Tag: Edinburgh

Sunshine #edfringe2019

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We were lucky enough to be given some tickets to see Sunshine in return for a review. Sunshine is a family show aimed at kids 3+ although when we went there were plenty of adults without kids. Right now you can see the show at the underbelly Cowgate but the show will be touring after.

The show is an hour long and I can honestly say Joy (3) has never been so engaged in a show. I’m sure all parents will understand the worry of buying tickets in case your little muchkins decide not to play ball but both kids were so happy to watch – without snack bribery (if you know you know).

The show is a very simple idea with lots of slapstick humour – think Mr Bean goes to the beach but has a lovely running theme of friendship between Mr Sand and Mr Sea which was grasped by all.

The audience were able to get involved in places and I don’t want to spoil the surprise but you may get a little wet, which quickly descended into hilarity from everyone and Joy got the job of looking after a crab for the duration of the show.

I really enjoyed the show and at the end Joy went to give back the crab and gave Mr Sand and Mr Sea a big impromptu cuddle. It really was lovely and we got so lovely pictures of the stars.

All in all I’d highly recommend the show, especially for the younger kids who can easily follow and have lots of laughs at the silliness. We would certainly go back next year.

Yvonne x

https://www.instagram.com/champagneandsnottynoses/

Find out more about Sunshine:

https://www.stickybacktheatre.co.uk/

Photo credit: Rah Petherbridge https://instagram.com/rahpetherbridgephotography?igshid=2ptri6f919yo

Chaopraya Edinburgh

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Recently we were lucky enough to be asked to sample the lunch menu at Chaopraya in Edinburgh and we sure picked the right day. The sun was out and we got a table with the most amazing view of Edinburgh Castle.

Recently Chaopraya has introduced a free kids meals with every paying adult Sunday-Thursday 12-5pm so we took our troops along to sample.

My kids aren’t fussy at all luckily and they were happy to sample their first taste of Thai cuisine. The kids menu has a great selection to suit even the fussiest of taste buds. Joy had chicken fried rice and Lewis chose chicken satay, they both loved their meals and had a bit of each others. The staff were smart enough to serve the kids meals with our starters meaning the kids didn’t have to wait while we ate… and we didn’t have to share.

It was out first visit to Chaopraya and it certainly won’t be the last. We had a delectable starter of Thai tapas to share which I’d highly recommend to try a little bit of lots of dishes and I had Singapore noodles for my main, while Steve had black pepper chicken. My main was the best Singapore noodles I’ve had although after trying Steve’s main I was slightly gutted I hadn’t chosen that. So tasty and just the right amount of kick for me.

The menu boasts an impressive range of cocktails and equally exciting mocktails. I had a gorgeous watermelon mocktail which the kids drank most of so of course I ordered a cocktail so I didn’t need to share that one.

Although we were utterly stuffed we decided to go with dessert on the basis it was for review purposes (obviously) and I’m so glad we did. I had the chocolate box which tasted as delicious as it looked and Steve went for the classic sticky toffee pudding which is his favourite dessert ever. Both desserts were fantastic and the kids inhaled their ice cream, leaving us in peace to eat while the lovely staff showed them the massive fish tank inside the restaurant.

All in all it was a lovely meal and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. The food was awesome and more importantly the staff were super friendly with kids and we were made to feel extremely welcome.

*in the interest of transparency we were kindly given a £60 voucher towards the cost of our meal.

Yvonne x

Lucas Ice Cream Family Race Day 2019

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It’s the last week of term in Scotland so I’m sure we’re all busily trying to plan our days out with the kids. We make a list tick off things each week making sure we’ve got a nice mix of days out and days in (thank you Scottish weather). This also helps spread the cost a little.

Top of our list for the last 4 years has been the Lucas Ice Cream Family Race Day at Musselburgh Race Course and we’re so lucky to have such a lovely, family friendly venue nearby.

