April blog ideas.

Hey reader, 

It is nearly April and if your looking for some content ideas then check out my 30 April blog ideas to get you excited. 

1. A list of April fools day ideas. 

2. Decoration Ideas for April.

3. My personal blogging goals.

4. Things to do during Easter.

5. National car clean month - share how you clean your car.

6. How to make a kite for National Kite Month.

7. Stress awareness month - share some tips on how to reduce stress. 

8. National walking day.

9. Easter basket ideas.

10. If my life was a soundtrack....(share your favourite songs).

11. My favourite things to wind down. 

12. Top trends of April. 

13. Fun ways to decorate Easter eggs. 

14. Your favourite egg recipes. 

15. A list of things you enjoy doing on a rainy day.

16. A spring clothing wishlist. 

17. Nature walk with photos - practice your photography skills and share some snaps from a nature walk.

18. A round-up of the best chocolate eggs for Eater. 

19. Deals and bargains in April. 

20. How to save money shopping? 

21. Places to go walks locally where you live. 

22. Favourite hashtags for Eater time to use on Instagram/twitter.

23. Share 7 things about yourself. 

24. 9 ways to save money for Easter. 

25. 5 nail polishes you must try during Spring. 

26. How to make your own Easter Eggs.

27. 5 movies that shaped who you are.

28. Easy coffee cake recipes.

29. April bucket list.

30. Spring activities.

Have I missed anything off the list? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X

my Sunday photo 08/03/2020

Rubbish bits about motherhood.

Hey readers,

We all know there are wonderful parts of motherhood but also sometimes motherhood can sometimes feel a bit crap. So, here are the rubbish elements of motherhood and let's have good old rant shall we.

1. When kids make that hideous wingy noise especially when they are tired everything will bother them and cause so much distress, even simple things like do you want a drink or put your pyjamas on for bed. 

2. When siblings constant think it is funny to jump on one another or you if you dare lie down. 

3. Having to entertain children when it comes to imaginary play sucks because I am so crap at it and it is 100% harder when you are not good at something. 

4. The never-ending feeling of being tired, does it ever stop I wonder?

5. Nothing belongs to you anymore, when I say nothing I mean NOTHING. 

6. You lose a sense of direction with fashion etc, don't even ask what the number 1 is in the chart.

7. The relentlessness of it all.

8. Boredom... cause lets be frank here at times it can feel like GroundHog day especially when it is rubbish weather outside and you stuck in the four walls going slightly mad.

9. Everything takes a whole lot longer to do.

10. The pace of a child walking, honestly, you think they were a snail the rate they walk at especially when trying to get to school first thing in the morning. 

11. Having to blow their nose constantly.

12. Shit programmes you have to watch, I mean some examples Peppa Pig, Power Rangers and Shimmer and Shine to name a few, though the list could go on forever.

13. The constant squabbling between my two children, I literally have to be the referee and split them apart at times. 

14. Not being able to go to the toilet without one of my little darlings wanting to smash the down like they were part of MI5. 

15. Having a consistent alarm clock in the form of your child who wakes you up without fail EVERY.SINGLE. DAY without fail. 

16. You are excluded from that day once a year where you don't get an extra hour in bed but more like an extra a wake courtesy of kids not getting the memo that clocks go back means stay in bed.

17. The non-stop washing, even when you get to the end of it like magic another item appears. I think children have a secret sensory where they get a message to tell them that the laundry bin is empty, my theory anyway ;).

18. The never-ending walking around the home and saying who has left the light on? Whos left there cup here? Why is this sticky? 

What bits do you relate to? Have I missed anything off the list? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X 

How to put a spring in your step.

Hey readers,

I know it is grey and rainy outside and can sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to do anything. Which is a sad case as it Spring but it is hard to believe when looking out of the window.  So, here are my five ways to put a spring in your step.

De-clutter.

There is nothing more cathartic than having a good clean out, sort out the things you want and not need. If there is the stuff that is suitable sell it on eBay or give it to charity.

 I also love to get organised as sometimes as a parent always have the time or energy to put things in order. 

So, this could mean putting items in the right location to sorting out your paperwork so that it is in order and clear to find.

Go outside.

