World Book Day | What Is The UK’s Favourite Bedtime Story?

The boys adore reading - we have so many books that not only is their bookshelf in their bedroom fit to burst, but there are boxes full in the toy room too. We have to alter them around each month so that they can read new books, and find old favourites again.

But bedtime books are a different thing. Each of the boys have their favourite one, and it differs to the ones that they'd usually read during the day.

5 Common Misconceptions about Medical Negligence Claims in the UK

Misconceptions about medical negligence cases are, fortunately or unfortunately, more common than medical negligence cases themselves. Here are five common misconceptions about medical negligence claims in the UK. We’ll also give you the truth behind these myths and explain why some of these myths exist.

4 Ways To Get The Best Deal When Buying A Used Car

When it comes to buying a family car, there are many factors that can attribute to which you decide to buy in the end. Things like fuel consumption, size, mechanical workings and issues are obvious, but once you have children, there is an even longer list to make sure it's a car that will fit your needs.

If you decide to buy a used car, then there are more things to think about too. And so, here are my 4 ways to get a great deal when buying a use car. 

Popular Gifts To Remember Loved Ones

If you have recently lost someone who is close to you, then chances are that you are going to want to keep their memory alive as much as you possibly can. This is why memorial gifts have become all the more popular. Whether they are gift to someone else who is dealing with the loss of a loved one, or something for you to treasure, they come in a variety of forms which means that you always have plenty of choice.

But what are the most popular choices when it comes to gifts to remember loved ones by? Here is round up of some of them.

Our Mission To Reduce Food Waste And Save Money

Food waste is a worldwide epidemic, as is the waste that comes with food - the packaging. More than one-third of all food produced globally is wasted or spoiled. And this organic matter in landfills provides 20% of all methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes considerably to climate change.

We are a nation of throw-awayers. Once something is opened for a couple of days, or closer to its best-before date, we throw it away. Without a though for whether it's still okay to use or how much we are wasting. 

How Can You Incorporate Technology into Your Home?

Smart living is the use of technology to make living in your home more useful and connected. But with so much technology to choose from, it is easy to be confused. Underfloor Heating Trade Supplies takes a look at how to seamlessly incorporate technology into your home.

Technology does, in the main improve our lives. It can help us connect with our homes, saving money on energy and make the space we call home a more comfortable place to live too.

But are technological innovations for the home equal? Which ones are worth the investment?

Candy Grand'O Vita GVS1610TH 10KG Washing Machine Review

Having a large family means that we go through tons of loads in the washing machine each week. As soon as one if washed and dried, another if going in. So this meant when our washing machine decided to go on strike a few weeks ago, we were left wondering how we were going to wash the mountains piling up. 

That's when AO.com came to our rescue and offered us the Candy Grand'O Vita Washing Machine which meant that we could get back to washing in no time at all. What I love about AO.com, is that they have next day delivery, and you can choose to have the appliance installed and old one recycled too. This means that you don't have to go long without an appliance and can get straight to using it as soon as it's been delivered.

Educational Toys For Pre-School Children

A couple of week ago, J turned 3 year old. This got me thinking about wanting to get him more toys that work as a dual purpose - for fun, and for educational purposes. It seems there has been a shift in this direction in recent years and now most toys for pre-school children are aimed at giving young children a fun toy to play with whilst teaching them basic subjects. 

So this post is showing off some of the educational toys that J loves, and that I think are fantastic for pre-school children...

Footwear For All Seasons With Footway

I'm not gunna lie, I probably have more pair of footwear than I care to admit. The amount of shoes I need to find spaces for is ridiculous so I have to alternate them around each season to fit in the shoe cupboard.

I'm not really a heels and lipstick type of girl, biker boots and trainers are more my thing, and so when Footway asked if I wanted to pick out a few pairs of shoes from their site, I bet you can guess what I went for. 

Footway is an online shoe store, selling great shoes to 11 countries. The most important things for them is quick shipping and a great shopping experience. As I scrolled their website to check out their options, I realised just how easy they have made it. No fiddling with sidebars, and searching for shoes to find them not in your size. As soon as you enter their website, it asks what size you are looking for (options for men, women and kids) and then brings you all the available shoes in that size. No messing. No fuss...

Coping With My Child's First School Residential

Next month my eldest son is going to be off on his first residential trip with primary school, he is eight years old and it’s the first time he will be away from home without family around him. I honestly thought I would be fine with it as I am generally so busy with life, my blog and the other two boys that I didn’t think I would give it a second thought.

I have avoided the school Facebook so I didn't have to think about it and hid from conversations in the playground as the other parents ensure they have everything the children will and generally tried not to think about it too much.

Nature Is The Best Way To Nurture Children In Education

Outdoor education doesn’t just engage children in the curriculum or everyday play, it teaches life skills too. Mother Nature is a great teacher and getting kids outside to learn and early years play is good for their brains and their bodies. 

