A Night in At The Movies

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing quite like a good old family movie night where everyone can totally slob out with their loved ones, cosy up and munch through vast amounts of sweets and treats.

For me it just brings a whole level of togetherness - a togetherness which can often be lost or very much unappreciated during the goings-on of everyday life.

And it's something we've always loved to do in my home.

Even before we had kiddies, whilst myself and the Hubby loved nothing more than "painting the town red" there's really no beating pulling on the comfies and snuggling up with a really good film.

And now that we do have our fabulous children, well, we love it even more.

You see I'm a real stickler for talking my son through films, especially the fabulous ones which are adapted from amazing books - books which I will have always read before watching the film because obviously, you can't watch a movie until you've read the book - it's the law don't ya know.

And then my son loves asking me questions back as he tries really hard to fully understand everything that is going on - it drives the Hubby crazy, but it's just "our thing".

...however it's not really "a thing" that other cinema goers appreciate, us nattering our way through each and every scene, so movie nights at home are totally perfect.

Being able to watch a movie and interact with our loved ones in this way is really important for us because lets face it, actually going out to the cinema isn't always an option.

Especially not with a four month old little lady in tow...and...well, cinema nights can be so blooming expensive can't they.

So - a night in at the movies is usually our preferred mode for getting our film fix.

So I can really see why Gracewell place such an emphasis on the importance of having evenings like this for their residents.

Gracewell are residential homes which care for the elderly you see, a setting where having a sense of family togetherness and family support must certainly be paramount.

We can all get so wrapped up in our own everyday lives - school, work, hobbies - it can be so easy to loose family closeness and so, even if it's just once a week, we like to sit down, relax and spend a little bit of time just being together as a family.

And film night is great for this.

Gracewell recognise this too and film nights are a regular occurrence within their homes - family members are invited and everyone gets together to simply, be together.

To have a sense of togetherness and belonging.

~ It's really important ~

~ It's really important to me

~ It's really important to Gracewell residents too I'm sure.

And actually, this week we've managed a few family movie nights already.

We watched movie number one (make sure you see it - it's blooming amazing!) and we all got so into it that we just had to rent the second one as soon as we possibly could.

Both movies have been such a discussion point each and every day since we watched them too.

So when you think about it, there's really so much more to movie night that simply "just watching a film" isn't there...

I hope you enjoy a fabulous family filled Night At The Movies too

* collaborative post - all words, thoughts & movie opinions are my own

Baby Baker Friday - Organic Mama & Teething Troubles

So as you know, I decided that Friday's on the blog would be dedicated to my pregnancy and now, new mummy status.

I know it's not something everyone wants to read about but it is something that I really wanted to do - so I'm doing it - after all, being pregnant and having a beautiful new baby is a huge thing to be happening in my life and I really wanted to share bits and pieces of what is going on amongst these pages.

So here we go

~ Baby Baker Friday ~

We all know that a huge part of having a child is learning how to be that one person that your little human knows will be there for them, no matter what, whenever they need comforting and a little bit of an "it'll be OK".

And this starts way, way before having to know just what to say and just when that right moment is to offer up a huge cuddle because, let's say, their "date" didn't show up to the school Valentine's disco and didn't collect the present that was so carefully picked out and proudly taken in...

(Yep - it would seem even ten year olds can be cruel)

It is something which begins right from the word go - this knack of being able to eliminate pain and discomfort really is a huge factor of being a parent.

(or so I think anyway!)

Baby Baker is currently teething you see, and whilst she's constantly biting her hands and has these little flaming hot, rosy red cheeks 90% of the time, I know that those little "tooshie pegs" could take months before they even begin to show themselves.

Months and months of sore, swollen, red gums and horrible throbbing pain.

Poor little thing.

And I'm trying everything I can find to help her get through it.

But she is still so small really and hasn't quite grasped the fact that if she bites down on an object - a teething ring for example - it will give her more relief and will save her tiny hands from being all sore, but I know she'll grasp it soon.

