Anyone with a mobile contract that’s ended after 24 months and is still paying the same amount they were when they first took it is throwing money down the drain. Chances are the plan you’re on factored in handset repayments so you’re now overpaying by a big chunk every month. When this happens, it’s all about haggling to get yourself a cheaper monthly plan or more minutes, texts or data. In fact, you have three choices: upgrade to a new phone with your existing provider, switch to a sim only deal and keep your current phone or cancel your contract and move to a new provider.…
Whilst I’d usually post pictures of scenic views as part of the #MySundayPhoto series, this week I chose to post a snap of a rather retro ride. I remember the thrill of riding the Helter Skelter as a young child, the wind blowing through my hair as I whooshed down the slide whilst sat on a sack. My children enjoyed such delights this weekend at the local Dickensian Festival. It was great to see the kids having such fun, especially on such retro rides. Though, I’m fairly sure that ‘back in the day’ we wouldn’t have paid £2.50 for two shots down the slide, entertainment costs have certainly climbed over the years!…
It’s been over two years since my husband and I have taken our kids to the local Dickensian Festival. We have either been busy working or the weather has been so bad that we’ve been unable to go. However, this year we made plans to prepare for all weathers and to be sure that we made our way to the madness which has earned its notorious nickname of #Dickfest. According to statistics this year saw one of the biggest influx of people (50,000 visitors) ever known to visit the festival, it was therefore unsurprising that it took us almost thirty minutes before we were able to find a parking space.…
Netflix has recently released ‘The Christmas Chronicles‘, a film which Paul and I saw advertised earlier last month and have been wanting to watch ever since. It may only be November but I’m all for being festive, any excuse to kick back on the sofa and to enjoy a film with the family. The Christmas Chronicles was far better than we had expected, J was certainly entertained although E found it a bit beyond her age range. Having sat and soaked up a festive film, it got me thinking as to what my favourite films for this time of year might be.…
My kids are another kind of awesome, I am so incredibly proud of the pair of them. They seem to be taking centre stage at present and the spotlight has been shining upon them both for many reasons. Over the past month both J & E have brought home the ‘Lighthouse Award’ (each week a child from each class is chosen to receive this award), J for his efforts during multi-faith week and E for her sheer grit and determination. I was hugely honoured to watch both J & E being called forward to receive their awards, the look on their little faces was a delight to behold.…
It’s coming towards the end of autumn, the leaves have almost finished falling from the trees and winter is well on its way. I’m feeling fairly festive and have already managed to get through a huge chunk of the Christmas shopping, which is a relief as I doubt we will have much time over the next few weeks. Whilst driving out on an emergency mission for a last-minute photo-frame, I spotted the first Christmas lights of the year. This particular house is well-known for being deliriously decorated, the words ‘over the top’ just don’t cut the mustard with this one. Either way, it was really nice to see the sparkly lights greet me following a fifty minute drive along the dark, windy roads to our nearest shopping town.…
It’s not often that you get to celebrate someone turning one hundred years of age, I doubt that I’ll ever reach three figures and if I should happen to make it that far, then I’m sure I won’t be anywhere as near as ‘with it’ as Paul’s Nana is at present. This weekend people from all over the country came together to celebrate an incredibly special ladies incredibly special birthday. It was an honour to be part of the celebrations and even more so to be in charge of the Music and entertainment for the evening. Many thanks to all those that brought disco lights along, with the added extension cables – we were close to out doing Blackpool Illuminations!…
It feels as if we’ve been none-stop for the past two months, the calendar has been ram-jammed with meetings, appointments, parties and such-like, all of which we have either attended or dealt with. Finally, I have a clear diary and I am able to look forward to a little time without the hustle and bustle. Saying that, we have already pencilled in endless amounts of festive frivolities in the run up to Christmas. It may only be mid-November but I’m beginning to feel fairly festive, the kids have their calendars at the ready for the big count-down, I made our first batch of mince pies last week (all of which were eaten and enjoyed) and as of tomorrow I’ll be making a start on the annual photo-montage calendars which we send out as family gifts.…
Disney has a lot to answer for as our daughter E is mad about anything mythical, whether it be fairies, unicorns or mermaids for that matter. E was therefore delighted to receive the ‘Baby Born Little Sister Mermaid Doll’ from Zapf Creation to rate and review for my readers. The Baby Born Little Sister Mermaid Doll Being the typical ‘girly girl’, E enjoys spending time playing with her dolls, especially those which have special tricks such as crying, babbling, urinating or even better, swimming! The Baby Born Little Sister Mermaid doll does precisely this which makes for the ideal bath toy.…
As you will no doubt have read on my blog or seen on my Instagram (should you happen to read or follow me) then you’ll be well aware that we collected our new car from the dealership over the weekend. Whilst a Mini may just be a car to most people, it means the world to me. I have such fond memories of bouncing around in the back of my Nanas Mini whilst on my way to and from the caravan site on the coast road. We’d spend time taking walks to the beach via the many farms which were littered with piglets, horses and all kinds of wonderful animals.…
