Lifestyle

Blog posts related to lifestyle – you will find a range of topics under this section, all related to my life as a mummy, with a toddler

Interior Design, Lifestyle

5 Reasons You Must Display Your Cherished Family Memories And How To Create Photo Gifts

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AD – We’ve recently renovated most rooms in the house, and it was time for a refresh. We don’t want the hassle of fully decorating. But a simple canvas photo, which displays your cherished family memories, can bring the room to life. 

I am excited to share with you some new canvas pictures I’ve created…

Cherished Family Memories

In this post, I want to discuss the reasons I display so many pictures on my wall at home:

Mental Health Benefits

If I’m having a bad day, looking at cherished family memories displayed on my wall can lift my mood. It makes me feel much better. I find myself standing there for a while, thinking about all the great times we’ve had. It’s great to look forward to creating even more family memories. And reminisce about the good times with grandparents who’ve now passed. 

Strengthening the family unit 

Research shows that children who grow up around images of their family unit, learn who they are and where they fit in. What a wonderful lesson for your children. My toddler has commented on our pictures many times before. And she always notices and gets very excited, when we put new ones up.

Helps us form stronger memories 

Picturing memories as clearly as when the photograph was taken, helps us remember them accurately. The human memory is a funny thing and it can fade as we grow older. 

I remember looking through an old suitcase of photographs that my Grandma had. It was my favourite pastime when I visited her house. And my little one is following in the family’s footsteps. She gets excited when we have a new photograph on display. And regularly asks to look through the photographs on our phones, or photo prints hidden away in storage boxes. 

Creates a feeling of homeliness

What is more homely than having your immediate family displayed on your wall at home? We get comments from everyone who visits our house, on how lovely our images are. And whilst some family members moan because I take “too many” photos on a day out. They are always happy to see the end result and the lasting memories. 

Create a timeline with a gallery wall 

In our house, we have a whole wall dedicated to the birth of my little one, surrounded by other family memories. We explain the story of how she arrived and let her look at the pictures. It’s a great way to approach a tough subject with your other family members. My birth story caused me a lot of pain and trauma for a while. But I am now finally able to look back having moved on. And I always loved the birth pictures being displayed, despite how challenging the experience was.

Now let’s talk about how I created these wonderful images:

Collage Canvas

If you follow any of my blogs, you will know I love a good collage to display several photos in a set format. The templates available at MYPICTURE.co.uk are easy to use and provide you with a picture arrangement to group together and display your favourite memories.

We have two collage canvases’ on our wall and will be gifting another one to a family member. Creating lasting memories like this can make a wonderful gift for family members. It will never go out of fashion or be hidden away in a drawer. 

Cherished Family Memories
Cherished Family Memories
Cherished Family Memories

Nothing can beat cherished family memories…

Photoboard 

I love the photo board idea. It looks great on the shelf next to the TV. And is a recent picture of our little family. Doing what we love best – being outdoors and walking in nature. 

photoboard

Mouse mat 

Mouse Mat

This memory is from a holiday abroad. Somewhere our family has visited for years and it has a special place in our hearts. 

It will make the perfect gift and I can’t wait to see the reaction!

Discount code

You can now use discount code CONQUERING15. The code gives a 15% discount on top of any other discount running on MYPICTURE.co.uk

Final thoughts 

My next step is to create a photo gift, using my toddler’s wonderful nursery pictures. Like other parents, we have so many and it’s difficult to display them all. 

Any suggestions on how to do this? 

Do you have photo walls at home? What are your thoughts on canvas photo collages? 

I would love to hear from you in the comments below. 

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Blog goals, Lifestyle

4 Ways to Make Money From Your Passion

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Speak to enough people, and you’ll get a sense that no one really wants to work — they just do it because, well, they have to. Yet, while it’s fine to just make a living so you can enjoy other aspects of your life. We all know that, deep down, it’d be much more satisfying to make an income by doing something that you truly love. If you’re passionate about your work, then, on most days, it won’t feel like work at all. Learn how to Make Money from your passion…

Make Money
Pexels – CC0 Licence

Making money from your passion can seem like a pipe dream, but it’s more within reach than you might expect. In this post, we’ll look at a few ways that you can earn that bread doing something you love.

Become a Coach

If you have a talent for something, then in all likelihood, they’ll be other people who also wish they had that talent. You might never sell out Madison Square Garden with your guitar, but you can take all your learning and understanding and help other people to improve their own skills. There are plenty of ways to sell your skills online, too — for example, you could consider putting together an online course. If it’s good enough, then you will make sales. 

Make Money

Create Your Own Products

You could also consider creating your own products. All those products you see for sale in the store? They didn’t come out of thin air — they’re there because someone made them. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be able to create your own car. But your own t-shirts, makeup products, home decor items, and accessories? As with anything, if they’re good enough, then people will be interested in buying them. Look at selling online and at craft markets. 

Start a Marketplace

You don’t even necessarily need to make your own products to begin selling. One increasingly popular option is to put together your own online marketplace where vendors can sell their products. This requires more work than most other suggestions here, but equally, it can be much more profitable, since you’ll get a cut of every product sold. Take a look at this handy ‘create online marketplace’ guide to see the steps that you need to take. The beauty of this business idea is that it can provide a relatively passive income since you’re just creating an environment where other people can buy and sell. 

Follow the Path of Others 

Everyone wants to make a living via their passion. But here’s the thing — some people have actually been able to do it. It’s these people that you should be looking at. Seeing how other people have made their dreams come true can provide a valuable source of inspiration that can motivate you to carry on even when the going gets tough. How you do it will differ from how they’ve done it, but you’ll likely find that there’s much that you can learn from them. You may even contact them directly to see if they can help you/you can help them.

Make Money
Money

3 Smart Ways To Downsize Your Life & Save A Lot Of Money!

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We’re in the unfortunate position of living through another difficult financial period. Those of you that remember the 2008 financial crisis will have hoped that it was the only recession you lived through. As inflation rates keep rising, life is getting much harder for the average person. 

Here are some tips on how to Downsize Your Life…

Downsize Your Life

In simple terms, everything is so damn expensive! 

We need to find smart ways to save money. And downsizing your life is a great place to start. Basically, downsizing involves going from something big or grand and swapping it for a smaller or more cost-effective thing. It’s usually spoken about in housing terms as people downsize to smaller and more affordable homes. While that is an option, it’s a bit extreme. Instead, here are three other ways to downsize your life and save money.

Downsize your car

Aside from your house, your car is probably the most expensive thing you own. It costs a fortune to run, particularly with fuel prices these days. So, selling your car and getting one that’s cheaper to run is a lot smarter. 

You can use online tools like the VW value my car registration search to see how much your vehicle is worth if you wanted to trade it in. Opt for something that’s more fuel-efficient and reliable than your current vehicle. This will help you save a fortune every month on fuel and every year on repairs. 

Downsize your shopping

How much money do you spend a week on shopping? If you go to one of the main supermarkets in the UK, you can easily run up a shopping bill between £100-£200 every week. 

There are plenty of ways to save money on supermarket shopping, but one of the easiest is to downsize to a cheaper store. Instead of going to Tesco or M&S every week, do your big shop at Lidl or Aldi. Everything is much cheaper, so you can buy all the stuff you like at a fraction of the cost. It all adds up and can slash your weekly shopping bill in half. 

Downsize your entertainment

It’s time to be smarter and more proactive with your personal finances. Stop splashing the cash on multiple subscription services that all do the same thing. If you’re subscribed to Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus, you’re probably spending close to £30 a month on entertainment. And this doesn’t even consider a Sky or Virgin Media TV subscription! 

Downsize your entertainment by choosing one or two subscription services instead of three or four. Opt for Freeview instead of paying for TV channels too; it’s really not worth it if you’re also paying for a streaming service. The chances are you’ll still be able to keep yourself entertained but for much less money. Also, you can chop and changes subscriptions whenever you want. Have Netflix for a couple of months and then Amazon for another few, etc. It lets you experience all the shows without paying loads of money every single month. 

Give downsizing a try to see how much money your family can save. For the most part, you’re making a few small changes and tiny sacrifices that have a hugely positive impact on your life. 

Final Thoughts

Do you have any tips on Downsize Your Life? Let me know in the comments below.

Downsize Your Life
Interior Design

Why I was inspired to create a gallery wall with Poster Store

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#AD – post in collaboration with Poster Store. I was gifted these posters, in exchange for a review. All views and opinions are my own, based on the product I received. Photos were also taken by me.

My personal journey throughout a bumpy year has now coincided with my living room revamp. Both of us have a fresh outlook, a fresh lick of paint, and a new attitude. No going back to our drab, negative, old ways ever again.

Why I opted to create a gallery wall with Poster Store

Our house requires some TLC. Poster Store contacted me at the perfect time. With my transformation this year, following mental health struggles, it was time to introduce some relaxing colours and prints into our home. A wall that will help my mental health moving forward. Therefore, I opted for Nature Posters.

