Wednesday 29 January 2014

Sweet Treats From Bah Humbugs


My sweet-tooth was doing a little happy dance when the postman delivered this fantastic little sugar filled package to me earlier this week.

All from the brilliant lady that is Lucy at Bah Humbugs Sweet Shop.


Bah Humbugs is a traditional sweetie shop in Masham, North of Ripon, selling "old fashioned" type sweets, and was first opened in 2004.

After ten years in business, Bah Humbugs is still very much dedicated to helping it's customers experience a little trip down memory lane, allowing them to reminisce through the enjoyment of their favourite childhood sweet treats.

I can't even express just how excited I was when I pulled out a Wham Bar from my cute pink and white stripey bag of tricks - I even gave a little squeal of excitement!

As well as their lovely, white fronted traditional style shop, Bah Humbugs also offer an online sweet store, meaning that everyone, everywhere is able to dig in and enjoy all of their favourites, no matter the time of year or their distance from Ripon.


Bah Humbugs stock over four hundred different types of sweets and they specialise in liquorice.
And they do have lots and lots of lovely liquorice, stocking over sixty different worldwide variations of the stuff.

But it doesn't end there - oh no - there's loads more, including their fantastic retro sweet hampers filled with a whole array of yummy retro sweets, and their great sweetie party bags, which can be customised to create an individualistic touch for a child's party.

A fab sweet treat for everyone and every occasion.

There's even the option to buy a six month or a twelve month sweet subscription and tailor make it to suit your own tastes - meaning you get your very own 1kg sweet-filled package delivered straight to your home...or work each month.

How Fantastic.

And my treat package was absolutely fantastic too - it certainly made me very happy - and it came in two sections.

Part One consisted of this lovely card party bag which was crammed with traditional hard boiled, crunchy and gummy, chewy sweets.

All of which are my absolute favourites!


I had cola cubes, lemon sherbets, midget gems, rhubarb and custards and floral gums (which The Husband snaffled before I could even utter a word in protest), and everything was packaged so beautifully too - lovely labels, lovely presentation - really high class stuff.

Who Knew? - Sweets Turn VIP.

Part Two was this lovely traditionally striped paper bag that was bursting with all the things I remember stuffing into a penny sweet bag on trips to the newsagents with my Mum many years ago, and I loved it.


I was treated to black jacks, fruit salads, popping candy, the fantastic big pink chewy Anglo Bubbly's and not one, but two Wham bar's (yum!!).

I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I didn't want to share them - not at all - not even with my son... oops.

Bah Humbugs is amazing and I'm planning on taking a trip to their shop in the very near future.

You know you want to. 

And if you use the code BLOG15 you'll  get a very l o v e r l y 15% off too.

No excuse to not treat yourself now

Aren't I just so nice to you - Enjoy.
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Sunday 26 January 2014

Pin Up Beauty, Leeds


Stressful Week?

Need To Relax?

!Visit Pin Up Beauty!

~ The End ~

I could very well leave this post here to be honest - it really is as simple as that.

Pin Up Beauty is the answer to getting rid of stress in my book, because after having the most horrendous week at work last week, I went along to visit the lovely Lorna to have an amazing Dermalogica facial, and she literally made my stress disappear.

Lorna is very well known in the beauty business, and has over sixteen years experience beautifying the nation.

With numerous awards under her belt - runner up "Best Beauty Salon" for three years running in the The Leeds Guide Retail Therapy Awards, and being 2012's winner of the "Leeds Best Beauty Therapist" for The Leeds Guide Therapy Awards, it's very obvious that you're in safe, experienced, dedicated hands when stepping through Pin Up Beauty's door. 

I know that I'll be heading back as often as I can that's for sure.

Pin Up Beauty is situated in the centre of Leeds, so it is really easy to get to by public transport, however it's not so central that it's difficult to park close by.

Parking is literally all around the front of the shop - which is a huge bonus.

