Honest Mum

I don’t know the author to credit but every single year, THIS! It’s even more apt today with the #meghanmarkle interview. Saluting all the strong women of the 🌎 today 🙌 #internationalwomensday https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKqlQcjkW7/?igshid=q2volgcrej58

Oliver surprisingly loved his 11th lockdown birthday, so much so, he announced after lunch that, ‘this is my best birthday, ever Mummy’. Bless him. Hoping to make his birthday as special as it could be when you’re stuck indoors without your pals for company, I rustled up a long birthday party lunch of roast chicken with all the trimmings followed by penny sweets I’d poured into a Victorian style jar I bought from Amazon and a big slice of Mario birthday cake with coloured-flamed candles. When it came to celebrations, alongside watching Sharknado 4 on the projector (the series is intentionally bad and utterly hilarious). Oliver played Roblox with his mates and FaceTimed family. Everyone has been so kind, sending him gift cards, money and messages. His younger brother Alexander even gave him £10 note from his pocket money savings and even popped a pound coin into a card as an extra gift. It’s hard to believe that Oliver is 11 although in many ways he seems and looks far older. He was my rock when I needed surgery twice over the recent years, growing in resilience and strength for it. Physically, he’s already wearing age 13-14 clothes and at 5’1″, I know it won’t be long before he’s towering over me (not hard at 5’5″ and a half, I know, and yes that 1/2 is absolutely crucial)....I remember flicking through my husband Peter’s baby pics (much to his embarrassment) when I first ‘met the parents’ and had hoped if we one day had a baby together, it would be a mini him, just like the adorable kid in the album. I’d hand-on-heart never seen a ore beautiful bubs in my life-all long fluttery eyelashes and doey brown eyes. Then Oliver came along, my dream come true and every day, despite the inevitable challenges (hello puberty) my son makes me proud and I still, today, look at him, 11 years on and can’t believe he’s mine. And yes, just as when he was a baby, I’m still insanely jealous that he looks like Jessica Alba and I don’t! It’s not fair!!! Happy Birthday you beaut of a boy, Oliver, we love you more than you will ever know x (at Windsor, Berkshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ4OjJ2j59t/?igshid=1pp3jyrvcsk7c

<Ad> Now that it’s a few months into our 8 month gifting period of @forduk’s TITANIUM 1.0I PHEV E/BOOST 9 seater, I wanted to share my thoughts in this car video. If you’re considering a new car and want something economical and environmentally friendly, check it out: 🚙 #GoElectric @goultralowcars. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJx9YcnDkO6/?igshid=6zmwx81wqf9n

The photo here is mediocre at best as I’m frankly too tired (and tipsy) to take any kind of Pinterest-worthy flatlay. The downing and not sipping (sorry, Mum) of Port has marked the end of an exhausting day juggling homeschooling my two kids aged 8 and 10 with a side dish of tech issues, work and all the shizz that comes with having kids at home (cooking, preparing snacks and cleaning with a well deserved McDonald’s for dinner tonight thankfully. I feel done in. This doesn’t meant to be a wallowing ‘woe is me’ blog post by the way as so many people out there have it far harder than I do (the keyworkers, for a start) and teachers have been absolute heroes turning around remote learning and live lessons with the tiniest of notice but in just a short 24 hours since writing my positive blog post on the (unofficial) start of homeschool, I’ve spiralled into an emotional mess who threatened to run away a mere three times today. Going on Twitter, I’m not alone. We’re collectively floundering, exhausted from yet another (neccessary) lockdown and the pressures that come with it. Life feels a little bleak right so I’m throwing myself back into Episode 1, Series 1 of Schitt’s Creek because that’s the world I’d like to live in right now and I’m about to nosedive into a chocolate mousse. We’ll get through this, won’t we? We have to. As Michael Rosen wrote when facing adversity, ‘We can’t go over it. We you can’t go under it, we have to go through it’. This lockdown though, I’ve decided to lower my expectations and go gently on myself. To throw snacks at the kids, forget how messy the lounge looks and hide in the loo when the going gets tough. The kids will be alright. And, hopefully we will too. One glass of Port at a time. How you all doing? https://www.instagram.com/p/CJuGAWNDaL6/?igshid=1rxr617h892yn

Happy Birthday to my absolute beaut of a friend Caroline @shapeshifterleeds on her 40th birthday 🎉! Gorge, clever, caring with a crazy fit bod to boot (not fair) and one of the funniest people I know, I’m gutted we couldn’t celebrate together this year 😢. Literally can’t believe we met 24 years ago (16 forevs). Love you girl (soz, know you hate soppiness), here’s to going wild together again 😜 in 2021 to make up for all the missed memories this year (sharing a few pics of us together from over the years)xxx https://www.instagram.com/p/CJCj-6FjgYX/?igshid=2lxxe08xxfq2

‘Fall down 7 times, get up 8’ as the Japanese proverb goes 💪. I’m not ready to share the trauma and grief I’ve experienced over the past few weeks but I do know this: I am strong, as are so many women who have walked in my shoes. Tonight I rejoined the human race and turned a corner physically and emotionally. First stop: goodbye greys, hello highlights thanks to the fab @hayleygibsonforbes_ @sjforbeswindsor (and my mum @honestgrandma who insisted on spoiling me). Thanks for all the kind messages folks here and across other social media platforms, I’m sorry I’ve not been able to reply but I’ve read them all. Big thanks to my husband, close friends and family who have pieced me back together again this past month. Your girl is back 😘 (at SJ Forbes Windsor) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIy01ARjAdr/?igshid=iocymzr36xz7

Throwback to Xander getting into the Christmas spirit 😂 (it’s a mother’s prerogative to dress their kids as mini Santas and elves right?) 🧝 https://www.instagram.com/p/CIyk4iQDn3o/?igshid=1v7j1v2fs113l