It can be hard to feel motivated when it is so wet and grim outside but sometimes it is good to get outdoors for your soul. 

Put your wellies on and go out with the kids, they love splashing in puddles and you feel tons better after getting fresh air.

Flowers.

A lovely way to bring Spring into your home and some colour are to buy some flowers, even if it is just a bunch of £1 daffodils they really do brighten up your mood.

Spring Clean.

Nothing says Springtime like good old deep cleanse around your home, dusting them cop webs of and giving the place a good old bleach. 

It is lovely now and again to feel like a new page has turned and you feel so much better in your home.

Try something new.

Sometimes, as parents or adults, we can get stuck in a rhythm and we do the same old because change is scary or hard work. 

However, trying something new can recreate the excitement, whether that be doing exercise, learning a new hobby or visiting somewhere you have not been before is a great way to get that buzz back in life.

Cheers for reading X

My top 25 frugal tips.

Hey readers,

I love to save money and being frugal is something I strive for in my life. So, if you like me and like to save some pounds then check out my top 25 frugal tips below. 

1. Only go to the supermarket twice a week.

2. Don't go to the supermarket when hungry.

3. Swap from branded items to supermarket own branded items.

4. Write a plan for food shopping and stick to it.

5. Use discount sites such as eBay or everything for five pounds.

6. Each week meal plans your meals.

7. Ask yourself before buying do you I really need this.

8. Try cheaper cut meats.

9. Wait 21 days before making a purchase on a big item such a TV. This will give you time to assess whether you need it or not.

10. Use something up before buying something that does the same job.

11. Use trials to get free temporary items such as Amazon Prime and Spotify. 

12. Check out the yellow sticker section of the supermarket, ost stuff is fine if you use it up immediately or freeze it. Saves a small fortune, especially as the supermarket, knocks off a lot when it is about an hour before the supermarket closes. 

13. Before going out buying something specific check out mysupermarket.co.uk to find the best deal. 

14. If you have short journeys such as taking your children to school, ditch the car and walk. 

15. It will do you and your car the world of good. 

16. Buy second hand because it is more environmentally friendly and tends to be of good quality 90% of the time, checks out eBay or Facebook market to find some fab deals. 

17. Use a budget tracker to keep on top of your finances. 

18. Instead of buying a meal deal whilst at work for your lunch takes five to ten minutes the night before to knock up lunch for yourself, you will be saved so much money it is unreal.

19. Instead of buying coffee from coffee shops buy little sachets take them to work. You still get a treat but cuts the cost down a lot.

20. Shop for season stuff when it is at the end and being reduced, e.g Christmas items in January at knocked down prices.

21. Sometimes, when you are out and about in clothing shops you can forget how much stuff you own. That is why it is good to have a list of all the items you own and refresh your mind when out and about.

22. Rotate your wardrobe so clothes at the back get a chance to be seen and worn instead of instantly going for the easiest items to get hold of in the morning.

23. Check out your local library where there is an array of books and magazines you can read for free.

24. Check out websites like Groupon for cheap family days out.

25. When buying items online use Topcashback to get cashback for buying items on certain websites.

What are your favourite frugal tips? I love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 01/03/2020

Masking it at a cost.

Hey readers,

 I have had a visitor come round. Every time this happens I feel completely and utterly exhausted. 

I literally can not do anything for the next few hours as it has taken me all my power to deal with the social situation.

 It is not the person, it is just the way that I am programmed with my autistic brain. I just really struggle with long periods of socialising. 

I feel awful for saying this like I am totally anti-social and I am not but I need my time out as well.  

It doesn't help that I also have to parent as well as having to deal with the social situation. I have my children with me and to be quite frank they are not the calm and placid type. 

They go absolutely go bat shit crazy when a visit comes round and trying to calm down is an absolute nightmare when they are this age. 

Therefore, for me it is just so tiring trying to keep both children calm and then deal with the stuff that is happening in my head is a lot of work for me.

 By the end of the social situation, I want to scream and when the person leaves I feel like my whole body just collapses and de-intensifies (if there is such a word).

 I just feel really angry right now, I think it is a direct response from all the frustration and having to pretend all the hours to appear a certain way. 

Yeah, I could be myself but no one wants to see me wild, believe me, and you. Acting is hard for an autistic person because nine times out of ten the individual is already anxious, but then they have to work that much harder to manage the situation.

 What you see is that us autistic people have to learn the art of remembering social equities as we are not naturally social people. 

So, therefore days like today are basically are a mental workout for me and I can guarantee the following day I will have the consequences where I can hardly do anything, other than rest. 

 Cheers for reading X

A list of common misconceptions.

Hey readers,

We have all heard information that has been taught as facts however, somethings are misconceptions.

 So here are a few of my favourite misconceptions that I have learnt over time not to be true, which makes me laugh about it now.

Fortune Cookie.

The fortune cookie is not Chinese but brought to the US from Japan.

 They are rarely found in China and are often seen as a symbol of American cuisine, even though nowadays they are regularly given out in Chinese restaurants.

Earthworm babies.

People believe that when earthworms are cut in half, two baby earthworms are born. 

However, this is not true as only the front half may survive - the back end dies. Very few kinds of the worm are able to do this.

Vaccines cause autism.

Vaccines do not cause autism or autism spectrum disorders.  

Although fraudulent research by British doctor Andrew Wakefield claimed a connection, repeated attempts to reproduce the results ended in failure, and the research was ultimately shown to have been manipulated.

Budda was a laughing fat bloke.

The historical Buddha was not obese. The "chubby Buddha" or "laughing Buddha" is a 10th-century Chinese folk hero by the name of Budai.

 In Chinese Buddhist culture, Budai came to be revered as an incarnation of Maitreya, the Bodhisattva who will become a Buddha to restore Buddhism after the teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, have been forgotten.

The Earth revolves around the Sun.

Technically, the Earth, sun and all of the other the planets are orbiting around the centre of mass of the solar system, not specifically the sun.

   The Great Wall of China can be seen from space.

The Apollo astronauts confirmed that you can't see the Great Wall of China from the Moon. 

In fact, all you can see from the Moon is the white and blue marble of Earth.

 Dropping a penny from the Empire State building would kill someone.

A penny only weighs about a gram and it tumbles as it falls.

 Because of the tumbling and the lightweight, there's so much air resistance that the penny never really gathers that much speed before it hits its terminal velocity. 

A gram of weight travelling at a relatively slow speed might hurt a little if it hit you on the head, but it's not going to kill you.

  Shaving hair comes back thicker.

This is actually true praise be! Apparently scientists have known about this idea since the 20s.

 It might feel like your hair comes back thicker and darker after a shave, but that's just because of the shape of the stubble that grows back.

Its blunt ends feel coarser to the touch, but as the hair grows out, the end tapers and softens once more.

Your blood is blue before it’s oxygenated.

While many believe that de-oxygenated blood is blue, it is actually a myth because human blood is always red. Although the level of redness does differ depending on how oxygenated it is.

What misconceptions have you learnt about that everyone believes is true? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X

Advantages of school uniform

Hey readers,

Thinking about school as we are coming up to the new academic year, it got me thinking about school uniform and why is it so important to have it. 

I think school uniform is an actual positive step towards a child's education and I am going to explore my reasons below.

Appearance.

Having a school uniform can teach children how to dress smart and take responsibility for the way they present themselves. 

This lesson will come in handy at a later date with regards to job interviews and the way that impressions count.

Equal playing field.

Allowing school uniform it gives the opportunity of being equal for everyone regardless of background because the children are all wearing the same clothing.

 This can reduce the change of a child is a target of a bully because of what they are wearing or not be having the latest trends.

Universal.

Children wearing the same uniform means that the children don't have the anxiety about what they look like, they can, therefore, allowing them to concentration on focusing on their schoolwork and in turn will affect their overall performance.

Pride.

School uniform is designed to distinguish which children go to which school by the design of the uniform they wear. 

Making children wear school uniform, therefore, brings a sense of togetherness with being in the same school as fellow pupils. 

This can bring feelings of pride for the school that the child attends. Children wearing a school uniform can give a sense of identity because it is something you can see can bring that sense of ownership and the fact that you belong with the same children in your class can help create a safe environment to work.

Morning routines.

The next point for why school uniform is a positive is that it brings a smoother morning for getting children ready for school. 

This is because the parents and children know what to wear so there isn't that doubt of what to wear that day, plus the child anxiety about trying to fit in as all children wear the same uniform.

Discipline.

School uniform encourages good disciple as it basically the school rules of what to and what not to wear. Therefore, you have to abide by the rules and follow what is expected off you. 

Making sure that you follow the school rules on the uniform gives that conformity and can put that mindset in place when the child is learning, by listening to and following the commands of teachers. 

This, in turn, gives can give a positive outcome on the child's performance with discipline and working well in the classroom. 

Having a school uniform so that everyone has the same in regards to clothing reduces the conflict that happens within the classroom because of all being the same there is less attraction for arguments. 

Furthermore, with children being in school uniform it reduces the risk of preventing children from forming gangs and the risk of bad behaviour.

What do you think about school uniform? love to hear your opinions.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 23/02/2020

97 things to declutter now!

Hey readers,

It is a brand new month (March) and what better way to start a new month then getting rid of some clutter in your home to give you a fresh start and some organisation to kick start your month.

 1. Get rid of unwanted apps on your phone.

2. Catalogues lying about in your home.

3. Unwanted coats.

4. Broken or chipped vases.

5.  Outdated vitamins.

6. Empty out your freezer.

7. Organise your cleaning supplies.

8.  Baby items over 5 years old.

9. Old never used mobile phones.

10. Small condiment packets.

11. Digital books that you have read or not going to read, clear out and make some room.

12. Water bottles.

13. Jars.

14. Tv series links.

15. Leftover party stuff that will never use again.

16. Hair products that have seen the light of day that you have stopped since changing your style.

17. Toiletries and perfume you hate the smell of.

18.  Broken or unused jewellery.

19. Old tote bags or backpacks.

20. Wire hangers.

21. Damaged clothes.

22. Plastic lids without containers.

23. Extra coffee cups.

24. Cooking tools, appliances, utensils that you haven’t used in over a year.

25. Cds.

26. DVDs.

27. VHS tapes.

28. Anything you are tired of dusting.

29. Puzzles and board games that are missing pieces.

30. Old remote controls.

31. Old prescription glasses.

32. Toiletry samples.

33. Toys your children have outgrown.

34. Broken objects you plan to fix.

35. Community newsletters.

36. Old receipts.

37. Loose paper.

38. Gift cards with no value. Toiletry samples.

39. Toys your children have outgrown.

40. Throw blankets you don’t love.

41. Mismatched gloves.

42. Mismatched socks.

43. Parcel collect cards.

44. Old guide books.

45. Finished puzzle books.

46. Out of date timetables.

47. Old party invites.

48. Digital music you never listen to.

49. Digital movies you never watch again.

50. Dead plants.

51. Old candles that cant be burnt again.

52. Old phone chargers.

53. Phone books.

54. Expired coupons.

55. Old keys.

56. Dried out pens and markers.

57. Duplicate office supplies.

58. Junk mail.

59. Worn out bras.

60. Pyjamas you never wear.

61. Worn bedding.

62. Clothes that don’t fit.

63. Belts.

64. Purses you don’t use.

65. Old pillows.

66. Worn towels.

67. Unused or broken hair ties.

68. Tablecloths, napkins, placemats etc that you never use!

69. Stale food.

70. Expired food.

71. Food that you just don’t like.

72. Spices that have been around for way too long.

73. Broken dishes.

74. Broken toys.

75. Excess artwork.

76. Old school bags.

77. Old school paperwork.

78. Old sponsor forms.

79. Theatre programmes.

80. Sports programme.

81. Clothing that has air-dried.

82. Old stuffed animals.

83. Kids shoes.

84. Dried up nail polish.

85. The lipstick you never did like the colour of. 

86. Multiple hairbrushes.

87. Old calendars.

88. Finished notebooks.

89. Out of date letters.

90. Take away menus.

91. Product guarantees for stuff you no longer have.

92. Save the date cards.

93. Broken objects you plan to fix.

94. Community newsletters.

95. Old receipts.

96. Loose paper.

97. Gift cards with no value.

Cheers for reading X