Project 365 2015 Week 52

These past couple of weeks have been a whirl wind. We've been so busy with Christmas, visiting family and generally having a good time, I'm honestly shocked that we've reached the last day of the year!! Because I didn't post a project 365 update last week, this is a rather long one….

Day 354

Afternoon game time with Uncle Alec.

Imprify Canvas Review

At the beginning of the year I was given the opportunity to try out a new photo app, Imprify. The Imprify app very cleverly allows you to use photos off of your phone to create some wonderful products. When it was first started only photobooks could be made but they have since expanded and now you can create all sorts from magnets, to prints to wall art. I chose to design some wall art.

Costing 24,90E, these canvases from Imprify are different to others because they are printed on high quality wood panels.

You can choose to have a classic square which is what I opted for or you can make various size collages.


The process is still easy and very quick. Simply picking the images you want and then resizing them to fit as you wish. I'd say it took less than 5 minutes from start to finish, including typing in shipping information and payment details.

I submitted my order on the 23rd November and got a shipping notice on the 26th November so the printing process was relatively fast. What took a little time was delivery, I finally received my order on the 4th December so it took around a week from when I received my dispatch email but I'd say that is a standard waiting time.

Mibo Pop Out Animal Books Review

Last year my girls and I had fun review The Polar Pack book from Mibo. This was a book that wasn't just a story, it included pop out animals to make, bringing the story to life. This particular book was part of an ongoing series which has continued to expand since. We were recently sent two more of these fantastic books to have a play with, The Marine Team and The Forest Folk.

The books are still the same. Lovely hardcover books with covers that double up as scenery for the animals you are able to create.

Silent Sunday

Merry Christmas 2015

Elf On The Shelf Round Up 4

It's Christmas Eve everybody!!! Are you ready? Well while you are waiting for the man in red to arrive why not check out my final Elf On The Shelf round up for 2015.

Day nineteen

Wonder what Buddy will be cooking?

Anisnap Watches Review

Time, it is something we can't avoid and something we learn about at quite a young age. I remember getting my first watch when I was about 6 years old and to be honest it didn't appeal to me, it had a plain red strap and a standard clock face, being a young girl it just didn't catch my eye. My seven year old has recently started learning about telling the time in school so it couldn't have been better timing (excuse the pun) when I was asked if I'd like to review Aniworld's Anisnap watches.

These watches are colourful and designed to be fun. Available in array of different animals including unicorns (which I want), frogs and monkeys, they are a very cute way of aiding your child's learning.

Holiday Traditions From Around The World

Christmas is a time for family and friends, a time to eat, drink and hopefully be merry and this is the same for most people around the world. We all have our own traditions within our families, whether that be certain foods eaten, books read by various family members or visiting a meaningful place, these traditions make our festive period what it is today.

Now that big man in red is known to all of us, I myself call him Father Christmas or Santa but he is called many different names depending on where in the world you live and I was actually surprised to discover that in other countries it might not just be Santa Claus who pays a visit.

The infographic below which Stay Sourced have kindly put together below shows an abundance of varying names for Santa, some you'll recognise, others may surprise you. And then there are the somewhat quirky visitors like the "poo log" in Cantalonia, I have to admit I laughed at that one.

My Top 5 Hair and Beauty Essentials

Ok I am in no way a beauty expert. I'm lucky to get put of the door in the mornings looking half presentable since becoming a mum but I do have some hair and beauty products that help me to look in some way decent so I thought I'd share my top five with you today.

All I Want For Christmas Is Stuff

Christmas is nearly here, just 4 days to go! Now family and friends are all sorted, I had all of their present bought and wrapped by the start of December however there is one person who hasn't got anything, that's right me! Seems when you turn into an adult writing a letter to santa isn't deemed appropriate and all that stuff that I want goes unheard of.

I know there isn't a lot of time left to buy presents but I thought I'd just put my wishlist out there in the hopes that the husband someone my see it. Because of course my birthday is in January so it could always be a gift for my 29 + 1.

Lets start with the blog. I'd really like to get more organised in 2016 so the Bloggers Planner would really come in handy. As would a lightbox to help in improving my photographs.

Silent Sunday

Project 365 2015 Week 51

Finally the kids have broken up from school ready for the Christmas holidays and the countdown is really on for when the man in red will arrive. Just think next time I pop up my project 365 update Christmas Day will have been and gone!

