The wait is over! The prince and duchess have released four official portraits from Princess Charlotte’s christening.
Taken by Mario Testino, the portraits capture gorgeous moments from the day. Including a staple group shot of all the immediate family members, and stunning candid portraits of the proud parents with their little ones.
Kate looked as immaculate as ever, in an Alexander McQueen number. She didn’t steal the limelight from Charlotte though, who wore the traditional royal christening gown which was previously worn by her big brother.
The four portraits were taken in the gardens and drawing room at Sandringham House, following Charlottes christening at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, where Diana was baptised.
Following in her father’s footsteps Kate seems to have taken to a bit of portrait taking, as a week or so ago we were treated to the first official pics of the little prince and princess together. And, she has obviously learnt a thing or two about taking a good snap.
Clearly taken with a an slr camera, with prime lens and wide aperture, she has created a low depth of field look, to portray a blurriness in the background. Using this type of camera and creating depth of field gives it the professional finish, something that just isn’t possible with our trusty iPhones!
Time has also been taken when choosing the style, she has opted for natural light, as the shots are taken by a huge window letting in lots of light. George is dressed in white and blue and his little sis in a pretty white wool, making them look classy and rather regal, which won’t be a mistake.
The main accomplishment of all which truly makes the set of portraits, is that she has managed to get a series of shots where a two year old is holding a newborn, both with camera ready expressions, looking relaxed and happy. (Which can be a bit of a task!)
If we were going to be a little picky, we would have possibly changed the background as the curtains are a little distracting, and there are some bits that are a tad over exposed – but overall they are a gorgeous set of portraits of the lovely royal siblings.
Fancy creating some of these natural light style shots with your tots? But don’t have as much time on your hands as the duchess? Let us do the work, we have a whole gallery of stunning natural light portraits, check them out here
Comments Off on Dine, play and pamper – bank holiday treats
Dine, play and pamper
It’s that time of year again, where every other week there seems to be a bank holiday – which is obviously brilliant. Plus, we’ve been lucky with the sun lately which means getting out the gardening gloves to tidy up the mess that has descended over winter, and then heading out for alfresco cocktails – just because it’s sunny and that’s the rule.
So, with all these bank hols we’ve had some time to get out and about in Chester, and scour the net to see what’s out, where to go and what’s hot.
Date night
Fancy a night off from the kids? head in to town and swank it up at Oddfellows. I have only ever been for drinks but recently ventured out on a school night for tea.
The staff are really attentive, and the atmosphere is easy and relaxing. With exception to the out there decor adorning the bar area – you feel a little bit like you’re sitting in a menagerie whilst having your aperitif. The restaurant is a little more neutral with lovely little Mediterranean style plant pots littered along the main wall, filled with draping ivy and the like. I had the Poussin, with champ mash followed by the pecan pie – it’s definitely worth a go! Oddfellows.
Treat your feet and receive 20% off!
Check out these stylish flats from Taschka. The designer, Natasha is a friend of Bounce and we recently shot her new autumn/winter collection. Her designs are unique and combine classic silhouettes with statement materials to produce stylish luxe-leather flats. Going away this summer? why not treat yourself to a pair and share your shoe adventure with Taschka.
Taschka are offering Bounce customers an exclusive 20% off all shoes, just enter the code ‘Bounce’ at the checkout, valid until Wednesday 3rd June. Click Taschka to shop the collection now.
Children’s art week
Get creative with the kids this summer, and run your own art event. The event gives kids, teachers, parents & carers the chance to get involved with practical art activities with artists and makers. Last year there was over 100 events ran by adults across the UK, and included a riverside sketching exhibition, a mini art rave, a sculpture class and much more. You can run an event practically anywhere, churches, youth centres, schools etc. So if you go to or run a toddler group, this could be a change to your normal regime. Find out more about it!
Beauty stuff
Finding the right eye make up remover can be a right mare. Scrubbing your face and lashes before bed and then waking up to find black all over your freshly washed pillow case is always the case – well with me anyway. A friend told me about this super new remover she had started using, I thought it would be a pricey luxe brand, but it turned out to be a £2.99 one from Waitrose. Give it a go, it’s the best one I have used in a while, and my pillow case has never been whiter. Pure remover.
