Dream Digger Toys! | Cat Toys Review

Note – These items were sent to use for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are honest and our own.

Smidge is obsessed with diggers! He has to have them on his clothes, on his bedding and loves nothing more than a trip to the local tip so that he can see the diggers there. He has had numerous digger and construction toys, but none ever get played with as much as the Cat Toys that we have. Now Smidge has even more diggers to add to his collection as we were very kindly sent a bundle of Cat Toys for him to test out.

Turning 32... | Blog

In less than a weeks’ time I will be turning 32 years old…32 years on this earth and if I am being honest, I think the last year has been the one where I have done the most self-discovery. In March 2020 I turned 31 years old just as the world around me started to change forever. I remember on my actual birthday watching one of the first COVID briefings and I am fairly sure there is also an Instagram story that I made where I say that I’ve got my loo roll and my long-life milk so we will just have a cup of tea and wait for this all to blow over… how very wrong I was!!

2020 was a hard year. We missed out on birthdays, weddings, celebrations, family holidays, hugging friends and family and so much more. So many people lost their lives to this awful illness and so many had their lives changed forever due to illness, loosing work, or losing loved ones. As hard as it has been for many, I can’t help but feel grateful for what this last year did for me personally. As difficult as it was being a ‘key worker’ and feeling constantly anxious about cleaning and keeping everyone safe, I can’t help but be thankful for what 2020 brought to me and my family.

During my 31^st year we spent more time together as a family than ever before. COVID meant that my hours at work decreased slightly which meant I was home to cook dinner more often and got to leave later in the mornings. The restricts also meant that hubs went from being away for at least 1 or 2 nights per week before COVID to suddenly working from home pretty much 24/7. I can’t remember a time where hubby and I used to spend so much time together and it has done wonders for us as a family. When Pickle was growing up it was normal for him to be getting ready to go to bed when Daddy came in from work. Now, with Smidge, if daddy isn’t home when we get in from work/my mums (she is a childminder) because he’s gone out for a run, Smidge is completely outraged! Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the kids are arguing, and hubs is getting on my nerves and all I want is a break away from the house but overall, it’s been amazing to have this extra time with them all.

It isn’t just things around me that feel different as I head into my 32^nd year. I feel like there has been a shift within me which has probably come about from having more time to focus and think about myself as the world slowed down rather than constantly rushing around.

I was saying to Hubs that I feel like I am going into the next birthday finally feeling like I am thriving. I finally feel like I have got my life together and that I am being the best version of myself that I can be. I’ve quit my job working in a bank and in just 2 short weeks I am going to be writing full time! I’ve always wanted to be creative as a job and writing is something that I love to do and feel so passionate about, but it always felt like a dream and something that I’d never reach because I wasn’t good enough or didn’t have the opportunities. But it’s happening and I am doing it because I have been brave enough and have believed in myself enough to take the leap. My dream is become a reality (as cheesy as that sounds!) and it still feels a bit like a pinch me moment. It’s not just in my career that I have shifted. I feel like I am mentally in a better place than ever before. I feel like for the first time I am in tune with my body and mind and I am doing whatever I can to support myself. Gone are the faddy diets and materialistic things. For the last few months, I have been listening to what my body needs and responding. I think about the calories and nutrients and I make sure I have a balanced diet BUT I listen to my body in those moments where it says ‘I NEED CHOCOLATE’ which is usually a couple of days before aunt flo visits! I’ve been taking vitamins and supplements to support myself and I have been exercising as a way to support my physical and mental wellbeing. Exercise has become something that I enjoy, and I strive to do at least 3-4 times away. BUT, as with food, I listen to my body. If it is a few days before I am due to come on and I am feeling tired, bloated and generally rubbish then I won’t push myself. I will do some yoga, or I will just do nothing. I have finally learnt that life is about balance and listening to my body is the only way to get the balance between physical fitness and happiness.

Finally (and if you have got this far then you deserve a medal as this is one hell of a word vomit post!!) I feel like I have sussed out my mental wellbeing. I haven’t hidden the fact that after having Smidge I was in a really bad place. I found spirituality and as much as it felt like an alien concept at the beginning, I went with it. Now, as I approach 32 years old, I am feeling more in tune with myself and my spirituality than ever before! I meditate and love it! I have crystals and use manifestation and journaling and have even started to learn about essential oils and the ways to use them. Some (my husband included) might think it’s crazy and a load of hocus pocus, but I bloody love it! I feel more peace and clarity than ever, and my anxiety is pretty much non-existent now. That’s not to say that there aren’t still moments where I wobble but I know feel that I have the knowledge and the tools to support myself when things feel uneasy.

So…March 12^th…come at me! I am so ready to be 32 and to start this next chapter of my life. I am going to be self-employed and being creative for a living, I am going to be at home and able to focus even more on my own wellbeing and I am going to fill this next year with all the happiness and memories that I possible can. 2021 is going to be a year to THRIVE!! I can feel it 😊.

Never-ending story... | Blog

Do you ever feel like you are stuck on loop? 

Ever feel like it ground hog day every single day? 

Do you remember what life used to be like before?

It's been 328 days since the UK entered lockdown. 328 exceptionally long days. Remember what life was like before March 2020? Going out with friends, meeting up at toddler groups, going out for dinner with your loved ones, celebrating birthdays with family, the excitement of a holiday looming, days out with the kids... each and everything felt so normal when we used to do it but now that we aren't allowed and haven't been able to for almost a year it makes my heart hurt. I'm angry at myself for taking things for granted so many. I'm so annoyed that I'd didn’t appreciate every single coffee that me and my friends had at the cold church hall toddler group whilst our kiddies played. I'm so sad that I didn't take more photos when my boys were with my Nan and their little friends as they haven't been able to see them for months on end now. Looking back, I wish I would have been more present and recognised how lucky I was to be able to do all of those things. 

Now, almost a year since things went belly up, I'm tired. I'm tired of worrying constantly about someone I love getting it. I'm tired of the heart ache that comes when someone I know loses a loved one. I'm tired of feeling pessimistic and not having anything to look forward to because what’s the point in planning or booking anything when we don't know when we are getting out of this thing. Trips away and days out with friends and family have always been my little glimmer of light when life feels monotonous and now, we can't even look forward to anything I can't help but feel like we are stuck in a never-ending loop. This is why I haven’t really written on here in the last 12 months because what is there to say? The posts would be incredibly boring! 'Hello...today I cleaned the house again for the 14th time this week and I split up 4 fights between the boys again and I even found time for a little cry whilst I chugged down my cold coffee and scoffed a KitKat in the bathroom'. Not exactly riveting reading! 

Yes, we have a vaccine and yes, it is making a difference but with each day that passes and with each vaccination that is given it feels like there is another strain or another variant that comes along to throw yet another spanner in the works! And the vaccine takes a while to have an impact. Just because people are having their jab doesn't mean that life is going to go back to normal anytime soon. This is going to take time and I find it so hard to look forward to a time where this virus won't have an impact in our lives. 

Pessimistic...yes. Negative...yes. Should I be pulling up my big girl pants and stopping being such a Debbie downer? ABSOLUTLY! But do you know what? I can't be the only one feeling like this. I know for a fact that everyone is missing normality. We all miss our family and friends and holidays and days out. Sometimes you might feel hopeful and like the end of this part of history is coming. Sometimes you might feel hopeless and like you're stuck in a never-ending loop of monotony. It's okay Your feelings are valid. My feelings are valid. We are all allowed to have bad days and talking about it just makes those days a little brighter.  

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2021 | Gift Guide

Note: Some of these items were sent to me in return for inclusion in this gift guide but all opinions are honest and my own. 

After a bit of a rubbish start to 2021 it’s no wonder that we are all looking for things to celebrate and to be happy about. We are finally in February after what felt like the longest January in the history of Januarys and that means we are edging ever closer to Valentine’s Day. The day where you traditionally send a card and gift to your other half has changed in recent years and many now buy gifts for their besties (hello Galantines day!) or their little ones, so gifts have moved on from the traditional flowers and chocolates that used to be all the rage. This year I wanted to bring you a few ideas for gifts that I think would make the perfect valentines day gift for anyone this Valentines Day!

 

Embracelet Originals Range – Personalised Affirmation Bracelet – £5.00

I couldn’t do a Valentine’s day gift guide without mentioning my very own little business could I?? Of course, I am completely biased, but I really do think that our super cute little affirmation bracelets would make the perfect gift this valentine’s day. You can personalise with any word that you think your recipient would like, they come in a range of different colour and are just £5 with free postage and packaging making them versatile and affordable! Head over to our Etsy page above to see the full range.

Nantwich Gin from Cheshire Botanicals - £42.00

Gin is definitely the drink of the moment and what better gift to give during lockdown than a bottle of London Dry Gin from Cheshire Botanicals. Many of the botanicals in this gin come from the garden of Jon Gerard who was a Royal herbalist during Tudor times. The gin combines herbal notes and with floral punches and is perfect with some tonic or soda water.

3 course meal and wine at home experience from Buyagift.com – £99.90

When you can get out to the restaurants because they are all closed then a dine in experience for 2 might just be the perfect substitute. You can have fun cooking with each other and then settle down for a delish 3 course fine dining meal. You will receive a hamper that will include everything you need to create you MICHELIN start menu along with wine and a link to a video which will guide you through the cooking process.

Ultimate Valentines Mega Deal from BiGDUG – £90.83

If you are looking for a more practical gift from your loved one this Valentine’s day, then this mega deal from storage king BiGDUG may be the answer. There are offering a gift bundle which includes 2 plastic shelving bays and a workstation and the best bit about it is that they go together with a simple boltless assembly meaning no more screws and bolts let all over the place! Give the gift of organisation this Valentines and help your loved one organise that messy shed or garage with BiGDUG.

Henry Bell Wild Bird Care Rose Ground Feeder - £19.99

Why not give a gift that gives back to the wildlife in your garden this Valentines day with this beautiful Rose shaped decorative bird feeder from Henry Bell at Dobbies. This hand crafted and hand painted bird feeder has built in drainage holes to keep the bird feed as fresh as possible and the vibrate shade of red will bring a pop of colour to any garden. This gift is inexpensive but would make a wonder, practical addition to any garden.

Mermaid Pink Gin from Isleofwrightdistillery.com - £35.80 –

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the Mermaid rage from Isle of Wight Distillery (I included their incredible Salt Vodka in my Christmas Gift Guide here) and their Mermaid Pink Gin is the perfect gift for Valentines Day in my opinion. The pink bottle is absolutely gorgeous and is the kind of bottle you’ll want to keep even when the contents are all gone and that won’t take very long because this gin is delicious. I am not a huge gin fan but this one is just incredible, and I will be purchasing it again because it is so yummy. The infusion of strawberries from the island along with a blend of lemon zest, grains of paradise and fragrant rock samphire makes this gin fresh and easy to drink without it being too overpowering and sweet like some pink gins can be. A sure hit for any gin lover!!

So, there we have it. My recommendations for gifts for any loved one this valentine’s day be it your husband, wife, or bestie! Have a wonderful Valentine’s day however you chose to celebrate and stay safe.