Tuesday 24 June 2014

Almost at 1000!!

10 more followers and my little blog hits 1000 of you fabulous readers!


Help me get there and I will pop up a fabulous giveaway!

Thank you so much!

TTFN
Debbie
x

Monday 23 June 2014

A little bit cuddly and a little bit of random!!

I forgot how much i love these early weeks.

All the love.



All the cuddles.

All the sitting watching her just sleeping, the start of her taking in her surroundings and being an adorable little bundle of gorgeousness!! 


The cute little clothes without food stains and dirty knees...


Knowing that pretty much as soon as shes placed anywhere other than our arms that she will niggle until cuddled again...


Did i tell you how much i love the early weeks/months/years??  

Yes, thought i did ;)

Talking of pretties, how cute are these shoes and dress!  They were a pressie from my mum and Amelia wore them to meet her fairy godmother over the weekend.


All us girlies (me, Evie and Amelia) went into Durham on Saturday to meet up with my soul sister Suzanne, her lovely hubby and fabulous daughter Ella, who had travelled all the way from Bracknell just to see us!!

Yes, they really are that lovely! 


Suzanne was eager for a squish of her fairy god daughter and we hadnt realise when we decided on this weekend that it was also summer solstice - perfect!!

Suzanne is a true friend who is spiritual and kind and beyond anything you could ask for in a friend...

Love you honey xx

This weekends plans gave me and Evie an excuse to visit Starbucks too - erm, Coconut frappe....why did no one tell me before now...liquid Bounty!! 

Im in love!! 



Evie was excited to have her juice and giant cookie too...

...just having a little one on one time, 

people watching and talking about nail varnish and possible new shoes (Evie not me)...

...the little things make me smile :)

PS... Look how long my hair is (yes i had just done my roots too so its looking very dark (blonde roots just dont look good!!) 



My hair is the longest its ever been and just needs a little poofing - i think maybe thinning out and layering?! 

How do actresses/singers seem to have big hair all the time!

Doesnt matter what i do it goes flat within an hour!

Any hints or tips?!

Is it just back combing or do i need a stylist following me round faffing with my hair all day....

anyone want the job....

i can pay in cake! ;)

TTFN
Debbie
x

Sunday 22 June 2014

Babes with Babies review and giveaway!

When you think of maternity clothing do you think dungarees and oversize tshirts?

Do you think flowery dresses with oversize bows on the neckline?

Well think again!! 

Babes with Babies supply the most gorgeous maternity wear, breastfeeding clothing and also gifts for babies, mums and dads too!


I was sent one of the stunning Magic Maxi dress (rrp £105 but currently on sale for £84!) to review.  

When you put some dresses on, you immediately feel your posture improve and confidence blossom. This magic maxi has that effect. There's a reason it's one of our all-time bestsellers.

Beautifully cut to hang elegantly to flatter your figure, this stunning maxi is so versatile. Made from luxurious soft jersey, dress it up with foxy heels and great jewellery for smart evenings or wear it on the beach with your Havaianas and hair in a ponytail.

The little fluttery hint-of-sleeves are pure genius. Just enough to flatter upper arms, balance a bump and give you a bit of smarter coverage but not so much that you get too hot (during pregnancy most women get warmer anyhow). Very feminine and extremely flattering.


This is a maternity dress with built in breastfeeding top which makes it so much easier if out in public!   


Floor length, with cross over top, faux vest insert and short fluted sleeves makes it comfortable enough to stretch over your bump throughout the pregnancy and flattering enough to then wear afterwards to disguise some of those post baby lumps and bumps.  


I felt so confident in the Magic Maxi dress that I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something not only comfortable but practical too!  This is going to be my go to dress and I can imagine this looking equally as fabulous with heels as an evening dress...or simply dressed as I did with flats and a blazer for lunch with friends.

Why not enter below for your chance to win a £50 voucher to spend online at Babes with Babies!


TTFN
Debbie
x

Friday 20 June 2014

Do not disturb - mass posting in progress!

OK, i have some serious posting to catch up on!!  Lots of reviews, giveaways and updates so i will be scheduling posts this weekend - expect a full on assault over the next week or so!! ;) 

TTFN
Debbie
x

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Fathers Day is almost here!

Unless youve been hiding under a rock you will know its Fathers Day this Sunday - all of the shops have banners and flags, teddies and candy for Daddy!

