My Christmas wish list

Christmas is mainly about the children in our house and I'm sure most people's houses with children. But this blog is mine... so this Christmas post is all about me :)

So here's some things that I'd *really* like to have! Some (probably most) are unrealistic thats why its called a wishlist right? Because I wish I had them.

I *need* a tartan scarf because I bought a jacket with tartan elbows and the only scarf that will match is this lambswool one...honest! Thats at the top of my list, I'd really like one before Christmas but I don't think that will happen!

Next on my list is a Kitchen aid mixer, artisan have the best looking design by far. This has been on my wishlist for about 3 years but I still don't have one. Like I said Christmas is for children in our house and all our Christmas money is usually spent on them! (sulky face).

I would LOVE a Mulberry purse (and bag for that matter) and a big chunky watch, I have a couple of D&G diamante watches that I never wear because I don't want to loose the diamantes... crazy I know but I've had to get so many of them replaced I really only wear them once or twice a year.

I'm obsessed with candles at the moment and I'm fed up of candles that only last a coupe of nights. I pretty sure these Jo Malone candles would last hours and send off a lovely smell too.

I really want to try biscuiteers biscuits that look delicious and loads of work obviously goes into the icing. Its just something I would never buy myself as they are quite pricey but you've got to experience the taste at some point, right?

Finally last on my wish list is the necklace from John Greed, I spend far too much time browsing their website and I love pretty necklaces. A girl can never have too many and this one is cute!

Tartan scarf / Kitchen aid mixer / Mulberry purse / DKNY watch / Christmas biscuits / Jo Malone candle / long necklace

What's on your wish list this year?

Feeding the ducks and Christmas Fun

I haven't felt particularly Christmassy until I spent the afternoon with my Mum and Millie last week. We went out to feed the ducks at a local lake. We thought they might be hungry and its one of Millie's favourite things to do! They were very, very hungry. As soon as we stepped out of the car they crowded round and some of the naughty swans tired putting their heads in the bread bag! Cheeky!

We had a really nice time its such a lovely place to feed the ducks. There are so many different types of ducks and swans that live there.

This is Millie pretending she isn't posing for the camera. My Mum bought her the hat from Next I can't see it online but they have them in quite a few stores.  She has also had so many comments on her snood which was a steal at £4 from Asda.

The garden centre that we went to is renowned for putting on a good display of Christmas treasures. We go most years and the children have a fab time. It has about 8 rooms of colour themed Christmas goodies, it is crammed full of stuff but somehow never looks too much or cluttered in any way!

 We all had a lovely time and its well and truly put me in the mood for Christmas. Millie was mesmerised by everything, I think she's going to love Christmas this year, she really doesn't seem to be able to remember much from last year and I still don't think she knows whats going to happen on Christmas morning! Its so exciting when you see how excited they are!

Review : Travelogue scratch maps

In the Summer I bought a Luckies scratch map for my sister and her husband as a wedding gift. They love to travel and once I'd had it framed it was a perfect gift. The quality and looks of it were very impressive.

When I got the chance to review the Travelogue which was also made by Luckies of London I expected the same quality and my expectations were high.

I am pleased to say I wasn't disappointed.

The Travelogue is in a plain, thick cardboard wallet and has two sides once you open it. The left hand wallet contains your 8 mini scratch maps which each has a different region of the World. Although we aren't yet 'World' travellers as a family, we have visited quite a few places in Europe. I scratched off the places we have been and it was really easy and fun to scratch off.

It also includes a travel journal that you can write in your travel plans, record your visits, useful information and contact details. Its a good sturdy journal and I would say that it would be very robust on your travels.

This would make a great gift for anybody that like to travel or is interested in the World.  This would also be a perfect gift for my 7 year old son who is fascinated with maps, countries and travelling. It would be lovely for him to start writing about his travels and where he would like to visit next and when he is older. Its defiantly something you would keep forever.

You should really have a look at all the other Luckies products iwoot.com sell.

The only downside to the Travelogue is that it makes you want to travel more and my bank balance doesn't think this is a good idea...

*I was sent the Travelogue free to review but all opinions are my own.

Gift guide for the outdoors type

In the media there has been such harsh reports of what weather we should expect this year. I personally hate being cold, I love to wrap up over winter and keep as warm as I can. In my opinion you can never have enough scarfs, gloves and woolly socks.

I find it quite hard to find gifts for male members of the family, particularly Dads! I (and I'm sure most people) buy my Dad socks most years,  but instead of just ordinary socks I'm going to buy him some socks that are bound to keep his feet warm, a good investment, not socks that will get holes in the toes after a few wears and ones that will keep his feet snugly warm!

So with the weatherman's advice I'm hunting for warm gifts and I have put together some ideas, for the males on your gift list, Bush Wear has some excellent gifts to help keep them warm this winter.

And everyone appreciates a hot cuppa, over the past week I've seen Mums on the school run with their hot brews waiting to pick up their children. Plain black would suit a man just fine!

Zippo Hand warmer / Marque thermal mug / Insulated gloves / Sock fiberfur

I think the Zippo Hand warmer is an absolutely brilliant idea, my father-in-law has rheumatoid arthritis and suffers with cold hands and feet. This would be great to slip inside his gloves, or socks once his gets home.

Will you be buying any 'warm' gifts for anyone this year?

*Feature post

DIY: Christmas Facepaints

Over the past few weeks with parties, Halloween and more birthday parties, my children have become quite obsessed with having their face painted. And, I in turn have found something that I quite enjoy and I'm improving at each time.

So with Christmas fast approaching and outfits in mind, everyone is going to be looking for inspiration. So to complement your novelty Christmas outfit, should that be the case, I thought I share a reindeer tutorial and some other easy to do Christmas face paints.

First of all you need to get some quality face paints to ensure the best coverage. Although I coverage on the first picture doesn't look great it actually did its just the way the camera kept picking it up! Its really simple to do when broke down like below.

1. Cover the entire face brown apart from the mouth area. Dab with sponge for better coverage.

2. Draw the white bits above the eyes, don't worry if its not straight you can cover with the black afterwards. Do three spots on each cheek and cover around the mouth.

3. Use the black to draw the antlers and along the white above the eyes. Around the mouth, make sure your brush is as thin as possible to do the strokes and top lip.

4. Add a red nose and red bottom lip.

5.Finally add glitter to the nose and white spots on the face.

Some other Christmas face paints that would be easy to do:

This is me posing for a competition photo, I did this myself in the mirror and this is a simple snowman that I found online.

Both these face paints are great as they will go with any father Christmas or Mrs Clause costume. It'd obviously also work excellently if you are going to dress up as "Rudolph the red-nose reindeer".

So who are you or your little ones planning to dress up as this year?

*This is a PR collaboration.

Motorbike gift wishlist

Its that time of year when myself and everybody else are starting to think about the perfect Christmas gifts. My boys (this includes my husband) are HUGE motorbike fans. 

I often get dragged into the World of motorbikes and find myself oowwwing and arrring at the TV screen during Moto GP. 

I find boys so hard to buy for especially when they have everything already. Dave obviously has all the gear needed to ride a bike so I've thought about the less obvious things... things that every motorbike fan should have in their life!

As for the younger boys they have motorbike models, bikes that look like motorbikes, helmets that look like motorbike helmets and just about everything Rossi (the World's best motorbike rider... apparently) branded you can think of.

So I have thought of different things this year, possibly things that might make my life slightly easier - but nether the less things that they will like too :)

Motorbike slippers would be perfect for all the boys in my family.

Motorcycle cake mould This would make my life so much easier when I'm asked for motorbike cakes.

Motorcycle sign Great to remind me to leave a space for Dave on the drive!

Motorcycle Key holder  Perfect for Dave to put his keys AWAY....

Do your have motorbike fans in your house?

*Featured post.