Poster Store has a range of amazing posters. You can buy the posters, or add Scandinavian designed frames that are both beautiful and affordable, in a range of different colours and sizes. The website is easy to navigate and you are offered the correct size frame when you select your poster.

I needed inspiration for designing my gallery wall, and I used this as an opportunity to completely refresh our living room. Poster Store has a large poster selection, including different themes and categories for all tastes and they release a new poster collection every Tuesday.

Even better, all posters are printed on sustainably produced high-quality paper. Who doesn’t love a brand committed to helping the environment? It’s always a huge selling point for me.

The posters I selected

Creating a gallery wall with Poster Store, was a simple process.

The gallery wall section on the website helped me achieve the image I had in my head, of what I wanted our room to look like. I have absolutely no experience with interior design, but this section helps you imagine the posters on your wall at home. We’ve created epic wall art and I love it.

Before checking out this section of the website, I spent a while searching for prints. We finally made a decision, bearing in mind factors like a theme, how the images would complement our wall and what they would look like in our home.

The finished wall

Conducting some research on wall colours, narrowed down my choice. Of course, I had to buy some paint and spruce up the wall, to compliment my posters. We opted for Lush Green and I must say, the colour transforms our living space. I am so proud we managed to create a relaxing vibe. Working from home means I spend a lot of time here. I smile every morning when I walk into the room because it makes my home feel even more homely than it did before.

The colour of the wall, contrasting against the posters, just brings the surroundings to life. My journey throughout a bumpy year has now coincided with my living room revamp. Both of us have a fresh outlook, a fresh lick of paint, and a new attitude. No going back to our drab, negative, old ways ever again.

gallery wall with Poster Store

A run down of the individual posters and frames I selected

Glenfinnan Viaduct Poster

gallery wall with Poster Store

We knew this one would look great on our wall and I picked it from the very beginning of our search. It had to take centre stage on our gallery wall. I love it so much. It reminds me of days out walking and it’s just an epic image.

Summer Sunrise Poster

gallery wall with Poster Store

This poster reminds me of a lovely holiday we had in Devon as a couple. We stayed in a cosy cottage and the view from the back garden was very similar to this picture. I’ve booked those holidays in the past to help destress, try and ease my mental health struggles and stop and take stock of nature.

I now get a similar vibe standing in my living room and it brings back wonderful memories of our holiday.

Sunflower Field Poster

gallery wall with Poster Store sunflower field poster

A beautiful image of nature. As a family, we spend a lot of time traveling to soak up the outdoors. With the winter months setting in, it’s a little more difficult to get outside. It’s great I’ve now brought nature inside and I can look at it every day.

Sunflower Poster

Sunflower poster

What an image. Our little girl was recently gifted a sunflower and it’s growing nicely in my parents’ back garden. This picture makes us smile for that reason and the colours match perfectly with our wall colour.

Sunshine Forest Poster

Sunshine forest poster

This one is a close second to the viaduct poster. It reminds me of a beautiful time of day and I can almost hear the birds singing and the rustle of the leaves in the forest when I look at it.

Other areas of the house

Giraffe Poster

Giraffe poster

I had to purchase this print for my little girl’s bedroom. There is a range of giraffe posters on the website but I fell in love with this one. It complements the current pictures we have on her bedroom wall and is a great addition.

Roald Dahl Magic Poster

Roald Dahl magic poster

This one is for my office. Because I am working from home for the foreseeable future, it’s all about creating a positive work environment, to match my newfound positive thinking regime. I also love how playful this quote is. It reminds me of my little girl and the magic we feel when we see the world through her eyes.

I didn’t purchase this frame from Poster Store, as I intended to do something different with the quote initially.

Final thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading my post. Maybe you feel inspired to reinvent one of your rooms?

If you do, take advantage of the discount code below:

Code: MUMMYCONQUERINGANXIETY40

40% on all posters (except Selection Posters and frames)

Not combinable with other discount campaigns. Valid from 8th to 21st of November 2021.

I would love to hear from you in the comments section below. About our room revamp or any plans you have to do your home up.

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Gift Guides, wellness

My Favourite Self-Care Products For Mother’s Day

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It’s no secret that I love affordable but effective beauty products. And I try and fit in self-care whenever I can. These trusted beauty products, allow me to quickly transform from mum mode into work or going out mode. And given our recent family financial difficulties, my purchases must also be affordable.

I want to share some of my favourite self-care products in this gift guide.

self-care products

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and 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 other people.

My Favourite products from the No7 range

self-care products

Here are some of the trusted No7, everyday self-care products I am currently using. And why I love them so much

Gel Finish Nail Colour 10ml (pictured above)

Every few months, I pick another colour from the range. It is part of my self-care routine, to do my nails for work and also when I go out. Let’s all just agree right now, that blogging images also look better when someone has their nails done! However, finding the time to do them is a different story.

