The Mummy Memo's Weekly Round-Up: 10 Things I know You're Gonna Love
Things you'll want to try, buy, eat, read, listen to and laugh at ❤️ and 10 Anti Valentine Ideas for us singles 💔
Happy Friday, lovers!
Welcome to your weekly warm hug in the form of The Mummy Memo’s weekly round-up. Go ahead and make a brew (cup of tea), get a coffee or pour yourself a G&T if you're after a cheeky treat (my small but mighty subscriber base covers plenty of time zones). If you've somehow managed to dodge the corporate love-bombing this February, guess what? It's bloody Valentine’s Day today, so I’m sending all the love and hugs your way.
I’ve spent mine having a coffee date with my little one and soon I’ll be winding down solo with a hot bubble bath, a tonne of chocolate and catching up with the drama on RHOBH (if you don’t know you need to know)! To mark the occasion, I’ve added a bonus "10 Things To Do if You’re Alone On Valentine’s Day" (think of it as my red rose and fluffy teddy holding a heart, just for you) scroll to the bottom to find it.
@studiocanal @giphy
This week has flown by and although I haven’t done enough work, life admin, exercise, or wholesome eating (honestly, who has?), I’ve put together an awesome round-up of the week for you. There’s LOADS to get through. Enjoy, comment, share, restack and PLEASE drop a ❤️
This Week I’ve Been Lovin’
Aldi Bons – Basically a rip-off of Kinder, but so small, so chocolatey, so yummy, so cheap. 🍫
Subscribers - I’ve got over 50 of you beautiful bunch now and I’m so bloody happy. I love each one of you. Thank you 😃
Card Factory – If you live in the UK and haven’t been yet, get yourself there. Cheap, cute cards, teddies and perfect for kid’s birthday pressies. 🎂
Oxfam Bookshops – A treasure trove for the soul. Cheap, pre-loved books. Fun fact: I got my mum and dad a collection of vintage Private Eye mags for Christmas from here. This month, I also found loads of cool vinyl (no, I don’t have a record player... yet) but the covers are so cool. 📚
This Week I’ve Been Hatin’
Trump – Need I say more? 🍊
Period Pain – 42 and they’re just getting worse... WHY?! 🔴
Local Pool Changing Rooms – The smell, the hair, the dirt. There must be a better way! 🤢
Chipped Nail Polish – Every time I look at my nails I want to cry (yeah, total first-world problems). 💅
Dirty Cars – When the sausage roll crumbs and mud start to build up, it’s time to hit the hand car wash. 🚗 🧽
Substack Shout outs
As its a day celebrating love, I thought I’d start to share what I’ve been loving on Substack this week. Please read and subscribe if you enjoy too
- Referencing my all time fave – Sex and The City in their fab article about celebrating non traditional milestones: Sex and The City Was Right. writes beautifully about the ups and downs of the first year of motherhood. Her first post is a must read for any new mums Week 18/52 of maternity leave has a gorgeous publication called The Cute List and regularly posts adorable illustrations on her notes that are guaranteed to brighten up your day. Introduction to herself is amazing Welcome✨ START HERE if you're new : Me, Myself, and I I love her story and style of writing. A brilliant read that confirms life always has twists and turns. writes about struggling to bond with her baby in pregnancy. Motherhood can be a blessing, but there are moments you can feel alone in your thoughts. Thank you Laura for sharing this story in a powerful piece of writing that’s so important for mums to hear You can find the article here ExpectingWeekly Quote to live by:
I know that a lot of my life is spent thinking about crisps and eating crisps and hating myself for eating crisps. It's just not worth it. Or it wouldn't be if crisps weren't so delicious.
Miriam Margolyes (actually from The Telegraph but I don’t pay so it won’t let me link)
Weekly Round-Up
Watch: Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix
@BEN KING/NETFLIX
O.M.G. Have you seen this? If you haven’t, why the hell not? (Probably juggling a million things, trying not to burn out... so no judgment). My lovely friend Laura put me onto it and I’ve binge-watched it all week (I’m actually about to watch the final episode as I type this).
(Quick trigger warning: I’ll be talking about terminal illness and cancer below.)
Apple Cider Vinegar (or ACV, as I’ll call it) is based on the true story of Belle Gibson, an Aussie who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Through wellness and diet, she claimed to cure herself and went viral gaining millions of followers on Insta, launching a successful app and even releasing a book. If Substack had been around back then she’d have been all over it too. Sounds like the perfect influencer fairy tale... until the big plot twist: Belle never had cancer!
This six-part docudrama mixes real-life events with fictional characters, some of which are exaggerated but you’re never quite sure what is fact and what is fiction. The production is brilliant, the screenwriting hooks you from the get-go and the acting is phenomenal. Some scenes are hard to watch, as you see Belle using every trick in the narcissist playbook. You’ll find yourself Googling the real stories behind the characters in the show and, if you’re anything like me, it’ll leave you feeling even more cynical about the influencer wellness industry than before. This is no shade to those of you who do amazing things in this area, I’m talking about those people that may not be qualified to talk about what they do and seem to put profit before science and fact.
Listen:
If you need an antidote to the chaos of Apple Cider Vinegar, and you happen to be a mum, may I prescribe a healthy dose of the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast? Hosted by the absolute babe of all babes, the mum friend we all wish we had, Giovanna Fletcher, who sits down with everyone from celebrities to experts to chat about the glorious (and often chaotic) reality of motherhood.
The podcast covers everything from the I’m growing a human madness of pregnancy, to the what do I do now? of early parenting, to the emotional rollercoaster of trying to juggle work and family life without losing your mind. It’s not just about Pinterest-perfect moments, but the real, raw and hilariously messy struggles of raising tiny humans.
With over eight years of episodes, there’s something for every stage of motherhood you're navigating, so go on, dive into the back catalogue. Just chuck on some noise-cancelling headphones and get stuck in. You’ll feel supported, empowered and maybe even chuckle through the madness and best of all you’ll even find this incredible community on substack
Wear: M&S Mom Jeans
What a bloody cliché I’ve turned out to be. But I love a mum jean, however, it HAS to be from M&S. Tried Zara? Couldn’t even get my little toe into the leg in a size twelve! I had to double-check with the surly-faced shop assistant that I hadn’t picked up a toddler pair. But M&S? It’s my middle-aged haven. Lucky for me I live near not one but two megastores, I am living the dream. The food, the café, the mini kid’s trolleys... and, of course, the mom jeans (no, no typo that’s what they call them). Beautifully comfy and effortlessly cool, they also come in a variety of colours to suit every taste. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Though I have to admit, I’m still clinging onto my skinny jean era (don’t judge). (Sidenote: When I start making millions from my newsletter, I’m hiring a stylist!)
@marksandspencer.com
Read:
Les Petits Pleasures
One of the things I adore about Substack is stumbling upon an Aladdin’s cave of extraordinary content. That’s exactly how I felt when I rediscovered Rachel Khoo’s Substack. If you’ve heard of her, you’re probably already obsessed with her mouth-watering recipes from The Little Paris Kitchen days (gorgeous recipes that came alive in a beautiful, but tiny, Parisian apartment, which doubled as a supper club and was shown on the BBC) Rachel’s Substack is as delightful as her cooking shows. Her themed Petit Meal Plans (like “Meat-Free,” “Comfort Food,” and “Speedy”) will inspire your next kitchen adventure. I’ve already drooled all over my keyboard exploring her Substack. I hope Rachel won’t mind me using a screen shot of her fabulous homepage to illustrate this. Go check her out!
Buy: Lidl Jelly Cat Dupes (aka Softlings Foodies)
Okay, I’m not one to brag, but I was ahead of the curve on the whole Jelly Cat trend, before they became ridiculously overpriced. Yep, I’m officially a trendsetter. Just waiting for my frizztastic mum bun to make an appearance in Vogue… anyway I digress. So, if you don’t fancy trekking to London and spending a small fortune on plushies wrapped up in Chip Paper (google the viral Jelly Cat fish and chip shop), Lidl is launching their very own range of soft, squishy foodie plushies on February 16th. Think doughnuts, pretzels and fruit and all for just £2.99. My favourite? The croissant with the cutest smile. It’s all the buttery carbs without the calories. (Okay, who am I kidding, I’ll still grab a real one.) So on Sunday I suggest you run, not walk, to your nearest Lidl and pick your favourite.
Talking Point: Chrissy Teigen Bathing With Her Kids
Splish, splash, Chrissy Teigen was taking a bath and posted a sweet pic of herself bathing with her kids on Instagram next thing we know chaos is closing in. Who knew it would be so controversial to bathe with your own children? These are the same kids you’ve nurtured and watched grow from a tiny, teeny baby, so what’s the big deal? Personally, my daughter and I have bath time once a week, and I'm pretty sure I'm not creating a scandal. It’s just bonding. Let's stop making normal things weird. Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Bathe with your babes or stay on towel duty?
For Your Face: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse®
I mentioned last week how obsessed I am with French skincare and I’m back with another recommendation. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® is liquid gold in a bottle. You can use it on your face, body and hair for the ultimate glow-up. I always get compliments when I wear it. (Tip: use more on your face than you think you need.) If you’re not into the shimmer, don’t worry, they do it without glitter too. Go on, treat yourself to some French luxury!
Read (To Your Kids): The Jolly Postman
If you’re an 80s gal like me, you’ll remember this classic. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re in for a treat. The Jolly Postman follows a postie on his round, delivering letters to famous characters like Cinderella and The Three Bears. The magic is in the little envelopes inside each page where your child can open them and find fun surprises. It’s beautifully illustrated, and while some content might seem dated, it’s an absolute delight. It’s one of those books that gets read again... and again... and again…
@penguin.co.uk
Eat: Emily English’s Baked Eggs, Feta, and Spinach
FYI, if I ever win the Euromillions, there’ll be signs. I’ll hire a private nutritionist and chef to cook up the healthiest, most delicious meals. But until then, I’m making and then kindly sharing with you, an easy and yummy recipe from super lovely and fabulously glam Emily English. Her recipes are all about feeding your body with delicious, healthy, no fuss recipes without stressing over calories. This baked eggs, feta, and spinach recipe is perfect for a WFH lunch or dinner. Emily’s Instagram has more gems and I can highly recommend her cookbook So Good for even more delicious ideas.
