Give Expecting Parents the Best Gifts with These 5 Ideas

This article lists 5 great gift ideas for newborn babies so you can get the parents-to-be something they will really appreciate.

Image by killrbeez via Flickr

Once a newborn has graced the world with their presence, there’s no turning back. All you can do is welcome them and provide them with all the love, care and attention you can give. When it comes to buying the perfect gift for a newborn baby, many people struggle to think what might be appropriate.

Normally, clothes are on the top of everyone’s list but that’s just it. It’s on everyone’s list. You want to be different and make sure the mother and father have things they will need but won’t necessarily get as gifts from friends and family. Going out of the way to put extra thought into your gift shows you truly care about the new life entering the world and will leave a lasting impression on the parents.

So, are you stuck for ideas on some of the best gift you can buy a newborn? Looking in the right place can be a good way to get some good ideas. The Baby Gift Box Company is a prime example of inventive and helpful gifts for babies. Their selection of funky baby hampers and boxes will allow you to present to parents a mixture of gifts in one compact set that comes at a reasonable price.

Here are some more ideas for newborn gifts:


MamaRoo Swing 

This creative gift has been designed to recreate the motion of a mum or dad cradling their baby. On a basic level, it’s a chair that has 5 speed settings so the baby can enjoy their sleep or get ready for play. You can also change the angle to a more comfortable setting for you and the child. On top of this, the chair comes with different sounds to help soothe and keep the little one entertained. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that achieves multiple things in one!

Baby bottle holder

This is another inventive gift which encourages the baby to start feeding themselves from an earlier stage. This speeds up the development as they intuitively start to hold onto the handles and learn from their experiences.

Alphabet wagon blocks

No nursery would be complete without these! Get your babies playing and building all sorts whilst slowly familiarising them with the alphabet. You can also get blocks with animal images and numbers on if you wanted to think outside the box. This gift is something that lasts for years to come and can even be passed down the line!

Hooded towel made from organic material

Give the newborn baby nothing but the best. Anything organic will go down well in their parents' books and, more importantly, will be kind to the baby’s skin too. These handy little towels keep the babies nice and wrapped up after a bath. You can find plenty of funky designs with natural and organic cottons.

Rattle with 16 tones

This soothing gift helps babies enjoy their toy whilst gently lulling them into a peaceful slumber. As the elongated rattle has 16 gentle tones, the newborn will have plenty more calm spells and keep entertained.

Hopefully I have listed some fun, quirky and different baby products that would be perfect for any newborn. The great thing about these suggestions is that they are slightly more unusual yet still essential gifts that parents and babies will treasure. So, make sure you remember this list next time you hit the baby stores!

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5 Tips To Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine & Win £30 Boots Giftcard

As the days get longer and the weather improves, we all feel that little bit brighter and more inspired to take care of ourselves.

Hands up if your beauty routine needs a spruce up?

And there's no better time for a Spring clean of your beauty routine.

My own routine is, I have to confess, quite haphazard and it needs to improve because, at almost 52, my skin definitely needs more love and care than it used to.

But there are things everyone can quite easily do to make the most of your products, your time and your precious cash!

Throw out all half-used products over a year old

Beauty experts would probably say throw them out a long time before that but when money's tight, we all tend to hoard our beauty products, don't we?

Actually, most products have a little symbol on them which tells you when to throw it out.

Throw out after 12 months!

Throw out all those samples you've kept from magazines and will never use

I have loads of these and I never get round to using them? If you have a teenage daughter, a fun thing to do is to save them up and put them in a toiletry / gift bag as a little present. Otherwise into the bin they go!

Check your skin's condition

I still have products suitable for oily / spotty skin.  Those days are long gone and lots of the oily skin products are much too harsh for dry, mature skin.  

Are you using products better suited to how your skin was five or even ten years ago?

If you don't know what skin type you have, why not book in for a free skin consultation?  Lots of the top brands will happily offer this service if you visit your local department store beauty hall or branch of Boots.

Buy The Products Which Suit Your Skin Today

Once you know what your skin type is, you can refresh your skincare products accordingly.  You might want to try some of the new formulations - for example one of the new oil based products or an anti-ageing serum.  

These are on my wishlist.

L'Oreal Paris' New Age Perfect Golden Age Range - around £9.99 from Boots.com

These are designed for very mature skin so I am not sure if they will be a little too heavy but I'm still itching to try them.

The products are enriched with Imperial Peony extract and Iris flower and the formula claims to help rehydrate the skin and restore its natural colour with a healthy rosy glow.  There are also natural pink pigments to instantly improve the complexion.

