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Tuesday 29 November 2016

PureChimp Matcha Green Tea


Gifted

I've never been one for green tea. Plenty of people recommended it to me when I was trying to lose weight to enable us to have fertility treatment but I just couldn't stomach it. I don't like the smell or taste and I hate the stains it leaves in your mugs. So, when PureChimp offered me the opportunity to try theirs I thought I'd give them the chance to change my mind.


PureChimp Logo


Sunday 27 November 2016

Hand Print Hedgehog


As our hedgehog friends prepare to snuggle down for the winter and the weather takes a turn, here's a craft that can be done with our prickly friends in mind and in the warmth of inside. 

Here's how to make a hand print hedgehog!


Hedgehog painting made with a handprint


Tuesday 22 November 2016

Freshen Your Fabric


Gifted

One of the key parts to living sustainably is to reuse, upcycle and have little waste, so when Dylon sent me a selection of dyes to try I wanted to use them to brighten something that I, and lots of other Mum's use regularly. Something that I couldn't be without. I thought about it and wandered round the house. 

My little boy is now two and a half years old, so the baby related items are slipping away and being put into storage but what are still used? What's still scattered around the house? Well, in nearly every room was a muslin, also know as a muggie. Whether it be mopping spills, wiping the kid or cleaning a graze, they are still used as much as they were when he was a baby.

As time goes on they can start to lose their white sparkle and look a bit dull but what can change that? Over the weekend I discovered that dying them can. 


Piles of tie-dyed muslins in purple, yellow and blue with matching coloured soft toys on top


Wednesday 16 November 2016

Packet Mix Baking!


Ok, ok, I know baking isn't overly complicated, especially when you're whipping up a dozen fairy cakes but throw a toddler into the mix and it can easily be a recipe for disaster. Imagine trying to measure out ingredients whilst trying to stop your little hurricane from cracking/dropping/kicking/eating the eggs. You've really got to have your whits about you. If you've haven't got the time or patience to measure out the ingredients beforehand what is the alternative?

A week or so ago we were in the baking aisle of our local Tesco when babs spotted one of those packet mix boxes.


Fairy cakes being decorated


Monday 14 November 2016

Live Lagom - Tips and hints for the newbies!


When we were picked for the Ikea Live Lagom project last year I was super excited. Mostly I was excited about the money we were given to spend and the chance to save a few more quid! 

I didn't quite get the whole sustainable thing. What really is it? I recycled and went round turning lights off when the house looked like Blackpool Illuminations and at the time I was also upcycling baby food jars to make candles. Recycle, upcycle, turn off, what else could we really do?

Well, it turned out their was plenty. Changing bulbs, hanging curtains and laying rugs. Wasting less. Making do and mending.

The result is a warm home, lower bills and more money in our pockets. 

For this year's recruits joining our Live Lagom family I offer you a few tips and words of wisdom. 

Go to as many workshops as you can. You'll learn a lot from them, catch up with your group and get more freebies!

An Ikea blue bag full of small products
First workshop freebies!


Sunday 13 November 2016

Autumn Spotters


Remember back in the Spring when I did the activity to spot the signs of the new season? Well, here's one for the Autumn!


Here's what you should look for when the weather starts to turn autumnal.


The turn of the trees


One of the main sights to confirm Autumn is on the way is the leaves changing. Can you spot the following colours?



Yellow leaves on a tree
(Yellow Leaves)

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Faith, trust and fertility dust!


Quite a few friends, family members and readers have asked me whats happening on the fertility front.

What's happening? 
Is there any update?
Are you expecting yet?

Well, no nothing is happening. There is no update. I'm not expecting. That bump is Chinese takeaways and crisps.


Flower laid next to motivational cards


Tuesday 8 November 2016

Wray Castle


Wray Castle is a mock-Gothic National Trust property, which perches on the shores of Lake Windermere. Built  in 1840 and used by Beatrix Potter and her family as a holiday home it is advertised as being kid friendly, but is it really??

Back in September we found out!

It was the standard rainy day in the Lake District when we arrived at Wray Castle. Luckily it wasn't overly busy so we could park in the small onsite car park. We walked with haste up the path as the toddler refused to have the raincover down on the pushchair! We were met by the sight of the impressive Gothic-styled castle. The kind you expect to see in a fairy tale. It was very Disney-esque


Exterior of a traditional castle with turrets


Sunday 6 November 2016

Might not have, must haves!



When you know you're expecting it's easy to get swept up in the must haves, needs and wants when deciding what to buy. There are some things that may not be the top of your list or you may not have thought off.

There were a few things I hadn't had on my list but looking back I wouldn't have been without them.

Here's my top five might not have must haves!!


1. A shaped baby bath
Acqua Bambino Two Stage Bath  - Pearl White

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Casemade iPhone cover


Gifted

With Halloween done and dusted Christmas is just around the corner and our thoughts are starting to turn towards gifts.

Gift buying can be extremely stressful, especially for those that seem to have everything and buy the little things they want when they want them. For these difficult to buy for people I tend to learn towards getting them something useful. Something they can really make use of. So think about it. What does the person you're buying for use often? The thing they can't be without? The chances are its some sort of electronic device!

Could you maybe buy them a gift that works with that or even better, protects it? 


Casemad cover still in package laid out in a flat lay