Sparklesandstretchmarks

LATEST ARTICLES ( 3013 )

• Why We've Changed Our Family Name

  

  If you're friends with me on Facebook, you may have noticed that my name has recently changed - instead of being Hayley McLean as I have been since I started... Read more

  Posted on 01 August 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• #LittleSpenders - What Would You Child Do With £200? Your Chance to Win £200...

  

  Thinking back to my childhood, one of the overwhelming memories that has stayed with me is that feeling of being completely and utterly carefree. Read more

  Posted on 31 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Me & Mine July

  

  The photos you're seeing this month were very nearly scrapped. I fear that as I've begun to enjoy photography more, I've become a bit too caught up in trying... Read more

  Posted on 31 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Perfect Holiday Destinations For Young Families

  

  Now that Summer is here, my mind is turning to thoughts of family holidays and days spent on the sand...unfortunately for me we have already had our family... Read more

  Posted on 30 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Ways I Know I'm Getting Old

  

  I turn 35 at the end of Summer, and as much as I try not to pay my age too much attention (and make all the usual "It's just a number!" protests) - I feel as... Read more

  Posted on 29 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• How Your Family Can Be Affected By Hospital Blunders

  

  When you are part of a family, something that has a big effect on one person will consequently affect everyone. It could be passing a driving test, winning the... Read more

  Posted on 28 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• A New Big Boy Bed - Bedroom Tour

  

  This week, we've made some changes to our biggest boys bedroom and I thought I'd share them with you in a little bedroom tour. Read more

  Posted on 27 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Sailor at 5 Months

  

  Dear Sailor, This update is a little bit late again - you actually turned 5 months old on 12th July so you're 5 and a half months now! Eek! Read more

  Posted on 26 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Summer Days

  

  I've admitted before that I'm really not the biggest fan of summer. I'm one of those people who has a moan when the days are getting hot, grumbling about how I'... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• The Benefits Of Skin To Skin

  

  This is a paid advertorial for Water Wipes When my first son was born, I hadn't heard much about the benefits of skin to skin contact and so it wasn't... Read more

  Posted on 22 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Noah at 15 Months Old

  

  Dear Noah, You are now 15 months old and, as sad as it is to admit it, you are no longer a baby - every single day you grow and change and become more and more... Read more

  Posted on 22 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Which Household Appliance Could You Not Live Without?!

  

  Now call me crazy but I tend not to have too much of an emotional attachment to any of the appliances in my home...I mean, they're just things at the end of... Read more

  Posted on 21 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Ways To Raise Cash In A Pinch

  

  We've all been in that situation, a crisis happens and cash is needed quickly but payday is too far away and the banks are closed. Read more

  Posted on 21 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• I'm Sorry If I Rushed You

  

  To My Big Boy, I hate that I call you that now...because you're not a big boy at all. You're only 3 years old...you're little more than a baby.... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Keeping Your Children Safe Online

  

  "Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body" - Elizabeth Stone... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• WIN A £100 Voucher to Spend at HomeBase!

  

  If you've read my blog regularly, then you will probably know that I am a big fan of artificial grass - we made over our own back yard with artificial grass las... Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Must Have Items For Keeping Your Garden Great This Summer

  

  Now that summer is (supposedly) upon us, most of us will be keen to spend more time in our gardens and I for one am keen to get ours looking it's best again... Read more

  Posted on 19 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Stranded At The Strawberry Fields

  

  On Friday, we decided to make the most of the glorious sunshine we were having here in Devon and head off for an afternoon of strawberry picking. Read more

  Posted on 18 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• Siblings In July

  

  Have you ever tried to get a teething and drooly 5 month old, a constantly wriggling 15 month old and a 3 year old who cannot keep still for more than 30 second... Read more

  Posted on 15 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION

• There's No Place Like Home...But Where Is That?

  

  Last week, my family I headed off on a trip to Liverpool to visit my Mum Dad for a while. It's a road trip we've taken many times before since I made the... Read more

  Posted on 13 July 2016 DIARIES, SELF EXPRESSION