kids_and_the_commute

01/07/2024

Is it just me, or do pockets literally make any dress 100 times better?! 🙌

Spent the afternoon swanning around Hyde Park in this absolute beauty yesterday and felt like a million dollars. Although that euphoric feeling could also have been down to the fact I was child free, with a couple of cocktails thrown in…but I couldn’t possibly comment on that! 😉

The dress of dreams is of course from (bought with my own pennies). If haven’t already checked out their summer collection you really need to. It is STUNNING!! 💕

And no, I am not trying to turn into a fashion account, but at 5ft 1 and a size 10/12, its not always easy to find maxi dresses that fit and make you feel amazing. So, when you find a dress that makes you feel this happy, seems only right to spread the word, so that others can feel this joyful too!

Have a fabulous week lovelies! 💕💕💕

24/06/2024

Happy 9th birthday to the beautiful, funny, smart, creative and kind little soul that made me a Mummy! 💕💕💕

I love you to the moon and back…even with the eye rolling, continuous discussions over the state of your room and introduction of the word ‘bruh’ into your vocabulary!! 😉

p.s - for total transparency, it was actually her birthday yesterday. But after hosting 14 8/9 year olds for a party at home, followed by a sleepover for two of their friends, my brain wasn’t functioning on all cylinders when it came to posting anything!

Hosting kid’s parties…it’s not for the faint hearted is it?! 😵‍💫😉

08/06/2024

Behind every family photo, is a mother that had to plead/beg (and potentially bribe) their children to stand, smile and not do a peace sign…so I think we can all agree that worked out well! 🙈

Meh…if you can’t beat them, join them! 😉

Hope you’re all having a fab weekend 💕💕💕

31/05/2024

This is 42…and do you know what, I am loving it!!

If this year has taught me anything, it’s that getting older is a privilege and something we shouldn’t take for granted. So here’s to another trip around the sun and whatever life has in store, I am ready for it! 🙌

A huge thanks for all the amazing birthday messages. You lot are just flippin fabulous! I will be replying to each and every one as soon as the girls are in bed and I have a glass of wine in hand!! 🤣💕🥂

And to …thank you for making me feel like a kid again! Best birthday ever!! (PR Visit)

19/05/2024

Felt cute…will NOT be deleting later! Mainly because I don’t know when I’m going to look this good again!

School Ball 2024 complete and no one threw anything at me for the WhatsApp sketches! 😉

Thanks to all of you who helped me choose my dress for the evening. I know a lot of you wanted the Blue (there were also honourable mentions for the Green Sparkles and Pink). And let’s be frank, I would have boiled in the red velvet jumpsuit!!

Obviously I don’t look like this currently. Like most parents in the UK right now I am trying to persuade my children to go to bed without losing my shizzle! 😉

Love, strength and patience for the week ahead my loves!! 💕💋💕

p.s - thanks to for the 📸

04/04/2024

💕It’s that time again!

For those of you that are new to the group, this photo has become a Taylor Girl tradition. We’ve been striking the same pose, in the same position, for the past 5(ish) years.

No matter what I look like, however many lumps, bumps and wobbly bits have appeared…this is the photo I get to be in with my girls! And I do not give two hoots what I look like! I’m not a ‘perfect 10’ but I am strong and proud of what my body can do. And as the girls get older, it’s getting even more important for them to see normal bodies and see the smiles that come with them.

One day they’ll stop asking to do the photo. Or one of them will end up carrying me! But until that happens, I’m going to keep being in this picture because being here with them, right now, is more important than any random body hang up I’ve got! 💕💕

💕

27/03/2024

Happy sixth birthday to the source of all my content! 😉

You have the power to be anything you want to be and the will to make it happen. Never change for anyone beautiful girl 💕💕💕

17/03/2024

🪩 80s baby!!

Ad/PR. If you could go back to any decade, which one would you go for?

For me it’s the 80s. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a bit of 90s. But I’ve always felt a strong calling to the 80s. The music, the fashion, the films, the hair…please can we bring crimping back?!?

But as it’s unlikely I’m going to find a time machine to transport me back there anytime soon, is the next best thing!

And whatever era you want to go back to, 80s, 90’s or 00s, has a weekend for you!

You’ll dance like noone’s watching. Sing like noone’s listening. And laugh until your sides hurt.

Fancy dress, bottomless brunch, headline acts, fairground rides, Bingo Bango, bowling, pool parties, spa, arcades and the best silent disco you will EVER go to!!

It’s joyful and fun, ridiculous and over the top!

