20 questions: Getting to know the Blogger

Welcome back to another installment of 20 Questions : Getting to know the Blogger. This week we're talking to Laura over at love, life and little ones. A busy Dublin based Mom of 2 with another one one the way. Blogging about all things beauty, parent and lifestyle related.
Be sure to like her Facebook page to keep up with her blog.

Hi, My name is Laura Doyle and my blog is Love, Life and Little Ones. I am a 28 year old mum of two (three in March 2016) and part time beauty therapist! I have a 6 year old son and a 17 month old daughter. Married to the love of my life and blogging about all things beauty, parent and lifestyle related.

Favourite childhood book. 

Growing up I was the biggest book worm out there- I remember being told it was bedtime and lights out growing up but reading under my covers with a little torch! I don't get to read as much now being a busy mum but I do when I can! I loved Jacqueline Wilson growing up so anything by her was always my favs!

Favourite quote. 

"Where there is a will there is a way" 

Nothing is impossible in this world and that is definitely a quote I live by!

Favourite clothing store.

For myself I love Zara, h&m or penneys!! 

For the kids next and h&m!

Favourite song/band. 

At the moment I am loving Adele and Justin Bieber but I am a big Lana Del Ray fan too! 

Biggest fear. 

Death. 

People in my family dying or me dying and not being around to raise my kids. It gives me a lot of anxiety but I try not to think to much about it!

Any piercings/tattoos.

So in my time I've had a lot of piercings. Ears 4 times, inner ear, top of my ear, tongue, lip, belly button and nipple 🙊 and I have two tattoos!

Weird quirk of mine.

I get really anxious when something is lost so toys or clothes or jewellery or anything I like it all to have a specific spot. I like category's of toys in my sons room in separate boxes! 

Something I like to collect. 

As a kid I loved to collect call cards! 

Favourite comfort food.

I am 8 months pregnant so right now everything. Carbs mostly. But everything from fruit to sweets to crisps to choc just everything!!!! 

Dream job. 

I always wanted to be a singer growing up. But literally I am doing my dream job as a beauty therapist I really love it. 

Favourite thing about me.

I am very thoughtful and caring towards others especially my family. I wish more people were like that. 

Worst habit.

Not cleaning as I go!! It does my husbands head in! 

Guilty pleasure. 

Pretty Little Liars! 

Something you miss.

Weekend lie ins!!!!

3 things you would take to an island

My family!

Books! 

Sunscreen!!

Last time you cried.

We had a little scare with the baby last week so I cried all day! But everything is fine. This pregnancy has me crying a lot! Happy, sad or otherwise!!

If I won the lotto.

I sound naive saying this but I wouldn't want our lives to change too much. Obviously I would by a huge house in the area I aspire to live in one say. 

What makes me feel better, always.

My husband. As corny as it sounds he is my rock. He is like my councilor. A hug from him and a chat to talk something through and everything is all better, always.

Where I most want to travel.

The Maldives! It just looks like the most beautiful place in the world!! I will go, someday! 

Where I want to be in 10 years. 

In 10 years I want to be happy and healthy. Such a cliche answer I know but your health and family are really all that matters in this world! And I couldn't be happier than I am now. So I hope I am just as I am in 10 years... 

**Calling all bloggers, moms, small business owners or anyone that's interested**

If would like to answer these questions and be featured on my blog, leave a comment below with your email and I will email you the questions. I'd love to make a little series out of this to get to know more of you lovely people and share your blogs and/or talents.

Shoot me an email at mycountrygirlramblings@yahoo.ie 

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Lottie Doll review

We were sent a little surprise for my daughter awhile back from the lovely people at Lottie Doll. You may have seen these dolls on the Late Late Toy Show for the late two years. I can't tell you how excited I was when they contacted me about reviewing these dolls. 

Lottie Doll are award-winning, childlike dolls, that empower young minds and nurture individuality through play. Unlike other dolls, Lottie and Finn are based on characters that are nine years of age. Lottie and Finn are relatable, age-appropriate and fun dolls. 

Their motto is

Be Brave, Be Bold, Be Beautiful

Irish made!

We were sent the pony flag race lottie, pony flag race accessory set and Seren, the welsh mountain pony. The look on my pony mad daughters face when she opened up the boxes was priceless. She loved the doll and the pony. The accessories were amazing. The rosettes and the extra cover for the helmet were just perfect. Very realistic. And that's coming from someone that rides horses. 

Lottie is a positive doll. She is age appropriate, wears no make up or jewellery or high heels. No super skinny waists and does not have boobs. She is designed for children aged 3-9 years. She also dresses in age appropriate clothes, no crop tops or bootie shorts here. 

We've had out doll with awhile now and I can tell you that they stand up to alot of playing. Lottie has been taken on lots of adventures around the house and garden and even survived an attack from a very enthusiastic 3 year old boy. 

I love that Lottie can stand on her own two feet with shoes on. This comes in handy when Jasmin is doing photo shoots with her. But, I also love that it shows young girls that they can stand on their own two feet too. That they can be adventurous and explore and it not just for boys.

With over 12 dolls in the range, there is something for everyone. I can't wait to add to our collection.

The packaging is just lovely too. Each doll box is themed and designed with a cute handle to encourage reuse and doll portability. The bright and colourful Lottie doll packaging has been designed with the aim of lessening the use of plastic packaging and the use of those horribly annoying and tricky wire ties. I hate them and they take forever to open. 

If you're interested in buying a Lottie doll for the little ones in your life you can use the store locator on there website or just buy one online {here} . And, if you sign up for the Lottie club, you can receive the latest news as well as details of bundle offers. Plus you can redeem a 10% discount only for club members.

**We were sent the Lottie doll and accessories to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and 100% honest. We were not paid for this review.

The weekend recap linky

The Weekend Recap Linky

Welcome to another week of The Weekend Recap. A weekly link up where anyone is free to join in and share there adventures from the weekend. All you have to do is add your link, using the tool at the bottom of the post. If you tweet about it or instagram about it, use the #theweekendrecaplinky so I can like and share your posts. 

Saturday

Saturday was one of those day where I wish  could go back and redo. Or just forget it ever happened but because I can't I decided to finish the day on a good note. We got takeaway and the kids and I watch a movie. Then I ran a hot bath, put on a face mask and hair treatment and relaxed for the longest time in there. I haven't had a bath in forever. It was just what I needed. 

Sunday

Sunday morning, we had communion mass. Every few weeks there is a special mass in the church for the kids getting communion this year. We got to put our Sunday best  on and have a little mommy/daughter time. The two men of the house went and did what ever men do on a Sunday morning. After that we headed to Ballybunion Beach with my sister and her boyfriend and their dog, Wally. It was an amazing day back there. Perfect day for having some family fun. There were people surfing and a guy doing some giant sand art. It was exactly what I needed. And I took loads of selfies with the kids. I've made a promise to be in more pictures this year. I'm always the one behind the camera. No more! It's the year of the selfie and being in the picture. 

Don't forget to join in on the fun with your posts and use the hashtag #theweekendrecaplinky so I can share your posts.

Dresses, bones and slow cooking #littleloves

Happy Friday Friends. 

I'm linking up with the lovely Morgana over at Coffee, Work, Sleep, Repeat for #Littleloves.

Read
Lots of magazines this week. I love looking at these for inspiration for my home and who doesn't love Chloe Kardashain. she's my favourite dash girl.

Watched
Bones is back this week. I love all those kinds of shows. CSI, Criminal Minds. All that. Oh and the other huge reason that I love it... David Boreanaz. I fell in love with this man back in the day when he was on Buffy. Very easy watching. 

I'll just leave this here. 

Made 

I bought a slow cooker about a week ago and it's been sitting in the box until Wednesday night. I was afraid to try cooking something in it. I've never used one before. I've done all the research, found some lovely recipes but didn't want to leave it alone all day in case it blew up or something. I tried beef stew for my first go and it turned out lovely. And it didn't blow up. I'm pretty sure I can let it cook away while I'm out and about now. If you have any family friendly recipes leave them in the comments below. 

Wore

Clothes. Ha! But seriously. Nothing too fancy here this week. I really need to start taking some pictures of when I do actually get dressed up nice and not my momiform. I have been wearing my fav hat that I got at Christmas. It's a fake fur bobble hat from Penneys. It's perfect for hiding my hair on a bad hair day and so nice that someone tries to "borrow" it. 

Heard

My little girl is getting her holy communion this year and all I've been hearing is what she would like her dress to be like. Lace, bling and flowy is what I'm hear for now but I'm sure it'll change everyday until we actually but a dress. I've been looking around and nothing really caught my eye yet but the price of some of there dresses. Crazy!! I'm going to do my best to find a bargain.

And Lastly

I've started a new series here on the blog. It's called "20 Questions : Getting to know the Blogger". I will be featuring a new blogger or small business owner every fortnight, where they answer 20 questions and introduce themselves to my readers. The first interview is live and if you want to have a look {click here}. If you want to take part, just shoot me an email at mycountrygirlramblings@yahoo.ie

Have a great weekend everyone! 

