Win a Delicious Bakerdays Letterbox Cake -CLOSED

We recently reviewed the utterly gorgeous and totally scrummy letterbox friendly cakes from Bakerdays.  We were very impressed with the cute, personalised cake that Megan received for her 21st birthday, so much so, that we are going to give one away to one lucky reader.  With Christmas coming up, a fabulous festive designed cake straight to your door would be wonderful!  They have a brilliant Christmas range including one cake covered in Brussel Sprouts!  I think they are utterly brilliant and would make a great gift idea for a loved one.  After all who doesn't LOVE cake!

Image from bakerdays.com

To be the lucky winner of this cake, simply follow the Rafflecopter entry instructions below.  Good Luck!


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Claire's Support UNICEF

There is no greater gift than the gift of life.

Claire's is one of the shops in town that we cannot walk past without Kizzy and Ella wanting to go in.  They love the colourful ranges of jewellery and accessories on sale.

Claire's have launched a new partnership with UNICEF- "Little Things Make A Big Difference" - which aims to give children the best start in life.  Everyday, thousands of children die from deadly but largely preventable causes such as malnutrition, diarrhoea and malaria.  UNICEF send lifesaving supplies such as clean water, vaccines and food for those who need it the most. This Christmas, Claire's will be selling six bespoke jewellery items in their Claire's For Unicef Range to raise money for UNICEF's vital work saving children's lives.  £1 from every purchase will be donated to UNICEF.  This is enough to give eight life saving vaccinations or feed a malnourished child for one day.

The range is very pretty with a pink and silver colour theme and featuring hearts and stars.  Each item features the life affirming message "A Gift For You...The Gift of Life For a Child"  so the recipient knows that this gift has helped raise money to save a child's life.

Claire's Unicef Range 

Claire's customers can also add a donation at the till whenever they make a purchase or buy gift cards with an added on donation to UNICEF.

I think that this partnership is a lovely way to give a little back at Christmas time to help those in need.  I always try to include gifts that help others when I buy presents for my children, and I know my girls will love this range and the fact that they are giving the gift of life to others.  I can't always donate cash sums to every charity I support, but it is easy to incorporate a donation when making a specific purchase.  It's an easy way to give, especially when money is tight.  The jewellery costs £4.50 - £5.00 and would make a lovely stocking filler.

Bigsby Gets A Pet Mouse!

LEEDS SCHOOL CHILDREN BECOME PUBLISHED AUTHORS AGED JUST SIX YEARS OLD! 

Gifted young authors, from Victoria Primary School have won the Hallmark Story Buddies national literacy competition, becoming published authors at the age of just six years old with their story, “Bigsby Gets a Pet Mouse”, getting it published in time for Christmas!

The class fought off tough competition from hundreds of school children aged between five and seven years old from across the UK and Ireland who entered the national literacy initiative launched by Hallmark Cards and supported by education advisors and the Confederate of British Industry (CBI) to complement the school curriculum. 

The competition required the children to write a story in no more than 200 words about a cute and cuddly Story Buddy called Bigsby.  Story Buddies use innovative technology to allow the characters to actually join in as you read aloud to them, bringing the story to life. The winning book will be published and sold by Hallmark as an addition to the newest member of the Story Buddy gang – the lovable Bigsby, with a donation of sales going directly to the school for its entire lifecycle. 

Following a public vote against 19 other shortlisted entries on Hallmark’s Facebook page, Victoria Primary School was chosen to win the coveted prize, with an overwhelming majority of the votes with their 200 word story, “Bigsby Gets a Pet Mouse”. The sweet tale of an unlikely friendship between Bigsby, the woodland creature and a cute mouse, penned by the young authors will become a brand new Story Buddies book that will launch in time for Christmas. 

Victoria Primary School’s book, ‘Bigsby Gets A Pet Mouse’ will be available online from 1st December 2012 through www.hallmark.co.uk priced £3.00. Fifty percent of all proceeds from the book will be donated to the school.  Bigsby himself and additional books in the series including ‘Bigsby’s Borrowed Shoes’ and ‘Bigsby’s Big News’ are also available from Hallmark stores, good independents and online.

Perfect Christmas Outfits From Next

I have that festive feeling bubbling in my belly!  Our choccie advent calendars are on standby ready to count down the days until Christmas Day.  The chill in the air teases us with the prospect of snow.  The Christmas adverts are taking over the TV.  And Next have their Christmas collection on line!

