Meet The Latest My Blue Nose Friends

There are four new additions to the My Blue Nose Friends family.  The lovable, beautifully made collectable soft toys bring the total in the collection up to 135.  Each has the trademark blue nose along with some patchwork detail.

Soprano is a Shetland Pony who loves to sing and believes everything is better in harmony.

Denzil is a chilled out Komodo Dragon who stays cool, even when the heat is on.

Tatty Puppy is on a mission to make you love with his cheeky pranks.

Pandora the Pearl Oyster loves to hide, but dazzles you with her surprises when you find her.

We love My Blue Nose Friends.  Each has its own personality which shines through via the design and detail.  Our favourite is Soprano with his furry mane and tail.  they are so soft and cuddly.

They cost just £5.00 each.

Available online from Carte Blanche.

Ravensburger Scotland Yard Game Review

Mr. X is hiding from the detectives at Scotland Yard. With a few clever moves down the London Underground, by taxi or by bus, can Mr. X escape the trap of the Detectives, or will you anticipate his moves and catch him red-handed. The chase is on…!

This is the premise of the newly relaunched game from Ravensburger.  It's a family game for 3-6 players aged 8 and over.  We received one to try out. 

One player chooses to be Mr X, and they get to wear the cap.  He starts the game with a secret starting point, from where he moves from station to station, logging his progress in his travel log.  Meanwhile, the other players act as detectives trying to find him and catch him.  Mr.X's playing piece only appears on the board at certain times, making it very hard to keep track on his journey and predict his destination.

The game sees players travel by taxi, underground or bus using tickets as their fare. Journeys have to follow the routes on the game mode and can be made by either of the modes of transport.  Players will be able to tell how Mr.X travels but not where he is going, and need to work out which route he may have taken using their powers of deduction. The tickets are all clearly visible in the log but as Mr.X can use black tickets to disguise his chosen modes of transport this is not as easy as it seems.  

A detective will win if he arrives at the location of Mr.X who then has to reveal himself.  However, if the detectives become immobilised through not having the correct tickets to continue their journey, then Mr.X remains undefeated.

This game is all about strategy, skill and deduction. It is definitely one for older players who are able to follow the gameplay and work out Mr X's movements.  The game lasts for around 45 minutes to an hour and can get quite tense at times.  Players need to be committed to the game and it can get a little complicated. However, when the kids enter into the spirit of the game it gets quite competitive and allows them to unleash their inner detectives and try to outwit Mr.X (who in our case was Daddy!)  

The instructions are quite extensive and there are two versions of gameplay which makes it a bit complicated to work out.  But through playing and slightly tweaking the rules to suit ourselves we were able to make the game work for us.

The game cards and tickets are all made made from quality card and the detailed game board featuring London City is beautifully made, as you would expect from the Ravensburger brand.  

This game would make a great gift for Father's Day, allowing dads to take on the role of Mr.X and take on their families in this game of wits.

Find out more here: www.ravensburger.com/uk/products/games/family-games/scotland-yard-26117/index.html  RRP £19.99

Father's Day Gift Guide 2014 - featuring Getting Personal, Little Tiger Press, Dove and Radox

June 15th is Father's Day, the day when we celebrate all those wonderful dads out there!  This year, why not treat your dad to something special to let him know just how much he is appreciated?  Here are some ideas for perfect pressies for dads that we have been lucky enough to receive for the purpose of this review.

Getting Personal sell a huge range of items, many of which can be personalised to create a completely unique gift to suit the occasion.  Whether your dad is a whizz in the kitchen, enjoys pottering around in the garden or enjoys taking part in sporting activities, there is a gift idea to suit.

We were sent a gift for Ian that is just perfect for him!  He enjoys the occasional wee dram of whisky - it must be down to his Scottish ancestry - and he loves the quality of a good single malt.  So the Personalised Five Whisky Gift Set was the obvious choice.

The gift box is lovely, containing five miniature bottles of whisky from a hand picked selection of rare and independent distilleries.  Included is a presentation mat and tasting cards.  The whole thing is presented in a slip case which can be personalised with a message. Whisky lovers can learn a little about their favourite tipple whilst sampling the contents of the beautifully presented gift set!

It costs £36.99 and you can find it here: www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/gifts/personalised-set-of-5-whisky-gift-set-regional-selection

Little Tiger Press has some lovely new titles out now, which little ones will love to share with their daddies this Father's Day.

