Review: www.iChild.co.uk - F&C Saving Superstar Activities

We were asked by the people at www.iChild.co.uk, a fabulous website containing a wealth of free educational resources for children up to age 11, to explore their F&C Saving Superstar activities. (F&C are an investment company). 

These are designed to teach children about money and guide them through a range of activities which get them used to the look and feel of money, as well as some basic sums and exercises to show how much things cost.

Caitlin, wondering how many Hello Kitty items could be purchased with these coins

iChild is designed for childminders, teachers, nursery carers, volunteer leaders, parents, grandparents or anyone looking after children. It has a vast range of free resources which support the current National Curriculum, plus activities suitable for the many religious festivals throughout the year. For example, there is a section on maths and the alphabet, as well as information about attractions such as Chessington Zoo or stories about the Saints. There is so much to choose from, it's tempting to browse for ages.

In addition, for a small monthly fee of £7.99, you can become a Gold member which gives you access to printable material such as flash cards and posters which can be personalised.  Gold Members can store up to 30 activities per day in an online "Toy Box" and print them all off in one go. Currently, if you pay annually, you receive two months' free plus a CD of nursery rhymes worth £10.

But, back to the F&C Saving Superstar activities. We received activities targeted for the Under 5's and the 5-7 age groups.

There are 10 activities to complete in each age group and, using the corresponding reward chart and certificate, you can monitor your child's progress as you go along and then reward them at the end. The first 2 activities, a reward chart and a certificate for each age group are downloadable free directly from the iChild website, with the rest being available free once you have registered at www.fandc.com/superstar.

For the under 5's, the kinds of activities included are:-

Ieuan & Daddy consider the coins needed to buy a top of the range Aston Martin

• Looking at money - identify which coin is which
• What is the value of each coin - what will they buy
• Simple counting

There is even a party and a game included.

No.  £1.88 is just not going to do it

For the 5-7's the activities are a little more complex as you'd expect.  For example

• The children are asked to copy the patterns and colours of coins onto templates
• They are asked to identify the cheapest and the most expensive items
• They are asked to work out what they can afford with pocket money earned from helping around the house (my absolute favourite!!!).

There is also a Race to £5 game and, for parents, a handy guide to internet safety.

Caitlin, assessing whether tooth fairy payments have increased in line with inflation

We had a lot of fun with the iChild F&C-Saving-Superstar Activities and I'd heartily recommend them as a way of introducing your children to the topic of money and saving in a structured, sensible way.

We will certainly be exploring some of the other activities on the iChild website!

*A collaborative post.

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I've Been A Bit Distracted By ...Smythson - 15/10/13

Look at this lambskin beauty. 128 leaves of "gilt-edged, pale blue Featherweight paper" from iconic British brand Smythson Of Bond Street. 

Smythson Panama "Make It Happen" Notebook - £45

I could really channel my inner "Sam Cam" with this and write all sorts of grown up to-do lists which I might possibly be inspired to complete, while the nanny whips up something indefinable using Quinoa for the kids and the gardener prunes the Rhododendron.

Oh. The life I could lead.

Further information from www.smythson.com  

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Review: Sell Your House with Zevizo Properties - The Online Estate Agent

Ah,  selling your house. Potentially one of the most stressful events in modern life. The uncertainty, the expense, the sheer length of time. A quick walk around our village and I can spot at least two properties where the estate agent's board has changed over the last year. I suspect this is because, after the first flush of a possibly over-optimistic valuation and reassurances that "the market is about to move", complete stagnation has led to the vendor trying another agent - and off they go again.

Selling your house the traditional way - old and tired?

I'm sure many people have considered avoiding an estate agent altogether and handling the process themselves. 

Personally, and having worked for a law firm specialising in conveyancing, this would be one step too far for me in terms of potential legal pitfalls. So, when I heard about Zevizo Properties, a national online estate agent, I was keen to find out more.

Zevizo offer exactly the same services as a high street estate agent but, because they are based online, are able to charge significantly lower fees. 