Around £17 www.lookfantastic.com

L'Oreal claims that this serum, Revitalift Laser Renew will give you 'intense action' and target wrinkles, skin firmness and skin texture leaving it smoother, plumper and more even with visible results in 4 weeks.  It isn't, of course, a laser treatment!

It contains the 'wonder molecule' Pro-Xylane which has been proven in a 6 month study to reduce the appearance of crow's feet wrinkles, boost skin density and improve bounce.  I can't find any reference to the study itself but I figure it's worth a try!

£4.99 - www.tesco.com

Micellar cleansing waters seem to be everywhere and I haven't tried them yet.

This one, from Garnier, claims to be a super efficient and gentle way to cleanse, remove makeup, soothe the feel of skin and hydrate in just one step.

It contains micelles which act like magnets, gently lifting away makeup and impurities from the skin, without the need to rub or rinse.

The formula is suitable for the face, eye area and lips, has no perfume and comes in a generous 400ml size.

If this one can get rid of a full face of make-up in a trice whilst I'm having to tiptoe around the bathroom without waking the kids up, I'll be a happy woman.

Do The Things You KNOW Will Help Your Skin

We know what we need to do, don't we?  Most of the time life gets in the way and we just DON'T but we really owe it to ourselves to at least try.

I'm talking about:-

- drinking 2 litres of water a day
- getting 8 hours sleep a night
- getting at least 20 minutes sunshine each day to help our bodies make Vitamin D
- having at least 2 alcohol free days every week
- not mainlining on sugar, caffeine or unhealthy saturated fats.
- using a high factor sunscreen  (not Factor 5 Hawaiian Tropic, although I will always love the smell...)

Whilst you're pondering how to improve your own skincare routine, why not enter the fab giveaway I am running with one of my favourite bloggers, Mellissa at www.thediaryofajewellerylover.co.uk?

We have a £30 Boots Giftcard to giveaway to one lucky winner.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply.  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at midnight on 8th May 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Stylish Cashmere & Wool Knitwear You Can Machine Wash?

I have always been a big fan of knitwear.  It's so versatile and so easy to dress up or down.  And it's perfect for our unpredictable British weather.

Buttoned Poncho & Shrug (pre-wash)

I was recently challenged to try Wool Overs cashmere and wool to prove that, not only does the company offer a super soft wool and cashmere blend but, better still, you can wash it.

From small beginnings in 1989, Wool Overs is now a world class knitwear retailer and supplies around 750,000 customers with men's and ladies classic and contemporary knitwear.

Having identified that today there is a greater need to use natural, renewable products, Wool Overs believe that wool is ideally suited to fulfil this need because it provides warm, stylish, and durable garments.

I have to admit, given my highly dubious laundry skills, that I was more than a little skeptical.

Wool Overs knitwear comes in a variety of styles but I tried the multi-way Buttoned Poncho & Shrug in a flannel grey.

Poncho worn as Cardi - pre-wash

Made from a blend of 30% Cashmere and 70% Merino Wool, it can be styled multiple ways and comes in 6 colours.

You can wear it as a cardi, a poncho, a shrug, a waistcoat, a bandana, a headscarf, a scarf and a cape.

8 ways to wear the same garment

I found my poncho to be super-soft and well made.

Now, to the laundry test.  You need to make sure that you follow Wool Overs' instructions to the letter.
You have to make sure that you wash your garment on a wool program, using a non-bio detergent at a maximum spin speed of 600 rpm.

Use a LOW temperature of 30 degrees maximum.

NEVER use biological detergents or stain removers on wool, silk or cashmere fibres because the enzymes will eat holes into your garments.

You can't use any old non-bio detergent either.

Wool and natural fibre detergents can be found at most supermarkets.  Look out for Woolmark-approved own brand products or brands such as Silk and Wool, Woolite, Stergene and Ecover Wool Wash.

I also washed my poncho in one of those net bags to prevent any extra damage from spinning.

I have to say that I was really impressed.  The garment came out of the wash in perfect condition and after a cool iron looks like new.

Poncho - after washing - no difference!

I can see that my poncho will become a new wardrobe staple and I plan to invest in a couple more pieces such as one of their cardigans or a Breton Strip Boat Neck Jumper made from 70% cotton and 30% silk.

Wool Overs can be found HERE or you can contact them on Facebook or Twitter.

*I received my poncho free in return for an honest review.

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Day Trip Ideas That The Whole Family Will Love

When you’ve got little ones, you’re always on the lookout for fun and different things to do with them. No matter how much to see and do there is in your local area, after a while it all gets a bit too samey. There’s only so many times you can visit the zoo or go bowling without losing your mind with boredom. That’s why sometimes it’s a good idea to mix things up and explore a little further afield.

Day trips can be a great way to get the whole family out and about, having fun and exploring. It’s just a case of selecting the best places to go for a family-friendly day out - we’re spoilt for choice as the UK has so many amazing places to explore. To help you choose the best locations for family day trips, I thought I would put together this handy guide. Hopefully, this will allow you to find the day trips that are most well suited to you and your family.

London

For a city day out, it has to be London. Bristol is pretty great too, but compared to London, it’s nowhere near as exciting. Home to the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, The National History Museum, and so much more, there is an array of things to see and do here. Whether your kids are science lovers or are mad about history, London has something for everyone. The London Dungeons, The London Duck Tour, and The Science Museum are all perfect places for a family day out.

Cornwall or Devon 

Photo source 

Are your kids beach mad? If your little ones love building sand castles and splashing about in the sea, then a day trip to Devon or Cornwall could be ideal. There are so many beautiful places to explore in these two regions. From white sandy beaches to idyllic areas of countryside. For a fantastic family day out in Cornwall, St Ives, Perranporth, Newquay, or Padstow are all great. In Devon, Dartmouth, Salcombe, and Goodrington are all perfect places to explore.

Kent 

If your kids love places with lots of history, then Kent is the perfect place for a day trip. There are so many beautiful castles and ancient ruins here that make it the perfect place to spend some time exploring. Whether you choose to visit Tudor castles or Canterbury Cathedral, you’re sure to have a fantastic time. Of course, Kent isn’t just known for its history but also for its beer. So after a little exploring, a pub lunch could be the perfect way to recharge your batteries.

The Jurassic Coast 

Image credit

One of the best places to take kids with an aptitude for adventure has to be the Jurassic coast. This 96-mile radius of coastline, spanning from East Devon to Dorset, is famed for its fossils. On the beaches along this coastline, there are hundreds of thousands of fossils ready to be found. While you’re not allowed to chip fossils off the rocks, what you can do is collect ones that have already been dislodged. For kids who love adventure or are dinosaur mad, this is the ideal day trip.

Hopefully, these ideas will give you plenty of places to visit and explore with your little ones. When life gets too samey, mixing it up is important.

*collaborative post

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up 8 April 2016

It's that time of the week again.  Why not have a look at the fab books on offer this week?

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

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

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 | Bound 2 Escape
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | A Library of Reviews | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Taking Time for Mommy | Nicki's Nook
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | A Bit Bookish | Mother Distracted | Colorimetry
Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle | I Creat Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings
Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMiei | Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom Wannabe | My Bizzy World |  Deal Sharing Aunt 

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, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

And don't forget you can always add some of your own!

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Work Entitlements Around The Globe - How Are YOU Doing?

This week I have officially re-entered the working world by becoming officially self-employed and I have to say I am enjoying being my own boss enormously.

I am reminded by this handy infographic from Citrix how much variation there is in working terms and conditions across Europe and the World in general.

Courtesy of: Citrix Interactions Blog

You have to wonder what may happen to UK employment conditions and even employment law in the face of a possible BREXIT (leaving the European Union).

The country will hold an in-out referendum on its EU membership on June 23.

I have to be honest here and say I really don't know which side of the fence I am on.

On the one hand I think we will suffer if we leave Europe in terms of our business relationships with our European neighbours and the UK may find we are a great deal less attractive to inward investment.

Already European companies who have headquarters here in London are muttering about upping sticks if we leave the European Union.

On the other hand, I think we really need to sort out our policies for immigration which seems to be the main factor skewing popular opinion in favour of leaving the European Union. What will happen? It's a race as uncertain as the current US Presidential Elections.

One thing's for certain, here in the UK we certainly do a LOT better than our American cousins in terms of holiday allowance!

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Whizz Up Mel's Speedy Recipe For Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese

Hi, I am Mel!

I blog about my love of food, travel, fashion, and much more over at The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover Blog.

Today I'm guest posting on the lovely Linda's blog with my family friendly recipe for broccoli and cauliflower cheese.

What I love about this recipe is that it is virtually foolproof and most kids seem to love it. So often I find recipes for cauliflower cheese do not add enough cheese - well not in this case! The breadcrumbs also add a lovely crunch.

If you use an electric whisk, the white sauce will be lovely and smooth with no lumps. This will also keep for a couple of days in the fridge prior to cooking, so perfect to make in advance and pop in the oven when you come home at night.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese

Ingredients

1 small cauliflower and 1 broccoli head, cut into florets
500 ml milk
4 tbsp flour
50 g butter or low fat spread
200 g mature cheddar, grated
4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
black pepper to taste

Serves 4

Method

Heat oven to 200C / Gas 7.
Boil the cauliflower and broccoli for 5 mins.
Drain in a colander.
Make the cheese sauce by the all in one method - put the milk, flour, and butter or low fat spread in a saucepan.
Use an electric or manual whisk and whisk until it comes to the boil and goes thick but smooth.
Stir in grated cheese.
Add the cheese sauce to the cauliflower and broccoli.
Pour into a large dish or 4 individual dishes
Scatter over breadcrumbs.

Cook for 20/25 mins until bubbling and golden

Serve as an accompaniment to your favourite dishes.

Enjoy!

Mellissa Williams
The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover Blog

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Tempt Your Kids Away From Their Computers With These Awesome Hobbies

So many parents complain about the amount of time their kids spend in front of screens these days! TVs, computers tablet devices all seem to control our kids. But it’s easy to tempt them away. You just need to persuade them to take up one of these awesome hobbies!

Pexels

Horse Riding

Kids love animals, so see about getting them some horse riding lessons. Try and find a school that meets the standards set by the British Horse Riding Society and the Association of British Riding Schools. If a school adheres to these standards, they should award certificates that your child can work towards. Eventually, your son or daughter may even want to perform in local competitions. Many people think horse riding is an expensive activity. But, unless you buy your very own horse and rent stables, you’ll find lessons are very reasonably priced.

Baking

Did your kids love watching the Great British Bake Off? If so, they might enjoy getting creative in the kitchen! Not only can you create a lot of tasty treats, but baking together gives you a chance to bond with your child. If they are new to the kitchen or still very young, start them off with something easy like cookies. Once they become more skilled, you’ll be able to move onto things like a Victoria Sponge!

Learn An Instrument

Not only will your child find learning an instrument fun but some studies show that it can help them improve in school. Most kids will learn the recorder in primary school, but you can also give them the chance to learn something in their spare time. A lot of parents get their children piano lessons as this is a simple instrument to start at a young age. It doesn’t matter if you have your own, you can always consider Piano Hire.

Arts and Crafts

Try and unleash your child’s artistic side by introducing them to arts and crafts. Sewing and model kits are popular with older children. Younger kids will be happier with just colouring in. One great idea is to spend a day creating superhero costumes together. You could help your kids crafting outfits that their favourite heroes wear. Or they can become completely new superheroes with unique superpowers!

Walking

Get your kids used to the outdoors by going for regular walks. Start off small and simply have a wander around your local park. If they seem to have a good time, gradually build it up. You’ll be going on morning walks with the whole family before too long! Make sure to pack some snacks and drinks in case the kids complain of hunger. You can always take a break for a picnic. One great tip is to take a small bag of stale bread with you. Then if you pass a pond, you can stop for a bit to feed the ducks!

Kids may be a bit reluctant to give up their screens to start with, but after a while they’ll completely forget about their laptops and tablets!

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Review: Degustabox Monthly Subscription Food Box - The March Box

It's been a while since I reviewed Degustabox, the monthly subscription food box service but they sent me a lovely Easter surprise of their March box.

Each Degustabox contains between 9 and 14 products from well known and / or up-and-coming brands.

It's a fun way to discover new brands and to try food and drink products you may not otherwise discover or add to your supermarket trolley.

So what was in the March box?

The contents of the March Degustabox

Each box costs £12.99 including delivery and the value of the box contents is promised to be far greater than this, based on what you would expect to pay if you bought the items in the shops.

Once you have received your box, you are encouraged to review the products and let the brands know what you thought - whether you liked the item or not.

The March box contained, as per the previous boxes, a lovely mix of sweet and savoury treats. There is a selected list of products for each month published on the website but not everyone receives the same combination. The element of surprise adds to the fun.

Once again, there was a mixture of brands I already knew but quite a few I'd heard of but not got round to trying - which is really the point of Degustabox.

There were 10 products from January's selection and 1 from a selection which Degustabox call their "Db's Discoveries".

This time, instead of Degustabox's products of the month we have two products just right for the breakfast table.

Brioche Pasquier, Weetabix On The Go & Good Hemp Original

The Breakfast Table Products

We are already big fans of Brioche Pasquier and these are new to the range - Pains au Chocolat (£1.40) filled with creme patissiere.  They are individually wrapped and the Husband often grabs a couple to pop in his briefcase on his way out of the door to the station.  You can spend a small fortune on a coffee and a pastry at those station shops, can't you?

Weetabix On The Go (2 x £1.50) is a breakfast drink with extra protein which contains all the energy and fibre of a Weetabix cereal with milk in a smooth, tasty drink.  The Husband has also claimed these for his next trip to London.

Good Hemp Original - a dairy free alternative to milk

Good Hemp Original (£1.49) is a dairy free alternative to milk made from hemp seeds.  Hemp seeds are a natural source of Omega 3 and are completely allergen free.

Metcalfe's Skinny Popcorn - Cinema Sweet (£1.50) and Pipers Crisps - Cheddar & Onion (£2.00)

Ideal movie watching fare!

Cinema Sweet is the newest addition to the Metcalfe's Skinny Popcorn family and it is sweetened with natural stevia leaf extract.  The popcorn has 67% less sugar than all the other sweet varieties on the market and has 97 calories per serving.

Pipers Crisps have won 23 Gold Great Taste Awards and are made from locally sourced potatos cooked in sunflower oil.  I wish I could tell you what these tasted like but the Husband and Ieuan got there first.

Karyatis Meze To Go & Kent's Kitchen Stuffing in Apricot, Apple & Ginger

Two quirky new finds

Karyatis Meze To Go (£1.99) is a Mediterranean inspired snack containing a sweet and smokey roasted red pepper and feta dip with crunchy rosemary crackers in an easy to carry box.

Kent's Kitchen Apricot, Apple & Ginger Stuffing (£1.85) is designed to spice up your roast dinner. It's made from all natural ingredients with chunky pieces of fruit, herbs and spices. All you have to do is add water, stir and bake.  Each pot serves four.

Parle Hide & Seek and Monaco Biscuits

Sweet & Savoury Biscuits

Parle Hide & Seek biscuits (£0.59) are India's best moulded chocolate chip biscuits.  The jury's out on whether they are, as they claim, the World's best moulded chocolate biscuits.  I have quite a bit of research ahead of me.

Parle Monaco biscuits (£0.39p) are tasty, crispy biscuits sprinkled with salt.

Kallo Quinoa and Seeds Multigrain Cakes & Kallo Milk Chocolate Rice Cake Rounds

Kallo  Multigrain and Chocolate Rice Cakes

Kallo Quinoa and Seeds Multigrain Cakes (£1.89) contain sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds whilst Kallo Milk Chocolate Rice Cake Rounds (£1.00) are a combination of  Belgian Chocolate and puffed wholegrain rice with only 78 calories per cake.

Lindt White Chocolate Gold Bunny & Chewits Sweets

My favourite combo!

Two more products from this month's box which have strangely vanished before I could sample them.

Lindt White Chocolate Gold Bunny (£2.99) - you know Easter's arrived when these little fellas start to appear.  They certainly make a regular appearance in our house.

Chewits chewy sweets (4 x £0.35) were a part of my childhood and are an iconic British confectionery brand now loved by my kids as well.

The total retail value of the box is £21.59, good value given the cost of the box was £12.99.

If you like the excitement of a monthly present and enjoy trying out new brands, I think Degustabox is a great scheme. I'd place it firmly in the 'treat' category but the price is low enough to make it attractive. A Degustabox subscription would also make a great gift. You can cancel at any time, as long as you give them sufficient notice to stop next month's box.

Please note, though that Degustabox can only deliver to Mainland UK and not to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands and you must be over 18 to order.

I also have a discount code for £6 off your first box.  Simply enter BLDEG15 at the checkout.

Further information is available at the Degustabox UK website, or you can talk to them on Facebook or on Twitter. 

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HayMax Balm - A Natural Way To Help Relieve The Misery of Hayfever & Giveaway

It's that time of year when the hay fever symptoms start to strike.  The Husband suffers quite badly and has to take Beconase nasal spray to relieve his symptoms.  The problem with this is that it tends to give him nosebleeds and, if he doesn't start taking it quickly enough, he gets all the symptoms anyway.

HayMax Organic Drug-Free Allergen Barrier Balm Varieties

We are of course familiar with all the traditional 'home cures'.  We tried this year to find locally sourced honey as the country wisdom is that taking a spoon of local (i.e. within a few miles) honey every day before the hay fever season starts can prevent its onset.

Unfortunately our local bee keepers in Dinas Powys had a very bad year.  We had high hopes for some honey from the hives at National Trust Dyffryn but nothing has materialised for sale.

Caitlin and Ieuan suffer some mild symptoms of hay fever so we were curious to try HayMax Organic Drug-Free Allergen Barrier Balm which can be used to ease and even prevent the miserable symptoms of hay fever and dust or pet allergies.

HayMax Pure Balm

HayMax comes in a number of varieties but we tested HayMax Pure which is made from organic sunflower oil and beeswax.  There is no added fragrance or essential oils making this the best variant for those with sensitive skin.

The Balm itself

How does it work?

The theory is that when the amount of allergens in the body rises above a certain trigger level, your symptoms kick in.

HayMax Allergen Barrier Balm works by trapping the allergens so that the trigger level is not reached.

The products have been featured by doctors on TV and in the press and in one survey 80% of those who tested it said it worked for them.

It is suitable for adults and kids (although a new version, HayMax Kids is now available) and both pregnant and breast-feeding women can use it too.

How do you use it?

Simply apply around the nostils and /or the bones of the eyes when you start sneezing or your allergy symptoms start.

My crack testing team at work

Use it morning and evening and you will have to reapply when you blow your nose.

Add caption

Did it work?

The Husband and kids applied the balm liberally before a trip to Cosmeston Nature Reserve, guaranteed to make them all sneeze even though we love the place.

And whilst it did help the kids a little, it had little effect on the Husband.  This may be because his symptoms were already in full force before he tried it.

Ieuan, in particular, usually sneezes quite a bit but he was fine, even after a good hour and a half.

I think for HayMax to work you really need to be on the ball with your application and make sure you religiously reapply each time you blow your nose.

On the plus side, this is a very gentle way to help relieve some of the symptoms and, because it is non-drowsy and drug free I would certainly consider it as a supplementary aid to ease hayfever.

As I said, I am not sure we were applying enough or frequently enough.

There are other versions you can try - aloe vera, lavender, pure or frankincense, and the new HayMax Kids.

Haymax retails at £6.99 a pot and can be purchased from Holland & Barrett, selected Boots; independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores.

You can also buy direct from the company at haymax.biz.

If you would like to try HayMax for yourself, I have a pot of the Lavender and a pot of the Aloe Vera varieties to giveaway. (one pot each for two winners).

Simply enter via the Rafflecopter below.

The giveaway ends at 23.59pm on the 18th of April 2016.

UK entrants only and terms and conditions apply (on my Competitions Page).

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*collaborative post

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Work Off That Chocolate Overload With Some Footie Fun

I read, last year, that over Easter each child in the UK will consume around 8 Easter eggs each which is a staggering amount. And I have to confess that our two have had their fair share - which we are rationing and 'helping them out with' to lessen the load a little.

So, despite the ravages of Storm Katie and the infrequent bouts of sunshine, we have taken every excuse to get out of doors this Easter school holiday for some exercise and, having watched Wales draw 1-1 with Northern Ireland last weekend, we are all cautiously optimistic for the approaching UEFA Euro 2016 ™ matches.

We are blessed, in Dinas Powys, with a large expanse of open green known locally as "The Common" and it is the site of many a football and rugby match along with the lovely sight of horses cantering around the perimeter.

It is a great place to take the kids so they can run about and let off some steam.

What could be easier than taking a ball and having a kick about for an hour? 

It makes such a welcome change from the usual activities of iPad, TV and DVD and gives everyone the chance to clear their head. 

Football is great exercise because:-

- it increases cardiovascular health and increases aerobic capacity
- lowers body fat and improves muscle tone
- builds strength, flexibility and endurance
- increases muscle and bone strength

and

- improves overall health because of the shifting between walking, running and sprinting.

Five very good reasons why adults should get out of their chairs and join their kids on the pitch!

"As a kid, you obviously dream of being a professional footballer. I would watch players like Ronaldo of Brazil and pretend to be him in the playground. But I don't think about trying to become one of the best in the world or anything like that. I just play football."

Gareth Bale

Then there are other benefits such as:-

- you learn teamwork
- you learn to literally "think on the run"
- it teaches you persistence and self-discipline
- it helps to increase your confidence and self esteem

and, as we all know, exercise of any kind is a brilliant way to deal with our anxieties and the stresses of daily life.

I think children also benefit from admiring their football heroes because they can teach children to model positive behaviours like co-operation and looking out for one another.  Everyone needs something positive to aspire to.

So, as the opening game of the UEFA Euro 2016™ championship approaches, we are all honing our football skills.

Wales face England in the second game of the group stage on 16 June in Lens. They play Slovakia in the opening game on 11 June and Russia the final match of Group B on 20 June.

Sporting legend Ian Rush has told BBC Wales Sport that 'I've got a strong feeling that we won't lose to England, even though they've had a good result against Germany,"  Fingers crossed!

And of course there is still the fabulous opportunity for kids to win the opportunity to be a Player Ambassador at one of three UEFA EURO 2016™ matches taking place in June or July 2016 and the chance to win one of a hundred footballs in McDonald's fabulous competition.

How to enter

To take part all you have to do is to upload a photo of your child here by 10th April 2016 showing their passion for football: cheering on their country, celebrating a goal, or supporting their favourite team via the entry form.

Here's that link again. www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/Sport/Football/LetsPlay/EURO-2016.html

The Prizes 

McDonald's are offering some amazing prizes. Not only does your child get to walk out on the pitch but McDonald's are throwing in (see what I did there?), travel and accommodation for the three day trip to attend each respective match. This is for one parent / guardian (who must be over 18) and the winning child.

These are the matches the Player Ambassadors will be attending.

England vs Wales (England Player Escort) Match 16, Lens, 16th June 2016 (4 prizes)
England vs Wales (Wales Player Escort) Match 16, Lens, 16th June 2016 (3 prizes)
Northern Ireland vs Germany (Northern Ireland Player Escort) Match 30, Paris, 21st June 2016 (1 prize)
The Final, (Player Escort may walk out with either team) Match 51, Saint-Denis, Paris, 11th July 2016 (1 prize)
1 of 100 footballs

Conditions

Your child must be between 6 and 10 years old (inclusive) on 10th June 2016. Entries are limited to one per eligible child. No purchase is necessary to enter.

You'll have to hurry though, the competition closes on 10th April 2016, so there are only a few days left to get photographing.

In the meantime, let's hope the weather holds so we can all get out for a bit of footie fun.

And don't forget to submit your entry to this amazing competition!

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My Sunday Photo - 08/04/2016

Mat& Ieuan exploring Cosmeston

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Stay At Home Mum? Oh no! It's the curse of the 'going out' headache

Why is it that I don't go out for months on end but, having found a babysitter, and finding myself actually free to leave the building, I find I have got myself so worked up I have a headache.

If you're used to staying at home, going out can become quite a big ordeal

I seem to sink in a Bermuda Triangle of anxiety symptoms - namely worry, excitement and stress.

And the less I go out, the worse it gets.

Social anxiety is a huge problem I think for stay at home parents who, although they once worked, socialised and mingled with the best of them, eventually find that all and any social interaction can be a source of untold stress.

And you can't really talk about it, can you?

You can't say "off out tonight for a lovely dinner with the husband and I'm stressed to bits about it"?

You're supposed to feel appreciated, lucky, excited.

You are not supposed to be frantically tidying the house so the babysitter doesn't have a fit of the vapours at the sight of your undercrackers on the radiator and the dust mite party happening behind the TV.

What's to be done?

No - not pre-loading with a glass or two of wine so that the rest of the evening passes in a haze.

One solution may be to ask the babysitter to arrive a little earlier so that you can take a few extra minutes to compose yourself and actually enjoy the process of getting ready.

Or you could negotiate with your partner so that they are ready before you are and can take care of the kids while you try to recall the make-up routine that was kicked to the kerb as soon as you arrived home from the hospital.

I admire those women who have not let parenthood get in the way of keeping themselves groomed and glossy but I suspect for many of us that's no longer the case.

How many of us find ourselves reaching for a make-up bag at the bottom of a handbag full of Fruit Shoot lids, Werthers Original wrappers and broken crayons, only to find our mascara has dried up, our blusher has caked and cracked and the kids have been drawing with the (one) expensive lipstick that still remains?

And then I can never find a hairbrush (even though we have quite a few) because they have all been left in various locations in the house due to school / ballet/ general going out panics.

Much the same way that you can never find a hairband when you want one either.

Having got myself dressed up I then have to teeter down the drive in the same height of heel I used to regularly run in when I was still working.

This is usually accomplished by holding on to the Husband like an octagenarian whilst he tries not to laugh.

I've never got a matching coat and bag.

I keep meaning to take all the junk out of my usual bag and actually use the beautiful Louis Vuitton bag which was my 50th birthday present from the Husband but I haven't quite managed it yet!

By the time we return I feel a whole lot better - a large glass of wine tends to do that I find - but just the one or I'm useless the next day.

I wish I could say that my accessory of choice for a night out wasn't a box of ibruprofen!

