November Degustabox - Review



Another month, another Degustabox! As mentioned in my previous posts we absolutely love our Degustabox subscription and receiving our monthly box is always one of the highlights of our month. We like to sit down as a family wit our box and open the box together and there's always something included which is suitable every one of us.


What was inside November's box.

1. Hartley's Glitter Jelly - 75p each
2. Christian Potier Sauce - £2.50 
3. Butterkist Choc Mallow Popcorn - £1.49
4. Butterkist Sweet Cinema Style Popcorn - 28p
5. Ryvita Thins - £1.89
6. Ryvita Crackers - £1.29
7. Pipers Crisps - £2.00
8. Jules Destrooper Butter Crisps - £1.19
9. J20 Glitterberry - £2.49
10. Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares - 89p
11. Appy Kids Co Drinks - £1.49
12. The Good Cider - £1.50 each



The November Degustabox was called the Christmas Box and you can see why as there were lots of items included which are perfect for the Christmas season. I'm planning on sitting down with a selection of cheese and the Ryvita crackers on Christmas Eve, enjoying the Glitterberry J20 on Christmas Day and making up some Hartley's glitter jelly for a treat for my son on Boxing Day. I thought that the box was absolutely perfect, another big thumbs up from us!

Degustabox costs £12.99 per month but if you would like to try it for the first time use the code: CTOMW at the checkout to receive a huge £7.00 off! That means you can get your first box for just £5.99! 

What products or brands would 
you like to see in Degustabox next?

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

Disney On Ice Presents Frozen - Review



Last Wednesday we had a rather exciting night as we were invited to attend Disney On Ice presents Frozen at Liverpool Echo Arena. We were all very excited and all week Noah had been telling everyone that he came into contact with that he was going to see Olaf and I often heard him squealing, "Disney Ice, Disney Ice!" 

Liverpool Echo Arena is a good hour and a half drive away from where we live but we made it within good time to pay a visit to the meet and greet. Whilst we were there we picked up our tickets and enjoyed some complementary fruit kebabs and drinks whilst we waited for some very special guest to arrive and I don't mean the array of famous footballers who were also in attendance! Introducing Anna, Elsa and of course, Mickey Mouse! Noah was a little bashful posing with the Disney princesses but as soon as he saw Mickey appear he literally ran across the room and gave him a huge hug! 



Once we'd had our fill of the meet and greet we decided to head over to the arena as the show was due to start shortly. It didn't take long for us to find our seats as the stewards and staff were very polite and helpful, a credit to Liverpool Echo Arena. Our seats were quite high up which was a bit of shame but better having high up seats than no seats at all. Though it's worth a mention that I've seen photo's taken from the ground floor which left me feeling a little disappointed as with those seats you are able to have a more immersive experience. I felt with being so high up we weren't able to see the characters up close and missed out on the details from the costumes and set design. If we were to come again I'd make sure to book rink side or lower tier tickets, that's for sure.  

We didn't have to wait long until the show started and what a way it began! Out skated Minnie and Mickey and after a little talk they introduced some of our favourite characters. We saw the likes of Timone and Pumba, Nemo and Dory and even Woody and Buzz! To be honest this was actually the highlight of the experience for us as it was great to see the familiar Disney characters that we know and love. 


It was then time for the show to start. The lights dimmed, snow fell, the music started and it was so atmospheric that I got goosebumps. I did wonder how Noah would fare sitting still for so long as he's not usually one for being still but he sat transfixed for almost the entire show. The whole experience was incredible, from the choreography and the set design through to the pyrotechnics and the music. It was literally like being in the movie and the only way we could have had a better time would have been to have had better seats but that's all. I'd recommend the show to all Disney fans out there as it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss and one that would be a hit with all the family.


- We received tickets free of charge for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own.

Project 365 - Week 48


27th November - 3rd December

27/11/16

28/11/16

29/11/16

30/11/16

01/12/16


02/12/16

03/12/16

We've all felt so much better this week as we all said goodbye to our nasty viral and chest infections! I wouldn't say I'm totally better just yet but I've felt like a new woman this week. It's been nice to be able to get back to some normality, nursery, walks, cooking, shopping, visiting family and we even went to Disney on Ice. It's been a pretty easy going week and today we ended the week on a high by having our first festive day out. It was at a Christmas event at a local farm and both my son and nephew had such a great time! In involved arts and crafts, meeting elves, seeing reindeer's, singing carols and of course meeting Father Christmas himself! Our house is currently feeling very cosy too as last night we put up our Christmas tree! I love this time of year!

What have you been up to this week?


27 Weeks Pregnant - Baby #2



Baby
The baby is now roughly 14.5 inches long and weighs around 2lb. Her immune system is continuing to mature and her lungs are getting in lots of practice by breathing amniotic fluid. She will begin to put on lots of weight in the following weeks and currently looks like a more wrinkled version of what she will look like at birth.  

Mummy
As mentioned on last weeks post I'd been feeling really under the weather lately. My cough and cold symptoms were getting worse and worse as the days progressed and I was beginning to struggle to breathe. To be honest, I don't think I've ever been so poorly. I couldn't get in to see my GP despite being so unwell and with the added risk of being pregnant so I had to ring 111 and basically I was passed from one service to the next, none of which helped me at all. After three hours of being on the phone and one anxiety attack later I was advised to go to A&E. I had to go and seek emergency medical care just to see a Doctor because no one would manage to fit me in anywhere, absolutely ridiculous. Turns out I had a chest infection and after a week of antibiotics I finally feel like I'm on the mend. I can't tell you how difficult it is to look after yourself when you feel so ill, while being pregnant and having a toddler who's also poorly! Other than that it's just been the usual feelings of heartburn and exhaustion. I also feel absolutely huge! 

Towards the end of the week I had a 4D scan appointment which I was lucky enough to win in a competition! The scan was at Precious Glimpse and I can't rate the place enough, our experience was perfect. We were so excited to attend and to see our baby girl once again, it felt like a lifetime ago when we saw her at the 20 week scan. We were certainly not disappointed, look at her little face. She was smiling a lot and we caught her covering her face and sucking her thumb too. We got some really great photo's and even a couple of videos of her live in the womb, technology these days is out of this world! Going off the scan she looks just like Noah but we will have to wait and see if she does when she's born. I'm totally in love with her and I know she'll be here before we know it.


Protecting Your Family Beyond Health and Safety

 

Whether you are single, a couple or a family, protection is chief among your responsibilities. Yet when you think of protection, you probably think of crime prevention, illnesses and security. However, the umbrella of protection extends further than immediate danger. Protecting your family beyond health and safety issues is a complex subjects such as racism, sexism, and all kinds of abuse. Abuse can be displayed in many forms; mental, physical, and sexual - you need to know what is sexual abuse and when to seek legal advice. You also need to adhere to health and safety, you need to think short term, but there are also long-term plans to be made. Such plans include insurance, legal issues, college funds and online safety.

Legal Representation

Most people overlook the need for legal representation. In many cases, you may not think of a lawyer until you need one. With many drivers on the road you may find that you need a motorcycle crash attorney in Foley, AL at some point in time. While there are many advantages to calling a qualified lawyer when the need arises, you can also retain a lawyer for optimal service. For instance, if you crash your new pride and joy while out on a night ride, knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorneys who personally know you are available and on-call 24/7. You can ensure better service from a lawyer with a retention payment plan. This way, your lawyer gets to know you, and you can call them any time for any reason you may need legal advice.

Adequate Insurance

Further to the law, insurance is a significant factor in the modern world. Insurance covers everything from personal injury to your home being hit by a plane and everything in between. Additionally, Covid-19 insurance is one of the most important policies you need to think about these days. Especially when you travel. However, it is highly advantageous if you pay to begin a life insurance policy. With life insurance, you can ensure your family will be financially compensated should the worst happen. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Financial Planning

A recent survey in the UK found that almost 40% of people don't feel confident about money management. And this figure is echoed globally. Financial planning and the correct way to handle money isn't taught in school when it really should be. You can better manage out cash with the following:

  • Track spending habits

  • Make a budget and stick to it

  • Save when you can 

  • Always plan ahead and pay bills on time

  • Cancel services you don't use

  • Save up rather than use credit cards for expensive items

  • Invest money if possible

Poor financial planning increases the chances of money mismanagement. Mismanagement of your money typically leads to using credit wrong, insufficient savings and trouble managing essential bills. Planning for potential issues is also critical, as unexpected costs can quickly derail your finances. For example, in the event of a serious incident, consulting with motorcycle accident attorneys near me can help you navigate legal and financial challenges, ensuring you're better prepared to handle the situation. All of which will have serious consequences further down the line.

Parental Controls

You are probably aware of video game consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox. Yet you may not be aware of the video games your children are playing. Many video games are violent and not suitable for kids. Depending on where you live, video games are rated using Pan European Games Information (PEGI) systems in Europe. These systems are in place to protect kids and provide guidance to adults. Yet children may sneak into a game like Grand Theft Auto and play it without you knowing. However, you can set parental controls on modern video games consoles, which makes unsuitable games inaccessible.

Online Safety

Further to devices, when it comes to the safety of your children, the online world can be a dangerous place. Abuse at home is common, yet child grooming occurs when a predator slowly convinces a child to do something they should not. Examples include sending explicit images and videos, talking to other sex offenders and meeting them in a physical location. These contribute to anxiety and depression. And the proliferation of mobile devices makes this easier for criminals. However, you can use network monitoring apps like Net Nanny and Norton Family to block access to specific sites and monitor texts and calls. 

Education and College Funds

While it isn't necessary for a better future, a good education goes a long way. Especially if your kids hope to enter a specialized sector. For example, the study of law is not taught in schools. Therefore, the law school must be paid for privately. Yet, the average cost of a college education is rising all the time. For instance, the average cost of a college education in the UK is £22,000 and $25,000 in the United States. And these are generous figures, with the actual price likely to be much higher. Additionally, the cost of education rises year on year. There is help available in loans and scholarships, yet you will be expected to contribute a large portion of the costs.