LIKES & LOVES| NOVEMBER 2021

Some of the items featured in this post include affiliate links. I’ve added a * next to those items for reference. Purchasing via these links does not cost you extra


This month we've done a fair few things we went to a fireworks display, Illuminate Gainsborough event plus managed to get most of our Christmas present shopping done. 


Netflix 

The Chestnut Man

A figurine made of chestnuts is found at the scene of a grisly murder; from this creepy clue, two detectives hunt for a killer linked to a politician's missing child.


Disney +

We've been making our way through most of the Disney classics this month and Blake has really enjoyed them. Dumbo, 101 Dalmatians, The Aristocats and Lady & the tramp have been Blake's favourites so far.


Adele 30
I've been listening to Adele's new album quite a bit since it's release on the 19th.  In fact I'm listening to it as I write this up. 

How to Raise a Science Lover

*This is a collaborative post


Some children find science pretty boring, while others are completely fascinated by it. If given the right sort of encouragement, it’s highly likely that you can help your child find a love of science from an early age. There are lots of ways you can achieve this, as explored below by an independent school in Surrey.



2021 READING CHALLENGE | WHAT I'VE READ IN NOVEMBER

I'm in a reading slump with only and 2 and a bit books read in November. For me that is unusual  as I normally read 4 or more a month. Admittedly I've felt pretty low which has had an impact as I've not been enjoying the things I usually love and reading is one of them things. 

Haven't they grown by Sophie Hannah 
This is my first read by Sophie Hannah and I really enjoyed it. 

All Beth has to do is drive her son to his Under-16s away match, watch him play, and bring him home.


Just because she knows that her former best friend lives near the football ground, that doesn’t mean she has to drive past her house and try to catch a glimpse of her. Why would Beth do that, and risk dredging up painful memories? She hasn’t seen Flora Braid for twelve years.

But she can’t resist. She parks outside Flora’s house and watches from across the road as Flora and her children, Thomas and Emily, step out of the car. Except…

There’s something terribly wrong.

Flora looks the same, only older – just as Beth would have expected. It’s the children that are the problem. Twelve years ago, Thomas and Emily Braid were five and three years old. Today, they look precisely as they did then. They are still five and three. They are Thomas and Emily without a doubt – Beth hears Flora call them by their names – but they haven’t changed at all. They are no taller, no older.

Why haven’t they grown?


LITTLE MOMENTS : 47 & 48/52: BOOSTER JAB & GORGEOUS SUNSETS

I've not really got much to say about the past two weeks. I've had my covid booster which left me with a really achey arm with a swelling in my arm pit. I had no headache though like i had after the two previous jabs. 

There have also been some lovely sunsets recently that I've managed to capture although it's definitely too cold for Blake to play out with friends now. 

We are going to be very busy with Christmas stuff over the next couple of weeks which I'm sure I'll be sharing especially on social media.




CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2021 | FOR THE ADULTS

Ad/Gifted : I was sent the items featured in this gift guide in return for inclusion. Affiliate links are marked with a *



Last week I shared my gift guide for the kids and today I'm sharing with you my gift guide for the adults. There is a mixture of items featured for all genders. So grab yourself a drink and settle down as this gift guide is a long one. 

Embracing Neurodiversity in Recruitment

*This is a collaborative guestpost

Far from being a politically correct gesture, the embracing of neurodiversity in the workplace brings with it a whole host of benefits, not only to society at large, but also to the many businesses that are engaged in the process. Before we move on to explain the benefits and offer advice on how to go about embracing neurodiversity it is worth offering a definition.


Neurodiversity defined

Judy Singer was a sociologist with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and it was she who coined the term "neurodiversity" in the late ‘90s. The term refers to the wide range of fluctuations in individual brain function and behavioural traits, considered part of normal variations within the population. Among those considered “neurodiverse” or “neurodivergent” are those with autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD among other conditions.




CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2021 | FOR THE KIDS

Ad/Gifted : I was sent the items featured in this gift guide in return for inclusion. Affiliate links are marked with a *


It's that time of year again when I share with you my annual Christmas gift guides. Christmas doesn't have to be stressful if you plan ahead and my handy guides should help you when it comes to finding gifts for your nearest and dearest. I have a gift guide coming up for the adults soon but today it's all about the kids so read on.


LITTLE MOMENTS : 46/52: ILLUMINATE GAINSBOROUGH

Yesterday evening we headed out to a local event to  commemorate Gainsborough’s 400th anniversary marking the town’s connections to Pilgrims’ heritage.


It was an event that I would have loved to have stayed longer at however Blake got bored quickly. The event started with a digital projection on the walls of Gainsborough Old Hall with the story The Pilgrims: Our Vouag.  It was very interesting to learn about. We then got to see the paper lanterns that were made and set up on the grounds. You can see some of them in the photos above but there were plenty more.


We then saw the illuminated fire garden which really was amazing. We didn't know when we were there that you could actually walk around there to get a more closer look. It was very packed event and a lot of people were watching from the walls hence why we had no idea we could actually get closer. There was also a self led arts trail that we had no idea about. Even though we didn't spend along time there we still had a good time. 

UPDATING AREAS OF OUR HOME WITH DESENIO

 *This is a collaborative post on how artwork from Desenio has made a simple update to areas of our home.


I don't know about you but every now and again I like to change up some of the areas in our home. One of the most easiest way to do this is with wall art. Artwork really completes a space and can actually make a big difference to how the area looks. 



LITTLE MOMENTS: 45/52: BONFIRE NIGHT

 Remember, Remember the 5th of November. 


This year we decided to take Blake to our local bonfire night event. We have avoided going to these events in the past as Blake is very sensitive to sounds and loud sounds can distress him.


However on Friday night we had sat out in the garden with our neighbour and her children watching the fireworks together and Blake absolutely loved it! 



So we decided that we would risk the event on Saturday. We are so glad we did as Blake absolutely loved it and we are so proud of him for how he coped. We are so glad that we were able to take him to experience the event. 


Some simple ways busy mums can de-stress

  

https://twitter.com/SamL17401277
  Image via: https://twitter.com/SamL17401277


Life can be crazy, particularly for any busy mothers out there. Whether you’re juggling your duty as a mum with your professional life or you’re at your wits end after a day exploring a local castle, being a mum can be tough and, on occasions, stressful. It happens to every mum. 

REVIEW: SEQUIN ART CRAFT KITS

Ad/Gifted – The Sequin/Diamond art kits featured in this post were gifted to me in exchange for a review. However all opinions are my own.

If you and/or your children are into arts and crafts then these Sequin Art craft kits will be a hit. Over the past few months Blake and I have taken time to do these sets together. Even some of his friends have taken an interest and joined in. I was sent a set of 3 designs from the 60s range, a larger butterfly design from the Red range and a Diamond art kit too.



Sequin Art has become a trend for both children and adults as a calming and de-stressing activity. You don't have to be artistic to do these sets but just have fun and do them at your own pace.

Everything you need is inside the boxes: sequins, pins, image/guide and a polystyrene frame to mount the sequins on. All you have to do is use the pins to fix the sequins to the frame, following the guide to create your sparkling design.

Antalya: Journey to the Pearl of Turkey

 *This is a collaborative guestpost


Welcome to Antalya, a seaside resort on the shores of the Mediterranean, an earthly paradise and the capital of the Turkish Riviera. The 9th largest city in Turkey has a rich history, natural beauty, intense topography, and it is no coincidence that it hosts over 11 million visitors from around the world annually. As the fourth most popular city in the world, Antalya is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world that offers you a unique experience.



LIKES & LOVES| OCTOBER 2021

 Some of the items featured in this post include affiliate links. I’ve added a * next to those items for reference. Purchasing via these links does not cost you extra. 



October has actually been a mixed month. Blake has been poorly with a cold and had to have time off while waiting results from a covid test. Luckily he was all fine. We have also got up to some really exciting things this month too. We joined in with trick or treating with Blake for the first time which he really enjoyed. We've been to the zoo, joined a  Halloween trail, went pumpkin picking and spent time with family. 



All 4 
Help
A young carer at a Liverpool care home forms a bond with a challenging patient struggling with young-onset Alzheimer's disease. However, the horrifying circumstances of the outbreak of Covid-19 throw everything into disarray.



Netflix 
Squid Game
You have most likely heard of this one due to it's popularity. Definitely one kids shouldn't be watching. 
Hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept an invitation to compete in children's games for a tempting prize, but the stakes are deadly.


Maid 
Single mother Alex turns to housecleaning to make ends meet as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy.


Halloween films
We've spent this month watching quite a few family friendly Halloween films. You can check out my list from a few year's ago which features some favourites.




Friendship decor sign
We are really good friends with our next door neighbour and she gave me this little sign as a gift. 

2021 READING CHALLENGE | WHAT I'VE READ IN OCTOBER

I'm a bit delayed with some blog posts at the moment as we had a busy half term so I'm doing some catch up. Today I am sharing with you what I have been reading in October.

Invisible Girl By Lisa Jewel
A story of secrets and injustices, and of how we look in the wrong places for the bad people while the real predators walk among us in plain sight. This was a great twisty read which I expected from one of my favourite authors.