ghost writer

Taking On The World In New Shoes

Hannah Houzer — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 07:09:12 +0000

It’s back to school time and after 6 weeks of summer lazing about in flipflops and trainers, I’m sending my kids in to school for the new term where they can take on the world in their new shoes!

The start of September is often a time for newness and cranking things up again, so just like Coco Chanel said, I too will be keeping my head, heels and standards high with my own new back to school shoes!

New shoes are always exciting and especially school shoes because the start of term is the one time when everyone looks clean and well turned out – before the games of football in the playground take the shine off their shoes and autumn school trips walking through mud dull the soles.

My kids’s shoes are from the F&F School range at Tesco which promises a scuff resistant coated leather so I hope that they will still look as new by half term, but I especially liked the anti bacterial lining of my son’s shoes and the micro-fresh technology to reduce odours in my son’s shoes so that at least our hallway will be pleasant smelling at the end of the school day!

Pictured above from left to right are

Darcey ankle boots £28 from Wynsors; girl’s F&F leather school pumps £26 at Tesco; boys F&F Riptape leather shoes £20 at Tesco.

Also pictured on my son (centre) are the F&F belted school skirt £6 Tesco and Girls’ Super Strength Tights £20 Tesco.

I particularly like that my son’s tights are super strength and bobble resistant as she seems to go through tights at quite a rate! These are really thick and feel like great quality, plus they will keep her warm in the winter.

So with our shoes all sorted for the school run this week, I just have to come up with what I’m going to wear?! The kids are easy – they have a uniform!

If you are doing the school run for the first time this September and want to be more stylish than jeans and a T shirt but are unsure of what to wear, here is a vlog I recorded with a few style tips for mothers:

If you enjoyed this post, you may like this ‘back to school’ post complete with a handy checklist!

Disclosure: Thank you to F&F Tesco who sent us the kids’s school shoes, tights and skirt for this review and to Wynsors World of Shoes who sent my shoes. All opinions are my own.

F&F back to school shoes · taking on the world in new shoes · Wynsors womens shoes Fashion · Fashion & Beauty · Mum · Reviews · Shopping

Street Style Mums Claire Lancaster Cheshire Mum

Hannah Houzer — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:13:43 +0000

200

Claire Lancaster, Blogger at Cheshire Mum and Notes To Self has an easygoing sense of style, whilst being a busy wife, business owner at Social Boutique and mother of two!

Here’s her Street Style Mums interview:
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Relaxed. I’m a fan of classic shapes and pieces and I like to add a bit of sparkle or colour with statement jewellery, scarves and accessories.

Q: Have you always dressed this way?
A: No. I used to work in the corporate world in a suit and at home I’d be relaxed. There was an on duty / off duty’ element to my wardrobe. These days since becoming a mother, my work, home and wardrobe are all blended there is no divide! I have a complete collection of clothes that I wear regularly and I get more value for money out of each piece. On that note, a tip I have if you don’t have a massive choice in clothes, is to change your handbag to change your look. A handbag always fits and will update your look instantly!

Q: How important do you think it is to have style when you’re a mother?
A: How you look makes a big difference to how you feel and feeling good makes a massive difference to your personal confidence and self esteem. My hair and skin (two things I wear’ every single day) get a special effort. I wouldn’t leave the house without checking both, and I always apply mascara and brush my hair before setting out!

Q: If you have limited time, what are the essentials you do before leaving the house?
A: My essentials are putting my hair up; lip gloss and mascara on. Being a mother is a challenging job so I take 5 minutes to ensure that I look good as it helps.

Q: Do you think you lose yourself’ when you have kids and if so, how do you stop that happening?
A: For me, having kids changed my life. I was an employee and now I’m a self employed freelancer. It took me several years to adjust to life as a mother, my identity was connected to my work, and I had my work life, family life and friendships all in different boxes. Now these areas are interconnected and I prefer my life now. I’m striving to achieve the life I want to live.

Q: What are you wearing today? Where is it from?
A: My statement necklace is from M&S Autograph Collection, £25
I wear a lot of relaxed jersey layers. These two tops are both M&S.
High waisted bootleg black jeans are from NEXT.
My Pandora bracelet was a push present’ for Hugo’s birth! (Ed note: A gift you get for pushing your baby out!) The kids bought me all the beads on various occasions.
Military boots from All Saints. I only do heels when the occasion involves taxis. I like cab shoes’!
Wool coat All Saints.
Grey handbag, Storksak.
My watch is an Omega Constellation. It was my 28th birthday present from Mum and Dad. They both have one too, and my brother!

Street Style Mums is a regular feature on that celebrates and appreciates stylish mothers everywhere! If you want to be featured in this series, please get in touch!

Click here for all the Street Style Mums

Cheshire Claire · Claire Lancaster · Social Boutique · Street Style Mums Fashion · Womanhood

Take It Or Leave It Your Guide To Holiday Jewellery

Hannah Houzer — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 06:23:17 +0000

Very few occasions are as universally beloved and successful in bringing people together as the holidays. Each holiday has its own peculiarity, but most of them involve plenty of delicious food being consumed and quality time spent with family and friends. A holiday can also serve as a chance to show your affection for a special someone in your life, and it is no coincidence that one of the top choices for holiday gifts are jewelry. Whether you are in the market for a diamond item, gemstone jewellery, or something completely different, we will examine some popular choices, as well as things to keep in mind during your search for the perfect holiday jewellery gift.

2. Jog your memory
Suppose your loved one has ever demonstrated an interest in jewellery (which is usually a given). In that case, chances are that she mentioned the type of item she would like to own, or dropped subtle hints, like spending a noteworthy stretch of time admiring a piece of jewellery or asking whether you think something would fit her. If nothing comes to mind, you may want to ask around and survey her closest friends to see if the subject was ever discussed.

2. Make a personal assessment
It is certainly easy to make a jewellery choice when you know what your sweetheart wants, but it is important to remember that women also love surprises. If you are well along in your relationship (or have known the person a long time), you will probably be the person who knows the gift recipient best. By relying on your knowledge of the person, you should be well-equipped to pick something that matches their style, and narrow down your choice based on the types of settings and locations where she will be inclined to wear the jewellery.

4. Popular ideas and trends
Diamond earrings. This is a classic jewellery gift, fitting for the holidays and practically any other special occasion. Diamond earrings are an especially prudent choice if your lady already wears plenty of jewellery. They can serve as a cherry on top of an already dazzling look.

Rings. Unless you are about to pop the question, you should make sure that a gift ring does not bring up some unintended assumptions. Getting a non-diamond ring with an elegant design and pleasant color should perfectly convey your feelings to the special one you will be spending your holiday with. Many shoppers prefer gemstone rings for such an occasion, picking one in their partner’s favourite colour or in a style reminiscent of the person.

Necklaces. Necklaces come in all shapes and sizes, like those with tassels, pendants, chokers, and the longer Y-shaped models. If your loved one already owns several necklaces, you can compare them and determine whether she has any preference for longer or shorter models.
Original ideas. A gift from the heart is always treasured, so you should not be afraid to think outside the box and come up with a gift idea uniquely suited for the love of your life. For example, if there is a common thing or memory that you cherish, you may look for jewelry containing a symbol of it. If you are used to treating your lady like a princess, you can keep up this trend by gifting a decorous tiara.

Take It or Leave It? Your Guide to Holiday Jewellery How To

Teenagers Bedroom Makeover

Hannah Houzer — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:55:10 +0000

With my eldest entering her teenage years and her interests changing, it was time to celebrate this new life stage with a bedroom revamp! Gone are the tired old fitted wardrobes that came with the house and in is a fantastic new dressing room worthy of being the backdrop in any Instagram selfie! Let me share with you what we did…

Brighten and lighten!
Even though the room was a decent size before we built the extra dressing room within it, the pink walls and brown carpet made the room feel quite dark so we went straight to Graham & Brown’s colour charts to sort that out!

We chose this lovely modern shade called Oakville which provided the neutral palette my son wanted. Her hobbies include photography and video production so it was important to her to have bright and clear walls to act as a blank canvas for these activities. The wall shade inspired the colour choices for the rest of the room and she opted for a cream day bed and white bedding to keep the whole look fresh and clean.

Complimentary accents:
Key areas of the room were highlighted in a complimentary colour – in this case, shades of oatmeal, buff and gold. The blinds from Hillarys were chosen for their colour but also the unique way that they operate. They are a roller blind that in my opinion, looks like a shutter and are called Day & Night Roller Blinds! Watch this video to see a demonstration and more information about the Hillarys fitting service.

The service was very friendly and quick too! From the home visit to the day of installation, the time passed was just two weeks, and the Day & Night blind we selected cost £252.00. My son also chose a neutral tone for the ceiling light shades, rug and wooden flooring so everything blends in really well and the whole look feels very ‘grown up’!

Adding personality:
A teenager’s room wouldn’t be finished without personal touches so my son selected a few fun cushions to add some flair. She adored the New York cushion from Graham & Brown and as we walked through Primark one day she spotted the fun emoji cushion too and had to have it! She also wanted to display a photo of her best friends, so we chose this cute picture frame (pictured below) by online retailer, Frame Again. They are a great idea for a gift or a fun addition to a room – simply upload a photo to their website, pick a frame and purchase for £22.99. The picture is printed, framed and delivered within 48 hours making it super quick to add a last minute finishing touch!

Graham & Brown NYC cushion set against Graham & Brown Taylor’s Grey painted wall

What you can’t see…
Hidden from sight in this fabulous bedroom but extremely important to a teen, is her bed mattress. I say extremely important to a teen given how long they like to spend in their beds of a weekend – have you ever tried to get a teenager out of bed when there is no school to go to?!

Two Leesa mattresses- size single

As we were getting rid of my son’s old hand-me-down bed and treating her to a gorgeous new day bed, we needed a couple of new mattresses to go with it! The day bed is a single size and there is also a trundle underneath so she can have a friend over to sleep who will enjoy her own pull-out single bed! Have a look at my mattress unboxing video for more information about Leesa and to see this ‘mattress by mail’ in action!

Leesa has one mattress for all sleepers! The only thing in their range that differs is the size: single; double; king-size and super king-size! Plus, they have a unique guarantee. You get to try the mattress at home for 200 nights and if you are not sleeping better you can send it back to them for a full refund! They also have a social conscience. For every ten mattresses that Leesa sells, they donate one to a shelter – I love their mission and their story. You can learn more about Leesa here.

My son loves her new mattress and sleeps very well on it. Leesa have made it possible for readers to purchase their own luxury mattress at a discount if you purchase via this link to get £50 off!

In this #MumsLikeUs Google Hangout, I talk about my teenager’s bedroom makeover with my blogger friend Mari from Mari’s World and show her what we did with this bedroom revamp!

I have really enjoyed improving my son’s room and we are both really pleased with the result. The whole room was practically done by mail and it is certainly a bedroom fit for a teen!

Let me share a montage of our rather sad ‘before’ shots!

After:

Disclosure: Thank you to Graham & Brown; Hillarys; Leesa and Frame Again for the samples provided to create this bedroom makeover. All opinions within this post are my own.

Frame Again picture frames · Graham & Brown Oakville paint · Hillary Day & Night roller blinds · Leesa mattress by mail · teenager’s bedroom makeover Home · Lifestyle · Parenting · Youtube

Summer Plans

Hannah Houzer — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:50:30 +0000

It’s all very well and good treating the little ones over the summer. After all, they’ve earned their summer break as much as you have! But once they’ve had their fill of ice creams, day trips to the beach, a trip to a theme park and plenty of BBQs and picnics thrown in too – the question remains, how can you treat yourself?
If you’re a busy parent, have a hectic work schedule or maybe both, it can be difficult to find the time or even the inspiration needed to treat yourself. But don’t worry. Here you’ll find some helpful tips and ideas of how you can have the best summer ever.

2024/06/campsite-pool.jpg” class=”wp-img-bg-off” rel=”mygallery” alt=”campsite pool” width=”2200″ height=”675″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-2097″ srcset=”../wp-content/uploads/2024/06/campsite-pool.jpg 2200w, ../wp-content/uploads/2024/06/campsite-pool-400×269.jpg 400w, ../wp-content/uploads/2024/06/campsite-pool-950×544.jpg 950w” sizes=”(max-width: 2200px) 200vw, 2200px”/>

Restyle your home
When was the last time you updated your living room? Or treated yourself to some new bedsheets in the bedroom? If you can’t remember, then having a little restyle at home will really boost your mood. If you wanted to take drastic action, you could create a feature wall, refit your skirting boards – see skirtings r us for some inspiration – or make a gallery wall featuring all your favourite pictures. However big your restyle project, just make sure it’s a true reflection of you.

