I have however discovered a few gems in John Lewis:

Baby Birkenstocks? Iddy-biddy Converse? LITTLE BOAT SHOES?! Please, stop me before I die of cute.

Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.

Never was a truer word spoken!

Sometimes the best way to save a little money, is to start small. We do the best to make the most of our money and still manage to live full lives— just with a smaller price tag! I wrote about some thrifty tips that we use as a family earlier this year, but I think there’s an endless amount of things you can to do save or make a little dosh, whether you’re a parent or not.

Sell Your Junk. Although I don’t do it often, I’ve been known to sell my stuff online before and it’s the easiest, quickest way of making a little extra money, in my opinion— especially if it’s an item or items that you were willing to depart with anyway. A little money is better than no money, it saves space in landfill and it’s true what they say— one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

Know Your Dates. There’s two kind of date codes you’ll see on food products— use by date and a best before date— and people often get confused between the two. A use by date is the date the food should be consumed by, as it’s deemed dangerous to eat it after this point as potentially harmful bacteria may have grown on or inside the food (even if it looks fine!) A best before date is to do with quality— the manufacturers advise that you eat it before the best before date as this is when it’s at it’s optimum in terms of quality, however you can eat it after this date but it won’t be as fresh. Learn the difference and you may end up throwing less away!

Buy Reduced Products. It’s always worth looking in the reduced sections when you’re doing your food shop, in case there’s a bargain to be had (although don’t buy it just because it’s cheap!) Find out what time your local supermarket do their final reductions for the day, to grab some bits at the best price possible! Even if some food products are going out of date, you could freeze them and save them for later.

Buy Own Brand. I’m no food snob— we always buy supermarket own brand when it comes to the majority of our shop. Often there’s no difference in quality! The same goes for non-foods stuff too— some of my favourite skincare is Boots or Superdrug’s own!

Grow Your Own. If you have the space, grow some of your own favourite fruit and veg. And if you don’t, try growing your own herbs on the windowsill! I always find I waste half a packet of the fresh herbs you can buy, but this way you just pick what you need. It’s so easy (if I can do it, anyone can!) and packets of seeds are very cheap. You could even cheat and buy a plant and just maintain it!

Use Cash Instead of Plastic. It’s so easy (too easy!) to use a debit or credit card when you’re buying something. Actually handing over cash feels like you’re spending money. There have been way too many times that I’ve bought some bits with my card and taken no notice of how much the cashier has told me it’s come to!

Soft Play. Soft play is a bit of a godsend! A quick Google search and you should find an abundance of soft play centres close to you. They’re usually very cheap— especially in comparison to big days out!— and allow you to knacker your child out, while you catch up with other adults. Your local Sure Start Children’s Centre probably has some free activities too, allowing your child to have all the fun, make all the mess and you have none of the clearing up. Win, win!

I can’t wait for the sun to come out again— afternoon snacks in the park after a little play on the swings, are my favourite!

Er, no lady.

I was bitten by the photography bug years ago, but it’s only recently that I’ve come to the conclusion that wedding photography is the path I want to choose (along with some other documentary-style coverage and portrait sessions too— I just can’t get enough of photographing people!) I guess reportage style photography is similar to journalism in the sense that it allows me to collect, edit and present a story or news. Perhaps my original career plan wasn’t too far off!

There’s something really lovely about being included in the happiest day of people’s lives and all the emotions it brings, when two families come together. It’s all about the details, whether they’re big or small; that little squeeze of a hand that no one else sees; big smiles; flower arrangements; tears; colours. And of course, The Dress. There’s so many different styles now— a modest wedding dress collection here, a vintage dress there. Coloured tutus, or classic, simple bridesmaids gowns. Big traditional bouquets or just a conservative centrepiece? No two weddings are the same, ever, despite couples adopting similar styles. Being a wedding photographer is such a varied, creative, unique and happy job, and I can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into some more celebrations this year!

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’? Did you follow that career path?

Go to work > get paid > buy things.

That’s how money works for me. Interest rates, overdrafts, loans, APR, mortgages, insurance, credit cards… It all not only confuses me, but also bores me to tears! I have a debit card and spend only what I can afford. End of!

I’m normally one to make my excuses (or in some cases slam down the phone if they can’t take the hint!) when someone is trying to sell me something like life insurance, but having a child can change your perspective about the future. We still spend our money and enjoy our lives right now, because who wants to live a boring present, when you might not even get to enjoy the future? I think it’s important to have a little nest egg for Byron too though. It’s all about that healthy balance of spending and saving, because you never know what’s going to happen.

