Sundown Adventureland

A couple of weeks ago we went to what has become my children's favourite place on Earth- Sundown Adventure Land, near Retford, in Lincolnshire.

 

It is a small, independent theme park specifically for the under tens. Perfect! We recently took them to Alton Towers & there was literally nothing for them to do & the sheer number of loud, noisy, pushy teens running around ruined the day. Not here. Not at Sundown! Their website even goes so far to say it is unsuitable for teens. Not terribly 'PC' in this day but frankly I love it! It is a theme park for tiny tots, after all.

The park is a little worn & could do with a lick of paint or two but honestly, I think this just adds to the charm. It reminds me of childhood days at Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight, or Paultons Park ( it's a hoot hoot, at Paultons Park!), before they built Peppa Pig World there. It's the sort of place you will only find in England & for me, that makes it very wonderful indeed.

There are different themed areas including a Wild West high street, a pirate galleon, a miniature toy town, a delightful sweeties themed castle & two indoor play areas.

We started our day, as always, on our favorite ride- the barrel river!

 

Grace is very proud to always be the very first rider every time we visit the park!

Then on to the pirate galleon & fanastic village!

Each 'shop' here is full of an activity, eg ball pit, slide, climbing rope, firemans pole, maze! And they are all interconnected by walkways & tunnels. We could spend the whole day in this bit alone!

In the middle of this village are some lovely climbing frames, a seesaw & cute rocking sharks & dolpins!

 

 

Next we took a ride on the 'Rocky Mountain Railroad' in the Wild West area.

Again, the theming here is brilliant, lots to look at & a lovely 'story' to the ride.

Another ride is the "Tractor Ride"

Again, really lovely theming- lots for little ones to look out for!

There is an amazing 'Angry Birds' play park for the older ones but for the younger ones, there is a jungle themed play park. It has the best swings in the whole world. Ever.

And some really awesome rides;

If you just want to explore, there is a cute little nursery rhyme/children's story world with little house from some well loved story's, like, Goldilocks, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin& the Three Little Pigs. All telling their own story & with little activities to occupy little fingers!

It really is a wonderful day out I could go on about it for hours but, if you live within an hour & a halts drive of it, I would most definitely recommend a trip there!

 

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Happy Days

Today has been a happy day. A lovely day. We have been busy in the garden, cooking, tidying & playing.

Especially playing.

 

When Grace was little, her favourite thing, like so many millions of other children, was Peppa Pig. So of course, Father Christmas bought her every single toy available at the time.

Luckily all my children love Peppa, especially Eve. So today we got out all the old toys & they played constantly.

 

We had some incredible story lines, they just amaze me with their imaginations sometimes!

 

All three of them were so engrossed.

 

Even Hugh, who is all about Batman & Ninja Turtles at the moment still played happily with his sisters.

 

My favourite story was the children going off on a school camping trip, it raining & them all sheltering under a book (tent), singing the 'Bing bong' song!

At one point, Grace decided it was 'Christmas Eve' & made Peppa & George go caroling to the castle, leave mince pies for Father Christmas & then come down on Christmas morning to find new bikes under the tree!

 

 

 

It was a really simple thing. Rediscovering much adored old toys & enjoying them all over again. I could have watched them all day.

I hope you had a wonderful day too,

 

Love Kitty x

 

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Denim Free Challenge

Last week I had a 'Denim Disaster'.You can read about it here. I set myself a challenge, I would live for one whole week without wearing jeans!

So, how did I get on?

Well, honestly, not that bad. I did have to think a little more than I normally would, mainly about the suitability of the outfit for the occasion. I rather enjoyed it though, it felt sort of liberating, and I started to like planning my outfits the night before, I was forced to spend time thinking about me & I could not feel guilty about it.

 

 

 

Sunday was just spent in the house because of the rainy weather so it was just yoga pants & a cashmere tee. I am not showing anyone a photo of that!

 

Monday was swimming lessons then back home to do a little baking. I chose white Capri pants & a navy striped GAP tshirt. Taking a 3 year old swimming with a 20month old in tow means I need to keep my hands free! So I wore a trusty Cath Kidston mini saddle bag.(unfortunately this great style was discontinued a while back, similar here) Which just lightened the mood & gave me a more casual look.

Capri pants, Star by Julien McDonald for Debenhams

T-shirt, GAP similar

This, in retrospect was a silly choice. Trying to keep dry at swimming, then trying not to get ingredients all over me was a nightmare!

 

 

Tuesday I had to go grocery shopping. So I wore black cotton trousers with a white Breton and light grey cardigan. I carried my Louis Vuitton Damier Ebène Neverfull MM.

