How To Hide Your Kid’s Plastic ToysRead More No matter how long you hold out, the plastic will come. You’ll think it won’t, but just like the co-sleeper crib you set out with the best intentions, or an… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 23 May 2023 How To Hide Your Kid’s Plastic Toys No matter how long you hold out, the plastic will come. You’ll think it won’t, but just like the co-sleeper crib you set out with the best intentions, or an iPad at a restaurant table, nothing ever works out quite the way you planned. But they’ll love it, which ultimately gives you a sweet minute to yourself. And if we don’t buy it, Grandma will. So here are beautiful ways to store it, so we can all pretend our homes are instagram worthy. C’mon, just a corner? Aykasa £24.50 H&M £24.99 John Lewis £40 Ikea £50 Mustard Made £319 Zara £69.99 Edit 58 £85 Zara £69.99 Grimms £48.99 GLTC £88 (Sale) Play & Go £33 H&M £69.99 H&M £22.99 Buddy & Hope £21 Gimars £14.99 Little Dutch £53.96 Ikea £45 Graham & Green £38 Tags 2minuteread, newDesign
5 Ways to Style Up Simple Black LeggingsRead More Whether it’s for lounging, comfort, or the gym. Black leggings are a staple item we all rely on. But they don’t have to be boring. Read the best ways to… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 18 October 2022 5 Ways to Style Up Simple Black Leggings Whether it’s for lounging, comfort, or the gym. Black leggings are a staple item we all rely on. But they don’t have to be boring. Read the best ways to style up this classic piece of clothing. How to make black gym leggings look stylish Adding black calf boots or knee-high boots to your outfit gives the illusion of a longer leg, as well as smartening up the look. Style it with an oversized knit, a quilted coat and a classic crossbody bag for a slick and smarter outfit. Quick-Dry Yoga Tights & Other stories £45 Oversized Wool Knit Jumper & Other Stories £110 Quilted Jacket Arket £135 High-Shaft Chunky Leather Boots Arket £290 Oli Ring Delphine £65 Women’s Mini Geneve Bag A.P.C £345 How to make boring black leggings look seriously cool Give boring black leggings a cooler edge by adding a neutral hoody, layer over a shacket and pop on cap, not only does it complement the overall look but it means another day of not washing your hair. Which is a win for every mum. High Shine High-Waisted Leggings Sweaty Betty £59 Ruby Jacket Free People £118 Heavyweight recycled cotton hoodie Pangaia £117 Patent Baseball Cap &Other Stories £35 New Balance 530 Trainers New Balance £95 Chrome Free Leather Crossbody Bag & Other Stories £120 How to perfect the sports luxe look If casual but chic is what you’re wanting then the leather look legging and an oversized sweat is the way to go. Streamline your silhouette with a vest jacket, that way you can add a bit of shape if you want it. Black accessories and a pop of colour, give the outfit an added edge. Faux stretch-leather leggings Commando £98 Oversized Sweatshirt Ganni £136-£189 Boxy Down Vest & Other Stories £120 Pascal Virginia Leather Ankle Boots Dr Martens £159 Rib-Knit Hat H&M £9.99 Wanda padded faux-leather clutch Stand £144 (Sale) How to make maternity leggings looks chic Leggings are such an easy, comfortable item to wear when you’re pregnant but you can still make them look stylish. Layering neutrals is the perfect way to do this. Invest in oversized pieces you know you’ll still wear post-partum too! Maternity Sports Leggings Jorgen House £80.00 Squared Toe Leather Chelsea Boots & Other Stories £135 Oversized Poplin Shirt Zara £29.99 Knitted Sweater Vest H&M £18.99 Fiji Large Hoop Earrings Monica Vinader £150 Envelope Quilted Shoulder Bag Saint Laurent £1700 The most on trend black legging The slit hem legging is the newest shape legging and it shows no sign of disappearing any time soon. If you want to jump on the trend then layer them with some classic pieces, like an oversized blazer and white tee. Adding height and key accessories will give a polished, on-trend look. Slit Hem Leggings Mango £22.99 Embellished Heel Slingback Shoes Zara £59.99 Oversized Wool Blend Blazer Arket £159 Oversized T-Shirt Arket £35 Mother of Pearl Slice Locket Necklace Astley Clarke £195 Shoulder Bag H&M £22.99 Tags 2minuteread, Parktimestrollandscroll
