Bytesize Box – UK Subscription Box Launching August 25th!

Product Reviews / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple
Bytesize Box

Bytesize Box is being launched August 25th in the UK. I discovered Bytesize Box recently and found it completely different to any other subscription box we’ve heard of so far. I am always on the lookout for new and exciting subscription boxes for the girls to try and I’m certain they will absolutely love Bytesize box!

Bytesize Box – What is it?

Bytesize box is a monthly subscription box of practical electronics you and your child can build together. The idea is to encourage children to learn about the environment, sustainability and recycling through electronic projects.

Bytesize box introduces recycling to children in a fun way based on their core values, sustainability, fun and learning! Recycling is something we should all encourage our children to do but it can be tough. Bytesize box encourages children to play and learn as they recycle making it much more interesting and fun for children.

Bytesize Box – What’s inside?

Each month you will receive a Bytesize Box containing 1 or 2 experiments revolving around the theme for the month. Each experiment requires something to be recycled to finish them off such as a plastic bottle, cardboard box or both! Every experiment will turn into something fantastic for you and your child to play with! Bytesize Boxes include full instructions on their website alongside videos to help build the experiments. Most experiments use a small computer which can be customised further by adding more components, changing the code or even rebuilding it into something else entirely!

Subscribe to the email list

Bytesize Box are currently building an email list of people interested. I’ve signed up myself as I know both girls would absolutely love Bytesize Box. The free recycling and activity pack in the welcome email are fantastic. It costs nothing to sign up and well worth doing for the fun activity pack which shows you 3 fun ways to recycle bottles! You can sign up here for free and get your free download straight away!

Trying A Box

Bytesize box will be launching August 25th and all customers who try a box will be entered into a prize draw to win a 3D Printer! The cut off to order your first box is August 31st. Bytesize Box costs just £19.99 with free P&P!

Eva’s Thoughts

Subscription boxes like these are great but I do like to find out what Eva thinks of them. Who knows better than a child when it comes to children’s subscription boxes? Eva’s first reaction was ‘WOAH! That is SO cool!’. She wanted to do the activities right away! Unfortunately we need to finish off our milks first so we will be doing one of the activities this weekend! Keep an eye out on my Instagram to see what we make!

Do you think Bytesize box is a fantastic idea too? Is it something your kids would love?

Sharky McShark Face – My Sunday Photo

My Sunday Photos / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

This week, Sharky Mcshark Face is My Sunday Photo. This photo was taken during a walk with Izzy last week. Izzy loves to wander down to the sea wall to watch the boats on the river. She also pops her head around the gates of the yacht club to see any boats in the yard.

There is a second yard with a few boats in too, which is where we spotted Sharky Mcshark Face. We both found this so amusing that we had to take a photo. We probably spent a good 20 minutes talking about Sharky and making up a story about him.

Sharky McShark Face

Sharky McShark Face

Izzy says that Sharky looks like it’s sailing across the bushes to eat the smaller boat! What do you think? He does look rather hungry..

I love finding silly things like this on our walks, we make up fun little stories about them. Boatyards are especially fun as they often have paintings or names on the boats. This is definitely the best boat in the yard at the moment. We will have to look out for some more!

What do you think of Sharky McShark Face? Do you know of any boats with cool paintings like this?

Photalife

Arthur Price Despicable Me 3 Children’s Bone China And Cutlery Sets

Product Reviews / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

Arthur Price Despicable Me 3 Bone China & Cutlery Sets were launched this week! A family-owned business that started in 1902, currently run by Simon Price the fourth-generation of the Price Family. Arthur Price are suppliers of the Royal families and Heads of state. They also supply the tables of the finest hotels, restaurants, airlines and cruise ships.

Arthur Price Despicable Me 3 Range

The Minions Bone china collection starts at £8.95 and are available separately or as a two or three-piece breakfast set. The Sea of Minions bone china collection is dishwasher safe. The bone china collection consists of a ‘Sea of Minions’ mug, bowl and plate.

Plate: 20cm diameter

Bowl: 15.7cm diameter

Mug: 7.9cm diameter / 7cm height

 

We received a 4 piece Expressions cutlery set and a 3 piece Sea of Minions breakfast set to review which pleased my little Minions immensely! The sets look fantastic together and make the perfect gift for any minion fan! The cutlery sets are suitable from 3 years and

Arthur Price Despicable Me 3

There are two four-piece children’s cutlery sets available retailing at £24.95 each – the ‘Sea of Minions’ and ‘ Expression’ collections. Arthur Price Despicable Me 3 cutlery sets are made of 18/10 finest stainless steel and has a 15 year guarantee. Thick chunky handles make it easier for small hands to hold and balance as they eat. The Expressions cutlery set goes perfectly with the 3 piece children’s Sea of Minions Breakfast set.

The Arthur Price Despicable Me 3 range would make perfect gifts for any little minion fans. The Arthur Price Despicable Me 3 range is available to buy directly from the Arthur Price website and from most department stores including Harrods.

 

 

First Granny Square Blanket Finished!

Crafts / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

It’s true! My first granny square blanket is finished at last! Just over 2 months ago I shared the start of my first  granny square project . Since then it’s been growing at a fair pace considering all the interruptions I’ve had. When I ran out of wool I shared a quick update on how it was turning out and asked for suggestions for a border.

My First Granny Square blanket is finished

As suggested I went for a shell border & Izzy chose a gorgeous Robin Paintbox wool in Rumba for it. I like it but think perhaps a slightly bigger shell would have looked a little better. Izzy of course disagrees & I wasn’t allowed to change it! In all fairness I’m not good at deciding these things haha.

Shell border

144 squares hasn’t taken anywhere near as long as I expected. Whilst I had hoped to finish my first granny square blanket at least a week ago I am surprised how quickly it grew. I ran out of the blue and purple wool half way through. This meant I was stuck for a week or so. As soon as I picked up more I got back on it and somehow managed to work pretty fast though. Considering we’ve had a busy few weeks I am surprised!

My First Granny Square Blanket Is Finished!!

My first granny square blanket is finished

Whilst I can see where I need to make changes for future blankets I am quite pleased with my first attempt. I can see this being the first of many granny square blankets as I’ve really enjoyed working on this. It hasn’t taken as long as expected and Izzy loves how it’s turned out too. She’s spent the entire day snuggled up with her new blanket which is lovely to see!

I am definitely becoming more confident now and mistakes don’t stress me out as much as I know easy fixes now. Crochet has really helped me deal with pain and stress a lot better too. Having something to focus on is really calming and the finished product always gives me a sense of achievement. The only problem is..

Now I’m on the hunt for my next project.. any suggestions? 😂

Little Tiger Press Books 30th Birthday

Book Reviews / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple
Little Tiger Press Books 30th Birthday

The girls and I were invited to celebrate Little Tiger Press Books 30th birthday on Saturday, at Discover in Stratford – London. Eva was especially excited at the idea of getting to meet authors and illustrators as she has become a total bookworm. So excited she woke us at 6am that day!

Tracet Corderoy reading Fairytale Pets

When we arrived Author Tracey Corderoy read her book Fairytale Pets, an absolutely fantastic story full of fun characters. As Tracey read illustrator Jorge Martin drew the characters which was amazing to watch! Eva sat mesmerized listening to the story whilst Izzy was… well Izzy haha! She spent half the time listening and half trying to ‘pop’ balloons.

After Tracey read the story to us Beth from Little Tiger Press ran through what we would be doing. There were 4 tables where we would spend 15 minutes at each. Authors and illustrators had crafts laid out based on their book. They all looked fantastic but biscuits definitely lured all the children in!

Jonny Lambert Author Of An only lonely panda

I managed to coax the girls away from the biscuits and we sat with Jonny Lambert, Author & illustrator of An Only Lonely Panda. Jonny had Tiger masks to cut out and wear. He was brilliant with the girls, chatting away with us all and helping Eva whilst I helped Izzy.

The girls loved acting like tigers with their masks, getting out their claws and growling!

Tiny Tantrums - Caroline Crowe

At the next table we met Caroline Crowe, author of Tiny Tantrums.  Tiny Tantrum monsters had been cut out ready for decorating. Again the girls happily chatted away whilst making their monsters, adding googly eyes & colouring them.

As always Eva made her’s extra colourful whilst Izzy enjoyed giving her monster 4 eyes. They both brought home their monsters to finish off too.

Making Biscuits with Tracey Corderoy

We then moved on to the table the girls had their eye on at the start, Tracey Corderoy had delicious biscuits for them to decorate with icing and a range of sprinkles. The girls loved chatting to Tracey and covering their biscuits. They also made a paper bag grumpy bear from the story!

Izzy icing her biscuit

Izzy concentrated so much making her biscuit, no surprise there. She loves her food haha!

Making her own 'Actually that is MY blanket, baby!'