Lip & Cheek Tint 10ml (pictured above)

I tried this product a while ago and it’s great. I bought a light shade of pink and it’s a lovely addition to the cheeks for going out. It also added some much-needed colour to my cheeks for work the other day.

High Shine Lip Gloss 8ml (pictured above)

Again, this is a product I use daily. If I fancy a bit of subtle colour at work, or for going out. It’s an easy-to-use product, and the coverage is great. It also has lasting power, without getting bitty.

Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Primer

I have tried several make-up primers in the past. But this one is silky smooth and gives a flawless finish to your makeup. I notice a difference when I don’t use it!

No7 The Full 360 Mascara 7ml

As someone with pretty short eyelashes, I need something which transforms my eyes from a normal working mum to going out to party mode. This mascara does just that and it’s a trusted product I keep going back to. Because it works. And it’s affordable.

Strength & Growth Treatment 10ml

In the past, I haven’t been kind to my nails. And I am now seeing the impact of the damage. As I frequently use nail polish, I need to use a treatment to look after my nails.

Stay Perfect Base Coat 10ml

A few years ago, I decided to start using a base and top coat with my nail polish. Simply to protect my nails and also give me a more flawless look. If you use this base with the gel finish products, it can give the look of fuller nails. A bit like you would get when they apply shellac in a salon. But with much less cost involved!

Gel Finish Top Coat 10ml

Exactly what it says on the tin. A flawless finish protects the colour of the nails underneath. If I am on holiday, this product can bring staying power to the nails, which is a must. Who wants to be doing their nails when they can be at the beach, with a cocktail instead?

Lift & Luminate TRIPLE ACTION Serum Concealer 8ml (pictured below)

I use this product daily. In place of a BB cream or foundation. The coverage is great and it leaves my skin looking fresh throughout the day.

no7
self-care products

I recently made a TikTok post about the self-care products I use daily, whilst sitting at my desk blogging. Featuring the No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream & Lip Care

In need of a gift or want to treat yourself – have a browse at Boots Fragrance

My Favourite self-care products from The Body Shop

Mother’s Day wellness

Why not pick up a wellness gift set for the amazing mum in your life?

Sleep

Sweet Dreams Gift Set

Boost

Breathe

self-care products

Because I love The Body Shop so much, I have made it a mission to try some new self-care products. And I must say, I am not disappointed. Read my review of them below.

the body shop

Trusted products I use frequently

Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

This goes on in a solid form but quickly melts to a nice clear butter. Not too heavy but feels nourishing and brings off the day’s impurities. It also smells lovely and there is a calming, take-the-day-off sense about it. I will now be adding it to my skincare routine and using it a few times a week. Along with my Edelweiss skincare products. 

Almond Nail And Cuticle Oil

This nail oil smells divine. I’ve been on the lookout for some great cuticle treatments for a while and thought I would try this. The brush and applicator allow just the right amount. And the consistency turns from a slight gel to oil once brushed on. A bit like smelling fresh cherry Bakewell baking in the oven, whilst you partake in self-care.

Edelweiss Serum Concentrate Sheet Mask

Let’s start with opening the packet – there is so much liquid in there, which gives great overall coverage and you know you’re in for a real treat. I will be honest and say I usually opt for the much cheaper sheet masks. And although this price point is higher, you literally get what you pay for and this product has a quality all over it.

I’ve never tried a sheet mask where the moisture soaks into the face and the mask eventually goes dry. But this happened with the Edelweiss mask. It smells lovely and my skin was left feeling nourished and refreshed after using it. I will be purchasing more. 

Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo 

I bought a little bottle of this to try it. When I’ve used banana products from other brands before, they can be overpowering and sickly. However, this has just the right amount of fragrance. It honestly makes my hair feel lovely and the smell brings about a relaxing sense. I will be purchasing a bigger bottle. 

Strawberry Shower Gel

I’ve loved the fruity scents from The Body Shop since I was a teen. It just depends on what scents you’re into the most. I feel relaxed, looked after and like I’m in a field picking strawberries when I use this product. Love it so much, so I had to treat myself recently.

Hemp Hand Protector

This is so nourishing with a hint of fragrance. You can tell it’s helping to protect your hands. My hubby uses it every day before work and I also love pinching a bit of it too!

Hemp Heavy-Duty Lip Care

As I suffer from dry lips, this product is a must for me. Especially to protect your lips in the cold weather.

