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Secret of the successful working mum? Send kids to boarding school…!
Well, if you’re Meg Mathews that is! Best known for being the ex wife of Noel Gallagher, the multi-talented blogger, scarves and interior designer, is also mum to their 12 year old daughter Anais.
Chatting to Meg at her launch of her range for furniture and home accessories store, Dwell, the 46 year old was more than happy to share her secret.
Over a glass of champagne at the Tottenham Court Road store, she said ‘Monday to Thursday I know Anais is at boarding school – she loves it. No-one worries about what they look like and walk around in their pyjamas, ripped Converse trainers and limp hair!
‘I grew up in boarding school and loved it, lots of happy memories – so I didn’t think of doing anything different for Anais. I went to school with [director] Guy Ritchie and I’m still best friends with his sister.’
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against boarding schools – it’s definitely an individual’s decision – and it seems to be working for Meg…
She went on, ‘During the day I don’t really have schedule – I make lots of lists and rush around till everything’s done!’
Our day at the My Little Pony School of Friendship
My daughter can very easily watch back to back episodes of My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic… so to hear that the new season would be hitting Tiny Pop soon was great – even better was our invitation to enrol at the My Little Pony School of Friendship! (The things we do for our kids eh?)
With the sun out and heading to Mudchute Park and Farm for the event, all three of us couldn’t help but have smiles on our faces. My one year old wasn’t so fussed about his first day at school (lol) and instead loved the opportunity to peer and point at the variety of animals on the vast city farm.
With the chance to do cake decorating and drawing led by the wonderful Rainbow Dash – one of the main characters from the cartoon for those of you not in the know! – the experience was topped off with some time to pet some of the smaller animals.
Watch the new season 8 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic on Tiny Pop (Freeview 207, Sky 617, Virgin 737, Freesat 605) every day at 8am and 4pm from May 26.
Baking Made Easy with Carr’s Flour for Kids Mixes
CAN I claim to be a seasoned baker now?
Because thanks to Carr’s Flour and their new kids range, I am feeling like a pro in the kitchen!
With the kids getting stuck in we made some delicious rolls with their Really Easy Bread Mix – and it was exactly that.
We literally just added water and some butter – although my boy did do a runner as soon as his hands got a little sticky, before my tweenager also disappeared when it came to using some muscle to knead the dough…
They did return however to split the mixture into smaller balls and demolished them once they came out of the oven – they were perfect for afternoon bacon butties.
And it was the same when it came to the Really Easy Biscuit Mix – everything is ready to pour into a bowl and then you add water and butter – job done.
We opted for some chocolate chips as a little extra and you could even get your little ones to decorate with icing – whatever takes your fancy.
Boring parent bonus points for the flour in both the bread and biscuits being a mix of white and wholemeal flour.
We were also gifted the handy baking set which is the perfect size for mini bakers and we used the heat-shaped cookie cutters for the biscuits.
I would definitely recommend the mixes if you’re like me and not that keen on baking (lockdown made me do it!)
It was a lifesaver having these to make during the half term and as lockdown life is set to continue for a while yet, they’re a great addition to the list of indoor activities to help keep both adults and children sane.
Lockdown Lessons and Smiles for Smart Works
LOCKDOWN life has become way too much of a reality for my liking, but, it’s also been a chance to explore the opportunities out there, open new doors and find comfort in talking to strangers who you can’t help but connect with over this crazy shared experience.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m struggling with this new way of life just as much as the next person, but I’m desperately trying to remain positive.
For me it was a great moment when I was asked to be involved in Joanne Warren Moore‘s amazing photography series raising funds for Smart Works, a UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for their job interview.
After months of being stuck indoors with a hyper toddler and the challenges of homeschooling a tweenager, I was more than ready to put on some lippy and (attempt to) strike a pose! Not to mention the challenge of juggling all that with my ‘day job’ as a journalist AND my clothing and home decor business, By Kala X.
The project is entitled This Woman’s Work and in her own words, Joanne, who is a fellow East Londoner, explained: “I’m an advocate for women supporting women and this project is designed to do just that.”
“Juggling homeschooling, a business & in general keeping everyone alive & well is not easy!”
She went on: “I also want to provide a platform where women can share their strengths in having to adjust during very difficult circumstances and to tell other women of any success stories or top tips in business reform.
“In return for the photography session and images I am asking those that can for a voluntary donation to Smart Works to help support unemployed women into work during the recovery of this pandemic.
“All proceeds raised will go directly to this cause. There will be so many more women in need of support during these uncertain times.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself and to date, Joanne has helped raise over £3,000 for the much-needed organisation.
I loved having the chance to focus on just me for my session with Joanne and as you can tell by the resulting pictures we got on like a house on fire!
And what was my own little Lockdown Lesson, I hear you ask? Read on for my pearls of wisdom…
“I think lockdown has helped thousands of us to realise just how strong we are. Juggling homeschooling, running a business and in general keeping everyone alive and well is not easy!
“For me forward planning went out of the window, but I found it easier to deal with smaller, daily, bite-sized tasks. It felt more manageable and much more of an achievement when completed.
“I’m also very lucky to have a network of friends who regularly remind me to not be too hard on myself.”
To find out more click here.