New Clay Spa Face Masques

Montagne Jeunesse have some brand new skin care treats for us to enjoy.  These two new groundbreaking Clay Spa face masques deliver a unique, enhanced cleansing experience.  Specially sourced clays are infused into natural bamboo fabric making them quicker, easier, more convenient and less messy to use.

The Groundbreaking New Skin Care Range

Dead Sea Mud Spa

Breathe life back into skin with intensely invigorating and revitalising Dead Sea Minerals. Montagne Jeunesse have harvested the ocean's nutrient rich Seaweed and Kelp right from the source creating a satisfying boost for thirsty skin.

Glacial Clay Spa

Feel the natural rush of cooling Glacial Clay as it cleanses your pores to the core. Anti-oxidant rich Red Grape and Arctic Cloudberry juices from the glacial heights of Scandinavia work their magic to help maintain your skin's natural barrier.

Instructions For Use

The single use Clay Spa Masques are used by removing them from the pack and unfolding them.  They are applied to the face and patted down for maximum contact with the skin.  After relaxing for 10-15 minutes you remove the masque and splash your face with cold water.  Simple!

The Clay Spa Masques are very affordable at just £1.49 each from www.montagnejeunesse.com and will soon be available from Boots and Asda.

As with all of the Montagne Jeunesse range, these products are vegetarian approved, made from natural ingredients and paraben free.  Montagne Jeunesse is proud of its uncompromising natural credentials and ethos for 'Conservation of Energy, Protection of Animals and the Environment'.

So, go on...why not treat yourself!

Celebrate Their Success #PGRaisingOlympians

I can only imagine how the mums of the sportsmen and women in Team GB must be feeling right now, knowing that in a few short weeks their children will be competing in the Olympics.  Being watched by a global audience of millions, this will be their opportunity to show the world what they can do.  A culmination of years of being nurtured to become the best they can be.

Our children won't all become Olympic athletes, but each and every one of our children will have their own unique dreams and ambitions that they will strive to achieve, and it is our job as parents to support them, cheer them on and be proud of their achievements.

Being a mum of five means I have had plenty of moments where my heart has swelled with pride at the achievements of my children.  From the moment that each of them were born, every milestone has been celebrated.  I have always tried my best to encouragement them and facilitate them with what they needed to succeed in what they were setting out to do.  Whether that meant putting a spoon in their chubby hands for them to take their first independent spoonful of baby rice, or helping them to put together an application for university, I have relished my role.   I feel so honoured in that I get to help my children become the best version of themselves that they can be.  I won't take credit for their success, but to know I played a part is a humbling experience and one of the most amazing aspects of being a parent.

P & G have made eight documentary style videos of a selection of Olympic Mums talking about their children who will be competing in London this summer.  They are really emotional and I shed a tear or two, especially at the mother of Paralympian Ben Rushgrove talking about her son's achievements.

My children have all filled me with pride so many times, but I want to share a few of the achievements of my older children here in this post.  You won't find any tales of Olympic Gold, but all my kids are winners in so many other ways.

Megan is just 20 years old. Within the last month she has graduated from the University of Manchester with a 2:1 in Business Marketing and Management.  With her heights set high she began job hunting and has already been offered a position as a Marketing Executive for a company specialising in healthcare.  With a job offer under her belt, she has found a swanky and modern flat in the city centre that she will be sharing with her equally motivated and ambitious friend Abi as they embark on their new life as a couple of young professionals in a vibrant and exciting city.  The possibilities are endless and I am so immensely proud that Megan has the tools and the go-getting personality to achieve exactly what she wants to achieve in life.  Plus, she still phones her mum everyday!

Megan and Ella

Ella has just finished her GCSEs and got herself a place in a really impressive college to study her A'Levels.  She wants to improve her education by studying subjects which were not on offer at the local school sixth form.  So she is prepared to travel for an hour on the bus twice a day to achieve her goal.  Given that she sometimes struggles with change, this is a massive step for her and I am so proud that she is thinking to the future and creating opportunities for herself.  And she continues to be a wonderful musician, sharing her love of music with her friends and family which brings so much joy to us all.

