Back to school with Matalan

I love Matalan, it was where I brought the children’s school uniform last year and having been so pleased with it, it’s where I brought them again this year.

Considering I brought the uniform so late in month, I was actually surprised to be able to get one at all.

With two weeks to go, I headed to Matalan to get Alice her uniform. Admittedly they had every single size of school dress but one… Alice’s of course! Nonetheless they did still have plenty of school skirts in stock and at £6 and £5 each these we a bargain.

A round up of what I brought

1x Grey pleated skirt size 10-11 £5
1x Grey skirt 10-11 with small flower £6
2x White girls 10-11 polo shirts in sets of 2 set £6 each set (£12)
1x Girls black 5 pack of tights £4

The white polo shirts come in sets of 2. They feature the same flower detail as the shirt which is very discreet yet still gives it that feminine touch.I found that At £6 per set of 2 was a really good value. For just £12 I had 4 really good quality polo shirts.

The skirts are really pretty, they are both well cut and a good length. Alice-Sara loves the grey skirt with flower pattern where’s I’m more into the pleated look.

Alice-Sara started back at school just yesterday and wore the grey pleated skirt.Once she was home and changed I washed both the white polo shirt and following this her grey skirt. Both washed well. There was no bobbling on either garment and nothing shrunk. Again very good value for money.

Everything I brought listed above, came to a grand total of £27.

I’ll be returning to Matalan next week in the hope of grabbing a couple of their pinafore dresses. These were really very pretty but sadly very popular too as they didn’t have any stock in Alice-Sara’s size.

Matalan did have plenty of designs and colours to choose from in both the girls and boys department. They stocked a good selection of school shoes, as well as other everyday school essentials such as, Lunch boxes, PE kits, Backpacks, and more.

You can check out the Matalan back to school range online or at your local Matalan store.

This ones for you Little man

 There was lip gloss, cleavage and killer heels. Fancy frocks, satin bags and the odd freshly pressed suit! Soho didn’t know what hit it when the mummy bloggers and one or two daddy bloggers, came to town!

 The occasion? Why, the Mad blog awards of course!

 The theme was “GLAM” and Glam it was! There was some serious hot dresses on display with shoes you longed to adopt and take home as your own.

 I spent much of Friday afternoon in the salon, where my long locks were chopped and replaced with a shorter but nicer restyle.

Then It was a mad dash to the beautiful Radisson  Edwardian Kenilworth hotel in London’s west end. It was here, I got ready for the long-awaited big night ahead. Jeans and a tee were swapped  for a floor sweeping, black satin grown, black stilettos and sparkly, shimmering makeup. With a generous spray of Jean Paul Gaultier & little black clutch in hand, I was all set!

 On arrival at the Talk Talk experience centre Soho, I was greeted by a photographer who took a couple of full length pictures before allowing me to scramble off reaching for a glass of white. It was clear on arrival that Sally and the sponsors had gone all out to create an amazing event for us bloggers.

 I met some awesome bloggers, one’s I had met before but overjoyed to meet again, others I knew from online and had wanted to meet for ages and some I was yet to discover. The atmosphere was electric, and as the wine bottles emptied the laughter grew stronger. With each award came a spectrum of reactions and emotions. There were tears, laughter, gasps & roars of applause.

 When the little gold envelope was opened and I heard the words “A boy with Aspergers” my  tummy became a flutter of butterflies and my eyes watered every so very slightly. Yes, stood there with my little glass award in one hand, a microphone in the other, all I could say was

“OMG I’VE WON”

which was followed by a muttered ,

“I don’t know what to say but thank you”

Yes, the word “Thank You” was repeated several times before I scooted off.

Louise (@bobbity666) left, Me & my lovely award centre, Jenny (@Edspire)

No, of course I hadn’t  prepared a speech, that meant I had considered myself a winner. I didn’t even want to think along that line, So with no speech I stood like a donut . There was so many things I wanted to say, they were buried in my head unable to flow out. Nonetheless I would like to think there’s a way to make up for my lack of spoken words by doing what I do best…. Sharing my thoughts and emotions through my writing!

 So, without further delay, here’s what I should have said on collection of my award for the Most inspiring blogger!

 Huge thank you to all that nominated and voted for me to win, those in cyberspace as well as my lovely family and friends You lot are truly amazing, please go about your day today knowing you made this mum and blogger smile a massive smile.

