7 Things to Do with Your Evening

There is a hope-in-hell if I want to watch TV, football is on - you won't hear a peep from hubby or the boys as they sit in front of the screen watching the match in full concentration, at least not until half-time which results into a mad dash for snacks, drinks and toilet, all in time to settle and watch the second half. So what do I do with this time? Well, I don't watch the football match, I just don't enjoy it.

First, I need to get myself comfy and ready for the evening, I do this by throwing on my trusty, snugly PJ's. Then I pour myself a nice glass of wine, grab some snacks, I like cheese on crackers and then settle on the sofa. 

Here are my 7 fun activities to do to keep myself from dying of boredom.

• Grab your laptop or tablet and watch catch-up TV, I love watching First dates or Gogglebox on catch-up. Or sometimes I will watch a romance movie - all you need is some earphones and if you are watching a romance movie, don't forget the tissues.

• On-line retail therapy - it's enjoyable and you’ll have plenty to look forward to in the mail in the following days, but don't go too crazy as you won't enjoy the empty bank statement.

• Binge YouTube'ing session; I love to watch American chat show clips, with a mix of cute and funny animal clips.

• I enjoy nothing more than a good book, I don't get to read as much as I used too, and I miss it. My genre is fantasy and I love losing myself in the fantasy world I am reading.

• Reading blogs, there are some fantastic blogs out there, with some get features and articles.

• Playing online bingo, joining in with the bingo community, get involved with their chat rooms, play some games, and if you are lucky enough you will hopefully win.

• Comping, have a good session entering as many competitions as you can, it's oddly satisfying and enjoyable.

What do you like to do when you have any evening to yourself?

The Most Controversial Video Games Ever Made

Research undertaken by the My Voucher codes website revealed that 30% of UK parents buy video games for their children which are not age appropriate, including adult games such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and Battlefield whilst a further 35% won’t even play them first to see if they are suitable.

In recent years, the attention and popularity of video games has increased and not always without controversy. You have games hitting the headlines that gets everyone talking about; from extreme violence, to unconventional game rule/missions.

And more recently the news reported on a group of schools that are threatening to report children to the police if they are found to be playing 18-rated games, as they believe allowing children to play games containing unsuitable levels of violence and sexual content is neglectful.

For the most controversial video games ever made, take a look at the infographic below:

Massage History and Types

Today, people are taking special care of their body. We became extremely self-conscious and we are willing to invest a lot of our time and energy in order to lead a better and healthier life. Massage is the oldest therapy in which people have used in order to heal themselves. This almost natural ability to help others with simple touch is applied even today in our daily life. If we have a headache, we instinctively rub our neck and head in order to reduce the pain and tension. Similarly to that, we often start rubbing or massaging different, stressed parts of our body. Human touch is highly developed and sensual form of communication. Physical symptoms, such as fatigue usually mean that we are under a lot of stress and that our body needs a break. In most of the cases, massage is much better than medication. You can get a great massage in different parlors, especially in Uptown Spa in Toronto.

There is numerous historical data which led us to believe that the massage is the oldest, known to man, physical treatment. The origin of the word is still unknown. According to some, it may be a term from French, Greek or even Arabic language. The oldest script originates from China, where Nei Ching thoroughly described massage as a treatment for different types of ailments. There are even hieroglyphs found in Egypt that depict foot and hand massage. These hieroglyphs are dating from 2330 BC which only confirms our suspicions that massage is the oldest physical therapy.

Modern massage was developed in 19th century by Swedish professor Per Henrik Ling. Naturally, it was called Swedish massage and this is today the most common type of massage which you can receive in any massage parlor. Mister Ling established an institute for massage and gymnastic in Stockholm.

We can differentiate three basic types of massage. Hygienic massage is a great treatment for the body which helps the development of the organism. It is important for keeping its shape, for reduction of fatigue and strain on the muscles, for reduction of skin elasticity and some additional effects. Sports massage is widespread today. All sports clubs use it and it is very important for the health of the athletes. It is used before and after the training, it increases elasticity of the body while reducing strain on muscles and joints. It is often used as a treatment of sports injuries and especially for swelling and lymph deem after injury. Finally, therapeutic massage is used as a treatment for diseased organism. It is only done by specialized therapist, well versed for the particular treatment.

