CHILDREN: Finding affordable toys can be a challenge, but not anymore...

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Finding affordable toys for a whole range of ages can be challenging and as parents time is luxury we simply don't have. This is where PoundToy step in, a family operated business started in 2014, their aim is to deliver safe, affordable and quality toys that are responsibly sourced from the UK. As the name would suggest, they have a wide array of toys for £1, as well as many others for very affordable prices. It's the perfect place to shop for children's birthday parties, party bag fillers, stocking fillers or reward chart treats. Also, during January they not only have Toy Sale section on their website, but also a Toy Clearance section that has up to 75% off as well as an extra 50% off using the code: 'EXTRA50'.

CHRISTMAS: The Rex London £35 Stocking Filler Challenge

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Christmas is coming. The shops are filling with singing Santa's, the festive to-do lists are being written and children across the world of are compiling their wish lists for Father Christmas. I absolutely love this time of year, but it is taken to a whole new level when you have your own children. Being part of creating that magic is so special (and filled with so much pressure!), but when it comes to filling stockings it can get very expensive for Father Christmas. I find it so interesting the different ways families celebrate Christmas, approach stockings and the traditions that are so personal to each family. We all do Christmas slightly differently and that's all part of the magic! 

UNCOMMONGOODS: 15 Gifts for Children under £30

Christmas preparations are now in full swing, with so many presents to buy and food to order. UncommonGoods is here to help with a host of unique, fun gifts for the whole family. Finding that Christmas present that is just perfect for your loved one can be difficult, but with so much inspiration for all price ranges UncommonGoods has something for everyone. It is an American company founded in 1999 with a focus on sourcing unique gifts, designer décor and handmade presents. As they are an independently-owned business it allows them to support causes they believe in through their Better to Give program, so with every purchase they donate $1 to the non-profit of your choice. Since starting the program 12 years ago UncommonGoods has donated over $1 million to charities over the world!

GIFTS: What Isabella got for Christmas 2016

Isabella has been extremely lucky with all of the amazing presents she's received over Christmas. Last year she really wasn't interested in opening presents, but this year was a very different story. She absolutely loved ripping opening all of the presents, checking them out and then playing with them. We missed a trick when we wrapped up multiple books in one parcel, next year each and every gift will be wrapped separately! Now we just need to find somewhere to store all of Isabella's lovely gifts.

GIFTS: What my husband and I got for Christmas 2016

I hope you've all had a lovely Christmas break with far too much food consumed and lots of happy memories made with family/friends. We've had a lovely time seeing both my side and my husband's side of the family and are now looking forward to a few days relaxing before New Years. I thought I'd share some of the presents my husband and I got for Christmas, mainly as gift inspiration as we were so very lucky this year. I find men so much harder to buy for, so hopefully by sharing what my husband got it might give you some inspiration for birthday's/present giving events throughout the year. I'll also be sharing some of the presents Isabella was lucky enough to receive over Christmas too, so keep an eye out for that.

On to  some of the lovely presents I received...

CHRISTMAS: 20 Last Minute Homemade Gift Ideas

Only a couple of days to go until Christmas Day and inevitably there will be a neighbour/friend/relative that was somehow lost in the gift buying process. It's a nightmare! Last minute homemade gifts are perfect for entertaining children, adding that personal touch and many can be whipped up in less than an hour. Here are 20 ideas for last minute presents that can be made in the comfort of your home, therefore no battling the shops on Christmas Eve...thank goodness!

Hot Chocolate Kits

WISHLIST: Gifts and Pieces

I have just come across the cutest gift website with so many gorgeous, vintage inspired gifts - I'm in heaven! I've already bookmarked a number of items that I can give as gifts to various people I know, I love website that I can do that. Ladies and Gentleman I present you with...

Gifts & Pieces!

Gifts & Pieces stock some of my favourite brands including: Sass Belle, Lily-Flame and dotcomgiftshop, so if you're also a fan of any of these brands then your going to love Gifts & Pieces too!

My Wishlist from Gifts & Pieces...

^Daisy Fresh Cotton Wool Glass Jar £6.95^

^'Little Things' Wooden Storage Box £9^

^ Round Glass Trinklet Jar £6^

^'Hello Beautiful' Powder Blue and Silver Birdy Mug £9.20^

^Antique White Lantern £15.50^

^Pink Rose Garland £6.50^

^Ceramic Strawberry Pattern Salt and Pepper Set £5^

^English Rose Makeup Bag £4^

^...Till Our Wedding Hanging Sign £4^

^Baby Pink Polka Dot Paper Straws £3^

Which is your favourite item from their website - have I missed anything amazing?

Feel free to leave me a comment :)

They have to be the hardest people to buy for?!

You've probably already guessed....

 

MEN!

 

Aren't they just a nightmare to buy presents for?! I have spent many hours thinking, researching, browsing and re-thinking about what to get my brothers, Dad and Tom over the last couple of years. If they say they 'don't want anything' then sometimes I'm tempted to actually not get them anything. Other than my Dad (who genuinely wouldn't mind) I have a feeling everyone else would be rather miffed. After all a birthday or Christmas with no presents at all isn't much fun! As Tom's birthday is quickly approaching, along with his Poppa, Dad, Auntie, Sister and my Brother (yes, October is a very expensive month!) I thought I'd put together a collection of presents that can solve that annual issue of what to buy the men in your life!
 

