Review: April Degustabox

I have been reviewing Degustabox for a few months now and each month the box just gets better and better. If you are new to Degustabox, then let me explain..

Degustabox is a subscription box for foodie lovers everywhere. Each month you receive a box full of brand new and exciting food products, all for £12.99. It's ideal if you love to discover new foods and tastes. If you aren't to keen on receiving a surprise you ca tailor the box to your personal preference instead.

Here is what was inside April's box:

Dr. Oetker Cooking Chocolate x2: I haven't baked for a while now but on seeing these Dr. Oetker products in the box it made me want to bake some muffins or a huge chocolate cake. 

Crabbies Raspberry Alcoholic Ginger Beer: I was plesantly surprised to see Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer in there. We love Crabbies and my other half didn't waste any time in sampling it. It was divine! 

Clearsprings Miso Soup x2: We haven't tried these yet but they do look interesting. 

Lindt bars x3: Oh my days. Lindt is one of my favourite brands of chocolate and I enjoyed these way too much. It was nice to see them in bars! Such a rich and creamy chocolate, yummy. 

Go Splash: This is a very concentrated fruit squash which can make up to 6 litre's of cordial. Low calories and no added sugar. I received the blackcurrant variety, it's lovely.  

Cawston Press: Rhubarb blended with sweet apples and sparkling water. It's a lovely sweet and sugar filled pop. The taste is divine and reminds me of rhubarb and custard sweets. Very high in sugar though. 

Keogh's Crisps: I love my crisps and could easily live off them. I hadn't tried Keogh's before and on trying these sea salt and vinegar variety I was very impressed. Quite possibly my new favourite crisps! I just wish there was more than one bag in the box. 

Mornflake Granola & Mornflake Muesli: These cereal pots are great for on the go. All you need to do is simply add cold water and they are ready! Perfect for busy mornings.

McVities Jaffa Cake Mini Rolls x2: We received the Tropicool and Berry Burst varities and both were delicious. A great twist on the mini rolls. It says on the pack to pop them in the freezer for a frozen treat.

Again Degustabox haven't failed to disappoint. Each month they just get better and better! A great mix of products and great value for money. I am very impressed! I would hesitate in recommending Degustabox to everyone! 

If you want to sign up yourself then feel free to use this code: 9EZP6 at the checkout to receive a £3 discount.  

What's in my changing bag. Part 2

When Kiddicare contacted me asking if I would like to team up with them on a changing bag project they are running I was very excited to do so. I'm a self confessed nosey parker so there's no wonder why I enjoy reading those "What's in my handbag" or "What's in my changing bag" blog posts so much. A couple of months back I wrote all about the contents of my own changing bag (see here) and I really enjoyed blogging about it. Now that Noah is almost six months old (in 4 days time!) I have found that what I pack now is very different to what I packed two months ago. 

Here is what you will find in my changing bag;

Bottles - I NEVER leave the house without a bottle! Even if you are popping out for 5 minutes, the chances are if you don't pack one then your baby is going to want a feed. If we are out for the day I tend to pack three or four 6oz bottles of boiled water to use as and when Noah wants them. 

Milk Dispenser - The milk dispenser holds 3 measures of 3 feeds. Which is ideal for popping into your changing bag when you are on the go. You simply pour the section of formula into the cooled boiled water when your baby wants a feed.

Thermal Bottle Bag - To keep one bottle of water as warm as possible. 

Food Pouch - We are weaning Noah and he absolutely loves his food. I try to make the majority of his meals from scratch but find premade pouches are a godsend when out and about. 

Dish and Spoon - For his food of course. 

Snack - I sometimes pack a banana to mash up for Noah as a snack or a pudding after his tea. Banana's are his favourite but I am trying to limit them at the minute cause they tend to make him a little constipated. 

Dummy and Dummy Wipes - Noah has a dummy for nap time and bed time. I always make sure I pack a spare dummy and a pack of dummy wipes. 

Nappies and Wipes - Pretty obvious! I try to pack a full pack of wipes each time as Noah has a tendency to have multiple "poocidents" on days outs! 

Lotions and Potions - I always make sure I am carrying a pot of Sudocrem and a tube of Bonjela. My changing bag staples. 

Teething Rings - He is teething but dealing with it really well. He always has something in his mouth to gnaw on and he is just starting to understand what teething rings are for. 

Change of clothes/PJ's - A change of clothes is vital for your changing bag, one of the items I wouldn't leave without packing. His nappy could leak, he could be sick all down himself, he could be a bit messy at tea time. You need that spare change of clothes. I usually don't need it but I can guarantee the day I don't pack it, I will need it! I usually just pack a babygrow as not only can it be used as a quick change of clothes but it can be used as PJ's too. Sometimes if we end up visiting family and stay a bit longer than planned I will dress him in his PJ's before we set off home. I do this to prevent disturbing him if he has fallen asleep or is really crammed on the way home. 

Bibs - Noah is currently teething and being weaned so I now need to pack numerous bibs. Dribble bibs, bandana bibs, feeding bibs, velcro bibs.. you name it, I pack it. If he isn't soaking a bib through with drool within the hour he is slopping his dinner down it instead. We go through so many bibs in one day. 

Jacket - It's a bit hit and miss is the weather lately so if he isn't wearing a jacket when we leave the house I will make sure I pack one.

Blanket -  Again with the weather changing on a daily basis I tend to pack a blanket just in case. I used to just pop one over him when in his pram but on the warmer days he doesn't need one. It's always best to have a lightweight one just in case. 

Comforter - I can't leave the house without one of Noah's many comforters. I think he would be okay without it but having one on hand helps soothe him and settle him when he is ready for a nap. 

Toys - Now that Noah is older he is harder to keep stimulated and entertained. He is really into his toys at the minute and where as I used to only need to pack one or two to keep him occupied I now need to pack half a dozen. I have half a toy store in my bag! 

What are your changing bag essentials?

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.