Aloha Sprinklerinos,
I love technology. I love how you can be out and about with nothing but your phone, keys, purse and baby (optional ^_^) and still be able to capture all your sweet memories at the click of a button.
For the most part I use my big girl cannon camera, or I upload images from my phone to Instagram, but there are always the odd few that slip through the net and so this post is to catch them all and not let them fade away.
These are the snippets of life seen through my iPhone in January.
Matt and I love mooching around Milton Keynes shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon and stopping at a little outdoor style diner for sweet potato fries. MMmmmm *drools*
We are very blessed to have such wonderful friends. Mark and Clare (pictured middle) were totally onboard with my new resolution to be more active, so rather than our usual fave of lounging about at home, we took to the park for fresh air, exercise and plenty of Baby Glitter arm swings. Seriously, the kiddo couldn't get enough!
Of course, Darcy features heavily on my phone this month. I have taken my little compadre on errands (she LOVES all the ladies in the salon and I think they're pretty fond of her too), new toys are always a winner, organisation is always a chore but worth it and she has also been accompanying me on my little fitness walks. We love our days together.
One Friday I headed up to Liverpool for a blog meeting, booked a hotel for the night and then Darcy and Matt met me that evening. Hotel makeup the next morning was snapped. Cheeky extra for you - what you can't see cropped out of shot is a very gorgeous fresh-out-of-shower Matt. Switswoo.
The Albert Docks. The Liverpool waterfront will always have a special place in my heart. One frosty December night way back when, my charming boyfriend went down on bent knee and asked me to marry him. It was perfection in one night and I always smile to myself when I walk past the exact spot.
Monkey decided the only way to go with her socks was high and mighty. Who am I to restrain a mini fashionista?!
Despite growing up in suburbia and then living in the country, I am a city girl at heart. There is something so comforting about big old buildings, higgle piggle roads and being so very small in such a vast place. I feel like I'm invisible and important all at once and I miss it.
Once home it was business as usual and this included new, challenging games. I'm focusing a lot at the moment on gender stereotypes as I have noticed that Darcy veers towards what you might call 'feminine' toys (dolls, kitchen set ups etc) and I want her to know she has options and abilities beyond those. Tap-a-Shape was a fun game...until I had to pull all the little pins out over and over and over.
And that about wraps up my January iPhone snaps. I know they're late, life/baby/sanity/friends etc.
What have you been up to so far this year? Tell me in the comments.
Toodlepip!
Contributor - Louise
To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my disclosure policy, click HERE.
LEGO! I still love lego. I always the big mixed buckets, not the themed sets as a kid, but it's a great toy to get children thinking creatively.
ReplyDeleteYou strike me as quite a 'feminine' lady yourself; perhaps Darcy is gravitating towards those toys out of a desire to be like mummy? My little cousins always played with things that made them feel grown-up, whether that was those plastic dressing up heels because mummy wore them, or playing with dressing up sets of jobs that people in the family had, like police or nurses.
Darcy is absolutely adorable; such a doll. You look very glamorous in that first picture btw ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love Darcy! She's so cuteee!! Always look forward to reading your blogposts and watching your videos!!!
ReplyDeletei loved this! made me smile especially as i'm feeling terribly poorly! love you lotsies louise! x
ReplyDeleteLovely post Louise x x
ReplyDeleteGreat photos :) I too am CONSTANTLY taking photos on my iPhone. It's such a convenient way to remember special moments. Darcy certainly has the eyes and smile that has the ability to light up a room! Gorgeous.
ReplyDeletexx
http://izzbizzz.blogspot.com.au
nawww I love your family it's so cute!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe how grown up Darcy has gone! In that last photo she is the image of Matt :)
ReplyDeletei'm too poor for an iPhone :( but Darcy looks so cute, and you look amazing!!
ReplyDeletehttp://lifeofsarahx.blogspot.co.uk/
These pictures are so cute! And Darcy really is sooooo similar to Matt it's crazy! I agree with you about how nice it is to be able to use your phone to document days when you just don't have the patience to carry a big DSLR around!
