Mummy Diaries

CURB THOSE CRAVINGS: FULLfast

2012-01-23T11:54:00.006Z

With Christmas out the way now we can hear those little New Year Resolution voices in our heads saying "Must go on diet!".

This probably has something to do with an extra 17,500 we consumed over this time which is equal to about 73 mince pies or 125 roast potatoes! ... feeling a bit full yet!?

There is a natural food supplement appetite control spray called FULLfast which can help you kick start your cut down and curb those cravings! You simply spray it x3 under your tongue 5 times a day. Its small enough to keep in your handbag so you can take it everywhere and it will last you for a month.

The way it works is the 100% natural ingredients passes signals to your brain not your stomach, which is where the feelings of hunger really come from.

You can get FULLfast from most major pharmacies, Harvey Nicols Nationwide or alternatively online at the FULLfast website.

STORE TWENTY ONE CRYSTAL DROP EARRINGS REVIEW

2012-01-23T11:28:00.005Z

I have bought earrings from bargain stores in the past only to find that they start to discolour or make my ear holes black and itchy from the cheap materials used.

Store Twenty One asked me to try out some earrings from their range and I must say I was really impressed. These Crystal Drop Earrings pictured here look so glamorous for evenings out but are not too over the top to wear casually too.

They come with those plastic earring end pieces that stop your earrings from falling out your ear.

The prices are pretty decent too starting at just £1.99. The Crystal Drop Earrings are currently £5.99 and in my opinion make great dress jewellery without spending a fortune.

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A GRAND PROPOSAL

2012-01-23T10:48:00.005Z

Thinking of proposing to your long term girlfriend or your lover? Well then, do it romantically and do it in style. Make sure that the proposal will be an event of a lifetime and choose an outstanding engagement ring for your lady. No girl in their right minds would refuse you if you present them with a beautifully manufactured diamond engagement rings when you proposed to them. With colored diamonds jewelry, your proposal can never go wrong. So be sure to have some in handy if you're thinking of proposing to the love of your life.

WALGREEN'S OFFER NEW PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS CLUB

2012-01-21T02:00:00.002Z

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

You may have heard in the news lately that after unsuccessful negotiations health care plan providers Express Scripts have ceased their partnership with Walgreen's?

What this means for people who are in the Walgreens and Express Script plan is they will no longer be able to use the 24 hour drive through Walgreen's for their preferred pharmacy. Instead Express wants their customers to use their online prescription mail ordering service instead.

Walgreen's tried to compromise by offering to hold their rates without an increase but Express scripts were insistent that they wanted to cut down Walgreen's reimbursement rates for each prescription below the industry average.

This has already caused problems for people who need prescriptions on the same day or need to get hold of their flu shots if they couldn't reach their doctors office on time.

In light of this Walgreen's has devised a plan of their own called the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. For just $10 a year you can cover everyone in your immediate family including pets. This gives you discounted prices on brand-name and all generic medications, lower prices on flu shots, bonuses on Walgreen's/Nice! products and more! Even on its own a single membership of $5 gives you extremely good value for money.

Find out more by following the links within this post and checking out the Walgreens on Facebook page and following Walgreens on Twitter.

EASY HOLIDAY ORGANIZING: My Travel Checklist Widget

2012-01-10T17:00:00.002Z

This post brought to you by My Travel Checklist. All opinions are 100% mine.

Some people aren't naturally organized. In fact I have a friend that doesn't even bother to write out a list when she goes on holiday as she says its all stored in her head! ... What!!? No one is that good right?

I was pleased to learn that life can be made a lot easier with the My Travel Checklist tool. Its all based online and provides you with options of all the things you need to take and the stuff you need to do before you go in a easy check box list format.

Have you made sure the plugs abroad will be compatible with your hairdryer? Do you need to get some travel sickness tablets? Have you cancelled the milkman for the time of your break?

You start by customising your list suggestion by selecting your gender, type of travel and expected weather. Then there are several categories to browse through to select your items such as Things to do before leaving home, How to prepare for your trip, What to take in your hand luggage/toiletries bag and much more.

Then when you're done you can simply email yourself the list or send it to your mobile phone, where you will be able to check off things once you have done them.

Its a brilliant tool that takes all the hard work out of writing a list for you. You can download it in less than a minute and best of all its free to use.

HOW MUCH COULD YOU BE SAVING?

2011-12-09T20:00:00.003Z

This post brought to you by ING Direct. All opinions are 100% mine.

Find out more about ING Direct Savings

In this day and age you can imagine that most families have had to clear out their Savings Accounts to get by. But I think its a shame that we have to do this to pay our bills. What happened to the days where we were saving up to buy that conservatory or a new car perhaps?

As much of a dream that sounds you could still do it over time. In fact people are putting away as little as a £1 a week. Just think £1 a week for a year works out to be about £52. That could buy you a couple of Christmas presents, pay off an unexpected bill, a treat for yourself or you could just save till the next year for the £104 and so on.

UK bank ING Direct have been researching the way we save and have created a funky widget so you can check yourself how much people are saving in your region to give you a bit of an idea.

Have a look at the widget above and find your area. Is it what you expected? Let me know in comments how much your region came out to be. Mine in the West Midlands is £2,703 which seems a pretty decent amount.

VERTBAUDET BOYS ROLL NECK SWEATER REVIEW

2011-12-02T13:06:00.004Z

I love the Vertbaudet children's clothing range. Some may consider it as a bit pricey, but I see it as you pay for what you get as the quality is outstanding.

Its all about the winter wardrobe at the moment so those thin T-shirts and jumpers just wont do. This roll neck sweater that my 4 year old son is wearing here is a perfect example of winter wear.

The jumper is made from 100% cotton and has a roll neckline for extra warmth. You don't need any T-shirts underneath as its thick enough to be worn on its own.

And as you can see it goes perfectly with my sons elasticated trainers that I reviewed previously for a smart casual look.

As well as the red colour you can get in blue and beige in sizes 2-14 years old.

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

2011-11-23T21:17:00.004Z

Christmas is only a matter of a few weeks away now and I feel like I am the last person to start my shopping. All my early bird friends started theirs in November.

I like to do my shopping when the Christmas lights are up and the Santa Grotto's are about. Makes me feel more festive!

I have a list of people to buy for but what kind of Christmas gifts do I get? Its the adults who are the hardest really. Do I go for gadgets, personalized items, something novelty or something for a lasting memory?

Website FindMeAGift have some good Christmas gifts suitable for men, women, children, grandparents, couples and everyone else!

STAND OUT BATHROOMS: Antique Sink Vanities

2011-11-22T21:43:00.004Z

I always like to have a focal point in all my rooms, and that goes for the bathroom too.

This antique bathroom sink vanity unit from Bath Kitchen and Beyond is a perfect eye catcher and talking point.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH STRESS?

2011-11-15T20:15:00.006Z

Stress can be a funny thing and we all deal with it in different ways. The way I deal with mine sometimes is I like to create an invisible fence around myself in my mind and block everyone and everything out. But no one can get passed this fence no matter how hard they try to! I guess you could call it a type of meditation like counting sheep at bedtime!

Some of us are 'airers' and like to get everything off our chest whether it be to the person who has caused the stress or to our friends and family to have a bit of a rant to make ourselves feel better. Personally I always feel a lot calmer once I have spoken with someone else because decent people will tell you if you are in the right or wrong. We can't always be right in life can we and sometimes we need others to see it from our point of view when no one else won't.

Others suffer in silence you might say and ignore everything for a while and try to be strong until it builds up that much you burst into a river of tears to anyone who will listen! I have a friend like this who has given their postman more for his ears to hear than the flipping of letter boxes in the morning!

But why do we do it? I guess we are looking for approval that we are in the right? If someone agrees with us it eases the stress level a little, but then it could go in the opposite direction too with "Well so and so said I was right so .."

Is there really a right way of dealing with stress? I guess we have to find that invisible fence in our own way.

How do you deal with yours?

SAVE MONEY RENTING YOUR COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS

2011-10-26T14:03:00.000+01:00

College text books can be expensive to buy if you are really only going to be using them for one assignment. Then what are you suppose to do with them afterwards?

Did you know you can actually rent your textbooks and save between 40-90% off bookstore retail prices?

Campus Book Rentals offer these deals as well as free shipping - and that's both ways too, so even when you're returning them you wont have to pay a cent.

The process is really simple. All you have to do is search for the textbook you need, rent it and return it when your ready by taking advantage of the flexible renting periods. This can be anything from 15 to 130 days. If for any reason you feel you would like to keep the book you have the option to buy it later on also. Can't say fairer than that can you?

Renting text books is perfect for students on a budget (who isn't these days?). And with each textbook you rent you will be doing your bit for charity as a donation is made to Operation Smile.

This fantastic charity helps parents get cleft lip operations for their children who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. So as well as helping yourself and saving money renting the textbooks you will be helping change a child's life.

A4 MINI MANUAL PAPER SHREDDER REVIEW

2011-10-24T18:00:00.004+01:00

You always hear about people finding your documents out the bin for fraud so I decided to follow suit and invest in a paper shredder. I didn't want anything fancy and expensive just something that did the job, so I thought the A4 mini manual paper shredder would be perfect.

Size:

Its approx 26cm x 15cm x 11cm which as you can see from the picture is perfectly compact. I hide mine under my telephone table.

Usability:

Great for the normal weekly household junk mail/bills/letters you get that you want to dispose personal details of. It can get full fast depending on how much mail you get! The shredder will take one A4 sheet at a time and has a reverse action. Anymore sheets than that and it won't go through or it will get jammed.

I found the lid fitted on too loose and I have to constantly hold it down whilst turning the handle so it doesn't fall off. As soon as you turn the handle if comes off otherwise. The handle can be quite heavy and tough to turn at times too.

My Final Thoughts:

A very basic shredder but does what its suppose to do, even if it does take a bit of effort on your part to make it all happen!

Result:

2/5

NEED GLASSES FOR ALL OCCASIONS?

2011-10-24T17:02:00.006+01:00

I bet people these days don't know how lucky they are with the range of eye glasses and frames available. When I was a child there was just were just a few types and my friends used to have the same too. Not showing my age there too much am I!?

Sadly my eyes didn't get any better with age as with anybody, but thankfully in this day and age there are a lot more glasses to choose from. And the 'in' thing now is to have more than one pair just so you can match it with whatever you're wearing or doing.

Smart professional ones for work? Bright statement making ones for nights out? or simple ones for just chilling in the house for reading or watching the TV? Whatever your tastes there is something out there for everybody.

I'm due for a new pair of glasses and I was looking around website Glasses.com who have ranges for both women and mens eyeglasses, sunglasses and speciality glasses.

You can browse by brand, style, type, material, size or color. My favourite thing is the Virtual Try On feature that lets you upload a picture of yourself and you can see what the glasses would look like before you buy them. Very cool!

GET INTO EVERYWHERENESS: Tracfone Mobile Deals

2011-10-17T18:01:00.003+01:00

This post brought to you by TracFone. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you bought a mobile phone for your children only to be faced with large bills each month or not being able to get in touch with them when you need to due to connectivity problems?

With Tracfone its ideal for youngsters and has a great Senior Value too as you can get phone deals from just $7 a month with great nationwide coverage, reception and connectivity across America.

You can Get into Everywhereness without being tied to any long term mobile phone contracts, cancelation fees, activation charges or even any credit checks being carried out on you. And all these with the benefit of cool brand named phones from top names such as Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung and more.