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

I’ve used this product for a while now. And even before I purchased the Edelweiss range, the charcoal mask left my skin feeling fresh. And my complexion was noticeably clearer.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading the rundown of the trusted beauty products I use daily.

Do you use any of these products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

And I would love your suggestions on any other products I should try…

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The Body Shop

My Body Shop Beauty Review On TikTok

, 16 Comments

The fantastic offers you get when shopping online at The Body Shop keep me returning as a shopper. Not to mention the great, high-quality products. 

In this post, I want to walk you through a recent order I placed with The Body Shop and the great benefits I received. Also, share with you my latest beauty review.

beauty review
Beauty review on TikTok

Current offers on The Body Shop website

Disclaimer – depending on when you are reading this post, I would check the website for up-to-date offers

Firstly, there are two current offers available at the moment. And I have a discount code for you… at the end of this post.

You currently receive a free cleanser when you meet certain spending thresholds for skin care. I was on a mission to top up my Edelweiss skincare range, so I knew I would meet this threshold.

Who doesn’t love a shower gel and an offer to get a full-sized bottle for just £4.00 when you’re spending £15.00 overall? 

beauty review

Let’s talk about Edelweiss

It might be worth watching my recent TikTok beauty review video. Where I talk all about why I love the range so much. Here are the highlights:

-Glowing skin

-Smoother skin

-A self-care skincare routine

-Fresh-feeling skin

-A way for me to take the day off after work

-As a busy mum, something for myself

These are the reasons I will continue to purchase this skincare range. It makes my skin looks smoother and brighter, as a result of using the serum and intense smoothing cream daily.

Want another beauty review?

Because I cannot deny the quality of the products. And The Body Shop has always made me feel like I invest in my self-care, another beauty review is incoming soon. Follow me on TikTok to keep up to date with the latest videos.

Here is what you can expect to see soon…

A review of the Edelweiss eye serum concentrate. The older I get, it’s the area I like to focus on

Edelweiss Liquid Peel review

Edelweiss Serum concentrate sheet mask review

And LOTS more Body Shop products

Love Your Body club

As a member of the Love Your Body Club, I also earn points and receive rewards. So far I’ve spent £10.00 in-store, during a post-Christmas shopping trip. And for each subsequent purchase, I’ve received a £5.00 reward.

As shown in the images below, I have also been sent an Edelweiss sample. Which is a bonus, because I am trying to stock up on the range.

beauty review

The reward system is so easy to use, both online and in-store.

Is this your first time signing up for the club? Get 15% off your first purchase when you sign up. Use code: LYBC15

Use my discount code for purchases at The Body Shop

USE CODE MCA20 FOR A 20% DISCOUNT. Full terms & conditions are here.

Final thoughts

Let me know your thoughts on this skincare range.

Do you use it? Would you try it?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

And don’t forget to check out my next beauty review. My video reels are posted to TikTok, Instagram and also YouTube.

Why not sign up for my monthly newsletter, to receive exclusive offers and discounts, which are not shared on this blog?

beauty review

Check out all the other blog posts about The Body Shop

THE REASONS I PURCHASE WITH ONE TRUSTED BRAND FOR GIFTS & SELF-CARE PURCHASES

MY FAVOURITE SELF-CARE PRODUCTS FROM THE BODY SHOP

ADVENT CALENDAR OF TREATS FROM THE BODY SHOP

I HAVE MORE ADVENT CALENDARS TO SHARE FROM THE BODY SHOP

The New Edelweiss Range From the Body Shop 

Gifting, self-care

The ultimate list of self-care package gift ideas for every occasion

, 10 Comments

If you follow the blog, you’ll know I’m all about self-care. In addition to other aids, it’s what helped me recover from my breakdown. I finally started looking after myself after years of not doing so. 

And sometimes we need some products to assist us with our regime. A self-care package. What better way to relax?

In this post, I wanted to draw your attention to some of the trusted products I’ve used for years. The type of gifts I open, smile, and think to myself my family knows me well. 

Getting a new self-care product makes me happy. It’s also an excuse to ask my hubby to cover childcare so I can spend time trying it out

self-care package

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and 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.

The reason we ALL need a bit of self-care in our lives

These days, with lack of sleep and toddler madness, sometimes self-care for 15 minutes is all I have to make me feel a little bit better. And I take the opportunity. I’m currently writing this post with a face mask on, listening to yoga music. This is the first 15 minutes I grabbed to myself today and it’s 9 pm. I always need a self-care package on hand, for the moments I get to spend alone.

