My summer holiday planning tends to go something like this in my head:

“Tra la la la la! Plenty of time to think about the summer holidays yet, it’s only the beginning of July… GAH…. HANG ON!!!”

The start of term sneaks up on my in similar way. ‘Buy new school shoes’ is on my mental list for weeks, and then suddenly it’s the last weekend in August and I’m in a 27 strong queue of parents in my local shoe shop.

Getting back into the swing of things after a holiday, or even starting school for the first time, can be pretty stressful for everyone, so to make the process go as smoothly as possible, here are my top five tips: View Post

Follow:

My recent rant about taps was so popular that I have been trying desperately ever since to think of something else that annoys me. When I nearly got run over last week on a zebra crossing by a driver who wasn’t paying attention I tried to get riled up about it, I really did, but instead my brain said ‘never mind, you weren’t hurt, and sometimes you don’t always spot people on zebra crossings either’.

Damn you brain being so understanding.

Every time I see a sock or towel on the floor I try to will myself to become infuriated, but it just isn’t working, I’m just too easy going.

*pause for cynical laughter from Boyfriend, mum, and anyone else who has ever lived with me*

This morning though, as I made Belle a marmite sandwich*, it hit me – packed lunches. Dangerous driving and thoughtless housekeeping just don’t come close to the loathsomeness of having to make a packed lunch. You’d think that after having one child or another at school for over 14 years that it wouldn’t bother me any more, that I would at least have resigned myself to doing it, if not exactly embraced it. You might even think I would have been organised enough to get into the habit of making them the night before, but no, I leave it until the last possible minute every time.

I’ve decided that the issue with packed lunches is twofold.  View Post

Follow:

Women love shopping. That’s a fact isn’t it? Particularly for shoes and bags, so the legend goes.

Which means I must be a man trapped in a woman’s body, because I actually don’t like shopping at all, especially not for shoes. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that shoe shopping is one of my Worst Things. After making packed lunches and remembering INSET days.

I’d love to be able to do it online and save the hassle, but shoes and clothes never fit me properly, so it’s a waste of time. Finding handbags online is easy though, handbags I can do, which is why I said ‘yes please, thank you very much’ when Zalando asked me to choose a bag and review their online shopping experience. If you’re looking for eco bags, check out jute bags online.

If like me you don’t relish the idea of having to actually get up off the sofa and go from shop to shop, trying to pick out something that, when you catch sight of yourself in the unflattering changing room mirrors, doesn’t make you want to be sick a bit in your mouth, then Zalando could be the place for you. They’ve a massive range of clothing, as well as loads of gorgeous women’s accessories, and the ordering process was extremely smooth.

The only thing I found a little bit annoying was that the images were quite small, and you had to click through to each individual product page to see them properly. Perhaps a larger image could pop up when you hover over something? Other than that though, it was all very easy and stress free. After some serious browsing, cup of tea in hand, I chose a bag.

Then all I had to do was sit back and wait. A couple of emails kept me informed of my parcel’s progress and, as promised, 3-5 working days later I was eagerly tearing open the box and deciding which of my many notebooks I was going to carry around in my new bag. I do like getting parcels. And buying notebooks.

The packaging was excellent, the bag was in perfect condition, and it was delivered by courier, so I didn’t have that annoying ‘Royal Mail red card even though I was home’ scenario. All in all a very smooth and stress free shopping experience – thanks Zalando!

I am currently on the short list for the ‘Style’ award in the Brilliance in Blogging Awards. Please take half a minute to cast your vote and tick the Slummy single mummy box.

Follow: