My Bedroom Dreams

Once upon a time my bedroom was a place for peaceful, childhood slumber.  A place to dream of wondrous and magical things, as vivid and as exciting as a child's endless imagination allows.  A bed filled with stuffed toys for cuddling and keeping any hint of monsters far away.

Later, it became a place for teenage solitude.  Away from parents, away from rules and regulations.  A place to hang out with friends, listen to angsty music and grow in the privacy of my own space.  With posters adorning the walls and shelves lined with books that would later shape my mind, my room helped me turn into who I would become.

Then came romance.  A love nest.  Somewhere to be alone with a loved one, safe, secure and happy in the company of the one I loved. A place for first kisses and the warm glow of  new romance.  Scented candles softly glowing and Endless Love playing on repeat to set the mood.

Being carried over the threshold saw the beginning of a new adventure.  Married life. The marital bedroom was a place for decision making.  Late night chats planning an exciting future together, snuggled in the security of each other's arms. A future full of possibilities lying ahead of us.  A wedding photo hanging on the wall.  Ornaments on the window sill.

Pregnancy made my bedroom my safe haven.  A cocoon to snuggle up inside at the end of each day.  Resting and waiting as the baby inside me developed and grew.  Extra cushions for comfort.  A cot positioned beside the bed in readiness for the new arrival, a promise of the changes to come.

A new baby brought sleepless nights, night time nursing and silent moments where I gazed upon my tiny miracle and felt the enormity and wonder of motherhood.  My bedroom was our sanctuary at 3am.

By the time that my fifth child came into my life, my bedroom had become a dumping ground for the kids' toys and clothes that they bring into my room with them as they seek me out to ask for things.  An overspill from their own bedrooms. My much loved bed has become a trampoline or a place to play hide and seek beneath the covers.  They play video games and watch TV in my room so my bed is always dishevilled by the time I get to crawl under the duvet at the end of a busy day.  My youngest wakes up most nights so his cotbed stays by our bed for convenience.  My sanctuary has become a family room. Some days the curtains don't even get opened in my rush to get up and out on the ever hectic school run.  I don't think I've had a full night's sleep for years.

With the cost and responsibilities of having five children, my bedroom has been sorely neglected and in dire need of some tlc.  The brown and beige paintwork is tired, the decor is shabby and there is a distinct lack of anything 'pretty' or feminine to mark it as my space.  My room is functional, but not personal, relaxing or tranquil.    Where once I had framed, family portraits hanging on my wall and beautiful wicker baskets on my shelves I now have a utilitarian storage unit holding plastic boxes filled with functional things.  The gorgeous co-ordinating bed linen  and cushions that once graced my bed have given way to mix and match duvet covers and fitted sheets. Spilled drinks, kids with tummy bugs or leaky nappies have ruined most of my luxury bedding.  Practicality and necessity has taken over from beauty and comfort.  I have no sanctuary anymore, nowhere to unwind and relax and simply be me.  I'd love to reclaim that space again.

My Drab Bedroom

A new colour scheme would be a simple yet uplifting start to a makeover.  Goodbye brown, dark and dreary, hello fresh and clean.  Natural hues would add a beautifully, delicate look. New lighting and fitted blinds would brighten up the room, inviting natural sunlight into our lives.  A beautifully framed mirror would reflect the light, opening up the room giving the illusion of extra space.  Luxury bedding, soft furnishings and rugs would give a fresh new look and add a subtle splash of colour.  Soft femininity would remind me of the woman behind the mother.  Shabby chic, vintage furniture would replace utilitarian storage units. A feature wall would add a striking statement and add a boldness that pays  tribute to the vibrancy of my remembered youth.

A wonderfully comfortable bed at the heart of the room would once again become a place to dream, to grow, to love, to reminisce, to relax, to unwind and to simply be. A comfortable space would help sleep to find me.  A room makeover could makeover my very being.

My Dream Bedroom by wendymcd83 on Polyvore

This blog post is part of the Silentnight Spring Bedroom Makeover Challenge.

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful! So Stay Warm!

Morphy Richards Washable King Size Fleece Heated Under Blanket Review

When I heard I was getting a heated blanket from Morphy Richards to review as part of the Innovators program, I was really not sure what to expect.  My preconceived idea on electric blankets is born from the 70's when old people had scratchy plug in blankets to protect them from the cold in their unheated houses.  However, after having used the Morphy Richards King Size Fleece Heated Under Blanket, my view has completely changed.  It's one of the best things I've ever reviewed!

The fleecy fitted blanket fits snugly onto the mattress.  There is no evidence of the ultra thin, energy efficient nano wires that are woven into the blanket to transmit the heat through it.  It just feels like a luxurious furry fleece.  My usual fitted sheet went over the underblanket with ease.

The underblanket is dual controlled with four heat settings to choose from.  I really feel the cold whereas Ian is less bothered by the chilly nights.  I hate getting into a cold bed and as I usually get in before Ian does, I have to endure freezing feet until the bedclothes warm up.  Not any more!!

The underblanket heats up the bed perfectly.  Having dual controls means I can turn my side up to the  maximum setting and Ian can set his at a lower temperature.  Getting in feels like climbing onto a giant hot water bottle.  Extra heat at the foot of the bed keeps your feet extra warm. It is wonderful!  (It has built in safety features and will shut off if it gets too hot.)

As you warm up, you can turn the temperature down using the controller and the blanket maintains a gentle warmth to keep you completely cosy all night long.  This luxury costs from just 2p per night so it is totally affordable.   This underblanket is definitely going to be my favourite winter item!

The underblanket is machine washable and tumble dryer safe and comes with a storage bag to keep it safely stowed away over the summer months.  It also comes with a 3 year guarantee.

The King Size Fleece Underblanket is £64.99 on the Morphy Richards website.  The single size costs £34.99 and the double size costs £44.99. Other styles are also available with prices staring at just £19.99.

I would highly recommend this item to anyone who like me does not like getting into a chilly bed!  In fact I am going to get one for Freddy's bed, to warm it up before he gets in, as he is terrible at kicking off his duvet, getting cold and ending up in bed with us every night.  This may be the solution!

It would be a great Christmas gift idea too.  Perfect for elderly relatives or kids alike to keep them super snuggly this winter!
 

The Brave Little Toy Who Keeps My Monsters Away

Forty years ago I found Snuggles.  Or maybe he found me.  I can never be sure.  But as a toddler I discovered him hiding in a bin behind the church hall that my mum used to clean.  He was furless (I'm still unsure whether he ever had fur or if it had been 'loved' away by a previous owner), a bit threadbare in parts and lacking a bit of stuffing.  But something about his twinkling orange eyes, his cute stitched nose and his friendly expression made me fall in love with him.  Snuggles had clearly had some adventures before he met me.  He had a past that I could only dream about.  I imagined him fighting monsters, keeping his previous owner safe and sustaining a few battle wounds as he bravely took on the creatures that lurk under beds when it is dark.  So I knew he'd keep me safe.  Snuggles was my protector.  My comfort.

Snuggles: My Brave Little Toy

Over the years, my scruffy little teddy continued to be my constant companion.  My older sister used to threaten to take him away and return him to the dustbin from which he came, telling me he was stuffed with maggots.  But Snuggles did not falter.  He stood proud and strong refusing to be upset by a mean girl.  After all, he could take on monsters.  He spent the nights fending off the creatures that hid under my bed in the dead of night.  He kept me safe and sound...even from older siblings.

Snuggles never left me.  Even when the thin material on his tummy split open, he handled it bravely!  My mum sewed a patch onto him.  She drew on an "S" for Snuggles...but I thought it was like the Superman logo.  Perfectly fitting for my Superhero teddy bear who had been my constant companion throughout my childhood.

Even as a teenager he was there.  When times were bleak, he offered me a hug.  When my own personal demons threatened to bring me down he fought them off as fiercely as he had fought off the ghosties and ghoulies of my childhood nightmares. There was something special about Snuggles.  He was worn and shabby but still held such charm and had a hold on my heart.  He had history.  He had a story that was told through his worn patches, his loose stitches and his frayed ears.  He had been through so much, yet he still stood strong with his twinkling eyes and his friendly face, undeterred by his past.  He is an inspirational little teddy.

Other toys have come and gone over the years.  Character toys from fads and crazes, latest trends and seasonal must-haves found their way into my collection.  However, Snuggles was my constant.  The one I would never be parted from.  He may not have been the best looking, or the one with special features or the toy that others coveted...but he was special.  He was mine.  We belonged together.  So when other toys found themselves donated to the local jumble sale, Snuggles stayed with me.

Even when I became a mum myself, Snuggles was still there.  He may not have been as glitzy, shiny and high tech as the modern toys that my children were given as gifts.  He wasn't new like them, he was old and tired yet still so full of character.  He continued to be a part of our family, living in their toybox in the bedroom.  Forever watching. Ready and waiting to slay any monsters that threatened to infiltrate their peaceful dreams.  Forever protecting them, as he had protected me.

Still Loved and Cherished

Now he is very old and very fragile.  He is so grubby but would never survive the wash.  His stuffing shows through where the fabric is now so thin. Yet he is still our family guardian.  Sat in his vantage point on a shelf he can keep his brave old eyes on us all.  His indomitable spirit has kept me safe and comforted for four decades, giving me strength and inspiration when I needed it most.  He comes down for cuddles so we can remind him just how loved and cherished he still is.

Snuggles has kept my life monster-free since 1973 when we first found each other.  Snuggles has kept our dreams sweet and let us sleep peacefully knowing that our brave Snuggles has been there for us.  Forever watching.  Keeping the monsters away.

Buying A Big Boy's Bed

My Freddy is now three years old and ready to move from his cot bed into a single bed.  Making this transition is such a big step for a little boy to make and so I think it is important that the bed he moves into is one that he loves.  A bed that is appealing and fun will make this move much easier for him, and therefore much easier for me!

I think it is important to involve Fred in the whole process of choosing a bed, empowering him and building his confidence as he gets used to the idea of having a big boys' bed!  There are a lot of choices on the market which would be perfect for any little boy's bedroom.

How about a bed that is shaped like a sport's car?  I can just imagine the dreams that Freddy would have as he slept!  He loves cars, trucks and bikes, so this bed would be a dream come true!

If storage is an issue (as it most definitely is in my house) then a divan bed is a good option.  The underbed drawers will hold a lot of toys, keeping the bedroom tidy!  I love the star design on this airsprung divan which adds real kid appeal.  Perfect for my little star!

If you have a room with some space, then this mid-sleeper with an attached tent, tower and tunnel has to be the bed with the greatest fun factor!  It combines playtime with bedtime and I'm sure any child would adore reading a bedtime story by torchlight in the cool tunnel.  I wish they did them in king size!!

These children's beds and more are available online at littlewoods.com and payments can be spread across 20 or 52 weeks (for items over £100) interest free if you open a shopping account.

This is a sponsored post.