tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35762495600000700412024-02-07T05:42:21.446+00:00 Little Pink TeacupA British family lifestyle blog.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-47250793747622389102013-12-31T18:50:00.000+00:002013-12-31T18:50:59.552+00:00Fourteen things for 2014<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not simply resolutions, more of a to-do list. Here's my fourteen things for 2014...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1. Sort out the finances.</b></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'll be honest, they're a bit of a mess at the moment, I'd really like to 'trim the fat' off and cut out any unnecessary expenditure. I guess that means ditching the husband...he costs more than the children!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>2. Do more structured activities.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With Moo having longer hours at nursery as of next week, I really want to make productive use of my time on weekdays; to get the most out of the hours I have with and without her. I'll be making a chart. Yes, you read that correctly, a chart. I'm that obsessive over organisation.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>3. Make new friends.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have old friends and mummy friends...I'd like to make more friends with children Bear's age.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>4. Return to work.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Unfortunately, it's got to be done. I'd better man-up about it.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>5. Blog more original content.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I like my random waffling and while I love discovering new things, what makes my blog unique is me, not the (very lovely) brands I work with.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>6. Routine.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When Bear got poorly, our routine went sailing through the window. Time to claw it back!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>7. De-clutter life.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seriously, when did my house become akin to a dump? It's full of stuff, I can barely move. Clear room, clear mind as my husband says (before hypocritically leaving a wet towel in the middle io the dining room)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>8. Lose weight.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well I had a baby three and a half months ago and have celebrated a lot of things since. I was thinner the day after I had him than I am now. Too much cake, not enough exercise!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>9. Put more effort in.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Same as the routine, once Bear got poorly, I stopped putting effort into my every-day appearance. I keep leaving the house without make-up and my hair in a top knot. It's not a great look...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>10. Start decorating.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All three bedrooms need it.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>11. Work on Moo's phonics, letters and reading.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One morning a week will be dedicated to developing Moo's reading skills.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>12. Network more.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I used to do a lot of this for our family-run business and I need to get back in to it if I ever want to own my own home!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>13. Take a city break.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One that doesn't feature a concert. Or is in Leeds.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>14. Have more fun, worry less.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because life can come to a very abrupt halt, so why waste time on boring stuff?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy new year everyone!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-21374630502532967202013-12-29T22:08:00.001+00:002013-12-29T22:08:15.849+00:002013 in Numbers<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2013 was a big year for our family, we became 'complete'. We have two healthy and happy children, one of each, and so we're done with baby making (more on that topic later in the week).</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's what made 2013...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Baby Bear.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Two</b> ultrasound scans.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Two</b> midwife-departments.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Nine</b> midwife appointments.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Two</b> false-labours.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Thirty-eight</b> <b>weeks</b> of pregnancy (<b>forty-two</b> in total).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Seven minutes</b> of delivery.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>1:06am</b>; time he was born, weighing <b>8lb6oz</b> on <b>08/09/2013.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Ninety seconds</b>; length of time he stopped breathing once delivered.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Twenty-seven minutes</b> after he was born, my husband arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Three</b> return journeys to and from our home in Eastbourne and the Conquest Hospital by my husband in a thirty-six hour period.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Forty minutes</b> is the approximate time from home to hospital one way.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Sixteen weeks </b>of successful breast-feeding.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Twenty-five weeks</b> of maternity leave taken.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>One</b> very proud big sister, <b>two</b> smitten parents and <b>one</b> big lump of gorgeous bubba.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>And the rest...</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>One</b> house-move.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Two</b> failed attempts, <b>two</b> relapses and <b>three</b> successful attempts at potty training.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Fifteen</b> children under <b>five</b> at the party where my daughter turned <b>three</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Twenty-five </b>and <b>twenty-seven</b>; the ages my husband and I turned (respectively).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Two</b> trips to Paris as a family.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Four</b> concerts.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>One</b> trip to Peppa Pig World.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Two</b> weddings attended.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>One year</b> of wedded bliss celebrated.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>One</b> first ever trip to the cinema.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>Four days</b> of Christmas-festivities as a family of <b>four</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- <b>364</b>; the (approximate) times I've seen Disney's Tangled with Moo.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG83hP5cj9bAd4Eku68ZQdUHWoZPohz9lwaEmOMKoohJqAySprmhUAPrv4K5Sh5Aji8W5SeAHMu0_xPUz_lugCwINBH8FkVuLyGe9nnK1DVg_SlcPBROVLw05mkD1ESWUcjaI5kPI6o4/s640/blogger-image--753688076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG83hP5cj9bAd4Eku68ZQdUHWoZPohz9lwaEmOMKoohJqAySprmhUAPrv4K5Sh5Aji8W5SeAHMu0_xPUz_lugCwINBH8FkVuLyGe9nnK1DVg_SlcPBROVLw05mkD1ESWUcjaI5kPI6o4/s400/blogger-image--753688076.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wow. What a year. I've loved 2013 (apart from the never-ending pregnancy) and I can't wait to see what 2014 will bring my way I'm hoping more handbags and chocolate with less weight gain!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-24528779009363757772013-12-28T20:57:00.000+00:002013-12-28T20:57:26.012+00:00Internet vs Christmas<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had a four-day break from all social-media channels over Christmas and it was beautiful. I've taken about a fortnight off from my blog which was unplanned but needed. I found myself in a low place just before and I needed to step back, to hide myself, my family, my life away from the world in the little bubble that is the 'Teacup Family home' and take stock. Of everything.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm excited for 2014, it'll bring changes; some good, some not-so-much but all needed.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've been thinking recently that maybe the Internet isn't such a great thing...that perhaps the over-sharing element that comes with social media is ruining our fun at Christmas? People share too much I think. Is it not considered bragging to Instagram all your presents? Would you invite your friends round to gaze upon your festive bounty (neatly arranged and in great, natural light)?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a time where people are struggling to feed their families, should we really be telling the world what we were lucky enough to receive? Is it safe to Instagram that new Mulberry handbag then tweet you're off to the gym for a post-Christmas work out? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is gifting fair? Are there rules? I once won a prize on Twitter and gave it as a present. They saw and were offended that I hadn't gone out and purchased something myself. Truth is, I don't give things that aren't the quality that I would buy for myself unless the recipient specifically asks for it. I spend the same on my sister as I do my brother-in-law, my best friend, my parents etc and the only people who get preferential treatment are my children and my husband.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is online shopping really the way forward? I bought a friend something this year and when it arrived, was disappointed it wasn't what I thought. Had I gone to a shop to buy it I would've known that. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And the sales, oh the sales. Can we say relentless?! I was getting emails on sales starting the 23rd! Half the things I'd bought were already half-price! On Internet, you need a slap sometimes!!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Internet ruins Christmas. There. I said it.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-86522753266792782402013-12-14T08:04:00.000+00:002013-12-14T08:04:30.552+00:00Budget Christmas Partying<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think it's fair to say that most of us love a good party and let's face it, at this time of year you're unlikely to slide through the month without at least one invite to someone's festivities. But whether you love to party or not, Christmas time is probably the most financially unforgiving with the presents, the food, the parties and all the other little extras that come with making that last week of the year something spectacular.