Now you’ve got your remover sorted, treat your brows to a little makeover. Old Hall Spa, is offering a wax and tint for just £20, followed by a Bare Minerals makeover – perfect if you’re heading off to Chester races. Spa offers.
Unlease the Kim Kardashian in you
Do you love capturing moments on your phone, adding filters, cropping and uploading to your fave social site? If this sounds like you, you’ll love the new Popbook app. Not only can Kim K release a book of her favourite selfies but you can do the same!
Just download the app, choose the 21 pics you want for your book, crop, add a filter, put it in order, pay £4.99 and hey presto your very own book will be winging its way to you. Popbook.
Spring offer
Don’t forget to check out our Spring offer which is available until the end of May. Capture your family on location in the spring sun or at home, take a look at our gorgeous galleries and find out more about our fab offer.
Comments Off on Easter activities for little bunnies
Easter activities for little Bunnies
Easter is just around the corner, which means the kids are just about to break up if not so already. So, it’s time to get our thinking caps on and see what we can do to entertain them over the break, other than feeding them up with chocolate.
There’s loads of ideas for stuff to do, so we have put together our favourite six that we have found for you. Some along with tradition like the whimsical Easter Bonnet but then some a little more out there including extravagant watermelon bunnies and sweet sushi.
The Easter Bonnet
We all love getting a new hat and what better way to celebrate one than Easter? The Easter bonnet is a long standing tradition, and some may think it a bit random. But, it actually hails back to Shakespearean times, it promotes a notion of getting something new, by way of clothes for Easter. Perhaps why we think of having a spring clear out, a fresh start etc…
Bonnets can be adorned with anything from egg shells and ducklings to fabrics and flowers, they are really a fantasy hat, a statement, so go wild with yours. Check out some fab Easter bonnet ideas here. If you have any quirky ones just pin them to our board!
Easter Sushi
I love sushi, a perfect combo of fish and rice is just gorge. But, kids can be a bit more fussy when it comes to eating raw fish! So check out these sweet sushi treats for Easter, which are a bit different from your average cream egg…
Tie-dye eggs with the kids
Are you arranging an egg hunt for the kids? If so, as well as using some choccy ones add to the mix some psychedelic hard boiled eggs as a savoury alternative. They look really cool, and can be used to decorate your Easter table or in an egg sarnie, see how here
Looking for a bit of a show stopping centrepiece for your Easter table?? Check out this watermelon bunny!!! If you manage to recreate this send us a picture!
Fairytale fun
The brand new take on Disneys Cinderella is out now at the pics. For anyone who watches Downton, its stars Lily James who played Lady Rose as Cinderella, with Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother and Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine. It’s swept up at the box office already so a great one to go and see over the holidays. Film review.
Mary Berry’s Easter biccies
Get the kids involved in some baking over Easter, with these simple Easter bics. Ice them in dusky spring colours and cut in to rabbits, flowers, chicks and the like.
Check out our pin board of Easter ideas and feel free to add to it and share with your friends and family…Pin it
Make the most of this Easter, and capture your family when they’re all together for a perfect family portrait…
Now Christmas is well and truly out the way and the weather is pretty grim, we have started to look to where we can go to combat the winter blues. You don’t have to be going right now, but just booking something for later in the year can lift the mood can’t it?
We’ve handpicked a few little places from trawling the net and personal experience to bring you our top six family getaways ranging from UK and Europe to spotting the Big Five on a South African Safari.
UK
Discover the Lakes
For an easy family getaway in the UK, the Lake District is perfect, especially if you’re lovers of the outdoors. There are loads of quaint villages that are quintessentially English – where you can stop off for a bit of tea and cake, post huge walk up one of many mountains! Fab little points of interest, such as William Wordsworth’s Georgian property located in Cockermouth.
The Langdale Hotel and Spa is set in the lovely village of Langdale and boasts four star luxury accommodation, a spa, swimming pool and lots of things for the kids to do. You can choose to stay in the hotel or go self catering in one of the cosy cabins tucked away in the woods.
Abersoch has become pretty aspirational over the past few years, young families raving over it and bringing about it’s reputation as the Welsh Riviera. Situated on the South Coast of the Llyn Peninsula, it was originally a fishing port but now is famed for it’s high octane water sports and Regatta events. There is loads to do throughout the year, but obvs summer is a key time with its boho beach vibe and it plays host to the popular festival, Wakestock. The village is also well within reach of Snowdonia National Park, so perfect for a family day out.
We’ve found this lovely luxury caravan located on Talyfan, adjacent to the Llyn Peninsula and the prestigious holiday site ‘The Warren’. It’s fully equipped with three bedrooms and a lovely decking area for al fresco dining when it’s warm. When staying here you also receive use of full facilities from The Warren, including, a spa, pool, gym, soft play and more of the like.
Nothing gets better than finding a unique and lush campsite in France. La Garangeoire, is located on the west coast of France just a little journey upward from Bordeaux. It’s primarily open space with a lake nearby for fishing, which kids will just love. The site also features stables where you can take lessons on good natured little ponies, and close by is a ‘Go Ape’. You can chill out in the spa whilst the kids entertain themselves and there is a huge waterparc for you all to enjoy.
Accommodation includes camping where you’ll get a spacious pitch to layout your canvas, or if you’d rather the comfort of home you can stay in one of their chalets or mobile homes, choosing a space within the woods or meadows.
Or you may be looking for a super stylish and luxury abode set amongst azure coastline… If this sounds like your cup of tea, Sani Resort in Halkidiki is amazing for families and is serious luxe. Kids of all ages are welcome and fully entertained with the range of facilities. There is a crèche, a mini club and teenagers club to keep them busy. Highly trained staff are on hand to care for them, activities range from special programmed activities for babies, mini Olympics on the beach for toddlers and kids, to football academies, cooking schools and spa experiences for teens.
The accommodation is cool and contemporary and each room or suite has its own garden or pool, and is surrounded by Grecian turquoise waters and pure white sand. Unwind in the Anne Semonin inspired spa before choosing from a whole host of luxury eateries…
How exciting as a kid to be told you are off on safari for real – a once in a lifetime experience. South Africa is the obvious choice and there are loads of packages around to choose from. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa and you are sure to see all of the Big Five game animals.
We have found four different safari packages; each one differs so you’ll find one to suit your brood. All including game drives so you can spot the animals, as well as meals, flights and accommodation. Check out the packages.
Twin it
Travelling in general with little ones can be a testing experience, so if you’re going for the long haul you may as well twin it. If you’re off on safari, then South Africa lends itself perfectly to Mauritius. Situated in the glittering Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a proper getaway, and there are some fab hotels for families.
One&Only Saint Geran is top of the game, their KidsOnly club is renowned across its plethora of hotels worldwide. It runs daily programmes of fun activities that focus on education, discovery, crafts, arts, sports the list goes on. There is a unique little gardening programme where they’ll learn all about the nature of the area and go in equipped with mini watering cans, hoes and find out all about the herb garden.
One&Only Saint Geran, Mauritius
Holiday snaps make for some of the best photographs, so don’t forget your camera, you don’t want to miss out on those perfect family portraits…
So, Christmas is actually almost here, just a few weeks until we are thrown in to the midst of wrapping, mince pies, long lost aunts and turkey curry.
It’s such a whirlwind leading up to the ‘big day’ isn’t it?? and a proper stress trying to figure out what to buy for people. Not only do you have to figure this out but you also have the other added mission of telling people what you may want when asked.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love giving and receiving gifts and there are lots of things we all want isn’t there? But when put on the spot you find yourself asking for something you need rather than want… hmmm Chanel No 5, suede boots, a lovely blusher you’ve had your eye on. However, before you know it you’re unwrapping a toaster.
However, it comes round quick which means it ends quick, so we need to relish it as being surrounded with friends, family and bubbles (the alcohol kind) is much better than going back to sit at your gloomy desk on January 3rd…Only at this time the Champagne bubbles are replaced with that of Alka Seltzer.