ReplyDeletehttp://thesimplewishlist.blogspot.com
i have decided to join weightwachers BECAUSE OF YOU!!!hopefully my 1st meeting will be this week...but i really wanna thank you for that..but please keep updating on that front of your life cuz its very motivating!luv u loads.
ReplyDeletehttp://sarazbeautytonic.blogspot.co.uk/
This is the cutest baby EVER!!!! You look amazing, I love your style <3
ReplyDeleteGreat pics, looking forward to you next life update!
xoxo
http://beautyincrisis.blogspot.gr/
Such a lovely post! Absolutely love Livwrpool, like my second home. Darcy is such a wee doll!
ReplyDeleteRachael x
All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan
Gorgeous pics! Darcy is so cute x
ReplyDeletewww.clionahill.com
Lovely pictures I really like your deer top its so pretty :') x
ReplyDeletewww.krystelcouture.com
Ahh Darcy is so cute! You really motivate me to also go outside more and be more healthy :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful January Louise! x
ReplyDeleteholljc.blogspot.co.uk
I love these kind of posts, they're so fun.
ReplyDeleteI used to play Tap-a-Shape so much when I was young.
I wasn't really a girly girl, no dolls, no barbies (:
Xx Anne
www.sickchicksblog.blogspot.nl
your litle one is adoreable!
ReplyDeleteRachel |ascottishrose
What a beautiful location for him to propose! And Darcy is so precious. Side note, I love your dress(?) In the hotel picture!
ReplyDeleteLuibrandland.blogspot.com
I love these kind of posts!
ReplyDeletexx
Dash of Blue
Aww, love the pic of Darcy with the hairbrushes! It's lovely to get a glimpse into your January. Your blog is a bit of an inspiration for a newbie like me! Since you're a fan of recording your memories, I actually just blogged about a 365 Q&A joint journal for Valentines, which I am loving using at the mo...perfect for you and your husby! Danielle x
ReplyDeletefrontiere-girl.blogspot.com
Hahahah Darcy is the cutest thing ever — such a mini fashionista. With such influences like you and Zoella I'm sure she'll be another blogger in the future ^_^
ReplyDeleteLovely pics Louise!!!
http://definitelymycupoftea.blogspot.com.es/
seeing you do your best to get fitter louise has really motivated me to go on a diet and excercise more, you are really inspiring louise I just wanted to let you know <3 love your posts like this darcy is such a cutie I bet you wish she'd never grow up ;)
ReplyDeleteEmmiHearts
Lovely photos, Darcy is adorable! x
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much Louise, I love how we get to see more of your life and have tiny sneak peeks :) lovely photos too of course.
ReplyDeleteDarcy looks cute and adorable as always and you look beautiful <3
I really want to visit Liverpool some day even though I live in the UK I still have never been around. I love how a spot has so much memory with you and Matt proposing, so cute <3
Darcy looks so much like Matt on the last pic, aww bless her cute self :)
Hope you have an even more fab February and rest of the year Louise, you deserve it :)
http://amelodyofdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/marieljanina
Um Lou your skin is flawless in that first pic! You so pretty :) It's nice to look back on a real of photos, so all in all, a super sweet post. And Darcy is the cutest child in the world....in case someone hadn't already mentioned it :P
ReplyDeleteHappy February! X
This is a beautiful post Lou! I absolutely love your little family, your little girl is growing up so fast!
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a post about when I was Darcy's age, that I called 'The Story of My Life'. She's far cuter though!
Much love xx
http://sidneyread.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-story-of-my-life.html
Your teeth look sooo beautiful and white! yay
ReplyDeleteI can't handle how cute Darcy is!
Make sure to check out my blog:
MAJOTRON.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK
This is such a beautiful post.. Looks like you had a fun January :) xx
ReplyDeleteDarcy is so so cute :)!
