How to add value to your home, whether you want to love it or leave it!

How to add value to your home, whether you want to love it or leave it!

How to add value to your home, whether you want to love it or leave it!

Creating a home just how you like it takes time. It can be a daunting process! There’s so much advice out there and because we all move more regularly than previous generations we never know if we are investing in a change for us or a change for its saleability.

Our home was a mix of very bright decor and bodged repairs when we bought it. What we’ve learnt in the last few years of updating it is that there are 5 main things that make a difference whether you’re planning to stay or sell.

Read More

Three ways to revamp your garden for Spring

Three ways to revamp your garden for Spring

Three ways to revamp your garden for Spring

At the moment I am looking at a very miserable, brown Winter garden. Nothing is growing and I can’t imagine how it could be transformed!

However I do this every year and it always amazes me how such little touches can create magic even in my small London garden.

These are the things I’m going to get on with in the next month and I advise you to start here!

Read More

Found the perfect home, what now?

Found the perfect home, what now?

Found the perfect home, what now?

Moving house is definitely one of the most stressful things you can do in your life. It is thought to be one of the toughest after divorce or loss!

Living in London with renting, buying, changes in family size, we have unfortunately moved a lot of times. Maybe 6 now in 10 years! Each time we move I remember a part of the process that I never want to do by myself again.

Thankfully there are various ways you can make your life easier and these are my top tips for an easier transition.

Read More

From London lawyer to Italian cashmere luxury label; the woman behind Lois Avery

From London lawyer to Italian cashmere luxury label; the woman behind Lois Avery

How to go from London lawyer to Italian cashmere luxury label?

If you follow Mammaprada on Instagram you’ll know I’m a huge fan of the beautiful Italian cashmere scarves of Lois Avery. I’ve met some of the most inspiring people in the last 3 years that I’ve been using Instagram and one of them is the lovely Jennie, Founder of Lois Avery.

She has the most dreamy, Italian feed, plenty of travel inspiration, shots of her super soft scarves and she shares her very personal journey of creating this amazing brand around her 3 children.

Read More

#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #12 January 2019

#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #12 January 2019

January 2019 - New Year, New Rules!

We used to have set themes each month, but we understand there isn’t always time to write yet another post!

There are some topic suggestions below you are free to use, however from now on we ask for any Italy related blog posts or vlogs each month.

Read More

Why Bormio is one of the greatest Italian Ski Resorts

Why Bormio is one of the greatest Italian Ski Resorts

Why Bormio is one of the greatest Italian Ski Resorts 

I wrote about why we love Bormio a year ago now and nothing has changed. We will be off there again in February to take both our children, one who can now ski. Partly from learning in Bormio and partly in the UK at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

My youngest is too little being only 3, although the Swiss start at 2 years old! However a good ski instructor friend of ours told us the perfect age is 4 years old.

Read More

WIN! 3 month membership to Gru Languages English resources for children [closed]

WIN! 3 month membership to Gru Languages English resources for children [closed]

English Language resources for children!

So the New Year has arrived and already we are all about giving you plenty of help with raising those bambini!

This week we’ve teamed up with lovely Sarah, the Founder of Gru Languages.

If you haven’t discovered Gru yet, they offer over 800 resources which suit children learning English as a second/third language or for English speaking children in reception and Year 1.

Read More

Simple everyday activities to boost your bilingual child’s language skills

Simple everyday activities to boost your bilingual child’s language skills

Simple everyday activities to boost your bilingual child’s language skills

Raising bilingual children is not an easy task, but it is something absolutely worth investing the time and effort in. With 2 bilingual and multicultural kids, there are certainly a few things I learned along the way to do and started incorporating early on with my kids to support them in their language learning processes.

Read More

Brexit News! Why should I learn a language - Post Brexit?

Brexit News! Why should I learn a language - Post Brexit?

Brexit News! Why should I learn a language - Post Brexit?

With the parliamentary vote on Theresa May’s Brexit Deal meant to be taking place TODAY. Then chaos has taken over once again and it’s now delayed! I thought this would be a good time to reassess this question!

Why should I learn a language post Brexit? This was a very popular article last time it was published so I thought I would share again today and see how we feel about it now, almost a year later!

Read More

The Future Plans You Can Put In Place Today

The Future Plans You Can Put In Place Today

The Future Plans You Can Put In Place Today

Who knows what the future holds? There’s no way we can tell what is in-store for us in our lives, no matter how much we may want to know. As a result, there’s no way to know exactly what we need to be prepared for in our lives. That’s why it pays to try to be prepared for every possible eventuality. Hopefully, we then aren’t too thrown off by any emergencies or unexpected situations, and we are able to respond in a very healthy and proactive way.

Read More

5 great Lego sets for your children, and Husband this Christmas!

5 great Lego sets for your children, and Husband this Christmas!

5 great Lego sets for your children, and Husband this Christmas!

My family are definitely Lego enthusiasts! I would go so far as to say that I’m a bit of a Lego widow!

I don’t really mind as I think Lego is such an incredible toy for children. It builds fine motor skills, develops their imaginations.

It teaches perseverance and sets from the Lego City range create awareness and respect of role models such as the Fire Service, Police Force and other rescue servicemen.

Read More

Why the beautiful Cutty Sark is the perfect play Time for your Toddler

Why the beautiful Cutty Sark is the perfect play Time for your Toddler

Why the beautiful Cutty Sark is the perfect play Time for your Toddler

Last week we were invited to the stunning Cutty Sark Ship in Greewich.

We’ve been many times with our 6 year old Son. It’s truly one of the best attractions in London.

However last week we went to try and new activity for the little ones. Toddler Time!

Read More

9 Christmas Gifts for Pre-School Girls

9 Christmas Gifts for Pre-School Girls

9 Christmas Gifts for Pre-School Girls

As a mamma of a little girl I have to really resist the swathes of pink and dolls every time I visit a toy shop.

I’m not against her playing with ‘Girls toys’ but sometimes the pink aisle is very overwhelming!

Luckily my daughter wants to be a fire woman and her favourite colour is blue so I think she knows her own mind anyway!

Read More

4 Great Activities For A Family Trip To California

4 Great Activities For A Family Trip To California

4 Great Activities For A Family Trip To California

California is considered by some to be the most beautiful state in the whole of America. You’ll find plenty of amazing places to visit, great food and drink and all sorts of different activities to get involved with. That’s why it’s such a great destination for a family vacation. It’s ideal for all age groups and you’ll always be able to find something to please everybody. If you’re planning a family trip to California, these are some of the best things to do while you’re out there.

Read More

7 Christmas Presents for Primary School Boys

7 Christmas Presents for Primary School Boys

7 Christmas Presents for Primary School Boys

Buying for children is always a balance between what they want; usually something noisy and plastic! What their friends are allowed, Xboxes, and the gifts you would like to give them!

Then throw in the over generous, well meaning relatives and no wonder we all get stressed about this time of year!

Read More

WIN! 4 Personalised T-Shirts from Mammaprada SHOP!

WIN! 4 Personalised T-Shirts from Mammaprada SHOP!

Personalised T-Shirts for all the family

Here at Mammaprada we’ve recently launched our own SHOP!

Filled with T-Shirts for men women and children, we looked long and hard for super soft tees in gorgeous colours, printed in the UK and with quick shipping times!

Although we’ve created Italian slogans for many of our designs everything is customisable.

Read More