How To Be School Run ReadyRead More There’s nothing quite like that early morning dash before school. Trying to get everyone up, washed, dressed, fed and out the door on time is more often than not pretty… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 30 August 2021 How To Be School Run Ready There’s nothing quite like that early morning dash before school. Trying to get everyone up, washed, dressed, fed and out the door on time is more often than not pretty stressful. Then add in to the mix those two minutes you have for yourself to chuck on some clothes and brush your hair, whilst you run around your room trying to find something to throw on. Well, we’re here to try and make it a little easier for you! Here’s 4 stylish looks for inspiration to help get you ready in the morning! Keeping it comfy The ultimate casual school run outfit. A tracksuit, because let’s face it we’ve all bought ourselves at least 10 through lockdown! Over sized T shirt Arket £19 French Terry Sweatpants Arket £55 Chunky Cotton Rib Socks Arket £7 VEJA Venturi Trainers Veja £140 Oversized Sweatshirt H&M £17.99 Looking like you’ve made more effort than you have For a sleeker, slightly more polished look, adding a trench coat over a black silhouette is the way to go. Chuck on sunglasses to cover up those tired eyes from the multiple wake ups from the kids! Cat-eye acetate sunglasses Saint Laurent £270 Cotton-blend hoodie H&M £17.99 Future Rider Metal trainers Puma £75 Power High-Waisted Gym Leggings Sweaty Betty £63 Oversized trenchcoat H&M £49.99 Ready for more than lounging If you want to feel a bit more dressed and less in activewear then jeans with a t-shirt layered with a shirt are the perfect alternative. Mom Jeans Zara £27.99 Chunky Leather Sandals Arket £135 White T Shirt American Vintage £45 Lightning charm earrings Missoma £65 Oversized denim shirt H&M £34.99 Could be doing exercise, could not be.. For a more Spring transitional outfit, you can’t go wrong with a pile jacket. Add all black for a clean look and feel. Oversized Pima Cotton T-shirt Arket £25 Apple Watch Series 6 Apple £479 Seamless Yoga Tights & Other Stories £45 Unisex 530 New Balance £80 Fleece Anorak Jacket Arket £69 Tags 2minuteread, newDesign, Parktimestrollandscroll
Perfectly Acceptable Parenting Lies We All Tell Our KidsRead More Honesty is the best policy; until your 4 year-old asks you where babies come from… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 17 May 2021 Perfectly Acceptable Parenting Lies We All Tell Our Kids Honesty is the best policy; until your 4 year-old asks you where babies come from… ‘It’s Bedtime’ (at 5.30pm) We’re all for kids learning new skills, but the day your child comes home from school with the ability to tell the time is, quite frankly, one of the most devastating days of our parenting lives. ‘You hide and I’ll count’ A.K.A ‘you hide and I’ll sit here flicking through Instagram for the next 10 minutes shouting arbitrary numbers and pretending I can’t hear you giggling behind that chair.’ ‘You wouldn’t like it, it’s spicy’ If you had a turd in a bag your kids would want half. Repeat after us: ‘MUMMY DOESN’T SHARE FOOD!’ ‘And they lived happily ever after, the end’ Losing your mind reading the same book over and over again? Skip a page or seven. THEY WON’T FUCKING NOTICE. Honestly, there’s really no need for the Gruffalo to meet the fox, the snake AND the owl. It’s total overkill if you ask us. ‘It’s closed today darling’ We have a sneaky suspicion that post-lockdown the park will be closed for a very, very long time. ‘You ate them all sweetheart’ READ: I ate the entire bag watching Line of Duty last night and give absolutely zero fucks. ‘Wow! I love it! What is it?!’ About 30% of being a parent is lying to your kids about how good the crap they make looks and/or tastes. ‘The alarm sensor means Father Christmas is watching’ See also: ‘if you don’t behave the policeman will come and arrest you’ and other mild threats we make on the daily. ‘The car wont start if you don’t put your seatbelt on’ SAFETY FIRST. Tags 2minuteread, Parktimestrollandscroll
What To Wear This WeekRead More With the ever-changing weather and the past year being spent mostly in joggers, the stress of actually having to dress ourselves again is real!! We want to make life easier… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 April 2021 What To Wear This Week With the ever-changing weather and the past year being spent mostly in joggers, the stress of actually having to dress ourselves again is real!! We want to make life easier for you with some quick outfit inspiration for the week ahead! Modal-Blend T shirt H&M £8.99 Oversized Trench Coat Arket £175 Slim Ankle Mom Jeans H&M £19.99 High-Top Trainers Converse £57 Straw Bag H&M £12.99 Medium Hoop Earrings Tilly Sveaas £80 Tags 2minuteread, Parktimestrollandscroll