ReplyDeleteBerrieBlogs - Beauty Blog x
Such cute pictures! I recently watched your vlog with your hubby in it and I thought it was so lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day Louise!
xx K
http://glitzandgold.blogspot.com
I love that you are teaching Darcy that there are no female roles. We can cook, clean, take out the trash, change the oil in our car, do the laundry,go fishing and do what other men do, besides pee standing up, bravo!!
ReplyDeleteIt's great how much freedom your smartphone can give you. I found it invaluable on my recent holiday where I didn't always want to carry around my cumbersome 'big girl camera'. In fact, I prefer some of the snaps I captured on my iPhone to some of the more carefully captured ones on my bigger camera! I've blogged some of them here: http://fabulousandotherfwords.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/fun-fotos-far-away-places-photos-from-our-holiday-in-sri-lanka/
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Louise.
cute pictures louise !!
ReplyDeleteLauren x
Britton Loves | Fashion Lifestyle + Photography - www.brittonloves.blogspot.co.uk
Support my Photography Project here !
Darcy is so pretty! <3
ReplyDeleteAlinaErmilova.com
Darcy just gets cuter and cuter! I loved this post :) ♥
ReplyDeletewww.j4miejohnston.com
so nice being able to capture life so easily and instantly! xx
ReplyDeletelisaalways.blogspot.com
Really need to start taking more day to day pictures as these are the moment you forget and may be the most fun looking back on. Lovely pictures
ReplyDeleteCarrieanne x
http://beautiesunlocked.blogspot.co.uk/
That last photo of Darcy is precious! And I'm happy to see you're getting Darcy more non-generized toys, go you Louise!
ReplyDeletexxTanya
minacoleta.blogspot.com
I cant get over how grown up Darcy's looking!!
ReplyDeleteLizzy | elizabethsophiee x
you look so gorgeous sitting in front of starbucks! thank god for phones with cameras, because carrying my dslr around would be waaaay too heavy.
ReplyDeleteM.
Honestly Darcy is the cutest baby I've seen!! She is so adorable! xx
ReplyDeletehttp://stellaioannouu.blogspot.com/
Lovely photos, Darcy is such a cutie! I think it's an everyday essentials to take few snaps of memorial moments! x
ReplyDeletehttp://dropofinkk.blogspot.com/
http://dropofinkk.blogspot.com/
Darcy is so cute! I want give her cuddles! :)
ReplyDeleteFretty Anggeni
I love these kind of 'Out and About' life posts! So nice :) X.
ReplyDeleteamylaurenxo.blogspot.co.uk
You make Liverpool sound so inviting....I wish I could visit from here in cold, cold Canada.
ReplyDeletehttp://imjustpaige.blogspot.ca/
This is such a cute post!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's so true, that's what I love about phones their small but you can still capture the good moments even if it might not be as good as a slr, it's still nice to have that advantage :)
http://sapphiresaysfashion.blogspot.co.uk/
Such lovely photo's
ReplyDeletexx
you look glowing in that picture of you!!
ReplyDeleteKatie Loves | UK Fashion & Beauty Blog
BlogLovin' : Katie Loves
My oh my! You have perfect skin :) Darcy is so adorable, and I see so much of you in her! xxx
ReplyDeletewww.beautyypie.blogspot.com
These are lovely photos! I enjoyed having a look through.
ReplyDeletethegirlinthemoonlight.blogspot.co.uk
Darcy is so adorable! Your family is gorgeous!
ReplyDeletewww.hannmaree.com
Darcy looks so beautiful and all the pictures of her are so cute! All the photos have a story behind and I like yours!
ReplyDeletecamstalks.blogspot.com
LOVE the real techiniques buffing brush you're using!
ReplyDeletehttp://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/valentines-day-gift-guide-for-her.html
Louiseee you look absolutely beautiful in that first picture!! your smile is stunning!! Love you!!!:*
ReplyDeleteAww, Darcy is such a cutie pie! I think she looks a lot like Matt, with your hair :)
ReplyDeleteLooking at these pictures made me smile. You have such a lovely little family!