When Northern Mum asked us to show her our dream family day Christmas wardrobes, I was happy to pour through pages of sparkly, glittery party wear and funky, woolly Christmas jumpers to find outfits for Ian, the three littlest, my baby grandson (due on December 18th!) and myself.  Oh to win the £500 prize and make my fantasy shopping a reality (otherwise we will be donning our novelty, velvet Mr and Mrs Santa outfits for another year!)

Ian's Christmas Outfit by wendymcd83 

The whole James Bond vibe of the recent months has given me a slight fetish for men in sharp suits and there isn't much sharper than this white tuxedo jacket.  With hints of Michael Buble and John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, it reeks of  rampant exhibitionism and frivolous fun.  The patent wing cap shoes would keep him looking sharp right  down to his size 12 feet.  I'd like to share my Christmas day with my husband infused with the magical confidence that will overtake him because of this tuxedo!  To keep him grounded and to remind me that my novelty T-shirt wearing hubby is still somewhere inside that flamboyant get-up,  I'm teaming it with novelty festive fairisle socks (and probably his novelty red velvet Santa boxer shorts too).  I'd also need to give him a bib so he doesn't dribble gravy down his front, because white tux's are unforgiving when it comes to food spills.

Ella's Christmas Outfit by wendymcd83 

My trendy teenager would absolutely love to dazzle in this sequinned, snowflake jumper.  As it's long, she'd probably call it a dress and team it with nothing more than a pair of woolly tights. But just in case she was feeling modest, I've included a pair of skinny party jeans with just a little added sparkle..  The wedge  boots are really gorgeous.  The hidden 8cm heel will add a couple of inches onto her height, which will be much appreciated by Ella as she is very dinky.  The absolutely awesome Reindeer Onesie would be the snuggliest, cosiest outfit to relax in, whilst sleeping off the excess of Celebrations and candy canes.

Kizzy's Christmas Outfit by wendymcd83 

I adore this outfit for my ten year old Kizzy.  It's funky, fashionable and fun.  It's got attitude, just like my tween.  The black hi-top boots are practical but the patent shine gives them a feminine edge.  They look so comfy too!  I adore the winter shorts and tights combo.  Sadly I don't think I could pull this look off as a 40 something housewife, but I think it is a great fashion statement for the young generation.  The sequin tie top has just the right amount of sparkle to combine festively feminine with edgy.

My Christmas Outfit by wendymcd83 

My fantasy outfit would be enhanced if Santa could deliver a miracle weight loss potion to me in time for Christmas day.  Failing that, the rather stylish bodyshaper will be excellent for sucking in my wobbly bits, holding up my boobs and cinching in my waist.  Hopefully it will cope with the strain as the Christmas dinner feasting puts it under extra pressure.  I adore the embellished tunic dress and the lace shoots (shoe boots...get it!) are incredible. (Would my bunions squeeze in?  To right! Even if it took a crow bar I'd get my feet into these pretty, girls' shoes!)  I don't ordinarily wear much jewellery, but the bracelet watch is a lovely piece that not only looks gorgeous, it also helps you time your Brussel Sprouts as they boil on the hob.  Very handy!

My Christmas Outfit by wendymcd83

I love dressing Freddy!  My little dude looks so cute all dressed up on special occasions.   The mandatory festive jumpers are a definite must have for a three year old.  I've picked out two, a Snowman design and a Reindeer design,  because he is guaranteed to spill dinner, chocolate and fizzy pop at various points during the day.  The jeans are well cut and look cool and will cope with a day of crawling around on the floor getting presents from under the tree and then playing with all his new toys in the middle of the floor while us grown-ups watch a Christmas day edition of Surprise Surprise!  The trapper hat and boots will be excellent if any of his presents require being outside, keeping both toes and head warm and toastie.