18 Great Pieces To Feel Stylish Whilst BreastfeedingRead More All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. Breastfeeders, you’re in luck! Buttoned-down midi dresses, oversized blouson shirts… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 27 March 2021 18 Great Pieces To Feel Stylish Whilst Breastfeeding All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. Breastfeeders, you’re in luck! Buttoned-down midi dresses, oversized blouson shirts and wrap blouses have become key players in the modern wardrobe, and they couldn’t have been more perfectly designed with easy access in mind. Breastfeeding can be difficult enough to manage without public malfunctions, especially early on. Having some practical pieces that don’t make you feel you’ve lost your style identity helps no end. Think comfortable shapes with pretty details, and beautiful colours and fabrics that will boost your mood just hanging in the wardrobe. Nothing makes for more discrete feeding than a button-through or wrap-front dress; throw on a thin, stretchy vest underneath and you’re in layering heaven. Add a pair of Converse or New Balance trainers for comfort, or sandals and a basket bag for a day out in the sun. Ribbed Dress H&M £17.99 Splice Animal Cordelia Wrap Dress Never Fully Dressed £89 Shirt Dress H&M £24.99 Wrap Midi Dress Pretty Lavish £55 Ribbed Nursing Dress Seraphine £59 Ruffled Midi Wrap Dress & Other Stories £95 Shirts and blouses are as good as it gets, the more buttons the better. Cotton & linen blends are key for the summer; keeping cool and breezy is a must when there’s a hungry baby attached at all times. Oversize denim shirt Mango £35.99 Bianca Blouse Free People £198 Ana Pink Oversized Shirt Noughts & Kisses £35 Elodie Cotton Top Rhode £138 Oversized Tailored Shirt Cos £59 Nursing Blouse H&M £17.99 Jumpsuits are not just comfortable but super-flattering on a range of different body sizes, especially when you’re post-partum and feeling less confident in your new shape. Here are a few TMC favourites. Denim Boiler Suit H&M £39.99 Blue Zebra Jumpsuit – Curve Never Fully Dressed £89 Belt Denim Jumpsuit Mango £59.99 Cara Linen Boiler Suit Pretty Lavish £58 Relaxed Belted Puff Sleeve Jumpsuit & Other Stories £95 Long Sleeved Jumpsuit Rixo £295 Tags 2minuteread, Parktimestrollandscroll
Outfits Under £200Read More With Spring around the corner and glimpses of normality appearing soon, I have 4 great outfits under £200 that are perfect for the Spring transition. Using some of your Winter… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 16 March 2021 Outfits Under £200 With Spring around the corner and glimpses of normality appearing soon, I have 4 great outfits under £200 that are perfect for the Spring transition. Using some of your Winter staples and pairing them with fresh colours and shapes is a great way to transition your wardrobe in to the new season. Look 1 Layering a neutral knit with a light quilted coat and white jeans is a simple way to look stylish for Spring. Add some classic accessories and if it’s too cold for sandals then swap them for your chunky Winter boots. Quilted Jacket Zara £49.99 V Neck Juper H&M £14.99 Shoulder Bag H&M £17.99 Padded flat leather Sandals Zara £45.99 Slim Mom High Ankle Jeans H&M £19.99 Look 2 Gingham is huge for the season, so invest in an easy and flattering gingham dress. Layer with a denim jacket, chunky boots and gold accessories for a casual but edgy, everyday look. Oversized shirt jacket H&M £24.99 Flat black boots Stradivarius £45.99 Triple bar earrings Orelia £33 Braided bag with chain Mango £49.99 Gingham Puff Sleeve Midi Dress New Look £28 Look 3 The trench coat is another must have for every transitional season. Keep it classic yet stylish, with some high waisted denim, a cotton tee and high tops to complete the look. Crew- Neck T- Shirt Arket £15 Ankle-length straight-fit jeans Mango £35.99 White high top trainers Supergra £60 Tote bag Zara £25.99 Oversized coat H&M £34.99 Look 4 For a more formal feel, for dinners out or drinks with the girls, an oversized blazer with some flattering high waist jeans and mules is the perfect go-to look. Add gold jewellery for an extra luxe feel. Oversized jacket H&M £24.99 Favourite Cut Cropped Jeans & Other Stories £65 Link Necklace Mango £17.99 Ribbed Cardigan H&M £17.99 Quilted heeled sandals in camel River Island £45 Tags 2minuteread, newDesign, Parktimestrollandscroll