Pin Up Beauty is decorated in a really glamorous, "pin up" style and I loved it (I think I need the fantastic black mirror for my house if I'm honest)




Lorna took me into the treatment room for my facial, and once I was comfortably settled, wrapped in luxuriously soft, furry blankets, the treatment began.



Now, it's no secret that I've never been the best at taking care of my skin, and when my face was examined under a bright spot light, I was a tad apprehensive at what nastiness would be found.

Lorna was fantastic, and explained that my skin would benefit from an exfoliation, extraction and moisturising treatment.

Sounded great to me.

I was treated to lots of beautifully smelling oils, hot towels, shoulder and arm massages all throughout the facial, as well as being given a pretty amazing scalp massage.


I did feel a little sorry for Lorna though, having to "extract" the nastiness from under my skin (ie the spots and dreaded blackheads - yak), but she was so professional and said that sort of thing didn't bother her at all.

She's definitely stronger stomached than me!

Afterwards - well, my skin felt amazing and looked a whole lot better too.
Plus, I felt so relaxed and chilled out, I spent the majority of the afternoon snoozing on the sofa at home.

Bliss.

I've already recommended Pin Up Beauty to my friends, and I know that I'll be heading back soon.

Why not make an appointment and treat yourself to some fantastic treatments.

And with the whole array of special offers available - it would be crazy not to pop along.


I think my skin deserves some of this TLC on a regular basis

*Treatment given for honest review
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Thursday 23 January 2014

A Little Idea...


It's funny isn't it - there are quotes out there everyday that can be seen - on TV adverts; on social media sites - everywhere really - but yet hardly any of them are payed much attention.

That was the case for me anyway, until this one little phrase jumped out at me earlier this week, and it really stuck in my mind.

Well, I was pondering on one thing in particular really, and I thought I had decided just to not bother with it, simply because my life is "way too busy".

But now, well now I'm not so sure - I think I have been well and truly swayed.

I don't want to hit my old age and totally regret never at least "having a go".

So I'm going to do it.

I'm going to have a go at writing a book.

Well - a story anyway...maybe not a full blown book...which could be a tad adventurous...but I'm going to do it.

It may takes me years, but at least I'll have made a start.

Don't get me wrong, I don't for a second think that I'll become the next J.K. Rowling or anything, but with the amount of books that I have read and the amount of beta reading that I do, I really want to have a go - it just intrigues me so much.

Reading and writing were things I loved doing back in my school days (I even managed an A in GCSE English Lit I'll have you know!)...so I think it's about time to dust away the cobwebs and get my imagination going again.

And they'll be no computers for me, not in the planning stages anyway at least.

Nope - I have simply got to start with the basics - pen and paper.

I can jot ideas down anywhere and everywhere then...I mean I don't want to miss anything by forgetting an idea whilst I hunt for a computer now do I.

I've discovered that Viking could most definitely provide me with all of the writing tools I could possibly ever need to be able to tackle the pritty mammoth task ahead of me.


From pens to post-it notes and paper clips or jotters, Viking has the lot.

And having a browse of the website, everything seems really reasonably priced too.

Being a supplier for the office setting, Viking also sell the things that all offices can not be without, such as huge tubs of coffee, tea, hot chocolate (yum!) as well as big bags of chocolate treats  - I know I wouldn't complain about them showing up in my office anyway, that's for sure!


And a budding-new-wannabe-novelist could quite easily pass out without such calorie laden "essentials" on hand to fuel the potential long hours, sat, with pen in hand composing their latest "masterpiece"...or sat writing the weekly shopping list...whichever takes priority...  :)

Lets just hope the sugar rushes zapp my imagination into gear, because I don't want any doubts I have at actually being able to do this to be responsible for ruining a little dream that I've had for a lot of years.

And if it fails...well...nothing's lost...and at least I'll have sharpened up my handwriting skills!

Wish Me Luck!

*samples
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Tuesday 21 January 2014

Am I REALLY doing this....? Sport Relief 2014


That's it - I've decided to bite the bullet and actually do it!