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In recent years, since donning my Mummy hat, I've had to cut back extensively on the Christmas party spending. Four years ago I thought nothing of dropping £100 a time or more on one outfit for one party, but now with two children, a heap of household outgoings and maternity leave this year...I'll be lucky if I spend half of that on all of my parties combined! The old me would've been horrified but I would much rather spend that money on my children or my family than on myself, and let's be honest...is anyone likely to realise that you wore that little black dress last year? Can you remember what they wore last year?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So here's a few tips to make a megre party budget go further, whether it's out of choice or necessity, you can be the belle of the ball on a budget!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Bargain Beauty.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Beauty is an expensive habit and it seems that every time I swing through Boots, more prices have edged just a little bit higher. With that said, there are more and more low-priced brands coming forward to offer make-up at mini-prices. Long-gone are the days where a small price meant 'pocket-money', you can now buy fantastic, pigmented and long-wearing make-up from as little as £1 from brands such as MUA, Barry M, Collection and Sleek. Everything from your basic lipstick and eyeshadow to more professional tools such as primers and brow-kits.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Smokin'.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A smokey-eye is a classic for the party season. It'll give you a great pop of colour and open your eyes up. If you have three shades of the same colour lurking in your vanity table then you can create this look easily with the help of thousands of online-tutorials ranging from subtle to dramatic, depending on the look you're after. If you don't think you have anything suitable, you can pick up a vast range of eye-shadow pallets from the make-up departments of Boots and Superdrug for well under a tenner. Models Own even have a small pallet designed exclusively for a smokey eye which comes complete with brushes and a photo-tutorial, retailing at around £5.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The supermarket clothing brands have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and party-wear is no exception. Both Tesco and ASDA have a large range of festive-appropriate frocks online and in store for a fraction of what you'd pay on the high street. Try to resist loud, statement dresses if you want to get a lot of wear out of them, using accessories to change up an outfit from party to party. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Viva the video.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuck for hair inspiration? Not quite sure on that cat-like flick? One word; YouTube! With hairdressers, make-up artists and brands flooding the channels with tutorial after tutorial, you're bound to find a video that'll give you that helping hand that you need! I've even cut my own side-swept fringe using a YouTube video (NOT for the faint of heart)! If the products they use seem a bit on the pricey side, try googling dupes for them as a lot of beauty bloggers will often review and offer a dupe solution for those of us not willing to pay £10+ for a texturising spray!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>It's a deal!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love a deal and at this time of year 3 for 2 reigns supreme!! If you have an award card such as Boots Advantage card, check out what offers you can get before you spend. You often can get vouchers and money-off of certain products that might work out cheaper than buyingt hem on a multi-purchase. My best friend and I like to split a 3 for 2 offer when it comes to a party. We'll buy an item each and then share the third (usually a nail polish), we've then got two new products for the price of one! If you have older daughters, this is also a great way to keep them cheery!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Clare</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-33991249146429646382013-12-11T16:29:00.000+00:002013-12-11T16:29:12.085+00:00Hobbycraft Wreath Making<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">To me, nothing says 'Christmas is upon us' like a well-decorated home. I live in a Victorian terrace, one of a long row of three-bedroom homes that stretches down the road, fifty-houses-long. There is not much more festive than seeing door after door adorned with a festive wreath. I, sadly, have never owned one so you can imagine my excitement when I was offered a wreath-making kit by <a href="http://hobbycraft.co.uk/">Hobbycraft</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When it arrived I was beyond anxious to get crafting with Moo as my glamorous (read chaotic) assistant, however, when I opened the box up, I was a little surprised by my provisions. Here's what we got...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The wreath-frame itself was more than I expected, however the two decorative embellishments that came with it were what I had imagined, not what I would describe as typically festive; a bunch of silver-glitter flowers and a sprig of red glitter fruit(that isn't on the website). I certainly wouldn't of picked them myself. The fruit was already falling apart (curse you delivery man) sadly but still, once Moo and Bear were collectively asleep I got cracking!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The first problem that I encountered was that the stem for the fruit was very thick and rigid so all I could do with it was stab it through the twigs that made up the frame and rely on a bit of balance and gravity to hold in place (I later got some cotton and tied it on). Next I attempted to add the flowers whose stems were firm paper-covered wire. Bendable but really thick. Too thick for the frame they came with and white which meant that no matter how much creative twisting I did, they were visible from the front of my creation. I wanted to add some tartan ribbon but alas time escaped me and I never made it to the haberdashers. So I ended with this...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yeah...for someone with a background in art and design, not my finest project to date.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you're thinking of having a go at making your own wreath then Hobbycraft is definitely the place to go! The range of items available and the prices are brilliant, here's what I would pick if I were to have another go...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-rattan-hanging-heart-wreath-decoration-star-natural/584347-1000">Raffia Heart</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-christmas-ribbon-reel-white-heart-17-mm-x-3-metre/586620-1000">Heart-print Ribbon</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-velvet-poinsettia-red/575348-1000">Pointsettia</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-large-round-jingle-bell-decorations-3-pack-white/584245-1000">Jingle Bells</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-berries-bunch-spray-83cm-red/561001-1002">Red Berry Spray</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Please note these items were provided for the purposes of review however all thoughts and opinions (and awful crafting) are my own.</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-13324312747754449212013-12-09T00:00:00.000+00:002013-12-09T00:00:01.772+00:00Pets at Home Christmas Cat Gifts<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQUmJ89BzTJXoU_YcKOScwA2sKdoGc5FYU141i9UmxNqSt7mEuWPl2CqYZwqB46MA6PwH1MS6GfPSg0mGEyCnZPp1Wv_GKEHGW0uwzrXIHKWRi-Lv7xrNoUesq8COPdk_1c-EkgJ_GRg/s640/blogger-image--1267566246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQUmJ89BzTJXoU_YcKOScwA2sKdoGc5FYU141i9UmxNqSt7mEuWPl2CqYZwqB46MA6PwH1MS6GfPSg0mGEyCnZPp1Wv_GKEHGW0uwzrXIHKWRi-Lv7xrNoUesq8COPdk_1c-EkgJ_GRg/s400/blogger-image--1267566246.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let me introduce you to someone special that doesn't get a mention very often; the cat.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She's my husband's cat, he and his brother have had her since they were young children (they're in their twenties now). She's very old, very grouchy and <i>very</i> hairy. Her name's Fluffy. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were kindly sent a large box of goodies from the lovely people at <a href="http://petsathome.com/">Pets at Home</a> to sample some of their festive treats for moggies and believe you me, they've come a long way since I had my own cat and I used to buy her the standard cat-treats-in-the-shape-of-a-stocking (though one of those was included, rude not to, it's a classic)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's what we got...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.petsathome.com/shop/christmas-santa-cat-treat-by-pets-at-home-59639">Catnip Santa - £2.50</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.petsathome.com/shop/reindeer-christmas-character-cat-teaser-by-pets-at-home-119261">Reindeer Dangle Teaser Toy - £3</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.petsathome.com/shop/webbox-festive-christmas-cat-stick-treats-99663">Webbox Treat Sticks - £1 per pack (two packs in photo)</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.petsathome.com/shop/cat-christmas-stocking-by-pets-at-home-38789">Cat Treat Stocking - £5</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also included was this fabulous door hanger toy (£6 but seems to be sold out as not on website, it's worth checking your local store though as it's brilliant)! It has four Christmas-themed dangly objects and hangs over your door handle for your cat to bat and play with. I loved it and though it was brilliant...unfortunately, Fluffy not so much as you can see...but no matter, it make a great little decoration and is there should she change her mind and decide to let her hair down (at which point we'll be hoovering up the fur...again...)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fluffy did enjoy the catnip Santa, it turned her nose bright red and she apparently went super loopy around the living room (I was out, but my husband's Nan found it amusing). The dangly toy and treat sticks were also a big hit but like I mentioned earlier you simply cannot go wrong with a cat treat stocking! The Pets at Home one comes with catnip treats, milk drops, cat milk for adult cats, 4x toys and a ball of scrunched paper-stuff (which any cat owner at Christmas will tell you the best gift you can give your feline companion is to drop them into the middle of a pile of torn-off wrapping paper)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm totally in love with the cute Christmas range at Pets at Home this year, so much so I wish I had more (more playful) cats at my disposal and I'm so glad it's becoming easier to shop for our four-legged friends at Christmas too! Is it me or are cats the ultimate in hard-to-buy-for recipient? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Please note these items were sent to (Fluffy and) me for the purpose of review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-65851271605801240932013-12-08T20:23:00.003+00:002013-12-08T20:23:20.926+00:00Fruitbroo<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being a Barista for more years than I care to admit, I like to think I know a thing or two about hot drinks. I love a hot drink...but not tea. Yes, I know I'm British and I should be full-on loopy for the stuff but I really don't like 'black' teas like your everyday brew or the dustiness that is Earl Grey. I do however love a green tea or an 'infusion' (non-tea teas like fruit, peppermint etc.) and as coffee mad that I am, I do prefer one of these on an afternoon!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So when <a href="http://fruitbroo.com/">Fruitbroo</a> dropped me an email to ask of I'd like to give them a whirl, I couldn't of been more excited to take them up on their kind offer.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fruitbroo are 100% natural, 15 calorie, little bottles of hot fruit heaven that are completely caffeine, gluten and dairy-free making them suitable for everyone. They come in six mouth-watering, scrumptious-sounding flavours including honey and lemon which I bet is really fab for those cold, I think I'm catching something, mornings.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I received Apple, Ginger and Spice as well as Rhubarb, Apple and Cinnamon to try and was instantly boiling my kettle to try the first. The instructions say one teaspoon or two then add boiling water. I tried one to start off with which gave a subtle, refreshing flavour. My tastes are pretty strong so I added a second spoon to get a good flavour punch and it was perfection. I could taste all three elements of the labour profile and it made a wonderful hot drink alternative to the black Americano I would usually be sipping at that time.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I found the apple in both drinks to provide just the right amount of sweetness, two spoons might be too sweet for some as I add sugar to my coffee and fruit teas (I know, bad...)! The Apple, Ginger and Spice was my favourite to taste, purely because I'm not a massive fan of rhubarb or cinnamon. I found the rhubarb made it a little on the tart side for my liking. But that's me. If you like a rhubarb crumble hen this is the drink for you!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are my pros and cons...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Pros.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Sickeningly easy to use. Easier than a tea bag with it's brewing time and water temperature! Just a spoon or two plus water and away you go! Fruity yumminess!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Great range of flavours.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Small bottles, ideal for home or work.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cons.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Uhm...guys? Where's the berry flavour? That would by far make my day, if not my month!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Apple, Ginger and Spice - one spoon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fruitbroo's current slogan is 'Christmas in a cup' and I will definitely be offering up these little beauties to my guests this festive period with some (un)homemade gingerbread and panettone!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fruitbroo is currently available <a href="http://shop.fruitbroo.com/">online</a> or in Sainsbury's for £2.50 per bottle (approximately 15 servings), with free delivery until 16th December (minimum order 2 bottles). They're also giving away heaps and heaps of prizes this Christmas on Twitter under the antagonistic #FruitbrooGaveToMe so quick, get following!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Please note the above products were sent to me for the purposes if review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-4657547690631484222013-12-06T13:55:00.002+00:002013-12-06T13:55:19.924+00:00Top 5 Green Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I will hold my hands up and admit that I am not the greenest of people, but I try. I've found it's very hard to buy ethical on a low income, to be green on a budget. I've shopped around and so today I'd like to introduce you to my top five ethical products for parents and babies.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Organic bodysuits - £3.99 each (3 for 2) <a href="http://tablet.hm.com/gb/product/97443?article=97443-S">H&M.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Organic clothing can be expensive, especially when you consider how short of a period your little ones will be wearing it for! There are some beautiful companies out there that do stunning pieces for special occasions such as Frugi, however for every day you don't want to pay through the nose. These organic cotton bodysuits at H&M are super soft and great value.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Reusable bags - from £5.99 <a href="http://www.re-uz.co.uk/">Re Uz.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Re Uz have a gorgeously-designed (you know I love a bit of design) range of reusable shopper, holdalls, handbags and accessories that are kind on your purse, kind on the environment and absolutely beautiful to look at! The reusable shoppers make great alternatives to horrible plastic carrier bags, or even for stashing all those bits that baby just has to have carted around with you! The scrunch up über small too, making them an ideal stocking filler for that really hard to buy for person!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Reusable breast pads - £8.99 <a href="http://www.babipur.co.uk/shop/Eco-Sanitary-Pads/c20/p6263/Sckoon-Organic-Breastpads/product_info.html#.UqHRhREgGK0">Babi Pur.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ladies, let's talk boobs. Or more specifically boob milk. Let's be honest and admit that yes, they leak. Some more than others! If you're unfortunate to be like me and leak lots then reusable breast pads could be for you! They absorb far more than their disposable counterparts and are way less irritating on delicate and sensitive skin, leaving you less likely to catch a horrible and uncomfortable infection. They're pretty, too (bonus)! You can also get reusable sanitary towels (but for some at might be a step too far).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Terry nappies - from £10 a <a href="http://growupgreen.co.uk/">Grow Up Green.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'll be brief because I've talked of reusable nappies loads in the past. Reusable is by far the best for the environment and the landfill situation. The cheapest you can get are Terry towels (but don't forget to by the waterproof wraps). They'll last you probably until your child is in university (though hopefully not still wearing them...I meant for cleaning etc)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fair trade crochet rattles - from £4 Pebble at <a href="http://www.babipur.co.uk/shop/Toys-and-Puzzles-Fair-Trade-Soft-Toys/c25_27/p3863/Pebble-Mini-Owl-Rattles/product_info.html#.UqHQCxEgGK1">Babi Pur.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">These little crochet rattles make cute, fun little toys for babies with bright colours, interesting shapes and easy to hold designs. They're currently half-off too!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And here's one little ethical luxury item that I can't live without!!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">KeepCup - from £7.80 <a href="http://keepcup.com/">KeepCup</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As a total coffee geek, I drink it a lot. I drink it at home, at friends and out. Some coffee shops offer money-off and incentives for using a reusable cup and I much prefer my lovely pink cup over an ugly, old travel mug any day! They come in a range of sizes depending on what's your poison (6oz for a flat white for example).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-74158595239226296552013-12-06T11:32:00.001+00:002013-12-06T11:32:11.729+00:00Pushy Parenting<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm beginning to think I might be one of those pushy parents. I'm pretty convinced one of my friends thinks I am. You see, my daughter's been at nursery since she was a year old, she's now three. All of her friends the same age are only just now going, which would be fine but I sent her to nursery mainly for the social aspect and the structure, not because I needed the childcare.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recently I've started Moo on learning her letters, phonics etc. when I mentioned this o my friend, she was shocked that I would be staring something so early. Obviously I don't consider three too early to start the learning-to-read journey, but even her nursery teacher said it was perfectly normal for children to go to school not knowing their alphabet. Moo's been leaning the very basics in phonics since she was two (through toys), it's only now I'm starting to get serious with books, flash cards etc. we have the Biff, Chip & Kipper starter set and cards as well as the first stage Letterland book.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Which leads me to wonder...am I a pushy parent? Moo's been learning the very basics in phonics since she was two (through toys), it's only now I'm starting to get serious with books, flash cards etc. we have the Biff, Chip & Kipper starter set and cards as well as the first stage Letterland book. When did everyone else start?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-16529161995719707692013-12-03T10:26:00.000+00:002013-12-03T10:30:58.232+00:00We Love Christmas<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">Christmas conjures a varied mix of memories for me but when I think of Christmas shopping I always remember fondly the Saturdays I used to spend wandering around the mammoth gift section in the <a href="http://bhs.co.uk/">BHS</a> in Harlow, Essex with my dad back in the nineties. Shelves upon shelves of colourful novelties, thoughtful trinkets and the sweets, oh the sweets! To this day I can't stroll past my local store in Eastbourne without being tempted over the threshold by the colourful variety of gifts and wrap on offer.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Founded in Brixton (London), BHS has been a major player on the high street for decades, I'm sure if you're not a British Home Stores regular, your mother was, and probably your grandmother too. I even bought my wedding dress from there last year (honestly, I did and it was gorgeous)!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stocking stuffer of Secret Santa, girlfriend or granny, you'll find something to fill that Christmas-present-shaped hole in BHS, and all without breaking the bank or compromising on quality. For a little sneaky peek at what you can pick up online or in store, check out the oh-so-cute and clever ad below.