The Hotlist: The Best Things to Do in August

We won’t mention the weather. Just that a new stylish spa has opened, there are some great things to do for you, and for the kids. And Emily in Paris is back! Enjoy…

Relax at This Stylish New Spa

The Spa Terrace, Hoar Cross Hall
The Spa Terrace, Hoar Cross Hall

It’s not even August 1st, but we’re already tired! Take the break you need and book into the spa at Hoar Cross Hall, which has just had a 3-million-pound extension. We’ll be honest: it was already pretty spectacular, but now the luxury spa has a spa terrace of dreams, with outside pools, a relaxation room, a sauna, a lounge boasting bar, cabanas and fire pits. And the inside is just as good, with state-of-the-art facilities and a snooze room to boot.

Find out more

Get 10% off COOK *If You’re a New Parent

COOK New Parent Meals
COOK New Parent Meals

A well-stocked freezer with healthy and wholesome cooked meals is essential for all new parents, and COOK is giving parents 10% off for the first year after their baby arrives. Alongside this offer, they now have great options and boxes to buy for yourself or as a gift. From The Positive Birth Company & COOK Meal Box, a 7 Nights of Meals for New Parents and a New Mums Survival Box. We couldn’t love them more!

Find out more

Fruit Themed Fun for the Whole Family…

innocent crushing it summer games
innocent crushing it summer games

Olympian Greg Rutherford has partnered with innocent Drinks to help parents get more fruit and veg into their children this summer. The juice and smoothie brand hosted the ‘innocent crushing it summer games’, a free two-day event in London designed to make fruit and veg fun for the whole family. Nutritionist Lily Soutter says, “Events like this can engage children and build positive associations with fruit and vegetables, which makes it more likely that they will happily consume them”. innocent have also launched a series of summer challenges to keep little ones entertained over the holiday and into the new school term, including a fruit themed workout hosted by Greg himself. Simply click the link and sign up below to receive a free activity pack with wallcharts, stickers and certificates.

Find out more

Make Summer Plans That The Rain Can’t Spoil

Arcade X, Battersea
Arcade X, Battersea

Looking for a place to meet up with friends sans kids? Then head to ArcadeX, a new outdoor food and drink venue near Battersea Power Station. With live DJs and three bars, it also has a retractable roof, so you won’t have to cancel plans if it rains.

Find out more

Lay on a Bed That Mimics A Full-Night Sleep

Aquavibe Bed, The Spa @ Fairmont Windsor Park
Aquavibe Bed, The Spa @ Fairmont Windsor Park

Home to the forward thinking FaceBible Clinic led by Dr Raj Arora, who offers leading skin treatments and medical advice. The Spa at Fairmont Windsor Park also offers some pretty extraordinary facilities and treatments. One of which is their innovative AquaVibe bed which should probably be prescribed for all new mums.
The sensory sound and vibration waterbed gives you ultimate relaxation in a 20 minute £60 treatment using gentle music or meditative speech. This is set alongside vibration and light therapy which uplifts, relaxes and de-stress your mind and body.
All you have to do is lay down, put on some goggles and listen. And the result is that you leave feeling rested, relaxed and recharged.

Book Here

Read This…

I Love Romcoms & I am a Feminist
I Love Romcoms & I am a Feminist

Need a pick-me-up? This hilarious and uplifting read celebrates 100 of the best romantic comedies of all time. From Barbie to Muriel’s Wedding and It Happened One Night to 13 Going on 30, this book will validate your love of romcoms and prove they have always had your back.

Find out more

Hire Out Your Own Kids Town

Pocket Towns
Pocket Towns

Pocket Towns is launching this summer and is the first wooden interactive town for children that is both portable and hireable. They’ll also be exclusively launching at The Grove Hotel from July 27th, so if you’re planning a visit, make sure you check it out. Suitable for children aged between 18 months and 7 years.

Find out more

Shop Your Holiday Essentials…

Planning a getaway? These three new items (including a Loewe bag dupe) will elevate your holiday wardrobe.

Get Help With Nap Times…

The Napper App
The Napper App

Need help with your baby’s nap times? Finding online routines too standardised? This app is a complete lifesaver and gives you a more personal outline. First, you input their data, and then after a few days, the app starts to calculate when your baby is due a sleep, which is helpful if you’re wondering why they’re being a bit of a knob.

Download now

Watch This…

Bad Monkey, Apple TV, August 14th
Bad Monkey, Apple TV, August 14th

A new Vince Vaughn comedy where he stars as a former police detective who has been relegated to a restaurant inspector. But when a group of tourists discover a severed arm, he realizes that if he can solve this murder, he might be able to weasel himself back into the Miami Police Department.

Watch here
Emily in Paris, Season 4, Netflix, August 15th
Emily in Paris, Season 4, Netflix, August 15th

We’ve been waiting for this since we watched the last episode of Bridgerton. And this season looks full of chaos, romance, and drama, and, as the trailer suggests, ‘hot men’!

Watch here
Only Murders in the Building, Season 4, Disney Plus, August 27th
Only Murders in the Building, Season 4, Disney Plus, August 27th

Another one of our favourite shows is back and Meryl Streep is coming back with our favourite crime solving trio. Alongside the normal cast the show will star Molly Shannon, Eugene Levy, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Galifianakis, and the hilarious Melissa McCarthy.

Watch Here

WATCH THE TRAILER

Listen to This…

Dear Gabby Podcast
Dear Gabby Podcast

We got this recommendation from Millie Mackintosh, who pointed us to the episode ‘How to Turn Obstacles into Opportunities’. And since then, we’ve been hooked listening to Gabby’s insightful episodes. Whether it’s on a rainy or sunny walk or in the car, it’s helped engage our brains, when the kids are melting them.

Listen now

Join Us at Camp Bestival Shropshire

Join Us for an Exclusive Mum Club Festival Experience
Join Us for an Exclusive Mum Club Festival Experience

Make some excellent plans this August and join us at Camp Bestival Shropshire. Buy a weekend ticket, let us know you’re coming, and then we’ll add you to our exclusive list, which will give you access to the Paradise Garden area.

Get your name on the list
Jellycat Fish and Chips, Selfridges London
Jellycat Fish and Chips, Selfridges London

We’re big fans of Jellycat, and their new Fish & Chips themed shop has landed at Selfridges London. The brand-new and globally exclusive collection features culinary characters inspired by the British dish. Book your slot and make your order from Jellycat’s Fish & Chips van.

Find out more

11 Things They (*And You) Need for Starting School

How did we get here? It only feels like yesterday that we were swimming in a sea of nappies and Googling different shades of poo.

Now they’re all grown up and heading off for big school.

So, to help you with this momentous next step, here is a list of the things that will help you and them start school.

For Them

Raincoat
Raincoat

They go outside no matter the weather, so a pack-away waterproof is essential as it takes up less space. Perfect for putting on to keep dry in unexpected showers. *Tip: Always size up to account for jumpers.

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Backpack
Backpack

We think we might have found the cutest school backpack of all time, a great way to have fun with colour. For an extra special touch you could have their name embroidered on it and it would look so sweet!

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Water Bottle
Water Bottle

This is a brilliant water bottle that’s built to withstand a great deal of wear and tear and has a little straw that’s perfect for small mouths.

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Wellies
Wellies

You may be asked to bring in a pair of wellies that are kept at school. We particularly love a bold block colour as they’re the perfect mix of smart and cute and then you can save the fun ones for home.

Buy Now
Lunchbox
Lunchbox

These lunchboxes are great for keeping everything seperate, even yoghurt!

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Black Patent Leather Girls Rip-Tape T-Bar First School Shoes
Black Patent Leather Girls Rip-Tape T-Bar First School Shoes

These shoes feature a lightweight and flexible sole with padded ankle collars to give natural, unrestricted movement on most surfaces. Leather linings help to absorb moisture and keep little feet dry and comfy. And we love the rip-tape straps to encourage independence.

Buy Now
Tags, Tags and More Tags
Tags, Tags and More Tags

“If your kids have attended pre school you’ll be use to labelling but you might not have heard of this system. We have used these tags from day one and they are still going strong 4 years later. Get some sticker name labels too for shoes and things like bottles and lunch boxes. They will lose things and these are your best bet at ever seeing anything again.”

Luzaan Shaw – TMC Style and Content Creator

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Strong Girls/Brave Boys Club Patches
Strong Girls/Brave Boys Club Patches

We love this idea. You fix the badge inside their coat or wherever makes sense and it serves as a reminder that they’re brave and strong, and that you’re always with them.

Buy Now

For You

Tracksuit
Tracksuit

The ultimate school run uniform for mums, easy to throw on, comfy and stylish.

Buy Now
Calm Patches
Calm Patches

For first day drop off, when you get a call from their teacher and just general life.

Buy Now
Raincoat
Raincoat

An easy waterproof that you can chuck on quickly that works with jeans or sweats. Because it always starts pouring right when it’s time to drop them off and pick them up. It’s just the way it goes!

Buy Now

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.