My eldest son Joe's attitude to his job and his desire to succeed in the workplace has always impressed me and made me proud.  He never wanted to take the academic route through life and has instead worked his way up the employment ladder using his personality and his determination to his advantage.  And now he is about to become a dad he has really buckled down and made some 'grown-up' decisions to better the life of his family.  A couple of weeks ago he moved house to provide a better home for his girlfriend, himself and for their baby.  He has stepped up to the mark like a real man.   His girlfriend is suffering with terrible sickness in her pregnancy which is not improving.  They are not having an easy time at all but they are coping admirably through a difficult phase in their lives.  My once little boy and my first born son has done me so proud!

Having Fun In Joe's New House

I will always be the number one fan and most tireless supporter of my children's endeavours.  I will be cheering them on from the virtual sidelines of their lives giving them whatever I can to help them succeed.  I will provide love, support, advice and practical help at every step.  Even as my eldest three children become the amazing adults they were always destined to become, my role as their mother does not diminish.  Instead it evolves as I see my children taking on new responsibilities, achieving new goals and planning their own futures.  I am as proud of them now as I have always been.

I love that at the same time that I am preparing my youngest child, 3 year old Freddy, for his next big adventure in life and taking pride in his pre-school milestones, I can also help my eldest son prepare to be a parent himself.  And as 9 year old Kizzy receives yet another glowing report at school, I can also witness my eldest daughter graduate with honours.  I love being a mum to my five children and I am so proud as I celebrate their successes!

This is my entry for the #PGRaisingOlympians Celebrate Their Success Linky, sponsored by P&G.

EcoForce Review and Giveaway

Green Cleaning

EcoForce is range of practical and effective household products made from recycled materials, that are greener, more eco-friendly and more sustainable than any other alternatives on the market.

The range includes recycled sponges, scourers, cloths and dusters for all green cleaning requirements, recycled pegs,  pegbasket and clothes line for eco-friendly laundry drying and recycled food bag grips for storing left overs.  EcoForce's award winning products do not  compromise on quality or price and offer an ethical choice when it comes to buying household goods.   All products are made from at least 90% recycled  waste here in the UK.  We all need to clean so why not do it the green way and use recycled products that are just as good, if not better, than counterparts made from virgin materials yet don't harm the environment!

There's also Dishmatic - a clever little device that comprises a hollow handle and sponge scourer head.  Simply fill the handle with washing up  liquid and it dispenses as you clean.   Dishmatic is made from recycled components and helps reduce dishwasher usage.  It's great for cleaning pots and pans, and washing up a few things when you don't want to use the dishwasher. At only £1.33 Dishmatic is good value and lasts for years. When the head is worn down simply replace with a new one.

EcoForce and Dishmatic are widely available in most supermarkets as well as Oxfam, Homebase, B & Q and on line.

Review

I was sent a selection of the EcoForce and Dishmatic products to try out.

The range is really extensive and it is great to see so many environmentally friendly products made using recycled materials.  The Pegs are made from 93% recycled plastic and are moulded in one piece.  They are hurricane safe and very tough and come in a useful peg basket!  The Recycled Washing Line can be used to air dry your laundry.  It is the greenest way to dry your clothes, using no electricity and it costs nothing!  (All you need is some good weather!)

The Bag Grips are brilliant for keeping food fresh.  Made from 93% recycled plastic they are strong, freezer safe and washable.  They are really useful for bagging up left over food ensuring no waste!


The Dishmatic is a really novel washing up tool that means your Dishwasher may become redundant.  You simply fill up the handle with washing-up liquid and use it to clean pans and dishes.  Interchangeable heads can be used for heavy duty cleaning jobs.  It is easy to use, efficient and makes short work of the dishes.  

The other scourers, sponges, cloths and dusters are all made using recycled materials.  Each product is made to be perfect for its task and work really well.  There is no compromising on quality just because they are made from recycled products, so you can have a clean house...and a clean conscience!

Giveaway

EcoForce and Dishmatic have kindly agreed to provide an amazing green cleaning hamper for one of my readers to win, worth £50!


It includes:

EcoForce peg basket and clothes line

EcoForce sponges, scourers, duster, cloths

EcoForce pegs

EcoForce Food Bag Grips

Dishmatic original and refills

Dishmatic Steel Scourer and refills

Simply enter by leaving a comment below and filling in the Rafflecopter entry form to say you've done so.  Additional entries can be made giving a maximum of ten chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions
Loquax Competitions

Pre-Holiday Checklist

Holidays are a lot of hard work!  To facilitate that week in the sun takes a whole lot of preparation, organisation and stress!  Co-ordinating the continuing needs of everyday life alongside the things that need to be done before you go on holiday is nothing short of a military operation.  I am a big list maker and I delegate fool-proof lists filled with jobs to my husband. Somehow we muddle through and manage to get ourselves and our four children, who are joining us on holiday, to our destination having left our house ready for our return.

Here is my checklist for my top ten pre-holiday jobs:

1:  Get up to date with the laundry and then make everyone wear the same final outfit for the last three days before the holiday!   Dirtying out those clothes means minimum dirty washing left at home...because you know that you'll be bringing home two suitcases full of clothes that will need to be laundered!


2:  Use up all the perishable food in your house.  The week before holidays is the time for creating inventive concoctions made from all the fresh food that is left in your kitchen.  Wasting it is not an option for me, so it's a time for getting creative.  No one wants to return home from their holidays to find a sack of festering potatoes or a fridge full of slimy salad...so use it up!


3:  Empty and clean all the bins.  Returning home to a stench filled house because of some unmentionable object lurking in an unemptied bin is not a nice welcome home!


4:  Set up your Sky Planner with all those TV shows you are going to miss.  Yes I know this is shallow, but if I forget to set up The Bachelor (with Spencer from Made in Chelsea) to record, I will actually cry.


5:  Get your pets to have their own holiday with the neighbours!  Spinky the hamster loves a change of scenery and enjoys the being spoiled for a week by a family who still see her as a novelty when we are away.


6:  Don't forget all your paperwork....copies of insurance documents, driving licences, passports, tickets, maps etc. etc.  Get a nice big folder and put everything safely in one place!


7:  Make a list of things to take.  With the uncertainty of the current weather system in Europe this means remembering wellies, waterproofs, sunblock and sunglasses to cover all eventualities.  Writing lists will mean you won't forget something essential.  Travel Sickness Tablets and Sea bands are top of my 'Do Not Forget' list!!


8:  Tell the neighbours you are away so they can keep an eye on things for you.  Make sure they have your contact details. A bit of peace of mind is priceless.


9:  Take a rucksack full of favourite toys, comics and snacks to placate toddlers who do not relish the prospect of travelling for hours and have no concept of the delayed gratification of getting to somewhere nice at the other end.   Buy some new and exciting bits and bobs in the hope that they will distract said toddler for at least a few hours before the onset of a tantrum!


10:  Prepare for your arrival home before you leave....make the beds, clean the loos and make everything tidy.  Make sure you have a bottle of Cravendale in the fridge that will last unopened for a few weeks and a loaf of bread in the freezer so that whatever time you get back you can have a cup of coffee and a slice of toast to tide you over!

This is my entry for the Come Home to a Cuppa Linky Challenge, sponsored by Cravendale.

Fabric Flavours T-Shirts For Grown-Ups!

Fabric Flavours is renowned for its amazing premium quality children's T-shirts featuring best loved characters and childhood favourites such as Yoda and the Cookie Monster.  Inspired by retro and vintage designs they have a nostalgic charm which parents will love.  Featuring techniques such as embroidery, flocking, applique, foil printing, contrast stitching and raw seams, the clothing will make your child stand out from the crowd!

Now for the first time, Fabric Flavours have a range of T-Shirts especially for grown-ups!  With the same outstanding quality and exceptional designs as the children's garments, the men's T-shirts feature
designs from Marvel and Warner Bros.  Available in S, M, L and XL they cost £20.


The quality is of a really high standard and the designs featuring the Spiderman, Superman and Batman logos are really cool.  The T-Shirts match the children's collection of babygros and tees for 0-8 year olds.  So now dads and their little sidekicks can save the world together in their matching tees!


