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Rose and Thorns

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Easy Chocolate Cookies

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    2019 Local Christmas Wish List

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year and whilst I exert a good deal of energy into remembering…

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    Family lunch at Perdeberg

    Getting out with the kids deserves some form of trophy. I feel really strongly about this, as someone who…

    October 18, 2019
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    Sticky Fudge is back!

    Much loved local ethical clothing brand, Sticky Fudge, is relaunching with an inspired summer range for babies and toddlers…

    September 30, 2019
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    Sip ‘N Paint

    I’m a sucker for organizing a good event, especially one that encourages online women to meet in real life…

    September 4, 2019
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    Choosing the right Obstetrician for your pregnancy journey

    This is not your average birth-story post. Mainly because you’ve probably heard every funny, gory, wonderful birth detail about…

    August 29, 2019
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    A snapshot of England

    If you’ve been following me on Instagram you’ll know that we spent June in my beautiful homeland and I…

    July 27, 2019
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    Flashes of Light Workshop 2019

    I am still riding high on a serious case of workshop euphoria and I’m not sure when the buzz…

    May 28, 2019
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    The Bosch Cooking Experience

    Last weekend, I spent the afternoon with some amazing mommy bloggers to experience the cooking courses that the BSH…

    May 16, 2019
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    What to pack when flying with a toddler &/or a baby

    Every year, we sell an organ (this year, it’s my left kidney) to afford the tickets to take us…

    May 14, 2019
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    Baby-led weaning made easy with Tommee Tippee

    Stop press! Our household has had a complete revelation and it comes in the form of an electrical appliance…

    March 14, 2019
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Hello!

I'm Shante Hutton, mother to two wonderful girls, Rosie and Cece. Welcome to my lovely (and raw) world of parenting, food, wine, travel and British sarcasm.