Sofie x
Little green Sofie
lovely post Louise. Happy days :) you have a lovely family!
ReplyDeleteElisha
xx
http://aspoon-full-ofsugar.blogspot.co.uk
It is amazing that you are addressing gender stereotypes. It angers me so much when 'boys' toys are all about adventure, being heroes and having cool jobs and then the 'girls' get babies, washing machines and kitchens. It is so easy to be influenced at a young age, so it is really admirable that you're doing this.
ReplyDeleteGreat post,
Anya
www.thepeppermintpencil.com
lovely photos Louise!
ReplyDeletehttp://commeandfreedom.blogspot.co.uk/
Oh my goodness. Darcy. I can't handle the cuteness!!
ReplyDeleteChristina
http://kissesandflowers.blogspot.com/
Lovely pictures - Liverpool looks really nice! :)
ReplyDeletetheemeralddove21.blogspot.co.uk
Aww!!! I love this post.
ReplyDeletedanidid.blogspot.co.uk
Lovely photos
ReplyDeleteSweet potato fries are the absolute business. Good call, Louise. Good call.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! Darcy is the prettiest little girl - what a cutie!
X emma || shake&fix
Your baby girl is beautiful. Loving the snaps babes.
ReplyDeleteSophie x
http://your-girl-is-lovely.blogspot.co.uk
In love with your deer top/dress,its fabulous
ReplyDeletehttp://champagnelambinibudget.blogspot.co.uk/
LOVE THIS POST LOUISE !!
ReplyDeleteSimply Sutter
Love Liverpool xx
ReplyDeletehttp://yougottabegorgeousx.blogspot.co.uk/
Duplo and playmobil 123 are great for little ones and you can get sets aimed at boys girls and sets for both. Then when she is older she can start playing with lego and ordinary playmobil.
ReplyDeleteDarcy is just the cutest little thing! X
ReplyDeletewww.journaldeleah.co.uk
Darcy is adorable! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteAnika Miller | Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
Ohhh I LOVE this post! Really cheered up a super crappy day, thank you Louise! Darcy looks so so cute, she has a delightful smile! And I LOVE your coat. Looks cosy.
ReplyDeletehttp://rainydaycupcake93.blogspot.ie/
I always think Darcy looks soo much like you but I can see how much she really looks like Matt in the last snap! I LOVE the black and white of you getting ready in the hotel room, use that for some kind of blog advert or header. It's a good one (even though we didn't get to see Matt fresh out of the shower)! :)
ReplyDeleteDarcy is too cute X
ReplyDeletethefashion-junkie
"and I want her to know she has options and abilities beyond those" aahh, you're such a good mom! I literally can't stop smiling after reading this post<3
ReplyDeleteAww cute
ReplyDeleteThat last picture of Darcy is just to die for!!
ReplyDeletexxx | daisydaisyxxo
Lovely little snaps! Liverpool is such a special city, strangely I always feel at home there! x
ReplyDeleteEleri Roberts
Darcy is so cute. The Albert Docks looks like such a great place (especially to be proposed to).
ReplyDeleteRaise The Waves
So far, the biggest thing that 2014 has held for me is Shakespeare! And having a ball with it :) Wendy xx
ReplyDeleteScottish Wendy | Wendy's World
Darcy is so darn cute!
ReplyDeletelove all these photos! those ships are so pretty! can i just say as well how fantastic your eyes are?! they're just beautiful. and it looks like darcy got hers from you. i'm jealous of her long eyelashes!! :)
ReplyDeletexxx
http://eleanorcos.blogspot.com/
You're such a happy person Louise!
ReplyDeleteThe Albert docks looks awesome! :D
Ellie,xx
Elephant stories and more
Darcy is absolutely adorable Louise
ReplyDeletehttp://emmaalouisee.blogspot.co.uk/
These are adorable pics :)
ReplyDeletexo,
Jamie
http://inspirationlush.com/
Absolutely love this post! Such a cute idea!!!!!!
