Will You Have On Trend Nails This Autumn?

I can't believe it's the beginning of August already - although the shops are filling up with AW17 clothes and the glossy magazines are encouraging us to sort out our make-up bags and get ready to dazzle.

Image credit: Nic Senior

According to Harpers Bazaar, Chloe featured the 60's eye heavily in this year's show whilst Giambattisti Valli featured blood red lips.  Neither of these trends are too much of a stretch for most make-up bags, particularly if you are lover of the iconic MAC shades Ruby Woo or Russian Red. Personally I've never mastered the 60's eye and still struggle with eyeliner but I've read good reports about Bobby Brown Gel Eyeliner for those of us who just can't get the lines straight!

Vogue says that this season's lip look is 'just snogged' and that it's perfectly OK if your lippie looks a bit, well, smeary.  Very handy for us mums who apply their lipstick with a child in one hand whilst desperately searching for car keys.  Worryingly, they also include 'bleached brows' as a look and 'over-liner' - lining your eyelid with a contrasting colour.

Image credit: Pixabay

If you can't be faffed with all that, there's 'Groomed Minimalism', groomed brows, curled eyelashes and a slick or gloss or there also seems to be an outbreak of 'rose' for eyelids, lips and cheeks.

Image credit: Pixabay

If you are more of a mani / pedi girl, the statement mani is back. According to Vogue there were checkerboard nails at House of Holland, crystal-studded talons at Gucci, chainmail accessories at Ryan Lo and pressed flower designs at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi.

At Milan Fashion Week, Elle Magazine found tiger stripe press ons at Emilio Pucci, bejewelled talons at Gucci and 60s tan manis at Moschino.

Whilst none of those designs seem particularly appropriate for the renewed school runs, a manicure or a pedicure is something we can all manage - even at home - perhaps by getting inspiration from one of Ellisons Professional Manicure Kits.

And, in case you've forgotten the key steps for a professional looking manicure at home, here's what to do:-

1. Remove old nail polish with a gentle nail polish remover.  Acetone nail polishes will work faster but non-acetone removers are kinder to skin.

2. Shape your nails.  Clip and gently file into shape with a gently abrasive emery board or crystal nail file.  Smooth the tops and sides of the nails with a slightly abrasive buffer but don't overdo it as the polish won't adhere as well.

3. Soak your hands and nails in a bowl of warm water.  You could add a little facial cleanser or shampoo to the water.  If you're going to trim your cuticles, soaking is necessary but only for around 3 minutes.

4. Apply callous/cuticle remover. When cutting away the thickened skin around the nail, applying a bit of cuticle remover will help.

5. Remove excess cuticle and callouses around the nail. Using the cuticle pusher from your kit, gently push the cuticle back away from the nail, but don't push it too far because it can damage nail growth or fray the cuticle.

Don't clip into the cuticle, just nip off the free edge with a pair of metal cuticle nippers. Don't overdo it because the cuticle helps protect the nail bed.

Image credit: Lele Breveglieri

6: Moisturize with a rich hand cream all over the hands and cuticles.

7. Prep for polish. Remove any leftover moisturizer on the nail with a cotton pad dipped in nail polish remover. You need to make sure that the nails have no oil left on them.

8. Apply base coat. If you have weak or brittle nails, use a base coat of ridge-filling nail polish to shore up the nail. A base coat also protects nails from staining (especially important if you prefer red nail polish) and prevents chipping. 

9. Apply your nail colour in layers, allowing each layer to dry between coats. Two coats of colour polish followed by a top coat to add gloss should do the trick.

10. Check for and clean up any mistakes—and you're almost done! It takes time for nails to fully dry, so be patient. A fan helps, but don’t use heat or your hair dryer or the polish will chip and peel. Also, don’t put your nails too close to the fan or you’ll end up with bubbles in your polish.

11: Reapply moisturizer! Keeping your hands and the nail area healthy-looking requires moisturizer. You can't have great nails and hands without this essential product.

Using the right tools will make a great difference and it's worth investing in a good set, especially when you consider how much you are likely to save on professional manicures.

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Tips To Help Introduce Your Baby To The Bottle

Readers of this blog may recall that my own attempts at breastfeeding were not particularly successful and, after 10 weeks with sitting with Caitlin for what seemed like hours, I swopped to formula feed and never looked back.  Caitlin wasn't putting on enough weight and as soon as I made the change she started to really thrive.  

Perhaps the problem was, as an older mum at 43, my milk just wasn't up to the job.  When Ieuan was born just 19 months later, he went straight on to formula. 

At some point, though, most children learn to take a bottle and it can be a bit of a daunting experience - particularly if you need them to learn this new skill in a bit of a rush.

There are many reasons why you want to introduce your baby to a bottle. You might want to start using a bottle so that you can start feeding your little one some expressed breast milk; or, know that you will need to leave your baby when returning to work, and you want to ensure they have some milk while you’re away from them.

Whatever the reason, here are some useful tips from Tommee Tippee whose bottles got both my two through their early years. 

The guide sets out how to go about giving your baby their first bottle, top tips in the early stages of introducing your little one to a bottle, and tactics that you can use when your child resists a bottle:

How to give your baby their first bottle

The common issue for babies being introduced to a bottle is that they will need to use a different sucking action compared to when they were breastfed and, it's likely to take them some time to get used to this new feeling.

To help, give your child their first few bottles when they are relaxed and happy as opposed to instances when they’re hungry and more likely to want to get fed by a method that they are used to. 

