The festive holiday is around the corner and a time when many of us will start Christmas shopping in earnest. For me, by about the middle of November, I start to think about how I’m going to save money at Christmas. Having been a stay at home mum and freelance copywriter for a number of years, I’ve had to become quite savvy with my cash, especially when it comes to buying Christmas presents. It’s not always been easy and I have been known to quite literally count out my pennies to see if I can afford to buy a gift. With little cash coming in and my bank account draining,…
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Travel guide for a Family Vacation in Southern Italy
Some of my family’s best memories have been on holiday, especially ones where all the family can join. It gives such a different opportunity to get to hang out with one another and just bond. I love picking a destination from our bucket list and knowing that it will be another trip that our family will remember forever. Especially as the kids get older! One destination that has topped all expectations is Southern Italy. Sicily No matter how many times you have been to Sicily, there will always be more to do and see. It is so rich in culture and history, with extraordinary beaches and hilltop views. In Sicily…
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Review of Cilla The Musical – The Grand Theatre, Leeds
It’s been four years since the brilliant Sheridan Smith appeared as Cilla Black in the ITV drama. Her achingly good portrayal of the singer lauded rave reviews and was a big hit with the audience. The TV show revitalised interest in Cilla and her rise to becoming a national treasure. As a child of the 80’s, I spent many a Saturday night watching her in Blind Date and Surprise, Surprise. While I knew she had been a singer before her successful TV career, I had little knowledge about her background in music and subsequent rise to stardom. We saw the silver screen immortalise her early career from cloakroom assistant to…
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5 Tips For Keeping The Whole Family Healthy on Holiday
When planning a family holiday, there is so much to consider, from which bucket list destination you are going to go to, to what activities you can plan that will keep everyone happy from Grandma to the baby! One thing that is always important as a parent is keeping your family healthy, and this is just as important when you are on holiday too. Here are five tips to help you keep your whole family healthy while on holiday. Get active When you are on holiday, it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing nothing but laying on a beach all day, but there are so many…
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What Is An Android TV Box and Should You Get One?
I had no idea about Android TV boxes when I started researching tech for our home. I’d heard about them and people raving about its benefits. But I didn’t really know how they worked, exactly. It’s fair to say that our TV gets a fair bit of use in our house. CBeebies is constantly playing in the background and then once children have gone to bed, we often settle down to watch something that doesn’t involve puppet hospitals or patrolling pups. We are subscribers to both Netflix and Amazon Prime but as we don’t have a smart TV, we are thinking of getting an android TV box so we can…
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Easy Sweet and Savoury Slow Cooker Recipes
Autumn is in the air, which means it’s time to dust off the slow cooker. I love coming home to the scent of dinner that has been cooking all day filling the house. It’s the epitome of autumnal cosiness and marks the start of a new season. Plus as busy routines start up again after a summer break, it’s good to know that dinner is one thing that can be sorted in advance and pretty easily too! While putting this list of easy slow cooker recipes together I came across some amazing sweet treats which I am just dying to try. I may even consider investing in a second slow…
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Laminate Floor Maintenance Tips
We have laminate floor in our house and it is forever getting mucky thanks to muddy footprints or food being dropped on it. Luckily, it is pretty straightforward and easy to clean and maintain laminate flooring to keep it in tiptop condition. Here are a few ways to keep your floors in shape. General Cleaning Methods Regularly sweep the floor to get rid of dirt. If you are punctual in terms of sweeping, dirt and dust won’t accumulate and your floor will be safe for a long time. Use either a dry dust mop or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Remember, do not use standard floor brush as…
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Should You Limit Your Child’s Screen Time?
As a parent of the digital age, it seems like the goal posts for screen time for children are always on the move. While I love its convenience and the freedom it offers, I am terrified of its power to consume hours of your day. It didn’t surprise me that a recent study found that we check our phones every 12 minutes. I check my phone more regularly than I should. I aimlessly scroll from app to app for no reason at all. Most of the time I’m doing research for my next article or replying to client emails. We have a complicated relationship with screen time. It offers a…
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5 Things to Learn Whilst You Travel
This is a collaborative post Travelling, albeit fun and exciting, is also something you can learn from. In my early 20’s I spent some time with my now-husband exploring small corners of the earth. There’s something rather liberating about heading out on your adventures with nothing but a backpack and a vague idea of where you want to go. There are plenty of things to take from the experience – here are just five things to learn whilst you do it. How to be alone Travelling solo may be a daunting prospect, but it’s one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things you can learn to do. Leaving your friends…
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Healthy Breakfast Ideas for the Family
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Most mornings we go straight for a bowl of cereal and a cup of tea so I’ve decided it’s time to shake it up with some healthy breakfast ideas. Like most families, our mornings can be pretty hectic. With racing in and out of the shower, searching for a matching pair of socks (or shoes) for the kids, coaxing our pre-schooler out of the house and a stressed husband that’s going to be late (again). Adding a carefully prepared breakfast to the mayhem is one step too far. The other day Jack asked if he could have egg for breakfast instead.…
