30 Before 30

08:00

Today I turn 29, which means I've entered the last year of my twenties.  I've actually achieved quite a bit in my twenties. Got married, had a child and own our own house. 30 feels like a big milestone and so I decided to do a 30 before 30 list of things I'd like to do by this time next year.



1.Get into a better sleep routine
I have a bad habit of going to bed really late and feeling exhausted the next day and this needs to change.

2. Get into good skincare habits 
I need to start using products that are better for my skin type.

3. Get highlights 
I've not had my hair dyed in 7 years. I use to have highlights and so I want to get them done again.

4. Get a pet
I'd love to get a pet not a cat or a dog. However maybe a budgie or Guinea pigs.


5. Go to an art class
I love creative hobbies and would love to go to a class and learn a new painting skill for example.

6. Go to a pottery class
Again as above I'd love to learn a new skill and it would be great to make something for our home.

7. Spa day
I've never been on a spa day and have always wanted to.

8. Weekend away just me and Stuart
Since having Blake we've never had a night away from him. I'd love to be able to spend time away just me and Stuart for a few nights.

9. Do an escape room 
These look such fun  to do and it would be a great experience for Stuart and I to do together.

10. Give blood
It's been awhile since I last did

11. Go to a casino 
Again its something I'd love to do, just so I've had the experience.

12. 100 days of happy challenge
Photos of things that make me happy over 100 days

13. See a westend show
Would love to head to London and see a show maybe Matilda if its still on by the time we can go.

14. Learn calligraphy 
Another creative hobby I'd like to do

15. Add a love lock to a bridge 
There is a bridge not too far from us to do this one

16. Henna eyebrows
I'd love to get my eyebrows microbladed however the cost is what puts me off so getting henna brows instead is the next best thing I guess.

17. Save
I want to get into better saving habits and save up so we have a good amount in an emergency fund as well as for holidays.

18. Try a new food
I tend to opt for safe foods and go for the things I know i like. I'd love to start trying new foods more.

19. Fill my art book
I love creative hobbies as you have probably guessed by now. I'd love to have completely filled my sketchbook by this time next year.

20. Visit more places up north
Since moving to Lincolnshire I want to explore alot more places up this way now they are easier for us to get to.

21. Watch some classic films
Would you believe I've never watched dirty dancing or pretty women

22. DIY crafts 
I want to actually do some of the DIY craft ideas I've seen on pinterest instead of just pinning them.


23. Eat at a Michelin star restaurant 

27. Read some classics
I love reading but want to definitely start reading more classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering heights and Little Women.

28. London Eye
I'd love to see the views of London from the London eye. I can't believe that its something I''ve not done yet.

29. Make a scrapbook 
I want to start printing off photos instead of just having them on my phone or camera.

30. Disney movie marathon 
I need to get more Disney DVDs however I'd love a day where I can watch as many as I can fit in.

Last minute Fathers Day card with Stampin up

15:31

Fathers day is tomorrow and Stampin up got in touch to see if we fancy making a last minute card for Fathers day.  We were sent a range of products so that we could do this. 

We were sent a black ink kit, a fathers day set of cling stamps, a clear block, some plain white cards and envelopes and last of all a set of Stampin write markers. 

 When looking at the instructions on how to use the cling stamps I was unsure fully what to do.  I feel that the instructions over all need to be made more clearer to understand. This is especially important if like me you've never used them before. I did have a look online to see what to do and hopefully I've done it right, it seems to have worked so I must have.

 If I've got it right you use the clear stickers in the cling stamp set and you sick them directly onto the clear block and then pop the rubber stamp over the top. You then use the stamp in the ink like you would usually do and press onto your card to make different designs. 

 Then you use the double ended markers to draw and write whatever you like. What I didn't realise until now is that you can also use the markers on the stamps so that you can do different colours or a multi colour effect.

Blake and I opted to do a very simple design which is ideal for a last minute card. You could do so many different designs. If you have a child who has a wide range of arts and crafts products than you can get even more creative if you have the time. 

Making cards are a great craft activity to do with children. Blake actually has his own kids stamp set, so once I worked out we needed to put the stamps onto the clear block he pretty much knew how to use the stamps.  He then wanted me to use some of the markers that are metallic colours to do some swirly patterns to give the card a bit of colour. 

 We will definitely be giving this a try again to make some much more colourful cards.

 *I was gifted the Stampin up products in return for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Autism

Sensory toys

17:04

*Contains Affiliate links*
*Items featured are either brought by myself or family members.


Sensory support for someone with autisim is really important. With autisim a person can really struggle with processing everyday information with any of their senses being over or under sensitive.  This can then effect someone who is autistic's behaviour. However there are ways in which to help for example therapies and equipment.

 Each child has different needs and those needs change depending on various range of factors. I wanted to share with you today some of Blake's favourite sensory toys.

Calming toys

Lights are a great sensory aid. At night Blake has a star night light lamp which you can get from most toy places in various designs. It's part of Blake's routine to have it on every night. 

Another favourite is a light up spinning wand , Blake actually got one in a goodie bag a good few years ago when we went to see in the night garden live. Blake also has another which we currently keep in his backpack. 

One of my favourites are the liquid motion timers as they are so relaxing and mesmerising so are ideal for bedtime or for when Blake needs some down time.

Blake's ultimate favourite at the moment is the colour changing bubble fish lamp he got this as a gift at Christmas and can spend ages just watching the changing colours. He now says "All gone, bye bye fish" when he has had enough.

A great present Blake also got is the Glow Art drawing board. It's great for mark making practice. There are 36 different multi colour LED lighting effects transforming and bringing drawings etc to life.


Messy play

Messy play is touch and go with Blake dependant on he type of messy play for example he isn't a fan of shaving foam or slime and playdough however he loves the Learning Rescources Play foam  which is mess free along with arts and crafts, sand and water play.

Water play us definitely Blake's favourite and these Munchkin suction cup bath toys  are a very recent purchase that make bathtime so much fun. 



Physical 
Blake absolutely loves bouncing around and his trampoline is a favourite. He has had this one for a good few years now. It's the Getgo fold away trampoline which we got from Argos although they no longer seem to sell it. 



I'll definitely do another post as we expand our sensory toys. Especially as I've got my eye on some other products that would be great for Blake with giving him more physical sensory feedback.