Category: Reviews

1. Win a personalised bedtime book from Create Me Books

   Posted on 8:56pm Wednesday 10th Feb 2016

   As a mum, I love to see other mums striving to create something for their family, so when I was approached by Lisa from Create Me Books, I was happy to help share their story.

   Lisa is a Mum of three and foster mum to many over the years and lives in Devon. After a big operation that required a long recovery, she decided to write her little girl a bedtime story, and after lovingly creating this book she made the decision to turn her vision into a business. Lisa has now set up an ecommerce website (https://www.createmebooks.com/) with the idea being that people can come to them, create personalised children's books for their little ones (ages 2-7) online and have them delivered to their house. Sounds lovely doesn't it? 

   

   The website is really easy to use and you can personalise your character with their name, hair colour, hairstyle, outfit colour, skin tone and even whether the character wears glasses, which is very cute. From point of order, the book took around 10 days to arrive so it is worth noting this if you are buying one for a gift. 

   The illustrations in the book are both colourful and beautifully drawn, they capture the innocence of the imagination without distracting the reader from the story. The quality of the book doesn't go unnoticed either, the pages and cover are exceptionally high quality and would withstand the odd toddler drink spill or debate about which page you read last!

    

   There are paragraphs of the book that rhyme and others that don't but upon speaking with Lisa, it was never intended to be a rhyming tale but this is something she is looking to develop as the business progress. This doesn't detract from the story but it is worth keeping in mind if you start to get into a rhyming "flow". The story is adorable, visually interesting with a varied layout designed to retain the interest of the child.

   The book retails at £17.99 which when there is a section where you can write a personal message to the recipiant, it makes the book an adorable gift and keepsake for any occasion.

   So we are absolutely thrilled to be able to give you the chance to win a personalised book for your child ...... just enter below!

   

    

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

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   Terms & Conditions

   The Prize: Personalised Bedtime Book from Create Me Books
   The winner will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Create Me Books will make every effort to provide the book detailed here but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   End Date 29/02/2016 at 12am

2. My Reverse Resolutions : 2015

   Posted on 8:14pm Friday 1st Jan 2016

   It has become a tradition to look at my resolutions in reverse, 2014 was a particularly good year and rather than setting myself for new year resolutions, I like to reflect on the previous year and what's been acheived.

   For some reason, I have always started my post with my favourite quote of the year and so the quote for 2015 has to be:

   "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness"

   Charles Spurgeon

    

   So here are my Reverse Resolutions for 2015.

   1. After "working" social media with my own business for such a long time, I decided it was time to get some form of recognition for my talents (ahem). I did it, got a distinction and a real sense of achievement.

   2. My daughters birth story was in the national press. Admitedly some 4 years after it happened but even so, it reminded me of how amazing it was and how empowered I felt after giving birth. 

   3. This lead to a couple of my articles being published in the press, not just on my little corner of the internet, printed in the paper and friends actually realising some of the things I do for a living!

   4. I lost a really good client at the beginning of the year, due to the reduction of their business and it knocked me off balance for a while but they say as one door closes another opens. So that change has given me time to work with some AMAZING new companies, which has pushed my comfort zones and abilities and I am very excited where this will take us into 2016.

   5. Finally, I *think* I may have mastered the work / life balance. I have spent time going out with friends and family, I have walked away from my phone and my laptop to spend time with the people I care about. I do care passionately about my work but making sure that it doesn't engulf my life has become the holy grail and for now, it is within my grasp. Maybe I shall make this my only resolution for 2016, to maintain a healthy balance throughout the whole year. What do you think?

   I shan't mention my ability to consume prosecco at an exceptional rate or how removing nail polish from the carpet should be on my CV, so I shall stick to the resolutions that I am most proud of for now (although the red nail polish was some achievement). How about you? Do you make resolutions? Or would you prefer to look at your achievements in reverse too?

    

    

    

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3. How to make the morning school run a little easier

   Posted on 10:10am Tuesday 27th Oct 2015

   How much do you love your morning routine?

   How often are you left repeating yourself over and over again? What do you want for breakfast? Have you eaten your breakfast? This is our morning routine, does yours look similar?

   

   I don't want to plead with my children but I can't force feed them either, so what are your choices when you have limited time and limited appetite to contend with? I frequently make smoothies or milkshakes for myself so when I was introduced to Up & Go, I was more than a little intrigued. Up&Go, is Australia’s No. 1 breakfast and is a breakfast you can drink on the go – with six yummy flavours to choose from; Banana & Honey, Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Strawberry, Iced Coffee, and Vanilla.

   Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but 60% of Brits skip breakfast at least once a week, so with Up&Go you can grab a nutritious breakfast while on the move. Children need energy after a night's sleep so skipping breakfast is not something I advocate but giving me an nutritionally balanced alternative containing as much fibre, protein and calcium as a bowl of cereal it can be a healthy and smart choice.

   So if we can be tempted by the delicious flavours (the sweet Vanilla was my particular favourite), does it make a difference and save time on our morning routine? Take a look for yourselves ....

   

    It won't be for everyone but it works for us and at £4.99 for a pack of four, I know that it will be going on next weeks shopping list.  

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   Disclosure:  This post is in association with Up and Go.

4. How much can you fit in an Orla Kiely bag?

   Posted on 5:34pm Thursday 15th Oct 2015

   I have a love of bags (although my husband doesn't seem to have the same appreciation for the quantity of bags that I need in my life) but over the years as my collection has grown, it has become apparant that some designer bags never seem to be particularly practical for every day use. So when I got the opportunity to review the Orla Keily Midi Sling bag, I was determined to put it through its paces.

    

   The handy bit for mums:

   The first thing that struck me was the fabric. It is nylon and I have to admit that initially I was unsure about it but unlike other fabrics, the nylon wipes clean which is a HUGE plus when you have small sticky fingered children around. I have found that the rain also just runs off it .... a big plus for me as I am usually carrying a small child and trying to juggle an umbrella so my bag is flung over my shoulder somewhere getting soaking wet.

   

   The info bit:

   • Beautiful handbag to wear for all occasions
   • Nylon bag with magnetic closure
   • Webbing handles and leather trims with logo card holder
   • Inside includes small zip pocket, key chain and mobile pocket
   • H 27 cm x W 30 cm x D 9 cm
   • Handle Length 116 cm - this adjusts too which is handy.

   

   The useful bit:

   I mentioned at the top of this post that some designer bags aren't always practical but I shared this photo on Instagram the other day showing just how much room is inside the Orla Kiely bag as I could fit my purse, phone, baby wipes, hairbrush, hair grips, phone charger, perfume, notepaper and a random green balloon and there was still ALOT of room left. I could easily get a spare outfit for one of the children in there too, which is always handy with those aforementioned sticky fingered children!

   Retailing at £119.99 it is not the cheapest bag you could find to use everyday but the quality of the stiching, zips and handles shout quality and it is currently on offer at Cloggs for £80.00*, so it is a great time to grab a gorgeous bag at a discounted rate...... or if you have been a really good girl, you could just put it on your list for Father Christmas!

    

   *price correct at the 15th October 2015. I was gifted the Orla Kiely bag for the purpose of this post.

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