These are all available with quick delivery, so there’s still time!

🍻 For Him

For the one who says he “doesn’t want anything”, but really loves a proper gift.

Thoughtful, useful, properly chosen — gadgets, grooming, something for the garden, a good book, a nice aftershave. The kind of gifts that actually get used.

Shop Gifts For Him

🧒 From the Kids, Under £25

Little gifts they can proudly say they picked themselves.

Funny mugs, silly socks, sweet treats, something handmade-feeling — all under £25 and all guaranteed to land.

Shop Gifts Under £25

🧩 For Grandads

Because Father’s Day is for them too.

Classic, comforting and the kind of thing that’ll be appreciated — puzzles, plants, a tin of something nice, a framed photo of the grandkids (always a winner).

Shop Gifts For Grandads

🌳 Father’s Day Ideas

If doing something together is more your thing, how about:

• A long walk followed by a nice pub lunch

• BBQ in the garden, funny apron optional

• Coastal day trip with fish and chips on the seafront

• Go-karting, mini golf or bowling with the kids

• F1 Arcade or Topgolf if you’re near one

• Cinema trip for peace and quiet

• Cooking his favourite meal at home with the kids

• Or honestly… a quiet morning with no to-do list given

It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes just doing something together is enough.

💛 A Little Reminder

Father’s Day doesn’t have to be perfect.

It can be quiet. It can be simple. It can be homemade.

And if this weekend feels complicated, you’re not alone in that either.

However you spend Sunday is enough.

⭐️ A Holiday Giveaway To Say Thank You!!

To say a proper thank you for hitting 1 million followers, I’ve teamed up with Neilson Holidays to give one family a 7-day beach club holiday this August.

Flights. Transfers. Accommodation. Most meals. Water sports. Kids’ club.

All included. And the best bit, you choose the location: Greece, Sardinia or Croatia.

It’s live on Instagram now. Like the reel, follow me and @neilsonholidays, and tag someone who properly deserves a trip away.

I genuinely can’t wait to give this to a family, my kids love the activities. Honestly, thank you for being part of this 💛

Enter Now & View Full T&Cs

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Ronni Ancona

This week we’re joined by the brilliant Ronni Ancona — BAFTA-winning comedy icon, EastEnders’ Bea Pollard, and a self-proclaimed “over-loving” mother.

Fresh off a school mums’ night out that cost her a tooth and a serious hangover, Ronni stripped back the famous masks and gave us the raw, chaotic truth.

We talk about her late ADHD diagnosis in her 40s, the years of masking and people-pleasing at the peak of UK fame, and 12 years of children who simply would not sleep. Plus the casual sexism of 2000s telly, what it was really like making a hit comedy show with her ex Alistair McGowan, and the time Posh and Becks invited them to a party… to coat-check the guests.

Honest, hilarious and properly heart-warming.

Watch Now

💛 Small Business Shout Out - Fond

This week’s small business is Fond, a beautifully curated shop in Lymm, Cheshire, founded by Laura, championing UK-made gifts from small, independent makers.

Every product has been chosen because Laura genuinely loves it. Think craftspeople, artists and micro businesses, all making in small batches, all properly made.

And the timing couldn’t be better — they’ve got a dedicated Father’s Day edit live now, full of things you won’t see everywhere else. Plus, lovely treats for you too!

Shop Father's Day Edit

Here’s to the dads, the grandads, the stepdads, and all the special people who quietly hold it together. Have a lovely weekend 🤍

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

This week did that thing.

The thing where you’re rushing through the days, ticking things off, half-listening to your own life… and then something pulls you up sharp and reminds you what actually matters. A conversation. A piece of news. A moment with one of the kids. The kind of small jolt that makes everything else look a bit smaller.

I won’t bore you with the details. But it’s been one of those weeks where the perspective has shifted slightly. Where I’ve found myself stopping more, looking around more, and noticing the bits I usually rush past.

So this week’s a more personal one. A few honest thoughts, the Dove Whole Body Deodorant that’s saved me, and a podcast conversation that’s stayed with me for days.

🕊️ Dove Whole Body Deodorant

The kind of week where the small daily things matter even more.

I started using Dove Whole Body Deodorant (the cream version, in Lavender & Chamomile scent) a little while ago, and it’s become one of those things that just works across all of it. The school run sprints, the Tube, the studio, the red carpet, the “why is this dress thicker than I remembered” events. It’s designed to be used in places beyond the underarms (under the bust, between the thighs, anywhere skin meets skin), and alongside your regular underarm deodorant. Which, honestly, when you think about how much we ask our bodies to do in a normal week, just makes sense.

What I really like is that it doesn’t feel like a deodorant. It feels like skincare that is soft on the skin, properly moisturising and it’s dermatologically tested. The Lavender & Chamomile is gentle and calm. It sinks in. No tightness, no drying. Just all-day odour protection, keeping me feeling fresh and confident from head to toe.

It comes in spray, stick and cream but I decided on the cream because I liked the idea of something that melts into the skin. It’s the kind of small addition you don’t realise you needed until you’ve got it, and then it just slots in across the whole week.

Shop Online at Selected Retailers

🌳 What’s Worth Holding Onto

A few things this week has quietly reminded me.

That no one ever looks back on a random Tuesday and wishes they’d been more productive.

That the people who matter want your time, not your perfect version of it.

That you can be doing fine and still need to stop for a minute. Both can be true.

That a slow walk, a proper conversation, or twenty minutes outside can shift something nothing else will.

That perspective is something you have to keep finding, not something you arrive at and keep.

🤍 The Thing I Keep Coming Back To

The older I get, the less I trust productivity as a measure of anything.

The weeks I’ve been most productive aren’t the ones I remember. The ones I remember are the slow afternoons, the meals that ran late, the conversations that weren’t planned. The small, slightly aimless stretches where nothing was being achieved and everything was being felt.

I think I’m slowly making peace with the fact that a meaningful life and an efficient one don’t always look the same.

And that’s okay.

✈️ Just Released | My Anguilla Travel Guide

If reading this has nudged you toward planning something slower, this might be for you.

I’ve just released my full guide to our recent family trip to Anguilla — a week of boat days, beach hopping, barefoot dinners, and the kind of slow stretches that genuinely reset you. We stayed at two very different but equally brilliant hotels (Malliouhana and Zemi Beach House), explored the island by buggy, ate our weight in seafood, and ticked off a wish I’d been holding onto for eighteen years.

It’s properly detailed with flights, ferries, where to eat, what to book, which beaches are worth the drive — and put together with the team at Inspiring Travel, who tailor-made the whole thing.

If a holiday like this has been on your wish list, I’d love to help guide you. Inspiring Travel also work across destinations all over the world, so whether it’s Anguilla, somewhere closer, or something completely different, they can put together a trip that fits your family and your budget properly.

Read My Anguilla Guide

💛 Small Business Nominations!

This week I’m flipping it around.

The small business slot is one of my favourite parts of the week, and so much of what’s ended up in here has come from you — readers, founders, friends-of-friends, all telling me about something brilliant.

So if there’s a small business you genuinely love, or one you run yourself that deserves a moment in the spotlight, I’d love to hear from you.

📧 Email brands@mamastillgotit.com with the name, the link, and a line on why you love them. The best ones will get featured here.

Can’t wait to see what lands in the inbox!

🎙️ Podcast Drop — Kelsey Parker

This week’s episode is the kind of conversation that genuinely puts everything in perspective.

Hannah and I are joined by the brilliant Kelsey Parker — actress, dancer, podcaster, mum, and a real force of nature. She’s been through more before her mid-thirties than most people face in a lifetime, and yet somehow she remains one of the warmest, most hopeful people you could spend an hour with.

We talk about losing her husband Tom in 2022 and her baby son Phoenix last summer. About being pregnant again now with her partner Will, and the strange bittersweet beauty of that. About being trolled online while grieving, and refusing to let toxic culture dictate her timeline for happiness. And about the spiritual signs Tom still sends the family (small, undeniable, often funny) that keep him present in their home every day.

It’s raw, it’s hopeful, and it’s a conversation I’m still thinking about.

Watch Now

So here’s my challenge for the next few days. Just stop. Properly stop. Even just for ten minutes. The bits we usually rush past are often the ones worth seeing.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

Back to school runs. Back to lunchboxes. Back to meetings, deadlines, and a calendar that suddenly feels twice as full as I remembered. By Thursday, the holiday already feels weirdly far away, doesn’t it?

