Saturday, 19 April 2025

This week my Word of the Week is: Oops! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

Oops

My week has been busy! There have only been two days over the past week where I have stayed home and that is really unusual for me. I have had a good week but there have been some Oops moments that have left me shaking my head and wondering what was going on.

The lovely Jayne, a good friend who I met through blogging has moved house so I sent her a housewarming card and a gift. I was so organised, giving her chance to get moved in before Moonpig sent it but the thing was I forgot to write in the card who it was from. Oops. It's a good job that we always complain about our neighbours because she realised it was off me because of the card saying "Congrats on your new house I hope Your neighbour isn't a dick! It gave us a giggle. hehehe

On Saturday we went to Hull, to the all you can eat place and shopping! I was supposed to buy Easter eggs while we were in town but I forgot. I blame the fact that Stu got pooped on by a bird and he had to buy a new t-shirt as he was covered. So annoying as we had just stood in the queue in Primark for about 10 minutes and a new t-shirt was not something he had bought. He nipped to another shop, paid over the odds for a t-shirt and knocked me off track and the Easter eggs went out of my head. Oops!

Ellie and I decided to go into town to get the Easter Eggs on Monday and that was an ordeal! The bus was diverted because of road works but it turns out the driver didn't know the way and some helpful man gave him directions which were totally wrong, we went right around Scunthorpe in the wrong direction. What should have been a 20 minute bus ride turned into almost a 50 minute ride with the bus driver getting angry, shouting at the man and not letting him get off the bus, the man shouting back and the driver having to ring the depot because he couldn't understand the map. I can't help but feel that if you are a bus driver you need to be sure of the route that you need to take. I've been to town again this week and the drivers still hadn't got the hang of the diverted route, hopefully by now it's all back to normal!

Becky ordered herself a new power bank to charge her phone when she is on a night shift at work and it arrived damaged. It looked like it had been dropped and it had exploded. Oops! She really hates speaking to people on the chat help on websites so I offered to do it for her. That was a challenge especially when she had to pick a day to have the faulty power bank picked up. Did you know if you return something that has been delivered by Argos they come and pick it up to return it without any hassle.

I had been out for most of the day mid week, the girls and Stu were out too. I came home to find one of my greenhouses flat on the ground, something or someone must have pushed it over as I had made a point of wedging it in securely between the wheelie bins that morning. It was an oopsie which had me shaking my head in confusion as it wasn't windy and even on windy days the greenhouses have never fallen over in the past. I do have my suspicions about how it ended up on the ground and the reason why but I had no proof to do anything about it apart from pick the plants up, save what I could and start from scratch with the others.

During the week I dyed mine and Ellie's hair. We have done it plenty of times in the past but this time I got my timings wrong. It turned out Ellie and I both needed our dye washing off at the same time. It was a bit of a panic, I took the risk and left my dye on for longer than I should have but all turned out OK, in fact better than OK. The bleach lightening my hair before I put the red on actually took more of my previous colour out than usual.

This weekend is one big Oops but it's going to be a good one! Ellie made plans for yesterday forgetting that the buses were running on their Sunday service but thankfully made different arrangements. I made plans forgetting it was Easter weekend and Wrestlemania weekend. (The WWE's big event). It is going to be a busy one for us. I am very glad that it's a bank holiday on Monday so I can just chill, I think I will need a day of doing nothing by then!

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay for her Word of the Week linky!

Word of the Week linky

Friday, 18 April 2025

What I have loved this week! Week 16. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I've had a busy week, it has been a fun one and it's not over yet! It is going to be a fun weekend, it's Wrestlemania and Easter weekend too! I am of course linking up with Erika and Andrea to share my favourites from the week. 

