Half term, Converse and These Shallow Graves #LittleLoves

This week with it being half term has been a busy but fun one. With soft play, lunch with friends, visiting my mum, pancakes, Valentine's and more. I've loved making memories to look back on however I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine next week.

Read

These shallow graves by Jennifer Donnelly
I've recently started this book and am slowly getting into it. I need to make more time to read this coming week now that half term is nearly over. I've definitely wasted too much of my free time scrolling through Facebook though. The story is about a wealthy family, a deadly secret and a young woman with more to lose than she knows. The story is based in New York during the 1890's.

The little book of inspiration by Lucy Lane
Whatever dream you are working towards, a few wise words can help a daunting challenge seem manageable. This uplifting little book is packed with inspiring quotations and simple but effective tips to help you get the most out of every day. This is such a lovely little book to dip in and out of when you need a little pick me up.

Watched

We've managed to watch a few films together this week which has been lovely.
The first we watched was cars 3, Blake is really into lightning McQueen at moment and owns many cars related toys and clothing. The second film we watched was Boss baby which I just really loved as its such a funny and family friendly film. Last of all Stuart and I watched the new IT film on Valentine's evening. I wasn't too sure what to expect as I've never watched the original version or read the book. I have to add that I do have a fear of clowns however I didn't find the film scary at all, it was good though.

Heard

Blake has been humming to the baby shark song below so we decided to find it on YouTube for him listen to. It will get stuck in your head, you can thank me later.

Made

With it being half term we planned a few days out this week to keep Blake entertained. We started with soft play on Monday, lunch out on Tuesday with friends and visiting my mum on Thursday.

Wore

I've finally got a new pair of glasses and can see much better! My eyes had changed and Specsavers messed up my new pair so I opted to get a refund and go elsewhere. This meant waiting longer however I'm happy with my new pair.

I've also been wearing a new pair of converse pumps that I have been sent to review. They are so comfy and I'll definitely be wearing them more once spring/summer arrives. They are perfect for busy mums like myself as I can throw them on with any outfit and they will go perfectly for everyday.

And lastly...

There is a few days left for you to enter my competition to win a My Fairy Unicorn Garden.

Sea life centre London #Tactical Tuesdays

Hi everyone it's time for #TacticalTuesdays again with Vicky and I.

If you have not joined in with this linky or need a reminder the idea behind the linky is that you share with us your Tactical Parenting posts/hacks for the week. This can be crafts, recipes, meal plans, reviews, Days out, parenting posts etc. Both old and new posts are welcome in the link up all you have to do is grab the badge at the end of the post and the rules are also stated below too.

This week's featured post is from Toy Infinity on the Photo Lego challenge.
I love this idea as it sounds a fun way to get children being more creative and use there imagination.

My post this week is from the archives as its half term and I'm super busy with keeping Blake entertained amongst other things. I've picked a post from about 2 years ago now of our experience of visiting the sea life centre in London. We had a lovely time there and would definitely go again in the future. It's a great place to drop by if you happen to be going to London this week with the kids.

An InLinkz Link-up

Win | My Fairy Unicorn Garden

When it comes to toys for Blake we love for him to have ones that aren't just fun but educational too. Toys that also get children exploring nature through play are also ones that we feel are important too.

My Fairy Garden range is ideal with helping children to create, imagine and grow there own fairy garden. The kits offer children a delightful experience of imaginative open-ended play whilst discovering the magic of growing real plants. There are cute little flowerpot fairy homes, fairy doors to place in your house to allow fairies to enter and Fairy Tale stories to encourage children’s imaginations! Make your child’s bedroom an enchanted place with these magical toys!

My Fairy Unicorn Garden: Create a magical Unicorn Garden where Fairy Belle can make a wish. This 'Grow & Play' playset includes Belle the fairy and her unicorn and mouse friends, along with a sparkly fairy house, wishing well with working acorn bucket, bunting, fairy dust and lots more. Sow the seeds provided and watch this enchanting garden grow together!

Available for £19.99rrp from toy retailers, supermarkets, department stores, homeware/garden stores and online

For a chance to win all you have to do is complete the rafflecopter below.

-To enter you must be 16 and over

- This competition will close on 19th February 2018 at 12.00am GMT

- The winner will be chosen at random and notified via email, twitter or facebook

- If the winner doesn't reply within 30 days another winner will be drawn

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hygge box

I've tried a few subscription boxes/services over the years from kids books to beauty to food. Recently I came across the Hygge box which I'm pretty excited about.

I love the whole concept of Hygge and creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with people around you. The Hygge box is all about bringing happiness and wellbeing in a box. The self care box filled with treats such as books, chocolate, stationery , cosy drinks and other exciting surprises.

When I opened my winter themed box I was sent I was delighted with the calm cool blues inside and items to help me have a perfect Hygge night in. I've always prefered staying in rather than going out in the evening's especially when its cold and wet outside. The Hygge box is such a good idea to get rid of the winter blues on those dark evenings .

Once Blake was in bed I settled down and enjoyed my milk chocolate and biscotti whilst watching an episode on Nextflix with my honey scented candle lit. I decided to wait til morning to try out the smooth vanilla coffee as I don't like to have coffee so close to bed time. I also chose to read the little book of inspiration in the morning whilst in bed enjoying my mug of coffee ready for the day ahead. The patchouli and lime scented soap is gorgeous and a perfect addition to our bathroom. As for the cute quote I've kept it with a collection of other ones I own As i do love an inspiring quote.

What I love about the Hygge box is that its an ideal little pick me up each month to get you all cosy and think more about how important self care is and to enjoy the simple things. Hygge is definitely still a trend that I am loving and with lykee also being a new popular term the Danish certainly know what they are doing.

The boxes cost £35 a month which includes postage and packaging. The boxes are handpicked and completely unique each month. Each month the box will have a different seasonal or topical theme such as nature, advent and happiness.

Valentine Gifts for long term couples

When you have been in a long term relationship it can be tricky to know what to get your other half for Valentine's. Stuart and I later this year will have been together for 10 years, so when it comes to gifts we prefer to get each other gifts we know the other likes. Of course its still lovely to get flowers and other traditional Valentine gifts but we like to put more thought in what we get each other.

So here are some gift ideas for couples that have been together awhile.

Jenny Wren Chocolate Box | £8.49

If you fancy giving or sharing a box of chocolates this Valentine's than Jenny Wren have sweet collection boxes that are unique and adorable. Their unique three-layered folding box features twelve delicious hand-finished Belgian chocolates and truffles. There are four each of milk, dark and white chocolate - including Fleur de Sel caramel, raspberry yoghurt and white mocha. Available from Sainsburys and Amazon or you can get a box delivered to your door direct from the website.

Jockey Women's Lounge Chemise | £35.00

Jockey's Chemise is available in 3 colours and 4 sizes small to 2XL. The lounge chemise isThe perfect combination of timeless design, premium quality and great fit. The relaxed fit and cute design is comfortable and perfect for relaxing in on Valentine's morning, not only will make you feel comfortable but sexy too.

Only&Eve Verzenay luxury diffuser | £29

Only & Eve luxury scented reed diffusers offer a delicate and continuous scent for all rooms. Elegant, yet understated, they diffuse evocative fragrance to enhance ambience and lift the senses. Available in 6 different scents with the Verzenay a Vintage champagne, strawberry, vanilla and jasmine scent that is perfect for Valentine's. The sweet scent will fill the room making you drift off into a daydream of a warm summer evenings in France. The scent is also available in a candle if that is more up your street.

Wilko candle in a tin | £5
With a geometric print design the Wilko candle in a tin will make a real feature in any setting. The candle in a tin is part of the Fusion Home Collection, which features timeless Eastern-inspired prints, warming spiced tones and nautical blues. With three wicks for lighting, it emits a warm and cosy glow, and will look perfect on mantelpieces, windowsills or side tables.

Wilko radiance gold champaign glasses | £10

Add style and sofistication to Valentine's with this stunning set of 4 champaign glasses. The glasses have a beautiful gold detail at the top and are ideal for sharing a tipple with your partner. Just add a bottle of champaign or wine and you have a perfect gift.

LoveDrop Adult Subscription Box | £45

LoveDrop is a bi-monthly couples ‘date night’ subscription box, featuring a designer adult toy to try as well as other romantic gifts and intimate activities to explore together. Bringing that spice to the bedroom isn’t always as simple as it should be, so LoveDrop decided to give a helping hand. In every box you'll receive: A designer sex toy, hand-picked for you and your partner to enjoy together. Date night gifts, to compliment your cosy night in. Activities, games & sexy ideas.

Beautify Set Of 2 Storage Trunks | £62.99

The set of 2 Storage Trunks are a sophisticated addition to the home. Perfect for storing bedding, towels, clothes, toys, books and many other bits and bobs. Made from robust steel this cream and rose gold set is perfect for the home as it won't go out of fashion.Also available in Grey and rose gold the trunks come with an extended 2 year warranty.

Dear Depression

I hate you! You've taken away my husband. Gone is the man who would laugh, crack jokes and love spending time with his family. Depression you have taken over his life made him struggle to get out of bed each morning, to enjoy life, to be happy.

