Living Arrows #10 - Happy Halloween

It's going up for 11pm as I type this and I've only just sat down. We've had a very busy Halloween, it's been amazing! After school, we got the kids dressed for a Halloween party we booked a few weeks ago (not in these costumes, as a cat and a zombie pirate) and drove over to it. They both had such a great time, dancing to the spooky songs, eating hot dogs, playing in the soft play areas and making new friends. It was 7pm when it finished and Noah then asked if he could go trick or treating! How could we say no? I took him to around 10 different houses, all with decorations outside or pumpkins in the windows and he ended up with a bag full of sweets an chocolates! I think we've made some fantastic family memories tonight, we all loved every moment of Halloween 2018!

Zuru Smashers Series 2 - Review

There's no doubt about it. Noah is obsessed with collectibles. We currently have countless collections on the go, from fluffy animals and cute babies through to miniature superheroes and gross critters! I've honestly lost count of them all, he adores them so much! With this in mind, you can imagine how happy he was to receive a couple of products from the new Smashers series and even more so when he realised that Smashers series 2 has a theme, a gross one!

The first product we received was the Smashers Series 2 eight-pack, which has an RRP of £7.99. Included in the pack are, yes you guessed it, eight eyeball Smashballs. Inside the Smashballs are eight, all new gross Smasher critters, all waiting to be smashed free! I think Noah took about 60 seconds to lob each Smashball against the wall, the jigsaw-like pieces sure made a mess!

There are over 100 characters to collect in series 2 which makes collecting Smashers even more exciting! With so many to choose from it's such a surprise to find who's lurking inside and you've got such a low chance of finding a dupe. The creatures include a selection from ‘Odd Bodies’, ‘Icky Insects’, ‘Ooze Dudes’, ‘Awful Animals’, ‘Filthy Food’, ‘Toilet Humour’, and ‘Smash Trash’, with rare, ultra-rare, and see-through characters. Noah was really happy with the ones he received, especially the poop shaped ones, of course!

The second product we received was the Smashers series 2 Sludge Bus, which currently retails at £19.99. First of all, this can be played within the form that it comes packaged, as a bus. You can place Smashers on the bus and drive it around, which provides hours of fun as it is!

However, the fun doesn’t end there! When you unfold the bus you discover a huge surprise, it turns into a slimy bathroom with different areas and items to explore. It can also store over 50 Smashers, which makes it the perfect place for those gross critters to live.

The yucky bathroom lair is Noah to a tee, he loves anything gross! He's spent so much time putting the gunge (included) in and out of the toilet, and laughs so much when he shoots the Smashers into the toilet using the plunger! Also included are two exclusive Smashers and a plastic poop! What more could a kid want?

Smashers Series 2 are suitable for ages 5+ and are available now in most stores and online. For more information on the range visit ZURU at www.zuru.com, like ZURU on Facebook @ZURUToysCompany or Follow on Twitter @ZURUToys.

- We were sent these products for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.

How To Avoid Fretting Over Flight Delays

You’ve been to the travel agents or found the best deal online and booked your holiday, the suitcases are packed, the children have asked for the thousandth time “are we there yet” and you are on the way to the airport.  But despite your best intentions things can, and often do, go wrong. Whether it is a lost coat, forgetting the passports or a child with travel sickness, any minor issue can affect your holiday experience. But what happens when you get to the airport, family, luggage, and excitement in tow and find that your flight has been delayed, or even worse, cancelled? As well as affecting the mood of holidaymakers a delayed or cancelled flight can also affect the airport staff, making the entire situation a stressful and highly charged affair. But there are ways to reduce the stress and one straightforward way, if you have the means is to look into the cost to rent a private jet. This makes travelling so much easier and adds a bit of luxury to your travels.

Find out the reason

Passengers can often feel in the dark about why their flight is delayed and the confusion can lead to frustration, exasperation and even anger with the situation, airline and the airport staff.  By finding out the reason for the delay you are putting yourself back in control, reducing any anxiety instantly. It may not even be a serious issue; perhaps the tyre pressures are too low, or the on-ground oxygen booster has not yet fully recharged the oxygen tanks. But who do you speak to?  Find the airline’s flight desk or the airport manager. Many airports will have a designated member of staff to deal with all enquiries. As well as being able to tell you the reason for the delay they will also be able to impart information such as what is happening, any future actions and suggestions of where you can go while they solve the problem. 

It is also important to remember that flight delays and cancellations cost airlines a significant amount of money – around $8 billion per year – so any delays are for the safety of the passenger.  This could be due to a fault with the airplane, airline faults, air traffic issues, security concerns, poor weather or a knock-on effect from other flight delays.

Know your rights

Passengers who have had a flight delay or cancellation are sometimes entitled to compensation, so make sure you know your rights.  You may be able to claim compensation If the problem was within the airline’s control – such as technical problems with the airplane, lack of crew or pilot or even if the flight has been cancelled due to low booking numbers.  If so you need to make a note of how long the flight was delayed for as this matters in how much money you may be entitled to. If your delay was under 3 hours you will not be entitled to any compensation however if you are delayed over 3 hours you can make a claim.  There are also many different types of compensation and this differs between airlines, but is usually a complementary hotel (if the delay is overnight), financial or even a rescheduled connecting flight for free. However if your connecting flight is with a different airline it may be difficult to reschedule and they will not provide compensation for the lost flight.  Therefore it may be worth considering booking all flights on your trip with the same airline.

Check your insurance

Never travel without insurance as many travel insurance policies may cover flight delays meaning you can claim for compensation.  Some policies also cover travel costs and expenses which can reduce the stress if you find yourself having to spend more when your flight has been delayed, so it is worth checking your policy to see if this is part of your package.  Many travellers choose the cheaper package for their travel insurance but a few extra pounds to include cancellations and delays can make any incidents less stressful.

Travelling to remote locations

Rearranging a delayed flight is difficult at the best of times but if you are travelling to a location that is off the beaten track it can be even more frustrating.  If you have had to book local ferries, seaplanes or even several taxis you could miss some – or all – of your bookings, making travel more convenient and even more expensive.  It is a good idea to book all travel with the same company, especially flights, as this will make it easier for the airline to reschedule. Make sure that you purchase a travel insurance policy that covers more remote locations. These can be bought online or through the company you have booked your holiday with.  Many travellers prefer to book their entire trip through a travel agent who can not only book your flights, accommodation and travel insurance for you, but also excursions and all connecting transport. This way if a flight is delayed one call to the travel agent can resolve everything – although please check with your agent when you book as there may be extra fees.

Compensation can be claimed by contacting the airline customer service team and you will need all of your flight information. Be sure to keep all correspondence with the airline in case you encounter difficulties further down the line. To get additional support, you can contact the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who will be able to help you with your claim. You can also consult a legal expert, who can advise you on exactly what you should be claiming for.

Making a claim

If your flight delay is within the EU and over two hours the airline is required to offer passengers food and drink, access to emails or a telephone plus overnight accommodation where required, and these can be obtained by speaking to the airline.  The rules change when your flight is delayed for more than three hours and is a problem within the airline’s control. Any reimbursement can differ depending on the length of the flight as well as the airline. If the delay is out of the airline’s control – airport strikes, bad weather – you may not be able to claim.  The rules change again where flights have been delayed more than five hours. You should be offered alternative flights, however if you decide to not take the flight you will be entitled to a full refund for the cancelled or delayed flight as well as any connecting flights. But if you choose to continue with your journey you are entitled to a rescheduled flight plus compensation.

- This is a PR collaboration.

photo credit: Guillaume DELEBARRE Between Vegas and Frisco via photopin

Tonka Power Movers Vehicles - Review

Noah has never been very fond on small cars or trains, but if a vehicle is large, makes sounds and flashes lights then it's a whole new ball game! With this in mind, when the opportunity came to review one of the new Tonka Power Movers I accepted. I thought they sounded great and would be a toy that both Noah and Ava would enjoy together.

There are four different vehicles to collect in the new Tonka Power Movers range. There's a cement mixer, dump truck, front loader, and bulldozer. We received the dump truck for the purpose of the review which I was delighted by as it would have been the one Noah would pick given the chance. All four vehicles feature the new motion drive technology which makes play more realistic and exciting.

Noah insisted on taking the dump truck outside to play with and test out as soon as I'd opened the box. It was then when we experienced the motion drive technology for the first time, it's so clever.

First, you push a little button on the side, that starts the process and makes a rather loud engine noise. You then push the dump truck forward and the noise changes to driving sounds and the lights begin to flash. If you pull the truck back it starts to make a beeping reversing sound. Not only that, but there's also a little lever on the vehicle, which when lifted will dump whatever is inside.

Noah and Ava have been having so much fun with the dump truck. It's carried so much already, from small toys and crayons through to discarded crisps and even my shoes! They've not stopped playing with it, much to my dismay - it's very loud!

All the elements and features included with this toy are not only fun and engaging, but they really bring play to life, sparking imagination, while they learn through play too. The Tonka Power Dump Truck is suitable for children from 3 years of age, retails at £19.99 and is available to buy now at Amazon.

- We were sent this product for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.

My Sunday Photo - 43/52

Our Visit To Affinity Lancashire

Shopping and children, they don't usually mix well. Not in my case anyway! It can be stressful and result in very unsuccessful shopping trips. But what I've noticed lately is that shopping centers have started to offer more for the kids to do, in between shopping with their parents, which I think is a fantastic idea. Affinity Lancashire is one of those and this half term they've offered lots of Halloween crafts and activities for children to enjoy. Yesterday we were invited to enjoy the shopping experience with Affinity Lancashire and to take part in the Halloween fun.

Affinity Lancashire is located in Fleetwood, around a scenic marina. Although very beautiful, it's outdoors, and near the water, so it can be a little chilly. I’d recommend an extra layer when visiting at this time of year, and don’t forget your gloves too. It boasts over 45 popular stores, many outlets, all of which offer up to 60% off every single day. This makes Affinity Lancashire the ideal place to visit if you want to find the best savings.

Kids International Designer Store was our first stop because we decided to start at the far end of the center and work our way around. We were blown away with the choice of designer brands to choose from, all reasonably priced with 30% off and an extra discount when buying 4 or more items. The Carrement Beau display was absolutely stunning, with all the peach, beige, silvers and navy garments. I could have easily bought the entire collection for Ava.

After visiting a couple of stores we decided to let the kids enjoy a couple of the £1 rides which are dotted around the complex. Ava made a beeline for the Noddy ride and quite frankly, didn't want to get off it. What is with kids and these rides? We then spent some time on the outdoor playground, right in the middle of the center, which is a fantastic idea for a shopping center. 

We then visited the owls which you can hold for just £2. They had quite a few different owl breeds to view, and even had a hawk too! Noah really wanted to hold the barn owl, but I think he's still a little young for that responsibility! Instead, he stroked one gently, and we popped some money into the donation box.

We don't have a GAP store near us and it's one of my favourite brands, especially for kidswear, so when I spotted the GAP Outlet, I had to visit right away! On entering the store I was greeted by a lovely member of staff who told me about the offer they had in store, a whopping 50% off EVERYTHING! Even sale items! This blew me away and I started shopping right away. I bought half a dozen things; a pair of jeans and a t-shirt for Nick, a hoodie, shirt and t-shirt for Noah, and a hoodie and long sleeve t-shirt for Ava and it cost just £68.00! In hindsight, I wish I had bought more!

We also visited The Fragrance Shop and the Hallmark Outlet to pick up some gifts for upcoming birthdays and Christmas. Both stores offered amazing deals and I'm really pleased with the perfume and Yankee Candle sets that I purchased. We then walked by Katie's, a quaint little tea shop which was celebrating it's grand opening that day. We were tempted in by the delicious looking cupcakes but it was very busy, so we'll have to pay a visit next time.

After we'd have our fill of shopping, it was the time for the part the kids were the most excited about, the creepy arts and crafts! This was located indoors, across from Katie's and gave us the perfect opportunity to warm up, whilst the kids had a bit of fun. The spooky crafts workshop offered lots of different activities for the kids of all ages to enjoy. They could make their own slime, create their own trick or treat bags, or enjoy a bit of spooky colouring. You can also collect a treasure map here to take part in the Trick or Treat Treasure hunt.

The kids then decided to have their faces painted, which again is free! With Ava being so young we opted for a simple cat nose and whiskers, to match her Halloween costume and Noah asked to be a green zombie! Just as the lady had finished painting Noah's face we noticed someone looking down at us through the window, it was Jack Skellington! It was great seeing these spooky characters walking around the shops on their stilts. They seemed to make everyone smile and really added to the Halloween feel of the place.

It was our first visit to Affinity Lancashire. Would we go back? Absolutely! It has everything anyone needs for a great shopping experience; top stores with fantastic savings, located in a beautiful setting, with a relaxed yet fun atmosphere. For information on Affinity Lancashire's opening times, directions, store lists or for further details on the Halloween activities, simply head to their website.

- We were given a voucher to spend at Affinity Lancashire, to help write this post, however, all opinions are my own.

How Would You Prepare For Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

 Article is contributed by Austin K.

If you have unwanted hair on your body, you can opt to remove them. You can choose between temporary and permanent removal. Temporary removal includes basic techniques like shaving, plucking, and waxing. Permanent solutions involve the use of invasive procedures, like chemical solutions and laser treatment. In laser treatment, the hairs are treated at their bases, the hair follicles. Removal of hair follicles permanently removes the hair from the treated parts of the body. If you want to opt for such treatments, you need to prepare yourself before the treatment.

How can you prepare for a laser hair removal treatment?
You must not apply any cream, oil, or lotion on those areas where you opt for the treatment. Any fragrance must also be avoided. It is recommended that you take a bath before the treatment to remove any such skin applications.

1. It would help if you shaved the area before the treatment. The shaving of the area should be done at least 24 hours prior to the treatment. This will prevent the development of any irritation on the treated parts.

2. You must not apply waxing, tweezing, epilating or chemical procedures to remove the hair. These techniques affect the hair roots but do not permanently remove it. The laser treatment is directed to the roots of the hairs, and therefore, the roots must remain on your skin. The roots will remain intact only when you shave those areas. You can ask the technician to shave the area as well.

3. You must not expose your treated areas to sunlight or UV light. After the treatment, you must use a gentle lotion or cleanser on these areas for the next few days.

4. Never use any acid-based product that increases photosensitivity. These products include retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and other hydroxy acids. You must not apply them for a few days prior to the treatment.

5. Before the treatment, consult your dermatologist about the best kind of treatment that can be applied to your skin. You must take all the medications and antibiotics that will prepare your skin for the treatment. You must also avoid any dermal filler, botox injection for at least 14 days prior to laser hair removal treatment.

Is laser hair removal treatment safe?

Although the laser hair removal technique is an invasive procedure, many people have found it safe. They might have developed some immediate reaction on their skin, but it never leads to chronic progression or long-term risks of any disease. The side effects of laser treatment depend on the type of skin. If you wish to check for laser treatment’s potential side effects, you must previously consult a dermatologist.

There are minimal preparations associated with laser hair removal treatments, and it is regulated by the type and sensitivity of the skin. If you wish to choose such treatment, talk to your dermatologist, take his or her suggestions, and consider the laser hair removal prices you can afford.

Camping Holiday Dos And Don’ts

As the winter weather kicks in, camping is probably the furthest thing from your mind! But the months will fly by quickly and now is the perfect time to start thinking about booking your family camping holidays in 2019. As well as being affordable, it’s a great way to explore new areas and spend quality time with the kids, without all the technology! Things can and do go wrong, unfortunately, so it’s worth swotting up on these golden nuggets of advice prior to booking!

Choose Your Location Wisely

It does not matter how much preparation you put into your holiday, if you choose the wrong location you can ruin your holiday before it has started. If you are looking for a family break by the beach make sure you choose a campsite that is family friendly and has plenty to keep the kids entertained. However, if you are looking for a couples break children running around may not be top of your list. There are many campsites around that cater to every group.

Try Our Your Towing Technique

If you are new to caravanning you may not have towed a caravan before but this should not make you nervous or even put you off your trip. There are places you can practice towing caravans if you need to, if not just take it easy and make sure you stay on the inside lane when on dual carriageways or motorways.

Research the Site Rules

although each campsite has to adhere to strict health and safety regulations there may also be rules specific to each site. For instance, most sites insist on no open fires or Chinese lanterns due to fire safety whilst others may be more flexible. Always check the site rules which will be displayed either on entry to the site or in the reception area.

Know Your Pitch Perfectly

Although there are standard rules when setting up your pitch always check with the owners for any specific regulations. Some prefer you to put your caravan on one side of the pitch whilst others let you set up where you like. It is always a good idea to set your caravan down on the other side of the pitch to your neighbours. As well as a little extra privacy this can reduce some of the noise pollution.

Expand With Awnings and Tents

If you require a bit more space an awning is the perfect accessory to a caravan. These areas can be used to store outdoor furniture or to cook in. Always remember to only use bar-b-ques outside and never put them inside your awning or tent as this could cause carbon monoxide poisoning – which can kill. Some campsites only allow certain sized tents or awnings, depending on the size of your caravan, so always check before you set up as they can make you take them down.

Good Hygiene

there are many misconceptions that camping holidays leave you smelly and not as hygienic as you would be if you stayed at a hotel or a resort. However, this could not be further from the truth! Campsites nowadays have to provide showering facilities as well as toilet blocks. There must also be adequate drainage for you to empty your toilet as well as areas you can do your washing up. There are also laundry rooms on most sites – just make sure you do not leave your washing in the machine too long when it is finished as other holidaymakers may remove it to make room for theirs.

Check What Food Is Available

unless you have opted for a pitch with electricity you may be limited as to what food you can take with you.  Many campsites have shops on them but these will usually be pricier than the local supermarkets so try and buy as much as you can before you arrive. Always make sure you have some staple foods in the cupboards – tins, pasta, and sauce, noodles etc – that you can add fresh ingredients to. And if you decide to have a bar-b-que don’t feel you are limited to sausages and burgers. A skewer of meat and vegetables, pasta, meat or even halloumi cheese are all alternative, tasty options. If you do not have electric hook-up make sure you have an ice box to keep your meat and dairy in. You can usually get ice packs from the campsite’s shop for a small fee to ensure your food stays fresh and keep you away from food sickness.

Be Aware of Anti-Social Behaviour

Space is limited in a caravan so it is a good idea to do any activity that others may not appreciate outside. Try not to play music late into the night as other campers may not be into the same music as you. All families like to let their children have more freedom when camping but do not let your children run wild. Nobody appreciates other people’s children shouting and screaming first thing in the morning. And never walk across another person’s pitch. Whilst it may seem a shorter route to your caravan you are invading other people’s space. If you do find yourself next to a group displaying anti-social behaviour have a quiet, polite word with them. If they continue, speak to someone who works at the site who can speak to them for you.

Safety and Surroundings

When you first reach your chosen campsite take a look at the surrounding area. Where are the safety points? Who do you report fires or other incidents to? If you are near the beach are there cliffs or woods that could be a danger?  If you do have an accident do you know who you speak to or what to do? All campsites have a duty of care for their visitors and have to adhere to strict health and safety regulations. If you have suffered an accident on holiday and are injured due to a campsite owner’s negligence it is worth speaking to a solicitor as you could be entitled to compensation.  

Aim For a Prompt Departure

All sites insist you leave your pitch by a certain time in the morning of your departure, usually either 10am or 11am. Make sure you have all your belongings packed – you would be surprised how easy it is to leave things behind. Always remove all rubbish and debris so you leave your pitch the way you would want to receive it.

There are many beautiful areas of the UK and by following this guide you can visit them whilst have a relaxing caravanning break. Happy camping!

- This is a PR collaboration

photo credit: afloden Time to sleep via photopin