Sunday, 11 May 2014
#MorrisonsMums - Bank Holiday Shop
One thing I did notice was that the fresh raw meat was a fantastic price. I regularly shop at Tesco and I've noticed that over the last few months the price of meat has rocketed. Asda has always been cheapest locally, however I find the meat to be really fatty and for that reason I would never do my big shop there as we tend to cook all of our meals from scratch.
The shop I did was focused on us hosting a family BBQ over the weekend however the weather was awful so we ended up eating the BBQ food for dinner over the course of the week. One of my favourite meals being the Morrisons Signature Kebabs served with cous cous and salad. I bought 2 flavour variations:Spiced Lamb with Apricot and Lamb and Mint Shish with the apricot versions being my favourite. The meal was delicious and fed the 4 of us for only £2.02 each..
If processed kebabs aren't your thing and you want something a little cheaper then why not try these delicious home made kebabs we had later in the week for only 95 pence per serving!!
The Verdict
I had always thought Morrisons to be a false economy - plenty of offers but all on the items that I believed were over priced in the first place. This shop has been a real eye-opener for me and I am really impressed. We cook from scratch at least 5 nights a week and Morrisons has really impressed me with the quality and price of their fresh meat - great value for money.
The shelves are amased with the new 'I'm cheaper' logo wherever you look from own brand ready meals through to famous brands like Coca-Cola, Birds Eye and Pampers.Going forward I will seriously consider traveling the few extra miles to Morrisons, the only down side is that I'll miss out on my Tesco Clubcard points but maybe I'd prefer to take my value in the here and now.
For now, I would definitely recommend you shop there if you like home-made meals.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
The future of laundry? The one where I meet the Samsung WW9000 Washing Machine
Two weeks ago I headed to John Lewis’ Peter Jones department store in Sloane Square to take a sneak peek at the brand new Samsung WW9000 Washing Machine.
I've got to be honest, usually I wouldn't be interested in domestic appliances but I absolutely love Samsung and couldn't pass up the chance to see their latest invention. I wasn't disappointed...
I've got to be honest, usually I wouldn't be interested in domestic appliances but I absolutely love Samsung and couldn't pass up the chance to see their latest invention. I wasn't disappointed...
First off, I should tell you that this picture really doesn't do it justice, the washing machine design is sleek and streamlined and I love the attention to detail the designers have given the machine. Even so far as the circle design to the side of the machine that allows you to place it at the end of a work surface without looking bland and boring.
But let's face it, design isn't what we necessarily look for in a washing machine is it? It's a device of necessity and what I was really interested in was the machines performance and durability. Will it get grass stains out of PE kits on a daily basis? Will it take the constant stream of Lego bricks/coins/action figures that will accidentally be added to the laundry basket? Will it be cost effective because we're on a water meter? And the question I always ask myself as a working mother of 2 - will it save me time? Well it appears the answer is yes to all of the above...
But let's face it, design isn't what we necessarily look for in a washing machine is it? It's a device of necessity and what I was really interested in was the machines performance and durability. Will it get grass stains out of PE kits on a daily basis? Will it take the constant stream of Lego bricks/coins/action figures that will accidentally be added to the laundry basket? Will it be cost effective because we're on a water meter? And the question I always ask myself as a working mother of 2 - will it save me time? Well it appears the answer is yes to all of the above...
We were shown all of the incredible benefits of the machine by Nick Bevan, Senior Product Manager - Laundry at Samsung UK and Ireland and he was happy to answer all of my questions on the new machine.The first thing I was attracted to about the machine was the intuitive smart touch screen. I have a retro dial on my washing machine and I have to admit I've only moved that dial once in the past year because I have absolutely no idea what the other settings are for. In fact I have a very strict set routine when doing my laundry which I guess I should tell you before I go on...
1. Gather the laundry (not as simple as you may think) This usually involves emptying the laundry basket on to the floor of the landing then frantically searching the children's rooms for various socks/vests/school uniform that the children have left lurking under their beds.
2. Attempt to carry said washing load by hand (why?!) to the washing machine, dropping several socks en route like a modern day version of Hansel and Gretal dropping bread.
3. Drop washing on the floor in front of the machine then trace the steps back up the stairs to locate dropped items.
4. Search for washing up tablets..
5. Scream at the top of my voice "Chris? Where the washing tablets? I cant find them"
2. Attempt to carry said washing load by hand (why?!) to the washing machine, dropping several socks en route like a modern day version of Hansel and Gretal dropping bread.
3. Drop washing on the floor in front of the machine then trace the steps back up the stairs to locate dropped items.
4. Search for washing up tablets..
5. Scream at the top of my voice "Chris? Where the washing tablets? I cant find them"
6. Locate washing tablet right in front of my eyes, throw it in to the machine.
7. Add washing and close door
8. Glance at the dial... realise I don't know what any of the settings mean.
9. Press 'Start'
10. Question whether I should have added an extra rinse/spin/extra washing tablet.
11. Realise I missed the one item out of the machine that needed to be washed for tomorrows ballet/athletics/swimming lesson.
12. Go off and forget that the washing load finished 6 hours ago and is now creased to death and starting to smell.
13. Sniff it...It smells... start over.
Sound familiar?! Yes, well read on...
The WW900 has a touchscreen rather than fiddly buttons and dials. Samsung say "Every other smart device has a touchscreen - why not your washing machine?" and I like their style, the 5” LED screen responds straight away with just one touch
of your finger. The machine automatically shows your 'Most Used' cycle as soon as you switch it
on, so if you are a one cycle wonder like me then you can start your wash with literally one tap.
There are different programmes too that can be selected for every stain scenario: a 'Gardening' cycle that shifts soil and grass stains, 'Cooking & Dining' gets rid of food and grease marks, and 'Active Sports' that would be perfect for the kids' football kits.
I particularly love the idea of having no detergent draw. Mine gets scummy quickly if I use powder (which is why I usually buy tablets that go straight in to the drum) and I hate cleaning it. This smart machine holds up to a month’s worth of detergent in the
drum (in a similar place to the filter in your tumble dryer) and magically dispenses just the right amount you need for each
load by weighing the laundry as well as sensing how soiled it is. Amazing!
It has a Super Speed Wash for those items you need washed in a rush. You can wash an average load of 5kg in just 59 minutes – or a load of 2kg or less with light soiling on a 15 minute wash!
The WW900 has a touchscreen rather than fiddly buttons and dials. Samsung say "Every other smart device has a touchscreen - why not your washing machine?" and I like their style, the 5” LED screen responds straight away with just one touch
of your finger. The machine automatically shows your 'Most Used' cycle as soon as you switch it
on, so if you are a one cycle wonder like me then you can start your wash with literally one tap.There are different programmes too that can be selected for every stain scenario: a 'Gardening' cycle that shifts soil and grass stains, 'Cooking & Dining' gets rid of food and grease marks, and 'Active Sports' that would be perfect for the kids' football kits.
I particularly love the idea of having no detergent draw. Mine gets scummy quickly if I use powder (which is why I usually buy tablets that go straight in to the drum) and I hate cleaning it. This smart machine holds up to a month’s worth of detergent in the
drum (in a similar place to the filter in your tumble dryer) and magically dispenses just the right amount you need for each
load by weighing the laundry as well as sensing how soiled it is. Amazing!It has a Super Speed Wash for those items you need washed in a rush. You can wash an average load of 5kg in just 59 minutes – or a load of 2kg or less with light soiling on a 15 minute wash!
If that's not enough to entice you then how do you fancy controlling your machine from your smartphone or tablet - very futuristic. With the WW9000 you can pause or start a wash using your mobile or tablet, so if you don't want to put a wash on in the morning and leave soaking in the drum all day until you get home, then you can load it in the morning and switch it on as your leaving work - that way it’s done by the time you get home.
You can also get notifications telling you how long there is left and when a cycle has finished so if your snuggled up on the sofa watching your favourite soaps, then you don't need to keep getting up to check if it's finished.
The WW9000 also uses Samsung's ecobubble technology, producing special bubbles which dissolve faster and deeper into your clothes - making them cleaner but also meaning you only have to put your laundry on a cool wash as the bubbles (rather than the heat) do all the hard work.
