May 2018 - Page 2 of 4 - Plutonium Sox

Natalie Ray May 22, 2018 Home and Garden

The final move

This is a paid collaborative post. Getting on the housing ladder these days is tough. Back in the early 2000s, it seemed easier. You could self-certify for a mortgage through a broker and that’s exactly what I did. As a first time buyer, I purchased a relatively large, detached house in a nice area. If Instagram had been around then, you’d have seen a strong young woman doing well for herself. But things are not always as they seem. Moving day I moved into my first home on my 23rd birthday. On the same day, I was accepted into a…

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Natalie Ray May 21, 2018 What's on West Midlands

23 West Midlands days out May Half Term 2018

UPDATE: New post available for things to do in the West Midlands May half term 2019. Half term is rapidly approaching! In fact so rapidly that I’m a bit late sharing what’s going on in and around the West Midlands. Better late than never, here are 23 brilliant family events taking place around the region this school holiday. Alton Towers, Staffordshire Older children probably already have Alton Towers on their radar. From the age of about eight, it was always top of my list of places to go for a day out and not much has changed. The new ride…

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Natalie Ray May 18, 2018 Ethical shopping

#RedApe versus palm oil: What if…

Did you watch BBC2’s Red Ape documentary? If not, I’ll fill you in quickly. Orangutan in Borneo are facing extinction. The dedicated team featured in the documentary are fighting with every ounce of their being to save them. But it’s not enough, because they’re fighting against us. All of us. Palm Oil: The real battle It is a sad fact that what these incredible people in Borneo are doing will never save the Orangutan. They might save one, a hundred or a thousand. And they will undoubtedly keep fighting until the last one breathes its final breath. But unless we,…

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Natalie Ray May 17, 2018 Our Thursday Photos

Thursday photo #210

We’re still very much in birthday mode here. Lia’s birthday was last Thursday and in her own inimitable way, she didn’t want much. We bought her a bike last September when we felt she was ready for one, and she had a scooter last year. So, her birthday consisted of lots of little things wrapped up and put into a big box, and an impromptu day out with friends. The birthday party The girls’ birthdays are relatively close together and I am relatively lazy. So, I managed to persuade them that it was a good idea if they had a…

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Natalie Ray May 16, 2018 Holidays

10 tips for packing a campervan for family travel

This is a collaborative post. Just before the Easter holidays, we finally bought the campervan we’ve dreamed of owning. Its high top means we can use it in all weather and there’s plenty of space for adults, children and canines. Since then, we’ve made the most of the freedom it offers and headed for the coast on several occasions. And we’re loving every minute of it. But there’s also a steep learning curve when it comes to packing. Here are our top tips for clever packing. 1. Vacuum storage bags These are a revelation. If you travel without them, it’s…

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