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Online offers a fab gift-finder service as well as daily deals in the shape of their virtual advent calendar. Whoever you're shopping for this Christmas, BHS have got you covered!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Please note, this is a sponsored post. Sponsored by <a href="http://spreaditfast.com/">Spreaditfast.com</a>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-68418910280868182452013-12-02T19:01:00.000+00:002013-12-02T19:01:57.668+00:00Could you leave your children?<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Could you leave your children?</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This question pops into my mind after I met someone, then found out from a relative that eight years ago she walked out on her husband and four-year-old son. Now, after almost a decade of wanting barely anything to do with him, she has asked the child to move in with her, leaving the father who has raised him (and sadly recently suffered a near-fatal accident) alone.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The same relative also knows another woman who fourteen years ago walked out on her husband and four children following an affair...three weeks before Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Could you do it?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't think I could. I don't think I would ever want to. I know I couldn't.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, the pair of them at times are enough to turn me to the bottle and yes, I'll admit, sometimes I wish to lump about my home alone for a couple of hours...but the thought of waking to a morning without them, coming home to a house void of Moo's shrieking and Bear's chattering, is more than I can stand.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What makes a mother abandon her babies?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know it crops up every now and then; on chat shows, documentaries, real-life magazines...but why? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm sad to say that it's often because of a man. I will hold my hands up and say that I have done a lot of crazy (read sometimes stupid) things in the name of love but I will never walk away from my children...and if I do, you have my total permission to hunt me down and slap me. Hard. Because clearly I'll need it, I know what it's like to not be loved by a parent as a child and it is a sickening, heart-wrenching pain that never, ever goes. Perhaps that's why the thought of ever closing that door with no intent o return o them fills me with so much dread I hug them that little bit tighter.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If ever you feel it gets too much. Stop. Think. Talk to somebody. Please don't ever leave your babies.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-25776215784736087542013-11-28T10:16:00.001+00:002013-11-28T10:17:13.093+00:00All Budget Gift Guide for Under Fives<div>
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<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whether you're shopping for your own children or someone else's, it's fair to say you probably have a budget in your head. Nobody walks into a shop or logs online with no idea of how much they'd like to spend. With that in mind, today I'd like to show you my pick of Christmas gifts for the under-fives for all budgets!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Under ones.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.itsy-bits.co.uk/">Tutu - £20 - Itsy Buts Boutique.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm not going to lie...there's nothing cuter than a little girl in a frilly tutu. Hands up, I can't resist a bit of frothiness! Itsy Bits have lots of lovely things on offer but these are by far my favourites! They're also running some great Christmas promotions at the moment making them even more the best-value tutu boutique online!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Tummy+with+mummy">Tummy with Mummy - £45 - Amazon.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Super-sweet little chair that grows with your baby, a safe space for tummy time before evolving into a sitting space for toddlers.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.playduvet.com/shop.php">Play Duvet - £75 - Play Duvet.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Such a simple but genius idea. I love it and I want one oh-so-bad! A gigantic, squishy play mat big enough to fit all the family on, fully-washable and lasts for years! I love the pattern also. Just don't forget to grab yourself a double duvet to pop inside!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=happy+hopperz&sprefix=Happy+hopp%2Caps%2C339">Happy Hopper - £20 - Amazon.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moo's had one of these since she turned one, she loves it and still gets a lot of enjoyment out of it now! They come on a variety of sizes also to suit different ages/body types!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.mothercare.com/ELC-Indoor-Giraffe-Trampoline/134319,default,pd.html">Trampoline - £35 - Mothercare.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Who doesn't love a trampoline?! And it's a Giraffe!!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.mothercare.com/ELC-Wooden-Train-Table/136727,default,pd.html">Train table £100 - Mothercare</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Chop chop! Brilliant fun and it comes with all the parts, a definite for any transport made boy or girl!! £100 well spent I think.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.teenybeanies.co.uk/shop/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=11">Bean Bag - £28.50 - Teeny Beanies.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Such a cutie! I love the beautiful faces and how you can personalise them. This is a really unique and attractive gift, one that I doubt you'd find under the tree from anyone else!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/VTech-InnoTab-Rechargeable-Battery-Pack/dp/B00DE9IPAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385026837&sr=8-1&keywords=Innotab">Innotab - £70 - Amazon.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We bought Moo one of these for her birthday and she adores it. It's fun and educational and gets her off of our iPads! You can buy games, once again, in different age groups to ensure they are age-appropriate and keep your child's attention.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.littlebirdtoldme.co.uk/shop/rocking-horses/heritage-stable.aspx#Tennyson">Rocking Horse - £300 - Little Bird Told Me.</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You probably already know that I love a traditional toy and the rocking horse is the king of them. These offerings are beautifully crafted with stunning fabrics. They will last you many, many years and many, many children! A great investment.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-80583976949714608922013-11-27T19:50:00.002+00:002013-11-27T19:50:52.349+00:00Something She's Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xxm0jtGKojLejfJ-6tZzjAmIKdF3chtV7wtr7TSvhJeHh2v937lY491NYlsBhgr-EXxD38wOiqe9iBSE9swmADJ6-EDuU0ffSkufCCFmdU3o3e8f9RxlBSngGIkCYbKD-UJ4erkmNKY/s640/blogger-image--556714537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xxm0jtGKojLejfJ-6tZzjAmIKdF3chtV7wtr7TSvhJeHh2v937lY491NYlsBhgr-EXxD38wOiqe9iBSE9swmADJ6-EDuU0ffSkufCCFmdU3o3e8f9RxlBSngGIkCYbKD-UJ4erkmNKY/s400/blogger-image--556714537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The other night I was up with Bear and catching up on my telly...as I do.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was the return of Glee last week, one of the more lighter-hearted programmes that I regularly watch though this week something was said that really got to me.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Two characters were talking about a third, a slightly older woman who was the 'perfect girl'. Sweet, gorgeous and neatly dressed in colourful clothing. Essentially, a 'typical' girl.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And then they found out her ex-boyfriend was taking her to a Nine Inch Nails concert. Suddenly, the image was shattered and not because of the boyfriend. They then accused her of pretending to be something that she wasn't.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This got to me. It's something I deal with often, believe it or not.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You see, you wouldn't know it to look at me, but I like my music heavy. Heavy and loud. But why would you know that from looking at me? Why should I conform to what society says that someone with my taste in music should look like? I don't like that look. I like to wear plain clothes and I don't consider myself any worse a person than the next working mum with two little ones. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I guess you could say that I was a bit sensitive to the topic but why not? I like fashion, I like my high heels, I like the way I look, I wouldn't want to dye my hair an unnatural colour and cover myself in piercings just so that people know by looking at me that I like alternative music. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It always comes as a surprise when people I know over-hear my iPod or scroll through my Spotify to put on some tunes and I really don't get why. Once someone went as far as to say to me that they felt 'lied' to. Why? Why does anyone care? Does it really make me that bad a person?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Rant over.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-76004377251717981802013-11-25T15:20:00.000+00:002013-11-25T15:26:09.484+00:00Save the Blow Dry<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3b7wxcQh2J8YwLjsOv2cyyx9qJ_m6o7NuXcf7Pq-acvinvLgv34h-RBXWXn5LO59oT0hSE81LOnNlkIU5i_PtOVdM4KqCy_nf07z_eUiUM4Blg_NcVmkPu1Or9ntPrjPWKDJuLqYBFI/s1600/blogger-image-1812220974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3b7wxcQh2J8YwLjsOv2cyyx9qJ_m6o7NuXcf7Pq-acvinvLgv34h-RBXWXn5LO59oT0hSE81LOnNlkIU5i_PtOVdM4KqCy_nf07z_eUiUM4Blg_NcVmkPu1Or9ntPrjPWKDJuLqYBFI/s400/blogger-image-1812220974.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Please be warned, I hadn't had much sleep when I took the following photographs. You have been warned.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hair is my nemesis.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More specifically, my hair.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is thick, curly, frizzy and generally a bit of a natural mess. I straiten is (normally) every day for work or socialising. I straiten my hair so much that even some of the people closest to me don't know what my natural hair looks like. Now, some people love curls...I do, on other people...on me I have to blow dry, straiten and style my moo or else a nervous twitch develops.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So you can imagine the daily dice with frizz that is showering...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't use a regular shower cap as I find them crinkly and unhelpful. I usually get the same results from tying my hair into a scruffy top-knot and being extra careful! I can't wash my hair every day...firstly because with my thickness it would cost me an absolute fortune in shampoo, but secondly because it does it <b>NO</b> favours what-so-ever. So imagine my joy and intrigue when I came across Save the Blow Dry, a revolutionary new shower cap that has two layers to combat frizz and eradicate moisture.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFXT-aMpn0xHd2XOJlSINy3P_-1JLDWWLWOcp8ntCYkgL6vnAM6VDv5f72S4bGK1inwKeIRP5zagzcB-b0OJrmmXxHGz-Q9oerMfmO3Se91WRCtKZsKSMxkGMyGm4kytapL3bW06c9T8/s640/blogger-image--2102960279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFXT-aMpn0xHd2XOJlSINy3P_-1JLDWWLWOcp8ntCYkgL6vnAM6VDv5f72S4bGK1inwKeIRP5zagzcB-b0OJrmmXxHGz-Q9oerMfmO3Se91WRCtKZsKSMxkGMyGm4kytapL3bW06c9T8/s400/blogger-image--2102960279.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So here I am, giving this bad boy a whirl...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN9dCDOnLtS540vwgT_NTkQWqNNGgttVqDOBdM46d60ZnmY8JffR4VTjU_1hGsN8tEoPWyq4B8VviC9gcpI5NOZ7QHoN0ZV0UIQVnNhVd93h1kR0S2EwhJFvxp1D_aPqOFGIrbGxz2X8/s640/blogger-image-122737652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN9dCDOnLtS540vwgT_NTkQWqNNGgttVqDOBdM46d60ZnmY8JffR4VTjU_1hGsN8tEoPWyq4B8VviC9gcpI5NOZ7QHoN0ZV0UIQVnNhVd93h1kR0S2EwhJFvxp1D_aPqOFGIrbGxz2X8/s400/blogger-image-122737652.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Before.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXa3tMBOU8TorsoU95undKmWkS07vIliBV5c4-96iy3aTzC2xNVKS1I1_GU97tKOcLvrq7ElHqvjtcffzAdAvnzMnm_1TtQh8FnooRNznxWHkE9KMoqZe1o3duiSNQCnN0BOICcypSlc/s640/blogger-image-1547536571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXa3tMBOU8TorsoU95undKmWkS07vIliBV5c4-96iy3aTzC2xNVKS1I1_GU97tKOcLvrq7ElHqvjtcffzAdAvnzMnm_1TtQh8FnooRNznxWHkE9KMoqZe1o3duiSNQCnN0BOICcypSlc/s400/blogger-image-1547536571.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoALv2nLc5a9wfJVm-IjU-ZuOn8ykTHHBRJcCCHXMjLNOJL24ZB6s9EXqGRhjAvmnY3UuDKzr4nkmUlodw9eEdkt4b-7Ty87yeQNTPoMg9ooKB5mB5DOiCEL55OzSirIICc8eSFMmGGs/s640/blogger-image--1769949574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoALv2nLc5a9wfJVm-IjU-ZuOn8ykTHHBRJcCCHXMjLNOJL24ZB6s9EXqGRhjAvmnY3UuDKzr4nkmUlodw9eEdkt4b-7Ty87yeQNTPoMg9ooKB5mB5DOiCEL55OzSirIICc8eSFMmGGs/s400/blogger-image--1769949574.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I found it surprisingly comfortable and generous in size, had I still had my long hair, I think I still could've to it all in! As you can see, when whipped it off my hair was a bit of a dragged-through-bush mess, yes, but it had been stuffed into a shower cap, what could one expect? It was, however, unaffected by the heat and humidity of my shower! Hooray!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm so happy that I've discovered this product, it could really save me a lot of time when getting ready to go out in evenings or even in the mornings when I return to work next year. No longer will I have to adhere to my strict shower, make-up hair routine, working around my husband (who takes forever in the bathroom in a morning) and my children (who are a juggling act of timing all on their own)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are my pros and cons...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Pros.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Attractive; it's got a lovely, retro-esque bow-design on the outer layer.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Frizz-risk-reducing.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Multi-purpose; if you turn it inside out, you can use it over a hair mask or treatment!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Nice and big to fit all your long, thick locks in!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cons.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- When I wore it inside out, for some reason, the elastic cut into my forehead and I found it a but painful to wear for the time I needed to have the mask on!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So there we have it! My new best shower friend!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can snap up a <a href="http://savetheblowdry.com/">Save the Blow Dry</a> of your very own and have humidity-free hair for £14.95</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-91231325660236155712013-11-21T00:00:00.000+00:002013-11-21T00:00:00.790+00:00Toujours Wipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxB_24eZh3UGnie42JdiduqJTNvAWKJBURa-zXitlAob9LwmLzC_wHazoLpnHvB2Rsq5ZhN3mD_572mU7rxET8XbrsHDGcFy_Otr_CFCQmi54I3TvsSFldy94I5NsUlgalz2R6cJcB6k/s640/blogger-image--1521468604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxB_24eZh3UGnie42JdiduqJTNvAWKJBURa-zXitlAob9LwmLzC_wHazoLpnHvB2Rsq5ZhN3mD_572mU7rxET8XbrsHDGcFy_Otr_CFCQmi54I3TvsSFldy94I5NsUlgalz2R6cJcB6k/s400/blogger-image--1521468604.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">never spend a lot of money on baby wipes. Or toilet paper. I really begrudge it and why not? They're super useful, yes but there's not much to them. I usually buy the one up from basic (as I find the economy lines very thin and not very useful at all). Own-brand wipes normally come in at around 89p for around 60.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">I didn't go into Lidl that day to specifically buy wipes, I went in for a mooch, I just happened to need some wipes. They had some packs of Huggies wipes at £1 each or they had their own brand 'Toujour'. I'd used the nappies before as my husband's Nan keeps packs of them in her house (she has that many great-grandchildren) and I've never had a problem with them; they fit and absorb really well and even the design is more attractive than some of the regular supermarkets.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">The Toujour wipes were 79p for 80, a big, thick packet. I bought two to try (I'm not very fussy over things like this, a baby wipe is a baby wipe).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">The wipes are fantastic quality, really thick and very moist (but not soaking). They're large and go and long, long way...I was certainly grateful to have them when faced with one of Bear's dreaded 'poonamis'. Nothing poos quite like a breast-fed baby, that's for sure! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">They're faintly embossed with cute little teddy bears and the packaging is bright yet simple. Here are my pros and cons:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><b>Pros.</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">- Moist.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">- Thick.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">- Great price.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">- Large quantity in package.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><b>Cons.</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">- Lidl don't deliver! As a non-driver, I have to rely on my husband (who hates any kind of shopping, be it food or clothing) or my mother-in-law to hitch a lift so I can't have a continuous supply of these bargain beauties like I would prefer. That really is the only thing I can fault them on.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVhDVAglhYaGRUvbhJIyrBFQjP_KZyotyD5endnwGQq2jMQ1eKZlxnDdBgV5sPlSFho_IledngE2ovlA59cA-7-TQWaZ_mpLzmapZOtKUEZPhrCWWD7SjWjLE_GABhROxI6tw9kresG4/s640/blogger-image--519697680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVhDVAglhYaGRUvbhJIyrBFQjP_KZyotyD5endnwGQq2jMQ1eKZlxnDdBgV5sPlSFho_IledngE2ovlA59cA-7-TQWaZ_mpLzmapZOtKUEZPhrCWWD7SjWjLE_GABhROxI6tw9kresG4/s400/blogger-image--519697680.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">Seriously, if you live near a Lidl and you go through baby wipes at the speed of knots like we do in this household then get yourself there and snap up some of these, you won't be disappointed!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">P.s. They also have super bargain out panettone. £3 for a massive one, 99p for an individual one. Go! Go now!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.234375); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.234375); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.300781); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Please note that I purchased these wipes with my own money and was not compensated in any way for this review.</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-74607859072761966142013-11-20T20:08:00.001+00:002013-11-20T20:08:49.620+00:00Grandparents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2uw3m4gyvce-W0I3w-5fyXc2V6TXMmOcDe9k8FLQ_3CyA26OnkH7foShdDSvWV2gNH4iuYPQIjKwGd8e4zWEPDjLzeFWBi89k3rg_bm032GL65WUKudZA6vbBflgqKBZ1TEyMNz7BOQ/s640/blogger-image-1536638419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2uw3m4gyvce-W0I3w-5fyXc2V6TXMmOcDe9k8FLQ_3CyA26OnkH7foShdDSvWV2gNH4iuYPQIjKwGd8e4zWEPDjLzeFWBi89k3rg_bm032GL65WUKudZA6vbBflgqKBZ1TEyMNz7BOQ/s400/blogger-image-1536638419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Grandparents are brilliant, right?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, the truth is I don't really know, having never had proper, first-hand experience. All of mine were sadly long out of the picture, one way or another, before I was even born. I did have one great-grandmother (just named Grandmother) for the younger years of my childhood and I often think of her. I remember her fondly and always look whenever I pass her house (which isn't often but it's en route o my parent's place so more than I would otherwise). </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm grateful that my children don't have this problem; my children have a Grandma, a Nanny, a Grandpa and a Grandpa Mike as well as two great-grandmothers in (NanNan and Nana). They also have another set of grandparents but the situation there is...complex.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Grandparents (and great-grandparents) are the best thing since sliced bread; they tell stories, make things, have endless answers to all of life's questions and seem to have an infinite amount of patience when mine has run out.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Without my children's grandparents, I wouldn't be able to work, I wouldn't have access to a garden, Moo wouldn't know the excitement and love of receiving a letter every week, or that there is life outside of Eastbourne! Without grandparents, I'd never get out of the house it seems!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But above all these things, above the presents and trips that I can't afford because my money is tied up in paying for child-life essentials, above all the noisy toys and over-stimulation...I know that I have many people there if something should ever happen to us. To catch our children should we ever cease to be their parents, through illness or death. We are well insured, I know that money won't be a problem, but who cares about money, it's love they'll need.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Knowing that if we go, they will have a home that is filled with as much love as they have now floods me with a sense of relief. I think of how hard it must've been for my Dad raising me and not ever having someone to take me out to the park for a couple of hours to give him a break. Honestly, how the man is still sane is beyond me.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I never knew my grandparents, I wish that I had...if you're lucky enough to still have yours, please make sure that they know how much they mean to you.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I secretly hold an excited little part of myself in my heart, waiting for the day I have a grandchild...but I'm in now hurry yet. My babies are still very much babies.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-63937892308632098832013-11-20T18:57:00.000+00:002013-11-20T18:57:30.778+00:00Bad Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftJ5DnTQ4thZ4npd6flRuV_mUn2WaUcgB5MwFujoNg-DrDMSAHnMggI7vJNZJLWiYcrE5JpdivKTr6lu224VF7gnotAxxLaCN2MLbDPN2U26SNrebzA9eogbKwJhMpeo_xaBQs1ej_tY/s640/blogger-image--1748282183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftJ5DnTQ4thZ4npd6flRuV_mUn2WaUcgB5MwFujoNg-DrDMSAHnMggI7vJNZJLWiYcrE5JpdivKTr6lu224VF7gnotAxxLaCN2MLbDPN2U26SNrebzA9eogbKwJhMpeo_xaBQs1ej_tY/s400/blogger-image--1748282183.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday sucked. I went against my instincts, caused myself no–end of stress and wasted time and money on a journey I didn't need to take.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bear had been poorly for a few days, a cold we had ALL caught from his sister, and on Sunday morning, I was struggling to console him with it. All he had as a cough and a runny nose, I knew it was nothing but I think being sat there on my own, which is rare for me, made me doubt myself.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know there will be people reading this that will be thinking what the big deal is? That they're on their own with two, three, even four children from 8-6 whilst their husband works, but I'm not used to that as my husband works a handful of hours of the day out of the house and the rest he does from home. I suppose the fact that my husband is never far is my safety net.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Saturday and Sunday this weekend he was running classes in the morning and then birthday parties in the afternoon, so was gone for hours.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I called 111 and asked their advice. Because of Bear's age (ten weeks), they referred me to the out of hours clinic at the hospital and told me to head down. I had a problem. I don't drive and though the hospital isn't far, it's too far for Moo to walk...but I had no one to watch her as my mother-in-law was in hospital and her mother was away in Jersey. I couldn't get ahold of my husband who was working, and I ended up calling another relative.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was hard, stressful work...only to be told what I knew all along; he was fine, it's viral and will clear on it's own. I could've saved myself taxi fare, our relative's day and myself a lot of stress if I had just gone with my instincts but I felt vulnerable with them on my own...for the first time I felt like I wasn't capable. It's one thing to be late or unorganised, another to be useless and out of depth over something so simple.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've got to work on my crisis control and remember to follow my instincts.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-10509755444334614432013-11-18T00:00:00.000+00:002013-11-18T10:07:31.385+00:00#youreinvited<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">Uhm...I don't wish to alarm anyone but it's less than six weeks until Christmas. Did you catch that? <b>LESS THAN SIX WEEKS!</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So with tins of biscuits and more bath-time-gift-sets than you can shake a stick at (where does that saying even come from?) filling the shops, I'm sat here quietly smug that I finished my Christmas shopping ages ago. In fact, all I have left to buy is Moo and Bear's festive outfits...yknow, their super smart, best-behaviour-no-moo-get-off-the-table clothes that say 'Its Christmas, I'm cute, take a photo and give me chocolate'.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My first (and often only) stop is <i>always</i> <a href="http://monsoon.co.uk/">Monsoon</a> because their elegant, sleek designs and soft palette are just what I think is appropriate for a big family christmas dinner at your Grandmother's (well, my husband's). I have always found Monsoon clothing to be spot on for what I want when dressing my children; rich, attractive colouring with flattering cuts that allow plenty of movement and child-like behaviour without taking away from the biggest fact of all; they're children. No matter what time of year I shop there, their collection is always fashionable but age appropriate with top-quality fabrics and craftsmanship.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This Christmas is no exception and I'm already biting my nails in nervous anticipation over what I'll pick for my snoozy baby and girly-but-spacially-unaware toddler.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3DAT_DgXXDDAzWLiXA8ODzap_J-rozSeyV-63ibW6CaMDJdYtS6AFRC3ZsFejVtoAH1nlmWfYufu5dYKI5Ek_-aKvuuTDTexK6WvyfxJ2XrL-uQcoJLOHbllEzgEuCfhAHrNbe0hL0s/s400/blogger-image--601953815.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love the <a href="http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_3,mon_3.3,mon_3.3.1/5580361208">Poppy Shift dress</a> (far left) and I know Moo would too. I'm also head over heels in love with the <a href="http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_3,mon_3.3,mon_3.3.10/4508611423">Velvet Beaded Estella</a> dress which the little girl is wearing at the beginning of the new Monsoon Christmas ad (it's also available in navy which is possibly even more stunning). </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can have all three, right?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Take a look at the beautiful new television ad below, the imaginative (and incredibly brave, I wouldn't let children in my office) people at Monsoon turned their working space into a 'winter wonderland' for their children to explore, play and get down with the festive spirit, showing the beautiful party-wear range which you can shop <a href="http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/uk/children/party/video/christmas2013?showAll=false&pageSize=200">here</a>.</span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="320" scrolling="no" src="http://spreaditfast.com/iframes/children-video-480x295-hKNpCSuR.html" width="580"></iframe><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fancy having a go at winning a cool Christmas wardrobe worth £200? Send in your festive party wear look to competitions@monsoon.co.uk then pop on over to their Facebook to vote for the winner!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Do you think I'll fit in that poppy dress...? If I hold my breath?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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<i>Please note this is a sponsored post. Sponsored by <a href="http://spreaditfast.com/">Spreaditfast.com</a></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-30223984351878674162013-11-15T15:51:00.000+00:002013-11-15T15:51:00.086+00:00Take Care of You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3P6Jn8tV3ME-hYh1OKi_iW4EgqUTVBmmREkguj75qnCayLNWj7hvVKUO-MQCsPns1pjVhSPGpt1x2bVyTBEXUB1HPZGMqySyCpeK2RECNGzYMKN7tXFyj_0-QcwpQvm1ixVLYa7w38k/s640/blogger-image--780165199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3P6Jn8tV3ME-hYh1OKi_iW4EgqUTVBmmREkguj75qnCayLNWj7hvVKUO-MQCsPns1pjVhSPGpt1x2bVyTBEXUB1HPZGMqySyCpeK2RECNGzYMKN7tXFyj_0-QcwpQvm1ixVLYa7w38k/s400/blogger-image--780165199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>'Person or dragon, tiny or tall. Sometimes we stumble and sometimes we fall. Everyone gets hurt sometimes.'</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, the wonderfully poignant line above comes from the ever-charming Disney cartoon 'Doc McStuffins', a television show aimed at pre-schoolers about a little girl who is a doctor to toys. I learn a lot from Doc and her little gang of stuffed comrades, but today I want to talk about something that even I needed reminding; how to take care of myself.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Any parent will know that when you have a baby, you lose your marbles a bit and forget things. When it's a subsequent child, double that confusion and general uselessness! As I've mentioned on here before I have become slow, unorganised and my life has been thrown into chaos. Utter chaos. Where before my kitchen was spotless, my daughter's room tidy and my laundry neatly folded, I now forget to have a shower on occasion. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But it's so much worse than this.mif you follow me on Twitter then you might've seen that I was recently quite unwell. From dehydration and exhaustion. Yes, the latter is to be expected with a breast-fed newborn who feeds loads, but the former? Well yes...you guessed it. I was forgetting to drink. I was so wrapped up in looking after my two little angels, showing them off, keeping up with my friends (most of which have one if any children) that I was forgetting to look after myself. It took me over a week to get my fluid levels back up to where they should be and the headaches and dizziness to stop. A one point it was so bad, I fell down the stairs at 5am with Bear in my arms. Both of us were unharmed for the most part; I sprained my ankle and knee...Bear thought it was great fun!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm twenty-seven years old, how can I forget to drink? Everyone asked me how I could possibly of just not been drinking? I really don't have a valid reason. My children just became too important for me to look after myself properly.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But that's the problem. My children are my world, I would literally do anything for them, like any other parent, but what use to them am I if I'm so unwell I can't do anything for them? If I can't play or read to them or even bend down to give them a bath?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's why, taking care of yourself when you're pregnant, a new mother or an old hand at parenting, is so, so important. You are not neglecting your children by taking 'me' time. You're doing them a favour. I needed to learn the hard way that in order to put my children first, I had to come a close second!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Take care of you!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-14113562576678843512013-11-14T16:23:00.002+00:002013-11-14T16:23:56.335+00:00I'm lovin' it A/W13<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bababababaaaaaaaah I'm lovin' it...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes! I thought it was high time I had a little round-up of what I've been loving so far this season!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/113125687/allosaurus-necklace-laser-cut-acrylic?ref=shop_home_active">Allasaurus necklace £20.49 Designosaur</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Kitsch jewellery.</b></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just before I had Bear, my husband bought me a selection of jewellery from Designosaur, including this perspex Allasaurus necklace which re-kindled my love of over-sized, statement necklaces which I like to wet with the boring, basic tops I have to wear for breast feeding.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://barrym.com/">Matte Nail Paint £3.99 Barry M</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://muastore.co.uk/">Matte Lipstick £1 MUA</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know it's been around for years but I do love matte-effect. I've always been partial to a matt eye shadow but it's only recently I've started to like it in lipstick and nails and with them now on the high street, it doesn't break the bank to get on board and bring a bit more 'grown-up' style to my collection. After all, I am hurtling towards 30...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/womens-shoes/ankle-boots/G004286293,default,pd.html">Boots £12 ASDA</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Bargain boots.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A couple of weeks ago I picked up a super-cute and on-trend pair of black ankle boots from Primark for £15. Now, they won't last forever but they're warm, water-proof and look great with jeans or tights. Bargain!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOHhmusd1D49lI5DAr0TW5WR1TAyJw0WtOki6HStq8rQSW4J8Q0bneiWnkqtQ3k6ba4bbKpELKH1vLuEL2NaVbifuJZjc0K7WNniu0tkJ3wsc4TyQNm98YAis_2ou7tm04hiRD2GktXA/s640/blogger-image-1664588992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOHhmusd1D49lI5DAr0TW5WR1TAyJw0WtOki6HStq8rQSW4J8Q0bneiWnkqtQ3k6ba4bbKpELKH1vLuEL2NaVbifuJZjc0K7WNniu0tkJ3wsc4TyQNm98YAis_2ou7tm04hiRD2GktXA/s400/blogger-image-1664588992.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/en/uk/christmas-candles/icat/christmascandles">Yankee Candle in Christmas Cupcake from £1.25</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...and Yankee are known for doing great Christmas smells! I want to fill my house with them...which I'm sure my husband will be totes on board with...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T_-fqu2fnjQpKCxHvog4yi_Bm7CGaxHpWc8yq9eGGFfPryHoENF5QF55NTjEXLy-NQhPnIv_zCsw0Z0ku7pjuKNgeAxIUjsWZECrIKIAUSkAJoyh9ojFQqSUiEs9h5FMOQdoftSio7k/s640/blogger-image-802106456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T_-fqu2fnjQpKCxHvog4yi_Bm7CGaxHpWc8yq9eGGFfPryHoENF5QF55NTjEXLy-NQhPnIv_zCsw0Z0ku7pjuKNgeAxIUjsWZECrIKIAUSkAJoyh9ojFQqSUiEs9h5FMOQdoftSio7k/s400/blogger-image-802106456.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Hot chocolate.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you don't love hot chocolate, I'm afraid we cannot be friends. As much as I dislike Starbucks for multiple reasons, they do do a great seasonal novelty drink! The current favourite; salted caramel hot chocolate.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Essie-Nail-Polish-Midnight-Cami-15ml_1347679/">Essie Midnight Cami £7.99 Boots</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Navy nails.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Navy is the new red! It's a great way to wear dark nails for those not wanting to wear black. I find it a more sophisticated edge than flat onyx.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69cSbN5kmqtWTtGL5Yoa8k5cbsFSLEeScci3aBb3rYL7fZZlIOD_KeMAt-MFYkh5hCYe7IGwjrP6cs6f_lUlQW2tY4GsYHAUdTJjzEoEo6YlJ0cxdj3XhVeeiMTvFo5VOr3oHwLcKl0I/s640/blogger-image-1146870608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69cSbN5kmqtWTtGL5Yoa8k5cbsFSLEeScci3aBb3rYL7fZZlIOD_KeMAt-MFYkh5hCYe7IGwjrP6cs6f_lUlQW2tY4GsYHAUdTJjzEoEo6YlJ0cxdj3XhVeeiMTvFo5VOr3oHwLcKl0I/s400/blogger-image-1146870608.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>All things magical and fairy tale.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My step-mum has me totally hooked on 'Once Upon a Time' as well as a little trip we have coming up to France to see Disney at Christmas next month, I am WELL in the mood for a bit of pixie dust...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-50504237581285260132013-11-13T20:05:00.000+00:002013-11-13T20:05:14.926+00:00Christmas Wishlist #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE4_npN8m1OShEf6r0Hn7GF_bMZs-ppFe4MVGAMsgUCo9r8g-B-wMSzu62dSKLEdcgwk6L9kPTaKHISzLP6d-i7IGC6odeANI8dSJ_aLvspUuk15ifvEnAdQ-EqByQN0xprX8bfeLhNs/s640/blogger-image--190289177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE4_npN8m1OShEf6r0Hn7GF_bMZs-ppFe4MVGAMsgUCo9r8g-B-wMSzu62dSKLEdcgwk6L9kPTaKHISzLP6d-i7IGC6odeANI8dSJ_aLvspUuk15ifvEnAdQ-EqByQN0xprX8bfeLhNs/s400/blogger-image--190289177.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ooh, Christmas is getting close! Exciting stuff! Time for another wishlist, me thinks!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_veXXf0tyNT6eS9DISqeeFN6t7k0Pu5zTZjQxp7ayNEx_J5lbNYJKaKcRoW9Him_X2_b_N6idB3SdIdtkxHBn4OH-7QqbQy3FNu7ddI0CX2X0frv5VoGYifANDnSCNzl5XtyHex0TjwM/s640/blogger-image-2075196952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_veXXf0tyNT6eS9DISqeeFN6t7k0Pu5zTZjQxp7ayNEx_J5lbNYJKaKcRoW9Him_X2_b_N6idB3SdIdtkxHBn4OH-7QqbQy3FNu7ddI0CX2X0frv5VoGYifANDnSCNzl5XtyHex0TjwM/s400/blogger-image-2075196952.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://direct.asda.com/ASDA-Pear-Nested-Canisters---3-Pack/001445172,default,pd.html">Kitchen Cannister Set £5 ASDA</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cathkidston.com/mushroom-brooch/jewellery/cath-kidston/fcp-product/1009337">Mushroom Broach £6 Cath Kidston</a></div>
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Melting Logo Necklace £7.95 Ebay</div>
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<a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/lisaangelhomewareandgifts/product/celebration-biscuit-cushions">Biscuit Cushion £22 Not on the High Street</a></div>
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Vintage Steamer Trunk Various eBay</div>
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<a href="http://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/en/uk/page/home">Yankee Candle in Salted Caramel £19.99 Yankee Candles</a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Clare</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-5726911339507226452013-11-12T16:39:00.000+00:002013-11-15T13:35:35.705+00:00My Favourite Place<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK6b9GZIOn75o04JsSsKDh5uGuGzBCjKE_yjk7dMz9Ybl_71eiCwN0-PGcOkKYs0Ir6CzfZd1BQZuu8lzyBIAwwsRxbprnMcaj3-e2okd_T_CzHMTwCVICDYfMjH-FWbZ9txvzQE1nxQ/s640/blogger-image-726228752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK6b9GZIOn75o04JsSsKDh5uGuGzBCjKE_yjk7dMz9Ybl_71eiCwN0-PGcOkKYs0Ir6CzfZd1BQZuu8lzyBIAwwsRxbprnMcaj3-e2okd_T_CzHMTwCVICDYfMjH-FWbZ9txvzQE1nxQ/s400/blogger-image-726228752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Just a bit of <b>photo-heavy</b>, positivity today.</i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>What's your favourite place on earth?</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdGrGrFhzhrJbKUN8ZPV_w7KEX8xE7AepgFczZiLr6eEhv4pu31ptxGcvymcRy6c561ZrD8XzUUPicQVvxkUhTiuU4KxV-QROgX0n06O9sc1UTCKw1ewUnsBFBnUSxx6kDpSgR7Ja3hs/s640/blogger-image--1881264471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdGrGrFhzhrJbKUN8ZPV_w7KEX8xE7AepgFczZiLr6eEhv4pu31ptxGcvymcRy6c561ZrD8XzUUPicQVvxkUhTiuU4KxV-QROgX0n06O9sc1UTCKw1ewUnsBFBnUSxx6kDpSgR7Ja3hs/s400/blogger-image--1881264471.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mine's Paris.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I adore so much about it; the architecture, the atmosphere, the style...the smell! The shutters on the apartment windows in the middle of a busy street are quaint and endearing, the view from landmarks breathtaking and the history is almost daunting in it's complexity.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuQEjMGeBTv3Z8hzpc5mb2iXWNz9-HMqkrxMMzi0LKRQnm4zXOPvGb_NN9glB3DPZ6IzlezvF-FqQtoaov1Y4IHZdU3qOcThO9-4iWGZtLIXzfwYha78URyDg8u96gjC_CkuZAqpwAOk/s640/blogger-image--1230418979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuQEjMGeBTv3Z8hzpc5mb2iXWNz9-HMqkrxMMzi0LKRQnm4zXOPvGb_NN9glB3DPZ6IzlezvF-FqQtoaov1Y4IHZdU3qOcThO9-4iWGZtLIXzfwYha78URyDg8u96gjC_CkuZAqpwAOk/s400/blogger-image--1230418979.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ousCorjhmZiNRlHzBbXCxaKtqpuEFEV0iTJUC8K0Hx9htc5pUbcaNO_C3_LqYpmalJTnjwR9MjvsyXMEnHRX1CIJmOxvLjKq_Eae7aZef9lhqLXRNcA0ZDJA7PtpxaKteZE0DW8eFEk/s640/blogger-image-1567927641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ousCorjhmZiNRlHzBbXCxaKtqpuEFEV0iTJUC8K0Hx9htc5pUbcaNO_C3_LqYpmalJTnjwR9MjvsyXMEnHRX1CIJmOxvLjKq_Eae7aZef9lhqLXRNcA0ZDJA7PtpxaKteZE0DW8eFEk/s400/blogger-image-1567927641.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love Montmartre, the home of the Moulin Rouge, with it's narrow streets, teensy Cafes and steep hills. The climb up to the Sacre Coeur from the 'red windmill' is heavy going but oh so worth it for the view alone and by evening you can see the whole city stretched out before you, glittering romantically.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_uCSVF6k6cd-kqhfrm9LMV27-KdS5-qLofyk4A5ZarIWJUMCWOkMHnzniCrfm9QwmNucmpPuZ8sDLaR7BFDPiHB3BZqP5e-qzAjIMSKlajBl0xlwohJpOZ7HMLJ-ooZiIIZ8HOFNWb0/s640/blogger-image--1112888293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_uCSVF6k6cd-kqhfrm9LMV27-KdS5-qLofyk4A5ZarIWJUMCWOkMHnzniCrfm9QwmNucmpPuZ8sDLaR7BFDPiHB3BZqP5e-qzAjIMSKlajBl0xlwohJpOZ7HMLJ-ooZiIIZ8HOFNWb0/s400/blogger-image--1112888293.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not forgetting Disneyland of course, a place to be carefree and magical with or without children. The world is a dark and scary place but inside those walls fiction reigns supreme.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, I think I'm in love. It will forever remind me of my husband, and our first 'proper, non mini-break' holiday together.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What's your favourite place on earth? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-4106675210675065042013-11-10T22:50:00.002+00:002013-11-10T22:50:26.478+00:00Flamingos and Dominoes<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X903JdU-Sl8OZkzMi7c2lOcQ7y0Dcm4SZaBBJNcwwPoSbm0cB5RPW-__rRJE6npddfSw7Euw4ztMwCwgOXOZe51FtMqrRZLuPejGYr-jpVUq3FK8JbC9GUXICZBFNWWVOqCWaQxyZ9I/s640/blogger-image--1415694270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X903JdU-Sl8OZkzMi7c2lOcQ7y0Dcm4SZaBBJNcwwPoSbm0cB5RPW-__rRJE6npddfSw7Euw4ztMwCwgOXOZe51FtMqrRZLuPejGYr-jpVUq3FK8JbC9GUXICZBFNWWVOqCWaQxyZ9I/s400/blogger-image--1415694270.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you pop by here semi-regularly, then you'll know that I'm a sucker for design. Colourful, unique and quirky patterns and fabrics are like cat nip to me. I love them. I can't resist them and it's because of this that I stumbled upon Flamingos and Dominoes.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://flamingosanddominoes.mygostore.co.uk/">Flamingos and Dominoes</a> is the brainchild of Helen, a mummy and independent designer, that make beautiful, colourful and unisex clothes for children from baby to four-years. There are currently three collections in their shop; 'Alphabet', 'Horsey Horsey' and 'Zebra Spots', all of which are made in the UK.