Smiling like Sunshine

Hello September

2016-09-01T15:02:00.001+01:00

Hello September! Although I love the summer months and we had a great time, I am also excited for the new season to start. September means a fresh start: New beginnings to the school year with the children, you come back from holidays energetic for work, ready to get my planning hat on and really think about how I want to develop my freelance work.
The children's school is starting next week. All the school shopping is done, uniforms are washed and ironed. School shoes bought, everything is labelled. Lunch boxes, water bottles ready!
Whilst shopping I also popped in to House of Fraser. As you know they stock a great range of brands to suit every budget. We are still enjoying the sunshine but it won't be long till the chillier days. Following up from my post about the House of Fraser challenge I have written a few months ago, I checked out the men's accessories. My husband always seems to need more socks! He especially loves the Paul Smith range. Lovely little surprise for hubby as they were on sale, too! My son is gutted that he can't wear colourful socks at school.

Seems like, it is only myself I haven't bought anything for. Well, I will be looking forward to my childfree time when I can go shopping on my own and enjoy some "me-time" :-)

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This is a featured post.

Coding for Teachers

2016-09-01T10:43:00.002+01:00

As we are very interested in coding,I did not hesitate to share this infographic when I was approached by the lovely people at Education Umbrella. Defne (9yo) loves coding and uses the websites mentioned below all the time. She has been very lucky to have teachers who supported her interest in coding. I hope this infographic helps teachers as well as parents if you are homeschooling or just want to support your child at home.

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Take me away...

2016-05-18T23:29:00.002+01:00

With only a few weeks till the half term, we are getting excited with the preparations of a short holiday. This spring has been cold and rainy and we can't get to go away and enjoy the sunshine.
I have put together our must have gadgets for the summer. The Tech21 Iphone 6 case comes in different colours. I love this pink one, perfect for the summer! The Fox Eye Mask is great for having a little snooze, especially for little ones who don't normally like wearing eye masks! I am obsessed with Liberty prints so I chose a Libery passport cover. The other essentials are all from Boots.
Roll on summer! We can't wait!

How would I dress my other half?

2016-04-11T15:14:00.001+01:00

House of Fraser challenged me to write how I would dress my other half. It's funny because my husband doesn't enjoy shopping and wishes I do the shopping for him. And I never do because he's a bit fussy! However I have accepted the challenge because he likes the men's range at House of Fraser.

For work, he has a smart casual style. Therefore I went with designer jeans. We find slim and dark wash jeans work very well with shirts.

House of Fraser also sells a range of shirts from designer brands to brands that are suitable for every budget. My husband quite likes Ted Baker so that's what I have chosen for him.

What would you choose?

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This is a featured post.

Bloggers Against Poverty:Education in Pakistan

2016-03-30T12:34:00.000+01:00

Hello, I hope you all had a lovely Easter break! Over the last few weeks we have been overwhelmed with the sad news from all around the world, most recently from Pakistan.
I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the education system in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s education system is at breaking point. At least seven million children are not in primary school and half of children aged 6-16 are unable to read even a sentence. In rural areas, only one in three women has ever attended school. There are many reasons why children, particularly girls are absent from school or drop out early. Cited are: crowded classes, outdated teaching methods, and poor quality (often dangerous) school buildings. Parents are reluctant to send their daughters to schools without sanitation facilities, and many view early marriage as a higher priority for their daughters than education.

The above photo shows Hameeda, a teacher from Pakistan in her classroom.
“I used to face difficulties as there were so many children, now, with help I can manage. We teach them per class and have also set up help from the elder children to help teach.” “We have a responsibility to motivate and mobilise children to come to school, it will give them respect and a good future.” “Before, I was alone and I couldn’t cover all topics. Now I have help and if I am sick the education doesn’t stop. Now I am able to manage a large number of students and give them a better education. With help from Oxfam, Hameeda is now able to cover each subject more thoroughly. She has received further training and has found the support immensely helpful. She says: “I had a dream that when I grew up I would be a teacher. It’s really important for the girls to have an education."
This is where Oxfam comes in.Education has the power to lift whole communities out of poverty forever. Oxfam is doing whatever it takes to get more children - particularly girls - in classrooms.Last year, Oxfam helped 11.8 million people. Donations, from people like you, are vital to our work. Giving monthly gives allows us to respond in emergencies and stay to help people rebuild their lives. We work on the root causes of poverty too, and that takes time and effort, but it is so worth it! We all have vital needs, but also hopes and dreams. Oxfam’s work saves lives and helps people to change their lives and build happier, healthier futures. A regular gift to Oxfam changes lives around the world. By giving a monthly donation you can help transform whole communities, for good. Visit Oxfam today and start donating!

Photo credit: Irina Werning/Oxfam
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Courgetti with Tomato Sauce and Olives

2016-02-07T22:59:00.001+00:00

Hello! It has been a long break but I am back!
Recently I have been obsessed with my spiralizer.
I just love spiralizing my veggies. Well, the rest of the household is not so keen so I usually have them for my lunch! It's great way to increase the amount of raw veggies you eat plus replacing them with carbs helps you lose weight, too!

I usually spiralize a few courgettes and put them in a container in the fridge. This way, I have some ready when I need a quick meal! To make the tomato sauce I simply saute half a tin of canned tomatoes in oliva oil with garlic. When ready, add and mix with the courgetti. Top with basil and olives and voila! I have also tried it with pesto and poached eggs which is also lovely!
Have you got a spiralizer? Any favourite recipes you'd like to share in the comments?

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Christmas Wish List

2015-11-18T14:34:00.000+00:00

With only two weeks to December, it is starting to feel like Christmas. It is an excited time for everyone and we are all getting a little bit Christmassy!
For me, Christmas means home, family and friends. It means relaxing, good food and having fun and getting cosy.
Defne and Derin can't wait to decorate the Chrismas tree. We have some decorations but I am hoping to add some more to our collection.
I have picked some of my favourite Christmas products and thought it would be fun to share them with you.

The Winter Woods Table Runner is from Fishpools. I love Nordic products so just had to choose this one as it reflects everything about Christmas. Fishpools also stock lovely Christmas decorations,blankets and cushions.
The Advent Calendar of Tea is perfect for a tea-lover for friend or for yourself! It is available at Not On The High Street.
Lovely snowflake clay decorations from Etsy, they look so elegant! I adore the miniature bottles. They look so delicate! Available at Etsy. I rather prefer natural decorations to plastic ones so the beautiful natural wreat on Etsy caught my attention,too.
Moral Fibre Food's Christmas Hamper is perfect for foodies for a bit of a guilt-free indulgence.
I love lighting candles during this time of the year. Tiger Stores has lots of candles and tea lights as well as brilliant stocking fillers for children.
Wishing you all a happy festive season!
This is a featured post.

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Bagsy me on the top bunk!

2015-10-23T16:04:00.000+01:00

Children’s bedrooms are an enigma, they should be simple enough.

It is a room. It has a bed in it. The child sleeps in it. You sleep in yours.

Right? Wrong…

If a child has a bedroom they may perplexingly prefer to sleep in your bedroom, so how can you change this baffling habit? One of the tactics is to create a themed bedroom. If you have two children and space is tight the obvious choice is a bunk bed, a bunk bed to a child can represent a sunken galleon or spaceship and the variety of designs on offer can now engage them more than ever.

If you have a boy then if you decide on a theme you could go through several stages, it could start with ‘Bob the Builder’ and then move into the recently re-launched ‘Thunderbirds’. Deciding to mirror brands or the latest programme can be risky as they suddenly decide they no longer like the programme or they have grown out of it. A good approach is to have strong themes such as space, underwater or a volcano, this can help ensure that they actually use the space in their room to its potential. A lot of houses seem smaller than they are as most time is spent in the front room and the kitchen, by making bedrooms more appealing you can ‘stretch’ the living space so you are not all on top of each other and getting on each other nerves.