Sorry Dad is the tale of a father and son cat.  Although they are best of friends, the little cat can be a bit cheeky at times and finds himself in the odd spot of bother!  This book sees the little cat trying to work out how to say sorry to his long suffering dad.  He finds a rather unique way to apologise and his dad doesn't stay cross for long!  RRP £6.99 for ages 3-5.

Me and My Daddy is a fantastic carry case with four mini paperbacks, a card and stickers inside.  Little ones can make a card for their daddy and then snuggle up to enjoy one of the stories:  Before We Go To Bed, My Daddy and Me, Oops-a-Daisy! and The Very Happy Hippo.  Each little book is beautifully illustrated and features a story that both the kids and dad will love. RRP: £9.99 for ages 3-6

If you are looking for something very affordable and useful, Dove Men+ Care have some great products perfect for the men in your life. Based on his lifestyle and skin type, you can find some male grooming products that would make an ideal, thoughtful and practical gift for dads or grandads.

The Daily Care Duo gift pack  (RRP £6.50) features a Clean Comfort anti-perspirant deodorant and a body and face wash with micro-moisture technology. It will help keep him feeling fresh all day long with its subtle and crisp fragrance.

Radox also have some products that would be suitable for men on Father's Day.  The Muscle Therapy Bath Soak (RRP £2.31) and 2- in-1 For Men Shower Gel (RRP £2.15) are a good idea for a sporty dad.  The bath soak helps to warm muscles and ease away aches and pains, while the shower gel is great for dads on the go. You could make a male grooming hamper to perfectly suit your dad's needs, because men deserve to be pampered too.

Whatever you do for your dad this Father's Day, I hope you have a wonderful time!

School Uniform Nostalgia

I can hardly believe that come the summer holidays, my little boy Freddy will have one whole year of schooling under his belt. Remembering back to last September, my barely 4 year old son was about to begin his journey into formal education.  He is my youngest child, my baby boy and he seemed so little to be taking such a monumental step.

I secured him a place at a small village primary school, three miles from home in a beautiful rural setting.  The intake for reception was initially just seven children, who would join the twelve Year 1's under the care of their wonderful Mother Hen of a teacher.  Getting him in the perfect school for his personality and his tender years was immensely important to me.  This decision has seen my little boy flourish into the confident, friendly lad he is today.  I couldn't be prouder of him!

With his new found confidence, my timid child has become a roughty-toughty lad who loves to play hard in the playground and enjoys Friday mornings when the children swap the classroom for the woods where they build dens, search for minibeasts and hunt bears. He loves to play with the playground equipment, jumping, climbing and clambering around.  Freddy loves school (although he has said there is one thing he doesn't enjoy...the work!!)

Looking back on his first day of school, Freddy looked so smart in his school uniform.  With his grey trousers, yellow polo shirt and blue sweater, all in age 3-4, he looked the part. Seeing him as a schoolboy for the first time brought tears to my eyes.  Somehow, simply by donning those special clothes he went from being still a toddler in my eyes, to being a proper little boy.

At the start of his first term at school, even the aged 3-4 trousers were baggy and dragged on the floor.  Thankfully, Nana is a dab hand with a needle and thread and turned the hem up an inch or two.  The elasticated waist cinched in just small enough to keep his trousers from falling down if the polo shirt was tucked in.  A year on and we are looking to buy a whole new school uniform for him to begin the new school year in September, because he has grown so much.

George school uniform  from Asda is one of our favourite brands to buy.  Not only is it incredibly reasonable with boys' trousers starting at just £3.00 and polo shirts from £2.50 for a two pack, it also has a 100 day satisfaction guarantee.  This means that if the uniform fails to meet your expectations, you can return it with an original receipt for a full refund.  You really can't go wrong with that promise! 

This September also sees my youngest daughter Kizzy start secondary school, which will require us buying her the required school uniform including blazer, white shirt, school tie and regulation knee length skirt.  

It seems like only yesterday that she was a tiny little girl in an oversized school uniform just starting Infant School.

In a blink of an eye she was in Year 3 and starting at her new Junior School.

Now she is about to finish Year 6.

Looking back of photos of the kids from years gone by reminds me just how fast time flies by.  It is so important to live in the moment and make as many memories as you can, enjoying everyday of your children while they are still young.  Because before you know it, they will be grown-ups off to start their own adventures, and leaving  their schooldays far behind them.

After all. it seems like just 5 minutes ago that this was me, back in 1981, aged 12 and at grammar school.  And now I am a 45 year old mother of five!

This post was brought to you in conjunction with George but I retain full editorial control.

How to Lower Cholesterol and Maintain a Healthy Heart with Flora Pro.Activ

Cholesterol is a fatty substance naturally occurring in the body.  It is vital for cell function, but if its level in the blood gets too high, it can be a significant cause of heart disease.

There are two types of cholesterol present in our bodies LDL and HDL.  The LDL is considered 'bad' as it is responsible for narrowing blood vesselswhen it becomes deposited on the arterial walls.  HDL is the 'good' cholesterol that works to clear LDL from the bloodstream.  For this reason is important to get the right balance of both LDL and HDL to protect ourselves and keep a healthy heart.

There are many reasons why people may suffer from high cholesterol, but a common cause is from eating too much saturated fat in the diet.  Meat, dairy products, biscuits and pastries are very high in saturated fat. Having a diet that is too high in fatty foods, smoking, being overweight and having a sedentary lifestyle can all impact on the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. However, these are all areas where we can work to improve our health and take positive steps towards reducing the cholesterol level in our blood.

It is very simple to have your cholesterol checked.  I recently had a health MOT, included in which was a simple blood test to check my cholesterol level.  At my age, it is important to pay extra attention to my health and take measures to keep me healthy.  Thankfully, my levels were normal, but that doesn't mean I am about to become complacent about the health of my heart.

The World Health Organisation estimates that some 80% of heart disease is preventable, which  means that with some small changes we can improve our heart health.  Here are some ideas that will help us towards having a healthier heart!

Exercise - walking, running, dancing, swimming or even playing with the kids counts.  Just up the amount of physical exercise you get everyday and reap the benefits.  Experts recommend five 30 minute sessions of moderate activity a week as a minimum.  But even doing things like taking the stairs, walking to the shops or doing some vigorous housework or gardening will make a difference.

Another way to lower cholesterol is by switching our usual spread to Flora Pro.Activ.  Three portions a day is clinically proven to reduce cholesterol.  Flora pro.activ contains plant sterols.  Plant sterols have been shown to lower blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease.  Consuming 1.5-2.4g of plant sterols per day can lower cholesterol by 7-10% in 2-3 weeks when consumed as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle with sufficient fruit and vegetables.

It comes in Light, Buttery and Olive flavours and can be used as a spread on sandwiches and toast or on vegetables and jacket potatoes. They all contain Omega 3 and 6 and have around 80% less saturated fat than butter. They work by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the gut, limiting the amount that enters the bloodstream and resulting in lower levels of LDL.

When used in conjunction with other steps, this can be an effective way to help reduce cholesterol and limit the negative effect of LDL in the body.

Eat a Healthy Diet -  Variety is the key to a healthy diet.  Enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and pulses. Avoid consuming too many fatty, processed foods like crisps, biscuits, pies, ready meals, deep fried foods etc. Be sure to consume at least five portions of vegetables and fruits a day, switching fatty snacks for healthier options such as carrot sticks or an apple. A diet made up from good wholesome ingredients has many benefits.

Reduce Stress - Try to get enough sleep and set aside 10 minutes a day to sit and relax and do nothing! Meditate in these 10 minutes if you want to, or just attempt to forget all the worries you have and enjoy some uninterrupted me-time.  Try to create some coping mechanisms to limit the anxiety, pressure or stress caused by the demands of home and work.

Quit Smoking and Drinking Excessively - If you can, give up smoking.  We all know how harmful (and expensive) this habit is.  The NHS can offer advice.  Drink alcohol only in moderation and try not to exceed 2-3 units of alcohol in a day. You can still enjoy the odd glass of red wine!

By making these small changes we can take positive steps to improve our overall health as well as the health of our heart.  It's never too late to start making changes for the better!

For more advice about lowering cholesterol and to get a free starter kit featuring money off coupons, recipe ideas and a diet sheet visit  http://www.floraproactiv.co.uk


This post has been brought to you in conjunction with Flora Pro Activ but I retain full editorial control.

SunSense - Stay Safe in the Sun and sign up to the Sun Sensible 2014 Campaign

When the sun shines, it is so important to protect the family's skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays.  SunSense have a range of products that provide protection to keep even the most delicate skins sun safe.  We received some to try out.

SunSense™ Ultra

A light, smooth, easy-to-apply lotion for the whole family, providing SPF 50+ protection with 4 hours water resistance.

• SPF 50+, UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection
• Available in 500ml pump, 125ml bottle and a handy 50ml roll-on, ideal for school bags

SunSense™ Toddler Milk

An easy-to- apply milk formulation especially designed for the delicate skin of infants and children. It provides SPF 50 broad spectrum protection, yet contains lower levels of substances which may irritate your child’s sensitive skin.

• SPF 50, UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection
• Water-resistant for 40 minutes
• Available in a 125ml bottle and a handy 50ml roll-on, ideal for school bags

Both products are easy to apply and rub in well.  They are not fragranced.  

SunSense™ Lip Balm

This New Formulation helps protect, soothe and moisturise dry, chapped lips in all seasons, with added Vitamin E. 

• SPF 50+, UVA and UVB broad spectrum
• Glide-on applicator makes for easy application
• Protects, soothes, moisturises
• Soft and gentle to apply

The lip balm feels very moisturising and is pleasant to use. It comes in a small tube and you apply it directly using the glide on applicator.  It's handy to keep in your bag or pocket to keep your lips protected all year round.

All these products are great for use at home, school or on holiday. In the summer months, we should all encourage our children to apply a long lasting sun protection lotion daily before school, even on cloudy days. My children's schools all encourage the kids to use sun protection and wear caps to keep them safe at school.

We should all remember to re-apply sun lotion regularly (3-4 hourly) and after contact with water.

Kids Can Win a Surf Shack Sun Shelter for their School with SunSense!

SunSense have launched a national campaign across the country, Sun Sensible 2014, challenging school pupils to put their creativity to the test in order to win a cool surf shack sun shelter for their playground plus SunSense products for the whole class. This will help keep them all sun safe!

Pupils simply need to design a surfboard with a sun theme on the website: www.sunsense.co.uk.  You can register your child's school's interest and download templates by clicking the image below.  Competition ends 11th July 2014.

How to make picnic food more fun!

We had a lovely day out at Delamere Forest for the Robert's Bakery 50 Days of Summer Bloggers' Picnic.  Myself, Ian, Ella, Kizzy and Freddy really enjoyed making a fun picnic, with recipes demonstrated by the ladies from Roberts Bakery, which we later got to eat for lunch.  The recipe ideas were really inventive, elevating a humble sarnie into something way more exciting!  

We used the new Robert's Bakery White & Wholemeal bread which includes fortified white flour and high fibre wholemeal flour to bring together the best of both worlds.

Thank goodness the weather was kind to us, as the masterclass in sandwich making took place on benches outside.  Al fresco food preparation added an element of summertime fun to our lesson in picnic prep!

Here's what we made:

Sunshine Sandwich

These 'peep hole' sandwiches are filled with a mix of low fat grated cheese, grated carrot, sunflower seeds and raisins.  Bulking out the grated cheese with grated carrot gives a lower calorie filling and adds extra nutrients. Each hole is filled with one of the ingredients to make an impressive looking sandwich that little ones will love.  You could adapt this sandwich to make traffic lights, popping in tomato, sweetcorn and lettuce in the holes. 

S.L.T.

The vegetarian sausage, lettuce and tomato roll is a twist on the BLT.  The mayonnaise, Greek yogurt and black pepper dressing complemented it perfectly, and was lighter than using mayo alone.  Served in the new Roberts Bakery White and Wholemeal buns they made a tasty roll.

Peanut Butter and Banana Monkey

aka Nutty Nana

The fun monkey faces with peanut butter, banana and a little honey, were really effective.  Raisins added the details and made these sandwiches look really cool and perfect for feeding to my own little monkey Freddy.

Strawberry & Cream Hearts

Cream cheese, rocket, strawberries and black pepper make a really interesting and elegant sandwich filling. It's like having a cream tea on bread! The heart shaped sandwich with a cut out top is the ideal food to serve at a tea party.  They look so pretty and the strawberry goes so well with black pepper and rocket.

With our sandwiches and rolls packed into boxes, we headed to a tent where a storyteller was waiting to share some stories with us while we ate our lunch.  The children loved joining in with the storyteller's tales, and it was great to see Freddy getting involved.  He has come on such a long way from the shy little lad he once was!  The food went down well with everyone too, the veggie SLT being my favourite.

After our picnic, we had a lovely walk around Delamere Forest with Clearly Bex and her lovely children.  We enjoyed the fresh air, scenery and sunshine and had a great time.  It was fabulous to meet a fellow Shropshire blogger!!  Freddy got on so well with his new friend, it was so nice to see them both playing with sticks, jumping in puddles and exploring the forest together.  My girls loved looking after all the little ones, chasing after them and holding their hands as they clambered down banks to paddle in the streams.  After a rainy wash-out of a half term, it was such a blessing to enjoy a day outdoors. 

Thanks to Roberts Bakery for a fantastic day!