Writing a will has been on my 101 in 1001 list since the beginning and life insurance quotes are something we’re shopping around for as a family at the moment too, because as much as I’d like to be able to “live for the moment”, I’m far too sensible for that and want to be safe in the knowledge that my little one is secure, should anything horrendous happen!

Him: What you doing?
Me: Just scheduling some blog posts!
Him: Oh.


Pause.


Him: Are you writing about me?
Me: Errr…
Him: Why don’t you ever write about how pure I am and how you luuurve me?

We first started talking when we were 17 years old and we looked like this:

We’d already been working together for 18 months when we met, but working in a big supermarket and on different departments, our paths never really crossed. I was aware of Ashley— as was everyone; he was tall, loud and unlike any other person that I worked with— but there was definitely a time when I thought his name was Alex. A chocolate bar I’d bought got stuck inside the vending machine and I asked him to give it a whack for me, to get it out. He obliged, despite me getting his name wrong and quite frankly, a man that helps you get chocolate, is a keeper, right?!

There were a few things that first got us talking and unbeknown to her, one of those, was my mum! She was my department manager and happened to notice a CD that Ashley was listening to, was the same name as a band I had scrawled over a t-shirt— Thursday. She innocently mentioned it to him and I think she told me about it too. I don’t think she had any idea what she’d done! The next bit is all a bit of a blur, but I know there was some MySpace stalking (on both our parts!) and I later found out he’d printed out one of my photos and stuck it in his wallet! We didn’t talk properly until one afternoon at work when I asked him to help a customer out with a glass loan and he managed to slip and smash hundreds of wine glasses in one go. I found out that he’s not easily embarrassed (even now!) and he made me laugh, even if it was at him!

We had a little chat that afternoon about music and found out we had a lot of common interests! That weekend, we went for a drink to a pub near his college, as he knew we’d get served. He ordered cider and I had a vodka and coke. I remember it was the longest, most random bus journey and I had no idea where the hell I was going, but I still felt safe! We managed to miss the last bus home, so rather than get a cab like normal people, he rang his mum and dragged her out to pick us up, with his very sleepy kid brother. We listened to Caliban on his discman while we waited (showing my age!) and carried on our chats about anything / everything. I don’t think there was a moments silence!

By the following Saturday, we were ‘going out’! We’d spent every day together from our first date and continued to do so literally for the next 18 months or so! It doesn’t work for some, but it completely worked for us. We used to spend a lot of time at his band practices, gigs and in Wetherspoons drinking Blue Lagoon. Good times!

I don’t think either of us were looking for someone that we were going to spend the rest of our lives with when we were just 17, but we were lucky enough to do just that. We started dating in 2005, moved out in 2009 and got engaged 4 months later, married in 2011 and had a baby in 2012!

He asked me a few days ago how I describe him to other people… Well! Where do I begin? He’s loud, opinionated, loving, a bit of a gentle giant, creative, music-obsessed, competitive, funny and stupid— not academically (although he did spell his name ‘Ashling’ up to an age that is probably older than acceptable) but the kind of stupid where we pull fugly faces at each other before we turn the light off at night, talk in Northern accents to imitate our older selves and laugh uncontrollably at very stupid stuff. The kind of stupid that no one else understands, but I do! He’s also the best dad and seeing both his and Byron’s faces light up when he comes in from work, is the best. We look like chalk’n'cheese on the outside— I’m relatively reserved and complexed; he’s loud and simple (hahaha) but I think that’s what makes us so compatible.

FYI, he describes me as “relaxed and laid-back. Out of the two of us, I’ve definitely got the better deal!” Which sounds about right, as I’m about to give him a back rub! What a lucky man.

We’ve celebrated our anniversary this year, the best way we know how— FOOD.

001. I recently had the opportunity to have an afternoon completely to myself, so I grabbed it with both hands and gave it a great big smooch! Usually time without Byron is spent with my husband or friends, but on this occasion I had no plans, other than to just relax, have some ‘me’ time and do my own thang! I went for a lovely swim (although perhaps I overdid it, as my legs nearly gave way when I got out of the pool and I had to have a little sit down in the changing room!), grabbed some lunch and went for a little drive in the sunshine. I ended up in Starbucks, where I made a chocolate cream frappucino (with mint! Mmm) last approximately three hours as I sat myself in the bay window with my laptop and finally caught up on all my emails! Productivity feels good.

002. I love a bank holiday weekend as much as the next person, but we never really venture out anywhere too exciting, because let’s face it, everywhere is usually heaving— especially if it’s good weather! I usually opt to go out on a weekday to avoid the crowds, but on this occasion, we took my mum-in-law to Brighton for her birthday on Sunday and a lovely day was had by all. I’ve already spoken about how Brighton is one of my favourite places in the UK, but it really is! There’s such an eclectic mix of people and no-one really batters an eyelid at anything ‘different’. There’s always something going on. There’s a great atmosphere. It’s always buzzing. It’s colourful! There are also an abundance of little cafe’s and when they sell chocolate cake as good as the one I had, then that’s a place I wanna be!

003. A huge thank you to anyone that’s already voted for me in the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards! I’m still hugely surprised and honoured to have been shortlisted in the photo category, among so many other great blogs and photographers. I’m doubtful about making the final, but voting closes at midnight on 12th May, if you’d like to vote and haven’t yet had the chance!

The Happy List

sunshine! pink lemonade ice lollies pâté & coleslaw sandwiches the smell of Herbal Essence ‘Ignite My Colour’ shampoo & conditioner list-making exciting emails landing in my inbox Zara Office City Bag Byron starting to toddle around the furniture

I was really lucky as a child, that we were fortunate enough to go on lots of holidays abroad. We didn’t really do UK holidays, apart from one I remember to Butlins in Bognor Regis! I got some glow in the dark, purple, clip on hoop earrings and a t-shirt with a photo of my face on it, with a very pixelated ‘Daddy’s Girl’ emblazoned on the bottom! It’s safe to say, I looked the nuts.

I think the first time I really ventured outside of London for a weekend, was my first ever weekend away with Ashley to Leeds, for the first ever Ghostfest (metal/hardcore festival), back in 2005! We took a very long coach journey from London Victoria to Leeds and stayed in a lovely hotel, that our grubby, metal, 18 year old selves looked a little out of place in! The festival was held at the Leeds Cockpit on the smaller stage, so it was very intimate and meant we actually got a chance to talk to our fav bands. I think we even got a couple of drinks out of one of the guys from Shaped By Fate, after Ashley broke his hand in the pit, during their performance. That trip to hospital was fun…!

Our first family holiday in the UK was to Cornwall last year. Naturally, it holds great memories— Byron’s first time seeing (and feeling, much to his dismay) the sea, his first lick of ice-cream, visiting The Eden Project and proper cream teas!

We’re still uhmming and ahhing about a little trip to somewhere in the UK this summer, too. I’d love to visit Wales and Scotland, as well as venture to the places in England that I haven’t seen either. A stay in one of Millennium Hotels destinations would be fab. A weekend away in a plush hotel sans baby? I love my son, but… Yes please!

What are your favourite UK holiday memories?

I am always his mum. His wife. Her sister. Their daughter. A friend.

I am often tired. Happy. Stressed. Indecisive. Covered in some kind of baby gunk. Argumentative. Stubborn. Nostalgic. A control freak. Apprehensive. Shy. Creative. Organised. Logical. A homebody. Sarcastic. Overanalysing. Superwoman!

I like making Byron giggle uncontrollably. Rare steak. Picnics. Driving in the sunshine. Vodka and cranberry. House parties. Cooking. Blogging. Photography. Cold, crunchy chocolate. Going to the zoo. Buying from farm shops. Making jam. Baking cakes. Eating cakes! Date nights with my husband. The USA. Nights in, in front of the TV. Trashy, girly, cheesy films. Pizza crusts with garlic and herb dip. Instagram. Watching my favs on YouTube. New make-up. Perfect brows. Being around friends & family. Planning. Interior design. Being a photographer. Cuddling a snoozing Byron. Cadbury’s Twirls. Rio. Lazy Sundays. Photo-editing. Watching my son grow. Weddings. Fresh air.

I dislike driving without knowing the exact route. Spiders. Being cold. When Byron pulls my hair out! Not having enough sleep. Sitting in traffic. When people let you down at the last minute. ‘Older’ people who are rude and should know better. Hot and sweaty buses. Being late. Sally ear.

(Thanks to Rachel for this post idea!)