When the final bell rang Eva ran over to the final table. ‘That is Actually MY blanket, Baby!’ author Angie Morgan and illustrator Kate Alizadeh helped the children decorate their own blanket.

Izzy drawing with Jorge Martin

 

Whilst Eva was busy glittering, Jorge Martin sat with Izzy drawing a tiger. Izzy of course took over! Between them they made this cute tiger with a basket of fruit for him to eat.

Little Tiger by Izzy & Jorge Martin

 

Eva loved making her blanket and getting glitter everywhere. Izzy did get round to making her own blanket too but I accidentally left it behind. Oops.. bad mummy!

Izzy and Kate Alizadeh decorating a blanket

 

 

At the end Caroline Crowe read Tiny Tantrums and the girls had lots of fun joining in and stamping their feet. Izzy tried getting a little too involved . She loved the story and had to be pulled back. She was over the moon to discover she had a copy to take home at the end.

Caroline Crowe reading Tiny Tantrums

To finish celebrating Little Tiger Press Books 30th Birthday there was a buffet. Of course this made Izzy extremely happy! A Little Tiger tote was handed out too. Inside were the 4 books from each table. The girls were able to get them signed by the authors and illustrators too which of course made Eva ecstatic. A beautiful selection of books to add to their ever growing book case!

It was lovely being invited to Little Tiger Press Books 30th Birthday party. It was a brilliant afternoon & I got to meet another blogger too, Bell From Bow who surprised me by recognising me. Pretty cool but so unexpected I probably went bright red!

Discover

After the party we were able to explore Discover and it’s fantastic play areas. You may have seen from My Sunday Photo’s. The girls were amazed by it and I can’t deny I was too! The magical tree with it’s musical notes & hidey holes for the kids to play in, Hootahs flying observatory & the outside play area have to be our favourite parts. We spent well over an hour there before having to head back for the train. We will be going back there in the summer to play as it is so cool!

Did you know it was Little Tiger Press Books 30th Birthday? Do you have any of the books mentioned here?

 

My Sunday Photo – Fun At Discover & Stratford Station

My Sunday Photos / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

This weeks My Sunday photo’s were taken at Discover in Stratford (London) and outside Stratford station.

Whilst I fully admit to being completely rubbish and unable to do this fantastic place any justice with my photography (how do you get rid of those light spots!?) the girls loved both the event we attended and Discover.

Discover

This magical tree with it’s musical notes makes us all want to go back again very soon!

Discover

Outside Izzy was ecstatic to see this wooden taxi she had seen earlier in the week on google images. She dived straight in demanding I take a picture to send to her daddy so he knew she had found it haha!

Toot toot

Stratford station

Just when we thought the excitement was over for the day we headed back to Stratford Station. Eva spotted ‘Robert’ though and had to have a photo too!

Stratford Station

What do you think?

Photalife

Making Dreamcatchers

Crafts / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple
Making Dreamcatchers

We’ve been making Dreamcatchers this week after Eva made one last week at forest school. Her’s broke as she decided to bring it home unfinished so we decided to make our own. We’ve been trying to find fun crafty activities for days at home including learning Origami which was great fun and making dreamcatchers sounded like a fun idea.

Dreamcatchers are simple to make & can be made using a range of materials. We had wire from previous crafts which we used for our hoop. We also used wool from my stash & some beads.

Making Dreamcatchers

1. We taped our hoop together using duct tape to make sure it was secure. 

2. Next we wound the wool around the hoop until it was covered, leaving a metre or 2 of wool for the next step.

3. Once the hoop was covered we began threading beads onto the wool. For each bead we added we crossed the wool across the hoop to create a pattern. 

4. After the hoop was complete we tied a piece of wool to the dreamcatcher to hang it on.

Whilst wrapping the hoop can take a bit of time & patience there are ways around that. Using a painted cross-stitch hoop would work just as well.

The pattern can be as simple as Eva’s or as hectic as the one Izzy & I made together. Feathers or ribbons can be attached to the bottom of the Dreamcatchers to pretty them up too.

Whilst winding the wool around the hoop takes a little bit of time this is a fantastic activity for kids around 5+.

Younger kids

Izzy obviously had a fair bit of help with her dreamcatcher but threaded the beads herself. To keep her occupied whilst I wound wool around her hoop she practised threading beads onto wool making a cute little keyring for herself. I thought I’d mention this as it can be a struggle with kids of different ages & abilities to find something the little ones can do to feel involved.

