We moved to Sweden almost 4 years ago now and although I live and work away a lot, Dadonthebrink and the kids are very much […]
Main Content
How to Decorate a Small Home for Christmas
If you have a small home, like us, it can be tricky to figure out the best way to decorate for the festive season: you […]
Long weekend in a Tuscan Villa… is it worth the trip?
“Oh look! Isn’t that a gorgeous sunset?!”, said Paula, mistaking the glowing globe of a garden lamp for the setting sun. We were slightly delirious […]
OnePlus 7T Pro- first impressions
OnePlus 7T Pro first impressions
When you feel on the brink & just want to fly away
How to…Living Small to Travel More
Renovating & Decorating a Small Family Home for a Family of 5
Just 700 square feet / 65 square meters for a family of 5? That's a very small apartment for all of you! ...we hear this quite often! How do you fit? How do you make it work? There … ... read about Renovating & Decorating a Small Family Home for a Family of 5
Small Family Home
Tiny bedroom for a teenager…how small?!
Our small apartment is coming along very slowly, and Angelina's, our teenager's tiny bedroom has … [Read More...] about Tiny bedroom for a teenager…how small?!
Hatchimals Mermal Conch Shell Birthday Cake
There is something special about making a surprise birthday cake of your child's favourite character … [Read More...] about Hatchimals Mermal Conch Shell Birthday Cake
Creating our own Tiny Urban Garden
Part 1- Birth of a Tiny Urban Garden Our small apartment comes with a tiny balcony- just 2 m x … [Read More...] about Creating our own Tiny Urban Garden
How to Create a Tiny Urban Garden
You'd be surprised the size of patches people around the world are creating their tiny urban … [Read More...] about How to Create a Tiny Urban Garden
How to design a Small, but Practical Family Kitchen
We couldn't live with our hotch-potch, partly-removed 1960s kitchen anymore. I loved the colour, the … [Read More...] about How to design a Small, but Practical Family Kitchen
Family Life
Life in Sweden as a Family
We moved to Sweden almost 4 years ago now and although I live and work away a lot, Dadonthebrink and … [more...] about Life in Sweden as a Family
6 Essentials for hosting an AWESOME Eurovision Party
The Eurovision song contest final, for us, sort of hails the begining of the summer and … [more...] about 6 Essentials for hosting an AWESOME Eurovision Party
The Kids’ Sweetie Jar as a Parenting Tool
Imagine telling a child that they can have all the candy from their sweetie jar they may want! Are … [more...] about The Kids’ Sweetie Jar as a Parenting Tool
New Year, New Me… If Only!
In the past years I've ranted enough about New Year's resolutions and how inefficient they are. It's … [more...] about New Year, New Me… If Only!
15 Last-minute Gift Ideas, Experience Gifts
The thought of buying gift send chills down my spine and not for financial reasons. Gift-giving is … [more...] about 15 Last-minute Gift Ideas, Experience Gifts
Tech for Families
Why is 5G a game-changer?
I'd love a new handset and a lot of the models I've been looking at recently also have a 5G version. … [more...] about Why is 5G a game-changer?
Why Every Dog Owning Family needs an Animo Pet Behaviour Monitor
A pedometer for your pet?!... is this just a gimmick or is there a real point to it? I have to … [more...] about Why Every Dog Owning Family needs an Animo Pet Behaviour Monitor
Review: Dragons Dawn of New Riders
Perfectly timed following the release of How to Train your Dragon part 3, Dreamworks has released … [more...] about Review: Dragons Dawn of New Riders
Family Travel
Nando’s restaurant: our first time
You go into McDonald's and most people will know what to do, what to order, right? Well not … [more...] about Nando’s restaurant: our first time
Is Nandos a restaurant or fast food?
How to order at Nando... that's a question brings lots of people to this blog. Let's dispell … [more...] about Is Nandos a restaurant or fast food?
Boating festival in Southampton
Just add water...The Southampton Boat Show is so much more than a flashy show of beautiful new … [more...] about Boating festival in Southampton
Finding somewhere to live in Uppsala, Sweden
Oh no! We got the dreaded email: our homeowners are returning home. Not totally unexpected, but I … [more...] about Finding somewhere to live in Uppsala, Sweden
Blog Reset at Flea Retreat 2018, Somerset #inpictures
The Flea Retreat ... was like no blogging conference I'd been to before. (Well, blogstock came … [more...] about Blog Reset at Flea Retreat 2018, Somerset #inpictures
Family Life
Do I need a Toilet in my Campervan Conversion?
Let's talk campervan toilet: There is quite a lot of debate about toilets in vans. There are lots of … [Read More...] about Do I need a Toilet in my Campervan Conversion?
