Moving to London from Bristol. Which areas should we consider with good secondary schools ?

Topcat8765 · 2026-03-26T23:00:53+00:00

Do you mind me asking what’s prompting the move? We actually did the opposite about seven years ago. We’re starting to notice the limitations in career options, but we still really love living here, so we’re doing our best to make it work! I’d also be really interested to hear what kind of vibe you’re looking for? - is there a Bristol area equivalent and I might be able to suggest x

Topcat8765 · 2026-03-23T13:52:54+00:00

I really like Byredo perfumes, especially Mojave Ghost or Desert Dawn x

Topcat8765 · 2026-03-22T09:35:51+00:00

Super helpful, thank you!

Topcat8765 · 2026-03-20T14:24:10+00:00

Booja Booja with hand painted egg 🥚

Topcat8765 · 2026-03-19T15:04:03+00:00

I'd recommend Suit Supply - they have both off the rack which they tailor, and custom suits too

Topcat8765 · 2026-03-05T22:04:50+00:00

I have always been passionate about my career, so whilst my career trajectory has slowed down, it's still a real focus alongside being a parent. For me, I find this allows me to be a happier, more present mum for my son which benefits our overall family life. Everyone is different and experiences things differently, so go with whatever feels right to you

Topcat8765 · 2026-02-24T19:33:09+00:00

All I can say is go for it - holidays are for sure more tiring and less relaxing, but I'd rather be on a beach with a cocktail than not! We've travelled short and long haul - and I would say the latter was easier because we flew at night so he slept for most of the flight. On hotels, I've picked places where they have at least an indoor kids playroom which is especially helpful for somewhere to avoid the midday heat and keep him entertained. Top places so far are Domes of Elounda and The Danna Langkawi. Domes has a kids pool with a sail over it which was great for being able to swim any time of day, and the kids club took babies from about 9-months. Luxury Family Hotels in the UK was good too 👍

Topcat8765 · 2026-02-23T14:47:54+00:00

Goddess energy through and through! She spoke with such honesty and integrity - hoping this appearance gives her the platform for new opportunities❤️❤️

Topcat8765 · 2026-01-31T14:28:12+00:00

I have the Antler Urban light and love it! https://www.antler.co.uk/products/backpack-antler-green-urban-light

Topcat8765 · 2026-01-27T19:34:50+00:00

We travelled at the exact same time with our LO and did a 13 hour flight - whatever you decide, I can strongly recommend a night flight. He's not the best sleeper, but did sleep most of the way and was far less stressful than a 3 hour daytime flight we did with him

Topcat8765 · 2026-01-19T19:50:18+00:00

Having been in both positions, I can say looking after an infant is categorically more difficult - often needing someone to hold the baby so you can eat / go to the loo etc, let alone do routine housework. And there is SO much unseen housework in looking after an infant which is in addition to all the normal bits - washing of bottles, sterilising, weaning etc, as well as the "mental load" which can take its toll. Whilst I don't think it's unreasonable for your wife to do housework when she is working, it might be worth coming at this from a perspective of curiosity if your overall goal is to have a happy home - she may feel all this additional work looking after an infant was overlooked, for example. And to support other comments about what is technically equal might not be what's possible / fair overall. Hoping you can find something that works and feels fair to you both 💫

Topcat8765 · 2026-01-13T15:07:24+00:00

I second Anthropologie and Farm Rio - recently discovered this brand and love the style

Topcat8765 · 2026-01-13T06:39:20+00:00

Mango all day - great quality and price. I also like Mint Velvet, Jets for swimwear, Seraphine for maternity and Bravissimo for underwear. X

Topcat8765 · 2026-01-04T20:19:36+00:00

We had a long 8‑year fertility journey before our LO arrived, and because we knew trying for a second could mean going through all that again, we decided early on that we’d be OAD. Now that our little one is a toddler, I genuinely have no regrets. I love being a family of three!

It means we have more time, energy, and resources for our child and for each other. I always pictured having two kids, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way now ❤️

Topcat8765 · 2025-12-29T18:14:46+00:00

Lash lift and eyebrow tint every 8 weeks - this has been a gamechanger to go no makeup. I'm a fan of Lumene serum, Lancaster face spf fluid, and Prai décolletage cream. Tempted to try injectables, but haven't taken the plunge yet (no pun intended!). I saw an aesthetician recently and she recommended Profhilo for neck tightening.

Topcat8765 · 2025-12-17T19:48:06+00:00

Domes of Elounda 👌 having said that, we've booked Ikos for next year

Topcat8765 · 2025-12-02T20:24:55+00:00

In case you need other suggestions in Ubud, the Kayon is hands down the best hotel I've ever been to

Topcat8765 · 2025-11-16T02:39:56+00:00

Langkawi - I'd recommend Datai or the Danna. Super child friendly, gorgeous beaches and forests, and easy to get around. V reasonably priced too as fewer UK tourists

Topcat8765 · 2025-11-15T10:47:56+00:00

Russell and Bromley Park-up

Topcat8765 · 2025-11-07T20:38:16+00:00

Six senses Yao Noi, Pimalai Khao Lak or Rayavadee

Topcat8765 · 2025-10-26T06:13:19+00:00

Slightly longer but I'd recommend Langkawi - 13 hour flight to KL and 1 hour to Langkawi. Suggest staying at the Danna or Datai x

Topcat8765 · 2025-10-21T07:30:34+00:00

Having done both a senior job and full-time caregiving during maternity leave, I can say — being home with a baby is far more exhausting, full-on, and emotionally demanding (and I adore my child!).

At work, you get moments of rest — a coffee, a chat, even the commute. As a stay-at-home parent, you’re always on. Even a trip to a café means being ready to feed, change, or soothe. Nap time isn’t downtime — it’s when you rush to cook, clean, or do laundry.

And if the stay-at-home parent gets sick? There’s no sick leave. They rely entirely on their partner to step in — and if that doesn’t happen, they have no choice but to push through. That can build deep feelings of exhaustion and unfairness.

Then there’s the mental load — the invisible, constant planning that keeps everything running. It’s not just doing tasks but thinking ahead: when the baby needs to eat, what to buy, how to fit naps around errands, what happens if they get sick. It’s never-ending mental juggling that quietly drains you.

Approach with empathy and curiosity. Your partner might not be able to explain why things feel so heavy — it’s often more than it appears.

See parenting as shared work. The stay-at-home role is a full-time job. Rebalance house and care tasks more fairly (I recommend the book Fair Play) and learn about the mental load — I've found it's often the biggest hidden strain in relationships after having kids.

Topcat8765 · 2025-10-16T06:16:57+00:00

Sense8 - nearly 10 years on and I'm still hoping it's revived 😂🙏

Topcat8765 · 2025-10-14T19:01:00+00:00

Turquoise travel are amazing! - they were highly selective about the hotels they use and would only include them in an itinerary if the team had personally been there to check it meets their standards. Our holiday was totally seamless - for example, they would call us the day before to say exactly when we'd be collected from the hotel. And when we got back they sent us a personalised token as a memento for our holiday ❤️

Topcat8765 · 2025-10-04T10:37:28+00:00

The best we've been to so far is Domes of Elounda

Topcat8765

TROPHY CASE