tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77437759172507731152024-03-12T22:55:12.588+00:00Quite Frankly She SaidLiving green, mothering wild! A family lifestyle blog from a British mum of two boys and a girl, with parenting views, style tips, reviews and giveaways.Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.comBlogger836125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-56404851900901703012024-03-05T18:00:00.000+00:002024-03-05T18:00:59.087+00:00My Child-Friendly Garden Ideas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published 02/02/2016 Updated 05/03/2024</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year I plan to really make the most of our garden. It's a decent size and was one of the reasons we chose to move to this house from our old apartment, but so far we haven't done much other than keep on top of the weeds and put a hanging basket by the front door, and we have been here for nearly 3 years! Oops.</div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/02/child-friendly-garden-ideas.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-90754813455276304052024-03-05T17:51:00.000+00:002024-03-05T17:51:38.697+00:00To everyone that told me I should put my baby down...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published 04/08/2018 Updated 05/03/2024</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
To everyone that told me I should put my baby down. To the people that told me that I cuddled him too much. To the ones that said I'm making a rod for my back. To the relatives that said he should sleep on his own. To those that said he would grow up to be clingy. To the friends that said he would never learn to be independent. And that he would never want to leave my side.</div>
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<b>You were all wrong.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tR0Nl70YMP29zjNwEmOh1AyM_wWNsF_yWXZYjvdcoO9VEdwrQdHZVrdlySXMhUNaHa7YsEaFrwAaP3dpXz49GeBkJZuroOiBEs_BVEDndMVCCXQ9Roeptgc48gYk_tjHxzX8zHitzs8/s1600/essie-baby-update-one-month-old.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tR0Nl70YMP29zjNwEmOh1AyM_wWNsF_yWXZYjvdcoO9VEdwrQdHZVrdlySXMhUNaHa7YsEaFrwAaP3dpXz49GeBkJZuroOiBEs_BVEDndMVCCXQ9Roeptgc48gYk_tjHxzX8zHitzs8/s1600/essie-baby-update-one-month-old.jpg"></a></div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2018/08/baby-cuddle-confidence-child.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-10266481687944259232024-03-05T17:50:00.000+00:002024-03-05T17:50:36.948+00:005 Simple Zero-Waste Ideas That Won't Cost a Penny<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Originally posted 25/01/2019 Updated 05/03/2024</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So you’ve decided to embrace living a zero-waste lifestyle, hurrah! I’ve noticed that a lot of people start their zero-waste journey by asking “what can I buy to use instead of...?” Stop right there! Zero-waste living doesn’t have to be costly at all and chances are you already have plenty of things in your home that you can reuse and repurpose without spending any money. </span></div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2019/01/5-free-zero-waste-ideas.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-7952773092331579532024-03-05T17:47:00.000+00:002024-03-05T17:47:58.789+00:00To the mum friends in my phone - thank you...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published 0</i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>3/12/2020 Updated 05/03/2024</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
They say it takes a village to raise a child yet in these modern times how many of us actually have that kind of support? Motherhood can sometimes be a lonely place, but I found my village online. Thanks to you, the mum friends in my phone, I'm never alone. I've always got someone I can turn to.</div>
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</div></div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2017/12/mum-friends-phone-thank-you.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-89782456029623354982024-03-05T17:46:00.000+00:002024-03-05T17:46:48.989+00:00Zero Waste Bathroom Made Simple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;"><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Originally published </i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>29/01/2020 Updated 05/03/2024</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
