A Mod Mob St Patrick's Day Giveaway

While out shopping last night I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the sheer volume of tacky graphic Irish tees on sale for St Patrick's day . If like me you fancy something other than the typical Kiss me I'm Irish, or Top o The Mornin style tee for the big day then look no further. We have called upon our good friends at T-Rex Customised Clothing, to bring you a funky tee giveaway just in time for St. Patrick's Day. 

T-Rex Customised Clothing are an Irish online customised clothing store and they offer a huge range of funny, character, design your own and souvenir t-shirts and hoodies. They also supply to the trade and provide customised garments for clubs, sports associations, stag and hen parties and more. Founded in 2010, their award winning fun and funky T-shirts are 100% Irish Made, 100% Organic and are 90% Reduced Co2. 

They have some seriously cool Irish shirts like the one pictured above, and hoodies for him/her/kids and babies and have very kindly agreed to send one out to everybody in the audience.......only kiddin'.....but they have agreed to send a cool T-Rex Custom Tee of your choice to one lucky Mod Mob reader.

To enter all you have to do is hit like the like button on the T-Rex Facebook page, do the same on the Mod Mob Facebook page and leave a comment below (don't forget to leave your name), and we will announce the winner on our Facebook page on Friday the 9th of March. Oh and don't forget to visit the T-Rex online store to browse their cool designs and pick your favourite tee.

May the luck of the Irish be with you ! (cheesy I know, but I couldn't resist)

Thanks to T-Rex Customised Clothing for kindly sponsoring this giveaway post.

Visit the site here

Mod Mum: whats in a name ?

As you may already know I have recently moved with my husband and three boys aged 12, 8 and 18 months, from Ireland to the USA. One thing that struck me when we first moved here was that all kids address me as Mrs Mannion. It felt strange at first as children in Ireland usually call adults by their first names and my boys learned fast that this was no longer acceptable. 

I remember always addressing an adult by their last name, there were no first name options. That is how it was and we never questioned it.When did this change ? I don't rightly remember how it happened but by the time my children were going on play-dates, they were on a first name basis with the parents of their friends. It appears acceptable now. 

Did I miss something as a parent ? Should I have enforced that they used Mr. or Mrs. in order to show respect to the adult in question ? I know that growing up we respected adults because that is how were we raised, not because of what we called them. 

For me, I don't mind my children's friends calling me by my first name but yet I complain about some kids showing me a lack of respect. 

Do you think that this is something you should think about as a parent ?

Mod Mob: Weekend Bliss

Sometimes it seems there is always so much to do and so little time to do it!

Brenda and I were chatting during the week about the everyday stresses life can bring sometimes. You know the score. House hunting, teething baby, sleepless nights, work, man troubles.... just a few examples of what life can throw at us all. Sometimes all at once!

So here's wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend....

Take at least one hour in your day to light your favourite candle, take a long relaxing soak in the bath. Enjoy the peace and calm....

(jomalone.co.uk)

As I have no idea (yet), how to deal with a teething baby we would welcome any advice from our Mum's out there too! My advice. A Gin and tonic. Large.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Emma & Brenda x

Mod Travel: Ski Tips for Girls

I always find it a bit of a task packing for my Ski holiday. We had to go through a bit of re organising here, the night before. I thought I was "done" packing, but in the end I had lost quite a few items and traded for other important ones. End result, a lighter more organised bag!

Getting it right requires a great deal of forward planning. On the plus side I found the perfect goggle fix that are gorgeous on! They have the all important anti fog, dual vented lenses bit...more importantly they are a pink limited - Breast Cancer Awareness edition.
I've since come to the conclusion, keep it simple. This sort of holiday is all about layers. Keeping it easy, comfy and warm. Not forgetting the style and lip gloss of course!

Now the important stuff.

My first top travel essentials is a good moisturiser and lip care. Boots do a fantastic range of easy to pack travel mini products under the all important 100ml allowance. The Sanctuary Spa products are my favourite, they smell gorgeous and last all day long. You will feel truly pampered on piste!

(www.thesanctuary.co.uk)

This cherry flavour Carmex is my all time favourite! Keeps your lips from chapping and doubles up for a nice bit of gloss for the evening. Perfect for kissing!

For the evenings, ditch the heels and dresses. Keep it to one winter coat, 3 pairs of jeans, leggings and tights - it's all about the layers. A gorgeous pair of leg warmers. Long woolly jumpers and a nice pair of boots with a good grip, you will look fabulous! I fell head over heals in love with this navy jumper from River Island.

