LIKES & LOVES| NOVEMBER 2023

 *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. Items I've been sent are marked with a #

November has definitely been a busy month for us as we've had quite a bit going on. It also has meant a slower month for reading and watching films/shows. Although we will be busy doing Christmas related stuff blogging will start to slow down a bit now that my Christmas gift guides are done. I'll still share bits mainly on social media but I'm definitely focusing more on both family time and self care in the lead up to Christmas now.

Netflix 

Fair Play

Fair Play is a graphic, violent erotic thriller/drama about a couple (Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich) whose jobs at a toxic hedge fund begin to violently rip apart their relationship. 

*Damage by Caitlin Wahrer 

Julia Hall just wants to hold her family together. But the day her brother-in-law Nick is brutally assaulted is the day everything she's worked so hard to build starts to topple. Julia's husband Tony can't let go of his anger about Nick's attack. Or the police's inability to give him the justice he seeks. He's tempted to take matters into his own hands. Julia knows the man she married. But she fears what this is doing to him - and their family.

*#Escape to the Swiss Chalet by Carrie Walker 

Escape to the Swiss Chalet is an easy to read to romance based mainly in the Swiss Alps. This is a great debut to read this time of year. My blog tour post for this one can be found here.

*#Dead Pretty by Joy Wood

Another book tour read, this time a twisty and a page turner of a thriller. Dead Pretty kept me gripped from the start and includes a twist I didn't see coming. 

Bonfire night

Bonfire night this year was celebrated at home due to our local one being cancelled. We decided to wrap up warm and did a few fireworks and sparklers ourselves and had the fire pit going. We ended up doing hotdogs and chips for tea followed by s'mores.

#Simba Hybrid Duvet 

This is a product from a previous collaboration. I wasn't asked to mention it again however I really wanted to as its the best duvet we've ever had. It's such a worthwhile investment for sleeping well.

The Natural Network: Social Skills Developed in Outdoor Settings

 *This is a Collaborative Post 

Introduction: The Great Outdoors as a Social Playground

Welcome to the wondrous world of the great outdoors, where nature's playground offers endless opportunities for social skill development. Far beyond the confines of four walls, the natural environment is a vibrant setting where children and adults alike can hone their interpersonal skills in a fun and engaging way. From the rustling leaves of a forest to the bustling energy of a community park, outdoor settings are uniquely poised to foster communication, teamwork, and empathy. Let's embark on a journey to explore how these natural spaces contribute to our social growth.

Teamwork and Outdoor Adventures

Imagine a group of kids embarking on a woodland adventure or a family game of soccer in the park. These activities are not just about physical fitness; they are a masterclass in teamwork. Learning to work together, share responsibilities, and celebrate collective victories are essential life skills nurtured in these open-air settings. The spontaneity of outdoor games and the need to adapt to different roles encourage children and adults to develop a sense of cooperation and mutual respect.

Communication Skills on the Playground

Playgrounds are not just spaces filled with swings and slides; they are dynamic social hubs. Here, children learn to communicate, negotiate, and resolve conflicts. Engaging in games on Trampolines or playing tag teaches them verbal and non-verbal communication skills essential for their future. The unstructured nature of outdoor play also allows children to develop their own rules and systems of play, enhancing their ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Empathy and Sharing in Outdoor Spaces

Whether it's sharing a picnic blanket or taking turns on a seesaw, outdoor environments encourage empathy and sharing. These simple yet profound experiences help in understanding and respecting others' feelings, laying a foundation for compassionate relationships. As children interact with peers from diverse backgrounds in parks and playgrounds, they learn to appreciate different perspectives and develop a more inclusive worldview.

Leadership and Outdoor Group Activities

Outdoor group activities, like organising a neighbourhood cleanup or a camping trip, foster leadership skills. Navigating challenges, making decisions, and guiding others in these settings prepare individuals for leadership roles in their personal and professional lives. Through activities like orienteering, hiking, or team sports, participants learn the value of planning, delegation, and decision-making, all crucial components of effective leadership.

BOOKTOUR | A CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH GRANDFATHER TIME BY ROSE ENGLISH

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

Today I am involved in the book tour for A Christmas Carol With Grandfather Time by Rose English. Living on 'England's Green & Pleasant Land', among the gentle rolling hills of the Herefordshire Countryside, Rose's house is wall to wall books. She's a Read-a-holic, whose hobby is to write stories for the young and young at heart. 

Working as a school librarian, and sharing her love of books with children, was the best job she ever had. However, life moves on and another chapter was only a page turn away. Working in a very different library now, she is a key worker for the NHS helping to run the Medical Equipment Library in Wye Valley NHS Trust.

After winning FIRST PRIZE in a short story competition with 'The Magic of Grandfather Christmas' she is inspired to transform the tale into a collection of stories for all ages. ‘Young Ebenezer' is inspired by the Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' and brought into modern times with a strong theme of sharing and caring. 

Rose has a little sidekick called Miss Ruby Heart, a ruby King Charles spaniel from the Grandfather Time Series. The puppy is the Ghost of Christmas Past and features on the 'Young Ebenezer’ covers.

About the book

A modern lyrical re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic for children of all ages. Young Ebenezer hates sharing and is not very caring. Can a magical clock and a ghost puppy help him mend his ways?

At least £1 from every book purchased will go towards donating a book to each child in Hereford County Hospital over the Christmas Season 2023.

WAYS TO HAVE AN ECO-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS

Gifted : I was sent the reusable crackers from keep this cracker featured in this post.

Making sustainable choices this Christmas is more important than ever when we consider the shocking fact that over 100 million bags of rubbish go to landfill every festive season. We definitely should all be looking at reigning it in and learning about how to make Christmas more eco-friendly. I can certainly put my hands up and say that us as a family have room for improvement and so this year we've especially been looking at what we can do to make sustainable changes. 

Christmas has definitely become over commercialised but for us Christmas is more about fun festive days out and getting together with family and friends, eating, drinking, playing games and having fun and relaxing after a long year. So with that in mind it's important to have the right balance so we can still enjoy the festive season but be more conscious of our actions and make sustainable swaps along the way.

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR ADULTS 2023

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

Welcome to my annual Christmas Gift Guide For the Adults. Now that the kids are sorted in my Christmas gift guide for kids it's now time for the adults. Even as we get older it's still lovely to receive a gift to open on Christmas morning. Finding the perfect gift doesn't need to be expensive either. 

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2023 | FOR THE KIDS

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

Welcome to this year's Christmas gift guide for kids. The most wonderful time of the year is almost here again. The first 4 items in this year's gift guide are items I've picked out myself whilst the rest are items were sent to me for inclusion in this post. You can find last years gift guide here for further inspiration. 

Spiderverse Plushes for mini-Marvel fans

Ad – review. I was sent the Spiderverse plushes in return for the purpose of this post, all thoughts are my own.

2023 is a great year to be a Marvel fan with the new release of The Marvels, that hit cinemas on 10th November. There has also been the releases of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 earlier this year as well. 

The Marvels is definitely a film that us as family want to see. We love a Marvel film and can't wait to see this instalment in the franchise. We can't think of  a better way for us to introduce B into the Marvel universe than with these Simba Marvel Plush toys. 

BOOKTOUR | ESCAPE TO THE SWISS CHALET BY CARRIE WALKER

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

Today I am involved in the book tour for Escape to the Swiss Chalet by Carrie Walker. Carrie Walker is a Brummie born rom-com lover with a lifelong passion for travel. She has lived in a ski resort, by a beach, in the country and the city, and travelled solo through Asia, South America and Europe. Her own love life was more com than rom until she met her husband a few years ago and settled down with him and her dog Ziggy in a small pub-filled village in Essex. Writing has long been Carrie’s side hustle, penning columns and features for newspapers and magazines, while working in many other jobs. She has been the CEO of a not-for-profit, a director of a brand agency, the editor of a newspaper in Spain, a radio presenter, a football mascot, dressed up as a carrot for the BBC and now she is writing books. Escape to the Swiss Chalet is her debut novel

Sleep Well With The Simba Hybrid Duvet

* I was  gifted By Simba the Hybrid Duvet featured for the purpose of this post. All views and opinions are 100% my own.

We have definitely noticed that the colder months are here and I've been excited to have the opportunity to try out a Simba Duvet. We were sent the Simba Hybrid Duvet which is a high tech 10.5 tog duvet that we received in a double. I can confidently say that this duvet is definitely a worthwhile investment for someone who is looking for a versatile and cosy duvet that will give you the best night's sleep. It's also ideal for all year round which I'll  be sharing more about below in this review. 

Overview of the Simba Hybrid Duvet 

The Simba Hybrid Duvet arrived in this handy storage bag that's made using 100% recyclable materials. It's handy for storage especially for putting bedding away that is out of season. 

One of the main standout features of the Hybrid Duvet is that it is a year round duvet. It's double sided with one side cool and the other warm meaning it's great for keeping you warm on those chilly nights and cool on those warm summer nights. Because of it's Simba Renew Bio™ fill it is soft and fluffy as well as breathable, making sure you don't have that clammy feel. The fresh, cotton outer features the Simba Stratos® temperature control tech to help evaporate excess heat. Another plus is that it is 100% hypoallergenic so it's great for those who have allergies. 

Child-friendly window covering ideas

 *This is a collaborative post

If you are a parent of young children or a parent to be, one of the most important things you will need to do is to child proof your home. Window coverings are an especially important thing to factor. Blinds and curtains are dangerous, thanks to having cords and/or strings. So - you may want to think about another child-friendly option instead, shutters.

Below I'm going to share with you why wooden window shutters are a great alternative to blinds and curtains, when you have children.

No cords or strings

Shutters, unlike blinds and curtains don't have any cords or strings. Thousands of children have had accidents due to dangerous cords or strings. Sadly in some circumstances this has lead to death. Shutters are instead fitted within the frame of your window. This means that they don't move around, so children can't grab any loose parts.

BOOK TOUR | DEAD PRETTY BY JOY WOOD

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

Today I am involved in the book tour for Dead Pretty by Joy Wood. Joy Wood has worked as a nurse most of her adult life and turned to writing six years ago to ‘see if she could.’ Her earlier work was adult romance and intrigue, but more recently she has switched genres to romance with a crime element. Joy lives in the small but charming seaside town of Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire and her writing ideas come from watching the tide turn daily, of course with the obligatory ice-cream – someone has to support the local economy!

About the book

1977 – Six student nurses embark on their nurse training at Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital. They are young, excited and soon develop a strong friendship bond within their cohort.

But