Disclosure: This is a featured post. All thoughts and opinions are my own… even the Latin, although I did have to check on the plural spelling of ‘Girls’ :OP

Friday 17th May 2013 is national Thank A Teacher Day. Why not show your teacher how much you appreciate their help with a lovely card from the fantastic selection at Hallmark?

It’s scary to look back over my school days, I have teachers who were awesome and instilled wisdom and great memories – then there are teachers I would quite happily forget about. Teachers can easily be overlooked, which is such a shame as they contribute a lot to the people we all become, what we choose to be ‘when we grow up’ and strive for the best for us.

My ears still ring with ‘Salve Puellae, Salve Magistra’ even 16 years on from my school days… that’s Latin for ‘Hello Girls, Hello Teacher’ for those who don’t know. Yes I was subjected to Latin, amongst French and German! I had some great times at school and some fantastic memories that I still cherish. Facebook is a great way to keep up to date with old school buddies and it’s great to hear all the gossip from the big school.

Being a parent at the school gates can sometimes be a daunting prospect and I still feel myself cowering and whispering ‘Mrs…. ‘ when I need to speak with Liv’s teacher. I still have the same respect for teachers even now, when I am no longer on the receiving end of detention or chewing gum duty.

Each year, the Pearson Teaching Awards give recognition to fantastic teachers across the UK, that been nominated for the esteemed awards by their very own students. The results of the awards will be announced on May 17th, also known as Thank a Teacher Day, and although not every teacher will be lucky enough to win a prize we think all of them are deserving of our gratitude! To help give thanks to wonderful teachers everywhere, the personalised greeting cards specialist Hallmark have created this beautiful card to share with a special teacher that you may know.

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Last night saw Chelsea lift the UEFA Europa Cup… an amazing feat to be the holders of 2 European cups at the same time. It’s a shame we have to give one back now though

People have already started on their tirade of jibes towards John Terry lifting the cup… my reply… ‘Could you see your team lift the cup without your club Captain?’ JT is as much a part of the Chelsea FC team than any other player and why shouldn’t he be up there to lift the cup with Frank Lampard?

The news that Frank Lampard is ‘potentially’ signing a new 1 year contract is music to my ears… is it an indication of a Jose Mourinho return to the Bridge one wonders and hopes?

Rafa has done well in leading us to the UEFA cup Final and deserves credit, he has overcome adversity as he has not been well liked. Though I think that mainly comes down to the circumstances in which he took over as the Chelsea manager. I haven’t always agreed with his team selections, I personally would have fielded a different FA Cup Semi-Final side, yet we are winners… what more can I say?

As with the Champions League cup 2012, I am adding some of my favourite images, courtesy of the Chelsea FC Facebook page (I hope they don’t mind!)

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*This is my entry into the BritMums #SpecialK30 Linky and BritMums/Special K “How I’ve changed Linky challenge” with www.myspecialk.co.uk, I hope you enjoy!

30 years…

The big 3-0…

Not only did I leap over that hurdle this year but so did Kellogg’s Special K cereal!

Having recently been sent a box of the new recipe Special K I can honestly say that I love it as much as ever! It has always been my ‘go to’ cereal especially where weight loss is concerned and having embarked on the Weight Watchers diet this year the cereal has played a prominent part in my almost 2 stone loss so far. I love to mix the cereal up with fruit – raspberries are my favourite topping – or simply grab a handful and munch away whenever I need a yummy treat.

So, the cereal is as yummy as it has ever been but what about me? How have I changed in 30 years?

Well… I’ve gone from this… at a couple of months old – and with my beloved Gramps, my eternal hero.

To this… aged 30 and a few weeks…

My hair has been brown, red, purple, blonde, bleach blonde and black. I’ve had fringes, pixie cuts and am currently rocking the super long lock look. My hair is my thing and no hairdresser is coming near me with the intentions of cutting it off!