As a parent, making time for self-care is so important, and we should take time for ourselves. Even if it’s 5 minutes. Focusing on yourself will make you feel better. It will boost your energy and spur you on for the rest of your day. 

I learned the hard way, we should never neglect ourselves. Personal care is a basic human need and one I love to indulge in now. 

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    Speaking of indulgence, let’s dive into the list of must have products to add to your self-care package

    The Body shop 

    Shopping online at The Body Shop brings back so many memories. I remember buying the animal-shaped soaps because they smelled and looked amazing. 

    I was impressed by their ethos and I love scrolling through their range of products. 

    They come highly recommended by family and friends and are my go-to gift when I need to purchase something for Valentine’s Day. For any special occasion, you cannot go wrong with a purchase from The Body Shop. 

    Some of my product highlights 

    My brother loves the satsuma range and you will always find this in my shopping basket. 

    I love the sweet-smelling body butter and scrubs. The raspberry scrub smells good enough to eat. What an amazing addition to a relaxing bath, or even a quick shower for the busy mums out there. 

    For a previous anniversary, I purchased from the spa range. If you feel like getting romantic, it smells divine and you won’t be disappointed.

    Sign up to my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

    freebie library self-care package

    Sensory retreats

    I’ve been checking out the self heating eye masks and they look fantastic. They also come highly recommended, by customers leaving reviews and also top beauty influencers. You can find out more on their website.

    Getting a new self-care product makes me happy. It’s also an excuse to ask my hubby to cover childcare so I can spend time trying it out

    The beauty of it is, through sensory retreats, you can also buy now and pay later with Klarna. (PLEASE see their website for specific T’s & C’s.)

    self-care package

    Spectrum collections 

    I’ve recently been checking them out for an occasion I have coming up. My relative loves make-up and I am impressed by the huge range of cute brush collections I found on their site. 

    Alice In Wonderland bundle

    I am loving the Alice In Wonderland bundle and would love this as a present for myself. Hehe!

    Hello Kitty

    For the present I need to buy, I love the look of these Hello Kitty brushes.

    It’s also a huge incentive, free delivery applies to all orders over £40.00 and you can use the Klarna app for your purchases. Mine got used a lot over the Christmas period.

    Final thoughts 

    If you like any of the products discussed in this post, or you want to browse at your leisure (I love a good internet shopping session!), click on the buttons below. 

    Take me to Sensory Retreats
    Take me to The Body Shop
    Take me to spectrum collections

    Do you use any of these products and what will you be purchasing for Valentine’s Day this year? 

    Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you. 

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    self-care package
    self-care package
    Halloween

    4 times I rocked Halloween parties with my homemade costumes

    , 30 Comments

    Before the autumn season gets into full swing, I need to admit publicly, Halloween is my fave occasion. 

    And I LOVE making homemade costumes for the main event…

    We have storage boxes full of decorations. I’m so excited we now have a toddler who understands the occasion more, which means she can get involved. 

    I wish I lived in the US because I want in on the over-the-top celebrations. Everyone is out on the street, dressed up, interacting. We are a little more reserved here in the UK.

    4 times i rocked Halloween parties with my homemade costumes

    Maybe it’s because I repeatedly watched The Witches over & over at my Grandma’s house when I was little, or loved the iconic Halloween scene in ET (US friends, please tell me trick or treat night really is like this??), or because I am a little witchy myself. I just feel like this occasion was meant for me. 

    In my excitement for the upcoming celebrations and my participation in #Blogtober, I had to share some of the trusted Halloween outfits I’ve made myself for our Halloween parties in previous years.

    Disclaimer – for each of these outfits, I bought the basics and then adapted the outfit . ‘homemade’ is a bit of a stretch, haha!

    I also apologise in advance for the puns. Sorry, not sorry!

    Quick note: Mummy Conquering Anxiety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and 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 other people.

    You can purchase all of the items discussed in this article using the below links:

    Witch please, lets dive in…

    1. Day of the dead theme

    I love this theme. Having taken part in a fiesta when we holidayed in Mexico, this theme is amazing and really gets the party vibe going. 

    One year we went all out with fancy dress, bought face paint and all the accessories. We had matching decorations and I even did some baking to fit in with the theme. Our guests followed our lead and their costumes were also amazing.

    My hubby even let me do his makeup. We had a great evening.

    There is something about dressing up which makes the event more fun. I talk more about the joy of fancy dress in this blog post.

    Are you ready to make your Day of the Dead outfit?

    day of the dead outfit

    The tools you need to create this outfit…

    These are the best face paints. I used them in my party days, when dressing up and going out for too many hours was a weekly thing (just the thought of it now makes me tired!)