Valborg, the Swedish Bonfire Night
Sweden celebrates Valborg, it's own version of bonfire night on the last day of April. This is a … [Read More...] about Valborg, the Swedish Bonfire Night
New IKEA kitchen- a first walk-though [Video Post]
The kitchen is nearly ready, but quite a few people have asked to have a nosy. So I made a quick … [Read More...] about New IKEA kitchen- a first walk-though [Video Post]
Bread and butter pudding- using up dried bread & baked leftovers
Do you ever end up with dried bread or brioche? Bread and butter pudding is a perfect way to make a … [Read More...] about Bread and butter pudding- using up dried bread & baked leftovers
Have an Imperfect Christmas!
Christmas, over the last century, has morphed into this "magical" holiday where we are all supposed … [Read More...] about Have an Imperfect Christmas!
The Second Bedroom Renovation & Changing Plans, Small Family Apartment
Continuing on from the master bedroom renovation, we shifted our efforts on to the second bedroom … [Read More...] about The Second Bedroom Renovation & Changing Plans, Small Family Apartment
Dyslexia Assessment and Diagnosis: My Intelligent, yet Struggling Son has Dyslexia
We have an official diagnosis! ... after waiting years for an assessment. My intelligent, … [Read More...] about Dyslexia Assessment and Diagnosis: My Intelligent, yet Struggling Son has Dyslexia
Creating a Master Bedroom, Small Family Apartment
After a summer of travelling we returned to chaos of 2 adults, 3 kids and a small dog in just 65 … [Read More...] about Creating a Master Bedroom, Small Family Apartment
WeeDo Turtle Snowsuit Review
How cute are these snowsuits? View this post on … [Read More...] about WeeDo Turtle Snowsuit Review
Till What Age Do You Brush Your Kids Teeth?!
A couple of months ago we went for a routine dental check up with the boys. (Angelina had had … [Read More...] about Till What Age Do You Brush Your Kids Teeth?!
Renovation priorities- Where to start
When you move into a house or an apartment that needs total renovation, where EVERYTHING needs to be … [Read More...] about Renovation priorities- Where to start
Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Taking Down a Wall
So, does 700 square feet for a family of 5 plus dog count as a small apartment or a tiny … [Read More...] about Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Taking Down a Wall
Sailing Diary #2- Narrow Rocky Passages & Swedish-style Mooring
After days of being in the depth of the engine compartment, sorting out the engine cooling problems … [Read More...] about Sailing Diary #2- Narrow Rocky Passages & Swedish-style Mooring
Sailing Diary #1- Our First Sail, a Collection of Minor Disasters
For weeks we kept pushing the launch of Mariposa back: boat works, finding a new home and moving … [Read More...] about Sailing Diary #1- Our First Sail, a Collection of Minor Disasters
3 Family-Friendly Features for Upgrading Your Home
Having just moved to a small flat, we are immediately considering what to do about upgrading our … [Read More...] about 3 Family-Friendly Features for Upgrading Your Home
What Should Kids Do In Case Of A Shooting, The Uppsala Shooting Discussion
There was a shooting today, on May 30th, 2018 at midday in the quiet university town of Uppsala, … [Read More...] about What Should Kids Do In Case Of A Shooting, The Uppsala Shooting Discussion
Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Creating a Spacious Family Room
The original bedroom in our new small family apartment will have to acquire a new role: the living … [Read More...] about Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Creating a Spacious Family Room
Can a family of 5 live comfortably in 700 square feet small apartment?
Good news is: we are buying a flat! Read about the ordeal of buying in Sweden The bad news … [Read More...] about Can a family of 5 live comfortably in 700 square feet small apartment?
Safety gear on a sailing boat
Safety on board a sailing boat is high priority, especially with kids. In preparation for our … [Read More...] about Safety gear on a sailing boat
Dinghy and liferaft options for a 28 foot sailing boat
Even as we signed the papers to buy S/V Mariposa we joked that we now need to get 2 extra boats to … [Read More...] about Dinghy and liferaft options for a 28 foot sailing boat
Homeless and vagabond in Sweden
As of today, the 3rd of May, we still have nowhere permanent to live from the end of the May. We … [Read More...] about Homeless and vagabond in Sweden
We bought a Sailing Boat!
After years of dreaming, years of planning, years of chartering, years of borrowing and a summer of … [Read More...] about We bought a Sailing Boat!
Is there such a thing as an ideal blogging conference? Thoughts on Flea Retreat 2018
There are so many blogging conferences happening, it's really hard to pick a good fit. Blog … [Read More...] about Is there such a thing as an ideal blogging conference? Thoughts on Flea Retreat 2018
Snowmageddon dressing hack for kids (and adults)
Snowmageddon: The weather is treacherous and the UK is so unprepared. As lots of us parents are torn … [Read More...] about Snowmageddon dressing hack for kids (and adults)
How is technology changing family healthcare?
