8 Lies I'll Tell Myself This Autumn

Now that the kids are back in school, leaves are turning brown and the air has that lovely crispness about it which heralds the onset of the kind of weather in which you can legitimately cover yourself in faux fur and stop worrying about shaving your legs,  I find myself making many promises which rarely come to fruition.

I say promises.  Actually I mean blatant fibs. But the intention is there. Readers, I give to you the 8 lies of autumn.

1.  I will cook something featured in The Great British Bake-Off

Excited by all that artistry, the creation of statues out of dough and cakes so large you could wedge a barn door open with one,  I consult my wall of cookery books, find my flour is inhabited and my eggs don't float at the right angle (I've read up on egg freshness you know) and then ponder whether I am brave enough to turn the K-Mix on.  Yes I actually have a K-Mix but I'm a bit scared of it.

Generally, this is so stressful an experience, I put the whole thing safely in the hands of Mr Kipling and mutter about baking a Christmas cake this year.  (See lie 4).

2.  I will not watch X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing but will read a book instead.

The Husband and I have the same conversation each year along the lines that both programmes have 'gone downhill', we don't know any of the 'celebrities' on them and we should just turn the damn TV off and chat or read.  Obviously this means will end up watching one or the other (or if the Husband is not around, possibly a combination of both).  Who can resist Simon being mean? Or having a bet on how long it will take before Mrs O starts throwing water?  And the dresses on Strictly.  I love the dresses.

3.  I will not leave all the Halloween pumpkin carving to the Husband

I am the proud possessor of Martha Stewart's guide to Halloween - which is one of my favourite celebrations.  In it, she gives templates for carving 4 ft high witches and cats out of balsa wood and her home (mansion) is a fantastic concoction of spiders, webs, potions and cute themed cupcakes. There is, let me tell you, emphatically nothing produced by Cadburys.  Her fancy dress costumes would not look out of place in a Hammer Horror film.

In reality, this means that the Husband and I argue about whether 3 pumpkins is overdoing it a bit and then I leave him to assert his masculinity by carving them out in the cold in the garden.  After a bad tempered trip to ASDA where we are usually too late to get the kids' choice of costume, I then spend two hours putting our Halloween decorations up indoors. This means getting out Mr Bones (our full sized plastic skeleton) and making sure there are spiders webs in all the corners.

I am sure that this really irritates the real spiders who live in all the corners but it's company for them, isn't it?

4.  I will make a Christmas cake.

Now, admittedly, baking a fruit cake is not too difficult but by the time you tally up the cost of all that dried fruit, marzipan, icing and a decent whisky to 'feed' the cake (and fortify the cook), you may as well buy one of M&S' finest creations and stick a Santa ornament on the top.  Plus, nobody in our house will actually admit to liking Christmas cake except me.  Strangely it usually all gets eaten, even if the kids just pull the icing off.  I may just be better off buying a packet of ready roll icing and sticking a toy reindeer on it.  Sorted.

5.  I will keep up with my exercise routine.

Well, I would, if I actually had one, apart from my weekly Pilates.  I have visions of jogging through darkened streets lit by twinkly fairy lights with my breath frosting into the cold air.  This would be great if I could cantilever myself away from The X Factor. Or jogged.

6.  We will invite people round for mulled wine and mince pies.

I could eat mince pies every day but mulled wine on the other hand can be just plain lethal.  I had a spectacular fall from grace the Christmas before last after consuming too much and having to stay in bed for the whole of the next day.  The Husband was left to "babysit" (sorry, I meant parent) which as every mother knows means the appearance of far too many crisps and jam sandwiches and a sink full of dishes.  God knows what he fed the kids.

After much consideration about who to invite and whether guests tanked up on mulled wine would be quiet enough not to wake the kids, we usually decide to go up the pub (our village has 3) instead. Mulled wine is usually restricted to a dose in a plastic cup served by The Conservatives at our village's irrepressibly twee "Dickensian Fayre".  Jenna Coleman would not be all that impressed.

7.  We will make autumn collages from the leaves and berries we find on our walks.

We do venture out to Cosmeston, our local nature reserve and through our local woodland but apart from the kids trying to wound each other by using pine cones as missiles, we never seem to get into the whole 'nature as art' thing.  You won't get me to make a collage using anything found where they've been walking dogs for a start.

And I'm always a bit suspicious about blackberrying near the road (all those fumes and the risk of being run over).

I once made Sloe Gin after a sloe picking episode with my dad.  A word to the wise.  Do NOT try to pick sloes at twilight because you can't see the little swines.

8.  I will get all the Christmas shopping done by 1 December.

I promise myself this every year and it never works because I'm never sure how much is 'enough' and I have to make sure each child receives EXACTLY the same or there's war.  And if that wasn't difficult enough, coming up with a natty and exciting combination of stocking fillers each year is even worse than deciding on the 'main present'.

By the time the Husband and I get round to thinking about each other we normally agree we don't need anything at all and then pick a couple of books from Amazon.  Mine are usually cookery books (Lord knows why) or something from the self-help genre along the lines of "20 things I would tell myself if I loved myself enough, even though I can't really be arsed".

I love this time of year.  I really do.  I think I'm going to see if the flour's weevil free and de-rust my cake tins. It's OK to use WD40 on them, isn't it?

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My Sunday Photo - 20/09/2015

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Does Your Home Insurance Cover Your Lofty Aspirations?

As you know, I have recently been giving thought to creating a great blogging-space and getting the Husband to share some of his considerably larger home office in our loft.

The previous owners of our house created a great office space which is now the Husband's domain, since, when he's not gallivanting across Europe, he's working from home.

I suppose we could turn it into a bigger bedroom for Ieuan, whose bedroom is about half the size of his sister's but that's a bridge we'll have to cross when Ieuan notices Caitlin's room is positively palatial in term of size compared to his.  I've a suspicion this is not going to take too long!

Our home office houses numerous computers, laptops and other office equipment like a printer, scanner and shredder.  It is also occasionally colonized by Barbie, a collection of soft toys and two children who have to do some colouring on an office desk.  Ieuan is a great fan of the swivel chair and loves to pretend to be the managing director of some crime fighting organisation where the payment is in sweets and the hours are, frankly, much better than any of my previous jobs in the Legal Sector.

The proximity of two children to the Husband's work is apt to make him understandably nervous, not least because of the not inconsiderable cost of replacing anything ruined by biscuit crumbs, squash or the general miasma of 'ick' children are apt to carry about with them.

This is just one of the reasons that we have had to ensure we are fully covered by our home insurance.  I bet if many of us took a moment to add up the value of tech items we have in our homes (possibly mostly owned by our children these days!), it might give us a bit of a shock.  It is easy, when considering renewing your home insurance policy to 'guestimate' the value and pick a level of cover that is, shall we say, ever so slightly random.  Let's be honest - many of us never believe that we may one day actually have to use the policy.

A sensible thing to do is to mark your items with your postcode using an indelible pen.  You could also keep a separate list of serial numbers and other codes and photograph each item so, in the event of anything getting stolen, it will be easy to show the police.  The issue of whether the police will be interested these days, is, of course, another matter.

You might even want to go the whole hog and set up a file which contains these details and attach the machine's instructions or guarantee.  You can bet that you won't be able to find these when you need them - for example if your laptop goes on the blink and you have to take it in to be repaired.  I struggle to remember which model of mobile phone I have - I know it's a Lumia but that's about it.

Once you have assembled all this info in one place then you'll have a much better idea of how much contents cover you will need.

If, on the other hand, you are currently considering a loft conversion, you need to think about the effect on your house insurance as early as possible.

You see, if your loft conversion (which is, after all major building work) isn't carried out properly and the correct permissions and regulations aren't followed, and if you don't tell your insurer so that your policy can be amended, then your cover may become void.  If you have an extension or loft, the cost of rebuilding your house will go up - which will affect your policy.

Your contents cover could also become invalid as an insurer is unlikely to honour a claim for an area they weren't aware existed!

Here's what you need to do:-

* Let your home insurer know your plans before starting any building work

* Be very clear about the exact nature of the work to be carried out.  You might have to increase your cover while the work is going on.  It is best to put this in writing - handy should there be any disputes later on.

Extensions and loft bedrooms will see a rise in the cost of re-building your home if it is destroyed so your building insurance will need to be increased. And if you've added lots of new furniture or gadgets, so might your contents cover.

You might also need to add accidental damage to your policy in case of damage by builders and if you are going to have to move out whilst work is being done, this might also affect any potential claim.

You should also think about adding legal cover to your home insurance just in case of any disputes with the builders or in the unhappy event that their firm goes bust before your work is completed.

On the other hand, though, a loft conversion can add 20% to the value of your home, according to research by the Nationwide Building Society in 2014 so the benefits far outweigh any inconvenient increases in home insurance premiums.

If it had not been for our loft conversion and a ready-made work-space for the Husband, it is unlikely we would have purchased our current house.  Something worth thinking about if you do plan to move in a few years.

In the meantime, I am still on a mission to carve out a small corner of our home office for my own.

*PR collaboration

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Review: Cosmopolitan - The Debut Signature Scent

I've read Cosmo for many years and, in many ways, I've grown up with the magazine.  Whether campaigning against sexual inequality, advising us about staying safe or bringing us cutting edge fashion and beauty news, Cosmopolitan has become a part of our lives.

Recently Cosmopolitan Magazine has undergone a bit of a shake-up and is in the process of reinventing itself with a definite emphasis on targeting "young women forging careers, developing their individual style and finding their place in life".  I have to say that this process does not stop when you no longer meet Cosmopolitan's definition of "young", but there it is.

Now the Cosmopolitan brand is moving into the fragrance market and has just launched its signature scent called, unsurprisingly, "Cosmopolitan".  Even back in 2009, research showed that Cosmopolitan readers accounted for £1 in every £12 spent in the beauty market so it's no surprise that Fragrance is now in their sights.

The packaging is understated and subtle, a plain white box with a dash of hot pink and orange ribbon but the bottle inside is a pleasant surprise.

Almost art deco in design it is a multi-faceted glass bottle with the 'C' logo on the sides - a single 'C', otherwise comparisons would have to be drawn with Chanel and this is a fragrance which lacks the subtlety of many of that brand's scents.  The bottle is supposed to give off a pink and orange glow, which is does and it would look lovely on a dressing table.

What we have here is a powerful and heady fragrance which is quite an exotic mix of notes. Cosmopolitan describe the fragrance as follows:-

"The Cosmopolitan woman’s zest for life is captured in fresh sparkling top notes of mandarin, bergamot and red berries. Then comes the surprisingly seductive heart: hypnotic night- blooming jasmine and the powdery sweetness of heliotrope. Pimento berries give it a rich shot of spice, while carrot seed offers something earthy and unexpected. The base will linger on your skin long after you’ve sprayed, with powerful patchouli, comforting vanilla and the tobacco-like qualities of tonka."

If anything it reminds me of a Britney Spears fragrance and has more in common with the celebrity scents than with the classics.  This is no bad thing but it is a fragrance that shouts "look at me" rather than "come closer and inhale my perfume".

The top notes are pineapple, bergamot, cardamom, mandarin, nectarine and red berries with base notes including patchouli, musk, sandalwood, tonka, vanilla and caramel.

The Cosmopolitan Fragrance is definitely a perfume for those who want to be noticed.  Personally I find it too heavy for day / work wear, but it is a great evening fragrance and one which lasts far longer than some of its rivals.

The price point is mid-range, starting at £28 for 30ml of EDP and two gift sets (including a shower gel, body lotion and a purse spray) will be available later this year.

Cosmopolitan The Fragrance is available exclusive at Boots.

Further information is available at www.cosmofragrance.net, on Facebook and on Twitter.

* A PR sample was received for the writing of this post.  The opinions expressed are my own.

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Wingz - A Clever Cover-Up For Arms And A Giveaway

I recently discovered a brilliant way to add a bit of versatility to your wardrobe whilst covering your arms - Wingz.

Neither bra, lingerie, top or outerwear, Wingz are a one-piece pair of sleeves you add to your outfit by pulling them over your head so that the band sits just underdneath your bra.  You then simply put your dress or top on in the usual way.

I'm sure many of us find hiding any upper arm wobbly bits more flattering and, now that the temperatures are dropping, Wingz are a great way to wear with some of your favourite summer outfits to create 'transitional' looks.

It's easy to work out your size.  Just measure under your bust and use Wingz' size guide.  Wingz fit from a UK size 6 to 28.



They are also a great addition to your suitcase when you are travelling to countries where local custom requires you to cover your upper arms, for example in India or Turkey.

There are a number of styles and colours to choose from, some classic and some more glam depending on the look you want to create.

I was sent a pair of the black, full length fitted stretch Wingz and a pair of  black chiffon flare Wingz to try.

Black Full Length Wingz & New Look Dress

These are the black full length fitted Wingz worn under a New Look sleeveless dress.

And these are the black chiffon flare Wingz worn under a jumpsuit from Wallis.

Black Chiffon Flare Wingz, Wallis Jumpsuit & Bertie Shoes

Wingz are really easy and comfortable to wear and really add a bit of versatility to your existing wardrobe.  It's not obvious that they are not part of the outfit, either. They are also very reasonably priced, most of them being under £20 a pair.

I have a pair of Wingz to give away to one lucky winner - either the black chiffon flare, as above or a pair of the black beaded angel Wingz.  Just enter via the Rafflecopter in the usual way.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 2nd October 2015.  UK entrants only.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Further information is available at www.wingzfashion.com.  You can also contact them via Facebook or Twitter.

*PR samples were sent for the purposes of this post

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Parisian Chic & Manchester Street Style - From Luxêmme

I recently discovered a new online fashion retailer who really piqued my interest - Luxêmme.

Luxêmme is a forward thinking fashion brand combining Parisian chic with Manchester street style and prides itself on offering affordable luxury fashion which "fuses classic fashion trends with emerging en vogue, edgy looks. They design for those who like to have chic staple pieces in their wardrobes without having to go into debt to get them!

Buying good quality pieces which last but which have something different about them has always been my philosophy.  There is nothing worse than walking into a party to find another woman wearing your carefully chosen frock!

And, with two children, let's be honest, most mums will prioritise their kids clothes first and perhaps treat themselves a couple of times a year.  Or is that me?  In which case please tell me so I can get over the guilt and start shopping!

I was sent a beautiful and very unusual Elodie Crepe Flared Sleeve Cape Dress from Luxêmme's limited edition range. The dress is very well made and is a true fit to my size (UK 12).  There is something about white which always commands attention and is really flattering to your skin-tone, especially if you are quite pale and red-headed like I am.

Limited Edition: Elodie Crepe Flared Sleeve Cape Dress - £39

It has a lovely flared crepe cape which I adore (plus the kids are convinced it's a 'superhero dress') and is just the right length without the dress having to be pulled down every time you sit!

The dress is also a very reasonable £39.  Orders are processed the same working day (as long as you order by 5pm and items are then dispatched within 48 hours.

Here are a few of my other favourite picks:-

Paris Ruched Side Wrap Dress - £28

Pruet Sleeveless Turtleneck Crop Jumpsuit - £35

Gallia Floral Contrast Playsuit - £35

Lucille Crepe Striped Trousers - £29

Mila High Necked Dress - £35

Stock does seem to move very fast so it's worth checking the site quite often as I found some key pieces are already unavailable.

I think it's highly likely that a few more of Luxêmme's pieces will be finding their way into my wardrobe and the Husband has already been tasked with finding a swanky eaterie so my lovely dress can have its debut.

Further information at:  www.luxemme.com or you can contact them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*I was sent an Elodie dress for the purposes of this review.

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My Worries For My Children's Future

Every time I turn the news on at the moment, it seems as though the world is becoming a scarier and scarier place and, naturally, as a parent I can't help but wonder what kind of a world it will be when Caitlin and Ieuan reach adulthood.

There May Be Future Storms Ahead

Whether it is the terrible ordeal of migrants crossing Europe or the insecurity of China's stock market sending nervous waves across financial markets worldwide, there is always something new to worry about. Add to that the seeming turmoil of Jeremy Corbyn's appointment as the new Labour Leader, the threat of more benefit cuts from the Conservatives and the prediction of the coldest winter for 50 years (what will that do to our heating bills!), there is plenty to keep us awake at night.

After the recent budget announcements, www.myvouchercodes.co.uk, the leading online UK voucher, coupon and discount deals website, conducted research in which they asked parents what their main concerns for themselves and their children were for the future.  This was part of a wider study into the family lives of 1,286 families in the UK.

The results of the survey, which was carried out by online parenting magazine PocketfulOfRye.co.uk are HERE and they make interesting reading.

Not surprisingly, it was discovered that issues such as financial instability and the economy (44%), the threats of terrorism and extremism (40%) and house prices /high rents (37%) were on the list. 24% worried about crime, 14% had concerns over bullying and 11% were worried about drugs.

Regional variations were analysed with, for example, the most prevalent worry in Wales being financial instability and the economy (60%).

The results tally quite well with my own worries but I would add the following to the list:-

* the state of our education system (particularly university fees)
* the creaking behemoth that is the NHS.
* provision of care for the elderly
* pension provision

Arguably all of these fall within the economy bracket, however, on a personal level, our children may have to struggle to fund their future education, get on the property ladder and care for their parents. Since we are all living longer, there is also the problem of pensions being insufficient to care for the elderly (likely to throw the onus back on the children) and a potential lack of pension investment by the current generation of children I am in my 50's and realise that my retirement may well coincide with the kids university fees!

I can't deny that the threat of terrorism is a worry to me.  The Government seems unable to decide on a suitable way of policing our borders or agreeing immigration quotas. Reactions seem more driven by media pressure than actual policy or planning.  Some schools do not seem to be aware of the drive towards radicalization happening under their roof, nor sure of how to deal with the menace of drugs and violence towards teachers.

It would be easy to spend your days in a lather of panic but this would not be positive, for us or our kids.  We need to focus on what we can be sure of and grateful for what we have.  There have been risks and dangers in every period of history and I think that too much media (particularly social media) consumption adds to our unease.

But, unlike those crossing the sea in precarious boats, or hiking down hundreds of miles of railway track with their worldly possessions and their children on their back,  we live a relatively safe and prosperous life.

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