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  • *And here’s someone I made earlier...* . . . NB: if you’re not interested in schooling, skip this caption and just admire the photo 😌 . . . I, like so many other parents, have no idea what to do about sending my kids back into education. Obviously, I know that this isn’t a huge issue for me because of the girl’s age, however, when I can fully go back to work, I am going to need extra time in the day to not drown in deadlines . . So how are we feeling? Is it yay, nay or please pour me some more wine so I can forget about this? . . My main issues are the following . . 🚩Kids have no real concept of fastidiously washing their hands and being aware, 24/7, of the spread of germs. My own child sneezes in my open eyes on a regular basis . . 🚩How do we know if our kids, or indeed ourselves, will be susceptible to a bad reaction to the virus . . 🚩Is my anxiety going to handle not seeing my children all day, every day . . 🚩Seeing images of kids at school in Europe, playing in separate pockets of the playground is heartbreaking . . . There is no example to follow, no precedent that has been set - no two counties are the same so we’re all going in this blindly. Mr H is currently wanting to take the girls out completely, leaning towards getting a tutor and looking at the possibility, when we’re allowed, of even sharing it with friends with the same-age kids - ones who we know have been staunch in their social distancing. We both know the importance of socializing for the kids...and if they’re opening schools, surely small 4-6 people meetups would also be allowed? . . . Really, there’s no easy answer and I’d love to know your thoughts, to hear all sides - I’m sure it will help many of us to make this tough decision . . . . . #momcommunity #samomblogger #parenthood_unveiled #heaventhroughmylens #littlepiecesofchildhood #ourcandidlife #momswithcameras #mommymoments #cameramama #inspiremothers #teammotherly #unitedinmotherhood
  • *Do It Yourself…unless it’s flat packed, then definitely give it to someone else* . . Swipe to the second image, then back to me, then back to the image…can you believe that our kitchen used to look like that? And that’s just one room in our house that we completely gutted (Mr H built this kitchen himself 🥰) – it’s amazing what some elbow grease, a few “choice” words and a lot of patience can do. . . I have a pretty strong DIY gene and I married someone who picks up projects like I pick up chocolate We can’t seem to stop Fortunately, we finished our most extravagant projects before lockdown but being in our house 24/7 has given me an uncontrollable eye-twitch as I notice areas I want to joosh up. . . 💦We started in the garden with our hydroponics feature using basic piping…okay, my bad…rather Mr H started there and I simply smiled and nodded . . 🌿Then we brought the garden inside and I’ve been adding plants around the house to the point where you’d think we were in Jumanji . . However, my main creative juices get used up on creating things for the girl’s (I’ll share some in my stories tomorrow) and to help give me some more inspiration, I’ve teamed up with @momentumza and will be tuning in to watch a Live Stream with everyone’s fave DIY’er @suzellediy on the 21st May (18:30) – I’m excited to see what she creates for us….will it be edible? Will it help my kids listen? . . #coveredandprotected #momentumshift #sponsored . . #makeithappen #lifestyleblogger #homesweethome #diyhomedecor #wemadethis #documentyourdays #habitatandhome
  • *What’s your favorite way to relax?* . . Does it involve chloroform? . . . It’s only Tuesday yet I feel like this week has been approximately 282 years long. Anyone else’s kids testing every single mother fluffing boundary and then some?? . . . I’ve really been missing some “me” time. No, not just a 20 minute bathroom break, but a few hours of doing absolutely nothing I got a two hour stint last night where I just binge-watched @netflixsa The Big Flower Fight - guys, it was glorious. So British. So bloomin’ crazy. And it didn’t require me to use a single brain cell . . . Sometimes, a bit of self care just means time. And space. And blissful nothingness. Which, with kids around, is kinda hard to manage . . . How’s your Tuesday going, munchkins? . . . . #parentingwin #raisingthefuture #documentyourdays #lovingtheordinarymoments #everythingtribe #photosinbetween #littlefamiliesofig #dailyparenting #thehappynow #littlemomentsofhappiness #toddlerhood
  • *Your vunerability is a beacon to others* . . . Today I praise and thank the women and men on this platform who continue to inspire, empower and radiate both strength and softness; resilience and rest; power and also peace . . . The world can make you switch off, and turn you hard and cruel especially when there’s such a lot of anger that’s consuming so much of our media intake...it takes a lot of gumption to be gentle . . . My natural go-to is aloof hardness - years of heartache make this the easiest armor to wear - it feels “safe” and it feels almost wrong to want to share moments of pain and sadness. I feel as though I am betraying myself. Does anyone else struggle with this? . . However, some of the strongest breakthroughs have occurred when I have been vulnerable in the presence of others . . It’s not easy. The best things usually aren’t and if you need a gentle nudge to show you that this space really does encourage an open heart, here are a few accounts that are welcoming all emotions, embracing their highs and lows and being unguarded so that we can feel safe to do the same: @grannygoosesa @miss_dhanusha @grandlittleadventure @what.sophie.saw @creativ.and.kin @justamamma @mascara_and_mimosas @afrodaddyct @watercolour_heart_illustration @oursunshinejourney . . . You’re not alone, beloved. Never then, and never now . . . . #thatauthenticfeeling #verilymoment #littlestoriesofmylife #momentsofmine #feelfreefeed #pursuewhatislovely #everydaymoments #lovelylittlesquares #thepursuitofjoy #lifewellcaptured #thephotographerwithin
