Although living on an Island is somewhat close to an abroad holiday, we have never actually been away as a family of 4. After the dreary period from Christmas to spring, we couldn’t wait for some escapism - toodle-pip grey skies, hello sunny Turkey!

We booked with Jet2Holidays and stayed at Aska Lara Resort and Spa. It was just utterly fantastic and would totally recommend it, especially if you have kiddos. Matt and I are big kids at heart so loved the water slides too... well, I went on a few times and then quickly opted for cocktails instead - got to love an all inclusive! We ate like pigs too. I don't regret a thing.

Ted Lasso (I’m a bit behind!, I know!) is an American football coach who comes to England to manage a failing football team. It’s all about compassion and kindness, even when faced with insults and abuse. Ted turns negatives into positives and cares about the players rather than the results. I loved it. Hannah Waddingham, who plays Rebecca Welton in the series, is my new girl crush - she’s a formidable queen! Watch on Apple TV. I give it 8.5/10.

Red Eye is about a doctor who finds himself mixed up in a crime he didn’t commit with some great twists. It stars Richard Armitage, who has been in some other fab shows such as Fool Me Once, Obsession, The Stranger, and Stay Close. These are all created by the author Harlan Coben, whose writing is full of twists and turns. To be fair though, being an ex-detective’s daughter, I am pretty good at calling the twist before it happens! Watch it on ITVX. I give it a 7.5/10.

The Suffolk Punch Trust

The Suffolk Punch Trust is a charity dedicated to help protect the critically endangered Suffolk Punch horse breed. They commissioned me to refresh their existing logo and create a new website from scratch. I devised a plan for a new streamlined adoption and donation system, which has now transformed the charity. The Suffolk Punch Trust team were super pleased with the new website, especially as it has also reduced their paper work ten-fold! https://www.suffolkpunchtrust.org/ 

At the beginning of the year I made a decision to make better choices with what I put in and on my body (and the family's, especially the children's!). Good riddance toxic sh*t!

There’s an incredible health app that’s backed by scientists called Yuka, and oh my goodness, it’s life-changing. By scanning the barcode of food products and cosmetics, it analyses the health impact on a scale of 0 (bad!) to 100 (awesome), but also gives a recommendation for a similar, healthier product. Take it with you the next time you go shopping and you’ll be utterly shocked by how many terrible things are in our foods/beauty products/most things with a barcode! I’m a little thankful that they don’t currently rate my favourite red wine (everyone has a vice, no?)!

Since discovering this app, I have started to make my own cleaning products, washing powder, moisturiser, face serums (Caster Oil, Jojoba Oil and Frankincense Essential Oil are the holy grails), after sun, and even SPF sun cream. Give @yourmategingerkate and @melaniesandford18 a follow on TikTok for some super fabulous inspo.

HOMEMADE, NON-TOXIC SUN CREAM!

Going back to the Yuka app as mentioned above, suncream is sooo bad! It’s full of terrible ingredients which are totally toxic, especially for little ones. This made me want to make an alternative that is toxic-free, smells great, and good for your skin and the environment. Plus, it’s waterproof with an SPF of around 30-40, woo!

Here is why I have used the following ingredients:

Organic, unrefined SHEA BUTTER: Natural SPF of around 3-8, great moisturiser, good source of vitamins for skin, anti-inflammatory. Amazon link to the one I use here: https://amzn.to/3Vtb3Vr

Cold pressed, pure CARROT SEED OIL: Natural SPF of around 30-40, anti-inflammatory. Amazon link to the one I use here: https://amzn.to/4c3PmAG

Organic COCONUT OIL: Natural SPF around 2-8, natural moisturiser, full of antioxidants and nutrients. I use Lidl's own, but here is an Amazon link: https://amzn.to/4edG9HS

Cold pressed JOJOBA OIL: Natural SPF around 4, natural moisturiser, anti-bacterial, full of antioxidants. Amazon link to the one I use: https://amzn.to/4e8K5tw

VITAMIN E OIL: Natural moisturiser,  antioxidant, helps preserve suncream's shelf-life. Amazon link to the one I use: https://amzn.to/3Vk4T90

Natural BEESWAX PELLETS: Water resistant, protects skin against damaging elements, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Amazon link to the one I use: https://amzn.to/45abNCb

Non-nano, natural ZINC OXIDE POWDER: Natural SPF around 30, blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays, photostable and water resitent. Amazon link to the one I use: https://amzn.to/3Rff8de

Glass jar (or container of your choice that can be heated up in water safely) - I used a 500ml mason jar with a clip lid from the Range, but here is a link to some on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4em2W4y

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons Shea Butter

2 tablespoons Carrot Seed Oil

8 tablespoons Coconut Oil

4 tablespoons Jojoba Oil

½ tablespoon Vitamin E Oil

2 tablespoons Beeswax Pellets

2 tablespoons Zinc Oxide

Glass Jar (500ml)

(Method below)

METHOD:

Get a pan, put a couple inches of water in it, place the empty jar (lid open) in it. Make sure the water doesn’t come above the jar! Heat the water up so it’s nice and warm but not boiling.

Apart from the Zinc Oxide, place all ingredients in the jar to melt together. It'll take around 5-10 minutes to melt the beeswax down fully. It’ll be a lovely amber coloured liquid. Take the jar out of the pan and leave to cool down, around an hour or so. No need to put it in the fridge to set (unless you're really impatient!).

Slowly add the Zinc Oxide, being careful not to breathe in the powder! Stir it really really well (the oil may stick to whatever you use so wash it well afterwards), so there’s no lumpy bits. I used a mini electric whisk on slow speed at the end to doubly make sure everything was combined super fabulously.

FAQS:

Where can I store the sun cream? In a cupboard or leave it out, but make sure it has an airtight lid. It doesn't need to go in the fridge. It may melt if in direct sunlight, but leave it to set again and it should be fine. 

Is it safe for children? Absolutely! No toxic chemicals in sight!

Can I apply the sun cream to my face? I use it on my face and it's fine, but everyone is different. Due to the coconut oil it may clog pores, especially acne-prone skin.

Does it absorb well? It's a silky cream that glides on beautifully. It may appear slightly white on your skin but it will absorb fully after a while.

What SPF is it? Although it's not been tested by scientists, I estimate it's around 30-40 SPF from my research.

Is it waterproof? It lasts well in the water, but reapply as necessary.

Do I have to reapply it? It lasts really well, but apply as you see fit.

Can I make it thicker? The beeswax and shea butter makes it thicker, so add or remove as necessary.

What does it smell like? Like a summer's dream! It's coconutty but subtle.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional scientist so use at your own risk. Please do your own research or speak to a professional if you're not sure.



And that's it for May! Lots of love x