Ian was sent a Superman T-Shirt in XL to try out.  It came well packaged and with a cool care label.

Superman T-Shirt XL

Cool Care Label

He was so impressed with his new T-Shirt!  The muted coloured, retro style logo is in a distressed style.  The pre-washed soft, cotton shirt has been marble washed for a vintage look.  It has a ribbed neck and contrasting red neck tape and red stitching on the edges.


It was a good, comfortable fit and felt very soft against the skin.  Ian felt like a proper Superman!

My Superman

Retro Logo

It is a really fabulous T-shirt with a great twist on an iconic design.  I loved the retro look and the snuggly soft feel of the T-shirt.  I would recommend keeping it well away from your teenagers though because if they are like our daughter Ella, they will definitely try to steal it!!

Ella Models the Superman T-Shirt

To view and purchase from the full adult collection and the full range of children's garments take a look at the website:

www.fabricflavours.com

Dartmoor Zoological Park and Interviewing Benjamin Mee

A Wild Day Out At Dartmoor

On July 16th We Bought a Zoo is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray.  Based on the book written by Benjamin Mee, it tells the real life story of how the Mee family bought and saved a run down zoo.  I was incredibly fortunate to be invited by Twentieth Century Fox to meet Benjamin Mee at Dartmoor Zoo and experience this amazing story firsthand.

Benjamin Mee had always imagined that if Hollywood came calling it would be for an eco-thriller work of fiction that he would have written.  Never did he imagine that a book of his life would be made into a movie. "We Bought a Zoo" was written in a short and intense period of time, chronicling his family's real life adventure when they purchased the 33 acre zoo nestled in beautiful Dartmoor woodland.  

We Bought A Zoo In the Gift Shop

Directed by Cameron Crowe, the film stars Matt Damon in the lead role.  Benjamin Mee said that he had envisioned "Sean Connery 20 years ago" when he imagined who would play him in the story of his life and added that he anticipated more adventure, action and risk taking being involved.  He never expected We Bought A Zoo would have made the big screen.  However, he has been bowled over by the sensitive portrayal of his personal life in the film and found the kindness of Crowe and Damon to be beyond reproach.

Benjamin and Me

When his family took on the run down zoo, they threw everything they had into saving it.  The task had became personal when Mee realised that someone had to do it and made the stand to save the animals who were just days away from being destroyed if no buyer could be found.  Mee saw the zoo as a place for his children to grow up in, providing a tangible outlet for them to thrive which became particularly poignant following the death of their mother.  Together the family have overcome obstacles, financial difficulties and heartbreak.  The story is one of hope, healing and growth after their bereavement, with the rebuilding of the zoo providing a metaphor for the family's personal journey.

Interviewing The Man Behind The Story

Benjamin Mee has taken on the challenges in his role as single parent to his children Ella and Milo alongside the challenges of running the zoo.  He considers himself lucky to have an amazing support network with the dedicated keepers on hand to keep an eye on the children as well as the animals!  I met the children who are thriving in their idyllic environment.  They are blessed with a freedom that most children could only dream of, and even though they have now been thrown into the limelight they have stayed grounded and clearly have a fantastic relationship with their dad and a deep respect for their home.  

The zoo itself has a quirky, rustic charm.  It has such heart and a magical quality that makes you feel privileged to be a part of.  The keepers love what they do and Benjamim Mee is hands on in his role.  The animals are clearly well looked after and happy.  The enclosures are large and stimulating.  Benjamin Mee empathizes with his animals, striving to give them the best life possible.  Running this zoo is clearly a labour of love for everyone involved.

As part of my day at the zoo, I got up close to the Siberian Tigers Vlad, Stripe and Blotch.  When one approached the wire fence and looked me straight in the eye it was an amazing and intense moment.  The magnificent creature was close enough to touch, much like in the scene where Matt Damon is face to face with the Tiger in the film. 

Face to Face With a Tiger

I also went into a cage with the Coatis (who loved raisins) and helped feed the Racoons.  I learned about the most feared inhabitant of the zoo, the calculating and powerful Jaguar, Sovereign, who once managed to evade his keeper and got into the tiger enclosure spoiling for a fight before the zoo was open to the public.  We witnessed Benjamin Mee attempt the first hand-feeding of the tigers and listened to tales of the wild cats demonstrating their natural killer instincts.  The enclosures have great visibility making wildlife photography really rewarding.

