Book Review: The Maloney's Magical Weatherbox.

Where you one of those kids who liked to write short stories?  So was Nigel Quinlan, as a teenager he used to mind his parents' petrol pumps, one day he decided to write a short story about ..... a phone box.  But not any old phonebox  - the one halfway down his street, next to the Post Office in his little village of Murroe in the Irish south-west.   As he grew up he worked in libraries and bookshops but his love of writing never went away, creating stories for local festivals and acts with the local drama group.   But his short story idea never went away and has now become his first novel The Maloney's Magical Weatherbox.

Moving House: Involving your children before the move

My boys are really looking forward to moving house, probably because it's to a familiar location (road we used to live on) and closer to their schools so aside from a new house nothing else will really change for them.  We've involved them along the way, making no secret of the fact we are looking for a new house and for Noah (4 years old) he's even been able to come along on viewings with us.  However it can be stressful and distressing if children are leaving their friends, schools or a home that they've always known (we've only lived here 18 months), it's a great idea to ease them in gently and keep them involved before the move.

A lot of the moving tips below are useful whether moving small distances like 2 miles up the road or longer ones, such as trekking across oceans.
  Hope they help.

The Ideal Home Show (Manchester)

60's poster

It's not often an opportunity pops into my inbox and makes me eeek and rush to my manager asking for the day off (yes I have to work a real full time job and blog on the sidelines).... even more rare is for her to say "yes".... so now I can tell you the exciting news (if you've not guessed from the title of the post) .... I'm off to the Ideal Home Show in Manchester on 4th June.
 And it couldn't have come at a better time as by then I'll either be living in a new house or in a cardboard box on the street corner (depending when the contracts are completed) and will need some inspiration for making the property into our home.

1983 poster

Technically the show has been going since 1908 (formally called the Ideal Home Exhibition) based at Olympia in London.   It's always been the leader when it comes to showcasing new inventions or home improvements - the toaster and electric kettle (1920), the microwave (1947) and the electric grass mower (1970). The show has also been at the forefront of environmental concerns, unveiling the first 'energy efficient kitchen' in 1989 and in 1997 a rainforest was created and visitors could experience a tropical downpour every hour from the shelter of a tree house.    Despite changing ownership from the Daily Mail to Media 10 in 2008 it has continued to bring in the crowds.

May: life update

EEKK moving day is getting closer..... well ok eviction day is getting closer and we are still waiting for confirmation the keys to the new house will be ready.

I'm now heading into panic mode as I have not organised any transfer of utilities or paperwork due to the above hanging uncertainties and no doubt we will be stuck with no virgin media for weeks and random gas/ electricity suppliers for a while,  due to having to arrange it at the last minute.

I KNEW this would happen - so much for my great organisational skills!  And the worst thing - I'm not in control and hubby doesn't care!

I'm really sorry to anyone I'm boring with talk of moving and packing and stressing, normal service will be resumed just as soon as it's stopped taking over my life.  I've a few reviews coming up for you over the next couple of weeks and really excited to be invited to Marco's restaurant in Sheffield on Sunday to sample their menu.  Marco Pierre White is right up there with blokes who scare me but I can't help looking up to and although he won't be there :( I have been told some fantastic thinks about his restaurant.  I've also been invited to The Ideal Home Show and having to work on my manager to give me the day off work.

Top Tip for Moving #3: Label your cables

This is a fab tip from the team at Big Yellow Storage Company that is soo simple ..........

Top Tip for Moving #2: Load the tape gun correctly

Hubby (being the man) decided it was his job to load the tape gun for sealing the moving boxes.  Of course instructions were not required, this was a simple gadget and easy peesy to load....... so why did it not appear to work very smoothly?  The tape literally stuck to the rollers and surly not how this was supposed to put together.

Microwave "Jaffa Cake" Cake

Last weekend we decided it was time for baking,.. but what.  Then inspiration hit, how about a hugeee Jaffa Cake.  So I set about seeing how other people did it.

But then I remembered I don't 'do' baking (because my oven hates cakes).  So I set about thinking ... I am positive this can be done in the microwave.

Here's how we did it (over 2 days).