And if you still haven’t booked it yet…TAG YOUR GIRLS AND GET THAT WEEKEND BOOKED!! 😉🙌🩷 You won’t regret it!! 💋💋💋

And a big thank you to my girls and for giving me a weekend I will never forget. Love you girls 💕🥂💕

Use code Kelly20 for £20 off 2024 and 2025 bookings (excluding Arena breaks)

Which Big Weekender would you go for?

10/03/2024

Trying to get ONE decent photo…the chronicles!!! It really shouldn’t be this hard should it?! 😉 Spoiler alert: we did get there in the end! 🙌

The happiest of Mothers’ Days to you. Whoever you’ve seen or whatever you’ve been up to, I hope it’s what you needed. And if it’s been pants for whatever reason, sending love and strength in every possible way.

Being a Mum is one of the hardest jobs in the world and one day a year to celebrate the magnitude of what we do will never be enough. But in case no one has said it today (or you simply haven’t felt it)…you are incredible and thank you for EVERYTHING you do to keep their world turning 💕💕💕💕💕

And as a side note, whichever marketeer tried to con us into thinking Mothers’ Day is a day off for any Mum can jog on!! 😉

16/02/2024

I just wanted one nice photo of me with the girls. Naively thought we’d nailed it…then took a closer look at Abi! 🙈 Swipe to see why I am so thrilled…

One day she’ll get that peace sign the right way around…one day…

Ah well….Happy Friday Peeps!! 💕😉 💕

11/02/2024

The most honest before and after you’re going to see on here today 😉

Not only did I get all dolled up last night but I wore ACTUAL heels so you’d better believe I’m sticking it on the grid as proof that it does occasionally happen! But then I had to balance it out with how I’m looking right now. You can hardly tell the difference can you?!

So basically an epic night of partying to celebrate 40 years of the amazing , followed by a day of remembering why I don’t go epic partying more often! 🙈

And even though my Captain Sensible personality kicked in around 10.30pm (please tell me I’m not the only one who has one of those?!) I’ve been knackered all day!

Lordy! Gone are the days when a bacon sarnie and morning of watching T4 was all it took to get me right again! Recovery time just isn’t what it used to be is it?! 🤣

p.s - parenting the day after the night before should be illegal! Would anyone sign my petition if I started one?

31/12/2023

🥂Hands up who hasn’t got a chance of staying awake until midnight?! 🙌🙌 Well cheers to my fellow sofa celebrators and pj partiers!! May 2024 bring you more rest, plenty of laughs and more of the things that bring you joy!

Also, slight disclaimer…this isn’t how I look right now. I’m currently in my pjs, sans makeup, running a PlayDoh audit (chucking out the crusty bits) whilst trying to work out when to start getting the picky bits out for the buffet for two!!

Oh how times change!! But then I wouldn’t have it any other way! Cheers my dears!! Hope whatever you’re doing, it’s making you smile!! And thank you for all your support this year! I literally can’t do this without you! Here’s to an imperfectly perfect 2024!!🥂💕🥂

24/12/2023

🎄The merriest of Christmases from my little crew to yours! This is me signing off for a little bit. But before I do…

…and in in case no one says it, thank you for everything you have done to make Christmas so flippin special for those you love.

I know you’re knackered but all your effort will be 100% worth it. They might not have the words just yet or even understand the MASSIVE toll it takes on you, but that magic that they will talk about for years to come when they’re older, you’re doing that…YOU!

Wishing you the most amazing, joyful and memorable Christmas. You deserve all the magic 💕💕💕

26/10/2021

19/05/2021

The couple that vaccinates together...erm...ok, nothing rhymes with that. Didn’t think it through. But the point is Ian and I went on a lunchtime date to get our jabs. Which is another thing we really didn’t think through, because if we both get side effects, it’s going to be an interesting game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’ as to who has to deal with the kids!

Have you had yours yet??

✔️

13/05/2021

Abi’s definitely been a vibe today! That vibe being I’ve officially become a threenager, beware all ye who come near!! I’d totally forgotten how ‘delightful’ this stage was 🤯🤯🤯

Sod it! I’m escaping tonight for actual real life drinks with actual real life ! And after today’s toddler antics, I’m bypassing the wine glass and just grabbing a straw!! Bottoms up!!

06/05/2021

16 years ago today, a young man walked into the BBQ of a young women, who was very drunk on Pimms and showing everyone her new Flash mop (not a euphemism!!)...and the rest is history.

I’d say it’s an anniversary, but I’ve been informed it’s not, because it’s not a thing! Is it a thing? Do you celebrate/even remember the first time you met your other half! 💕💕

01/05/2021

Mum went out last night. This was not allowed. We will now sit on Mum all day until she learns leaving the house without us is not ok. One day Mum will learn the rules.

