My gaming essentials

I've always been into gaming for as long as I can remember. From Crash Bandicoot on the PS1 or Pokemon on Gameboy. Gaming is definitely one of my favourite past times. I like browsing the web for new suggestions and that's when I came across yes gamers - who love to game just as much as I do - so much so it's in their slogan! There are many tips and tricks on the website which are invaluable to us gamers. With that in mind, I have compiled a list of my gaming essentials. 

Headsets- A top-of-the-range headset can transform the way you play. You hear so much more with a good quality headset rather than just speakers. You can listen without any limits, picking up every little detail. You can communicate with your friends too all without irritating your other half or waking the baby! 

Controllers- You need to have good quality and comfortable gamepad. The cheaper versions are uncomfortable and don't have the buttons in the correct place. It definitely pays to invest in a decent gamepad. 

Monitor/TV- To create the ultimate gaming experience you need a large, flat screen, high definition monitor or TV. This will offer a crystal clear picture and will bring your games to life.

Sound system- A cinema surround system will make you feel like you are actually in the game. You will hear every sound from every direction which will really add to the gaming experience. 

Gaming chair- Last but certainly not least is the gaming chair. When totally enthralled with your game the last thing you want to be is uncomfortable!

Snacks- let's face it, the best gaming marathons usually last hours and you need to keep your energy up by having lots of naughty snacks! Bring on the Doritos and M&M's! 

One place I always stop at for my gaming essentials is Gioteck. They stock what I need at a great price. My one stop shop for gaming accessories. What are your gaming essentials?

This is a PR Collaboration. 

Our home: The work has begun

If you follow the blog you will know that this year we made an offer on our first house. After a week or two of negotiations they accepted our offer and we were over the moon. Little did we know that it would take a long, drawn out three months until we signed on the dotted line and finally got our hands on the keys! 

We got the keys last Friday and it's been none stop ever since. I started on the master bedroom, stripping the wall paper. Whilst Nick, his Step Dad and Granddad ripped the kitchen out and begun the rewiring of the house. I would be upstairs taking off the wallpaper and pop downstairs to refill my wallpaper steamer nd there would be a hole in the floorboard or something new ripped out. We are so lucky to have so much help with the house as we wouldn't of been able to do it without Nick's family. It's incredible to see how much we have got done in such a short amount of time.

We have a month left in this rented house before we move into our new home. Time isn't on our side so we need to get as much of the work out of the way as we possibly can. This would be pretty straight forward if we only had the odd job to do but we literally have to gut the entire house; central heating, rewiring, new kitchen, new bathroom, new windows, plastering, every room needs redecorated and more. There is so much to do with so little money. It's hard to budget too cause every day a new job or repair seems to pop up and rear it's ugly head! But it's better to spot them now before we fully redecorate and move in, that would be a nightmare. 

So as it stands the house currently looks like a bombs hit and you really have to watch where you are walking with the multiple holes in the ground. Once all these big jobs are out of the way the real fun begins, the decorating! We can't wait to make this house into our home. 

Our home: Getting the keys

It's taken a good 3 months but we finally have good news! Tomorrow we are going to sign on the dotted line for our first home, we should leave with the keys! It doesn't seem real! 

We went to have a last look around the property this evening as it's been such a long time since we viewed it last. I forgot how big the house is. I think it will take a while to get used to the space considering we are living in such a small rented bungalow at the minute. It's going to be bliss having so much room and to not feel so confined anymore. 

Having a look at everything again tonight makes everything seem so much more real. The whole house and renovation project (which I blogged about here) is so daunting as there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Once we are in there and start the work we can tick off jobs as we go. Hopefully breaking it all down will make the whole project less frightening.  

We didn't waste any time and had the kitchen measured up tonight and my partners step Dad has already designed us a kitchen. Which means we have to make a final decision on which style we want to go for as we are getting the kitchen priced up tomorrow. I know I want a cream kitchen with wood works surfaces and I seem to sway towards the shaker style.  

After the months of waiting everything seems to be happening really quickly now. Lots of big decisions need to be made and quickly. Which is usually hard enough but being such an indecisive person like me makes it ten times worse. 

With so many jobs that need to be done on a limited budget, do you have any tips on making our money go further. Or any renovation or DIY tips you would like to share?

Are you a young Entrepreneur in the making?

Are you a young Entrepreneur in the making? Are you fresh out of University? Do you have a business idea? Would you like to start your own business but need financial backing?

Then you have come to the right place.

Introducing VirginStartUp.  An organisation that is currently helping young entrepreneurs start up their businesses. Not only with funding but with a bounty of resources and brilliant advice too. The funding is just the beginning with Virgin StartUp.

Here is what you receive for FREE with a Virgin StartUp Loan:

Mentoring - You will be assigned a mentor that is specifically suitable to you and your business. The skills and experience will be in the departments that you require help and advice in.

Promotion - You will receive free and exclusive PR. This is invaluable for a new business as it doesn't cost you a penny and gives you great exposure across the entire Virgin brand which can bring you new customers and investors.

Business Advisor - A business advisor will be provided upon application. They will give help from the get go. They will walk you through the investment process and even help you develop your business plans.

Events - Once signed up to Virgin StartUp you are part of the Virgin Family. You will be invited to a multitude of events and functions.

Since the launch of Virgin StartUp back in 2012 the scheme has supported over 10,000 businesses and given out almost 75 million pounds to entrepreneurs across the UK. Which is simply astonishing.

Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to start my own business but inspiration has never set in. I would love to wake up one morning with a bright idea and still to this day, in the back of my mind I am trying to come up with something. It's a great peace of mind to know that there is a not for profit organisation out there that could help me set up not only money wise but will help me realise my business plans and build my confidence too.

So if you are itching to get started then don't hesitate for a moment longer. Virgin StartUp are there to help you every step of the way to help make your business dreams a reality.

This is a PR collaboration. 

The smile that melts my heart

I remember back when you were two months old and you began smiling, that first responsive smile absolutely melted my heart and I remember welling up. You Daddy recorded the moment on my phone and you can hear my voice breaking as I am talking to you because you were smiling back at me as I spoke. I will remember that moment forever. 

We are so lucky because you are such a smiley, happy baby. We just have to look at you and you reward us with a big beautiful smile. You are now 5 1/2 months old and my heart still melts every single time you smile at me, I don't think that feeling will ever wear off.  

Every morning I wake up to a big cheesy grin and it is literally the best way to start every morning. I love you so much Noah, keep those smiles coming! 

Dealing with stranger anxiety

I'd heard of stranger anxiety long before I had my own child. I always assumed the children that suffered with it hadn't been socialised enough. Now I have Noah and he is going through it I now realise how presumptuous and untrue that opinion was. 

They say stranger anxiety develops from around 6-12months old but Noah started showing signs as young as 3 months old. We could be at someone's house and he would be fine sat on someone else's knee. He would be smiling and babbling away and then the next minute be screaming hysterically. Red in the face, tears streaming, the works. As soon as he was back in my arms he would instantly stop crying and nuzzle into me. When it first started I found it very upsetting and I didn't know what to do. 

As time went on he would have days were he wasn't so bad and we would think he was overcoming it but then the next day it would be back to square one, if not worse. It has made socialising with other people a struggle and a constant worry as I am always thinking "Please don't cry, please don't cry". It's so difficult cause I don't want Noah to become upset but at the same time feel awful for the family members who are just trying to bond with him and all he wants to do is cry. It's also hard because family and friends aren't getting to see the real Noah. They see him upset and stressed. I once had a comment on how he is "whiny" he is which really got to me as he isn't at all, they just see his anxiety. That isn't who Noah is, he is such a happy and easy going baby who is really coming into his own at the moment. I think that Noah also picks up on that negativity and that can make everything worse.  

When the stranger anxiety begun my Mum would often keep him in her arms whilst he cried and at the time I didn't like it. I wanted to comfort him myself but in the long run this was the best thing as he is now fine with her. My Mum is one of the only people Noah is fully comfortable with other than Nick and myself but it took a while to get there. 

After reading up on stranger anxiety and receiving great advice from fellow Mummies I have found it has really helped. I feel confident now I know why Noah is crying and have learnt some things that can help in different social situations.

- Keep the TV on. This helps us so much as having a little bit of background noise seems to help ease Noah. If everything is silent and then there are people being loud or brash and in his face then he is going to have a meltdown. 

- Sitting on my knee. This eases Noah into these different social situations and new faces. Once he is comfortable and smiling I know he is feeling happy. He then usually feels confident enough to be in the arms of others.

- Toys. Having toys to keep Noah entertained helps him feel calm and cheerful. They are also great as it's a way for others to be able to bond with Noah and helps him warm up to them. 

I think the term "stranger anxiety" is a bit misleading as it's not only occurs with strangers but it can be with family members too. The term also makes it harder to explain to relatives because as soon as you mention "stranger" it can upset them as they aren't strangers at all. 

At the moment Noah is doing really well and has a few days where he has been great with other people and hardly cried at all. We are staying optimistic but we know that it could all change. 

Did your child suffer with stranger anxiety? Do you have any tips you would like to share?