The Animals of Dartmoor Zoo

Dartmoor Zoo is situated in natural woodland providing green areas for picnics and play.  The Jaguar Restaurant serves hot and cold food with lunchboxes or hot meals for the kids.  Veggie options are readily available. There are highchairs and a mother and baby changing room.  A large under 5's indoor play area with a selection of toys was a big hit with Freddy (and great if it rains).  

Play Area

Jaguar Restaurant

Picnic Area

There are a number of unique experiences that you can choose to participate in such as Big Cat Keeper, Meet The Tigers, Adoptions or a Mini Safari.  Full details and prices are available online. There are also opportunities for volunteering at the zoo.  You can also donate to projects through sponsorship giving you a plaque at the zoo and special perks for being a donor.  The latest project is to build an enclosure for Japanese Macaques (or Snow Monkeys).  Weddings, kids' parties and corporate events can all be hosted at Dartmoor Zoological Park which would be a magical venue for animal lovers. 

If you are in the area this summer do go and show some support for the Mee family and see the real life inspiration for the Hollywood family movie We Bought a Zoo!  The zoo is open all year round and children under five go free.   Dartmoor Zoo also has Single Parent Tuesdays offering cheap entry for single mums and dads and their children.

Find out more at www.dartmoorzoo.org

We Bought a Zoo is available on Blu-ray Triple Play and DVD on 16^th July, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

We Bought A Zoo

The Uplifting Tale Based On a True Life Story

We Bought A Zoo is a heartwarming and uplifting adventure based on the real life story of Benjamin Mee and his family who  bought and saved a zoo!  Looking for a fresh start for his family following the death of his wife, Mee (Matt Damon)  quits his job and buys a run down rural house outside of the city which has the unique bonus feature of also being a zoo.  Dozens of rare and beautiful animals reside under the care of  zoo-keeper Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) and her dedicated team, but time is running out for them.

With no experience, limited time, the challenges of single parenthood and a hand to mouth budget, Mee sets out to re-open Rosemoor Animal Park to the public.  This adventure is a life changing one which helps rebuild the fractured Mee family, bringing hope, healing and purpose to their lives.

Starring a cast of exotic animals, this film is sure to delight the family.  Cameron Crowe directs with sensitivity and we share the highs and lows of Mee's journey to save the zoo and have it ready for opening day.  A host of problems stand in the way including escaping wild animals, an uncharitable inspector and the weather, but where there's a will there's a way!

We were sent a copy of the film and it proved to be a wonderful watch.  My girls and myself shed floods of tears as we experienced Benjamin Mee's life affirming story.  Matt Damon's performance was touchingly sensitive and we were rooting for him to succeed in saving the zoo and rebuilding his broken family.  The animals are all gorgeous and add to the emotional highs and lows of the film, evoking both tears and laugh out loud moments!

Knowing that this film is based on the real life story of  Benjamin Mee who bought and saved Dartmoor Zoo makes it all the more poignant.  I was incredibly lucky to be invited along to Dartmoor Zoo to meet the man himself and was given the chance to go behind the scenes and get up close and personal with some of the animals.  You can read all about my own amazing zoo adventure here!

Special features on the WE BOUGHT A ZOO Blu-ray include:

• “The Real Mee” Travel to the Dartmoor Zoo for a heartwarming look at the real Benjamin Mee and his incredible family whose actual story inspired "We Bought A Zoo"
• “We Shot a Zoo” Join the cast, crew and animals in this behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling their exciting journey filming "We Bought A Zoo"
•  “Their Happy is Too Loud” Director Cameron Crowe joins Composer Jónsi in the recording studio for a never-before-seen look at the making of the music for the film.
• Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy including theatrical film
• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• Gag Reel
• Audio Commentary with Director Cameron Crowe, Star J.B. Smoove and Editor Mark Livolsi

We Bought a Zoo is available on Blu-ray Triple Play and DVD on 16^th July, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment