Lavania Oluban

I am a mother to a tornado of a child named Arlo River Rex..... I don’t sit still for even a second, I have something to say about everything and I’m social media obsessed!

Start-Rite Rhino Warrior Review: Have They Survived a Busy School Term?

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This post is written in collaboration with Start-Rite. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. A few weeks ago, Arlo chose the Start-Rite Rhino Warrior shoes ready for Year 5. After wearing Start-Rite shoes for the last few years, we already had high expectations, but I was interested to see how this particular … Read more

Getting Ready for Year 5 with Start-Rite Rhino Warrior School Shoes

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New black school shoes with Velcro straps are on gravel beside their box and a small tin of polish.

This post is written in collaboration with Start-Rite. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Every year, the final school term seems to fly by and before I know it, I’m already thinking ahead to September. School uniform shopping can feel like a never-ending list, but there is one thing I never leave … Read more

Peppa Pig Space Adventure at the NEC Birmingham Review

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A child in a spacesuit plays in a space-themed indoor area with soft obstacles and a rocket under blue and purple lights.

Peppa Pig Space Adventure is a brand new immersive walkthrough experience at the NEC Birmingham and it already looks like one of the biggest preschool attractions coming to Birmingham this year. As somebody who loves Peppa Pig myself, I was ridiculously excited when the opportunity to visit during launch week landed in my inbox. We’ve … Read more

The Lost Valley Evesham Review: High Ropes and Crazy Golf at The Valley

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Finding a family activity that genuinely works for a big age range can be surprisingly difficult. Usually somewhere is either aimed at toddlers, or the older kids are bored within ten minutes. The Lost Valley is one of the few places we’ve found that actually works for everyone. The mini golf and High ropes in … Read more

Visiting the BBC Good Food Show

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Man standing with arms outstretched among colorful flowers at an indoor garden show, with people observing in the background.

If you’re looking for a day out that blends inspiration, flavour and a touch of celebrity sparkle, this one’s for you. I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away for Sunday 21st June 2026 at the BBC Good Food Show Summer and BBC Gardeners’ World Live, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham. How … Read more

Garden Room vs Home Extension: Which Is Better for Families?

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When family life starts to feel cramped, creating extra space quickly becomes a priority. Whether it’s children needing more room, hybrid working taking over the dining table, or simply wanting a home that functions better day to day, many families start comparing garden rooms with a traditional home extension. Both options can add valuable extra … Read more

Garden Annexes – Ideas for Multigenerational Family Living

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A sitting room with a large telly, black cupboards, a geometric rug, plants, and tall windows looking out to a garden.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how on earth families are supposed to make space for everyone these days, you’re not alone. With house prices still eye-watering, childcare costs through the roof and more families supporting ageing parents, it’s no surprise that garden annexes are becoming a popular solution. For some families, moving simply isn’t … Read more

How To Balance Work And Supporting A Large Family: Top Tips For Busy Parents 

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Family enjoys a sunny day outside their tent at a campsite.

For parents with more than one child, or a large extended family, parenting can feel like a second job.  Unfortunately, for many modern parents, taking time off work to be a full-time parent simply isn’t an option.  With a third of working families unable to afford basic necessities and the rising cost of childcare, many parents have … Read more

How to Manage a Full-Time Home Business Without Burning Out

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Someone sits at a desk with a laptop and papers, holding their head in their hands and looking stressed.

Getting exhausted in your home business isn’t likely due to an abundance of working hours, but rather a tiring, time-consuming, low-benefit type of work. The morning mantras and motivational playlists won’t help you with that. Time to re-engineer the entire setup. Build a workspace that signals work is happening The problem with a home office … Read more

Bluebell Woods Near Birmingham and the West Midlands

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Bluebell flowers carpet the woodland floor beneath tall trees, with fresh green leaves visible at the front.

If you’ve typed bluebell woods near Birmingham into Google recently, same. This is a list of the ones actually worth your time. Every year around April, woodland floors across Birmingham, Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands suddenly turn purple. It looks incredible for a couple of weeks and then it’s gone again. Some places are … Read more

Should Financial Barriers Ever Delay Essential Care?

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Close-up black and white image of a person smiling, showing their teeth and part of the nose and lips.

  Access to essential care is often viewed as a fundamental part of maintaining health and wellbeing. Yet for many people, financial constraints remain one of the biggest obstacles to seeking timely treatment. Whether it’s dental care, medical procedures, or preventative services, the cost can lead people to delay or even avoid care altogether. This raises … Read more

Keeping Your Property Transaction On Track

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A pair of black shoes standing in front of a doormat that says "HOME" with a red heart symbol in place of the letter "O." The doormat is on a painted wooden porch.

A property transaction can feel like a moving target. With multiple parties involved, strict lender requirements and detailed legal processes to follow, even a minor delay can have a knock-on effect across the entire chain. Keeping your property transaction on track requires careful coordination, prompt communication and a clear understanding of the legal steps involved. … Read more