Saturday 31 May 2014

Best day of her life....

Becky said Wednesday when we went to see One Direction was the best day ever and the best day in her life....I said so far....hehehe

As much as people moan and slate One Direction they put on a great show.....Despite the weather.....It was pouring down with rain for nearly all of the show and they didn't hide under the covered bit....They came out on the runway and got soaked!! Good on them!! 

A personal highlight of mine was when Harry Styles slipped and fell on his bottom!!...Priceless!! 


 It was brilliant to see Becky's face....The excitement, the shock and just amazement at the whole show.....It was nearly midnight when we got home and she was still full of beans....


It was a real Magic Moment for Becky and I....She's a massive fan of One Direction and I'm starting to like them a little more too.....I suppose after all the money I spent at the concert! £4.50 for a Hot Dog....£2.50 for a small bottle of coke, £15 for the programme plus the cost of the tickets I have to.....lol

http://theoliversmadhouse.co.uk/magic-moments/ 

Friday 30 May 2014

Where do they put it all?....

This week my word of the week has to be....

 
When the kids are at school they have breakfast at home usually cereal or toast, a school dinner and then maybe a snack when they get home depending on when I'm cooking tea and then their tea....I spend about £60/£70 on food a week....

When they're off school the food bill goes up to about £100!!

My girls motto for the week has been.....


For example Monday went like this and carried on for the rest of the week...lol

  • 8am - Ellie raided the fridge and ate 3/4 of a trifle.....A family size one! I was not amused!!
  • 9.30am - Cereal for Becky and Ellie....
  • 10.00am - An apple each...
  • 10.30am - Belvita biscuits....
  • 11.30am - A packet of crisps...
  • 12.08pm - The kids decided it was lunchtime as they were starving!!!! What? How?
  • 12.20pm - Cheese and pickle sandwiches and a chocolate cupcake...
  • 1.30pm - Crabsticks...
  • 2.35pm - A banana each....
  • 3.45pm - Ice lollies
  • 4.20pm - They started asking for tea...
  • 5.00pm - I gave in and made tea....
  • 5.30pm - Beef Steak Stir Fry....
  • 6.20pm - A yoghurt...
  • 7.00pm - Fudge bars...
  • 8.00pm - Hot chocolate and a couple of biscuits each...
 
I'd like to know where they put it all!!
Please tell me it's not just my two who eat so much during the school holidays....lol 

http://www.thereadingresidence.com/word-of-the-week/

Thursday 29 May 2014

Top 5 TV Series...

I saw this trending on Twitter and it got me thinking.....What are my top 5 TV Series to watch....

At the moment I could easily say Breaking Bad as one but it's just a passing fad....Once I've watched it I doubt I would go back and watch it again and again....

I love the soaps but they're not exactly TV series....Plus sometimes when they're a bit boring I just watch them out of habit....

In no particular order....

1. Friends...

 
I can watch Friends over and over again....I have...lol I have the DVD box set but I have never watched a single dvd....lol as it's on TV enough.....They must show at least 20 episodes a week on the Comedy Central channel on Sky....I always seem to end up watching it on a Sunday afternoon....

 2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer...


 Every day until a few months ago the SyFy channel played the whole show....The whole 7 series of it again and again at lunchtime and I watched it again and again while eating my dinner.....and yes everytime I cried when she died, when Angel got sent to hell and her mam died....The still show it now at about 5pm but I don't catch it often as that's around the time I'm making tea!

3. Gavin and Stacey...


 Another show I can and do watch over and over again......I hate James Corden but love the character of Smithy!! Uncle Bryn is a legend as is Nessa.....And what did happen on that fishing trip?

4. Lost...


 So confusing but a great show which had me hooked from the first episode....Even when I put the lottery on I still use those stupid numbers - 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42.....lol I loved John Locke....He was such a nutcase and Sawyer - phwoar!!
 
5. The Royal Family...


 The Royle family is a firm favourite of mine.....My favourite thing about the Royle family is the quotes that keep appearing, Barbs constant interest in what Dave had for his tea and Antony having to do absolutely everything, going to the off licence, getting the cigarettes, making the tea, making the bacon sandwiches and the rest of them doing nothing, Cheryl’s diet and Nana’s dead friends. It’s brilliant. Its worth watching for Jim Royle alone....They could of based him on my dad....lol

What are your top 5 TV series?

Wednesday 28 May 2014

One Direction Day.....

