Author Archives

I'm Olivia, mum to gorgeous 5 year old boy and girl twins and work as a freelance writer.

• Mothers, Daughters, Tea and Shopping.

  By Put the Kettle On on March 14, 2016 • ( 8 )

  

  One recent Saturday afternoon I came across Beauty and the Beast on the Sky Disney channel. As I’d never seen the movie, it was raining outside, the stove was lit, and my husband had cooked dinner, there was little more to… Read More ›

• GIVEAWAY!! Alflorex probiotics and Lambswool hot water bottle

  By Put the Kettle On on December 8, 2015 • ( 24 )

  

    Alflorex contacted me about another generous giveaway. This time the prize is a 3-month supply of Alflorex probiotics AND a gorgeous lambswool hot water bottle. How cute is that hot water bottle?! To enter! 1) Like Put the Kettle… Read More ›

• Autumn’s Bounty

  By Put the Kettle On on October 26, 2015 • ( 9 )

  

    I love to take walks alone; I bring the dog and walk briskly. It’s my chance for a bit of exercise and to clear my head. Where we live, you can take a long quiet walk in the mornings… Read More ›

• Ireland’s Only Human Milk Bank

  By Put the Kettle On on October 4, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  I’ve been a little busy studying recently, so in an attempt to keep my blog afloat – here’s an article I wrote for Mums and Tots. Irvinestown, Enniskillen is the location of The Western Trust Human Milk Bank, Ireland’s only… Read More ›

• Please Support Migrant Families

  By Put the Kettle On on September 4, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Yesterday I saw an image I didn’t want to see. I’d heard about it and was hoping it wouldn’t pop up on any of my social media feeds. My hoping was short-lived and I saw it on my way back… Read More ›

• Time for school again

  By Put the Kettle On on September 1, 2015 • ( 10 )

  The kids went back to school today. I thought we’d have no issues at all, but yesterday we had a minor speed wobble, just a little resistance which we smoothed over with a chat and a promise of a trip… Read More ›

• My Woollies Wishlist at Woolovers

  By Put the Kettle On on August 20, 2015 • ( 4 )

  

  It’s hard to believe we’ve nearly reached September already. All of a sudden I can feel Autumn creeping in; leaves are beginning to fall from some of the trees in my garden and I can feel a dampness in the… Read More ›

• Who won the Alflorex Giveaway?!

  By Put the Kettle On on August 15, 2015 • ( 4 )

  

  Thanks to everyone who entered the Alflorex giveaway. I have chosen a winner through random.org and the Winner is… Sheila Pollard!! Congratulations Sheila! I really hope you enjoy the products. Have a great weekend everyone. 🙂 Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vuono… Read More ›

• GIVEAWAY : Alflorex Bobble Bottle & Precisionbiotics worth €200!!

  By Put the Kettle On on August 10, 2015 • ( 12 )

  

  As well as the giveaway, Alflorex have kindly sent me my very own Bobble bottle to review. I guzzle water as I don’t drink minerals and almost always have a glass of water within reach. The bobble bottle has a… Read More ›

• REVIEW: Family Time Fables

  By Put the Kettle On on July 19, 2015 • ( 7 )

  

  A few weeks ago I was asked to review the Family Time Fables trio: The Salmon of Knowledge, Fionn and The Dragon, and Cu Chulainn. The books have been written by Wayne Kearns who originally wrote them for his young… Read More ›

• Happy Campers

  By Put the Kettle On on July 7, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  I don’t know where the last few weeks have gone. I’ve had a few bits to write for other websites and that seemed to take up all my free time and nobody mentioned how busy the last few weeks of… Read More ›

• Baby Reflexology

  By Put the Kettle On on June 15, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Reflexology is an ancient alternative and complimentary touch therapy originally practised by the Chinese and is based on the idea that the reflexes in the feet are directly connected to every other part of the body. Reflexology can provide some… Read More ›

• Sibling Rivalry

  By Put the Kettle On on June 8, 2015 • ( 9 )

  Many sibling relationships are fraught with conflict and most of us have probably had direct experience in our own lives. Watching our children’s battles can be upsetting and the urge to step in and possibly becoming embroiled can sometimes be… Read More ›

• Bloom Garden Festival

  By Put the Kettle On on May 31, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Last year my parents attended the annual Bloom garden festival in the Phoenix park, Dublin. They raved about it, saying it would be a great day for myself, my husband and the kids. I intended on bringing the kids along… Read More ›

• The A to Z of me

  By Put the Kettle On on May 15, 2015 • ( 10 )

  

  This is a fun, random little post which lots of the Irish Parenting Bloggers are doing at the moment. I was tagged by Glitter Mama Wishes. A for Art College. I attended art college many years ago and unfortunately I… Read More ›

• REVIEW: Lottie Doll

  By Put the Kettle On on May 10, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  When I attended the Irish Parenting Blog awards at the end of April, I received a lovely goody bag containing all sorts of treats, including moisturiser, vouchers, a discount for M&S, my very own IPB cooking apron AND a Lottie doll… Read More ›

• 10 Sure Signs I’m a Belfast Mammy

  By Put the Kettle On on May 1, 2015 • ( 16 )

  

  When the kids won’t stop fighting – which is frequently – I shout ‘CEASE FIRE!!’ I often put up pretend road blocks around the house and quiz them on where they’re  going and what they’re doing, only letting them pass… Read More ›

• The Irish Parenting Blog Awards 2015- Winners & Photos

  By Put the Kettle On on April 27, 2015 • ( 6 )

  

  The Irish Parenting Blog Awards took place in the Odessa Roof top bar in Dublin on Saturday night. The new awards came about after hearing that the blog awards in October 2014 would be the last. A dinner and group… Read More ›

• A Fair Share

  By Put the Kettle On on April 8, 2015 • ( 3 )

  

      As a mother of twins, I had expected my children to learn how to share more easily than singletons. I gullibly believed these words from my midwife when they were only days old in hospital and in the… Read More ›

• TRAVEL REVIEW: La Palma – The Beautiful Island

  By Put the Kettle On on March 23, 2015 • ( 16 )

  

    During our gloomy winter, I was in desperate need of some sunshine so I indulged myself in a few days at La Palma and Tenerife. In my blissful ignorance on account of never having travelled to either of the… Read More ›

• Promoting Child Safety

  By Put the Kettle On on March 7, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Regardless of our desire to supervise our children all of the time, this is not possible and won’t help develop their self-confidence or independence. We need to teach our children about their personal safety, while moving past our own fears… Read More ›

• YUU Bag Review and Discount

  By Put the Kettle On on February 17, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Last week a courier arrived with two packages and as I’d been expecting them, I passed them directly to Eva and Dylan. They go wild for surprises and get very excited when the postman arrives with even a letter, so… Read More ›