. Gift a promise of one of these events and chances are by the time your due to go the next pay check will of come round and you can afford it. Not only does this give your recipient a lovely experience and quality time together, it also buys you a little bit more time to get some extra cash.

9. Shop Around

Make sure that you are buying for the cheapest price. A lot of major companies now have price match guarantee where they will match a price of the same item if you find it at a cheaper price.

10. Check Out Local Entertainment

Check your area for local activities going on in the festive season. A lot of towns will set up fun outdoor activities for free with a Father Christmas on site and some elves. Seeing Father Christmas at a local shopping centre is much more appealing than not seeing him at all.

I hope these tips helped you to save money this Christmas. If you have any top tips that you use to made Christmas more affordable then please leave them below so I can have a read.

Love Tilly & Archie xx

 

 

Christmas Wish List.

I have put together a list of things I would love for Christmas.I don’t often splurge on myself, so I like to save up all my ideas for when people need gift ideas. Callum if your reading this *hint hint*.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette £38.50

I have wanted this palette for a  number of years but have never justified spending that money on something for myself. Mum guilt sets in when making purchases for myself so I normally wait for Christmas or birthdays to have a splurge on myself.

I love love LOVE that this palette has a variety of matte and shimmery shades and that all the shades are neutral colours. I don’r really experiment with make up all that much and like to stick to a basic neutral face with the occasionally pop of lip colour.

 

Joby Gorillapod Origional Tripod £17.00

I saw this tripod this summer in John Lewis and loved it. It is exactly what
I’m looking for. You can mould the legs to wrap around an object or to be in a normal tripod position. I film a lot of mine and Archies lives and make little videos for us to lookback on so this would be perfect to get better shots where I can actually be in the videos.

UGG Boots, Classic Chesnut £155.00

I have had a couple of pairs of these and have completely worn them to death. My latest pair I have had for over 5 years and over the last couple of weeks a hole has appeared in the toe. I love that they can be paired with any outfit and are super comfortable. 

Hunter Original Boots £125.00

 

I am in love with my Hunter boots. I have the short ones in fuchsia. Unfortunately since being pregnant with Archie they no longer fit me so I’m in need of a new pair. I am in love with this two tone pair in black / dulce. Its such a classic look and they will go with anything. Since having my pair I have needed on many occasions a taller pair which is why I have opted for the knee high appose to the short.

MacBook Pro – 15 Inch £2000 approx

I am dying to upgrade my laptop to a Macbook. I am undecided which one I would like but I k
now it is probably a 15 inch screen. Please can you leave recommendations of your Mac’s below so I can compare. Would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for reading, hoping and praying I get one thing off my list this year. If not there’s always next.

Love Tilly & Archie xx