My Ultimate Christmas Song and Memories are made of this.

My ultimate Christmas song is not your typical one that you might think , songs have memories that are personal to each person:

Love it " I'll tune into you, you tune into me" classic lyrics !

It was Christmas 1975 We had not long been in England having just come across from Scotland The Outer Hebrides as my dad had been in the army. I was only just three years old and I loved the Wombles. Well what happened in 1975 ?

• 11 February - Margaret Thatcher defeats Edward Heath in the Conservative Party leadership election to become the party's first female leader. Mrs Thatcher, 49, was Education Secretary in Mr Heath's government from 1970 to 1974.
• 4 March - Actor Charlie Chaplin, 85, is knighted by the Queen
• 3 April - Release of comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
• 5 April - Manchester United clinch promotion back to the First Division one season after relegation.!
• 9 June - Proceedings in Parliament broadcast on radio for the first time.
• 5 September - The London Hilton hotel bombed by the IRA killing two people and injuring 63 others
• 10 October - Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody is released.
• 6 November - First public performance by punk rock band the Sex Pistols.
• December 1975 "Wombling Christmas" is released.
• 25 December Claire Bolton age 3 recieves Wombles jigsaw for Christmas.

Christmas 2012 Claire Bolton now Claire Toplis( age 40) still has The Wombles jigsaw.

The other Christmas tunes I love are"

2. Do They know its Christmas Time? As I grew up in the 1980s's and the impact of this song shocked me as I was so lucky to have all the things I had as a child.

3. I believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake because it evokes the spirit and scene of Christmas and takes me back in time.

4.Fairytale in New York by The Pogues and Kitstie McCall because its fun and it lifts my 
spirits high.

5. Walking in the Air as this is a prerequisite to the ultimate Christmas cartoon that is tinged with sadness and joy. I love it because it is a true custom of Christmas.

@Bakerdays Keep Calm 40th Cake

I saw Baker Days offering reviews out and I thought mmm cake can I be cheeky enough to ask for cake .mmmm cake. Once my drooling had stopped I politely emailed them with a request for a cake but not an ordinary cake ooh nook.

They offer cakes that are small enough to slip through your letter box, but large enough to celebrate the biggest occasions.  They come in various sizes and many, many designs, and more that an amazing 400 plus to choose from!

And the cake  its arrived today.  it arrived in a box, which when opened revealed a Baker Days tin, with a two candles, some balloons and a noisy thing. All this was in course in celebration of my 40th Birthday if you can't blow your own trumpet once in a while when can you ?

Source: picmonkey.com via Claire on Pinterest

I have to say I was worried as when I worked in the Post Office one Christmas they did tend to play basketball with some packages!. I needn't have worried obviously perhaps the Post Office are more careful nowadays with their packages as they cake was perfect no dents or imperfections.

Source: picmonkey.com via Claire on Pinterest

I am thrilled with it I noticed also they do a Gluten Free option as well which is handy for me as my Mother in Law is coeliac. So what design did I go for there could be only one as I have a tendancy to panic about everything and anything .......

The Lock of Love

Last weekend I was in Shoreditch and I was pleasantly surprised it just shows you that you should never judge a book by it cover when it comes to areas of London. London is constant reinventing itself and regenerating its what London does. So stepping out of Shoreditch High Street tube I was greeted by this site, at first I was suspicious and I am sorry to say my mind began to go into overdrive and thought what I was seeing had some sort of slightly sinister over and under tones.

This I learnt was the Shoreditch Love fence which has far from a Gangsta street mentality about it, it has a far reaching significance. It is in fact a custom wheruopn couples inscribe a message or their initials on a padlock and affix it to a fence or any other structure that is permanent. So as the couples are bound to each other physically and emotionally the fixing of a lock furthers the bond.

There is an  assortment of padlocks in different shapes and sizes, and the red, blue, yellow and green wool and twine woven in and out of the diamond mesh fence in the shape of hearts, is an art work in progress.

Where did it all start ?


An ancient custom, which is believed to have originated in China, where lovers lock a padlock on a chain or gate and then throw away the key, symbolically locking their love forever. Around the world cities from Moscow to Rome are filled with fences, gates, and poles adorned with padlocks.  These engraved padlocks are an expression of hope and humanity, connecting people around the world with the one thing that unites us all: LOVE.