With it being remembrance day, I was originally planning on taking photographs of poppies or something more related to the occasion. However, I decided instead to share a picture which I took a few days back… It was a beautiful autumn day, the sky was a perfect blue, the sun shone bright. Across the yard stood a tree baron of leaves, yet upon its bare branches hung these beautiful, bright red berries. The deep red of the berries against the dark stalks reminded me of the poppies which we wear to symbolise and to remember the fallen soldiers. I stood in silence, birds chirping in the distance as I considered the colours, the symbolism and the significance of the poppy.…
This weekend my husband and I travelled ‘up north’ to collect our rather marvellous Mini. I could barely sleep for the excitement and despite having next to no rest, I woke bright as a button ready and raring to go! To celebrate our purchase, I’d spent time baking mince pies the evening before we were due to leave; it may not be Christmas just quite yet – but I feel as if all my christmas’s have come at once so mince pies were a must. I have always dreamt of having a Mini but never really believed that it would ever happen.…
Thirteen years ago my Mum and I drove down to the Sheffield to collect what was to be my second car, a brand new Ford Fiesta. After making our way to the DC Cook showroom, we then waited while the registration plate was drilled into place and the documents were transferred into my name. I was then able to drive away in what was a brand new car. Having spent five years driving a Fiat Punto, I felt rather spoilt to be sat in a brand, spanking new motor. I therefore took extra care of this car, thus she was in fabulous nick when we handed her over (or part-exchanged) to Arnold Clark this weekend.…
Being a family of techno-freaks, we are rather taken by the idea of robots. I’m sure it won’t be long before AI is an everyday normality and not just a novelty. For now though we will make do with toys, our kids rave about robots and were therefore overjoyed to receive a range of ‘Ready2Robot‘ products to play with. Included within our Ready2Robot goody pack was a ‘Ready2Robot Survivor Battle Pack’, a ‘Ready2Robot Bot Blasters Set’ and a ‘Ready2Robot Build Swap & Battle Single Series Figure’, all which are part of the series 1 collection. Ready2Robot Ready2Robot features a range of Mech Bots, Pilots and weapons which children can mix and match to create their very own ‘custom robots’.…
Years back our son J became rather obsessed with the Angry Birds game, which he played not only on a tablet but also in reality through practical play. J would spend time building all kinds of structures from wooden blocks which he would then destroy using soft, plastic ‘ball pool’ balls. Eventually Angry Birds released a range of spherical, plush toys and building sets which J was delighted by as it made playing far more realistic, in that it mimicked the game which he so adored. Years down the line J is still batty about his birds although tends to spend his time either drawing or animating his own work rather than throwing balls at blocks.…
It feels as if there have been endless events over the past week. What with Halloween followed closely by Bonfire Night, we’ve certainly kept the kids well entertained! We’ve enjoyed a fair few evenings out celebrating the autumn festivities, all whilst stuffing our faces with festive sweet treats. It truly is time to start the diet before Christmas comes, I feel as if I’ve gained far too much frump over the past week or two and whilst I may have enjoyed the ‘Milky Way’ diet it’s time to cut out the crud and get back to the good stuff. This evening Paul and I took the kids out to yet another bonfire and firework display.…
We’ve just and so come back from a fireworks display with the children. Our daughter E is a pyro-maniac and adores fireworks, we therefore try to fit in as many displays as possible throughout November, starting this evening by visiting my parents house, to watch their local display. I too adore fireworks, there is something magical about standing by the fire whilst watching the plethora of colours pop, whizz and fizz in the sky. The smell of toffee apples, sparklers and gunpowder hanging heavy in the air. The sounds of excited children wowed by the bangs and crashes as they stand wrapped up warm in their hats, scarves, gloves and coats.…
I’ve dreamt of owning a Mini ever since I was a child, when I was ferried back and forth in a range of different coloured, classic Mini’s by my Nana and Grandad. The new mini’s are simply stunning and are far safer than the classic mini whilst respecting their design by keeping both the shape and style of the original cars. Being a parent of two, Mini’s didn’t seem particularly practical, up until they released the five-door Mini a few years back. When it comes to cars, I have always opted for darker colours, ideally black. We may well look like we are driving a funeral parlour fleet, but I think black is classy!…
Happy Halloween! It’s certainly been an enjoyable and exciting night for the kids – they went trick or treating along with our basset hound Maisy for the first time. We decided to ‘dress up the dog’ which was yet another first for us and low and behold, our basset seemed to actually enjoy being clothed in a costume! Maisy along with the kids was the star of the show, she certainly received a lot of attention and fuss from the locals that’s for sure! The kids were spoilt rotten with sweets, chocolates, cakes and all sorts of devilish delights. They each came home with almost two buckets full of sweet treats, Halloween has certainly peeked in popularity since I was a kid!…
October is one of my most favoured months of the year, I adore Autumn and all that goes with and within the season. Here are a few of the things which I have ‘Liked and Loved’ throughout this past month. Creepy Costumes & Halloween The kids were so excited about Halloween this year, they love to dress up as ghouls, ghosts, witches and wizards. They took next to no time to get into their ghoulish gear ready for trick and treating around the local area. Decorating There’s plenty of decorating that Paul and I need to get done around the house.…