Zevizo's fees are £349 plus VAT payable up front. Payment can also be made on completion at a charge of 0.5% plus VAT of the property's sale price. In comparison, the average estate agent charges anywhere between 1% and 4% for exactly the same service. To give you an idea, on an average property of £250,000, you could be saving at least £2,000 - even at 1%.

This can make a big difference to your budget, particularly when there are the extra costs of conveyancing, Stamp Duty and the actual move to consider. I'm sure many people overlook these costs when they are planning the purchase of their dream home, as well as possibly increased council tax and utilities to boot.

Zevizo advertise properties on ALL the major property web sites (Rightmove, Zoopla, Findaproperty etc) and they produce professional photographs and floor plans, regardless of your location.

They will also give you a free, detailed valuation report via their website and provide sale boards for the property. Your property can be live and marketed within 48 hours of initial contact and you can contact Zevizo from 8 am to 8 pm on Monday to Friday and from 10 am till 4 pm on Saturday via their website.

The biggest difference in this service is that you, as the vendor, handle the viewing. No more lurking at the bottom of the back garden or having to pop out to the shops, plus as you show your potential purchasers around you will be able to get a true 'feel' of how interested they genuinely are and what you may need to do to make your property more appealing. (You were going to fix that leaking tap, weren't you?!).  

Handling the viewing helps Zevizo keep the costs of this service low and, after all, nobody knows your house quite like you do.

Zevizo will then handle the sales negotations and, best of all, offer a sales guarantee - "Sell your house in 16 weeks or your money back". This makes their service a risk free alternative to constantly swopping estate agent boards at the front of your house!

If you are thinking of selling your house, why not give Zevizo a try? The company also handles lettings from just marketing through to full property management, with fees starting at £49.

And, to keep you informed, there is also a blog, updated daily with industry news and help for house sellers and buyers.

Further information at:  www.zevizoproperties.com

*A collaborative post.

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I've Been A Bit Distracted By ...PiP Studio - 14/10/13

This is a proper, grown-up mug isn't it?  Leaving aside the fact that it's porcelain and you can't put it in the dishwasher or microwave, this is another fabulous design from PiP Studio who have been producing quirky designs for the home since 2009.

PiP Studio Porcelain Early Bird Mug - £10.00

This is a mug that demands proper coffee and a pastry of implausible dimensions whilst reading a broadsheet newspaper and listening to Radio 4.  

PiP Studio produce a variety of products, including tableware, bedlinen and wallpapers.

Further information:  www.pipstudio.com, or www.johnlewis.com

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Review: The Great Fragata Olive Caper

The lovely people at Fragata sent me some of their succulent olives, caperberries and capers to try.

Now, hands up, the intention was that I would get all creative in the kitchen and I did think very seriously about knocking up something with a Mediterranean flavour. This plan was scuppered at the first instance by the fact that, in this house, we love to snack on olives. Caitlin loves them too - possibly slightly odd for a 5 year old but then, that's the Hobbis household for you.

These were extra large olives stuffed with anchovies and very moreish they were too. Plus, I think olives should be classed as a superfood, being a key component of the Mediterranean Diet.

According to Patient.co.uk, if you follow a Mediterranean diet for a number of years, you can reduce your risks of developing heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

The Mediterranean Diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, peas, beans,grains and small amounts of chicken and fish. There is little red meat and most fat is unsaturated and comes from olive oil and nuts.  A small amount of red wine has also been shown to increase the health benefits.

We then progressed to the new experience for us that is .... the Caperberry.

A Caperberry is, and I'm sure this will not come as a surprise, a berry from the Caper plant.  They are oblong, semi green fruits about the size of a grape.  They have a slight lemony taste but are much milder than capers, which are actually the immature buds of the same Caper plant. You can use sliced caperberries in recipes which use capers for a milder taste. They taste tangy and have a surprising crunch.  I have seen recipes on t'internet which suggest they could be cut in half and filled with cream cheese which I will bear in mind for canapes at my next candlelight supper (ahem).  To be frank, I suspect their natural home is at the bottom of a Martini glass.

Now, I did promise the folks at Fragata that I'd include a recipe so, since we've eaten the olives and I'm keeping the capers to task the Husband with knocking up something Mediterranean, if he can be lured away from curry, here is a recipe which uses caperberries.