The bathroom is where we as a family produce a heck of a lot of waste. From shampoos to shower gels, shaving products to styling products, dental care to menstrual care, the list goes on. I've been a long time fan of solid products like soap and shampoo bars for many years, but recently I've been switching more of what we use over to more eco-friendly options and trying to get the rest of the family on board too. Here are some of our bathroom swaps so far. </div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2020/01/zero-waste-bathroom-made-simple.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-87735870508710547272024-03-05T17:44:00.001+00:002024-03-05T17:44:46.429+00:00Review: Grumbalina by Karina Frederiks <div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published </i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>21/02/2021 Updated 05/03/2024</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let me introduce you to the book that I have read about eleventy billion times this half term: <i>Grumbalina and The Day Everything Changed </i>by Karina Frederiks, which was kindly sent to us to review. It is the first book in a modern children's book series about Grumablina the fairy, her friends and their world of magic. Why have I read it about eleventy billion times? Well, because my daughter utterly loves it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAqCD80GOrgoxM1w6QQrWFhM43rAj3rpr3j9n9rL6QrYgdPgHWv8Que7gQMJ-gAclafTwsKuHahpR5wv7FTuaJibzS9LkS3Z83xTU248Pna0b67MHRLlBr8kdipxFDM-Ks-QvpaLIyQw/s2048/grumbalina-book-review+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAqCD80GOrgoxM1w6QQrWFhM43rAj3rpr3j9n9rL6QrYgdPgHWv8Que7gQMJ-gAclafTwsKuHahpR5wv7FTuaJibzS9LkS3Z83xTU248Pna0b67MHRLlBr8kdipxFDM-Ks-QvpaLIyQw/s16000/grumbalina-book-review+%25283%2529.jpg"></a></div><span></span><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2021/02/review-grumbalina-karina-frederiks.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-19055165804128178602024-03-05T17:42:00.000+00:002024-03-05T17:42:00.673+00:00Review: Still Awake by Lyndsey Hookway<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published: </i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>14/10/2021 Updated 05/03/2024</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Still Awake</i> is a book by Lyndsey Hookway, published by Pinter and Martin who kindly sent me a copy to read and review as part of their book club. Lyndsey Hookway has a very impressive CV; she is a London-trained paediatric nurse, health visitor, IBCLC, holistic sleep coach, independent lecturer and international speaker. I heard Lyndsey speak about night waking at The Breastfeeding Festival in Milton Keynes a couple of years ago, so I was already feeling pretty positive that this would be a good book!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiWl_UpHaFqSV8VU73gv9odWgtUmGd88ro9UvqSoqqjchqAdaO7lDBrf986DkZoY11HOCCoRTkAGSMvfSaMHrRscyn1q-ueRdLaJWYP95m9l4uEuayXjdoSbeHdCtptR24XC5HPvmwOtU-hKA3sfgrxoCN5aMaN9TMBZgtjh88MfnHhBsPydaJHiY4=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiWl_UpHaFqSV8VU73gv9odWgtUmGd88ro9UvqSoqqjchqAdaO7lDBrf986DkZoY11HOCCoRTkAGSMvfSaMHrRscyn1q-ueRdLaJWYP95m9l4uEuayXjdoSbeHdCtptR24XC5HPvmwOtU-hKA3sfgrxoCN5aMaN9TMBZgtjh88MfnHhBsPydaJHiY4=s16000"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span></span></i></div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2021/10/review-still-awake-by-lyndsey-hookway.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-58195521225551824832024-03-04T17:53:00.001+00:002024-03-05T17:53:53.886+00:00Easter Craft Idea: Pipe Cleaner Finger Puppets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This month's Bostik Blogger box had an Easter theme. Easter falls pretty early this year, on 27th March, and I've come up with a really simple and quick craft idea using pipe cleaners and pom poms that your toddler or preschooler will love. As I write this post I can hear Little N downstairs playing with his finger puppets and singing "Old MacDonald" - cuuuute! </div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/02/easter-pipe-cleaner-finger-puppets.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-67566321745590273002021-10-13T12:30:00.000+01:002021-10-13T12:30:31.220+01:00Review: The Addams Family Mansion Mayhem<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It was my smallest boy's 7th birthday last month. Since Christmas he has been saving up his pennies to buy a Nintendo Switch, and with the money he got for his birthday he was able to buy the console, while relatives got him some games to go with it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ7mTzQG6gkwq1ma7b2PG1PD0D37Axjz2SDq0YizVwdBLOU2p_u0-21Jfq4Mid-yZIGU93tPOIPWeZtbxYJ7z5ctXmP_sSBSJ4Om9nkDHTcx0ZmlCqHGtgKNHia24q0yzvEjyGXNKmOoPyHDmhON79lFuKFz9Z58FT9qpdhaYYcgO-UwAgwxcmJlGL=s1731" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1731" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ7mTzQG6gkwq1ma7b2PG1PD0D37Axjz2SDq0YizVwdBLOU2p_u0-21Jfq4Mid-yZIGU93tPOIPWeZtbxYJ7z5ctXmP_sSBSJ4Om9nkDHTcx0ZmlCqHGtgKNHia24q0yzvEjyGXNKmOoPyHDmhON79lFuKFz9Z58FT9qpdhaYYcgO-UwAgwxcmJlGL=s16000"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span></span></i></div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2021/10/review-addams-family-mansion-mayhem.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-35380817007785232072021-10-13T11:56:00.000+01:002021-10-13T11:56:20.884+01:00Craft Idea: Spooky Halloween Hanging Decoration <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published on 18th September 2016, updated 13th October 2021.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">September's Bostik Blogger craft box has a Halloween theme and we were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial. We love to go trick or treating at Halloween and where we live people show they're taking part by putting decorations in their windows and on their doors, so we have made a spooky Halloween door hanging decoration. If you want to see last month's pencil pot craft idea you can </span><a href="http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/08/craft-idea-alphabet-pencil-pot.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">find it here</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/09/Halloween-hanging-decoration-craft-tutorial.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-16020164366857771602021-10-13T11:55:00.000+01:002021-10-13T11:55:10.327+01:00Craft Idea: Leaf Foxes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i>Originally published on 21st October 2016, updated 13th October 2021.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">October's Bostik Blogger craft box has a Bonfire Night theme and we were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial. I knew that most of the other bloggers would be coming up with firework-related crafts, so we came up with something a little different! Dry leaves and twigs are used to make bonfires, but the piles often become home to animals sleeping during the day. It's always best to check your pile before lighting your bonfire. Hopefully our craft idea will be a good reminder! If you want to see last month's Halloween craft idea you can </span><a href="http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/09/Halloween-hanging-decoration-craft-tutorial.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">find it here</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span><br>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/10/craft-idea-leaf-foxes.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-17241414246973087692021-03-16T10:24:00.003+00:002021-03-16T10:24:31.406+00:00Playtime: Taskmaster The Board Game | Review<div style="text-align: justify;">Baking sourdough. Reading challenges. Gardening. These are some of the things I have done a bit more of during lockdown. It came as no surprise to me to learn that sales of board games and puzzles are up 100% since last year, as people look for new ways to fill their time. From the classic games like Monopoly and Cluedo, to newer ones like Taskmaster which was sent to us to review. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4WO2geFf2j63u88jIKlHFb1fkoc0O578bJGI9enm6Gwvssh7r9LX2VeDpWNPppzebqwM6HpNmR6OWk6S1jaOvadZFp9cUZbK19Qjq4XPFasW7PHWvdGg221ftGYKpDjtj1oPs0U5hoA/s2048/taskmaster+board+game+review+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4WO2geFf2j63u88jIKlHFb1fkoc0O578bJGI9enm6Gwvssh7r9LX2VeDpWNPppzebqwM6HpNmR6OWk6S1jaOvadZFp9cUZbK19Qjq4XPFasW7PHWvdGg221ftGYKpDjtj1oPs0U5hoA/w640-h426/taskmaster+board+game+review+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640"></a></div><span></span><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2021/03/taskmaster-board-game-review.html.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-82796723749129072312021-01-13T19:37:00.001+00:002021-01-13T19:37:43.942+00:00Review: A Girl's Guide to Being Fearless by Suzie Lavington & Dr Andy Cope<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>A Girl's Guide to Being Fearless: How to Find Your Brave</i> was kindly sent to me to review before Christmas. Published by Capstone and described as the "ultimate self-help guide for teenage girls", I thought it sounded perfect given that my tweenage stepdaughter is going through all of the trials and tribulations of her first year at high school. Adjusting to high school life is tricky enough at the best of times, let alone in the middle of a global pandemic! (How is lockdown 2.0 going for you, by the way?!) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And while I wish, wish, <i>wish </i>someone had written this a couple of decades earlier for teenage me to read, don't let your age or gender stop you from picking it up. We could all learn a thing or two about building our confidence, resilience and self-belief, and that of those around us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsqlncJNn8AJULHSpWHv_2DDtud-Br4yET57Q14UTzNtLbcn06y3vSjbH7fVFPbRqLZHvaCOguuYfVejOXf-tzWdqWzo-UDd-LriCp88-_x9mD1aai2QgpVdCfE3wX9U6SOufF-vBBQo/s1920/girls-guide-fearless-book-suzie-lavington-andy-cope-review+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsqlncJNn8AJULHSpWHv_2DDtud-Br4yET57Q14UTzNtLbcn06y3vSjbH7fVFPbRqLZHvaCOguuYfVejOXf-tzWdqWzo-UDd-LriCp88-_x9mD1aai2QgpVdCfE3wX9U6SOufF-vBBQo/s16000/girls-guide-fearless-book-suzie-lavington-andy-cope-review+%25283%2529.jpg"></a></div><span></span><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2021/01/review-girls-guide-being-fearless.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-48866195724042075572020-12-13T20:35:00.001+00:002020-12-13T20:38:20.572+00:00Our Christmas Tree is up! | The Christmas Forest Review<p style="text-align: justify;">Forget the presents, the thing that I get most excited about at Christmas is putting up the tree! We have had a real Christmas tree for the past few years, including this year's which arrived courtesy of <a href="https://www.christmasforest.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Christmas Forest</a>. They sent us an absolutely beautiful 6ft Nordmann Fir, which the children and I thoroughly enjoyed decorating with our growing collection of pretty baubles.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIsh4xnnsmapfTpeZl9A0k5K4Pdn8vYzby21tip6hMqxbcELUj8IkEcKL23nySdIaFACqmbe9LuTVCEWeAEYv1GmZCiOAi3ijZ3izGdxOQXTCuRBrFaUeOL2wd6xr6QpSOFhyfWYuE50/s2048/christmas-forest-tree-review-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIsh4xnnsmapfTpeZl9A0k5K4Pdn8vYzby21tip6hMqxbcELUj8IkEcKL23nySdIaFACqmbe9LuTVCEWeAEYv1GmZCiOAi3ijZ3izGdxOQXTCuRBrFaUeOL2wd6xr6QpSOFhyfWYuE50/s16000/christmas-forest-tree-review-2.jpg"></a></div><p></p><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span></span></span></div></span><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2020/12/christmas-forest-tree.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-25329217388502646872020-12-13T15:05:00.002+00:002020-12-13T15:05:21.759+00:00Sex, Motherhood & Magazines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have a bit of a bone to pick with baby and pregnancy magazines. When I
was pregnant for the first time, I bought loads. I'd get excited when the new
issues came out each month. I would spend hours poring over them, circling all
the things I wanted to buy, and filling my head with totally unrealistic ideas
of what having a baby would be like.
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At some point those magazines would do a
relationships feature. And when they did, the point of the feature seemed to be how to keep
the spark alive in the bedroom. In a nutshell: we must keep our sex lives exciting, or our relationships will suffer.<span style="text-align: left;"> Never mind what our bodies and minds and emotions are going through whilst we grow whole other human beings, that isn't as important! </span></div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2015/12/sex-motherhood-magazines.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com99tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-68225132296191109912020-12-06T18:00:00.001+00:002020-12-06T18:00:07.042+00:00REVIEW: Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Christmas is all the more magical since becoming a mother. Especially this year. Now that Little N is 3 years old he understands what Christmas is about and he recognises lots of things related to the festive season, like snow, Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees and, of course, presents! It makes the planning and preparation for Christmas so much more fun for me, knowing that my little boy is brimming with excitement. To get us in the festive spirit we have been playing the Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises game which was sent to us to review.</div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2015/12/review-orchard-toys-christmas-surprises.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-25194957230772583232020-12-05T07:00:00.001+00:002020-12-05T07:00:07.258+00:00Craft Idea: Mini Christmas Wreath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">November's Bostik Blogger craft box has a Christmas theme, hooray! I am so excited about Christmas. We were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial and I thought it would be lovely to make a Mini Christmas Wreath. If you want to see last month's Bonfire Night craft idea you can </span><a href="http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/10/craft-idea-leaf-foxes.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">find it here</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span><br>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/11/craft-idea-mini-christmas-wreath.