Top Tip for Moving #1: Eat a good breakfast

Whether it's the day of the move or just a day of packing everything in sight it's a great idea to start with a good breakfast..... hey who am I kidding - any day is a good day to start with a full cooked breakfast.

Moving: Big Yellow Self Storage

I have to say the biggest thank you to these guys for assisting with my house move.  As we all know one of the perils of packing is ....... well ..... packing.  What boxes do you use?  How full do you fill them?  How many will you need? 
    And the ultimate test ........ will they withstand the move?!

Last time we moved we didn't exactly 'pack' we more threw things in anything we had available.  Noah was little and still in Nappies so the majority of our possessions were packed in Pampers/ Huggies boxes.  Which were really strong - but small.  They were great for moving smaller items like those cables you never use or books or socks but not really great for anything larger.  How did we overcome this?  We brought more boxes .... but not cardboard ones as hubby decided if we got lots of plastic ones we can put our stuff in them then re-use them at the new house.  Except  for one little flaw - the boxes almost all got damaged, either because they were overfull or due to being dropped/ bashed.

Moving House: Changing your address

So much to do...... so little time.....

  ....... I've made mine into a word document with my supplier and the cancellation/ change of address method that I need to use.

But I thought I'd post a basic list here........ Have I missed anything??

Last time we moved I was so busy I didn't get round to changing any addresses.  Fortunately I subscribed to the Royal Mail redirection service (fees apply).  Unfortunately for me this was rubbish and I know of at least 15 items (I know of) that they delivered to our old property that I was managed to get back.

Moving House: A quick guide.

So technically we are going to be renting again but with the really weird twist that we've been involved with the buying side of moving house too.

It's stressful but in a completely different way, I have no control over anything.  I cannot go and shout at someone when they take too long completing paperwork, I am entirely at the mercy of our friends solicitors.

Family and Friends Railcard

We love our Family and Friends Railcard, for just £30 a month you can save ££ when travelling with a child by train.

The card is designed so that up to 4 adults and 4 children (5-15) can save money, 1/3 off an adults ticket and 60% off kids - not just on the day but booking in advance too.
The savings really add up.... for example:

If me the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 children were to go to Legoland in Manchester today the return tickets would cost £54.90.  This is reduced to £31.20 with a railcard (saving: £23.70 .... that's the card almost paid for in one go).

Now assume next month we were going to Alton Towers and staying over night.  The return tickets (if booked today) would cost Uttoxter would cost £81.60, this is taken down to £46.20 with a railcard.  (saving: £35,40)

Feeling flush we may decide to go to Chessington in the summer holiday (hey I can dream). Booking in advance, including underground trains,  we are looking at £243.90 (EEEEKKKKK) we can take this down to £138.20 using a railcard  - A saving of £105.70.  

In 3 trips this £30 card has saved us £164.80!!!

Lush: May Day

This bath bomb is so cute, resembling a badger, it also smells amazing ..... just like sherbet lemons.  And if there's one thing you know about me I'm one for re-living my childhood through sights and smells.   In addition to this though for every one of these fruity, sweet-smelling bath bombs that's sold, all the proceeds (minus the VAT) will go towards the groups behind the Votes For Animals campaign giving animals a voice this election: Animal Aid, The League Against Cruel Sports, and Save Me.   So you can relax knowing you are supporting a great cause with your purchase.

Book Review: Monsters Love Underpants by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort

We're a big fan of underpants in this house, so you can imagine the response I got when I asked the boys if they would like to review the new title in the 'underpants' series for Simon and Schuster.

Monsters Love Underpants is the seventh collaboration from Claire Freedman and Ben Cort who have already drawn us into worlds where aliens, dinosaurs, pirates and even Santa Claus expose their pant-loving antics.

This paperback edition features a QR code which takes you to a free online audio reading of the book by Mel Giedroyc.


I love this trailer for the book.

Ben, 6, is eager to help with the schools blog when he's old enough and often comes and sits with me to help me write some of the book posts, so he stepped in to help tell you all about the book.............

Moving House: Decluttering

Whilst packing for our house move I'm having a massive Declutter session. This is resulting in boxes of packing and (almost as many boxes) of things to sell. In fact I've probably got enough for a car boot sale.... if only I have a car with a boot to be able to do it with! I remember when I was little we used to live on a really busy road and me and my sister would spend Sunday afternoons with a table in the front garden selling our old toys, gone are those days. For 1) it is probably now illegal (most things are) and b) I live on a side road with my kids so it's not got as much 'traffic' as other roads. To this end I am left with only one other option turn to the Internet.

I've currently got my 'clutter' listed on Sheffield Forum and Preloved - with some items on ebay. I hate ebay it takes so much in fees but sometimes you need items gone (a bed) and you have to take the last resort hit.  I also use Gumtree but won't pay to boost my listing after so many days which means I spend time copying and pasting it onto another advert to re-list.

I have hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of kids books to sell. I am so reluctant to give these to a charity shop after the way I have seen some of them deal with 'leftover' books.  I'd really prefer them to go to a home that will love them as much as we do.  Biggest problem is ...... I really don't want to have to post them.  Not only does Paypal take a % of the selling fee but then you have the post office to queue up at, the materials to post, and ........ well you may as well have given them away.

Anyone got any great hints or tips?

Coping with our kids ..... job description

Having a clear out of some of the stuff I was given when Ben was born (6 years ago).... thought you'd enjoy this........

WANTED:
A responsible person, male or female, to undertake a life long project.

Candidates should be totally committed , willing to work up to 24 hours daily, including weekends during the initial 16 year period.

Occasional holidays possible, but may be cancelled at no notice.

Knowledge of health care, nutrition, psychology, child development, health and management in the educational system essential.

Necessary Qualities:

energy, tolerance, negotiation, problem solving, communication, listening, budgeting, time management, decision making, boundary setting, prioritising, providing loving support, patience, good self-esteem, self confidence and a sense of humour.

No training or experience needed, no salary, but very rewarding for the right person.

Moving House: Let the saga begin again.....

Long standing readers of my blog will remember back in 2013 when we were forced out of our old rental house and had to move to a new one (no?  read about it here).    In the last 18 months we have taken the shell from a run down house (with mould on the walls and ripped wallpaper) to somewhere we love to call our home.  3 months ago we finally finished (with the landlords permission) decorating the kids bedroom.... just for (a month later) a letter to hit our doorstep ....... the landlord was selling our house and we were to move out at the end of our tenancy (May).

Upcoming films we want to see

We've been to see quite a lot of kids films recently thanks to Sun Perks and Odeon's Kids AM showings.  Unfortunately this has the drawback of us seeing loads of trailers for films we really want to see and hoping there will be some Preview tickets released that we can get our hands on.

Here's our top 4 new releases coming up......

Bradfield: Damflask Reservoir walk

Saturday was another lovely sunny day and once again ideas for places to go were not coming to mind easily.  I'm more than happy with walking  but everywhere I found that I fancied took between 1 and 2.5h to get to on public transport (I hate not having a car sometimes).  Then Bradfield came to mind.  It's only half an hour up the road and not a place we've ever really been exploring at, we've had a quick walk one wet day and been to the pub for tea when we first moved up..... oh and we've  been round it on the bus when we went to Our Cow Molly Farm last year.  But making a day of it, never.

So I got to googling and there are loads and loads of different walks to printout and follow.  I choose the circular walk around Damflask Reservoir as at 3.8 miles it was about right for the boys to either stop for a rest half way or go all the way around in one go.   Another picnic packed and I told the boys we were off on a Famous Five adventure (that's really what it felt like) and even nipped to Morrisons for some Ginger Beer :)

Made in Sheffield: Ecclesall Woods and the Abbeydale Miniature Railway

Last Sunday was lovely and sunny so we packed a picnic and headed to the south west of the city.  The boys were pretty excited as it was our first visit to the Abbeydale Miniature Railway, something I had heard people mention but never actually got to ourselves.

We packed a picnic and headed out to catch the bus.  From the bus stop you'd never know the railway was there (well apart from the yellow sign) as it's headed inside Ecclesall Woods, another area that in almost 10 years of living in Sheffield we had never been too.

