Swizzels Sweet Hamper For Christmas - Review & Giveaway

AD - I was sent this product for the purpose of the review and compensated for my time.

Swizzels are a beloved brand here in Britain and have been around for generations - since 1928 to be precise. I remember back when I was a kid, skipping to the corner shop and filling my paper sweet bag full to the brim with Parma Violets - my favourite! Love Hearts are also iconic to me - they were our love language back in primary school. My friends and I would dig out of favourite Love Heart message and sneak it into the boy's backpacks - haha. Swizzels fills me with fond memories and lots of nostalgia - it makes me so happy to see them still around and enjoyed just as much as my children.

This weekend, on a dull and dreary afternoon we had a surprise delivery - a Swizzels hamper! The kids literally squealed in delight when they spotted the box. At just 8 and 4 years of age recognise their iconic logo and couldn't wait to tuck in. They were both already suited and booted in their new Christmas onesies and couldn't wait to gobble up some Swizzels whilst watch a Christmas movie. 

We received the retro premium hamper which retails at just £12.99. Every sweet in this hamper is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and the hamper weighs a whopping 1.1kg. Inside are the favourites that we all know and love such as Rainbow Drops, Parma Violets, Fizzers, Drumstick chews, Refresher bars, Love Hearts, and more! The dimensions of the hamper are, 8cm high x 25.5 cm wide x 15cm deep. Contents may vary from hamper to hamper and it's worth noting that the lollipops aren't recommended for children under the age of 2 years.

The kids didn't waste much time in picking out their favourites and I couldn't wait to get my hands on those Parma Violets. Swizzels stock an array of different hampers which I think make a lovely change to selection boxes for Christmas. Prices start at just £9.99. How would you like to win a Swizzels hamper? To enter simply use the form below.

Swizzels Hamper

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will win the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize provided by Swizzels. 
3. Competition ends 05/12/21.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only. 18 years old to enter.

5 Things I'm Loving Lately - November 2021

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I've been meaning to update the blog with a post like this for a while now - life has been so busy lately that I'm only just getting around to it. It's been a crazy time for us all, hasn't it? I'm still coming to terms with what has actually been happening the past (almost) two years. If COVID has taught me one thing it is to appreciate what you have and celebrate the things you love. Here are 5 things I'm loving lately.

1. Wedding Planning

After a 12 year engagement, myself and Nick have finally set a date and are getting married next May! We are both quite low-key people and don't like being the center of attention but we are setting that to one side. It's a day to celebrate our love for one another and to bring our families together. I am being very proactive when it comes to wedding planning and I have even booked our wedding photographer and ordered our wedding photo books.

2. Routine

Don't get me wrong, I can't say we are a very routine-based family - however, I'm just so appreciative to have some sense of normality back. Both Noah and Ava are at school and are thriving. It's wonderful to see them back with their peers and with smiles on their faces at school pick up. 

3. Stardew Valley
I'm going to sound like such a nerd but one of my favourite ways to relax in the evening is to dig out my Switch and play Stardew Valley. If you've not heard of it yet then you are totally missing out. It's more than just a farming sim and has become a cult classic. The sole creator Eric Barrone has also just announced a new game, The Haunted Chocolatier.

4. My Dogs
I don't mention my pups enough as I should - they are fabulous and a never-ending supply of entertainment, support, and love! With the kids being back at school we love wrapping up and going on long walks together. It's a great way for me to get my steps in too and wonderful for mental health.

5. Making Time For Me
With the kids back at school and having more time to myself I've been making sure that I treat myself every now and again. It's easy to lose yourself when you are a parent and to put your own needs on the backburner. Every month I go and get my nails done, my eyebrows threaded, and my hair done. It might not sound like much but it does me the world of good. For those of you who really want to spoil yourselves, you can go a step further and pamper yourself with laser hair removal - saving you time and money in the long run, and leaving you feeling permanent, pleasantly smooth. New York Laser Clinic offers advanced, medical-grade laser hair removal in London, and their gold-standard lasers provide effective, pain-free hair removal for every skin type. Book a free consultation today and, for November only, enjoy 55% off laser hair removal.

What are you loving lately? 

How to Raise a Respectful Child

 - This is a PR collaboration

Great relationships are built on the principle of respect and while we know what that is, how do we teach it to our children? A girls prep school in London shares a few ways that you can do this.

Tackling Disagreements

Knowing how to deal with disagreements is a key skill for being respectful that can help your child to socialise and work with others diplomatically. Teaching your child that it's okay to be faced with disagreements and the value that differing opinions hold can help you to do this. You can do this by having healthy debates at home which get your child to think about their standpoints and respectfully take differing views on board.

Being Considerate

Having an appreciation for the feelings of others can help your child to be more respectful and considerate. This is something that you can teach them by being kinder to those around you and making them aware of how they treat others. Tools such as a feelings dictionary may be useful for this or character books such as those on the MR Men series.

Communication Skills

Having the patience to listen to others is important when demonstrating respect. This is known as active listening, and it can help your child to improve on their comprehension too. Questions are a great way to demonstrate interest and can help your child to gauge situations better.

Using Manners

Manners cost nothing and can help your child to appear courteous and respectful when talking to others. Reminding your child to use their manners from an early age can help them to become accustomed to using them and become a respectful child.

Keeping an Open-Mind

Teaching your child to keep an open mind is important when raising your child with respect. This is the ability to be receptive to new ideas that are different to your own by agreeing to disagree and being open to understanding.

Crystalina Fairy Dolls - Review

AD - We were sent these products for the purpose of this review.

