Keep Track Of Your Kids With The dokiWatch 3G Enabled Smartwatch For Kids

A couple of years ago we lost Caitlin.  A family squabble over lunch in Cardiff Bay led to an act of defiance and our feisty little daughter marching out into the thronging crowds whilst we scrabbled after her.

For a few, heart stopping minutes, we couldn't see her but luckily she hadn't wandered too far.  I can still remember the sickening lurch in my stomach as I realised she was completely out of sight and anything could happen to her.

Which is why I was happy to road-test the dokiWatch, the world's most advanced smartwatch for kids aged 6 to 12 which is both a wearable phone and a tracking device. If I had had one of these finding Caitlin would have been quicker and far less stressful.

Whilst the jury is still out on the safety of kids using mobile phones and the inevitability of our children having them at some point continues to be a major point of parental discussion, the dokiWatch offers a kind of half way platform which allows both child and parent the comfort that comes with being able to stay in touch.

The dokiWatch is the first ever 3G enabled smartwatch for children and it has video calling, voice calling and messaging.  Not only does it have GPS tracking but there's an electronic 'dokiPet' which acts as a fitness tracker and awards achievement badges.

So what exactly does it do?

Connectivity

To use the dokiWatch you need a Nano SIM with a voice and data service from your mobile provider. It is incredibly easy to set up - just insert the sim, turn the watch on and scan the QR code with the doki app.

Functions

Voice Calling - parents and kids can call each other and you can also have a preset friends list when contacts can be called at the touch of a button (for example grandparents).

Voice Messaging - parents and kids can send each other voice messages up to 30 seconds long.

Text Messaging & Emojiis - great for sending reminders to your kids.

Emergency SOS Mode - a red SOS button on the side of the watch will send an emergency notification to designated contacts including 60 seconds of your child's voice and any background noise.

Smart Locator - you can track the position of your child on the doki app which uses GPS, GSM and WiFi to pinpoint their location.

Alert Area - you can configure the watch to alert you when your child leaves a designated area.

Classroom Mode - you can turn the watch off so that it doesn't interrupt lesson.

What we liked

Caitlin and Ieuan took turns wearing it and loved the messaging function and being able to call me every five minutes with an update on their location.  In turn, I could see their location on the doki app.

The watch is bright, colourful and comfortable to wear. Ours was 'Sonic Blue' but there's also Dazzle Pink, Shark Grey and Mango Yellow. I worried initially about the watch falling off when the kids ran about but it fits quite securely without being uncomfortable or irritating to the skin.

It gives you the confidence of knowing where your kids are within a set radius and encourages a little more independence in your kids.

Caitlin also liked that the watch is a bit of a head turner and attracted quite a few admiring glances!

What we didn't like

Nothing, in all honesty.  For the less than tech-savvy, a basic 'quick start' guide would be a handy addition to the pack and our only other niggle was that the charging cable is magnetic and will fall off the watch if you knock it whilst it is charging.  I would have preferred a charging cable that could be actually inserted into the watch.

We gave our dokiWatch a thorough road test on our holiday in Devon and the only problem we had was that it was tricky to get the video messaging to work due to the poor signal in some parts of the countryside - a problem which afflicts all mobile devices.

We had absolutely no problem with voice calling or messaging.

If you would like to try the dokiWatch, the manufacturers, Indiegogo.com are holding a flash sale for 48 hours only starting from 12 AM GMT on June 5th where the starting price will be $119 USD (40% discount) for the first 50 purchasers and $139 thereafter (30% discount).  The Doki Web Store is also selling the watch and will ship to over 30 countries.

Sale Link: 

www.indiegogo.com/projects/dokiwatch-world-s-most-advanced-kids-smartwatch#/

I have to say that, having lost Caitlin once, we will be keeping our dokiWatch charged and certainly ready for use on holiday and trips to town.  We used a free pay-as-you-go SIM from GiffGaff which offers a data / call bundle for £12.

Not all schools, of course, will permit the wearing of gadgets but given the number of parents I see speeding to pick up their kids on the school run, this particular one would be a great help when you're stuck in traffic (again!) or, like me, have got distracted leaving the house and can't find your keys! One quick call and you can let your child know where you are and tell them what you need them to do.

The only function the dokiWatch lacks is getting your kids to do what you ask.

In some case I fear we're a few years off that yet.

*a PR sample was received for the purpose of this post.

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Review & Giveaway: It's Not You, It's Your Hormones By Nicki Williams

Having celebrated my 53rd birthday on Sunday, I can tell you that the last year has been somewhat of a rickety ride, healthwise.

Image credit: By Monik Markus (Flickr: Wet Hair Strands Face Turned) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Yet I couldn't tell you precisely what is wrong.  I am obviously in the 'menopausal ballpark' and a recent blood test indicated that I had arrived with all flags flying. I already have a dodgy thyroid which has given me all sorts of strange symptoms but recently I have found myself sporting a middle tyre which won't shift.  

My sleep pattern has also changed.  I regularly see 3 am, 4 am, 5 am and wake up fully alert whereas in the past I could just turn over and go back to sleep.  I find myself mulling over all sorts of oddities, making lists, worrying about minutiae and generally being neurotic.

And let's not talk about mood swings.  Up one minute, down the next and although I've never been a particularly patient person, nowadays I don't want to wait for anything.

It's timely then that I've come across a brilliant book by nutritional therapist Nicki Williams DipION, mBANT, CNHC, called "It's Not You, It's Your Hormones" which explains clearly and concisely what your hormones are, what they do and how to regain some sort of balance lest you think you are going to become a kind of mumbling wild woman beset with skin breakouts and a temperature that would warp metal. 

I'm exaggerating.  A little.

And lest you think Nicki's book is solely for those of us approaching or embracing menopause, it is targeted at women over 40 who may have peri-menopausal symptoms which make their life equally miserable.

What I particularly like about Nicki's book is that she makes you think about WHY you want to improve your hormonal balance and the cost of just putting up with it.

Nicki's own moment of clarity was when her daughter called her a grumpy mum (a daily occurence in this house) and she felt that that's not who she was.

This, I think, must resonate greatly with lots of us going through a state of hormonal chaos because we don't really understand what is happening to us, nor who we have become, or are becoming.

With total honesty I have to say that when I am under the cosh of the latest barrage or irrational, hormonally charged behaviour, I don't like myself very much - and that in itself is a source of great fatigue and not a great place to be when you already suffer from depression.

Says Nicki:  “As I researched more into this topic, I was shocked at just how many issues can be traced back to easily-fixable hormone imbalances. The truth is that for many women their hormones are in control of them after the age of 40, and the weight, mood and energy problems creep in. By regaining control through diet, lifestyle and natural supplements, women can get back to their best – slimmer, energised and in full control of their hormones as they go through menopause and beyond".

Nicki's goal was to write a book that every woman can understand and take positive action on, even if they’re in a time of crisis.

In the book, Nicki explains what our hormones are and what they do, then introduces us to the 'feisty four' - those particular hormones which can cause us so much trouble - Cortisol, Thyroid, Insulin and Oestrogen.

We are shown how these affect us and given useful tips to take immediate action to get them under control.

The book then offers a four step hormone balancing plan - Eat, Rest, Cleanse and Move.  Each step has its own chapter with practical solutions and advice.  

There is even an eating plan at the back of the book with some great recipes.  The basis of the diet is gluten free with a limit on the usual baddies, sugar and alcohol but Nicki recommends good fats and upping your protein intake.

This is a really comprehensive guide to taking back control over your hormones and I had several 'a-ha' moments - for example that spare tyre won't go if we are constantly secreting cortisol due to stress.

I plan to use Nicki's tips over the coming months to see if I can feel more like my old self again. The book also discusses the various options surrounding HRT and the importance of getting yourself tested to identify exactly which hormones are giving your problems.

I am already taking Thyroxine to balance my hypothyroidism but I know there is more I can do. Nicki also includes a guide to supplements which may help.

To find out more, go to Website; www.happyhormonesforlife.com or connect with Nicki on Facebook or Twitter.

The giveaway

You can find "It's Not You, It's Your Hormones" on Amazon but I also have 2 copies to give away. The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 30th June.  Terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!

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Are Your Kids Ready For Their Own Phone?

Kids are growing up faster than ever. You only have to switch on the news to hear of another child subjected to online bullying, or being pressured by social media posts. 

And while we all want to protect our children from online horrors, we have to accept that they’re growing up in a world very different to our own - one where technology rules. 

Image credit: Anthony Kelly

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when a child should get their first smartphone, but one thing’s for sure: acceptable ages are getting younger and younger. And this isn’t a surprise - in fact, it’s a good thing. 

Our children will work in a world where digital is key, and if they aren’t digital-savvy, they could miss out. Schools all over the world are putting more and more emphasis on using IT in lessons, even introducing coding lessons. 

So, if you know it’s going to happen anyway, it’s time to start weighing up when your kids are ready to get a phone. 

How responsible are they?

This is the most important question to ask yourself. If you can trust your children to use their phone sensibly, and give you complete access to apps, websites and passwords, then you’re onto a winner. NSPCC.org.uk has some great resources for parents and children alike, to help teach your kids the dangers of going online, and how to stay safe. 

Nearly all phones come with parental locks and controls, so before you pick a phone, see which has the best ratings for enforced security and passwords. 

How financially savvy are they?

We all hear about the kids who accidentally spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on sneaky in-app purchases, so it’s vital that your children have a good grasp about money. This is a two-fold approach really. They need to know the consequences of just clicking ‘buy’ when they need help in a game. And they need to know the average running costs of a phone. 

You might not ask them to contribute towards their plan, but it’s good to sit down together to see what the costs are. 

Sites like SimOnlyDeals.co.uk are good to give your children an idea of what they can get for their money. You could also explore comparison sites for phones too. 

You could use this helpful infographic to explain the details of budgeting and finances, in an easy-to-understand way. 

How good are they are prioritising?

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/squirrel02/12631904423/

Smartphones give children an endless source of amusement. From going on sites like Facebook.com to sending funny pictures to each other on SnapChat, it’s easy to get sucked into spending hours in front of the screen. 

If you can trust your children to enjoy their off-screen lives as much as their on-screen ones, then it’s time to consider letting them have their own phone. There are some great ideas in this article, about how to balance time on and off screen. And if you think you’re guilty of too much screen time, you might find them quite helpful too!

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-Up Week 23 2017

How are you all this week? We've just come back from a really relaxing holiday in Devon and were blessed with beautiful weather. There's something about the beach life that is very alluring, isn't there?

I had plenty of time to read whilst the kids were playing in rock pools and splashing in the sea and my Kindle certainly came in handy. Don't forget the fabulous giveaway currently running to win an adult and a child's Amazon Fire Tablet HD. You can enter here.

My next review coming on 5th June will be A Flair For Drama, a Sadie Kramer mystery by Deborah Garner and it's a cracking read so far. 

Sadie is a flamboyant senior sleuth who, on attending a theatre production at the invitation of a former schoolmate, finds herself embroiled in a murder when the show's leading lady turns up dead.

As usual, there are plenty more 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 weeks awesome selection!

*this post contains an affiliate link

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Problem Page Edition 22 2017

This week - when you're 44 and your parents still yell and you, and what to do when your sister hates the boyfriend who led you to get done for drink driving.

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: It's been months since my ex broke up with me for a silly reason. I dream of him and long for closure. I feel abandoned. What do I do?

A: It might have been a silly reason to you, but it obviously wasn’t to him. Was it something you did? Did you try to make amends and apologise?

Or did he just tire of the relationship and decide he wanted to start afresh?

Unless you can honestly examine the reason why and work out whether you played a part in it, I think moving forward will be difficult.

When you say you ‘long for closure’ do you mean you still don’t understand why he left? Or are you secretly hoping he’ll return.

When relationships end you don’t really get ‘closure’. Over time you move to an acceptance that the relationship is over and hopefully move on to someone new.

You can either contact him and ask to talk about what happened, understanding that this may be painful and he may well not want to come back or draw a line under things and look to the future.

Don’t wallow. Get out and about and focus on you, your hopes and dreams, what you would like to achieve.

Now is the time to get busy and to concentrate on your career and the hobbies you are passionate about.

And if he did dump you for something stupid, a little bit of anger wouldn’t hurt either.

Are you really sure he’s right for you? If he treated you badly why would you want him back. Isn’t there someone kinder and more gorgeous you could dream about?

Q: Are girls more attracted to guys who give them less attention?

If a girl has no problem drawing attention and has plenty of guys interested in her, if a guy doesn’t give her the normal amount of attention she’s used to, does that make the guy more attractive because he isn’t like the rest?

A: It’s really hard to say. Everyone is different. A girl who regularly receives a lot of attention may find a more aloof guy more of a challenge - but this is really stereotyping girls and romantic behaviour.

You are basically asking “does playing hard to get work” - and the answer to that is yes - but only if there’s interest there in the first place.

Lots of women are fed up of game playing and just want a normal, decent guy who treats them well.

If you’re interested ask her out. She’ll either say yes or no - and you'll avoid wasting possibly months!

Q: Does it mean anything when a guy opens up about his feelings?

At work one of my managers told me he was angry because he had been turned down for the role of general manager.  He said he felt like their slave and really let off steam to me. Does it mean anything, like he trusts me or something?

A: I think this guy was just incredibly angry and wanted someone to vent to. He would have been better taking his grievances to HR than offloading them onto you, particularly if the position he was turned down for was as senior as general manager - not very professional.

I hope you just listened without commenting and haven’t told all and sundry about his confession.

He has put you in quite a tricky situation. I would definitely forget the conversation and not refer to it again.

And if you’re asking whether it was some sort of romantic overture, since the guy was livid about his career prospects being thwarted, I don’t think love was anywhere on his mind.

Q: I am 18 and my boyfriend is turning 22 soon. How do I tell my mum about him?

A: Are you saying your mum doesn’t know he exists? And is it the fact that he’s 4 years older that’s worrying you?

At 18 you are perfectly old enough to choose your boyfriends and I don’t see the age gap as a problem.

If you suspect your mum won’t react well then make her a coffee and tell her you’ve met a nice boy who makes you happy and would she like to meet him?

If he really isn’t a ‘nice boy’ and has some less than attractive characteristics (criminal record, bad habits, drink, drugs etc) then before you tell your mum you might want to ask yourself what you’re doing with him.

Q: How can I act like just a friend to my crush?

I really (really) like this one girl but I want to act like a friend to her. How do I do this with out getting friend zoned? (I also want to do a lot of things with her going like sailing and stuff but with out it seeming like I like her) Please don't question my twelve year old reasoning for this.

A: You’re right. The reasoning does seem rather, age 12. Are you afraid she’ll outright reject you if you tell her how you feel? Does she already have a boyfriend?

You say you want to act like a friend to her without being friend-zoned. But if you are a friend, that’s exactly where you end up, surely?

You either have to be brave and ‘fess up and accept that adult relationships come with a hefty amount of risk and rejection or accept that, as a friend, you are voluntarily friend-zoning YOURSELF.

She may well like going sailing and sharing joint hobbies, but as soon as a boyfriend appears on the scene, you’ll probably find that curtailed.

Wouldn’t you rather be the boyfriend?

Q: Is it OK that I'm 44 and my parents still yell at me?

A: It’s not OK but I don’t think people’s parenting style ever really changes - and they probably still see you as their child.

The bigger question is how you react to it.

It’s very easy to fall back into the old patterns, no matter how old you are - shouting back, flouncing off, slamming doors, refusing to contact them.

As a 44 year old, you at least have a chance to break that pattern but calming asking them not to yell at you, avoiding the situations where they are likely to yell and if you are still behaving like a teenager, think about whether there are more mature ways you can behave.

You don’t say what they yell about - there’s a difference between yelling at someone in frustration who still hasn’t got their life together (no job, no relationship, poor health etc) and yelling at you just because they’re your parents and they can.

Have you sat down with them and discussed this?

You are all old enough now to do that, surely?

Q: My sister hates my boyfriend but I don't know if she is right about him. What should I do?

I got done for drink driving from with him. That's one reason she feels strongly about him, that he let me drive. She has started blaming him and raising her voice to him.  He has started to get upset and raises his voice back. She says she feels very disrespected and cries because I am with him. She says he's abusive. Is she right?

A: You were just as much at fault as your boyfriend for getting behind the wheel while drunk, (arguably more so), so it’s not entirely his fault. Hopefully this was a one-off you have learned a lesson from.

But since he didn’t try to stop you, it doesn’t sound as if he’s a particularly nice guy - unless he was drunk as well.

You say that your sister cries that you’re with him which seems like an extreme reaction to me though, unless he is somehow putting you in regular danger. Are you sure she is not just jealous?

I’m not sure why she feels ‘disrespected’. That sounds like someone who is used to getting her own way and is having a tantrum that you won’t ditch your boyfriend.

What do your parents and your other friends think? What do you think?

If your boyfriend is unkind, controlling or not making you happy then he’s not the one for you.

Is drink playing a large part in your relationship?

The problem here is that you seem to be abdicating responsibility for answering these question to others, including your sister.

I’m not sure how old you are but I think you need to reach out for some advice to someone older and wiser (parents?).

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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Making Memories - The Importance Of Outdoor Play

If you think back to the happiest times in your childhood, I'll bet a lot of your memories involve being outdoors.  Whether it's camping (hmm), horse-riding, exploring parks and woodlands, beaches and caves, I think it's the sense of freedom you remember most as a child.

And this is certainly not something you get to experience stuck on a sofa with an iPad.

Caitlin cartwheeling on Barry Island Beach 

In fact, over half (56%) of British adults have revealed that their fondest childhood memories were made whilst exploring and socialising outside, according to a survey of 1,672 UK adults by garden and conservatory furniture e-tailer Alfresia.co.uk.

The research indicates that today's children may well be missing out on key childhood memories due to an over reliance on indoor play.

Despite this, over half of parents (58%) in 2017 reveal that they regularly have to battle with their children to get them outdoors and 24% say that their children ‘rarely’ play outdoors during their free time.

Ieuan exploring Bantham Beach in Devon

For many this is due to the overuse of technology, as 69% of British parents believe their children spend more time playing indoors on computer games and technology than embracing nature and the outdoors.

Just 9% believe their kids would play outdoors even while it was raining, compared to almost 1 in 5 parents (19%) who claim they would have done so when they were children.

The outdoor activity that evoked some of the strongest memories for British parents was building dens, which was cited as a favourite for 68%.

This was followed closely by playing in the park (65%) and trips to the seaside, which was remembered fondly by 57%.

Other top childhood outdoor memories include playing games like hide and seek, hopscotch and tag (56%) and participating in ball games, such as rounders, tennis and football (52%).

Playing in the paddling pool was a memorable pastime for 49%, followed by enjoying picnics (45%), having water fights (41%), embarking on camping trips (38%) and having barbecues (31%).

More than 1 in 3 adults (35%) remember regularly pleading with their parents for extra time to play outside with friends and 44% stated that they preferred playing outside over being indoors during the summer holidays.

Whilst we adults may well wistfully remember our den building in the woods, many parents now shake their heads and say "yes, but times have changed".  Media coverage of crimes against children seems to be a daily occurrence and whilst my mother would happily let my sister and I spend hours cycling up and down the road outside our house, I wouldn't be happy to let Caitlin and Ieuan do that now - not least because of the increase of traffic.

Father & Son on Thurlestone Beach, Devon

Let's be honest here though.  Whose job is it to make sure that our kids get outside and play?  As parents we are as much to blame, I sometimes think, as our kids.  It's all too easy to rely on those 'electronic babysitters', isn't it?  Or to give in to the fears I've alluded to.

There's no easy solution, but perhaps families should prioritise more time spent outdoors playing together.  

And everyone has a role to make sure that happens.

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Cook With Gin At Home This World Gin Day

Saturday 10th June is World Gin Day and, as much as I love red wine, even I have succumbed to the lure of the Hendricks and the refreshing hit of ice cold tonic. (Other gins are available!)

Time was, you had a choice of one or two gins at your local. These days it's the norm to find an ever lengthening row of gin bottles with all sorts of quirky names.


Image credit

It's fair to say that gin has long since lost its nickname of 'mother's ruin', although it does seem to be a standard reference in many a mummy blog.

Gin is a spirit which gets its predominant flavour from Juniper berries and was apparently used as a kind of herbal medicine in the past. But whilst it is a staple of many a tonic based drink and a cocktail, how many of us have tried cooking with it?

Steve Smith, Head Chef at the Michelin starred Bohemia Bar & Restaurant in the heart of Jersey insists it’s time we lay off the G&T’s and instead bring the spirit to the boil with some gin-centric dishes inspired by the restaurant's new summer menu.



Here are Steve's suggestions which you can adapt and try at home.

Gin + Fresh Water Fish

The flavor of gin marries perfectly with fresh water fish, in particular salmon. When preparing, ensure the gin marinates into the fish by chilling in the fridge for at least 45 minutes before cooking. We serve our gin and salmon dish with cucumber and horseradish at Bohemia, which complements the fish perfectly.

Gin + Vegetables

While many serve their G+T’s with cucumber, sprigs of asparagus also serve as a tasty garnish. Why not turn this into a delectable dish and serve gin infused asparagus alongside a summer salad? Add ginger syrup and lemon juice for an extra zing.

Gin + Shellfish

Gin and oysters are the ultimate extravagant flavour combination, guaranteed to impress even the most refined of diners. Simple pour gin and tonic over oysters, then season with lemon zest and a pinch of salt. The restaurant will be serving their own gin and oyster dish this summer, which will arrive to the table in the form of ice-cream!

Gin + Desserts

The options are endless when it comes to pleasing the sweet-toothed. Try a gin and tonic tart, gin and tonic cupcake or even a refreshing gin and tonic sorbet for summer. Furthermore, almost any dessert can be topped with an adults-only gin and tonic syrup made by combining caster sugar, tonic water and lemon juice in a saucepan over a low heat and adding a splash of gin and juniper berries.

Gin and Matcha

Fear not health enthusiasts - superfoods are not out of bounds. Gin and matcha is a great food marriage and you can make a simple gin and matcha cocktail at home, with a tablespoon of Sweet Matcha Powder, lime juice, London Dry Gin and ice.

Will you be giving any of these a try?  

For more information visit www.bohemiajersey.com or for reservations call 01534 880 588.

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Needlite? A Stylish Yet Practical Way To Light Up Your Workspace

What do you do when you work from home and the only space you have is dingy and poorly lit? Or when the existing window gives poor quality daylight?

You might be thinking LED striplighting at this point, or the largest angle-poise lamp you can find, but neither of these options is always conducive to a good working environment - particularly if you are working on detailed documentation, drafting plans or carrying out intricate hobby work such as crafting or model building.

Then there's the effect poor lighting has on our mood. Who wants to sit in a floodlit space or a gloomy cave? And what of those of us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

If you are lucky enough to hit upon the right solution, it's likely that it is not the most attractive one. How do you blend aesthetics and functionality, or design and practicality?

If you're going to be spending the greater part of your day at your desk, then it makes sense to create as attractive an environment as possible.

Enter Needlite, a small Danish start-up who entered the Nordic market in autumn 2015 with a pretty unique lamp design - a pair of lean and rather elegant desk lamps which shed a comfortable white light across your workspace with true colour reproduction and zero screen reflection.

Needlite's aim was to provide the user with an efficient work light but also provide the much needed daylight at the same time.

We are all aware of the lack of daylight during the winter months in Nordic countries but did you know that all over the industrialized world, people are spending an average of 23 hours indoors - and often in poor lighting - quite a staggering statistic!

We also know that a lack of light can have a severe impact on our performance: energy, mood, digestion, sleep and even our recovery from illness. Some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, and seasonal depression, this is a condition where people who generally have normal mental health, start to exhibit signs of depression at the same time each year, most commonly in the winter.

Did you know that you need sufficient light to sleep well?  When night falls, the darkness tells our body to increase its melatonin production (known as the 'sleep hormone'). 

When the sun rises, the level of melatonin is suppressed and serotonin (one of the 'happy hormones') is produced. One of the functions of serotonin is to tell us that it's time to get up and get active. Insufficient light during the day will knock this cycle out of kilter.

Note that Needlite are not claiming their invention is a cure for SAD, however, as a replacement for natural daylight, it is likely to help.

The Needlite has also been designed, they say, to encourage use by making it simple to operate and attractive to look at.

The dimensions are width 100 mm, depth 100 mm and height 457 mm - a decent size which makes the Needlite a design feature as well as a practical item. The lamps are easy to set up - simply set the lamps at each far corner of the desk, ideally about 40-50 cm from your computer screen each side.

The design is both simple and modern but best of all it has a touch control on the top of each light which gives off an adjustable, yet no glare daylight.

The Needlite comes with a 2 year warranty and is so stylish that they are featured in the Danish Design Museum in Copenhagen!



There is also an iPhone app which controls the lamps and give the user feedback on light consumption and usage. It will even turn the Needlite off automatically when you leave your desk. You can also monitor your daily light exposure to make sure you are getting enough.

The app was an absolute boon to the Husband whose office is in our loft at the top of a rather rickety staircase. He can now use the Needlite to create enough light to work by in the evenings without the usual full glare which wakes the kids. It also means carrying a laptop and coffee at the same time is now a much safer procedure because he can turn the lights on remotely before he ascends.

One other benefit of interest to our niece who is setting up her own photography business is that the Needlite is highly suitable as a work light for photographers, art directors and other professionals working with pictures or graphics on screen who need to control the surrounding light in strength and colour. Needlite has the exact right colour temperature of 6,500 kelvin and is not reflecting in the screen or in the way when editing.

We found the Needlite to be a step above the traditional desk light.  Retailing around the £350 mark, its ability to create a pleasant working environment whilst adding some style makes it well worth the investment.

We are looking forward to testing it further when the clocks go back and the loft gets even gloomier. For the time being, the Husband's office is certainly a nicer, brighter place to work.

Find out more at Needlite.com and at their UK stockist www.wellworking.co.uk.

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up Week 22 2017

How are you all this week?  We're almost ready for our holiday and the hot weather seems to have arrived early.  The Husband has done his packing with military precision and I've wandered round chucking everything I can think of in a bag.  The car is going to be very full.

Obviously I'm taking a Kindle due to lack of space and if you're more an e-book than a printed book type of person then don't forget the fabulous giveaway currently running to win an adult and a child's Amazon Fire Tablet HD.  You can enter here.

Hopefully you've caught up with my review of In Doubt by the incomparable John W. Mefford. This is an Ivy Nash thriller, a new detective for me and in this one, Ivy must protect a little girl from a wealthy egomaniac hell-bent on revenge. You can read my review here.

As usual, there are plenty more 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, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click here for this weeks awesome selection!

*this post contains an affiliate link

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Problem Page Edition 21 2017

This week - when your boyfriend tells you he's a "better professional" than you are, whether not being able to afford a wedding is a sign of cold feet and whether constant texting is a healthy thing in a relationship.

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: Why does my guy friend complain constantly about his wife to me?

And when I called it out on it, he stopped doing it, but now never fails to just mention her name, out of the blue, whenever we are having a great time laughing at jokes, then he looks at me like he’s trying to read me?

A: I think you know the answer to this one, don’t you and I suspect it won’t end well.

I am sure his wife isn’t too happy if he’s spending a lot of time with you (I take it that you are female - I can’t tell from the question) and it’s probably no wonder he’s being nagged.

If he’s mentioning her name I’d suggest it’s guilt because he knows he’s flirting with you and the meaningful looks are part of that game. The ‘my wife doesn’t understand me’ routine is as old as the hills and used by men to justify having an affair.

It’s pretty immature behaviour on his part and I think you need to think about where your relationship with him is going.

If you’re happy with just friendship, I think you need to get that message over to him loud and clear.

And if you are hoping for a relationship with him bear in mind that such men very rarely leave their wives.

Q: Is it normal that my boyfriend and I text each other 24/7?

We've been dating 3 years. He gets mad when I take more than 5 minutes to reply. And we always have to tell each other where we go, when we leave to places. I used to not get mad when he took forever to reply and now I do. I hate it. I find it very annoying.

A: Your boyfriend sounds like a very controlling individual and no, it isn’t healthy nor normal. I wonder how you have put up with this for so long.

Are you saying you have to respond within 5 minutes to his texts but he takes all the time he likes?That is very childish, don’t you think?

And what kind of relationship is it where everything revolves round your phones?

I sense that you are realising this just isn’t right and you really shouldn’t be treated like a possession.

Has he managed to get you to cut ties with all your old friends, or worse, even your family?

I would confide in a close friend if you can for support and in your shoes, I’d be high-tailing it out of there pronto.

Q:  I think of my ex almost daily, but I don't want him back because he caused me a great headache and paranoia. What should I do?

I broke up with him two months ago. He still stalks me and asks my colleagues about me. It’s really a difficult situation. One of my colleague said both of you are egotists.

A: When you say he ‘still stalks’ you, do you mean literally - following you, tracking your every move? Or do you just mean he asks you colleagues about you occasionally? Because there’s a big difference. 

Asking after you would be entirely normal and suggests that he is missing you.

I don’t think you should be painting him as obsessive if that really isn’t the case. You say he caused you to be paranoid - why was that I wonder? Was he a flirt, did he play mind games, was he controlling?

Isn’t the truth that you are having second thoughts and are missing the attention or the excitement (however unhealthy) that a difficult relationship can provide?

Is this, as you colleague hinted to you possibly a case of “I don’t want you but nobody else can have you”?

If you are miserable and want him back then just tell him but don’t play games with the poor guy if he is really upset about the break-up and you just want validation that you are attractive (or whatever).

If you didn’t enjoy being in the relationship then let him go and find someone better suited. After all if he was a constant headache and made you paranoid then that’s not really a relationship destined to last is it?

Q: What should I do when my boyfriend tells me 'he's a better professional than me'?

I’m more into research and am starting a PhD at a top university this autumn, while my boyfriend has 1 year more working experience. At the moment we work at the same company, and spend a lot of time working together on hobby projects. I never thought he saw it this way: I assumed we’re equal so don’t know what to do.

A: I’d say your boyfriend is jealous that you are going to a top university and, I assume, will leave better qualified than he is.

This is a really childish response and in your shoes I would be asking myself why I was still with him - unless he was joking, which by the sound of it he wasn’t.

If he’s jealous before you even start your course it doesn’t bode well does it?

Q: A girl used to like me but now she acts as if I don't even exist; she changed quite suddenly. Should I have any hope that she still likes me?

She is mean to me in such a way that even makes me have nightmares, but I like her nonetheless. Is there anything wrong with me, with her, or both of us? Why does she seem to show romantic interest in such an aggressive manner?

A: Because she is not really showing romantic interest. It seems her feelings have changed or she has serious issues and enjoys getting her attention by being nasty to others.

And since she is giving you nightmares I wonder why you are even giving her the time of day.

Stand up for yourself and if you really want her around tell her that this behaviour is unacceptable and if she doesn’t wise up then she can find someone else to be mean to.

Q: How can I marry my girlfriend if I can't afford it? How can I get over this?

A: I suspect you can afford to get married but you can’t afford a big splashy wedding. Is this what your girlfriend is pushing for?

People have budget weddings all the time that are equally as meaningful and beautiful as the big extravaganzas.

In any case a big splashy wedding does not ensure that the marriage will last. I think you are focusing on completely the wrong thing here.

Can’t you find somewhere pretty for a simply ceremony and then a quiet meal for a few close friends and family?

Or are you actually getting cold feet and using this as an excuse for getting out of it.

Either way, you need to discuss this with your girlfriend and be honest. If the wedding means more to her than the fact that she is marrying you, I think there’s a bit of talking to be done.

Q: Is it my fault if a girl goes into depression after I refused to go out with her?

A girl asked me out, said she had a crush on me for a long time. I didn’t feel the same for her, so I politely refused stating the reason. She didn’t say anything further and went home. Two months later I found out she’s in severe depression; was admitted in hospital. Was that my fault? I feel bad.

A: No it wasn’t your fault. Depression is an illness which has many triggers and if it wasn’t you turning her down it may well have been something else.

She was admitted a whole two months after your rejection in which anything could have happened.

Don’t feel bad and if you are concerned and you see her ask how she is but I wouldn’t raise her hopes again.

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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The Importance Of Pursuing Your Hobbies As A Mum

When you become a mother, all selfishness tends to fly out of the window. Overnight, your responsibilities for your own happiness pales in comparison to your responsibility for another human life. When you have someone completely dependent on you, not just for survival, but for happiness and prosperity, taking time for yourself can be at the bottom of your list of priorities. But is that actually healthy?

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According to a study, the average mum gets only 17 minutes of “me” time a day. 17 minutes?! What can you even do with that? A quick trip to the loo and slurp down a cup of lukewarm coffee, all the while waiting with half an ear for the baby monitor to start squawking? It isn’t good for us to lose sight of ourselves. Our lives obviously revolve around our families, but we need to be able to pursue who we are as well, without feeling overwhelming guilt at the “selfishness”. So here’s a bit of a guide for striking this compromise: for having time for you to pursue your hobbies, while still being the best mummy you can be.

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Give yourself space

When time to yourself is so elusive, you need to be able to make a space for yourself in the world. Typically, as mothers, we give over our world to our children. That means every corner of our homes become theirs, and we realise a few months down the line that we have nowhere to go to call our own. 

Men often carve this personal space out in the garage, cellar, or garden shed, but it’s harder for us mums. They have a place they can go to escape, away from the screaming, shouting, and excitement of the home. But mums need this space too. Even if it’s just a bathroom which isn’t overflowing with bath toys and No More Tears. A bathroom in which we can slip down and soak in the tub with candles, salts, and soft music, and not have to worry about the children, just for half an hour. But, what is optimal, is a space in which you can carry out your favourite hobbies. Whether it’s a music room in which you can sing and play the violin, a sewing room, or a room for painting and practicing yoga. 

Having this space to which you can escape is essential, but being able to undertake these hobbies keeps that part of you alive. When your children are born, it’s easy to give everything over to them, but it’s essential to keep that part of yourself alive. So if you can set up your easel in your bedroom, that’s great, but if you can spare a whole room, garden shed, or garage space for your hobby, that’s even better.

Give yourself time

As mentioned previously, women with young families, on average, only get 17 minutes alone to themselves in a day. That is hardly time to do anything, and woman quickly fall out of love with themselves. 

With young children, sleep can be elusive, so relaxation must be sought in other ways. Without it, it’s easy to become frayed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. When your children are very young, is it possible to arrange for childcare with your parents, partner, or a friend to allow you some time to yourself between feeds? Even if it’s just an hour for a nap, a bath, or a walk in the fresh air, it will do anyone the world of good. But once they start to get a bit older, they’re in school, or they can occupy themselves for a while longer, it becomes easier to take a moment for yourself. 

When you don’t need to be on feeding duty every hour, it’s easy to go out for a few hours and leave them in someone else’s care, and this is the perfect time to start rekindling interests you held previously. 

Were you an avid horse rider, a competent musician, or a lover of badminton? Did you have to give all those up because you simply didn’t have the time or energy when you had young children? As soon as you feel comfortable leaving them for a while longer as they get older, take this time to go back to your hobbies. 

This time is essential for your own mental health. It allows you to be you, the person your partner fell in love with, rather than just a mother to beautiful children. It gives you time to be yourself again, and let your hair down. This time, for any mother, is the best gift you can give yourself. 

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Take a class

Sometimes, motivating yourself to leave the house, put down the chores, and say goodbye to the kids for a couple of hours to go to the gym, go for a cycle, or play a sport can be difficult. It can feel selfish and self-indulgent, but also like a waste of time or money. 

For the same reason we are encouraged to take antenatal classes, we are encouraged to take hobby classes in adulthood. It is essential that we surround ourselves with like-minded people, support, and fun. These people become our support network, but they also become our friends. Because, chances are, if you can’t get out to do you hobbies, you probably don’t have must time for friends either. So enjoying a class or a club, just once a week, gives you a huge boost in your socialising, and you learn a new skill as a bonus. 

So whether it’s going back to your horseriding lessons from before your pregnancy, or you’re going to give beginner singing lessons a go, surrounding yourself with support and laughter is essential. And it isn’t like taking up your new hobby is going to seriously detract from your children - it’s only an hour or so in class each week, and a few hours practising at home if you’re lucky. Just don’t be tempted to bring your kids along while you’re in your class - not only will everyone else probably not appreciate it as much as you, the whole point is that you’re supposed to be away from them, and developing yourself, not them.

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Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Once your child is weaned, and no longer attached to you, it can be tempting to try to make the most of your new-found freedom. After all, you’ve got a taste for it now, and it might be addictive. But you want your hobbies to become long-term enjoyment, not just a fleeting thing, so they need to be sustainable. 

Don’t decide that all of a sudden you will dedicate all day every Saturday to your new floristry course, with badminton on Wednesdays and trumpet classes on Thursdays, because you’ll soon realise that you miss your kids, it costs a lot, and the laundry is just piling up. Start slowly with just one hobby. 

A gentle change in your routine is far easier for you to get used to than a huge overhaul. A class one evening a week, even after the kids have gone to bed, could be the perfect first step into this, and it won’t even detract from the time you get to spend with your family.

Find a hobby buddy

Have you ever started a hobby, only to give it up within a month or two though a lack of motivation? We’re all guilty of it! Which is why taking a hobby buddy along with you is the perfect way to motivate each other. 

If you have someone in a similar boat, perhaps a new mum with similar interests to you from your antenatal classes, you share concerns, but you will also share the desire to spend the time to yourselves. This is perfect for motivation. 

When you’re feeling like it’s a slog getting to your class or your club, and you’d prefer a night in front of the telly, your desire not to let down your hobby buddy will prevail. You’ll want to get out there and help them, as much as you want to help yourself. So be sure to put the feelers out among your friends and see if you share any hobbies, and can find a time to explore these together.

With starting a hobby, getting out, and enjoying time away from your family, it’s important not to rush it. Many new mums feel the desire to return to their pre-pregnant self before they’re fully comfortable with the change. You might give it a few goes, only to keep giving up. And that’s okay.

Sometimes, you’re just not ready to be away from your family, or you might be far too tired to actually enjoy any extracurricular activities. The key is not to give up giving up. If one activity doesn’t work for you, wait a while and try something new. Exploring hobbies is a bit part of maintaining a sense of self when your life becomes so selfless, so keep on trying. And if you’re worried about leaving the kids at home, find hobbies they can get involved in too.

Are you a mum with some great hobbies? How do you juggle the two, and what do your family and partner do to support you?

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Win A Pair of Funky Wolky Shoes From Their Blazer Collection

Now summer is almost here I have to put my trusty Uggs away and wear something a little more, well, summery.

Not being able to do the school run on foot wearing heels, I need something durable, comfortable and anything but dull.

Luckily Wolky Shoes meet the bill.  A new brand to me, they specialise in the kind of funky footwear that you can't fail to notice.

Wolkyshop has been making shoes since the early 80's and are designed by a Dutch designer, Charles Bergmans. Their shoes are sold through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, where we have our first shop in Brighton.

Wolkyshop sent me a pair of their Dusky boots from their new BLAZER collection to try.

Dusky comes in a 5 colourways (mine are grey printed suede) from size 35 to 42. The boot has a thick sole which is extremely comfortable and is fully leather lined and adjusted with laces.  The wedge heel gives you a little extra height whilst still being comfortable to walk on.

The reason these boots are so comfy is because they have, like all Wolky shoes, an anatomically formed footbed.

I found my Dusky boots incredibly comfortable and the size 42 (UK size 8) generous. Wolkyshop do not do half sizes and when I asked whether I could try the smaller size, Sam in the Brighton shop sent me out a size 41 to compare the same day - together with a free returns label to send the ones I didn't want back.  How's that for service!

As it was, the bigger size was the best for me.  I wish I had smaller feet!  And, should you have the problem of odd sized feet with two different sizes, Wolkyshop have their Odd Sized Shoe Programme.

Rather than having to buy 2 pairs of the same shoe style, for an extra £22.99 Wolkyshop will custom make you  a pair of shoes from the same piece of leather.  This only applies to certain styles so you have to check the website to see which ones are available.

The Giveaway

I can see my Wolky Shoes becoming a permanent part of my comfy shoe wardrobe, along with my Uggs and FitFlops.

You can find out more at www.wolkyshop.co.uk.

I have one pair of Wolky Shoes from the Blazer collection to give away to one lucky winner.  The Blazer collection has five styles - four sandals and one boot - to choose from.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the giveway ends at 11:59 pm on Saturday 24th June.  UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.

Please make sure you complete ALL the mandatory entries, including following Wolkyshop on Facebook and Twitter.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Pocket Money Problems

With so many bills to pay for, it can be a challenge to fund your kids. After all, they always want new toys and tech to add to their collection. And they are always asking for money to be able to go out with their friends. But you might struggle to afford to give them their pocket money. 

Here are some ways you can still ensure your little ones do get pocket money.



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Try some freelance work

You might struggle to afford pocket money when you have so many things to pay out for. After all, household bills can soon add up. And it can leave you little money to give to your kids for pocket money. Therefore, to help you raise the funds, you might want to do some extra work. After all, doing some freelance work can ensure your kids have a tidy sum to spend in their life. 

In fact, you can look online for some work you can fit around your main job to help support your kids. For example, filling out surveys can help you to earn some extra cash from the comfort of your home. And you might even want to start a blog. After all, if you manage to build your audience, you can get sponsored posts which will earn you some money from your blog!

Sell their old items

With new gadgets making an appearance every couple of months, it’s no surprise kids are always wanting to upgrade their devices. After all, kids as young as 11 have a mobile these days. And constantly updating them means they have old items which just end up sitting in a drawer. 

But if you want to raise funds for their pocket money, you should consider selling these old items. After all, if they have a mobile or a tablet which is still in good nick, you might be able to get a few hundred for the item. And even if it’s broken, there are some sites out there like On Recycle who will give you money for the item. 

That way, you can put it in your child’s pocket money pot. And you could always try and find a buyer online. After all, there are lots of parents out there who will be willing to splash the cash for the item!

Look at small jobs for them

Of course, your child might be too young to go and find a part-time job to help earn their pocket money! But there are some small opportunities which will help them raise some money for their pocket money funds. 

For example, going to water next door’s plants could help them pocket a few extra coins every week. Or even walking an elderly neighbour’s dog could help them to earn some extra money. Even feeding the pooch or cat while the neighbour is away could be a good opportunity for them. And they might want to do some form of a bake sale or even a lemonade stand to earn some money. 

After all, it can teach them leadership and responsibility while earning them some money at the same time.



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And be careful not to give them too much pocket money. Average kids in the UK get £6.55 a week which can be a lot for a family to afford!

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