The family race day is a day where you can take all the family along, have a flutter and let the kids play. There is lots for kids to do and it’s a laid back, friendly environment. All kids rides are free and they can go on as many times as they like plus there’s craft and lots of places to feed younger children too if required.

As the name suggests there is a famous Lucas Ice Cream with every ticket and all under 18s are free to get in – which is fantastic! This years family day is July 23rd and adult tickets are £17 if you buy before and £22 on the day. Doors open at 12pm and the last race is 5pm so it is a whole day affair.

We can’t wait to go along as last year’s was amazing. We had a picnic table and my horse won me £14 so I even got us all a cheeky candy floss.

I’ll share our pictures and experience from the day after we’ve been. Fingers crossed the sun comes out for us!

Hope to see some of you there.

Get your tickets here:

https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/lucas-ice-cream-family-day-23-7-2019

Yvonne x

*in the interest of transparency we were kindly given our tickets in return for an honest review.

 

These are a few of my favourite things

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So it’s that sodding time of year again. Admittedly I love it but it can get a bit chaotic as a parent and it’s easy for us to get swept under the carpet. You probably all know I’m a massive fan of STUFF and my poor husband is constantly sent links of ‘ideas’ for me so I’ve compiled a list of my top Christmas gift ideas for us. Not the kids. US! We deserve it and these are my fav ideas for a busy lady at Christmas. There was originally supposed to be 5 but I just couldnt whittle it down. 

1) a bathboard. Easily the best £20 I’ve spent on myself this year. At the end of a stressful day half an hour in a hot bath with a glass of wine, some candles and a good book is enough to make me feel human again. Utter bliss! You can now add on a space mask or bathbomb too to complete the perfect gift and these are great for Men too. My husband uses mine for wine and snacks but he’ll kill me for telling people. Everyone deserves a pamper now and again.

 http://bathboards.bigcartel.com/

2) Gin! I couldn’t do a list without mentioning my favourite thing could I? Pickerings to be exact. I recently did a tour at the Pickerings distillery in Edinburgh with Steve and it was such a nice afternoon out. Highly recommended and great value for money. £10 each and included a G&T on arrival. Lets face it you wouldnt get much change off a tenner in Edinburgh for a decent G&T on its own and Summerhall is such an interesting location. 

Obviously we got to sample some of their wares and now I’m hooked. How cute are the little gin baubles? These sold out in in seconds last year so get them on your list sharpish! £30 for 6 and each is a double measure. You can also refill them year after year. Bargain! 

Pickering's Gin Baubles (pack of 6)

3) Blessed in London initial necklace 😍. The minute I saw this I knew I wanted one with the kids initials and I hope I’ve dropped enough hints to Steve. I have the star tassle earring and they go with everything. I always get complimented on them. 

https://www.blessedlondon.co.uk/

4) Its no secret that Im wax melt and candle obsessed. My lovely wax melt lady is closed for a knee op and having a well deserved Christmas break so I’ve treated myself to a candle from a local company called can to candle. They make candles in the cutest little kitsch cans and they smell amazing. I’ll definately be back! Once you try the amazing soy was candles you’ll realise how waxy and synthetic the likes of yankee smell. I’m a convert!

 

http://cantocandle.com/

5) I can cards. These are just so lovely and the ideal price point for a secret Santa gift. It’s basically a little pack of cards full of positive affirmations to remind you how bloody amazing you are. I have the self care pack and it’s fantastic how one positive sentence can just give you that much needed boost. Such a nice gift for someone who just needs to know that they’re fabulous. 

https://icancards.co.uk/

6) When a saw a lovely friend wearring her la pom pom earrings I knew I needed them I’m my life. They definitely get me noticed and they’re just SO cute! There’s something about pom poms that just take me back to my childhood and make me feel carefree (if only!) They also have the sweetest garlands that you can get made in any colour so perfect for any occasion. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LaPomPomShop?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=22444550