It's here.....The day Becky and I go and see One Direction in concert...She of course is so excited and it's all she has gone on about for the last week....We have our clothes ready and but we're not going until about 4pm so it's going to be a long day of waiting and we won't get home until about midnight!

 
 I'm sort of looking forward to it and sort of dreading it....All those screaming girls....My ears are hurting just thinking about it....lol I can't wait to see Becky's reaction though....It will be priceless....

I don't actually mind One Direction...Some of their songs are ok....I think I would probably like them more if Becky didn't like them.....It is a parent's job to hate the music their children like after all....lol

I make it my mission in life to find Parody videos of One Direction to annoy Becky.....Here are two of my faves....lol


 

Tuesday 27 May 2014

Ideas for Fathers Day....

Fathers day is coming up soon...The 15th of June in case you didn't know and I have Stu to buy for and my dad....Most years I struggle and they end up with a card, a Personalised mug and maybe some chocolate....This year I have ideas!!

For Stu this year I have been looking at buying him new watch....There is a great selection at The Watch Hut.....He has been hinting at wanting a new watch for a few months now....His old one is all scratched and looking a little tatty.....

If money was no option or I had won the lottery I would love to buy him the TAG Heuer Gents Automatic Chrono Carrera watch...I'm not an expert when it comes to men's watches but I think it look so stylish....

With a price tag of £3450.00....lol I think that slightly out of my price range but it really is a gorgeous watch....

Being a big more realistic and without spending a small fortune I found another option.....

The Ben Sherman Gents Blue Dial Black Leather Strap Watch which I think is a great price at £33.00 reduced from £40.00! Fantastic! It would be something Stu would wear and love....

As for my dad I already know what I'm getting him.....

He's someone who has everything and apart from eating, sleeping and watching tv all he does is work....Which I do actually get annoyed about....At 66 years old he should not be working 12/14 hours a day....He needs to slow down a bit...

I have decided on a Personalised Hammer!! 

 
I'm just embracing and going along with the fact he works too hard and hopefully when he see's the hammer he might think of me and slow down a bit....I can hope...lol

L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss - Review!!

I have been dying my hair for years.....It's been every shade of brown you can think of as well as various shades of red, black and blonde....Now I dye it at home every 6 weeks or so just to hide the grey which is coming through....

I was sent some of the L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss to try out from the wonderful people at BzzAgent....


  L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss is the perfect at-home colourant for breathing a burst of fresh life into tired hair. Unlock your full hair potential with this ammonia-free gloss that makes hair feel as good as it looks.

With a whopping 38 different shades to choose from, it’s a perfect choice for hair colouring beginners and seasoned colouring pros alike....

 On first impression the L'Oreal Casting Crème Gloss looks just like any other hair dye that's out there in the market.....There is nothing special or unique about its packaging which draws me in.....I was very impressed with how many shades that they had to offer though.....

The instructions were clear and easy to read.....It was the usual process of mixing the tube of dye with the other bottle of solution....When it came to putting the gloves on I did struggle.....I wouldn't say I had large hands but they were really small and a faff on to get on.....

As for applying I usually use a brand where you put it onto dry hair but this you apply to (damp) towel dried hair.....The dye went on very easily but it was hard to see where I had applied the dye to......

There was plenty of the product....I have medium length hair....Just past my shoulders and was concerned that one bottle would not be enough but I was surprised to find it covered my hair completely.....I also liked the fact there was no nasty ammonia smell to contend with....

I left it on for the directed 20 minutes and had no adverse effects...The dye washed off easily - some dyes seem to take forever to wash out....running coloured water for a very long time....This was very quick....


Over all I’m very pleased with the L’Oreal Paris Casting Crème hair dye....The colour result was pretty much how it should be according to the box.....My hair didn’t feel dried out as it can with some hair dyes and most importantly it covered my greys.....I would certainly recommend this to friends!!


I was sent L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss free of charge from BzzAgent...This is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own...

Monday 26 May 2014

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday

 
Triple Hooray!! This week is the bank holiday, half term holidays & We go to see One Direction!!!
Last weeks meal plan didn't go too badly.....We loved the Pizza Wraps....We will be having them again!! 

On Wednesday we had a chip shop tea....We were back late from visiting the secondary school which Becky starts in September so the Bacon and potato salad was bumped to Thursday and the Quiche was moved to Saturday....A good job really as I had a night out and needed something quick and filling.....heheh 

 This week on the menu we have...