What I have loved this week

Black Mirror!
I have put off watching this Netflix show for years as it sounded like it was just too much for my brain to handle but after seeing some clips on TikTok and hearing about new episodes being released I decided to give it a go. It's shocking, disturbing and thought provoking but I can't stop watching it! It's brilliant! It feels like a modern day twist on The Twilight Zone. It makes you question and think about reality and the technology that we use. Even though it's fictional and mostly sci-fi, it's so realistic in the scariest way!

Going out!
I have been out so much over the past week. There was only Sunday and Tuesday that I stayed home. I prefer being at home so this was a really busy week for me. I feel like my social battery is running low but I have had a great time. Shopping, a meal out, more shopping for Easter eggs, an appointment and visiting family and meeting up with friends.

White trainers!

White trainers

I finally got myself some white trainers! I've never had my own pair, I would always borrow my girls but theirs are looking tatty now, it's not down to me, they wear them all of the time so I decided to buy my own. I have so many outfits that look good with the white trainers for over the summer!

Good American Family!
A limited series based on the true story of Natalia Grace, a young girl with dwarfism adopted by the Barnetts who later claimed she was an adult posing as a child. The first 5 episodes were released and I watched them all in a couple of days and the rest are being released weekly. I watched it because of Ellen Pompeo. Meredith off Grey's Anatomy, she never disappoints! The character of Natalia Grace has me so confused, one minute an innocent, vunerable child who is seeking love and the next a manipulative, trouble maker who is set to kill her new family. I watched episode 6 on Wednesday and that has totally changed things in the story. Eek!

Vitamin C cleansing wipes!

Vitamin C cleansing wipes

I have been doing more to take care of my skin since the start of the year, doing a bit of skincare and I needed some more wipes and the didn't have my usual in so I ended up getting these vitamin C wipes from Primark and I love them. They are so refreshing and smell amazing too.

Paddington in Peru!
I spotted that Paddington in Peru had arrived on Netflix and had to give it a watch. I loved the first two Paddington films so knew I would like the 3rd. It is a heart warming addition to the Paddington franchise. It was a perfect movie to watch on a Sunday afternoon, not as good as the first two films but it wasn't bad!

What have you loved over the past week?

Friday Favourite linky button

Thursday, 17 April 2025

How to make your home smell like spring!

 Spring is here, the clocks have changed, the lighter nights are here, the flowers are blooming and everything feels new. As the world outside feels brighter why not bring those fresh, light, scents indoors too?

I always like to walk into my house and have it smelling good and a spring smell immediately lifts your mood. Here are some easy ways to make your home smell like spring all season long.

Blossom tree

Open the windows and let the fresh air in!
It is such a simple way to freshen up the smell of your home but one of the best ways to make your home smell like spring is to let the fresh outdoor air circulate through your house. I open all of the windows and the back door each morning and I let the fresh air in.  After months of closed windows and stuffy rooms it’s refreshing to breath in the crisp spring air. If you're worried about allergens you can use air purifiers or screens to keep things at bay while still allowing the breeze to flow through.

Introduce spring scented candles!
Candles are a fantastic way to bring in the scents of spring. I love burning candles all year and have some that are perfect for spring. Look for candles with fresh, floral or fruity notes. Scents like jasmine, lavender, lilac, peony or citrus fruits like lemon, orange and grapefruit are all perfect for capturing that fresh vibrant feel of the season.

Use essential oils for a natural touch!
If you prefer something a bit more natural or want to avoid synthetic fragrances essential oils can be a great alternative. You can use a diffuser to disperse the scent of oils like lavender, eucalyptus or lemon throughout your home. I use essential oils upstairs and I am loving the fruity scents at the moment. For a more spring like fragrance mix a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil with some fresh rosemary or basil. It creates an energizing and herby aroma that feels just like spring!

Bring in fresh flowers!
Fresh flowers are a no brainer when it comes to spring. Not only do they add colour and beauty to your home but they also fill the air with their natural fragrance. Choose springtime favourites like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths or peonies. I always have a vase filled with daffodils at this time of year, they are cheap and cheerful!