Simple, cute & Izzy felt super proud of herself!

Both girls love their dreamcatchers & have them hanging over their beds.

Have you made a dreamcatcher before? Do you have any tips or different materials that could be used?

Summer Blossom – My Sunday Photo

My Sunday Photos / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

This week Summer Blossom is my Sunday photo. These were taken a week or 2 ago on a lovely walk with the girls. There is something lovely about trees in blossom on a summers day. I love how the flowers really brighten up the path with something slightly different with every few steps. Here are a few of my favourite shots.

Summer Blossom

Summer blossom

I love looking at all the different shades and shapes of flowers, they are quite pretty. Even if I do hate pink!

We walked an entire path littered with these lovely summer blossoms.

Summer blossom

What do you think?

Photalife

10 Ways To Keep Kids Busy Indoors Without A Screen

Crafts / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

I’ve put together a list of 10 ways to keep kids busy indoors without a screen. We don’t have a garden which limits what the girls can do if we stay at home. I try to keep screen time down, whilst they do have tablets I try to encourage the girls to play as much as possible. The girls are often looking for suggestions or asking for our help to set up some of their favourites from below, check out our list if you’ve run out of ideas.

10 Ways To Keep Kids Busy Indoors Without A Screen

1. Indoor tents

These can be made with sheets & blankets using pegs or bulldog clips to keep them together. Use the backs of dining chairs to create little dens and let the kids run with their imaginations. The girls have had castles, caves, houses & shops depending on what they decide to play each time. Use pillows & blankets inside to create ‘furniture’ & ‘walls’.

 

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2. Origami

We’ve been learning origami and not only does it keep us busy making they can make fabulous gifts such as bookmarks. Bookmarks are our favourite as they are so simple to make and can be decorated in so many ways.

10 ways to keep kids busy indoors without a screen - Origami

3. Washing up

Kids love playing with water! Whether it’s a plastic tea set or like Izzy some stones the kids have collected they will love washing them up. Set them up on the kitchen/bathroom (anywhere that can be mopped!) floor with a small wash bowl on a towel. Guaranteed they will be busy for hours!

stone washing

4. Colouring/drawing

We always have a ton of paper/card & colouring books around for the girls for colouring & drawing. They love colouring with sparkly gel pens, they keep them busy & quiet!

 

5. Tea parties/Indoor Picnic

My girls love setting up on the floor with a blanket & their tea sets for a tea party! Izzy especially loves using her Lucy Locket Wooden Tea-set. Both girls love to dress up and have princess tea parties, pirate picnics & more. As a treat sometimes we let the girls have a real picnic whilst they play too.

Glittery cake

6. Simple Crafts

Whether you have craft supplies or not there’s always something to be made! Toilet roll tubes are always handy they can be used as telescopes which can be coloured & decorated, Maybe a fancy toilet roll tube pencil pot? Perhaps simple picture to pop on the wall?Pound shops are fantastic for stocking up on foam shapes, card, glue etc!

 

Always a craft day here 👌😍 💜

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7. Baking

Cakes, cookies & biscuites are all quick & easy to make. Kiids of all ages can join in pouring & mixing. They are fun to decorate and of course delicious too! If you’re feeling a little adventurous why not try out or Italian Chocolate Chip Bread Recipe?

Italian chocolate chip bread

8. Building 

Whether it’s Lego, Mega bloks, Duplo, wooden blocks or even lolly pop sticks! Building is so much fun and allows kids to get creative! Build castles, houses, cars, planes, people, towers it all keeps them busy & helps with fine motor skills.

 

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9. Reading

There are always plenty of reading materials around, finding a series of books or magazines or comic can be a fantastic way to encourage children to read. Even young children will enjoy sitting with their favourite books. Izzy loves to ‘read’ books she knows well to me using the pictures.

10.Write/Draw Your Own Story 

Writing can be fun! Secret diaries are fantastic for encouraging older children to write. A fun activity for all ages is to create your own story, it could be a picture story, a comic strip, or simply writing. Covers can be made & decorated for their stories & split pins or staples mean they can keep their book together!

 

My Sunday Photo – Izzys Dandelion

My Sunday Photos / 7 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

This weeks #MySundayPhoto is of Izzys Dandelion. She found the dandelion on the walk to pick Eva up from school during the week. I love how these photo’s capture how much she fun she had & how much she loves them!

Izzys Dandelion

Izzys dandelion

Izzy and dandelion

Izzy and dandelion 2

Do you/your kids like dandelions too?

Photalife