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New Releases Free & Bargain Books Link-up 1 April 2016

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

It's linky day here at Mother Distracted so why not take a look at the fabulous selection of books on offer this week?

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

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 | Bound 2 Escape
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | A Library of Reviews | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Taking Time for Mommy | Nicki's Nook
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | A Bit Bookish | Mother Distracted | Colorimetry
Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle | I Creat Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings
Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMiei | Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom Wannabe | My Bizzy World |  Deal Sharing Aunt 

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, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

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How To Have A Great Family Holiday On A Budget

Going on vacation can be quite an expensive affair. However, it does not have to be if you follow our handy tips. By stretching your budget as far as you can, you are able to have the holiday of your dreams without going broke.

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1. Examine Your Children's School Schedule 

Going on vacation in the "off season" costs less money. However, the off season does usually align with the dates that children have off from school. It is important not to pull them from class too often or their education could suffer. What, then, do you do? Communicate with your children's teachers. Find out if there is a down time during the year where your children would not be missing much of their essential academic work. For example, the last few days of a term are often pretty quite at the school.

If the school seems amenable, consider taking them out for a few days for a vacation. Look for a time when they already have a Friday or a Monday off, so you can take advantage of the long weekend. However, make sure to stay away from bank holidays, as you are likely to pay a premium if you go during these times.

Also, remember that you don't have to go away for five or six days. Even just a few days can help to rejuvenate your family and bring you all closer together.

2. Look For Value 

Certain locations are cheaper to travel to, while others are more expensive. There are a number of reasons, however, that prices for a vacation destination may vary. If you are looking for a good deal, consider heading to Spain. Prices are down about twenty percent, and there are several nice theme parks in the area that your family is sure to enjoy. In addition, Portugal and Morocco are great choices as well. Finally, Bulgaria is another country to consider.

Also, if you really want to save money, think about staying in the UK. It is a lot cheaper to head to a destination closer to home rather than going out of the country. And, there are lots of great things to see and do in the area!

3. Get a Good Deal On A Flight 

Pay attention to the days of the week when booking your flight. If you leave on a Tuesday rather than a Friday, for example, you may save more than 30 percent on the cost of your airfare! Also, try to avoid heading home on Sunday. You could pay almost 50 percent more for your flight if you do! And if you are going on a trip within the UK, check UK free stuff websites, as most have good deals with attraction parks like Alton towers.

Plan your trip well. If you are able to purchase your plane tickets several months in advance, you will get a better deal on them. In general, you want to be at least two months out from the date of your vacation. In addition, remember that there is nothing wrong with using different airlines to fly out and then back in to your home airport. You can save money if you do so.

4. Make Sure Everything Is Included

An all-inclusive vacation often saves you money in the long run, as you won't have any extra expenses to contend with. If you use Expedia or On the Beach to book your trip, you may find that you have more options in this area.

Some package deals are truly a great value. They offer something for everyone, including your children. You will find that your flight, hotel room, meals and even entertainment options are taken care of with most all-inclusive packages. This means that even though the figure may seem expensive at first, it is not that bad when you break it down according to everything you are getting for the money.

5. Do A Home Swap! 

If you really want to visit another country but you don't have the funds, consider swapping homes with another family. There are companies that handle these arrangements; you simply let them know where you live and how big your home is. Figure out where you want to go and your family then stays in another family's home. That family will stay at your place. You don't have to pay anything for your accommodations! In addition, the family whose home you are staying in can guide you to great restaurants and activities in the area.

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6. Look Online For Foreign Currency 

Because it is convenient, many people try and change their money at the airport. However, rates are usually terrible there. Instead, purchase currency online and get the best rate possible.

7. Consider A Youth Hostel 

At one time, youth hostels were only for students. That is no longer the case, however. If you choose to stay at a hostel, you can expect to have a nice room in a great location. There are websites that can help you find competitively priced hostels.

8. Look Out For Deals For Children

Some places will let children travel for free, depending on their age. Always ask about any such discounts. In addition, if your children are just outside of the "free" range, talk to the operator and see if you can negotiate a deal. They may be willing to work with you to get your business.

9. Set Up Airport Parking Ahead Of Time 

If you do not set up your airport parking in advance, you could pay a pretty penny for it. Instead, go online and schedule something ahead of time. You could save about 10 percent by doing this.

10. Be Careful When Using Your Cell Phone 

If you go out of the country, turn off data roaming on your phone. Otherwise, you could have large fees waiting for you.

For more ways to save money, check out www.wowfreestuff.co.uk.

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