Hello, We are Happy.

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It's been a while huh? How have you been? I've missed you. 

I wish I had a big long reason for not blogging much lately but I don't. Last year was hard (THIS video explains why), I ran away to Seattle to escape (THIS and THIS video document that adventure) and then I decided to take a few things off my plate. The blog was one of them and I have to say, it's been good for me. 

For the first time, in a long time, I can truly say, I am happy. <-- I love that I just typed that. It gives me the warm fuzzies. 

With so many things on my shoulders last year, I couldn't cope. This year I have allowed myself to only deal with the things I need. 

I have invested so much more energy into my surrounding community, made Mummy friends (an amazing network for me and Darcy to enjoy the company of, turn to in times of need and explore new child-friendly places with), I am much happier with the videos I'm putting up on my main channel (I still want to pour more into my second channel!), my second clothing line was successfully released, I'm thinking about a couple of new book ideas (it's very early days, still just sparkly seeds in my head) and I make so much more space in my life for non-screen time. I socialise regularly, I say yes to more local activities and I feel like my life has been enriched. 

Now, of course, things aren't perfect but I feel hopeful that the future is looking bright for us. I no longer feel like a feeble broken family that is shakily taking steps forward but a strong, competent, confident family of two that is ready to stride ahead and enjoy everything life has to offer. We have friends to play with, petrol in the car to go anywhere and thanks to this weekend, we now have matching yellow raincoats to wear on our adventures!! I'll have to get some snaps of these!! We have a lorra lorra love in our home. 

Recently I have added another person into my life, a man type, but more on him another time perhaps! He's nice too but it's early days and baby steps. I'll keep you in the loop though!

I wish I had more to tell you but then I'm glad I don't! At the start of 2016 I hoped that this year would be kind to me and so far, it has been. It's been gentle and warm and secure and stable and that's what we needed. Thank you 2016. 

I don't know where I stand with blogging, but with a bit of luck, it'll creep back onto my plate. Spring is such a wonderful season and I would like to dust off my camera so let's see. For now, I just wanted to check in and say, 'Hi, I'm so happy, I love you a lot, are we still friends?'. 

Let me know how your year has treated you so far and what, if anything, you'd be interested to read on this little slice of the net. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Glitter Glasses || ad

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

If you've been following my vlogs for a long time, you might have noticed that sometimes I wear glasses. The times I don't, I'm wearing contact lenses because without either of these, my sight is about as good as a little mole, IE, terrible! With that comes annual vision checks and every now and then, new frames! I'm always on the hunt for gorgeous glasses to suit my face so when Red or Dead got in touch to ask if I'd like to look at some of theirs, I said yes!

#glitterspecs #redordeadlondon

Very aptly I chose these beautiful glitter glasses that are available in Specsavers and I think, are so so perfect for the upcoming party season if you want to add a touch more glamour to your outfit. I love that the gold glitter is on a black background because there's nothing that doesn't go with and I love that the frame has that fun 1950's feel to it. 

I wear glasses at least 2-3 days a week and if I'm on planes because I think they feel nicer on your eyes than contacts and this pair just make me really happy. 

I think glasses are often overlooked as a fashion item because they are there to serve a pretty serious function but that doesn't mean you can't have fun and go glitzy!

I'm due to change my glasses soon so I'll definitely be keeping my little peepers on Red or Dead's twitter and instagram! What do you think? Are you as in love with these glittery beauties as much as I am? I'm obsessed!

Toodlepip!!

xx

PS- The case is sparkly too! Wooo!! 

Mini Happies || October Diaries

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Today has been blissful. 

It was diarised to go into London but with so much happening at the moment, Maddie and Natalie very kindly took it out my diary and gave me a 'home day' to, as I so eloquently put it, 'get my shit together'. I know it can look like I'm doing nothing but it never feels that way. I'm constantly working on things behind the scenes, adjusting to living alone (and so being the only person to do all the shopping/keep on top of stuff), being a Mama and yanno, just living normal life things. I love it but I tell you, 'home days', they keep me sane. 

I uploaded THIS video earlier today. It was filmed way back in July but it's a goodun. I really like it a lot. 

Today I feel like life cut me some slack and I got on it. I was on time, nay, early!,  for dropping Darcy off at school and managed to pack every single thing she needed (including PE kit and money for a bookbag thank you muchly). I mean, I looked like a stick of crap dropping her off but she looked adorable in pigtail plaits and freshly laundered shirt, these are the things that count I think. 

I came home, did admin. My favourite. By lunchtime I was editing THIS video and reading articles about me. That sounds really weird (because it is) but today there seemed to be a little flurry of things (I'm not talking the Telegraph here, I'm talking about people who write sweet reviews of my book tours or publishers featuring my fundraiser etc) and I'm always interested in what's said. Does that make me crazy vain? I hope not! *checks self in mirror and flicks hair* jks. 

Before I knew it I was driving to collect Darcy from school and I had such a lovely moment. It's quite a scenic little trip and I was singing to a good song on the radio and orange leaves were falling from trees and the sun shone through their branches making the road look dappled and I just thought about how, in that moment, I was so so happy. I felt confident driving, everywhere looked gorgeous and I was about to pick up my most favourite thing in the world from a place she loves being. I know this word is so overused but I felt, brace yourself, blessed. Buhlessed. 

We arrived home and her friends from across the road came over to play. I love having them over because they all entertain each other AND these kids are crazy tidy and clean up after themselves- it's great!! I was in my room working so I could hear what they were up to and I heart squished a bit when I heard them playing 'weddings'. Abi said, 'Ok Darcy I'll marry you. I will never break a promise to you, I will love you most in all the world and I will always look after you' and then they were an item. 

It got me thinking how pure childhood is and how perfect Abi's vows were. In her young mind, those were the most important thing and I think as we grow we loose sight of those sometimes. This last week or so I have been spending more time with Matt than we have done in months and it's been really nice to enjoy each others company again and do some of the things we used to enjoy in the olden days like watch Downton or be way too excited for pizza. We've talked about the vows we took and the love we had and although it isn't that way anymore, I'm so pleased that we're learning to develop a healthy friendship and are able to visit those conversation topics and that despite having separated parents, Darcy is seeing a Mother and Father that can respect and care and co-operate. I am so keen to continue fostering this, what I hope to be, lovely environment for her. 

After the girls had gone home and Darcy had eaten dinner and done her homework (yep, my 4 year old has homework. We had to stick a leaf to a hedgehog, very taxing) and had her bedtime stories read (I'm loving all the new stories she brings home from school. I think reading bedtime stories is just about my favourite thing to do ever), my gorgeous friend Clare popped over for some much needed chat time. I haven't had proper chats with her for over a month so we had plenty to catch up on and really put the world to rights. It felt great. I'm really excited to spend more time with her over the following months. 

On top of all these 'big' things in the day, I'm caught up on laundry, my kitchen is clean and tidy, I've eaten healthily and I'm ready for tomorrow. Winning!

I'm so pleased that the peaceful feeling from last week has carried through. I don't fully know if it will stay because I'm a temperamental creature but I hope it does. It's feels so, so, so good to be stand strong on some personal choices I am currently making and I feel empowered and motivated for the coming weeks. Please cross your fingers that this feeling lasts! 

Tomorrow I have a big London day for Google's Brandcast event so I'm not sure how much energy I'll have to blog but keep an eye on my instagram for updates!

Toodlepip!

xx

PS- I just watched THIS video and loved it so thought you might too. It's a Disney mash up. Disney. What's not to love?! Also, THIS Carrie Hope Fletcher video has been on repeat as I wrote this blog post. What a voice. Little chunks of happy.