Packing Tip: Once you have lined up your essentials. Use your ski boots and fill them up! You will be surprised just how much stuff you can hide fit in these.

Finally keep your head warm with this Barts beanie hat, as well as keeping your ears warm whilst hurtling down the piste! Check out these gorgeous matching socks too!

Mod Travel: Alpe D' Huez Ski

Bonjour mon amie! I've recently just come back from a fantastic week away in the French Alps. Temperatures dropped to a chilly -23 degrees, but the sun shone each day for us and made our ski trip easily one of my all time favourites.
Every day was an adventure with spectacular scenery. Dotted with trees, streams and beautiful old wooden mountain huts. Perfect for a rest...and of course a vin chaud to soak it all up!

Conditions at the moment on and off piste are fantastic, with the biggest snow fall in over 40 years. There is still plenty left and great ski deals to be found towards the end of season. Check out some of these bargains!

Alpe D' Huez is approx 2 hours from Grenoble airport, and after 21 (I counted) hair-pin bends to reach the top, it is worth every terrifying turn. It's one of the highest resorts in Europe, so always a good gamble for even a short weekend break. Pic Blanc sits at 3330 meters high, and the Sarenne is one of the longest, most picturesque runs I have ever done.

The town itself (although fairly new) still manages to keep looking quaint in parts. A nice selection of bars and savoyard style restaurants serving some of the best french cuisine and wines I've tasted.
For some great live music a trip to the Underground bar is a must.

Don't forget to check out the ice sculptures (with a difference) at the Ice Bar.

A Hidden Gem:  A beautiful family run restaurant  Le Passe Montague. We sat for hours with friends here, the food was delicious with an extensive wine and dessert menu!

Booking in advance is advised.The friendly owner looks like Chris De Burgh...oh and ask for the corner table next to the wood burning fire.

Bon Voyage!

Mod Mum: flying with babies...the aftermath

As you already know, I have just returned from a two week vacation in Ireland. Before we left Boston, I was so stressed out about managing the kids on-board the plane. The thing is that the kids really were no problem, its a shame the same cannot be said for some of our fellow travelers .

As we were waiting in line to check in at Logan airport in Boston, a group of middle aged Irish women were checking in just ahead of us. To my horror, one of them turned and said out loud to the girl at the desk, 'can you make sure we are seated as far away as possible from that lot with the baby '. As luck may have it, we were seated right behind her and 'the baby 'slept the entire journey, but she got drunk and abused the cabin staff and annoyed everyone close to her with her loud Dublin accent and her dirty jokes.

I know I have been guilty in the past of secretly hoping that I was not seated close to any kids who like to play with their table-tops or scream the whole way, but I was really shocked at the dirty looks we received when we rolled up to board with baby-in-tow. We felt like plague victims.

Luckily, we had two hassle-free flights and made it to the other side unscathed.

So tips .......

as for the two older boys the good old in-flight entertainment sorted them out, and they merrily munched on pretzels and sipped from mini-cans of sprite the whole way,

and the baby.....

one word.......drugs !

We found that administering two good spoonfuls of calpol ( baby aspirin) before boarding helped to prevent sore ears, and helped him sleep. On the return flight once he woke, plenty of snacks, crayons, and thanks to the friendly giant behind us ( he was at least 7 foot) who happily smiled and pulled faces at him, every time he peered over the seats it all went rather well. We lapped up the praises of the cabin- crew, kind fellow travelers, and felt like champion parents until the 8 yr old declared on the way home that Family Guy is his new favourite cartoon......oops.

Last tip, keep all eyes on all kids at all times. What are the odds that part of the trip will be top of the list of things he did on his vacation when he gives teacher the run-down in school tomorrow?

Worried about an up and coming trip with babies ? This article has some fantastic advice, great tips and even better links.

Friday Feeling

Hooray! The weekend has arrived and brought along some sunshine...

Brenda is still enjoying here time at home with the family back home in the west coast of Ireland. Plenty of fun filled days and the odd glass of Guinness! Looking forward to hearing their tales from Mayo and how she managed flying with babies!?

 I’ll be house hunting this weekend for our home in the countryside, not too far from the big smoke!

But far enough for a local country pub (essential) and a nice garden for BBQ’s in the summer and a possible new addition to the family.....

Have a lovely Weekend Everyone! See you soon X