ReplyDeletexo, Sarah
xosarahholt.blogspot.com
Hi !! I haven't visited you for couple weeks.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is bigger and cuter! Your life is happier!
I am glad I came and visited your blog. Love it!
Click & Visit me ★ Smile with Vivian
Darcy is soooo freackin adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteZoe
http://thatszoe.blogspot.com
Aw these pictures are so great (: And Darcy is getting so grown up! She is so adorable, and I love your little family. Such a great post!
ReplyDeletexx
Kendra | It's a Bug's Life
Always love reading your blog posts and Darcy gets cuter every day!!
ReplyDeletexxx
http://blushthirteen.blogspot.co.nz
Cute pictures Louise!
ReplyDeleteIphones are always great for snapping little memories! xox
Child abuse survivor blog;
thelittlestladyxo.blogspot.co.uk
Great pics
ReplyDeletehttp://www.3starsabove.com/
http://3starsabove.blogspot.co.uk/
Lovely photos =]
ReplyDeleteA quick tip with the Tap-a-Shape, you can use magnets to get the nails out...and the magnet is also useful for holding all the nails so they don't go everywhere and get lost.
I've always though Darcy resembled you more, but in that last photo she is the spitting image of Matt :)
ReplyDeleteAnd again I'm very late with commenting on your post, but you know, I love your blog. It's so charming and cute and mature and just lovely! (you probably hear that everyday, but I thought you should here it from me another time)
ReplyDeleteThe docks are really a romantic place to be proposed to. Someday you'll tell darcy about it (if you haven't already) and you'll see her marvel at that place and dream about her future.
About the stereotypes for girls and boys, I can totally understand that.... I was looking for toys for a charity event where you fill carton boxes with toys and they get send to kids in need or to families who can't afford the presents for their children (the link to that is here: http://www.geschenke-der-hoffnung.org/ Unfortunately it is in German, but maybe you get the idea what it's all about) and I was overthrown with pink toys for the girls and manly stuff like cars, hammer,etc for the boys. But I remember that when I was young I played with dinosaurs, cars and had a little toy supermarket. So I tried to balance it out.
But this was just filling a little box, raising a child is a whole new level. I mean she's confronted with stereotypes in the media or in kindergarden/school. Her whole environment is influencing her, judging her, telling her what is right or wrong. So it's a bit hard to tell if my advice is useful to you or not, but I want to try:
1) I don't really know if it helps, but make her play outside a lot, kids don't need that much toys and stuff to be happy. Let her romp around, jump through puddles, climb trees, etc. My mother always said: dirty kids are happy kids. haha
2) Let her play with little boys and girls. So she learns to handle both of them right away. I always played knights with a little boy from kindergarden, we fought dragons and dreamed of higher things. Maybe I was a tomboy back then, but it didn't influence my sexuality or anything. I was a little kid playing freely. That's it. no more, no less. (Sexuality isn't a decision.)
3) Read her books of fierce women(maybe don't start right away with the hunger games) or strong characters in general, or books with good morals, Pipi Longstocking, Harry Potter, the petit prince, matilda, etc. etc. probably many more English ones that I don't know about... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/lessons-childrens-books_n_4690258.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009 )
4) The best advice that I can give you is: tell her that she can reach every goal she wants to, if she puts her Mind into it and that you'll believe and support her in everything she does.
I hope it helps, probably I've told you things that you already knew anyway...oh well.
Have a lovely day, week, life :) Enjoy the lovely little moments and treasure them for when harder times come.
Love,
Nessi
Your skin is so clear and beautiful!! x
ReplyDeleteLove the photo's,i just like to say well done with baby glitter she (Darcy) is just so cute
ReplyDeleteand both of you are so pretty and your skin looks amazing Louise
Xxx
Love these fun photos! It's so fun to capture life's everyday beauty!
ReplyDeletexo
www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com
These photos are amazing! You look beautiful in the first picture!
ReplyDeleteJoely xxx
basicallybonjour.blogspot.co.uk
LOUISE I LOVE YOUR BLOG VERY MUCH! I love to cuddle myself up with a cup of tea, or a wine and read it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely style of writing :) I got inspired to start my own one.. It's a bit different but I thought I'd give it a go. Would really love to hear some feedback from all the Sprinklerinas out there <3 http://resi-hedgehog.blogspot.de/2014/02/hey-people-of-internet.html
Ooh my love, Gender stereotyping with regards to children and toys you have brought my dissertation right back before within minutes. It is both a good and a bad thing! Always here if you need a fellow blogger's brain to pick. Looks like you are doing a smashing job, i have just come across you blog. Keep growing with your squishy family. Muchas love x
ReplyDeleteAmazing Louise, you have a wonderful family and life. its the little things that matter :)
ReplyDeleteI love your family Louise! Darcy is just so adorable and i cant wait for your next YouTube video as they always cheer me up :-)
ReplyDeleteKatie xo
lifeisgoodkw.blogspot.co.uk
hello, I am a 15 month - no 16 months today old baby! I have come across your blog, and I love it! I've only just started blogging :)
ReplyDeleteWhere is the heart printed top from that you are wearing in the first picture? Love it! =)
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Darcy is such a cutie! :)
ReplyDeleteANDREA
Such a lovely post <3
ReplyDeleteGuruChatter.BlogSpot.Com
Follow and i will follow back!!
Darcy is such a beautiful and happy little girl :)
ReplyDeleteum... the picture of you outside the cafe is amazing. you look FLAWLESS. :D and so lovely. it's nice to see glimpses of the every day stuff. <3
ReplyDeleteHonestly think this is such a great idea! Capturing these moments and experiences with your iPhone lets you show off the little things as well as capturing those moments you didn't know would occur!!
ReplyDeleteCant wait to see more of this:) <3
Love these types of posts, Darcy's so cute! xx
ReplyDeleteA Little Treat | Beauty & Fashion Blog
What a great article in which you contain your real story, which sound likely, I love your family Louise!!!!!!!! You have done good job. Photos which you have shared are fabulous. well!!! No I'm using Phone Watch but Next month i also buy a iPhone......
ReplyDeleteRegard: Liza Jenifer
Fab post! Darcy looks so sweet! (:
ReplyDeleteKelly x
http://thebellelavieproject.blogspot.co.uk/
Love it! Darcy is so cute! What an adorable little girl, you should be so proud!
ReplyDeletewww.wishableblog.blogspot.com
Lovely photos Louise :)
ReplyDeleteDarcy has grown up loads!
www.violetdaffodils.blogspot.co.uk
xx
Darcy is literally the cutest little girl on the planet!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blousesandblush.com
I'm wondering how you memory keep for Darcy - do you have albums, print pictures? Would love to know xx
ReplyDeleteErin, beingerin.com
oooh man, i cannot tell you how happy it makes me that you are conscious of and changeling things like gender stereotypes - you have gone right up in my books!! you are awesome
ReplyDeleteWhen Darcy is no longer a baby, which seems to be happening pretty soon by the looks of her(!), what are you going to call her! She can't be baby glitter forever!
ReplyDeleteI love your dress with the deer's/fawns on!
ReplyDeleteYou are looking SO well, Louise! You look so healthy and happy at the moment, it's lovely too see (Not that you didn't before of course!). I love this post, I've always got photos disappearing into my camera roll and then I find them again months later wishing I'd done something with them!
ReplyDeletelove this post, great idea for just looking through recent photos! Looks like you've been having a great time recently!
ReplyDelete-Katy
www.hobbsessed.blogspot.co.uk
so cute! u have the same dress as zoella with the deer! now i think ill get me one too
ReplyDeleteYou look like a diva! Beautiful :)
ReplyDeletepolypolinaaa.blogspot.co.uk
so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDarcy is so adorable ! Not surprisingly, with such a beautiful and amazing mum!
ReplyDeleteLots of love xx
http://another-ordinaryblog.blogspot.co.at/