This week is a little nod to that — the return to real life, and the small things that hold it all together when the pace picks back up.

🌤️ The Everyday Load

The bits that make up a normal week for me right now.

The school run, in all its sweaty-handed, where-are-the-shoes glory. Heading into London for meetings, which always involves at least one Tube journey where I regret my outfit choice. Recording podcasts under studio lights that are hotter than they look. Events and the occasional red carpet, which sounds glamorous and is — but also involves standing in heat in something tight, smiling, and trying not to think about my perimenopause induced hot flush.

Then school pickup, after-school clubs, dinner, the bedtime stretch. Repeat.

It’s a lot. And don’t we all just get on with it.

But it does make you appreciate the small things that help hold it all together — the routines, the habits, the products that help you through.

🥤 The Small Things That Help

A handful of things doing quiet work across the chaos:

• A proper water bottle on me, not the kids one, a grown up thermal one. Genuinely changes my mood.

• A backup outfit option in the bag for big days. There’s always a reason.

• Cold water on the wrists between meetings. Slightly out there, weirdly effective.

• A morning walk before the day starts, even ten minutes. Resets everything.

• Eating something proper at lunch. Not a bar, not crisps. A real lunch.

• A shared calendar, full of reminders that actually beep at me.

None of it is revolutionary. It’s just the small stuff that stops the wheels coming off.

🌿 The Triangle Trick

Someone shared this with me a while back, and it’s properly stuck.

The idea is this. If you’ve got three things on your list for the evening — say, tidy the house, cook a proper dinner, and read with the kids before bed, instead of trying to do all three, you let one go. You pick the two that matter most that day, and you give yourself permission to drop the third.

It sounds small. But there’s something about seeing it as a triangle, with one corner you’re allowed to let go of, that genuinely takes the pressure off.

Some nights it’s the cooking. Some nights it’s the tidying. Some nights it’s the reading. And the world keeps turning.

We’re not meant to hold it all. We never were. Give it a try!

🕶️ Discount Alert! Leosun Kids’ Sunglasses

I’ve snagged you a new discount this week.

Code MAMA15 gets you 15% off Leosun — British, award-winning kids’ sunglasses founded by Kirsten, a mum of two and former fashion buyer based in Bath.

Properly thought-through too. UV400 polarised lenses for protection from harmful rays. Flexi-hinge frames that bend beyond 90 degrees rather than snapping. Made from G850 renew, an eco-friendly material derived from castor seeds.

And here’s the bit that sold me, a lifetime damage replacement guarantee. Broken, scratched, sat on by a sibling… they’ll replace them. Which is a small revolution when it comes to kids’ sunglasses.

A lovely one for the sunnier days ahead.

Shop Leosun

💛 Small Business Shout Out - ANJNA

This week’s small business is one I’ve recently worn, and the beauty of it really deserved a shout out!

ANJNA is a jewellery brand founded by Anjna Kaur, and the story behind it is gorgeous. She grew up between two worlds — her Indian roots, where jewellery is deeply symbolic and worn with intention, and her Thai heritage, with its love of craftsmanship and natural gemstones. Both of those threads come together in pieces designed to mean something, not just sit in a box.

Every stone is chosen for the energy it carries. Every piece is made to feel personal, a small reminder of clarity, strength, or whatever you’re carrying with you that day.

I wore a pair of their earrings to the King’s Trust 50th anniversary recently, and they gave me that feel-good vibe that great jewellery does — beautiful, but with a story behind them.

A lovely one to know about, especially if you’re after something with a bit more meaning than the usual, or need a little pick-me-up!

Shop ANJA

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Andrea McLean

This week’s episode is a really honest one.

Hannah and I are joined by the brilliant Andrea McLean — a familiar face from over two decades on our screens, and someone whose real story is so much bigger than the one you saw on TV.

Andrea talks about parenting through everything the headlines didn’t show, the realities of surgical menopause in your forties, and the quiet years she spent rebuilding after a mental health crisis and a financial fall most people knew nothing about.

It’s open, brave, and the kind of conversation that genuinely sits with you afterwards.

Watch Now

Whatever this week looks like for you — back to reality, easing in, or still mid-chaos, you’ve got this. And remember the triangle. Drop the corner that needs to go.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

18 years ago, after shooting a modelling campaign in St Maarten, my fabulous old friend Wendy (who was with me on the shoot) told me she was going to Anguilla to see her fella. “What and where is Anguilla?” I wondered. She invited me to join, so I spontaneously jumped on the boat with her. My jaw hit the floor at the pure, unspoilt beauty of the island, the happy, generous people and the most beautiful beaches I’d ever seen. I had wanted to return ever since seeing a shooting star whilst there, and wishing to come back one day with my own little family.

Finally it felt like time, and the perfect excuse to swap grey skies for turquoise water and properly unwind as a family with old friends. We traded home for an altogether slower-paced and sun-soaked experience: a week in Anguilla with Inspiring Travel.

What followed was a dreamy mix of beach-hopping, boat days, great food and just enough adventure to keep everyone — from adults to kids — very happy.

✈️ Sunday: The journey & island arrival

There isn’t a direct route from London so getting to Anguilla is part of the adventure.

We flew from London to Princess Juliana International Airport, St Maarten via Paris with Air France, landing on one of the most famous runways in the world — low over the beach, with planes roaring just overhead the perimeter fence. The plane had a birds-eye camera attached, viewable on the inflight screens so you can see the approach, which the kids just loved.

From there, it was a short transfer to the ferry terminal and across to Anguilla, arriving into Blowing Point Ferry Terminal via Funtime Charters, who serve complimentary rum punch for the 25 minute voyage. Don’t mind if I do ;)

A quick taxi later, we arrived at the iconic Malliouhana Hotel, perched above the ocean with sweeping views and that immediately tranquil “We’ve arrived!” feeling.

Even better, we had arranged car hire in advance, which was delivered straight to the hotel by Hertz Dollar Firefly — a seamless experience and essential for exploring the island over the next week.

🌊 Monday: Beach life begins

Waking up at Mallihouana was a dreamlike scenario; the crashing waves below our adjoined rooms invited us on to the balcony to take in the view across the ocean before breakfast.

Mallihouana has an incredible history. Upon discovering Anguilla in the 1980s, British businessman Leon Roydon founded the island’s first luxury destination above Mead’s Bay with Giorgio Armani the first guest to stay in residence.

All somehow escaping severe jet lag with a surprisingly decent sleep, we were the first down to breakfast at the cliff-side Celeste by Kerth Gumbs restaurant.

The bubbly Miss Kissy was to be our host each morning, who our kids took to very fondly. The breakfast menu was incredible with options such as steak and eggs, shakshuka, giant omelettes and even a curried lobster bowl. Naturally, our brood opted for pancakes every day.

Our first full day set the tone for the week: slow, sunny, and centred around the sea.

A quick turnaround and we headed to Meads Bay beach — a picture-perfect stretch of soft sand and calm, clear water — and spent the morning at Nim’s Nook, a sheltered bay below the hotel.

Lunch was at Leon’s at Meads Bay, a relaxed beachfront restaurant that’s part of Mallihouana (and named after the revered founder, of course) with grilled snapper, pizza and poke bowls. No reservations required, free pool tables to keep the children entertained and sun loungers/hammocks on the beach too.

That evening brought something a little different after dinner: a Celestial Stargazing Experience from the Celeste restaurant balcony at Mallihouana. With minimal light pollution, Anguilla’s night skies are incredible — and spying the stars through the powerful Unistar Odyssey Pro telescope was a surprisingly magical highlight for us all, with popcorn and punch to boot.

⛵ Tuesday: Boats, cliffs & island flavours

After another leisurely breakfast (with the daily world newspapers curated into neat print outs by Mallihouana), we headed out on the water with Funtime Charters, hosted by the fabulous Dylan and Bryan. A short car journey to Sandy Ground in the middle of the island is where many boat journeys set sail, with Johnno’s seemingly the unassuming car park.

Boat days are where Anguilla really shines. We explored hidden coves, the famous Anguilla Arch rock formation and stopped at Little Bay for a (slightly daring) cliff jump by my eldest son and snorkelling. We then ventured on to the paradise beach in the middle of the ocean, Prickly Pear Cays, and spent hours swimming in impossibly clear and clean water.