Something I have been trying to tempt her with recently is an item I was sent to look at by Organic Mama

Now this very bright Mae Necklace has a dual purpose - not only is it a little bit of a fashion accessory for Mum but it is also a handy teether for baby.

Made from 100% food grade silicone beads, it is ideal for Baby Baker to be chomping down on when she gets that urge.

I really like the fact that it contains no PVC, no lead, no toxins which means that I have total peace of mind Baby Baker isn't shoving any nasties into her mouth.

And it can be sterilised too - always a bonus in my opinion.

The three large silicone oval shapes are attached to a fairly long colour-complementing string which slips over  Mum's head all ready for baby to grab, play with and chew as they please.

~ No fuss

~ No stress

~ No scrambling around searching for a teether

~ Brilliant ~

But like I said, at the moment, I think Baby Baker is a little too young to know how to grasp this and pull it into her mouth when it is around my neck but she has certainly spent a fair amount of time looking at it, focusing on it and reaching out for it when I have worn it.

And then when I physically place it into her hands she will take it straight up to her mouth and has had a few little nibbles.

As she gets older I can see that this is going to be something we will use to really help ease her discomfort and I'm really pleased to have it in my "Rid The Pain" stash.

In fact, I think if I had to say I had any issue with this item then, for me, it would be the colour.

And I really do like purple, but I have very little outfits that it will go with...but I suppose that just means I need to get myself out shopping doesn't it...

...Either that or I head back to Organic Mama and pick up a few of their different coloured necklaces...

* item sent free of charge for an honest review. Words, pictures 100% my own

GOSH Beauty Box - Saving My Sanity

What a crazy few days we've had weather wise...

But don't worry, this isn't a post all about the weather, it's actually a bit of a make-up post but you know how I like to set the scene a little.

Today just looks freezing, yesterday we had snow (!!) but it's the day before - Monday - that had me in a real state.

You see on Monday, I had a real need to do something, to get out of the house for an hour and so, into the pram I popped Baby Baker and off we went, on our own little afternoon adventure.

And it was really lovely - at first.

Willow was grinning away (as usual) at Mummy's silly face pulling, we were getting that all important fresh air, I was totting up the Body Magic (Slimming World stuff) - and it was just really nice.

And then what happened?

Yeah, you guessed it - the heavens opened and it absolutely bounced it down.

~ Typical ~

I gave up on our little stroll and headed for the sanctuary that is Tesco (bet it's never been called that before) and it was here, within the confines of my local supermarket that I was forced to stop, totally dead in my tracks.

As I was plodding along the milk aisle (of all places), minding my own business I happened to catch a glimpse of myself in one of those little mirrors they have stuck to the side of the fridges.

H-o-l-y  Hell

I mean I know I haven't really been taking that much care of my appearance recently - it's been all child and baby (as it should be) - so I'm not sure what I actually expected to see really, but the image gawping back at me was something that really can't be left unattended any longer.

I'm seriously surprised hordes of people with pitch forks haven't tried to drag me back to Far Far Away in a bid to force me to reclaim The Swap as my home.

~ I look blooming awful ~

And then, to make matters even worse (if that's possible), as I was typing my pin number in at the self serve checkout all I could see were my ten wonky, jagged, neglected nails...

~ Sigh ~

I needed to get home...which meant battling the gale outside again, but once I had and was back within the safety of my house - totally soaked but with a content, napping baby - I nipped upstairs and delved into my stash of very neglected beauty goodies.

And I found this....

A fabulous box of GOSH goodies which I won in a raffle at the HBAlPorto meet way back in September.

It's actually brilliant and a few of the items I have used before...

...the Primer Plus is one of these things and I love it...

As it states on the tube, this is a product all about skin hydration - I found when first applying it to my face, my skin really does feel as though it is a little bit wet...yet it isn't...if that makes any sense.

It's almost as though I've pumped loads of water across the top layer of my skin - and it feels great - before settling down to give a slightly silky feel to the face.

It's fab.

As is this very bright looking "Denim Delight" nail lacquer which has graced my nails a fair few time before now...