Anyone else hooked on the Netflix series, Black Mirror? The moral dilemmas the series presents are … [Read More...] about How is technology changing family healthcare?
Laugh more! The theme of 2018
Over the Christmas holidays we snuggled a lot, ate even more, played and watched movies. It was … [Read More...] about Laugh more! The theme of 2018
My favourite shopping and travel sites
Shopping Amazon- buy almost anything you can think of. I have lists of favourite … [Read More...] about My favourite shopping and travel sites
Super easy, beautiful Advent and Christmas table decorations kids can make
Each year the first Sunday of Advent just creeps upon us and I'm frantically trying to make or buy … [Read More...] about Super easy, beautiful Advent and Christmas table decorations kids can make
Kids’ Advent Calendar, your tool for staying organised in the pre-Christmas mayhem
The Advent Calendar has to be more than just a little window of chocolates or sweets, right?! The … [Read More...] about Kids’ Advent Calendar, your tool for staying organised in the pre-Christmas mayhem
5 Reasons to Shop at Charity or Goodwill Shop for Christmas
Heading home after dropping the kids off at school and nursery, there was an unusual traffic jam … [Read More...] about 5 Reasons to Shop at Charity or Goodwill Shop for Christmas
How to Make the Holidays Better for Co-workers
The holiday season can be stressful. Business may be booming but with never-ending shopping lists … [Read More...] about How to Make the Holidays Better for Co-workers
How to Hygge- Challenge #1 [video] #hyggechallenge
As the darkness closes in again this winter, I'm clinging to anything to get me through these short … [Read More...] about How to Hygge- Challenge #1 [video] #hyggechallenge
Gårdsjö älgpark, a daytrip to a Swedish Moose Park [video]
Did you know that the moose crossing traffic sign is the most collected item by tourists visiting … [Read More...] about Gårdsjö älgpark, a daytrip to a Swedish Moose Park [video]
How to organise a lastminute, super easy kids’ birthday party
The birthday was quickly approaching and we had done NOTHING to get anything, especially not a … [Read More...] about How to organise a lastminute, super easy kids’ birthday party
Slow travel- Exploring Eriksdalbadet, Stockholm
These were the sheds for the allotments! A stroll in Eriksdalbadet, Stockholm was perfect for … [Read More...] about Slow travel- Exploring Eriksdalbadet, Stockholm
Instagram Genuine Engagement of a Blogger vs Automated Engagement #Instagate
Instagram is my favourite social media platform. Personally, I've put a lot of effort into the … [Read More...] about Instagram Genuine Engagement of a Blogger vs Automated Engagement #Instagate
Dear Decathlon…an Open Letter
Dear Decathlon, We've shopped with you for a few years now, first discovering a Decathlon store … [Read More...] about Dear Decathlon…an Open Letter
9 tips for Eating Out with Kids
Eating out is such a treat: no cooking, no dishes, lots of choice. Eating out with kids is a lovely … [Read More...] about 9 tips for Eating Out with Kids
The Gadget-loving Mum’s perfect Mother’s Day present
The kids arrived back from the post office with a lovely package today: It was filled with lots of … [Read More...] about The Gadget-loving Mum’s perfect Mother’s Day present
Is a Hostel for a 40 plus, Lone Female?
I return to the hostel, to my dorm room shared with 5 others, after walking about 10K, … [Read More...] about Is a Hostel for a 40 plus, Lone Female?
Panasonic DMC-FZ200 Camera Time-tested Review
What makes an ideal camera for a blogger and travel writer? We bought the Panasonic DMC-FZ200 in … [Read More...] about Panasonic DMC-FZ200 Camera Time-tested Review
The WIAT Diet.
What the hell is the WIAT diet?- you're probably asking Well, let me introduce you to the … [Read More...] about The WIAT Diet.
10 Awesome Holiday Tips … for Aruba
Aruba, the Happy Island, is in the Caribbean just off the coast of Venezuela. This island a perfect … [Read More...] about 10 Awesome Holiday Tips … for Aruba
Boost kids’ Reading Confidence with Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs is not new to us; We've subscribed on and off for the past 5 years for Angelina and … [Read More...] about Boost kids’ Reading Confidence with Reading Eggs
How to Help an 8-year-old Struggling and Reluctant Reader?
For years, I've had pangs of guilt for failing my child, failing to rescue him from his struggle to … [Read More...] about How to Help an 8-year-old Struggling and Reluctant Reader?