Back at the hotel in the afternoon, my husband and I rotated childcare as we enjoyed incredible massages at the Mallihouana Spa and a poolside lunch at Bar Soleil, taking some well-earned downtime before sundowners at the gorgeous infinity pool for sunset.

For our first dinner out and about we chose Picante — a lively, flavour-packed Mexican spot that delivered a fun change of scenery for all with build-your-own tacos, cocktails and a great merch store on the way out for souvenirs and presents. It was also my first chance of the trip to see Wendy! I hadn’t seen her since my wedding in 2014. My kids were so excited to meet her and together with her local knowledge, we schemed some good plans for the rest of the week.

🚗 Wednesday: Exploring the island

Midweek, and after 3 fabulous nights at Mallihouana it was time to check out and get ready to check in to our second hotel experience. But first we wanted to see more of the west side of the island. We swapped boats for wheels and hired a beach buggy from Moke Anguilla — an instant hit with the kids and a fun way to explore before heading to the east of the island for the rest of the week.

We made our way to The Coral Club on Rendezvous Bay for lunch, where calm waters and a long stretch of sand made it ideal for a relaxed afternoon. It was uncrowded and very relaxed, and the crayfish lunch was superb! Absolutely recommended for an alternative stop-off point.

Later, we checked into the incredible Zemi Beach House, our second destination of the trip, set on the dazzling white sands of Shoal Bay. Depending on what type of hotel set-up you prefer, our two experiences were both brilliant at each end of the spectrum. Whereas Mallihouana has an intimate, relaxed and boutique aura, Zemi provides the larger scale offering with beach, pool, bar and restaurant in close proximity.

Dinner that evening was Caribbean Night at 20 Knots restaurant within the hotel — colourful, live music and a great introduction to local flavours with grilled lobsters, exotic salads, jerk chicken and a huge range of desserts. The perfect introduction to our new retreat.

💆 Thursday: Waterparks & wellness

Our room set-up at Zemi was the Two Bedroom Penthouse Ocean View with Kitchen + Pool. There was plenty of space for us including a generously sized kitchen, living room, storage, three bathrooms and even a rooftop plunge pool. We felt right at home straight away.

Thursday struck a perfect balance between family fun and total relaxation.

The morning was spent at Aurora Anguilla Water Park, where slides, lazy rivers and splash zones kept the kids entertained for hours. Refreshingly it wasn’t overly crowded or chaotic like many water park experiences we’ve had in the past. We could always see the children and the onsite restaurant was great for a simple and quick lunch.

In the afternoon, we slowed things right down at the spa back at Zemi’s Thai House Spa, home to a beautifully restored 300-year-old Thai House — an unexpectedly serene setting for incredible massages and relaxation.

🌊 Friday: The ultimate boat day

Our final full day was the kind you wish could last forever!

We met with Wendy at Sandy Ground. Together with Captain Jel and First Mate ‘Bounty’, we headed out on their trusty boat, Good Living, for a full day on the water — complete with a Seabob (basically an underwater scooter, and a huge hit with the boys, pretending to be James Bond all day).

Stops included the striking Anguilla Arch again for a group picture, Little Bay for some snorkelling, the pristine sands of Sandy Island where I recreated the same photo Wendy took of me 18 years ago, and the tiny, characterful Scilly Cay — a floating island restaurant in the middle of the ocean for one final crayfish feast.

Dinner that evening was at the highly recommended Blanchards Beach Shack, a casual, family-friendly eatery, and exactly what we wanted for our last night with Wendy and Jel before the voyage home the next day.

🌅 Saturday: Goodbye (for now)

All good things come to an end. For now at least.

After checking out of Zemi Beach House, we made our way back to St Maarten by boat with Funtime Charters, retracing our steps complete with a final rum punch. We were all sun-kissed, salty-haired, and already missing island life. We will be back!

Final thoughts

Anguilla is one of those rare places that manages to feel both luxurious and completely laid-back — perfect for families and old friends who want a memorable mix of relaxation and adventure together.

From boat days and beach hopping to stargazing and barefoot dinners, it delivered exactly what we needed: quality time, warm weather and a chance to properly catch up and switch off.

And while it may take a little more effort to get there, it’s more than worth it. Thank you to Inspiring Travel for helping us piece together the most perfect itinerary and treasured memories for life.

Inspiring Travel’s expert Travel Specialists tailor make luxury holidays to create the dream trip for every client. To create your perfect Anguilla holiday, visit their website or call the team on 01244 729 525.

For more information about Anguilla, check out visitanguilla.com.

Louise x

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*Ad/PR/Discounted Stay, reviews and advice are all my own.

And I'm leaning right into it.

(Love this swimwear from Scamp & Dude, more details to come on our stay at The Peligoni Club.)

Discount alert! Scamp & Dude have kindly given me a code MAMA15 for 15% off Scamp & Dude Family Swimwear — live until Sunday 31st May at 23:59. Online at scampanddude.com, excluding charity and sale products.

☀️ What’s Helping This Week

A few small things making this week feel good (the holiday version):

• A proper book, not a Kindle. There’s something about a paperback on holiday that nothing else replicates.

• Letting the kids stay up later than they should. They’re sleeping in, the evenings are warm, and these weeks feel rare.

• Eating dinner outside, every night. Even when it’s just pasta. Especially when it’s just pasta.

• Not planning every day. Some have been packed. Some have been one big lazy stretch by the pool. Both have been brilliant.

• A morning swim or sunrise coffee before anyone else is up. Genuinely one of the best ten minutes of the day.

A small reminder of what life can feel like when you slow it right down. And what to try to hold onto when I’m back in the everyday chaos.

🧢 Summer Accessories

Hats and sunglasses do most of the heavy lifting.

A wide-brim straw hat, sunglasses you actually love, a good tote. That’s most of the wardrobe sorted before you’ve even thought about clothes.

Shop All Accessories

👗 Summer Staples

The clothes you actually wear on holiday are the easy ones.

Linen everything. Cotton dresses over swimwear. A floaty maxi for dinners. Sandals you can walk in for hours.

If swimwear is still on the list, my full edit is here too.

Shop All Summer

📖 The Holiday Reading Pile

A holiday without a proper book feels like a missed opportunity.

Read the one you're actually drawn to, not the one you think you should. A few of the ones quietly making their way around sunbeds this summer.

Shop Summer Reads

💛 Small Business Shout Out - Hayden Hill

This week’s small business is one for anyone who loves their clothes.

Hayden Hill is a family-run brand based in Dorset, making garment storage bags out of 100% organic cotton that are designed to protect the pieces you actually care about. The fancy dresses, the leather jacket, the handbag you want to treasure forever. Keeping moths, dust and light away from the bits worth keeping properly.

What makes it lovely is the story behind it. The founders work directly with cotton farmers and makers, and you can really feel that care in the product — beautifully made, ethically produced, and built to last. The kind of thing that quietly extends the life of what you already own.

A really lovely one for when you’ve finally got a free weekend to tackle the wardrobe properly.

Shop Hayden Hill

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Laura Anderson

This week on No Parental Guidance, Hannah and I are joined by Laura Anderson — Love Island, mum to Bonnie Rose, and someone who genuinely doesn’t hold back.

Laura opens up about navigating a very public breakup while pregnant, the toll of the tabloid press, and the honest reality of co-parenting now. She also shares the actual video of the moment Bonnie Rose was born, from hypnobirthing dreams to an emergency epidural. Raw, emotional, and the kind of thing you rarely see anywhere else.

Plus our usual parenting therapy, featuring a school run gone wrong and a holiday ferry trip that went sideways over a lost set of car keys.

Watch Now

Whatever your week looks like, I hope there's a slow stretch of it somewhere. A long lunch, a good book, an evening with no plans.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

So this week is a bit of a get-ahead edition. A few things worth sorting now, heatwave hacks, fun in the sun, and last minute essentials for anyone heading away!

🧴 Last-Minute Packing Essentials

The things you always think you have until you don’t.

This is for the half-term trips or any quick getaway coming up, the in-between bits that always end up on a last-minute list. Travel-size everything, sun cream, lip balm, and the small extras that make travel mornings feel a bit less rushed.