Massage can be dividing into:

• Manual (basic type of massage, done by hands)
• Massage with different equipment
• Aero physical therapy (massage with air filled with different pleasant odors)
• Hydrotherapy (water and water pressure are used as a tool)
• Cryotherapy (massage done with ice and different cold gels)
• Aromatherapy (different oils are used for this massage, usually pleasant smelling)
• Lymph therapy (highly demanding therapy which can be done only by certified technicians)

*This is a guest post.

Debenham's Garden Wish List

Currently, our garden is very children orientated, with a 12ft trampoline, football goal, playhouse, water-table and many other toys, the kids toys have simply overtaken our garden and our decking area. When we first had the decking fitted, it was in mind for a nice area, with table and chairs, a nice outdoor heater; a place where we can sit, eat, chat, laugh, relax and/or socialize, however, it's just full of bikes, sit-ons, and not forgetting the garden box full of water guns, balls and etc. Thus, my wish list would be to transform the decking area into an area that I had originally wished for.

My wish list of garden items from the Debenhams  garden range:

Debenhams Grey 'Victoria' small square corner unit

Not only would this look stunning on my decking area, it would give us the freedom and joy to lounge around, watching my kids play in the garden, or I could read a book, or perfect for when friends come around for lunch or a BBQ.

Memphis firepit

It's always nice to sit outside in the evening, relaxing, chatting, and soaking in the fresh evening air, and with this gorgeous fire pit, it will keep us warm, snug and relaxed.

Brown 'LA' outdoor storage box

This perfect storage box to store away all the cushions, and probably a few kids toys - but this would like amazing on my decking.

Philips MyGarden Eden LED Wall Light

A couple of these lights around my garden wall, to light up the garden would cast a warm white light that would change the atmosphere of the garden.

Set of four green curly straw plastic hi-ball cups

These cups are versatile, perfect for a refreshing juice, or great fun for a cocktail during a BBQ.

My House of Fraser Dress Wish List

For the second year running now I've tried to wear more dresses and less jeans! So far I have been seen to wear a dress more often, however, still not as much as I would like. I own quite a few dresses, but I'm keen to refresh my wardrobe for this summer/spring. Thus I've made a wish list from the House of Fraser range, which surprisingly, they have a vast amount of dresses available; I discovered many beautiful dresses that I would love to own, and below I have added my favourites:

On top of my wish list is a denim dress, and I am loving this one by Izabel London for just £20 (reduced from £32); perfect for summer days.

This Dickins & Jones 3/4 Sleeve Striped Knitted Dress would be perfect worn with tights for the colder/winderer days, cosy and comfortable to wear, but still stylish. You can find this on the House of Fraser website for £32 (reduced down from £80) 

I love this casual, but smart dress by Dickins & Jones Knitted Collar Dress now just £40 (was £80). Perfect for day times, or a night out, this dress is very versatile.

Every girl should have a LBD in their wardrobe, and it's been a while since I last bought one, and I am loving this by Untold Midi Emebellished Sleeve Dress currently £38,40 (reduced down from £140).

Whilst browsing through the huge array of dresses, I spotted this beautiful shift dress; the soft pastel blue, complimented by the stunning flower print is perfect for this spring/summer months Hermosa dress. This is available for £99.

Finally, this dress by Shubette, is a simple but a stunning shift dress; it's subtle embellished detailing to accentuate the fit around the waist, available in the pastel colour of campaign, is my favourite dress, this is the type of dress you wear that makes you feel beautiful.

What is your favourite dress?

How to Launder / Wash the Bugaboo Footmuffs

Photo by Alexey Shikov 

A Stroll in the Park

Footmuffs keep your baby snug and happy during winter and colder months.

The spilling of formula, milk, and food is a common occurrence, thus, these stroller inserts require frequent cleaning - cleaning footmuffs is a total stroll in the park! Washing once a month or whenever needed, i.e., when heavily soiled, is recommended. From fleece to down, I have put together some tips on care instructions to help keep your inserts clean and cuddly for your baby.

For stain removal

• Apply Stain Solution directly to any soiled areas.

• For tough or set-in stains, sprinkle Laundress's All-Purpose Bleach Alternative onto the Stain Solution to create a powerful cleaning paste.

• Use a Stain Brush to gently work this paste into the fabric.

Washing:

Fully zip all zippers and snap all buttons to wash. This will prevent tangling or snagging while in the machine. Insert the footmuff into a Mesh Bag to protect it during the wash cycle. 