It is also a good idea to offer your baby a bottle in the evening once their regular feeding has been complete — you don’t need to give them that much milk in this instance, as it will be more about getting your child used to the feel of a bottle’s nipple.

Another tip is to get someone else to give your baby their first few feeds — the dad or a friend or family member — as that way your baby will not be near you and smelling your breast milk. 

It may also be best if the mother is out of the house while the baby is being bottle fed, as many youngsters can smell their mother even from a distance. You only need to do this a handful of times until your child is used to drinking from a bottle.

Refrain from forcing your baby to feed from a bottle too much, and only feed them enough milk until they let you know that they’ve had enough. This needs to be a smooth transition, so your child will be more likely to rebel if they aren’t enjoying their bottle in the early stages.

What to do if your baby is resisting

If you are struggling to get your baby to make the transition from breast to bottle, there are some techniques that could help.

You should take the time to find a suitable product for your baby. A bottle with a nipple that is similar to your child’s dummy will likely make it more appealing to your little one, for instance. A slow-flow nipple can get around times when your baby gags due to regular bottle nipples delivering them with too much milk at once.

A First Sippee Transition Cup from Tommee Tippee ticks all of these boxes, not to mention the fact that they are specially designed for a baby’s first sips and has a super soft spout that is gentle on your child’s sensitive gums. 

These cups may well be known to you, following a dad’s desperate search last year to find a replacement cup for his autistic son. The plea received over 12,000 retweets and the full story can be read on the BBC website.

It’s not just the design of the bottle or cup that can help your baby with the transition. Your baby may start sucking from the cup or bottle’s nipple if you place some breast milk on it and your child tastes it and enjoys the familiar taste.

Let your infant get used to their new bottle or cup in their own time too. Don’t be quick to take the product away from them if they begin to chew on the nipple — let them do this for now as they may switch to sucking on it once they are familiar with the feeling.

Babies may also feel more comfortable drinking from a bottle or cup when they are held in a different position to how you breastfeed them. Feed them from a bottle or cup when they are in a semi-upright position in a car seat, for example, or by having them on your lap but with their back to your chest.

Hopefully with this advice, your baby will be reaching for his bottle or cup for their feed before you know it.

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Review: Finding Iggy & Friends At Las Iguanas, Cardiff Bay

I have to confess I haven't eaten at Las Iguanas for years and was a bit unsure what to expect.  Back in the 90's (!) I remember lots of guacamole and refried beans.  Plus, there was now the additional challenge of two decidedly fussy eaters to consider.

It's July so obviously we have an umbrella & this is Ieuan's "feed me now" face

Lured by the promise of one of the new limited edition collectibles from Aardman Studios, Iggy & Friends and the fact that kids eat free this summer when the adults choose a main course from the A La Carte Menu, we decided to try something other than pizza for a change.

No that is not a strawberry milkshake Ieuan

Las Iguanas in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, is set on the corner of a run of restaurants and commands a great view over the bay and the crowds milling to and fro.  It is bright, airy and decorated in a kind of Brazilian feel with lots of wood and warm colours.

The restaurant was already full of lots of families with young children

When we arrived on a Saturday lunchtime, the place was already buzzing and we were given a great table right by one of the floor to ceiling windows.

There is certainly plenty of choice.  In fact there is so much choice, it took us a good while to decide what to have. Luckily our server, Kasia, was friendly and patient, particularly when explaining to Ieuan that the cocktail he'd spotted with fresh watermelon in the glass was alcoholic and not served to 8 year olds.

I always think that kids menus can be a little unimaginative and our two are at the difficult age when, at 9 and 8, their appetites don't always match the portion size of either the adult portion or the child's. You are then faced with either ordering an extra side or an adult pudding to compensate.  

No such problems at Las Iguanas.  The 'Ninos Meal' costs £5.90 and includes a main course, dessert and a drink.  

The children's menu

The kids' menu has a number of vegetarian and one gluten free option (the Wacky Tacos) and in among the usual children's favourites there are a fair few 'different' choices - for example they can have a 'Crazy Quesadilla' which is a tortilla, folded, chargrilled and filled with a choice of cheese and cherry tomatoes, chicken and cheese or garlicky chilli, thyme mayonnaise and melted cheese, served with corn chips.

Although there is a lunch menu served until 6:30 pm each day featuring smaller versions of some of the A La Carte dishes, the Husband and I opted to eat off the main menu to take advantage of the kids eat free offer.

There is LOADS of choice - and at various levels of spiciness.

We had some Peruvian Botija Olives (in a herby marinade) whilst we made our selection.

Whether you want a Taco Plank (tortillas served with various toppings), a selection of Tapas, steak or chicken from the grill, burgers, Mexican classics, Brazilian dishes or salads, there really is something for everyone.

Just some of the wide range of menu options

In fact, I'd say Las Iguanas is not really a restaurant you can fully experience in one sitting.  The Husband is already planning to return to try the Tapas.

I chose Blazing Bird (£13.50), half a succulent spicy chicken kept nicely moist by a tangy barbecue sauce, served with my choice of curly fries and a creamy slaw.

Blazing Bird

The Husband had fajitas with marinated steak strips (£17.50), freshly cooked to order in a mix of spices, onions and peppers.  It came sizzling with guacamole, grated cheese, soured cream, jalapenos, roasted tomato salsa and wheat tortillas.

The steak was lovely and tender and nicely complemented by the selection of spicy accompaniments. The four tortillas made it a very generous portion.

