Toddler Art

It's fun when little ones start getting creative! V has been really into painting, gluing and sticking recently and we've been stocking up on craft supplies like tissue paper, feathers, pipe cleaners, buttons and glitter. Here are some pretty autumnal pictures he made at our local craft group this morning. Are your kids into craft and if so what are their favourite activities?

Days out in Glasgow: Pollok Country Park

This is one of our favourite places to spend a day in Glasgow. The beautiful estate on the city's Southside provides a haven for walking, playing and picnicking just a few minutes' journey from the city centre. Earlier in the week we enjoyed a rather damp and very autumnal-feeling picnic overlooking the White Cart Water next to Pollok House (pictured above). When living in or visiting Glasgow you must learn to enjoy being out and about in wet weather a lot of the time!

Aged sixteen I had my first job working at the tearoom in the old kitchens of this house, so I've spent far too much time here! But historic houses fill me with a sense of magic and I still love exploring the rooms and passages of this fascinating eighteenth century home. It provides an insight into the aristocratic life of the Maxwell family, particularly during the 1930s, complete with El Greco and Goya paintings on the walls. The surrounding gardens are gorgeous too.

Also housed within the grounds of Pollok Park is The Burrell Collection: one of the city's best museums and art collections. We can't visit the park without a good run around the big play park opposite the Burrell.

My favourite park in the world. Please don't miss this out on any visit to Glasgow!

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Yesterday morning we dashed out to Waterstones, where my husband and I each picked up a copy of Donna Tartt's long-awaited new novel! The hardback edition is a beautifully made book and I can't wait to get stuck into it. Her first novel, The Secret History, is one of my all-time favourites.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Pink Coat

You may have been wondering the reason all the fashion magazines are telling you to buy a pink coat this winter. The truth is, it's because of me. Last year I picked up this sugary pink number in a junk shop for £5 and wore it all winter. Obviously I was spotted by a few fashion editors and now the catwalks are rife with coats in all shades from pastel to fuschia. It's a tough life being a trendsetter ;)

I'm linking up with Fashion Friday:

And What I Wore Wednesday:

Budget beauty must-haves

Here are a few recent makeup discoveries that have become favourites of mine. What these all have in common is that they are easy to use and none of them have a decadent price tag. Along with some bronzer, blush and eyeshadow this was all the makeup I felt the need to take on holiday with me.

Rimmel scandal eyes retro glam mascara in black. I will resist spending £20 plus on fancy mascaras for a while after using this: it's as good as anything else I've tried, including my favourite Diorshow mascara. Although it doesn't have a rose petal fragrance like the Dior!

Bourjois color boost glossy finish lipstick in peach on the beach. This is a nice balmy formula and lovely brightening peachy shade.

Collection eyebrow definer in blonde. I've mentioned this before and I use this most days now on my brows, in spite of being someone who used to shy away from eyebrow pencils. It's subtle and easy to use. Not to mention very cheap.

Maybelline dream pure BB cream in light. This is a BB cream for oily skin with SPF 15. It actually works brilliantly for my oily skin, something I never expected from a BB cream. It was great on holiday in place of my usual moisturiser and foundation and I liked it so much I've continued to use it at home.

Have you tried any of these products, or do you have any budget beauty favourites you'd recommend?

Furniture finds

One man's trash is another man's treasure! Here is a nicely shaped chair that I found out on the street near my house recently. I'm looking out for a suitable bit of fabric to cover the seat and restore this chair to new glories. Do you like to rescue and recycle old pieces of furniture for your home?

Update!

Due to a rather spontaneous holiday in Barcelona, I've been absent from blogging for a little while. We've had a wonderful time and are now settled back in at home, so I'm looking forward to getting back into writing the blog and catching up on my blog roll too. Expect some upcoming posts on Barcelona and travelling with a toddler. It's good to be back!