Month: December 2022

How to Create Your Dream Backyard This Year

If you’re like most people, you’re already looking ahead to spring and summer. As the days are getting longer and warmer, it’s the perfect time to start planning for a backyard oasis. Whether you have a small apartment balcony or acres of land, there is something special about having an outdoor space to call your own. In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at key tips on how to create your dream backyard this year.

Planning Out Your Backyard

When it comes to designing your dream backyard, the possibilities are endless! It all starts with an idea and some sketching—what kind of look do you want? Are there specific elements you would like to include? Answering these questions will help you create a vision board that serves as your guide throughout the design process.

Procuring the Materials

Once that’s complete, it’s time to start measuring and gathering materials. And remember to have fun with it! You don’t need expensive materials or fancy tools to make impactful changes in your outdoor living space. But if you are doing something like a water feature or a pool, be sure to get your RIW toughseal protective coating too. You’ll need that to finish everything off.

dream backyard

Choose Your Plants Wisely

When selecting plants for your backyard paradise, consider what type of climate you have and what kinds of plants might thrive best in that climate. Research native plants in your area so that you can choose ones suited for long-term success—no one wants their money going towards plants that won’t last more than one season! If you live in an urban area where outdoor space is limited, opt for low-maintenance plants like succulents instead of high-maintenance flowers like roses. Also, consider non-plant elements such as water features (like fountains) and bird feeders if they fit within the scope of your project and budget.

Keep It Sustainable

Finally, when creating any outdoor living space it’s important to keep sustainability top-of-mind at all times. This means using natural resources responsibly while also considering how waste impacts the environment around us. The materials used should be safe for both humans and animals alike—including any fertilizers or pest control products used on the plants—and should not pollute water sources nearby such as rivers or lakes when it rains heavily. This is especially the case when creating your pool.

Bringing it All to Life

Creating a dream backyard may seem daunting but with patience and dedication, anything is possible! With some careful planning, research, and creativity anyone can turn their plain old backyard into an incredible retreat just waiting to be enjoyed by family members or friends alike this summer season! Take advantage of the fresh air outdoors this season by investing some time into making changes around your home – no matter how big or small – because there is no better feeling than being able to enjoy nature while spending quality time with loved ones just steps away from home sweet home!

dream backyard

Why Bluey Is Heartwarming & Geared Towards The Whole Family

Let’s face it, as a parent of a toddler, you have to watch kids’ TV programmes. But honestly, Bluey is my fave and, we as adults, often keep watching it when our little one has run off to the next activity. 

I feel seen and heard when watching the Heeler family navigate the trials and tribulations of parenting.

bluey

What I love the most, is how they get those magical parenting moments right. So heartwarming. But it’s also full of real-life examples of how frustrating toddlers can be. I feel seen and heard when watching the Heeler family navigate the trials and tribulations of parenting.

I was inspired to write this post by Claire Mac. It was time to share my favourite Bluey episodes. I’ve watched a lot recently! 

Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Charades

Season 2, Episode 11

Episode description

Bluey and Bingo want everyone to play Charades, but Muffin and Socks are too young to understand the rules, which threatens to derail the game. But Nana has her own special rule so everyone is happy!

My thoughts

We are always moaning about how our little one gets away with everything at the grandparents’ house. It’s true. My mum has to remove all chocolate from the fridge before she goes there. She will just help herself and eat it all! 

This episode makes me love Muffin, but also realise I also have a child who likes to tantrum a lot. What warms my heart is how they all go along with Muffin and her dance. It’s one of those lovely proud parenting moments, even if she did get her own way. 

Grandad 

Season 2, Episode 50

Episode description

Grandad is supposed to be resting, but when Bluey and Bingo go to visit him, he makes a run for it with the kids and takes them on a madcap adventure into the bush.

My thoughts

It’s so heartwarming that Chilli wants to look after her dad and there’s a cute moment at the end of the episode. Which actually inspired my toddler to tell me she loved me. I will let you watch and experience it for yourself. 

Flatpack

Season 2, Episode 24

Episode description

With Mum and Dad assembling the flatpack furniture, the kids improvise games with the discarded wrapping materials. As the flatpack swing seat takes shape, so does Bluey and Bingo’s mini-world.

My thoughts

We all know about the dramas of flatpacks. Especially with kids. The worst one we’ve done is our little ones’ “big girl” bed. 

But this episode makes me all warm and fuzzy inside, about family time. And it’s lovely to see Bluey and Bingo playing together and their sweet moments. 

Makes parenting worth it. 

Want to learn more about the Bluey characters? How about purchasing this amazing set of weebles? Look at the fun we had with them…

Faceytalk

Season 3, Episode 24

Episode description

Bluey and Bingo love to video chat with Muffin and Socks so they can all draw pictures together. When Muffin won’t give Socks a turn, the kids discover what happens when you hog.

My thoughts

I belly-laughed throughout the whole episode. And it made us realise we have Muffin living in our house. Not bingo, or Bluey. 

This is the episode we watch when my parents come around. it’s also the one my toddler requests the most.

Grannies

Season 1, Episode 28

Episode description

A game of Grannies is fun until Bingo and Bluey can’t agree on one simple question: Can grannies dance? Now they need to video call Nanna to get the answer.

How cool are these Bluey items? A dancing teddy. And I am currently ordering the hoodie for my little one!

My thoughts

I slipped on my beans” – this is currently my hubby’s ringtone. And he is part of a Bluey Facebook group!

Pretending to be grannies – so comical. I also love that mum joins in for a while, till there is too much mess, then says “go ask dad”. 

Writing this post has inspired me to get on the hunt for some creative Bluey activities to do with my little one. Here are a few I found:

Bluey: Let’s Stick!: Sticker Scenes Book (Paperback)

Bluey: Let’s Play Outside!: Magnet Book – Bluey (Hardback)

Bluey: Where’s Bluey?: A Search-and-Find Book (Paperback)

Daddy Dropoff

Season 2, Episode 8

Episode description

It’s Dad’s turn to get the kids ready for school and kindy, but Bluey and Bingo aren’t making things easy! Dad tries to keep everything on track, but can’t help playing along with their games.

My thoughts

I have so much to relate to in this episode. Being late, even when you get up really early. We “talk on the telephone” daily with our little one and I can just imagine her doing something like this in the car. 

But then it melts my heart that dad still plays wind up, even though they are late. Toddlers don’t care if we’re late. They have no concept of time. It’s a boring concept for adults. And something we beat ourselves up about. And shouldn’t!

Check out some of my other pages on the blog

Bin Night

Season 2, Episode 41

Episode description

Bluey, Bingo and Dad always take out the bins. Over a few weeks, Bingo tells Dad about a new kid at Kindy who is mean to her and Mum offers some good advice.

My thoughts

The lovely family ritual of putting out bins and talking about emotions. It makes me smile. 

In the end, Bingo ends up helping the person who was nasty to her. And what an amazing lesson this is, to teach your little ones and explain why it is important.

Ice Cream

Season 2, Episode 46

Episode description

Bluey and Bingo want a lick of each other’s ice cream. But they are so focused on making sure each lick is fair, they don’t notice their ice creams are melting.

My thoughts

A perfect lesson in learning to share things. Heartwarming. And as always with parenting, dad is required to give up his treat.

Fairies

Season 1, Episode 30

Episode description

Bluey’s house has fairies! Tails are being braided, stickers are everywhere, and Mum’s got a peg beard. Now the family must band together to hunt for these invisible mischief-makers.

My thoughts

I just love dad making a fool of himself in Infront of the neighbours and the family having so much fun. 

It’s a dad requirement to make a fool of yourself daily, in order to make your kids laugh.

bluey

Why You Should Never Stop Moving Forward

Albert Einstein famously said that life was like a bicycle: if you don’t keep moving forwards, you lose your balance. 

What he meant by this was quite interesting. He was saying that you really do need to go with the flow rather than remain stagnant. You have to aim at something, otherwise, everything becomes such a chore. 