Trousers, Jaeger. Similar

Top, GAP, similar

Cardigan, Jasper Conran similar

 

 

Wednesday was a quick play date with a friend & her boys so I wore jade green capris (boy was I getting brave now!) with green vest top & green cardigan

 

 

Thursday I took my girls for a little shopping trip to stock up their autumn/winter wardrobes (but that's a-whole-nother post!) I went back to my white capris, but this time, pared with a caramel tshirt & my favourite cardigan & a Gucci shoulder bag.

 

White capris as before

Tshirt, ASOS. Similar

Cardigan , TK Maxx

 

 

Friday I spent with my lovely family & I chose my favorite outfit;

 

My maxi dress! I cannot begin to describe how much I love this dress. Firstly, it feels like you're wrapped in the lightest of silk, it moves beautifully & hangs just perfectly. It's sexy but sophisticated & great fun too. I love it & especially how I feel when I wear it. I got it from a tiny boutique in a town not far from where I live but unfortunately they aren't online & I can't find anything even remotely similar, but I do hope you find the maxi dress of your dreams too!

 

My long awaited jeans arrived on Friday & I do love them, but I am having trouble finding tops to go with them, I'll have a think & post some pics to show everyone.

I did enjoy my jean free week - it was very liberating, but I am glad I finally have some denim back in my wardrobe!

 

 

Love Kitty x

 

 

 

 

 

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Denim Disaster! And a Challenge...

Oh god.

 

Crap

 

My favourite jeans have completely worn away on the inner thigh seam, leaving a very unflattering hole.

 

I've been trying to order a new pair but they have been out of stock in my size for weeks.

 

And, they are still out of stock. Bollocks.

 

I've ordered a different pair, that I am a bit in love with, from Phase Eight, but they won't be here til next weekend.

 

So I've decided to set myself a challenge. As a mum of 3, living on a (non working) farm in rural Lincolnshire I probably wear jeans a little too much, ok, yes, every day. But I'm not a slouchy, scruffy denim girl, mine are all nicely fitted & rather on the dressier side. But I still live in my comfort zone of jeans, no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise. So, here goes;

 

I will go for one whole, entire week & not wear my blue jeans once. That is a promise. Well, I can't anyway because they are- sob, broken! And of course, I promise to be 'glamorously chic' whilst doing it!

 

Wish me luck! I will report back next Friday with a post just brimming with all my outfits!

 

 

Love Kitty x

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Autumn Boden Picks For Girls

A couple of days ago the Boden Autumn kids catalogue arrived. Oh dear. I want it all. I can just see my little darlings looking oh so chic & 'English humour' whilst poking things with sticks & having 'explores' like Pooh Bear. But of course my husband would actually die (or kill me, either way, not good) if I bought absolutely everything I want. So, here is my favourites, that will, most definitely be on my little ones this autumn/ winter;

 

Grace

 

Firstly, this beautiful, yet very practical 'Easy Jersey' dress;

From £20 it will be perfect for everything from long beach walks to shopping trips. She will have to have it in this deep 'cadburys' shade of purple too. If only so she can wear these genius tights!;

Quite seriously, how utterly incredible are these? They're fun, pretty, practical & childish. Exactly what clothes for little children should be. I will definitely be buying these for her, I have a real problem with people thinking she is older than her seven years. She is extremely tall & because of this has to wear 8-9, but frequently 9-10 & that is where the problems start. High street shops all seem to think ten year olds should, or want to dress like 19 year olds, so it is a constant battle to find things that fit & at the same time, let her be the little girl she is. So, yes! Definitely buying these!

Whilst we are talking of pretty, fun, appropriate clothes, there is this darling cardigan;

A tad pricey, it starts from £30, this I can justify as it will definitely be kept & handed down to her sister.

 

I fell completely in love with this 'Simple Cord Dress', from £24

Purely because of the colour. This is the perfect shade of teal to bring out her big blue eyes. Just lovely! And the cardigan above will look very cute with it!

And the last dress is this 'Pretty Printed Cord Dress' from £28

This continues the hedgehog/woodland creatures them I find myself indulging in every autumn! So cute!

 

Everyday, or at least that's what it feels like I have a constant battle with Grace about trousers (or jeans, or cords or anything at all that isn't a dress). I want her to wear them, she would rather pull her teeth out. I do normally win, but she has the last laugh by inflicting misery & strops on the whole family for the rest of the day. But! I am so in love with this entire look I will suffer the whining because, to quote Mother Gothel, "Mother knows best- take it from your mama!"

Jeans, from £22

Glittery Graphic Tee from £14

Glitter Belt, £12

Glitter ballet flats, from £28

 

Eve

 

Strangely, I hardly found any bits I really 'had to have' for Eve. Except this one outfit that she will have to have,

Applicque Cord Pinnie, from £24

Ribbed tights, 2 pack, from £12 I will put the teal ones with this Pinnie

This beautiful baby cardigan, from £18, will complete the look & also go with many of her other pieces.

 

So, these are my absolute 'must have's girls picks from A/W14 Boden, what are yours?

These are completely my own opinions.

 

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