Part of the fun is all the stuff on the tele in the news and the like, so we have done a little round up of what’s going down this Christmas…
The Downton Christmas Special
We love a bit of Downton but quite frankly the past two Christmas episodes have made us suicidal. In 2012 we had the trauma of the charming Matthew being killed off, which cumulated in Lady Mary being even more sombre and in personable than usual for the whole of season four. Last Christmas we watched Edith struggle with leaving her baby in Switzerland – as sad as this was it did lead to a good storyline for her this season – which we think she probably needed.
It is promised though that year’s Christmas special will be heart-warming and bring a nice lump to the throat. We’ll see the Crawley’s head off to Brancaster Castle in Northumberland for a rather lovely festive shooting party. However, we do need a bit of drama and it seems this may come in the form of Anna and Bates’ fate. Tune in on Christmas day.
Other Christmas tele
There is loads of other good stuff to look forward to as well, including all the fab Christmas specials such as Doctor Who, Strictly, Miranda and it wouldn’t be quite right without The Snowman and Snowdog. And it goes without saying that we’ll be treated to all the obvious dramas that are going to unfold on the square, in the Woolpack and on the street – I mean its Christmas so there will probs be an explosion of some sort, a jilted bride and a shock truth. Find more Christmas tele stuff here
Who is top of the charts?
It’s going to be the usual race to the number one spot, with contenders being the X Factor winner, a previous X Factor winner, a previous X Factor contestant, an X Factor band and the new band aid single. Tom Odell is also up for it with his John Lewis ad song ‘Real Love’ and believe it or not Peter Andre is having a crack at it with a new song ‘Christmas Time’s for Family’ on sale in Iceland all over the UK.
Top of the Toys
Let’s check out the top toys then according to Hamleys this year. It’s no surprise to see the Frozen characters coming in to the top ten with skating Elsa and Anna dolls going for £40 each. Apps are now controlling playtime, with Xeno an interactive baby monster that is controlled by a dedicated app. Plus, Barbie is on the technology train with a tech controlled bag that allows kids to hold against any type of clothing and it changes accordingly – a huge step forward from the days of when Barbie used to just hang out with Ken at the mall. For the boys, there is a 20inch Transformers robot coming in at £115. Check out the full run down here
We wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Don’t forget to check out our Christmas Offer, plus look out for our January sale!
Christmas time…Some love it and some can’t wait for it to be out the way but whether you love it or hate it, it’s almost here and you may as well start with the prep!
We have well got in to the festive spirit and done another web trawl for you to find the best Christmas stuff that is around at the mo to help you with gift ideas, Christmas cooking, festive events and other joyful activities to get you in the mood.
Check out our Christmas survival guide below, we bet you’ll find something to suit you…
Festive recipes
Stuff the Turkey
If you’re stuck in a turkey rut, why not go a bit out there and do something completely different for your dinner?? Try this Christmas spiced pork and Chestnut Wellington, a great alternative to the festive bird! Or if you just can’t break the tradition, ditch the turkey sarnies on boxing day and give it go. There are loads more alternative centrepiece ideas here.
The penguins are taking over
The new John Lewis Christmas ad, will see us going mad for penguins this year, it shows the story of Sam and his best friend ‘Monty’ the penguin. Since the ad aired they have actually sold out of the little Montys. So to avoid disappointment of not acquiring your own stuffed bird, get the kids involved in making these perky penguins…
If you haven’t seen it yet check out the new John Lewis ad here
An alternative to mulled wine
Love the idea of mulled wine, but fancy a change this year? A different take on it is this gorge mulled cider recipe from Jamie Oliver. Its dead easy, all you need is a good scrumpy and some Christmassy flavours to master it. The recipe.