Make your own spring scented room spray!
Room sprays are another great way to refresh your space. You can easily make your own spring scented spray at home. Simply combine water, a few drops of your favourite essential oils (like lavender, rose and citrus) and a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake it up and spritz the air to refresh your home. You can also use this spray on pillows, curtains and furniture for an added burst of freshness.

Clean with fresh Spring inspired products!
Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up; it’s also an opportunity to freshen up your space with new scents. Switch to cleaning products with natural, light fragrances like lemon, pine or eucalyptus. There are plenty of eco friendly cleaning products that not only clean well but also leave your home smelling fresh.

Bake something fresh!
Nothing evokes the feeling of spring like the smell of something fresh baking in the oven. Make something light and refreshing like lemon drizzle cake, fruit scones or a batch of homemade shortbread.

Add a touch of Spring to your laundry!
Spring is a great time to switch up your laundry routine and use a fresh scent. Look for detergents or fabric softeners with light floral or citrus scents or try adding a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rose into the dryer. This simple step will make your home smell fresh and floral all season long.

What do you do to bring that Spring smell into your home?

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

This or That! Easter Edition!

It is Easter this weekend, it seems to have came around so quickly even thought it is later this year. I thought it was the perfect time for some fun Easter related this or that questions.

tulip easter eggs bunch of flowers

Planning Easter a month ahead or last minute?
I am somewhere in the middle. We don't do much for Easter now that the girls are older. There are no Easter egg hunts, decorating Easter bonnets, decorating eggs or Easter crafts. I bought the chocolate Easter eggs earlier this week so that is my work for Easter done.

This year our Easter weekend is weekend is going to revolve around the wrestling, it's the WWE's big event, Wrestlemania. Becky and I have planned everything. We're going to watch Friday night's Smackdown during the day on Saturday, then watch Saturday's night of Wrestlemania on Sunday and then stay up and watch the 2nd night of Wrestlemania live. It will be a late one. Eek!


Easter basket or Easter egg hunt?
As an adult I would chose and Easter basket filled with lots of chocolate treats and goodies. When I was a child Easter baskets were not a big thing or at least my parents never did them for my brother and I so I feel like I have missed out.

Easter egg hunt with clues or just random hiding?
I think the random hiding is more fun! Doing it with clues can get tricky if little one's can't guess the answer to the clue.

Hide the eggs or find the eggs?
I used to love hiding the eggs for my girls! I always used to lose count of how many I had hidden though so we would always find a few days/weeks later. Oops.

Easter egg hunt

Ham or lamb for Easter dinner?
Definitely lamb! I love it of course with lots of mint sauce! I don't think I have ever had ham or even thought about having ham for Easter dinner.

Hot cross buns or carrot cake?
Ohh! This is a tough choice, I love both. I think for over Easter I would have to go with Hot cross buns as carrot cake is more readily available for the rest of the year.

Easter cupcakes or Easter cookies?
Easter cookies especially if they are shortbread. Yum! Those type are my favourite.

Cadbury Creme Eggs or other brand egg?
Cadbury Creme Eggs!! There is nothing better when it comes to little, snacky type eggs although Cadbury's Mini Eggs come a close 2nd. A good few years ago I am sure they changed the recipe for Creme Eggs and I went right off them but over the last couple of years they have tasted good again! 

Cadbury Creme Eggs

Bunny shaped chocolate or egg shaped chocolate?
I always feel bad eating bunny shaped chocolate. hehehe so I will go with egg shaped chocolate. Isn't it strange how chocolate always tastes better in egg form.

Pastels or bright colours?
For Easter pastel colours, bright colours are more for the summer time.

Tulips or daffodils for Easter flowers?
Daffodils! They are such a cheery flower. I always buy some with our grocery shop every week at this time of year. They only cost a couple of pounds for a bunch.

The Easter Bunny or Easter Chick?
Ohh! Easter chicks, they are ever so cute!

What would you chose for these questions?