 Sally Whittle (@swhittle) I just can’t thank you enough! Not just for Friday night but the whole experience, it’s just been amazing for me! From the day I discovered I was nominated to the night I collected my winning award I’ve just had such a ball. Yourself with the help of Jen, Parentdish, Talk-Talk and all the other Mad sponsors, made me and so many others feel really special, thank you to you all for making this brilliant event possible.

The lovely Sally Whittle who made it all happen.

  Special thanks to Mothercare, the sponsor of my winning category, “Most Inspiring blogger”

 Sending a big thank you to TK Maxx, Helen (@HelenGunter) & Polly (@p_hibb) for the beautiful dress, shoes and accessories that were perfect for me and helped me to feel comfortable and confident on the night!

 Thanks to my fellow finalist, who helped create an amazing reading list, I’ve uncovered so many great blogs to read. An extra special thank you to the finalist in my category “Most Inspiring” who have all been so lovely to me, your all incredible  and I will continue to read you’re inspiring blogs.

Kylie (@kykaree) it was lovely to see you again, you looked ravishing.

 Massive Thank you to my personal sponsor OptiBac Probiotics, ( who have not only given me support and encouragement but introduced my family to their fantastic products that have been of great benefit to all, but exceptional for my son who has Asperger’s syndrome. lastly thank you OptiBac for covering my hotel expenses at the fabulous Radisson Edwardian hotel, avoiding a half cut merry mum, night busing it through London (don’t think the children would have appreciated waking to a half-drunken mum on the sofa) so thank you.

An added thank you to Soyraya who is part of the OptiBac team and is just the loveliest person you can ever wish to work with when working with a brand.

 Lastly ( Yes, I know! Bet you’re glad I was speechless on the night, anyone would thing I’d won an Oscar) nonetheless I have to thank my three beautiful Children, especially Little Man (aka A boy with aspergers) for giving me the inspiration to write and share our story, the highs and the heartbreaking lows that have brought us to where we are now (a much better place).

Little Man (aka A boy with Aspergers)

“This Little man, this one’s for you! Happy 11th Birthday!”

 As for the “Blogger of the year” I didn’t win this, So don’t panic, I’m not about to reel of any more speeches,  though I would like to congratulate Anna Ranson (@imaginationTree) who was crowned the Mad blogger of the year for her fabulous blog, “The Imagination Tree”

 Well, done

(No hard feelings, that is unless I see you walking the streets alone 🙂 Don’t panic, It’s just a joke)

 I was also super pleased for Lisa (@MummyWhisperer) and Ruth, (@geekmummy) not only where they dressed by TK Maxx meaning I got to meet them during the run up to the awards, they are also fellow winners.

Lisa (Mummy Whisper) Sally Whittle

Ruth (Geek Mummy) collecting her award.

Huge Congratulations girls.

  A highlight to this already wonderful evening was  meeting the lovely Karen (@allaboutheboys). Gosh, Karen had the most stunning shoes, she has taste that’s for sure! Also the lovely Jenny (better known on twitter as @edspire) a real gem with great dress sense. These are two ladies who are genuinely really lovely both on and off-line!

 There are many others I had the pleasure to chat with, far to many to name.

 The rest of the night went by in a haze of excitement and alcohol, after an eventful taxi ride back to the hotel (long story) and a quick change of clothes I headed to a local bar in Covent Garden with these awesome lot, @SuperAmazingMum who was live blogging  (We finally met 3rd time lucky), @michelletwinmum (who had the best eye makeup by far), @seasiderclare (really sweet and friendly),@alforalenyna (who made me laugh so much I almost passed urine) and last but not least @bobbity666 who with Jenny I spent most the evening with and would love to meet again.

Michelle (@michelletwinmum), Clare (@seasiderclare)  (@alforalenyna)

Michelle, Louise (bobbity666)

The very lovely Super amazing mum (Live blogger) we finally meet &  so worth the wait

We had a lush few bottles of wine that we all sat and drunk into the small hours of Saturday morning, before heading for some over priced but yummy fast food (in an alcohol intoxicated kind of way) before walking back to the hotel and parting.

 As I lay on my massive double bed with luxurious velvet throw I drifted of to sleep dreaming about the full English that would greet me in a few hours time, only that didn’t go to plan!

 Waking up with a maid looking over me at 11.35 am was so not the plan!