And if swimwear or summer clothes are still on the list, check out my recent fashion edits.

My Fashion Edits

Shop Essentials

🌞 The Sunshine Edit

For the heatwave we definitely deserve.

This is the stuff that makes a hot day at home feel like a proper occasion. Paddling pools, water guns, freezer pop moulds, and a bit of shade for the smaller ones. The kind of bits worth having ready before the temperature climbs, rather than trying to find them mid-week when everyone else is doing the same.

Shop Sunshine Edit

🏠 Heatwave Home Hacks

This is the stuff you don’t think about until it’s 27 degrees, no one can sleep, and you’re standing in front of an open freezer at 11pm. Fans, blackout blinds, cooling pillows, proper ice cube trays — the everyday extras that you don’t realise you need until our weather does a 360°!

Shop Heatwave Hacks

🌳 Still Sorting Half-Term?

If you missed it, my full May Half-Term Guide is here, plus the Kids Eat Free round-up for the week. A bit of everything — days out, slower days, and the bits that quietly make the week run smoother.

And one extra find worth sharing…

The Mayfair Chippy Knightsbridge are doing a kids-eat-free deal this half-term for every adult main, one kids’ meal is free. Fish goujons, halloumi fingers, grilled sausage, all the proper bits.

What makes it brilliant is the location. It’s a 7-minute walk from the Natural History Museum, V&A and Paradox Museum, and the V&A has a free splash area outside for cooling off on hot days. Museum, splash, chippy, home.

Read My Full Half-Term Guide

🌿 Discount Alert | 50% Symprove

As part of the wellness journey I’ve been on this past year, I’ve been focusing more on what I can do to actually help my body out. Symprove is a gut health drink I now have every morning, and I’ve genuinely felt the difference — better sleep, skin, the lot. Oh, and it’s delicious by the way!

They’ve kindly given us a code: GOTIT50 for 50% off a 12-week subscription. Give it a try!

Get 50% Off Symprove

💛 Small Business Shout Out - Soundlings

This week I wanted to share Soundlings, who make phonics activities for kids aged 3+.

The brand was founded by two brilliant teachers, Jemma and Claire, who were later joined by Kate Lawler after her own positive experience with it, what a lovely way to become part of the team!

That early-reading stage can feel like a lot to navigate — when to start, what counts, whether you’re doing enough. What I love about Soundlings is that they take all of that and turn it into something properly playful and low-pressure. The kind of thing you can pull out on a rainy afternoon, or for a screen-free twenty minutes before tea.

A real gem to know about if you’ve got a little one finding their way into reading.

Shop Soundlings

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Joanna Page

This week we’re joined by Joanna Page. Yes, Stacey Shipman herself.

It’s a brilliant chat. She’s funny, honest, and gets straight into all of it, what it actually felt like filming the final scenes of Gavin & Stacey, the Love Actually set (and Martin Freeman), and the kind of holiday parenting fail that involves an accidental confrontation in a toilet block.

If you love a Welsh icon, you’re in the thick of parenting, or you just want a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip, make sure you give it a watch!

Watch Now

Blue skies have a way of resetting everything.

Whatever next week looks like for you, try to actually be in it where you can.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

Right now, there’s a huge conversation happening around children’s safety online and whether the age for harmful and addictive social media features should be raised from 13 to 16.

And honestly, I think most parents already know something has to change.

I’m part of a campaign called Raise The Age — a coalition made up of parents, charities, health professionals, bereaved families, peers, lords, campaigners, and organisations including the, all pushing for stronger protections for children online.

The focus is simple: children should not be exposed to addictive algorithm-driven content, harmful feeds, stranger-to-child contact, live location sharing, and features designed to keep them scrolling for hours.

After months of debate in Parliament, the government has acknowledged that stronger protections are needed, but we still don’t know what action they’ll actually take.

That’s why this consultation matters so much.

The good news is that taking part genuinely takes less than 60 seconds. They’ve created a direct link where you can quickly send your response to the government before the consultation closes on May 26th.

If you’ve ever worried about the content your child sees online, how addictive social media has become, or the pressure kids face growing up online, this is one small action that could help create meaningful change.

Send Your Response

And please share this with friends, family groups, school WhatsApps — anywhere parents are talking about these issues.

Share

Also, if you didn’t get a chance to read my Parenting Digital Guide, please do. It includes step-by-step instructions on the settings you should be checking across your children’s devices and apps right now.

The Parenting Digital Guide

Sometimes change starts with enough people simply saying: this isn’t okay anymore.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.

Always grateful,

Louise x

So this is your slightly-organised, low-pressure guide to making it through — with a few good days out, some easy outfit wins, and the things that quietly make the week feel a bit lighter.

👕 M&S Style For The Kids

The clothes you’ll keep reaching for all week.

M&S kidswear has properly come into its own. Soft jersey sets, easy linen-mix shorts, lightweight dresses, and those everyday trainers that just work. The kind of pieces that wash well and layer easily — which is really all you need from a half-term wardrobe.

Shop All M&S Edit

👗 M&S Easy Pieces For You

M&S have nailed it this season (they are totally trending across social right now!). Floaty dresses, soft tailoring, lightweight knits for those weirdly cold mornings, and trainers that look pulled together but actually get you through the day.

Shop All M&S Edit

🍽️ Kids Eat Free

A proper round-up of where the kids can eat free this half-term — perfect for those slightly aimless days when nobody can decide where to go but everyone’s hungry.

Save it. Share it. Future you will be grateful.

🎢 Days Out Worth Leaving The House For

If you fancy a proper day out, there’s plenty going on this half-term.

🧱 LEGOLAND® Windsor — turning 30 this year, which feels mad. They have brand-new shows, LEGO® characters, plus a GIANT 8-foot LEGO birthday cake, character meet-and-greets, and 55+ rides for all ages.

🧗 Go Ape — zip wires, treetop obstacles, forest adventures, and Nets Adventure for the smaller ones. Brilliant for burning off some energy.

🍴 Foodies Festival, London & UK-wide — family-friendly food stalls, live music, chef demos, and properly fun for adults and kids.

🐷 Paultons Park, Hampshire — Peppa Pig World, 70+ rides, plus the newer Valgard: Realm of the Vikings. One of the best parks for younger kids. Easy to tag onto a New Forest or beach trip.

🚆 National Rail Days Out Guide — always worth checking before you book anything. Loads of 2-for-1 deals and discounted entry to places like SEA LIFE, Warwick Castle, Alton Towers and London Zoo.

🏖️ Outdoor adventures — if the sun sticks around, lean into it. Bournemouth, Camber Sands, Broadstairs and Folkestone are all easy escapes from London. Beach walks, fish and chips, sea air.

🎭 Set Your Alarm! Kids Week Theatre Tickets

A little diary nudge for the summer holidays.

Kids Week is back — a child aged 17 and under goes free when accompanied by an adult paying full price, plus two more kids can come along at half price. Genuinely one of the best deals of the year for a family trip into town.

This year’s performances run from Monday 20 July – Monday 31 August, and tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 9 June. Shows get announced nearer the time, and some performances run pre- or post-show activities too, which feels like a proper treat.

Set the alarm. Add it to your calendar. Tell a friend.

(As you can see, my daughter is a big theatre fan!)

Explore Kids Week

🌳 Slow Days Count Too

Just a little reminder — not every day has to be a Big Day Out.

Some of the best half-term moments are the slower ones. A walk somewhere new. A pyjama morning. Letting them watch TV for an hour whilst you have a snuggle.

You don’t have to fill it all.

✨ Thanks A Million

I just wanted to say the biggest THANK YOU for all the support lately…

Mama Still Got It has officially reached 1 MILLION Instagram followers, which honestly feels completely surreal.

Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or you’ve only just found me recently - thank you for following along, supporting the brand, reading the newsletters, listening to the podcast and being part of this community.

Stay tuned for my way of saying thank you…👀

I’ll shortly be launching a VERY exciting all-expenses-paid holiday giveaway with Neilson Holidays to celebrate ✈️

More details coming very soon, so make sure you subscribe for when it drops 🤍

Subscribe now

💛 Small Business Shout Out - The Scottish Soul Sister

This week’s small business feels like the perfect one for half-term — because if you’re already feeling the overwhelm, this is for you.