@giphy
OK, I’m not suggesting you go anywhere else for your motherhood/parenting wisdom (a 42-year-old single mum to a four-year-old knows a lot more than a Princess, alright?) But Kate, AKA the Princess of Wales, has been sharing her top parenting tips with the world. First, let your child wear their favourite clothes, even if they’re dirty (apparently, it's good to let them make their own decisions, though I’ve been using this "tip" for years just to save my sanity). You should also ask your kids what they want to be when they grow up without judging them. (I'm still waiting for my daughter to say, "A multimillionaire, so I can keep you stocked with croissants and champagne." But Princess Ballerina Doctor? Also a pretty solid choice.) These hot parenting tips come from the Princess’s “Shape Us Framework” report, released this month. The framework is about 40 pages long and if I’m being honest I haven’t had the chance to go through it in detail just yet. However, it seems packed with great tips and advice. I’ve linked it in this post and will perhaps do a deeper dive once I’ve had a moment to read it all.
And finally, as promised, here are my top tips for anyone feeling any type of way this Valentine’s Day. Whether you're spending it alone, hate it because you're single, hate it because you're married or just couldn’t care less. This list is for you.
Romance is Dead: 10 Ways to Kick Back and Enjoy a 'Me' Day on Valentine's
Treat yourself to your favourite takeaway or whip up a decadent dinner. Personally, I’d go for takeout. That way, no dishes to do. If you're cooking, might I suggest a whole baked Camembert with garlic, served with a freshly baked baguette and a nice glass of red? 🧀 🍷
Watch Season 6 of Sex and the City, the one where Carrie dates Burger and then gets dumped via post-it. You’ll feel smug you don’t have to put up with that level of nonsense! 🍔
You know I love a gratitude list, so get on it! Write down ten incredible things in your life you’re thankful for. Then, go one step further and write down ten things you love about yourself. 💕
Figure out what year you turned 13 in, then search for a playlist featuring songs from that year on Spotify. Nothing like reminiscing over your teen angst on Valentine’s Day!
Send love and appreciation texts to everyone you truly care about. Use this day to spread a little love. Smile at the shopkeeper, compliment someone’s outfit and maybe donate a little cash to charity. ☎️
Treat yourself. Could be a delicious cake, some gorgeous new underwear, a fresh pair of socks or decadent body lotion. Gifting yourself is the best way to guarantee you’ll get exactly what you want. 🎁
Set your alarm early on Saturday morning and indulge in all the half-price Valentine’s Day food. Then, smugly enjoy it solo on Saturday evening, in front of the TV, while you watch a romantic true-crime documentary. Because nothing says “I hate love” like an unsolved murder case.
Print out a picture of Andrew Tate and stick it near your kettle. Every time you make tea, put the soggy tea bag on his face. You’ll get a good laugh imagining him getting repeatedly tea-bagged (something I’m sure he’d just love). 🫖
Take the longest, hottest, bubbliest bath imaginable. Light the candles, put on some Celine Dion and pour yourself a glass of something. Romancing yourself will never get old. 🛁
Got love? Share it on Substack! Mention someone in your post, do a restack or heart a note. Seriously, as someone new around here, you'll never appreciate how nice it is to get love and recognition for your work. It's also lovely to discover new Substacks and spread the love. Go on, make someone’s day (and don’t forget to do it to this post too, haha). I’m all about the self-love, darling!
Right, that’s all your getting from me today, this bubble bath won’t run itself. Enjoy the weekend lovely Substackers. I can’t wait to see what you all write, draw and talk about over the next few days.
Keep an eye out for my posts and notes this week, as I’m going to attempt to write about:
Things every new mum needs to know (according to me)
Some funny, related motherhood stuff that may resonate
Lots and lots of notes.
And remember, treat yourself – whether it's with a G&T, some mom jeans, a soft toy croissant or a bit of luxury french skincare.
P.S Just a reminder, I’m not affiliated with anything I’ve mentioned above (I wish I was, then I could afford some real bubbles for my bath tonight 🍾 haha)
P.P.S Do you think I over did the Gifs? Discovered how to add them and I love them. Adds a little fun, doesn’t it? (If you hate them let me know. I’m here for every one of you beautiful subscribers).
P.P.P.S If you spot any typos I’m sorry. I really wanted to get this out today but it takes a lot of hours to put the words down and the pictures in.
What a wonderful, fun-filled, exuberant post I loved it! 3 things:
1. Thank you so much for the kind mention I'm over the moon.
2. Totally agree with everything you said about jeans, I'm a millennial who can't let go of the skinnies.
3. I didn't know I needed the Jolly Postman back in my life until now and I need it in my hands and eyeballs immediately!
Xxx
We Love love love the oxfam bookshop in Sevenoaks it is literally a treasure trove. Second hand books all the way although that said our copy of jolly postman is missing a few letters now. 😂