I had a thoroughly enjoyable Thursday morning with Mari, The Great British Housewife, exploring the first Hobbies and Crafts show at Bluewater. We would have been first through the door but we'd have had to elbow a few old biddies out of the way and apparently that isn't the done thing. Fortunately, there was so much space inside that it really didn't matter. Which is not to say that there wasn't lots to see: there was. It is the kind of event … [Read more...]
Kitchen Stars cooking classes, Croydon.
When Gymboree made my daughters cry, I was utterly devastated. Needless to say I handed in our notice, writing a furious accompanying letter. And then I had to work out what to do next. Tuesday is Dimples' Day: LBG is at school so it's just me and her. We used to do Gymboree then get errands done before the school run. I had to find something new to fill the time slot Gymboree had left vacant. Lucky for me, there was a place left on the … [Read more...]
Toys Naturally Giveaway
I was meant to do this giveaway before Christmas as part of the Kickstart Campaign. I nearly published it about three times. But I didn't want Hillary to get lost in the melee of Christmas giving. Which is not to say that she isn't worthy of it, because she is. Toys Naturally is her baby: a business born in a difficult financial climate committed to the ethos that toys should be well made from ethically sourced, natural products. And there is … [Read more...]
No child should be left in the cold by rising fuel bills
LBG is home sick today: she has a temperature, a barking cough and has lost her voice. It's awful to hear her squeak. I know what it's like because I get laryngitis often enough. But when it's three-year-old, your three-year-old it's worse. So we are staying at home. I'm keeping her hydrated, dosing her with Calpol and Nurofen (following medical advice obviously) and have whacked on the heating to keep her warm. Because I can do that without … [Read more...]
Land’s End Review
You've got to love all this talk about the weather. It's so very British. This morning, as I whacked up the heating in the car on the school run, Radio 4 told me that Blacks had experienced worse sales than usual in November because of the exceptionally mild weather. Fast forward seven days and even the South of England is expected to have snow before term ends. Despite the frigid temperatures, LBG is still reluctant to wear a coat. She … [Read more...]
Kick-start Christmas with The Little Green Paintbox Giveaway
There is frost on the ground and I have seen my second Santa of the season, so I'm back with yet more wonderful gifts to give away as we get ever closer to Christmas Day. If you haven't come across The Little Green Paint Box before, you really ought to go and take a look. The family run company is a great source of Eco-friendly arts and crafts for all ages. Added to which they are also organic and fair-trade, so they really are … [Read more...]
Kick-start Christmas Handpicked Collection Giveaway
It's the First Day of December, so it's the perfect time to tell you about today's Kick-start Christmas giveaway , which comes courtesy of the fabulous www.handpickedcollection.com. You may remember I wrote about their utterly gorgeous Decanter a couple of weeks ago. I told you then that I was a huge fan of their products, and wouldn't you know, they were so pleased that they offered me something to give to you. I can't tell you how … [Read more...]