For a boy why not get the traditional image of the racetrack and use graphics to trail the track up the walls and even on the ceiling, this creates a 3D look. This idea will also stand the test of time as interest in racing should be re-invigorated by an interest in Formula 1. For girls move away from the stereotype pinks by using innovative lighting ideas and soft tones which (once again) lend itself to a look which will last longer than the beheaded Barbie and Sindy dolls that are now gathering dust in the loft.

What if you have two children (even of opposing sex) who simply refuse to agree on a theme, what do you do then? Obviously to maximise room its best to look into a bunkbed, BedStar have a range of bunkbeds which can reduce the stress and gives some separation with your children. There are also ‘Triple Sleeper’ beds where the bottom bunk is for older children, which gives them more independence. Some beds have tables and mini office areas underneath them which also improves the versatility.

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Low Cost Decoration Ideas

2015-10-22T23:03:00.000+01:00

Photo Credit:Honeybee Interiors/Homify

Queens Park House by Honeybee Interiors

It is nearly Halloween and before you know it will be Christmas and New Year! If you have been thinking about some redecoration around the home, now is the time to do it. It doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money in the run up to the holiday season! We have got some simple, frugal tips that will hopefully give you some inspiration.

Mix and match patterns and colours: You don't need to shy away from bold colours or patterns. Mix and match them to reflect your style and it will instantly create an excitement in your room.
If you love reading, create a reading corner or even a nook! A comfy armchair, a throw and a book table can cozy up your house and you will be happier,too!
Create a display wall and showcase your favourite photos, prints, your children's artwork,plates or whatever you fancy. You might choose to only frame black and white photos or rectangle/circle frames or you might want to create an eclectic style.
Jazz up your dining room with wallpapers. If you consider wallpapers belonged to the 1980s, think again! From shabby chic to modern, there are so many different prints to choose from!You don't have to use on all walls. Using it on just one wall, created a different atmosphere and brightens up the room. Again, it is important that it goes well with your furniture and the general style you want to create in your room.
Photo Credit:Catherine Rose/Homify
Catherine Rose Pink Wallpaper by Cabbages & Roses
Look at your room, think about all the stuff, all the furniture that the room contains. Do you really need/ want them there? Experiment with some changes, take out the stuff/furniture you don't want there any more. Create open spaces that will bring a more spacious feeling.
Cluster candles of different sizes on a table! Not only will they bring a stylish element to your room, you will enjoy lighting candles during the winter months.
If your room is particularly small, use a mirror to give it a spacious feeling!
You don't have to invest in designer furniture or accessories! Check out Ebay, free cycling, car boot sales and flea markets. You are bound to find interesting things for a much better price at these places. They might need some paint or polish but it gives you the chance to make it your own.
Display bottles or vases on a window sill or an empty shelf. It will look interesting and create a place to look at and enjoy!
Reupholstering chairs is a great way to save money, easy to do even if you are not a DIY person.

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Review: Moral Fibre Snacks

2015-09-28T14:05:00.000+01:00

Hello, hello! I have taken a little break during the summer months. Now that the schools have started and we are back to our routine, I should be able to schedule time for blogging. I hope you all had a lovely summer break and settled into your routines as well.

As you may already know, I am always on the look out for healthy food. I try to prepare healthy snacks but let's face it, sometimes life is so busy with work and two children I just don't have the time to do that. When the lovely people at Moral Fibre Food asked me if I would like to review their products, I was delighted as their products are right up my alley!

Moral Fibre is founded by Jenny who is passionate about good, healthy food. Jenny says she started out when she was looking for something sweet to replace her love of homemade cakes. A great excuse indeed!
Moral Fibre has 8 types of snacks: Two are savoury: the chilli crunch and the courgette crunch. The rest are sweet with no added sugar (except the chocolatey ones) All the product are dairy and gluten free.

All the products are handmade in Tring and each and every one of them is delicious.

I have to admit that the courgette one looks a bit pale and I was not sure if it would taste nice. But when I tasted it, I was positively surprised. The chilli crunch is packed with Vit C and Vit B 12 and smells absolutely amazing. Totally reminds me of my grandma's dried chilli peppers that she used to prepare when I was a child.

I enjoyed eating them on their own but they are also great with beer or wine as nibbles.

I love chocolate! So the Chocolate Banananut Bites were bound to be my favourite. They go so well with a cup of Turkish coffee or espresso!

The Banana Berry Bites and Bananut Bites are probably the ones that would be popular with children. Derin likes these however the Exotic Seedy Fruity Bites are Defne's favourite! They are packed with organic figs and raisins, nuts and pumpkin seeds and are great for an energy boost. The Figberry Balls are delish and go well with a cup of tea, too. The flavours are dense so one or two balls are enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. I can't say the same for the savoury range though! They are so moreish!

I love the ethos of Moral Fibre Food. All the ingredients are ethically sourced and the package is sustainable, too. I highly recommend these products. To find a list of Moral Fibre stockists, click here.

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Review:The Day The Crayons Came Home

2015-09-08T23:03:00.000+01:00

We are great fans of Oliver Jeffers' here at the Smiling like Sunshine Headquarters so when we received his latest book, my heart was filled with happiness as I was sure the children would love this book, too. Written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, these books are a wonderful addition to your child's bookshelf. I had written shortly about the previous book, The Day The Crayons Quit, here.

One day Duncan receives a set of postcards from his crayons who have been lost, forgotten, broken – even melted in a clothes dryer and stuck to a pair underpants!He feels very sad when reading these postcards from his lost, broken or neglected crayons therefore he creates a place where “each crayon would always feel at home.” What a clever story!

The story is captivating and the illustrations are just stunning. Both the children and I had lots of fun reading it. There is a glow in the dark page which is also interesting for the children.
I was asked to tell you what colour crayon I would be. So I asked the children and they chose purple and turqoise as these are their favourite colours.

Disclosure: We recieved the book from its publisher for review purposes. All opinion our own.

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What is the Montessori Method and How to Start Using Montessori At Home

2015-06-30T00:25:00.002+01:00

I get asked this question a lot: "What is Montessori?"

Some people think the Montessori method is too structured whereas others think children are allowed to do whatever they like!

I am passionate about Montessori and it is so difficult to summarize it in a few sentences. Each and every time, I feel I have left something out; I have forgotten to say this or that.

So today I would like to share a Youtube video that sums it up really well.

Maria Montessori believed that each child is unique and therefore we have to observe and follow the child's abilities and interests. We can then prepare the favorable environment where the child is free to explore and learn at his/her own pace. The Montessori method puts utmost importance on independence and on self-discipline.
The teacher prepares the environment, observes the child and facilitates the connection between the material and the child. The teacher does not dictate, the teacher does not lecture. The teacher shows the child how to work independently. The teacher shows the child how to control his work. The environment is set out as such that the child can choose any activity independently, without asking for help from an adult.

When we try to create this environment at home for our children, whether we are homeschooling or not, things might get a bit tricky. But there are wonderful resources online. Here a few of my favourites.

Aubrey at Montessori Mischief shares : Montessori 101.

Deb at Living Montessori Now shares her tips on how to get started with Montessori at home.
Ideas and examples of how to prepare a Montessori environment at home.
Everything you need to know about how to Montessori at home.
Free Montessori at home videos.

Montessori materials can be very expensive but some of them can be prepared at home. Also, you might not have the perfect room that you see in some the photos in the above links, you might not want to invest in all or some of the materials. Montessori is not just about the materials.

What matters is the philosophy! Are we respecting the child? Are we following his interests? Are we encouraging self-discipline?
Are we teaching them how to be independent? How to focus on an activity for prolonged periods? Do we encourage exploration? Can they follow their interests? Are they able to take initiative? Can they take responsibility? Are they resilient? These are just some of the qualities that will enable our children to be successful in the future.