Being a Poundland ambassador I was sent some goodies to present to Stuart from the kids.  They arrived inside a fabulous goodie bag and the kids love the little 'Knock Out' gorilla!  


Dads can never have too many socks so to get quality ones for £1 - well what more can you ask for! lol  Stuart loves his coffee so a new mug will go down a treat too!


With a fabulous selection of cards, wrapping paper and goodies you simply cant go wrong with shopping for Fathers Day at Poundland

What do you have planned for Fathers Day this year?  We are having a quiet day at home and I may even cook a Sunday Roast! ;) 

TTFN
Debbie
x

Monday 9 June 2014

A Different Kind of Blog Hop!

The lovely Karen from Dolly's Dreamings tagged me in a different kind of blog hop.  Karen is better known in the scrapbook world as Scrapdolly - the fabulous scrapbooker and crafter with the CFH - Cats From Hell!  Please check out her blog because if you didnt know her before now you will be so glad you do now!

This blog hop is not the kind where we all post at the same time, its spread out week by week and grows as each person tagged then tags more bloggers!

We all answer the same questions and give a little insight into what we are up to etc so its a fabulous way to find out a little more about not only your favourite bloggers but lots who you maybe didnt know - go add some new inspiration to your blog lists too - i know my list is HUGE! :)

What am I working on?


Right now im working on cookbook number 2, crocheting a blanket, making dresses etc for Evie, trying to get back into the swing of making jewellery again and also working on 2 mini albums for Amelia - one documenting her first month and another which will have weekly photos in for her first year.  Nothing fancy, no layout style pages, just pictures, a couple of words and a date stamp.


How does my work differ from others of its genre?


Hmmm...not sure it does really.  I do what makes me happy so if that means not always following the sheep when it comes to colour/fashion favourites etc then thats ok...I still love shabby chic and vintage and was doing bunting etc well before it was 'cool' so as long as what im making makes me smile then i dont care if its similar or different, stands out or blends in to the rest of the genre.

Why do I write/create what I do?

6 children! Not only preserving memories for them but writing things down as im hitting the big 40 this year and to be honest my memory just aint what it use to be (thats my excuse and im sticking to it)!! lol

I feel the need to create and make something every day - the kids are the same, whether it be colouring in or making paper aeroplanes, making our own playdough or baking a cake....I think if i wasnt doing 'something' then i would go stir crazy!

How does your writing/creative process work?

Generally I just know i have to make 'something', that will end up with me getting out the flour, sugar etc and baking a cake or pulling out some card and doodling for a while to get something out of my head and down on paper.  I love drawing what i want to create and making lists of things to do (whether i actually get round to them all is another matter!)

I will start with the drawings and go from there, sometimes they end up looking nothing like what i initially thought

I hope you have enjoyed reading a little more about how and why I do what I do and why I love what I do....I am tagging the following bloggers to pass on my part of the blog hop...


Amber Harrop-Johnson - Snapshots and Snippets

lastly i would like to tag YOU!  Who ever you are, I want to know about YOU!  Youre reading my blog because something brought you here, whether it be a link from Dollys blog or whether you are a long time follower - I would love to find out more about why you create what you create and do what you do :)  Please indulge me and please link me to your blog in the comments below!

Thank you so much for getting this far!
TTFN
Debbie
x

Tuesday 3 June 2014

TabZoo Review and Giveaway!

Almost all children play on smartphones, tablets, kindles, iPads....etc - you name it, the kids have got it sussed!   3 of mine (Ethan, Jacob and Evangeline) love playing Minecraft, personally I dont 'get it' but then again I dont suppose im meant to lol.

We were asked to review the TabBeanie and TabZoo cases from Lazerbuilt and were sent one of each to play with.  We kept the lion one to offer as a giveaway, which is running via rafflecopter below!

The boys, being a little older and *cough* trying to act grown up, didnt get the fascination with these cases but Evie loves them!  The soft padded cushion backing of the Hello Kitty TabBeanie made it really comforable for her to rest on her knee and the protective screen made it less prone to sticky fingers!


She even took to taking out the iPad when her time on it was up and using the Beanie as a cushion!  This would be perfect for long car journeys when you just know theyre going to fall asleep and let it fall off their knees!

The TabZoo cases are a fabulous concept that makes using a tablet so much easier for little hands!  (pictures taken on a night when Evie was enjoying her 'kindle time') :) 


 We have had tears before because Evie either cant get the kindle in a position thats comfortable/cant see the screen/dropped it on her face as shes lying on her back looking up at it! 


 These fabulous animals act as a protective sleeve as well as a stand - zip it open and stand your tablet/kindle in the mouth!  

The teeth stop the tablet from falling and hold it in place while you play! Perfect and such a cute idea too!  


This most definitely got a thumbs up from Evie!! 

Available to buy from Amazon and all good retailers!

To win your own Lion TabZoo protective sleeve just enter via the rafflecopter widget below :)  Good Luck!


TTFN
Debbie
x

We were sent one these items to review free of charge. All opinions and views are my own.


Monday 2 June 2014

A different kind of blog hop!

I was contacted by the fabulous Dolly of Dollys Dreamings Blog to take part in a different kind of blog hop. (...my blog post will go live next monday)

I have known Karen (aka Scrapdolly) for many many years and I love her work, from paper pages through to digital layouts BUT the thing I love most about Karen is her relationship with Nigel. 


They are soul mates, you can see the dedication they have to each other and that to me means everything *heart*

If Stuart and I can have as much love and admiration for each other in our marriage as Karen and Nigel then I would concider myself a very very lucky lady! 

Check out her blog today for her answers to the blog hop questions and for a little insight into her life and that of her CFH (Cats From Hell) - her gorgeously pretty yet manic kitties! 

TTFN
Debbie
x

Sunday 1 June 2014

Angry Birds DVD Giveaway! 4 winners!

Welcome Back to Piggy Island!
ANGRY BIRDS TOONS:
SEASON ONE - VOLUME TWO
The Angry Birds are Back on DVD May 19

Bonus Materials Include Never-Before-Seen
Meet the Characters Pods and Four Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes




 London, UK. (22/04/2014) – The fan-favourite birds are back with more exciting animated adventures as ANGRY BIRDS TOONS: SEASON ONE - VOLUME TWO soars onto DVD May 19 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Fans of all ages can join Chuck, Matilda, Red, Bomb, the Blues and Terence as they attempt to foil the sneaky scheming of the Bad Piggies in 26 entertaining episodes. Based on the No. 1 paid mobile app of all time, ANGRY BIRDS TOONS: SEASON ONE - VOLUME TWO is the next installment in the globally beloved Angry Birds story. The whole family will get to ride along for new adventures, as the beloved birds are brought to life.

The DVD features all-new bonus material, including more never-before-seen “Meet the Characters” pods, introducing Bomb Bird, Terrence and Chef Pig. Additional bonus features include four behind-the-scenes featurettes, taking fans through the process of bringing the characters to animated life. The DVD also comes with an exclusive redemption code to download the “Angry Birds Friends” mobile game Power Up Pack, which includes more than 900 Bird Coins that can be used for in-game purchases.

Synopsis
Welcome back to Piggy Island, where the Angry Birds’ survival is at stake! Join Red, Chuck, Matilda, Bomb, the Blues and Terence as they continue to hatch up schemes to foil the sneaky Bad Piggies who plot to steal their eggs. Based on one of the most popular games in history, ANGRY BIRDS TOONS: SEASON ONE - VOLUME TWO brings back fan-favourite characters for 26 more fun-filled adventures. Will our heroes defeat the mischievous Piggies once and for all? Toon in and find out!

DVD Bonus Features Include:
§  Three all-new, “Meet the Characters” Pods, featuring Bomb Bird, Terrence and Chef Pig.
§  Previously released “Meet the Characters” Pod for Corporal Pig.
§  Four Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes:
o   “Behind-the-Scenes Character Design” – Go behind the scenes to see how Rovio’s artists design and animate the characters.
o   “Behind-the-Scenes Producing, Directing and Coordinating” – Learn about the work Rovio’s production staff does to create the Angry Birds Toons.
o   “Behind-the-Scenes Compositing, Tools and Colour Grading” – Discover more about the kind of work that goes into compositing and colour grading the animation.
o   “Sound Design & Voice Acting and Music Behind-the-Scenes” – Learn how the sound is designed and about the voices behind the characters.  Also see how the music is created for the Angry Birds Toons series.

ANGRY BIRDS TOONS: SEASON ONE – VOLUME TWO has a running time of approximately 1 hour 9 minutes and is rated U.

To be in with a chance of winning a DVD of your own just leave a comment below - winners will be announced next Sunday :)

Good Luck
TTFN
Debbie
x