The Best Lo and Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Whether you’re pregnant or cutting back on the booze *because who can deal with hangovers anymore? You might want to check out our list of the best lo and non-alcoholic drinks.

Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

Sakura Paloma by Lockdown Liquor & Co
Sakura Paloma by Lockdown Liquor & Co

Buy Now

Best Lo Alcohol Gin Alternative

DECEM London Dry
DECEM London Dry

Buy Now

Best Non-Alcoholic Aperitive

Botivo Batch 21
Botivo Batch 21

Buy Now

Best Non-Alcoholic Red Wine

NON7 Stewed Cherry & Coffee Sparkling Red Wine
NON7 Stewed Cherry & Coffee Sparkling Red Wine

Buy Now

Best Non-Alcoholic White Wine

Wednesday's Domaïne Piquant White Wine
Wednesday’s Domaïne Piquant White Wine

Buy Now

Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine

Sprigster Garden Brut
Sprigster Garden Brut

Buy Now

Best Non-Alcoholic Canned Mocktails

Brink Negroni & Margarita Bundle
Brink Negroni & Margarita Bundle

Buy Now

Best Non-Alcoholic Beer

Jump Ship Brewing Yardarm Lager
Jump Ship Brewing Yardarm Lager

Buy Now

10 Tedious Things About Parenting

We love our children, but being a parent is bloody annoying sometimes—especially when we’ve only slept for three hours.

The Cleaning is Relentless (and gets you nowhere)

From scrubbing hard cereal because someone forgot to wipe it (no names). To sterilising bottles for the 367th time.
Our standards are lowered, and the house is now spotless for only 4.5 seconds after the cleaner has been.
*Or when our MIL comes around.

They Don’t Like Bluey as Much as We Do

Screentime can be essential for getting sh*t done. But there comes a point when children realise they can choose. And then it’s ‘See ya Ben & Holly!’ and ‘Hello bizarre brain-mushing ASMR videos’… and the grating sound of Blippee.

They’ll Be Sick in the Night and Fine in the Morning

If you’re not awake trying to calm or Calpol them, then you’re in a state of insomnia, worrying that they’re dying in their room.
Cue morning. You rush in, and yep, they’re completely fine.
If anything, they’ve got more energy than ever.
We’re grateful and everything. But. What. The. Actual…

The Playground is Only Fun for Five Minutes

Hanging around swings was way more fun when we were 15, and vodka was involved.
At least for a few more years (or months – gulp!), they’ll believe us that it’s closed.

Being Awake in the Middle of the Night Is a Thing

We thought we’d be good at being up all night with all the practice we had. However, it appears feeding or dealing with a tiny crying human can feel pretty tedious. Especially with a very snorey co-parent next to you.

You Need to Watch Them

If they’re not at the stage of asking you to watch them (which is SO fun btw). Then, you have to make sure you keep an eye on them at all times. And when you don’t, they’ll either injure themselves or cause more mess than you can actually physically imagine.

You Make All the Meals – That No One Eats!

You slave for hours making a homemade fish pie that they throw on the floor, only to end up feeding them a banana, a yoghurt or a bit of toast.

Crouching Next to Them Waiting for a Poo

Ahh, toilet training. Aka: You and a cold bathroom floor, waiting for the plop.

You Now Have SO Many Appointments

From the person who hasn’t managed to book a dental or eye appointment in 8 years. You’re now in charge of scheduling and booking 37 appointments a year.
And don’t forget that bloody red book!!!

You’ve (Without Consent) Been Appointed Chief Restocker

“Are there any nappies upstairs?” “Where are the wipes?” “Those shoes look a bit small!”
Yep! Even though you’re spending every waking (and non-waking) hour looking after an unreasonable human that you grew.
Everyone from your MIL to your partner thinks you’re really f*cking up if the nappy caddy isn’t in order.
You know where the shop is people. Off you trot!

The Best Throw-It Together Food Bowls

Healthy, tasty and, best of all – easy!

The Really Tasty One

Chicken Fajita Burrito Bowl
Chicken Fajita Burrito Bowl

Healthy fajitas = our favourite way to be good.

Recipe

The One We’d Happily Eat Every Day

Bang Bang Halloumi
Bang Bang Halloumi

Halloumi is always a good idea. Combining sweet and salty halloumi with an Asian-inspired peanut butter dressing and hearty grains, this buddha bowl is a filling and satisfying meal.

Recipe

The Breakfast Inspired Bowls

5 Breakfast Bowl Recipes That Make Life Easy
5 Breakfast Bowl Recipes That Make Life Easy

Simple, delicious and quick to make. Breakfast bowls are the perfect way to get all the good stuff together into one glorious creation.

Recipes

The One We Eat on Repeat

Spicy Salmon Bowl
Spicy Salmon Bowl

Serve with rice or salad and a large covering of your favourite spicy or sweet chilli sauce.

Recipe

The One That Boosts Your Mood

High-Vibe Healing Bowl
High-Vibe Healing Bowl

The vibrant colours from all the gorgeous veg in this rice bowl will make you feel alive and boost your mood. Fermented pickles will give your gut some TLC and the tahini dressing with garlic, ginger, honey and turmeric will help protect your immunity.

Recipe

What to Wear This Week

Our summer uniform. *Unless it rains (again!).

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.

The Best Personalised Jewellery Brands

Whether it’s a sentimental initial or name. Or it’s your own. We’re into them all.

Don’t forget The Mum Club Members get 20% off Initialled and Rachel Jackson

Get 20% off here

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.

Tu at Sainsbury’s is Seriously Good Right Now

We love a bit of Tu. And right now it’s better than ever. So move fast as these items won’t be around for long.

For You

Baby & Toddler

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.

6 Ready Meals We Actually Rate

Pre-made foods that we don’t feel guilty about eating or serving ever!

For Us

Frive
Frive

“This is great for weeks when I don’t have time to cook healthy meals for myself.”
Style and Content Creator, Luzaan Shaw

Find Out More
Chefly
Chefly

“These are such nice ready made meals. I usually get them when my husband is away and I don’t have time to cook meals for myself.”
Email Marketing & CRM Co-Ordinator, Andi Venardos

Find Out More
Iceland King Prawn Linguine
Iceland King Prawn Linguine

“This has a crazy fan base and people (including me) are obsessed with it. It’s so affordable and the sauce and prawns are such high-quality, all you have to do is add pasta and it’s good to go.”
TMC Editor, Lydia House

Buy Now

For Them

Pots for Tots
Pots for Tots

“I love these little pots, they are handmade, dietitian-approved and you keep them in your freezer. So handy when you need a quick meal and you don’t want to give them pizza or eggs on toast again.”
Brand Partnerships Manager, Charlotte Rooney

Find Out More
Cook Kids
Cook Kids

“Everyone knows COOK are great for providing large homemade meals that are brilliant for big family dinners. But not everyone knows about their kids range and dishes like their fish pie and the dinosaur chicken pie are a huge hit in my household.”
TMC Franchise Co-Ordinator, Jessica Aanensen

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Rumble Tums
Rumble Tums

“My Daughter loves these so much. She likes choosing which one she’ll have from the freezer as the packaging is really fun. They were created with a leading nutrionist, so not only do they look and taste good, i know they’re healthy too.”
TMC Designer, Jen Williamson

Read Our Review

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.

Our Favourite Time-Saving Foods

We’re all about saving time – especially in the early-days of motherhood, when you feel like you’re spinning 3000 plates.


Here are the foods that make life so much easier…

How to Fasten Up Home-Cooked Meals
1.
How to Fasten Up Home-Cooked Meals

“These are a total gamechanger. We initially bought a mix of kids and adult blocks, but now we just buy the adult ones as I find I always make sure the fridge has kid-friendly food in it, but often I forget about us. These are packed full of veg and nutrients, and you can serve them with veg, protein or carbs or use them to make things like baked eggs. And sometimes we just eat them on their own.”

TMC Editor, Lydia House

Find out more
A Prep-Free and Delicious Treat
2.
A Prep-Free and Delicious Treat

“I love these crêpes; I buy them for my kids, but I eat them too. They don’t contain any artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, or palm oil, and they’re so tasty! They’re great to give after a busy day or on the go.”

TMC Co-Founder, Jessica Lawes

Find out more
Easy-Peasy Perfect Risotto
3.
Easy-Peasy Perfect Risotto

“I can never manage to perfect risotto when I cook it from scratc. It’s one of those things that the time and effort you put in, never seems to be worth it. That was until I found this bag in Waitrose, and since then, I’ve always kept some in my freezer. It’s a basic mix of veg and risotto. But if you add some parmesan, extra veg, and chicken or fish, it becomes the most incredible dish.”

TMC Brand Partnerships Manager, Charlotte Sacks

Shop now
The Speediest Home-Made Snack
4.
The Speediest Home-Made Snack

“I make these all the time and they’re so easy to create. I whisk an egg with leftover dinner veggies, add potato to fill them up and then pour the mix into a muffin tray and then whack them in the oven. I bulk make them, so they’re good to use all week – if and when I need them. They work for breakfast, lunch, dinner, an on-the-go snack.”