Ava, like most children her age, is drawn to anything cute and magical - so as you can imagine the new Crystalina dolls were a big hit with her as soon as she set eyes on them. We were sat on the sofa when I surprised her with them. She kept squealing in delight and insisted we take them outside because fairies love the outdoors. Ava can't resist a photo opportunity. She asked what their names were and the green fairy, Adventurine seemed to be her favourite - whereas Amythst was mine.

Crystalina dolls are small, fairy sprites, that are named after different gemstones. They are around 10cm tall - the perfect size for children from four years of age. They are bottom-heavy with the LED lights being in their skirts weighs which is clever because they don't topple over. They have pretty faces and bright coloured hair. Simply shake to wake and they light up and glow to show their powerful energy.

There are four Crystalina dolls to collect; Turquoise – The Sprite of Healing, Rose Quartz – The Sprite of Love, Amethyst – The Sprite of Wisdom, and Aventurine – The Sprite of Luck. Each doll comes with a moon stand, hair accessory, light-up wearable pendant, and a fact sheet.

Each doll has a unique aura but they all feature the same light colours and colour patterns. You simply press the special amulet button switch through 10 different coloured lights and patterns which all mean something different. They can also communicate through lights when placed next to one another.
Not only does Ava adore these Crystalina dolls but so do I - they are 100% mum approved. I'm all about empowering our children and the message behind these dolls is just lovely, and something I haven't come across before. Ava likes to match the lights to how she is feeling which I think is wonderful.

  I can see them being a bit hit this Christmas and at just £12.99 you can't go wrong. You can purchase them online at Amazon, or in store at Tesco.

Helping Your Child Find their Passion

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Whether your child’s looking to find a new series of interests or they’re struggling to find something that fully interests them, then it’s time to give your child options to look at different ways of finding what can be their passion. A passion is something that your child can feel invested in and dedicated to which is a really fun time for children to learn and develop their skills in. In this guide from an independent school in Kensington, we take a look at how you can help your child find and develop their passion.

Trial and error is always helpful

It might feel like it’s time-consuming at times, but you can find your child will only develop key interests if they’re given the space to try multiple things. Have your child pick out some activities they’d like to try and go down together to see what they’re all about. Your child will never know what they’re like if they don’t go down to try them, so encourage them to have fun and explore activities that may turn into hobbies.

Encourage open conversations with your child

If your child feels more comfortable finding out what they enjoy, then they’re more likely to try out new things. It’s all about making your child feel confident to try whatever they want to try out, so foster a safe and loving environment for them to do so. This includes open and honest conversations with your child where they feel like they can talk to you about their concerns, wants, and needs.

Motivate your child by boosting their confidence

Fun activities, days out with friends, and trips to the theme park are really inviting for children to try out on a regular basis. It’s also a great way of boosting your child’s confidence by exploring things your child doesn’t necessarily do on a regular basis. It’s a way to experiment with different things with your child while also finding out what they enjoy and what they don’t like.

Puppy-Proofing Tips for Your Home

AD - This post has been written and provided by An Post Insurance.

Bringing home a new puppy is a very exciting time for all the family. The unconditional love and pure entertainment they bring is priceless, not to mention the motivation to get us out and about for those much-needed walks.

Puppies are a full-time but very rewarding job. They’re naturally inquisitive and can get up to all sorts of mischief exploring their new surroundings. They’re also part of the family and require just as much protection as we do. With that in mind, An Post Insurance have put together six handy tips to help you puppy-proof your home for your new arrival.

Beware of Toxic House Plants
Something we may not even consider is that lots of our household and outdoor plants can be highly toxic to our canine companions and should be kept well out of reach. If you have household plants make sure to do some research to ensure they’re not dangerous to your new pet. PetMD outlines a list of some of the most toxic plants.

Take Care of Everyday Household Items
Just like children, puppies need to be kept away from everyday household substances which could prove toxic to them. Chemicals, cleaning products, and medicines should be stored out of reach – if that’s not possible, add child locks to lower press doors to keep your pup from harm.

Harmful Human Food
Some human foods may seem harmless but could prove fatal to your furry friend. It’s vital to know what foods are toxic to dogs so you don’t unknowingly make them ill, or even worse, cause a fatality. Your best bet would be to avoid feeding them human food at all, but if the temptation proves too much, make sure you’re 100% sure it’s safe for your dog. CanineJournal.com has put together a list of foods to be avoided and ones that are safe for your best friend to enjoy.

Cover Electrical Wires
Lots of puppies like to chew all and sundry while they are exploring their new world. Electrical wires can prove to be very tempting, but also very dangerous – they should be hidden behind furniture where possible or use cable ties or covers to keep them away from your pet. Sockets should also be covered when not in use.

Keep Windows and Doors Closed
While on their adventures puppies can get into or out of very small spaces so it’s important to make sure windows and external doors are closed at all times so they can’t fall out or make their great escape. Blind chords should also be secured to avoid getting wrapped around your puppy’s neck.

Don’t Leave Small Objects Within Reach
All small objects should be placed out of reach of your puppy. Anything they can reach is fair game in their little world. That includes your favourite pair of shoes, so if you want to keep them intact, make sure they are hidden away from exploring mouths.

Before your puppy arrives, go room to room and check for all the hazards mentioned above to make sure your home is a safe haven for your newest family member. That way, you and your family will have the peace of mind to enjoy the fun and adventures your new puppy will bring. An Post Insurance offer great value insurance to help protect every member of your family. Find out more and get a quote today!

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