 

 

 

 

Personalised Playlist Cassette Print by Betsy Benn, available from notonthehighstreet for £38

 

Personalised Beer Crate from Plantabox £32.95

Oak Stand for iPad from The Oak and Rope Company (they have a vast range of beautiful oak gifts - well worth checking them out!) £75

 

'Pint' and 'Half Pint' T-Shirt Set from Twisted Twee £32

 

Steampunk Cufflinks from Penny Farthing Designs on Etsy £28

 

Personalised Notebook Vintage Bicycle from Alphabet Interiors at notonthehighstreet £12.99


Bacon Cure and Smoke Kit by Hot Smoked £47

 Personalised Office in a Jar from Harrow and Green £25


Alarm Dock iPhone 5 from e-side £36


Personalised Passport Stamp Globe Print from Hannah Lloyd £45 (there are loads of beautiful print designs available on the Hannah Lloyd website - go look!)



Personalised Silver Location Bracelet by Sally Clay Jewellery Design £83

 

 Mojito R-EVOLUTION Molecular Mixology Kit from drinkstuff £34.99


The Story Of My Cars Illustration £55 from Letterfest.

Do you find it hard to buy presents for the men in your life?

Feel free to leave me a comment :)

Blended Therapies - Aromatherapy Products

Blended Therapies is an online store that offers a wide range of luxurious, natural and aromatherapy products at reasonable prices. The range is vast, from products designed for gardeners, Dad's and Baby's to treat's for yourself! Mother's Day is fast approaching and there are some lovely gift sets that would make a perfect present.

Mothers Day Gift Boxes - from £12.00



Handbag Lavender Hand Cream £2.50

Dad Shaving Gift Set - £25.00

Teething Cream for Babies - £7.00

After writing the 'Lovely Gifts for Mum's To Be' blog post (see here) Blended Therapies kindly sent me one of their beautifully packaged products, their Stretch Mark Prevention Oil (£8.00). The key attribute of Blended Therapies products is that they are created using natural ingredients and based on aromatherapy. Pregnancy is one of the most natural thing a women's body goes through, so surely it only makes sense to treat it with natural products too. It's especially important when you have an unborn baby to consider too.

After talking to a couple of my friends and my sister in law that have been or are pregnant, a reoccurring worry for them was stretch marks! Stretch marks can happen at any time in your life, I have small stretch marks on my hips from when I gained and lost weight throughout my teenage years. So I can imagine if I get pregnant I will have loads of stretch marks. My view on stretch marks from being pregnant is that they should be embraced, those stretch marks are a sign that you carried your baby for 9 months and ultimately gave you your lovely newborn. Having said this I obviously don't know how I'll feel after having a baby. I know that a lot of women find stretch marks a real concern and they can really dent a women's confidence.

Blended Therapies have created a Stretch Mark Prevention Oil, which claims to 'prevent or lessen stretch marks'. The oil contains a mixture of apricot kernel and wheat germ, in their unique combination. These ingredients are 'known for their properties in improving elasticity and healthy skin condition'. It's easy to apply, just massage into the tummy area throughout the pregnancy. I have given this to my sister in law and she has used it a couple of times. She says it smells divine and is a very luxurious consistency, which isn't too greasy. The 100ml bottle is the perfect size for the length of pregnancy, as you only need such a small amount per application. She's looking forward to continue using it throughout her pregnancy!

Have you tried aromatherapy products before?

Please feel free to leave me a comment, I love hearing what you think :)

A tasty alternative to flowers :)

Bisquites is a unique and exciting company that offer the perfect and more reasonable alternative to sending flowers! They offer unique gifts that are stunningly presented and best of all - EDIBLE! Bisquites offer carefully decorated shortbread displayed in interesting and original ways, such as in a bouquet, bunting, wedding favours and gift boxes!

As Mother's Day is fast approaching (it's the SAME day as my birthday this year!) I was kindly sent one the Mother's Day Cookie Bouquet and couldn't believe how beautiful it was! Each of their products is carefully displayed in a gift box with a ribbon, wrapped in tissue paper and each individual biscuit is wrapped in cellophane and a bow. The biscuits are melt in the mouth shortbread and with the icing on each biscuit, they are seriously moreish! One excellent attribute of Bisquites is that the best before date is very good, my bouquet was delivered at the beginning of February and it's best before date is the 7th April 2013.

They really make the perfect present for Mother's Day, as a Thank You, Birthday's, Anniversary, Get Well Soon, Wedding etc.

A range of their stunning bouquets...

I think you'll agree that these bouquets make a lovely alternative to sending someone flowers and with prices starting from £16, they are cheaper than sending flowers too!

Here are some of the other unique gifts Bisquites offer:



£13.50



£3.50



£4.95



£3.50

How cute are these biscuits?

Please feel free to comment below :)