VALENTINES DAY STYLE
Wow, it seems like we blinked since the last edition… as we write this Christmas has sprung upon us and before we know it will be New Year’s and we’ll be holding this edition in our hands!
Since our last column, it was announced that we had won 2 awards in the TMM Awards! Gold for best personalised products and silver for best new baby gift under 3 months! We can’t tell you how happy this makes us, as you all know we strive to bring you the highest quality products at affordable prices and to have this recognised by industry experts means the world to us! It makes all the hard work worth it and it was great to end 2024 with not one but two awards!
The run-up to Christmas is always a challenging time – we are so thankful for how busy you all keep us but the mum guilt can hit hard as we have to work such long hours during our peak seasonal time! That being said we love how being our own boss gives us the freedom and flexibility to attend the hundreds of school commitments on the run-up to Christmas and it also allows us to be present for our gang even if it does mean a lot of midnight finishes and tired eyes!
Amongst all of the office chaos, we did have some lovely Christmas trips out with the kids including, light shows, pantos and trips to see the big man himself! Actually, when you write it down you realise how much you do with your kids and it’s a reminder to maybe try and lose a bit of the mum guilt next year!
We also managed to sneak in an adult afternoon out in Manchester at the Christmas markets, another thing we shouldn’t feel guilty for, as we needed that for our own sanity!
We can’t believe how organised some of you are – there we were, we hadn’t even done our Christmas shopping and people have already placed their orders with us for Valentine’s Day!
With that in mind, we thought we would focus on Valentine’s Day Style and show you a few ways to make sure love is in the air in your home including a few bits from our collection, seen as though Valentine’s is now for the whole family and not just your other half. Of course, it’s to celebrate with friends now too with Galantine’s!
We’re so excited to continue to share our exciting business plans with you and keep sharing a snippet of our lives as Mum’s in business!
Lots of love,
Holly & Emma
VALENTINES GIFTS


Burnout & Resilience – A Fresh Perspective from Within
Burnout has been steadily rising across the UK, with rates climbing from 51% in 2022 to 65% in the summer of 2024. And while the stats alone could be worrying, they don’t tell the full story, especially for those of us juggling the relentless demands of work and parenting.

Experts advise parents weigh children’s school bags
Carrying a school bag that is too heavy poses a risk to children’s health. Ahead of the start of the new term, M&S have partnered with chiropractor and British Chiropractic Association (BCA) member, Dean Blackstock, to explain the health dangers and share one simple rule parents can follow to protect their children.

Scenic UK Hotels with Breathtaking Views
The selection of a hotel is never only about the bed or the breakfast. Surroundings, atmosphere and location are determinants of the whole experience. Homes built on the edge of a cliff or in a valley or on top of a gleaming lake encourage guests to be more than boarders–they are part of the landscape.

Back-to-School Balance: How Working Parents Can Thrive This September
Discover practical strategies and real-life tips for working parents to achieve back-to-school balance this September. Join the BROOD community for support, inspiration, and exclusive member benefits.

Honoring Loss and New Beginnings: National Rainbow Baby Day
For National Rainbow Baby Day, we spoke with Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein—mum of one and founder of the Carea App—about her personal journey through loss, hope, and new beginnings. Anastasia opens up about the emotional complexities of pregnancy after loss, the importance of breaking the silence around miscarriage, and how her experiences inspired her to create a support-focused app for women navigating similar paths.

Fun, Affordable Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained at Home
While it’s lovely to have more time with the kids, the constant questions of “Mum, what are we doing today?” or “Dad, can we play Fifa?” can get overwhelming fast.
At Happy Little Owls, we know how important it is to keep little minds and bodies active during the school holidays without exhausting yourself, or your bank account. So, we’ve rounded up some creative, budget-friendly ideas to help you make the most of the summer break at home. These are easy to set up, full of fun and perfect for creating lasting memories.

The Labubu Doll Craze—and What It Teaches Us About Trends through History
The Labubu doll craze took off almost overnight, with social media feeds flooded by fans eager to get their hands on the quirky collectible. But the real story isn’t just about the doll—it’s about our timeless desire to belong and connect. From Beanie Babies to Pokémon cards, trends like Labubu remind us that collecting is more than a hobby; it’s a way to share stories, build community, and rediscover the joy of simple things—both for us and our kids.

Interview with Reshmin Chowdhury
MUM-OF-TWO, RESHMIN CHOWDHURY IS A BRITISH SPORTS JOURNALIST AND BROADCASTER KNOWN FOR HER WORK WITH TNT SPORTS AND talkSPORT, AND MAJOR GLOBAL EVENTS LIKE THE FIFA WORLD CUP, THE OLYMPICS AND THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. RESHMIN HAS A BACKGROUND IN POLITICS AND JOURNALISM, AND BEGAN HER CAREER IN NEWS BEFORE MOVING INTO SPORTS BROADCASTING. SHE’S MULTILINGUAL, HAS WORKED WITH TOP ATHLETES, AND IS ALSO A CLASSICALLY TRAINED SINGER. AS A SINGLE MOTHER, SHE ALSO ADVOCATES FOR DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA.

Interview with Entrepreneur Simon squibb – what’s your dream?
If you’re an entrepreneur, or have aspirations to start your own business, and you have a TikTok or Instagram account then you are sure to have heard the words, ‘’What’s your dream?” words that have become synonyms with renowned entrepreneur, Simon Squibb.

Recharge, Relax, Repeat – the Multiple Benefits of Magnesium
It is estimated between 10% – 30% of UK adults may have a suboptimal magnesium status, where serum levels are low enough to impair function even without overt symptoms.