Family Ski and Snowboarding Experience at Kläppen Ski Resort, Sweden
This winter we decided to take our first family wintersport holiday. Super exciting! (After … [Read More...] about Family Ski and Snowboarding Experience at Kläppen Ski Resort, Sweden
Happy Home: My Meditating Frog from Sri Lanka
Every home needs some quirky, happy pieces, right? In an attempt to live with less, we’ve tried … [Read More...] about Happy Home: My Meditating Frog from Sri Lanka
Santa’s Grotto at Wyevale Garden Centre and the Dreaded “Does Santa really exist?” Question
Here's a confession... as far as I can remember, our kids had never been to see Father Christmas in … [Read More...] about Santa’s Grotto at Wyevale Garden Centre and the Dreaded “Does Santa really exist?” Question
5 Steps to Mastering Hygge- Lessons from Living in Sweden
I know, I know Hygge is Danish, not Swedish! The Swedes have a word for Hygge too: mysigt, and … [Read More...] about 5 Steps to Mastering Hygge- Lessons from Living in Sweden
Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
The Winter Wonderland is a huge pop-up festive theme park in London's Hyde Park, returning each … [Read More...] about Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
Pledge to be Real… for my Daughter’s and Sons’ Sakes
Parenting fail...I thought I was doing a decent job with raising my kids to be happy with how they … [Read More...] about Pledge to be Real… for my Daughter’s and Sons’ Sakes
Making a Pledge to be Real
The statistics are rather depressing of how women and girls aren't happy with how they look: … [Read More...] about Making a Pledge to be Real
Blenheim Palace, a winter wonderland family day out
Blenheim Palace has always held a special spot in my heart: It's a beautiful estate just a stone's … [Read More...] about Blenheim Palace, a winter wonderland family day out
Aruba- What’s the Renaissance Resort really like?
As we pulled upto our hotel, the Renaissance Resort in Oranjestad, Aruba the utter disappointment I … [Read More...] about Aruba- What’s the Renaissance Resort really like?
- Super easy, beautiful Advent and Christmas table decorations kids can make
- Kids’ Advent Calendar, your tool for staying organised in the pre-Christmas mayhem
- 5 Reasons to Shop at Charity or Goodwill Shop for Christmas
- How to Make the Holidays Better for Co-workers
- How to Hygge- Challenge #1 [video] #hyggechallenge
- Gårdsjö älgpark, a daytrip to a Swedish Moose Park [video]
- How to organise a lastminute, super easy kids’ birthday party
- Video editting with Magix Fastcut… a free, automated tool
- Slow travel- Exploring Eriksdalbadet, Stockholm
- BlackBerry KEYone- First Impressions
- Instagram Genuine Engagement of a Blogger vs Automated Engagement #Instagate
- Dear Decathlon…an Open Letter
- 9 tips for Eating Out with Kids
- The Gadget-loving Mum’s perfect Mother’s Day present
- Is a Hostel for a 40 plus, Lone Female?
- Panasonic DMC-FZ200 Camera Time-tested Review
- The WIAT Diet.
- 10 Awesome Holiday Tips … for Aruba
- Boost kids’ Reading Confidence with Reading Eggs
- How to Help an 8-year-old Struggling and Reluctant Reader?
- Family Ski and Snowboarding Experience at Kläppen Ski Resort, Sweden
- Happy Home: My Meditating Frog from Sri Lanka
- Santa’s Grotto at Wyevale Garden Centre and the Dreaded “Does Santa really exist?” Question
- 5 Steps to Mastering Hygge- Lessons from Living in Sweden
- Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
- Pledge to be Real… for my Daughter’s and Sons’ Sakes
- Making a Pledge to be Real
- Blenheim Palace, a winter wonderland family day out
- Aruba- What’s the Renaissance Resort really like?
- What to expect at Countryfile Live 2016 at Blenheim Palace?
- 3 easy steps to ensure your digital content is safely backed up
- How I’ve gained 1000 engaged real followers on Instagram month on month
- Celebrating spring with the Cow release- Uppsala, Sweden
- Installing a Dometic Heki Midi skylight
- Campervan Insulation with closed cell matting
- Campy Van- further deconstruction and back to barebones
- Campervan Conversion: How to loose 500kg or 1100lb in a week
- Campy Van layout plans
- The secrets behind an ITB trade stand for Qatar airlines
- Keeping warm in deep minuses
- Campervan conversion inspiration
- All you ever wanted to know about converting an ambulance to a campervan- The bad suff
- Super cute Easter tree in the making
- Dressing the kids for winter and wintersports, the Swedish way
- Moving to Sweden from the UK: Our moving logistics were a bit nuts :-D
- We bought an ambulance
- A rubbish day… or was it? #EmbraceHappy
- #Notinmyname – Damned if we do, damned if we don’t
- Memories of a Moroccan souk
- Time tested review: GTech Air Ram vacuum cleaner