Living Arrows #17 - Ice Cream And Sunny Days

Living Arrows has become a personal highlight for me. I love having the time to sit, and share memories of my kids, being kids. I did have another set of photographs to share for this week but decided to use a different set. I had a plethora of photographs of the kids, playing in the snow and making snow angels, but with the drastic change in the weather, I decided to scrap the idea and share some snaps of the kids enjoying the sun instead.

These shots were taken at Edisford Bridge on a spontaneous afternoon out. It was a few days before the heat struck, but it was warm enough to wear shorts and T-shirts and to eat lots of ice cream! I think that Noah and Ava would live off ice cream if I let them and I could spend hours watching them enjoy it.

My Sunday Photo - 8/52

Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt Toys - Review & Giveaway

Noah is an avid collector of toys, especially little collectibles so he was very excited when he received some toys from the Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt range to play with and review. He had no prior experience with Moshi Monsters, but I knew right off the bat that he'd love them. 

The Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt Surprise Eggs were the first to be opened because the kids couldn't wait to see what was inside! Inside each brightly coloured, reusable, plastic egg is one Moshling, a collectors guide and a digital gift which can be redeemed on the Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt app (which is awesome by the way!) There are an array of different coloured eggs to choose from and over 40 different characters to collect. The single packs have an RRP of £2.79.

Next, we have the Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt 7 pack and 4 Pack. The 7 pack contains 5 Moshlings which can be seen through the pack, then two surprise Moshlings hidden within the surprise eggs. The 4 pack has 3 Moshlings on display and one surprise egg. They both come with a collectors guide and a free digital gift. With over 40 different Moshlings to collect, we were delighted to discover some rare and ultra rare characters! The 7 and 4 pack retail at £9.99 and £6.99, though prices vary over the internet.

The Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt Monster Pack caught Noah's attention right away, probably due to the number of Moshlings in it! He couldn't wait to open it. This pack contains 17 Moshlings (some shown, some hidden and some in eggs), 2 eggs, a collectors guide, a digital gift, and is a great way to start a new collection off with a bang! 

The last item we opened was the Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt Blingo's Party House which has a recommended retail price of £19.99. Included you'll find 1 playset, 1 exclusive Moshling, reusable stickers, 1 collectors guide, and 1 digital gift. I think it's great when collectibles come with sets like this because it really adds more elements to play and I'm sure that it makes Noah enjoy them even more. The house is a party house and features a slide, a swing, a revolving disco door, dance floor, and even a trap door! The reusable stickers are a great feature because kids are able to decorate the house with them over, and over again.

Well, what can I say? After reviewing these toys Noah is well and truly hooked on Moshi Monsters! He loves discovering all the different characters and creating his own Moshi Monsters world. As I type this he's actually sat next to me playing on the Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt app which is free to download and totally safe for children to use. We've redeemed all our digital gifts and Noah has already collected over 50 different Moshlings! I can't recommend the app enough! The Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt Toys are suitable for children from 3 years of age and are available to buy online or at most leading toy stores.

To spread a little Moshi Moster love I've decided to give away a Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt 4 pack to one lucky reader! To enter simply use the Gleam form below and don't forget to enter my other competitions! Good luck!

Moshi Monsters Egg Hunt 4 Pack

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize sent directly by myself. 
3. Competition ends 31/03/19.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only.

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

5 Extraordinary Places To Live Or Visit In The UK

AD - This is a PR collaboration.

If you have a love for all things cool and interesting, then chances are you might like a town or city that shares your passion for knowledge. You might expect the first cities to be listed as Cambridge and Oxford, but anyone who loves all things nerdy already knows that they have plenty to offer. In fact, they’ve taken the spotlight a little too long – so where else could become the home of museum lovers?

London - The National Archives

This one might take more than a one-day visit, and if you’re lucky enough to live in London, this is an absolute go-to for a trawl through. The Domesday Book, Henry VIII’s divorce papers from Anne Boleyn, the Treaty of Versailles are all housed here. History lovers rejoice: your new home has been found!

