![[AD - Press visit]
We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)
![[AD] ***Summer of fun at Barracudas Activity Camps!****
There is plenty for kids to do at @barracudas_activity_day_camps
From Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Motor Sports and more you can be sure that there will be something for kids aged 4.5-14. ⚽🏈🥅🎾🏓🏎️🏹🏊♂️🏉
You can book on a day by day basis - so it can fit in with any other days out/activities you have planned and there are early drop off and late pickup options available. Barracudas are also Ofsted registered so you can use your Childcare Vouchers too.
⭐⭐⭐Get £20 off a week or £4 off a day using my discount code: MARIA20⭐⭐⭐
#BarracudasActivityDayCamp #BarracudasActivityCamp #BarracudaAmbassadors #SummerHolidays #SchoolHolidays #Summer2023 #SummerCamp #DayCare #Camp #KidsCamp #surreymummy #surreymums #SummerOfFun #ActivityCamps #HolidayCamps #Childcare #SchoolHolidays #schoolholidaycamps](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/353583570_625625966167953_545896259645102575_n.jpg)
![[AD] We have some super exciting news...we have been chosen to be Laser Quest Ambassadors, and the boys are over the moon!
We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
#LaserquestAmbassador #Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyFun #DaysOutWithKids #Lasertag #LaserquestVR #Kingston #ThingsToDoInKingston #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyMummy #SurreyLife #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #familyfunday](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/353230107_797358078406942_2405522556733455165_n.jpg)
![[AD] The sun has finally made an appearance and the boys have been making the most of it by spending it
in the garden.
They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
You can read my full review here: https://www.suburban-mum.com/messi-foldable-football-goal/
#TrainLikeMessi #FoldableFootballGoal #FootballSkills #OutdoorFun #LionelMessi #LeoMessi #FootballAtHome #OutdoorKids #JustGetOutside #OutdoorsAndFree #ScreenFreeKids #WhateverTheWeatherKids @flair_gp](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/341194882_615024710178056_41977149395989448_n.jpg)
![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)
![[AD - Gifted]
Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
If you’re local to Twickenham and fancy giving them a try here’s are the details.
Tsaretta Spice Bottomless Brunch
⭐️£37.50 per head for bottomless Prosecco or cocktail of the day
⭐️£55 per head for bottomless Champagne
⭐️ Food included: 4 tapas selections and dessert or 2 tapas selections, a pav or naanwich and dessert
⭐️ Non-alcohol brunch is also available
Tsaretta Spice
55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)
![[AD] What does family look like for you?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong, powerful women in the form of my mum, sister and mother-in-law (along with many others). With Mother’s Day just around the corner, @BootsUK want to celebrate all the different mums and mother figures we are lucky enough to have in our lives. They have a huge range of Mother’s Day gifts to choose from so we can show them how much they mean to us. (swipe to take a look at some of my choices)
If you want to express love and appreciation for the mother figure(s) in your life, head to Boots.com to find the ideal gift. They have a whole host of gifts, so you can be sure to find something to suit all tastes. Celebrate the #LoveForAllMums this Mother’s Day with Boots.
](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/334276459_136658625736352_6403224988403337253_n.jpg)
![📚 Are you ready for World Book Day? 📚
[AD - Gifted] I don't know about you, but I have never made the boys a costume for #WorldBookDay. I just don't have it in me to be creative that way. Their costumes have always been bought or cobbled together with what we already have, and luckily, the school allow you to wear pyjamas to school, which makes things a lot easier!
M has been living in his @TheRealTomGates pyjamas recently, and I think he might wear these when his World Book Day dress-up day comes around (the school celebrate with Book Week rather than just Book Day)
The boys have been fans of Tom Gates for a while now. M has always loved reading books that make him laugh and contain humour - they tend to keep him engaged in reading.
Did you know that there are now 20 Tom Gates storybooks to get stuck into? Ideal for kids aged 6-12, the series consists of feel-good, hilarious books full of photos and stories about Tom's life at home and school. Best of all, you can read them in any order.
The latest book is Tom Gates: Happy to Help (Eventually), and along with the pyjamas, you can pick them up from @GeorgeAtAsda just in time for World Book Day!
There's also a range of Tom Gates items, including games, puzzles and greeting cards at major retailers.
](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/333834012_233243062459121_4168822235387052550_n.jpg)
Slimming World #1
Typically that I decided to start Slimming Word in the hottest week of the year so far. Things like this always seem to happen to me for some reason. I also gave birth to E in May 5 years ago on one of the hottest weekends ever and I was a hot sweaty mess.
Anyway – I digress. So how has my first week been?
In all honesty it really has not felt I’ve been dieting at all and I have not felt hungry which is a really good thing as hopefully it means I am more likely to stick with it for the long term. Hubby and I (he is also doing this with me) have actually enjoyed all the meals we’ve had and it has been really nice to try different dishes rather than eating the same dinners over and over which is what we were doing out of convenience. It took a little planning last saturday to work out what we were going to have but I managed to buy most of what we needed in our weekly Aldi shop which came in just under £100 and that included our lunches (we usually grab lunch at work) so pretty good going.