For Fleece

Set the machine to the normal cycle and select a warm/cold water temperature and medium spin. If the machine has an adjustable soil level, set it to heavy for the most thorough clean. Add two capfuls or a squirt of Detergent to the detergent dispenser or directly into the machine drum.

For Down

Set the machine to the delicate or woollens cycle and select a warm/cold water temperature and low spin. If the machine has an adjustable soil level, set it to heavy for the most thorough clean. Add two capfuls or a squirt of a Wool & Cashmere liquid/solution to the detergent dispenser or directly into the machine drum.

Drying

For down footmuffs, tumble dry, low heat until completely dry to prevent water marks. For fleece items, lay flat to dry.

Thank you for reading

The Advantages of Having a Villa Holiday

We've never been on a villa holiday before, only the normal packaged holidays. But this year, we are hoping to have our first Villa holiday, abroad and somewhere hot and nice.

Why are we choosing a Villa this year! With 4 children at varying ages, youngest 2 and oldest 15, I feel we would enjoy the flexibility, privacy and freedom, which is not necessary available with a hotel, i.e. the main issues with a hotel that stand out for me are, the same food, having to queue for that food and then there are the rooms, small and cramped and the lack of privacy.

Below are the advantages of a villa holiday to enjoy.

Space

With 4 children, we are a large family, so a nice spacious villa where we're not crammed into a hotel room with one bedroom, with the kids sleeping on the sofa beds, would be a refreshing change. We are also hoping my sister-in-law, hubby, and their three girls can join us, thus we will be sharing the cost of the villa, which can work out more cost-effective for both of us. 

Privacy

I would look forward to, not having to worry about people, strangers, and hotel staff. I would look forward to the privacy, where we can relax in our own space and not worry about our kids being too loud etc..

No queues.

With a villa, there is none of that queueing needed to have your dinner, no queueing to grab a drink and no queueing to wait for everyone else to check-in and out.

The pool

No getting up at the crack of dawn to put a towel on the loungers, just so you can get close to the pool. No, with a Villa, you can have the private pool all to yourself, the kids can be as loud as they want, they can splash and jump as much as they want, without having to worry about disturbing others.

Food

Not sure about you, but after a few days on a fully inclusive holiday, I get tired of the all you can eat buffet, the same ole' food day in and day out. With a villa, you can cook for yourself (BBQs, or you can venture out and sample some of the local cuisines.

Location

A few packaged holidays we have been to have been secluded and not always near a beach, i.e. one year in Turkey, the nearest town was a 25-minute taxi ride.  I like to get out, see the area, experience the culture and have a bit more choice.

The more I look into a villa holiday, the more I want to give it a go.

Disclosure: This is a paid collaborative post  with NetVoucher.

Lets end backstreet breeding #MotherAgain

Irresponsible ownership and the breeding of dogs for profit = backstreet breeding.

Are you aware? better awareness will help you to make better decisions on where to buy puppies from. Let's end backstreet breeding, together.

Used, abused, and then tossed away, these dogs are victims of backstreet breeding. Relentless breeding in dirty, squalid conditions takes place all over the UK, so Battersea has today launched a major campaign calling for a clampdown on the many undercover dog breeders that profit from the cruel treatment of these animals.

Think twice about how you buy a dog.

The world famous animal charity is calling for a ban on the sale of puppies under eight weeks old and the introduction of a breeding licence requirement for any household producing two or more litters per year.

Claire Horton, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Chief Executive said: “Battersea is speaking out to help expose and shame the callous breeders in our communities who are creating far too many unhealthy, unwanted and abandoned dogs all in the name of personal profit.

“At Battersea we see the consequences of this problem every day, with strays coming through our doors, many of whom show signs of inbreeding and others that have been used to produce countless litters before being turfed out on the street.

“These puppies and breeding bitches are often tomorrow’s status dogs and we must put an end to such inhumane, money-making activities.”

Dogs used for backstreet breeding are forced to lead a miserable life. They are frequently kept in cramped, uncomfortable conditions, are often never exercised and used to produce litter after litter, with no thought for their health. Exhausted and under socialised, these dogs are all too often thrown onto the streets once they have served their purpose.

Marjorie, a two-year-old Bulldog, arrived at Battersea as a stray in November 2014. She was bald in places, unable to sit down due to a prolapsed womb, had long curled claws, withdrawn and showing obvious signs of overbreeding. After a lot of care and dedication from the staff at Battersea, Marjorie began to come out of her shell, showing an affectionate nature and despite her miserable start in life she will get a second chance to go to a caring, loving home she so deserves.

Unfortunately, not all of these dogs will be as lucky as Marjorie. Savannah, a four-year-old Bull Mastiff, was another stray that came to the charity last year, also showing signs of overbreeding. She had been beaten by her previous owners and did not know how to socialise or get on with other dogs. Despite all of the help she received from Battersea, this poor dog had already been through so much that nothing more could be done for Savannah and sadly she had to be put to sleep.

Battersea Ambassador Paul O’Grady is supporting the campaign and says:

“I’ve seen first-hand the poor, damaged dogs in Battersea’s kennels that have been bred from over and over again. It sickens me to think what these dogs go through before they’re dumped on the streets broken and unloved. The awful thing is that, backstreet breeders are everywhere lining their pockets from the demand for puppies. If there’s one thing we can all do it’s to make sure we think about where we’re getting a puppy from. Visit a rescue centre or a registered breeder and help Battersea end backstreet breeding.”

Do I need a home phone?

More and more people are using mobile phones as their primary source of communication and some are not bothering with a home phone at all - I am one of those people; since moving into this house a few years ago we've never got around to buying a home phone, but are we missing out? 

We've coped without a home phone, but I have missed it on quite a few occasions, and I do feel it would be better if I pulled my finger out and brought one. But do we need one? Is there a benefit to having a home phone? 

The simple answer is yes.

It's because a landline is more reliable than that of the mobile phone. You don't have to worry about getting a signal, finding the right spot to get a good signal or it won't drop calls half-way through a conversation.

Then there is the cost of calls, landlines can be cheaper to use, i.e. Some mobile phone providers charge you to call the free 0800 numbers (my bugbear). Also home phones offer voicemail for free, whereas my mobile phone provider charges me for each and every voicemail message I listen to. 

Then there is misplacing your mobile phone, I am guilty here, I am always losing my mobile phone, either the kids took it off to play a game on it, and I can't find it, or it falls out of my pocket down the back of the sofa. And I always lose it when I need it the most. With your home phone, this generally won't happen - the kids won't be 'borrowing' it to never return.

They don't run out of batteries, where my old iPhone wouldn't last half a day before it died out.

I am already paying for a landline, so why are we not using home phones? Thinking about it, having a home phone is probably sensible and if I do get one it will give me extra piece of mind, i.e. They are generally better during emergencies, and when you may need them the most. They offer flexibility, they are always on (no signal cut outs) and they are more user-friendly as everyone knows how to use a home phone.

This post was written in conjunction with Panasonic.

Are you sticking to your New Year resolutions?

If you thought that thinking up some good New Year's resolutions was the hard part, think again. With 2015 in full swing it's time to recommit yourself to those high flung promises. The question is, how are you making sure you stick to your goals? Here are some top tips for the more common resolutions that people made this year, along with some pitfalls to watch out for:

Giving up smoking

This has to be one of the top New Year's resolutions of all time, but if you're someone that's made this resolution a few times before, maybe it's time to try a different approach. To help you along, an electronic cigarette is a great alternative option that many people are using to fill the hole left by smoking, instead of attempting to go cold turkey. There are lots of great flavours to choose from, and you can satisfy your nicotine cravings with them too, so all in all it's a good option for a clean break.

Getting in shape

Are you finding it a little harder than you thought to keep up the keep fit? Lots of people get gym memberships for the New Year and then don't really make use of them. The key thing is to make achievable goals for yourself, and to make sure you do something each day to keep yourself more active. The better you are, the easier it gets to keep being good.

Taking a break from social media

Facebook and Twitter are something of a pandemic at the moment. It's one thing to keep in touch with people, but another to find yourself glued to a screen all the time. Are you struggling to break the chains? Try to lay out times of the day when you don't look at any form of communication device. Once you see how little it matters, staying away is easier.

Spending quality time with loved ones

Do you find it hard to juggle the priorities in your life? Spending time with the people you love can make all the difference to your quality of life. Of course, it's often easier said that done, but there's no time like the present for setting aside work or other commitments to snatch a few precious moments with someone special. Try to look ahead and make plans for your free time, so that you really make the most of what you get.

Do these challenges sound familiar to you? Lots of people go through the same trials, and a New Year's resolution is a great way of tackling issues head on, and trying to do something about them.

Valentine's night ideas in London Town

Valentine's night is a great time to visit the bright lights of a city, and what better city than London Town? You can wander through so many attractions and go wherever your fancy takes you. Having said that, it can help to get a few ideas of where to start your evening. Here are some of the options on offer for romantics this year:

A romantic cruise

Heading out on the water might not be something that immediately springs to mind with London, but there are some great options for a romantic cruise. A citycruises tour departs from Westminster pier at 7:30, and returns at 10:30, taking you on a journey up the Thames to tower bridge and offering a four course meal, wine and music along the way. Make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment, and consider taking your dancing shoes. 

Icebar London

You may have seen the ice bars on offer at different locations around the world, but you might be surprised to find there's one in London. This curious drinks establishment offers not only furniture made from ice, but even ice cocktail glasses. Having a unique place to spend some time together is a great way of making your Valentine's day memorable.

Taking in a show

There are lots of top options for enjoyment in the west end of London. The shows here are thriving more than ever, with Made in Dagenham being one of the favourites this year, and a great choice for couples.  The show features the incredible Gemma Atherton as well as featuring some of the wonderful performers from Incognito Artists who can normally be seen doing their amazing singing waiters act. Alternatively, you might want to see a music spectacular such as We Will Rock You. It all comes down to what you fancy for your evening. 

Try new food

You don't have to settle for conventional eating establishments when it comes to Valentine's day. London offers some of the best international fare anywhere in the UK, so why no branch out a little and try something a little different. Korean food is a top choice for those wishing to get something irresistibly tasty, but altogether unfamiliar. 

Cosy old pubs

Of course you might be someone that favours history and charm over the glitzy delights of modern establishments. London has some incredibly old pubs on offer for a romantic, cosy evening. The Lamb and Flag has been in the same spot for over five hundred years, and may have even hosted the master of the romance himself: William Shakespeare. 

It really comes down to what makes you feel most comfortable this Valentine's day. It's good to know that whatever you might fancy, London has something great to offer for you.

Snug As a Bug

To keep snug, warm and well this winter check out our handy tips:

• Don’t let the cold catch you out – watch the weather reports
• Hot meals will keep you snug and warm so make sure you have food in the house. Have a supply of tinned, dried and frozen foods in your cupboards as they will stay fresh if you can’t get to the shops.
• Know the temperature in your living room and bedroom. If possible buy a thermometer and keep your sitting room at 21 degrees and bedroom at 18 degrees.
• Have plenty of hot drinks like tea, coffee or hot water as this will help to keep you warm. Just boil the amount of water you need each time and this will save you money too.
• Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than a single thick layer. This trap’s the heat and will keep you warmer. Fleece onesies, socks and hats are a good idea to keep you warm in bed.
• Keep moving if you can, this will help keep you warm. Don’t sit for more than one hour. Get up and walk around, make a hot drink and do a bit of housework throughout the day. Move your arms and legs whilst sitting and wiggle your fingers and toes.

Lunch-boxes potential breeding grounds for bacteria

Do you clean and disinfect your child's lunch-box every day? No, I don't either. Research carried out by the Dettol Back to School Study shows that only 48 per cent of parents do. This means crumbs can build up and the lunch-box can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Did you know that, nine out of ten dishcloths in the UK are ‘heavily contaminated’ with bacteria. To avoid this, all you need is a quick wipe with a Dettol surface wipe, killing all that nasty bacteria.

In order to help reduce the risk of food-borne tummy bugs, Dettol has compiled three easy top tips for parents to follow: 

• Pack frozen water bottles into the lunch-box as freezer packs. This will cool down the food inside and the water should be ready to drink by lunch time.
• After lunch, children should be encouraged to discard all leftover perishable food and packaging, emptying crumbs straight into the bin. 
• Avoid reusing packaging such as sandwich bags and tinfoil because they could contaminate other food.
• Wipe down the lunch-box with a Dettol antibacterial cleansing surface wipe, before packing in order to kill 99.9% of bacteria.

Dettol Cleansing Surface Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria, including E. Coli, salmonella, MRSA, and the flu virus.  They are also free from bleach, and no odour, and are perfect for cleaning those lunch-boxes. 

I also use my Dettol surface wipes to clean:

• Lunch-boxes.
• Worktops, chopping boards, the fridge, and the microwave.
• Bath, wash basin, toilet seats (perfect with 3 boys that don't lift the toilet seat, no matter how many times I remind them too).

RRP is £2 per pack of 36.