10 gifts for new parents.

Hey readers, 

If you know someone who is expecting and then you need to check out my new parent gift guide, full of thoughtful and sometimes funny ideas to celebrate the milestone of being a parent.  

1. 'mum to be' Letterbox gifts.

This is a three-month prescription box of crafted items that would make a new mum have a smile on their face. It includes lots of chocolate (who can turn their nose up and that) and luxury pampering items such as bath salts and candles to help give someone that special 'me time'.

2. Firestick Alexa TV stick. 

This is an amazing idea and I love the fact that you can control the stick what you watch simply by speaking to it. We all know when having babies can be a handful so this makes flicking through channels so much easier and believes me you spend a lot of time watching tv as I did. 

3. Coffee machine. 

This coffee machine vital item parents need to have in their life and it is a coffee machine because let's face it in the early days of sleep deprivation of any new parent needs caffeine to keep them afloat and not go into zombie mode. 

4. Pacifier Temperature. 

I know that is a genius idea to get a good recording of a baby temperature especially if you do decide to use a dummy. The temperature reading is incorporated inside the dummy so works once the baby is sucking on the dummy. Anything that makes parents lives easier is key when considering a present for any new parent.

5. I Adulted!: Stickers for Grown-Ups [Book]

Who says achievement stickers can't be used in the adult. Their fun stickers celebrate the achievements of getting stuff done, perfect for when your knackered and don't a lot of time so important to celebrate the small stuff. 

6. Rad dad t-shirt. 

This is a cool t-shirt for any new day out there. It is quirky and has an eighties vibe going on, what is not to love? 

7. New parent quotation in a jar. 

When  I spotted this browsing the net I really liked it and thought it was such a thoughtful and fun idea for new parents. It is a jar that is filled up with funny and thoughtful quotes that will make a new parent smile. Sometimes you just need a little word of encouragement and this is fab as you can pick out a random quote which probably speaks to you somehow. 

8. pNeo baby shusher. 

When my boys were younger this product wasn't around, oh how I wish it was. This is a pNeo baby shusher creatures calming nature sounds quickly soothes a fussy baby with rhythmic "shush" sound Parenting technique from "The Happiest Baby on the Block" Timing options - 15 or 30 minutes with the built-in sound sensor and user controlled volume Makes a great gift; good for newborns and up. 

9. Little Miss Busy Surviving Motherhood (Mr Men for grown-ups).

This is a humour present and it will bring a smile to a mums face because who didn't like Little Miss and Mr Men books when they were young. This is a brilliant paradoy book that will tell lighthearted trials and tribulations of motherhood. 

10. Search Engine New Parent card. 

I thought this spot on as I recall the many times I visited Google in the early days of parenthood to seek the ultimate answers from Dr Google. I think this card pretty much sums up parenthood in the modern digital age. you can buy it from Etsy

Cheers for reading X 

Day in the life of a supermum.

Hey readers,

I am not a super mum more of the side to a slummy mummy but what does a super mum's day look like? I have found the answer below. 

My day!

4 am - wake up and iron children's uniform.

4.30 am - do all the washing, drying and making sure the kitchen is sparkling.

5 am - time for some yoga darlin'.

5.30 am - shower, get ready, full makeup, straight hair, make sure number one priority is to smell of roses.

6.30 am - make a smooth which involves spinach, apple, banana, water and a splash of lemon for ultimate yummy mummy treat.

6:46 am -  makes organic fresh homemade breakfast muffins for my cherubs. 

7.15 am - make organic fresh juice to serve with breakfast muffins. Whilst they eat that I get the shower ready for them. 

7:30 am - My little darlin's are showered, hair dry and dressed. Of course, put all homework in and on time along with all letters dealt with and paid for school actives. My motto is, "only the best will do, can't be going around being late or poor". 

8 am - Reading on the go whilst a little bit of Bach played in the background as I sip my freshly brewed coffee. This is the life, I love motherhood it is perfect, I am the best mummy in this town. 

8:15 am - say bye to husband, he is working from home so popped the fresh coffee and breakfast into bed for him as a nice surprise. One must keep her husband happy, it is the ultimate lesson in keeping marriages strong. 

8:30 am -  plenty of time to warm up my gorgeous Land Rover, you have to drive in style. Nobody wants to be a plan Susan, do we?

8:45 am -  Drop the children off to school, arranged the PTA meeting (of course I am head of it as a natural born leader and a real interest in my children's school environment). 