Day 346

A lovely sisterly moment.

Elf On The Shelf Round Up 3

Wow December is flying by!!! Time for yet another Elf On The Shelf round up for you all, has Buddy been good of has he been naughty?

Day twelve

A fun activity to do at the weekend.

Christmas Bark Recipe

I love chocolate and I love Christmas so what could be better than combining the two? This simple Christmas bark recipe I'm about to share with you can easily be adapted and changed to your own tastes.

A Festive Degustabox

The festive season has well and truely arrived and with it lots of wonderful Christmas treats. Degustabox have made their November box into a seaasonal treat, packed with all sorts of goodies that will definitely help instill some Christmas spirit into you.

So let us start with this months DB's Discoveries, this month it is the turn of Food Thoughts Cocoa Powder £2.35 : Fairtrade and organic, this cocoa powder is perfect for those cold winter nights, throw in a candy cane to stir with and you have yourself a lovely warming drink.

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast Book Review

I admit I was intrigued immediately just by the title of this book, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast. Written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Brendan Kearney, this book tells the tale of two foods who are both after the same thing….. maple syrup.

The race is on…

Positivity, Working Out and a Virtual Helping Hand

I mentioned a few weeks ago about how I was struggling with motivation when it comes to exercise and eating healthily now that the colder months are settling in. To be honest I was really stuck in a rut and was having trouble finding a way out of it. My positivity about working out had vanished to go knows where and lazyiness was taking hold, that was until I got a virtual helping hand.

Read With Me #49

Hello you lovely readers and welcome to this weeks Read With Me. I want to start off by saying that this will be the last one of 2015.

I have loved reading all of your posts this year and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone.

Both new and regular linkers, it has been a pleasure having you come back week after week.

I've found so many new books for both myself and my children to read.

However I am in need of a break.

So I have decided to take a couple of weeks off from blogging.

I do hope to be back with Read With Me in 2016.

But for now let me tell you my final favourite post of the year.

Silent Sunday

Project 365 2015 Week 50

Week 50 of this years project 365, how did that happen? Well the count down to Christmas is well underway and we've been very busy with various school things, including going to see our local pantomime at The Marlowe Theatre, which was fantastic.

Onto this weeks photos…

Day 339

Gracie lost her second tooth, so she'll be asking for those front teeth for Christmas.

A House Made Into A Home

On this day last year Justin and I finally became homeowners, really grown up stuff right there. The thing is at the time of moving in it was just a house, bricks and mortar.

Having lived in our previous home for 9 years I think I almost felt guilty at the thought of liking living somewhere else.

However the months have sped by, seriously where did 2015 go? And with each improvement the husband we've made, every mark the kids have already added to the walls and floors (thanks kids), this house has gradually transformed into our home, not just the place where we go to wash, eat and sleep in.

Scooter Tips and Tricks Guide

When I was a kid I'll admit I loved the idea of having bikes, scooters and roller skates. But in reality when my parents actually got around to buying them for me, I wasn't so enthusiastic about using them.

Half of that was to do with my low levels of confidence, I wasn't brave enough to just get on and do it, falling off over the handle bars of my bicycle really didn't help matters.

It was more embarassing that my younger brother could ride around on his scooter and perform simple tricks with ease whilst I continued to wobble along on my wheels, definitely not my forte.

Since having kids I think I've gained a certain amount of gusto, I'm happier to make a fool of myself, showing my children that it is ok to fall down, it is the getting back up that counts.

Halfords have created this guide below showing some brilliant tips and tricks, showcasing just how simple it can be when you know how, as well as helpful information on how to stay safe when using your scooter.

Elf On The Shelf 2015 Round Up 2

We're back with another Elf On The Shelf round up, what has Buddy been up to over the last week?

Day five

We thought Buddy had got lost but turns out he was keeping warm in the airing cupboard.

Boozy Christmas Mug Cake Recipe

I wrote a post last week about Christmas cakes gone wrong but this week I have one that went oh so right so I thought it was only fair to share the recipe with you.

My love of mug cakes is no secret. A quick and simple cake to make, one that you don't have to share and one that can be made in a variety of flavours, win, win, winning!

Getting Festive With Ben and Holly

You may have noticed that the Christmas countdown has begun and this hasn't been unnoticed by Ben and Holly either. Over on their site they have plenty of activities to get your children in the festive mood whilst providing some fabulous rainy day entertainment. There is even a competition to enter too.