Steak Fajitas

Caitlin chose Cod Bites - battered cod chunks with a creamy mayonnaise dip and fries, whilst Ieuan is going through a 'cheeseburger phase' and opted for the beef burger in a toasted buttery brioche bun, topped with melted cheese and served with fries and a ketchup dip. The portion sizes were certainly generous for our two.

t's safe to say the kids enjoyed themselves

The Husband finished his meal with coffee but I tried the Maracuya Mess (£5.00), layers of passion fruit mousse, berry compote and crushed meringue.  The kids opted for a Strawberry mini milk ice lolly and Raspberry Jelly.   Just enough after all we'd just consumed.

The kids were introduced to Iggy and Friends designed by Aardman Studios. Iggy, is Las Iguanas' mascot and he and his Latin pals; Tumble the Tapir, Banana the Llama, Mick the Jaguar, Mischief the Monkey and Santiago the Sloth, were all named by diners in a recent competition. They have now come to life as 3D collectibles, each with an unmistakably ‘Aardman’ expression.

Collect Iggy & Friends

There are six toys to collect and younger visitors (suitable for the over 3s) will be able to choose one character each time they enjoy a meal from the Iggy & Friends menu from 22nd July while stocks last.

And don't forget that kids eat free if the adults choose from the A La Carte Menu.

We really enjoyed our meal and are looking forward to returning.  I've never seen Ieuan clear his plate so quickly.  

More information:  www.lasiguanas.co.uk.  Book online or for the Mermaid Quay branch

tel: 02920459165.  Email mermaidquay@iguanas.co.uk.

*We were invited to try the new kids menus by Las Iguanas.  All thoughts and experiences are, as usual, uniquely ours.

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Stretch Armstrong's Arch Enemy Is Back - Meet Vac Man

I'm sure you remember Stretch Armstrong, the strong man action figure with the stretchable arms. He's been around since 1976 and made a reappearance last year.

Now his arch enemy, Vac Man, is back as a 14" fully stretchable and poseable Vac powered action figure made by Character Options.

If you pump the air out of him with the vacuum pump (supplied), he can “set” into any pose you put him in! When you release the valve at the side of his head, he returns to his normal state.

You can pull him, stretch him and even tie him in knots - up to 4 times his size.

He's a pretty sturdy toy and at 14" he's quite heavy.  The recommended age range is 5+ which is about right I'd say as kids need to be able to attach the vacuum pump to the side of his head.  This clicks into place easily enough but might take a few attempts to get the hang of.

You pump him around 6 times to get the air out and then you can put him into any fighting stance you fancy.

The ability to vacuum the air out of him and pose him lends an extra fascination to Vac Man, as does his beady insides!  Attractive he is not!

Press the valve at the side of his head and he becomes smooth and normal (relatively) again.

He retails at £29.99 which we thought was a fair price for a well built and decent sized toy which will last for years.  Vac Man is certainly strong enough to withstand the full on force of  boys and girls like Ieuan and Caitlin.

You can find out more at www.character-online.com where you'll also find Stretch Armstrong, Fetch the dog and Octopus to help kids create their own stretchy role play.

And yes, Stretch does have an uncanny resemblance to a certain, um, president.  Here he is, doing his thing.

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up Week 31 2017

How are you all this week? It's week one of the school holiday and Caitlin has already come down with a virus and is currently in bed feeling very sorry for herself.

I think we sometimes forget how tiring a full term can be for our kids and we find the 'bugs' often tend to appear at the start of the holidays. It often takes a good few days before they are back to full health.

The weather, of course, is appalling and the forecast is for rain for much of the holiday.  Staying inside with a book might be something we all end up doing!

If it all gets too much, we'll just have to don our kagools and brave the rain or perhaps the cinema.  If you haven't seen Despicable Me 3 we can heartily recommend it.

As usual, there are plenty of great books on the linky and don't forget you can always add your own to spread a bit of the book love.

Don't forget that I still have plenty to be won on my competitions page and don't forget my problem page here.

Happy bargain and freebie book hunting on this link.

Have a great week!

Sharing the Love of Books

Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors, please feel free to add your own books
Readers, please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday

Life as Leels | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | All Romance Reader

Tuesday

It's My Side of Life | Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures

Wednesday

Beck Valley Books | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews

Thursday
Miki's Hope | Nicki's Nook

Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | The Ultimate Fan Blog | Mother Distracted

Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMiei | Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom Wannabe | Deal Sharing Aunt | Rambling Reviews

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date

(Strictly no Erotica please. Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, in case any underage child is viewing it!)

Click here for this week's awesome selection!

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Problem Page Edition 31 2017

This week - can you have a successful relationship if you don't fancy him and what to do if he never lets you hang out with his mates - but other women do.

If you would like any advice, feel free to treat me as your agony aunt. Just message me or pop a comment in the comment box at the end of this post. I promise to be gentle.

Here are this week's questions.

Q: What does a guy think of me if I still have sex with him after he dumped me months ago when we were dating?

8 months ago he dumped me saying he is not ready to commit as he had come out from a 4 year long relationship. The problem is I am in love and we keep seeing each other for sex. If I hadn't stupidly decided to stick around, would he have seen me worthy to be his girlfriend or it would it all have just ended earlier?

A: Basically you have given him everything on a plate. There is no reason, currently, for him to chase you, pursue you or romance you because you are there, willingly giving him everything he wants.

Being in love is no reason to be a doormat you know - and it certainly won’t make him either love nor respect you.

I think if you have any chance with this man (and I wonder why you’d want him after he dumped you with the old ‘I’m not ready to commit’ excuse), then you need to start playing hard to get.

I suspect it’s a little late in the day now but you stand a far greater chance if you say I’m not seeing you any more (and especially not giving you sex) unless we are in a committed relationship.

Then don’t call, don’t text, don’t stalk his social media accounts.

Because he is really interested he will contact you and if he doesn’t, to be honest I think you would be far better off kicking his rather sorry backside into touch.

If he knows you love him but he doesn’t feel the same way and is using you for sex, that doesn’t really make him a very nice person, does it?

Q: How do I know if I should leave my boyfriend?

I have been in a long distance relationship for a year and a half with a guy 13 years older than me, and it frustrates me that he doesn't seem to want to travel to be with me. I am lonely all the time, but leaving him might make it worse. What do I do?

A: How could leaving him make it worse if he’s never with you?

Long distance relationships are notoriously difficult and to be honest I really don’t understand why people put themselves through it.

You mention the age gap but unless he’s a pensioner and practically immobile, I really don’t see what being 13 years older has got to do with it.

The point here is that he is not making any effort.

From the tone of your question I’d say you have had enough and you don’t need to feel guilty about leaving someone who is clearly making absolutely no effort to be with you.

Isn’t there someone attractive, single and possibly younger closer to home you could date?

A year and a half is surely long enough for him to decide whether he should move himself to be with you.

Q: Can you have a successful relationship without being physically attractive to your partner?

I have been seeing this gentleman for a couple of weeks and the time we spend together is great. He treats me like a angel and pampers me all the time. He is older but we get along great. The sex is amazing but the only thing is I'm not physically attracted to him.

A: If the sex is amazing, then you must be physically attracted to him, to an extent.

Isn’t the problem here that you are struggling to deal with the fact that he is older?

These days age really isn’t an issue. He’s kind, generous, cares for you and the sex is amazing.

I’m not sure what else you want.

There are plenty of younger men out there of course, but you might be trading this kind, mature man, for a younger bloke who hasn’t a clue how to treat you and who doesn’t have the wherewithal to make you happy.

You also say you’ve only been seeing this man for a couple of weeks. It’s a little early to stress out about this, don’t you think?

Why not just enjoy his company and see where it goes. The test will be how you feel a few months down the line. When the haze of the initial attraction wears off that’s usually when we find out what people are really like and how they treat us.

It’s really far too soon to tell.

Q: If a girl has a boyfriend but allows you to kiss her, does it mean she loves you?

A: Of course it doesn’t. It merely means that she finds you attractive not that she is about to leave her boyfriend for you.

It could be flirtation, and nothing more.

If you don’t think there’s any chance she will leave her boyfriend for you, I wouldn’t waste any more time on her. Go and find a girl you can kiss without worrying about her boyfriend coming to look for you.

Q: It has been a month and my ex hasn't contacted me. Will he ever contact me?

We had a very messy breakup. He turned cold and I told him that we should stop talking since he was behaving so rudely to me. He left me since he wanted to pursue his studies and career. Then he said that he can live without me but I can't live without him. Hence I never called him again.

A: It’s always hard to accept that a relationship is over when you are still harbouring feelings for your ex but, in all honesty, this man has given you no indication whatsoever that he is going to change his mind and come back.

I doubt you calling would have made any difference - merely given him the opportunity to be rude to you again.

I think, hard though it is, you need to forget this man and get on with your own studies and career.

The best revenge, they say, is success and frankly I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing I was moping when he’s off building his career.

Have you any good friends to spend some time with - who could help you take your mind off things?

I think that’s what you need right now.

Q: How do I know if I'm truly in love with my partner?

I KNOW that I have relationship anxiety (Romantic Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) but it's like I can't figure out if I truly love him or not.

A: When you say you KNOW that you have relationship obsessive compulsive disorder, have you been diagnosed with this by a psychologist - or is this your own interpretation?

Forgive me but people use these terms (particularly OCD) incorrectly sometimes to indicate an obsession which, with a bit of self control and willingness CAN be controlled. True sufferers cannot their obsessions - and certainly not without a lot of help from qualified professionals.

What I am asking is - are you really saying you are a hopeless romantic waiting for the full ‘Disney’ experience - the violins, the roses, the passion?

Because very often these don’t actually turn up - despite the fact that we may love our partners very much indeed.

Friendship, respect, kindness, affection and, yes, sex, are a much better list of ‘ingredients’ for a loving relationship.

If you have these you aren’t going far wrong.

A good ‘acid test’ is if you can envisage yourself living happily without them - or if you find yourself looking forward to being apart.

Everyone needs some alone time but if you find you need days and weeks then I’d suggest you are certainly not in love.

Rather than analyse your relationship to death (and if you truly have ROCD then I understand), why not focus on others.

When we obsess it’s usually all about us - which isn’t very attractive.

If you make sure your life includes friends, family, hobbies, self development, sports and so forth then it will soon become clear if there’s truly room for your current partner.

Q: My boyfriend never takes me to hang out with his friends. What should I do?

Some of them don’t like me. Plus he says that due to cultural reasons the women of his friends don't hang out with them either, which is true, but other women friends are often with them. And it’s not just a guy thing. So this really bothers me.

A: Your boyfriend is just making excuses and I think at heart you know that.

A good boyfriend would WANT to show you off and to introduce you to all his friends.

This sounds more like a case of ‘having my girlfriend with me cramps my style’ and in your shoes I would be asking myself whether I could be bothered to stay with him.

I’m not sure why some of his friends don’t like you - did he tell you this?

And what are these ‘cultural reasons’ the other girls don’t hang out with his mates either?

I hate to say it but I suspect you’re being played for a fool.

How would you have responded to these questions? I'd love to know. You can find more advice on my problem page

Disclaimer: All materials included in this post are intended for informational purposes only. This post/information is not intended to and should not be used to replace medical or psychiatric advice offered by physicians or other health care providers. The author will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom. 

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Win The Seascape Island Apothecary Soothe Range worth £60

Sometimes you want something special at bath time and Seascape Island Apothecary products certainly fit the bill. Even more so because they are a British brand offering all the chic and stylish appeal of products from their neighbouring France.

In case you are not familiar with the brand, Seascape is based in Jersey and their products are an 100% natural essential oil-based collection of 7 different ranges of bath and body treats for the whole family.

Their collections include products for hand care, hair care, babies and children, sensitive skin and men's products.

They use local products and extracts from herbs distilled on the island in each of their ranges.  Two of these are specifically formulated to be safe for mums-to-be, whilst their children's range - les Petits - has been tested and certified by dermatologists as being safe for daily use on sensitive skin.

All Seascape products are made with 100% natural essential oil based formulae with no parabens, silicone, petroleum or SLS.  The products are suitable for vegetarians and there are no artificial colours or fragrances.

Beautifully packaged, ethically and sustainably produced, Seascape's products have already won several awards and they are against animal testing.

We were sent several products to try.

Les Petits Bubble Bath and Les Petits Body Lotion are beautifully fragrant, yet gentle children's products which grown-ups will love too.

The bubble bath has lavender, chamomile and Jersey honey whilst the body lotion combines lavender, chamomile and Jersey beeswax.  Both the kids loved the bubble bath and Caitlin felt very grown up with her own body lotion.  "It's like being in my own spa" she announced.

The Soothe Body Wash has Neroli, Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Jersey honey. Lavender calms whilst Ylang Ylang is said to balance the mind and the honey locks in moisture to the skin.  The entire Soothe range (which you can win!) contains pregnancy safe essential oils.

The body wash lathers up nicely whilst the fragrance is subtle and not overpowering.












The Peppermint Oil Lipbalm contains 100% natural Peppermint Oil with Jersey Beeswax, Jersey Honey and Jojoba Seed Oil.  I found it very soothing with a delicate Peppermint flavour - guaranteed to encourage frequent re-application!

This one appeared on ITV's This Morning back in April in Bryony Blake's Spring Make-up Masterclass too.

Mine is already in my make-up bag.

Seascape Island Apothecary products are reasonably priced (around the £10 - £16 mark) with beautifully packaged gift sets, should you already have Christmas on your mind.  You can find them online at www.seascapeuk.com or at The Perfume Shop. Delivery is free on orders over £20.

If you would like to try Seascape products for yourself, then I have a lovely giveaway for you.

I have an entire Seascape Soothe range to give away – Soothe Body Butter, Body Mist, Body Wash and Sleep Oil worth £60.00 - to one lucky winner. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter in the usual manner.

The giveaway ends on Sunday 20th August at 11:59 pm.  UK entrants only and terms and conditions apply which you can find on my 'Win' page.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Aren't We All Just Looking For A Sign? - The SmartSign.com Blogger Challenge

Procrastinators of the world - and I'm including myself in their number - will do anything to avoid taking action.

In fact, I believe procrastinators are almost wholly responsible for the ever increasing global sales of coffee.

Got something you have to do?  Better put the kettle on and have a darn good think first.

I've lost count of the number of tender documents, presentations, powerpoint slides (the very axis of evil) and marketing projects which have been started and then lapsed into the ether like an X Factor winner.

Now this is understandable and possibly excusable in a work situation but when you're a parent the opportunity cost of all that time you waste is huge - and hugely expensive.

Oh, not in terms of money but in terms of watching your little 'uns grow, develop, learn and explore the world while you faff about with post-it notes and hunt for a pink highlighter to mark up your latest content planner.

It's the summer holidays and even as I sit here typing I am listening to Caitlin and Ieuan playing some (mildly destructive) game downstairs.  There is much laughing and giggling and it is always fascinating to observe the relationship between siblings in which we mothers play no part.

Sometimes, in the absence of parental attention, Caitlin and Ieuan are their own world - mysterious, capricious and never still.

Almost on a daily basis I tell myself I will get myself organised and prioritise family time.  I will take them to one of the places on the ever-growing family bucket list.

I'm stopped by a lack of energy and, if I'm honest, a lack of confidence.  How, at 53 years old, the thought of taking the kids an hour and a half away to somewhere like Clearwell Caves, or Dan yr Ogof (I'm big on caves at the moment), can fill me with dread I'm not sure.

Perhaps it's some peri-menopausal, hormonal backlash or too many carbs. Whatever.

I'm sure many of us wish that something, somewhere would give us the impetus to get our priorities straight, to finally work out how to balance our own needs with the needs of our children.

You can blame your work ethic, modern life, the Tories, Brexit, Donald Trump or your addiction to social media (why did nobody warn you?).

But aren't we all just looking for a sign?

It doesn't really matter what it says.  We all just need an existential prod from above - whether that's our god or guardian angel or even the nagging of our own parents.

The problem is life continues while we keep searching for this sign.  Sometimes life takes matters into its own hands - an accident, a health scare, redundancy.  Like a bolt out of the blue, our ability to choose to prioritise our time is gone in an instant.

So here's my sign.

It's short, to the point and needs to be placed on the bathroom mirror, on the kitchen wall, on the toilet door and plastered large as a screen-saver on all my gadgets.

It can be any colour, any size, any shape but this is all it needs to say.

THIS IS THE SIGN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

 “This post is an entry into the #MyCustomSign www.smartsign.com blogger challenge”

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Travel In Comfort With The Tempur® Travel Pillow

If you do a lot of travelling, it's fair to say you will be familiar with two things, a stiff neck and shoulders and a lack of sleep.

I don't know about you but I am always loathe to leave my own bed and, no matter, how comfortable my travel accommodation, extremely glad to see it again.

Now Tempur®, the only NASA certified mattress retailer, has come up with a way to take a little bit of home comfort with you when you travel such as this travel pillow.

There's a range of travel pillows such as the Tempur Transit Pillow which gently supports your head and neck, allowing you to sleep more comfortably when travelling.  It has a temperature sensitive, visco-elastic filling which forms to you with minimum counter pressure to help you relax.

Or the Tempur Comfort Travel Pillow which I was sent to try.  This is the mini version of Tempur's original Comfort Pillow and I can see that it will have far more uses than just a travel pillow.  If you suffer with a bad back, as I do, it's often useful to have extra support in the small of the back and this fits just right.

It's beautifully soft and comes with a removable soft fabric cover which can be washed at 60 degrees C and meets the Oeko-tex 100 standard which means that it has been tested for harmful substances and poses no threat to health.

I was also sent a Tempur Sleep Mask which is soft as butter, forms to your face and effectively blocks out the light.  It's easy to fit - simply adjust the velcro straps behind your head. With this and my trusty earplugs I'm away with the fairies in no time.

If you are planning to travel this summer, particularly with the kids, then here are some tips you might find useful - as road-tested by the Hobbis family.

1. Use black out blinds for the kids.  You can find portable ones that just attach to the window with sucker-pads.

2. Don't be afraid to nap - use the power of the siesta.  In any case we should all be staying out of the sun between 12 pm and 3 pm.

3. Make sure you take the kids' favourite comforters - but don't lose them.  We once had to trek across what seemed like half of Cornwall because Ieuan left 'blankie' in Tescos in Truro.

4 If it's hot you might find it cooler to stay in cotton pyjamas as the cotton will wick away any sweat.

5. You can find lots of tips to help your kids sleep in hot weather in this post.

5. Avoid alcohol and high sugar / high salt foods.

6. Avoid eating too close to sleeping.  A light supper is fine - a three course meal, not so much.

7. Stock up on bottled water but get it free at airports. A trick I read recently from moneysaving expert Martin Lewis is to take an empty water bottle through to the departure lounge and fill up with free water from one of the airport water fountains.

8. Carry the kids' pyjamas in your hand luggage so you don't have to route through suitcases to find their things. If nothing else we make sure we've got the kids' toothbrushes to hand

9. To avoid jet lag you might be better off staying up until the 'normal' bedtime in your new location to allow your body clock to reset

10 Ear plugs, eye masks and travel pillows are your friend. A decent travel pillow will help support your neck while you travel and add a comforting touch to your hotel bed.

In his book "The Fitness Mindset", health expert and author Brian Keane in his book gives some very helpful advice about improving the quality of our sleep.

In a study by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in three adults does not obtain the recommended hours of sleep and, according to the NHS, not sleeping enough can lead to immune system problems, weight gain and mood disorders in extreme cases. Add in the extra stress of travelling and you've a recipe for less than glowing health!

Brian has two very useful tips for improving your sleep and falling asleep properly.

Firstly he suggests avoiding the “second wind". This is a window from 10:45 PM to 11:00 PM when most people get naturally tired.

If you don’t go to sleep, you’ll get a cortisol (a steroid hormone) driven ‘second wind’ that can keep you awake until 2:00 AM or 3:00 AM. “If you can stick close to your body's circadian cycle and get to bed before 11:00 PM, you will wake up feeling more rested than if you get the same amount of sleep starting later.

Obviously easier said than done in a different time zone but if you know when you are likely to feel tired you can at least adapt and do something to boost yourself and stave off fatigue.

Secondly switch off your brain.  Journalling, meditation or even just some deep breathing may help. Perhaps you could carry a little travel journal to record your thoughts or write a list of things you are grateful for  (being seated together on an EasyJet flight?  no airport delays?)!

Travelling, whilst exhilirating, is often stressful and with some careful planning and understanding the needs of your body, you can do a lot to improve the quality of your sleep and rest, even when you're thousands of miles from home.

If you would like to try a Tempur travel pillow, why not take the Tempur Challenge which is running from now until 7th August.  Simply visit your local store, test a Tempur mattress and share your experience with Tempur.  Once you've registered your details, Tempur will email you with a date (21 days in advance) to revisit the store and claim your FREE pillow.  You can find out more about the Tempur Challenge here.

You can also find about more about Tempur on Facebook and Instagram.

This post is in conjunction with Tempur® but all thoughts are my own.

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Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle - Now There's NO Excuse Not To Moisturize

On my wedding day back in 2011 I remember being completely phased by a question I was asked by my make-up lady as she put the finishing touches to my hair and make-up.

It was this:  "you do moisturise your arms, don't you"?  

Well, actually no and like many time poor mums I suspect loads of us neglect our bods to a probably shameful degree.

Whilst I love the luxury of a wonderfully scented body cream, I just can't get enough time in the bathroom for the full on beauty ritual I used to enjoy in my single days.

You can bet as soon as I sink into the soothing warm bath water or dunk my head beneath the steaming shower that a battle will ensue downstairs (this afternoon it was over ownership of a highlighter) or I will hear the plaintive cry of one of my offspring bellowing "muuuuuum, where ARE you?".  And this even if I tell them I'm off for a bath.

In fact, a recent survey of 2360 women by Sanctuary Spa discovered that 65% of women don ’t moisturise every day and of these almost half are ‘too busy’ or so stretched they ‘forget’ to do it. Anyone with kids will definitely identify with that.

To help solve this problem, they have created a new body product called Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle and it's pretty unique because you apply it whilst your skin is still wet and before you towel yourself dry.  Just turn the shower off (or get out of the bath), apply, massage in to damp skin, towel dry and off you go.

Because you're moisturising whilst your skin is already damp, you can not only lock in double the moisture but get ready in double quick time.

It's a light moisturizer which is absorbed in a trice

I have to admit I was a little dubious but it really does work and leaves the skin lovely and soft.  It smells absolutely gorgeous and has a slightly sweeter fragrance than some of the other Sanctuary products which I have sometimes found a little too herbal in aroma.  

There is now no excuse whatsoever to not moisturise the old bod because with a tube of this by the side of the bath, what was previously (if I'm honest) a bit of a chore can be done in a minute or so.

Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle usually retails at £8 but from now until 1st August 2017 you can try it at the introductory price of only £5. 

It's available from most Boots stores & on Boots.com - http://www.boots.com/sanctuary-spa-wet-skin-moisture-miracle-200ml-10229030

You can find out more on Sanctuary Spa's social channels at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Or at Boots on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

So yes, now I DO moisturise my arms.

*collaborative post

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5 Surprising Burglary Statistics And Safety Tips

In summer, when the weather is fine, it's so easy to be more relaxed about ensuring windows and doors are locked.  Near us, people have been burgled when having a barbecue in their back garden because they left their front door open.  It only takes minutes for some crafty crooks to relieve you of your property.

This guest post, from SimpliSafe who produce wireless home security systems, is a great reminder that, come the warmer weather, we need to be more, not less vigilant.

A burglary is committed every thirteen seconds according to SimpliSafe, but only 12% of those are pre-planned. According to the British Crime Survey, there are over 1 million burglaries and attempted burglaries each year. However, our technological era makes it easier than ever to outsmart today’s burglars. In order to keep yourself and your family safe, it’s important to take a closer look at the statistics, such as what motivates burglars and how they operate, along with how burglaries are classified in the first place.

Let’s begin by breaking down what constitutes a burglary. According to the Theft Act of 1968, burglary is defined as:

"Entering any building or part of a building as a trespasser and with the intent to steal anything in the building or part of the building in question and/or inflict or attempt to inflict bodily harm on anyone therein. As long as the person entering has no legal right to be present in the structure a burglary has occurred. Furthermore, the structure need not be the house itself for a burglary to take place; illegal entry of a garage, shed, or any other structure on the premises also constitutes household burglary."

Burglary is also broken down into the following four subcategories:

Completed burglary - With or without force, a person without legal right to be present enters a residence.

Forcible entry - Some kind of force, like breaking a window, is used to gain entry to a residence.

Unlawful entry without force - The burglar doesn’t use force to gain entry.

Attempted forcible entry - The burglar attempts to gain entry with force.

Now that we understand what burglary is and its types, let’s take a look at the data, along with what that data suggests are the best preventative safety solutions.

1. Half of Domestic Burglars Know the Victim Personally

Half of domestic burglars are strangers, but the other half are known by the victim. Those familiar to the victim use their knowledge of the home and its surroundings to break in when it is vulnerable, such as when the homeowner is away.

Safety Tip: Share your spare keys and home codes only with those that have earned your trust. Aim to avoid sharing information about you being away from your home on social media. Those following your social media accounts may just be waiting to find out when you’ll be away from your home.

2. 60% of Convicted Burglars Were Deterred By Security Systems

Whether you’re on vacation or not, peace of mind is priceless, and is something security systems designed for today’s threats can provide. Home security is anything but an antiquated protection measure; according to Police.uk, households with simple security measures are five times less likely to be broken into than those without.

Safety Tip: Invest in a technologically-advanced system with comprehensive features that go beyond burglary detection and that include multiple sensors such as motion detection.

3. 72% of Burglars Use Open Windows or Doors, or Force Them Open

Summertime also means that many households are leaving windows open for fresh air flow. that Vulnerable windows and doors are the preferred entry methods. In fact, 15% of burglars get into the household by simply walking through an unlocked door.

Safety Tip: Be mindful of keeping doors and windows shut, locked, and alarmed when you’re away. It’s also a good idea to do some summer landscaping to keep shrubs and trees short, making it difficult for intruders to hide out on your property.

4. Only About Half of Victims Had Their Stolen Property Insured

The property stolen the most are mobile phones (43%), wallets (38%), and cash (37%). And roughly 65% of burglars who stole these items worked to get rid of them immediately.

Safety Tip: On top of making sure burglary is covered in your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance plan (you can often score a discount when you prove you have professional monitoring in place), it’s also not a bad idea to look into modern day options for safes, such as ones that look like other household objects. You should also make sure to turn GPS tracking on your phones and computers to help recover items if they do happen to get stolen.

5. The Number of Domestic Burglaries is Continually Dropping

When compared with 2005 data, the number of burglaries in 2015 has decreased by 35%. This continual decrease is arguably thanks in part to advancing technology that both residents and law enforcement are able to take advantage of; homes are getting smarter, and that includes the modern security systems that people have to choose from. 

We’re getting better at fighting and preventing this desperate crime, but it’s because of the minor investments worth making toward your peace of mind, which is priceless.

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Buying a New Car May Be Your Best Option – If You’re Smart About It

If you are in the market for a car, one of the first questions you may have considered is whether to buy a brand-new vehicle or a used one. Although some money saving experts warn against buying a new car, you shouldn’t automatically rule out the possibility. But you do need to take several factors into consideration before making your decision. Doing so could save you a few thousand pounds and a world of aggravation. 

The advantages of buying a new car

Even ignoring the pleasure of owning something new, complete with that new car smell, there are some good reasons to opt for a new car over a used one. For one thing, you can order a new car that meets your specifications exactly, as opposed to accepting whatever features and accessories are present on a used car. 

Some of those features can be very important, such as the use of state-of-the-art technology that allows new cars to give previously unheard-of kilometres per litre of petrol. While some examples of “state-of-the-art” have offered little other than bragging rights and potential failures, other examples have actually made the cars much safer, with improved handling and braking and better occupant survivability in the event of a crash. 

The new car is also less likely to have problems, and the problems it does have will likely be taken care of under warranty or recall so you won’t be faced with a big bill. And since a new car has essentially been un-driven prior to purchase, the likelihood of it having been abused is virtually nil.

One additional advantage of buying new has nothing to do with the car itself but is as important to many drivers as any feature – greater flexibility in financing. The new car will cost significantly more than a similarly-equipped used example of the same make and model, but the purchase price can be spread out over several more years than can the cost of a used car. And there is always the factor of manufacturer or dealer incentives that can shave thousands of pounds off the sticker price.

As long as we’re on the subject of price, this would probably be a good time to touch on some of the things you’ll need to look for when shopping for a new car. You’ll want to have a pretty good idea as to what kind of car would best meet your needs. For example, if you have a large or growing family or frequently need to carry a cargo of any size, a two-seater sports model would not be a very wise choice. And whatever you buy, try to stick with a make and model that has a good history of reliability, and that retains its value reasonably well.

Once you’ve made your mind up about what to buy, it is time to go shopping. Be certain to educate yourself, not only about the car itself but about the ways a dealer can get you to spend more than you really have to. 

Rule #1: Don’t succumb to the hard sell or up-sell

Car dealerships have gotten a pretty shaky reputation over the years, and while some of the criticisms have been unfair, the suspicion many customers hold did not form in a vacuum. By educating yourself and being prepared, you can still avoid car purchasing horror stories and come out on the winning end of a deal. The first and foremost challenge you will face is recognising and not falling for the hard sell or up-sell.

Quite simply, you can recognise a hard sell whenever a salesperson seems to be pressuring you to make a deal that you’ve not yet decided to make. Some, like the example in the above link, will take even a mildly positive response to a suggestion as a commitment to buy. Thankfully, instances such as this are pretty rare. 

More common is the salesperson who tries to convince you that not making a deal immediately will either make it unavailable or much more expensive in the future. While there are some times, such as shortly before new models come out or near the end of a sales promotion, when you can get better deals than you normally could, the need to do anything immediately should be understood as being nothing but a sales tactic and not taken too seriously.

Unlike the hard sell, the upsell is a pretty standard sales technique that is used by most dealerships, and it goes something like this:

Customer: “I’m looking for a midsize sedan with an efficient engine, automatic transmission, and air conditioning only.”

Salesperson: “I understand what you’re looking for, but once you get accustomed to the satellite radio, backup camera, Wifi, and undercoating, you’ll wonder how you ever did without them. And we can give you the entire package for…”

Despite the salesperson’s claims, the extras you didn’t want will cost you, and there is no guarantee that they will ever be anything more than conversation pieces, Avoid the push, and save your money. And to keep on saving, do your homework on financing your new car.

Smart financing can save you a lot of money

Once you’ve decided to buy a new car, and before you even go to the dealership, take some time and find the best financing options. There are almost as many financing decisions to make as there are regarding the make and model that will best serve you, and neglecting to educate yourself on those options can end up making your new car significantly more expensive.

One of the first questions many people ponder is whether to purchase or lease the car. If your primary concerns are the initial outlay and the size of the monthly payment, leasing can be pretty attractive, since both the deposit and the monthly payments are likely to be significantly lower. And that is fine if you want to replace the car with a new one in a few years, and don’t mind being on a constant payment plan. But if your main concern is minimising the total cost of transportation, taking out a loan and purchasing the car is much less costly in the long run. 

If you are purchasing, you might be tempted to arrange financing at the same dealership where you’re buying your car, especially if they are offering discounts on the sale price or cash-back incentives. Keep in mind, however, that many dealerships make more profit off their financing than they do on the cars they sell, and they don’t make all that profit by giving you the best deal.

To get a better deal on financing, spend a little time researching the different financing options available to you from more than one lender, even if you’ve been a loyal customer at your bank for many years. Different lenders offer different terms, loan sizes, and incentives, because even in a time of tight credit, they are as competitive in their market as the car dealers are in theirs. Compare the terms and costs of your desired loan from multiple lenders, and apply for the one that is right for you.

Not every car buyer needs a brand spanking new car. But if you have decided that a new car is the best choice for you, take care in shopping not only for the right car but also for the best financing option. You will be far less likely to suffer buyer’s remorse, and much more likely to enjoy your purchase long after that heady new-car smell has worn off.

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