LIKES & LOVES| DECEMBER 2023

We hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas. December has been both a fun and super busy month which has been worth it. Here are some of the things that I've liked and loved this month.

Netflix

Leo 

Leo the Lizard has been stuck in the same Florida school for decades. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to freedom, but instead has to rescue his class from their horribly mean substitute teacher.

A nearly normal family

Adam and Ulrika Sandell live a seemingly perfect life with daughter Stella, 19, in a polished residential suburb; then, Stella ends up in police custody, accused of murder.

Family Switch 

When family members switch bodies with each other during a rare planetary alignment, their hilarious journey to find their way back to normal will bring them closer together than they ever thought possible.

Amazon Prime 

Candy Cane Lane 

A man makes a deal with a mischievous elf who casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life.

Lincoln Castle Winter Illuminations 

We headed to Lincoln Castle for our annual trip to see the Winter Illuminations. They had alot more going on this year with as well as the lights they had food stalls and rides including a mini train ride. We also had a meal out at the Harvester after too.

Styling tips for incorporating waist trainers into different outfits

*This is a collaborative post 

Waist trainers are nowadays more than just a fitness accessory, they are also now a fashion statement. Being versatile, these garments were designed to help define and shape the waist but they can also be seamlessly integrated into various outfits, to get a flattering and stylish look. 

For those who are looking to get the best ones from the best waist trainer vendors, we want to explore some styling tips that will not only give you a cinched waist but will also make you slay, once you incorporate your waist trainers into many different outfits. 

Product link: https://www.waistdear.com/products/black-latex-tummy-wrap-compression-band-higher-power

The Great Bloggers Holiday Giveaway and Gift Guide

If you love Christmas as much as me than your probably in full swing with Christmas festivities. Our diary is pretty full now until after Christmas, especially with Blake's birthday being close too. We are looking forward to another Christmas like last year at home the three of us and all we have left to do is the Christmas food shop and start getting presents wrapped up. Blake luckily breaks up later this year which gives us a little more time to get organised although I feel there just aren't enough hours in the day at the moment. I love being able to host a giveaway especially for the holiday season.

The Great Bloggers Holiday Giveaway and Gift Guide

We are back for another Christmas Holiday Giveaway and Gift Guide! Some of the best UK bloggers have united to bring you the most incredible 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 hundreds of pounds worth of holiday goodies and gifts!

The Bloggers

In order to be able to bring you this incredible giveaway, some of the UK’s top bloggers got together and contributed. A massive thank you to our bloggers! The bloggers taking part are:

My Balancing Act | Joanna Victoria | Life with Jupiter and Dann | You Have To Have a Laugh | Best things to do in Cambridge | Two Plus Dogs | The Financial Wilderness | Jenny in Neverland | Pounds and Sense | Lisa's Notebook | Suburban Mum | Stay Positive | Wotawoman Diary | Catch Up With Claire | Synderella Slims | Make Money Without A Job | The Festive Feelings | My Frugal Wife | At Home With Alice | We Made This Life | My Life Your Way | We Made This Vegan | Diary of the Evans-Crittens | Cats Kids and Chaos | My Money Cottage | Clean Plates All Round | Suitcase Memories | Retro Vixen | Boxnip | Stapo's Thrifty Life Hacks | The Strawberry Fountain | Craving Christmas | In Home Insights | Everything Enchanting | Life Loving | Missljbeauty | Crazy Little Thing Called Love | Hannah and the Twiglets | The Geordie Grandma | Home in the Pastures | Socially Rach | My Tunbridge Wells | Edinburgers | Discover Kent | Real Girls Wobble | Lifestyle Original | Dog Friendly Things | Cheeky Gardener | Twins Tantrums and Cold Coffee | Afshanesque | Anything and Everything Else | Cyprus Property Blog The Money Making Mum | The Property Investor Blog

The Prizes:

WHY EVERY MAN SHOULD OWN A MADE TO MEASURE SUIT

 *This is a collaborative post 

Every man should have at least one made to measure suit in their wardrobe. Just like for women owning a little black dress, a made to measure suit is a classic item that is bound to get lots of wear out of. For some men a made to measure suit seems like an indulgence, in todays age suits aren't worn as often everyday as workplace dress codes are becoming more relaxed. However made to measure suits are ideal for special occasions and a worthwhile investment.

Occasions a made to measure suit would be suitable 

A made to measure suit isn't just ideal for one occasion. Here are a few occasions you may wish to wear a made to measure suit.

- Wedding

- Important business meetings or events

- A charity event

- A sporting event, e.g. horse racing

- Christenings 

WHY IT'S WORTH INVESTING IN A HEAT PUMP

 *This is a collaborative post 

For homeowners investing in a heat pump, this is a savvy decision to enhance comfort, save on energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Heat pumps offer a range of features and benefits meaning they are a worthwhile investment. LGS Heat Pumps in Brighton are a company to use if you live in the area as they have two decades of expertise in the heating industry and more than five years of hands-on experience in heat pump installations.

In this post I'm going to share why a heat pump is worth investing in, but most importantly what one actually is.

What is a heat pump

If you are unaware of what a heat pump is it is a piece of equipment that is used to create renewable energy by capturing heat from outside and moving it into your home. Even when the outside air feels chilly, air source heat pumps extract heat energy from the atmosphere, channelling it into your home for warmth. These systems are designed to generate three to four times more heat energy than they consume during the extraction process.

Moving on - here are some of the top reasons why it's worth investing in one.

Year round comfort

A heating pump doesn't just bring warmth to the home, it also has the ability to cool the home in summer months so you don't need a separate air conditioning system.

5 BENEFITS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL PAINTER AND DECORATOR

 *This is a collaborative post 

It's often believed that hiring a professional painter and decorator isn't worth it when you can do the job yourself. There’s no right or wrong solution, however I'm going to share with you 5 of the reasons why you’d be better off bringing in the professionals for your painting and decorating project.  If you are looking to hire than why not check out painters and decorators in Burnley to do the job and find out more.

They will prep your walls and surfaces properly 

When taking on the project some of the prepping can often get overlooked. This is especially the case if you have a big project. Professional painters and decorators will prep your walls and surfaces before painting or wallpapering by filling in holes, smoothing down surfaces, priming and cleaning walls and surfaces. While this is a boring aspect of the job it's definitely worthwhile to get the best results. 

They know their paints

Trying to work out what paint to opt for such as the finish you are looking for can be a minefield, especially as not all paints can be used on the same surfaces. A painter and decorator will know exactly what type of paint is needed for each room and surfaces. This gives you one less thing to have think about and work out.

HOW TO ATTRACT BIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN

 *This is a collaborative post 

There are plenty of ways to attract wildlife into our gardens. From encouraging butterflies to bugs and even squirrels, today though I am focusing on how you  can attract birds to your garden. You don't have to have a big garden to attract birds, all you need is a food and a feeder.

Food

One of the easiest ways of attracting birds to your garden is to buy wild bird food by providing a selection of nuts, seeds, grains and fruits. This will keep birds healthy and get them coming back to your garden. It's vital to keep refilling your bird feeder often and make sure you clean it out the correct way. If you put bird feeders in the correct places this can attract more birds. You should choose an outside area that is out of direct sunlight and isn't windy.  You should also place your feeder in an area where birds can have a 360 view while they feed so that they can keep an eye out for predators.

Provide a range of feeders

There are such a variety of different style bird feeders such hanging feeders, bird tables and feeding stations. Hanging feeders and bird tables in the same area offer two different feeding solutions. Feeding stations are great to host multiple feeders at once.

Fresh Water

Food maybe what attracts birds to your garden however fresh water may help them stick around for drinking and bathing in. A water feeder is a great idea for thirsty birds but a bird bath is ideal if you have space so they can preen after feeding.

Shelter

Providing shelter for birds such as nesting boxes are a great idea for them to be able to sit and rest.

Practicing good hygiene

Keeping feeders, bird baths, bird houses etc clean is vital. This will keep birds healthy and safe and encourages them to keep returning to your garden.

WHY YOU SHOULD OPT FOR SANDSTONE PAVING FOR YOUR DRIVEWAY

*This is a collaborative post

Natural Sandstone is the ideal choice if you want to bring natural beauty to the outside of your home, especially for your driveway. Sandstone is actually easy to work with as it is both tough and strong. Sandstone paving is no longer an expensive option - in fact it's an affordable choice that is popular with home owners. In this guide I'm going to share with you the advantages of opting for sandstone paving for your driveway renovation.

For those of you who don't know what Sandstone paving is, it's formed from sedimentary rock. It consists of sand-size clasts or grains of minerals and organic matters. 

HOW TO CREATE A LUXURY BATHROOM

*This is a collaborative post 

So you have decided it's time to have a bathroom remodel. It's a home improvement that can add value to the future sale of your home. Giving your bathroom a luxury look/feel is something many want in their home. So how do you create a luxury bathroom? Well in this guide I'll share some ideas of what you may wish to consider.

 

Steam Showers

Steam Showers are increasingly becoming popular in homes. Steam showers are wonderful way to recreate a luxury spa experience at home. A steam shower is basically a moisture-sealed shower enclosure equipped to deliver clouds of steam before, during, or after your shower. Baths are still popular though so if you have the space for a bath as well than its reccomend or you could have a steam shower in your En-suite rather than in the family bathroom.

Neutral colours

Opting for Neutral colours in your bathroom is always a popular choice. Light greys, beige, creams and even pale blue shades give that calming feel. So opt for paint and tiles in these sort of colours for a luxury and relaxing bathroom. White is still a popular choice for your bathroom suite.

Lighting

Lighting is an important part of your bathroom. You don't have to go for boring and basic options. How about swapping your fixtures for a chandelier, opt for a vanity mirror with lighting or even add LED lights. 

REVIEW| PUFFIN RUSH

Ad – review. We were sent Puffin Rush in return for the purpose of this post, all thoughts are my own.

We love games in our household and when we heard about the game Puffin Rush, that was designed by a 9 year old we had to give it a go. Puffin Rush is a game created with Foul Play Games and is a fun game of chance and tactics for ages 5 +. The aim of the game is to race across the snow-covered Arctic to be the first to find a fish, and get it home to your burrow.

To begin the game you have to put down 36 cards in a 6 x 6 grid, this will be your playing area. You then pick your Puffin as well as a ice float platform. Each player picks a side to place their ice tile card connecting it to another tile. Each player then takes it in turns to do an action; moving their ice float or moving onto a tile. If the tile is faced down, you must flip it over before moving onto it. Along the way you will find many different animals. 

What to Do if Your Child Doesn’t Enjoy School

 *This is a collaborative post

It's not uncommon for children to face periods of reluctance or disinterest in school. As parents, witnessing your child express a lack of enjoyment or enthusiasm for their educational journey can be concerning. In this blog post, an online tutoring company explore strategies and actionable steps to help you navigate the challenges if your child doesn't seem to be enjoying school.

1. Open the Lines of Communication:

The first step is to have an open and honest conversation with your child. Ask them about their feelings regarding school, their likes and dislikes, and any challenges they may be facing. Creating a safe space for them to express their thoughts is crucial in understanding the root of their discomfort.

2. Identify Specific Issues:

Work together with your child to identify specific aspects of school that they find challenging or unenjoyable. It could be related to academic subjects, social interactions, extracurricular activities, or even the school environment. Pinpointing the specific issues is key to finding effective solutions.

3. Connect with Teachers and School Staff:

Reach out to your child's teachers and school staff to gain insights into their experiences at school. Discuss your concerns, share any observations, and inquire about their observations as well. Collaborating with educators can provide valuable perspectives and help in creating a more supportive environment for your child.

4. Explore Extracurricular Activities:

Encourage your child to explore extracurricular activities that align with their interests. Whether it's sports, arts, music, or clubs, these activities can provide a sense of purpose and enjoyment outside the traditional classroom setting, fostering a more positive overall experience.

5. Foster a Positive Attitude Towards Learning:

Help your child develop a positive attitude towards learning by highlighting the relevance and real-world applications of their studies. Connect academic subjects to their interests and future goals, making the learning experience more meaningful and enjoyable.

6. Seek Learning Support if Needed:

If your child is struggling academically, consider seeking additional learning support. This could involve tutoring , extra help from teachers, or personalised learning plans to address specific challenges. Building a strong academic foundation can significantly impact their enjoyment of school.

7. Promote Positive Social Connections:

Assist your child in developing positive social connections with peers. Encourage playdates, social activities, and involvement in group projects. Positive social interactions can contribute to a more enjoyable and supportive school environment.

8. Visit the School Together:

Arrange a visit to the school with your child. Familiarising them with the school environment, meeting teachers, and exploring the facilities can alleviate anxiety and create a sense of comfort. Sometimes, a change in perspective can positively impact their attitude.

Activities to Strengthen Your Child’s Gross Motor Skills

 *This is a collaborative post 

As children embark on the journey of physical development, fostering strong gross motor skills is crucial for their overall well-being and future success. These skills, involving the use of large muscle groups, lay the foundation for various physical activities and contribute to a child's coordination, balance, and confidence. There will be opportunities for your child to develop these skills at pre-prep school, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enhance their development at home. Read on for a range of fun and engaging activities designed to strengthen your child's gross motor skills.

1. Obstacle Course Adventures:

Create an at-home obstacle course using cushions, hula hoops, cones, and other household items. Encourage your child to navigate through the course, crawling under tables, jumping over obstacles, and balancing on designated spots. This activity enhances coordination, balance, and spatial awareness.

2. Nature Scavenger Hunts:

Take your child outdoors for a nature scavenger hunt. Whether in a park or your back garden, encourage them to run, jump, and climb as they search for specific items. This not only strengthens their gross motor skills but also connects them with the natural environment.

3. Dance Party Extravaganza:

Turn up the music and have a dance party with your child. Dancing involves various movements like jumping, spinning, and twisting, providing an enjoyable way to enhance gross motor skills. Encourage freestyle dancing and follow-the-leader dance routines.

4. Balloon Volleyball:

Set up a makeshift volleyball game using a balloon. This low-impact activity promotes hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and basic ball-handling skills. Adjust the height and distance to match your child's skill level.

5. Hopscotch Hop:

Draw a hopscotch grid with chalk on a sidewalk or use tape indoors. Practice hopping on one foot, two feet, and hopping through the squares. This classic game is excellent for developing balance, coordination, and leg strength.

6. Bike Riding Adventures:

Introduce your child to the joy of bike riding. Whether using training wheels or a balance bike, cycling helps strengthen leg muscles, improves balance, and enhances overall coordination. Find a safe area for them to pedal away.

7. Animal Movement Mimicry:

Engage your child in imitating different animal movements. Crawling like a bear, hopping like a frog, or slithering like a snake are activities that promote gross motor skill development while adding an element of creativity.