Why And How To Make The Eco Detergent SwapRead More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 15 March 2021 Why And How To Make The Eco Detergent Swap CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ECO EGG It’s good for the planet David Attenborough programmes took on a whole new meaning from the moment we set eyes on our babies. But while we undoubtedly want the best planet possible for our kids (and their kids’ kids’ kids’ kids – an INSANE thought, no?) being sustainable isn’t always easy when just getting your husband to take out the recycling requires a Google calendar invite. Using the ecoegg Laundry Egg can save up to FORTY plastic bottles per household each year. You just fill the reusable case with the mineral pellets that clean without harmful chemicals for a more environmentally-friendly wash, with two fragrances or a scent-free version to choose from. One egg holds enough pellets for 70 washes and they won’t cause colour fade or irritating streaks of residue on your new Arket jumper. It’s a godsend for sensitive skin Even the fussiest bums will get on fine with the ecoegg’s skin-friendly system. Rated ‘excellent for sensitive skin’ by Dermatest and boasting Allergy UK’s ‘Allergy Friendly Product’ award, the mineral pellets work together in the water to effectively draw dirt from your clothes and soften them by changing the pH. Bloody genius, if you ask us. It can save you money Alongside the ecoegg Laundry Egg, there’s the ecoegg Dryer Eggs that reduce tumble-drying time by up to 28 per cent. They also cut down on creases and soften your clothes thanks to clever nodules on the outside. Faster drying time = no more using your new Dyson to panic dry their grey old Jellycat or the ONLY (now discontinued) sleeping bag they’ll sleep past 4am in. It takes up less space We’re so over playing ‘laundry bottle Jenga’ every time we just want to grab a sodding sponge from underneath the kitchen sink AND WHY ARE THERE ALWAYS SO MANY RANDOM CLOTHS. The ecoegg system takes up way less storage space than jumbo containers of fabric conditioner and detergent… ideal when a wild Saturday night these days involves rearranging our cupboards for the 457th time. It also means they require less carbon emissions to transport them, too. Win. It works for handwashing We rarely regret a clothes purchase – unless it’s one that turns out to have “I’m-more-delicate-than-the-skin-of-your-newborn-handwash-me-only-please” written on the label. Thankfully, the ecoegg Laundry Egg works a treat for handwashing jobs, too. Small, light and liquid-free, it’s also a handy thing to chuck in your suitcase next time you go away. PAH. We can dream, can’t we? The Mum Club has teamed up with ecoegg to bag 15 per cent off your total basket spend at ecoegg.com. Just enter TMC15 at the checkout. Tags 2minuteread, newDesign, Yournaptimeknowhow
Cheap Meal Ideas For Under £5Read More When you’re feeling the pinch, it’s really easy to become uninspired. But cooking on a budget doesn’t have to result in pre-made pizza and cheesy beans on toast. There’s a… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 14 March 2021 Cheap Meal Ideas For Under £5 And no, it’s not Maccy D’s When you’re feeling the pinch, it’s really easy to become uninspired. But cooking on a budget doesn’t have to result in pre-made pizza and cheesy beans on toast. There’s a vast array of options out there – granted a lot of them centre around eggs. But guess what? We’ve rounded up some truly delicious (and thrifty) recipes, to give you the lift you need. Enjoy! Tasty toad in the hole An easy win for hungry tums. Serve with lashings of gravy and homemade mash. Recipe 3 Ingredient pea and soup Vegetable soups are a winner when it comes to saving cash, and this one tops the lot as you don’t even need stock. Recipe Batch it up Bolognese Unless you’re a family of 12, this recipe should see you through around 2-3 separate meals. Recipe Super cheap Mac n Cheese With change left over to buy and add some bacon, it would be rude not to. Recipe Thrifty frittata Not only is this cheap but it takes minutes to make, and it’s sooo delish! No beetroot? Peppers and tomatoes work just as well. Recipe Money-saving mushroom risotto A simple, yet delicious dinner that is only 63p a serving! Recipe Tags 2minuteread, newDesign, Parktimestrollandscroll