I’ve gained weight, lost weight, scoffed, dieted, munched and starved myself. Currently I am dieting properly and am wishing I had attempted the Weight Watchers diet beforehand!

I’ve loved, had my heartbroken into a zillion pieces only to have it glued back together and broken again by the same person, got married and this week finally found out that my divorce is but one more signature away. Forgive me if I feel like screaming ‘Freedom!’

Things I have learned (and I have most likely forgotten more than I actually remember!)… good friends stick by you no matter what. They are the friends to be cherished. Acquaintances will come and go, you will be able to spot these quite easily.

My team Chelsea finished Champions of League 2, 30 years ago. This evening they are playing in the final of the UEFA Europe Cup and I have my own mini mascot for the game!

Technology is one of the biggest things that has had an impact in my life in the past 30 years. As a 3 year old my mum crept up behind me and stuck HUGE earphones on my ears and I was treated to the wonderful tones of the Thomas The Tank Engine theme tune. I didn’t realise at the time but my first Sony walkman was the start of a great love of technology. Thirty years on and my beautiful 4 year old daughter quite happily ‘borrows’ my iPad and phone to go on YouTube to watch Gangam Style!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and there are a couple of moments from the past 30 years of my life I would change, but then who knows where a different path would take you? They always say the grass is always greener on the other side – this may or may not be true. One thing you can count on though is Kelloggs will always make super yummy, family friendly cereal and #SpecialK30 will still be around in another 30 years… I just hope I still have my own teeth by then!

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When Liv was born we had a house full of toys, clothes, all the paraphernalia you could ever imagine. Six months later I found myself packing away brand new items, still with tags on simply because we never needed them. Years on and one of the things I do regret not organising and buying sooner is a print keepsake either of Liv’s foot or fingerprint.

It is one of those precious moments I should recorded a long time ago but stupidly never got around to it. Little Pinkies were very kind in offering me the opportunity to review one of their stunning pieces I jumped at the chance. I love silver jewellery and necklaces, so it made total sense to plump for a sterling silver fingerprint pendant that I could attach to my favourite necklace. Another option is 9ct gold.

Choosing the heart shaped pendant was the easy part and a printing kit was quickly sent to us. The kit included a print proof sheet of paper and 2 x wipes that you simply wipe over your finger or foot like a wet wipe and then dab down on the paper. Easy in theory but trying to oversee Liv pressing her finger with the correct pressure in order to achieve the perfect fingerprint was difficult!

We ended up with a very full sheet of fingerprints however this made it so much easier for Little Pinkies to find the best print possible. The whole process was super easy and after sending the prints off we received the pendant very quickly. Communication was great and the company are absolutely love to deal with, giving you that added reassurance over your very special item.

The pendant was presented in a beautiful box and safe inside a little velvet bag. The finished jewellery piece is absolutely lovely and I am so happy I finally have a special keepsake of Liv’s fingerprint that I can wear every single day.

The Little Pinkies range features pendants, bracelets, keyrings, rings, charms and cufflinks. A perfect idea for Father’s Day for a unique gift!

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The fact that I am on the Weight Watchers diet goes to show I love food… the only thing I love more (aside from Liv!) is free food! McCain provided this when they very kindly sent me a large bag of their 5% Fat Chips recently – the delivery confudled the Tesco delivery driver to the point he was going to call me to see if the chips are all I had ordered!

The chips are great for big bottomed people like myself who need to munch on yummy food. Made with specially selected potatoes and a slight dash of sunflower oil, the chips are just as tasty and fluffy as you would expect from the home cooked chips.

We always have McCain’s oven chips available in our freezer, Liv is not too fussed but I generally favour crinkle cut. Even though essentially they are the same as straight cut chips, I am a big kid at heart and love the crinkle shape.

I have cooked several meals with the extremely large bag we were sent – they do last an adult and child quite a while! The first meal I made found the chips accompanying a pizza. I am a great lover of chips and mayonnaise (Liv favours ketchup) so made sure I had some on hand to dunk mine in and they were absolutely divine. They taste just like normal chips but are slightly healthier! Good news for my diet. Unfortunately due to being on a strict eating regime chips have not featured in my allowable menu, so having the McCain 5% Fat chips has been a real treat.

A survey conducted by McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 2002 stated that chip shop chips generally have 239 calories per 100g (roughly 6 ProPoints). The McCain’s 5% Fat Chips are seriously just as yummy as chip shop chips, but without all the added grease – with only 158 calories per 100g (roughly 4 ProPoints) they are an awful lot healthier. The fact you can cook them in your own oven and not have to jump in the car and stand at the back of a very long queue is also a great advantage!

McCain’s full range of frozen foods can be found in most leading supermarkets.

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Disclosure: A featured post with a difference! I am a huge fan of roller coasters and having been fortunate enough to go to Florida several times, I can honestly say the parks there have some of the best roller coasters – somewhere for kids and adults alike!

Florida’s most unusual theme parks

Florida is unequalled in its sheer variety of different theme parks, a world away from the region of mangrove swamps and subtropical, mosquito-plagued flatlands that it historically was. Florida has risen out of the primeval mud to become one of America’s most-visited states. With car hire in Florida so competitively priced and with such superb roads to drive on, this is probably the most convenient way of getting around the state’s great parks and other attractions. Although the majority of tourists head to the Sunshine State for the likes of Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, there are other theme parks that are not quite so well known and which offer different though equally enjoyable types of experiences here.

Gatorland Orlando

Visitors enter this bizarre theme park through a pair of huge, gaping alligator jaws which lets them know that they’re entering a prehistoric-themed, Jurassic Park style zone in no uncertain terms. Anyone who loves or is just fascinated by these awesome survivors from the Age of Dinosaurs, and for which Florida is renowned, are in for a real treat here. The park has been open since 1949 and is one of the biggest reptile reserves in the world. It sprawls over 100 acres and is home to literally thousands of wild and semi-tame alligators and crocodiles. There’s also the inevitable family fun for those who don’t wish to get too close to reptilian teeth.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

This is a zoological garden with a difference as it specialises in walking safaris and close encounters with over 2000 species of rare or endangered animals and thousands of rare plants. There’s also a strong educational flavour, so visitors get to learn all about things such as Asian bamboo forests and explore exotic blooms in the River of Colour Gardens. There are savannah blooms, giraffes, elephants, apes, birds and wild cats in the African River Aviary and the whole park is designed to be as close to the animals’ natural habitats as possible.

Discovery Cove

For those who have had enough of the bigger SeaWorld Orlando, this sister park offers a more intimate experience with marine animals by touching and feeding the likes of rays and bottle nosed dolphins and snorkelling alongside exotic fish species. There’s also a sheltered Serenity Bay area and sandy beaches to relax on, with all the atmosphere of a secluded Caribbean island and not so much of the hectic hustle and bustle of the major and more popular theme parks.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is located in Tampa Bay, well away from the other parks, most of which are in the Orlando area. It’s actually the best park for water-themed rides, but its main emphasis is on African wildlife. Its 335 acres contain a combined amusement and theme park that is made up of several semi-independent themed sectors. These are based on countries in Africa, so there are the Congo, Morocco, Timbuktu and many other areas, replicating the real thing. The park contains almost 3000 different animal species and also has some of the hairiest rides in the States. Busch Gardens makes a more subdued and intelligent alternative to the main theme parks in Florida, and a place to get away from some of the madness.

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All thoughts, ramblings and opinions of working from home for 7 years are all my own!

I’ve been asked many times in recent weeks what I do for work. Some were happy when I mentioned I am a work from home mum (WAHM), some happy with my job title, yet there some who wanted to know more.

My day job is very easy to describe and normally results in people nodding and wishing they had never asked. My night work is so much different and I am always stumped as to where to start.

How do you describe blogging to someone who has absolutely no idea?

It’s fun, it’s not fun, you have freedom, you have rules to adhere to, you make fantastic friends, you meet your worst enemies… to say blogging is a rollercoaster is the understatement of the century!

Working from home gives me so much freedom and flexibility, making childcare problems a little easier. Liv fortunately is in full time nursery which frees up a good chunk of my working day, enabling me to crack on. I always like to keep an eye out on jobs for work from home mums, albeit I am happy with what I do, there are some cracking jobs out there!

People always ask how I find the motivation when working from home, in actual fact I find I am more productive than if I were in a office setting. There are less distractions (even with my fridge and treat cupboard within touching distance!) and there is no-one to have a gossip with!

I’m not saying working from home is easy, on the flipside there is the disadvantage that you do not get to see anyone or speak to them. It can actually be quite lonely, which is why I am eternally grateful to the fantastic network of friends that I have, both bloggers and non-bloggers.

For the moment – I say that after working from home for almost 7 years – it works well for me and Liv and provides me with the time and resources to spend quality time with my daughter. It also means I can have leisurely, gossip filled lunches with friends every so often, for this alone I wouldn’t change what I do!

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We. Are. Bloody. Knackered!

The Bank holiday has certainly taken its toll on Liv and I as we found ourselves venturing on an extended break to London and Wales. It was Liv’s first visit to London and unfortunately we could only enjoy the capital’s delights for 24 hours whilst on a review jolly at The Cavendish hotel. Laura at Tired Mummy of Two and her daughters made excellent travel buddies… A relief for me as I am renowned for missing my train even when stood in front of it!

The journey on the train from Manchester certainly went quickly and soon we found ourselves in the back of a black cab. The driver wasn’t the usual cheeky chappy you would expect and instead was an arrogant tit who thought it acceptable to text on his phone, wearing earphones, whilst carrying passengers in his taxi… 3 of whom were children. When this was brought up he said he would pull over and we could get a ‘baby taxi’. Driver 71747 you need to brush up on your customer service if you want any tips!

My London Style; All aboard with the girls for London Baby; London skyline at 3am

London was just how I remembered after living there for 5 years during my uni years. Walking onto Regents Street with one of my best buddies felt as if I was coming home. Laura was an absolute star and took Liv to a rather special Moshi Monster 5th birthday party at Moshi HQ which left me child free… In London Baby!! *Squeal*

There was only one thing for it… Catch up with old friends whilst soaking up the sights of London. The weather was blistering and it only felt right to go and have some drinks outside on Carnaby Street. People watching is one of my favourite pastimes and there was abundance of electic styled people walking past us. It actually made for great entertainment. Realising the Chelsea match was on tv we made our way back to the bar next to the hotel to meet up with others, to cheer on my side. I clearly acted as a mascot as Chelsea won the game 3-1 to take them into the Europa Cup final. It was the most memorable Chelsea match I’ve ever watched… In more ways than one. I shall try my best to refrain from screaming ‘Back of the net!!!!!’ Oh… I just did!

Insomnia is shite and with my night running through my mind I was wide awake at 3am… Grrr! I was productive in that time though as I found my phone charger and started snapping away at the very early morning London skyline from the hotel. It was probably the comfiest bed I have attempted to sleep in for a long time, so am gutted I didn’t put it to better use that way!

Breakfast was freaking awesome with a choice of everything we could have wanted… Knowing we had another long journey ahead I may just have stocked up on a full breakfast avec 4 hash browns cooked to crispy perfection nom nom!

The journey to Paddington station for on onward journey was highly amusing thanks to our proper Cockney geezer taxi driver with lots of tales about Dennis Wise and Gazza… Oh how I <3 London!!

Our review of The Cavendish hotel will be going live week!

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Disclosure: A fantastic featured post, showcasing some absolutely stunning children’s clothing! It’s quite disappointing when your child’s wardrobe is far nicer than your own!

Why luxury looks for children are on the up

With a global economic recession still hurting retailers everywhere, top end kids’ fashion is defying the trend. New labels are being announced all the time, with everyone from Gucci to Lady Gaga hungry for their slice of what is estimated will be a $156.8 billion industry by 2015. So what are the main factors driving up popularity for luxury kids looks?

Materials

No parent likes spending money on a nice item of clothing for their child, only to have them splatter it with chocolate ice cream 5 minutes later. So are children cleaner than they used to be? No. But more and more parents recognise the value in quality materials that really last. Cheap disposable products are increasingly being substituted for timeless materials like children’s cashmere, that offers warmth, comfort and style.

Celebrities (and their celebrity kids)

Celebrity fashion is inescapable, and a key driving force behind the recent trend in kids’ luxury. Lifestyle magazines focus more and more on family life, and the street shot of famous faces with their increasingly famous kids creates a style guide for many fashion conscious parents. Perhaps even more influential is the frequency with which celebrities are leveraging their power to set up their own children’s fashion labels like Lady Gaga’s ‘Gaga Goo Goo’ range. When you add in the fact that celebrity kids like Suri Cruise and Romeo Beckham have become fashion icons in their own right, it’s easy to see why things like girls cashmere clothes are so popular.

The ultimate ‘growth’ sector

Children’s clothes have always offered a unique business opportunity, since the little kids outgrow outfits so fast. With parents on a near constant cycle of wardrobe replenishment there are more transactions and more opportunities for luxury brands to speak to customers.

Designers and big fashion labels

Big name designers like Versace and Burberry have been aggressively expanding their children’s ranges recently, seeing massive potential in the junior fashionista. The prices can be eye-watering, but even parents who don’t want to spend $226 on a romper suit will get inspiration for their next fashionable purchase and be more likely to choose luxury.

Bloggers

The rise of the bloggers means that ideas and images are being shared and publicised at a staggering rate. Niche sites are appearing all the time, offering inspirational updates to mums and dads on a daily basis. From boys cashmere clothing  to funky leather jackets, loafers and girls’ evening dresses, the access to ideas and products is growing all the time.

Global brands

The internet has also allowed many children’s luxury brands to find new audiences in emerging economies like China and India. If you have a great luxury kid’s product, there’s nothing to stop you taking over the world.

One brand embracing this is Cashmirino. They are the world’s first luxury children’s cashmere clothing brand. You can see their latest Spring/Summer 2013 collection in their lookbook below.

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Round of applause for Sim please… I finally mowed the back garden over the weekend! Oh it looks so pretty and green now with no more dandelions in sight! The front garden will be mowed tomorrow, I thought I would leave it a little longer to annoy the neighbours!

Liv was in her element playing on the lawn once it was lovely and short with the first cut of the year. I attempted to dig out the dandelion weeds so that they do not keep coming back and in doing so Liv realised that I was also digging up worms. This resulted in making many holes around the garden – it now resembles a mole playground – to find more worms to hold. As you can see by the image we had great fun!

Most of Liv’s older toys that have been left out throughout the winter have been moved to the tip in order to make way for toys and garden games more appropriate to her age. On a recent shopping trip Liv made a beeline for a rather pink wooden playhouse. In all honesty I have to say I love them too! I always wanted one as a child, instead I got a pond full of Koi carp! I always thought Liv would be a tomboy like I was at her age and although she is fearless to some degree, she loves dressing up in Princess dresses and role playing with her teddies and dolls.

A beautiful, girly, wooden playhouse would suit her down to the ground and would give her her own space in the garden, a little sanctuary where she can play with her friends and her teddies. It could also be used as extra storage and will help keep my currently lovely tidy garden in the same state! They are small enough to fit comfortably in gardens – although a huge wooden climbing frame would be awesome, though I don’t think I would ever get any work done as I would be playing on it

I just hope that we actually have a nice, hot summer this year. After the last few summers we are definitely due some good weather. Barbecues, Pimms and Liv and her friends playing out in the garden – a definite reason to smile

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