Meet Nikki, the founder of The Scottish Soul Sister. After her own experience of postnatal depression and anxiety, and years of living across four countries far from home, she became a coach, speaker, and author of Homebird — helping parents cut through the noise and raise their families on their own terms.

Honest, funny, no sugarcoating, no scaremongering. Just real support for the messy, beautiful reality of parenthood.

She’s also got a free download on her website — “What are the Six Human Needs and Why the F**K Should You Care as a Parent” — and honestly, the title alone tells you you’re in the right place.

Discover The Scottish Soul Sister

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Amy Childs

We’re joined by the legendary Amy Childs — TOWIE original, mum of four, newlywed, and one of the most refreshingly honest guests we’ve ever had in the room.

Emergency C-sections, prolapsed cords, potty training disasters, the £400 Amazon sprees, and why she just cannot be bothered after a long day. Then there’s surgery regrets, the chicken fillets stuck to the wall of a nightclub, the vajazzle that made her a national icon, and the wedding dress that nearly didn’t happen two days before her ceremony.

Funny, emotional, completely unfiltered. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of motherhood, second-guessed every decision you’ve made, or just needed someone to say it out loud — this one's for you.

Watch Now

Half-term doesn’t have to be a project.

A few good plans, a few slower days, a snack in your bag and a backup plan for the weather — that’s plenty. And if you’re going away, be sure to check out my last minute packing guide next week or last weeks Swimwear Edit here!

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

Think effortless, flattering, and easy to wear - without the pressure.

I love this swimsuit from my Naia beach x Mama Still Got It Edit, they have the same shape in other colours available now.

👙 Bikinis

It’s not about whether you think you can “pull off” a bikini (because you can), it’s just finding the right one for you.

High-waisted, more coverage, supportive tops, minimal styles… whatever makes you feel comfortable enough to actually relax. That’s the goal.

Shop Full Bikini Edit

🩱 Swimsuits

A great one-piece does a lot of the work for you - supportive, flattering, and something you can wear beyond the pool with shorts or linen trousers.

Less thinking, more confidence.

Shop Full Swimsuit Edit

⛱️ Cover-Ups

The underrated hero. Oversized shirts, sarongs, lightweight dresses — the pieces you throw on without thinking that instantly make you feel a bit more pulled together.

Perfect for those in-between moments.

Shop Full Cover-Ups Edit

💪 A Quick Note On Body Confidence

I know swimwear can bring up a lot.

But the older I get, the more I realise - it’s not about changing your body for the holiday. It’s about not letting it stop you enjoying it.

No one is looking as closely as you think. No one is analysing. And the memories you make will matter far more than what you wore.

Wear the bikini. Wear the swimsuit. Wear whatever makes you feel most like yourself.

🌊 Poolside Accessories

It’s the practical bits that bring the calm.

Quick-dry towels, oversized totes, sunbed clips, and those small things that just make beach or pool days feel easier.

Shop Poolside Edit

💛 Small Business Shout Out - Mind Wanderers

This week’s small business is something a bit different, and such a good one for half term. Introducing Mind Wanderers by children’s author Helen Rutter.

It’s all about getting kids excited about writing again through imagination-led boxes filled with creative prompts, fun tasks, and little extras that actually make them want to sit down and create.

There’s also a mail club for older kids where they can write letters and receive replies with stories and inspiration, which feels like such a lovely shift away from screens.

Perfect for travel days or slower afternoons at home.

Discover Mind Wanderers

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Last One Laughing

This week’s episode of No Parental Guidance is complete chaos from start to finish.

Inspired by Last One Laughing, Hannah and I go head-to-head trying to keep a straight face while sharing the most unhinged parenting stories imaginable… and let’s just say neither of us lasts very long.

Things spiral quickly as we dive into your NPG Community Fails - from accidental Bluetooth disasters at the beach to the now-infamous “Bat’s Nose” observation that genuinely changed everyone forever.

There’s wedding day trauma, swimming pool disasters, conversations that absolutely should have stayed private, and the kind of parenting moments that make you question how any of us are surviving this.

Watch Now

If you’re packing, prepping, or mentally making lists already - you’re not alone.

But try not to overthink it.

Some of the best moments are the unplanned ones, when everyone’s a bit sandy, but running free, and you realise you’re actually in it, not just organising it.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

From faking the glow to a fresh weekend outfit, let’s all do a little sun dance and hope those showers stay away.

☀️ Sun-Kissed & Safe

Glowy skin, proper protection, and minimal effort.

This is everything I reach for when I want that “just got back from holiday” look… without actually leaving the house. Lightweight SPFs, skin tints, and hydration heroes that do the heavy lifting for you.

Shop Skincare

🧖‍♀️ Fake It Like A Pro

The older I get, the less I rely on baking in the sun.

Luckily, self-tan has come a long way. These are the ones I swear by - streak-free, no biscuit smell, and that believable, just-back-from-the-Med finish. Effortless glow, zero damage.

Shop Tanning

👖 Weekend Ready

Easy pieces that still feel put together. Think floaty dresses, soft tailoring, and lightweight layers you can throw on without overthinking it. Outfits that work for whatever the day turns into, from coffee runs to last-minute plans. Check out the trending M&S Jelly shoes - find them in your local store before they sell out!

Shop Full Edit

🛍 Bank Holiday Bargains

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your garden, now’s the time.

Bank Holiday weekends always bring some of the best offers - especially on outdoor furniture, and those bigger pieces you don’t usually buy on impulse.

I’m seeing great deals across loungers, dining sets, parasols, and all the extras that make your garden feel like an actual extension of your home.

Shop Garden

💛 Small Business Shout Out - Plant with Willow

If you’ve ever killed a houseplant (no judgement), this is for you.

The Willow Smart Plant Sensor is one of those products that makes you wonder why it didn’t exist sooner. You simply place it in the soil and it tells you exactly what your plant needs - water, light, nutrients and it goes straight to your phone.

No guessing. No overwatering. No “is it dead or just dramatic?” moments.

It tracks everything that actually matters and even gives your plant a “happiness score” so you can catch issues before they show.

Think of it as a baby monitor… but for your plants.

Shop Now

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Jess Wright

This week we’re joined by Jess Wright - and honestly, this episode stays with you.

From postnatal depression and the reality of antidepressants, to the moment she was told her son would need open heart surgery… it’s raw, open, and completely unfiltered.

There are lighter moments too (because parenting chaos never takes a day off) -sleep regressions, failed “Bottle Fairy” attempts, and the very specific madness of trying to film content with kids around.

But at its core, this one is about what motherhood really looks like behind closed doors.

Watch Now

And finally…

A little reminder this weekend - the extra day doesn’t have to mean doing more.

We’re all so quick to fill the time, plan more, organise more… but these moments are actually quite rare.

Time with our families isn’t unlimited, and it doesn’t need to be productive to be meaningful.

So whatever you’re doing, make sure you carve out a bit of time to just be in it too.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

I shared a few posts last year about my journey to becoming stronger and healthier in my Foundations of Balance series, so this felt like a good moment to check back in and also share a few things I’m loving right now.

Because balance, for me, isn’t fixed. It’s something I’m constantly adjusting.

The Foundations of Balance

My Current Foundations

It keeps coming back to three things:
food, movement, and energy.

Not extremes. Not strict routines. Just the basics, done in a way that actually fits into everyday life.

And yes, I will do handstands for as long as I can… it’s motivation for me to keep up the weight training and make my own rules - you do you!

Food, Fuel & Feeling Better

For a long time, I ignored how I felt.

Bloated, uncomfortable, low energy - just putting it down to being busy, tired, or “normal”. But the biggest shift has been paying attention to what actually works for me.

Not restriction, not cutting everything out, just understanding what fuels me properly and keeps my energy steady. After a DNA test, I found out I had an intolerance to gluten, and this changed everything.

It felt like a small change, but it’s made a big difference to how I feel day to day. I’m not fully denying myself though, if I really want a slice of bread, I’ll allow myself in moderation - I know I then have to be mindful to avoid gluten in other meals - it’s all a game of compromise!

Food, Fuel and the Bloat I Lived With

Movement That Actually Fits

I’ve completely changed how I think about movement.

Less about forcing workouts, more about what I’ll actually stick to.

Walking more.
Getting outside.
Doing things that feel good rather than punishing.
Focusing on strength.

I detailed my weekly routine in the full post, Movement That Works, and I can honestly say it’s the first plan I’ve ever stuck to for more than a month! When I say stuck to, this doesn’t mean I haven’t had weeks off here and there, but the difference this time is that I find my way back to it as I actually start to miss it.

Read Movement That Works

Energy (And The Sunshine Effect)

This is the biggest one right now.

A bit of Vitamin D and suddenly:

• I want to move more

• I’ve got more energy

• Everything feels easier

So instead of forcing anything new, I’m just leaning into that.

Morning walks. Fresh air. Keeping things simple. And if all else fails, have some wine in the garden!

Spring Fitness Fashion

I’ve also realised how much feeling good in what you’re wearing plays into all of this. It’s that mix of comfort and confidence that makes moving feel easy, not like a chore.

Shop Fitness Fashion

Amazon Tech Week Finds

It’s Amazon Tech Week (7 days of epic deals), and there are some really good bits if you want to make the most of this energy and keep it going.

Think:

• Wireless headphones for walks or runs in the sunshine

• Smartwatches to keep you moving

• Portable speakers for the garden

• Massage guns for when you’ve suddenly done way more steps than usual

Shop Tech Deals

💛 Small Business Shout Out - OneTrack App

With the London Marathon on the way, this is such a good one to have on your radar…

This one’s extra special as well - it’s actually a mum from the school who created it. Laura Fletcher started this amazing running community, which has now grown into the OneTrack App.

It’s a completely different take on running apps, focused on real-time human coaching rather than generic plans. You book into a live session, pop your headphones in, and get guided through your run while coaches respond to your pace and effort as you go.

You can sync your wearable too, so they handle all the data and adjust things for you - ideal if you don’t want to overthink it. It’s all about building confidence, feeling supported, and actually enjoying your runs again.

She’s also kindly given us a code: MAMASTILLGOTIT - for your first month of workouts free. Such a good one if you’re getting back into running or need a bit of motivation.

Download OneTrack

A little Moment I Wanted To Share ❤️

Last week I was absolutely honoured to see my brand aligned with L’Oréal on such a meaningful collaboration.

Together, we brought to life an idea I care deeply about, hosting an event for my community, with invitations shared directly through my newsletter. It was incredibly special to meet so many inspiring women who have been part of the Mama Still Got It journey, and to connect in person with those who’ve supported and grown alongside the brand over the years.

Creating spaces like this matters. It’s not just about content, it’s about community. And having the opportunity to give something back to the women who show up, engage, and champion what I do is something I don’t take for granted.

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Matt Green

Can drill music actually help your kids pass their GCSEs?

This week on No Parental Guidance, we’re joined by Matt Green — the “smartest guy on TikTok” who’s turned science revision into viral rap videos (and somehow made it stick).

Beyond the 300 million views, he’s also a dad of three, and this episode covers everything from the power of “earworms” in learning to a terrifying birth story, a very relatable “cool dad” fail, and what it was really like on The Voice UK with will.i.am.

There’s also a nostalgic Noughties lyrics quiz thrown in… because obviously.

Perfect timing if GCSEs are on your radar.

Watch Now

Sending you all positive energy - see you next week!

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

One minute it’s Easter… the next it’s sports days, BBQ invites, festivals, last-minute school emails, and trying to find sun cream at 7am before a trip!

So this year, I’m trying something different and actually planning ahead a little.

Not in a “perfectly organised mum” way because that’s not possible, but in a make life easier for future me kind of way.

Because summer is always better when you’re not scrambling (as much).

🎪 Festival & Outdoor Days

If you’ve ever tried to juggle food, drinks, kids, bags and a phone on 10% battery… you’ll know exactly why this edit exists.

This is all about being hands-free and prepared for anything - from long days out to unpredictable weather. The kind of pieces that mean you can actually enjoy yourself instead of constantly thinking “I wish I’d brought that.” These are the things you’ll use again and again all summer.

Shop Festival & Outdoor Days

🏖️ Beach Days

Beach days always feel like they should be effortless… but somehow end up being the most high-maintenance outing of all.

So this edit is about simplifying it. Easy packing, no overthinking, and everything having its place. The kind of setup where you can arrive, drop your bag, and relax -rather than doing five trips back and forth to the car.

Shop Beach Days

🚗 Mum Life On-The-Go

This is the category that quietly makes the biggest difference.

Because summer means more time out of the house, more snacks, more changes of clothes, and somehow… more stuff than ever. These are the little organisational wins that just make everything run smoother - whether it’s a quick trip out or a full day of plans.

Shop Life On-The-Go

🎒 Summer School Days

This is the one I always underestimate.

Summer term feels more relaxed, but suddenly they need sun cream, hats, shorts, and somehow everything is either missing, too small, or not where you thought it was.

So this is about keeping things simple - easy outfits, practical items, and those everyday essentials that make mornings feel a bit less rushed.

Shop School Summer Days

💡 This Is Your Sign…

If summer always ends up feeling a bit chaotic, you are not alone.

But I’ve realised it’s not about doing more… it’s just about doing a tiny bit upfront so you can enjoy it more when it comes.

So this is your sign to:

• order the bits now

• book a few activities in advance

• sync those calendars with your friends/family

No pressure, no perfection… just a slightly smoother summer.

💛 Small Business Shout Out - Rubbastuff

I love brands that solve a real-life problem - and this one is such a good find.

Meet Megan and Guy, the founders behind PACMAT®. After years of outdoor adventures with their kids (and carrying a lot of stuff), they realised traditional picnic blankets just weren’t practical - too bulky, hard to clean, and always the first thing to get left behind.

So they created their own.

PACMAT® is lightweight, waterproof, compact, and actually easy to take anywhere -whether it’s festivals, beach days or park trips. One of those simple ideas that just makes life easier. Plus you can save 10% when you sign up to their newsletter!

Shop Rubbastuff

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Genevieve Turley

“Chop my arm off, I just want a baby.”

This week on No Parental Guidance, we are joined by the incredible Genevieve Turley.

From her high-pressure days as an RAF Burns & Plastics nurse to becoming a viral makeup sensation, Genevieve doesn’t hold back on the realities of motherhood, IVF, and growing up way too fast.

We dive deep into her emotional IVF journey - the stress of shrinking embryos and the moment she realised she only had one shot.

Plus, we compare our wildly different starts to puberty (starting at 9 vs. 15… make it make sense 😅).

It’s raw, honest, and one I think so many of you will relate to.

Watch Now

Let’s see if I actually stay this organised… but every little helps right? Bring on letting them run wild and free in these lighter, sunnier days!

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

Whether you’re planning BBQs, hosting friends, or just want your home and garden to feel a bit more put together after the kids have wrecked the place, I’ve pulled together a few easy edits to get you started.

🌸 Garden Glow Up

This is where to start - creating a garden space that actually feels inviting. It’s less about big transformations and more about layering in those finishing touches: soft lighting, comfortable seating, and details that make it feel like an extension of your home rather than just an outdoor space.

Even a small patio or garden can feel completely different with the right setup - somewhere you’ll actually want to sit with a coffee in the morning.

Shop Garden Glow Up

🍹 Hosting Essentials

Once the weather shifts, everything moves outside and having a few go-to hosting pieces makes it feel effortless rather than chaotic.

This is about those practical-but-lovely extras that make a last-minute BBQ or playdate drinks in the garden feel a bit more considered. Think easy serving pieces, outdoor-friendly tableware, and things that help you host without constantly running back inside.

Shop Hosting Essentials

🏡 Home Refresh

Spring is the perfect excuse to reset your space without overcomplicating it. You don’t need to redecorate - just a few swaps can completely change the feel of a room.

Lighter textures, softer colours, and fresh styling details instantly make your home feel brighter and more in tune with the season. It’s about creating that calm, pulled-together space that feels good to walk into at the end of the day.

Shop Home Refresh

🧺 Outdoor Family Life

If you’ve got kids, the garden quickly becomes the main event so having a few go-to pieces that make outdoor time easier is key.

This is about balancing fun and practicality - things that keep them entertained, encourage time outside instead of screens, and help avoid the garden turning into complete chaos by week two of the holidays (yes, we’re here!).

Shop Outdoor Equipment

💛 Small Business Shout Out

This week I wanted to share Etta Loves - a brilliant brand making everyday baby essentials that are as thoughtful as they are practical.