I found this very easy to apply and loved that chipping was very minimal - when you don't have loads of free time every day like myself, then this is a total must.

And so the rest of this fabulous box still remains a total mystery to me...what a crazy person I am...I mean just look at the pile I'm left to work through...

Not that I'm complaining though - everything looks great and I really love the sleek, simple packaging of it all.

So, left to indulge myself with, I have...

~ two lip lacquers...

(I'm very curious to find out all about these and test their lasting power I must admit)

~ a "Velvet Touch" lipstick - a very deep, dark purple colour...

~ an eyeliner in "Carbon Black" and a Velvet Touch lip-liner in "Raspberry Dream"...

~ a "Black Star" eye liner pen and an intense eye liner pen in "brown"...
(I may need a lot of practise with these...)

~ three Forever Lip Shine pens in "Magic Monday", "Lady Like" and "Funky Friday"...

~ a shimmery eyeshadow trio in "Three of a Kind"...

...plus...

~ a handbag sized (perfect!) mineral powder brush...

I mean, what a prize to win eh.

I'm sure to be feeling a little less Ogre-like and a little more human once I've pampered and preened myself with these.

I'm really looking forward to sitting down this evening, taking some time out for me and properly ploughing through all of these brilliant looking products.

I can't blooming wait.

Thanks lots GOSH

* items were a raffle prize at a blogger meet. Raffle tickets were bought and paid for by myself. Winning was just luck!

Baby Baker Friday - Willow's Outfits - #2

So as you know, I decided that Friday's on the blog would be dedicated to my pregnancy and now, new mummy status.

I know it's not something everyone wants to read about but it is something that I really wanted to do - so I'm doing it - after all, being pregnant and having a beautiful new baby is a huge thing to be happening in my life and I really wanted to share bits and pieces of what is going on amongst these pages.

So here we go

~ Baby Baker Friday ~

I decided I'd left enough time between these post to allow one to be published today - roughly four weeks is adequate enough I think - so here we are...

~ Baby Baker's Look Book ~

I've decided that with the amount of outfit shots I already have and will no doubt keep on taking, plus the amount of clothes Baby Baker has still waiting, unworn in her wardrobe and with my inability to stop buying lovely outfits for her I feel it would be only right to make part of my "Baby Baker Friday" slot dedicated to Willow and all of her lovely clothes.

And so...

Baby Baker is currently 16 weeks old (four months...FOUR months - how has that happened already?!) and at last weigh in she was 12lb 2 1/2oz.
(she's so tiny though - like a little, tubby-bellied dolly)

She is currently wearing "0-3months" sized clothing
...although even a fair few bits she has in this size are still a tad big.

So what did January bring us clothing wise?

Well I was finally able to open up the huge bag of this sized clothes at the start of January which I had received as gifts for her...

But I still couldn't resist hitting the sales a little bit - I mean it was my first bit of sale shopping with a little girl - how could I walk away from all of those dresses and floral numbers...?!

I couldn't - and here are a few of my favourite little bits...

Comfort at it's best from Next...this is actually too small now and Baby Baker only wore it twice, mainly because I was determined to get a little bit of wear out of it.

Sticking with the laid back look both of these legging and vest combos were outfit sets from H&M - one of my first ports of call when I'm looking for baby bits...

Each one came with a little matching skull cap type hat...but we popped that to one side...we much prefer to add a little bow.

I've become such a fan of the baby clothes in supermarkets recently too - they really are fabulous for nice, affordable outfits and the two get-ups below were both from George at Asda...we just (obviously!) added the head accessories...

I have to roll with the headband wearing and drag it out whilst she's willing to let me - it won't be long before they are being pulled off and discarded in a heap.

Keeping with the "I love supermarkets" theme, I popped into Morrisons earlier this week and couldn't resist grabbing a few more things - they are such good value for money - I mean £3 for a top or a pair of trousers is really hard to walk away from...

(I love, love, love these rose covered harem trousers)

And little lemon jeggings with a 3D butterfly and glitter top - perfect for a day of visiting friends.