Here are some reasons why you should keep moving forward. 

The Past Cannot Serve You

The first reason for moving forwards is that the past really cannot serve you. Regardless of how well (or badly) things went in the past, nothing that happened can determine what goes on in the present moment (unless you happen to be in prison). 

Unfortunately, the human mind has a habit of holding onto things from the past, either in the form of regret or nostalgia. When you don’t stop moving forward, though, the need to remain in the past disappears. You’re just focusing on the situation in front of you, instead of looking backwards. 

You Experience New Things

Regularly moving to new areas is something that everyone should practice. That’s because you have an opportunity to experience new things. Staying in the same locale your entire life can get a little stale. 

Buying Meriton Apartments in one city, and then renting them out when you go to the next is a great way to fund your lifestyle and keep moving forward. You can try new work, explore different areas, and meet new people. It’s all incredibly exciting. 

moving forward

You Can Start Again

Life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. You can find yourself in situations that trap you or make you feel bad

But when your fundamental driving force in life is to keep moving forward, these situations don’t last for long. Sure, things will go bad from time to time, but you always have the opportunity to move on. Starting again is something that you can absolutely do. 

You Learn So Much More

When you travel around the world, you learn a lot about life. But when you stay in the same place, you don’t put yourself in situations that help you grow.

You Improve Your Skills

Many people work the same job for years on end because they worry about the consequences of moving on and doing something different. They wonder what might happen if they strike out and do their own thing. They fear losing money and falling out of contact with colleagues. They worry about what will happen to their network, pension, or social status.

But these fears aren’t usually worth listening to. Sure, you could wind up a little poorer, but there’s always money to be found. There are always new opportunities to make a good go of life. 

Your Failures Aren’t Final

Lastly, constantly moving forwards ensures that your failures are never final. Yes, things will go wrong. But a life of motion and activity will always produce fruits, regardless of the depths of its lows. If you stay in the same place, then your failures are final. 

My Latest Finds From The Body Shop & Why I Love Them

With Christmas coming up, I had to ensure The Body Shop made it onto my Christmas present spreadsheet. I know my family and friends love some of their trusted favourites. Check out my latest finds.

I will also be reviewing an amazing gift set recently sent to me by The Body Shop.

Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Let’s dive into the gifted items I was sent and why I love them so much

Mango

If you like the soft-squidgy-ness of juicy mango and its sweet luscious scent, you’re in for a treat with the Mango fragrance and body care range.

Sweetness & Sunshine Mango Essentials Gift

This Christmas gift is the next best thing to a tropical paradise! The set includes:

My thoughts on the gift set

This set is fantastic. Such a luxurious scent and some of the items are only available in the set. It also comes in a cute gift package and has everything you need to provide your loved ones with the self-care they need!

Read to the bottom for a discount code!

Let’s dive into the trusted favourites I buy every year

Strawberry Beauty & Skincare Range

The strawberry range takes me back to my younger days. The fruity smell is so luxurious and I have just the person in mind for this cute little gift set.

Whipping up memories of summer sports and sweet treats, the heart-shaped strawberry could be said to be the most symbolic of berries, but it’s all the more lovable as our splendidly scented Strawberry fragrance and body care range. Each of our strawberry beauty products contains real strawberry seed oil, bringing the plump, juicy fruit to your bathroom and on-the-go bag.

Jolly & Juicy Strawberry Essentials Gift

This is a juicy Christmas gift they’ll love to unwrap.

Strawberry Body Butter

I love the fruity body butter from The Body Shop, but I think strawberry has to be my fave.

The Edelweiss range

You may remember me writing an entire blog post on the Edelweiss range. And why I love it so much. It was only right to buy this item for someone I love.

Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate

  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
  • Leave skin feeling purified and renewed
  • Made with 95% ingredients of natural origin
  • Enriched with edelweiss
  • Certified by The Vegan Society
  • Dermatologically tested

Dry Hair & Scalp Products

Let’s talk about dry hair – straight or curly, thick or thin, it can affect any hair type. We are introducing our range of hair shampoo, conditioner and hair care products formulated with dry hair and scalps in mind. Think shampoo for dry hair, hydrating conditioners and nourishing masks.