It has a huge door with double hinges, meaning it can fully open back on itself (my current washing machine is always bashing my legs as I'm loading so this would spare me the bruises) but as a mum this also worried me as the door, combined with it's 10kg drum, could easily attract children as a hiding place. Nick assured me that safety was key - both the door and the touch screen have child locks, however, should the unthinkable 'hiding' happen then the door is easily pushed open from the inside. Finally, it’s quiet too (or so I'm told) thanks to its motor and 3D vibration sensor the machine creates minimal noise even during fast spin speeds of up to 1600rpm - so you can put a load on at night and it won't disturb your little ones.
The verdict?
So all in all the WW9000 sounds amazing.. so much so that I decided I must have one... which is why I was a little down-hearted when I heard the £1700 price tag. Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that this machine is worth the money but at that cost it would definitely have to be an appliance we'd need to save up for. And this is why meeting this machine has really got me thinking about the way in which we perceive our appliances - I really feel that in the future our appliances buying decisions will no longer be made out of necessity but, much like we want the best mobile with the best operating system, we will want the same for our every day appliances too.
I for one really want this bad boy in my life but by the time I've saved up my pennies I'm sure that they'll have invented a robot that can load the washing and press all these buttons for me! Well, a girl can dream!
The Samsung WW900 is available now at John Lewis and at other retailers later in the year.
Monday, 28 April 2014
Help... I think I'm Turning in to a Runner
In fact, if you'd have told me a year ago that I was even considering running 10k I would have laughed in your face. But strangely, at the age of 31, I find myself dragging myself out of bed at 6.30am on a Saturday morning so that I can eat my breakfast early enough before my 9am Park Run. Errr... WTF??
At school I hated running, I would get so out of breath within the first 100m that I would make myself ill. No one ever taught me about controlled breathing or starting out slow, I would bomb it for 30 seconds and then struggle for breath.
This is pretty much how my first runs went last year when I realised the mammoth task of a 5 mile run was approaching. Id sprint and walk, sprint and walk... and it was ok... it worked at the time. Gradually, after the race was over I began going out running for me... as a way of winding down after a long day. Still I'd exert myself and then slow down to catch my breath.. until one day, I started out slow. I jogged at a slow steady pace, controlling my breath and I jogged... and jogged... and I didn't stop. I couldn't believe it! I was running... albeit slowly... I was running non stop!
My biggest run so far (without stopping) has been 6k but over the next 20 or so days I'm going to hopefully ramp that up.
I'll keep you posted on the progress but in the meantime feel free to sponsor me.. it's for the kids!!
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Haven Presthaven, Prestatyn Review
The Park
We stayed at the Haven Presthaven site on the coast of North Wales. Arriving at around 5.30pm on Friday evening, we drove right through the park following the signs to check in. The signposting wasn't great and we did wander around the restaurant before being directed to the reception desk.
The lady at the check-in desk was lovely, really taking time to talk to the children and ask if they were excited about the trip. She handed us our key and our entertainment pass wrist bands and showed us on a map the location of caravan where we would be spending the next 3 nights. As well as having each area of the park sign posted by name they also feature a Haven character so Little E and Mister A were always able to locate the character and find their way back (with us obviously!)
The first thing we noticed as we made our way to the caravan was how huge the park was and we panicked a little about getting around the site.
The Caravan
We had booked the cheapest and most basic 4 berth caravan so we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived to find we had been upgraded to a 6 berth caravan. It was really spacious with 3 bedrooms, a lovely living area that included an LCD TV, a kitchen with oven, hob and microwave and of course a dining area...
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Things to Do on the Park
The weather was slightly un-predicatable during our stay but there were plenty of things to keep us busy come rain or shine. There are 2 indoor pools on site that the children loved one with a water slide that even Chris and I loved. We stayed during April so unfortunately the outdoor heated pool and lazy river weren't open during our stay.
There are so many activities from a climbing park to go karts to pool activities and sports. Too many to share but all available to view on the website.
There are plenty of kids activities and clubs available but Mister A and Little E preferred to not to join in so we took to exploring the sand dunes and the playground instead.
In the evening there was plenty of entertainment for all of us to enjoy from Character FunTime shows for the children to live acts and bingo for the grown ups. My real bug bear about the site was that to get to the Live Lounge where the children's disco took place, we had to walk right through an arcade that was open to under 18s. It was filled with tweens gambling and I hated exposing my family to it. Immediately Mister A (7) and Little E (3) were asking for 'monies' to put in the 2p and 10p slots, fruit machines and grabbers. It was so frustrating. When we made it though the migraine inducing arcade the lounge was packed and we had to wait for someone to leave to get a seat.
The children loved the entertainment though and we found ourselves singing 'What does the fox say?' constantly for the entire hoilday much to Chris' annoyance! We obviously had to treat the children to flashing toys, Mister A choosing a sword and Little E choosing a light up fish shaped bubble gun!! We were sat quite far back during the show but the enteratiners did make there way around the lounge and came over to talketo Little E and Mister A and asked them about thier toys. Little E even showed the entertainer her dance moves!
By 9pm the children were worn out so we headed back to the caravan, popped them in to bed and Christ and I cracked open the win and played cards!
The VerdictWe were worried the children might get bored but in actual fact we would have liked to have stayed longer. There was so much to do but make sure you do pre-book activities at the very start of your stay as they do fill up quickly. We really enjoyed the weekend and hope to visit Haven again soon. There was a real family vibe there and the staff paid great attention to the children which was lovely. Definitely worth a visit - we made some great memories during our stay.
Checklist
As with most holiday parks, you do need to remember to take your own essential items with you. Luckily this wasn't a surprise to us as we researched before our trip, however a lot of people do get caught out and end up having to head to the shops unexpectedly and spending more than they'd anticipated. Here's a handy list to help you to know what to take on your trip...
Bedroom:
Sheets.
Bedding
Additional pillows if you like more than one
Bathroom:
Towels
Toilet Roll
Toiletries
Kitchen:
Cooking Oil
Condiments
Food if your planning to eat in
Washing Up Liquid
Washing up equipment
Tea towels
If you do forget anything at Presthaven than there is a large Spar on site and a retail park 10 minutes away with a large Tesco supermarket and a pound shop.
Park address: Presthaven Sands Holiday Park, Shore Road Gronant, Prestatyn, North Wales. LL19 9ST Park open: 14 Mar – 2 Nov
Monday, 14 April 2014
Happy Anniversary to us - 1 year married!
Anyway this little post was just a little one to tell my husband, my best friend and the best daddy to our wonderful children that I love him so much and yes I will go now so you can all throw up!!
Saturday, 22 March 2014
Mothers Day Gift Guide 2014: Tried & Tested
If she needs to unwind...
Potters Crouch Floral Fragrances £8.50 each Reviewed by Vic: I tried Lily of the Valley & Hyacinths and Bluebells candles but there are a huge amount to choose from depending on your mood and preferences. The candles have a real premium feel and look really special. I lit the Lily of the Valley candle first, once the initial wax had melted the beautiful aroma filled the room. The scent reminded me so much of my grandma as these were her favourite flowers. Next I tried the Hyacinth and Bluebell scent. The colour of candle is amazing and the scent was delicate but lovely. I burnt each candle for a couple of hours and both were really slow burning which is great. Potters Crouch say each candle burns for 50 hours meaning these are a great value buy costing only 17p an hour! These candles are beautiful and would make an ideal gift for mums and grandma's this Mothers Day.
If she loves music...
JAM PLUS Wireless Rechargeable Bluetooth Speaker
If she needs a feet treat...
Reviewed by Emma: I've recently taken up running so my feet have taken a bit of a battering and I was excited to try the foot spa (my mum had one in the 90s but it didn't really do much so I didn't have high expectations!) This particular foot spa comes with aromatherapy oils too so it's a real treat and if it's good enough for Elle then it's good enough for me! The spa claims to have double the bubbles of a normal foot spa as well as LED mood lighting and the aromatherapy mist diffuser.
I absolutely loved it,I felt so pampered and it was so nice to relax after my run by dipping my feet in to the warm bubbles and using the (removable) massage rollers. There's also a pedicure attachment in the centre meaning that you can give yourself a mini pedi as you relax. It's a great gift - a little pricey but a lot cheaper than regular trips to the salon.
Emjoi Micro-Pedi Portable Pedicure Device
Reviewed by Leanne: Being a mum I never have the time or money to pamper myself these days but
It's really, really easy to use- with the flick of a simple on/off switch the roller starts up at 30 rotations per minute. You just hold the micro-mineral roller against any hard skin on your feet and it goes to work. It didn't take long at all and the results were fabulous even after the first try. Ive used it 3 times now and my feet are silky smooth. The MicroPedi isn't something I would have thought to give as a gift but having tested this one I'm planning on getting one for my mum AND my sister!
If she loves fashion...
Second Time Mummy loves fashion so we had to test this one ourselves. First off we should say Just Blue have an amazing range of dresses but we chose this ponte stretch panel detail shift dress which is perfect for giving you a slimmer appearance due to its black side panels. The real thing we love about this dress though is that it's the perfect dress to take you from work to bar because it's so easy to dress up or down.
The fabric is a great quality and with it's neon coral and black colour it's on trend too - I know I'll be wearing it a lot this season.
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Reviewed by Carol: When I was told these items came from Alsi and they were priced at £3.99 each I was stunned. They come in thick plastic for protection but once you get them home and open them you see that they come with indiviual gift boxes. They certainly look a lot more expensive that the RRP.
I wore the set this weekend for a family meal and I had two compliments (which is epic when you have a family like mine). I'd certainly head to Aldi to get a couple of sets as gifts - once they're in the gift boxes they look at least 3 times the price you'd pay! A surprising thumbs up from me - I'd never have considered Aldi as a go-to for gifts!
If she loves beauty treats...
Review by Molly: Coming soon
An exclusive complex of 10 active ingredients at full concentration makes this uniquely formulated serum an essential part of every skincare routine. Skin appears youthfully vibrant and radiant.
If shes a new mum...
Review by Erika: Coming soon
Turning the tables on the wealth of huge parenting manuals and their conflicting advice, GP and mother-of-two Ellie Cannon will empower you to relax, trust your instincts, have faith in your parenting and enjoy more time with your baby.
If you want to treat her on a budget...
The entire Aldi beauty collection is being reviewed as we speak - check back on Tuesday night to see the verdict on thee fab products...Lacura CC Face Cream (£4.99) is one of the most exciting new Specialbuys to hit Aldi’s shelves this weekend. The CC cream promises to banish dull, red and sallow skin. It’s a little too dark for me (MAC NW20), but mixed in with some moisrusier to lighten it, it looks great. It provides good coverage as a base for my foundation – I’ve used it for 4 days now and I’m looking forward to seeing more changes to my skin.
The Lacura Nutri Build-Up Face Mask (£3.99 for 40ml) and Lacura Anti-Fatigue Face Mask (£3.99 for 40ml) have been specially designed to rejuvenate dry and tired skin.
Lacura Shimmering Day Cream (£1.99 for 50ml) is also back on shelves on as a Special Buy. The cream contains light pigments that give a silky-shimmering effect to make the skin appear more even and radiant and is enriched with DEFENSIL® - a special complex that helps condition and protect sensitive skin. Pro-Vitamin B5 provides skin with moisture and botanical oils to support moisture retention.
And for the body, Aldi has range of body-butters available. The sweet-scented Shea Body Butter (£1.99), Coconut Body Butter (£1.99), and Raspberry Body Butter (£1.99) are all nourishing moisturisers with vitamin complex to leave skin feeling noticeably soft and smooth - perfect for pre summer preparation.
Gallo Family Vineyards Summer Red & Summer White RRP £6.99
The red is a refreshing, sweeter wine, bursting with flavours of cherry, pomegranate and raspberry. Best served chilled, it's perfect for serving on Mother's Day alongside a traditional roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, followed by rich blackcurrant cheese cake. It has an RRP of £6.99 and is available from from all major retailers.
The Gallo Family Vineyards Summer White is packed with sumptuous fruity flavours of ripe apple, pear and citrus with subtle floral notes. This sweeter, light wine is a perfect treat for mothers relaxing on a crisp spring evening this Mother's Day, paired with a light salad or pasta dish. It has an RRP of £6.99 and is available from all major retailers.
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Savoury Pancakes
and make...
Creamy Garlic Chicken & Mushroom Pancakes
IngredientsFor the pancake mix:
Ooo-er *Cheat Alert* We just used Aunt Bessies!!
For the filling:
A handful of sliced mushrooms
300ml milk
25g nob of butter
3 tbsp plain flour
1 clove of garlic - finely chopped
250g chicken
1/2 tsp medium curry powder
Half an onion - chopped.
- Whether you are making your batter mix from scatch or cheating like us you will need to prepare the mixture first. You can make the batter a good few hours in advance if you like - just store it in the fridge.
- First, sautee the onion and the chicken in the pan and add the curry powder to taste.
- Once browned add the garlic and leave on the the hob for a further minute.
- Once cooked through, transfer the chicken, onions and garlic to a plate.
- Now add the milk, butter and flour to the pan and whisk the mixture as you bring it to the boil. A smooth sauce should begin to form.
- Simmer for 1 minute, then remove
from the heat and stir in your garlic, mushrooms and chicken.
Your filling is complete!
If you love Shrove Tuesday as much as us then make sure you check out the Tefal Pancake Day website and have a go of the Pancake Day selfies app - it’s also filled with tons of great inspiration if you’d like to create something a little more unusual! And if you need anymore inspiration after that then take a look at their Pancake Day Pinboard!
HAPPY SHROVE TUESDAY!!
Disclosure: I received a free pan to allow me to review and write this post. Pan review to follow.
Sunday, 2 March 2014
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Did You Nose? (sp)
Desperate for some kind of prevention, I begged my doctor to help. He suggested that rather than trying to constantly treat the infection, I should take a daily dose of Otrivine Nasal Spray as a way of prevention. I wasn't convinced to be honest and felt a little cheated that he couldn't offer a more spectacular cure. However, since I started using the spray around 4 months ago, I have only suffered once with the infection. RESULT. Usually during the winter months I'm a constant mess of mucus - sorry TMI!
So already feeling a sense of trust with Otrivine, I was really interested to hear that there is an Otrivine Natural Nasal Spray - a really unique product made from completely natural ingredients that claims to give effective relief from nasal congestion in less than 3 minutes.
Now you might not suffer from sinusitis like me, but we all know what it's like when you're full of cold and all bunged up. It's not something parents can dwell on they just have to get on with it. Being blocked up can make everything feel that much more stressful and tiring so strangely I cant wait to try the natural version and se if it has the same effect! I'll certainly let you know how I get on but in the meantime here's a couple of really interesting facts that I bet you didn't nose (sorry - it's them not me!)
Find out more about Otrivine's full product range at www.otrivine.co.uk
Disclosure I was paid a fee to host this blog post however the content and opinions in this post are my own.
Monday, 24 February 2014
The One Were I Hold A Millipede #BreakfastSurvival
Last week we headed to London for the Nestlé Cereal #BreakfastSurvival blogger event. It was an early start but the children love train journeys so they were really excited. We arrived in to Euston and headed straight there to be greeted by the lovely Nestlé peeps.
Nestlé had a whole host of creepy crawlies for us to meet courtesy of The Wiggly Wild Show. To be honest, I'm a bit of a scaredy cat and I hate anything with more than 4 legs, so when I was offered the chance to hold a millipede it made my hairs stand on end! Not one to freak out, I decided to be brave and managed to hold him and eventually a hermit crab too!
Chris got involved as well - only he went one better and was brave enough to hold the cockroach, the hermit crab AND eat some bugs!!!It was great fun, although Mister A and Little E decided against holding any of the 'live' creepy crawlies, instead they settled for dead ones in glass.
There was also a lovely lady called Annie who was face painting. Little E chose a lovely butterfly design where as Mister A went for an Angry Bird which Annie kindly copied from his trainers!
Finally we headed in to the cereal room where we got to try some of Nestlé's cereals. With over two dozen different Nestlé Cereals to choose from there was something for all of us. Each cereal is made with whole grain and is a great source of at least seven vitamins and minerals, what’s more, each serving of Nestlé Cereals only costs 26p per bowl and that’s including the price of the milk!
Ok, so what's it all about?
The event was launch Nestlé's new #BreakfastSurvival campaign. We heard
about Nestlé's recent research in to school day mornings which
confirmed that almost two thirds of parents (61%) juggle more than 10
tasks in the morning pre-school rush hour - with less than 6 minutes to
complete each one! This gave way to the fact that us parents are always
on the look out for nutritious speedy breakfasts for the whole family.With so much to juggle, it can be hard for us to make sure our children are getting the best start to the day. There are so many cereals out there and I do find it tough to make food choices that are nutritional but tasty and affordable.
We met nutritionist Juliette Kellow and she explained: “Breakfast is considered the most important
meal of the day. You haven’t eaten for about 12 hours so it’s vital your
body gets the kick start it needs to help see you through the morning.
By eating whole grain cereals with milk, you can ensure you get a mix of
fibre, together with vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium.”I quizzed Juliette on the importance of calcium and iron and she answered so many questions that I had always wondered about.
We
also met lovely celebrity mum of two, Marina Fogle who is supporting
the campaign. She says: “Just like most families, sometimes we find it
hard to navigate the jungle of the morning routine. But, however busy we
are, making time for a nutritious breakfast is key. A bowl of cereal is
not just quick and easy but a source of important nutrients my family
needs to start the day in a nutritious balanced way.”All in all it was a fabulous day out, the children loved it and we learned a lot too. Thank you Nestlé!
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Jurys Inn - Customer Service at its WORST #epicfail
Back in October, Chris and I stayed at the Jurys Inn Hotel Birmingham. It was not a great experience. In fact it was so bad that we had to complain. The manager at the hotel offered us a complimentary stay at the Birmingham hotel by means of an apology.,,
As we had stayed at the hotel for a specific event I explained that the likelihood of us visiting Birmingham again in the near future was slim and that I would much prefer a full refund. The lady was nice but explained a refund wasn't an option...
We accepted the complimentary stay and I queried how we would eventually make our booking. The response was simple with no terms...
This week we tried to book our stay, choosing either Jurys Inn London Islington or London Chelsea as a back up. I checked online and there were plenty of rooms available so I called the number. Unfortunately, the original lady that I had been emailing had now left the company and I had to speak to various people about the booking.
Eventually I spoke to a lady called Erica who was passed all of the details and said she would contact Islington (our preferred hotel) and make the booking. She called me back to say she'd sent an email and would contact me the next day (today).
This morning I emailed, nothing, so I called. Erica didn't start until 14.30 so I was told to call back then. I called back, Erica wasn't about. So I waited. Eventually Erica called back, she hadn't had a reply to her email. I explained that our stay was for tomorrow and we needed to know! She said she'd call me back within half an hour. 2 hours later I had to call her back to ask for an update. She said Islington had replied and there was no availability. She was nice enough and said she'd now email Chelsea to book with them instead.
I was gutted about Islington, it was the ideal location for our stay and I knew that there had been rooms. I decided to go online and check that all the rooms had gone... guess what? There were rooms free!! In fact, even now at 11.30pm there are still rooms available (although they have increased in price)...
So I called Erica back, explained there were rooms and questioned the email she had received. She seemed confused to and offered to call and check why we couldn't stay.
A while later Erica called back. "Yes there are rooms, but the manager will not give one of those out as a complimentary stay." This made me really mad but I stayed calm and instead said ok, we'll stay in Chelsea instead. Erica explained that she hadn't actually had a reply from them yet but she'd keep chasing.
I tried to call for a definite confirmation a couple of times but the line rang out. So I waited.. and waited....
At 8.30pm this evening, Erica finally called back. The manager at the Jurys Inn Chelsea said they wouldn't accommodate our complimentary stay either... but they could offer us the room we needed for £111. Oh great thanks Jurys!!!
So the night before our stay we are left with no room because Jurys Inn won't allow us to use our stay that we were given for our first bad experience... we can still take it (after this, our second bad experience)... just that it has to be on their terms... presumably when the entire hotel has no guests. I think it's a disgrace. Customer service at it's worse.
Had we had stayed at Islington, they would have turned a negative customer experience in to a positive one - thus neutralising the original bad stay. But no, now we're left with no hotel, hours before we leave and guess what... all of the other hotels have shot up in price because we were left waiting so long to hear the big fat NO.
So I'm still out of pocket for the original stay.. the phone calls to Birmingham... and now an extortionate fee for a late room in London. EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 ROOMS LEFT AT THE ISLINGTON HOTEL!!!! Why can I not take my complimentary stay as promised, there are rooms available... its not like the complimentary stay is a prize... something Ive won, with terms & conditions... this is a complimentary stay for a really bad customer experience!!! Your only chance to turn a negative in to a positive!!!
I just want to scream... but I won't.. instead I'll share my experience with you in the hope that you'll avoid them for future stays.... because they are pants and all they care about is money.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
The One Where I Join Team Honk for the @SportRelief #TeamHonkRelay
So Ive only gone and done it again - signed up for a charity sporting event without really thinking properly about it! Yes, again! This time I have officially signed up as a member of the 2014 Sport Relief #TeamHonkRelay
So what's the #TeamHonkRelay then?
Well, it's a person to person relay from Land’s End to John O’Groats with a route of nearly 3,000 miles that will involve nearly 200 bloggers, plus their family and friends!
The relay started back on 12th January in Cornwall... the baton is slowly making it's way up the country with the baton reaching me on Sunday 9th March via Ruth who's transporting the bike from Standish. Chris and I will give the baton a bed for the night. Then on Monday morning myself & my lovely husband will cycle around 15 miles to pass the baton on to Angela from This Is Life in Leyland.
But 15 miles on a bike... that's easy isn't it?
Well...those of you that know me will know that I'm rubbish on a bike... and that I'm not the smallest or fittest of peeps but I'm still willing to give it a go. Aside from the body issues the only bike I own is the one I got for my 15th birthday from my mum & dad!!
So if you want to see me ride 15 miles on a bike I got when I was at school... wearing a onesie... knowing that my seat is smaller than one bum cheek... then please please donate to our team fundraising page now>> http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/cheshireteamhonk!!
But what's it all for?
The aim of the Relay is to raise over £20,000 for Sport Relief. As one of the biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world.
How can you get involved?
It's not too late to do some fund raising of your own. Order your free fundraising pack here> http://www.sportrelief.com/order-stuff
The first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games take place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March 2014. The public can join the fun and games by running, swimming or cycling their way to raising cash at over a thousand venues around the country, including the landmark events at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Good luck in whatever you do!!!
Sponsor us now... please???!!!
Monday, 17 February 2014
Review: Barbie: The Pearl Princess
A couple of weeks ago Vue Cinemas invited us to a special blogger screening of Barbie: The Pearl Princess down in London. Unfortunately, like with most events, living 'ooop North' meant that we were unable to travel. Luckily for us Vue were kind enough to offer us tickets to see the film at our local cinema.
Little E was really excited but Daddy and Mister A didn't want to come because "It's for girls". That didn't bother us in the slightest, and it meant that I could invite my friend Mel and her daughter for a lovely girls day out.
In this film Barbie plays a mermaid called Lumina that has a special magic 'pearl powers'. Her and her best friend Kuda, a pink seahorse, spend lots of time playing together, dreaming of being princesses. One day, against her Aunt's wishes, they head out of thier reef and embark on an adventure to a majestic mer-kingdom. Once at the Royal Ball Lumina uses her special powers to save the day and unlocks the key to her dreams!
Whats the verdict?
Little E and her friend absolutely loved the film. We hadn't even made it home before she was asking whether there was a DVD!
Second Time Mummy Verdict...
The girls loved the film so it's a thumbs up from me - we'll definitely be looking out for the DVD version. The cinema itself was great too as they provide booster seats for the little ones so despite having people in front they could still see.
Check out Vue Cinemas this February half term there's lots of offers to be had:
Vue Kids AM every morning, in selected Vue cinemas, with tickets from just £1.75 for 2D films and from £3 for 3D films, for both children and accompanying adults;
Super Tuesday with up to a third off cinema tickets;
20% off all tickets this half term with special Vue Teen Tickets; and
2for1 tickets to see Moshi Monsters: The Movie.
Disclosure: We received free cinema tickets to allow us to write this review
Sunday, 5 January 2014
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