Ted's Christmas Outfit by wendymcd83 

Hopefully by Christmas I will be blessed with the title of Grandma to my baby grandson Ted.  If not, that means he is overdue and needs to be induced after Christmas day, meaning that all his newborn sized "Baby's First Christmas" romper suits will have been purchased in vain!  Plus his mum, my future daughter-in-law Jade,  will be extremely fed up making us all feel bad for her!  So fingers crossed for Ted's timely arrival!  I have picked out an outfit for Ted based on the desire for him to come on time in the week before Christmas day.  Being called Ted, I couldn't fail to fall in love with the aaron cardigan with teddy bear ears!  Awww!  The fairisle romper suit and two piece outfit are so stylish...real baby chic.  The matching I Heart Santa bib will be ready to mop milky spit ups.  But the 'piece de resistance' is the Christmas Pudding bobble hat.  All this baby cuteness is making me feel very grand-maternal indeed and looking forward to a festive cuddle with my son Joe's firstborn.

I have spent a fair few virtual pounds putting together these gorgeous Christmas Day outfits and I have loved every minute of it.  There are definitely a few key pieces that are now on my Christmas shopping list.  The Next range of Christmas clothing, accessories and gifts is really lovely to peruse...there are so many fabulous things.

Take a look at www.next.co.uk for some inspiration this Christmas.

Check out outfits and inspiration on my Pinterest Board and my Polyvore account where full details of the items in my outfits can be found.


And because I'm now feeling all festive, here is a Christmas photo of me and my kids!

Learn To Do The Mobot with Mo Farah!

Post sponsored by Virgin Media

He wowed us all at the London 2012 Olympics with his brilliant performance and his awesome victory dance.  Now you can learn how to dance the Mobot with double gold medallist Mo Farah.

Viral video by ebuzzing

Submit you dance and you could be in the official Do The Mobot music video, in aid of the Mo Farah Foundation!

Double Olympian gold medalist Mo Farah is aiming to raise £100,000 for the Mo Farah Foundation in partnership with Virgin Media. The Mo Farah Foundation was set up by Mo and his wife Tania to provide aid to children affected by drought in the Horn of Africa.

The Foundation wants to raise £100,000 towards the 'Mo Farah Orphanage and Sports Academy'. Virgin Media has pledged that for every 'Do The Mobot' video uploaded they will donate £2, representing Mo's two gold medals, to The Foundation.

Those uploading a video will also be given the chance to feature in the music video track which will be relased on iTunes this December, just in time for Christmas.

So go on...watch the video (it's very funny) and do The Mobot!

Hotel Chocolat Advent Calendar

Every year I buy advent calendars for my children.  I spend the following 24 days coveting the chocolate morsels that they pop out from behind their cardboard windows every morning.  Well, this year I'm going to be joining in with the advent calendar ritual as I have been sent a luxurious and very grown-up advent calendar from Hotel Chocolat...and it's all mine! 

The beautifully presented, freestanding advent calendar contains 24 gorgeous 40% milk chocolate sculptures behind each numbered window. 

With Santas, snowmen, angels and Christmas trees to discover, the festive fun and anticipation for the big day will just keep growing.  Hotel Chocolat's 40% milk chocolate is mellow, melt-in-the-mouth, comforting and delicious. 

The Hotel Chocolat Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar is £12.00 available in store or online.  Roll on December 1st when the countdown can begin!

12 Toys of Christmas #7

My last review in my 12 Toys of Christmas feature showcases a product that will keep the kids busy over the festive period.  After the Christmas dinner has been eaten and the Queen's Speech watched,  maybe the family can get stuck in to a fun, quiet activity together.  Many people find jigsaw puzzles very relaxing and will enjoy spending Christmas afternoon indulging in a spot of puzzling.  

I have previously reviewed the Ravensburger 3D Big Ben Puzzle.  It is a 216 piece puzzle that builds up into a 40 cm tall 3D model of Big Ben. With numbered interlocking pieces and hinged corners, the puzzle is well constructed but can be a bit fiddly for younger children to do without any adult help.  These Ravensburger puzzles bring a whole new dimension to one of Britain's favourite hobbies.  The end result is a model that can be displayed or dismantled to be rebuilt at a later date.  Other puzzles in the range include the Eiffel Tower, The Empire State Building and a lighthouse. (RRP £19.99)

These puzzles are suitable for ages 10 and up, so would be a good present for a grown-up as well as an older child.  They definitely are an exciting twist on regular 2D puzzles!

Find out more at Ravensburger.

12 Toys of Christmas #6
12 Toys of Christmas #5
12 Toys of Christmas #4
12 Toys of Christmas #3
12 Toys of Christmas #2
12 Toys of Christmas #1