10 am - meal plan for the week. 

10:30 am - time for a catch up on Mumsnet, gotta love a good connection with like-minded people. 

11 am - get the lunch ready for husband and myself, a lovely smashed avocado on toast does the job.

1 pm - top to bottom clean of the house so it is spick and span. 

3 pm - collect the boys from school and I was ten minutes early so I could chat with all my yummy mummy friends at the gate. 

3:15 pm - snacks and drinks dished out and now they are changed, this mummy life is the easiest isn't it!

Now time to prep dinner from scratch - I don't do processed food or stuff from a packet, oh no not I must be organic, fresh and prepared with my own fair hands. 

4 pm - get children doing their homework, must do it before playtime as I like plenty of time to get it done. No one likes to be rushed or late in this household. 

6 pm - time for a wind down where I play with my boys, talk and relax into the evening. 

7.30 pm - settled children into bed, no problem, sound asleep, they are a dream because I love routine and like to have everything together. 

8 pm - Now time to plan a cake to bake for the school fete at the weekend. Also, got to share on my Facebook the children competition results for the black belt in karate. 

9 pm - got the table set for the night before, I like to be prepared. Remember if you want something done, you need to get up and do it, Beyonce can so can I as we both have 24 hours in our day. 

10 pm - skincare routine completed and now time to settle down with a green tea and read up on some crafts on Pinterest to do with the children at the weekend. 

11 pm - time for beddy byes.

Cheers for reading X

**Disclaimer** This is a work of fiction. characters and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

My 5 faviourite things about January.

Hey readers,

Finally, after a long old month, it is no February, so I thought that it would be good to reflect back over the month of things that I have been loving. I want to share you my five highlights over the past month that I have been enjoying, it is a great way to celebrate the good things in life. 

1. Pure. 

This is a new programme on Channel Four that shows the effects of a women's life living with pure O OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) where the main symptoms of the condition is that have obsessive and intrusive thoughts. 
As a suffer from OCD it is rather refreshing to see a portrait of the deliberating condition that is not cleaning based for once. Plus, I think it is great to see pure O being made aware off as not many people have heard of this type of OCD. 

2. Minimalism. 

I have kind of been doing this for a few months with having two days a week where I don't spend a penny. I find following this method really helped. It does get easier and it makes you think about money in a different light. 

I have also been conscious of what I have been buying and trying to reduce impulsive buying. I have also made sure that I follow a list of items that I have banned from buying such as nail varnish. I already have a ton of nail polishes for example and as lovely as it is getting something new, there is something more pleasurable about getting something that is needed as opposed to desire. I feel I am not wasting money on stuff that I don't need. Instead only buying items that I genuine need makes me feel more happy about the way I view money. 

3. Bath. 

I don't often have a bath but have had a couple in the past month and I have been enjoying just lying back in the water and just being present without any distractions. I feel as I get older I am becoming more relaxed with being still, which I have always found pretty hold to do as I have a short attention span and feel the pressure to be doing something. Just letting go element is really beneficial to my mental health. 

4. Wolly jumpers. 

As the weather has drastically changed and plummeted in low numbers in January I have embraced woolly jumpers. They are so warm and comforting. I basically just love being snug and wrapped in warmth.

5. Soup. 

With continuing with the theme of warmth and whether I have been enjoying eating soup to warm the old cockles up. I find soup so comforting especially after you have been out in the cold and eating something warm is bliss to me.

So, there you have my five favourite things about January that I have been loving. What kind of things has been making you happy last month? Love to hear your thoughts. 

Cheers for reading x

10 things that suck about Facebook.

Hey readers,

I hate Facebook, don't get me wrong Facebook has a place, for instance, I like the selling pages and promoting my blog. However, there are some things on Facebook that really gets on my goat, so let me share them with.

1) the first one involves the selling pages when you're scrolling through what people are selling and the price is free and then you go into the description of the item and it says to make an offer. To me, this is misleading as you think it is one thing and it turns out it is something completely different. I would much prefer it to be free or have a price tag, know where you stand.

2) Facebook friends that promote pyramid schemes such as Younique beauty products. I don't want your spam on my timeline with the advertisement for this scheme nor do I want your request to buy a £23 mascara, enough said.

3) The need to portray a false perception of life where everything is Rose-tinted and perfect. This can make you feel crap when you're at home and your life is nowhere near as beautiful as their false perception. I believe that this is not healthy just to constantly see the positive, you got to have the Ying with the yang.

4) When people statues are cryptic with messages about having enough or can't coping anymore and then when someone asks why they say oh it's nothing don't worry about it. reeks of attention seeking behaviour so don't bother or if you want to talk to someone in private then direct message them.

5) The constant gamers requests, I do not want to help you harvest your field in FarmVille. I will not change my mind even on the 5000th time.

6) When you get friends to request from Rita, Sue and Bob who you haven't heard from for 20 years, suddenly decide to want to be your friends on Facebook, thank you but no keep your sticky beak out of it.

7) Over the years Facebook has changed. Facebook now appears to focus on commercial ads or sponsored content and it's just something that's not appealing to me. If I wanted to shop I would go and hunt for something, I don't need any recommendations.

8) Now I know there is Pinterest which is the modern time waster but Facebook still has a place in this role. You can lose valuable time getting lost in random stuff.

9) The fact that Facebook app uses so much RAM and kills your battery and you need another app for Facebook Messenger.

10) I have questions about how much power Facebook has over data and how they store in that information.

Cheers for reading X

10 cheap dates for nature lovers

Hey readers,

I am a big fan of being outdoors as quite claustrophobic and it got me to thinking about date ideas to do with nature lovers. So, here are my top 10 date ideas for the nature lovers out there.

1. Stargazing.

A lovely way to spend an evening with someone outside (unless it is raining) is to get a throw to go somewhere grassy have some drinks and star gazing. it is so peaceful and calm.

2. Nature scavenger hunt.

 A quirky date to do outdoors is to print a nature scavenger hunt and go someplace that is full of nature. A fun thing to do as well competes with one another and it is a great way to connect with someone.

3. Walk in the woods.

I love trees, they are just so beautiful so going to woods is in my eyes totally escapism. It is the beautiful natural environment and it just enjoyable disconnect from everything for a little while with someone.

4. Go hiking.

If you like a challenge and have the stamina then try going on a trek, it is a great way to do something that you have to work hard physically and feel really good after.

5. Outdoor picnic.

During the more milder seasons, a brilliant idea is to get some lunch food and a blanket again if you look locally there are plenty of places you explore. if you have the funds then maybe go further afield and look for somewhere that is eye pleasing. it will make a really good day out and you can't beat eating Al fresco, food just tastes much more enjoyable being out in the fresh air.

6. Go geocaching. 

If you have a smart phone download the free app geocaching where you use the map to locate containers called geocaches or catch at a specific location where you use coordinates to find it, which is basically a fun treasure hunt. You did need to have a GPS device to play, but everything is free just need to type the location and a map will appear of where the geocaches are for you to find. 

7. Go to the beach.

Alternatively to green type locations why not check out the beach with golden sand and watching the waves come crashing down is a fantastic place to chill out to someone.

8. Have a BBQ.

 Another fine Al fresco choice to do on a date outdoors is to have a BBQ in your back garden or some a place that allows BBQ, but be best to check beforehand instead of turning up to a place disappointed. 

9. Rent a bike.

You don't need to own a bike to enjoy bike rides as there are places now that cater to people loaning bikes for the day, which is awesome to go on a bike ride with someone. Also, check out places that allow bikes too as there many facilities that offer people riding bikes. 

10. Attend a festival.

This more apt for summer but check out where you live, as for instance I live in Coventry and every year they host a three day festival in August that has free music gigs outdoors in the beautiful Memorial park. 

What kind of date ideas do you like to do outdoors?

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday Snapshot 03/02/2019

Change

Hey readers,

My word of the week is:

This is because I've had a couple of changes and that something I struggle with. but hey go carry on and all the stuff. 

My youngest had an awful cough and was sick because of the mucus. His temp was also up and on Monday he was like death. So he had a couple of days to recuperate.  

Also, this week both my boys had the opportunity of parents coming to have lunch with them. Sadly my youngest was sick but my eldest was fine so he had the choice of mummy and daddy. 

So he picked me eek was expecting that. Still, even though my anxiety was through the roof I did it by myself so was that slightly nerve-wracking. my eldest was also very tense and anxious so I something to focus on to try and keep him calm. 

He also is not good with the change to routine and he doesn't like the noise which was a lot more now that there were more people than normal in the dinner Hall. 

Anyhow, hope you have had a good week 

Cheers for reading. X