It does appear as though January was a very casual month - no dresses seem to have been worn at all - but I'm all for a bit of comfy-cosiness.

And then, last but not least, whilst this isn't an outfit as such, I just had to show you part of the prize I won from Baby Moo way before Baby Baker was born because it eventually did fit her...

(it doesn't now, but it did for a while)

~ You tell 'em beautiful girl! ~

Hope you've enjoyed

Amara - Cute Valentine's Day Goodies

So, by now it's no real surprise to hear that myself and the Husband don't really buy into the whole Valentine's Day thing.

Maybe we're just too tight to get as deeply involved with it all as I've seen some people get.

But whatever the reason, we just don't bother.

That doesn't mean I don't spend hours (if I ever get that much time to myself that is) browsing the Internet around this time of year looking for lots of fantastic treats and goodies.

I mean, who doesn't love all of the hearts, flowers and pretty "l-o-v-e" adorned items?

I know I do.

And naturally the weeks surrounding Valentine's Day are going to be the best time to find all this kind of thing, lined up and backed up, wall to wall.

Take Amara for example.

A website with lots of very pretty things on offer - some which are a little high end and a tad (quite a tad actually) out of my price range, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy browsing them all the same...obviously "adding to basket" as I go.

I can dream, right...

But then there are lots of lovely goodies very much accessible to a smaller budget too - things which would be perfect treats for Valentine's Day - without having to scrimp on quality.

Take this little selection for example...

Aren't they lovely - and very Valentine's Day appropriate.

But I do love a good candle no matter the time of year.

I can guarantee that every trip to the supermarket has me picking up at least one - I have to have them burning whenever I am in the house, no matter the time of day.

And scent wise, I much prefer very fragrant, strong smells which are fruity or sweet (rather than floral) so this Goji and Tarocco Orange candle was right up my street...

It isn't overly big (booo!) but the design on the glass is really pretty and it has a fairly reasonable burning time of around 15 hours and the scent, oooh it's fantastic.

Very fruity indeed.

~ Perfect ~

I had it burning in the living room for just fifteen minutes and practically the whole house smelt wonderful.

And not only that - well, come on - it is Valentine's Day...a lovely smelling, slow burning candle is sure to "set that mood" a little isn't it...

Next up within my little bundle of goodies I found this cute, colourful, heart decorated notebook...

Pretty and useful - what's not to like?

I do love a good bit of stationary you see.

In fact, scrap all those flowers and chocolates (I'm on a diet anyway!) this is something I'd openly welcome as a pressie.

Stationary (it has to be pretty stationary though) is the way to this girl's heart...
(did I hear somebody say "Geek"...?)

....unless I'm getting things that make my house look pretty, then it's these that are obviously claiming my heart...

Which is exactly what this pastel yellow storage tin did.

It fits in perfectly with the theme of my kitchen and can be used for storing a whole host of things.

And present it to me filled with yummy chocolates then I'm even happier.
(hmmm...did I say I was on a diet...)

Anyway, I really love my Valentine's Amara Package and if it can manage to make a Valentine's Scrooge like me feel a little more  like I should be celebrating the day then it's got to be good, right...

No matter how you celebrate (or don't) - Happy Valentine's Day all

* items sent for review purposes. All words, opinions & images 100% my own

Joshua James Jewellery - Making A Gal Very Happy This Valentine's Day

"Mum, my girlfriend has asked me for a charm bracelet with charms for Valentine's Day."

Oh.

Right...

This was the statement that greeted me yesterday when my son climbed into the car after school when I asked if he had handed the ticket money in to his teacher for his school Valentine's Disco.

Expensive, fancy jewellery?

Seriously?

They are blooming ten years old and in Year 5 at primary school for goodness sake.

I'm thirty two years old, have been with my Hubby for twelve years, married for four and a half years, have two beautiful kiddies and even I don't get expensive, fancy jewellery.

Needless to say I told him he can buy her a box of chocolates and a card and have done with it.

It did get me to thinking a little bit about everything "Valentines" though, in particular, just how little emphasis myself and the Hubby still place on the whole day.