Gifts and other lovely Christmassy stuff
Top 50 gift ideas under a tenner
Christmas can all get a bit expensive can’t it?? Thanks to the economy we all want to get the most for our precious pennies. There are loads of ideas about on the net on how to spend less or make our own pressies. But, If you’re not all that creative and haven’t really got the time to be crafting gifts, check out these brilliant ideas that are all under a tenner! Gift list…
Creative Countdown
Your countdown to Christmas doesn’t have to be opening the cardboard window everyday to find yet another choco shaped angel – get creative and make your own. There are absolutely tonnes of ideas out there, some are fabulously intricate and some are dead simple. From purchasing 24 little jars and adding a treat to each one, to crafting your own advent ornaments filled with hidden notes that get you in the Christmas spirit. Check out some of the best designs we found.
Homemade Ice Marbles
Check out these ice balls, really easy but look so effective. Just fill a balloon with water and add food colouring. Once they are frozen pull the balloon away to reveal giant ice marbles, line them up your garden path…
30 DIY luxury Christmas decs
Ornate and extravagant Christmas decs look the part, but can start to get a bit expensive, especially with all the other essentials mounting up. Take a look at these great ideas for making your own little luxury pieces for your home…
Come down to the Hoole Christmas Fair at All Saints Church on Sat 22nd Nov. We were there last year, showcasing our fab homeshoots and it was really buzzing and full of festivities. There are lots of craft stalls offering unique and handmade gifts, plus we’ll be there again so pop over and say hello!
Ice Festival, Liverpool One – Fri 7th Nov – Sun 4th Jan.
Head over the water to experience Liverpool’s enchanting ice festival, which runs from 7th November – 4th January. Test your skating skills on the ice rink before relaxing with a drink in the Apres Bar. It also hosts the UK’s biggest ice slide, two huge slides measuring 30 metres each. Find out more and book online.
Winter Wonderland, Chester Racecourse – Fri 14th Nov – Wed 24th Dec
Closer to home is Chester’s very own winter wonderland. Enjoy skating on the ice rink, before heading over to the grotto where Father Christmas and his elves will be waiting to greet your children, everyone gets a gift. Book your visit to Santa online.
Chester Christmas Market, outside the Chester Town Hall – Thurs 20th Nov – Sun 14th Dec
Go and check out the Chester Christmas Market with all of its unique and wonderful stalls. There are 70 traditional wooden chalets offering everything from jewellery, to gifts, food and drink.
Capture your clan for Christmas
£90 in FREE prints and portraits! – Take advantage of our fab new Christmas offer, and get some brand new shots of you and your family for Christmas! Bounce prints, are also great stocking fillers for family and friends.
Christmas cards sorted – You could even personalise your own Christmas cards with your digital portraits. We have a fab range of unique festive card designs to choose from.
Gift vouchers – Are you struggling to think of something to buy for a friend or relative? Our Bounce homeshoot vouchers make the perfect present and start from £25. Gift Vouchers…
Thinking of new Halloween ideas each year can be a bit of a mare, traditionally the Americans do it best, but us Brits seem to be getting evermore betwitched by the calendar event. It is fast becoming yet another date where we need to think up alternative and whacky ideas to out spook our peers…
Even though we all love the classics like, Bobbing apples, pumpkin soup and pinning the wart the witch, there are loads of new ideas about to get involved with. We have listed a few of our faves…
Fruity ghosts – check out these strawberry ghosts, dead easy to make with just a dip of white chocolate and a dash of milk choc for the design, simple but the kids will love them. How to make them
Forget the pumpkin – If you stop at a pumpkin when decorating your front of house, well things just got a whole lot quirkier/more of a mission. People are now re-designing their front doors! Have a look at these… spooky doors
Something to do – If you fancy a bit of help with your ‘do it yourself’ costumes for the kids pop along to the Grosvenor museum on Mon 27th Oct and make a scary mask in prep for the 31st… find out more
Halloween tea – If the older kids have become a bit ‘too cool’ for all the spookiness, make an easy tea to get everyone in on the action. We think this eyeball pasta is perfect… or just make the eyeballs as a cheesy snack… the recipe
What to wear?? – Not quite sure yet what you and the kids are going to wear? Well don’t worry at least you won’t have to think about a new idea for your furry friend, take inspiration from these… pimp your pet
Get crafty – Get the kids involved in decorating the house, with these vampire handprints not much is needed and they look a bit different. Vampire handprints
Happy Halloween – Head down to the ‘Crocky Horror Show’ at the Crocky Trail in Waverton. They turn the trail in to a scare fest, with live actors, spooky sets, stunts and props. On the 31st Oct and 1st Nov, they are having a full fireworks show so you can combine bonny night with it…find out more
So, the holidays are over and the kids are finally going back to school… How does this make you feel??