TMC Co-Founder Lauren Webber

Recipe
The Quickest Hack for Staying Healthy
5.
The Quickest Hack for Staying Healthy

“These are so great to keep in your freezer, as sometimes even the thought of what to put in a smoothie can feel too much for my brain. I often make one straight after nursery drop-off so when I sit down to work, I have something healthy to sip when hunger strikes. It helps me avoid unhealthy snacks and means I’m more likely to choose a more nutritious lunch.”

TMC Designer, Jen Williamson

Shop Now

Our editorial team has selected all products on this page; however, we may make a commission on some products.

Lingerie To Make You Feel Good Again

*It’s time for a clear out people!

The Sets That Will Make You Feel Sexy Again

Comfortable lace separates that offer as much support as you need…

New Mum Essentials

The best nursing bralette, the comfiest post-birth item and a sports bra that allows you to feed.

Your Everydays

Your superhero trio to wear with t-shirts, dresses and more.

Outfit Fixers

The best strapless and shapewear items we’ve found.

CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEXT

Our Favourite Homemade Ice Lolly Recipes

Upping their 5-a-day intake without a fight.

Fruit & Veg Ice Lollies
Fruit & Veg Ice Lollies

These zero-sugar fruit and veggie lollies are delicious and not just a healthy treat but they’re also great for soothing sore gums if your little one is teething.

Recipe
Avocado & Chocolate Ice Lollies
Avocado & Chocolate Ice Lollies

Lollies that taste and look yummy but are still full of goodness.

Recipe
Mango Gelato Lollies
Mango Gelato Lollies

One that’s great for your gut and takes no time at all.

Recipe
Raspberry Pina Colada Kid Pops
Raspberry Pina Colada Kid Pops

Moreish raspberry Piña colada ice pops that are so quick to whip together.

Recipe

How To Sleep Better In Pregnancy – What Worked For Us

What helped us sleep better in pregnancy

There’s so much advice out there to help you sleep better in pregnancy and while cutting back on caffeine and drinking all your water in the morning is great advice, you are probably still not sleeping.

We were the same, and these are the things we used to help us drift off. No judgement, please…..  

TMC Editor, Lydia: Cool those hot pregnant legs

I had cooling gel for every day and then a pack of those deep freeze cool patches you get from boots – that I kept for when things were really bad. Or I used to rest my feet on a picnic ice block to help me sleep.  

Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel
Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel

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TMC Editorial Assistant, Luzaan: Tell your partner to piss off!

Seriously you need your space – so buy them a new pillow as an apology and see them on their way. Apparently, you can sleep anywhere if you have a good pillow.

Tempur Comfort Cloud Standard Support Pillow
Tempur Comfort Cloud Standard Support Pillow

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TMC Brand Partnership Assistant, Andi: Borrow his boxers.

Andi, Lydia and Lauren admits that when their bump was huge they slept in their husband’s boxers – comfy but nawt that sexy. Try these instead. Great for post-party too!

Maternity Banded High Waisted Briefs
Maternity Banded High Waisted Briefs

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TMC Co-Founder, Jess: The most luxurious sleep pillow.

I’ve been pregnant three times, and I’ve tried out a lot of pillows. My advice is just to get this and be naked. Jess Franchise Co-Ordinator says” I also rate this pillow. Mine’s still going strong 4 years later. It’s the comfiest back rest for a rare cup of tea in bed.”

bbhugme Biofoam Pregnancy Pillow
bbhugme Biofoam Pregnancy Pillow

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TMC Co-Founder, Lauren: Help ease restless legs.

Got yourself some fidgety limbs? There’s nothing worse and I really suffered until I started taking magnesium supplements. You need to check with your GP first to see if it’s ok but it’s well worth an apt if you can because from my experience it helped me a lot.

Beauty Pie Daily Magnesium Capsules
Beauty Pie Daily Magnesium Capsules

Buy now

TMC Franchise Co-Ordinator, Jess: I’m tired, but I can’t get to sleep.

Yeah, annoying that, isn’t it? Try listening to some meditation just before you attempt your snooze, it also helps with weird dreams as a lot of them are caused by built-up anxiety you’ve stored up throughout the day. I listened to Headspace’s Midnight Launderette so much that I could probably recite it.

Midnight Launderette From Headspace Full Sleepcast
Midnight Launderette From Headspace Full Sleepcast

Listen Now

TMC Brand Partnership Manager, Charlie: Get yourself some sexy socks.

My feet were one hot issue, and these saved me!

Ankle Ice Pack Wrap
Ankle Ice Pack Wrap

Buy Now

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.

What to Wear This Week