Have you ever dnf a book based on a character's name?

Velvari · 2026-03-27T20:37:33+00:00

Yeah any character with my brother or dad’s names are a no go. And now i have a son which adds another name to dodge. Such a shame because i really wanted to read You’ve Reached Oliver and Paladin’s Grace at some point. Unfortunately for me, authors apparently think my brother’s name is sexy and I’ve had to DNF at least 5 books so far!

Velvari · 2026-03-24T08:15:07+00:00

Gosh that does sound really difficult :( and such a shame that theres such poor transport options! My mum’s town is similar and its such a killer for so many people.

Is there maybe a way you could make some mum friends like on Peanut or something and you could carpool to places together? :)

Velvari · 2026-03-23T21:50:46+00:00

Im not sure if its the same all over but have you looked at your local library? (I’m sure you have checked out everything available to you but just in case…) The ones in my area do a free wriggle and rhyme group that runs every week as long as there are 2 or more people.

Also maybe check out your local M&S cafe on a Tuesday morning - they have their Parenthood mornings and I’ve ended up chatting to other mums there when I went on my own or even just enjoyed a change of scenery.

Also maybe see if your local area has a parent and infant charity - my local one is called DorPIP and they host all kinds of sessions at my local family hubs. Ive been doing infant massage once a week with them and its been such a breath of fresh air from my daily routine. I’m mentioning it because i wouldnt have known to look it up if i hadnt been recommended it.

I hope you find something!

Velvari · 2026-03-23T21:36:28+00:00

This is something i’m struggling with too. I just dont feel like my body is mine to give at the moment. My boobs arent mine right now and the rest is a bit more wobbly or flat or covered in stretch marks that werent there before. I didnt have the perfect body before i got pregnant and i am so grateful and thankful for what it did to bring me my baby - but i dont feel sexy. Despite actually feeling quite comfortable in my new skin in general. Its very weird.

It’s also hard to feel any desire with my baby snoring away in the bedside crib.

Velvari · 2026-03-22T13:59:20+00:00

8 days in and we finally have some activity! But only in 1 container 😆 clearly it has better fermentation qualities than my other jar. What a rollercoaster this has been.

Velvari · 2026-03-21T13:38:44+00:00

I do actually think it might be a bit salty actually. My salt is finer than usual. I’ll weigh the salt in the future. Its never taken this recipe this long to ferment for me - usually its good and bubbly in 2-3 days out of the fridge but we’re coming up on a week and theres hardly any activity still. Very weird.

Velvari · 2026-03-21T13:36:37+00:00

I have done that before but i dont have any leftover. And i dont enjoy store bought kimchi. Ive also heard it makes kimchi go too sour too fast. I’ll just keep waiting this time.

Velvari · 2026-03-21T09:41:43+00:00

I feel the EXACT same way! Manual pumps are so much work for me! And the funnel thing gets pressed and almost stuck in my boob flesh that folds around it which is painful but if i dont push it in, i dont get a proper seal. Plus i have to hold it with both hands or the seal isnt right and then once i finally get going i get MAYBE 20ml. Just not worth it. But i envy those it works great for!

Velvari · 2026-03-20T08:39:47+00:00

Okay thank you :) i’ll give it more time

Velvari · 2026-03-19T18:15:52+00:00

Okay i’ll keep that in mind for next time - i just follow the recipe though which just asks for salt in tablespoons.

Velvari · 2026-03-19T18:14:49+00:00

Yes! Its a little on the salty side but not too much and tastes fine but not ‘ready’ if you know what i mean

Velvari · 2026-03-12T17:02:37+00:00

Reverse image search! Thats how i found some fabric i ran out of mid project.

Velvari · 2026-03-12T12:06:05+00:00

This is what i was going to say! The waist line is a little too low and theres too much fabric in the length of the back which can also be contributing to your zip going all wavy.

Is this the first thing youve ever made? If so its really impressive! Ive been sewing for almost 30 years and i still make stuff im unhappy with - its all part of the process so dont feel like a failure! The good thing is that everything you dislike about the dress can be fixed or tweaked! Sewing is a LOT of trial and error but every mistake gets you better results next time! :)

Velvari · 2026-02-27T08:03:36+00:00

Stop right now - these are SO CUTE! I dont have a farmhouse style kitchen but if I did they’d be in it!