My hubby loves both of these products. They make your hair feel clean and refreshed. Something we both require as tired parents.

Ginger Anti-dandruff Shampoo

What does it do for you?

  • Anti-dandruff shampoo
  • Perfect for dry, flaky scalps
  • Help clear flakes
  • Leave dry, itchy scalps feeling soothed
  • Made with 90% ingredients of natural origin
  • Certified by The Vegan Society

Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner

What does it do for you?

  • Scalp care conditioner
  • Perfect for dry scalps and weak hair
  • Leave dry scalps feeling soothed*
  • Leave hair feeling stronger, softer and more resilient*
  • Made with 97% ingredients of natural origin
  • Certified by The Vegan Society

Satsuma

A ball of pure orange energy as vibrant as the sun, is there anything better than a satsuma to help put a zing in your step and a wiggle in your walk? We love those bursting citrus notes so much that we’ve captured this juicy fruit in our Satsuma body care products.

Satsuma Shower Gel

  • Perfect for all skin types
  • Leave skin feeling soft, cleansed and refreshed
  • Juicy and refreshing
  • 92% of ingredients of natural origin
  • Certified by The Vegan Society
  • Dermatologically tested

A firm fave within my family. I grew up with this scent and my brother absolutely loves it.

Discount code

As promised, let’s reveal the discount code

Visit The Body Shop – 20% off discount code MCA20 until the end of the year (Including Advent Calendars)

Check out all my blog posts… for The Body Shop

signature

10 Tips for Raising Confident Kids


When it comes to raising confident kids, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every child is different, and what works for one might not work for another. That said, there are a few general tips that can help any parent raise a confident child. This blog post will discuss the most important tips for doing just that!

1) Encourage Independence:

Parents should strive to provide their children with opportunities to make decisions and do things independently. This will help them become more confident in their own abilities, as well as gain a better understanding of how the world works.

2) Celebrate Accomplishments:

It’s important for parents to celebrate their children’s successes, no matter how small. Doing so helps kids understand that accomplishments are something to be proud of, which will give them confidence when it comes time to tackle harder tasks in the future.

3) Praise Effort Over Results:

Most parents praise their kids when they get good grades or win a race. However, it is just as important – if not more so – to praise the effort and hard work that went into achieving those results. Doing this will help kids understand that there is value in trying, regardless of the outcome.

confident kids

4) Encourage Healthy Risk-Taking:

Parents should foster an environment where their children feel comfortable taking risks and attempting new things. This could be anything from trying a new sport or musical instrument or even just speaking up in class. Taking healthy risks can help a child build confidence as they learn to trust their own judgement.

5) Model Confidence:

Children watch and learn from their parents more than they realize, so it’s important for parents to model confident behaviour. If you want your kids to be self-assured, make sure you are too. Show them how to be confident in uncomfortable situations, and don’t forget to praise yourself for your successes!

6) Have Realistic Expectations:

Parents should strive to set realistic expectations for their kids. This means being realistic about the amount of time it takes for a child to learn something or accomplish a goal, as well as not expecting children to achieve perfect results all the time. Doing this can help kids understand that mistakes are normal and nothing to be ashamed of.

7) Be Positive:

It’s important for parents to remain positive while raising their kids. Negative reinforcement can have an adverse effect on a child’s confidence, so always try to focus on the positives when providing feedback.

8) Give Opportunities to Develop Skills:

Providing kids with opportunities to develop their skills and learn new things is key when it comes to building confidence. This could be anything from signing them up for a sports team or art class, swim lessons, or simply giving them age-appropriate chores around the house.

9) Normalize failure:

Every child will face failure at some point in life, so it’s important for parents to normalize this experience. Remind your children that mistakes are an opportunity to learn and grow, not something they should be ashamed of. This will help them become more resilient and confident in the face of adversity.

