Alexander Residence

I have moved to aresidence.co.uk

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Head on over to aresidence.co.uk
love
Penny
x

I'm a genie in a bottle

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:44:00 +0000

Mummy look!

Got genie in it.

Genie gone!

Mummy look! Where genie gone?

No genie

Genie gone walk in woods!

Maybe if I shut it again

Kiss it and make a wish

Rub it.

Maybe genie come out?

We just spent a magical weekend visiting my brother and his girlfriend, at her mum's house in the middle of the woods. Mr G fell in love with this ornament by the pond in the garden, he was convinced it had a genie in it.

It's a truly amazing part of the world, a beautiful house and a lovely way of life. The cottage was an Aladdin's cave of beautiful objects, with a Rayburn, a wood burning stove, the comfiest sofa in the world and a wood for a back garden. I will be mainly living on Rightmove this week.

Whilst reading The Guardian, in front of the wood burning stove, while the kids watched TV, I sympathised greatly with Tim Dowling, whose column was all about his family wreaking havoc as house guests. My husband and I were frequently heard growling 'Step away from the Rayburn, put that ornament down, don't leap off the sofa'.

So big thank you to my brother and his lovely girlfriend and family for having us, and *ahem*, you two have all this to come.

Oh and we saw the sea, a rare sight for Nottingham kids.

Mr G in role as King Canute shouting "How dare you!" Ocean, turn back now! I have ordered you to retreat before me, and now you must obey! Go back!" ....Okay, so it was more like, 'Go way!'

Back to normal now though, how was your weekend?

Action Aid Bloggers Tea Party

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:01:00 +0000

Have you heard about the Action Aid Bloggers Tea Party? I'm going, so is helloitsgemma, hope to see you there! Here's all the information you need from Action Aid:

We are having a special new year's Bloggers Tea Party and you are invited!

Join us on the 19 January for a fun-filled afternoon of networking, storytelling, blogging tips and cake.

Hear about our work helping the poorest children around the world, stories from supporters and how bloggers can get involved in our mission to end poverty.

We'll have some very special guests joining us including comedian and ActionAid ambassador Mark Watson.

This event is for bloggers of all levels and experience - so whether you're just starting out in the blogging world or an expert blogger, it would be great to see you.

When: 19 January 2012

Where: ActionAid, 33-39 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0BJ

Time: Please arrive at 1-2pm for the guest speakers.

We will have a creche on site so please do bring your little ones!

To register click here

Any questions about the event? Tweet us @ActionAidUK, write on ourFacebook wall or email us bloggers@actionaid.org

And don't forget to check out the hashtag on twitter #actionaidteaparty

Best present, with bells on

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The Alexander Residence prize for the most magical present packaging this year, goes to....drum roll...Warner Brothers.

It was a few days before Christmas. My husband had just finished work for the holidays, we'd been to collect him from the station, we were starting to feel festive. On the way home we stopped at the sorting office to pick up a parcel. All the internet present shopping I had ordered had already arrived, so I had the feeling it might be something unusual. You know when the postie ticks both the 'too large' and the 'needs a signature' box that you're onto something exciting.

I emerged from the sorting office with a big brown box, and that's when I started to hear the faint jingle of sleigh bells. A magical sound that immediately woke my inner child. My actual children couldn't wait to see what was hiding in the box either. We peeped. Inside was a hessian sack tied with red ribbon and a gold bell, with a label addressed to 'The Alexanders'. We took one look, our eyes popped, our jaws dropped.

'Is it from Father Christmas?' my 5 year old whispered reverently.

I felt it was only right to tell the truth, although those few minutes of dalliance with the sack being from Father Christmas were rather lovely. I explained where it came from, and we started looking through the films and goodies inside.

It didn't take long for my 3yo to claim the model campervan from Scooby Doo, so my husband quickly removed the entire Scooby Doo back catalogue on DVD it was housing. It's a very special collector's edition which would make a fantastic gift for the Scooby Doo lovers out there (And quite frankly what self respecting child of the sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, noughties or twenty tens isn't?)

Warner Brothers have classic Christmas titles for children: Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Polar Express, which we've added to our box of Christmas DVDs.

There was Yogi Bear (with, I might add, Mr Justin Timblerlake voicing Boo Boo) and the rather fab looking Scooby Doo Curse of the Lake Monster the live action movie. And although I don't let my 3yo anywhere near it yet, Ben 10 came in very handy when the older cousins were staying over. We've also fallen in love with Happy Feet again, and now can't wait for Happy Feet Two to come out on DVD.

My children are finally both old enough to both appreciate the magic of film, and these titles reminded me what an exciting part of family life that is. I'm really looking forward to reviewing some Warner Brother's titles in 2012...watch this space.

Picture credit © Photographer Michelle Milliman Agency: Dreamstime.com

And she got off at Macclesfield Little Legacy 25

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:55:00 +0000

THE TRAINSPOTTER OF LOVE by Henry Normal

She was sophistication personified

an angel with hazel eyes

unmoved by my yearning

to my passion burning

her indifference would not yield

as the train stopped

my hopes dropped

and she got off at Macclesfield

This week I went home. I call it home, it's not where I live, but it's where I grew up. For the first time in years I went by train, which reminded me of this poem which always makes me smile. This week's little legacy is about the place where my mum and dad decided to disembark in 1984, and call home.

I arrived on Monday at the train station. Sadly the last time I was there, we were collecting my brother, who'd arrived from London, shortly after mum died. I've written poems about that moment, too personal to share here, but wonderfully therapeutic. But this time I surprised myself, I smiled, thinking of all the times mum was there to greet me there and of her elaborate waving off rituals.

I went home to look after my dad. He was having a routine operation so he was in and out in a day, but needed a bit of TLC. So I also walked the corridors of the hospital my mum worked in, and where she spent some of her last weeks, this time last year. That felt okay, I had been nervous I would go to pieces, but I didn't feel that way. This time I could also remember happier times, meeting mum for lunch in the hospital canteen and walking home through the hospital from secondary school.

While I was home, I met up with an old school friend who has just bought a house near my Dad, I walked along the street where I went to Brownies, and the place where mum collected our child benefit. So many little snippets of memory hidden amongst the backstreets I grew up in. Even though we've not seen each other for a couple of years, and not since mum died, my friend and I slipped into easy conversation, reminiscing, over sloe gins, until the early hours of the morning.

Until recently I've avoided wandering too much when I've been home, thinking it would be painful. My friend suggested maybe it could be the opposite, it would bring me closer to my mum.

She was right, it did.

Little legacy is a remembrance project , a positive and creative space, to celebrate small things handed down by predecessors. Feel free to link up a little legacy you've been thinking about this week, or to leave one in the comments. Here's the code and here's more on Little Legacy

Not making resolutions, just time

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The last two years I made resolutions. The last two years my world came crashing down on or around New Year's Day. My mum was admitted to hospital on New Year's Day in 2010 and on the 3rd January 2011. The resolutions were soon forgotten, I realised life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. After mum died last year, I let my subconscious wander wherever it needed in 2010, there wasn't much structure, many goals or plans. But it really helped me grieve.

This year I am not making resolutions. I am making time. I've been reading up on time management and taking control of my time in 2012, so that I can deal with whatever life throws at me and still achieve some goals of my own. I've been reading, amongst other things, Nadine of Juggle Mum's book But I don't have time to write. It's very inspiring.

When I left teaching I left behind timetables, plans and bells and embraced the freedom of having less structure in my life. I had been in the education system from the age of 4 until I was 29, with only one year's break. It was heaven to not have to work to a timetable. Small children and mum's illness and death meant I succumbed more and more to chaos. But I'm ready to reign that back in now.

The cornerstone to time management, according to Nadine, is a diary you love. This was in my stocking and I love it:

Wishing you all the best in 2012. May time be on your side too!

Renew and refresh

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

I watched my electrician neighbour install solar panels on his roof this Winter and had a severe case of keeping up with the Joneses. He's tried to explain the maths to me several times, which I'm not qualified to re-explain, but basically once you've found the initial funding, it sounds great. These kind of projects really appeal to me. In my heart of hearts I always imagine myself on a muddy smallholding with a wind turbine, chickens and a vegetable patch.

Mr G gets to grips with water power

This summer we visited the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. It's a fantastic place to get to grips with the urgency of renewable energy, and the huge array of options. It's great for kids, really hands on with lots of craft, inventing and science activities. The vegetarian cafe is amazing.

The Alexanders cause a tidal wave

Currently we're toying with a move to somewhere more rural. I know our one raised bed only got planted last summer due to my Dad, and that I actually would probably find chickens just one more thing to chase after. But, wherever we finally lay our hats, I like to think once we feel truly settled somewhere, that we will invest in renewable energy.

Not a dalek, no it's the thought provoking treadmill of happiness...

But being 'unsettled' doesn't mean we can't do something now. This time last year, a rep from one of the bigger energy companies knocked at my door, took over my kitchen for half an hour and over a very sycophantic cup of tea, convinced me changing energy supplier would save me money.

Soon enough my original, greener supplier called me up to ask where it went wrong. I remembered my principles and changed back. Anyway, one year on and I would say my bill is pretty much exactly the same as the rival supplier's offer. But my carbon footprint is much smaller.

I'm hoping 2012 is the year we set downs roots and start being part of the renewable energy solution. 47% of our energy in this country is used for heat, creating 175 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year. There are a few ways you can reduce carbon emissions through renewable energy.

Look at renewable energy companies. Where does your supplier get their energy from and what are they doing to harness renewable energy sources? Switching (or returning) to a green energy supplier can reduce your home's carbon footprint by a third.

If you are interested in the idea of generating your own renewable energy look into whether you could be eligible for green energy funding.

And if you're looking for an electrician in and around Nottingham to install solar panels, I can put you in touch with my neighbour.

This is a sponsored post

Energy saving tips for families

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I'm working with BritMums and British Gas on a campaign to help educate about energy conservation. So I thought I would get the whole family on board with some New Year energy saving tactics. Here's what we came up with:

1. Getting small children to turn out the lights before going out is much more fun if it's a competitive sport.

2. At night turn off power switches or invest in a standby saver. Modern living rooms can be a jungle, labelling plugs and fourways and grouping similar devices together can make it easier.

3. A drawer, or easily accessible shelf for chargers makes it less tempting to leave them plugged in. Labelled zip lock freezer bags are a cheap and easy way to keep all the equipment for each appliance together.

4. Turn the tap off. Leaving the tap running isn't just about wasting water, but the energy to move that water about and heat it.

5. I have explained to the kids that leaving the fridge door open after raiding it costs money, this means there is less money to spend on nice things to put in it.

6. Although it did nothing for marital relations, we finally ended the feud over how the heating thermostat works. We set it a degree lower, caught up with GMT and timed it more accurately to reflect our routine.

7. I have stuck cheeky reminder signs on the light switch for the downstairs toilet which everyone forgets to switch off. It is surprisingly effective.

8. Keep doors closed to individual rooms, use draught excluders along doors and for letterboxes and draw the curtains at dusk or just keep the curtains in rooms that aren't in use in the day shut.

It was good to read we do some things really well at the Alexander Residence, for example on the laundry front, we don't have a tumble dryer, we only do full loads at 30 degrees and generally use the short load function. I am polishing my halo as I type.

I was also interested to read the UK government has committed to reduce energy usage and a key part of that is installing a smart meter in all homes by 2019.

In case you've been in the dark, rather than the green ages, smart meters are a little display in your home which will show you the impact of switching on or off various appliances in your home. You can see what your consumption looks like with your chargers unplugged, the TV off standby.

The display shows your current and past consumption so you can see how you are improving over time. It shows you how much your tariff is costing and even has a traffic light display, red for high, green for low.

Now that would make the whole thing lots easier, more fun and more educational for the whole family don't you think?

How do you save energy, any tips for my list?

This is a sponsored post

I'm participating in the British Gas Smart Meter campaign. Smart meters work with an in-home display to show how much energy you're using in pounds and pence. You can see how much you're spending by leaving your phone charger plugged in all the time, or the heating on at night. And when you can really see how much you're using, you can start to make small changes to become more efficient. Smart Meters automatically send British Gas readings so they represent the end of estimated bills! British Gas is committed to install 1.5 million smart meters by the end of 2012

Behind the scenes at the Alexander Residence

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Happy Christmas!

A Christmas stocking for my mother Little Legacy 24

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

I was about 6, it was nearly Christmas, you were playing the piano for our carol singing rehearsal. A group of local children and their families had gathered at our house to practice. I was hopelessly excited. You tried to calm me down, told me to stop showing off, but I just got sillier. I started to make up my own nonsense words to Little Donkey. I got giddier by the second. I argued, you tried to plough on with the singing.

I remember the excitement of our stockings. When we were really small we each got a pair of your woolly tights, with tiny gifts wrapped in tissue paper stuffed all the way down each long leg.

I remember your delight at our letters to Father Christmas, which you kept right from us being small children to being drunken students back for the holidays.

I remember you sent me to the primary school production in black knickers the day I had to wear a white snowflake costume.

I remember the doily and pipe cleaner angel I made at primary school which you were so proud of. L made one this week at school.

I remember dancing round the kitchen to a Blues Brother, Soul Sister CD.

L remembers pulling crackers with you.

I remember you singing Golden Slumbers to Mr G last Christmas, and his wriggly 2 year old body suddenly stopping completely still to listen.

Most of all mum I realise how much you did behind the scenes, to make Christmas magical. I sat in L's first school carol concert yesterday, every bit the proud mum. Later on, I cajoled two overexcited, over tired children to bed, whilst answering question after question about Christmas. I think I caught a glimpse, just a little one, behind the scenes of my childhood.

(I didn't realise until I previewed this post, but when you look at the photo I just took, in the top right, in the reflection in the mirror behind the angel, is my mum, amongst the people in our wedding photo).

More ideas for memory collectors
Three lovely ideas for recording family life and stories. Check out Save Every Step to create a family timeline. Or download the Record Their Stories app, by following @recordstories on Twitter today you are entitled to a free copy, they will DM with you the details. Look out for my life writing link up and create and publish a 'Memory Book' in the new year.

Little legacy is a remembrance project , a positive and creative space, to celebrate small things handed down by predecessors. Feel free to link up a little legacy you've been thinking about this week, or to leave one in the comments. Here's the code and here's more on Little Legacy

How to create a successful e Christmas card

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

From the first time I saw a friend's Jib Jab e Christmas card three year's ago, I was hooked. Now people have been asking me if we are doing one this year, and it's neatly slipped into the space previously filled by conventional Christmas cards.

This year I might have had to recast a few times to avoid gender stereotypes. Click to skip the ad. I chose the free card because it was my favourite, hence the ad, but I think the premium, pay for cards are ad free.

My top tips to get a good e card, choose pictures with:
- each participant looking directly at the camera, although side on can be fun, as long as you are looking at the camera.
- classic rule of stage performance, go for big facial expressions, you will look much less silly if you are really 'going for it', than you will with a half smile or no expression.
- cheesy grins - c'mon it's Christmas - but with teeth together rather than parted.
- hair off the face

I'd estimate this year it took me an hour to find the pics, use the tool to edit the faces and experiment with different types of card. Once I had the faces sorted my kids loved experimenting with the scenarios, but older children could easily select and crop the pictures themselves.

Once you have the faces they are stored in your account so you can easily create cards throughout the year. Updating the faces each year is a bit of a tradition for us, a new take on the family Christmas photo.

Mr G and I did another one where we had a snowball fight with Grandad, and we might do few more individual ones as it's fun playing. There's some good ones for groups of friends or colleagues too, and as you can take pics from facebook so I might do some for friends too. Here's our 70s disco frenzy from last year.

You can then email or facebook your card, or download it for a couple of dollars through paypal so you have a copy as a memento. Or upload the downloaded file from your computer to You Tube so you can easily share it, or embed the code in a blog post.

Win £60 of Group On vouchers

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:56:00 +0000

Christmas is all about sharing the love right? Well the good people at Group On have offered £60 worth of Group On vouchers for one lucky reader, so get entering.

I'm a late adopter to the world of discount sites, but I'm an eager convert to Group On with its discounts in London and the UK. I'm particularly prone to spa and beauty treatments, it's a wonderful way to justify pampering, which is forever being bumped off my budget in favour of practical things like school shoes and food. If you've been tempted by Group On but never actually tried it, these vouchers might be just what you need.

Group On is also a great way to fuel New Year resolutions on a budget, whether it be cake decorating, guitar lessons, mastering French, pampering or detoxing.

All you need to do is comment and leave me a way to contact you below. And feel free to share the Group On love, we all love to hear about bargains. Have you bagged great Group On deals, or are you a Group on Virgin?

CLOSED - the winner was number 6 little boo! Congrats and hope you get that spa day!

If you want more entries please Tweet, and let me know you have in a separate comment below. Here's a selection of handy tweets to cut and paste:

I'm a @GroupOn virgin, I want to #win £60 worth of vouchers @AResidence http://bit.ly/sa1vXw
Quick #win £60 of @GroupOn vouchers @AResidence http://bit.ly/sa1vXw
Just entered to #win £60 of @GroupOn vouchers @AResidence http://bit.ly/sa1vXw

Rules (ouch, the rebel in me just died a little)

The prize is £60 of Groupon vouchers to be spent on Group On offers.
The competition closes on Wednesday 28th December 2011 at 12 midnight.
The winner will be drawn at random from all valid entries.
The winner will be contacted on Thursday 29th December and given a week to respond.
There is no cash alternative.

Good Luck!

This is a sponsored post

Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice, who cares baby...

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:11:00 +0000

Lovely weekend.
A whole nine child free hours together at a family wedding.
A chance to drink, eat and dance to Stevie Wonder...to reflect a little on when we did this:

And, as married couples tend to do at other couples' weddings, to reflect on the for better for worses, for richer for poorers, in sickness and in healths that every marriage faces. To perhaps exchange a cross word after one too many glasses of champagne, but to hit the dancefloor and to come out feeling stronger.

On a slightly lighter note, a chance to shop online with Zalando, who offered me a voucher with which I bought the dress I wore. Zalando have an amazing range of shoes , clothes, accessories and beauty products. I had a great shopping experience, so much choice, lots of stuff you wouldn't see elsewhere, plus lots of great brands you will know.

The dress arrived so carefully packaged there was no need for ironing (bonus given I don't). My only complaint is I am easily bamboozled by having too many options. However, you can use the search facility to narrow down by price, brand, colour, or special offer. I would also like to be able to narrow by style, although saying that, this empire line dress jumped out at me really quickly.

Snow, and the wedding being on a farm, gave me big footwear dilemmas. But the venue inside was incredibly spectacular, far removed from farm life, and the ladies shoe stakes were so high and classy. I'm so relieved I ditched my boots on arrival for my Irregular Choice Patty.

Congrats to D and S. It is of course all about them, and not us, or my frock, although any excuses to shop, and to enjoy being a couple when parents, must be seized with relish. It was a fabulous wedding, they are an amazing couple and they chose an awesome venue in Heaton House Farm. By midnight I was so overcome by loveliness and champagne, all I could do was stare at the magical starlit black curtains. And, just look at this stunning photography by Light Majestic.

Christmas indulgence survival tips

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:52:00 +0000

Apparently, writing down what you eat, can help you become more mindful of what you eat. It turns out taking photographs of what you eat for your blog makes you a saint. Hence today's offerings: muesli and apple, a smoothie, veggie lentil bolognaise with pasta, an apple, vegetable soup with cheese on toast and carrot and pepper crudités, some cashews. OK, I confess, I forgot to photograph the gin and tonics and the mince pie.

Some days I am this virtuous. But others I am rubbish. But a healthy diet really matters to me. I tried to think what my rules of thumb are, what tricks I have up my sleeve. I came up with: 5 a day; being vegetarian; different colour foods; breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, tea like a pauper; a balance of food groups on each plate; slim line tonic in my gin; oatcakes in my handbag, lots of water and not allowing certain foodgroups in the house.

With the season of indulgence upon us and the festivities becoming more elaborate each year, it's easy to let everything snowball. I'm determined that's not happening this year. So, just to be sure, I asked some other people for their rules and short cuts too.

Vicki from HonestMum doesn't believe in diets, 'Eat healthily and do exercise you enjoy, be it swimming, running or sex.' But she does 'try and live by the 80/20 % rule.' Eat well 80% of the time. Sounds sensible to me.

Ruth of Minibreakmummy swears by having a bar of dark chocolate in her handbag, because it is difficult to overindulge on dark chocolate so it's a way to see off milk chocolate temptation. Becky from Baby Budgeting also told me she read some research that suggests dark chocolate could help to see off the winter blues. So perhaps it's a way to help reduce winter comfort eating too?

@The_Last_Slayer from A Hell of a Woman knows someone who claims green tea accelerated weight loss. My friend A always has green tea about his person too.

My friend L lost a pound to prepare for the Christmas party we were both attending, great forward planning. I called it carb loading and went for a jog the next day. I will attempt to force myself to do the same on Boxing Day.

My friend E doesn’t have treats in the house, instead going out to buy them is part of the treat.

Do you have any Christmas diet plans? What are your rules of thumb and shortcuts? Are you being virtuous in the run up to Christmas, or do you indulge from here to the New Year?

Scooter safety and stocking fillers

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

They stand out right? My kids and the Mini and Maxi Micro scooters that is. They've become the must have mode of transport for little ones, as you can see from the shot of the school scooter car park.

We're just about making it home from school before it gets very dusky. We scoot along, and across, some very busy roads. So I kitted out their scooters with lights, and made them sport UV vests. Be safe, be seen.

Nothing replaces vigilance, keeping them close to me and teaching road safety of course. I see parents chatting on their mobiles while their kids are scooting off alone, which worries me, kids on scooters need constant supervision. Sadly there are motorists who think it's okay to undertake on the pavement at 20mph, and old ladies who don't look before reversing out of their drives. All the more reason to make sure children are visible.

The best bit is kids this age think safety stuff is cool, as you can see from the pics, it's like being a real life Bob the Builder on his way to work, or having a proper car. The torches have strobe or constant light and are visible up to 6oom.

Mini and Maxi Micros

L is five and a bit so we've upgraded to the Maxi-micro, it's recommended for 6-12 year olds, but she's tall for her age and seems very at home on it. She tried with a two wheeler but it was very slow going with some falls, so this seems like the perfect solution which she's really confident with. I love the fact the handlebars extend, so the scooter can be used by a child up to age 12. It's a big outlay initially at £92.95, but a great investment.

So newly 3yo G finally got his hands on L's old blue Mini Micro. She was loving blue when she was 3, which meant we dodged pink, but if you are looking to change a scooter colour or repair a broken deck you can now get a new one from £17.95. Great too if you want to pass a hand me down as a new scooter.

There are loads of great stocking fillers on the Micro Scooter website, here's my top picks:

Frog Light Strobe by Knog. £9.99. Choice of 10 colours. Steady or flashing light. Visible up to 600 metres. Battery life 80 hours flashing. Water resistant, flexible silicone, easy release feature.

Wow wow reflective jacket. High visibility in pink, orange, green and yellow. £9.95. Medium or large.

For pulling tired scooters (and their riders) home or keeping little scooters close. £6.99 in a range of colours.

Mini Micro Bag. £14.95. Suitable from 3 years. In green, blue pink and neon (above)

XLC Alloy Mini Bell. Small bell with big attitude. £4.95

Safety helmet in four sizes and various colours and patterns. £17.95

Disco Dot bottle holder and mount. £9.99. Fits all scooters.

Reflective fun stickers. £4.99

For more details on these accessories visit the Micro-Scooter site, or see my Scoot n' Pull post.

Safety notice: Scooting in the dark is not recommended by Micro Scooters.

This is a sponsored post, I opted to review a Be Safe Be Seen kit.

Beautiful nightlights from the little girls of the 1970s

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:20:00 +0000

I was asked if I would like to review the rabbit cottage night light made by White Rabbit England. On clicking on the link to their website I let out an involuntary squeak/Coo!/Ooo! These sounds were prompted by it's beauty, and perhaps a dose of nostalgia, and a large pinch of magic. Then I said 'Yes, please, and 'Oh, isn't it beautiful' and 'Aha, do you think it might just convince her to sleep without the light on?'

My daughter lives in a magical world filled with little creatures, miniature people and their little cars, houses and their miscellany of equipment. She spends her days animating them, reorganising their bits and bobs and leaving a trail of little bits in her path. This world is also her bedroom, and so at night she snuggles down, secure in the knowledge she is surrounded by this virtual world of familiar little things. She sleeps with the light on, because she doesn't like shadows, but she is somehow out in seconds, unlike of course, the light.

And so the night light arrived, securely packaged with a spare bulb (really handy) and a beautiful picture book about the rabbits who live in the cottage. The book is written by Charlotte, one of the sisters behind White Rabbit England, it's a lovely touch which captured my daughter's imagination.

Here is the rabbit cottage nightlight, by my daughter's bed, with some little creatures who are waiting to see if the rabbits are coming out to play, although I suspect that only happens once grown ups have left the room.

My shot doesn't show the little rabbits inside, look:

I love the story behind White Rabbit England: 'As little girls in the Nineteen Seventies, Victoria and her sister Charlotte slept with an enchanting pottery toadstool light beside their beds. Hand painted in earthenware and decorated with dancing elves and fairies, it was the magical centre piece of their bedside table, filling their bedroom with a gentle, reassuring light.'

As well as appealing to the older child I think these night lights would make perfect presents to welcome a new baby. The sort of thing parents might not buy for the baby themselves, and something to treasure. Did I tell you I am going to be an aunty? I also love the classic white rabbit lamp, and the lamps with robots. You can also get cushions, bedding and crockery to match.

We're working on the big light going off, but to be honest that has become secondary to the magic and beauty of this nightlight. We love the way the windows light up and that it casts heart shaped patches of light instead of shadows.

Nigella's Christmas Biscuits Little Legacy 23

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

I don't write about it much, I think because it is so engrained I don't think about it, but there is a huge food legacy in my family. My grandmother ran the colliery canteen, her catering was legendary. My grandfather ran a dairy and had an amazing kitchen garden, my Dad is a consultant food scientist, my brother is a foodie. On the other side my mum gave me the legacy of vegetarianism and wholefoods. One of my earliest memories is of waiting for her outside the healthfood shop to get a jar of peanut butter refilled. Gran brought me the legacy of post war comfort and convenience food, toasted tea takes, tinned peaches and crinkle cut oven chips. Substances sneered at by the rest of the family.

Perhaps my cooking, although perfectly good, has been somewhat overshadowed by the legacies of my predecessors. I'm not sure what my grandmother would have made of Nigella's approach, her frivolity offends the scientist in my Dad, who much prefers Delia's measured approach. But, in a nod to my maternal Gran, I love the comfort factor and indulgence in Nigella's approach. I love to read her cookbooks, and the way she writes so passionately about food.

My favourite chapter in How to be a Domestic Goddess (how I love the irony) is the one about Christmas. Nigella really encourages the reader to find their own Christmas traditions. And so I did, with her Lebkuchen. We make them each year, wrap them up in greaseproof paper and string, and give them to relatives. If you are really good at baking, and very patient, you can make holes in them and hang them from the tree. Pointless exercise here, they'd be eaten in seconds.

The next chapters

I'm going to keep little legacying, it's cheaper, and possibly more effective than therapy and I've made some wonderful new friends. But, I'm building up to a new project, with a weekly prompt, where we can each build up a collection of snippets from our family history. I'll include some creative and life writing tips each week too. At the end we can each self publish our personal collection of posts as a memory book for ourselves and our children. No need to contribute every week. Interested?

Have you tried IKEA for stocking fillers?

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

In the first in a couple of posts I have on stocking fillers, I bring you IKEA.

IKEA is a great place for great value stocking fillers, and although I can't make any promises, I seem to remember the one in Nottingham being uncharacteristically quiet in the run up to Christmas last year, an oasis of calm in the storm of Christmas shopping in fact.

Ikea are selling soft toys until Dec 23rd in aid of education projects organised by UNICEF and Save the Children, for every toy you buy a euro goes to charity. They're great value, imaginative and great stocking fillers. IKEA really understand how children play. We've fallen for Bjorn bear and Mr Broccoli.

The play fruit and vegetable baskets are also lovely, both £6.99 and I really like the idea of the book TORVA, Heroes of the Vegetable Patch (£3.99) which features Mr Broccoli and friends.

Mr Broccoli and Bjorn bear arrived on our doorstep in a box, we couldn't resist posting about them

Little Red Riding Hood Retold

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:56:00 +0000

Little red riding hood set out into the deep dark forest to Grandma's house.

She had filled her basket with things for Grandma.

She wore the red cloak her Grandma had made for her.

She promised her mother she would stick to the path and not talk to strangers

But then the wolf appeared

He wanted to be her friend, he could show her a short cut through the deep dark forest.

When Little red riding Hood #1 and #2 got to Grandma's house, Grandma was no where to be found, so they tidied her dressing table.

And played dressing up with the clothes in her wardrobe

And wished they had a bedspread as lovely as Grandma's

And fiddled around in her treasure boxes.

And arranged some beautiful flowers. Until...

The wolf appeared...quick run!

These photos were taken in the current installation at Nottingham Lakeside arts centre. It was created by local school children, with an arts facilitator, to complement the current production of Little Red Riding Hood, by Oliver award winning writer Mike Kenny.

Theatre Review

Kenny has done a fantastic job of reinterpreting the classic fairy story. A girl and her brother stay over at their grandmother's house, and using their imaginations, props they find in their grandmother's spare room and some doughnuts they steal from downstairs, they bring the story bursting to life.

At first I was wondering if the story was just too dark, the bedroom setting too claustrophobic. Would this be too terrifying for the group of 5 year olds I went with, would it give them nightmares? I was proved completely wrong. The adaptation plays with children's fears, whilst breaking the tension in exactly the right places. I don't think I have ever seen such imaginative and hilarious theatrical tension releases, absolute genius.

What's magical is the way the adaptation explores children's play and storytelling using the concepts of dressing up, role play and object play. There are just two actors, who play the children, both of whom completely captured the irresistible energy and enthusiasm of children. These two child characters, and their toys, then play the characters from Little Red Riding Hood, which perfectly diffuses the fear factor.

The set is beautiful, and coupled with the lighting it creates some breathtaking festive magic. The singing is spine tingling, not surprising given the music was composed by Charlie and Lola's Julian Butler.

Combined with a cup of tea and a cake in the cafe, and an hour spent playing and exploring the installation, this is an absolute must do 'experience'. The children I went with absolutely loved retelling and reinterpreting the story afterwards. They even tidied up Grandma's house afterwards, without being asked, they were so impressed by the whole afternoon.

Little Red Riding Hood runs til 31st Dec. Age 4+, although my 3yo was also spellbound. Knocks the socks off pantomime. And made me want to be Drama teacher again, so badly...

My children's story in print

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:14:00 +0000

Along with 16 other writers, journalists and bloggers I have contributed a bedtime story to a children's book in aid of Save the Children. You can buy it from blurb here.

All the stories begin with the classic Once upon a time, but all take the reader to very different places. The inspiration for my story was children's play and the idea of making something out of nothing, in this case a box. I made the collage illustration, above, with my two children, which might give you a few clues to the story.

The collection is very varied, with a mixture of stories and poems. In most cases the writer's children helped with the story ideas and the illustrations. It's a really inspiring collection, for a great cause, written by people who know an awful lot about what makes children, and their grown up story readers, tick.

Once upon a time

Bedtime stories
i...

By Seventeen parent ...

Book Preview

Successful presents for a 3 year old

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Having just celebrated Mr G's 3rd birthday, and with Christmas fast approaching, I thought I would share some presents for a three year old that went down really well.

1. Le Toy Van's Barbarossa Pirate ship.
Fuel for the three year old's rapidly expanding imagination and thirst for role play. He has played with this so much, making the little pirates go on treasure hunts, making stowaways walk the plank or scrub the decks, setting sail across the living room carpet.

2. Lego Duplo

Busy garage and fire station. My Dad and brother are die hard lego enthusiasts. Mr G loved the flashing light brick you can move from the fire engine to the helicopter. The garage rescue truck was a massive hit because it has a cable and hook to tow other vehicles. The sets are the perfect balance of ready assembled and modifiable parts for a 3 year old. Plus L who is 5, helped him build and joined in lots, so a great toy for co-operation.

3. Melissa and Doug cup cake decorating set. A perfect three year old birthday present. You can assemble the wooden cakes and candles and use the dry marker pens (they look like icing tubes) to decorate your cakes. We also have the ice cream making set which is a favourite in our house. Thanks Grandma.

4. Playdough breakfast set

This was a present from Mr G's friends. Playdough is always a winner, keeps most three year olds quiet for ages, particularly I find, when it is cooking related. He needs help to operate the milkshake and shredder, but he made pancakes, fried eggs and waffles independently. I also love the smaller sets in sandwich style boxes. All fiddly toys should come in storage boxes by law, in my humble opinion.

5. This Brimax 3D fire engine floor puzzle from great Aunty C and Uncle G is great. We're at the stage of loving puzzles and the 3D and transport element really appealed.

Cars and Toy Story playing cards, a Fireman Sam headtorch, a pirate hotwater bottle and a penguin wind up torch were all much loved little bits which would make great stocking fillers.

What I am wearing today, plus 20% discount code

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:19:00 +0000

I read a great quote on the Cybher website about fashion bloggers:
'Fashion blogs may be written by insiders, outsiders or aspiring insiders' ~ Women's Wear Daily

Well, I am probably classed as an outsider, but after being asked to review something from the one stop fashion accessories boutique Accessories Direct, I may reclassify myself as an aspiring insider.

Madrid bag from Accessories direct, scarf from cancer research charity shop, lipgloss and bangle model's own.

I find myself spending less and less on myself these days, and more and more on boring things like school shoes, petrol, food and swimming lessons. That kind of martyrdom does nothing for your self esteem as a mother. In times of recession, buying cleverly is the way forward. Buy fewer clothes, buy investment pieces and brighten up your life with accessories. They say in wartime and recession sales of lipstick flourish. Small things make a big difference.

I 'wear' my bag everyday, so I think bags are worthwhile investments. It's always full of both my things and the children's things but I still want it to feel like a stylish, grown up bag. I chose the Kate Benjamin Madrid bag as it has a shoulder strap, essential for hands free rummaging, chasing children or hanging over the pushchair handles. It's well made and robust, so it won't rip at the strap seams when carrying heavy loads, unlike it's predecessor.

It's also big enough to stuff a few extra winter layers and kid's things in. The lining is light coloured fabric, which given the amount of nonsense my bag collects, and the amount of time I waste trying to find things, is hugely important. Light linings are a much overlooked criteria in bag design, in my humble opinion.

My only complaint is it is perhaps a little more tan than I was expecting, but it still matches my main Winter coat, and as I recall, Trinny and Susanna (oh yes i know, my fashion gurus are dated) busted the myth that you can get away with just one bag.

The Accessories Direct site has some lovely bits and pieces to finish off winter outfits. The bag arrived promptly and was well packaged. There are lots of good gift ideas too. I have a 20% discount to share, valid until Tuesday 13th December 2011, just use the code FESTIVE.

I have my beady magpie eye on these bits of jewellery:

I love bangles at the moment, I have one gold one I wear with everything and it adds a bit of glam to even the most ordinary outfits.

I also like these silver heart earrings with the birthstone of your choice.

I am also taking part in What I am wearing Wednesday over at Transatlantic Blonde, a day late, but hey, it's such a great idea for a linky and it's not often pictures of me get taken.

Baby - Little Legacy 22

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited about this little legacy. The timing is perfect. As a year that started with huge loss draws to a close I have some lovely news. One day a few weeks back I found myself entertaining the idea of wanting a third child, an instinct completely against my thinking to date, I was and still am sure, my family is complete.

The day that thought popped in (and out) of my head I missed a call from my brother. I didn't catch up with him for a few days. It's not unusual, we have quite different routines, him working and child free in London, me at home with my work and kids in Nottingham. When we did catch up, we chatted for a bit about the normal stuff, and then he made me guess his news. Babies were already on my mind, so I quickly guessed he and his girlfriend were expecting.

I'm so happy. In fact I am over the moon for them. I can't wait to be an auntie. Any phantom hankerings for a 3rd child dissolved, I like to think that was just sisterly ESP. They've had a scan now. So this week I saw the beautiful little creature that is going to be my little niece or nephew. So amazing.

When both my children were born, the first family resemblance I immediately saw as I held them for the first time was my brother. Many people have told me they experienced something similar. It was an utterly all consuming feeling at the time, a sense of childhood memories of your sibling as a baby, coupled with the sense of continuing your family line. That goes some way to explaining the powerful feelings I feel towards this new life.

Little Legacy is about celebrating life. The night before mum died my aunt told me the stories of my mum's family, painted such memorable pictures of them that they came alive for me. A new life in the family feels like a new link to all those people who came before. The procession through life continues. I'm so excited.

Make a Christmas memory mobile and comedy photo gift tags

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:16:00 +0000

I don't like gift wrap. I think it's all the waste of trees, energy and time. I put off buying it, waiting for a greener, simpler solution to hit me each year. Then at the last minute, having procrastinated so long, I am forced to buy reams of the tackiest stuff imaginable.

So this year I thought I would put the effort into the tags. The gifts can go in recycled brown paper or bags, or perhaps, and I have been building up to this one for a few years, in old newspaper and magazines. I have a friend who can pull this trick off beautifully, pasting together bits of magazine and newspaper to create gift wrap that is also a work of art.

Here's my first attempt, made with The Observer review section and some string from an Able and Cole veg box. The luggage tags are from WH Smith and the photos were printed 5x8cm, 8 shots to an A4 page of photo paper. If like me, you are forever taking pictures of random things, you'll probably have loads of shots you can use from last Winter.

For the last couple of years we have made Nigella's Christmas biscuits and given them to family. I found some pictures of the kids making them, so this year, if I get organised, these little packages may have labels too.

I had fun making these tags, looking back over last year's Christmas photos, reflecting on traditions and family jokes and creating the captions. I had to include the microwaveable Veggie Christmas dinner my husband bought me in the corner shop. I think they would also make a nice Christmas memory mobile. A little art gallery of Christmas memories that you can add to each year:

Of course you could use the labels as place markers and have a caption competition....then each year you add to the memory mobile.

I feel like a proper grown up, I have invented my own family Christmas tradition.

There's another Christmas photograph display idea on the Kodak site. And i vlogged on Saturday about turning your family photos into puppets.

I also love this printable red box template, my children love making and decorating boxes with stickers, or glue and glitter. It's the perfect size for a few chocolate coins or sweets, or for little presents. Also available in blue.

There's a great Christmas photocraft Challenge with a chance to win Kodak printers and cameras over at the Kodak Printer Projects site. All you need is a photo and a suggestion for a Christmas craft idea.

This is a sponsored post in association with Britmums and Kodak.

Evil photo craft

noreply@blogger.com (Penny P.S. and A Residence) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:02:00 +0000

If you're after something to keep the children quiet over those long family festive dinners, try this. These could also double up as place markers, and I think after a sherry or two, they will be just as much fun for the adults as the kids. I'm thinking of casting my brother as a ballerina.... because siblings never grow up.

Something to bring the generations together.

There's a great competition to win Kodak prizes, simply for blogging about what you would do with your photos this Christmas over at the Kodak Printer projects site.

This is a sponsored post in association with Britmums and Kodak.