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20 Questions :Getting to know the Blogger

Welcome to the first installment of 20 Questions: Getting to know the Blogger. This week were talking to Ellen from Bumps and Roundabouts. A busy mom of one with another on the way. Follow along on her adventures in parenting on her social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 


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Hello, I’m Ellen and I blog over at Bumps and Roundabouts. I am Mom to one toddler, with the ability to smell out biscuits from over 5 miles. I am also due his partner in crime in March this year. I blog about everything and anything from parenting to baking, make up to TV shows, all the bumps and roundabouts I encounter in life.

Favourite childhood book.

Granny Perkin’s thinking cap – My mom would read it to my cousin and me when we were growing up and it will always be the book that I think of when I think of my childhood. Sadly, I never held onto my original one but luckily I tracked one down a few years ago and have given it to my Mom to read to Aidan as he grows up.

Favourite quote.

“Everydays the first of the rest of your life”

or “Tigers don’t concern themselves with the opinions of sheep”. It really depends what sort of mood I’m in but those two are ones I tell myself a lot.

Favourite clothing store.

Penneys! I think all girls love Penneys (Primark). The trouble is I go in for socks and come out with three full bags and one empty purse.

Favourite song/band.

I got ahead of myself I see.. As I said above my favourite song is ‘Angels on the moon’ by Thriving Ivory. Who would also be one of my favourite bands. 

Biggest fear.

Coffins. I can’t see one without panicing and usually crying. Strange, I know. I don’t have a fear of dying – just coffins. I want to be burned and put into the bin when the time comes.

Any piercings/tattoos.

I had my ears, tongue and bellybutton pierced but I have let them all close up. I have 5 tattoos – my arm, back, neck, side and ankle.

Weird quirk of mine.

All the hangers in my wardrobe have to match. I bulk order hangers from Amazon. Metal ones with different coloured handles. Aidan’s wardrobe also has matching plastic hangers I bought from Tesco. Clayton’s wardrobe gets all the mismatched hangers! 

Something I like to collect.

Cleaning products. I will always have an unopen 6 pack of sponges, scouring pads, 2/3 extra bottles of bleach, extra bottle of fabric softener, floor cleaner. You name it, I have spares. 

The more of these questions I am answering the weirder I am sounding, right?

Favourite comfort food.

Anything with sugar – chocolate, jellies, biscuits!

Dream job.

Being paid to be a parent? Right now there is no job in the world that would trump getting to stay home with Aidan. However, when the time comes I hope to use my Chemistry degree and work in a research and development lab.

Favourite thing about me.

They say Irish people can’t take a compliment so how do they expect us to compliment ourselves? Can I say I like my top and then follow up with “This? Penneys €4!”

Worst habit.

Procrastinating. I have been meaning to get my flu injection for about 6-8 weeks now and make an appointment to get my haircut for about 6 months. If it’s not for Aidan or absolutely necessary I tend to keep putting it off. 

Guilty pleasure.

Big Brother. Although I am not too interested this year compared to other years.

Something you miss.

Living at home, baby free, not knowing anything about bills or budgeting. Don’t get me wrong if I had to move back in with my parents I would probably cry but I do miss the easier days of having someone else paying the bills, making the dinner and tidying the house.

3 things you would take to an island

Assuming all the important people are already there… my phone, tea bags and Dettol wipes. Aidan will sniff out any food that may be present anyway!

Last time you cried.

The other night when I watched ‘Dear Zachary’. It is of the same genre as Making a Murderer but if you’re going to watch it DO NOT Google it first. It’s on Youtube, but be prepared you will cry.

If I won the lotto.

The usual stuff – buy a house, a new car, give money to family, help charity and go on a crazy spending spree! Ideally, I would also love to buy one of the many ghost estates around the country to help with Ireland’s ever growing homelessness issue.

What makes me feel better, always.

Aidan. One smile can fix anything.

Where I most want to travel.

Bora Bora. It is self-explanatory surely. It looks so beautiful and relaxing.

Where I want to be in 10 years.

I want to have a happy and healthy family. Anything else is a bonus.

**Calling all bloggers, moms, small business owners or anyone that's interested**

If would like to answer these questions and be featured on my blog, leave a comment below with your email and I will email you the questions. I'd love to make a little series out of this to get to know more of you lovely people and share your blogs and/or talents.

Shoot me an email at mycountrygirlramblings@yahoo.ie 

 FACEBOOK : PINTEREST : TWITTER : INSTAGRAM