The woods themselves are beautiful, covering 140 hectares, like other woodland in Sheffield there is plenty of Wildlife as well as archaeological features.   There are over 15km of pathways, which we found out are also bridleways.  If you visit the council website  there are a selection of walks you can
download to avoid getting lost, these include an 'easy going' walks.  There is also a self-guided "Ecclesall Woods Archaeology Trail" leaflet which we are looking forward to doing at some point.  Unfortunately on this occasion the husband was with us and isn't really one for exploring for too long so we didn't get much time to actually explore the woods ... watch out for a follow up post :)

In My House by Alex Hourston

I have to make an apology in advance, I love being able to read or use an item before telling you about it but life has caught me on the hop a bit recently, combine that with having just started a new book when this landed on my doormat and you may see why I've not got round to reading this pre-released copy of Alex Hourston's 'In My House' yet.   However I hate to delay any review by more then 2 weeks, and always aim to get something up before a book is released, so what I'll do is to tell you all about this book and then pop back with my verdict  on it just as soon as I have managed to open the cover and enjoy the story.   My aim is for this to happen before its official release on 21st May 2015, Sorry!

If you've get hold of the book when it's released I'd love you to share your opinions.

From the description given it sounds just like my sort of book, I love a good mystery and tales of suspense which is why I was eager to get my hands on a copy.  Fairy tale happy endings and predictability, whilst having their place, are nothing compared to a book that makes you think and question your own ideas.  I can't wait to get started, in fact I flicked through it to get an idea of what the writing style was like and had to stop myself from reading too much in the last few chapters so as not to spoil the ending..

Capturing precious moments with CanvasPop

I take so many photos of the boys and recently started having professional ones taken, the only

trouble is my husband takes so long to put them up that the boys have changed considerably by the time it's hung.  For this reason I've always avoided canvas prints.    Don't get me wrong though I absolutely love them.  When I left my final teaching placement the children, under teacher supervision, made me 2 gorgeous canvas' (one patterned one hand prints) that hung in my room until they sadly got damaged in a house move a few years ago :(

I may have got a little too excited when, last week, CanvasPop approached me and asked if I would like to try their service (for free).  It didn't take me long to reply to them (and check they did actually mean lil' old me!).... then I had to find a great photo.

I don't know about you but it's becoming increasingly more difficult to get my 2 boys in the same photo, and when I do to get them both with happy faces and not one looking like he is being strangled or wants to be somewhere else.
  I was stuck, I didn't want to go too far back (they change so much), I looked back over the last few months and really surprised myself at just how few pictures I do have of them both together (and how bad some of my photo's really are). I did manage to find one, after deliberation over whether I really loved it and seeking friends approval (this was not a decision to be taken lightly) I sent off my photo.

Flowers from Tesco

I don't get flowers very often :(  usually Valentine's day and sometimes my birthday but more often than not it's only when my husband had done something very very bad and thinks that's the way to make it up.  Honestly my kids buy me flowers more (usually with my money lol).  So when Tesco sent me a £5 voucher to try their selection I couldn't think of a more deserving person to treat.

My local Tescos has a great range so I was spoilt for choice, from beautiful seasonal bouquets to hand-tied finest* designs their flowers are sourced from British and international growers.  Whether it's seasonal favourites like daffodils, sunflower or lillies to more premium exotic ranges from Holland, Kenya or Colombia there's sure to be something for you to fall in love with in all the colours of the rainbow.  They also offer a freshness guarantee which varies depending on which bloom you choose (up to 14 days on some).  

I choose a glorious bunch of lillies and roses which offered a 7 day guarantee. I must admit with some of the buds already open, and the sell by date very short (had I bought on the 9th of March they'd not have survived the 7 days), I was dubious about this claim.

I took them home, cut the bottoms of the stems to freshen them up and added the sachet of food to the water in my vase before arranging them.

Lush: 29 (High Street) Gift Box

I've not got one exciting Lush product to tell you about this week but the whole 29 (High Street) gift

box.  I was ever so lucky to have won this set recently from the Sheffield High Street store, you may have noticed some of the products creeping onto the blog on my #ThankLushItsFriday posts but here's the whole box in all it's glory.  at £119.95 it's a lot of money to spend in one go but if you love all the 24 products in it then it makes a perfect birthday gift or to treat yourself.
The products themselves come to around £88 when bought separately but you do get more of some of the items then you can buy in store, 3 exclusive products and a beautiful box that you can refill time and time again.

The gift box was designed by MinaLima with vintage luggage in mind and is a journey through Lush's history, they have even names it after their first shop: 29 High Street, Poole! Inside it's full of all time favourites, some classics, exclusive surprises and new innovations.

  

  

The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr Benn - Spaceman

I'm a 90's girl (born in the early 80's) so Mr Benn was a big part of my childhood TV ... and as such he is one I've been able to get on DVD for my children to enjoy just as much as I did.

The story was very simple and followed the life of Mr Benn, an ordinary fellow living an ordinary life in an ordinary house - at Number 52, Festive Road.
Mr Benn's life though is far from boring, he'll be off on a walk and suddenly begin to wonder what life could be like in the past as a red knight, a hunter, a Gladiator or a caveman.  Perhaps he wants to explore other places as a cowboy, a pirate,on a magic carpet or (in this book) a spaceman.

You simply cannot watch children all the time

We've recently been a victim of a crime, the only problem is it was our 3 year old (possibly aided and abetted by his 6 year old brother).

Let me start by saying Noah is a smart arse.  I'm not blowing my own trumpet here but this is a 3 year old who can not only read, recognise and 1:1 match his number 1 - 1000 (yes he can count this high) but has also started to read simple words.  He is far too bright for a 3yr old and it's come back to whack a hole in our pocket.

Before any of the haters start my boys do not spend all their time unsupervised in front of technology but sometime sitting them in front of the TV for an hour while you do the housework or have a shower is a very important part of parenting.

Lush T-Shirts

How many times have you been to a networking event and wished you had a custom designed T-shirt to advertise who you are?  Well it's almost as if Lush T-Shirts have read your mind.

Lush: Bunch of Carrots - Bubble Bars

Happy Easter.  Last week I brought you Fluffy Egg, part of Lush's Easter range, well this week we all tried out the Bunch of Carrots (or rather 1 of them).

Our #budgetholiday ......... Keswick

Gosh my holiday seems so long ago now but I just remembered I barley made a dent in telling you all about it.

So Saturday, when we went to Grasmere  we also took a trip to Keswick to visit another place I remembered visiting with my mum ... The Pencil Museum.

The museum is home to the worlds first pencil, the longest coloured pencil, a giant, an escape artist’s
pencil and much more.  The museum explores, as you would expect the history of pencils and in particular the famous Derwent pencils.  Hubby really likes history so the displays were right up his alley whilst me and the boys completed an activity form (with our free Derwent Pencils).  They enjoyed playing the games they found and exploring all the different types of pencils including watercolours.  They requested some in the shop but the cheapest ones in store were around £20 and therefore a little out our price range!

Shoutykid 2 by Simon Mayle

Last year Harry Riddles made his debut in Shoutykid 1 - How Harry Riddles Made a MEGA-amazing Zombie Movie.  If you didn't read it yet my review is here.  Ben loved it from beginning to end. So when I was asked if we would like to review the 2nd title in the series (out March 26th) the decision wasn't a tricky one.

Shoutykid 2 - How Harry Riddles mega-massively broke the school, Harry has far bigger concerns than fighting Zombies (even tho he is "the BEST gamer World of Zombies has ever seen") and the cyber-bullies his dad wants him to take up.... Sport!!!   Harry's dad manages to persuade him to join the school football team, but unfortunately they aren't very good.  This leads Harry to write to some stars of the football world like Sir Alex Ferguson

Mavala nail varnish

Finally got round to painting my nails with the pastel colours from my Mavala 'delicious' set I won  along with some Clipper Tea last month.

Lush: Fluffy Egg

I am a sucker for pink products and Fluffy Egg is pretty pink egg shape topped with a flower that has been part of the Lush Easter range for many years now.  When you couple it with it's lovely sweet smell it had to go in my basket.  Of course one the boys saw it and found out it smelt of  bubblegum (Lush say candy floss but we all think it smells more like bubblegum) they had to have one too.

50 books that every child should read by 16

At the beginning of the month, to celebrate World Book Day, a survey of 2,000 readers by Sainsbury's found that the classic books parents grew up with are popular choices to read to their own kids.  It's certainly true in this house with Magic Faraway Tree, Famous Five, Flat Stanley and Roald Dahl tales already hitting our read pile before Ben is even 7 years old.

Something that really shocks me - where are the Mr Men, Thomas the Tank Engine or Topsy and Tim books?  I lived on Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Kids/ Twins/ High/ University books and Naughtiest Girl in the school series shame none of them have hit the top 50.  What favourites did you have that are missing from the list?

How many have you read or are planning on reading with your children?  

I have taken the list and rearranged it but if you want to see the original order it's here.

Make it Monday: Pasta recipies

I was never a fan of pasta, wouldn't touch it.  That was until a couple of years ago when the meal hubby was having smelt soo good that I tried a bit and soon polished off the rest that was left in the kitchen.

The boys go through fads, currently Noah loves pasta (depending on what phase the moon is in and whether he has woken up on the correct side of bed) and Ben hates it.... that was until we were asked to try Tesco Finest pasta.  I'm not sure it was the flavour that converted the boys or the really cool shapes it comes in.

To me pasta is pasta, and when on a budget you eat as cheaply as possibly so we always go for the 30p value packs, Tesco finest comes in at £1.70 a pack, after this trial tho the taste is completely different and I am very tempted to make the switch permanently.

The Gruffalo Experience, Meadowhall

We really love the Gruffalo in this house, whether it be the book  or going through the woods (Sherwood Pines or Thorndon) on a Gruffalo Hunt.  So imagine how excited I was when I found out that Unit 10 Eventive and Magic Light Pictures were bringing him to Meadowhall in a world premier of the Gruffalo Experience.

Lush: Bubblegrub

Today's #ThankLushItsFriday is another from the Mothers Day Range - however in my eyes, being based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar books, it's aimed at children (well they deserve a treat, they don't get to choose their mummies!).  My 2 boys are self-confessed Lush addicts.  We cannot walk past a shop without the request of "can we go in Lush?"   They openly flirt with the staff and lay on the innocent smiles enjoying the fun of trying new bombs in the waters or smelling as many products as possible,  And the Lush staff are always on hand on fill their days with colourful bubbly excitement, needless to say we never leave empty handed and never have an argument when I say those immortal words "bath time".

So today's post is over to them as they tell and show you about Bubblegrub in their own little way.........

Dreamworks: Home

I neeed a pet Boov .... well I need one in particular ... let me introduce you to 'Oh' a simply ohh too cute little Boov

Sorry, I may be jumping ahead of myself - a Boov is a species of alien race who can not only control gravity but also change colour depending on their mood (wouldn't life be so much easier if your child turned green when they were lying or yellow when they were scared).  They feature in the new Dreamwork's animation 'Home' which is released this month.

Swizzels Matlow .... helping to make #sweetmemories since 1928

Ok so I'm not THAT old (no offence to anyone who is), but I have grown up with Swizzels Matlow
sweets and now my children are growing up with them too. So they may not be growing up with all the range I used to have but the old favourites still remain like drumsticks and love hearts alongside exciting new ranges like squashies.

It's great being a mum as you get to experience so many adventures and experiences with your kids, each one a memory that will remain, but memories are almost always attached to something else - a smell, a colour or even a sweet can take you back to a time and place that you might have forgotten about.

World Book Day 2015

After last years bad mum experience of World Book Day (see here) I was determined to be a better mum this year.

But what to send them as?  I draw the line at Superhero costumes - there may be books about them but that is not the reason the kids would be wearing them.  Same goes for princesses (equal opportunities and all!)... I don't do 'making' costumes as working full time combined with parenting and blogging doesn't leave any time to get the sewing machine off the shelf let alone consider making something.

So I did what every mummy in this situation would do (I went to Asda).   We get a lot of our outfits from there, do you remember Ben's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle one he wore on his birthday?  (yup George at Asda).

  

lush: Ultraviolet

With it being Mothers Day tomorrow I felt it only appropriate to put a review of one of their limited edition bubble bars, Ultraviolet, as today's #ThankLushItsFriday post.

I was introduced to this rainbow shaped bubble bar at the recent Gorilla Perfume launch (which you can read about here) as a perfect accompaniment to Kerbside Violets.   I didn't really like the perfume and I'll be honest, was not convinced I was going to like the bubble bar.  However I was pleasantly surprised.  The Ultraviolet bubble bar smells far more like Parma Violets (you remember those fab childhood sweets) then flowers.

Our Albelli Photobook - July to December 2014

Mad Hatter’s Party – Children’s Activity Day - 14th March 2015

We're really looking forward to attending the Mad Hatter's Party on Saturday ....... if you live in Sheffield would love to meet you there to celebrate 150 years in Wonderland and the Children's Hospital Charity.

With it being the 150th years anniversary of the Alice in Wonderland book, what better reason is there to have a wonderland themed event?!

Try #OneLittleChange from Tesco

With Christmas now a distant memory I've almost managed to finish off the chocolate and goodies that have been scattering the house for the past few months. We've had countless take aways and meals out due to holidays but now it's time now to get back to exercise and eating healthier before December rolls around again. 

If you are like me the temptation is to try and completely overhaul my bad habits, cutting out all fatty foods and chocolate but before too long the need for these treats becomes overwhelming and I end up having a couple of massive 'pig out' days.  Tesco agree that it's not good to cut out everything and that it's the little changes that add up to a big impact, for example don't walk up all 11 flights of stairs on your first day, start a floor lower every time,  have an apple instead of chocolate or have one less glass of wine a week.  Once the changes have started it's easy to take more steps to feel healthier. 

I was therefore really please when I was asked to be part of the Tesco Orchard #OneLittleChange programme so I could see how the changes made to their foods can assist me to change my lifestyle. 

Lush: dragons egg

I'm in love,  this has to be my favourite bath bomb ever.  With its rich citrusssy smell, 'rose petals', goldy orange colour and glitter it's perfectly relaxing.

On the exterior dragons egg is a white sphere with pretty speckled bits in it, don't pass it over as boring it's far from it...when you drop it into the water it's secret centre is revealed along with it the fragrance of Jasmine, Bergamount and Lemon Oils.

All bath bombs are hand made so it would stand to reason that no 2 are alike. I treated myself to one a week ago (before knowing I'd won the 29 high street gift set) and it released loads of 'rose petals' (red rice paper) that floated on the surface as I soaked, this one only seems to have 2 in.  The other point to note is the popping candy listed in the ingredients. Unlike Fizzbanger that made that distinct crackle while it exploded neither of these did, not even a little bit, obviously it's not essential to the product but it does make bath time more fun 😊

Would I Buy It Again?   Too right I would, in fact I may just stock up next time in case Lush decide to discontinue it.

Dragons egg is priced at £3.35.

Best Book for ...... Reading as an adult when it is designed for children

The award for this one has to go to Harry Potter by JK Rowling.

If you haven't heard of it (who am I kidding) Harry Potter is an orphan who starts his journey as an ordinary 10 year old boy with magical powers living in a 'Muggle' or non-magical world.  He finds out on his 11th birthday that he is in fact a wizard.  As a wizard he was invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where much of the 7 books take place.   As the books progress, each one documenting a year of his life, we see Harry and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger grow up and develop magically as well as socially and emotionally. They face all the challenges teenagers face such as changing friendships and exams, and some not to ordinary - the greatest challenge of all, Voldermort.

Best Book for ...... Keeping kids entertained

With world book day fast approaching I thought I'd do a little mini series on books for all occasions,  First up let me tell you about the Factivity Series by DK books. 
The first thing to strike me about these books is their similarity (in look only) to the old FunFax's (anyone who was a kid in the 80s/90s is bound to remember the endless fun these brought).  Factivity books bring the same fun to children now with their range of activities.

They aren't new to the market but new titles are being released frequently.  The boys were sent x titles by DK to keep them busy on holiday, and busy they were, the books were used everywhere - on the train, on the bus, in the caravan.