Mummy & Moose
clapping, napping and yapping our way through the day

Plus One Drama? Here’s How To Cope

Organising a wedding is hard enough by itself. But dealing with plus one drama makes it even worse. You somehow have to explain who can come (and who can’t), which is never a good experience. 

 

This post takes a look at managing plus one drama and what you need to do. Here’s everything to know: 

 

Where Does Plus-One Drama Come From? 

 

Unfortunately, plus one drama can come from all sorts of areas. In some situations, you might not want someone to come because of a recent break-up – that’s always awkward.

 

In other cases, you might also have undecided guests. Their relationships might not be as stable and secure as they would like, and you don’t want to lay table seating just in case they don’t show up. 

 

Then there are boundary issues. You simply don’t want some people to be there. Perhaps you had a run-in with them in the past, or you’re worried about what they’ll say to other guests. 

 

Finally, plus-one drama can sometimes come from your partner. They might want to invite their friends and partners, but you don’t. 

 

How To Deal With Plus-One Drama

 

woman and man with woman holding a flower

 

Fortunately, there are several ways you can deal with plus-one drama and prevent it from becoming the story that dominates your wedding. You don’t want to get into a situation where everyone seems happy, except you. 

 

Delegate

 

One option if you’re a conflict-avoiding individual is to delegate. Passing the job of organising invitations over to a family member takes the pressure off you. It’s not you who’s having to tell Aunty Mabel she can’t bring her new boyfriend with her. 

 

The best people for this job are the toughest souls in your family. Putting them in charge of sending each postcard to your guests exonerates you from responsibility. 

 

Be Fair

 

Next, ensure that you’re always fair when applying a plus-one policy. Don’t allow some people to bring their partners but not others. That’s never going to go down well. 

 

The trick here is to send invitations to individual people you know. This way, you can specify exactly who’s on the list. 

 

For example, you should send invitations to both parties in a couple (and even the kids if they have a family). Providing them with invitations on an individual basis clears up any confusion about bringing partners. 

 

Put A Note

 

You could also say that you don’t have a plus one policy at your wedding. Instead, only guests with invitations addressed to them can attend. 

 

Placing the note high on the invitation makes it simpler for everyone to see. It also removes any claims of unfair treatment. 

 

Make sure that if you invite the partners on your side of the family you do the same for the groom. Otherwise, you could again receive accusations of unfairness. 

 

Develop Alternatives

 

Lastly, you could explore alternatives. Plus ones might be okay at the reception but not at the ceremony if you’re limited for space, or vice versa. Keep it as flexible as possible while explaining why you’re doing it to your guests at the same time.

How to Create a Comfortable Bedroom

5 Tips for Creating a Comfortable Bedroom

Your bedroom isn’t just a space for you to sleep; it’s a sanctuary where you can relax, unwind, and recharge after busy and stressful days.

With a few simple tricks, you can transform your bedroom into a cosy retreat that promotes rest and relaxation, and prepares you for the day ahead.

Are you looking to embark on an interior design project? We recently updated our teen’s bedroom. Here are just five fantastic tips and tricks to help you create a comfortable bedroom that you’ll love.

1.     Invest in a Quality Mattress

One of the biggest causes of poor sleep comes from an uncomfortable mattress, and overtime our mattresses can wear and keep us up at night.

If the time has come for you to invest in something new, then consider shopping around to find the perfect option for your sleeping position.

The right mattress can make all the difference to your sleep, and if you also need to replace your child’s mattress, then you can find a wide range of single mattresses at Archers Sleep Centre. These experts can advise you on the best mattresses for your family’s needs.

2.     Choose Calming Colours

The colour scheme that you choose for your bedroom can have a significant impact on the atmosphere of the space.

If you’re looking to enhance the feelings of tranquillity in your bedroom, consider choosing soothing colours such as soft blues, greens, or neutral tones.

While bright, bold colours or busy patterns can be a great choice for areas such as the kitchen, the visual stimulation that they can cause can disrupt your sleep.

If you’re not sure what colour to paint your walls, then experts such as Dulux have handy tester apps that allow you to try out different colours without having to purchase tester pots.

neutral bed linen and a blue chaise longue

3.     Declutter the Space

When your bedroom is cluttered and disorganised it can make it difficult for you to relax and unwind, so take the time to declutter and organise your space.

Have a clear out of any belongings that you no longer use, and if they’re still in good condition, consider donating them to your local charity shop or selling them on platforms such as Vinted.

By creating a clean and clutter-free environment, you’ll help to promote a sense of calm in your bedroom.

4.     Introduce Soft Textures

When you incorporate different textures into your bedroom it can help to add depth and warmth, helping to make the space feel more inviting and comfortable.

Consider adding plush blankets and soft accent pillows to enhance the cosy feeling of your bedroom.

If you’re not sure where to start, experiment with different fabrics and materials to find the right combination for your senses.

5.     Utilise Adjustable Lighting

The right lighting can make all the difference to your bedroom, and when you use adjustable light solutions, you can maximise the uses of your space.

While natural light is essential in interior design, it can wake you up before you’re ready in the mornings. Consider installing black out blinds that can limit the morning light and let you sleep better.

Similarly, with colour change bulbs, you can find the right lighting to suit your needs, particularly beneficial if your bedroom doubles as your office.

 

Have you recently decorated your bedroom? Share your tips in the comments below!

 

beige and blue bedroom with soft lighting

Chicken drum meat – 5 cheap meal ideas

I have noticed lately that (as per everything) chicken has been climbing in price at the supermarket. We have always bought chicken thighs as well as breast but at roughly £5 for a pack of chicken breasts big enough for a hungry family it is no longer a cost effective meal solution.

A few weeks ago I noticed that alongside boneless thigh fillets and breast fillets, you can now buy boneless chicken drumstick meat. Priced at £2.99 I thought it would be worth trying so I picked up a couple of packs.

Is chicken drum nutritious though?

Nutritionally the drum meat stacks up ok. Chicken drumsticks (100g of) offer  155 calories, 24.2 g of protein, and 5.7 g of fat. Compare that to the pricier breast (100g of) which offers 165 calories, 31 g of protein, and 3.6 g of fat and actually there really isn’t much in it. Especially considering 1 is nearly half the price of the other!

Of course, if you want to save even more money (and you have a sharp knife and a little time) you can always buy on the bone.

As a leg meat, drum will stand up to longer cooking times and won’t dry out like chicken breast can. This makes it a great choice for stews, casseroles and curries.

I have listed a few ideas for how you could use your drum meat below – let me know how you get on? Have you tried it yet?

Homemade pie

I always pick up a roll of puff pastry when I go shopping. Sometimes I use it for sweet things and sometimes savoury. A really way to chuck a meal together is to combine cooked chicken pieces with a bit of soup and white sauce. You can layer mashed potato and then top with a layer of pastry. It’s easy and very filling.

Chicken curry

I make a half decent and utterly inauthentic curry. I use whatever we have laying around veg wise and usually some curry powder or paste and coconut milk. Always toast your spices!

Chicken casserole

Again, and you might notice a theme here, I use what we have in the fridge. Casseroles are a great way to reduce waste but I also put frozen veg and beans in them too. If I have to crack open a bottle of wine then I am prepared to make that sacrifice..

Chicken kebab

Currently my favourite go to when using chicken drum meat. Thread the whole lot onto 2 skewers and marinate overnight. I usually use a bit of yogurt along with harissa paste, paprika and ton of garlic. Pop the skewers on a baking try and bake for 40 mins or so. You can make your own flatbreads too if you are that way inclined. I like the ones made from a mix of yogurt (you’ve opened a pot for the marinade now) and flour and whatever herbs you like. Very easy and very satisfying – especially when you look up the price of kebabs now. Sheesh!

Honey sesame chicken

I absolutely love my recipe for Sticky Sesame Pork which can be found here. It works just as well (maybe better) with chicken and drum would be perfect for this. Serve with rice and veg or noodles.

 

 

 

Which Sleep Animal Are You?

Many of us are familiar with the terms ‘early bird’ or ‘night owl’ but did you know that there are four main types of sleep animal that most of us fit into? Are you a Bear, Lion, Dolphin, or Wolf?

Each animal corresponds with a sleep chronotype, which is how people sleep. Our internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, varies between individuals, meaning some animals are more active or wakeful at different times of the day.

Dolphins are light sleepers who may suffer from insomnia, and lions are early risers with lots of energy who often feel exhausted by early evening. Whereas bears follow the sunrise and sunset and need eight hours sleep, wolves have a hard time getting up early and are most active at night.

Knowing your chronotype can not only boost your productivity, but it can also tell you the best time to eat, sleep, work, exercise, drink coffee or alcohol.

Take the quiz to find out your sleep animal – and discover expert tips to adjust your sleep schedule to suit your unique biological rhythm. Let me know what you got in the comments section!

I took the quiz and would never have guessed that I would have been a dolphin! It does resemble my sleep pattern though and I will definitely be following Simba’s advice on trying a weighted blanket.

Meal Plan – It’s October and I still have the fan on edition

October should be all about lovely comforting dishes of stews and casseroles. Something warming as the nights draw in and the cold winds begin to blow.

This year, however, I am still going out in a t-shirt and having to have all of the windows open and a fan on. Stew and dumplings is not such an attractive prospect for October when the sun is still very much out!

I’m not moaning, by the way. The heating is staying off so money is being saved and it’s lovely to be able to walk the dog and not have to go through the bother of trying to keep her dry and mud free. I am looking forward to November though, when the autumnal weather might kick in and so will the sausage casseroles!

 

This week in food

Monday: Steak salad (pea shoots, tomato and pear) and crusty bread

Tuesday: Spaghetti & meatballs

Wednesday: Chicken bake with mash and beans

Thursday: Cottage pie

Friday: Wraps and wedges

Saturday: Fish with new potatoes and broccoli

Sunday: Roast pork