10 Post-Covid Moments We Cannot Wait ForRead More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 3 March 2021 10 Post-Covid Moments We Cannot Wait For Having lived through the absolute shit show that was 2020, we had high hopes for 2021. Then the new year rolled around and with it arrived the most January of January’s ever to have January’d; the schools shut, Topshop went bust (sob) and we started to think it would never end. But as the days get lighter and the news gets better, we’ve started to see a way out. Better days are coming, and when they do, here’s just some of the simple things we’ll never take for granted again… Sitting in a Coffee Shop After the Morning Drop Off Picture this; you wave the kids off for a day of school not hosted via Zoom in your living room, to be cared for by someone other than you for 6 glorious hours and 15 wonderful minutes. You wander into town, happen upon your local coffee shop and order a ridiculously overpriced latte made for you by a fully trained barista with coffee beans that didn’t come from a jar. You sit on a sofa you do not own, in silence, entirely alone yet surrounded by other human beings who do not interrupt you to ask for a snack. The Blast Of Hot Air As You Step Off The Plane Airport shopping. The smell of suncream. Foreign Supermarkets. Fanta Limon. Oversized beach bags and overpriced Cocktails. Getting into the shower before going out for your nightly meal and checking your tan lines in the mirror. Sleeping under a single sheet. Watching your baby play in the sand.* *Just kidding, that’s carnage. Wearing Heels That Are So High They Hurt Our Feet Admittedly, this whole staying-in-and-going-to-bed-at-9pm thing hasn’t been the biggest lifestyle change for us, but that’s not really the point. We haven’t worn anything other than fluffy socks and elasticated waists since March last year and our going out dresses have literally started gathering dust. Just for one night, we want to get a blow dry and whack on some badly-applied false eyelashes, wear a dress that is questionably too short for us and teeter over cobbles in inappropriate shoes. Stroll Through A Shopping Centre Pre-lockdown, shopping malls were the safe haven of the Maternity Leave Mum. Safe, dry, and with decent changing facilities; we could meet up with friends, walk tiny babies to sleep and mosey through expensive department stores window-shopping fancy clothes we couldn’t afford on statutory pay. Going To Gym Classes Packed With Other Sweaty People Standing on questionably damp mats. Bootcamp classes. Circuits. Hot yoga. Steam rooms, saunas and over-confident naked women in communal changing areas. Celebrating With The People We Love Touching your best mates bump at her baby shower. Weekend weddings so good everyone wakes up the next morning still pissed and attempts to soak up the shame with a full-english from the hotel buffet. 30 screaming kids eating each other’s cake off cheap paper plates in a packed out soft play. Party bags. Birthday drinks. Missing Your Partner/Husband/Spouse They say ‘distance boosts desire’. Yeah, no shit. 11 whole months of literally living on top of each other, means we are, quite frankly, sick of the fucking sight of them (and them of us). We miss lunchtime texts and waiting for them to walk through the door at 6pm. Handing Our Baby To Other People And Watching Their Smile Light Up The Room For some new parents in lockdown, their biggest sadness is that the people they love haven’t got to know their new baby. We can’t wait for the day our family and friends can pop round unannounced for a brew and a cuddle. Free Samples In Supermarkets Yes I would like to try the flavour of the month lady in Hotel Chocolat, it’s actually the only reason I came in’. Not Having To Worry About whether you’ve got your mask, or what the rules are this week. Not thinking before shaking hands with strangers, or brushing past people on a busy tube. Booking a last minute weekend away, eating lunch in a restaurant and someone else doing the washing up. A life without plastic screens and hand sanitiser. The joy of days to come…. Tags 2minuteread, newDesign, Parktimestrollandscroll