Monday - Beef Steak Stir Fry.....I have a voucher for free steak from Tesco which needs using up.
Tuesday -
Creamy Mushroom Pasta from Hijacked By Twins 
 Wednesday - Whatever we get from the burger van! Becky and I are off to see One Direction in concert...Stu and Ellie are fending for themselves....
Thursday -
Ham and cheese toasties....Chances are I won't feel like cooking after Wednesday.......
Friday - Fish fingers, chips & beans....
Saturday - Chicken Fajitas.....  

Sunday - Meatloaf with Jacket potatoes.... 

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky...

Saturday 24 May 2014

Excuse This House....

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there.
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
The signs are every where.

For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges on the doors;
I should apologize I guess
For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sit down with the children
And we play and laugh and read,
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to
Choose the one job or the other,
I want to be a housewife...
But first I'll be a mother.


Friday 23 May 2014

Visit....

This week has flown over....The kids break up today for half term....It doesn't seem that long ago the were off school for their last holidays...Anyway this week my word of the week is....


On Wednesday we went to visit the Secondary school Becky will be starting in September....Boy oh boy it's big....My little girl in such a big school worries me....

We found out which tutor group she will be in and met her form tutor who is a lovely lady....That eased my mind a little....There are a few kids in her tutor group who she knows from her school now and she gets on with them all so that's a good thing....

We even got to try the canteen food out.....School dinners have come on a bit since I was a kid....lol

We did have a bit of a moment.....Becky nearly cried! She was being shown the padlock for her locker and how to use it....Turn it three times to the right.....Round to a certain number, back to another number, round again then to another number.....I found it complicated never mind Becky but like we said to her if that's her biggest worry about secondary school she'll be fine....Me on the other hand I will be a nervous wreck!! 

http://www.thereadingresidence.com/word-of-the-week/

Thursday 22 May 2014

Have a brilliant day out whilst saving money!

Having an exciting family day out with the kids doesn't need to be expensive this half term or summer......Every penny counts so here's some idea to have a brilliant day out whilst saving money.....
 

Packed Lunch/Picnic: Bringing your own food and drink is a great way to save some cash especially at venues where food can be quite expensive....If you're outdoors then a picnic always goes down well with the kids....If you're going to be indoors then the usual supply of sandwiches, snacks, crisps and cakes will do.....

Get cheap cinema tickets: Get money off entry to your local cinema.....Contact your local cinema to find out when they run their cheap family days and if you know someone with an Orange mobile phone you can get 2-for-1 tickets on Wednesdays.

Public Transport: Save yourself the cost of fuel and stress of driving with a car packed full of kids and take advantage of public transport.....A ride on the bus or the train may be more economical and easier for you, and probably adds to the excitement if taking the bus/train is a new experience for your kids...

Free Entry: You don't always have to pay to have a good day out.....Parks, woods, lakes, free museums, shopping centres and landmarks are all great alternatives that are usually free to visit....

Loyalty Cards: It’s always worth signing up for a loyalty card especially for regular spenders....Tesco clubcard in particular provides great savings on entrance fees & annual passes including Merlin Passes, cinema tickets & reductions on entrance charges...

Make your own activities: To save some cash why not go to a public park and take some things to do. A rounders bat and a ball provides hours of active fun. Frisbees, skipping ropes, footballs, tennis racquets are fantastic too! 

http://www.coldteaandsmellynappies.co.uk/thrifty-thursday-community-repaint/

Wednesday 21 May 2014

One Direction clothing....

This time next week Becky and I are off to see One Direction in concert....Pass me the ear plugs please....hehehe 

I was in Asda the other day doing some shopping and saw the One Direction range of clothes they have....

I couldn't buy them at the time because Becky didn't know we're going to the concert and I didn't want her questioning why I was buying them....I have since ordered them off the George website for her though....


1D Print Leggings - £6
1D Photo T-Shirt - £8

I even managed to get myself a t-shirt so I look the part...Don't hate me for it....lol It was only £7.


They have a great range of One Direction clothes at Asda.....All reasonably priced too....

At the weekend I couldn't wait any longer I had to tell her we are going to see One Direction.....When I first told her she didn't believe me.....It was only on Monday after speaking to my friend I think she finally believed me! I am of course the best mam ever!!

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair - Review!!

Recently I reviewed the Honey & Propolis 2-in-1Cream Cleanser from a brand new British skincare brand Bee Good! They were so lovely to send another product for me to try...


  
Give hands some TLC this summer with Bee Good’s Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair. Your hands are the first place to show signs of aging so in the summer, when they are exposed to more UV rays, keeping them hydrated and nourished is a must! This super-rich formula is the ultimate dry skin transformer, and is sure to rescue and soothe even the driest of skin. Packed with naturally active ingredients, this rich, hard-working cream is an everyday miracle worker.

Again when this arrived it was beautifully packaged....I couldn't wait to get into it and give it a try....

Initially this cream was developed for the hands but Bee Good’s product testers loved it so much they used it on areas of dry skin everywhere leading the team to develop this wonder product into a real rescue remedy for all areas of dry or rough skin from hands to knees, feet, elbows and cuticles.....

After the a long winter spent wearing thick socks and boots my feet are looking a bit worse for wear.....My heels are so dry....So I have been using it on them as well as on my hands....

Simply Massage a small amount onto areas of dry skin until absorbed.....Re-apply as regularly as needed....

The cream is thick and creamy and melts into the skin easily.....It isn't greasy at all and a little goes a long way! 

My feet are looking better already and my hands are feeling lovely and soft....

Again it is full of natural ingredients with no sign of any synthetic colours, mineral oil, silicone, SLS and SLES or parabens!! Fantastic!!

The active ingredients include moisturising British wild flower honey, British echium oil to replenish and calm and shea and cocoa butters to combat dryness. Protective antioxidant vitamin E is blended with skin-strengthening borage and antibacterial British propolis.

The Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair is £12.00 for 50ml which I think is well worth the price...

http://www.myfamilyfever.co.uk/p/tried-tested.html

I was sent the Honey, Borage & Echium Intensive Hand Repair free of charge to try...This is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own...
 

Monday 19 May 2014

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday


What a lovely weekend we had.....We spent most of it out in the garden in-between doing the washing....I actually managed to empty the washing basket....The first time all the washing has been done since probably October time.....lol

Last weeks meal plan went great apart from Friday and Sunday.....After school on Friday we went to McDonalds....No reason apart from the fact I couldn't be bothered to cook and on Sunday it was too hot for pie and mash so we had sandwiches, crisps and cakes.....The kids of course had to sit outside and eat it....

This week on the menu we have.... 

Monday - Chinese chicken thighs with noodles....
Tuesday - Scampi, chips and peas.......
Wednesday - Warm bacon and potato salad....
Thursday - Quiche and salad....... 
Friday - Pizza Wraps....
Saturday - Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry.... 
Sunday - Pulled pork sandwiches....

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky...

Saturday 17 May 2014

How Being A Parent Is Like Being A Superhero....

Parenting requires bravery, resourcefulness, moral strength and a superhuman sense of humor. But in case you need convincing here are 10 ways mams and dads are just like superheroes....

 
1. You wear big, comfy underwear ALL the time!
2. You see EVERYTHING!!
3. There is a lot of leaping over tall (Lego) buildings in a single bound...
4. You usually look disheveled during your day job but when you clean up you look pretty darn good....
5. Every so often the people you live to help will turn on you...
6. You can catch a sippy cup mid-flight, even when it's moving faster than a speeding bullet towards your head....
7. The ability to carry 6 shopping bags and two kids simultaneously from the car to the house = Superstrength!!
8. You're clothes are always a little too tight....
9. Whenever someone needs you they just look up to the sky, scream your name and you're there in a flash....
10. You're happy to save the day, every day with no thanks needed.... 
 

Friday 16 May 2014

Over...

This week my word of the week is....

 Not only am I glad this week is over I'm glad the SATs are over and finished for Becky.....

They weren't as stressful as I thought they were going to be....Becky took them in her stride and thinks she did well....She did her best and that's all I can ask for!!

It has knocked us all out of our routine though.....Becky had to be at school for no later than half past eight....We usually get there at about twenty to nine so it was decided Becky would go to school herself to breakfast club at 8am....They were providing the Year 6 kids with a free breakfast and most of her friends would be there so why not....I would follow with Ellie at the normal time....It's meant getting up earlier so she could leave in time....

Ellie did sneak in a trip to breakfast club on Wednesday though....I made her dream come true....lol She's been wanting to go for years....She's now realised it's nothing special but did like all the toys to play with....lol

As of writing this Thursday night I am ready for the weekend and a nice lie in....I'm so tired!! I haven't helped myself though....Stu and I have been watching Breaking Bad before we go to sleep on a night....At least two episodes....We had to watch an extra episode Wednesday night to see if the person who was shot lived...It was nearly 1am when we went to sleep...lol What a fantastic show!! I am glad I've watched it after it's finished showing on TV though....No having to wait for the next episode or next series....lol We're halfway through series 3 and I don't want it to be over!! I do love Walt!!

http://www.thereadingresidence.com/word-of-the-week/

Thursday 15 May 2014

Doctor, doctor....

Stu and I were talking the other day....ITV's This Morning was on the TV and the lovely doctor Chris Steele was on....We got saying how lovely he was and I said if he was my doctor I wouldn't mind going as he was so friendly, he seemed to know what he was talking about unlike my useless doctor and just looks like one of those people who puts you instantly at ease...

That got us talking about Doctors which are on TV....We've came up with our top 5! In no particular order...

Doctor Christian Jessen!

Apart from the obvious fact that he's gorgeous and always looks as if he is going to burst out of one of his amazing shirts he too looks like he puts you at ease and is the kind of doctor who is actually interested in his patients....

Have you seen his Twitter account....I love it....Always answering endless queries with his Caps Lock on....lol Too funny!!

I can't bring myself to watch Embarrassing Bodies on CH4 though....It makes me cringe and want to slap people....lol Too embarrassed to go to their own doctor but will show their bits on tv for the whole country to see....lol

Doctor Karl Kennedy....

Doctor to the people of Erinsborough on the show Neighbours.....He's been on TV for what seems like ever....Well 20 years!! Wow!! Had some great story lines....My favourite of course his affair with his receptionist, Sarah.....I can still remember the slap Susan gave him when she found out....

Dr Ranj....

He's a real doctor.....Not just a Cbeebies presenter....lol I only realised this late last year when I saw him on a TV show giving his medical advice.....lol

In the past I have made Ellie watch 'Get Well Soon' on Cbeebies just so I can ogle Dr Ranj on screen....hehehe I do find his eyebrows very disturbing though....He's so cheery and happy.....Always puts a smile on my face!

Doctor Who....

I don't think there is any explanation needed for this one....

Doc McSuffins.... 

 The Doc is in and She'll fix you up. if your a toy then your in luck. it's ok don't be afraid the Doc really knows her stuff.....You'll be singing it all day now!
 
I wouldn't say I was a fan of Doc but Ellie loves her so much....I think I've seen each episode about 20 times and the show is taking up so much room on my Sky planner but I dare not delete them....lol

I'm happy with Ellie liking her so much....She now wants to be a doctor too....A very good role model even if she does have annoying songs...

Who's your favourite TV doctor?
 

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Salad Season....

The weather is getting warmer and the filling, heartwarming meals we have been eating during the winter are getting fewer and fewer...We're starting to eat lighter food and more salads....

The girls easily get bored of just normal plain  salad....Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and dressing..... This is where the Florette salad bags come in....I'm a big fan of these bags and I buy two or three a week during the warmer months....

I really didn't realise there were so many of the Florette salad bags until I was browsing their website recently....

Iceland really do need to stock more and Tesco need to start stocking them too...I've never been able to find them when doing my online grocery shop....

This week we've already had Chicken Caesar salad using the leftover chicken from Sunday's roast dinner and tonight we're having Tuna & butterbean salad.....Saturday we're having Burgers in buns which will include salad too...

My girls love salad.....Thinking about it they always have....They get quite picky with vegetables but salad has always been a big hit....Don't forget a portion of salad counts towards your five-a-day....

To get kids eating salads....

Chop things up small....
Salads are sometimes fiddly which can puts kids off straight away.....Chop things up into smaller pieces to make it more palatable. Lettuce can be cut up, tomatoes sliced and carrots grated.

Get some texture in there....
Giving a salad some bite is really important....Fresh veg is the key along with a mix of raw and cooked ingredients will help to keep things interesting. Non-veg additions work great too....Grated cheese, nuts or even crispy bacon....

Find some colour to brighten it up....
Kids love colour, and salads are far more appealing when they’re not just all green....Carrots, beetroot, tomatoes can liven up a salad and make it exciting to look at.

Dress it up....
The key to a great salad is a great dressing....Don’t complicate things...A bit of balsamic or white wine vinegar with extra virgin olive oil and a little seasoning will be sweet enough to get the young ones interested.

Start with familiar flavours....
The best way to encourage a fussy eater to try something new is to put it with something they already know and love in...If your child has a favourite vegetable make sure that’s in there.....

Get them involved from the start....
Take them shopping and explain what they will be having for lunch the....Don’t just let them choose the ingredients, show them how to pick the ripest tomatoes, or the crunchiest carrots. When it’s lunch or teatime let them make their salad themselves.....If they can say they were in charge of the meal from start to finish, they will be proud to take it to the table and for everyone to tuck in.