Too early for the tree? Not this year!!! Is yours up too? 🎄 https://www.instagram.com/p/CH5RWgID-H9/?igshid=1apsj129tgsr

Today's the day! The big 40!!! 🎈 🎂💃🏻! Sharing some snaps taken over the weekend of some of the celebrations 🎊 . I've been thoroughly spoilt by my husband Peter who filled our home with roses for me and bought me the most thoughftul gifts, and the kids crafted me a gorgeous necklace and homemade cards the sweeties(nothing cuter). My friends have been amazing with their gifts, cards and messages, so much so, it actually feels like Christmas here (I truly didn't expect all of this) so thank you, thank you a million times over. Shout-out to Kerry of @theberkshirebakesmith for this epic drip cake my folks commissioned for me and the stunning gold earrings my Mum @honestgrandma bought me from Emma of @the.jewellery.makers (Emma naughtily gifted me the gold V pendant necklace too). My leopard print dress is a gift from founder of @bombshellhq, Katya too. Yes, I'm extra and wore 2 dresses for the pics. It's my birthday and we're in lockdown so why not, hey! Oh, and the lovely rose and lily bouquet in the shots here is from my fab pal Maggy of @redtedart). I've blogged (of course I have) on the 40 Lessons I've Learned at 40 if you fancy giving it a quick read. Link in the bio 👆👆👆. Feeling wrapped up in a blanket of love ❤️ , here's to 40 and the next chapter. (The final pic is me at 19 taken at uni and shared for posterity because I’ll never look or feel 19 again 😹!) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoYicKjxlf/?igshid=muvcge2fpg3x

Today's the day! The big 40!!! 🎈 🎂💃🏻! Sharing some snaps taken over the weekend of some of the celebrations 🎊 . I've been thoroughly spoilt by my husband Peter who filled our home with roses for me and bought me the most thoughftul gifts, and the kids crafted me a gorgeous necklace and homemade cards the sweeties(nothing cuter). My friends have been amazing with their gifts, cards and messages, so much so, it actually feels like Christmas here (I truly didn't expect all of this) so thank you, thank you a million times over. Shout-out to Kerry of @theberkshirebakesmith for this epic drip cake my folks commissioned for me and the stunning gold earrings my Mum @honestgrandma bought me from Emma of @the.jewellery.makers (Emma naughtily gifted me the gold V pendant necklace too). My leopard print dress is a gift from founder of @bombshellhq, Katya too. Yes, I'm extra and wore 2 dresses for the pics. It's my birthday and we're in lockdown so why not, hey! Oh, and the lovely rose and lily bouquet in the shots here is from my fab pal Maggy of @redtedart). I've blogged (of course I have) on the 40 Lessons I've Learned at 40 if you fancy giving it a quick read. Link in the bio 👆👆👆. Feeling wrapped up in a blanket of love ❤️ , here's to 40 and the next chapter. (The final pic is me at 19 taken at uni and shared for posterity because I’ll never look or feel 19 again 😹!) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoYicKjxlf/?igshid=muvcge2fpg3x

Thank you so much to @hayleygibsonforbes_ , founder and creative director of @sjforbeswindsor hair salon in Windsor. I’ve had highlights, greys covered, a trim and my fave: the Hollywood Wave or rather The Windsor Wave 🤣! Do you like? 💇‍♀️💁🏼‍♀️ (gifted/ad). (at SJ Forbes Windsor) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGCw0-GDLtl/?igshid=vi5j210lzemp

Look who we keep bumping into: pomeranian dog Chi Chi! We want to keep her @austebov 🐶 ❤️❤️❤️#dogsofinstagram #dogs #pomeraniansofinstagram #cute #windsor #puppiesofinstagram #puppylove (at Windsor, Berkshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF49J4jDBFU/?igshid=1kj52x9re0yi3

Your Tuesday cuteness fix. Xander + new furry friend Chi Chi 💔💔 (at Eton Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFunCYrDg8f/?igshid=avojj3441ggp

Timely reminder thanks to @justgirlproject ❤️. Been a challenging week here and when I’m overtired I become over sensitive and triggered more easily as we all do so I’m reminding myself of my worth ❤️. For context, my boys were only back at school for 2 before Xander,7, became unwell with a fever so both were off and we all isolated whilst we wanted for his Covid test result (which was thankfully negative). Xander is now on the mend but I’m sleep deprived and feeling a little fragile. Isolation plus homeschooling the eldest this week has felt strange and disruptive after assuming we’d have more normality. Hope you’re all having a better week than me! How are you all doing? Are your kids back at school? https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9nxM0jxPE/?igshid=nqnwvbt6b8m3

Whoop whoop, it’s publication day today for the 2nd UK edition of my bestselling book MUMBOSS by @piatkus_living @hachetteuk (your guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home)- YAY 🎉🎉🎉🎉! In it, I share everything I’ve learnt building a digital brand in over a decade whilst raising my kids (all you need is your phone, laptop and my handbook). MUMBOSS also covers advice on how to overcome PND and a traumatic birth, how to return to work with confidence after maternity leave/ a break and how to grow a following online and work with global brands within weeks or setting up. It’s jam packed full of tips from fellow parents, bloggers, Instagrammers, SEO experts, e-shop owners, accountants and more to help you on your journey. Discover how YOU can earn from an online career in a job that works not just around but also WITH your family that both nourishes you creatively and financially. It’s all there for the taking 🙌💪❤️❤️❤️Link in my bio 📖 (Thank you to 2 brilliant and supportive women, my editor @jillianlefort and my literary agent @jobbiebell-it takes a village to raise a baby and a village to raise a Mumboss). https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHT334jzsr/?igshid=1cqpzw7m7wzt1