Cora's Holiday Must-Haves

When asked to list 10 travel must haves, it seems that all six of us have different ideas - The biggest members of the family want wifi, cocktails and a good book, the middle two want kids clubs and swimming goggles and the smallest two are led with their stomachs - it is all about the ice cream.  Mark Warner are looking for ambassador families and we would love to share what an MW holiday is really like and see how they would cope with our crazy tribe.

So to make it a bit simpler, I have collated Cora's travel must have's into our own special mood board below, and a little video explaining more.

Here is what Cora can't travel without:

1) Muslins - This is one baby essential we never forget to pack - lightweight blanket, makeshift bib, dribble catcher or even a funny little hat with knots in the corners.

2) Pretty summer dresses - I imagine this will be the summer she starts toddling and after three boys I am a little bit excited about all the sweet little outfits she can wear

3) Wet suit - Because this baby was born to splash

4) A beach bag to carry all her essentials - I don't know how long the only little girl in the family will take up the least amount of space in the suitcase,  I doubt it will be long!

5) Suncream - Cora's hair is coming through so blonde so I imagine she will need a high factor sun protection.

6) A beaker - Everyone needs a poolside drink

7) Mummy - Because she is going through a VERY clingy phase at the moment

8) Sunhat - To protect her gorgeous little head.

9) The sun - Cora was just a tiny newborn last summer so she hasn't had much experience of the sun.  (This is definitely not something we will be bringing from home)

10) Don't forget the baby!!!

This is our entry to become a Mark Warner Ambassador

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Holiday Wardrobe Must-Haves

Inspired by Mark Warner's competition to be an ambassador, I have spent my evening putting together a mood board of Cora and Finn's must have holiday wardrobes.  I love all the bright styles, there is some subtle twinning in there and lots of our favourite brands are featuring.  I used Polyvore to pull it all together and the quality of the pictures isn't great but each individual picture underneath links to the item.

If we were to win the chance to represent Mark Warner one of the first things I would be doing is shopping for the perfect summer clothing for all four children, especially the youngest two who have less of a say in what they wear!

So here are my picks for Finn - he will be 2.5 this summer so it is our last chance for little rompers and dungarees!

Finn's dream holiday wardrobe by beckygower on Polyvore

And here are my choices for Cora - little rompers and sweet summer dresses.  She will turn one at the end of June so I imagine she will start walking around then!

Cora's dream holiday wardrobe by beckygower featuring rompers

I have had so much fun planning their holiday wardrobe must-haves! Have you started shopping for summer clothes yet?

This is an entry to be a Mark Warner Ambassador

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What Makes Our Perfect Holiday

In most ways we work really well together as a family.  We are not morning people, we all have a bit of a sweet tooth and we are as messy as each other.  When it comes to discussing the perfect holiday though, there is a big divide.  We all have our own agenda when it comes to travel and our preferences are quite different.

Mama loves the sun.  My dream holiday would involve swimming every day, cocktails on the beach, watching the sunset as we eat and thin summer maxi dresses.  I find it hard to go back to somewhere I have already been when there is always somewhere new to explore and my perfect holiday would have a mixture of relaxation and exploration.  I need novelty, whether it is trying a new food, a new sport or a new culture or going completely off the beaten track.  

The bloke loves the snow.  His dream trip would involve getting away from the driveling rain in the English winter and experiencing a 'real winter', where the temperatures go below zero and hot chocolate is always on the menu.  He wants childcare on tap, the opportunity to have a beer and a very comfy bed to flop on to after a long day of being active.  He loves his red ski jacket and he wants an excuse to wear it! 

Dylan's main priority is a kid club (and secondly bunk beds).  He is the most sociable child I know and he wants the chance to make new friends.  He wants to find children his age who he can do things with and he doesn't really care which country we are in as long as he can make some buddies.  He thrives in new situations and has picked up the phrase 'always have a go, even if you think it is hard' from school and seems to be applying it to life with a passion.

Archie wants a holiday where he doesn't have to wear too many clothes.  At nearly 3 he just wants to walk around in shorts and isn't convinced they aren't suitable for the English winter.  He was born to be wild and he wants space to run and jump and splash and explore with his whole body.  He wants a pool to jump into, sand to bury himself in and ice cream every afternoon.  He wants to be close to us, but with the opportunity to do his own thing too.

Finn hasn't really expressed a preference yet.  He is the happiest baby with a smile on his face all day.  He wants attention from us and from everyone.  He wants people to stop and talk to him so that he can show off his beaming smile and his curly hair.  Finn loves the sun and the snow, the city breaks and the fresh country air.  His perfect holiday would have to involve water as he loves to splash and they would need to be able to cater for his allergies (the French didn't seem to understand the concept of no dairy or egg!).  His wardrobe is better than any of ours and he needs an excuse for more themed clothing.

If you can suggest a holiday that combines winter sports with sunbathing, kids clubs, semi-nudity and accomodating chefs then we would love to hear more, but until then we are attempting to enjoy the warmth of a cosy fire on a wet windy day wearing our summer gear, or the delights of sandcastle building on a beautiful beach in our snow clothes.  We just can't work out what is right for us!

This is my entry to be a Mark Warner Ambassador in the Style Guru category.  Along with travel, my big passion is kids fashion and the idea of planning them not one but two holiday wardrobes is ridiculously exciting!  Finn had a completely snow themed wardrobe on our last ski holiday, with penguins, eskimos and polar bears across his clothes each day - I need an excuse to buy it all in next winter's sizes!! (Plus the boys now have 'custom made' vests)

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Mark Warner Mums

Three years ago, the bloke and I were planning an adventure, one that would take us to foreign lands, feed us the weird and wonderful and leave us with stories we would be recounting for years to come.  It turned out life had a very different adventure for us - fewer foreign lands for sure, although we may have tasted some rather odd dishes along the way (Raspberry and spinach puree anyone?).

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