School is very important, but it's not the only setting where your children can learn. Contact with nature is more essential today given that children are spending nearly 8 hours a day using entertainment media and only 6 percent of children ages 9-13 play outside on their own. 

We are at risk of losing an entire generation’s appreciation for how nature works and our love of nature and learning outdoors needs to remain healthy and productive. 

Win | Fuzzikins Cosy Cats or Dozy Dogs set!

The Fuzzikins craft sets are great fun to keep the kids entertained during half-term. Children can help the Fuzzikins get ready for bed with the fabulous Cozy Cats and Dozy Dogs craft sets from Interplay. 

With 3 cats or dogs in each set and everything you need to create and personalise their sleeping bags. You can colour the cats or dogs with whatever designs your heart desires. Wash them and you can colour them again with a new look. Then make their personalised sleeping bag and tuck them in for a cosy nap!

Win | My Fairy Garden - Discover The Magic Of Nature Through Play

I find that most children's toys nowadays are for fun and for teaching children the ways of the world too. Whether it's through education or discovering the magic of nature through play, there is always a way of teaching children whilst they play. 

With the My Fairy Garden range, children can imagine, create, nurture and grow their own fairy garden. My Fairy Garden is a collectable range that encourages interaction with nature through play. The kits offer children a delightful experience of imaginative open-ended play whilst discovering the magic of growing real plants. There are cute little flowerpot fairy homes, fairy doors to place in your house to allow fairies to enter and Fairy Tale stories to encourage children’s imaginations! 

You can make your child’s bedroom an enchanted place with these magical toys!

Stay Healthy Even When You're Not Doing the Cooking with These Tips

Winter is a tough time to stay healthy. Wet days and chilly nights can compel us to crave hot, carb-rich food: curries, pizzas, plates of pasta, and the like. It's also easier to hide the pounds we're likely to gain during the winter months under extra layers of clothing. Then it's summer again - and suddenly everyone's on a diet!

If you're watching your weight, finding a healthy takeaway can be something of a challenge. Menus don't always come with nutritional information and it can be awkward (or impossible) to ask a delivery service for a "low-calorie" option. The great news is that there are lots of ways to enjoy a takeout and stay healthy this winter. It's just a matter of knowing what's good for you and what's not!

Creating A Silver And Grey Living Room

I'm not a person to shy away from colour, and think that every room of our house should show the personalities and loves of the people in them. I love colour. I love different colours. And I love mixing colours to suit us. 

I totally not a white and magnolia fan!

So when my husband finally gave me the go ahead to start stripping the living room, I got that paper off as fast as I could and started planning what our living room would look like. I knew that I wanted a silver theme, and grey seemed to be an 'in' colour at the moment, and that's where my choice came from.

Valentine's Gifts For Long Term Couples

If you've been together for a long time, like my husband and I - 13 years and still going strong-ish - then you'll know that after the first couple of years, Valentine's Day doesn't factor in as an important day any more. 

It's not all about the big gestures and romance in abundance, it's about knowing what each other likes and going with that. So this year I thought I would write about the best items to buy to celebrate Valentine's when you've been together an age.

5 Reasons Why Villas Are Perfect For Family Holidays

This year,  we are looking to start travelling more as a family, and try to venture further afield to explore the World and our surroundings. To show the children the amazing sights, the beautiful cultures of other countries and give them those experiences to grow up with. 

When you have children, there is a lot to think about when it comes to travelling, and staying abroad though. And I've joined with Clickstay, who offer villas, apartments and holiday rentals worldwide, to give the 5 reasons why I think villas are perfect for family holidays. 

From East Coast to West : A Family Road Trip Across America

Now that the boys are getting older, we can start to plan how we will explore the World with them throughout their lifetimes. As a parent, I understand just how important education is, but I also see how travelling, and seeing new Countries for themselves will educate them even more than I could imagine. 

America is the one place that both my husband and I have always wanted to visit. It's such a vast place though that it would mean taking some time out to be able to enjoy it as a whole. From the Eastern Coast of New York, through to rental cabins in Colorado, finishing up at the far west of Los Angeles.

Different Ways To Boost Your Mind, Mood And Fitness

January is the blank sheet we use to plan how our lives are going to pan out over the next year and make resolutions to play out over the following year. Ever since the dawn of gyms, diets and online tutorials, people have pledged their loyalty to a new health regime or skill enhancing class at the turn of the new year — often with poor results. 

I know I gave up making resolutions as I would never stick to them and always ended up going into February feeling deflated at failing to keep up. According to Business Insider UK, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. So, how do we start a quest for self-improvement and keep it up throughout 2018?

I thought I'd write about ways that you can boost your mind, mood and fitness without pushing yourself at the gym and that don’t revolve around sensible eating.