I'm signing up to take part in this years Sport Relief Mile in my local area of Yorkshire.

EEK I know!

But it's something that I have been considering for quite a while now (see here).

I really need to get back into an exercise routine and at the moment, my get up and go has frog marched off to some distant land, and isn't showing any signs of returning in the near future.

I'm blaming the cold weather myself - pulling on the trainers and heading out of the door just seems so much more of a challenge when the weather is anything less than fine, but I really do need to sort myself out and just go for it.

Having a worthy cause like Sport Relief will force me to do this.

I'll feel like I need to push myself to stop myself letting the cause down...and lets be honest - if I'm going to have any chance of actually surviving this challenge, then I'm simply going to have to train for it.

I'll be forced to up, get out and have a go.

Once upon A Time, in the not too distant past I must add, I would have had no problem with this because I was a little bit of a fitness addict, but lately, my fitness regime has just totally flown out of the window.

I've become lazy.

So by committing myself to this, and by making sure I blog once a week about how things are progressing, I'm already forcing myself to get off of the sofa and out of the door.

Nothing like a little bit of pressure as motivation.

Oh, and I've dragged my slightly apprehensive, slightly unwilling friend Nicola along too - wish us luck!

And after watching this really encouraging video from Jessica Ennis-Hill - well - how can you not be convinced to take part.


I've decided to not go totally crazy, but I think if I'm going to do this then I have to push myself out of my comfort zone a little bit, so I'm thinking of the three mile run as the event for me...but I'll decide once the training begins.

But it's as if Keith Lemon knows me and has hand-picked this event as the one for me...well - I am She-Ra after all....

(watch the video and follow the three mile journey I plan to take to understand)

NYE 2013  :)
There is no turning back now:

~ I've picked an event
~ Found a training buddy
~ Decided how to train

So I'm all set to begin, and step one on the road to becoming fit again is on it's way to being started.

- - Watch This Space - -

There's still 58 days until the challenges begin - why not give it a go yourself and let me know how you are getting on - the more the merrier.

Any training tips and advice will be very gladly received... (please help!!)!
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Monday 20 January 2014

RL4ALEX - A Fundraiser Day


As everyone in the world probably knows by now, rugby league is a huge part of my life now that the Husband coaches and my eight year old son plays.

There's always training, friendlies and league matches to attend - and I'm really surprised to say that I love every minute of it.

Don't get me wrong those 9am's on freezing cold, wet, Sunday mornings, spent huddled up in a muddy field can take there toll, but seeing the boys so happy, coming together and working so hard as a unit really makes it all worth while.

My son's team mates are a fantastic bunch of kiddies too, they all get along really well and look forward to seeing each other every week.  They genuinely do care for each other, and are brilliant friends both on and off of the pitch.

As a parent it's a brilliant thing to see - we all want our children to make friends, be sociable and confident, all whilst enjoying themselves through the things that they love.

And why shouldn't children have these experiences.

All children should be able to have these opportunities - no matter what.

So when I heard about the charity RL4ALEX I was really interested, and jumped at the chance to help out during a fundraiser day organised at The Kirkgate Centre in Bradford this weekend.


RL4ALEX is a charity that was set up to provide sporting opportunities, and to help maximise the potential of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

ASD are three times more likely to affect boys than girls, and can be categorised in three areas:

~ difficulties with social interaction
~ impaired language and communication skills
~ unusual patterns of thought and physical behaviors

RL4ALEX was established in May 2013, in a bid to help children with ASD feel that they can be included within the sport that they love and not be made to miss out, feel segregated or "different" from other children.

The charity helps to educate others - team coaches for example - so that they have the appropriate skills and knowledge necessary to coach children with ASD properly and accurately, allowing the child to fully integrate into a team and be taught the skills they need to succeed.

Fantastic Stuff!

The fundraiser day was great.

My son and some of his rugby team mates, helped members of RL4ALEX give catalogues out and draw attention to the cause whilst collecting donations from the shopping public.