Bristol - The Clifton Observatory and Caves

This Bristolian observatory and caves sit above the Avon Gorge and showcase incredible views of Clifton Suspension Bridge as well as a bird’s eye view of Bristol itself. The observatory was first built as a windmill in 1766, which was then owned by William West in the mid-1800s. He converted it into an artist studio and installed a camera obscura, which still works to this very day. Through this vintage contraption, you can see a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. Bristol also has an abundance of independent shops, bars, and cafes, which all make for great places to read and meet like-minded people. If you’re looking at relocating, finding a Bristol based solicitor is your first step.

Powys - Spaceguard Centre

Did you know: between 100-150 tonnes of space materials hit the Earth’s atmosphere every day – some of which turns into shooting stars! The Spaceguard centre has one big aim, which is to “provide timely information to the public, press, media, and education about the threat of asteroid and comet impacts, and the ways in which we can predict and deal with them.”

Jodrell Bank - Cheshire

This place provided the backdrop to BBC’s Star Gazing Live, and for a good reason. It is home to the Lovell Telescope and, as a result, is now a hub for world-renowned scientists. It is currently housing a project that links six other British radio telescopes, all into a dish spanning 217km.

Lacock Village - Wiltshire

If you’d love to see the estate of the Bennet family estate, then you can actually go and see the real-life Meryton of Pride and Prejudice, and not to mention Godric's Hollow from Harry Potter. Card-carrying enthusiasts will be pleased to know that this is National Trust site, complete with its own medieval village.

If you’re someone who’s looking to find a like-minded town to live in, then hopefully we’ve got you covered here. Even if it’s just a day trip, exploring towns that truly enjoy their history is great fun. Towns and cities that embrace their history tend also to host other activities which make for a good hometown; such as great bars, good book-reading cafes and arts events. Whether you visit for an estate agent or just the museum has yet to be seen.

Where are your favourite places to visit in the UK?

3 Unique Gift Ideas For Mothers Day

AD - This is a collaborative post.

Mothers Day is just one month away and it happens to be one of my favourite occasions! This isn't because I'm a mother myself and receive gifts from my children, yes, that's nice but for me, it's all about spoiling my own mother. She's a great person, my best friend and has always been a fantastic role model for me and my siblings. She's hardworking and determined, often going through hardships, but always coming out on top. If anyone deserves to be treated like a queen on mothers day, it has to be her. Here are some of the mothers day gifts that I'm considering this year.

1. Classic Composable Bracelet with Birthstone - £66.00
Personal jewelry is always a great choice to opt for when you want to buy something subtle, chic and special. I've recently been looking at rose gold and silver composable bracelets with zodiac charms for gifts for various special occasions. My Mum is born in March, so celebrates both her birthday and mothers day during the same month. March's zodiac is Pisces and its birthstone is aquamarine. I can't think of a better gift for her this Mothers day.

2. 'Motherhoodie' Womens Hoodie - £35.00
Like myself, my Mum is always trying to keep up with the latest style and trends, though comfort is a must-have too. We often like the same clothing and accessories, sometimes we buy double of everything! Ada & Alfred is a UK based family brand (run by a very lovely lady) who offer an array of unique and stylish clothing for women, men, children, and babies. I have my eye on so many different garments, but the "motherhoodie" has been on my wishlist for some time now, for both me and my Mum! Maybe I'll order her one for mothers day, and she can order me one for my birthday? I might have to drop some hints!

3. Set of 4 Watercolour Prints - £28.00

I've been a fan of Etsy for years and could spend hours browsing through the endless stores. I think it's a great place to shop if you want to buy something creative, handmade, made to order, vintage or unique. The website is filled to the brim with fantastic ideas which always leaves me feeling inspired when it comes to gift giving. Little Leos Ark caught my attention last year when they ran a giveaway for a set of their beautiful watercolour prints, which I was lucky enough to win! Having them at hand now I think that they'd make a fantastic gift for any occasion, especially if the recipient has a favourite animal or two!

Have you bought any gifts lately or would you consider buying any of my suggestions?

DreamWorks How To Train Your Dragon 3: Hidden World Toys - Review

How To Train Your Dragon is a movie franchise that is suitable for the whole family. I think that the three films are just as enjoyable for us parents as they are for the kids. Being the fans that we are I was more than happy to agree to review a couple of the toys from the new range to coincide with the latest movie.

We received three different toys for the purpose of this review, the first being the Giant Fire Breathing Toothless which retails at £34.99. It measures in at over 20 inches long and has a wingspan of 55cm. It really is a giant! It comes with a water dropper, two plasma blast projectiles, and an extra water tank.

To get started you need to have 3 x AAA batteries at hand as these are not included. Once the batteries are installed you add a little water under the flap on the saddle with the dropper that's included. This is what creates the magic! 

There are many ways to play with the Giant Fire Breathing Toothless. Push the button behind his right ear to bring Toothless to life with lights and smoke-like dragon's breath, which is cold vapour which is created by adding the water! Then prepare for a surprise attack by inserting a plasma blast projectile into his mouth, then push the button behind his right ear to fire. Noah has had so much fun doing this over and over again!

Next, we have the Lightfury Deluxe Lights and Sounds figure which has a retail price of £16.00. This toy is smaller than the other, however, it is still of a generous size. Lightfury looks fantastic, just like she does in the movies and the lights and sounds add lots of new elements to play.

Push the button on her back to make the fabric wings pop open and activate the different sounds and light effects. Closing the wings back together again can be a little tricky but we got the knack for it pretty quickly. The kids seem to be taken by this toy the most and I think it's because it's quite interactive, yet the size makes it easier to play with.

Last, but not least is the Toothless and Hiccup, Armored Viking Figure set which has an RRP of £14.99. Hiccup is small, but just the right size to ride on Toothless' back! He features armour which can be seen in the new movie and comes with a removable weapon. Toothless has a missile which shoots right out of his mouth when in battle. Both Toothless and Hiccup have moveable limbs which Noah really likes as it adds more realism to play.

All three of these Dreamworks How To Train Your Dragon 3: Hidden World Toys are suitable for children from 4 years and can be purchased at leading toy stores or online at Amazon.

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

My Sunday Photo - 7/52

What's In My Changing Bag

I'm not a shoe, makeup or handbag kinda girl. I like them, but I can do without them, however, the same cannot be said for changing bags. I adore them, and I'm probably a little obsessed with them. I've had so many different changing bags since becoming a mother five years ago, from lots of different brands, but my all time favourite is the B.F.F changing bag from Ju-Ju-Be, which I reviewed last year. It's functional and practical, whilst being stylish, and on trend too.

With a love of changing bags comes a fondness for WIMCB blog posts (what's in my changing bag.) It's a guilty pleasure of mine, to have a look at what other people carry in their bags. On blog posts of course! I'm not peeking into peoples bags in real life! I've also written a couple over the years, at different stages of my children's lives because they are great to look back on, and I like to think that they may help out a fellow parent. Today I've decided to write an updated WIMCB post, featuring numerous items which I always carry in my changing bag.

Miscellaneous: 

I thought I'd start with the miscellaneous items that I carry, some of which can be deemed essentials too I suppose, depending on various factors. Whatever the weather, or time of year, I make sure to pack suitable spare clothes and accessories. In winter it's all about hats, gloves, and spare layers and when it's summer time I'll pack suncream, sun hats, and spare vests. My kids are like bottomless pits so I always carry a couple of quick and easy snacks like fruit, crackers, and fruit or yogurt pouches. Last, but not least are the little bits and pieces that keep them entertained while we're out. Board books, activity packs, and small soft toys are always a winner.

Essentials: 

Then there's the essential items that I carry in our changing bag, the items I wouldn't leave the house without. That would be nappies, wipes, bibs, my purse, my keys, my phone, and most recently Oderase.

Oderase is an air freshener with a difference and perfect for packing in your changing bag. Rather than mask bad odours like regular air fresheners do, it eliminates them by attaching itself to the offensive odour particles and erasing them from the air. It comes in a handy pump spray bottle (yay, no aerosol - I wouldn't carry aerosol in my bag) and is non-toxic and fragrance-free. It's been approved by Allergy UK, Good Housekeeping Institute, and achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified™ SILVER.

I've been using Oderase both at home and on the go for the past week and I'm really impressed with the results. It's ideal for using every day, at home but it's also been a godsend for using in public baby changing rooms. When entering them I tend to always have to breathe through my mouth to avoid the smell. Why do they always smell? Even first thing in the morning? I feel sorry for Ava because she's too young to suss out that trick yet. Thankfully, all I have to do is spray a little around to room, and voila! Odours, eliminated! Only available at Ocado, a 100ml bottle usually retails at £4.99, however, it's on offer at £3.99 until 19/02/2019.

What items do you carry in your changing bag? Would you consider using Oderase?

AD - We were sent a bottle Oderase for the purpose of this feature and received a fee to do so, however, all opinions are my own.

Crate Creatures Surprise Bashers & Barf Buddies - Review & Giveaway

Crate Creatures are back, but this time with little mini versions of themselves, and with a couple of new friends! If you haven’t a clue what Crate Creatures are then I recommend taking a look at my review from last year. Anyway, back to it. Crate Creatures Bashers are similar to the Crate Creatures Surprise as they are sat inside their little box, waiting to be unleashed!

Noah has been a fan of collectibles since he was a toddler and his collections have quadrupled over the years! (Help!) With this in mind, you can imagine how excited he was when he found out about Crate Creatures Bashers, they are smaller, more compact and there's more of them to collect. There are 12 characters available at the moment; Blizz, Flea, Guang, Crosseyes, Stubbs, Cappa, Pudge, SnortHog, Tenta, Sizzle, Tugger and Croak! Inside our crates, we discovered Blizz, Guano, and Croak! 

I hadn't seen Crate Creatures Bashers in any shops and hadn't seen any reviews so I really didn't know what to expect when they arrived. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised. They are a lot bigger than I imagined, which is great because itty bitty collectibles tend to become lost in our house. They are so bright and fun looking that the kids couldn't wait to get their mitts on them.

The Crate Creature Bashers have an on and off switch (batteries included) and when you pull their tongue they make gross sounds! Not only that, but each cardboard crate turn into a target and then the aim of the game is to fling your Basher onto it! Crate Creature Bashers retail at £9.99 each, and I have a feeling that we may have to collect them all. 

Next, we have Barf Buddies, who are also part of the Crate Creature Surprise family. These ones don't require batteries or make any sounds, but they contain something very gross! Yes, you guessed it, every parent's favourite thing, SLIME!

There are currently 6 Barf Buddies to collect; Skitter, Gulp, Matey, Grumble, Perch and Crunch. We received Crunch who’s a scary looking shark creature! Each Barf Buddy comes with a pot of slime and inside the slime are 3 mystery puke pals. The puke pals are a great idea as it gives another element to the slime and adds even more fun.

To play, you simply open up the tub of slime, pour it into the creature's mouth and then pull it’s tail for it to open up its mouth and spit out all the contents. It’s very gross, which of course the kids love! I did find myself having to help Noah a lot with this as it is quite fiddly, but that wasn't a problem.

Barf Buddies retail at £8.99 each and can be purchased online or in most toy stores. How would you like to win one for your child? Enter to win one of the Barf Buddies by using the Gleam form below! Good luck and don't forget to enter my other competitions!

Crate Creatures Barf Buddy

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above. Character chose at random.
2. Prize sent directly by myself. 
3. Competition ends 10/03/19.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only.

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

My Sunday Photo - 6/52

My Favourite Valentines Gifts For 2019

Valentines Day is just around the corner and if you're anything like I am, you'll have left it until the last minute! Fear not, I have a few ideas here which may spare you from that last minute scramble to the shops. All products here were gifted to us, however, they are all items I would use, like and would buy for my better half or myself. Hopefully, they will give you a little inspiration when it comes to gift giving this Valentines Day.

Guylian Belgian Chocolates - from £1.00

Valentines Day wouldn't be the same without a nice box of chocolates to tuck into! Treat your loved one to an eye-catching red box of romantic Guylian Belgian chocolate hearts, marbled and filled with roasted hazelnut praline. The 42g box (RSP £1), which contains four praline filled hearts, is the ideal love token, whilst the 105g heart shaped box (RSP £4) makes an even more impressive Valentine’s Day gift.

Alcatel 1 Mobile Phone - £69.99

If you really want to impress you're Valentine? How about a new handset? The Alcatel 1 is an impressive phone which doesn't break the bank. It features a 5 inch crystal clear screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio so fits comfortably in one hand, and easier to 'scroll' one-handed. It has a 8MP rear camera and 5MP front facing camera, ideal for taking perfect selfies or group photos. Find more details here.

Klean Kanteen Insulated Classic Bottle - £27.95
I've been a fan of Klean Kanteen bottles for the past few years. They are great for people who like to get out and about, for taking to work, using at home, or for those who want to cut down on plastic use. They even sell smaller versions, with the kids in mind. The Insulated Classic 20oz is based on Klean Kanteen classic stainless steel water bottle combined with Climate Lock™ double-wall vacuum insulation, keeping drinks hot for 20 hours and iced for 50 hours! Klean Coat™ powder coat finish is 4X more durable, chip-resistant and safe for people and planet!

Satisfyer Partner Multifun 2 - £44.95 Want to spice things up and perhaps be a little more adventurous in the bedroom this Valentines? Then look no further than the Satisfyer Partner Multifun! This is a vibrator designed for women, men and for couples and there's an array of different ways in which it can be used. It's a great addition to any collection and for any relationship. To read more about its features and, ahem, benefits, do check out the website.

Derwent Bullet Journal Set - £29.99

Now, this beauty right here is perfect for my fellow bloggers, or for those who like to put pen to paper. Bullet journals are a fun way to document everyday moments, jot down notes, and create lists. The set contains an A5 Bullet Journal x 1, 120 sheets, 100gsm Ivory coloured ink proof paper, elastic closure, thread-bound- opens flat, 3 ribbon page marker. Graphik Line Makers x 4 -water-based fine liner pens in rich, semi-permanent tones, Black 0.3, Sepia 0.5, Graphite 0.5, Black 0.8, elasticated pen wrap x 1, holds 6 pens. The Derwent Bullet Journal set is the hybrid of the journal world as you basically get a 4 in 1 product for the price of one! 

Phil Smith Total Treat Range - from £3.00

The Phil Smith Total Treat range is perfect for those who like to take care of their hair, making them a thoughtful and affordable Valentine’s gift. The Total Treat range includes an array of different products, from shampoo and conditioner through to hair treatments and hair oil. The whole range is infused with Moroccan argan oil to help repair hair to a natural, healthy shine however dry, damaged or coloured it is. It's also packaged nicely in bright pink bottles. What more could you ask for?

Zippo Leather Bi-Fold Wallet - £24.90

When looking for a stylish yet practical gift you can't go far wrong with a wallet or a purse. I also think they make great gifts for most occasions. If you have a man who appreciates style, then he would really appreciate a Zippo wallet! With over 80 years of expertise in creating leather goods, this pocket-size accessory does not only look and feel good but it’s also hard-wearing. The Bi-Fold wallets are available in mocha or brown leather.

Haribo Heart Throbs - from £2.99

Last, but not least, treat your loved one to a tasty gesture this Valentine’s Day with a Heart Throbs Gift Box from Haribo. Filled with pretty jelly and foam hearts, this cute gift box is the perfect present for the sweet lover in your life.
Are you prepared for Valentines Day? If so I'd love to know what you have planned or if any of these ideas appeal to you.

- AD: We were gifted these products for the purpose of this gift guide, however, all opinions are my own.