    The colours are great and they never left me with a rash or bad skin afterwards.

    I still have my headband in the storage box and I really want to dig it out now. If nothing else, the little one would love dressing up.

    I don’t know if I want to let her loose on my precious Halloween boxes though!

    I love the look of this and want to add it to my day of the dead outfit. I am currently checking out events where I can wear the outfit this year, when I should be writing for the blog, haha!

    This is just one of the dresses I found, but there are so many more, depending on what you’re confident enough to wear!

    I still wonder how the wedding dress ended up in the charity shop: did someone get divorced, are they still happily married, just having a clear-out. Anyway, it’s now in our storage cupboard covered in blood and black makeup.

    This is an additional accessory and it will bring your outfit to life (pun intended)

    I have a few more accessories below which will look great…

    Do you have any homemade costume ideas? Share them with me below…

    2. Zombie nurse

    Every time I looked for an outfit in this category, I wasn’t impressed with the ready-to-buy outfits online and therefore I decided to buy the basics and make my own.

    Halloween nurse in jail

    The tools you need to create this outfit…

    You need a plain nurses outfit, then it’s time to start creating and make it your own! Adapting it for Halloween is fun…

    You will need the following to make it your own…

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    I created my own version of this one. Think more blood, accessories, the wig above, and some creative face paint.

    You can then add shoes, tights, fake glasses. Anything you want!

    3. Zombie escape convict

    I bought the basic outfit, covered it in blood (fun times), and added some of the accessories below.

    The wig was my favourite addition to this outfit.

    I also used face paints to create a scary look.

    I remember this night well. I also wore red high heels and couldn’t walk by the end of the night!

    See my Pinterest board for more ideas…

    4. Halloween bride

    Don’t judge, but I once bought an 80’s style Halloween dress from a charity shop and spent an evening, when I lived alone, cutting it up and covering it in blood.

    It was probably a result of all the pent-up man-hating, because I stupidly tolerated players back in the day! haha!

    I still wonder how the wedding dress ended up in the charity shop: did someone get divorced, are they still happily married, just having a clear-out. Anyway, it’s now in our storage cupboard covered in blood and black makeup.

    Halloween costumes bridge and groom

    The tools you need to create this outfit…

    As well as shredding most of the material on the dress, I also pinned the front up and added tights, to give the full Halloween look.

    I used fake blood and black face paint to create a dirty, disheveled effect. Think nightmare-zombie bride. Wedding gone horribly wrong!

    These are the tools you need…

    I was ambitious with this outfit and made it for the Rocky Horror picture show. When we went out in Liverpool straight after the show, I don’t think people understood the concept. It was a great outfit, but I could have chosen a better audience for it. Maybe I will dig it out and find somewhere to wear it again… Hmm

    What do you think?

    There are so many other outfits you can create. This article is helpful. Cosmopolitan also has a great article on easy-to-make outfits.

    From a purely cost-saving perspective, I love buying the basics and adding my own touch to the finished product. I want to make something unique, that nobody else will be wearing.

    I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. For anyone who is really interested in all things spooky and wants a quick stop tour of the history of Halloween. Here it is.

    Witching you a Happy Halloween

    From your ghostest with the mostest. If you’re such a haunt mess with your outfit ideas for Halloween, I hope this article has given you some ideas for total squad ghouls dressing up vibes.

    I will stop with the puns now…

    Please comment below if you liked these ideas or you have any others to share. I would love to hear from you.

    You can use the search below to find other products for your Halloween outfit…

    Also check out the amazing Halloween section at Wilko…

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    Book Corner, Christmas, Gift Guides, Gifting, Toddlers, wellness

    Look No Further Than Elfland UK for Your Christmas Eve Box

    , 12 Comments

    I can’t be alone in wanting to get the perfect Christmas Eve Box for my toddler. How many other parents out there end up with the same, generic gifts from discount stores?

    These treats are some of the highest quality, cute gifts I’ve seen and I just had to share them with you today!

    Christmas Eve Box
    Elfland Range

    Quick note: AFF-GIFTED 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.

    DISCOUNT CODE – SAMXMAS – FOR A WHOPPING 20% OFF

    DONT FORGET – In some of the boxes, there is the chance to find magical tickets to win wellness products or the ultimate prize – a family trip to Lapland.

    Let’s dive into the list of items to make a magical Christmas Eve Box

    Elfland Sleepy Bedtime Giftset

    Christmas Eve Box
    Elfland Sleepy Bedtime Giftset

    What’s included in the box?

    1 x Box of 5 Sachets of Elf Eyes Self-Heating Eye Mask (worth £16.50)
    1 x Magic Wish Wand (worth £5.95) 
    1 x The Lost Wish Book (worth £9.95)
    1 x Happiness Spells and Wish Wand Instructions
    1 x Sleepy Elf Meditation (worth £3.95)
    1 x Lost Wish Colouring Page

    What other goodies are on offer, for my Christmas Eve Box?

    ‘Limited Edition’ Christmas Eve Treat Box

    Christmas Eve Box
    Limited Edition Christmas Eve Treat Box

    WHAT’S INCLUDED:

    1 x Box of 5 Sachets of Elf Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks (worth £16.50)
    1 x Magic Wish Wand (worth £5.95)
    1 x The Lost Wish Book (worth £9.95)
    1 x Sleepy Elf Pillow Spray (worth £8.50)
    1 x Sleepy Elf Pulse Point Oil (worth £8.50)
    1 x Lost Wish Colouring Page
    1 x Sleepy Elf Meditation (worth £3.95)
    1 x Happiness Spells and Wish Wand Instructions 
    2 x Camellias Tea House Very Berry Tea (worth £0.88)

    Elfland Lost Wish Book & Character Explanations

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

    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.

    Christmas Eve Box
    The Lost Wish

    Buddy Soft Toy from The Lost Wish

    I will be purchasing this today, 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

    Meet Buddy, Siena’s faithful and loyal companion from The Lost Wish, now available as a cute and cuddly plush toy.

    This super soft and squishy plush toy is made for hugs and playtimes. Take Buddy everywhere with you as you adventure together day and night. 

    Where you go, Buddy goes! Just like in the book, The Lost Wish, let Buddy be your most loyal friend and protector, someone who you can enjoy life’s adventures with. Just squeeze him tight, and Buddy will always be by your side, on hand to protect you no matter what.

    The Lost Wish Gift Box

    Christmas Eve Box
    The Lost Wish Gift Box

    WHAT’S INCLUDED:

    2 x Elf Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks (worth £7.90)
    1 x The Lost Wish Children’s Book (worth £9.95)
    1 x Magic Wish Wand (worth £5.95)
    1 x Sleepy Elf Relaxing Pillow Spray (worth £8.50)
    1 x Lost Wish Colouring Page
    1 x Sleepy Elf Meditation (worth £3.95)
    1 x Happiness Spells and Wish Wand Instructions
    2 x Camellias Tea House Very Berry Tea (worth £0.88)

    In every box, there is the chance to find magical tickets to win wellness products or the ultimate prize – a family trip to Lapland.

    Elfland Wish Wand

    I am so in love with this product because it’s really special and a keepsake. These items can be used for every Christmas from now on and I can’t wait for my little one to open this item in her Christmas Eve Box.

    Christmas Eve Box
    Elfland Wish Wand

    Suitable for age 5+ the Elfland Wish Wand is the perfect gift for all wannabe wizards and little elves, pixies, fairies, or just anyone who believes in the power of the imagination to bring dreams and magic to life.

    Elfland Elf Eye Masks Box

    Christmas Eve Box
    Self-Heating Eye Masks Box

    Elf Eyes have been created for children but are suitable for the whole family. Each mask is unscented. 

    Elf Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks are Especially Good For: 

    • Creating a magical experience for children as the eye masks heat up when placed over the eyes  
    • Helping to calm and relax overactive minds when excitement is high 
    • Christmas Eve boxes and stocking fillers 
    • Helping the whole family relax and sleep the night before Santa comes! 

    How to use your Sensory Retreats Elf Eyes Self-Heating Eye Mask 

    • Find a quiet cosy place to rest and recline 
    • Open the pouch and unfold your Elf Eyes Eye Mask 
    • Gently place the mask over your eyes and fit the loops comfortably around your ears 
    • Within a couple of minutes, you’ll begin to feel a gentle sensation as the Elf Eyes warms up 
    • Simply allow yourself to drift off as you enjoy approximately 25 minutes of deeply relaxing and soothing warmth 
    • If using on children (aged 5+), you may need to secure it with an extra knot to tighten the loops – adult supervision is advised while children wear the mask 

    Other wellness products for your little ones, to add to your Christmas Eve Box

    There are so many other products in the Elfland range. Including Sleepy Elf Relaxing Pulse Point Oil – 10ml and Sleepy Elf Relaxing Pillow Spray – 30ml

    You can check out the whole range here.

    Christmas Eve Box

    Recent posts on the blog

    Feel free to check out some of my recent posts on the blog.

    Lifestyle

    How to Create Your Dream Backyard This Year

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    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

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