“Oh no you sleep to late, you must check out”

For a moment I stared at her

“Who the hell are you and where the f*** am I?”

Was what first thought that came to mind, before  it hit me! I suddenly found myself doing things in fast forward (Benny Hill style) jumping up throwing belongings into bags, cat licking instead of showering and getting out of there looking rough, slightly hung over and gutted about my breakie, yet excited about seeing the kids and giving a (Not so little Man) a Happy birthday kiss.

 So, there it is! I mingled, drank, scared a maid with my sticking up Barnet and panda eyes and WON myself a Mad blog 

Not bad for one night ha?

 To see the full list of winners click HERE

PRINCESS IN HEELS

As a little girl, I daydreamed about being a princess, as I grew up that daydream continued.

 Well, who would have thought that writing a blog (That when first started up, mainly consisted with lots of rants) would transform me into just that, a princess? 

 Yes, seriously for one day and night Cinders will be transformed and then sent of to the ball! The ball of course being the Mad blog awards, and the transformation… well, that started to take shape a few days back!

Yes, I was just one of a handful of lovely ladies, who happen to be finalist, like me, who were whisked off to TK Maxx High street Kensington, London for some serious dress shopping. (Well, “whisked” would be a bit of an exaggeration given I was 45 minutes late and arrived by train). 

Once in the TK Maxx store, I was bombarded with a mass of stunning dresses (not, that I was complaining of course). I then had the difficult task of choosing one, an important task considering it’s for my first ever awards ceremony! How grateful I was to have the lovely Polly (TK Maxx PR) and the awesome Sally (the founder and organiser of the Mads) plus a few of my lovely fellow finalist, at hand to help me make this important decision!

 Then I had the most fantastic time trying on shoes! OMG, I’m shoe crazy! This really was princess heaven handed on a platter.

 Shoes in every colour and style I could find, touched my feet. Decisions, decisions… lots of decisions! I even got to top it all of by adding a pretty little clutch bag and a shrug to complete my outfit… Lush!

 TK Maxx and Sally had created the perfect treat. There was no looking at the children’s section, no choosing baby or toddler items, it was all about us and making us feel special. TK Maxx were kindly supplying us with the dresses and accessories curtsy of the store, which was just mind blowing! Not only did this take the whole stress and of course expense, out of shopping for the perfect dress, it also gave me an opportunity to meet a few of the other bloggers, meaning that on the big night I wouldn’t be stood like a plum in a dress. 

 

  This was made so much easier as the lovely people of TK Maxx took us all for a lovely meal with deserts to die for (I know, I know, I have a dress to fit into) but who could resist? (In actual fact… None of us could!)

 There was lots of chatting and getting to know each other, I spoke in length to the fabulous Lisa aka @mummywhisperer, who really does inspire you to sparkle. Her adorable daughter and nanny joined us for lunch too. I also got to meet Kylie @Kykaree (Not even a bag of sugar) and her beautiful little boy who was born at 27 weeks gestation but is really thriving! (Kylie is, like me, a finalist in the “Most inspiring” category.) Maria aka @verybusymama, was great fun, loving her super fast no carbs diet tips which she unfortunately shared after the pudding 🙂 Ruth aka @geekmummy was lovely so friendly as was Monika aka @mumontheblink! Then of course, I finally got to meet Sally aka @swhittle founder/organiser of the Mads and Polly (TK Maxx PR) both were really nice and very encouraging when trying on dresses, keeping us all smiling (leaving no time for any girlie body hang ups.)

  I loved the fact everyone had read each others blogs. This meant good conversation as we had plenty of topics to discuss. Autism, mummy coaching and premature birth being a few. I learnt lots about blog camp Brighton, which I’m now really excited about and have been pre warned not to tweet and ask what your all wearing for the event (Yes that’s right It’s informal ladies and gents) So, I wont be turning up in my stunning new dress then (which will be revealed next Friday) !

 So, in till then, I will exercise like a nut job on pro-plus, watch my easily expanding waistline as to avoid bursting out the seams of my figure hugging dress, get myself a hair cut, get my nails done and then just go with the flow.

 Message for all the lovely bloggers who were part of the TK Maxx shopping experience… you all looked gorgeous and I can’t wait to walk in my new heels beside you all. 

Also why not visit my fab Sponsor, ‘ OptiBac probiotics’ over on facebook and say hello.

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