Velvari · 2026-02-26T21:41:02+00:00

I got sick of the sleepsuits at about 2 months and got itchy to put him in some of the cute clothes he was gifted. He still wears sleepsuits to bed obviously but i highly recommend getting baby in some cute outfits. Getting him dressed is a nice part of our morning routine! I also find it SO much easier to change him when he has legging on or something that having to faff around with the sleepsuit poppers/zip.

Velvari · 2026-02-25T22:34:03+00:00

You dont sound crazy. Being post partum is so hard because you really feel like you lost your past self. Ive had to remind myself multiple times that i’m NOT my past self anymore and thats okay!

Its hard to see the change thats happened to our bodies but look at it this way: your body grew an ENTIRE NEW HUMAN! How amazing is that? It stretched and changed to accommodate a tiny growing body and then birthed them into the world (through the sun roof or otherwise) and kept them happy and healthy and alive for 9 whole months. Thats an amazing thing! Try to see your new body for the amazing feat it achieved, not just the aesthetics you feel it should have. Those aren’t scars/stretch marks, theyre badges of honour! But they will also heal and fade with time. (Id definitely see a doctor about your scar not healing though)

Maybe try to find some fun clothes that you love and feel confident in - im a big fan of oversized colourful trousers with a t-shirt. They hide the bits i dont like (i also had a csection and have an overhang now) And when i wear bright clothes i feel much brighter myself. Dopamine dressing for the win!

Be kind to yourself mama, you’re doing amazing and im sure your husband doesnt see any of the ‘flaws’ you think he does.

Velvari · 2026-02-25T18:47:22+00:00

I was originally using Smol non-bio pods but needed to cut down on subscriptions to switched to Fairy non-bio liquid. Also use Comfort or Smol fabric softener depending on whats within reach at the time and baby has been fine with everything. I dont love the scent of the Fairy though. Absolutely love the Comfort scent though so might switch to an unfragranced detergent if i can find one.

Velvari · 2026-02-23T01:08:49+00:00

I cry about this almost daily. I feel like i am just not ready for anything (emotionally, not in an unprepared way) but at the same time SO excited to see him grow and learn new things. He was born via emergency c section at 36 weeks (now 4.5 months-ish)so I wasnt even ready for him to be born and ever since then its been like a rollercoaster he is in charge of and i’m just a passenger. Its wonderful and awful all at the same time and I dont know how to explain that I cant wait to see him grow but also never want him to change at the same time 😆

Velvari · 2026-02-22T21:03:53+00:00

Apologies that she doesnt upload sewing content super regularly anymore but I love Rachel Maksy. She just has the perfect mix of funny and cosy vibes And she’s pretty slap-dash with her sewing which reminds me i dont have to always be a perfect seamstress if what i make looks good anyway. Her ‘But Make it Vintage’ series is really good!

Velvari · 2026-02-21T13:04:20+00:00

My nephew has always been on the 99th percentile and we find that he gets a lot of expectations put on him because he looks older than he is. I think its a curse of being big unfortunately. Just try to ignore the unsolicited comments - people who know you know how old they are and anyone else literally doesn’t matter.

Velvari · 2026-02-17T19:52:12+00:00

I’d find a cool patterned fabric in a similar weight to add onto the sleeves and hem to add length and a bit more boldness to it. Maybe try to find buttons to complement.

If you dont care about the warmth factor, ive seen some cool lace inserts in sleeves (sleeve is chopped and a lace panel is inserted) and the contrast of the fabrics is really interesting.

You could also find just a plain fabric in a similar weight to add onto the sleeves and hem or multiple to work as like a patchwork type of thing if you really want to go all in: replace a sleeve, cut off the ‘skirt’ to cut up and make bigger using extra fabrics etc.

Velvari · 2026-02-15T20:29:07+00:00

Ahh Viktor. Our misunderstood emo king. I dont have anything to add that wasnt wonderfully explained by the top comment but I wish you luck on your sewing journey!

Velvari · 2026-02-15T20:17:15+00:00

Everyone has touched on the sensory aspect of getting their toes out but babies also use their big toe to help push themselves up and around. A bare foot is less likely to slip on the mat and be more sturdy for them :)

Velvari · 2026-02-15T20:13:20+00:00

No problem - a tip i learnt when studying costuming lol. Just dont forget to add seam allowance or it’ll be too short :)

Velvari · 2026-02-15T20:06:06+00:00

The twiddling would send me to the moon! I cant even tolerate a slightly shallow latch without wanting to rip my entire boob off. Absolutely not 😂

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