We tend to ignore it really - I'm usually lucky if I get a card.
(I've even known my other half to ask me to go out and physically buy my own card ready for him to sign before now...)

Who said romance is dead eh?!

But I'm not too bothered really - yes of course I would love to be surprised, perhaps with an indulgent spa weekend filled with relaxation or maybe some nice jewellery but we have other priorities these days, priorities (ie children!) which come first.

If I'm honest, we've been together so long now that I'm more than happy to settle with being made a lovely cuppa and having control of the TV remote for the evening.

And anyway, who really needs the Hubby to be all thoughtful and romantic when there's other people out there who will be all fabulous and thoughtful towards me..?

(It's not as wrong as it sounds, trust me- very far from it in fact.)

But this year I have been spoilt and no, it wasn't by the Hubby, Joshua James Jewellery have been totally fabulous and thoroughly tempting with all of the amazingness they have to offer on their website.

I've been after getting my hands on a beautiful Olivia Burton watch for quite a long time now but, as with everything recently, there was never any justification - not with a new baby on the way and then not with a new baby arriving and then not with a home to redecorate...oh, and then there was my son's birthday and then Christmas...

Need I go on...?

Mum would obviously have to wait for her little splurge.

But then Joshua James Jewellery got involved and, well, maybe Mum wouldn't be waiting too long after all...

I mean just look at how perfect this is...

I've wanted a classic, "grown up" watch for so long now, one simple enough to be able to be worn every day but that could still be all pretty and striking looking and I have to say, I think this one ticks all of those boxes and more.

The tan leather strap and gold detailing make the watch look very ladylike and fancy - it would simply be a perfect Valentine's Day gift - guaranteed to express to someone just how much they mean to you.

And then, if my levels of delight weren't high enough, I was also treated to this beautiful Chrysalis rose gold stackable bangle...

It is so cute and really delicate.

There are so many different styles and colours available, each with different charms, meaning there is certainly something to suit your loved one perfectly.

I (obviously) chose the charm design which symbolises "Mum"...

It is so perfect for me and I love it.

So, even though I may not have the world's most romantic Husband and even though I may not be expecting a day crammed full of massages and beautifying inside the walls of some swish, swanky spa over this Valentine's Day period I'm still certainly feeling oh-so very lucky and will undoubtedly be beaming, showing off my very fancy arm-wear come February 14th.

Joshua James Jewellery - you've really made this lady happy.

And if my son does ever need pretty jewellery pieces to impress a lovely lady in the future (way, WAY into the future, when he's much MUCH older and earning his own money) then I'm sending him your way.

How could I not - there is everything needed to ensure a fabulous Valentine's Day is had by all

* pretty pieces provided free of charge - all words, opinions & photographs are 100% my own

Turtle Bay - Caribbean Food In The Heart Of Leeds

I think I've been quite a lucky girl growing up really.

I love the fact that my family is quite diverse and we originate from a fair few different places - it certainly made growing up brilliant, interesting and really quite fabulous.

I wouldn't have had it any other way.

One thing it ensured was that from a really young age I was introduced to a wide range of fantastic foods, many of which originated from a lot further afield than my birthplace in Yorkshire that's for sure.

My Grandad was born in Roseau in Dominica and he and my Grandma are just the best...

Going to their home at weekends had to be one of my most favourite places in the world and it was there that my love for dishes such as broths with dumplings, plantain, salt fish fritters and spicy goat curry (to name just a few) really began.

Those types of dishes have never been strangers to me (told you I'd been a lucky girl didn't I) and so, when the Husband told me that he had a fab meal arranged for us to pop along to the very new Turtle Bay in Leeds I just couldn't wait for us to get there.

I first heard of Turtle Bay through my cousin - who resides in London - as she regularly takes my Auntie there when she visits and neither of them ever had a bad word to say about the place.

Then, the Husband was lucky enough to be invited along to the Huddersfield's Turtle Bay, both for a pre-opening event and then again once it was all systems go and everything was up and running.

The praise he gave them had me so jealous to say the very least - I wanted to go and sample all of that Caribbean amazingness

And then it was (finally) my turn.

