A Modern Mother

Win a break for two at the UK's first eco-spa

I'm all for big brands getting behind green projects. Procter & Gamble wrote in to tell me about their Future Friendly initiative, an education programme involving P&G brands including Ariel, Lenor, Fairy, Flash, Duracell Rechargeables and Iams. Supported by NGO partners the Energy Saving Trust, Waste Watch and Waterwise, the programme is designed to help and enable us to be more sustainable.

To be part of Future Friendly, P&G brands must have reduced energy, water or packaging use by at least 15 per cent; whether it’s in the way they’re manufactured or used. Meanwhile, they still deliver the performance and results that you’d expect – and some can even reward you by saving you money on your energy bill.

To publicise this programme, P&G are holding an exclusive competition on A Modern Mother to give away a break at the UK’s first eco-spa, The Titanic Spa. This spa has invested £1.5 million to create a carbon neutral building, has a 15m chlorine-free, salt regulated swimming pool, photovoltaic solar panels, OTEX laundry system, and it's very own "bore hole" that provides pure Yorkshire water to the Titanic Experience.

Shattered!

 

Boo! My beautiful iPhone4 is shattered! The little jewel slipped out of my hand while taking photos for this post. Hubby cried (he's Scottish and the phone cost £500) . It still seems to work, but I cannot safely use it as it is shedding flecks of glass like a molting dog.

A weekend getaway in Santa Cruz

I don't know why we haven't done this before. Santa Cruz. It's only 40 minutes from where we stay in California. There is sun, surf, restaurants that serve local lobster and an Edwardian Boardwalk. We go on day trips all the time ... but until now, never made a weekend out of it.

Khaled Hosseini's flea market

 

The San Jose Flea Market, made famous by Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, is not far from where we are staying in California. One of the reasons the book resonated with me was because of the author's connections with Silicon Valley, where I grew up. I visited the flea market as a child, and remember the stalls, often manned by families.

British mummy bloggers unite to save the children

Mum bloggers are the new black. They are fashionable and everywhere and I love it when they use their influence for the greater good.

Three bloggers that I respect immensely are heading to Bangladesh on 28 August to make a difference. Spearheaded by Save The Children, the plan is to put pressure on world leaders (do you hear us Nick???) at the UN Summit in New York to make due on promises to help mothers and children around the world. They want to get as many people as possible to sign the petition.

The bloggers include:

Sian from Mummy Tips (and fellow CyberMummy partner);

Eva from NixdMinx;

Josie from Sleep is for the Weak.

You rock ladies!

Fifty great book club suggestions from British mum bloggers

The best  book club recommendations come from those that write and read, a lot. I asked the British Mummy Bloggers social network for their best reads  ... and they sent me more than 50 recommendations! This list has a summer slant, but all look like good picks. I've given credit to the contributor after each entry. Enjoy!

1. The Boy With the TopKnot: A Memoir of  Love, Secrets and Lies in Wolverhampton by Sathnam Sanghera. Growing up as a punjabi in Wolverhampton in the eighties. (Living with Kids)

2. Are you Experienced by William Sutcliffe. A funny novel about back packing in India. (Living with Kids)

3. Wish you were here by Mike Gayle. A heartwarming story about friends and growing up. (Living with Kids)

The Disneyland Resort California

 
My first visit to Disneyland was when I was two. We drove seven hours on Interstate 5 from the Bay Area to Anaheim in a Ford station waggon (that's an estate for you Brits). Being only two, I don't remember much about that trip, but it left its mark. Mention Disney to me, and from the back of my psyche images of Tinker Bell casting her wand upon Sleeping Beauty Castle magically appear. During my childhood, we made several more trips to Disneyland as a family, and as teen, I looked forward to grad night, when graduating seniors were granted exclusive use of the park. I went to “Cal State Disneyland,” the nickname given to CSUF because of it's proximity to the park. Disney has always been part of my life, and I've always associated it with wholesome fun.

Kids bored this summer? Try these tried and tested recommendations

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Summer is always a challenge with kids. Lack of routine, changeable weather and lots of free time can take its toll. Sure there are lots of places to go, but many are expensive and it can be hit and miss finding a winner. Recommendations are always appreciated. When supersavvyme.com first contacted me about their idea of creating a summer guide where mums would contribute their most economical and fun tips to keep kids entertained during the summer, I knew it would be a huge success.

My perfect day in San Francisco, kids included

Everyone has their own idea of a perfect day in a favourite city-- a secret haunt, restaurant, coffee shop or that special view. If you get it right, it's like putting on your favourite sweater. I lived in San Francisco in the 90s when I was single, upwardly mobile and thought I was the luckiest person in the world. If I squint, I can just about remember it. Now I live in the UK and have three gorgeous girls (ages 5, 6 and 8). Of course I wanted to share my favourite city with them. Oh, just an aside, please never say Frisco in my presence.

So what's my perfect day in San Francisco?

 
Drive down Lombard Street. Enter at the top of Greenwich.

A day at the beach

I'm thoroughly ensconced in California now. We've been here nearly two weeks and the girls are officially "tired" of Mexican food. One can never tire of the beach though, and here are some pics from a recent trip to Santa Cruz...