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27 February 2013

Gumigem Mothers Day Giveaway

We have had our Gumigem for the last couple of years and it is a really simple yet brilliant idea, so I am really pleased to be able to host this giveaway to win not one but two pieces from their range.

Gumigem offers a wide ranging line of award winning, baby proof, mummy jewellery designed to look amazing, but with your baby in mind. Babies love to grab, pull and chew on jewellery and this jewellery collection accommodates this, without damaging the jewellery or harming your baby. Nor does Gumigem compromise on style although it is practical and baby friendly it also looks great with a huge variety of necklaces and bangles.

The creator of Gumigem is Jenny McLaughlan who came up with the idea while on maternity leave with her second child in early 2010.  Jenny's son inspired her to start the company, as he was a nightmare during teething, biting everything in sight! She used to tie and strap teethers to herself until the light bulb moment hit her and she decided to create a teether into a stylish piece of jewellery? Gumigem was born!

The current range includes Bangles & Bracelets
As well as a wide range of pendants and necklaces, as well as bespoke necklaces and many combination deals that offer big savings






The jewellery is made from silicone (like what you would find a dummy teat, teething toy or baby spoon to be made of), so is soft and flexible. It is BPA, PVC, Lead, Latex and Phthalate free, can withstand high temperatures and be easily washed in hot water or placed in the dishwasher. The necklaces come on a long cord, so there is plenty of reach for baby, and for extra comfort and safety, each necklace has a breakaway clasp.

So here is what you could win, this gorgeous bright Squash Bermuda Bangle, perfect to warm up these cold days and a Pepper Raindrop Pendant, wonderfully simple and will go with pretty much anything. Just enter via the rafflecopter form below and one winner will be picked at random next week.

For more information and latest updates you can follow Gumigem on Twitter and Facebook.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

26 February 2013

The Green Cross Code

Do you remember the green cross code? I remember doing it at school, we even had competitions and I once went to a regional final at the Albert Hall in Nottingham in which I won a trophy. Whoop!

So why isn't it still taught and why does the government put so little into the funding of road safety for children? Outside my sons school there is no lollipop person, fortunately there is a zebra crossing. I still always go through the Green Cross Code with my son but it would seem that so many people both young and old have no idea how to cross the road.

For some unknown reason people seem to think that they are invincible, I guess the blame game allows people to put the onus onto the driver, but at the end of the day drivers are only human too and can't always stop and if you are dead then it's not really much good.

Should we bring it back in to schools and on the telly the way it was taught back in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s?

Do you remember SPLINK?

(Find a) Safe (place to cross)
(Stand on the) Pavement
Look (for traffic)
If (traffic is coming, let it pass)
(When there is) No (traffic near, walk across the road)
Keep (looking and listening for traffic as you cross).

Whilst I will continue to teach my son about road safety I can only hope other parents do, although I am sure the ones who send their children to school with cold chips have more important things on their mind.

We are so complacent that it will be fine, the figures have dropped but what about new generations? Will they learn, if so who from?

I leave you with this fabulous video starring David Prowse from the late 70s, bring back The Green Cross Code Man.

25 February 2013

Baker Days Review and Giveaway

Last week I was sent a special mothers day cake through the post from Baker Days, my husband thinks this is a way of him getting out of doing the whole mothers day thing but it's another couple of weeks away so I had to tell him otherwise ;)

Anyway on to the subject of cake, I am a fan of cake and am usually the baker so imagine my delight when I was offered the chance to review a cake that would be delivered direct to my door.

In a rather unassuming box, was delivered a little bit of happiness, a pretty tin containing a gorgeous cake accompanied by a little card and a packet of love hearts.


Imagine, you live far away from a loved one and it's their birthday, well how about sending them a cake in a box, personalised and containing everything they'll need to add a little sparkle to their day.

And it's not just birthdays there are mothers day, valentines day, get well soon and thank you cakes and many more. You can even upload your own image to be included on the cake, how about your child's drawing for mum, dad or grandparents.

You can also choose from different types of cake including gluten and wheat free cake, they really have thought of everything. And best of all the letterbox gift cake means there is no need to worry  the recipient won't be in and it can be waiting for them on the door mat when they get home.

