Ryan has been abroad this week, with work, so I have been a bit too busy to blog. I always dread him going away, as I find it really hard to solo-parent. But this time, it was actually a lot easier than I expected. I wonder if that was because I spent last weekend away from home, doing some things for myself. Maybe having some time out from family life meant I was more relaxed? Though my weekend wasn’t really relaxing, it was pretty full on, but great fun, and reminded me of who I am, aside from being a mum!
It started on Saturday, when I got the train up to Manchester, and stayed overnight with my cousin. We went out for dinner to a lovely local Italian place and caught up. Normally we have Ava and Thea needing our attention, so it was great to be able to talk properly!
Next morning, she dropped me off at a bloggers event called BlogOn at the Museum of Science and Industry, but I was a bit early, so I found a (slightly hipster) coffee bar and enjoyed a nice cup of proper Earl Grey tea, with milk in a Pyrex flask. And don’t you just love the gold teaspoon?
Now to many people this is quite commonplace, but to me, it was so nice to have half an hour to sit and read a magazine, it felt like a holiday! The life of a mum, right?
I walked over to the Museum to go to the bloggers event. Ryan and I visited this museum years and years ago and I can’t really remember it, but I think it’s had a revamp, as it looks really cool, and was full of happy kids and parents. I’d like to go back with the girls one day!
I met a few of my blogging friends including lovelyย Rachel from Life at home with Mrs B andย Donna from What The Redhead Said. There were some great workshops and a lovely lunch, and a very patientย lady at the Black Sheep Wools‘ roomย taught me to crochet!ย At the end of the dayย we were each givenย THREE goodie bags. Then my name got called out as I had won a prize draw, and it turned out to be a huge pile of toys from Hasbro. I couldn’t stop laughing as I was trying to work out how to get it all home with me.
We managed to pack most of them into an extra bag and into the Sponge Bob Square Pants back pack. But even so, it was pretty crazy. Luckily Alice, one of the lovely ladiesย who was helping to run the event, kindly found me one of those huge IKEA bags and we crammed it all in there. The bag was so heavy, I had to drag it around, and thankfullyย a nice man fromย the ticket barrier atย the stationย carried it onto the train for me.ย
It was such a long but fun day but I really missed the girls. While I was away, Ryan had taken them shoe shopping and they had been to a classic car show. I think they kind of enjoyed it, due to being given loads of ice cream.
The next day was May Day and the day before one of my best friend’s birthdays, so we caught the train down to London and met our other best friend for a bit of retail therapy and afternoon tea.
I have long suspected that I am too old/mumsy for TopShop and my fears were confirmed when I spotted these mom jeans. Good grief. Surely NOONE could look good in these?
Needless to say, I didn’t buy anything in Toppers. We went to Liberty and admired the lovely flowers outside, and the stunning Art Deco building opposite. Then we had a lovely sunny walk across to Covent Garden.
We went to a new stationery store in Covent Garden called Kikki.K. All I can say is:If you are a stationery fan, you must go and check it out if you’re in London. Or online if you’re not. I love a trip to Paperchase, but it’s lovely to have a change and choose from new cards I haven’t seen before.
Next it was time for our make-up themed Bobbi Brown Afternoon Tea at Balthazar. It was a really enjoyable experience, but sadly my photos didn’t look that great as it was pretty dark in there.
They were very accommodating, and made us special veggie sandwiches and gave us plain scones (as none of us like raisins, and normally have to pick them out). The service was great, and we spent over two hours there and didn’t feel rushed, like you do at some places in London. Aren’t the cakes cute? They tasted as great as they looked too, and were all quite unusual flavour combinations. The scones and amazing home made strawberry jam were my favourites though, really delicious.
It was just such a lovely weekend, and such a treat spending proper time with my cousin and friends, and not being constantly distracted by the girls. I think it really recharged my batteries ahead of Ryan being away, so it was just what I needed. It was also good having a break from the relentless washing and tidying that comes with having a family, and I think it stopped me from being totally stressed out and frazzled, like I normally am when Ryan goes away. It wasn’t planned like that, the conference just happened to be that weekend. I’ve decided to try and do more things like this for myself, as I think being a mum can be quite all-consuming, and everyone needs a break! In fact on Friday I’ll be going to a lovely craft evening, at one of my favourite independent shops, Berylune in Leamington Spa. I can’t wait!
What do you do, when you need to get away from it all?
I’ve already commented on this, but I just wanted to pop back and say thanks for linking up to #memyselfandI xx
Sounds a lovely time and totally agreed the simple things pike a cup of tea in peace can be so refreshing! That afternoon tea looks yummy too.mand agree about the jeans. I don’t even venture into toyshop anymore! Enjoy your night in Leamington. That’s my old home town! #twinklytuesday
Ooh well done on the win at BlogOn, I went to the one in Winchester last year and the prizes they give out are CRAZY!! I can’t wait to go again this year! x
Ah cool, I can’t wait for the next one, hopefully see you there! xx
It sounds like you had a lovely weekend and I know exactly how you feel about your partner going away! I think we under estimate the importance of me time. I recently had some time off for Gemma’s wedding and while I missed my little ones it was so nice just to have some time by myself. Well done on all the goodies – I bet that made you super popular when you got home!!