10) Gentle parenting:

Gentle parenting is important for helping kids build confidence. This means responding to their feelings with empathy and understanding, using positive reinforcement, avoiding power struggles, and being mindful of their individual needs.

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising confident kids, these tips can help parents provide their children with the tools they need to become more self-assured. With proper guidance and support, children can learn to trust in themselves and their abilities, which will set them up for success in life.

confident kids

How To Create Accessibility In The Home

For some, having accessibility within the home is important. There are also occasions when accidents or injuries happen and having an accessible home can be helpful during those times, whether they be a temporary aid or a permanent one.

Not all homes have been created with accessibility in mind, even though to do so, wouldn’t really do much in compromising the space. In fact, it can make the home feel more spacious as a result.

Check out these tips, to create accessibility in your home.

Install ramps on exterior doors

Ramps are a great addition to the home as they can help those in wheelchairs or those that can’t lift their legs high up, access the home. Some may only install ramps on the front door but what about the back? Anyone who might want to go outside, out the back, might find it beneficial to have a ramp installed on the back door too!

Ramps come in many shapes and sizes, with some being permanent solutions and others being temporary ones, depending on their use. A perfect solution to creating accessibility.

Create wider door frames

Wider door frames are always worth having when it comes to creating accessibility in the home. These door frames can help those in wheelchairs or those who might need a bit of extra room when it comes to squeezing through. For example, someone on crutches may greatly appreciate having a wider door frame in place.

These can be fitted fairly easily and there are still plenty of options that can be used when it comes to their style and appearance of them.

accessibility

Consider mobility in the bathroom

When it comes to accessibility, one of the most important places to have mobility in the home, is in the bathroom. A bathroom is a place where mobility shower cubicles and hand rests are worthwhile to have installed. A walk-in shower cubicle is an easy way of adding accessibility and it looks visually stunning too!

If there’s not enough room for a walk-in shower, add a pole to the side of the bath to help a person ease themselves in and out of the bathtub. 

Have a door entry system in place

A great addition to the home that brings both accessibility and security to the property is a door entry system. For those times when a person might struggle to open the door by the handle, a door entry system is a better way to get into the home.

The door entry system can also help add that extra layer of security to the property.

Make sure the floor space is always clear

The floor space is an area of the home that’s important to try and keep clear as best as possible. There are going to be days when the clutter gets on top of you. However, it’s good to try and clean as you go and to purchase any additional storage in order to stay on top of the mess that can often form.

Creating accessibility in the home is great for those who need to cater to their less-than-able household or any guests that might be invited to the home.

accessibility

A Festive Feast Of Blog Posts From My December Advertisers

AD – PLEASE NOTE – this is a paid advertisement

Special advertising offer!

A discounted festive feast for you!

Regular package – £4.00 instead of £5.00

Grande package – £8.00 instead of £10.00

Offer valid until Fri 23/12 at 9 pm.

Email mummyconqueringanxiety@gmail.com to secure your place!

festive feast

Want to book an advertising spot? I am taking bookings from 2023 – details here.

festive feast

Welcome to my December 2022 advertisers

Happy festive month! However you celebrate this month, I hope you have a wonderful time. Full of joy.

Please show my December 2022 advertisers some love, by commenting, sharing their posts, and interacting with one another. I regularly post on Twitter about the blogging community and how it is great to be part of such a supportive group.

Look out for updates on these advertisers and their amazing work, throughout the month on Twitter. And feel free to have a festive feast of blog posts at your disposal for your relaxing moments over the holiday.

Life Of Morag

festive feast

A little bit about the blog

I started Lifeofmorag after a life-changing accident as a way to fill my time and give me focus. That was back in 2018. Now four years on I write about a range of topics from travel (I have visited 39 countries) to books to social issues. I also write a lot about chronic illness and mental health, both from my own experiences and coping strategies. 

Blog posts you should check out for your cosy winter reads

‘PREY FOR THE DEVIL’: HORROR, PSYCHOLOGY, POWER IMBALANCES AND A FILM REVIEW

NEW BEGINNINGS: A SOCIAL WORK MASTERS

MANAGING TRAVEL ANXIETY: CHRONIC ILLNESS, COVID RULES AND BODY IMAGE

Ways to connect with Morag

Instagram

Twitter

festive feast

Bookish Night In

Bookish Night In is proud to announce their Christmas advent calendar box with FOUR fantastic gifts and FOUR signed amazing books! A festive feast for your enjoyment.

Featuring amazing authors and their fantastic books – 

Loxley Savage with Seven sins of snow 

VB Gilbert with Bairseach 

Willow Hayes with Ours to keep  Mallory Fox with A history of violence.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODES

Use code STRONG to get £10 off the advent calendar box 

Use code STRENGTH to get £5 off our deluxe boxes 

festive feast

A little discount for you

Use code – SAM22 at checkout to get 10% off Ships worldwide. Klarna is available. 

A little bit about the website

Discover the book box you DESERVE! Bookish Night In is proud to announce our December pre-order box featuring The Prophecy Of The Water Sprite by K. Rose & Raiders Treasure by Leann Ryans! Also, our Christmas advent calendar-style box which features Loxley Savage with Seven Sins Of Snow & VB Gilbert with Bairseach. Willow Hayes with Ours To Keep & Mallory Fox with A History Of Violence.

How does it work?

  • You can buy one of our available now boxes and get it right away, or, pre-order the next one.
  • You can choose between a budget box, with one signed book, or, a deluxe box with two signed books. You have the option to choose either a self-care package or an adult toy.
  • Our budget boxes contain at least three self-care products and our deluxe boxes come with three to five self-care products. Our adult box comes with an adult toy worth at least £40.

Ways to connect

Join the Facebook group for author & book reveals!

Website

Linktree

Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates

Sign up for my freebie library. With new freebies added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

The latest freebie…  Download the new checklist bundle – bright colours for making organising more fun…

cosy winter reads

Final Thoughts

Please show these amazing bloggers some love. And look out for updates about them throughout the month.

drastically improved

Looking for some gift guides for your purchasing needs?

You can check out all my gift guides here. A festive feast of wellness guides, books for managing anxiety and children’s toys.

Children’s Books & Toys Which Make The Perfect Gift

Welcome to my children’s books & toys gift guide. If you’re still struggling with gift ideas for Christmas, check them out. Maybe you want to donate some gifts to charity. Or you need a present for a nursery school birthday party.

Whatever the occasion, I have you covered with some fantastic ideas.

Children's Books & Toys

Quick note: Some of the links on this page are sponsored & affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for you.

Children’s books

Children's Books & Toys

Full Media

I have worked with Full Media previously and I am supportive of independent book publishers. Several of their books were included in the blog post discussing Children’s emotions. Today, I have some new titles to share and some fantastic plush toys to accompany the books.

Books

Plush Toys


Some other books for you to check out:

Matthew James Publishing

Clara Claus Saves Christmas

First, the reindeer got sick. Then Santa got sick. Now it’s up to Clara Claus and her slightly annoying brother Nick to save Christmas. But with toys to make, elves to manage, lists to sort and flying reindeer to train, can they summon enough Christmas spirit to deliver the perfect Christmas?

Clara Claus Saves Christmas is an exciting festive adventure filled with fun and Christmas spirit from the author/illustrator team that created the hugely popular Catch that Cough. Filled with friendship, family, heart and trust, as well as beautiful illustrations, Clara Claus is the perfect book to bring home this Christmas.

Susan Berk Koch

If you haven’t already read the blog posts written by this amazing science whizz, then head over there now. I genuinely look forward to reading her blog posts, especially the attractive and fun layout. And how she makes science fun.

I’ve recently found out she also wrote a book for kids. And I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Chemical Reactions brings chemistry to life with hands-on, science-minded activities and plenty of text-to-world connections that invite kids ages 7 to 12 to discover the wonderful world of chemical reactions!

Elfland Lost Wish Book & Character Explanations

This book is perfect for a Christmas Eve Box. I have let my little one start reading the book now, in the build-up to Christmas. And she absolutely loves it.

Christmas Eve Box
Elfland Range

Discover The Lost Wish by Clare Anderson and Emily Jacobs, illustrated by Emma Kurran, where imagination is limitless, and pure adventure awaits. It’s a tale guaranteed to excite and inspire young readers everywhere. 

Set off on a remarkable journey through a mystical land! Join Siena, a bright and brave little girl, who one stormy night, steps through a magical archway and into Elfland; a thrilling world of friendly elves, dangerous dragons, flying pixies and talking rats! Discover what adventure awaits her.

Buddy Soft Toy from The Lost Wish

I will be purchasing this plush toy, as an addition to my little one’s Christmas Eve Box. And to tie in with the theme of the book.

Christmas Eve Box
Buddy Soft Toy

Other great book titles we currently read at home

We actually bought Dave the Lonely Monster from a literature festival. Because it reminds my little one of a family member. This is one of the books tucked away on her high shelf, for safekeeping. And every now and then, Dave makes his appearance.

I love sitting down to read this book with her and we have hours of fun falling in love with lonely Dave.

We are huge fans of The Gruffalo books in our house. But recently our little one loves the puppet book and really interacts with the character. It is lovely to see.

Meg & Mog is such an old classic. We actually found our copy in a charity shop. My little one specifically asks for the ‘Meg & Mog book’. I just love the graphics and the feeling of nostalgia when reading it.

Children’s toys

Children's Books & Toys

WoWoW Toys

WoWow is a huge toy marketplace, with a great range to choose from! There are helpful sections, which are age-related and you can also search by toy type.

You can get 10% off your first order, by signing up for the mailing list.

AN ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT, FOR A LIMITED TIME… Until 31 December 2022, how about a mahoosive 12% discount, using code AW12

Some of my fave toys on the site:

I had a little look around the website and I have to say, the Peppa Pig Cash Register and the Wooden Market Shop are my faves.

They would go down well as Christmas presents in our house. Given that we are at the imaginative play stage.

Peppa Pig Cash Register

Melissa and Doug

Since my little one was a baby, we’ve purchased from this brand. I just love how unique the pretend play toys are.

Sign up for the mailing list for 25% off your first order!

ALSO 25% off orders over $75 with code GIFTDEC22

Deluxe Magnetic Standing Art Easel

Help spark creative expression in your budding artist with this generously sized, deluxe wooden easel featuring both a magnetic chalkboard and a dry-erase board. The removable plastic trays mean that kids have loads of easy-reach art supplies (not included) at their fingertips. Plus 39 letter and number magnets that are great for extended play!

Let’s Play House! Baking Play Set

What will children pretend to bake up with this 20-piece set? Anything they can think of! Promote creative play and imaginative thinking with these food-grade baking tools made of premium materials like stainless steel and solid wood, sized just right for little hands and play kitchens.

Hammer & Saw Tool Bench

The 32 pieces in this wooden building set include nails to pound with the hammer, screws to turn with the screwdriver, and panels to connect and saw apart. 

LEGO Minifigure 1000-Piece Puzzle (Jigsaw)

We do love a good puzzle in our house. We are all problem solvers and it’s great to see my little one making the connections in her brain. And using vital skills, whilst also playing.

This challenging 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle comes together to reveal a collection of your favourite LEGO mini figures! Whether you are a Master Builder or have just started clicking bricks together, this puzzle creates LEGO fun the whole family can enjoy together.

Bluey Mini Memory Game

We are huge fans of Bluey in our house. It’s the one kid’s programme we can all sit down and watch together. I won’t lie, the hubby and I get quite emotional at the lovely family moments.

I even have a Bluey blog post coming up soon.

Paint a Tea Set

My little one is a creative little soul. She loves sitting down with her paint pots and is so proud when she makes something of her own.

Every birthday and Christmas, she receives something creative from us. And we have hours of fun making something together. Then proudly displaying it on a shelf.

Final Thoughts

I hope you loved checking out these great items. I certainly had fun sharing the Children’s Books & Toys, we buy for our little one. And the amazing memories these create.

What is your favourite from the list?

drastically improved

Saving Money Might Be The Thing That Helps You In The Future

Saving money might be the very thing that helps you out of some sticky situations in the future. We know that it’s not always easy to save money as there are so many situations in which you will find yourself wanting to spend, but we promise you that you’re not going to regret it if you manage. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you may need to save money for in the future, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

saving money
Image Location – CC0 License

If Something Goes Wrong Financially

The first reason that you’re going to need to save is if something goes wrong financially. It’s always difficult to know when things are going to go wrong, so you’ve got to be prepared at all times as much as you can. It’s tough when things go wrong financially, and it often feels as though you’re a failure, but we promise you that this is not the case. Everyone struggles sometimes, whether that’s because they have lost their job, or because there has been a big, unforeseen expense. The important thing is that you have something that you can dip into to support yourself for a while.

saving money

If You Need Something Immediately

If you need something immediately, then having money in savings might be the best thing that you can do for yourself. We don’t all have spare cash just laying around, ready for when we need it, but savings can be used for this if you need to. If you’re worried about spending this money, you can always put it back when you get your next paycheck to put yourself back where you were.

Some of the things that you may need money for are home repairs, purchasing a new car if your old one stops working, or maybe even legal issues. If you do end up with legal issues and are going to be attending court, you may want to look into something like giving evidence lessons by veritas witness training just to make sure you’re fully prepared.

Money To Fall Back On

Last but not least, the reason that money is so important is that you have to have something to fall back on. It’s nice to know that you’ve got this sum in your bank account, ready for you to use should you need it for whatever reason. It’s a safety net of sorts, and everyone should have one if possible.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that saving money can be helpful for in the future. We know that some people have a habit of thinking that the future is going to pay for itself, or that this is a problem that you can tackle when it comes around, but this is not usually going to be the case. You need to save now so that if you do find yourself in a tough situation, you know that you have a plan in place to support you. We wish you the very best of luck.

saving money

3 Reasons A CityStack Bundle Is The Perfect Affordable Gift

CityStack is the perfect, affordable gift for pub lovers! I wanted to write about a quirky gift. Something you can purchase if you’re struggling with ideas on what to buy someone.

Maybe you want to give a friend the gift of socialising. Or you want to buy the stack for yourself so you can spend more time with the people you love.

Whatever the motivation to buy this amazing, affordable gift. I have some further information in this post and I can’t wait to introduce you to this quirky stack. 

affordable gift

Get a stack of beer mats for just £20 and offer a gift of £100 worth of food & drinks at ten amazing independent pubs across London

Quick note:  Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links. If you go through an affiliate link to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be helpful for other people.

Keep reading for a discount code for free shipping

affordable gift

What do I get?

This pack offers ten money-saving coasters, each giving £10 off a £20 spend at one of the ten independent London pubs that are part of the collection. It’s a total of £100 worth of food & drinks offered per pack!

How does it work?

When it is time to pay, give the coaster to receive a £10 discount on your bill. This discount is available on any item on the menu, including food and drinks. And you can use the discount at any time.

3 great reasons to purchase this stack

Socialising

CityStack has been created to support independent pubs that are struggling with the current economic situation. Additionally, answer the issue of budget for going out.

There is no doubt everyone needs to tighten their budgets at the moment. But this shouldn’t mean we end our social lives. Often, we need human connection and time out to relax. And we must prioritise this in order to protect our mental well-being.

Supporting local businesses

With this pack, you save money. And get the satisfaction of supporting a selection of great independent pubs at the same time. It’s a win-win!

Discover new places

I always love purchasing a quirky gift like this. Giving the gift of experience is something I always try and do for my family members. With this stack, you may end up visiting a local business you’ve never discovered before.

Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. You never know, you might meet new people or one of these businesses might become your favourite place to visit. You never know if you don’t try.

Here’s to the joy of discovering new places!

affordable gift

Discount code & free shipping

Use code MUMMY22 at the checkout to receive free shipping on your first order.

This coupon is available up to Christmas!

affordable gift