December 31, 2013

IT'S NYE!!

original image:source

Hello! Did you all have a good Christmas?! 
We didn't *sad face* 
Yep, Christmas 2013 was a total washout and we were all sick. We seemed to take one day each in turn to ruin Christmas, it was such a shame. We had to postpone trips to see family and cancel things and it was all just a bit rubbish. Argh.
So, because of that, we are turning today / tonight into our Christmas night & NYE rolled into one. The plan is to have a nice big family buffet then get the little miss into bed by 7pm so we can relax with the older kids watching films, playing games & seeing if they can make it until Big Ben strikes! Who knows if they will or not - I doubt it very much considering Flo couldn't keep awake for the Dr Who special a month or so back - but we shall see. I'll be sneaking myself a few glasses of something sparkly because I'm attempting a six-month alcohol free zone, starting tomorrow! Yep, 6 months!! I'm looking forward to it actually because apart from three pregnancies, i don't think I've ever gone that long without a glass of something! Oooops!

I haven't made any other NY resolutions though, i just want to be a little healthier, read more and possibly take up a yoga class, because it's virtually impossible to practice at home these days with India hurtling about the place! So, that's in for us - I hope you have a lovely time this evening and I'll see you next year!!

xox

December 24, 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


It's almost here - ONE SLEEP!!!!!!

We are all mega excited here and looking forward to having a lovely couple of relaxing days, so I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Thank you all so much for your support in 2013, it's meant so much!

As one final post before the big day, I'm guest posting over on Tigerlilly Quinn where I'm sharing a delicious cranberry mulled wine recipe. Pop over and have a look if you get the chance, it's the perfect tipple for Christmas Eve!

xox

December 23, 2013

FOR THE FELLA IN YOUR LIFE


So, who still has a few last minute gifts to get?! Luckily, this year i've been pretty good and all except a few small gifts are wrapped and either under the tree for certain grown-ups, delivered with love to relatives or are in the North Pole awaiting their final journey on Christmas Eve!
I even managed to remember the mister this year, and that's not always the case (ahem!) but this year I pootled along to amazon.com and was able to create a rather nice Christmas box in one fair swoop full of items I know he'll love...

1. Luxury bath robe // 2. Burts Bees Mens Body Wash // 3. Los Pollos Hermanos Tee //
4. Sipsmith Gin // 5. Eat by Nigel Slater - all Amazon.




This is a sponsored post. Gift list curated by myself, with thanks to Halifax


December 22, 2013

EASY CHRISTMAS D.I.Y - REINDEER DUST!


When Dexy & Flo were both toddlers, some friends of mine introduced me to the fab tradition of sprinkling reindeer dust on the doorstep on Christmas Eve, to help the reindeer's find your door ;) 
The kids go crazy for this and it's a fun activity to do with them on Christmas Eve if they are going mad with excitement! I actually pre-made ours this year as I wanted it to be part of their advent calendars, so i took some pics & created a mini-D.I.Y post for you. Enjoy!

You will need the following:

All you need to do is combine the edible glitter and oats together into small clear bags. Seal with some pretty tape and attach your tags. It's that simple! You can then either print out or hand write your labels and if you want you can attach a poem on the reverse. 

It's cheap, it's cute & the kids love it. It's one of our favourite Christmas traditions and it can be a sweet little gift too.




Here's Dexy & Flo sprinkling theirs last year...


December 20, 2013

FIVE FINDS FOR FRIDAY


1. I am still so in love with The Selby. What can I say? I'm nosey!
2. Weekly flowers are one of my new years resolutions - partly because how much I've loved this series from Lou.
3. Look at this beautiful free holiday tags & wrap printables from oh happy day!
4. If I ever own my own cafe, it will have to look similar to this place. LOVE!
5. Yes. Yes, it blummin' well does. Overwhemled much?!

Wooooooah, today is kicking my ass! I have so much going on (like you're the only one Lia, quit moaning) that I don't even know where to begin.

I'm hoping to see you a couple more times before the big day next week as I have a last minute gift guide and a cute mini-DIY to share - fingers crossed I get around to them!

Have a good weekend folks! xox

December 16, 2013

16.12.13 | A CHRISTMAS STATE OF MIND

It's really shaping up around here and everyone is so excited! This week will be full of present wrapping, carol services, parties with friends, parties at school, mince pies, mulled wine and as many Christmas songs as we can cram in, all topped off with a visit to Devon to visit family and celebrate my brothers birthday.

It's going to be a good one :)









December 13, 2013

13.12.13 | FIVE FINDS FOR FRIDAY


1. This Christmas cocktail got me thinking...
2. I'm really glad I found these books.
3. Even though I loathed the whole 'Keep Calm' re-hash, I appreciate this!
4. Happening. Tonight!
5. I thought this looked really pretty.

Happy Weekend Folks - it's going to be a busy one here, even if we are all a little under the weather. 

xox

December 11, 2013

11.12.13 | CARROT, KALE & APPLE JUICE


I got an email recently asking me if I'd like to review a juicer, and it was possibly the fastest email I've ever responded to (apart from that time Philip Schofield tweeted me. Ha!)
Did I want a juicer? Yes, of course I did! I have wanted to treat myself to a juicer for years, but when you have 3 kids who need things like shoes, or Dr Who magazines, you become last on the list of who gets what, right?!
So, as soon as I could I headed to the Argos website to have a look at what was on offer. They have an great range of juicers to chose from, but I decided on this one because it was really important to me that it could juice whole fruit (I'm lazy), that it could tackle hard fruits & vegetables no problem and that it was a doodle to clean (again, lazy). It ticked all my boxes and this morning I made my first ever juice and it was awesome! With no chopping involved and easy cleaning afterwards, the whole juicing thing was wrapped within 10 minutes - which is good because I'd quite like to send Dexter & Flo off on a cup of this some mornings. Result!

Oh, and if you thought i was going to do my first ever juice post & not drink it from a mason jar with a stripy paper straw, then you were very much mistaken - even if it is so last year, dahling.

CARROT, KALE & APPLE JUICE

You will need:
- 1 bunch of kale
- 2 green apples (i used Granny Smiths)
- 3 large carrots
- 1 large handful of red grapes


Juice and serve over ice if required :)



I was sent a juicer to review. All words my own.

December 10, 2013

10.12.13 | TUESDAY'S TUNE: SHE & HIM - BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE


I'm loving the festive build up this year!

(Except from having a really awful throat and sinus infection. Grrrrr)

December 08, 2013

08.12.13 | IT'S THE WEEKEND, LET ME BRAINSTORM SOME MORE

These things caught my eye this week:

this advent calendar, which is the best I've seen so far


December 06, 2013

06.12.13 | FIVE FINDS FOR FRIDAY


1. Whoop! I learnt of a very cool shop just before Christmas.
2. Such a pretty Christmas wreath DIY.
3. We've subscribed to Anorak Magazine for the kids and can't wait for our first delivery :)
4. Teachers Christmas gifts? Sorted!
5. I'm winning no prizes for originality when I say that this is my favourite Christmas album!

Happy Weekend folks - wrap up warm!


December 03, 2013

TUESDAY'S TUNE: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK



This is and always has been my favourite Christmas song. I know it's a popular choice too!

So, for the fab month that is December i'll be sharing our favourite Christmas songs for Tuesday's Tune! 

Enjoy :)

December 02, 2013

02.12.13 | FOR ALL OF US: STOCKING FILLERS




For Dad - The Burger: because I feel guilty sometimes, filling this mad hungry carnivore up with kale and quinoa.

For Mum: Alphabet phone case: because black/white/bold font/A for Alia = no brainer with me.

For Dex - Aqua Dragons: because in the summer Dexter was gifted this from the people at Hobby Craft and he loved them (well all three of the kiddos did in actual fact!) He has been asking for it over and over again, so I snapped up some more for stocking fillers. What boy wouldn't like to breed his own pets - and the fact they are called sea dragons? Well, game over!!

For Flo: Hand warmers: because she's constantly wanting to be outside playing football, and for the 20 mile school run we all go through weekly. The fact they are in her favourite colour is a bonus!

For India: Balloon Powered Wooden Boat: because bath times and balloons are her two favourite things :)

December 01, 2013

01.12.13 | BYE BYE CRAZY MENTAL BUSY NOVEMBER


Woah.

November was MANIC.

I promise to be a much better blogger during December and not to be so terribly unorganised (and when I say unorganised, I mean it. I'm still putting the finishing touches to the kids advent calendars and it's December the first. See, i told you)