We were kindly sent printouts of each of the activities available. These include Christmas cards, letters to Santa, festive dot to dot and cracker making.

Smart Egg Labyrinth Puzzle Review

Recently we were very lucky to be able to review the Disney Pictopia, well the lovely people at Esdevium were kind enough to send out another game for my girls and I to play with in exchange for letting you know what we thought about it. We eceived to of the Smart Egg Labyrinth Puzzle range to try out.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Book Review

I have to admit when I agreed to review the Legend of Sleepy Hollow I didn't realise that the book included other stories too so when the book arrived I was more than surprised by the size of it, 862 pages to be precise.

The Fitbelt Review and Giveaway

I'm sure you have realised by now that I love to exercise, especially running but one thing I have always struggled with when it comes to working out when away from home is being able to carry any of my belongings with me. I feel a bit lost having to leave my phone and keys at home due to lack of pocket space and that is where The Fitbelt comes in to help.

Read With Me #48

Hello you lovely readers. So the count down to Christmas has begun and the kids have been steadily unwrapping their book advent.

What I love about this idea is that it has given us a reason to all sit down and read together as a family.

Don't get me wrong, we all love a good book but the eldest two tend to take themselves off separately these days so it nice to get all of my girls together.

It helps with the festive atmosphere, cuddling up in front of the fire, reading by Christmas tree light.

Have any of you been doing a book advent?

What books have you read so far this month?

Now my favourite post last week happens to be a festive book.

Silent Sunday

Project 365 2015 Week 49

I can't believe we've reached December, I feel like a broken record but seriously how fast has this year gone by!

This is a busy month for me, not just because of Christmas but the school seem to want to squeeze so much in to a couple of weeks, I'm not the best at remembering things normally so making sure the kids attend nativities, discos etc is tough.

Enough of my waffle onto this weeks project 365 post…

Day 332

We got the decorations out and Gracie found the Christmas dressing up clothes.

Elf On The Shelf 2015 Round Up 1

For the past two years I have followed the Elf On The Shelf tradition for my children. It is so much fun watching their faces finding Buddy doing different things each day. This year is a little different for me because my eldest daughter has reached the point where she knows that Santa isn't real and has of course come to the realisation that the elf isn't quite as alive as initially thought. But this means she can help me this year.

So here we are with our first round up for this year…

Day one

Buddy came with gifts in the form of a book advent, they get to open up one each day in the lead up to Christmas

When Christmas Cake Goes Wrong...

I've always had the best intentions when it comes to baking. Infact I'll go as far to say that some of my ideas are quite good. However what is pictured in my head doesn't always come look the same in reality, this can definitely be said for my latest attempt, a Christmas cake.

In my head I envisioned a small cake that in the end would turn out to look like The Snowman. I bet there are loads of you thinking well that's easy, how could that possibly go wrong? One word, icing!

The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm Film Review

Have you heard of the classic book series starring the incredible Professor Branestawm? Well some clever people have put together a star studded film adaption of this well known tale.

It is available to buy on DVD and digital download now but last week my girls and I were given a sneaky viewing from the comfort of our own home.

Harry Hill stars as the incredible Professor Branestawn and he takes to the role exceedingly well, portraying a mad professor with ease, he entertains and really makes the film in my opinion.

Poor Professor Branestorm is rather absent minded and chaos sort of follows him and of course his inventions don't necessarily help in these situations.

Best Of LeapFrog - LeapReader Junior Edition

My third and final week of the "Best Of LeapFrog" choices. This week is the turn of the LeapReader Junior. The girls have already picked Frozen Reading for the LeapPad and Letter Writing for the LeapReader.

This weeks choices were as follows :

Mickeys ABC Friends

Thomas & Friends Best Friends

Disney Princess A Heart Full Of Love

A Pirates Twelve Days of Christmas Book Review

I thought it was quite appropriate to start off this month with a nice festive review. So the girls and I have been reading A Pirates Twelve Days of Christmas ready to share our thoughts on it with you all.

My Favourite Christmas Linky

I love Christmas, it is quite honestly my favourite time of the year despite all of the stress over money, buying presents etc. Because of this I have a gazzilion favourite moments from the festive season so I thought it would be a good idea to share some of those with you all via a set of questions I've compiled.