Depression you've been an unwanted visitor in my mind many times over the years too. You loved me the most in 2009 didn't you? That year was pretty horrific my dad passing away, loosing our home after Stuart was made redundant and much more. You loved me that year you loved trying to break me, yet I'm still here, I'm still standing.

Depression you also like to make the occasional visit to me like today.

This morning I awoke trying to hold the tears I wanted to fall from my eyes. Trying to work out the reason I felt like this and coming up with complete blank. All I can think of is that you realised you hadn't visited for awhile and wanted me to remember that you will always be there somewhere hiding.

Yes I have felt stressed recently and overwhelmed by my ever growing to do list. Depression you have decided to pass me onto your lovely friend anxiety since having Blake haven't you, I bet you love that. Anxiety likes to wake me in the night in a panic for no reason, to make me worry about the future and panic about little things. But like today you loved for me to have to deal with the both of you.

After a tearful start to the day I pushed through you, showered, did the preschool run and met up with a friend. I managed to hide you well haven't I? No one would know apart from me that you were both there.

You both were there as I walked to do the preschool run an unwanted black cloud over my head with anxiety squeezing my heart making me feel jittery inside for no reason. You were there whilst I ate my lunch hiding you from my friend. I sat there feeling physically sick while I ate my lunch pretending nothing was wrong. I sat wishing I was back home in my warm bed where I could wallow in you. Instead I carried on and decided to write you this letter.

Depression you've taught me a lot over the years. That I can and I am more stronger than you, that its not so easy for someone to just snap out of you. You've taught me that you can be so overwhelming especially when you are in the deep throws of someone. You have taught me that you shouldn't be a stigma and that everyone should be made aware of you. That you've taken many lives but you won't be taking mine. Your a part of who I am but i won't let you and anxiety take over my life.

Indoor Activities for Rainy Days #TacticalTuesdays

I'm really fed up now of the dark, wet and cold days and am looking forward to spring and summer when its warmer and we will spend more of our time outdoors. For now though while there are more days of wanting to be in the warm there are some great activities you can do to pass the time.

Cardboard box

Kids love them and it gives them a chance to use their imagination.

Books
Children love being read to and looking at the pictures. There are also sticker and activity books children can have fun doing to pass the time.

Puzzles and games
Blake has a wide selection of puzzles he loves. We also have a wide selection of games including Orchard toys ones which are fun, aid learning and pass the time.

Crafts
Children love getting messy and so we have loads of craft bits including paints, glue, glitter etc. I use Pinterest to find fun craft ideas for us to do together

Music
Pop on some music and have lots of fun dancing around

Home cinema
Pop on a family film, grab some snacks and have an at home movie session.

Indoor picnic
Throw down a blanket, set out plates, food and drink and enjoy an indoor picnic.

Build a fort
With blankets and cushions

Bake
This can be as simple as decorating cup cakes and icing biscuits to making your own pizza or cake.

Play dress up
This gives children a chance to use their imagination. Who will they be today? Superman, a vet, a firefighter, dinosaur, princess, mermaid, wizard....

Play dough
Play dough is a fun activity you can make your own or buy one of the many fun sets available. This is another way of getting children to be creative.

Tuff tray
We purchased a tuff tray for doing messy play in. We've used oats and water, water, jelly, cereal with diggers, Christmas decorations, shredded paper etc to make a Easter tuff spot and more. I love finding different ideas of things to do.

This week's featured post is from Adventures of a Yorkshire mum wirh her post on the Thomas & Friends Alpha-Phonics and Flip & Learn Phone we love Thomas and his friends and these look like such fab toys for younger children to enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

Book Review: Daisy Chain by Kirstie Malone

I love a good thriller especially ones that keep me guessing what's going to happen next and has lots of twists and turns. When author Kirstie Malone got in touch, asking if I would review her debut novel Daisy chain i jumped at the chance.

Title: Daisy chain

Author: Kirstie Malone

Blurb: Road trips, house parties, Tequila Tuesdays, dreams for their futures; a fun, loveable force to be reckoned with. No-one but each other.

Sirens, blood, tears, police tape, a crime scene. Broken hearts and a broken bond. Sad goodbyes and words they thought they’d never say. One by one, until there was nothing left…

When Karen, Jason, Jessica, Bradley and Veronica find themselves back together after twenty years apart, some are more keen than others to fix their broken bond but as secrets and lies are revealed about their University days and life since they split, the group are left in pieces. Can they fix their damaged friendship or was the reunion party the beginning of the end?

Review:

The book goes between the present day and university days where you learn the backstory of each of the five characters. This is where you learn more about each of characters relationships and personalities. As much as they try and reunight their friendship there are many screats and lies revealed along the way from what went on in their university days to life since they last all saw each other. Throughout the book I found myself constantly changing my mind about how I felt about each of the characters. If you read the book will understand why and most likely feel like I do about them. The story shares how relationships can be broken beyond repair and how others can get back on track.

Daisy chain is a gripping, thriller with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The book is such a page turner and I was unable to put it down. I can't wait to see what comes next from Kirstie Malone.

Daisychain, plans and Justin Timberlake #LittleLoves

This week I've struggled with sleep and been tossing and turning a lot during the night, so have been living off cups of coffee. Yesterday Stuart and I headed out Milton Keynes so we could have time just the two of us. While there we decided to go out for a meal out at Giraffe as an early anniversary treat. Blake got to spend time with his Granny and Grandpa after Pre-School for a few hours.

Read

Daisychain by Kirstie Malone

I'm half way though this book which I was sent to review. Daisychain is a gripping thriller which I've been struggling to put down. I know I'm going to get through this book at a quivk pace as its that gripping! It's certainly a great debut novel and I look forward to seeing more books from Kirstie!

Watched

I'm a bit behind when it comes to films. When browsing Netflix I came across The BFG which I've been meaning to watch for awhile now. As a child I loved reading Roald Dahl's books and I remember reading The BFG. I've not read the book in a long time however I'm so glad that I watched the film as it brought back childhood memories.

Heard

This week I've been listening to Justin Timberlakes new album on Spotify. You can't beat a bit of JT when feeling a bit down in the dumps.

Made

A week today Blake breaks up for half term so I've been making plans and coming up with ideas of things to get up to such as visiting my mum, meeting up with friends at soft play, as well as crafts and things to do at home.

Wore

Nothing new this week

And lastly...

It's mine and Stuart's wedding anniversary at the weekend so we have that to look forward to. We've decided to have lunch out the three of us at a local cafe which we've not eaten at in a long time. I hope you all have had a good week.

January Reads

Has anyone else thought that January seemed to have dragged? It's not been a partially productive month and I'm glad to see the back of it to be honest.

One of my goals for this year is to read more and share my reads on here with you. It makes sense to do this as reading has always been a part of my life, I love nothing more than snuggling up with a book when I find some free time.

After Blake was born I found that I was slacking in the reading department. I had still been able to find time to read but was much more of a slower reader and it would sometimes take me a month to just read one book. Last year was the first year since having Blake that I was able to read more. I wish I had started sharing my reads least year with you as I found some really enjoyable reads.

So anyway onto the books:

The Christmas Secret by Karen Swan

I picked up this festive read whilst I was browsing the books in Morrison's before Christmas. I only got around to reading it in January as I had other Christmas reads to get through. I've never read anything by Karen Swan before but I do love a good romance even though you know that its going to have a predictable ending. Set in the remote island of Islay Alex Hyde finds herself out of her comfort zone after a crisis call regarding the troublesome – and troubled – head of an esteemed whisky company in Scotland. Lochlan Farquhar, CEO of Kentallen Distilleries. Alex who is an executive coach needs to get into Lochlan's head before he brings the company to its knees.

Convent Garden in the snow by Jules Wake

This book was a Christmas gift from my in laws. Described as a feel good Christmas romance that's fun and festive. I feel that the book is suitable to be read at any time of year as its not Christmas or snow themed like I was expecting from it. Although its a very predictable storyline its definitely a sweet easy read that warms the heart. Tilly has a fabulous friends, a dream job as a make up artist with a prestigious opera company and a fiance Felix. Tilly who is a technophobe makes a blunder and ends up having to work with IT director Marcus Walker who doesn't have a creative bone in his body which is a match made in hell. However when Tilly finds out her fiance isn't who he seems its Marcus who is there for her with hot chocolate and a shoulder to cry on.

Blogging your way to riches by Emma Bradley and Lynn James

If you are new to blogging or are thinking of setting up a blog than this book is ideal for you. If like me you have been blogging for a while now than you may find some useful information depending on how advanced you are. For me the section of SEO (Seach Engine Optimisation ) is very helpful as it's one area I've not really focused on and wish I had. It's such a great book for dipping in and out and covers all the topics you can think of when it comes to to the world of blogging such as working with brands, planning, blogging basics and more.

A year and a day By Isabelle Broom

Having read 2 of Isabelle's books before I was really looking forward to seeing what this one was going to be like and I'm not disappointed. A year and a day is a moving and romantic novel weaving the love stories of three women who are on holiday in the snowy backdrop of Prague. I've loved this book so much and its even made me add Prague to my list of places I'd love to visit one day.

All three women have different back stories and end up meeting at a hotel in Prague and form a bond none of them anticipated. Each of the three characters in the book have there own problems to face which you find more about throughout the book. There were moments within the book that made me start to tear up so tissues may be needed.