Read
It seems like centuries have passed since you could get lost in a good book for hours and hours. Now it’s a miracle if you get through a whole chapter without being disturbed! Due to our hectic and busy lifestyles, reading is a pleasure most of us forget about. And it’s not just for fun either – studies have shown that reading lowers your heart rate and reduces stress levels so pick up a book or even a magazine and disappear into the pages!
Reading through emails and paperwork doesn’t count! Step away from the office chair!

Take a yoga class
If you’re looking for a great stress reliever, something to reduce your anxiety, lower your blood pressure and help you tone those core muscles (sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it?) then why not book a yoga class? Yoga classes are usually 60-90 minutes long, so you’ll have plenty of time to leave your hectic life at the door and really engage with your downward dog and breathing techniques.
Worried about childcare? Don’t be! There are thousands of yoga classes online that you can try, just search for them in YouTube while the kids are napping.

Go for a walk
It might sound a little mundane, but walking has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and it’s a great boost for both your mental and physical health. Summer is perfect for walking – as long as the weather holds out – and if you can round up the kids to join you then consider taking a picnic with you and make a day of it!

Treat yourself
A long soak in a hot bath, a cruelty-free face mask, a mini-pedicure, a trip to the hairdressers, an indulgent afternoon at your favourite bakery – the world is your oyster when it comes to treating yourself.

This is a collaborative post

Spring In The City Review Of The New Menu At Iberica Leeds

Hannah Houzer — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:22:59 +0000

The gorgeous spring weather has finally come out and at the weekend I spent a lovely evening in Leeds, enjoying the laid back vibes that the city has to offer when we all take off our coats, relax a little more and let in the sunshine.

Part of our very pleasant evening out was a romantic meal for two at Iberica – a tapas restaurant set in a beautifully converted auction house in central Leeds – on East Parade. My husband and I were on a rare date night, a chance to re-connect and talk, laugh and eat and we couldn’t have picked a better place to do this. Taste and sharing are important in daily Spanish life, and this restaurant brings together those priorities along with a style and sophistication that one would expect from a Leeds dining venue.

We started our evening with drinks in the bar, Iberica has a wood panelled, cosy winged armchair area at the front of the restaurant which manages to be both welcoming and grand at the same time. It was busy and atmospheric, but not so bustling that we couldn’t find a seat, and we settled in for a lovely chat. When our table was ready, the waitress took us over and we were brought some bread and meats to start us off. We ordered the tapas we wanted and as per tradition, the tapas came out to the table as and when they were ready – dishes brought one after the other, surprising us with the taste and texture.

Spain has a rich gastronomic culture and to have the ability to access this easily in the heart of Leeds is wonderful – with the good food and the beautiful weather we enjoyed last weekend, it felt like we could have been in Spain on holiday. Not bad for a trip into Leeds on a Saturday!

Some of the dishes we enjoyed were: Classic tapas; tortilla, patatas bravas, albondigas (meatballs) alongside some artisan cheeses including Manchego and San Simon. We also had the cured meats – chorizo and cecina,and some seasonal vegetables.

A particular favourite was the pork secreto (Pictured bottom right on the photo above). This is native Iberico pork and is served with Mojo Rojo sauce and rosemary potatoes – the meat was so tender and tasty, it melted in the mouth. Definitely one to try.

Even though we didn’t have much room left, I couldn’t turn down a pudding! But for lightness and an palette cleanse, I went for sorbet and ice cream whilst my husband had the signature dish, caramelised rice pudding which the Spanish call Arroz Con Leche. We tasted each others and both were delicious – the rice pudding was cold which I didn’t expect but this classic recipe is served in households all over Spain and can be served either hot or cold. It is rich and sweet with a touch of lemon flavour – a perfect end to the meal.

Spain has long been a cultural centre of Europe and Iberica has brought that passion and culture to not only Leeds but their other restaurants in Manchester, Glasgow and several locations in London too. We’ll definitely try one of their other venues in the future!

For the next few days (until 26th May 2028) they are running an offer for #TapasOnTheHouse where you could snag some complimentary tapas. Follow their Facebook page for more details on this offer.

You can also follow Iberica on Instagram and Twitter too!

Thank you to the team at Iberica Leeds for hosting us for the purpose of this review.

featured · Review of the new menu at Iberica Leeds · Spring in the city Food · Reviews

The Braces Are Off

Hannah Houzer — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:47:06 +0000

The braces are off!: Here is a blog post I wrote in June 2022 after my adult braces were removed!

I think I may just be a little bit in love with my Orthodontist. She is a genius! Through the magic of 22 years training and a bit of metal, she has turned my wonky, overcrowded teeth with a slight overbite into this!

Before: September 2024 After: May 2025

I’m in my 40’s and have just completed 20 month course of orthodontic treatment to get straight teeth. Here is a video I took 7 weeks ago when I thought I was days away from finishing my treatment. It contains some useful things to consider if you are making the decision on which type of braces to go for.

My treatment has taken about 8 weeks longer than we originally thought but now I am brace free forever and because I have some super retainers to wear to bed each night, this is exactly where my teeth will stay! You can read about when I started this journey here The Truth About Getting Braces as an Adult I’m so glad I did it- it just shows that braces are not just for teenagers. It’s never too late to get a dazzling smile!

What do you think of my teeth? Are you considering orthodontic treatment? Share your story

There are lots of other dental treatments to choose from

Cosmetic Dentistry

Crowns

We use the best materials, including the very best porcelain, to create the perfect look for your smile. They are made to look natural and to blend in with the surrounding teeth.

Veneers

These are made as thin as possible to help mask the discolouration of teeth or help close gaps with minimal work to the tooth.

Bridges

This is to fill the gap of a lost tooth or teeth, which involves the careful attachment to an adjacent tooth to fill the gap.

Composite fillings (tooth coloured)

Old amalgam (metal) fillings can now be replaced with new tooth coloured fillings, which would create a perfect natural smile.

Tooth whitening

Lightening of the teeth can be achieved by wearing thin night guards with bleaching solution overnight for 3 weeks, which achieves a whiter, brighter smile.

Implants

This is the latest in cosmetic dentistry. This involves the placement of a titanium implant into the bone where a tooth is lost. The implant is then left in the bone to heal. Once everything is healed, the restoration of the tooth can begin.

More details here

Street Style Mums Vicki Psarias Broadbent

Hannah Houzer — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:45:34 +0000

In today’s Street Style Mums, I’m talking to Vicki Psarias-Broadbent, of Honest Mum and Mummy’s Got Style

Vicki is a professional blogger with two successful blogs, Honest Mum and Mummy’s Got Style and also works as a model, film director and ambassador for many fashion brands. She has a fabulous sense of style and is a wife to Peter and mother to boys Oliver (5) and Alexander (2). Here’s what she had to say!

Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Bold, vibrant and glam hopefully! I’m definitely a dress girl.

Q: Have you always dressed this way?
A: Yes. I like to add skinny jeans occasionally but I feel more comfortable in a dress day and night. Even as a little girl I loved dresses but mother wasn’t a pink lover so I was in lemon, pastel blue and red. I had a really cool wardrobe as a kid!

Q: How important do you think it is to have style when you’re a mother?
A: It’s important to find your own style and not follow – find what works for you. I go for classics like an animal print or a LBD (little black dress) with some red lipstick as this look never goes out of fashion. The chef, Nigella Lawson says make up is her armor and I absolutely agree and count clothes in that too!

Q: If you have limited time, what are the essentials you do before leaving the house?
A: I always wear eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, powder and bronzer. I have been known to wear my ‘pretend I’m going to the gym’ kit for the school run like a nice Sweaty Betty yoga pants and vest combo with a chic hoody but usually I pull on a day dress as it compliments my figure. I have an hourglass figure and love a tea dress number most days.

Q: Do you think you ‘lose yourself’ when you have kids and if so, how do you stop that happening?
A: I think that saying you lose yourself is rather negative and I like to be positive, but when I had my first baby I definitely lost a lot of confidence after a traumatic birth. I had to redefine who I was as I felt my identity got skewed somewhat. With my second child, I felt empowered, it was a completely different experience as it was a tranquil birth and I had a lot of support around me as we’d moved to live to closer to my family. I did feel putting on my face even when most sleep-deprived with both helped me personally. It gave me the confidence to face the day and concealed my eyebags!

Style-wise I think I became more stylish after kids, once my boys were toddlers and I got my figure back. I bought classic, more expensive piece that were made to last. I mix designer and vintage with high street buys-I love Topshop for cute floral tea dresses and Uniqlo for cashmere jumpers and dresses in the winter.

Q: What are you wearing today? Where is it from?
A: I love Fever London for day or evening dresses (the photo was taken before dinner and cocktails recently)- here I’m wearing a little red number by Fever London with statement (mint and red blooms) necklace by Yosa, whom I’m a brand I’m an ambassador for.

I love bold jewellery, showstopping pieces that add real personality and glamour to any outfit. I find red really empowering too! My fine jewellery is my engagement ring, wedding ring and I have two eternity rings (very lucky) and a sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet my Mum gave me after the birth of my second son, Alexander. Day to day I can’t live without my monochrome Miami bag by Nova Harley, I keep my whole life in it including everything for the kids. I’m proud to be an ambassador and model for this beautiful luxe bag brand too.

Street Style Mums is a regular feature on that celebrates and appreciates stylish mothers everywhere! If you want to be featured in this series, please get in touch!

Click here for all the Street Style Mums

Honest Mum · Street Style Mums · Vicki Psarias-Broadbent Fashion · Fashion & Beauty · Womanhood

Testimonials

Hannah Houzer — Wed, 28 May 2025 05:13:09 +0000

Here are some testimonials for and from some of the brands worked with. has worked as a brand ambassador and spokesblogger with several high profile companies.

“I just wanted to say that I’ve been bowled over at how amazing you have been to deal with, very professional.”
Alison Short, PR Director Amaze PR

“ has created some gorgeous photography and tasty snack hacks for one of my brands. She is great to work with and never misses a deadline!”
Holly Peacock, Digital Strategist, OPR

“, it’s really been fantastic to work with you. The content is great and I really enjoyed your work with us at BritMums Live – we had very positive feedback from the client and I personally enjoyed the event”
Sasha Martin, H+K Strategies

“It has been a pleasure working with on the Panasonic Brit Bloggers programme this year. She comes up with some fantastic ideas for extra events and content, and is excellent at keeping us updated on what she’s up to, going above and beyond expectations. I’d recommend her as an asset to any blogger project!”
Gina Mossey, Onechocolate Communications

“, you are such a joy to work with!”
Amanda Bunn, PR Account Director, Reflection PR

I have worked with for several years on the Butlins Ambassadors programme and she has always been a pleasure to work with. She has not only done more than the minimother required from our programme, but has gone out her way to help with other social media and PR events, such as taking part in a live broadcast at the opening of our new water park. Her blog posts are always fun and well written and she make an effort to find new angles on subjects rather than just straight reviews.
James Silverstone, PR & Social Media Manager, Butlins

is a confident and informative speaker who took part in a panel on working with brands at BritMums Live 2020. Our feedback for that particular panel was very positive and delegates found ’s content both useful and practical. She is an experienced blogger with a warm and friendly personality and brands that we are in contact with speak very highly of her.
Susanna Scott, Founder, BritMums Ltd

We have worked with quite a few bloggers over the past few years at Butlins, but stands out as one of the extraordinary ones. She has the perfect combination of professionalism, honesty, constructive feedback, and just being plain nice to work with. She has suggested ways in which we can get more out of our Ambassadors programme; how to judge the success of what we’re doing; and how to ensure that everything we ask of bloggers is ethical, open and honest – something that’s particularly important for our family-focused brand.
Jae Hopkins, Head of Communications, Butlins

always rises to the challenge of working each Social Fabric mission perfectly into her blog, creating posts that manage to be both informative and inspiring. I love how all her posts come back to the theme of her blog, making time in a busy family life. Having this ongoing focus and sticking to it is a real skill. Plus, she is always a pleasure to work with!
Jo Middleton, UK Community Manager, Collective Bias

“It’s always a pleasure to work with . She’s a highly respected blogger who has an eye for great content.”
Paul Wheeler, Head of External Communications UK, Kellogg’s

“Thanks so much . You are proving to be the ideal blogger to work with!”
Charlotte Jones, UK Glam Food & Lifestyle Editor, Glam Media

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with in her capacity as an official Butlins Ambassador for 2022-2022 and 2022-2020. Her energy, enthusiasm and great sense of humour make her a fun person to work alongside and the passion she has for spending quality time with her family makes her a truly fantastic ambassador for Butlins.”
Katie Snell, Social Media Manager, Butlins

“Balance Mum is a Netmothers favourite! Hope our viewers check out your channel”
Netmothers Channel

“Balance Mum is a brilliant blog. Along with doing what majority of what other bloggers do, also uses it creatively for new ventures. Good luck with your new business, !”
Zoe-Lee

is the sort of blog you click on, thinking you are about to read one post, but end up spending an hour (or more in my case!) sucked in and finding lots of great content, from boosting your confidence, to school run videos (completely addictive!) to brilliant tutorials. Ever wondered how to make a light box for photography or how to sink a trampoline? Look no further! I love ’s cheerful style and positive vibes.
Mel, blogger, Le Coin de Mel

“Great workshop, I could listen to your advice all day!”
Delegate from my Social Media for Blossoming Business workshop for Country Baskets, Glasgow

“ was an excellent trainer- informative, clear & helpful with business expansion ideas using social media.”
Delegate from my Social Media for Blossoming Business workshop for Country Baskets, Bristol

“ here!
I would love to hear more about your business and potentially work with you too. If you would like to commission me to write a feature, produce and deliver a bespoke workshop or to speak at your event, please send me an email and let’s talk!”

Slimming World Chocolate Vanilla Cheesecake

Hannah Houzer — Sun, 25 May 2025 14:54:53 +0000

Slimming World Chocolate Vanilla Cheesecake: Here is an indulgent recipe for a diet style ‘cheer you up cheesecake’ – something every slimmer should know how to do!

This recipe is super easy to make, tastes much more calorific than it actually is and really helps to satisfy that sweet tooth when you just feel like eating sweets all day!

This recipe is 6 Syns per serving and here’s what you need:

8 bourbon cream biscuits, finely crushed
40g Flora Light, melted
22.5g sachet Hartley’s Sugar Free Lemon & Lime Jelly crystals
22g sachet powdered gelatine
4 x 275g pots Mullerlight Vanilla yogurt
2 tsp vanilla extract
250g Quark
2 tbsp sweetener
40g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
2 level tsp cocoa powder, to decorate

I didn’t use the dark chocolate or cocoa powder on my cheesecakes in the photo, and instead of making one large cheesecake of 8 servings (6 Syn per slice) I used 4 individual bowls for the pudding and therefore my pots are 22 Syn per serving as I doubled up!

Here is how the official Slimming World recipe says you should make it:

Put the biscuits in a bowl, pour over the melted spread and mix well. Spoon into a 20cm diameter springform cake tin and press down with the back of a spoon. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for 40 minutes
Meanwhile, put the jelly crystals into a measuring jug, add 250ml boiling water and stir until dissolved. Leave to cool completely
Put the cooled jelly in a food processor with the yogurt, vanilla extract, quark and sweetener. Whizz until smooth then pour over the biscuit base. Cover and chill overnight or until set

*This is where I left it! But read on to see what the other instructions are…*

When ready to serve, melt the chocolate using a bain marie or melt in the microwave on a low heat for 40 seconds
Put the cheesecake onto a serving plate then drizzle with the melted chocolate and dust with cocoa powder. Cut into 8 wedges and serve

It reminds me of the texture of a ‘baked’ cheesecake, so if you like something a bit naughty but nice, give it a go! The only downside to this dessert is that you have to have patience to wait overnight before you can eat it! Let me know what you think in the …

featured · Slimming World Chocolate Vanilla Cheesecake Food