I was sent a Madeira cake and it was moist, soft and very tasty and as I am a bit of a icing fiend the butter cream and icing encasing the cake was also very tasty and meets my high standards. To say this cake was delivered to the door by a postman and pushed through the letterbox I was most impressed that not only was it still intact but still tasted so lovely.


At only £14.99 for the basic cake including delivery I think this is very reasonable and will definitely be using them next time I need a cake delivering to someone.

So now on to the really exciting bit, the lovely people at Baker Days have kindly offered me one of their Letterbox Cakes to give away, just enter via the rafflecopter form below and one winner will be picked at random next week. Leaving just enough time to order a mothers day design if you want, however the winner can choose any design and it is fully personalisable.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was sent the cake to review, all words and opinions are my own. 

22 February 2013

Gorgeous Things for Spring

Gorgeous things have been popping up all over my Facebook, Instagram and emails recently and I decided I needed to get them down on some sort of list.

Firstly this gorgeous daffodil yellow barrel bag from Zatchels, the colour is divine and is perfect to brighten up any outfit and as I love daffodils this bag is just perfection.


Next up is this gorgeous narwhal necklace from designosaurYEAH, my son loves them and I just think it is so different.

I adore this dress by Orla Keily from People Tree, perfect bright colours and would look great dressed up or down this spring.

And finally, I saw these over on Dr Martens Facebook page the other day and I adore this colour way, I just think they would look great with skinny jeans or a skirt!

So there are just a few picks from my browsing over the internet, this is not a sponsored post I just really like these gorgeous items.

19 February 2013

Hello Spring...Out in the Garden

So unless you have been living under a stone or in a part of the country it isn't sunny you will have noticed that recent days have been truly wonderful, sun shining and blue skies with a little bit of a chill.

Perfect weather for being out and about and today as we went to hang out our Pinata Box Bird Feeder we also took the time to look at the garden, the bulbs sprouting, the moss and everything in between.


I think even just spending half an hour in the garden is good for the soul, there is so much to see and as it grew a little colder and darker it was nice to come in and have a lovely hot chocolate to warm those little hands.

First we found this bone, my son thought it was a dinosaur bone and although I hated to shatter his vision I told him it was probably from a lamb (we have a few neighbours who leave meat out for the cats/foxes)


We also found this nest that had fallen out of a tree, my sons face was a picture.


Looking under rocks for bugs we found some little roots from trees and seeds.


We had a look at the moss on the rocks and touched it to see how it felt....furry apparently ;)


I'm not sure how this got here, I am assuming someone made it for their children that used to live here with some fern leaves and concrete.


Next we had a look at the castor oil plant, these leaves are very Jurassic, they are huge so this thrilled my dino loving son.


We also  these found these 'helicoptors' from the ash tree, one had a little root growing from it so this was exciting to see.


And finally we found some gorgeous lichen on the apple tree and a beautiful pink heather which we think look like little bells.



There are some really wonderful things in the garden at the minute, coming into life as the sun starts to heat everything up.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

17 February 2013

Snowdrops at Hodsock Priory

Today we visited Hodsock Priory for a walk around the woodland and gardens that are currently covered in snowdrops. The sight is spectacular and with different events on over the snowdrop period there is plenty to eat, see and keep you busy.

This weekend was the Food and Country Fair which was host to many wonderful local food producers and products.

The walk is perfect for children and with the weather being a little snowy recently it gives you the opportunity to put on the wellies and wrap up warm, although today was the perfect spring day with the sun shining through the trees.

Pretty bridges to walk over
Lots and lots of snowdrops
Pretty woodland
The gorgeous house and gardens

Lovely gothic revival chimneys
The cost is £5 per adult, free for under 6s and then £1 for children between 6-16 so it doesn't break the bank. Onsite in the Snowdrop Village is a Tea Room, Plant Sale and Gift Shop along with History Corner for daily talks. There was also a treasure trail for children which gets their little brains working in order to open the safe at the end and win a little prize.

If you go on a Tuseday you can get a free tea, just print out the voucher from the website, so why not pop along this half term.

12 February 2013

Overpricing in Charity Shops

I have noticed this more and more recently, charity shops are ever increasing their prices.

What once would have been a few pounds is now £7-8, some things are just sat on a shelf week after week when I go in. One shop had a tea service in for about 5 months before it was either sold or got put away.

So my question is this, rather than have stock hanging about for months because it is overpriced wouldn't it be a better idea to sell the good stuff on ebay or send to auction and then sell everything else off quicker and cheaper.

Stock becomes stagnant and if it is the same old stock time and time again I stop going, plus if they are intent on being greedy then the money isn't coming in and the charity is missing out.

After all I am sure every penny and pound is needed, so is not better to sell 10 plates at 10p than none at £1 each?

With money so tight these day's that impulse buy is a thing of the past, before I might have bought something to find a home at a later date, now because they are so expensive I will walk away.

So charity shops, you are being given these things for free, anything you make on it is profit so is it time you stopped being greedy and waiting, hoping someone will buy that overpriced bit of china and instead accepted that you will get less and instead take half of what you would of liked.

If I see you have lots of stock I probably won't be giving my next lot of hand me downs to you, but if you are selling lots, you can have that next bag.

Using ebay as a pricing guide is only good if the things on there actually sell, are shop staff simply looking at buy it now prices or inflated starting bids, for items that never sell?


As one guy I overheard the other day said, it is worth that I checked on the internet and that is what they cost, fair enough I thought but surely something is only worth what someone will pay for it.

Would love to hear the thoughts of others on this.

8 February 2013

Yale Keyless Digital Lock Review

I am known for leaving my keys in the front door, it is not only embarrassing when people come round and find them there but unsafe too.

There was also a time when my son decided to shut the door behind me as I went to fetch the shopping from the car, fortunately he was able to pass me the house keys but if he hadn't of been able to reach them I would have had to get someone to bring the spare set around.

So, when I was offered the Keyless Digital Lock from Yale to review I jumped at the chance, it sounded perfect for me and would easily solve these issues.

My husband isn't that great at DIY so we got my father in law to install it for us, he used to do this sort of thing for a living so knew what he was doing. It only took him about 20 minutes to install and we were ready to go.

Before...

Inside door

Outside door
After...

Inside once new lock fitted, we have chosen to leave the old lock.

Outside part of the new lock.


Keypad once lit up
If you aren't that good at DIY there is an installed option available when purchasing, however the instructions are thorough and it gives you all of the tools required on the box.

Once installed you have to set-up the codes required, this was probably the most difficult part, trying to choose a code that both of you will remember ;)

You can give temporary access to members of family with a code for them and you don't have to worry about forgetting your keys or popping for a run without them. There are several safety features including low battery warnings and even if your battery goes flat you have two battery contact points that fit a standard 9V battery, you can place the battery here and power the lock temporarily to enter your pin.

If you have older children who get home from school before you then they don't need keys and there is no risk of them losing them at school.

I really think this is a great idea and although we will still need to use the mortice lock the chance of me leaving this key in this lock is slim as it tends to fall out when I open the door.

There are several Yale door locks to choose from and on their website you can compare home security making it easy to choose the right security options for your home and family.

Do go and have a look at the options available, I cannot rate this enough and I just think that in the modern world this fits in well.

The only problem I forsee is should you have problems when you have been out for a drink you could be there a long time trying to enter your code. But as this doesn't apply to me so much any more I will be ok ;)

*We were sent the Yale Keyless Digital Door Lock for review, all words, opinions and photos are my own.

6 February 2013

Happy First Date Anniversary

Ten years ago today I went on a date with a man I already kinda knew, I met him for a drink after an acting class (no I am not good at acting but I needed some confidence).

We kissed on the escalators, it was all very romantic and I remember that kiss like it was yesterday.

After that we went to a casino and then the rest they say is history, several ups and downs later we got married had two children and are both still making each other laugh.

Image courtesy of gubgib / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5 February 2013

Win, win, win! A Gorgeous Organic Childs Tee

Today I have a little competition for you, you can win on of these delightful tees by Barley & Birch from Baby Duck Shop.

We own several of these tees and they fit, wash and look fab on, oh and did I mention are 100% organic!

This gorgeous blue footed booby print makes me laugh every time I look at it, I mean just the name is enough to make you giggle but if you have ever seen these beautiful birds then you'll know they are pretty cool too.

You can choose any size from 3-6 months upto 18-24 months (they do come up small) if you win and it is perfect for a girl or boy.

Just enter via the rafflecopter form below and good luck :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway