(AD) SECRET SANTA ? . . . Are you doing a Secret Santa with your colleagues or even your loved-ones this year? ? What was your best Secret Santa present ever? . . . This is such a sweet tradition to have! It is very British! We actually don't do it in France, so back in 2008, I bought a little something for all my colleagues ? But over the years, I have liked the tradition to receive a present from a Secret Santa! I have always been really spoiled! ?. . . This year, @ryman organised a Secret Santa with some other parent influencers to take part in and look at the cool present Baba got! He is totally obsessed with dinosaurs! So this torch and projector has been a hit for the last few days! We have even taken it during our daily walk in the evening. Looking for a last-minute sweet Xmas present? Check out now the @ryman Christmas shop for tonz of good ideas for all the family! . . . . #ReorganiseWithRyman #SpendalittleGiftalot #RymanReimaginedXmas #UndercoverwithRyman #ShopSecretSanta

AD - PERIOD PANTS . . . Let's talk period products ladies! What do you currently use? Have you ever used period pants? ?. . . I totally recommend @wukawear period pants! I kept seeing people talking about them online. So I decided to take the plunge and tested them a few months ago and... Such a GAME CHANGER!????. . . . The brand is on a mission to replace single-use pads & tampons and I am proud to be part in that movement! Indeed, I recently read that 1 pad has the same amount of plastic as 4 carrier bags!!! I know, it's crazy right?! ? . . . Even if you are not necessarily super eco-friendly, you got to give this a go. It makes your life so easier! I swear it feels like wearing a 'normal' pair of pants! I even use mine when I cycle or exercise and it is super comfy. No leak or bad surprise either! I have been using them for a couple of months now and I have totally switched off! ?. . . Top mark too for only using sustainable material unliked other brands on the market. And it is a vegan UK based brand that shares a lot of women issues on their feed and supports some good charities too. In other words, you want to follow now @wukawear ? WUKA actually stands for Wake Up Kick Ass! You gotta love such a name! ? . . . And also, head over now to the brand’s link in bio if you want to sign its petition to recognise period pants as a menstrual product so that they can be taxed fairly! #wakeupkickass

MAKING TABLE PLACE CARDS (Ad) ? . . . We are back for some Christmas craft with @ryman ?? This time making some Frenchie table place cards with a lot of sparkles and pompoms! Our new favourite... in case you missed it ?. The shop has so much for you to have fun with your family! ? . . . And yes, I had sparkles in our dining room for some days after that! But we had so much fun! And I am sure Mamie & Papa will be impressed! We even wore our Xmas PJs on to be right in the mood with my fave Wham song blasting in the house ?. ‘Last Xmas, I gave you my heart…’ I bet you are humming it now! ? . . Do you do any crafts to prepare for Christmas? What is your fave one to do? Crackers? A Wreath? Share with me your best ideas! ?? #RymanHandmadeXmas #SpendalittleGiftalot #RymanReimaginedXmas #MerryCraftmas #ChristmasCraftmas

REINVENTING YOURSELF ? . . . What do you do when you come up against an obstacle? 2020 has brought many, to be honest, and yet a more personal one over the last few months ? . . . But I got reminded the importance of seeing an obstacle as a challenge and figure out how to get over it. If anything, any hurdle can be the perfect excuse to reinvent yourself. You can make it to your advantage and take it as a new opportunity to learn but also to progress and ultimately, be stronger ?. . . . A good reminder to start this cold week... Whoever is trying to stop you or lower your confidence, it just shows up their own insecurities. Not your weaknesses. Use this to your advantage. Time to reinvent yourself ? Because you have more than one string to your bow. Your problem might not get fixed quickly, but there is always a way out. It is down to you and your desire to get over it, whatever those doubts in your mind. A word to the wise should be sufficient… HAPPY MONDAY ??. With thanks to @thestepupclub for inspiring this post. This community of ladies reminded on Friday to keep in my lane and go forward ??

BE BRAVE, BE ADVENTUROUS ??. . . Double tap if you are ready for some winter adventures outdoors this Christmas! ?? Did you get some snow too last night? ?⛄ We woke up to find a beautiful white coat all over our garden this morning ☃ I am so ready for Xmas now! I went on a quick bike ride this morning and it was so cold but beautiful! I came back home with my hair messy but many wishes in my heart ??. . . I needed it! I went somewhere totally unknown in the woods and it was simply stunning. Be brave and adventurous! Enjoy the outdoors with your little ones. Grab the next challenge that comes to you and enjoy the ride. Fears are only in your mind and not a real thing! ??. . . My own little adventurer on his fabulous Gruffalo Micro Scooter ?? Fancy such a cool ride for your little ones? What are you waiting for? Head over now to my blog (link in bio) to grab this cool ride as well as many cool prizes! ??Tomorrow, you are in to win a @kitchenaid_uk blender worth £279!!! ?? (scooter gifted)

?FANCY A MARGARET DABBS LONDON XMAS SET WORTH £200? ? AD . . ?STOP!? Wait a minute! Did you know that we have a series of Frenchie Christmas Giveaways on the blog? Click on the link in my bio for some fabulous prizes! ???. . . . This week, I am giving you the chance to get this absolutely gorgeous @margaret_dabbs_london Xmas Gift set worth £200! Isn't it gorgeous?! I swear it is the best foot care brand I have ever used! And it is vegan! My feet feel and look incredible when I use this at home! ? . . . Fancy more freebies? We have la crème de la crème on the blog!⏬ @adenandanais @microscooters @giftpopboutique @loveluxlondon @emandlulondon ... and many more! ???. . . . And daily check my stories too! I will share on there some of the best #AdventCalendar competitions happening right now on Instagram! Be prepared to see a dazzling list of brands we love and a lot of Frenchieness! ??? May the magic of Christmas start right here right now! Because pourquoi pas!? Why not after all ????

MERCI ????? . . A massive MERCI for all the lovely comments & messages I received yesterday after my 'Anxiety' post. I actually cried a bit ? but for once it was from a good feeling! ???. . . God knows that I had my doubts this year, especially regarding the famous Insta Bubble ? I even considered quitting it all together and find another job...But reading it all yesterday, I realised that I actually made a lot of connections out there! Way more than I could imagine! ?? . . Instagram is a weird world. It can sometimes make you feel so is insecure and it is super competitive. I have had some bad experiences this year and it made me realise that I don't want it to take over my life and bring the worst in me ? My mental health is worth more than an app on my phone! ? . . . People always say how confident I look on here. Truth is, I have my little wobbles too ? I don't share too much about it because I don't want people to think that I am feeling sorry for myself. I am very aware that I have a good life. I am lucky enough to have a job I absolutely adore. And more importantly, I am my own boss. That is worth anything! ?. . . 2020 has been tough, mentally, physically and also in some more private aspects of my life. But I know everyone is going through a lot at the minute. So for today, back to a strong and confident Frenchie Mummy! See that look in her eyes? It says 'Hurry up Grumpy! I have a life to live! So let's not take too much time with photos! And never forget I am the only one and only!' ???.

ANXIETY ?? . . . Questions for you. How do you deal with anxiety? ?How does it usually show up for you? . . I am feeling a bit the uneasiness at the minute ? I am even reaching the point where I don't even care anymore about what Xmas will look like or what we will actually do. We won't be able to go to France. I am disappointed as I have not seen my family for over a year now. But at the same time, I just want to eat non-stop and veg on the sofa all day! It's not like me to say so but I have had enough of it now?. I can even feel it with Baba and this is what makes me even more frightened. The lockdown has had a massive impact on him and I could see the ripple effects even so much more over the last few days ? . . . I meditate a lot and we go out for walks etc to get some fresh air, but I wish I could step into a time machine and go back to some better days ? Are you feeling overwhelmed too? Time to cheer up each other! Seeing my Baba happy helps a bit! What cheers you up lately despite what is going on at the minute? Any good book you recommend on the topic?

(AD) STOCKING FILLERS WITH @RYMAN ?. . . Do you usually keep the tradition of stocking fillers during the festive period? What do you get for everyone? ?. . . We don't really do it in France. But this year, I want to make it special for my family with some little extra goodies! So easy to spend a little but gift a lot with @ryamn this year! The brand has a great selection of items for less than £10 each! Look at all the lovely bits we got! My mum will certainly like her candle and this new dinosaur lamp is a success! ??. . . It makes me so happy. What stocking fillers will you get for your loved ones this year? ? . . #RymanHandmadeXmas #SpendalittleGiftalot #RymanReimaginedXmas #MerryCraftmas #ChristmasCraftmas

QUOTE OF THE DAY ?. . . 'Always be a first-rate version of yourself and not a second-rate version of someone else' - Julie Garland ??. What makes you totally unique? What is that superpower that makes you the one and only? How do you stand out from the crowd? . . A quote to ponder and remember ? I would rather be my true self always than being like everyone else ?Accept your quirkiness and get with the flow of it ?. . . And if you want more empowering quotes like this, check out my books' stories from yesterday with the Little Black Book by @oteghauwagba . A must-read! ? . . . In love with the gorgeous @mariezeliebrand blouse, I wore this weekend. It is so elegant but also comfy! If you like clothes with a French touch that are feminine and classic, check out this Polish based brand. The collection is full of ethically-made timeless pieces ? And you have some fabulous offers too this week! #mariezelie #mariezeliebrand