Monday 30 November 2015

Read With Me #47

Hello you lovely lot. So today my oldest daughter is torning the big 1 0 and true to form she has lots of books coming.

I have bought her a few of the classic Goosebumps books and she finally got the full set of Harry Potter books courtesy of my dad.

What I like now is that we can read a lot of the same books which leads to plenty of discussions about characters, storylines etc.

She actually got a set today which I am yet to read, The Mazerunner series, have any of you read it?

Now my favourite post last week came from the lovely Tracey Bowden from Frazzled Mum Blog.

She kindly shared her latest short story with us all and I'll admit than I am more than a bit intrigued as to what is going to happen next.

Saturday 28 November 2015

Project 365 2015 Week 48

December is nearly here and my eldest daughters birthday is quickly approaching too so this week has been all about present buying and lots of wrapping.

Day 325

Time for a Christmas coffee from Starbucks and they actually managed to spell my name right!

Friday 27 November 2015

Applying Make Up When You Have Eczema

I've suffered with eczema almost all of my life. When I was around 10 it was at it's worst, it covered a lot of my body and the whole of my face. It was itchy beyond belief and there were times that I would scratch so much that I'd make myself bleed.

Various creams etc were tried, we even resorted to steroid creams for my face which is frowned upon but eventually through trial and error it was made to calm down but the eczema never disappeared completely.

As I got older I felt an ever growing need to cover it up. I'm sure you know how teenagers can be, some of their comments were nothing less than cruel and it left me feeling very upset, with very little confidence in myself. This is when I started to wear make up.

Trouble is my mum never really wore it and having brothers I had noone to advice me on how best to apply it.

Wardrobes, Shelves and A New Space Made

When we moved into our home a little under a year ago we knew that there was plenty of work that needed doing. Not all of it major, infact most of it was more redecorating (damn wood chip). But one room that was in need of a do over was Freya's bedroom.

This bedroom is what would have been the loft. Now I'm not sure who designed this space however my feeling is that whoever did really needed they're eyes testing because what they done was quite frankly ridiculous.

Thursday 26 November 2015

Chocolate Coconut Mug Cake Recipe

I bought a bag of coconut flour a while ago. At the time I didn't realise how different it was to other flours. It makes for quite a dense cake and you can't use the same measures so you can't just go copying a recipe and switching the flour suggested for coconut instead.

                  

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Coloud Boom Kids Headphones Review

My children take after me, they love music, the louder the better however we don't always agree on the type of music we want to listen to. This is where the Coloud Boom Kids headphones come in handy because it means they can listen to their 1D without annoying mummy!

Bug Bites Book Review

The lovely people at Priddy Books recently sent the girls their Bug Bites book, I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of bugs but my daughters aren't scaredy cats like their mum…


Step into this bumper reference book full of buzz-tastic bugs, gruesome facts plus lots to colour and do! Perfect fr teaching any little bug fan about these amazing creatures.

Best Of LeapFrog - LeapPad Edition

Last week I told you all about LeapFrog's Best Of voting that is taking place over the next few weeks. Well I'm back this week for another round off voting, this time it is the turn of the revolutionary LeapPad.


We were sent three games to play with which were as follows :

My Little Pony Mathematics Learning Game
Scooby Doo Pirates Ghost of the Barbary Coast Learning Game
Disney Frozen Reading Learning Game

Discovering Treats In Degustabox

I think every month I continue to be impressed with Degustabox. There haven't been many items over the months that I've disliked and in my house there is always someone that will be willing to eat/drink anything offered to them. Recently Degustabox has been all about discovering treats, especially their Db's discoveries so keep reading to find out just what was in October's box.

Tuesday 24 November 2015

My Top 5 Programmes To Watch on NOW TV

So recently I was lucky enough to be asked to join the NOW TV blogger squad. Much to my husbands delight because this would be mean he could sit and watch Game of Thrones (again). We've had it installed on our Xbox One for a couple of weeks now so I thought I would share with you my top 5 programmes to watch from their entertainment package.

The Walking Dead


Now if you haven't started watching this programme yet, why not? With the new season being upload weekly to NOW TV you can keep up in real time with what the US are watching.

Monday 23 November 2015

Read With Me #46

Hello you lovely lot and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. I hope you are all well. A big thank you as always to all of you who took the time to link up last week.

read with me linky
My girls have started to dig out the Christmas books, I do love anything that gives me a bit of festive spirit.

I haven't read anything to do with Christmas although I have dug out my Great British Bake Off Christmas recipe book!

One book recommendation I have for you this week is Samantha Towles new release, When I Was Yours.

I already fell in love with her writing during The Mighty Storm series and this book didn't disappoint.

A gorgeous love story that although a tad predictable at times, really tugged at those heart strings.

Saturday 21 November 2015

Project 365 2015 Week 47

Wow one week closer to Christmas and just over a week until my eldest turns 10. I've managed to finish my Christmas shopping this week and I have even started wrapping. But again my organisation didn't spread to project 365 so my photos are a bit rubbish, don't say I didn't warn you..

Day 319
I woke this one up for early morning cuddles.

Friday 20 November 2015

Clever Tykes Book Review and Giveaway

I was recently asked if my daughters and I would like to review a set of books called Clever Tykes. Now being honest I hadn't heard of them before so I was surprised to find out that these books have actually been used as reading/learning material in 50 primary schools across the UK.


There are three books in the set : Walk-It Willow, Change-It Cho and Code-It Cody

Thursday 19 November 2015

Individual Coconut Flapjack Recipe

I love a good flapjack. I'm quite partial to one filled with nuts and I would never say no to one covered in yoghurt. I think that is what makes it so nice because the recipe is easy to adapt to your own personal taste. As long as you have the basic ingredients in the cupboard you can quickly knock up a batch in next to no time.

individual coconut flapjack

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Project Mc2 Doll Review

The girls recently found a new TV programme to watch, the Netflix original series Project Mc2. It introduces a world where science and style are combined and you realise that it is actually cool to be smart. Something that my eldest daughter can totally relate to, she quite happily calls herself a geek because she knows there is absolutely nothing wrong with being intelligent.


To coincide with the TV show, a new line of dolls have been released. These are made to inspire tween girls and let them know that being smart and savvy is definitely on trend!!

Best of LeapFrog - LeapReader Edition

Over the next few months LeapFrog are asking their fans to choose their favourites from a range of their games, books etc for their well known devices. My girls and I have been asked to do the same. This week we've been playing with three different books from the LeapReader range, a tough job but someones got to do it.


We were sent :

Paw Patrol : The Great Robot Rescue
Doc McStuffin : The New Girl!
Learn To Write Letters with Mr Pencil

Invent-a-scent Perfume Review

We recently reviewed the fab Rock Bandz set from Interplay, now we are back reviewing the fragrant Invent-a-scent Perfume from Interplay's Fab Lab range.

invent-a-scent perfume

The idea behind this set is to learn all about the skill of blending different scents to invent perfumes which are suited to you personally.

London Activity Book Review

The lovely people at GMC distribution kindly sent the girls a copy of the London Activity book (£9.99). Now London is a place we like to visit often, there is so much to see and do in that city, you will never be stuck for places to visit and activities to do….


London is a big, busy city, filled with famous sights and this activity book is the most fun way to find out all about them. It is packed with things to draw, doodle and design.…..

Tuesday 17 November 2015

#WhatWoodYouPlay Wooden Kitchen Review

I've never made any secret of the fact that I much prefer wooden toys over plastic toys. I think wooden toys are not only built to last but ultimately they look better too making them more appealing to both parents and their children. So when I was asked to jump on board George Homes' new #WhatWoodYouPlay campaign, I was more than happy to be joining in, infact when I was shown the choice of products I had to choose from, I'll admit I was left feeling rather lucky.

Monday 16 November 2015

Read With Me 2015 #45

Hey there lovely readers, welcome to this weeks Read With Me. Thanks to everyone who linked up last week.

With two weeks to go until my eldest daughters birthday, she's coming up to 10, I thought I'd tell you some of the authors she loves right now to maybe give you some ideas if you have children around the same age :

David Walliams

Jacqueline Wilson

Chris Ridell (Goth Girl series)

J K Rowling (Harry Potter)

Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games)

Elise amazes me as she can have 4 or 5 books on the go at any one time. I myself can only concentrate on one book at a time or I get majorly confused.

Sunday 15 November 2015

Saturday 14 November 2015

Project 365 2015 Week 46

The weeks seem to be blending into one recently, everything is flying by so fast. Christmas is coming round quickly and big moments are creeping up. For example this week I applied for Layla's primary school place, it just doesn't seem possible! As for project 365 photos, they seem to be more indoor than out recently….

Day 312

My little brother was back for a visit and the girls were more than a tad excited, he didn't get a moments peace, roll on December when he is back for Christmas.

Friday 13 November 2015

NEW PARLIAMENTARY REPORT ON ‘PLAY’ CELEBRATES THE POSITIVE IMPACT PLAYING WITH TECH TOYS CAN HAVE ON A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT

LeapFrog have always been well known for their toys abilities to encourage learning through play and a recent parliamentary report which coincides with the release of their latest tablet the LeapPad Epic celebrates just what a positive impact playing with these sorts of toys can have on any child's development.

This new report from a Parliamentary Group calls for play to be an important part of an approach to childrens health and wellbeing. Of course physical acitivity is a big part of kids lives, it goes a ling to battle things like obesity but play is also needed.

The question is what is considered play in this day and age? This recent report from the All Party Parliamentary Group highlights the positive impact that modern technology can have in child's play both at home and at school. I've seen this firsthand with my children. They use iPads at school and this excites them and has them eager to learn from the apps they use on them.

Wallpaper, Paint and All Things Pretty

We've been living in our house for almost 11 months now and slowly but surely we are really making it our home. The trouble with home improvement is that it takes not only time but money, something that we are quite short of right now but we are managing to make little changes here and there at minimal costs. A bit of wallpaper here, a splosh of paint there, throw in a few accessories, it is amazing the difference the smallest of jobs can make.

Thursday 12 November 2015

How to Look Stylishly Chic While Expecting

I know when I was pregnant I felt very unstylish, as though nothing fitted, and all maternity clothes just appeared to be so frumpy. Celebrities these days will prove those sort of instincts wrong: you can be utterly fashion forward whilst pregnant. 

Image by Illusive Photography via Flickr

Of course, you may be surprised to find maternity clothes, not in an expectant mum clothing shop, but in your own wardrobe, or in a “regular” clothing store as they don't always need to be specifically for maternity. Start with dresses – do you have any of the following?

Bernard Matthews Lunchbox Challenge

The girls were recently set a challenge by the lovely people at Bernard Matthews. The task, they needed to suggest some fun ideas for food to pop into their school lunchboxes using the range of 100% British Bernard Matthews cooked meats.

Now this was a challenge that my daughters were eager to participate in. They have always been very independent and will quite happily pack their own lunches but it is normal mum who decides what they eat, I was just hoping they'd make some good choices.

This task coincides with Bernard Matthews having a fresh new makeover recently as you will see in the pictures.

Below are three recipes that the girls came up with, I helped to make these ideas a reality but I have to admit they were all pretty tasty.

Turkey Stuffing Wheels 

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Jacqueline Wilson's Little Stars Book Review

Jacqueline Wilson must be one busy lady, she is back again with another new release and my eldest daughter couldn't wait to get her hands on Little Stars, a Hetty Feather Adventure.

Ben And Holly Sticker Activity Book and DVD Review

Carrying on with the Elf and Party theme that I told you about here. This week the girls and I have had the pleasure of reviewing the Elf and Fairy Party sticker activity book.

elf and fairy party sticker activity book

Kate & Mim Mim Are Back With A Christmas Wish

Last year my kids and I were very lucky to get the first ever look at a brand new programme, Kate & Mim Mim and since then they've become extremely popular with a lot of children. And this season they are coming to DVD and they are bringing with them plenty of festive fun.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Turns 150

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a classic story which many shorten to Alice in Wonderland. It is a book which was written way back in 1865 by a clever man named Charles Lutwidge Dawson, more commonly known as Lewis Carroll. That makes Alice 150 years old!

Now I've read this story many times and know all of how Alice fell down the rabbit hole but it wasn't until recently that I realised my children hadn't.

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Primary School The Final Frontier

Todays, the day, the final frontier, the last ever time I will be applying for primary school for any of my children. Ultimately it feels like the end of an era. No more babies although I suppose I will always see them as my babies.


I remember quite clearly when I applied for my eldest to start at primary school. It was such a nerve racking time. It was a big decision to make because ultimately my choices would decide a part of her future. It would be an influence on how her learning journey would begin.

Monday 9 November 2015

Read With Me #44

Hello you lovely lot, welcome to this weeks Read With Me, how are you all? So the kids have been back at school for one week and I have to say I really miss them.

read with me
I miss being able to read with the older ones for pleasure rather than having a deadline of getting a school book read by.

I'll admit I am already on countdown to the Christmas holidays.

Speaking of Christmas, with Halloween and bonfire night out of the way we have dug out all of our Christmas themed books.

I like to buy a new one every year for the girls, this year our elf will be bringing it with him, I've chosen Aliens Love Santa Pants.

Enough about Christmas for now...

Saturday 7 November 2015

Project 365 2015 Week 45

I can't believe we're already in November. I say it all the time but this year has flown by, and this means I have almost finshed another year of project 365, my third one!!

Day 305

Sunday saw my first run of the month and I managed 5k which I think is the furthest I've run this year.

Friday 6 November 2015

Cravendale The #MilkDrinkersMilk

Milk is more often than not used as an ingredient. It can be made to taste different when mixed with other things. Most will enjoy it stirred into a good old cup of tea and I will admit to loving a nice thick milkshake but lets be honest milk does not need anything else to make it taste good, especially when that bottle of milk happens to be filled with Cravendale.


I was recently given the opportunity alongside other bloggers to join in the #MilkDrinkersMilk challenge with Britmums and Cravendale. The project, to share our favourite ways we like to enjoy a nice big, old glass of milk or in oour favourite cup/mug, whatever our preference might be.

Thursday 5 November 2015

Creative Baby Hamper Ideas for New Mums

Is your sister or a close friend pregnant or did they recently have a baby? Mums-to-be and new mums really appreciate baby hampers because they're filled to the brim with baby essentials and fun things for the new baby and even for the mum sometimes. For me as a mum I definitely appreciated these types of things.  


Image by Dan Harrelson via Flickr

#KetchupCreations With Homeserve

Homeserve recently launched their new lifestyle blog, Ketchup. A great name, one picked because lets be honest Ketchup tends to be an essential ingredient in most homes. To help celebrate I've joined in with their #KetchupCreations. I had to pick one of six recipes containing that all important ingredient. I opted to make BBQ pulled pork.

This is something I've posted about before, my recipe called for a slow cooker so I was interested to see how this one would turn out as it was entirely cooked in the oven.

Ingredients:
2 Onions (sliced)
3 Bay Leaves
1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
Pork Shoulder
140 grams Tomato Ketchup
4 tbsps Red Wine Vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
3 tbsps dark brown sugar
4 Rolls
Coleslaw, to serve

Wednesday 4 November 2015

Ripley's Believe It Or Not 2016 Book Review

An all new Ripley's Believe It or Not book has been released and I've managed to get my hands on it....

ripleys believe it or not 2016

* Man pulls truck with nose

* Woman marries Ferris wheel

* Girl cries stone tears

* Cow farts blow up building 

And many more crazy stories.....

Gaining Independence With Osper

I mentioned a few weeks back about my struggle in knowing when to give a little when it comes to my older two children. The fact that I want to give them a little bit more independence but not quite knowing how. Well the lovely people at Osper stepped in to help with eldest daughter.

Bratz Study Abroad Review

I was recently talking about how Bratz had made a smashing return to toy shelves, just in time for Christmas I might add. Well if that wasn't enough these feisty girls are now ready to travel the world and of course they do this in style. The new Study Abroad range sees the Bratz crew overseas and ready to learn more about the world.

Will you meet Pandas with Cloe in China? #Cloud9
Will you speak Spanish with Raya who’s in Mexico? #LaVidaLoca
Will you learn samba like Yasmin who’s visiting Brazil? #LifeIsBeautiful
Will you read literature with Jade who is travelling across Russia? #Epic
Will you show Sasha around when she has some free time on her trip to the UK? #BritainIsMyJam

Tuesday 3 November 2015

Cold Weather and Loss Of Motivation

I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels like hibernating when the cold weather sets in. Don't get me wrong I love seeing the leaves changing colour, it can be quite nice going out for a long walk in the brisk air but generally I see this time of year as a chance to get cosy infront of a fire. This however also means I get a huge loss of motivation when it comes to exercise and staying fit and unfortunately this also leads to me getting lazy with my diet too.


My normal routine for exercise is to get up early in the morning before the kids wake up and work out before I have little people requesting an array of things from me. But lets be honest at 6.30 am it is bloody freezing and quite frankly still looks like night time outside. So I do what any normal person would do, lean over, press snooze and quickly snuggle back under the covers.
But I want to change my ways. Every year I reach this point and put on ridiculous amounts of weight which makes me feel even worse about myself than I do anyway and  the silly thing is that I can't blame anyone else but myself. I'm kind of hoping by writing this down that I will persuade myself to get into a better mindset.

Monday 2 November 2015

Findo's Mousetrap Book Review

Recently I've reviewed quite a few childrens books so I thought it was about time I got to share with you a book for us adults. Findo's Mousetrap is the debut novel from author Graham Paskett, a romance that involves both history and mysterious circumstances….

findo's mousetrap

Read With Me #43

Hello everyone. Welcome to this weeks Read With Me. A big thank you to all of you who managed to link up last week.

read with me
Kids have gone back to school and as much as I loved having them off, it will be nice to return to some normality.

We did manage a couple of trips down to the library and it was nice not feeling like we were rushed when it came to reading their school reading books.

But and there is a but, I missed having time to read my own books.

My reading time is my time to relax, to escape from day to day life for a little while!

Now my favourite post from last week came from a new linker. The lovely Anita from Thinking Parent reviewed a book that I wish I'd had the chance to read after having my children.