7) Now although this post is one for the adults I had to mention Rosie Girl London dolls. Purely because when I saw that did customer made dolls I knew I wanted an Amy Winehouse made and I was absolutely blow away with the detail. I’m not even going to pretend she was for Joy as I’m a huge Amy fan and love the idea of a doll that’s a bit different to the usual cutesy ones. Rosie does anything from Frieda Kahlo dolls to unicorns  and takes customer orders (at a very reasonable price) so there really is something for everyone. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/rosiegirllondon

8) Last but certainly not least Christine Alison is the Queen of eyebrows in Edinburgh. She’s the only person I’ve let near mine in around 6 years and we’ve went from HD brows to semi permanent brows- which I’ve managed to convince Steve saves me (him) money in the long run as I don’t need any products or monthly brow appointment. More importantly as a Mum it saves time and we all know how precious that is. 

Recently dermaplaning has been added to the list of treatments offered here and I got to be one of the first to try it out. Basically using a scalpel all the dead skin is removed from your face, taking any peach fuzz with it. Now as horrendous as a scalpel sounds it’s so gentle and there is zero pain involved. I almost fell asleep and the you get a mask at the end of the treatment to fill your new glowy skin with hyluronic acid to make you look even fresher. I saw an instant glow and my make up sits so nicely on my face. It’s really interesting to see all the junk that’s came off your face at the end. Dermaplaning is usually £65 but will be £50 for the duration of December so get booked in ASAP for all your Christmas parties.

https://christinealison.co.uk/

So what should have been 5 is now 8 but these are my firm favourites so if you’re stuck for a gift I hope I’ve helped a little with ideas. Feel free to forward to your Hubby to give him a nudge. 
It’s important for me to use small businesses where I can and some of those included are local to me so that’s even more special. 

I briefly mentioned my wax melt dealer Gail and although she’s closed for Christmas I’ve included her link so if you want to try out her melts you can do after the year. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SimplyScentedDevon

I hope you get everything you want… and more 😘.

Yvonne 

*This is not a sponsored post*

Who is she? 

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Hi I’m Yvonne but you’d be forgiven for knowing me as Lewis’ and Joy’s mum or even Steve’s wife. I am all of those things too but firstly I’m Yvonne. I love long hot baths, reading and dancing in the living room with my husband to 90s dance. Im sarcastic to a fault, Im obsessed with beauty products and you won’t catch me wearing a mama jumper. I’m a proud mother and wife but I refuse to be defined by my children or marital status.

After Lewis (my first) I made the mistake a lot of us do. I thought becoming a mother should change me so when I the urge to skip through a meadow singing the sound of music didn’t take me I really thought I’d failed. The urge to have a social life took me and that made me feel even worse. I forced myself to baby signing, baby reflexology and fucking baby shiatsu (honestly that’s a thing ) in a desperate bid to become more like the Julie Andrews character I thought I should be.

It took time and good advice to realise that wasn’t how it had to be. Once I finally allowed myself to see that I was so relieved. Lewis was relieved too as his Mum was now back firmly in her comfort zone and he didn’t have to attend 18 ridiculous classes a week.

I think we’re all guilty of it but we need to take time to remember who we are. I love my children and I take them to classes I think will benefit them and not bore me to tears but I also have a life of my own. I existed before them and once they’ve flown the nest *sobs* I will continue to exist. I know all the nursery rhymes but also I can drink 5 Sambuca shots and recreate the whole video for single ladies- albeit badly.

I’m not offended when people introduce me as a mum or wife. I do it too. On a recent (rare) drink with some friends I introduced my friend as ‘Archies Mum’ and instandly thought shit! She’s not JUST Archies Mum. She’s Jackie. She loves make up, wine and singing Proud Mary. She’s a person too. In her own right and she deserves to be introduced as one.

So what was my point here? Don’t feel guilty for still being who you were before your children. There’s no doubt having children changes you but we are still entitled some escapism once in a while. Get drunk now and again and have sex on the kitchen floor. Whatever works for you! Never apologise for that. Remember who you are and introduce your friends by their name.

Yvonne x