And why not visit a special site dedicated to Love Locks.

Colour in New York #TheGallery

Independent travel is the way to go sometimes but you have to plan what you are doing and do make sure you have the correct visa etc for where ever you are going.

A number of years ago it was my 10 th wedding anniversary and I decided I really wanted to go and see Macy's Parade . I had seen Home Alone and more importantly I had seen Miracle on 32 Street. I loved that movie both the original and the re make. 


I did my homework before I booked our New York Holiday and I did it all through Experia and I have to say I found it remarkably simple to do.

The hotel  We decided to go for was The New York Palace and it is a beautiful hotel with such stunning architecture and the views are to die for . With views of St Patrick's Cathedral and Radio City to name but a few.

I was also there for Thanksgiving and I was honoured to be part of an American tradition. And you can't get more colourful than the time honoured Macy's Paradde.

"Witness the extraordinary intersection of history and innovation at The New York Palace, a Manhattan luxury hotel located just steps from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center on Madison Avenue. The hotel boasts 813 guest rooms and 86 suites, including the prominentTowers accommodations, showcasing exceptional views of the city skyline, elegant furnishings and enhanced features. In addition to full concierge services and a lengthy list of in-room amenities, The Palace is proud to offer on-site dining at GILT, Istana and the Madison Room; a fitness center and spa; and a convenient location that positions us as the ideal choice among Midtown luxury hotels for business or leisure guests.

The New York Palace is home to over 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space for corporate functions, Manhattan weddings and other noteworthy events. For both grand and intimate occasions, our luxury hotel in Midtown features creative planning services, catering and a location your guests will never forget in heart of Manhattan.

Through the gates of the historic hotel's famed Villard Mansion and down the grand staircase, you’ll discover the understated elegance and rich history that has established The New York Palace as a truly iconic hotel. "

St Patricks Cathedral New York

Christmas Gift ideas for the whole family under £30

I just wanted to let you know its nearly Christmas I am not wishing to panic you or anything  buts its creeping up upon us.

I made this Christmas card!

1. Make or Buy your cards !


2. Make sure your address book is up to date. This adress book is ideal for all those names and adresses and keeping track of how to send cards to !

The FAMILY Address Book

£16.95

An address book for people who know lots of families.

There is room to include all the children’s names as well as everyone’s birthdays.  We say "an Address Book and Birthday Book rolled into one".

 So this going to be my saviour this Christmas you can buy  this from Mums Office and it makes a lovely gift for a family relative.

3. Don't forget the men !  why don't buy the the man in your life Tequila !

Patron XO Cafe is produced and blended in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Jalisco is known for producing the finest tequila in the world.

Patron XO Cafe is created to very exact specifications by a small family owned distillery. The owners are known to produce some of the highest quality Agave tequilas of their type.

Patron XO Cafe originated from a very unique blend of XO Fine tequila and pure natural coffee essence. 

Patron XO Cafe is produced at 70 proof (35% Alc. by volume). Patron XO Cafe was conceived to be a coffee tequila more than an overly sweet coffee liqueur.

The product is blended to be "dry" not sweet as with most low proof coffee liqueurs. The higher proof brings out the flavour of the pure coffee essence and the XO Fine tequila. 

The sugars are kept to a minimum allowing the product to be consumed as a cocktail as well as an excellent liqueur or ingredient in gourmet cooking. 

Patron XO Cafe has tremendous versatility and Patron believe it is the finest tequila coffee liqueur .

Patron Xo cafe Tequila.

4. Don't forget the children ! What about this game from Drumond Spin Mania The Speeding, Spinning, Time Trial Challenge! An unusual and enthralling time trial challenge which is real heart- thumping fun for age 4+. It consists of a motorised spinning unit with an inset electronic timer, three helicopter-like circular rotary 'blades', and three cones on which to set them once they are spinning correctly. Children run from place to place to get their blades spinning one by one, and each time someone completes the task successfully, their time is recorded - and the next players then strive to beat the time.

Inside the box is a Spin Machine, 3 plates, 3 plate Stands , 1 Spin-Spike, 4 Marker pegs and instructions. It does require batteries so don't forget to buy this otherwise you will have disappointment! It take 2 C / LR14 batteries

Spin Mania.

Disclosure ( I was send all of the above items for review all thought words and opinions are my own )