Skiing with Toddlers

Earlier this year, we went on our very first ski holiday - something we didn't imagine would be possible with toddlers.  It was exciting, exhilarating and actually a great place with young children, from snowball fights to sledging to cosy afternoon in the creche, our boys had a fantastic holiday whilst the bloke and I hit the slopes for the first time and came home with some great stories.

Mark Warner have teamed up with P.O.P and challenged us to create a ski holiday wardrobe for children - it was easy.  I love bright colours, and with the white snow as background it is easy to spot the little ones whilst they play.  I would get the boys matching thermals, and I love this grey set, and then matching but not matching outers.  Dylan would need sallopettes and a jacket and this blue is the perfect colouring for him, whilst Archie is still best in an all-in-one.  These look durable and bright, and I know that in two years time, Archie will fit in Dylan's set, and bump will have grown into Archie's.  PoP is known for longevity and with ski wear I think it is worth investing in something that can last more than one child.

I love the matching gloves and complimentary hat, and both of these can be used all winter long.  The hat is perfect for a British winter as well, and the gloves mean snowman building with warm, dry hands too.

Obviously the boys would need a nice off-piste outfit for meals out and snuggly evenings, and I love this cloudy top and comfy jeans - definitely something they would both suit (and I can't get enough of matching at the moment!)

  All these items are currently available from the PoP website

Dressing the Bloke

The bloke and I met at a festival, a rock festival in fact and we have always shared a love of metal and rock music.  We have been to so many gigs over the months, both seperately and together and we are looking forward to seeing Arcade Fire in a couple of months.  With that in mind, I have put together a possible outfit from him as part of an entry to Debenham's #LoveDenim competiton

The bloke may be 30 now, but he is a long way from growing up and still has somewhat of a student style.  The outfit I have put together is something he would wear, without having the silly slogans he is prone to buying when unsupervised! 

These jeans are loose fit and look very comfy.  At only £35 I am tempted to buy them anyway as his wardrobe seriously needs an update!

A black T-shirt is ideal for a gig and I like this animal one.  It is still a bit cheeky and young but still acceptable at 30.

There is no point wearing nice shoes to a rock gig as they will most likely end up destroyed, so something simple like these canvas shoes (which are only £6!) are ideal, easy to wear and go with everything.

Although the weather is getting better every week, we are in the UK so some kind of jumper is necessary and I love this grey one from Tog 24.  It is exactly the kind of thing he would wear and that I would pick for him.

Now as you may have gathered from what I have written, the bloke is in need of a little help in the fashion department.  He doesn't do smart well and I have only ever seen him in a suit at weddings.  For a nice dinner out he would still wear a T-shirt and trainers if he was allowed, but I am slowly encouraging something a little smarter.  The outfit below is a compromise between what he would like to wear and my idea of a smart dinner outfit, and I think it would be perfect for him.

These darker straight leg jeans look much smarter than the baggy fits he usually wears

I adore this grey jumper and it may have made the cut mostly because I totally see myself in it too in the taxi home! It is smart for a meal out but still casual and comfy.  The White T-shirt to go underneath.

And finally these shoes would be only the bloke's third pair, he owns trainers and work shoes and I really like these for a smart-casual look.

I would love to win this competition and the chance to inject a little style in to the bloke's wardrobe (and perhaps treat myself to something too whilst I am there!). The children are never short of lovely clothes, but we often neglect ourselves!