1. Total dread of rushing around sorting lunches, bags, gym kits and all the rest? Plus, I am really going to miss the little darlings…
2. Pure unadulterated joy – woohoo! Back to a routine, back to work, topped off with a small piece of freedom?
If you fall in to both or one of these categories there are probably some things you are really not going to miss, things you cant wait to do and things you’ll miss, (believe it or not) about the kids being off.
So, rather than adding to the obvious back to school lists that are littering the net at the mo, we thought we would collate nine reasons why ‘back to school’ can create such mixed emotions.
A few phrases you may not miss…
Six weeks is a long time isn’t it? All those day trips, meals and holidays are all part of the ‘new’ routine. I bet you’ve heard these phrases a few times…
‘I’m bored’ these words have probably passed your kids lips more than Haribo this summer.
‘I’m not running a cafe/hotel/any kind of hospitality joint’ These words have probably passed your lips more than Sauvignon Blanc this summer.
‘I need a wee’ Didn’t you just tell them to go about five times before setting off for the agonising seven hour trip across the country????
What the heck am I going to do now they are back at school?
Yay! Time to raise a glass as they head off back through the school gates, giving you bags of time to be totally selfish and enjoy some of life’s little luxuries…
Stare in to space – Sit on the sofa in the midst of your beautifully clean living room, and just stare at the walls for about an hour, maybe more.
Pamper yourself – Take the longest shower in history just because you can, and then treat your hair to a hairdryer.
Treat yourself – A morning shopping session all on your own. Even if its Tesco, lets face it, it’s a luxury…
What will you miss?
You may or may not be doing cartwheels at the thought of school starting back up, either way we bet there are a few things you’re going to miss…
No routine! You may have felt deprived of routine this past six weeks, although fun, those days of spontaneity like jumping in the car to the local park or beach have probably felt like a mission. But, it’s one thing you actually may miss when it comes to the strict timetable of curricular activity, out of school clubs and the like.
Being a kid yourself – Playing loads of Buckaroo, watching Frozen for the 9 millionth time, fab days out at the zoo that secretly you love more than them, and baking your own body weight in rice krispie cakes.
The gorgeous kids!! They have now all reached the age of school years and quite frankly it can be a bit overwhelming when they all flee the nest… even though its just for a short day you’ll miss the crazy chats, the snuggles and even the noise, nagging and mess.
The top ten baby names we’re released earlier this month for 2013 – and it’s always exciting to see what has ranked high, any new entries and emerging trends.
With our celebrity culture and their elaborate baby name choices, we have seen a rise in unique baby names in recent years, such as Beau, Darcy and Esme. However these names are pretty traditional as we have now started to see new entries which include Pharrell, Harper and even North West.
Even though these unique and wonderful choices are pushing through, the stats show that we are still a nation of traditionalists. Especially with the new royal arrival last year, George is now coming in at tenth, William is 8th whilst Harry tops them both at 3rd.
Names also come in and out of fashion quite frequently, and we hardly see any real old school names about anymore. Recently at Bounce we photographed a little 3 year old called Nigel, it was fab to see it making a comeback!
A little less ordinary, but lovely was a set of twins we met recently aptly named Summer and Breeze.
However, trends for 2014 have started emerging and it’s not just the celebs and royals that are having an effect. Hipsters are also on the rise, and have started a total new trend to stand out from the crowd with their cool ensemble of hipster type names… Atticus, August, Clementine, lunar and Hudson to name just a few.
Also for 2014, herbs and plants are getting a look in too … how is little Saffron Juniper Smith?
But, best of all is when popular culture such as our fave drama characters start hitting the list, especially when it comes in the form of hit fantasy Game of Thrones. I will definitely be christening my child Daenerys Targaryen.
