Florence turned five on New Year’s Eve and ten days before her actual birthday we held a ‘Frozen’ birthday ball for her as her party (she chose the theme and Disney’s Frozen was her absolute top choice – of course)! It’s a party that’s been a long time in the planning with many, many Google searches, Amazon and ebay purchases and plenty of Pinterest surfing for ‘Frozen’ themed party ideas! In the end we pulled it off I think and […]

I remember a time in my teens when I felt very embarrassed at the prospect of using a coupon. I wonder now what on earth was wrong with me but back then if my Mum cut one out of a newspaper or magazine I used to shudder at the thought! Why did I worry what other people thought of me and WHY did I think using a coupon was ridicule worthy anyway? It’s just money saving after all… (You have […]

The last time we went to see Dinsey On Ice we went entirely unprepared. I had no idea that as soon as we got off the tube we would see swarms of little Princesses all dressed up like their favourite Disney character and that Florence would feel incredibly left out if she was the only one without a costume on! We loved it anyway, the show was jaw droppingly good and so very exciting but she remembered about the dress […]

I remember years ago my Mum telling me about this circus she’d heard of ‘It sounds totally amazing and out of this world’ she said. I have always remembered her saying that and whenever I hear anyone speak of Cirque Du Soleil I think of my Mum. Naturally then, when I was invited to the premiere night of their new show KOOZA, which is on at The Royal Albert Hall in London until 19th February 2015, it was my Mum […]

Today I am feeling back to earth with a massive bump! We have all had such a fabulous Christmas, New Year’s, time off school and two of us with birthdays over the holidays that we really couldn’t be anything other than partied out! We’ve celebrated, opened presents, gone swimming, visited the beach, played in the garden and park, had parties, seen family and laced all the celebrations with masses of food and a touch of alcohol too if we’re honest! […]

With the festive season already in full-swing, parents up and down the country are continually having to rack their brains for activities that will entertain all the family. Whilst Christmas time is a magical time to be part of a big family, it does have its fair share of frustrations as well – particularly for Mum and Dad. All parents, who have a brood compromising of members in different stages of childhood, will know how difficult it can be to […]

I can’t believe that I am so behind on everything to do with Christmas! I literally have only bought about three things and everything else is yet to be purchased. In person. Not on line… Because? Well, I’ve obviously left it far too late for that sort of thing. I think I have my Mum sorted but I can’t divulge as she reads the blog and I do have a Xeno for each of the children thanks to a little […]

We’ve had a 99p shop on our high street for years and when I found out Poundland was opening up too I just thought ‘Oh no, not another one…’ But… Now that it’s here and I’ve had the pleasure of going in there properly (almost daily if I’m honest), I have to say it’s flipping brilliant and far better than all the other shops of a similar philosophy. A week or so ago there was a documentary about Tatler magazine […]

Anyone who has ever hosted a social gathering knows the stress of trying to buy the right amount and mixture of alcoholic beverages for the evening. Even with something as universally loved as wine, everyone has different tastes and preferences. Beyond the classic divide of red and white, there are a range of conflicting opinions regarding dryness, sweetness and fruitiness. Therefore, I decided to do a quick survey of those invited so I could compile a rough criteria. Although I […]

A few months ago Aldi challenged me to make a cocktail using Aldi spirits and I, selflessly,, stepped up to the task and made a traffic light concoction! It was summer, the colours were sunny and it doesn’t take much to get me to open a bottle of gin… More recently they asked if I’d like to do something similar but for Christmas instead so I had a little think and decided something warm would be appropriate. Something warm AND […]