Preparing for Autumn

   October is finally here and the air is already beginning     to feel fresh and cool. I've been more aware of the             autumn this year and as usual I've been preparing ahead for the cooler weather. 

  Creating a warm vibe is something I love the most             about  this time of year, that's why I love having extra         blankets in the main living room so we can all be warm and cosy while watching our favourite tv shows, talking endlessly or watching a movie. I also have on hand a couple of water bottles these are great for soothing aching muscles, tired feet or if your feeling a little run down can help for comfort and warmth. 

  Now is a good time to start a car weather kit, Normally   my kit will contain de-icer, screen wash, a car scraper     for snow or ice, a blanket, a pair of warm driving or        fingerless gloves and a micro fibre cloth. Its really        handy to have just the basics as in the UK the weather can go from one extreme to the other.

Autumn hues and scents is something I really adore,   I love to switch my normal fruit smoothies to a vegetable heaven, my most favourite is carrots, mixed with coconut milk, nutmeg and cinnamon, blended together make a perfect smoothie and can be enjoyed hot or cold if your not worried about calories for a little treat add

condense milk or a drizzle of honey.

I can not talk about Autumn without adding a luxurious hot chocolate. Options Belgium mint and white hot chocolate is my favourite flavours, there is something so alluring about the intense aromas that makes me feel warm and relaxed. 

Creating a Capsule Wardrobe

Capsule styling is something I've been doing for a few years and I've found it so effective when  it comes to styling pieces that I totally forgot I own. Typically speaking for me the rules are endless as I enjoy playing around with my  style, colours and textures depending on my lifestyle and the changing  seasons.

Why I find capsule living easier

I tend to work with around 45 items of clothing and shoes excluding bags and  accessories, this is because I wear very little jewellery and own a small selection of handbags, The way this works is to organise first by taking out any items that are seasonal  and place them in storage containers or somewhere where you can access them at any time, then try organising your closet by colour and not type, this way not only does it look more streamlined but, it has a polished feeling and its easier to select an effective colour pallet. Normally my capsule wardrobe will run for 2 months, however I will swap out a few items that may not be working due to the weather or lifestyle changes.

Take a couple of hours to really think about your style and how practical each item is with your lifestyle, this way you can build your wardrobe on items that you know you will wear you may find it helpful take into consideration any social or family events.

Its really important to have fun and be creative, capsule styling can be difficult to get right especially if your a beginner but, it really can be an effect way to spend less time thinking about what to wear and more time enjoying and exploring life.

Family days out that are cost effective

For many parents its always difficult to take your children on days out and not spend a lot of money.
I do feel that many parents are unaware of free or inexpensive activities that are available in your local communities.

Community centres/family and children's centres are great starting points. These centres offer so much in variety especially for families with younger children, most sessions are free, and have a great range of play and stay sessions, book/readers sessions. baby massage, advice on caring for your families teeth and so much more. Many centres also work closely with adult education colleges, schools and professional organisation like phycologist to offer courses for parents that can range from first aid, healthy cooking, identifying domestic abuse and behaviour therapy. Staff here are highly trained there is so much to learn so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Along side the sessions some family and children's centres offer a toy library where you can borrow toys for free. I can not honestly stress enough how this has helped a great deal, specially if you are a family that are living in a small space or on a budget. Children grow so quickly and, there is nothing worse than spending money on items that are expensive and, bulky when you have the option to borrow them. Toys are in excellent condition and cleaned after each use. For more information access your local council/community website.

If you live near a local library then try to head down there to see what's on offer. Libraries have evolved over the years and  not only are they free but, they offer endless information and resources. Books are free to borrow, some libraries also offer a range of board games, audio books, pc and internet access, newspapers, magazines and DVDs  however, you may find that DVDS come at an extra cost. Libraries often offer toddler play sessions that involve sensory play, arts and crafts, music and story time and as a bonus my local library also offers the children light snacks that consist of fruits and a heathy option drink. Book sales of old books where you can  purchase books for yourself and your children prices normally range between 10p-£1 a great way to add to your bedtime story collection.

Parks are a great open space that provides fun for all the family and can offer a wide range of activities and educational fun. Try and choose a park that has a lot to offer, you may find a pond, a conservation area. outdoor gym, tennis courts, ping pong table, insect garden,  interesting art and, sculptures, a relaxing garden and a play area.

Seasonal arts and crafts are an excellent way for your children to express there creative talents. You will find that these are sometimes free or at a small cost for entry and are located locally.  They normally run during kids holidays  and a great way for children to explore different colours and textures.

Take a trip to the museum, your kids will love navigating the endless technology and displays. Fun puzzles and hunts are also part of the experience, along side interactive fun with buttons and computers packed with loads of new facts and historical information,. In the UK most museums are free and if a cost is required is a very small contribute.

If you live in a city and are lucky enough to have a city farm then do go and check them out. You will find that many are run by charity organisation's and, require a very small donation, they are often smaller than other farms but, are a great way to introduce your family to farm animals and, most will  have a coffee shop and a play/ picnic area, where your children can have some fun after visiting the animals.

Go swimming although there is a cost involved this is very minimal and probably one of my favourites for families who  have children of differ ages. Bonuses Include  qualified  life guards. heated pools and you will normally have a training or children's pool  and a pool for older children and adults.  Many pools have swimming aids like floating toys, sinkers and floats/noodles are available for everyone to explore, however if in doubt you can always bring along your own for extra fun. You can add swimming into your routine by going weekly or a monthly treat, Swimming is also a great source of exercise and can be soothing if you suffer from aching muscles.

To complete your day, remember to bring plenty of light snacks and water to keep hydrated,  for the sunnier days a small amount of change for ice cream is always a must have.