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were lucky enough to receive a little baby vest to try in the 'Horsey Horsey' print. I'm quite fond of our equine friends, and these particular ones, in blue and pink, look like old-fashioned rocking horses. I love the kitsch, retro-esque, screen-style print and the vivid colour.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The cotton is incredibly soft to touch which is ideal for babies delicate skin. The label looks as if it might be rough against skin, but it's not and Bear seemed utterly unbothered by it. The size seen is 3-6m, Bear is approximately 12lbs at two months (chunky boy), so as you can see it is very roomy with lots of space to grow.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I found the item washed really well with no shrinkage or colour-run, and dried very quickly on the line. The poppers at the bottom were easy to clasp shut and remained so throughout wear.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are my pros and cons...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55hk8nLAGCheLFwdX8OMowZitzC4g7vMEsr9XwFrs8yecrEUI2sFDvLWMxTpDCuJeoWLSUXAeJ2DVDBkloDDKC8x7z3RBky18Hb-VzMZuUiixeHnFq2YoLLSPrwfGAdsAD3HctXclqqw/s640/blogger-image--168032049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55hk8nLAGCheLFwdX8OMowZitzC4g7vMEsr9XwFrs8yecrEUI2sFDvLWMxTpDCuJeoWLSUXAeJ2DVDBkloDDKC8x7z3RBky18Hb-VzMZuUiixeHnFq2YoLLSPrwfGAdsAD3HctXclqqw/s400/blogger-image--168032049.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Pros.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Good quality fabric with attractive design.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Washing instructions printed directly onto the inside of the garment so if you are the type who cuts the tags out, you'll still have them to reference.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Washes beautifully at both 40 and 30 degrees.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cons.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Although the print is unisex, the pink horses are brighter than the blue, making them stand out more which to me personally makes me think more feminine that unisex, but that's a personal thing.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can buy the Horsey Horsey Short Sleeve Babygrow for £24 from <a href="http://flamingosanddominoes.mygostore.co.uk/">Flaminos and Dominoes</a>, I would make a great new baby gift, you can even get a beautiful, reusable, castle-shaped gift box to wrap it in (£4).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Please note this item was provided for the purpose of review, however all opinions and thoughts are my own.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUK3FO2znQmhxkXm5xzSQekyjKvhODM5aPEygeb-kPZe2x9-fl5nHqJnDDoEFT9VmqKS1vRA9DeOh-0g81QoQR_Gs3YTxqYdx1xYRFcAobO1gpxZJrBuM0cqKBH7xMqUDhRUl6iE-t5Q/s640/blogger-image-128402183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUK3FO2znQmhxkXm5xzSQekyjKvhODM5aPEygeb-kPZe2x9-fl5nHqJnDDoEFT9VmqKS1vRA9DeOh-0g81QoQR_Gs3YTxqYdx1xYRFcAobO1gpxZJrBuM0cqKBH7xMqUDhRUl6iE-t5Q/s400/blogger-image-128402183.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-40955752094537537222013-11-09T13:46:00.000+00:002013-11-09T13:46:12.496+00:00Alternative Uses for Household Products<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzUQH2waD00GIU7EXWOgglYcGfdrSPHGlSQxJ4pAcETt0tjRgwaocdJET527F3eKIQnEN33fv0JBEK1CqcFiJWPS4QA18EsHL5uR1nT_-rOvXeI6oqAjPtQPD8kB76xSfawd5s0sDXIk/s640/blogger-image--247676405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzUQH2waD00GIU7EXWOgglYcGfdrSPHGlSQxJ4pAcETt0tjRgwaocdJET527F3eKIQnEN33fv0JBEK1CqcFiJWPS4QA18EsHL5uR1nT_-rOvXeI6oqAjPtQPD8kB76xSfawd5s0sDXIk/s400/blogger-image--247676405.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love a multi-use product. Something that has more than one purpose is both time and money saving which are two big, fat yeses in my book when it comes to life.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes though you find something that's fantastic at something that it really wasn't designed for; bonus! Here are a few that I've come across over time...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Egg whites.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aside from making meringue, leftover egg whites make a great face mask! Whip it up and slap it on for super-soft skin!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Hair conditioner.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is a new one but a big favourite for me as with hair like mine, I always have conditioner in my house. Run out of shave gel (always)? Sooth on some conditioner to your legs and shave away! It's kind on your skin, does the job just as well and creates much less mess!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cider vinegar.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kills head lice without the need for chemicals.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Baby wipe.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or face wipe, allow to dry out on a radiator, they make the best dusters ever!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Silicone ice cube tray.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Great for early weaning! Make lots of veg and fruit purrees, divide into the trays and freeze. They're now ready to be defrosted in the microwave, already pre-portioned! As your baby grows and starts exploring new tastes, you can mix and match different flavour combinations like apple and pear, potato and sweet potato or why not a sweet and savoury combo?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Baby oil.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What can this product not do?! Aside from moisturising skin, it's great at gently removing make-up AND place a drop on wet nail polish for super speedy drying (no joke, it works)! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Colander.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you're making anything with a skewer or a lolly stick (cake pops, kebabs, fruit lollies etc) then use a colander to hold them all upright. much cheaper than buying a purpose-build stand.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Brown sugar.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A few granules are fab for relieving constipation in young babies. Also toss some with baby oil (there is is again) or a mashed up banana for a natural but gentle exfoliant.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let me know if you have any handy tips and tricks for making the most out of your household items!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3576249560000070041.post-43406036747985706392013-11-06T20:49:00.000+00:002013-11-06T20:49:06.177+00:00Caramel Crispy Cakes<div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's no big secret that I love cake. I really, really love cake and I'm not terribly fussy as to what kind either. Tray bakes, multi-tier, refrigerator and roll...I'm not cake-ist.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This, as you can imagine, can be both costly and fattening but I'm a total sweets addict. I HAVE to have a 'pudding' after my evening meal, even if it's cereal or a yogurt...I need something sweet or I don't feel like my meal has ended. With Christmas approaching and an expensive couple of months with parties, events, hosting family and friends, concerts, a very short city break (squeal) and the big day itself looming, I have GOT to stop buying cake and chocolate every other day. And why am I buying it anyway? I can bake. I made a princess castle for my daughter's birthday for crying out loud, I can handle a dozen muffins.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, here is a very quick, very easy recipe that requires no baking, a few ingredients and a very sweet tooth; caramel crispy cakes.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You'll need...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3x Mars bars</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">200g Milk chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">75g Unsalted butter</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3x Cups of Rice Crispies</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Obviously, in the interest of money, get as much as you can own or value branded. Most supermarkets do their own version of all the big name chocolate bars which might work out cheaper, as well as the cereal. Alternatively buy the Mars doubles if you can't get a multipack, it'll save you about 20% on buying them individually.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Start by cutting up your butter and Mars bars, popping them all together in a heat-proof dish. Place that on top of a saucepan of boiling water, stirring as they melt together. Once melted, take off the heat and slowly add the cereal. You might find you need a little more to absorb the buttery, chocolatey goodness, if you do, it's not a big deal. If the liquid isn't absorbed enough, you will end up with a buttery/caramelly residue on the bottom of your cakes which is basically sweetened fat. Not revolting to taste but certainly not a gastronomic delight, that's for sure!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once you've got your mixture sorted, tip it into a square baking tin (I've found a spring-loaded tin best but a normal tin lined with baking paper will do just as well). Pat down your mixture so that it makes a 'base', using the back of a spoon or a spatula. Make the crispies as flat as possible before chilling in the fridge for about an hour.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next, melt your chocolate using the same method as you used to melt the butter and mars. Remove your crispies from the fridge and pour over the chocolate, smoothing it out once again with the back of a spoon. It will look very thin on top but don't be fooled, there is more than enough on top of those bad boys as you will see when cut. Chill once more for a further hour (two if you're good at being patient) before removing from tin and cutting into squares to serve.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Voila! Cheap. Cheerful. Scrummy. Quick. Easy. What more can you ask for on an autumnal afternoon? Get the kiddiewinks involved too (don't hog all the spoon licking to yourself)!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeYHR9WG1bKoyNiQzzblSTrrjRcTX8EXqHctqHcsKuKeJxw4TPAdwlbUtik-X2Uo85eI_QqL21b-hSJhB6kh3bsgBztTKHrj1c7wdc6zbP6B3QPvsftgjIU9qJ-cQKic0ESuOlBsXI3o/s640/blogger-image-712284948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeYHR9WG1bKoyNiQzzblSTrrjRcTX8EXqHctqHcsKuKeJxw4TPAdwlbUtik-X2Uo85eI_QqL21b-hSJhB6kh3bsgBztTKHrj1c7wdc6zbP6B3QPvsftgjIU9qJ-cQKic0ESuOlBsXI3o/s400/blogger-image-712284948.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tweet me up your pictures if you have a go!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clare</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04868074003413053606noreply@blogger.com0