How did I do?
I stepped on the scales a little apprehensively on Sunday because I was sure I wouldn’t have lost much as I don’t feel overly different body wise but….
-7lb!!
Absolutely amazing for my first week but I think its too much too soon? I am guessing this is due to my body adjusting to eating differently and I am sure I will lose less in subsequent weeks (or even put back on). You know the saying – slow and steady wins the race….so let’s see.
My 30 Day Shred DVD arrived at the weekend so I will be doing this 20 minute workout everyday for 30 days in an attempt to tone and lose the belly. I’ll blog about how I got on with it next week (eek!)
Favourite Meal of the week
This was a tough one to decide on. Hubby loved the steak we had on friday but for me my favourite meal from last week has to be the Lentil and Chorizo stew – not only was it completely different to anything I have ever cooked before it was also very easy to make and just tasted delicious!
Meal plan for next week
Some more new dishes to try – I am already looking forward to the Moussaka and Paprika Pork.
Here’s to a good week!
Monday
Breakfast – Poached egg on toast
Lunch – Tuna and bean salad
Dinner – Sausage cassoulet with potato dauphinois
Tuesday
Breakfast – Special K (25g)
Lunch – Chicken Caesar salad
Dinner – Moussaka and salad
Wednesday
Breakfast – Beans on toast
Lunch – Penne Arrabatia
Dinner – Paprika Pork with broccoli and rice
Thursday
Breakfast – Special K
Lunch – Jacket potato with tuna and sweetcorn served with side salad
Dinner – Pork meatballs with pasta
Friday
Breakfast – Boiled egg and soldiers
Lunch – Ham and cheese toastie
Dinner – Beef lasagne and salad
Have you tried Slimming World before? How did you find it? Do you have any tips to share? I’d love to hear them
Linked up to Meal Planning Monday and Weight Loss Wednesday
About The Author
13 thoughts on “Slimming World #1”
Well done Maria! I’m still trying to find some semblance of will power, and since we’re away this weekend I can’t see it happening yet! Eek, at least I’m not putting any more on I suppose!
Stevie x
Thanks Stevie – still can’t quite believe it! One of the reasons I decided to start blogging about it was to make sure I actually started to lose weight rather than just keep talking about it! You only have a few pounds to lose though so I’m sure you’ll manage it with ease (after the weekend away!) x
Whoo! Well done, that’s great and you get to eat such a lovely variety of foods 🙂 I’m starting on a mission to get healthy too, hoping I do as well as you are! 😀
I should really eat a bit more for breakfast, it’s hard getting into the habit of eating breakfast if you don’t usually. I think I could handle boiled egg and soldiers though 🙂
Have fun with your menu this week, you’ve got a lovely variety there anyway!
#mealplanningmonday
Thanks Mands – I am loving the different variety I am eating at the moment. It just takes a little planning and preparing but I am really enjoying it so far!
Well done with the weight loss! That is fantastic!!
Everything sounds delicious….It doesn’t seem like diet food at all x
Thanks Kim – you are so right. It’s not like dieting at all which is a little weird for me. I am enjoying all the meals I am making and knowing they are healthy and that I “hopefully” lose weight x
Congratulations on the weight loss. I keep trying to lose weight but I have little willpower (especially when it comes to cake at the W.I). I really need to try harder and your menu plan definitely does not feel like a weight loss plan. It all sounds so good.
Thanks Deborah – I have to say it was hard to stay away from the cake today. I was at a press day for Christmas would you believe?!
BUT I did it and managed to resist! x
Whoop whoop on the loss! I have only heard great things about slimming world! Your meal plan sounds great I wouldn’t have guessed that it was a diet meal plan at all! x x
Thank you Kiri – prior to joining I had also heard very positive things about Slimming World too and actually a couple of bloggers whose blogs I read have done really well on it so I thought I would give it ago. x
Really well done on the weight loss this week! That’s amazing. Lots of salads are great for the hot weather – it’s just a shame when everyone’s having sausages on the barbecue! Chicken breasts and homemade burgers are always a good alternative though 🙂 The paprika pork sounds lush – and I’m glad to have found someone who also plans breakfast and lunch like I do! Woohoo! x
Thank you, although I am pretty sure I won’t lose much this week as my body will most likely have adjusted to it by now. We had a cheeky bbq last saturday but I made sure we had SW friendly burgers and LOTS of salad! It is tough though. Next one I will have to tackle will be eating out! x
Oh wow!! Well done on your first week weight loss on Slimming World! That diet really still does amaze me and I am hoping to follow it myself when I start refreed! All the meals in your image look amazing and have made me feel hungry 🙁 The meal plan looks awesome – hope you are having a great week and are finding the diet easy to follow! Look forward to reading more about your progress! Thank you for linking up with #WeightLossWednesday! Sim xx