  • *That’s enough today-ing for today* . . . It has been one of those days when my emotions felt too big to keep in and my skin felt too small to hold my bones together. . . I shouted. A lot. So much. I’m more shout than human now . . The kids lost their ears 4 days ago and I’ve been searching for them ever since 🥴 . . I find myself shopping online a lot now just to feel a bit of control over something - I can place an order and I know it’s going to arrive in a few days and it’s something to look forward to. Something to predict. Does that make sense? . . I’m currently working on a toasty autumn preset addition to the You Are Home bundle (coz I love me some autumnal vibes), so if you’ve already bought, as soon as it’s done, I’ll send that update along Your support has been absolutely incredible and I have been humbled by people’s kindness - those who bought double sets even (you know who you are ☺️🥰) . . So how was your week? Do you want to build a pillow fort with me and just ignore the world? . . . . #acupofmotherhood #stopdropandmom #motherhoodinspired #parentlife #motherhoodsimplified #lifeasmama #dearphotographer #photooftheday #picoftheday #justgoshoot #visuallife #honestmotherhood
  • *Yes, I’m a proud basket case* . . What started off as a once-off purchase from lovely local business @basketlyshop , has become a gradual moonwalk into woven basket heaven - they’re just so damn handy and they make my house feel more like the Pinterest boards I’ve been swooning over. . . My plant babies were the first reason I bought these natural woven baskets, then I needed a laundry basket for the kid’s room; something to hold the blankets; an office bin; a makeup holder...the list goes on (I’ll share them in my stories) . . . I’m pretty sure the Basketly team have gotten so fed up with me constantly yapping on their posts asking when they’ve got new stock in - I’m like a bad rash in the downtown 😆 . . . But I must have done something right coz they’ve given me a 10% discount code for us to use on any @basketlyshop purchase!! Yaaas . . So if you’ve ever been tempted and needed a nudge THIS IS IT - just use R&T10% when you check out and bam, you’re now an addict too 🙆🏻‍♀️🖤 . . Check out their website and Instagram page and let me know which design you’re tempted by...but hurry, this discount code ends 15th June!! . . . . . . #womeninframe #thebloomforum #simpleandstill #botanicalpickmeup #plantsofinstagram #bloggerstyle #recklessimage #ihavethisthingforwalls #everydaymoments #lovelylittlesquares #thepursuitofjoy #lifewellcaptured #samomblogger
  • *May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary* . . . “I am in awe of flowers Not because of their flowers But because even though they have dirt in their roots, they still grow They still bloom” . . . Thank you @laborie_wines for sending me such a magnificent collection of blooms from @aspenandco - you speak my language ☺️ . . . Happy weekend everyone and remember, you are beautifully wild for a reason . . . . #flowersmakemehappy #roseslover #flowermagic #blooming #inspiredbypetals #simply_flowers #floralphotography #beyourbestself #worthyofattention #sweetsaturday
  • *Jumping into the weekend like....who am I kidding, I thought it was Tuesday* . . . Anyone else want to do a little retrospect of what they’ve noticed about the past two months? Here’s mine... . . 🍋Being outside is a balm for the soul - it protects what’s left of my sanity. I didn’t know I would rely so heavily on grass...😏...please be kind winter . . 🍋I realize the girls don’t need as many clothes and toys as I think they do. I have loved watching the way @what.sophie.saw inspires us with nature play and finding the magic in the everyday and I’ve been trying to reuse and repurpose household items as new toys . . 🍋With a reduced income, I’ve been careful where I’ve bought kid’s winter clothing but without wanting to go to the shops, and trying to stay online, it’s been tough. I’ve been drawn to the Cotton On sales because you can’t argue with 30% off I know, your jaw probably dropped through your vag just reading that. When are Ackermans and PnP gonna get online?! . . 🍋I have been amazed with the stalwart spirit of our local brands who are working their arses off right now. Shout out to @rosiebee_childrensclothing and her stunning new A/W patterns - Rosie is wearing their summer shorts and I promise you, it’s the softest, most beautiful material you’ll ever find . . 🍋My kids need approximately 235 snacks a day to survive and my grocery bill has never been higher . . . 🍋Rosie is much more settled and her speech is improving by the minute. Cece is on the ball with her language skills and we get to see all of it . . . 🍋The obligation to use FaceTime and Zoom is crushing . . . 🍋I no longer apologize if my kid’s are screaming during a call, this is life now. People are working with their kids at home and we need to be empathic to the difficulties . . . 🍋There is not enough time to watch trashy tv . . . 🍋I have perfected chocolate chip cookies and now I never wanna eat them again...except for next week, when I get another craving . . . . #featuremama #clickinmoms #ourcandidlife #childhoodunplugged #candidchildhood #enchantedchildhood #ourwhimsicaldays #ourplayfulstyle #letthembelittle #littleandbrave #magicofchildhood #thehappynow
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