Pregnancy after miscarriage – 5 tips on how to worry less and enjoy it more

October 5, 2018 | thetwodarlings

This is one of those posts I’ve had in the back of my mind for, quite literally, years now but October is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month so it feels right to publish this now. I haven’t really spoken much about what we went through because I’m not a total oversharer despite having a blog! That said, if you know me personally I am more than open about it. Miscarriage is a strange one, it happens for most very early on, before the 12 weeks when you’ve had a chance to tell anyone about it. And then if it happens it is so utterly shocking. I couldn’t even say the actual word, miscarriage, until long after Lucy was born. So it’s hard to just bring it up, hard to talk about it with friends when you need to. I think sometimes people feel then that it’s a taboo subject, like it shouldn’t be talked about but for me personally it wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk about it, I just couldn’t. Continue reading →

My Autumn wardrobe staples for busy Mums from M&S

September 25, 2018 | thetwodarlings

Ah Autumn is finally upon us, I absolutely love the Autumn and the Spring, I love the transition between the two more slightly extreme seasons. I adore the frosty cold mornings that Autumn brings and the cosy nights in in front of the fire. I’ve come to realise I tend to rely on similar versions of the same outfit for Autumn and Winter – skinny jeans or jeggings and cosy jumpers. I’d like to think I will wear dresses and skirts

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The ultimate school uniform checklist

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018 | thetwodarlings

Ok ok I know, school is barely out for the summer and here is your one talking about school uniforms for September but hear me out – I know lots of you will be thinking about it over the next two months so I figure its good to have something that you can reference! So for a third year in a row I am working with Marks and Spencer on their Back to School campaign. I think it’s testament to a good collaboration when it fits seamlessly into our lives, the eldest has been wearing pretty much nothing but Marks and Spencer uniforms for the past two years. I’m consistently happy with the quality and the price point and all of her previous uniforms are ~~neatly~~ put away and ready for the next lady when her time comes. Continue reading →

3 essentials for your summer baby hospital bag to make the heat more bearable

hospital stay summer baby the two darlings parenting mummy blogger ireland cork summer baby hospital bag

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I find myself in Cork University Maternity Hospital unexpectedly in June, while the country experiences the longest bout of insanely good weather I find myself literally baking alive inside a newish building that was built without air conditioning….firstly I think that’s insane because honestly I cannot describe how hot and uncomfortable it is here on the plasticy beds with windows that only open a crack into a courtyard thus leaving me without even a whisper of a breeze….anyway, can you tell I’m waiting a long time to be seen so I’m getting cranky!? Continue reading →

Wise words for the new mother I was from the mother I am now

March 22, 2018May 23, 2018 | thetwodarlings

When WaterWipes approached me to get involved with their latest campaign I was, firstly, more than delighted because I use the wipes anyway on the small ladies behind and, secondly, because the campaign really struck a chord wth me. They want to take a different approach, so much of what we see online features picture perfect mothers with glossy hair and a serene expression on their faces holding an equally serene newborn in their arms as they gaze into each other’s eyes…no dirty muslin cloths hanging around in the background, no reminints Continue reading →

Cows Milk Protein Allergy – our experience

February 14, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I’ll kick off this blog post by saying that this is going to be purely about our experience with Lucy and her allergy to cows milk protein. I’m not a dietitian, we haven’t even been to one yet with her so I’m mainly going to talk about how we came about figuring out Lucy’s problem and what we are doing based purely on advice I have picked up Continue reading →

5 free printable worksheet ideas to keep the kids entertained and educated

February 1, 2018February 2, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I won’t lie, our playroom is filled to the brim with colouring books….but since the girls discovered that my laptop has the wonderful ability to pull up any picture they can dream of to be coloured in they have me hounded. Terrible for the poor auld trees but great for my sanity. People often ask me how I find the time to get all the DIY things done around the house and I’m about to let you all in on a secret. Firstly, its not television that occupies the ladies while I’m busy creating my next Pinterest fail success, Continue reading →

An easy and unusual DIY idea for getting lots of memories up on the wall

January 23, 2018January 24, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I find with the house inspiration comes in fits and bursts, I am either brimming with ideas or have none whatsoever. The girls started off in separate rooms but it’s a joy to see them so close that they decided themselves they wanted to share a room. We had bought triple bunks for both of their rooms and so I decorated accordingly but over Christmas they decided they just wanted two single beds in their rooms so that they could look at each other when they chatted, so adorable. Therefore I was left with rather ridiculous looking gaps on the walls where the bunk bed had been as I had hung pictures above the bunks in the assumption they’d be in place for years to come. Continue reading →

10 tips for protecting our kids online and ensuring internet safety in the home

January 21, 2018January 21, 2018 | thetwodarlings

I went to a talk recently given in my daughters primary school which was all about internet safety and primary school kids. There is no doubt that technology will play a huge part in our kids lives going forward but there is a huge difference between educating kids in how to use a computer versus giving them free reign with a phone or tablet and fooling ourselves into thinking they are learning. Continue reading →

Put down your phone and read a book!

January 10, 2018January 21, 2018 | thetwodarlings

We have a rule that I ‘generally’ adhere to in our house – no phones beside our beds. And you know I have to say I think it’s a great idea (it wasn’t mind it was my husbands, he’s literally allergic to social media – well they do say opposites attract!). Lucy used to wake a LOT at night, actually it’s probably remiss of me to write that in the past tense because she’s only just figured out how to sleep through so I doubt we’re out of the sleepless woods yet. Anyway, I digress, I used to find myself picking up my phone once I’d settled her, you know to check all the incredibly important social media happenings that just simply couldn’t’ wait until morning….!! But for sure the bright light of the phone really messed with my ability to go back to sleep and it used to set my mind racing with ideas or thoughts. Continue reading →

The Two Darlings

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