Linda's Martini Recipe

1.  Fill shaker with ice
2.  Add 50 ml Dry Gin
3.  Add 5 ml Dry Vermouth
4.  Shake or stir depending on whether you're a James Bond fan
5.  You may want to strain it at this point.  No.  I thought not.
6.  Stick Caperberry in bottom of glass
7.  Swig elegantly.

Cheers m'dears!

Further information at:  Fragata.co.uk

*PR samples were sent for the writing of this post.

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Silent Sunday - 13/10/13

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7 Random Facts About Me [The Versatile Blogger Award]

The Versatile Blogger Award is a brilliant way of drawing attention to up and coming blogs that you enjoy. First up, many thanks to the lovely Megan at missmadaboutnails.blogspot.co.uk for my nomination!

The rules of The Versatile Awards are as follows:-

1.  you must put The Versatile Blogger Award picture on your blogpost.
2.  make sure that you thank the blogger who nominated you in your post.
3.  finally write 7 random facts about yourself and
4.  nominate 7 other bloggers

So, here are 7 random facts about me.

• If I could be anyone from history, I'd be Queen Elizabeth I. Despite the fact that she allegedly went bald, never married and had a mad pash on Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, any woman who said "I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too" is pretty inspirational in my view.  Bridget Jones??  Oh do be serious.

• I cannot knit.  Well, actually I can knit but only long stringy things.  Like scarves for worms.

• I love cheese.  When I was pregnant with my daughter, Caitlin, cheese was the only substance which made me feel vaguely human again.  I didn't have morning sickness, just a horrid gnawing indigestion.  Just thought I'd share that with you. Cheddar, mind you, not any smelly cheese like "Stinking Bishop", although I am partial to a bit of Stilton too.

• Another woman I admire, recently deceased, is Helen Gurley Brown, the woman who invented "Cosmopolitan" magazine.  She wrote a book in the 80's entitled "Having It All" which as a naive twenty something I devoured from cover to cover.  Her philosophy involved not eating much, wearing the best clothes you could afford, exercising every day and working your butt off. She made it to 91 so I think she may have been on to something. She was also ever so slightly obsessed with sex but then everyone needs a hobby I suppose.

• My favourite all time chocolate is Caramac.  Or a Milky Bar.  Or possibly Fry's Turkish Delight. Or..... 

• I make a decent scambled egg.  My secret is two spoons of milk per egg.  And a hefty sprinkling of crushed chillis. After scramble egg, you're pushing your luck if you require anything haute cuisine.

• I'd love to be able to tap dance.  I can remember "heel, toe, shuffle, shuffle, shuffle" from one of the two lessons I had aged 6 but that's about it.

And finally the 7 blogs I am nominating are:-


1.  Lilinha at Lilinha Angel's World

2.  Clare at The Crazy Perfect Blog

3.  Esther at Diary of a Bad Mutha

4.  Lorraine at Squeaky Baby

5.  Jaime at The Oliver's Madhouse

6.  Eileen at ET Speaks From Home

7.  Mandy at Life With ASD And Me

So there you have it, 8 fabulous blogs to check out and you're welcome round mine for scrambled egg.

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I've Been A Bit Distracted By ...Soap & Glory - 12/10/13

I love Soap & Glory, the packaging, the fragrance, the quirky sense of humour and the very reasonable pricing. This is one of my favourites - a creamy shower gel which contains natural mandarin peel extract and has a built-in body lotion with Soap & Glory's Original Pink fragrance.  

Soap & Glory Clean On Me Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel - £6

And you can help the planet by doing the "2 minute rinse". The average shower uses around 35 litres of water - 70% of our daily recommended water use. Soap & Glory have calculated that it is possible to wash, shampoo, condition and rinse using around 120 seconds of running water, simply by turning the tap on and off at key stages of your washing routine.

Plus they suggest that every second day of the work week become "2-Minute Rinse Tuesday".

Try it. You'll be converted.  

Further information: www.soapandglory.com or www.boots.com

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I've Been A Bit Distracted By ... Topshop - 11/10/13

Croc Doctors Bag in Mulberry - £40  Topshop

Now much as I'd love an "Alexa" from Mulberry at the cost of a mere £1,200, I'm much more likely to settle for this lovely Croc Doctors Bag in Mulberry from Topshop (do you see what I did there?).

And, with the £1,160 I've saved, I could, ooh, I don't know, get the house repainted.

It's all about budgeting at the end of the day; isn't it?

Further information at www.topshop.com.

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Problems With Your Teeth? I'm Going Dental .....

As Pam Ayres famously said in her poem "Oh I wish I'd looked after me teeth".

You know there comes a time when you have to at least acknowledge that your various bits and pieces might not be in the first flush of youth. I have had endless problems with my teeth and my jaw. It probably started when I had impacted wisdom teeth removed under anaesthetic when I was 15. 

In my view, it was a completely unnecessary procedure and my poor parents were badly advised. Since then, my jaw clicks and I have a bite so sensitive to changes in my mouth that the slightest high filling makes me feel like I'm chewing a brick.

Lower wisdom tooth

So now I also seem to be clenching my teeth and the pressure is such that parts of my back molars have actually split off. I am hooked on sensitive toothpaste (thank you Sensodyne) and try to avoid foods that might crack my teeth. It's taken me years (I'm not joking) to eat crisps after a bit of my tooth fell off whilst eating a ridged crisp. And as for chocolate covered Brazils! Forget it. Objects of terror. At night I have a mouth guard, lovingly crafted by the Jaw Clinic at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff. Slight overtones of pugilism and a slightly drooly start to the day.

I'm not sure I can even be accused of poor dental hygiene, being a regular cleaner and flosser.  As I sit occasionally transfixed by life's flotsam and jetsam on Jeremy Kyle (don't judge me..) which now seems to have become the benchmark of the Nation's poor dental health, the questions I have to ask myself are i) do people not realise how much poor teeth affect the way they look and ii) what on earth has happened to dentistry in the UK? It is clear that the reduction in the provision of adequate NHS dentists is having a serious knock-on effect to people's teeth and, at the same time, their overall health.

It may be vaguely amusing to titter at the latest gap-toothed, black stumped participant but how on earth did we get to this? I pay for a dental insurance scheme and, by the time I'm 70 will probably have coughed up enough for a mediterranean cruise. 

The chance of finding an NHS dentist for many are, I suspect, slim and the ability to pay for a dental insurance scheme, a luxury compared to, say, coping with ever increasing utility bills.

My two children are taught dental hygiene and, due to my sensitive gnashers, they were exposed to toothpaste and one of those strange finger puppet tooth cleaning thingumybobs as soon as the merest speck of a tooth appeared.

My father has dentures.  He had poor teeth and when he joined the Royal Navy a condition of his appointment was that all his teeth were removed. He's never looked back although he frequently mutters about pips under his plate and it does take a while to get used to a new set. As kids we had endless fun when mum's back was turned and dad would shoot his bottom set out of his mouth in a very impressive gurn. He's never used them to crimp the edges of the pastry of an apple pie but it's the sort of thing he'd consider for a laugh.

Perhaps Corsodyl has got it right.  I'm sure you know the advert where the beautiful woman's teeth bleed as she brushes them and at the end of the advert she reveals she is missing a canine tooth.  It's not the snappiest catch phrase - "Corsodyl, for people who spit blood when they brush" but, by heck it's honest.  Perhaps the dental industry should concentrate less on the promotion of bright, white smiles and more on the true consequences of poor dental health.  Mind you, that would probably put you off your popcorn. (No I can't eat that either).

Do you have similar dental trials and tribulations?  I'd love to hear.

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I've Been A Bit Distracted By ... Vivien of Holloway - 10/10/13

Now if I could be parted from my beloved 'mummy leggings, this is what I would be wearing. Vivien of Holloway produces beautiful dresses and separates with the look and feel of authentic vintage but they offer a range of sizes to fit and flatter modern figures.

50's Halter Neck Floral Dress - £89 - Vivien of Holloway

Based in Holloway Road, London, they also supply via their website www.vivienofholloway.com, although if you're in London, they are happy to measure you to ensure you select the right size.

I can just see myself icing cupcakes in this.

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My First Giveaway - Win a bracelet with Mania Mia Boutique London

This giveaway is now closed but you can find all my current competitions on my competitions page.

The lovely people at Mania Mia Boutique London are offering one of my lucky followers this fabulous bracelet by MsGlocal to update their wardrobe.

Bracelet from Ms Glocal by Glocal Connection - £19 exclusively at Mania Mia London

MsGlocal by Glocal Connection was started by two girls with global roots; infused with the love of travel and fashion; a desire to empower others and to make the world a better place for all who inhabit it. They help sustain communities of artisans and micro-producers in developing markets; by implementing innovative business practices and providing them a platform to sell their products.

Named Fulham's best kept secret, Mania Mia has established itself as a haven for the stylish shopper to discover affordable chic women’s contemporary fashion and accessories. The boutique supports independent fashion designers from around the world delivering fashion-forward styles from brands that cannot be found anywhere else in the UK like Danilo Gabrielli, Tata Naka, The Hip Tee and Glocal Connection. 

Much more than a fashion boutique Mania Mia is a destination for everything unique and inspiring. The boutique has a fabulous event space downstairs where they regularly host designer sample sales; pop up shops; seasonal fashion previews; music evenings and art exhibitions.

Further information at www.facebook.com/maniamialondon or www.twitter.com/_maniamia and at www.maniamia.co.uk, www.msglocalstyle.com

To enter, please use the rafflecopter widget below. 

The competition ends on the 8th November 2013. The winner will be picked at random and must claim their prize by 15th November or a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be posted to within 7 days of their claim. UK entrants only.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER, CAROLYNN WOODLAND.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My Daily Distraction - Next - 09/10/13

How wearable is this bargain dress from Next? Dress it up, dress it down, it looks fabulously snuggly and slimming at the same time. It's got all the hallmarks of a wardrobe staple and will certainly cut the mustard on the school run.

Next Roll Neck Dress - £22

Available from www.next.co.uk.

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BritMums "Little Adventures Challenge" in partnership with Barny The Bear-Shaped Snack

It was raining after school so, inspired by the fabulous "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" (by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxbury), we decided to do just that, with the help of a small friendly bear called Barny.

Barny is a delicious sponge bear who comes individually wrapped for freshness as either a chocolate sponge bear with a milk flavoured centre or a plain sponge bear with a chocolate centre. There are no artificial colours or preservatives to worry about either. He's an ideal after school snack at 116 calories per bear. (You wouldn't get that type of information from David Attenborough, now, would you?).

Caitlin and Ieuan (or "Buzz with a Belt" as he is still insisting we call him) were tasked with finding the ferocious bear to get a tasty treat.

First, Caitlin checked "The Cavern of Random Untidiness".  A dank, dismal place where piles of coats lie forlorn as they conceal "Ye Olde Pile of Andrex".  A terrible place and a suitable hiding spot for a ferocious bear like Barny.

It'll take more than Feng Shui to sort this lot.

Next it was time to dodge the rain and actually venture outdoors to the "Forest of Indiscriminate Topiary".  A place where bears may well be hiding, safe in the knowledge that no gardening implement was likely to threaten their haven for many a week.

Yup, absolutely no sign of Alan Titchmarsh

Even "Buzz with a Belt" had serious doubts about this location. By now, the kids were mutinous and extremely peckish. It was time to brave "The Den Thrown Together In The Vague Hope Of Five Minutes' Peace".

The Den.  A Masterpiece of Construction, although possibly a bit small.

Finally, exhausted by their trek and threatening the nine thousandth replay of the entire Toy Story DVD Collection, the children emerged victorious from the camouflage netting their mother frequently used to hide from unwanted sales callers.  

Victory.  Ieuan /Buzz With A Belt has just clocked there are 5 Barnys in a box.

The expedition was over for the day and Barny kept the kids quiet until their mother had had a chance to prepare something Marco Pierre White would doubtless frown at. In the interest of zoology (ahem), their mother can confirm that Barny combined lovely soft sponge with a delicious creamy (or chocolatey) filling. Barny is a snack that makes after school rumbly tummies a little more "bear-able".

This post is an entry for BritMums "Little Adventures Challenge" in partnership with Barny, the bear-shaped snack providing a little discovery in every bite. Find out more about Barny here -www.barnyworld.co.uk.

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My Daily Distraction - Marks & Spencer - 08/10/13

This really caught my eye - a faux fur classic style single breasted, lined coat from Marks and Spencer. I love a bit of leopard print and with this coat, the kids should be able to spot me easily on those dark wintery mornings. Genius. Marks and Spencer seem to be back with a bang.

Limited Edition Faux Fur Printed Collar Coat with wool

£79 www.marksandspencer.com

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Approaching 50? Will it be 50 not out?

Next year I will be 50 years old. Half a century. 5 decades. No other way of putting it and no other way of addressing it without being extremely grateful that I've survived with my health and nearly all of my teeth.

Source: True Brit Blog

Mentally, obviously, I am about 13 but ignoring the fact that I can still name all the Osmonds and remember how Les McKeown's trousers in the Bay City Rollers only reached as far down as his ankles, I like to think I have achieved some vague level of maturity - particularly since I have two children, somewhat belatedly, of my own.

I have no idea why I'm using a cricket analogy since my entire experience of cricket has involved sitting in a deckchair with a glass of warm vino clapping in a desultory fashion as one set of white-clad blokes throw balls at another set of white-clad blokes.  Sport, I'm afraid, has passed me by.  In school, I used to play left back in the hockey team solely because the bib had my then initials, LB, on.  Cross country running involved legging it to hide in the girls' toilets.  I still can't do a forward roll.

What I want, or rather feel like I need to do, is create one of those lists.  "50 things to do before you're 50".   I've found plenty of lists for items to achieve before you're 40 but the 49 year old contingent seem remarkably quiet.  Are they secretly drafting lists which comprise of 1) buy Tena Lady, 2) buy health insurance endorsed by Michael Parkinson and get a free Parker Pen, 3) smother yourself liberally in aloe vera (just in case) and 4) put one of those Airwick air fresheners that look like a modern ornament in every room so you never have to put your back out opening a window ever again.

I'd love to know what is on other 49-ers bucket lists. And, leaving aside the obvious goals of raising happy, healthy children and preventing The Husband from running off with Carol Vorderman, here are some of mine.

• Go on the Orient Express to Venice. I've been on it from Cardiff to Gloucester for lunch but it really wasn't a long enough journey for anyone to be murdered and require a major motion picture about the event.

• Be a TV or film extra. I adore the series Poirot. I am completely obsessed and probably near word perfect. Oh to be an extra in one of those fabulous Art Deco sets in a beautiful 1940's costume. Plus, prior to marrying The Husband, I did harbour a secret crush on Captain Hastings.

• Have tea at Claridges or The Midland Hotel (sorry but this is more of my Art Deco obsession).

• Have a honeymoon. Well, better late than never.

• Go back to Butlins Minehead with the kids. I went in the 1970's when there were still chalets and announcers of the "hi di hi" variety demanding you got up and went to breakfast. Lie-ins? I think not. I can remember doing the dance to The Gap Band's "Oops Upside Your Head" in the Gaiety Ballroom.  Miley Cyrus - you don't know you're born.

• Have a bed and breakfast or hotel. My family members snort with hilarity and pass on all sorts of helpful advice e.g. "you do know you'll have to get up early and cook breakfast" or " you do know there'll be quite a lot of cleaning". Listen up - I can chuck an egg in a pan and make a bed (hospital corners too) with the best of them.  For some reason, my family appear to think I have morphed into Margo of The Good Life.

• Visit Egypt again. Without vomiting.

• Go on a cruise around the Mediterranean. Without vomiting.

• Get back on a horse and managing to gallop (whilst still on the horse). My favourite TV show as a child was "White Horses" and I can still hum the theme tune now.  So there.

• Create a fictional detective on par with Poirot / Marple /Morse/ Lewis or writing anything of the calibre of the great P D James.

