Preparing For A Special Day

Is it too early to mention the C word? Some of you may think it is but how nice would it be to have everything purchased and ready weeks in advance; it would be amazing! You could sit back and enjoy the festivities without worrying about forgotten gifts or getting a turkey last minute. I'm going to be super organised this year when it comes to buying perfect presents for family and friends and having all the food and drink we require ready for an unforgettable feast. 

I'm also hoping that shopping early will save me money, which it most certainly can do when you know where to look.

What do you get the Woman who has Everything?!

Shopping for females is a difficult task at the best of times, but most of us seem to be familiar with a particular ‘type’ of female recipient – aka the woman who has everything. You know the type – she’s the one who shows you a wrist full of bracelets when you suggest jewellery, or a wardrobe brimming to breaking point when you suggest shoes or clothes. And gadgets, food or stuff for her home? She’s got it all, of course.

We’ve attempted to compile a list of the best way to approach shopping for the miss-has-it-all in your life, so that you can put a smile on her face, and something new into her life.

Think outside the box

Possibly the best thing you can do is to use your imagination when it comes to choosing her a gift, and don’t be afraid to get creative. The idea is to think about buying her something she would not usually choose to by herself – not because she doesn’t like it, but because she hadn’t thought of it!

Go for something personalised

Personalisation instantly makes any gift...well...personal! Therefore, chances are it will be completely unique and special to her. Sites like Getting Personal offer the chance to personalise lots of different items, such as compact mirrors, wine glasses and journals, along with other xmas ideas for her, and any other occasion that may pop up. 

Opt for an experience day

If you’re struggling to find her a physical present, why not give her a day or night to remember instead? Experience days are really popular, and they are a great idea, especially if you’re looking for something different. You can literally find any experience days to suit any tastes and interests, such as flying lessons, cocktail master classes and pamper days.

Give her the opportunity to learn a new skill

If she prides herself on having lots of fantastic skills, such as speaking foreign languages or playing a musical instrument, why not help her learn a new one? Think about the stuff she’s into and then think of something that is related to it. For example, if she speaks Spanish, why not book her a course of French lessons, and then in no time, she’ll be talking her way round Europe! That’s a great way to give your special lady something new, and depending on the holiday, you could even pick an associated theme. For example, for a Christmas gift, why not go for ice skating lessons?

Consider a monthly subscription gift

Monthly subscriptions are a great gift as they provide the recipient with a present each month for a determined amount of time. You could go for anything from movie or magazine subscriptions, to something a little more different. You could sign her up for monthly wines, flowers, chocolates or even monthly healthy snacks, if she’s into health and fitness. She’ll no doubt love keeping you up to date with her latest arrival every month.

What are you hoping to receive this Christmas?

*PR Collaboration*

Christmas Gift Buying

With Halloween at our backs, I can now devote 100 per cent of my attention on Christmas gift buying. I know it’s only just turned November, but every year I struggle to find the perfect gifts for my family. Their interests change so rapidly - it’s hard to keep up!

I’ve decided to put together this guide, so I can compile some ideas for when the kids get older. It should also be helpful if you have children that are between these ages.

Games

Children of all ages are usually ecstatic to unwrap video games. You won’t need to worry about which ones to get because they will usually tell you – just make sure you buy the right version! Two games that are particular popular at the moment are Skylanders and Pokémon. Both involve miniature monsters that the children have to battle and collect.

The older teens will appreciate a more mature game for Christmas. Just make sure it doesn’t contain content you find inappropriate. Younger children shouldn’t be exposed to something like Grand Theft Auto until you think they are ready.

Clothes

This is a gift idea that many children have to warm too. When they’re young, they usually hate the idea of unwrapping clothes on Christmas Day. If it’s not a toy or a new Xbox game, they’re not interested. That’s why I’d suggest only buying clothes for young teens and above.

By this point they should have started to develop their own sense of style, and will appreciate new items for their wardrobe. You have to be very careful when buying clothes for your children, but it’s hard to go wrong if you buy something that fits the urban fashion craze. Capology has an excellent selection of urban clothing and supply big name brands such as Rebel 8. There’s even a kids section if your children are already fashion savvy!

Board games

Who says board games are dead? What’s a better way to bond over Christmas than with a game of Twister or Guess Who? This is a present that can enjoyed by children (and adults) of all ages. The teenagers may need a little more persuading, but once they get involved, they’ll love it! Amazon sell all the classics: I’d recommend choosing one you know your family will get a kick out of. An intense game of Scrabble isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Have you started your Christmas shopping?

*Sponsored Post*

Saturday Caption

No shopping experience is normal with the Mr about....

Have you got a caption for the blonde haired beauty?
I'd love to hear it!

Have a great weekend

Saturday Caption

No shopping trip is complete without two baskets and the ones with extendable handles are an even better way for the Mini Mes to bash into peoples ankles!

Have you got a caption for this Pets At Home picture!?
I would love to hear it!
 

Have a great weekend

 

 

What Has Made Me Happy

 

 

We are booking our holiday today - woooop!!
I always feel so much happier having things to look forward to so a week in Kefalonia will do nicely. Sun, sea, sand and erm, saunas.

The Mini Mes had amazing school reports. Both are meeting targets and Minxy is way ahead of what is expected. Her reading age is over 2 years older than she is - making me a very proud mum.

I had a lovely day of retail therapy yesterday with a friend followed by a meal out with the Mr to review. I always feel a little odd taking photos of food but I'll admit when the bill comes and we don't have to pay it is worth it.

Tomorrow we are off to see Despicable Me 2 and I am so excited, probably more than the Mini Mes. I loved the first and I've had the odd Happy Meal over the past fortnight to collect my own minion toys! Well I am only 28....

I'm off to see Minxy in her cello concert later today. I'm very pleased that she has stuck with music and her instrument the past few years and is doing really well.

 

What reasons do you have to be cheerful this week?

Banana fudge cake - with Flora Cuisine

For family baking fun and as part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias® I made this delicious banana fudge cake using Flora Cuisine.

We hadn't used banana while baking for some time so the Mini Mes helped me look online for the perfect recipe and they chose this one from the Flora website to try. The recipe included Flora Cuisine which I had heard of and seen in stores before but had never used - this was a great opportunity to do so.

 

 

Ingredients:

1 large ripe banana
1½ tbsps skimmed milk
70ml Flora Cuisine
90g self-raising flour
90g soft brown sugar
Pinch of salt
½ tsp baking powder
1 large egg, beaten
3 chocolate fudge bars diced into small pieces
50g dried banana chips, broken in half (reserve a few whole ones for decoration)
50g dark chocolate, broken into pieces, for decoration

 

Method

 

We preheated the oven to gas mark 3/170°C/150°C fan/325°F then mashed the banana with the milk in a bowl.

We added in the Flora Cuisine, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and egg then whisked it all together.

We folded in the Fudge and banana chips, saving some to one side ready for decorating at the end.

 

The mixture was poured into an ovenproof dish and cooked for about 45 minutes until it was springy to the touch and brown.

I allowed it to cool slightly then we melted the chocolate on the hob (we used milk instead of dark as our preference) and drizzled it on top before adding the remaining Fudge pieces.

 

It was then sliced to serve.

 

I was very pleased with the final result as the outside was firm yet the inside of the cake was soft, moist and full of flavour. Flora Cuisine has 45% less saturated fat than olive oil and is good for baking, frying and roasting. It has measurements on the side of the bottle which were really useful (and saved on the washing up!) so I think I'll have one stored away in the fridge for future cake baking!

 

 

 

You can view this recipe and others on the Flora website here:

http://www.flora.com/Flora/Tasty-and-healthy-recipes/

 

Meal Planning Monday

So far I am in love with May! The sun has been shining and it has been a truly great week. The rain and snow seems like a distant memory all of a sudden!

This weeks menu...

Sweet and sour chicken with noodles
Haddock, mash and veg
Jacket potatoes with chilli and salad
Toad in the hole
BBQ

We haven't made plans for the weekend as yet but if the weather stays as beautiful the Mr and I shall go camping (the mini mes are with their dad) and enjoy our meals alfresco.
I'm very much looking forward to nights in the garden, sat on the patio with drinks and nibbles now that the better weather has finally arrived.
 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.

Reasons to be Happy

My reasons to be happy

The past few days flew by so quickly but we had a wonderful Christmas. I am very grateful for all of the lovely gifts that we received, the delicious roast dinner and buffet tea cooked by my mum and a relaxing Boxing Day. The Mini Mes were up at 6.20am filled with excitement waiting to see if Santa had been and they were still buzzing at 8.30pm when they finally settled for bed.

My blogging Secret Santa gift arrived - a lovely Bumble Bee set from Lush. Thank you, whoever you are, I love it as does Minxy so I need to hide it away!

Yesterday after sorting all of the cardboard and finding places for all the new toys, the Mini Mes went to their dad's house so I headed to the cinema to see The Hobbit with my mum and sister which is a superb movie. The Mr went to the pub with my dad and sister's boyfriend for a few pints and to play darts so it was nice to have the girls together while the lads were occupied too.

I don't tend to do a lot of shopping in the sales but I managed to pick up some calendars, a onesie and some nice smellies.

I'm really looking forward to New Year's Eve. Usually the Mr and I stay in, watch a movie and have a few drinks (I've never been out for it!) but this year my parents are hosting a party with all of the family round and I can't wait. It's this time of year when loved ones are appreciated and I really enjoy spending time with them so I feel it will be lovely.



What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Leather Messenger Bag

It can be a bit of a challenge to select the perfect gift for your partner, relations and friends at times but Ask Her Friends is here to help.

They crowd-source quality products by asking women what they really want and then provide you with a selection of beautiful gift solutions to choose from. You are then able to ask the recipients friends for their opinion to ensure the item you are purchasing is just right!

One stores products that they advertise is Flights of Nancy and we have been provided with a 

Medium Blue Leather Messenger Bag with Batik Lining to give away -  worth £60!

The hand made and dyed bag features an adjustable strap, a magnetic button closure, an internal zip pocket and it is the perfect size for your iPad! It's also ethically sourced like all of their products.

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win this beautiful bag you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

Only 4 more days, after today, of work and school until we break up for Christmas! Definitely something to be cheerful about. I love duvet days, crafts and baking and not having to rush in the morning to get up and out into the cold will be lovely.

I've started wrapping gifts and purchased the last few bits yesterday evening so I feel quite prepared now for the big day. No doubt I'll end up buying more but that is always the way with me... Oops.

I'm hosting a Mexican night on Saturday with all the family round which I'm looking forward to. As it's at mine it will be a great evening without the need to taxi people about. I may enjoy a tipple or ten.

The Mini Mes have their award presentations tomorrow for their achievements over the year. Proud mummy moment alert!


What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Reasons to be happy

My reasons to be happy

Week 1 weigh in and I lost 4lb! I didn't expect to lose as much as I never feel hungry on the Jenny Craig diet plan. Previous times I've attempted to lose weight I've always felt quite deprived so I'm really enjoying it.

Some of my Christmas presents have arrived and I'm starting to get really excited. I've got the advent calendars (Lego friends and Lego Star Wars) and a few food bits too put away already. I can't wait to put the tree up on 1st December - it can't come soon enough!

We are all healthy at the moment which is superb after so much illness the past few weeks. I can walk up the stairs without panting which is much more pleasant for everyone.

Blogging is keeping me very busy and happy - I have a lovely announcement to make at the end of next week which should also be great for lots of other parents too!


What reasons to you have to be cheerful this week?

Soap making, Christmas Cards and Shopping - Our weekend that was

Another weekend seems to have flown by but we certainly managed to squeeze in quite a bit...

Saturday
After a nice lay in I whipped up some pancakes for brunch and then we got the soap making kit out. We made a lovely variety of coloured and scented products that the Mini Mes have decided to sell to family and friends to make themselves some money for their boxes. After lunch we had fun on the X-Box playing various sports and then we did some baking. We made a delicious warm dessert, sticky syrup sponge, which everyone enjoyed!

In the afternoon we chilled out with pizza and watched Dolphin Tale. Thankfully the lights were off so the Mini Mes couldn't see me welling up, soppy thing!

Sunday
We met up with my parents in the morning for breakfast at Wetherspoons and a bit of shopping in town. I was good and had a sausage roll instead of a large full English like the Mr but it looked unbelievably good. We had a browse around the shops and I fell in love with this beautiful charm for my bracelet. I behaved and didn't purchase it so I've popped it on my wishlist for Christmas instead... I've been a good girl all year Santa, promise!

In the afternoon we watched Mr Popper's Penguins and Jingle All The Way as requested by the Mini Mes cuddled up on the sofa and I then I made Toad in the Hole for everyone. I'm still doing Jenny Craig and really enjoying it. First weigh in tomorrow eek!

What did you get up to this weekend?

I'm linking this with...

Christmas Preparations

With the year flying by it really is time to start thinking about Christmas and preparing for the big day, regardless of how much the Mr would like to leave it until 24th December to get organised.

Most years I find myself out and about Christmas eve fetching the last few bits in for dinner that I have forgotten and in a mad panic wrapping gifts I hadn't remembered were hidden under the bed/in the boot of the car/up the attic/under the stairs. I felt it wise to create a check list for to ensure nothing is missed out as I would love a completely stress free day and the chance to sit and drink wine for the majority of it.

Buy the most wanted and expensive gifts first. It helps to spread the cost a little so you only have the little bits and bobs left to purchase and prevents your child from missing out if things are sold out later on. Pick up your variety of toys and other goodies now!

Prepare your Christmas cards. You don't need to post them just yet but writing a list of who you are sending them to now, or even writing them, saves the time nearer the big day when things will be a little more hectic and the shops will be a lot busier.

Stock up on batteries. Not only will you need these for all of the toys but for the camera too. You don't want to miss out on those magical moments.

Sticky tape and gift tags are usually the two I run out of first so I will be having lots of these spare this year, colour coordinated of course!

We usually put the tree up on 1st December but it would look a little bare without lights and decorations so make sure all of yours are in working as soon as you can and pick up some more if you need to.

Get your advent calendars. I used to buy chocolate filled ones for a tasty treat each day but I often found doors hanging open earlier than they should be! I have therefore resorted to Advent Calendars with play sets that you build instead as they last a lot longer and save on the E numbers (and calories).

You may be preparing a huge family feast with all the trimmings this Christmas but don't forget your basics. You will need milk and bread and the shops wont be open so stock up. You can always freeze some if necessary. You can also make and bake bits now and freeze them for later too.

Make sure you have stamps, and plenty of them to get your parcels and cards out in plenty of time. 

Check out Royal Mail's last postage dates:

Thursday 13 December - Standard and Mail Order Return Parcels

Tuesday 18 December - Second Class and Recorded Signed For™

Thursday 20 December - First Class and Recorded Signed For™Special Delivery™

Friday 21 December - Special Delivery™ with Saturday Guaranteed 

Saturday 22 December - Special Delivery™

Discuss where you will be spending the day. If you are travelling to spend Christmas with friends and family get your tickets for trains, coaches or flights and hotel arranged well in advance. You don't want all the seats and rooms to be booked ruining your plans.

If family are coming to you make sure you have enough cups, plates and cutlery for everyone to enjoy their meal with. Think about sleeping arrangements and if you don't have spare duvets and air beds get them to bring them along with them.

Make a cooking schedule so you know what needs going in and out of the oven when and defrost your turkey in plenty of time. This saves a lot of time Christmas eve and day reading boxes and packets and faffing about in the kitchen when you could be downing sherry.

Are you looking forward to the big day? 

What preparations do you enjoy the most?

*This is a partnered post. As always, all my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources*

Meal Planning Monday

We have been managing to stick to our planner so well the past few weeks and I'm really pleased with the kids efforts at eating their veg and potato (neither really like any form of potato, including chips!).

The Mr did the food shop again this week with a little input from the Mini Mes and I. He asked us to pick a meal each which we did and then he got some pizzas in as well which is a fav for everyone.

I'm still after a few slimming world recipes but I guess that needs organising in advance which I am yet to do. It gets to Sunday and I'm a bit 'errrm' when it comes to having the ingredient list ready, oops!

So what's on the agenda this week?

Monday - Meatball bolognaise

Tuesday - Pizza and salad

Wednesday - Salmon and Gnocchi bake

Thursday - Turkey fajitas

Friday - Fish, new potatoes and veg

Nothing particularly exciting on the menu and it's also quite similar to last week too but if it has meant I've avoided being rammed by trolleys in Tesco at the weekend I don't really object too much! I shall have a slightly more interesting planner next week... promise!

To link up your own planner or to check out some others you can head over to At Home With Mrs M