Pantomimes and Christmas Cheer #weeklyroundup

Hey there readers. End of another week, in fact it's the end of November, are you ready for the count down to Christmas? Almost all of my Christmas decorations are up, just the tree to go but I promised my eldest that I'd wait until after her birthday which happens to be today. I am now officially a parent to a fully grown teenager! I'm not quite sure how that happened, honestly doesn't seem that long ago when I was in the hospital giving birth to her.

It's been a week of birthday preparation. Wrapping presents, writing cards and attempts to make a llama cake as requested by my daughter. Look out for that picture later on in the post. It's actually the first year where my eldest has been relatively excited about her birthday, normally she isn't fussed by it and much prefers for me people to not make a big deal about it so it's been nice watching her counting down to the big day for a change. 

Read

The weather has been particularly awful with lots of cold winds and pouring rain, it's made me want to hibernate and not come out until Spring. This means it's been the perfect climate for snuggling up under a blanket to read a good book. . . . Shame I haven't had time to actually sit down and read one this week.

I did however get a big delivery of books ready for my mum to wrap up for me as her gift to me for Christmas. 

Now I may not have read books myself but my youngest daughter has been reading books to me every evening and yes a Christmas book or five may have found their way into the reading pile, no complaints from me.

Watched

The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix.

A Tipple for Christmas - The Summerton Club

When it comes to Christmas gifts for adults, I don't think you can go wrong with an alcoholic drink, I mean we all like a good tipple over the festive period don't we! And this is where The Summerton Club can help.

SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY A WHOLE NEW MASTERPIECE EACH MONTH

They invest their time sourcing unique and interesting aged brandies, rums, whiskies and so much more from all around the world. This means their members can sit back, relax and simply enjoy the drink when it arrives.

Mistletoe & Mystery by Daisy James Blog Tour

I genuinely feel so lucky that I get to review some wonderful books and even more grateful that I get the chance to read stories by authors I wouldn't necessarily have been aware of if I wasn't given these opportunities. Daisy James is one of those authors. Her Paradise Cookery School series caught my imagination and I've been not so patiently waiting for each new instalment and now she's back with Mistletoe and Mystery . . .

Fresh off the successful opening of the Paradise Cookery School in St Lucia, Millie Harper is headed to the Cotswolds for Christmas!

Co-presenting Claudia Croft’s famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor is a dream come true for Millie…as is reuniting with gorgeous estate manager Zach Barker.

But arriving in a winter wonderland Millie learns the manor is under a mysterious threat. It’ll take a holiday miracle, but Millie is determined to save the school and get Zach under the mistletoe to finally finish what they started in the Caribbean!

It's no secret that I have absolutely adored the previous two books in this series and if you haven't yet read Sunshine & Secrets or Confetti & Confusion, I highly recommend that you do that ASAP.

Read With Me 2018 #47

Hello and a big welcome to this weeks Read With Me. A massive thank you as always to everyone that continues to link up each week, it's always really appreciated!

This time of year has me thinking more about books as they are always something that I put on my Christmas wish list. I've requested a small nine novels just from my mum.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #47

Harry Potter Sorting Hat Review

Fan of Harry Potter? Ever considered what Hogwart's House you might belong to? Well now you have the ability to find out with the Harry Potter Sorting Hat.

This Animatronic Sorting Hat can tell you just what house you're in. The question being is it the house that you thought you were supposed to part of? 

Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or HufflePuff?

Mince Pies and Winter Warmers #weeklyroundup

Hello you lovely lot, how are we all this week? Well I hope. I feel like this time of year I don't have a lot of time to just sit and be. Even this weekly round up post seems rushed, like I don't have enough hours in the day to fit in writing it. Between myself and the kids, there seems to be things in the diary for almost every day of the week running up to Christmas. Not helped by the fact that I have children in both primary and secondary school.

I think this is partly why I am so organised, I think my mum was the same and I learned those skills quite well. Juggling various day to day activities and errands balanced with those surprise appointments and jobs that decide to pop up when you least expect them. I'm honestly shocked that I haven't managed to double book myself yet!

But despite the minutes and seconds ebbing away, I have put together a short round up for those of you that might be interested . . .

Read

After starting Kingdom of Ash last week (a big 980 pages long), I finally managed to complete it. Although that seemed bittersweet as it was the final instalment of the series, feeling like I might re-read them all quite soon.

I'm now part way through a new novel called Opposite of Always by Justin a. Reynolds, it won't be released officially until next April but I can already tell that it will be a book well worth buying, very funny indeed.