I put the goodies in a cupboard to save for birthdays and Christmas etc. He he so nice to have them stashed away! xx
I got some Top Shop vouchers recently, went inside for the first time in years and just stood there in bewilderment. I came out with some socks and a lipstick. I decided not to chance the clothes! (I’ll be back in a few years, hanging around waiting for the Tubblet to choose things)
Ah I totally feel your pain Mrs Tubbs, I am sure there must be some nice clothes in there somewhere, but all the sequins and body con stuff just kind of blinded me and I couldn’t cope! xx
I don’t understand Topshop anymore either. And the music is too loud – I can’t hear myself think! (As my mum would say!) #twinklytuesday
YES! It totally is. I find that I am getting much more sensitive to noise as I get older (again, such a mum comment, he he!) xx
Sounds like a perfect weekend away and what a goodie bag haul!! Though I’d wear those jeans from topshop – in my defence I live in Dubai and it’s always summer here so I could probably get away with it (as I type I’m wearing bright yellow jeans!) #bestandworst
I love the idea of bright yellow jeans but I don’t think I could carry them off! Bet you look great in the sun though. xx
This sounds like heaven; a blog conference, shopping and tea and cakes?! Ah you deserve it. Must be fun and games with your two gorgeous girls and solo parenting is really hard. I hate it when hubby goes away for like 1 night!! Glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
Thanks Sarah, it’s pretty tough when he’s away but it seems to be getting (a bit) easier now they are older. xx
Looks perf and sounds wonderful! Im so sad I missed Blog ON this year, but glad you had a lovely experience and lots of adventures around it too. xx
Hopefully you can go to the next one and we can meet IRL!! xx
What a lovely time away and you really packed it all in. #TwinklyTuesday
Thanks Fiona, I really did have fun and it helps you appreciate what you have at home, when you go away for a little while! xx
What an amazing weekend. How lucky to win more stuff than you are able to carry (I have goody bag envy!) I love time away from my kids to recharge especially catching up with my best friend without our kids. We can actually talk properly rather than be distracted by the kids at the same time. I think it makes me appreciate my time with the kids more as I come back fresh and recharged. Those cakes look fab too!
The cakes were so pretty, it was (almost) a shame to eat them! xx
WOW!!!! That afternoon tea looks amazing!! The entire weekend sounds fabulous-you must’ve been over the moon with your win, and your goody bags!! Any time to yourself, and I think especially what might be considered ‘little’ things, like a lovely cup of hot tea, served with a beautiful spoon, can mean so much to us, when our days are so relentless… You must’ve felt like a new person. My husband luckily doesn’t go away very often for work, but he went away once when our littlest was 8 weeks old, and the eldest was 16 months, and I was an absolute gibbering wreck when he got back. I’ve usually managed to make him get out of it since then, so I sympathise with your dread of solo parenting. I’m rubbish at finding time for myself-I think the last time I did was at a hen party 2 years ago! But I’ve got a weekend coming up soon, so hopefully I’ll remember what it is to feel human again after that!!
#bigpinklink
OOOh enjoy your weekend, I bet you will feel like a new woman! Having your husband being away when you had an 8 week old must have been dreadful, never mind with a 16 month old too, you are a legend for coping with that! xx
Firstly I am totally jealous, that sounds like one fab weekend! As mum’s we really do deserve that me time. I’m so glad you got chance to get away just before a solo parenting stint! My other point…I have just clicked on Kikki K’s link…am I going to be telling you off again? xx
Ha ha it is a bit dangerous, sorry! But really lovely things – their wedding section is lovely, makes me want to get married again (still to the same man, obvs) xx
Sounds like a lovely couple of days. How lucky to win a giveaway. I’m going to take your advice and visit the stationery store next time I’m in town. And that afternoon tea looks gorgeous. Great post! #bigpinklink
Thanks so much Laura, I love going to London, I don’t do it enough (my credit card is happy about that though!) But sometimes you just need a treat don’t you! xx
Oh, well done Becky, some me-time is so important. It keeps me sane ๐ The Bobbi Brown afternoon tea sounds fab! xx
Thanks Eva, I totally agree, but it can be hard to remember when you’re in the thick of it can’t it! I’m heading over to check out your recipe, it sounds great! xx
Sounds like you had a lovely time! I really want to start going to blogging events, they look like so much fun and a great way to connect with people. I would love to meet some other bloggers too! ๐ The afternoon tea looks delicious! #bigpinklink
I had a great time Kat, keep your eyes peeled for the next one if you can make it to Manchester. I am looking at others now, some are more expensive than others, but I think Blog on was really good value xx