Every. Single. Time!! Anyone else??

28/04/2021

Talk delivered. Panel discussion smashed. Audience Q&A nailed. And no one stormed the room or vomited...the kids I mean...not the audience...that would be weird!

I always get nervous before this kind of thing. I know I come across super confident, but ever since I returned to work after Mat Leave, I have suffered from Imposter Syndrome. There is always a fear that someone is going to expose me for a fraud. That where I am in my career has only been possible through luck and circumstance.

And on the flip side, I also know that’s a load of bo****ks as the reality is I have over 18 years in the media industry and oodles of experience. Which is code for ‘I know my shizzle’!!

Do you suffer from it too? Well you’re not alone. Funnily enough Imposter Syndrome is most common in women. In fact, when it was originally identified as a condition in the 1970s, it was originally thought to mostly apply to high achieving women! So for anyone suffering from feeling like a fraud, take it as a sign you’ve made it! Because a person that was truly faking it, wouldn’t give it a second thought!! 👊🏼⭐️👊🏾⭐️

22/04/2021

I run and I drink wine. I love being a mum and I don’t like all parts of parenting. I swear and I go to church. I read to my kids and I let them watch the iPad. I love my husband and I could kill him sometimes. I enjoy spending time with my kids and I enjoy time away from them. I constantly live in jeans and I love getting dressed up. I’m incredibly proud of my children and I’m incredibly proud of my career.

You don’t have to be one way or the other. You can be this AND that. And those two things can seemingly contradict each other. You don’t have to choose. That’s the beauty of being alive, you can be whatever you want to be!

So when Karen slides into your DMs, questioning the multifaceted nature of your being, simply smile and congratulate yourself for breaking the mould! 💕💕💕 Just be you! It’s the one thing that you can do, that nobody else can!

Hit me with your ‘this and thats’! What two things, that are the complete opposite of each other, make you who you are? 💕💕💕

20/04/2021

Ad| People often ask me how I manage to do what I do. Work full time, look after two small children and run an Insta account. Well the truth is I couldn’t do any of this without help. And one of the key aspects of that help is childcare I can trust.

As a working parent, I literally can’t function without childcare. Barely making it out of lockdown with my sanity intact was a stark reminder of that.

The schools going back definitely made a difference, but it wasn’t the game changer I was expecting, because come 3pm, the kids need collecting and then they’re home, needing help with homework, feeding and generally entertaining...to the point where, sometimes, I question my life choices!

This week sees the announcement of school places and if you’re thinking about what happens when they come home, or if you’re finding the balance a little erratic at the moment, then could be the silver lining you didn’t know you were looking for. They’re a Nannie service specialising in after school care, covering London, Herts and Surrey. And it’s so simple to find a Nannie match. Simply go to their site, register, answer a few questions about your requirements and they match you to Nannies in your local area.

So if you’re thinking about after school care, go over to and give yourself some options. The juggle doesn’t always need to be a struggle!

19/04/2021

Have you ever done a Life Audit? Thoroughly recommend them! I know it sounds a bit w***y but stick with me! Basically take an overview of your daily life and try to pinpoint what parts are causing you the most stress/anxiety. Then evaluate how much of that is in your control to change.

I did it a few weeks ago and here are the headlines:

😳 My childcare set up isn’t providing me with the cover I need and as a result, is causing me to feel under pressure at work
😳 The state of my house is really triggering and is often a cause of me feeling overwhelmed
😳 My lack of energy is having a detrimental affect to my moods and levels of motivation
😳 I feel like life is moving too quickly and I am constantly playing catch up

How many of those statements sound like you? Well here’s what I’m doing about it:

⭐️We’re restructuring our childcare to ensure it works for us and becomes a source of comfort, not stress
⭐️ We had the house deep cleaned from top to bottom and will now have a cleaner every few weeks (I appreciate not everyone can afford this)
⭐️ I’ve started C25K and have a Fitbit, ensuring that both my ass and head get a run out on a daily basis (already a HUGE game changer)
⭐️ I bought a diary. Yup, that simple

Everyone’s circumstances and points of stress will be different, as will the solutions that follow. Some can’t be fixed with a run or getting in a cleaner. They’re more deep rooted than that. But if you find yourself feeling stressed over the same areas of your life and that stress is on repeat, maybe it’s about time you had a look at why and see if any changes could make a difference. 💕💕💕💕

17/04/2021

Yesterday was my beautiful Mum’s birthday...and I couldn’t be there to celebrate with her. That hurts. I haven’t seen my Mum in person since March 23rd 2020. That hurts too.

We don’t live round the corner from each other. She’s in Cheshire and I’m in Surrey. It may only be three hours (in good traffic) but in the pandemic, it’s felt like the other side of the world.

But excitingly, we’ve started to make plans to see each other, something we’ve not been able to do before!! So if everything goes according to plan (vaccine roll out, people sticking to the rules, no new variants...etc), I’ll be able to give her a real life hug in just over eight weeks!! That and sink a tonne of Prosecco! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree💋🥂💋

Do me a favour? Next time you see your Mum, if you’re lucky enough to do that, give her an extra squeeze from me! I’d do anything to be able to hug mine 💕💕💕

14/04/2021

Just a little reminder that even on the days when you feel you’ve failed them in every way, they never see it that way 💕🌈💕

It’s been a tough week riddled with guilt. Guilt of sending Grace to a club she didn’t want to go to. Guilt for not playing with Abi when I was working. Guilt for feeling relieved when their grandparents said they’d take them for an extra day. Guilt of the highest order.

Then something happened. Abi came home laughing about the sandcastles she’d built with Grandad. Grace came home chatting about the best day ever at kids club, begging to go back, clutching this picture she’d made for me.

They weren’t sad about not being at home with me. They weren’t angry or resentful. They were happy, fulfilled and loving life. And the whole narrative I’d built up about how I was failing them? Well it only existed in my head.

So next time you feel the guilts creeping in, and you start to question yourself as a parent, I want you to remember this picture drawn by a five year old. Because this is the reality...love now and always 💕💕💕💕

11/04/2021

Back to work tomorrow and this one’s off to a kids club for the day. She’s thrilled 🙈. I know she’ll have a good time once’s she’s there, but it’s never fun or easy to send them off when they’re kicking up a fuss about it.

She’s under the misapprehension that she’s missing out on something fun happening at home. I mean, I’d hardly call back to back Zoom meetings and trawling through a gazillion emails ‘fun’, but I get her point.

The fact is, having kids and a career, you have to make these choices. I know I won’t be able to work effectively with her here and she’ll be bored out of her brain if she stays...and then we’ll just get in each other’s nerves. That never ends well.

So she’s off to kids club, I’m off to see what’s waiting for me after a week’s leave and Abi...well...she’s got a Trolls marathon and a tub of Pringles to keep her occupied! Wish us luck!! 😂

08/04/2021

I can’t remember where I saw or heard this quote (so if someone knows, please tell me so I can credit), but it’s really stuck with me. I have a habit of putting other’s needs before my own. Always calculating how my decision making will impact someone else, and taking the route that affects them the least, even if that means opting for the less ideal path for myself. This has recently resulted in me waking from an almost dream like state wondering “how did I get here?”.

If you’re reading this thinking, ‘yes I do this too’, please look at putting those vital boundaries in place to get you back on track. I know it’s not going to be easy to change, as it’s literally a habit of a lifetime. But the problem with people pleasing, is the person you often please the least is yourself! 💕💕💕

05/04/2021

Ad| What is up with the weather today?! Well despite the weird sun/snow/sun combo, we still managed to break out the ice lollies and Abi’s brand spanking new bike! Her first one at that!

Huge thanks to the team for sending us this for Abi’s birthday!

We went with the 14x Sport with additional pedal pack, meaning it starts as a balance bike and then we can add the pedals when she’s ready for the big leagues! The bike basically grows with her.

For Abi, this is perfect as her confidence grows the more she is familiar with something and having a bike like this, means the first bike she learns on, is also the same bike she’ll be speeding around confidently for years to come!

I have such fond memories of cycling round to my mates when I was younger. The anticipation of knocking on for them to see if they were free to play! You know, back in the days before everyone had mobiles and called ahead! Did you used to do something similar? 💕💕

04/04/2021

If your feed is making you feel a bit crap because you didn’t do the elaborate Easter egg hunt or bought a gazillion eggs or craft stunning decorations, maybe set aside the phone for the day.

It’s too easy to get caught up in what others are doing and play the comparison game. Today is about hope, happiness and new beginnings. Try and focus on the things that brings you joy.

Have a wonderful Easter! 💋💋💋💋

29/03/2021

So who else is playing the “yes I know it’s still really light but it’s definitely bedtime” game?? Fun isn’t it?!?

27/03/2021

🎈Three wonderful years of you!! 🎈

I never knew how I was going to love another person the way I love your big sister. Thank you for showing me just how big and full my heart could be. Love you to the moon and back pickle 💋💋💋💋💋
And yes, I’ve finally pulled myself together after the performance earlier. Go to my Stories. You won’t be disappointed 💕❄️💕❄️