Stocking Up For Christmas with Wicked Uncle

As we near the second half of November, you can't deny that Christmas is coming. Now if you're like me, you'll already have most things bought and be rather organised for the occasion but I know I'm in the minority there. So if you the opposite and you've barely started and you are in need of some inspiration, I'm here to help, or rather Wicked Uncle is.

I was lucky enough to work with Wicked Uncle a couple of years ago and since then this is a company who have gone from strength to strength.They stock a wide range of toys that would be suitable for any occasion such including the all important Christmas. 

On their site you'll find everything is divided up into age and gender but they also make sure that you can search by interest too because we all know that girls and boys can play with whatever they like. And with new products added on a weekly basis in the run up to Christmas, there is something for everyone to be discovered.

White Feather by Catherine & David MacPhail November Book of the Month

I've had the privilege this year of reviewing a couple of wonderful books which take inspiration from the world war and now with the Armistice Centenary getting ever closer, I have been given the opportunity to read another poignant tale, White Feather by Catherine & David MacPhail. But this is a WW1 story with a difference.

The First World War is over, but for Tony there is little to celebrate. His brother never returned from no man's land. To make it worse, Charlie died not as a hero but was executed as a coward. Grief-stricken Tony refuses to believe that his brother was a traitor, and he is pushed to the edge in his dark quest to uncover the horrifying truth.

Now I mentioned at the beginning of my post that this was a World War 1 story that wasn't quite the same as ones you've probably read previously.

Spirit Riding Free – Spirit and Lucky Deluxe Feeding Set Toy Review

My children have been a fan of horses and horse riding for quite sometime. Well ever since my lovely friend kindly let us spend the day at her yard and now my lot got up there quite regularly helping with various things in exchange for horse riding lessons. To be honest I love it as it gets them outside and away from technological items. And really it came as no surprise to me when my youngest two became obsessed with the Dreamworks animation series Spirit Riding Free, thank you Netflix!

Now of course with any good TV show comes some very entertaining merchandise and this is definitely the case with Spirit. So when I was asked if I would like to review the Spirit Riding Free – Spirit and Lucky Deluxe Feeding Set Toy I just knew that it had to be a yes. Funnily enough some of the other toys in the range were already on my eight year old's Christmas wish list, I don't think she was aware of this particular one though.

Read With Me 2018 #46

Hello everybody and welcome to this weeks Read With Me linky. A big thank you as always to everyone that chose to link up last week.

Before I get to the linky this week I wanted to give a mention to Christmas Good Toy Guide from the lovely people at Fundamentally Children.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #46

Comedies and Festive Spirit #weeklyroundup

This will only be a short post this week, not because I don't have a lot to say ( I always have a lot to say) but because I completely ran out of time to actually write the weekly round up. It's funny how I manage to get so busy this time of year, lots of outings, things on the calendar and even when I think I'm being really organised, I drop the ball with something.

But I do think it's time to now mention the word Christmas.

Who's prepared? Who hasn't even begun to think about buying presents, let alone wrapping any of them?

I'm going to be a little bit smug now and say that I am almost finished. I've bought all of my presents and wrapped most of them too. I have ordered my Christmas meats and I even done my mum's Christmas shopping too, she now only has two people left to buy gifts for. Like I said, I really do like to be organised.

But onto my #weeklyroundup

Read

Finally I got around to ordering my copy of the last instalment in Sarah J Maas's Throne of Glass series, Kingdom of Ash. At a massive 980 pages long I'll admit that I haven't been able to finish it yet as I only began reading in Monday evening but I'm already over 300 pages in, it's as good as the other books and honestly I'm not quite ready for this series to end.

Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie - Toy Review

To people that know my youngest daughter, it's no secret that she is a real fan of Star Wars. Some people seemed shocked by this, in fact it was the optician the other week when she chose her first pair of glasses, he thought she was joking when she said she'd chose Star Wars and not Disney Princess. Her favourite character is Chewie (Chewbacca), she has her trusty Build-a-Bear version that goes everywhere with her. So I knew when I agreed to my latest toy review that in the moment of delivery, I'd be the 'best mum ever'.

Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie is one of the latest interactive plush toys from Hasbro. It coincides well with the DVD release of the latest Star Wars film, Solo because as you'll know, Chewie is Han Solo's loyal friend and co-pilot. 

Dreaming of Christmas by T.A. Williams Blog Tour

It may only be the middle of November but if you are anything like me then you will have been thinking about Christmas for a while. I'll admit to watching my first festive film of the year way back in September. Now the other way to inject yourself with some of xmas spirit is to read something with at least a hint of that magical time of year and T.A. Williams latest novel Dreaming of Christmas does just that.

It’s the dream Christmas: snow, mountains… and, er, an ex-boyfriend. But can Zoe still find love in the Alps?

Dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend, it's been a rough year for Zoe Lumsley. But then she gets an invitation she can’t refuse: an all expenses paid skiing holiday with old university friends.

The bad news: her ex, Grant, will be there with his new girlfriend. But so will her former flatmate Billy, the organiser, and in the meantime he’s done rather well for himself. As Christmas in the Alps approaches, it'll be great to see the old gang. Some more than others...

Prepare yourself for a the perfect Christmas getaway ...

Poopsie Surprise Unicorn Toy Review

There's two things that have been extremely popular with my children this year, unicorns and slime. So of course when I was asked if I would like to review the new Poopsie Unicorn Surprise toy, well I knew I'd be a popular mum in that moment. The question being would this combination work?

These oh so cute unicorns magically poop slime with Poopsie Unicorn Slime Surprise. With a little unicorn magic and sparkle, you can customise unicorn poop and transform it multiple times. There are ten surprises included as you begin to unwrap your toy to discover which unicorn you have. And the question is, can you find the ultra-rare Unicorn Sparkle?

Watch this majestic unicorn magically poop slime with Poopsie Unicorn Slime Surprise. 

Read With Me 2018 #45

Hello there everyone and welcome to this weeks Read With Me post. How are we all? Have you made a start on the festive themed books yet?

I actually had a Christmas book to review last week. You can see my post for The Man in Red for some xmas spirit.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #45

I took this photograph about two weeks ago because I honestly couldn't believe just how green the trees still were at this time of year as the days get colder and darker. 

Haircuts, Heating and Birthday Preparations #weeklyroundup

With November in full swing and Bonfire night done and dusted, it's time for me to start thinking about other events. Of course Christmas is at the front of my mind but before that I have birthday preparations. My eldest daughter will be turning thirteen at the end of this month, I'm not entirely sure how that's possible seen as it doesn't feel like five minutes ago that I was actually giving birth to her!

I've already bought and wrapped the majority of her presents because this year she's requested some presents and some money which I get as she likes to pick out her own things nowadays. And now it's on to thinking about her birthday cake because this year she's requested a cake in the shape of a llama, nothing too difficult, starts scrolling through Pinterest for ideas.

What has also turned up is the wetter weather and the colder temperatures and I'll admit, I finally gave in this week and put the heating on. The extra jumpers and blankets just weren't doing the trick anymore.

But now for what you've really come to read, my #weeklyroundup

Read

My reading has slowed down a little with kids being back at school, me being back at work and the reading and homework slowly starting to build again. But I did manage to read a couple of books. 

One was from Netgalley, called The Stranger Diaries. This would have been perfect for people to read over Halloween but I'm sure it will still manage to come across as a tad spooky even now. 

Baby Annabell My Special Day - Toy Review

I remember when I was a little girl that I adored all sorts of baby dolls. I had a gorgeous red pram (it's 30 years old now!) and new babies were always on my list of wants when it came to Christmas and birthday time. Now unfortunately for me, I was never lucky enough to receive a Baby Annabell doll, I was little too old when she was first released so it's hard to believe that Baby Annabell is celebrating her 20th anniversary this year!

And of course she's celebrating in style, with the release of the 'My Special Day' doll and my youngest two girls were thrilled to receive one of their own. This is a limited edition doll and she is all ready to celebrate in her new party dress and added accessories.

Man in Red by Tom Sundercombe Book Review

If you are a regular visitor to my blog then you'll know just how much I love Christmas and everything related to that festive period, even better when my other favourite thing is involved, which of course is books. So when I was asked to review Tom Sundercombe's latest picture book release, Man in Red, well, there was no way I could turn down an opportunity like that!

Once upon a midnight dreary . . .  A magical tale is born. Find out more about this mysterious Man in Red . . .

This is wonderfully light-hearted tale that makes us see Santa in a different way. I mean we all thought he was a man that was good but one little girl seems to have other ideas.

Read With Me 2018 #44

Hello everyone and welcome to this weeks Read With Me, the first one in November. I actually prefer this time of year, getting cosy underneath a blanket with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. 

Where's your favourite place to read?

This week I wanted to show you a couple of books I was recently sent in the post. The Biographic series is a great set of books, looking at the lives of some of the world's greatest thinkers and creatives.

My Sunday Photo 2018 #44

Win a Lego Advent Calendar - Competition

My girls are huge Lego fans. They've gone through many stages, starting with the bigger Duplo blocks and gradually moving on to all of the different themed sets. A big favourite for them is Lego Friends, my youngest is a huge Star Wars fan so she's rather keen to collect more of them and then of course there's the recent Harry Potter releases. Christmas is coming up and my eldest has unsurprisingly written this on her wish list.

Talking of Christmas, have you ever purchased one of the Lego Advent calendars? We had one a couple of years back and the pieces that you attain each day are really good. The kids still use them amongst all of their other sets and I've been known to use the Lego Christmas tree as part of my decorations during the festive period. 

Now the guys over at Gratisfaction are currently running a competition where you could win one of 50 Lego Advent calendars. All you need to do is sign up to the Gratisfaction UK newsletter and you will be in with a chance of winning!

Oregon Scientific - SmartGlobe Myth AR - Review

I'll admit, when I was younger I was never that bothered about the subject of Geography, the information just didn't seem to stand out enough to get me excited enough to want to learn more. Now my children seem to be the complete opposite to me. Much more like their father, into both geography and history, eager to absorb as much information as possible. So when I was asked if I'd like to review the latest SmartGlobe from Oregon Scientific I just knew my children would be thrilled.

The SmartGlobe Myth cleverly brings together earth, space and myth, creating a truly one of a kind experience for children of all ages.

A big plus for me as a parent is that it comes completely ready to use straight out of the box. Nothing to put together and the batteries are included so the fun can begin as soon as the globe is taken out of the box. It also comes with an instruction manual and a USB cable, the only thing that you have to buy separately is a plug if you'd prefer to have the globe plugged into the mains rather than using batteries.

*AR 3D Interaction *Stories and Earth Facts *Starry Night Light

The SmartGlobe is aimed at children aged 5+ and is totally multi-purpose. It comes pre-programmed with an abundance of entertainment:

Darker Days and Cosier Nights #weeklyroundup

Hello November. Every year I say the same but the days seem to pass so much faster with each month that goes by. I've got less than 30 days and my eldest will be stepping into her teenage years, I mean seriously, I'm so not ready for that moment to come round!

But let's just not talk about that yet.

How about those darker days? Did the clock change go well for anyone? I don't want to boast but my kids have never been effected by it, whether they've gone back or forwards my girls have always slept the same. They take after their mum, utterly lazy.

I welcome the clock change in October as I'll admit I love the fact that it gets darker sooner. I look forward to closing the curtains, lighting the candles and putting the fire on, the nights are so much cosier. Although it does make me wish away my weeks as I long for the weekends to just be curled up under a blanket.

And on that note here is my #weeklyroundup . . .

Read

My reading mojo made an appearance in the last fortnight. After my friend lent me a massive pile of books, I felt obliged to read them sooner rather than later and I went back to how I used to read. Picking up a book and not putting it down until I'd finished it, this meant late nights and waking up feeling more tired than usual but I regret nothing.

There's no better feeling than getting lost in a good book.

Some of the titles I read include: The Secret Wife by Linda Kavanagh, The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar, Sister Sister by Sue Fortin and Mistletoe and Mystery by Daisy James (look out for a review at the end of the month.

Watched

Hands up who has started watch The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix? I just couldn't resist however I did stop the urge to binge watch and I instead watched one episode a day. To be honest I don't think I could have viewed more than that at one time because every episode is roughly an hour long.

First Act Discovery Ukulele - Review and GIveaway

When I was younger my musical talents didn't manage to stretch further than twinkle twinkle little star on the keyboard and an ok version of three blind mice on the recorder. It's not that I don't like music, I love listening to other people play their instruments, I just wasn't blessed with the musical genes. My little brother on the other hand is actually quite good, he plays the bass guitar in his own band and is quite the dab hand with his ukulele. 

Now my kids all adore their uncle and all look up to him in a their own way and when I was asked if I'd like to review the First Act Discovery Ukulele, it was my eight year old who jumped for joy and proclaimed that her Uncle Alec could teach her how to play. And if that wasn't enough, it turns out that her teacher is also a really talented ukulele player and she recently bought in her instrument to school to demonstrate just how fun it is to make songs with.

The First Act Ukulele isn't a 'toy' instrument, it is the real thing. It comes complete with: