LIKES & LOVES| DECEMBER 2022

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.

What a month it's been! Not just with everything Christmas related but there was Blake's 8th Birthday and his party as well. It's been busy but lots of fun and memories made. So here is what we've been loving in December.

Netflix

Wednesday

At the beginning of the month the first thing I watched was Wednesday. I absolutely loved the series and really hope they do alot more seasons. 

While attending Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.

The School For Good and Evil

Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they're swept away into an enchanted school where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between good and evil. 

A Christmas Miracle for Daisy

Interior designer Whitney Adler agrees to work for her ex-boyfriend Cormac, who has adopted his orphaned niece, Daisy. Daisy's Christmas wish is for Whitney and Cormac to get together so she can have the mother she always wanted.

The Noel Diary

When a best-selling author returns home at Christmas to settle his mother's estate, he finds a diary that holds secrets to the past.

Chili

I had a voucher code to rent a free movie so I opted for one I'd been meaning to watch for ages.

Where The Crawdads Sing 

Abandoned by her family at a tender age, a solitary Catherine attempts to fend for herself, much to society's dismay. Soon, she finds herself framed for her former boyfriend's death.

*Teddy fleece winter bedding

This is the most cosy bedding we own it's like sleeping in a dressing gown. One side is a gorgeous light grey the other side is white. It's ideal for right now whilst It's really cold so we don't need to put the heating on.

2022 READING CHALLENGE | WHAT IVE READ IN DECEMBER

Another great month for reading. I've not managed to reach my goal for the year of 70 books but I've read 58 which I'm happy with. This month I've managed to get through 6 books. I'm looking forward to a fresh new year and I've got some great sounding reads on my to be read pile.  Let's get onto what I have read this month.

Magpie by Elizabeth Day

Marisa and Jake are a perfect couple, and Kate, their new lodger, is the perfect roommate.  Except no one is perfect. Sure, Kate doesn’t seem to care much about personal boundaries and can occasionally seem overly familiar with Jake, but Marisa doesn’t let it concern her. Kate will soon be gone, and it will just be her, Jake, and their future baby. The twist was unexpected and I like that it touches on infertility and mental health. 

Christmas Eve Box Ideas for 2022

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. 

The Mickeys Christmas Carol game,Something Wild Spiderman and Pop-A -Tops were gifted to include in this post. These are marked with a # next to them for reference. All thoughts are my own.

I started doing a Christmas Eve Box when Blake was about 2. It's now a tradition that we do almost every year. You may wonder what you can put in a Christmas Eve Box? Well as we are only a few days away from Christmas I thought I'd share with you some of my ideas below.

What is a Christmas Eve Box?

If you aren't familiar with the tradition a Christmas Eve Box, it is a box or basket that you give your child on Christmas Eve. We give Blake his in the morning so that he has things to do throughout the day. Although you can give your child theirs whatever part of the day you wish.

Things to Consider Before Moving to Georgia

*This is a collaborative post

Are you planning to move to Georgia, one of the best states in America? There is a population of over 10 million & growing in this beautiful state, where you’ll find trees dripping in Spanish moss. 

Georgia is a popular choice among Americans for making the much-needed move to a new place. It has excellent and bearable temperatures, reasonable prices, fantastic food, and lots of sports. 

So, if you’ve planned your move, here are specific thighs you must know about the beautiful state. Read on and find information that could help you plan your move and stay in Georgia. 

3 Ways to Instill Faith in Children

 *This is a collaborative post 

Teaching your child about faith is an imperative part of their fundamental growth and development. Besides, it also develops your personal relationship with them and how your child sees the world. Before we head on to teach them the importance of faith, you must know what it really means. In simple words, faith is an acceptance of a higher power that we cannot see but know that is protecting us throughout our lives. You can feel faith deep within your hearts. 

Your actions are a product of your faith. What you do and how you do it reflects your belief. Hence, it is important to be a perfect example of faith for your children to keep them on the right track. This article discusses three ways you can instill faith in your children and teach them to become the best version of themselves. Read on. 

GIVEAWAY | O- DEER THE CRAZY CHRISTMAS GAME

Ad/Gifted – The O-Deer Crazy Christmas Game featured in this post was gifted to me from Wicked Uncle in exchange for this post. All thoughts are my own.

O-Deer is a brilliantly entertaining festive game for up to seven players. Enjoy some seasonal silliness that's hilariously entertaining for all ages. To play dance or dash around the room with the wobbly rack of rubbery antlers on your head. Then try to catch or avoid being hooped by the other players. 

The set comes with inflatable antlers, 6 inflatable rings,timer and funny red nose. 

 

I am able to give one lucky reader a chance to win the O-Deer game. 

Winter Illuminations at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Winter Illuminations at Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a popular event and we recently visited thanks to our best friends. We had such an amazing time and it is one of the most magical Christmas events in Yorkshire. The event is suitable for all ages and really gets you into the spirit of Christmas. We would definitely go again as we enjoyed it so much, especially Blake who was mesmerised by the light displays.

This was our first time visiting Yorkshire Wildlife Park, however we definitely want to visit again, especially during the day time to see the animals.

The Great Festive Gift Guide Giveaway 2022

 If you love Christmas as much as I do you are probably counting down the days. We are starting to get into full on Christmas mode and the decorations are going up and Christmas music is on full blast! We are spending Christmas at home just the three of us this year although we will be sure to do video chats with family members on the day too. 

Today we're back! Following on from the last few years' Christmas Giveaways, 80 of the UK's top bloggers have come together to offer another lucky person an opportunity to win an array of incredible prizes. We know Christmas is going to be tough this year on all our budgets so we hope these prizes will help make it easier for you.

The Great Festive Gift Guide Giveaway 2022

We are back for another Festive Giveaway! Some of the top UK bloggers have united to bring you the most amazing holiday bundle of prizes. Last year’s giveaway proved to be very popular and this year is just as exciting with so many prizes for one lucky winner to make your family Christmas dreams come true. In fact, we have over £800 worth of festive goodies and gifts!

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN TO ENTER AND FOR THE FULL LIST OF AMAZING PRIZES – We’ve saved some of the best to last! This is not only a giveaway but also a great holiday gift guide with ideas for the whole family this festive season.

LIKES & LOVES| NOVEMBER 2022

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.

November is a difficult month for us after Stuart's brother passed away last year. With that said we did go out a bit and start with Christmas related events that were on locally. Unfortunately the local Christmas light switch on event wasn't as good as hoped and there were alot of disappointed people.

Netflix

 Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of curiosities

A great anthology of sinister stories told by horror creators.

Slumberland 

A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.

Persuasion

When Frederick Wentworth -- the one who got away -- crashes back into Anne Elliot's life, she must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances.

Green Chef

This month we've tried out Green Chef which is a meal subscription service like Hello Fresh. We have enjoyed the variety available and opted for low carb dishes. These have given me inspiration, especially as a low carb diet is reccomended for me with having diabetes. 

2022 READING CHALLENGE | WHAT I'VE READ IN NOVEMBER

After 2 months of not reading much I've picked up on reading again and have managed to read four books. Although one of them I have been reading since the beginning of September each day. Three out of the four are thrillers which tends to be my go to genre as I love a book with good twists and turns.

Watch her fall by Erin Kelly 

Ava Kirilova has reached the very top of her profession. After years and years of hard graft, pain and sacrifice as part of the London Russian Ballet Company, allowing nothing else to distract her, she is finally the poster girl for Swan Lake. Even Mr K - her father, and the intense, terrifying director of the company - can find no fault. Ava has pushed herself ahead of countless other talented, hardworking girls, and they are all watching her now.But there is someone who really wants to see Ava fall ...

FAMILY CHRISTMAS BUCKET LIST 2022

Christmas is my favourite time of year and I love the build up to the day with all the festive events etc and the absolute joy on Blake's face especially on Christmas morning when he sees that Santa has been. I'm starting to prepare our home for Christmas to keep us organised and keep stress at bay.

With December only a few days away I wanted to share with you our Christmas bucket list for inspiration to get you into the Christmas spirit.

7 MUST HAVE TOYS THIS CHRISTMAS FROM VERY

 Ad/Gifted : I was gifted the items featured in this post from Very in return for inclusion. 

Every year when Christmas comes around there are popular toys that will be on a lot of children's Christmas wish lists. This year lots of families are making cutbacks due to the cost of living crisis and so many of the top toy picks are at lower price points. 

To help you out I have picked out 7 toys that are sure to be popular this Christmas thanks to Very, who have a huge range of brand name toys to choose from including Barbie, LEGO, Jurassic World, Learning Resources and more.

Video Marketing Trends That Will Dominate 2023

 *This is a collaborative post

Video marketing has been around for decades now. Earlier, consumers used to watch Television advertisements, and now they see brand promotions on Instagram reels or YouTube ads. 

Though the platforms and content creation techniques have changed significantly, the essence of video marketing is still the same. It is to raise brand awareness, build brand credibility and drive sales. 

In fact, 86% of businesses use video content as one of their prime marketing tools. So much so that nearly 81% of companies set separate budgets for audio-visual advertising. And 88% of companies have designated teams to brainstorm new ideas and turn them into successful campaigns. 

New technologies- tools and software are further facilitating budget-friendly video production. Nevertheless, the success of a video campaign depends on numerous factors. Marketers must stay on their toes to instantly recognize the trends and adapt to them. 

Of course, with so much going around in the advertisement and technology industry, knowing what platform is on the rise and what type of content viewers love is daunting. Though, not anymore! 

ADVENT CALENDARS FOR 2022

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

The Countdown to Christmas has got more exciting thanks to the array of advent calendars that are available this year. There’s nothing better to create excitement and festive joy than opening your Christmas advent calendar each day throughout December. There are such a great variety available for both kids and adults.

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2022 | FOR ADULTS PART 2

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

Part 2 of the Christmas Gift Guide for adults is here. In this guide there are a great mix of products including items that can be stocking fillers and/or part of a hamper. You can read Part 1 here if you haven't already.

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2022 | FOR ADULTS PART 1

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

It's time for another Christmas Gift Guide, this time for adults and is part 1 of 2. My guide for the kids can be found here if you are yet to read it. In both part 1 and part 2 of these guides you will find a mixture of gift ideas so you should be able to find something for everyone.

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2022 | 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’m sharing with you my annual Christmas gift guides! Christmas this year is set to be a difficult one for many, thanks to the cost of living crisis. This means a lot more people will be struggling. However as usual I always feature items in my gift guides for a mix of budgets and to make your shopping a bit more easier all items can be purchased online. I've included a few items for babies and toddlers as well as items that are suitable for older children as well. Being organised is key at Christmas to reduce stress.

What To Bring In A Job Interview: Top 5 Tips For Freshers

 *This is a collaborative post 

So, you have applied for the job, got a call from a company, and passed a phone screen. Well, congrats! It means that it’s time for an in-person interview. Reaching this stage requires a lot of hard work and consistency. So, take a moment to congratulate yourself and prepare for the next step.

Once you have decided what to wear in a job interview, the last step is to make sure you carry all the required items and documents required for a job interview. As a fresher, you are going to make a lot of mistakes, especially if it is your first time. Not carrying all the required documents may reduce the chance of landing your dream job. So, it’s better to prepare yourself beforehand.

Helping Your Child Find their Passion

*This is a collaborative post

A passion can be something that you’ve found to really appreciate, as well as turn to in order to alleviate pressure and stress. It’s a form of escapism, and it’s important that your child is able to pick up a hobby that they can learn to love.

Here are some ways you can help your child find that untapped passion.

A Parents' Guide to GCSEs

 *This is a collaborative post 

GCSEs are taken by all children in the UK when they reach the end of their studies in Year 11, or within senior schools if your child is attending a private school. They serve as a marker for all students heading into further education, which is a good way to help your child go further with their studies. To help you understand GCSEs, this A Level College has provided us with some key pointers.

The Importance of History Lessons in Schools

 *This is a collaborative post 

History is a great subject for all students to enjoy throughout their time in school, with the vast majority of schools teaching the subject. In fact, in this Sixth Form in Surrey, you can advance further with your History studies to reach A Level and beyond. It has a lot of benefits for students, which is why it’s a highly regarded subject. Here are some reasons as to why it’s important to teach in schools.

Does My Child Need a Private Tutor?

 *This is a collaborative post 

Throughout school life your child may come across a range of obstacles that they must overcome as best they can. These can be between friends, in their school work, or even in the run up to important exams. This usually is when you may consider looking for a private tutor to help with their work and find new ways to improve on themselves.

Here in this guide, we will take you through some reasons why a private tutor is a good option when it comes to supporting your child.

HOW TO MAKE A COLOURFUL HAND-HELD LANTERN

Items featured in this post include affiliate links.  Purchasing via these links does not cost you extra.

Today I am sharing with you how you can make these colourful hand-held lanterns. They are a fun activity to do for all ages and you can be creative as you want with your design.

They can be used as a decorative piece in your home and you can use them on lantern walks. There is a guided lantern walk being held where we live near the end of the month that we plan to join.

WAYS TO KEEP WARM WITHOUT PUTTING THE HEATING ON

It's definitely getting more noticeably colder. With the cost of living increasing and the surge in gas and electricity prices it's a worrying time for many. We are looking into ways to reduce our energy bills and so I thought I'd share with you ways to keep warm without putting the heating on. 

There are actually quite a few things you can actually do to keep warm that are worth considering doing before you put the heating on. 

 

LIKES & LOVES| OCTOBER 2022

 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 been a good month for us we've not actually been out and about much but Novemer onwards is going to be pretty busy for us. Anyway here are the things we have enjoyed this month.

Disney plus

Hocus pocus 2

The first Hocus Pocus is my favourite Halloween film.  When I knew that a second one was coming to Disney plus I had to watch it on it's release day. I enjoyed it however I definitely feel the first one was way better. 

Netflix 

Dahmer– Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is an American biographical crime drama limited series created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix. It is based on true events of the serial killer. 

The Watcher

If you are into thrillers such as The Haunting of Hill House than you may enjoy The Watcher. A family moves into their dream home, only to be plagued by ominous letters, strange neighbors and sinister threats. The series is based on true events.

The Curse of Bridge Hollow

A man and his daughter must team up to save their town after an ancient and mischievous spirit causes Halloween decorations to come to life and wreak havoc.

Devil in Ohio 

A psychiatrist takes in a young patient who escaped from a cult, putting her family and life in danger.

Reading again this month has been pretty slow and I only read two books. 

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN IDEAS TO DO AT HOME

Monday is Halloween which means it's time to start thinking about what you are going to get up to, to celebrate the spooky season. Halloween isn't all about trick or treating and Halloween parties, you can have lots of fun at home too. So, I've compiled a post on ideas of some of the fun things you can get up to.

Eat lots of sweets 

Haribo have some treats available that they launched in time for Halloween. HARIBO Sour Skeletons are a unique sour bite to the sweet selection, these fruity sour jellies come in various flavour combinations, including Lemon & Lime, Blood Orange & Pineapple and Cherry & Blackcurrant. HARIBO Monsters Z!ng delivers the perfect hit of sweet and sour. Each pack contains four monster-shaped pieces; choose between Apple Frankenstein, Blackcurrant Witch, Lemon Ghost and Blood Orange Dracula. 

BOOK TOUR | THE GIFTS BY LIZ HYDER

Ad – review. I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes and all thoughts are my own.

I've not joined in with a book tour for awhile and so today I'm excited to be involved in the book tour for The Gifts by Liz Hyder. 

Liz Hyder has been making up stories for as long she can remember. She has a BA in drama from the University of Bristol and, in early 2018, won the Bridge Award/Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award. Bearmouth, her debut young adult novel, won a Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was chosen as the Children's Book of the Year by The Times. Originally from London, she now lives in South Shropshire. The Gifts is her debut adult novel.

How to child proof your garden

 *This is a collaborative post 

Having a beautiful garden is the dream, having lots of trees and intricate ornaments that decorate the outside space. However, a family garden should have something for everyone, which includes a safe space for children to play in. Whilst many of us pay attention to childproofing our homes, we may forget to pay the same attention to outdoor space. Every child is different and their needs differ to others, but there are still basic things that need to be put into place to ensure your child can safely play outside with the rest of the family. Here are some tips on how to child proof your garden.

The benefits of journalling for children

*This is a collaborative post

Journaling is one of the most important tools a child can be introduced to as it will indirectly help children practise their writing skills and have somewhere private to offload their emotions which is handy for teenagers. Journaling can be used for many things such as recording daily activities, thoughts and feelings. It is important to remember that a journal is not like a diary as it is used to track and explore different topics of interest. As a parent, it would be beneficial to introduce your child to a journal if you find that they struggle with speaking or expressing themselves. Here is some advice on the benefits of journaling for children.

Helping your child develop their vocabulary

*This is a collaborative post

Children developing a wide vocabulary is important as it will be what supports them when it comes to their educational outcome. Alongside formal education, the input parents have is also crucial when it comes to their child's vocabulary. Up to 95% of the words a child learns is from their parents' vocabulary which is why parental involvement and learning is so important. The good news is that it is easy to integrate different tasks and activities into your child's life which can help develop their vocabulary and improve their reading, talking and playing. Here is some advice on how to help your child develop their vocabulary whilst giving them a good head start for their future.

How do my lifestyle choices affect my fertility?

*This is a collaborative post

Over time, research has shown that many lifestyle factors such as eating, how will you sleep, where you live and other behaviours have a very big effect on health. Fertility in this case is no exception. There are many things in a woman’s and man's lifestyle that can affect their fertility. This could include nutrition, weight, exercise, mental state, environment and medication. It can be very easy to fall into the group of people who increase the risk of being infertile through poor lifestyle choices. Here is some advice from an IVF clinic in Putney on how lifestyle choices affect fertility.

Do you put oil in an air fryer?

With air fryers becoming increasingly popular, this versatile kitchen appliance helps you make food quicker, cheaper and healthier than a traditional fryer. You might be wondering, do you put oil in an air fryer, and which oils should you use in your air fryer?

REVIEW | PAJ GPS Allround Finder

* I was sent the PAJ GPS Allround Finder for the purpose of reviewing and also compensated for this review. All views and opinions are 100% my own.

I can be quite forgetful from time to time and often misplace things. With that being said the PAJ GPS Allround Finder is a great solution. Whether for keeping track of  your luggage, handbag, car etc it's important to keep these belongings safe.

The PAJ GPS Allround Finder is a robust tracker that fits in the palm of your hand . This means it's the ideal size for slipping in your handbag or luggage. It also means that it can be placed anywhere in your vehicle such as under a seat, door pockets, dashboard etc. With it being a flexible thing to use you can also use it as a way to track your kids. This tends to be controversial, however it can help parents to feel less anxious when their child/ren are out and about. The GPS Tracker supports 4G network and is therefore safe for the future and has better connectivity!

GIVEAWAY | Push-n-Popz - Bubble Fidget Toy, Just Pop it!

 Ad/Gifted – The Push-n-Popz - Bubble Fidget Toy featured in this post was gifted to me from Wicked Uncle in exchange for this post. All thoughts are my own.

The Glow in the dark versions of the new craze - one pop & you just can't stop!

Extremely tactile, this silicone fidget toy makes really satisfying sounds when pushing, poking and popping. As well as an addictive fidget toy, Push-n-Popz is a simple logic game that improves clever strategic thinking skills while having lots of fun. Select one row and press down any number of bubbles, then your opponent does the same - until the player that has to press the last bubble loses, get thinking! This glow in the dark version comes in two colours and can even be thrown like a frisbee, so the fun never stops! 

LIKES & LOVES| SEPTEMBER 2022

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. 

September has flown by and Blake had started to settle into year 3.  We are slowly getting back into a routine with regards to school drop off/pick up. Blake has been spending a few evenings a week outside playing with friends while we still have some days when it's not wet and dark outside. Anyway here are some of the things I've been loving this month.

Prime:

Sonic the hedgehog 2

We really enjoyed the first film and the second in my opinion is better. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove that he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of a mystical emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

Netflix

The Sandman

When the Sandman, aka Dream, the cosmic being who controls all dreams, is captured and held prisoner for more than a century, he must journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos his absence has caused.

What types of air fryers are there?

Affiliate links in this post will be clearly marked with a *. Clicking one of these links means I earn a discount or receive payment.

Air fryers are growing in popularity, and it is easy to see why. They can create healthier versions of your favourite fried food and use less energy, helping you to save money on your electricity bill. This is especially important for alot of us at the moment with the cost of living crisis.

There are so many types of air fryers out there though that it can be a bit overwhelming to know which one would be best for you.

There are four popular types of air fryers on the market today, these are:

• Basket-style

• Air fryers with a paddle

• Oven-style

• Rotisserie air fryers

These air fryers are all very different from each other so it pays to know the features of an air fryer, including the pros and cons for each type of air fryer, so it’s easier to pick the perfect one for you and your kitchen.