I am going to share more about the Montessori method on a fortnightly basis so if you'd like to learn more,come back soon.

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At Home In The Whole Food Kitchen

2015-06-16T23:00:00.002+01:00

If you follow my Instagram account,you probably know that I try really hard to incorporate wholesome, healthy foods into our diets. I was intrigued when I first heard about At Home In the Whole Food Kitchen by Amy Chaplin. When I received it, I wasn't wrong: It is a gem. A great resource with beautiful pictures,delicious,healthy recipes and a great deal of knowledge.

Just browsing through the book, you can feel Amy Chaplin's deep appreciation for good food. Being born and bred in Australia, Amy Chaplin talks about how from a very young age, she has spent many hours in their kitchen and garden.

The book consists of two parts. Part One lays out the basics of a whole foods kitchen. The pantry essentials: The legumes,super foods,nuts and seeds, the oils and flours, how to store them, the equipment that you will need, even the type of water that is best to use.. All explained in the first part that ends with a section on pantry recipes.

Part Two consists of recipes for breakfasts, soups, salads, snacks, whole meals and desserts. I also really enjoyed the little snippets of personal anecdotes with each recipe.

As the weather is warmer now,we like having light dinners so most of the time we have salads.I have tried a few of the salad recipes in the book so far and I have been very pleased with how easy and tasty they were.

Shaved Courgette Salad

I am really looking forward to trying the fermented foods in autumn. And of course the desserts section looks very delicious,too. I just need to find an excuse to bake that gorgeous chocolate hazelnut layer cake!

Disclosure:I received the book for free from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions my own.

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Imprify Photo Book

2015-06-13T15:01:00.004+01:00

A few weeks ago,I received an email from Imprify. They were asking if I could review their photo books. Every now and then I get an email from such companies and as much as I would love to print our photos, I just don't have the time to go trough photos and upload them on their website.

However Imprify is different.They have got an app that you download on your smart phone. Then you can choose from your own photos or it gives you the option to connect to Facebook or Instagram. Then all you have to do is clicking the photos you want in your album. You prepare your album in just a few minutes. You can also add captions to photos if you like. What more could I ask for?
I decided to try it. The album was delivered in 3 days and I am very happy with the quality.

I will definitely make a couple of other albums. Just to keep for ourselves and for gifts to grandparents. This would also make a lovely gift for Father's Day. Imprify has kindly 20% off to my readers. Use coupon code 995610 at the check out.

Disclaimer: We received a photo book for free in exchange for a review. As always, this review reflects our true and honest opinion.

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VivoBarefoot Kids Shoes Giveaway (Open to UK,US,Europe)

2015-06-10T00:00:00.000+01:00

I am delighted to bring you a great competition today. You might already know from my previous posts that we love love love VivoBarefoot Shoes (read my previous posts here and here). We love VivoBarefoot Shoes because they are comfortable and stylish,too.

I always try and buy VivoBarefoot Shoes for the children especially for the school. My daughter has been wearing them for a few years now. However it was not possible for my son as his shoe size was between two sizes at the time and I had to buy something else. Children spend 7-8 hours in the shoes every school day. Therefore I want them to be able to wear comfortable shoes that give them the freedom of movement that a flexible shoe can supply.

Vivobarefoot say 70% of your brain’s information for movement comes from the nerves on the soles of your feet; the more you can feel the ground, the greater your body’s understanding of its surrounding environment and natural movement. The difference in these shoes is the sole. VivoBarefoot have a patented ultra thin puncture resistant sole that offers maximum sensory feedback and maximum protection.(For the colder months,to keep feet warmer, you can buy extra removable insoles)

I also like that they produce their shoes using recycled, locally sourced materials, with efficient and eco-friendly production techniques.

Watch here why barefoot is best for children.

WIN IT:

VIVOBAREFOOT kindly offered to give away a pair of Kids shoes to one lucky Smiling like Sunshine reader. The winner will be able to choose the shoe and the size.
Please note that this giveaway is open to UK,US and Europe.

Please enter through the Rafflecopter system.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Where's The Pair? {a spotting book}

2015-06-06T22:33:00.001+01:00

Both of my children love spotting books. I have written about some of our favorite spotting books before here , here and here. We recently received another spotting book "Where's The Pair?" and we love it.

With a poem one page and the beautiful illustrations on the opposite page, the child is encouraged to find a specific pair of animals.

I have to admit it is not always very easy to find the pairs but that makes it more beautiful. And the children are quicker to spot them anyway! A lovely book to add to your collection and to develop observational skills and to have fun with kids!

Big Picture Press publish interesting books . Here is a link to their website for you to check out their wonderful books.

Disclosure: We received the book for free for review purposes. As always, this review reflects our true and honest opinion.

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The Easiest Way to Label Children's Items

2015-06-03T14:03:00.006+01:00

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a company called Stamptastic: A start up business run by three mums. Having had enough of labelling their children's items, as sewing is too fiddly and ironing doesn't always work well, they have come up with an interesting and effective way to label children's items.
I personally have never used sew on labels because I am really not good at sewing. The iron-on labels,in my experience, don't last long as they come off after washing. I have also tried using a fabric pen to write children's names on the tags of their clothes,but the pen bleeds into the tag and while it is okay,it does not look good. I was therefore very interested to try out the Stamptastic.
My order arrived in a few days.

A little ink pad and stamps personalised with the children's names. As you can imagine the stamps are super easy to use,takes only a few seconds. I have washed the clothes that we have stamped and they came out perfect,the stamp has not washed off.
Stamptastic say the ink lasts on fabric for up to 50 washes and the ink pad itself should last at least 2 years if you keep it in its little silver bag. So far I am really pleased with their product. It is effective and easy. What more could I ask for?

I haven't tried it on their shoes or wellies yet, but we will do that before the new academic year.
If you'd like to try out this innovative product, you can order them here. You can also register your PTA and get cashback.

Disclosure: The company provided us with a set (one for each of my children) in exchange for a review. This review reflects our true and honest opinion of the product.

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Montessori Inspired Preposition Activity

2015-05-14T13:30:00.001+01:00

Here is a new grammar game that I prepared for Derin (5yo). This activity supports children's prepositional language. Around the age of five, we tend to think that the children know all about these words. However some of them can be tricky for some children.

So I used two objects from our dolls house: A baby figure and a chair. Then I prepared the cards. Normally,in a Montessori environment, all the cards are colour coded according to Montessori grammer materials. However we aren't planning to delve into the grammar so I used blank cards as I am using this at home with my son only.

I have laid out the cards to build a sentence and placed the baby behind the chair.

All the cards with prepositions are placed on the left hand side.

Next we chose the card that says "in front of" and positioned the baby accordingly.

As you may have noticed children have a sensitivity for small objects so the dollshouse miniatures are of interest to them. You can use different objects such as a teddy bear and a cardboard box or whatever you have around your home and make your own activity.

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Planning for Retirement with Skipton

2015-05-10T22:48:00.001+01:00

Having just turned 40, the prospect of retirement is becoming more real for me. I have worked for many years and paid for my NI contributions. We had also paid for private pensions but stopped once we started living abroad. I had a big gap whilst looking after the children. I was adamant that I wanted to be at home with them during their early years. Having done another training during those years,I only returned back to work last January. As I work part time,my NI contributions are low.
In the meantime, we also started to pay for another private insurance about two years ago. This is again in my home country. As you can see, I feel somewhat prepared for retirement but at the same time I feel that there is room for improvement and I need a helping hand.

This is where retiresavvy comes in. Mumsnet Blogger Network have asked me to review the Retiresavvy portal from Skipton Building Society, which aims to demystify the subject of retirement. I wanted to do it as I am aware that I need to put some time to work on this subject for the best possible outcome that will affect the whole family.
The website is very user friendly. I like the question it asks you:
How prepared are you for retirement?
You then tick a box that applies to you: Unprepared,half prepared and fully prepared. In the next page, you get things that you are advised to consider for a better outcome.

retiresavvy say "We want retiresavvy to drive awareness of the issues facing retirees and those planning for retirement, and be a strong and positive force for change. " On a mission to achieve this, they try to make the website very clear, jargon free as the pension issues are very hard to understand.
The website has many articles on many aspects of the subject that are useful both for people that are planning retirement and those that have already retired.
There is also a forum that you can register to chat with others.
I personally found the Jargonbuster and FAQs very informative. There are also real retirement stories which I found quite interesting as real people give tips about things they wish they had known. Financial things aside, there are also tips about adapting to retirement, staying healthy and keeping busy in retirement.
Do check them out as well as the social media channels of retiresavvy. They are active on Facebook, Twitter and other channels. They also have informative videos on Youtube. It is never too early or too late to think about retirement and I hope you find this website as useful as I do.

I was asked to review retiresavvy.skipton.co.uk by Skipton and the Mumsnet Bloggers Network. All views are my own. I was entered into a prize draw to win vouchers as a token of thanks for blogging. View other blogs on this topic here: http://www.mumsnet.com/bloggers/retiresavvy-portal-what-our-bloggers-thought

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What to look for when buying a new bed

2015-04-29T11:00:00.000+01:00

When it comes to choosing a new bed, there’s simply no room for second best. According to the Sleep Council, the average Brit spends over 2,300 hours each year in the land of nod. So, unless you want to wake up bleary-eyed and with aching muscles and joints each morning, a good quality bed is a must. Next time you’re selecting one of these boudoir essentials, make sure you look out for the following qualities.

Maximum comfort

As bedroom furniture supplier And So To Bed points out, when it comes to sleeping, comfort is king. Rickety, creaking bed frames are a big no-no. If you want to slip peacefully into slumber each night, you’ll need a sleeping platform that can offer you maximum support. With this in mind, make sure you look out for great bed designs made using the highest quality materials and manufacturing techniques.

Of course, it’s not just the frame that counts; there are other factors at play too. For example, your mattress must be top-notch. There’s no right and wrong when it comes to these products. Some people prefer very firm designs while others like something a little softer. You simply have to find one that suits your preferences. If you’re not sure what sort of mattress to buy, head to a furniture showroom to test some out.

A style statement

As well as feeling great, your bed must look the part. These pieces of furniture are ideal for making a style statement and they can set the tone for the rest of your room. For the ultimate in decadence, why not opt for a four-poster? These classic designs represent the ultimate in luxury and they never go out of fashion. Another style that always remains in vogue is the sleigh bed. With its curved headboard and footboard, this timeless design has a fairytale feel.

Whether you want something traditional or modern, elaborate or simple, make sure it’s got design staying power. You don’t want these products to fall out of favour within a few short years. Ideally, they should last you for decades.

Extra features

Bear in mind that beds these days can come with a whole host of extra features, and it’s well worth considering these before you make any final decisions. For example, if your room is a little short on space, perhaps a divan with under-bed storage would be ideal. Meanwhile, if you have trouble staying in the perfect sleeping position during the night, you might benefit from getting a bed with an adjustable base. It’s even possible to purchase versions with massage features.

The perfect size

Last but not least, think about the proportions of this piece of furniture. When it comes to beds, size really does matter. You’ll want enough space to be able to spread out and sleep comfortably, but it’s also important that your chosen product fits neatly into your boudoir. If you try to squeeze a super-size bed into a bijou room, the results will look cramped and awkward. It helps to draw a to-scale plan of your room and add to this the bed you’re thinking of buying. This will help you to avoid sizing slipups.

As long as you consider points like these before you make your purchase, you should end up with the ideal bed.

This post is brought to you in association with And So To Bed.

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Shared Parental Leave

2015-03-28T22:19:00.001+00:00

From April 2015, parents will have greater choice over how they share time off work to care for their child. Shared Parental Leave allows working couples to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay in a way that suits their work and family needs. For example, parents can take time off together or they can tag team, stopping and starting leave and returning to work in between if they wish.

I think this is a very modern approach from the government in terms of gender equality. I was not working when I had my babies. My husband was working long hours and he did not even had the chance to take any days off with our first baby. He really was not happy about it as he missed on this special bonding time. Children grow up so fast and those early months are just so precious.

Therefore a shared parental leave will enable both parents to use share the time off as it suits to their needs.The flexibility of the regulations means that parents can use the 50 weeks of leave as they need it: At the same time or seperately.

This flexibility will also allow for a special time for the whole family. If mum needs to go back to work, dad can take over and this will make mum's return to work much smoother for everyone.

In my home country,Turkey, mothers only have 3 months of maternity leave. I wish they also adapt this approach that will benefit both mums and dads.

For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/sharedparentalleave

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C is for Carrot Salad with Garlic Yoghurt

2015-03-03T13:05:00.001+00:00

Welcome back to Cooking with Kids: C is for Carrot Salad with Garlic Yoghurt.
This is a Turkish recipe that is served as a side dish or a meze. My daughter loves it and she helps me prepare it. She is a bit camera shy these days so I am afraid I won't share any photos of her today.
The recipe super simple, healthy and can be prepared quickly.

Ingredients (for a small bowl as seen in the photo)
One largeish carrot, grated*
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic,peeled and chopped or grated
2 heaped tablespoons of yoghurt
pinch of salt

Gloss a small saucepan with 2 tbs of olive oil. Add the garlic and saute them for 1-2 minutes. Add the grated carrots. Let the carrots cook for 7-10 minutes adding splashes of water as necessary.
When done, let it cool and mix with yoghurt, add pinch of salt.
Drizzle some olive oil and serve with bread sticks,pita bread and other crudites.

*When I prepare this recipe for the children, we use the thin teethed side of the grate. This way, when the carrots are cooked and mixed with yoghurt, the salad has the consistency of a dip which my children like better.

PS:Don't forget to enter our Spring and Easter Giveaway: Win 3x $500, open worldwide ! Find the details on the right handside and click on the photo.
Check out the other carrot recipes
Carrot Cake from Thinly Spread, carrot veggie puffs from Sugar Aunts, carrot dip snack from Still Playing School, mild vegetable curry from A Thrifty Mum, carrot cake muffins from Rainy Day Mum, carrot salad from Smiling like Sunshine, carrot and coriander soup from Witty Hoots, crunchy carrot salad from Peakle Pie, carrot cake from Mum in the Mad House
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Easy Nature Inspired Spring Projects for Children:: Win 3 x $500

2015-03-02T14:00:00.000+00:00

Today I am delighted to collaborate wıth my blogger friends to bring you fantastic resources about Easter and Spring. We are also running a giveaway for the chance of winning 3 x $500!!! Please scroll down for the details.

One of my favourite things when doing activities with children is incorporating the elements of nature to our projects. Children love collecting sticks,pine cones,acorns, leaves, flowers... Using these materials creatively help children familiarize themselves with nature.

Here is a round up of activities from around the web.

1.Nature Table by Tinkerlab

2. Land Art, art combining sand,flowers and leaves

3.Nature Art Inspiration by Crafting Connections

4.Five fun things to make with natural materials by Twodaloo

5.Grow a meadow indoors by NurtureStore

6.Sensory Gardening with Kids by Little Wonders' Days

7.Painting with Flowers from Gingerbread House

8.Easter Egg Suncatcher with Flower Petals from The Artful Parent

9.Painted Stone Fairy Door from Gingerbread House

10.Insect Bin with moss,sticks and leaves from Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes

11.Garden Collage Leaf Craft from In the Playroom

12.Leaf Art Adventure from Hodge Podge Craft

13.Nature Letters from Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes

An InLinkz Link-up

Win one of THREE $500 cash prizes directly in your paypal account! This giveaway is open internationally. You must be 18+ years old to enter. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Winners will be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. Please see detailed terms and conditions below the giveaway for more info. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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