Food and Flowers - Christmas Hamper ideas

Wow can you believe we are more than half way through November? The festive season really is approaching fast and I think it's safe to say it's officially acceptable to indulge in a cheeky mince pie and hot spiced apple tea (or mulled wine). To me food is very much connected to seasons, celebrations and brings back memories and helps create new ones as you celebrate with friends and family around a big feast of delicious treats as well as making it a time to try new things. That is why I love foodie gifts as they offer something for everyone especially for tricky people to get gifts for as they are both practical, useful and of course delicious. So as you can imagine I was very excited at the chance to review a wonderfully festive hamper from Prestige Hampers which has an array of options to fit all budgets. Mine was the Traditional Gift Basket which is basically Christmas in a box and has pretty much has everything you need to get in the Christmas mood including two ......

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Mothers Day gifts that give back

As you may already know I am trying to massively minimalism my life and belongings and what I bring into the home, so when I do purchase something I try to find products that give a little bit back to this beautiful worlds of ours. Giving presents can be so incredibly satisfying and at times far more so than receiving so I thought I would share a few ethically inspired gifts that would make great presents for that all important mother figure in your life this Mothers Day. I thought first I would start off with one my favourite Interior Stores - The White Company and their White Heart Foundation collection. This foundation and collection is committed to helping vulnerable women and children build a brighter future but donating 10% of sales to three fantastic charities - Prince's Trust, Refuge and Place2Be. Out of the collection I love this Shopper Tote bag above which is currently on sale at £11.20 as well as this beautiful Porto Stoneware Heart Plate below - both wo......

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Don't commit another Gift Crime

With my eldest birthday this week and my birthday last week it has been a time of both giving and receiving in our household. When it come to Birthdays (and Christmas) we are very much about Less is More and rather pick a few quality gifts than hundreds of plastic toys which will break in a matter of hours. This means that the few gifts we do pick have to be both meaningful, practical and of course perfect for the individual receiving them, this does however causes some pressure on us to get it right, as it can be really easy to get it wrong. I have to say I am pretty lucky as John has really good taste when it comes to clothes, books and music and I am very rarely am I disappointed in anyway but that doesn't extended to everyone. I have always been brought up to be grateful for every and any gift received because at the end of the day it's a wonderful thing to be given something by someone else no matter how large, small or useful it is although some have in the past ......

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Mothers Day gifts for the home + Giveaway

Enjoying some Tea Pigs tea and a new book Mothers day is one of those wonderful little celebrations of gratitude, a chance to show our mothers that we care, to give a little back to all the years they have given to us so if your stuck for what to get your mother on mothers day here are a few last minute suggestions that may help. Glass Bird stopper bottles  Mollie and Fred have an array of cute home wears and quickly little gifts including these sweet little glass bird stopper bottles which would be perfect on a dresser or in a kitchen and are only £5.99 and offer something a little bit different. They also had an array of pillows, plates and things for the home. I love this heart map The Handpicked Collection is another great site that offers a huge selection of original and interesting pieces including this personalised trio of hearts framed maps which would be perfect for any travel loving mum. Debenhams Flowers Okay so some people my think ......

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My Saver Story

Thank goodness for saving as if we had not been putting a little away each month we would of been hit really hard over Christmas with various things going wrong in the house as well as expecting our second child. In our family I am far more cautious and tend to think ahead while John is a bit more spontaneous with regards to purchases and yet we are the opposite when it comes to travel and adventures. Although since becoming parents we have over the years tried to hit a middle ground as when you have a household to run and kids to clothe, feed and entertain, too many unfortunate expenses can suddenly put a lot of strain on you and it's been one of those times when everything has come at once but we have been able to ride it out due to making sure we put something aside each month. As you grow as a person you of course change and so does the way you do things. Looking back and reflecting on that here is what our saving story has been in the past, present and our dreams for the ......

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Beautiful bracelets

I have to say one of my favourite accessories has to be bracelets, especially when summer and festival fever kicks in as I love the natural wooden beaded ones such as my "Wild and Free" bracelet above and I like layering them for a boho effect which goes perfectly with a flowing sun dress or shorts and a loose tee. My blue brass bangles below have all actually been found by Johns father who goes metal detecting and I love that they have a story behind them. Talking about stories and memories my mother has a beautiful tennis bracelet that will one day be passed down to me and than hopefully onto on of my children, which is what is also so great about bracelets is they can also be that added little extra sparkle when your going on somewhere smart and want to look chic or even a family air loom and there are some really stunning ones on the market. I really would really like a delicate gemstone or  Diamond bracelet , like the ones above from Anjolee, th......

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Easy Easter treats

Homemade Fruit and Nut Chocolates  So I have been playing around with different fruit and nut energy bar recipes and thought I would create some chocolate balls for easter as they are sort of egg shape (well they are too me anyway) and are super easy to make and pretty healthy as treats go, especially since I used 70% low sugar Dark Chocolate and the rest of the ingredients are all natural and when boxed they really do make lovely presents. Fruit and Nut Chocolates 50g ready to eat Prunes or Apricots 50g sultanas or raisins 25g ready to eat dates or figs 25g flaked almounds 25g chopped hazelnuts or walnuts 2-3tsp lemon juice 50g good-quality dark chocolate 1. Chop the fruit and nuts in a processor or blender until nice and small. Add the lemon juice and process again. Scrap the mixture into a bowl and taste to see if you need to add more lemon juice. 2. Roll the mixture into small balls and melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Using two fo......

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Looking for the Perfect Valentines Gift

Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a bunch of roses and chocolate - I mean I won't turn them down, but being a bit more creative or tailoring the gift more to the interest of your partner rather than just picking a generic option can go a long way in my books. I love the graphic below and I totally agree, especially when your a mother that time of from chores and a child free evening is one of the best gifts you can give, time to actually put your feet up, read a book and relax in a warm bath sounds like total bliss. When it comes to Valentines you need to strike the balance between being romantic but not cheesy and to show the ones you love how special they are and it really doesn't need to cost the east, some nice bath salts would do me. What is your dream Valentines gift? Escape and unwind by creating a real pamper session at home with luxurious foot care and beauty care products . ...

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Boys Club - Create your own

Mr A in his Create your own Polo When we went to London in July we had the chance to pop into the Ralph Lauren Store on bond street which offer The Create your Own Polo experience in-store, a really unique concept where you can design your own polo and make something truly unique, a great present for the other half. The lapel options and lettering of the Create Your own Polo John loved the idea as you can pick what fit and finish you want, big or small pony, custom embroidery and placement and of course colour and finish. The process usually takes around an hour in-store but due to being on a time limit we decided to finish John and the little mans order online, which may I say is easy and efficient and something I am going to be locking away for Birthdays and Christmas's to come. The Create your Own experience in Ralph Lauren, London We thought it would be a great keepsake for both Mr A and John and we may even make it a yearly thing, as it would be gr......

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