They created the original sensory muslin, designed using the science of infant vision to support focus and development in those early months. The patterns aren’t just for looks - they’re made to engage babies in a way that’s stimulating but not overwhelming.

Everything is made from beautifully soft, organic cotton, and they’re the kind of products you’ll reach for again and again, or gift to new parents knowing they’ll actually use them.

Shop Etta Loves

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Adam Kay

We’re joined by Adam Kay - former NHS doctor and bestselling author of This Is Going to Hurt, for a brilliantly honest and often very funny chat about his journey into fatherhood through surrogacy. We talk about life after medicine, the emotional reality of missing his daughter’s birth, and why he firmly refuses to play the role of “on-call family doctor” when his kids so much as sniffle. It’s a candid, insightful conversation about parenting, big life shifts, and everything in between.

Watch Now

Thanks so much for being here and I hope you’ve made it through the break without too many meltdowns (from them or you). More edits, ideas and finds coming your way soon!

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

The event is free and first come first serve so be quick! Please email me back if you can make …

Read more

I really wanted to share something incredibly close to my heart — my work with The King’s Trust and their powerful “Change a Girl’s Life” campaign.

As an ambassador, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand the impact this charity has on young women who are facing real barriers — whether that’s a lack of opportunity, confidence, or support. So many of these girls have potential that just needs nurturing, guidance, and someone to believe in them.

“Change a Girl’s Life” isn’t just a message; it’s a real, tangible opportunity to help a young woman rewrite her future. Through mentoring, training, and support, The King’s Trust gives girls the tools they need to build confidence, gain skills, and take control of their lives. And the transformation is genuinely incredible to witness.

This cause means so much to me because I know how powerful it is when someone opens a door for you or shows you what you’re capable of. Every bit of support —whether that’s donating, raising awareness, or simply sharing the message can make a meaningful difference.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can help change someone’s life, this is one of those moments where even the smallest action can have a lasting impact.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for supporting something that truly changes lives.

Find Out More

Donate Today

Always grateful,

Louise x

This edit is all about real-life style - outfits that work for busy days, last-minute plans, and everything in between, without compromising on that polished finish. Perhaps you can steal a 10 minute tea break away from the kids and have a little browse session!

🌿 Everyday Basics

These are the pieces that quietly do all the heavy lifting in your wardrobe. The ones you reach for again and again because they just work.

A great white shirt, a well-cut trench, easy wide-leg trousers - they might sound simple, but when the fit and fabric are right, they instantly elevate your whole look without any effort.

Shop Full Everyday Edit

💙 Soft Tailoring

Tailoring is having a softer moment this spring - less structured, more wearable, and designed to move with you.

Think relaxed blazers, easy co-ords, and trousers with just the right amount of drape. It’s that balance of smart and casual that makes you feel instantly pulled together, even on the busiest days.

Shop Full Tailoring Edit

🌼 Pretty Dresses

There’s nothing easier than a great dress in spring - it’s the ultimate throw-on-and-go solution that still feels good.

This season it’s all about midi lengths, soft prints, and flattering shapes you can wear from morning to evening. Add layers for the unpredictable weather, and you’ve got a look that works all day.

Shop Full Dress Edit

👜 Finishing Touches

Accessories are what take an outfit from “nice” to done. They’re the easiest way to refresh what you already own without buying a whole new wardrobe.

A woven bag, a great pair of flats, chunky gold jewellery - these are the small details that pull everything together and make your outfit feel intentional.

Shop Full Accessories Edit

🐣 Still Planning Easter?

If you’re still figuring out plans for the Easter weekend, don’t worry - I’ve got you covered.

From family days out and easy activities to things you can do last-minute, my Easter guide is packed with ideas to keep everyone entertained (without the stress).

Read My Easter Survival Guide

💛 Small Business Shout Out - So Vanilla

This week I’m shining a light on So Vanilla - a beautiful, family-run brand founded by two sisters with a real passion for natural living.

Fashion has always been part of their story, inspired by their Nan (the true style icon), who taught them that confidence and elegance come from embracing your own style - simply and naturally.

From timeless fashion pieces made with natural, skin-loving fabrics to clean, natural suncare, So Vanilla is all about thoughtful design with no harsh chemicals, no fast fashion, just pieces you’ll genuinely love and wear for years.

Shop So Vanilla

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Katie Piper

We’re joined by the fabulous Katie Piper - best-selling author, OBE, activist and mum of two, for a refreshingly honest and relatable chat about modern motherhood.

From navigating teen phones and social media to mum guilt, evolving routines, and the reality of sleepless nights (not always thanks to the kids), it’s a funny, heartfelt conversation that reminds you we’re all just figuring it out as we go.

Watch Now

Thanks so much for being here - and I hope you have a lovely Easter weekend, whatever you’re up to.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

This is your last chance…

If you’ve been meaning to treat yourself, now’s the time.

I’ve pulled together my Mama Still Got It x Cult Beauty edit - filled with the products I genuinely use, love, and always come back to.

And to make it even better, you’ve got 20% off sitewide (yes, almost everything).

Use code: LOUISEBCB

Whether you’re topping up your favourites or finally trying something new, this is the perfect moment before the offer ends.

Don’t miss it 💫

Shop The Full Edit

Exchange the chocolate egg no one bought you for a little treat…

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

Two weeks of juggling plans, snacks, weather forecasts… and trying to make it feel like you’re making the most of it all.

For some, it’s days out and local plans. For others, it’s suitcases, passports and a change of scenery. Or you may have even had a change of plans due to the current situation. Whichever it is, it always feels like there’s so much planning ahead to do!

So this is your Easter survival guide. A mix of ideas, easy wins, and a few things that just make life easier.

Save it. Share it. Come back to it.

✈️ If You’re Going Away This Easter

Not everyone is - but if you are, you’ll be aware the trip itself is only half the job. The getting there is where the real work begins.

These are the things that genuinely make a difference:

✔ Headphones + downloaded shows
✔ A small activity pack (colouring, stickers, cards)
✔ Snack box/Bento box (more than you think you’ll need)
✔ Spare outfit (even for older kids, trust me)
✔ A portable way to wee!
✔ Kids backpacks they can carry/pull themselves

It’s not about having everything - just the things that reduce friction.

Shop All Travel Essentials

🏡 If You’re Staying Closer to Home

You don’t need to fill every day. But having a loose rhythm helps:

• One thing out of the house

• One easy activity

• One reset (walk, park, coffee)

That’s more than enough. These are always a win:

✔ Easter egg hunts
✔ Baking something simple
✔ Movie afternoons at home
✔ Craft or colouring stations

Shop Easter Activities

🌻 Fun Days Out

If you’re looking at day trips, browse through these ideas. Make sure you book things in advance as Easter themed activities tend to sell out:

🎢 Theme parks
Places like Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor and Paultons Park all run family-friendly programmes over the holidays.

🦁 Zoos & wildlife parks
For a full day out, you can’t really go wrong with ZSL London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo, Chester Zoo or Paradise Wildlife Park. Easy, engaging and something for all ages.

🌿 National Trust & English Heritage
If you want fresh air and space to roam, National Trust and English Heritage sites are brilliant - often with trails, challenges and seasonal activities. Blenheim Palace and Windsor Great Park are particularly good for adventure playgrounds.

🌲 Outdoor activity centres
For kids with energy to burn, think high ropes, climbing and forest adventures. Go Ape has locations all over the UK, or check out Hobbledown Heath.

🧪 Museums & science centres
Perfect for rainy days. Many run interactive exhibitions and workshops during school holidays - and some are completely free, like the Roald Dahl Museum, RAF Museum and the wider National Museums.

🎨 Art & creative experiences
If you fancy something a bit different, check out exhibitions and interactive experiences - many are free too. Keep an eye out for local activities like the free creative events at Victoria Park or at your local Ikea.

🌊 Coastal days out
And if the weather plays ball, a beach day still works - piers, fresh air and fish and chips rarely disappoint, even if it’s not summer weather yet.

Sometimes it’s as simple as a change of scenery that turns a day around.

🍴 Kids Eat Free

And one thing that can make a big difference? Knowing where kids can eat for free (or cheap) to give you a meal off! Save it and share it!

🧠 The Bit Nobody Says Out Loud

The holidays can feel like pressure.

