Review - Animal UV Swim Shirts from The Beach Factory

Being fair skinned myself I am very careful with both my girls in the sun. Usually they are smothered in sun cream (making them even whiter than they normally are!) but at least I know they are protected.

 

Before going on holiday this year, I was searching for something suitable for the girls to wear...we were off to Majorca so I knew it would definitely be hotter than here! Not hard, to be honest!

I stumbled across The Beach Factory which stock a large range of UV shirts, sun suits and hats.  They offer a wide range for kids and even adults too - I'd definitely consider a sun shirt for me in time for next year's holiday, as my shoulders, back and chest always end up a little pink despite me smothering myself in cream!

 

I was lucky enough to receive these Animal UV shirts for my girls (currently on sale for £14.95, normally £18) and matching sun hats (normally £13, now £9.95) to review.

 

 

I used to think that as tops like this provided such good coverage, that they would be heavy.  These are certainly lightweight but still give confidence that your little one is protected.
They have long sleeves and a high funnel neck, giving as much coverage as possible. There is a handy zip at the back meaning they are easy to slip on and off especially when wet.

When we deviated away from the pool for snacks or drinks, we tended to put the girls in a dry cover up. As a result, these tops tended to be left on the sun loungers for half an hour or so to dry in the sun.  Due to the lightweight fabric,  they dried really quickly.

 

The hats are made from a thick cotton and have a wide brim...ideal for keeping sun off your little one's necks.
The designs on these are really funky and coordinated well with the tops...the only problem I had was the girls choosing which one they wanted to wear!

 

Overall, these were a great addition to our suitcase and definitely a summer essential.
I'm hoping the girls don't grow too much so we can dig them out again for our next sunny getaway!

  

Pretty Picks for...Mother's Day

Mothers Day is fast approaching...a day to spend with our children and for them to spoil their mums, 'cos every other day is Children's Day, right?

I don't want for much - a card and some pretty flowers would be nice.  Although I'm not going to lie...if any of the following appeared in a delicately gift wrapped box, I wouldn't be handing them back!

This gorgeous Handmade Silver Pea Pod Necklace is lovingly made by muriel & lily and each are made as one off a kind pieces, meaning no two are ever the same.

Crabtree & Evelyn Citron, Honey & Coriander Hand Recovery Scrub is amazing for your hands. A really rough scrub which leaves your hands feeling silky soft and revitalised.

I would love a Creamola Foam Foil Tote Bag from the very talented Gillian Kyle - big enough for me to take lunch to work and to sneak home impulse buys whilst out shopping.

This School Belle Wallet from Lisa Angel Homeware & Gifts is functional but also very pretty.

Also love these Swooping Swallow Sterling Silver Earrings from Lisa Angel too...

 And if any of these don't take your fancy, then maybe a Spa Day at Center Parcs would tempt you.  With 15 different sensory rooms, an outdoor pool and indoor hydrotherapy pool all slap bang in the middle of a peaceful forest, the Aqua Sana spa is a fab way to unwind.  This would have to be the top of my wish list for Mother's Day *hint hint*...I am absolutely desperate to go back!

Hoping all of you mums out there are spoiled!

An apple a day...

It's a new year, and everyone always starts the year with lots of resolutions - the most popular one to be more healthy and get fit in the coming year.

I try it every year.  Do a fad diet for a few weeks, think I am doing really well by losing a few pounds and then get bored of it and end up back at my starting weight again. Sigh....

If only there was something to keep you motivated and interested.  I'm not promising wonders, but I spied this little Apple Design Lunch Bag at only £4.95 on dotcomgiftshop.com and thought that by filling this with lovely healthy treats, it might be a bit more of a pleasure taking a packed lunch into work - what do you think?

Also came across these scrummy looking Snack Boxes for £6.95 for keeping your treats all nice and fresh.  And I'm sure the smallest one could hold at least 6 Maltesers - that's got to sway it, right?

Gorgeous Girliness

I just love pretty things, especially for my girls and today came across a lovely online boutique called This Is Pretty

They have lots of fabulous items - from girls clothing, to cushions, gifts for hubby to keepsakes for friends getting married.  Their products are really reasonably priced and most important of all, are super pretty!

Here are some of my favourite things I found...

This lovely Blue & Red Rose Dress is so summery and it's smocked style means it can be worn for a special occasion or just to have a picnic in the park. Perfect for warm sunny days (or teamed with wellies, for splashing in puddles). And at only £17.20, it's pretty affordable too.

I just adore this cute Air Mail inspired wallet!  With it's nautical coloured stripes and the pretty red stripy bow, I think this is a must for your handbag.  And if you don't have a handbag to match, fear not!  The site also has an Air Mail Overnight Bag - love it!  And according to my mum, it's bad luck to buy your own purse, so this is definitely one for your birthday list!

Finally, with the warmer(ish) weather approaching, it's time to get your garden in check.  And what better way, than a few of these Ivory Hanging Heart T-Light Holders to create a cosy atmosphere on a warm summer evening.  With each holder being only £5.60 each, it would be rude not to get a few! 

Ah, these have put me in the mood for summer now.  Pity there is more snow forecast for tomorrow....sigh!

Cakes, glorious cakes

My girls have now reached that age where they love to bake, and I like to think of myself as a *cough* domestic goddess *cough*, so recently I've been into trying out new recipes in both cooking and baking.

I have also recently discovered Baking Made Easy on BBC and since seeing some amazing things being made on it, I have now decided I want to get a bit more creative. I am thinking french patisserie, delicate icing, fancy cheesecakes (and I do make a mean cheesecake!).  So recently, I have been on the hunt for a nice cake stand, so that when I make these masterpieces, I have something which can show them off in the kitchen.

I had my heart set on a glass dome one, however all of the ones I came across, I would have had to take out a small bank loan to pay for them.  Until today....

I came across this lovely Arv Brollop cake stand with lid from Ikea, of all places. And at only £14.29, I think I just need to have it!   It's not the fanciest of cake stands, but does fill the glass dome criteria and is also easy on the purse.

Only problem with going to Ikea is, you never just leave with what you went in for...

An S please, Bob!

I am always on the lookout for quirky items and I just love this Scrabble Tile ring which I found on Folksy.com from the BeautifulShinyDiamonds shop.

It's really retro and an absolute bargain at only £3 plus p+p. Elly at BeautifulShinyDiamonds will even present it in a lovely gift box for an extra couple of quid. This would make a fabby birthday present for someone who likes kitsch jewellery.

The ring is adjustable too, which means it should suit everyone!  And other letters are available, so you're not limited. Have a look at some of Elly's other items too - some really cool stuff!

Pretty in pink

I have slowly been decorating the girls' room and love coming across little girly odds and ends to put in it. The theme of their room is white, with pale pinks and blues, with a mixture of ginghams and florals.  Recently they had their third birthday and were given loads of toys, but also a couple of things for their room (which I loved!) 

One present was this gorgeous Dolls House shelf from Laura Ashley, which will go perfectly with their room. Now I just need to find lots of pretty things to put in each little space!

As we are in a brand new house, I want the girls' room to be able to do them a few years, but didn't want to wallpaper and paint all of the walls straight away.  One thing I did, was take some samples of this lovely butterfly inspired Cloudywing Wallpaper, again by Laura Ashley, and frame it to sit on their bookcase.

Their room is very much a work in progress and no doubt it will change. But for now, it's a pretty girly room which they love!

It's starting to smell a lot like Christmas

It's Chrisssssstmaaaas (as Slade remind us every year!) and with that, nothing reminds me more of the festive season as wintry scents such as cinnamon, cloves and orange. And what a better way to get into the mood, than a spritz of this Winter Home Spray  from The White Company (£12).

I just LOVE going into the The White Company at Christmas as they have some absolutely beautiful gifts, so I would recommend treating yourself to this or some of their candles from the same range.

A quick spray of this around your living room, snuggled up in front of the TV with twinkling lights on the tree will definitely have you counting down the days til Santa arrives!

What gets you in the mood for Christmas?

Glam Puddle Splashing

With all of the recent snow (and also feeling like I live in the middle of Narnia), I went in search of some perfect wellies. The criteria was something comfy, that was suitable for walking to and from work, good grip and fitted my 'shapely' calves!

After much debate with my husband to which pair I should buy (he didn't really care if I'm honest), I settled on a pair of Joules wellies. I went for their Midnight Plain wellies which fitted the bill perfectly. I couldn't be happier when they arrived and off I plodded through the snow.

I was after a practical pair, however I did find these gorgeous ones, also by Joules but sold through Garden XL.  These Posh Wellies in Dark Olive are perfect for a muddy wedding at a Country House I think!  They also do other colours, as well as half boots.

These wellies come with a boot bag, which is great for shoving them in the boot of the car, without getting everything else dirty.

There are so many wellies on the market just now...what are yours like?

Polkadot Prettiness

On browsing the Internet for Christmas gifts, I came across this lovely Porcelain Milk Jug from NotOnTheHighStreet.com. I think this would look fab on the windowsill with a small bunch of flowers in it. Would definitely brighten up a kitchen on a dreary winters day.  Also completely usable in the traditional sense and I am sure would look lovely in your fridge too!

It comes in 2 different sizes and also comes as a milk bottle, which is the largest of the sizes (the bottle is my fave!)  Although at £49 for the larger size, it's maybe not an essential kitchen item. Smaller sizes start at £36.

Unfortunately, it's out of stock at the moment, but the seller (Hanne Rysgaard Ceramics) has new stock arriving on 31st January. Maybe something to put on your wish list as an Easter Gift?!