There are plenty of deals and plans to browse through to fit your needs such as the 1 year service card that gives you double minutes for life and 800 minutes for just $119.00, starter plans that are ideal for people who just use their phone when absolutely necessary and in emergencies like the $9.99 plan that gives you 50 minutes.

It doesn't stop there either. If you need to call internationally there is a wireless service that allows you to call for the same price as a normal call to over 60 destinations.

Have a look at the video and links within this post to find out more and start saving money hassle free.

GET YOUR FUNNY PICTURES FIX: Uberhumor.com

2011-10-16T23:14:00.002+01:00

Do you ever look at a picture or something you've read online, in a newspaper or a magazine and burst out laughing at the thing in question that's not suppose to be funny but is!?

Then you will love the Uber Humor website for your daily reads of funny videos, pictures & images that have been put together to make you laugh, or have simply been taken at a snap happy awkward moments made to be shared with the whole world!

There is something on the website for people from all walks of life - old fashioned humor, demotivational posters, fails of the day, shocking Facebook and mobile phone conversations and much much more!

Whatever your sense of humor is It's a great place to sit there and have a bit of a mooch around see what you can find to tickle your senses! I absolutely love the Facebook conversation ones as they are real and even the best comedians couldn't make some of that stuff up. And because it's real it makes it that more funnier.

New photos and videos are uploaded daily so bookmark the site and stop by when you're in need of cheering up or stop by anyway to keep your face smiling!

USEFUL SPEED WARNINGS: Best Radar Detector

2011-10-14T11:02:00.007+01:00

Even the people who drive at the standard 30 miles an hour get in a bit of a hurry sometimes and probably go over the speed limit without realising. Then Bamn! next thing you know you get caught by a hidden speed camera or undercover police.

You can avoid this by getting yourself a Best Radar Detector. As suggested in the title this website is a great place to find a fantastic selection of detectors starting as low as $39.95 that have different features for everybody's needs. Big names featured include Escort, Cobra, Whistler, Beltonics amongst other machines and accessories.

THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY SCHOOL UNIFORMS

2011-10-12T09:54:00.009+01:00

The new school season may have already started and your children's school uniforms are all stocked up, but if they are anything like my children a few months down the line they will need something new again.

This can be down to wear and tear or just them simply growing out of things. Children develop so fast don't they, whereas anything past the age of 30 everything tends to go in the opposite unwanted direction doesn't it!?
I find also with my boys uniforms I have to wash theirs every day when they come back covered in mud, paint, lunch or whatever else they got themselves into! So the daily wash and dry on those can take its toll over time.

But from past experience I found the better the quality of the uniforms the longer they last. I know a lot of moms probably try and go for the cheapest buy possible from these budget stores, but sometimes it literally pays off to spend that little bit more on boys and girls uniforms.
Website The Toggery based in Little Rock Arkansas is a specialist children's boutique, that lets you buy all the uniform you need online conveniently for many schools across the state.

You can get dresses, skirts jumpers, trousers, shirts, blouses, ties, jackets, shorts and much more.

CHARLES WORTHINGTON BALANCING ACT DRY SHAMPOO REVIEW

2011-10-12T09:14:00.004+01:00

Design and size:

The design stood out to me because it was simple yet effective with the brand name. Size is 150ml so small enough to pop it in your handbag if need be.

Usage:

In just a few sprays you can see the effects taking place instantly. No waiting for few minutes before rubbing in either. You can do it straight away.

Positives:

Compared to other dry shampoos I've used in this past this is probably the best so far with regards to instant results - especially on the roots area. It leaves a pleasant smelling freshly washed fragrance in your hair and gives your locks a nice bounce back instead of flat and greasy.

Negatives:

If you don't rub it in properly or use it for more than two days in a row you start to get a build up of white bits in the root area that can look like dandruff.

Rating:

7/10

A HAPPIER DOG IN 30 DAYS: The Healthy Mobility Challenge

2011-10-10T22:00:00.003+01:00

This post brought to you by Hills Pet Nutrition. All opinions are 100% mine.

Does your dog seem to lack motivation to go on their walks or just lazy around the house all day?

I know my boy is quite a big dog and can sometimes struggle to carry his weight around with him and I've been looking for a way to get him more motivated and perhaps shed a few pounds to be more healthier.

Then I saw with Hill's Pet Nutrition formula you will see a difference in your dog in just 30 days. And with this comes the Healthy Mobility Challenge for a chance for 30 winners to receive free pet food for a year. To join in all you have to do is register using the links within this article. You'll then receive a $30 Hill's Healthy Mobility Coupon and automatically be entered into the prize drawer. Share your success story of how your dogs got on after the 30 days - maybe with a before and after picture/video? The best stories will win the goodies.

There is a Hill's Pet Nutrition on Facebook page too so be sure to 'like' it for the latest news and deals, and you should check out the Hill's website too to see exactly what pet food is on other as well as other information and resources.

ALL IN ONE EYE, FINE LINE & WRINKLE CREAM

2011-10-09T23:30:00.003+01:00

It can be hard to find an actual Dark Under Eye Cream cream that targets not just that problem itself but the fine lines and wrinkles too.

Vivexin skin cream from France is specially designed for this and its patented ingredients have been clinically proven to do the job.

You can now get it in the United States with a 90 day guarantee.

HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM ESCAPING

2011-10-06T16:31:00.006+01:00

When I go out to work in the day I don't like to leave my dog in the house as he tends to wreck it! He's a red boxer and lives up to the breed reputation! So I have been looking into dog containment systems so I can perhaps have him live outside in the day, but without the risk of him escaping into my neighbours garden or down the street.

Oh I have been down that path already so to speak. I have a wooden fence but its quite low and he jumped over it. So I put some decorative trelissing on the top to try and deter him. He tried anyway and ended up hurting himself. Then I put some more on the top and he broke through it. Yes he is a determined soul isn't he! Anyone would think he wanted to escape from something.I'm not that bad of a dog mommy am I? haha.

Then to top it off he even dug under the fence the one time. It must have took him all day because the hole was quite big and he is a big dog too.

So I've been wondering what to do with him. I don't really like the idea of an electric fence. I think that's a bit drastic and harmful because I know he will have a go over and over again. He's very fearless! I saw you can get some that work with your pet wearing a collar that's connected to where the fence is and deters your dog if he goes by it. Its a lot to think about really. But what can I do? If I keep my big beauty in the house when I'm not there sooner or later I'm not going to have a home to come home to, and sofas, curtains and carpets don't come cheap!

COULD YOU DO WITH A GRAMMAR CHECKER?

2011-10-05T11:43:00.004+01:00

English was one of my best subjects at school and my highest grade when I finished but 13 years down the line (showing my age now!) I sometimes feel like I could do with a Grammar Checker every now and then.

Things change a lot over in time don't they? You've got different ways of saying and pronouncing words, new words come into the dictionary and of course there are different slang ways of speaking too. Confused yet!? Oh how I'm glad I'm not still at school now. Everything would sure be a lot harder to grasp I think.

I have never been able to fully figure out when to use its and it's in the proper form! I sometimes end up getting the two mixed up somehow even though I know where I should be using the ' and when not to really. Why does the English language have to get so complicated? Like too and to, their and there, I'd and I would, your and you're ... Oh no this is taking me back to my English lessons now!

But thank goodness there are grammar and spell checkers out there cause I'm more of a speaker that tends to like to open their mind and write first before thinking about how I should be writing things out (if that makes sense!) I like to do all the checking afterwards when I could probably save a lot of time doing it as I go along but that's just me for you - always doing things the hardest and longest way!

I truly believe none of us will ever be fully up on our grammar and spelling. Even with the best writers in the world there has to be something that trips them up every once in a while.

Do you tend to struggle with your grammar and could do with an instant grammar checker?

KIPLING CASSANDRA CROSS BODY BAG REVIEW

2011-10-05T10:42:00.009+01:00

I had seen the Kipling range on QVC shopping channel many times and had been wanting to buy one for ages but the price always seemed to have put me off before. I'm more of a bargain hunter! But I needed a strong bag for my holiday so I thought I would treat myself.
Style:

The bag is a canvas material design. I just thought it was lovely and a refreshing change from your usual black and browns. But you can get this style bag in several other colours/patterns too. Its certainly one of those that make you stand out and people will say "Ooh I like your bag!". The little Kipling monkey keyring is cute and a talking point too.

Practicality:

I never expected this bag to have so many compartments. I knew there were the 3 zipped ones on the front. Then when I received there is a hidden Velcro sticking pocket on the front middle too and an inside a zipped pocket, a useful key holder housed inside and 4 compartments that have been designed to fit in your mobile phone, purse and two pens. Plus the inside of the bag itself which is quite roomy. You can easily fit a body spray in there, bottle of water, make up essentials and a few other bits.

The key holder is particularly good as there is a clasp on the end which allows you to attach your house/car keys to it. Its a long ribbon style piece (pictured above) that allows you to move it around your bag to make it fit in with your other items. Then you just find the piece and pull it up outside your bag when you need to get your keys out. I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised with the inside compartments actually.

You can adjust the straps in two ways. There is a full strap where you can wear it across your body or double it up and have over your shoulder if you prefer.

Price:

£38.25 plus Postage and £3.95 Packaging. You can purchase via the QVC website.

Rating:

9/10

The only reason I didn't give a full 10 is I think the canvas material overtime would perhaps wear down a bit more and mark more easily than opposed to a leather material. Although it has been absolutely fine so far and withstood sand and other surfaces.

HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG BARKING?

2011-10-05T10:05:00.002+01:00

As much as you love your pet do they drive you crazy that much you feel like going out and getting a dog bark collar?

I know my little guy always seems to be excited and barking everywhere. I really don't know where he gets the energy from! But as much as its nice to have a happy dog its not so good when I want to sit down and read a book in peace or watch the TV to wind down with a dog that literally barks at everything!

I nearly jump out my skin sometimes when I'm woken from my deep sleep at 6am when the postman puts the letters through. Just what is it with dogs and post people? At least I know there is no danger of any intruders coming in without my dog telling me about it first. That's if they even get that far. He would probably hear them coming down the road and bark about it!

And if there is a random bump in the night he's straight in there at the spot where the noise comes from letting out his opinions! It can be quite scary at times though. I am quite interested in the supernatural so when I see my dog barking at nothing it makes me shiver ... whoa ha har!

Also you know how sometimes we think I wish I had a remote control to mute someone talking or life in general?, I could do with one of those for my dog - yes he is really that bad! But whatever his flaws I couldn't not be without him. I'm confident there is a solution to my problem without it affecting or harming my dog like the dog bark collar mentioned above.

Have you ever or do you have a problem with your dog constantly barking? And how have you overcome this?

OUR FAMILY HOLIDAY 2011

2011-10-04T12:48:00.012+01:00

Our Caravan

I went on a family holiday with the boys and my friend and her little girl to North Wales in the United Kingdom. Even though it was out of season when we went (end September) the weather was actually quite hot! They said it was an Indian summer in the winter - fine by me!

Our accommodation was a caravan and the kids loved it. It was just right for our clan too!

The kids playing Adventure Golf
Kart biking - The pedalling killed us!

Kitted out for the paddling boat

There were plenty of things to do on the caravan park like adventure golf, arcades, pedal boats, kart biking, a direct beach and we ventured out a couple of the days to visit other beaches and a castle too.

Fun at the beach
The bag woman - me!

It was great to get away as I've had a really hard time this year with family stuff that I don't talk about on here to bore you all complaining about my personal life :-) ... so it was a refreshing change that took my mind off things for a while.

Kids found a giant jelly fish

Harlech Castle

How about you have you been on your holidays this year? Or are you due to go soon?

STRAIGHT TALKING LOW COST MOBILE PHONE DEALS

2011-09-11T07:01:00.003+01:00

This post brought to you by Straight Talk. All opinions are 100% mine.

I hate being tied to contracts of any kind. I like to be free to do what I want to do and not bound by an 12 month or more term. It's the same with my mobile phone plans. I'm definitely one of those Hook, line and sinker deal people!

And speaking of so I recently found out I could get unlimited calls, texts, web and picture messages for £499.00 a year with Straight Talk. That's just over £41 a month! Could you say you could get that kind of deal with your current provider?

Imagine being able to Call a friend for as long as you want and the beauty of it is you're saving money at the same time too. Then perhaps I'd be able to get me a little something new each month with the extra cash!

Straight Talk offer you brand named phones including Smart and touch screen ones with no contracts to sign up to, no long winded credit checking process and all the plans allow you to call 411 at no extra charge.

Plus if you're looking to call out of the country the Straight Talk International Long Distance Service gives you Everything you need and lets you make calls without it breaking the bank.

SATURDAY CENTUS: Murdered!

2011-09-06T14:01:00.006+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. The words this week are 100, you are allowed to add a picture and the prompt is in bold. Here is my short story:

Marcus stood there staring in disbelief at the scene ... his red stained apron was obvious, the sharp knife in his hand a giveaway to the crime. "What if someone came and saw what he did?" he thought. "How am I ever going to explain this?"

It was too late for Marcus to try and turn back time now. Laura is going to walk through that door any minute. He tries to clean up the mess on the floor and hide it somehow.

That minute came .."What kind of pizza is this?" Laura chuckled.
Marcus had only left the packaging on in the oven and it blew up!!!

SATURDAY CENTUS: Cruel Happiness

2011-08-30T21:12:00.005+01:00

Kelly bursts through the living room door "Surprise I'm Pregnant!". A deadly silence stood in the room, faces filled with grief and eyes full of tears.

"It's Mom isn't it?" she said with a shaky voice. Without waiting for an answer she ran to her Mom's room to find an empty bed with the duvet and pillows cleared away.

Kelly lay on the bed and stroked the mattress where her Mom once lay. She could still smell her perfume.

Suddenly the baby kicked for the first time and a well known saying become familiar: It's said when someone dies a new life is born.

UNIQUE SPECIALIST WHITE FURNITURE

2011-08-28T23:50:00.000+01:00

I remember years ago when my brother's bedroom was kitted out in that old style black ash furniture and mine was the same but White Furniture instead. Looking back now those sort of furnishings will definitely not do in my family home now!

I do like White Bedroom Furniture but something that's not so basic and has a bit of style with it. I was looking around Dooley's Furniture website and was impressed to see they did their own specialist unique range of Gloss White Furniture as well as oak, cream painted, mirrored and shabby chick looks too.

Their furniture can't be find elsewhere and definitely won't be found in any bargain stores or catalogue shops. And that's what I like the most is that its not likely my friends, family or neighbours will have the same items as me - unless I recommend the website that is!

The UK based site delivers nationwide and will deliver free for orders over £500.

One of my favourite pieces has to be the Chateau White Painted Low TV Unit pictured above. It just looks so classical and timeless doesn't it? And probably looks like it could be an antique piece. But one in a much better condition!

You can find furniture for your lounge, dining room, bedroom, office, hallway, garden and even your kitchen. Have a look around their distinctive range to find out more.

LOCATE YOUR LOST/STOLEN PHONE: Sprint Total Equipment Protection App

2011-08-12T21:00:00.004+01:00

This post brought to you by Sprint. All opinions are 100% mine.

Androids and Blackberry's are not the cheapest phones to buy in the first place so some of us hang onto them in our hands or pockets like gold dust.

And why wouldn't you? These type of phones are high in demand and very appealing to pick pockets! You may also find yourself dropping your phone accidentally or losing it somewhere and unable to trace it. Then you end up stuck without your contacts and maybe never been able to get in touch with those people again.

Thats where the Sprint Total Equipment Protection App becomes useful. You can get it for selected feature phones also. All you have to do is become a subscriber to enjoy these benefits:

* See exactly where your phone is on a GPS map
* The ability to lock your phone if lost/stolen
* Audible sound alarm to help locate your phone
* Sync all your contacts
* Remote wipe the phone

If your an existing Sprint TEP customer you can get this app for no additional cost. You would have had the chance to set it up when you first activated your phone but now there is a special offer (open to to new applicants registering also) that will run for 30 days only. It has already started and will finish August 30th 2011 so get in there as fast as you can.

Plus with this app you can get a replacement phone if your warranty has expired. All that for just $8.00 a month. Check out the video above for a quick overview and/or visit the website direct.

SHOW YOUR MOMENTS OF CLOSENESS: Nivea £100 Prize Competition

2011-08-10T22:31:00.001+01:00

Some of us complain about social networking sites and how we sit on them for hours on end. But for others it's actually helped them trace their loved ones from the past and it has brought them closer than ever.

Virtual friendship can be good to a certain point but I believe there is nothing better and healthier than meeting up in person. Its the small things that count like an affectionate kiss on the cheek, a warm friendly hug and a mates arm around your shoulder to boost a healthy heart, keep that blood pumping, take your blood pressure down and just give you better mental health in general. Research actually shows it can reduce the risk of Cancer. So get yourself out there and get mingling already!

After 100 years of making Great Britain Feel Closer in their skins with their wonderful brand NIVEA want to capture these type of genuine moments for real on camera. And in doing so Nivea have launched the million moments of closeness competition.

All you have to do is upload a picture of your moment. Maybe you have a couple of friends you can snap having a private joke, your child with a friend of theirs holding hands during play or even have someone catch yourself in action! Keep it PG though people - this is a family competition!

The winning photos chosen by Big Brother physiologist Geoff Beattie will win some fantastic prizes that are worth £100 for a minimum of two people. So you might want to choose carefully who you capture in your photo if they expect you to share the prize! Or you could just not tell them and pick who you like shhhsh!

Such prizes include dining, pampering and adrenaline experiences, hotel breaks as well as group and unique packages.

It doesn't just stop at the competition either. Why not get yourself involved in the Facebook debate with Geoff Beattie and share your opinion on Are public displays of affection just for moms?, Have technologies brought us closer together?, Is the way we live today driving us apart? and much more. I can guess you've probably answered those questions in your head already! Fancy sharing them?

Just follow the links within this article to find out more. Oh and if you feel like snapping up some free Nivea goodies too (erm who wouldn't?) there may be some roadshow events coming up in your area ... What do you mean you've left this page already? Alright then permission to go go go!!!

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HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY ...

2011-08-10T19:05:00.008+01:00

The Birthday Boy

I know we always say it but these last 4 years have literally flown by. And my youngest Lewis is a little big boy now chatting away, making his own decisions and everything!

For his birthday he chose his own cake and wanted to have a party at home. The idea of loads of 4 year old kids running around my house is not good for my neutral carpets (and stress levels!) so we had a small gathering at home with his older brother and my friends little girl who they play with.

The Cake (the cars tasted good!)

The spread

The trio!

We played some party games like pass the parcel, musical chairs, musical bumps and Lewis had a really nice time.

He keeps saying all the time now "I'm 4 today" so he must be at a proud age bless him.

DO YOU ACCESSORIZE YOUR MOBILE PHONE?

2011-08-07T15:50:00.004+01:00

Having a contract mobile phone I tend to have a different one every year. You know when they phone you up with a good deal of a better phone and probably a better phone package too?

But a year is too long for me to wait and I get bored with looking at my same old black phone with the same buttons etc day in day out. So in the meantime I always like to get some cheap cell phone faceplates so I can swap and change them around depending on what mood I'm feeling that day! I get bright flowery patterned ones, plain ones for a more professional look if I need to do something work related then I have glitzy ones with diamantes or cases that flash when someone rings you for nights out with my girls.

Then you have got your cell phone accessories haven't you? I would personally be lost without my mobile phone car charger as I always seem to be on the go and batteries always seems to be dying when you need to be somewhere. Why does that happen!?

Speaking of batteries I always keep a spare with me. I know it might sound a bit extreme but with one of my phones I charged it that much so many times over a short period and just left it that it actually overcharged and burnt out my battery in the end!

Oh and there must have been a time when you have accidentally dropped your phone in the sink when washing up or worse down the toilet! Water and phone batteries don't forgive each other no matter how quickly you try and pull them out. I could tell you a few more stories. I'm sure we all have a mobile phone disaster story we would like to forget!- especially if you have no warranty on your phone and have no choice but to buy the phone again with your own money!

Since I started my little (growing big!) collection of accessories I do tend to stick to the same style of phone so at least I can use them again. Makes sense.

MEDIEVAL PARTY IDEAS

2011-08-05T13:34:00.006+01:00

I love dressing up in fancy dress costumes. For parties of course - I am not one to go walking around dressed up all the time! Although some people do don't they for their job if they work in a museum or host Murder Mystery events etc for a living?

It's really good actually when you go to a place and everyone is all dressed up as you can really get into the theme of it cant you and imagine you are in that particular era.

I enjoy everything to do with medieval times and are often looking up and reading about information from the past. I just love all the medieval swords, armour and trojan helmets that they used to wear. All you see these days is the traditional army uniforms don't you? No sign of a gladiator in this Millennium that's for sure!

I mentioned Murder Mystery parties but you could dress up in that theme for any type of party really - a children's one being especially good. If your children are anything like my boys they love dressing up and playing (and fighting!) with their plastic swords. Sometimes a little too much! But that's typical 4 and 6 year old boys for you!

You could really get into the theme by putting on a medieval feast. Join a couple of tables together to make a traditional long knights table, cover it with a glamorous table cloth, put some real candle sticks out and light them, cook the biggest chicken you can find and other medieval type finger food. Your guests will love it! And you can always get those special drinking cups too - goblets I think they are called. How cool are they?

If you wanted to go that extra mile you can decorate your room too with swords, plaques and have pictures of yourself dressed up in your costume to make it look like a medieval portrait.

A QUIRKY WOODLAND WALK

2011-08-04T16:08:00.004+01:00

My son Lewis went on a school trip to a farm called Cosford Grange based in Shropshire, UK and one of the highlights of the day was the woodland walk. The eccentric owner of the farm had decorated the trees to make it exciting for the children.
One of them was full of worn second hand shoes, another featured a spooky tree face character and the other had a Buddha in between the two trees.
It was nice for the kids to wonder around as they can see a demonstration of how wheat is grown in the field, feed the goats and chickens and have a ride in the farm tractor trailer. But the walk was definitely the fascination for the day!

PERFECT STORAGE SOLUTIONS: Contemporary Bookcases

2011-08-04T15:48:00.003+01:00

Do you have a big empty space in one of your rooms? Or maybe you have so many items you struggle for storage?

One of the things I have always found very useful are bookcases. And they don't have to hold just books either. On mine I have storage boxes with some of the kids smaller toys inside, ornamental pieces, files/paperwork and I haven't even finished yet!

I am a lover of modern contemporary furniture and have been looking to fill an empty space in my lounge. After discovering the Go Modern furniture website I just keep going back again!

The contemporary bookcases they have there are particularly good. My favourite is the Frame Bookcase pictured here as as you can see you can actually use it as a divider unit too to separate too rooms. They are ideal for any large rooms you perhaps want to make into a lounge/dining room or a lounge/office area perhaps.

Others include quality glass cabinets that are great for hiding away your best glasses or fill with collectibles and more.

The choice is huge and you can even get modern bookcases that fill a whole wall if you have a lot of bits and pieces.

WHO LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA!?

2011-08-04T15:31:00.003+01:00

My 6 year old son is a lover of the computer programme paint. He is always coming up with creations that amaze me cause even I couldn't draw that good!

This time he drew (from memory!) Spongebob and his friends Sandy the squirrel, Gary the snail, Mr Krabs, Plankton and Squidward Tentacles.

Can you spot them all? Plankton makes me laugh every time I look at him!

EDUCATE YOUR BUSINESS: Continuity Plans & Information

2011-08-04T15:11:00.005+01:00

When running a business there are all kinds of things you need to consider when setting it up. Things like have you got a business continuity plan?, do you need workplace recovery suites for your staff or technical assistance to get your programmes up and running?

Then there is the business continuity uk practices you should be following along with any training, qualifications or certificates you can gain that is always beneficial to your company.

It all seems like a lot to think about and sometimes even the most established businesses can do with a bit of education every now and then!

That's where the business continuity constitute website becomes useful. Its full of practical and essential information to get your business to where you want it to be.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY ACTIVE

2011-08-02T22:13:00.006+01:00

The Foundation for a Healthy Lifestyle:

Tips for Getting Your Family Active

Guest Post brought to you by: Kathleen Thomas, Primrose Child Care

Experts suggest that young children need to accumulate at least 60 minutes and up to several hours of physical activity every day. Unfortunately, many children are not nearly as active as they need to be. It is clear that along with poor diet, physical inactivity has contributed to a large increase in childhood obesity in the United States in the past 20 years. The following statistics are unsettling:

Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese nationwide.

(Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

The percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states. (Source: Trust for America's Health)

Research has shown that children who develop basic motor skills such as throwing, catching, kicking, jumping, skipping, and balance are more likely to grow into healthy active adults. Studies have shown that daily physical activity helps children academically as well. Learning basic physical skills is essential to the healthy growth and development of your child.

Dr. Stephen Sanders, author, professor, and director of the School of Physical Education and Exercise Science at the University of South Florida is a member of the Primrose Schools Education Advisory Board. He says that children do not necessarily learn physical skills on their own. He has found they need guidance and assistance from adults, challenging activities, and opportunities to practice and refine physical skills.

“The amount of time children spend daily in physical activity is decreasing, and it will take a determined effort from parents to reverse this trend.”

So, what can parents do to teach their children about the importance of being physically active and help them learn these necessary skills? Trying the tips below will help you and your family create a fun environment for physical activity and will contribute to everyone’s physical health.

Tips for Getting Your Family Active:

Find appropriate, safe spaces for quality physical activity: Provide safe spaces inside and outside for your child to be active.

Ensure the availability of age-appropriate supplies: Being physically active is like learning to read, write, or do math problems in that each requires proper materials or equipment.

Provide abundant supplies of balls, hoops, hockey sticks, bats, paddles, racquets, musical instruments, jump ropes, etc. They need balls of all sizes, shapes, and weights such as beanbags, sock balls, and rubber balls.
Equipment should be soft, lightweight, and made for children.

Be active with your children: Don’t just send your children outside to play--be a role model! Go outside with them and participate in games and other activities that require physical exertion!

Use sidewalk chalk to create your own four-square or hopscotch grids; blow bubbles then chase them around the yard to see who can catch them; go on a walk around the neighborhood or through a park as a family; play music and dance inside or outside; and when the weather is nice put on your bathing suits and run through the sprinklers.
Promote a feeling of success when you play with your child. If your child is not yet able to successfully throw and hit a target, encourage them to move a little closer so they can be successful. Skills are acquired incrementally. Children who do not experience success have a tendency to quit and not practice.
Acknowledge their efforts with specific comments. No matter what your child’s skill level is, be a supportive coach. They will benefit from your encouragement.

When children come into the world, physical activity is at the very center of their lives. They have a mission to learn to crawl, walk, run, throw, catch, and kick. If they are going to enjoy participating in physical activities now and as adults, they need to build on that foundation of success and enjoyment that begins in infancy. So, grab a ball, badminton racket, or jump rope and set aside time each day to play with your child!

VERTBAUDET BOYS ELASTICATED TRAINERS REVIEW

2011-08-02T20:23:00.008+01:00

My sons being typical boys will go through several pairs of shoes in no time at all. So I was excited when I had the chance to review some shoes from Vertbaudet's Moccasins range.

The beige boys elasticated trainers were my choice as they style stood out to my straight away. I love the colour and the fabric used to make a smart trainer that looks like it needs laces but it really doesn't. That's the way they look you see which I think makes them more appealing and interesting to look at.
The elasticated design allowed my son to slip the shoes on easily on his own and they didn't slip off his ankles as he walks either. Once they are on the shoe keeps tight enough around the foot.

The style of the trainer makes it perfect for any season. And as you can see in my pictures here they look great with casual shorts or dressed up a bit more in jeans and T-shirt.
My son has worn them several times now and he hasn't scuffed or scraped them yet so that tells me that the material is of good quality and hard wearing.

If you're looking to get hold of some yourself click the 'boys elasticated trainers' link above. The full price is £27.00 but currently you can get hold of them for £13.50 in sizes 1 to 13.5 - and in the colour blue too if you prefer.

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

HONDA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION: What's Your Story?

2011-07-25T11:18:00.008+01:00

There is always something that we would completely be lost without. One of the typical things are our cars. And a lot of us use vehicles to make our living - some with fascinating story to go with them.

With Honda's many cars, motorbikes, boat engines, generators, lawnmowers etc there were bound to be a few people to come forward that wanted to share their different lifestyles. Just some of the stories we have heard so far is an Alpaca sheep farmer who uses her All-Terrain Vehicle to herd her animals. And the latest is a night fisher who relies on his Honda boat engine to catch the most unusual fish that tend to come out when the sun goes down!

Night Fishing

Honda has joined forces with Channel 4 for a competition to release a series of mini documentaries courtesy of W+K.The ball has already started rolling and they want to hear more of your stories. The winner will get their story shown on two of the UK's most popular channels: Channel 4 and More 4. Imagine that ... you wouldn't even have to queue up or hang around in stuffy waiting areas for any auditions. You can literally do it all from the comfort of your home online via the Honda Stories website.

To enter you just need to select the 'take part' section and tell your story along with any videos and pictures (the more the merrier!. Different stories will be shown throughout 2011 so you've got a good chance of getting your story heard. And just so you know no-one wants to hear about you just driving your Honda car to work each day ... makes me yawn just thinking about watching a documentary on that! Be imaginative guys. If you think you do something special to help yourself or others do tell! In the meantime you can always follow Honda On Facebook to see what the latest is and check out what other cool stories people have submitted so far on the Honda Stories website.

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SATURDAY CENTUS: Life Is Cruel

2011-07-21T08:55:00.005+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. The words this week is just 25 and the prompt is in bold. Here is my short story

"My darling I'm not getting any younger"

"Don't be daft mom you're 60, you have got plenty of years left"

"Kate, there is something I need to tell you ...."

SATURDAY CENTUS: Infected

2011-07-11T09:28:00.004+01:00

Well its been a few weeks since I last posted after getting caught up in a busy schedule. But I'm pleased to be back on track now. I missed writing my centus and my fellow centusians :-)

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your 100 word story. The prompt for this week prompt is in bold. Here is my short story:

Everyone had been evacuated from the city but somehow I managed to keep hidden in my cellar. I had to .. I had to see if Jamie was OK. I couldn't just leave. The army didn't give a damn who they shot down. Just someone running towards them and the sign read 'infection' through their minds ... bang, gone.

4 days it had been so far (I think). With only the tiniest gap through a boarded up disused window to rely on. Only I could have a cellar with no wine in it!

Was today the day to unlock the hatch or wait longer? ...

VERTBAUDET SCHOOL UNIFORM REVIEW

2011-07-10T22:11:00.000+01:00

Unisex V Neck Jumper with short sleeve shirt and Boys Slim Fit Trousers

It will soon be the start of a new school term and the time to get fresh uniforms again. In the past I have opted for budget ranges but found the materials to be quite thin that get worn and stretched easily and lose their colour in the wash.

I had the opportunity to try out the Vertbaudet school uniform range and although its probably not something I would have gone for before as the prices are more than I would usually pay I wasn't disappointed.

Boys short sleeve shirt

It's definitely worth paying that little bit extra for as the quality is fantastic and I personally think they look a lot better and smarter than the cheaper ranges too. My child has worn and had his uniform washed several times now and each time it still looks as new.

Unisex Cardigan with unisex polo shirt

My boy is wearing the Royal Blue and white colours but you can get other colours for different schools such as red, navy and grey jumpers/cardigans, blue polo shirts, grey/black trousers etc.

And of course there are girls items too like pinafore dresses, skirts, shorts and blouses.
Sizes start from aged 3 up to 10 years old. Have a look at the website to find out more.

Unisex Polo Shirt

NB: These items were sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

LOW PRICED NATURAL STAIR RUNNERS & RUGS

2011-07-10T19:16:00.005+01:00

Stair runners were only once known to grace the staircases of mansions and the more wealthy people in olden times, but now they are seen as a modern and sophisticated look for your home that anyone can afford.

Maybe you have a wooden staircase that you want to brighten up with stair runners or perhaps you're looking for something a little different than your normal carpeted stairs?

There is a natural rugs store UK based that also ships out to Europe and USA.

You can find all different kinds of runners and rugs in various colours, styles and designs- all at wholesale prices starting from just £99! Choose to have stair rods on show, the runner tucked into your steps or go for a more flowing look taking advantage of the latex backing which stops the runner or a rug from slipping.

The 100 natural and biogradable products come in various fine materials such as sea grass, sisal, herringbone coir, wool and more.

And the best thing about it is you can order what you want online. You have got no waiting around stores for someone to assist you. There are plenty of different sizes to browse through and if your measurement isn't there you can always have a made to measure stair runner or rug.

A COMICAL CREATION

2011-07-07T12:00:00.003+01:00

(click to enlarge)

My 6 year old Evan is very creative and he makes me laugh sometimes with some of the things he comes up with.

He used an old bill of mine where he noticed there was a blank space to draw and made his own little comic sketch story cutting out some cartoon characters.

It's about a man who is falling off a stool and is about to crash into someone. The person sitting down is shouting "oh god!" , the man falling says "watch out!" and the person he's going towards is saying "this is the end of me". Notice how he has put a " " mark around the stool to make it look like it's shaking? .... I was so proud I just had to show everyone!

RISK FREE 'BANK ON YOURSELF' FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

2011-07-07T11:30:00.001+01:00

Have you ever wondered if there was a way you could earn guaranteed interest as well as the possibility of dividends in a risk free way?

Finance is always a thing that can seem complicated and most of the time your bank won't tell you your available options and information about things unless you ask about it. Such as a banking concept known as 'bank on yourself' and infinite banking. Wealthy people have been using it for years and it's time to pass on this idea to everyone else!

The team of the Personal Equity Institute (PEI ) can tell you everything you need to know about this safe, simple and most importantly profitable banking concept.

NEW FACES DEVELOPMENT

2011-07-07T11:00:00.000+01:00

At New Faces Development, we scout, develop and promote, models and actors, bringing out their potential and maximizing their talent. A handsome or beautiful face is one in a million without the proper development. At the New Faces Development Center industry professionals work with neophyte models to teach them the skills and tools that will make for a long and fruitful career on the runway. Our scouts are constantly on the lookout for raw talent to develop. Potential can be found in the way someone looks, walks, moves or laughs. It is our job as development professionals to recognize talent and bring it to the forefront of the industry.

This is a Guest Post brought to you by New Faces Development.

SOUTHRIDGE LLC

2011-07-07T10:45:00.000+01:00

Stephen Hicks, Chairman and CEO of Southridge, LLC (“Southridge”), today announced that Southridge Partners II, an institutional investor, has entered into a $10 million equity purchase agreement with TechniScan, Inc. (OTC BB: TSNI), a medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of an automated 3D breast ultrasound imaging system.

We are excited to be TechniScan’s equity investor in this major phase of developing better breast cancer diagnostics,” said Mr. Hicks. “Southridge is committed to working with TechniScan in the vital research of this emerging technology.”

Pursuant to a purchase agreement, TechniScan has the right, at its discretion, to sell to Southridge Capital up to $10 million of its common stock over a 24-month period. The Company will have the right, but is not obligated, to sell stock to Southridge depending on certain conditions as set forth in the purchase agreement.

This is a Guest Post brought to you by Southridge LLC.

HOW TO CLEAN A DIRTY LIGHT SWITCH

2011-07-04T13:52:00.004+01:00

Before

After

Light switches are not necessarily something we look at all the time as we get used to knowing where they are. But I happened to notice mine had got rather grubby lately. First thing I thought was imagine all the germs on that.

To clean it safely with it being electric I used one of the kids baby wipes. I t took less than a minute to clean and was easy -No scrubbing at it. I use wipes to clean loads of things and this is another I've just added to my list. They are really handy to keep around the home.

QUID PRO QUO SALES TRAINING

2011-07-04T13:00:00.000+01:00

Quid Pro Quo Sales Training. Yes, mistakes are unavoidable, no matter how hard we try, we all have made our mistakes when selling our products or services. As they say, we learn from our mistakes. One way of learning how to avoid these mistakes is to invest some of your time into sales training. Knowing the market is a little tight right now, here are a few sales training tips to help you and put you on your path to becoming a sales guru.

This is a Guest Post brought to you by Quid Pro Sales Training.

BOB BECK SALES EXPERT

2011-07-04T12:30:00.003+01:00

Bob Beck Sales Expert. To take your sales profession to a new level it means commitment. Commitment is a mindset, it is a learned trait. You make up your mind to achieve your goals, to become a successful sales expert, and you stop making excuses or justifying why you can’t be where you want to be.

This is a Guest Post brought to you by Bob Beck Sales Expert.

ADD A BIT OF LUXURY TO YOUR HOME: Contemporary Furniture

2011-07-01T21:52:00.005+01:00

When we first moved into our home ten years ago we completely refurbished the house and bought new furnishings. As you can imagine now they are looking a little bit worse for wear and could do with replacing really.

I fancy a change this time round from what we had last time. I want a whole new fresh new look - Furniture that brightens up the room, looks clean and modern and with a different unique kind of style that makes an eye catching feature.

Online contemporary furniture store Go modern has an excellent range of furnishings for the lounge, dining room, bedroom and garden. I got quite excited looking around the website as there are a lot of items I hadn't seen around before on other sites and probably won't. You are definitely not looking at your usual catalogue shop items. Take this Neptune sun lounger/day bed I have pictured here for instance. I bet you don't find one like that in your neighbours garden. It would be more like a 5 star hotel. Now that's what I call luxury sunbathing! And if that's just for your garden imagine what furniture you can find for inside your home too.

GREAT VALUE WALGREEN BRAND HEALTH & WELLNESS PRODUCTS

2011-06-21T02:01:00.003+01:00

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

To be honest with work and two kids I rarely get time to sit around in doctors waiting rooms or queue at pharmacies. Especially if its only for something minor like a cold or a headache. Then there is the which brand is best to use? question, and you stand there for ages comparing about 5 of them don't you!?

A friend of mine told me about Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products where you can shop online to get them. This was a winner for me already! I take vitamins as I have a couple of general health problems and these always give my body a boost. But I have always found the brand named products quite costly. Then I saw that Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products had some Multi-Vitamins and the price was decent so I thought I'd give them a try. And you know I found they were really good value as they had the same effect if not better than the brand named ones and they were cheaper. A lot of the products contain the same active ingredients as the brand ones anyway.

In the past I had been a bit dubious to try non branded products but because the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products name is so well known and trusted I went with my instinct and was right to. In today's economy and rising prices you need all you help you can get don't you? - especially with families.

There are some fantastic over the counter products on the site that come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for every illness or health problem you can imagine. And you can even order your prescriptions from there too.

What I really love to is the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ where they work with top organisations to help with prevention and early detection of health diseases such as cancer, diabetes etc. Since February 1st 2011 for every product sold 1¢ goes to this cause each time, meaning a massive $3 million will help local communities each year.

You can find out more by visiting Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products website.

Also at the moment you can get your hands on some free Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products gift cards by entering these giveaways hosted at several blogs.

RUG GRIPPER REVIEW: For Slipping Rugs

2011-06-17T10:06:00.006+01:00

I was so tired of putting my rugs back in place every time someone walked over them a few times. And this happened a few times with my 3 and 6 year olds playing too as you can imagine

I have rugs on carpet and laminate floor and I read you could get rug grippers to stop them from slipping.

In a desperate bid to cure my problem I ordered some and lay them down under my rugs. For some reason I didn't actually expect them to work - it sounded too good to be true but they did.

I was very impressed. You can get them in different sizes and where the size is slightly bigger than you want you the material is that thin you can easily cut down with scissors to fit.

It reminds me of a thicker version of tumble dryer sheets and its great how they stick to the floor and rug.

Like I say I was amazed they actually worked. I ran across the rugs, the kids played, I exercised on them - no moving - nope nothing. So I would definitely recommend these.

DETOX YOUR BODY READY FOR EMPLOYMENT

2011-06-16T23:00:00.002+01:00

Sometimes employers do tests to see if narcotics are present in your system before and often during employment.

Remains can stay inside your body for some time even if you haven't been using for a while, so the best way to pass a drug test is by doing a MB Detox.

SATURDAY CENTUS: The Last Smile

2011-06-06T12:17:00.003+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your 100 word story. The prompt for this week prompt is in bold. However we have just 25 words to use this time round. Here is my short story:

Laid in my arms. In pain yet her eyes still smiled at me as I held her fragile paw. It's like she knew it was the end.

'GO MODERN' WITH CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE

2011-06-06T12:00:00.001+01:00

I have always been a fan of contemporary furniture. If I had my way I would love to give all the rooms in the family home a more modern look.

We recently needed a new bed and I thought well why not go the extra mile and give the whole room a refreshing contemporary feel. It needs a bit of an update anyway and I am losing space for all my clothes and shoes!

I was having a browse through online store contemporary furniture specialists Go Modern and was fascinated by all the cool modern furniture you can get.

My favourite item has to be the gradient walk in wardrobe (pictured) that you could just be put in a room of its own couldn't it and wouldn't look out of place at all. And with that it has gave me thoughts of making the spare room into a dressing area. I would certainly have space for all my clothes and shoes then!

If you are looking for something a little special for your home Go Modern have a great collection of indoor furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom. The selection available is huge and there is even a designer range to check out too.

CREATE A ONE OF A KIND ENGAGEMENT RING

2011-06-06T10:52:00.002+01:00

When you're looking to buy rings for your loved one you could find yourself going around several shops before you find what you like. And maybe even then you're not fully satisfied.

I have always liked the idea of custom creating my own rings. But not something that's going to be over the top in price range. Engagement rings are particularly something where you like to be original and have something that's going to stand out.

There is an online store called Whiteflash whose speciality is letting you piece together your own custom designed quality ring to suit various budgets. You can choose the setting and diamond you like from the many styles available.

Each ring is created using the best traditional craftsmanship and the latest technology to ensure you are getting the best engagement ring possible, that will still look in mint condition in the years to come.

As well as the custom engagement rings you can browse through a huge collection of precious metal rings for both men and women, as well as cuff links, pendants, earrings and bracelets.

FASHIONABLE COPPER SINKS

2011-06-03T22:48:00.002+01:00

When you move into your home most people just want to gut it and start all over again don't they? And put their own stamp on it you might say.

One of the things in a home that tends to be a typical original fitting is the kitchen and bathroom sinks aren't they?

How nice would it be to have a Copper Sink instead or another style to bring it up to date and make it quite fashionable too? I bet you don't see many Copper Sinks in your friends homes do you?

Online discount sink retailer MR Direct is a good place to try as they have their own range of sinks at affordable prices.

REVIEW REFRESHER: Vertbaudet Boys Swim Shorts

2011-05-30T17:04:00.006+01:00

You may remember a review on some boys swim shorts from Vertbaudet? I was so pleased with the design and quality of the shorts. My 3 year old son has worn them many times since then and they still look in a new condition.

So it was great to get some shorts for my 6 year old too. My kids love having the same shorts as each other and enjoy going out to play out in the paddling pool or go swimming in their shorts together.

You should read my review using the bold link above to find out more and if you're interested you can go from here to purchase them.
NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

GET HUNDRED'S OF PROPOSED LANDSCAPE DESIGN IDEA'S

2011-05-26T14:20:00.005+01:00

Example of a graphic design image

Are you looking to give your garden a makeover and have no idea where to start, what to do with it and how to go about getting it all done?

There is a really cool landscape designer website called WowMyLandscape where you are able to upload pictures of your landscape how it is at the moment and designers from all over the world can provide you with design ideas for you to check out on a graphic computer generated image.

Its also a great platform for designers and contractors themselves who want to show off the work and hopefully get some business from it.

FREE ONLINE SKILL GAMES FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN

2011-05-23T20:19:00.005+01:00

A Selection Of The Games

I spend a lot of time online working but sometimes I need that much needed break! I love to have a go on those free skill games. They are really good fun and the great thing is they are exercising your brain without you even thinking so.

One site in particular I like to play on is an online flash games website called Skill Games. Its full of different games that would suit a variety of ages. You can get action, adventure, dressing up, puzzles, strategy, board games and much more. You are spoilt for choose really.

My favourite games are the 'Escape The Room' ones where you are trapped inside a room and have to find your way out using the objects around you. Its harder than you think but you get to enjoy trying to figure out your exit.

As well as the games you are able to interact with other users by creating an account with your own profile page, play with other members and submit your high scores.

There are literally hundreds of games on the site that will keep you occupied for hours. The dressing up games in particular are great for younger children. And there will be no picking up and tidying away toys afterwards for a change!

SATURDAY CENTUS: Trapped

2011-05-22T13:53:00.005+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. The prompt for this week prompt is in bold. Here is my short story:

The reflection in the mirror looked the same as it always did - a reflection of the other side. The other side being the world of the living that is.

Gemma's lost soul had been trapped inside the lounge mirror for years. When she passed away and walked on up the cloudy stairs to a new heavenly beginning she was faced with two doors.

Choosing the door she did meant she could watch over her left behind family forever - literally. There is only one way she can be freed from this land of limbo ...

CHEAP PARTY BAG FILLER IDEA'S

2011-05-22T13:13:00.005+01:00

A Stress Free Guide to Finding Cheap Party Bag Fillers for Boys Party Bags

Preparing for a children’s party can be stressful, but buying cheap party bag fillers online can make the preparation process a breeze. The hardest part about buying boys party bags online is deciding between the vast amount of trinkets and toys available.

When it comes to boys party bags, the possibilities are endless. Online party bag suppliers take the stress out of children’s parties and you can order plastic and paper party bags from the comfort of your own home.

Throwing a birthday party should be an enjoyable event and buying cheap party bag fillers online can allow you to relax and enjoy the day. Parteaz stock a superb range of toys for boys party bags. Find out more information about the cheap party bag fillers online at http://www.parteaz.co.uk/94-party-bag-fillers.

HIGH QUALITY FASHIONABLE UNISEX SCRUBS

2011-05-16T23:48:00.000+01:00

Do you hate putting on your medical uniform because of the way it looks or feels? Or maybe you have a practice where you think your uniforms aren't the best they can be?

There is a website called http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ who have designer fashion seal unisex scrubs for nurses, doctors, surgeons, dentists or anybody else based in the medical profession.

They have a range of their own fashionable high quality original designs and colours for men, women and even children who like to dress up. And all the scrubs feature a hand stitched trademark pocket detail to make them stand out.

SATURDAY CENTUS: Lost

2011-05-15T13:27:00.005+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. Here is my short story:

Making her way through the dark passages. The only light she could see was from the full moon outside. The only noise she could hear was the creaking door noises - from the wind perhaps? .. maybe.

"Lara are you in here?". She paused staring at every corner she could make out, every shadow she could see. "Laaaarrra". You could feel the fear in her voice the second time she called as it trembled with fear.

A baby's cry could be faintly heard in the distance. she followed the sound to what appeared to a children's ward. Lara was standing facing the wall singing in a disturbing tone "Hush little baby, don't you cry"...

THEMED CHILDREN'S TREASURE HUNT PARTY GAMES

2011-05-15T13:00:00.000+01:00

Some Of The Theme Collection

Children's parties can be expensive so a lot of people will host them at their own home instead. But what to do with a bunch full of excited kids who just want to play!?

You could have a special themed treasure hunt birthday or slumber party. The slumber treasure hunt parties are particularly good if its not for an actual occasion but you're treating your children by having their friends stop over.

There is a fantastic site called Treasure Hunt Clues where you can create your very own treasure hunt games choosing from over 20 themes. Whether your children are into pirates, dinosaurs, princesses, space, robots - there really is something there for everyone. Even the adults!

Puzzle Example

Yes, you could even have your own treasure hunt adult party too and there is a huge selection of hints, tips and ideas to help you plan yours or your child's day.

Making a game is quick and simple. You just choose the age range which can be for children 3+, select a theme and clues you want to use that are locations around your home. All these options are pre-written so all you're really doing is pointing and clicking! When you're ready at the click of the button a game is put together for you including great little puzzles that you can use during the hunt. Then download and Print.

A game costs just $7.99 and there are FREE matching invitations you can use too.

MY FRESH FARM EGGS EXPERIENCE

2011-05-11T11:07:00.000+01:00

So fresh they still have the shell stains on them!

My friend has a farm and gave me some freshly hatched eggs to try out. I was really excited to try them and thought that they would be the best eggs I have ever tasted.

Sadly I was disappointed. Although they cooked much more beautifully and faster than my usual supermarket eggs I found they still tasted the same and probably a little bland too.
I would much prefer to have my free range supermarket bought eggs. Did I have too many high expectation perhaps?

Anyone out there who uses eggs from their own farms what should I have or haven't done when cooking it? Is there a fantastic flavour I missed? If so what did I do wrong? Or am I just too fussy!!?

METAL ROOFING BENEFITS

2011-05-11T10:58:00.004+01:00

A roof is an essential part to any building and probably the most costly to fix to if any problems occurred. So its important that if you are having metal roofing panels put up they are long lasting and cost effective.

You can get metal roofing that has a four way interlocking design that give it that much needed strength, built in hidden fastener systems for protection against leaks, 70% PVDF resin based coatings to help cut down general fading and much more.

Plus I like the idea that metal roofing is 100% recyclable and they can even be added over most existing roofs too.

MAKE THE LOOK: Stainless Steel Sinks

2011-05-10T13:59:00.003+01:00

If you were ever looking to change your kitchen you can always reply on stainless steel sinks to make the look can't you?

I found this the case recently. A stainless steel sink fits in with any design. its just the rest of it you have to match up!

MR Direct have a nice range of brand named low cost sinks.

BATCHELOR'S MILD CHEESE & BROCCOLI PASTA 'N' SAUCE REVIEW

2011-05-10T13:36:00.005+01:00

I had some cheesy pasta with broccoli at a restaurant and decided I wanted to try it out myself at home.

After reluctantly searching for all the fresh ingredients (I am a quick and easy person!) I found the Bachelor's Pasta 'n' Sauce where I wouldn't have to make everything from scratch.

The one I tried is the Mild cheese and broccoli. The size of the pack is very deceiving actually. I bought it thinking it would only feed me but there was enough there for two or even three if you're feeding smaller bellies!
Making it is really easy. You just boil a pan of the required amount of water, add milk and butter and its done in ten minutes.

You can have it as a meal on its own or as a side to go with something else. My only disappointment was the lack of broccoli . It's more bits than chunks really. But otherwise it was tasty. And it didn't have that 'processey' flavour you would often find in these ready meals. It makes a great quick and easy kids meal too.

NO DOWN PAYMENT HOME LOANS FOR MILITARY

2011-05-10T12:46:00.004+01:00

Do you or your partner serve in the USA Military and are looking to make a home of your own instead of renting?

I have a cousin in the military and he has been looking around to see what he can get finance wise to sort a home out. At the moment he is set on the base but he wants to get out of the workplace area but still stay close to there for quick commuting.

I found there are actually veteran home loans you can take out that are specially for people that are based in the military.

With the state of the economy at the moment you can actually get new finance deals and VA streamline refinance if you are already in a mortgaged home with no down payments. Plus people are actually reducing the price of their homes for sale because of this so that helps a lot too.

These government backed VA loans are probably the only programmes left in America that let you do this and benefit from low interest rates. You can get them from website MilitaryVALoan.com COE

The basic qualifications are you need to be on active duty or have an existing VA loan. Just have a look at the website to find out more.

A PEACEFUL ADVENTURE: Yoho National Park Log Cabins

2011-05-08T17:10:00.004+01:00

Imagine being set in the middle of beautiful trees. No television or telephone except for the noise of the roaring wood burning fire inside your log cabin.

If you're an adventure lover this is just one of the many things you can expect when you stay in Canada's Yoho National Park's authentic log cabins and lodges.

Yoho National Park has been around since 1885 and is well known for its steep western slopes, high peaks, rock walls and stunning waterfalls. This as well as the fascinating wildlife you will come across such as bears, deers, wolves, elks, moose and the difficult to find Canadian lynx.

VERTBAUDET CHILDREN'S SPRING WEAR REVIEW: Boys Swim Shorts

2011-04-27T09:36:00.007+01:00

Ready For The Water

My children don't usually like to wear the the tight style swimming shorts as they said they feel like they are wearing their underwear - I know a little mind of their own already and they are only 3 and 6 years old!

I was asked to try out some boys swim shorts from Vertbaudet's Spring Range Swimwear Collection. Vertbaudet is a specialist site that's dedicated just to children where you can find clothing, accessories and furniture.

The shorts I received for my 3 year old Lewis were perfect. As you can see they are long style shorts so I found it ideal for not only swimming but wearing them casually too.

The Casual Look

My kids always love to play on the beach or by the pool beforehand so the swimming shorts are great for this and I didn't need to change Lewis into his swimwear before he went in the water.

Plus having the swimming shorts long protect the top his little legs from the sun. The waist is adjustable and there are even some cute little pockets for them to keep things in like sunglasses or sweets!

Even when we are not going swimming I will put the shorts on Lewis as they can be passed off as casual shorts easily.

They start from just £12.00 and come in 4 different colours/patterns for children aged 2 up t0 14 years old.

-You might be interested in my review for Vertbaudet's boys checked shirt and boys polo shirt and shorts set also-

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

VERTBAUDET CHILDREN'S SPRING WEAR REVIEW: Boys Polo Shirt & Shorts Set

2011-04-27T09:00:00.003+01:00

Over here in the UK with Spring or Summer you just never know when the weather is going to change. It can be boiling hot one minute and freezing the next.

So I like to dress my boys appropriately on a hot day so that if it does cool off later on they are not going to look silly (and be cold) wearing tiny shorts and vests!

I had to chance to try out the boys polo shirt and shorts set from Vertbaudet's Spring Collection. First of all I loved how it was an actual set so I didn't have to worry about trying to match up the t-shirt and shorts individually.

And the check patterned shorts I absolutely adored. They have an individual style and are not like your usual supermarket store jogger type shorts. My 3 year old Lewis loves them and asks me if he can wear them all the time - bless him!

The quality is really good too. For the amount of times my son has played in them and they have been washed they still look new everytime he puts them on.

This boys polo shirt and shorts set starts from just £19.00 for ages 2 to 14 years old.

You might also be interested in my other Vertbaudet Children's Clothing Reviews:

Boys Swim Shorts
Boys Checked Shirt

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A SPECIAL 'GROWN UP' EASTER GIFT: Champagne Mini Eggs

2011-04-21T20:32:00.004+01:00

Easter doesn't just have to be about kids and their giant egg collection! You can get some beautiful egg collections to give to adults as gifts too.

Like Prestat's Mini Marc de Champagne Mini Egg Collection. For something that seems so small comes out on top in the taste bud ratings in my opinion!

At just £6.50 it makes a perfect Easter gift or a gift in general for a friend or loved one. Or maybe just as a little treat for yourself? The chocolate milk, white and dark chocolate eggs are infused with pink and Kir Royal champagne after all. Yummy!

The mini eggs were for me but of course my little ones wanted in on the action too so I had to share them out! I know it's not fair!

Pictured is my 3 year old Lewis ready to get stuck in!

The packaging makes the eggs look extra special with the shiny red and gold box and nice purple tissue paper wrapping inside.

Did you know that Prestat is the chocolatier to Her Majesty the Queen and are renowned for their handmade chocolates?

Prestat currently have a special Easter Parade Collection with even more egg gifts on offer. Have a look at the website to find out more.

You can also purchase the eggs from Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty stores.

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

EASTER ACTIVITY SET FOR KIDS: Make Your Own Bonnet

2011-04-21T12:09:00.009+01:00

The Finished Bonnet

The base made up ready for decoration

With Easter nearing there are only so many chocolate eggs your children are going to eat before they get bored or be sick even!

You can fill their day with activities in a really affordable way. Clinton Cards currently have a fantastic selection of Easter Activity packs suitable for boys and girls.

They were kind enough to send me the 'Make Your Own Easter Bonnet' pack to try out. My kids got stuck in there straight away.

Stop taking pictures Mum we're busy!

The bonnet consists of some light cardboard material, peel off foam stickers and some glue( the glue is just to piece 2 decorative Easter signs together for the bonnet - so no mess!)

It comes flat packed in the box so your children have to add the strips to the circular bottom to create the bonnet base. The strips connect together easily but you may have to help them out a little to make sure there are secured properly and wont fall back out again.

The rest is pretty straight forward and you don't have to cut anything out so it ideal for you kids to just get on with it.

Ready for wearing

Make sure your children take care when playing with the hat as if handled too heavily the strips can come off. But if they do they can easily be slotted back in again no problem.

If you want to get a pack for your children you can get from most Clinton Card stores or online at www.clintoncards.co.uk for just £2.49. Currently there is a special 3 for 2 offer on for Easter gifts ending 25th April, 2011.

NB: This product was sent to me by Clinton Cards for free to test out in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

SATURDAY CENTUS: The Refrain Review

2011-04-18T13:07:00.007+01:00

Well Jenny has done a shake up with a difference this week! This time with reviewing a story by one of our fellow centusians from last week.

I must say I am really touched to have my Fate story chosen and reviewed by a couple of my friends Jeff and Julia. See the links at the bottom of this post to check them out. And thanks again guys!

With so many of my writer friends to choose from it was hard. But I went with Jeff's logic of choosing a centus of someone who posted towards the end of Mr Linky whos story may have gone unnoticed. So at the very end at number 31 (just after mine!) I give you Jo's story and review of The Refrain:

The Story:

The refrain keeps running through her mind … erie echoing childish voices coming from above. Captive in a place that is so dark it’s as if the sun has never reached it. … at times burrowing sounds fill the dark air … “they don’t even know that I am alive … they don’t know that I am right here …” She tries to move … to wriggle free, but she is stuck … long weighty roots tying her firmly to the dark earth … she tries to lift her head ...

April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers... April showers bring May flowers...

The refrain is halted by a young child’s shrieks …"Mrs. Matlock , Mrs. Matlock … I can see a bit of green! The flower is starting to grow!"

The review:

Jo takes us on a clever journey with her story intriguing our minds as she goes along making us wonder "Is this what I think it is?"

The description details the suspenseful moment perfectly, where you could be fooled into thinking you are in the mind of a human being trapped underground when really you're inside in a fictional flower character's head. Love it!

A brilliant thought provoking touch in making something that doesn't seem so real and believable to us into a reality. And of course Jo leaves us with an ending of that cheeky humour of hers that we all know and love.

Bravo Jo! It didn't deserve to be last on the Linky! ;-)

My Story Fate:

Jeff's Review
Julia's Review

'DIFFERENT' FASHIONABLE CHILDREN'S CLOTHING

2011-04-16T15:41:00.003+01:00

I know it doesn't sound nice but having two boys I get bored of buying the same type of clothing for them all the time and seeing their friends wearing the same designs. There just isn't that much choice for boys is there?

Well that's what I thought before I came across online children's store Vertbaudet. They have a wonderful range of a different type of tops, shorts, dresses, footwear for boys and girls aged from newborn up to 14 year old.

The baby clothes patterns and the older children clothes are really funky. You would think you're children are wearing designer clothes, except these are a lot more affordable.

SATURDAY CENTUS: Fate

2011-04-13T12:50:00.000+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. The prompt for this week prompt is in bold. Here is my short story:

Devastated, heartbroken, that empty feeling inside. Would I ever get over the love of my life April?

Times of staring into space, lonely moments in the dark, ready meals for one. Would I ever see past the 2 year love story that we shared together?

A knock at the door came. Making my way there slowly passed the drawn curtains. "Just go away" I muttered.

3 months on and I was still miserable in my own skin! But this woman's grin would brighten up anyones day

"Hi I'm May. I've just moved in next door"

Then something inside me suddenly took away all that pain and I thought "April showers bring May flowers!" ......

ENJOYING OUTDOOR LIVING WITH PATIO FURNITURE

2011-04-06T21:36:00.004+01:00

If you think back 20 or 30 years ago children would always be outdoors in the streets or in their gardens, and it would be the parents calling them back inside when it was time for supper. That is one of the good child hood memories for me.

But nowadays you struggle to get your children outdoors with all the TV programmes and video games they have these days. You want them to get some fresh air and enjoy the spring and summer months instead of being stuck in the stuffy indoors instead.

What I like to do is have patio furniture that is as comfortable as my indoor furniture. You can get a lot of outdoor furniture these days with padded seats and cushions that you can add on and take off as you please.

There used to be a time where you could just get the traditional plastic table and chairs with a parasol. But now you have stainless steel, wooden, wicker, glass, teak furniture and plenty more.

This type of furniture makes me want to go outside and read my magazine in peace, set up that BBQ that's been sitting in the shed for a year and my kids want to actually go outside to eat instead of at the kitchen dining table.

In fact I have recently set up a pool table in the garden under the gazebo with some modern table and chairs nearby and now its got to the point where I cant get my kids indoors!

A summer house is my next project. I cant wait to get all that set up with some lovely patio furniture. I may even use it as my new office. I am a big fan of the outdoors can you tell?

How about yourself - Are you a lover of outdoor living? Do you have any patio furniture ideas of your own?

VERTBAUDET CHILDREN'S SPRING WEAR REVIEW: Boys Check Shirt

2011-04-03T15:26:00.002+01:00

Casual Look

Spring is a funny season. It can be cold one minute and hot the next. And along with my own wardrobe I always like to make sure my kids have clothing to go with the seasons also.

It can be hard to find good quality clothing that's not going to be torn in play or fray after a couple of days. So when I was asked to try out some of children's specialists website Vertbaudet's spring range I jumped at the chance.

My 6 year old son Evan (pictured) wears the boys checked shirt. I was immediately impressed with the design and the way it had been made. The material is 100% woven cotton that's seems to be very crease resistant on wearing. Some clothes get creased just by sitting on them don't they!?

Smart Casual Look

There is an easy clip fasten button at the top that the kids can do easily themselves if they are feeling a little chilly and normal plastic buttons the rest of the way down.

I loved how you can play around with the design and not just wear it one way and for one type of occasion. I have shown you examples here how it can be worn in a casual, smart casual and smart/evening wear way.

My son has worn it several times now and found it really comfortable to wear.

Smart/Formal Look

You can get a more detailed description from the website using the bold link above. Currently you have the option of dark blue or cream check in sizes 2 to 14 years old.

At the time of this review the RRP price was £17.00 and you can now get a massive 70% off for just £5.10 so hurry!

You might also be interested in my other Vertbaudet children's clothing reviews also:

Boy polo shirt and shorts set
Boys swim shorts

NB: This item was sent to me to keep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

QUICK & CHEAP AUSTRALIAN CAR INSURANCE

2011-04-03T13:36:00.003+01:00

There are thousands of car insurers on the Internet and if you are looking for a specific one for your country you may end up getting a few irrelevant results first.

If you need Car Insurance Australia in particular website thebuzz can provide you with cheap car insurance quote in less than a minute. You can automatically save money online as its easier for both parties to set up and you have the choice whether you want to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

The simple 3 step menu will ask you several questions and then you just click the 'show my quote' button for a quick summary of cost and cover.

You will then have the option to select the cover you require i.e Comprehensive, Third party fire and theft, Third party only and adjust excess levels to see your individual budget.

SATURDAY CENTUS: The Fear

2011-03-30T21:43:00.000+01:00

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. The prompt for this week prompt is in bold. This time Jenny has made things more exciting with a twist (my favourite - thank you!) The story has to be a rhyme that also rhymes with the prompt. Here is my short story:

Nail bitin', bendin', rippin' and pickin'
I can do this I'm not a chicken!
Worried frowning, paused stares, skin thats itchin'
Focus Tina you can do this frickin ... !
Grrr! calm down your in your own kitchen
Just needs a bit of tipping and stickin'
Then hopefully it will be good for lickin'
Thats if I don't end up giving it a kickin'
Cause all I'm doing right now is bitchin'!

REFRESH YOUR HOME WITH QUALITY FURNITURE

2011-03-30T20:53:00.007+01:00

I'm looking to give the rooms in my home a bit of make over. I get bored easily and are tired of seeing the same sort of furniture that's in every catalogue and in most of my friends homes.

What I'm really looking for are Display cabinets and other furniture that will stand out. And ones where I can completely relax and enjoy the pieces without having to worry about them falling apart after a few months.

When I was looking around online store Quality Furniture 4U stood out to me for their high end telephone tables , lamps, chairs and more but without the extravagant price tags that you would usually find at designer furniture websites with similar furniture styles.

One of my favourite pieces are the mirrored bedside tables I have pictured here. I can just imagine these in my bedroom and making the whole space look bigger in the same sense mirrored wardrobes would.

Plus I know that are probably marketed as bedroom furniture but I think they would actually look great as a swanky bathroom storage cabinet too.

You can find all kinds of traditional and contemporary furniture styles on the site in wooden, glass, painted, antique finishes amongst others.

A PROUD PICTURE

2011-03-25T10:03:00.003Z

My youngest is 3 years old but I still see him like a giant baby! So when I saw a picture he drew at nursery I was really surprised at the detail and imagination he had put into it.

You know the story of the 3 Billy Goat's Gruff? Well the picture shows the 3 goats and the troll. It really made me smile and I was that impressed I am going to put it in a frame.

Here he is my little angel Lewis.

Have you got a proud picture that your kids have done that you have kept for years?

100 DOGS DISPOSED OF TO SAVE MONEY

2011-03-25T09:36:00.005Z

Canadian sled dog company owner joey Houssian has stated 'I take moral responsibility for everything that happens within my company'.

The whistler company known as Outdoor Adventures was blasted by the media and publicly slated for killing 100 dogs to cut costs due to profits falling after the Olympics.

As investigations are ongoing Mr Houssain hasn't said much on the matter so far but has got meetings set up with the media and sent a "letter to the editor" that was featured in the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

You can find out more about this horrific story using the article link within this post.

SATURDAY CENTUS: What Makes A Good Friend?

2011-03-21T17:07:00.000Z

Saturday Centus is a short story theme where you are given a different prompt each week, and have to work it into your story. The prompt for this week prompt is in bold. Here is my short story:

What makes a good friend?

Someone you can have a fun with? - Tick.
Who makes you laugh? - Tick.
Who cheers you up when your down? - Pen paused on paper.
Who's there for you at your time of need - Pen now lifted.

I Sit there immersed in deep thought realising just where are you at my all time low? Having fun, making people laugh? - Yes. But not with me when it matters.

The curtain parted in reality and in my reoccurring dreams. Every time I look to see you're no where to be found. Maybe the curtain parting is a sign that its about time we parted - As friends. Cause we never were - Not really.

CUT PRICE QUALITY HIP HOP JEWELRY

2011-03-21T15:00:00.000Z

My son has recently became interested in jewelry. Why? Because his favourite music groups wear them on the telly he said!

But this isn't your usual type of necklaces, rings etc. They are known as hip hop jewelry or 'bling bling' as a lot of celebrities like to call it!

I thought there is no way I will ever be able to afford anything like that on my wage but nevertheless I started looking anyway to see what I could find.

I happened to come across a site called Traxnyc that has a whole section of this type of jewelry as well as many other types. The hip hop jewelry started from about $190.00 upwards that feature real diamonds and precious stones.

There are plenty of different rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches and more to choose from for men and women. A lot of them I noticed were at slashed prices too where most of the time have been reduced down to more than half of what the recommended retail price should be. This as well as having very similar if not the same jewelry that you are seeing on your favourite music stars.

And with each hip hop jewelry piece comes a description area on the website that tells you the weight, size, setting, colour amongst other details.

PERSONALISED CARDS AT funkypigeon.com + 50% Reader Discount

2011-03-18T10:14:00.000Z

My Card

I kept seeing adverts for funkypigeon.com and with Mothers Day coming up I thought I would do something a little special by getting my mom a personalised card.

To be honest I expected premium prices and postage so my first thoughts before I even reached the website were it probably won't be worth spending that much - but I was so wrong!

The cards (that can be sent worldwide by the way) start from just £1.79 and first class standard delivery in the UK is free.

You can get all kinds of cards for different occassions as well as personalised posters, notebooks, gifts and flowers.

Plus there are special offers like £3.00 free credit for adding occassion reminders to your account page, deals of up to £35.00 credit for prepaying for your items and a readers discount you can use. See below *****

The ordering experience for me was really quick and easy. You simply type the name you want to show on the cover and/or upload a picture. You can even type a message on the inside as well if you want to or leave it blank if you prefer to handwrite your cards. They can be sent to you or the reciptent direct.

***** DISCOUNT *****

If you would like to make a purchase you can actually get 50% off your first order using my special referal code below. I will get £3 for referring you and in return you will get your goods for half price.

All you have to do is use the 'personalised card' link above to get to the website. Then when you register enter my account number as 593717 and your discount will be applied at the check out stage. - Thanking you in advance for using the code :-) .... Enjoy!

ORGANIZATION TIPS & ADVICE

2011-03-18T10:00:00.003Z

Trying to be organised can be a nightmare for some people whether its for professional purposes or not. There is no harm in asking for assistance and tips.

A professional organizer san diego company can actually help you out with how to manage your organization efficiently.

'DIVE INTO THE SEASON'S SEXIEST SWIMWEAR' & Win 1 of 10 $200 Gift Cards

2011-03-15T14:00:00.001Z

This post brought to you by Express. All opinions are 100% mine.

Yay the summer is nearly here - Excited Excited! Which means Its time to start working on my tan. Ghost skin is so not a good look for me!

So I have been on the look out for several different swim suits. My favourite are the bikini mix and match types where you can swap over styles using a couple of different swim outfits. For instance a halter neck with bikini pants or a tankini top if you want to cover up a bit more.

Express.com have a gorgeous collection of women's swimwear for the current season. I love the one I have pictured here as the bottoms have a different pattern to the bikini top yet compliments it perfectly. That's great for my mix and match theory I was taking about earlier. I could easily wear that to my local beach without people staring at me thinking I was over the top and yet its still got that cool, sexy feel about it don't you think?

You can find swimwear that will suit different body shapes, styles and colour tastes. And if you like a particular detail you can even get bikinis with special touches like beading, ruffles, tie sides and more. Plus there is a range of swim shorts for men as well as women.

Oh and don't forget its all about accessorizing too with your sandals, hats, sunglasses and tote bags. Yes, Express has thought of that too so you can easily shop in one place.

How does the idea of $200 gift card to spend on what you want sound to give you a bit of a helping hand? If you sign up for the free Express e-mail newsletter on the website you could be one of the lucky ten people selected to win the prize. And you will be getting first hand knowledge of the latest special deals and new lines coming in.

Just have a look at the website to find out more and read about the sweepstakes rules. But this offer won't last forever so make sure you get yourself signed up by 11.59pm April 21st, 2011.

COLMAN'S SEASON & SHAKE REVIEW: Paprika Chicken

2011-03-14T15:45:00.007Z

Overview:

I kept seeing adverts for Colman's Season and Shake chicken where you cook everything inside a bag in the oven. I thought this is too easy and can it really turn out right? So I had to see for myself.
What is it and how does it work?

Basically its a sachet of flavoured herbs. Currently there are 3 flavours to choose from: Paprika Chicken, Medeteranion Chicken and Rustic Chicken. I went for the Paprika one. You just need some fresh chicken drummers, breast or fillet.

The ovenproof bag is provided inside the sachet. You just put your chicken inside it and sprinke the herb seasoning on top. You can secure it with a special ring (provided) and give it a little shake. Put the bag on its side on a baking tray in the oven and its done in 40 minutes.
My Thoughts:

I was very impressed. This will be one of my new family meals for sure. Even the kids enjoyed it. The chicken was really soft, juicy and flavoursome. I felt like I had done a recipe that had taken hours to prepare! I used fillet chicken and served with roasters. But you can have it with whatever you like.

I also thought these would be fantastic to make up for buffets and eat hot or cold it doesent matter. I cant wait to try the other flavours on offer.

SEEING HOW MOBILES HAVE MOVED ON OVER THE YEARS ...

2011-03-14T14:33:00.004Z

I remember when mobile phones first came out and they were like bricks! But then everyone thought they were great because it was this must have gadget that no one had ever heard of before.

Can you imagine if people walked round with one of those phones now? Its strange because no matter how much out of date and embarrassing the phone would be to have its a classic memory of what brought us this amazing technology. Such a shame really.

Most people including school children and your grandparents own a mobile phone these days! I know for one that I would be completely lost without mine.

I don't know the last time I had to use a public phone box or saw any one using one. If you did it would probably just be the pay as you go people who have ran out of credit.

Then as time moved on you have got different cell phone cases and cell phone covers that you can get. You can literally change these around to suit your mood. I have several myself that am I always playing around with and if I'm feeling stylish to match my outfits too. Oh yes its all about the accessories isn't it?

Have you saw the celebrities with these 'bling bling' phones as they say with the diamantes all on the casing? I think I would cry if just one of the bits came off for what each little piece was worth.

I think we could all do with a lesson of going back to the basic brick phone with no Internet, no Facebook, no game applications and I think no texting either. It just doesn't bare thinking about does it. How would we all cope? haha!

How about yourself? Do you remember what mobile phones were like all those years ago?

PIG RACING NIGHT

2011-03-14T11:08:00.006Z

Ready! ...

Go!

There was a pig race event at Evan's school to raise money for playground equipment. I was disappointed to learn it wasn't actually real pigs though. I know boo! Instead it was wind up toy pigs but it was still good fun.

There were 8 pigs in each race and you could bet on one or more to win. Each one had novelty names like Bacon Fries, Pork Chop, Babe etc. If your pig wins you win a money prize. Everyone was really into it and shouting at the pigs saying "Come on!" like it was real and the pigs could understand haha.

My kids (Lewis front, Evan 3rd along blue top) In the front row

The kids chose the pigs and we won twice! I let them spend the money on a stall that was there that had pig fairy cakes, pig note pads and pig stress toys. So cute!

The kids had a great time. You can actually hire these out for your own fund raising events too if you wanted to.

UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS: Experience Days

2011-03-13T23:00:00.002Z

Jet Boating

Have you ever felt that you want to give something more to someone as a present than a simple gift that you unwrap such as perfume, beauty product, clothing etc?

Something with a bit more thought and meaning that will last in their memory forever like an experience day for instance.

Experience days are Unique gift ideas where you do things like be a racing car driver for the day, fly a jet fighter plane or maybe an experience a little less extreme perhaps like paintball or a cocktail making class.

At website Adrenalin you can find some fantastic experience ideas that have Presents for men and women.

How cool would it be to see their faces when you hand them an envelope with them just thinking its a celebration card with the hope of some money inside. But instead they get a special ticket for the experience they probably never even thought they would be able to do?

If you're unsure of what experience to choose you can just purchase a voucher for the value of your choice and give it to your loved one. They can then use it for or towards a gift of their choice instead. And it lasts for 12 months so there is no rush to use it straight away.

A SPECIAL KIND OF CENTREPIECE: Photos On Canvas

2011-03-11T10:58:00.012Z

You can take hundreds of pictures but there are always that select few or maybe just one that always seem to stand out to you and has that lasting memory.

Instead of just putting that special photo away in an album or box somewhere you could make it part of your home instead by having it printed on a photo canvas.

These unique art pieces can be made available at the Photos In Canvas website. The idea behind it is really good and you can have all kinds of effects applied to the canvas such as colour splash (pictured), black and white, sepia and poterise amongst others.

It doesn't have to be a photo of a person or animal either. You can use any photo or design you like. Or if you prefer there is a selection of original pre-designed pictures on the website created by local photographers and artists, that have been personally selected by the team that you can choose from. A lot of time and effort is put into the selection ensuring that you wont just be able to find these same pictures anywhere else.

The way the service works is it lets you be the decision maker and you can control the design. size and finish you want. Need red eye reduction from your picture? Or want to take away any unsightly blemishes for a airbrush effect look?

You simply download the picture and you can preview it on a virtual wall and make any adjustments from there including cropping and moving your picture. And as part of Photo In Canvas' bespoke services an experienced designer who will be creating your photo canvas can also be made available to discuss your needs.

All the canvas prints are only made from the best materials yet are still at a reasonable price with a ten year guarantee and comes with free delivery thrown in too.

VAMPIRES SUCK MOVIE REVIEW

2011-03-10T23:09:00.000Z

Age Rating: 12

Storyline:

A comedy that has a pop at the ever so popular vampire saga Twilight. And also digs fun at celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Lady GaGa and the Black Eyed Peas. The storyline is more or less a complete copy of the Twilight series and probably only understandable to those who have watched the first two of the Twilight series. Otherwise you really wouldn't get the jokes.

My Thoughts:

As mentioned above the movie is a complete rip off of the movies. I expected a few little comedy moments of snippets from the film and perhaps a few other vampire ones but this just follows the story from the start to the second one. I may as well have watched the original Twilight's again!

The jokes were sparse and not really that funny at all and I found them very obvious and repetitive. The only good thing are the characters who freakily look the same in their features and the way they act.

Non surprisingly I found out after I watched the film unfortunately that it had in fact been slated by the critics and public including having nominations for Worst Picture amongst others.

If only I had saw that before I could have watched something else! As the title suggests this film sucks!

VILLA'S OR APARTMENTS - What Is Your Choice?

2011-03-10T23:00:00.001Z

When I go away on holiday I would much rather stay in a villa than your usual apartments or hotels.

After a few days I always get that home sick feeling yet I still want to continue with my holiday if you know what I mean!? And when I'm in an apartment where you can hear others eating their breakfast through the walls (well maybe not that extreme but some walls are thin and I love my peace and quiet!) it kinda takes away the holiday feel from it all.

Its the same with hotels. Call me fussy but I like to wake up when I like and not be bothered by the housekeeper who wakes you up at 7am on the dot! No no no! holidays are definitely a time for lie ins.

So something like a villa rental Bali home would sound really appealing to me. I can imagine it would be quite luxurious, set in its own space away from others and the Bali villas for rent would give me that peace and quiet I desire so much.

Plus villas are usually really spacious so great if you are looking to go away with the family and don't want to be cramped up in a little apartment.

I keep going on about these apartments don't I? They are fine. I have stayed in them before but they are just not for me. I like to keep myself to myself and be able to go ahead with my holiday the way I want to without worrying about the times the complex gates will close or when dinner will be served in the restaurant.

All this talk of holiday has made me want to book mine this year. Am I too late you think? I know most people book in January don't they? Always last minute I am!