The Gift of Crystals This Christmas

The power of crystals have been around for a very long time but many millennials are claiming they’re the main source of aiding their wellbeing and currently they’re adorning Instagram feeds across the globe. So this Christmas why not give the gift of crystals?

Last Minute Gift Guide For Her

It's ten day's until Christmas and some of you will be smugly reading this knowing your Christmas shopping is complete... others will be frantically searching Google for inspiration on what to get that lady in your life. Well, luckily for you, you're in the right place because I have put together a last minute gift guide to help you on your quest.

How To Show Elderly Relatives You Care This Christmas

Christmas is for spending quality time and making memories with loved ones. For those of us with elderly relatives, it can be challenging to give them the love and care they need if we live miles away or are rushed off our feet. Here are some tips for making the most of your treasured time together this festive season.

5 Ways To Boost Your Christmas Budget This Year

Christmas is a time of year many of us look forward to and dread simultaneously. While it’s a fun time to spend with family and friends, it’s the amount of money you spend that can cause problems. Even if you’ve devoted the year to diligently saving to buy gifts, food, and everything else, there’s still a chance that your current budget doesn’t quite match up with your plans. Although you can make compromises and cut costs where possible, many would rather find the extra cash somehow. With that in mind, here are five ways to boost your budget this Christmas.

1. Ask For Extra Hours

Regardless of your job, many companies get much busier throughout the festive season. Unfortunately, this can make life particularly difficult for bosses, who have to ensure that work still gets done, even though most employees would rather be at home. For this reason, managers are always crying out for workers who are willing to put in a few extra hours over Christmas. If you pick up a few yourself now and then, you’ll make them happy and earn some extra money. 

Christmas Traditions Your Family Should Try This Year

Christmas can be a magical time of year for children, watching them as they get excited during the build-up to the big day, writing letters to Santa and opening their advent calendars every morning. While getting everything organised can be stressful, seeing your kids so enthusiastic can be just as exciting for you. So, why not make it even more magical by arranging some festive family activities?

Start some new family traditions this year by trying some of these…

6 Ways To Have A Stress-Free Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner the stresses that come with it are not far behind. Although it’s supposed to be one of the most enjoyable times of year, for some it can be incredibly stressful to ensure that they have everything they need, that things are done in time and that everybody has a good time - themselves included.

To help reduce the stresses that come with Christmas, here are 6 ways to have a stress free festive season:

Christmas Fashion Wishlist

Each year, fashion trends change, but there’s some items of clothing which remain popular year upon year. So, if you’re looking for what to buy her this Christmas, you may want to consider choosing something from the timeless fashion wishlist below.

Getting More for Christmas this Year

Christmas is the time of the year for spending and most of us start worrying about it as soon as September comes around. Instead of using all that energy worrying, this year you should put it into forward planning and smart spending so that you’ll make your advisors at Credit Fix proud!

Four festive decorative ideas, straight from your printer

Christmas is a time when tradition comes to the fore. We all have our own way of doing things, and many of the festive rituals are things that we have carried over from our own childhood, whether it is the way we roast the turkey, the placement of the gifts around the tree or the date at which the decorations go up.

Chosen by Kids | Toy Christmas Gift Guide

Asda recently got in contact and asked it we would like to check out the Christmas toy range that had been specially chosen by kids. Of course, my two were up to the challenge, so today we headed to our local branch to see what they had to offer.

ASDA's offers a huge range of toys and I was actually really surprised at the variety. They had something which would suit children of all ages and varying interests.

Christmas Gift Guide for your Dog

You may know if you're a regular reader that our dog, Lady is very much a big part of our family. She was there before the arrival of our two children, there by my side through morning sickness, became Darcie's best friend and then later Henry's. She keeps me company on nights when I'm alone due to my husbands unsociable hours. She's embedded in our family.

She is the most placid loveable dog you could imagine and I only think its right we celebrate our loved ones, including those of a furry variety, by remembering them on our Christmas gift list.

Last Minute Gift Idea's for the Kiddies

This year, as I keep saying, Christmas really has crept up on me. So much so, I'm starting to worry I've left it all to the last min. Thankfully, the children's present's are mostly all done now so I can relax a little.

With this in mind, I thought I'd share with you a few present ideas in case your struggling for those last little bits, or if like me, you've left it to the last minute. 

Mamas & Papas Gift Finder

Buying a gift for someone you love should be an enjoyable experience, especially when little ones are involved. The gifting process should ignite feelings of excitement and joy, with the anticipation of seeing them open your special gift. It's one of the reasons I absolutely love this time of year. There are times when finding the perfect gift can be stressful, wondering whether it's right, if they're going to like it or even if it's suitable. This is often something that I regularly hear a lot of people worry about when it comes to buying gifts for babies and children.

Deck the Halls with TK Maxx

As it's now December I can actually allow myself to mention Christmas. This year I haven't found my Christmas spirit, probably because I'm so incredibly busy at the moment, however, today we are going to put our decorations up and thought I would write a post I have been meaning to write since July. Yes, I'm an incredibly bad blogger. Back in July I was invited to TK Maxx and Homesense Christmas in July event and as I'm now decorating I thought I would be the perfect time to share in case you're looking to add to your Christmas decorations or even want a complete new look this year.

Our Christmas 2015

I was very quiet on here over the last week and that's because we have had some, much needed, quality time.  Our Christmas was a special one and one I think my hubby found hard. His brother is moving across the pond with his wife to live in California next year, so it was our last Christmas with them in the UK. For that reason, we decided to host and have all his immediate family for Christmas dinner. 

What I really want for Christmas

1. A full night's sleep. I know you're only little still Henry, but I would love a full night's sleep. I haven't had one of them in a very long time - even when you were in my tummy I never got a full night's sleep. 

As I am still breastfeeding Henry it does fall on me to feed him through the night. It's tough, when Darcie was small me and Jamie would share the feeds. I'm keen for him to be able to feed Henry a couple of nights, but I'm struggling with expressing at the moment. Perhaps it's the type of pump I have - I'm not sure. If anyone has any tips on expressing please feel free to share.

2. Me time. Selfish? Yes. But sometimes you have to be. I'm at home all day with the children, which I love, but I do miss the adult conversation that comes with working. Jamie works pretty long shifts and unsociable hours, sometimes I barely see him at all and if he is at home, he is catching up on sleep (oh the luxury ;)). I would love to snatch a couple of hours where I can paint my nails, without them getting trashed because a little person needs me etc. Jamie is very good though and will often tell me to go relax and have a bath. Keeper.

3. Date night. We have yet to do this since Henry'a arrival, but it's pretty difficult to do when breastfeeding. I really need to sort this expressing situation out.

4. More hours in the day. I never seem to get things finished. I will always try to write a daily goals list, but very rarely finish it and it's through no fault of trying. There is really just not enough hours in the day. 

5. More energy. Perhaps this is why I'm not completing my goals list. I need to start exercising more, yes I want to lose weight, but that's really not my motivation. I'm noticing I tire very quickly when playing with Darcie and I don't want to be the mum that can't run around after her little ones. 2016 will be the year of getting my fitness levels back on track. 

What's the one thing you would really want for Christmas that you just can't buy?

Mummy B xoxox

My Christmas Wish List | Vlog/Blogmas Day Four

As I said in my Day Two blog post All I want for Christmas is Sleep, and whilst that is true, I am hoping Santa will bring me a few more goodies too. I know, greedy right?! 

Next Coat | £80 | This beautiful parka is something I have my eye on for a while now. I love the colour and general look of the coat. I haven't had a parka since I was around 14!

Hunter Wellie Socks | £30 | I love wearing my Hunters but boy do my feet get cold!! Hopefully these can keep my tooties nice and cosy!

Zara Shirt | £29.99 | I have a thing for these style shirts, matched with a pair of skinny black jeans and you're good to go.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish | £15.50 | A product that has been on my wish list time and time again but I keep forgetting to pick myself one up to try!! May be this will be my year!

Daniel Wellington Watch | £135.15 | This beautiful watch is timeless, you really can't go wrong with a classic piece like this.

Oval Semi Precious Stone Ring Accessorize | £15 | I love the colour of the stone in this ring, so pretty  and to match is this lovely Long Pendant from Accessorize | £10 |. 

What's on your Christmas wish list this year?

Mummy B xoxox

Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas

As much as well all love the sparkling Christmas lights that begin to fill our home with a warm winters glow, and the excuse to eat more chocolate than necessary, the fact of the matter is, when you’ve got little ones Christmas can begin to get expensive. 

We all love to gift our family and friends something special at Christmas, especially to thank them for the unwavering love and support they have shown throughout the year, but rather than make the credit card go in the red, these crafty Christmas ideas will help to cut down the pennies and create something truly personalised that will truly encompass the Christmas spirit. 

Plus with these easy ideas, even the little ones can get involved with putting their stamp on it! 

Unusual Gifts For Children This Christmas

Struggling to come up with gift idea's for children this year? Well I decided to put together a few gift ideas that are a little more unusual. Hopefully there is something that would suit children of all ages and either a boy or girl. So let's get started!

Christmas 2014

Christmas 2014 

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas, spending time with loved ones. It has been a very special one, which has seemingly topped off one hell of a year for us. 

We spent this year at home, with all our immediate family coming to us, it was hectic and fabulous all at the same time! Jamie's brother & wife, Kristina, came to stay with us for a couple of days. Darcie loved every minuet of their stay, they are two of her most favourite people! We spent the morning sharing gifts, playing with endless toys that Darcie was lucky enough to receive and preparing Christmas dinner.