Members of The Bradford Bulls and The Dewsbury Rams came along to help out too, and there was a rugby raffle, with lots of lovely, signed rugby bits and bobs on offer to win.

The Bull Man was a huge attraction - the kiddies loved him (or absolutely hated him in some quite funny cases) and I'm sure the adults rather enjoyed his cuddles too!


We were also very pleased to be able meet the inspiration behind the charity - the main man himself - ten year old Alex Whiteley.
Being a huge rugby league fan, Alex had a passion to play the sport he enjoyed so much, but his family found that he faced many challenges when trying to get into a mainstream rugby league team - simply due to his uniqueness.

Such challenges are obviously not only faced by Alex, and many children will no doubt go through a similar thing.

Wanting to make a difference for Alex and others, RL4ALEX was born, allowing every child to feel properly included in the activity that they love.

I really hope I have an opportunity to work with RL4ALEX again - Alex is a lovely boy, and he really made an impression on the other children he met and played with on the day - they can't wait to catch up with him soon.


RL4ALEX is an inspiring cause helping to bring all children TOGETHER AS ONE

Make sure you help support this fantastic cause to help ALL children feel included
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Sunday 19 January 2014

The Mini-Miracle In A Weekend Box


It's getting to that stage with my eight year old that if activities don't include a TV, a screen, a controller or anything remotely technological, then he is simply not interested.

He has guidelines and time frames that he's allowed to be on these things for, and he does understand why he can't be glued to his Xbox 24-7, but that doesn't stop the grumbling or the huffing and puffing of how bored he is when "Times Up".

I was desperate to explore a Weekend Box as soon as I heard about them, and I'm pleased to say, this little box filled with creative goodness is an absolutely amazing little thing.
The Weekend Box came to life when Andy Stephenson was looking for unique, fun, educational gifts for his nieces and nephews.

He decided to give up working and gave his all to the project.

And in my opinion - it was a fantastic move.

Each box is designed to stimulate children's senses and they included four different activities.

There is:

Something to Cook 
Something to Make
Something to Explore and
Something Green
in each individual box.

The boxes contain everything required to carry out each activity - so no last minute dash to the shop for glue.

They will fit through the letterbox too - which means easy, no fuss delivery...and no dash to the parcel collection office when you've missed the postman!


My son is aware of my blog, and was genuinely pleased when I told him this package was delivered especially for him to "help Mum blogging".

He was really impatient to get started, and even agreed to a "No Technology Day" so we could work through the box.

Mini Miracles really do occur.

We had a look at the creative parts of the box first, and went straight into the sand art.

The instruction sheets are really child friendly, and because I have an eight year old, he was able to read them all himself, and follow them with very minimal help needed from me.

Everything was packed individually - four different coloured sands, and some PVA glue.  We had an old paintbrush that we used, but the glue could be spread using a finger too.


He loved it and really took his time getting the picture "just right", mixing different coloured sand together and making sure the glue stayed within the lines. 

We also gave the 3D glasses a go, and again, they were really straightforward to make with clear guidelines and everything needed was included.


The Weekend Box certainly gets a huge thumbs up from my son - and from me too.

If you have a child aged between 3-8 years then you really do need to give this box a try.

Sign up - it takes minutes - and use the code SIMONE5 to try your first box totally free!!

The boxes are usually priced at £7.50 each, but if you decide to sign up, and do so during January, then you will get every future box for the promotional price of £5 each, but ONLY if you sign up during January using  SIMONE5

There is no subscription either - you are free to cancel anytime you choose - which I think is great - there's no pressure to stay in a contract.

The kiddies are bound to love them - mine did and he can be a tad fussy at times!

Happy "Getting Creative"


*Item provided for an honest review
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Friday 17 January 2014

A Weekend Away - In Scotland You Say...?


Although I am very much wanting to go on holiday somewhere warm, sunny and far enough away that a plane will be required this year, I am still really looking forward to hitting Scotland in July with my little family and my lovely friends.