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-26478543977532489212020-12-04T11:15:00.001+00:002020-12-04T11:15:00.279+00:00Craft Idea: Rolled Paper Snowman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">December's Bostik Blogger craft box has a snow theme, which is what Little N has been learning about this week at nursery school! We were sent lots of fab craft materials to come up with a simple craft tutorial and we made some cute rolled paper snowmen. If you want to see last month's Christmas craft idea you can </span><a href="http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2016/11/craft-idea-mini-christmas-wreath.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">find it here</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span><br>
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<div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">With Christmas fast approaching I thought it would be a good time to bust some of the breastfeeding myths. When I had my first baby I thought there were all these things that I couldn’t do, eat or drink, but it turns out that most of it was utter rubbish!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_7ukiM-XAOM/Vlc6fEsFp6I/AAAAAAAAn2Y/d9W3C1zX1-o/s1600-h/breastfeeding%252520myths%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="breastfeeding myths" border="0" height="664" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ronGpp9hx_8/Vlc6gCfjBnI/AAAAAAAAn2g/v6m0uA-dIjs/breastfeeding%252520myths_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="breastfeeding myths" width="1000"></a></div>
</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2015/12/busting-breastfeeding-myths.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-57342794738981958032020-10-28T18:09:00.002+00:002020-10-28T18:09:40.986+00:00Meet Dilly<p style="text-align: justify;">For the last decade I have really, really, reeeeally wanted a dog. A Border Terrier to be specific. A little brown beardy dog. We often talked about getting a pup, but knew we would have to wait until the children were older. Well, finally, knowing that my youngest would be starting school this year and that I would have enough time and attention to dedicate to a puppy, look who came to join our family in August!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CqJ-s9-zH83_SiSBKeEVfhSIPtBqM3e8d95XIGjMHhp7W3K81rZq2ga4po_6tafV7sFDT2tsZ4PoG10AP_YVqmRtn0jTOl4cDY5wUfBLRZ0PyD_uh6XRJtO7U2K4y5xSjTyErUwCKsg/s1920/border-terrier-puppy-dilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CqJ-s9-zH83_SiSBKeEVfhSIPtBqM3e8d95XIGjMHhp7W3K81rZq2ga4po_6tafV7sFDT2tsZ4PoG10AP_YVqmRtn0jTOl4cDY5wUfBLRZ0PyD_uh6XRJtO7U2K4y5xSjTyErUwCKsg/s16000/border-terrier-puppy-dilly.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dilly was just shy of 10 weeks old when we brought her home and now she is four months old. She has been growing so fast! And learning quickly. Though, I feel she has the same selective hearing that my children have. She has settled in beautifully and the children all adore her, and she them. She desperately wants to play with Bella, <a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2019/10/meet-our-cat.html">our cat</a>, who of course is having absolutely none of it! I doubt they will ever be the best of friends, rather happy housemates. Anyway, isn't Dilly lovely!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KAe0fnenGmOCATdDgmNNLFEbwuyPL2FOHcUkyIGQqm8vHQPc4SF2udNKSr0zchUCyppkzDlH9MtQuUpnvQSvt-N6oLO_cXwdTVutpc413u7wrhkuW4UsE9vFM8o48SNfXaSapIpiBzg/s1920/dilly-border-terrier-puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KAe0fnenGmOCATdDgmNNLFEbwuyPL2FOHcUkyIGQqm8vHQPc4SF2udNKSr0zchUCyppkzDlH9MtQuUpnvQSvt-N6oLO_cXwdTVutpc413u7wrhkuW4UsE9vFM8o48SNfXaSapIpiBzg/s16000/dilly-border-terrier-puppy.jpg" /></a></div>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-44935973648195762922020-03-05T11:14:00.001+00:002020-03-05T11:19:26.988+00:00A Rant About World Book Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Essie was having a snooze so I thought I'd scroll through the #worldbookday tag to see all the cute costumes. And lo and behold, I've come across the posts from people MOANING about modern parents.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiq5m2bSF9txZkpyZeC6G4EZJJIR4vVMtSIjmSpJgtYbWu_pKVV-9sWf7CugTgmO6KQsxSbXaM8ck8avfSbdClTJ6ncsDoyMAfIN_liCsd4g8Ujw6_Wq_N5orjxqpb1nlylP8Ubr92Bo/s1600/Screenshot_20200305-110434_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="blonde-haired-preschool-aged-boy-holding-a-blue-book" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="835" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiq5m2bSF9txZkpyZeC6G4EZJJIR4vVMtSIjmSpJgtYbWu_pKVV-9sWf7CugTgmO6KQsxSbXaM8ck8avfSbdClTJ6ncsDoyMAfIN_liCsd4g8Ujw6_Wq_N5orjxqpb1nlylP8Ubr92Bo/s1600/Screenshot_20200305-110434_Instagram.jpg" title="World Book Day Rant"></a></div>
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</div></div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2020/03/World-Book-Day-rant.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-69832685320084784432020-02-23T21:16:00.001+00:002021-01-13T19:16:23.600+00:00Review: I Am Your Friend by Billie Bacall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>I Am Your Friend</i> was kindly sent to me to review before Christmas and, after a super busy couple of months in my "other" job, I have finally had the chance to sit down and read it. And what a joyous little book it turned out to be!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYjnXsflWpL3E0iNkPGxUNtkEbCBPboMnqermxfXSiWoVDRCjqcO7iGwFPTfvpvdbQQktYkevjax2volAp-wxWmrRltLtKGR75aHCxfgWnH38pykbxkl0L4S-1sP-7H1CuDPVf-3inbY/s1600/i-am-your-friend-billie-bacall-review+%25281%2529.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYjnXsflWpL3E0iNkPGxUNtkEbCBPboMnqermxfXSiWoVDRCjqcO7iGwFPTfvpvdbQQktYkevjax2volAp-wxWmrRltLtKGR75aHCxfgWnH38pykbxkl0L4S-1sP-7H1CuDPVf-3inbY/s1600/i-am-your-friend-billie-bacall-review+%25281%2529.jpg"></a></div>
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</div></div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2020/02/review-iam-your-friend-billie-bacall.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-76809846912376973732020-02-05T11:14:00.000+00:002020-02-05T11:14:36.474+00:00Review: Baby: A Soppy Story by Philippa Rice<div style="text-align: justify;">
This gorgeous little book landed on my doormat recently after a review copy was kindly sent to me by <i><a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/vintage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vintage Publishing</a>. </i>Philippa Rice is an artist whose mediums include illustrations and comics. You might already be familiar with her webcomics that are popular on social media as they're so relatable. And that is what I love about her new book, <i>Baby: A Soppy Story.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wk6eoxilYvUTqC6hDQ5BSk3WWQ7Bis41VyvHn7u68s83HIiLGzGEkB5EO4PlBrdPiCiaWmoiK9C3GeRXWAHLXpH6a_JA_gYxfguCmx9N9torTNCcCzhM5Z8XyPRzpfKt5QTM5_LQTa0/s1600/baby-by-philippa-rice-review+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wk6eoxilYvUTqC6hDQ5BSk3WWQ7Bis41VyvHn7u68s83HIiLGzGEkB5EO4PlBrdPiCiaWmoiK9C3GeRXWAHLXpH6a_JA_gYxfguCmx9N9torTNCcCzhM5Z8XyPRzpfKt5QTM5_LQTa0/s1600/baby-by-philippa-rice-review+%25282%2529.jpg"></a></div>
<a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2020/02/review-baby-philippa-rice.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-55820435576364733052020-01-21T10:12:00.000+00:002020-02-05T10:27:39.802+00:00Mini Review: Lullaby by Leila Slimani<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently I learned that reading a good book for just 6 minutes a day can reduce stress by 68%, and I know that when I make the time to read I definitely feel more relaxed. So this year I am making sure I read a little every day. And I'm also challenging myself to read at least 50 books this year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEpVCOIHtFfpGAp79s8xKeZC9JjCKk9xad1xO_xRt3KuMqmeo3-vV6_7hQA0soV4X79TdOHie39Ir339wAyG70PoOOg68TX2WcHdssai1obR-HCefBx9AD_5YlB2ud39MuXcKifYkU1I/s1600/lullaby-leila-slimani-review.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEpVCOIHtFfpGAp79s8xKeZC9JjCKk9xad1xO_xRt3KuMqmeo3-vV6_7hQA0soV4X79TdOHie39Ir339wAyG70PoOOg68TX2WcHdssai1obR-HCefBx9AD_5YlB2ud39MuXcKifYkU1I/s1600/lullaby-leila-slimani-review.jpg"></a></div>
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</div><a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2020/01/review-lullaby-leila-slimani.html#more">Continue reading »</a>Sianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139643044836739933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743775917250773115.post-48725386739613285992019-11-25T12:48:00.002+00:002019-11-25T12:55:53.400+00:00Bella Loves: Christmas Treats for Cats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As the festive season draws closer, I have a slightly different Christmas gift guide for you this year: this one is all about spoiling Bella, our pet cat! Now I know you're probably thinking, "it's a cat, cats haven't got a clue about Christmas!" However, since <a href="https://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/2019/10/meet-our-cat.html" target="_blank">joining us last month</a> Bella is very much a part of the family and deserves to be spoilt as much as the rest of us.</div>
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