To plan.
To entertain.
To make it “special”.

But it doesn’t need to be perfect. You don’t need a packed schedule.

You just need a few moments that feel good for your kids and for you.

Whether that’s a smooth-ish travel day, a park and a coffee or one successful playdate at home. That’s more than enough.

🤎 Small Business Shout Out - Salty Face

A beauty brand built around that effortless, just-back-from-holiday glow - without the sun damage.

Their products are designed to give you a natural, sun-kissed look (think glowing skin, freckles, bronzed finish) but in a way that’s quick, easy and actually wearable day to day.

It’s one of those brands that feels perfect for this time of year when you want to look a bit more alive without overthinking it.

Worth a look if you like low-effort, natural beauty.

Shop Salty Face

🎙️ Podcast Drop - Anna Whitehouse

Our first-ever live episode and we were joined by the powerhouse that is Anna Whitehouse.

From toddler chaos (involving a Beagle and a missing finger moment) to dating after divorce, “geriatric” pregnancy at 43, and why she’s marching on Whitehall to change how work actually works for parents - this one covers it all.

It’s funny, honest, and a proper reality check on the juggle so many of us are living.

If you’ve ever felt like the school hours vs work hours just don’t add up, join us for real talk.

👉 Please do also join the Flex Appeal movement: motherpukka.co.uk/flex

Watch Now

Hope this helps take a bit of the pressure off - whatever your Easter plans look like.

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

One: so many of us are trying to get on top of this.

And two: we’re all still feeling a bit overwhelmed by it.

Since sharing it, I’ve had so many messages, comments and conversations with parents, with many worrying about apps I’ve never even heard of!

So this is Part 2 - the follow-up guide. These are the extra layer to keep on your radar (and yes, probably another one for the fridge). Just FYI I’m told ‘67’ is so last year…

Top Priority Checklist:

Before we get into specific apps, start here:

1️⃣ Check what’s actually installed
Go through the full app list - not just the home screen.

2️⃣ Look for multiple accounts
What you see isn’t always everything.

3️⃣ Ask, don’t accuse
“What apps are people using at the moment?” will tell you more than anything else.

The Apps Parents Often Miss

📱 Wizz - “Teen Tinder”

What it is:
A ‘social discovery’ app where users swipe through strangers and start chats.

What to know:
It’s designed to connect young people with people they don’t know.

What to do:
✔ Search for it and remove if found
✔ Check App Store download history (it may not be on the home screen)

🎮 Yubo - Live-Streaming “Friend Finder”

What it is:
A live-streaming app where users broadcast and chat with strangers.

What to know:
It has faced ongoing concerns around safety and age verification.

What to do:
✔ Check if it’s installed
✔ Remove and review what information was shared

📨 Telegram

What it is:
A messaging app similar to WhatsApp, but with large groups and less moderation.

What to know:
Public channels and anonymous usernames can expose children to unfiltered content.

What to do:

✔ Settings → Privacy & Security
✔ Phone Number → My Contacts (or Nobody)
✔ Groups & Channels → My Contacts
✔ Check which groups they’ve joined

For younger teens, many parents choose not to allow it.

🤖 AI Chatbots & “AI Friends”

What it is:
Apps where kids can chat with AI characters or “virtual people”.

What to know:
These conversations can feel very real but responses aren’t always accurate or age-appropriate.

What to do:

✔ Ask how they’re using AI
✔ Check age settings where possible
✔ Remind them: it’s not a real person, and it won’t always be right

💬 Anonymous Apps (NGL, Sendit, Tellonym)

What it is:
Apps that let people send anonymous messages, often linked to Instagram.

What to know:
Anonymous = no accountability. These apps are commonly linked to cyberbullying.

What to do:

✔ Check Instagram Stories for anonymous question stickers
✔ Remove the app if found
✔ Talk about why anonymous feedback can be difficult to manage

🗄️ Calculator & Vault Apps

What it is:
Apps disguised as calculators or folders that hide photos, messages or accounts.

What to know:
Some include fake “decoy” screens if a parent checks.

What to look for:

✔ Two calculator apps on one phone
✔ Apps called “Vault”, “Private” or “Secret Folder”
✔ Hidden or locked areas within apps

🎲 In-Game Chat

What it is:
Chat features built into games like Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft and others.

What to know:
Most parents manage the game but not the social layer inside it.

What to do:

✔ Check chat and voice settings in each game
✔ Disable chat for younger players where possible

This Week’s Quick Check

✔ Search for Wizz, Yubo, Telegram and AI apps
✔ Check for anonymous apps via Instagram
✔ Look for vault or duplicate apps
✔ Review chat settings in games

Download the Parenting Digital Guides

Part one and part two are both here to save, download and share. Simply hold down and hit save image or click for the PDF version, share as far and wide as you can!

Part One: Platform-by-platform safety settings for all the main apps

Part Two: The apps your kids are using that you don’t know about

📵 Smartphone-Free Childhood

I’m going to keep this one here this week in case you haven’t had a chance to have a look after all the settings admin! Smartphone Free Childhood is a growing campaign across the UK. I am fully behind it, as well as many other parents I know.

It encourages parents to delay smartphones until age 14, and social media until 16 — giving kids more time before the pressures of algorithms, group chats and the endless scroll.

Thousands of parents and schools have already signed the pledge to raise the age.

If you’re curious, you can read more at smartphonefreechildhood.org and follow their Instagram for great advice.

Even if your child already has a phone, it’s one more reason these settings matter.

Find Out More

💛 App Shout Out - Qustodio

A parental control app that helps you manage what’s happening across your child’s devices.

You can set screen time limits, block specific apps, and filter websites - but what’s useful is that it also gives you a clearer picture of how your child is actually using their device day to day.

It’s not a replacement for conversations, but it can make those conversations a bit easier to have. Worth exploring if you want something alongside the settings in this guide.

Explore Qustodio

❤️ A Little Extra - 20% Cult Beauty

A reminder of the little Mother’s Day treat from me to you. I’ve put together a Mama Still Got It x Cult Beauty edit with some of my go-to beauty products - the ones I actually use and love.

Even better, you can get 20% off sitewide (with the usual exclusions) using my code:

LOUISEBCB

There are so many brilliant brands on Cult Beauty, so it’s a good time to stock up on favourites or try something new.

Shop Now

🎙 Live Podcast Drop - Tea & Toast with 100 Mums

We finally did it - our first ever LIVE recording of No Parental Guidance with a room full of mums… all thanks to the Tea and Toast debate that went viral.

To celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, we gathered an amazing group of women to share the absolute chaos of motherhood.

From pregnancy cravings and hospital toast to a butt-naked run through M&S and the infamous “behind the sofa” poo incident, nothing was off limits.

Because let’s be honest - there’s no such thing as a perfect parent, we’re all just figuring it out together.

Watch Now

You’re not expected to know every app. But being aware of what’s out there and having open conversations about it makes a bigger difference than any single setting ever will.

Because this isn’t a one-time fix. It’s something we stay on top of, bit by bit.

I will be back next week with my Easter Holiday Guide, so you can expect the usual things to do, place to eat and ways to stay sane!

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.

As a little Mother’s Day treat from me to you, here’s an exclusive discount and edit I think you’ll love. I’ve curated a Mama Still Got It x Cult Beauty edit with some of my absolute favourite beauty products - the things I actually use and love.

Even better, you can get 20% off across the entire site with my code (apart from the usual exclusions).

Use code: LOUISEBCB

There are so many brilliant brands on Cult Beauty, so it’s the perfect time to stock up on favourites or try something new.

Shop The Full Edit

🎙 Mother’s Day Special Podcast Drop - Tea & Toast

We finally did it - our first ever LIVE recording of No Parental Guidance with a room full of mums… all thanks to the Tea and Toast debate that went viral.

To celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, we gathered an amazing group of women to share the absolute chaos of motherhood.

From pregnancy cravings and hospital toast to a butt-naked run through M&S and the infamous “behind the sofa” poo incident, nothing was off limits.

Because let’s be honest - there’s no such thing as a perfect parent, we’re all just figuring it out together.

Watch Now

Thank you so much for supporting the brands I work with - I love being able to share great discounts like this with you. And a big welcome to all the new subscribers who joined after my Parenting Digital Guide last week!

Louise x

*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.