Ten days in the warm sunshine will be absolute bliss, but until then, a weekend filled with different scenery and good friends will be absolutely fab - a nice trip away is never to be scoffed at in my opinion.

And why Scotland  - Edinburgh to be precise - I hear you ask?

Well, this is our location because myself and the lovely Nicola are attending yet another book signing event!!

Yay!

I had the best day at the last one I went to (here), and this up-coming event is set to be even bigger, and filled with even more authors and more lovely books, all waiting for us to go total "fan-girl" crazy over.


I actually can't wait.

I'm even more excited now after finding out that Amy A. Bartol will be at the event.

 I met Amy at the London book signing last year, and she was lovely.
However, since then, I have read, and become totally addicted to her Premonition Series.

At the moment I am on the very last book, and as much as I can't put it down, I really don't want it to end because I just know it's going to give me a major book hangover when it's all done...what on earth will I do with my time then...

You really do actually have to read these books.

I 100% want a Reed all of my very own.

So, after this, even though we'll only be away for the one weekend, and even though most of this time will be spent crammed into a room with lots of fantastic authors (*excited*), I am planning on trying to shoehorn a few other activities in too, just to make the weekend all the more memorable.

I quite fancy taking my son to see The Loch Ness Monster for a start.

Anything to help get his imagination working overtime...not that he needs any help in this area to be fair, but still, I think he'd love trying to spot Nessie.

And with this being a total book packed weekend, and with me being a massive fan of all things readable, I really do need to have a little stop off at the very beautiful Alnwick Castle, which, among other things, was the amazing set of Hogwarts School in the first two Harry Potter films.

I can only imagine how magical and beautiful this will be in "the flesh".


And to totally top off the weekend, I think we may have to take the kiddies to see some lovely cute animals at Edinburgh Zoo.

I'm a sucker for anything cute and fluffy and I must admit, the prospect of visiting is quite exciting!

So all in all, I think we are definitely in for a pretty amazing but very tiring weekend!

Roll on July
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Sunday 12 January 2014

A Perfect Pair - Watch Style


What an absolutely lovely chilled out weekend I've had!

My son has been busy being the little social butterfly that he is, and has been out and about with his friends for the majority of the past two days, which has meant that I have lots of time to sit back, put my feet up and totally relax.

Which doesn't happen very often - so when it does, taking full advantage is a must.

Part of this "me time" was spent having a little think about Valentine's Day this year, and contemplating what me and the Hubby should do.

To be honest, we are really quite poor with the whole celebration of occasions that don't involve our son, and usually Valentine's Day just passes us by with a little bit of a text message, or maybe a card - at a push.

Every year we insist that we will do better and that we will celebrate properly - but we never do.

Such Old Romantic's aren't we!!

But after ten years together, I suppose life just gets in the way of all that stuff really.

I've come to the decision that we have to make a little bit more of an effort, and have been thinking that this year should really be the year that the Hubby finally gets his engagement pressie from me.

Yep - I'm really that rubbish.

He's only been waiting for the watch he wanted for - oh - nine years now...but...better late than never.

In my defense though, all those years ago, I was a poor Uni student and we were still both living at home, so money was really tight - we certainly didn't have hundreds of pounds spare to spend on a lovely watch.

So today I had a little bit of a browse of the internet, and decided that The Watch Hut could provide me with exactly what I was looking for when I came across their fab Michael Kors section.

Now at the moment, and for quite some time actually, I've really quite fancied one of these highly sought after watches for myself, so naturally when I began my search, their men's section was my first stop.

I was really pleased to find this lovely, black leather strap watch, which I know will be right up the Hubby's street




It is really masculine, chunky yet really classic - something he could keep for a long time.

He would love it.

Hmmmm......

So - yes, I'll admit it - I did happen to wander myself on over to the ladies section of lovely watches too.
I mean it would be rude not to wouldn't it, seeing as I was already on the website...

And then I sort of decided that because this little watch search was all in aid of Valentines Day, it would be really lovely for the two of us to have a complementing watch each.

A real "I Love You" - His & Her's pairing.

(Great justification eh!!)

My choice of watch had to be this lovely piece of time telling technology - I've had my beady eye on it for a while



It is large and chunky, very classic, very beautiful, and although it is by the same designer as the one I chose for the Hubby, it is different enough to still be a really individual piece.

But they look lovely together and really do make the perfect pair.



Awwww!

Happy Valentine's Day Shopping Everyone
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Friday 10 January 2014

Cheered Up Through The Receiving Of Jasper Jewellery


I'll admit, I've felt like a little bit of a grump this past week.

Apologies to anyone who's been on the receiving end of my moods - especially the Husband.

Poor thing...

But - I'm feeling A-OK today, and all thanks to a little delivery the postie presented me with yesterday.
I think he's trying to redeem himself a little bit for loosing my son's Christmas pressie the week before "The Big Day" - but let's not go there right now, I'm quite happy to be out of "Misery-Mode" and would really rather like to stay out of it.

So, the change in mood - well - it had a little something to do with this gorgeous looking package that hit my doorstep*.



How pretty - probably the best wrapping I've seen in a long time.

Now I know it seems a little materialistic to cheer up through the receiving of gifts...but...Ah Well...it can't be helped - I just love pretty, sparkly things.

And anyway, wouldn't anyone be happy to have this addressed to them??

And it is all thanks to the fantastic people at Jasper Jewellery.

Now, if this website is a tad new to you - don't worry, it was to me too.

But I'm so glad I've discovered it now, with it's treasure trove of sparkly, unique, very high quality, Swarovski Crystal pieces, that really are just beautiful.

This Ireland based jewellery store pride themselves on fast, free delivery, worldwide.

They even gift-wrap any package, no matter the size and for free too.

Perfect, if like me, wrapping things is certainly not a forte.

I did try with all my might not to destroy this lovely wrapping paper, but to be perfectly honest, I failed miserably.

It was just like a second, mini Christmas and I wanted that gift open now.


Inside, I found this beautiful, very delicate, sparkly flower bracelet which is going to add a real understated touch of glamour to any outfit.




It is very pretty and the Swarovski Crystals catch the light beautifully.

I have to say, I just absolutely adore this ring that was nestled away inside the box too.


I've been looking for something similar for a while now, so when I saw this, I knew it had to be mine.

It is really fashionable yet a little bit different too, and it is something I can wear everyday and not have to keep hidden away until a special occasion pops up.

I wore it today actually, and the amount of people that commented on it was really unbelievable - it seems I may have created a few Jasper Jewellery fans already.

Now, if these sparkly pieces weren't enough to encourage a little bit of a spending spree, then how about a little discount code to help loosen those purse strings?

Yay!

The perfect way to treat a loved one - and what with Valentines Day just a stones throw away, it would be silly not to take advantage of this €5 discount to use on anything you so wish from the site.

Just look at just how helpful I can be.

How do you save a little bit of cash then, well it is very easy -

* Have a browse of the website www.jasperjewellery.com

* Add any desired item to the basket (there's more than a few lovely bits, so be warned - there may be a few items purchased at once!)

* Enter the code: marriedtoageek5 into the discount box

* Complete the checkout & wait whilst the very speedy, very FREE delivery is put into practice.

That's it.

Easy Peasy.

And what's more, this code is valid until 31st March 2014 too.

Perfect!

I hope you enjoy Jasper Jewellery as much as I did


*Items provided for honest review
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Tuesday 7 January 2014

Oh Hello January Blues....

I'm feeling a little bit "Meh!" today if I'm being honest.

I'm not totally sure if that's a correct description of a feeling, or whether it can even be classed as a feeling at all, but, it's the best and most accurate word I could come up with right now.

I was sat having a little think about why I was feeling like this, and then I realised, the real question is why wouldn't I be feeling like this?

I mean, there's nothing really huge to look forward to at the moment - no big event, no big occasion, so yes, I suppose January is a little bit of a "Meh!" month for me this year.

All those weeks of thinking about what everyone might like for a Christmas present, then wrapping them all up and getting them off to Santa, sorting out all of the Christmas Day preparations

Everything is all done and dusted for another year.

And then there's all of the celebrations for the New Year.
Planning where to go, what to wear - all of that is out of the way now too.
Even my alcohol intolerant body has recovered fully from all signs of any hangovers - and trust me - that takes a while these days.

So what is there to actually look forward to now?

Well - January naturally means it's back to work - so, the 5am alarm is set daily.

Brilliant.

I suppose I did love eating all of that calorie-laden food over the festive period....
Which has resulted in a 6lb weight gain - so, that means that I attended my first Slimming World class of the year last night.

And although I do enjoy the plan, it also means that my chocolate and rubbish food intake has had to be totally scrapped.

Doubly Brilliant.

And this also means that my very dusty, unused-properly-for-far-too-long gym card has been wiped clean and is ready to go again on a regular basis.

Triply Brilliant.

So Yep

January - you are not my favourite of all of the twelve months, I must say.

Bloomin' Heck - what a total barrel of laughs I am today!!

I think the only thing for me to do is to go and stick the kettle on, make myself an extra large mug of steaming caffeine, grab the full punnet of grapes and eat them all to myself (how rock & roll!) and then have a good old internet search for a lovely hot, relaxing summer holiday to book.


Something nice to slot into the coming months to get me all excited again.

Yay - Bring On That Sunshine
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Friday 3 January 2014

Sport Relief 2014


So, it's the New Year.

Hello 2014.

And Hello To All Of The New Year's Resolutions.

No doubt somewhere there will be one made to get fitter; one to loose weight; one to become a better person...

We all start a year with many a good intention, but by the end of January - or even before - I wonder how many of them we have managed to keep up.

At the moment - the 3rd day into January - I'm making a good start with the things I want to try to get out of this year - I've been re-reading the Slimming World books for the weight loss, and I have just got home from two back-to-back gym classes for the fitness.

I just hope I can keep it up long term.

I find that having something to aim for usually helps me plan a schedule and reach my targets quicker, and does keep me on track a whole lot better, and what better a target to have to aim for, than to be fit enough to take part in Sport Relief 2014.



 For the very first time, every member of the public can choose to take part in three sporting challenges in the name of Sport Relief.

These activities - running, swimming and cycling - all take place over one amazing weekend from 21st - 23rd March at various locations around the country.

Between my home town of Bradford and the nearby Halifax and Leeds, I found a total of ten different events, with the furthest away being the scheduled cycle that will be held in Manchester.

There really are lots of things going on, literally, all over the place (see here)!

If there is anyone out there who wants to take on the crazy challenges of cycling the fifty miles, swimming the five km or running the whole six miles, then make sure you sign up early to leave plenty of time to begin a proper training regime.

Anyone who is after a little less of a challenge but still wanting to be involved, oh, well there are options for you too:

~ Walk, jog or run the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile, choosing from one, three or six mile distances.

~ Make a splash with the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Swimathon, choosing either individual or team distances of 1.5km, 2.5km and 5km.  You can even choose your own distances with SimplySwim too.

~ Grab a bike and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Cycle, in Glasgow, Manchester and London’s Lee Valley VeloPark. You can cycle either twenty-five miles, fifty miles or the whole family can get involved with a shorter, three mile cycle.

So there really is something for everyone.

All that is asked is that you make every single mile count and raise lots of money that can then be used to help some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the UK and around the world.

Get fit.
Help others.
A fantastic way to start the New Year if you ask me.

Make sure you take advantage of the half price signing up fee too - but hurry, this offer will end on 12th January - so make sure you act quickly.

Denise Van Outen helped to launch this year's Sport Relief - and how amazing does she look - a brilliant incentive to dust those trainers off and start training if you ask me.




Get involved - Help to raise lot's of cash and make 2014 a better year for everyone
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Thursday 2 January 2014

Au Revoir Christmas


Well, the decorations are down and hidden away in the loft for yet another year.

The Husband is back at work.

My son's homework project has been dragged out of his book bag, and Google is on high alert.

And my gym kit is sat on my bed giving me stern looks, ready for a killer Jump FX class this evening.

Yep - the festivities are well and truly done and "normality" is upon us.

Yet, due to my disorganisation, this post is Christmas related, and a "Thank You" to my lovely Secret Santa Number 2.

This year - erm...well last year actually....I took part in two Secret Santa projects - one organised by the lurverly Hayley and the other by the fab Char.

It was Char's Secret Santa organised parcel that caused me a real agonising wait, as I was instructed not to open it until Christmas day, which was very hard - so hard in fact, I had to get it to my Mum's house and ask her to hold onto it for me until Christmas Eve.


Simply no willpower when it comes to pretty parcels.

Anyway, when it was time to open up, I was presented with some lovely wrapped packages and a very cute Christmas card.



This Ciate Caviar Nail Polish set is fab - I've heard a lot about the brand, and now I have the perfect excuse to try it out for myself.


And these Christmas Pudding hair clips are just great!

I wore them with a Cheesy Christmas Jumper to a pre-Christmas day party, and they finished off my festive outfit perfectly.


Thank you to my lovely Secret Santa - I loved my gifts - great choices - and Thank You again to Char for her fab Secret Santa organising.

And that's Christmas well and truly over and done with!
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Wednesday 1 January 2014

My Best Post-Christmas Sale Buys


Happy 2014 Everyone - I hope you all have lots of fun!

I didn't really partake in the "Post Christmas Sale Shopping Of 2013" very much - all of that hustle and bustle is really too much for me to be dealing with.

The last thing I can be bothered doing the day after stuffing far too many After Eights into my already pogged body, is to be fighting over a T-Shirt with another overly enthusiastic shopper, when I wouldn't normally look twice at it.

No Thank You.

I did however do A LOT of on-line sale browsing, and ended up adding lots of unnecessary items to my baskets, and then deciding at the crucial second, that I really didn't need any of it, and switching off the computer.

Far too sensible if you ask me!!

I did manage to pick up about £60 worth of things from River Island for just £34 for my son though....my sense of shopping reasoning always seems to up and leave me when I'm buying things for him - which it probably why the majority of exciting parcels that come to my house are filled with goodies for him.

Anyway, I had just about given up hope of finding anything for myself, when I stumbled across a few beautiful things that I'd been after for ages, and I just couldn't resist them.


The first being this amazing over-sized furry cream tote bag from River Island.


Now, my younger sister always, always, always has really nice bags that make me extremely jealous, and a while ago she bought the black version of this for £40, and as much as I absolutely loved it, there was no way I could justify spending all of that cash on one bag.

So imagine how just happy I was to find this little gem for half price!

Yep - it cost me just £20 and it wasn't long out in the shop if my sisters River-Island-Bag-Facts are correct.

It's just beautiful and huge - plenty of space for all sorts of rubbish.

My second on-line purchase for myself came in the form of these fab tan ankle boots from New Look.


I've been searching for a decent pair of these for ages, but I didn't want Chelsea style ones as I already have a black pair, but nothing else was appealing to me at all.

I had practically given up hope of finding any that I liked, and then, on what seemed like the very last sale page I looked at, out jumped these little lovelies.

All "worn in" looking and chain detailed - and real suede too - with an amazing £65 price tag slashed down to £20.
I can't even tell you how fast they were added to the basket and paid for.

I love them - they'll look great with my blue skinny jeans, or with little dresses in the summer....always planning ahead...!!

All in all, my two on-line purchases should have cost me £105 (which I just wouldn't have paid) but I got them for a fabulous £40.

Bargain Central.

And to add to my bargain hunting a little more, when I tie in my River Island in-store sale bargain of the week - this stunning, heavily sequined, beaded dress, which was originally £60, down to £25 - I think I did pritty well this year...if I do say so myself.


I hope everyone else managed to find some fab savings in the sales too
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