• Learn to read music. I can play the piano by ear. I can play out of key like Les Dawson (on purpose I might add), but if I could play like the wonderful Jools Holland I'd be in heaven.

• Improve my cooking - well  I suppose I had better add it to the list but when I think of cooking it usually involves a three tier cake-stand and cupcakes. Not Mr Kipling.  Mr Kipling cakes have shrunk so much I think they're baked by Oompa Loopas.

• Wear a feather boa. No idea why. It works for Edna Everage.

• Hone a unique fashion style which doesn't involve leggings, a baggy top or anything thermal.  This is, of course, highly unlikely and probably shouldn't involve the feather boa.

There are many more completely random things I'd like to do but, 49-ers, I'd love to hear some of yours. I need inspiring.  Approaching 50 is a bit like being parachuted onto a completely new continent without a map. Or a parachute.

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The Reluctant Hotel Inspector: Doubletree By Hilton Tower of London Hotel

Back in London for business again, the Inspector booked a room for one night at the 4 star Doubletree By Hilton Tower of London Hotel, largely because it is just walking distance from the City. The hotel is a 5 minute walk from London Bridge Tube Station and is situated in the heart of the Financial District, and close to the River Thames.

Doubletree By Hilton Tower of London Hotel

Doubletree By Hilton Tower of London Hotel by night

For tourists, the hotel is also ideally situated for St Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern, HMS Belfast, The Tower of London and The Shard, as well, of course, as Tower Bridge itself.

Rooms are stylish and modern with "deluxe rooms" featuring complimentary WIFI, an IMac / PC Entertainment System with Skype. Walk in power showers and wall to ceiling mirrors are also included, as are a work desk and high level sound proofing.

Complimentary WiFi access is available in all public areas and the executive lounge and there is a fully equipped "Fitness Room".

The Inspector had a double room on the 8th floor at a cost of £289 for one night (excluding breakfast). The room was very comfortable and the desk space allocated perfectly adequate. It was also quiet with no noise from outside traffic.

A very comfortable double bedded room

Compact and Bijoux Bathroom

The bathroom contained a toilet and a walk in shower. There was a combined TV / iMac in the room which the Inspector found unusual, but not a problem as he is not a big TV watcher.

The hotel offers the "City Cafe Restaurant" which offers modern European cuisine, and the Lobby Bar but the Inspector opted to eat in "The Sky Lounge" which offers fabulous views of the Tower Bridge and 360 degree views across the London skyline.

The view from the "Sky Lounge"

Lamb Kebabs in the restaurant

The bill came to around the £35 mark with the Inspector finding his favourite Peroni expensive at £6 for a small bottle (the price of a pint of draft Peroni at the Sloe Bar, Paddington is much less, at £4.70). The lamb kebabs, however, were delicious.

This was the Inspector's first time at the Doubletree By Hilton Tower of London Hotel, but the hotel is within easy walking distance for lots of his customers in the City so he would certainly consider returning.

7 Pepys Street
London
EC3N 4AF
Tel 44-207-7091000

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My Daily Distraction - Carvela at Kurt Geiger - 07/10/13

I love these Carvela at Kurt Geiger heels.  They have a 12 cm stiletto heel. They are wildly impractical.  I'll never be able to walk in them. Never mind. The Husband can carry me.

Carvela Kurt Geiger - "Gyrate" - £140

Further information at:  www.kurtgeiger.com

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My Daily Distraction - Green & Blacks - 06/10/13

Now here's a chocolate fix that really will do some good. Organic chocolate brand Green & Black's have pledged to contribute £20,000 to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Made with 40% cocoa, raisins and roasted hazelnuts, a donation will be made to the charity for every bar sold.

Green & Black's Organic Milk Chocolate with Raisin & Hazelnut - £2.29 

The Green & Black's Organic limited edition bar will be available in supermarkets and independent stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer has invested £62 million towards breast cancer research in the last 11 years, and is dedicated to improving and saving lives through better prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Further information: www.breakthrough.org.uk

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Silent Sunday - 06/10/13

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My Daily Distraction - Bobbi Brown - 05/10/13

Throughout October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bobbi Brown will be donating £5 of every sale of their gorgeous limited edition French Pink Set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition French Pink Set - £35

The Bobbi Brown Set contains French Pink Blush, embossed with the BCA ribbon in a mirrored compact.  Also included is a Mini Face Blender Brush with a bright pink handle.

Further information:  www.bobbibrown.co.uk, www.bcrfcure.org

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My Daily Distraction - Estee Lauder for Breast Cancer Care - 04/10/13

Show your support to raise Breast Cancer Awareness with this special edition of the iconic Advanced Night Repair from Estee Lauder. which comes with an exclusive Pink Ribbon Bracelet.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II with Pink Ribbon Bracelet has 25 patents worldwide and claims to address the appearance of "all key signs of visible ageing, with innovative technology for more comprehensive and precise night-time renewal".

Available at £65 for 50 ml, Estee Lauder will donate £10 from every sale in the UK to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is an independent not-for-profit organisation founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993.  BCRF's mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer within our lifetime. Amen to that.

Further information: www.esteelauder.co.uk, www.bcrfcure.org

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Review: DGJ Organics Kids Top To Toe 3 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo & Body Wash

As parents, we are always on the lookout for the best kids' shampoos and bathroom essentials.  

Did you know that the skin is our largest organ and whatever we put on it is absorbed into our bodies?

This fact is obviously a concern for parents who want to make sure they use only the purest ingredients on their little ones, particularly if they suffer from skin complaints such as eczema.

DGJ Organics Kids Top to Toe 3 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo and Body Wash is a great product which is free from Parabens and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) and contains certified organic ingredients. 

The top half of the shampoo and body wash contains Organic Orange Oil and the bottom half contains Organic Grapefruit Oil (or vice versa!). 

DGJ Organics Kids Top to Toe 3 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo & Body Wash

Caitlin, nice and (gently) cleaned

The DGJ Organics range was originally developed by the celebrity hairdresser and colourist Daniel Galvin Junior a decade ago when there were no organic haircare products available. Daniel salon tested all the products himself and these formulas are still used today.

The kids both enjoyed the fresh fruity scents and the novelty of a topsy-turvy bottle. I found that the shampoo and body wash cleaned effectively and left the children's hair nicely conditioned. I find some toiletries labelled 'organic' to be thin and 'underpowered' but this did the job just perfectly.

Butter wouldn't melt.  Hmmm.

DGJ Organics Kids Top to Toe 3 in 1 Conditioning Shampoo & Body Wash is just one product in the DGJ Kids range. It retails at a very reasonable £3.99 for 250 ml. With other fragrances such as Strawberry & Vanilla or Banana & Berry in the range, these will appeal to grown-ups and little 'grubsters' alike!

All products are available from www.dgjorganics.com. I'm also going to take a good look at their range for "Hangover Hair"! Now, where was that in my youth?!

*A PR sample was received for the purpose of this review.

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My Daily Distraction - Pandora for Breast Cancer Awareness - 03/10/13

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 1,000 women die every month from breast cancer and each year 50,000 women will be diagnosed with the disesase.

You can show your support with this fab Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet from Pandora which is comprised of their Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon charm - a lovely sterling silver ribbon with pink zirconia crystals - on a pink leather bracelet.

Pandora Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Complete Leather Bracelet- £85

Source:  John Green Jewellery

Pandora are supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer by donating 15% of the price of the charm on this bracelet, which is one of a number of pieces available from John Greed Jewellery.

Further information at: www.johngreedjewellery.com, www.breakthrough.org.uk

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My Daily Distraction - Nails Inc for Breast Cancer Awareness - 02/10/2013

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2013 so what better excuse do you need?

Nails Inc have collaborated with designer Matthew Williamson and model and actress Poppy Delevinge to create two limited edition nail polish bottles exclusively for Breast Cancer Campaign.

Source: Nails Inc.Com

The polish, glittery  Nails Inc "Pinkie Pink" costs £11 with £1 from every bottle sold going to the charity. It's a great easy way to show your support.

Further information at www.nailsinc.com/spotthepinkie, www.breastcancercampaign.org

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