~ Yay ~

When we arrived I was immediately struck with how calm and laid back the place was.

The staff were really friendly and pleasant and I think the chilled Caribbean music really helped to set the lovely, welcoming tone.

I could have sat in there for hours it was really that nice.

Now, food wise, I wanted to try and be as healthy as I possibly could be but without missing out on the whole foodie experience

(I mean how rude would that have been!)

So for my starter I picked a Pulled Pork Salad and was actually very pleasantly surprised...

The pulled pork was amazing - slow roasted making it perfectly tender, beautifully spiced and very moreish - the salad was fresh, crisp and whilst there was a little dressing, it wasn't oily or heavy in the slightest.

I thoroughly enjoyed the dish - and I'm never usually a "lets pick a salad when we're out" kind of a person - not ever.

Now the boys, who were certainly not after any healthy options, decided to pick...

~ Jerk Chicken Wings ...

(the Hubby)

~ Garlic and Herb Flatbread

(the son)

I snaffled tiny tasters of both and really thought that they were great.

My son wasn't impressed with "the salad" on his garlic bread I must admit, but a quick dusting solved this in seconds.

The boys certainly enjoyed their options and left nothing on their plates - the Hubby did help with a few slices of the garlic bread though...

Baby Baker, who was naturally accompanying us on our family outing, decided it was her lunch time between courses and even she seemed really chilled out and relaxed in herself too - hardly surprising really with the level of calm in the atmosphere.

She fed, laughed, and then went back to sleep.

And then it was time for the main courses and mine consisted of a quarter jerk chicken served with 'slaw and rice and peas which I picked from the "lighter" menu...

It was delicious and whilst it was a smaller portion I felt really full afterwards.

I have to admit that I wasn't overly keen on the 'slaw though but I'm not a big fan of it usually anyway.

To be fair to this, it wasn't drenched in oil or mayo and really felt as though it was a nice, healthy version of the side but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

The chicken on the other hand was perfect - not dry in the slightest, lovely, tender and cooked perfectly.

All of the spices were obviously on the skin - skin that I don't eat - but when I removed it and set it aside, I found that all of the flavours had radiated through to the meat underneath and it was all beautifully spiced.

And then to be accompanied with rice 'n' peas...well...how on earth could I find fault with that.

Healthy and amazing - a winner in my book.

My son, who adores his food, received a little bit of a disbelieving look from the guy serving us when the huge one pot of curried goat was directed towards him, and I'm not surprised really...

It was huge.

The tin pot was stuffed with rice, vegetables, potatoes and a really spicy goat curry...

Don't get me wrong it was blooming lovely, just a tad hot and you would think, quite a lot quantity wise for a ten year old child.

But nope - my son snaffled almost the whole lot...plus those yummy looking accompanying dumplings too - my boy does like his grub.

Another boy of mine, the one of the slightly older variety also loves his grub - The Hubby ordered the belly pork with rice and 'slaw on the side...

Needless to say, he ate the lot.

I can honestly say we found no fault at all with the food or the service - everything was just brilliant.

I really loved the bright, laid back decor Turtle Bay offered too...

 I don't think I've ever really felt as comfortable eating out in a place before if I'm totally honest - I loved the place.

I even felt happy (well, maybe happy is slightly too strong a word) turning away the pudding menu...

~ I Must Be Healthy ~

~ I Must Be Healthy ~

~ I Must Be Healthy ~

And then, even when these two delightful plates arrived...

~ BBQ Pineapple with rum caramel sauce and ice-cream for the Hubby

~ Dark Chocolate Brownie (what else!) for the son

...and I was presented with an extra spoon and a knowing look from the waiter I totally resisted and watched both boys devour their plates of sweet-filled goodness in record time.

Clean, empty plates scream volumes about taste really don't they - there wasn't a morsel left.

I loved my first Turtle Bay experience.

I'm definitely going to be heading back as soon as possible and I really suggest you do too.

Seriously - go!

* meal provided free of charge but opinions, words & photographs are all my own